4

*** Halle *** 

“Papá, te prometo que los hombres lobo están locos. no envíe una bomba ni un pistolero,” (Papa I promise the werewolves are crazy. I did not send a bomb or a gunman). 

I have been trying to convince my father for the past half hour that I was not responsible for trying to entice a turf war with the mutts, but he does not believe me. He thinks I am eager to take their land when in all honesty they do not really show up on my radar. As long as they keep their heads down and do what they are supposed to, I don’t really care about them.

Well, that was until I was accused of dropping the gauntlet in their ballpark. What do I look like? An idiot? My father stung my pride, he told me to get back in line or he would send Brad to take over. Threatening me with Brad! He does not know his ass from his elbow, the stupid jerk.

It was only after Alpha Manzitti called me to apologise that I realised what the issue was. “Your car was spotted on our premises and I’m sure you can understand why that made my pack members suspicious, Ms Morales. But please accept my apologies. I will contact your father or Brad and apologise too.” The big dumb meathead, and why did he have to bring Brad into it too. He is not even a Morales- I am!

“Ms Morales, about the woman who was using your car...” 

I cut him off. Helen does not have a clue about the world I inhabit, any talk of the Spanish Mafia is likely to make her hair curl and well, supernatural beings… I am definitely sure she thinks they are comic book fodder. I would not have believed it myself if I did not have first-hand experience in dealing with werewolves. 

“Alpha Manzitti, don’t worry. Mrs Jefferson is as green as the grass, she is safe, she doesn’t know about my identity and she certainly doesn’t know about yours.”

He gives a small chuckle. “That is not what I am concerned about but thank you for the insight. She applied for a lease car; however, she does not seem to be aware of her current financial situation.” 

I cut him off again. “Just send the bill to me, I will cover it.” 

I can feel he is becoming annoyed by my interruption, but I am eager to get on the phone and rub Brad “Shit for Brains” Suarez’s nose in the fact that he is not needed here. “This will be quicker if you let me say what I have to before you interrupt me.”

What an arrogant ass. “I am sorry, Alpha Manzitti, please continue.” I spit the words out through my teeth; diplomacy is draining. Maybe Brad can deal with that side of things, he’s the sort of man who likes kissing butts.

“I have gifted the car myself. However, I am presuming, seeing as you loaned her your car and have offered to foot her bill, that she is your friend. And as her friend, you may want to know there is a massive loan against her house in Mr Jefferson’s name and it’s about to be repossessed.”

Shit. That will be Alan fucking Jefferson’s doing yet again.

“She said she is married. Can her husband sort this for her?” 

Oh, trust him to think she needs a man to sort this out for her, it is a bloody man that got her in this mess. 

“No, as per usual he is a useless piece of shit, but do not worry, Helen’s got me. So, are we straight then, Alpha Manzitti?” I am getting the feeling he is stalling but I cannot think of a reason why. 

“I just wanted to verify her reference. She said she works for you so if you can tell me her job, when she works, her pay scale and how long she has worked with you and then send me a short paragraph about her for our files, I will then leave you to your important work.”

I tell him I will email it over tonight and that I will see Helen tonight at work so I’ll smooth things over with her then. 

“She’ll be working tonight?” 

Why is he so interested? “Yes, she works until 6pm on Tuesdays updating memberships and payment details. Is there something I need to know about, Alpha Manzitti?” 

“No, no. I will let you get back to your work. Please pass on my respectful regards to your father and I’ll look forward to your reference, Ms Morales. Goodbye.” 

I end the call and I am just about to impatiently call Brad to gloat about Alpha Manzitti calling to apologise when I realise something.

Did that hairy stinking mutt say he has gifted my best friend Helen a car? Why would he do that? He best not think this gives him one over us… but why else would the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the country give a club Membership Clerk a free fucking car unless he thought it would help him gain favour with the most powerful mob in over fifty years?

I need to talk to Helen. 

*** Manzitti ***

As I cut the call with Halle Morales, I feel Beta Ivan and Gamma Ellis looking at me.

“What?”

