Coffee and Carter
1697 Words
*Ariella*
“He asked you to a Gala…?”
“The pack that Full Moon allied with is hosting their own Gala for the alliance…”
“And he just asked out of the blue?”
“Well…”
“Ari…”
“I mean…”
“You didn’t.”
“I-I…”
“ARI!” Carter threw his head back and groaned angrily. “Seriously!?”
I shrunk at his voice, looking at the small coffee cup between my hands. We sat in a large coffee shop in town at a very far booth in the corner, it had been a few days since Gabriel asked me, and I had been avoiding answering him with a million excuses as to why I shouldn’t go with them. He had said on Tuesday that I had until Friday to decide and that was now tomorrow… Carter's voice was a low hiss.
“Ari! Do you know how dangerous this is?” He growled, “do you understand the conflict of interest? What if Mason finds out!”
“He’s not going to find out!” I urged, “because we are not going to tell him.”
“Ari what if something happens?” He pressed. “Silver Falls isn’t our target, I can’t interfere once you cross the pack borders…”
“I will be fine.” I assured, “At this point I don’t think the Alpha would let anything happen to me…” I smiled, “I’ve practically got him wrapped around my finger.”
“Ari…”
“What!?” I laughed, “c’mon…”
“I can’t laugh at this.” Carter scowled. “You are playing a dangerous game. If anyone at the farm finds out Mason will flip his lid.”
“We just have to make sure people don’t find out… no one else is even stationed here or in Silver Falls… it’s fine.”
Carter rolled his eyes and shook his head again, “I just can’t believe you’ve let yourself go this far a second time…”
I shrugged with an uncomfortable glance.
“Ari… did you…?”
“I can’t help it Carter!” I defended, “Something is like pulling me to him! Every time I see him I just…”
“No, no details.” He grimaced with a disgusted look.”
I dropped my head to the table in frustration. Tears nearing my eyes as I groaned. “I didn’t know it'd be this hard Carter…”
He didn’t respond, but I heard him sip his coffee.
“Maybe I should just relinquish this task to someone else…”
“No one will take it now…”
“What?” I asked, turning my head back up to him. “Why.”
“Cause everyone knows your background… everyone knows what this task entails…”
“I just… I don’t know if I can do it… before I saw him face to face it was easy to separate everything but now… now that I’ve seen him… I just…” I scrunched my face as I thought. “I look into his eyes and something is telling me I just… can’t…”
“You’re just getting first time jitters…” He offered.
But I shook my head. “I can’t imagine any of it…”
“You’ll be able to do it once the time comes…” he responded.
I opened my mouth to protest when a small chatter arose in the shop. We looked over to see the female baristas crowding one side of the counter all looking out into the street and giggling with one another. The other patrons of the coffee shop did the same, all watching out the large windows.
“f**k…” I breathed.
“What?”
“The Alpha…” I whispered back as I watched Alpha Gabriel and Beta Esen saunter into the coffee shop. “Of all the f*****g places he could have gone…”
“I can tell why you’re in reserves… he’s just your type…” he teased.
“Oh, and what’s my type Carter?” I hissed.
“Tall, dark, and dreamy…”
“Oh, shut up.” I spat back as I tried to turn my body to hide myself. But it was too late.
“Ella!” I heard Esen’s voice call to me. He waved and smiled at me. I gave a nervous wave on my fingers before trying to look back down at my coffee. Hoping if I looked uninterested enough they’d leave without interrupting me. But I fully doubted the Beta or the Alpha would leave without me at this point.
Alpha Gabriel seemed to be actively trying to pretend I didn’t exist while he waited in line. Putting on some half hearted effort to entertain the teenaged she-wolves at the counter that ogled him. He put on a flirtatious charm and licked his lips as the barista spoke. I could practically see her knees weaken at his voice.
Esen slipped away from Gabriel as he ordered and came to my table.
“Good Morning Ella!” He beamed as he neared.
“Beta Esen…” I started, “Goodmorning…”
“Was wondering why I didn’t see you on the track this morning!”
