FINLEY POV
"I hate to break this up, but Forest's condition needs to be addressed before you can properly get to know one another," Mom says, as Killian stares at Darcy's look alike like a deer in headlights.
Marcie leads Bella away, and I am slow to follow behind them. My instincts are telling me this is a good thing. Killian has found his mate and Darcy should be free. My wolf feels content and happy, but my heart feels as if there is a wall. After that barn conversation with Darcy, my feelings toward her seem cold. She chose him over me. Nothing else really matters at this point. No matter what Killian decides, my mate already chose and she didn't choose me.
"Stay out here, boys," Mom says quietly as we approach her bedroom and my head clears a little.
I stop right outside their door as concern for my Dad returns full force. The issues with my mate and her husband can wait. They don't concern me anyway. Lewis comes to a halt beside me, looking anxious, and Killian stays back a little further. He seems to be in shock about the whole situation.
Mom leaves the door open behind her, and I am able to watch her as she kisses Dad's cheek before moving over so Bella can take his vitals. Their exchange is pleasant as Bella asks him how he is feeling, but Dad's expression seems tight and controlled. Either he is more worried about his condition than he let on earlier or he is uncomfortable with so many people observing his treatment.
"He looks alright," Lewis whispers suddenly breaking my fixated stare.
"He does... I think it's poison. Something is making him weak. It's either in the water or in the food," I mumble calmly and Lewis's eyes lock onto my face.
"Should I investigate," he asks sounding serious.
I shake my head.
"No. You two should leave in a few hours. I will handle things up here. If the doctors don't find anything, I will investigate the supply chain," I whisper so Mom doesn't hear, and Killian clears his throat.
Lewis glances over his shoulder at him and I turn toward the annoying male. My heart rate increases a little as I get both excited and frustrated with myself.
I keep telling myself their situation doesn't involve me, but I can't seem to disassociate completely.
"I... I need to stay. I want to get to know Bella. She is my mate, and I don't know... something about this place feels like home," Killian says, and I keep my face as neutral as possible.
Darcy's words about not ending her marriage just because she met her mate are echoing in my head. Her loyalty to this male is true and unwavering, but his is already broken... Was I not worth what Bella is? The evil question zips through my body and I feel as if my chest has physically cracked open.
"Umm... Yeah. That sounds like a good plan. Congratulations," I say sounding nothing like myself, but he doesn't seem to catch my tone.
He just smirks before leaning against the wall. He looks happy and content with his choice. It's as if the decision was easy for him. Throwing away his relationship with my mate only took him a couple of minutes.
"Yeah, Congrats man. You probably should umm... You know call home. Let "everyone" know you aren't returning," Lewis says and Killian's smirk slides off his face.
He shifts around uncomfortably and avoids meeting our eyes before he gives Lewis a nod.
"Yeah. No problem," he finally mumbles and I turn my attention back to my parents.
I need to escape this situation. Killian choices and actions are out of my control as are Darcy's. The only thing I should be focused on is my Dad. He needs me and so does my mom. Bella is already zipping up her medical bag, looking pleased with how much blood she got, so I decide it should be a good time to distance myself from Killian by going in.
"How's our patient," I ask as I enter the room and close the door behind me.
All three turn toward me with different expressions. Bella is smiling looking as if this is the best day, probably still focused on the fact she met her mate. My Mom looks just as stressed as when I arrived this morning. While Dad is looking tired and frustrated.
"His vitals are good, and the blood sample will get sent off for testing at a bigger hospital. They will check for the exact cancer that has Dr. Haynes concerned," Bella says while glancing toward Mom, whose face has lost some of its color.
Silence falls between the four of us for a second and Bella quickly excuses herself. She walks past me, no longer looking happy.
Disclosing that the Doctor now thinks it is for sure cancer probably wasn't something she wanted to do, but Mom needed to hear it. I know she was already thinking about it. It just needed to be said out loud. Dad's speech this morning had me feeling confident about his condition improving quickly, but the word cancer being spoken yet again woke me up too.
I wanted to think it was something like poison because that would be an easy fix. Something we could address. A bad guy to blame his illness on... but cancer. Cancer can't easily be fixed. There will be treatments and hospital stays. We will have to see Forest Gray grow weak...
"So what are we thinking," I ask as the door clicks once more behind me.
I want the images my brain is creating to disappear. I do not want to think about my father being truly sick. I do not want to think about my mate's husband meeting his mate. I don't want to think about the fact I wasn't good enough for my mate. I want someone to tell me what to do. I need direction so I can keep from drowning. Maybe they can tell me what to do. They always have a plan.
Mom looks at Dad and tears begin to well up in her eyes. He holds his arms out as an offering and she collapses against him like a broken child. Any hope for them pointing me in the right direction evaporates. The pain I was feeling in my chest triples at the sight of my strong mother breaking.
