His Unmarked Wife, His Brother's Mate

Cole climbed up from the foot of my bed, caught my ankle, and pressed his lips to my calf. His collar hung open under the moonlight. “You saved my life, Evelyn,” he said softly. “So tonight, let me serve you.” Just as his kiss moved higher, footsteps sounded in the corridor. My heart jumped. I kicked him off the bed. “Go. Now.” Cole hit the floor and looked up at me, resentful and unwilling. I shoved him toward the window. He gave me one last bitter look, then disappeared into the night. The next second, the door was kicked open. Damon stood outside, eyes bloodshot. His gaze swept over my loose robe, the open window, and the messy bed. Then his face darkened. “Who is he?” I pulled the blanket over myself and smiled. “In what identity are you asking?” “As my brother-in-law, Rowan, or as my dead husband, Damon?” Damon’s eyes went darker. ...... I was the human girl Luna Maren brought back to Nightfall Pack. When I turned eighteen, the Luna who loved matchmaking married me to Damon Blackthorne, Nightfall’s strongest warrior. After the ceremony, Luna Maren and the old Alpha left Nightfall to travel, while Damon became the new Alpha. But I did not become his Luna. Because Damon never gave me his mark. He said my human body was too weak for an Alpha’s bite. I believed him. So I was his mate in name only. A year and a half after our mating ceremony, rogues invaded the northern border. Damon led Nightfall’s warriors to drive them back. But he had died in that war. Then his younger twin brother, Rowan Blackthorne, though I had never met him, stood before me with Damon’s Alpha badge in his hand and red-rimmed eyes. “Evelyn, I’m sorry... I failed to bring my brother home whole. Curse me, hit me. I’ll take it.” I breathed in once. Pine, smoke, and cold rain. I knew Damon’s scent by heart. I was very sure the man standing before me was my dead husband. But since he had chosen to die as Damon and live as Rowan, fine. From that day on, he was only Rowan to me. After that, he became the new Alpha of Nightfall Pack. I moved to the Moon temple, far from the Alpha estate. But after thinking about it, being rich, free, and widowed did not sound terrible. In those two years, he took his childhood sweetheart as his mate and Luna. And I lived in the Moon temple for two full years. Out of sight, out of mind. Everyone was happy. Until I got tired of playing outside and returned to the Alpha estate. The moment I stepped into the main hall, Damon sat in the chair, staring at me with a face dark enough to summon a storm. His voice was ice-cold. “Evelyn, impressive. You haven’t even returned home, and another man’s bonding gifts arrived before you.” My gaze swept over the boxes piled across the hall. Silks. Jewelry. Rare herbs. A chest of perfect moon pearls. I suddenly remembered the poor rogue I had left behind, baring his teeth as he growled. “You touch me and run, Evelyn? Let’s see where you hide.” Wasn’t it supposed to be a one-night stand? Why did he come all the way to my home? I rubbed my cheek, not knowing what to say. Damon sat above me, his face black as burnt coal. He gripped his teacup for a long while before forcing out a sentence through his teeth. “Don’t you owe me an explanation?” I turned to look at him, perfectly calm. A “brother-in-law” had no right to control me. I leaned back in my chair, picked up the tea, and took a slow sip. “Pack law never said a widow couldn’t accept bonding gifts.” “You!” Damon shot to his feet. When he met my calm eyes, he took a deep breath, but the fist at his side clenched even tighter. I blinked. Well. Still such a temper. He said word by word, “The Blackthorne family has no precedent for a widow taking another mate.” I laughed. Then I said slowly, “Then I’ll be the precedent.” “Someone has to be the first, don’t they?” “And.” The teacup in my hand landed on the table with a soft click. “Damon never marked me, and he is dead.” “You are only his brother. Who are you to control me?” “I’m a twenty-year-old widow.” “Am I supposed to guard a dead male for the rest of my life?” “Evelyn Hart!” He slammed the table. I slammed the table too, stood up, pointed at him, and spoke clearly. “After your brother died, the Pack did not fall apart, the border stayed stable, and the Council remained at peace.” “So in the end, only I, the supposed victim, should live like a corpse?” Damon’s jaw locked, and a vein pulsed hard in his neck. His fists cracked with tension. But he could not explode. He could only swallow his rage. Looking at his miserable expression, I felt extremely