The Gray Ranch

2

FINLEY POV

For three solid days I have listened to Killian mope about running the cameras or brag about his council missions with Darcy. It is at the point were each time he opens his mouth I want to tear my ears off. I can no longer eat or sleep. I am just seething. His ego is the size of Alaska and I just want him to shut up so we can complete our job. Today alone has been particularly bad.

"Hey Fin, you good," Lewis asks as we walk into the cave we are calling home for the night.

I nod without meeting his concerned gaze and he sighs.

"I havent heard a wise crack in over 48 hours," Lewis says digging deeper and grind my teeth.

Usually I disguise a bad mood, concern, or give advice through light hearted jokes, but I feel too sick to my stomach to laugh about anything right now. Even a fake laugh would make my mouth fill with bile right now.

Killian just finished describing how much he is looking forward to returning to his wife for some much needed sexual time and I almost lost it. I am pretty sure my entire pack knows my wolf has chosen Darcy, but Killian is still blissfully unaware.

"I hate him too, but another capable male in the pack isn't a bad thing," Lewis whispers when I don't answer him and I growl before moving to the farthest corner.

I sit down against the rocky wall and Lewis just gives me a look filled with pity. I knew this trip would be hard but I never imagined it would change me. I am becoming someone I don't recognize.

"You going to help start a fire or sit there," Killian asks as he comes in carrying wood and spots me sitting against the wall.

Lewis instantly looks worried, but I can't bring myself to care about his discomfort. I can't take one more minute of this asshole's disrespect.

He hadn't even come all the way inside before jumping on me. I have helped with every chore every night so far. There is absolutely no reason for his statement other than to call me out. He looks down on me because I am a fourth born Alpha and I can't take anymore. He thinks he is the strongest wolf on this trip. He thinks he outranks me in the pack.

"Shut the fuck up. Even if I chose not to help, you wouldn't have any say in it," I snap as I stand to my feet.

He drops the wood and his mouth almost goes slack from the shock of my outburst, but he manages to save face by sneering.

"Is that so," he says and I wordlessly walk toward him.

We are both dressed only in shorts since we shifted not long ago so our muscles are on clear display.

He flexes as I approach, but I keep my body relaxed and ready. When it comes to muscle mass Killian has me beat, but I have always made the most of my slim and toned body by being fast. My older brothers didn't go easy on me due to my age or size growing up. So sparing was grueling, but rewarding.

"It is," I growl and he has the audacity to smirk before throwing the first punch.

I duck since I was expecting the move and when I come back up I punch him directly in the adam's apple. He instantly gags and grabs his throat with both hands. I ignore the obvious submission and punch the left side of his abdomen with all the strength I have. His body drops to the ground instantly with one hand on his ribs and the other on his throat.

"Like I said. You wouldn't have any say. I outrank every fucking person here. You better remember that next time you want to pop off," I snarl down at him as Lewis keeps his head down.

I pick up the wood and toss it in the fire pit area we have used for 7 years.

"Sorry Lewis," I mumble before returning to my corner.

Lewis just mumbles a quick "no problem" before lighting the wood and pulling out some of the perishable food.

Killian does a few more minutes of rolling around and groaning while his bones heal, before standing up and leaving the cave wordlessly.

"Shit. That was intense. Glad we hunted the rabbit before hand," Lewis says after the meat is cooked and he has plated the veggies with it.

He brings over my share and I take it from him with a blank face.

I thought silencing Killian would bring me relief, but it didn't. Causing him pain did nothing to disperse my own. He will still return to Darcy and she will still welcome him with open arms. Teaching him a lesson does nothing to solve my real problem.

"You think he will be back before it goes bad," Lewis asks after a few minutes and I shrug.

"If he wants his food he should be here to eat it... You cooked. You eat it," I reply and Lewis nods before taking what was left for Killian.

We ate a medium sized elk last night in wolf form for the rangers' camera. Killian will be fine if he misses this meal. There wasn't much meat on the small animal anyway.

Eating a small meal over a fire doesn't do much for us physically, but it keeps our human mind intact on long trips like this. Killian can do without the human interaction tonight.

"Tomorrow we have to go another 20 miles East. That area tends to have a large prey population. We need to hunt there, but we need to make it look like the whole pack was present. Motion camera #6 should catch us mid chase if we plan it right," Lewis says as he stratigizes and eats.

I nod. I wish I could feel better and act more like myself now that I have punched Killian. Lewis deserves conversation. Benji and him normally bond during these runs and this time he is stuck with a sulking wolf instead.

"Sure. You know the drill better than I do," I reply as I bite into another juicy piece of rabbit that I can't enjoy.

Killian's scent returns and I focus my gaze on the entrance to the cave. If he comes in looking for round two I need to be ready. But when I spot him instead of seeing wounded pride or anger I see submission. His eyes are down cast as he enters. He doesn't even glance at us. He takes the remaining vegetables from the bag and sits by the wall silently.

Lewis finishes his plate and wipes it off before sticking it back in the hatch.

"I have first rotation," he says before heading for the opening and I give him a nod as he exits.

Killian finishes his sad dinner after a couple more minutes and lays down to sleep while I stare at him.

My brain just won't let up. I know it would be beneficial for the trip if I set some boundaries, but I hate speaking with him. Now is a good time to talk since he is calm though and I have to accept all aspects of being a leader. If I am going to put him in his place I have to act like his leader afterward. Thats what it is to be in a pack.

Just as I open my mouth to talk about what happened and how we will act moving forward the phone rings. Pure terror bolts through me as the sound seems to shake the cave walls. Lewis comes running back inside in wolf form as I rip the hatch door back open.

I pull out the satellite phone and hesitate for a second before saying anything.

Anyone could be hurt. So much has happened to us I would believe anything at this point. The father of Mike and Boyd's deceased mates could be retaliating. He could have sent an assassin to kill our females. Darcy...

"What's wrong," I ask as true fear fills my veins with ice and I hear Stan sigh.

"We are all fine... It's dad. He's sick. Pack doctor can't figure it out. He can't fulfill his duties right now. Daniel is needed here. I am basically human. Emma is enjoying her first semester at a college across the country. It has to be you, Fin. You need to go home and help mom," Stanley says.