I’d come back to the woods on the last two weekends. I hadn’t wandered far into the woods for fear of getting lost again. I’d stuck to well traveled paths and even a few times went with someone else. The woods reminded me of my pack in Kansas, reminded me of what I was missing right now. I hadn’t encountered any other shifters though, just that one. Castiel. I hadn’t seen him since that night either.
I was staying in Squamish for the week because a client Asa knew needed a repair on an older car, but the tow bill would be astronomical to bring it to the shop. I was going over today to check out the car and see what parts were needed; Asa was going to bring them up Wednesday. I was already awake when my cell rang, it was Sammy calling.
“Morning, Sammy.”
“I wasn’t sure if you’d be awake. It’s early there.”
“I’m in Squamish this week. Asa asked me to come up; got me a hotel for the week and everything.”
“I’m liking this Asa fella. Fixing a car?”
“Yep.” I even popped the p on it. But changed tones to answer his statement. “Me too. How are you?”
He chuckled. “School sucks, but my grades are good. It sucks mostly because it’s not challenging enough. I’ve been spending more time with Bobby though.
Dad’s been drinking a lot again.”
I knew our father was a drunk, and that didn’t surprise me. “Has he hurt you?”
“No, Dean. He hasn’t touched me.”
I breathed a little. “I’m trying man, but I can’t even find a pack here. I need to find one for us. If I can’t, I’ll come and get you and we’ll be our own pack.”
He laughed. “That could work. Bobby’s glad you’re doing well there.”
“How is Bobby? Is he still a cranky old man?”
God I missed him and Sam, and just being in a pack. Being a lone wolf wasn’t easy.
“He’s good. Cranky, but good.”
“That’s good. You’d like it here, lots of woods. Plenty of space to wolf out and run.”
“You still haven’t?”
I sighed. “No. It’s frustrating as hell Sammy. I feel like I need to and god I want to. Shifting would make exploring the woods easier but I just can’t shift.”
“Have you seen that shifter again?”
“No. But I was pretty deep in the woods when I met him and honestly, I don’t know if he lives out that way or if he was just out running. I asked Asa but he
said the name wasn’t familiar.”
He was quiet for a moment, “It could be a privacy thing too, Dean.”
“I know. Dad wasn’t happy when we told strangers, and I am still a stranger to most everyone here.”
“Even if you can’t find a pack for us. I’ll be perfectly fine to be in your pack too.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Sammy.”
“I gotta head to school.”
“I’m about to head out too. It’s still dark here but the guy is a little ways out.”
“Have a good day, Dean.”
“You too, Sam.”
I hated hanging up but I had to. It was still too early to leave, so I showered and got ready instead. I found a small gas station on my way to the client’s house where I got something to drink and breakfast. Asa said the man would provide lunch and maybe dinner if I stayed later.
The weather here was colder, and there was a light snow covering the ground. It was pretty but made most everything run slower than normal. The client’s house turned out to be a small cabin with a covered porch and to the side a garage. The client was an older gentleman, Mr. Fitzgerald, who had no idea what was wrong with his car. But he did bring lunch to me around one. By four though I knew he needed a few gaskets replaced, and a radiator. I made the call to Asa and he said it would be Wednesday.
Since I would be here for the week, on my way back to the hotel I found a general store. I wandered around inside trying to figure out what I could fix to eat at the hotel. I was getting some fruit when I saw him, a tall gorgeous man. He was wearing fitted jeans that hugged the curve of his ass and thighs in a way that made my mouth water. The blue jacket hid most of his upper body and the boots were appropriate for the weather. Messy black hair stuck up everywhere. I caught myself staring and moved closer.
“Mr. Novak, you need that paper I ordered for you?”
“Please Max, did it all come in?”
His voice was deep and gravely, it sounded a bit familiar but I would recognize him anywhere. Max was the guy behind the counter and he smiled.
“Yes. Also, that ink you needed for your typewriter came in. Are you going to be able to get it back home?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I got help.”
“Great. Do you need it rung up separately?”
He simply nodded, and then he turned. If the back view was gorgeous, this view was amazing. Eyes the color of the sky looked at me, and that smile felt like it warmed the entire room. He paused when he saw me, and his smile seemed to warm even more.
“I haven’t seen you before.”
I shifted slightly, “I’m up from Vancouver, working on a vehicle. I haven’t been up this way very long.”
His head tilted. “Asa?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
He chuckled. “Asa is the only mechanic in Vancouver that will do house calls. He’s come up and fixed cars before for other people around here.”
I smirked. “He’s good like that.”
“How long are you up?”
“For the week, but I’ve been up on weekends exploring the area and the woods. The box canyon is pretty in fall. I’ll be sure to check it out this spring too.”
“Planning to be around for a while then?”
I tilted my head some. “Maybe. I feel good here, but things are still missing.”
He shifted the item in his arms to the other side. “Vancouver has a lot to offer, and so does this small town, but sometimes you need more. I like it here.”
“I haven’t seen you around either. I would um, remember if I had.”
He shifted slightly. “I don’t live close to town, so I’m only here once, maybe twice a month. Get supplies I can’t get at home.”
“Wow, you a recluse or something?”
Fuck, that sounded horrible once it was out of my mouth.
He chuckled. “Maybe, but I do come to town sometimes.”
We ended up walking through the store getting our shopping. Mr. Novak was very serious, apparently loved bees, and was a writer. But I didn’t recognize the name Novak as a writer, so maybe it was something different or he wasn’t published. When we checked out he got several boxes of supplies from behind the counter.
“It’s nice meeting you, maybe we’ll see each other soon.”
“Maybe.”
He headed up the street while I went to the Impala. I didn’t see where he was parked but he had a rolling cart for the boxes so at least he wasn’t carrying them. I loaded my bags and headed back to the hotel. I got things put away and sat on the bed.
Alone.
My wolf didn’t like this feeling, and I understood, being in a pack my entire life led me to need pack members. I hadn’t seen any more shifters, and maybe he was the only one here. Was it worth staying until spring to find out? Could I really stay that long without having any pack to be with?
There was a part of me that was nagging to go home, to leave and drive back to Kansas. But my heart knew that while Sam, Bobby, and some of the others would accept me back, my dad wouldn’t. I could live outside of the town and at least see Sammy from time to time. It wasn’t an ideal situation but I’d be near a pack.
I wouldn’t be free either, because I was sure that my father would set up the rules for me. He could even ban me from being near any of the pack members. That would defeat the purpose of being near the pack.
I finally got myself busy moving around the room and trying not to think about anything.
The next day I explored the town, because I didn’t have any kind of work I could do on the car. The town itself was pretty average, but I liked the close-knit feel of it. That weekend I went back to the woods, I thought I saw the shifter. But I didn’t see any signs that any wolf, shifter or not, was present. That Sunday I returned to Vancouver to my apartment.