We are all drowning.
"We need you to stay for longer than I was thinking, Son. I knew it was possibly cancer, but it sounds like it's a sure thing... I umm well, we will just see," Dad says, sounding completely unsure for the first time in his life.
He leans his cheek against the top of Mom's head. I just nod. He doesn't need to say anything else. He and I have finally accepted that he might look okay, but he is truly sick... He might die. He might not keep the promise he made this morning.
My blood runs cold as that thought hits me, but I try to keep my expression controlled. I need to be strong. I need to be dependable. My parents have an entire town of shifters that depend on the Gray family. I can't just offer my observations up to a leader, I have to lead. I need to shut down my panic. I need to shut down the turmoil inside of me. My parents need someone like Stanley.
I can be Stanley. I can be logical. I can be that for them. They can break and be unsure for a change. I can be what they need. I can shut my emotions off.
"Get some rest. Mom you just stay here with Dad. I will get back to the office and crack down on Dad's to-do list. You two just focus on each other," I say before walking out of the room.
When I exit the room I am surprised to see Lewis still waiting, but I keep my face blank.
Emotionless, Fin. Be emotionless. Be dependable. Be Stan.
"Lewis you can return home. Let Dan know I will be staying up here for the foreseeable future. Dr. Haynes is currently determining what cancer Dad has. When the testing is complete I am sure he will contact Dan... Be safe. The trip is risky alone," I say sounding robotic.
Lewis looks concerned, but he doesn't comment. He simply nods and gives my shoulder a quick squeeze before walking off. When he disappears from sight, the calm facial expression slides off my face, and terror replaces it. I tug at my hair as pure panic quickly overtakes my body and mind. I allow my emotions to rage and twist through my limbs for about thirty seconds before I cut them off once more. I straighten my clothes and tousle my brown hair to disguise the fact I just yanked on it. I shake out my arms and walk off toward Dad's office. I need to get started. I need to make things as easy as possible for my parents. My wolf isn't even eager to return home anymore. We are needed here.
DARCY POV "Fin sounded so worried about his mom and his dad. The Doctor has all but confirmed Forest has cancer. Now we are just waiting to know the specifics from the blood tests," Sam whispers to the other females and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My senses are on high alert. It's been almost 24 hours since Lewis sent a message saying they had arrived in the Northern Gray pack, but Killian has yet to call or message me. I have left him a dozen voice-mails and texted countless times. Lewis and Finley have been checking in and calling the others with updates, but Killian isn't responding to me. "I am sure it is hard accepting that Forest is sick... Are we sure we can help with the treatments? I mean, yes, a few doctors know about us, but a specialist. That is someone who will be hard to find. What if they are out of the country," Mariah asks in a gentler tone than usual. Trevor touches her cheek, and her attention turns from Samantha to him. I look her ove
DARCY POV As the hours slip away and my depression grows I realize one thing. I can't stay here. I can't live in the room I shared with Killian. I can't handle seeing Finley again when he returns knowing what I put him through. I can't wake up and eat breakfast with all these happily mated shifters. I need to leave.I sniffle a little more before peeling myself off the floor. I wipe my face and move to the closet. I force myself not to look at Killian's side as I pull out my suitcase. I pack up most of my clothes and then head to our bathroom. I quickly pack my toiletry bag. I pull on my sneakers and gather my bags.After years of working for the council, I know how to disappear, and I have the funds to do it. I purchase a plane ticket on my phone and order an Uber on autopilot before quietly leaving our room. I slowly walk through the massive mansion.As I walk my emotions build. Part of me wishes I had made different choices. I could have accepted Finley and broke up with Killian
FINLEY POV For two weeks, Dad has been receiving treatments, and I have been handling his Alpha duties. And for two weeks I have hated every minute of my life. Well, actually, that's a lie. Not every minute has been awful. My time working out at the training facility has been soothing. I spend two hours in the morning there and two hours again at night. I expel my anger and stress through sweat. I have never been more fit.I grunt as I get up from my small bed. Staying in my old room hasn't been too bad except for sleeping in my old bed. I should order a new one, but that would require caring about something. I walk into my en suite and push my long hair out of my eyes.I was due for a haircut before the camera run with Lewis, but I had been so focused on Darcy that I put it off. Now, my hair reaches my nose and is at an extremely awkward stage, but just like my bed, I don't have the energy or desire to change it. I am just barely existing while meeting my responsibilities and addi
