Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed Ready!

So I just had surgery done and is recovering. It's unexpected and very much needed which means my plan for book releases and stuff will be changing because of this. That means delay, unfortunately.

Finally have Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed done. It's 120K word long with very spicy scenes and lots of paranormal stuff happening, along with the usual sass and snarks from our protagonist Kai Chen. You'll get to meet Luke (a few chapters from his pov) and Min-Seo too, and of course, the notorious Blackwood brothers.

The book is out on May 16th. Click HERE to check it out. Teaser below.

Marked by Alphas 2: Claimed

Description

Three alphas. One awakening mate. Zero chance of hiding.

So, good news: I’m not crazy. Bad news? Those “anxiety attacks” were actually my suppressed wolf trying to surface. Oh, and that cottage I inherited? Comes with three possessive alpha mates who’ve been waiting years to claim me.

Marcus, Derek, and Caleb Stone—three gorgeous, powerful wolf shifters who’ve been watching over their destined mate. Which explains the mysterious scar, the constant dreams about wolves, and why I can’t seem to keep my hands off any of them.

Now I’m living in their luxury compound—totally not a prisoner, they insist—discovering powers I never knew I had, and trying to control this new heat that burns through me whenever they’re near. And they’re always near.

But just as I’m starting to embrace this whole “destined mate” thing—and figure out how to stop being stuck as the world’s smallest, most frustrated wolf—rival packs are closing in, drawn by something in my blood that makes me more valuable—and dangerous—than anyone suspected.

Marked by Alphas, Book 2: Claimed is a MM paranormal reverse harem romance featuring:

• A sassy mate coming into his power (when he’s not stuck as an adorably tiny wolf)

• Three alpha brothers who’ve run out of patience

• Awakening supernatural abilities

• Protective alphas turning feral

• Steam level: scorching

• Pack politics and rival wolves

• A compound that’s starting to feel like home

• Heated encounters that put Book 1 to shame

• First tastes of mate bonds

• Size difference that still makes everyone swoon

Teaser

The observation deck overlooked what the brothers casually called their “training grounds,” which was actually a massive clearing surrounded by dense forest. High-tech equipment was cleverly disguised to look like natural features—because apparently even supernatural training had to maintain the manor’s aesthetic.

“Your team’s already warming up,” I noted, watching the group of men stretching below. They all had that same coiled-power vibe as Derek, like they were barely containing something wild beneath their tactical gear.

“Johnson’s running today’s drills,” Derek explained, coming to stand beside me at the reinforced glass. “He’s my second.”

“The one who looks like he bench-presses trucks for fun?”

Derek’s lips twitched. “That’s Rivera. Johnson’s the one checking the perimeter.”

“Ah. The one who looks like he could kill me with his pinky. Got it.”

“No one’s killing you,” all three brothers said in perfect unison.

“That’s still creepy when you do that,” I informed them, but my attention was caught by movement below. The team was maneuvering into precise positions, reminding me of the military documentaries Derek sometimes watched. “So… how does this work exactly? Do you just… poof into wolves?”

“Poof?” Marcus sounded pained.

“Technical term,” I said primly. “Very scientific.”

Caleb snickered. “Not exactly a ‘poof’ situation, little mate. Though your version sounds much more dignified than the reality.”

“There’s a specific process,” Derek began in his tactical voice.

“That’s Derek-speak for ‘we get naked first,’” Caleb stage-whispered.

I choked on my smoothie. Maria, who was arranging snacks nearby, didn’t even try to hide her laugh.

“It’s a natural part of—” Derek started.

“The stripping or the shifting?” I couldn’t help asking.

“Both,” Marcus answered, his voice dropping to that dangerous purr that made my skin tingle. “Though some of us are more… graceful about it than others.”

“I am extremely graceful,” Caleb protested.

A sharp whistle sounded from below.

“Time for the show.” Caleb grinned. “Try not to swoon too hard when you see Derek in all his furry glory.”

