Page 40 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)
STONE brOTHERS
M arcus Stone watched the morning sunlight filter through the library windows, illuminating the scene that would have been unthinkable just a month ago: Min-seo Kim, surrounded by ancient tomes on supernatural bloodlines, arguing animatedly with Jorge about the proper way to incorporate Korean herbs into his protein shakes, while Luke sat cross-legged on the floor, designing a new marketing campaign for Stone Industries.
A week had passed since Kai’s shifting mishap, and what had begun as an emergency visit had evolved into something that looked suspiciously like a permanent arrangement.
“The typeface needs to be more authoritative,” Marcus heard himself saying to Luke, who was presenting mockups for the company’s rebranding. “Less startup, more ‘we’ve been dominating this industry since before your grandfather was born.’”
Luke rolled his eyes but made the adjustment on his tablet. “Boring but intimidating. Got it.”
Hiring Luke had been an impulsive decision, but one Marcus didn’t regret.
The young man had a natural eye for design and an uncanny ability to predict market trends.
When Luke had announ ced he wasn’t returning to Seattle until Kai could shift back, Marcus had simply handed him a contract with a salary that had made Luke’s eyes widen comically.
“Consider it a consulting position,” Marcus had said. “You can work from the manor or come into town with me.”
The arrangement worked surprisingly well.
Luke drove Min-seo back to Seattle on weekends to check on her shop, but otherwise, they had settled into the manor as if they’d always been there.
Luke had initially offered to stay at Kai’s cottage, but Derek had immediately vetoed that idea, citing “security concerns” that fooled absolutely no one.
The truth was, none of them wanted to let anyone connected to Kai out of their sight while he remained vulnerable.
Speaking of Kai…
A small silver-white form trotted into the library, followed closely by the three massive dogs who had appointed themselves his personal security detail.
Despite being stuck in wolf form for a week, Kai moved with more confidence now, having finally mastered the art of four-legged locomotion.
He still couldn’t manage the grand staircase without assistance, but he navigated the main floor with a grace that made Marcus’ chest tighten with pride.
“There’s my little wolf,” he murmured, reaching down to scoop Kai into his lap.
Kai huffed in what was clearly annoyance, but he didn’t struggle as Marcus’ fingers found the spot behind his ears that never failed to make his back leg twitch involuntarily.
The brothers had discovered all of Kai’s weak spots over the past week, mapping his small body with the same dedication they applied to everything involving their mate.
“You’re looking particularly fluffy today,” Marcus observed, running his hand along Kai’s back. “Did Caleb use that special conditioner again?”
The look Kai gave him could have withered plants .
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Caring for Kai in his wolf form had awakened something primal in all three brothers.
They’d taken to arranging themselves around him at all times—feeding him by hand, bathing him in Marcus’ oversized tub, taking turns carrying him from room to room.
What had begun as necessity had evolved into a ritual that satisfied some deep alpha instinct to provide for their mate.
Marcus had never expected to enjoy it quite so much.
There was something profoundly satisfying about being needed so completely, about watching their tiny mate accept their care with grudging grace.
The brothers took turns sleeping with Kai, though they often ended up piled together in Marcus’ bed, their wolves content to have their mate safely nestled between them.
Still, Marcus missed Kai’s voice. Missed the sharp wit and sarcastic comebacks that had drawn him to his mate in the first place. The silent, furry version of Kai was adorable beyond words, but Marcus found himself longing for the verbal sparring matches that had become the highlight of his days.
More concerning was the mystery Min-seo had introduced. Two bloodlines. Not just wolf, but “something else.” Something old.
Marcus stroked Kai’s fur thoughtfully, remembering Sarah Chen—Kai’s mother.
She had been beautiful, fiercely protective, and absolutely terrified the day she’d fled with thirteen-year-old Kai.
At the time, Marcus had assumed she feared for her son’s safety after the Blood Moon attack, a reasonable concern for any mother. But what if there had been more to it?
What if she hadn’t been running from the danger the Blackwoods posed to Kai’s wolf blood, but from what would happen if anyone discovered his other heritage?
“Did Reece know?” Marcus murmured, more to himself than to Kai. “Is that why he chose your mother? Because he sensed something special in her bloodline? ”
Kai tilted his head, clearly recognizing his father’s name.
“Sorry, little one,” Marcus said, pressing a kiss to the top of Kai’s head. “Just thinking out loud.”
