Chapter 2 Unwelcome Surprises

I clung to my mother's sweater, eyes darting nervously around Lord Richard Blackwood's opulent living room. Everything about this mansion screamed wealth and power—from the crystal chandeliers to the ancient wolf emblems carved into the mahogany woodwork.

"Please, have a seat," Lord Blackwood repeated, his Alpha confidence filling the room.

Mom gently patted my hand. "It's fine, Ember. Sit down."

I reluctantly complied, sinking into the plush sofa beside her. My heart wouldn't stop racing. How could Mom think this was a good idea? One humiliating school day was enough without being thrust into this Alpha's den.

Lord Blackwood smiled at me, his gaze lingering on my disheveled silver-blonde hair. "Is she alright?" he asked Mom, noticing my anxiety.

"She got bullied at school today," Mom replied with a practiced pout. "They were quite cruel to her."

"Ridiculous," he declared. "Once the world knows I'm her new stepfather, they'll be begging for forgiveness." His certainty was almost comforting, though I doubted high school hierarchy could be solved that easily.

His eyes assessed my appearance. "You look like you could use some time to freshen up. Unfortunately, the first-floor bathroom is under repair, but your new room upstairs has everything you need."

He checked his phone. "Our housekeeper is in town purchasing decorations for Silver Moon Festival, and Mrs. Miller is busy preparing dinner for this evening. We're a bit short-staffed today."

Mom nudged me. "This is a perfect opportunity for Ember to familiarize herself with her new home. She's quite independent, aren't you, dear?"

The look in her eyes left no room for argument. Independent? That was rich coming from the woman who'd never let me sleep alone a single night of my life. I wanted to laugh at the absurdity, but instead, I just nodded.

"I can find it myself," I muttered, hating how easily Mom transformed into someone else around this man.

Mom smiled proudly. "That's my girl."

"Guest room is down the hallway, second door on the right. It has a nameplate," Lord Blackwood added helpfully.

I rose from my seat, forcing my legs to carry me upstairs despite my growing unease. The upper hallway was lined with portraits of stern-faced Alphas from generations past, their judging eyes following my every move.

Following his directions, I located the door marked "Guest Room," but strangely, another unmarked door nearby seemed to call to me. Against all logic, I felt drawn to this mysterious door. My heart raced as I turned the handle and pushed it open.

I gasped in shock.

A young, muscular man sat at his computer, pleasuring himself. His massive erection was the first male anatomy I'd ever seen up close, and my body responded with an alarming wave of interest. Heat flooded my cheeks as I stood frozen in the doorway, unable to look away.

His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. "Who the fuck let you in?" he growled, his deep voice making me tremble.

I fled down the stairs, face burning with embarrassment, and rushed back to Mom's side. My mind raced with the horrifying realization—that had to be one of my new stepbrothers. How would I ever face him again?

"What happened? You didn't clean up?" Mom asked, noticing my flustered state.

"I think she couldn't find the bathroom," Lord Blackwood said kindly.

Mom sighed. "I'm so sorry! She is just not like others. Ember needs attention and guidance since her wolf barely speaks to her." My mother didn't think too much of it and rubbed my arm to calm me down.

Lord Blackwood nodded understandingly. "This environment is new to her, she'll need time to adjust. I should check on my sons upstairs and introduce them to you properly. Let me go get them."

As he started toward the staircase, Mom whispered, "What happened up there?"

"I saw one of my stepbrothers naked," I confessed, my face burning with shame.

"What? How did you—" Mom's question was interrupted as another young man entered the foyer.

My heart stopped. It was the bully from school.

"That's him!" I blurted, pointing accusingly.

"What are you doing?" Mom whispered urgently, but I couldn't stop myself.

"He bullied me!" I glared at Ethan, who looked equally shocked to see me.

Hearing the commotion, Lord Blackwood rushed back from the staircase, immediately sensing the tension. "What's happening here?"

"He bullied me at school today!" I cried, pointing my entire hand at Ethan while tears threatened to spill from my eyes. It was just the panic of seeing him again that made me cry out for help. "He's the one who did this to me!"

The silence that followed was deafening until realization dawned on me. "Wait... why is he here?"

"Ethan bullied you? My son, Alpha Ethan Blackwood?" Lord Blackwood's voice was dangerously quiet.

My second stepbrother. This day couldn't possibly get worse.

"Why the fuck are these rogues here?" Ethan snapped, his face contorted with anger. "Did you come all the way here just to accuse me?"

Lord Blackwood turned his son around, his grip firm. "Did you bully this girl?"

"No! She's lying," Ethan retorted, but his eyes betrayed him.

Mom leaned close to me. "Is he really the bully from school?"

"I swear he is. He convinced Noah to hit me," I whispered, shivering at the thought of living under the same roof as him.

"Let me handle this," Mom whispered. "We need to fix this situation. He'll be your stepbrother, and his father needs to control him."

She turned to Lord Blackwood. "My daughter isn't lying. Your son bullied her—he groped her."

My heart nearly stopped. Why was she exaggerating?

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Ethan backed away from his father, panic evident in his eyes. "They're lying. What the fuck!"

I'd made such a mess of things—seeing one stepbrother naked and accusing another of harassment.

"I'm ashamed of you," Lord Blackwood growled, before striking Ethan across the face.

The slap echoed through the room. Ethan stumbled backward, his eyes wet with tears. Despite everything, my heart ached for him. Mom shouldn't have lied.

Lord Blackwood looked around, seemingly searching for something else to punish his son with, all to impress my mother.

"I didn't do anything!" Ethan shouted, his protest drawing attention from upstairs.

The shirtless guy—the one I'd walked in on—rushed downstairs and positioned himself between father and son. My body shuddered at the memory of what I'd seen. This one looked almost identical to Ethan, the only differences being his sharper jawline and blue eyes.

"Get out of my way, Lucas," Lord Blackwood ordered, pushing his son aside.

"What the fuck are you doing, Dad?" Lucas shouted, shielding his brother like a human barricade.

"He's beating me up over complaints from these filthy rogues," Ethan spat, his voice dripping with resentment.

"She is not some rogue," Lord Blackwood declared. "She's going to be your stepsister."

His words plunged the room into stunned silence.

"She is not some rogue," Lord Blackwood declared. "She's going to be your stepsister."

His words plunged the room into stunned silence.