Page 1 of Spike

1

GRAY

Huddled in my car, shivers coursing through me despite being covered in layers of blankets, I sighed as the cold penetrated every corner of the vehicle.

My growling stomach didn't help. My last meal was a sandwich from the convenience store this morning, or was it yesterday?

Focus on one problem at a time, I reminded myself.

The heater broke down again. Another thing on the ever-growing list of repairs my wallet couldn't currently afford.

Glancing at the meager contents of my wallet — just ten dollars — I knew priorities had to be set. The heater would have to wait until I found a job, any job that paid the bills.

Over the past five years, I'd gone from waiting tables to working the gas station, to the monotonous grind of the warehouse, and even the occasional harvest jobs.

As I stared out at the misting car window, I couldn't help but wonder if my life was destined to be a constant struggle.

Scraping by, chasing some kind of stability, and wrestling with the unknown every single day—this couldn't go on forever.

Tentatively, I pulled out my cellphone from under the layers of blankets and opened my latest message from Jack.

We'd crossed paths at a bar two nights ago. The owner knew me, cut me some slack, and let me warm up inside without needing to order anything a few times.

I sat in a lonely corner nursing my cup of water when Jack sauntered by, offering to buy me a drink.

Handsome Jack, with his wheat gold hair and bright blue eyes. I might not have much experience when it came to dating but I wasn’t born yesterday.

Guys like Jack didn’t hit on guys like me without wanting something. My inner wolf, always skeptical, chimed in, echoing my sentiments.

After a while, it became evident that Jack sensed I wasn't going to reciprocate his advances. Still, he casually told me to hit him up anytime, handing me his number.

Now, I found myself staring at it miserably. How pathetic was I that I had no one to turn to but this random alpha werewolf?

No, I decided, I wasn't that desperate yet. Shoving my phone away, I wrapped my blankets more tightly around my body.

Attempting to lie down once more, I realized it was no use. Sleep eluded me, and the cold became unbearable, seeping through the layers of inadequate warmth.

I blew out a frustrated breath. It struck me then—I'd finally hit my lowest point. Ever since my father passed away, I'd relied solely on myself.

Jack entering my life, it occurred to me, might not have been a fluke of fate. Were there genuinely good people out there?

Perhaps I'd been too stubborn, too set in my solitary ways to see it. As the notion settled in, I considered the possibility that Jack might end up being the one.

Shifters believed in mating for life, a concept I'd always viewed more as a curse than a privilege.

After my omega dad passed away in his sleep, my alpha dad, fell apart. He clung to life for my sake, but he’d changed and had always been a little distant.

Why was I thinking about all of this now? Maybe the cold was finally getting to me.

All I craved at that moment was a simple night's sleep in a warm bed. Was that really too much to ask for?

Pushing my stubborn pride aside, I mustered the courage to call Jack. After three rings, he picked up.

"Hey, Jack? It's uh, Gray. Not sure if you remember me, but we met two nights ago at a bar,” I began, my voice slightly hesitant.

It soon occurred to me that Jack might have completely forgotten about me, and I wondered if making this call was in vain.

With his striking looks and confident demeanor, Jack probably had no trouble luring anyone to his bed.

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