I woke up feeling like a mess. I put on jeans and a shirt I didn’t care about. I threw my hair in a pony tail. I didn’t wear any makeup because I knew that would be suspicious. They’d pester me. They could look at my swollen and red eyes. I knew some of them had to have heard me crying last night.

I made my way to the kitchen. It was still early enough to make breakfast for the guys. The guys would all be up soon. I started on breakfast. I felt like pancakes, so I made a bunch of them. The guys slowly drifted towards the smell of pancakes until they were fighting each other in a line for food. When they were all fed, they draped themselves along the couches for a few minutes before going on with their chores.

Miranda, Grayson’s girlfriend, came into the kitchen and stopped when she saw me. She didn’t like me. I’m sure she moaned extra loud last night just to let me know he was in her. I knew why she wanted to be with Grayson. She saw the huge house, she knew he was amazing in bed, he’s hot, and sometimes he can be a real sweetheart. I resisted the urge to punt her into the middle of the ocean.

I smiled lightly, "Want some pancakes?"

She slowly nodded as if unsure. I grabbed a plate and put two pancakes and some eggs on it.

"Syrups right there." I pointed to the bottle 3 feet from her. That was the closest I could get to her.

I gave her a mug and slid the orange juice carton to her. Grayson came into the kitchen and looked at the stack of pancakes.

"You eat yet?"

I just nodded, not looking at him. He'd take the whole plate of about 6 pancakes and finish the eggs. I hadn’t eaten. I just didn’t want to talk to that jerk. I didn't bother with getting him a cup, he could get that himself. After putting the dishes in the sink for later, I left the room. I went to the living room and sat on the couch.

Mason lifted me off the couch not long after I sat down.

“What are you doing?”

He smiled weakly at me, “I’m taking you to see the horses.”

I sighed and just gave in. I didn’t bother arguing. It was a waste of energy. “What horses?”

“Connor purchased horses from one of our neighbors who couldn’t afford to keep them anymore. They don’t tolerate most of the pack, but they can tolerate a few of us. And you’re human, so they’ll have no problem with you.”

He kicked open my door, “Change into something you don’t mind getting dirty. Meet me downstairs in 5, or I’ll come get you myself.”

I nodded and headed towards my closet.

I met Mason’s deadline.

I put a small, but fake smile on my face, “Ready?”

He nodded and followed me out of the house. We got into Mason’s truck and left the pack house.

It wasn’t a long drive, but it felt awkward. I felt his eyes on me several times, but I didn’t look back over. I knew Mason was just getting me out of the house so I wouldn’t have to be around them depressed all day. It was just like my heart got tore out all over again.

Plus if his plan worked, I could cope with all the horribleness by being around the horses. It would give me something to do, to get away from out of the house, and away from Grayson.

I didn’t see any horses in the fields when we turned onto the dirt road.

“We have to let them all out.” Mason must have noticed me looking around for them.

I just nodded. He pulled up to a huge wooden building. It looked like it could’ve just been a big house, but he said there were horses here. This was probably the stables.

“Did you guys buy this land from the guy too?”

He shook his head as he unlocked the door. “We built this on the land Finn purchased for us.”

“We’re on someone else’s land?” I couldn’t see Connor just taking the land someone else bought.

He smirked and shook his head. “No. This is all Connor’s land. Finn just gave him the money to do it.”

“Why would Finn buy it then?”

Mason shrugged, “You’ll have to ask your brother. He just told me not to worry about it. I just do what I’m told.”

He ushered me into the building. “There are 15 horses here. Most of them are Mustangs. There are 4 Belgians.”

I nodded, having no idea the difference between the two breeds.

“These are the mustangs.” He motioned to a wall of stalls. “Since you’re the only one here with me, I’m going to teach you what to do.”

I nodded and followed him around, learning what it was that I had to do to help. It mostly involved feeding and making sure they had clean water. Once they were happily eating, I’d brush them.

Mason wouldn’t let me be alone with the Belgians. He said they were moody until they were used to a new person. So he stayed with me when I was around the Belgians. They were huge. I was much more comfortable with the mustangs than these beasts.

I spent the morning and some of the afternoon with Mason and the horses. I was starving now and really needed something greasy to eat.

“Ready to go?”

