9. Sean

9

Sean

S ean was exhausted when he finally collapsed on his cot. He still hadn't recuperated from the day of shoveling. As tired as he was, though, he couldn't fall asleep.

I almost kissed Xyla. What in the world was I thinking?

He couldn't figure her out. When they first got there, they were mortal enemies. He was the scum of the Earth and only a murderous humanoid. Now, she was acting like they were old friends. Granted, they used to be before she got brainwashed by her bigoted father, but this was a huge reversal.

Of course, I, along with Sawyer's help, did save her and her family's bacon. Maybe it's some kind of hero worship.

He stared at the ceiling as he tried to figure her out. Was this superficial and temporary or did she really figure out that not all shifters are bad – just like not all humans are bad?

Turning over in his cot he closed his eyes. It really doesn't matter because once we get off this mountain, I'll never see her again. She can hate me all she wants to and I really don't care.

His eyes popped back open. She said that she was thinking of moving back to Angel's Creek. They might run into each other, although it was highly unlikely. He wasn't a man about the town, as his mother used to say. He was either at home or at the bar.

Sean looked at his hand, which was almost healed. Luckily, shifters healed extremely fast and the blisters were more of a painful nuisance than a real injury.

However, that didn't explain the electric shock he felt when they touched. What was really surprising was that they were both fully dressed when they touched. He hadn't had a reaction to a woman like that since Ivy died.

"Maybe it has been too long since I've gotten laid. I wonder if Marcie is still willing. She might cure my problem."

He laughed quietly to himself because he knew that he wouldn't have sex with Marcie, especially if it was just to banish thoughts of another. Sean might have had to satisfy his needs on occasion, but he had never used a woman or been with someone who didn't understand that it was just for the moment. Marcie was the kind of woman who would expect flowers and phone calls after.

I need to get off this mountain and away from these women. Being back home and in my bar is a lot safer than this.

He was grateful when he was finally able to fall asleep.

Sean felt a lot better when he woke up the next morning. His shoulders quit aching and his hands were healed.

Edward shyly asked if he could sit with him and Sawyer for breakfast. Sawyer grinned at him and nodded.

"Not much of a birthday, is it?" Sean asked.

"I have a good story to tell my friends when I go back to school. No one else has been stranded on a mountain because of an avalanche with a bunch of people they don't know." He leaned in close to Sean so he could whisper in his ear. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone that I met some real-life shifters."

"I appreciate that." Sean ruffled Edward's hair.

"Can I hang out with you guys today?"

"Not this morning, I'm afraid. We have to check out the area and see if the roads are still impassible or if there's any way to get to the ranger's station," Sawyer said.

"Oh." Edward was clearly disappointed.

"Maybe this afternoon, if it won't get you in trouble with your father."

"Everything gets me in trouble with my father. I'm pretty sure he hates me sometimes, almost as much as he hates you."

Sean's heart broke for the little boy's sadness. "I'm sure he loves you. Some people just have a hard time showing it."

Edward nodded and finished eating. "I'll see you guys later."

Sean braced himself for the sharp cold that cut him like a knife when he stepped outside.

"It's colder than a witch's tit out here," Sawyer said.

Sean laughed. "I hadn't heard that in a very long time."

"My father used to say it all the time. He also used to say that it was colder than a well digger's asshole."

"I don't know how cold those two body parts happen to be."

"Me either, but I guess my dad did."

They fell into a comfortable silence as they walked toward the wood, quickly undressed, and shifted.

Wolves had special blood vessels in their feet that kept the footpads above freezing level, preventing their feet from freezing. Each of their toes was surrounded by stiff, bristly hairs that not only helped the wolves' traction but also served to insulate their feet from the cold. Just like wild, pure-bred wolves, wolf shifters had short underfur covered by a dense outer fur. The fur prevented the wolves from losing heat, keeping them warm. They retained so much of their body heat that snow didn't melt on them.

Sean and Sawyer ran toward the main road. It was still impassable. They decided to venture into the woods on the other side of the cabins to get some exercise.

They hadn't gotten too far past the last cabin when Sean stopped short. "Sawyer, come here."

