His Wolf's Choice

by Mary Goldberger

  Bryan’s look of concern melted away to shock intermingling with worry. “Why was Alpha Trevor calling us?” Bryan asked walking over to take a seat in front of the desk.

  “It seems he did some asking around and learned that Daya is my niece,” Jordan explained watching Bryan’s gaze narrow.

  “Why is he asking about Daya?”

  “I should’ve done some investigating of my own when Daya decided to move away,” Jordan added with a weak chuckle.

  Bryan’s eyes widened when Jordan’s words sunk in. “Daya moved into their territory,” he growled.

  “Even worse, one of her professor’s is Alpha Trevor’s mate,” Jordan revealed sitting forward putting his elbows on the desk. “Daya has been to their house twice…”

  “She knows,” Bryan interjected. “There is no way Daya has been there and haven’t realized what they are.”

  “I thought the same thing,” Jordan agreed. “I told Trevor my suspicion although he didn’t quite believe me.”

  “Is something wrong with Daya?” Bryan asked worry back in his voice.

  “No,” Jordan negated with a single shake of his head. “But she has caught the eye of a fighter wolf in Trevor’s pack, and Trevor was upfront about the fact he is well known for being a player.”

  Bryan’s eyes narrowed into slits at the news and he opened his mouth with a retort only to be forestalled by Jordan who put up his hand.

  “Trevor also revealed that it is the first time he has seen this particular man be this interested in a woman,” Jordan added with a slight smile. “Ever since his mate rejected him eight years ago, according to Trevor, he has never looked at another woman the way he looks at Daya.”

  Bryan’s mouth dropped open in complete shock at this piece of information. “Is Daya his…?”

  He didn’t finish the sentence when Jordan shook his head a resigned look on his face.

  “Trevor doesn’t know although this particular male wolf doesn’t believe in the concept of second mates,” Jordan revealed steepling his hands together a thoughtful look on his face.

  “Should we go visit Daya?” Bryan suggested watching Jordan shift in his chair.

  “I would like to,” Jordan admitted with a wry grimace, “but we have things to do here. Besides, I trust Daya to do what is right for her.”

  Sitting back in his chair, Jordan smiled slightly. “I also think this would be good for Daya.”

  “It could be a repeat of what happened with Jared,” Bryan argued surprised when Jordan chuckled at the comment.

  “I doubt it,” Jordan assured him. “Daya wasn’t attracted to Jared, not in the way a true mate would be.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “Maybe it is because she is human,” Jordan offered with a shrug of his shoulders. “But if she is attracted to this shifter, maybe it is possible she will come to realize that it was Jared who was wrong, not her.”

  Bryan sighed sitting back in his seat. “What a mess.”

  “Indeed, but Trevor assured me he will keep me informed of what is happening between them,” Jordan told him closing his eyes briefly a look weariness on his face.

  “Jordan,” Bryan said quietly.

  “To be honest, Bryan, I hope that this shifter truly cares for Daya,” Jordan uttered eyes flashing open.

  “You think Jared will try to get Daya back,” Bryan asked a lift of his eyebrows.

  “As you mentioned coming into the office, I let Jared handle the pack budget and I know exactly what is happening,” Jordan grimaced slightly. “It was poor judgement on my part, and I should’ve known better, but I thought it would make him realize how much running a pack is full of responsibility.”

  “Jordan, I hate to say this, but I think…” Bryan began watching Jordan sigh.

  “I know what you are going to say, and I think I have an idea about how to avoid it, but it all depends on one person,” Jordan stated a sly smile shooting across his face.

  “Who?’ Bryan asked in confusion only for his eyes to go wide at Jordan’s answer.

  “Tobias.”

  Chapter 4

  A week later, Daya walked into her apartment with a tired sigh locking the door behind her before she headed to her bedroom. She stripped off her clothes once she reached it and went into the bathroom to take a hot shower. She started the water, so it could get hot and looked at herself in the mirror seeing how tired she looked before she shook her head and climbed into the shower pulling the curtain closed. Lifting her head to the spray, she thought back to that afternoon, and evening, at Professor Jansen’s house.

