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“Luke,” Xander greeted, his formal tone belied by the heat in his eyes. “I see the fates continue to align in our favor.”

“Or you’re just predictable,” Luke replied, but I noticed his breath catch slightly. The tension between them crackled despite the formal setting.

“Mrs. Kim,” James acknowledged with a respectful bow that seemed genuine. “Your presence adds weight to these proceedings.”

Min-seo studied the three brothers, her prayer beads clicking softly. “Some things change,” she observed cryptically, “some remain same. But all things happen for reason, yes?”

Liam positioned himself with careful precision—close enough to Luke to make his interest clear, but far enough to maintain ceremony. “The energy here is… fascinating,” he murmured, his eyes flickering between the ancient stones and Luke. “Rather like certain encounters at the Harvest Festival.”

Luke’s heartbeat stuttered at that reference, and I wondered exactly what had happened at the festival that made both parties so… aware of each other.

“And this must be the famous Kai,” Xander noted, his attention shifting to me with analytical interest. “First Pack blood. How extraordinary.”

I growled softly, more from instinct than actual threat.

“Spirited,” James observed, his voice a rough purr that somehow managed to be both threatening and sensual. “I can see why the Stones keep him so… close.”

“These seats are reserved,” Johnson interrupted, stepping forward with two other members of Derek’s team. “I’ll have to ask you to move along.”

“This is neutral ground during a formal duel,” Liam pointed out, his tone pleasant but firm. “Tradition dictates we may sit where we please.” Without waiting for a response, he settled more comfortably beside Luke. “Besides, we merely wish to observe the proceedings from the best vantage point.”

“And what vantage point would that be?” Marcus’ voice cut through the tension as he approached, flanked by Derek and Caleb. “The one directly beside my mate and his friend?”

“Alpha Stone,” Xander acknowledged with a slight incline of his head that managed to be both respectful and dismissive simultaneously. “Surely you wouldn’t violate sacred ground protocols over seating arrangements?”

“I’d violate a lot more than protocols if you don’t back away from my mate,” Derek growled, his hand resting casually on his sidearm.

“Now, now,” Liam smiled, though his eyes had taken on a dangerous glint. “Let’s all be civilized. The duel hasn’t even begun yet.”

“And it won’t begin with you three sitting here,” Caleb stated flatly.

The standoff might have escalated further if Elder Grey hadn’t approached, her silver cane tapping sharply against the ground.

“Enough,” she commanded, her voice carrying the weight of decades of authority. “The Blackwoods are correct about protocol. They may sit where they choose.” She fixed Xander with a stern glare. “However, tradition also dictates that visiting alphas show appropriate respect to the host pack’s mate.”

“We intended no disrespect,” Xander replied smoothly. “Merely curiosity about such a… unique individual.”

“Your curiosity is noted,” Marcus said coldly. “Touch him, and it will be the last thing you do.”

“Such dramatics.” Xander sighed, but he did take a step back. “We’ll observe from here, then.” He gestured to a spot several feet away—close enough to watch but far enough to somewhat appease the Stone brothers.

“Fine,” Marcus bit out, clearly unhappy but unwilling to create a scene before the duel. “Johnson, keep your team close.”

“Yes, sir,” Johnson nodded, positioning his men strategically around us.

As the brothers returned to the stone circle, Luke let out a breath. “Well, that was intense.”

“Aigoo,” Imo said, clutching her prayer beads tighter. “Too many wolves, too much power.”

Luke was still watching where the Blackwood brothers had gone, and I couldn’t blame him. The tension between them had been electric, reminding me of my early encounters with Marcus, Derek, and Caleb.

“Alpha Knox approaches,” the same formal voice announced, and a group of rough-looking wolves entered from the opposite side of the clearing.

My body went rigid as memories flooded back—that night on the dark road, being surrounded by men who turned into monsters, the terror of running through the woods. These were the same wolves who had attacked me, though I hadn’t recognized them at the time. Their leader, Richard Knox, was exactly as I remembered—a barrel-chested man with a perpetual sneer and hands the size of dinner plates. He stalked forward like someone used to intimidating others by his mere presence, but now, instead of fear, I felt only disgust.

“Alpha Knox,” Elder Grey acknowledged from her position at the edge of the stone circle. “You come to answer the challenge of Alpha Stone?”

“I do,” Knox growled, his gaze flickering to where I sat on Luke’s lap. His expression changed then, in a way I couldn’t quite interpret—a mixture of hunger, fear, and something that looked almost like… reverence?