His Wolf's Choice

by Mary Goldberger

  “But…” Ralph protested eyes going to Natasha who was being led to the kitchen by Dena and Kala.

  “Ralph, she is with our mates,” Leonardo said quietly getting his attention. “They won’t let anything happen to her, but they do want to get to know her.”

  “We should let our Alpha Females to get know each other,” Trevor suggested. “Besides, I think it would be good for Natasha while you…”

  “Ralph.”

  The soft voice that interrupted got their attention, and they shifted their eyes to Whitney who was coming down the stairs.

  “We need to talk,” she stated now reaching the bottom stair her eyes drifting over to Garin who was talking with Alec, Jaime and Paul.

  Ralph’s jaw tensed, but he nodded his head in agreement. “We do.”

  “You can use my office,” Leonardo offered with narrowed eyes.

  Whitney walked over to Ralph stilling slightly when Ralph said, “Leonardo, Trevor, can you join us please? We will need witnesses regarding the breaking of our mate bond.”

  Whitney’s mouth tensed at his words, but she straightened tossing her hair over one shoulder. “Yes, we do. You’ve find your mate and I have…”

  “I suggest we take this into the office,” Leonardo cut her off giving Trevor a subtle nod before he led the way to his office while Ralph and Whitney followed with ease.

  Trevor waited a few seconds watching them. “Garin,” he called out quietly immediately getting his attention.

  “What is it, Alpha?” Garin and the others walked over to him.

  “Whitney and Ralph are breaking their mating bond,” Trevor revealed slanting Garin a quick look. “I suggest you go see Daya, Garin.”

  With those words, Trevor followed the others to the office a smile on his face when he stepped into the room.

  “Everything okay,” Leonardo asked catching the smile before Trevor closed the door behind him.

  “Yes.” Trevor didn’t say anything else shifting his gaze to Whitney who frowned, but shrugged before turning back to Ralph.

  “So, how do we go about breaking the bond?”

  The second Trevor turned away, Garin hurried up the stairs heading for the infirmary since he knew Daya was in their helping Brianna.

  Entering the room, he stopped eyes drifting around until he found Daya urging one of the injured into a bed and helping them to get comfortable.

  He felt something in him ease at the sight of her, and when Brianna called out “Garin”, he watched her turn at the sound of his name.

  Tears brightened her brown eyes and her mouth trembled relief sliding across her face.

  He took a few long strides to reach her side and without a second thought, he took her into his arms nestling his face into her hair.

  “I’m okay,” he whispered feeling her shake in his arms.

  “How are you feeling?” Daya’s voice was shaky and yet the concern for him could be heard in her voice.

  “Once I shifted, the wound healed although I may have a small scar,” he teased nuzzling the curve of her neck making Daya gasp lightly.

  He felt her arms go around him and she gave him a hug allowing her body to curve into his own harder one.

  “As long as you are safe, I don’t care,” she uttered in a choked voice.

  Garin felt his wolf react to those words even as he pulled her tighter against him, but his wolf suddenly tensed within him.

  “Daya, is there something wrong?” He asked drawing back slightly but he didn’t let go of her and ignored the people around them.

  Daya lifted her head meeting his eyes while her hands slid off his shoulders to rest against his chest.

  “Have you talked with…?” She stopped biting her bottom lip before she gave a single shake of her head. “Have you talked with Whitney, Garin?”

  Garin frowned while his wolf snarled at the mere mention of her name. “No, I haven’t,” he assured her. “Alec, Paul, Jaime and I were talking, and then I wanted to see you.”

  “Oh,” Daya remarked, and her brown eyes grew dim with emotion. “I…”

  “Did Whitney say something to you?” He asked in a light voice, and Daya closed her eyes letting out a soft sigh.

  “You need to talk with her, Garin,” Daya replied her voice so soft that he had to bend his head to hear it.

  After looking at her for a few seconds, he nodded his head. “I will, but not right now. Not tonight.”

