The Last King's Wolf

So Obvious

Ellie

Today started out normal. I had breakfast with Harper and Nate today at their house then work. It’s Friday and Nate informed me Burton and Kincaid will be away all weekend allegedly. It must be true as everyone was linked this morning to be mindful of the visiting Alpha and Beta group that will still be on pack territory. In other words, behave or else you’ll be punished.

Lydia links me as I’m leaving the preschool. “Hey, do you want to meet for a picnic at the rec park? Harper and Ashley can come too. Be there around one. Assholes are already gone so we can be free...”

“Sounds good to me. Want me to bring anything?”

“Extra blanket or two.”

“Got it.”

I walk home and grab four blankets and the brownies I made then walk over to the rec park. It’s the closest park to my house, which is probably why Lydia picked it.

I set up in between the sand volleyball court and the old soccer field. As I sit down and start reading my book, I hear lots of voices and peek up from my lashes to see an unknown group of males climbing out of an SUV with a volleyball. Must be the visiting Alpha groups.

About the time they make it to the sand, Lydia has joined me.

“Others are running late.” She sets a big cooler down and sits to my left. “It looks like you picked a good spot.” She winks, making me shake my head.

“I was here first.” I tell her with a small smile.

A few minutes later, I glance up, and they’ve started to play. All are shirtless and I blink twice. Lydia quietly states the obvious, “Damn! I’d pay for tickets to a show like this.” I laugh quietly hearing Harper and Ashley laugh too as they sit down.

Harper links, “What would you call it?”

Lydia: “Hot Alpha group days of summer.”

Ashley: “What would you name it, Ellie? You have the best descriptive phrases?”

“Perfection on Display.” I utter out loud with no hesitation then slap my hand over my mouth. They all laugh and Lydia loses it completely in a fit of giggles as I turn pink.

“I definitely agree babe. Pure perfection.” She grins at me and I go back to reading totally embarrassed now.

Harper sighs. “This is like window shopping, only better.”

Ashley: “Let’s go finish unloading. Ellie start unpacking that cooler.”

They all jump up walking away and I hear a shout of “look out” right before I see a large head of dark brown hair land face first next to me. He’d managed to hit the volleyball back into play first. He looks up and smiles widely showing off his nice tan against those white teeth. His hair is just long enough on top that a lock of it grazes his eyebrow having fallen forward. The sides are short. His eyes are a beautiful bright blue and they are twinkling in laughter right now.

“Hi there! Hope I didn’t scare you.”

I smile back before I can help it. He’s the most handsome guy I’ve ever seen this close. “You didn’t. Are you ok?”

“Can’t complain. I’m Riley.”

“Ellie.”

He bites his lip standing up. “Nice to meet you, Ellie. I should go finish kicking their asses.” With a quick smile, he’s gone.

The others come back, and they openly watch the game while I mostly read. I notice a blonde one who is about six foot two and very muscular keeps sneaking glances at Lydia. When the ball hits our blanket near her I see him come jogging over to retrieve it.

I shake my head smiling as he introduces himself to her “Hi, sorry about the ball. I’m Theo.”

“Hi, Theo. I’m Lydia.”

He grins. “Nice to meet you, Lydia.” He runs back, rejoining the game.

When the same thing happens to Ashley and an Alpha named Landon shows up, I start shaking with silent laughter. The ball lands by Harper and the guy that comes over is a blonde haired blue eyed Gamma named Beau. I would have pegged him as a Beta. He resembles Theo a lot, I notice. Harper asks Lydia and Ashley to come see something in her car.

While they are gone, Beau’s about to run off as I say quietly from my corner. “umm, Gamma Beau, does your group like brownies?”

He turns looking puzzled. “Yeah, of course.”

“Why don’t all of you just come join us for brownies and tea in a minute? It would be easier than to keep losing the ball so strategically.” I tell him quietly with a wry smile.

He looks chagrined for a second but then laughs. “You’re sharp. We will. Thanks!”

I nod and pull out the container of three brownie pans I had made yesterday. Good thing I made so many, I think.

“Hey Ashley, start pouring out sweet tea. You’ll need ten cups of it.” She looks puzzled for a minute, then realizes what I mean. I nod with a smirk as she laughs.