FINLEY POV "Fin, you okay," Mom asks breaking the trance I am in. I quickly look up from my plate of scrambled eggs and bacon to see her concerned face. "I'm okay. I made you breakfast too," I say trying to sound as normal as possible. I just got done helping Dad rearrange the pillows on his bed and the sight of his baggy clothes hanging from his skinny body sent me spiraling. I made breakfast and sat down while envisioning the worst. "I know. I said thank you as I was sitting down, and you didn't answer me," Mom says, and I spot the plate of food in front of her before looking into her warm brown eyes. Each day that passes seems like a nightmare, but Mom has grown stronger despite it. She even seems content most days. Almost as if she doesn't think this sickness will take her mate from her anymore. "Sorry, I was lost in thought," I reply and she gives me a small smile before taking a bite of her breakfast. "What were you thinking," Mom asks while observing me. I take a b
FINLEY POV TWO MONTHS LATER "Remission," I whisper as Mom erupts into a happy crying fit. The specialist, Dr. Marchand, just nods and smiles. "Yes, Sir. All his tests have come back and there is no sign of cancer. I will retest in six months to confirm, but yes, your dad is officially in remission. His shifter healing is already kicking back in since we have stopped treatments. I am predicting he will be in perfect health in a matter of days," Marchand says before clapping my shoulder and walking away. Mom rushes to Dad's side and flings her slender arms around him. He just smiles and rubs her back in a reassuring way while I stay rooted to my spot. I was so convinced that the worst would happen I didn't even allow myself to consider this as a possibility. My Dad is in remission. After a few more seconds of disbelief, I finally find my feet. I walk over to my parents and Dad lifts his hand. I grasp it. He studies my face for a few seconds before he smiles at me."It's alrigh
ANN POV I laugh as my roommate takes another whiff of our soured milk. Her scrunched nose and pinched face show just how out of date it is. "Which one of us is doing the shopping this week," she asks as she sets the jug back instead of throwing it out. "Well we both work doubles for the next three days, so no one I guess," I respond while grabbing a protein bar from our pantry and throwing her one. She sighs and unwraps the disappointing breakfast. "Well at least our paychecks will be amazing," she says around her bite of cardboard and I laugh again. Working at the hospital doesn't give us much free time, but our bills are paid and our savings accounts are growing. We grab our stuff and head for my car since it is my turn to drive. When we get to work we split up and I head for the reception desk of the small emergency room. I typically don't have many patients come in, but it is flu season so we might have a small rush tonight. I set up the desk to my liking a
ANN POV "Ugh, it's hot," I mumble as I turn down the heat in my car. I normally always get my car started and warming up before we leave so we never have to sit in a cold car, but today my emotions are making me feel hot enough. I don't need the car heaters to help."Speaking of hot, those two cowboys from last night could power the sun. Did you get the single one's number," Claire asks as she buckles her seat belt. "No, I didn't ask. He umm, he gave me a clear signal he wasn't interested," I mumble before backing out of the parking space. "What signal? No guy on this planet is not interested in you," Claire asks sounding confused. Her eyebrows furrow above her brown eyes and I am reminded of his annoyed stare. I take a deep breath and drive. I knew she was going to ask what made me back off, but I didn't realize it would be this hard to explain. I mean how do I describe a stare? He didn't say a word to me, and I don't know him, but I was able to read his body language in an
ANN POV I return to the front desk with a smile. Ms. Phillips is indeed pregnant and so happy with the news that she seemed to forget I was giving her stitches. I pick up the phone to call the pharmacy about her prescription and a shadow falls over me. I look up and my breath catches in my throat as I lock eyes with Mr. Gray's concerned gaze. He looks so breathtakingly beautiful I want to dissolve into a puddle. His chiseled jawline and kissable lips are calling my name. If only he was a single man. "Excuse me? Is Carmen alright? It has been a while," he says and I nod. "She is all stitched up. I am placing an order for her at the pharmacy now. The doctor is currently speaking with her, so she will be out soon," I say with a smile, and he exhales loudly before smiling. "That's a relief. Thank you... (he goes to walk away but pauses and turns back toward me) I apologize for my rudeness earlier. I understand you were doing your job. I was just worried about her... She is umm. She
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
ANN POVThe atmosphere of Gray Ranch has become suffocating. Ever since Darcy's ex showed up everyone seems tense. The side-eye looks the pack gives him and the long periods of silence are killing me. Mix in the fact Mike and Carmen are scared every second of the day... "This will be over soon," Claire says quietly as she looks over my face. I should have known she would say that. Coming to her with my problems or thoughts isn't like it was before she met her mate. She is going to place being with Lewis over everything... and I get it. This is where she belongs. She is happy. I am just a girlfriend who has been thrown into this awkward four-way relationship situation. I can't leave because of the danger and I can't feel comfortable here. Finley doesn't speak about or to Darcy, but I know he is bothered by the two exes sharing his home. Knowing that just makes me feel weird. "I know. But the awkwardness will never be gone. She is his mate. Even when she leaves again, there will st