  “Garin, I think…” Daya began only to stop when Garin pulled her tight against him again his mouth lowering to kiss her.

  “We’ve got this covered now, Daya,” Brianna said after clearing her throat. “Besides, Alec is on his way…”

  “So is Jaime,” Kelsey added from the other side of the room.

  “Why don’t you take Garin to his room so he can rest?” Brianna suggested with a sly smile on her face.

  “I am tired,” Garin remarked in a low voice catching the worry that flashed across Daya’s face.

  “Brianna, if you need me…” Daya began.

  “I know where to find you,” Brianna teased with a single wave of her hand dismissing them.

  Garin nodded his head to Brianna while ushering Daya out of the room before she realized it giving him a frowning look once they were out of the infirmary, and heading toward his room.

  “I would like to take you out,” Garin remarked closing the door behind him staring at her intently. “But we are leaving tomorrow, so I will wait until we arrive at home.”

  Daya gave him a searching look before she swung away and strode over to the window. “I think you should wait until you talk to Whitney.”

  Garin frowned again watching her seeing how tense she seemed to be, and he sighed gently walking over to her quietly.

  “Daya,” he whispered wrapping his arms around her waist feeling her stiffen.

  “I’m scared.”

  Garin turned her to face him searching her face. “Of what?” He found himself holding his breathe seeing her eyes close and a soft sound emit from her.

  “After tomorrow, this will be the last time we will be like this.” Her eyes flashed open and she stepped closer to him. She put her hands on his chest before they slid up to go around his neck. “Kiss me, please, Garin.”

  Garin opened his mouth to respond to her words, but Daya didn’t let him speak. Using her hands, she lowered his mouth to meet hers and he groaned when her tongue invaded his mouth.

  “Daya,” he uttered huskily when she drew back so she could take a breath while his wolf howled with desire urging Garin to claim her as their mate. “Can I…?”

  Daya let one hand slip from around his neck to place on his lips a haunted look on her face. “Just make love to me,” she pleaded. “You don’t have to mark me or…”

  She stopped her face flushing with emotion before it cleared pressing against him, and with a determined look on her face, she moved her fingers from his lips.

  Daya pressed herself into Garin’s hard frame and lifting up on her toes, she kissed him with a hunger that elicited a groan from him, but there was a hint of desperation behind it that she couldn’t hide tears coming to her eyes.

  Chapter 23

  Garin drew a deep breath his jaw tensing while his wolf suddenly growled.

  Not like this.

  Daya pressed up against him, but Garin lightly gripped her arms forcing himself to fight the passion flaring through him even as his wolf reigned himself in.

  “No, Daya,” he uttered huskily watching confusion cross her face. “When we come together and I mark you as our own, which we will, it will be because we both want it.”

  “But I do,” Daya argued.

  “I know,” Garin said bringing her gently closer to him kissing her forehead. “But there is a hint of desperation. Our coming together shouldn’t be like that.”

  “But,” Daya protested tears coming to her eyes.

  “Nothing is going to change how I feel,” Garin promised. “No matter what Whitney tells me
, my wolf and I know what we want.” He tucked her close to his chest feeling her tremble at his words.

  “If you still want me once you talk to her,” Daya’s soft voice drifted up to him making his eyes darken, “then I have something to tell you.”

  Garin’s face tightened with emotion while his eyes went even darker. “Then I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

  Daya giggled, but it seemed forced to Garin who sensed she was still worried about his meeting with Whitney.

  He kissed the top of her head before yawning which Daya felt and tilting her head, she saw his weariness even though he was holding her so tightly.

  “Come on,” she cajoled one arm sliding around his waist and turning him to the bed allowing her own weariness to fade into the background. “Your well-being is important to me so let’s get you into bed.”

  “I do like the sound of that,” he teased tiredly although his heart tightened hearing the sincerity in her voice giving her a teasing look which earned him a smile.

  “Well, I did just offer you a chance to do just that only not alone,” she teased lightly.

  “Umm,” Garin muttered almost flopping on the bed when they reached it. “But I don’t think sleeping is what you had in mind.”

