Chapter 10

I followed behind Cody's truck as it pulled up in front of a place called the Rusty Spur. How appropriate I thought with an eye roll. Everyone piled out of the trucks. There were eleven of us. I was told that some of the other guys had elected to drive in later, catching an evening nap first.

We barely break the threshold of the place and Jared is racing off towards some waitress. I raise an eye at Mike and ask what that's about. He responds with an eye roll. "Oh that's Pauline." Ok, the girl he had spoke of when I first got here.

I just let Cody and Dawson lead the way. They know where they are going. We grab a table near the dance floor and Cody waves over a waitress to take our orders. The place is cute. Very rustic, with raw wood floors and a bar that wraps around two sides of the building, making plenty of bar stools available. Looks like their staffing is good, so I can imagine this place gets busy. It's still early, so I'm excited to see it fill up with activity tonight. I haven't been out to a bar in years. I avoided the ones back home since my dad was always in them getting drunk and hitting on the waitresses. When we all go to sit down, I notice Cody pulling out a chair for my mom and then sitting down next to her. That's interesting I think. They are probably close in age, and he seems like a good guy. Maybe there is something there. I make a mental note to keep an eye on that scenario.

The night is going well, everyone is drinking and laughing and having a good time. A couple of the ranch hands try to flirt with me, and I engage with them but don't flirt back. I see Dawson out of the corner of my eye giving them a dirty look. I can't help but chuckle to myself. I see what my Uncle meant now. I am not accustomed to all this attention, so I just try to pretend I don't notice their flirtatious comments.

A couple of the guys get up to go play pool, and I just lean back in my chair observing everyone. Mom and Cody are having a quiet conversation, but I can't really hear what they are saying because of the music. He leans in and says something in her ear, and she smacks him lightly on the arm and laughs. Before I know it, they both are up out of their chairs and on the dance floor. I raise my eyebrows in shock. I didn't even know Mom could dance. They are out country swinging and she has the biggest smile on her face, her cheeks flushed. I'm happy she's enjoying herself. She deserves it. A slow song comes on, and they immediately come together and start swaying to the music.

I feel a presence next to me and look up. Dawson is standing next to my chair, looking down at me. He extends his hand, "Would you dance with me?" His smile reaches his eyes and I could get lost in them. As he takes my hand, I feel that same electricity running up my arm. As we glide to the dance floor and he takes me in his arms, I wrap my arms around his neck, and he presses me close to him. He leans into my ear to whisper to me. "I've been looking for a reason to touch you all night," his warm breath sends shivers down my back. I can feel him bury his nose in my hair, and he murmurs to me,"You smell so good."

Not knowing what to say, I decide to reply with the dumbest comment ever. "It's my shampoo. I prefer not to smell like the heifers at the ranch." He just laughs, a deep throaty laugh. I can't help but think how nice his laugh sounds.

We take a few more spins around the dance floor and return to our table. This time, Dawson takes up the seat next me. "You don't mind do ya?" He asks. I just shrug.

"I thought we could take this time to get to know each other better. Tell me about yourself." He's leaning close to me and I can smell his aftershave. Or maybe that's just him, but it smells divine.

"What do you want to know?" He basically knows about how screwed up my family is. Or was. He's one of the only people here who do know.

He places his hand on top of mine and leans back in his chair. "Anything you want to tell me. Everything I guess. How old are you? Where did you go to school? Why did you want to be a vet? Do you have siblings? What's your favorite color, favorite food. You get my drift,"he says with a wink.

I feel like this is cliche so I look at him with a sarcastic tone, "I like dogs and long walks on the beach." Then I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. He laughs to, shaking his head at me.

"Ok, ok, "I say. "Not really true. Well it kind of is. I'm 24. I went to Oregon State for my DVM. Umm, I love horses. No siblings. I mean I almost had one but my Mom lost the pup when......." I trailed off. Dawson knew what had happened so I decided not to elaborate. He squeezed my hand in response but didn't press me. "Umm I like green, emerald green actually. Like your eyes." I couldn't believe I said that. I instantly felt my face get heated and turned away.

Dawson grabbed my chin with his hand and turned my face back towards his. He had a knowing smile on his lips. "That's a start" he says.

