Chapter 21 Chapter 21
ZANE
A small smile spread on my face as I watched her float in the water with her eyes closed. She really was a beautiful person, and I felt horrible for not letting myself see it before.
I looked down at her, her white soaked shirt clinging to her body.
I hadn’t planned to jump into the water, only to hike down here for the view and have a picnic, but I couldn’t help jumping in.
She surprised me when she jumped in as well.
I could feel my wolf fighting to get through, pacing in my head as we beheld the gorgeous figure in front of us.
I inhaled deeply and looked up to see Ella’s eyes had opened.
“Can I help you?” she teased.
Please don’t tempt me, I thought to myself.
“Just glad to see you so relaxed. You work too hard,” I teased, my words dripping with meaning.
“Hmm.” She smiled and closed her eyes. We swam in the lake, splashing and having some fun before making our way back to the dock.
I followed Ella up the ladder, trying to keep my eyes on anything but her wet form.
We sat down on the picnic blanket on the edge of the dock, letting the sun dry us. I laughed when I heard her stomach rumble.
“Hungry?”
“Mhm.”
I turned around and unzipped my backpack, revealing two turkey club sandwiches and some lemonade. I handed one to Ella, and we ate in silence, enjoying the quiet of the lake.
“You could change it, you know.”
My head perked up to Ella, who was still facing the water.
“Change what?”
Ella turned to me.
“The way the omegas are treated.”
I tried to hide a scowl.
“That’s not really your business.”
Ella turned to face the water again.
“You say I work too much, but it’s a job I’ve been given, a job I’m required by my status to do. This is my first real time off in almost eight years.”
I looked at her in shock, unable to find words.
“My mom hasn’t had a day off in almost twenty. Except for the occasional sick day.”
I faced the water again, not knowing how to respond. I felt a warmth on my hand and looked down to see Ella’s hand on mine. It felt good, too good. I looked up to meet her eyes as she spoke.
“I’m not saying this to complain or make you feel bad. I’m just saying that as alpha-to-be, you have the power to change it.
“Your dad is a good man, but I don’t think he actually knows what we have to do every day. All the omegas in this pack are treated as though they are slaves.
“The only respect we’ve ever been shown is from your father, and I’m grateful for that. But it doesn’t have to stay this way. It’s all just tradition.
“Like I said, I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I’m just saying that if you want me to have more time, then you’ll have to make changes.
“Because I’m not going to shirk my responsibilities or make anyone else work harder because I want a day off.”
Ella smiled at me, and I knew what I had to do.
I leaned forward and kissed her lips softly, inhaling her scent before pulling away.
“Thank you for telling me that. I didn’t know,” I smiled as I watched Ella’s cheeks blush.
She looked out at the water again and let out a deep breath.
“We should probably head back. I should help with lunch.”
I groaned, not wanting to leave. I was enjoying this time with her. She had definitely given me something to think about.
I stood and packed up our things. We made the hike home, and I knew I didn’t want this day to end.
When we reached the edge of the woods near the pack house, I grabbed Ella and pulled her close. I felt her inhale sharply, and her hands that were now resting on my chest sent tingles through me.
“Can we just not go home?”
Ella laughed.
“I don’t think an alpha can just disappear.”
I kissed her nose, and she squished her face in response before pushing away from me. She was beautiful and adorable.
We walked back to the pack house, not knowing that we had an angry audience to our intimate little moment.
Ella turned around and gave me a warm smile before entering her room and leaving me in the hallway, my heart dancing in my chest.
“Well, damn.” I ran my fingers through my hair and attempted to collect myself.
I took a quick shower and made my way downstairs and into the pack offices. I tapped on the door before entering.
“Dad?”
“Hmm?” My dad looked up from his files and smiled.
“Zane! What’s up?”
“Do you have a minute? I need to talk to you about something.”
· · ·
I rushed out of the pack house and to my car. My meeting with my dad had run longer than expected, and I needed to hurry if I was going to make it home before dinner.
I drove the twenty-five minutes to town and stopped at the mall.
When I had seen her old T-shirts and the fact that she didn’t have more than an old pair of running shoes for hiking, I made up my mind to surprise her.
I wandered the mall for a few hours, grabbing everything I thought a girl would need. When I returned home, I snuck upstairs and into her room, hoping she wouldn’t catch me.
I walked into her closet and sorted all the things I had bought for her.
I hoped she wouldn’t be upset and that she would see how much I had wanted to spoil her. She deserved it, especially after having to deal with me and my ridiculous ability to mess up all too often.
I smiled as I looked at the closet that was now full and made my way back downstairs.