Chapter Ten
"I mean he looks like a guy who disappeared years back. Yeah, the guy thought angels were talking to him."
- "Come now, brother. You have had your fun for tonight." A warm hand rested upon Castiel's shoulder as he gazed out across the sleeping town. Silver moon high above them, he bathed in its light for a few moments more. He wiped his bloodied hands upon his overcoat and retracted his claws, the taste of copper slick in his mouth.
Turning to his Alpha, Castiel nodded. He did not look back at his victim as they walked through the woods. He didn't need to, for he already knew what he would see. The body would be sprawled out wearing a blood soaked leather jacket. Castiel did not wish to see those hollow green eyes, or matted blond hair. He killed that young man, and he had to forget it. Forget his old pack. -
Castiel woke with a sudden jolt and found himself facing Gabriel holding a still sizzling Taser gun. "Man, thought you'd never stop crying. What are you, a baby?"
Heart pounding, the werewolf wiped his eyes. "I had a dream."
"Oh, I know."
"I tore Dean apart."
"Knew that too."
Frowning, Castiel kept the rest of the dream to himself. He didn't want to hear Gabriel's input about the phone call. It felt so real, but couldn't have been. Dean never liked to call Castiel, and was probably too busy with Sam to even think about him.
Getting ready for work, the werewolf forced his dreams to the back of his mind and tried to make himself presentable. He had several frees in the morning which he planned on spending avoiding other werewolves, hunters and Jackson Whittemore.
The moment Castiel and Gabriel reached the school, they parted ways. Cas settled himself down in the staff lounge with a coffee. The drink's strong and bitter scent drew many other teachers to his side. It was comforting to think of these adults as normal humans. They seemed untouched by the supernatural world and it reminded the werewolf of his past life as an angel. He used to observe them from cradle to grave as they lived. Every life had been filled with love and heartbreak, with kindness and cruelty. It was in those days he had longed to join them, if only for a moment. Reality did not live up to the fantasy, it seemed. The truth was that he was not made for normal. He had been crafted by God's own hand to guide and protect his father's favoured children and he couldn't even do that.
Relaxing back into his seat, Castiel noticed Adrian settle beside him. Pushing his glasses up his nose, the other teacher still seemed shaken from his 'attack' a few nights before. It wasn't completely obvious, but Castiel had experience noticing such things. The human was hiding his trauma well enough though.
"You have any classes now?" asked Adrian as he slurped his coffee.
Shaking his head, Castiel glanced out of the window.
The other teacher smiled. "Well, I'm heading into town in a while to get some text books for someone, if you want to join me." Adrian often extended a hand of friendship to Castiel, he had noticed. Lots of people did.
Licking his lips, Cas smiled. "Gladly."
Just as they began to discuss their trip, Coach burst in screaming about something. Storming right up to Castiel, he pressed a finger right in his chest. "Your brother is the devil! He's a pure evil little crapcake. When I see him next, I'm squishing him right into the ground."
Blue eyes blowing wide, Cas gripped the table to stop his chair tipping over. Heart racing, he bit his lip and slowed his breathing. "What has Gabriel done now?" he managed to pant.
"Like you don't know! You're probably in on it. Dick." Bobby's face was growing redder and redder. "He put my car on the roof. How does someone do that? How?"
Frowning, Adrian pried Bobby's had from Cas and stood between the men. "Are you sure it wasn't a prank from Stilinski or McCall?" From behind Adrian, Cas' hands clenched at the mention of Scott. "It's not likely to be Castiel, is it?"
Huffing, Coach's wild eyes darted to Cas, and watched as he squirmed in his seat. Bobby didn't like the look of this 'Mr Novak' much less his creepy little brother. How the guy got away with anything was a mystery. "You," he pointed to Castiel, "You gotta get my car off the roof before lunch. Or I'll be shoving a jock-strap in your carburettor," and stormed off to his first lesson.
Breathing slowly, Castiel reclined back into the seat, steadying himself. A man like Bobby Finstock would have left him unfazed before the 'changes'… either of them. But there was something about a man who wouldn't listen that drove Cas insane. Bobby was a whirlwind all of his own and unlike most humans Cas had met out in public.
