Page 62 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)

Focus , he commanded through the bond, though his own control felt paper-thin. If he’s actually having issues with his dragon blood…

Then we need to be there , Derek finished, his protective instincts flaring. But if he’s playing games…

Then we’ll teach our little mate a lesson about teasing three alpha wolves . Caleb’s thought held equal parts hunger and amusement.

They converged on the gym complex from different directions—Derek taking the most direct route while Marcus and Caleb approached from opposite wings of the manor. Through their bond, they could feel each other’s mounting anticipation, their wolves already stirring with possibility.

None of them were prepared for the sight that greeted them.

Derek reached the gym first, his military training evident in how he burst through the door, scanning for threats before his eyes landed on Kai.

Their mate sat on the sauna bench looking appropriately distressed, but there was something in his eyes—a glint of mischief that Derek’s wolf immediately recognized.

He’s fine , Derek reported through the bond, though his relief was tinged with suspicion. Too fine.

“Kai? What’s wrong?” he demanded, crossing to the sauna in three long strides.

“I don’t know,” Kai replied, his voice convincingly troubled. “I just feel… hot. Like my skin is on fire.”

Derek knelt before him, instinctively checking for fever or signs of distress.

Kai’s temperature was elevated, but no more than usual since his dragon blood had awakened.

What was more concerning was the scent rolling off him—desire, barely contained, mixed with something that smelled suspiciously like… anticipation?

“Any other symptoms?” Derek asked, his wolf already on alert .

“Just… pressure,” Kai said vaguely. “Like something building up.”

Marcus and Caleb arrived together, their concern a palpable force through the pack bond.

“What’s happening?” Marcus demanded, his alpha presence filling the room as he joined Derek in the sauna.

“He says he’s overheating,” Derek reported, his hand still on Kai’s forehead. “Temperature definitely elevated.”

“That could be the dragon blood,” Caleb suggested, completing their circle around Kai. “Dr. White mentioned possible temperature fluctuations as his body adjusts.”

Through their bond, all three brothers shared the same suspicion—Kai wasn’t in any real distress. This was something else entirely.

He’s planning something , Marcus warned.

Look at his eyes , Caleb noted. That’s not dragon fire—that’s pure mischief.

“I think I need to cool down,” Kai said suddenly, standing up. “Maybe a shower would help.”

“Good idea,” Marcus nodded, stepping aside to let him pass. “We’ll wait here in case you need anything.”

“Actually,” Kai said, moving toward the door with a casualness that set all three wolves on edge, “I think I need a minute alone. To… center myself.”

Before any of them could react, Kai slipped through the door and slammed it shut behind him. The supernatural lock engaged with an ominous click that echoed in the sudden silence.

Did he just…? Caleb’s thought was incredulous.

Lock us in? Derek finished, disbelief coloring his internal voice. Yes. Yes, he did.

Marcus’ wolf surged forward, recognizing the trap too late. “Kai?” he called, his voice betraying his confusion. “What are you doing?”

“Getting a little payback,” Kai replied from the other side of the gl ass, smugness radiating from every inch of his smaller frame as he stepped back to admire his handiwork—three powerful alpha wolves trapped in a glass box like the world’s most attractive museum exhibit.

“Did you really think you could work me up like that and then just leave me hanging?” Kai asked, crossing his arms with a defiance that had all three wolves stirring with appreciation. “Consider this… educational. Lesson one: Don’t start what you can’t finish, wolves.”

“Kai.” Marcus’ voice dropped to a dangerous register, his wolf pushing forward. “Open the door.”

“You little brat!” Derek growled, his eyes beginning to glow amber with rising frustration.

The answer came in the form of Kai reaching for the hem of his shirt, pulling it slowly over his head in a deliberate tease that had all three brothers freezing in place.

The shared intake of breath echoed through their bond, their collective desire spiking sharply as Kai’s smooth skin was revealed inch by tantalizing inch.

The transformation of Kai’s body over the past weeks was nothing short of remarkable.

Where once he had been slender, now lean muscle defined his torso—not bulky like theirs, but elegantly sculpted, like a dancer’s physique.

His supernatural awakening had enhanced every aspect of him, refining his features, adding a subtle luminescence to his skin that made it appear almost pearlescent under the gym lights.

He’s magnificent , Marcus thought, unable to contain his appreciation as Kai stretched deliberately, showcasing the new definition in his arms and shoulders.

