Oleander rushed to the woods just south of the city and shifted. He couldn't stop it either. His wolf ran and hunted. He was hoping to keep this little hunt a secret but he caught a wolf's scent. Shit! It was the Alpha. Oak was there.

Oak's wolf was a large white wolf with black tiger stripes on his feet. He jogged up and watched the giant black wolf submit and back away from his kill. He whined. He never got permission to shift. That had never occurred to him until this moment. He was so upset that he forgot where he was.

Oak shifted. "Oleander, are you okay? Cedar said you were upset?"

Oleander shifted. It was out of respect to the Alpha but he tried to cover himself. He hated being naked. "Sir! I'm sorry. I forgot to ask permission to shift. I wasn't thinking and I'm so sorry! I meant no disrespect." He shed tears. He wasn't sure where they came from.

Oak laughed. "Calm down, Oleander." He walked over and pulled the man into his arms. "Calm down. You don't need permission, okay? Easy! I understand that you needed to hunt, okay? I know loss." He cleared his throat. "I lost my parents when I was young. I know loss. But it's not the end and I don't want you to move into a lonely cabin up north!" He released Oleander.

"What?" Oleander just realized that Cedar must have talked to Oak.

"I talked to Cedar. He was worried about you, Oleander. Very worried. Look, we are going to talk to the prisoner tomorrow and I want you there. I will let you get revenge but it won't make things better. I don't want you to be alone. Cedar and I agree that you are perfect for Origin but he's stubborn." He smiled at the young wolf.

Oleander sighed. "Right."

"Do you really want to leave or do you want a family?" Oak watched the wolf.

"No one wants to be alone." Oleander sighed and looked down at the leaf covered ground. "Honestly, I am sick of being alone and it scares the shit out of me just thinking about going back to it. I miss Cosmo and I don't know what to do!" Oleander wiped a tear and cleared his throat.

"I know but living alone isn't the answer. Fill your life with love and friends." Oak sighed. "If things were the other way, would you want Cosmo to live alone in a cabin?"

Oleander shook his head. "Of course not."

"Exactly. Now, finish your food and pull your head out of your ass! Go fight for your man." Oak smiled.

Oleander smiled and ignored the blush in his face. "Thanks. Do you want to help?"

Oak nodded. "You're very generous, Oleander. I could help."

Oleander smiled and waited for Oak to shift first. They spent the afternoon sharing a meal. Oak stayed with Oleander and they ran around the city.

Oak gave him a tour and they stopped at a backyard. Oak shifted. "Go and talk to him." He was a wolf and took off. He left Oleander in the backyard. Origin's backyard. Oleander just stood there and inhaled. He loved it here and couldn't move away. He knew he should run off but...