Chapter 7
STONE brOTHERS
M arcus stood at his office window in the historic Stone Building, the morning sun warming the century-old glass. From his second-floor sanctuary he had a perfect view of Cedar Grove’s town square spread beneath him like an offering. The room still held echoes of its past: hand-carved moldings, a massive stone fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows that had witnessed generations of Stone alphas watching over their territory.
But Marcus had eyes only for one figure, small and perfect in the morning light.
Kai.
His wolf surged forward at the sight, clawing at his control. The scent of honey and rain and mine lingered in his nose, making his fangs itch beneath his gums. Nine years. Nine years they’d waited, watching from afar as their little mate grew into himself. And now here he was, finally in their territory, close enough to touch—to claim—and Marcus could barely contain himself.
He tracked every movement, drinking in details he’d been denied for too long. The way Kai’s delicate hands wrapped around that pathetic excuse for lunch. How his throat worked when he swallowed, that slender neck begging for claiming bites. The slight curve of his spine as he leaned back, face tilted to the sun like a flower seeking warmth.
Marcus’ fingers traced the window glass, imagining the feel of Kai’s skin instead. His wolf howled with the need to protect, to possess, to provide. Their mate was too thin, those oversized clothes doing nothing to hide how small and vulnerable he was. Even from here, Marcus could see the shadows under his eyes, the slight tremor in his hands that spoke of too much caffeine and too little real food.
A child’s laugh drew Kai’s attention, and Marcus found himself leaning closer, pressing against the century-old glass. He watched as Kai called out to a little girl with untied shoelaces, his face softening with natural concern. Soon he had three children gathered around him, teaching them the bunny-ear method with infinite patience.
“Perfect,” Marcus murmured, his wolf purring with satisfaction. Watching Kai’s natural kindness, his gentle way with the children, made something protective and tender unfurl in his chest. Their sweet little mate, so nurturing without even realizing it.
The sight of Kai surrounded by children made something possessive and primal stir in Marcus’ chest. The mother’s approving smile as she passed, Kai’s natural ease with the children—it painted a picture of possibilities that made his wolf howl with want.
Movement caught his eye. A sleek black SUV cruising past the square, moving too slowly to be casual. Though Cedar Grove was neutral territory—had been since the first shifter packs established their territories in the Pacific Northwest centuries ago—Marcus could sense the predatory intent radiating from behind those tinted windows. Their gazes weren’t just observing; they were targeting Kai specifically, assessing his mate like prey in broad daylight.
The growl that ripped from Marcus’ throat echoed off the wooden panels, making the antique desk lamp rattle. Pack laws were clear: towns were neutral ground, places where different packs could coexist without bloodshed. But there was a vast difference between passing through and deliberately stalking another pack’s mate. His eyes flashed crimson as he snatched his phone, nearly crushing it in his grip as he punched Derek’s number.
“What?” Derek’s gruff voice answered on the first ring, already alert at the alpha tone in Marcus’ growl.
“We have visitors.” Marcus’ voice was pure alpha, cold with barely contained rage. “Near the square. Targeting him.”
A low growl rumbled through the phone, matched by the sound of something metallic being set down with force. “They’re breaking treaty?”
“Black SUV, tinted windows. New model, Washington plates but not local. They’re not even trying to be subtle.” Marcus watched the vehicle make another pass, his free hand leaving claw marks in his desk. “They’re deliberately stalking our mate in neutral territory, Derek. Making a show of it.”
“Right in front of the Stone Building?” Derek’s voice dropped lower, dangerous. “They’re either stupid or trying to provoke a territory dispute.”
“Either way, they need to understand the difference between passing through town and hunting a mate.” Marcus’ eyes tracked the SUV as it slowed again near Kai. “Once they leave the neutral zone, remind them why the Stone pack’s territory is off-limits.”
“With pleasure.” The anticipation in Derek’s voice promised violence. “Want me to send a formal challenge to their alpha?”