Look at that waist , Caleb added, his internal voice tight with desire. Those hip bones…

Ours , Derek’s wolf asserted possessively, drinking in the sight of their mate’s transformation. Out loud, he demanded, “What a re you doing?” his voice deliciously rough as Kai tossed his shirt aside.

“Getting ready for dinner,” Kai replied with mock innocence, his fingers moving to the button of his jeans. “Can’t meet the Rivera Pack looking like I’ve been mauled by three werewolves. Well, almost mauled. You didn’t quite get that far, did you?”

The reminder of how they’d left him earlier—worked up and wanting—sent a collective surge of guilt through their bond, quickly replaced by growing hunger as Kai kicked off his shoes.

“Kai,” Marcus said, his voice was strained now, his eyes bleeding crimson as his wolf pushed closer to the surface. “This isn’t funny.”

“Oh, I disagree,” Kai replied. “I think it’s hilarious. Almost as funny as leaving someone worked up and wanting, then saying ‘sorry, got a dinner date with the Rivera Pack.’ Ring any bells?”

The denim slid down his legs with deliberate slowness.

The brothers’ enhanced vision caught every detail—the subtle play of muscle beneath skin, the elegant line of his calves, the tantalizing curve where thigh met hip.

The training regimen had sculpted his thighs too, adding definition that hadn’t been there before.

But it was more than just physical conditioning—there was something about the way he moved now, a newfound confidence that was utterly captivating.

His dragon blood had awakened something primal and graceful in him, a subtle power that complemented his natural wit.

Their wolves paced beneath their skin, demanding release, demanding their mate.

Look at him , Caleb’s appreciation flooded the bond. Every inch of him is perfect.

He’s learning to play with fire , Derek observed, his wolf practically preening at their mate’s boldness.

And we’re going to burn him so sweetly for it , Marcus promised, his control slipping further .

“When we get out of here,” Derek growled, his eyes pure molten silver now, “you’re going to regret this.”

“Promises, promises,” Kai sang, standing before them in just his briefs. “But you’ll have to catch me first. And right now? You’re not catching anything except a show.”

“Kai.” Marcus’ voice was strained now, his eyes bleeding crimson. “This isn’t funny.”

“I’m not trying to be funny,” Kai replied. “I’m trying to make a point.”

“Which is?” Caleb asked, his hands pressed against the glass as if he could reach through it by sheer force of will.

“That you don’t get to call all the shots,” Kai said. “That this goes both ways.”

“Kai.” Caleb’s voice was barely human. “Let us out.”

“Hmm, let me think about that… no.” Kai walked to the shower, making sure they had a perfect view of exactly what they couldn’t have. “Consider this a lesson in frustration. I hear it builds character.”

He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his briefs, watching their expressions darken with hunger. “You know what I think?” he mused, turning his back to them. “I think you three have gotten a little too comfortable being in control.”

The collective growl as Kai slid his briefs down was nearly deafening.

Through their bond, each brother felt the others’ reaction—a tsunami of desire that threatened to drown them all.

Their enhanced vision caught every detail as Kai’s underwear slipped down his legs—the perfect curve of his ass, the dimples at the base of his spine, the elegant line of his back tapering to that narrow waist.

The transformation of his body was even more evident now that he was fully nude.

His quarter-wolf heritage combined with his dragon blood had refined him into something beyond merely human beauty.

There was an otherworldly quality to him now—the subtle shimmer of his skin, the perfect symmetry of his form, the way light seemed to caress rather than merely illuminate him.

Ethereal , Marcus thought, the word rising unbidden as Kai glanced over his shoulder with a look of pure temptation.

Devastating , Caleb agreed, his usual playfulness replaced by raw hunger.

Mine , Derek’s wolf snarled, the possessiveness echoed by his brothers’ wolves.

Ours , they corrected in unison, their bond humming with shared purpose.

Completely naked now, Kai walked to the shower area directly across from the sauna. The open-concept design meant they had an unobstructed view as he turned on the water, adjusting the temperature before stepping under the spray.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, little mate,” Derek warned, his voice carrying easily despite the running water.

“Am I?” Kai asked, letting the water cascade over him, tilting his head back to wet his hair. “Seems pretty safe from where I’m standing. You’re the ones locked in a glass box.”