Pack Business

JAMES

Alexander has been helping me with the takeover of the Red Moon Pack, and I’ve asked him to meet me in my office.

He and his family have been supporting my family for decades. His father was a close friend of mine, and after my father’s death, Alexander helped smooth my transition into the role of alpha.

When Alexander arrives, he’s shown directly into my office. He doesn’t stand on ceremony, and there is no bowing to my rank as alpha. He doesn’t feel my alpha power.

In his own way, he’s as powerful as any alpha.

His family has to be to maintain their role as fixers for the packs. It takes strength to maintain their neutrality and keep the work they do for each of the packs confidential.

“The Red Moon Pack accountant has informed me that the pack owns most of the restaurants and bars that surround the university,” I begin. “They also rent out houses across the city to students.”

I give Alexander a knowing look. “He’s probably being honest with me about the money they have accrued, but I still want to check the veracity of the figures for myself. I could use your help.”

“Of course. I’m happy to assist you in getting to the bottom of what the pack—you—own.”

“I don’t want anyone to think that getting a new alpha is an opportunity for them to slack off or siphon money into their own pockets,” I explain.

He nods. “I’m sure you don’t need my help with that part, but I’ll be able to help you unpack what is actually there.”

“According to the accountant, a lot of the businesses are run by humans. The most profitable businesses have rogues as employees and customers.”

“You must hate that. Lone wolves like me earning you money,” he says with a smirk.

“Those rogues are nothing like you,” I protest.

“Aren’t they? I know the lone wolves that live here, and they don’t act like rogues. They live quietly, they study, they work, and all they want is to stay under the radar of pack wolves.”

“Do they really?”

“Yes, they really do. Not all lone wolves are like the rogues who killed your father.”

He must see my skepticism, because he goes on, “Many are forced to become loners and just want to be left alone to quietly get on with their lives.

“Some of them even want to help other wolves. Allie, a first-year I met a few nights ago, is studying human medicine so she can treat injured lone wolves. She—”

“What?” I growl. Is he spending time with Allie? Jealousy surges through me. My wolf shouts ‘~mine!’~ in my head, and for the first time, I find that I don’t disagree with him.

“You know her?” Alexander asks in surprise.

“Yes…” I take deep breaths and try to control myself. “I met her when she asked to study here.”

“She’s the new wolf you allowed to stay and continue studying at the university. The one everyone is talking about.”

I growl.

“She’s your mate,” he guesses.

“No.”

“Are you trying to convince me, or yourself?”

“She is not my mate. I don’t know what she is. My wolf…likes her.”

“He likes her,” Alexander says, smiling. “Is that the best you can do? Look, you’re clearly uncomfortable talking about her, so let’s leave it for the moment.”

I nod, relieved, because I don’t know what to say about her. I don’t know what I feel for her. All I do know is that each day the pull toward her seems to be getting stronger.

Unfortunately, Alexander hasn’t agreed to drop the subject completely, just leave it for now. I know he’ll interrogate me about her later. I have more uncomfortable questions to look forward to.

He moves on. “Okay, so we need to get the names and addresses of each of these businesses that you own. We should visit each business and question the managers and staff ourselves.”

“Good idea. Let’s turn up and take them by surprise.”

***

Alexander and I spend the day visiting each of the businesses that the Red Moon Pack owns in Linton.

Turning up unannounced proves to be a successful strategy, and Alexander is good at extracting the information we need from the business managers.

They all think I’m human, and it seems that the rogues who patronize these businesses manage to successfully hide their identities among their human clientele.

The majority of them have been honest, and their books are accurate. A couple have clearly been ripping off the old alpha for years, though. When we uncover their fraudulent activity, I fire them on the spot.

As Alexander points out, none of the fraudsters are rogues—they’re human. It’s as if he expects me to change my view on all rogues for this reason alone.

It will take more than this for me to agree with him that they contribute to werewolf society.

Our investigation into the Red Moon Pack businesses shows me how rich the pack is.

I’m beginning to understand why they have been so lenient toward rogues and encouraged werewolves from other packs to attend the university. It has been very profitable for them.

The last bar we visit is Raffles. I’ve purposely left it to the end, hoping she’ll be there. It’s stupid of me to try to see her again. No good will come of me obsessing over a rogue.

I can now admit to myself that’s what I’m doing.

I look at Alexander. Does he realize the next place we are going to is where she works? I’m not sure I want him there when I see her again. He has already guessed too much about my feelings for her.

When we walk into the bar, it’s quiet. Only a few tables are occupied, and no one is standing at the bar waiting to be served.

She’s behind the bar, stacking glasses onto shelves with her back to us. She doesn’t notice me at first, and while I wait for her to turn around it gives me an opportunity to watch her.

Her long red hair falls down her back in waves. She’s casually dressed in tight jeans and a T-shirt that accentuates her curves.

All I can think about is pulling her into my arms. Undressing her slowly. Kissing her mouth, her neck, exploring her body before biting her, claiming her.

