Chapter 2

Chapter

Two

F lorence, Italy

The first time Josiah Steele became aware of Katarina Marino as his mate, she was walking with her father through Piccolo's vineyard—her hand gliding along the tops of the vines in a kind of lover's caress. Her hair was the color of a raven's wings, pulled up and back in a high ponytail, cascading curls tumbling down her back from the top of her head. She had lush curves that a wolf could grasp while he took his pleasure. Her hips swayed with a natural rhythm that spoke of her sensual nature and her full lips were the color of berries and seemed ripe for kisses… Good God, where did those thoughts come from?

The next thing that ran through his mind made him feel as if he'd been struck by lightning, but there wasn't a single storm cloud overhead amidst the blue skies that held sway over the lush colors of the Tuscan landscape.

Fated mate—who'd have thought it?

Jed, as his family called him, had never believed he would be subject to that siren's song, but had watched with amusement as several of his oldest and closest friends succumbed to it. He shook his head, smiling ruefully at his own foolishness. All the platitudes and saccharine descriptions of what it was to recognize your fated mate paled in comparison to the reality.

Even from a distance, he could detect her scent. He had breathed it in with his first breath and held it in his nostrils until this moment. Both his father and uncle had warned him not to ignore the allure of the one female who would call to the deepest part of his soul. He'd asked them when he would know. Both had replied that for each individual the timing differed and did not always coincide with when your mate became aware. It seemed that those who chose to refute its existence the loudest were often those it hit over the head the hardest, so as to not be ignored.

His head ached and his stomach rolled. He was nauseous, disoriented and more aroused than he'd ever been in his life. There was a feral streak that ran in the Steele DNA—both his father and uncle had it in spades and so apparently did he. His cock stiffened, and he was almost overwhelmed with the need to strip her naked, put her on her back and drive his knot up into her. Although, he admitted to himself, doing so in her father's presence probably wasn't the best idea. Still, without thought he rumbled to her quietly, enjoying her surprised response.

Kat looked up, her violet eyes widening in shock and acknowledgement before whispering something to her father and walking away. Luca slowly turned around, and it was only when he caught site of Jed leaning on the gate that led into the vineyard that a knowing smile formed at the corners of his mouth. Luca turned his eyes to watch his daughter's retreating back and then turned again to Jed before shaking his finger in playful accusation.

"I can see that your mother's blood did nothing to cool or tame that of your father," he said, extending his hand. "It's good to see you, Jed."

"And you, Luca. My thanks for inviting me. I've been looking forward to this for some time. My mother always talks about the incredible beauty of both Piccolo and La Fortezza, and Stephanie has always touted the great hospitality of the DeMedici pack, not to mention the incredible wines you produce."

"No apology for calling to my daughter before speaking with me?"

Jed shook his head. "I fear not. My family history is not that of wolves who ask permission to claim what is theirs. Would I like your blessing and that of Marco? Of course, but one way or another, your daughter is my fated mate and you saw proof of that with your own eyes."

Luca chuckled. "That I did, and I suspect it was what provoked her sudden departure. But let's tell her mother I berated you and advocated for my daughter's freedom to make her own choice. More than a quarter of a century we have been happily mated and my Seraphina still chafes at our ways."

"Chafes? My mother routinely defies my father and, according to him, incites sedition among our she-wolves."

Luca laughed. "My alpha would say the same of our Madonna. Perhaps you will be lucky, and that kind of behavior will be confined to those she-wolves who were turned. The best I can do for you is to ensure that my mate and the Madonna's interference are kept to a minimum."

"Why is it that those who are the strongest and would do best mated to an alpha who can dominate them and provide the loving structure and support they need, are the ones who are most resistant?"

"That, my friend, is a question for the sages and far beyond my ability to grasp. Thank you for agreeing to meet me here at Piccolo, our satellite vineyard. What would you pursue first? Business or pleasure?"

