Page 14 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)

“Now,” Imo straightened regally, her jade ornaments tinkling. “Introductions. Properly.”

The brothers exchanged glances that clearly said ‘is this a test?’

Marcus stepped forward first, every inch the diplomatic alpha. “Marcus Stone, ma’am. Eldest brother and pack alpha.”

“Hmm.” Imo pulled out an actual notebook. “Age?”

“Mom,” Luke groaned.

“Thirty-two,” Marcus answered, looking somewhat bemused as Imo scribbled notes.

“Occupation?”

“CEO of Stone Industries and?—”

“He means he’s stupid rich,” I supplied helpfully.

“Kai!” Maria scolded, but Imo’s eyes lit up with maternal approval.

“Rich? How rich?” She leaned closer to the screen. “Good family? Old money?”

“Mom!” Luke groaned again.

“What? I worry about Kai’s future! Big house?” She peered past Marcus, taking in the manor’s great room. “Ah! Very big house. Good, good. Proper living space for my Kai.”

“We own most of Cedar Grove,” Marcus offered diplomatically, which made Imo beam like he’d just presented his royal credentials.

“Most of—” She started scribbling furiously in her notebook. “Luke! Write this down. Very important.”

“I’m not making a spreadsheet of your son-in-law’s assets, Mom. ”

“Why not? I made one for you!”

“You what?—”

“Next!” Imo turned her attention to Derek, leaving Luke spluttering indignantly.

Derek squared his shoulders like he was facing a military inspection. “Derek Stone, ma’am. Thirty. Head of security and former military commander?—”

“Military?” Imo’s eyes sparkled with fresh approval. “What rank?”

“Special Forces captain, ma’am.”

“Ah!” More furious scribbling. “Strong protector for my Kai. Very good. Combat training?”

“Multiple disciplines,” Derek answered, looking both amused and bewildered at this enthusiastic interrogation.

“He’s the scary one,” Luke cut in.

“I prefer ‘tactically intimidating,’” Derek corrected with a grin that made Imo reach for her bells again, though she was still nodding approvingly.

“Good combination,” she declared. “Rich alpha”—she gestured to Marcus—“strong protector”—she pointed at Derek. “Luke! Add to spreadsheet!”

“Mom, I’m not making a supernatural husband spreadsheet!”

“Already made one,” she said, making me choke on air.

“And the baby?” She pointed at Caleb, who spluttered.

“I’m twenty-seven! And I handle all our tech operations and investments. Stanford MBA, specialized in?—”

“Ah!” Imo’s notebook was getting quite full. “Smart one! Good with modern things, yes? Can help Kai with computer, phone, all technology?”

“Among other things,” Caleb preened. “I also manage our international portfolios and?—”

“He means he’s the baby genius,” I translated .

“Perfect!” Imo looked absolutely delighted. “Rich leader, strong protector, smart baby. Very balanced! Luke?—”

“I swear to God, Mom, if you say ‘add to spreadsheet’ one more time?—”

“Already done,” she said smugly, holding up her phone. “See? I make chart. Very organized. Categories for wealth, protection, intelligence?—”

“Aww, the baby wolf,” Luke cooed, desperately trying to change the subject.

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at Caleb’s expression, though I could see him sneaking pleased glances at Imo’s approval rating system.

“Wait, wait.” Imo was suddenly fumbling with her phone. “I need pictures.”

“You really don’t—” I started.

“For reference!” She held her phone up to the laptop screen. “Smile!”

Three powerful alpha werewolves obediently smiled for my adoptive Korean mother’s impromptu photo session.

“Mom, are you seriously—” Luke paused. “Are you recording this?”

“Of course! For review.”

“Review of what?” I asked suspiciously.

“Their intentions, their auras, their?—”

“You’re not going to curse them, are you?” Luke asked.

Imo looked deeply offended. “I do not curse people!”

“You literally just threatened them with curses five minutes ago,” I pointed out.

“That was warning! Different thing!” She waved her hand dismissively. “Now, about next weekend?—”

“Weekend?” Marcus’ eyebrows shot up.

“Yes, yes. Luke has taken extra days. We drive up Saturday morning, leave Monday morning.” She said it like it was already decided. Knowing Imo, it probably was .

“We are?” Luke looked as surprised as I felt.

“Of course! Must inspect in person. Must make sure Kai is safe, well fed, properly protected.” She peered at the screen. “Big house needs proper cleansing. Many spirits.”

“The only spirits here are in the wine cellar,” Caleb said, then yelped when Derek elbowed him.

“We would be honored to host you,” Marcus said smoothly. Two days of Imo’s protective rituals and Luke’s sass? The pack might not survive.

“Good!” Imo beamed. “I bring ingredients for proper Korean food. Show family authentic recipes.” She paused thoughtfully.

Jorge, who’d been hovering closer and closer to the screen, flashed his most charming smile. “I would be honored to learn, senora . Your knowledge of traditional cooking and spirits sounds… fascinating.”

“Ah!” Imo’s eyes sparkled with interest. “You are the chef? The one feeding my Kai?”

