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Up close, Luke was even more captivating. The way he held himself—chin lifted in defiance even as his body unconsciously displayed submission, throat exposed, head tilted just so. Their wolves recognized the contradiction, reveled in it. His scent was overwhelming at this distance, power and potential and something wild that made their teeth ache.

His sharp tongue only made him more appealing. Each defiant retort, every flash of those extraordinary eyes—a bewitching mix of silver and green that seemed to shift like moonlight on forest leaves—the way he seemed immune to their usual intimidation tactics—it was intoxicating. Even his mother’s protective presence couldn’t diminish their growing fascination.

When Luke finally walked away, he seemed to take all the warmth with him, leaving the café feeling suddenly hollow. Their wolves snarled in frustrated hunger, already missing the challenge in those silver-green eyes.

“Well,” Liam drawled, but his fingers were white-knuckled around his phone. “That was…”

“Interesting.” James’ voice held the same dangerous edge it got before his more violent matches. His wolf was closer to the surface now, agitated by Luke’s departure.

They watched Mrs. Kim throw a handful of salt from the car window—an ancient gesture of protection that would have made their father snarl about primitive magic. Xander found it oddly charming. The old ways had power, after all.

“She knows what we are,” Liam noted, already typing. “And did you catch his name when she called him? Luke. With a Mrs. Kim…” His fingers flew across the screen, facial recognition software and data mining algorithms making quick work of the search. Being the Blackwoods’ tech expert had its perks—including access to databases most people didn’t know existed. “Got him. Luke Kim, twenty-two, recent business graduate from Pacific West University. And look who appears in half his social media photos.”

James leaned over, then barked out a surprised laugh. “Well, isn’t this a delicious coincidence. Our quarter-wolf and this morning’s little spitfire are friends.” He shook his head in disbelief. “What are the odds?”

“The world of supernatural beings is surprisingly small,” Xander mused, though his eyes had sharpened with interest at this unexpected connection. “Especially when it comes to those with power.”

“Two beautiful little prizes,” Liam mused, pulling up more photos. “Though in different ways. Where Kai’s all delicate grace and hidden strength, this Luke…”

“Sharp edges and barely contained power,” Xander finished, remembering those defiant eyes. “And they’re clearly heading to Cedar Grove.”

“The Stones’ territory.” James’ smile showed teeth. “First they take our quarter-wolf, and now this… intriguing little mystery is heading straight to them.”

“Interesting timing,” Xander murmured, his wolf restless with frustrated hunger. “Speaking of territory disputes, we have an appointment with the Whitmores.”

James was already heading for the door, violent intent rolling off him in waves. Their wolves needed an outlet for this frustrated energy, and Gregory Whitmore’s pack had so thoughtfully volunteered by trying to expand into Blackwood territory.

The Range Rover purred to life, carrying three increasingly agitated predators toward the eastern border of their lands. Their wolves were restless, hungry for violence after such an unsatisfying morning.

“I do hope Greg puts up a fight,” James mused, taking a turn too fast. “After that delightful little encounter, I find myself in need of… exercise.”

“Try not to kill anyone this time,” Liam said, barely looking up from his phone as his fingers danced across the screen. He was already creating multiple shadow accounts to follow Luke’s social media, downloading every photo he could find. His thumb tracedthe curve of Luke’s defiant smile in one particular image. “The council frowns on that sort of thing.”

Xander caught the obsessive gleam in his youngest brother’s eyes, recognizing the way Liam’s fingers caressed the screen. Their tech genius had always been the most… fixated of the three when something caught his interest. “Try not to get caught stalking him online either. We don’t need the Stones’ attention just yet.”

“Please,” Liam scoffed, though his eyes never left the stream of photos he was saving. “As if they could trace anything back to me.” His wolf rumbled in approval as another photo loaded—Luke caught mid-laugh, those silver-green eyes dancing with mischief.

The car filled with their collective frustration, their wolves pacing restlessly beneath their skin. James’ knuckles were white on the steering wheel, and even Xander’s perfect composure showed cracks.

Xander adjusted his cuffs, ice-blue eyes reflecting silver as his wolf pushed closer to the surface. “The Whitmores need a simple reminder about territorial boundaries. Though if Gregory and his pack choose to resist our… correction…”

The morning mist parted before them like a curtain, revealing the disputed border where the Whitmore Pack had been getting increasingly bold. Their wolves surged forward, desperate for violence, for any outlet to burn away the maddening memory of prey that had slipped through their grasp. Luke’s scent—defiance and power and something unnaturally enticing—still clung to them, driving their wolves into a frenzy of frustrated possession.

Poor Gregory Whitmore. He had no idea what mood he’d caught them in.

Chapter 11

Iwas definitely not pacing. The fact that I’d worn a path on the carpet was purely coincidental. My phone, practically glued to my hand, showed Luke’s increasingly frustrated texts from the past few hours.

Still alive. GPS having breakdown.

Roads make no sense???

Lost signal again, if murdered blame woods.

Eommadoing weird chants, send help.

[Message not delivered]