Page 61 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)

STONE brOTHERS

T he meeting with the Council of Elders had dragged on interminably, with Elder Grey insisting on reviewing ancient pack law regarding hybrid beings for what felt like the hundredth time.

Marcus had been doing his best to focus, to give the elders the respect they deserved, but his mind kept wandering to Kai.

Five days since their mate had awakened, five days of agonizing restraint.

They’d agreed to give Kai time to recover, time to adjust to his new reality, but the waiting was becoming physically painful.

The pre-marking bond, strengthened by Kai’s awakened heritage, pulled at them constantly, demanding completion.

“The ancient texts are quite clear,” Elder Grey was saying, her finger tracing a line in the tome open before them. “A twice-blessed being falls under the protection of both lineages, but primary authority goes to the lineage that marked them first.”

“Which would be us,” Derek said from his position by the door, his posture tense as always when Kai’s status was discussed.

“Indeed,” Elder Redwood agreed, his deep voice resonating in the library. “The Stone Pack’s pre-marking nine years ago establishes your primary claim. However, the White Tiger Clan has legitimate rights to participate in the young lord’s training and education.”

Marcus nodded, though inwardly he was growing impatient with the endless diplomatic discussions. Kai wasn’t a piece of property to be divided between supernatural factions—he was their mate, a person with his own will and desires.

“We’ve already agreed to allow the White Tiger Clan to?—”

Marcus broke off mid-sentence as a wave of desire crashed through the pack bond, so powerful it momentarily robbed him of breath. Derek straightened suddenly by the door, his eyes flashing amber as he met Marcus’ gaze.

Caleb and Kai , Marcus confirmed through their bond, feeling his own body respond to the emotions flowing from his brother. They’re…

Images flooded through the bond—Kai beneath Caleb on their mate’s bed, lips parted in pleasure, skin flushed with desire. Caleb was broadcasting his emotions with unusual intensity, a mixture of smugness and raw need that made Marcus’ wolf snarl with jealousy and anticipation.

Finally , Derek replied, a growl underlying the thought.

“Alpha Stone?” Elder Grey’s voice cut through the silent communication. “Is everything alright?”

Marcus composed his features, though it took more effort than usual. “Yes, of course. Please continue.”

The elder studied him for a moment, her ancient eyes seeing more than he was comfortable with. “I think perhaps we should continue this discussion another time,” she said, a knowing smile touching her lips. “It seems your attention is required elsewhere.”

The library door open and Shadow trotted in, heading straight for him and nudging his hand insistently .

“I believe that’s your cue,” Elder Redwood observed, amusement clear in his deep voice.

Marcus didn’t bother denying it. “If you’ll excuse us,” he said, already rising from his seat. “We can reconvene tomorrow.”

“Take your time, Alpha Stone,” Elder Grey replied, her eyes twinkling. “The claiming of a mate is a sacred occasion, especially one as unique as yours.”

Under normal circumstances, Marcus might have been embarrassed by the elders’ knowledge of his personal affairs. But right now, all he could focus on was the pull of the bond, drawing him toward Kai with an urgency that bordered on painful.

Derek was already at the door, his posture tense with anticipation. They moved through the manor with purpose, ignoring the curious glances from staff and visitors alike. Through the bond, they could feel Caleb’s growing desire, his control slipping as things progressed with Kai.

Don’t you dare claim him without us , Marcus warned through the bond, receiving only smug satisfaction in return.

Hurry up then , Caleb replied, sending another flash of what he was doing to their mate.

Marcus growled low in his throat, quickening his pace. When they reached Kai’s chambers, the scent hit them like a physical force—desire, need, and something uniquely Kai that called to their wolves on a primal level.

Marcus didn’t bother knocking. He pushed the door open to find exactly what he’d felt through the bond—Caleb and Kai on the bed, locked in a kiss that was anything but innocent.

Kai’s shirt was pushed up, exposing his chest, his skin seeming to glow with an inner light that betrayed his dragon heritage.

His hair was mussed from Caleb’s fingers, and he looked thoroughly debauched and utterly perfect.

A possessive growl rumbled from Marcus’ chest before he could stop it, echoed by Derek beside him. Caleb and Kai broke apart, turning toward the door with matching expressions of desire and defiance.

“Started without us, I see,” Marcus observed, fighting to keep his voice steady despite the crimson glow he knew was overtaking his eyes.

Caleb grinned, unrepentant. “Just warming him up for you.”

