Baund was feeling hot as hell. His latte-creme colored fur was trimmed smooth and styled. His form was slender and lithe. His designer sunglasses were intentionally set halfway down his snout to block some of the rays of the sun but also give off a coy, flippant aura. And his hot pink thong was sculpting all of his manly bits in as eye-catching a way as he could. The display was wrapped up in the bow of a fruity drink served out of a coconut and a straw that was curvier than could ever be considered practical. And he certainly was getting attention, if the stares were any indication. Stranger after stranger were glancing his way as he lounged on his towel. Poised perfectly to show off the sculpted and catered image he spent hours planning out and workshopping. He side-eyed beachgoer after beachgoer as they walked passed. Daring any of them to come close and initiate. A couple blushed and hurried on, a couple winked, a couple whistled, but zero came up to talk to him. It only added insult to injury. The Shiba flicked his ear in annoyance. But Baund wasn't hot under the collar from the lack of attention from strangers; however, it was the lack of interest from the object of [b]his[/b] attention that was bristling his fur. The wolf he had put in all this effort for. His new husband, Karnot. Karnot was off playing with his hole. ----- The wolf in question was a couple of meters away. Paying tribute and participation to the time honored tradition that all men feel when they are at a beach. At the point where land becomes sea and construction efforts turn fruitless. Where the elements of wind, surf, and sun all seem dead set at stymying man’s efforts. The twinge of futility matched only with the egotistical desire to stake one’s claim. The inherently masculine desire to build, construct, and, in Karnot’s case, dig. Karnot was happier than a lark on Sunday. His lips cemented in a grin, fangs glowing, tongue lazily panting, as his shovel speared into the silica. His muscles bulged taut and power rippled across his arms, torso, and thighs as he dug. The repetitive motions were hypnotizing. Scoop after scoop of mineral was piled there and scoop after scoop of progress was made here. It was only about a meter deep and round but it was his hole. His! And he was completely content to continue digging it. Devoid of any awareness how his behavior might be affecting the love of his life. Totally incognizant of anything, or anyone, else. ----- The dredges of Baund’s drinks sputtered as it was vacuumed through the elongated straw. The Shiba vocalizing some of his irritation at the wolf through the harsh, echoing din. Baund knew it was pointless. With that face, Karnot’s brain was just as empty as his drink now was. It was quite irksome. No. It was worse. It was humiliating! Here they were, on their honeymoon, at this lovely resort, at this wonderful holiday destination, on this perfect day, at the perfect season, with this perfect husband looking all smoking hot, with that husband looking so fucking sexy as he dug. And Baund was being ignored. For [b]fucking[/b] sand. The shiba bit down on his straw. Growling softly to no one. Now wasn’t the time to get angry though, the Shiba knew. Now was the time to figure out what to do about it. Sure, he [b]could[/b] call out to Karnot, he [b]could[/b] tell him to stop playing with his hole and give him some attention, he [b]could[/b] communicate clearly, succinctly, and nonjudgmentally and all those things. But that wasn’t going to fly! That would be admitting defeat! Baund had his own manly pride at stake here and he wasn’t going to lay belly up and lose to dirt. He knew Karnot, he knew what to do. That wolf was a hunter, Baund just needed to give him the right bait to track and he’d fall right into his trap. He stood, hanging his lanyard holding his roomkey, ID, and cash around his neck. He turned his back towards Karnot before speaking. “Karo, my drink’s empty. I’m going to head over to the bar and get another. You want anything?” The slender Shiba bent forward, pulling the back strap of his sandals around his heel. Knowing that doing so would just flash his ass Karnot’s way. “No, I’m good, BB.” Was all the response he received, along with another thunk as the shovel broke through the subsurface. [i]’Well, okay then. Game on.’[/i] “Then I’ll be back in three minutes. And if I’m not…” The shiba turned to look over his shoulder. Eyes fluttering, smile smirking, and tail curling. All at his mate. The handsomest wolf on this beach. “Well, I guess you’ll just have to come find me.” “No problem, babe.” He responded, completely and totally ignorant of the danger he was provoking, again failing to even look. Baund squashed down the rising flash of anger. This was just part of the game. Soon he’d feel the thrill of the chase, or being chased. He walked off, sauntering a-pace to again show off to all the world his glorious, meticulously crafted, and lust-inducing form. The eyes of many strangers continued to turn his way. The bolster to the Shiba’s ego only fueled his commitment to this course of action. Either Karnot was going to chase after him or someone else would. ----- [I]’Goddamn! I love the beach!’[/I] The wolf thought. This was his first time ever, and Karnot was happier than a puppy on Christmas. The endless sea, the hot sand, the interesting crabs and critters, the azure sky, the musky, salt-laden air, the crashing waves, all of it! It assaulted every single one of his senses. The novelty of every single new thing just drowned him in ecstasy. But his hole was by far the greatest experience he’s had. The feeling of impact as his shovel split apart the shoreline coursed up his limbs and thumped the base of his skull. The sensation was heavenly. Just euphoric. Shovelful after shovelful passed up the coarse grains in arcs that rained down on his dam, the one that he was absolutely convinced would survive the rising tide. Securely maintain the integrity of his growing crater. His pride and joy. His claim that he was here. He was happy, just a man with a task. A goal and a tool. It felt good. It felt soothing to just dig and tune out the world. Slowly his hole deepend, passing half a meter more in depth. The passing of time compressed into just shovelfuls and arcs. And he would have been here if Baund hadn’t suggested this resort for their honeymoon. [i]’I goddamn love that man!’[/i] the wolf thought. He was so happy they were finally married, they were mated. For life! He’d always be there right by his side. Through thick and thin. Karnot would give both kidneys for Baund if he needed them, without question. Without complaint. Without hesitation. His shovel came to rest after one last toss. Karnot gandered at the size of it. The scope of it. He looked up, shading his eyes from the bright, blazing sun. Noting how far it has moved since they arrived this morning. And felt the serene sense of accomplishment. He had dug a hole. It was the first thing on his bucket list he made for this honeymoon. One task ticked off. He had so many more, but this was his personal one. Every other one involved his mate. He wanted to watch the sunset together, attend one of the resort’s beachside bonfires, feed each other poi, wander around the jungle, nap on the sand, play volleyball, so many things! That nap sounded really good right about now. He spun and looked for his mate, and found him missing. A sharp distinct rise of panic and surprise shocked him. The inherent dissonance between reality and perception shocking him like the dip in the ocean he took earlier. The towel was empty, his stuff was gone, and worse, Karnot was alone! Alone on his honeymoon. Their honeymoon! Ancient instincts kicked into gear. Frantically whipping his neck left and right, looking for the telltale creme color Karnot associated with his mate. His memory ran through the last while, trying to recall the last thing he remembered. He had been digging, for a while it seemed as the sun indicated, and… [i]’He had said something! What was it?’