Page 26 of Taken By the Pack

I need the heat to shake off the hours of driving. I’m not exactly in the mood to relax, but I need to unwind.

Once done, I dry off, throwing on a pair of black jeans and a dark gray hoodie.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand. It’s a message from Dr. Lowe. I roll my eyes. I don’t know if it’s the exhaustion or the whole “official business” vibe, but I don’t care much for these types of check-ins.

Still, I grab my phone and dial her number.

The call rings once. Twice.

“Hello, Ash. How was the trip?” Dr. Lowe’s voice is calm, professional.

“Just got here,” I say. “Safe and sound.”

“Good to hear. I hope everything goes smoothly for you,” she says. “In case you need anything while you’re there, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ve got everything covered for you.”

“Thanks,” I say, standing by the window and looking out at the shore. The water’s so damn blue it almost doesn’t look real. “I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

“Have a successful trip, Ash. We’re counting on you.”

I chuckle. “I’ll have a report for you by end of week.” I end the call, then toss my phone on the bed.

I need to get out of here. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m finally away from the grind, or maybe it’s the damn ocean calling to me, but I can’t sit still.

I grab my jacket and head out the door.

The sea air hits me as soon as I step outside, and it’s refreshing. The sun’s starting to dip below the horizon, casting a soft orange glow over the town.

I get in the car, toss it into gear, and drive down toward the shore.

I’m no longer sleepy. Or in a hurry. There’s no agenda right now. I’m just taking in the sights. I pull up to the water’s edge, finding a quiet spot to park.

The tide pools are scattered along the rocky coast, and I walk down to get a closer look.

It’s peaceful. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks is soothing, almost hypnotic. The ocean’s rhythm hits me, and I can already feel my mind shifting.

This is it. This is where I’m supposed to be.

This shore? This’ll be my office for months. I can already see it now—working with the fishermen, studying the tide pools, learning the currents.

But for now, I’m just here. Alone. Taking it all in.

The salt air bites at my skin, but it’s a welcome kind of cold. I crouch by one of the pools, peering at the little creatures scurrying along the rocks. I can’t help but smile.

This place is something else. It’s not just the water—it’s the whole damn town. It’s got its own vibe. I can feel it in my bones.

A breeze picks up, ruffling my hair, and I look out to the horizon. That’s when I spot it. The lighthouse.

It’s far off, but the light from it flashes every few seconds, cutting through the fog that’s starting to roll in.

I stare at it for a while, imagining what it must be like up there, at the top, watching the world from its height.

The tide’s coming in, waves lapping against the rocks more aggressively now, as if they’re calling me to stay longer.

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter to myself. “You’ll get your way eventually.”

I glance around, already planning my next move. I’m going to need to partner up with some of the local fishermen, make some connections here.

They’ll be crucial for what I’ve got in mind.

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