Forcefully Marked By My Twin Sister’s Fiancé

Chapter Two

My wolf didn't care about the ring or the wedding.

She only cared about him.

Damon's head snapped toward me.

For one terrible second, I thought he had heard her.

Then he started walking.

Straight toward me.

I turned to leave, but I hadn't taken three steps before his hand closed around my wrist.

"Come with me."

I tried to pull free. "What are you doing?"

"Not here."

His grip wasn't painful, but it was firm enough to tell me he wouldn't let go easily.

Across the ballroom, Vanessa had gone completely still.

"Damon?" she called.

He didn't look at her.

That frightened me more than anything else.

He led me through a side door and into a quiet corridor, away from the music and the curious eyes of the guests. The moment the door shut behind us, I yanked my hand from his.

"Have you lost your mind?"

He stared at me.

Up close, I could see the tension in his face. His breathing was uneven, and his eyes had changed from their usual dark brown to a strange, luminous gold.

My heart began to race.

"Damon, what's wrong with you?"

He took one step closer.

I took one step back.

"Stay away from me."

His expression twisted.

"You think I want this?"

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Neither do I."

He dragged a hand through his hair, looking more unsettled than I had ever seen him. Then he stopped, his gaze dropping to my throat.

My pulse fluttered beneath my skin.

A low sound rose from his chest.

It wasn't a growl meant to frighten me.

It sounded almost like pain.

"You're my mate," he said.

The words fell between us.

For several seconds, I couldn't speak.

Then I shook my head.

"No."

His eyes lifted to mine.

"Believe me, Evelyn. I'm not celebrating either."

My chest tightened.

"You're engaged to Vanessa."

"I know who I'm engaged to."

"Then this is impossible!"

"Tell that to the bond."

I backed away until my shoulders struck the wall.

My wolf was no longer whispering. She was crying out inside me, recognizing him with a certainty that terrified me.

I pressed a hand against my chest.

"Please," I whispered. "Just let me go."

Something flickered across Damon's face.

For one brief moment, I thought he might listen.

Then the corridor door opened.

Vanessa stood on the other side.

Her gaze moved from Damon to me, taking in the distance between us, my frightened expression, and his glowing eyes.

Neither of us spoke.

My sister's face slowly drained of color.

"What," she whispered, "is going on?"

Damon turned toward her.

I wanted him to explain. I wanted him to tell her this was a mistake, that the bond was wrong, that we could all return to the ballroom and pretend nothing had happened.

Instead, he stepped between us.

"Vanessa, go back inside."

She stared at him in disbelief.

"Go back inside?" Her voice trembled. "I saw you drag my sister out of the ballroom!"

"I said—"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

Her gaze shifted to me, and the hurt in her eyes made my stomach twist.

"Evelyn, what did you do?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came.

Because I hadn't done anything.

I hadn't asked for this.

I hadn't wanted him.

And yet, beneath the skin of my throat, a strange warmth began to spread.

Damon noticed it first.

His entire body went rigid.

"No," he muttered.

I touched my neck.

"What is it?"

He caught my hand before I could press my fingers against the growing heat.

His eyes were fixed on my throat, and for the first time since I had met him, the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack looked genuinely afraid.

"Listen to me carefully," he said. "Whatever happens next, don't let anyone touch you."

A sharp pain tore through my neck.

I cried out, clutching at his arm as my knees buckled.

Damon caught me before I hit the floor.

His scent surrounded me, dark and overwhelming, and my wolf surged toward him with a desperate cry.

Then his mouth brushed against my ear.

"I'm sorry, Evelyn."

I barely had time to understand those words before his fangs pierced my neck.

Pain exploded through my body.

I screamed.

And somewhere behind us, my twin sister made a sound I would remember for the rest of my life.

Because Damon Blackwood had just marked me.

His future wife's twin sister.

And there was no way to undo what he had done.