Colten grabbed Trooper's reins and walked him towards the big barn on the Redding's property, he wasn't too awake and knew he should have drank another coffee because of it.
He walked in and found Charlie in the isle way.
“Colten, I wasn't sure where you were.”
Colten tried to look more alive, “Late night, sorry.”
Charlie nodded, “We need those fences done. Just go along, fix what needs to be done.”
Colten nodded as he checked the saddle bag on Trooper, making sure he still had what he needed.
“Morning, Colt.”
Colten looked up to see the newer addition to the ranch, Jason and nodded to him, “Hey.”
“Lunch at noon.” Charlie said to them before walking away.
Colten looked to Jason, he preferred to work with Peter but that wasn't in the cards that day.
They walked out of the barn, mounting their horses and heading off towards the back of the property. Jason had a big mouth and Colten preferred not to listen to him talk, because the kid talked only about two things, sometimes three if he was lucky that day.
They got to the first string of fencing and Colten got off Trooper, once he saw a section that needed some fixing.
Jason waited up on the horse, looking around, “Hey, where's Peter?”
“He had to go out of town.” Colten shook a post and the ground around it worked up and loosened, “Family emergency.” That was sort of true.
Jason dismounted his horse, “Oh yeah. So, have you checked out Charlie's daughter?”
Colten looked up to him suddenly, “What?”
The boy smiled, “Yeah, she's fine. Like I wanna tap that fine.”
Colten wanted to punch him. He pulled the post from the ground instead and Jason stared at him.
“Whoa, how'd you do that?”
Colten threw it on the ground, “We'll come back with the truck later on.” He got back on Trooper and kicked the horse off.
Jason caught up again, “That was sort of impressive, do you work out or something?”
Colten shook his head, “It was really loose.”
“Sure, so – Abi...” Jason laughed.
Colten looked to him as they rode along the fence line, “Jason, I think that's pretty rude.”
Jason paused and made a face, “What? I'm just talking about some chick.”
“Yeah, but it's our bosses daughter.” Colten corrected him, “I think it's rude.”
Jason rolled his eyes, “Stop being so uptight, Colt.”
Colten growled and Jason's horse flipped out, backing up and almost rearing.
“Shit!” Jason yelled at the blue roan under him, “Stupid horse!”
Colten watched the horse panic, human horses never really got used to the wolf side it seemed, “Jason, get off the horse!”
Jason ground his teeth and grabbed his rope, hitting the animal in the hind end a few times.
“Jason!” Colten yelled at him.
The horse flipped out more and bolted, sending Jason off to land head first and the horse to gallop away.
Colten sighed as Jason swore and stood.
“Stupid horse, that thing is useless.”
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I'm fine.” Jason snapped.
Colten shook his head, “She's just young. I'll go get her.” He kicked Trooper into a lope and went towards the spooked mare about two miles away now. It was good to get away from Jason because he really was about to punch the idiot.
He caught up to young mare and dismounted from Trooper.
The mare backed away from him and snorted.
“Whoa, mare.”
She stepped back but hesitated and Colten took her reins from the ground.
He came to her side and patted her neck, taking a deep breath to show he wasn't a threat to her.
“I'm sorry.” He rubbed her behind her ears, “You're owner is an idiot though, so thanks for throwing him.”
He tied off one of her reins on the saddle and walked over to Trooper where the gelding stood ground tied. Getting back on his horse, he ponied the mare beside him back to Jason.
Jason waited, arms crossed as Colten returned.
He grabbed the rein of his mare from Colten, “Thanks.”
“Yep.” Colten adjusted his weight in the saddle and waited for the idiot to mount.
The horse tensed up and Colten saw her eyes flash with fear. He sighed and looked away.
“Stupid mare.” Jason shot, “Get over it.”
Colten nudged Trooper into a jog and they continued on the fence line, luckily without any further conversation.
***
Lunch was back at the barn and Darlene often made sandwiches and soup and that was more than good enough for Colten.
He took his food from the older woman and found a spot out back by himself, near the round pen. A young horse was in the corral and he watched the yearling circle the pen a few times and prance.