[/i] Karnot rapped his knuckles on his skull, hoping to jog his memory with the application of force. His stuff was gone, so either he was heading for their room or some other location. He looked at what remained, hoping for a clue. There was the towel, Karnot’s own flipflops, and an empty coconut with a silly straw. The wolf stalked off to the bar, after his prey, after his [b]mate[/b]! ----- Baund’s refilled drink tasted bitter, despite the plethora of syrups that gave it such rosy, vibrant color and enough sweetness to hide the taste of alcohol. He only took a few sips. It had been more than three minutes, and was approaching- the Shiba checked the clock behind the bar- thirteen minutes. Thirteen minutes of being surrounded by strangers, cramped into a bar top with very little elbow room, overstimulated by the sounds and smells of many young adults enjoying the resort scene. It made it very hard to think. He had started second guessing this plan ten minutes ago. He thought more than once about just heading back, at least returning to the aura of being around Karnot. Even with his goofy mannerisms, his complete lack of self-awareness bordered on endearing at times. And his presence, as lacking as it was today, was more consoling than being here. Sea of unfamiliar forms were just suffocating. [i]’What am I doing?’[/i] The Shiba spun his cup, scraping vibrations rippling across the bar top. Just hoping for something more, just completely unsure of what. [i]’I can’t go back.’[/i] He was determined, sunk cost fallacy be damned. [i]’If he cared, he’d come find me. Right?’[/i] The rationalization was as unpalatable as the drink he was handling. Baund huffed. Breath spilling across the cheap, little umbrella garnish that hung on the rim of his coconut. His glance angled left, down to where his finger played with the lip of the rough mug. The black tungsten band stuck out across his ring finger. It parted the fine fur along his fingers, a noticeable and distinct break from the softer gradients of his natural color. Karnot had insisted on black, to match his scraggly, midnight fuzz. To give Baund “a reminder” whenever he looked at it of his big, scruffy-looking mate. Baund bought Karnot a plain gold band and had been stunned by the sentimentality of Karnot’s choice. That gave the Shiba a little bit of levity, easing the moroseness of the moment. A refreshing reminder was indeed what was needed. Until it highlighted his foolishness. [i]’What the [b]hell[/b] am I doing?’[/i] He pulled another sip of his drink, contemplating just walking away from this folly. He fantasized that he’d march right up to his mate, rip that damn shovel out of his hands, leap into his arms, and demand attention. Karnot wouldn’t ignore him then. He could almost feel the way Karnot’s claws would dig ever so slightly into his thighs as they sucked face, the possessive growl that would emit from his chest and resonant in Baund’s own. His fantasies started turning lewder, wondering what it would convince the wolf to take him right there on the beach. Give everyone a show, a demonstration of Baund’s devotion to his mate. And his mate to Baund. His sheathe stirred and his lips curled upwards. And it was at that moment he felt a poke on his shoulder. ----- Karnot had trailed Baund’s scent up until the instant he crossed into the bar’s interior. Eyes narrowing for the lovely color and form of his mate. At first was the sharp elation of finding him, the primal satisfaction of completing a hunt, when seeking becomes sought. Karnot had found his mate! Almost. Frantic glances whipped left and right. Sharp eyes still hunting. He was here. Baund was here! The wolf knew it! Just being aware of Baund’s proximity only accelerated his instincts more. Dozens of bodies crowded the space, some dancing, some drinking, and none of them with the telltale signs of his mate. Toasted marshmallow fur, and curly tail. He stepped into the room proper, every sense he had overclocked to find his mate. He’d find him. He’d hold him. He’d never let him go again. [i]’You’re a goddamn idiot!!’[/i] He cursed not for the first time during his pursuit. Once again chastising himself for being a simple minded dumbass. [i]’How’d I just ignore him like that?!’[/i] All the success from digging his hole was blown away with the wind that whipped past him as he sprinted down the beach. The paltry, individual achievement failed to bolster his self-importance anymore. He wasn’t a solo act, not since he had said the words “I do!” And all that guilt just made him search harder. The place was packed however, too many obstacles lied between him and his mate. The sounds of the conversation were too loud to shout over. The air too thick with the permeating smell of arousal from liquor-loosened libidos. The wolf moved, fronting the storm and waves to reach his goal. Until one of them halted his path. He felt paws along his abs. He looked down at who the hell decided to touch him. She was, at least in his conventional understanding of feminine beauty, attractive. A British Columbian wolf like him, fangs flashing, clearly a couple drinks and a few days into her spring break vacation. “Hey! I saw you digging out there earlier.” She giggled as he felt her hands start running across his skin. “You’re quite the looker, aren’t you? How about you come join my friends over there?” She could barely get the words out. A couple of woman woo’ed from the side. Egging her on it seemed. Karnot’s attention split between making the most immediate, direct route to Baund and delicately extracting himself from this uncomfortable situation. His vision kept flipping between the room and her. Primitive instincts clashing against higher order intelligence. The way she felt him up was causing his hackles to rise. That needed to stop now. “Look,” He grabbed her hands and pressed them away. Perhaps a bit more forceful than necessary. Not that he gave a damn. “I'm not interested. Move.” “Ahh. Come on. Join us! You're looking for a good time, right?” She stepped forward, hands extended for his midsection. He stepped back, some small part of his brain recognizing that it was a step away from Baund. He started to growl before tampering it down. Karnot, as calmly as he could, as man with a one track mind could, placed his palm forward. Interrupting her advance and flashing the shiny gold band that encircled his finger. A flash of recognition sprinted across her face, her previously inebriated acts were halted. Almost as if she wasn’t all that drunk to begin with. “I have only three more things to say to you. I’m gay. I’m married. And I said no. Now move!” It was like she short circuited, she didn’t stir as he walked past her. Karnot didn’t give her a second thought, she already got in the way between him and Baund. He looked again for him, tirelessly wrenching his head left and right. Trying to tune out the fatigue in his limbs from all the physical labor he’s performed today already. Trying to tamper down the fears as moments dragged on without seeing him. He questioned his senses, every instinct that told him Baund was here without any further proof. His heart pounded fast in his ears. He was close to panic, until he caught him. Just a glance. His tan colored fur. Karnot had found his mate! He was at the bar. And then noticed everything else. And what he saw only enraged him more. Another [b]male[/b]! His hand gripped around Baund’s wrist. And his mate, trying to look very brave. But clearly in distress. All he saw after that was red! ----- [i]’He came!’[/i] Baund turned grinning, elated, fulfilled! Hopes coming to fruition! Plan succeeded! His mate tracked him down. The joy shattered apart like glass as he failed to recognize the person that prodded him. He was a ram, dark fleece flawlessly maintained, horns shiny with way too much oil. Tall and broad and a tank top intentionally a size or two too small. And a peroxide-bleached, cocky-ass smile that came with a disgusting amount of bravado. The whole look was a huge turn off to Baund. [i]’Why would I even care what he looks like?’[/i] was his first thought, [i]’Wait, what the hell does he even want?’