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2024-09-16 04:36:40
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The Gray Ranch 8
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
Last Updated : 2024-09-23The Gray Ranch 9
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
Last Updated : 2024-09-25The Gray Ranch 10
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
Last Updated : 2024-09-30The Gray Ranch 11
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
Last Updated : 2024-10-07The Gray Ranch 12
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
Last Updated : 2024-10-13The Gray Ranch 13
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
Last Updated : 2024-10-18The Gray Ranch 14
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
Last Updated : 2024-10-21The Gray Ranch 15
FINLEY POV I smile as I spot Carmen staring at her flat stomach. She has been quiet since we got in the truck, but the silence has been one of happiness not discomfort. She is obviously overjoyed about the fact she is pregnant, but still processing the exciting news."You all knew," she whispers to confirm the look she gave me in the room.I nod. We had all known for about two weeks, but we decided Carmen should find out on her own time. She has gone through so much and we all know she likes to take extra time coming to terms with things."Yes. Mike knew before leaving for the camera run. I promised to keep you safe and let you find out on your own," I reply and she smiles before holding up her hand."So if I were to blame you for my kitchen knife incident...," she asks mischievously and I smirk.The familiar flicker of happiness I used to get from light-hearted jokes comes to life within me. I missed my family so much. They are the only ones who can pull the old me back to the surfa
Last Updated : 2024-10-26
Latest chapter
The Gray Ranch 44
ANN POV My panties go flying next and a small squeal leaves my mouth as Finley moves me to my back. "You are perfect," Finley says as he positions himself in between my thighs with his eyes fixed on my wet heat. I don't respond. I am practically fidgeting with anticipation. Every time Finley has gotten between my legs, I have had earth-shattering sex that has left me weak. "I want you for life, Ann. I want to be yours," Finley says instead of latching onto my clit. His brown eyes lock onto my face and my heart shutters. He looks so open and vulnerable, which clashes with his muscular physique. "I want that too," I whisper and he smiles before lightly grazing my swollen clit with his rough knuckle. "I want to mark you, Ann. I want every shifter to know that you are mine, and I am yours," he says, and I suddenly realize where he is going with this conversation. He wants us to mate. He wants us to be married by shifter law. He wants to bite me and mark me as his. The t
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
