2. Chapter Two

Drywall dusted to the ground, the handle of the dagger quivering where it'd impaled the wall. Riaz beamed as his wolf growled with instant approval. Smothering the reaction, he finally glanced up to where the woman had frozen.

Seeing him whole and without injury, the fear in her beautiful brown eyes transformed to anger on a dime. "Sneaking up on me will get you killed, wolf."

"Will it?"

As he reclined against the doorframe, Riaz leisurely examined the vampire in front of him, his eyes raking over the lean lines of her body. A long brunette braid trailed over her right shoulder, a look of fierce determination on her feminine features. Hands fisted on her hips, and a pantsuit that clung to every shapely curve of her legs. A flowing blue top hinted at the svelte figure beneath.

Beneath the deep brown gaze, her fiery nature positively seared him to the bone. She held his alpha gaze without quivering under his dominance. And instead of baring teeth in a show of aggression, his beast perked to attention.

This would be interesting.

A lazy smile claimed his lips. Riaz wrapped his fist around the dagger's hilt and yanked it out of the wall, plaster showering toward the ground once more.

"My deepest apologies, sweetheart, I'll make sure to stomp toward you every time I am in your presence from here on out."

Unamused, the vampire extended her hand toward him expectantly. "I believe that's my dagger."

Irreverent. Critical. And an oh-so-subtle dominance challenge. The wolf in Riaz' chest was practically vibrating with the force of his own waging tail. Fortunately, the man had no such appendage to betray his curiosity. Flipping it so that the hilt pointed toward her, Riaz offered the weapon.

"Don't let me intrude on your giddy reunion."

The vampire took the blade from him with a courteous thank you. Whipping out a handkerchief, she then made a show of cleaning his fingerprints from the blade, obviously displeased he'd unintentionally left his mark.

Riaz leaned around her to get a glimpse of the excessive amount of luggage she'd brought into her borrowed quarters. "Did you bring your entire flat with you?"

"Oh, you know what? I actually left the dog treats at home. Pity."

"I think you forgot your casket, too."

Eyes snapping up to meet his, the hint of mirth in her face died as the smile became incredulous. "That's just tacky."

"Well, tacky is my middle name." He extended his hand. "Riaz Tacky Diallo, at your service."

She grasped his hand with a firm shake. "Cortana Zervas."

Baby-soft skin was a sensual kiss against his hand, a spark of electricity nipping at him from the contact. Tingles flickered up his arm and a pit churned in his stomach; his wolf was positively delighted. The barest of shivers scampered over Cortana's frame, but he latched onto the effect like the predator he was.

Drunk on the feel of her skin on his, he yanked her closer, her stilettoed feet slapping against the ground as he took her by surprise. Shuffling closer to him, her beautiful brown eyes widened in consternation.

A scant few inches separated them.

Cortana made a move to cede the space between them and back up, but his wolf had already risen to the forefront, dragging in her scent like the animal was desperate for it. Inhaling deeply, Riaz savored the succulent smell of fresh raspberries, a hint of desire coiling around him like the sweetest caress.

"Do you jerk around all your guests as though they were your chew toys?"

He barked a laugh, releasing her at last. Riaz gave her his infamous, show-stopping smile. "I only gnaw on the ones who don't mind a little slobber, Pet."

Cortana took a measured step back before crossing her arms. "If anyone around here is a pet, it's you, Fido."

Not one to be outdone, he adopted the same pose. "Woof woof. Welcome to my den, little vampirella."

"Thank you," she said, straightening and regaining her professional mask. "I expect that tomorrow, we'll schedule a strategy meeting, go over the itinerary, and discuss how I can be of assistance while I'm here."

"Oh, I'd love that."

The sarcasm was implied, and Cortana caught it without fail. Outward indignation met his remarks, and she closed her eyes for a bit longer than a standard blink.

"While I'd love to chat about the latest flea prevention meds, the sun is starting to rise. Will you leave by yourself, or do I have to throw a stick?"

Try as he might, he couldn't withhold the flash of eagerness that transformed his features at the suggestion of play. Fortunately, he reined it in through sheer strength of will.

"I'll see myself out, Pet."

The sound of the door slamming behind him loosened a chuckle from his lips. Padding through the halls, he trotted toward the great hall, eager to be among his pack once more. Few things compared to the boisterous group's charm, and he welcomed their affection with open arms.