Sawyer padded over to where Sean was staring at the snow.

"Are those bear tracks?" Sawyer asked, surprised.

"That's what they look like."

"There shouldn't be any wild bears out and about in this mess. Shifters?"

"I think so. I don't know if they are dangerous or not, but we need to keep our eyes out for danger." Sean sniffed the air, but couldn't detect any lingering smells from the humans or bears. "Let's get back. I'm getting hungry."

William was waiting for them when they returned.

"The road is still completely blocked," Sean reported. "I was wondering whether there are any hunting lodges in the area."

"Yes, there are a few throughout the woods. The rangers always keep them stocked in case someone gets lost and happens to stumble across them. Why do you ask?"

Sawyer shrugged. "We happened to see some tracks in the snow that weren't ours, and we didn't know if someone was out there lost."

"I hope not. If someone is out there, I hope they manage to find one of the lodges. We're stuffed to the gills here, but, of course, I would never turn anyone away."

Sean put his hand on William's shoulder. "You're a good man."

After lunch, Sean was feeling a little restless. "I think I'm going out for some snowshoeing. What about you?"

Sawyer shook his head. "I'm thinking the opposite. The cot and warm sleeping bag are calling my name. Loudly." He paused and cocked his head exaggeratingly. "I'm on my way, sleeping bag."

Sean laughed. "You are such a dork. No one would ever guess that you're a doctor."

"It's the dork in me that keeps me young. Be careful."

The sunlight made the snow glitter like diamonds. The icy breeze brought the smell of pine trees wafting around his head. Winter birds flew overhead and a majestic elk stood just inside the wood line that surrounded the resort.

Ivy's beautiful face popped into his mind. She had long, dark brown hair that reached her knees. She always kept it in a braid. He had loved running his fingers through the silky strands. Her cobalt blue eyes reminded him of the deepest oceans. Their baby had her dark hair and blue eyes. His heart hurt as he pictured them, lying in the hospital bed. The baby was in her arms, on her chest, and her eyes were closed as though she was sleeping peacefully.

The pain of losing them still existed, although now it was more like an ache than the stabbing pain in the gut it had been for so long. He was able to remember her and the happy times they shared without having his soul ripped apart all over again.

Sean knew that Ivy would want him to find love again. She had been a very caring, selfless person, and loved him so much that she would want him to be happy. He hadn't looked for anyone who he could love again and no one special had stepped into his life. Sean wasn't sure that he would ever be able to love another person.

His mind shifted to Xyla. Before she was brainwashed by her father, he thought that she was interesting. He had enjoyed their conversations and there might have been a spark between them.

It was an interesting coincidence that they had run into each other here. Some might say that the Fates were busy, and that he and Xyla had run into each other again by design. He closed his eyes for a brief second as he trekked through the snow. Her scent haunted him. The vanilla, orange, and her essence seemed to permeate his pores, and he could smell it every time he inhaled.

He was well aware of what others would say about her scent haunting him. "There is no way in the world that my fated mate could be a woman who has sworn to hate shifters and whose father might even be a hunter. Even if she is starting to come around, there is no way she would defy her father for love."

The sound of his voice reminded him that he was starting to get cold and hungry so he headed back to the resort. Sawyer was up, so the two of them played a couple rounds of pool until dinner.

After he ate, Sean settled onto the couch. He was half asleep when Xyla approached him. "I hate to ask, but Dad left some of his medication at the cabin. I was wondering if you would walk with me so I can get it."

"Sure. I can do that."

"Thank you. The moon isn't very bright, and with my kind of luck I'd get turned around in the dark."

"We wouldn't want that."

When they slid down the snow tunnel into the cabin, Xyla said, "It's warmer in here than I thought. Still cold, but not freezing like I figured it would be."

"It's because the cabin is completely insulated with snow. Just like igloos."

She turned around and put her hands on his chest. "Thank you. I was a total bitch to you, but you saved our lives. You have been nothing but kind to my brother and me despite how I treated you."

"Your brother is a sweet kid and is easy to be nice to."

Xyla laughed. "And I'm not?"

"You have your moments."

She stared into his eyes for a minute and then stood on her toes, pressing her lips against his.