Snow [The Wolves of Shade County 4] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by JC Holly

  Most shifters found shifting easy, but painful. It eased over the years, as the body adapted to having two very different forms, but it was never painless. Snow was different. He changed considerably quicker, and felt practically nothing. His party trick when among shifters was to take a running leap as a human and land as a wolf. It always made the newbies gape like fish.

  He blew out a breath and let the change happen. In a matter of a second, his bones broke and reformed, his teeth and claws lengthened, and stark white fur grew. He sneezed as the nearby scents increased tenfold, and shook his head as the sounds did the same. The doors opened into his parking area, and he padded past his car on all fours, sniffing the ground as he did.

  The exit door was rigged with a voice identification system another shifter had installed for him. As well as words, though, it was designed to work with wolves. Snow growled softly and the door clicked open.

  There was a short path leading from the door and off to the right, alongside the access road. Snow went straight instead, leaping the short fence and landing in the grass beyond. From there it was only ten feet until the first trees. He paused to take another deep breath, then dashed into the darkness of the forest.

  His stress lowered with every step, and he didn’t stop running until the city became a distant noise in the background and he was surrounded by nature. The animals that didn’t run from him stayed well clear, but Snow had no intention of hunting anyway. He was out to relax and enjoy the night.

  Pretty much all shifters used their wolf form as a way to de-stress. While their ability to think didn’t change, the wolf’s instinctual nature meant that it was harder to dwell on the negatives. The most important things to a wolf were base needs, like food and sleep. Bills and upcoming shifts at work seemed trivial when you were chasing a rabbit through the trees, or curled up under a bush, snoozing in the warmth.

  After Snow’s escape all those years ago, he’d spent a long time in wolf form while he tried to make sense of what had happened, and try to get over it. It had been a dangerous thing to do, as most shifters can’t go more than a few days in wolf form without the wolf trying to take over. Snow had spent a damn sight longer than that. Too long, in fact. By the time he remembered how to shift back, though, he found he could cope.

  A noise to his right pulled him from his musings. A twig had snapped under the weight of a hoof. He scented the air. A deer. If Snow could have smiled, he would have been grinning ear to ear. With a yap he took off after his “prey.” It had a lead on him and knew the area better, but Snow didn’t care. The chase was the best part.

  Chapter Four

  Work.

  The one word bounced around Bernie’s head as his alarm bleeped from across the room. He kept it as far from the bed as possible so it would force him to get up to turn it off. It worked, but every morning he cursed himself for ever having the idea.

  As his hand slapped down on the alarm, silencing it, he spotted the business card, jutting out from under his cell phone. He’d left a message on Snow’s machine last night, suggesting they met tonight. He’d left the place up to Snow. The man had saved his wallet, if not his life, so letting him pick the restaurant seemed the thing to do.

  “If he ever calls back,” he muttered.

  There was no guarantee. Sure, he’d seemed interested last night, but there had been a lot of adrenaline flying around at the time. Perhaps when the guy woke he’d realize it was a dumb idea. Bernie hoped that wouldn’t be the case.

  It was six in the morning, but the heat had already begun to warm up the apartment. The day was going to be as hot as the one before, with the added disadvantage that Bernie would be sitting in a poorly air-conditioned office during it. With that in mind he pulled out his thinnest shirt and pants and tossed them on the bed before heading for a cold shower.

  By the time he emerged from the bathroom, he could smell coffee and toast. He dressed and headed into the lounge to find Nadia cross-legged on the couch, watching the news.

  “Coffee’s on,” she said without looking up.

  “Shouldn’t you still be in bed?”

  She shrugged. “I find it hard to sleep when I have exams.” She glanced at her watch. “I leave in three hours. I can study some more before I go.”

  Bernie nodded and headed into the kitchen. He had a lot less than three hours. The clock on the wall told him he needed to be out the door in less than ten minutes, in fact. He knocked back the coffee, stuffed a piece of toast into his mouth, and called a muffled “bye” to Nadia as he headed to the car.