Suddenly, a hand on his shoulder jolted him out of his thoughts. "Let's go into town now, he won't be able to catch you or your car there." Adrian's joking smile disturbed the werewolf. There was something wrong with a human who could just fake their emotions.
Shaking his head, Castiel politely declined and stood. "I do not wish to be on the wrong side of any of my co-workers in just the second week here." The sad fact was that it was the truth. In the first week he couldn't have cared less what others thought of him, but now he was stuck here he had to blend in.
Sighing, the other teacher bid Castiel goodbye and left. All of the teachers had gone to their lessons, bar two, Castiel and Ms Morrell, who sat smiling at him. "Well handled. Coach Finstock can be a handful at the best of times." Something about her words struck Cas as odd. The way she said 'Handled' made his skin crawl, as if she knew the other possible consequences of the scenario.
"I've 'handled' worse than his kind." Bitterness seeped from his words, regardless of how hard he tried to hide it. "I'm sure I'd like him if Gabriel didn't keep 'Pranking' him like this." He must have a talk with his brother about it.
Frowning, the young woman stood from her chair. "Do you need help getting his car down?" A sharp nod was all Castiel replied with. "If it's even there." She huffed laughter at her own joke.
"It will be."
When they both got to the roof, there was a wheel-less Lancia Dedra propped up on cinder blocks. The two teachers inspected the rest of the damage before Morrell turned to Castiel, "You're lucky Bobby's not pressing charges. I mean… this is criminal damage."
Shrugging, the werewolf walked to the edge of the roof and looked down. He couldn't just lower it down. "Gabriel has done much worse." Turning back towards the car, he mumbled, "An angel would be able to get this down."
"Yeah, it's a shame we can't keep them in jars."
Squinting at the sun, Castiel shielded his eyes with his arm. "They wouldn't like that." This is strange, he thought. To be talking to a human so flippantly about what he once was… it was like a weight lifted from his chest, even if it was all just in jest.
"Yeah, that, and they're generally busy with-"
"-killing demons."
Morrell gave a true, honest-to-god, laugh, one Castiel rarely heard these days. "I was gonna say Heaven, but your one's good too."
With a sad smile, the werewolf turned his attention back to the task at hand. After an internet search on Morrell's phone, they ordered a crane to come. Castiel wasn't even sure how he was going to afford it, but money had habit of just appearing whenever he needed it.
The two teachers waited sat on the roof, Cas' legs swinging off the edge, admiring the scenery. California was beautiful, especially Beacon Hills. There were trees lining every road and stray path, the golden sun blazing high above them. The nights it rained gave it the sense of magic Castiel missed. He could tell… feel it in the air, vibrating and buzzing like lightning in a thunderstorm. Perhaps it was what was left of his grace, but deep down he knew it was just another monstrous quality he had been 'gifted' by the Alpha.
Cutting through the silence, Ms Morrell's voice reminded Cas he was not alone. "You're different to… anyone I think I've ever met before."
Nodding, he gripped clasped his hands in his lap. "That's because I'm not like anyone you've met before." It was a truth that was never going to change regardless of how his situation evolved.
"Why is that?"
Castiel kept silent, watching over the town. There was an urge there to tell her everything, to confide in her, but he wasn't stupid. "You are different to others I've met here too."
A small hum of amused agreement came from her, before they fell into an amiable silence. Neither needed to speak; it was like two old friends slipping into their special routine after many years apart.
The crane came too soon, breaking the pair's peace. The hired hand made short work of returning the car to its rightful space in the lot and Castiel made his way to his classroom to get it ready for the students' presentations in period after lunch.
He was excited to hear what they had found out and what twists they would spin on their given ancient figures. Well, he had known some personally whether through Heaven, or for telling them to get back on that goddamned horse and fight for their people. After seeing McCall's previous projects, though, he was certain Stilinski would be the main contributor to their piece.
Sitting back in his chair, he glanced out of the window. It was lunchtime and his 'guest' had yet to arrive. There was niggling hope that the Alpha had died, or forgotten about him. Castiel wasn't so lucky and the door swung open.
Peter leant in the doorway, watching his beta slowly swallow as he turned to face him. Fear was thick in the air, and so unlike the man he had met those times before. His eyes were wide, and revealed how strikingly blue they naturally were. But it wasn't the blue Peter wanted to see. Castiel's fear was an intriguing development, but not unexpected. Peter remembered fear.
