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  Hopefully when I return to her, I will be a little less frightening. Why do I care if she is afraid of me or not? Didn’t I want to keep her at a distance? A few hours ago, I did, but after laying eyes on her, I am not sure that I will be able to keep myself away from her side.

  Chapter 6

  Ari

  I embrace my uncles, unbelievably happy to see familiar faces here. Moments ago, I thought I was doomed, and in the next I’m the one saving the stupid asshole that started this whole mess. I couldn’t just stand by and let Darien start what we are trying to prevent.

  Or maybe I just didn’t want to see him as the man I know him to be. A murderer.

  Maybe I should have just let him kill him. Then maybe my wolf would see the man for what he is and calm the fuck down. She is fighting to come out and meet the new wolf, but I push her down.

  It is hard to imagine that someone so willing to run all the way here to protect me can be a murderer. Of course, that is probably just my stupid raging hormones wanting to overlook that fact. There is no denying that Alpha Darien is ultimately the most attractive man I have ever laid eyes on, and there are a lot of attractive men in my father’s pack.

  This man killed his own father. He has killed other Alphas to take their land and wolves. He almost killed the Canadian Alpha, and he could easily kill me. I can’t afford to look past that.

  He may have protected me tonight, but Alphas can be unpredictable, especially if the wolf side doesn’t accept the female as his mate. He could have come after me simply because he didn’t want someone stealing his things. Dominant wolves tend to be a little possessive.

  “Are you okay?” a deep, concerned voice asks from the jet’s doorway. The voice caresses my soul. It’s Darien. Clothed now, and still sexy as sin. Remembering his wrongs might be harder than I thought when he has a body like that. Before I can respond, uncle Niko steps up and answers for me.

  “Course she is. She’s our best female fighter,” he slaps me on the back proudly and I feel my cheeks start to burn so I look away.

  “Best female fighter? She has handed our asses to all of us several times,” Charlie corrects him. I look up and I am surprised to find a look of awe in Darien’s eyes, but there is something else there mingled with a hint of edginess. This is going to be a long trip back to his home, wherever that may be.

  “So, what now?” Darien asks impatiently, directing his question at my uncles. I’m sure he is in a hurry back to his own territory.

  “Our Alpha is on his way. You are free to leave once he arrives. They are bringing the SUV you came in, along with all of your belongings,” Charlie reports.

  Dad is coming here? Who would have thought I’d be seeing him again so soon?

  “Can we get out of here?” I ask, suddenly needing some fresh air. They each nod. I look down at myself as we all start to move toward the exit. I then realize that I am still covered in blood and have only a bra covering my top half. “Actually, I’ll meet you all outside in a minute ‘kay?” They all stare at me in confusion for a second before obliging.

  Grabbing one of my suitcases, I open it up, and grab the first shirt and jacket I can find. What am I going to do about the blood though? I walk over to my torn clothes and pick them up. Asshole ruined my favorite jacket. I move to go kick him again—

  “Here,” Darien’s voice surprises me and I jump, but quickly find my composure. Once calm, I notice he is holding out a bottle of water and I stare at him questioningly. “For the blood,” he explains, staring at me as if I am some sort of puzzle.

  I take the bottle slowly as if it would bite me if I moved too fast. The bottle might not, but the man holding it just might. I just don’t know if I liked that idea or not. I do know that I shouldn’t like the idea.

  Turning away from him, I twist the cap off before pouring some water onto my ripped shirt. Using it as a towel, I wipe up as much as I can and use the torn jacket to dry off.

  Once clean and dressed, I make my way back to my luggage and find Darien with one bag in his hand and he is about to pick up the other with his free hand.

  “I got it!” I say a little too abruptly, and am surprised when he doesn’t argue. He motions for me to head out first, but before I go, I take one last look at the unconscious Alpha. I did that, I smile. Even if I did have some help in the end. Satisfied, I turn and head down the stairs with my head held high.

