The Reluctant Alpha (West Coast Wolves #1) - Susi Hawke Page 0,73
new vibe—less ghost town and more small-town Americana.
And even better? Two separate community gardens had been planted. If the special fertilizer I provided was so good the seeds were already sprouting, nobody questioned it.
Thankfully, the weather forecast had been right on the money. We were having a rare cool day—meaning it was a paltry hundred and five in the shade—and everything was all set up for our barbecue. A row of grills were set up in front of the diner, and the sidewalk was lined with tables, filled with all the dishes and desserts people brought for the potluck.
Hank, a regular wolf shifter who owned the diner, oversaw the grilling area. The Gamma Council provided the meat, and Hank insisted on making sure it was properly cooked. Since he was originally from Texas, I figured he was probably the perfect man for the job. Tables and chairs had been set up in the middle of the street for the occasion. It was completely safe because the street was closed off in either direction.
Our pack was over three hundred strong, and I was still getting to know people. Matt and I had spent the past hour wandering through the street, meeting and greeting our neighbors but mostly letting them see us happily involved. After I was done mingling—at least, my feet were—I didn't even argue when Matt lifted me and carried me back to our own table.
Nuzzling his neck, I kissed the pulse point where his scent ran strong. "My feet want to thank your big muscles for the ride. I don't think I can eat another bite, but I wouldn’t hate it if you found me another glass of lavender lemonade."
After depositing me on my chair, Matt gave me a quick kiss before straightening. "One lemonade, coming up. Do you boys need anything?" Saul and Noah looked up from the huge dessert plates they were crouched over like a pair of feral cats. Saul looked guilty when he saw me, but Noah shook his chocolate-covered face at Matt. Snorting, I waved him off. "These little pigs are fine. But if you see any more of those hand wipes, we could definitely use them."
Lucian looked up from his equally full dessert plate. "I had a plan, Eli." Yes, Matt's buddies had taken to calling me by my childhood nickname after hearing my brothers use it too many times. I didn't mind. I actually liked it. It made me feel like part of their group. Matt waited, obviously interested. Knowing Lucian, I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to know.
I lifted a brow and motioned for him to continue. "A plan, huh? I can't wait to hear this one."
Grinning now, Lucian pointed at the fire hydrant across the street. "Look at the kid—he's got so much sugar on him an army of bees would be scared to take on the job. He needs a good pressure washing. I figure we can hook a hose up and blast him with it."
Before I could close my mouth long enough to formulate a reply, two of our largest delta wolves came running toward us. Their huge, furry gray bodies slipped through the tables as gracefully as ballerinas. Barely coming to a stop, they shifted to human form. The guys were already rising, on full alert and ready to assist with whatever.
Matt's voice was deceptively calm, though I could feel the coiled tension he was doing his best to hide from the boys. “What’s going on? Walk with me. There’s no need to discuss this in front of the family." As he led them away, Lucian and the guys stayed close to watch over us.
They didn't get far enough because I clearly heard one of the deltas speak. "It was the exact same white Escalade. The guy who came here for lunch last month? He showed up with three other alphas. We turned them away at the checkpoint. I told him the road was closed for a pack potluck. He wanted me to call you to the gate, but I told him he would need to call you and make an appointment. He said something about being an ally and how I would get in trouble for this, but I was firm. I explained my instructions were to turn away outsiders today."
"I see." Matt's voice was icy. I could feel his indignation and wished I was close enough to offer a comforting touch. "I take it they didn't leave peacefully?"