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Marcus left them bickering, Kai’s laughter following him down the hall. But under the domestic warmth, his wolf was restless. Something was changing in their mate—something beyond First Pack blood, beyond quarter-wolf status. Something that made his eyes shine like molten gold and his wounds heal with impossible speed.

And Marcus wasn’t the only one who would notice.

The thought haunted him as he drove through Cedar Grove’s quiet streets, past the sleepy town center where humans were just starting their day, blissfully unaware of the supernatural politics unfolding around them. His car finally turned onto an unmarked road beyond the town limits, one that didn’t appear on any human maps. The council chamber sat hidden in a Victorian mansion on the outskirts of Cedar Grove, its sprawling grounds protected by ancient wards and modern security systems.

Whitecrest Manor had served as the council’s seat for over two centuries. Its weathered brick and elegant spires rose through the morning fog like something from a gothic novel, complete with wrought iron gates and carefully maintained gardens. To human eyes, it appeared to be just another historic estate, one of many that dotted the Pacific Northwest’s more remote areas.

The house staff—a carefully selected mix of supernatural beings who maintained the manor’s facade of normality—directed Marcus to the council’s meeting room. Not the formal chamber upstairs, but a comfortable study lined with books and warmed by a crackling fireplace.

The five council members were already settled around the heavy oak table with coffee and pastries. Marcus felt the familiar pang at seeing only five where there should be six—his grandmother Eleanor’s death during the Blood Moon attack had left a void in more ways than one.

Elder Elizabeth Grey looked up from her cup. Despite her advanced age, her ice-blue eyes carried the sharp intelligence that had made her one of the most respected former alphas in the region. Next to her, Elder Tate Rivers reviewed some papers with the careful attention to detail that had earned him his reputation as the council’s diplomatic backbone.

Elder Thomas Redwood’s dark fingers traced the lines of an ancient text, his mixed-blood heritage giving him unique insight into supernatural evolution and changing times. At the far end of the table, Elders Ahote Standing Bear and Keme Black Hawk spoke quietly in their native tongue, their combined centuries of wisdomevident in every measured word. Their families’ connection to this territory predated even the earliest wolf pack settlements.

“Marcus,” Elizabeth greeted him warmly but firmly. “Coffee? Martha just brought in fresh scones.”

“Richard Knox led six wolves into our territory,” Marcus said, accepting the coffee. “They cornered our mate near the old hiking trails.”

“Your quarter-wolf mate,” Elizabeth clarified. “The one you and your brothers marked during the Blood Moon attack?”

“Yes.” Marcus didn’t bother hiding his growl. Even after ten years, the memory of that night still raised his wolf’s hackles. “Kai Chen. Sarah Chen’s son.”

“Reece Walker’s boy,” Ahote noted quietly. “First Pack blood. No wonder Knox was interested.”

“Even diluted, First Pack bloodlines strengthen pack bonds,” Tate observed. “Knox’s pack has been struggling with stability lately.”

“They failed,” Marcus said flatly. “Spectacularly.”

Tate set down his coffee. “Knox must have been desperate to risk attacking a marked mate. Especially one under Stone protection.”

“Desperate or stupid,” Elizabeth agreed. “Either way, it cannot go unanswered.”

“What are you planning, Marcus?” Thomas asked.

“A formal challenge,” Marcus said. “By pack law, through proper channels.”

“Rather than letting Derek loose on their territory?” Elizabeth said. “How… diplomatic of you.” She wasn’t even trying to hide her smile now. “Well, a formal challenge is your right. Knox violated territory and attempted to claim a marked mate. The council will recognize your claim.” She turned to Tate. “Draft the official notice. Give them the traditional choice.”

Tate was already pulling out the formal stationery. “Full pack submission or formal challenge?”

“Yes,” Marcus said firmly. “Let them choose between submitting to Stone Pack authority now or face us in challenge later.”

“And in the meantime?” Thomas asked carefully, clearly sensing there was more to the plan.

Marcus kept his expression neutral, though another pulse of Derek’s territorial energy suggested his brother was already implementing phase one. “We’ll let them consider their options. Carefully.”

“Ah,” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with understanding. “A demonstration of why submission might be the wiser choice?”

“Something like that.”

“I’ll have the notice delivered by tomorrow,” Tate said, writing. “They’ll have the traditional week to decide. But Marcus?” His expression grew serious as he wrote. “Be careful. First Pack descendants are rare. Other packs will be watching.”

Marcus inclined his head, accepting both the warning and the formal backing of the council. His wolf rumbled in satisfaction, even as another wave of Derek’s energy rippled through their bond. He needed to wrap this up before his brother got too creative with those border markers.

“If that’s all?” He stood.

“Yes, yes.” Elizabeth waved him off, clearly amused. “Go contain your brother before he redraws the entire territory line. We’ll handle the formal notice.”