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The Gray Ranch 16
ANN POV "Yeah, I'm free tonight. I am actually off today and tomorrow," I reply as I close the fridge and reposition my cell phone. "Awesome, we are having a BBQ to celebrate my pregnancy and the new additions to our family. I would love for you to join us. The other wives would also like to meet you," Carmen says excitedly and I grow nervous as the unknown number of strangers begins to loom in my head. "How many people will be there? I have no problem with crowds, but I will only know you... and Mr. Gray " I say as he creeps to the front of my mind yet again. "I am sorry. Let me give you a breakdown so you don't get overwhelmed when you join us tonight. There's me and Mike, then Samantha and Daniel. They have two kids. Angelica and Andrew. Then Tabitha and Stanley. They have a newborn named Grace, after Tabitha's late mother. Then there is Mariah and Benji. They have an adopted son named Trevor, and their newborn is the youngest. Her name is Makenzie. Then there is Boyd, Lewis, a
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Gray Ranch 17
FINLEY POV "I am so happy you came. We have a bunch of food and the patio has a great sound system. When we move out there to eat we will turn on music. The guys also set up some games for us to play," Carmen says as she leads Ann and her friend into the living room with a big smile.Samantha and Tabitha immediately move toward the newcomers with welcoming expressions, but Ann doesn't look happy yo be here. I can see the fear in her blue eyes clearly as she looks around at us. She looks as if she wants to turn back around and run away."Welcome to Gray Ranch. I'm Sam," Samantha says as she shakes both of their hands. I see Ann relax a little and I smirk. I would bet my pay check Samantha used her Luna influence on her while shaking her hand.Tabitha introduces herself next and out of the corner of my eye I see Lewis move forward. His straight back and focused gaze draw my attention completely.Normally Lewis sits back. His role in the pack is one of submission. He never steps forw
Last Updated : 2024-11-03The Gray Ranch 18
ANN POV"Come on, Ann. It will be fun. We haven't gotten to do anything fun recently," Claire begs again, and I sigh before looking at her.She has been hounding me for hours about going on the triple date Carmen somehow arranged, but I keep refusing. I don't want anyone forcing Finley to go out with me. I have some pride. I am a decent looking woman. I don't need a man giving me some kind of pity date his friend organized."We went to a pretty cool BBQ three days ago, I would call that recently," I say to be snarky, and she glares at me for a second before responding."It's going to be fun. Work has been our life for months... Plus, I am nervous, and I would like my best friend to have my back on this one," Claire says, pulling out the big guns. We have a quick and silent stare-down, but she knows she won. I won't go against her needing me. This is her first official date with Lewis, and if she says she needs me there, I will be there."Fine. But for me tonight isn't a date. Finley
Last Updated : 2024-11-13The Gray Ranch 19
FINLEY POVShe swings her arm stiffly and turns bright red when her ball heads straight for the gutter. I want to laugh, but I also would hate hurting her feelings. She looks so nervous tonight and she already had the embarrassing moment with her shoes when I sat down next to her. I should keep a straight face. She waits impatiently for her ball to return and manages to knock down four pins on her second attempt. I smile at her as she returns to her seat next to me, but she doesn't smile back. My admission about being behind tonight seems to have shocked her a little and I am not surprised. When I saw her at the gym, I had made it clear to her I wasn't looking for a relationship, and here I am telling her I set up this date."I thought you were forced to come tonight," Ann says softly after Carmen takes her turn and I chuckle a little. I look into her curious blue eyes and the same feelings I got when I saw her laughing with my family come rushing back. "Not at all," I reply and her
Last Updated : 2024-11-15The Gray Ranch 20
FINLEY POV I jump up as soon as the doorknob jiggles. I have been waiting for three hours. I knew Lewis and Claire would probably be a while, but I had no idea it would be early morning before he got back home. He walks in looking proud and smelling of Claire. His mate match seems to be a good one and I am truly happy for him. He is a good male and he deserves a good partner. "Hey man, we need to talk," I say quickly and his smile drops off his face as he looks me over. "What's wrong," he asks and I shake my head a little. I said that way too forcefully. After everything that has happened to the pack I probably sent his blood pressure up by saying it like that. "I am probably freaking out more than I should about this, but I wasn't prepared for it... Claire and Ann know about shifters," I say and he looks surprised before taking a seat in one of our oversized chairs. "How do you know," he asks and I follow his lead and sit back down. Calmer feelings begin to course thr
Last Updated : 2024-11-16The Gray Ranch 21
ANN POV"Well, in a nutshell, the hospital told us that there are beings known as shifters around this area. They told us shifters have heightened senses and the ability to shift into animal form. They said you tend to heal quickly and are healthier than most humans, but occasionally, you do require medical attention. They asked for us to treat you just like any typical human and keep our mouths closed. That wasn't the vocabulary used of course, but I am paraphrasing. Grab those bowls please," I say as I set Claire's cheese grater down on the counter. I begin to stir the noodles to hide the fact my hands are shaking a little. He silently moves to grab the bowls from next to the sink and I manage to take a deep breath to try and calm down. When he places the bowls on the counter next to the noodles, I keep my eyes on the food and sprinkle my favorite herbs over the top. He watches my face the whole time I do that and I try to act like my heart isn't racing.When Claire and I signed t
