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Werewolf

By: fantasy123



Strange creatures lurk in our dreams. And sometimes, when the veil that parts their world from ours is a little frayed, they stalk, eyes agleam, into our lives ...



Werewolf



She stepped out of the hall into a world that had been transformed in her absence, a world that now seemed to her almost magical. There were a few small fires scattered around the quadrangle, with figures huddled around them, indistinct in the mist that had rolled in with the darkness. With the coming of the night, candles had been lit in the rooms of the castle and the stained glass windows that overlooked the courtyard were now a rainbow of colors – shimmering reds, iridescent blues, playful yellows. She marveled at the virtuosity of the men who had forged shards of colored glass into images of such power and beauty. The images were not gentle. Swords clashed in those rectangles of light. Limbs were severed, armor stained by blood. A maiden awaited with desperate anxiety the outcome of a deadly struggle. Wolves, red of fang and claw, tore at the throat of a struggling lion. But brutal as the images were, they took her breath away.

He whistled softly into the darkness and after a few moments, a figure emerged from the mist leading two horses. No two animals could have been more unlike. One was a magnificent black destrier, chomping at the bit, pawing at the ground, raising tiny clouds of dust, making no secret of the fact that it would be glad for the freedom of the wind in its glossy mane. The other was a snowy white palfrey, as tranquil as the surface of a lake unruffled by even the softest breeze. She seemed to be regarding her companion with a faint air of disapproval.

He reached into his pocket to extract a few lumps of sugar. The stallion nuzzled his palm eagerly, sucking up the lumps with a snort. He passed a few to her and said quietly, "Why don't you try?"

"Me?" she enquired, a little uncertain.

"Yes," he responded calmly, "she won't bite."

Brianna minced forward and hesitantly offered the lumps of sugar in her open palm to the mare who regarded her quizzically for a few moments and then nuzzled her hand softly, sniffing it, before daintily nibbling at the lumps. Brianna was enchanted. Her nose was so wet and ... so soft.

The mare bore a sidesaddle, a simple chair-like contraption, which would allow Brianna to rest one thigh on the horse, with her other foot in a stirrup. It was not the most comfortable arrangement, but she decided that she had little choice. It would just have to do. She felt his fingers wrap themselves around her waist and then she was hoisted in the air to be planted firmly in the saddle. He made her comfortable, her left foot securely in the stirrup, before mounting the stallion.

They set off at a leisurely pace through the woods, a pace that the stallion, who was snorting impatiently, didn't seem to approve of. The mare was happy enough and glided through the woods with a loose ambling gait that Brianna, who had never ridden a horse before, was grateful for.

"What's her name?" she asked, as she stroked the snowy white neck of her mount.

"Miranda," he replied, "and this," he said, patting the flank of the stallion fondly, "is Equus."

Hearing his name mentioned, Equus bared his broad white teeth at the two of them as though in greeting. He seemed in a particularly cheerful mood.

The path was a long one. But she didn't mind. She had never felt more at peace in her life than at that moment riding with this complete stranger through the night. The moon was not full, but it cast enough light to turn the charming little brook that she passed every day into a shining ribbon of silver. She had never known such silence as enveloped the woods, the only sounds the quiet breathing of the horses, the light scrunching sound of their hooves digging into the soft earth and an occasional little snort from Equus. It was as though the two of them, sifting through the moonlight, were all that was left of man. When they reached the edge of the woods, she almost felt a pang of loss. Her village lay ahead. This was as far as he would come.

He alighted from his horse to help her down. He picked up a mushroom, caked with earth, from among the ones she had gathered. He cleaned it with the pad of his thumb before tossing it dismissively back into the basket.

"I never acquired a taste for these," he said, half apologetically, "But there are enough in my grounds to keep your basket full for a year. I would be honored if you would come by again tomorrow. I'll have a servant pick them for you."

Brianna did not trust her voice enough to respond. She had assumed that the evening that had gone by was a passing interlude, magical yes but impermanent, in her otherwise uneventful life. She had not dared to imagine that he would invite her to his table again. The journey back to the village had been bittersweet on that very account. The realization that he did want to see her ... he did, didn't he? ... he did ask her back ... left her exhilarated. She didn't examine too closely why she felt so. There would be time enough for that when she was alone in her bed before sleep claimed her that night. She simply nodded, turned tail and ran off towards the quiet warmth of the lights that glimmered in the distance.

He was surprised too by his invitation, but he didn't regret it. He wasn't sure ... yet ... why she aroused his interest so, but somehow when the words had escaped his lips, they felt right. There was a small, niggling voice within him that told him that he was treading on dangerous ground, but he ignored it. He closed his eyes and his nostrils flared as he remembered the musky scent of her, a scent of earth and water, fresh grown grass and wood smoke.





Werewolf



He averted his eyes with an effort and carried her into the bedroom. When she was within reach of a bed, it dawned on her how tired she was. She allowed herself without protest to be tucked under the goosedown coverlet. Her nerves had been stretched tight as the strings of a lute. Now, she needed to sleep. Her eyes fluttered shut even before he reached the door.





Werewolf



Angelia got out of her car and closed the door in annoyance. How very cool and stand offish men could be. No wonder she needed some time off. She turned to look at the cabin, and the broad back of the treed mountains.

Yes. Some time alone with no boarish males, thank you very much.

As Angelia turned to lug her suitcases into the cabin, she caught side of a reddish brown wolf standing on a far off crag, nose lifted in her direction. It looked strange. Somewhat affectionate, somehow. Shrugging, she turned to enter the cabin.

Days had passed. Angelia was settling down nicely, enjoying her two week holiday from males. Solitude was nice in this lovely forest. The only thing was that wolf – it appeared again several times, and each time it had gotten nearer. Now, as she sat on the step and laced up her hiking boots, she wondered where it was. It had been a few days since she'd last seen it.

A rustling in the bushes startled her, and Angelia looked to see a familiar snout poking out of the greenery. It surveyed her with cool brown eyes. Angelia bit her lip. Instinct told her to go back into safety, but she did not feel afraid at all.

The wolf strode carefully out of the bushes, as if not to frighten her, and gently walked nearer. Angelia's breath hitched in her throat as it came nearer. It was a very handsome wolf, if anything, sturdy and leanly muscled. Almost suave. 

Angelia caught her breath as the wolf slowly, carefully pushed its head up and under her hand, allowing her to stroke it. She trembled as she did so, distracted momentarily by the silky feel of its russet fur. Without warning the wolf leaned in and licked up her face. Angelia laughed, and the sound was loud in the silence in the woods. The wolf pulled back and seemed to study her curiously, as if trying to figure out what kind of a strange creature she was. Then slowly, it leaned in again and licked her, but down her jaw this time, its tongue disappearing down her neck and into the top of her collar.

Angelia flushed as she felt a familiar heat settle between her legs. This was awfully weird. Getting turned on by a wolf. She leaned back, blushing, and the wolf must have sensed something was off, for it turned tail and disappeared into the foliage.

Angelia stared after it for a time.

More days passed and Angelia put that incident out of her head, and since the wolf did not return for days yet, she thought it gone, its curiousity satisfied. 

She got a shock, therefore, when she got out of her shower, towel slung around her loosely, dripping onto the woodwork, and saw the wolf in her cabin. 

Seeing it outside was one thing, but having a wild creature in her room?

Angelia shuddered with she didn't know what. She dropped her towel in fear and took steps back. The wolf advanced on her, head cocked to one side, an almost amused expression on its face. Angelia retreated further, releasing an exclamation of pain when she hit her feet against wood and realised she'd reached her bed. She climbed up on it and put as much distance between herself and the wolf as possible, straining back against her pillows.

The wolf eyed the height of the bed thoughtfully, then took a step back and lightly leapt onto the white linen. Angelia made a sound in the back of her throat almost like a whimper. 

"N-nice, wolfie." The wolf again stopped and looked at her, a comic look in its eyes. It shook its head then, and leaned forward. Suddenly it froze, and seemed to smell something. It lifted its snout in the air and sniffed, followed the smell.

Angelia froze as well, watching in horror as the wolf dipped its head to sniff at her legs. It shoved its head higher and higher until it reached the juncture of her thighs. Too afraid to snap her legs together in case it bit her, Angelia bit her lip and watched, frozen. 

The wolf looked back at her, this time with a knowing eye.

Then, to her absolute and utter mortification, it put out its tongue and licked up the length of her cunt.

Angelia's mouth fell open in shock and horror, but to her embarrassment, in pleasure as well. The wolf looked at her as if to gauge her response, and liking what he saw there, licked her again. Angelia gasped and fisted the sheets, involuntarily letting her legs fall wider. So many days without a man had done its toll.

The wolf licked up and down, circling around her clit as if it knew what it was, lapping tenderly at first and then furiously toward the end. Angelia felt herself climbing toward orgasm, and her last rational thought was – a wolf is licking me to orgasm – and then the wolf lapped harder and she broke.

When she opened her eyes it was gone.

Five days passed, and it never showed again. Angelia had begun packing for her return journey when there came a knock at her door. She opened it, half expecting to see a reddish brown wolf on hindlegs, but met a tall, leanly muscled red-haired man instead. She nearly gasped, he was so breathtakingly handsome. His nose was firm and straight, his jaw strong and muscles taut, and his eyes – they were the deepest brown. They looked.. almost familiar.

"Hello there." Angelia started at the husky, growly quality of his voice. He sounded..almost like a. a. Wolf.

"I heard from around here that you're leaving soon, and I didn't want you to go before I did this. I'm really sorry if you're confused, but I don't normally do this." An almost-sheepish look crossed his face.

"I'm sorry, but you look. Familiar. Do I.. know you from somewhere?" Angelia began, hoping to death he'd say something that'd convince her she was wrong.

His dark eyes flashed.

"Well. My name is Lobo. But maybe this will remind you. If you'd be..so kind as to allow me this discourtesy." So saying, Lobo leaned in and licked Angelia's cheek, and though she started in shock, she didn't stop him as he let his tongue wander down her jaw, trail down her neck, and linger at her collar.

Angelia gasped.

"It..it can't be." 

"Yes, it can." A very familiar roguish smile curved his lips, and Angelia took a step back into the cabin. He stepped closer.

"But. But I'm off..off men." 

"I'm not exactly.." Lobo's eyes darkened – "a man." He reached out to touch her, and she let him, not knowing why exactly, or why she didn't do anything to stop him as he closed the door behind them and began slanting his mouth over hers. He pressed his lips to hers, and slowly, deliberately delved his tongue into her mouth, reminding her of where that had been a few days before. She shuddered.

"No, it can't be."

"Maybe I can convince you." Lobo gently pushed Angelia onto her bed, parting her thighs as he leaned down. She gasped and fidgeted, pushing her hands against his head, but there was nothing she could do to stop him from spreading her legs open and taking her flesh into his mouth, kissing and laving and suckling. She gasped, and her pushing grip became a pulling one. 

"ohh. Okay I believe..I be-ohh- lieve you.."

Lobo smiled against her thighs.

