The Gray Ranch

7

DARCY POV

"Fin sounded so worried about his mom and his dad. The Doctor has all but confirmed Forest has cancer. Now we are just waiting to know the specifics from the blood tests," Sam whispers to the other females and I feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

My senses are on high alert. It's been almost 24 hours since Lewis sent a message saying they had arrived in the Northern Gray pack, but Killian has yet to call or message me. I have left him a dozen voice-mails and texted countless times. Lewis and Finley have been checking in and calling the others with updates, but Killian isn't responding to me.

"I am sure it is hard accepting that Forest is sick... Are we sure we can help with the treatments? I mean, yes, a few doctors know about us, but a specialist. That is someone who will be hard to find. What if they are out of the country," Mariah asks in a gentler tone than usual.

Trevor touches her cheek, and her attention turns from Samantha to him. I look her over and sigh. She looks so happy pregnant. Her round belly looks even bigger with the toddler on her hip. I know I will one day have that with Killian, but it does sadden me to know I won't have that with Finley.

"Positive. I will make it happen no matter what. Wherever the specialist is, we will find him. I will pay him whatever he wants to get him there," Samantha says confidently and her cousin gives her another big smile.

Every time the energy drops around here Samantha brings it back up. She is a good Luna. She doesn't let depression set it with her pack members and she keeps providing positive solutions to their problems. The other females believe in her 100%... The Gray Pack is a good pack. A pack my wolf chose to match us with.

That familiar sting hits me again, and my brain brushes it away. I have Killian. I have a partner. I decide now is a good time to excuse myself. I only came to the kitchen to see if anyone had information on Killian. I don't need to keep doing this to myself. I already know all the great things about them.

"I will go get the stalls shoveled out since the guys are working in the hay field today," I say quietly before standing up.

They all look at me, but no one says anything. Even sweet Carmen doesn't comment as I leave the room. I know they think I am cold. I haven't shown an ounce of concern for Alpha Forest, but I don't want to fake feelings I don't have. I am not emotionally tied to anyone, but Killian.

I sigh as I close the back door. I walk around to the front of the house. I might as well take the long way to the barn since I have nothing else to do, but stall for time. Sitting in the house, staring at my phone, waiting for him to call me, is driving me nuts. I can't shake this anxious feeling I have in my gut. I know this is a mission, and Killian likes to hyper-focus on missions, but the mission was altered. You would think he would miss me and would pick up his phone. It isn't dead anymore... Maybe he broke his phone.

I smile as that simple explanation comes to me.

Yeah, he broke his phone and he doesn't want to burden Lewis or Finley with something so trivial while they are concerned about Forest. He will be here in a few hours and he will explain what happened. Daniel said Lewis decided to rent a car and return in human form. I bet Killian is catching up on his sleep in the passenger seat. He hates camping while on missions.

I smile and walk a little faster toward the tack room.

******

"Lewis says he is about ten minutes away," Dan says as he flops into one of the oversized chairs.

I keep my eyes on my phone, but my heart rate increases. In ten minutes my husband will be home. He will explain why I haven't heard from him and this sick feeling in my stomach will disappear.

"Good. I'm glad he drove. Coming back down solo is too risky," Benji says and my head snaps up.

I stare at the big shifter in shock. Alone? Lewis is alone? Where is Killian?

"Wait, alone? Where is Killian," I ask trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.

"Finley said Killian decided to stay up there. He didn't explain why. He was more focused on asking questions about the program our dad uses to keep his files organized, so I didn't think about asking," Stanley replies from the other couch, and my eyes snap to him.

He gives me a rather blank expression and Tabitha shifts around uncomfortably next to him. I immediately know something is going on... something bad, but I can't accuse them of anything. Maybe Killian was hurt on the way up and they haven't told me... Maybe they don't know how to tell me.

Just as my mind begins to imagine the worst, the front door opens, and a tired-looking Lewis comes walking in with his pack on his back. Everyone but me stands up to greet him. I can't seem to get my body to respond to my brain. I have so many questions and the fact that Killian isn't walking in behind Lewis right now is very upsetting.

I sit frozen in my seat as everyone hugs Lewis and asks him questions. When they all finally sit back down again, and Lewis drops into the chair next to Dan, I defrost. I want answers and I will have them.

"Where is Killian," I demand as my eyes lock with his.

He looks taken aback for a second before looking around at everyone else. No one looks as if they know where Killian is either and Dan shrugs.

"Fin didn't say why Killian was staying when he was on speakerphone with us. He told us Killian chose to stay up there and you would be traveling alone. I said you should rent a car to travel back down. He then had some questions for Stan about some computer program, so Stan spoke with him," Dan says smoothly, and Lewis nods rather slowly.

When Lewis looks back at me, my stomach drops, and my irritation disappears. His eyes are full of sadness. A deep well of sadness that makes me terrified to hear his answer.

"Darcy, I shouldn't be the one to tell you this, but Killian found his mate. She is a nurse in the Northern Gray pack. Her name is Bella... I told him after he decided to stay he should call home and let everyone know what was going on. I am not sure why he chose not to tell you himself... I am sorry," Lewis says and everything seems to go still.

Everyone becomes a statue as they watch me absorb Lewis's explanation as to why my husband didn't come back with him. I feel so embarrassed and hurt. Killian found his mate and didn't even have the decency to call me. He didn't think I deserved a goodbye?

Memories of my father weeping over the fact his wife left him flood my mind. The feeling of being abandoned by her slaps me in the face. Killian is just like my mother. He walked away from us the second he met his mate. I chose him over my mate so I wouldn't be like her and he...

A sob erupts from my throat as the pain in my chest practically chokes me. I jump up from the couch and bolt from the room of staring happy couples.

I wanted everything. I wanted this amazing pack. I wanted Killian beside me. I wanted to be close to Finley. I wanted to be happy. How could he do this to me? We were supposed to be together forever. He always promised we would be together. He said he would never leave me even if he found his mate. Now he is cheating on me with some female he just met.

I slam my door and scream into the air. The same pain as when my mother left us is filling my body. Betrayal and heartache are consuming me once more, but this time I have no one. Dad isn't here with me anymore.

"How can this be happening," is the only thing my brain keeps saying.

A steady stream of tears and sobs take over me as I crumble to the floor.

Killian abandoned me.

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