Emiliano BianchiEmiliano looked out from his office window, seeing and not seeing his vineyard below. He was lost, deep in thought about his life…The vineyard was the one thing that had been a constant part of his life; it had never left or abandoned him. His great-great grandfather, Gregorio Bianchi, started his wine business long before he was born and it had been passed down from generation to generation and now his father, Gregorio the IV, had to decide whether he’d pass the business on to either Emiliano or his elder brother, Gregorio the V. There was nothing Emiliano wouldn’t give to be the next in line, but no one wanted him to be the head of the family.Emiliano was the illegitimate son of Gregorio the IV and Noelle Regio, a vineyard worker. His father had already been married and his wife was pregnant with their first child when the affair began. The tryst lasted for almost an entire year before they had been discovered and another year before Emiliano had been born. It had only took seeing how much more he looked like the Gregorios’ more than the last namesake for the family to become smitten with the child…Don’t get him wrong, Emiliano loved his life but it was never forgotten that he was the illegitimate son and stood to inherit nothing but the name. He could remember running through the rows of grapes, following and being chased by his father; they would sit outside and talk for hours, Emiliano learning and understanding his family and understanding his place while he and his father dined on the ripest grapes. Time was time with his father that he would never forget.Gregorio the IV was tired and after almost 1000 years, he was ready to step down and let one of his son’s reign as Alpha but which would it be? The eldest had the clan behind him and the youngest had the power; each needed what the other had to succeed, who could he chose?A loud beep came from his desk, bringing him back from his musings. “Mr. Bianchi, you have the Capriotti meeting in two hours.”“Thank you, Amelia, I’ll be ready in five. Refresh my memory please?”“It’s with Fia Capriotti, the Head of Marketing for their hotels.”“Thank you, Amelia. Is the helicopter ready,” Emiliano asked as he began to pack his brief-case. He had already walked into the hallway before she spoke again.“Yes sir, it is.”“I’m on my way,” he said as he ended the call quickly. He hated turning Amelia down every weekend; she was a sweet girl, but she wasn’t his girl…Emiliano had chosen to mirror his father’s mannerisms and opinions in every way but one… he was single. At 450 years old Emiliano was still mate-less, which was very uncommon for his family. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have any women who were interested, there were far too many who were interested. Women would throw themselves at him all the time and they were always gold-diggers. Emiliano wanted a love that would last forever, a love that he felt deep in his soul. He wanted a woman who saw pass his money and his external façade; she needed to understand and accept him for who and what he was.The Bianchis’ were one of the oldest clans of Loup Garou left; one of the last pure-blood clans left. Loup Garou mated for life; he aspired for love like his parents have. Even though his father had already taken a mate, he had been blessed with a mate-bond and their love flourished even amid the political chaos. His parents were still in the honeymoon phase, like teenagers freshly in love.The flight gave Emiliano time to think about something other than his love life, or lack thereof. He tried to focus solely on the merger meeting. The Capriotti Hotel franchise wanted to use Bianchi as their featured wine in their hotels; the merger would make both company millions, the number one wine in the world partnered with the number one hotel was a dangerous combination. Emiliano and Amelia had been going over marketing designs and ideas, he wanted to introduce their new wine in a spectacular fashion. Bianchi’s had never done a merger before in the company’s history and Emiliano wanted the first time to something for the family to remember.Renaldi Capriotti only had good things to say about the new Head of Marketing, Fia Capriotti. He did mention that she had only recently graduated top of her class; her degree in Marketing and Design helped her get hired above all other applicants. Fia Capriotti stood to inherit the hotel franchise as well as pave new avenues for future Capriottis to come…As Emiliano stepped from the helicopter, he was greeted by the CEO himself. The Capriotti were humans, the CEO looked to be in his late fifties but not unhealthy. The man was clearly just as eager for their meeting as he was. “Emiliano Bianchi, we meet again,” the man chipped merrily.“Sig. Capriotti, you look well. Your family?”