The Greystone Ridge Pack Series
Автор
Arri Stone
Прочтений
5,0M
Глав
51
Meeting a stranger and falling for him was never on Alice’s mind when she came to Greystone Peaks. She had come here with the girls for one final trip before they all went their separate ways after high school. When she met Sebastian, her feelings were so strong for him that she couldn't deny the attraction. But Sebastian was hiding a secret from her. He was the beta of the Greystone Ridge Pack and had struggled with finding a mate. With the mating season nearly over, he would have to wait another year. That was until she arrived, and he knew she was his mate. But it wasn’t going to be easy as it was forbidden to have a relationship with a human. Would Sebastian pursue her against his alpha's wishes?
Age Rating: 18+
Chapter 1: The Girls
ALICE
My dreams last night were filled with wild fantasies. We were heading to the Greystone Ridge cabins for a girls’ trip before we all went our separate ways for college.
I was meeting the girls to go over the last-minute details.
I walked into the coffee shop and saw them sitting in the corner.
“Hey.” I dropped my bag and pulled up a chair, trying to stifle a yawn.
“Alice, you’re actually on time.” Tammy laughed, knowing my usual tardiness.
“I can’t wait for our trip.”
“Do you have the map of Greystone Peaks? It’s a huge place.” I drummed my fingers on the table, eager to see it.
Cassie pulled out her tablet and showed us the area. The screen was filled with towering mountains and lush green forests. The wooden cabins stood out against the natural backdrop, their rustic charm adding to the ethereal ambiance. My heart pounded with excitement, the images from my dream now a reality.
“They have a check-in point at the entrance. We’ll get everything we need there. I called to double-check our reservation,” Cassie assured us.
“We’re staying in the Ridgetop cabin. It has two bedrooms, so we’ll have to share. But we can have campfires in the designated area.”
The mention of a campfire sparked a memory from my dream: a mysterious man, his face hidden.
Cassie clapped her hands, reading more information. “Check-in is after noon.”
“If we leave around 8 a.m., we should get there on time.” Bella sipped her coffee. “My dad checked my car for us. We’ll be safe.” She blushed a little.
Bella wasn’t great with cars—I was surprised she even passed her driving test. I always suspected it had something to do with her dad owning the only car repair shop in town.
We joked about who would be the last one ready to go.
“It doesn’t matter if we leave a bit late, as long as we get there before dark. I don’t want to drive on forest roads at night,” Bella said, making my stomach flip.
Nighttime, in the forest. Would there be bugs? Or wolves? I zoned out as they discussed what to bring. Would there be wolves? The gray wolf from my dream flashed in my mind. I’ve always been fascinated with wolves.
My parents brushed it off as a fantasy because I watched too many movies with werewolves and vampires. My favorite was Underworld.
After we said our goodbyes, I walked the short distance back to my house.
My parents were always busy with building projects. Dad built these wooden outbuildings, as he called them. I called them sheds, which he hated. But, to be fair, they were unique and varied in size.
“Hi, pumpkin.” He came out of the living room as I poured myself a cold glass of water. “Are you excited for your trip?” His voice held a hint of worry.
“Yes, I just met with the others. Can you take me to the store tomorrow? I need to get a few things.” I really needed to learn how to drive.
Dad grumbled about me asking him, but I knew he would give in. I’ve always been a night owl and spent my time drawing, which made getting up early a struggle.
“Pumpkin, you’re going to college soon.” He looked at me with concern. I’ve never been away from home before, and this trip was already giving him a heart attack. Letting me go to college had been a huge battle.
They both said my safety was important to them. I understand that I’m their only daughter, and they’re scared of losing me, but their overprotection has been ridiculous as I’ve gotten older.
“You could always call me?” I bit my lip and giggled as Dad made a face at me and wagged his finger before picking up the water bottles and going back to join Mom.
I’m sure they were laying down some strict rules that I’d have to avoid any guy I met while there.
“Ugh.” I grumbled and stomped upstairs so Dad could hear me. My bag was on the floor, half-packed. For two weeks, I’d be away with the girls in a cabin in the woods.
An idea sparked in my head, and I had to sketch it.
The rugged peaks of the untamed mountains towered above me. Their rocky edges cast eerie shadows against the star-filled night sky and the deep green forest. I drew the faint glow of a cabin’s light in the distance and the campfire.
As I was drawing, I got lost in my thoughts, and an image of a handsome wolf came to mind. I added him to my sketch.
I colored him in, and his amber eyes were stunning once I’d finished. The picture wasn’t big enough, so I started a new drawing of him.
Did wolves roam the place we were going to?
Something inside of me bubbled up. Excitement and… “Oh my.” I squeezed my legs together.
Okay, so I read a lot of fantasy stories and get lost in the worlds created by authors. I’ve often wished that I was one of those girls swept off her feet by a handsome stranger—in this case, a wolf.
I lost track of time while I was drawing my wolf. And I almost missed dinner.
My stomach growled as I wondered what to eat. I heard voices in the garden, so I knew Mom and Dad had friends over. I went into the kitchen and saw a covered plate left for me.
Dad was an amazing cook, and he had left me some of his famous herb and mozzarella-stuffed chicken in a creamy sauce, with a side of baby potatoes.
“Mmm,” I moaned, licking my lips as I watched it heat up in the microwave.
The microwave pinged, and the flavors sent me to heaven. I was sure Dad made it for me as a special treat because I was leaving tomorrow. Or maybe it was to make me want to stay?
I had every intention of skipping my nightly reading and heading straight to bed. But instead of flipping through pages, I found myself captivated by the sketch of the wolf, its backdrop the majestic Greystone Ridge mountains.
My eyelids grew heavy, and I slipped into the familiar landscape of my recurring dream.
A primal growl echoed around me, making me shudder. I was lying on the ground, my breath hitching in my throat as a shadowy figure towered over me. The whispering of the trees in the wind filled the forest, drowning out the frantic beating of my heart.
As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I realized the figure wasn’t a wolf, but a man. My heart pounded, confusion swirling within me. The man’s hazel eyes locked onto mine, sparking something deep within me.
Then, a low growl sliced through the silence. I blinked, and in place of the man, a massive wolf stood over me. Its fur stood on end, its eyes gleaming in the moonlight. I could feel the wolf’s hot breath on my face, and despite my fear, I found myself in awe of its raw power.
The dream felt so real, as if the cold ground was truly beneath me, and the warmth of a nearby fire was brushing against my cheeks.
The wolf towering over me seemed to draw me in, like a magnet pulling me closer. I could see its sharp teeth, gleaming in the firelight as it growled at me possessively. I gasped, my eyes snapping open as I jolted awake from my dream.
It was just a dream, I reassured myself. Wolves aren’t that big, and they don’t eat people. Right?
Would I ever encounter this powerful wolf that haunted my dreams, or the enigmatic man who made my heart race?
Something was stirring within me, and every passing moment seemed to draw me closer to the Greystone Ridge mountains.
