His Wolf's Choice

by Mary Goldberger

  “So, Garin invited you out there although he was on patrol?” Leonardo asked ignoring her feint of innocence catching the look of confusion flash across her face.

  “Um, yes,” Whitney stuttered bewilderment settling on her face, and Dena realized that she hadn’t paid close attention to what Leonardo said. “I thought I owed him since well…”

  “You rejected him,” Dena added helpfully seeing Whitney flush at her bluntness.

  “Yes.” Whitney didn’t lie keeping her face downcast. “He started talking and then we heard noise…”

  “What did Garin say?” Leonardo asked cutting her off.

  Whitney shot him a quick look before she answered making her voice soft and slightly upset. “He was asking me to accept him even though I was mated.”

  The silence at her words filled the room, and Whitney shifted on her high heels.

  “If that’s what happened, then I guess we need to take action,” Leonardo spoke in a cold voice sharing a look with Dena. “That’s disrespecting Alpha Ralph and it is something I can’t condone on my territory.”

  “I’m sure Garin didn’t mean anything by it,” Whitney defended. “His wolf probably made him do it.”

  “Hmm.” Leonardo studied her intently before turning to Dena. “They should be here sometimes later tonight, so just keep an eye on him until Brianna shows up.”

  He walked over giving her a brief kiss and his eyes swept over Garin for a second before he turned heading for the door.

  He stepped in front of Whitney catching her swallow lifting her eyes to him. “If my mate needs you, Alpha Female Whitney, then she will call for you.” Leonardo kept his voice indifferent knowing that Dena wouldn’t call for her help even if she did need it. “But for now, she has everything under control until his pack doctor arrives.”

  “But…” Whitney argued, and then stopped when Leonardo gave her a cold look.

  “Whitney.”

  She spun around at the sound of Ralph’s voice and her eyes grew wide.

  “Ralph…”

  “Whitney, why don’t you leave Garin to rest?” Ralph replied his voice cold. “Besides, we need to talk.”

  Whitney jerked at his words paling at the iciness of his tone before she nodded her head walking toward him forgetting to make her excuses to Alpha Leonardo.

  Leonardo met Ralph’s eyes seeing a hard look in them before he turned and walked away without waiting for Whitney.

  She hurried after him while Leonardo shook his head.

  “What did you learn from our visitor?” Dena asked getting his attention although there was a frown on her face.

  Leonardo scowled heavily eyes hardening. “Not much although he seems to dislike what we’ve built here.”

  “One of those who believe we should’ve stayed wild and primitive,” Dena remarked having met those who believed they were more animal than human.

  Leonardo sighed slowly running a hand over his face. “I don’t think so,” he admitted with a twist of his lips. “I get the sense that he is jealous of what we have, but is unwilling to admit to it.”

  Dena studied him intently eliciting another sigh from him. “What is he hiding?”

  He gave a low growl which vibrated from his chest. “I don’t know.”

  They turned as one and looked at Garin both wondering if they would ever learn the truth about what happened.

  “Did you believe her?” Dena asked suddenly her soft voice a mere whisper of breath in the room.

  “There was some ring of truth to her words,” Leonardo responded after a few seconds of deep thought.

  “But whose, I wonder?” Dena finished watching Leonardo’s eyes take on a slight wicked look.

  “That we won’t know until Garin wakes up,” Leonardo concluded reaching out to touch her cheek. “Yet, if Whitney is to be believed, then why would he ask for another in his current state?”

  Dena’s eyes widened at the question seeing the slight confusion on her mate’s face.

  “When injured, we tend to ask for those who are closes to us which normally, in most cases, is our mate.”

  “Not every shifter is like you,” Dena teased only to get a frown from him.

  “But every shifter calls for their mate when severely injured,” he reminded her.

  Dena nodded her head in agreement shifting her gaze back to Garin. “So, in his unconscious state, did Garin finally answer his own question?”

  Leonardo suddenly chuckled getting a sharp look from Dena. “I believe, honey, that Garin answered that question a while back. It’s only now that he and his wolf are on the same wavelength about it.”

