by Dani René
Today, in that corridor, was a risk we took.
But something else was nagging me.
Duncan was different.
Sure, whenever we were in my mother’s presence, he acted like Duncan Version One.
But today, we had been alone in the corridor. He should have been Duncan Version Two. And he was…
But he didn’t call me Little Snow.
He said pussy instead of cunt.
He said dick instead of cock.
His expression was different. His words were familiar but… also not at the same time.
And his voice lacked the way he’d mock me.
I had to wait until tonight to ask him. Stepping away from the door, I went to the shelf – looking for the second book in the collection I was reading. It was the Anne Rice Sleeping Beauty Saga.
But I didn’t find the books there. They had been replaced by other paperbacks. Huh. I swore they had been there yesterday.
I knew there was a maid who came in to clean the library and I saw her organizing the shelves a few times. So maybe she misplaced it. I walked around the library, looking at every shelf, searching for my book.
Aha, there it was!
It was placed at the further end of the library, on a shelf against the wall.
Pleased that I finally found it, I grabbed the book, filled with excitement. But the moment I took the book away, the shelf moved. I stumbled back, holding back a scream. Was I dreaming? Was this place… haunted? Oh God!
My eyes widened as the wall shifted and then it opened, like a door. Shocked, I could only stare for a second before I peeked inside. There was another room there – a hidden library. A much smaller one though.
I walked inside, taking everything in. This was much cozy than its bigger version, but why was it hidden behind a wall?
My gaze slid over the couches and the fireplace. It was the wall over the fireplace that caught my attention. A huge portrait. The ripped family photo that I found in the library a month ago. I never asked Duncan about it, since he never mentioned sister. I thought if he wanted to speak of her, he would. Maybe the family photo held something painful, since it was wrinkled and had been ripped in half.
But this one was framed and up on the wall…
And I finally saw the rest of the photo.
There was the younger version of Duncan on his sister’s left. My eyes slid over the photo, going to the second man standing on the her right. I blinked. What is this?
I had to be seeing things. This was impossible.
The second man was the exact replica of Duncan, except for their clothing.
I blinked again as if the photo would change if I did. But it didn’t.
Two Duncans? Twins?
In the portrait, the second one wore jeans and a shirt, looking casual. Like my Duncan.
My jaw dropped and my hand covered my mouth, shock coursing through my body.
Oh my God.
Realization dawned me too late and my knees weakened. I slumped to the floor.
No.
Oh no.
Please no.
The Duncan I fell in love with… wasn’t actually Duncan King.
The man who introduced me to his wolves wasn’t Duncan.
The brute who visited me in my room every night wasn’t Duncan.
The savage who took my virginity wasn’t Duncan.
My Duncan wasn’t the real one… he wasn’t my step-father.
I had been manipulated since the very beginning.
This place was a trap and I fell into it, so naively.
Chapter Ten
Snow
I walked back into my room in a daze. My stomach cramped and I felt sick. Rushing to the toilet, I dry-heaved while I sobbed quietly.
My heart was heavy in my chest. I knew we’d end as a tragedy but I didn’t think the man I loved would betray me. Not this type of betrayal.
I didn’t know who the real Duncan was anymore.
I didn’t know ANYTHING!
Hot fury spread through my veins. I shook with it – anger and deception. I might had been his Little Snow, but now I was a woman scorned.
I paced my room all day. I planned how I’d approach Fake Duncan about his betrayal. I plotted my revenge. I cried and puked some more. Dinner was served to me in my room except I barely ate anything but a few slices of apples.
The day ended just like that. At midnight, I climbed into bed. He’d come to me any time now. I waited and waited…
The door opened quietly and then closed, the lock turning into place. I fingered my knife under my pillow as I waited for him to climb into bed. The room was mostly dark, except for the little lamp on my nightstand.
His clothing rustled and then I heard the unbuckling of his belt. The bed dipped under his weight as he climbed on. “I know you’re not sleeping,” he said, chuckling.
My teeth grinded together as I clenched my jaw. His hand roamed up my arms. I was on my side and he easily rolled me over until I was on my front. I allowed him.
He pushed the comforter away and groaned when he found me fully naked. “Shit, you’re so perfect.”
His fingers curled around my waist and he lifted my hips, urging me to get on my knees. I did, while gripping my knife tightly into my hand. He rubbed his palm over my ass, squeezing the soft cheeks.
I should stop him. Even though I was so furious at him… I couldn’t. My body still reacted to him. My eyes closed, trying to hold back my tears. Last time. This is the last time I let you touch me. I’ll enjoy it and remember this for the rest of my life.
His fingers went between my thighs, spreading my lower lips apart. He swore under his breath when he found me hot and wet, ready for his cock. I was needy for him. One last time, I promised.
I released my knife, deciding to stab the traitor another time. Maybe I didn’t have to stab him. What was the point of spilling his blood? I’d quietly run away tomorrow morning. Without him ever knowing and I’d go far away from here, to a place where he’d never find me.
