Page 12 of Captivated By Alphas 1, Fated (The Blood Moon Chronicle #4)

CARMICHAEL COUSINS

Jace stood at the window of his suite, watching the last rays of sunlight bleed across the valley like spilled wine.

The landscape below transformed with cinematic perfection—shadows lengthening, lights beginning to twinkle from the staff cottages, vineyard rows turning to silhouettes against the darkening sky.

Nature’s own golden hour, though without the artificial lighting and touch-ups that Hollywood’s finest cinematographers insisted upon.

His panther prowled restlessly beneath his skin, pacing the cage of his human form with growing impatience.

The beast hadn’t settled since their encounter with Eli, constantly pushing against his control, demanding another taste of that winter-pure scent that had driven them both half-mad with need.

Calm the fuck down, he growled at his beast. You’ll see him again soon enough.

The panther merely snarled in response, unimpressed with his attempts at patience. It wanted what it wanted—their mate, claimed and marked and thoroughly possessed.

Titan patrolled the gardens below, his massive form moving with surprising grace for something that weighed roughly the same as a small car.

The Newfoundland took his evening rounds seriously, checking the perimeter with methodical dedication that would put most security firms to shame.

Near the pool house, Princess was visible as a tiny white dot, following one of the gardeners and likely negotiating for treats with the same ruthless determination Sheena used at Fashion Week.

He’d changed for dinner, trading casual comfort for tailored black slacks and a charcoal button-down that his stylist had once described as “making your eyes pop like a superhero’s in post-production.

” Not that he was dressing to impress anyone in particular.

Certainly not a certain platinum-haired, lavender-eyed beauty who still had no idea what he’d awakened in Jace’s panther.

Liar, his panther rumbled. We dress to hunt. To attract. To claim.

You’re awfully quiet over there, Adrian’s voice slipped into his mind, the pack bond humming with his cousin’s curiosity. Usually by now you’re composing sonnets about Aunt Madi’s social calendar or Uncle George’s business associates. Epic poems of familial suffering.

Maybe he’s enjoying the family reunion for once, Cole suggested, his tone dry as premium scotch. Though that seems about as likely as Adrian turning down a film festival after-party.

Jace smirked, adjusting his cuffs as he replied, Just enjoying the peace before it’s shattered by your arrivals. Adrian’s dramatic entrance alone will probably require its own fucking soundtrack.

Liar, Adrian countered immediately. Your panther is practically purring. I can feel it through the bond. Like a Maserati engine on idle.

Jace froze, his fingers stilling on his cuff.

He’d forgotten how sensitive the cousin bond could be, especially with Adrian, whose artistic temperament made him particularly attuned to emotional shifts.

The man could sense a mood change through solid concrete.

He’d been too distracted by thoughts of Eli to properly shield his emotions.

Did something happen? Cole asked, his usual reserve giving way to genuine interest. Or someone? Your panther’s energy has a distinctly… possessive quality.

Nothing worth discussing, Jace deflected, though he couldn’t quite suppress the surge of territorial pride that accompanied thoughts of Eli. His panther practically preened at the memory of their mate wearing his shirt, surrounded by his scent, marked in that small but significant way.

Holy shit. Adrian’s voice practically vibrated with excitement, like a teenager who’d just discovered backstage passes in their pocket. You met someone. Your panther is interested in someone! And not the usual “might be fun for a night” interest—this is different.

Calm down, Jace replied, though he couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips. It’s nothing.

It’s not nothing, Cole observed quietly. I haven’t felt your panther this alert in years. Not since—

Not since never, Jace corrected, finally acknowledging what his cousins had already sensed. This is… different. Unprecedented.

The three cousins had always been close, their bond unusually strong even by panther standards.

As the only alphas of their generation, they’d shared everything—the challenges of control, the burden of leadership, the restlessness that came with being unmated alphas approaching thirty.

Their mental connection had been both blessing and curse during their adolescent years, particularly when it came to privacy during certain… developmental milestones.

Is it serious? Adrian pressed. Give us something. An image? A name? A scent profile? I’m dying over here, and I’m not even the dramatic one in this relationship.