"Never have I been so drawn. Even beyond my own control. I have never done this." He allowed himself one last probing, leisurely lick, and drew himself up to lean on her.

"You're a.. werewolf?" Angelia enquired, almost incredulously. He frowned, cocking his head on one side, and nodded slowly. 

"Some may call it that, yes."

"Oh. I. I see. But. Why me?" She asked, stammering a little as he pressed his hips into hers and she felt a hard heavy length grind against her center.

"Why not?" Lobo's eyes darkened, with need this time, and he reached down and unfastened his pants. He shrugged them off and pulled his shirt over his head. Angelia swallowed. He was perfect. Every plane was taut and ridged, and a line of sparse hair ran from his chest down his stomach...

To where he was hard and curved up against his belly.

Angelia blushed and looked away. Lobo took her hands and tentatively tugged at her clothes. She bit her lip.

"Come now. There's nothing I haven't seen." He grinned wolfishly, and she had to smile, while allowing his hands to tug her clothes away. 

When they were both naked Lobo fitted himself to her, grinding into her mound slightly, letting the head of his cock rub temptingly against her clit. 

Angelia gasped, and reared up against him. Lobo smiled into her hair. 

"Patience. You must be ready for me – wolves are bigger than humans, you know."

"But you're human now," Angelia said.

"Yes," Lobo answered, his eyes darkening again, "but when I lose control of myself, I may not be."

Angelia shuddered. An arrow of lust spiked up her legs.

Lobo tensed, settling the blunt, broad head of his cock at her entrance, and pushed in a little. She gasped, clutching at his browned skin, as she felt him, broad and thick and hot, pushing inside her.

Lobo grunted with the effort to go slow. He wanted to take her and thrust hard and fast into her. But he wouldn't. He couldn't.

He pulled back, and pushed in again, deeper this time. Angelia opened her mouth on a breath, and he withdrew and plunged in all the way to the hilt, shuddering past her clenching muscles. Angelia groaned, and the sound of it filled the quiet mountain air. 

Lobo gasped. It was more than he could bear. This woman – she was different from the others who had come up the mountain. Her scent intrigued him, drew him, and he couldn't resist eating her out when she had come out naked beneath that scrap of a towel. What he was doing was forbidden – but – oh, how could he stop now?

Angelia moaned when Lobo thrust hard against her, and she lifted her head to bite into his neck, and his eyes changed. They flashed dark brown and a spark went off in them. Lightning quick, he pulled out, flipped her over and thrust back into her.

Angelia gasped loudly as she was turned, grabbing onto the headboard by instinct, and opened her mouth on a moan as she felt him enter her again from behind, but something was different this time. He was.. bigger. Thicker. Hotter. She gasped as Lobo pumped into her, harder and faster with each thrust until she felt he'd break the bed – he was going crazy behind her, losing control, and as she wondered, she felt familiar fur brush her legs and she knew what had happened. 

Finally he pounded her to a frenzy, at such a pace that the bed thrummed with the motion, and she hit her head against the headboard as she moaned and screamed her pleasure, as she was taken by a werewolf.

Hips thrusting, pounding, pumping, Lobo barely felt her muscles clench as she came, and he trapped her between the headboard and the mattress and drummed himself home.

Slowly, he felt his soft skin return.

Angelia breathed deeply. She looked next to her where Lobo lay, breathing rapidly, and smiled wickedly.

"So, what does your name mean, anyway?"

He looked at her with serious brown eyes.

"Wolf. In Spanish." 



Werewolf



So like vote and stuff cause ya'll haven't been doing that much lately and it's slightly annoying. :p

*

All of my nervousness and doubts disappear when Frank opens the door for me. I smile up at him as I take his hand and climb out of his rather impossibly low car. Wrapping my arm around his we walk into the forest toward the hill he had talked me into letting him seduce me on. I can't help but smile at him as we walk, he smiles back as often as he can.

Our walk is not overly long, perhaps half a mile the blanket folded on his arm making noise as we walk. The uncertain ground makes both of us stumble here and there. As we get closer to the hill my heart picks up speed, this isn't my first time. My virginity was lost to a boy named Andy nine years ago. I'm excited because I haven't had sex in over a year.

I've only been in this tiny town that is getting bigger for six months. I broke up with my last boyfriend a little longer ago than my last time with sex. Drunken party rebound, at least I got a condom on him. This thought makes me take in a big breath and look up at my new almost lover.

"I don't have any condoms with me, do you have any?" I couldn't help the little catch of worry in my voice.

"Not me, I'm catholic remember. I don't use condoms, if you are using a birth control that's fine. Odd thing, me using a condom is harder to make up for than sex with a date." His voice floats down around me curling my toes a little.

Frank has a seriously sexy voice, the kind of voice you want to wake up to every morning. Especially the kind of voice you want to have saying nice things during sex. I've already checked Frank isn't the largest down there but he's got enough to have a seriously good time. I mean hello seriously sexy voice, handsome face not round, not muscle bound but enough with a little tiny bit of padding.

"Well I can manage to not get pregnant if you happen to be not carrying something." I get a grin for that comment.

"I can get the paper if you want. Part of teaching I get tested every year. Not that I come in contact with my students in any way to catch or pass something, part of being a teacher in this state."

"Oh sure you do, all those papers being passed around and tests, paper cuts are a serious business." Frank laughs and I join him as we reach the base of the hill.

Frank doesn't drink much, doesn't do drugs. I mean damn in this day and age no drinks or drugs are a bigger deal than most everything. Course if there is not enough in the basket he needs to be rich but hell Frank has enough. His car isn't a chick magnet but hell he asked me out and I won't have to beat women off him with a stick. That gives him a boost over the cash flow side. Frank is a teacher, he stops in the diner I waitress in every morning and evening.

Obviously teacher hurts him a little in the money side but he likes kids. He's not a player and he's only two years older than me. Most of the guys I see in the diner are almost as old as Aunt Josephine. Why I'm in this tiny little town, she got to old to live alone, not enough relatives to pay for her going to a home. I was in need of a new town so I volunteered to help her. The best part she's actually not that unfit, she just can't shop easily so I earn money to help pay bills and do the shopping.

We stop at the top of the hill and just gaze out over the small town. Course from here it looks anything but small, the lights radiate out in a lovely pattern for miles. Each of the houses has a good sized yard so the lights are spaced out besides the street lights. The street lights are well street lights, bright and everywhere. 

Frank leaves me to look at the small town that's my home while he gets the blanket laid out. His hand on my shoulder draws my attention away from the lights to him. The first thing I notice is his jacket is gone revealing the lovely ivory silk shirt he had on under it. His shoulders are broad enough, his arms are not small. What I lose myself into are his eyes, they are manly and strong and gorgeous.

I go to him putting my arms around and kissing him. The strength of his lips pressed against mine gets my heart racing and gets me on the way to being ready. With his arms wrapped around me the last of my nervousness fades and I find myself wanting to keep kissing him. Instead, he pulls back from me and looks down at me, not that it's hard for anyone to look down on me, I'm a tiny little thing.

I don't see him thinking that though, his eyes are lit from within by a heat I know means he wants me. The knowledge of that brings a smile to my lips returned by his.

"Are you sure you want to do this? I mean if you would rather I can date you some before we get physical. It's not like either of us is ready to declare undying love or anything." I just know he was going to say something else he's nervous, so I put my finger to his lips.

"Hush I have not had sex in a little over a year. I trust you I mean how am I supposed to not trust a nice English teacher I see twice a day?"

"Well most people remember that most of the teachers having sex with their students are English teachers." I grin at him for saying that.

"I had a crush on my English teacher, so if I start moaning to a Ms. Stankowitsk don't be offended." 

He stares at me for a second rather shocked until I start laughing. He joins in and we help each get naked. It's amazing how fast I got him naked. I mean really would you expect an English teacher to go commando? Yeah me either, that's something you expect out of a gym teacher or maybe the football coach.

Course everything stops when I drop to my knees on the blanket though not helping much, darn roots. Thinking I had better be the one on top I grab his cock fully hard and quite ready for me. With a devilish smile I move closer and open wide. He moans above me when I close my lips around the end of him. Reveling in the taste of him and the fluid already leaking out I move back and forth on him.

His hands move to my head, my hands move to his butt. I can't help but squeeze on his cheeks he has a wonderful butt, firm but not to firm. There's enough to grab and guide with but it's not one of those buns of steel butts you can't actually grab. I'm moving on him all the way up and down. The end barely presses into my throat so even if he is going to let me drink him I won't have a problem.

I look up to see him looking down at me, his eyes full of passion. His face though, he's looking at me all serious. I smile around him as I move back and forth on him, he's trying to not pop in my mouth. His head falls back and I hum expecting my reward when his hands move from my head to my shoulders and he pulls me up. My mouth opens to complain when he kisses me.

Now this is a kiss, full of passion and hunger his lips mash to mine, our tongues duel. I can't help the faint little whimper that comes from me during the kiss. I mean damn this is one fine kiss, this is a kiss that entire books are written around and it's all for me.

"Let's get you naked, it's been longer for me. Being a teacher isn't terribly conducive to getting dates."

I didn't even notice he had stopped kissing me until he talks to me. My eyes stay closed as his words sink in and his hands roam all over me. I shiver with anticipation as his hands roam over my breasts, my hips and shoulders. I open my eyes again when I'm lying on the blanket, wondering how I missed every single root. Frank is staring at my breasts I can't tell what he's thinking so I ask.

"Are my breasts to big?" He looks up at my face and breaks into a smile.

"Definitely not, they are lovely and full and everything a guy could want in them."

I giggle as he play falls on me, talking about the Austin Power's movies was perhaps a good idea over dinner. I roll around avoiding him falling on me and laughing until he catches me. The laughs fade away as he pulls me to him and kisses. Our lips lock in a hunger filled kiss as he seeks to devour what I am offering and I let him. We roll around a little until he has his hand between my legs.

His touch gets me quite ready this is so what I have been waiting for. His fingers delving into me, my juices appearing as if by magic and I moan into the kiss. The kiss changes, no longer is he devouring but seeking, I don't know what he's seeking but ah hell who cares seek away. His tongue delving into my mouth, his fingers delve a little farther down. I'm getting close to an orgasm when he pulls back and looks at me, just looks with a smile.

I can't breath I can only feel as his fingers move in me, my juices making noise. I think I plead with him to do something, I don't know what but when he drops down to suck on a nipple I tense up. My back arches, I moan loudly and either my eyes close or I lose the ability to see everything turns black.

When I come back to myself he is looking at me with a smile. His fingers are still in me, his other hand is idly tweaking my nipples and I'm moaning. I reach for him, grab him about his shoulders and pull him on top of me I just have to have him buried deep inside of me. Well at least as deep as he can go, he's not really long but oh god I need him buried. 

We both moan when he lines us up and shoves in. It feels so good to have a man inside of me again toys just don't work as well as pure naked flesh. It takes me a moment to adjust to him, he's a nice thickness but it's been a while. Between my own vow to not wait long for sex again and my rundown of my last period, thankfully short I do not notice Frank has started moving. 