Several wolves instantly set into him, goading him into a run along the pack's territory line. As alpha, Riaz was depended upon to maintain pack structure. He was the highest-ranking wolf within the den, prevailing over the four betas who served as his eyes and ears, and the more submissive wolves that rounded out their ranks.

Dominance was established typically at the first meeting, though occasionally progressed into physical quarrels if there was disagreement. Every wolf in his den submitted to him—in large part due to the nature of his wolf.

Riaz may have been a laid-back leader who occasionally forgot the importance of protocol and etiquette, but he was strong and loyal. This pack meant everything to him, and he'd happily put his life on the line to protect them.

As he shifted into his wolf, the others swamped him from all sides, yipping in excitement. Setting off, they escaped through the den's front door, equipped with easy access for pack members in their second form.

Riaz let the slowest wolf set the pace, galloping handily at the back of the pack. Running with the wolves he knew so well was like savoring the finest chocolate: it always gave him joy.

Soon enough, they were tracking prey through the Colorado landscape. Dawn approached, and nocturnal animals were slowly seeking shelter. The elk before them, a bull that'd seen too many winters, was limping on one hind leg.

Gadriel, one of his betas and closest friends, took the lead on bringing him down. The other wolf was a skilled predator, and Riaz knew that occasionally he needed to shed some of the more violent aspects of their nature with a hunt.

Each member of the hunting party was happily sated, some choosing to remain outdoors to sleep off full stomachs. Gadriel and Riaz were the exception, walking back to the den as the morning was in full swing.

Their wolves were silent, but their camaraderie was not. The other wolf had joined Riaz's pack early in his life, appreciating his less-than-formal ways but bringing structure to a pack that'd been scattered in the past.

Riaz knew he'd found a lifelong friend in Gadriel from the moment they met. It was the same for the rest of his betas—all of them complimented his leadership style but added something that'd previously been missing.

After four hours of rest, he awoke to a boring, cookie-cutter version of the previous day. Riaz knew he'd soon have to face the music. Decisions about his pack's immunity would have to be made, and he detested the thought of leaving anyone open to going feral.

While being alpha was both a privilege and an honor, there were areas where he struggled. Willfully placing his people in danger, or leaving them open to it, always rubbed him raw. He struggled with reprimanding any one of his charges—directly or indirectly, verbally or through physical means.

Natural born wolves used their teeth to settle disputes. Usually, people resorted to words. As a mix of the two, werewolves used both. For Riaz, discipline had never been his strong suit, and no matter how many times Aidan reiterated the need, he detested it.

Riaz preferred to support the inborn aspects of their nature: being in harmony with the natural rhythms of their wolves. The rigidity of modern society—structure and inflexible routine—could contradict what they instinctively sought out to soothe their inner beasts.

The wild wolves that roamed the mountains didn't sit in front of computer screens day in and day out, nor did they schedule tactical meetings to bark about their closest neighbors. They relied on their instincts and what they'd learned to ensure they'd survive.

Riaz was convinced that it was their human side's stringent routines and practices that ran them ragged and edged them toward going rogue. Being in harmony with his own wolf—and encouraging his pack to do the same—was his highest priority after ensuring their safety.

He performed his daily check, going on a vigorous run through along the perimeter of their innermost pack lands to ensure their borders were well kept. The exercise had squelched the urge to pace outside the vampire's door, but he'd been jittery to be once more in her company. By the time the sun had fallen later than night, Riaz's wolf was pacing beneath his skin. The beast, salivating for quality time with their resident bloodsucker, had taken an interest after their witty banter.

Ears trained to the visitor's quarters where she slept, Riaz participated in a few den games before he heard the telltale sounds of her stilettos drawing near.

Ava had beaten him to the punch.

The two women, chatting easily, paid him no mind as they strolled into the great hall. Riaz huffed, deflated, before he got a brilliant idea.

Lowering his head, his eyes went wolf as he stalked toward the pair, whom he'd loosely deemed Trouble Incarnate. His beast purred happily beneath his skin, delighting in the play. A few of his packmates turned to watch him with eager eyes but kept their silence as they observed his hunt.

Good.

Shadowing his second and the vampire toward the end of the great hall—Ava was steering her toward the offices—he used his predatorial instincts to sneak up on his unwitting prey.

When he'd gotten within pouncing distance, he changed tactics.