Alpha Luciano’s POV
Bishop was a no-nonsense man and I was beginning to think I had been wrong for trying to be open-minded while hiring a woman to head my drugs division.
I needed someone as vicious and callous as myself to show my enemies that I was strong on all fronts. He was bold and I liked that.
“Tell me about it.”
“There is a new drug lord on the streets. No one knows who it is but they’ve been recruiting and have poached some of our men.”
I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
“Did they poach anyone particularly good?”
“No. Mostly grunts and underlings. I was thinking of breaking a few of their bones to discourage others from joining them. With your permission, of course, Alpha.”
I fought back a smile. A man after my heart. If a little too impassioned.
“There will be no need for that. In fact, this is good. So that we can sort out the shaft from our loyal men. Let them leave if they are just grunts but if they know too much about our operations, kill them.”
Bishop bowed with a smile on his face. “Of course, Alpha.”
“How is Vitalio Bianchi’s drug operation going?”
“He is looking for drug suppliers that can front him some merchandise to pay later but no one is giving him. Word has spread that he is liquidated.”
“But is he? Is he liquidated?”
Bishop thought about it for a bit. “Not completely Alpha. He has some money but is looking for a profitable venture to invest in.” Bishop paused. “If I might suggest something, Alpha? Maybe we should be what he invests in. We could make a shell company convincing enough to trick him to give us his money.”
I loved that idea.
Taking Vitalio’s last salvation away from him just like that. The thought was almost intoxicating.
“I like the idea. Iron out the kinks and present the plan to me again as soon as possible.”
“Of course, Alpha Luciano.” Bishop bowed deeply.
“Welcome aboard, Bishop.” I said proudly. Once again, I had made the right decision for the business by sacking Natasha.
He bowed once more before leaving.
Mikah stood his shoulders straight, his lips drawn downwards tightly.
“I know you feel I made a mistake with releasing Natasha. But it was a good decision for the pack. As you can see.”
“I never said anything of that nature, Alpha.” Mikah said woodenly.
“You never do. Just tell me one thing. Was Bishop right about Vitalio?”
“Yes, Alpha. He is currently haemorrhaging cash.”
Life was good.
I could get used to this. Business was good. My opposition was being crushed and my engagement to one of the most submissive women I knew was today.
“Good. Very good.”
********
Arabella’s POV
Naturally, all the women in the harem were invited to the engagement ceremony.
I wore a silver dress that had a side slit to make walking easier for me. Then I pulled my hair back into a simple bun with little make-up and understated jewellery.
The last thing I wanted was to make an enemy out of Alpha Luciano’s bride by overdressing. Even if she was as docile as they said she was, I doubted she would be calm if anyone outdid her at her own engagement party.
The other women in the harem seemed to have gotten the exact opposite memo. I should have expected it after all. They couldn’t complain out loud about the injustice done to them so they would protest in this way instead. Each outfit was more outlandish than the last so it was with great surprise that I noted that Emery had also dressed conservatively like me.
She wore a deep green floor-length gown that complimented her complexion with her hair also swept back into a bun similar to mine.
Based on principle, I wanted to go and change but it wasn’t worth the hassle really.
Arriving at the ballroom was an experience. It was beautiful, the decor soft yet tasteful and I admired everything from the flowers to the lights.
Pack members rallied around drinking and sampling the finger foods offered on the tables but after my last experience here, I wouldn’t take that risk.
I saw Victor at the other end of the room and caught his gaze. He made a motion to come and see me. I shook my head and just waved.
The last thing anyone needed was more drama today.
After waiting for some minutes while the room filled with even more guests, orchestra music started to play and the huge double doors opened.
Alpha Luciano stepped in clad in a beige double-breasted suit with gold buttons that accentuated his blue eyes. He matched the outfit with sensible brown shoes. His hair was slicked back to give a gentlemanly facade. He looked handsome. I could admit that. I could almost imagine him as a different man. A different person.
I ran my fingers over my eyes and slightly tapped my cheeks to shake away all forms of delusions about Alpha Luciano from my head.
Beside him was his betrothed. For some reason, she looked awfully familiar. She was also unusually beautiful. Her natural blond hair was full and fell in soft waves around her face and down her back. She wore a blue corseted dress with a train that swept behind her, it seemed to glitter with every movement she made and she smiled sweetly as though we were all friends here.
Oh. She was definitely in trouble. No one was her friend here.
Alpha Luciano moved with her and people bowed as they passed them by. I didn’t.
To bow would mean that I accepted that they were superior to me.
They weren’t. I was his real mate not her and he was a piece of shit who didn’t deserve me. So I ignored the pull towards him the way I always did. It hurt but it was a pain I chose. For a moment our gazes met and the world disappeared then he looked away
His uncle came in soon after wearing a broad proud smile. The rest of the party stepped in too but I didn’t pay attention to them. My eyes followed the couple and how Alpha Luciano guided her and then pulled out a chair for her.
She smiled up at him brightly and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. She didn’t know what she was getting mated to, Alpha Luciano would– He smiled back at her.
I couldn’t remember if I had ever seen him smile without a hint of malice.
When the crowd settled, he addressed the pack.
“The Lupo-Mortale pack has asked for a Luna. A partner to strengthen this pack and I have decided to listen to my people. I have chosen a mate. A woman who will anchor me and serve as a pillar for this pack. I introduce to you all, Anastasia Creole, and the future Luna of the pack.”
Anastasia, so that was her name.
Anastasia stood up and bowed slightly to the pack.
“And with that, I announce the commencement of this celebration.”
The party began in earnest and people began to troop to the dance floor and socialise. Alpha Luciano sat between his uncle and his future mate seemingly discussing something of import.
I was considering how soon I could ditch the party when I heard a voice from behind me.
“I just realized you never told me your name.”
I spun around to see Alec, the guy I bumped into. He also wore an extremely formal tux but his hair fell over his forehead almost obscuring his hazel eyes.
“Oh hi.” I smiled awkwardly. I didn’t know what we would talk about.
“Care to dance?” He outstretched a hand.
I shouldn’t. I barely even knew the guy. What if he was a perv and kept groping me on the dance floor?
I looked at Alpha Luciano and Anastasia. Fuck it.
I took his hand.
He led me to the dance floor. He was confident and smooth as we danced. He didn’t push any boundaries or touch me inappropriately as I had feared.
I finally placed Anastasia’s face. She was the one who’d hugged him in the hallway.
He twirled me and as I spun back into his arms, my back to his chest I spoke.
“You are with the bride-to-be.”
“And you are Arabella Bianchi.”
I stumbled but he caught me smoothly so that it seemed like a part of the dance.
“If you knew, then earlier why did you say…”
“Honestly? I thought it would be a good pickup line. Which I now realise makes me seem weird.”
I laughed. It was still weird as hell but it wasn’t so bad especially when he looked so embarrassed while saying it.
He pulled me closer as the beat slowed down. “I like weird. Just don’t do it again, it’ll be pushing it.”
“Aye aye, captain.”
I laughed again.
“So Alec, how do you know me?”
I looked up at him, I would have remembered meeting him. I think.
He looked down at me and his hand left my waist to cup my cheek.
“Your face. When I heard about the war between your father and Luciano, I wondered what sort of face could launch wars. When I saw you I thought ‘I’d go to war for her’ that’s how I knew.”
We’d stopped dancing now, we were just staring at each other at this point and I was left speechless. I don’t think anyone had told me anything that intimate and I didn’t know what to say to it.
“Take your hands off her.”
You guessed it right.
It was Alpha Luciano.