Ocean Kisses

Coming Home?

Ren pov

I stayed underwater for only a few more nights, my thoughts heavier than the ocean around me. The weight of the sea felt different, colder somehow, and no matter how much I tried to immerse myself in my duties, it wasn't enough to shake the feeling of emptiness that clung to me. So, I swam back to the sanctuary, shifting into my human form as soon as I reached the shore and dried myself off. The chill of the night air wrapped around me, and instinctively, I shifted into my wolf form to keep the warmth close, to feel something familiar and comforting.

I was about to head back to Doc's place, to see them both again, but then I heard something in the distance. A dog barking—a joyful sound, a new presence in the air. I froze, my heart sinking slightly as I listened. Then, I heard a child's voice, high-pitched and full of laughter, screaming with joy. "I got a dog! I got a dog!" The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I felt something twist in my chest.

I didn't know why, but it felt like I was being replaced. A new dog, a new companion for his son, while I had been away. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, but more than that, I felt out of place. The quiet ache of being forgotten, or at least no longer needed, washed over me.

I stood there in the shadows, watching from a distance, unsure of what to do. I hadn't announced my presence, hadn't approached them, because something deep inside told me it wasn't the right time. They seemed happy. Doc and his son, with the new dog—everything looked so perfect. Maybe they were better off without me. Maybe I was just a fleeting part of their lives, a memory that would fade with time.

I wanted to go to them, to find my place again, but the fear of being unwanted held me back. I remained hidden, uncertain if I was even allowed to be a part of their world anymore. And so, I stood there, letting the moments pass, watching them from afar, as I tried to convince myself that they were better off without me—at least, that’s what I thought in the silence of the night.

I laid still in the underbrush, blending into the shadows, my wolf form making it easier to remain unnoticed. The sound of soft footsteps on the ground broke through the silence, and I watched as Doc came out from the house, a steaming cup of coffee in his hands. He looked relaxed, as if the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders in the simplicity of that moment. The soft clink of his mug against his lips as he took a sip was almost calming, like the world outside the sanctuary could exist without the chaos I had been feeling.

I didn't want to intrude, not now. I didn't want to risk disturbing the peace they had built without me. Doc had every right to move on, to find happiness with his son and their new companion. They seemed content, and part of me wanted to keep it that way, even if it hurt.

Doc stood there for a while, seemingly lost in his thoughts, his eyes scanning the yard as if expecting something—or maybe someone—to appear. It was strange to watch him from this distance, as though I were a ghost, haunting the edges of his life. His smile was small, but there, and it made my heart ache. I wanted to be close to him again, to hear his voice and share in the warmth he had always provided. But I stayed hidden, not ready to confront the reality of what I was feeling.

As I watched, I noticed something shift in Doc's expression. It was subtle, but he seemed to pause, his gaze lingering on the space where I hid. My breath caught for a moment, and I froze, unsure if he had sensed something. But after a few seconds, he shrugged it off, taking another sip of his coffee before turning and heading back inside, leaving me with nothing but the rustling of leaves and the quiet ache in my chest.

I stayed there for a little longer, watching the life I had once been a part of go on without me. The world moved, as it always did, and I was left behind in the underbrush, just another shadow in the distance.