Chandler often came out to Moonstruck Pub to drink, feeling more comfortable in the shifter space than anywhere else on the island. But, in his few months of living on Paradisus he had completely avoided the nearby shifter woods. Growing up in the suburbs, he had always preferred larger cities and downtown areas. He almost didnât think about the forest on the island and when he did remember it existed, he could always tell himself he was too busy. There werenât enough hours in the day to step into woods for the first time since his whole pack had been murdered and actually deal with that trauma.
Today felt different though. He almost felt like he could handle it and, if not, there was always a bar right there that would let him drink until he forgot. He anticipated that his first step into the woods would bring back everything from his old life, but anticlimacticallyâŚ.nothing happened. He heard a branch snap under his foot, smelled the sweet aroma of the koa trees, and listened as the wind played with the wood around him. This was nothing like the fir and cedar of Northern Minnesota. It was like comparing Eden to Wayzata; they were so different that it felt safe. And for the first time in three years, Chandler found himself letting his guard down enough to fully shift.
It felt almost foreign to be on all fours again, but natural at the same time. He imagined this is what it felt like for most people to go visit their childhood homes, or to watch a movie you knew by heart but hadnât actually watched in a long time. His skin felt like someone elseâs, but the fur was his own. His movements as he ran through the woods were his as well. So, too, was the howl that left his mouth. That part felt best of all.Â
He picked up on Alexâs scent before he saw him, but still slowed down so that the other shifter wouldnât think he was attacking. As Alex turned to face him and spoke, Chandler switched back to his human form. He stretched a little, his body already a little sore from how long it had been since his last shift. âUhm, okay?â Chandler replied, not really sure why Alex was telling him that. But despite how good it felt to shift and run through the woods, Chandler was still in desperate need of a drink and he was worried heâd gone to Moonstruck Pub alone a few too many times to not raise suspicions. âWant to get a drink then? My treat.â
Alex wasnât startled by the other when he came up behind him, heâd sensed him coming and Alex knew he was bound to see shifters in their animals forms here. Alex, however, wasnât entirely comfortable shifting just yet- even if heâd been on the island for close to a year now- he was still so used to hiding and feeling the need to be wary of anyone. The only person on the island he completely trusted was Charlie, and he was slowly, slowly warming up to his sisters.Â
âSure.â It wasnât like Alex to take someone up on an offer like that, but he felt he could use a drink himself, considering how shitty the shifter woods made him feel. He was a shifter, but he was raised by witches, and he couldnât help but feel like he didnât belong with either species. Alex didnât really belong anywhere, and the shifter woods was a great reminder of that.Â
Not much was said between the two as they walked to the bar, and it only made Alex feel a tinge worse when he saw they were going to the Moonstruck- the pub owned by a shifter. Once seated, Alex ordered immediately, wanting to let himself drink and relax, even if it was with a total stranger. âYou always ask strangers you meet in the woods if they want to drink with you?â Alex wasnât entirely sure what else to say, theyâd pretty much only shared their names with each other and that was it. Not that Alex was hoping to make a lifelong friendship out of this, he just thought maybe they should at least break the awkward silence.Â
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