Chapter 40: 40: An Unexpected Encounter

MAX

The pack run goes off without a hitch. It fills me with warmth to see the Venice Pack werewolves accept me as if I’m their alpha.

In a way, I am, or at least the men in my family are. I can’t be certain of the exact number, but I guess about three hundred join the run.

I’m told that the elderly, children, and pregnant she-wolves stay indoors. This is expected, so the pack’s numbers are likely increased by around two hundred.

They’re about half the size of my Montana pack. This isn’t a small pack, but it isn’t the largest either.

The king’s Castle alone houses over twelve hundred wolves, and it isn’t even the biggest.

I make my way back to the Fortress and after a brief chat with the beta, I head to the alpha floor. A few lights guide me down the hallway to my bedroom.

As I walk, I notice a large living room, a small kitchen and dining area, and several other bedrooms. I haven’t taken the time to explore but plan to do so tomorrow.

I stop in the kitchen to fill a tall glass with water and drink it down. Refilling the glass, I return to my room, closing the door behind me.

I place the glass on the bedside table and head to the bathroom for a long, hot shower. I stand under the shower spray, leaning against the cold tile wall.

The hot water relaxes my muscles to the point where I’m almost falling asleep standing up. I quickly lather up and rinse off.

Turning off the water, I step out of the shower and grab my towel, humming quietly to myself. Suddenly, I think I hear a sound, like a sharp intake of breath.

My head jerks up, my wolf coming forward to assist in listening. I quiet my breathing to better hear any noises.

After a moment, I laugh to myself, thinking I must be imagining things. I’m in a new place, and the building is old.

The noise could have been anything. I dry off, shaking my head at my own paranoia.

Hanging the towel on the rack, I realize I’ve forgotten to bring clothes with me. It doesn’t matter; I’m alone.

I walk into the closet where I left my bag and grab a pair of shorts. Once dressed, I pull back the bed covers.

Immediately, I smell her, the she-wolf in my room. My head snaps to the corner where a petite brunette sits, her legs crossed in her lap on an oversized chair.

I can smell her arousal and realize she’s just seen me completely naked. She just sits there, watching me, her eyes wide.

I take a moment to observe her. She’s so small, fitting perfectly in the chair.

She wears only a t-shirt that’s ridden up her thighs, revealing a glimpse of black panties. I clear my throat, realizing I have no idea who she is or why she’s in my room.

“What are you doing in my room?” I demand. She lowers her gaze and bares her neck to me.

“Forgive me, Alpha. I would like to offer myself to you.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, her accent faint.

If I wasn’t a wolf, I might not have heard her. I move around the bed, my fists clenched at my sides.

I hope this isn’t something the beta or gamma has arranged. My pack doesn’t do things like that, although I know some less moral packs would send female entertainment to visiting leaders.

“Who told you to come in here? Who are you?” I try to keep my voice steady. She’s beautiful, and I haven’t been with a woman in years, not since high school.

But I’m not here for that, and this is inappropriate. “No one told me to come, Alpha. I wanted to meet you in person.

We haven’t had an alpha in so long, I was just a girl. You are young, handsome, and powerful.

It would be an honor to give myself to you.” She flutters her eyelashes at me, avoiding eye contact.

She’s risen from the chair but remains standing in front of it, her arms at her sides. “No.”

Her eyes shoot up to mine. “No?” She sounds surprised, maybe even hurt.

“Yes, no. This is inappropriate, and my pack does not participate in such illicit activities or fornicate with unknown females.

Do you understand?” I put some authority in my voice. A single tear falls from her eye as she takes a step forward.

“Sir, I am a virgin. I have never been touched by another, and you are unmated.

You would still turn me away?” She sounds desperate. “I would. You are not my mate, but you are someone’s mate, and they will be looking for you.

How old are you anyway?” I ask. She can’t be very old.

“I am nineteen, Alpha. My family is well respected.

I would make you a good luna.” She smiles at me, and it all clicks.

She thinks I would sleep with her and make her my luna. This thought infuriates me.

“You are not even old enough to know who your mate is, and you want to throw yourself at me? For what?

I will not make you my luna simply because I had my dick inside you.” I know my words are harsh, but her assumptions have angered me.

The young she-wolf blushes deeply at my words. “Oh, umm I. Okay, Alpha. I will leave. I won’t bother you again.”

She starts to walk toward the door. “Stop. I want your name.

You can’t just barge into the alpha’s quarters uninvited, propositioning men, young lady.” She turns to me, fear evident in her eyes as my alpha aura pushes out in my anger.

Baring her neck to me, she replies, “Annabel Moretti. My father owns the best hotel in town, and a vineyard too.

He’s a respected man, please don’t tell him, Alpha. It will embarrass him.”

