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Below, Johnson’s team shifted into a new formation, their movements precise despite their massive size. It was like watching a deadly ballet, if ballet involved wolves the size of small horses executing military maneuvers.

Derek’s ears pricked forward, his body tensing with obvious interest. He glanced at me, then at the training ground, clearly torn.

“Go.” I laughed, giving his fur one last stroke. “Show me what an alpha can do.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. Derek launched himself from the observation deck with predatory grace, landing among his team like a shadow given form. The other wolves immediately adjusted their formation, making space for their commander.

“Now the real show begins.” Caleb grinned, already shrugging off his shirt. “Can’t let Derek have all the fun.”

“We do need to maintain our training,” Marcus agreed, his voice dropping to that dangerous purr as he stripped off his own shirt with elegant efficiency. “For security purposes, of course.”

“Of course,” I echoed faintly, suddenly very grateful for the observation deck’s reinforced glass as I had something to lean against. “Purely professional.”

Their transformations were as distinct as their personalities. WhereDerek’s had been controlled power, Caleb’s shift was something else entirely. His change started with a playful shimmer across his skin, like sunlight dancing on water. Golden-brown fur rippled outward in fluid waves, each movement graceful and light. His transformation was almost mesmerizing in its beauty—less about raw power and more about pure, natural elegance. When it finished, his wolf form was sleek and agile, built for speed rather than brute force, with fur that caught the light like burnished gold.

Marcus’ transformation, though… Marcus’ change was pure alpha dominance. The air itself seemed to thicken as he shifted, ancient power rolling off him in waves that made my scar tingle. Darkness rippled across his skin, but not like shadows—like watching the night itself take form. His pitch-black fur emerged like ink bleeding through water, somehow both elegant and devastating. When his transformation completed, his wolf form was massive, larger even than Derek’s, with fur so black it seemed to absorb the light. His crimson eyes blazed with barely contained power, a reminder that while his brothers were alphas, Marcus was THE alpha.

They joined Derek below, three distinct but equally lethal predators moving with their pack. The training exercise shifted from basic formations to combat scenarios, and I finally understood why other packs feared the Stone brothers. They fought like they shifted—each unique but perfectly coordinated.

Derek’s tactical genius shone through every movement, his massive gray form anticipating and countering attacks. He fought like the warrior he was, each strike calculated for maximum effect. His team responded to his commands instantly, moving like extensions of his will.

Caleb was pure deadly grace, his smaller golden-brown form using speed and agility where his brothers used power. He darted between larger wolves like he was dancing, striking so fast his opponents barely had time to register the attack. Just like that night in the forest, his speed made him lethal in a completely different way than his brothers.

And Marcus… Marcus moved like death itself, each motion a perfect blend of power and precision. His black wolf form seemed to blur between shadows, appearing exactly where he needed to be with devastating effect. When he fought, there was no wasted movement, no flashy displays—just pure, efficient dominance. The other wolves gave him a wider berth, their instincts recognizing the apex predator in their midst.

When the brothers came together in joint attacks, it was breathtaking. They moved in perfect synchronization, years of pack dynamics evident in how naturally they coordinated. Derek would herd their opponents into position, Caleb would dart in to break their defenses, and Marcus would deliver the finishing strike. The other wolves didn’t stand a chance.

“Impressive, no?” Maria appeared at my elbow with a fresh smoothie. “I think they’re showing off a bit more than usual today.”

She wasn’t wrong. Every time I leaned forward with particular interest, the brothers would execute increasingly impressive moves. Derek launched into a series of coordinated attacks that had his team moving as a single unit. Caleb practically danced through his opponents, showing off his speed with unnecessarily graceful flourishes. And Marcus… Marcus kept glancing up at the observation deck with eyes that glowed like banked embers, his power display becoming more pronounced each time he caught me watching.

“They’re ridiculous,” I mumbled but couldn’t look away as they moved into a three-way sparring match that looked more like a deadly dance than combat training. Muscles rippled beneath fur, raw power contained but never diminished. Their movements were pure predatory grace, and I couldn’t help wondering how it would feel to?—

“More smoothie?” Maria’s voice was way too innocent.

“I’m going to need something stronger than smoothies to survive this,” I said. Watching three powerful alphas move with such lethal grace was doing things to my newly awakened wolf instincts that no amount of Maria’s special smoothies could cool down.

The training session ended with one final, impressive display of coordinated attacks that left me clutching my smoothie like a lifeline. Below, Derek’s team was already shifting back to human form with military efficiency, their movements precise even in transformation. Johnson barked out orders about cleanup duty while pulling on his tactical gear, the team falling into post-training routines.

Three massive wolves broke away from the organized chaos, heading back toward the observation deck with predatory grace that somehow still managed to look smug. The Stone Force parted respectfully as they passed, even hardened ex-military wolves acknowledging the power of three alphas moving in perfect sync.

“Show-offs,” I said but couldn’t help smiling. Derek’s steel-gray form immediately pressed against my side while Caleb’s golden-brown wolf practically bounced around us, clearly still energized from the training. Marcus’ black wolf moved with more dignity, but his crimson eyes held a distinctly satisfied gleam.

“Well…” Maria gathered the empty smoothie glasses with a knowing smile. “I believe Jorge needs help in the kitchen. Very urgent cooking emergency. Can’t be avoided.”

“Subtle,” I called after her retreating form.

Caleb’s wolf bumped my hand, then trotted with obvious intent. When I didn’t immediately follow, he came back and tugged gently at my sleeve.

“I think someone wants to go for a walk,” I translated, scratching behind his ears. His tail wagged, confirming my guess.

Marcus’ black wolf moved closer, lowering his massive form in clear invitation. I hesitated only a moment before climbing onto his back, my fingers sinking into impossibly soft fur. His muscles rippled beneath me as he stood, and I had to bite back a gasp at the raw power I could feel contained in his massive frame.

“This is totally normal,” I informed no one in particular as we headed out. “Just casually riding a werewolf while his brothers flank us like furry bodyguards. Nothing weird about this at all.”

Derek’s wolf made a sound suspiciously like a snort.

The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy as we moved deeper into the woods. It was strange to realize how comfortable I’d become here, in the very forest that used to send me into panic attacks. Maybe it was the constant presence of the brothers, or maybe it was my own awakening wolf nature, but the trees no longer felt threatening. Instead, they seemed to welcome us, branches swaying gently in a breeze that carried the scent of pine and wild herbs.