“I’m not interested,” Garin stated heading for the elevator, and when he turned to punch for the second floor, he saw the shocked look on her face. Before the doors closed, he saw her glare at him pursing her lips in anger.
Garin shook his head a rueful grin crossed his face, which was still evident when the elevator stopped, and he started for Daya’s room.
“Sir.” The older nurse he asked earlier to keep an eye on Daya caught up to him before he entered the room, and he turned his head to look at her one hand resting on the knob.
“She is sleeping.”
He nodded his head giving her a grateful look. “I will sit with her until she wakes up, if that is okay?”
The nurse frowned slightly, but Garin gave her a quick grin before he opened the door and stepped in closing it behind him after giving the nurse a quick apologetic look.
Daya was sleeping on her side with her hair tousled on the pillow, and Garin walked over slowly to the bed to stare down at her for a few seconds before he sunk down in the chair next to it.
He took a quick look around the room before settling back in the chair staring at Daya’s sleeping form.
His phone buzzed letting him know he had a message, and he pulled it out of his pocket reading what Alec sent him a tight look on his face after reading it.
Alec, I will be back in a few days. When I return, I will talk with Alpha Leonardo if he may allow me. Garin used the pack link eyes on Daya.
I’ll let him know. He has already asked about you and I’ve given him what I know, but I think he would rather talk to you. There was a moment of pause. Whitney has kept asking about you, but I’ve kept her at bay. I won’t be able to do it for much longer, though, Garin.
I’ll be back in a few days, Garin assured him cutting the link after a brief goodbye.
Leaning forward, Garin reached out and took Daya’s hand. “I’m sorry about not being here on time.”
His words were quiet and there was no reaction from the woman on the bed, and Garin rested his hand against the bed with hers tightly clasped in it.
It was an hour later when Daya started to stir, and Garin watched her liking the way she came awake slowly her eyelashes fluttering slowly.
“Good evening, sleepyhead,” Garin uttered quietly when her eyelids fully opened, and she opened her mouth to respond when she frowned coughing slightly. “Would you like some water?”
Nodding her head, she watched him with a soft glow in her eyes that he couldn’t quite read, but he enjoyed that light which shined from her eyes.
He poured her a cup of water and walked back over to the bed helping her to sit up before giving her the cup.
“Drink it slowly,” he advised smiling when she gave him a brief glare, but she did take sips as he suggested.
After drinking half the glass, Daya gave it back to him. “What are you doing here, Garin?” She asked with a slight frown. “I thought you were on a mission.”
“I was,” Garin admitted sitting on the edge of the bed taking her hand in a light grip. “But after learning you had been injured, I came home. I can’t stay for too long, though.”
He winced knowing Alec was patiently waiting, to the best of his ability, for his return. “I’m surprised Trevor hasn’t ordered me to go back, but he knew how worried I was about you.”
“I’m sorry to pull you away,” Daya apologized shielding her disappointment that he would have to return to his mission soon.
“There is nothing for you to apologize for,” Garin said gruffly giving her hand a light squeeze. He briefly considered telling her about how he heard her call his name, then decided against it seeing the look cross her face.
“So, when do you have to return?” She questioned in a soft voice staring down at his hand around her smaller one.
He opened his mouth to respond when Trevor’s voice echoed through the pack link in his head.
“Soon,” he admitted with a scowl. “Trevor just contacted me with the news Alec is requesting my return before he loses it.”
Daya gave a sad smile clasping his hand in a light grip. “I missed you, but I guess I have to wait a little longer until your mission is complete.”
Garin lifted her hand kissing her palm. “It is taking longer than even Trevor thought it would, so I don’t know when I will be back.”
Daya nodded her head giving him a soft smile. “I can’t complain because you have things to do.”
Garin grinned standing up to lean over the bed hovering over her. “You have my permission to complain,” he whispered watching her eyes widen before she started to laugh, and he lowered his head cutting off her laughter with a passionate kiss.
When he pulled back, they were both breathless and Daya’s face was slightly flushed although her eyes were bright.
“That isn’t fair,” Daya panted. “We can’t do anything right now.”
Garin’s eyes crinkled at the corners and leaned over more until he was crowding her back against the bed. “Want to bet on it?”
The flush on Daya’s face darkened at his suggestion and a look of anticipation flashed in her eyes, but they both knew it wasn’t the right time or place, and yet they were teasing each other.
“Did you ever want to make love in a hospital?” Daya said coyly tilting her head to the side.
“It would be enlightening experience,” he murmured back trailing his lips over her face.
Daya laughed at his words along with the tinkling sensation he was creating with his lips, and Garin leaned back winking at her before settling back down on the bed next to her.
“But seriously, how are you doing?” His tone was serious with none of the teasing from a few seconds ago.
“Sore,” Daya admitted reaching out to put a hand on her chest. “But having you here now is making me feel better.”
The shrill of the phone startled them, and Daya shook her head reaching out to pick it up.
“Hello,” she answered lightly. “One second please.”
She handed the phone to Garin who frowned wondering who it was since he already got a message from Trevor.
“Yes,” he said a little harshly.
