“Stubborn even to a woman who could have hurt you.” He cupped her cheek, caressing her with his thumb. “You’ve got to learn to take care of yourself.”
“I didn’t mean to say anything. The words slipped out, and the next thing I knew, she didn’t want me at home. She made life uncomfortable but made sure none of the pack wanted to be around me. My father is so busy, and he doesn’t see what’s going on, but he told her I wasn’t going anywhere until I was mated.”
He couldn’t bear to hear her say anything more. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed the top of her head. “My pack will love you, and I promise you, you’ll want for nothing.”
“I love you, Daniel. I don’t care about what the pack thinks.”
The sun was setting outside, and he wanted her to see the beauty of his land. “Come on,” he said, taking her hand. He led the way out to the night. They were both naked as they walked together.
They were going to face the world together, and the pack was going to love her. When he opened the connection he had with the pack, he sensed their curiosity about her. Jake was finally accepting her within their pack and had called him to voice his acceptance of his mate.
Daniel was proud of the pack he ran with. None of them knew the true pain Dawn had gone through to make it here. Staring at the sunset, he was more interested in looking at Dawn. Her brown hair was pulled up on top of her head.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“Your house is truly beautiful. This is a dream. I always had this dream growing up of something like this. Do you think it was fate, giving me hope to fight back?”
“I don’t know what it is, but I’m so pleased you listened and didn’t give in.” He squeezed her hand a little tighter.
“I’ll never give in. I’m a lot stronger than I look.” She squeezed him back.
“Come on.” He took the lead, walking toward the forest. The full moon was high in the sky, and the need to change was strong. He held it off, determined to ease Dawn into their first change together. “Do you want to do it in private?” he asked.
“No need. Turning into a wolf hasn’t hurt me since that first time.” She released his hand, standing away from him. He watched in amazement as her body changed and within seconds a black, cute wolf stared back at him.
Daniel didn’t waste any time turning into his dark amber wolf.
“Nice,” Dawn said, admiring him. “I didn’t think you’d be that big.”
“Baby, you’ve not seen anything yet.”
She bumped him playfully before taking off for the forest.
“Alpha, I can feel her. She’s strong.” The thought came from Jake who was not far from the house. The pack was out in force, but he’d ordered them to stay away from the house. He was keeping Dawn close to the house, and he didn’t want any of them scaring her. They were a new pack to her, and he wanted them in human form to meet her.
“She’s far more than just strong. She’s perfect, and she’s going to be my mate.”
“The pack is behind you. We’ll protect her and you. We’re all keeping our distance.”
Daniel took off, following his woman deep into the forest. She was playing with him. He smelled her happiness on the air.
“I can hear you,” he said.
“You can hear my thoughts, but can you find me?”
“Are you challenging me, pet?”
“You’re not my Dom here.”
“I’m your alpha.”
“Then catch me, alpha. Show me who’s boss.” He ran through some trees knowing she was close. The scent of her intensified, getting stronger with every step he took.
“Got you.” Dawn leapt at him, but he sensed where she was. He caught her, taking her to the floor beneath him.
“No, pet, I’ve got you like I’ve always got you.” He licked her nuzzle.
“Ew, gross.”
He chuckled and released her, watching her get to her feet. Together they ran around the forest, taking in the full moon together.
“I can feel your pack. I know they’re here.”
Daniel paused, staring at her.
“I don’t mind. This is their forest. Are they happy I’m here?”
She couldn’t sense their acceptance because she was part of another pack. When they finished their mating, she’d only be able to sense his own pack rather than her father’s.
“Jake says so. I want you to meet the pack when you’re ready.”
“Then we should call them to meet us at the house tomorrow. I’d love to meet them to see if they’ll accept me into their fold.”
Daniel growled. “They’ll accept you because I fucking tell them to.”