I turned back to the window, hoping they’d attribute my blush to the smoothie’s “secret ingredient” rather than the mental image of Derek… shifting.

This was purely educational, I firmly reminded myself. Just research. Completely professional observation of supernatural transformation. Nothing to do with how the tactical gear highlighted certain… aspects of werewolf anatomy.

“Focus,” Derek murmured close to my ear, making me jump. When had he gotten so close? “Watch how they maintain formation even during the change.”

Right. Formation. Military precision. Not the way Derek’s voice had dropped an octave or how his breath ghosted across my neck or—

The first howl split the air, and suddenly I had much bigger things to focus on.

Holy. Shit.

I’d seen nature documentaries. I’d watched Discovery Channel specials. I’d even caught a few episodes of that werewolf show Luke was obsessed with. None of them had prepared me for… this.

The change rippled through Derek’s team like a wave. Bones shifted and reformed; muscles flowed like liquid beneath skin that sprouted fur in patterns as distinct as fingerprints. But it wasn’t the physical transformation that held me transfixed—it was the raw power, the barely contained wildness of it.

“Breathe,” Marcus reminded me softly.

Right. Breathing. Important thing, that.

Johnson shifted first, his massive black form somehow maintaining perfect military bearing even as a wolf. The others followed in precise formation, their tactical gear dissolving into shadow—because apparently supernatural clothing was a thing—as fur replaced Kevlar.

“The gear is specially enchanted,” Caleb explained, noticing my confusion.

“Expensive, but better than having to replace uniforms every time.”

“Of course it is,” I said. “Because regular workout clothes would be too normal.”

Each wolf was unique—different colors, markings, sizes—but they moved as one unit, coordinated in a way that spoke of years of training. It was beautiful and terrifying.

“Ready?” Marcus asked Derek, who had stepped back from the window.

I turned, unable to look away as Derek stripped off his shirt with military efficiency.

The transformation started slowly, like ripples across water. His muscles shifted and flowed beneath skin that seemed to shimmer in the afternoon light. Dark fur sprouted along his spine first, spreading outward in a wave that made my breath catch. His bones reformed with a grace that seemed impossible for something so profound, power radiating from him in almost visible waves.

Unlike his team below, Derek’s shift was… mesmerizing. Where they had changed quickly, efficiently, Derek’s transformation seemed more controlled, deliberate. Each stage was distinct, beautiful in its raw power. Maybe he was showing off, or maybe this was just how an alpha shifted. Either way, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

When it was done, a massive wolf stood before me, easily larger than any of the ones below. Steel-gray fur with darker markings caught the light, and his eyes were pure amber now, fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin tingle. He moved with lethal grace as he padded closer, power contained but never diminished.

“Show-off,” Caleb murmured, but I barely heard him.

I reached out without thinking, then caught myself. “Can I…?”

Derek nudged my hand with his muzzle in clear permission. His fur was impossibly soft, and I could feel the barely contained power thrumming beneath my fingers. This close, he was easily as tall as my chest, and I had a feeling he was holding himself back from his full size.

“He’s preening,” Marcus observed dryly.

Derek made a sound that was definitely a growl, but he pressed closer when I scratched behind his ears.

“Completely undignified,” Caleb agreed. “Though you should see him when—”

Whatever he was about to say was cut off by Derek’s warning snarl.

“Now, children,” Maria called from her corner. “Play nice or no more snacks.”

Below, Johnson’s team had started their drills—complex maneuvers that looked like a deadly dance. Wolves moved in perfect synchronization, their power contained but never diminished.

“They train like this three times a week,” Marcus explained, coming to stand beside me. “Maintaining control in wolf form is crucial.”

Derek’s fur brushed my leg as he joined us, a warm presence that somehow made me feel both safer and more nervous.

“It’s beautiful,” I admitted, watching the wolves below move through another formation. “Terrifying, but beautiful.”

“Wait until you see your wolf form,” Caleb said confidently. “You’ll be gorgeous.”

