Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59360 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 237(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Am I nothing more than a boss fetish? If that’s true, I need to figure out what it is my mate requires to make our relationship real and meaningful.
That’s when I fully understand why we’re in Brooklyn. Madi needs me to integrate into her life. I’ve asked her to do all the integrating to mine. I wrenched her from her human life. I mistakenly thought she would love the upgrade to my Billionaire Row house, and designer clothes would take away the sting of locking her up in the penthouse.
But it’s unfair to ask her to be the one who makes all the accommodations. This puzzle of Madi isn’t something I can solve with money. She requires me to meet her halfway.
We step out into the cold, and Madi walks briskly down the sidewalk. A few blocks down, she throws open the door to a tiny Italian restaurant wedged between two row houses. The sign reads Sordello’s.
“This is my favorite restaurant.”
We step in, and smells of garlic and marinara greet us. Tables are packed side-by-side, so close a stranger’s elbow might hit you while they eat.
A middle-aged woman behind the welcome station waves to Madi. “Did you have a pick-up order, Madi?” She searches beneath the counter. “I didn’t see it come through.”
“Eating in today,” Madi says.
“Oh, nice. Sit anywhere.” She gives me a speculative look. New York City is a melting pot, but I suppose I don’t look like I belong there. I’m overdressed. Or maybe she recognizes me.
I let Madi lead me to a tiny two-person table against the window.
“You’re a regular here, then?” I’m itchy all over at the sudden realization that I don’t know nearly enough about my mate.
“Yes. They have the best eggplant lasagna. The eggplant is in place of pasta, so it’s gluten free.”
“Are you gluten free, Madi?” My wolf suddenly comes to attention, ready to defend Madi against any possible poisoning.
“No, I just like it.”
I relax. “I’ll try it, too, then.” I’m usually more of a steak guy, but I need to consume all that is Madi.
We order, and Madi gives me one of those openly assessing looks I’ve come to love. Her brain is engaged in solving a problem. “So how did this challenging-for-alpha thing work?” she speaks in a low voice, not that I’m worried. Everyone in here is human. I can tell by their scents. “Is it just like wolves in the wild?”
I nod. “Pretty much. The top families of the pack called a Town Hall meeting, so everyone could see me in person and realize that I’m not moon mad. I denied that I ever had been without actually lying. Wolves can smell lies.”
“Wow.” Madi digests that pretty easily. “And then someone challenged you?”
“Yes.”
“So what would happen if they did think you were moon mad?”
I hold her gaze to impart the significance. “The Blackthroat pack would probably be destroyed.”
“Why?” she sounds angry. Like she’s willing to fight for my pack.
“The Adalwulfs are in a constant ambush on us. They are always trying to poach our members. I nearly lost the whole pack when they murdered my father.”
“But you kept it together.”
I nod. “I fought every challenger. I visited every pack member’s home. I promised them the Blackthroats would rise again.”
“And you did.”
“Yes. I thought I’d won everyone’s loyalty, but the Adalwulfs sometimes succeed in turning my members, as they did with Jerry.”
She nods. “The janitor.”
“Yes. I only allowed a wolf to clean my floor because I believed I could trust my own pack members with company secrets since they are all shareholders. I was wrong.”
“Hold up. The pack members are shareholders?”
“Yes.”
Our food arrives, and I wait for her to take a bite, then I taste the lasagna. “Mmm. This is good.”
She looks pleased.
I kick myself for not previously attempting to meet her on her turf.
“Every single pack member is a shareholder?” she asks with disbelief.
“Yes.”
“That’s very… socialist. I was thinking it was more like a royalty situation. They tithe to you or something for being their leader.”
“Loyalty goes both ways. Some packs still work like royalty. Nickel’s home pack in England certainly does.”
“Wait… is Nickel’s home pack–are the British royals wolves?”
I hide a smile. “Not the King of England. But some of the dukes and earls are. Shifter bloodlines in Europe go back to medieval times. You remember Beowulf from your college English class?”
Madi gasps, and her eyes dance with excitement. “I need to know everything. Are there books? How can I read up on the history?”
I consider. “Most knowledge is handed down orally, but I believe the Adalwulfs have some old secret texts. Their pack has witch blood woven in, so they possess more magical knowledge than most. It makes them all the more dangerous.”
We finish the meal, and Madi orders tiramisu to go. I throw a hundred dollar bill on the table and get up.