Wolf or Love

Finally they arrived at the diner and, much like last time, Gio received many wary looks. To her surprise, so did Danica. Clearly the Elsa incidentProperty of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

was still fresh in everybody’s minds. She picked up Carrick’s scent almost immediately. Sitting at a long table surrounded by ten of his powerful alliances, he looked exactly like the big man he wanted to look. Scattered around the diner were enforcers and bodyguards ready to protect their

Alpha’s at the slightest hint of danger. Gio subtly directed his own enforcers to do the same, other than Chris who came along with him, Danica and Duda to the table. All the Alpha’s stood, and all looked pretty insulted that Gio was keeping his Beta and Head Enforcer so close – it was considered a sign that he distrusted them. But then their eyes went to Danica and she guessed that they had scented her condition and, thus, the reason for Gio’s cautiousness. She was proven right when her father spoke.

“Gio, Danica. Congratulations.” Strangely enough, he sounded like he meant it. All the Alpha’s followed suit, congratulating them both and inviting

them to sit opposite Carrick.

“Thanks,” said Danica while Gio gave them a nod. Duda and Chris stood directly behind their seat, alert and wearing ‘don’t dare try anything’ expressions. She hid a smile at the apprehension wafting from the wolves at the table. These might be very powerful Alphas, but they were still

intimidated by Gio. Carrick introduced each of the Alpha wolves, though it hadn’t been necessary. Gio knew who each and every one of them was, just as he knew that each and every one of them had had problems with his father’s pack in the past. Much like Carrick, his father had been good at making enemies. It was little wonder then that they were there, prepared to listen and possibly be

present for the battle.

“Could you tell us what exactly the trouble is that you have with the Tefy pack?” asked Carrick.

Massaging Danica’s nape the entire time, Gio explained about his banishment, his father’s death, and his uncle’s challenge. “My hope was that he would back down at some point before the twelve weeks were up. Instead, as ‘encouragement’ for me to give him what he wants, he ordered an attack on Danica -”

“An attack on you?” If Danica hadn’t known better, she might have thought Carrick actually cared.

“- which very much backfired, leaving her unharmed.”

“It was most likely a trap,” said one of the Alpha’s , a very muscular blue headed guy with a british accent Danica couldn’t place. She didn’t bother to hide her smug ‘told you so’ smile from Gio, petty though it was.

“Yes, and that was the only thing that kept me from reacting.”

“This happened while you were pregnant?” asked another of the Alphas.

“If it had, he’d be dead right now and we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” replied Danica.

Damn right, thought Gio. “The challenge takes place tomorrow. My uncle won’t keep this as a battle between two Alpha’s – he’s too much of a

coward for that. He has many alliances, so I’m expecting a large number of wolves to appear with him. Mike Axton, the Alpha of the White Claw Pack, has already offered his support.”

“White Claw Pack,” repeated Carrick. He looked at Danica. “Your uncle James mated into that pack, right?”

She nodded and smiled. “He sends his love.” Carrick rolled his eyes.

A roundish, grim looking wolf looked at Gio curiously. “Mike’s a powerful Alpha, but his pack isn’t much larger than yours.”

“Exactly,” said Gio. “That’s why I’m low on numbers, and that’s why I’m here.”

“If you win tomorrow, what do you intend to do with who is left of the

Tefy Pack and their territory?” asked Carrick.

“Let me make it clear that when I win tomorrow, I don’t intend to make any wolves outcasts or distribute the territory amongst others. I know a lot about being out there with no protection or territory and I have no wish to place others in the same situation. Whoever is left of the pack will be permitted to keep their territory and choose a new Alpha providing they swear their allegiance to me. They’ll be expected to do the same for any packs who back me, but that is the most I can offer in terms of reward for anyone’s backing. So, in other words, if that and a chance to settle some scores with Kevin isn’t enough for any of you, it’s important you say so now.”

“So, all in all, we have the support of only one other pack?” asked Richard later that day over dinner, sounding both panicky and beaten.

“Two,” corrected Duda. “Mike Dolph also gave us his support, remember.”

