The Falcon Ridge Series Book 2 Not Just A Girl

(Chapter song ‘Despacito' by Justin Bieber)

JAYSON

After realizing that I haven't been actually out of this place for weeks, I decided it would actually be a good idea to relax and throw back a few with the guys. I'll go, have a good time and it’s not because I know Sarah will be there. This is… mental health management.

Kale and Deacon were seated on either side of me with Cass and Wren across the table.

"Damn! This place is crawling with some sweet things." Kale licks his lips, eyeing the girls on the dance floor. He throws that stupid smile out to any girl that looks his way.

Wren raises her bottle to her lips. "God, Kale. Do you have to be such a horn dog?"

Kale manages to pry his eyes from the floor to Wren. "I am what I am, babe." He raises his hands and smiles.

"Gross." She takes a swig.

Cass chuckles. "At least he admits it. All the rest of you are all liars."

I tip my beer back. "Don't include me in this. It's been months since my last hunt."

Wren leans on the table. "And why is that?"

I shrug. "Just not interested. Random bar hook ups get boring after a while."

Kale turns to me. "Nah. You're just old."

I punch Kale's bicep and point a finger in his face while he laughs.

Deacon looks at the crowd. "I might do a little hunting myself." He swigs his beer as he eyes a red head dancing with a group of girls.

Wren sits back in her chair. "I think it's because the prey Jay wants isn't here." She winks.

I point at her, "No,” and grab my bottle.

She laughs. "Come on, Jay. You think we haven't noticed. The mood swings, the keeping her out of Kale's reach. You're hunting. Just not here."

"I'm just... looking out for her. You want that kid subjected to him." I point my bottle to Kale.

He furrows his brow. "Hey, I'm a decent guy, ok. I just... don't do the relationship thing."

I look him square in the eye. "And that's why I don't want you around her."

He waves me off and drinks his beer.

"So, where's Luke?" Dea picks at the label on his bottle.

I snort. "Back at camp. Nursing a broken nose given to him by an 18-year-old girl."

Kale snickers. "She broke his nose?"

I nod and raise my bottle to my mouth, smiling. "Oh yeah. Blood pouring out like a fountain. It was funny as shit."

Cass chuckles. "So, she can fight."

"Well, she's still beginning, but she's got skill." I put down my empty and grab my fresh one.

Kales eyes go wide. "She's got a whole lot of other stuff, too. Hot Damn!"

I look across the bar and in walks a whole group of camp kids. With the most gorgeous creature I've ever had the privilege of seeing, right in front.

Holy shit! My bottle hits the table and my jaw practically hits the floor. Legs for days, curves in all the right places, an ass that definitely will not quit. Her big, baby blue eyes actually shine in the bar lights. This is not the little girl I've been seeing all week.

As Sarah and her friends cozy up to the bar, I fought the urge to walk over to her. Nope. I'm keeping my distance.

She hits the dance floor and I'm mesmerized by the movements of her body. She's so carefree. Almost wild. Her eyes catch mine and I look away. I only look back when I'm sure she's turned away.

Cass nudges me. "Seems like the hunt is on after all."

I break the fog in my brain and come back to reality. "No. She's just a kid."

Kale smirks at me. "Doesn't look like a kid to me. You sure you don't want that?"

"No, I don't." I pick at my bottle.

"Liar." Kale tips his beer back.

"Kale." I shoot him a warning.

He leans on the table. "Ok. Maybe you aren't, but if you are... better act quick before someone else is quicker."

I turn back to where the kids are dancing and Sarah's dancing with one of the other boys that were with them.

Agitation is felt in my ribcage as I watch the two dance.

I look away. "I don't care." I down the rest of my beer and drop my bottle on the table.

Deacon leans over. "Bud. Your eyes are glowing."

I close my eyes and push my wolf back down. Everyone at the table is staring.

I look around the table. "I don't care!" I insist.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her leave for the bar. "I need another round." I stand up and head her way. I feel like I need to make my presence known.

Even in a bar filled to the rafters with different smells, her scent hits my nose like it's the only one in here.

As I pay for her drinks, I realize I don't even know what to say to her besides the usual small talk. My wolf is going nuts. I don't even know why. I don't even know her.

When I leave her, I still feel the need to watch her. And I do. I'm constantly glancing her way. Watching her dance with other guys. I'm fighting the urge to walk right over there, grab her and kiss her in front of everyone. Getting more and more aggravated.

"I need some air." I don't even look at my friends. I just quickly head for the door.

Once outside, I breathe the night air in and out slowly as I lean against the wall. I fight my wolf and try to keep him down. He's so riled. I don't understand what's happening. He's never done this before.

After about ten minutes, it feels safe enough to go back in. Just as I'm about to, Sarah comes out looking hot and bothered. Her cheeks are flushed and I can tell she's got a good buzz going.

Watching the delicious curves of her body move against the wall, had me sweating. As her tiny, delicate finger played with the strap of her dress, my mouth started to water. That heat I felt between us on the field, was rising. My wolf was clawing at me. Howling in my head. I had to get out of here. I had to let him out before I do something I may regret later.

I head to the table. "I'm out guys." I slap forty dollars on the table.

Wren puts her hands out. "Where are you going?"