At least I didn't notice right away, and I can so tell it's been a while for him his movement is a little stuttered. He smoothes out in no time, only a couple pumps and he's moving atop me like an old pro. My legs trying to wrap around him and not quite making it I reach an orgasm. I think I yell his name I'm not really sure it feels to damn good to keep track of anything.

An odd noise pulls me out of my enjoyment of one seriously good orgasm. Frank doesn't seem to have heard the noise he's still pumping into me. I don't hear anything else so get right back into enjoying the man flesh inside of me. My hands are all over Frank, he's all about pumping me to a mutual orgasm. I'm all about helping him pump me to a mutual orgasm, unless I can get another one first.

This is when everything goes wrong at first I didn't think so. I don't think Frank thought anything was wrong either, he lost his rhythm and was just all about pumping me hard and fast his orgasm coming fast. I think I even got to feel a little of his fluids when he jerks atop me. I don't notice I'm just about ready to have an orgasm of my own. Course my orgasm is totally forgotten about, Frank is pulled off me and there is a howl. 

Frank of course screams with the howl then he's yelling at me to run. I don't know what grabbed him I just listen to him roll over and run. It takes me a couple steps to get on my feet then I take off. Getting down the hill is fast enough, and yet not fast enough. Behind me I can hear the screams and grunts to go along with the sound of tearing flesh and muscle.

It's a seriously wet noise and sure to drive one to the utter limits of fear. The trees are going past fast as I can get them to. I don't know how far I have gone when I hear the sound of something following me. I falter a moment thinking that perhaps Frank got away until the growl wraps itself around me sending my fear to entirely new heights. If you didn't think it was possible trust me I had no idea it could either.

There's the car just ahead, I can see it sitting there just waiting for me. I have no idea what I am going to do with it I do not have the keys. My purse is inside with my cell phone at least, I can jump in call for help and I don't know what after that. There is just one more tree between me and the car, it's a big tree. I have to go just a little farther and I am at the tree surely whatever that is following me is not close enough.

I don't get past the tree I'm sure you saw that coming I sure didn't, perhaps it was just wishful thinking. Instead of getting past the tree hairy arms are partly wrapped around me guiding me toward the tree. I put my arms out to stop me from running headlong into the tree. I almost do anyway I was moving fast, at least for me and I'm tripping over my feet. I practically kiss the bark of the tree, two hands beside me on either side.

Leaned over as I am apparently I was presenting my pussy to whatever that thing was because suddenly I'm getting sex again. I groan as the long thick cock shoves its way inside of me. I was getting lovely sex before and I reached two orgasms and hell you would think it would be enough for me. I guess not since once I got accustomed to the seriously big cock in me I was enjoying the hell out of it.

Granted I am seriously sounding like a wanton slut at this point but look at it from my side. I haven't gotten sex in over a year, I admit to having a pretty good libido, I use a vibrator twice a day and get wet spots in my panties during the day. Not to say my customers are all cute, far from it but some of the teenage boys that go past are serious hunks. 

Frank I guess was a good fantasy lover, and talented as all get out. There is another guy I see all the time, he features high in my eyes closed enjoyment of a vibrator. I think I was falling into my own mind, my thoughts whirling on and on about everything but what was being done to me. This all ended with an orgasm, my thoughts go from the rather hunkalicious Cyrus to a moaning groaning orgasm.

My insides clench on the cock inside of me making my lover growl and wrap hairy arms around me. I don't know why I didn't notice earlier but there are claws on the fingers. I'm not talking fingernails not even the long ones like some of the women I serve have. I'm talking slightly curved claws like a cat, except big and firm and seriously scary.

I'm pulled back into a seriously hairy chest as the cock plows in me. I'm seriously enjoying this, I know I'm supposed to be scared shitless and freaking out but hell if I'm going to die much better to get hot sex first with a serious cock. If I don't die I'm going to be a little sore in the morning.

The growl has me trying to get away I know I'm seriously attracted to the cock inside of me and its wonderful movement. It's just the fight or flight instinct kicked in and being a petite gal with tits it's not fight. Trying to get away has a strange side effect I present myself better to that incredible cock. I suppose it helps that there is an arm around my belly and it keeps pulling me back.

Ends up meaning I'm helping whatever the hell this thing is fuck me. That cock plowing into me with my moving back and forth speeds up the moving. This creates a certain problem, namely I reach orgasm. My insides are clenching on that cock, my toes are curling and my back arches putting me back against the chest.

My yells of orgasm has someone shouting, then I'm screaming. My lover bites my shoulder I'm not talking a love bite or even a stronger pain slut type bite. I am seriously talking a bite like you get from a wild animal. I feel teeth tearing into my skin, I feel hot fluids gushing out and running down. The worst part though is the pain, forget my orgasm forget the lovely cock swelling up inside of me, this bite seriously fucking hurts.

I'm aware of someone shouting, I'm aware of warmth swelling inside of me. I'm aware of a tree right in front of me and the arms wrapped around me. I am seriously oh my god aware of the teeth buried in my shoulder. Then I see a flash of light off to the side, someone yelling and running. There is growling behind me as the cock pumps at me a little more then it's gone. 

The teeth disappear, the flash of light returns more shouting. I hear footsteps coming toward the tree. I hear something moving away in the trees. Perhaps it occurs to me to wonder why I'm still standing, perhaps not because suddenly I'm not standing. I'm on the ground looking up at the tree, the branches way up there, the leaves. I get lost in the branches and trees. I groan as the light falls on me, I think I recognize Duffy one of the cops talking on his radio.

The next thing I know I'm looking up at the seriously ugly white ceiling with black spots of a hospital. I hear the rhythmic beep of a monitor somewhere. I hear people talking and the whine of a bed or wheelchair going past. I groan when I move, my shoulder seriously hurts. A noise to my side gets me to slowly turn my head to see Aunt Josephine sitting there looking worried.

"Becca are you OK?" Boy she sounds worried her normal old lady voice is deeper.

"I think so, my shoulder hurts but otherwise I feel good enough. Where's Frank?" I know he's probably in pieces on the hill but somebody fucked me after and I would really prefer that was Frank.

Aunt Josephine doesn't answer me instead someone to my other side starts the bed upwards. I slowly turn my head that way with a grimace doing that hurts. I see standing there our chief of police John I always tease him about his giant signature. His name is actually John Hancock I shit you not its funny. He's looking at me with a serious face and a notepad in his hand.

"I think first I'd like to hear your side of what happened." A pen appears in one hand and he is now looking at me expectantly.

"I'm not really sure I had a great date with Frank we got along great. We talked about all sorts of things and he asked me to go to the park, there's a hill there with a great view." I pause and motion him closer to whisper. "We were having sex when he got pulled off me, he told me to run so I did, I heard horrible noises behind me. I almost got to the car to use my cell phone when I was bitten then there were lights and I think I passed out." I didn't want to talk about the second bout of sex, I have no idea who that was and hell it seems more like a rape than anything minus the bite.

"Did you see what pulled him off?" I shake my head and groan again that really hurts.

"I didn't see anything, all I knew was he was pulled off me and yelled at me to run. I heard a howl, some screaming and noises I never want to hear again." John grabs my hand and squeezes for a moment.

"Thanks Becca, get some sleep they will let you go home tomorrow." John turns to go and I reach up quick to grab his arm and hiss with the pain.

"Where is Frank?" I get a sad look then.

"Frank didn't make it off the hill. It's not your fault Becca we're all glad you made it out of there."

I collapse and cry Aunt Josephine holds me whispering consoling words to me. I didn't see John leave or the doctor enter I do know my shoulder stopped hurting. I think somebody said something to me, I think the doctor I'm not sure whatever the hell they gave me it was the good drug. Everything got fuzzy then I'm staring up at the ceiling and my eyes close.

The next time my eyes work with my brain, I'm sitting in the back seat of a car staring at my work. John and Aunt Josephine are staring at me saying something to me, I shake my head.

"I don't want to work today I don't even know what day this is." Aunt Josephine and John trade a look at each other.

"Becca today is Sunday the doctors are saying you reacted strangely to the drugs they gave you. Your not here to work, this is the best diner in town, you know that. We're going to go in get you breakfast and get the questions out of the way. I'd understand if you don't want to, though you do work here as soon as you feel ready for it." John says with a nervous smile.

I look down seeing my arm in a sling. I move my slung arm to test it and wince that hurts. Then my stomach growls, I do mean growls. I look up at John and Aunt Josephine.

"Let's go apparently I have not eaten in a while."

"Why we stopped here, you were fed through a tube all day yesterday. You're looking a little underfed." John says with a grin, Aunt Josephine giggles making me look down again, I don't look thinner.




Werewolf



I get out with a groan John is such a weird man. Aunt Josephine actually tries to support me on my good arm, sadly it's my left and I'm right handed. If I wasn't a little woozy I'd laugh at Aunt Josephine supporting me, she's old. I don't know how old, my mother doesn't know and calls her Aunt Josephine as well as I do. At a glance I would say eighty, though my mom commented on how she never changes so possible she's actually a hundred. Hell I don't even know if she is actually related to me or not, but she's a mostly wonderful old fart and she can cook so I got the good job.

When we get in well my diner, its funny the place is actually called Becca's Diner all eyes are on us. I don't own it I just waitress here, the owner is Zephram who is smiling and running towards me. I squeak when he picks me up and twirls me. I get stuck on the counter while Aunt Josephine places the order for me she knows what I want for breakfast. It's nice to have her cook for me, she seems to love it to, I offered to cook she told me no.

While we wait for our breakfast, whole new meaning for me I'll tell you that, I get the twenty questions. This is a small town of course, though it's really not all that small, there's last I checked twelve hundred people living here. The mayor likes to call us a small city but hell we all know we are just a town. I notice old Zeb taking notes in his painstaking and precise handwriting. When the questions are over and I'm plucked off the counter to a stool Zephram takes the notes and disappears.

Before I can ask about that he comes back holding a couple copies of the notes. One he tapes on the back of the register, the other he puts in the window by the door. Turning pink at even thinking of it I ask for more pancakes, I know it goes to your hips but I am hungry and I missed breakfast yesterday don't look at me like that. Course just about everybody is staring at me now until old Zeb finally yells that I should put some meat on my bones.

I admit I don't want to put meat on my bones but I am hungry. At least now not everybody is staring at me. After I finish eating we go to the pharmacy, this isn't one of those big name pharmacies. This is a little mom and pop shop they have a soda fountain and a huge candy section. The section that always has me giggling is their condom section an entire row of condoms of various kinds. I mean good grief there are condoms that do everything, flavored, ribbed, lubed and not, there's even the different size ones.

Not that I would ever want to try one of the extra large condoms. I mean seriously, condoms stretch a good amount a guy needing one that size, I don't want between my legs. Granted some of the better thickness guys would find a regular a little tight, but crap a guy needing the extra large would be huge. Trust me that's a little on the scary side even after the first time, takes a while to get used to that.