I try to pull myself together, horrified at where my thoughts are leading, but my wolf growls in approval.

She senses that we are standing behind her and stops what she’s doing to turn to face us.

When her gaze falls on me, she looks conflicted. I wonder if her feelings toward me are like those I feel for her. She knows there is something between us, I can tell, but she isn’t happy about it.

I’m surprised. Why isn’t she happy? I’m an alpha. One of the most eligible wolves in the country. Better she-wolves than her have been desperate to impress me, be with me, be my mate.

My wolf howls inside me, hurt by the fact that she clearly doesn’t want us. He wants to go to her, to make her realize how much he cares for her. How he will do anything for her.

“Hi Allie,” Alexander says to her.

“Oh, hi, Alexander.” Her face brightens when she turns to face him. She’s happier to speak to him than look at me. My wolf growls at the thought.

“It’s lovely to see you again. We’re here on business. The alpha, James, and I would like to speak to your manager. Is he around?”

“Yes, he’s just in the back. I’ll get him for you.”

“Thank you.”

As she walks away to find Archie, Alexander turns and smiles at me. He says in a whisper only I can hear, “Not your mate huh?”

“No. Let’s just get on with what we came here for.”

“Which is what?” he asks innocently.

“Questioning the manager.”

“And the rest of his staff? Would you like me to speak to Allie?” he asks mischievously.

“No, I can do that,” I tell him firmly.

Allie returns with the manager in tow.

“Gentlemen, how can I help you?”

“This is Mr. James Anderson, the new owner of this bar. I’m helping him carry out due diligence on the businesses he owns. We’d like to ask a few questions and speak to each of your staff members.

“I’ve brought the necessary paperwork to prove that Mr. Anderson is the legitimate owner of these premises.”

“Of course, I had heard that the old alpha had retired.”

“Alpha?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes, I know who, or should I say what, you are. I’ve known for many years. It’s a secret I’ve always been happy to keep.”

The old alpha really is the limit. Confiding our greatest secret to humans breaks the most sacred rule we werewolves live by.

There is not much I can do about it, but this old human has to be treated carefully from now on. I have to ensure that he continues to keep our secret.

Alexander jumps in. “Why don’t I speak to you in private, Archie, and Mr. Anderson can speak to your employee Allie.”

When they leave us to talk in Archie’s office, I ask Allie, “Is there somewhere quiet we can go?” I keep my voice as neutral as possible.

“I’ll need to stay in sight of the bar, but we can sit in a booth near the stage.”

“Lead the way.” I gently place my hand on her back. Sparks dance up my arm, and as I feel her stiffen, I know she feels it too.

She pulls away from me and I feel the loss of her touch. My wolf whimpers.

We sit across from each other in a booth.

“I’m not sure how much help I’m going to be. I haven’t worked here long.”

“That’s fine. I just want an impression of how busy the bar is. What kind of customers you attract. That sort of thing.”

“Well, the weekends are busy, but Thursday nights are less so. I only work three nights a week. Archie doesn’t need me during the week. The bar is less busy then, I guess.”

I watch her closely. She’s nervous, but I put that down to being in my company.

“And what type of customers come here?”

“Mostly humans.” She pauses. Is she reluctant to tell me who comes here?

“And who else?”

“There are a few loners like me, but they aren’t regulars.”

“If you’ve only been working here a few days, how do you know they aren’t regulars?”

She sits in silence, refusing to answer my question.

“What are their names?”

“I’m not giving you any information that you can use against them,” she says defiantly.

“That isn’t my reason for being here. I’ve recently taken over the pack, and I want to know about all the businesses the pack owns. That’s it.”

“Are you saying that if I tell you about the loners who visit the bar regularly, you wouldn’t try to use that information against them?” she asks skeptically.

“That isn’t my intention, but you know I don’t like rogues, and I’ll do anything necessary to keep my pack safe. And if any information you give me helps me do that, I’ll use it,” I confess.

“Your description of keeping your pack safe can cover a multitude of situations. We are all dangerous to you.”

“You aren’t. I don’t think my pack is in any danger from you.”

“Why? You weren’t so sure when I met you before. What has changed, what makes you think I’m different now? You don’t know me.”

“There is a connection between us. You can’t deny it. I know you feel it too.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. There…there is no connection,” she declares.

Is she trying to deny what is between us? Doesn’t she realize what I’m risking in even admitting that I have feelings for her? Whatever her reasons, I’m not going to let her get away with this.

“Liar,” I say softly. I lean back and smile at her.

“I don’t lie. I need to go back to work.” I can tell she’s agitated. For the first time in our brief acquaintance, I feel like I have the advantage over her.

Abruptly she stands to walk away.

I grab her hand before she can go. Electricity zings between us. She gives a small sigh, and I know I have her.

“Of course,” I say. “But if I have any further questions, I may need to speak to you again.”

She nods and pulls her hand from mine, then rushes away. She doesn’t look back.

My wolf and I are finally in full agreement. That girl is ours, and even if she doesn’t realize it yet, nothing is going to keep us away from her.