He liked the way the horse moved, it's confirmation, didn't seem like a horse Charlie would have picked out.
He preferred to watch the horse over sitting in the lounge and watching the television any day. Even if it was quiet and dusty and lonely out back, the yearling seemed just fine with it and so was he.
He finished his food rather fast and had more than half his lunch break left. Generally speaking he would just go back to work but it was noon and Abigail had said she was going to be home around then. He wanted to wait and see her. Even if he knew he shouldn't have.
He pulled his cell phone from his back pocket and called her.
It rung a few times and then fell to her sweet words and voicemail.
He hung up and leaned back into the barn side as he waited, he was impatient, never having been so one minded in his life and then his phone rang.
He grabbed it off his thigh and snapped it open, “Hello?”
“Hey, Colten.” It was Peter.
Colten sighed, “Hey, where are you?”
“In Montana.”
Colten lifted an eyebrow, “Did you run all night?”
“Basically.” Peter sounded tired, “Anything about Mateo?”
“No, thankfully.” Colten grumbled, “I'm going to have a meeting Wednesday evening still. Just so I can continue to secure the boarders, plus I want Mateo to give up before you return.”
“Sure.” Peter agreed, “Thanks, Colt.”
“Yeah.” Colten breathed, “How's Mia?”
“She's a bit shaken up still but seems fine. The tracking sort of made her sick.”
“It's like a poison.” Colten explained, “Just the way it goes.”
“It's just hard on her running and stuff. She's doing a bit better though.”
Colten stayed quiet.
“So, I guess that's it.” Peter said.
“Yeah.” Colten agreed, “Talk to you tomorrow.”
“How's Abigail?”
Colten paused, “She's fine.”
“Are you – is she – does she know?”
“No.” Colten snapped, “She doesn’t.”
“Are you going to tell her?”
“I plan to.”
“Sooner rather than later would probably be better.”
Colten didn't want to hear his Beta's thoughts though, he was still upset about his impulsive decisions and didn't think Peter had a leg to stand on when it came to Abigail Redding.
“Don't worry about it, Pete.”
“Yeah.” Peter agreed, “Talk to you later.”
Colten ended the call and looked back up to see the young horse still prancing, “I need to work.” He got up and walked back towards the main barn to find Jason. In which case, he somehow convince him to work separately, so he could enjoying the peace and quiet of no one but himself and his horse.
Fence fixing require little of his strength and was mindless, letting him wander with his thoughts. Which included Abigail, horses and his pack... then it would cycle from there.
He got shook from his thoughts of telling Abigail what he was, when the sound of horse hooves approached.
He rubbed a hand over his brow to clean the sweat, readjusting his hat at the same time. His eyes falling on the horse in the distance and her blonde hair.
He swallowed and tried to get himself together for her arrival.
She ran Fiesta up to him and stopped. Wearing a bikini and shorts, he thought he may die.
She smiled, “Hi.”
He nodded to her, “You survived the truckers.”
She giggled and dismounted from her tight fitted barrel saddle to the ground. He couldn't help but notice the sweat she had all over her glistening tanned skin.
He winced, “So, how was it?”
“It was okay.” She walked over to him, leading Fiesta behind her.
He looked over the huffing mare, “She seems back to normal.”
“Oh, yeah.” Abigail nodded, “She's ready to run.” She leaned into him and kissed him.
He paused a second then couldn't help the burning urge in him. He pulled her in tight and kissed her deeper.
She giggled and pulled back, “So...”
Trooper snorted behind him and nudged his arm, he elbowed the horse back, not wanting to deal with the impatient gelding's issues at that moment.
“You look like you need a break.” She purred in her soft voice that melted him.
He looked her over, “What kind of break?”
She giggled and leaned into him, “I was thinking of down by the creek.”
He lifted an eyebrow, “Abi.”
“I'll race you.” She walked back to Fiesta and hopped back on the mare.
Colten didn't think twice, as he left his fencing tools on the ground and got on his horse. She kicked Fiesta off that he knew his stalky ranch horse wouldn't have a chance at winning this race.
