Page 127 of Marked By Alphas 2: Claimed

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 maintained 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 brothers 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.

Chapter 29

Iwas 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?”

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