  He’d worked at the local call center for two years now, and while it wasn’t glamorous it paid the bills and he liked most of his colleagues. Dealing with some of the customers was less pleasant, especially the irate ones, but he’d long ago developed a thick skin when it came to angry calls.

  The office was close to home, but thanks to rush-hour traffic, it took him half an hour to get there. He’d left early, though, so he still arrived with twenty minutes to go before the start of his shift.

  As he pulled into the parking lot, a couple of his workmates waved, and he exchanged words over the weather as they walked in together. They all headed to the break room, and Bernie followed. His phone chirped in his pocket and he waved the rest on, saying he’d catch up.

  “Hello?”

  “Bernie?” The voice was English, leaving no difficulty in identifying the caller.

  “Snow. How are you?”

  “I’m good. I got your message. You like steak?”

  “Sure.” Bernie smiled. It looked like he would get his date after all. “Know a good place?”

  “I know the best place. How about I pick you up after work tonight?”

  He agreed and told Snow where he worked and when he finished. He’d have stayed on the call for longer, but his shift was about to begin. With an apology he hung up and tucked his phone back into his pocket.

  “Who was that?”

  Bernie glanced over his shoulder to find his supervisor, Clarke, leaned against the wall, a smirk on his face.

  “A date,” Bernie said. “We’re going out tonight after work.”

  “Sounds good.” Clarke grinned. “Is he better looking than me?”

  “Isn’t everyone?”

  “Touché. Meet him at the bar?”

  “Out the back, actually.” He rolled his eyes as Clarke opened his mouth to speak. “Not like that. He saved me from a couple of muggers.”

  “A white knight!” Clarke put a hand over his heart and fluttered his eyelashes. “Be sure to properly reward him.”

  Bernie smirked and walked away. I intend to.

  * * * *

  As soon as Snow had arranged his date with Bernie, he jumped into bed. Nightmares or no, he was too tired to care. He’d spent the night and most of the morning running through the forest, looking for things to chase. If it hadn’t been prime hiking weather, he’d have slept outside, too.

  He woke with a start some time later, suddenly aware he hadn’t set an alarm. Thankfully, while he’d got a good few hours sleep, he hadn’t missed the date. The clock said it was four in the afternoon, which was perfect. He stretched wide and padded into the kitchen, not bothering to throw any clothes on. After so much time as a wolf, clothes seemed pointless. He supposed he’d have to put some on for the date, but until then he could be as nature intended.

  While he had dreamt, and the dreams had been of the usual unpleasant variety, he felt rested enough. He’d be good for another few days, if necessary. He was used to it, so it was no great hassle. He was also used to leaving a date’s home in the middle of the night, so they didn’t notice his lack of sleeping. He could always apologize if they made it to a second date.

  Breakfast-come-lunch consisted of a couple of pork chops, served uncooked. Ever since his extended stay in wolf form, he’d craved meat worse than ever, and any further time shifted heightened the urge further for a short time. Shifters didn’t so much as blink when he tucked into a bloody
steak, but dates did, so the best thing to do was to satisfy his craving now and eat like a non-crazy person later.

  His drink of choice was tea, which took a little longer to prepare. It was always worth the wait, though, and he grabbed his robe and stepped onto the balcony so he could people watch while he drank. The day was hovering around a hundred degrees, which was thirty something in the measurement Snow was more used to. He’d been in America long enough to adapt, but he liked clinging to a few English things. Like his cup of tea.

  He hopped up onto the balcony rail, then sat with his legs dangling over the side. The afternoon wasn’t a particularly busy one, so there wasn’t much to watch, but it beat turning on the TV. He sipped at his tea and blew out a contented breath. Nice day, nice weather, incoming date. Life was good.

