His Wolf's Choice

by Mary Goldberger

  They were quiet for a few minutes enjoying each other’s body warmth before she suggested in a light tone. “We should probably do this before Alec and the others leave.”

  “I’ll talk with Trevor. I’ll see if they can a stay few extra days for the visit although I don’t think he will mind.”

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead again when she yawned against his chest.

  “I’ll be up in a little while.”

  She nodded her head giving him a soft kiss on the lips before leaving the office, and Leonardo stayed where he was until he was sure she was in their room. Then he went over to the phone and dialed a number realizing it was late, but his caller would understand.

  “Jordan,” he greeted when the phone was answered by a tired voice.

  In his office, Jordan raised an eyebrow glancing at the clock when the phone rang and picking it up, he was surprised at the voice that greeted him.

  “Jordan,” Alpha Leonardo greeted, and Jordan smiled tiredly.

  “Leonardo, this is a pleasant surprise,” he remarked sitting back in his chair.

  “You think I wouldn’t call,” Leonardo stated a rough note in his voice, and Jordan winced catching the hint of anger.

  “I was going to call…” Jordan began only to be shocked when Leonardo cut him off.

  “I’m issuing an invitation for you and your pack to come visit us. You can bring who you want, but not too many please since we are still housing Trevor’s fighter wolves although a few will be leaving after your visit.”

  It was an honor to receive such an invitation, Jordan knew sighing gently also knowing that Leonardo wanted to talk to him face-to-face.

  “When?” Jordan asked needing someone else to confide in, and Leonardo would be able to help him with a choice he had to make.

  “I was thinking in the next few days,” Leonardo replied thoughtfully. “Trevor’s group except for two will be leaving at the end of the week if Trevor doesn’t mind an extra few days.”

  Jordan frowned sitting forward in his chair. “Who is staying?”

  Leonard suddenly chuckled. “I guess you have to come now to see.”

  Jordan let out a light, but unthreatening growl which merely made Leonardo laugh.

  “Oh, and bring your next Alpha along with Tobias,” Leonardo suggested, and Jordan couldn’t help but laugh wondering how Leonardo was able to know such things.

  “Our wolves do keep in contact you know,” Leonardo stated laughter in his own voice.

  “Okay, so we will be there the day after tomorrow,” Jordan said after a few seconds of thought.

  “Good. Besides, I want to know more about your niece since I never got the chance to meet her although I remember Jackie talking about her often whenever you two visited us.”

  Jordan, for the first time since his return, relaxed in his seat a soft smile coming to his face. “She is the one thing I’m proud of, and to be honest, Leonardo, I never thought I would say that.”

  Leonardo heard the awe and amazement in his voice at this truth. “We’ll talk more when you get here.”

  “We can’t stay too long,” Jordan warned glancing at the sheets on his desk. “I have work to do.”

  “I know, but I also think you need a small break.”

  Jordan sighed and closed his eyes. “I do, and I also need your advice on something although I’ve already talked with Trevor and Kala about it.”

  After a few more words, they hung up and Jordan shook his head eyes opening when a knock sounded on the door and Bryan walked into the room.

  “I knew you would still be up,” he remarked closing the door behind him. “Were you able to figure what to do with the budget?”

  Jordan growled at him which answered the question. “I don’t know what the hell Jared did, but the budget is a mess and on top of that, it is almost five thousand short.”

  Bryan whistled a worried look on his face taking the chair in front of the desk. “What do you plan on doing?”

  Jordan sat there when a smile drifted across his face. “We’ve just been invited to visit Leonardo and his pack, and it was suggested that Jared and Tobias come with me.”

  Bryan’s eyes narrowed at the news.

  “I know Tobias would like to bring his mate and Jared, well,” he let the sentence drift off a hard look crossing his face. “I will take one or two fighter wolves with us, but otherwise that is all. Leonardo has guests from Trevor’s pack currently and can only put up a few of us.”

  Understanding dawned on Bryan’s face and he started to smile. “It should be interesting.”

