Waiting For August

Part 63 ~ Green-eyed Wolf

"Wait!" I was running alongside him, trying to keep pace. Caleb was marching towards the front yard where the Alpha wolf was said to be waiting. Jack, Jonah and a pair of middle-aged wolves who had quickly joined them, were following on his heels. I reached an arm out to grab him. "Stop. What are you going to do?"

He shook his arm free, refused to stop. He flashed me a humourless smile. "If it's who I think it is, I'm going to extend a proper welcome to our guest."

The gathering of wolves parted as he made his way through, folding behind him just as quickly as he passed. I had to work my way through the throng that were all intent on watching. I found myself searching the crowd as I went. Some faces I'd recognized. Most I didn't know but had definitely seen last moon.

The scent of wolf hung heavily in the air. Not only was Caleb's wolf riled up, but many others too. Angry pheromones permeated the area. It was almost choking, sickening, the smell.

He rounded the front of the house. There in the yard, not far from the gazebo, Zeke Fraser stood. He wasn't alone. I recognized a few of the wolves that he'd brought with him. Ray was there. Maeve too. They waved awkwardly at me. Standing with them, were the other wolves I'd met that night after the gala. The ones who had invaded my hotel room; drank my booze and ate from my charcuterie board.

The two Alpha's moved forward until they were standing face to face, ready to square off. Zeke had a big 'ol grin on his face. I was standing in behind and he turned his attention my way, to gaze at me from beyond Caleb's shoulder.

"Zeke."

"Bishop."

"How can I help you?"

I held my breath. I didn't want these two going off on one another. Not again, but seriously! What the fuck was Zeke doing here? Even my wolf was upset by his presence.

I scanned the crowd again. It seemed like everyone had come to see what was about to go down. Some faces looked angry. Others were surprised or showed concern. As I glanced among them, I thought I caught a familiar face in the crowd. One that I recognized, hiding amongst the others. I stepped forward a few feet trying to get a better view, but it quickly disappeared among the mass of onlookers. I shook my head. Blinked. My eyes were definitely playing tricks. I had to be seeing things. There was no way that he'd be stupid enough to come here.

"Oh, well, I've been meaning to join you for a moon run for quite some time now. Seeing as how you have an open-door policy and all." My attention darted back to Zeke as he glanced at me again.

Caleb seemed to think about that. "That's right, I suppose I do."

"So, all we need to do is check in with you, then?" Zeke was smirking. "Isn't that how it works?"

Caleb nodded. "It is."

Wait. What? I grabbed Caleb by the sleeve. He wasn't really going to allow him to run here, was he? I decided to voice my concern. "Wait, you're not seriously considering this?" I frowned, as I glanced between the two of them. I mean, I knew I didn't want the two of them to fight, but I was pretty fucking sure that I didn't want this either.

Caleb shrugged. "I'm not seeing any choice. It's getting late. They're already here. As long as they promise to abide by the—"

Oh, my fucking god! "You're fucking kidding me." I looked angrily in Zeke's direction. "This is the same fucker who threatened to mark me, and you're just going to let him waltz right in? Roll out the fucking red carpet? What the fuck, Caleb?"

Caleb turned abruptly. Grabbed my shoulder as he confronted me. By the look on his face, he didn't appreciate me challenging him. Not in front of his pack like this. "Don't be ridiculous," he snapped. "The only one doing any marking tonight, will be me."