I tensed slightly. “If I can even shift.”

Three distinct growls—one wolf, two human—made me jump.

“You will,” Marcus said with absolute certainty. “Your body’s already preparing for it.”

“Yeah, about that.” I turned to face them, trying to ignore how Derek’s wolf form was practically plastered to my side now. “Are we going to talk about the whole ‘glowing skin’ thing? Because I’m pretty sure that’s not normal, even for quarter-wolves.”

The brothers exchanged one of their looks—impressive considering one of them was currently furry.

“Dr. White has some theories,” Marcus began carefully.

“About why I’m starting to light up like a supernatural beacon?”

Derek made a sound that might have been a wolf laugh.

“Your heritage is… unique,” Marcus continued diplomatically. “The First Pack bloodline manifests differently in everyone.”

“Right,” I drawled. “So I’m just special. Nothing to worry about. Totally normal to start glowing like a supernatural night-light.”

Derek nudged my hand again, clearly demanding more attention. It was surprisingly effective at derailing my minor panic attack.

“Subtle,” Caleb commented.

Derek’s tail may or may not have “accidentally” whacked his brother’s leg.

Below, Johnson’s team shifted into a new formation, their movements precise despite their massive size. It was like watching a deadly ballet, if ballet involved wolves the size of small horses executing military maneuvers.

Derek’s ears pricked forward, his body tensing with obvious interest. He glanced at me, then at the training ground, clearly torn.

“Go.” I laughed, giving his fur one last stroke. “Show me what an alpha can do.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. Derek launched himself from the observation deck with predatory grace, landing among his team like a shadow given form. The other wolves immediately adjusted their formation, making space for their commander.

“Now the real show begins.” Caleb grinned, already shrugging off his shirt. “Can’t let Derek have all the fun.”

“We do need to maintain our training,” Marcus agreed, his voice dropping to that dangerous purr as he stripped off his own shirt with elegant efficiency. “For security purposes, of course.”

“Of course,” I echoed faintly, suddenly very grateful for the observation deck’s reinforced glass as I had something to lean against. “Purely professional.”

Their transformations were as distinct as their personalities. Where Derek’s had been controlled power, Caleb’s shift was something else entirely. His change started with a playful shimmer across his skin, like sunlight dancing on water. Golden-brown fur rippled outward in fluid waves, each movement graceful and light. His transformation was almost mesmerizing in its beauty—less about raw power and more about pure, natural elegance. When it finished, his wolf form was sleek and agile, built for speed rather than brute force, with fur that caught the light like burnished gold.

Marcus’ transformation, though… Marcus’ change was pure alpha dominance. The air itself seemed to thicken as he shifted, ancient power rolling off him in waves that made my scar tingle. Darkness rippled across his skin, but not like shadows—like watching the night itself take form. His pitch-black fur emerged like ink bleeding through water, somehow both elegant and devastating. When his transformation completed, his wolf form was massive, larger even than Derek’s, with fur so black it seemed to absorb the light. His crimson eyes blazed with barely contained power, a reminder that while his brothers were alphas, Marcus was THE alpha.

They joined Derek below, three distinct but equally lethal predators moving with their pack. The training exercise shifted from basic formations to combat scenarios, and I finally understood why other packs feared the Stone brothers. They fought like they shifted—each unique but perfectly coordinated.

Derek’s tactical genius shone through every movement, his massive gray form anticipating and countering attacks. He fought like the warrior he was, each strike calculated for maximum effect. His team responded to his commands instantly, moving like extensions of his will.

Caleb was pure deadly grace, his smaller golden-brown form using speed and agility where his brothers used power. He darted between larger wolves like he was dancing, striking so fast his opponents barely had time to register the attack. Just like that night in the forest, his speed made him lethal in a completely different way than his brothers.

And Marcus… Marcus moved like death itself, each motion a perfect blend of power and precision. His black wolf form seemed to blur between shadows, appearing exactly where he needed to be with devastating effect. When he fought, there was no wasted movement, no flashy displays—just pure, efficient dominance. The other wolves gave him a wider berth, their instincts recognizing the apex predator in their midst.

