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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.
