The One The Whole Town Abandoned

Chapter 8 Suspicious Encounter

Ashleigh's POV

I cry into Dominic's chest, but with his strong arms encasing me, I feel safe, like nothing could hurt me. He makes me feel so secure in his embrace that it's comforting on a whole new level. I would stay here all night if I could. "I need to get to my baby, just in case. I'm sorry because you make me feel so safe and I would stay here all night if I could, but I have to make sure my baby is ok." I say to him, trying to make sure he understands it's not because of him that I'm leaving, it's because of my baby.

"It's ok, I understand, let me walk you to your place please, to make sure you get there safe." He says to me as I nod. He stands up, and grabs my hand, holding it tight, as he leads the way out of the trees and to my apartment. We stand at the front door in a moment of comfortable silence.

"Thanks for not judging me for everything. You don't know what that means to me.." I say softly to him.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me. That means more to me than you know. Can I come to see you both tomorrow? If you're not too busy, that is." He asks as he steps closer to me.

"It's my day off actually, so I would like that a lot and I'm sure Aurora would too... Stef will be here too. She is insisting on staying with me right now because of the new-found news." I explain to him as he hums in response.

"I'll be here bright and early then. Good night beautiful," he says softly to me as he leans down, putting his delectable lips to mine again. I really could get used to this, because his lips pressed to mine felt amazing, those sparks just make me weak in the knees. He ends the kiss to my dismay, but still staring down at me. "Good night Dom," I respond as I turn around, walk into my apartment, and lock the door behind me. I lean against the back of the door for a moment, taking in the quiet moment to myself.

Stefanie isn't here so I look around the dark house until I slowly get to the bedroom and see Stefanie asleep with Aurora in the bed. So sweet, I just love it. She is such a great aunt... I couldn't be luckier to have her in our lives. I stare down at them cuddled up in the bed for a moment, but I don't think I can get to sleep right now. I just had to get home to make sure my girls were good.

I walk up to the bedroom window, open it quietly, and climb out like I do when I need a minute to myself. I leave the window open so I can hear inside just in case. I sit down on the ground leaning against the wall with my knees pulled to my chest. I close my eyes, soaking in the illuminating moonlight, and enjoying the peace it brings me. I take a deep breath then let it out... Just to open my eyes as I stare up at the stars, taking in the glittery masterpiece above me.

I feel a nudge on my arm which makes me jump as I quickly look to the side to see that huge majestic-looking beast from last night. He is simply handsome. His fur is as dark as the night but as soft as ever with glowing gold eyes that match the stars with speckles of hazel in them.

"Hello you majestic beast, looking handsome as usual, did you miss me?" I say softly to him as he creeps up to my side, laying his head on my lap, as lays almost curled around me, keeping me warm. He lets out a huff as he snuggles into me. I let my hand run through his fur as we relax in a comfortable silence.

"I know you probably don't understand me, but thank you for sitting here with me. I don't know how I ever got lucky enough to get two new amazing men in my life, but I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because you and him both make me feel so safe and I haven't felt that in so long, it's almost intoxicatingly addicting."

Dominic's POV

I watch Ashleigh walk into her place locking the door behind her. I stand there for a second because I can hear her lean against the door, so I stand against it as well... With my wolf senses, I can still smell her caramel musk and hear her on the other side.

I see her walk through her house, so I take off, but I don't get far. I get to the treeline and sit in the dark staring at her window, just thinking about her. I don't want to leave her at all for so many reasons, especially with this new-found enemy being released.

She at least agreed to go with me and give me a chance. I don't know if words could express how happy this makes me. I can't wait to tell my family and friends. I turn away to leave but have to turn right back around. I feel a pulling on my heart. The longer I spend with her the harder I fall. It's hard for me being a werewolf with the mate bond because I just want to be around her 24/7 and it's so hard for me to leave her, even now. I keep staring at her window as I see it open up, which catches my attention.

I see Ashleigh climbing out and sitting on the ground outside her window as if it were her secret spot. I strip down and shift into my wolf instantly, I want to be a part of that. I can't sleep and neither can she. I see her close her eyes take a deep breath in and enjoy the moonlight.

I sneak up to her as I see her open her eyes, still just looking up at the sky as if she is just enjoying the calming view. I'm enjoying my view of her for sure, it's just as calming for me...I thought she would notice my huge wolf Miles by now, so I take my muzzle nudging her arm with it when I'm right next to her.

