The Jaguar Star (Tales of the Were Jaguar Island #4) - Bianca D'Arc Page 0,75

yourself?” he asked quietly, the others around them engaged elsewhere for the moment.

Katrina nodded. “It’s really impressive. The room, the building, the people.” She made a small gesture with one hand.

“Get used to it. You’re moving in different circles now,” Ren told her, smiling gently. She loved it when he looked at her that way, with the love sparkling in his green eyes.

“I know you two are newly mated, but I was hoping you might sit in on a security briefing after dinner, Ren,” Monty said, drawing Ren’s attention away from her.

“I’d like that,” Ren replied politely, then looked back to Katrina apologetically.

“We keep late hours here, and I know the others would welcome Kat into their company while we get business out of the way,” Monty told them, including Katrina in the conversation.

“I’d enjoy that,” Katrina insisted, sensing Ren wanted to be sure she was okay with him going off on his own. She’d miss him, but she’d be all right. There were plenty of people here, and she knew all the jaguars now. She could hang out with them and would enjoy meeting more of Monty’s family and staff, as well.

After dinner was over, Ren went off with Greg, Monty, Roderick and some of the others. Others left in groups, going in different directions. Katrina went with Margarete, who promised a tour of the castle. Franny, Deidre and Adela joined them, and they took off for a leisurely stroll around the massive house as Ren and the others headed for an interior room.

Once Ren was satisfied that Katrina was safe and well looked after, he moved into one of the other rooms where Monty’s people had set up a security briefing. The first scent that hit him the moment he entered the room was canine, and he stopped short. It was Sonia that pushed Ren into the room, her diminutive frame hiding a strength great enough to push a full-grown jaguar Alpha around.

“Ren, this is William Rufus Montague Whittaker, another of Monty’s adoptees. He is Alpha of the wolf Pack that lives in, and safeguards, the estate’s vast lands.” Sonia moved between the werewolf, who now stood on one side of the room, and Ren, who maintained his position just inside the door.

Ren wasn’t sure exactly what was happening, but he was willing to listen. He was certain of Sonia’s pure heart, and if she was on good terms with this wolf, then it was worth listening to what they had to say.

“Welcome to Montague,” the werewolf said. “I’m also head of security for the grounds while my human brothers and our Lord watch over the house itself. My Pack is the first line of defense for Monty, and we take our jobs very seriously. Which is why we weren’t at the dinner held in your honor. We thought it better that you meet the house side first, while we kept watch. As you move about during your work here, you’ll get to know some of my people, but it was important to warn you of our presence, to avoid potential conflict.”

Ren watched the wolf cautiously. “I understand, Alpha. Frankly, I’m surprised none of us scented your presence before now.”

The Alpha wolf smiled and shook his head. “Oh, there’s one among you who knew right away, but I’m not too put off by that. Nobody gets much past Sensei Mendez.”

As if conjured by mention of his name, Greg entered the room behind Ren and moved quickly around him with his hand outstretched to meet the werewolf. He had a big smile on his face, and it was clear Greg knew the other man already.

“Rufus, good to see you,” Greg said, shaking hands with the Alpha wolf as they both grinned, then gave each other a bro hug complete with back-pounding affection. Ren revised his opinion. Greg didn’t just know the other man, he actually liked him.

“Sensei, I’m glad you’re here,” Rufus replied as they broke apart, and Ren heard the sincerity in the wolf’s voice. “Strange things are afoot, and frankly, I could use your insight.”

“Always happy to help one of my best former students,” Greg replied quickly, clapping Rufus on the back. “What’s the situation?”

Rufus gestured for everyone to be seated. Once again, Monty had the position of honor at the head of the table, but it was clear that Rufus was running this briefing. He had two other werewolves flanking him, but their roles were unclear to Ren as the meeting started. He assumed they were