Chapter 1 Manhattan
Asa and Vince stared out over the Manhattan skyline as they contemplated their next step in their plan for land development in Central Texas. The Fort Stewart to Fort Bliss I-14 interstate was presenting unprecedented building opportunities with unlimited profit potential. They never passed up an opportunity to make money, especially billions. Like most modern, 21st century werewolves, their corporation was a working cover for their pack and their lives, and the money was always needed.
Asa was the Alpha of the largest pack in the world with Vince as one of his two Betas. Based out of New York City, the Harvest Moon Pack, or Harvest Moon Corporation (HMC), had massive global reach and influence in both the werewolf and human worlds. They had numerous alliances and mutual aid agreements with governments and packs all around the world, at different levels.
Asa, Vince, and Second Beta Spann were best friends and battle buddies, closer than any blood brothers. They grew up together in the Adirondack Mountains, rolling around as little wolf cubs, pouncing on each other. Even as adults, they took great delight in sneaking up on each other in wolf form and pouncing. They were strong, powerful men that never fully grew up, but only in secret. Outwardly, they were the most dominant men and wolves in the world.
Vince looked at Asa. "Do you really think Texas is where we should expand our holdings? Our kind is rare there outside of the Hill Country Pack, and the rogue vampires are a problem in the Big Thicket. There are rumors that rogue werewolves are joining them. Our sources are saying that the Hill Country Pack is struggling to survive. Other packs have been wiped out."
Asa contemplated Vince's information. Fun-loving Vince was an excellent counterbalance to a serious Alpha Asa, who had learned that his Beta could see situations differently than Asa or Spann. His unique outlook had saved their lives many times, especially in battle.
After several minutes, Asa responded. "Those are the best reasons why we should plant a stake in Texas.
Vince snickered at the unintended vampire pun while Asa rolled his eyes. Inside, both wolves were howling with laughter. Asa shook his head. No matter how hard he tried, seriousness never lasted long when he was alone with his top men.
"BETA! Can't you be serious for more than five minutes?!" Asa slapped Vince on his broad back, with a hit that would have put a human in the hospital, causing Vince and their wolves to laugh even harder.
Asa threw up his hands, in mock exasperation, fighting to not smile. "It's time for rounds. Can you please pull it together so we can act like we are in charge?"
The two men left the expansive and expensive office with Vince quietly laughing every few steps. Rounds meant checking on the welfare of the pack on a personal level instead of the continual reliance on the assistants' reports and the mindlink possessed by the werewolf members of their pack. With an organization that operated on a global level, it was important that the pack saw Alpha Asa and his Betas on a personal level when they were home. They weren't home often, but when they were, they enjoyed visiting everyone as much as the pack members enjoyed the visits. While the pack existed in multiple locations under various leadership, many of the pack's most important werewolves and humans lived and worked at their main facility and home in Manhattan.