"I would prefer pleasure, but it's best to conclude Luna de Lobo's business with La Fortezza before pursuing my fated mate."

Luca smiled. "You are indeed your father's son."

They turned toward the old grist mill that had been converted to a commercial bed and breakfast and storefront for La Fortezza. The building featured a small number of private, luxurious rooms, and the storefront sold gourmet food, wines, olive oil, and vinegars. Piccolo was a smaller, separate property that had been acquired thirty years ago. It was closer to Florence than the original vineyard and fortress that the DeMedici pack had owned for more than a thousand years.

Due to Seraphina Marino's vision and design, Piccolo had become a highly rated destination for tourists and destination weddings. Jed had been dispatched from his home in Sonoma to bring back some ancient grapevines as well as a few olive tree saplings. He would attend to business first, and then, before returning home, he would claim his fated mate.

N o! No! No! This could not be happening! I have my life planned and those plans do not include Jed Steele. Jed? What kind of name is that? I lost interest in him a long, long time ago.

Liar, whispered the voice inside her head.

She scowled. No, that couldn't be it. He could not be her fated mate. She must have eaten something that didn't agree with her. Yes, that was it. Besides, it was hot out and she hadn't been drinking enough water. She whispered to her father that she was feeling unwell and using the excuse that she needed to get out of the sun, made her getaway, leaving Piccolo and driving out to La Fortezza.

Kat admitted there had been a time in her adolescence when she'd dreamed of the son of the Alpha of Sonoma whisking her away to the golden vision of California—the ocean, the sunny weather, the enormous vineyard, and Torch Light, San Francisco's exclusive BDSM club. The thought of the good looking, muscular son of Damian Steele in club leathers was practically droolworthy. Torch Light was owned by Jed's father and uncle. Surely, Jed was a member. Playing there had been an item on her bucket list for some time and having access to the club had figured heavily in her decision to leave her home, move to California and take a job with Luna de Lobo. The Sonoma vineyard was considered to be one of the best and Stephanie Charles was their master vintner.

The only club she played regularly at was Baker Street in London, and she loved it there. She'd been to other clubs, but none of them seemed to possess the style and panache of Dante's, Baker Street or Torch Light. In some ways it was easier to play at Baker Street as it was owned and run by humans who had no idea shifters even existed. While Florence was home to Dante's, that club was owned and operated by her origin pack, and her parents and other pack members played there regularly.

It was comforting to know that she came by her kinks naturally, but nonetheless she had no desire to run into either of her parents in fet wear. The idea of breaking away from her home, parents, and a pack that had ruled their territory for more than a millennium had a great deal of appeal.

When Kat returned to La Fortezza, she went upstairs to call Stephanie. Trotting up the steps, she was happy to realize that the cool of the villa and the bottle of water she'd just finished had restored her sense of equilibrium.

"Hey, Kat! It's good to hear from you. Please tell me you're calling to accept my offer. And if not that, at least say you're coming for a visit so I can persuade you."

"I was thinking about doing just that. Leaving my origin pack and moving to California is a big step. But this seems like a good time to take a vacation, so I thought I'd stopover in New Orleans and spend a few days with Skylar. Her mate's new restaurant, Loup de Mer, is opening soon. If we can make it happen, I'm hoping to get several close friends to join us in New Orleans and spend the weekend getting into trouble."

Stephanie laughed. "It's good to have a small pack of she-wolves you can get into trouble with. Drives the boys crazy, which is half the fun. Let me know what you decide and when you're planning to get to San Francisco. I'll be happy to meet you at the airport when you get here and bring you out to Luna de Lobo."

"I'd hate to put you to any trouble. I was thinking once I got to San Francisco, I'd spend a day or two in the city before coming out to the vineyard. Do you think you could get me a pass to Torch Light?"

Stephanie laughed. "I can easily make that happen. I take it you're into the lifestyle?"

"I wouldn't say I buy into the whole lifestyle, but I've had fun the couple of times I've played at Baker Street and a few other clubs."

