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Finn rolled his eyes, his wet fox ears twitching with the motion. “It’s blazing hot out, Cade. I don’t think hypothermia is a concern.”

“Listen to your alpha,” Drew said with exaggerated seriousness, then winked at Finn. “He knows best.”

The word ‘alpha’ sent a visible shiver through Finn that he quickly disguised as a shudder from the water.

“Actually, maybe we should stay out here and dry naturally,” Drew suggested, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Enjoy the sun a bit longer. What do you think, Finn? Want to stretch out on one of these loungers?”

I will murder him, Logan’s internal voice promised.

Get in line, Keir replied.

“Nevertheless,” Cade insisted, his alpha authority slipping into his voice without intention. “Shower. Now.”

Finn’s ears flattened slightly at the tone, his body responding instinctively to the command even as his expression remained defiant. “Fine, whatever. Come on, Drew.”

Drew lingered, watching the brothers with amused eyes. “You know,” he said conversationally, “it’s fascinating how those old scars on Finn’s hip seem to catch the light sometimes. Almost like they’re glowing. Weird, right?”

With that parting shot, he followed Finn inside, leaving three stunned alphas in his wake.

As they disappeared, Logan released a breath that sounded more like a growl. “Did you see the marks? They’re more visible now than they were last year.”

“The mate bond is strengthening,” Cade confirmed, his voice tight. “The marks are responding to our presence.”

“And Drew knows exactly what he’s doing,” Keir added, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “He’s torturing us deliberately.”

“Elena’s setting up lunch on the lower deck,” Cade noted, spotting the housekeeper arranging place settings.

“Remember,” he warned as they moved toward the stairs. “Careful. Gentle. We don’t want to scare him off.”

“I make no promises about the gentle part,” Logan muttered, but his mental agreement flowed through their bond. None of them wanted to lose Finn, not when they’d waited so long already.

By the time Finn and Drew emerged onto the lower deck twenty minutes later, freshly showered and changed, the three Sinclair alphas were already seated at the table. Cade nearly choked on his water when he saw what Finn was wearing—tiny shorts that revealed miles of toned leg and an oversized t-shirt that slipped off one shoulder, exposing the delicate curve of his collarbone. With his damp hair curling slightly around his fox ears and his tail swishing behind him, he looked like every fantasy Cade had been suppressing for years.

Breathe, Logan reminded him through their bond, though his own internal voice was strained.You’re staring.

We’re all staring, Keir pointed out, not bothering to hide his appreciation.Look at those legs. And that shirt—is he even wearing anything under those shorts?

Focus, Cade growled mentally, forcing his expression into something approaching normal. “The food looks excellent,” he commented aloud, his voice remarkably steady considering the chaos in his mind.

Finn froze momentarily, like prey spotting predators, before Drew nudged him forward. “Elena outdid herself,” Drewagreed, dropping into a chair and immediately reaching for the breadbasket. “Perfect after a morning swim.”

“Though someone’s still sulking about losing that race,” Finn added with a hint of his usual snark, gesturing to Drew as he reluctantly took the only available seat—directly across from Cade. His tail curled protectively around his waist as he sat.

“Only because these gave him an unfair advantage,” Drew countered, pointing to Finn’s fox ears. “It’s like racing against someone with built-in rudders.”

“I’d hardly call them an advantage,” Logan said, his voice gruff as he passed the salad. “More like you’re finally growing into your natural abilities.”

Finn’s ears flattened slightly. “Right. My ‘natural abilities.’ The ones that make me look like a rejected anime character.”

“I think they’re adorable,” Keir said, reaching across the table to flick one of the ears before Finn could dodge. The touch sent a visible shiver through their mate, his scent spiking with something that made all three alphas tense. “Very distinguished.”

“Says the guy who can shift into a perfect wolf whenever he wants,” Finn grumbled, but there was less heat in it than before.

Elena appeared with a steaming platter of linguine with clams, the garlic and white wine sauce filling the air with mouthwatering aromas. “Eat,” she commanded, placing it in the center of the table. “All of you. Especially you, niño,” she added, giving Finn a pointed look. “Swimming burns calories.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Finn said automatically, his ears perking up at the sight of the food. It was one of his favorites, and all three brothers silently thanked Elena for her perfect timing.

The first few minutes passed in relative silence as everyone served themselves. Then Finn took his first bite, and the sound he made—a soft moan of appreciation—had all three alphas freezing mid-motion.