Page 67 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)

I was going to die of sexual frustration before this dinner ever ended.

That had to be some kind of supernatural record—first person in history to spontaneously combust while passing the salt to Elder Grey for the fifteenth time.

Maybe they’d put that on my tombstone: “Here lies Kai Chen, quarter-wolf, part-dragon, full-time disaster who exploded during paella.”

Across the table, Caleb’s foot was doing something entirely inappropriate to my calf, while Derek’s intense stare practically burned holes through my suit.

And Marcus? He maintained his perfect diplomatic mask while showing pure, undiluted desire whenever he looked at me.

The triple assault was making it impossible to focus on anything Elder Standing Bear was droning on about.

“More paella, young lord?” asked one of the White Tiger Clan members who’d volunteered as servers. His white robes remained mysteriously pristine despite Jorge’s sauce-heavy menu, which seemed like the real supernatural miracle happening tonight .

“No, thank you,” I managed, my voice only slightly strangled. “And please, just Kai is fine.”

The server bowed deeply—way deeper than necessary—before gliding away with that eerie tiger grace. Shadow, who hadn’t left my side all evening, nudged my hand with his head, clearly expecting payment for his loyal protection in the form of premium steak.

“You’re shameless,” I whispered, but slipped him another piece anyway. His tail thumped against my leg in appreciation. At least someone at this table had simple, understandable desires.

I’d started this evening feeling smug about my shower performance, but my plan was backfiring spectacularly. For every teasing touch I delivered, they returned it threefold—and it took every ounce of self-control not to whimper right there between the salad and fish courses.

“The Stone Pack’s alliance with the White Tiger Clan represents a historic opportunity,” Elder Standing Bear was saying, his deep voice carrying across the table. “Perhaps the twice-blessed one would consider a formal blessing of the territories during the next celestial alignment?”

Every eye turned to me expectantly. Great. Another supernatural ceremony to add to my rapidly filling paranormal social calendar.

“I’m still learning how not to set things on fire when I sneeze,” I replied, earning a choked laugh from Caleb and a warning look from Marcus.

“Maybe we should table the formal blessings until I’ve mastered the basics?

You know, not accidentally barbecuing important elders during ceremonial moments. ”

Elder Grey’s ancient eyes twinkled with amusement. “Wise caution, young one. Though your power grows impressively, even without formal training.”

“Speaking of impressive,” Flynn Knox interjected, his voice carrying that eager-puppy quality he’d had since his father’s resign ation, “my pack has prepared a ceremonial offering of our finest weapons, forged specifically for the twice-blessed one’s guard.”

“That’s… thoughtful,” I said, trying not to wince at the ‘twice-blessed one’ title that refused to die.

“But I already have three very effective guards.” I gestured to the Stone brothers, who collectively straightened with primal satisfaction at being publicly acknowledged as my protectors.

God, they were so easy to please sometimes.

“Four, if you count Shadow,” I added, scratching behind the dog’s ears.

“Though he’s more interested in steak than security. ”

“Nevertheless,” Knox insisted, “it would be our honor to contribute to your protection.”

I caught Luke’s eye across the table, where he was barricaded behind a growing collection of Imo’s charm bags.

He gave me a subtle eye roll that perfectly captured my feelings about this entire supernatural circus.

If I survived this dinner without dying of either embarrassment or unfulfilled lust, it would be a miracle on par with the parting of the Red Sea.

“Perhaps we should discuss such matters after dinner,” Marcus suggested smoothly, his hand briefly touching mine under the table. The contact sent electricity racing up my arm, his thumb tracing a small circle on my wrist that felt far more intimate than it had any right to be.

I’d deliberately left my collar open, showing off the marks they’d left earlier.

Every time I moved, I made sure to give them a glimpse of skin, a reminder of what awaited after this interminable dinner.

But my little revenge plan had a serious flaw—I was torturing myself just as effectively as I was tormenting them.

I swallowed hard, heat flooding my face.

My skin suddenly felt too tight, too sensitive.

Like I was wearing someone else’s body, except that body was horny as hell and ready to climb three specific alphas like trees.

“The hour grows late,” Alpha Rivera observed, her knowing gaze m oving between me and the brothers. “Perhaps we should allow our hosts some privacy.”