The Alpha made no move to enter the room, and Castiel watched from the corner of his eye. It felt like being hunted. That thought made his gut knot. "You're here then," he said, his voice breaking.
"'There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.' Sun Tzu." Peter stepped into the room, and made his way to his beta's side. Leaning on the desk, into Castiel's personal space, he continued. "I don't want this to take longer than it has to. We've already lost so much ground with this little song and dance."
The knowing, recognisable tone made Cas feel sick. He wanted nothing more to just fall into it. Fall in line and obey the man who was there when he hurt most. Biting his tongue, Castiel tried to remember… had to remember that this was the man that gave him the wounds in the first place. This was the man that made him a monster; took everything away from him. What the beta wanted was justice and freedom.
Sighing at the lack of response, Peter placed a hand on his beta's shoulder. It both amused and hurt to watch Cas flinch, although he had known what to expect. This was a lot to register for a human-turned werewolf. Blue-Eyes had a lot of resilience, a willpower Peter had not seen in anyone but hunters or monsters.
Forcefully shrugging out from the Alpha's grip, Castiel stood. He wasn't going to be seen as inferior. Not to a monster. He was a warrior of God, even if he had lost his rank and powers. It was in his blood.
"I want you in my pack, but if you will not join it I must eliminate the threat." Peter's words were crisp and he straightened up. Pressing close to his beta, he kept eye contact the whole time, hoping to see a glimmer of that heavenly blue.
Nearly stumbling back with how close the Alpha was, Castiel grit his teeth. The scent from that night filled his senses. The voice. Everything about the Alpha ordered Castiel to bend knee and bare his neck. Everything in his blood told him to give in and take an alpha, join the pack.
And Peter could see it. Castiel's eyes flicking from one place to the other, trying to look anywhere but at his alpha. Peter could feel the heartbeat rise.
"I won't be a killer."
Peter simply smiled, leaning closer, breath misting on his beta's face. "You already are." In that moment the Alpha could see all of the tumblers fall in place and Castiel's resolve crumble. Those blue eyes burned brighter than he'd ever seen on another of his kind. Stepping back, he watched the other man fall to his knees, hands splayed on the tiles beneath him.
"I can- can't kill them." That dream… he wouldn't do that to Dean. He had done it so many times before. Looking up at Peter, Castiel felt himself completely break. "Please." He was no longer an angel, a soldier. He was just a puppy, begging for his master's forgiveness.
Kneeling down, in front of his beta, Peter placed a hand on his shoulder. "I will not have you kill your old pack to prove your loyalty to me. I just want you to- to get close to Scott, convince him to join our family." Peter could deal with Derek.
Slowing his breath, Castiel nodded. He hated this. "I have a date with his mother tonight."
"Perfect." Straightening himself out, Peter patted Castiel on the head and made to leave the room. "We'll talk more soon. Then you can tell me all about it." Making his way through the halls, he remembered the night he chose Castiel. How the unarmed man had fought back unafraid. How he tried to save everyone. And how wide his eyes went when he realised that he would die. It was the right choice to let him live.
Stood by his locker, Scott smelt something familiar. The scent of a blazing fire. Glancing around, he tried to figure out whether he should ring the alarms. However, something accompanied it, a bloodlust and someone else's fear. Locking eyes on Peter, the young werewolf struggled to keep his claws in. The Alpha was coming out of Mr Novak's class.
Keeping his head down, not prepared to fight the Alpha at all, let alone in front of his peers, he nudged Stiles. His friend then proceeded to swing his head around with all the subtly of a pigeon in an old bell tower.
When Stiles noticed Peter, his heart froze and he swore he was gonna die just from that. With a lump in his throat and overwhelming urge to dive out of a window, he turned to face the lockers. Look busy, look busy, he thought to himself.
The moment Peter was gone from the building, Scott swung Stiles around. "What's he doing here?"
"Don't look at me, man; I'm not the werewolf."
After a moment staring over Stiles' shoulder, at the closed classroom door, the young wolf bit his tongue. "He wanted Mr Novak." Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Scott started for the door. There was no way of knowing what was behind it, posters were stuck over the window on the other side. Holding his breath, Scott prepared himself for the worst, and tightened his grip on the handle.