pleased. When he faked his death, he should have known this would happen. Why did he think I would guard him forever? Why did he think I would waste my youth until my hair turned white? He was far too arrogant. “Enough.” I brushed my skirt and spoke with perfect grace. “Since the Blackthorne family can’t tolerate me, I’ll return to my own home. Anyway—” I deliberately paused and gave him a bright smile. “My mate is dead.” “I have no pup.” “Nothing ties me here.” After that, I turned to leave. Before I could take one step, my wrist tightened. The world spun, and he dragged me straight into his arms. The moment my back hit his chest, I smelled that familiar scent again. Pine, smoke, and cold rain. The scent that belonged only to Damon Blackthorne. Still the same scent from back then. But the man in front of me had changed his identity and become my husband’s younger brother. “Evelyn.” He lowered his head and stared at me, his voice pressed very low. “Don’t push me too far.” His arm locked around me like an iron band. I could not break free. “Too far?” I laughed. “Rowan, what identity are you using to say that to me?” His body went stiff. His eyes began to dodge mine. “You are my brother-in-law.” “Whether I choose another mate has nothing to do with you.” His breathing grew rough. His throat moved. His mouth pressed into a hard line. Fury swept through his eyes. He closed his eyes. As if the truth would spill out in the next second. Just then, a sweet, delicate voice sounded outside the door. “Darling, I heard Evelyn came home?” —

Damon let go as if my skin had burned him. I stumbled one step, steadied myself, and brushed my sleeve with open disgust. Tsk. That guilty look on his face was hard to watch. Serena Vale lifted the curtain and walked in with a sweet smile. “Evelyn, we haven’t seen each other for two years. You look well.” I looked up and smiled back. “Compared to you, I do look much better.” After that, I ignored Serena’s stiff face and walked out. I went down the path and reached the courtyard I had not lived in for two years. The white oak wreath from our oath ceremony was still on the door. A black mourning garland covered most of it. Behind that locked door was the room where Damon and I had spent our first night. Old things made people remember old nonsense. I did not remember much from the night of our ceremony. I only remembered Damon lowering his head to kiss me. His breath was hot. His hand stopped at the side of my neck. For one moment, I thought he would bite me. But he stopped. “Evelyn,” he said, voice low, “you are human.” “An Alpha’s mark could hurt you.” I did not understand what a mark truly meant back then. To me, it was just a bite. Painful. Dangerous. Maybe even deadly. So when he pulled back, I believed him. I even thought he was being gentle. That night, he still held me. He still kissed me. He still slept beside me until dawn. I thought that was enough. That year, Damon treated me well. When I wanted to visit the human town, he took me there. When I said I wanted honey cakes from the human market, he bought them. When the pack ladies mocked my human blood, he told them to mind their tongues. For a while, I thought this life was not bad. Until Serena Vale came back. She was Damon’s childhood sweetheart. A pure-blooded she-wolf. The kind of woman every elder wanted as Luna. Only then did I begin to understand. Damon had not refused to mark me because he feared hurting me. He had only saved that mark for the right she-wolf. At first, Serena did not dare go too far. She had just arrived and was living under someone else’s roof. So she had to pretend to be soft and harmless. Three days after she arrived, she called Damon away in front of me. That day, Damon finally had a free afternoon and stayed with me in the garden. He picked a gardenia and tried to pin it into my hair. He tried for a while, but only pulled my hair loose. I was laughing and calling him clumsy when Serena’s maid came. “Alpha Damon, Lady Serena’s wolf is unstable.” “She says only your scent can calm her.” After speaking, the maid knelt hard on the ground. Her voice was full of tears. I looked up at Damon. His hand paused. He looked at me with difficulty. I said nothing. I only took the gardenia from his hand and held it between my fingers. “What do you think?” I smiled and looked at him. He hesitated for a moment. “Evelyn, I’ll be right back.” Watching him leave, I tossed the gardenia into the pond. The fish tore the petals apart. My maid Nora spoke up for me. “Miss, Lady Serena is not as harmless as she looks.” I clicked my