Still he tried, into an immediate gallop, he chased her.
Abigail skidded Fiesta to a stop and jumped back off the mare once she'd won. The creek under big trees flowed around the rocks and pebbles, cool out of the sun, it was a welcomed break.
Colten had lost by close to four horse lengths, “That was an unfair race, Miss.”
She laughed, “It's not my fault Trooper is slow.”
He laughed, “He's not but that mare is way too fast.”
Abigail kissed her horse and nuzzled her, “I know, I love her.”
He smiled as she took off Fiesta’s bridle.
“I'm hot.” She dropped the leather to a near tree branch and walked down towards the creek.
He followed her unbridling and trailed after her to the creek. Looking up, he stopped, to her to see her stripping her jeans to reveal no bathing suit bottoms or panties.
She bent over to pulled the shorts off her legs and then stood, untying her bikini.
He swallowed the large lump in his throat and started to undo the buttons on his shirt. Getting in the creek with her was a must. However, he was also about to fight every bone in his body at the same time.
She stepped in and turned to him, “It's nice.”
He stripped his shirt and undid his belt, pulling his clothes off where she'd left her's. He came up beside her in his boxers.
“No clothes, Colten.” She stepped in and waded into her waist and sunk the rest of the way to her shoulders.
He hesitated, his neediness all to present.
“What do you want, Colten?”
He looked to her and dropped his chin, “You.”
She laughed, “No boxers then.”
“Abi, come on.” He groaned.
She smiled, dropping her chin to the water, staring at him.
He grumbled and turned away from her, stripping the plaid boxers and throwing them to the shore.
Her eyes fell on his swollen crotch as he waded in towards her.
“Come here, Colt.” She purred, almost like she was drooling for him.
He stopped in front of her and her hand was first to grip him. Pulling at him till his eyes were about to roll back.
He sunk down into the water, “How was the Diner?”
“Fine. Stop asking.” She kissed him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
“What... did you...” He couldn't talk with her hungry mouth on his.
She smiled and drew back, “The Diner was okay but all I kept thinking about was you.”
He groaned, “Am I that interesting?”
She moaned as he wrapped her legs around his waist and held her against him.
“Are you sore still?”
She smiled, “Just a bit but I feel better now that I've stretched and rode Fiesta out here.”
He wasn't sure to believe her or not but he did because he wanted her.
She dropped her chin and smirked, “Are you almost done work?”
He shrugged, “Yeah, almost.”
She kissed him and dipped her tongue in his mouth, “Am I still allowed over?”
He smiled and looked her, adjusting his grip on her small frame, “Only if you want to.”
She giggled as she kissed him.
He heard the shuffling of more than Fiesta and Trooper and looked up to the bank where someone disappeared from view.
Taking Abigail from him, he stiffened.
“What?” She breathed, staring up at him.
“Someone's up there.”
“Huh?” She looked up.
He grabbed her arm and walked her out of the water. Finding his boxers and dressing himself quick. Even through his soaking wet body, he knew the hot sun would dry him in minutes.
Abigail did the same and stayed close, “I don't think anyone was there. There's hardly anyone working today.”
He had seen someone though and now he was becoming more and more agitated, “Just go back to the house, Abi.”
She swallowed and watched as he did up the buttons on his shirt, “Colten.”
He shook his head and picked up the bridles from the ground.
“Colten, I don't think anyone would care-”
“Abigail!” Colten snapped, “I work for your Dad! What do you think is going to happen if he finds out from a farm hand that I was kissing you in the creek... naked!”
She dropped her chin and her blue eyes ignited, “Colten, you're being ridiculous.”
“Really?” He laughed and put the bit in Trooper's mouth. He looped the horse ears through the headstall and grabbed his hat, putting it back on his head.
She watched him, “Colten.”
He stopped what he was doing and turned to her, “What?” His anger he'd been dealing with fled him right away once he saw her pouting with him.
Abigail crossed her arms, “Don't.”
“Abi.”