[/i] was his second. “Hey.” He opened with an eyebrow raise. Baund waited for more, but apparently that was all this interloper decided to prepare. Baund just shook his head and turned back to his drink. “Ah, don’t be like that. I just wanted to say hi.” “You’ve said it, now you can go.” Baund countered. “Ahh, come on. Let me buy you a drink. You look lonely.” The Shiba held up his mostly full coconut. He even gestured with his other hand to drag the idiot’s attention towards it. “As you can see, I’m good. And I’m in no mood for company. Especially not yours.” “Ah, what’s so horrible about me?” Sickly, suave confidence and a timbre that would have resonated in the hearts of thousands worldwide died feet before it reached Baund’s ears. The ram took the open seat next to him and the Shiba wished ill on whoever was the last person to vacate it. His own manicured claws flayed the tough exterior of his sinewy mug. “Look, I’m uninterested. Can you just go find someone else to bother?” He nearly pleaded, trying to keep his voice tempered, trying to maintain a little dignity. “Just give me a chance. I’m sure I can turn that frown upside down, babe. A sweet thing like you deserves to be treated right.” Baund nearly hurled, his stomach and his drink. He stood brusquely enough to feel the stool below him tumble back a ways. “Hey, listen here dumbass! I said fuck off politely before, but now I’m telling you directly. Fuck off!” He barked. Claws dug into his palms, fangs flashing, fur bristled out on end. The ram, however, wasn’t having any of it. He stood just as aggressively. The Shiba nearly balked at how far he had to raise his neck to track him. But dammit! Baund wasn’t going to take this asshole’s bullshit! “God! I hate fucking fags like you!” Spittle flying off his lips, immediately and disproportionately furious. Baund smelled the pheromones rising, and his own apprehension with it. “Walking around like you’re hot shit! Dressed like goddamn whores!” Faster than Baund could see, his wrist was ripped forward. Sharp stabs of pain lit in his shoulder. Baund didn’t handle the pain well. Immediate tears welled up behind his eyes, but he wasn’t going to let this asshole see them. Still, it shut down his entire brain. His expression locked on his face, but almost every other part of him went so passive. Fear shutting down his higher order thinking. Fight or flight response tampering his consciousness down to dissociate from the assault. There was just one last word coursing through his brain. [i][b]’Karo!!’[/b][/i] ----- “Goddamn sons of bitches like you should just shut the fuck up and-” That was all Karnot let the shitstain get out before his adrenaline filled rush lead him right to his mate’s defense. Vice-like grip strong enough to shatter glass crushed the wrist that dared defile his mate’s body. Karnot hadn’t even registered anything about the male, just that he was the immediate threat and he would let go of Baund or lose his hand. Karnot had no greater preference for either option. The bitch yelped as he reflexively opened his grip. Karnot only halted just long enough to process that his mate was no longer being molested. He shoved the asshole’s shoulder forward while leveraging the arm in his fist back. The thud as the ram, the male’s species Karnot finally ascertained, collided with the bartop satisfied a deep sadistic itch in the wolf. He hyperextended the prick’s shoulder to lock him down, pin him in place. The murmur of the bar fell to silence, but Karnot only heard the pounding of heartbeats in his ears. Air hissed through his jaw. “You. Listen. To. Me. Meat!” Karnot’s words were barely restrained, “Touch him again, I will rip your dick off and shove it so far down your throat you'll choke!! [b]DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME[/b]!!!??” The ram cowered as far away from the snapping jaws, sharp fangs, and slit eyes as he could while still remaining completely locked to the bar top. He looked so pathetic. Completely undeserving of even being in Baund’s presence much less touching him. Only one damn creature in the world had that right! And it was the midnight furred canine slowly digging his claws further into the hide of this scumbag. Daring him to remain silent. Another voice interjected into the scene. “Hey! Let him go! Walk away! Now!” Karnot seethed as his eyes turned upward. Another nobody that challenged the wolf’s superiority. Another asswipe that needed a lesson in losing. The lion behind the bar was big, but Karnot could have taken him. It would have been down to whoever decided to attack first, and that was certain to be Karnot. Frigid fire sparked up and down his limbs and around his muscles. The drive to move was locked behind a spring trap. Just one provocation, one brief disturbance and all that coiled energy would lash out. The lion actually held Karnot’s gaze. Something the wolf respected, despite the heated competition. “The only reason I'm not calling security on both of you is cause I was about to step in. Do yourself a favor. Let him go, walk away.” Karnot remained. He’d go when he was good and ready, no one told him what to do! And he didn't want to go anywhere, not when the whimpering ram below underpaw hadn't answered his question. Wills clashed as the two predators leered at one another. Daring the either to comply, the ram below completely passive, his timid little shakes cemented Karnot’s base opinion of the man even more. He held firm to his position. “Last warning, wolf!” The lion said, body language squaring up, prepared to take Karnot on. The wolf refused to back down matching one for one with his own displays. Fangs flashing, aggressive growls ripping violently from his throat. Every hair follicle on end, bristled out to full length. Highlighting his already above average size. There wasn’t a force in the world that would halt him from his purpose. He wouldn’t let this piss-poor excuse for a ram get away without apologizing, without acknowledging his worthlessness. It would be the last thing this ram would do, so help him. “He hurt my mate!” The volume he delivered those lines was low, but they had such concentrated vitriol, such bottomless hatred, Karnot was almost afraid of himself. But he was too far committed to back down now. He’d take the entire world on if it was for Baund. ----- [i]’Karo. Karo. Karo. Karo.’[/i] The name was on repeat in the Shiba’s mind, he didn’t see the bar anymore, he didn’t hear anything anymore. He was just stuck in neutral with a revving engine. Mind alight but incapable of processing anything anymore, except for one thing. The smell lit the world, it was the only sense he still had left. He smelled alcohol, his own fear, the salty sea, and the myriad of random strangers. It was easy to get lost in the intensity, he was getting lost in the miasmas. And the only thing he was sure of was he needed Karnot. The words continued as odors swam about his mind. He could identify so many particulars. The number of canines, how close the iguana behind him was, the distinct number of alcohols on tap at the bar. He could list the number of females in the room and how many had been in the ocean today. He could tell so many things. But what he wanted to know was where Karnot was. The distressed Shiba didn’t even comprehend that his assailant let go of his arm. But then there was one more thing he did comprehend. It eclipsed the world as he smelled it, overshadowing every other detail, it was close. It smelled just within reach. It smelled like sand and the sea, of sweat and heat, of power. Its smell racked against his brain and pulled it up from the mire it sank into. It reminded him of home, and there was only one person that was home. He smelled his mate. His awareness came to life again, he was behind Karnot. The ram’s face smashed into the table top, gritting in pain. Every hair strand on his mate’s body was ruffled, bulked out to make him look bigger despite how huge he already was. His shoulders heaved up and down, short and quick. The Shiba followed his gaze and saw the lion bartender. The two locked to each other. “He hurt my mate!” The Shiba processed the words, they fell like a blanket over his mind. That was Karo’s voice, that was his mate, but that wasn't Karo. He'd never been that angry before. Obstinate and irritating for sure, but never so downright hostile. It hurt to hear. The timid Shiba blinked as he tried to understand what all had happened in the last minute, he gazed across the bar. Every eye was on the altercation. Men and women, all silent witnesses to the drama unfolding before them. A couple even met his eyes before he turned away, feeling very exposed. He just wanted to run away. Go somewhere alone and- [i]’No. Not alone.’