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“We should head back,” he said, though he made no move to release me. “But first…”

He bent down to pick up a large, perfect spiral shell from the sand at our feet. “Can’t return empty-handed,” he explained. “Have to maintain the illusion.”

By the time we made our way back to the main beach, I was painfully aware of my appearance—hair tousled from Logan’s fingers, lips swollen from his kisses, a small mark forming just below my collarbone where his teeth had been particularly enthusiastic. I clutched the single shell like it was the most precious treasure, as if it could somehow explain our extended absence.

Drew took one look at us and rolled his eyes. “Find anything interesting?” he asked dryly.

“Just this,” I replied, holding up the shell with what I hoped was casual nonchalance.

“Must have been deeply buried,” Drew commented, eyeing the mark on my collarbone with pointed amusement. “Took you long enough to dig it up.”

Logan just smiled, dropping onto the sand beside Cade with the satisfied air of a cat who’d gotten into the cream. “Some treasures are worth taking time to uncover properly.”

Aunt Vivian just laughed, shaking her head. “You boys aren’t nearly as subtle as you think you are.”

Heat flooded my face, and I suddenly became very interested in examining the single shell in my hand. Logan, shameless as always, just grinned and draped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side in a way that only made my blush deepen.

“We weren’t trying to be subtle,” he replied which made Aunt Vivian laugh even harder.

“Clearly,” she said, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Now come help me with lunch before Finn spontaneously combusts from embarrassment.”

I gratefully escaped to help Aunt Vivian unpack the enormous feast she’d prepared for our beach picnic. The portable grill sizzled with her famous garlic butter shrimp skewers, while an enormous cooler revealed a spread that could feed an army—or three hungry alphas. There were thick sandwiches on artisan bread, a massive pasta salad studded with olives and feta, fresh fruit, homemade potato chips, and an array of desserts that made my sweet tooth ache just looking at them.

“I know how much food growing wolves need,” she explained, handing Cade a plate piled so high I wasn’t sure howit didn’t collapse. “And you,” she added, turning to me with a pointed look, “need to put some meat on those bones.”

Lunch was a lively affair, with Drew’s stories of his latest adventure with Jake and Tyler keeping everyone entertained. Mochi curled up at my feet, while Boba managed to charm everyone into giving him bits of food despite his already well-fed state. I watched in amazement as Logan devoured four sandwiches in what seemed like minutes, while Keir and Cade weren’t far behind in their consumption.

“Werewolf metabolism,” Drew said. “They burn through calories like nobody’s business.”

After lunch, pleasantly full and warmed by the sun, I stretched out on my towel, intending to soak up some rays before we headed back to the house. I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, a shadow fell across me, blocking the warmth of the sun. I opened my eyes to find Cade standing over me, his broad shoulders eclipsing the light, creating a silhouette that emphasized just how massive he truly was.

“Walk with me,” he said, his deep voice leaving no room for argument as he extended a hand to help me up.

Unlike Logan’s strategic approach or Keir’s playful invitation, Cade didn’t bother with pretense or excuses. He simply took my hand in his much larger one and led me away from the others, his stride so long I had to take two steps for each of his. His posture was commanding, shoulders back, head high—every inch the alpha leader as we headed toward the far end of the beach where the cliffs jutted out into the ocean.

We climbed over several large boulders until we reached a secluded inlet that was completely hidden from the main beach. A small waterfall trickled down the cliff face, creating a natural pool of clear water before flowing into the ocean. The space was like something from a fantasy—a private paradise of smooth stone, crystal water, and lush greenery clinging to the cliff walls.

Cade stopped at the edge of the pool, turning to face me with an intensity that made my breath catch. He towered over me, making me feel delicate in a way that should have been intimidating but instead sent a thrill of excitement through me. He reached out, his large hand cupping my cheek with surprising gentleness.

“Do you have any idea,” he said, his voice a low rumble that I could feel vibrating through the air between us, “how difficult it is to watch my brothers touch you and not stake my own claim?”

Before I could respond, he closed the distance between us, one arm wrapping around my waist to pull me flush against him while his other hand tangled in my hair. His mouth claimed mine with absolute authority—not asking, not coaxing, but taking what was his.

Where Keir had been playful and Logan had been hungry, Cade was commanding—his kiss a declaration of ownership that left no room for doubt. His tongue swept into my mouth, not exploring but conquering, mapping every corner as if memorizing territory. I yielded completely, my body melting against his solid frame, my hands clutching at his shoulders for support as my knees threatened to give way.

Without breaking the kiss, he backed me toward a smooth section of the cliff wall, his body caging mine, his greater height and breadth making me feel completely surrounded. When my back met the cool stone, he finally pulled away, but only to trail his mouth along my jaw to my ear.

“I’ve been patient,” he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. “Watching. Waiting. Letting my brothers have their time with you.”

His teeth grazed my earlobe, sending a shiver down my spine. “But make no mistake, little fox. You belong to all of us.” His hand slid from my waist to my hip, fingers digging in possessively. “To me.”

The possessive declaration should have triggered my independence, should have made me bristle and pull away. Instead, it sent heat pooling low in my belly, a primal response to his dominance that I couldn’t fight even if I wanted to.

Cade seemed to sense the surrender in my body, a satisfied growl rumbling through his chest as he lifted me as if I weighed nothing, turning to set me on a flat boulder at the edge of the pool. The new position put us at eye level, though his broader frame still dwarfed mine. Water from the small waterfall misted around us, catching in his golden-brown hair and making it glisten in the filtered sunlight.

“Look at me,” he commanded when my eyes started to drift closed as his hands skimmed up my sides.

I obeyed, meeting his gaze—those deep blue eyes now swirling with hints of silver, his wolf close to the surface. His hands moved to frame my face, thumbs stroking my cheekbones with unexpected tenderness that contrasted sharply with the intensity of his gaze.