“Ah, had a coffee date with an old friend…” I responded “This is my friend from back home Carter…”
“Nice to meet you, I'm Esen.”
“Carter, this is the Beta for Full Moon.”
Carter stood and extended his hand to Esen. They both smiled at one another, genuine respectful smiles that any man would give another. But my heart sank as I watched Alpha Gabriel approach with coffees in his hands. His eyes were dark and dropped low, his brow stiff and gaze seemed to be in a predatory mode. His eyes didn’t leave me but for a quick glance at Carter, something in his gaze darkened even more before he set his eyes back to me and they softened only slightly.
He handed a cup to Esen and Esen smiled warmly, sipping the coffee then making a blowing noise with his mouth as it burned his lips and tongue.
“This is my Alpha, Gabriel.” Esen offered.
“Uh… Alpha… this is an old friend of mine from up North… Carter.”
“Pleasure.” Gabriel stated coldly toward Carter.
“It’s good to meet you Alpha.” Carter greeted.
Gabriel leered at Carter with a nod. He stood a few inches over Carter, who I had always seen as a tall man to begin with. It made me realize how truly overtaking Gabriel’s height and presence was in comparison.
“Ella… have you thought about my request?” He asked suddenly, keeping his eye contact with Carter.
“Oh…” I stammered “I… uh… well I wouldn’t have anything to wear or…”
“I’ll take care of everything.” He responded as his eyes finally dropped to me.
“C’mon Ella.” Esen piped in, “Beth and I are going. It should be fun! Little road trip, little get away… there’s this awesome hotel and spa in Silver Falls territory we can stay at a few miles from the pack house.”
“You should go El.” Carter nudged me with his shoulder, “you love a good party.”
“No I…”
“Please Princess.” Alpha Gabriel piped in, dropping puppy dog eyes at me. Even Esens smile seemed to grow slightly amused as he heard the alpha beg.
“O-okay…” I finally relented.
“I can help you pick a dress!” Carter clapped his hands together with an excited tone.
“We should coordinate…” Gabriel started. We all looked toward him and a nervous chuckle escaped “So we know we match…”
“Oh Please.” Carter folded his arms, “You’re the Alpha, you should have plenty to match with what she picks…”
“Pardon?”
Carter rolled his eyes, “A Gentlemen always allows a woman to pick her attire then bases his selection off of that.”
“I…”
“Don’t worry… I won’t make you look silly.” Carter sneered. I nudged him with my elbow.
“Stop being a jerk.” I hissed at him.
Gabriel smiled and nodded, but the smile was vicious, “No, Carter, you’re right… Ella…” he turned his eyes back to me before he pulled a brown folded wallet from his back pocket. Handing me a simple black card with “Gabriel Belford” inscribed on the back with a scrawling calligraphy of his last name on the front. “Go check the shops around town and find a dress you like… shoes and whatever accessories to match…”
I pinched the card in my fingers and nodded as I looked from the card to him. He grinned at me.
“Don’t worry, she will look stunning as always.” Carter muled as he pulled the card from my hand and flicked it between his own fingers in the air like a cigarette. He put his arm around my shoulders and leaned down, kissing the top of my head as he pulled me with him to pass Esen and Gabriel. I know he did it to irritate Gabriel, I tried to dodge out of his grasp.
Gabriel quickly snatched Carter's arm as we passed, noticing me trying to pull from him, embarrassment flooding over me. Gabriel whipped Carter around to face him. His eyes darkened as he stared into Carter's bright blue eyes. They were like two school aged kids fighting over the same girl at recess.
“Kiss her again, and see what happens…” Gabriel growled, his menacing voice dropping low, his brow pointed down and his scowl made even Esen give me an uncomfortable look. I saw Carter wince at his tone only briefly, before a grin plastered his face and he reached his hand up, patting Gabriel’s cheek gently.
“Down boy.” Carter teased, pursing his lips.
Gabriel was too stunned to respond.
- Writer