"Whoa! We ain't going in there, are we? I mean- I mean he could be dead. I don't think I can see another dead body for another, I dunno… lifetime." Stiles was on the edge of a panic attack, his hands violently shaking as he reached to pull Scott back. Sure, he used to be excited by the whole idea of finding a dead body, but he'd already seen way too many in the short space of a fortnight. He could literally say that this was a case of Stephen King's 'The Body'. You know, the one where those kids went to see a dead body and it just depressed them when they did. Like that.
Frowning, Scott gently touched the wood of the door. "And if he's dying?" he asked, his voice quiet.
Rubbing his eyes, Stiles knew how this was going to end. "O- okay, yeah, okay… you go in but I'll stand here, keeping guard, y'know." It was a coward's way out, and he knew he wouldn't be able to keep from following his friend.
"Gee, thanks man."
"Yep, I'm a great friend, off you go."
Scott's hand tightened itself around the cold metal of the handle and he twisted. Pressing his shoulder on the heavy wood, he began to step forwards. The scent of fear and fury hit him like a wave as it forced its way through the widening gap. Stepping into the room, he began to let the door swing shut behind him.
Grabbing it before it could fully close, Stiles steeled himself. "God, I'm gonna regret this," he said, entering behind Scott.
It wasn't as they expected. There was no blood, no death only pain and fury; disgrace and betrayal. Both boys set eyes on Castiel, who was still kneeling where he had been left. "Mr N?" Scott took a hesitant step further in.
"Yo, Scott… Look." Stiles pointed to the teacher's hands. His claws were fully extended.
"Mr Novak?" Scott hesitantly crouched beside Castiel. "You can't be here like this."
Growling, Cas sobbed. He managed to retract his claws, but his eyes still shone bright. If Stiles had to describe the colour, it would be like a nebula. You know, that stunning ethereal blue found only in the deepest parts of space. The idea of space was terrifying, all wild and untouchable.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Castiel opened them back to show them back to their natural blue. Slowing his breath, he then stood and returned to his desk. "Take your seats, if you wish. Class will start soon."
Trading tentative glances, the boys took their seats at the front of the room. It wasn't their usual spot, but they weren't gonna risk Mr Novak going wolf in class without Scott trying to stop him.
As expected, class felt like it would never finish. Mr Novak has sat to the right of Scott in his wheelie chair, watching the presentations and jotting down notes. Sometimes the young wolf would glance over and notice the letters weren't really… letters. He was so distracted by the strange writing that he literally jumped from his chair when Mr Novak turned to him.
"It's Enochian. Please pay attention to your peers."
When it was Scott and Stiles' turn to present, he regretted not rehearsing as much as Stiles had. Sure, he wasn't rambling like he was, but that was because he lacked information to ramble on. At least when Stiles spoke he knew his stuff.
By the end of the class, Scott was pretty damn sure he was gonna fail this class too.
Stiles, however, was still adrenaline fuelled and practically ran from the classroom. Scott had to jog to catch up. He didn't want to leave the class so soon. In fact, he wanted to hang around to see if Mr Novak was okay before they all went home. But that didn't happen, and he didn't really feel like walking, with Stiles as his ride.
Slowly, Castiel worked his way across the classroom picking up stray sheets and pushing in chairs. His students had all left him in peace, which he was grateful for. There was no way he wished to hold a conversation with a confused teenager right now. His head was still reeling from earlier and aching from his internal battle. All that effort had gone to waste the moment he bent knee to the Alpha.
From the corner of his eye, he watched Gabriel enter the room haphazardly mopping the floor. Both ignored each other for a few moments, before the archangel huffed and dropped the mop into its bucket. "It happened, din't it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Castiel kept his eyes on the sheet in front of him.
Gabriel hummed as he sat on a desk, feet propped on the chair behind. "You never were a good liar Cassie. Look at me."
Cas couldn't bring himself to. He didn't want to show his big brother the shame in his eyes. But, Gabriel being Gabriel, he wouldn't let it be. Snapping his fingers he appeared a few paces in front of the werewolf, hand gripping his chin in place. "Gabriel, please…" Cas sounded drained.
"Listen, you lil' ass-wipe, I know you got yourself a master who's way off the reservation."
