by J. E. Cluney
“Sounds perfect,” I said.
I shoved off the bench and followed Ray over to his truck tucked behind a cluster of trees.
He held open the passenger door for me like a true gentleman, and I smiled and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before clambering up into the truck.
He shut the door with a boyish grin and darted around to his side to climb in. The old truck sputtered to life, and we bounced down the old dirt road.
I nestled into my seat, watching as we passed the playground area, where the extensions had been finished quite some time back. There was a climbing pyramid now, more swings, a flying fox, and a large sandpit.
I smiled as I spied May and her two children playing in the sandpit, building castles and laughing.
We continued past them, and I watched as the pines flew by and the scenery changed to a large horse field.
The loggers were still working on clearing more fields for us, and the Pack men were busy building fences, shelters and moving cattle around. Nathan was helping with the horses, breaking them in along with some of the other Pack breakers and selling them on.
My father had had men come in and teach some of the men about investing, studying the market and knowing where to put their money. The Pack’s finances were on a steady rise, and life for all of my people was becoming more normal.
Well, for most of them.
The women needed counseling, and some children who’d been scarred by Richard and his men’s actions.
But this ranch was a safe haven now, and I enjoyed spying some of the Pryce Pack out in the field herding the horses into the next field.
Ray turned onto another road, and we drove for a small distance before he pulled off the track and let the engine shut off.
I stared in wonder at the gorgeous old oak set in the corner of the horse field. I could picture many horses seeking shade beneath its far-reaching limbs.
“C’mon, I bet you’re hungry,” Ray grinned, and I managed a soft laugh as he climbed out of the truck.
He came around to let me out, and instructed me to make my way over to the oak while he gathered up the picnic gear from the back of the truck.
I did as told, trudging through the overgrown grass, drawing in the warm midday air as the sun kissed my skin.
I climbed through the wire fence, noting how the bottom strand would need straining again soon. I’d make a note of that with Ray, he’d make sure the right people were informed.
I slipped into the shade of the oak, dancing my fingers across its old, rugged trunk. My eyes moved to the mares in this field, their young foals frolicking in the sun and playing games of tag.
A small bay foal led the group of youngsters, leaping high into the air and kicking out as he threw himself around.
It was a beautiful sight, something I’d always enjoyed about living on a ranch.
“They’re adorable, aren’t they?” Ray said as he clambered through the fence.
I nodded as I looked back at him, and a grin spread across my face at the checkered blanket he had slung over his shoulder. What I truly adored was the old wicker picnic basket. He’d really put in the effort.
He set the blanket up in a perfect spot in the shade so that we could lean against the withered tree trunk if we so desired.
I joined him as he patted the spot beside him, and I stretched out as I lay down on the blanket.
“You don’t want food yet?” Ray asked as he moved the basket aside.
“I just want to enjoy this,” I murmured as I closed my eyes. The sun filtered down through the branches overhead, and I soaked up the warmth that danced across my face and body.
Ray didn’t say a word as he moved to lie down beside me.
I smiled softly as his fingers carefully intertwined with mine.
We lay in silence, a soft cool breeze prickling my skin before the warmth seeped back in once it dissipated.
I focused on the soft nickers of the horses, the singsong of birds.
The peacefulness of it all.
My mind moved to the soft hold on my hand, and I gave Ray’s fingers a gentle squeeze. He returned it, and I chuckled as he rolled onto his side to look at me. I kept my eyes closed, tingles running through me as he tenderly stroked my face.
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.
I finally looked at him, melting at the utter love in his eyes as he stared at me.
“Too bad I’m so broken right now,” I sighed.
“Nothing broken can’t be fixed,” he said as his fingers trailed down my arm. “And you’re well on your way.”
“I hope so,” I mumbled as I reached out to touch his face. The stubble on his chin was rough, and I dragged my fingers over it, enjoying the sensation.
“Look,” Ray flicked his head ever so slightly to the side, and I turned my head to see.
That same bay foal from earlier was slowly drawing near to my side, his neck outstretched as he sniffed the ground carefully.
His buddies hung back, watching us carefully from a safe distance.
I smiled as the youngster stepped closer, his spindly legs stiff and uncertain as his nostrils flared.
I slowly outstretched my hand, inching it closer as the foal quivered and tensed.
But he was braver than his playmates, and he took one more step forward to prod my hand gently with his muzzle as he drew in my scent.
“That’s a good boy,” I breathed. How I wished we had some carrots in that picnic basket now. The foal’s tail flicked as he relaxed, and I moved my hand up to stroke his face.
He seemed to like the touch as he rubbed his head against my hand.
But then one of the mother’s neighed out, and all the foals turned back.
My sweet little bay foal nickered as he turned his head, and then he pranced off with his friends happily.
“So innocent,” I murmured as I watched the foals rush back to the group of mothers.
“Nathan has been talking about moving the mares and foals to a field closer to the main lodge so that they can be better socialized. The foals are still quite wary of us,” Ray remarked as he sat up.
“Yeah, it’s a good idea,” I agreed as I pushed myself upright.
“Sandwich?” Ray offered with a grin.