When the brothers came together in joint attacks, it was breathtaking. They moved in perfect synchronization, years of pack dynamics evident in how naturally they coordinated. Derek would herd their opponents into position, Caleb would dart in to break their defenses, and Marcus would deliver the finishing strike. The other wolves didn’t stand a chance.

“Impressive, no?” Maria appeared at my elbow with a fresh smoothie. “I think they’re showing off a bit more than usual today.”

She wasn’t wrong. Every time I leaned forward with particular interest, the brothers would execute increasingly impressive moves. Derek launched into a series of coordinated attacks that had his team moving as a single unit. Caleb practically danced through his opponents, showing off his speed with unnecessarily graceful flourishes. And Marcus… Marcus kept glancing up at the observation deck with eyes that glowed like banked embers, his power display becoming more pronounced each time he caught me watching.

“They’re ridiculous,” I mumbled but couldn’t look away as they moved into a three-way sparring match that looked more like a deadly dance than combat training. Muscles rippled beneath fur, raw power contained but never diminished. Their movements were pure predatory grace, and I couldn’t help wondering how it would feel to—

“More smoothie?” Maria’s voice was way too innocent.

“I’m going to need something stronger than smoothies to survive this,” I said.

Watching three powerful alphas move with such lethal grace was doing things to my newly awakened wolf instincts that no amount of Maria’s special smoothies could cool down.

The training session ended with one final, impressive display of coordinated attacks that left me clutching my smoothie like a lifeline. Below, Derek’s team was already shifting back to human form with military efficiency, their movements precise even in transformation. Johnson barked out orders about cleanup duty while pulling on his tactical gear, the team falling into post-training routines.

Three massive wolves broke away from the organized chaos, heading back toward the observation deck with predatory grace that somehow still managed to look smug. The Stone Force parted respectfully as they passed, even hardened ex-military wolves acknowledging the power of three alphas moving in perfect sync.

“Show-offs,” I said but couldn’t help smiling. Derek’s steel-gray form immediately pressed against my side while Caleb’s golden-brown wolf practically bounced around us, clearly still energized from the training. Marcus’ black wolf moved with more dignity, but his crimson eyes held a distinctly satisfied gleam.

“Well…” Maria gathered the empty smoothie glasses with a knowing smile. “I believe Jorge needs help in the kitchen. Very urgent cooking emergency. Can’t be avoided.”

“Subtle,” I called after her retreating form.

Caleb’s wolf bumped my hand, then trotted with obvious intent. When I didn’t immediately follow, he came back and tugged gently at my sleeve.

“I think someone wants to go for a walk,” I translated, scratching behind his ears. His tail wagged, confirming my guess.

Marcus’ black wolf moved closer, lowering his massive form in clear invitation. I hesitated only a moment before climbing onto his back, my fingers sinking into impossibly soft fur. His muscles rippled beneath me as he stood, and I had to bite back a gasp at the raw power I could feel contained in his massive frame.

“This is totally normal,” I informed no one in particular as we headed out. “Just casually riding a werewolf while his brothers flank us like furry bodyguards. Nothing weird about this at all.”

Derek’s wolf made a sound suspiciously like a snort.

The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy as we moved deeper into the woods. It was strange to realize how comfortable I’d become here, in the very forest that used to send me into panic attacks. Maybe it was the constant presence of the brothers, or maybe it was my own awakening wolf nature, but the trees no longer felt threatening. Instead, they seemed to welcome us, branches swaying gently in a breeze that carried the scent of pine and wild herbs.

Marcus moved with impossible smoothness along the worn path, his stride carefully measured to keep me secure on his back. The soft fur under my fingers and the steady rhythm of his movement was oddly soothing. Derek and Caleb ranged ahead, their powerful forms weaving between ancient trees with familiar ease. I relaxed further, letting my fingertips trail through Marcus’ impossibly soft fur as we ventured deeper into what I now recognized as their territory.

