MARKED BY MY STEPBROTHER

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Sophie’s POV

My son, Lucas, was growing incredibly fast. Faster than any normal baby. And if he were to be with humans, then they would tell that something was wrong somewhere. At just over a month old, he was already trying to crawl and had started making small, playful bursts of golden energy when he was excited. Every time he did, Damon and I would exchange worried but proud looks.

Of course, we didn't know what would become of his powers. We didn't know how he would be influenced by them. Whether good or bad. Though I wouldn't want it to be the latter. I didn't want my child to turn out like his grandfather. Was there a chance that he might? Would Lucas carry any of Victor's traits?

This morning, I was in the nursery watching him sleep when Damon walked in. He had been in meetings all morning, but the moment he saw us, he seemed like a man who had arrived in time..

“He’s getting stronger every day,” I said.

Damon came up behind me, and put his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. “Just like his mother.”

He turned me around and kissed me. His hands slid down to cup my ass, pulling me against him. Even after everything, the spark between us hadn’t faded, if anything, it was even stronger now that it was truly our choice.

“I’ve been thinking about the ceremony,” he murmured against my lips. “We don’t have to do it the old way. No audiences, no performance. Just you, me, Lucas, and whoever we trust.”

I smiled against his mouth. “I like that idea.”

He lifted me onto the changing table, stepping between my legs. His hands slipped under my dress, fingers teasing along my inner thighs.

“Damon,” I whispered, a little bit wanting to protest, and somewhat interested in what he was about to do to me. “You do know that someone could walk in, right?”

“Let them,” he said, nipping at my neck. “Let them see how much their Alpha wants his Luna.”

He pushed my dress higher and dropped to his knees. His mouth was on me in seconds, hot and hungry. This was a man with skill. I gripped his hair, biting my lip to stay quiet as he brought me to the edge with his tongue and fingers.

Just as I was about to come, a knock sounded on the door.

“Alpha,” Marcus called. “The Shadow Pack delegation just crossed the border. They have requested a meeting.”

Damon cursed softly against me but didn’t stop until I reached my orgasm, shaking in his arms. He rose, and kissed me so that I could taste myself on his lips.

“We’ll continue this later,” he promised, unable to hide the need in his voice.

Damon’s POV

The Shadow Pack delegation arrived under a white flag, three warriors and their Beta, a woman named Kira. All I could tell about her was the fact that she has sharp eyes. And i didn't mean it in the way she looked everywhere. It was also because of the makeup around her eyes.

We met them in the neutral ground outside the mansion. Sophie stood beside me, while Marcus and several of our strongest wolves stood on both sides of us.

Kira spoke first. “Victor’s death has created a power vacuum. We lost many good wolves in the fighting. We want reparations, and assurance that the child will not be used as a weapon against us.”

I stepped forward. “There will be no war if you stay on your side of the border. And you should stop thinking of my son as some kind of a weapon because he is not. He is our family.”

Kira narrowed her eyes. “Words are cheap, Alpha. We want proof of your intentions. A blood oath, or a marriage alliance.”

I felt Sophie grow tense beside me.

“A marriage alliance?” I asked.

Kira smiled. “My younger sister is unmated. We have a strong bloodline. A union between our packs would stabilize the region. And I speak in very clear terms when I say this.”

I felt Sophie’s golden energy flare with jealousy and anger through the bond.

Before I could respond, Sophie stepped forward. “Damon already has a mate and that person is me. Plus, we have a son. There will be no alliances through marriage.”

The tension was as thick as anything. Kira studied Sophie carefully. “A stepsister Luna. How.. unconventional.” Then she chuckled.

Marcus cleared his throat and opted to change the topic of discussion to other matters when he said, “Perhaps we can discuss trade and border agreements instead.”

The meeting ended on cold but civil terms. There was no immediate war, but there was no real peace either.

Sophie’s POV

That night, after Lucas was asleep, I waited for Damon in our bedroom.

When he finally walked in, I pushed him against the door and kissed him deeply.

“Mine,” I said against his lips, surprising both of us with the possessiveness in my voice.

Damon groaned, hands gripping my hips. “Yours. Only yours.”

He lifted me, and carried me to the bed.

This time there was no gentleness, only raw need. He took off my clothes quickly and thrust deep inside me. I cried out, my nails digging into his back as he f****d me hard and deep.

“Say it again,” he demanded, pounding into me.

“You’re mine,” I moaned. “My Alpha. My stepbrother. My mate.”

He knotted me savagely, locking us together as we both came hard. We stayed connected afterward, breathing heavily.

Outside, the distant howls of Shadow Pack scouts could be heard through the night.

Damon planted a kiss on my forehead. “They’re testing us. But we’re stronger together.”

I traced the claiming mark on his neck. “Then let’s show them exactly how strong we are.”