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“What about the pack Beta?” Sean understood that most Betas would take over if there were no sons when an Alpha passed.
"Axel didn't have a Beta; he preferred enforcers. He was a man who did not like to share power." Sean nodded, making no judgment. Every Alpha had the right to form their own inner circle.
“That’s too bad.”
“Yes, it is.” Both Eamon and Noah agreed.
Lowell French and his friends John Sims and Patrick Handly had nicely settled into their campsite when Patrick remembered that they’d left their poles and tackle in the Jeep back in the lot. It had been a forty-five-minute walk from the lot to the campsite, and the thought of making that walk all over again at this hour was not appealing.
Lowell couldn’t stop laughing while John and Patrick both stood staring at each other with scathing expressions. “It wasn’t my fault Lowell.” Patrick stated and crossed his arms.
"We were so caught up in our snacks, beverages, and comforts that we forgot the reason for being here at the lake for the weekend," John stated sharply. "We came here to fish." He enunciated clearly and with heavy sarcasm.
"Hey, if we were going to forget something, the fishing gear would have been my choice. Snacks, drinks, and a comfortable bed are three of my favorite things. Not to mention this lovely location on the shore of this stunning lake in the company of two of my closest friends." That had John and Patrick stepping back and each taking a deep breath. "It's not the end of the world." Both nodded but were still shooting scathing looks back and forth.
"Let's get set up and worry about the gear in the morning. It's too late for fishing anyway. We'll start early in the morning." Lowell suggested that John and Patrick agree.
"You have to admit, though, that this is a pretty lame fishing trip," Patrick admitted and waited for the others to agree.
"In terms of fishing perhaps, but in terms of good times with good friends, it looks like it's going to be a big win." Both John and Patrick looked at him and shook their heads.
"Always seeing the glass half full, aren't you, Lowell." John groused.
“We’ll get the equipment in the morning for now let’s put up the tents and get dinner started.” Lowell grabbed a beer and poppled it open. “I’ll start the steaks while you two deal with the tents.” He handed them each a beer and patted them on the back.
"Medium rare for me," John stated.
"I'll take mine rare," Patrick added.
"Coming right up." Lowell just wanted to have a relaxing weekend and didn't want to deal with John and Patrick bickering the entire time. They'd known each other since high school, and this fishing trip was something they did fairly often. It was usually relaxing and fun. Unfortunately, something was going on between the two that was making itself known through personal attacks and general bad attitudes.
They all worked for John's dad, who owned a lawn care company in Salida. It wasn't what Lowell wanted to do long term, but it gave him a decent paycheck while he thought about what it was he wanted to do. John lived at home with his father, Patrick lived at home with his parents, and Lowell lived alone. Lowell never knew his parents and was raised in care. He was on his own at eighteen, and yet he was the one who could always find the good in any situation.
Once everything was set and dinner was ready they sat back and enjoyed the peace and the quiet of the woods and the lake. “I wish I had a little of your positivity.” Patrick commented. The sun was going down and the fire was dying with just the embers glowing in the growing darkness.
"I wish that just once you wouldn't forget something. Our fishing trips would be so much more enjoyable if we didn't have to worry about what you're going to forget. Your absentmindedness is so irritating." John brought the subject back to the problem, but Lowell did not have time for it.
"Not a problem, John. We have had a nice dinner and a nice evening." Lowell handed them both another beer. "Tell me about that gal from the grocery store you're interested in, Patrick." He attempted to change the subject. "Have you asked her out yet?"
“You mean Cheryl who decided she would rather date John.” Patrick snapped and Lowell quickly looked from Patrick to John and back to Patrick. “She’s great but it’s too bad she prefers the bosses son rather than a simple laborer like me.”
“Sorry about that. I didn't know things had taken an odd turn. Let's have some smores." Lowell awkwardly started feeding the fire to bring it back and scrambled in his duffle for the graham crackers.
"I asked her out, and she accepted. If you wanted to date her, you should have asked her out." John defended himself.
"You knew I liked her," Patrick shouted at him.
“I knew nothing of the kind. You never told me you liked her.” John shouted back.
"Lowell knew I liked her, and that's why he asked about her."
“You must have told Lowell, but you never told me.” John was lying through his teeth, but Lowell wasn’t going to bring it up. He finished the smores and slapped one in each man’s hand.
"Have a smore and stop talking." Both men ate and remained quiet, but the side-eye action was fierce. Lowell was looking forward to going to bed. His quiet and peaceful weekend away was going to be anything but. Maybe he would suggest cutting the weekend short, and they could head home tomorrow.
The bar scene was heating up as questions over who would be chosen as challengers and opinions as to who the crowd felt deserved the honor filled the room. Unfortunately, those who preferred Jaron were going up against those who preferred Murphy, and those who preferred others rounded out the mayhem. No one in the bar had a say in anything, but they still decided it was worth their while to fight it out.
“This is not the vacation you envisioned, I'm sure." Eamon sympathized. "But with that said, I'm glad you're here. The mood is getting out of hand, and I fear when the wise ones make their selection, it will only get worse."
