Baine
Baine Fortenberry stared off into distance lost in thought as the population of Seaside walked by a few feet away from his seat on the patio of the Hummingbird Cafe. So much had changed in the last few months that at times he had trouble remembering what was real and what was a delusion. While he’d been held prisoner by the black magic wielding witch he’d often found himself in similar positions. Anything to escape the cell that had become his home. In his dreams, he’d been everywhere and anywhere but there in that cramped space listening to the cries and pleas of his fellow captives.
“You still with me, brother?”
“Yeah, sorry.” Baine smiled, “What were you saying?”
Daegan rolled his eyes, “I was pushing you to take the open position. I could really use someone who knows what they’re doing and besides we work well together. I’ve got two rookie deputies fresh out of the academy. Save my sanity and tell me you’ll take the job.”
“Is there enough crime here to need four of us?”
Daegan sighed, “You’d think for such a small town that would be a no, but we’re a port town. This many tourists tends to bring out the less than law-abiding citizens from the towns lower on the mountain. Add in the different packs that call this area home and we have more than enough to keep us busy.”
Baine hesitated before giving a small nod, “You think I’m ready?”
“We both know you’re healed. Have been for a while at least physically. Mentally I think you’re still struggling but sitting on your ass isn’t going to help that. You need to keep busy and engage with the world outside the pack a bit more. I think it’ll do you a lot of good.”
“All right, yeah. What do I have to do?”
Daegan whooped in delight, “Nothing. I’ve taken care of everything. I just needed you to say yes. You can start tomorrow.”
Baine gaped at his best friend, before laughing. “You always were too sure of yourself. What’s the dress code? Anything I need to know before I start?”
“Nah, we’re laid back. Small town and all that. Jeans and a button down will work. As to the rest, nope. Just show up, it’ll be like old times, but better. We don’t have the bureaucracy and undercover shit to worry about.”
They lapsed into a comfortable silence as they waited for the waitress Annie to come back with their drinks. For Baine’s part, he was still getting used to this eccentric town and its inhabitants. He’d never been somewhere that it was okay to be open about being a shifter. Sure, they kept things quiet whenever a boat came in, but even then, they didn’t hide per se. Just were a bit more cautious. Half the time the passengers on the cruise boats were weirder than the townsfolk anyway.
“Sorry, I gotta run, Sypher needs me. We’ll do a raincheck on lunch if that’s okay?” Daegan asked abruptly pulling Baine out of his thoughts.
“Yeah, no worries. Everything good?”
“No problems, just something that came up that needs my attention he says.”
Baine laughed, “Yeah I bet. Don’t say anymore. I really don’t need to know about your sexcapades with my Alpha.”
“Jealousy doesn’t become you. Don’t worry, I’ll remind you of your comments when you meet your mate and get all gooey eyed and happy.”
Baine saluted him with one finger and laughed as his friend walked away. The smile on his face slowly melted away as the solitude of the cafe once again settled in on him. Some days the silence was a welcome balm to his weary and battered soul, other days like this it was like a knife shredding his sanity. With the quiet came the demons who lived in his head. The memories of the witch’s laughter, the pain, the cries of the others.
Just when he thought he was going to go mad with the images and sounds bombarding him a wave of calmness settled over him. He sighed in relief and glanced around in confusion. Where did it come from and how could he get it to happen again? He darted his eyes around everywhere he could see but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
“Can I get you something to eat?” Annie asked suddenly making Baine jump and spin around to face her. “I’m sorry, hun. I didn’t mean to startle you. Everything all right?”
Baine let out a small laugh, “yeah, just losing my mind I think.”
“It’s okay love, around here you’d be weird if you didn’t have some quirks. You fit right in with the rest of us. Rumor has it you’re our newest deputy. Lunch is on the house, for you. What would you like?”
He started to protest but quickly quieted as he saw the determined look of steel in her eyes. He knew better than to argue with that expression. “Thank you, I didn’t expect that, but I do appreciate it. But one question, how did word spread so quickly anyhow. I only just accepted the position five minutes ago.”
Annie winked, “gossip spreads in these parts. Haven’t you realized that yet? The minute you accepted, Daegan told Sypher though the pack link. It spread from pack to pack, within minutes the whole town had been informed.”
“I’m never going to get used to that. It’s insane, but effective I guess.”
“Yeah, secrets aren’t that easy to keep in these parts. Just ask Soren, he’s almost fanatical about his secrets. This place drives him nuts with their gossiping ways.”
“If I ever get to meet the mystery man I’ll do that. But I’m starting to wonder if he’s not a myth made up by all of you. He’s not a trick to haze the new guys, is he?”
Annie scrunched up her face in confusion, “You’ve never met him? How can that be? He’s the pack beta, maybe you’ve seen him and just didn’t realize it. I mean he’s not easy to miss, with his steel grey eyes and his brooding good looks. He’s a head turner for sure. Half the men and most of the women want to sleep with him, the rest just want to be him.”
“I can honestly say I haven’t seen anyone fitting that description and I’m pretty sure I’d have remembered if I had. You’ve got me curious as hell now though.”
“Oh, when you see him, you’ll know it. Too bad he doesn't bat for my team. If and when he finds his mate, half this town is going to mourn. The other half will let out a sigh of relief that he’s finally off the market.”
“He’s really all that?” Baine asked incredulously.
“Honey, he is and the best part he doesn’t even know it. The humblest down to earth guy you’ll ever meet. He’s one hundred percent prime grade A hunk of man all wrapped up with a sex appeal that makes even my grandmother drool.” Annie sighed wistfully, “Now that I’ve done drooled all over you, what would you like to eat?”
“Would it be wrong of me to say I’d like a bite of him?” Baine said with a laugh.