  Dena froze frowning at his words. “I hope you’re right.”

  “Well, if nothing else happens,” Leonardo confided in a light, assuring voice putting an arm around her shoulders, “you get to meet Jackie’s niece.”

  Dena began to smile. “I’m looking forward to it,” she agreed shifting her eyes briefly to Garin before turning back to her mate. “And not just because she is Jackie’s niece.”

  Walking out, and closing the door behind them, neither one was aware of how the man on the bed shifted slightly at their conversation.

  Chapter 18

  Daya clenched her hand tightly in her lap while Alec drove the vehicle they rented at the airport. She bit her lip thinking if she hadn’t come, Brianna and Alec could’ve gotten to Garin a lot faster.

  “We’re almost there,” Alec told them turning onto a gravel road. “Daya, just to warn you…”

  “Garin’s ex-mate will be in attendance,” Daya replied getting a brief nod from him. “I know and unless Garin tells me to leave, she doesn’t have any say in what I do.”

  Brianna chuckled before agreeing with Daya. “Besides, as my assistant, I like having her along for the well-being of my patient.”

  “All right, all right.” Alec gave up eliciting brief, yet strained, laughter from his companions. “But remember, she is an Alpha Female.”

  He glanced in the rear-view mirror catching the frown that shifted across Daya’s face at his words although no fear clouded her eyes, but he had a feeling something else was on her mind and reaching out for Brianna’s thigh, he gave it a light squeeze getting her attention. When she glanced over, he tilted his head to the backseat and she followed his prompt a soft frown drifting across her face.

  “Daya, what is going through your head?”

  Daya gave a humorless smile. “Well, I’m about to enter a pack territory of an Alpha I’ve never met although I remember my aunt and uncle mentioning him. I’m about to meet Garin’s ex-mate who for all I know may still be fully embedded in Garin’s heart which is why he hasn’t come home. But more than anything, I was thinking that if I wasn’t with you, then you two would have been already with Garin.”

  Brianna shook her head a brief smile drifting across her face while Alec laughed outright.

  “Maybe,” Brianna agreed shooting Alec a slight sharp look before turning back to Daya, “but without Garin’s support, there isn’t much we can do for him.”

  She spoke truthfully and Daya swung her head around to meet Brianna’s eyes.

  “Brianna’s right, Daya,” Alec sided with Brianna. “When a shifter is injured, they normally want the person who calm their wolf and comfort their human. It helps with recovery faster if one has that person.”

  Daya let out a soft sigh a spasm of a pain drifting across her face. “But Garin’s ex-mate…”

  Brianna was shaking her head before Daya even finished speaking. “Although she was Garin’s mate, she rejected him and then was marked by another. The bond between them has been severed so even if Garin’s human half wanted her, his wolf would be more cautious or vice versa.”

  “And if that isn’t the case,” Daya voiced the worry flashing through her head.

  “Then he would’ve already woke up,” Brianna assured with a quick nod of her head. “She is right there in the house if not in the same room.”

  Daya thought a
bout what they were telling her, and she nodded her head letting out a low sigh. “Even though I grew up with a pack, I still have a lot to learn.”

  “We will teach you.” Alec immediately offered followed by Brianna’s complete agreement.

  Daya felt tears fill her eyes at the acceptance something she was still getting use to considering how her uncle’s pack treated her.

  “The pack house will be in view around the next corner,” Alec told them changing the subject.

  Daya turned her eyes to the road ahead of them, and when they made the turn, the house caught their attention.

  “Nice house,” Brianna remarked in a light tone making Alec laugh while Daya chuckled nodding her head.

  When they pulled up, the front door opened and Alec smiled recognizing the individual turning off the vehicle.

  “That is Paul,” Alec explained more for Daya’s benefit since Brianna was already opening the door and calling out a greeting to him.

  Paul smiled at them although there was a worried look on his face.

  “How is Garin doing?” Brianna asked when they joined him.

