All Chapters of My Alpha Chose His Sister-in-Law Over Me, Now He Begs Me to Return: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Three years ago, the Full Moon was supposed to be the night Kieran and I completed our mating ceremony.He had scheduled it between a border patrol and a meeting with the elders, claiming it was "the most efficient arrangement."The patrol took longer than expected.By the time he reached the Moon Stone, the moon had already passed its highest point.The priest explained the rule. The ceremony could only take place at the seasonal Moon Peak. If we missed it, we'd have to wait another three months.During those three months, my mother fell ill. She had once served as the pack's Healer, and I'd grown up helping her copy out her herbal remedies.She didn't live to see my wedding day.In her final moments, she gripped my hand and whispered that she wished she could see me wear the moonstone ring.Kieran knelt beside her bed all night."Serena, I swear I'll never let you miss another important moment. No matter what happens, I'll be there."I believed him.Why wouldn't I? In the first year

On the third morning, Kieran's voice came through our mind-link."You blocked Neil?""I only blocked his messages."The other end of the link went quiet for a few seconds."Serena, the agreement is very clear. Emotional outbursts double your waiting period."I'd been home for a day.I was folding Wren's tiny clothes. Each piece was heartbreakingly small and soft.She was so small. Thea said her heartbeat was weaker than a normal pup's and had to be checked every day.Valerie had taken the oak cradle, so I lined an empty drawer with my coat and made a makeshift bed for Wren.Kieran was growing impatient."Serena, the time you waste arguing with me will be added to your waiting period."I finished folding each piece and tucked them into my bag."Then add it."My voice was flat."Double it, five times, ten times. Do whatever you want.""Kieran, I'm done waiting for you."That afternoon, Kieran came home.Valerie walked at his side, with Neil trailing behind.He strode through the door in

(Kieran's POV)Kieran arrived at the Moon Stone before moonrise.He was always punctual. He never kept anyone waiting.Tonight, the pack had gathered at Moon Stone. The elders wore gray ceremonial robes, and the low beat of drums filled the air as everyone waited for the Alpha to give Wren her long-overdue Welcome Howl.Kieran glanced down at his watch.By the time the moon rose, Serena still hadn't arrived.He frowned.She's slow again.His thumb tapped the watch face twice, a habit he had when he was impatient.He'd already sent her a message through the mind-link."Serena, the moon's up. Where are you? Don't be late. "There had been no reply.Five minutes.Ten minutes.Whispers began to ripple through the crowd."Why isn't the Luna here yet?""The Welcome Howl has to be sung at moonrise. The moon doesn't wait for anyone."Kieran had never waited for anyone.In his world, people always arrived before he could even check his watch.He reached out to her through the mind-link."Serena

Mistral Cove was a bay with no Alpha.The tides were the only clock in Mistral Cove. Fishing boats went out and came back with the tides.No one frowned at someone for being late, because the tide never ran on anyone's schedule.I hadn't chosen this place because it was anything special.It was simply unfamiliar and remote, a place where no wolf ever glanced at a watch.When I crossed the northern border, the pain of the severed mate bond still burned deep in my wolf.Wren stirred against my chest, let out a soft whimper, and fell asleep again.After three days and nights on the road, I knocked on the door of the last guesthouse at the edge of the cove in the middle of a downpour.A young man opened the door, flecks of gold dust still clinging to his shoulders.He glanced at the pup in my arms, then at the blood on my hands."Come in," he said. "Let's get her warm first."His name was Leo Ashford, a lone wolf with no pack.He ran the guesthouse, but his real business was a small, priva

After that day, Kieran bought a small seaside cottage next to my guesthouse and moved in.As if trying to make up for all the time I'd spent waiting for him, Kieran began learning how to wait himself.If he wanted to see me, he had to wait outside the guesthouse in advance, sometimes all night, and even then there was no guarantee he'd see me.If he wanted to walk me home after work, he had to wait outside the workshop at the time listed on my schedule.But my quitting time was usually flexible, and I'd already told Leo to ignore any questions Kieran asked."Is he your mate?"I shook my head."My ex.""I think it's time someone stepped in," Leo said. "I'll handle it.""You don't have to," I said.He took two steps, then turned back."Just to keep the peace at the workshop."I looked at him for a moment, then let him go.I never found out exactly what Leo had said to Kieran.All I knew was that, when I got home from work that day, Kieran was sitting on my doorstep."Serena, do you like