HERS

13. Seeking Permission

Danica woke up with the sun light streaming into her room, only to roll over to the other side of the bed to find it blocked, forgetting James had stayed over. Danica pulled the duvet off him and kicked him off the bed.

James landed with a thump on the floor, which had woke him up. James groaned as he picked himself off the floor. "Was that necessary?"

"Crucial," Danica grinned, getting out of bed. "Get dressed." She ordered as she went into the bathroom.

An hour later James and Danica were clean and fresh, both descending from the stairs. The two entered the kitchen together. "I'm assuming you stayed over, James," said Chris without turning around from the island drinking his tea and reading the morning paper. "Let me guess: Danica's bedroom to be precise, right?"

"You know me so well," James grinned putting an arm around Danica pulling her into a hug.

A growl erupted throughout the kitchen echoing off the tile walls, neither of them had noticed Mason sitting their eating a full English breakfast. "I'm assuming you stayed over too?" Danica snapped, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"Danica," Avery hissed warningly from Chris's side.

James turned his attention to Mason, "seriously, mate; what's your problem with me?" James snapped at Mason.

"She's my-"

"That's enough James!" Danica cut in. "Chris have you seen dad?" She asked the first thing that came to mind, knowing where Mason was going with this, he was about to reveal the truth, but Danica couldn't allow this to happen, well at least not yet, not before she had come to terms with things.

Chris gave her an amused expression, as he knew what she was up to. "I think he's in the office."

Danica nodded managing to change the subject. "Is there any more breakfast left?" She asked eyeing Mason's plateful.

"Nope," Avery shook her head, popping the p.

Danica turned around to find James drinking the orange juice out of the carton, "James do you find me doing that in your house?" She snapped. "That's for everybody," she snatched the bottle out of his hand.

"No, you tend to lick the white parts off the Oreo and put the biscuits back in!"

"That's different," Danica waved off. "Let's make some pancakes." Danica brought out all the ingredients need for pancakes, then mixed them in a bowl, she and the rest of the kitchen was wearing most of the ingredients. Danica's face was covered in flour, the group watched in amusement as she worked her way around the kitchen creating a mess every where she went. "How do you turn this thing on?" She gestured towards the stove.

"Just turn the knob and press the small button." Avery called out from her seat.

Danica did as instructed, "it's not working!"

Chris stiffened at his seat, as he sniffed the air. "Is that gasoline?" He asked worried.

"Smells like it."

"Get her out of the kitchen before she blows this place up." Chris ordered, already on his feet opening up the windows to clean up the air. James swiftly pulled Danica out of the away from the stove and far away behind the counters. "Danica go clean yourself up, we don't need another explosion." Chris said amused from last time.

"What happened?" Mason inquired.

Chris smirked at the memory, "Last Halloween, we were having a horror movie marathon, she hates it so she offered to make the popcorn when we ran out, all she had to do was microwave the popcorn, instead she ended up blowing up the microwave. Lucky thing she was in the living room when it blew up, the kitchen hand to be refurbished and everyone here had to be evacuated." Chris laughed. "The fire brigade were baffled to how she accomplished that, and now mum doesn't let her cook."

"In my defence, I can cook it was just that one incident." Danica huffed folding her arms over her chest, defensively.

"Truth be told, Danica's a great cook," Chris said, "her cooking is amazing, however her methods to making are terrible!"

"Yeah," James and Avery said together in agreement.

Danica cleaned up herself, coming back to find James finishing his plateful of pancakes, with hers next to his getting cold.

"Can I have these, she won't even notice," James pleading with Chris.

"Of course I would!" She snatched her plate away from his reach digging in without a care to who was watching, feeling someone's gaze on her she looked up coming eye to eye with Mason as she stuffed a mouthful, in an improper lady like manner, giving a toothy grin with food sticking out.

"Geez, Danica." Avery groaned. "Basic table manners, I swear you two are two peas in a pod, I would've assumed you are the same people if it weren't for you gender and knowing you for so long!"

Danica and James turning in union giving Avery a mouthful of semi chewed food.

"Don't worry, Hun," Chris assured her, "I grew up with Danica and sometimes I believe James has been over."

"Thanks for the food, Chris." Danica gave him a genuine smile. "I love you." Mason's heart beat a little faster at them three words, his heart rates acceleration hadn't gone unnoticed by the wolves present, how them three words sounded coming from her sounded precious as if it were a once in a life opportunity, oh how he wanted to hear her utter those words with love to him. "I'll clean up," she offered, eating the last piece of pancake. James got up at that moment. "And where are you going?" Danica raised an eyebrow. "You're helping me!"

James gave her a half hearted smile, "I need to get home..." No further explanation was required since Danica understood. She nodded giving the go ahead, he kissed her on her forehead. "Remember I'm always here." He turned to Chris, "thanks for the food man, see you guys later." He waved walking out of the back door shifting into his wolf form.

Danica looked at the kitchen, realising the mess she had created, letting out a groan in frustration, she turned to Chris and Avery who were slowly backing out of the room. She looked at them pleading; only for them to shrug, "you offered," was the only thing said before they left the room. Her shoulders slumped as she sighed.

"I'll help," Mason volunteered, causing Danica to do a double take.

"Are you sure?" Danica asked uncertain.

"Yeah, and it's a perfect opportunity to get to know each other." Mason smirked.

"Okay," Danica agreed knowing she needs the help. "You wash, I dry." She told him leaving no room for arguments.

Mason smirked at her ways, usually people wouldn't allow others to help, and instead she doesn't reject the offer. "What's your favourite subject?" He asked off hand.

"I like art only because I get to use the acrylic paints," she beamed at him. "Other than that, those training sessions in school I absolutely love them."

"Why?"

