"You gave your mother fits? I can't picture it at all," Ella teased.
"I was usually an absolute angel," Wolf said with a straight face.
"Uh huh." She eyed him with a playful, but incredulous smile.
"You want to keep swinging or eat? Wait I have an idea."
Wolf wandered over and popped the cork on the wine, then grabbed several things from the basket. When Ella swung back, Wolf handed her the bottle.
"I brought glasses but this looks like more fun," he suggested.
Ella took a swig from the bottle, then handed it back when she swung toward him again.
"Open up," he called out.
Wolf popped a blueberry into her mouth when she came close. The strawberry he tried to feed Ella, didn't go nearly as smoothly. Most of it ended up smeared on her chin.
Ella snorted as she stopped the swing. Wolf grabbed her hand, when she moved to wipe the strawberry juice off her chin. He leaned in and licked the sweet nectar from her even sweeter skin. Ella grabbed Wolf's biceps, as he followed the dribble of juice down her throat.
"Wolf," Ella panted when he reached the neck of her t-shirt.
"Yes?" He glanced up at her flushed cheeks.
"If you keep it up, that picnic's going to go to waste."
"You're probably right."
Wolf forced himself to back off and led Ella over to the blanket. She peered into the basket.
"You've got all sorts of stuff here; fruit, cheese, veggies, chicken."
Ella pulled out a carrot and held it out to Wolf. He took it, nipping her fingers in the process. They ate like that for several minutes, forgoing the plates and silverware he packed.
"You hear that? It's a woodpecker." Wolf pointed out the red crested bird.
"I'm not that good with identifying birds. I've got limited experience in nature. You might have heard," Ella laughed.
"I did," Wolf grinned, recalling her story.
"I'm amazed by it though. I wonder how so many wondrous creatures are possible. I'm sure there's a scientific reason, but I'm still amazed a woodpecker isn't knocked silly, every time it slams its face into a tree."
"Creation has come up with some pretty interesting things," Wolf commented, amused by the image Ella conjured.
Wolf was enjoying the direction things were going with Ella. He was learning that there was more to her than meets the eye. The more Wolf discovered, the more he wanted to know about her. She was guarded and innocent, but also strong and talented. She'd taken care of herself for way too long. The way Ella reacted to simple things, like loaning her the truck, and the picnic, made him want to lavish her with everything her heart ever desired and then some.
Wolf could easily see himself sharing the pack's secret with Ella; a thing he swore he'd never do with an Outsider. The only fear was how she'd react to the news, if he didn't do things right. He'd grown up with horror stories of Shifters sharing their secret with disastrous results; lynchings, mental hospitals, suicides and broken hearts. Worse, were the tales of Shifters who rejected their nature and tried to live life as an Outsider.
"So, you played here as a child?" Ella drew Wolf out of his thoughts. "Your family seems close knit."
"Yeah, sometimes we're too close. How about you?"
"I've got more family overseas than here. It's just my mother and sister, since dad passed."
"Sorry." Wolf recalled hearing her mention it before.
"No, it's okay. My dad, taught me most of what you saw in the clubhouse. I loved helping him. It was good quality time."
"I was a little surprised to see you in there. Since I met you, you've been dressed like you came off the cover of a magazine."
"That's my mother's influence," Ella laughed. "She's the one with the fashion sense. Enough about me. What about your parents?"
"I'm ashamed to admit they moved to northern Florida several years ago. We have a bunch of old timers that retired near the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge. Although they come back for weeks at a time to harass me."
"I bet it keeps you humble," she said with a grin.
"You think?"
"No," Ella laughed.
"So, tell me more about Sabine. Does she make you nuts, like Char does me?" Wolf asked.
"Sabine and I are Irish twins. We were born eleven months apart, the same year even."
"You mean there's another one of you walking around? God help the world."
"Real funny. We're not actual twins, smart alec." Ella shoved Wolf. "Yes, she makes me crazy. Sabine sometimes pretends her mind is failing, but it's a bunch of garbage. She is so rowdy. She'd give you all a run for your money. Her favorite pastime is trying to shock me."
"Hey what a coincidence, that's my favorite pastime too. What's wrong with her?"
"Nice," Ella replied to his smartass comment. "It's some form of ALS. That's the best the doctors can categorize it."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. They're making progress with the disease, and she's been doing well." Ella crossed her fingers.
"Is she in the hospital now?"
"Yep. She's on this experimental drug regimen, that seems to be working."
Ella looked upbeat about her sister's condition. Wolf couldn't imagine it. Shifters didn't get sick like Outsiders. It had to be an unbelievable strain on Ella and her sister.
"Well maybe I can take her for a spin on the bike some time, if she's up for it."
"Sabine would love that, but enough about her."
Wolf's phone rang and he glanced over on the blanket to see it was his friend Cain.
"You can answer it, I don't mind," Ella said, then gleefully jumped up and ran back over to the swing.
Wolf smiled at her, as he picked up the phone.
"Hey, Cain."
"Hey, man. How's it going?" Cain sounded strained.
Whatever had the president of the Reapers sounding like he did, had to be important. It eased some of the annoyance Wolf was feeling from the interruption. The sight of Ella happily swinging, also helped.
"Doing good," Wolf honestly replied. "What's up brother?"
"I hate to bother you so soon, but I need your help, if you're up for it," Cain said through the phone.
"Lay it on me." Wolf pulled his attention from the sight of Ella kicking her legs as she swung.
"I got a girl at the stripclub, who's boyfriend ran off with her kid. The fucker says she owes him for drugs, but the girl's not into anything more than a little weed."
"Do I need to head over there now?"
Wolf looked at Ella with a disappointed smirk. He'd go, since a kid was in danger. But if he had to cut his evening with Ella short, he'd be taking it out on the piece of shit kidnapper.
"Not quite yet. We're waiting for the shithead to call back. Trip's going to trace the call."
"Are they Others, or one of us? Not that it matters."
"Others, but she's been a steady girl. Been loyal to the club."
"I got you. Well give me a call when Trip's got a location for me."
"Will do. Thanks, man," Cain replied sincerely.
"No problem."
Wolf hung up the phone, and looked over at Ella still contentedly swinging away.
"That sounded like work," she called out.
"Sort of."
"I know you own the apartment, and seem to be the ring leader of this band of miscreants, but what else do you do?"
"I'm a private investigator."
"Sounds exciting." Ella swung as high as she could manage while chatting with him.
"It's not really, but I'm good at it. I've got a nose for hunting people down." Wolf tapped his nose.
"So, someone needs you?"
"Yeah. A kid was taken. They're waiting on a call so they can trace the number."
"That's awful. Anyone who messes with kids should be shot."
Ella wasn't the violent type. Hearing that coming from her mouth was amusing.
"The asshole might get shot before this is through."
"Is that what you were up to when I moved in?"
"Sort of. A friend went missing in Mexico."
"Oh no."
"Don't worry we found him. The rotten SOB came back with a brand new old lady and her grandma."
"Old lady? That's not the most flattering phrase. It ranks right up there with ball and chain."
Ella scrunched up her nose. She looked damn cute when she did that. Wolf got up and stalked toward the swing. Ella's eyes widened. She squealed when he plucked her off the wood seat.
"Are you saying you wouldn't be my old lady if I asked."
Wolf tickled Ella's ribs, making her squirm as he deposited her on the blanket.
"Wolf, stop. I'm going to pee," Ella begged breathlessly, as he leaned over her.
"What'll you give me, if I relent?" Wolf paused his tickle attack.