Jace hesitated. The mate bond was sacred, private—but these were his cousins, his fellow alphas.

If anyone would understand, they would. Still, something primitive in him resisted sharing even the mental image of Eli.

His panther snarled at the mere thought of others seeing what belonged to him alone, even if those others were family.

MINE, his beast growled possessively. No sharing. OURS alone.

Not happening, Jace replied firmly. And it’s far too early to call it anything.

But your panther recognized something, Cole deduced, always the analytical one. Potential compatibility at minimum. Your reaction is too strong for a casual interest.

Jace sighed, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. Maybe. I don’t know. It was… unexpected. Like being hit by lightning while standing in the ocean.

That’s how it happens, Adrian said, his voice softening. One moment you’re going about your business, the next—boom. The universe rearranges itself around a single point of gravity. The elders always said we’d know when we found our mates. That our panthers would recognize them instantly.

Speaking from experience? Jace asked, seizing the opportunity to shift attention.

Unfortunately not, Adrian admitted. But I’ve heard the stories. Read the old journals. Watched enough rom-coms to recognize the signs. Your panther’s gone full romantic hero on us.

And neither of you has felt anything like that? Jace asked, genuinely curious now.

Nothing, Cole confirmed. My panther notices attractive people, but there’s never been that… recognition you’re trying so hard not to broadcast. That primal “mine” that’s practically leaking through your shields.

Same, Adrian agreed. Which makes whatever you’re experiencing all the more intriguing. Come on, just a peek? A tiny glimpse? I’ll trade you my best bottle of Japanese whiskey—the one I’ve been hiding from you both.

Jace laughed aloud, shaking his head. Not a chance. I need to figure this out myself first. And your “hidden” whiskey isn’t exactly a secret, Adrian. Cole and I found it last Christmas.

You WHAT? Adrian’s outrage exploded through the bond.

You philistines better not have touched it!

Fine, he relented after a moment of theatrical indignation.

Keep your mysterious mate to yourself. But I’m arriving tomorrow instead of Friday.

I suddenly feel an urgent need to visit the family estate.

Me too, Cole added. Purely coincidental, of course. Nothing to do with witnessing Jace Carmichael, Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor, potentially meeting his match.

Of course, Jace echoed dryly. I’m sure it has nothing to do with curiosity or meddling. You’re both just overcome with familial affection.

Meddling is such an ugly word, Adrian protested. I prefer ‘supportive investigation.’ Or ‘brotherly interest in your eternal happiness.’

I’ll see you both soon, Jace conceded, knowing there was no point arguing. Once his cousins set their minds on something, they were as immovable as mountains. Try not to be obvious when you arrive. The situation is… delicate.

With final teasing remarks exchanged, Jace closed the connection to a manageable background hum.

He checked his reflection once more, straightened his collar, and headed downstairs for what promised to be an interesting evening.

His panther stirred in anticipation of possibly seeing Eli again, the beast practically vibrating beneath his skin.

Find mate, it urged. Scent him. Touch him. Claim him.

Patience, Jace countered, though his own body thrummed with anticipation at the possibility of seeing Eli again.

The main floor was already buzzing with activity—staff moving efficiently between kitchen and dining room, his father’s voice carrying from the study where he was likely finishing last-minute business calls, his brothers arguing good-naturedly about something in the great room.

The familiar rhythm of family life that he’d almost forgotten during his years in Hollywood’s artificial ecosystem.

Jace was halfway down the grand staircase when the front door burst open with theatrical timing that would have made his directors proud.

“Darlings, I’m home!” Sheena Carmichael announced, sweeping into the foyer in a cloud of designer perfume and Parisian chic.

“Fashion Week was divine, but I simply couldn’t bear another minute away from my favorite family!

Plus, the Desrosiers collection was a crime against fabric that I refused to witness. ”

At twenty-eight, Sheena was the family’s social butterfly and public face in the fashion world.

Her social media following rivaled Jace’s, though hers was built on style expertise rather than action movie fame.

She cultivated her image with the precision of a military strategist planning an invasion.

“Sheena?” Madi appeared from the direction of the dining room, surprise evident in her voice. “We weren’t expecting you until next week!”