Shoulda's, Coulda's, and Woulda's

Aubrianne Ivanov

Nevertheless, Aubrianne sat there and stared at Daniel while her mind conjured up all the shoulda's, coulda's, and woulda's because she could not stand seeing her Beta like that.

It really caused her to wonder if she had handled the situation the best way. Did she?

"It's ok; you did nothing wrong," Sighing, he continued, "It's not your fault I fell in love with you..." Daniel's right hand ascended, laying his palm on his chest over where his heart would be.

"You were simply existing and being you...how could I not?" Daniel finished with a smile that looked strange. The smile did not reach his eyes. He looked like he was trying to hide his hurt and pain.

Aubrianne just stared unblinkingly.

"But I am also your Beta, so you are stuck with me forever...because I am not going anywhere." And as those words left Daniel's lips, Aubrianne's eyes got slightly teary, and she got up and rushed over to him, giving him a big hug.

A flood of emotions racked Aubrianne's body at that moment, and one thought stood out. Daniel was indeed one of a kind.

Daniel was eating as he expressed to Aubrianne where he stood, so he was caught off guard by Aubrianne's sudden action. He was not expecting this move from her.

She had hugged him around his neck and, finally recovering from his initial shock, he gently placed his knife and fork on the table and scooted his chair back a little when he realized Aubrianne was still holding his neck in a deadlock.

He allowed her to slip into his lap, and she held him tightly.

Aubrianne got so scared she would lose Daniel. This has been a reoccurring worry of hers. Maybe the imprint made her feel this way: if she lost him, she would grieve terribly.

Daniel may not want to be around her anymore. Aubrianne was petrified that this would come between them.

Then to hear his confirmation that he was not going anywhere meant the world to Aubrianne, music to her ear. Does a man like Daniel really exist?

Aubrianne was happy Daniel would be by her side; she felt so relieved, relaxed, and comfortable in his lap, and his soothing touches on her skin were very comforting and had her all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

He brought comfort to her worried soul. The pair stayed like that for what could be fifteen minutes. When Aubrianne finally lifted her head, she gazed into Daniel's blue eyes, and their eyes locked on one another.

She said, "Thank you," and then it was her turn to laugh like a crazy person, as Daniel looked at her confused, then his features changed to amusement as he watched her.

Aubrianne said in between laughter, "I was... afraid I... would lose you."

"What?... Daniel's hands cupped Aubrianne's chin while gently caressing her face, "You would not. Yes, I am hurt. I am not going to lie or pretend I am not hurting."

Daniel could sense that Aubrianne was struggling with this. She was hurt that he was hurting, and he realized she was also terrified of losing him. He kept her steady before she could look away.

"But I will eventually get over it, and besides," Daniel smirked, "I take my responsibilities very seriously. I am your Beta...I will be there for you whenever or however you need me."

Daniel finished as he gently stroked her cheek and gazed into Aubrianne's mesmerizing brown eyes.

Now, the imprinting was working overtime. However, Aubrianne couldn't entirely blame the imprinting. The feeling of care and protectiveness over someone like this must be because of the imprinting.

Those imprinted have an overprotective nature towards the other, and they love each other but are not in love with each other. However, that line can be very, very thin, which caused problems in the past with white wolves and their betas.

This has led to outright war many times in the past when a white wolf finally meets her mate.

Nevertheless, for Aubrianne, it was feeling those things for Daniel, on top of realizing she was the cause of hurting him.

Topping it off with the fact that she was scared of losing him and couldn't imagine her life where he suddenly was no longer there.

At Daniel's confirmation that she wouldn't lose him, relief and joy filled her heart, and her heart leaped in her chest.

Nevertheless, all of the above added to her thoughts about her thinking. If she did not know about all this mate stuff, she would have wanted to see where things go with Daniel.

He was there for her from day one, always sweet, kind, and gentle, so easy to talk to even from the first time they met. Yes, Aubrianne had to admit if she was indeed being honest, Daniel would be that man, she wanted to get to know intimately.

She already felt safe with him. She was comfortable around him. Yup, Aubrianne could not find a fault except again for the obvious fact that she may eventually meet her mate.

And Daniel could meet his mate. However, she did not think that far ahead.

But should her life pause until then?

And there was Cassius. Even though Aubrianne might be concerned about Cassius, she trusts Daniel explicitly. Besides, he would rather die than let someone or even himself hurt her.

If what had transpired in her bedroom when she commanded him to 'f*ck her now' was not proof enough, she did not know what it was.

With no mate in sight right this Friday night, it must be almost midnight; she thought, why not? Because she could wait for her special someone and that someone already had his great love like her father.

So really and truly, why not? Was she being too literal about the situation? Does he really have to mark her? What if she never met her mate? Should she be alone forever?

Touched and overwhelmed with relief, joy, and a few other emotions, without even thinking about what she was doing, Aubrianne leaned in and kissed his lips, and though Daniel was surprised, even so, he instantly recovered and responded accordingly.

She tentatively kissed him at first, and Daniel kissed her back, and soon things got heated. Aubrianne repositioned herself from being held sideways to straddling Daniel.

She gripped his jersey's neck, pulling him closer to her as they enjoyed a hot make-out session.

Daniel's hands eagerly held her waist under her hoodie, then slid down to cup her sexy round a$$ while Aubrianne began rocking her waist back and forth.

Her fingers glided through Daniel's short silky blonde hair, down to the back of his head, and she played with the hair on the nape of his neck.

Soon she felt Daniel's length coming alive. She did not stop. If anything, she amped up her movements, moving her body against his, her breasts pressed against his chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

The only sound that could be heard were kissing sounds, little moans coming from Aubrianne, and little cries and groans coming from Daniel like he was experiencing the sweetest torture known to man and beast.

Nothing could change how she felt right now. She had blocked Leia's protest at the beginning of the kiss. Leia was also caught off guard by Aubrianne's actions, and it was too late when she voiced her opinion on the matter.

Aubrianne tuned her out!

She was not thinking about forever right now. She was thinking as far as tonight, this moment with this sweet and gentle man. She wanted this moment with Daniel.

Jada and Ivan

"Oh, My Goddess," Jada screamed at the top of her voice, realizing what Ivan had done for her.

This place was perfect. It was everything Jada had ever imagined for her One Stop Boutique and then some. Jada's mind was already dancing with ideas for the extra space.

Ivan had picked up Jada. His initial plan was to take her to show her his surprise and then take her out to dinner. He had made a reservation at a fancy restaurant. Instead, he canceled the reservation.

Ivan decided to cook for her as the opportunity to do so presented itself.

Tonight was Friday night, and Ivan already knew that since his daughter missed clubbing last Friday because of Alpha Thornton's dinner, there was no way she would miss a night out with her friends this Friday.

She told him she would be spending the night at Jenna's, and she had left the house thankfully at four pm. This gave Ivan enough time to prepare dinner.

Ivan felt this urge to do something special for his Jada. He knew she had a tough week sourcing the perfect property, and he also knew she struggled with some of the locations.

And though he wanted to give her the world, he did not want to scare her, so he tried his best to keep a safe balance...