Soren
Walking away from his mate again had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. But he knew it was for the best. Baine was waking up and he didn’t need to see Soren standing there when he knew he had nothing to offer him. He waited down the street at Hummingbird Cafe in case he needed to rush back. He wasn’t sure how it was that he could sense Baines emotions when they weren’t mated yet, but he could and he wasn’t going to look that gift horse in the mouth.
When he couldn’t take it any longer he contacted Daegan through their pack link, “How is he?”
“He’s awake. Confused though. We told him you carried him in here, and he doesn’t believe us. Actually, what he said and I’m sorry but I am so not letting this go, because it’s epic. But he said and I quote ‘half the town wants their bodies against him. Mine was and I don’t even get to remember it’, he’s jealous and he’s never met you in person. Sounds to me like there's already a connection building. Must be all those times you’re there when he’s unconscious. Your souls recognize you belong together.”
“Shut it, it has to be this way. He can be happy without me, he doesn't need his mate to live a full and meaningful life.”
“You’re such a jackass coward. There is a huge difference between being happy and being content. He can be content, but he wouldn't be happy. He needs his other half for that.”
“Life sucks, we can’t always get what we want, what we deserve or what we need. Sometimes you just have to face that this is the best it’s going to get.”
“You keep believing that load of bullshit, in the meantime I’ll do everything in my power to make sure my brother finds what happiness he can without your stubborn ass. Just don’t come crying on my shoulder when he gives in and finds someone that will at least treat him good.”
Soren ground his teeth and refused to take the bait. He knew deep in his shattered heart that this was for the best. He wouldn’t turn his back on Baine, but he couldn’t be what he needed either. He’d watch and love him from a distance and hope that one day Baine would forgive him for denying them both heaven here on earth.
He ordered a coffee from Annie when she came around and then settled in to wait and watch. He had nothing to do today, other than to be close to his mate and be there if he was needed. The minutes ticked by as he watched the townsfolk walk by, some waving a friendly greeting, others stopping to chat. He didn’t have the patience to deal with any of them, but he couldn’t bring himself to hurt their feelings.
“Never fails to amaze me how popular you are.” Sypher said as he pulled out a chair and dropped into it, startling Soren out of his thoughts.
“What are you doing here?”
“Was in town, saw the long line of dejected women and men walking away from here and figured you had to be close.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You are so fucking clueless.”
Before Soren could respond, he was interrupted. “Morning Soren. How are you on this beautiful day?”
“Much better now that I saw you, Ms. Prinsky. How’s the roses coming?”
The older woman giggled, “You are such a sweetheart. My roses are just starting to bloom. They are going to be the biggest yet, I can feel it.”
“I’ll have to stop by when they do.”
“That would be lovely. Don’t let me keep you gentleman. I’ll see you.”
Soren said goodbye and turned back to face Sypher who was laughing quietly.
“What?”
“She didn't even acknowledge my presence, it’s all about you. That’s what I was talking about.”
Soren shrugged and stared off towards the station, hoping for a glimpse of his mate leaving the station at some point. Daegan had said he was okay, but he needed to see it for himself. His animal was not happy about being so far away when their mate was hurting.
“Your coffee is getting cold.”
“Don’t really want it. Just figured it’d look less suspicious to sit here if I had something.” Soren replied distractedly.
“Good, then come on. Let’s get out of here. My mate wants to go fly, seems like your mate needs a distraction.”
“And you know, I won’t go. I can’t and won’t do that to him.” Soren paused and sighed, “Just go watch over him for me. I’ve got some things to do anyway, rumor has it there’s a couple of kids that are on their own that might fit in here. I’m going to check it out. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
It burned deep inside to leave right now, but it was the perfect time. Baine would be with Sypher and Daegan. They would keep him safe and let him know if anything happened. With luck he’d be back before they finished their flight.
“Are these the two kids you were telling me about before. How do you know they belong in our pack?” Sypher asked curiously. “From what you told me, no one knows what their animals are yet.”
Soren shrugged, “They need a home, some pack on this mountain will be a good fit if we’re not. Either way they are on their own and I can’t sit back and do nothing.”
“You’ve got a heart of gold, even if you keep it locked in stone behind those walls of yours. Go, I’ll watch over him. Be safe and let me know if you need anything.”
Soren nodded, dropped a couple dollars on the table for Annie and forced himself to put one foot in front of the other until he was in a clearing and able to shift. He knew he should leave, but he couldn’t, not yet. He needed to see Baine for himself, see that he was really okay.
Minutes later he heard their voices as the three men entered the woods not far from where he was crouched. They bantered back and forth lightly about who flew faster as they stripped and shifted. Baines Pegacorn took his breath away. He was beauty incarnate, every inch of his animal was of the purest white, except his golden horn that sparkled in the light. His wings looked too delicate to hold such a powerful body up in the air, but within seconds he’d taken off and was high in the clouds. He waited until all three were out of sight, before he took to the sky and headed in the opposite direction.