Page 26

He shifted back to human form, not bothering to hide his satisfied smile as he surveyed the destruction. Johnson followed suit, already pulling out his phone to document the “training exercise” for their records.

“Sir.” Johnson’s voice carried just the right mix of professional respect and barely hidden amusement. “I believe we’ve made our point.”

“Have we?” Derek turned to the gathered Knox wolves, who were now back in human form and trying very hard to look anywhere but at him. “Let me be clear. This?” he gestured to the wreckage of their station. “This is me being diplomatic. Touch our mate again, and diplomacy goes out the window. Understood?”

The rapid nodding would have been comical if he wasn’t still fighting the urge to do serious damage. His wolf hadn’t forgotten Kai’s scent mixed with fear, hadn’t forgotten how close they’d come to?—

Deep breaths, brother,Caleb cautioned, probably sensing his rising anger.Come home. Kai’s asking about you.

That got his attention. “Johnson, finish up here. Make sure our message is properly delivered.”

“Yes, sir.” Johnson’s grin promised creative interpretation of those orders. “Should I mention this was just the advance team?”

Derek allowed himself a small smirk as the Knox wolves paled further. Let them wonder just how many more wolves the Stone Pack could field. Let them imagine what would happen if Derek really lost his temper.

Let them remember why the Stone Pack had held this territory for generations.

Now you’re just showing off,Caleb accused through the bond.

Coming from the brother who once made it rain during a territory challenge?Derek started toward his SUV, pleased with the morning’s work.That’s rich.

His team fell into formation behind him, their satisfied energy palpable. They’d reminded everyone why Stone Security was feared, protected their mate’s honor, and destroyed Knox property before lunch. All in all, a productive morning.

You’re impossible.Caleb sighed, but Derek could feel his brother’s approval through their bond.Just hurry home. Maria’s making lunch, and Kai keeps asking where you disappeared to.

Derek’s wolf preened at the thought of their mate missing them.Maybe he’d even get some cuddles out of this, assuming Caleb hadn’t claimed their mate for the afternoon.

Behind him, the Knox wolves watched their departure with shell-shocked expressions. Derek didn’t need to look back to know the message had been received.

No one touched what belonged to the Stone Pack. No one.

Chapter 6

The thing about being quarter-wolf, apparently, was that you healed really fast. Suspiciously fast. Which explained a lot about my childhood “lucky escapes” but didn’t make the whole situation any less weird.

“More shepherd’s pie, pequeño?” Jorge appeared at my elbow with another heaping plate. “I’m trying this British comfort food thing.”

“I’m good,” I said, even as my stomach growled loud enough to make Scout’s ears perk up.

“Lies,” Caleb sang from across the kitchen island. “Your wolf needs fuel to heal. Eat.”

Right. My wolf. Because that was a thing now. Just casual lunch conversation about my newly discovered supernatural side.

The Stone brothers had been suspiciously chipper since their return, especially Derek, who’d come back from his morning “patrol” looking like the cat—or well, wolf—who’d got the cream. Even his team had been grinning when they’d pulled up in their black SUVs. Marcus had returned from his council meeting earlier wearing a similar satisfied expression.

I’d learned not to ask too many questions about these patrols or meetings. Mostly because Derek would get this gleam in his eye that made me want to hide behind Marcus. Not that I’d admit that. Ever.

“I’ve also made Yorkshire puddings,” Jorge announced proudly, though they looked more like Spanish churros gone wrong. “And speaking of British traditions, are we doing the churro again for the Cedar Grove Harvest Festival?”

“The what now?” I asked, even as I demolished the shepherd’s pie. Apparently, supernatural healing burned through calories like a furnace. Who knew?

“Cedar Grove’s biggest event of the year,” Maria explained, her eyes lighting up. “Three days of festivities under the harvest moon. The whole town participates.”

“The Stone family always hosts the main events,” Jorge added. “Though this year will be… interesting.” He shot a meaningful look at the brothers that I pretended not to notice.

“Because of the churro stall disaster last year?” Caleb asked innocently.

“That was your fault.” Maria pointed her wooden spoon at him. “You and those ridiculous fairy lights?—”