Page 90 of The Alpha and the Baker
It was the most elaborate setup I’d ever seen. Practically everything glittered in shining golds and sparkling diamonds. The overhead lighting was nowhere to be seen, completely obscured by a ceiling that was completely covered with thick, dangling artificial flowers. At least, I assumed they were artificial. If they were real, either a very prolific garden had been raided, or a local florist had just made enough to put their kid through college. Either way, it was truly magnificent, complete with dangling vines and boughs of wisteria.
The party looked like it had everything. There was a dance floor, a photo area complete with a photographer, the massive food section, and even an area with a whole bunch of couches and recliners where people could take a break from the festivities in more comfortable seating. Six older people were seated there, and one of the ladies was knitting.
“Y’all really know how to throw a shindig,” I remarked as I took in the garlands of sparkling material, more balloon arches and decorations, and the centerpieces on the table. And that wasn’t even counting thefood.Even from where I was standing by the dessert table, I could pick up the scent of fresh empanadas, tamales, cornbread, collards, oxtail, and all the fixings to make an excellent burrito—authentic and Tex-Mex style. I needed to get my invoice signed by Sal before I started drooling all over the place.
“Do you know where your alpha is?” I asked the young men who were still examining the cakes. They didn’t seem critical of my creations, rather more excited than anything else. I hoped that was a sign that I had done a pretty good job. Even after all these years and all of my professional experience, I still got nervous upon delivery.
“Uh, no. But I can go look for him.”
“Would you, please?” I asked. I kind of wanted to just stand in place for a bit and take everything in. It was funny howdifferent but so similar the party was to the McCallisters’ family reunion. While this was for a singular person, Cas’s had been an excuse to get together after a long, miserable winter. While the reunion was more informal, this event was clearly done up to the nines. Even all the attendees were dressed up with women in nice dresses and every man was wearing a tux or suit. And yet, at their hearts, they were both celebrations of pack. Of the community they had together.
The more I learned about the two packs, the more their rivalry seemed so senseless. I understood how it started, and I did think the Ramirezes had every right to feel disgruntled about the way they and their ancestors had been treated, but there had to be some way to fix everything. There had to be a way forpeace.I would put money down that Arietty would get along something fierce with Aiyana. And I knew without a doubt that Gammy McCallister would no doubt love to sit in one of the recliners and knit away while regaling the others with tales of the olden days.
“Hey, you thirsty?”
I peeled my eyes away from the scene surrounding me. The man who’d stayed while his friend went to find Sal was holding a glass out to me. Now that I thought about it, I was thirsty. I had been singing along to the radio for most of the drive and hadn’t realized just how dry my mouth had gotten.
“Oh, that’s sweet of you. I actually am!”
“Ain’t no thing,” he said before drinking out of his own cup. “Punch table is over that way if you end up wanting more.”
“I appreciate it.”
I had the strangest feeling of déjà vu as I went to take a sip. I paused. Something was pulling at my memory, but it was a bit too hazy for me to put my finger on exactly what it was.
At least, it was until a hand gently took the cup from me before I ever had a single sip. A bit offended, I turned to tell the young man off, only to see Sal.
“I’m sure this was a mistake, but this punch is meant for shifters. It’s a bit too strong for you, and I don’t think that alpha of yours would take too kindly to me getting his girl inebriated unless she was fully informed about it.”
That’s what it was. So much of the reunion was a blur. I had forgotten how tipsy I’d gotten off a third of the cup of punch I’d had there. Jeez, I was really distracted by both the wolf transformation and the elaborate party.
“Thanks. I don’t suppose you have some water for the road? I’d be most appreciative.”
“Sure, I can do that.” He looked behind my shoulder and spoke rapidly in Spanish. My understanding of the language was rudimentary at best, but I did catch the wordaguain there. Strangely enough, the short answer back didn’t sound anything like Spanish at all.
Sal must have clocked my confused expression because he chuckled. “That was Fox,” he said as if that explained everything.
“Fox?” I frowned. “Like the animal?” Were there even fox shifters? I didn’t recall Cas mentioning that, but it might just not have been relevant.
Cue another laugh from Sal, and I felt my cheeks color. Was I making a fool of myself? “Nah, Fox language is what we Saukspeak. My family doesn’t have a ton of Sauk blood, but I was just talking to Whitefish. He’s from a more direct line, so he usually only speaks Fox when with the pack.”
“I… I had no idea that was even a language.”
“I don’t blame you for that.” A look passed over Sal’s face that was far more melancholy than I expected. “History has done a very good job of erasing so many people. You know most peoplearound here don’t know that there are indigenous people from Mexico and Hawaii that all got gobbled up by the US.”
I grimaced. “Yeah, someone once asked if I was Hawaiian when I wore a flower in my hair.”
“But you’re Asian.”
“I’m aware.” I shrugged. There was a mutual understanding between us, and for a moment, we weren’t shifter and human, just two people from different cultures adjusting to the great melting pot of America. “Oh, the invoice!”
“Right, right. I took a peek at those cakes. They look incredible.”
“Hopefully, they’ll taste that way too. I’ve got a pen if you wanna go over to a table to sign. I figure that’s easier than using my back.”
“Ha, yeah.”
We strolled over to the table and made quick work of the invoice. A beat later, a man who looked only a couple of years younger than me jogged up with two water bottles and handed them over.