Thank all the supernatural deities for Alpha Rivera and her ability to read a room. Someone give that woman a medal.

“It has been our pleasure to host you,” Marcus replied, rising to his feet with that effortless grace that still made my stomach flip. “Your continued alliance is invaluable to us.”

The formal goodbyes felt like they took approximately three centuries.

Each guest seemed determined to make a final pronouncement, offer one last tribute, or extract some vague promise about future supernatural gatherings.

By the time the last guest was ushered out the door, I was ready to climb out of my own skin with anticipation.

“Well,” I said as the door finally closed behind Elder Grey, “that was…”

“Interminable,” Derek finished, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.

“Excruciating,” Caleb added, suddenly much closer than he had been a moment ago.

“Necessary,” Marcus concluded, his eyes now definitely glowing crimson in the dimmed lights of the entrance hall. “But now…”

The word hung in the air between us, loaded with promise. My mouth went dry as all three brothers turned to me with identical expressions of barely leashed hunger. Holy shit, I was either about to have the best night of my life or be eaten alive. Possibly both.

“Now?” I prompted, my voice embarrassingly breathless.

Marcus stepped forward, his hand cupping my jaw with a gentleness that contrasted sharply with the predatory gleam in his eyes. “Now, little mate, we’re going to teach you exactly what happens when you tease three alpha wolves.”

Oh. Oh my .

“I did warn you,” Derek rumbled, moving to my other side with lethal grace. “Actions have consequences.”

“Especially actions involving showers and locked saunas,” Caleb added, his usual playfulness replaced by something darker, hungrier.

I swallowed hard, a delicious shiver running down my spine. “I’m not sorry,” I managed, summoning what remained of my defiance. “You deserved it after leaving me like that.”

“We did,” Marcus agreed, his thumb tracing my lower lip in a way that made my knees weak. “And you deserved every moment of that dinner, watching us while knowing exactly what was coming after.”

“So what happens now?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The smile that curved Marcus’ lips was pure predator. “Now, little mate, we claim you. Properly. Completely.”

He took my hand, leading me toward the grand staircase. Derek and Caleb fell into step behind us, their presence like a physical weight against my back. I could feel their hunger through our bond, their need matching my own.

“The ceremonial chamber has been prepared,” Marcus explained, his voice low and intimate. “The full moon is at its peak.”

“Ceremonial chamber?” I echoed, my mind conjuring images of ancient stone altars and mysterious runes. “Is there going to be an audience or something? Because I’m not really into?—”

“Just us,” Derek assured me, his hand coming to rest possessively on the small of my back. “The claiming is private. Sacred.”

“Though I’m sure half the supernatural world would love an invitation,” Caleb added with a wicked grin. “You’ve become quite the celebrity, little dragon.”

I grimaced at the nickname, though secretly I didn’t mind it when Caleb used it. “Great. Just what I always wanted—supernatural paparazzi. ”

We descended below the main level of the manor, following a winding staircase that I hadn’t noticed before. The air grew cooler, tinged with the scent of earth and stone and something older, more primal.

“These chambers were built over the original foundation stones,” Marcus explained, leading me through an arched doorway. “The oldest part of Stone Manor, dating back to 1667.”

The chamber beyond took my breath away. Circular and domed, it was lined with smooth stone that seemed to glow with an inner light.

Ancient symbols were carved into the walls, illuminated by dozens of candles placed in recessed niches.

In the center stood a raised platform of polished stone, large enough for…

well, for exactly what was about to happen there.

“It’s beautiful,” I murmured, my voice echoing off the ancient stone walls.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Caleb said softly, his hand finding mine in the dim light.

I turned to look at him, at all of them—Marcus with his ice-blue eyes now burning crimson with desire, Derek’s amber gaze fixed on me with an intensity that was both thrilling and a little terrifying, and Caleb, his eyes electric blue, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth despite the gravity of the moment.

I was suddenly hyperaware of how we looked in this ancient space—me in my deliberately disheveled suit, them in their formal wear, all of us vibrating with barely contained need after hours of teasing.

The shower incident felt like it had happened days ago, yet the tension it had created still crackled between us like electricity.