  “Still unconscious,” Paul replied running a hand through his hair. “Alpha Female Dena has been cleaning and debriding the wound, but Garin’s wolf seems to have retreated inside him.”

  Brianna shared a worried look with Alec before shifting her gaze to Daya who looked concerned. “Paul, this is Daya,” she introduced them. “I also want to see Garin as would Daya.”

  “We’ve never met officially.” Paul smiled bowing slightly to a bewildered Daya. “It is a pleasure to meet you finally, Daya.”

  Daya found herself smiling even though her brown eyes was filled with concern. “Nice to meet you, too, Paul.”

  “I’ll take you to Alpha Leonardo,” Paul offered turning to go back inside the house. “Unfortunately, I can’t stay since I’m on patrol. If there is anything you need, though, then don’t hesitate to ask.”

  This was directed to Daya, but he gave a brief nod to Alec and Brianna who shook their heads while Daya nodded her head a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

  With Paul leading the way, Alec followed by Brianna and Daya entered the house aware of the inquisitive eyes that shifted to the newcomers although many called out greetings to Alec who nodded and smiled without slowing his stride.

  Reaching the office, Paul knocked on the door waiting for the Alpha’s command for their entrance.

  “Alpha, they are here.” Paul stated opening the door and he backed away giving them a smile before he strolled off to begin his patrol.

  Alec walked in with a smile giving a slight bow. “Alpha Leonardo, Alpha Ralph,” he greeted waving his hand to Brianna and Daya who followed him into the room. “This is our pack doctor, Brianna, and our friend, Daya.”

  “Hello.” Brianna greeted respectfully.

  “Hello, Brianna, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting your father once,” Leonardo replied giving her a smile which she returned before his gaze shifted to Daya who stilled under his searching look.

  “Alpha.” Daya finally greeted after forcing herself to move inclining her head in respect.

  “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Daya, although I wish it was under better circumstances.”

  Daya nodded her head in agreement nibbling on her bottom lip. “I’m sorry, Alpha, but how is…?”

  “He is still unconscious,” Leonardo replied after a deep sigh giving them the same information as Paul. “But I think now that you are here, then maybe…”

  He stopped giving Daya a speculative look catching the worry on her face, and flash of fear in her brown eyes, before shifting his gaze to Brianna who wore a similar expression of worry.

  “Alec, show Brianna and Daya to Garin’s room,” he ordered without wasting time. “Afterwards, join us back here.”

  “Thank you, Alpha.” Daya’s voice was polite, but her fear for Garin was becoming more difficult to hide.

  Leonardo grinned. “My mate, Dena, can’t wait to meet you, either of you.” He included Brianna with a nod of his head.

  “Daya.”

  At the sound of a rough voice, Daya moved shifting wary eyes to the other man in the room who stood near the window. “Yes, Alpha.”

  Ralph suddenly smiled shocking everyone. “You’ve heard about me.”

  Daya stared at him for a second before she shook her head being honest. “Not really, but you are in Alpha Leonardo’s office and yet you don’t have the bearing of a fighter wolf although…” she paused and tilted her head to the side studying him again.

  “Although…” Ralph prompted, and Daya sighed giving another shake of her head.

  “You remind me of my Uncle Jordan,” Daya admitted. “Stronger than you appear using that strength only when it is absolutely necessary to use it.” Wincing slightly catching the narrowing of his eyes, Daya lowered her head in respect. “But that is merely my opinion so I apologize if I’ve offended you in anyway.”

  Alec reached out before anyone else could say a word touching Daya’s arm.

  “Let’s go see Garin,” he urged turning her toward Brianna who immediately took her arm leading her over to the door.

  They gave a brief bow of their heads before walking out of the office closing the door quietly behind them.

  “She is strong,” Ralph commented a thoughtful look on his face. “Especially for a non-shifter.”

  Leonardo nodded his head. “Growing up in Jordan’s pack after her aunt’s death had to be hard because of it, but Jordan made sure she knew how to handle herself.”

