Page 11 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)

“Maria’s making lists of everything Kai needs,” Derek reported, skillfully changing the subject. “I think she’s planning to rebuild your entire wardrobe.”

“Oh God.” Kai’s horror was palpable. “Please tell me she’s not going shopping. I’ve seen her taste in curtains. Everything’s either ruffled or has tassels.”

“Don’t worry, pequeno .” Jorge flipped another perfect omelet onto a plate. “I’ve convinced her to stick to basics. Though she did insist on at least one formal outfit. Something about proper pack dinners?”

The three brothers watched in fascination as Kai’s nose scrunched adorably at the thought. Their mate had no right looking that cute while demolishing his third helping of breakfast.

His appetite’s increased too, Marcus observed silently. Power building requires more energy.

But what kind of power? Derek wondered, tracking the way Kai’s skin seemed to glow in the morning light.

First Pack blood doesn’t do this, Caleb reminded them. We’ve never seen anything like ? —

“Seriously, stop with the weird telepathic wolf thing,” Kai interrupted, pointing his fork at them accusingly. “I can tell when you’re doing it. You all get this constipated look on your faces.”

Jorge’s laughter echoed through the kitchen. “Ah, finally someone says it! I’ve been telling them for years they look constipated when they do that. ”

“We do not,” Marcus said with all the dignity he could muster, which wasn’t much with Kai grinning at him like that.

“You really do,” Kai assured him, then paused thoughtfully. “Though on you it’s more of a brooding romance novel hero look. Very Mr. Darcy discovers text messaging.”

Derek choked on his coffee while Caleb dissolved into laughter. Even Marcus couldn’t help his smile, especially when Kai looked so pleased with himself.

“I hate to interrupt this fascinating discussion of our facial expressions,” Marcus said, rising from his seat, “but I have a council meeting to attend.”

“Town council stuff?” Kai asked around a mouthful of bacon, clearly remembering the many times Marcus had mentioned his civic duties over the past weeks.

“Something like that,” Marcus replied smoothly, moving around the counter to press a kiss to Kai’s temple.

Their mate smelled of sleep and safety and home, with an underlying hint of that strange power that seemed to grow stronger by the hour.

“Try to keep my brothers out of trouble while I’m gone? ”

Kai’s snort was distinctly unimpressed. “Pretty sure that’s above my pay grade.”

“You don’t have a pay grade,” Derek pointed out.

“Exactly my point.”

Marcus left them bickering, Kai’s laughter following him down the hall.

But under the domestic warmth, his wolf was restless.

Something was changing in their mate—something beyond First Pack blood, beyond quarter-wolf status.

Something that made his eyes shine like molten gold and his wounds heal with impossible speed.

And Marcus wasn’t the only one who would notice.

The thought haunted him as he drove through Cedar Grove’s quiet streets, past the sleepy town center where humans were just starting their day, blissfully unaware of the supernatural politi cs unfolding around them.

His car finally turned onto an unmarked road beyond the town limits, one that didn’t appear on any human maps.

The council chamber sat hidden in a Victorian mansion on the outskirts of Cedar Grove, its sprawling grounds protected by ancient wards and modern security systems.

Whitecrest Manor had served as the council’s seat for over two centuries.

Its weathered brick and elegant spires rose through the morning fog like something from a gothic novel, complete with wrought iron gates and carefully maintained gardens.

To human eyes, it appeared to be just another historic estate, one of many that dotted the Pacific Northwest’s more remote areas.

The house staff—a carefully selected mix of supernatural beings who maintained the manor’s facade of normality—directed Marcus to the council’s meeting room. Not the formal chamber upstairs, but a comfortable study lined with books and warmed by a crackling fireplace.

The five council members were already settled around the heavy oak table with coffee and pastries. Marcus felt the familiar pang at seeing only five where there should be six—his grandmother Eleanor’s death during the Blood Moon attack had left a void in more ways than one.

Elder Elizabeth Grey looked up from her cup.

Despite her advanced age, her ice-blue eyes carried the sharp intelligence that had made her one of the most respected former alphas in the region.

Next to her, Elder Tate Rivers reviewed some papers with the careful attention to detail that had earned him his reputation as the council’s diplomatic backbone.

Elder Thomas Redwood’s dark fingers traced the lines of an ancient text, his mixed-blood heritage giving him unique insight into supernatural evolution and changing times.