Unable to resist eye contact, Castiel scowled and pushed his brother from him. "Do you think I don't know that? I'm not an idiot, Gabriel. Perhaps if you were doing your job as an angel and actually saving people we wouldn't have such an issue." Temper rising, he tried to resist it. He had no anchor, nothing to stop him from turning savage. Maybe the Alpha could help him with that.
Shaking his head, Gabriel merely rambled on to himself. A sudden knock on the door broke the awkward silence. As it opened, the Archangel disappeared. Justin peered around with raised eyebrows. "I heard shouting."
Shrugging, Castiel picked up his bag. "It's been a rough day, that's all." Turning to his friend, he tilted his head. "What are you doing here?"
Smiling sadly, Justin entered the room. "There's been a report of a suspicious person leaving your classroom earlier today."
Nodding, Castiel flicked his hand for the State Detective to follow him out. They walked in a companionable silence, allowing Cas time to think of a decent lie. It was hard. Really hard. He couldn't bring himself to say any ideas that came to his head. Only the truth rested on his tongue, so he said nothing.
As they reached the parking lot, Justin turned to stop the werewolf. "Look, I know guys like me and you have secrets. That's cool. If it helps, this is just protocol. I don't have to… bring any of this up with the other cops if its- its, uh, personal." Dancing around the topic, Justin gave Cas a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Nodding, the teacher glanced around and licked his lips. "Peter Hale visited my class to talk about 'personal' issues."
Smiling, Justin just listened. Each little inflection and strange mannerism logged.
"He wanted me to join him."
"Thank you Castiel. You know you can trust me with anything else. I won't judge." After a beat, he then said, "do you want a ride home?"
Frowning, Cas glanced around and noticed Gabriel's car had already left the lot. With a sharp nod, he took the offer. He liked Justin and enjoyed his company, much like he did with Morrell and Deaton. Although, he only spoke to them in strange situations
After dropping the beta off, Justin watched him enter the motel. It seemed the curtains were always closed, whether that was Castiel's longing for secrecy, or pure laziness, he didn't know. Dialling a number, the State Detective tapped a beat into the steering wheel. After two buzzes, the line was picked up. "Hey Katie, it's me."
"Justin, baby? What you get me?" He could hear a click of a door. Allison must've been nearby.
Reclining back into his leather seat, he glanced out of the open window at Castiel's door. "It's pretty much what we expected. Peter's rounding up his hounds, and Cassie-boy was first port-of-call."
"Anything else?"
"I got the feeling he succeeded."
"You sure? Chris'll want proof."
Laughing, Justin let his free hand hang out of the window, soaking up the sun's heat. "C'mon, hon, you never cared about that crap before we came here."
"Jus, we can't screw this one up, or it'll be Allison clearing it up in another five years."
"Okay, okay, I'll get you proof on the pack thing… but only if you get your best dress on; I'm taking you out to dinner before you do that thing with Allison." Before his fiancée could protest, Justin hung up the phone. Proof would be easy. This whole hunt was just Way. Too. Easy. He thought Cas would've been a lot smarter considering…
Allison spent her free afternoon in the woods preparing herself to confront Lydia who she had accompany her. They were alone, with no possibility of interruption. God, that makes me sound like I'm planning on killing her, she thought. It wasn't that she hadn't imagined it. C'mon all girls did when they see their best friends kissing their boyfriend. The bow and arrows didn't help make her feel any saner.
It was a strange confrontation, though. She had tried to get Lydia to crack, to show some guilt or something. She had also tried to get her jealous, but nothing seemed to work. Eventually, the girl gave up and admitted she knew. She knew Lydia had kissed Scott. She made to disguise her warning shot as a tester, however, when the arrow exploded on impact of the tree, she was more distracted by that.
Just as she examined the wounded bark, Allison heard the crunch of twigs a few paces ahead. Passing her bow back to Lydia, the girl made her way around to see what it was. Maybe it was just an animal.
Pulling out her stun gun, she fired. Hitting whatever it was, she moved around the tree. "Oh god!" Scott lay in a heap. Helping him up, Allison steadied her breathing. She didn't want to feel like this around him. She didn't want to love him.
The conversation was short and awkward. Still reeling from the electrocution, Scott gave Allison back her necklace and fed her a lie or two before leaving. He never meant to fall in love. As she hugged him, guilt and longing welled in his stomach. Sniffing her hair, he could smell the scent of sweet petals only found in spring.