  Daya blushed at his blunt words and catching the wicked look on his tired face, she muttered something under her breath which elicited a weary chuckle from Garin, but he didn’t stop her when she began to help him get undressed.

  Then she helped him to lay down.

  “Join me,” he requested after he was under the sheet that Daya drew up over him. “I sleep better with you by my side.”

  Daya gave a soft sigh a brief smile coming to her face before she stripped down to her undergarments and then slid in bed next to him.

  Garin immediately reached out cuddling Daya close, and Daya felt the sigh go through him as he relaxed.

  She nestled against him one hand spreading over his chest while her head rested against his shoulder.

  “Now,” he breathed out his muscles relaxing, “I can go to sleep.”

  His breathing eased and with a tightening of his arm around Daya, he fall asleep.

  Daya enjoyed the arms wrapped around her but sleep eluded her knowing that tomorrow could change everything.

  Yet, Daya shifted her head and stared at Garin with soft eyes knowing that she wouldn’t change the fact that she fall in love with him even though everything inside her fought against it.

  “I love you, Garin.” Her quiet confession echoed around the room.

  She would repeat it tomorrow, Daya promised herself closing her eyes tears slipping quietly down her cheeks.

  Garin woke slowly his body aching slightly, but otherwise he felt comfortable which may have something to do with Daya’s softness pressed against him.

  Shifting his gaze, Garin’s blue eyes lightened with a tenderness that would have many of his friends freezing in shock.

  He kissed the top of her head hearing his wolf purr in contentment although there was a hint of agitation which was explained with his wolf’s next gruff words.

  She cried herself to sleep.

  Garin could see the tears still drying on her face and lifted a hand to gently wipe them away with his thumb.

  She’s worried about Whitney, Garin reminded catching his wolf’s low growl and silently chuckled knowing that his wolf didn’t need any remainder of the woman.

  Garin.

  Garin sighed hearing his Alpha call him through the link.

  Yes, Alpha. Garin’s response was uttered politely, but with a hint of frustration which made his Alpha chuckle.

  Meeting in the living room.

  Garin’s eyes went to Daya a slight frown on his face. All house members are to come?

  There was a hint of worry in the question.

  Yes. Trevor gave a short pause. Ten minutes.

  Garin scowled, but he gave his affirmative in the order before leaning down to kiss Daya.

  “Sweetheart,” he murmured when she stirred. “We are needed downstairs.”

  Her lashes fluttered before her lids lifted to reveal soft brown eyes still drowsy from sleep.

  A warm welcoming smile drifted across her face. “Hello,” she greeted huskily blinking a few times. “Did we sleep long?”

  Garin lifted his head to the bedside table. “A few hours,” he confirmed turning his attention back to her. “I’m sorry to wake you, but Trevor called through the link. There is a meeting downstairs in ten minutes and everyone needs to be there.”

  A slight frown settled across her face, but she nodded her head.

  Garin gave her a quick, emotional kiss before rolling off the bed, and then he offered her a hand up.

  Daya’s laughter filled the room eliciting a soft content growl from his wolf again while Garin pulled her close for a brief hug.

  Daya nestled into his embrace letting out a sigh of happiness.

  “We need to get going, honey, before Trevor calls for us again,” Garin murmured reluctantly.”

  Daya gave him a muttered response stepping out of his embrace. “Let me wash my face and use the bathroom.”

  Garin laughed giving her another swift kiss. “Go ahead first.”

  He gave her a meaningful look and Daya giggled leaning up to kiss him. Then she broke away heading for the bathroom while Garin drew in a deep breath of frustration and delight rushing through him.

  I hope this meeting doesn’t take too long, his wolf uttered his own frustration making him anxious.

  We’ve waited for months, Garin replied reaching down to grab his jeans and sliding them on before getting his shirt.

  He was tying his shoes when the sound of the bathroom door opened and his gaze shifted to Daya who was stepping out never one to keep him waiting. We can wait a little longer.