  “Ari!” my dad’s voice shouts, and half a second later I am in his strong arms. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine da—

  “Oh Ari! You’re a mess! How do you always find yourself in trouble, sweetie?” mom cuts in with the sweetie crap again. The rest of her words have me just as puzzled. The only trouble I ever get in is being out in the woods too late, which I’m sure she hoped every time that something had eaten me.

  Why is she even here?

  “Oh, you must be Darien,” mom giggles and offers her hand. Question answered. Wonderful. I give my dad an “are you kidding me” look and he just shrugs in response.

  “Alpha Shield,” my dad cuts in before Darien can take her hand, and I want to kiss him for it, “I can’t thank you enough for saving my daughter. I hope this wasn’t too much for you, and I hope we can still keep our deal.”

  “No trouble at all, Alpha Wilder. Your daughter had it all under control, and our deal is still intact if it’s all the same to you,” Darien replies without hesitation.

  “She does have a way about handling things,” dad says proudly. “I hope you’ll do well to remember that, Alpha Shield. And yes, I do wish to keep our arrangement. I hope the rest of your trip is a smooth one. We will take care of everything here.”

  “Thank you, Alpha Wilder. I would suggest you find a new location for you and your wife now though.”

  “I agree. Now that the Canadian Alpha knows my location, it is probably best to move elsewhere,” dad says before he hugs me and kisses the top of my head like he has done so many times before, and I didn’t realize how much I was going to miss that. I may never see any of them again. If I escape Darien, I won’t be able to go back to them. I would have to remain in hiding, because I would be wanted for my head, and even my father wouldn’t be able to protect me then.

  “I love you, Ari. Be happy,” he whispers.

  “I love you too, dad,” I whisper back and choke back tears.

  “Bye, sweetie,” mom calls, but when I turn to look back, her eyes are all for Darien even though his back is turned and depositing my luggage in the trunk.

  I wave to a smiling Charlie and Niko before sliding through the door Darien is holding open for me. He climbs in on the other side while his two wolves hop in the front to drive us away from the chaos.

  Darien

  I could have gone the rest of my life without meeting Carrie Wilder. She looked as if she wanted to eat me, even with her husband standing right there. Was she trying to cause a fight? She was everything I worried her daughter would be, but even she seemed embarrassed by her mother.

  Maybe Arianna isn’t like her at all. Do I really need more proof? Ari took on an Alpha and two dominants. Not to mention that she knocked a submissive wolf unconscious with one blow.

  On top of that, when I stayed in the jets cabin, and she assumed I had left with the others, I saw another side of her. There was no way I was going to leave her there where the unconscious Alpha remained there. Her kick knocked him out good, but Alphas recover quickly and if he came to with her there, he would kill her. Or rather he would try anyways, and I wouldn’t leave her to face him alone no matter how strong she is.

  Anger sparked in me tenfold when I had spotted her ripped clothes. She is fine, I remind my wolf and myself before taking a deep breath.

  She had walked over to her torn clothing and I quietly grabbed a water bottle from the snack cart to offer to her. I regretted it when I made her flinch yet again.

  After she cleaned up, I watched as she pulled on a fresh shirt and jacket. She had intrigued me again. Most
female wolves, especially female wolves looking for a mate would flaunt their blessings. Ari has definitely been blessed, but there was no flaunting. I curse myself for actually wanting to see more.

  Did that mean that she doesn’t want this? What female wolf didn’t want a mate? Especially a mate with land and power like myself. Maybe she is upset about what just happened? I laugh at myself. You didn’t want this a couple hours ago, I point out to myself. How had things changed so drastically?

  How could a woman affect me so quickly? The women I have known have been nothing like the one who stands before me.

  I suddenly felt like an asshole for taking her away from her father who obviously adores her. Then I remember the two men who came with me that were all over her, and I don’t feel bad anymore. Mine. It had taken all of my strength to keep my wolf under control when they touched her.

