Page 4 of His Mate's Curves

“Please, they couldn’t get to me if they tried.”

He shook his head, and they walked off into the party. The large grassy area was full of werewolves in wolf and human form alike. Scattered across the area was brightly colored confetti and tons of meat, cooked and raw. It was quite the sight as it was every year. Signs with each new alpha’s name were posted around the area where they stood to speak to eligible mates and other officials that could help them in their time of leadership.

Darya walked up to each one, bowing to them in congratulations. Until she got to Andreas’ in human form, she quickly transformed and leaned in for a quick hug. The discomfort was clear to any and all who saw. She tried not to make eye contact with him at all while he moved his head to try and meet her eye line. She was too ashamed to look at him, too angry and hurt.

“Darya? Can we talk?” he asked her.

She shook her head as she turned to walk away, “I don’t think that would be a smart idea.”

He grabbed her arm gently, which made her tense up. He didn’t like that he touched her, as he touched Hanalei before. She didn’t know the nature of their relationship, but it seemed more intimate than theirs. She had never been kissed like that by him. She had never been kissed by him. Darya was done trying the second his lips touched Hanalei.

“Darya, please.”

She did enjoy the way he begged for her attention, she felt in control, and that’s what she enjoyed most of all. With that thrill, still, without making eye contact, she followed him into the forest behind them. They were uncomfortably quiet with each other.

He faced her, “I know you saw Hanalei and me. It wasn’t what it looked like…” “It’s always what it looks like,” she interrupted.

“It really wasn’t, though. I didn’t know she was going to do that. I wasn’t even sure that I liked her.”

“You saved her life. You obviously liked her.”

He sighed in resignation. “I didn’t know what I liked or what I wanted. I didn’t even think about a mate until I was told I would become alpha. I was so focused on becoming a leader that I didn’t have time to think about women at all. But, I think back to that day we met, the first time. I think about how much fun we had, just talking. How amazing you are, strong and independent and beautiful. You love your pack as much as I love mine, and you care for it so well. I can’t imagine being with anyone else. I want you to be mine.”

“What about her? What about Hanalei? Because she thinks you’re hers. She thinks you’re going to choose her. What will you do about that? How will you be her friend as you try to be my husband?”

“I don’t know. I care about her as a friend, but she’s depending on becoming my mate. Maybe we could get rid of her somehow?”

She winced at the phrasing he used, “Get rid of her? What are you gonna do, kill her?”

“No, no, no. That’s not at all what I meant. I just mean… Look, I’ve been seeing Lukas eye her for years. I think he might be into her. Maybe we could set them up on a date or something? Maybe she’d get off of our backs if she had someone else.”

“That’s an interesting idea. I think I’d like that better than trying to avoid her. She already tormented me once today, and I don’t think I want to have that conversation again.”

He drew closer to her, visibly remorseful, “What did she say?”

“Just that you two kissed, she was happy and gloating. It’s alright, I was a bit bothered, but it was more disrespectful than anything. Rude to speak to a councilwoman like that at a celebration. Rude to speak to anyone like that. She sounded like a schoolgirl on the playground bullying. I wondered what you saw in her…”

Her face told him that she was hurt by the conversation, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she would do that to someone. She’s not typically like that with me.”

“Well, that’s because she likes you. Who would be mean to someone they like?”

“You’re right. I’m sorry she treated you that way. No one should treat anyone poorly, especially in this community. I’ll make it clear to her that there’s no future between us. Would that make it up to you?”

She leaned in close to him, now standing in between his outreached arms, “I don’t know if that’ll cut it.”

“I’ll do anything to make it up to you. I can’t hurt you again. I won’t. I want you, only you.”

He stared at her luscious lips, pushing out to meet his. It was a passionate kiss. They sat for several minutes, pecking and kissing until she was satisfied with his apologies. She knew he would want her, but she wasn’t expecting this. To have him, to hear that he wanted to be hers. It was magical, something she never expected out of this day. Though, she was too cautious about letting him in that easily. She would watch him closely, making sure he was honest with her. He was a nice boy but smart and tactical when it came to his life choices. She wanted to make sure he was hers because he loved her.

“We should probably get back,” she whispered to him.

He sighed, “Says who?”

“Says the huge group of people who came to celebrate you and your accomplishment,” she winked at him.

“Fine, I guess we can go back to my party, but I’ll only go if you agree to go on a date with me.”

She smirked at him, “Of course, I will go on a date with you. But it better be nice. I’m a lovely lady who deserves a lovely time.”

“Of course you are,” he smiled.

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