Stiles felt really guilty using his dad like this. But plying him with whiskey was the best way to get information on the case. Putting morality aside it really was. Before long, the two men were discussing the case at length. What Stiles found out was disturbing. Like, it was all about an arson attack where everyone but one guy died. That guy was Peter Hale.
The more they delved into the case, the more Stiles found that Peter was exacting his own warped 'justice' on Beacon Hills. One arsonist at a time. You see, the Hale house was burnt down by an apparent 'electrical fault' a couple of years back. Everyone but Derek and Laura Hale had been trapped in it as they all roasted alive. Peter was the only survivor, and he was pissed. Wouldn't you be?
"What about Mr N, though?" Stiles asked, holding Derek's weird mug-shot with the flashing eyes.
Shrugging, Sheriff poured himself another drink. "Beats me. When I looked Castiel Novak up his files are squeaky clean. I- I mean he looks like a guy who disappeared years back… what was his name? Jimmy! Yeah, the guy thought angels were talking to him, then he hopped the crazy train."
Frowning, Stiles stood. "Dad, you gotta go to bed." When his dad started talking about mental health, he would always fall back to the same conversation. Stiles didn't want to think about it. Please.
After hours of preparation, choosing which outfit went with the occasion, Melissa settled on a black dress and her favourite blazer. It was the first time since Scott's dad that she had been on a date, and didn't want to come off as too keen. "God, but he's gorgeous," Melissa sighed to herself as she fastened her earrings. "I probably shouldn't even bother. He looked great in just a hospital gown." Shaking her head, she refused to get herself down.
Silence filled the house though Allison was in Scott's room, which was hopefully a good thing. The door was open and there wasn't arguing, so Melissa guessed they were actually having a mature conversation.
As the doorbell rang, excitement and butterflies filled her. What if Castiel didn't like her? What if this was just a parent-teacher meeting in disguise? Oh god! No Melissa, you can do this, she thought as she headed to Scott's room. "What do you think, too much? Oh god, it's too much isn't it?"
"Mrs McCall, you look amazing." Allison was the first to speak.
When asked to get the door for her date, Scott practically flew downstairs. It had been so long since he had seen his mom this happy. It would be good for her.
Just as his feet hit the ground floor, his heart stopped. There was that scent he knew so well. That spicy ginger and cane sugar one. Mom couldn't really be goin' on a date with HIM, could she? He thought.
Hand brushing against the door handle, he could hear the strange heartbeat on the other side. Mr Novak shouldn't be goin' on a date with my mom…
"Scott, answer the door." Melissa called from upstairs, breaking him out of his thought.
Slowly opening the door, it revealed Mr Novak, tugging at the lapels of his peacoat jacket and glancing at his ass in confusion. Scott just watched silently as his teacher shifted uncomfortably in his obviously new attire. The guy didn't look at home being dressed like this.
Huffing slightly, Castiel felt his outfit was touching all the wrong places. Gabriel had forced him to wear this stuff, claiming it was what women liked. What did Gabe know about women? He could create them out of thin air for God's sake. But still, Cas wasn't allowed to leave the motel in anything but. The slacks were an issue, he could feel his rear. He didn't like that one bit.
Clearing his throat, Scott finally made himself known. Obviously Mr Novak's keen werewolf senses weren't that good… at least, not when distracted by his outfit.
Jumping, Castiel looked up. "Hello Scott."
"Mr Novak." With a slight nod, Scott stepped out of the way and let his teacher enter the hall.
Looking around, Castiel was fascinated by how homey this house was. Family pictures lined the walls and little ornaments adorned shelves. "We're not in school. You may call be Castiel if you wish," he said, turning to face the young werewolf.
Okay, as weird as it was knowing his teacher's first name, it wasn't as weird as his first name. "What's that, like, Greek or something?"
Frowning, Castiel turned to look at a small framed painting. "Hebraic, actually. My Father was originally from Jerusalem." Examining the picture, he identified it as 'Fallen Angel'. "Alexander Cabanel…" Returning his attention to confused teen, Castiel smiled. "The artist who did this. Or the original, at least." It had always been Castiel's favourite, perhaps it still was. He could sympathise with the angel now, at least.