tongue. “She cast the line. Damon likes biting the hook.” “Who can stop him?” “Let’s go back. This is boring.” I turned and walked toward my room. Damon was gone for two hours. When he came back, the sky was already dark. He held my hand and explained. “Evelyn, I only went because of our childhood bond.” “Don’t think too much.” “There was nothing between us before.” “In this life, I care for you most.” After saying that, he bent down and kissed my forehead. I raised my hand and pushed him away. Then I asked with a smile, “What if Serena’s wolf becomes unstable every time she wants you?” He held my hand at once and spoke solemnly. “How could that happen?” “Next time, I will refuse her.” He lowered the bed curtain and pressed me beneath him. The next day, Damon and I had lunch together. For the first time, he only ate a few bites before saying he was full. Then he went to the study. After he left, Nora pouted and muttered under her breath. “Of course he’s full.” “If I had drunk a whole bowl of sweet soup and eaten six cakes before lunch, I wouldn’t be hungry either.”

After asking around, I learned Serena had sent lunch to Damon’s study before our meal. She said it was to thank him for saving her yesterday. I stirred my soup once and said calmly, “From now on, don’t prepare Damon’s lunch.” “It only wastes food.” Nora covered her mouth and went to pass the order. Yesterday’s promise had been swallowed with today’s soup. A man’s words were only meant to be heard. Not believed. Maybe pretending her wolf was unstable had become too boring. Soon, Serena started sending cakes to Damon’s study and asking him about Pack history. Tsk. What special insight could a border-trained Alpha Heir have about history? The next time Serena came, Damon had me trapped in his arms, teaching me werewolf customs. Serena wore a white dress and carried a food box. She looked at us and stopped. After two breaths, she bit her lip and said, “If Evelyn is here, I won’t disturb the Alpha Damon.” She lowered her head, showing a pale stretch of neck. So soft. So pitiful. Just as she was about to leave, pity flashed through Damon’s eyes. In the end, he spoke before she left. “Serena, did you make cakes again?” “I happen to be hungry.” When he said that, his eyes drifted toward me. I put down the pen in my hand. Then I sat steadily in the chair and watched Damon walk toward Serena. The two of them looked more like a matched pair. At that moment, I suddenly felt tired. I could not keep pretending this was a real marriage. I propped my chin on my hand and watched them eat and laugh as if no one else was there. Serena looked at me with a smile. The moment she met my eyes, she became timid. “ Evelyn, are you upset?” “I won’t bring cakes to the Alpha Damon anymore.” “Please don’t chase me away.” Then she dropped to her knees. Damon frowned slightly. Before he could speak, I stood and helped Serena up. “Why would I be angry?” “If someone so clever and thoughtful can help me care for the Alpha Damon, I should be happy.” Serena stood up and looked at me with suspicion. Only Damon’s face turned ugly. As if he had choked on one of her cakes. That night, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. “Evelyn Hart,” he said through his teeth. “You are generous.” I turned and gently pushed him away. “She is your old friend.” “I should make her feel at home, shouldn’t I?” The hand on my waist suddenly tightened. It hurt enough that I let out a small sound. I felt the change in his body. I pushed him away again and said sincerely, “ I don’t feel well tonight.” “Let’s sleep early.” Then I turned away and closed my eyes. A moment later, I heard him kick the blanket in anger. After that, Serena stopped sending cakes to Damon’s study. She found a new trick. That night, my dress had just slipped from my shoulders when a maid’s voice sounded outside. “Alpha Damon, Lady Serena is trapped in a nightmare.” “Your Alpha aura can drive away the fear.” “Please save our lady.” Damon froze above me. He could neither move forward nor pull back. I pulled the blanket over myself and said lightly, “Since your dear Serena needs you so badly, why not go heal her?” The moment I finished, his bright eyes stared at me in the dark. The next second, he lifted my chin. “I never knew my wife was so understanding.” “So eager to push me into another woman’s room?” Then his kisses came down hard. That night, Serena’s plan failed for the first time. But the next day, she came to me with a sweet smile. In her hand was a pendant. She lifted it in front of my eyes. “Evelyn, do you recognize this?”