  Ralph scowled lightly. “I’m sorry to see a pack like Jordan’s disappear because the next Alpha doesn’t have a good head on his shoulders and his mate…”

  Ralph couldn’t finish the sentence without being ugly, and Leonardo nodded his head understanding what his friend was saying.

  Turning to Leonardo before shifting his gaze out the window. “As we’ve discussed before, having the right mate makes all the difference especially for an Alpha.”

  Leonardo didn’t reply catching the harsh look that flashed across his friend’s face along with a hurt he tried to hide.

  A sudden knock on the door followed by the entrance of Dena got their attention, and her gaze shifted between the two of them.

  “I heard our guests arrived,” she remarked slowly turning to Leonardo nodded his head.

  “Alec is showing them to Garin’s room.” Leonardo’s gaze went hard. “It’s time to bring our visitor back for some more questions.”

  Alec led Brianna and Daya upstairs to Garin’s room where they met Whitney who was just about to enter.

  “Is there something you need, Alpha Female Whitney?” Alec called out watching her spin around a flush crossing her face while her hand fell away from the door handle.

  “I thought I’ll check on Garin.” Her tone was light, “But what I do isn’t to be questioned by you, Fighter wolf.”

  This was said in a demeaning tone, and she turned back to the door a hand lifting for the knob again when Brianna intervened her tone soft, but with just the right frost to get Whitney’s attention.

  “Unless you have medical training,” Brianna remarked walking up to her, “I suggest you leave Garin alone until he wakes up.”

  Whitney scowled heavily at Brianna. “No, I don’t, but…”

  “What a shame.” It was said with a touch of sarcasm. “All the Alpha Females I’ve met have had some medical training even if the basic.”

  “Alec,” Brianna turned to him with a soft smile eyes flashing, “Can you let Alpha Leonardo know that I don’t want anyone to bother Garin until becomes conscious.”

  “Who the hell do you think you are to ban me from my mat…?” Whitney began in a loud, petulant voice.

  “His doctor, Alpha Female,” Brianna interrupted feeling Daya tense next to her at the woman’s words. “We’ll check on Garin, Alec, while you go back downstairs to join Alpha Leonardo and Alpha Ralph.”

  “I’ll let Alph
a Leonardo know,” Alec said giving Whitney a narrowed look before he turned after giving Brianna a kiss to head back downstairs.

  Whitney was furious, but Brianna ignored her which for moment she found odd considering who she was.

  “Can you get his initial vitals, Daya?” Brianna asked putting her body in between the door and Whitney who stumbled back eyes narrowed in a pale face.

  Daya nodded her head stepping toward them just as Brianna opened the door allowing the other woman to precede inside the room and turning to Whitney who took a step forward.

  “Who is she?” Whitney demanded her tone whiny.

  “My assistant,” Brianna shot back stepping inside Garin’s room and closing the door although she couldn’t resist a last parting shot watching Whitney’s eyes widen in shock. “And Garin’s girlfriend.”

  With that said, she shut the door in her face and turned to Daya who gave her a swift look before shaking her head, and forgetting about Whitney, turned her attention to the man laying on the bed.

  “Garin.”

  Her soft voice was a mere whisper, but it echoed around the room even as she walked over to the bed putting down the bag she had over one shoulder.

  Going to the head of the bed, she lovingly brushed hand through his hair before caressing his face and then she leaned down giving him a light kiss.

  “Daya.”

  Brianna’s soft voice got her attention and she straightened one hand tightening on the comfort where she had laid it when she leaned over Garin.

  “I know.” Daya took a deep breath forcing her worry, and concern, to the back of her mind so she could get to work.

  Within minutes, she took Garin’s blood pressure finding that it was good at 130 over 72 although his heart rate was a little elevated at 93. Taking his temperature, Daya was relieved to found he didn’t have one.

  “Heart rate a little elevated, but the other vitals are good,” Daya reported laying the blood pressure cuff on the side table before turning to Brianna.

  “That’s good,” Brianna sounded relieved, but there was a frown on her face that didn’t escape Daya’s notice.

  “So, why is he still unconscious?” Daya asked switching her attention back to Garin and settling on the bed next to him.