A month ago, I would have been counting escape routes and checking for monsters behind every trunk. Now, surrounded by three powerful wolves, I felt safer here than I ever had in the city. The forest had changed from a source of anxiety to something almost… welcoming. Or maybe I was the one who had changed.

“Let me guess,” I said as we approached the sound of water. “Secret wolf lake?”

Marcus’ chest rumbled in what felt like agreement. The trees opened up to reveal a pristine lake, its surface gleaming like polished glass in the late afternoon light.

Caleb didn’t waste any time, his golden-brown form launching into the water with a splash that seemed deliberately aimed at Derek. The larger gray wolf retaliated immediately, and suddenly I was watching two massive predators play like oversized puppies in the lake.

“Real dignified.” I laughed, sliding off Marcus’ back. “Very alpha-like behav—”

A wave of water cut me off as Caleb’s tail created a surprisingly accurate splash zone. I stood there dripping, trying to maintain some dignity while two wolf faces managed to look completely innocent despite their size.

“Oh, it’s on.”

I kicked off my shoes and waded into the lake, immediately regretting my choice of a thin t-shirt as it clung to my skin. But the water was perfect—cool but not cold—and something about being surrounded by three playful wolves made me forget to be self-conscious.

Caleb darted around me in circles, creating waves that had me stumbling and laughing. Derek tried to maintain some dignity, but even he couldn’t resist joining in when I managed to splash water right in his face. And Marcus… Marcus watched it all with those intense crimson eyes, like he was memorizing every moment.

“I can’t wait until I can feel the mate bond,” I said, floating on my back between them. “At least then I’d know what you’re thinking when you look at me like that.” I glanced at Marcus. “Though maybe that’s dangerous territory.”

The wet shirt was becoming annoying, plastered to my skin and heavy with water. Without thinking too much about it—they were wolves right now, after all—I peeled it off and tossed it toward the shore. The late afternoon sun felt amazing on my bare skin, and the water was perfect for swimming.

It wasn’t until I noticed all three wolves had gone very still that I remembered these weren’t actually wolves—they were three very male, very alpha werewolves who had been driving me crazy for weeks.

“Um,” I managed eloquently as the air suddenly felt charged with something that had nothing to do with swimming.

The change started with Marcus, because of course it did. His black fur seemed to melt away like ink dissolving in water, revealing bronzed skin and powerful muscles. The transformation was somehow both elegant and devastating, each stage a display of controlled power that made my breath catch. When it finished, he stood waist-deep in the lake, water droplets tracing paths down his chest like they were worshipping every perfect line.

Derek’s shift was next, his steel-gray fur rippling away in a controlled wave that showcased every inch of his warrior’s build. His transformation spoke of contained strength, each movement precise and deliberate. The water barely stirred around him, like even the lake knew better than to disturb his change.

Caleb’s transformation was pure grace, his golden-brown fur shimmering away like sunlight dancing on water. His shift was faster, more fluid, revealing lean muscle and golden skin that seemed to glow in the late afternoon light.

Three very naked, very wet alpha werewolves surrounded me, their eyes conveying something that made my skin tingle with awareness. Derek’s steel-gray gaze burned with barely contained heat, Caleb’s electric blue sparkled with mischief and desire, and Marcus… Marcus’ eyes were pure crimson fire.

“Oh,” I breathed, heat flooding my face as I belatedly remembered I was also half-naked. “That’s… that’s really not fair.”

Marcus moved first, closing the distance between us. Water rippled around his powerful form as he approached, and I began to back up, until I hit Derek’s solid chest. Marcus’ hand cupped my jaw, tilting my face up as water lapped around our bodies. “Life rarely is, little mate,” he murmured, then claimed my mouth with a hunger that made my toes curl.