She jumps because she didn't know I was there. But once she sees it's me she smiles and says, "Hello you majestic beast, looking handsome as usual, did you miss me?" This makes me internally smile that she even thinks Miles is handsome. I feel his tail wagging at that comment. What a little pup.. only in her arms. I wrap my huge body around hers, laying my head on her lap, enjoying the yummy caramel smell she gives off.

"I know you probably don't understand me, but thank you for sitting here with me. I don't know how I ever got lucky enough to get two new men in my life that are amazing, but I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because you and him both make me feel so safe and I haven't felt like that in so long, it's almost intoxicatingly addicting." She says to me making me even happier. She likes both of us... I just wish I knew how to show her that we are one and the same... but I don't know how to break that news to someone who has no idea of the existence of my kind.

So I just lay here with her, in the most comfortable silence I have ever endured.

"Alright handsome, I'm finally getting tired and I have to get some sleep. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day tomorrow. Now you go catch some food or howl to the moon or whatever majestic beasts do in their spare time." She says humorously before getting up. I huff at her comment, wishing for more time with her, as I get up with her.

"Don't you huff at me handsome. I have a feeling I'll see you later anyways. Try to have a good night. Be safe out there." She says as she kisses my nose again. I watch her turn around, climbing back into the window and shutting it behind her.

She is perfect. I love her already. I can't wait until she knows we are the same. I just want to hear her say my name. I bet it sounds amazing coming off those yummy lips.

Miles says to me, making me smile that he loves her already. Of course, he does, who wouldn't, but it's just funny to see the big bad Alpha Wolf as a sick-love puppy. I run back to my pile of clothes, shifting back and getting dressed to walk back to the bar where I left my escalade. They are closed at this time, along with all the other stores, so the whole town is quiet right now. I'm getting closer to the bar when I see the Luna in the dark but she is talking to someone.

I think... No, I do smell rogues... I can't pinpoint where, but I don't like that she is acting suspicious out here with someone when I smell rogues... Maybe that's a rogue she is talking to... We will have to tell the guys so we can keep an eye on her.

Miles says to me, making me internally nod and agree. I can't see who she is talking to, as I take a look around, trying to figure out where the rogue smell is coming from. We haven't heard of the rogues coming too close to this property, just the surrounding properties, so this is a little unexpected. We were using it as an excuse. We didn't think we might see some here. Might be dealing with more problems than expected... I just need to keep my guard up, staying on my toes when it comes to this pack. I think the Luna and whoever it is that she is talking to, hear me walking their way. She hands him something so he runs off into the woods without hesitation, leaving the Luna alone. That was suspicious for sure. I walk out into the light exposing that it is me.

"Hello Luna, you should be careful out here alone. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Especially with rogues being spotted in the surrounding areas. Do you need me to escort you back to the pack territory?" I say pretending like I didn't just see her with someone just a second ago.

"Oh Alpha Dominic, you're too sweet. I would love that. I was just going to call one of my warriors to come to get me, but if your offering." She says walking up to me and smiling. I pull out 20$ handing it to her and she looks confused, so I clarify, "I ran off after Ashleigh earlier tonight and forgot to pay for the stuff I ordered." I say as she smiles and waves away the money.

"Don't worry Alpha, I swear it is no problem." She says this as I open the passenger door for her, then go around the driver's side.

I start the engine as I back out of the parking spot and headed to the Willows Pack territory. "So is everything going to plan with the transition of the new Ms.Luna of the Crescent Moon Pack?" She inquires curiously.

I nod at her and smile, "Everything has been perfect so far. She is starting to like me and talks about how safe and comfortable she feels with me. Her daughter already adores me as much as I adore her... She has also agreed to come with me and give me a chance, which was all that I wanted from her and we can take our time with everything else... I have the rest of my life to do the rest with her. But she did see my wolf the other night and she loves him. I still don't know how to tell her about werewolves yet... It's really hard when she doesn't think they are real, to even explain it to her. I think I'm going to just have to show her, to make her believe, but I'm so worried I will scare her. She is already liking the both of us, so I'm too afraid to take that risk just yet." I answer her as she nods.

"Little late for you guys to be out.. have you already mated her then?" she asks with a little bit of spite laced in her words.

"Nope, we just talked all night. It was amazing. We are going to spend all day tomorrow together since it's her day off, so I think I'm going to take them out to dinner, a movie, and ice cream to make them feel better." I say so she knows she is wrong about her and I love being with her. No matter what she thinks.

