Page 5 of Bound by Alphas 1: Bound (The Blood Moon Chronicle #3)

I paused at the bottom of the staircase, scanning the crowd. At least fifty people milled about, drinking, laughing, most of them unfamiliar. The Sinclairs’ social circle was vast and intimidating, full of beautiful people who all seemed to belong in a way I never quite managed.

“There’s the birthday boy!” A middle-aged woman I vaguely recognized as one of Cade’s business associates approached, air-kissing my cheeks. “Nineteen! Such an important age for young shifters.”

“Thank you,” I murmured, forcing a smile. If only she knew how “important” today had turned out to be.

Drew stayed by my side as we navigated through the crowd, accepting congratulations and deflecting the occasional too-personal question about my shifting abilities.

My Japanese heritage from my birth mother made me stand out among the predominantly white wolf shifters, and my mixed blood was a subject of endless fascination.

“Have you manifested your fox yet?” an elderly pack member asked, peering at me through thick glasses. “My sister’s son is half-tanuki, and he didn’t show until he was twenty!”

“Still working on it,” I said with a tight smile, silently thanking my mother’s genes for giving me the ability to maintain a pleasant expression while screaming internally.

“He’s just being modest,” Drew cut in smoothly. “You should see what he can do with a paintbrush, though—pure magic.”

I shot him a grateful look as we moved away. “Is it too late to fake food poisoning and escape to my room?”

“Yes. And stop looking like you’re planning your funeral. It’s a party.” Drew nudged me toward the drinks table. “Here, have some punch. It’s nonalcoholic, but I spiked it when Cade wasn’t looking.”

I accepted the cup, taking a small sip. “My hero.”

That’s when I saw them.

Cade stood near the fireplace, deep in conversation with several older pack members.

He wore a charcoal suit that emphasized his broad shoulders, golden-brown hair perfectly styled, every inch the powerful alpha businessman.

Nothing in his posture or expression betrayed that anything unusual had happened that morning.

Logan was by the French doors leading to the deck, arms crossed over his chest as he surveyed the crowd with his usual vigilance.

His dark-blond hair was shorter than when I’d last seen him, the military cut emphasizing his strong jawline.

He caught my eye across the room, nodded once, then returned to his watch.

And Keir—charming, beautiful Keir—was surrounded by a group of admiring women near the bar, his golden head thrown back in laughter at something one of them said. He looked like a young god, casually elegant in designer jeans and a blue button-down that made his eyes seem even brighter.

My chest ached just looking at them. How was I supposed to pretend everything was normal when my entire world had shifted on its axis?

“Stop staring,” Drew murmured. “People will notice.”

I tore my gaze away, focusing on my drink. “I’m not staring.”

“You’re practically burning holes through Keir’s shirt. Not that I blame you—he does look particularly edible tonight.”

I choked on my punch. “Drew!”

“What? I have eyes.” He grinned. “Besides, now that we know you’re their?—”

“Don’t,” I cut him off sharply. “Don’t say it. Not here.”

His expression softened. “Sorry. Come on, let’s get some food. I’m starving, and Cade went all out with the catering.”

The next hour passed in a blur of small talk and forced smiles.

I played my part—the grateful birthday boy, the youngest Sinclair, the artistic one.

I accepted compliments on my arts and deflected questions about my shifting progress.

All the while, I was hyperaware of the three alphas moving through the room, never too far from me but never approaching directly either.

Until Cade materialized at my side just as I was contemplating a third helping of sushi.

“Having a good time?” he asked, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.

I looked up at him, searching his face for any sign that things had changed between us. There was nothing—just the same steady blue gaze, the same slight smile he always had when addressing me. As if this morning had never happened.

“It’s great,” I lied. “Thanks for… all this.”

He nodded, reaching out to ruffle my hair in that infuriatingly brotherly way that had always made my heart race. “Only the best for our little fox.”

The casual touch burned through, made worse by the new knowledge between us. Did he feel it too? This electric current that seemed to flow whenever we were close? Or was he just better at ignoring it?

“Right,” I managed, stepping back slightly. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint the guests.”

Something flickered in his eyes—confusion? Hurt? But before he could respond, Logan appeared at his shoulder.

“Problem at the gate,” he said quietly. “Security needs you.”