Kai’s eyes, those extraordinary hazel eyes now flecked with gold that seemed to brighten with his arousal, met Marcus’ with unmistakable challenge. “Well,” he said, his voice deliciously husky, “are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to join us?”

That was all the invitation Marcus needed. He crossed the room in three long strides, Derek close behind him. Caleb moved aside, making room for them on the bed, though his hand remained possessively on Kai’s hip.

Derek was on Kai immediately, his mouth claiming their mate’s with a hunger that had Marcus’ wolf growling in impatience. The sight of Derek’s larger frame covering Kai’s smaller one, the contrast of his brother’s tanned skin against Kai’s paler tone, had Marcus’ control slipping dangerously.

Through their bond, he could feel Derek’s triumph as Kai melted beneath him, responding with equal fervor to his demanding kiss. Derek’s hands were everywhere—tangling in Kai’s hair, tracing the curves of his chest, sliding down to grip his hip with possessive intensity.

When Derek finally pulled back, Kai’s lips were swollen from his attentions, his chest rising and falling rapidly with each breath. The gold in his eyes had brightened further, tiny flecks of light that seemed to dance in his irises.

“My turn,” Marcus rumbled, unable to wait any longer.

Derek moved aside reluctantly, and Marcus took his place, lowering his mouth to Kai’s with barely controlled hunger.

Where Derek was all passion and force, Marcus poured every ounce of his control into the kiss, exploring Kai’s mouth with deliberate thoroughness that had their mate arching beneath him.

Kai tasted like sunshine and spice, a combination that was uniquely his and utterly addictive. His smaller hands clutched at Marcus’ shoulders, nails digging in slightly as Marcus deepened the kiss, claiming every inch of his mouth.

The heat of Kai’s skin was incredible—hotter than a normal human’s, hotter even than a wolf’s. His dragon heritage made him burn like a flame beneath Marcus’ hands, and the wolf in him wanted nothing more than to be consumed by that fire.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Marcus rested his forehead against Kai’s, staring into those gold-flecked eyes that had captivated him from the first moment.

“You’ve made a decision,” Marcus said, not a question but a statement as he looked down at their mate.

Kai nodded, no trace of hesitation in his expression. “I want this. I want you—all of you.”

“The claiming ritual should be done properly,” Marcus said, though his body was already responding to Kai’s proximity, to the scent of his arousal. “In the sacred chamber, with the full moon.”

“Which is tonight,” Derek pointed out, his voice rough with need. “We can wait until then.”

Kai made a sound of frustration. “We have dinner with the Rivera Pack. You expect me to sit through that knowing what’s coming after?”

“Consider it foreplay,” Caleb suggested with a wicked grin, earning a glare from Kai that held no real heat.

Marcus leaned down, unable to resist tasting those kiss-swollen lips one more time. Kai melted into the kiss, his arms winding around Marcus’ neck, pulling him closer. When they broke apart, both breathing heavily, Marcus rested his forehead against Kai’s.

“Tonight,” he promised. “After dinner. We’ll claim you properly, little mate.”

“I’m holding you to that,” Kai replied, his eyes now definitely glowing gold, bright enough to cast tiny shadows on his cheekbones. “And if one more pack member asks me about my ‘future court,’ I’m setting something on fire, and it won’t be an accident this time.”

Derek laughed, the sound surprisingly light. “We’ll run interference,” he promised, bending to steal his own kiss from Kai. “Just make it through dinner.”

“And then,” Caleb added, his hand sliding teasingly down Kai’s chest, “we’ll have all night to make you ours.”

The shiver that ran through Kai’s body was visible, his pupils dilating further. “You better be worth the wait,” he said, though the effect was somewhat ruined by his breathlessness.

“Oh, we will be,” Marcus promised, his wolf howling in anticipation. “We will be.”

M arcus was adjusting his tie for the Rivera dinner when the text came through. The message itself seemed innocent enough—Kai mentioning something about overheating and dragon energy in the sauna—but the timing…

He’s up to something , Derek’s thought came through their pack bond, sharp with suspicion.

Obviously , Caleb agreed, already moving. But did you expect anything less after we left him like that?

Marcus’ wolf growled at the memory of Kai’s flushed skin, kiss-swollen lips, the way their mate had arched beneath them before they’d forced themselves to stop. The marks they’d left on his neck had been darkening beautifully, a preview of what was to come after dinner.