To Tame her Heart

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The next morning I woke bright and early and headed to the barn to do my chores. Today was the last bit of time Zoe and her group would be on the ranch. I would most likely never see her again. When I got to the barn I was pleasantly surprised to find Zoe there with Jake. Both were fawning over Midnight Star. She had her hair down and a plaid shirt on with boots. It was cute, she looked like she was right at home. I was lying to myself if I said I was ok with her leaving. I barely knew her and yet I was drawn to her. Trying to make an excuse to get close to her I grabbed some hay to put in the paddock. Jake was watching me knowingly and let out a chuckle. 

I got close to her and suddenly I got a whiff of something , pear and ginger. My wolf began howling. Oh my god , this girl who i just met is my mate. And I have no idea how to tell her. Jake knows about my being a werewolf but that's the only person other than my parents i've ever trusted to tell. She doesn't seem like a wolf but then again I don't either so who am i to judge. 

Putting some distance between us I went to check on Midnight. My horse always calmed me down. We had a deep connection. 

Zoe Pov

I woke up super early . Not that I slept very well. I decided maybe checking on Midnight Star would help. I got dressed and didn't bother to do anything with my hair. I slipped out the front door. When I got to the barn Jake was there

" Do you ever sleep?" I asked him shyly.

I didn't expect anyone to be up yet. But then I remembered this was a functioning ranch as well as a touring spot. Things had to get done everyday. While Jake and I were chatting Xander came in. Something seemed off with him. He started out on the other side of the barn, came close and then moved away again. " I wonder what that's about?" I thought to myself. Deciding not to worry about it I said goodbye to Jake and went back to my cabin. There I fell back asleep till about ten am . just enough time for me to get some more pictures. I filled Drake and the others in. They decided they wanted some pics taken. They finished packing and came with me . 

I took a couple group shots, got a couple with Xander and Jake. Took several pictures with my friends on horses, and some of the horses themselves. When it was approaching time to go we met up with Jake and Nicole to thank them for their Hospitality. Xander was to the side silent. I wasn't sure why but I felt the need to say goodbye to him. I broke away from the others and walked up to him. 

" Hey Xander , we are getting ready to leave. I just wanted to thank you for the weekend. " When I looked at him he smiled but it was painful. I wanted to ask him what was wrong but instead I just walked away. Nicole had goody bags for each of us with our names on them. I stowed mine in my bag and climbed into Drake's truck.  As we drove off I heard a loud howl from somewhere far off. I wish i knew where it came from. 

   Monday at school was incredibly boring. But something super unexpected happened. At lunch , Drake pulled me aside and asked me to go on a date. I know he's my best friend and we are not really compatible . But I decided what the hell and said yes. When I did I couldn't help wondering in the back of my mind what Xander would think about me going on a date.  Then I asked myself why it mattered. Drake and I set a date for tonight at 7 . I wasn't nervous , this was Drake. We had been friends for so long it just felt like a normal day thing to me.

The rest of the day was very uneventful. I rode home with Drake and he said he would be back to pick me up later. He seemed really excited. I Went through my closet , trying to find date-worthy clothes. Truth be told  I Had Not been on many dates to speak of so this was a new thing for me. I got a few texts from the girls with advice. Apparently word head spread about our date. 

Eventually I settled on a v neck shirt that was blue and shiny and a black knee length skirt with knee high boots. I tossed on a black leather jacket. It felt comfortable but was still cute. Drake picked me up exactly at 7. We went to a movie, a rerun at the local theater and dinner at our favorite hole in the wall place. It was, I admit nice. Drake had been there for me for so long I almost forgot he was a guy. A hot guy. He walked me to my door like he had done a thousand times before. Only this time was the awkward expected first kiss. He leaned in and I didnt stop him. It was a quick, chaste and surprisingly good kiss. I was almost relieved he didn't try to go further but af the same time i probably wouldn't have stopped him.  We said goodnight and he went home. I couldn't sleep so I began unpacking my stuff from the weekend. I Came across Nicole's goody bag. It contained some goat's milk soap that smelled like rain water, made by hand on the ranch. Some postcards, with different views of the ranch. There were a few other goodies that were edible made by Nicole and an envelope. The outside had my name on it in a green pen. Curious as to what it was, I opened it. It was from Xander! I  got a weird feeling, should i read it ? i thought to myself. Finally I decided that I should. 

“ Zoe,

I know you and I don't really know each other, but I enjoyed spending time with you. I would love nothing more than for you to return to the ranch as my personal guest. Hopefully you will take me up on a date and come again. I have enclosed a voucher for another weekend stay just for you , if you're up for it. The voucher has no expiration date so take your time and think about it. 

Yours truly, 

Xander

P.s. Midnight Star really misses you.”

I didn't know what to think, I wanted to say yes,I  wanted to say no. I was so confused. My date with Drake already had me reeling in my emotions and now this. I decided I would sleep on it and climbed into bed. Overnight I Went from no guys interested to two hot guys interested. It was a lot to take it. Sleep didn’t come easy but when it did it hit hard. The next day I  reread Xanders not and thought about my date with Drake. Nothing in the way of a solution came to mind. The ride to school was a little strange. Neither Drake nor I had anything to say to the other. It was very unusual. Drake was usually a chatty Kathy, but today not a peep. When we reached the parking lot he finally found his voice. He turned off the truck and turned to me. “Was yesterday as big of a deal for you as it was for me?I Can't stop replaying it in my mind. He said anxiously. 

Not sure what I wanted to say, I just nodded. With that being an apparent acceptable answer we both got out of the truck. Later that day Drake slipped me a note in class. “ How about another date tomorrow night?” There  Were cute little yes and no boxes. After consideration, I checked the yes box.  Now to decide about Xander,  I guess I would take up that offer too. I mean a girl could enjoy her options couldn't she.