“He is another shapeshifter,” Jasmine cried out striding over to them. “What does he see in a puny human like you?”
“What I see,” Garin spoke quietly curving his arm around Daya and shifting her to his other side away from Jared and Jasmine, “is something that you will never understand.” His eyes shifted to Jared a smirk crossing his face. “As for you, Alpha, you tossed her aside because she was human, so I thank you.”
Jared opened his mouth before he snapped it close turning to the lawyer. “Finish,” he demanded hands clenched at his sides.
The lawyer’s lips tightened, but he did as ordered lifting his head to give Daya a soft smile. “Daya, your uncle left you a note along with five thousand dollars which he put in a trust fund for your first born.”
Daya gasped hand automatically going to the swell of her stomach. “But…”
“Before you told him, he wanted to do something for any children, or cubs, you may have,” the lawyer remarked with a laugh.
He handed over the letter which Daya took tears coming to her eyes when she recognized the handwriting. “But this is from my aunt,” she whispered lifting her eyes to the lawyer. “I recognize the handwriting.”
The lawyer nodded his head. “It was the last letter she wrote, and he was only to give it to you if something should happen to him or…”
“Or,” Daya repeated, and the lawyer grinned eyes shifting to Garin.
“You should find your mate.”
Daya shook her head surprise on her face. “But I was mated to Jared for almost three years,” she protested.
“For some reason, your uncle hesitated in giving it to you,” the lawyer explained putting away the papers in his briefcase. “I’m guessing because his wolf cautioned him even though he saw with his own eyes how Jared along with the others treated you.”
Daya’s eyes slowly widened before her head lifted to meet Garin’s soft blue eyes staring down at her.
“His wish came true,” Garin whispered lifting a hand to caress her cheek.
“What wish?” Daya whispered the hand clasped in her hand.
“That you meet another who would see your worth,” Bryan replied with a smile. “He had a feeling that it would be another shifter because your aunt believed you were destined to be the mate of a strong shapeshifter who would need your compassion and strength to keep him strong.”
Daya couldn’t help the gasp that left her eyes shifting to Bryan.
“Jordan only told me this in the last few months,” Bryan shook his head. “It explains why he wasn’t too upset when Jared came to him about dissolving your mating although he had hoped that he would see what he, and myself, had seen.”
“A damn, useless human,” Jared scoffed at Bryan’s words.
The lawyer shook his head snapping his briefcase closed. “She may be human, but her loyalty is what will make her mate one of the strongest of his pack.”
Jared rolled his eyes and turned away while Jasmine laughed outright slanting eyes to Garin. “I’m sure that I could give him more strength,” she said coyly unaware of Jared’s hard eyes resting on her.
“Doubt it,” Garin replied giving her a cool, quick look. “I want a woman devoted only to me and our children then the men who climb in and out of her bed.”
Jasmine paled stumbling back while Jared turned to them.
“Get out,” he growled waving his hand in dismissal.
“Don’t worry,” Daya responded with a hint of disrespect. “I’ve already told Bryan that we would be leaving after Uncle Jordan’s Will was read.”
Jared glared at her eyes shooting at her with fury. “You should’ve told me that you were Alpha Jordan’s niece,” he snarled at her taking a step toward her only to stop when Garin gave a low throaty growl.
“You don’t scare me,” Jared muttered shooting him a dark look. “I’m an Alpha now.” He turned his gaze back to Daya who merely stared at him.
“My uncle and I decided that it would be better to see which members would accept me without knowing that,” Daya told him. “You decided I wasn’t worth it.”
She shrugged her shoulders heading for the door.
Jared made a low growling sound in his chest and without warning rushed over snatching Daya into his arms.
Garin reacted fast moving toward them, but Daya held up one hand and he froze fury on his face.
Let him see how much he doesn’t affect me anymore.
The words floated to him a second before Jared slammed his mouth down on Daya and kissed her angrily. Garin felt his wolf howl with rage, but he remained in control understanding Daya’s words.
