Page 66 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)

“Jorge takes great pride in his work,” Marcus replied smoothly. “Especially when preparing for honored guests.”

Jorge beamed from where he was supervising the White Tiger servers, his chest puffing with pride.

“Three different varieties,” he announced, gesturing dramatically.

“Seafood for our coastal friends, traditional Valencian for the purists, and a special spicy version for those with… supernatural palates.”

Caleb noticed Kai slipping a piece of perfectly cooked steak under the table to Shadow, whose head rested on his knee. The other two dogs had positioned themselves strategically—Storm at Derek’s side and Scout near Caleb, all three clearly hoping for similar treatment.

He spoils them , Caleb observed through the bond, a wave of fondness accompanying the thought.

They’re protective of him , Derek replied, watching as Storm’s ears perked up whenever someone approached Kai’s side of the table.

The brothers shared a moment of perfect understanding through their bond—tonight would make official what they all already felt. Kai was theirs, and they were his. The claiming ritual would merely formalize what their wolves had known from the beginning.

“Speaking of honor,” Flynn Knox’s voice cut through their private communion. The newly appointed Knox alpha spoke from farther down the table. “When will the twice-blessed one be holding formal court? My pack is eager to present our official tribute.”

Kai choked on his wine, prompting Caleb to pat his back solicitously—and perhaps let his hand linger longer than strictly necessary, enjoying the way Kai’s pulse jumped at his touch.

“I think we’ve established that I’m not holding ‘court,’” Kai replied once he’d recovered, the gold flecks in his eyes brightening with irritation. “I’m not royalty, despite what everyone seems to think.”

“The Imperial Dragon bloodline is one of the oldest and most revered in the supernatural world,” Elder Ming observed mildly. “In many ways, it is indeed a royal lineage.”

“Great,” Kai muttered, just loud enough for the brothers to hear. “So I’m quarter-wolf, part-dragon, and apparently some kind of supernatural prince. Any other titles I should add to my business cards?”

Derek couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him, earning a sharp look from Marcus and a grin from Caleb. Their mate’s irreve rence was a refreshing contrast to the formal posturing around them.

“The young lord’s heritage is certainly unique,” Xander commented, his aristocratic features composed in a mask of polite interest. “Almost as unique as the company he keeps.”

His ice-blue gaze shifted deliberately to Luke, who was seated between Min-seo and James—an arrangement that had clearly been orchestrated by the middle Blackwood brother through some diplomatic maneuvering.

“Aigoo!” Min-seo exclaimed, loud enough to draw attention from several nearby guests.

She slapped her hand on the table, making the crystal goblets jump.

“You stare at my son like hungry wolf again! Very rude at dinner table.” She began rummaging in her purse, pulling out a small cloth bag that clinked with the sound of stones or charms. “I bring protection! Special charm keep away bad wolf!”

Luke’s eyes widened in horror. “Mom, no?—”

Too late. Min-seo was already pulling out various amulets and small paper charms, arranging them in a protective circle around Luke’s place setting. Several guests stared openly now, the supernatural among them recognizing the ancient Korean protective symbols.

“Mom, please,” Luke hissed, his face flushed with embarrassment. “We talked about this.”

Xander’s lips curved into an amused smile. “I assure you, Mrs. Kim, we mean your son no harm. These charms won’t be necessary.”

Min-seo snorted, placing another charm beside Luke’s water glass.

“That what wolf tell Little Red Riding Hood before he ‘eat her up.’” She made air quotes around the words, her meaning unmistakable.

“First he say, ‘What big eyes you have.’ Then he say, ‘Don’t worry, I no harm you.’ Next thing”—she made a suggestive gesture with her hands—“poor girl never same again! ”

Several guests choked on their drinks, while Luke looked like he wanted to disappear entirely.

“I’m afraid those charms won’t work anyway,” Liam observed with a predatory smile, his eyes never leaving Luke’s face. “Not when your son smells the way he does.”

Min-seo froze, her hand still clutching a jade amulet. “What you mean, smell?”

“He means nothing,” Luke insisted, sinking lower in his chair and muttering what sounded like “kill me now” under his breath.

“On the contrary,” James interjected, leaning forward to address Min-seo directly. “Your son has a rather… distinctive scent. Quite rare and quite appealing.”

