Page 73 of Marked

She did that on purpose,Caleb’s wolf grumbled as his arm was dislodged.

Maybe stop being so obvious then,Marcus’ wolf replied primly, even as his human side-eyed every movement of Kai licking a stray bit of pastry cream from his thumb.

The collective growl that escaped had Maria rolling her eyes. “Compórtense!” (Behave yourselves!)

The kitchen door swung open as Miguel entered, looking far too knowing as he took in the scene before him. “Morning,” he greeted, grabbing a coffee and leaning against the counter rather than joining them at the table. “I see my old clothes are being put to good use.”

Derek’s wolf practically snarled at the reminder that Kai was wearing another man’s clothes, even if it was just Miguel’s.

Anna appeared in the breakfast room doorway, already in her maid’s uniform and carrying cleaning supplies.

“Anna?” Miguel frowned. “I thought I told you to take the day off after…” He trailed off.

“Good morning!” she chirped, far too enthusiastic for someone who had supposedly been upset the day before. “I just couldn’t stay away. There’s so much to do and—” She broke off as Kai shifted in his chair, causing all three brothers to lean slightly closer to him in perfect synchronization.

Miguel caught the barely suppressed squeal behind her professional smile. “Anna, after yesterday, you should be resting—”

“Oh, there’s so much to do,” she said vaguely, trying to appear focused on arranging her cleaning supplies while sneaking glances at the scene before her. “So pretty,” she whispered under her breath. “Like art… just like in the manhw—” She broke off, busying herself with the sideboard.

Why does she smell so… excited?Derek’s wolf questioned, distracted momentarily from Kai’s presence.And keeps muttering ‘perfect uke energy’?

Focus, Marcus ordered, as Kai innocently stretched his arms above his head, the borrowed shirt—which he’d neatly tucked into the jeans—riding up to reveal a tantalizing strip of smooth skin above his hip bone. The sight of that pale flesh, combined with their mate’s soft morning yawn, had their wolves whining with barely contained need.

The resulting growl had Maria throwing her hands up in exasperation. “For heaven’s sake!”

Subtle,Caleb’s wolf snorted.

More subtle than you drooling over his stretch,Derek’s wolf replied.

“I do need to head into town for a bit,” Kai mused suddenly, absently licking cream from his fingers. Three pairs of eyes tracked the movement with laser focus. “That bookstore—Stone & Page?—had a Help Wanted sign in the window. But I’ll be back for lunch, Maria. I wouldn’t miss Jorge’s moussaka. My taste buds would stage a revolt.”

Maria beamed at him, pausing in her breakfast preparations to exchange a pleased look with Jorge. “Good, pequeño. The moussaka needs to be appreciated properly.”

“I’ll drop you off, Kai,” Marcus offered smoothly. “My meeting’s at ten, which gives you plenty of time to submit your application before lunch.”

“I could take him,” Caleb interjected quickly, earning a sharp look from his eldest brother.

“I have a meeting at ten,” Marcus repeated pointedly.

“Wow, you guys really fight over who gets chauffeur duty?” Kai quipped, hiding his smile behind his coffee cup. “I’m flattered, but I promise I’m not that entertaining of a passenger. Just ask my GPS—we’ve had some very one-sided conversations.”

At least one of us will get to drive him,Marcus’ wolf noted smugly.

For now,both other wolves grumbled in response, though they couldn’t argue with the prospect of having Kai safely home for both lunch and dinner.

“More coffee, pequeño?” Jorge asked, already reaching for the carafe. His knowing smile suggested he was well aware of how the brothers tracked Kai’s every movement.

“Please.” Kai nodded, accepting the refill.

Three pairs of eyes darkened at Miguel’s clothes on Kai.

We need to get him proper clothes,Derek’s wolf growled.

After he’s changed out of Miguel’s,Marcus’ wolf agreed, a hint of possessiveness coloring his thoughts.

Anna, still pretending to dust the already spotless china cabinet, whispered something that sounded suspiciously like “perfect setup” under her breath.

What’s a ‘seme-sandwich’?Caleb’s wolf wondered, catching another of her muttered phrases.

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