Chapter 89

Ashlynn POV

We gathered around the enormous table in the Alpha's dining room. It had been a long time since I'd had a big family meal here. I looked around at all the familiar faces, and the new ones too. Dawson sat next to me, his arm thrown over the back of my chair possessively. He was having a quiet conversation with Cody who sat directly across from him, my little brother tucked into a high chair between him and my mother. Of course Alpha Gabe was at the head of the table with Luna Jenna to his right. Tonight however, my cousin Connor sat to the left of my uncle and the Alpha. He was lost in his own conversation with Alpha James. The Protector Michael stood quietly near the door, his gaze constantly roaming and his body tense with alertness. I noticed as his eyes ocassionally drifted over to Shawna's face, a smile touching his lips when she would look up at him. This all but confirmed that there was definitely something going on with them.

I had learned that Natalie was Michael's sister, and also Shawna's assigned bodyguard. She sat next to Dawson so that her back was not to the door, with Shawna on her other side. I wasn't engaging much in conversation, but rather taking in the scene around me. "So tell me about the Mating Moon run," Natalie asks me suddenly.

"Okay, what do you want to know?" I ask.

"Well can anyone participate? Like me for example. I haven't found my mate and I know I'm just a guest here but if I wanted to run here, could I?"

"I don't see why not. How else would you find your mate if you didn't at least try. Assuming you have tried at your own pack runs?" I ask.

"Yes, a couple of times. I don't think my mate is there anyway. I would have found him by now. Shawna is going to run you know?" Natalie offers.

"That's what I heard," I say as I look at Shawna. She hasn't said anything up to this point so I decide to ask her. "Are you Shawna?"

"Yes, I was planning too, Michael and I hoping we are fated mates. I didn't run in any of them back at his pack. I guess it's my pack now too, but I haven't done it yet. I thought since we met here, maybe this could be the place, you know?"

I nod in understanding. It seems Shawna might be a little sentimental about our pack after all. "Well you have a few days, is there anything you want to do in the meantime? It sounds like Michael will be tied up with Alpha James. Uncle Gabe has some important business lined up for them to handle."

"Oh like what?" Shawna asks as she cuts into her steak. "Anything special?"

"I think typical pack business, alliances and discussions about new council members being appointed." I don't want to tell her that they are going to discuss the Godsend Pack. There are still some loose ends there regarding the land and what will be done with it. The pack members were all sent to other packs, but the land and the buildings still sit there empty.

"I would like to spend some time with you Ash," Shawna finally admits. "I need to talk to you," she pauses and looks to see if anyone is listening but they all seem involved in thier own side bar conversations. "I want to discuss what happened and I was hoping you could help me try to get over some of the lasting issues I have."

I set down my fork and use my napkin to wipe my mouth. "Of course, anything you need I'm here."

She nods. "Can we talk in the morning, privately?"

I look up to see Michael watching her with a questioning look. She just gives him a quick smile and looks away. She is nervous about whatever it is she wants to discuss, and I get the distinct impression that she doesn't want Michael to know. I can't help but wonder why she wouldn't want him to know, if they are close. Maybe she's keeping something from him, and it's entirely possible. She is scarred in more ways than just physical and trusting others, especially men, after what happened to her, has to be hard. But this man adores her and she knows it.

"Let's have coffee in the morning," I finally reply. "Why don't you come to my apartment at six? Dawson will already be out with the horses, so it will just be us."

"And me," Natalie throws in. "I will be there as well."

"If that's what Shawna wants," I say. "But if she wants to talk to me privately then you can make yourself comfortable with your coffee, on my balcony. I won't begrudge her the right to speak freely."

Natalie bristiles and Shawna places her hand on Natalie's arm. "It's okay. I asked Nat to come with me. When we talk, you will understand why."

I nod, "Okay, then I will see the two of you in the morning." The conversation moves on to other things and soon it's time to go back to our apartment. I wish everyone a good night, and thank my Uncle Gabe and Aunt Jenna for a lovely meal. Dawson and I leave and as we pass Michael at the door, he stops me.

"You will keep her safe right?" he asks me.

"Of course Michael." He nods and we pass him.

"Something is up with Shawna," I tell Dawson as soon as we are out of hearing range. "She wants to meet privately and she doesn't want Michael to know about whatever it is she wants to say. It has me baffled."

"You will know in the morning then, so don't worry your pretty self over it tonight. We need to go home and practice making pups," he jokes. I swat at his arm and by the time we break the threshold of our apartment, I have totally forgotten about my angst over Shawna's desire for a cryptic private conversation.