Chapter 5
"Good, you marked her," commented Damian as soon as he spotted the bite on Stephanie's throat.
"Yes, I did," said Xander with a shrug, "but the need to remove their mark from her was overwhelming. Besides, I'd like to know how you think you'll handle it when your fated mate offers you her throat and urges you to claim her. And what can I tell you… my wolfy ways are impressive."
Damian snorted. "That was fast. I figured he'd win you over, but I didn't think it would be this quick."
"He's right. When he's banging me against the shower wall, I don't think too clearly."
Xander growled at her and Damian laughed. "Oh, I like her. She's going to lead you on a merry chase, claiming mark withstanding. The story has spread through the pack and everyone is excited to welcome their beta's mate and new assistant vintner. Let's get this call to Marco over with."
Damian placed a video call to alpha of the DeMedici. When Marco appeared, he sat at his massive baroque desk with Catherine in his lap.
"Marco, I am Damian Steele…"
"I know who you are. I see my former she-wolf has arrived safe…" Marco's voice trailed off as he spotted the mark on Stephanie's neck and growled low.
Knowing Marco's temper and already familiar with the temperament of her new alpha and her new mate, Stephanie stepped forward.
"Marco, from the time the Welsh Wolf delivered me to your doorstep, my safety and happiness have always been your concern. You entrusted me to the pack here at Luna de Lobo…"
He pitched forward a bit. "Because you and Luca convinced me they would care for you."
She placed her hand on her mate's arm. "And they do. You have always said you knew your Catherine from the moment you laid eyes on her and that she encouraged you to mark her as your own. Being a she-wolf of the DeMedici, how could I want anything different for myself? Xander is my fated mate and it was at my insistence that he claimed me before speaking with you."
Catherine placed her fingertips on Marco's mouth. "Is this what you wanted, Stephanie?"
Stephanie smiled and began to relax. If anyone could handle an enraged Marco, it was his own fated mate.
"It is, Madonna. Xander and Damian wanted to wait until they had a chance to speak with Marco. I think it's only right that I point out that as far as I'm concerned the three of them can go hang themselves as I still maintain that no one has dominion over me that I do not give them."
Catherine laughed as two alphas and a beta growled. "You are most definitely our Ashley's little sister. Well said. Want to know a secret about male wolves… especially alphas and betas?"
"I would welcome any advice from the Madonna of the DeMedici."
"They already know that many she-wolves believe that no one has dominion over them unless it is acknowledged and given. But in our society that isn't always the case. The ones worth having know that respect and submission must be earned if it is to have meaning and importance. Thank your lucky stars you don't have to deal with him as you transition. I am still regaled with stories of how obnoxious Marco was," Catherine said.
"I was never obnoxious. I was merely concerned for I had already become addicted to having you in my bed," Marco rumbled at his mate.
"Is this how you have been taught to behave?" asked Damian.
Stephanie's smile split her face wide. "It is, Alpha."
Damian smacked Xander on the shoulder. "Then you, my beta, are far more fortunate than even I believed." He turned back to the monitor. "I have told my beta that his Stephanie will keep him on his toes. I am going to enjoy this."
"You laugh now, my alpha, but just wait until you find your own fated mate and mine helps lead her astray," said Xander, clapping Damian's back.
Marco laughed. "I see that Luca did not mislead me or entrust you to those who will not keep you safe and happy. I may no longer have dominion over you, little wolf, but you have my blessings for a long and happy pairing."
"Thank you, Marco. I was going to talk to Evan, but I was hoping that we might be able to work together on some ideas Luca and I had discussed."
Marco shook his head. "Always about business, but we would welcome a closer alliance to the Luna de Lobo pack and vineyard. And now, I will leave you in the hands of your new pack to celebrate."
Everyone said their goodbyes and the connection ended. Damian looked at her and arched his eyebrow.
"I hope I didn't overstep, Alpha. I meant to talk to Evan first, but I'd been working with Luca on some new ideas and since accepting the position, I've been studying our vines and processes and think there is some value in working more closely with the DeMedici."
