I gave him a wave over my shoulder as I walked between the houses to the beach. Apollo's whistling was getting farther and farther away as I made my way in the opposite direction.
The slight flicker of flames had me picking up my pace. Until I heard the laughter, stumbling to a stop at the sight of a group having fun and chatting while roasting marshmallows.
This couldn’t be the bonfire that was called in? Right? It wasn’t exactly a raging inferno. I chuckled to myself and headed over. We might just have a busybody on our hands.
“Umm, we got a call about a fire. I think they were talking about this. Has anyone been giving you trouble?” I asked, glancing around the circle of friends until I methereyes.
Bea was here, and the only thing that I could think of was going to her side but I tensed my muscles, stopping myself.
She wanted space, so I’d give her that. Even if this distance was killing me slowly. Our pack might not be coming together easily, but it was real, and hard work never scared me.
“That depends on the day,” the redhead with a baby on her lap answered.
“Well, just make sure to keep it contained and put it out before you go home for the night,” I told them, my eyes locked on Bea’s.
“Are you new in town?” the cowboy closest to me asked. His voice was a gruff rumble, cutting through the trance I was in.
“My pack and I were new… a few years ago,” I answered. “We got transferred here to your quiet, little town and decided to stay.”
“And no one threw you a welcome? Shame on our little town. Not to mention a prank call? I’m gonna have to make that up to you guys. How do you feel about steaks and taters?” he asked with a slow grin. Something about it told me he was doing this to mess with Bea, but if it got us closer to our girl, how could I complain?
“Love them,” I answered with a grin.
“Great, I’ll bring it to the firehouse around noon tomorrow,” he said, holding out a hand for me to shake.
He gripped my hand in a firm shake. “Sounds good. Thank you.”
“Anytime. The name’s Holt.”
“Ezra,” I answered back.
“Oh! Bea needs to make her famous deviled eggs and potato salad. Make it almost picnic style!” the omega near Holt exclaimed.
“That’s too kind,” I started when the others started planning what else to bring. “You don’t have to go all out for us like that.”
“Sure, we do,” one of the alphas said, barely looking over now that they were in full planning mode.
“Give me a second to check in with my Captain,” I said, stepping a few feet from them.
Grabbing my radio, I pressed the button. “Cap, it’s just a few people making s’mores. Our girl is here.”
Corvin and Apollo both crackled on the radio, “Bea?”
“Yes, but don’t come. It may scare her away,” I said in a whisper. “I’m going to tell her group goodnight and report back.”
“You’ve got five,” Corvin growled.
I knew that he would be upset about missing her but she had set a line and there was no way that we were crossing it. Not if we wanted her to come to us.
“I have to get back. Have a good night and remember what I said about the fire,” I said when I had returned to Holt’s side. “It was nice to meet you all.”
Holt shook my hand again. “See you soon.”
“Bye!” a few of the others called out… all but Bea. She tried to avoid looking at me but I saw the way she was stealing glances. She was close enough I could scent her on the breeze.
There was a smile on my face just from seeing my mate and I wasn’t sure how that made me feel. The urge to run back and snatch her up grew more intense with each step away from her.
When the flashing lights of the truck were in sight, I spotted my two packmates leaning against it, their arms crossed.
