Ella’s POV
I smiled as I watched the men move around, the hustle and bustle of activities putting excitement in the air and giving out a charge that we hadn’t felt in days.
I loved it. It was better than the morose expression that had been on everyone’s faces for the past two days as if someone had died. My subconscious reminded me that I had almost died but I reminded it as well of the operative word in the sentence. I had almost died but I hadn’t died.
It wasn’t until later that I found out that everyone, not only my father and Kevin, had had it rough when I had been lying down in that tent and fighting for my life. I was touched by their concerns as I had been worried ever since my father and Caleb came that their affection for me would have dwindled because of my birth origin.
Looking at them now, going up and about to arrange a mini party in my sake, I realized how silly I had been for ever doubting for once the good in the heart of these men.
Kevin had told me before that the men didn’t mind much that I was a blue river wolf as well but I had doubts and didn’t really believe him. It wasn’t like I could ask the men directly how they felt and it hadn’t really been a conversation starter that we all wanted to talk about whenever we were together having meals or just talking.
I smiled as Cephas laughed at something my dad said and wondered why I had been so silly to not have noticed how the men interacted with my dad and Caleb. They were warm with them and I wondered how I believed that they were going to discriminate against me. I had been so immersed in my worries that I had been blind to what was happening around me.
I felt him before I saw him or heard him coming. The way Lucy was prancing with excitement was a huge tell.
He wrapped his hands around me and I smiled as I leaned into him.
“Are you liking your party?” He asked, his breath tickling me as he whispered into my ears.
“You didn’t have to do that.” I said, loving the way his hands felt on my skin. I loved how the men were occupied and I could steal some private moments with Kevin without having to worry about others interrupting us.
“Why don’t I have to?” He chuckled. “The men wanted a party and I liked the idea. It is a refreshing idea. Moreover, we have a reason to celebrate.”
“It’s not big of a deal.” I shrugged. “Why are you making a mountain out of a hole?”
He snorted and turned me around, forcing me to face him. “A big deal? You almost died but came back to us, to me. You have been improving in your training and no longer need your emotions to summon your strength and you think that is making a mountain out of a mole hill. What is not a big deal out of all of that? Don’t you dare make light of what I think is a miracle.”
I smiled at the glint in his eyes and the seriousness in his voice as he spoke. He looked so cute and fierce as he spoke that my heart melted and I wondered how many times it was possible to fall in love over and over again with someone.
He noticed me staring at him and smiled at me, a question in his eyes as he peered at me in a studious manner. “What is wrong? Don’t you feel comfortable with the party? I can tell the men to stop.”
I chuckled at the idea of him calling the party off despite knowing how much he wanted it. I shook my head. “You don’t have to.” I said, slamming myself against him in a tight embrace, touched that I had him in my life.
“What is wrong then? Why were you looking at me that way?”
“I was wondering how far my heart can fill with love for you. It seems like it gets expanded everytime when I thought that it couldn’t do so anymore.” I whispered into his ears as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Ella,” he began, his breath hitching as his throat clogged with emotions. Being this close, I knew exactly what he was feeling.
“That is sweet.” He said, beaming.
I shrugged as if I hadn’t just made the alpha of the pack blush. “You are a sweet man, Kevin. Expect nothing but sweet words as well.”
He chuckled. “You are going to be the death of me, mate.” He inched forward to kiss me.
I smiled as I closed my eyes, anticipating the feel of his lips on mine.
“The party is about to begin. Get your asses over here, you two lovebirds.” Dad shouted from where he was just as Kevin’s lips were about to touch mine.
I groaned as my eyes snapped open. Wrong timing, dad. Wrong timing. I repeated in my head.
I glanced at Kevin and started laughing at the expression on his face. He looked annoyed as if he would love to crush my dad in his palm. The expression was gone quickly and he started laughing as well, slipping his hand into mine.
“Later.” He said, his word a promise.
“Later.” I agreed and we walked hand in hand to where the others were.