His touch was tentative as he fingered me, plunging inside my cunt.
There was something different about his touch. My brows furrowed as I tried to concentrate…
This wasn’t right.
Something was very off.
But before I could think, he pulled his finger out and was rubbing the tip of his cock against my entrance. His body molded over mine, his front against my back.
Without any warning, he shoved forward; one deep thrust and he was rooted deep inside my cunt. He held himself there for a moment. “So fucking wet,” he said in my ear. “So compliant. So goddamn needy for my dick, aren’t you?”
The baritone of his voice…
It was familiar but still different than what I was used to.
My eyes snapped open and my heart thundered. Shock vibrated through me and fear slithered down my spine.
He didn’t even notice the change in my body or that I was no longer accepting of his touch. He pulled out and slammed in again, driving my body forward with the force.
“Oh fuck,” he grunted. “Now, I know why he’s so obsessed with you. Your pussy is so fucking tight, Snow. God, I could get addicted to this.”
My body froze and my muscles locked tight. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think.
I was completely paralyzed.
This wasn’t my Duncan.
My lips parted and I did the only thing I could do, I screamed.
But my scream didn’t faze him. He didn’t stop. In fact, he continued rocking back and forth, in and out of my body with an urgency. “Shh, Snow. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to me soon. We have all night, sweetheart. I’ve never had such a young pussy before and I plan to take all my time, to enjoy this before everything comes to an end.”
My knees slid from under me and I collapsed onto the bed. My body finally came to life and my muscles strained as I thrashed under him. “Let me go!” I thundered.
His cock slid out of me and I used the o
pportunity to try and buck him off me. “I’ll kill you!”
He rolled off my body, laughing and I blindly reached for my knife. I gripped it in one hand, but it was too late. His fingers circled my wrist and he twisted my arm back, almost popping my shoulder out of its socket. I dropped the knife as I cried out.
He rolled me onto my back and lowered his body on top of me, keeping my struggling form trapped under him. We were finally face to face and I saw all the little differences between the two Duncans I never noticed before.
This Duncan – his hazel eyes were just a tad darker. He had no scar on his nose. There was a tiny slit on his left eyebrow that my Duncan didn’t have. And his scent was different.
I slammed my fist into his chest and raked his face with my nails.
“It doesn’t matter if I fuck or he fucks you,” this Duncan said. “Your pussy likes it either way. You were so fucking wet for me, Snow.”
“No,” I howled. “NO! Not you. It was for him. Always him.”
His face darkened and he backhanded me. My lips split open but I didn’t let it deter me. I spat on him, growling. I fought against his strength. I screamed until my voice cracked.
In the far distance, my wolves howled in response.
He tried to kiss me but I kneed him between his legs. I missed the target but I was close enough that he hissed and his hold on me loosen, only slightly.
The wall to my left crashed open, snapping both our attention to the loud sound.
Duncan King.
No, the other Duncan.
My Duncan.
He was shirtless and his jeans hung long around his hips.
I almost sobbed in relief. I knew they were brothers, but my Duncan would never let another man hurt me. Twin brother or not.
His eyes darkened with rage and his face twisted with murderous intent.
“Let her go, Duncan.” There was danger and dark threat in his voice, the promise of violence.
He rolled off me and relieved tears slid down my cheeks.
“Now, now,” he started. “Liam, you’re not going to fight your brother over this foolish girl?”
Chapter Eleven
Snow
His name was Liam.
I found out my lover’s name too late.
My legs trembled so bad as I stood up and hurriedly pulled my nightgown over my head. My head spun but I blinked away the blurriness.
My body hurt.
My heart ached.
My soul was shattered.
Everything made sense now. The two different personalities. Why Liam hated it when I called him Duncan. Why he only ever came into my room at night and we only met in secret.
My gaze went to my wall, the same wall Liam just came through. The wall had opened up similarly like the one in the library. A hidden door. I saw behind the wall, where it was cracked open. There was another room there, a smaller one, which I assumed was his.
It made sense how he’d always find his way into my room when my door would be locked. His stalking skills were top-notched.
Liam was basically living in my wall.
“You started this fight when you knocked me out and tied me up against the chair,” Liam growled, taking a threatening step toward his brother. “I warned you not to touch her, Duncan.”
“She’s mine as much as she’s yours,” Duncan drawled. “I brought her here.”
Liam’s jaw tightened. “I saw her first. I claimed her first. She. Is. Mine.” He extended a hand toward me. “Snow, come here.”
My body listened and moved against my will. I took a step toward him, but I forced myself to stop.
Liam wasn’t my hero.
He was just as much the villain as his brother.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head.
“Come to me,” Liam said. Why did it sound like he was pleading to me? “I’ll explain everything, Little Snow.”
My fists clenched at my sides. “You don’t get to call me that anymore,” I hissed.
Duncan let out a booming laughter. “It doesn’t seem like she wants you, brother.”
“And I don’t want you either,” I snapped in his direction.
Both Duncan and Liam took a step toward me but I stopped them by pointing my knife in their direction. “Don’t you dare,” I warned.