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Shifting Kai slightly, Marcus retrieved it, recognizing Elder Grey’s number immediately.
“Elder,” he answered, his tone respectful. “What can I do for you?”
“After nearly a month of escalating… territorial adjustments,” came the crisp voice of the oldest living former alpha in Cedar Grove, “the Knox Pack has finally responded to our formal challenge.”
Marcus felt a smile spread across his face, one that contained no warmth.
The day Marcus returned from the council, his brother had started methodically dismantling Knox’s border outposts.
When the traditional week passed without response, Derek’s “demonstrations” had become considerably more creative.
“I trust Richard Knox found our message clear?”
“If by ‘message’ you mean your brother’s systematic campaign that started with border stations and ended with his security force redecorating their main training facility?
” Elder Grey’s tone was desert-dry. “The one that became notably more… aggressive after they ignored the council’s deadline? Then yes, remarkably clear.”
“Derek has always believed in clear communication. Especially when others choose not to respond through proper channels.”
“Clearly. The council’s approval of a ‘territorial demonstration’ wasn’t quite meant to extend to four weeks of increasingly creative property damage, but given Knox’s deliberate disregard of protocol…” She sighed. “In any case, the duel is set for the full moon, three nights from now.”
“Rather fitting timing.”
“Indeed. The council will oversee the proceedings, of course. And gi ven the… unusual nature of the circumstances—both Knox’s delayed response and your mate’s unique heritage—several neighboring packs have expressed interest in observing.”
Of course they had. A formal duel between alphas was rare enough to be noteworthy, but one involving a quarter-wolf mate with First Blood heritage? That would draw supernatural spectators from across the region.
“The grounds will be prepared according to tradition,” Elder Grey finished. “Sunset, at the ancient circle.”
“We’ll be there,” Marcus confirmed, ending the call.
Kai was watching him intently, gold-flecked eyes surprisingly perceptive for a wolf so small.
“Good news, little mate,” Marcus told him, scratching under his chin. “The Knox Pack has finally accepted our challenge. In three days, they’ll answer for daring to touch what’s ours.”
Kai’s ears flattened slightly, whether in concern or annoyance at the possessive declaration, Marcus couldn’t tell.
“Don’t worry,” he soothed. “Derek has been… educating them for weeks now. They know they can’t win. This is just formality.”
His phone buzzed again with a text from Maria. Min-seo has prepared the garden. She says it’s time.
Marcus frowned slightly. Min-seo had been increasingly cryptic over the past few days, spending hours in meditation. Whatever she was planning, she’d been tight-lipped about the details.
“Apparently, we’re needed in the garden,” Marcus told Kai, rising with his mate still cradled in his arms. “Min-seo has something planned.”
The garden had been transformed. A small stone altar stood at its center, surrounded by candles and bowls of what appeared to be herbs and oils.
Min-seo knelt beside it, dressed in traditional Korean clothing, her eyes closed in concentration.
Around the pe rimeter sat the entire household—Jorge and Maria side by side, Luke cross-legged on a cushion, Anna and Miguel standing respectfully at the edge, and Caleb.
“What’s happening?” Marcus asked quietly, approaching his brother.
Caleb’s eyes never left the altar. “Min-seo had a dream last night. A celestial dragon, she said, circling a silver wolf.” He glanced at Marcus. “She thinks it might be the key to helping Kai shift back.”
“A dragon?” Marcus frowned. “That’s not part of any wolf mythology I know.”
“Not wolf,” Caleb confirmed. “Korean. Something about ancient guardian spirits and bloodlines chosen to protect cosmic balance.” He shrugged. “I didn’t follow all of it, but she seemed pretty convinced.”
Min-seo opened her eyes as Marcus approached, gesturing to the altar. “Place him there,” she instructed.
Marcus hesitated, his protective instincts flaring. “This won’t harm him?”
“It is a blessing,” Min-seo assured him. “A calling to the blood that sleeps within him.”
Reluctantly, Marcus placed Kai on the smooth stone surface. His mate looked impossibly small there, silver-white fur gleaming in the afternoon sun, eyes wary but trusting.
Min-seo began to chant, her voice rising and falling in patterns that seemed to resonate in the air itself. She sprinkled herbs around Kai, then used a small brush to paint symbols on his fur with what smelled like a mixture of oil and something metallic.