Of course, I recognized it. It was the bonding pendant Luna Maren left for me and Damon. A pair of carved blackwood pendants. One for him. One for me. No wonder I had not seen Damon wear it lately. So he had given it to someone else. Serena smiled. “I only said it looked beautiful.” “Alpha Damon took it off and let me play with it.” “I heard it belonged to your ceremony.” “Does it look familiar?” I looked at her face. Then I looked at the pride in her eyes. Without warning, I slapped her. Serena screamed and stumbled back, clutching her face. “Evelyn Hart! You hit me?” I sneered. “Yes. I hit you.” “What are you, to touch something Luna Maren gave me?” “Nora,” I said coldly. “Hit her.” Nora had been waiting for this. She grabbed Serena and slapped her hard from both sides. Serena cried at once. Her sobs sounded heartbreaking. “Stop!” Damon rushed in. He had not even changed out of his patrol uniform. He shoved Nora away. Serena immediately fell into his arms, crying like she had been wronged by the whole world. “Damon... Evelyn hit me...” “I shouldn’t have stayed in this Pack.” “I should have died outside.” Damon looked down at her. Then he looked up at me. I still remembered that look. Disgust. Anger. And something I could not name. “Why did you hit her?” His face was cold. “Serena has always been gentle. Why do you keep bullying her?” His Alpha aura bore down on me. But I was not afraid. I had done nothing wrong. Why should I be afraid? I threw the pendant to the ground. The blackwood split in two. “I need your permission to hit her?” “Then did she ask your permission before acting cheap?” I stared at him and lifted my chin. His eyes fell on the broken pendant. His pupils shook. “Rowan, it hurts...” Serena whimpered in his arms. The guilt in his eyes disappeared. He pressed his lips together and avoided my gaze. “Confine Evelyn to the old east wing.” “Without my permission, she is not allowed to leave.” I laughed. Great. Locked up again. It was not the first time. At least I had books, tea, and servants there. Better than watching the two of them act like lovers in front of me. On the fourth night of confinement, Damon came. He smelled of alcohol. He stood beside my bed. “Evelyn.” I turned over and gave him my back. He stayed silent for a while. Then he lay down and hugged me from behind. “Don’t be angry.” His voice was low. “It was my fault.” I did not move. “I’ll give you the new goods from the human market.” His chin rested on my shoulder. “Stop being angry. It’s bad for your health.” “But that day, you did go too far—” I pushed his hand away and cut him off. “I’m tired.” “Sleep.” He went stiff. After a long while, he said, “Fine.” But the next day, the things from the human market never reached me. Damon sent them all to Serena’s room. I heard she rewarded the healer. Rewarded the maids. Rewarded the old servants. And Damon personally placed my favorite coral hairpin in Serena’s hair. All because he was happy to become a father. Serena was pregnant. When Damon came to me that night, he stood in the courtyard, unable to speak. “Evelyn.” “Serena...” “She is carrying my pup.” I sat on the chaise with my eyes closed. I did not look at him. After two breaths, I said calmly, “You already got her pregnant.” “What else can you do?” His voice turned hoarse. “Is that all you have to say?” “What else?” I opened my eyes and looked at him. “Do you want me to go mad?” “Or drag Serena to the river and drown her?” He stared at me for a long time. So long, I thought he had nothing else to say. Then he spoke with rage. “Good.” “Very good.” “Evelyn Hart, you will regret this.” Then he turned and left. Regret? I stood at the door and watched him go. I almost laughed. Until one month later. Alpha Damon died in battle. No body was found. I stood in the mourning hall and looked at his memorial badge. Then I finally understood what he meant. “You will regret this.” So this was how he wanted me to regret it? What kind of twisted method was that? After I understood, I knelt at once and cried until my voice broke. Was that punishment? That was clearly a reward. I knelt in the mourning hall for three days. By the end, the whole Pack was saying Damon’s human wife loved him deeply. On the fourth day, I packed my things and moved to the Moon temple outside Pack territory. I stayed there for two years. I ate well. Slept well. Visited the human town when I was bored. Listened to music in the human town. Life was very comfortable. When a person has money and free time, she needs a little excitement. So I saved a dying rogue named Cole by the roadside. And began my second spring. That night, I lay in bed and thought of the bonding gifts in the hall. I almost laughed. Then the window made a sound. A shadow slipped inside and landed lightly on the floor. He straightened. Moonlight fell across his face. It was Cole. Wasn’t he just a poor rogue? How did a rogue get past Nightfall Pack’s patrols?

