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“They can try.” Marcus’ eyes flashed red. “I’ll remind them why the Stone Pack has held this territory for three centuries.”

“Speaking of holding territory.” Caleb’s grin turned wicked. “Are we going to discuss how our mate ended up pressed against those pillows or—”

The sound of three chairs scraping against the floor echoed through the kitchen as all three brothers rose simultaneously.

Jorge finally looked up from his vegetables, watching them race toward the stairs. “Lobos idiotas,” (idiotic wolves) he muttered, turning back to his aggressive chopping. “At least thepequeño(little) one appreciates good food.”

“Dios mío,estos lobos,” (these wolves) Maria muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she watched them go. Her hands never stopped sorting herbs, but her fond exasperation was clear in her quiet Spanish grumbling about “foolish wolves” and “poor sleepingangelito” (little angel).

In the living room, Kai slept on, blissfully unaware of both the pillow war about to erupt upstairs and the much larger storm gathering around Cedar Grove. Pack politics, territorial disputes, and ancient protocols were stirring to life—all because a small quarter-wolf had finally come home. His pre-mark glowed softly beneath his shirt, responding to the heightened emotions of his mates even in sleep.

Shadow lifted his head, sensing the tension in the air. His crimson eyes gleamed as he adjusted his position, moving closer to their sleeping mate, Storm and Scout following suit to form a tighter protective circle. Let them come, his posture seemed to say. The Stone Pack was ready.

Chapter 13

Iwoke up feeling refreshed for the first time in months, which should have been my first clue something was wrong. My tiny Seattle apartment had never felt this comfortable or… safe? The couch beneath me was not my lumpy secondhand disaster, and the air smelled like expensive leather and… was that paella?

Oh no. Oh,hellno.

I cracked one eye open and immediately wished I hadn’t. The Stone manor’s grand living room spread out before me in all its ridiculous glory—soaring windows framing misty forest views, a massive stone fireplace, and enough tasteful masculine decor to fill an interior design magazine’s “How the Other Half Lives” spread.

And then I felt them. Three enormous, furry bodies pressed against me like the world’s most intimidating security blankets. Shadow’s massive head rested near mine, while Storm and Scout had apparently decided my legs made excellent pillows. As if sensing my awareness, three pairs of eyes—crimson, amber, and electric blue—turned to fix on me with eerie synchronization.

Great. Just great. Not only had I fallen asleep in the Stone brothers’ house like some swooning damsel, but I’d apparentlybeen cuddling with their suspiciously wolflike dogs while doing it. The events of the morning came rushing back—the shower incident, the towel debacle, my embarrassing sprint through Marcus’ bedroom…

Maybe if I played dead, they’d lose interest? I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to regulate my breathing. Totally asleep. Nothing to see here. Just a completely normal guy having a completely normal nervous breakdown on your completely normal mansion couch.

“I can see you blushing, sleeping beauty.”

Damn it. I opened my eyes to find Caleb leaning against the doorframe, trademark smirk firmly in place. The youngest Stone brother looked unfairly amused.

“Please,” I whispered, trying not to disturb the furry trinity surrounding me, “can you maybe call off your guard dogs?”

“But they were having such a nice nap with you.” Caleb’s grin widened. “Shadow hasn’t left your side for hours. I think he’s in love.”

Hours? I jerked my head toward the ornate clock on the mantle. Three p.m. I’d been asleep forfive hours?

“Oh God,” I groaned, mortification setting in. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“Five hours of quality cuddle time,” Caleb confirmed cheerfully. “You needed it. Though I’m a bit jealous the dogs got all the attention.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but footsteps on the stairs made me freeze. Derek appeared first, his massive frame filling the doorway. The middle Stone brother’s eyes locked on me immediately, something possessive flashing in their depths.

“Look who’s finally awake,” he rumbled, and I swear the dogs’ tails started wagging in perfect sync.

“I’m so sorry.” I tried to sit up, but Shadow pressed closer, effectively pinning me in place. “I didn’t mean to pass out on your couch and… commandeer your pets?”

“They chose you,” Marcus’ voice came from behind Derek, and suddenly all three brothers were there, watching me with an intensity that made my face burn. “They have excellent taste.”

There was something… different about their dynamic. Some underlying tension I couldn’t quite place. Marcus looked particularly smug, while Derek kept shooting him irritated glances. Caleb was practically vibrating with suppressed laughter.

“Did I…” I hesitated, trying to read the room. “Did I miss something?”

“Just a small dispute over some pillows.” Caleb grinned, earning him a death glare from Marcus. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Pillows?” I echoed, then winced as I remembered my earlier naked rampage through Marcus’ bedroom. “Oh God, please tell me those weren’t, like, priceless antique pillows I was using as shields. They felt expensive. Everything in this house feels expensive. I probably destroyed some centuries-old Stone family heirloom pillow collection, didn’t I?”

“You didn’t,” Marcus cut in smoothly, though his satisfaction was practically radiating off him. “Everything is exactly where it should be.”

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