Page 48

I watched them chase each other across the sand, something like envy twisting in my chest. They made it look so easy—this supernatural existence, this belonging.

“They’re good people,” Sophia said quietly, following my gaze. “Despite what you might have heard about Blackwoods.”

“I don’t doubt it,” I replied honestly. “Drew wouldn’t be friends with you otherwise.”

She smiled, a genuine expression that transformed her face.

I felt a familiar tingle at the base of my spine—a warning that had become all too familiar lately. I didn’t need to turn around to know that at least one of the brothers had decided to join us.

“Looks like we have company,” Sophia murmured, her gaze shifting over my shoulder.

I closed my eyes briefly, gathering my composure. When I opened them, I plastered on my best neutral expression and turned to face whatever was coming.

Or rather, whoever.

Keir approached with that effortless grace that seemed unfair in someone his size. He wore board shorts and a thin white t-shirt that did nothing to hide his sculpted physique, looking more like a model in a beach photoshoot than someone who’d just wandered down from the house.

“There you are,” he said, his gaze finding me immediately despite the others present. “Elena wanted me to tell you lunch will be ready in an hour.”

“She could have texted,” I pointed out, trying to ignore the way my heart rate picked up at his proximity.

“She did,” Keir replied with an easy smile. “You left your phone in the studio.”

I patted my pockets and realized he was right. “Oh.”

His fingers brushed mine as he handed me my phone, and the brief contact sent a jolt of electricity up my arm. I nearly dropped the device, my body’s reaction to his touch both embarrassing and impossible to control. From the way his nostrils flared slightly, I knew he could smell the sudden spike in my scent.

Drew and the others emerged from the water, and I didn’t miss the way Jake and Tyler straightened when they spotted Keir, exchanging glances that bordered on starstruck. It was weird seeing that reaction to someone I’d watched eat cereal in his pajamas.

“Keir,” Drew greeted his brother, performing hasty introductions. “These are my friends from school—Jake and Tyler Richardson, and Sophia and Mia Blackwood.”

Keir took Mia’s hand, and I tried to ignore the ridiculous flare of jealousy that shot through me at the simple contact. “A pleasure. The Blackwood Pack has quite the reputation.”

“So do the Sinclairs,” she countered with a smile that was just a touch too warm. “Your victory at last year’s Pacific Northwest Challenge is still being talked about in every pack from here to Vancouver.”

“You follow the challenges?” Keir asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Are you kidding?” Tyler broke in, unable to contain himself any longer. “The way you and your brothers took down the Tebb Pack was legendary. Three against seven, and you didn’t even break a sweat!”

Jake nodded enthusiastically. “The Richardson Pack has the video footage. We study it during training sessions.”

I looked between them in confusion. This was the first I’d heard of any “challenge” or the brothers fighting other packs. I knew they were respected in the supernatural community, but the way Jake and Tyler were looking at Keir was more appropriate for meeting a celebrity than a local alpha.

“You’re exaggerating,” Keir said, though I could tell he was pleased. “The Tebb Pack had poor strategy, that’s all.”

“Strategy?” Tyler laughed. “The way Logan took down their second-in-command with that single move was pure power. And when Cade forced Alpha Tebb to submit?—”

“It was a fair match,” Keir cut him off smoothly, his eyes flicking to me. I realized I must have looked as confused as I felt. “The regional challenges are just friendly competition between packs. Nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious?” Jake sounded scandalized. “The Sinclair brothers are three-time champions! Even the Stone brothers from Cedar Grove haven’t managed that streak.”

“The Stone brothers?” I asked, unable to help myself.

“Another alpha trio,” Mia explained. “Similar reputation on the east side of the mountains. There’s always talk about what would happen if the Sinclairs and Stones ever competed directly.”

“Which won’t happen,” Keir said firmly. “We respect each other’s territories.”

The conversation continued as we gathered our things and headed back toward the house, Jake and Tyler peppering Keir with questions about various techniques and matches. I trailed behind, trying to reconcile this new information with what I knew about mynot really brothers.