  Hopefully my wolf will calm down once we mate. Oh shit. Deep breaths. I attempt to keep my hormones under control, but I know she must have sensed it from her close proximity in the cab. I need to stop thinking.

  “So, princess—,” my second in command, and our driver, begins.

  “The last person who called me princess is unconscious and bleeding in his private jet,” she growls.

  “I’m sorry, er, I just meant—never mind,” I have never seen him so flustered before and I can’t help but laugh, but he continues on, “my name is Trace, and I just wanted to say that I am glad to have you on our side, Miss Wilder.” There is a pause and he turns his attention back to the road.

  “You can call me Ari,” she says softly before blushing.

  “Welcome Ari, I am Asher, but you can call me Ash, and if you don’t want grumpy ol’ Darien here, I’ll be happy to—

  My growl surprises even me, but it shuts Asher up. And then I want to smack myself. What if I scared her?

  Slowly, I turn my head in her direction and stare in surprise. Her face is turned away, but I can see her reflection in the window. Is that a smile?

  My heart soars at the sight of that small smile, and I want to touch those lips with mine. Once again, I am fighting an erection. I try to look away but her glowing hazel eyes hold my gaze.

  After some time, her eyelids begin to flutter before finally closing. Now that she can’t see me, I take in her long, thick hair that rests on strong arms and shoulders. She is lean and curvy, but up close it is obvious that she is made of muscle.

  I had expected either a bitchy or bubbly, designer clothes wearing girl who wanted nothing but money and power.

  Not a quick-witted, combat-boot-wearing beauty that could be my security detail. It is still early though and I don’t want to get my hopes up. We will see what happens once she settles in to her new home.

  Her head rests against the window, but the bumpy terrain keeps jostling her. I move closer and shift her sleeping form so that her head can rest against my chest. I slide my arm over her shoulders to keep her still. She doesn’t wake, but cuddles her body closer to mine. That, mixed with her scent filling my nostrils awakes another hard on. Shit.

  I look up to see Asher open his mouth.

  “Shut it,” I say before he can utter a word.

  Chapter 7

  Ari

  I wake up to a comfy bed and a foreign, yet familiar, scent. Not ready to move quite yet, I let myself explore each new smell. There is a combination of thousands of people that I don’t recognize, cheap laundry soap, various cleaning supplies, and still a hint of Alpha Flint’s blood, but most of all, I smell him. Darien Shield. Oh God.

  Though I’m afraid of what I’ll find, I open my eyes to check my surroundings and confirm my suspicion. I find bare walls, a dresser with a TV on it, a small table and chair, along with ugly, fuchsia drapes over the window. I was right; I’m in a hotel room, with Darien Shield himself plastered to my side.

  I should be appalled and disgusted, which part of me is, but another part of me doesn’t want to move a muscle. Dammit, he even looks sexy when he sleeps. This needs to stop.

  Very slowly, I try to slip out from his grasp, but his heavy arm wrapped around me holds me tighter. I freeze. Please don’t wake up, please don’t wake up, I chant. I try not to think about how I seem to fit perfectly in in his arms. Maybe I am still sleeping and just having a silly dream. That makes more sense.

  If I am dreaming, I will myself to be bold and touch him. His body is all muscle but has just enough give in the right spots. Touching him feels right and wonderful, and—oh shit. I quickly stop touching him and try thinking about something else as my body begins to tingle all over. And then I realize his breathing has changed. He is no longer asleep. Crap.

  Suddenly his face is close to mine, staring hard at me and I can’t do anything to stop my cheeks from heating under his gaze. And then I feel his arousal join mine and my panic begins to set in.

  Of course, I knew when this moment came, I would have to make a decision to either let it happen or kill him and run. I didn’t expect the moment to come so soon though. I’m not ready. I haven’t decided, though I don’t know why. He is a murderer; a man capable of killing me with his bare hands. How could I give my body to someone like that? I shouldn’t even hesitate to try and kill him. So why do I?