Dawson

I tried to be patient, waiting for a chance to ask Ashlynn to dance. It was driving me crazy listening to these guys flirt with her. Even though she seemed unaffected by it, I still felt a little jealous. I was not a jealous guy. I think the guys took the hint when I gave them both a dirty look. They stood up and went to the bar to talk to some girls sitting there. After Cody got up with Carolyn to go dance, it was just Ash and I sitting at the table. As soon as a slow song came on, I stood and walked over to her, taking this chance to ask her to dance with me.

I'd been itching to put my hands on her, to feel that electricity that seem to flow between us. And she smelled so good. She gave me a good laugh when she said she didn't want to smell like the heifers at the ranch. When we went to sit back down, I just felt like I needed to learn everything about her. I had almost forgot why they moved here, until she mentioned her mom losing a pup, and without finishing her sentence, I knew exactly why. I couldn't help but feel angry. How can anyone do that to the person they are supposed to spend their life with? When she said she liked emerald green, like my eyes, I felt like the Moon Goddess was trying to tell me something. She tried to turn away from me, clearly embarrassed. I turned her face back to me and said "That's a start," and at the look in her eyes, I couldn't help myself. I leaned in and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. Her lashes fluttered at me when I pulled away, and I just smiled. This girl was going to get me in trouble, but I think I no longer cared. Alpha Gabe could tear me limb from limb and I'm sure she'd be worth it.

***

Ashlynn

When we drove back to the ranch that night, Mom and Dawson switched out so Mom could ride with Cody. I was stuck with Dawson in the front with me. I shouldn't say stuck like it's a bad thing, I mean I really am attracted to him. He smells amazing, He looks amazing and he has a great laugh. Jared, Mike and one of the ranch hands was passed out in the back seat. All of them clearly had to much to drink. "I think we should dump them in the troughs when we get back," Dawson jerked his thumb towards the back seat with a laugh. "It will sober them up."

"I'm sure the alcohol will be out of their systems by the time we get back. Honestly, they had to be drinking a ton to even get drunk, I'm kind of shocked." I was just shaking my head.

Dawson shrugged, "They don't get out much. I guess they figure they gotta make every second count."

We had easy conversation on the way back to the ranch, nothing to personal. It flowed easy and I liked that. Dawson had at some point, put his arm along the back of the seat. He was playing with my hair, wrapping strands around his fingers. I didn't say anything or try to pull away. When we pulled up to the ranch, it was easily one in the morning. The three sleepy heads piled out of the truck and made their way to the bunk house, still slightly staggering. I couldn't help but laugh.

I was walking through the breezeway to go to my loft when Dawson grabbed my arm to stop me. I looked up into his eyes, waiting for what ever it was he was going to say. I saw him visibly swallow, like he was suddenly unsure. He looked towards the tree line and then back at me. "I was wondering if you would maybe want to go for a run? I haven't let my wolf out in a week and he needs it. Maybe yours does too?" He looked at me hopefully.

"Ok sure. Lead the way cowboy," I winked at him. He gave me a smile and shook his head at me, as we made our way out to the trees. I ducked behind a tree and undressed and quickly shifted. I'm not a big fan of nudity, even though most werewolves couldn't care less. Maybe it was my six years at college, surrounded by humans. I had learned a little modesty. When I came out from behind the tree, there was a gorgeous dark brown wolf in front of me, his emerald eyes still as bright as when he is human form. Since we couldn't mind link, which I honestly forgot, since I'm not part of the pack here, yet. I kind up motioned with my head for him to lead the way. He sprang forward in front of me, and I followed.

Dawson led us up the mountain side, and to a bluff. He stopped and sat, looking out over the ranch. It was a great vantage point and actually gave you a good idea of how huge the ranch really was. I sat next to him, waiting for whatever else he was going to lead me too. I felt frustrated with not being able to communicate in wolf form. I guess I would have to talk to my Uncle about this, if I was planning to stay here. I need to pledge to him and his pack. I let out a sigh, and laid down with my head on my paws. It wasn't for long, because Dawson pushed me with his nose and walked back towards the way we had come.