Damian smiled and shook his head. "Xander, I think I fucked up allowing you to snatch up our new assistant vintner."
"Why do you think I moved so quickly?" bantered Xander.
Stephanie thumped Xander's chest. "Standing right here, my mate. I'm the one who asked you to claim me."
"Only after I forced you to take your vows on your knees at my feet with a bright red bottom," responded Xander.
"Don't look now, old friend, but I think you are seeing the beginnings of some revisionist history. Now, let's go join our pack," said Damian as he opened the door and gestured them both toward the dining room.
Xander couldn't help but be proud of his mate. Not only was she beautiful and smart but she was fearless. She had been put through hell when she became a she-wolf and found her way back to a strong woman who embraced her sexuality and submissiveness and yet retained her fighting spirit.
They entered the dining room and were greeted by a chorus of well wishes. Damian stepped back to allow the pack to focus on the newly bonded couple. Xander bowed to Stephanie and gestured to the group.
"My beautiful mate, Stephanie, may I present the Luna de Lobo pack to you. I'll expect the lot of you to keep less than flattering stories about me to yourselves," he said.
"If we do that, what will we talk to her about?" called one of the other she-wolves to a round of applause and laughter.
"Calm down," called another, "we're going to scare the poor girl."
"Hardly," answered Stephanie. "I was so worried my pack would be some quiet, proper group that I would long for the Tuscan sun and the DeMedici pack. I see now, I had nothing to worry about."
He escorted her to the head table and helped her into her seat.
"What would you like me to get you, sweetheart?" asked Xander.
"You don't have to wait on me," she answered.
"I know I don't have to, but I would like to."
She blushed and smiled. "Thank you. I'm not all that picky but I have a weakness for any kind of sweet pancakes—like blintzes or crepes and bacon."
"Then you are in luck. Our chef makes an incredible citrus crepe and there are always several kinds of bacon. Why don't I just get you a selection and we'll go from there."
"Thank you."
He left her and endured catcalls and teasing all the way to and from the buffet table where he joined Damian in selecting things to bring back to the table.
"I rather like your mate, Xander," said Damian.
Xander nodded. "I think we'll do well together. She's a bit of spitfire, but honestly the fact that she identifies as a submissive, even if just at a club, should make it easier for her."
"Hmm, perhaps I ought to start going to Torch Light again."
"I always wondered why you stopped."
"I found it difficult not to play with she-wolves, but if I scened with them more than once they began to think I was courting them. I got tired of fending off other alphas trying to make alliances with us. Better just to go for a run as wolf and either find a willing she-wolf in her wolf form or run until exhaustion supplants lust."
"I promise I'm not being a nag, but Damian you need a mate. The difference now is that I understand your need to find your fated mate."
"That fact hasn't escaped me. I know she's out there; I'm beginning to think she's hiding. I no longer believe I will be gifted with a mate who is sweet and biddable."
"Thank God for that," said Xander.
Damian's head jerked up, glaring at him.
"It can't have escaped your notice that you can be just a wee bit intimidating can it? What the hell would you do with some she-wolf who never acted out? Never challenged you? Never thought for herself? You'd be bored within a month. More to the point, I think you already know that and are looking forward to conquering her."
Damian sighed. "You may be right. But for today, let's just celebrate your bonding."
"Welcome to Luna de Lobo," said Kayla. "I have to say I hoped you'd find someone here, but I don't think I expected Xander and especially not this fast."
"We did sort of do it at warp speed…"
Kayla reached over to her. "But you're okay with it?"
"Oddly enough, yes. I was opposed to the idea, but once I really looked inside, I knew I wouldn't be complete without him. One of the things I learned from what happened to me was that nothing in life is certain and that when something good comes along, you have to grab it with both hands and hang on."
"What are you hanging onto?" said Xander, setting a plate down in front of her, kissing the top of her head and sitting next to her.
"Obviously, your mate can't keep his hands off you," said Damian indulgently.
"Don't worry about it, Stephanie. He's just jealous," teased Xander.
"He's not wrong," said Damian. "He fears I will grow old and toothless without a mate."
