The Women Between

Chapter 4: Grumpy Kings

A plan was set in motion. The kings are to sit at the alpha’s table in front of the pack like they are now. Their eyes are to be on every woman of age that is unmated. The guards are threaded through the trees, and a few of them are patrolling the packhouse. It is to ensure that their mate is not hiding inside. There are men lingering around the vehicles under the pretense of security. And there is a backup set of guards not too far away that will ensure she goes nowhere but to the Alpha Kings.

But why does she not smell them?

Gregory felt like this was a fool-proof plan as he ticked off everything that they had done in his head. It is to calm his wolf while he needs the organization to help him through the next hour or so to search for his mate. Worry still plagues him, though. His brother and his aura would make her react badly. There is evidence that after seeing the omega escorts shaking while taking them to their seats. His wolf will become aggressive towards his mate. He does not want that. He wants calm through the turmoil that plagues his mind from her scent permeating the air.

Thomas, however, is calm, showing no outward signs that he smelled her. He is even sending soothing waves through his aura to help him, and others be calm. It is somewhat working on him if his beast would allow it.

“Councilman, Kings, and Pack,” a sandy blonde haired man called loudly. He came to a stand just as some omegas came out of the packhouse and stood on the open brown-painted back porch. They looked to be awaiting his instructions, while this man’s brown eyes looked at each pack member with a pale smile on his round ruddy face. “I’d like to thank each omega that worked hard on this event. It looks beautiful and the food smells delicious.” A few laughs, making him turn rosy. “I know. A hungry wolf, as always, but it is all for Their Majesties and Councilman gracing us with their presence today. So, mind your manners and have a good time. Let’s eat.”

Gregory and Thomas’ eyes scanned the crowd seated at the long tables linked together. They are covered by blue or white tablecloth, depending on their status. Plates and silverware are before each person with a single flower in a clear glass vase. There was no more decoration on the tables other than that. The red banner greeting their majesties hung across the back of the packhouse. Flowered garland is wrapped around wooden poles plunged into the ground with a light fixture at the top. They are not sure what that is for, but they do not care.

Gregory wanted to snort at the alpha’s “country” attitude when he was a Cambridge man that learned the human laws. He studied business and other assorted subjects that had helped him with his pack. It brings to question how he is only a mere alpha and not a councilman. This man is strong, in terms of a wolf, with his wide body still built with muscles. His eldest son takes after him in physique, but he looks more like his mother.

Still, it is strange he only wants to be an alpha instead of something more. What could he be hiding?

Thomas nudged his elbow, drawing his attention to a young woman standing in front of him. A handkerchief hides most of her blonde hair, while her tanned slender face remains impassive and down. He could smell the fear coming off her even as she served him a large portion of green beans. Her slender body was stiff, and he saw her blue blouse quiver, knowing that her body was shaking under it. A part of him wanted to scare her more, except he knew that would only incite his wolf too much for his mate.

He waved her onward, ignoring the fact that he was growling at her. Each time he looked at the females of this pack it drew unwanted smiles and blushes that made those women think he wanted them. There is only one woman they want and that is their mate, which is why Callus is so angry. They cannot even pinpoint where the smell of their mate is coming from when it is so prominent in the air. And another thing, why is she not coming to them?

“Your Majesties,” Steve called, leaning forward with a smile on his face. He seemed to hope to get a moment of their time, like all others before this man. “I hope you like what the omegas have made for you. They worked tirelessly on it.”

“I am sure they will,” Matt said from behind them, giving this man a smile. “By the way, I see the alpha’s children, but I do not see yours.”

A blush stole up his cheeks before he answered tensely, “They are across from me. My stepdaughter just arrived from burying her grandmother a few days ago, and she wanted to be with her brother. They volunteered to move to make room for King Thomas.”

“Ahh, I see,” Matt said with a tight smile.

This fucker’s daughter is the one that was abused, right?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Thomas growled, which made everyone look towards him while an older omega was serving him slices of ham. Her eyes widened with a slice of ham hanging on a large fork. He did not care. The news distressed his wolf for some reason, and he did not even know why. Everything about today has not felt right. His wolf, Zeal, had been prancing like it was a f*****g holiday, which almost made him late to the other pack. He had to put back clothes that he picked out, because his wolf wanted him to wear something else. Now, he understands why. Their mate is here.

He was looking at every woman, including those serving him. He wished that it would be the one with grey eyes that was several yards across from him. Her breasts were practically popping the buttons on her blue blouse, but it was not her nor any of the servers that had passed by them. None of those women are it, and the smell is still prominent and intoxicating to him. He wanted to calm down with it, but his wolf wanted their mate in their arms.

Thomas, Beta, I forgot one thing! Dammit! What if our mate leaves before we meet her?

Do not worry, Your Majesties, Matt chuckled through the link. I already have men ready to swipe their scent and write their names on a baggie, so you can smell it later.

Thomas did not know how he felt about that, but at least, he was not as uptight as his brother. He looks ready to pop a gasket any moment with the knowledge that their mate is here somewhere. When he first entered the SUV, he thought he was going to have to wrestle his beast to let Gregory gain control of himself. He did not know if he could do that when his brother is the brawn against the rogues. His job is to be the face and mouth to gain treaties and smooth things over while fighting in human form. They both pick up the slack where one lacks the ability to do it.

Weirdly, he is calmer than his brother, who never wanted a mate. The only reason he even entertained the notion was because Thomas wanted one. Maybe he lied to hide the truth about how he feels about having a lifelong female companion for them to share. His thoughts swirled around it while contemplating the pros and cons of sharing one. He knows it is not ideal and may even cause jealousy to happen between them when no other woman has been able to do it.

“Councilman Teets,” Alpha Thorne called eagerly, “I was wondering about the rogue situation in the Midwest. Has there been any word about its progress to stop them?”

“No, Alpha,” Andy answered with a shrug while giving a glance at the kings. He, like the other high ranks, is worried about their kings. “It seems that they are fighting fire with literal fire. They are led by someone, but no one wants to come forward to say whom it is. We are more worried about drugs and the slave trade right now. They have been profiting from their endeavors. If we cut off their money supply, then they may show.”

“Or they could take another avenue,” he responded with a chuckle. “These people are always looking for ways to gain more funds.”

“True,” Andy agreed, wishing that the kings would join in instead of stoically sitting there.

Thomas knows that the councilman wants them to participate in the conversation or eat, but neither brother can. Their wolves are pacing and growling at them for sitting with all these people while their mate could be getting away. Neither beast understood the complexities of the human side to their existence. But the kings were so focused on finding their mate that they did not know she was right in front of their eyes.