Page 17 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)

“So,” Maria said, serving the paella with a knowing smirk, “Luke and his mother arrive Saturday morning, yes? Just in time for the festival?”

“Yeah.” I tried to focus on the food and not how Marcus’ thumb was drawing circles on my leg. “Luke says they’re already packed with, uh, supplies.”

Jorge perked up. “The special herbs she mentioned? And the Korean chili paste?”

“And the ritual bells,” I muttered. “So many bells.”

“Bells are good!” Maria insisted. “Very cleansing. We should discuss where to set up her ritual space. Away from Derek’s security routes.”

Derek finally looked up from where he’d been very intently studying his water glass. “I’ll adjust the patrols. Though my team needs to know which areas will be… spiritually active.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” I couldn’t help asking. “Because from what Luke tells me, Imo’s been video chatting with both of you”—I pointed at Maria and Jorge—“almost daily about food and protection spells.”

Jorge had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “She had questions about Spanish cuisine! And maybe I had questions about Korean methods of spiritual cleansing. For the kitchen. ”

“The kitchen doesn’t need spiritual cleansing.”

“Everything needs spiritual cleansing,” Maria and Jorge said in perfect unison.

Caleb, who’d been suspiciously quiet, grinned. “They’ve been practicing that all week.”

I dropped my head into my hands. “You’re all impossible.”

“We just want your family to feel welcome,” Marcus said diplomatically, though his hand was definitely moving higher on my thigh. “The festival is an important tradition in Cedar Grove.”

“Speaking of traditions,” Derek cut in, his voice still rough from earlier, “we should discuss security arrangements for the festival itself. With the Knox Pack still causing trouble?—”

“And other packs attending,” Caleb added.

“—we need to make sure you’re protected during the celebrations.”

I pushed my empty plate away, already missing Jorge’s paella. “You mean babysat.”

“Protected,” all three brothers corrected simultaneously.

“Now who’s been practicing?” I said, but I couldn’t help smiling at their synchronized protectiveness.

“The festival is important,” Marcus continued, his thumb still tracing maddening patterns on my leg. “All the local packs attend. It’s… political.”

“Everything’s political with wolves.” I sighed. “Fine. What’s the plan?”

“Simple,” Derek said in his tactical voice. “You stay with at least one of us at all times. My team will maintain perimeter security. The council has arranged neutral territory agreements for the duration of the festival.”

“And Jorge and I will keep your Imo busy with the cooking competition,” Maria added cheerfully. “She already signed up!”

“Of course she has.” I wasn’t even surprised anymore. “Wait, is that why you two have been trading recipes all week? ”

“Research,” Jorge said seriously. “Very important research.”

The brothers exchanged one of their telepathic looks. Marcus’ hand was definitely moving even higher on my thigh, and Caleb had shifted closer, his arm brushing mine every time he moved. Even Derek’s eyes had that heated edge from the gym.

“Actually,” I said, trying to ignore how Marcus’ touch was making it hard to think straight, “I was wondering if I could watch your team train today? The shifting part, I mean.” I focused on my water glass, suddenly self-conscious.

“If I’m supposed to learn how to do it eventually, it might help to see how it works. ”

The brothers exchanged another look, this one more surprised than heated.

“You want to watch us shift?” Derek asked carefully.

“Well, yeah.” I shrugged, aiming for casual despite the blush I could feel creeping up my neck. “Better than going in blind, right? Unless it’s some secret wolf thing?—”

“No,” Marcus cut in, his hand squeezing my thigh gently. “It’s a good idea. Practical.”

“Very practical,” Caleb agreed, but his grin suggested he was thinking of something else entirely.

Derek nodded slowly, his tactical expression returning. “My team trains at three. We can watch from the observation deck.” His eyes met mine, still holding that dangerous heat from earlier. “Though you might want to prepare yourself. The first time seeing a full shift can be… intense.”

The way he said ‘intense’ made heat pool in my stomach. Something told me watching Derek and his team transform into massive wolves was going to be anything but practical.

Maria and Jorge exchanged knowing looks as they cleared the table.

“I’ll bring snacks to the observation deck,” Jorge announced. “For strength. ”

“And that protein smoothie I’ve been perfecting,” Maria added with a smirk. “The one with extra berries and honey. For… stamina.”

The way she said ‘stamina’ made me blush, but I couldn’t deny my supernatural metabolism was always craving Maria’s special smoothies now. The brothers had explained that the shift required a lot of energy, and my quarter-wolf body was already preparing for it, even if I couldn’t transform yet.

“The red one?” Jorge perked up. “With the secret ingredient?”

“Secret ingredient?” I asked suspiciously.

“For strength,” they said in unison, sharing another conspiratorial look.

I was definitely going to need it—whatever ‘it’ was.