  After she finished her assignment, and Garin caught her before she could leave, they spent the evening on the dance floor. It had been a good evening wrapped in Garin’s arms while he swung her around on the makeshift dance floor and when she admitted that she hadn’t eat, he clicked his tongue at her before leading her over to the table Kala had loaded with food.

  Remembering Garin calling her nosy, she found herself smiling wondering what he would say if he knew Daya had already known the answer to her question before it ever left her mouth.

  She remembered her aunt often talking about the things she had to be prepared for as the Alpha Female, and she was sure that the same implied to Professor Jansen.

  Since that evening, Daya had went to class although she hadn’t spoken with her professor always leaving when class was over. She hadn’t spoken to Garin, either, which wasn’t astonishing since they didn’t exchange numbers.

  Feeling the water getting cool, Daya quickly washed up including her hair before rinsing herself off.

  She stepped out a few minutes later reaching for the towel on the towel rack and dried herself off before going back into her bedroom where she got into a pair of pajamas, which consisted of a simple t-shirt and a pair of panties.

  Then she headed for the kitchen deciding on what to eat although she wasn’t exactly hungry. Her cell rung in the living room and she went to answer it while also thinking about what to make for dinner.

  “Hello,” she answered absently turning to go back into the kitchen.

  “Hi, Daya,” Kala greeted. “I haven’t had time to talk to you since you’ve been ducking out of my class as soon as it is over.”

  Daya froze on her way to the kitchen. “I’ve rearranged my schedule, so I have to work after class,” she found herself admitting before clearing her throat. “Good evening, Professor Jansen, what can I do for you?”

  She mentally shook her head at how honest she was before continuing to the kitchen and going straight for the refrigerator listening to her caller on the other end.

  “Kala, Daya, when we are not in school,” Kala reminded her with a sigh. “We are having a small party tomorrow and I’m inviting you.”

  Daya immediately thought about Garin before she shook her head to dispel it and asked, “Why are you inviting me, Prof…Kala?”

  Standing at her counter, Kala continued decorating the cake she had made while she answered Daya’s question.

  “Because I am,” she replied not looking at Garin who was leaning against the wall just inside the kitchen.

  She waited for Daya’s response and when it came, she smiled at the hesitant answer.

  “Okay, I guess I can stop by for a few minutes.”

  Glancing up, Kala saw Garin leaving the room his body relaxed and she caught the brief smile on his lips.

  “The party is going to start around four, Daya, but if you would like to arrive earlier, then please do so. I’m sure Kelsey would love to hang out with you before the party starts,” Kala told her hearing Daya chuckle lightly on the other end.

  She hung up a few minutes later a satisfied smile on her face although a hint of worry lingered in the back of her eyes.

  After the last party, Trevor assured her that she didn’t do wrong by inviting Daya and also persuaded her to invite Daya whenever she wanted to do so.

  When they were discussing having a birthday for Kelsey, she asked if it wa
s all right to invite Daya.

  “Damn, I forgot to tell her that it is a birthday party for Kelsey,” Kala muttered wincing at her forgetfulness.

  She put the phone down and finished working on the cake while her mind thought back to Garin and Daya at the last party wondering if they knew how right they looked together, or the fact, they didn’t leave each other’s side.

  She sighed shaking her head worry flickering through her, but Trevor told her not to worry and let them figure it out on their own.

  “I just hope he doesn’t treat her like all the others,” Kala found herself saying aloud a protectiveness for Daya that she rarely had for someone outside her pack.

  The next day, Daya drove up to her professor’s pack house heaving a small sigh since she was early, but only because Kelsey called asking her to come earlier.

  “I wish Professor had told me the party was for Kelsey’s birthday,” Daya muttered under her breath parking her car before getting out.

