Page 68 of Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed (The Blood Moon Chronicle #2)
“I think,” I said, finding my voice despite the way my heart hammered in my chest, “that we can skip the ceremonial parts and get straight to the claiming. Unless you three need more time to recover from this afternoon?”
The challenge in my voice was deliberate, a final test of their contro l. Derek’s growl was immediate, his eyes flashing amber as he took a step toward me.
“You think we need to recover?” he asked, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made my knees weak. “After what you did?”
“I think,” Marcus said, moving with that predatory grace that never failed to make my breath catch, “that our little mate is still playing games.”
“Still trying to be in control,” Caleb added, his usual playfulness replaced by something darker, hungrier as he circled behind me. “Still thinking he can tease three alpha wolves without consequences.”
I was surrounded now, their larger bodies forming a circle that both protected and trapped me. The scent of them—pine and earth and that indefinable alpha musk—filled my senses, making my head spin with want.
“And what are the consequences?” I asked, my voice steadier than I expected given how my entire body was thrumming with anticipation.
Marcus’ smile was slow and dangerous. “First,” he said, his fingers finding the buttons of my jacket, “we’re going to unwrap our present. Very, very slowly.”
His hands moved with deliberate patience, undoing each button with precision that bordered on torture. I fought the urge to squirm, to hurry him along, knowing it would only make them draw this out longer.
“Then,” Derek continued, his breath hot against my neck as he spoke directly into my ear, “we’re going to mark you properly. So everyone knows exactly who you belong to.”
His teeth grazed the sensitive skin just below my ear, not quite biting but promising what was to come. I couldn’t hold back the small sound that escaped me, somewhere between a gasp and a moan.
“And finally,” Caleb finished, his hands finding my hips from behind , holding me steady between them, “we’re going to claim you so thoroughly that you’ll never doubt who you belong to again.”
My jacket fell open under Marcus’ attentions, and his hands moved to my shirt buttons next. Each one revealed more skin, more of the marks they’d left earlier that day. His eyes darkened as he traced them with his fingertips, sending shivers across my skin.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, pushing the shirt off my shoulders. Derek and Caleb helped, their hands seemingly everywhere at once, stripping me with an efficiency that spoke of long-held fantasies finally being realized.
When I stood before them in just my pants, their gazes raked over me with such hunger that I should have felt self-conscious. Instead, I felt powerful. These three incredible men—alphas, leaders, warriors—wanted me with an intensity that was almost frightening.
“Your turn,” I said, reaching for Marcus’ tie with more boldness than I felt. “Fair’s fair.”
His smile was indulgent as he allowed me to loosen the silk, to unbutton his shirt with fingers that trembled slightly. Behind me, I could feel Caleb and Derek shedding their own clothes, the rustle of fabric and the occasional growl of impatience the only sounds in the chamber.
By the time we were all naked, the air between us was so charged I could practically see sparks. The moonlight filtering through hidden skylights cast their bodies in silver, highlighting every muscle, every plane, every inch of skin I was desperate to touch.
“On the altar,” Marcus directed.
I moved to the stone platform, surprised to find it warm to the touch despite the coolness of the chamber. As I lay back, the three brothers positioned themselves around me—Marcus at my head, Derek and Caleb at my sides .
“The claiming has three parts,” Marcus explained, his voice deep and resonant in the chamber. “The blood bond, the renewal of marks, and the physical claiming.”
“I’m ready,” I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. This was what I wanted, what I’d been running from and yet somehow always heading toward.
Marcus nodded, his expression solemn despite the desire burning in his eyes. “Then we begin.”
I watched, fascinated, as their hands began to change—not a full shift, but enough that their nails lengthened into deadly claws, sharp enough to cut through flesh with ease.
“I, Marcus Stone, Alpha of the Stone Pack, claim this mate by right of first mark,” Marcus intoned, his eyes locked with mine. “I offer protection, provision, and devotion until death and beyond.”
He drew his claw across his palm, blood welling in a crimson line. Without breaking eye contact, he pressed his bleeding hand to my forehead. The warmth of his blood should have been disturbing, but instead it sent a jolt of pleasure through me so intense I gasped.
“I, Derek Stone, Second Alpha of the Stone Pack, claim this mate by right of first mark.” Derek’s voice was rougher, more primal. “I offer strength, defense, and loyalty until death and beyond.”