“Perfetto! I don’t have to ask about the Bianchis, the tabloids are constantly running fantasy trash about your family… vergongna su di loro,” he spat disgusted.Emiliano, pointedly ignoring the man’s statement, gestured towards the entrance ready to start the meeting. He knew the CEO was both fishing for information and understanding being on the wrong side of the news rags, Emiliano knew not to give any energy towards the tabloids. It was unnerving how much they knew about the Loup Garou.The pair walked through the entrance and into the office. The receptionist took his jacket and offered him a drink of his choice as Capriotti excused himself. “A water is fine. Thank you.”He was led to a glass wall board room; as soon as the receptionist opened the door Emiliano was struck with the most marvelous smell. It reminded him of freshly bloomed Japanese Sakura and sweet strawberries, it was an amazing perfume. He made a mental note to investigate the perfume after the meeting, he’d purchase it for his little sister.“Miss Capriotti and Sig. Capriotti will be in momentarily.”“Grazie.”The young woman slightly nodded her head in acknowledgment of his thanks and close the door softly behind her. It had taken only seconds for Emiliano to become completely engulfed in the aroma, it had dominated the room and overtook his senses. Had it been one, two or five minutes before the Capriottis walked into the room all business-like, surprising him?“Emiliano Bianchi, I would like to introduce the Head of Marketing and Design and my beautiful daughter Fia Capriotti.” The CEO gestured his daughter forward and she graciously walked into the limelight in front of her father… it was her meeting after all.He turned and rose from his seat to greet her properly. Just the subtle lift her arm to shake his hand sent a new and fresh wave of the perfume; it was intoxicating. The willowy caramel hand she had reached out had given him tiny electric shocks when they touched; it had instantly becoming addicting to touch her, even the close proximity of the two-left electricity in the air.Ruud began to stir from within him. The overwhelming urge to grab her and run from the room was in the forefront of his mind. It was everything he had to keep Ruud from taking control, luckily, he had somehow managed a polite reply. “Nice to meet you Miss Capriotti.”She looked nervously at her father, not understanding the reason for such informality. Emiliano, as if his father had given him the evil-eye as a child for doing the same thing, straighten himself and met her gaze. Her eyes were the color of warm honey, the moment their eyes connected it was as if he was stuck if their sticky embrace and the room began to spin and heave. From within Ruud gave a jovial howl and then began tearing away at my control; he wanted to break loose and claim her.Mine. Mine, Mine. Mine, he growled. Claim Mine before another! Now!The Capriottis looked on nervously, was he backing out of the deal because of her age? She may have been a bit younger than anyone would’ve expected but Fia was the best and brightest. “Sig. Bianchi, excuse me for being impertinente but is my age causing you issue?” (Forward.)“No,” he shouted a bit louder than expected. Her honey eyes widened in shock; her beauty was unparalleled and Emiliano found himself nervous and unable to think properly. “I-ah, you’re molto carina.” (Very cute.)Her caramel cheeks flushed red, calming Ruud and enthralling Emiliano all at once. Even though he had embarrassingly said the wrong thing, it had felt completely right that no one corrected him… even to the Capriottis’ dull senses Fia knew she was his.We have human mate-bond. We must protect, Ruud demanded and Emiliano immediately agreed.“T-t-thank you,” she stuttered surprised. Never had she seen an uomo of such high distinction act so earnestly, they were usually all arrogant high society men. “I hope you love the presentation I have for you today. Your assistant, Amelia, sent over the designs that you had done yourself. I must say I was impressed at their level.”All Emiliano could do was stare at the most beautiful creature he had ever seen; her velvety voice lulling his wolf into an almost tranquil state. “I’m sure I will and I appreciate the accolades from a woman of your expertise.”As she showed Emiliano to his seat, his thoughts raced in a thousand different directions. They were all about Fia and he was unable to reign them in no matter how risqué they had become. Was she involved, engaged or married? New and insane feelings invaded his thoughts, never had a woman, especially a human, give him a racing heart and butterflies but here he was flustered by a young woman he had just met.Fia began her presentation and he watched her closely. Her caramel skin and honey eyes kept his gaze locked on them; face bare of makeup and her natural, raven mane only enhanced her beauty. She sauntered back and forth pointing and highlighting things with a wave of her hand. Ruud loved the way her small frame was still toned; she was a worthy human mate of an Alpha.