[/i] Baund turned back towards Karnot. Or the form of Karnot. The wolf wearing his mate’s skin was raging. Baund smelled the adrenaline and stress wafting off him. That wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted to be with Karo. His Karo. Somewhere in his heart he found his voice, “...Karo…” The words were soft but the effect was immediate. Karnot’s head whipped his way. Eyes wide and wild. “BB! Are you..” His mate trailed off. Baund just shook his head and continued. “Let’s just go. Please, let’s just go. Just… Just take me away from here! Please! I don’t want to be here anymore. Let’s just go! Please!” The stress of being here, in front of all these strangers, all his shame from baiting this whole situation, it boiled over. He didn’t sob, but he felt his cheeks get wet. He thought about how ugly his face looked at that moment. And he realized he didn’t care, he just wanted to be gone. Taken away by his knight in shining fur. No more words were exchanged between anyone in the bar. The ram’s mass clattered to the floor. His mate stalked up to him, scooped him up, pulled Baund to his chest, and walked. Baund didn’t see the crowd part around them. His face was buried in the shaggy, sandy, sweaty fur of his mate. Getting it wet with tears. ----- “A mutt and a slut. You two deserve each other.” Apparently, the bitch found his balls and decided, stupidly, to give them a tug. But Karnot has already forgotten all about him. The taunt fell on deaf ears. He walked without any real destination in mind, only fulfilling his mate’s request to take him away from the bar. Grains of sand piled up and under the straps of his sandals, biting into his paws and pads. Leftover particles clung to his fur. He felt them on his forearms where Baund’s weight pressed them to the quick, piercing his aching arms. His tail hung low, sweeping behind him. His shoulders hung heavy, the burden of carrying himself, his mate, and his guilt. He didn’t care about how he looked, he didn’t care about the few stares from the people they passed, he didn’t care about what they thought. He only cared about his own incompetence. [i]’It’s my fault. It’s all my fault.’[/i] He gripped around his mate’s shivering form. It kept eating at him, corroding his resolve to just keep walking. But every time he considered stopping, he gripped his mate all the tighter and took another step. There was only one thing he could do now and that was to keep walking forward. Putting past and place behind both of them. But even that he couldn’t do indefinitely; between digging all morning, chasing down Baund, pouncing on that asshole, and now carrying Baund down the beach, he was tired. Emotionally, physically, and all other possible ways. He looked for a place to sit down. A door opened to his left, a dolphin walking past him. It took a moment for him to recognize the building as the beach showers. A place where guests could wash off the beach before heading back to their rooms. They were private, they could fit both of them, and it was exactly what he needed right now. Karnot seized his chance as the door was swinging shut. It was cool in the stall, and dark as the door closed behind them. Remnant drips plinked down from the head, the dredges of its last use. There was an accessibility bench bolted to the wall. It creaked as the weight of two canines settled heavily down on it. Karnot took a moment to catch his breath, unsure of what to do next. Baund still clung to him, buried in his chest. He felt so soft, so small. But he was here, in Karnot’s arms, and that had to be enough for now. Except it wasn’t. “BB…” Karnot started, finding his voice finally, raspy from screaming at the ram, and hoarse from exhaustion. His mate’s hands gripped him tighter, it was the only acknowledgement he heard. “I’m…” Karnot shook his head. Pain settling in his tired arms, not that he was going to let go anytime soon. “I’m so sorry, BB. I’m sorry. Please forgive me, BB. I’m so sorry. I..” He rested his head down on his mate, words failing him. His mate said words. They rumbled his chest, but he couldn’t hear them. “What?” ----- “I said, what are [b]you[/b] apologizing for!?” Baund growled, lifting his head away from the comforting chest he just wanted to bury himself back into. Lose himself in his mate’s calming musk and just forget everything. Forget the ram, forget the day, forget about the [i]fucking[/i] sand that he felt everywhere they touched, and just forget about every damn thing. And most of all he wanted to forget that- “I’m the idiot here! I’m the dumbass who was so fucking pissed off just by watching you play with [b]sand[/b] that I fucking walked away. I’m the one that went to the bar alone! Because that’s what I chose to be, alone! And I was just so mad, so angry, Karnot! I just wanted- I just wanted-” The Shiba huffed, eyes blurry from the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. The outline of his mate was obscured, but at least he was there. Just like he wanted. And he couldn’t say it. He just smashed his head back into the wall of sandy fur. [i]’I just wanted you to hold me like this. But not like this. Nothing like this…’[/i] He huffed through the forest of Karnot’s fur. His stomach felt queasy, his heart hurt, head pounding. Achy, fatigued, miserable. What a fantastic way to feel on their honeymoon. “BB..” The husky voice echoed through his ears. It was so desperate, and it didn't do anything to ease Baund's worries. More proof of the consequences of his actions. “Please tell me, BB… What do I do? Please tell me. I’ll do anything you want.” Baund sighed, he couldn’t refuse to answer. Not with such a direct question. Even if his stomach was in knots, and his face twisted into a grimace. It was the only way forward. “You don't need to do anything. You weren't the problem. I'm the problem. I didn't want to be alone. I- I just wanted you. To be with you. I just wanted you to be with me, stay with me, come with me, just be with me and I just-” “Oh, BB.” The wolf squeezed him. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean it. I never meant to leave you alone. Please believe me!” “I said shut up, you idiot!” He yelled into his mate’s chest. The sound muted by his comforting bulk. “I’m sorry I’m an idiot.” The wolf still apologizing. “I said stop! You're just making me feel worse. If you're an idiot then I'm a fool!” “But… you’re not a mule?” Baund blinked while still buried in chest hair. He pulled himself back to look up at Karnot, the wolf’s eyes were befuddled, corners of his lips quivering. He looked like he was questioning every single truth of the world. The Shiba starred in equal confusion, wondering where the question of his species came from. The realization hit him a second later. He giggled, a quick rumble of his chest, and then another. Followed up a couple more. Eventually the smaller canine was full on laughing, releasing all the pent up emotion of the past hour with his laughter. Baund leaned back into Karnot’s chest wrapping his arms around his chest. It continued that way for a good minute, the wolf still silent throughout the fit, probably still wondering what he said that was so funny. Eventually, Baund decided to put the matter to rest. He made sure he was separated enough from Karnot to enunciate. “Fool, love. Not mule. I was being a fool.” “Oooooh. Okay, yeah. That makes a lot more sense.” Humor finding its way into his words. “An idiot and a fool, what a fine pair we make.” “Well, that then we’re still perfect for each other, right? '' Karnot joked. Baund snickered once more. It felt good, it felt so nice, so them. A soft kiss pressed into his forehead, sending little warm-and-fuzzies down his spine. It gave him strength, he slackened his shoulders, built up tension dripping off him and heading towards the drain. “So you’re not mad at me? I’d understand if you are.” He asked, bringing the rising mood crashing back down. “What! No! Why would you think that?” The Shiba sat