Course we didn't spend any time with the condoms or candy, we went right to the back and picked up a prescription. I'm a little surprised when I get handed the thing. Then Jacob, our pharmacist and the pop half of the ownership, explains what the prescription is for and the warnings. I got painkillers and a muscle relaxant that is more for going to sleep than anything else.

We all share a laugh or two on the sleep aid muscle relaxant. I mean really if the thing relaxes you that much why the heck am I getting it. So home we go, well my and Aunt Josephine's home we go, John lives on the other side of town, I just see him a lot at work. I think of watching TV until I remember it's Sunday and Aunt Josephine has her televangelist. Not to say I'm not religious but I do know a snake in the grass when I see one. 

Aunt Josephine agrees with me but it's easier to watch on TV than going to church. For some odd reason there is no Baptist church in town, there used to be one but now there's a Catholic and a non denominational church. I'm not Catholic and the other priest is a hippy so I'm rather out of churches. So instead of watching the snake in the grass I go sit in bed and read, a nice hot romance novel.

Hey don't laugh romance novels are one of the best ways to burn time and forget your woes. No matter how bad things are going, if you can curl up with a smoking hot romance you won't give a crap. Especially if it's a western, I just love to read about the poor lonely widow ranch owner and the hand that keeps her alive and sexed. I admit it's my weakness but come on, what's better than reading about a guy who wants to please you in all ways and doesn't mind if you won't do something.

Lunch is lovely, tomato soup and grilled cheese. I'm sitting there taking spoonfuls of the soup and eating the sandwich. My mind isn't on the food I love this for lunch even. Instead I'm thinking of Frank and whatever that was that killed him, bit me and sexed me up. I'm broken out of my thoughts by Aunt Josephine with her hand on mine.

"Becca what's wrong you're not dipping your grilled cheese?" I look down and realize I haven't been dipping I've just been eating like a robot.

"Sorry Auntie Jo I've been thinking on what happened. Perhaps I did see what did it and don't recall but I'm getting nothing." My hand gets squeezed then she let's go.

"Don't you go beating yourself up over this, they will figure out what did this. It's not your fault you were having fun with him and got surprised. There's no one to blame besides the animal that did this. Now you enjoy your lunch and don't you worry none the police are on the job and your job is safe Zephram said you can take your time coming back, long as you need."

I try to bury my face in my hands, I'm quite sure I'm bright red. Aunt Josephine knew I was having sex with Frank. She's not my mother but close enough to be mortified. I say I tried because bringing up my right hand hurts and I squeak in pain. Aunt Josephine doesn't say anything, she just gets up disappears briefly then hands me a pill.

The pill is a miracle worker to a large extent, after lunch we go watch some TV. We end up watching CSI, not my favorite show to begin with, now it's horrible. The first time they show the flesh and muscle tearing away scene I cover my eyes with both hands. It hurts but not really that bad, bearable is a nice change. Aunt Josephine changes channels and we watch Law and Order much better to watch that, it's not gory at least.

It was nice to just sit around and not think, but not really what I need. I'm a gal of action, why I work as a waitress there's not much time to do anything but run around. After a little arguing with Aunt Josephine I help her make dinner and set the table. Over dinner I decide I'm going back to work tomorrow. I should have known better considering what happened in the hospital, but I took one of the muscle relaxers.

When I open my eyes the next day the sun is high and bright. With a groan I take a pain reliever and head for the shower. While taking the sling off I notice my arm is rather sore, I work it around a little while the water heats up. Standing under the water I realize I have an urge to play and I'm not sore.

Ah hell I'm already way late anyway, my right hand travels down between my legs. My free hand moves up to a breast and my eyes close. I sway under the water as my fingers move in and out of my doubly wet body, my thumb caressing my clit. I bring up in my thoughts all the men I want between my legs. Pirate Johnny Depp running high on the list of men I want. This is feeling really good, I'm picturing him caressing my body and moving between my legs. 

I can see his lovely eyes getting closer and closer until he's kissing me. My hands are moving fast and sure on my body picturing the things I want him to do to me. He's dropping his pants I see his fully hard cock, he's just as excited to see me naked and ready as I am to see him. I'm thinking he's going to get on top of me and fuck me hard, instead he pulls me up and gets behind me.

Good thing I like it this way I feel him getting into position behind me. I moan when the big cock shoves in me, I am so close to that orgasm I'm searching for. Then it hits me, I didn't picture him having a giant cock, granted he could have a giant cock. I always picture him having more of a regular cock because the size isn't as important as the person but never having had him in me or seen him naked I don't know. Course my desire runs cold when hairy arms wrap around me in my thoughts. 

Shit my eyes open and I'm backed into the corner eyes darting everywhere. I'm shivering a little even after deciding there is nothing in the bathroom with me. I go into fast wash mode making sure all of me is clean and get out of the shower. I'm still shivering a little when I leave to walk to work, my mind going over what Aunt Josephine told me over the sandwich she made for me.

It must be the relaxant I took last night affecting me in weird ways. Aunt Josephine promised she would call Joseph and see what he says about my reaction. I mean I can't come up with a better reason why I would make a growling noise in my sleep. So lost in my thoughts I don't even realize where I am until I'm going into the diner. The sudden silence gets me to look up it's packed with people and they are all staring at me.

Zephram runs over takes my arm and hurries me past everyone into the kitchen to his office. He sits me down, motions me to stay put and disappears again before returning fast with a glass of water. Megan appears in the doorway behind him waving to me with a nervous smile. Megan is a great older lady, she's a semi retired librarian, works here and at the library a few days a week.

"Becca what the hell are you doing here? Your arm is still in a sling and you only got out of the hospital yesterday." Zephram asks sitting down on the corner of his seriously buried desk with a look of concern on his face.

"I know but I gotta do something, I can't just sit at home all day. Besides if I'm here I won't actively think of what happened and my head can work it out in its own time. I'd have been here sooner but the drugs they gave reacted with me strangely. Don't worry, I can do this, the pain killer reduces it to a bearable pain." Zephram looks from me to Megan then sighs and shakes his head.

"Why don't we have Becca take the orders and get drinks, I can run the food and we can both clean the tables." I smile up at Megan when she puts her hand on my shoulder and squeezes for a moment.

"Megan you're not helping but alright we will try it out, Becca you are going home at six. No arguing we are only seeing how you do today." 

Megan helps me get the apron on then I'm out in the utter chaos of one terribly busy diner. Well after I get a hug from both of the cooks, we aren't usually that busy we just have two after lunch through dinner. I did mention the chaos part I hope because good grief it was busy. I won't bore you with the run down of what goes into being a waitress at this diner. Instead you will just have to take my word for basically being on a mad dash to every table every fifteen minutes or less.

So busy in fact, that I didn't get a chance to head home until a bit after seven. This normally isn't a problem except I seem to have acquired a new phobia I froze at the door staring out at the almost night. The only thing that saves me is Cyrus, a seriously handsome mechanic I see every night I'm at work. Usually I leave before he does, tonight as busy as we were, still are luckily the night waitress showed up an hour ago.

This is how I found myself walking home with a man I have a rather serious case of the hots for. He doesn't talk much so I don't know if he's dating anyone or gay or not into sex. I mean really I have no idea on what he likes except for dinner.

"Thank you for walking me home, maybe I should not have come to work yet." I say looking at him, god he is handsome in profile.

"It's not a problem really I've wanted to talk to you for a while. If you would like I could walk you home every night, I'm only two streets over from you."

I look at him again, he's looking at me now and his face is caught in the light from a street light and a passing car. His face is all lit up from both sources of light and he's almost glowing. His eyes are a little red lit, common when strong light hits the eye. His nose and cheeks are lit up almost like he's glowing and his whole face is just awe inspiring. Not to say he's exactly handsome, his nose is a little crooked and to large, his lips are full, I'm talking full.

What really sets Cyrus apart from basically everyone to me is his hair and his eyes. His hair is gold touched or well tan I suppose it's not blonde but it's not really brunette either. He wears it long and tied back but right now he's pulled out the tie and it's flowing around his face. It's seriously gorgeous looking, I mean forget Brad Pitt with long hair, forget Johnny Depp as a pirate, Cyrus with his hair down wins hands down. His eyes on the other hand, are sparked with intelligence, which is good in a mechanic right, there is also a deep pain which makes him damaged goods and oh god I want to fix him.

"What did you want to talk to me about?" It suddenly struck me I've been staring at him for several steps and he's been guiding me.

"I wanted to find out about you and if perhaps you are interested in me like I'm interested in you. Which is totally horrible of me to mention now though you did ask and well shit I'm being an ass. I would really like to ask you out on a date I'm not going to now of course, that's insensitive. Just when you're ready please think of me and of course I will walk you home every night." I just know he was going to keep talking, I seem to be a magnet for nervous babblers instead I put a finger to his lips.

"Hush I would like to, I'm scared though my first date since moving here and he gets killed."

"I'm very glad to hear you say that, and of course I understand. I'll be a perfect gentleman and just walk you home until you're ready for a date. We can get to know each other first, hopefully you will fall madly in love with me and I can just take you to a church for our first date." I giggle at him, seriously romantic and sappy, not to mention a serious case of toot your own horn there.

"Becca good grief what took you so long and who is this nice young man?" I think I jumped a foot when Aunt Josephine talks to us from the front porch.

"Her diner was really busy tonight so leaving took longer than normal. I'm Cyrus, very pleased to meet you." 

I groan at the whole my diner bit as Cyrus moves toward Aunt Josephine holding his hand out. She looks him up and down then holds her hand out for his with a smile.

"Well Cyrus why don't you collect Becca and come on in. I got dinner all ready and there is apple pie for dessert."

"Cyrus already ate at the diner I don't think we should fatten him up." I object as he comes and takes my good arm.

"Nonsense he's a strong young man and I only have a little extra unless you're watching your weight I gave you a good plateful." Aunt Josephine says as we move to the table.

I groan when she sets my plate in front of me, plateful is an understatement. There's at least five pounds of food on my plate, mashed taters with gravy, peas galore, and two fried chicken breasts. I'm happy to find they are the boneless I bought it's easier to eat fried chicken breasts boneless. Well perhaps not easier but cleaner at any rate. I enlist help with the food from Cyrus as we talk.

Dinner is really quite fun, I find out that Cyrus is not just a mechanic, he's an avid reader. He watches most any movie, even a few of the chick flicks, that has Aunt Josephine and me giggling at his expense. As it turns out he is a Baptist which gets us on a discussion of the rather lack of churches in town. This turns on me since I don't watch the televangelists or go to church.

I get a kiss goodbye from Cyrus, at Aunt Josephine's direction. It was awkward but when his lips met mine I think I swooned and fell fully into his arms. I swear my toes curled a little and I was left breathless when it ended. Somehow I managed to get in bed and read a little before falling asleep, minus the muscle relaxant. Joseph was worried on how long I slept so I'm not to take those anymore.

Work the next day was tiring to say the least even with breaks. I was so broken down Zephram parked me at the register in the afternoon a couple hours before I went home. I don't really remember if I said anything to Cyrus before we left. At least not until it happened, we had been walking along, Cyrus holding me up more than anything when the moon appeared from behind the hills.

