Page 10 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)
STONE brOTHERS
M arcus’ study looked different at night. Shadows played across ancient leather-bound books while three alpha wolves discussed their mate over coffee that had long since gone cold. The brothers had retreated here after ensuring Kai was safely asleep, surrounded by their pack guardians.
“Kate’s readings make no sense,” Caleb said, sprawled in his usual chair with the kind of casual grace that belied his predatory nature. “Even for First Pack blood, the energy signatures are… odd.”
“Odd doesn’t begin to cover it,” Derek said, his military precision showing in his rigid posture. “I watched him heal from injuries that would have taken a pure-blood alpha days to recover from. In hours.”
Marcus traced the rim of his coffee cup, remembering the strange silvery glow that had surrounded Kai during the Knox attack. “I’ve studied every record we have of Reece Walker and his father, Tom. But their abilities were nothing like this.”
“Could it be the quarter-wolf aspect?” Caleb suggested, reachi ng for one of the ancient texts. “The old writings talk about ‘power through unity’—different magical affinities combining to create new abilities.”
“There are records of other mixed-blood First Pack descendants,” Derek countered.
“None of them healed like that. And those eyes…” He trailed off, remembering how Kai’s eyes had gleamed during the attack.
“First Pack wolves have gold flecks, yes, but not like that. Not like actual molten gold that seems to shine from within.”
“Don’t forget how he moved during the fight,” Marcus added. “That wasn’t just wolf instinct. It was something else. Something older.”
“Something that makes our pre-marking glow like a supernatural night-light,” Caleb quipped, though his eyes were serious.
“Speaking of which, anyone want to explain why our mark reacts differently to him than any recorded in pack history? Because I’m pretty sure ‘glows like a beacon’ wasn’t in the manual. ”
Derek snorted. “Was there a manual? Because I distinctly remember us winging it during an emergency blood moon ritual.”
“The point,” Marcus cut in before they could derail into their usual bickering, “is that even accounting for First Pack blood and quarter-wolf status, something about our mate is different.”
“The texts mention how human blood can act as a stabilizing agent,” Caleb mused, flipping through pages. “Creates new magical pathways, enhances rather than dilutes…”
“But even that doesn’t explain what we’re seeing,” Marcus frowned. “His energy readings, the mark’s reaction, how he instinctively accessed abilities no quarter-wolf should have…”
“Could his mother’s bloodline be significant?” Derek suggested. “We know almost nothing about Sarah Chen’s family history. ”
“Other than her impressive ability to disappear with our mate for a decade?” Caleb’s tone was light but his eyes flashed. “Yeah, that might be worth looking into.”
Marcus closed the grimoire with a decisive snap. “Whatever the source, his power is growing. And after that display with the Knox wolves…”
“Others will notice,” Derek finished grimly.
“They already have,” Marcus confirmed. “The council is convening tomorrow morning. Apparently, news of a quarter-wolf mate with unusual abilities travels fast.”
Caleb’s grin turned predatory. “Perfect timing to discuss what we’re going to do about Knox’s… territorial overreach.”
“You mean their suicidal decision to attack our marked mate?” Derek’s growl held promises of violence.
“The council will expect us to handle this traditionally,” Marcus said, though his own wolf stirred at the memory of rival wolves daring to touch their mate. “They’ll want proper challenges, formal proceedings…”
“Boring,” Caleb declared. “I vote we just let Derek loose on their territory. Much more efficient.”
Derek’s answering smile was all teeth. “I like that plan.”
“We do this by the book,” Marcus insisted, though his brothers’ bloodthirsty enthusiasm wasn’t entirely unwelcome. “We show the council, and every other pack watching, exactly why the Stones have held this territory for generations.”
“And then?” Caleb prompted.
Marcus’ smile matched his brothers’ in predatory intent.
“And then we make sure Knox regrets ever looking at what’s ours.
” His expression sobered quickly though, remembering their position.
“But we have to be smart about this. We can’t afford any unauthorized action,” he warned, recognizing the violent intent in his brothers’ expressions.
“Not with the council watching. Not when we need to maintain our position as the most respected pack in the region. ”
“Respected.” Derek spat the word like it offended him. “While those mutts who dared touch our mate still breathe.”
“Politics,” Caleb groaned, slumping farther into his chair. “I hate politics.”
“Politics keeps us in power,” Marcus reminded them. “Power keeps Kai safe. Speaking of which…” He fixed Derek with a stern look. “No unauthorized excursions into Knox territory while I’m at the council tomorrow.”
