Page 129 of Marked By Alphas 2: Claimed

“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.

“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 control. 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.

---