"Oh my god look at that moon, isn't that just beautiful?" Cyrus looks at me with an odd expression.

"I didn't know you liked the moon." I look over at him puzzled then realize what I just said.

"I don't normally care there's just something about it tonight. It's almost full and really beautiful, I don't know maybe it's because of what happened I'm paying a little more attention to the beauty of nature."

Cyrus doesn't say anything else the whole walk. Dinner is a bit quiet this night, not that I'm complaining I'm really tired again. The moon had given me energy but out of it I don't have any how weird is that. Cyrus has a full dinner with us tonight I just put that off as Aunt Josephine hoping I'll not be depressed with a really nice guy hanging around. I go to bed before Cyrus leaves getting an odd look from Aunt Josephine. I think they talked for a while I'm not sure I seemed to drift in and out of sleep.

The next few days go by in roughly the same manner I get extra tired during the day. Seeing the moon gets me not tired until I'm not in it any longer. Then the day before the full moon there is a change, Cyrus has me go with him to his house. His house is well a mechanics house at least I think so until we go inside. His garage is full of parts and other things you would expect a mechanic to have laying around. 

Inside the house is another matter entirely, it's clean like Aunt Josephine keeps her house. Everything is in its place with a nice TV a stereo system and books galore. I kid you not he has at least three walls of book shelves in the living room and dining room. These aren't your normal everyday books either there are plenty of casual reading books he's a fan of Stephen King among others. What gets my attention however are all of the medical books there are the physical and even the psychological books.

"Why are you a mechanic with this rather obsession with all things medical?" I ask looking at him while he stands in the doorway to the living room.

"Well that's rather why you are here, have a seat please." Cyrus moves to one of the chairs.

Looking around I realize there is no sofa, no place to really get comfortable. There are comfortable enough chairs of course, but who doesn't want to just stretch out and watch some boob tube. I take another chair and turn it a little to face Cyrus trying to look at him curiously, his face suggests I don't do curious well.

"You will have to excuse me for just saying this I'm not much of a people person."

"Usually it's best to just get it out there. I'm one of those rip off the band aid types." Cyrus smiles at me then gets serious, makes me nervous I was kinda thinking perhaps I could manage to go on a date and he's so nice.

"Yes well first I have to apologize, what happened to you was not planned." I open my mouth to say it wasn't his fault then stop as his hand comes up. "Please let me say what I need to say. I've been drawn to you ever since you came to town and started working in the diner. I was going to ask you on a date the same day that Frank did. I didn't know he would take you to the hill it has a pretty good population of rabbits and deer over there. I was up there just doing a little hunting when you two arrived. I didn't mean to do that to you and him, I really did not mean to make you like me."




Werewolf



I think he was going to say something more, I just got up and left. Not in a huff or yelling at him, I just ran home, it's only a couple streets. Aunt Josephine is surprised to see me she wraps me up in her arms and holds me as I cry.

"Aunty Jo I think Cyrus is deranged he just told me he did what happened to me and Frank but it was an animal, no person has fangs." I say when I pull my head out of her shoulder tears streaming down my face.

"Becca he did do that, it was not on purpose you understand. People like him and me don't always make rational decisions. You will be like us tomorrow."

I back away from Aunt Josephine in shock heading for the front door. I twirl around when the door opens to Cyrus coming in. I back away from him my mind a whirl of thoughts until I back into Aunt Josephine. I jump when I run into her then my mind goes blank and my eyes close.

My eyes open again to my ceiling drawing a sigh from me it was all just a bad dream. I squeak when Aunt Josephine appears over me, Cyrus makes a noise. I scramble into the corner of the room and curl up scared and confused.

"Becca calm down, this is not life ending or a practical joke. I assure you Cyrus did not intend to turn you into one of us. I never wanted to bring one of my sister's kids, grandkids, or great grandkids into this. Here let me explain, no is to long let me paraphrase." Cyrus laughs until Aunt Josephine growls at him then turns back to me. "I was changed into a werewolf protecting my sister your great grandmother. We were going to see her fiance and decide on where they would live after they were married. A werewolf attacked us I sacrificed myself to keep her safe. Unlike you I almost died, I was saved by ranch hands. I've been spending the last hundred and some years helping new wolves. Cyrus was my last I am to old to shift it may kill me why I do not go outside at night anymore." I think my jaw hit the floor sometime during this paraphrase.

"Oh just move on to why I didn't mean to do that before she passes out again." Cyrus says looking a little worried.

"Oh yes well that's one of the problems with being one of us, when you shift your thoughts get a little jumbled. Not to put to fine a term for it, shifting affects you, makes you a little more animal like. Cyrus was just hunting when he found you two and he got jealous. Shifted jealous turns into rage and a little bit of possessive, why he bit you during his sex with you. He was marking you as his which of course has a side effect."

"So because he likes me, he killed Frank and raped me during which he bites me making me into a werewolf?" I say finally finding my voice.

"My memory of the event is a little fuzzy but as I recall you enjoyed it. I believe more than you enjoyed Frank, not to mention you presented yourself to me for mating." I stare at Cyrus and growl myself before slapping my hand over my mouth in shock.

"I was enjoying Frank plenty he was a really great guy and had enough package for me. This is not about how you have a bigger dick, I was running for my life then suddenly I'm grabbed almost run into a tree and violated without my permission, what else would you call it?" Cyrus opens his mouth to say something until Aunt Josephine holds up her hand.

"You two can decide on the personal side of things later right now Becca you must promise me that you will go into the woods with Cyrus tomorrow night. You will shift for the first time then, full moons bring the shift on first timers, after that you can shift whenever your mad enough so do please keep your emotions in control. I would take you if I could risk shifting any longer, I am old and fading. First time shifters need another shifter or no people." I sit looking at the floor until what she said sinks in and I look up.

"Why do first time shifters not need people, it sounds like a person would be in danger."

"When you shift you turn a little animal, it can be hard to control yourself and the first shift is new enough that it's best to not tempt with people in the area."

"Oh great so your saying that if I ever shift around people I'll be a murderer?" Cyrus sighs and shakes his head.

"No far from that, you just have a harder time not attacking people." I just stare at Cyrus Aunt Josephine sits on my bed and puts her head in her hands.

"Cyrus you're not exactly a good role model on that front, considering I was on a date with a man who is now dead. I was apparently bitten by you and turned into a werewolf. I'm not saying I believe this, but yes I'll go someplace away from people with Cyrus. Otherwise I'd rather not speak to him."

I spend a mostly one side conversation dinner with Aunt Josephine. She tells me all sorts of things I don't know if they are true or not. I mean seriously, who really believes in werewolves and I sure didn't actually see what attacked me. I felt it sure and saw arms, and that is definitely going in the not thinking about pile.

I learned I have two shapes one is the wolfman shape like in the movies. The other is a somewhat normal looking wolf, I say somewhat because I'm not a heavy girl and there wouldn't be added mass so I'd be more of a big dog than a wolf. I did question that one, I mean come on I'm heavier than most of the dogs even being a petite gal. Apparently wolves are heavier than any dog besides the truly big ones, Mastiffs and Great Danes.

Work the next day is truly exhausting I took naps during my breaks. Does not help Aunt Josephine put me in a very short sundress with no underwear I don't even know how many times I flashed someone. My last nap I go into Zaphron's office and pass out, then wake up in Aunt Josephine's car with Cyrus. Talk about a shocking experience then of course toss in the fact that I'm not wearing underwear and I think my whole body turned red.

"Is there a reason you are looking like a boiled lobster?" I groan and look out the window away from Cyrus.

"I'm wearing a very short sundress with no underwear. I flashed I don't know how many people during the day and find myself in a car with you when I wake up. This is so the definition of embarrassing."

"If it makes you feel better I carried you out with your dress covering as much as possible. You only flashed a lot of leg at least while I carried you out. I can't comment on what you flashed while you were being a waitress."

"Am I going to be like this every time the moon comes full?" I change the subject I really do not want to dwell on the flashing, not that I'm believing this werewolf nonsense.

"No this is the only time the moon will affect you, once you change the first time you will only change when you want. You will be stronger, you will smell better..." He was going to say something else but I interrupt, smell better my ass.

"Are you saying I smell bad?"

"No not what I meant let me try again. You will have an improved sense of smell. You will be able to smell your loved roses miles away. You will have an improved night vision, not as good as when you shift but it will be easier for you to see at night. You will also heal faster, just a few days instead of weeks or months."

Anything else he would have said is stopped by a very handy deterrent. We reach the spot he was going to park at, while I get out of the car and try to not fall asleep he gets a duffel bag and a picnic basket out of the trunk. I don't ask on the picnic basket while we walk for an interminable time through the forest before we reach a small clearing.

I watch as he lays out a blanket then arrays a few packages of salad and sandwiches. I gasp when he pulls his clothes off, I'm sure my mouth has dropped to my knees. Cyrus ignores my expression, easy enough to do since I haven't said anything and sits down to get a sandwich and some tater salad on a plate.

"You will be hungry when you shift, best to eat plenty now so you just wander around and not eat a few rabbits, rats, or a deer." I plop down on the blanket as far away from him as I can go.

"Why are you naked?" He looks at me surprised at my question then grins.

"You really should join me sans clothes, as soon as the moonlight gets anywhere near you, you will shift and that won't be good for your clothes."

"Oh no I've done enough flashing in well lit areas I'll just wait until it gets darker."

I still wasn't believing this whole nonsense with being a werewolf. Granted my reaction to the drugs is strange, I did apparently growl at Aunt Josephine. Not to mention my unduly tired all day trait of late. I mean that one is seriously weird, possibly a stress from what happened on my date with Frank. I don't really think so it does at least make a better reason than being a new werewolf.

Think about it, if werewolves are real, why the hell are they considered myths. At least Cyrus didn't try and talk to me anymore, even turned his back on me when it got darker. Grinned when he turned back to find me hidden behind my dress still. His reaction is something of a given, he's already told me he finds me interesting, guy speak for wanting to get in my panties. My reaction is entirely different granted I think he's handsome and nice, but not screw before our first date material.

It takes me a moment to think through why I'm getting excited looking at Cyrus. When it hits me I open my mouth to tell him we can't do sex without a condom. I would have told him except two things happen. The first is something of a given, it gets lighter meaning the moon has finally popped up over whatever was between it and us. The second gets me to forget to say anything, or breathe a whole lot.

My skin feels like its on fire, I'm talking pain and a burning sensation. My face is stretching rhythmically, my jaw especially moving in and out. My eyes close in pain when my skin starts peeling off me, this really fucking hurts. I'm not sure if I make a noise or not, I do know I dropped the dress covering and rolled away from the blanket at some point.

When the pain stops I open my eyes the first thing I notice is my hands, I have claws and really hairy arms. This really sucks I mean who wants hairy arms. All thoughts end when I notice Cyrus, well I assume its Cyrus. There's a thing standing where he had been, about the same height. Hairy all over with part wolf and part man face, and oh man I'm drooling a little at this one, a hard cock.

