The Choice

Chapter 4

“How about a little Truth or Dare?” Liam yelled over the laughter. He was lounging in an oversized dirty recliner he had brought down last week.

Liam was our packs Gamma. He was in charge of the safety of our territory. He helps with training and educating our warriors and the younger werewolves are very attached to him. Lately he has made it his personal job to make sure our Luna is being taken care of. Since Troy and Maggie announced they were having a pup, he hasn't been able to stop obsessing about her health. Just the other day, he snatched a bag of chips right out of her hands and told her that they weren’t healthy enough for their future Alpha.

Standing at five foot five, Liam was a solid wall of dark muscle. Where he lacked in height, he made up in personality. Liam is normally the life of the party, bringing energy and light into any room he enters.

“Really Liam? Truth or Dare? Do we need a repeat of last time?” Ebony taunted tossing her glossy black hair over her shoulder.

The group burst out in laughter remembering the last time when Jasper had dared Liam to kiss Milah. Liam was so sure of himself that he quickly jumped out of his seat, drunkenly walked up to Milah, and when he went in for the kiss, she flipped him over her should and slammed him to the ground.

“N-no” Liam stuttered, looking quickly to his left where Milah was sipping on her beer, a sly grin on her tan face. “I learned my lesson not to mess with Milah.”

And he was right, nobody should mess with Milah. She was the most skilled she wolf in the pack. She could put anyone in their place. She helped the pack with leading all morning training sessions.

“I think Truth or Dare could be fun.” Maggie’s sing-song voice floated over from a fold out chair. She had extra pillows behind her to help support her back. Troy sat on the ground holding a beer, leaning against her legs while she lazily played with his dark hair.

“Mags, you are only saying that because you know we can't really dare you to do anything.” Octavia said, smirking, entering the circle. Maggie just stuck her tongue out in response.

Octavia sat down in the open spot in the couch next to Jasper. His arm instantly snaked around her shoulders, pulling her closer to his side. Leaning into her, he buries his nose into her neck inhaling deeply.

“You smell good.” He says handing over her drink. She could smell the liquor on him. They must of been out here for a while.

“Is that pine I smell?” He chuckles. Embarrassed, Octavia swats him in the arm. She had thought she had gotten all the chemical smell off when she showered.

He nuzzled deeper into her neck, whispering, “Don’t worry, I like it.” Giving her ear lobe a small tug with his teeth.

Octavia’s body instantly heated and she couldn’t help the small moan that escaped her lips.

“Jasper, not in front of me man,” Troy growled.

Octavia’s cheeks reddened with embarrassment. Jasper chuckled pulling away from her to look at Troy.

“Apologies,” he slurred, “She is just so damn irresistible I can help myself.”

“Try,” Troy said through gritted teeth.

Troy wasn’t the biggest fan of Octavia and Jaspers new relationship. When he had caught them in a very compromising situation last month, he had a full on Alpha meltdown. Once Maggie was finally able to calm him down enough to agree to hear them out, they were able to explain that this thing between them was more than just a hook up. They had been exclusively dating for three months before he caught them. Troy reluctantly gave his blessing but he still got grouchy when they showed affection around him.

“Keanu, Truth or Dare?” Liam says, looking directly at a shocked, younger man with his beer frozen half way to his lips.

Keanu was the newest addition to the friend group. He had just turned eighteen and graduated from the warrior academy with top marks a few months ago. He was tall and lanky and a bit shy, but Liam instantly took him under his wing when he was able to disarm him during training.

Keanu groans, “Why do I have to go first?”

“Because you are the newest addition to the gang.” Liam says, looking over at Troy and Jasper, giving a quick wink. “Think of it as a little initiation into the group.”

“Dare, I guess.” Keanu says hesitantly, not being able to make eye contact with anyone.

“Mmm,” Liam taps his chin, looking to be in great thought. “I dare you to waddle around like a duck.”

“A duck?” Keanu said is disbelief. The group trying hard to cover their laughter.

“Nothing a young warrior wolf like yourself can’t handle, I’m sure.” Liam said mockingly. “Or would you like to change to Truth?”

Keanu chuckled at the lighthearted challenge. He finished the rest of his beer, chunking the empty bottle into Liams lap. He stood and adopted a duck-like gait, flapping his arms gently and quacking softly as he made his way across the grassy expanse.

At first, everyone looked on with surprised amusement. Then their laughter mingled with his quacking sounds.

Liam let out a deep rolling laugh and high-fived Keanu when he took his seat. Troy handed him another drink for his performance.

The game continued on with simple truths and hysterical dares. The night grew on and the air crackled with the electricity of their joy. Octavia was well into her fourth drink and she had snuggled deeper into Jasper, one leg thrown over Jaspers lap.

“Truth or Dare, Mags?” Octavia said, giving Maggie a sly smirk.

“Well I’m not sure you guys want to hear any more of my truths tonight, so I’ll go with dare.” She says while rubbing her swollen bump. A soft smile had been glued on her face throughout the night.

Without losing eye contact with her, Octavia said, “I dare you to touch your toes.”

The group collectively released a deafening laugh. Liam had just taken a drink which ended up all on Keanu. Milah and her twin sister, Ebony covered their mouths to try and hide their loud outburst of laughter. Troy leaned forward and slapped his knee at the mere thought of his wife trying to touch her toes. Jasper’s laughter rippled across Octavia’s back, sending shock waves through her body. The lovely sound settling deep into her chest. Even Maggie couldn’t hold back her laughter at the ridiculous dare.

“Good one, O!” Troy exclaimed, trying to wipe away a tear.

“Yeah yeah, very funny.” Maggie says, rolling her eyes with a smile. “Just wait until you're pregnant and you will see just how funny it really is.”

“Octavia pregnant? That's a laugh!” Ebony joked, elbowing Milah in the side.

“Imagine Octavia wrangling a pack of little pups.” Liam roared, his laughter echoing through the trees.

“Yeah,” Milah said agreeing. “She works too much to have time for a pups anyways. She barely has time to hang out with us anymore” .

“Apparently she doesn’t work too much, since her and Jasper are always sneaking off in the middle of the day to shack up!” Maggie snickered, sending Octavia a wink. The whole group went up in laughter, including Jasper.

“Maggie!” Octavia said, sitting up straight, giving her a death glare. Once they were alone, Octavia was going to give her an earful for that comment.

“Guys, come on” Troy groaned, hating any topic regarding his little sister’s s*x life.

Jasper couldn’t stop his laughter. Octavia gave him a glare showing how annoyed she was. Jaspers grin widened at her glare. He tugged her back to his chest giving a sloppy kiss to her temple.

“Don’t worry,” Jasper said to the group. “Once we get married, I’ll get her good and knocked up.”

Octavia froze against Jasper. Heart thumping wildly in her chest. Marriage? Since when did he want to get married?