  “I didn’t mention it,” Jordan stated, “but Leonardo heard about my situation and wants to talk with me. I also want to talk with him, but I need you to watch the pack while we are gone.”

  Bryan scowled but nodded his head. “I’ll do my best.”

  “You always do,” Jordan replied getting up from his chair and started cleaning up the desk. “If we don’t fix what was done, then it will harder to maintain this pack and I just wished the others understood that instead of blindly following Jared.”

  Bryan agreed in a low voice helping Jordan clean up, and after putting everything away, they left the office locking the door behind them which they never had to do before now.

  “I’ll let the pack know in the morning since I want to be gone by the afternoon,” Jordan revealed heading for the room he had converted into a small bedroom after Daya left. “I told Leonardo we would be there the day after tomorrow.”

  Bryan nodded his head and they separated to head to bed although Bryan checked in with the patrol before going to his own.

  The next morning, Jordan told the pack and as he predicted, Jared immediately turned to Jasmine who squealed in delight although she frowned at Bethea.

  “Make sure to be ready by one,” Jordan told them after getting two fighter wolves to join them. “I don’t want to leave a second later, and if you are not outside by then, I will leave you behind without a second thought.”

  His tone was hard, and the pack nodded their heads although he saw the scorn on Jasmine’s face and the brief look she shared with Jared.

  Jordan went inside to call Trevor who had already talked to Leonardo that morning as well, and although he wasn’t too thrilled about his group staying later, he understood the reason for their delayed return.

  “I’ll call you when we get back and give Daya my love.”

  He hung up and sighed closing his eyes while pain flashed through him feeling his wolf groan in agony.

  “I’m sorry,” he muttered opening his eyes when Bryan knocked and entered studying him in concern.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I will be,” Jordan told him with a grin getting up from his chair. “Let’s do some work before we have to leave.”

  Ten minutes to one, Jordan was outside along with Tobias and Bethea who were talking about the trip when Bryan came out a scowl on his face.

  “Jared has requested thirty minutes.”

  “No,” Jordan’s voice echoed around the yard and into the house. Turning for the vehicle, he opened the door planning to drive halfway there and then Tobias would drive the last miles of their journey. “Let’s get going.”

  Everyone climbed into the vehicle without any words sharing grins, and Bryan chuckled before going back into the house to relay the Alpha’s response although it wasn’t needed.

  Jordan had put the SUV in gear and was already starting down the drive when Jared and Jasmine rushed out reaching the vehicle before he picked up speed.

  Jordan stopped but he didn’t look at them. “I said one, and an Alpha should always stick to their timeline. If they can’t, then they shouldn’t be an Alpha.”

  His words echoed around the inside of the vehicle and he glanced briefly in the rearview mirror seeing Jared tense while Jasmine sent him confused looks which he merely passed off with a smile and shake of his head.

  Jordan saw the swift narrowed gaze Jared sent him which finally
settled the plans he had in his mind although since his return, he had already begun the process.

  “I suggest you be respectful when we get there,” he advised picking up speed, and driving away from their pack house. “Alpha Leonardo isn’t one to anger.”

  Jasmine merely smile prettily while Jared rolled his eyes shifting his gaze out the window, and Tobias shifted Jordan a look who shook his head once.

  “Yes, Alpha,” he replied followed by the echo of Bethea along with the two fighter wolves who were following in another vehicle through the pack link.

  Chapter 15

  Jordan stared at the house they pulled up to and grinned at the silence which had settled over the others after seeing it.

  Pulling up to the porch, Tobias put the SUV in park letting out a whistle. “I thought we had an elaborate pack house,” he remarked reaching for the door handle.

  “We do,” Jordan replied, and when Tobias sent him a confused look, he merely shook his head. “You’ll see.”

  Getting out, Jordan stretched his face flashing with pain at the movement. Yet when he turned to his pack members, there wasn’t a hint of it on his face.

  “Again,” he reminded in a hard voice, “Leonardo doesn’t take kindly to disrespect, so watch yourself.”

