Chapter 2

“What the fuck did you two do?” I blew out a hard breath. I was having a conference call when my third-in-command, Luka, used the link to inform me of these twins’ brawl with the biker’s son, Travis.

They lowered their gazes, showing their respect for my rank. They both had busted faces and knuckles. They could have handled Cadogan’s son if they weren’t afraid of exposing us.

“Don’t.” I cut off quickly when they both opened their mouths. “I don’t wanna hear excuses. And this is your last warning. Do you hear me?”

“Yes, Alpha,” they chorused in submission.

“I was in the middle of an important call, and here you two are trying to prove to be men when you both are just pups. And now I have to deal with Cadogan.” I looked at Maddox and Fabian. “That these two idiots are out of their minds.”

“It won’t happen again, Alpha,” North, the youngest, said.

“It’s Travis’s fault, Alpha.” Of course, West had to make an excuse for himself.

“I don’t wanna hear it, West.” I pointed at him. My anger still kept boiling. I grabbed him by his front shirt and made sure he looked me in the eye. “If you want to blow some steam, come to me, and I will show you. Do you understand me?”

“Y-yes, Alpha.” He nodded quickly. “I’m so sorry, Alpha.”

“I don’t care if you apologize. The damage has been done.”

And then he coughed, blood spattering on my white shirt. The guys gasped as they saw the bloodstain.

“What the fuck?” I let him go.

“I have a loose tooth.”

“Unbelievable.” I shook my head in dissatisfaction.

My phone chimed. The message came from McKaye, my cousin, that his twin’s best friend just arrived at the house. As an alpha, I had to welcome our guests, especially those at the pack house.

“See the pack doctor, or I will be the one to pull that tooth off your mouth.” I went on my bike.

I loved this baby that had been mine for two years. I could afford sports cars, but it wasn’t my thing. Besides, I needed to run the winery business and invest till I grew old so the next generation had trust funds to continue the Blackwell legacy.

Being werewolves, we lived longer than normal humans. We needed to save for future generations. In my case, I also ran a pack.

We arrived at the house, and the twins quickly argued, blaming each other when it was all their fault and why they always got into trouble.

“Knock it off!” I was still pissed at them.

It was easy to please Cadogan. All I had to do was give him a few bottles of wine, and I didn’t want to have bad blood with bikers.

We may be stronger than them, but they could play dirty. And I also wanted human allies. Besides, they couldn’t open their mouths that we were werewolves if they found out our secrets.

I just heard someone say something from the house. A voice so buttery, soft, and sweet, and a smooth touch of bourbon vanilla with a human scent, and something more lingered in the air. A fizz of citrus atop a floral jasmine and rose after the rain with a warmth of Amber and Sandalwood yielded an incredibly sensual sillage.

Then I heard her laugh, her voice so rich and free, almost catching me off guard.

And I hated surprises.

I was always ready for anything, but not this time.

My heart nearly busted in my chest because I instantly knew what was happening.

I took off my sunglasses and lifted my gaze.

“Mine.” My wolf purred in delight, claiming what was rightfully and fated for him.

It should take me to the moon that she was stunning— so goddamn beautiful, and those incredibly innocent eyes were staring back at mine.

This was not happening.

Alpha Califf’s words were a punch to my gut, but a human and distractions were the last thing I wanted in my life right now. No matter how gorgeous she was, she was also human. And I had priorities. She was not on the list. My eyes just glowed. I felt it.

“Fuck. Shit.” I stepped back and grabbed my bike on the ground, dashing away.

I arrived at my house. I quickly took off my shirt and went to shower. Her eyes still lingered in my brain. My wolf just purred in agreement.

Kailin’s voice came through the link. I shut her off, but I knew her. She was stubborn and persistent.

A moment later, a loud bang knocked on my door. She had a key to my house, and so did her twin.

“Knight, I know you’re in there. Get the hell out. I need to talk to you.”

