MARKED BY MY STEPBROTHER

Chapter Twenty one

Sophie’s POV

The holding cell that I had been put in was cold and sterile, with silver threads sewn into the walls that made my skin crawl. I sat on the edge of a narrow bed, arms wrapped around my knees, trying to ignore the constant ache between my legs and the emptiness in my chest where the mating bond felt.

They had taken Lucas.

The memory of Victor’s smug face as he carried my son away replayed in my mind over and over and over like a nightmare that just didn't want to go away. I hadn’t even been allowed to say a proper goodbye.

A soft click sounded as the door opened. Seraphina stepped inside, looking elegant and composed in a long black dress. She looked so much like the photos of my mother that it made my stomach turn.

“How are you feeling, daughter?” she asked, her voice deceptively gentle.

“Where’s my son?” I demanded, standing up despite the weakness I was feeling in my legs.

Seraphina smiled. “Safe. He is being well cared for. Stronger than we expected. He already shows signs of Alpha potential.”

“I want to see him.”

“In time,” she replied. “Once you understand your role here. You are the Luna of this pack now. Your duty is to produce strong heirs and lend your power to strengthen our bloodline.”

I laughed. “You mean be Victor’s breeding slave.”

Seraphina’s eyes flashed. “Victor is a means to an end. The real future lies with you and the child. Your true mother’s power flows in your veins. With proper guidance, you could rule beside me.”

“I already have a mate,” I said coldly. “And I want nothing to do with your plans.”

She stepped closer. “Damon is useful for now, but he is not essential. Refuse to cooperate and we will find other ways to make use of your body. There are many strong wolves in this pack who would be honored to..”

“Touch me and I’ll burn this entire compound to the ground,” I snapped, golden energy sparking at my fingertips.

Seraphina studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “Good. Fire is useful. But remember, we have your son. Behave, and you will see him soon.”

She left without another word.

I sank back onto the bed, tears threatening to spill out of my eyes. The mating bond was weak. Damon was alive, but in pain. I sent what little strength I had through it, hoping he could feel me.

Damon’s POV

The silver chains rattled as I tested them again. My wrists were raw and bleeding, but the pain kept me sharp. I had to stay focused.

Sophie was somewhere in this compound. Lucas too. Every second they were away from me felt like needles pricking my chest.

The small vent near the floor hissed again. Another note slid through:

East wing service tunnel. 3 AM. Guards will be changed. Bring the girl if you can. Destroy this.

I memorized the words and burned the paper using the small lamp in the corner. Someone was risking their life to help us. I couldn’t waste the chance.

Hours passed slowly. I conserved my strength, reaching through the bond to Sophie whenever I could. Her fear and determination fed my own.

At 2:45 AM, the lights in the hallway went dim.

I waited.

The lock on my cell clicked. The young guard from earlier stood there, looking scared out of his mind.

“Hurry,” he whispered. “We only have ten minutes before the next patrol.”

I followed him through the dimly lit corridors, moving silently despite my injuries. We reached another cell block. The guard opened a door and Sophie rushed out, throwing herself into my arms.

“Damon,” she breathed, clinging to me.

I held her tightly for a second, then pulled back. “Lucas?”

“They have him in the east wing nursery. Heavily guarded.”

The guard nodded. “I can get you close, but I can’t go inside. Too many loyalists.”

We moved fast. Every shadow made me tense and we had to hide from patrols more than twice. Sophie stayed close, her hand in mine, golden energy faintly glowing around her to help mask our scent.

We reached the east wing. Through a reinforced window, I could see Lucas sleeping in a secured crib, two guards standing watch outside the door.

“Now what?” Sophie whispered.

Before I could answer, alarms started to sound throughout the compound.

“Escape in progress!” Victor’s voice roared over the speakers. “Find them!”

The young guard went pale in the face. “They found out. I have to go..”

He didn’t get to finish his statement. A dart hit him in the neck and collapsed.

Victor stepped out from a side corridor, flanked by six elite wolves. Seraphina stood beside him, holding Lucas in her arms.

“Hello again,” Victor said calmly. “Did you really think a traitor in my own house would go unnoticed?”

Seraphina smiled down at our son. “He really is beautiful. Such potential.”

Damon shifted and I attacked at the same time, my claws, fighting with everything I had left.

The hallway became a battlefield.

I slashed at the guards while Damon tore through two of them in seconds. But Victor had prepared. Silver nets flew through the air. One caught Damon as he jumped, forcing him to shift back painfully.

Seraphina raised her hand, and golden chains shot toward me, wrapping around my arms and legs.

“Enough,” she said. “It’s time you both learned your place.”

Victor approached, holding up a syringe filled with glowing silver liquid. “This will make you more.. compliant. Starting with you, Damon. You’ll watch while we begin Sophie’s new breeding schedule.”

I screamed as I fought against the chains.

Damon snarled, still struggling under the silver net.

Victor knelt beside him, needle close to skin “Any last words, son?”

Suddenly, the entire compound shook and I knew that did not come from the mountain, but from something else.

Explosions sounded from the outer walls. Howls rose in the distance, many of them.

The young guard, barely conscious on the floor, whispered, “The elders.. they called for help..”

Another faction?

Or was it something worse?

Seraphina’s expression changed for the first time, she was genuinely surprised.

The main entrance to the east wing was dropped and a large group of wolves burst in, led by an older man I recognized as one of the Council elders who had once spoken against Victor.

“Victor Blackthorn!” the elder roared. “Your rule ends tonight!”