eyes, signaling I was watching him. “Think I can do that again?” I knew I was messing with fire when I saw the question light something in his gaze, but I didn’t care. I loved playing with the pack.
“Prepare yourself then, and don’t go complaining to the Alpha when you break a nail.” He grinned wickedly, knowing his piggish comment would raise my ire.
“You are such a jerk sometimes, Daniel. Did I ever tell you that?” I watched him listen for the next play, and he got ready. His attention never left my face, and he mouthed the words
Even though I could see him coming, nothing prepared me for the smoothness of motion as the ball hiked back, and he raced forward to stop me. It was move or be crushed by a hulking werewolf, and a squeal erupted from me. I scrambled, barely able to twist from his outstretched grasp, and seeing I was in the clear, I focused on Mason. He was looking for an opening-a receiver to throw the ball to, and he swung his arm back to aim.
“Penalty!” I screamed.
The game came to a grinding halt, and everyone turned to look at me. Mason tilted his head, looking to see what had gone wrong, confusion blazing on his face. I didn’t blame him as I was clearly standing alone, the closest player to me being Eric, and he wasn’t within arm’s reach.
“Why’d you call a foul, Darcy? What did you see?” Jonas wandered over, ready to help.
“I want to call an illegal face mask against the quarterback.” I tried to look as serious as possible, my hands resting on my hips. “That’s a fifty yard penalty, right? Move them back.”
“Darcy?” Eric shouted out. “You’re not even wearing a helmet!”
The pack erupted into laughter, and Mason looked like he didn’t know whether he wanted to chuckle or throttle me. He knew exactly what I’d done and why-if the throw had connected, they would’ve scored a touchdown.
“Oh, my bad.” I shrugged my shoulders, trying to appear sheepish. “I guess we can keep going then.” I returned back to my position, and hunkered down.
“I’m calling a penalty then.” Mason broke away from his team members, heading straight for me. “Against Darcy… for wrongful interference.” The twinkle in his eye gave him away. He felt like being playful too.
“I didn’t interfere. It was an honest mistake, how was I to know?” I answered, twirling my finger around in my ponytail. “You wouldn’t hold that against me, would you?” I bat my eyelashes, causing his step to falter slightly. “Besides, how do I know there’s even a call like that? You could be making it up.”
“I’m the Alpha, what I say is law. I declare you interfered in my play and need to be punished.”
Pack members stepped away, and gathered closely so they could get a clear view of what would happen next. Mason and I were an affectionate couple, but our small disputes were also legendary. This could go either way, and Daniel let out a howl of encouragement in the background.
“You teach her, Mason. Pesky female needs to experience the firm hand of her Alpha.”
I raised my eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest in defiance. “You wouldn’t?”
“What? Spank you for breaking the rules of the game? Oh, you know I would.” There was a look of hungry intent in his eyes now, and it caused my stomach to flutter. I didn’t think there was ever a time I looked at him, and didn’t get a wild case of the butterflies.
“You wouldn’t do it front of everyone.”
He wasn’t backing down, and he reached for the bottom of his t-shirt before pulling it off over his head. His body was tight, muscular, and a complete distraction. Everything glistened with sweat, his torso bunched into hard planes and contours, and all I wanted to do was touch it.
He wasn’t playing fair.
My brain started to rapidly fire responses. I could taunt him some more and see whether he’d follow through. Or I could play the dutiful werewolf and apologize, promising to be a good girl. Judging from the heat flaring in my own body, we’d be walking a fine line. Having to stay pure until the mating ritual was a challenge in itself, the chemistry between us combustible at times.
“I’m sorry, Mason. Please forgive me.” To add proof to my moment of submission, I bowed. “I won’t interfere like that again. Promise.” I tried to hide the devious smile by bending lower.
“Come on, let’s get back to the game,” someone in the back yelled.
I looked up at Mason questioningly.
“Your word you’ll just play-no goofiness?” He held my gaze.
“I pinky promise.” I crooked my little finger at him, wiggling it in invitation as I raised myself to an upright position.
He grabbed my face, crushing his mouth to mine, before releasing me just as quickly. “You make me crazy,” he moaned, licking his lips. He turned around and headed to his position.
“Hey, put your shirt back on!” I bent over to pick it up, and tossed the clothing in his direction. “How’s a girl to be good if you’re distracting her?”
“Figure it out, Darcy. The shirt stays off.” He flexed his muscles, hardening his abs before winking cheekily.
“If you’re both done with the public display of grossness, let’s go,” Daniel growled impatiently, and I offered a not very nice gesture to him.
“You’re such a lady.” He scoffed, but he also nodded. He didn’t have to say anything. He loved watching his best friend happy, and I smiled in return.
“Ready to go down?”
“Bring it,” he replied.
I tried to play seriously, losing myself in the joy of being with my family. We were such a close pack, very different from the one I grew up in. Mason had worked hard to build relationships of trust with each member, letting them know they were loved and welcomed. He was an amazing Alpha, and I thanked my lucky stars each day we were to be mated. The transition from my parents pack to this one had been effortless, easing a worry I hadn’t known I’d been carrying. I was completely happy, and everything was perfect.
As the afternoon continued, I became bored with being obedient. Jasmine was too, judging from the feigned yawns and looks of annoyance she would flash me. Between the two of us, I was definitely the instigator, and with a final plea, I nodded to her. A wide smile broke across her face, and a renewed burst of energy coursed through her movement. It was time to stir things up, and test Mason’s threat of punishment.
My team held possession of the ball, and was in the process of pushing it down the field. The scores were tied, both sides proving their prowess. From the smells in the air, the food had begun to be prepared, so it was crunch time. One of us had to score and steal the game-the perfect opportunity to put my final stunt into action.
The quarterback encircled his arms around the ball, deciding to be the one to run it in, and I watched as bodies came in painful contact with others as they blocked and tackled. There wasn’t much room for error, and I gasped in excitement as I watched a space open up.
Moving through it with lightning speed, I mentally urged him forward, beginning to move as well. Mason was there, ready to defend, and everything about his body language told me he would stop the advance. I had to act fast, and make my distraction count. Screaming wouldn’t help anymore, but something told me what I contained in my pocket would.
Digging my hand in, wrapping my fingers around the object, I sprinted after the quarterback and threw it with everything I had. I raised my fingers to my mouth, letting out a loud whistle. “There’s a flag on the play!”
All movement ceased. We never used penalty markers, so I knew this would confuse them. Both teams started scouring the ground, looking for the piece of material.
There is was. A skimpy piece of lace-my thong to be exact, and Mason’s nostrils flared. Others came in for a closer look, and began chuckling loudly, cat calling in appreciation.
I giggled, shrugging my shoulders at Mason as if to say, “Oops.” I watched his gaze travel up and down my body. I knew what he was thinking, and I added a slight sway to my hips.
No words left his lips, his burning stare speaking volumes. He charged towards me, throwing me over his shoulder like a fireman, and brought his hand down in a hard, brusque slap on my bottom. Cheers erupted on the field, Jasmine being the loudest.
I tried to break free, but his grip on me was tight. I kicked my legs, finding little leeway as he held them down with his powerful arm. I beat on his back with my fists, and it only caused him to spank again.
“Enough. I was serious, Darcy. Time for your punishment.” The ground began to move, and I tilted my head up, trying to figure out where he was taking me. The pack was still standing there, smiling widely over the spectacle. I