I shook my head and wrapped the towel around my waist. I put boxers on before I went to the door.

“What the hell, Knight?” Her face flushed with anger, eyes narrowing at me.

“Be careful, Kailin.” It was a simple warning, but she received the message instantly.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes at me. “Of course. You’re using the alpha tone on me.”

“Why are you here? I’ve wasted enough time today.” I went to my walk-in closet and picked up a new shirt and a pair of jeans.

“Why did you suddenly leave? I wanted to introduce you to my best friend?”

“It can wait. I have important matters at hand.”

“Of course. You don’t have time for me but for your business and whores.”

Growling, I went to her. “Watch your tone, Kailin.”

“I know everyone is depending on you. You’re a good alpha, but you need to slow down. Running a business and a pack is not a sprint. You need to pace yourself. Why are you so grumpy anyway?” She followed me out of my room towards my kitchen. “What’s going on?”

“The twins.”

“It’s not new. What did they do this time?”

“Travis and the bikers beat them. Tell Mac to send some wine to Cadogan. I don’t want troubles with them.” I grabbed a bottle of water.

“Noted.” Kailin took some loaves of bread and cold cuts to make me a sandwich. “Make sure to be at the pack house at dinner?”

“I’ll try.” My answer got a glare from her.

“What’s wrong with you? It’s a common courtesy to show up and welcome a guest, Knight, as an alpha, the boss, and the owner of these vineyards. Of all people, you know that. I want you to meet Nirvana.”

“Nirvana.” Her name rolled on my tongue.

“Yeah. My classmate. I shared an apartment with her, remember?”

I shook my head. I didn’t pay much attention to the people around her because I knew McKaye kept an eye on his sister.

“You’re such a jerk. She lives in New York. Her grandpa owns a restaurant, and she plans on helping him once she gets back, so I only have a week with her. And before you ask, she just broke up with her boyfriend.”

A boyfriend. My wolf, being an ass he was, he growled.

“Why does it matter?”

“She just called you a hot biker dude.” She smiled before placing a sandwich on the plate and gave it to me. She made one for herself, too.

My heartbeat spiked— a sign that I should stay away from her as far as possible.

“I don’t give a shit. I will be there and say hi because I’m doing it for you.” I took a bite of the sandwich. Her gaze was still burning into me.

“Well, I do. I want you to be nice. She’s human, so don’t show up grumpy.”

“I know the drill. You don’t have to remind me.”

“Oh, I have to. Because sometimes, you forget you’re human, too, and know decorum. Sometimes you act like an alien, Knight Orion.”

“Just eat and leave. I have work to do.”

“Jeez. Just work, work, work.” She began eating her sandwich. “I’m sure Mac has already informed everyone that we have a human guest. They can’t just shift around and walk naked.”

“Yeah. I don’t wanna repeat what happened to Carter.” Carter Wade was the deputy sheriff in town who witnessed one of my pack members shift. It was difficult for him, but he kept our secrets secret, and I was grateful.

“Anyway, I informed Vana beforehand that you don’t do relationships.”

I met her in the eye and glared. “What do you hope to achieve, Kailin?”

“She may have a crush on you, but she’s off limits. You can’t swing your dick on my best friend. Do you understand me?” She poked her finger at my chest.

“I don’t like your friend. She’s not my type. And you don’t have to tell me. I won’t sleep with my sister’s best friend.” Lie and lie and more lies.

“Good.” She grinned and wrapped her arms around me. “That’s why you’re my favorite cousin.”

“Lucky me.” I scoffed. “You only have one cousin, brat.”

“See you then.” She looked at my face as if inspecting me. “Maybe you should shave or trim.”

“No.”

“Up to you, biker boy.”

“Get out of my house and stroll around with your pretty little human best friend. You have the entire vineyards at your disposal.”

“I got to go and see my beautiful best friend.” She finally walked away, swaying to piss me off. “I think I should set her up with Kaleb.”

Fuck.