Marcus kissed like he did everything else—with absolute authority. His tongue swept into my mouth, hot and demanding, making my breath catch as he deepened the kiss. My lips parted instinctively, letting him take control as our tongues tangled in a dance that had heat pooling low in my stomach. Derek’s solid chest anchored me from behind, his skin fever-hot against my back despite the cool lake water. Every brush of their wet skin against mine sent electricity dancing along my nerves.

“Beautiful,” Derek growled against my neck, his voice rough with need. His teeth grazed my pulse point, making me shiver. When Marcus finally released my mouth, my lips felt swollen and sensitive. Derek turned my head back toward him, and I melted against his chest, using his strength to stay upright as he claimed his own kiss. Where Marcus had been demanding, Derek was pure intensity—each stroke of his tongue making me whimper. Water droplets traced paths down our bodies as he deepened the kiss, his hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck.

Marcus took advantage of my distraction, his mouth trailing fire down my throat. The contrast between his hot tongue and the cool water drops had my skin tingling. I gasped into Derek’s kiss when Marcus’ teeth grazed my collarbone, then moaned outright as his mouth moved lower. His tongue flicked across my nipple, making it tighten into a hard peak. My back arched involuntarily, pressing harder against Derek’s chest as Marcus’ clever mouth sent sparks of pleasure shooting through me.

“My turn,” Caleb announced, and suddenly I was being tugged away from his brothers. His lean body pressed against mine as he backed us toward deeper water, his eyes electric blue and hungry. Droplets clung to his long eyelashes, and his usual playful smile had turned predatory. “They’ve had you long enough.”

“Caleb,” I started to protest, but his mouth caught mine before I could finish. He kissed like he fought—quick, graceful, and devastatingly effective. His tongue teased along my bottom lip before diving deep, drawing a moan from me that the water couldn’t muffle. His hands slid down my back, pulling me closer until every inch of our wet skin pressed together. The lake swirled around us, making everything slick and heated and desperate.

A low growl from Marcus reminded me we weren’t alone, but Caleb just smiled against my lips, his teeth catching my bottom lip in a playful nip. “They’ll have to catch us first.”

Caleb spun us deeper into the lake, his movements as fluid as the water around us. My body was already hypersensitive from Marcus and Derek’s attention, and every brush of Caleb’s wet skin against mine sent new sparks of pleasure racing through me. He kept stealing quick, heated kisses as we moved, each one making me forget why we were supposed to be escaping.

A deep growl behind us sent shivers down my spine. I glanced back to see Marcus and Derek cutting through the water with predatory grace, their powerful bodies moving with intent that made my mouth go dry. Water streamed down their chests, highlighting every perfect muscle, and their eyes… their eyes promised delicious retribution.

“Oh God,” I breathed as Caleb’s teeth found my earlobe. His tongue traced the shell of my ear, making me shudder.

“They look good when they hunt, don’t they?” he murmured against my ear, his hands sliding down to my hips. “But you look even better being hunted.”

Before I could process that statement, Marcus caught up to us. His arm wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling me against his chest while Caleb’s mouth found mine again. I was trapped between them, Marcus’ solid heat at my back while Caleb pressed against my front. The water made everything slick and heated, and when Derek joined us, boxing me in completely, I thought I might combust on the spot.

“Teasing little mate,” Marcus growled, his mouth finding that sensitive spot below my ear that made my knees weak. His tongue traced patterns on my wet skin while Caleb’s kisses grew deeper, more demanding. Derek’s hands slid over my ribs, thumbs brushing just under my nipples in a way that had me arching and gasping into Caleb’s mouth.

“Please,” I whimpered, though I wasn’t sure what I was begging for. My body felt like it was on fire despite the cool water, every touch sending new waves of pleasure coursing through me. When Derek’s thumb finally brushed across my nipple, the jolt of sensation had me crying out.

“So responsive,” Derek murmured, his voice rough. “Every little touch makes you shake.” As if to prove his point, he rolled my nipple between his fingers while Marcus sucked hard at my neck, marking me.

