Castiel feels guilty for his distance, though he can't bring himself to show it yet, or beg forgiveness. Not until he's figured out what game is being played on him, exactly. He wants to believe that Sam feels genuine affections for him, wants it badly - he chose Sam based on that belief, based on a crazed desire for a year of being with someone who values him.

Finding out that someone is partners with a person who's disgusted by Castiel's very being is... unsettling.

"I will be. Sleep well, Sam. Tomorrow is an important day for you."

he steps closer for a moment, letting Sam breathe his scent, letting himself be embraced loosely. Then he withdraws and leaves after another lingering look. Walks to the guest house without waiting to see if Gabriel follows, because he know his cousin will come with him.

Castiel wonders how repulsed Gabriel is by this task, how much the Novak alpha has to bear for whatever deal he might have struck with Sam.

"I'm not afraid of you," he says once the door of the guest house closes behind them. Gabriel is an alpha - but they used to be so close. Castiel was afraid of Zachariah, Luke, Michael. Never Gabriel. Castiel crosses his arms, and stands firm and tall, the anger obvious in his eyes now that they're alone. "So tell me. Did you not have enough money to seal the deal with the Winchester pack, or did you manipulate the courting as an afterthought merely to spite Zachariah?"