  The door opened after his statement, and he turned a smile drifting across his face at the individual who came out.

  “Garin,” he greeted in a warm tone unaware of Tobias and Jared glancing at him in surprise.

  “Alpha Jordan,” Garin replied running down the stairs to meet him. “I was surprised when I heard about your visit.”

  “So was I when I learned that you would be extending your own.” Jordan raised an eyebrow, and Garin winced.

  “I want to be sure,” he replied slowly meeting Jordan’s eyes without flinching. “We both do.”

  Studying him, Jordan could see that he was having some issues he hadn’t fully figured out yet.

  “I guess it is better than nothing,” Jordan remarked clapping him on the back. “Let me introduce you to some members of my pack.”

  He felt Garin tense under his hand, but his words were polite. “Yes, Alpha.”

  Jordan hid his grin catching Jared’s narrowed glare and Tobias’ thoughtful one when he turned to face them.

  “This is Garin Monroe from the Crimson Moon Pack,” Jordan stated watching eyebrows lift at his words. “He, and a few others, are here on protection duty. Garin, this Tobias my Beta’s son…”

  “Nice to meet you,” Tobias greeted staring at Garin, and Garin grinned inclining his head in greeting.

  “…And his mate Bethea.”

  Garin turned his stare to the petite woman who flushed, but she met his gaze without fear or hesitation.

  “Congratulations.” Garin’s eyes drifted down to her baby bump, and she flushed with delight.

  “Thank you.”

  Jordan laughed winking slowly at her. “And this is Jared,” he continued turning to the man in question only to frown.

  “The next in line for the Alpha position,” Jared interjected, and Jordan’s frown turned to a glare which Jared ignored issuing a challenge at Garin.

  “But you’re not an Alpha yet.” Garin took up the challenge, and Jared flushed at the rebuttal of his status.

  “This is his mate Jasmine,” Jordan quickly intervened surprised at what he learned from the brief confrontation.

  Jasmine gave a coy smile when Garin directed his eyes to her. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Hello.” It was a polite, and a single remark, before he turned back to Jordan.

  “Alpha Leonardo and the others are waiting inside,” he stated indicating the house.

  “You were sent out to greet us,” Jared remarked with a smirk, “like an errand boy.”

  “I volunteered.” Garin spoke quietly eyes focused on Jordan who shook his head sadly. “We’ll go in, so you can greet the others and then I will come back out to get your bags.”

  “I’ll help,” Tobias offered getting an appreciative nod from Garin.

  Jared snickered before heading up the stairs to the door with Jasmine latched to his side.

  Garin followed him with his eyes remarking in a low voice, “Daya deserved better.”

  Tobias and Bethea threw Garin quick, shocked looks but Jordan merely put a hand on his shoulder.

  “Let’s go inside.” Nodding his head to Bethea and Tobias, Jordan headed up the stairs followed by the three of them.

  Jordan didn’t comment on Garin’s protectiveness as they were going up the stairs although he sensed Tobias was shocked, and confused, by it.

  Once up the stairs, and entering the house, Jordan immediately saw the disappointment on Jared and Jasmine’s faces.

  “Definitely not what a powerful pack’s house should look like,” Jared commented quite loudly, and Jordan frowned about to say something when he stopped turning his head to meet Leonardo’s eyes.

  “What should the inside of a powerful pack house look like?” Leonardo’s voice wasn’t loud, and yet within minutes of his question, pack members had gathered.

  He raised an eyebrow to Jared who suddenly paled under his intense stare.

  “Go on, young wolf, tell us.” Leonardo patiently waited for the answer. When one wasn’t uttered, he shook his head. “One shouldn’t speak if one doesn’t know the answer.”

  He turned his gaze to Garin before shifting past him to Tobias who shifted under the direct look.

  “Do you have an answer to my question?”

  Shock flashed across Tobias’ face, and yet after a few seconds of silence, he replied. “One that looks lived in, Alpha.”

  Leonardo grinned nodding his head. “Good answer.” Turning to Jordan, he said with approval. “He will make a good Alpha someday.”