"Not at Dante's?"

"Stephanie, my parents play there, and my father is kind of a legend. Imagine walking in there to play and having one of the subs ask me if I didn't think The Wolf was the sexiest Dom that ever lived."

"What would you say?"

"I'd tell her he was my father and I thought that was gross. I might never play again."

"I don't blame you. I can arrange it so that you're there when some of the other young wolves are planning to play."

"Thanks. Let me call Sky and see what we can arrange."

"Great. I'll look forward to seeing you. And be prepared for a full-court press. I would love to have you here as the assistant vintner."

Kat ended the call and sat back. She knew that wineries wanted to hire her away because she was Luca Marino's daughter and had grown up learning from him. Her father had taught her well, and she knew she could do the job. Damian Steele had hired Stephanie away from La Fortezza as an assistant to his master vintner. When Evan Conroy had been killed, Damian had proven his commitment to having the best vintner, gender notwithstanding, and promoted Stephanie into the top spot.

There was a knock on her door, and her mother stuck her head in. "Your father said you weren't feeling well."

"I think I ate the wrong thing for breakfast, plus too much sun and not enough water."

Her mother smiled. "That would do it. Why don't I draw the drapes and you just lie down for a while?"

"I'm fine, mother, really. Stephanie Charles just invited me to come and spend some time at Luna de Lobo."

Her mother laughed. "Stephanie Charles wants to lure you away from here. I think she's starting to think about succession planning."

"I could do worse," Kat said a bit defensively.

"It would be hard to do better. You of course are being considered to take over for your father, but there are others who have put in more time at the vineyard."

Kat eyed her mother. "Yes. I lost a lot of time getting that college degree you insisted on."

"I know. I'm a horrible mother," Sera said with a laugh. "Making you get an enology degree in France. I would point out that you were the one who opted to get her master's degree in Florence."

"Yes, but I took your words to heart. That education, combined with being raised by and working hand-in-hand with one of the world's best vintners, gives me an edge over those who have simply grown up working the vines. I do think it opened up some doors for me, including the one with Luna de Lobo."

Her mother sighed. "I hate to say it, but I do think you owe it to yourself to take Stephanie up on her invitation."

Kat nodded. "I was thinking I'd go visit Skylar and attend the opening of Travis's new restaurant."

"I'm sure Piper and Bre will be there, but maybe you could get Mariah to come down."

"That's what I was thinking. So, you wouldn't mind if I went?"

"Not at all. When do you think you'll leave?"

"I thought I might catch a red-eye flight to New Orleans tonight," Kat said, trying to avoid eye contact with her mother.

Seraphina looked at her daughter closely. "Is everything all right, Kat?"

"Yes, I'm just feeling a bit restless. I thought I could lend Skylar and Travis a hand. And I haven't seen my friends in over a year. It won't take me any time to get ready."

"If that's what you want and you won't be in Skylar's way, I'll call Darby and ask her if you can stay at the pack's townhouse in the French Quarter."

"New Orleans has hotels, mother," Kat said, rolling her eyes. "I could ask Skylar for a recommendation."

"But your father and I would prefer if you weren't in a strange city by yourself."

Kat smiled. "If it will make you feel better, I'll ask Skylar."

Her phone buzzed and Kat looked down, smiling as she answered and put the call on speaker. "Were your ears ringing?"

Skylar Nichols's throaty laugh floated across the distance. "Why, were you talking about me? Good things, I hope."

"Always," said Seraphina as she headed toward the door. "I'll leave you two girls to chat."

When Skylar heard Kat's door close, she said, "She does realize we aren't girls anymore, doesn't she?"

"Does your mother?"

"My mother isn't the problem. I don't know that my father will ever acknowledge I'm all grown up, even though I have a fated mate of my own."

"What does he think of that?"

"He loves Travis and knows he makes me happy and keeps me in line. The fact that Travis has opted to stay here in New Orleans helps. Poor Rémy. Papa wants him to consider not re-enlisting."