“Si, senora. Jorge Stone, at your service.” He actually bowed. “Your hanbok is very elegant. The blue silk brings out your?—”

“Is your chef hitting on my mom right now?” Luke stage-whispered to me.

“Oh God,” I muttered. “I think he is.”

Maria smacked Jorge with her dish towel. “ Comportate (behave)!” But she was fighting a smile.

“Such a charming chef,” Imo preened, adjusting her jade necklace. “You must show me your kitchen when we visit. I bring special herbs, very rare…”

“Your presence alone would be the rarest spice in my kitchen,” Jorge replied smoothly.

“Mom!” Luke looked horrified. “Are you blushing?”

Imo waved her hand dismissively, but her cheeks were definitely pink. “We discuss recipes later. Now, about the visit?—”

I caught Luke mouthing ‘I’m so sorry’ at me behind his mother ’s back, though whether for the upcoming visit or the unexpected flirtation, I wasn’t sure.

‘You’re dead to me,’ I mouthed back.

Scout chose that moment to start howling, setting off a chain reaction that had all three dogs serenading Imo through the screen while she clapped in delight.

“Such powerful guardian spirits!” she declared. “They know! They know I bring special treats for them too.”

The dogs’ ears perked up at ‘treats,’ and suddenly the laptop was surrounded by three very interested wolf-dogs trying to communicate directly with Imo.

“Your dogs are weird,” Luke observed.

“You have no idea,” I muttered, watching Shadow attempt to bow to Imo through the screen.

“Now…” Imo adjusted her hanbok sleeves. “We arrive Saturday. I bring protective salt for doorways, herbs for cleansing?—”

“And normal people snacks,” Luke added. “Because some of us don’t survive on spiritual energy and ancient wisdom.”

“Snacks are important too,” Imo agreed seriously. “Special red bean buns for Kai?—”

“The ones from the old lady’s shop?” I perked up embarrassingly fast.

“Of course! She says her grandson is still single?—”

“Imo,” I groaned.

“What? I must tell her you’re taken now. By three very handsome, very rich mountain men. She will be so jealous! Her grandson only doctor, these three”—she gestured at the brothers—“own whole town!”

“And we’re done with that conversation,” I cut in quickly, noting how the brothers had suddenly gone very still. Even the dogs had stopped their spiritual howling to give me suspicious looks. All three alphas were wearing identical satisfied smirks at Imo’s declaration of ‘taken.’

“Fine, fine.” Imo waved her hand, but I could see her already planni ng how to spread the news through the Korean community. “But I also bring special tea. Good for wolf spirit. Very expensive, very rare?—”

“Please tell me it’s not that thing that smells like feet,” Luke groaned, though I caught him hiding a grin at my embarrassment.

“That is thousand-year tradition!”

“Pretty sure traditions shouldn’t smell like gym socks, Mom.”

Marcus, bless his diplomatic soul, stepped in smoothly. “We look forward to learning about these traditions. I’ll have Tía Maria prepare the guest wing?—”

“And I’ll handle security protocols,” Derek added, which probably meant the local wildlife was about to be thoroughly traumatized by whatever ‘protocols’ involved.

Imo nodded. “Must prepare ritual space. Many arrangements to make before Saturday.” She peered at the brothers through the screen. “You be good to my Kai until then?”

The brothers straightened like they were receiving orders from a general.

“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused.

“Good.” She smiled serenely. “Because I know many ways to?—”

“Mom! No more curse threats!”

“Not curse! Special spiritual cleansing. Very different.”

“Pretty sure the end result is the same,” Luke said.

“Next Saturday, then,” Marcus confirmed, looking like he was already mentally rearranging security patrols and territory boundaries.

“Yes. Early. Must catch morning spirits.” Imo’s jade ornaments clinked ominously. “You have good tea? Proper cups?”

“We have an entire set of Royal Copenhagen—” Maria started .

“No, no. Special cups. I bring. Also bring special salt. And bells.”

“So many bells.” Luke sighed.

Scout chose that moment to start another howling session, apparently saying goodbye to his new spiritual grandmother.

“Good dogs,” Imo approved. “They understand. They know.”

“They’re just excited about the treats you promised,” I pointed out.

“That too,” she agreed cheerfully. “Now, must go prepare. Many things to do. Luke! Help me with ritual boxes!”

“How many—” Luke’s eyes widened at something off-screen. “Mom, we can’t fit all that in my car!”

“Watch me,” Imo declared, then turned back to the screen. “Kai-ya! Be good. Eat well.” Then the video call ended, and silence fell over the manor’s great room.

“So,” I said finally. “That went… well?”

“Your adoptive mother just threatened three alpha werewolves with spiritual cleansing,” Derek pointed out.

“While taking photos for her curse reference collection,” Caleb added.

“Not curse. Special cleansing,” Marcus mimicked perfectly, making Maria snort.

“We’re all going to die,” I decided. “Buried under protective salt and ritual bells.”

“At least we’ll be well fed,” Jorge offered optimistically. “Those red bean buns sounded interesting…”

I dropped my head into my hands as the brothers started discussing security arrangements for what they were now calling “Operation Spiritual Invasion.”

The universe wasn’t just laughing at me anymore. It was rolling on the floor howling.

Just like the dogs.