Ashlynn

We had been at the ranch a week, I hadn’t heard a thing about what was happening back home. I was settling into a routine, getting to know the workings of the ranch and getting to know my team of vet techs. All nice young men, all hard working. For that I was pleased. One of them was mated to one of the cowgirls that worked the horses, the other two were single and talked way to much about wanting to go into town, where ever that was. Finally I asked, “Hey Jared, what’s so great about going in to town anyway? What’s there?”

“Oh you know, stuff to do.” That was his answer.

“OK, like what kind of stuff? Is it dangerous? Are there other wolves?” I wanted a real answer.

“Oh yeah I gotcha, un there’s a nice bar and dance hall, a movie theater, a couple restaurants and then there is Pauline,”he winked at Mike, who just rolled his eyes.

“I’m not sure I want to know about Pauline. What about humans?” This was what I really needed to know. Not that they bothered me, I spent all of my college years surrounded by them. I just needed to know where to be on guard, if I did go into town.

“Pauline is his love interest. She works at the Starlight Diner,”Mike piped up. “As far as humans, not to many. They just pass through from time to time, to get gas or stop at one of the restaurants. The town is actually owned by the pack. Not everyone can live her at the ranch, only the cowboys and cowgirls and the Alpha and his family.” Mike was giving me a lot of information.

“Oh yeah, so where is the Beta?,” I asked. “He doesn’t live where the Alpha does? That’s kind of unusual.”

“Oh yeah, the Beta lives here too. He’s got a house on the back side of the smaller stables. The Beta is Cody, you know him, the Livestock Manager.” Jared finally decides to give up some useful information.

I nod my head in understanding, getting back to the specimen I was examining on the micro scope. “You find anything Doc,”Mike asks walking around next to me.

I lift my head up and point to the scope, letting him know he can look. “You see those little white things that look like they are swimming around?” I tell him. He nods his head. “Those are a type of parasite, similar to a tape worm but smaller. That means you boys are going to have to go round up all the cattle dogs and bring them in so we can treat them all. If one has it, they probably all do.”

Mike and Jared, throw on their jackets and head out the door to try and get all the dogs into the clinic. Garrett has the night shift tonight, so he’s home sleeping, or maybe helping his mate change diapers. They have a newborn at home. Cute little thing, red hair just like his daddy.

Just as I’m cleaning up and preparing the medication for the dogs, Mom walks in, looking a little on edge. “Everything ok Mom?” I come around the desk to give her a hug.

“I just got a call from your Uncle Tobias. They are doing it tonight.” She was referring to them executing my father. I shook my head in understanding. She’s nervous about the pain she will feel when the bond breaks. She had already felt plenty of pain, with all his infidelity. She stands there twisting her hands.

I pull her back into a hug, “What can I do Mom?”

She’s trembling. “I was hoping you could give me something? You know, like a sedative?” She has hopeful look in her eye.

“Mom, you know I’m a Veterinarian, not a pack doctor. Did you ask Uncle Gabe if they have a doctor here?” I am rubbing her back, trying to be comforting.

“I did. And he called the Pack Doctor. He said if I shift and you dose me in wolf form, it should be ok. He said to tell you that you need to quadruple the dose that you would give a regular wolf, so you will have to weigh me in my wolf form and then dose it. He said if you have questions, you can call him,” She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket with a name and number on it. “I can stay in the clinic tonight, sleep it off, and in the morning, I should just feel hollow, but the pain itself should be subsided. We need to do it soon though, Tobias said they will finish it at sunset, so I need to be out by then.” She looked at me with pleading eyes.

“How long was this going on? Did he ever hurt you? I mean other than this instance where you called me?” His voice sounded strained.

“I guess since I was about seven. He was cheating on her with humans from that bar in the town nearby. She confronted him a few times and he started hitting her then. Since he was working at the saw mill on the night shift, I didn’t see much of him. But to answer your question, this was the first time he had hurt me. I would have let you know sooner if Mom would have allowed it, but she was embarrassed. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” I was trying not to cry, but it was useless, as I stood there thinking of all the times my Mom had been the object of his abuse.

“Don’t blame yourself Ashlynn, none of it is your fault. I’m just glad you did call. We are going to take care of this, keep your Mom sedated for the night. It will all be over with in the next few hours.” He hung up after that. I prepared myself for a long night, hoping that what I gave her was enough to keep her asleep till morning.

I spent the next few hours working on some paperwork and going over files on the mares we were planning to breed. I had to meet with Cody tomorrow to review a few things for breeding season. We also had to plan for the cattle too. I was already tired thinking of it, but this is what I wanted. I can’t say I wasn’t happy, I actually loved it here. This job was a blessing and the eye candy walking around wasn’t anything to complain about either. As I thought of that, I realized I hadn’t checked on my horses today. I had seen Dawson walk them out to pasture for me this morning. I had intended to put them back in the stalls, but then this whole thing happened with Mom. I looked to the door, and then back to her. She seemed to be sleeping soundly. I will just take five minutes.

I slipped quietly out the door, locking it behind me, the key securely in my jeans pocket. I ran across the yard to the stables where my horses were and stepped inside, the motion sensor lights coming on. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw that someone had graciously put them back into their stalls. I checked the water buckets and they were full. I leaned myself against the stall door, rubbing Bailey’s nose and blowing kisses on her face, making her nostrils flare. I loved this horse, she was an absolute worker. We had penned and roped cattle, drove cattle off mountains, sometimes in the snow, and she never failed me, never faltered. She was one of the few things in my life that had felt like something secure. I looked around the barn, a smile on my face. This feels pretty secure now too. I gave her one last pat on her neck and headed back to the clinic. I glanced at the clock on the wall as I strode back in. It was just past midnight. I needed to get some sleep myself, but I just couldn’t bring myself to lay down.

Dawson

I lay asleep in my room, the curtains open to let the moonlight in. I had an apartment that was over the stables where we kept the work horses, that included Ashlynn’s. Since my curtain was open, I saw the sudden light across the dirt outside the stable. I knew that was a motion sensor light that had come on in the stalls. We hadn’t had any coyotes in a long time, so I didn’t figure it was that. I sighed, unable to sleep, threw on my jeans and walked out to the balcony that was just above the entrance. I could hear someone walking around in the stables, and then I got a whiff of her scent. Rain. I looked at the clock on my nightstand. What the heck was she doing up at this hour? Did one of the animals fall sick. I looked over to the clinic and saw that lights were on inside, but the lights to her loft were not.

I figure if she needs my help, she will ask. So I stand there in the dark, listening to her soft voice whisper to her horses. Just like that, she walks out, still in the clothes she had on earlier in the day. She heads back to the clinic, unlocking the door and going inside. I can see her through the blinds, they aren’t closed. She walks to the back and a few minutes later she’s back out front. She’s doing paperwork at the desk. I just shake my head. I thought I was a work-aholic. Well I’m up, may as well make her some coffee and check and make sure everything is ok.