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My phone buzzed. Luke had sent a photo of Imo in full ceremonial hanbok, complete with jade accessories and what looked suspiciously like ritual scrolls arranged behind her.

“Oh God,” I groaned, showing the brothers. “She’s got her protection bells out.”

“Her what?” Derek peered at the screen.

“Those little bronze bells can apparently banish evil spirits,” I explained. “Though I’m pretty sure they’re not rated for werewolves.”

“We’re not evil,” Caleb protested, finally giving up and letting Scout climb onto the couch. “We’re just?—”

“Aggressively protective?” I suggested.

“Territorially invested,” Marcus offered diplomatically.

“Extra,” Maria concluded, making Jorge snort from somewhere behind us.

My laptop chimed with an incoming call. Everyone froze.

“Places!” Maria hissed like we were about to perform a Broadway show.

I clicked ‘Accept’ and immediately regretted every life choice that had led to this moment.

Imo Min-Seo’s face filled the screen, resplendent in deep-blue silk and enough jade jewelry to sink a small boat. Luke sat beside her, trying to look stern but clearly fighting a grin at whatever he saw on his screen.

“Kai-ya!” Imo’s voice rang with authority. “Are you eating well? You look thin. These wolves”—she rattled something that jingled ominously—“they are feeding you properly?”

“I think Jorge is trying to fatten me up for winter,” I assured her, as Jorge made an offended noise in the background.

“Good, good. And these alphas—” She squinted at the screen where the brothers were attempting to look harmless—key word: attempting. “They are… very large.”

Luke lost his battle with composure. “Mom, they can hear you.”

“Of course they can hear me. Wolf hearing.” She shook a bell at the screen. “You! Big one in the middle!”

Marcus, to his credit, managed not to laugh. “Yes, ma’am?”

“You are the oldest? The leader?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Imo narrowed her eyes. “My Kai is very small.”

“Mom!” Luke choked.

“He is! Look at them—” She gestured at the screen. “Like trees! My Kai is a flower. A very small flower.”

“A precious flower,” Caleb agreed solemnly, earning himself my elbow in his ribs.

“And you!” Imo pointed at Derek. “Why do you look so pleased with yourself?”

Derek’s smug expression faltered slightly. “Ma’am?”

“Like cat with cream. Or wolf with…” She frowned. “What do wolves eat?”

“Apparently shepherd’s pie,” I said.

“Now,” Imo straightened regally, her jade ornaments tinkling. “Introductions. Properly.”

The brothers exchanged glances that clearly said ‘is this a test?’