Chapter 95

Shawna POV

We stood next to Ashlynn's truck, the three of us women just idly chatting about nothing really. We all watched as Dawson, Michael and some very huge warrior talked quietly among themselves about whatever had been seen inside the dungeons. I just wanted to get this whole thing started so that perhaps the butterflies of unease that circled inside my stomach would finally stop.

"Well whatever they are talking about," Natalie interrupted my thoughts, "I'd sure like to know his name." She made a motion with her head to indicate the third man in their circle of quiet murmurs.

"You mean Carl?" Ashlynn said as she turned to look at us both.

"I don't know who Carl is, but if it's that tall drink of deliciousness that your mate is speaking to, then yes." Natalie drawled out as she licked her lips. "He's the most handsome man I've ever seen. And goodness, the Goddess was overly generous in the biceps department too," she snickered.

"Well then yes that is Carl. He's patrol captain for the First Squadron. Basically he's the best warrior that Uncle Gabe has. I'm surprised he sent him here, he must have been worried." Ashlynn bit her lip in concentration. "Speaking of, where is my Uncle?"

"He left before we did," Natalie said. "Michael told me," she added when we both looked at her in confusion that she knew this and Ashlynn didn't. Just then the door to the Pack house opened and Alpha Gabe and Alpha James both walked out.

"I think we are in the clear," Alpha Gabe told Dawson and Carl. Michael had already stalked towards me and had me in a hug, his nose buried in my hair.

"Be careful," he whispered in my ear before pulling away. To my surprise, he walked away and went to stand next to Alpha James. I was surprised actually that Alpha James had come here without Michael.

"Oh, that explains a lot more," Ashlynn said. She looked over at me, "Alpha Gabe wouldn't have come here and not brought Carl with them since Michael was with us." I nodded as if I had any clue what she was referring to. The whole structure of leadership and who was to protect who, sometimes didn't make space in my head unless we were talking about my own pack.

Dawson strode over to Ashlynn and grabbed her hands. I watched as he stared into her eyes. "You don't have to go down there if you don't feel up to it. I think Natalie and Shawna would be fine. The areas I had concerns over have been thoroughly checked. Carl handled it personally."

"I'm fine Dawson, really." Ashlynn assured him. "Now just direct us as to where this entrance is and know that we will be okay."

"I will have to walk you over there. It's about a half mile hike from here. Michael and Carl are coming with us. I think Alpha Gabe is no longer concerned, so someone will escort him and Alpha James back to Lone Wolf. Gve me a minute to make sure they are all set before we head out to the entrance." I watched impatiently as Dawson walked away.

"Everything is so formal. Looking at all these people involved, I'm not sure I'd have had the courage to go through with this, if not for you taking my side on the matter," I told Ashlynn. I was being very serious. She had been my champion in this and it had ended up involving dozens of people. I had to laugh at myself for thinking that it would be a quick and easy request and that Ashlynn would grant me her help and no one would be the wiser. It took us being here now for me to realize that Ashlynn couldn't have done that even if it was all she really wanted, considering she didn't have any idea where the entrance was located.

"Please, don't even worry about it." Ashlynn waved off my concerns. "You are worth it Shawna. I have long wanted to make sure you got yourself to a good healthy space and it certainly seems like that is also your goal. Would you agree?"

"Absolutely," I stated. I glanced over at Natalie in the hopes that she would help me to come up with the right words, but she was to busy staring at Carl to even notice our conversation. I almost burst out laughing at the look on her face.

"Natalie are you with us?" I asked.

"What? Oh yes I'm sorry." Natalie smiled at me. "What did I miss?"

Ashlynn and I both started laughing. "Something I said?" Natalie asked, while her eyes went back and forth from my face to Ashlynn's.

"It seems you are a bit love sick," Ashlynn croaked out as she tried to catch her breath from laughing. "Or is that even a thing in werewolves?"

"Apparently it is," Natalie replied. "Because that man has stolen my heart and I haven't even spoken a word to him. He's just so beautiful to look at."

"He will be participating in the Full Moon Run," Ashlynn offered with a smirk. "He hasn't found his mate and he's nearing thirty, so he said he needed to take it seriously. If he doesn't meet a mate chosen by the Moon Goddess in either this run or the next, he's going to try to date someone so he can take a chosen mate. Looks like you have three chances to catch his eye."

"Oh I only need one," Natalie stated. "I plan to get his attention on me as soon as is appropriate," Natalie promised. I wondered if maybe he might be the one to bring her to her knees. As far as I knew, Natalie was never enamored with any man. Was it possible that this was her fated mate? That would be amazing, but also sad for me because my friend wouldn't be returning to our pack with me, if that turned out to be the case. A knot formed in my stomach and I ignored it. Dawson had motioned to us that it was time to walk to the dungeons opening. With that, all thoughts of Natalie being mated to a huge warrior left my mind.