Page 17 of Captivated By Alphas 1, Fated (The Blood Moon Chronicle #4)

I bet you fucking do, Jace thought darkly, his panther snarling at the thinly veiled interest in the other alpha’s voice. The fork continued to bend under his grip, the metal warping silently as his supernatural strength responded to his emotional state.

Rip out his eyes, his panther suggested helpfully. Can’t look at our mate if he can’t see.

The violent imagery shocked even Jace, who was accustomed to his panther’s possessive nature. The beast had never reacted this strongly before, had never threatened such specific violence over mere interest. This was beyond territorial—this was primal, absolute, nonnegotiable.

Under the table, Jace felt his father’s hand clamp down on his knee—a silent warning to control himself.

George had clearly noticed his son’s reaction and was preventing what could become a diplomatic incident.

Pack politics required a delicate touch, even when primal instincts demanded a more direct approach.

Jace forced himself to relax his grip on the fork, though his panther continued to snarl and pace beneath his skin.

Need to control, he told his beast. Can’t challenge him here. Not yet. Not with witnesses.

“Thank you, sir,” Eli replied with perfect politeness that nonetheless conveyed minimal enthusiasm. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on the coffee service.”

As he retreated to the kitchen, Jace caught the subtle eye roll that no one else at the table seemed to notice.

The sight of it—that tiny crack in Eli’s professional veneer—made his lips twitch with suppressed amusement.

His panther settled slightly, pleased by this small, private connection between them.

Eli might be playing the perfect staff member, but his true thoughts were clear to Jace’s observant eye.

Smart mate, his panther approved. Sees through rival’s false interest. Doesn’t want him.

The dinner concluded with handshakes and promises of continued cooperation between the packs.

Boundary adjustments had been agreed upon, mutual hunting rights confirmed, and invitations extended for the upcoming full moon gathering.

By all measures, it had been a successful diplomatic evening, though Jace’s panther remained on high alert, particularly whenever Michael Huntington’s gaze drifted toward the kitchen.

As the Huntingtons prepared to depart, Michael lingered in the foyer, his gaze drifting toward the kitchen where Eli had disappeared. The move was casual but deliberate, and it made Jace’s hackles rise again.

Still hunting, his panther growled. Still wanting what’s OURS.

“Your housekeeper’s son is quite… interesting,” he commented to no one in particular, though his eyes found Jace’s with deliberate intent. “Those eyes are unusual for a human. Almost supernatural in their quality.”

The observation sent a chill down Jace’s spine that had nothing to do with jealousy.

There was something probing in Michael’s tone, something that suggested he wasn’t merely admiring Eli’s unique coloring but questioning it.

His panther, already on edge, went completely still—the predatory stillness that preceded violence.

He suspects, his beast warned. Senses something different about our mate. DANGER.

Princess chose that moment to trot into the foyer, her usual greeting yip silenced by the tension in the air.

Instead, she positioned herself between the direction of the kitchen and Michael, her tiny body somehow managing to look protective despite her size.

Jace felt an unexpected surge of appreciation for the little dog’s instincts.

Even the Pomeranian recognized a potential threat to Eli.

Good tiny wolf, his panther approved. Protects packmate.

“Tricia and her husband adopted him,” Madi explained, joining the conversation with the diplomatic grace that had made her such an effective alpha female. “We don’t know much about his birth parents.”

Michael nodded thoughtfully. “There’s something about him that seems… familiar somehow. I can’t quite place it.”

Jace’s panther surged forward with protective instinct, not liking the speculative tone in the other alpha’s voice. “I’m sure it’s just coincidence,” he said, more sharply than intended. “Eli’s just a talented young man with a bright future ahead of him.”

Back off, his beast snarled silently. Stop looking. Stop searching. Stop wanting.

Michael’s eyebrows rose slightly at Jace’s tone, a knowing smile playing at his lips. “Of course,” he conceded with a slight incline of his head that managed to be both polite and challenging. “In any case, I meant what I said about our foundation. We’re always looking for new talent to support.”

The implied interest—both professional and personal—was clear, and it took all of Jace’s control not to growl in response.

His panther wanted to mark its territory, to make it unmistakably clear that Eli was his and not available for Michael’s “support.” Instead, he forced a neutral expression and nodded politely, relieved when the Huntingtons finally took their leave.

He’ll be back, his panther warned. Rival won’t give up so easily. Must strengthen claim.