The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

First Game of the Season

Eileen could feel the thunder of hundreds of hearts beating fast with anticipation. She could feel the thrum of excitement circling the playing field.

"Let's sit up top," Mrs. O'Hara suggested. "So we can see the field better."

Eileen followed her up the stairs to the highest row of bleachers.

"Over here!"

Eileen looked to see Ben's mom waving to them.

"Looks like they had the same idea. Pardon me, excuse me," Mrs. O'Hara stepped over dozens of feet with a grace one would not expect from a woman of her advanced years. Eileen carefully followed behind, inclining her head to those she stepped past.

They finally reached Ben's parents, sitting on the top row in the very middle of the bleachers.

"We're so glad the two of you could join us," Mrs. Cougar said with a large smile.

"Thanks, Clair. I'm glad you spotted us. These are great seats," Mrs. O'Hara acknowledged, popping open her chair.

Eileen spread her blanket over the cool concrete.

"We have an extra chair, if you'd like," Mr. Cougar offered.

"No thank you, Mr. Cougar. I'm okay."

He nodded, turning his attention back to the crowd. Then he frowned.

"What is it?" Mrs. Cougar asked.

"I think that's...yeah, that's one of the A.K. scouts."

Mrs. Cougar's eyes widened, "The Alpha King's scout? Here? But it's the first game of the season!"

He nodded, "They must have their eye on somebody."

"Think it could be Ben?"

He shrugged, "Maybe..."

Instruments started playing loudly, and Eileen jumped.

"Goodness!" Mrs. O'Hara gasped, clutching her chest. "They nearly did me in with that."

"Oh, wow, they brought their band with them!" Mrs. Cougar said with awe. "I wonder why ours isn't here."

"We don't have one anymore," Eileen answered. "There wasn't a lot of interest, so the school board decided to cut that elective."

"That's such a shame," Mrs. O'Hara shook her head.

The four of them enjoyed the music while they waited for the rest of the audience to be seated. Then the announcer said, "And now, the moment you've been waiting for. We'll start tonight with the away team, the French Broad Plott Hounds. Starting lineup includes seniors..."

They watched as a handful of young men dressed in red and black ran out onto the grass, waving at the fans on their sides.

"And our own home team, the New River Wildcats. Starting lineup includes seniors..."

Eileen tried to see if she could match the names with the faces as the boys ran out in a blur of black and yellow jerseys. It had been a few weeks since school had started, but she was still struggling with all the names.

"Our juniors, number 13 Dustin Rodriguez!"

"Woooo!"

"Yeah!"

"Yeee-owww!"

"Go, Dustin!"

Eileen looked down a few steps to see Tim Marshall cheering loudly next to a furiously blushing Ginny. She was holding up a hand-crafted sign with Dustin's name and number penned in large elegant script. On the other side of her, cheering just as loudly, were who could only be Dustin's parents and brothers.