Cade nodded, his expression shifting to alpha mode. “Stay inside,” he told me, the command unmistakable in his tone.

“I’m not a child,” I said automatically, the familiar irritation rising. “I can handle myself.”

“Just do as you’re told, Finn,” Logan said, his voice gruff but not unkind. His hand landed on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “It’s probably nothing, but let us do our job.”

Their job. Protecting me. Their obligation. Their burden.

“Fine,” I muttered. “Go play security. I’ll just stay here and cut my cake like a good little birthday boy.”

Logan’s lips twitched. “Brat,” he said, but there was affection in his tone as he followed Cade toward the front of the house.

I watched them go, hating the way my body seemed to ache at their absence. This was ridiculous. Nothing had changed. They were still treating me exactly the same—like their annoying little brother who needed protection and guidance.

“You okay?” Drew asked, appearing at my elbow with a fresh drink.

“Peachy,” I said, taking the cup and draining half of it in one go. “Just loving being treated like I’m five instead of nineteen.”

“They can’t help it,” he said, nodding toward where Keir was now chatting with a stunning redhead. “It’s in their nature to protect what’s theirs.”

“I’m not theirs,” I said sharply, even as something inside me howled in protest at the words. “And that’s not protection—that’s control.”

Drew followed my gaze to Keir, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Ah. I see the problem.”

The redhead was laughing at something Keir said, her hand resting on his forearm, body angled toward him in obvious invitation. She was beautiful—tall and curvy, with the confident air of an alpha female. Everything I wasn’t.

“There’s no problem,” I said stiffly. “He can flirt with whoever he wants. They all can. It’s not like anything’s changed.”

Drew sighed. “Finn?—”

“I need some air,” I cut him off, setting down my cup. “I’ll be on the deck.”

I slipped through the French doors before he could stop me, gulping in the cool night air. The deck stretched along the entire back of the house, offering spectacular views of the moonlit ocean below. I moved to the railing, gripping the cedar wood as I tried to steady my breathing.

This was torture. Watching them act like nothing had happened. Watching them flirt and charm and be their perfect alpha selves while I stood on the sidelines, the unwanted mate they were stuck with through some cosmic joke.

“Shouldn’t you be inside enjoying your party?”

I stiffened at the sound of Keir’s voice, not turning around. “Needed some air.”

He moved to stand beside me, his presence warming the space between us even without touching. “It’s a lot, I know. All those people.”

If only that were my biggest problem. “I’m fine. Just needed a break from being the center of attention.”

Keir chuckled, the sound warming something inside me despite my best efforts to remain detached. “Never known you to shy away from the spotlight, little fox. Not when there are compliments about your art to be had.”

The nickname hit differently now, laden with new meaning. I gripped the railing tighter. “Yeah, well, maybe I’m growing up.”

“Maybe you are,” he agreed, his voice softening as he studied my profile. “Nineteen. Hard to believe.”

I finally turned to look at him and immediately wished I hadn’t.

The moonlight silvered his golden hair, making his blue eyes seem to glow.

He was heartbreakingly beautiful, and for one wild moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like if he actually wanted me.

If the mate bond was something he welcomed instead of endured.

“You should go back inside,” I said, looking away. “Your admirer is probably wondering where you went.”

“My what?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“The redhead. The one who couldn’t keep her hands off you.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by something that looked almost like amusement. “Jealous, Finn?”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “Don’t be ridiculous. I just don’t want to keep you from your… entertainment.”

His smile faded, replaced by an expression I couldn’t quite read. “Is that what you think we’re doing? Finding entertainment?”

“I don’t know what you’re doing,” I said honestly. “I don’t know what any of this means. This morning?—”

“Not here,” he cut me off, glancing toward the house. “We’ll talk about it later, when it’s just family.”

Family. The word twisted in my gut like a knife. That’s all I was to them—family. An obligation. A responsibility.

“Sure,” I said, forcing a smile. “Later. You should go back to your friend.”

He studied me for a long moment, then nodded.

“Don’t stay out here too long. It’s getting cold.

” He shrugged out of his suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

The fabric was warm from his body, enveloping me in his scent—a mix of sandalwood, citrus, and something uniquely Keir.

My fox stirred at the scent marking, a purr of satisfaction rising in my throat before I could stop it.