MARKED BY MY STEPBROTHER

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

Sophie’s POV

The next two weeks passed with a lot of pack meetings, training sessions, and stolen moments with Damon. Lucas was now the center of attention in the mansion, wolves from all factions wanted to see the miracle child with the golden-red glow. Some looked at him and were wowed with what they saw. While others looked at him and I could tell that they were afraid of my child.

I could understand what they were afraid of him. I guess I would be afraid too if I was in their shoes. But I was only worried. I knew that we would not use him as a weapon against anybody or cause.

After all, we didn't even have any purpose out there. We just wanted to be present for ourselves. We wanted to concentrate on the three of us, and really nothing more. Whatever was out there wasn't waiting for us, it would just distract us.

I was in the garden with him when Lena approached. It looked like she was nervous or something.

“Luna, the elders are pushing hard for the bonding ceremony. They say it will solidify Damon’s rule and discourage the Shadow Pack from attacking.”

I sighed, rocking Lucas gently. “I know. Damon and I talked about it. We’ll do it, but our way. Private. Meaningful.”

That evening, Damon found me in our bedroom after putting Lucas down for the night. He looked tired but relieved to see me.

“The elders agreed,” he said, pulling me into his arms. “The ceremony will be small. Just us, Marcus, Lena, and a few trusted wolves. No audience, no spectacle.”

I melted against him. “Good. I don’t want them watching us again.”

He tilted my chin up and kissed me tenderly. “Yeah, so this one is for us.”

Damon’s POV

The bonding ceremony took place three nights later under a clear full moon in a secluded clearing behind the mansion.

Only twelve wolves attended, the ones who had fought beside us. Torches formed a circle around us. Marcus stood as witness.

Sophie looked breathtaking in a simple white dress that flowed around her body. Her dark hair was loose, and her eyes the color of hazel glowed with golden flecks in the moonlight. Lucas slept peacefully in Lena’s arms nearby.

I took Sophie’s hands in mine as we stood facing each other.

“I, Damon Blackthorn, Alpha of the Silverpine Pack,” I said clearly, my voice loud in the night the night, “choose you, Sophie Vale, as my mate, my Luna, and my wife. Not by force, not by ancient ritual, but by my own will. I love you. I will protect you and our son with my life.”

Sophie’s eyes shimmered with tears as she spoke. “I, Sophie Vale, choose you, Damon Blackthorn, as my mate, my Alpha, and my husband. Through every pain and every battle, I choose you. I love you. I will stand beside you always.”

The bond between us became a brilliant flare. Golden and silver light came together and this was visible to everyone present. Those who were gathered looked at us in awe rose as the mating bond grew deeper into something permanent and unbreakable.

I pulled her close and kissed her deeply, sealing our vows. The wolves howled in celebration.

For the first time since this all began, it felt real.

Sophie’s POV

After the ceremony, the small group celebrated with food and wine, but Damon and I slipped away early. He carried me back to our bedroom, kicking the door shut behind us.

He laid me on the bed like I was something precious, then slowly undressed me, kissing every inch of skin he revealed.

“Mine,” he whispered to me as he settled between my thighs. “You are my wife now. And my Luna as well.”

When he pushed inside me, it felt different. I couldn't place it but it just felt different. As if what we were doing now had more meaning to it. We made love slowly, enjoying every thrust, moaning as we wanted, every whispered “I love you.” When his knot swelled and locked us together, I came, crying like a broken banshee and he followed, filling me completely.

We stayed joined for a long time afterward, talking softly about the future.

Until Marcus’s urgent knock chased away the peace.

“Alpha! Luna! Shadow Pack forces have crossed the border in large numbers. They’re heading straight for the mansion.”

Damon cursed, gently pulling out of me.

We dressed quickly.

I picked up Lucas, who was now awake

and fussing, sensing the tension.

Damon strapped on weapons and looked at me.

“They want war?” he said “Then we’ll give them one.”

Damon’s POV

We met the Shadow Pack army at the edge of our territory.

Their Alpha, a big man named Garrick, stood at the front with hundreds of wolves behind him.

“You killed many of ours,” Garrick called out. “We demand blood payment, and the child. Hand over the hybrid boy and there will be no war.”

I stepped forward, Sophie and Lucas protected behind me by our strongest warriors.

“The boy is my son,” I pointed that part out to him. “Touch him and every last one of you dies.”

Garrick’s eyes wide went with surprise. "You bringing the child here, I thought you wanted to give him up. Now you're saying something else, Damon, and I cannot understand what kind of an Alpha you are. Some so-called Alpha then."

"You heard me," I said, not wanting to repeat myself.

“Then you choose war,” Garrick rrplied.

Howls rose from both sides as the two packs prepared for war.

I shifted into my black wolf form, ready for whatever they wanted to throw at us.

This was it.

One fight after another. Would this be the final stand for our family or would there be more enemies coming?