“Sig. Bianchi…” Her questioning tone snapped him abruptly from Ruud and his shared thoughts.“Emiliano, please.”She blushed shyly. “Emiliano, did you like the presentation?”His heart dropped. “Hai già finito,” he asked. (You’re finished already.)“Si.” (Yes.)“How long have I been here,” he asked worriedly. Her presentation couldn’t have been a long one…She glanced gingerly at her small wristwatch, “About an hour and a half. Is there a problem?” Fia glanced between Emiliano and her father nervously, silently trying to ask him what should she do? She didn’t know if he loved it or hated it or even her. She threw her eyes from her father to Emiliano in order for him to understand…Emiliano glanced at his Rolex and an hour and a half had indeed gone by. I had been lost in my thoughts…her body, her legs…her voice. I hadn’t heard a word of it, he thought silently chastising himself.“Mi dispiace, but my mind was otherwise preoccupied… Let’s reschedule this for a later date, I’m honestly not feeling quite like myself at the moment,” he explained. (I am sorry.)“Emiliano, ragazzo, you okay,” Renaldi asked worriedly. Last thing their family needed was for the most likely heir to Bianchi to fall ill after a meeting with them. The world would eat the Capriottis alive… (boy)“Sto bene. I’m just having a hard time focusing at the moment…” He had to think quickly before he left a bad taste in their mouths for the Bianchi. “Signore, believe me when I say the Bianchis are invested in this merger. Today has just been a trying day for me.” (I am fine.)Fia Capriotti“Uhm,” she drawled. Fia’s disappointment flooded the room almost immediately. The thought that her work was somehow lacking, or worst yet…boring, was a huge blow to her self-esteem. Had she really deserved the job or was she still just the ‘silver-spooned brat’.“I assure you that I will be much more business-like in our next meeting. We can call my assistant now and set up that meeting if you’d like,” he offered.Fia felt chills slide throughout her body, but a heated flush in the pit of her stomach. Even with him being rudely inattentive, he had been the most courteous high society uomo she had ever met. He was devilishly handsome; his rich skin looked like melted chocolate. Emiliano was the type of man she dreamt for herself but those types were hardly ever truly real.Cocking her head, she gave Emiliano one hard stare; holding his gaze making sure he held her eye. When he didn’t falter, she smiled and gave him a youthful shrug. “Sure.”“Perfetto! I’ll call my assistant—” (Perfect!)“Emiliano, there’s no need for that. Lei è un vero uomo di parola?” Her gaze was on him questioningly, but Emiliano couldn’t help but feel a passion behind it. (Are you a true man of your word?)“Si.” (yes)“Then we are good. Please take home the DVD of my presentation to famarilize yourself with the content. I would like for you to have notes and questions for our next meeting… Piena partecipazione.” She gave him a serious but friendly smile. (Full participation.)“Si, Signora.” Emiliano gave her a mock salute, reaching for the DVDs as they all laughed but careful not to even graze her skin in the slightest. One wrong move and Ruud would take complete control… (Yes Ma’am.)“Grazie ancora and I’m very sorry,” he said to both as he gathered, he things and quickly left the conference room. (Thanks again.)The father-daughter pair stared after Emiliano, Fia giving her father a perplexed look. “Was I that boring, Papa?”“Your presentation was brilliant, ii comportment di quell ragazzo has nothing to do with the presentation Piccolo Fiore.” Renaldi said cryptically. His smile widened across his face, and he watched his daughter happily flush. (The behavior of that boy) (Small Flower.)“Grazie, Papa but hush now. We don’t need the Bianchis to think we started such a rumor.”“Lo sai che ho ragione,” he said smiling mischievously. “What a match! Quali bambini belli avrai!” (You know I’m right.) (What beautiful children you’ll have!)“No, Papa silenzio. Don’t say such things, besides he is too old for me.” (Quiet.)“You are twenty, he is thirty-something there’s no problem.”“Let’s just focus on business Papa,” she sighed giving up.Only for a moment did Fia allow herself to dream of that life… only in her dreams could she interest a man like Emiliano but that wasn’t in her dreams, and he had been acting weird…The Bianchis were a mysterious bunch anyway, she thought her herself.“I’m going to go ahead and head home Papa,” Fia said abruptly. “It’s Friday.”“Qualsiasi piano?” He had sounded hopeful, Renaldi didn’t like seeing his only daughter so lonely all the time… (Any plans?)“Nope.”He sighed dejectedly. “Okay. See you Monday dear.”