Xander snorted. "You? Toothless? Never happen. We just need to make sure your mate has the claws and teeth to handle you."
"Shasta has claws and teeth…" offered Evan.
Damian rolled his eyes and growled. "Why I let her father talk me into letting her join us is beyond me. I swear she can't go a week without getting herself in trouble and getting her to yield becomes more and more difficult. The girl is notorious. She needs a wolf who will put her in her place, under his thumb and keep her there. If Xander had been a proper beta he'd have taken her in hand and left Stephanie for me, but no he goes into the city…"
"At your request," laughed Xander.
"That's irrelevant. You swooped into the city and snagged Stephanie before I even had a chance to meet her. I ought to challenge you to your mate, Beta."
"Problem with that, Alpha, is even if you won, you'd have to take me on in the next round," teased Stephanie.
"God save me from the spitfires," Damian said with a smile.
"You'd be bored with anything less," said Kayla.
In the space of a few hours, Stephanie knew in her heart that her new alpha as well as her mate were not only respected but well liked and loved.
"You mentioned some ideas you had discussed with Luca?" asked Evan.
Stephanie nodded. "Luca was thinking that as old as both of these vineyards are, it might be a good idea to graft and exchange vines between the two to strengthen the existing grapes as well as breathe new life into them and perhaps produce some unique varietals."
"He might be onto something. It's hard to do from different continents…"
"Not with Marco offering to revamp part of a jet to do it. Luca was also impressed and interested in talking to you about the way you age your barrels and vats and he wanted to talk to you about the new bottles you're using."
"The bottle might be difficult. We have yet to find a way to mass produce them. We're a much smaller vineyard that DeMedici so right now they are being partially handblown. Shasta came up with the original design and we can automate part of the process, but we lose the distinctness that we believe has added to our wine."
Stephanie leaned forward. "He thought of that and we have some people that have worked with the olive oil bottles that think they might be able to figure something out."
"It sounds like Evan ought to take a trip to Italy to meet with Luca. Stephanie, do you think you could arrange that? I'd rather send Evan and Kayla. For one thing, Evan's been promising to take her to Tuscany since they became bonded and I need Xander here. I rather think he'd take my head off if I tried to take you from his bed."
"And there are those that think you aren't overly intelligent," said Xander.
"I don't think it would be hard at all to set something up," said Stephanie, turning to Evan and Kayla. "And you guys are going to love Tuscany. It's gorgeous… but it doesn't have an ocean and you'll feel like you've known everyone there your whole life. When do you want to go?"
"I would think the sooner the better," said Evan.
"Ev…Kinzie is going to be travelling to Europe for her job the next month. She'd kill to get an interview with the DeMedici. Stephanie, do you think Luca would talk to her? Do you think we could spend some time with her? I haven't seen her since I transitioned…"
"Kayla, we've talked about this. I don't think telling your sister about our kind is a good idea," said Evan.
"I don't disagree. Even if I did, I'm not sure she'd believe me. I just want to see her. She's in Europe most of the time and when she isn't, she rarely leaves New York. Please?"
Evan looked to Damian who nodded. "In that case, sure, why not?"
Kayla wrapped her arms around her mate's neck. "Stephanie? My sister is a freelance food and wine reporter. It would really help her. She helped found an upper end food and wine magazine with her ex. He manipulated it so he got everything in the divorce and now she's having to start over again."
"I can't promise but Luca has never shied away from interviews."
"That's wonderful. I'm going to go call her. When can we leave?"
"Week after next?" offered Stephanie.
"We can make that work, Evan, but you'll need to be back the following week so we can prepare for the summit," said Xander.
"Is Rhodes going to come?" Xander nodded. "Excellent. If he comes on board, it'll send a strong signal to the other packs as well as the Ruling Council and the Hunters. Perhaps we could leave next week and meet Kayla's sister in France or somewhere else in Italy and then head to the DeMedici," offered Evan.
Stephanie nodded. "After breakfast, I'll call Luca and set it up."
