by Dannika Dark
I pushed at Denver’s chest, but he didn’t budge. This seemed to annoy Prince, who leaned forward and said, “Submit.”
Denver’s wolf peeled back his lips and licked his teeth with his tongue, growling so fiercely it vibrated against my chest.
“Denny, that’s enough.” I wriggled from beneath him until I could stand up.
“You weren’t saying much of that back in the prison from what I heard,” Wheeler noted with a rolling chuckle. Naya winked at him in approval.
I felt my face flush when I looked up at Prince. “Thanks,” I said quietly, acknowledging his help with Denver’s situation.
He gave a short nod and a look of regret. “I wish you much happiness, little one. I came to speak with Austin, but I also wanted to return something that’s yours.” He reached in his pant pocket and pulled out a closed fist. When he held it in front of me and opened his fingers, a large diamond sparkled in his palm.
“What’s this?”
“You once asked me to return it to you someday. Take it. I have no use for such things.”
Despite losing out to Denver, he was still thoughtful enough to return something that was mine. My heart saddened to think he might have once put the stone in a setting.
I pinched the diamond between my fingers and smiled wistfully at him. “You’ll find her someday,” I said under my breath so no one could hear.
I moved away from him and handed Austin the diamond. “For the pack,” I said. “Hopefully this makes up for everything.”
Austin gave me a quizzical stare. “You sure you don’t want this for yourself?”
He meant a ring, and I shook my head. Austin placed his hand on top of my head and smiled, the small cleft in his chin deepening.
Prince’s visit wasn’t going over well with Denver. His wolf grew restless and backed up near the table. He knew better than to attack a Packmaster, but I could tell he was itching to.
Prince appraised him with superiority in his eyes. “He’s not much of an impressive wolf.”
Just as soon as the words left his mouth, Denver shifted back into human form. William slid the hat across the table and Denver set it on his head.
I couldn’t help but laugh, because he most certainly was an impressive wolf. He didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on but kept his cool and folded his arms when he caught sight of our guest.
Prince failed to conceal his smile when he stepped to the side and revealed Nadia standing behind him. He seemed aware of her presence, although he hadn’t looked at her.
Denver snatched the hat off his head and held it in front of his crotch. “Nadia,” he said, eyes darting around.
She tilted her head to the side and made a dramatic sigh. I smiled wickedly, having my answer that she hadn’t seen him naked until now. Denver was a sight to behold, and she must have felt a twinge of regret.
“I suppose if no one here will offer me a ride, I’ll just call myself a cab,” she huffed.
Prince turned and laid eyes on her for the first time. They shared similar European features, except his hair was dark and hers light. He bowed his head and introduced himself. “I’m Prince.”
A grin touched the corner of her mouth. “Nadia Kozlov.”
Familiarity sparked in his eyes. “Would you be of any relation to Alexei?”
She elegantly inclined her head. “He’s my father.”
Prince stepped back. “The Packmaster Alexei?”
Nadia fished in her clutch and retrieved her phone. “The very one. Please excuse me; I have to call a yellow abomination on wheels to take me home.”
He touched her wrist. “Allow me to escort you. I would be honored, daughter of Alexei Kozlov. Your father and I go back a long time.”
You’d think she was a princess the way he was talking to her.
“I’ll accept your offer,” she said indifferently. “My father has many friends, and I don’t remember you. I’m curious to hear about your connection.”
“It was long before your time.”
Nadia took his arm and strutted out the door in her noisy heels. I didn’t hate the woman, and it wouldn’t be a complete sin if those two were a perfect match. Hmm, I wonder if Naya can give that a nudge.
A pair of jeans flew across the room and smacked Denver in the face.
“Put those on,” my mom said, coming out of the laundry room. “This isn’t a nudist colony.”
While Denver yanked on his jeans, I noticed the men searching the cabinets. Jericho popped open the microwave and Reno peered into the oven.
“What the hell are you all looking for?” Denver asked, putting the hat on his head.
Wheeler felt around on top of the fridge. “Lexi baked pies.”
Lexi sauntered across the room with a satisfied look on her face. “Don’t bother looking. You’ll never find them. We’re going to play games and then we’ll have coffee and pie. It’s too early for dessert.”
Clearly the men couldn’t live with the idea someone else might find the pies first, even if they were stuffed. If there were an equivalent of a Weston pack Easter egg hunt, this would be it.
