Welcome To The Blackwood Mansion

Chapter 1

Isabella

"You're going to love your new family, Isabella."

I glanced at my mother, who had been smiling at me for the past twenty minutes.

I wished I could share her excitement.

Instead, I stared through the car window at the enormous black gates standing before us. Beyond them was a magnificent mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens, expensive cars, and tall trees.

My new home.

Well, technically, it would become my home after my mother's marriage to Richard Blackwood.

A billionaire.

A ridiculously wealthy billionaire.

And apparently, the father of three grown sons.

"Mom, are you sure about this?" I asked.

She reached over and squeezed my hand.

"Of course, sweetheart. Richard is a wonderful man. He loves me, and I know he'll treat you like his own daughter."

I smiled weakly.

That wasn't what worried me.

It was his sons.

Alexander, Sebastian, and Adrian Blackwood.

I had heard enough stories about them to know they weren't exactly excited about having a new stepsister.

"Don't worry about the boys," Mom said, as though she could read my thoughts. "They'll get used to you."

"That's reassuring."

She laughed.

Before I could say anything else, the gates opened, and our car drove through.

I pressed my face against the window.

The mansion was breathtaking. White marble walls, enormous glass windows, beautiful balconies, and a fountain in the middle of the driveway.

"Are we moving into a mansion or a royal palace?" I muttered.

Mom giggled.

A few moments later, the car stopped. A man dressed in a black suit approached and opened my door.

"Welcome, Miss Sullivan."

I stepped out, adjusting my jacket.

The mansion looked even bigger from outside the car.

I took a deep breath.

This was going to be interesting.

The moment I entered the mansion, I noticed them.

Three men stood near the grand staircase, and all three were looking directly at me.

I suddenly understood why Mom had described them as handsome.

They were ridiculously attractive.

The first man stood with his hands tucked into his pockets. He wore a perfectly fitted burgundy suit, and his expression was so cold that I wondered if smiling was against his personal beliefs.

Alexander Blackwood. The eldest.

The second leaned against the staircase railing, wearing a dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up. A lazy smirk played on his lips.

Sebastian. The notorious playboy.

The third was busy scrolling through his phone. He looked younger than the others, but his features were just as striking.

Adrian. The youngest.

Great.

Three handsome men with three different ways of making me uncomfortable.

"You're late," Alexander said, looking at my mother.

Mom smiled. "Traffic was terrible."

His eyes shifted toward me.

"And this must be Isabella."

I offered him a polite smile.

"Nice to meet you."

He gave a brief nod.

That was it.

No welcome. No smile. Nothing.

Sebastian chuckled.

"So, this is the girl who's moving in?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"Is there another one?"

Adrian suddenly laughed.

Sebastian looked amused.

"She's got a mouth."

"And you have ears. Congratulations."

Adrian laughed harder.

Alexander's expression darkened.

"Watch your attitude."

I turned toward him.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"Alexander!" Mom warned.

Before I could respond, a deep voice interrupted us.

"That's enough."

A tall man with silver streaks in his dark hair approached. His expression softened when he saw my mother.

Richard Blackwood.

My mother's future husband.

He kissed her forehead before turning toward me.

"And here's my beautiful daughter."

I offered him a smile.

"Hello, Mr. Blackwood."

"Richard, please. You're family now."

Something about the way he said it made me feel slightly better.

He turned toward his sons.

"Alexander, Sebastian, Adrian. I expect you to make Isabella feel welcome."

"Of course, Father," Alexander replied.

Sebastian shrugged.

Adrian winked at me.

I wasn't convinced.

Dinner tonight was uncomfortable. I sat between my mother and Adrian while the three brothers behaved as though having dinner with me was some terrible punishment.

"So, Isabella," Richard began, "your university admission has been finalized. You'll be attending Blackwood University next week."

I almost dropped my fork.

"Blackwood University?"

"Yes. It's one of the best universities in the country."

I had heard of it. Everyone had.

It was an exclusive institution attended by wealthy families, influential people, and children of powerful business owners.

"That's wonderful," Mom said excitedly.

I nodded.

"Thank you."

"You'll be staying here with your brothers. They can help you settle in," Richard added.

Alexander immediately looked up.

"Father."

Richard glanced at him.

"What?"

"I don't think that's necessary."

My eyebrows rose.

Excuse me?

Sebastian leaned back in his chair.

"Does she even know how to look after herself?"

I placed my fork down.

"I've managed perfectly well for nineteen years. I think I'll survive."

Adrian laughed into his glass.

"Interesting."

I looked at him.

"What?"

"Nothing. You're just not what I expected."

"And what exactly did you expect?"

He smiled.

"Someone quieter."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

For the first time, I noticed Alexander watching me closely.

His expression was strange, almost as though he was trying to figure something out.

Then it happened.

A sharp pain spread through my chest.

I gasped, gripping the edge of the table.

"Isabella?" Mom immediately turned toward me.

"I'm fine."

But I wasn't.

My heartbeat was racing, and suddenly, everything around me became painfully clear.

I could hear the ticking clock across the room. The footsteps of someone walking outside. Even the steady beating of hearts around the dining table.

Then I heard a low growl.

I froze.

It sounded like it came from one of the brothers.

I slowly lifted my head.

Alexander was staring at me, his jaw clenched.

Sebastian had lost his playful expression and Adrian was no longer smiling.

His eyes were changing.

The beautiful brown color disappeared, replaced by a terrifying golden glow.

My breath caught.

"What... what happened to your eyes?"

Adrian stared at me.

"That's impossible."

Sebastian pushed his chair backward.

"Alexander..."

Alexander didn't respond.

Instead, he looked toward their father.

"Tell me you knew."

Richard's expression had changed completely.

He wasn't looking at me like a new daughter anymore.

He was looking at me like someone who had just discovered a dangerous secret.

"Get her upstairs," he ordered.

I frowned.

"What is happening?"

Nobody answered.

Then Richard spoke again, his voice dangerously low.

"Nobody outside this family must know what she is."

My stomach tightened.

"What I am?"

Alexander finally turned toward me.

His golden eyes seemed to glow beneath the dining room lights.

"Welcome to the Blackwood family, Isabella."

He stepped closer.

"Your ordinary life is over."