Page 12 of Her Grumpy Alpha

The unease in the room deepened, and my mind raced. It wasn’t just Brian’s charisma or persuasiveness; there was something insidious at play, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. This was what I couldn’t put my finger on, there truly was something happening there.

“Did anyone else feel that way?” I asked, noting quickly that all the men shook their heads no. Just as I suspected, this was all about the women in our clan. Something was happening to them personally. “I can’t shake the feeling that Brian is manipulating the situation,” I confessed to my pack, my voice low and determined. “There’s more to his sudden rise in popularity and influence than meets the eye, and I intend to find out what’s going on.”

The pack exchanged knowing glances, aware of the gravity of the situation. It was a challenge that extended beyond clan politics. It was a threat to our unity and stability. If Brian worked on the women, then he might cause such a storm that it ruined absolutely everything. I couldn’t stand for that. I didn’t know how I was going to work out what the hell Brian was up to, but I certainly wasn’t about to be put off just because this was challenging.

“We’ll be okay.” Abraham nodded and smiled in my direction, trying his hardest to reassure me. “Don’t worry, we can figure this out.”

I swallowed hard and nodded, hoping desperately that he was right. I didn’t want to be taken down by Brian of all people. As I set my jaw and prepared to uncover the truth, I knew that I couldn’t let this unsettling doubt fester. The strength of the Blackpaws depended on our collective trust, and I was willing to do whatever it took to protect it.

As I escaped the turbulent clan politics at long last, my mind filled with the uncertainty of Brian’s actions and the mysterious influence he seemed to wield over some members. It was a challenge that weighed heavily on my shoulders, but for a brief moment, I could set it aside.

The thought of my upcoming date with Sadie provided a welcome respite. A smile touched my lips as I considered the evening ahead while I walked away from everyone else. In spite of the challenges and tensions that had risen between us, there was a magnetic pull that neither of us could deny. I would much rather focus on that feeling rather than everyone else surrounding me. I had arranged for us to have an amazing dinner, and I was looking forward to what it might bring. There was definitely still a spark between us when we shared coffee, and I wanted to know if that could ignite into giant flame just like it was in Cancun.

“Are you looking forward to tonight?” Abe asked me as we drove away from the clan meeting. “I think it’ll be good for you to get a break from everything. If you let Brian weigh too heavily on you, then he’s going to cause no end of issues. You need to have a clear head if you’re going to keep moving forward effectively.”

I could only nod in agreement. “Yeah, I know you’re right. But at the same time, I can’t forget about it, either. What the hell is Brian playing at?”

“We’ll figure it out.” Abe patted me on the shoulder reassuringly. “You know we will work it out, as long as we work together.”

I knew that I had him on my side, but did I have anyone else? Brian was currently doing his best to work on the women in our clan, but would he eventually work out a way to manipulate the men as well? If we didn’t figure this out soon, then I didn’t know if I would be able to keep on as leader of the clan. In that instance, everything might fall apart. There was no way that I would let Brian lead me, though. Not a chance in hell. I would leave first, get the hell away from here and be a rogue wolf if I had to.

But it wouldn’t come to that. No way. I was going to put a stop to it before it even had a chance to get that out of control. I was absolutely determined to do so, to protect the wolves and the humans too, because that was what an Alpha was really supposed to do. Think of everyone else, not just himself.

SEVEN

SADIE

As the evening sun cast its warm glow on my cozy farmhouse, I couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The prospect of a date with James had stirred something within me, a long-dormant ember that was now threatening to burst into flames.

With my son Gregory and our family dog, Mookie, safely in the capable hands of my dear friend Charlene, I had the freedom to prepare for the evening. Charlene had been a godsend, always willing to help when I needed to get away for a few hours. I could trust her completely with my child because she worked for me as well, and I could see how incredible she was with all the preschool kids. Plus, my mom wasn’t too far away if needed, so all would be fine. I could properly throw myself into this and enjoy it wholly.

I stood before the mirror, admiring the reflection that stared back at me. A fancy dress, the kind I rarely wore, adorned my frame. Its deep shade of blue brought out the color in my eyes, and I felt a touch of glamour I hadn’t experienced in a while. Maybe it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone in every way possible and to see what Maple Creek could really have to offer me. Especially since I’d run into my old friend…

With Charlene nearby, I applied some light makeup. Her voice was a reassuring presence as she offered words of encouragement. “You’ve got this, Sadie. James is a lucky man, and he’s lucky to have you back in his life.”

A slight blush crept onto my cheeks as I replied, “I don’t know about that, Charlene. It’s been a while since we last saw each other. A lot has changed.”

“Yeah, well you look hot as hell, so he is lucky,” Charlene reassured me. “And who knows, maybe it’s a new beginning for both of you.”

Her words rang true in my heart as I finished getting ready, slipping into a pair of elegant heels, I thought about the journey that lay ahead. Meeting James again had stirred emotions that had long been buried, and I was determined to explore what the future might hold. In the dimming light of the evening, I took a final look in the mirror, brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and smiled. It was time to embrace the night, the possibilities, and the chance to rediscover the man I had a lot of fun with a few years ago.

As I drove to the restaurant to meet James, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and anticipation. The evening sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, casting a warm, romantic glow over everything. It felt like a scene from a movie, and I couldn’t help but wonder how the night would unfold.

James was already waiting when I arrived, dressed in a sharp suit that accentuated his strong features. As I approached, a familiar scent wafted toward me, triggering a wave of nostalgia mixed with newfound attraction. He was still the same James, but there was something different about him. The rigidity that had once defined him seemed to be easing, even if just a little.

“Sadie,” he greeted me with a genuine smile, his eyes reflecting a hint of warmth. We exchanged pleasantries as we headed inside, and he pulled out a chair for me. Our conversation started cautiously, but as we delved into familiar topics and bantered about our differences, a comfortable familiarity settled in.

“I can’t believe you’ve never tried sushi,” I said, feigning shock as we perused the menu.

He chuckled, the sound a welcome surprise. “I’ve always been more of a traditional eater, but I’m willing to give it a try. Especially with you by my side, guiding me and telling me what’s good.”

Over dinner, our conversation flowed effortlessly. We discussed everything from our respective jobs to our past travels. Our differences came to light as we shared our viewpoints, as they always did, and while we didn’t always agree, there was a mutual respect that seemed to grow between us.

As the night wore on, something remarkable began to happen. James, who had been uptight and guarded earlier, gradually started to loosen up. The weight of his responsibilities seemed to fade into the background as he allowed himself to simply enjoy the evening. The spark between us, which had ignited during our days in Cancun, began to flicker to life once again. In between courses, we found ourselves laughing, the sound harmonizing in a way that felt like a sweet, nostalgic melody. I realized that James was still the man I had once been captivated by, but now, there was room for new facets of his personality to shine through. It was as though he was rediscovering himself just as I was rediscovering him.

With every sip of the wine, the atmosphere between James and me grew more charged. The low hum of the restaurant around us seemed to fade into the background as our connection deepened. There was an undeniable chemistry between us, a magnetic pull that neither of us could resist. It was still there, perhaps even more pronounced than it was in Cancun. Our conversation took a flirtatious turn. James, who had been somewhat reserved earlier, became more adventurous with his words and gestures. His hand brushed mine, sending a shiver down my spine, and I met his gaze with a mischievous glint in my eyes. The touch was electrifying, and I didn’t pull away. Instead, I leaned in closer, our faces just inches apart. The anticipation hung in the air, like a promise of something unspoken.

“Sadie,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with desire, “there’s something about you. Something I can’t quite put into words.”

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