Alpha Omega 02 - Hunting Ground

too wary of Charles to hear the humor.
    â€œHe’s a terrible tease,” she told Ian, trying to help.
    The Emerald City wolf’s face loosened in utter disbelief.
    Charles saw it and grinned at her. It was too bad Ian didn’t see her mate’s expression, but Charles’s usual-in-public granite facade was back before the other wolf glanced his way.
    â€œRight,” Ian said. He cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Well . . . Angus asked me to tell you that the only people we’re waiting for are the Russians and the French. He thought you might also be interested to know that the British Alpha came alone with his mate. We’ll know when the Russians get here—they’re staying in the apartment Angus’s company owns.”
    â€œAngus’s company?” asked Anna—they’d packed in a hurry, and she hadn’t asked him much about what they’d actually be doing here.
    â€œAngus runs a high-tech company,” Charles explained. “They put together programs to keep other companies running. We’ll be using his facilities this week—he’s given his staff an early vacation for Christmas.” He looked at Ian. “I’d wager the French wolves have arrived already. Chastel will want to check out his hunting grounds before the prey arrives.”
    â€œThey haven’t checked into the hotel they booked.”
    Charles shook his head. “Tell Angus that Chastel would never stay in a hotel. Too public. He’ll have rented a house, something nice. He’s here, probably has been here for a week or two.”
    Charles claimed not to be good with people, not to understand them . . . and maybe that was true. But he understood predators just fine.
    The trees thinned, and a house emerged from the forest. Like Bran’s house, it had been built to take advantage of the natural topography, and the surrounding trees effectively hid a good deal of its bulk. Angus’s company must be pretty lucrative.
    â€œAngus says it is the Frenchman who will cause the most trouble,” said Ian.
    â€œDon’t underestimate the Russians,” Charles said. “But Angus is probably right. Jean is powerful, scary, and mad as a hatter. He likes killing, especially if his prey is weak and frightened—his life wouldn’t hold up to the kind of scrutiny we’re inviting by introducing ourselves to the world.”
    â€œAngus says that Jean Chastel will carry the vote because everyone else is scared of him.”
    Charles smiled wolfishly, his eyes cold and clear. “This is not a democracy: there is no vote. Not on this. The Europeans have no say in whether or not we tell the world about ourselves. I’m here to listen to their concerns and decide what we can do to help them mitigate the impact of becoming public.”
    â€œThat doesn’t sound like what I’ve picked up from the European delegations who’ve arrived.” Ian was careful not to sound as if he were disagreeing with Charles.
    â€œWhat about the Asian werewolves?” Anna asked. “Or African and Australian? And South American?”
    â€œThey don’t matter.” Ian dismissed her question.
    â€œThey matter,” said Charles softly. “They have been dealt with differently.”
    The sharp scent of fear coiled around Anna’s nose; there had been a threat in Charles’s voice when he thought the other wolf had overstepped himself—and Ian had clearly caught it. She gave Charles a frown. “Stop terrorizing him. These are things I ought to have known. Tell me about the non-European werewolves.”
    Charles raised an eyebrow at her but answered her readily enough. “Werewolves are a European monster, and we’ve done pretty well here in this part of the New World, too. There are a few of us in Africa and even fewer in Asia, where there are other monsters who don’t like us very well. There are two packs in Australia, about forty wolves. Both of their Alphas have been informed of our plans, and neither voiced objections. Bran has also discussed his intentions with the South American wolves. They were less happy—but, like the Europeans, they have no say in what my father does or does not do. Unlike the Europeans, they know it. We’ve offered them the same sorts of aid we’re offering the Europeans, and they are happy with that. They were invited but chose not to