I get up fast, I mean super fast I don't know how I do that and don't have time to think about it. I move to Cyrus plowing into him in a rather good tackle, I've watched football enough to get the idea. The next thing I know I'm sinking down around him until I'm fully resting on him. Then I start moving up and down with a purpose, I'm not trying to enjoy this I'm just trying to get him off.

Cyrus moves to get up until I growl at him then lies back and starts to move with me. This feels really good, I have a moment to realize I'm raping him back then basically lose all thought. Here I am riding this thing its cock buried in me and I don't want to think of anything else. I just wonder at the beauty of the sex, the full feeling I have and hope he doesn't take much longer.

If you have ever had animalistic one purpose in mind sex then you totally know what is happening. If you have never had it, I'll try to describe it. Picture if you will a woman with big breasts bouncing on a guy as fast as she possibly can. This isn't a slow lovemaking, this isn't even frantic sex. This is balls to the wall fucking with but one purpose, to get the guy off. This is the sex you have when the gal is ready for kids and she doesn't give a rat's ass if he is or not.

I don't know how long I rode him, might have only been minutes or an hour. I know I growled at him anytime he moved anything but his hips to help me get him off. Then it happened, his back arches making him growl and howl with his orgasm. The hot fluids flooding me sets off my own orgasm. So there we are two hairy beasts howling out our orgasms to the moon. We get joined by other wolves howling in return which makes me realize something.

After making sure Cyrus has finished flooding me I hop off and just listen. I can hear really well I mean damn this is shocking. I can hear at least twenty television sets, families talking and closer still, animals moving about in the forest. I take in a breath and have to close my eyes, talk about overload. I can smell sex strongly, not just from us though the other smells are fainter people come up here to have sex, but not tonight. I can smell every flower along with animal in I don't know how far. Cyrus said miles though I'm thinking farther, there's no way there can be that many animals in a few miles of us.

One smell gets me turning, it smells so good and I can't resist opening my eyes and taking off. I am moving seriously fast through the forest. The trees are going past in a blur as my feet keep moving. The smell is getting stronger as I go, it seems in no time I see my prey. I only have a moment to realize I hunted down a deer, not a terribly large fawn, perhaps only two hundred pounds.

The actual kill is fast, I half tackle half jump on the poor fawn. Before it can do much besides bleat in surprise and fear I am biting into the neck crunching bone. We both fall to the ground where my claws go into action tearing the throat and belly open. The deer dies in only a few seconds, much better than if some hunter shoots it. I hunker down in front of the meal ready to eat, when a thought strikes me, I don't know where it came from. I look up and howl to be answered by a set of howls, I howl again and then a third time howl.

Burying my face in the fawn I suckle the blood and rip out a chunk of meat with my teeth. I sit back and let Cyrus get some of the meat while I chew up the chunk I got already. I grab another piece and sit back to see a pack of wolves, not a terribly large one, perhaps twelve. They are staring at us, or perhaps just me. I stare back while I finish off the piece I grabbed get another then wave to the carcass. They move forward cautiously looking at me then fall on the meal. There is some growling and positioning then they are eating.

Cyrus moves next to me showing that he's ready again. Wishing to have him again suddenly I get on my hands and knees with my ready cunt facing him. I don't have to shake my ass at him more than once before he's behind me grabbing my hips and shoving in. I groan at the large hunk of man suddenly thrust into me. My discomfort doesn't stop me from moving with him.

He leans over me his hands going to my breasts as his cock shoves in and out of me. I keep groaning this feels so good the wolves stop eating and come over. I don't really notice until the first one licks my face. Then they all do one at a time before going back to eating. Before I can even wonder what that was Cyrus is howling, followed closely by me his fluids setting me off.

The rest of the night is something of a blur I shifted again to an actual wolf. This is something of a serious pain to do my bones and muscles restructure themselves completely. My hips do an adjustment, my toes and fingers lengthen. Just about everything is changed to make me a wolf then we are running through the forest. The wolves, Cyrus, and I catch a few rabbits. I enjoy this, I know it sounds odd but raw rabbit tastes pretty darn good when you're a wolf.

I don't know what time it is when Cyrus leads me back to our picnic. I just know that I am tired and really need some sleep. I don't change back I just collapse and curl up as a wolf. Cyrus does change he lies behind me and wraps his arm around me. The sky is starting to lighten and I hear a few early morning birds wake up as my eyes close.

There is a very good dream for me I'm having sex in the forest. I see someone above me I don't know who with my legs spread wide. Their cock moving in me in a lovely way, hands on my breasts and his mouth at the crux between neck and shoulder. I am feeling very good with this treatment, the cock in me is a lovely size.

I'm not sure when I wake up to realize that it's not a dream. I am actually having sex in the forest the sun is semi high overhead. The forest looks quite nice around us as this cock plows me and makes me feel incredibly good. Trying to feel better I wrap my legs around him which gets a long moan out of me. He sinks even deeper into me and gets a better friction going on my clit.

Unable to resist I yell out my orgasm now awake but not thinking well. I am ashamed to admit but I urge him on, Cyrus listens to me and picks up the pace bringing me to another orgasm. My clenching insides bring him to his orgasm. His hot fluids in me sets off a small third orgasm. Eventually he collapses next to me, I roll over and cuddle with him burying my face in his shoulder and crying.

"Becca, why are you crying?" I shake my head and just keep crying into his shoulder.

"Bear with me I've never killed anything before." I say when I finally calm down enough to only have tears streaming. 

"A deer and some rabbits isn't really worth all of these tears." I look up at Cyrus and sigh in frustration.

"It's not just that, I'm not on birth control, I am right in the middle of my cycle and we had sex three times. I don't even know if it's something I need to worry about or not. Not to mention we don't have a relationship. I mean you killed my last boyfriend before he was a boyfriend and you made me into a werewolf." I start to cry again, I am really not ready for all of this.

Cyrus doesn't say anything, instead he moves me around to get my sundress back on me. I'm placed leaning against a tree while he collects everything. Somehow he collects me, everything we brought here and carries everything back to the car. I leave him and Aunt Josephine to deal with everything in the car while I dash in and go to my room.

I don't know how long I spend curled up on my bed crying. I do fall asleep and don't wake up until it's late. I peek out my window then jump back when I see the moon, though I do not change. I sigh when I remember what Aunt Josephine told me about the moon only affects me the first time. I pause for a moment to just smell, I close my eyes in delight. I can smell the roses down the street, the greenhouse two streets over and at least twenty dogs.

The wonderful smell of roast beef coming from the kitchen has me heading that way. I find a plate in the fridge all set up for me, Aunt Josephine made roast beef with baked taters and gravy. She even did up the tater for me smothered in gravy and butter. Putting the plate in the microwave I notice what time it is, I suppose I got good timing, I'd be getting up in three hours for work anyway.

Setting the plate down on the table I go after a fork and knife then jump about a mile. Aunt Josephine got up and is getting the coffee going. We both giggle about that while we sit down at the table. Aunt Josephine watches me eat while the coffee is going, when it finishes she gets me a cup along with hers.

"Since you know that I'm not a raving lunatic I imagine you have some questions." I put down the fork and rub my eyes for a moment.

"I think right this moment the biggest question has got to be can I get pregnant, because if I can I might be or well on the way to it."

"Yes you can and any children you have would be born werewolf. They won't change for the first time until puberty of course." I groan and put my face in my arms.

"I can't be mad at Cyrus for basically raping me anymore I did the same thing to him last night. I killed a deer and a rabbit or two, I think the worst thing is we had sex three times and this is not a good time for that."

"I know Cyrus told me. If it makes you feel any better he's as worried about it as you are." I groan and I swear I sunk even lower down.

"Somehow I doubt that, he's not the one that will swell up like a fucking balloon. He's not the one who will be called to the school or called to the police. Being a mom is a never ending job and I'm not ready for that." I look up when Aunt Josephine giggles.




Werewolf



"Your mother said the same thing, her mother said the same thing, and my sister said the same thing for all five of her kids. Trust me if it happens Cyrus will be just as caught up in raising the child especially now with the shared custody and support laws. Besides I got some years left in me, and your mom knows how to raise a kid. At least you make me think so, I've never had any kids of my own I do help as often as I can. So how soon can we know?" I groan I had been feeling better.

"I can pick up some of the tests we have to wait seven days. There is a three day but it's only going you might be, after seven days they know you are or not."

"Well then, since that is a future consideration I will tell you of something you may have noticed. Your hearing, sense of smell and vision are improved. Along with that you are able to move faster, heal much faster, and are stronger. Be careful of what you get into, you still can die even from being hit by a car. Forget the silver bullet nonsense, any bullet or blade shoved into the heart or right portion of the head will kill you. We are simply harder to kill, mostly because we heal so fast. Watch your temper shifting in front of people would be very bad. Cell phones with camera's everywhere means one shift in public and werewolves are being hunted."

"I don't have to shift anymore?" I'm liking the change of subject, Aunt Josephine is right, nothing to be done right now, I won't just stop conception.

"No, you will want to however. It's rather addictive being able to run in the wild hunting animals. Wolves will like you on sight, and I heard you bonded with a pack. This is good, they will help you hunt and watch out for you out there. Try and go out every week unlike them you will hunt anything they try for the sick and weak."

"Will I want sex every time I shift?" Aunt Josephine looks at me almost laughing before calming down.

"No, remember I said you become a little animal thinking when you shift. You wanted sex so much because it was the right time for mating. People are wired to wish children animals have the same desire except it's overriding everything else when it's the right time."

"So I'm not going to do the wolves every time I see them?" 

"You could if you want I suppose. It's not the same as with a person and apparently you have to coax them into it. They know we are not the same but we are almost."

"Ick no that is so not for me. I just wanted to know if sex is something I have to worry about with the wolves. What happens if say I'm in a robbery and get shot?"

"You go to the hospital of course. I don't think your diner has anything to worry about on being robbed. We don't heal that fast, and the doctors would need to remove a bullet if it's still there. Just remember to only move fast when you need to."

"You mentioned stronger, so I can toss cars around for some exercise?"

"No, I would not recommend doing that. You may be able to pick up a car and toss it if you are mad enough. You will of course tear muscles and perhaps break a bone or three in the process. Instead I am suggesting you can toss a good sized guy around. You may not break bones with a punch but it will hurt and one will make most run away."

"Still that's nice I won't have to worry about being mugged in New York."

Aunt Josephine and I laugh until I hear my alarm going off. I clean up best I can, the darn shower head is having problems again. Vowing to buy a new one I get dressed. Heading for the door to walk to work Aunt Josephine stops me with a hand on my arm. 

"Becca, what about Cyrus?" I sigh and shake my head.

"Honestly I would rather not talk to him everything I thought I knew has flown out the window. I have new things to get used to, I have to try and not show off that I'm different. I get to worry about being pregnant or not. I don't want to toss him in there I'm barely holding on as it is."