  Jordan gave a brief nod of his head. “Tobias is Bryan’s son, and the young woman is his mate Bethea.”

  Leonardo nodded his head at them getting a few lowered bows in return.

  “This is Jared and his mate Jasmine,” Jordan continued, and Leonardo’s eyes flashed briefly at his words.

  “Your future Alpha,” he remarked giving Jared a searching look. “Well, you will be here for a few days.”

  He turned heading for the living room and Jordan fell into step next to him while Tobias and Bethea followed with brief nods at Garin.

  Garin watched them before turning back for the door.

  “Fighter wolf.”

  Garin shifted a look over his shoulder to meet Jared’s narrowed gaze, and he lifted an eyebrow. “Yes.”

  Garin saw the fierce frown that crossed Jared’s face at the response.

  “Jared, honey,” Jasmine cooed sending Garin a swift look from heavily made up eyes. “Why don’t we…?”

  “Garin.” Alec came down the stairs going over some papers he was holding. “I need you to take the afternoon patrol.”

  Lifting his head he was about to say something else, when he saw the two individuals standing in the hallway.

  “Hello,” he greeted nodding his head only to freeze, and Garin saw the way his eyes darkened when they landed on Jasmine.

  He quickly made the introductions seeing the dark look deepen briefly. “This is Jared, Jordan’s Alpha-to-be,” Garin introduced getting Alec’s immediate attention. “This is his mate, Jasmine.”

  Alec nodded his head body tense, and Jared unaware of anything being wrong ignored him while Jasmine gave Alec a searching look before turning away.

  Garin and Alec watched the two of them go into the living room.

  Garin walked over to Alec seeing the astonished, and slightly sad, look on his face.

  “Alec,” Garin muttered putting a hand on his shoulder.

  Alec turned to him with a shocked look before his gaze shifted back. “I…we…” He couldn’t put it into words what was going through his mind and shook his head.

  Garin grinned. “Going home seems to be a good idea.”

  Alec stared at the doorway wh
ere the others had disappeared through before shifting his gaze back to Garin. “She didn’t give us the time of day,” he commented. “And my wolf recognized her, but there was no excitement…not like when we met…”

  “Brianna.” Garin supplied when Alec’s words stopped. “Maybe there was a reason for that, Alec.”

  With these crypted words, Garin headed back outside to get the luggage pausing briefly when he heard Dena’s soft tones greeting her guests, and he smiled gently thinking about how she and their Alpha Female was similar to each other.

  Shaking his head, he continued outside while his mind drifted back to their guests particularly the man who was Daya’s ex-mate.

  Feeling his wolf growl in contempt, Garin found himself smiling at his response although it was his wolf’s words that left him in shock.

  I’ve made my choice, his wolf uttered with confidence. You continue trying to find your own.

  Bemused, and slightly shaken at his wolf’s words, Garin nodded his head to the fighter wolves that had arrived with Alpha Jordan.

  “Hi,” Garin greeted walking over to introduce himself before getting the luggage to bring inside with their assistance, and once inside, he left them in Alec’s capable hands seeing the thoughtful look on his friend’s face even as he did his job.

  Garin grinned nodding his head, and with a quick wave, headed back out to do the patrol that was assigned to him.

  Later that evening, Garin wearily treaded back up to the house his brow lifting when Alec met him on the porch.

  “Something wrong,” Garin asked walking up the steps, and Alec sighed throwing him a pair of shorts while a frown settled on his face.

  Alec shook his head. “No, but it’s been an interesting day since our guests have arrived.” He gave Garin a searching look. “It seems Whitney and Jasmine hit it off after meeting, and Jared is stuck to Alpha Ralph’s side.”

  Garin couldn’t quite hide his scowl. “Well, I guess we shouldn’t have thought otherwise.”

  “True.” Leonardo’s voice echoed over to them, and they turned to see him, and Jordan, walking toward them.

  “Alpha.” They greeted each of them with a bow of their heads.