Isaac nodded towards the cave mouth again, and Michael fell into step beside him. As soon as they reached the small, secluded stretch of beach, Michael lifted his face to the sun and sighed in relief. Isaac had drawn him out of his funk, but there was nothing like being back out in the open. He took his fill of clear blue sky and blue-green water as far as the eye could see.
“Beautiful,” he murmured.
Isaac was busy instructing his pack, so Michael kicked off his socks and shoes and walked down to the water’s edge.
The wet sand pulled at his bare feet, and the shock of cold as the waves lapped at his toes drew a gasp from him. Michael grinned as the breeze whipped his hair into his face.
He’d forgotten what it was like to feel so free.
Living in London and being the alpha of one of the most prominent packs had been like living with an ever-increasing weight on his shoulders. Even with the extensive grounds of the McKillan pack house, he’d never felt truly free to be himself. Always had to watch his back, make sure every decision, every move he made was calculated.
Simon was his beta, but he’d watched Michael far too closely, waiting for him to make a mistake.
Here, though, with soft wet sand under his feet, sky and sea forever, and surrounded by the fresh salty air, Michael could finally breathe. Even the threat of impending war didn’t dampen the feeling.
Because you don’t have to lie anymore.
You don’t have to see the disappointed faces of your pack members as you make decisions that go against everything they fought for.
Some of them, anyway.
But his shoulders did feel lighter. From here on out, everything would be the truth. He’d still keep the secrets of some members’ identities as long as necessary, but there was no more double life for him.
And fuck if it wasn’t the best feeling.
He didn’t need to turn to know Isaac stood beside him. The way his nerve endings came alive was sign enough, like his body registered his presence before his mind did.
“My pack are in the house now, collecting everyone’s things and airing out the rooms. Cleaning.”
Michael nodded. With any luck, their scents would be faded enough by the time the HRU came calling. “We need to start planning. Go through what packs we can count on, who in my old pack might be on our side.” He turned to face Isaac who was glancing out to sea, eyes squinted.
“We do, but there’s something else you might want to do first.” He pointed where he was looking, and Michael shielded his eyes from the sun to see better. “Is that a boat?”
“It is.”
Michael’s heart skipped a beat. “Coming back from Jersey?”
“Yes.”
Isaac didn’t need to say anymore because as the boat got nearer, Michael recognised another face he hadn’t seen in five years.
Sam.
The sight of a boat approaching had caught the attention of the others, and they spilt out onto the sand, all shielding their eyes like Michael had. “Who the fuck is that?” Logan growled. Then his head snapped round to look at Michael. “Is that Sam?”
“Yes. How did you know?” They’d met a few times when Michael had been openly friendly with Logan’s parents, but he was surprised Logan knew him from this distance.
Logan coughed and glanced at Cole before answering. “I used to have a bit of a crush.” At Cole’s low grumble, he added quickly. “Totally one-sided, and nothing ever came of it.”
Michael snorted.
Mates.
Possessiveness came with the territory.
He didn’t miss Cole stepping behind Logan and slipping his arms around his waist. Or the way Logan relaxed against him.
Without his permission, Michael’s gaze slid to Isaac, who still watched the boat as it got closer and closer.If I’d stayed here with him, would that be us?