"That's good, glad to hear it and that sounds like a wonderful time for you all tomorrow. So since everything looks up to par with the defenses, when are you guys heading back then?" she asks a little too bluntly for my liking. So I make sure she knows that I have noticed some things as much as she has. "I don't know yet we still have a good amount to look at and take care of here and we will go from there. Just wondering has your pack always been so small on such a big property? It's strange because I thought you guys had more. And I think we need to figure out something for the eating portions in the pack house. The she-wolves and children here are looking a little skinny." I say just as bluntly back.

"Um sure we can work on that and we have had a couple of people that have gone missing in the last couple of years, but we just always figured it was rogues... You know, since they have been around our area." She says almost uncomfortably ending the conversation as we pull up to the pack house.

"Thank you Alpha Dominic for the ride, have a fun day tomorrow. I'm sure it will be eventful and memorable for you all."She says to me, staring at me a little longer than needed, as she bows and walks into the house quickly before I even turned off the engine. She couldn't have gotten out of here fast enough.

That action right there makes things a little more suspicious than before. I have a bad feeling about her and whoever she was talking about. I'll have to tell the guys and my father in the morning.

~~~~~

I hear my alarm go off as I open my eyes and hop out of bed with so much pep to my step. I pick up my phone and call my father instantly. "Hello son, what's the new update?! Since it's bright and early like this, I'm assuming very good?" My father asks as I smile big because he knows me so well.

"Very good actually... So I went by her place, dropping off her wallet and making small talk with her, as her daughter introduces herself to me as Princess Aurora and invited me in to sing and watch Beauty and the Beast with them. Ashleigh says she doesn't think I would want to spend my morning singing with them.." I say as my father interrupts, "But she never knew how obsessed you were with that movie as a child."

"Exactly, but she is the same and loved that movie all her life too... So I take advantage of the invitation and was completely impressed, winning both of them over with all of our love for that same movie. Ashleigh felt comfortable enough to tell me about her past and I offered to take her away from all these people who treat her like sh*t and she has agreed to come with me after a long day of spending some much-needed amazing time with her. I couldn't be happier. She still doesn't know about werewolves, but she asked me to be honest with her about who I was and I did. When I told her I was a werewolf, she laughed thinking I was kidding, and then we got interrupted by her friend coming in. Then she had to leave for work. I think the only way she will, believe me is if I show her, but I don't want to scare her. But she already feels safe and comfortable with me and Miles.. she said that many times last night." I explain to him as he asks, "She saw Miles too? Is she fine with him? How is he liking her?"

"Yea after Dom left for the night, Miles came out and spent some time cuddling up to her as she petted and complimented him, telling him how handsome he is and telling him how comfortable and safe she felt with him as well... After telling me the same thing earlier in the night. Miles adores her as well... He is a love-sick puppy." I say as Miles grunts at me internally, making me chuckle along with my dad.

"I know that feeling, Odell and I felt and still feel the same way about your mother... I didn't think she would agree to move with you so soon. Good job son, you work quickly." He says to me as I groan and reply. "Yes, I had a little help though, because the guy who raped her is getting out of jail and coming back to town. So she is freaking out right now, worried about her and her daughter. So I offered to take her with me and she said that both of them adore me and feel very comfortable, so she agreed. But still happy she is giving me the chance I need to protect her and her baby." I say to him as he hums again before responding.

"Yea that would probably make her want to go and quickly. But at least she has you now. That guy might end up being a problem though, so watch over her. He might still want her or at least want revenge, so protect her and that baby girl. Does the girl like you?"

I chuckle and scoff at him, "Of course, she adores me almost as much as I adore her. She is amazing, funny, and has almost as much sass as her feisty mama. It's amazing. Ashleigh tried to ward me off from her because she has a daughter and I told her how I feel. That I feel like I won the jackpot if she and her daughter are the prizes and she loved it. She has agreed to spend the day with me today since it's her day off. So I'll be getting ready to head there soon.. but this call isn't all good... I do need to talk to you about something as well." I say to him with seriousness in my voice, changing the tone of the conversation automatically.

