Chapter 86

Shawna POV

As we climbed into the car that would take us to the airport, I stopped and barred my neck to Alpha James. "Thank you Alpha, for allowing me to attend the run at the Lone Wolf Pack."

Alpha James nodded and motioned for me to get in the car. "I'm sure you feel safe there with Ashlynn being there. She has helped you alot, has she not?"

"Yes sir," I smiled and scooted into my seat. Michael loaded our bags in the car and then poked his head in through the open door.

"Natalie will ride with you. I've got to be in the lead car with the Alpha. See you at the airport." I reached over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek. He smiled, stepped back and closed my door.

"So," Natalie said as she climbed in the other side and buckled herself in. "Tell me about this pack?"

"Well Alpha Gabe is in charge. Ashlynn is his niece and also the veterinarian for the ranch. She is mated to Dawson who is one of the main ranch guys I guess. He was a Beta at his former pack but elected to work the ranch instead because he loves the job so much." I paused to think. "There is Carolyn, who is Ashlynn's mother and she mated the Beta Cody. They have a baby boy. I think he's one or around there."

"Okay, so Ashlynn has a literal baby brother. That's interesting. How old is the Alpha?" she waggled her brows at me.

"Gosh I don't know, like fifty probably. Why?"

"He must have an heir? Or does he not?" She looked at me curiously and I laughed.

"Yes he has a son. Connor I think is his name. I never met him but Ashlynn did mention he had returned from training. But don't get your hopes up. Dawson's sister is madly in love with him and they have been a thing for years. They plan to run in the Full Moon Run as well."

"Well darn," Natalie joked. "One day I will find my mate, guess it won't be an Alpha though."

"Why would you want an Alpha? You're a warrior and a dang good one at that. You want some bossy Alpha telling you what to do even when you're not working?" I was joking but really I wasn't completely kidding around. Natalie was a strong willled she-wolf and I was sure that her being with an Alpha would be a lot of yelling and door slamming.

"You know, I like strong men too. But you are probably right, I'd want to ring his neck everytime he attempted to make me do things I didn't want too. Could you imagine? Natalie go get me a glass of scotch. Natalie go keep those men quiet in the meeting room." She cackled. "I'd tell him to do it himself."

"I'm sure," I answered.

"How do you feel about doing the mating run? Why did you want to go to the Lone Wolf Pack for that? We have one here." She was just curious, but it put me slightly on edge. She knew what had happened to me and in some ways, I was returning to the scene of the crime. I needed to face my demons. I needed some answers to some questions I had and I wanted to put the horror of those months behind me.

"It's just something I need to do. I know it may not make sense but I feel like if I go back and face what happened to me, I will be better able to give Michael what he needs. Also, I need to talk to Ashlynn about some stuff. She's amazing, you will love her," I told Natalie in hopes it would steer the conversation away from me.

It didn't work. "Okay and what if Michael and you aren't mates? Have you thought about it?"

I sighed. "Of course. Honestly though, we talked about it. It won't matter. We want to be together and I just have some baggage I need to unload."

"My brother is a good man. I've always thought so," Natalie offered.

"Yes he is. The best."

Suddenly Natalie grabbed my hand and squeezed. "I know some terrible things happened to you. You haven't told me everything but I hope you know you can trust me. Michael wouldn't reveal anything to me. He said it's not his story to tell." I squeezed her hand in return.

"Thank you. I know. It's hard to talk about, but I'd like it if you went with me," I told her. "Maybe when I'm there, I can open up about it."

"Go with you to where exactly?" she asked, brows furrowed. "We are on our way to the pack now."

I shook my head. "No. When we get there, I plan to go back to that dungeon. I need to face my demons."