Chapter 2

As he held the phone to his face, Xander glanced around the city, exhausted from his meeting with an alpha from south of their territory. "Damian, looks like we aren't the only ones seeing signs that the Hunters are getting bolder. The rumors about their increased activities are running rampant."

Damian sighed long and deep. "Not what I wanted to hear, but it was expected. Was Rhodes on board for a summit of the alphas along the coast?"

"He was. He didn't strike me as much of a team player, but I think the fact that they got to his people on their own beach rattled him a bit. I offered our condolences on their loss and also our support."

"No doubt that was turned down. Rhodes has always been one to take care of his own. I'm just not sure that's going to work if we want to keep our people hidden and the Hunters continue to escalate."

"Interestingly enough, he said almost the same thing."

"Good job, Xander. I take it you're going to stay in the city tonight?"

"I thought I might. I want to double check on our new she-wolf, but I want to burn off some stress."

Xander ended the call and headed to Stephanie's hotel.

"Good evening, sir," said the head of hotel security, a member of the pack who lived in the city.

"Chandler, how's our newest pack member?"

"She appeared to be a bit surprised to find wolves here at the hotel, but she seems very pleasant. She spent most of the day sightseeing and went back out this evening."

"I'll check in with you before I leave the city. Did you hear about the Coronado pack?"

Chandler nodded. "I did. Bad business that. I've tightened up security."

"Good. We're doing that out at the vineyard as well."

Xander headed for Torch Light feeling he could burn off some steam before returning to the pack's main compound. There wasn't a man in Damian's old unit, Xander included, who didn't frequent the exclusive club. Its members were both human and shifter. Like many members of the pack, Xander enjoyed playing there as it was a great way to work off aggression, stress, and lust.

The rule of thumb was that she-wolves within the pack were off-limits to the male members. Then once a particular male started courting a she-wolf, the two would be exclusive to one another unless they parted. Casual sex was frowned upon. With Stephanie's arrival, there would now be two unmated she-wolves in the pack—Shasta would most likely welcome Stephanie's presence. Damian was a bit old-fashioned in that he believed she-wolves needed to be mated. At the moment, Shasta was the sole unmated she-wolf in the pack and had caused trouble repeatedly. Xander was hopeful that with the addition of Stephanie to their pack, Shasta might settle down. If she didn't Damian might decide it was time to begin to look for her a mate outside their pack.

After Xander arrived at Torch Light, he walked inside to change into his leathers and take some time for himself. Xander entered the bar to grab a beer before finding a sub who might be amenable to a session. The sudden, intense buzzing that assailed him stopped him dead in his tracks. It was as powerful as it was unmistakable. Not only did he have a fated mate, something he had never considered to be possible as he had been turned, but she was near. Every cell in his body roared to life as he experienced the power of her pull. He didn't see her, but he inhaled deeply, smiling as he scented the essential fragrance that was uniquely hers—orange blossom laced with vanilla. He had known that scent would be important to him from the time he had awakened as a wolf.

He scanned the bar and what he could see of the main stage, coming up empty. All of the females he saw were ones he had known for quite some time. Xander didn't believe in fated mates and because he scoffed at the notion, he wasn't sure of all of the intricacies involved. For example, was it possible to know a woman and not know she was your fated mate? Could someone you'd known suddenly become a fated mate? Did it take time to figure it out or, as he'd gleaned from Damian, that the call was profound and a wolf would know immediately that a woman or she-wolf was the other half of his soul? He'd never heard that, but then again, he hadn't heard it was impossible. And what did he know? He hadn't been born wolf and it was only recently that Damian had begun to open up about his own aspirations and beliefs.

Xander, or Master Alex at the club, was well known as a master of several forms of play, but his skill with whips and floggers was second to none. He picked up his floggers to examine them. These were his favorites—well-worn deerskin, with incredibly soft falls.

"Alex," Nic hailed from across the bar. Nic was human and knew nothing about wolf-shifters.

Xander turned toward the sound of Nic's voice, peering into the darkened corner, and smiled. Had it not been for his heightened ability to see in dim light, he might have missed her. A gorgeous strawberry blonde she-wolf. Could this be the pack's new she-wolf? He couldn't see much of her as she was seated, but he would recognize her scent anywhere. What he could see was most definitely to his liking.