  He wondered what Bernie’s life was like. He now knew the guy worked at a call center, somewhere on the other side of town. Snow spent a few hours a week working as a paramedic for the local supernatural clinic, but other than that and his pack work, he was free as a bird. Like many smart shifters, he’d played the long game and invested in property at an early age, so he was comfortably off. He couldn’t go out and buy a Ferrari, but he could afford to live in his penthouse and still have more than enough money left over for bills, food, and dates with cute guys named Bernie.

  His mind flicked from Bernie working to Bernie naked, and Snow let his imagination run away with him. If he were lucky, maybe he’d be able to compare his mental image to the real thing soon.

  The time passed quickly, and before Snow knew it, it was time to get ready. The robe came off and a pair of black jeans and a dark shirt went on. He ran a brush through his hair, but it decided to do what it wanted, as usual. For a moment he remembered when it was black, but shook the thought away.

  Five minutes later he was in the car and headed to the address Bernie had given him. He found it easily enough and pulled into the lot next to the car his nose told him belonged to Bernie. He stepped out into the light and breathed in. Bernie was inside, somewhere near the front of the building. He was sweating, and excited. Snow adjusted his cock through his pants. Bernie wasn’t the only one who was excited.

  Chapter Five

  The clock struck six and Bernie was out of his chair a second later. His last call had ended a few minutes ago, so he was free as a bird. A bird who had a date with a crazy English guy with white hair and no sense of personal safety. He grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and headed out, along with a few other people.

  He spotted Snow as soon as he stepped out the back door. He was hard to miss. The man leant against the trunk of his car, which was parked next to Bernie’s. As Bernie walked over, Snow kissed him lightly on the cheek.

  “Hey,” Bernie said. “How are you?”

  “I was good, and now I’m great.” Snow grinned. “Which, incidentally, is how you look.”

  Bernie felt his cheeks flush, and he glanced away at his car. “Should I change first?”

  “Nah, no need. Like I said, you look great.” Snow leaned in. “And I can see through your shirt. Very nice.”

  Bernie’s flush turned to a full-on blush. “Thanks…I mean, uh…”

  Snow grinned and opened the passenger side to his car. “Shall we?”

  Bernie climbed in and couldn’t help notice how expensive the interior was. All deep-black leather and walnut. He didn’t know much about cars, but he knew fancy when he saw it. It made sense, given where the guy lived, but it was still a mild shock. Bernie had never sat in anything so nice before.

  Snow jumped into the driver’s seat and they waited for the cars around them to pull out before doing the same. Once they were on the road, Snow glanced at Bernie.

  “Sorry if I embarrassed you back there. I’m pretty straightforward.”

  “So I noticed.” Bernie smiled. “I like it. I was just caught off-balance, that’s all.”

  “I’m glad.” Snow returned the smile. “I’d hate to think I bollocksed up the date before it even started.”

  Bernie raised an eyebrow. “Bollocksed?”

  “Screwed. Also tired, actually. Though bollock is English for testicle. And chastise.” Snow frowned. “We have quite the odd language, now I think about it.”

  “Apparently.” Bernie laughed. “So, where’s this steakhouse?”

  The place they pulled up outside bore almost no resemblance to the steakhouse in Bernie’s head. He expected the stereotypical wood and cowboy style he was used to, where you were made to think you were somewhere in the Wild West. This steakhouse looked more like an upscale restaurant that just happened to serve steak. Suddenly Bernie felt underdressed.

  A valet sprung up out of nowhere to take the car, and Snow led Bernie past the short queue at the door straight inside. As soon as they stepped onto the plush carpet, the head waiter waved to Snow and gestured he come over. Snow grinned and greeted the man warmly, shaking hands and slapping his shoulder.

  “Snow! Been too long,” the man said.

  “We missed you at the last meeting. I hope all is well?”

  He nodded. “As well as can be expected.” He flashed a smile at Bernie. “Table for two, I take it?”

  Snow nodded. “If you can fit us in.”

  The waiter smirked. “Snow, for you I’d throw Trump out and give you his table.”

