Author's Note (Monster): Hello, our lovelies! I know I always end up saying "next update won't take as long anymore" but this time I MEAN IT, I've written chapter 10 and I've planned out the entire story until the end. If things go right, this story will end at chapter 20. I wrote chapter 9 (this one) and chapter 10 today, might do 11 tomorrow but I'm very motivated to finish this story now that I FINALLY know where I'm going with it. Replies to the reviews below, enjoy!


Previously on Savage;

Johnny was dreading Danny's response to his misuse of power. Danny was afraid Johnny would pity him for what happened, but is surprised by the peculiar Alpha once more. They return to the mountain house after having a drink together.

Danny's POV

"I must admit our story so far sounds crazy", I thought aloud. I found it pleasant that Johnny held my hand. Not because the older man wanted to claim me as his property, but because he wanted the negative attention to stop. He wanted to lift the pressure off me and I could only appreciate that.

Johnny hummed in response. "In my defence, I did not tell them to kidnap you. I asked them to bring you to me, even if you wouldn't be very eager to. The threats were all Charlie's idea."

"Because he didn't know why you wanted me present", I shook my head. "I still feel like I have no idea why you picked me out of all Omegas you could have as your mate."

"Not very confident, are you?" Johnny asked in return but I clicked my tongue. "You can't answer a question with a question."

"You technically didn't even ask a question", Johnny replied. There was a pause in which I kept trying to come up with a good comeback to that, but it never came. I lifted my gaze when he sighed. I didn't dare ask what bothered him, but I didn't have to. Before we knew it, we were at the mountain house.

He invited me in. I could leave anytime I wanted and yet I stayed. What would I do at home anyway? It had been ages since I'd had proper social interactions and truth be told, I'd missed being treated with such respect – other than by my parents or brothers of course.

I didn't decline Johnny's offer to have lunch with them. I believe it was the first time I ever saw him do anything mundane; eat. Da Kurlzz had prepared us something delicious, although I had no idea what it was. It looked fancy and expensive. Funny leaned over the table. "I heard you went on a date."

"Yeah", I grinned.

"Did it have a happy ending?"

Charlie elbowed Funny while chewing a mouthful, swallowed and grumbled; "Don't be rude."

"Not that type of happy ending, you dick", Funny elbowed him back twice as hard. I rolled my eyes. "What happens between him and I, is none of your business."

"So something did happen?" J-Dog chimed in, leaning in to join in on the whispers. Da Kurlzz hummed to draw their attention. "It's rude to exclude others at the table."

"Then come gossip about their date", J-Dog hissed back at him.

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "I am sitting right here, guys."

The Betas pulled away from the hushed conversation, eyes pointed at Johnny. It was almost comical how in sync they responded to Johnny's voice.

"Sorry, boss, we're just curious", Charlie shrugged. "I mean, you've never spoken of a potential mate before."

"Oh yes, he has", J-Dog objected. "You just don't listen, dude."

Charlie waved off the other. "Shut up, your mom doesn't listen."

"Easy, guys. I've never had a potential mate before until Danny", Johnny hushed his friends. "But I'm not going to share any of the details with you nosy people."

"Come on", Funny responded. "Not one? Was there a spark? No kiss? No love at first date?"

I scrunched my nose. "Too soon for any physical affection. I haven't even known him for a week yet!"

"Some people put out on a first date, Danny, don't be so judgmental", Charlie teased, kicking the Omega under the table. I yelped and kicked him back but Funny was the one to give a pained groan. "Dude, that was MY leg!"

"Sorry, I was aiming for your mate's."

"Let me handle that", Funny said, kicking Charlie.

"God, you guys are children!" Da Kurlzz exclaimed. "Kicking under the table? What's next? Chewing with your mouth open? Launching peas on a spoon?"

"If we were having peas, definitely", Funny grinned. "We could totally hold a contest for pea launching."

"I'd win first place", J-Dog bragged.

I shrugged. "I chuck stuff at rodents back in my apartment, I automatically win this shit."