“No need for pack politics yet,” Marcus reminded him, though his wolf howled for blood. “Just make sure they understand the rules. And Derek?” He paused, watching Kai attempt to eat dry ramen like some kind of snack. The sight made his wolf whine in distress. “Make it memorable.”
“Always do, brother.” The line went dead with a click that sounded like a promise.
Marcus turned back to the window, watching Kai pick at his meager lunch. Fury built in his chest with each tiny bite. Their mate was too thin, too delicate. Those wrists could probably be circled by his thumb and finger. The oversized clothes couldn’t hide how desperately he needed caring for.
This wouldn’t do. This wouldn’t do at all.
His eyes narrowed as he formulated a plan. A seemingly chance encounter. An excuse to feed him properly. To keep him close and protected while they dealt with these circling wolves who dared to eye what was theirs.
Marcus smiled, letting his wolf’s satisfaction rumble through his chest. Time to arrange a little accident with some coffee.
After all, what kind of alpha would he be if he didn’t take care of his mate?
And if the timing happened to coincide with Derek reminding those wolves why stalking another pack’s mate was a dangerous game… well. Marcus had always been good at multitasking.
M arcus returned to his office, Kai’s scent still clinging to his clothes, to his skin, to the very air around him. He shrugged off his suit jacket, bringing it to his nose before draping it over his chair. Honey and rain and mate , now mixed with traces of coffee and that damnable anxiety that seemed to follow Kai everywhere.
The grandfather clock in the corner struck four, its steady rhythm doing nothing to calm Marcus’ wolf. Not after having Kai so close. Not after watching those expressive eyes shift from defiance to vulnerability and back again. Not after feeling how perfectly their little mate fit beside him in the car, even as he tried so hard to maintain his distance.
Gods, that sharp tongue of his. Marcus smiled, remembering Kai’s commentary about the Mercedes. So different from the timid boy he’d been at thirteen. This Kai wielded wit like a weapon, all clever comebacks and quick observations. Caleb had tried to warn him, but nothing could have prepared Marcus for the reality of that snarky personality wrapped in such a delicate package.
“‘Felt up by a vehicle,’” Marcus quoted softly, his laugh echoing in the empty office. Nine years of watching from afar hadn’t shown them this side of Kai—this brilliant, defiant, utterly enchanting creature who could make even Marcus Stone lose his carefully crafted composure.
He moved to the window, his usual vantage point, but Kai’s car was already gone from the street below. Still, Marcus could picture him perfectly: those delicate hands gripping the steering wheel too tight, probably muttering to himself about cryptic CEOs and their ridiculous cars. The thought made his wolf rumble with satisfaction.
The meeting at Morrison’s office played through his mind. How small Kai had looked in that leather chair, drowning in that oversized sweater that did nothing to hide how badly he needed caring for. The way his scent had spiked with anxiety over the lawyer’s fees, his immediate instinct to take care of himself because he wasn’t used to having anyone else do it.
That would change. They would change that.
Marcus’ fingers traced the cool glass, remembering how Kai had leaned away from his touch even as his body swayed unconsciously closer. The constant battle between his instincts and his learned wariness. The way his eyes had flashed almost gold when Marcus said his name, their mate bond resonating even through Sarah’s dampening charm.
“Welcome home,” Marcus murmured, echoing his earlier words to Kai. His wolf paced restlessly, remembering how their mate had fled to his car afterward, heart racing, scar probably pulsing with recognition. Running away even as everything in him yearned to stay.
Soon he wouldn’t run. Soon he would understand that everything—the cottage clause, the bookstore position, even that “chance” meeting over spilled coffee—was leading him exactly where he belonged. Where he had always belonged.
His phone buzzed. Derek.
“It’s done,” his brother’s voice was rough with satisfaction. “Just some young pups trying to make a name for themselves. Thought they could impress their alpha by scouting our territory.”
“Injuries?”
“Nothing fatal. Just… memorable.” Derek chuckled darkly. “They’ll crawl back to their alpha with their tails between their legs. Might get some pushback from their pack later, but nothing we can’t handle.”
There was a pause, then he asked, “How is he?”