I narrow my eyes at her. "Anywhere but here."

I get back to the camp and head straight for the woods. Taking my clothes off and calling the wind. My light brown wolf shakes out his fur and darts into the trees. It ended up being a night of just running out the agitation this beautiful, blonde girl caused.

****

Saturday morning, I slept in. Not surprising since it's been a long time since I drank so much.

I've got a hangover, but it's nothing a bit a fresh air and shifter healing won't fix, so I decide to go for a two-legged run.

After last night, I need to get back on track and focus on my job.

I throw on my tank, shorts and runners and head for the trail on the other side of the practice field.

The forest is awake with bird song, animals scurrying and... I stop... Justin Bieber?

I'm totally confused. I follow the music through the trees. My curiosity is peaked as the music gets louder.

I come to a clearing and I really can't believe what I'm seeing.

With her phone blaring out 'Despacito’ by Justin Bieber, Sarah is in the middle of the woods... dancing?

Not just dancing, dancing like she's just pulling anything out of her head and doing it.

The song changes and she changes her dance.

I lean on a tree, just watching her. I'm in complete awe of how free she's being right now. Like, in Sarah's world, rules don't exist. You're allowed to be yourself.

I can't help but smile as she jumps, twirls and twists around. Her hair whipping about, arms swinging in the air and toes twirling in the long grass. Her eyes are closed as she spins in circles through the long grass of the clearing.

Watching her move made my heart stutter a bit.

I was so engrossed in watching her, I didn't realize I was slipping off the tree I was leaning on. I fell forward, making an Oof sound as I caught my balance.

Sarah whips her head in my direction and shuts off the music.

I put my hands up. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"You don't scare me." She said with a cautious look on her face.

I look around the clearing as I step into it, closer to her. "You shouldn't be out here alone, ya know. There's dangerous animals out there."

She put her phone in her pocket. "Like you?"

"Me? No. I'm only dangerous when I need to be." I stuff my hands in my pockets. "What are you doing out here, anyway?"

She shrugs. "Dancing."

I arch a brow. "I see that. Why?"

"Sometimes letting my wolf out isn't enough. I have too much energy. Dancing gets rid of it." She climbs onto a log that's just lying in the clearing and sits on it.

I step a little closer. "Why here? Why not in your room or on the field?"

She shrugs again. "It's easier having people think you're a freak then actually proving it to them."

I look at her confused. "You think you're a freak?"

She picks at the log. "Kinda. I kind of get in trouble a lot because of my energy level. So, I have to expel it in ways people don't really get. Like dancing for no reason."

I sit down on the other end of the log. "I don't think you're a freak."

She glances at me. "You don't?"

I lean on my thighs, shaking my head. "No. It looked like fun, actually."

"You want to try?" She smiles.

I sat up, putting a hand up. "No. No. I'm good." I chuckle.

She gets up. "Come on. It's easy."

She grabs my hand and I'm instantly flooded with an electric wave of heat. It causes me to pause for a moment, looking at her hand in mine and back up to her.

She pulls me up as I protest. "No really. I can't..."

"Ya, you can. It's very simple." She presses play on her phone and puts it down on the log. "Just make yourself all loose." She shakes out her arms.

I can't believe I'm doing this, but ok. I shake out my arms and body.

"Now, feel the music. The first move that pops into your head, do it. Don't even think."

She starts bouncing around me, spinning with her hips moving. I'm coming up blank.

"You can do it." She grabs my hands and starts jumping back and forth. Rocking my arms and body. The next thing I know, I'm jumping around with her and turning in circles with my arms swinging.

"That's it!" She giggles.

I’m dancing with her. Jumping with her. I'm smiling. With her.

I don't even know what song is playing. All I know is at this moment, I'm feeling freer than I ever have.

The forest is filled with the sounds of the music and both of us laughing our fool heads off.

We dance until we both fall in the grass, giggling and panting. I turn on my side and lean my head on my hand. "I didn't think I could dance like that." I have an ear to ear grin.

Sarah mirrors my position. "Anyone can dance like that."

"Well, I know." I pick at the grass. "I'm not exactly a free-thinking person."

"I guess you surprised yourself." She smiles.

There was a pause as my eyes met hers. My smile starts to fade as my eyes flick from her big, blue doe eyes to her full, pouty, pink lips. My eyes flick back up to hers. The heat I feel starts to make my dick twitch.

I was about to cut this off when she gets up and dusts herself off. "I have to go. This was... eye opening." She smiles again.

I sit up. "Yeah, it was."

She tucks her hair behind her ear. "Well, enjoy the rest of your run."

She goes to leave when I call to her. "Sarah."

"Hm." She says turning back to me.

"Seriously, next time. Try to be out here with a friend. You never know when an unfriendly wolf might show up." I give her a word of caution.

"Okay." She gives a half smile and walks back down the trail I came from.

It really was an eye-opening experience.

I've only seen Sarah as the aftermath of certain destruction. I've never known the reason behind it. It makes total sense.

A kid like Sarah, can't be contained without some way to release the pent-up energy that builds. When rules get in the way, it always leads to problems. Now, that I know this, I think I can use it to effectively train her to be a good soldier. I kind of want her to be.