Page 31 of Bound by Alphas 1: Bound (The Blood Moon Chronicle #3)

SINCLAIR brOTHERS

C ade felt it the instant Finn hit the water—a violent rupture in their bond that sent his wolf surging to the surface.

One moment he had been watching Finn from across the boat, keeping a careful distance while maintaining awareness of his location.

The next, his entire world narrowed to a single, primal imperative.

MATE. DANGER.

He was moving before conscious thought could form, his body responding to instinct alone.

As he dove into the lake, the image of Finn’s face—shocked and betrayed as he fell backward—burned in his mind.

Through their bond, he felt Logan and Keir’s immediate response, their shared consciousness flooded with protective rage.

The water was darker than it appeared from above, visibility limited by the afternoon sun’s glare on the surface. Cade’s wolf-enhanced vision searched desperately for any sign of their mate.

There, he projected through their bond, spotting Finn’s struggling form. The sight that met him sent a surge of both relief and fury—Finn was conscious but clearly in distress, his fox features fully emerged underwater, complicating his ability to swim effectively.

Cade reached him in seconds, strong arms wrapping around Finn’s waist, pulling him upward with powerful strokes. The moment he touched him, Cade was struck by how light Finn felt, how fragile against his chest. He kicked hard toward the surface, one hand cradling Finn’s head.

When they broke the surface, Finn gasped and sputtered, coughing as air rushed back into his lungs. Through water-blurred vision, their mate was looking directly at him, conscious and aware despite his ordeal.

“I’ve got you,” Cade said, his voice steady despite the rage vibrating through him. “You’re safe.”

Logan and Keir were already in position, forming a protective triangle around Finn in the water. The three brothers moved as one, supporting Finn between them as they swam toward the boat. Their mate’s fox features were fully visible now, ears and tail exposed for everyone to see.

“Let’s get him up,” Keir said, positioning himself beneath Finn.

With careful coordination, the brothers lifted Finn back onto the deck, where he immediately collapsed into a coughing fit, expelling lake water from his lungs.

“Oh my God, Finn!” Sophia exclaimed, rushing forward with a towel. “That was terrifying! You just lost your balance and?—”

“Don’t,” Cade cut her off, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying an alpha command that rippled through the air like thunder. His wolf was so close to the surface he could barely contain it, rage pulsing through his veins at the Blackwood cousins’ calculated deception.

He snatched the towel from Sophia’s outstretched hands, deliberately avoiding contact with her as if her touch might trigger the violence simmering beneath his skin. Through their bond, he felt Logan’s murderous intent—the middle brother was seconds away from shifting right there on the boat deck.

Control , Cade projected through their bond. Finn needs us calm.

Cade wrapped the towel around Finn’s slender shoulders, pulling him protectively against his chest. His mate’s body was trembling, fox ears twitching wildly with each sound, his skin cold and clammy against Cade’s.

The scent of fear rolled off him in waves, mingling with lake water and the distinctive cherry-honey smell that was uniquely Finn.

“We need to get him home,” Logan growled, his voice barely human as his eyes tracked every movement on the boat with predatory assessment. His stance had shifted to combat-ready, muscles coiled to strike at the slightest provocation.

Jake and Tyler had backed away instinctively, beta wolves recognizing the dangerous energy radiating from three alphas in protective rage. Drew stood frozen, confusion and dawning suspicion warring on his face as he looked between his brother and the Blackwood cousins.

“But the day’s just starting,” Mia protested with practiced innocence, her voice a perfect blend of disappointment and concern that might have fooled someone who hadn’t witnessed her calculated push. “And Finn seems okay now?—”

Keir’s laugh was sharp and cold, nothing like his usual warm charm.

“We’re leaving,” he stated, the finality in his tone making it clear this wasn’t a suggestion.

His usual playful demeanor had vanished completely, replaced by an icy calculation that was somehow more frightening than Logan’s obvious rage.

Through their bond, Cade felt Keir’s mind working—cataloging every detail of the incident, planning retribution with the strategic precision that made him the most dangerous of the three when truly angered.

“Drew, you can stay with your guests if you’d like,” Keir added, his emphasis on “guests” making it clear exactly what he thought of them.

