Independent She-wolf novel Chapter 28

"Do any of your relatives live here?"

Dani shook her head. "No, the closest one lives and hour and a half away. I need to know what's going on with my older brother. He's nineteen," she told me.

"Couldn't he be your legal guardian then?" I asked. "He would stay in town, right? Couldn't he just give you a place to stay and stuff?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I doubt he'll want to take care of his kid sister."

"Live here then," I said. She looked at me like I was crazy and started to protest. "Just hear me out, babe," I said. "Your brother could still be your legal guardian, but if he can't give you a good home or some thing's that you'll need, just stay here. I'll take care of you. I promise."

"Jace, I know you will," she replied. "It's just I can't let you do that for me. It's just be too much. After everything you've done for me, I can't let you do this, too."

"It won't be just for me, Dani," I told her. "It'd be for the pack, too. You're the alpha female now. The alpha female should live with the alpha male, don't you think," I smirked.

"You just want me all to yourself," she narrowed her eyes at me in a playful way. "Sharing me with the pack isn't your intent. You are a very selfish alpha, hun."

I smirked. "Is that a yes?" I asked in hope.

"It's a maybe," she said. "I don't even know if my brother will agree with me. He doesn't even know about you. If I tell him I just met you less than three days ago, then it would be a definite no."

Weird. It seemed much, much longer. I guess that's what happens when you find your mate, though. "You can tell him we've been dating in secret," I offered. "I will beg, Dani," I threatened. "Don't think I won't get down on my hands and knees and beg for you. Because I will," I tried to say with a straight face.

Apparently, she didn't buy it when she burst out laughing. "You're an odd one, aren't you?" she asked.

"I'm whatever you want me to be, babe," I said with a small smile. I stood up and grabbed a towel. "Now, come on. Out. Before you shrivel up and become a raisin." After unfolding the towel and holding it out, I closed my eyes and looked away.

Soon, I heard her get out of the tub and take the towel from me. Once it was sucurely wrapped around her abdomin, she told me it was okay to open my eyes. When I did, I reached out and grabbed her quickly before she could leave the bathroom. She gasped.

"Jace," she said in a warning tone.

I held her with her back pressed against my chest. Giving her a quick kiss to the neck, I murmured, "I love it when you say my name." I felt her body relax, but then she pulled away.

"I need clothes."

"I don't think you do," I said lowly, but she heard anyway and scowled.

He sighed. "You never were, Dani. You never could be. If it's money or anything like that you're worried about, don't be. Money's not an object and space doesn't matter." He smirked. "I'm always up for having a roommate.

Such a guy. "I'm sure you are," I said and returned his smirked.

His head dipped down and I kissed him lightly. When we pulled away, he rested his chin on my head. "I'm glad you need me," he murmured.

"How so?"

Jace shrugged. "It makes me feel special and important. I like that you need me because it means that you want to be with me."

"I'll always want to be with you, Jace," I said honestly. "I know I can count on you."

We both yawned and then chuckled. "Let's get some sleep," he said as he pulled the covers over us and shut the lights off.

I snuggled next to him and gave him a quick kiss.