She swallowed nervously, “Colten, my heart pounds around you and when I'm not with you, I feel sick. When I think of you it makes me happy. All I wanted to do was see you, when I got home. I was even happy to just see your truck out in the drive.”
He tried not to smile, “Baby.”
She walked up to him with her pouting bottom lip, “I don't know what it is but it's what I've always felt for you. Except now, you kiss me and love me and it's just gotten so much worse these past few days.”
He took a deep breath and pulled her in, sweeping his calloused hands through her golden waves.
She gripped his plaid shirt and moaned as he kissed her cheek.
He groaned, “I think you're just perfect and I just want to protect you. I don't want to make your parent's upset before we can explain all this.”
She nodded in defeat, “Okay, I'll go back to the house and see you later on.”
“Thank you.” He nodded as she parted from him.
She got her horse ready and looked to him once more, “Just call me later.”
“Yeah. I'll see you later, baby.” He came to her and kissed her, not really caring if anyone was watching, they'd already gotten the full show.
She moaned against his mouth, “Finish up fast.”
Colten nodded and got up on Trooper, “See you in a bit.” He turned the horse, once she was up on Fiesta and they went their separate ways.
***
Colten untacked Trooper by his trailer. He'd only spent another two and half hours working but he decided it was all he could manage for the rest of day.
He wanted to go home and then Abigail would join him later, that alone was more than enough to keep him happy.
He threw his saddle to the rack in the trailer and jumped out.
“You didn't tell me you were banging their daughter.” Jason spewed from where he stood outside the trailer.
Colten paused, “What?” The overwhelming urge to punch Jason in the face returned, he'd been the one in the bushes.
“Yeah,” Jason smiled, “I didn't think you had it in you.”
Colten looked to horse and sighed, “Look, Jason-”
“I never really liked you much, Colten. You're a bit of hypocrite.”
“I don't have time for this.” He untied the gelding from the trailer and walked him to the back ramp.
Jason followed, “Charlie won't like it.”
The divider in the trailer slipped Colten's grip and slammed into the lock, spooking Trooper.
“Whoa, horse.” Colten looked back to Jason.
“I've wanted that girl for awhile.”
Colten walked towards him, “You should mind your own business.”
“Right.” Jason smiled.
“I'm serious.” Colten shot at him.
Jason shrugged as the front door of the house slammed.
“Daddy!” Abigail yelled.
Colten locked the ramp door in place and looked to Jason, then back over his shoulder to Abigail's voice as Charlie Redding walked towards him.
“Damn you, Jason!” Colten shot, “What are you doing!”
Jason shrugged, “She's nineteen and you're old.”
“You punk.” Colten snapped, “You don't need to hurt her, think with your head for once and not your crotch!”
Jason smiled and walked away, heading back to the barn.
Colten didn't know wether or not to chase Jason and beat the crap out of him, or stand and wait for Charlie Redding to beat the crap out of him.
But he stayed put, putting more value in his relationship with Abigail.
“Colten.” Charlie approached him.
“Yes, sir.” Colten gave him a nod.
“Daddy!” Abigail ran up behind her father.
Colten glanced at her as Charlie stopped her words further.
“Go in the house, Abigail.”
Abigail huffed, “Daddy, this is so stupid!”
Charlie looked to Colten, “Did you touch my daughter?”
Abigail rolled her eyes, “Daddy!”
“Enough, Abigail!”
Colten glanced at her and back to his boss, “I-”
“Daddy, don't!” Abigail shot, cutting Colten off.
“Answer the question, Colten!” Charlie roared.
Colten's heart began to break, “Umm.”
Charlie stared at him, “This is completely inappropriate!”
“Colten, never touched me!” Abigail shrilled, “Daddy, come on!”
“You're just a worker, Turner.” Charlie scolded.
Colten nodded.
Abigail swallowed, “Daddy, stop!”
Charlie stared at him, “Did you touch her?”
Colten winced, he just couldn't lie, even if he could feel Abigail begging him. Her blue eyes breaking, her heart in throat, all of which his senses were in overdrive from. His mate was in pain.
“Colten!” Charlie yelled at him.
Colten tensed, “I love your daughter.”