Denver looped his finger around my jeans and tugged me to his side. “You still want a ring on your finger, Peanut?”
“Not really.”
He pursed his lips, disapproving. “Maybe we’ll go get you one of those candy rings at the store.”
“Maybe we should get some ice cream for the pie instead.”
“Can’t have pie without ice cream,” Denver agreed. He bent over and threw me over his shoulder, patting my rear end. “Back in a bit.”
“Bring chocolate!” Lexi shouted.
My hair swished as he moved down the hall. “I’m too heavy!” I protested.
“Peanut, you’ll never be too heavy for me to carry.”
“There aren’t any elevators at the grocery store, are there?”
Denver set me down and kissed the corner of my mouth. “You’ll be in real trouble if there are. I don’t think I’m ever going to look at an elevator the same again.” He pulled his keys off the nail above the letter D. “You still like strawberry?”
I kissed his soft mouth slowly, taking my time to enjoy the moments between us that shone brighter than those diamonds. “My all-time favorite.”
“By the way, I found the bag you packed me for jail. I see how much you love me. The unicorn shirt? That’s a low blow. I’m gonna have to think twice about that candy ring.”
I kissed his chin. “I never wanted a ring, Denny. The only thing I want wrapped around my finger is you.”
His indigo eyes glittered. “Is that so? Well, at least I have a nice outfit already picked out for our mating ceremony,” he said with a wink.
“If that’s your way of asking me, you’re going to have to do way better than that.”
When I slipped on my shoes and opened the door, Denver dangled the keys in front of his face.
“Hold up. These aren’t mine,” he said. “Will!”
William strolled across the room, hands clasped behind his back. “No need to wake the dead.”
“You put your keys on the wrong nail. Where are mine?”
“Those are yours.”
Denver laughed and twirled the key ring on his finger. “These are the keys to a Jaguar, not my truck.”
“Indeed. But I’m going to make a bold assumption that you two will be mated soon, so consider this my gift. I’d certainly feel better knowing she’ll be in a car with airbags, especially after all that’s happened. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Denver looked down at the keys and closed his fingers around them.
I blew a kiss to sweet William. Denver loved his truck, but even with my newfound ability to heal, he’d still want to protect me in every conceivable way. After all, he was and would always be my watchdog.
“Thanks, man,” Denver said with gratitude. “I owe you.”
I rushed down the porch steps to beat Denver to the car while he put on his flip-flops. He came t
earing after me, and I screamed with excitement as we neared the car. I spun around as he slowed to a determined pace. He didn’t need sunglasses on this sunny day because the straw hat shaded his face.
“I love that you kept the hat,” I said with a wide smile.
Denver pinned me to the car door and kissed my forehead. “I lied to you.”
My stomach dropped, and I brushed a loose lock of hair away from my face. Suddenly the car was hot against my skin, and I leaned forward. “Lied about what?”
His hands anchored around my waist. “I said making jokes is what I do best, but that’s not true. Loving you is what I do best. I just wish I could have been your Prince Charming.”
My heart melted like chocolate in the sun. No love could ever compare to what I felt between us—something eternal and life altering. The way I kissed him was slow, every stroke filled with passion and adoration. I wanted him to feel through my touch what I felt in my heart.
I placed my mouth to his ear as he wrapped his arms around me. “You were always my fairy tale.”
Denver lifted me off the ground and nibbled against my neck until I shrieked with laughter. “Come on, Peanut. Let’s go get you a strawberry cone.”
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THE MAGERI SERIES is an exciting urban fantasy romance following the journey of a young woman's claim to immortality, and her own identity. Dark, unique, passionate, and full of unpredictable twists, the Mageri series provides an original spin to an old concept.
THE SEVEN SERIES is a paranormal romance that portrays Shifters living in secret in the modern world. A blend of humor, heartwarming romance, drama, and real-life issues. This series is for those who believe in family, second chances, and finding that person who completes you. Cliffhanger-free.
Note: All my fantasy stories are written in the same universe. Same Breeds, same rules, and may contain character crossovers/appearances.
Sometimes ordinary people are destined for extraordinary lives.
More books by Dannika Dark
Books by Dannika Dark:
THE MAGERI SERIES
Sterling
Twist
Impulse
Gravity
Shine
NOVELLAS
Closer
THE SEVEN SERIES
Seven Years
Six Months
Five Weeks
Four Days
Three Hours
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