  Locking her door although she was sure that it was safe here, Daya started for the porch sliding her keys into the pocket of her blue jeans which she had combined with a blue-green blouse and sneakers. Climbing the stairs, Daya stepped up to the door and was about to knock when the door opened revealing Garin dressed just a comfortable in jeans and a pullover button down.

  “Hi, Garin,” Daya forced herself to greet him feeling the blush that was sweeping up over her face.

  “Hi,” he replied in a deep voice which made her shiver opening the door wider to allow her to enter.

  Clearing her throat and walking past him, Daya asked, “Is it in the backyard again?”

  Garin laughed closing the door and reaching out to catch her hand in a light, but firm grip. “Yes.”

  They walked through the house to the kitchen where Kala was working, and she glanced up when they entered a delighted smile drifting across her face.

  “Hi, Daya,” Kala greeted. “I’m glad you are here. Kelsey is in the backyard with the others…”

  “Do you need any help?” Daya offered already starting toward her although Garin stopped her by tugging on her hand.

  Kala caught the action and laughed shaking her head. “No, not right now. Go join the others outside.”

  Garin didn’t think twice escorting Daya who was protesting, but Kala laughed waving them out.

  “She said that she had it, and believe me, when she said she’s got it, then she has it,” Garin said with a grin ushering her over to a small group including Kelsey.

  “Daya!” Kelsey greeted a look of relief on her face.

  Daya laughed before admitting in a soft voice. “I didn’t realize it was your birthday, so…”

  “You are here, so it’s fine,” Kelsey intervened giving her a hug much to Daya’s surprise.

  Jaime chuckled while the others laughed. “She still feels out of place,” Jaime teased when Kelsey stepped back from Daya with an embarrassed look on her face.

  Daya didn’t comment, but she studied Kelsey closely before shaking her head once getting a questioning look from Garin.

  “It’s nothing,” Daya assured him with a smile although she couldn’t believe how she missed it. Kelsey belonged here more than Daya did being a shifter herself, if Daya wasn’t mistaken.

  Garin immediately started introducing Daya to the others in the group, and Daya grew cautious seeing the alert, and wary, looks knowing that the pack members were on guard which was normal, Daya remembered.

  Then Kelsey dragged her into a conversation including the others, and Daya saw the wariness slowly decrease the longer they talked.

  An hour later, the party was in full swing and Daya was enjoying herself when Garin came over pulling her closer to him just as someone rushed past almost knocking her over.

  Glancing around, Daya smiled seeing Kelsey glowing near the table with Jaime hovering next to her.

  “He’s protective,” she muttered.

  “It is in our nature when we find…” Garin started to say before his words cut off which earned him a suspicious look from Daya. “When we find that special person.” He finished with a grin, but Daya wasn’t fooled having a feeling she knew what he had attended to say.

  “Garin…” Daya started nibbling on her lip when she shifted her eyes and froze slightly catching Tammie making her way over to them.

  “Hi, Garin,” Tammie purred before reaching out and locking her arms around him giving him a kiss that left no one in any doubt of what she wanted.

  When Tammie broke the kiss, she licked her lips turning her attention to Daya with a satisfied smile. “Here again, Daya? I’m starting to think that you would really like that threesome.”

  Daya’ s eyes narrowed, but before she could say a word Garin grabbed her hand firmly.

  “We were about to get something to eat,” Garin stated. “Would you like to join us, Tammie?”

  She gave him a confused look uttering ‘no’, and then she smiled seductively fluttering her eye lashes at him. “Maybe if I stay thin, we can attempt…”

  Her words stalled off suggestively and gave him another enticing kiss before sauntering off while Garin grimaced glancing over at Daya who was watching Tammie walk off her brown eyes dark with anger.

  “You are jealous,” Garin whispered turning to escort her through the crowd toward Kelsey and the others.

  “No, I’m not,” Daya denied with a shake of her head.

  “Is your stomach in knots? Do you want to go punch her in the face?” He asked suddenly stopping and drawing up against him.

