Dahlia’s POV
I would do anything for my father-anything to bring him even the smallest measure of peace. If that meant leaving my home behind to live with a mate who was a complete stranger to me, then so be it. I had no intention of accepting him, but I came anyway. All because my father asked me to. But this? This was not what I signed up for.
It was bad enough that I’d let my guard slip on the walk home earlier, revealing fragments of my family’s history. I had no idea what had possessed me to do that, but I was certain it sent the wrong message. Why should two people with no future together know such things about each other? And as if that weren’t enough, I had even flirted with him-flirted! A teasing smile, a playful remark about his growling at Silas. What the hell was wrong with me?
By the time I finished packing, I had strengthened my resolve. I needed to keep my distance, to rebuild the walls I had foolishly let crack. I had every intention of remaining detached on the ride over, but somehow, I found myself wanting to talk to him. Worse, I let him hold my hand. Let him. I knew I should have pulled away, but the moment our skin touched, a rush of warmth and energy coursed through me. The sparks were addictive, dangerous. The mate bond would only become harder to resist the longer we spent together, and I could already feel its hold on me tightening.
Coming to Blood Moon had been a mistake.
My pulse raced when Liam finally left me in the room I would be staying in-conveniently located right next to his. The moment he closed the door behind him, an aching sense of loss settled over me. It took everything in me not to call him back, to pull him down onto the bed and drown myself in his scent. Vanilla and pine clung to the air around me, making my head spin.
My attraction to him was undeniable. He was gorgeous. I couldn’t look at him without imagining what it would feel like to have his hands on me, to feel the weight of his body against mine. Even without the bond, I was sure I’d find him irresistible-but with it, the pull was overwhelming. I knew he could scent my arousal, and yet, he had been nothing but a gentleman. How mortifying.
Blue and I didn’t need words to communicate. I could feel her connection to Liam’s wolf, their bond already solidified on a psychic level. Unlike me, she had no hesitation-she wanted us to surrender to the mate bond, to let him mark us. She was certain we could trust him, convinced he would never hurt us. Naive little fool.
In an attempt to distract myself, I took in my surroundings. The room was beautiful-spacious yet inviting, designed for comfort rather than extravagance. The walls were made of thick, round logs, their warmth accentuated by white chinking. Heavy beams stretched across the ceiling, a silent promise of strength and security.
A massive stone fireplace dominated one corner, plush chairs positioned in front of it. I could already imagine curling up there with a warm drink and a thick blanket. But it was the window seat that truly captivated me-nestled beneath a wide bay window, it offered an unobstructed view of the snow-covered mountains. That would be my retreat.
Once my clothes were put away and my few nicer outfits hung in the walk-in closet, I made my way to the bathroom to unpack my toiletries. The moment I stepped inside, my jaw dropped.
It was perfect.
The rustic aesthetic carried over into this space, every fixture designed to blend effortlessly with the room’s natural charm. A long vanity stretched across one wall, fitted with dual sinks and framed by warm, wood-toned accents. But it was the walk-in shower that first stole my breath-a cavernous space lined with stone tiles, equipped with multiple showerheads embedded in both the walls and ceiling. A control panel rested to the side, undoubtedly necessary to navigate its complexities.
Not that it mattered.
Because I wasn’t here for the shower.
I had every intention of sinking into the bathtub and never coming out.
It looked as if a massive limestone boulder had been carved and polished into a deep, luxurious soaking tub. The edges curved in places, offering spots for reclining, clearly designed for more than one person at a time. Thick, plush towels hung nearby, accompanied by soft white robes that all but begged me to wrap myself in them.
Reluctantly, I set my toiletries on the counter and returned to the bedroom, intending to grab my phone. I wanted to text Liam-find out if I had time for a bath before dinner. But as I rummaged through my purse, a sudden rush of emotions slammed into me.
Anxiety. Fear. Excitement. Elation. Love.
The breath hitched in my throat as a wave of unfamiliar feelings rolled through me. My stomach flipped. This isn’t mine.
I had been focused on nothing but finding my phone and daydreaming about a bath. None of this was mine.
Before I could process the source, a knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. With each step toward it, Blue grew more restless.
“Mate! MATE! MAAATE!” she howled.
I groaned. Blue, calm down! I can smell him too. It’s just Liam. You literally saw him less than an hour ago.
“Not Liam!” she snapped, her excitement spilling over. “Just open the door!”
A strange unease crept over me as I reached for the handle. As soon as I pulled the door open, Liam’s scent flooded my senses-only it wasn’t alone.
Beneath the familiar notes of vanilla and pine was something else.
Coffee. Rich cinnamon.
My gaze lifted, locking onto not one but two identical pairs of hazel eyes staring back at me.
Twins.
Blue’s squeal of delight rang through my head, but before I could fully grasp what I was seeing, the twin I didn’t know lunged forward.
Before I could react, his arms were around me, lifting me from the ground. My back met the wall as he pressed his body against mine, his breath hot against my skin.
“MINE.”
The single word was growled into my ear as he buried his face in my hair, inhaling deeply.
Time slowed, my thoughts scattering in a frenzied mess. I should have pushed him away. I should have said something. But his warmth, his touch-it felt so good.
Too good.
Then I felt it-him.
Hard. Pressed firmly against me.
A rush of heat flooded my cheeks. I needed to move.
Before I could gather myself enough to wriggle free, Liam’s voice cut through the thick silence.
“I think what you meant to say was ‘ours,’ right, brother?”
The words shattered the spell.
The twin slowly set me back on my feet, though he remained impossibly close, his eyes never leaving mine.
And just like that, my world tilted off its axis.