An Alpha's Instinct

Chapter 4: The Lovelace Ranch

“Didn't sleep well?" John looks toward Erin in the rear-view mirror. They're driving out to the Lovelace ranch to meet the owners and take a look around the property. It's a great day for it too with the sun hidden behind dark clouds. The Monday weather report said a summer rain is coming in from up north, but should only last a couple of days. Perfect weather to start a landscaping job – they won't overheat, and the ground will be nice and wet for any planting and structure moving.

“Hmm, something like that." Erin chuckles before turning his head to look out the window. He can see his reflection against the window, the dark bags under his eyes making his ivory skin look even more pale and sick.

Natalie and John share a look. “You know hun, you don't have to help. If you're not sleeping well, we can get you some medicine." Natalie says softly, turning around from the front seat to look at Erin.

“No, no, I want to, trust me. I'm fine." Erin sits up straighter, desperation bleeding into his voice. “Please, Mom, let me help."

Natalie's eyes flit over Erin's face. Her brown eyes soften as they gaze into Erin's. She's always loved Erin's eyes, ever since she first saw them. No matter the color – a pure green, a pure gold, or a mixed color of hazel – Natalie knows she would do anything to keep them from clouding over in pain.

“Alright," She sighs. “But you stop if you start to feel dizzy or sick, Erin. I mean it."

Erin smiles, leaning forward to grab the hand Natalie is using to point toward him and shake it. “Deal!"

Natalie huffs and then smiles too before turning back to face the front. John reaches over and grabs her hand, squeezing it without looking at her. She clenches it back.

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John slows down as they approach the start of the Lovelace ranch and Erin begins to understand why Mrs. Lovelace gave them two months to complete the project. It's a massive wreck.

The fence line is broken, falling down or completely shattered in some places like a pack of wild animals ran straight through it. The grass that isn't dead and yellow has grown so high Erin supposes it would reach his hips. There are also multiple rocks, some are large and stained with moss while others are small and jagged. There are no flowers, cute sitting areas, or trails. There doesn't even seem to be any remnants of a shed or animal pen.

It's as dead as a desert wasteland.

Erin raises his camera, snapping some quick shots from the highway. “We're only doing the area enclosing the main house, right?"

Natalie nods, “Get ready boys. By the looks of these fence lines, I'm assuming even that will be massive."

“Nothing we can't handle!" John declared, confidence oozing from his voice as they drive through the gate in front of the main house. Erin spies some metal pillars and old window frames by the gate as they drive through. The grass also seems shorter the closer they get to the house. All tell-tale signs of a recent renovation.

The house itself is massive, the sun making the brown timber wood look like deep mahogany. It's at least four stories high with what looks to be a wrap-around porch. There are two old wisteria trees on either side of the main door, the tops bending over to merge like a canopy over the entryway. Erin notes a couple of the windows have balconies on the second and third stories, most likely connecting to bedrooms. He eyes a window on the fourth story, the only one on that level with a balcony. The curtains covering the window are a deep shade of green, like a forest. There are even little potted plants sitting outside, just starting to sprout. The baby leaves sway in the wind.

“No time to waste, Erin. Come on, chop-chop kiddo!" John singsongs as he closes the car door. Erin didn't even notice they had parked.

He gets out of the car, following his parents to the front door. “Well, that'll have to be changed." Natalie points to the bright red front door. “No way in hell am I uprootn' these wisteria trees."

Erin snaps a photo of the door, shivering as he's suddenly reminded of a lake of blood. Natalie's right, the bright red door doesn't match well with the soft purple of the wisteria.

John walks up to the door and knocks. There's silence before the door is opened by a man wearing training pants, no shirt, and sipping from a water bottle. The man automatically locks eyes with Erin, the water bottle dropping from his slacked mouth before slamming the door closed.

The man was Victor.

Victor from the 'Young People Only' party.

Victor who Erin is trying to not think about by helping Storm Landscaping.

Victor who has wide shoulders, toned muscles, and a small waist leading down t-

The door opens again.

It's a woman this time with deep red hair. She has half of it pulled up into a ponytail while the rest falls to her shoulders in soft curls, making the confused frown on her face all the more prominent. “Oh, sorry about that. You all must be Storm Landscaping, correct?" The woman opens the door wider and smiles, her full lips curving up to show a perfect ratio of white teeth, her freckled cheeks, and green eyes no longer pinching inwards after realizing who they are. “I'm Stella Lovelace."

Natalie steps forward, the momentary shock of disrespect already forgotten as she holds out her hand, returning the smile. “Yes, we are, nice to meet you."

Stella shakes Natalie's hand. “Oh, you too. Come in, please." Stella steps to the side as they all walk into the house. 'She smells like strawberries dipped in champagne' Erin muses as he walks past. For such a big house, the actual entrance is quite narrow before opening up to a wooden spiral staircase. The rooms directly to the right and left are hidden behind barn doors. Further down the hall looks to be an open floor kitchen and dining area, with an island separating those two rooms from each other.

“Sorry if we scared your son before." John laughs while looking around. He's already starting to develop color schemes based on the interior design.

“Oh, no that was Victor, my nephew." As Stella closes the door behind them, Erin hears someone rushing down the staircase and glances up. Victor is there wearing a black shirt with jeans. His hair looks semi-dry and brushed now too. He peers over the railing and smiles at Erin. Erin feels his cheeks grow warm, that same feeling in his gut from last week coming back ten-fold.

“Oh, the door slammer!" John huffs. Natalie slaps his shoulder, hushing him.

Victor looks down a bit ashamed with a shy smile on his lips as he descends the last few steps. He nods his head to Natalie and John as he walks over to stand beside Erin. “I'm sorry about that, I was a bit surprised. You caught me off guard."

Erin clears his throat. Victor is standing so close Erin can smell his cologne mixing in with his shampoo. “Did you not know we were coming?"

Victor's eyes snap to Erin. There's a smirk ghosting his lips. “I wasn't aware that the owners of Storm Landscaping were bringing their son with them, no."

Erin raises a brow. He opens his mouth to retort when he feels a hand on his back, pushing him slightly away from Victor.

“Victor dear, why don't you escort our guests to the kitchen so we can talk design." Stella is standing between them now. One hand gesturing to the kitchen while the hand that was on Erin's back is now slithering over his arm, locking them together.

Victor smiles softly at Stella and nods. He looks to Erin again before motioning for Natalie and John to follow him. Erin takes a step forward when he feels nails dig into his skin, freezing him in place.

“I don't know who you are or how you know my nephew," Stella is looking straight ahead, lips still curved into that perfect smile. “But if you want this business transaction to continue smoothly, then you need to stay far away from him and the rest of the Lovelace family." Stella let's go of Erin's arm, stepping away from him to look into his eyes.

“Look, Mrs. Lovelace, I met Victor at a party over a week ago. We talked for, like, five minutes. That's it." Erin feels his gut boil in confusion and anger. He doesn't know this lady, hardly even knows Victor, and now he's being threatened. “I have no intention to start anything with anyone. I'm only here to help my parents over summer before school starts up again." He raises his hands in defense, “That's it."

Stella is silent, staring into Erin's eyes. Whatever she sees must appease her because she pats Erin on the shoulder with the innocent look on her face from earlier as she heads toward the kitchen. Erin sighs, his shoulders sinking. Looks like Alex and Layla's plan to 'get Erin's mind off mysterious hot business tourist Vicky-man' has just gotten a whole lot harder.