They continue to stare at me expectantly.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Are you going to go get her, Alpha? Your mate? Now you know she isn’t Mafia that should make the roads clear for you to make a move, shouldn’t it?” Gamma Ellis’ naivety and inexperience are showing yet again.

“She is married to another human. The rules are different because she is human, Gamma Ellis, I cannot just claim her. I have to get her to agree to be mine. I know she felt something, but there won’t be any obvious mate bond to prove to her that I am the other half of her soul.” 

I think back to our encounter earlier today. The moment she slapped me, Roman started pouting and whining and her angry words echoed around the showroom.

“No, I am fucking not. I belong to no one”. She shouts at me with her tiny hand still raised, ready to attack again should she need to.

Her cheeks are flushed with indignation and I see a spark of fury in her eyes. Goddess, she pleases me so much.

She is tiny, about 5ft 2in with thick brown hair that’s tied up in a high ponytail like she just came from the gym. She has sultry blue eyes which are mostly obscured by a big pair of thick-rimmed glasses. Her lips, her pink kissable lips, are soft like rose petals.

“I am so sorry; I have been taking some medication for back pain and it’s made me act a bit peculiar. Please accept my apology and come straight through while we get your car sorted and get you some refreshments.”

I project my Alpha aura, so everyone else backs off. She follows me into the office, and as I pull her chair out, I get another blast of her alluring scent. 

It's only when I take my chair on the other side of the table that I notice her wedding ring. Come on, Moon Goddess… cut me a break! 

And yet when I fill out the application with her there is very little mention of a husband even with my inconspicuous prodding. She does not request a joint applicant, she does not specify another adult living with her, her mortgage is all her own and there is no income detailed for her spouse. 

So apart from the ring on her finger, there was nothing to say she is a taken woman. She tells me she works for her friend Halle and my heart sinks. If she is connected to the Spanish Mafia, this is bad news. The issue with the car is cleared up as she tells me her car broke down and she borrowed Halle’s. 

If I had maintained better control over Roman and had not kissed her without permission, I might have been able to question her further about her relationship status. 

There is a part of me that wants to throw her over my shoulder and take her to bed and keep her there forever; however, she is human. There aren’t going to be any shortcuts if I want her to be mine. 

I want the ground to swallow me up when Slayne and Ivan show up, especially when Slayne comes storming into the showroom screaming like a banshee about someone slapping the Alpha. I am never going to live this down, especially after all the crap I have given Ivan about my sister over the years. 

When I get back to the office, my mate, Helen asks, “Is that your name? Alpha? It’s very unusual, isn’t it?” 

I cannot help but grin at her. “It’s a nickname, you know, because I am the boss. My name is Manzitti, Manzitti Goldrick.” 

I hold my hand out to her for her to shake and get those tingles I had been told about when you have contact with your mate. It is the most magical feeling in the world and I almost groan in satisfaction. I notice sparks crossing my palm and although she does not see it, I think she feels it. 

Her eyes widen when she looks up at me and it feels like time has frozen. 

Alpha ,she has failed the credit check and there is something you have got to see. I tell them I do not care, just give her the car. I will settle it. Alpha, the car is being arranged right now but honestly you have got to see this. 

I do not bother to hide my annoyance at being interrupted. “This best be good… What is so important?” 

I look at Helen’s financial report and my heart sinks for her. There is over £60,000 of secured loans defaulted on all against her house. All in the name of Alan Jefferson. She must have agreed to be guarantor for him, and now he has not paid them back which means she will lose her home. 

What sort of man is he? He should be cherishing her and providing for her not leaving her in dire straits. 

I stride back into the office. “Here are your keys, can you arrange for someone to collect your other car?” 

She looks at me, stunned, and I am mesmerised by how cute she is. “Just like that?” she asks in her sweet voice, amazement etched on her face. She smiles at me; she is completely and utterly irresistible. I am desperate to kiss her again, but I have learned from last time I have to wait and be patient. 

“Just like that!” I agree and I am rewarded with another dazzling smile from the most beautifully alluring woman I have ever met. 

She accepts the keys from me and as she goes to leave, she turns back and says, “Thank you, Alpha.” 

Fuck… I am in big trouble, my cock is already throbbing in need for her, my Helen. 

My Mate. 

MINE!