Hunting Ground

“Yes,” he said. “It’ll work better that way, don’t you think?”

She smiled at him, then at A

“I’m sorry,” he told A

She gave him an odd, wise look. “No worries. Everything okay?”

He didn’t know. Mostly that depended upon her. But he knew that wasn’t what she meant. She was asking about the wolves in the next room, so he shrugged. “Mostly. Chastel was always going to be a problem. Maybe by making him back down right now, he’ll be forced to play nice. Sometimes it works that way.”

THE music helped. Music usually helped. Making people happy helped even more. When she looked up and saw Charles waiting for her with a small smile on his face, that helped the most. It meant that no one had died, that she hadn’t messed things up too badly for him-and that he wasn’t upset with her.

He escorted her to the other section, where the wolves awaited them. Chastel was gone. A

The tables had been moved again until there was one long table in the middle of the room. There were three big plates of food, one full and two mostly gone.

They weren’t suddenly all buddies. Spanish wolves sat on one side of the table, French on the other. The British werewolf took up one end of the table and there were two place settings that hadn’t been used at the head.

“It seemed a shame to have come all the way here and not try the food,” murmured Charles, one hand light on the small of her back. She couldn’t see his face because he was just behind her, but she saw the impact of his gaze as the roomful of Alphas made it clear that they believed he was the biggest, baddest wolf in the place.

Most of them seemed content with that. Wolves don’t fuss about things they can’t change-the only exception, she thought, might be the British Alpha. Something was making him unhappy, certainly. But he kept his eyes down while Charles was looking at him anyway.

“Gentlemen, my mate and my wife, A

“Your pardon, monsieur,” one of the Frenchmen said. He had one of those double accents, French with British overtones. “Perhaps we could introduce ourselves and then take our leave. We have taken time to eat, and we ca

“Of course.”

The Frenchman proceeded to introduce his countrymen in hurried tones-and as he introduced them, they bowed their heads. “And I am Michel Girard.”

“I look forward to more leisurely conversations later,” said A

“I also.” He smiled with weary eyes. “Until tomorrow.” And they left.

“A

“Good to meet you, sir,” she said. Not an Alpha then, she thought, or not just an Alpha.

“Delighted,” Arthur said, as he rose from his place and came forward to kiss her hand. “I am sorry to confess, though Chastel is not waiting to chastise me, we’ve been here much longer than I intended. My wife awaits me, and I must attend. I would, however, like to issue an invitation before we leave. I’ve a condo in the University District, and it would be my pleasure to have you two for di

A

“Thank you,” said Charles. “We’ll discuss it, and I’ll let you know.”

Arthur smiled, and she noticed that he was handsome. She hadn’t been paying attention until then.

“Good enough.” Arthur looked to the Spaniards. “My control is just not good enough, gentlemen, to have more than one dominant in my territory at a time. I am sorry.”

“De nada,” the dark-ski

Arthur excused himself. The whole room fell silent, listening, she thought. When the restaurant door in the other room opened and closed, it felt like the whole world relaxed.

Sergio, the wolf who had faced off with Chastel, tossed a bone on his plate. “Pompous ass,” he said.

“Smart, pompous ass,” said Charles.

“Deluded, smart, pompous ass,” said the dark-ski

It was a challenge, less serious, though no less important, A

“If I manage it, you’ll pick up the tip.” Charles was as relaxed as she’d ever seen him.

“Fine.”

“Sergio del Fino,” said Charles. The man he addressed stood, put a hand over his heart, and bowed.

He went through the others without a misstep until he got to the last two: the dark-ski

Hussan smiled. “Wrong. I am older than Pedro.”

Pedro smiled wider. “Hijo, I saw you born. I didn’t know Charles knew that.”

Charles lowered his head without lowering his eyes. “Asil let it slip.”

Hussan slapped his leg. “I think I’ve been set up. Tell me my father didn’t tell you to pull this one on me.”

Charles just smiled.

“You’re Asil’s son?” A

“I have that honor,” agreed Hussan.

“Ibn Hussan? My Arabic is nearly nonexistent, but shouldn’t you then be Ibn Asil?” asked Sergio.

“Hussan is my father’s given name. But for a long time he has used Asil,” explained Hussan with a shrug. “He is old. He can do as he chooses.” He gave a sour smile. “And he usually does. How is my father? He is still a

“He’s fine,” said A

Charles smiled a little. “He’ll probably take your phone calls now.”

Hussan tilted his head. “Something happened?”

“Yes.” Charles pulled out a chair before a clean place setting and indicated that A

A

“Asil will be fine,” she said. “Unless he a

She glanced up and noticed that Hussan was staring at her.

“It is you,” he said. “Omega. You saved him.”

She shook her head. “Ask him.”

“He’ll tell you it was her,” Charles predicted. “She’ll tell you it was not. Still, he will be fine for another century or so-as fine as he ever is.”

THEY walked back to their hotel. It was still pouring, but water had never bothered A

“Are we going to accept the invitation to Arthur Madden’s di

“If you would like. Angus has scheduled some entertainment the next night, but tomorrow is open.”