MUSICAL CHAIRS

"No." I said, because it was the truth.

"Yes." Ben said at the same time because the truth was more troublesome to explain.

We turned to glare at each other.

"They are not attending the same school." Ki, who was sitting opposite us smoothly explained with a gentle smile. He wasn't lying, but I jabbed Ben in the ribs for making Ki have to cover for us.

"Ow." Ben winced.

Delta Bernard laughed, "I never liked to read."

This coming from our Delta overseeing the budgeting and finances of our entire pack.

"That's why I became an auditor." Delta Bernard told us (and the rest of the bus really, since he had to yell across the bus aisles from where he was sitting with some of the other members of the GAP team. They looked over and I quickly checked our table in a bid to see what they might be able to see from their vantage point.

On second thoughts, it probably wasn't a good idea to put out a bestseller from the future in plain sight. My only comfort was the most of the books were in my beta's screens - like if you looked at their screen, it was obvious they were reading some kind of novel or something, but on our table, there was only my book, "The Story of Dan Lion" and some papers and documents because Harvey was sorting out some stuff for me to sign. As in I was supposed to sign them, but at the last minute, he noticed something that he believed wasn't in the drafts. Now he was frowning at his laptop in a bid to trace when that had been changed.

Ki had subtly switched tabs and was on his social media scheduling app. So now I knew, not only was the Alpha Princess' timeline not posted by me, they were also scheduled up to three days in advance.

Well, now with Dan Lion's books, Ki might even be able to schedule my posts announcing all my future puppies' births too.

The future had literally been spelled out for us.

The friendly adults at the next table were currently teasing Delta Bernard for his illiteracy, so Delta Bernard had to explain, "Give me numbers anytime. 1+1 will always equals to 2. But don't give me a long complicated story…"

But the world was full of complicated stories Delta Bernard!

"Who said so?" Delta Felicity came over at the commotion. My betas suddenly turned back to concentrate on their very important Beta work on their screens.

"Who said 1+1 must always be 2?" Delta Felicity challenged.

"That's what it is in my books." Delta Bernard said.

Delta Felicity laughed, "Let me teach you some real math, Bernie."

"No, thank you Fel." Bernie, I mean Delta Bernard shook his head, "I don't want to learn math from someone who had to retake math in high school."

"Meh, who's counting?" Delta Felicity shrugged.

"Twice." Delta Bernard said. The other wolves sniggered.

Delta Felicity put her hands on her hips, "I'll have you know, I wasn't wrong. The exam was just too narrow minded."

Now the adults at Delta Bernard's table laughed.

"Do you remember the time Fel tried to bake?" One of them asked.

"Yeah, the measuring cup was too narrow minded too." Another chortled.

"Whatever it is," Delta Bernard was still trying to make a point, "1+1 is 2."

Anyway, this was the guy who balances our pack accounts, so I guess its good that his math was straightforward like that.

"You have no sense of imagination, Bernie." Delta Felicity tsked.

The other guys laughed, "Remember when Bernie tried to bake for the bake sale?"

"Well that was how I met Jacklyn." Delta Bernard said as if meeting his soul mate made everything okay.

"My baking is great." Delta Felicity pouted, "They always sell well every bake sale."

"Yes. They taste EXACTLY like Krispy Kremes." The wolf next to Delta Bernard chortled and slapped Delta Bernard hard on his shoulders, "Bernie, you should learn to 'bake' like Fel."

He made air quotes when he said, "bake."

And they all laughed again.

It was from overhearing this conversation that I realized Delta Felicity, Delta Bernard, and the other three wolves in the GAP team were also old friends… so old that they pretty much grew up together.

I wondered if one day, my gang and I would be still messing around like that. I really hoped so. One day, we'd be doing pack work together, and still teasing each other and having fun like we were still in high school.

I looked at my betas, {Let's grow up to always be like that.}

"Hn." Ben chuffed, but on the mindlink he said, {You can be Delta Felicity since you're so scary.}

He didn't make air quote on "scary" but he didn't have to. Ben had mastered a level of sarcasm that could be communicated over the mindlink.

{What? No!} I flared.

By now, Harv and Ki were smiling closed mouth smiles. They were just being discrete because they didn't want to attract Delta Felicity's attention. Such was the power of our Delta in charge of Foreign Affairs.

Now that I thought about it, I wonder how Delta Felicity represented us to the other packs. Did she scare them too?

"Ah, Delta…" Oscar, who was looking anxious finally spoke up, "I'm sorry to interrupt…"

Note that Oscar was a Young BETA.

"That's Ms Delta to you Young Beta." Delta Felicity beamed.

"Yes, ah, Ms Delta…" Oscar squirmed, "The bus driver would like to remind you to remain seated…"

Delta Felicity laughed and waved it off, "Fine, fine, Bernie lend me your lap."

"What?" Delta Bernard panicked, "No."

"Fine. Then…" Delta Felicity looked over.

Ki immediately stood up, "Please."

"Why thank you, Charming Beta." Delta Felicity smiled, "But you know I'd much rather sit on your lap, right?"

Ki smiled, his gentle smile, "I'm sure that would lead to certain discomfort for all of us."

Delta Felicity wasn't in any way offended. She fanned herself with her hand, "How bold of you, Beta."

"Not at all." Ki demurred, "If you'd kindly excuse me, I have matters to attend with the other men."

And that was how Ki smoothly removed himself to the other end of the bus to sit with Ink and the others.

{Traitor.} Ben grumbled.

And that was how Delta Felicity ended up sitting with Harvey, Ben, and me for the rest of the ride into town.