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Marcus ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion and revelation warring for dominance in his mind. The events at the stone circlehad shattered everything they thought they knew about that night nine years ago—about the Blackwoods, about their parents’ deaths, about Kai.

“How could we have missed it?” Marcus asked, his voice barely audible. “All these years, we’ve been watching him, protecting him, and we never once suspected…”

“The dragon blood was dormant,” Dr. White offered, her professional demeanor softening slightly. “According to my readings, it was deliberately sealed—likely by his mother. Without the attack triggering it, it might have remained dormant indefinitely.”

“Small comfort,” Derek replied, his military training the only thing keeping his emotions in check. “We should have known. We should have been prepared.”

“For what?” Caleb challenged, rare frustration coloring his tone. “For ancient evil fog monsters? For secret dragon bloodlines? For serpent cults? None of us could have predicted this, Derek.”

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Johnson entered, his usually stoic expression betraying his own fatigue. The security team had been working in shifts since their return, securing the manor against potential threats.

“Sir, the Council of Elders has arrived,” he announced. “All of them.”

Marcus exchanged glances with his brothers. The full council rarely convened outside their formal chambers, especially not at a private residence. Their presence spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation.

“Show them to the great hall,” Marcus instructed. “We’ll be there shortly.”

“Sir, there’s more,” Johnson continued. “The Blackwood brothers are with them. And about the Knox Pack…” he hesitated, which was unusual for him. “They’re still camped at the edge ofour territory. Their new alpha is requesting permission to… check on Kai’s condition.”

Marcus almost smiled at that. The Knox wolves’ transformation from enemies to devoted protectors had been one of the more unexpected outcomes of the confrontation. “Tell them Kai is recovering and we’ll send word when he’s able to receive visitors.”

“And the White Tiger Clan?” Johnson added, his expression making it clear he found the situation less than ideal. “They’ve… established themselves in the east garden.”

“Established themselves?” Derek’s head snapped up. “What exactly does that mean?”

Johnson cleared his throat. “They’ve set up what appears to be a traditional camp. Fifteen of them, complete with white silk yurts, meditation areas, and some sort of… altar. They’re burning incense and performing rituals that Miguel says are actually making his prize hydrangeas bloom out of season.”

“They’re camping in our garden?” Caleb asked, incredulous. “Just… camping? Like it’s a supernatural Coachella?”

“Their leader says they will not leave until they have confirmed their ‘young lord’ is safe and properly instructed in his heritage,” Johnson reported. “Maria has been… accommodating them.”

“Accommodating?” Marcus raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, sir. She’s been serving them meals personally and asking them questions about Kai’s maternal lineage. She seems quite… enthusiastic about having ‘royal blood’ in the family, as she puts it. She’s already rearranged Kai’s suite three times to make it more ‘befitting his station.’”

Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose. Between the Knox Pack at their borders, the White Tiger Clan turning their garden into a mystical encampment, and now Tía Maria embracing Kai’s apparent royal heritage with concerning enthusiasm, the Stone territory was becoming increasingly chaotic.

“Have Jorge prepare refreshments for the council,” he said finally. “And tell Tía Maria to hold off on any more… royal renovations until Kai is actually conscious to object to them.”

Johnson nodded and withdrew, leaving the brothers alone with their unconscious mate.

“We should go,” Derek said, though he made no move toward the door. “The council won’t wait forever.”

“I don’t want to leave him,” Caleb admitted, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from Kai’s forehead.

“Tía Maria and Jorge are just outside,” Marcus reminded him. “And Shadow, Storm, and Scout haven’t left the door since we returned. He’ll be protected.”

Still, none of them moved immediately. The events at the stone circle had shaken them to their core—not just Kai’s transformation, but the revelation that the enemy they’d blamed for nine years might not have been the real threat after all.

“It wasn’t just the Blackwoods,” Derek finally said, voicing what they’d all been thinking. “That night. The Blood Moon massacre. It wasn’t just them.”

“No,” Marcus agreed, his voice tight with suppressed emotion. “It was the Coven. Using them. Using us. Feeding on the conflict.”

“And Grandmother knew,” Caleb added softly. “She saw it, in those final moments. That’s why she insisted we mark Kai—not just to claim him, but to protect him.”

Marcus nodded, remembering their grandmother’s final words with painful clarity.Mark him. Before they do. He must be yours before he can be theirs.At the time, they’d thought she meant the Blackwoods. Now they understood she’d seen a far greater threat.

“She died to protect him,” Derek said, the realization hitting him anew. “They all did.”