The sight of Gwen walking between Lena and an unknown wolf shifter female tensed Xander’s body. He gave a sharp tug on the tethers connecting him to his wolves, demanding their obedience, and stepped away from the other males.
He stood, arms loose at his sides and legs widened. Although the tiny female didn’t appear dangerous physically, strength and confidence radiated from her. No doubt she held a dominant role in her pack. A weaker shifter—male or female—would never hold his gaze so boldly.
The woman quickened her pace, reaching him before Gwen and Lena, and held out a dainty hand with a large diamond ring and wedding band on her finger. “Hello, Xander Winchester, alpha of the Winchester pack. I’m Hannah Reynolds-Jager, the alpha female of the Jager pack.”
His twin, Xane, had mentioned the female when he’d shared the gossip of their neighbors, but Xander hadn’t expected the woman causing such upheaval among the Shifter Council would be this petite female in front of him, waiting to shake his hand.
Xander looked from her hand to her face. “Shifters do not greet each other in such a human manner.”
“No, but unfortunately, my mates aren’t here to do this formally. I am, so this is my version of the ritual greeting, as I do not imagine either Ethan or Noah would appreciate me hugging you and exposing my throat to you. This will have to do.” Hannah smirked. “If you feel the need to kill me, you can yank me close and rip out my throat. If you accept me and mine as your neighbors in peace, then you can shake my hand.”
Xander chuckled and took Hannah’s hand, matching her grip as he would’ve had she been a male he viewed as his equal. “I regret that our introduction occurred here, months after my pack’s arrival, but I’ve been out of town.”
“I’d like to ask what was so important to make you abandon your pack for so long, but I won’t. It’s none of my business, especially since your pack mates haven’t threatened mine.”
Hannah’s words invited a willing disclosure of his whereabouts and reasons for his absence. Neighbors or not, she didn’t need the information, especially when his pack mates wouldn’t be getting it either. Only Xane deserved the details.
“Well, then.” Hannah cleared her throat after the long moment of silence. “I should head home. My mates are expecting pizza for dinner. While I didn’t order enough for guests, I hope you and your mate will join us tomorrow.”
“I’m not mated.” The lie tore a growl from his wolves and left him with a sick feeling in his gut. He kept his gaze on Hannah’s face and fought the urge to glance at Gwen. No doubt his words had hurt her.
“Really?” Hannah’s eyes widened. “Have you recently become alpha?”
“No. I’ve been alpha for many years. It’s not uncommon for Royal alphas to remain unmated, especially when we have a twin who can accept the spirit if something were to happen.”
“Understandable, but haven’t your wolves urged you to take a breeding partner? The drive is powerful for single shifters.”
“Immortality changes things. Our animals understand this. Eternity is a long time to spend with the wrong female.”
“And you’ve been searching for the right one for many years, haven’t you?” Hannah studied him as if she could see right through him. “Because you feel old to me, very old. I imagine it’s been difficult going through the centuries knowing your true mate was out there somewhere and not being able to find her. I was lucky to have found my true mates so quickly. If fate is kind to us, we’ll have many, many years together.”
Hannah had led him into a trap. Likely, she didn’t realize it. Or maybe she did, if the intensity of her stare were any indicator. Either way, her statement left him in a sensitive position. Gwen knew their paths had crossed, but the parking lot of a human town in front of other shifters was not the place to discuss the mistakes he’d made.
“It is difficult.” Vlad stepped next to Xander. “Especially when circumstances and social norms prevent matings to occur the way our goddess intended them.”
Hannah’s nostrils flared. She flicked her gaze between the two of them and grinned. “Yes, society’s rules can be difficult to overcome, but not impossible. I’m proof.”
“We should go. It’s getting late, and our beloved human hasn’t had a chance to sleep much over the past couple of days. I’m sure Gwen would like to get a good night’s rest before meeting our pack tomorrow,” Vlad said, once again saving Xander from coming up with something civil to say.
While Xander didn’t care one way or the other who the Jager alpha shared his mate with, the bond they formed had left many in the shifter community uneasy. The attention it drew to those living in this area was the kind to be avoided. Hate and fear made people, humans and shifters alike, do things they normally wouldn’t consider. Xander didn’t want his pack mates at risk. Unfortunately, the proximity of their lands to the Jager territory left them open for the backlash he anticipated would eventually come.
“Of course. Please at least stop by tomorrow evening. Ethan and Noah will want to discuss some of the changes to our little corner of the world, including the Shifter Affairs office that’s been built on my brother Nic Kagan’s pack lands. All the local shifter groups are being asked to appoint a contact person to represent them.”
“I would be honored to visit, but it’ll be late.” Xander gave the only answer possible. He could no longer ignore the responsibilities of being alpha.
“No problem. Our door is always open, but I do suggest knocking first.” Hannah’s smile turned wicked. “Unless you’re okay with threesomes, then come right in. We don’t mind being watched.”
“I’ll knock.” Xander turned his back on the Jager’s alpha female and strode for the SUV where Dante and Devin waited. He needed to get out of here before he admitted to enjoying the same thing.