up and tried to look Karnot in the eyes. The wolf didn’t meet his eyes however. “Well, you know…. If I wasn’t an idiot, you wouldn’t have been anywhere near that- that asshole!” His shoulders shuttered. “Karo…” “Look, I know what you said, but I know it's still partially my fault. Or.. mostly- all my fault.” Baund didn't know what to say, minor remnants of fear writhed about his nerves, lingering ghosts of just how frightened he was “And I just, I was so scared, you know. I turned around and you weren’t there. And when I found you,” His frame shook. “That fucker! That-” He grit his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut. “That asshole had his hands on you and I was so angry. I was so terrified. I was so ready to [b]kill[/b] him! How dare he hurt you!? And then all I could think was that it was all my fault.” Baund was pulled closer, deeper into Karnot’s chest. “You wouldn’t have been anywhere near him if I hadn’t- if I wasn’t- if I didn’t-” His words descended into heavy pants. Baund felt a call from his soul, an order more critical than even his will to live. He felt his own heart rise in tempo. His own legs bid him move, deep instincts that refused to be ignored. He stirred. His mate needed him. ----- Karnot felt his mate wiggle in his grasp, but the wolf didn’t have the strength to hold him anymore. He was weak, tired, and scared. It was too much, he couldn’t hold it together anymore. He was exhausted from pretending. He just couldn’t move. But he could still think. And the thoughts weren’t pretty. [i]’My fault. My fault. My fault…’[/i] He hovered somewhere between here and the sea. The smell of sand and salt was turning his stomach. All the joy just stripped from him in half an hour. He just didn’t know what to do anymore. How would Baund ever forgive him? How dare he play with sand? How dare he ignore his mate? How dare he think he deserved this amazing canine when he couldn’t even keep him happy? He thought about that ram, the lingering stench remained on him and Baund. It almost pulled him back into that frenzy. His limbs nearly itching to go find that scumbag and bury him. There was a convenient hole nearby all ready for him too. It was probably big enough for both of them. [i]’But at least Baund is okay, right?’[/i] That’s what really mattered, he found solace in knowing that truth. But not absolution, that came from the licks. The first to his scalp felt foreign. The next was unexpected. Only on the third did he understand what was happening. He looked up and saw his mate, straddling his lap and cradling his head. Baund held him close, almost shyly continuing his affection. It wasn’t normally like this, but usually, Karnot was more put together than this. And regardless of all that, it felt nice. Each lap just massaged his brow more. It pulled his thoughts to the here and now, to his mate. [i]His[/i] mate. The knots in his shoulders fell, and for the first time since going off after Baund, he felt calm. He felt secure. Minutes passed, on and on, as the two just existed together. Karnot moved his hands up and around him, combing through the soft fur on the Shiba’s back. The wolf wanted to speak to say his mate’s name, but that would break the spell. He was content to stay here forever, the world beyond these tiled walls was unimportant compared to the canine within his arms now. ----- Seeing, feeling, knowing that Karnot was growing calmer cause of his actions couldn’t have made Baund happier. He continued on and on. Even as his mate’s ears slackened and flopped down, even as hands scratched his back, even as Karnot whined in contentment he continued. His mate’s scalp getting wetter and wetter, the taste of salt slowly vanished, and the stretch of time where they only communicated with their actions were signs of their bond. It was everything Baund had wanted, and he tried not to think in shame about what he- what they had to go through to get it. But unfortunately, no matter how much he wanted this moment to go on forever, the world continued to spin. He pulled his snout up and back, the two met eyes. Baund smiled at his mate. Karnot smiled back. “Hey.” the black wolf said. “Hey.” the Shiba responded. “You know I love you, right?” “I do.” Baund kissed him once on the lips, just briefly. “And I love you too.” “Wanna get out of here?” “Oh? And where are we going?” “Well, you wanted to do something together, right?” Karnot’s voice playful. “Oh, yeah?” Baund responded. “And I uh, I like playing with holes.” The Shiba didn’t miss the inflection he put on the last word. “Un huh?!” “Well… Maybe you’ll let me play with yours?” He asked with a wink. “God! Fuck yes!” ----- Karnot couldn’t keep his hands to himself as he chased his mate back to their room. Baund didn’t stop grinning ear to ear as they played tag through the resort back to their room. He’d catch the smaller Shiba and pull him close, grab his arms or thigh or tail or whatever appendage was easily accessible. He’d pull him against walls and into his chest. His mate would giggle a little each time. The wolf would place pecks up and down Baund’s cheek and neck and slowly go lower. Only to be thwarted as Baund slipped his grasp and playfully ran down the hallway. Looking smugly over his shoulder. Karnot would hold back, just a second, just a hair. Just to watch his mate jog away from him. His bouncy tail wagging left and right from the fun of the game. It made his blood burn even more. [i]’Goddamn! I fucking want you!’[/i] he’d mentally shout out after the retreating Shiba. Only give chase once again. Repeating the cycle. The wolf didn't give a shit about the odd stares from the staff and guests. Only the way he made his mate feel. The way his mate made him feel was a close second. His loins slowly filling out the front of his swim trunks and the scent of his arousal evident to anyone he passed. But he didn't care. Baund squirreled out of his clasp once again and ran up to the elevators. The wolf chuckled, there wasn't any escape now. He relished stalking behind the tan furred dog, savoring the hunt. ----- The elevator button was punched multiple times, each time with the belief that it would bring the lift sooner. The Shiba’s heart was practically vibrating in his chest. Endorphins and adrenaline levels running high from their play. Cheeks hurting from how wide he was grinning. This was what he wanted. Hours of trying to tease his mate and he was finally getting the attention he deserved. Well maybe a bit too much. Two strong arms slammed into the wall on either side of him. Shaggy black fur caked with sand from the beach, long, wild nails scraping the paint from the wall, and nowhere to escape until the doors opened. Hot breath passed around his ears, making them flick with anticipation, his skin broke out in goosebumps. He turned to look up into his mate’s face. He looked almost feral, just barely holding on to the last vestiges of social conventions. Pupils were dots and his fangs flashed down on him. Standing close, Baund’s tail pressed in by Karnot’s crotch. He gulped. “Nowhere to run now…” Karnot taunted him, using that husky voice that made his mind run wild. He whined, ears pressing flat against his skull. He mimicked the act by pressing himself into the wall. Karnot chuckled, slow, more composed than he looked. Clearly skirting the line between control and wanton debauchery very closely. His mate’s snout passed down the side of his own. Tickling his whiskers. Baund’s breath caught as he felt a sigh across his neck. He craned his head to the side, giving his mate full access to his body. If just until the elevator arrived. Hard smacks echoes through the hallway. The Shiba closed his eyes, getting lost in the way Karnot's lips bristled his fur. He shuddered, his claws digging into the drywall as he pressed his palms against it. Karnot leaned even further into Baund. Pressing more of his mass into the wall. The Shiba's legs nearly gave out underneath him. Only being pinned by the large man kept him from immediately collapsing. [I]’Just fuck me now, you beast!’