~Dakota~

"Mark me? That's the only way for your father to leave us remotely alone?" Jax sighed as we made our way upstairs to my bathroom to clean him up.

"Yes. And where we're mates and it would have to happen anyway, I didn't think it would have to be this soon." Jax groaned as he took off his shirt when I closed the bathroom door. My breath hitched at his beauty, but also at his injuries. He was terribly bruised, but I could tell he was healing quickly. I sighed as I grabbed a washcloth and ran it under warm water before ringing it out. I turned to Jax and looked at his face first. I saw he was covered in dirt, and he had a few cuts on his face as if claws had stricken his face. I sighed and moved him over to sit on the toilet. I lightly dabbed the washcloth on his face, afraid that I would hurt him. Jax stared at me as I helped clean his face and body. After I was satisfied with his face, I moved to his chest. I rubbed on spots where there was dirt, not being afraid to apply more pressure on areas where he was cut. I looked into Jax's eyes, and they were glowing yellow. I gave him a small smile and he growled lowly, looking appreciative and filled with pleasure. I blushed and continued to clean him in silence. After I was done I spoke up.

"Jax, can you turn around so I can get your back?" Jax didn't move and I grew confused.

'Hey butter, is he okay?'

'Hey, Ryder is in control. If you want to clean his back, you have to use his wolf's name.'

'Oh, thank you. I didn't know that.'

'You're welcome!' With that, I blocked Butter out and I cleared my throat. Ryder looked up at me and tilted his head slightly. I giggled for a quick moment.

"Ryder, can you please turn around so I can clean your back?" Ryder growled in satisfaction. He stood slowly and gave a small smile. He then turned around and sat facing the toilet seat. I smiled again and started rubbing his back after I had rinsed off the washcloth. Ryder gave a hum of satisfaction and I tried hard not to giggle. He was just as cute as Jax.

"What are you thinking about, Dakota?" I gasped as I heard Ryder talk. His voice was much deeper, and it was pretty sexy. I shivered at the thought and cleared my throat.

"How adorable you are," I mumbled, but I knew he was able to hear me. Ryder stood up and turned around. I was a little startled by his sudden movement but started laughing when he picked me up in a hug. I wrapped my legs around him and threw the washcloth in the sink. Ryder growled and pulled me flush against him. I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder. I heard and felt Ryder purring, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"What is so funny?" I pulled away from him and the look in his eye was practically daring me to answer his question.

"You were purring," Ryder walked into my room and threw me on the bed. I squealed as I bounced on my bed a few times before he joined me. He growled his deep and sexy growl once more before he put his head in the crook of my neck. I shivered from the pleasurable tingles I got and sighed as I hugged him. Ryder started to purr again, kissing my cheek every once in a while. I glanced out the window as I saw a bird land on my windowsill. I smiled and tried to get a better look at it, but Ryder had pushed me down on the bed. I laughed and kept trying to get up, but he kept pushing me back down. I groaned in annoyance and hissed at him. Ryder looked at me and growled.

"Did you just hiss at me?" Ryder was now on top of me and the aura he was letting off was telling me that he was the dominant one. I gasped and shivered as I felt his breath down my neck.

"Maybe I did. What are you going to do about it?" Ryder growled once again and pinned my arms and legs to the bed. I felt my eyes go wide and I heard him chuckle.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll mark you." I saw him lean his head down to my neck and run his canines against my skin. I gasped and let my breath out shakily. He knew the effect he was having on me and I growled myself. He isn't getting away with that. I quickly flip us over so I'm on top and I lightly brush my lips against his. I heard his growl of approval before I heard a playful growl. I had gotten up and ran to the door, and I could tell he saw the mischief in my eyes. He chuckled and stood.

"Oh, you want to play games, huh? You better give me a good chase." I squeaked as I ran down the stairs away from Ryder. I was laughing the whole time and almost ran into Layla as I rounded around the corner.

"Jesus, Dakota! What's going on with you? Oh, nevermind." Layla quickly stopped talking as she saw Ryder chase after me. I laughed and ran past the pack members that were coming by for lunch. They laughed as well, seeing their Alpha and Luna playing together. I squeaked as he almost grabbed me, but I had made a sharp turn at the right time. Ryder growled and I giggled. I could see the love and some lust in his eyes. It made me shiver for a split second before I shifted into my cat. Ryder growled and shifted into his wolf. He approached me with a low growl, telling me to submit. I gave him a playful roar as I ran into the forest. Ryder ran after me with a howl. I was enjoying the chase I was giving him. I ran all through the forest with him right on my tail. I felt him playfully nip my tail and whenever he did I would make sharp turns, making him slip and run into trees or bushes, slowing him down in the process. I would always laugh in my mind, and Butter was always enjoying playing with her mate.

'Mind if I take over? I would like to play with him as well.' I smiled.

'Sure, knock yourself out.' That was all it took for her to take control and stop suddenly. Both her and Ryder were panting, and Ryder could tell Butter was in charge. Ryder growled, as if in approval. Butter sat down and started cleaning her paws. Ryder growled as he stepped closer and looked us in the eyes. I could feel us giving him a mischievous, lustful stare. Ryder sat in front of us and leaned his head toward my neck. He growled low and nipped us. I gasped and shivered as Butter just purred in satisfaction. Butter started to lick Ryder's head, and he purred lowly and ended up laying down on his stomach, allowing us to continue to clean him. Butter continued to clean his face for a few minutes before we became thirsty and turned around to drink from the lake. Apparently, we wound up at the lake from all of our sharp turns. Butter lapped at the water and Ryder soon joined us. When we were satisfied, Butter and I noticed that Ryder gave Jax control back. I felt Butter retreat, and I quietly thanked her. I stared into Jax's eyes and I saw love in them once again. I purred and rubbed myself up against him. He purred as well and we slowly walked back to the house. When we got there, it was practically almost dinner. I chuckled to myself, not knowing that Jax and I had been messing around for that long. When we got to the house, Layla gave me one of my summer dresses to wear, and Sean gave Jax some of his shorts to wear. We both shifted behind trees, and I made sure Jax got a quick glance at my backside. I heard his lustful growl and I giggled. I quickly hid and finished putting my dress on. When I was straightening it out, Jax was already behind me, allowing me to feel his friend join us. I gasped and gripped his arms. He growled lowly and nipped my ear lobe. I tried my hardest to keep my moan back. Jax chuckled and pulled me flush against his chest.

"You shouldn't have tried to tease me like that. I don't know if I can control myself." Jax purred into my ear and I shivered once again. Jax relished in the fact that he had this effect on me. I turned around in Jax's hold and ran my fingers through his hair. He sighed and groaned when I tugged lightly. I kissed him softly and I could feel my heart soar. We pulled away and he placed his head in the crook of my neck. I continued to play with his hair before we walked hand in hand into the house. We went upstairs to my room and we took turns taking quick showers and getting changed. We laid in bed and just stared at one another. Jax was the first to break the silence.

"Ryder wants you to know he enjoyed his time with you." I smiled and let out a small chuckle.

"Well, I enjoyed my time with him." I snuggled up with Jax and we stayed that way until dinner. We ate, then came back up and gave one another light kisses before I started to fall asleep.

"Dakota? Can I ask you something?" I hummed in response and waited.

"Would you like to move in with me?" I gave him a startled look.

"Don't you live with your father?" Jax shook his head.

"No, I moved out. I have my own place. It's on our land, but it's a different building." I nodded my head and sighed.

"Can I think about it, baby?" Jax smiled and kissed me softly.

"Of course. Take your time. Goodnight, darling." I smiled and got comfortable on Jax's chest.

"Goodnight, baby."