"And then my mate, you and I shall take a few days to revel in our joining in seclusion," said Xander, his tone dropping and thickening to indicate his rising lust.
Stephanie leaned over to him and kissed him deeply. "My phone call won't take but a minute. I'll call Sera, Luca's mate. She'll handle everything."
Kayla hugged her as she rose from the table. "Thanks, Stephanie. We really are glad you're here."
Kayla ran outside, since cell phones were not allowed in the dining hall. With excitement pinging through her, she placed the call to her sister, and it went straight to voicemail.
"Kinz? It's Kay. Evan and I are coming to Europe. Call me."
It didn't take long for her cell to vibrate. Kayla squealed with delight.
"Kayla? What's going on?" asked her sister Kenzie.
"Evan and I are coming to Europe for our postponed honeymoon. We're kind of doing it on the spur of the moment. We'll be there next week and can meet you anywhere."
"That's great. I've missed you."
"Me too. Even better, Evan's new assistant used to work with DeMedici. She's pretty sure she can get you an interview with Luca Marino?"
"Are you serious? Evan has been trying to get in there ever since we started. If I can land a good interview, it will really help put me back on my feet. You are the best sister ever."
"It's like we always said, Kinzie… twin power!"
If she'd previously thought the men at the Wolf Meadow Ranch were sex on a stick, she'd been wrong because they paled in comparison to Lincoln Steele. Tall, brawny, and broody—just the way she liked her men. His perfectly tailored trousers and broadcloth shirt only enhanced what was clearly a well-toned and muscular physique. Tawny hair, more blond than brown, had been cut and styled to perfection above his riveting green eyes. Just looking at the man almost made her head spin. But then she'd been feeling light-headed since she'd entered the hotel. She hoped it was simply a combination of jet lag and nerves and not that she was coming down with something. Right now, she needed to focus in order to answer his questions. Steele and his brother Damian were the managers and co-owners of both Lobo Bahía, a small boutique hotel, and Torch Light, a BDSM club. The position was as head chef for both.
For Grace, winning an international cooking competition the previous year had garnered not only prize money but tremendous accolades and experiences. She'd spent the time between then and now working as a guest chef at several Michelin-starred restaurants and on numerous television shows. She'd even spent three months at the celebrated Sea Wolf in Galveston with her friend Riley Nichols. Had Riley not dropped out of the competition just before the finals, Grace wasn't sure she could have pulled off the win.
"We just finished extensive renovations to the hotel, including turning the floor above the guest rooms into a stand-alone restaurant."
"So, it's on the top floor?" she asked.
"No, I reserved the penthouse for myself. I'm a rather self-indulgent, selfish bastard. We finished it first. It allowed me to be close to the renovations. It too has a commanding view. Hotel guests will have preferred access through an interior antique elevator, hotel guests will have preference for reservations at the restaurant. Those not staying at the hotel will enter via an exterior glass elevator adjacent to the valet parking."
"Why not put the restaurant on the ground floor?" she asked.
"Because the view is much better up there. All of the rooms have either city or bay views, but the restaurant's outer ring, where the tables are, revolves to allow guests the opportunity to enjoy both."
"Revolves? Don't you worry customers or staff will get dizzy?"
"Excellent question, but no. The outer ring, which is the only portion that moves, takes a little over an hour to make a complete circuit. Servers use the stationary inner circle where the kitchen is located for most tasks, then step onto the revolving floor closest to the table they need to access. Would you like to see it?" he said, extending his hand.
There was something very cultured and old school about Lincoln Steele.
"Very much," she said, taking his hand.
He escorted her to the beautifully restored, ornate elevator he'd mentioned before. Linc's hand, which was probably a bit lower than it should be, but not nearly as low as she would have liked, rested lightly in the small of her back as he walked her off the elevator. The thought of his hand slipping farther down to cup her ass made her shiver. She could well imagine a gentle caress as easily as a sharp slap.
The longer she was in Linc's presence, the more she found herself wondering if he played at Torch Light. Grace was no stranger to BDSM and had been playing in clubs since college. She found that it was an excellent way to de-stress after a long night of cooking or TV appearances.