MARKED BY MY STEPBROTHER

Chapter Twenty Seven

Sophie’s POV

The cabin smelled of smoke, blood, and pine. One hell of a combination that I had gotten used to of late. We had won the battle, but anyone could see the cost of it everywhere, broken windows, bullet holes in the walls, and injured wolves being tended to in the main room.

I sat on the edge of the bed in the back room, feeding Lucas while Damon paced slowly in front of me. His upper half was wrapped in fresh bandages, but he moved like a man who refused to show any sign of weakness. And for that I really admired him. There were men who acted like they weren't strong, or couldn't be, whether when it was necessary or when it wasn't.

Damon was both strong when it was necessary and when it wasn't.

“You should be resting,” I said softly, in manner of advising him.

“I will rest when Victor is dead,” he replied. He stopped pacing and knelt in front of me, one large hand gently cupping the back of Lucas’s head as our son nursed. The tenderness in such a powerful man made my heart ache.

“He’s perfect,” Damon whispered, silver eyes softening. “He looks like you.”

“He has your eyes,” I replied, smiling despite everything. “And your temper. He nearly knocked Seraphina out with his power earlier.”

Damon leaned in and kissed me, slow, deep, and full of quiet desperation. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine.

“I meant what I said earlier,” he said. “I love you, Sophie. Not the bond. Not the fate, but you.”

Tears filled my eyes and they stung. “I love you too. Stepbrother or not, I don’t care anymore. You belong to me.”

A knock interrupted us. Marcus stood in the doorway, looking tired but hadn't given up yet.

“The elders want to speak with you, Damon. They’re ready to formally recognize you as Alpha if you’ll take the role.”

Damon glanced at me. I nodded.

“Go,” I said. “We’ll be right here.”

Damon’s POV

The meeting took place outside around a large fire. About twenty wolves , elders and warriors who had joined the resistance, waited for me. The air was thick with anticipation. I could smell that.

Marcus stepped forward. “Damon Blackthorn. You fought against your own father to protect your mate and child. You’ve shown strength, honor, and the willingness to break old, cruel traditions. Will you lead us as Alpha?”

All eyes turned to me.

I stood tall, feeling the weight of the moment. “I will lead,” I said clearly. “But only on my terms. No more forced matings, no more experimenting on Luna bloodlines. We protect our own and we go ahead to build something better for the next generation.”

They seemed to approve of my demands. One by one, they knelt, even the elders.

Marcus was the last to rise. “Then it is done. Damon Blackthorn is Alpha of the Silverpine Pack.”

The howls that rose into the night were powerful and unified.

But I knew this was only the beginning.

Sophie’s POV

Later that night, after Lucas had been fed and was sleeping soundly, Damon returned to the bedroom.

He closed the door and looked at me so intense that it made heat bloom low in my belly.

“Come here,” he said to me.

I walked into his arms. He kissed me like a man who had almost lost everything. His hands roamed my body, not rushed, but possessive, wanting to claim every inch of me.

“I need you,” he whispered against my neck. “Not because of heat, not because of the bond but because you’re my wife in every way that matters.”

We undressed each other slowly. When he laid me down on the bed, he took his time, kissing down my body, worshipping every mark and curve. When he finally pushed inside me, it was deep and slow, and we looked at each other the entire time.

We moved as one, the mating bond glowing warmly between us. No knot this time, just pure connection. I came first, shaking beneath him like a mountain about to erupt, and he followed soon after, burying his face in my neck as he filled me.

We stayed joined afterward, his weight comforting above me.

“Whatever comes next,” he whispered, “we face it together. You, me, and Lucas. As a family.”

I kissed his shoulder. “Together.”

Damon’s POV

The next morning came with new problems.

Marcus woke us early. “Scouts just returned. Victor and Seraphina have holed up in the old moon temple ruins. They’re gathering what’s left of their loyalists, and they’ve made contact with the Shadow Pack. They’re offering them territory in exchange for help hunting us down.”

I dressed quickly while Sophie fed Lucas. “How many?”

“Too many if they join forces,” Marcus admitted. “We need to strike before they do.”

Sophie stood, determination clear on her face. “Then we don’t wait. We take the fight to them.”

I looked at my mate, the woman who had gone from being a terrified stepsister to powerful Luna in such a short time, and I felt so proud of her. How had it even happen? Was it necessity? Or was it happenstance? Either way, I was grateful for it.

“Prepare the warriors,” I told Marcus. “We move out at dusk.”

As he left, I pulled Sophie and Lucas close again. “This ends soon,” I promised them both. “One way or another.”

Outside, the wolves were already preparing for war.

It was clear to me that Victor and Seraphina had no idea what was coming for them.