"Oh, yeah, mom found it in a garage sale for a dollar. It's nothing special really." Stepping between his teacher and the picture he examined, Scott got Castiel's attention. "Mr- Castiel, why are you doing this?"
Tilting his head, Castiel squinted. "Admiring the painting?"
"Going on a date with my mom." The young werewolf saw the other's eyes widen in realisation. "I mean, yeah, you saved my friends, and you're cool-"
"But?"
Leaning, in the boy whispered, "You're a werewolf." He pulled back. "You're new too. You don't even have an anchor. AND Peter's getting his claws in you." Scott could smell the growing fear, the speeding beat of Castiel's heart. "I don't want her hurt."
Sighing, Cas licked his lips. "I know, but I have faith that-"
"Faith won't heal her if you go feral."
No, faith wouldn't, not anymore, Castiel thought as he turned away to face the stairs. Melissa appeared at the top, strikingly beautiful. Perhaps Gabriel was right about 'dressing to impress'.
Seeing Castiel's eyes widen from the end of the staircase, Melissa's heart skipped a beat. This was real; she was going on a real date with an actual person. Making her way down, she entwined her arm through his extended one. He was so warm, and smelt as good as he looked. It actually made her mouth water a little. Saying goodnight to her son, she left for her date.
In the car Melissa couldn't resist talking about crap, but found Castiel seemed genuinely interested. "You actually like it when I talk about hospitals?"
Eyes on the road, Cas nodded. "I came from a family of- of medical professionals. It is nice to hear about it again." And it was. To think of how far humans had come with healing themselves; maybe angel's powers weren't as necessary as they insisted.
Smiling, Melissa lay back in the soft leather seat. The stereo turned on with the engine, and had been softly playing classic rock in the background. Creedence Clearwater Revival was playing now, accompanying the rock of the Barracuda. It reminded her of being a teenager again, when she'd sit in the back of Wesley's truck, listening to 'Walk on Water' with a beer and watching the stars.
Melissa almost didn't want to reach the restaurant, preferring to sit brushing shoulders with the beautiful Castiel and just enjoy the moment. However, they did reach it, and the car rumbled into valet of the Hotel Archange.
Gabriel had recommended the hotel too. Next time Castiel swore he would do the planning himself. Hopefully. He had planned to this time, but his brother insisted.
The Maître d' led them straight through the grand dining hall, up a small set of stairs and onto a private balcony overlooking the fairy lit gardens. "Wow." It was unreal. People didn't just do this for her. Melissa knew it was too much effort and money. She felt out of place here, with this beautiful, mysterious, man. Sat across from him, she watched as his eyes flicked over the wine list. He looked like he belonged here, in all his finery, surrounded by these magical little lights and candles.
Confused, Castiel struggled with this list. Alcohol was alcohol, wasn't it? With the Winchesters, he never had much time to be picky. Glancing up, he noticed Melissa watching him. Laughing, Castiel leant over the table, "I have no idea what I'm doing. Do you know anything about wines?"
With that the ice was broken. Both ended up ordering beers and fumbling with the French dish names. The more they talked, Melissa began to see him as something more than a teacher or otherworldly creature. He had a life, old friends. She heard about his last love and first kiss, a domineering nurse called Meg who called him her unicorn. He didn't say why they weren't together anymore, but she didn't pry. He also told her about his overly religious brothers, most who wanted him to be a soldier.
Then he spoke about his real family. The ones he found himself. The way he shone with excitement talking about them. Apparently that's where he found out about life's finer things; friends, alcohol, music and actual fun. Melissa sat back listening, enjoying not having to fuel the conversation for once. His gravelly voice was addictive.
When it was her turn to talk, she found little to say, but he seemed to enjoy it nonetheless. "God, I must sound boring. I mean, compared to you."
Shaking his head, Castiel took a gulp of beer. "Far from it, actually, I think your life is the interesting one." It was strange, telling her the truth through lies about his life made a weight feel lifted from him. He could talk with her for hours, years even, if she wanted. Hell, he swore he could tell her everything about his life. Even his real age. But that was crazy; the truth got people hurt.
Looking up from his beer, Castiel locked eyes with Melissa, who had been watching him as he was in deep thought. Sucking his bottom lip, he relaxed back into his seat. "And what about your husband?"
