Somewhere in the preserve - Morning

[need_no_moon]

Jake hadn't moved since last night. The only change since last evening was that at some point, he'd pulled on his boxer briefs, but he still sat with his back against a tree, his clothes in a pile beside him. He'd heard Sam moving between the trees, restless and waiting for him, but he'd ignored it and finally Sam had left. Jake hoped he'd gone

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[puppywithatutu]

It would have been easier for Caroline to find Jake if he had been making a lot of noise, but no, he was silent and she was a terrible tracker.

But she wasn't stupid. Caroline pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed Jake, closing her eyes to listen for the obnoxious ringtone she'd set for herself and trying not to think of the last time she'd used this strategy to find something she'd lost.

[puppywithatutu]

Her furrowed brow lifted in surprise at the movement of his finger. In an instant she was snuggling herself against his chest and reaching to tug his arms around her for him. "You might not be able to hug me, but I can make it kind of happen and without even compelling you like Sam," she murmured, resting her head against his chest.

[need_no_moon]

He couldn't tighten his arms around her, but it was something at least. More than he had a moment ago.

He leaned his head down, trying to at least move closer to her and he wondered if maybe it all would be okay if they could stay like this.

[puppywithatutu]

"It'll be fine," she murmured to herself, like so long as she kept it from being silent for too long, she could forget he wasn't allowed to talk to her. "I know how this goes. You'd rub your thumb on my forehead and say, 'Caroline, stop worrying about things you can't control. It doesn't matter what Sam said. I'll take care of it.' and then I'd snuggle against you like this and remind you that freaking out is my coping mechanism and you'd roll your eyes and say something like, 'sure, sure.'"

[need_no_moon]

He let out a breath, amused that at least she could have this conversation without him needing to say anything. And how could Sam think that was wrong? How could anything this good be wrong at all?

The amusement faded almost as fast as it had come and he sighed, leaning his head back against the tree.

[puppywithatutu]

It really sucked, there was no avoiding that conclusion and Caroline was mostly just trying to figure out what she could do or say to make Sam fix this. "I think Sam's leaving today. This might be our only chance to fix this...unless you're going with him."

[need_no_moon]

At least growling wasn't talking because that the response she got the instant she suggested it. He couldn't stand the thought of having anything to do with Sam right now. Even if part of him knew Sam was the key, without his approval, this wasn't going to go away.

Fuck, but he didn't want to go back and grovel. He hated this. Hated what Sam had done and how he'd abused his position as alpha. It pissed him off and her efforts at getting him to relax all came undone by the mention of just one name.

[puppywithatutu]

"Hey," she warned, her hand tapping firmly against his shoulder. "I wouldn't blame you if you went, okay? This sucks and I honestly have zero solutions that don't somehow involve him."

[need_no_moon]

He shook his head, which surprisingly worked as well and that at least was something. No. He wasn't leaving. No way. Chances were he'd try and strangle Sam.

[puppywithatutu]

Oh good, head shaking. Then maybe that meant he could nod, too. Caroline had a sudden idea. "Let's try some yes and no questions, okay?"

[need_no_moon]

Jake nodded and it was rather pathetic how pleased he seemed to have figured out he could do this whole non verbal communication. Thank god for the alpha orders being so fucking literal.

[puppywithatutu]

"Good!" And like anyone would do for a good puppy, she pet her hand over his shoulder. "Okay, so you're staying here. Do you have a plan?"

[need_no_moon]

Aside from not wanting to have anything to do with Sam? Jake shook his head no. He had had a plan before, but being in Sam's presence right now was the last thing he wanted to do.

[puppywithatutu]

"So, are you just going to think for a while and see what happens?" Caroline asked, resting her head back against his chest, though still looking up so she could see the movement of his reply.

[need_no_moon]

Jake nodded, because he honestly didn't know what he was supposed to do or how you smooth talked someone who you couldn't stand. He sighed as he watched her, knowing he'd have to suck it up eventually.

[puppywithatutu]

Her face fell and Caroline couldn't help feeling absurdly frustrated with that answer. "So you're just, not going to talk to me or kiss me for as long as this lasts?"