At the far end of the table, Elders Ahote Standing Bear and Keme Black Hawk spoke quietly in their native tongue, their combined centuries of wisdom evident in every measured word.

Their families’ connection to this territory predated even the earliest wolf pack settlements.

“Marcus,” Elizabeth greeted him warmly but firmly. “Coffee? Martha just brought in fresh scones.”

“Richard Knox led six wolves into our territory,” Marcus said, accepting the coffee. “They cornered our mate near the old hiking trails.”

“Your quarter-wolf mate,” Elizabeth clarified. “The one you and your brothers marked during the Blood Moon attack?”

“Yes.” Marcus didn’t bother hiding his growl. Even after ten years, the memory of that night still raised his wolf’s hackles. “Kai Chen. Sarah Chen’s son.”

“Reece Walker’s boy,” Ahote noted quietly. “First Pack blood. No wonder Knox was interested.”

“Even diluted, First Pack bloodlines strengthen pack bonds,” Tate observed. “Knox’s pack has been struggling with stability lately.”

“They failed,” Marcus said flatly. “Spectacularly.”

Tate set down his coffee. “Knox must have been desperate to risk attacking a marked mate. Especially one under Stone protection.”

“Desperate or stupid,” Elizabeth agreed. “Either way, it cannot go unanswered.”

“What are you planning, Marcus?” Thomas asked.

“A formal challenge,” Marcus said. “By pack law, through proper channels.”

“Rather than letting Derek loose on their territory?” Elizabeth said.

“How… diplomatic of you.” She wasn’t even trying to hide her smile now.

“Well, a formal challenge is your right. Knox violated territory and attempted to claim a marked mate. The council will recognize your claim.” She turned to Tate.

“Draft the official notice. Give them the traditional choice. ”

Tate was already pulling out the formal stationery. “Full pack submission or formal challenge?”

“Yes,” Marcus said firmly. “Let them choose between submitting to Stone Pack authority now or face us in challenge later.”

“And in the meantime?” Thomas asked carefully, clearly sensing there was more to the plan.

Marcus kept his expression neutral, though another pulse of Derek’s territorial energy suggested his brother was already implementing phase one. “We’ll let them consider their options. Carefully.”

“Ah,” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with understanding. “A demonstration of why submission might be the wiser choice?”

“Something like that.”

“I’ll have the notice delivered by tomorrow,” Tate said, writing. “They’ll have the traditional week to decide. But Marcus?” His expression grew serious as he wrote. “Be careful. First Pack descendants are rare. Other packs will be watching.”

Marcus inclined his head, accepting both the warning and the formal backing of the council. His wolf rumbled in satisfaction, even as another wave of Derek’s energy rippled through their bond. He needed to wrap this up before his brother got too creative with those border markers.

“If that’s all?” He stood.

“Yes, yes.” Elizabeth waved him off, clearly amused. “Go contain your brother before he redraws the entire territory line. We’ll handle the formal notice.”

Marcus didn’t quite run from the council chamber, but it was a near thing. His wolf was already turning toward their borders, toward where Derek’s presence burned like a warning beacon to any who would dare threaten what belonged to the Stone Pack.

Knox would learn exactly why their territory had remained unchallenged for generations. And if Derek happened to make that lesson particularly memorable… well, that’s what brothers were for.

D erek Stone watched the line of black SUVs snake through the misty forest roads, his wolf already itching for a fight. Through their pack bond, he could feel Marcus at the council meeting, exuding calm diplomatic energy that made Derek want to break something.

Just remember, Marcus’ voice echoed in his head, this is a warning, not a war.

They tried to take our mate, Derek growled back, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. The memory of Kai’s scent mixed with fear still made his wolf snarl.

And we’ll make them regret it, Caleb chimed in. But try not to burn down the entire forest? Some of us like those trees.

Derek’s lips twitched despite himself. Trust Caleb to joke while he was planning mayhem. His youngest brother was probably curled up with Kai right now, the lucky bastard.

He’s actually helping Jorge organize the pantry, Caleb corrected. It’s adorable. He keeps categorizing everything by color.

The mental image of their tiny mate attempting to impose order on Jorge’s chaos almost distracted Derek from his mission. Almost.

Johnson’s voice crackled over the radio, pulling Derek back to the present. “Sir, Knox’s border patrol station ahead. Six wolves on duty, minimal security.”