The Café

Chapter 15

"Welcome to our Pack's BBQ night. Tonight we are coming together to celebrate the upcoming Alpha ceremony of my son and to welcome Tom Price as a visitor in our pack. We hope that you enjoy your night and the feast our community has prepared for us.

Thank you again for joining us and for making our pack the strong pack that it is." Alpha Steven spoke to the audience confidently. I recognise his wife, Luna Hannah, the tall, dark haired woman standing beside Alpha Steven. The brunette girl beside them, looks about 10 years old, must be their daughter Kirra, she looks just like her mother. I search the stage to find the future Alpha but there is no one on the stage. Suddenly the door behind the stage opens,

"Oh and better late than never - our future Alpha!" Alpha Steven announces on the microphone. I feel the colour drain from my face as I watch Link walk onto the stage. Future Alpha? How did I not know that? How did no one tell me? I am so embarrassed.

"Are you ok Tess?" Evan asks me noticing my confused state.

"I'm fine." I say, trying to collect myself. No wonder he wasn't interested - he's going to be the Alpha. He needs a mate to be Luna, not a coffee shop, wanna-be journalist. I shake my head at myself. i***t.

"You really didn't know?" Georgia asks me surprised.

I shake my head in response.

"Know what?" Evan asked curiously.

Georgia answers after looking to me for approval to share, "Tess didn't know Link was our future Alpha."

Penny, Issy and Lee burst out with laughter at my expense. I just sit there like a miserable fool. Evan looks deep in thought.

"What's so funny?" Link asks from behind us, startling me so I almost fall off of my chair. He catches me by my arm sending that familiar electric current zapping up through my limb. I can't bring myself to look him in the eyes - I am so embarrassed that I thought he would be interested in me. He's probably been told to break our mate bond for the good of the pack. I wouldn't blame him, I couldn't even stand up for myself against one rogue let alone be Luna.

I try to remain distant but his scent and him just being here tears me back. I can feel the tension in my muscles relaxing just being so close to him.

"Tess didn't realise you were the future Alpha." Penny explains still laughing. I glare at her, way to throw me under the bus.

"Really?" Link asks me, bending down to get my eye contact.

"I really didn't." I state honestly. Link looks in thought.

"And what do you think of that?" He asks nervously.

"I think that's great for the pack!" I try to sound cheery and positive. Desperate to hide my despair.

"For the pack?" Link questions, c*****g one eyebrow.

I shrug my shoulders, "I guess so."

"What about for you?" Link asks, taking a deep breath.

"Why would it matter to Tess?" Penny interrupts. I see Evan squeeze her hand to stop her.

Link is still looking at me expectantly. I don't know what to answer, what is he actually asking?

"I don't know." I almost whisper.

Link places his finger under my chin and tilts my face towards his. I gasp as the fireworks explode across my chin and neck lighting my whole body up with his touch. My heart is racing in anticipation. My wolf is in a trace-like state at Link's close proximity.

"Would it be a problem for you if I was Alpha?" Link asks quietly. I blush a deep red blush. "You are blushing Tess, it makes your scent even sweeter." Link adds. He can see the shock in my eyes and smiles.

I laugh, "I'm just surprised, that's all." I state.

Link turns back to our friends keeping his hand on my shoulder. I was glad he did, I was becoming addicted to the sensation of the fireworks.

"So, how is everyone going?" He asks the table.

"Enjoying the free food!" Georgia laughs, moving over a seat so Link could sit beside me. She winked at me as she moved.

"Good!" Link laughed, "I'm just going to get a plate of food, want to join me Tess?"

"Sure." I reply, getting up off my seat to follow his lead.

"Wait for me! I'm starving!" Evan calls out to us.

"What a surprise..." Link teases when Evan catches us.

"So you really didn't know Link was the future Alpha?" Evan asked me surprised.

"Nope, I don't have a lot to do with the main pack. We've always been busy in the human town at the café." I respond matter-of-factly

"Interestingly." Evan mutters. "Well, now Link has just got to find his Luna, hey Link?" I hear Link growl beside me making some of the people standing close by turn to us with curiosity.

"Leave it." Link warns. Evan nods in response and continues filling his plate with food.

Link stood very close to me while we collected our food and head back to the tables.

"When is your Alpha ceremony?" I ask Link.

"Next weekend." Link replies, smiling to pack members as we walk through the crowd.

"So you must have hurt Tom's pride really bad for him to be this moody." He adds, He looks rather pleased about it.

"I told him I just wanted to be friends." I answer, shrugging my shoulders. Link uses his free hand to grab my hand and turn me to face him. I almost drop my plate - not from the action but from the zing of fireworks shooting up my arms from his touch.

"Why is that?" He asks me, his eyes looks nervous with anticipation. I take a big breath and decide to be a little bit bold.

"There's someone else." I smile.

"Really?" Link smiles a smug smile in reply.

"Yep. I'm just trying to figure out if he is feeling the same things I am feeling." I whisper as I reach on my tip-toes next to his ear.

Link chuckles, "Oh, I'm sure he is." My whole body and wolf sing in elation.

"Hey! You guys sitting down?" Issy calls to us from the table. We both hesitate to withdraw from our close position but eventually Evan comes running through forcing us.