Wolf or Love

Danica’s uncle and his mate were a lot warmer toward her than Gio had been expecting. They seemed pleased to see her and they were happy and relieved to know that she was away from Carrick. If her uncle had anything to do with it, she would definitely be welcome here if she asked to join the pack. In fact, the damn Alpha would probably be just as welcoming. He had been staring at Danica for most of the evening and it was beginning to seriously piss Gio off. Had she not made Gio promise to ‘behave’ seen as he was apparently intimidating enough, he would have threatened to gut the ogling bastard. Even his promise to her wouldn’t have stopped him if the

Alpha hadn’t been so careful not to cross any lines. It was only then, as he sat lounging on one of the reclined deckchairs, sipping beer and watching her play with some of the pups that Gio realized he had secretly hoped that they were all assholes who didn’t care to know her. Without anyone to turn to, she could have been persuaded to stay with him a little longer even after the battle with his uncle. Although he still had just over a month left with her, it didn’t seem enough.

For the past few weeks he had tried convincing himself that it wasn’t the man in him that wanted to prolong her stay, it was just his wolf or his

mating instincts or maybe a mixture of both. Only a moron would continue to deny the truth, and Gio was a lot of things, but he’d like to think a moron

wasn’t one of them. The truth was that this wasn’t about their wolves, this was about Gio and Danica. And Gio wanted Danica to stay a little longer. Of course he hadn’t told her that. He wouldn’t tell her because naturally the question she would ask would be ‘For how long?’ Unless his answer was going to be ‘permanently’, there was no reason for her to stay longer because

it would only make their separation worse. Where was the sense in that?

There was none. Yet even as he acknowledged that, he couldn’t change that he wanted more time with her. How could he not? Who wouldn’t want more time with a woman who was so sensual and gorgeous? The quirkiness she had brought to his pack and his life was something he wouldn’t have originally thought he’d want, but he knew that when it was gone he would miss it. Just as he would miss their bedroom battles. She was so responsive, so challenging, and so damn

receptive to everything they did. Each morning he would wake Danica by gorging himself on her taste, and each night he would bury his cock deep

inside her and fuck them both to sleep. Then he’d wake up some time through the night and fuck her again. What guy in his right mind wouldn’t want more of that?

He grinned as his little vixen suddenly looked up and met his gaze. He didn’t get his usual ‘come get me’ smile, it was more of a ‘please rescue me’

expression which was a lot to do with the crowd of kids still hovering around her. With all her energy and sparkle she was like some sort of kid

magnet. He might have gone to her that was all it would have took to make the pups scarper if the Alpha, Mike, hadn’t chosen that moment to sit on the deckchair beside him.

“I think you might end up with a houseful of pups.”

Gio winced inwardly at the feel of one of them damn chest pangs. Ignoring it, he forced out a response. “You might be right.”

“You know, you’re very intense with Danica. I don’t think you’ve moved your eyes from her for more than a few seconds since you got here.”

“Neither have you.”

Mike smiled unrepentantly. “Don’t worry, she spent the entire time we spoke talking about you and your pack. Apparently she has even developed a

fondness for your grandmother, though she says she would still like to gag the senile old crone.”

Gio was pretty sure that both women actually liked each other. Neither would ever admit it because they enjoyed the battle of wills they engaged in

too much.

“I’ve always been very selective in who I form alliances with.”

Gio grunted. “I don’t believe I asked you for one.” All he really wanted was to punch the arrogant asshole for ogling Danica. His wolf liked that idea.

Mike only smiled. “The rumors about you are… worrying.”

“Then why invite us here?”

“Her uncle wasn’t convinced that you’re true mates. He believes her true mate died when they were pups. James was worried that she had gotten herself into something dangerous and was looking for a way out.”

“Is that a fact?” Gio bit out. “Well hear me when I say this. Danica’s my mate, she’s mine, and I’ll kill her interfering bastard of an uncle if he tries to take her from me. So either get out of our business or ask us to leave. Either one will please me just fine.”