Drew hesitated, clearly torn between his loyalty to Finn and his obligations as host. “I should come with you guys?—”

“Stay,” Finn managed to rasp against Cade’s chest, his voice raw from coughing up lake water. “I’m fine. Just need to rest.”

Cade tightened his hold protectively, feeling how fragile Finn seemed in his arms. His wolf howled within, demanding they get their mate away from danger immediately.

The scent of the Blackwood cousins—artificial pheromones now soured with the acrid smell of thwarted intentions—was becoming intolerable.

Drew didn’t look convinced by Finn’s assurance but nodded slowly. “I’ll check on you later.”

“I’m so sorry about your fall,” Sophia said, reaching toward Finn with perfectly manicured concern that didn’t reach her calculating eyes. “If there’s anything we can do?—”

Logan moved with predatory speed, positioning himself between them like a living wall, his back to Sophia as if she wasn’t worth acknowledging. “Can you walk?” he asked Finn, his voice gentler than Cade had heard it in weeks.

Through their bond, Cade felt Logan’s wolf clawing for control—the primal urge to eliminate threats to their mate battling with human restraint.

Not here , Cade reminded him. Not with witnesses.

They tried to drown our mate , Logan’s internal voice snarled back, raw with protective fury.

And they’ll pay for it , Keir promised through their connection, his internal voice colder than Cade had ever heard it. But properly. Calculated. When Finn isn’t watching.

Finn attempted to stand but swayed dangerously, his legs buckling beneath him. Without hesitation, Cade swept him into his arms, cradling him against his chest. The contact soothed his wolf marginally—their mate was safe, in their protection, away from those who would harm him.

“We’ll take the spare boat,” Keir announced, already moving with purpose toward the stern where the tender was secured. His eyes never left the Blackwood cousins, memorizing every detail of their expressions for future reference.

Logan was already lowering the yacht’s tender—a sleek motorized dinghy kept for shore excursions or emergencies. His movements were precise and efficient despite the rage Cade could feel pulsing through their bond. The smaller craft bobbed alongside the anchored yacht, ready for their escape.

Watch your back , Keir warned through their bond as Logan helped Cade carefully transfer Finn to the smaller boat. I don’t trust them not to try something else.

“I’ll check on you later,” Drew called down, his expression troubled as he watched them prepare to depart.

As Keir started the tender’s engine and pulled away from the yacht, Cade caught the exchange of looks between Sophia and Mia at the railing—a flash of frustrated calculation quickly masked by manufactured sympathy.

The ride back to shore was silent, but their bond hummed with shared protective fury.

Cade cradled Finn against his chest, cataloging every shiver, every breath, every flicker of discomfort that crossed his mate’s face.

Keir piloted the small craft with tight control, his usual fluid grace replaced by tense precision, while Logan maintained a vigilant watch, his enhanced senses scanning for any potential threats.

With each passing minute, Cade became more aware of how light Finn felt in his arms—too light, bones too prominent beneath his wet clothes. The realization that their mate had been wasting away while they’d been giving him “space” sent a fresh wave of self-recrimination through him.

“I’m cold,” Finn said, his voice small and tired.

It was an admission of need, however minor. Cade immediately pulled him closer, sharing his body heat.

“We’ll be home soon,” he promised. “Elena will make her special hot chocolate.”

“With cinnamon?” Finn asked, a ghost of a smile touching his lips.

“With cinnamon,” Keir confirmed, his eyes meeting Finn’s in the rearview mirror with gentle affection.

The rest of the drive passed in silence, but Cade noted that Finn didn’t pull away from his embrace. Small progress, but progress nonetheless. By the time they reached the mansion, their mate’s eyes were heavy-lidded with exhaustion, though he remained stubbornly awake.

“Elena!” Keir called out as they entered, his voice carrying through the house.

Elena appeared from the kitchen, her expression shifting from welcome to concern in an instant. “What happened?” she gasped, rushing forward.

“Lake accident,” Cade explained tersely. “He needs to warm up.”

Elena’s eyes narrowed, taking in Finn’s fox features and the brothers’ protective stances.