He followed Marcus’ example, cutting his palm and pressing it to my chest, directly over my heart. The contact sent another wave of pleasure crashing through me, making me arch off the stone platform.
“I, Caleb Stone, Third Alpha of the Stone Pack, claim this mate by right of first mark.” Caleb’s voice had lost its usual playfulness, replaced by an intensity that made my breath catch. “I offer comfort, understanding, and fidelity until death and beyond.”
His bleeding palm pressed against my stomach, just above my nav el, completing the triangle of blood that now marked my body.
The effect was immediate and overwhelming.
Where before I’d felt their emotions as distant echoes through our developing bond, now their presence flooded my mind—Marcus’ steady strength, Derek’s fierce protection, Caleb’s bright passion.
I could feel their love for me, their desire, their relief at finally claiming what they’d waited for so long.
Can you feel us, little mate? Marcus’ voice resonated in my head, clear as if he’d spoken aloud.
“Yes,” I gasped, overwhelmed by the sudden connection. “All of you. It’s… intense.”
It will settle , Derek assured me, his internal voice a low rumble that matched his physical one. You’ll learn to control it .
But right now , Caleb added, a hint of his usual mischief returning, just enjoy the ride .
The blood bond settled into a warm, constant presence at the back of my mind—three distinct connections that somehow formed a perfect whole. I could feel their emotions, catch glimpses of their thoughts, sense their presence in a way that transcended the physical.
“The blood bond is established,” Marcus declared, satisfaction evident in his voice. “Now, we renew the marks.”
As one, they shifted their positions, surrounding me more closely. I could feel the heat radiating from their bodies, smell the intoxicating scent of their blood mingling with mine.
“This will hurt,” Derek warned, his voice gentle despite the hunger in his eyes. “But only for a moment.”
I nodded, bracing myself. “I can handle it.”
Marcus moved first, his partially shifted hand exposing the mark on my lower right side—the triangle of scars that had been with me since I was thirteen. The pre-marking that had both protected me and bound me to these three men .
“With this mark, I claim you as mine,” Marcus said, his claw tracing the straight line of his original mark.
The pain was sharp but brief, like a papercut on steroids, immediately followed by a wave of pleasure so intense I nearly saw stars.
Seriously, this supernatural claiming business should come with a warning label: “May cause spontaneous tears and embarrassing noises.” Through our new bond, I could feel Marcus’ satisfaction, his possessiveness, his love—emotions so powerful they made my cynical heart do gymnastics it was definitely not trained for.
“With this mark, I claim you as mine,” Derek echoed, his claw following the diagonal slash that formed the second side of the triangle.
Again, pain flashed hot and bright before dissolving into pleasure that had me gasping. Derek’s emotions flooded through me—fierce protectiveness, burning desire, and beneath it all, a tenderness that few ever saw in him.
“With this mark, I claim you as mine,” Caleb finished, his claw completing the triangle with a curved line.
This time, I couldn’t hold back the cry that escaped me, my body arching off the stone as pleasure and pain merged into something transcendent. Caleb’s joy, his playfulness, his deep and unwavering devotion washed through me, completing the emotional circuit between us.
The three freshly bleeding lines formed a perfect triangle, exactly as they had nine years ago. But this time, instead of silver light, golden flames danced along the marks, sealing them into permanent scars that would never fade.
Ours , came their collective thought, so powerful it resonated through my entire being. Finally, completely ours .
And you’re mine , I replied through the bond, surprising myself with how easily it came. All of you. Always .
Their pleasure at my response was like a physical caress, warming me from the inside out. Through the bond, I could feel their hunger building, their need to complete the claiming in the most primal way possible.
“The marks are renewed and strengthened,” Marcus’ voice was a low growl that seemed to resonate not just in the room, but deep within my chest, vibrating through the bond we now shared. “Now, for the final claiming.”
Marcus and Derek lifted me off the stone platform with surprising gentleness. Caleb was at my side in an instant, his hand finding mine as if he couldn’t bear not to touch me.
“Is this the part where I get carried over the threshold?” I teased, my voice steady despite the wild dance of my pulse.
Derek’s laugh was a low rumble against my skin. “Only if you promise to behave,” he warned, but the twinkle in his amber eyes told me he expected anything but.