All Chapters of Alpha's Substitute Bride : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Dean POV.I hadn't endured such a sleepless night in years—certainly not since the days when my beloved Eliza had first been taken from me. Back then, I could hardly eat or sleep for days on end. I felt like a completely different person. Even when we finally found her, guilt and regret tore me apart. I should have protected Eliza, but I let her down. Now, I feel like I've been given a second chance with Blossom, and I can't afford to fail her too.I've always considered myself strong—stronger than most, in fact. It's been part of my identity as the alpha werewolf my entire life. Alongside my physical strength, I've prided myself on the emotional resilience I possess. That emotional strength has made me a better leader, something I strongly believe. Regardless of what I'm going through, I've never allowed my personal struggles to impact my leadership. Yet since Eliza's death, maintaining that balance has become increasingly difficult. Quincy has pointed out

Blossom POV.Dean never breaks his stride as he approaches the entrance to the meeting room. He understands what his brother, Caleb, is attempting to do—to lift his spirits and distract him from his inner turmoil—but it simply isn't working. Nevertheless, he appreciates Caleb's efforts, reminded that his brother has been the one constant in his life, sharing many of the same experiences since their childhood.Caleb knows Dean better than anyone else. However, at times like this, when Dean feels the urge to close himself off until he can figure things out, it becomes annoying to hear Caleb say things he already knows but refuses to acknowledge. He senses a conversation approaching in their near future, and frankly, he dreads what Caleb will have to say. Yet, a part of him anxiously awaits his brother's advice on what to do next.They reach the meeting room entrance, and Caleb steps ahead to swing the door wide open. The noisy chatter of the gathered men floods through the entrance, jol

Dean POVI found myself hardly surprised when Caleb interrupted the proceedings we were engaged in. On some subconscious level, I might have even welcomed his interference as a lifeline out of the quagmire I'd found myself in, knowing I wasn't handling things as effectively as usual. As the others quickly scattered, Caleb took the lead, guiding me away from the business complex and back towards the villa, where the privacy of my office awaited our candid conversation."Let's be honest, brother. You need to get a grip on what's happening. What was going on in there?" Caleb queried as we walked. "I've observed as you meticulously laid the groundwork for this meeting over the months, strategizing intelligently at every turn. But today, instead of leading with the decisiveness you're known for, you appeared uncertain and hesitant. That's not the Dean people rely on.""I know," I muttered in return, not meeting his eyes. "You don't have to tell me.""I

Blossom povDean remained utterly captivated by the mere sight of me. The fact that I turned around both times he silently implored me to confirmed a deep, undeniable connection between us—a realization that we could communicate telepathically. This development came as a surprise, happening much sooner than either of us had anticipated, yet it brought Dean a sense of assurance about the feelings he found increasingly difficult to suppress. Such a rare form of communication, he had mused, couldn't possibly stem from mere lust. It had to signify something deeper and more profound about our burgeoning relationship.He had shared with me before how this type of connection took much longer with Eliza, causing a strain between them. Eliza's frustration had been palpable, her words echoing in his mind as she accused him of "not trying hard enough." But here, with me, everything seemed effortless.The other members of the pack who had been milling around the court

Blossom POVDean couldn't help but chuckle to himself as I explained that I simply wanted to go for a swim. Given my choice of swimwear, he knew I wasn't merely planning to do a few laps. I looked absolutely breathtaking, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from me. It was clear that he needed to be by my side—not just to get me to go inside or cover up, but because my presence stirred a desire within him that was becoming painfully intense. There were times I felt I made him lose control, and that internal struggle was tearing him apart. He had strong feelings for me, yet he kept insisting that it couldn't possibly be love—he had vowed never to love another woman.I could see that Dean was starting to understand what I needed: to hurt him back for the pain he had caused me. I wasn't someone who sought to hurt others just for amusement, even though people like that certainly existed. I was acting out, desperately trying to grab his attention and make him f