The next couple days went by slowly. Mostly because I still couldn't make up my mind on if I wanted to go to my parents house for the family BBQ or not. Actually, I did know, I didn't want to go. Though the more I thought about it the more I realized that I should. Joann was right as much as I hated to admit it. He has had a stroke last year that really did a number on him according to her. I of course refused to visit him in the hospital and I haven't been sure it was the right thing to do since. It's simple to justify it by telling yourself it was to prevent a fight that wouldn't do anyone any good but... I let out a sigh. Screw it! I picked up my phone and messaged my boss about taking Saturday off.

It was time to close but I really wasn't in the mood to return yet so I figured I'd do some cleaning before I left. As I walked over to flip the sign I could of sworn I saw someone across the street. There was nothing over there but a field so it didn't make much sense. There was some trailers about a mile down so it could be someone out for a walk.

I went ahead and started cleaning the machines then swept and mopped the floor at about a quarter to one I figured I had stayed here long enough and headed out.

Getting into my car I started it up and reversed it from its parking spot when it started rattling. "What the..." I got out and checked what was wrong to find my front passenger tire completely flat.

"Shit!" I kicked it as if that would fill it back up only to hurt my ankle again that was actually starting to feel better. "Shit!" I screamed again louder. Limping over I popped the trunk only to find out my jack was gone. "Shit!"

I knew Jake had taken it and would probably freak out if I called him. Would it be all that strange to call a guy who stole your jack to help you in the middle of the night? Didn't seem so but he'd be pissed about having to tell his wife. Yes, he's married. Fact of the matter is a lot of guys have a thing for us. Problem is, they don't want anyone to know about it. Yes, it's fucked up! Just like the rest of it.

I could call Joann but I really didn't want to wake her and i knew she'd scold me for this. She hated Jake the moment she met him and didn't even try hiding it. I didn't want him to hurt her so I always tried to keep them apart and not talk about him around her. That means I'm having to walk. Great!

I looked around uneasy and noticed that the full moon was out tonight. Some clouds were just partly covering it and it looked beautiful. Still, i hated the idea of walking back especially this late at night. I wasn't afraid of anyone trying anything but people did fly down the road and it being so dark means one could easily be hit if a driver wasn't paying attention. I locked my car up and started walking.

As I approached the intersection about a half mile from the store I could hear loud music blaring and people partying. I ignored it as I turned east on the old road to head into Langhurst.

"Hey beautiful, ya wanna join us?" I heard some guy call out to me making my heart race. I started to walk faster not answering him. He was obviously drunk and my ankle was really hurting me. Why did I have to kick the stupid tire with the same foot I injured? Stupid, Crystal. Just stupid!

"Hey! I'm talking to you." I could hear him jogging up to me putting me on the edge of freaking out. I tried taking some deep breaths to calm myself down but it wasn't helping. Just be polite Crystal. Tell him you're just walking home from work and you have to get up early tomorrow.

I turned around facing him just as he got to me. He was young about 23 or so with a shaved head. Just like the girl from the other night he too had the strangest eyes. Green with hints of yellow that seemed brighter than they should be especially as dark as it was here. "Hey sweetheart. We got a party up there. You're welcome to join us if you want."

"No, thank you. I need to get home and into bed. I have to be up early for work again in the morning." I turned back around to start walking when he grabbed my arm

"No problem. I can give you a ride if ya want. What do ya say?" I was just about to pull away and start running when I heard a woman call out from behind some trees. "Leave her alone, Kevin! Can't you tell that you're giving the poor girl a heart attack?"

I looked over to see the woman from the other night walking towards us with that same smirk on her face. She took a drink from her beer never taking her eyes off me. This time she was only wearing a pair of sweatpants and a white tank top. She didn't even have anything on her feet which was just crazy with all the sharp rocks and things around.

"Crystal, right?" She asked as she got to us. I was still too scared to say anything so I just nodded at her while glancing over to Kevin who to my relief was stepping back. "Don't worry about him. He's just too friendly for his own good when he gets drinking. Why are you out here so late?"

"I- my car had a flat tire so I was walking home." I managed to say.

She nodded to me and turned to Kevin "Get back up there, I've got this!" He only frowned putting his hands up in surrender before leaving us. We watched till he was out of sight before she turned back to me

"Well I can take you home now or you can drink some beers first. I'd recommend you have some beer first as you certainly look like you need it."

