Kevin’s POV
That was it?
That was my first thought when I heard what Zeke had to say and I almost blurted out that he was being ridiculous for saying we might think his idea was useless.
Why would I think that?
Why would I say that to him even if it was?
I glanced at Ella and realized she understood what he meant. I glanced at Liam but he had an unreadable expression on his face so I couldn’t tell what he was thinking of. I sighed. That brat could be too controlled with his emotions at times. I glanced at the other men but not all of were looking in my direction so I couldn’t tell what they were thinking of.
I looked away from them and focused on Zeke who was still waiting for my response.
I knew the point Zeke was trying to make but I needed to ask him to explain further for clarification so everyone would have no doubts.
“Why do you say that?” I asked him. I wasn’t going to tell him that I understood his worries right now without letting him speak of what he meant. That might make the men think I was being partial and i didn’t want anyone to think that.
Zeke exhaled, seeming relieved that I hadn’t said it wasn’t worth it and bothered to listen.
“It seemed like the rogues wouldn’t stop till they kill you all, especially you.” He said, fixing a glance at me.
I swallowed, knowing that he was right.
Zeke continued. “It doesn’t make sense that you all go home and draw them to where your pack lives. You should find a place to hide out so you can fight with them and end this without affecting the packs so that was why I offered my home. It’s far away from the blue river pack home that you don’t have to be worried of being seen and disturbed by the pack.”
Ella smiled. “I think it’s a good idea.”
He smiled at her and his expression was back to mine. He was expecting me to say what I thought. I sighed, what a way to end the party. He wasn’t looking at me like I was his daughter’s mate but as the alpha of a mate. I had to respect that and give him the same accord.
This wasn’t a meeting between the father of a mate and the mate of a daughter but between the elder of a pack and the alpha of a rival pack who had something of interest to protect in common.
Zeke glanced at Ella and I also did the same. I knew he was concerned about the pack and my men but we both couldn’t deny that the main interest we both wanted to protect was Ella.
“What do you think?” Zeke asked me.
I knew what I thought but I pretended to mule over it so my men wouldn’t think that I was hasty because of who he was.
“Kevin.” Ella called out in a whisper.
I almost smiled at her impatience but I dared not do that. This wasn’t the time for that and she would crucify me if I teased her at a time like this.
I nodded. “I think it’s a good idea.” I said.
Zeke smiled, looking relieved and I wondered how long he had been thinking of this. I was grateful that he was worried on behalf of my pack.
“Let’s continue the party.” Zeke said.
I doubted that we would be able to continue the party with the mood that we had at the beginning of it but it was better than moping about what would happen next.
We could always worry about fighting with the rogues later on but for now, we had a party to continue.
I glanced at my men wondering what they thought and hoped that they knew that I had made the right choice for them all. I hoped that they understood why I had agreed to Zeke’s suggestions and made the decision I did.
I wanted to go home as much as they did but this was a choice we couldn’t afford to lose. I hoped that they understood that as I picked another stick from the fire though I wasn’t sure I still had any appetite left in me.
“I can’t believe we are doing this.” Ella muttered beside me.
I nodded. I knew that. It was the next day and we were packing up our stuff to go with Zeke. The men hadn’t spoken much since I had agreed with Zeke that we would be going to his house. Some of them looked homesick that I was afraid of looking at them.
I didn’t want to look at them and see the expression on their faces. I felt guilty looking at them and hated feeling like crap whenever I did that. I hated to think that they might want not want to go near the blue river pack but didn’t have a choice because their alpha was moving there.
I didn’t want them to follow me with a grudge but I didn’t have the nerve to tell them they could go home if they didn’t want to. I was afraid a lot of them would choose to leave and I didn’t want to be alone.
I needed them. I had agreed to go with Zeke to fight off the rogues and I didn’t think I could do that without their help. It hadn’t been easy fighting off the rogues with our number. I couldn’t bear to think of how hard it would be to fight them off when our number was greatly diminished and I didn’t think that Caleb and Zeke could involve the soldiers of their pack without letting our presence out when it was meant to be a secret that we even knew one another and were living near where they were.
Zeke and Caleb were both distinguished members of their pack as an elder and prince of the pack respectively but that didn’t mean that they could order the help of the pack soldiers without the knowledge and approval of the alpha and that was the last thing we all needed in this case.
We wouldn’t need to die at the risk of the rogues if the alpha of the blue river pack knew that me and my soldiers were near his territory. It was a huge risk I was taking but I wouldn’t hesitate to take it again if it meant that I can protect my people and avoid bloodshed in my land.
I hoped the men forgive me for making a gamble with their lives but they knew what the assignment was when they pledged to be a soldier and protect the pack.
“Kevin!”
I jumped, startled at the loud voice ringing in my head. I turned to look at Ella and winced at the way she was glaring at me.
“Is there a problem?” I asked her.
She snorted. “Isn’t there one? I’ve been calling you for the past two minutes but you didn’t even know that I was calling you.”
I sighed. “I’m sorry.” I apologized. That was all I could say in this moment.
I hated that all I could give her at this moment was an apology when she seemed like she wanted to talk to me. I didn’t think I was in the right frame of mind to do that (not that I didn’t enjoy her company but I wanted to do something else).
I wanted to go home and was worried about what was happening at home. I thought of an idea and smiled as it formed in my head and it started building.
Ella noticed the shift in my countenance and chuckled. “You seem better now. What did you just think of?”
I smiled. “I thought of how much you love me. I think I’m better because you are by my side.”
She scoffed. She didn’t seem like she believed me but she blushed still at my words. “You should tell me what that idea that made you smile is when you are ready.”
“It’s you.” I insisted, tapping her lightly on the nose.
“Don’t be a flirt.” She chuckled.
I arched my eyebrows at her. “Am I not entitled to flirt with my mate?”
“Not if your mate is trying to ask you a question that you don’t want to answer.” She said, her eyes glinting at me even though her tone sounded serious.
Ella wouldn’t give up questioning me until she had her answer. She ought to be in the military as a questioner. She knew how to torture someone when she was curious.
I smiled at her, thinking she was my own personal torturer. I placed my arm on her body, wrapping it around her waist and pulled her forward to me. I ached to kiss her and drown myself in her.
She smiled as her eyes searched mine and she saw my intent. I was delighted that she didn’t pull away.
“Kevin.” She called out, sounding breathy. It felt good to know she wanted me as much as I wanted her. That feeling bursting in my heart chased away the feeling of guilt, worry and fear that had been brooding there since yesterday.
I wondered how I didn’t think of being with her yesterday after the party instead of seeking space on my own and making myself miserable.
“Are you done packing over there?” Zeke yelled from where he was. “We are about to leave.”
I groaned as I rested my forehead on Ella’s, wondering if her father intentionally loved to ruin the moment for us. He had the perfect worse timing as if he knew whenever I was about to kiss his daughter.
Damn it, my lips had almost touched Ella’s own. I had almost drowned myself in that pleasure that I could only find in her arms. I didn’t know if it was a father’s intuition that a man was about to kiss his daughter or just a coincidence but I hated it.
Ella chuckled at the expression on my face and I sighed. It wasn’t funny but I was glad that she was laughing. At least, one of us was having fun. At that moment, I regretted agreeing to go with her father and thought of going straight home. I imagined pulling Ella into my bedroom at home where no one would dare to come close to disturb us.
“Let’s go.” Ella said, holding me by the hand.
“Let’s go.” I agreed, despite myself, even though I wanted to run in the opposite direction.