Caleb swallowed my moans with another kiss, his tongue tangling with mine as his hands slid lower, tracing patterns on my hip bones that made me squirm. I was drowning in sensation, surrounded by three powerful alphas who seemed determined to drive me crazy.

A particularly sharp nip from Marcus had me gasping, breaking away from Caleb’s kiss. “We… we should…” I tried to form coherent thoughts, but Derek chose that moment to pinch both nipples while Caleb’s hands tightened on my hips.

“Should what, little mate?” Marcus purred against my neck, his voice dark with promise. “Stop?”

“Don’t you dare,” I managed, reaching back to tangle my fingers in his wet hair. The action pressed me harder against him, and the growl that rumbled through his chest sent new shivers racing down my spine.

“Dangerous words,” Caleb warned, but his smile was wicked as he leaned in to trace my collarbone with his tongue. “Very dangerous words.”

Marcus’ grip tightened, his control visibly slipping. “Kai,” he warned, voice rough. “We can’t…”

“Then don’t stop,” I challenged, feeling reckless and desperate. I rolled my hips back against him, drawing a sound that was more wolf than human. Derek’s fingers tightened on my nipples in response, the sharp pleasure-pain making me gasp.

“Baby wants to play,” Caleb murmured against my throat, his usual playfulness replaced with something darker, hungrier. “Even though he knows we can’t claim him yet. Not until his wolf awakens fully.”

A wave of pure need crashed through me at his words, making my body arch helplessly between them. Derek’s mouth found my other nipple, his tongue circling the sensitive peak while Marcus’ teeth scraped along my shoulder. Every touch felt amplified, like my skin was too sensitive, too reactive.

“Please,” I begged again, even knowing it was futile. My fingers tightened in Marcus’ hair while my other hand gripped Caleb’s shoulder for support. The cool lake water did nothing to soothe the fire building under my skin.

Marcus growled, the sound vibrating through my back. “You know we can’t. Not yet. Not until—”

“Until I can shift, until I can tap into my power fully, until the stars align and Mercury isn’t in retrograde,” I finished for him, frustration clear in my voice. “I know. But you three keep… keep doing this. Getting me all worked up when you know we can’t…”

“Can’t help ourselves,” Derek’s voice was strained as he lifted his head, his eyes molten silver. “Your scent, your reactions… you drive us crazy, little mate.”

“The feeling’s mutual,” I said, then gasped as Caleb’s teeth found my pulse point. “And you three are definitely not helping by—oh God—doing that when you know we have to stop.”

“Maybe we like seeing you like this,” Caleb murmured against my skin. “All desperate and needy for us.”

“Cruel,” I accused, even as my body betrayed me by arching into their touches. “You’re all cruel, terrible wolves.”

A howl echoed through the trees—Derek’s security team, probably reporting something that needed attention. The sound broke through the heated haze, reminding us we were very much in the open.

“I hate everything,” I announced as they slowly pulled away, my body practically screaming in protest. “This is torture. You know that, right? Actual torture. And you three are doing it on purpose.”

Caleb’s laugh was slightly strained. “Guilty as charged, baby.”

“Can’t resist teasing you,” Derek added, his eyes still silver-bright with need.

“Even though we know we should,” Marcus confirmed, though he managed to sound slightly more controlled than his brothers. “We should head back. Before this gets even more out of hand.”

I watched them shift back to wolf form, their transformations slightly less graceful than usual—probably due to their… distracted state. As Marcus lowered himself for me to climb onto his back, I made a silent promise to myself.

They wanted to torture me with almost-moments and heated touches, knowing full well we couldn’t go further yet? Fine. Two could play that game. And I was pretty sure I knew exactly how to drive three alphas completely crazy.

“Just wait,” I muttered, settling onto Marcus’ back. “You think you can tease me without consequences? You have no idea what you’re in for.”

The wolves exchanged glances that might have been worried, but it was too late. They’d created this little monster, and now they’d have to deal with the consequences.

Game on.

---

The book is out on May 16th. Click HERE to check it out.