Page 108 of Marked By Alphas 2: Claimed

“And the Knox Pack?” I asked, remembering Luke’s comments about offerings and tributes. “What do they want? Besides my forgiveness for trying to eat me a month ago, which they are definitely not getting, by the way.”

“To serve you, apparently,” Caleb said, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice. “You made quite an impression when you went all dragon-hybrid and saved them from the Coven. Their new alpha has pledged their pack to your protection.”

“Great,” I muttered. “Just what I always wanted—a fan club of wolves who tried to tear my throat out. Do they come with t-shirts? ‘I tried to kill Kai Chen and all I got was this lousy servitude’?”

Derek snorted, which I counted as a win. “They’re actually quite useful,” he pointed out. “Twenty additional wolves patrolling our borders means we can focus more resources on your training and protection.”

“My training,” I repeated, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. “So I’m just… what? Taking a supernatural crash course in How To Be A Dragon-Wolf Hybrid 101? Is there a textbook? Pop quizzes? Do I get to wear one of those pointy graduation hats when I master breathing fire?”

“Essentially, yes to the training, no to the hat,” Marcus confirmed, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of my hand. “The White Tiger Clan for your dragon blood, us for your wolf heritage, and… potentially the Blackwoods for understanding the Coven.”

“The Blackwoods?” I asked incredulously. “The same family that tried to kidnap me nine years ago? The same James Blackwood who cornered me in the bookstore and creepily reminisced about chasing me through the woods? Those Blackwoods?”

“The sons, not the father,” Derek clarified. “Xander, James, and Liam have been working against their father’s policies for years. They have knowledge about the Coven that could prove useful.”

“This is insane,” I said, shaking my head. “Two months ago, my biggest concern was paying off my student loans and finding a job. Now I’m supposed to be training with tiger ninjas and reformed Blackwoods to fight ancient evil? Did I miss the part where my life turned into a supernatural young adult novel?”

“When you put it like that, it does sound rather overwhelming,” Caleb admitted, squeezing my hand gently.

“It is overwhelming!” I exclaimed, feeling the gold flecks in my eyes warming with emotion. “And in case you haven’t noticed, I didn’t exactly ask for any of this. Not the wolf genes, not the dragon blood, not the ancient evil stalking me since childhood.”

“We know,” Marcus said softly, understanding in his eyes. “And if there was any way to shield you from this, we would. But the Coven will return, Kai. And when it does, you need to be prepared.”

I was silent for a long moment, processing everything I’d learned. The memory of crimson mist reaching for me, of my mother’s desperate fight, of silver-blue fire dancing across my fingertips—it all felt both foreign and familiar, like a language I’d once known and was just beginning to remember.

“Fine,” I said finally, meeting Marcus’ gaze with newfound determination. “But I have conditions.”

“Name them,” he replied without hesitation.

“First, no more secrets,” I stated firmly. “I want to know everything—about the crimson mist, the Coven, about my heritage, about what happened that night. No more protecting me from the truth.”

“Agreed,” Derek nodded, respect evident in his expression.

“Second, I stay here,” I continued. “No whisking me off to secret dragon training grounds or whatever. If I’m going to learn to control these… abilities, I do it on my terms, in a place where I feel safe.”

“The White Tiger Clan might prefer their traditional methods,” Caleb said thoughtfully, “but I’m sure they’ll be flexible. They’ve been searching for you for so long, they’d probably train you in a shopping mall if that’s what you wanted.”

“They’re just happy to have found you,” Marcus agreed. “What else, Kai?”

“I want Luke and Imo to stay involved in everything,” I said firmly. “I need them both to be part of this training too. They’re the only ones who see me as just Kai, not some prophesied twice-blessed whatever.”

“Of course,” Marcus agreed immediately. “Luke and Min-seo have already proven themselves valuable allies. Min-seo’s knowledge of protective magic will be particularly useful against the Coven.”

“And finally,” I said, my voice softening slightly, “I need you to understand something. I’m choosing this—choosing you. Not because of some prophecy or supernatural destiny, but because I want to. But that means we do this together, as equals. I’m not just some prize to be claimed or protected.”

The tension visibly drained from Marcus’ shoulders, and I realized he’d been expecting something else entirely. Had he thought I was going to reject them?

“You’ve never been just a prize, Kai,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “You’re our mate. Our equal. Our everything.”

“And we’ll prove it,” Caleb added, his smile warm but his eyes intense. “In every way possible.”

Derek’s low growl of agreement sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with fear.

“Good,” I managed, trying to ignore the heat building between us.

The door burst open without warning, and Maria’s voice preceded her into the room, rising in a mixture of Spanish and English exclamations. “Dios mío! They cannot just walk in like they own the place! I told them to wait, but do they listen? No!”

An elderly man in traditional white robes swept in behind her, flanked by two younger men similarly dressed. Maria threw up her hands in exasperation, though I noticed she was also bowing slightly as she stepped aside.

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