Cole wore a black shirt, the collar slightly open. His collar hung open, showing a hard line of chest muscle under the moonlight. He smiled at me. That smile looked far too dangerous for a poor rogue. “Evelyn,” he said softly. “Did you miss me?” I raised an eyebrow. This was new. He reached out and hooked a finger under my chin. “Evelyn.” His eyes curved slightly. “You really are heartless.” “You used me and threw me away.” “Did I fail to please you?” He leaned down until his lips almost touched mine. His breath brushed my face. I pressed a hand against his chest and smiled. “Have you been training in a fox den?” Before I could finish, he kissed me. Fast and hard. I struggled once. He did not let go. Instead, he pushed me down onto the bed. One hand supported the back of my head. His kiss went deep and fierce, as if he wanted to swallow me whole. In the end, I bit his lip. Cole gave a low laugh and pulled back a little. “Evelyn, you bite.” I glared at him, still catching my breath. “You started it.” He laughed again. The sound came from deep in his chest and made my heartbeat stumble. Then he leaned down again. His lips moved lower. Just then, the door was kicked open. Cole paused. Then he laughed softly. “What a mood killer.” His voice brushed my ear. “I’ll come back next time.” The moment he finished, he moved to the window and disappeared into the night. I sat up on the bed and looked at the man standing at the door. Damon stood there, covered in rage. He walked toward me step by step. His eyes were bloodshot. “Who was he?” His voice was rough. He looked like he wanted to tear someone apart. I only smiled at him. I said nothing. He stopped in front of me. Then his hand shot out and closed around my throat. His anger had finally broken through his reason. “I asked you who he was.” I could barely breathe. My vision started to darken. But somehow, I laughed. “You... have no right to ask.” “Rowan.” I said the last word very lightly. His eyes turned redder. His fingers tightened. “Whore.” “Go to hell.” I pulled the hairpin from my hair without thinking. Then I stabbed him. He hissed in pain and let go. The hairpin sank into his shoulder. Blood spread through his shirt. He looked down at the wound. Then he looked back at me. “You knew I would never truly hurt you.” “And you still stabbed me.” He pressed a hand to his chest. His eyes were full of disbelief. I held my throat and gasped for air. Tears fell from the corners of my eyes because I had nearly choked. When he saw my face, his rage seemed to shrink. He dropped to one knee before me. His lips trembled. “Evelyn...” “I am Damon.” “I’m not dead.” “I won’t allow you to choose another male.” “You can only be my wife.” After saying that, he pulled the hairpin from his shoulder without changing expression. Then he raised his hand and slid it back into my hair. I looked at him for a long moment. Then I laughed softly. “What nonsense.” “My husband died two years ago.” “Rowan, you already have your own woman.” “Don’t say such ridiculous things again.” He froze. “You should leave.” “If anyone sees a brother-in-law in his widowed sister-in-law’s room at night, it won’t look good.” After a long silence, he said, “Evelyn—” “I told you to leave.” “Get out!” Why should he get to die when he wanted? Why should he come back when he wanted? I refused to recognize him. I, Evelyn Hart, was never easy to fool.

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