"That's okay. Thank-"

She lifted her finger to my lips shutting me up immediately. "I'm the alpha here. There are no choices but the ones I give. Got it?" Alpha? What's that? I nodded rapidly which caused her to giggle.

"I guess I could have one beer if nobody will mind. I do need to get back soon to let my dog out."

"Don't worry about your Doberman. I'll make sure you get back to him." How the hell did she know what kind of dog I had? She let out another giggle as if she heard my thoughts. "I can smell him on you." My head didn't even know where to even begin with that one.

She helped me walk around and up the driveway. I had tried telling her she didn't need to do that but she wouldn't take no for an answer. "Are you going to tell me your name? I told you mine." I asked her.

"I haven't decided yet."

"I stayed late and reopened the store for you, you know. It should at least get me your name. It's not like I'm asking for your phone number or something." The grin on her face slowly got bigger till she started laughing. "I was already going to put it in your phone before I took you back but if your memory is so good it's 208-456-7890. Happy now?"

"No. What do I put with it, Weird girl?"

"You're so cute."

Ahh I wasn't sure what to make of that. Was she trying for something here? Suddenly I wasn't sure if this was such a good idea. She must of noticed my change of mood.

"My names Ashley."

There was some trailers a couple hundred yards off but mostly just dirt and trees where they had a fire going inside a barrel surrounded by tree trunks, rocks and a few chairs. An older looking guy was standing near a grill cooking hotdogs and other things along with about ten or so other people dancing, talking, and doing whatever.

"You must be starving. I'll fix you a plate." She said setting me down in one of the lawn chairs near the fire. "Th-"

She looked down at me and I found myself nodding once again. "Thank you." She gave me a warm smile "my pleasure."

I don't remember ever eating so much. She had brought me back a plate loaded with everything and it was all absolutely delicious. I'll have to go on a major diet but oh it was worth it.

I found out the older guy who was cooking was her father who seemed a bit grumpy at first but was a total riot once he got talking. I even met her mom Kara that everyone called Luna for some reason. Apparently it was a title she held recently or something. I didn't get it but played along so not to seem stupid. She shocked me by hugging me as soon as we were introduced and it made me think of my parents. I really wish we could have such a good relationship.

I chatted with everyone till the sun was coming up over the horizon. Even Kevin who I first thought was going to kill me when he ran up to me earlier was actually a really nice guy. Turns out he works at a tire shop in Willows that Ashley's dad owned. He said he'd make sure someone came by the store and fixed my tire free of charge.

After I was done Ashley loaded a plate up full of hamburgers "For your Doberman. A peace offering so to speak. It's my hope he'll forgive me for keeping you out so late."

"He'll probably dump me for you. Are you sure? He likes to wake you up in the mornings demanding to be taken out." I teased

"Just explain to him that I found my mate. I'm sure he'll understand. Dobermans are very loyal."

"They are. He's been my best friend since I got him."

She drove me back to my place and dropped me off insisting on picking me up later to take me to work. I knew it was pointless to try and argue with her so I just agreed.

The moment she pulled up to my place Dobby started barking like crazy again.

"Not again..." I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"We should get the introduction out of the way. I am trespassing on his territory after all and if I saw you show up with a stranger on mine, I'd do more than just tear up the place."

She got out before I could respond but I guess it sorta made since. Well aside from her tearing up her place of course. Did she have anger problems? Oh who doesn't anymore.

As I approached the door Dobby only got worse and I was afraid to open it. I kept calling his name several times hoping that he'd calm a bit knowing I was there but no such luck.

"Maybe we should do this another time." I stopped and looked back to her before unlocking the door.

"Trust me, it will be Fine." How could she say that and be so calm at the same time? Dobby was acting like some demon possessed hellhound or something. Even with Jake he didn't act like this.

I opened the door grabbing his collar which was a big mistake as he damn near knocked me right down as he took off to Ashley.

I managed to stop myself from falling and looked back to see Dobby wagging his tail panting. "What the hell..." Ashley was bent over scratching him behind the ear.

"How did you do that? I thought he was going to kill you!"

"Perhaps I'll tell you soon." She smiled still petting Dobby. For some reason a sting of jealousy shot through me.

"Yeah... well she told me she has a mate, Dobby. Don't be getting any bright ideas, you're stuck with me."

I just ignored his whining as I went inside.