"But Rémy loves being a SEAL. Besides, Jean-Edouard will be alpha when your dad is gone."

"For the most part he's really proud of Rémy and what he's accomplished, but each time he gets a medal—and he has a chest full of them—it reminds both of my parents that being a special ops soldier is an inherently dangerous profession."

"Well, they do have a point. But something tells me you didn't call to chat about your parents' angst over your little brother's choice of professions. So, what's up?"

"The grand opening of the restaurant is next week. Travis wants to have what he calls a soft opening in a couple of days. I was hoping I could get you and Mariah to come. Piper and Bre will be here. I thought it would be fun if we were all together."

"Great minds! I was just going to call and invite myself to come and then suggest that we invite Mariah."

"That sounds wonderful. Do you want to stay in the townhouse? I don't think anyone's there right now so Piper could stay with you."

"How about Bre?"

Skylar laughed. "Bre doesn't like to be far from my brother. I swear they are almost as bad as my parents."

"And you and Travis?"

Skylar laughed. "We're far worse. How soon do you think you can come?"

"Providing they have space on the overnight flight, I was thinking I'd come tonight."

"Is everything okay?" Skylar asked, suspicion and concern lacing her tone.

"Absolutely. Stephanie Charles wants me to come out to Luna de Lobo. She wants me to consider moving there with an eye toward working with her."

"Have you been out there? It's gorgeous. And you'd be so much closer to New Orleans, and after all, that's what's really important."

"I want to explore San Francisco," Kat said.

"No, you want to explore Torch Light," teased Skylar.

"Well, there is that. Stephanie said she could get me a pass."

"I'll go you one better. You pack and head for Florence, I'll find you a seat. Travis asked me what I wanted for my birthday, and I said I wanted plane tickets for you and Mariah."

"You're the best, Sky. I'll call you when I get to the airport in Florence. If I need to fly out of someplace else, just call me."

"Will do. I'm so happy you're coming!"

Kat ended the call and ran to her closet, grabbed her largest suitcase, and proceeded to pack quickly and efficiently. She packed nice outfits for both the soft and grand opening. Staying at the Gautier townhouse in the French Quarter did mean she'd have easy access for laundry.

Once she was packed, she headed down the stairs, running into her godfather, the alpha of their pack, Marco DeMedici.

"And where might you be headed?"

"Skylar Nichols invited me to the soft opening of Travis's new restaurant, Loup de Mer. I was going to ask if I could borrow one of the cars and leave it at the airport."

"Hmm. I think it would be easier to have someone drive you. Are you sure you're feeling all right?"

Kat rolled her eyes. "Yes, Alpha. My mother and father worry too much. I had too much sun and not enough water."

Marco smiled benignly. "Parents worry. It's in the job description. Go out front and I'll have someone bring the car around. Your father is still at work, but your mother is plotting with Catherine. Go say goodbye to her."

"Yes, Alpha," she said demurely, making him laugh.

Kat went and said goodbye to her mother and the Madonna of the DeMedici, who was also her godmother and her mother's closest friend.

"Marco seems to think you two are plotting," she said, giving her mother a kiss.

"Marco always thinks we're plotting," said Catherine.

"Aren't we?" asked Seraphina. "Because if we're not, I can go plot with others."

All three women laughed, and it crossed Kat's mind that this might be the last time they were together in this room.

"I know I'm only going for a short visit, but I want you to know, I love you both."

Seraphina gathered her daughter in her arms. "We love you too, sweetheart. If you don't want to go, we can blame it on Marco being unreasonable."

Catherine laughed. "It wouldn't be the first time. Have fun, Katarina, and don't do anything your mother or I wouldn't do."

Kat grinned at them and headed to the front door. That didn't leave a whole lot out. When she went outside, the sun was just beginning to set behind a hill full of vines. She loved this place, but perhaps her destiny lay elsewhere.