Page 11 of Marked

Chapter 3

STONE BROTHERS

They had always watched him.

Through nine years and six cities, across state lines and carefully crafted new identities, the Stone brothers tracked every movement of their little mate. Sarah Chen might have thought she’d hidden her son well, but she hadn’t understood one crucial truth: what belonged to them could never truly escape. Not when his scent called to every alpha within a hundred miles. Not when those gold-flecked eyes marked him as something precious, rare—a descendant of the First Pack, though Sarah had tried to bury that truth along with her mate’s murdered body.

The pre-marking at thirteen had been necessary. Brutal, perhaps, but necessary. Too many alphas had already caught his scent, drawn to the ancient power in his blood. The deal with Sarah had been simple: their protection in exchange for Kai. She’d broken that deal, running with their mate, but they’d allowed it. Time was on their side.

Marcus Stone stood at his office window in the historic Stone Building, the town square of Cedar Grove spread beneath him like an offering. The conference room downstairs hadn’t beenenough to contain his wolf once he’d caught that scent—honey and rain andmine. His second-floor sanctuary, housed in what was once a lumber baron’s private study, gave him a perfect view of Karen’s General Store.

The pen in his hand shattered, ink staining his suit. His chest trembled with barely contained need as he watched Kai enter the store. Nine years of iron control meant nothing against the sight of their little mate, all grown-up and finally within reach.

“Sir?” His assistant’s voice came through the intercom. “The investors are waiting—”

“Cancel everything.” His voice emerged as a growl, fangs already dropping. The wolf inside him paced, clawing, howling.Take. Claim. Mine.

Nine years of waiting. Of watching from afar as Kai grew from that frightened thirteen-year-old into this exquisite creature below. They’d been patient, so patient. Even Derek, with his military precision, had submitted to Caleb’s insistence they wait until Kai was truly ready. Twenty-one had seemed reasonable. Now, at twenty-two, their mate had finally returned—right on schedule, thanks to Marcus’ carefully orchestrated legal maneuvers.

Marcus’ claws scraped against the window as Kai moved through the store. The memory of thirteen-year-old Kai hit him like a physical blow. How small he’d been, how innocent, drawing in that sketchbook while they watched from afar. The first time they’d scented him, all three brothers had known—this one was theirs. The ancient power in his blood had only confirmed what their wolves already knew.

But they’d waited. Protected. Planned.

While Kai grew up unaware, they’d systematically purchased every property surrounding the cottage. Built their compound within running distance. Established dominance over every pack in a hundred-mile radius. Any alpha who dared track their matefound themselves facing three of the most powerful wolves in the Pacific Northwest.

The glass cracked under his grip as Kai loaded his cart with survival supplies. Every item screamed of escape plans, and Marcus’ wolf snarled at the thought.Never again. Ours now.

His phone buzzed. Derek.

“You feel him?” His brother’s voice was already half growl.

“Karen’s store.” Marcus forced the words past his fangs. “He’s planning to run again.”

“Like hell he is. I’ll—”

“Get Caleb,” Marcus cut him off, though his wolf howled in agreement with Derek’s rage. “Follow him in wolf form. Stay hidden. Make sure he reaches the cottage safely.”

“And if he runs?” Marcus watched Kai’s ancient Honda pull away, his entire body trembling with the effort of not shifting, not chasing, not claiming. “He won’t. Not this time. The board is set.”

Pleasure surged through him, primal and possessive, as he sensed Kai crossing into their territory. Even the pre-marking from nine years ago still hummed between them, faint but alive. Soon it would be complete. Soon their little mate would understand exactly what power ran in his veins.

Soon he would betheirs.

His phone buzzed again. Caleb this time.

“I’m on his trail,” his younger brother reported. “He’s nervous. Keeps checking his mirrors.”

“Good.” Marcus finally turned from the window, his shirt stained with blood and ink, eyes glowing alpha-red. “Remember—gentle. We have to play this carefully.”

“I know.” He paused. “Derek’s already shifted. He’s running the perimeter.”

Marcus growled, knowing his brothers would be the first to scent their mate up close. “Just get him to the cottage safely. We’ll let him settle in before…”

“Before we remind him who he belongs to?”

“Before we show him what he’s always been meant to be.”

The ancient power in Kai’s blood was waking. They could all feel it. Soon, their little mate would feel it too.

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