MARKED BY MY STEPBROTHER

Chapter Twenty Two

Sophie’s POV

The east wing was now chaotic.

Wolves from both sides collided in a storm of fangs and claws. The elder who had spoken against Victor led the charge, his wolf had silver fur and he slammed into Victor’s loyalists with years of pent-up fury. The pack was tearing each other apart and no one was really concerned how it was going to end.

I stayed low, golden energy all over me as I tried to reach Lucas. Seraphina still held him, backing away from the fighting while her eyes glowed with anger.

“Damon!” I shouted.

He was already moving. Even with fresh wounds and silver burns, he fought like a demon, shifting between forms, slashing and tearing through anyone who stood between us and our son.

A guard came at me. I slashed him across the chest with my claws, golden light burning the wound. The power inside me felt unstable but stronger than before, fueled by fear for Lucas.

Seraphina hissed when she saw me coming. “Stay back, girl. This child is safer with me.”

What the f**k was she saying? Safer with her? Bollocks.

“He is my son!” I screamed.

I unleashed a focused burst of golden energy. It slammed into her shield, making her stagger. Lucas cried out at the noise, reaching tiny arms toward me.

That sound broke something inside Damon.

He roared and barreled through three wolves, reaching Seraphina in seconds. He ripped her away from Lucas with brutal force, careful not to hurt the baby. Seraphina flew backward, crashing into the wall.

Damon handed Lucas to me quickly. “Take him and run toward the elder’s group. I’ll cover you.”

I clutched our son to my chest, his warmth and familiar scent grounding me. “I’m not leaving you.”

“You have to,” he said, already turning back to the fight. “Get him out. I’ll find you.”

Before I could argue, Victor appeared through the smoke and fighting, eyes blazing with hatred. He looked straight at Damon.

“You always were a disappointment,” Victor pointed out. “Choosing p***y and sentiment over power.”

He shifted into a large, scarred gray wolf and attacked Damon. The two Alphas, father and son, collided in a brutal clash that shook the hallway.

I ran.

With Lucas secured against me, I sprinted toward the group of rebel wolves. The elder saw me coming and created an opening, his wolves forming a protective circle around us.

“Get her out!” the elder shouted. “We’ll hold them here!”

Damon’s POV

I felt pain explode in my side as Victor’s claws scratched across my ribs. I twisted and slammed my fist into his jaw, hearing bone crack.

We fought like animals in the narrow corridor, no mercy, no holding back. This had been coming for years. I had been expecting a time when we would clash but I didn't figure it would be because of a woman I loved and my child. I was hoping that I would have to take something from him or prove something to him by defeating him in a duel. Maybe take his seat as elder Alpha. But it had suddenly become clear to me that life has other plans for the both of us.

I didn't really know what he thought would be the reason for our fight sometime, but whatever it was, it really didn't matter any longer. Because the de facto reason was here now. And I would fight tooth and nail to see his defeated.

“You should have stayed obedient,” Victor growled as he threw his strikes at me. “I gave you everything.”

“You gave me chains,” I countered, landing a heavy blow that sent him staggering. “You tried to take my mate, my son. And for that, I will end you.”

Blood coated the floor. My body screamed from silver poisoning and exhaustion, but the mating bond kept me going. I could feel Sophie moving away, getting Lucas to safety. That was all that mattered at this point.

Victor laughed through bloodied teeth. “Even if you kill me, Seraphina will finish what I started. The girl’s blood is too valuable. She will breed until she breaks.”

Rage gave me new strength. I shifted fully and launched myself at him. We tumbled across the floor like some whirlwind. I clamped my jaws around his throat, ready to end it.

Then a silver dart hit my shoulder.

I turned. Seraphina stood at the end of the hallway, another dart gun raised. “Enough of this nonsense.”

The silver worked fast. My limbs grew heavy. Victor shoved me off, shifting back to human form and kicking me hard in the ribs.

“Take him to the deepest cell,” Victor ordered, breathing heavily. “And find the girl because I want my grandson back tonight.”

As darkness took control of my vision, I reached through the bond with everything I had left.

Sophie.. run..

Sophie’s POV

We made it to the underground garage. The rebel elder helped me into a reinforced SUV while his wolves held the line behind us.

“Drive east,” he said urgently, handing me a map. “There’s a safe house fifty miles from here. Some of us will meet you there. Damon..”

“He’s coming,” I said fiercely, clutching Lucas. “He has to.”

The driver floored the pedal. Gunfire and howls faded behind us as we sped into the night.

I looked down at Lucas, who had finally gone quiet in my arms. Tears slipped down my cheeks. We were out, but Damon was still trapped. Victor and Seraphina were still alive and the f*****g pack was at war with itself.

I pressed my forehead to Lucas’s. “We’re going to get your father back,” I whispered. “I promise.”

Through the weakened mating bond, I felt Damon's pain, and his love as well.

He was still fighting and I would burn the entire world down to bring him home.

The SUV raced deeper into the dark forest as the first hints of the morning sun touched the sky.

We had escaped, but the real war was only just begining.