"Hell no, I'd be the goddamn champion if it were a contest", Da Kurlzz now objected.

"I'd beat all of your asses", Johnny jumped in, making them all laugh. It was refreshing to see Johnny in this different setting. Now he wasn't the boss, he wasn't the one in charge commanding them to do several tasks as a pack leader. Now he was their friend, joining in on the fun and all the stupidity a group of friends could have. I liked this playful side of him. I liked that amused smile on his face. There was no romantic connection with him – yet? Who knows – but so far, I liked everything I kept learning about him. What he had done to find out what upset me, wasn't even considered to be a red flag. A man who shows such remorse over something that didn't even seem like a big deal to me, can't possibly be one of those greedy assholes.

After lunch, Johnny gathered the dishes and brought them to the kitchen with Da Kurlzz. Charlie and Funny were on dish duty so I was left alone with J-Dog to wipe the table. "You guys sure all have your roles, huh?"

J-Dog nodded. "When I'm off duty, I like to help out too."

"Why do you stay with the pack when you have a proper job of your own?" I wondered.

J-Dog shrugged. "My roots run deep. I can't just leave them behind now that I'm doing far better than when I joined the pack. I love spending time with these guys."

"That's sweet."

"Too sweet. My teeth are rotting, Jay", Charlie poked with a laugh when he came out of the kitchen. J-Dog snorted. "I wasn't referring to you, asshole."

"Too late, you admitted you love us."

Johnny walked out of the kitchen and I looked up. Our eyes met and he beckoned me to follow. He walked to the garden behind his house, hedges pulling up from the ground. It was almost like a rose garden with the amount of flowering bushes. "I love your garden", I mentioned, speeding up to walk next to Johnny. He hummed in response. "It would be all yours if you want it to be."

I didn't respond. Instead I looked at the birds flying past, their nests made in the bushes and trees of the rich garden. There was plenty of wildlife here, despite the groomed look of the place. Johnny followed my gaze with a smile. "I filled my home with all things I love. All I'm missing, is someone to love."

"So you admit", I turned to him.

He cocked his head, a puppy-like innocence in his eyes.

"You admit you're looking for love. This isn't a business deal that strictly benefits us both", I stated.

Johnny took it in for a moment, he slowly strolled through the garden and I followed by his side. "I've always been looking for love but my job requires me to find a mate immediately. Love does not come immediately. I believe we could grow to find love in one another."

I nodded. It seemed like he had something else on his mind as well. Almost like he had given a different reply than the one he had wanted to give. We stopped, probably somewhere in the middle of the garden. If it had been filled with flowers before, now it was packed with them. It smelled pleasant. I almost couldn't smell the Alpha scent through them. "I liked seeing your domestic side with your friends."

"You did?"

"Yes. They always say you don't know a man until you've seen him around his best friends", I said.

"There's a very wise truth in that", Johnny smiled. "But I'm glad you liked our time together so far. I thought the experience of 'being kidnapped' would've given us a negative start."

"I have nothing but positive things to think about when it comes to you", I admitted, feeling slightly shy that I had dared to say that to him. Johnny faced me and took my hands into his own. He did it slow enough to offer me the opportunity to snatch them away, but I didn't. I looked at him, only now noticing how intense the colour of his eyes was. "I do hope you'll decide to become my mate, Danny."

"Let me offer you a deal then", I proposed. The colour of his eyes now reflected something curious, like he wanted to know more about how I functioned, what I was thinking. It was a nice feeling. "If I fall in love with you, I'll become your mate."

Johnny took a deep breath. "Not an easy deal, but a fair one. I'll take it."


Please Review, they're our heavy fuel!

Skeptical: I remember reading your review and thinking "It's not gonna take THAT long" but here we are, once more over a year later. I'm not doing it on purpose, I swear. I have a writing plan now and the next chapter has already been written so it's NOT gonna take that long again.

Aggression: I never stopped it, just leading the life of a student with too many active stories and a blank mind when I do have time to write. But I have a 20 chapter plan now and I'm very motivated to keep it going c: