The Gray Ranch

3

DARCY POV

"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 as Tabitha rubs his back.

He is keeping his tone even for his younger brother, but we can all see his face. He looks practically ill as he relays the news about Alpha Forest to Finley.

Marcie called four or five hours ago and Stanley has done nothing but plan. He immediately started emailing the Northern Gray pack's doctor and corresponding with Emma, who sounds like a brat.

"Yeah...."

"Yes, he is okay."

"No, Dan said for all three of you to go. It gets dicey in those woods so you need the backup, Fin. Once you get there Lewis and Killian can return. Grab your packs and head that way tonight. Mom needs you now," Stanley says as he brings his hand to his forehead.

My heart twists a little and my inner animal gets worked up. Just hearing Killian and Finley's names together affects my body. I want both of them back here. I want Killian in my arms and I want to see Finley's face so I know he is okay.

I know it's wrong of me to want to hold someone other than my mate, but I truly love Killian. We grew up together. We have fought side by side. We got married and tied ourselves together. While we did choose not to mark each other my marriage is still important to me. I refuse to be like my mother. My father cried his heart out for months over her betrayal. Just because my animal chose someone doesn't end the relationship I created.

"Yeah, you too," Stanley says before putting the phone down on the counter and drawing my attention back to him.

He sighs loudly and keeps his upper face hidden with his hand. Sam and Mariah exchange a quick look from the other side of the massive island while Tabitha keeps her focus on her upset mate.

Very few illnesses bring down shifters, and none of them are good. So the stress coming from the pack is understandable especially since they have been going through hard times. Daniel hasn't even come back out of his room since Luna Marcie called them crying.

 "Your dad is tough. We just saw him not that long ago. He will be okay," Mike says trying to bring the energy in the room up and his little human nods in agreement with his words.

   Stanley's hand falls to the counter top and we all freeze as we spot the tears on his face.

"Yeah, but it's most likely cancer. The pack doctor... He told me in an email. He didn't want Mom to know just yet, but he told me that is his guess," Stanley says and Benji growls.

  Cancer. Every shifter fears the word. A sickness that renders wolf healing practically useless. A sickness that requires treatment that most of our clinics don't have. Human facilities are more equipped in treating cancer, but we can't risk the exposure to seek medical attention for prolonged periods.

"Your parents pack is bigger. Do they have the equipment," Boyd asks with a hint of desperation and Stanley shakes his head.

"Dad would be the first," Stanley says and a pessimistic fog begins to fill the kitchen before Samantha slams her palm down on the island.

"Then we bring in a specialists that know about us in. We pay for your dad's treatment. We have the funds. Andrew's estate was triple what I got from the Laynes. Let me use it," Samantha says  and Stan stares at her for a second before smiling.

"Alright. I will call around. The council is still assembling new members so it might take them a few days to get back to us with a name, so I will do my own searching. We will get this taken care of," Stanley says with a small grin and Samantha smiles.

"We aren't losing anyone else. I refuse," Samantha says and her friends beam at her.

The heartwarming moment pulls at my heart and I am once again reminded that I made a choice. Mating Finley would lock me in with these amazing people for life, but my decision is final.

I sigh and slip away. The pack members normally leave me be. The females have given up on including me in their activities. Samantha even gives me the stink eye when she thinks I am not looking. Probably angry at me for not bonding with the pack. I don't think any of them know about Finley and me. I have done a good job of keeping myself distant from him.

I get to my bedroom and close the door. It feels weird being in our room without Killian since his smell is everywhere, but I still enjoy it more than being out there. His scent is the only place that feels like home. After losing my dad he was the first person I bonded with.

  I dive onto our bed and grab his pillow. I already did my share of the chores today so I know they won't bother me unless there is another emergency.

  "Mmm," I whisper as I breathe in his scent.

My inner wolf even relaxes a little due to the familiarity. I know she would enjoy Finley's scent more but that's a pointless thought.

I bite my lip as my mind does another mini battle.

Finley was an unexpected twist when we drive up on that first day, but I swore to myself as soon as my eyes locked with his that I wouldn't forfeit my marriage. Killian means more to me than that and I won't throw him away like garbage.

I nod my head to silently agree with myself and turn over on my back.

I like this. I like being able to think. When I am around the others my brain can't focus on anything but them. My mind wants to evaluate all of them as if they were a mission, but they aren't another mission they are my pack... My Pack.

Pack life is so strange to me. I have never had a large family to bond with. I had my parents, then just my dad, then the council and Killian. There were a couple of others who trained with us but they were only acquaintances. I didn't bond with them. My wolf and I are just used to more solitary living. I don't dislike the atmosphere here in this pack. It is just uncomfortable with my mate here and hard to shut off years of training.

I sigh as he enters my mind again. Finley. Finley. Finley. My mate...

I squeeze my eyes closed and repeat what I have been telling myself since day one.

Finley is just a bump that tugs at my inner animal. As time goes on that tug will lessen. He will find someone that he cares about and we will live in peace. Killian will never know and neither will anyone else. We will live out our lives being happy for one another... maybe even friends.

"And maybe tomorrow I will poop cupcakes," I mumble to myself as I realize just how diluted I sound.

One of us will have to leave. Killian hates it here so it should be us. Finley is needed in the Northern pack for now, but eventually he will want to return home. When he does I will tell Killian we can leave. The pack should be able to rebuild during this time and I won't feel guilty about leaving. The council members who orders us here were removed from office and Daniel shouldn't have a problem letting us leave. Killian has been a thorn since we got here so they will probably be happy to see us leave.

My heart twists again as I think about leaving Finley, but I ignore it. This is the life I have chosen.