CHAPTER 69: DARE

Hailee’s POV

I swallowed hard.

Dane’s words lingered in the air between us, heavy and electrified.

"Let me kiss you."

For a second, I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. My heart was beating so fast I thought it might leap out of my chest. Every nerve in my body lit up, aware of how close he was, how close his lips were.

But I didn’t even hesitate.

"...Okay," I whispered.

The moment the word left my lips, Dane closed the distance. His hand came up to cradle the side of my face—then kissed me.

And gods...

It was nothing like I expected.

Nothing like Nathan’s kiss. Nathan’s was fierce, desperate, like he needed me to breathe.

Nothing like Callum’s. His had been possessive, claiming with hunger.

But Dane’s?

His was slow heat. Passionate and intoxicating.

His lips moved against mine like he had all the time in the world, coaxing rather than taking. I melted into it, into him, my hands clutching the blanket beneath me as I leaned forward without realizing it. His other hand slid to the small of my back, pulling me just a little closer. Not enough to overwhelm—just enough to make my boobs press against his bare chest.

I responded before I could even think about it. My lips parted for him, deepening the kiss, letting him in.

A soft sound escaped my lips.

The kiss grew hungrier, but never lost that tenderness. Like he wanted me—but also wanted to savor me.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless and flushed, my eyes fluttered open to find his staring right back at me.

"Wow," I breathed.

Dane gave a crooked grin, his forehead lightly resting against mine. "Yeah... wow."

I laughed softly, still trying to catch my breath. "That was..."

"Hot?" he offered, his lips brushing mine again.

"Yeah," I murmured, dazed. "Really hot."

But then came the strangest part—I couldn’t pick the best kisser from the three boys...

We sat there, the heat of that kiss still lingering on my lips. I could barely focus, barely think straight. My lips still tingled from where his had pressed, and I was half-tempted to lean in again... but instead, I forced myself to clear my throat and look away.

"Okay," I said, trying to calm my racing heart, "your turn again. Truth or dare?"

Dane’s eyes sparkled mischievously. "Dare."

I bit the inside of my cheek, grinning. "Alright then. Shift into your wolf."

That caught him off guard for a split second. His brows lifted, and then that signature smirk of his curled on his lips.

"You could’ve just said you wanted to see me naked," he drawled, his voice low and teasing.

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep my face from heating all over again. "Please. Don’t flatter yourself."

But that only made his grin widen.

"No shame in being curious," he added smoothly, reaching down to unbutton his jeans. "I mean, you already dared me to take my shirt off, then your top came off... feels only fair, doesn’t it?"

I looked away, biting back a laugh and trying not to stare—but I was staring, wasn’t I?

His fingers made quick work of the button and zipper, and then, with zero hesitation, he slid the jeans down his legs, revealing the black briefs underneath.

My breath caught.

The fabric clung to him—really clung to him—outlining the hard line of his dick. He reached down and casually cupped himself through the briefs, hiding the shaft between his legs as he looked right at me with a smug glint in his eye.

"You sure you can handle this, omega?" he teased, his voice almost a growl.

I tensed, my thighs pressing together instinctively as my cheeks flamed. "Just shift already, Dane."

He chuckled, clearly enjoying how flustered I’d become. With a shrug, he slipped off the last piece of clothing and stood there completely naked.

My eyes instinctively drifted to his shaft and I swallowed hard at the length and size of it before looking away.

Then, before I could even breathe, his body rippled.

Bones cracked. Muscles twisted. His human form shifted, shrinking and shifting before my eyes.

And suddenly, where Dane had been, a stunning silver wolf stood.

Large, regal, powerful.

His eyes—still that piercing, intense brown—locked with mine as he padded forward, steps silent over the blanket.

He was breathtaking.

I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. "Wow..."

The wolf gave a low, approving chuff, almost like he was smirking in wolf form.

Of course he was.

"Show-off," I muttered under my breath, but I couldn’t stop smiling.

The silver wolf circled the blanket once before settling in front of me. His tail swished lazily, his ears twitching at every little sound—but his eyes never left mine.

He held my gaze for a long beat, and then he moved again. His muscles tensed... and just like that, his body began to shift.

Bones cracked. Fur disappeared. And in mere seconds, he stood tall in front of me once more in his full, glorious, naked human form.

My breath caught.

Again.

His skin glistened with sweat, his muscles were sexy and powerful, his body broad and lean. His dick hung heavy between his legs, thick and long, just as impressive as it had been a moment ago.

He didn’t bother covering himself. Didn’t even reach for his clothes. He just looked at me—wild and unashamed—like this was the most natural thing in the world.

Gods, this boy had no shame.

"You have a beautiful wolf," I whispered, my voice breathless, shaky even.

A slow, cocky smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he lowered himself back down onto the blanket, completely unbothered by his nudity.

"Thanks," he said, his voice low and warm. "But you should see what he can do when someone’s not just watching."

I rolled my eyes, my cheeks burning. "You’re ridiculous."

He chuckled, then leaned back on his hands, casually. Still very naked.

"Truth or dare?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

I opened my mouth to say "Truth." That was the plan. Something safe. Something boring.

But the word that came out was—

"Dare."

Dane’s smirk widened. "Alright, little omega," he murmured, his voice like dark velvet. "Take off your bra."

My eyes widened. My heart leapt into my throat.

"You serious?" I choked out.

He didn’t even flinch. "You picked dare, sweetheart."

My stomach flipped. My whole body was hot now, and it had nothing to do with the warm night air.

I could say no. I should say no.

But something in his voice, in his eyes, in the way he looked at me like I was something precious and wild... all of it made me hesitate.

And then... slowly... I reached behind my back.