Page 3 of Harvest

Knowing that it was sometimes best to meet Damian’s aggressive stance with one of his own, Xander chose to confront his alpha. “What the hell is wrong with the DeMedici? They are an old and venerable pack. I’ve been told they have held their lands for more than a thousand years; their wines are among the most respected in the world.”

Damian ran his hands through his coal black hair. “I’m just not comfortable with some of the older packs. What that bastard DeMoncada did…”

“Yeah, but Marco was one of those who was first to take a stand against the Ruling Council and go after DeMoncada and his goons. Unlike some of the old aristocratic packs, he has no problems with those who aren’t shifter born. He even chose a human for a mate and turned her with her consent. They refer to her…”

“I know… as the Madonna of the DeMedici.” Damian expelled his breath. “So, what do we know about this she-wolf?”

“Human born. DeMoncada and his thugs kidnapped she and her sister and turned them. Both were rescued by the Welsh Wolf and he took them to DeMedici. The other sister is their chief medic and midwife. Stephanie is younger and has shown a real aptitude for winemaking. She knows a lot about their growing, harvesting, and bottling techniques. Evan thinks she could be invaluable. And the girl is unmated. In case you missed it, we could use some unmated she-wolves.”

Part and parcel of being one of the ranked members of a pack was ensuring the health and longevity of that pack. The best packs consisted mostly of mated pairs, some of which were said to be fated… to follow one another from one life to the next. Xander wasn’t sure he believed in fated mates, but he wanted to.

Becoming a wolf-shifter had altered his view of the world. The first thing that had thrown him—after the whole being able to become a wolf—was how heavily male dominated the packs were. At first the idea of disciplining a she-wolf had been contrary to the way he was raised. But as he lived as a wolf, he realized there were advantages as roles were clearly defined and the women were, in the right kind of pack, cherished. For the most part, wolfen society worked and most everyone was happy.

“Point taken.”

“Is it? We have an alpha who should be mated.”

Damian groaned. “Are you sure you weren’t born a wolf or an old woman? Gods, you’re a nag.”

“As I understand it, part of my job is to keep our alpha happy and a she-wolf in your bed would go a long way toward accomplishing that.”

“This from a guy who drives an hour south to get laid at a kink club.”

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

“Just tell me you and Evan aren’t playing matchmaker again.”

Xander laughed and shook his head.

“We’ve given up on that. Three times we’ve tried… and three times you’ve redirected the female in question to another member of the pack.”

“What’s wrong with that? We added three lovely she-wolves to our number, who are all happily mated. Our men see me as magnanimous for allowing them to claim females you and Evan had destined for me.”

Xander snorted. “I got news for you… no one is buying the ‘I did it for my pack’ routine. You didn’t want them, so instead of insulting them or their original packs, you found them the perfect mate among our men.”

Before Damian could interrupt him, he held up his hand. “I’m not saying you’re wrong. As well paired as they are, you were right.”

Damian grinned at him. The alpha ofLuna de Lobopack could be charming when he chose to be.

“That’s because I’m a benevolent alpha who thinks only of his pack.”

Xander barked a short laugh. “Sell that shit to someone who hasn’t known you as long as I have. You realized that they would never be able to stand up to you. It took me a while to figure out you are never going to even look twice at a woman unless she’s willing to get in your face, roar back and kick you in the nuts when you’re being an asshole.”

“A she-wolf trying the latter would find herself face down getting her ass blistered before she knew what had happened to her.” Damian snarled.

“Maybe, but you have to admit, you want a she-wolf you can tangle with, one who isn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with you.”

“Don’t think my mate…”

“Well, there’s progress; I do believe that’s the first time you’ve admitted you even want a mate.”

“Don’t be an ass, Xander.”

“Not ass, Alpha, wolf-shifter. You saw to that for which I am eternally grateful.”

Damian chuckled. “You weren’t when you first woke up. As I recall you punched me in the nose.”

“You have to admit it’s a bit much realizing you’ve been mortally wounded only to wake up and find out that not only did you survive, but your DNA has been altered and you are now some kind of freak.”

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