The scent of Gwen’s embarrassment and her startled gasp stirred Xander’s protective instincts, along with his regret. His mate’s first contact with the top dominant female of his pack would leave a lasting impression on Corey and set the tone for their future interactions. Unfortunately, there was little to be done about it.
His mate had reacted as a human would to Corey’s intrusion. Not as the mate of an alpha. Gwen would learn to curb her emotions, though. She had to.
Trusting in Vlad to ensure Gwen’s mate bite remained hidden and to comfort her, Xander climbed off the bed. Their angry pack mate needed to be dealt with before she looked at either Gwen or Vlad with animosity in her eyes. Female or not, Corey would regret doing so. There were many ways she could be punished without laying a single finger on her.
With a rough tug, Xander yanked up his pants and advanced on Corey. “You dare disturb me while I’m in bed with a lover?”
Shaking her head, Corey snorted. Her thick, purple-dyed hair swayed with the move. Naturally pure white, Corey’s hair mirrored that of her strongest wolf, an Arctic whose brutality was well-known among their species and feared by those shifters weaker than her.
“I waited until you were done. I had no interest in getting pulled into the sex.” She held up a fine-boned hand that matched the rest of her tall, delicate frame. Her wolves lent her strength, not the model-worthy body human males salivated over. “Don’t get me wrong. Sex with the two of you always left me satisfied, but I have more important things to discuss than how long you’re going to make me beg before allowing me to climax.”
While Corey’s statement would likely bother Gwen as it painted a picture of his and Vlad’s past sexual encounters, it comforted Xander. Corey was here on pack business, not for pleasure. That distinction kept Gwen out of the picture a little while longer. It would give him and Vlad more time to prep her for her position as alpha female and the pack to accept her.
“Then why are you here?” Xander closed the distance between him and Corey. “And you better have a good reason.” While his door was always open, he demanded the same respect he gave his pack mates, and he’d never barge into their bedrooms without purpose. Xander took another step, invading her personal space and forcing her to look up to meet his gaze. “Because Vlad and I have finally found a reason to reconnect, and your presence here is ruining our reunion.”
Brows furrowed and lips thinned, Corey met his gaze with a look of defiance on her face. Had she not been the top dominant female of the pack, Xander wouldn’t have allowed her direct stare. Being the shifter who ran interference and settled disagreements with the other females in the pack granted Corey certain rights, however.
“Vlad’s return is the reason I’m here. He’s a wanted man, and once the Shifter Council learns of his return, they’ll send their enforcers here to collect him.” Corey stood on her tiptoes and got up in Xander’s face. Fire burned in her pale blue eyes. “And do I have to remind you—”
“Why is Vlad a wanted man?” Gwen asked, interrupting Corey and stirring Xander’s wolves. The trio of dominant animals who shared Xander’s body and soul looked at their mate not with protectiveness but respect. Xander felt the same wave of pride. Here was the strength of will he’d caught glimpses of since reconnecting with his true mate in this lifetime. It had only taken a threat to one of her true mates to bring it forth.
Corey whipped her head in Gwen’s direction and growled. “Being in my alpha’s bed doesn’t give you the right to interrupt me, little girl. I’ve spent many nights there and could be sharing it permanently if I wanted to be Xander’s mate.”
Gwen cocked her head slightly to the side. “For one, Xander would never allow anyone to decide who will be his mate for him. For another, I have every right to interrupt you.”
“Yeah?” Corey laughed. “Why is that?”
“I’m Vlad’s beloved human.” Gwen spoke before Xander could prevent her from revealing something damning. “That’s a powerful bond that goes both ways, and if he’s threatened, I’ll do what I can to protect him.”
A small smile flitted across Corey’s face. She chuckled. “That’s very sweet of you, but there’s nothing a human can do in this case.”
“Maybe not, but I have contacts in Shifter Affairs. If Vlad is being threatened on unfounded claims, the Shifter Council is violating the terms of their agreement with the human government.” Gwen leaned forward, a serious expression on her face. “I guarantee you the higher-ups in Shifter Affairs will want that information.”
Corey’s amused grin faded. She straightened her spine, then assessed Gwen with calculating eyes. “Unfortunately, Vlad is not being threatened on unfounded claims, and it’s actually Shifter Affairs who reported him.”
“What?” Gwen’s eyes widened. “Why would they do that?”
Corey shook her head, her purple hair swaying. “I don’t think this is a discussion we should be having in front of a human.” Corey turned toward the door. “I’ll go put on a pot of coffee, and—”
“Stop.” Vlad’s order boomed through the room, halting Corey mid-step. She glanced over her shoulder and raised a pale brow. “Anything concerning me can be discussed here.”
“In front of a human?” Corey glanced from Vlad to Xander and back. Her brows pinched. “Since when did a lover you’re willing to share hold such a valued role?”
Vlad climbed off the bed, putting himself between Corey and Gwen. “Since she managed the impossible and mended my strained friendship with Xander. She and I will now be staying on Winchester pack lands permanently.”
“Really?” Corey slowly turned her head and met Xander’s eyes. “And where will they be building a home? I didn’t think there was any land left for Vlad to purchase. Or are we redrawing property lines?”
“There will be no redrawing of territories. They’ll be sleeping under my roof.” Xander lowered his voice to a growl. “In my bed.”
“Following in our neighbor’s footsteps, huh?” Corey wrinkled her nose. “You seriously want the Shifter Council to come down on us, don’t you?”
Xander let a snarl slip free and leaned close to Corey, allowing her to see his displeasure in his expression. “Think carefully about what you’re accusing me of.”
“I’m sorry.” She averted her eyes. “But this needs to be addressed. You don’t know everything.”
“I think I should leave.” Gwen draped a blanket over her shoulders and hurried to the door. “This is pack business, and I’m not a pack member.”
Xander snagged Gwen’s arm before she could escape. She jerked her head toward him. Anxiety flashed in her eyes. It was the same look that had dominated her features at the gas station when he’d been arguing with Vlad.
Was she frightened of him? He hadn’t laid a hand on Corey. Wouldn’t either. This wasn’t the time to uncover the reasoning behind Gwen’s fear, however. The situation would spiral out of control, more than it already had.
“You will stay here, in my bedroom where you belong.” Xander brushed his thumb over the softness of her skin. A wave of contentment flowed through him. It wasn’t the right time or place, but he was grateful for the effect it had on him. Corey’s attitude had stirred his darker instincts that wanted to threaten Corey through intimidation for her disruption. “Corey, Vlad, and I will discuss this downstairs so as not to disturb your rest.”
Gwen gave a sharp nod, then escaped into the bathroom.
“Who is she?” Corey asked the moment the door banged shut behind Gwen.
“Lena’s sister, Gwen, and our beloved human.” Vlad supplied the basic information anyone would be able to easily gather. It wasn’t enough, though.
Xander stared at the closed bathroom door and made a decision. Gwen had shown signs of her strength tonight, demanding answers from Corey. His earlier assessment of his mate was correct. She was his perfect complement and the right female to lead the pack at his side. It would simply take time to build her confidence. In the meantime, he’d shelter her from any negativity that might damage her transformation into an alpha female.
Dragging his gaze to Corey, he delivered his first pack command in months. “Gwen is also the female I’m going to soul-bond with. She will be treasured and respected by our pack. Any who treat her as less than my equal will answer to me.”