I nod before responding. “I won’t tell him, but I will speak to the beta about this, and something will be done.

Expect someone to come for you tomorrow so we can discuss tonight’s events.” She nods in understanding.

“You may go.” She hurries out of the room, and I listen as she runs down the hall, quietly crying.

I don’t feel guilty for throwing her out. I’m not the type to sleep with just anyone.

It reflects poorly on your character and diminishes your respect as an alpha. I walk over to the door, gently closing it and turning the lock to avoid further disturbances.

I crawl into the soft bed and pull the blankets over me. The room is slightly chilly, but I refuse to turn on the heat or light the fireplace.

I grab my cell phone and decide to call my father. It’s nearly one o’clock in the morning here.

I calculate the time difference, making it around eight a.m. in Montana. Regardless, we have business to discuss.

My father’s voice, deep and familiar, answers after the second ring of the phone. “Maximus. How’s Italy treating you, son?

How are Asolo and Beta Arthur?” I can’t help but chuckle at his directness, skipping the small talk.

“Everything’s good, Dad. It’s beautiful here. But there are some business matters we need to discuss.

I want to be prepared when I meet with Beta Arthur tomorrow.”

“All right, let’s get to it.

But first, Max, are you thinking of making Asolo your new home?” There’s a hint of hesitation in his voice as he asks this.

“No, I don’t think so. It’s nice, but it’s not really me.

Plus, I don’t want to give the king the wrong impression,” I reply, laughing lightly. “Hmmmm. I see.

So, what’s this plan you want to discuss?” I then proceed to share my idea of renovating the old Carabinieri building, and he listens attentively.

***

The next day, I’m huddled with Beta Arthur and Gamma Vincenzo, studying the blueprints of the Carabinieri building. I’ve asked Gamma to join us because of his role in overseeing our pack’s warriors and security.

After hours of examining the faded, ancient plans, we finally come up with a renovation strategy. It’s clear that this project will take up most of a year.

The plumbing and electrical systems need to be fixed before we can even think about the walls and structural reinforcement. But despite the daunting task ahead, I’m satisfied with our plan.

I take pictures of the blueprints, our notes, and sketches, and then we head to the actual building. Walking inside, I’m pleasantly surprised.

The building is in better shape than I had imagined. Sure, there are overgrown bushes around the structure and a few interior walls have crumbled.

But they’re not load-bearing walls, which is a relief. Many of the rooms are still intact, albeit old and in need of some TLC.

I can see the potential—it’s going to be stunning once restored. After we’re done, I send Gamma back to his duties at the fortress.

Beta Arthur and I stay behind, discussing other necessary repairs and his wish for me to move here and lead the pack. I tell him I’m still undecided but suggest my brother might be a better fit for the role.

He’s disheartened by the prospect of waiting another six years for an alpha. “Who knows,” I say with a shrug.

“Maybe my father will spend a few years here after I take over in Montana. He loves it here and my mother has never been to Italy.”

Beta Arthur offers a half-hearted smile as we head back to the Fortress. We’ve agreed to have dinner in town that evening, at Al Bacaro.

My father has praised this place endlessly, describing it as a five-star restaurant. In reality, it’s a charming little eatery with exceptional food.

After freshening up and inviting Alpha Frank to join us, we gather in the foyer, waiting for Beta’s mate. The kids are staying home, giving the adults a rare night out, according to Beta.

Cecile descends the stairs in a red dress, far too fancy for our destination, but she’s glowing. She’s not going to miss an opportunity to dress up for her mate, she explains, making us all laugh.

We walk to Al Bacaro, engaging in light-hearted conversation. Cecile shares stories of her childhood in Tuscany, where her father served as gamma for thirty years before retiring.

She tries to visit with the pups twice a year, when the weather is more forgiving and the roads safer. The owner greets us at the door, welcoming me “home” with a wide grin.

He has a table ready for us, insisting that the alpha should never wait. I notice several groups of people patiently waiting along the sidewalk, presumably for a table.

We’re seated and promptly served glasses of homemade wine, with the promise of appetizers while we peruse the main course menu. The tantalizing aroma of the food makes my mouth water.

As we study the menu, Beta Arthur recommends his favorite dishes. I glance up to see a tall woman with dark hair and even darker eyes approaching our table.

She brushes a few loose strands of hair from her face. Suddenly, Alpha Frank stands up so abruptly that his chair crashes to the floor.

His expression is one of shock, and then it dawns on us all as the waitress freezes in her tracks. They’re locked in a stare, Frank struggling to control his wolf.

“Mate,” he murmurs. The restaurant owner, who had just emerged from the kitchen, is as surprised as anyone.

He clutches his chest as he watches his daughter and Alpha Frank rush into each other’s arms, right in the middle of dinner service.