“Watch the tone,” Trevor uttered in full Alpha mode before he sighed. “Did you get my message?”
“You know I did, Sir,” Garin spoke respectfully.
“Garin, I know you want to spend time with Daya, but now I’m getting phone calls from the damn Alpha himself. His mate insists that she doesn’t seem to trust anyone, but you, so he wants you back ASAP.”
“Damn man,” Garin mumbled under his breath catching the look of confusion on Daya’s face.
He shook his head squeezing her hand and then he sighed before telling his Alpha, “I’m leaving in five minutes to return to the house, so I can get my things. I will be gone within the next hour.”
“Good.” Trevor sounded relieved before hanging up, and Garin reached over to hang the phone up while Daya smile ruefully.
“Time for you to go.”
“Unfortunately, yes,” he replied sitting back. “Take care of yourself, so when I return we can have that dinner you promised me.”
Daya gave him a bewildered look, and Garin chuckled. “Oh, you can’t back out of it, Daya, so don’t give me that confused look.”
Daya giggled giving a brief shake of her head. “I guess it’s too late now,” she teased, and Garin growled playfully at her. “Don’t worry, you can count on that dinner.”
Garin touched her cheek a frown shifting across his face. “If you have any problems, or need someone to talk to, please call me or the pack house.”
He watched a shadow cross her face, but he wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer.
“Daya,” he said sternly, and her eyes narrowed at his tone. “I just want to make sure that you’re going to be okay.”
After a few seconds, she sighed and nodded her head reluctantly. “Fine.”
He heard the reluctance in her voice and gave her a soft, but passion filled kis
s, in return which Daya responded to without hesitation.
“One of these days,” Daya uttered with a hint of frustration, “you are going to have to follow through.”
Garin cupped her cheek the warmth of his palm making her flush. “Oh, I will, and that is a promise.”
“I hope so,” Daya muttered staring at him.
In return, Garin gave her another kiss although this one was softer and gentler before he pulled away giving her hand a gentle squeeze getting up off the bed. He headed for the door after a gentle ‘goodbye’.
“Garin,” Daya called getting his attention, and he turned to look at her.
He saw the uncomfortable look that flashed across her face before she smiled and shook her head lightly. “Nothing. Safe trip and I hope that you come back soon.”
Garin nodded his head giving her a wink before walking out shutting the door quietly behind him heading for the elevator.
A slight frown drifted across his face when he exited the hospital a few minutes later. I know what she wanted to ask, his wolf snarled.
So do I, Garin admitted climbing into the vehicle remembering Kelsey catching him not too long after his return, and she revealed how Daya along with her and Brianna, had learned about the mission. I should’ve talked to her about it.
There was merely a grunt from his wolf, but no comment otherwise.
Sighing, Daya closed her eyes when the door closed behind Garin having wanted to ask about his mate. Yet, she was afraid of what he was going to tell her.
“He didn’t say anything,” Daya whispered in the quiet of the room. “I guess he didn’t want to tell me about his mission.”
She frowned her eyes flashing open. “But now I understand why he came to my house that night telling me about her. He wanted me to know especially since he would be seeing her soon.”
Staring up at the ceiling thoughtfully, a small grin slipped across her face. “Yet, he rushed back to be with me even though she was right there with him.”
She shook her head slightly to try to dislodge the hope unfurling in her belly, and her heart, but she couldn’t deny the warmth that invaded her thinking about Garin.
Arriving back at the house, Garin hurried inside to get his things and stopped when he saw Jordan standing on the stairs.
“Can I have a word with you, Garin, before you head out?” Jordan wasn’t asking, and Garin realized it nodding his head in response.
“I’m heading to my room…” Garin started, and Jordan gave a single nod of his head.
“We can talk while you pack,” Jordan assured him turning so Garin could go ahead of him on the stairs.
Garin did so, but he kept his strides short in respect to Jordan who grunted in return although he did give a nod of appreciation.
Entering his room, Garin left the door open and headed for his dresser eyes shifting to the bed while a soft smile crossed his face.
Jordan cleared his throat getting his attention and Garin saw the narrowed look of the older man’s face.
“We haven’t gone that far,” Garin told him. “Even though, I’m not denying that we both want too.”
Jordan growled, but then he sighed shaking his head. “Well, she is over eighteen.”
Garin found himself laughing which earned him a glare, but a soft chuckle escaped Jordan. “There is something I want to ask you, Garin, and I want the truth.”
Garin stood up giving Jordan his undivided attention. “Go ahead.”
“What are your feelings for Daya?” Jordan was blunt staring at Garin intently. “She is precious to me as you may know. I watched her get hurt with Jared, and I can’t stand by to see it again especially when I won’t be around to comfort her.”
“I care about Daya,” Garin said slowly a slight frown on his face before he shook his head. “Other than that, I can’t tell you anything else. We both are feeling our way here.”
Jordan leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms across his chest. “I see,” he uttered getting a brief grin from Garin.
“I know it isn’t exactly what you wanted to hear,” he remarked walking over to his dresser to finish gathering some clothes. “But it is the best I can do right now, but…”
He stopped what he was doing to turn around and stare at Jordan. “I will take care of Daya from here on.”