  “Well, I do have better hair…”

  They were led to a table at the back of the restaurant. It was away from the kitchens, and far enough away from the majority of the other tables that they’d be able to talk in private. It was a pretty damn nice table. Bernie wondered what Snow had done to deserve such treatment. The man had mentioned a meeting, so they were in the same club, at least, whatever club that was. Bernie kept his mouth shut, though. Those weren’t first-date questions.

  Once they were settled the waiter disappeared, returning with menus before leaving once more.

  “This place is swanky,” Bernie said, looking around. “Even the tables look handmade.”

  “They make the best steaks.” Snow grinned. “And I get a hefty discount.”

  Bernie laughed. “That makes me feel better.”

  “I like to make a good first impression. If any dates follow we’ll be at McDonald’s. Promise.”

  “I’m glad. And technically this is a third impression.”

  “Third?”

  He nodded and counted them off on his fingers. “Crazy man on a balcony rail, heroic defender in the alleyway, suave guy on a fancy date.”

  Snow waggled his eyebrows. “Just wait till you see what I’m like in the bedroom.”

  Bernie felt his cheeks darken and he took a swig of water to cover his embarrassment. Snow chuckled.

  “You blush easily. I like that.”

  “Well you’ll be seeing it a lot if you keep this up.”

  “Oh, well, in that case I’m hung like a bull and intend to make you scream my name.”

  Bernie choked on his water, garnering him a few stares from local tables. He mopped at the water on the table with a napkin and shot Snow a glare. He couldn’t keep up the act, though, and burst out laughing.

  “You’re something else,” he said, shaking his head.

  Snow grinned and leaned back in his chair. “Just you wait.”

  Bernie glanced at the menu. “So what’s good here?”

  “They do steak however you want it, but their chips are also excellent. They taste English.”

  “Potato chips?”

  “Sorry. Fries. They do them how they do them in the UK. Fatter, fluffier, crispy on the outside. You’d be surprised how many places can’t manage that.”

  “Ah. Well I’m always willing to try something different.” Bernie glanced up at Snow’s grin and poked out his tongue. “Not what I meant, pervert.”

  Snow feigned a pout, but it didn’t last long. “I’d recommend their scallops and bacon, too, if you like seafood.”

  Since the menu was enormous, and what Snow had suggested sounded good, t
hat was what he ordered. Snow ordered two steaks and fries, along with a Coke.

  “Make ‘em rare,” he told the waiter.

  “I know how you like them,” the waiter said with a wink. “And for you, sir?”

  “Medium, I guess.”

  While they waited for the food to arrive, they talked about work. Snow seemed fascinated by Bernie’s job at the call center. He said he loved dealing with people, even if the people didn’t like dealing with him. Bernie told him a few horror stories about angry customers and their threats, as well as the stories about his favorite customers, and Snow was rapt with attention throughout. It seemed like he was actually listening, too. Not just faking it to get in Bernie’s pants.

  When the meals arrived, they switched to what Snow did for a living.

  “I’m a paramedic. Part-time, anyway. I do a little consulting for property buying, too.”

  “That’s an odd mix. Which hospital?”

  “Hope Clinic. It’s a private place.”

  “I’ve heard of that.” Bernie frowned as he tried to place the name. “Something to do with celebrities?”

  “That’s the one.” Snow nodded. “Though it’s usually just rich people instead of celebrities.”

  Bernie nodded and took a bite of his steak. As Snow had said, it was delicious.

  Hope Clinic had a reputation as the most exclusive clinic in the county, if not the country. Press couldn’t get within a hundred feet, and there were rumors that cameras had a habit of unexpectedly breaking when just walking past the place. The general consensus was that the place had some gadget set up to stop people sneaking photos and videos. Snow could make a fortune with only a couple of stories to the right papers. It said a lot about him that he hadn’t.

  “So where are you from originally?” Bernie asked. “I mean, England, but what part?”