Danica watched from her position on the countess the faces of those at the table all melted into ones of despair. Seeing that she had gasp, paused in eating her meal, Gio and Michey, who stood either side of her, scowled at her until she jammed a chunk of steak in her mouth. Max gave Gio an accusatory look. “You said that mating with Danica

would give us the alliances we need to get through this challenge.”

“And you said Kevin would never follow it through,” Ray pointed out.

“Didn’t I say it would all be for nothing?”

Danica didn’t even see Gio move. One moment he was at her side, the next moment he was clamping his hand around Max’s throat and snatching him from his seat.

“All for nothing, huh?” Gio growled. “That’s my mate you’re talking about. My mate who is pregnant with my child. My mate who is also your

Alpha female.”

“Gio, I know he crossed a line, but…he can’t breathe.” Gary tried appealing to Gio with a look, but it was useless.

“There’s only so far you can push someone, Max, and you’ve pushed me too hard, too far, too many times. One more shove from you will be all it takes for me to lose it.” The fear wafting from his cousin satisfied both Gio and his wolf enough so that they were prepared to release him. Max flopped back

into his seat, coughing and trying to gasp in air. Gio returned to Danica’s side and she kissed him lightly, easing his tension slightly.

“What time are Carrick and Mike each coming with their enforcers?” asked Lucy.

“They’ve agreed to arrive here at noon. I’ve no idea what time Kevin will appear, but I don’t think it will be any earlier than then.”

“We might not have only Carrick and Mike,” said Jeremy. “You’ve had a lot of messages over the pack web, Gio. It seems that word’s gotten round

about the challenge. Apparently Kevin has earned himself a number of enemies over the years and they’re all offering to be present tomorrow to stand at your side.”

“Standing at his side as in actively getting involved in the battle, or as in literally just standing there like lemons?” asked Michey.

“The term means that they’ll be present and act as back up if things go to shit,” Danica explained. “Unless Gio looks like he’s losing, they won’t get

involved.”

“They’re more or less just people who want to watch like nosy bastards so they can go and tell everyone about how they were there,” said Andrew.

Hudson grunted his agreement.

An unexpected yawn escaped Danica and she allowed her head to drop onto Gio’s shoulder as she closed her eyes.

“Tired, baby? Come on, let’s get you to bed, you need sleep.”

“I’m not tired. I’m just checking my eyelids for holes. It could take a while.” He chuckled and scooped her up, cradling her against his chest. “Bed.”

“You’ll get tired more easily over the first month of your pregnancy,”

Michey told her. “It’s totally normal.”

Having said their goodnights, Gio carried her to their bedroom, liking that she didn’t fight him and allowed him to carry her. Once inside he carefully laid her on the bed and peeled away her jeans before then removing her long sleeved t-shirt. “What’s with the glum look on your face, baby?”

“You’re kidding, right? Take your pick. There’s the fact that you’ll be in a battle tomorrow. There’s the horrible knowledge that we have a traitor in our pack. Oh and there’s the little matter of me being hidden away tomorrow instead of being part of the battle.”

He sighed and draped himself over her, kissing her neck softly, wanting to relax her. “Baby, you can’t be upset with me for asking you to stay clear of a battle.”

“I’m not. There’s no way I’d endanger our baby like that. I just worry something will happen to you. Any of you. It’s worse knowing I’m a healer and I can help but won’t be there to help.”

“I can understand how you’re feeling. I’d be going ape shit crazy now if I knew you were going to be near any danger and didn’t even have me with

you. But I need you to stay here, inside. Nothing can happen to you or the baby, Danica, it just can’t, I’d never get through it.”

“Nothing can happen to you either, so make damn sure you come back to me.” She fused her mouth to his, kissing him hard. He tangled a hand in her hair and tugged, reminding her who the more dominant was, and then he took over the kiss. His tongue plundered her mouth just as she wanted his cock to plunder her body, but for some reason he was holding himself back. He was so tense it was like he was bracing himself for some kind of impact. She arched against him and felt the very hard proof of his arousal. His entire body stiffened and he looked like he wanted to jump off the bed. “What’s the matter?”

His eyes danced to her stomach and then back to her face. “I don’t want to hurt you.” She groaned. “Is that why you’re holding back? Gio, you won’t hurt me or the baby by fucking me.” He didn’t look convinced. She sighed dramatically. “I suppose I could just get my old vibrator out or -“