“Sure.”
Ray handed me a sandwich and a can of soda as we watched the foals drink from their mothers before continuing their play.
“Still having flashbacks?” Ray asked as he sipped his soda.
“Yeah,” I murmured before taking a bite of my sandwich.
“You know they can’t hurt you anymore. You’re safe,” Ray said softly.
“Yeah, but they did hurt me,” I said after swallowing. I quivered as a cold chill ran through me. It had nothing to do with the breeze.
“And now they’re dead,” he reminded me.
I nodded, although it wasn’t very reassuring.
I knew they were dead. I knew my nightmares and memories were unnecessary, but that didn’t stop them.
“You saved their lives, you know?” Ray said as he finished off his sandwich and moved onto a packet of chips.
“Who?” I questioned as he tossed some chips to me. Plain salt. My favorite.
“Beth, Mary, Fiona,” Ray stated as he popped open his packet.
“I guess.”
Ray just gave me a sad smile as he threw some chips back into his mouth.
I ate the last piece of my sandwich before taking a sip of my soda and moving onto the chips.
“So, I watched you train this morning,” Ray remarked as I crunched on some chips.
I just raised an eyebrow at him, wondering where this was going.
“You beat Scott in a sparring match yesterday when he popped by. Easily. I think Neema believes you’re almost ready to become a full-blown Huntress.”
I nodded as I slowly ate my chips. I knew I’d improved a lot over the past few months. I’d thrown myself into my training. Just another distraction from my own mind.
/> I fought and trained not just to become a Huntress, but to become better. I fought my own mind every time I sparred with Neema or practiced my moves with blades. I’d taken up rifles too now, and Neema had even brought someone in to teach me some basic sniper training. That way I didn’t always have to get up close and personal to dangerous targets.
“Jaye’s helping me get a showing next week. Just a small one, but he has good contacts in the business. And the camera you got me, it’s amaaazzzing,” Ray exaggerated with his hands.
“I’m glad,” I smiled, grateful we were straying from me being the focus.
“What should we do for dinner tonight?” he flipped the subject again.
“You literally just ate,” I laughed.
“So? I can still think about it,” he pouted.
“I don’t know. Maybe Jaye will pick up pizza on his way back from his big meeting,” I suggested. Jaye was out hand-delivering an expensive portrait he’d painted of a rich family. A few hours away, but it was worth the small fortune they were paying him.
“Good idea,” Ray grinned as he pulled out his phone.
The cell tower had been erected over a month ago, and almost all the Pack had new phones, save for the children. Finally having easy access to the internet was opening up so much of the world to them. I had a feeling Brayden was trying to court Beth, gently, of course, considering her kidnapping, which she still struggled with.
And Regina and Charles had taken Ruben on a holiday to Canada. Ray chose to stay with me despite their offering.
Many Pack members had gotten jobs outside the territory, but many still worked here, keeping the place running.
My father stopped by on occasion to check in on me and to make his presence known as the main Alpha. He made all the big calls now, I just helped manage any issues that arose. To be honest, Ray, May, and Neema handled most of it. Being an Alpha wasn’t what I really wanted to be.
“Jaye said he’ll pick up wood-fired pizzas on the way back,” Ray said as he checked the text that just pinged on his cell.
“Awesome.”
“Hey, I hear your dad has been paying Fiona’s a few visits, what’s going on there?” Ray asked with a skeptical look.
“He felt guilty about David. He wants to make things right. I dunno, maybe there’s more going on there. It’d be good if he finally found a good woman, and Fiona is sweet and kind,” I murmured. I knew my father had been visiting Fiona whenever he came by. They were getting close, and Fiona’s sons seemed grateful for his willingness to spend time with her. She’d shut herself away at first, mourning her husband, but with my father’s help, we got her mingling with the Pack once more.
I hoped it flourished into something. They both needed to move on. Fiona’s was still so fresh, but I didn’t doubt my father understood that and was being mindful. But it was about time he started living again. Even if it meant picking up the broken pieces of someone else who’d suffered like he had.
“So, the new lodge will be done soon. Francine has completed her basic teacher training, as have a few other women. It’ll be good to get some classes going properly. Right now they’re still doing home-schooling. And the self-defense training has been a real changer. Everyone is becoming so much more confident, you can see it in how they move and walk. No longer looking over their shoulders as much. They know how to protect themselves now,” Ray said in satisfaction, delighted at the new change.
It was just what I’d wanted. I wanted this Pack to feel whole again, to feel safe.
And I was accomplishing that slowly, with help.
“Hey, I’ve got a surprise for you,” Ray said as he placed a hand on my shoulder.
“What is it?” I frowned.
“Come, I’ll show you!” he said with glee as he leaped to his feet.
I laughed at his excitement but allowed him to pull me to my feet.
He rolled the picnic blanket into a ball and handed me his half-empty can of soda before snatching up the basket. We both hurried over to the truck, and I laughed at his childish haste to get me into the vehicle.
“You’re going to love it,” he grinned as the truck rumbled to life.
“Love what?” I queried, but he just waggled his eyebrows.
“You’ll see.”
