Chapter 30: Thirty.

Sammy and Alice headed back toward the office blocks, as quickly as Sammy could get her grandmother to move.

Alice didn't see the need to rush. It was a beautiful day for January, why not enjoy it?

But, it wasn't long before they heard shouting, and Sammy face palmed as she realised it was Tom's Irish accent she heard above everyone, calling out odds and taking bets.

Unfortunately for her, the bets he was taking were on the fight that had broken out between Daniel and a blonde man she didn't know, but presumed was likely her brother, because that would be just her luck.

"Remember now, you're an alpha too, wolf form or not, it's in your blood. So, go on then, let's see what you've got,"  Her Grandmother said pushing her forward into the fray.

There were a host of volunteers standing in a circle, wincing whenever Daniel got hit, but beaming with pride whenever he landed his own shots successfully. Thankfully the two men on the ground were in control enough to stifle their growling around Susan and Tom, who were stood at the office wall.

"Move." Sammy ordered from behind the pack members as she approached, hiding her shock when they actually listened to her.

The crowd parted like the red sea, and Sammy entered the makeshift ring.

She walked forward, till she was standing in front of both men, as they scrambled for hits on the ground.

"Get up." Sammy ordered.

Instantly both men paused, staring up at her.

"Now." She clarified, with a look that dared them to even try and argue with her.

Daniel and Sebastian warily untangled themselves, and stood sheepishly in front of her, both looking at their feet.

"Now, kindly tell me, what the hell you think you are doing?" She hissed at them, before staying their response with her hand, "The rest of you can leave," she demanded of their audience,"You are here to volunteer not witness the spectacle these two have been putting on."

The crowd very quickly dispersed, leaving only Sammy, her grandmother, and Tom and Susan, who were intent on seeing the finale.

"Well, I'm waiting for an explanation?" Sammy stated, standing with her arms crossed, and looking completely unimpressed.

"I..." Daniel began, as Sebastian rudely interrupted.

"This idiot claimed he would keep you from us!" Sebastian claimed angrily.

Sammy surveyed, the man who really did look like a masculine version of herself, now that he wasn't rolling around in the dirt. Considering they had different mothers, there was certainly a remarkable similarity between them.

"Daniel?" She asked calmly, turning to her mate, "Did you tell Sebastian, you wouldn't let me see the Grays?"

"No," he all but growled, "He claimed that once you got to know them, they would make sure I never saw you again. That they would show you how corrupting a mate bond could be, and he would make sure I never got the chance to hurt you. Which is rich coming from his family history. I simply told him that was never going to happen, that you're mine, and then he threw the first punch." Daniel countered, still annoyed at Sebastian's accusation.

Sammy nodded, an understanding dawning on her, before she addressed her mate again.

"Why are you here anyway, didn't Shane need you today?" She asked.

Daniel gulped, "You were sad this morning, I got worried and came to check on you."

"Okay." She nodded, turning around to head towards the office.

"Wait is that it?" Sebastian asked confused.

"What more do you expect?" Sammy challenged him, smirking when his gaze faltered, "You're both idiots, and I have work to do."

"Grams, it was lovely to meet you, if you're in town we should meet for dinner, say seven? There's a nice restaurant in the town square." Sammy stated, giving her smiling grandmother a hug.

"We will see you there, Sweetheart." Her grandmother answered proudly.

"Come on, Sebastian. I just can't leave you alone anywhere, can I?" She called out.

"Grams, I'm twenty-five years old, please stop talking to me like I'm a small child, or a pet," He sighed, rolling his eyes.

"Stop acting like one then," Alice snapped, "Really? Telling Sammy's mate he wouldn't see her again. What goes on in that head of yours I'll never know. Now, come on, we are guests in this territory remember, so try and behave." She was heard scolding him as they walked away.

Daniel smirked, at the telling off Sebastian was receiving, before it sunk in. Sammy had agreed to have dinner with them tonight. She couldn't do that alone, his wolf couldn't handle it.

He turned on his heel and ran off after her, finding her in a cupboard with different vials.

The sight made him shudder.

"Hey?" He asked cautiously.

"What's wrong, Daniel?" Sammy asked, without turning.

The question caused Daniel to smirk, she was getting better and better at reading him.

"Nothing," he lied all the same, "What are you up to?"

Sammy sighed, pulling what she was hunting for out the cupboard.

"I am preparing an anti-inflammatory,  Connor has a limp, well more so than usual, I think he's sprained something." Sammy answered, "Now, stop lying, you know I hate it."

"Sorry," Daniel answered, waiting until she had put the syringe down in a tray, before approaching her from behind. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, burying his nose into her neck to inhale. To his relief, she let him. She even spoke before he could explain further.

"Daniel, there is only one person in control of me spending time with you, and that's me. And unless you do something unthinkable and push me away, I don't see me changing my mind about us soon. So, please, do not antagonize my relations. They clearly have their own issues to work through, thanks to *that* man, and you do not need to exacerbate them," Sammy sighed out, completely content within her mate's hold.

"I am sorry, I just cant think straight when it comes to the possibility of losing you," he whispered, before he began kissing at her weak spot, right below her ear.

"That's cheating, Honey," she whispered back breathlessly, glad of his tight hold as her knees weakened.

"But, am I forgiven?" He asked between kisses.

"Hmmm" Sammy responded, her eyes drooping closed.

"Words, Sammy. I need to hear your words," he asked pressing hard against her from behind and trapping her between himself and the counter.

His hands were splayed against her stomach, searing a trail so hot on her skin she could swear her clothes weren't a barrier.

Then Sammy's eyes shot open, her clothes weren't a barrier, Daniel had undone the lower buttons on her shirt.

Sammy swallowed on a dry throat, preparing to answer, when suddenly in one movement, Daniel had spun her around and lifted her onto the countertop, positioning himself between her legs as his hands gripped her hips. He pulled her towards himself, eliminating as much space between them as he could.

"Well?" He asked, before nipping lightly on her neck, smiling as she jumped.

"That depends," Sammy finally forced out breathlessly, resenting how easily Daniel could manipulate her body.

"On what?" Daniel asked intrigued, conquering Sammy's mouth before she could answer.

Sammy's eyes rolled back in her head as she lost herself to the pleasure of Daniel's tongue on her own, biting his lip teasingly when he pulled away.

She was rewarded by a growl, as her eyes opened to stare into his green ones.

"On how well you behave at dinner, Honey." She smirked, regaining the upper hand.

With an unsteady hand she pushed him back, surveying him closely as she bit her lip.

"Now, I have a wolf in need of my help, Daniel," Sammy smirked, noting the fire in Daniel's eyes, as she slowly buttoned her shirt back up. "I'll see you after work."

She kissed him briefly as she grabbed her thick jacket, before taking her tray and heading out. Leaving Daniel stood, feeling like the most uncomfortable tripod in the country.