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“Imo, you don’t have to—”

“Already done! No arguments!” She sounded entirely too pleased with herself. “Next week I’m sending kimchi, proper containers. You’re too skinny. These small towns don’t know how to feed a growing boy properly.”

“I’m twenty-two, Imo,” I reminded her, thinking of Maria’s feast currently stuffed in my fridge. “Not exactly growing anymore.”

“You’ll always be my boy,” she said firmly, then her voice turned serious. “Kai… about that cottage. Are you sureeverything’s okay? My readings have been… unsettling lately. Maybe I should come—”

“Everything’s fine, Imo. Really.”

“Hmm. Your voice sounds different. Like something’s happening.” She paused knowingly. “Or someone?”

I thought of the Stone brothers and their impossible kisses. “It’s nothing—”

“Nothing never sounds like that. Just… be careful, okay? Some places have old magic. Old spirits.” She clicked her tongue. “I’m packing some sage and protective charms. They’re going in with the cooler.”

“Imo—”

“No arguments! Now get some sleep. And call more often, or I really will come up there!”

“Yes, Imo. Good night.”

I settled back into the sleeping bag, Scout immediately curling around me like a furry space heater. My lips still tingled from Caleb’s kisses, but my heart felt warm from the calls. Between Luke’s protective streak and Imo’s aggressive feeding campaign, I wasn’t exactly alone out here.

Even if ‘here’ included three impossibly attractive brothers who kissed like they were starving for it but pulled away like they were afraid of devouring me whole.

Scout snuggled closer, and I wrapped an arm around him. Whatever was going on with the Stone brothers could wait until tomorrow. For now, I had a warm dog, a comfortable couch, and the strange feeling that despite everything, I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Chapter 20

STONE BROTHERS

Derek kept his stride measured as they walked the forest trail, every step a battle between military discipline and primal need. Kai’s scent was stronger here among the pines—honeysuckle and sunshine mixed with something uniquely him that made Derek’s wolf pace restlessly beneath his skin. That damned borrowed t-shirt kept slipping off one delicate shoulder, revealing pale skin that begged to be marked.

Focus, he ordered himself, falling back on years of military training. But his wolf had other ideas, especially with how those borrowed jeans hugged Kai’s curves. His mate was so small beside him, perfect for protecting. For claiming.

Easy, brother, Caleb’s amusement filtered through their pack bond.Your control’s slipping.

He can practically taste your desire through the bond, Marcus added.Remember the plan.

The plan. Right. The careful dance they’d orchestrated to ease Kai into their world. Into accepting what they were, what he was becoming. But nine years of waiting had Derek’s wolf clawing at his restraint.

“So,” Kai’s voice cut through his internal battle, “do you actually enjoy playing forest Batman, or is this more of a family obligation thing?”

Derek’s lips twitched despite himself. Their mate’s sass was going to be the death of him. “Forest Batman?”

“Well, you’ve got the whole dark and brooding protector vibe going on. Plus, the fancy tech. Though I haven’t seen the Batcave yet—unless that’s what’s behind those reinforced doors in the security hub?”

His laugh surprised even him, rich and deep. Through their bond, he felt his brothers’ shock at the sound. When was the last time he’d laughed like this? Before the attack? Before they’d found their thirteen-year-old mate bleeding in the woods?

Kai leaned against a nearby tree, and Derek’s wolf surged forward as that cursed shirt slipped farther. The sight of that exposed shoulder, the delicate line of their mate’s throat—it shattered what remained of his control.

Derek, don’t, Marcus warned. But it was too late.

He moved without conscious thought, caging Kai against the tree. His mate’s pulse jumped, but there was no fear in his scent. Only heat. Want. Need that matched Derek’s own.

“They know they’re safe here,” he heard himself growl, fighting to keep his wolf contained. His arm braced above Kai’s head, muscles flexing with the effort of restraint. “Just like you are.”

Brother, your eyes!Caleb’s warning came as Derek’s hand finally, finally made contact with Kai’s shoulder. The first touch of their mate’s skin was electric, sending fire through his veins. His thumb traced Kai’s collarbone, drawing out a soft whimper that had his wolf howling.

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