“Jared!” Jasmine screamed rushing over and yanking on his arm.
She succeeded in pulling him away when he finally decided to stop a few minutes later a smug look on his face, but it changed when Daya stared at him calmly reaching up to wipe her mouth along with the blood since he had pressed her lips against her own teeth.
“I let you mark me because that was what Uncle Jordan wanted,” Daya said now her voice indifferent to what just happened. “To be honest, I never felt what you claimed and assumed it was only felt by shapeshifters.” Her gaze shifted slowly to Garin and the brown of her eyes brightened with immense pleasure. “Then I met Garin, and just a look from his blue eyes, something in my stomach tightened while I shivered with a sense of pleasure.”
Garin walked over and reached out an unsteady to her lip which was swelling from Jared’s brutal kiss.
“It was the same for me,” Garin said in a low voice filled with passion. “My wolf noticed you first from your scent as you know.”
Daya grinned and nodded her head, and when Garin lowered his head to kiss her, Daya opened her mouth allowing him to stroke her swollen lip with his tongue to soothe it.
“Let’s go home,” he whispered huskily pulling back to look into her raptured face and glazed eyes.
“I’m hungry,” Daya said making him laugh. “I can’t help that I’m eating for two.”
He grinned putting a hand lightly on the swell of stomach. “I know, but I can’t wait to see how big you get with my cub.”
Daya glared at him, but there was no anger in her look. She turned to Bryan and the others ignoring Jared and Jasmine.
“We’re leaving now, but when you get settled please let us know,” she pleaded with a soft smile.
“Will do.” Tobias nodded his head one arm around Bethea while Bryan walked over and gave her a hug his own fury going through him when he stepped back and saw her swollen lip.
Turning to a shocked Jared and Jasmine, Daya merely inclined her head and then headed for the door.
Garin bowed his head to Tobias, Bethea and Bryan along with the lawyer in respect. He ignored Jared and Jasmine following Daya out the door where Kelsey and Jaime were waiting.
“I’m ready to go home,” Kelsey said from the chair Jaime had found for her to sit down. “This pack is full of assholes.”
Her words echoed around the house along with Daya’s laughter which had everyone stilling where they were.
“When my uncle was alive, they tried to act like a civilize pack but now he is gone, then it is a different story. They act like their new Alpha who has been an asshole since the day I met him.”
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Come on, sweet pea, let’s get you cleaned up before Daddy gets home.”
Daya lifted her adorable daughter into her arms kissing the messy cheek which most of her food seemed to have went instead of her mouth.
Her baby girl smiled at her blue eyes like her father’s twinkling up at her, and Daya grinned nuzzling her neck hearing her daughter laugh.
Heading upstairs, Daya grinned when Kelsey came through the door her own child hanging on her hand before spying Daya and little Jackie who was named after her grandaunt.
“Aunt Da,” he cried out rushing over to them when Kelsey let go of his hand.
“Hi, James.” Daya leaned down to give him a kiss and her daughter
squealed in delight at the tilt, and James grinned at her.
“Can I play with Ja…?” James asked with pleading eyes.
“I’m sorry, sweetie, but she needs a bath,” Daya sounded regretful and James’ little face took on a frown.
“So does this little mite,” Kelsey added walking up behind him, and his little face screwed up into a scowl which made both Daya and Kelsey laugh.
They headed upstairs together chatting while James made faces at Jackie who laughed her eyes bright on him.
They separated at the second floor while Kelsey went to her and Jaime’s room, and Daya continued up to the third floor where she and Garin still slept.
Walking into the bathroom, Daya cooed to Jackie even as she bent down to turn on the water testing it with her fingertips.
“I’m sure Daddy can’t wait to see us,” Daya spoke quietly undressing her little girl who was making it difficult squirming in her arms making her laugh.