Abigail's eyes flew open and she stared at him, a little gasp escaping her lips.
“What!” Charlie roared.
Colten sighed, he didn't understand why things, once in awhile, couldn't work out like they did in movies and books. Where was his happy ending!
He met Abigail's tear stricken eyes.
“Get off my property!” Charlie yelled.
“Yeah.” Colten nodded.
“Colten, no!” Abigail shrilled.
Charlie grabbed his daughter's arm, “Enough, Abi.”
Colten watched her, breaking.
“You've lost your job, Turner.” Charlie snapped, “Taking advantage of my daughter.”
Abigail fought against her father, “Daddy, I love him too!”
Charlie laughed, “Get in the house, Abigail. Now.”
Colten swallowed as her feather pushed Abigail towards the house.
“Charlie, I love her. I'm not lying. I love her.” Colten tried again, “This all just happened.”
Charlie turned towards him quick, “You think I care if you love her! Of course you love her... you're a broke cowboy.”
“Daddy!” Abigail shouted at him, “Daddy, that's awful!”
Colten swallowed, “I'm sorry, sir.”
Charlie stared at him, “Get off my property.”
Colten nodded and walked to his truck.
“Colten!” Abigail cried his name as he opened the door of his truck.
He looked back to her, knowing full well what was right and what was wrong and what just might not ever be.
“Colten, I love you!”
Charlie grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the house, “You don't love him!”
“I'm nineteen! I can love who I want!” She screamed.
It took Colten all he had to get in the truck. Now that he had tasted her, he would never be able to function without her. However, his sense of moral hit him and he got in his truck.
His human might be able to function again, one day, he didn't matter so much in turn.
“Colten!” She screamed for him.
He turned the truck over and pulled out of the drive. He could hear her sobbing, laboured breath over the diesel engine but he continued to drive.
He turned out on the highway and then he broke. His eyes filled with tears and he was confused, because he felt like his life was shit and he felt solely responsible for all of it. On top of it, he had no idea what to do. How to fix it or how to protect his mate and his pack at the same time.
He leaned his elbow into the open window and dropped his forehead to his palm, keeping an eye on the road.
Earlier that day, he'd been holding her in a creek, naked. He ground his teeth and slammed his palm to the steering wheel.
Now he had no job and no mate.
He sped the truck, got to his house in the half the time. He needed far away from all of it and wanted a shift. A long one.
He pulled the truck to a stop and shut it off, getting out quick and walking to the back of the trailer.
He dropped the ramp and let it crash to the ground.
His anger taking over and agitating the horse even. He grabbed the lead rope and walked the animal off the trailer as the close sense of his pack took his nose.
He looked up to see Justin and Tyler ripping out of the back door.
Colten stared at them.
“Colten.” Tyler spoke first, “There's a serious problem.”
“What now?” He undid Trooper's halter and gelding took off into his pen. Colten slammed the gate closed and turned to them as they approached.
Justin ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair, “Oscuro is pushing borders. They're actually coming on properties.”
Colten paused and looked between them, “Push them back.”
“Okay, but,” Tyler blinked, “where's Peter?”
Colten laughed, “Well, that's a good question. I'm so glad you asked.”
Justin and Tyler both made a face and waited for further explanation.
“Peter's mated.” He informed them.
“When!” Tyler demanded, “I just saw him!”
Colten held up a hand and silenced him, “To Mia Marquez.”
Justin's face said it all, “What!”
Tyler creased his brow, “Are you joking? Cause' this isn't funny and I know we do some messed up pranks on you, like that chick in the bathroom that time-”
“Oh, shut up.” Colten snapped, “No, I'm not joking. That's why Oscuro is doing what they are!”
“Why didn't you tell us!” Tyler exclaimed.
“I was going to on Wednesday.”
“You've put us all in danger. Oscuro will shed blood for a lineage female!” Justin shouted.
“Calm down!” Colten shouted at them, overwhelmed and unsure what to do but he knew Fornone would be coming first over Abigail Redding.
“Let's go in the house.” He suggested, walking away.
The male wolves looked between each other and followed.