Lucy POVOver the last couple of days, Lucy and Gabriel were busy ensuring they laid a strong foundation for the beginning of the Stray Moon Pack. This entailed visits to both lands, filling out endless paperwork, smoothing any ruffled feathers with the merge of the two packs, and continuing to foster friendships between the pack members. Lucy was so proud of both of them, and how much they had accomplished.Lucy had also been offered the title of pack healer because of her background in nursing. She was thrilled that the title came with two offices on both plots of land where she could attend to any mishaps, concerns, or even expectant mothers. Sara and Vance had their first check-up with her yesterday, and everything seemed to be progressing along for Sara and her pregnancy. Soon they would be able to find out if the pup was a male or female. Lucy felt bitter-sweet as she began attending to Sara's care and needs in her first trimester of pregnancy. Could that be her someday? Ma
Lucy POVWell, I'm definitely not in Colorado anymore, Lucy Carrigan thought as the Arizona sun shone brightly in the sky. Moving from a well-known landscape for skiing and mountain climbing to a cacti-filled terrain can be a shock to one's nervous system, especially with the Sedona heat making all the difference. Lucy did not like the sticky feeling of sweat droplets trickling down her back into her underwear. She wiped her brow as she stared up at the bloom of an Agave Americana plant. This was such a different plant in comparison to Colorado's Quaking Aspens, Rocky Mountain Junipers, and Lodgepole Pines. Lucy huffed as she bent over, placing her hands on her knees and taking in a deep breath. Perhaps she shouldn't have come here. It was so different from home…what had she done? Had she made a mistake coming here?She stood back up quickly, stomping her foot. No. She had come to Sedona often in her childhood to visit her mother's old ancestral home, which was owned now by her
Gabriel's POVNot too far down the rural desert road were around thirty acres of land where a group of people lived together as a makeshift family of sorts. At least, that's what someone with human eyes would believe. Officially, the land belonged to Gabriel Herman but Samson Strider had built the compound with his own two hands. Samson had brought them to the land years back after they had been disowned by the Moonlight Pack and had been sheltering other stray wolf shifters who needed a home ever since. Those who joined him also helped him build a place of peace and tranquility away from the shame of losing the pack they had known and thought was their home.A loud clang of tools dropping on the paved ground and a gruff voice shouting obscenities came from the garage area."OW! Sh*t! Sam!" Samson scurried over to the voice. There he saw two legs sticking out from under the unnaturally large, gilded-colored truck taking up two parking spaces as it was lifted into the air."Yes,
Gabriel POVThe Sedona heat hadn't yet affected the Dry Creek trail, since it was still early this bright Friday morning. Gabriel was enjoying a jog through the underbrush of a variety of plants and cacti as he trudged through the sand on the pathway. He was happy to let off some steam after feeling frustrated the day before.He paused by the dry creek bed at the bottom of a small hill, taking a moment to quench his thirst. The air was just starting to begin to feel dry on his throat, and the sunshine was peaking over the red rocks over the horizon, causing him to work up a sweat. The thing about the Sedona blue sky was its extreme beauty overturned any previous views of the sky one had ever seen. A sound of a lizard scurrying by brought Gabriel back to reality. The lizards and birds were still active around him in the quiet ambiance of the desert environment. He looked at the ground around him taking in the various stones and red dirt, happy to let his mind drift and wander off be
Lucy POVLucy had just completed her first part-time shift at one of the many coffee shops in town. She hung her apron out back, patting it affectionately. It had been a while since she worked a retail job like this; it was at a different pace from the nurse position she had back in Colorado. She sighed, not wishing to think about her fast exit from the medical world. She felt like it had been her true calling… what she was destined to do… to help people. I'll just have to try and help people while I make their coffee, she thought, biting her lip. She was going to look at this from the bright side. She exited the coffee shop and made her way to her car. She had been thinking about the interesting veterinarian known as Gabriel all day. Not only was he extremely good-looking, but he also had a professional job and possibly owned the veterinarian business he had mentioned. She plugged the address for Holy Grounds Cafe into her phone and realized it was just a short drive down the
Lucy POVLucy could not believe her ears. First of all, this gorgeous tan man was being forward and admitting he was attracted to her. Secondly, they were on a date! Lastly, it was her first week officially settled in Arizona and she was already being asked out."So… I take it the pause isn't a good sign?" Gabriel's voice sounded defeated as he asked the question."Oh! I am so sorry Gabriel I'm just really floored… I'm not usually the one who gets asked out. I'm more of a sidekick for the friends who do get asked out," Lucy stated blushing a deep red as she made eye contact with him.She looked away, quickly sipping her coffee. Gabriel smiled softly, and Lucy realized he must think her so innocent without much dating experience!"Well, I just don't ask anybody out haphazardly. I… uh… I feel drawn to you… if you catch my drift. I'd really like to get to know you more. I have a … feeling if you will. I try and follow those feelings," Gabriel said matter-of-factly while nodding in wh
Gabriel POVThat evening after a long day at the clinic, Gabriel pulled into the compound waving to a few strays who were admiring his blue wheel wells.See Sam… they ARE cool, he thought, puffing out his chest as he saw his adoptive father standing out on the porch watching him pull into the garage. "Gabriel. A word," Samson called out across the driveway. Uh-oh. Sam sounded tense. What had transpired at the compound? Usually, it was quiet and peaceful.Gabriel hurriedly made his way over to the porch and groaned to himself seeing another figure puffing a cigar with his legs widely crossed in a comfortable dominating position. "Uncle Fennick. Another visit. Sara joining us soon?" Gabriel asked cautiously, trying to avoid the elephant in the room."She's not the priority right now, Gabe. I figured it would not be appropriate to ask you at the coffee shop, nor at your place of work. Did I happen to see you with a human female today at the Holy Grounds Cafe?" His face was lit by
Lucy POVLucy's heart skipped a beat and her breathing was hitched. She hiccupped, her head slightly spinning. She took another sip of her drink as she texted back and forth with Gabriel, discussing their early morning hike. He had let her decide when she'd like to contact him next, a gesture that she really appreciated. It showed that he respected her enough to give her time to decide. She smiled reading his text. 'Hey gorgeous, that sounds wonderful. We must also both be early birds?She texted back. 'Must be.'Gertrude shot up from the couch that she had been zonked out on. "Huh? What?" She gasped, sleepily rubbing her eyes."Auntie, hey you doing all right?" Lucy asked worriedly as she sat upright on the couch watching her aunt."Whew, I'm just super tired, Lucy. I'm making my way to bed. I'll see you in the morning pumpkin." Gertrude stretched and walked over to the stairs.The two of them had made a pitcher full of a mixed strawberry margarita drink and had been happily c