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“Boring,” Caleb declared. “I vote we just let Derek loose on their territory. Much more efficient.”

Derek’s answering smile was all teeth. “I like that plan.”

“We do this by the book,” Marcus insisted, though his brothers’ bloodthirsty enthusiasm wasn’t entirely unwelcome. “We show the council, and every other pack watching, exactly why the Stones have held this territory for generations.”

“And then?” Caleb prompted.

Marcus’ smile matched his brothers’ in predatory intent. “And then we make sure Knox regrets ever looking at what’s ours.” His expression sobered quickly though, remembering their position. “But we have to be smart about this. We can’t afford any unauthorized action,” he warned, recognizing the violent intent in his brothers’ expressions. “Not with the council watching. Not when we need to maintain our position as the most respected pack in the region.”

“Respected.” Derek spat the word like it offended him. “While those mutts who dared touch our mate still breathe.”

“Politics,” Caleb groaned, slumping farther into his chair. “I hate politics.”

“Politics keeps us in power,” Marcus reminded them. “Power keeps Kai safe. Speaking of which…” He fixed Derek with a stern look. “No unauthorized excursions into Knox territory while I’m at the council tomorrow.”

Derek’s innocent expression wouldn’t have fooled a blind man. “Of course not.”

“Derek.”

“What? I’m just going to do my usual security rounds. Can’t help it if those rounds happen to pass by Knox’s southern border.”

“The border that’s nowhere near your usual patrol route?” Caleb grinned.

“Expanding our surveillance,” Derek said blandly. “Very responsible of me.”

Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just… try not to start a territory war while I’m dealing with five supernatural politicians?”

“No promises,” both brothers chorused.

The study fell quiet, the kind of loaded silence that always followed discussions of the Knox attack. Marcus could still feel the echo of that bone-deep terror—watching rival wolves circle their mate, seeing Kai in danger and nearly out of reach.

“He fought well,” Caleb said softly, breaking the silence, his usual playful demeanor stripped away to reveal raw pride and lingering fear. “Our little mate, taking down wolf shifters with a stick, of all things.”

“While critiquing their form,” Derek added with a ghost of a smile. “Did you hear him? ‘Bad dogs, no treats for you.’ In the middle of a supernatural fight.”

“I thought my heart would stop,” Marcus admitted, something in his chest still aching at the memory. “When I saw them corner him, when I thought we wouldn’t reach him in time…”

“But we did,” Derek’s voice was firm, grounding. “We got there. He’s safe.”

“He’s home,” Caleb corrected, and there was centuries of pack meaning in that word. “Finally home, where he belongs. Where we can protect him.”

Marcus closed his eyes, letting his senses extend through the manor. He could feel Kai’s presence upstairs—peaceful, content, surrounded by their pack guardians. The pre-marking hummed with satisfaction, their mate under their roof where he belonged.

“Shadow’s hogging the bed again,” Caleb reported with a faint smile, obviously tracking Kai through their pack bond too. “Scout’s trying to wiggle under his arm, and Storm’s standing guard by the window.”

“Good boys,” Derek murmured, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.

Marcus set down his cold coffee and stood, his brothers instinctively rising with him. “We should rest. Tomorrow will be… interesting.”

“That’s one word for it.” Caleb stretched, his predatory grace returning. “I vote we skip the council meeting and just spend the day watching Kai attempt to organize his new closet. His running commentary on our ‘ridiculous rich person clothes’ is much more entertaining than supernatural politics.”

“Noted,” Marcus said dryly. “And denied.”

They moved through the darkened manor with familiar ease, each pausing briefly by Kai’s door. Their mate’s steady breathing and peaceful heartbeat soothed something primal in their wolves. The scent of him—already mixing with their own, with the manor’s ancient power—felt right in a way they’d been missing for nine years.

“Try not to start any wars before breakfast,” Marcus reminded Derek, who merely smiled that dangerous smile again.

“No promises,” Caleb sang quietly, already heading for his own quarters. “But maybe save some Knox wolves for the rest of us, Derek?”