Last Updated : 2024-11-16The Gray Ranch 22
FINLEY POV I greedily slurp another forkful of pasta. This stuff is amazing. If I didn't watch how simple it was to make I would think Ann was a trained chef, not a nurse. "This is so good," I groan while spinning another bit onto my fork. Ann lets out a little laugh before nodding. "I saw a TikTok video where the person made this recipe. They used a lot more cheese and had homemade pasta, but my version is okay too... Claire and I try to take turns cooking when we have food in the house. We both use videos to help us since we aren't great cooks," she explains and I shake my head. "Keep doing what you are doing because this is amazing," I say as I scrap my plate clean. She chuckles again, but only slightly, and takes another bite. I watch her while picking up my glass of water. She has seemed rather subdued since we sat down at the table. At first, I thought it was because she was still embarrassed, but as we have eaten and talked, I can see an emotion in her eyes I don't
Last Updated : 2024-11-17The Gray Ranch 23
ANN POV (3 weeks later) I slide my hand into Finley's as love practically spills over in my chest. Watching my best friend say, "I do," to her mate has made me feel so lovey-dovey I don't think I have ever been happier. Fin smiles before bringing our hands to his lips and kissing the back of my hand. We share a look of happiness before we turn our attention back to Lewis and Claire. They look so perfect together as they spin around on the makeshift dance floor. In fact, everything about their little backyard ceremony has been perfect. From Claire's dress to Lewis's speech. When she first told me they were going to do a small backyard wedding I thought they were moving too fast, but then I thought about my relationship with Finley and how fast we have moved. Then I got sad because she would be moving into the Gray mansion, and I would be left in our small house by myself, missing her companionship, but those feelings passed quickly as well. My best friend has found her one true
Last Updated : 2024-11-18
Latest chapter
The Gray Ranch 43
ANN POV My eyelids flutter open as I feel something brush against my neck. "There you are. I was starting to get worried," Finley says as I groggily look over to see him lying next to me, smiling. "What time is it," I ask as I attempt to sit up in his soft bed with one arm. He doesn't answer me right away; instead, he watches me intently as if he is ready to help move my body himself if my good arm gives out. "10pm. I have your dinner in the mini-fridge," he says once I get propped up against the headboard. My eyes widen and he smiles again. "Like I said I was worried, but I also understand. You went through a lot," he says before moving to sit next to me. "My body still feels like I could sleep more," I admit and he nods. "You can go back to sleep once you eat. You were moaning in your sleep and you kept holding your arm like it was hurting you... The doctor sent you home with some pain medicine, but she said you shouldn't take it on an empty stomach. I will heat you
The Gray Ranch 42
FINLEY POV "Ann, you big dummy," Claire gasps before she dashes towards her injured friend. I grin as I watch the women hug one another. Ann's blue cast goes clean up to her bicep, she hasn't had any sleep, and she is still shaken up, but she is still hugging and consoling her uninjured friend as soon as she returns home. She is truly an angel. "I know. I know. I am okay though. Finley got him away from me before anything really bad could happen," Ann says and Claire just squeezes her tighter. "I wouldn't know what to do if I had lost you," Claire says before sniffling and Ann begins to pat Claire's back with her good hand. "Shh, don't get me worked up. I had to be sedated when I faced the fact I was almost murdered. I don't think I can handle another cry fest," Ann says and Claire withdraws. She steps back and wipes her face as Lewis moves beside her. He wraps a hand around her waist while offering Ann a warm smile. "Happy to have you back home," Lewis says and Ann smiles b
The Gray Ranch 41
FINLEY POV I have never been this angry and disappointed in Ann before. She has always been a calm reasonable woman who I could trust to make good decisions. But tonight she broke the trust I had in her. "Hey, I am about to head out," Lewis says as he sees me stomp back into the waiting room. "Good. Go," I snap and he looks at me as if I have grown three heads. "What the hell is your problem? Did Ann tell you to come back out here," he asks and I run my hand through my hair. The angry words I spoke to her come back in waves as I think of what to say to him and my stomach tightens. I shouldn't have cussed at her, but I was so mad. I am still mad. Everything about the past 4 hours has been wrong and unfair. "No. I blew up at her for coming to the house. Claire warned her and she still came... I said some hurtful things," I explain in a low voice. Shame is beginning to ease my anger toward her. I already lost someone important today and I just treated Ann like crap. I can't
The Gray Ranch 40