Damian was going to have a field day with all of this.

Xander could sense her distress; it seemed she too had detected her fated mate's presence. It was interesting to note that she didn't seem very happy about that. Then again Damian had once said that in his opinion, the best mates generally didn't. But Damian liked those who offered him a challenge. The best mate, especially for an alpha, was as strong as her mate and chose to submit, although sometimes at first that submission needed to be forced or coerced.

So, his mate wasn't sure she liked the idea of her fated mate claiming her. That was a shame, as he had the advantage, although he doubted she realized that. Xander decided to insist that she either negotiate a scene with him, or her application to the club would be rejected. He knew it was high-handed, but he also knew he would never tolerate anyone else touching her. Interestingly enough he'd never experienced feelings of jealousy or possessiveness… until now.

"Nic," he said joining them, "who might you have here?"

"Stephanie is here as a guest. She has an application pending, but I've cleared her for play. She was hoping for a session with someone good with a flogger. Interested?"

"No, I wouldn't want to bother the boss," she said, trying to slide out of the chair and past him.

"It would be no trouble at all and would give us a good idea if you are a fit for the club. What's your safeword?"

"No, really, I don't want to impose."

"It wouldn't be an imposition, but rather my pleasure and yours… unless of course, you're just a tourist," Xander said.

Nic started to intervene but thought better when Xander caught his eye and shook his head. The Resident Dom had known Xander long enough to know when not to push him.

"What's it to be? Safeword or rejection of your application?" Xander asked her in a pleasant tone with an undernote of iron.

"That's a bit high-handed, don't you think?" asked Nic.

"No, Nic. I don't," Xander answered before turning his attention back to the pretty she-wolf seated before him.

He smiled as he imagined her naked, on her knees before him—either in a submissive presentation, sucking his cock, or as he mounted and fucked her from behind. His cock was becoming more swollen by the moment.

The she-wolf stood up, facing him proudly and defiantly. She wasn't afraid of him… didn't even seem to be intimidated. That too was good. He'd never cared for overly submissive submissives. He wanted to earn their submission.

Her eyes narrowed into slits. "Are we negotiating, or do you just lay down what you want like the big bad wolf?"

So, she wanted to play, did she? "I do have eyes that see you better than most and part of what I will require does involve my eating you up," Xander said with a smile.

"Alex," started Nic.

"Stay out of this, Nic."

"Yes, Master Nic, don't worry about me. I'm quite adept at handling voracious wolves." She turned back to address Alex. "If you can manage to give me what I need, I wouldn't be opposed to having oral sex involved in aftercare."

"See there, Nic? Stephanie and I are getting along just fine. I'm not worried about that, sweetheart. I've never had a woman underneath my whip that didn't achieve subspace and more. What else?"

"I prefer a flogger to a whip, deerskin if you have it."

"Why? Don't get me wrong, I can give you what you need with either or both."

"I prefer a thud to a sting."

"You might prefer it, but I rather imagine you're in need of some sting, at least from time to time. But in this instance, I'll agree to just a flogger—single or double?"

"Are you capable of double?" she challenged.

She was going to be fun, and he was right, she was going to need some sting and not all of it using a whip.

Out of the corner of his eye, Xander saw Nic start to stand. It was obvious the Resident Dom was confused and becoming more concerned. Xander placed his hand on his shoulder and eased him back down into the chair.

"You'll find that I'm able to take care of all of your needs. Anything else?"

"I can't think of anything right now. Where do you want to do this?" she asked.

"Not so fast. I've heard your demands. Now you will hear mine. In answer to your question, we'll do it in the main room. You will be naked and strapped with your back to the cross, blindfolded with noise-cancelling ear plugs. Aftercare will be in one of the private playrooms, and when I get you to subspace, you'll submit to my making a meal of you. When I make you come…"

"Never happen," she hissed.

"We'll see about that. When I make you come, you will submit to me sexually until I come as well."