The weird prick smiled again. “I didn’t say I agreed with him. If I hadn’t seen you interact with Danica the way you have tonight, I’m not sure I’d have been interested in forming an alliance between our packs.” Most likely in response to Gio’s questioning look, he added, “Maybe you don’t

realize just how different you are with Danica than anyone else. And she you. You’re both much calmer when you’re together. It’s the way of it with mates. That’s why I’ve no intention of interfering in spite of her uncle’s concerns, and it’s also why I believe you’re not quite the rabid shifter everyone makes you out to be.”

“Hey Mike,” purred a husky voice that promised sex. Both males looked up to see a curvy dark skinned female standing before them wearing…practically nothing. Once upon a time she might have interested Gio. Right now she did nothing at all for him. He never would have thought he would have described breasts as too big, but they were. Not like Danica’s that fit just right in his hands like they were made just for him.

“Is it time for the ceremony to start?” asked Mike.

“Almost.” Her eyes focused on Gio and she grinned wickedly. “I’m Daniella. And you are?”

“Mated,” snapped another female voice. “So move your ass very far away.”

A smile curved Gio’s mouth at the sight of Danica approaching, sneering and emitting a sexy low growl. He loved seeing her in possessive mode. He didn’t blame Daniella for her fast departure. Even he wouldn’t be interested in fucking with Danica right now. He’d happily fuck her though,

especially while she was wearing that little black dress that clung to her like a second skin.

“I’d say I’m sorry for upsetting one of your wolves, but lying’s a sin,” Danica told Mike who just smiled. Damn if the guy wasn’t hot with his short

silky butterscotch hair, sensual mouth and that set of piercing dusky brown eyes. Still, she preferred the dark, broody psycho beside him. “Hey Gio.”

Gio gave her a lopsided smirk as he appraised her for like the hundredth time. “Come here.”

She cocked her head. “If I don’t?”

“I’ll chase you, catch you and spank you in front of everybody.”

“Was that supposed to be a deterrent?”

Mike now forgotten, Gio reached out and snatched her arm, pulling her on top of him. He licked her lips and she immediately opened up for him, flicking his tongue lightly with her own and conjuring images in his mind of her flicking her tongue along the head of his cock. Her sly grin told him she’d known exactly what she was doing. “Careful,” he warned.

“Where would be the fun in that?”

Quietly, he replied, “You’re right. Fun would be if I forced you to get down on your knees and then shoved my cock in your mouth.”

“You could try, but I’d just bite it off. Maybe I’d heal it, I don’t know.”

He chuckled, running his hands along her back. “Such a snippy little bitch, aren’t you?”

“I am, yes.”

“Wrong. You’re my snippy little bitch.” Brushing her hair from her face he frowned. “You look tired.”

“I’m not surprised. I didn’t get much sleep.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

He heard the implication in her voice. “I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not.”

“You never are,” she grumbled, still smiling. “So what have you been doing all the way over here while I was practically attacked by a swarm of

pups?”

“I’ve been busy enjoying myself watching some gorgeous female.”

“Oh is that so? You’ll have to describe this female to me so I can go kick her ass.”

Collaring her throat with his hand, he guided her head backwards and slid his hand away so he could kiss and nibble at her neck. “You can’t miss

her. She has all different shades of blonde in her hair.”

“Poor girl.”

“And the cutest ass” he tapped it lightly “and a hot little body” he smoothed the palm of his hand up and down her spine “and a very sharp tongue. Oh and she has a wicked mouth that was made to take my cock.”

“Stop kissing my very sensitive neck so I can think straight and respond with a sarcastic comment.” She wouldn’t let him know that, in truth, she had thought about it several times. Had wondered what it would feel like to take him in her mouth, how he would taste. But and maybe she was alone in this that one sexual act felt like an extremely submissive one. She was working on letting him lead in bed, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to get on her knees before him and do what seemed like the ultimate surrender.