Page 71 of Marked

“Virgen Santísima!” (Holy Virgin!) “What are you doing? Again?”

“Perimeter check,” Marcus said with all the dignity he could muster.

“Security protocol,” Derek added gruffly.

“Just stretching my legs,” Caleb tried.

Maria’s eyes narrowed. “The boy is sleeping. The wolves are guarding. You are being”—she waved her hands expressively—“…completos idiotas!” (complete idiots!)

“We’re just—” Marcus began.

“No! Don’t even think about it! You go to bed. All of you. Tomorrow is another day to moon over el pequeño. Tonight, you let him rest!”

They retreated, thoroughly chastised, each to their own wing. In the privacy of their rooms, they could finally drop the pretense of control. Derek buried his face in the silk throw pillow Kai had dozed against that morning, inhaling deeply thelingering traces of their mate’s scent from his impromptu nap. Caleb curled around his own prize—one of the scattered pillows from Marcus’ room he managed to snaffle, still carrying Kai’s sweet scent from his encounter with the dogs. And Marcus… Marcus definitely did not spend hours in his bed with two pillows from the earlier chaos, each bearing traces of Kai’s scent from his frantic attempt to defend himself against the dogs. His wolf rumbled with satisfaction at having their mate finally under their roof, even if they were reduced to hoarding scent-marked pillows like lovesick teenagers.

Dawn found Marcus already at his desk, the soft glow of his laptop the only light besides the gathering sunrise. The family grimoire lay open before him, its ancient pages a stark contrast to the modern technology surrounding him. He’d read the same paragraph twelve times without absorbing a word, his enhanced senses entirely focused on the guest wing down the hall.

The manor was never truly silent—not with three alpha wolves prowling its corridors. The soft pad of Derek’s boots echoed from the security wing, while Caleb’s restless energy manifested in the quiet hum of the entertainment system he wasn’t actually watching.

He’s stirring,Derek’s wolf announced through their pack bond, far too alert for five a.m.

We know,Caleb’s wolf replied.Some of us haven’t stopped monitoring his breathing all night.

From his position at his desk, Marcus could track Derek’s path past Kai’s door—again. The worn carpet would need replacing at this rate.

Like you’re any better,Derek’s wolf growled.I saw you circling his wing at three a.m.

I was stretching my legs.

Seven times?

Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose, watching through the security feed as Caleb made yet another “casual” pass by the guest wing.Both of you, enough. We agreed to give him space.

A soft shuffle from the guest wing had all three wolves perking up. The security monitors showed Derek freeze mid-stride, while Caleb nearly dropped his pretense of checking his phone.

He’s just turning over,Marcus’ wolf noted, trying to sound dignified despite tracking every tiny movement. The morning air carried Kai’s sleep-warmed scent through the manor’s ancient ventilation system, a tantalizing mix of their den’s atmosphere and Kai’s natural sweetness.

His scent’s stronger when he moves,Derek’s wolf rumbled appreciatively.

Maria appeared in her morning robe and slippers, already bustling about despite the early hour. Her diminutive form somehow managed to herd the massive ex-military wolf away from Kai’s door.

“Dios mío! Not even sunrise and you’re already…” She switched to rapid Spanish, gesturing expressively as she shooed both Derek and Caleb off. “The poor boy needs his rest! Go, go! Let me work!”

By seven, all three brothers had migrated to the kitchen under the pretense of “early breakfast preparation.” The space, with its gleaming equipment and warm wooden accents, was Jorge’s domain. Morning light streamed through the wall of windows overlooking the herb garden, catching the steam rising from various pots and pans.

Jorge took one look at the three alphas pretending to be useful and rolled his eyes. Marcus was “organizing” the morning papers he wasn’t reading, Derek was “checking” the coffee maker that was working perfectly fine, and Caleb was “arranging” place settings that had been immaculate since the night before.

“The pequeño won’t starve if breakfast is served at a normal hour,” Jorge muttered, but his hands were already moving to prepare Kai’s coffee blend. The rich aroma of freshly ground beans filled the kitchen as he worked his magic with the expensive machine.

The first real signs of Kai waking had all three wolves snapping to attention. Marcus straightened papers that were already straight. Derek abandoned his pretense of checking security feeds on his tablet. Caleb nearly knocked over a chair in his haste to appear casual.

The manor’s ancient corridors carried their mate’s scent—sleep-warm and sweet, mixed with their den’s atmosphere after a night in their territory. The combination had their wolves pacing beneath their skin.

Mine,Derek’s wolf growled instinctively.

Ours,the other two corrected automatically, though their wolves were equally affected.

The breakfast room, with its wall of windows overlooking the misty morning gardens, was already set for the day. Sunlight streamed through crystal glasses and silver serving pieces, creating dancing patterns on the polished wood table. Maria had outdone herself—fresh flowers from the greenhouse, fine linens, and enough food to feed a small army.

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