He saw her confidence falter. Good, she should consider his demands. What she didn't know was he possessed an inordinate degree of control; he was known for it. She looked down at Nic. Xander took her chin in his hand and turned her face back to his.

"He can't help you. Agree and give me your safeword or get out," he said in a low voice.

"Alex," said Nic.

"For the last time, Nic, stay out of this. It's between my sub and I."

"I'm not your sub," she said.

"Yet," said Xander, enjoying her spirit. She was going to be a challenge, but then he liked a good challenge, especially one that had her figure and whose arousal smelled as sweet as hers did. "I'm going to ask you one last time for your safeword. If I don't get it, I'll assume you have none."

"Chianti," she said.

Xander chuckled. "Chianti it is." He offered her his hand. "Come along, sub. I find my hunger for you growing by the moment."

She placed her hand in his and accompanied him to the main stage.

"You should know, little wolf," he whispered, "I can feel the same thing and mean to claim you as mine."

"You assume my alpha would allow you to claim me against my will."

"You can always challenge me to let you run, which could prove an enjoyable form of foreplay before I take you into seclusion."

"You know nothing about me," she snarled.

"Watch how you speak to me, mate," he warned as she stopped and tried to pull away from him.

Xander tried to remind himself that she had been kidnapped and turned without her consent. This life had been thrust upon her, but she'd been with Marco's pack long enough to know proper protocol. Besides which, they were in the club and as a sub, she should know enough not to behave disrespectfully. He was having to fight his inner wolf who wanted nothing more than to take her to his bed and claim her.

"Safewording out, little wolf?" he said more gently. "I would have thought you were made of sterner stuff, but in the end, it will do you no good. You will be mine."

"You don't scare me, and I won't use my safeword… you aren't that good."

Xander chuckled. "Oh, but I am. I can't wait to get between your legs. You smell sweet and I am now ravenous."

He helped her up onto the stage and withdrew an antique, bejeweled stiletto from his boot—a gift from Damian on the first anniversary of his becoming a wolf. He turned her around without asking and ran the stiletto between the laces and the leather beneath them. He then made short work of the strings of her corset and thong, rendering her naked in the blink of an eye.

"I could have gotten undressed by myself. Those were expensive," she hissed.

"I'll buy you new laces and you won't need many thongs. Any I allow you to have, I will purchase for you."

"You're awfully confident for a Dom who knows nothing about me."

He growled low and smiled as her body shuddered in response.

"I know everything I need to know. You are my fated mate and you will take your vows to me… one way or another."

Xander helped her up onto the platform and turned her so she faced the audience, placing a noise-cancelling ear bud in each ear. Just before he positioned the second device in her ear, he whispered, "Mine is the last voice you will hear before succumbing to me."

He then secured a black silk blindfold around her eyes and locked her in four-point restraints against the St. Andrew's Cross. He leaned down to the sound board and punched up the piece of music he wanted to use to establish the rhythm he would use on her.

A human voice trying to mimic a wolf's howl broke the charged silence, followed by three guitar notes before Sam the Sham and the Pharaoh's classic tune "Little Red Riding Hood" began to play. He turned his attention back to the woman he had strapped naked to the St. Andrew's Cross. Xander picked up the dual floggers and began to lay the strikes softly on her shoulders, one at a time, before drawing them gently down her body.

Stephanie's response was automatic and profound—her nipples pebbled, goosebumps raised on her flushed skin, and her nectar increased. God, she smelled sweet. As the music changed and the tempo increased, Xander began to apply the floggers in a soft, rotating motion. He didn't enjoy inflicting pain for pain's sake, although he had to acknowledge that he was looking forward to having his mate over his knee for a little discipline, before sending her to the corner and mounting her there. He'd heard there was great pleasure to be had in sitting back afterwards to observe your handiwork and watch your excess cum dribble down the inside thigh of a chastised mate.

His cock began to throb in time to the music and the charged atmosphere of the club. Within half an hour his body, with the exception of his cock that was hard as a rock, had unwound and he could feel the sense of peace that came with topping a submissive female—be she human or wolf. Normally his cock was somewhat indifferent, but it would seem that if your fated mate was involved, that servicing her need and feeling the connection flow between you fulfilled a desire to serve as well as incite and inflame one's libido.