Derek’s innocent expression wouldn’t have fooled a blind man. “Of course not.”
“Derek.”
“What? I’m just going to do my usual security rounds. Can’t help it if those rounds happen to pass by Knox’s southern border.”
“The border that’s nowhere near your usual patrol route?” Caleb grinned.
“Expanding our surveillance,” Derek said blandly. “Very responsible of me.”
Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just… try not to start a territory war while I’m dealing with five supernatural politicians?”
“No promises,” both brothers chorused.
The study fell quiet, the kind of loaded silence that always followed discussions of the Knox attack. Marcus could still feel the echo of that bone-deep terror—watching rival wolves circle their mate, seeing Kai in danger and nearly out of reach.
“He fought well,” Caleb said softly, breaking the silence, his usual playful demeanor stripped away to reveal raw pride and lingering fear. “Our little mate, taking down wolf shifters with a stick, of all things.”
“While critiquing their form,” Derek added with a ghost of a smile. “Did you hear him? ‘Bad dogs, no treats for you.’ In the middle of a supernatural fight.”
“I thought my heart would stop,” Marcus admitted, someth ing in his chest still aching at the memory. “When I saw them corner him, when I thought we wouldn’t reach him in time…”
“But we did,” Derek’s voice was firm, grounding. “We got there. He’s safe.”
“He’s home,” Caleb corrected, and there was centuries of pack meaning in that word. “Finally home, where he belongs. Where we can protect him.”
Marcus closed his eyes, letting his senses extend through the manor. He could feel Kai’s presence upstairs—peaceful, content, surrounded by their pack guardians. The pre-marking hummed with satisfaction, their mate under their roof where he belonged.
“Shadow’s hogging the bed again,” Caleb reported with a faint smile, obviously tracking Kai through their pack bond too. “Scout’s trying to wiggle under his arm, and Storm’s standing guard by the window.”
“Good boys,” Derek murmured, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.
Marcus set down his cold coffee and stood, his brothers instinctively rising with him. “We should rest. Tomorrow will be… interesting.”
“That’s one word for it.” Caleb stretched, his predatory grace returning. “I vote we skip the council meeting and just spend the day watching Kai attempt to organize his new closet. His running commentary on our ‘ridiculous rich person clothes’ is much more entertaining than supernatural politics.”
“Noted,” Marcus said dryly. “And denied.”
They moved through the darkened manor with familiar ease, each pausing briefly by Kai’s door.
Their mate’s steady breathing and peaceful heartbeat soothed something primal in their wolves.
The scent of him—already mixing with their own, with the manor’s ancient power—felt right in a way they’d been missing for nine years .
“Try not to start any wars before breakfast,” Marcus reminded Derek, who merely smiled that dangerous smile again.
“No promises,” Caleb sang quietly, already heading for his own quarters. “But maybe save some Knox wolves for the rest of us, Derek?”
Derek’s low growl was answer enough.
Marcus watched his brothers disappear into their respective wings, then allowed himself one more moment outside Kai’s door. Inside, Scout snuffled in his sleep, and Kai made that small, content sound that never failed to make Marcus’ wolf want to purr.
Home, his wolf rumbled. Safe. Ours.
For the first time since that desperate night ten years ago, when they’d marked a too-young mate and watched him disappear into the darkness, Marcus fully agreed.
M orning light spilled through the manor’s windows, painting the kitchen in warm gold as three alpha wolves tried very hard to act normal while their mate devoured Jorge’s breakfast creations.
Kai sat perched on a barstool, sleep-rumpled and adorable, completely oblivious to the silent conversation happening over his head.
His bruises are completely gone, Derek noted through their pack bond, watching Kai reach for more bacon. Even the deep ones from the Knox alpha.
Overnight, Marcus confirmed, hiding his frown behind his coffee cup. That’s not possible. Not for any wolf we know of.
Look at his eyes, Caleb added, not even trying to hide his staring. The gold flecks are brighter this morning. Like actual molten gold.
“You’re all being weird,” Kai announced without looking up from his plate. “Is this a wolf thing? The staring? Because it’s creepy. ”
“We’re not staring,” Caleb protested automatically.
Kai arched an eyebrow, somehow managing to look imperious despite his rumpled sleep clothes and bedhead. “You literally haven’t blinked in five minutes.”
“He’s got you there,” Jorge called from the stove, clearly enjoying the mighty alphas being called out by their tiny mate. “Very creepy, boys. Maria would be ashamed.”