Page 25 of In Plain Sight

As we approached her table, I saw her still in awareness and turn to look around for me. That small motion made my wolf instantly calm.

“Move down and give the girl some space, Austin,” Wyatt said. “She’s a taken woman now,” he casually announced to them all, making Ruby blush.

I didn’t hesitate to take the abandoned seat next to her. She awkwardly hit her elbow against my arm. “Hey, how’s it going today?”

“Good. Wyatt’s a great teacher,” I said.

Ruby didn’t have to tell me that it had not always been easy for her being a lady in the middle of a male-dominated world. Looking around, there were only three other females in the room. She had been at ease and just one of the guys when we’d walked in, and her unease and tension now told me she didn’t know what to do or say with me there.

I tried to relax my wolf some more by pressing my leg against hers. It seemed to work, and I purposefully kept the conversation to business only, not even looking her way, but sneaking little ways to let her know I was well aware of my mate.

I met the rest of the Six Pack Wyatt had told me about. We shared a few stories, laughed, and kept things amicable. Ruby relaxed and joined back in as if I were just another one of the guys. She particularly liked to rib Austin, who always seemed to be asking for it anyway.

Wyatt announced we had to leave, and I begrudgingly got up to follow. I didn’t care about the other guys, though I was having a good time with them. I was anxious leaving my mate with them again. I tried to fight down that aggressive surge to protect her. I knew it wouldn’t be wanted in this situation.

“Back to work, you guys,” Ruby said as she got up to leave and follow us out. As soon as we were outside, she took my hand and gave me a quick kiss on my cheek. “Thank you,” she said, and I knew she genuinely meant it.

I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I just nodded. She gave my hand a final squeeze and headed off for the dairy barn as Wyatt and I turned to walk back to the stables where we’d left our horses.

“It hasn’t always been easy for Ruby around here. She works harder than any of us, mostly just trying to prove the point she’s just as good as any man. Truth is we all know she’s far better than any of us. You did good in there. I could sense your wolf was struggling. Even bonded, it’s never easy to see your mate surrounded by a bunch of other males, especially unbonded ones.”

“Does it ever get easier?” I asked him.

“Nah,” he assured me with a smile. “I still want to rip the throats out of every single male that goes up in the diner and flirts with my woman. Our wolves have a natural need to protect what’s ours at all costs, but thankfully our human sides know when to roll it back and when to step in. Not reacting today was the right thing for Ruby.”

“Thanks, Wyatt. I suspected as much, but it’s nice to hear.”

The rest of the day passed quickly and soon I was saying goodbye and heading for home.

When I walked in the house smelled wonderful of roast. “Honey, I’m home,” I teased as I found her in the kitchen.

She turned and wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my lips. It was the perfect ending to a good day.

“Dinner will be ready in about two hours. I just put it in.”

“Wow, it smells great already,” I said.

She laughed. “That’s your wolfie senses speaking. I promise, that roast is still raw.”

“Well, how about you go and change into workout clothes and we’ll get started on your training then?”

“You were serious about that?”

I gave her a look that said I was not only serious but there was no room for negotiation.

“Fine. I’ll go change,” she said before heading off to the bedroom.

I started to follow her, then thought better of it. If I went into that bedroom with her, we wouldn’t come back out until the roast was burning. When I heard the bathroom door close, I ran in and changed quickly. I was already in the living room moving the furniture out of the way when she came back out.

Ruby frowned. “We’re training in here?”

“For today. I want to assess where you’re at so I can proceed from there. Have you at least gone through mating challenge training?” I prayed she said yes knowing she could be challenged at any time. Thomas should be making a Pack announcement soon and that too would leave her vulnerable.

“Sure I did. As a teenager we were all expected to train for challenges.”

I scuffed my face with my hands. “As a teen. Great. How much do you actually remember?”

She shrugged. “I was okay. I’m also the third daughter. Seriously, who would want to challenge me?”

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