Marcus smiled at the barely contained eagerness in Derek’s voice. Of all of them, Derek had struggled the most with keeping his distance these past years. “Missing your mate, brother?”
A warning growl rumbled through the phone. “You did something today. I can feel it. Your wolf’s practically strutting.”
Of course Derek would sense it. Their pack bond had always been strongest between the three of them.
“He walked into me,” Marcus said, though they both knew nothing in Cedar Grove happened by accident anymore. “My coffee might have… conveniently spilled on both of us.”
“Marcus.” The way Derek said it was half exasperation, half admiration.
“Lunch was… illuminating.” Marcus remembered Kai’s sharp retorts, those clever eyes catching every nuance. “Caleb wasn’t exaggerating about his personality.”
“That good?”
“Better.” Marcus’ wolf preened at the memory. “Took him to Morrison’s after. The cottage clause is in place. Six months minimum residency before he can sell.”
Derek’s laugh was knowing. “And I bet you just happened to mention the property value.”
“Several times.” Marcus smiled, remembering Kai’s internal struggle playing across his expressive face. “He’s considering the bookstore position.”
“Good. That’s… good.” Derek paused again. “I need to see him, Marcus. My wolf’s going crazy with just his scent around town.”
“Tomorrow morning,” Marcus reminded him, lips curving at his brother’s eagerness. “The ‘maintenance schedule’ is already set up. Our little mate will have a surprise wake-up call.”
A pleased rumble came through the phone. “Lawn maintenance at seven in the morning?”
“He’s too new to town to know any better.” Marcus’ wolf preened at their planning. “And you’ve seen the cottage grounds. They could use some… attention.”
“Attention. Right.” Derek’s voice held a predatory edge. “And if I happen to need to check the exterior walls while I’m there? Make sure everything’s secure?”
“Just remember—”
“I know, I know. Let him think it’s his choice.” But there was anticipation in Derek’s growl now. “At least I’ll finally get to see him up close. Smell him properly.”
“Try not to frighten him too badly,” Marcus said, though they both knew Derek’s intensity would affect their mate whether he meant it to or not. “We need him comfortable here.”
“I’ll be gentle.” The words held both promise and threat. “As gentle as you were with your coffee accident today.”
Marcus smiled, remembering Kai’s flustered apologies, that delicious blush. “Touché, brother.”
After ending the call, Marcus stood at the window a moment longer, watching the afternoon light paint Cedar Grove in soft golds. Somewhere out there, their mate was probably pacing that cottage, trying to plan his escape even as his body yearned to nest, to settle, to come home.
Tomorrow, Derek would get his first close look at their mate. Their enforcer brother, who’d argued the hardest against letting Kai leave nine years ago, who’d tracked down every alpha who’d dared show interest in their mate over the years. Who still carried that fierce protectiveness from the night they’d been forced to pre-mark Kai, when everything had gone so wrong.
Let him try to maintain his control tomorrow, Marcus thought with a knowing smile. Their little mate’s sharp tongue and delicate beauty would test even Derek’s iron discipline.
They’d waited nine years to bring their mate back where he belonged. The pieces were falling into place: the cottage clause, the bookstore position, Derek’s visit tomorrow. Soon, very soon, Kai would understand that everything in Cedar Grove was leading him exactly where he needed to be.
But not too quickly, Marcus reminded his wolf as it growled in agreement. Their mate needed time to feel safe, to understand that he belonged here—with them.
And Kai, with his sharp wit and soft heart, his defiant mind and gentle soul, was absolutely perfect for them.
Whether he knew it yet or not.
Marcus managed another hour of work, though his signature grew progressively more aggressive on each document. The quarterly reports from Stone Industries’ Seattle branch blurred before his eyes, his mind constantly drifting to honey-rain scent and sharp comebacks and delicate wrists.
He was gathering his things to head home when he remembered.
Caleb. Dinner. With their mate.
Their sneaky little brother had managed to wrangle alone time with Kai. His growl echoed off the antique wood panels as he stalked to his car.