“Do you think you can hurt us with that little knife?” Duncan asked with a raised eyebrow. “You won’t even be able to come close enough before either of us can easily discard that knife from your little hand.”
“Shut it, Duncan,” Liam said. “Give me the knife, Little Snow. I won’t let Duncan to hurt you.”
“And you? Who will protect me from you?” I shook my head, letting out an empty laugh. “And you’re right, Duncan. I can’t hurt you. But I can hurt myself.”
I brought the knife to my throat. “Snow!” Liam rushed forward but paused when he saw me digging the tip into my flesh. A single drop of blood slid down my skin.
Duncan tsked. “She’s fierce, brother. I thought you had her tamed and compliant. I was wrong.”
My hand trembled but I held the knife tighter. “One more step and you’ll have to answer to the law why the dead body of your step-daughter was found in her room.”
Duncan raised his hands up, in mock defence. Liam looked deranged.
“Does my mother know?” I questioned, slowly moving toward the door.
“No,” both brothers answered at the same time.
I smiled, without any emotions behind it. “Well, she’s about to find out everything that you’ve done to me.”
I rushed out of the room before either of them could react. Sprinting to the left swing of the mansion, I called out for my mother. She didn’t respond and I didn’t bother knocking on the door.
I slammed it open. “Mother! Mother!”
My feet came to a halt at the sight that greeted me. The room was a mess and my mother laid on the floor, rolled onto her side. I dropped down next to her even as my stomach cramped, almost painfully.
“Oh no. No, no! God, no, please!” I shook her cold body even though I knew it was already too late. Her eyes were wide opened, looking at the ceiling – lifeless.
Her mouth was twisted as if she had a seizure and I noticed the foam gathered around the corner of her lips.
“She’s dead.” It was Duncan’s voice.
My head snapped up and I glared at the two men standing in the doorway of my mother’s room. “What have you done to her?”
“Poison,” Duncan replied, without any hint of remorse.
“WHY?” I bellowed.
My eyes found Liam but he gave nothing away. The cramps in my stomach grew insistent but I ignored them.
“You saw the portrait, didn’t you?” Liam finally spoke. He didn’t wait for me to answer. “Ella was our sister.”
“Did you ever wonder how your father became so rich, so quickly?” Duncan cut it.
“I was a child. How do I know?” I said through clenched teeth. “And that does my father have to do with any of this?”
“He is the reason why your mother is dead and why you are here.”
I choked on my breath. “What?”
“Your father’s wealthy belonged to us. He stole it and he betrayed our sister.”
My lungs clenched and my skin felt too tight, uncomfortable. A sharp pain shot through my stomach and I flinched. “What are you talking about?” I bellowed through the pain and each labored breath I took.
“Your father was a close friend of ours. When our father was killed in a car accident – your dear father, Michael White, became a close confidant to our sister. Liam and I were both in Afghanistan at that time, serving our last three months in the military,” Duncan explained. I tried to focus on his words, but it became harder and the pain in my stomach grew.
“Our sister was handling our business until we came back. Michael used this at his advantage. He wooed our sister. She fell in love and trusted him with all her heart. He used her… easily swept her
into his trap and made her sign the papers that put everything we owned under his name.”
“I don’t trust what you’re saying,” I whispered. This couldn’t be true. My father was a sincere man. He was a gentle spirit.
“It’s true,” Liam murmured. “Ella was pregnant and she asked him to get married, Michael revealed that he was already married. To your mother.”
“Ella lost everything and Michael left her all alone. She couldn’t bear the shock and…”
“Our sister killed herself, Little Snow,” Liam finished what Duncan couldn’t say. “We found her dead body.”
My head spun and I grew weaker. “How… do you… know all of this?”
“Ella’s diary and George. He was there when it all happened. We saw the proof. And our father’s death? It was no fucking accident. Michael had planned it all.”
“I don’t believe you,” I said. “And even if my father was as bad as you said, my mother was innocent. Why kill an innocent woman?”
“Your mother was far from innocent, Little Snow.”
Duncan’s lips twisted, almost cruel. “She was in on the plan. Hilda gave that knife to my sister and told her to kill herself. She’s just as much of an accomplice as your father. She knew of the affair and didn’t stop Michael. She did absolutely nothing to protect a young, innocent girl from getting ruined. Your mother is no victim.”
I clenched my stomach with my hand, gasping. The pain took over my body and curled into myself. It felt like I was on fire.
“Little Snow?” Liam sounded alarm. “What’s wrong with her?”
He rushed to my side as I lost my balance. Liam wrapped his arms around me, his eyes wild but I saw the undeniable concern there. “Something… is wrong… with me…” I whispered as I felt my body seizing up.
“What did you do to her?” he bellowed.
My eyes rolled back into my head and just before I fell into darkness, I heard Duncan say, “The apple she ate was poisoned.”
I crashed into oblivion.
The world ceased to exist…
And I faded into the darkness.
Chapter Twelve
