Page 8 of Her Grumpy Alpha

Gregory nodded, his young understanding growing. “I agree, Mom. Like Tommy. He’s my friend now, and I didn’t know him before. It’s good to have lots of friends.”

His innocence and support warmed my heart. As I waved him off while he went to play with Tommy some more, I couldn’t help but wonder what this coffee meeting would bring. James may have been a stiff grump, but there was something about him that continued to intrigue me. Perhaps our reunion held the potential for a second chance, or at the very least, the rekindling of a long-lost friendship. As long as he didn’t ever call me stubborn again because, what the hell was that?

FOUR

JAMES

As we settled into the small cafe in Maple Creek where Abe and I had been heading all along, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the quiet chatter of other patrons filled the air, creating a cozy atmosphere. This, as far as I was concerned, was the center of the town, and I loved it here.

Even more so today now that I knew that we had a new resident!

Over lunch, Abe finally asked me what I knew he had been holding in ever since I first pulled the car up to the preschool. “So, what happened with Sadie then? I have been dying to know. Tell me all about it.”

I sighed and smiled. “I met her in Cancun, halfway through vacation, and we spent an amazing night together. We partied and… well, more. It was a lot of fun.”

“So, why didn’t you get her phone number? Why didn’t you date? Even for a little while.”

“Well, she’s a bit too much of a free spirit for my taste. Plus, she lived way too far away.”

Abraham raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. “A free spirit? In what way? I can’t imagine distance being the real issue for you. If it was real, you wouldn’t let anything stand in your way.”

I sighed, trying to find the right words to convey what I meant. “She’s spontaneous, fun-loving, and she doesn’t take life too seriously. While that can be charming, it can also be a bit... silly. She doesn’t seem to have the same level of discipline and order that I value. It’s her age. I mean, I don’t know how old she is, but she’s at least a decade younger than me, and that showed. We just couldn’t work out a way to get along.”

Abraham nodded in understanding, his gaze thoughtful. “I see. So, you had different personalities and priorities?”

I nodded. “Exactly. It was a passionate one night, but it became clear to me that our differences were too significant, even in that short time. I value responsibility and structure in my life, and I didn’t think we were a good long-term match.”

“But you liked her at the time? Clearly, you liked her for a little while.”

A smile spread across my face. “We crossed paths on the beach one day, and I couldn’t help but be captivated by her. She was gorgeous, but after one little disagreement, I never saw her again. I can only assume that she went home after our night. Or she was avoiding me, I don’t know.”

Abe leaned a little closer to me. “So, you didn’t really have enough time to get to know her properly then. You don’t really know what she’s like. I mean, now she seems very responsible. A mother and a business owner. She must have changed a lot over the last six years. You don’t know what she’s been through and what she’s done.”

“That’s true,” I had to admit. “But, Abe, how do I know she’s changed now? How can I be sure she’s not so spontaneous and wild still? We might clash once again. It could be fiery and awful. We might not even get along, you know?”

“James,” he said with a playful grin, “you know, a woman like Sadie could teach you a thing or two about being less uptight.”

I chuckled, rolling my eyes, but with a hint of amusement in my voice I said, “Abraham, that’s nonsense. I have an image to uphold, and I’m responsible for the respect of the entire clan. I can’t afford to be too carefree. It’s always been that way.”

Abraham raised an eyebrow, sipping his coffee. “I understand your responsibilities as the Blackpaw leader, but it wouldn’t hurt to let loose a little. You can definitely be too serious sometimes. Yes, you have a serious life, but you can have fun as well.”

I couldn’t deny the truth in his words, but my sense of duty and the weight of my leadership position were difficult to put aside. “I appreciate the sentiment, Abraham, but I have to maintain the balance between leading our clan and personal matters. Besides, I’ve never been one for frivolity.”

Abraham chuckled, seemingly unperturbed by my response. “Well, just remember that life is about more than just duty. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected connections and experiences that can teach us the most.”

As his words hung in the air, I couldn’t help but reflect on the unexpected connection I had with Sadie. While our time together had been brief and filled with arguments, there had also been a spark, a connection that I couldn’t forget. Perhaps, as Abraham suggested, there was room for a little more spontaneity in my life. I guessed I would find out what it was like to be around Sadie this weekend when we went for coffee. I couldn’t resist asking her out because I was just so scared of her slipping through my fingers once again.

I guess I did want to do something spontaneous after all. Sadie has already unleashed something within me that I didn’t even know I was locking away.

“So, what are you thinking now?” Abe asked me, his curiosity piquing my own.

“With Sadie? I don’t know,” I admitted. “I have to be honest with you. I don’t know what I was thinking, asking her to meet me at the weekend, but I guess I will figure it out.”

It was definitely going to be intriguing. I didn’t know what to say to Abe about it, but it didn’t really matter. We were no longer alone. The rest of the pack gradually joined Abraham and me at the cafe for lunch. I had a good, albeit somewhat formal relationship with each of them, as befitting my role as the Blackpaw Clan leader. We exchanged pleasantries, discussed work, and shared updates on our lives. Despite the politeness and camaraderie, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy deep within me.

As I observed the easy and carefree interactions among my pack members, I couldn’t deny the twinge of envy that gnawed at me. They laughed, teased each other, and shared stories without the weight of leadership hanging over their heads. They were friends, confidants, and companions.

In contrast, I was bound by the expectations and responsibilities that came with being the leader. I had to maintain a certain level of formality and distance, even though I longed for the kind of camaraderie I witnessed around me.

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