"It's the only time I'm seen as an equal not a fragile human." The truth rolled off her tongue so easily around him.

"What’s your favourite colour?"

"It’s Maroon."

"What’s your favourite animal?"

"It’s a Lion."

"Really," He asked surprised.

"Yes, why are you so surprised?"

"It's just you being around so many wolves I'd expected it to be something other than a feline."

Danica shrugged, "they're just so gorgeous. Now it's my turn to ask question, you've asked enough."

"Sure, shoot."

"What is your Favourite food?"

"It has to be...Homemade cooking."

"Be specific."

"Anything that's edible and tastes good," He shrugged.

"You're so like James, where are you from?"

"Originally Ireland, born and raised there," he stated proudly. "What's your relationship with James?"

"I'm still asking questions!" Danica complained.

"Of course you are, just answer that and you can ask away." He smirked.

"He's...He's my Best friend," Danica said smiling like a fool. "Now I've answered that, question time! Which do you prefer Coke or Pepsi?"

"Coke."

"Why are you a teacher, when you're obviously a healthy young guy with many things going for you?"

This question had Mason eyebrow raised, he had spun around trapping her in between him and the work top, "are you one of those things going for me?" He looked her directly in the eye, however she avoided looking straight into them knowing she'd be done for if she were to.

"Answer my question, I asked first," she said sticking her tongue out childishly.

"It was a stepping stone at first then I needed a job to provide for myself and pay the rent and what not so I ended up where I am today."

"Do you regret it?" She asked looking him in the eye.

Mason had the hint this question had a double meaning and what he said was going to have an impact whether big or small, it still was going to have an impact. Mason leaned into her, so that their noses touched. "Not one bit," he told truthfully. "Now it’s my turn to ask a question. Would you go to the fireworks display that'll be held on the fifth of November, on bonfire night? It's being held in the city centre, would you like to go?"

Danica froze she had just been asked out, all thoughts astray. "You're my teacher," she stated.

"Doesn't matter," Mason whispered leaning in closing the space between the two. "I'm also your mate too."

Danica nodded, closing the space even further, now only a gesture away from their lips touching. Her voice barely audible, "ye-,"Mason cut her off crushing his lips against hers, but Danica pulled back. He cupped her face in his hands, "it's okay to feel like this, it's okay to do this," he assured her gently pressing his lips against hers this time without hesitation Danica responded, dropping the drying cloth on the ground and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Step away from my daughter!" A deep angry voice ordered, forcing Mason to rip away from Danica causing her to flush red. The force of his wolf sent a shudder through them, if her were a lesser wolf he wouldve cowered but the power radiation off his new Alpha was enough to knock him down a notch.

Danica frozen in place along with Mason, like a deer caught in the headlights. The two stood starring at Alpha who had just caught them, and was furious. Danica had turned scarlet red, embarrassed her dad had caught her, she would've much preferred Chris or her mum than the Alpha himself.

"My office NOW," He growled turning red with furry. "Christopher! Christine!" He growl aloud and using the pack link. He marched behind the two, towards his office. Inside his office Christine and Christopher were already present with Avery at his side; Chris locked the doors as the Alpha slid a selection of books on the bookshelf to the right hand side, which made a loud click followed by the bookcase swerving backward opening ajar.

Their Mum led the way, followed by the two; Mason and Danica with Chris and Ave and the Alpha right behind them. Christine leading the way walked down a stone walled corridor every now and then they passed a refurbished new looking heavy oak doors, Christine stopped when they had reached the end of the corridor where there was a door same as the others.

They had made way as the Alpha approached with a key in hand and opened the door, to reveal a conference room made for wolfs, "this room is enchanted which disables any wolf from shifting." The Alpha stated. "Tempers flare as the discussion get heated, especially with Alpha's, they all come with their own package of ego, so this is the easiest way to keep us tamed." The door automatically shut behind them, as the last person entered the room. The Alpha took his seat at the head of the table. "Anyone one care to tell me what's going on?" He asked as his anger rose. "Since none of you seem surprised from this finding."

"Danica's my mate." Mason stated seeing no one was about to speak up.

"Is that so?" The Alpha raised an eyebrow, questioning the two as he eyed their intertwined hands, Danica hadn't notice when Mason slipped his hand in her though she wasn't complaining as she loved them way they felt they way they fitted within each other as two pieces of jigsaws fitting together.

"Dad," Danica began only to be cut off by him.

"Christopher?" He turned to his son for an explanation.

"I've known for a while, it was quiet obvious after a while when you started to see his reaction to everything Danica did, or whenever something that happened, such as the incident where Lucy shifted."

The Alpha raised an eyebrow at him, questioningly. "Excuse me?"

Chris let out a nervous chuckle as he realised that he had spilled a little secret that he hadn't informed the Alpha on. "I blame myself for that, as I should've seen it coming as I knew their history." He said trying to defend himself. "However, that is not the point, it's them." He pointed towards Mason and Danica.

Mason spoke seeing the best he could do was getting his self out of trouble and get the Alpha's blessing but most importantly the blessing of Danica's father. "Alpha Anderson, I know I should have told you about it earlier but I was uncertain for a while as Danica herself hadn't showed any reaction whatsoever, which had me confused and doubting my judgement on whether she is my mate or not. Now that we have overcome that, and know the truth which is that she is, I would like to take her out on the fifth of November, I would like to get to know her. Here I stand today in front of you, the alpha and her father asking for your blessing and permission as well as everyone present here." He said turning so he could look everyone in the eye. The room went eerily silent as Mason finished leaving everyone speechless.

Danica stood wide eye mouth hanging open as that wasn't what she had expected from him, it was old fashioned and traditional but yet it somehow suited him. Catching her eye Mason winked at her, causing her to blush.