“But will you always take care of her,” Jordan shot back with a grim look. “It’s good to hear that you will take care of her right now, but what about later when, or if, Jared comes around…”
Garin’s jaw tensed before he uttered through his teeth. “I won’t let him hurt her again.”
The determination in his voice startled Jordan, but he nodded his head a flash of relief across his face. “I guess it is the best I can ask for right now,” he finally stated in a low voice levering away from the door. “Just be honest with my girl, Garin, and she will be okay with whatever you choose.”
Garin stared at him in confusion, but Jordan merely chuckled nodding his head again at him before disappearing out of the room.
I wonder if he knows, Garin muttered to his wolf who merely snarled in comment which Garin took as ‘yes’.
Going back downstairs, Jordan found Trevor waiting for him. “I have to give Garin a ride to the airport, so would you like to go to the hospital?”
“Yes, I would. Thank you.”
Trevor bowed his head in respect just as Garin came hurrying back down the stairs.
“I’ll take you to the airport,” Trevor offered giving him a hooded look. “We are going to drop Jordan off at the hospital first.”
Garin grimaced opening his mouth only to close it when Trevor gave him a narrowed look, and Jordan chuckled.
“Don’t worry, son,” Jordan assured him when they headed out of the house. “I’ll give Daya your goodbyes.”
“I already gave them to her, but I would appreciate it.”
Shaking his head, Jordan shared a look with Trevor who gave a wicked grin, but neither said a word heading for the vehicle parked near the stairs.
Chapter 11
Later the next day, Garin walked back into Alpha Leonardo’s pack house and was met by an irritated Alec.
“I’m so glad that you are back,” Alec said harshly. “She was driving me, and the others, crazy constantly asking when you were going to return.”
“I don’t see why,” Garin uttered catching the swift surprised look of Alec at his indifference. It shocked Garin, too, but it didn’t show on his face. “All of you are competent and well-trained fighters just like I am. Besides, there was someone who needed me more.”
Alec chuckled falling into step when Garin started for the steps heading to his room.
“Where there any mishaps after I left?” Garin asked once they reached his room, and he entered walking over to the bed putting down his things before he turned to Alec getting a nod from him.
They walked out of the room Garin closing the door behind him, and they headed for the stairs while Alec started to answer Garin’s question.
“No problems, but…” Alec began only to be interrupted when a few other members entering the house noticed Garin had returned.
“Garin.” They called out walking over to them.
“Did you see Kelsey? Is she alright?” Jaime asked anxiously getting their attention, and Garin found his first smile since leaving Daya.
“She is fine although wondering when you are coming home,” Garin told him.
Jaime pumped his fist into the air eliciting laughter from Alec and the others, and Garin shook his head at the action even though he understood the other man’s excitement at the information.
“Where have you been, Fighter Wolf Monroe?” A hard voice said sharply causing all them to turn at his tone.
He was standing in the doorway going into the small living room which he, and his mate, took for their own use.
Garin’s eyes narrowed. “There was an emergency at home. I came back as soon as I could.”
Although
we didn’t want to, his wolf added snidely making Garin chuckle which earned him a glare from Alpha Ralph.
Alpha Ralph’s mouth opened to respond when another voice, softer and seductive, intervened.
“Honey, he has returned as promised.”
Garin’s mouth straightened shifting his eyes to Whitney who sashayed out of the room and snuggled up against Alpha Ralph although she sent him a quick, smoldering look, through heavily coated eyelashes.
Alec nudged Garin who glared at him before sighing soundlessly turning back to them catching the slight smirk on Whitney’s face.
“I apologize, Alpha Ralph.” Garin didn’t say another word bowing his head briefly to show his sincerity.
“If you are the best Alpha Trevor has to offer, then his pack won’t last long.” Alpha Ralph turned away after making this snide remark, and Garin gritted his teeth while his hands clenched at his sides.
Garin, Alec warned his tone hard hinting at his own anger at the man’s words.
Glancing around, Garin noted the same look on the other’s faces watching Alpha Ralph about to walk away when Alec spoke up his tone deadly.
“He apologized, Alpha Ralph, but if we don’t meet your standards then we can go home. We have been here longer than we were contracted for in the first place.”
Alpha Ralph stopped in his tracks and turned his eyes slightly wide at the implied threat in Alec’s voice when another voice intervened.
“Alpha Ralph, I contacted Alpha Trevor at your request since your mate needed protection. So far, there have been no attacks on her to warrant such a remark,” Alpha Leonardo Stillwater remarked walking toward them eyes shifting lazily between them.
Garin wasn’t fooled by his lazy attitude, neither was most of the people in the vicinity except one. Garin shifted his eyes to look at Ralph and stopped when he saw the disgust on Whitney’s face before she shifted it to a smile.
Did you see that? Garin asked incredulously.
Yes.
So did he. Alec’s voice sounded after the others, and Garin turned his blue eyes to Alpha Leonardo seeing the tick in his cheek which hinted at anger eyes hooded but turned in his guests’ direction.
His Wolf's Choice Page 14