  His wolf grunted in agreement, but Garin grinned knowing his other half understood and was willing to wait even though it was killing him.

  “I’ll only be a second,” he muttered to Daya giving her a warning look after another brief kiss. “Don’t head downstairs without me.”

  He gave her a stern look which only made her smile, and he sighed shaking his head going into the bathroom.

  Yet, he was quick and Daya was just standing up from the bed after putting on her shoes when he stepped out of the bathroom.

  Garin grinned and held out his hand watching Daya hesitate for a second. He saw the conflict flashing in her eyes before she shrugged her shoulders and took his hand.

  “Might as well make the memories now,” she whispered, and Garin frowned but didn’t comment leading her out of the room.

  Heading for the stairs, they were surprised to see their friends waiting for them.

  “I figured we can go downstairs as a group,” Alec remarked straightening from the railing his arm around Brianna’s waist. “Although we are from the same pack,” his eyes shifted to Daya including her, “Paul is with Trevor and Kala waiting for us.”

  “It should be an interesting meeting,” Jaime joked making everyone laugh while he slid an arm over Kelsey’s shoulders.

  They started down the stairs with Alec and Brianna leading the way.

  “They love you,” Garin whispered in Daya’s ear catching the quick look she gave him, and he grinned before shifting his gaze to the others in front of them.

  They were following Jaime and Kelsey who were having an animated, but low conversation.

  Daya watched them catching Kelsey’s gaze when she glanced back at them and Kelsey grinned rolling her eyes which didn’t go unnoticed by Jaime.

  “I saw that,” he remarked, and the three women chuckled while Alec and Garin merely shook their heads sharing quick grins.

  Entering the leaving room, the three couples made their way over to their Alpha and Alpha Female.

  “Just so you know,” Garin leaned down his lips touching Daya’s ear, and she missed a step although Garin was quick catching her around the waist so she didn’t fall.

 
“Know what?” Daya found herself whispering her brown eyes meeting his blue ones catching a flicker of darkening in his direct gaze.

  Garin gave a devilish grin, but whatever he would’ve said was forestalled when Leonardo held up his hand to get their attention.

  Daya turned her attention to Alpha Leonardo as did everyone else in the room.

  She gasped though when she heard Garin’s voice in her head loud and clear as if he had said the words aloud.

  I love you, too.

  Brown eyes widened and swung to Garin, but he didn’t look at her even though his arm tightened drawing her closer to his side.

  Daya was stunned and shocked, but she forced herself with difficulty to give Leonardo her attention.

  “It has been an eventful few months,” he was saying which made many laugh. “But we’ve got through it. Alpha Ralph has found his mate and has officially broken his bond with Whitney, at her own urging I might add.”

  Garin watched Leonardo’s gaze shift to him, but he didn’t react merely bowed his head in respect.

  “He is heading back to his pack in the next few days,” Leonardo continued shifting his gaze around the room. “They have been waiting for his return and the few members with him are ready to go home.”

  A cheer went up at his words, and Garin saw the flinch that swept across Ralph’s face. Garin had a feeling that Ralph just realized how much his members missed their home even though it was only a few of them.

  “As for our guests,” Leonardo grinned. “They are leaving tomorrow morning at first light.”

  Garin closed his eyes and leaned his head against Daya’s shoulder while Jaime, Alec and Paul shouted with happiness.

  Kelsey and Briana were just as excited eyes sparkling, and Garin felt Daya trembled.

  “You ready to go home,” he whispered his tone rough with emotion.

  “Yes.” Her voice was whispery soft, and Garin felt his wolf sigh in relief impatience rolling through him since he was more than ready to go home.

  Garin went to tell Daya about his, and his wolf’s own readiness, when someone caught his attention and blue eyes narrowed a frown coming to his face.

  “Garin, is there something wrong?” Daya asked having caught the narrowing of his eyes and Garin shifted his gaze back to her seeing the fearful look in her eyes which she immediately hid by lowering her lashes.