Aunt Josephine nods, squeezes my shoulder and sends me off to work. Zephram is very understanding when I ask to go home an hour early. He's especially happy with my not getting tired all day. I'm especially happy with not having time to think, I can toss everything aside and focus on getting the orders right and getting drinks out. Not to mention cleaning, granted this is menial labor but hey it's not like I wouldn't have to clean up at home anyway. Some extra cleaning doesn't mean anything, just a little extra work.

I fall into something of a routine I go to work all day. I go home and eat dinner with Aunt Josephine. No problems to worry about besides the whole am I pregnant or not. Cyrus keeps our conversations short, just a smile and a hi when I see him. It takes some getting used to on being a werewolf, I can smell everything. I can smell when one of the old fart regulars uses liniments I can smell the chemicals they are taking. I know when one snuck a smoke despite his doctor and wife yelling at him to not.

Dogs tend to not really like me much now, the friendly ones are still friendly, the rest bark at me. Aunt Josephine says this is because I smell like a wolf to dogs. Cats oddly enough are not bothered that I smell like a wolf, they like me or not as determined by the cat. I put that off as simply that cats are fickle and don't care if you are a predator or not, so long as you give them food or pet them they like you.

This goes on until one night Aunt Josephine tells me it's time to test. Oh hell it took me half an hour to get together enough to drive to the store. Took at least fifteen minutes to work up the gumption to actually buy two of the tests and a few other things we were low on. After reading the instructions we put our heads together and decided one test now and one in the morning when I got up to be sure.

A longer time to drink enough water to go to the bathroom and wait for the test to finish I can't think of. I only got to sleep because I was sure it was a false result. Aunt Josephine agreed with me on it not meaning anything. Still I was scared so bad I was trembling when I tried it again the next morning. I put it on the counter and took my shower not really knowing if I had gotten it in my stream or not.

I think my shriek told Aunt Josephine all she needed to know on the result of the second one. Matching results means not a false on the first. She is waiting for me outside of the bathroom, wordlessly I hand her the second test. With both tests in my purse I walk to work, I don't know if I saw anyone. I think I walked fast Zephram is just unlocking the door when I get there. I walk through not saying anything and sit in his office, lost, confused, and clueless.

"Becca are you feeling OK?" I look up to see Zephram standing there looking worried, I just hand over the two tests.

"Numb is closer to it." He looks at the tests, looks at me looks back at the tests then collapses into the chair next to me.

"I think I am to, there isn't some drunken revelry I don't remember prompting you to show these to me is there?" I giggle and lean into Zephram shaking my head.

"No nothing like that, I need to talk to somebody. You are here and a great guy so I can't think of a better one, just don't call a priest on me." 

"Oh no I remember that conversation we had on priests in town. Father Lawrence is a nice enough guy, though you are not Catholic and you are right he looks down on anyone not. I think first I should ask if this is from Frank or someone else?" I sigh when Zephram puts his arm around me.

"Someone else Cyrus to be specific, it wasn't planned on. Hell we haven't even gone on an actual date."

"I would ask how a not date turns into sex but that would so be too much information. I think what I should ask, are you going to tell him?"

"I sorta have to, if I don't Aunt Josephine would. This is so one of those better to hear from someone involved in the situation things." Zephram chuckles at my answer.

"Yeah I would think so to. Well then the next question is how do you feel about Cyrus?"

"I don't know it's complicated and confusing."

"Oh no, you are so not going there. Close your eyes, think of Cyrus picture him in your mind, what do you think of the person?" I sigh and close my eyes picturing Cyrus.

"Well he's handsome, not in the gorgeous celebrity way, but his face is nice and his eyes speak of intelligence and an old wound. I look at him and I want to fix him, which makes no sense I know it's a gal thing." 

"My wife had the same reaction to me. Keep those eyes closed, what else do you see when you look at him?"

"He likes to read, Stephen King fan, he likes the same movies as I do, he even watches the chick flicks."

"I never said this but most guys like to watch some of the chick flicks. We just put on a manly front because it's what other guys expect. Everybody cries watching Bambi. So can you see yourself with Cyrus, you know with a ring on your hand and raising your kids?"

"Honestly I don't know, I guess I got nine months or so to figure it out. I'll tell him tonight and see when we can try the dating thing and see how it goes." Zephram pulls me tight for a hug then stands us both up.

"That's the spirit, if you get lost with the whole mom thing most of our regulars are grandparents, plus Aunt Josephine. Don't worry about that, just try and give your kid a mom and dad in the same house. For right now, go on out there and be a waitress."

The day goes by in a blur really, I don't know if I was any good as a waitress. My mind was so wrapped up in what I would say to Cyrus, I came up with at least four good ways to tell him and everything went away when he came in. I opened my mouth to say something to him and nothing but a squeak comes out.

Cyrus gives me an amused look then Zephram is taking my arm and putting me on a stool at the counter. Cyrus sits next to me and tries to engage in a conversation with me. I can't manage more than a few feeble noises. He walks me home I can't get anything out, I'm totally tongue tied. I'm saved by Aunt Josephine getting Cyrus to come in with me and plops us down at the table. She takes the two tests out of my purse hands them to Cyrus and goes into the kitchen.

"What do you want to do? I can pay for an abortion if you want or adoption." Cyrus says when he finally looks at me, I shake my head.

"I'm keeping my child, beyond that I have no idea." Cyrus smiles at me, before he can say anything Aunt Josephine comes out of the kitchen.

"Before you say anything Becca is not sure she wants to keep you. She's still coming to terms with being a werewolf which is totally your fault with extenuating circumstances. Tomorrow is Friday, perfect date night however Becca has not been up to see her wolves this week. The two of you are taking the day off to date then you can drop her off to be with her pack. Staying with her or not is up to you both I suppose, Cyrus figure out something to do with Becca that is fun." I think both of our jaws are on the table.

"Cyrus don't you need to call you boss? Zephram likely knows I won't be in tomorrow already, Aunt Josephine probably called him already." I recovered first, points for me.

"I'm my own boss, I own the shop. Not that it makes me all that much. All the bills on a mechanic shop add up fast, hopefully we keep expanding. Of course no matter if you keep me or not I'll help, I'll buy extra food for you and we can find out all the pregnancy stuff together." I think my jaw hit the table again, I admit it I had horror visions of Cyrus running away packing up and moving.

Aunt Josephine ushered Cyrus out the door then gave me a small dinner since I ate already. I think we talked though I have no idea what about over dinner. I don't even know what we watched on TV, my mind just kept going back to Cyrus and whatever we are going to do all day. I'm a complete and utter nervous wreck when I get to bed. I spent quite a while tossing and turning trying to get comfortable before sleep finally came over me.

When I wake up I'm eager to see what he came up with to do all day. As it turns out taking me out for breakfast is the first thing. We don't go to my diner, though the breakfast there is really good. Instead we do the drive through at a Burger King on the way to a different town. Once there we go to of all things a miniature golf place with an arcade. The arcade is neat I haven't seen an actual arcade in forever, the golf is better.

We don't do the getting to know each other conversation. Instead we tease each other about our last putt. Several times I end up in his arms, at the seventh hole he ends up in my arms. It's rather funny a very wacky design combined with not a terribly good putt puts him making his second on uneven footing. After getting the ball moving he slips when he turns to follow the ball and I catch him.

He plays the helpless woman quite well and kisses me for saving him. We do go to a restaurant for lunch after the golf. I beat him by one stroke I teased him about it mercilessly. Cyrus being a typical guy took it poorly being out putted by me. He gets me back by ordering for me, we did talk about what we wanted first. I simply laugh it off and promise to order him a tiny salad for dinner because he's watching his diet.

We go to the movies after lunch I tease him about keeping me cheap by buying me lunch first. Then I see how much the candy costs and the popcorn and shush. I don't remember what movie we watch, after the first fifteen or twenty minutes we just made out. I'm pretty sure that wasn't the idea of the movie. Not that it matters, I was liking him before and he's been just so sweet all day. Not once trying to keep me cheap, he's been shoving money at me all day. I think I have a few dollars in quarters in my purse still from the arcade.

Cyrus didn't even try and pressure me into kissing him, or asking if we're dating. I had to pull him to me to kiss first in the movies. I think he actually wanted to watch the movie. I couldn't get him to just drive us back to the wolves and skip dinner since we would eat with the wolves. I admit it I was thinking of some hot sex first, not like I can get more pregnant. So we have Italian, really wonderful lasagna with garlic bread for me.

When we get back to the spot we parked for my first shift I have to coax him into grabbing a blanket and coming with me. He lays out the blanket then turns to look at me. I smile at him and start dancing, pulling pieces of my outfit off as I go. His smile got huge by the time I finish then his clothes are practically ripped off him and he's coming for me.

I'm picked up and laid out on the blanket my legs spreading wide of their own volition. Cyrus starts out kissing me his hands on my breasts. His hands travel lower followed by his mouth, slowly working its way down my body with kisses. I'm pleading with him by the time he reaches my pussy. I groan when his tongue travels up my lips to my clit, then he gets to work.

My back arches over and over as he toys with me, his tongue traveling incredibly good paths along me. I'm not sure if I orgasm two or three times before I can pull him back up me. I taste myself on his face I'm not normally into my juices I just have to admit in this case I almost have another orgasm. He teases me by running his hard cock up and down me.

Unable to help the groans of desire I work to get him inside of me. Finally Cyrus seems to tire of teasing me and slides himself in. I wrap my legs around and scream my orgasm. This just feels perfect to me. In no time we are moving together his cock plowing through my insides. I'm producing enough juices to float a rowboat which makes for a lot of noise while he fucks me. I'm embarrassed and incredibly turned on at the same time.

I don't know how long we went at fucking each other for. At the end of the incredibly wonderful sex I'm begging him to fill me and he does with a smile. I just hang on to him after his hot fluids making me feel so nice. Cyrus has to roll us both over so I'm on top of him then pry me loose enough to lie next to him. With a happy contented sigh I stretch out a little and curl up on him.

"So I guess this means you want to keep me." I look up at Cyrus and giggle.

"I don't know, perhaps I was just using you for hot sex." I get a groan for the comment, makes me laugh instead of giggle.

"That was seriously uncalled for, I don't do that." I turn enough to look at him.

"I seem to recall a certain event where you basically did just that to me."

"I admit that wasn't a shining moment for me, if I had to do it over again I would have gone to the other side of town." I sigh and settle back down against him.

"Yeah, though I probably would have ended up with Frank and not become a werewolf. I'm not fully used to it but I rather enjoy being out in the forest hunting and helping the wolves. Besides I returned the favor on the using for sex part. I wonder should we tell our kids the story or come up with something a little more romantic?"

"Wait kids? We don't know if you have twins or not yet and it's not like I can knock you up again." I giggle and get up.

"You can't yet, perhaps in the future sometime. I'm going to try keeping you, though first thing we are doing is making your house nice inside. Come on let's go hunt with the wolves."

I smile at the face Cyrus makes before grabbing my hand and getting up with me. We shift and take off with a howl to find our pack and go hunting.



