Isaac Baker

Dante pinched the bridge of his nose, “Maybe, but there are only so many ways you can tell someone you’re not interested before you just have to be blunt about it,”

He looked over at the woman with the stung pride who was being consoled by her friend. “Fair enough. Have you been around here before?”

“I don’t care. I said what needed to be said.” 

“They can also kiss my ass but that isn’t the point either, is it?“

“I must reiterate this, why do you own a bar?”

“A great man once said: in wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria. I’m drinking and I’m not messing with anybody. They shouldn’t have came over and offered their opinion. It wasn’t welcomed.“

“Someone’s grouchy today.”

Owayne leaned on the bar in front of them, “If I knew I’d understand but if I didn’t I’d probably be pissed,” he replied after a moments thought. “You did the right thing mate,” he added in earnest. “She’ll calm down about it eventually,”

“Where else would I be?” he asked, waving down the closest bartender. 

“Yeah...” He sighed, “I’d probably say the same.” Isaac took another large sip of his beer. “I don’t know, young strapping man like yourself can’t find a date on a Saturday night?”

“What?“ Luke asked confused. He didn’t know Isaac’s story besides the basics. This was the first time he was hearing about his former pack turning against him or something. 

“I haven’t had one on one time with Percy.” he repeated, not knowing what to say. He was already rethinking away of getting Anton to join the wolves instead. Luke, however, has also started to for bonds with a large majority of coyotes, foxes and a dingo.

Isaac raised his brows, realizing it’d been a while since he’d met someone who hadn’t known what happened. “It’s a long story man. I was changed in a random attack and it was more of a military crew and less of a “family” like most packs. So I might have a different perspective.”

   “Its been a little boring, but not bad. It’s over at 1.”

She laughed, “I know. But it would be the truth. Not too many at this point.”

“Do you miss it? Small pack and structure?“ he hummed, not taking offense to his words. “Social experiment? You mean having prey and predators together? They’re trying to get us to see where he’s coming from. But shit like the heavies succeeded with it centuries ago ain’t really a strong point.“

“Nah, those bastards jumped me in the middle of the night. They can rot in hell for all I care.” He shook his head, almost as if he was trying to shake off the memories. “Yeah. I mean in theory it would work right, but logic rarely has a place in this world. It seems like he doesn’t care who he takes down as long as he can show he’s right.”

   “I would be a disgrace of a bartender if it didn’t.” She fixed a warm mulled cider with a shot of bourbon in it.

“Your kind are closer to the surface than those who change more often.“ Luke observed, seeing Isaac eyes flash from the corner of his own eyes. “Are you up for giving free lessons or are you trying to survive the ride home?”

“Can you also tell winning numbers,” Luke joked. “Hybrids were frowned upon throughout Oklahoma and most of Kanas, born or not. That’s how my departed clan was formed.” Once the light turned green Luke started driving again. “That’s a good philosophy to have. I can respect that. I would think that other in your pack would too, especially since no one has been able to win a challenge, I’ve heard.” 

“In the first pack I was in it was a lot more like the military, designated times to change, group hunting activities and so on, but there’s too many people here to do that with.” Isaac shrugged. “A little of both tonight, apparently.”

“Now that I can do. We’ve got a few warm drinks that I think will be perfect.”

“Better luck next time mate,” he replied, putting his hand on the other wolf’s shoulder, “Next rounds on me,”

“Would you have gotten mad if you were in her position. Like she has so many dreams, her getting changed by a hyena would have fucked those up.” He knew that she didn’t know that, but it didn’t make it any less frustrating. Isaac nodded his thanks.“What are you doing here on a Saturday night?”

“We raised him right.“ Luke was obviously proud. His grip on the wheel relaxed but he slammed on the break for a yellow light. “I think this would be my seventh time behind the wheel of a vehicle in 87 years,“ he confessed. 

“And you can tell all this by sharing a drink with me for a few times?“ Luke asked. “You’re clanmate are accepting and kind enough. I didn’t know you were a leader at first. Its rare to find one willing to break bread with a nobody.” 

“I can see that.” Gold flashed in Isaac’s eyes and his hand gripped the door. “Slamming on your brakes in this kind of weather will only make your tires spin. Try not immediately seizing up. Lightly using your brakes will help control where you’re going and not make you lose control.” His voice remained calm and unpanicked.

“This weather is insane. What can I get you, Isaac?”

“Surprise me. Make it something worth coming out in this shit.”