“Did you invite them, Ellie?”

“Was less painful than watching them trying to get all of your attention. And I really didn’t want to get smacked with the volleyball eventually.” I say dryly and Harper has the grace to blush a little.

“Maybe one of them wants your attention.” Harper adds hopefully.

I shake my head. “Doubtful.” There is no malice or sadness in my tone. Just acceptance, and Lydia squeezes my hand quickly.

I look over and see them all lost in thought. Probably linking each other is my guess. I shake my head and grab my book to finish the last page of the chapter I’m on. I hear their footsteps as I place my bookmark and set my book aside. I open the huge plastic container and slide it to Lydia with a handful of plates.

She looks inside. “Wow Ell, why did you make so many?”

“I have cocoa powder to use up. A hundred pounds specifically.” I dryly answer her. I forgot to send her the picture of the bag last night.

Her eyes widen as her lips press together. “Seriously?! That much, huh? Three lovely days Ellie.” I don’t get the chance to answer her as I see a looming set of shadows.

“Hi, ladies!” One deep voice says. I can tell he’s an Alpha from his aura. The radiation of power in front of us is almost mind boggling. I should be afraid of it. Alpha Burton’s aura is always painful. But something about this wall of absolute power is comforting. I don’t understand how.

“I’m Landon. We’ll introduce ourselves first and then maybe you can do the same.” His voice is very calm and relaxed.

As they each introduce themselves, I try to find something about each so I can keep up with their names. I watch mostly from under my lashes. When it’s our turn, I almost forget I’m supposed to talk until Lydia nudges me.

“Hi, I’m Ellie.” I say quietly. They spread out and sit down. I was right about one thing as I see who sits near who. Once they all start talking, I pull my book out again. I start reading until I see three pairs of feet sitting across from me. My eyes look upward and I catch the three of them looking at me curiously. One is Riley, the other two I think I remember their names. I can feel another strong Beta aura, and another Gamma one I guess though I am not terribly familiar with that as we have never had one.

“Hi.” I say quietly, and they all smile a little.

“Hi, Ellie.” Riley says. “That’s Brody, and this is Walker.” I nod in greeting to them.

Walker has hazel eyes and black hair. He nods toward my book, “What are you reading?”

“It’s a mystery about a missing diamond necklace and a prince who has to find it to claim his heritage.”

I see Walker’s lips twitch, “You like stories about princes?” Riley shoots him a glare that I don’t understand and Brody chuckles.

I shrug my shoulders. “I like mysteries, and this one was available. It’s interesting so far.”

Walker: “I love to read but more history, science fiction, and true mysteries and legends.”

“I like true mysteries and legends too, but I’ve read all that our pack library has. I like to read about places to travel and history.”

Riley: “Have you ever read the history of the Cursed Emerald Pack?”

I shake my head, “No, never heard of it.”

He smiles, “You should read it. It’s a mystery and true history. Look for the book by a Gamma named Tom Hixon.”

“I’ll have to see if the library has it here.” I frown.

Walker chimes in, “You may have to order that one. Most libraries carry the dry as dust historical listing, not his version.”

I nod noncommittally. I can’t order anything. Kincaid would just shred it when it arrives. Any mail or packages we order go to him first and destruction is his hobby.

Lydia breaks me out of my thoughts when she says, “Hey, what if we all meet at Ashley’s game room tomorrow? It’s supposed to rain all day.” She stares at me at that. “But it won’t start until around 10. We could meet and hang out all day. Her mom is going to deliver two other packs but said she can leave stuff for us to cook.”

I nod. I will need to walk there before the rain or get changed once I get there. I hear Alpha Landon say, “Thanks for inviting us. We’d love to come.”

“Ellie, what do you do here in the pack?” Brody asks me.

“I teach at the preschool. We have the three-year-olds and I am the part time teacher there.”

“That must be very busy.” He replies.

“It is, don’t have a lot of time to sit around.” I say quietly.

I hear the others pull them into the conversation about tomorrow, and I sit back and listen. They ask me a few more things but I try to just stay out of it. About an hour later everyone decides to disperse for their dinner plans. I will have dinner with Lydia and her parents tonight.