“Buonanotte Papa,” Fia called over her shoulder as she left the room, the mysterious Bianchi and his amber eyes still fresh on her mind. (Goodnight Papa.)As soon as she was free from the suffocation of her father and Sig. Bianchi’s cologne, Fia was able to breathe easier. The weekend couldn’t have come at a better time, the week had been rough with endless meetings and countless phone calls. All Fia wanted to do was go home and jump in her jacuzzi with her favorite white wine and calming theta waves, anything to keep her mind from wandering towards Emiliano.“Hold the elevator please!” Fia called down the hall as she quickly shuffled to make the elevator. “Oh Grazie,” she thanked breathlessly. Before Fia could turn to properly thank the person her phone rang; it was her best friend, Vivian.“Viv?” She answered pressing the button for the garage. “Viv, can you hear me I’m in an elevator?”“I can hear you, and I also heard your meeting with Bianchi was this afternoon…how’d it go?”Fia scoffed. “He didn’t hear a word I said.”“Bastardo,” Vivian cursed. (Bastard.)Fia immediately chided Vivian for her crude language. “Emiliano rescheduled the meeting and he reassured Papa and I that the Bianchis wanted the merger… his mind was elsewhere.”The doors opened and Fia walked to her car. The first level parking garage was dark and now that the day had ended it was also empty. Fia listened to Vivian drone on and on about the new club that she had just finished designing but something made the hairs on the back of her neck stand and send tingles down her spine. She quickened her steps, wanting to make it to her car; the echo of two pair of feet sounded throughout the parking deck, Fia’s heart sank.“Fia,” Vivian called worriedly. Fia’s breath was shallow and rushed, she was scared.Her car wasn’t far away and neither were the other set of feet. She only had to make it to her car, and she was safe; Fia and Vivian had secretly been getting lessons at a gun range outside of the city… they weren’t victims. “Fia!”Fia didn’t answer, she just kept moving towards her car and when she made it and got inside slamming the door as hard as she could, she looked around suspiciously. There was no one around from what she could see and it made her feel very silly. She could’ve sworn she heard steps behind her, felt the heat and gaze of her pursuant.“Fia, are you okay,” Vivian asked again worriedly.Sighing deeply Fia replied, “Sto bene. I just had a silly moment.” (I am fine.)“Are you sure that’s what that was? You sounded really freaked out.”“Si, and about this club… raincheck.”Vivian groaned like a child and audibly pouted. “Come on… we don’t even get to hang out as much as we use to, how can you just give me a flat no?”“I’ve, no we’ve, been busy with our new jobs and lives; Papa has me going to meetings one right after the other, meeting business partners.”“You’re the one who said you wanted to take over the family business,” Vivian reminded her.Fia blew air from her lips jokingly. “I did and I do, but I know I’m way too tired for the club.”“I miss my best friend,” Vivian cried.“I miss you too. Look, how about you come over Sunday and we can have the day. Grill, pool, spa treatments… you name it we can do it.”“No flaking,” she asked skeptically.“No flaking,” Fia promised. The girls said their farewells and hung up the phone.Fia checked her mirrors… she could’ve sworn she was being followed; she heard the footsteps. Looking from all angles of her car she saw no one; could it have all just been her imagination? Checking one more time and not seeing a soul, Fia sighed deeply. Maybe her Father and Vivian were right… maybe she did need to get out more. Backing out of her space and driving down the parking ramp the only thing on Fia’s mind was Emiliano and their next meeting.

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The Bianchi name was world renowned, their brands and buildings on every continent, anyone who was anyone wanted to know everything they possibly could about the famous family... what was their secret? The Bianchi's were a pure-bred line of Lycan, one of the oldest and only clans left. Their family build their wealth through the centuries, some of those founders still alive, and it culminated into the empire seen today...

Two sons, but only one could be the Alpha but to be the Alpha they both were missing their mates and that's where Fia came into the picture. She was all beauty and sophisticaton... nothing like the girls who threw themselves at Emiliano's feet. She was all business and she was Emiliano's blood-mate.

Steamy

Sire

Emiliano BianchiEmiliano looked out from his office window, seeing and not seeing his vineyard below. He was lost, deep in thought

Sire - Free To Read

Sire - Free To Read

2 Chapters

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