The drive home took half its usual time, his wolf’s agitation making him press harder on the accelerator. The Stone estate appeared through the trees. Inside, the house hummed with evening activity. Tía Maria, their great-aunt who’d helped raise them after their parents’ deaths, directed the household preparations for dinner with her usual efficiency. Jorge’s cooking filled the air—their cousin was apparently stress baking again, if the towers of cookies cooling on racks were any indication. Next to them sat a separate tray of his special homemade dog treats, made with beef and herbs from his kitchen garden.
Shadow, sensing his master’s mood, appeared from nowhere to pad silently beside him as Marcus stormed inside, the massive black wolf-dog’s usual dignity somewhat undermined by the herb-flecked crumbs around his muzzle.
Derek lounged against the kitchen island, coffee in hand, watching the controlled chaos with amusement. His tactical gear was splattered with mud—and probably other things Marcus didn’t want to identify—from his earlier “discussion” with the rival wolves.
“Seen Caleb?” Marcus demanded, not bothering with hello.
Scout’s guilty tail-tuck and immediate retreat behind Storm’s larger form answered before Derek could. The golden wolf-dog had always been terrible at keeping his master’s secrets.
Derek raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you ask about Caleb?” He took a slow sip of coffee. “Usually, we’re trying to keep track of where he isn’t supposed to be.”
Maria tutted as she passed, muttering in Spanish about alphas and their tempers. A maid scurried past with fresh linens, giving them both a wide berth.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs drew their attention. Caleb appeared, and Marcus’ growl returned full force.
Their youngest brother was dressed to kill: designer jeans, a fitted button-down that emphasized his lean muscle, and that leather jacket he saved for special occasions.
“Going somewhere?” Marcus’ voice could have frozen hell.
Shadow positioned himself regally by Marcus’ side, while Storm maintained his guard position. Scout, caught between loyalty and self-preservation, attempted to make himself look smaller behind a potted plant that was clearly inadequate for the task.
Derek straightened, finally catching on. His own growl joined Marcus’. “Yeah, little brother. Hot date?”
“Just some business to handle.” Caleb’s attempt at casual was betrayed by their pack bond thrumming with anticipation and guilt.
“Business.” Marcus stalked toward the living room, expecting his brothers to follow. They did. “In your date night jacket?”
“The one you only wear when you’re trying to impress someone,” Derek added, closing the door behind them.
Caleb had the grace to look sheepish. “It’s just dinner. As thanks for fixing his car.”
Marcus’ eyes flashed crimson.
Derek’s snarl was impressive. “While I haven’t even gotten close to him yet? Just watching from the woods like some stalker?”
“Hey, I helped when his car broke down,” Caleb defended. “What was I supposed to do? He wanted to do something as a thank you.”
“You could have mentioned it to us.” Marcus advanced on his brother.
“Like you mentioned your plans today?” Caleb shot back, then caught himself at Marcus’ expression. “Wait, what did you do today?”
Derek’s laugh was dark. “Oh, our alpha brother had quite the day. Want to tell him, Marcus? About the coffee accident and lunch and lawyer visit?”
“You what?” Caleb’s jaw dropped. “When did—how did you—”
“Some of us are more efficient with our time,” Marcus said smoothly.
“Efficient?” Caleb sputtered. “That’s what we’re calling manipulation now?”
“Says the one who conveniently got dinner plans out of car trouble.”
“That actually was genuine help!” Caleb protested. Scout perked up, tail wagging in agreement until Shadow’s warning growl made him slouch back behind his inadequate plant coverage. Caleb grinned. “Though I might have taken a little longer with the repairs than strictly necessary…”
Derek threw up his hands. “Meanwhile, I’m stuck waiting until tomorrow’s maintenance duty for my first real look at him. Do you know how hard it is to protect someone from the tree line? The brambles are murder on my fur.”
“Should have been more creative.” Caleb smirked, dodging Derek’s swat. “Though I have to say, Marcus, I’m impressed. Coffee accident? Really?”
“Like you’re one to talk,” Derek growled. “How long does it actually take to check spark plugs?”
