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“Better?” Marcus asked.

“Getting there.” Derek’s voice was still rough from the shift. “I almost lost control.” The admission hurt. He was supposed to be the soldier, the disciplined one. “If you hadn’t shown up—”

“But we did,” Marcus cut him off. “And soon we won’t have to hold back anymore.”

Derek’s laugh was harsh. “You sure about that? Because right now, it feels like we’re fighting a losing battle.”

“The Stone blood runs strong in our generation,” Marcus reminded him. “Three alpha wolves sharing one mate—that’s what’s unheard of. The power of our combined pull on Kai…” He shook his head. “It’s why we have to be so careful.”

“Tell that to my wolf.” Derek’s eyes flickered amber in the darkness. “Nine years, Marcus. Nine years of watching him struggle alone. And now he’s here, responding to us exactly like he should, and we still can’t—”

“Soon,” Marcus cut him off, his own eyes gleaming in the darkness. “The waiting is almost over.”

They sat in companionable silence, letting the rain wash over them. Shadow remained alert at their side, his form a dark sentinel in the night. After a while, Storm returned from his patrol, settling at Derek’s feet with a quiet huff.

Derek absently scratched behind Storm’s ears, his thoughts still full of Kai—the taste of his lips, the perfect way he’d fit in Derek’s arms, the sweet sounds he’d made. His wolf stirred at the memories, but the burning need had eased to a manageable ache.

“Go hunt again if you need to,” Marcus offered, reading his tension.

Derek shook his head. “I’m good.” He glanced at his brother. “But you might want to warn Caleb. His turn with Kai isn’t going to be any easier.”

Marcus’ low chuckle held equal parts amusement and resignation. “Oh, I know. But our little brother has always enjoyed playing with fire.”

The rain continued to fall as the two brothers sat beneath the ancient pines, their wolves finally at peace. For now.

Soon, they wouldn’t have to hold back anymore. Soon, Kai would truly be theirs.

But until then, the forest would bear witness to many more midnight runs.

Caleb leaned against the kitchen doorframe, indulging in the view of their mate attempting to organize Maria’s culinary invasion of his modest kitchen. From his spot on the couch, Scout’s tail thumped against the cushions in amusement as they watched Kai stretch and bend, trying to fit container after container into the fridge. Those borrowed jeans hugged every curve perfectly, and Miguel’s t-shirt kept slipping temptingly off one shoulder, revealing more of that delectable neck with each movement.

His wolf purred with appreciation at the sight of their mate so comfortable in their territory, even if it was just this small piece of it. Scout’s quiet woof of agreement made him grin—his companion had always been the most perceptive of their pack guardians.

Enjoying the view, little brother?Marcus’ amused voice filtered through their pack bond.

Like you weren’t watching him all morning at the office, Caleb shot back, unable to tear his eyes away as Kai stretched up to reach a high shelf, exposing a tantalizing strip of skin above those jeans.Besides, our mate is adorable when he’s flustered.

Focus, Derek growled, his presence in their bond still raw from his earlier encounter.Don’t lose control like I did.

But control had never been Caleb’s strong suit, especially not when it came to Kai. Where his brothers approached their mate with calculated precision or protective possession, Caleb preferred to play—even if that play had teeth.

Scout’s warning whine pulled him back just as his eyes started to shift. Right. Control. He could do that. Probably.

Kai muttered something under his breath about Maria’s feeding campaign as he rearranged containers, completely unaware of how the domestic scene affected Caleb’s wolf. Their mate, in their territory, surrounded by their family’s offerings—it sparked something primal beneath Caleb’s playful exterior.

He fits so perfectly here, he sent through the pack bond, earning another warning growl from Derek.

Don’t get ahead of yourself, his brother cautioned.Remember what just happened in the woods.

But Caleb had never been good at heeding warnings. Not when Kai was right there, Miguel’s borrowed shirt carrying their household’s scent in a way that made his wolf want to roll around in pure satisfaction.

“Need help?” he finally offered, pushing off the doorframe. His wolf preened at how Kai startled slightly, a beautiful blush creeping up his neck.

“I’ve got it,” Kai insisted, reaching for another high shelf. “Though Maria might be trying to feed an army.”

“Allow me,” Caleb purred, unable to resist pressing close enough that his chest brushed Kai’s back. His wolf surged forward at the contact, drinking in their mate’s quickening pulse and sweetening scent. Where Derek’s touch had been possessive and Marcus’ calculating, Caleb let his movements stay playful, teasing—even as his wolf scratched at his control.

You’re playing with fire, Marcus warned.

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