  She opened her mouth to say something when she froze and looked up at him with horrified eyes.

  “Besides,” he whispered leaning forward lighting kissing her temple, “your eyes are almost black instead of their gorgeous brown.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “You think I have pretty eyes?” She asked hesitantly.

  “I believe I used the term gorgeous,” he replied with a laugh shifting back, so he could step back to her side and they continued on to the others.

  Daya looked at him weirdly for a few minutes until she shook her head just as they reached the other who greeted them with a smile.

  “Just so you know,” Garin whispered, “your kisses are definitely better and hotter.”

  She jerked in surprise blushing when he gave her a wicked grin before saying, “I’ll go get us a plate.”

  He glanced over at Jaime who nodded his head while Kelsey uttered in excitement. “It is the first time I’ve had a good birthday.”

  Daya laughed ignoring the feeling growing in her stomach while she and Kelsey chatted being joined by others who Daya surmised where mates of some of the others.

  Garin showed up a few minutes later with two loaded plates, one for him and one for her, and Daya saw the wicked smile that drifted across Kelsey’s face.

  Daya shook her head taking the plate from Garin who winked at her before turning to talk with Jaime and the others.

  They were done eating and Kelsey was grinning with anticipation when it was time to open gifts, and she glanced up about to say something to Jaime when she saw a look cross his face.

  “Damn,” he uttered immediately picking up Kelsey and taking her seat placing her in his lap.

  Kelsey frowned sharing a look with Daya who glanced around noticing that the other mated males had done the same, grabbing their mates and holding them close.

  It was the look on their faces, though, that caught her attention and her face paled while she slowly shifted her gaze to Garin. The look on his face made her heart stop and she followed his gaze to Tammie who was slowly walking toward them a look on her face that made Daya realize something was off, although she couldn’t figure out what it was.

  She lowered her eyes even as Tammie finally reached them. “Garin, I need some help. Can you help me?”

  Her tone was sultry filled with passion, and Daya swallowed especially when Garin let out a growl that seem to come from his chest.

  Daya lifted a ha
nd, but before she could put it on Garin’s arm, he was striding toward Tammie and lifting her up into his arms heading for the house.

  Daya lifted her head seeing them enter the house before she got up from her chair. “I think it is time I get going,” she said in a low voice turning to Kelsey with a smile. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your birthday.”

  “Daya, why don’t you wait,” Kelsey persuaded sharing a look with Jaime and a few of the others. “Garin will come to his senses. It is something that happens when a human…”

  Jaime kissed her suddenly shutting her up and Daya stared at them her eyes wide wondering what they were talking about before she shook her head and started for the house.

  Walking into the kitchen, Daya was about to say something to Kala when she spoke up without looking at her.

  “Daya, sweetie, I’m taking you up on your offer,” she stated shooting her a smile. “Can you finish chopping up these peppers and onions? I will be back in a minute.”

  Daya nodded her head holding back her sigh getting to work while Kala left the room. She just wanted to finish, so she could leave and go home. Although her and Garin weren’t dating, the look on his face when he was staring at Tammie hurt, more than anything Jared had done when they were mated.

  That’s why she had to get out of there. In that second, she realized how much Garin could break her if she got any closer to him.

  Garin carried Tammie into the house and was heading upstairs feeling her arms wrapped around his neck, but something didn’t feel right. He suddenly stopped trying to ease the growling of his wolf, which was at odds in the current situation, until he realized his wolf was growling in anger.

  SHE ISN’T THE ONE I WANT. His wolf was yelling at him, and Garin stared at the woman in his arms when suddenly what he was doing hit him.

  He groaned closing his eyes while his wolf berated him.

  “Garin,” Tammie pouted pressing against him, and Garin gritted his teeth while the smell coming from her ignited his senses. “Aren’t we going upstairs to…?”

  “Garin,” Kala cut her off coming out of the kitchen with a frown on her face. “Trevor wants to see you in the office.”