Page 11 of Substitute Mate

“What the proverbial fuck?” asked Valentin, holding Mischa back. “You do realize you have the wrong girl.”

“No. I have the right girl. You contracted for the wrong one.”

“So, you paid extra for this one? I just thought Bacchus had held you up for more money.”

“In some ways he did. I paid for the girl I wanted. Simone is my fated mate, and frankly, GiGi in the flesh didn’t appeal to me.”

“Didn’t appeal to you? Did you see the same pictures I did? Were they photoshopped? Wait, what did you say?”

Mischa laughed. “I wondered when that was going to register with you. Simone is my fated mate.”

Valentin scratched his head, his expression confused as he watched Simone gallivanting after her pet as it chased a swallowtail butterfly through the long grass that bordered the landing strip.

“Is it just me, or is she a little off?” asked Valentin.

“I can’t figure her out. She didn’t fit in at all at Bacchus. I don’t really care, though. She could be a blithering idiot for all I know, but fate has chosen her for me, and I will not spit in its face. I’m just glad she is a dire wolf with an impeccable pedigree. At least she isn’t human or an inferior species. I look forward to siring my sons and daughters on her.”

“She’s just different than I was expecting.”

“I know,” said Mischa as he saw the lynx about to snatch the butterfly from the sky. “Simone, no. The butterfly is toxic.”

Simone was able to prevent Kitty from obtaining her quarry. “Thank you. Can someone give me a book or something, so I know what to watch out for?”

“Yes, little one, I’ll see it done.”

“‘Little one’ is right. She’s very young.”

Mischa kept an eye on his mate and her pet as they made their way down to the main house. “She’s all of twenty-three.”

“Oh, good god.”

“I keep telling myself that she has many child-bearing years.”

When they reached the house, most of the pack was waiting. Mischa led Simone and Kitty up onto the expansive front porch. “I would like to introduce you to my fated mate, Simone. She joins us from the Bacchus vineyard in Sicily. Simone raised the lynx beside her and assures me that Kitty is friendly and well-behaved. We’ve had a long flight; I’m going to show Simone to her suite and let her get settled. I will meet with Valentin for dinner but will make myself available to everyone tomorrow unless you have a concern that can’t wait.”

He turned and led Simone inside. She looked up at him worriedly. “They didn’t ask about the wedding. Do you think they’re disappointed you came home with me instead of GiGi?”

“First, no I do not think that. Second, everyone at Tangled Vines is pitching in to help with the bonding ceremony. It’s how we do things here. And last, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. You are my fated mate and will be mistress to the pack. If anyone doesn’t like it, I will invite them to leave. This is your home.”

* * *

Mischa treated himself to a long nap. He’d been unable to sleep on the plane as his thoughts and emotions had been churning for the entire trip home. It hadn’t helped that all he could think about was Simone’s delectable body lying all alone in that big bed. He rather imagined those thoughts would be plaguing him until he was able to claim her or at least sink his aching cock inside her.

He called down to Valentin and asked that he set up a private dinner for the two of them and Simone in the library. He had staff tell Simone dinner would be at six and figured he and Valentin could meet at five to discuss anything urgent—not that Mischa expected anything; Valentin was an excellent beta.

Valentin was waiting for him as he entered.

“I wanted to apologize if I offended you or you thought I was offering an insult to your lady.”

Mischa waved him off. “No apologies are necessary. It must have been a little bit of a shock to you.” He chuckled. “I know it was to me. So, anything new?”

Valentin groaned.

“The Russians? The arms deal?”

Valentin nodded.

Mischa poured them both a whiskey and sat down. “Tell me.”

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