Two Wolves, One Heart.

Winter’s POV:

I wake up with my heart racing. I didn't dream, not this time, but it feels like there's something beating inside me. It's warm and steady, like the feeling of someone's hand on your chest. It spreads throughout my entire body. The weird thing about it is, it isn't painful, not even a little bit. In fact, it almost feels…comforting?

It feels like safety. I like it.

My eyes flutter open slowly.

Morning light pours through the tall windows, and I'm thankful to whoever pulled down the blinds. The light is dimmed by the curtain, casting an unearthly look in the room. I stretch my arms over my head as the sounds of birds chirping rings out.

But the feeling doesn't fade. It pulses, like it's alive. I gasp, realizing the feeling is the bond. I sit up quickly, clutching my chest.

Why does it feel so different today? Stronger yet weaker at the same time? Yesterday it felt like I was in a chokehold, now it feels like it's a warm blanket wrapping around me.

It almost feels like someone is close.

A knock sounds on the door. Before I can reply, it opens. Derrick’s tall frame enters the room. His brown eyes shine in the light.

The feeling flares, stealing my breath.

“Oh” he says softly. “You're awake.”

The warmth surges again, almost like it's reacting to voice. That's when I understand. Being close to Derrick makes the bond stronger.

But what about…

Derrick interrupts my thought flow. “I came to check up on you. See how the bond was coming along.” He rubs the back of his neck. “After everything that happened yesterday.”

I nod slowly. “I'm okay. I think.”

He smiles, and it's way better than the one from the first time we met. It's not sharp like Keon's. It looks genuine.

“Well I'm glad”

He walks closer toward me slowly, like he's afraid he'll scare me.

And gods help me. I like that.

The warmth in my chest spreads even more.

He sits on the bed next to me, reaching gently for my face. “Can I?”

Confusion hits me. At his question and the way he's so gentle with me. “Do what?”

“I want to see how the mark is coming along.”

Fear courses through my veins. See the mark? I totally forgot about having to convince Derrick the mark is his.

I’ve already been marked by Keon. What if he sees the mark and knows that it's not from him?! He would kill me for sure. Is there even a way to know the difference between a natural mark and a forced one? Shit what if he knew this whole time and was just lying to my face? My fingers shake under the blankets.

I can't let him see my mark.

When he reaches for my back, I turn away. My voice shakes as I try to speak. “I…I don't think that's a good idea.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “I get it, you're worried about how it will look but I promise you regardless of the mark you're still a very sexy witch.”

The way he just says it so freely makes my insides feel like there's a herd of butterflies in them. He laughs, but my insight hits me, reminding me about the mark.

Before I can say anything, he tugs down on my gown. My back gets hit with a rush of cool air, and I freeze.

Behind me, Derrick is silent.

Shit.

This is it. I got caught. I'm probably going to get killed.

At least that's what I think, until Derrick sighs. “Wow, it's coming together very nicely I see. I'm curious, do you think my mark looks like a double crescent because our mating is supposed to be forbidden?”

Shit. The mark is two shapes now?

I try to maintain my cool. “Maybe, who knows” my voice is airy, the real reason why is clear in my mind.

Because the mark that he thinks is his is for his own brother. His Alpha.

“You know,” he says, tracing my back slowly, the move taking me by surprise. I gasp. He chuckles darkly. “I love forbidden.” His hand ghosts my waist. My core feels tingly.

I lose the ability to speak clearly. “Y-you do?” He laughs again, the sound lighting something inside me. “Absolutely. You know what they say. The forbidden fruit is always the sweetest” his voice has me gasping, even though all he did was trace my back. He pulls my gown back in place.

“Do you…feel it too?” I whisper softly.

“The bond?” He asks. I nod.

“Yeah, it feels stronger today.”

Aha, so I'm not imagining it.

He offers his hand. “Come with me. You've been in this room for far too long. I'll show you the gardens. I have a feeling you'll love it.”

A part of me feels drawn to him.

The other…

I'm about to grab his hand when a voice whispers.

Mine.

It sounds like…

I glance around the room, almost expecting Keon to jump out. But there's no one in the room aside from us. Then how did I hear him?

Or maybe I'm just hearing things.

I grab Derrick’s hand. The moment our skin touches, warmth rushes through me like sunlight. I gasp quietly, Derrick’s breath stutters as well.

“Easy,” he mutters. “It takes some getting used to.”

When we step outside and onto the halls, people bow in greeting, whispers floating down the hall as we leave. I try not to let it get to me.

When the doors to the garden opens, I gasp loudly. It's absolutely breathtaking. Tall trees high enough to rival with buildings are all over the place, glowing flowers, and vine creeping up the walls.

It's beautiful.

“This place is amazing, Derrick.” he laughs softly, leading us to this amazing grove that's bent in a way it's like a bench. “I'm glad you like it. I want you to feel at home here Winter.”

Home. The word feels foreign. I don't think I've ever had a home. A house sure, but a home?

If this is what a home feels like, then I like it.

For a long while, we sit and talk. About everything and anything. My life back at home, and I learn he love chess but hates checkers. We laugh when I ask, "Aren't they the same thing?” A servant even brings us food. I ignore the nasty look she gives me as she flashes her tits for Derrick. He doesn't bat an eye.

He makes me laugh, real, soft, laughs, surprising me.

This is what a mate is supposed to feel like?

Like safety wrapped up in a cocoon?

So why does my chest tighten when I spot him?

I glance up, and far across the gardens, inside one of the training rooms, Keon is inside. He's hitting the punching bag with scary-like accuracy, but his eyes are on me. They glow red in the distance.

He doesn't feel like warmth.

He feels hotter, stronger. My heart stumbles in my chest. He doesn't move, he doesn't speak, just stares at me as he hits the slug bag.

And somehow, that makes everything much more intense.

Derrick follows my gaze and stiffens slightly. “Ignore my brother, he can be a bit…protective.”

That's one word for it.

Yeah right. Keon's gaze didn't say protection, it screamed possession. It screamed mine.

The bond with Derrick hums gently in my chest.

But underneath, something else pulls at me. It's sharp, magnetic and confuses me.

Why do I feel this way about both of them?

Being with Derrick feels safe.

But with Keon, everything is ten times hotter. He feels dangerous in the best and worst way possible.

My fingers curl into my dress.

This isn't normal.

I shouldn't feel this way about them.

Even though Keon marked me naturally, shouldn't the relic of Blood-Fang have overrun it? I should only feel bonded to Derrick. That's what should've happened.

So why does my heart race when Keon looks at me like that?

Why does a part of me want to run to him, and another want to stay right here with his brother Derrick?

Two brothers. Two separate bonds.

And a heart that doesn't know what it wants.

And I fear this is only the beginning.