Once undressed, Daya lifted her beautiful baby girl high and blew on her tummy making her laugh before easing her into the tub.
Jackie began kicking the water spraying her mother and Daya laughed using a cup to pour water over her.
Jackie squealed in delight eyes fluttering as the water poured over her, and Daya did it again loving how her little girl laughed in enjoyment.
Reaching for the baby shampoo which doubled as wash, Daya began to wash her little girl blowing the bubbles from her hand watching Jackie reach for them in awe.
The game continued for a little longer before Daya washed the small amount of hair that was turning to be as dark as her own. Using the same cup, Daya began rinsing her off making sure to get all the suds off her.
Draining the tub, Daya lifted her baby girl up out of the tub and reached behind her for the towel she had placed close at hand.
“That’s my clean girl,” Daya cooed and her little girl smiled up at her before placing her hands on Daya’s cheeks.
Daya chuckled wrapping her up in the towel and Jackie cried out in delight loving the fluffiness of the fabric against her.
“Let’s get you dressed and ready for bed.” Daya lifted her little girl up and nestled her close to her chest while walking into the bedroom just as the door opened and Garin stepped into the room.
Daya lifted her head her eyes shimmering with delight at the sight of him, and Garin’s eyes went soft seeing them.
“Hi, baby,” he greeted putting down his overnight bag and strolled over to them.
Struggling through the towel, Jackie emerged squealing when she saw her father reaching out to him and he laughed taking her from Daya swathed in the towel.
“Hi, my sweetheart.” Garin nuzzled his daughter’s freshly washed cheek and she laughed in joy.
“She just had her bath and I was getting her ready for bed.” Daya’s voice was husky letting her brown eyes go over him.
Whenever he went on a mission, Daya waited anxiously for his return and her eyes would run over him making sure he was fine although through their link, she knew everything that was going on.
Garin had wanted to dilute their link when he went on his missions, but Daya argued that she rather know then wondering like she did when he went, and helped, Alpha Ralph.
Understanding what she needed, Garin promised not to dilute their link and he held true to that promise since then.
“I need a shower, but we can get her changed together and to bed so maybe you can join me.” Garin raised an eyebrow a roguish smile on his face when Daya flushed at his words although anticipation brightened her eyes.
“You may have wait for that shower,” Daya cautioned her voice slightly teasing, but it has been almost two weeks since they saw him, and she doubted Jackie was going to go to sleep early.
She was right because once dressed, Jackie showed no signs of being tired reaching out for her daddy with a wide smile and Garin mocked groaned unable to ignore the little one.
It was almost two hours later when they finally got her to go to sleep, and by then Daya had been called to help with the evening meal.
“You know,” Garin remarked with a tilt of his head eyes lingering on her face, “you still haven’t made me a meal yet.”
Daya’s eyes widened at the information before she nibbled on her lip. “I promised, too.” There was note of disappointment in her voice, but Garin merely leaned down and gave her a sweet, but lingering kiss.
“We’ll talk about it later,” he promised reaching up to caress her cheek before giving her a wink and turning for the bathroom.
Daya giggled watching him, and then she checked on Jackie a soft smile on her face.
“Goodnight, my baby girl,” she whispered eyes going over her little girl just as they did Garin before she left the room.
One thing she had to admit, which was astonishing, was that she didn’t need a baby monitor. When Jackie woke up, she could hear her long before the monitor would pick her up.
Going downstairs with relative since the strength in her leg had improved as Brianna assured her, she greeted people throughout the pack house remembering a time when she walked through a pack house, and she was ignored.
“Thinking about the past,” Kelsey asked when she finally entered the kitchen, and Daya glanced over with a brief nod of her head.
“Even though they didn’t treat me right, I never wished for the pack to be ruined,” Daya replied going to the counter to begin dicing up the vegetables. “Afterall, Uncle Jordan had worked hard to make that pack one of the strongest.”