“Accident, hmm? I’ll make hot chocolate.

The good kind, with cinnamon.” She gave Finn’s wet hair a gentle stroke before hurrying back to the kitchen, muttering about “those Blackwood girls” and “should have known better.”

“I’ll draw him a bath,” Cade said, already heading for the stairs.

“I can walk,” Finn protested weakly, his voice still raspy.

“Not a chance, little fox,” Cade replied, not breaking stride.

Logan followed, his wolf still too close to the surface. The image of Finn struggling underwater, fox features fully emerged, played on repeat in his mind. If they’d been a few seconds later…

He’s safe now, Keir’s voice came through their pack bond. We got to him in time.

Barely, Logan replied, his internal voice a growl. I should have ripped their throats out on the spot.

And traumatize Finn further? Cade’s calm reason flowed through the bond. Drew’s friends were there. We handle this properly, not like animals.

Those Blackwood bitches planned it, Logan insisted. I saw their faces when he fell.

We all did, Keir agreed, physically staying close to Cade and Finn as they ascended the stairs. But Cade’s right. We deal with them later. Finn comes first.

They reached Finn’s room, and Cade carried him straight to the en suite bathroom, a spacious area with a large soaking tub. Carefully setting Finn down on the padded bench, Cade turned to start the water.

Logan leaned against the doorframe, unable to take his eyes off Finn. Their mate looked so small, wrapped in those towels, his fox ears still visible and twitching slightly. His tail, still damp, curled protectively around his leg.

He’s lost weight, Keir observed through their bond, kneeling in front of Finn to check his eyes for signs of shock.

He’s been avoiding meals, Cade confirmed, testing the water temperature.

We thought giving him space was the right call, Logan growled mentally. That clearly didn’t work.

“I’m fine, really,” Finn insisted, though his voice still sounded rough. “You guys don’t need to hover.”

“You nearly drowned,” Keir said gently, brushing wet hair from Finn’s forehead. “Humor us.”

The bath filled quickly, steam rising and fogging the mirrors. Cade added some herbal mixture Elena had prepared for colds and stress, the scent of eucalyptus and lavender filling the air.

“I can take it from here,” Finn said, a hint of his usual stubbornness returning. “Seriously, all three of you don’t need to watch me take a bath.”

Logan almost smiled. If Finn was being difficult, he was recovering.

“You can barely stand,” Cade pointed out. “And your tail is still out.”

Finn’s ears flattened further in embarrassment. “I’m aware, thanks. But I’m not an invalid.”

“Let us help you,” Keir said softly. “Please.”

Something in his tone must have reached Finn, because after a moment of hesitation, he sighed and nodded.

I’ll stay with him, Cade decided through their bond. You two check with Elena and make sure Drew doesn’t bring those girls back here.

Logan wanted to protest—leaving Finn felt wrong—but he knew Cade was right. Too many alphas in a small space would only make Finn more agitated.

“I’ll get you some dry clothes,” Logan said aloud, stepping back.

Finn looked surprised at their acquiescence. “Oh. Okay.”

As Logan and Keir left the bathroom, Cade was already helping Finn remove his soaked shirt, revealing the slender torso that had indeed lost weight in the past month. The sight made Logan’s wolf howl with the need to provide, protect, claim.

Later, he reminded himself. He needs care now, not claiming.

In the hallway, Keir ran a hand through his still-damp hair. “That was too close.”

“We never should have let those girls anywhere near him,” Logan growled.

“We thought keeping them occupied with us would keep them away from him,” Keir said. “We underestimated how far they’d go.”

“They’ll pay for that,” Logan promised darkly.

“Yes, they will,” Keir agreed, his usually playful demeanor replaced by cold determination. “But right now, we need to make sure Finn recovers. And then we need a new approach. Giving him space clearly isn’t working.”

Logan nodded grimly. “No more distance. He’s suffering, and it’s our fault.”

“We’ll fix it,” Keir said with quiet confidence. “Starting now.”

As they descended the stairs, Logan cast one last look back toward Finn’s room. The bond between them had flared to life when Finn was in danger, stronger than ever before. It was time they stopped fighting it—for all their sakes.