Chapter Three

Ashlynn

We made our way down the paved road for a couple hours. We weren't on interstate anymore. It was a two lane, country road. It was mostly lined with trees, and occasional house peeking out here and there. We slowed as Mom guided me to make a right onto a dirt road up ahead. I glanced at the road sign. Red Wolf Road. Well that wasn't obvious or anything.

About five minutes down the dirt road, we came upon a huge gated road. There was a wrought iron sign over head that read Lone Wolf Stables. We had arrived finally. We pulled up to the speaker and I pressed a button. A rough voice answered, "Who is requesting entrance?"

In the most cheerful voice I could, I announced, "Carolyn and Ashlynn Cane". It was quiet for a minute or two. Then the gates started to swing open. I pulled the truck in and the gate quickly shut as soon as the trailer cleared it. I looked around as we had driven through the gate. I saw several cameras pointed to the entrance and what appeared to be a movement sensor. Wow, I thought. Lot's of security.

The road was paved surprisingly. We drove down a long winding road, and suddenly there was a huge clearing, pastures on both sides. They were all fenced with immaculate white wood fence posts and rails. I shook my head, that was a lot of upkeep. There were cattle in one of the pastures and horses in the other. This made me happy. I looked over at Mom, she had a big smile on her face. She must be happy too.

It wasn't long and we came upon, what I can only assume is the main house and stables. The house was three stories with a wrap around porch. It looked like a log house, but huge, stone coming halfway up the front wall. It was beautiful. The main stable looked to be at least two hundred feet in length, it was white with brown trim. As I brought my truck around, I saw a long breezeway in the middle. This was the most beautiful ranch I had ever seen. Mom pointed a spot and told me to park.

We both jumped out, initially it didn't seem like anyone was around. We started to walk towards the main house, when a huge man came out of it, a big smile on his face. He was easily the largest man I had ever seen. He was at least six foot, six inches, and was a wall of muscle. He had dark brown hair and had the same eyes as my mother. I looked over to her and back to him and instantly knew, this was my Uncle. Mom ran up to him and threw herself into his arms. He picked my Mom's tiny figure up and swung her around like a kid. "Carolyn, it's so good to see you," he had a deep voice. It suited him.

My Uncle set my mother down, and looked over at me. "Well you have to be Ashlynn. I see you got your mothers good looks," he winked at me. "I haven't seen you since you were about two," he added. I looked over at Mom confused. I didn't think I had ever met him and she didn't talk about him.

Mom gave me a little smile, "Ashlynn, this is your Uncle Gabe. He left when you were a toddler to come run this ranch for your great grandfather. He's not been back since. Gabe,"she turned back to him. "Meet my daughter Ashlynn."

Uncle Gabe didn't wait for me to move to him, he was so big, he covered the ground in three long strides and picked me up and swung me around too. It was like I weighed nothing. To be fair, I was much taller than my mothers petite 5'3" frame, she was tiny for a wolf. I was 5'8", lean muscle, with a round ass that filled out my jeans, and breasts that I often had to lock down in a tight sports bra, especially when I was training or riding horses. "Welcome home Ashlynn,"my Uncle chuckled when he saw the look on my face that said "what the heck?"

"You both must be tired. You've on the road for a few days, right?" he asked. Mom nodded her head. That's when my Uncle took a good look at her face. He suddenly looked pissed, as he walked up to her and grabbed her chin in his hand, turning her face side to side. He let out an angry growl, then dropped his head. "Carolyn, I wish you would have told Tobias about this when it first started. It wouldn't have gotten to this. And you need to shift so that can finish healing." He started to walk towards the house. "Follow me," he motioned with his arm as he strode towards the house.

I suddenly felt like I was being watched. I looked towards the stable. There leaning against the frame of the breezeway was the guy I had seen at that gas station in Idaho, the one who had grabbed my wrist. I'm sure my eyes were bugging out of my head as I looked at him. He had on boots, a pair of dark blue wranglers, leather chaps over them, and a button up black shirt. He had on a black stetson, his eyes lasered in on me. It was then that I noticed, even from this distance, he had some of the brightest green eyes I had ever seen. He didn't say anything, just gave me a smirk, pushed off the wall and headed back down the breezeway. I shook my head wondering if it was a mirage, but nope I watched his very nice ass walking away from me.

Uncle Gabe was on the porch. I am not sure he could see what I had been looking at, but he cleared his throat. "Ash, I see you're admiring the stables. I hope you like it here. Come on in and we will get you guys situated and chat for a bit, then you can put your horses to pasture so they can get some exercise." His voice snapped me out of my daze.