Xander was practiced at using two floggers to pleasure a female and alleviate her stress. He often found his own kind of relaxation in topping subs, usually human ones. He rather imagined his Stephanie would not be one to share her mate and that was fine by him. As they said, what was sauce for the goose was sauce for the gander and he would never allow another to play with her.

He allowed the rhythm of the music to guide his movements as he struck her repeatedly. The girl moaned and her body shuddered in pleasured response, relaxing as her arousal increased. Between the cadence of the thuds and the way he was able to let the falls wrap around her before sliding away, she was subbing out quickly.

He loved being able to do this—provide a woman with a way to relax and let her mind and spirit float free. It was different when he had to discipline one of the subs at the club or one of their unmated she-wolves. With them, during a punishment session, his goal was to inflict enough pain that he didn't have to get after a girl a second time for the same thing. For the most part he was successful. But Shasta had a bad habit of fighting the rules and norms of the male dominated hierarchy of wolfen society. She had been one of those that had almost drowned that night and he and Damian had cracked down on her rebelliousness. Xander had been forced to discipline her twice more since that night and she had finally seemed to settle and had been fairly well-behaved since then.

Stephanie's groan brought him back from his own reverie and he refocused his energy on her. He also began to call to her in the ancient and primal way of their kind. While she wouldn't be able to hear him, she would feel his need and his beckoning that she yield to him. Her entire body trembled, and she struggled with the restraints. Stephanie moaned softly and her body shivered as a light sheen covered it. Her arousal was increasing as was her need to give over to him and slip into subspace.

The smile on his face increased. He knew he shouldn't be enjoying this as much as he was, but he couldn't help it. Her body stiffened and Stephanie cried out as she climaxed and tumbled into subspace. Xander knew tonight's scene was different from any he had experienced before. He knew that unlike past sessions, he was already feeling the urge to sink his teeth into the space by the hollow of her throat. He meant to make her come for him again as he made a meal of her wild honey. He would not deny his need to fuck her, but he would resist the urge to mark her until he claimed her formally. He knew to eradicate the mark inflicted by those who had turned her against her will, his bite would need to be deeper and more painful and would most likely leave a far more prominent scar than was normally left by a beta's claiming mark.

He had no doubt he'd have Damian's blessing, but Marco might be another matter if she was able to get word to him. No problem, he'd just take her into seclusion and keep her there until she had accepted she was his fated mate and had taken her vows.

He continued to land gentle, sliding blows across the fleshier areas of her body, pushing her further and further into sub space until she stiffened and then arched as she orgasmed a second time. Xander could feel the room in a state of heightened arousal and could hear those who had chosen to act on those feelings going at it in the audience. Before taking Stephanie to one of the private playrooms, he'd need to make sure that Nic knew to ensure the security team was on alert. He didn't think they had anyone at the club who would take advantage, but better safe than sorry. Hypocrite, his mind taunted. Xander was taking full advantage of the situation and was well aware of it.

Xander turned and laid down the flogger next to his kit. He could feel the connection between he and Stephanie swirling around him like a maelstrom. Arousal surged and his cock throbbed and pressed against the fly of his leathers. He scanned the audience and nodded to Nic.

"What the hell, Alex?" he said, joining him.

"It's a long story, Nic. We know each other and this has been a long-time coming," Xander lied. "Make sure the boys know what's going on. I reserved the Sunset Room. I'm going to take Stephanie up there. Go ahead and close and lock up at the normal time. Leave my SUV outside the back entrance. I'll have someone come get her Jeep tomorrow."

"Should I be worried about this?"

"No," said Xander. "The next time you see my Stephanie, she will be wearing at least my collar and maybe even my ring, depending on how elaborate a wedding she wants."

The man's eyes widened. "You weren't kidding when you said you knew her."

"She was living in Italy and wasn't ready to leave. When a position for her became available at Luna de Lobo she got annoyed as she thought I was manipulating things, and maybe I was. I was tired of not having her in my bed."

"Not overly submissive," Nic teased.