"Oh, him."
"You still go by McCall…"
Nodding, Melissa knew this would come up. It had to, if the guy was as perfect as he seemed. Tracing her finger across the pattern on the edge of her plate, Melissa sighed. "He's a jerk. A dick, really. He abandoned us to work in the FBI."
Castiel tensed at that.
"So I divorced him. I kept the surname because it's Scott's." She gave the gentlest smile Cas had seen since… since he witnessed Mary cradle Dean. "So, you don't have to worry, I'm not cheating on anyone."
Returning the smile, Castiel leant in, elbows either side of the plate. "I never thought you were."
After dining in peace, Melissa knew she was going try to keep Castiel. Hell, he was something so rare and special she wanted to put him in a jar, or something. She knew it sounded crazy, and that was why she wouldn't tell him that. Thing is, Castiel saw something in her, too. It wasn't the Alpha making him do this, but he really wanted to stay with her…
"Mrs McCall!" A female voice cut through their peace.
Startled, Castiel swung his gaze around to see a tall blonde woman dressed in a blood red gown. He did recognise the man at her side, Justin.
Confused and a little annoyed, Melissa plastered on a fake smile, one Cas could see straight through. "You're Allison's aunt, Kate is it?"
"Yeah, and can I tell you that I see where Scott gets it from? You're stunning." Smiling, all teeth, Kate turned to Castiel. "And who is this handsome devil?"
After an awkward beat of silence, Castiel remembered himself and stood to take her hand, placing a small peck on it. "I'm Castiel, pleasure to meet you." In truth, he felt like smiting her, for whatever reason. Perhaps he just didn't like her perfume.
"I'm sorry, Katie, honey, let's leave Cas- Castiel and Melissa to finish their meal." With that Justin guided Kate away, whispering something Cas couldn't quite catch.
Laughing, Melissa watched the two of them leave. "This place isn't quite as exclusive as I thought."
Smiling, Castiel paid the bill. "Shall we go?" Extending a hand, he helped Melissa from her seat and they headed out. "Perhaps we could go to a bar, if you wish?"
Getting in the car, Melissa gave a smile, even if only to herself. "Why don't we go back to mine. I've got beer… and whiskey, if you like that." She had no idea what she was doing. She knew Scott was out, he had told her he would be doing… whatever. She couldn't blame the beer for this, c'mon she didn't even drink that much.
Tilting his head, Castiel gazed into Melissa's deep brown eyes. She was saying something he couldn't hear with them. Something laced in the words. Meg had done similar. Less subtly. Humans only did that when they meant… "Oh!" Eyes widening, Castiel looked straight ahead, car still in front of the entrance.
Heart sinking slightly, Melissa knew what that meant. "I'm sorry, just- just forget I said anything."
Why was his heart beating so fast? "Melissa… It's just- I've… I'm not..."
"No no, please let's go to that bar. Forget what I-"
Her words were stopped by Castiel softly pressing his mouth against hers. It was a small, gentle kiss, tender. Melissa melted into the touch, melted into the way his thumb ran against her cheek. Pulling away, Castiel's eyes were blown wide and shimmering blue.
He wanted her to tell him to forget it, that he wasn't what she wanted. But he also wanted her to want him. He barely knew her but he could see her soul. He hadn't lost that much of himself.
Holding her breath, Melissa knew he was terrified. She could see it. "You've never...?"
"I've- I've kissed, nothing more."
Heart stopping, Melissa thought she had just fallen in love. Tracing her fingertip against his lip, she smiled. "It's okay, I'll help. Let's just get to mine first."
That night, Castiel and Melissa lay entwined beneath the cool cotton sheets. Gently running his hand down her arm, he felt her warmth radiate, felt her glow. Every little shift he made, she would hold him closer and whisper something into his chest. There was no way he was moving, not even the apocalypse could make him. For the first time ever, Castiel slept with no nightmares and only thoughts of Melissa. He had found his anchor.
A/N:
Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but I'm so excited to get this moving again. =]
I'd like to clarify, the canon pairings for this fic are Dean/Cas, Melissa/Cas, Kate/Justin and any show!canon.
This was written so that you can take whatever ships you want from it, much like the shows have them. Sterek etc. are not fic!canon, but you let your ships sail if you want em!