MARKED BY MY STEPBROTHER

Sophie's POV

I gripped the strap of my duffel bag tighter as the black Escalade drove through the hefty iron gates of the Blackthorn estate.

Silverpine Ridge stretched behind us like something out of a book, very tall pines covered in thick mist, the distant lashing of waterfalls somewhere making some noise. The mansion was ahead of us, covered with dark glass and heavy timber, looking more like a fortress than someone's home.

“Welcome to your new home, sweetheart,” Victor Blackthorn said from the driver’s seat. He happened to be my mother’s husband of only three months. The man who had appeared right after her funeral and promised me a life of stability, one that I never even asked for.

I forced myself to smile when though I wasn't in the mood for that. “Thanks... Dad.” The word sound strange on my tongue.

Victor chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. Damon’s waiting inside. He’s been looking forward to meeting you.”

I seriously doubted that. From the few photos I’d seen, my new stepbrother looked like pure trouble. He was tall, dark, and seemed to have an attitude.

The heavy front door opened before we even reached it.

And there he was.

Damon Blackthorn was leaning against the doorframe as if he owned the entire mountain. He was taller than I expected, with broad shoulders forcing curves against a black t-shirt and dark jeans resting low on his hips. Tousled black hair fell over piercing silver-gray eyes that were fixated on me. His sharp jawline and full lips made my stomach tighten in a way I didn’t want to think about too much.

I felt heat crawl up my neck.

“Damon,” Victor said an hospitable manner. “This is Sophie.”

Damon’s gaze dragged slowly down my body, over my simple white sweater, the way my jeans hugged my hips and thighs, then back up to my face.

I noticed something dark and hungry in his eyes before his expression turned stolid.

“So you’re the new stepsister,” he said, his voice was low and rough. I thought of gravel. “Cute.”

The way he said the word 'cute' felt far from innocent.

I pushed up my chin, refusing to make it looked like his intimidating gaze was working on me. “And you’re the infamous stepbrother. Nice to meet you too.”

A smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth. He stepped aside, but barely. When I walked into the house, I had to brush past him, making contact with his chest. The contact sent a sharp electric jolt through me. He smelled like pine, smoke, and something wild that made my heart beat faster that normal.

The mansion inside was even more awesome, ceilings like the kind you see in cathedrals, there's a massive stone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows that faced the endless dark forest. Victor gave me a quick tour, showing me the sleek kitchen, the game room, and finally my bedroom on the second floor.

It was beautiful. A huge king-sized bed with soft gray linens, a private balcony facing the trees, and an attached bathroom bigger than my old apartment back home.

“I’ll let you settle in,” Victor said with a kind smile. “Dinner at eight. Damon can show you around if you need anything.”

I nodded, relieved when he finally left. I dropped my bag and sank onto the bed, and let out a deep sigh. This was supposed to be a fresh start. Instead, it felt like I’d stepped straight into the wolf’s den.

Especially with him.

I slowly unpacked my stuff, trying not to think about the way Damon had looked at me earlier, like he wanted to devour me and push me away at the same damn time.

Night fell quickly in the mountains. I stood on my balcony, taking in the crisp night air, and that's when I heard it. It was low, howl that echoed through the trees. Sounded haunting and it make my skin prickle. That's the correct way to put it right? Worse, the howl sounded like it wasn't too far.

A soft knock on my door made me jump.

“Come in.”

Damon stepped inside without even asking for permission. He was in the doorway, arms crossed over that powerful chest. His silver-gray eyes looked everywhere in my room before landing on me.

“Dad wants you downstairs.” He said to me. “Make sure you change as well. That sweater’s too thin for dinner.”

I looked at what I was wearing. The soft white material hugged my breasts like a second skin, the chilly air was making my nipples faintly visible through the material. I crossed my arms. “I’m fine.”

He didn't seem to like my response. “Suit yourself. But if you walk around dressed like that, don’t be surprised when people stare.”

“People?” I raised an eyebrow. “Or just you?”

Something dangerous flashed across his face. He took one step closer, then stopped himself. I could feel air in my room grow thick and heavy. My heart was banging against my ribs already. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

Damon’s eyes fell to my lips for a second. “Careful, little sister.”

“I’m not your sister,” I shot back at him.

“No,” he murmured. “You’re definitely not.”

He turned and left before I could say anything else. And how did he leave me? Completely flushed lushed and aching for something I wasn't sure about. Totally strange of me.

Dinner was something else. Victor kept talking about business while Damon sat directly across from me. Every time I looked up, his eyes were already on me, watching, studying. Like a hawk or vulture, I wasn't sure which one. When I reached for the water, his fingers brushed mine. The spark was something I had never felt before and I pulled my hand back quickly.

Later that night, after taking a long hot shower, I couldn’t bring myself to sleep. The howling had started again, and this time it was even closer. So I got up, slipped on a short silk robe over my tiny sleep shorts and tank top and stepped out onto the balcony.

The moon was full in the sky and the silver rays were collected by the forest as if it was hungry for it.

That was when I saw it.

A massive black wolf emerged from the tree line, bigger than any animal I’d ever seen. Its obsidian fur shone under the moon like something polished, powerful muscles rippling with every step. It lifted its head and looked straight in my direction.

Silver eyes.

I froze, heart beating against my chest.

The wolf stared at me for a long, intense moment, then turned and vanished behind the trees.

My hands were shaking as I held the railing tight. That could not have been real! Wolves of that size didn’t exist, and those eyes looked exactly like Damon’s.

I quickly walked back into my room and closed the door to the balcony. My heart was already beating hard and I was trying to calm it.

Just as I turned toward my bed, my bedroom door opened and there he was again.

Damon stood there, wearing only gray sweatpants. He was shirtless.

His abs was looked like muscle that has been sulpted. He had scars that ran across his midsection and shoulders. Plus, there was a fresh fresh scratch mark running down his left side.

“Sophie,” he said, his voice was rough and it sounded very dangerous. “We need to talk. Now.”

He stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

I suddenly became very much aware of how little I was wearing. My silk robe had slipped open slightly, revealing the swell of my breasts and the curve of my thighs.

The way his eyes ran slowly over my body. Christ. I wasn't surprised that he made fists with his hands.

“What the hell is going on?” I whispered. “I just saw...”

He moved faster than I could notice. In two strides he was right in front of me, towering over me, the heat pouring off his skin. One large hand came up, as if he wanted to touch my face but he didn't.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he growled. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near me.”

“Then why are you in my room?” I demanded. Even as I said this, I could feel liquid pooling between my legs. Shit, my basement had flooded.

I could see the hunger in his eyes. He leaned down, towards me, and his lips brushed my outer ear.

“Because I can’t fucking stay away from you.”

His breath was hot on me and I had a feeling that it was part of what was sending shivers down my spine. My knees were already beginning to feel weak.

Just as his fingers finally touched my waist, pulling me closer, a sharp knock sounded on the door.

“Damon?” Victor’s voice called from the hallway. “Is everything alright in there?”

Damon cursed, his grip tightening on my hip for one dangerous second. Like he owned me.

My heart pounded as I stared up at my stepbrother, terrified, confused, and aching with a need I didn’t even understand.

What the hell had I just gotten myself into?