[/I] he silently begged, going up on his tiptoes. Give his mate the right angle to take him there in the hall should he answer Baund's demands. The wolf didn't but he could feel the growing hardness slide up and down the small of his back. The pressure of his own growing manhood swelled against the wall. Baund remained lost in his own world for a moment, the ding of the elevator shocked him awake. His mate's grinding hips halted just as quickly. The doors slid open with a squeak. A cardinal walked out and double-taked their way. Shock clearly shown by the way their eyes blinked. The Shiba could only smile sheepishly and shrug, blush spreading like wildfire across his cheeks. The three gawked at each other for a second of two. “Honeymoon.” Karnot succinctly explained after a moment. The Shiba quickly backed his mate up by flashing his black band the avian’s way. They just nodded once, slowly, clearly grasping that both parties should just move on. No more comments were necessary. Baund took advantage of the distraction to slide out from the pin and get in the box. The wolf slipped in just as the door closed, isolating them from others again. They stood a foot apart from each other and processed while the elevator took them to their floor. The panel dinging as they passed floor after floor. Baund snickered first, somewhere around the fifth floor, unable to keep it together. Karnot quickly followed suit. The humorous sound echoed and developed into full on laughter in the small space. “Maybe, uh, we should keep it a little more civil. At least till we're in our room.” Baund offered, between giggles. “Well, better keep your weapon holstered until then.” Karnot said, giving Baund a side eye that was drenched in ego. He looked down. The pink thong he was wearing was expanding off his body as his semi hard-on pressed against the stretchy fabric. It jumped out slightly with each beat of his heart. Way too conspicuous to hide, unlike Karnot's black trunks that required at least some observation to see the outline of his rocket going down the right pant leg. The fashion choice had meant to coax Karnot's attention, and well, at least it finally served its purpose after all this time. Baund fanned his face, the confined room quickly growing overwhelming filled with their musk. “Speaking of getting back to the room. Could I ask you to shower off the sand?” Baund asked. The wolf fiddled with the grains snagged in his chest fur, of which there were many. “Oh, don’t want to get covered in the fruits of my labors? That hole took all morning to dig, you know?” “Oh, don’t you worry, Karo.” Baund responded snarkily. “I know, I was there. What I don’t want is to sleep in a bed and feel scratchy and itchy all night long.” “[i]Pshh.[/i] You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you sleep tonight.” The wolf inched closer as the elevator dinged them one floor closer to their destination. Baund shrugged off the hand that started feeling up his back. “I’m being serious.” Baund tried to keep some sense of authority in his words, but the touch kept sending shivers up his spine and down to his wagging tail. “And so was I.” The wolf countered, pulling his shorter mate close. Baund giggled more. Getting lost in the possessive gropes about his back and thighs, even as he still felt sand everywhere their bodies met. “Karo.. I-” “Hush, BB. I’ll clean up, but until then let me just-” The Shiba hypnotized as Karnot leaned down towards him. He opened his mouth for the kiss. ----- His smaller mate meeped as Karnot suddenly hoisted him onto his shoulder, easily manhandling the smaller dog. “There we go, no more running away now!” “KARO!!” He just let Baund squirm in his grasp, legs floundering meekly in the air. Karnot patted his mate’s ass to pacify him. “Don’t you worry, just got to keep you right where I want you. Can’t let my little BB go off without me again!” “You idiot! I can walk just fine!” The wolf ignored the protests as the doors opened. “Finally.” Karnot was feeling on top of the world, and walked down the halls as if he owned them. He counted steps and doors they passed. Loving every jostle of the captive Shiba, every time he had to reposition his mate so that he didn’t fall just stroked his ego more. He flashed his teeth to walls who would be singing his praises and extolling his strength if they could speak. Baund just squirmed and floundered about. Little squeaks and whines were like a symphony, tender serenades of an angel on the virtue of his actions. Or the tempting whispers of a devil to egg him on more. Both felt applicable at the moment. They arrived back to their accommodations before too much longer. “Ah! Here we are!” “You going to let me down?” Baund complained impatiently. “Hmmm, no.” The wolf flashed his key across the scanner to permit them entry. Karnot gave the room little thought as he tossed Baund onto their shared king-sized bed. Mattress flopping under the sudden toss. The door clicked shut behind them, trapping his mate in his lair. He prepared to crawl up in the bed, but Baund was quicker. Grapping his snout and pushing him away. “No… No! Shower.” It was Karnot’s turn to whine. Not used to being denied so heartedly by his mate, especially with how rowdy they both had been just moments prior. “But BB…” “No, now! I will not be fucking anyone who brings sand into the bed.” Karnot knew not to argue, but, dammit, if he didn't try. He arched his eyebrows, head tilted down and to the side, giving his mate the best puppy dog eyes he could. Lip quiver and all. All he got for his efforts was a snort. “Go!” “Ughh… Fine.” He turned and headed for the en suite. “Five minutes and then I'm coming for what's mine.” “Deal.” ----- Baund watched his mate stomp off all pouty and waited until he heard the shower before bolting across the bed. He swiped at his duffel bag, resting a foot or two away. It evaded his grasp for two erratic passes until he found purchase. Some loose articles dashed about the floor as he scooped it to the base of the bed. He tossed all his spare clothes around looking for his toiletries bag. “Ha!” The audible signal of victory as he pulled the clear plastic bag towards him. The Shiba briskly pulled out the travel size lube tube he bought for just this scenario. The bag was quickly cast aside, the canine uninterested in where it ended up. The pop as he flicked the cap seemed louder than average to his sensitive ears. He squeezed a bead onto his finger, laid on his back, pulled his legs up, and spread them apart. The thin strap of his thong was pulled off to the side, exposing his needy hole. The lube was cold as he wiggled it around his rim. The sensual touch ticking his sensitive opening was most pleasant, and most stimulating. He immediately started feeling his sheath plump up more and only grasping the nylon with his free hand kept him from playing with his peeking shaft. That was a sure fire way to end the fun before it even had a chance to begin. He whined as he slipped his digit in. At any other time he'd go slow, relax into the feelings, let the energy build and build before boiling over. But not today, not when he only had five minutes to prepare. This was a frantic endeavor, born from desperation and burgeoning lust. He tugged potently yet prudently at the biting muscles. Instinctually the winking orifice softened, the one finger sliding rather freely at just around his entrance. Used to this song and dance. The Shiba was already huffing, chest heaving. The feeling of playing with his ass just shutting down all his higher order thinking. Only concerned with shoving every inch he could deeper into his quickly relaxing and slickening ass. Knowing that if he didn’t, it wasn’t going to be a fun time. Fires grew deep in his gut and consumed him entirely. He pulled out and slathered an unwieldy amount of lube on his pointer and middle fingers. Again he dug deep into his ass. A slight sting caused him to hiss as both played against his ring. Baund willed himself to relax faster, painfully aware of the time ticking down as the shower continued to run. The slippery fluid smacked and squelched as he fingered himself. Imagining with every fiber in his being that they were Karnot's fingers. That it was his mate brusquely handling his body. The fantasy just turned him on more as his cock constantly pulsed against its stretchy containment. Each squeeze of his