"You're awake," he stated, not looking up.

My body ignored his words completely. The werewolf instinct inside this stolen flesh hijacked my brain. Another mate. My stepbrother was my fucking mate.

My pulse pounded a frantic rhythm. The scent of pine and dark rum battered my senses, urging me to run down the steps and throw myself at him. I dug my fingernails into my palms to anchor myself.

The scent grew stronger, wrapping around my mind like a vice. I fought the urge to step down. The diary's words echoed in my ears.

*The moment I smell them, I lose control.*

I stared down at the man watching me with intense, burning focus.

My own stepbrother.

He was my second mate.

And I was supposed to be the hero who saved him.

I crossed the room in three rapid strides. I grabbed his shirt collar, pulled him down, and smashed my mouth directly against his lips.

He froze. For a fraction of a second, his lips parted under mine. He tasted like black coffee and raw tension.

Then, his massive hands gripped my shoulders. He shoved me back with brutal force.

"What the fuck?" Rhette wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his amber eyes wide with shock. "Liora, I'm your brother."

"Stepbrother," I corrected. I licked my bottom lip, savoring his taste.

"Just a stepbrother?" His voice dropped an octave, laced with tight restraint. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Maybe," I said, stepping toward him again.

I stared at him. The mate bond roared in my veins, demanding I close the distance. Two mates? Was that even possible? I thought back to the worn leather diary hidden under my mattress. I remembered the glowing silver mark on Kael’s chest and the vivid vision of the bloody dagger.

If I fucked Rhette, would I see his future too? Would I foresee his disaster?

I had to test the theory.

"I need to go to your room," I blurted out.

Rhette crossed his muscular arms over his chest. "Absolutely not."

"I lost my earring," I lied smoothly. "It's in your room."

"You haven't been in my room for months."

"I went in yesterday," I countered. "Let me go look."

He scowled. His gaze raked over the thin silk of my dress, lingering on the hard peaks of my nipples pressing against the fabric. "Liora, what nerve is crossed today? You're acting insane."

"Let me go," I insisted, pointing toward the stairs.

"Which earring?" he demanded.

"The silver hoop. From last night."

"You didn't wear silver hoops last night."

"My memory is foggy," I said, tilting my head. "Maybe it was a diamond stud. Let me go check."

I didn't wait for his permission. I pushed past him and marched up the stairs. Heavy footsteps followed close behind me. I could feel the heat radiating off his massive frame with every step.

I pushed open his bedroom door. The space was dim, smelling intensely of that cedar and woodsmoke.

"Find it and get out," Rhette ordered, standing squarely in the doorway.

I didn't look for an earring. I walked to the center of the dark rug and turned around to face him.

In my past life in the human world, I was an absolute succubus. I knew exactly how to unravel a man's control. I knew how to make them beg. And right now, the werewolf mate bond was doing half the work for me. His pupils were blown wide, swallowing the amber of his irises. He wanted this.

I stepped directly into his space.

"Where did you drop it?" Rhette asked, his jaw tight.

"Right here," I said.

I placed my palm flat against the center of his chest. His heart hammered rapidly against my skin, betraying his calm exterior.

"Stop," he warned. His voice sounded rough, like sandpaper.

"Make me," I challenged.

I slid my hand up his chest, tangling my fingers in the dark hair at the nape of his neck. I leaned in and dragged my teeth lightly over his sharp jawline. A violent shudder ripped through his massive frame.

"You smell amazing," I whispered against his ear.

Rhette snapped.

He grabbed both my wrists in one massive hand. He spun us around and slammed me back against the wall. The impact rattled my teeth. He pressed his entire body flush against mine, trapping me completely.

"Liora, don't act crazy," he growled. His broad chest heaved heavily against my breasts.

"You want this," I whispered, tilting my chin up to meet his furious gaze. "Don't you want to kiss me? Brother."

His eyes dropped to my mouth. A muscle ticked furiously in his cheek. He leaned in, his lips hovering barely a millimeter from mine. The heat between us was suffocating. I arched my back, pressing my hips directly into his hard erection.

"Fuck," he swore loudly.

He forced himself to pull away. He released my wrists and took a massive step back. He rubbed his face aggressively with both hands, pacing away from me.

"Get out," he ordered, pointing a shaking finger at the open door.

"Rhette—"

"Out!" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "I'll call a doctor to check on you. You're completely unhinged."

I stumbled out into the hallway. The heavy oak door slammed shut right in my face.

I leaned against the cool wood, my heart pounding violently against my ribs. I hadn't slept with him. I didn't trigger a vision.

But as I stared down at my hands, a sharp, burning pain erupted on my left wrist.

A faint, glowing silver line began to slice itself across my skin, forming the exact shape of a blade.