"Oh um, yeah ok," I muttered, walking up to the main house, joining him on the porch. He ushered me in the front door. My eyes fell on my mother, who was seated on a huge leather sofa, her feet curled up under her. She looked relaxed, a cup of tea in her hands. She was talking to a beautiful blonde lady, whom I was guessing was the Luna. My suspicions were correct, when my Uncle introduced me to his mate, Jenna. She was a sweet as she was beautiful.

"So I hope you don't mind, but we are going to put your Mom up here in the main house with us. It's where she belongs," Jenna smiled. I looked over at my Uncle and he smiled back and gave me a nod. "We decided that since you're going to be our Veterinarian here, you should have the loft over the stables. It's where we usually have our previous Veterinarian's stay. It gives the quickest access to the animals and your clinic," Jenna went on to say.

"My clinic," I breathed out. I was so excited to have my own clinic, but I kind of doubted it was an actual clinic. My Uncle made that theory go out the window immediately when he piped in.

"Yes, we have a full clinic here, complete with a surgical area if it's needed. You have a staff as well, three vet techs. There will always be one on call, any time of the day or night, in the event of emergencies. We have access to any medications you may need, xray's and state of art equipment. These are expensive horses we have here, so only the best for them," My Uncle informed me. I just sat there with my jaw on the floor like an idiot.

My Uncle laughed and pushed out of the chair he'd been reclining in. "Let's go Ash. I will show you to your living quarters and then to the clinic. After that, we can turn out your horses. Sound good?" he asked as he strolled towards the door.

"Uh yeah, great, " I replied as we headed out the door. I'm sure I had the stupidest grin on my face, but I couldn't help it. I was suddenly the happiest I'd been in a long time. As I glanced back at Mom, I realized she was also happy. And for the first time since I was little, she looked relaxed. This was going to be good for her.

Dawson

I knew the second that woman turned towards the stable, who she was. She was the one I had tried to talk to at that gas station in Idaho Falls. She wasn't limping anymore, so I could assume that the injury I had seen on her thigh had healed. That's the great thing about being a werewolf, you heal faster than humans. After she left Idaho, I had gone out back and hopped in my Dodge, bidding my cousin good bye. I had been there for his sisters mating ceremony and was now heading back to Lone Wolf Stables, where I had been living and working since I was 18. The Alpha had offered me a place in his pack when he saw me working horses at a trade show in Helena, and I had been here since. It was an honor to work here, it was known for the best horses in the country. My Alpha had no issues with it when I told him I wanted to align with this pack, he knew it was a good opportunity. My Mother was a wreck about it, but she has since grown used to me not being there. I go home a couple times a year to visit and for family events, Alpha Gabe is good about giving us time off when needed.

I had leaned my big frame up against the entry way to the breeze way, just to watch the interaction. When I first heard the truck pull up, I thought it might be our new Veterinarian. I was shocked to see the Alpha hugging the two women. Our hearing is excellent, so when the one named Carolyn introduced Ashlynn to her Uncle Gabe, my jaw about hit the floor. I admit, I had stopped at that truck stop outside Great Falls as well. I was putting gas in my Dodge, when her big F350 pulled up to a pump a few lanes over. I recognized it right away. I knew for sure it was them when I saw her Mom climb out, the remains of a fading bruise on her left cheek bone.

When she pulled her truck over by the grass to stretch her horses legs, I went and parked behind the truck stop, between two semi's and walked into the woods. When I was far enough in, I undressed and shifted. I wanted to get a better look at her. I sat in the tree line for a bit, concealed by a bush. She was good with the horses. I heard her whispering to them, offering comfort. She had her long brown hair pulled back into a baseball cap. She wore no make up, but she was naturally beautiful. She had the most striking blue eyes and long eyelashes, so thick I could see them from my hiding spot. I watched as her wrangler clad ass moved with confidence and ease, as she guided her horses. I caught her scent on the breeze. It was exactly as I remembered it from the gas station. She smelled like fresh rain, and I loved the rain. When I crept forward to the tree line to try and get a better whiff of her scent, her Buckskin alerted her. I stayed perfectly still when her eyes caught mine in the trees. I watched her put her horse back in the trailer and climb into her truck, then I ran back, threw on my clothes and got the heck out of there. What was I even thinking? I needed to get back to the ranch and get to work. I took a short cut down a back dirt road, throwing up dust behind me. I beat them to the ranch by about an hour. Imagine my surprise when she was standing there in front of me a short time later.

It is just my luck that she's the Alpha's niece. She noticed me leaning in the doorway and stared at me. Her mouth was slightly open, a look of utter surprise on her face. I gave her a smirk, and walked my ass away. She was off limits. The Alpha's niece, yeah not happening. I shook my head with disappointment. On a good note, at least I was going to have something beautiful to look at every now and then.