internal muscles around his intruding phalanges pushed more of his natural lubrication out his tip. His hand still death-gripping his only article of clothing he wore. Two became three very quickly, his muscles starting to sting as he neared the limits he could stretch at such a rapid rate. They twisted and spun and flexed and bent and poked and prodded at whatever they could reach. They almost didn't feel like a piece of Baund but part of another. Baund was so hot, on fire. The room turning sweltering. Time wasn't moving, yet also running out. His wrist ached, his heart pounded, his breaths were shallow as he pistoned his hole open. One moment he was coiled like a spring, abs staining to crunch his head to his legs. The next he flopped down, unable to sustain the ferocity much longer. The bed cushioning the strength of his fitful smack. He writhed across the bed, the inferno he stoked deep in his gut simmering about his whole form. He moaned out with his breaths, his loose hole tried to squeeze shut reflexively. Tired, but failed, the assault effective in its purpose. He finally smelled himself, tasted his arousal in the air. It stank, and only whipped his addled mind even deeper into wanton lust. He proudly stood erect. His rebellious length straining against the neon pink underwear. Baund wanted to whip them off, grasp his dick and jack until he painted the ceiling. Go until the fire in his chest was extinguished and it was only the way he clawed into the fabric beneath him that kept him from doing so. That and the knowledge that he was alone. There was one player missing from the stage, a voice to duet with, a partner to this crime. A mate to mate with. [I]’Karo! Get out here and [b]fuck[/b] me!!’[/I] ----- [I]’Come on! Come on! Come on!’[/I] The wolf toiled under chilled water, the spacious bathroom echoing with the splashing droplets. They splattered the walls, and glass door and ribbed floor. Raining across every surface. They flung from the wolf’s limbs each time he ripped his steel comb through the locks of fur. Vigorously and furiously scrapping out every grain, every microscopic particle, every nanogram of dirt to sate his mate’s request. He started on his arms, the comb already a tangled mess of ripped strands and silica after a couple passes. The particles littered the floor, evident on the tile before washing away towards the drain. [i]’Come on! Come on! Come on!’[/I] Karnot the wolf paid no mind to the way he ripped out his hairs. The pricks of pain were temporary. The ache of being separate from his mate was conditional. Get clean, get out of the tiled room, get back into bed with Baund. Those were the only three objectives for the wolf. That and ignore the raging hard-on he had. His shaft had fully emerged from his sheath by this point. The knot had just enough diameter to keep it out. The cold streams kept teasing his sensitive organ and he could barely ignore it for now. It stood out among the background, clashing against the white surfaces and his own black coloring. Fleshy red and veiny. It thorned its existence into his mind and was only gouged deeper as he moved down his body to scrape out everywhere he saw sand. Self restraint could only carry him so far. And after the day he's had, his well of patience was running dry. It grew worse as he bent down to comb his legs, even under the purifying shower he could smell it. The tangy smell of his mate. He still felt the way he pressed him into the wall. The slight give of his frame. The sensation as Baund docked his tail. He had been fractions of centimeters from claiming him right there and now he's stuck horny, hard, and hurrying to get clean. [I]’Come [b]on[/b]! Come [b]on[/b]! Come [b]on[/b]!’[/I] He discarded the comb the instant he pulled out the last visible debris. Droplets of water hit the walls as he shook off the excess, limbs spun and twirled to fling the moisture off his coat. He wasn’t dry. That’d take time that Karnot didn’t have. Not when had a mate waiting for him. His reflection drew him in as he rummaged his way about. Matted, wet hair sculpted more to his frame. Giving a better look at his proportions. It was hard to see under how long he kept his fur, but Karnot was built. Natural athleticism and genetic predisposition had blessed him. The wolf knew this, the wolf reveled in it. He grinned his own way as he admired the handsome wolf in the mirror. “Damn, I look good!” He boasted to no one. The reflection’s face turned serious, narrowing eyes and set jaw. “Alright, Karnot. Now you listen to me, you idiot. Your wonderful amazing mate is waiting for you out there. He’s going to want the lay of a lifetime, and you’re going to give it to him. He’s going to want his brains fucked out and you’re going to be the one to do it. And you want to know why?” The rhetorical question hung in the air. Much like the scent of horny, wet dog wafting off him. “Well, I’ll tell you, you idiot. It’s cause you’re his mate too.” He grinned. “Now, get out there and fuck his ass up.” ----- The Shiba’s ears perked up as he heard the door open, relieving some of the anxiety settling in his bones. The dark figure emerged, its shape obscured by the dim room. Neither having lit the space upon entry. Baund wanted to call out to him, but was silenced by his eyes. They shone in the darkness, tinted with the slightest amount of evil. A raw concentrated intent that wasn’t going to be denied. Karnot wasn’t going to stop now. Baund wasn’t going to protest either. Each step he took scraped the carpet. A fool would think Karnot was controlled in his movements, Baund was no fool. That Karnot was just a step from feral, a beast in the shape of an anthro. Never before had Baund felt so thankful he prepared himself. His ass was loose but empty, and his heart ached for his companion. The one now stalking towards him. The diminutive canine could only wait as Karnot came up to the bed. Hovering like a spector at its foot. Fear and pleasure culminated in Baund’s mind, anticipation building beneath his skin. He wanted to move, run! Whether away or towards the beast staring down at him was of no consequence. Just an outlet, a resolution of the tension creeping through him. He gulped, trying to tame his riotous instincts. [i]‘Karo…’[/i] He remembered, was never going to hurt him. No more than Baund could stand, they were no strangers to this dance. His dick remained erect, shamefully leaking through his thong. Betraying his want, his need, his carnal desires. He couldn’t move now, too bewitched by the eyes that ate his form. That drank him in and chewed him up and swallowed him down. A deep rumble split the air, an animalistic call harkening to age old times where beasts relied on instinctual noises to communicate. Baund felt the call to his heart. Pulling him along into the dark. He let himself go. He turned over. His tail flagging to the side. ----- One paw. Two. Then three and four. Slowly the form of Baund disappeared under him. Tremors waved through the bed as it crumbled under his weight. His mate laid waiting for him, just waiting. All prone and ready. Sniffs curled through his nose as he reintroduced it to Baund's neck. The effervescent odor of passion piqued him up. Reminded him of his power over this man. He sank upon him, depressing him into soft sheets, cementing his place above the Shiba. He didn't hear a single complaint about sand. That concern had left both their minds. His dick wedged right into the crevice of his ass, between the pert and toned mounds. They squeezed and pushed back against him. The wolf took another sniff. Getting high on the fumes. His elbows rested besides Baund's head. Movement to his left sucked his eyes in, a timid hand meekly journeyed over the blanket. A dark band conspicuous on its fourth finger. The whole extremity shook despite how still its owner was. Karnot just let it go, slowly watching it wade through the space between them. His hunter's eyes kept it front and center. It hesitated as it curled up near his larger paw. Just pausing before Karnot’s own. The wolf just let it stand, huffing deeply on Baund's musk. Until he couldn't stand it. Fingers snapped like lightning, snatching up their prey. Fingers intertwined, death-gripping, locked. His