"Not to anybody and their brother, but she submits to me, which is kind of how I like it, but she's well-trained enough to know how to be respectful… her behavior up in the bar notwithstanding. She didn't know I was going to be here."

"Acting out?"

"A bit. But now that she's here and once I have her collared, that'll be the end of that nonsense… at least publicly unless she wants to be punished the same way."

Nic nodded. "If you like, I'd be happy to clean up for you."

"I'd appreciate that and if you'd get me an aftercare blanket. Put her things back in her locker and assign her a permanent one. Just leave my kit outside the door. I'll get it before we leave."

"Happy to do it. For what it's worth, it's a good thing you were here tonight. I had thought to offer to do the session with her. I might have fought you for her."

It was all Xander could do to keep from growling. He knew Nic meant no harm.

"You'd have lost," he said calmly.

"Given the fierce look on your face, I have no doubt about that."

Xander turned back to Stephanie. She was gorgeous. The marks that decorated her body would fade quickly. His goal had been to send her into subspace and make her climax. He doubted she would use her safeword to escape their bargain, but he wanted her up in the private room in case she tried to do just that. Perhaps he ought to gag her before he went down on her, but then he'd have to deny himself the pleasure of hearing her call for him.

He nuzzled her neck, before easing the ear buds out of her ears and removing her blindfold.

"You, my beautiful mate, were incredible. I'm going to release the restraints, but I'll be right here to catch you. I'm going to wrap you in one of our blankets and take you upstairs to take care of you," he whispered.

She was so far gone, she couldn't speak and merely nodded, but her body retained its soft languidity. Xander unbuckled the ankle cuffs before tossing a blanket over his shoulder and moving directly in front of her body. He released the first wrist restraint bringing her arm down over his shoulder and wrapping part of the blanket around her. Stephanie pushed ineffectively at him and mumbled.

"Shh, sweetheart, I have you," he whispered as he reached up to release her other wrist and finish wrapping her in the blanket before sweeping her up in his arms.

Xander cradled her against his chest, carrying her to the antique freight elevator. At the upper floor, he strode down the hall to open, light-filled room on the western side of the building, looking out over the bay. He loved this room. The windows could be adjusted to be clear glass, opaque glass, or a one-sided mirror, depending on the inhabitant's desire for privacy.

"No," she mumbled, pushing against him.

"Yes," he said, closing the door behind them and laying her down on the bed.

"I don't want to be here with you," she said.

"That's not true and we both know that," he said, pressing her back down into the mattress and securing her arms to the headboard.

He thought about restraining her legs, but decided he'd rather control their position himself. He eased the blanket from her body and smiled. His mate was simply stunning laid out like the feast he meant to make of her. She struggled with the restraints as he sat, removing his vest and unlacing his fly, allowing his cock to jut out before he pushed his leathers down past his ass. He looked at her and grinned. Her eyes were riveted to his dick. Good, she'd better get used to seeing it because he meant to have both of them naked as often as he could. God he'd never wanted anything or anyone as much as he wanted her.

She shook her head.

"Yes, Stephanie. I don't want to mark you until I've made a formal claim to your alpha."

"Marco will never allow you to claim me unless I want it."

"Two problems with that argument," he said, sitting down and removing his boots and his leathers. "The first is that Marco is no longer your alpha and two, even if he were, he would never allow you to deny your fated mate."

"How do you know Marco? What makes you think he is no longer my alpha?"

Xander chuckled. "You'd be surprised at what I know. You are Stephanie Savik and were part of Marco DeMedici's pack in Tuscany. You were offered and accepted a position at the Luna de Lobo vineyard and thus became part of the pack in residence there. That makes your alpha Damian Steele."

Stephanie's body stiffened as fear and concern began to overtake her. Xander rumbled to her soothingly and was gratified to see her respond—softening and relaxing. He stroked her with his hand to encourage her trust and to enhance the bond he could already feel forming between them. For one who had never believed he would have a fated mate, he found succumbing to it was infinitely pleasurable.

He stood and went to the end of the bed, crawling up onto it, sliding up between her legs. He settled himself between them, hooking his arms around her thighs, stroking the wet and swollen petals of her sex. He nuzzled her, inhaling deeply. She trembled as his tongue darted out to trace the outside of her labia before circling her clit and drawing it into his mouth.