I nodded, “Are you just going to leave them outside?”

He nodded, “They’re horses. They’ll be fine.”

Mason covered the seats with a throw blanket so we wouldn’t get his truck so dirty.

“Thanks for this Mason. I really needed this.” Mason wasn’t one for making others feel better, but he knew that I wouldn’t want to talk about it and he wouldn’t want to listen. He gave me something to focus every hurt, angry or frustrated feeling into, and I appreciated it.

He sighed, “Don’t get all mushy on me.”

I smiled, “Alright.”

It wasn’t too long before I was on the phone with Stephan, finalizing our plans. My suitor would be waiting for me at the local bar. It wasn’t a huge club, but since it was Halloween, I expected it to be packed.

It was definitely Halloween when I looked around the bar. I looked relatively covered up in my sleeved glitter dress, compared to the skimpy clothing that counted as Halloween costumes. I didn’t put on a costume this year, but if anyone asked; I’d just say I was a disco ball.

I wasn’t alone long. I had just sat at the bar when I suddenly had company.

“Did you really think we wouldn’t follow you?” Chris cooed in my ear.

I rolled my eyes and shoved him away. “Go away.”

He laughed and leaned on the bar right next to me. “Oh, come on Case, you love us.”

I looked back at his little group. He had Carlos, Jack, and a few other pack members I couldn’t put names to.

“You can’t swarm me all night. No guys will talk to me.”

He winked and nodded, “Why do you think we’re here?”

“Did Grayson send you to follow me?”

He shrugged, “I wouldn’t really say he made us do it. It’s closer to doing a favor for my friend.”

I stood up and poked his chest. “You’re going to stay away from me, all night, or I’m going to make you regret everything. Grayson had his chance and he ruined it. Leave me alone.”

He sighed, defeated. “Casey, we just want to look out for you. We don’t want you to do something you’re going to regret.”

“Leave me alone.” He tried giving me a pathetic look. I shook my head, “Go. And take your friends with you.” I glared at them all as they started retreating.

When they were far enough away, I sighed and sat back in my seat. The man next to me looked at me from the corner of his eye. I just sighed and looked towards the bartender.

“So are they usually watching your every move?” The guy said.

I just shrugged, “If they have nothing else to do.”

“So yes.” He said with a smile.

I nodded and returned his smile, “Yea.”

“Well at least I know what I’m up against tonight.” He said charmingly as he turned towards me.

“Oh really?”

He smile really was brilliant. “Oh yes. You’re the only woman in that kind of dress,” he leaned in to talk in my ear, “and you have the wolves watching you.”

I nodded, “Stephan sent you.”

He nodded and sat back in his chair. “An easy way to get out of that vampire’s debt.” He extended his hand, “I’m Philip.” I took his hand with my own. I made sure I was smiling. If the guys were watching, I wanted them to see it.

The bartender came up, “What can I get you two?” He looked between the two of us. I got a ginger ale, I wanted to stay as far from a hangover as I could get. Philip ordered a beer.

We took our drinks to a table he had reserved ahead of time. He even held my hand to lead me to the table.

I sat down, nice and lady-like. It wasn’t hard to like Philip. He was cute. His short, dirty blonde hair was nicely done. He looked very put together. My favorite feature was his blue eyes. I must be a sucker for blue eyes.

“So, since you know about the guys, what are you?” He hesitated for a moment, scanning the people around us. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

He shrugged. “It’s not like you wouldn’t find out eventually. I am the same as those who pestered you earlier.”

I couldn’t help but smile. That would definitely get Grayson’s panties in a twist. “And you’ll be able to escape their wrath when they confront you later?”

He smiled and took a swig of his beer, “I have no worry when it comes to your…group.”

“Good to know.” I nervously took a sip of my ginger ale.

“Not much of a drinker?” he asked, looking pointedly at my drink.

I shrugged, “Last time I drank, everything got a little out of hand. It’s best I just lay off it for a while.”

He nodded, “Fair enough.”

He put his beer down, “Ready to make some people jealous?” He outstretched his hand towards me.

I nodded and took his hand. “Always.”

So we danced, flirted, laughed. I had a great time with Philip. I forgot all my problems and just focused on Philip.

I didn’t think I’d have such a great time soon after Grayson beating up my heart. But I did.