We pulled up out the front of the stable, and I just frowned in confusion at the wooden building.
“C’mon, close your eyes as soon as you get out!” Ray said eagerly as he shut the engine off.
“Seriously?” I guffawed, but rolled my eyes when he gave me a broken look. “Fine.”
I climbed out and closed my eyes as Ray slammed his door shut and hurried around to my side.
“Are they closed?” he asked.
“Duh,” I chuckled, and he took me by the arms and led me.
“Keep them closed,” he instructed. “Step here.”
I sensed the step without him even telling me, and I walked over the threshold into the stable.
The familiar scent of horses, leather, and hay filled my nostrils, and a calm settled over me at the known aromas.
“You ready?” Ray asked as we came to a halt.
“I guess,” I shrugged, utterly curious as to what we were doing here. Anxiety had twisted in my gut though as I remembered back to Nathan inviting me to our barn for some deliciously sweet sex. I hated that the thought of it scared me now.
“Open,” Ray murmured.
I bit my lip as I opened my eyes, frowning as I just stared at Ray before me.
He flicked his head, and I followed his indication to the stall beside me.
“Belle!” I gasped.
The grey dapple mare was standing at ease as she pulled hay from her feeder.
“Nathan had her transported over. Said she might help with your recovery. Said he should’ve done it sooner,” Ray said as I leaned against the stall to pat Belle.
She accepted my affection, her ears perking forward as she munched happily on her hay.
“I’ve ridden her a few times, I guess I was getting a soft spot for her,” I admitted. Belle was a fiery dapple grey mare, a horse who loved to run when given the chance. She’d been a cross-country mount before my Pack bought her from some sales, and then she joined the mustering horses.
“Who’s a sweet girl,” I murmured as I stroked her muzzle. Those large brown eyes just stared at me contentedly.
“Maybe we could go for a ride?” Ray suggested.
“We should let her settle in after just moving here,” I said as I tussled her hair hanging into her eyes. She had such a long white-grey mane, it was beautiful.
“We could ride some of the others then?” he offered.
I mulled over the idea. I hadn’t been in the saddle for a long time it felt. Since back before all of this, before I came to this ranch.
Before Richard and his men.
“Okay.”
I stayed with Belle, entering her stall and stroking her as she ate. I checked her over, running my hands over each leg to make sure she’d handled the transport well. She seemed unfazed with the attention, pre-occupied by her food.
Ray was gathering up two riding horses from the field. The mustering horses were kept in the main field attached to the back of the stable to keep them close and ready for use.
“How’s everything back home, hey?” I murmured as I moved to her shoulder to run my fingers through her mane.
I didn’t expect a reply, and she didn’t make any sound apart from the soft munching on her hay. I drew in her scent, loving the horse aroma. It was something I’d fallen in love with as a girl. I’d sometimes dreamed of becoming a show-jumper or barrel racer like Nathan, but I always got pulled away by commitments. Being the Alpha’s daughter meant I’d undergone training in various areas. I may have failed at most business and finance classes. But the fighting and mustering, I’d been good at that.
Nathan had shown me how to barrel race a few times. Many of the horses knew the drill, knew the pattern of the barrels. I’d love
d the speed and adrenaline rush, but I got caught up in my schooling too much. I hadn’t been good with my standard classes, so I’d undergone tutoring to bring me up to par. After my schooling was done, my father tried to get me to study business or finance, pushing me to learn more about leading a Pack. I was the child of an Alpha, and if anything happened to my brother, who was next in line, I’d take his place. I tried, hard, to understand and get my head around the business and finance side of things, but I just couldn’t get it. My mind wasn’t made for it. At least, that’s what I believed. I enjoyed fighting and working. I’d gotten a job as a bartender almost right after school, and I took on more hours to avoid my father and my duties. And then I’d left to train with Neema. I’d come to the decision that fighting was something I loved, and I still wanted to be a Huntress.
And now, here I was.
“Do you think things would’ve been different if I’d studied finance? If I’d somehow got my head around it?” I mused aloud.
Belle snorted as if in answer, but I had a sneaky suspicion she’d just poked herself in the nostril with hay.
It wouldn’t have changed a thing. Richard would still have demanded me, and I would’ve ended up in this same position. Or maybe I’d be dead, since I wouldn’t have the extra fighting skills from my training.
“I saw some foals today. I wonder if you were ever a mother?” I murmured as I braided a section of Belle’s mane. Her calm presence relaxed me. She was a unique kind of familiar. All the other horses, despite being bred in the vicinity of wolves, were more skittish than our own. I guess they hadn’t received the same extensive desensitization training as our horses had.
I was surprised that bay foal had even come up to me today. He’d make a fine horse in a few years. Maybe I’d get Nathan to break him in.
I wondered what a foal from Belle would look like. Would they take on her coloring? Or the father’s? Would they have her fiery attitude?
“All right, I’ve got Braveheart and Rudolph saddled up,” Ray announced as he entered the side door of the stable.
I snorted at the unique names.
“Who named them?” I asked as I gave Belle a farewell pat. She didn’t seem too fussed about my leaving as I exited the stall.