“Hey, that car genuinely needed work!” Caleb held up his hands. “The thank-you dinner was just a… fortunate development.”
“A fortunate development,” Marcus repeated flatly.
“I’m taking him somewhere nice,” Caleb continued. “You should have seen his face when I fixed his car. Like he wasn’t used to anyone helping him. It was…” He trailed off, his usual playfulness fading.
They shared a moment of silence as they all felt it—that fierce need to protect, to provide, to care for their mate who’d been alone for far too long.
“Fine,” Marcus finally growled. “But you bring him home by ten.”
Shadow sat straighter, as if mentally noting the curfew he’d be enforcing. Scout’s whine perfectly matched Caleb’s protest. “He’s not a teenager, Marcus. And it’s not even a real date—”
“Nine thirty.”
“You’re being ridiculous. Derek, help me out here.”
Derek just grinned, clearly enjoying not being the target of Marcus’ alpha tendencies for once. “Don’t look at me. I’m just the guy who gets to lurk in the woods, making sure no other wolves come sniffing around while you two wine and dine him.”
“Nine,” Marcus stated firmly.
“For fuck’s sake,” Caleb muttered. “You realize I can’t actually force him home, right? He doesn’t even know he lives here yet!”
“Eight thirty.”
“Right, I’m out before you break out the ankle monitor and SWAT team,” Caleb announced, backing toward the door. Scout bounded eagerly after him, tail wagging with anticipation—only to be stopped by Shadow’s commanding bark.
“That can be arranged!” Marcus said. Shadow sat straighter, head tilted in clear volunteering for the position, while Storm’s alert stance suggested he wouldn’t mind backup duty.
“Not tonight, buddy,” Caleb said to Scout, trying not to laugh at his dog’s dramatic dejection. “Can’t exactly bring my ‘pet wolf’ to a thank-you dinner. Might raise a few questions about what kind of car mechanic keeps a wolf as a pet.”
Scout flopped to the floor with a theatrical whine, rolling onto his back as if mortally wounded by the rejection. Storm huffed what sounded suspiciously like a laugh, while Shadow maintained his dignified stance.
“Don’t wait up!” Caleb shouted back at the brothers as he stepped outside, then added under his breath as he walked to his car, knowing they could hear him perfectly, “Not that you won’t anyway, you possessive bastards.”
Scout’s answering howl of despair at being left behind echoed through the house, earning him an exasperated look from both Shadow and Storm. “ Ay Dios mío ,” (Oh my God) Jorge muttered, “like master, like dog,” as he set down a plate of his special homemade dog treats, which immediately improved Scout’s tragic mood. The sound of Caleb’s car starting up had Scout’s ears perking, but Shadow’s warning growl kept him firmly by the cooling treats.
Through the window, Marcus and Derek watched their brother’s sleek car pull away, their wolves already restless at the thought of him spending the evening with their mate. Storm moved to stand guard by Derek while Shadow took his usual position at Marcus’ side, both wolf-dogs as agitated as their masters about a pack member being alone with their unclaimed mate.
“You realize we’re completely fucked, right?” Derek said conversationally. “Fighting over who gets to feed him dinner like teenage wolves. And I haven’t even gotten close to him yet.” He paused. “Think I could accidentally start maintenance early?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Marcus warned, though his lips twitched. “And yes, we’re absolutely fucked.”
“At least tomorrow I finally get to see him up close,” Derek mused. “Though after you two hoarding all the interaction today, I might need to make my own… fortunate development.”
“Derek…”
“What? Those cottage walls need a thorough inspection. Could take hours. Might need to check the foundation too. And the roof. Actually, you know what? Better make it a full day job—”
Marcus’ growl cut him off, but they were both smiling.
Maria paused in her evening rounds to check on the commotion. “ Ay Senor ,” (Oh Lord) she muttered, seeing the brothers stationed at the window, “alphas worse than lovesick puppies.”
Neither brother denied it.
They were completely, utterly, and wonderfully fucked.
And their little mate hadn’t even moved in yet.