CHAPTER18
Isaac sat on the blanket, staring out to sea as the last traces of sunset disappeared. Beautiful as usual, but all it did was make the ache in his chest seem that much harder to bear.
I should’ve been sharing this with Michael.
He knew he should’ve called him back after their phone call that morning, not left things awkward and strained between them, but Isaac didn’t trust himself not to say something they’d both regret.
The pull of the full moon brought his baser instincts to the surface, and rational thinking sometimes took a back seat. He’d talk to him tomorrow when his mind was clearer. What he’d say was still up for debate.
As the sky darkened, Isaac heard the sounds of his pack in the distance. The howls and happy yips as they shifted and enjoyed the full moon brought a small smile to his face. He could’ve joined them, should’ve, probably, but his heart wasn’t in it tonight.
He missed Michael.
Getting him back only to have London draw him away again seemed a cruel twist of fate, but Isaac had known all along it was a distinct possibility. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t blame Michael for this. His strong sense of loyalty and desire to do the right thing, no matter the cost, was one of the many things he loved about him.
He’d gone through this once, but he wasn’t sure he could do it again.
It’s only been two weeks, his mind chastised, but Isaac couldn’t shake the feeling of déjà vu.
When the urge to shift became too strong to resist, Isaac stood and peeled off his T-shirt, then his sweatpants. The cool night air caressed his skin, and he closed his eyes, taking a moment to centre himself. His wolf coiled under the surface, waited for Isaac to let go, and call him forth.
The shift was quick, fluid after so many years of doing it, but the pain was as sharp and all-consuming as ever. Isaac breathed in deep, letting his body and mind adjust to the heightened senses and new centre of gravity.
For the first time in two weeks, he embraced the weight crushing his heart. Tipping his head back, he howled all his pain to the beautiful full moon looking down on him. The sorrowful sound echoed along the beach, all the hurt and longing pouring out of him into the night.
It felt good to let it all out.
Cathartic.
But he was totally unprepared for the answering howl from the top of the beach path. The urgent, pleading sound tore at Isaac’s heart and had him spinning around so fast he almost lost his balance.
Racing back along the beach, Isaac came to a skidding halt at the bottom of the path because there, standing a few feet away, was a huge silver wolf.
Michael.
In all his shifted glory.
Isaac whined, not daring to believe what he was seeing. So many questions ran through his mind.
How are you here?
Why?
How long can you stay?
Sensing his confusion, Michael padded forward, closing the distance between them. When he gently butted his nose against Isaac’s with a soft huff, everything inside him settled.
Pack.
Family.
Home.
For a moment he thought about shifting back, but then Michael darted backwards, giving Isaac a look that was easy to interpret even in their shifted forms.
Catch me if you can.
Then he was off, racing down the beach, and Isaac growled at the face full of sand he got.