"Ok what is it?" he asks as I continue, "Last night when I was walking back from Ashleigh's house it was very late and I saw the Luna talking with someone in the dark. She handed him something and when they noticed me, the other person ran off. Miles smelt rogues nearby and she was acting incredibly suspicious, but I acted as if I didn't see her talking with someone. I gave her a ride and she wanted to know when we were leaving... So when I said I didn't know, because we had a lot to work to do. I then asked her about the number of people and how it was smaller than what I was told. She immediately blamed the rogues plus ended the conversation. When we got to the pack house, she got out of the escalade so quickly that I didn't even have a chance to turn off the engine before she was gone." I say to him as he hums thinking about it...

"So you think she might have something to do with the missing people?" he asks.

"I don't know honestly, but that was too suspicious to ignore, so I will definitely have my eye on her, but the problem is I think she knows that. Which could be good or bad... She knows my weakness, Ash, but if she is a part of this and decides to react, then we can catch her in the act hopefully... But that's all in due time. I'll keep you updated." I say to him as he replies, "Yup, just keep an eye out and watch over your girls. They are bigger targets than they know, on so many levels."

"I will do my best dad, thank you." I say to him as he responds, "No thank you for all your hard work. I'm just glad this assignment is paying off for you because of your mate. Your mother will be so happy to hear she has agreed to come to live with us! Have a great day with your ladies and I will talk to you later.. stay aware of your surroundings because you have more precious lives to protect now." I hum in response, as he hangs up the call.

Wes, and Nate, I need to see you both in my room, please.

I say to them nicely because they might still be asleep.

Yes Alpha

I hear a knock on the door about a minute later, so I open it for them.

"Ok, so I need to talk to you guys again. Of course, I have good and maybe bad news...

I spent all morning and afternoon with Ashleigh and her daughter Aurora yesterday and won both their hearts over... After we made and ate lunch together and Aurora fell asleep. It gave Ashleigh and me a chance to talk. She asked me about who I was and why I was here.. So I was just honest with her and told her everything because I want to start this relationship off right. She laughed when I told her I was a werewolf and then she saw I was serious, but before we could talk about it, her best friend came in asking why she wasn't ready for work because she had to go. So she got ready and left in haste... But I went to her work because I can't be away from her and the Luna and Alpha's son were nice to her and she knew it was me. Ashleigh demanded I tell her what I did.. so I confessed that it was me and she was grateful... We even kissed and it was the most amazing kiss of my life... But right after that, she got a call from her best friend saying the guy who raped her is being let out of jail on probation for good behavior... So she was freaking out. I followed her into the woods and talked with her for a long time, trying to make her feel better and she told me about her past on her own. I told her I could protect her and take her away from this hateful place and she agreed. She said she is only giving me one chance with her and her daughter and if I mess it up she is gone, but I know I won't mess this up! But this isn't all good. When I was walking back from Ashleigh's house it was late and everywhere was closed. I saw the Luna talking with someone in the dark, handing him something. Miles could smell rogues around and whoever she was talking to, ran off before I could see a face. But I acted like I didn't see that and told her she shouldn't be out there alone and offered her a ride. She instantly inquired when we were leaving suspiciously, so I told her that we still had other things to investigate and asked her why she didn't have as many people as I was told the pack had and she quickly blamed rogues and ended the conversation. When we got to the pack house she got out of the vehicle so fast that I couldn't even turn it off.. suspicious for sure and I think we need to keep a close eye on her." I explain everything to them as Nate says, "Congrats! We got a Luna! That's amazing and you might just have to show her, by you changing from you to Miles and I bet she would be fine with it because she already likes you both... But I think it's the daughter you have to worry about scaring. So just be careful. We will keep an eye on the Luna for sure. That's completely suspicious and makes me wonder if we are missing a piece to this jigsaw puzzle." I nod and say back, "Yea honestly, I'm getting a bad feeling about her in my gut. But I already informed my father and now I have to get ready to spend the day with my ladies. They have invited me to spend Ashleigh's day off with them and I'm not turning down that invitation. Thank you for all your help watching everything here guys, you don't know how much I appreciate your help so I can get my Luna taken care of." They both smile and nod before Wesley says, "Have fun with your ladies and we will hold everything down just stay aware and watch over them. I have a bad feeling someone might try to use them against you." he says as I pat his shoulder and say, "I have that feeling too, but I'm going to do everything I can to take care of them."

"I know you will. You're their best chance at being happy and safe. Do what you do best Dom and have fun."

I smile and nod at them as they bow, then leave me alone to get ready in my room for my special day with my girls!