  As I wage an internal battle, he slowly slides his body off of mine, and retreats to the edge of the bed. He must have sensed my fear. Why would that stop him from taking what he obviously wanted though? Alphas tend to always take what they want.

  “Where are we?” I ask to just stop the voices in my head, and try to keep my emotions in check.

  “At a hotel in Seattle,” he says softly in his husky morning voice.

  “Is this where you live?”

  “In a hotel? No,” he laughs.

  “No, smart ass. Do you live in Seattle?” So, he likes to play, does he?

  “No, we don’t live in Seattle.” He is testing what little patience I have.

  “Okay, well, from what I’m aware of, your territory consists of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. We are in Washington now, so do you live somewhere here?”

  “No, we don’t live anywhere in Washington either,” he corrects me again, “and we also have territory in Wyoming, along with territory in northern California, Nevada, and Utah now.”

  “Well, haven’t you done well for yourself,” I drawl before rolling my eyes, but feel immature when he raises an eyebrow at my tone. “So, where do you actually reside in?”

  “Our home is Priest River, Idaho.” He says fondly, and my stupid heart flutters at the words “our home.” I’m sure he just means the pack.

  “So close to the border?” I ask in surprise and his brows narrow in confusion, but he answers anyways.

  “Yes. As you’ve witnessed, our biggest threat is to the North so I want to be nearby just in case of an attack. Plus, I don’t think I could leave Priest River. It’s beautiful. You will see once we get there,” and a part of me is excited to go, just from the way his voice changes when talking about it. I have never been outside of Alaska, and while it’s beautiful there, I am up for a change.

  It’s strange how different he is from my dad. My dad is no coward, but he chose to place his location far from the border, whereas Darien is on the front line. And that makes more sense to me. If I were Alpha, that’s where I would be.

  “So how are we getting there?” I ask a little too anxiously, and he smiles, causing me to blush. Murderer! I remind myself. I’m already letting him get to me.

  I can’t forget what he has done. I look down away from him, but he instantly lifts my chin, forcing me to look into his intense eyes. If I had more sense, I might be scared of that look, but instead, I am swept away by the power in them. There is a story behind those eyes, and if I stick around long enough, I’m going to get that story.

  “Are you okay?” he asks. Damn he’s perceptive.

  “Just fine,” I lift my chin and square my shoulders, surprising him, “just ready to hurry up and get things situated.” He gives me a
knowing look.

  “I have a friend with a helicopter. He will be picking us up shortly and taking us directly to our ranch in Priest. We will be home soon,” he says with relief before rising up and moving towards his small suitcase and pulling out clean clothes.

  Home. It would be nice to have a place to call home. Why did it have to be here with someone I was terrified would kill me though, or that I should be terrified of at least, but I’m not. If this worked out however, I wouldn’t have to hide anymore. I could finally start the life I have always wanted.

  Now that the time is here though, I don’t know how to go about it. As the Alpha’s mate, this Alpha’s mate, what did that mean for me? I won’t ever be like my mother, but what would I be allowed to do without getting killed?

  Darien’s sudden close proximity pulls me away from my thoughts. His eyes are intense as he leans over me. His hand reaches towards me and I know that I should stop him, but I’m too stunned to do anything. His scent is intoxicating and deep down I almost want him to touch me.

  His hand reaches out for my shirt and slowly lifts it up, forcing me to choke back a moan. This isn’t happening now. I’m getting ready to pull back to throw a punch, but his hand gently sliding over my belly gives me pause.

  He softly runs his hand over where my skin was torn open yesterday, but it has already healed over. Only faint traces of blood remind me that there was ever anything there.

  “Ari, do you want first shower?” my eyes snap to his as his sexy voice says my name.

  “Um, I’ll let you have it,” I stutter, afraid to move with his gaze on me, but I regret my decision and I spend the longest ten minutes of my life thinking about his hot muscled body in the shower. Just perfect.