LOGINShare
23
Last Updated:
2024-11-18 06:07:48
Related chapters
The Gray Ranch 24
FINLEY POV Dan smiles a little as he moves his son to his other side and I am once again reminded how much things have changed since Sam came into our lives. All the new lives and mates. The Gray pack seem stagnant before Stanley found Samantha in Florida. "So, what's your plan," Dan asks without taking his eyes off his son. "I don't know what you are referring to," I ask refocusing on the side of his face. "With Ann. Do you plan to mate her," Dan asks as he finally looks away from Andrew. His blue eyes drill into me and I feel as if he is giving me an x-ray. Dad gets the same way when he is looking to dissect every word spoken to him, but I don't have anything to hide. Dan doesn't need to act like this is an interrogation. Things with Ann have been going wonderful. She makes me laugh and I want to be around her all the time. She keeps the bad thoughts and feelings away. I have chosen her as my second chance and things are progressing nicely. "I plan to eventually claim her
Last Updated : 2024-11-23The Gray Ranch 25
DARCY POV "If you had never met him do you think you would have wanted me,"... that question has consumed my thoughts for months.I wanted to apologize to him. I wanted to tell him how much I wanted him as well as Killian. But I couldn't explain why I wanted Killian more. Instead, I was only able to confirm that I desired Finley too. I answered him as honestly as I could. If I had never met Killian I would have been Finley's the second I met him, but I had fallen in love years ago with my best friend and partner. I had chosen who I wanted to be with. I couldn't just make my love for Killian go away when I met Finley... Not like my mom did when she met her mate... Not like Killian did when he met his... Maybe the love others have for me just isn't that strong. Maybe I am not loveable...My depressive thoughts make the pain in my chest build once more and I quickly shut them down. If I fall down the pit of despair I won't be able to do what I came here to do. I won't be able to protec
Last Updated : 2024-11-30The Gray Ranch 26
FINLEY POV Terror rips through my body and my feelings about seeing Darcy disappear as I look down at the beautiful woman clutching my arm. So many dangers have threatened our family over the past two years and now a threat is coming when I have a vulnerable female to protect. How do I guarantee her safety? She can't heal like us and she can't protect herself. If anything happens to her... I pull Ann against my chest and wrap my arms around her. Her scent and strong heartbeat push away Darcy's smell completely and calm my fear. I will keep Ann close to me until this threat is eliminated. I won't allow her to be harmed. She is my savior. Losing Ann would be the end of me. "Alright. Everyone calm down. We have security measures in place for this," Dan says and I turn my head so I can look at my big brother. "We have the bunkers and multiple cameras around the property. Carmen, nanny duties are suspended. We need you in a safe place at all times. Claire and Ann you will also nee
Last Updated : 2024-12-03The Gray Ranch 27
ANN POV "Before we leave I want to check with Stan and see what the council told him. Are you okay hanging out in here for a minute," Fin asks as he places his dishes in the washer. I nod and smile at Sam who seems to like me more than I realized. "That's fine. I will be spending more time here. I should get better acquainted," I say and Tabitha shoots me a wink. Fin kisses my cheek and strides off in the direction of their massive office. I watch him until he is gone, and when I look back at the others, I am surprised to find them sitting across from me at the large island. Tabitha smiles at me and Sam takes a sip of her hot tea. "We won't let her get close to him," Sam says clearly as she lowers the mug to the counter and I grin. Her fiercely protective nature reminds me of my mother. I can see why Claire likes her so much. "I don't plan to let her near him either. She doesn't deserve him," I say, and the green-eyed beauty gives me a wide smile. "That's what we like to hea
Last Updated : 2024-12-07The Gray Ranch 28
FINLEY POVI can't stop smiling even as I head outside to ensure another threat won't harm my family. She makes me feel so at ease and happy. Stan scared me when I went to check in with him earlier by saying Ann might not be able to handle the dangers that come with dating a shifter, but she erased those fears in a matter of seconds. She isn't running away or distancing herself. I close the back door and quickly jog over to the barn so the others can give me their report and get inside. I am already late to switch in because I got caught up in kissing Ann. Hopefully, they won't be too irritated. I open the barn door and frown when I find only Darcy's scent. Daniel left her to fill me in... Great. I square my shoulders and set my jaw. She is a pack member. I can get and give reports to her. I will just have to put up a wall and make every conversation we have about the pack. It is the only thing we share now. I don't care about her growl from earlier or how she feels about my re
Last Updated : 2024-12-08The Gray Ranch 29
ANN POV "FIN," I shout while hoping his sensitive ears hear me.It is windy out tonight and he might already be acres away from the house."Fin," I yell again and I see a large gray wolf cutting throw the tall grass to the East of me.When it reaches the short grass around the barn it shifts and I am instantly met with a naked and angry Finley."Ann! What the hell are you doing outside," he says as he comes marching toward me. His irritation is clear and I know I should be focused on his face, but my eyes quickly sweep over his muscular form. The broad shoulders and V cut waist make me wet my lips. He is exquisite and for a moment I forget why I rushed out here."Ann, get your butt inside. It is dangerous," Finley orders while pointing toward the back door.He comes to a halt in front of me looking angrier than I have ever seen him, but I don't move."What did Darcy say," I ask directly and his arm drops.The angry look on his face dims for a moment, before he shakes his head and r
Last Updated : 2024-12-12The Gray Ranch 30
ANN POV My eyes dart to the chocolate beauty once again and my stomach twists. She hasn't said a word to me in the four days I have had to stay here, but she has thrown some dirty looks my way. Now we are in the kitchen alone. I know Finley is about to come strolling into the kitchen. He is due for his patrol shift with Mike, but the seconds seem to be dragging so I keep sending her secret looks. She looks gorgeous as usual in her black workout shorts and a simple T-shirt. She has her thick curly hair tied up so her graceful neck is on full display. Her face is free of makeup, but her skin looks airbrushed it is so flawless. In comparison, I feel unattractive in my green scrubs with my long brown hair in a low bun. I have a little bit of makeup on, mascara and eyebrows nothing heavy... but I feel overdone and fake standing next to her. Before she can spot me staring at her I force myself to refocus on my mug of coffee. I don't want to add additional tension by getting caught w
Last Updated : 2024-12-15The Gray Ranch 31
FINLEY POV I slam my hand on Stan's desk and the wood splits, but his blue eyes remain calm. It is clear he expected me to act like this and he has decided to wait out the storm."Are you done," he asks in a bored tone that makes me wish I could still punch him without breaking his jaw. "Did you tell them no? Did you demand another agent? I mean, he isn't even an agent anymore," I ask, sounding menacing. He sighs and shakes his head no which sends me over the edge. I turn away from him so I don't do anything I will regret. How could he have not told them no? How could he not demand a different male?"The council knew he was placed in this pack previously. He knows the territory. They know he works well with his ex-partner... And they know we need the muscle. We haven't seen anything suspicious, but that just means our enemy is more cunning than we thought. He is waiting us out... Dad already put Killian on a flight, Fin," Stan says in a more compassionate tone, but I can't respond
Last Updated : 2024-12-16
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