Xander nodded in agreement, his ice-blue eyes gleaming with interest. “Something ancient in his blood, perhaps? Something that hasn’t been seen for generations?”

The Stone brothers exchanged glances, recognizing the Blackwoods’ growing fascination with Luke as both a potential complication and a possible distraction from their own mate.

Min-seo’s face paled slightly before she recovered, shoving the remaining charms back into her purse. “We talk about this later,” she whispered to Luke, who looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole.

As the dinner progressed, Kai seemed to grow bolder in his provocations.

When he reached for the water pitcher, he deliberately brushed his fingers against Derek’s, lingering just long enough to send a jolt of heat through their bond.

When Marcus passed him the bread basket, Kai made sure their hands touched, his eyes meeting Marcus’ with unmistakable challenge.

And when Caleb asked him a question about the White Tiger Clan’s ceremonies, Kai leaned forward in a way that gave all three brothers a better view of his partially unbuttoned shirt.

He’s enjoying this , Caleb observed, equal parts frustrated and impressed .

He’s playing with fire , Derek growled, his control slipping further with each deliberate touch.

And he knows exactly what he’s doing , Marcus added, feeling his own restraint fracturing under the constant assault.

Under the table, Caleb couldn’t resist letting his foot trace slowly up Kai’s calf, enjoying the flush that immediately spread across their mate’s cheeks. The gold flecks in his eyes brightened in response, a telltale sign of his emotions.

Behave , Marcus warned through the bond. We have guests .

Just returning the favor , Caleb replied, unrepentant. He started it .

Kai, seeming to realize what was happening through the bond, narrowed his eyes at Caleb. The challenge in his gaze was unmistakable, and all three brothers felt a surge of both pride and hunger.

Two could play at that game. Derek leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Kai as he deliberately licked his lips, reminding Kai of their encounter in the shower. The effect was immediate—Kai’s breath caught, his pupils dilating as the memory clearly flashed through his mind.

“Derek,” Marcus warned under his breath, though his own control was hanging by a thread.

“He wanted to tease,” Derek replied quietly, unrepentant. “I’m just making sure he understands the consequences.”

Kai took a long sip of his wine, clearly trying to compose himself. When he set the glass down, his fingers were trembling slightly, but the defiance in his eyes remained undiminished. If anything, the challenge had only intensified.

The dinner seemed to stretch into eternity, each course an exercise in restraint.

Jorge’s culinary masterpieces were served and cleared with theatrical flair, the White Tiger servers moving with supernatural grace between guests.

Tía Maria supervised it all with the authority of a general, while the three dogs mainta ined their strategic positions around the table, ever hopeful for more treats from their favorite humans.

Through it all, the brothers maintained their composure—barely. Each brush of Kai’s fingers, each flash of gold in his eyes, each subtle shift of his scent as his desire built was a test of their control.

“I believe we’ve imposed on your hospitality long enough,” Alpha Rivera finally announced as dessert was being cleared. “The hour grows late, and I’m sure you have other matters requiring your attention.”

The knowing look she gave Marcus made it clear she understood exactly what “matters” awaited the Stone Pack that night. Marcus inclined his head gratefully, maintaining his diplomatic facade despite the relief surging through him.

“It has been our pleasure to host you,” he replied, rising to signal the end of the dinner. “Your continued alliance is invaluable to us.”

As the guests began to make their farewells, Derek caught Kai’s eye across the table.

Their mate was watching him with an intensity that made his wolf howl with anticipation.

He let his gaze travel deliberately down Kai’s body and back up, a silent promise of what awaited when they were finally alone.

The flush that spread across Kai’s cheeks and the sudden darkening of his eyes was all the response Derek needed. He exchanged glances with his brothers, their shared anticipation almost palpable through their bond.

Caleb couldn’t resist one final provocation, catching Kai’s attention before slowly, deliberately licking his bottom lip while his eyes conveyed exactly what he planned to do once they were alone.

Kai’s sharp intake of breath was audible even across the table, his gold-flecked eyes widening before narrowing in challenge.

“Game on,” Kai mouthed silently, the words meant only for the brothe rs to see.

His defiance and desire were written plainly across his face, surprising all three brothers with its intensity.

Their mate was embracing his supernatural nature faster than they’d anticipated, his confidence growing with each passing hour.

Tonight, Kai would be claimed. And the Stone brothers intended to make it a night none of them would ever forget.