ANN POV "Your ulna is snapped clean in half and your radius has a bad fracture. You are going to need a cast, Ann," Neata says as she looks over my x-ray. I nod and try to keep from tearing up again. I have cried enough today. I knew the bone had a clean break, but hearing her say it makes it so final. Alpha Hugh was strong enough to snap my arm without exerting much effort and that fact is terrifying. Shifters look so normal, but they aren't. They are unnaturally strong. I should have listened to Claire. I should have stayed away from the house. Now all I can think about is how easy it would be for Fin or one of the others to hurt me. "So you are friends with shifters... and there was an attack that you got caught in the middle of," Neata asks critically as she steps away from the x-ray and takes a seat on the stool. "Yes. I know how that sounds, but they are real trust me. Members of their high council should be showing up to go over what happened at Gray Ranch and my injuries
The Gray Ranch 39
FINLEY POV Her tears and fear are the only things I can focus on as I run full speed at his back. If he thinks for one second he can take someone else from me he is wrong. I will kill him right here and now. When I get about five feet from him I launch myself into the air.He is so focused on his brief moment of control that he hasn't smelled or heard me coming straight at him. I open my jaw wide and aim directly at his neck. I need to kill him instantly. He has Ann in his arms. I can't risk him hurting her. As my teeth sink into his flesh I allow every feeling of sorrow and rage I felt racing here come pouring out of me. I clamp down on his spine and snap it in half with one clean bite. I dig my claws into his back and tear his skin open. As his body falls to the earth, limp and useless, I attack it. I rip it open with my canines and claw it open with my paws. I know he is dead, but the fact he took Darcy's life and was threatening Ann's has me seeing red. My wolf spirit and my
The Gray Ranch 38
ANN POV "We all heard you approach. It's a good thing I have contingencies in place or this opportunity would have passed me by," his gruff voice mumbles before he grabs my arm. A small yelp escapes my mouth as his grip crushes my forearm and tears well up in my eyes once more. I feel so stupid and helpless. I knew the second I left the safety of my car that he was behind me, but I have yet to look at him. I can't seem to bring myself to do it. It's like seeing the boogeyman after imagining him forever. I don't want to put a face to my nightmares... But facing him might be my only chance. Come on, Ann. Fight. You chose to come here tonight. You put yourself in danger. At least try to protect yourself. Before I can try any kind of defensive tactic he yanks me toward the front of my car and pushes me down. I fall on my butt and look up at him instinctually to shield myself, but what I see makes me gasp in surprise, not fear. He looks like any fifty-something-year-old man except fo
The Gray Ranch 37
ANN POV My hands shake as I reread Claire's texts for the third time. 9:21 Claire- Hey, go to your place after work. Something happened. One of the guys on patrol howled. Lewis just left our wing to go get ready. 9:32 Claire- I am so scared. I think it's happening, Ann. I think that angry Alpha has finally shown up. I am so scared for Lewis. We just found each other. I can't imagine losing him now. 9:57 Claire- I expect I will be going to the bunker soon so you should either stay at the hospital or go back to the house. Please stay safe. I love you Tears fill my eyes as fear for my friend and Fin ravage my exhausted body. I shouldn't have left my phone in my locker. I should have kept it on me, but the lobby was busy when I arrived and I jumped right in. I didn't think about checking my phone once all night. Anything can be happening to them and I wasn't even aware. I look at the time and swallow the lump in my throat. It's only been twenty minutes since she last text me. May
The Gray Ranch 36
BENJI POV Realization that Alpha Hugh has an explosive tied to a tree dawns on me at the same time Darcy's dark gray and black wolf comes rushing in front of my body. But before either of us can do anything the explosive goes off.Darcy is blasted back into me instantlyand our bodies go flying backward from the force. I yelp as I hit the hard ground. Black dots cloud my vision and my legs feel as if they have been broken, but I am still alive. I yelp again as the broken bones instantly begin to reset. They won't be fully healed for several hours but at least they won't be sticking through my fur.I lift my head and look to my right. Darcy landed just a few feet from me, but she isn't moving. The tree that had the bomb and several others all exploded. Sharp pieces of wood are sticking out of the ground and her body. I can't shift with freshly broken bones to check on her and our enemy is still roaming free, so I do the next best thing. I tilt my head up and howl. I pour all of my pai
The Gray Ranch 35
DARCY POVBenji's large body quietly moves away from me as he begins his route and I sigh in relief. His calm power has always been slightly intimidating, but his presence has become unbearable since Killian came back. He eyes me as if he knows what Kill and I did. I push his existence out of my mind before focusing on the empty field and stretching my legs.Patrol is tiring, but it brings a certain peace to my mind. I prefer doing it then staying inside with the perfect Grays. All the happy couples and sweet gestures between them make my wolf and I more bitter about our situation. I can't even stomach the babies anymore. Of course, there is one person more miserable than I am, and it is the pregnant little human. She looks as if she hasn't slept since I brought the news about Alpha Hugh.I cut through the tall grass in a direction that doesn't have a fresh scent. I never take the same route; I switch up my routes every hour, and when I first come out, I always choose to start in a