hand felt warm to Karnot, filled with life and yearning. Karnot felt a wave of clarity through the bestial focus. Baund was ready, this had been put off long enough. His other paw drifted south, scratching through the Shiba's pelt, just slightly digging into his skin. Just enough to sting. The Shiba's breath hitched in response. Silence coated both of them in its pressing sensation. Letting the acts speak for themselves. The fine thread was tugged away. Hips lifted. Spear and sheath aligned. Fingers squeezed. Karnot hit another shot of musk. “Mine.” ----- Baund squeezed every muscle he could besides his ass. His mate’s shaft slipped past his loose rim, past where his fingers could reach, past every nerve and curve and deep recess down in him. Passed every limit and still dug deeper. He screamed silently, the pressure building higher and higher. Fleshy bulbs of his mate's knot halted right at his rim. Baund heaved once, exhaling all the stresses in him. Suddenly every muscle relaxed as his ass bit hard. Trapping his mate's cock with all their strength. Karnot nuzzled against him, quickly switching between dominant to affectionate to ease the Shiba. Baund forced himself to stay relaxed, just let himself be taken. The intense sting of being filled ebbed away, but the stiff length remained deep within him. Rooting him in the moment, reminding him of what more was to come. He gripped twice into Karnot's hand, signaling his permission to continue. Like that, Karnot sank back into hedonism. A roll of hips sawed an inch of length out then in his hole. Stoking the fires back to life, flooding the subdued Shiba with pleasure. Everything zinged about his body. The weight of his mate, the thickness within him, they became his anchors. He closed his eyes, all he heard was his heart. The world sank away, but what was left was Karnot. And he couldn't have been happier! “Ah…” he grunted after a quick thrust. A little more of his mate's knot working its way into him. He wanted to be knotted so badly, but he couldn't find his voice. It got lost in his chest. None of his limbs responded to his commands. Baund wasn't worried, he trusted Karnot. He’d do what was needed. What Baund needed too. The thrusting lengths of more wolf cock pulled and pushed against him. It seared his tender spots. Friction heating and shearing his hole. He moaned again and again into the sheets below him. Limbs splayed out and sought stability against the racing pleasure emanating from his insides. It rolled through his gut. Baund's own hardness, trapped under him, continued to leak. Constant punches against his prostate pushed dribbles out. His tip felt sticky. But it went unconsidered by the pair. Not that Baund was complaining. ----- The fleshy sound of thighs hitting his mate's backside clocked out the seconds. Each knock of bodies brought about ecstasy the like only carnal pleasure with an esteemed partner could produce. Karnot was again digging a hole. Baund's hole. Again the world fell away, the room sank into unfocused shapes. The wolf became unconcerned with all except that within reach. He fucked. He humped. He pounded. The repetitive motion became everything. For the dog who was his everything. Karnot wanted nothing more than to stay in this moment together. Just endlessly fuck the love of his life. But he wasn't that strong, he couldn't stop the sun, moon, and stars from turning. And he couldn't stop his impending orgasm. The prickly fur of his mate tickled up his nose, carrying that ensnaring scent of his. Exhaustion filled his muscles which only sustained themselves on adrenaline and lust at the moment. Karnot pushed himself to keep moving, stopping would spell the end of their night. The wolf would collapse and leave their act incomplete. And he would never stand for that. He drew upon the strength that remained in his limbs, encouraged by the non verbal cues radiating off his mate with Baund’s excitement. Even without words, the Shiba sang and wailed in ecstasy. The grips along his shaft as it pushed and pulled along, the way his breathes hissed out his mouth as Karnot stimulated a novel spot with him. All it gave Karnot the most wonderful agony. It tortured him so sweetly to know he made his mate feel this way, cause he was feeling it too. Each plop signaled another fraction of his knot breaking down the last of Baund's defences. Karnot was so close, to peaking and to knotting. He couldn't take it anymore. He pulled almost entirely out, leaving just enough cock in his mate to accurately reenter him. There was just a moment of hesitation and Karnot noticed how Baund shifted. The signs of awareness coming across in how he lifted his hips just ever so slightly and pulled Karnot's paw close to his chest. With one final thrust, Karnot buried himself in his mate’s waiting hole. He didn't stop when his rim rebelled against the forces barring entry, he powered through with what remained in his legs. The pressure about his inflated knot was intense as he greedily took everything he could of Baund. The Shiba's over-taxed hole uselessly gripped around Karnot. Just one last trifling attempt to stop Baund from knotting his mate. The sudden restrictions found their way to his base as he hilted Baund. Sealing their union. Karnot's dams burst forth and he ejected. Cum gushed forth as he compressed his mate into the mattress below. The rush of peaking held him rigid, locked in oscillating cycles of feeling his mate squeezing him, milking out every last drop of stamina and seed from the wolf. His head swam, dizzy drunk on the powerful endorphins busting through his system. He forced his lungs to breathe again as self-preservation fought against intense sensations. Little by little, muscles loosened, joints slacked, and all tension fell away. The wolf collapsed, tired, spent, and tied. ----- Baund was feeling much the same. The collapse of a wolf a couple sizes larger than he was more than he was prepared for. He grunted out residual air in his lungs. Kickstarting his own recovery from the system shock. His dick pulsed between him and the bed, spurting out the last of his own climax. The lodged mass in his ass continued to pulse and throb as soft heat welled from deep within. It wasn’t a new feeling, but every little twitch was heightened by his own sensitive state. He felt warm and wet. Karnot’s pelt still damp, the heat of their exertion trapped in its layers and threads. He layed and breathed trying to get his own body under control. The husky pants and smells from his mate calmed him. Just knowing that his mate was just as satisfied as he kindled little drops of pride in his chest. Knowing that he reduced such a beast to this state. It was heavenly. It was wonderful. It was all that he needed. He huffed out, just resting beneath Karnot. Sighed knowing he was snuggled up against his mate. They didn’t feel the need to talk, just drifting among their afterglows together. Baund turned to lick the snout laying upon the bed next to him. Flicking against the whiskers and jowls. The corner of Karnot’s lips tilted upwards, though his eyes remained closed. “...BB…” He sighed out. “Shhhh…” The Shiba wanted the moment to never end. To believe that they could just sit here like this, tied together, forever and ever. There wasn’t anything beyond this bed that mattered. Karnot stirred slightly. He snaked hands underneath Baund. The movements tugged at the plug in his ass, the pause in their action had resensitized the places within him. The Shiba winced as Karnot spun them to the side so he wouldn’t crush the smaller canine beneath him. Hands and arms and legs cocooned him once more, holding Baund close to him. Baund sat spooned and just happy to be here. Happy they came here. He was happy with Karnot. He was happy he married him, happy he mated him. Sleep covered him with a blanket that he couldn’t shrug off. Soft snores were already emanating off the wolf at his back, cock still buried deep within him. The goofy wolf always went full out no matter what he did. Baund chuckled, a smile on his face as his eyes drifted shut. [i]’What happened to not letting me sleep tonight, Karo…?’[/i] He joined Karnot once more, this time in their dreams together.