Chapter 104

Shawna POV

The night has arrived for the Full Moon Run. I'm slightly nervous, mostly because I so desperately want Michael to be my mate chosen by the Moon Goddess. We have already agreed that we choose each other no matter what, but I'd be devastated if we were on this run and found out someone else was our mate. That is the downfall to having this run, but all the signs are there that we are meant to be. Natalie has been super excited all day as well, bouncing up and down about how she's so happy for Michael and I. Really I think she's excited because she heard that the lead warrior of Lone Wolf is also running, hoping to find his mate. Carl is a very good-looking guy and rumors are soaring that plenty of she-wolves want to be with him. Natalie is not intimidated though, she's ready for the challenge. If it is meant to be, it will be. At least that is my mindset, anyway.

I decided to take a walk around the ranch, never veering far from where I could see and hear people. It is a safety mechanism now ingrained in me. I couldn't help it, I was just too uneasy after my abduction. It was a perfect day, the temperature just warm enough that you didn't need a jacket. Not that we needed jackets nearly as much as our human counterparts, thanks to being werewolves and our natural body temperatures running hotter. I found a cozy spot on the grass in the large yard, and sat down with my back to a huge pine tree. Sometimes it was nice to just enjoy the sounds of the surrounding animals. I had missed that, but I was rarely alone when we were in Idaho Falls. Michael insisted I always have someone with me. Here that was not necessary. The Lone Wolf Pack was well guarded and very little made it past their solid fences, high-tech security and intense patrols. Ashlynn had explained that it was necessary because it wasn't always other packs they had to worry about, but humans who would want to steal the expensive horses her Uncle raised. His ranch was known for its breeding abilities, both horses and livestock. They were highly sought after.

As I leaned back against the tree trunk, I took in the surrounding area. It was beautiful, with huge green pine trees and the bluest sky. I watched as an eagle soared over head, the wing catching its wings and taking it higher. I found myself relaxed and lost in thought. I was snapped out of my reverie by voices. It sounded like a few females were wandering down the pathway from the pack house towards the training grounds. My ears perked up at the name that left their lips. Michael.

"He is very handsome and did you see how huge he is? My goodness, a man that size must have a huge dick," the women burst into giggles.

"Stop it, you know he's spoken for," said another voice.

"He's not mated," she argued back.

"Not yet. But he's with that woman that rode in with them, the pretty blond girl."

The voices spoke lower now, "Well, I heard he's running in the Full Moon run, so maybe he's not serious about her and wants to find his fated mate."

"You think that's you?"

"Maybe. I mean I've been after Carl for five years and clearly, that's not going to be a match. He's never participated in that stupid run, and he said he's not looking to just choose someone."

"Is that what he told you?" I heard a gasp. "Haven't you two been screwing around for years?"

"Yeah, but so what? I'm bored and that Michael guy looks like just the treat for me." I continued to listen, my anger rising with each word. One of those women sounded like trouble, and she sounded immature. Thinking she could just be bored and go take someone else's man was disgusting. I sat with fists clenched. I wanted so badly to reveal myself to them and call her out on her bullshit, but I held back. It didn't matter what she said. Michael was not here for her, or for any of them. He was here for me, at least that is what I told myself over and over again. It had to be right, because it's what Michael had said from the beginning.

I waited for them to pass by and their voices faded. I'm shocked they didn't scent me, but then again I was downwind from them. I certainly got their scents and I would know them if I encountered them in the woods tonight. Natalie spent so much time training me and I would not hesitate to protect myself, no matter who these women thought they were. I settled my nerves and then stood and marched back to the Alpha's house to search for Natalie. She should at least know that Carl had some girl in the pack here that he'd been screwing around with, since she was convinced that she was going to do this run to see if her mate was there. She had told me she liked Carl, and it certainly seemed like he liked her. It's better she goes into this night with both eyes open.