“True,” Kaya agreed strolling into the kitchen with her almost two-year-old little girl in her arms. “But without the right leader, then a pack can fall apart in a matter of months. I’m surprised they almost lasted a year.”
With those words, they focused on making the evening meal and Daya pushed her thoughts to the background while focusing on the conversation with Kelsey and Kaya.
Another hour later, they were sitting down at the table to eat Daya sitting next to Brianna with Garin on her other side.
Brianna was talking with her about a few patients that were in the infirmary, and Daya nodded her head listening intently.
The Pack was growing so Trevor and Kaya decided to use the land around them and start building houses for mated couples like Brianna and Alec who moved out a few months ago.
Jaime and Kelsey were due to move out next month as soon as the next house was built.
Paul was no longer with them since he found his mate six months ago with another pack, and as his mate was the Beta’s daughter, he chose with Trevor’s blessing to become a member of the woman’s pack. Still he was missed.
After dinner, Garin disappeared with Trevor, and Alec, after giving Daya a brief kiss before she helped clear the table and clean the dishes with a few others.
Brianna had disappeared upstairs and Daya would join her in the infirmary as soon as she was done.
Kaya waved her away almost twenty minutes later, and Daya grinned nodding her head leaving the room to join Brianna.
Entering the room, Brianna put her to work although there were only two patients at the moment and both had minor injuries that wouldn’t require them to stay in the infirmary.
After they left, Daya helped straighten and stock while Brianna wrote in the men’s medical records.
“I heard that Jared showed up here about two months ago,” Brianna suddenly remarked, and Daya found herself rolling her eyes.
“Yes, to my surprise,” Daya replied with a shake of her head.
Brianna had been away visiting her father with Alec since it was the first time her parents had met her mate.
“I’m sure Garin was thrilled,” Brianna teased, and Daya found herself giggling remembering her mate’s reaction to Jared’s sudden visit.
Jared had showed up in the afternoon full of apologies and how he missed her, and how he didn’t know how much she had meant to him. Daya had been shocked until after asking about Jasmine, she realized that Jasmine had
left him which was unheard of in their world.
But since she wasn’t his mate, Jasmine could do whatever she wanted.
Daya shook her head and told him bluntly that she was happy where she was, and with the mate she had. Just like before, Jared had tried to force a kiss on her but this time Garin intervened knocking him off the porch.
Trevor had stepped outside when Jared arrived, but he didn’t intervene until Jared started using his Alpha position.
Jared should’ve watched himself because he found himself humiliated in front of half the pack.
Two days later, Daya learned that Jared had needed money and was hoping that by getting Daya back he could get access to the money her uncle had set aside for her children.
The pack had dissolved a month later with many of its members joining other packs including Tobias’ although his pack was still small, but it was growing.
Daya’s face took on a sad looking thinking about her uncle, but she had a feeling he understood and would be genuinely proud of Tobias.
Later that evening in their bedroom, Daya brushed her hair after checking on Jackie who was sleeping comfortably her little arms flung out beside her.
“She sleeps through the night now,” Daya remarked quietly joining Garin in bed where he was propped against the pillows looking over some files that Trevor had given him.
“That’s good,” Garin remarked giving her an absent smile.
Daya slipped into bed getting herself settled before asking with concern. “Is everything all right, Garin?”
Garin sighed and put the file down running a hand down his face. “The Alpha got a call this evening about Whitney.”
Daya stiffened briefly, but the warm look that Garin gave her spoke more than words ever could.
“What is wrong with Whitney?” Daya asked scooting over in the bed to nestle against his side although she stopped briefly to let him put the papers back into the file and putting it on his side table before he drew her close into his body.
“It seems Whitney tried to seduce the Beta whose mate wasn’t too thrilled with her,” Garin explained her body relaxed and his hand caressed the arm Daya had thrown across his waist. “Let’s just say Whitney should be happy that she is still alive.”
His Wolf's Choice Page 33