She tasted as good as she smelled. He had to hold her still to keep her from squirming away. He might have doubted continuing in this manner had it not been for the fact that her skin was flush, her nipples hard, and her pussy's sweet cream was leaking out just begging to be lapped up. Xander kept his mouth on her as he alternated between nibbling, sucking, and kissing her entire sex. She writhed under the sensual attack of his mouth and her hips began to undulate in nature's oldest rhythm.

He spread her legs wider and buried his face in her pussy, spearing his tongue up inside her and enjoying her exaggerated response. Xander continued his onslaught, driving up into her with his tongue in the same way he intended to do with his cock. He would bury himself balls deep in her and he would do so repeatedly, probably three or four times a day. He and Evan were going to have to come to an understanding. Stephanie was his mate first and Evan's assistant second. If Evan couldn't accept that, he'd have to find a new assistant.

"No, Alex…"

"Master," he corrected her, nipping her swollen nub which produced the loveliest noise that was a cross between a moan and a wail. He liked that sound.

His tongue surged back into her pussy, licking inside before retreating and making a long pass back up to her clit. Circling it and sucking it into his mouth, he held it gently in his teeth. This time the sound she made was more wail than moan, but not a cry of distress. Her body bowed as she climaxed.

"Good, mate," he whispered against her sex.

He thought briefly about using his fingers to further explore her before plunging his cock as deep into her pussy as he possibly could but knew he'd never last to do that. Instead, he dragged himself up her body, crawling between her legs and keeping them spread. His cock bobbed as it neared its intended target.

Xander stopped long enough to pay homage to her breasts, sucking and using his teeth on one nipple while his fingers played with, rolled, and tugged on the other. She bucked against him, but not in fright. No, his mate was ready to be fucked and wanted him to know it. Chuckling, he nibbled his way across the valley of her breasts and sucked her other nipple into his mouth as his fingers pinched the one that was still wet from his fondling.

He allowed his cock to poise at the opening of her pussy and with a heavy groan, he pressed himself inside her. She was tight, but he didn't care. He sank his length into her, and she orgasmed again as he penetrated her fully.

He captured her mouth with his, allowing her to taste herself on his tongue. Xander dropped his hands to her hips and then slipped them underneath her to hold her buttocks in his hands to keep her from moving. He wanted her to learn who did the fucking and who got fucked and that she was the latter.

"Never has anyone felt more perfect than you," he groaned as he started to thrust in and out.

He made long, slow passes with his cock, driving to the end of her sheath before dragging himself back almost to the point of uncoupling before surging forward again. At first, she was tight and unyielding in his hands, but that didn't last long. In the same way she had slipped easily into subspace, her body acknowledged his mastery over it and fell into rhythm with his.

She arched into him, her legs rising to intertwine with his. Her body took all he had to give as he began fucking her harder and faster. He pounded her, knowing she would be sore come morning and not caring. He would ensure that he carried her out to the SUV, wearing only his sweater. He knew the perfect place to stop on the way up the coast to watch their first sunrise together and grab breakfast burritos.

Xander nuzzled her neck and resisted the powerful urge to mark his mate. Her breathing was erratic and fast, and her moans became whimpers as he felt her pussy begin to tremble. He thrust harder and faster, pushing her to fall over into the abyss once again. As he gave a final, brutal thrust, Stephanie cried out, her pussy contracting all up and down his length. His cock was squeezed as she thrashed beneath him, her cunt milking him, greedily taking every last drop of his seed and ounce of pleasure it could get.

He brushed his lips against hers as he reached up and released her, rolling from her body and drawing her close. Stephanie was crying quietly. It wasn't unusual when a woman was experiencing sub drop. He wrapped her in his arms and crooned to her as he rumbled deep within his chest and stroked her body until she fell asleep, cradled against him.

Damian definitely needed to find his mate… not for the pack, but for himself. Unless he found his own, he would never know the exquisite peace and joy that settled over Xander. He owed Damian his life. He meant to ensure that his alpha came to know the wonder of having a fated mate at his side.