Werewolf at Heart



Blake Mactire was a werewolf, and not a happy one. 

He sat at the bright airport bar, steadily working his way through yet another pint of dark beer, the bitterness of the brew matching his mood. He hated traveling, especially by air. He wasn't in control, there were too many people and not enough space. He swallowed a growl at the indignities required by government security measures and the pettiness of the airlines. It had been years since he'd been subjected to the trials of air travel, and with any luck he wouldn't see the inside of an airplane again. At least for a decade or two. If it had been anyone but his younger brother, he could have happily sent any number of his pack as witness. Or he could have taken his time driving across the country and paid his respects after the fact. 

If he was being honest with himself, his brother played almost a larger part in his unhappiness than the traveling. Jealousy was not something Blake had much experience with, and he wasn't particularly excited to be dealing with it now. He was happy that things had worked out for Finn, truly. Finn's business was modeled off of Blake's organization, and was proving to be almost as lucrative. With the money and jobs, Finn's pack had grown and thrived. They were a happy, healthy pack, and loved Finn as their Alpha. Up to that point, Blake and Finn were on fairly even footing. Successful, beloved, and strong leaders.

Yet Blake was missing something Finn now had: a mate. That was were biting jealousy entered the equation. He so desperately wanted a woman to call his own, one that completed his soul in a way that no other could. He had secretly wished that he would have found his elusive mate amongst the women of his brother's pack, but he wasn't one of the lucky ones. He was beginning to fear that he would live out the balance of his days utterly alone. 

A quick check of the time told Blake the plane would soon be boarding and this travel nightmare would soon be other. He welcomed the distractions running his pack and businesses would offer. Desperate to be home, to lose himself in his work, he finished his drink and signaled to his traveling companions who had kept a discreet distance and a watchful eye. No one wanted to bother the Alpha with a bad mood. Together, they made their way to the gate.

"Anything to report, Jack?" Blake inquired, mildly curious as to the phone call his second in command had just taken.

"Connor says that everything's safe as houses back home. Things have been quiet, and he has had no real problems. Jesse will be meeting us in Minneapolis with one of the Suburbans." Jack answered.

Blake only nodded, frowning slightly. 

After a moment, "Something's off," he breathed the words. It would take the enhanced hearing of his companions to hear the words over the din caused by hundreds of travelers. His words had the three others looking around, analyzing everything they could see, hear, and smell. Everything seemed to be the organized chaos that was normal for all airports. People sitting on every flat surface, leaning against walls, and setting up tiny, temporary territories. There was bickering over outlets and space, screaming children, a cacophony of conversations and tinny music coming from dozens of headphones. People were standing in lines at the fast food places and bathrooms, there were bored announcements over the speakers that everyone was largely ignoring, and the almost incessant beeping of golf carts lugging around disabled passengers. A miasma of feelings, anger and despair and excitement and a thousand others besides, clouded the air making it difficult to identify what feelings came from which travelers.

For several long minutes they tried to identify what was bothering Blake at a subconscious level, but everything seemed normal. 

"Boss, I have nothing," Tristan finally admitted, and Ryan shook his head in agreement. 

Blake's eyes narrowed as he scented the air deeply once again. Instinct told him that something wasn't quite right, but he couldn't put his finger on it. 

"It's not dangerous," he mused in those same, barely audible tones, "at least not to us, but it has my wolf pacing. He wants out."

Jack, second in command and in charge of security, watched Blake carefully. He was usually the first to put things together, which made him invaluable to his Alpha. Today was no exception. He watched as Blake's eyes kept coming back to rest on the worn woman with two small children in tow. Blake's wolf was agitated, but none of the others were. There was really only one conclusion. "Oh, fuck" Jack said. His wolf chuffing with amusement in the back of his mind.

"Looks like she could use a hand." Jack said, indicating the woman who had captivated his Alpha's interest. "Why don't you you offer your assistance to that lovely mother, and I'll, ahh, take care of some things with the gate agent." Jack's voice was full of amusement he did nothing to suppress. 

Blake gave him a cutting look, taking several long minutes to process what Jack wasn't saying. "You think that woman is my mate?" He asked in horrified wonder. 

"Only one way to find out!" he said with a cheery wink, walking over to the gate agent. 

Blake continued to watch the woman for several moments longer, nearly growling in dismay. She was not much to look at, and not his type at all. Curly blonde hair was more or less frizzing in any direction it wanted, largely ignoring the knot at the nape of her neck she was using to try and coral the stands. Her face looked faded, pale and drawn, as if the life had been wrung from her. From where he stood, he couldn't be certain, but was fairly confident she wore no makeup. Fine lines framed her eyes and creased her forehead. Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth as she studied the wailing toddler she held awkwardly on her lap. Desperation shining in her eyes that sparkled with unshed tears. Although she was sitting, Blake could tell she was a tiny thing, probably not much over five feet and almost anorexically thin. She was dressed for comfort, in yoga pants and a tee-shirt that almost seemed almost too large on her small frame. 

"She needs help with that baby, or this flight is going to suck," Ryan prompted gently. He could understand Blake's discomfiture. Life had used this woman roughly, and a strong breeze may just knock her over. Not what a werewolf would expect in a mate, especially someone as strong an alpha as Blake. Ryan studied the woman as well, silently wondering if it was only the Alpha's protective instincts that drew him to the woman. All Alphas were almost maniacal about protecting the weaker members of the pack, and Blake was no exception. If ever there was someone in need of protecting, it was this woman. 

As Blake slowly walked over to the woman, his inner wolf let him know he was doing the right thing by settling down somewhat. Tristan turned to Ryan, saying, "I hope for his sake that she's not really his mate. Maybe he's just feeling protective? She looks like somebody should be protecting her."

Although Tristan's words echoed Ryan's earlier thoughts, he looked sharply at the other werewolf. "Only a fool would say that sort of thing out loud."

Carly Whelehan was having the worst day yet, in a month that had been nothing but abject misery. 

Almost exactly a month earlier, she had received a phone call that had created this whole mess. It was the Seattle Police Department, letting her know that her sister and brother were in a terrible accident and asking how quickly she could get make it out? Both had died of injuries by the time she had reached Seattle, early the next morning. The children had been in the car as well, and had survived the head on collision with only minor injuries. In Jenny and Sam's will, Carly had been named guardian to the nephews. Suddenly she found herself drowning in the intricacies of the legal system. After a month of lawyers, meetings, and horrors best forgotten, she found herself finally on the way back home... with her nephews in tow. 

The month in Seattle had taken a toll on her, in all possible ways. She was devastated by her sister's death, the last remaining connection to family. But for the children, she was alone in the world. Jenny was the outgoing one, and Carly had always been content to stay in her sister's shadow. Even after Jenny had moved away, Carly never felt the need for other people in her life. She had her sister, and she was content. Transitioning from doting auntie to parent, especially under the sudden circumstances, was harrowing. She had to stay strong for the boys, especially Jason. Caleb was too young to understand what was going on. Grief, worry, and loneliness were her constant companions, effectively killing her appetite. Getting up, dressed, and making it through the day took tremendous effort, and she no longer cared what she looked like. She probably looked frightful, but she just couldn't find it within her to care anymore. All she had now were the boys, and weren't they a handful? 

Eight year old Jason sat next to her, head buried in a video game. She knew she should limit his time on the device, and she would, eventually. But he had turned sullen and angry with the death of his parents, and she would much rather deal with the excessive gaming at another point in time. Right now, it was how he was coping. He lost himself in his games. He refused to speak. Someone at the hospital had said it was "a manifestation of his anxiety" and said that he would begin speaking again when he felt comfortable doing so. Therapy was clearly going to need to play a major role in their future. All that could wait until they reached home. Besides, she had her hands full with six-month-old Caleb.

"Please, baby," she begged softly. "I've fed you and changed you. You won't look at your toys or take your passie. What do you need? Just tell me what you need. Why can't you use your words?"

There was a snort, somewhere off to her left. "I don't think they understand logic at that age, but I'm fairly confident words will come in the next few months. Although it may take years before the words make sense on their own," the man said softly, amusement tinging the words. 

Carly was suddenly very aware of her surroundings. She looked up at the giant of a man looming over her. For a moment, she could hardly breathe as she took him in. His dark hair was cut military short, and she had a sudden insane desire to run her fingers through the strands. His wide lips were quirked in an almost smile, but his blue eyes looked almost angry. He had wide shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs. She wanted to know how those hard planes would look out of his dress shirt and trousers. She blushed slightly, as she realized she was mentally undressing him. She watched his hands. They looked strong and confident, with dozens of tiny scars that said he was used to hard work. Somewhere in the back of her mind she also noticed they were devoid of a ring, but that hardly meant anything.

"All babies should be born able to speak," she finally responded wryly, looking back at his face. "It would make life so much easier."

"Easier, maybe. But then there's no joy in finally figuring out what they want," he said. 

Holding out a hand, he introduced himself. As she shook the offered hand, she couldn't help but notice the strength and calluses... or the warm tingle spreading from that point of contact. Her body was aware of the close proximity to the powerful man, as he sat next to her and turned his attention to the screaming baby in her lap.

"How old is he?" Blake asked.

"Just about six months. I have no idea what's wrong with him." Carly sounded resigned. 

"Ah," he said, reaching over to grab the baby. Nervously, Carly stood and hovered over the seated man now holding her nephew. 

"Um, Blake?" She started hesitantly. "I really would rather you give him back." She meant for it to come out forcefully, but it came out more breathless. 

"My apologies. I didn't mean to make you nervous," he said, handing over the baby. "But I've been around a lot of babies in my time, more nieces and nephews and godchildren than I could possibly name, and it occurs to me that your child is probably teething. I was just going to check."

"I never would have thought of that," Carly said, gently holding the baby as Blake ran a finger over the child's gums.

"Yep, teeth. Didn't his pediatrician say anything about it?"

She shot him a look he couldn't quite interpret. Pain and frustration, with a hint of resignation and something else. 

"Oh, Saints preserve me!" She exclaimed, pulling out her phone and hastily dialing a number. Standing up and turning her back, she began speaking quietly. Blake had no problem hearing what she said, and intently listened to her side of the conversation.

"Hi, Eve. Listen, someone just said something to me that made me realize I need the kids medical records. Do you know how I would even go about doing that?"

She paused, listening to the response. 

"Hold on, let me ask." Turning to the older child, she spoke softly, "Jason, honey? Do you know your doctor's name?"

He glared at her and nodded, but didn't answer. 

"Honey, it's really important. Please, could you maybe write it down if you don't want to talk?"

Reluctantly, he pulled a pad of paper and a pen out of his backpack. "Dokter Andersen" he scrawled, then thrust the paper at Carly and turned back to his game. 

Sighing, she relayed the doctor's name. 

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver. I don't know what I would do without you," she said before signing off. 

Turning back to Blake, she said "I'm so sorry. It's just I would forget if I didn't call. Or more likely I would worry about it incessantly." She paused a moment, before rolling her eyes and groaning, "Oh, what in the name of all that is good and sacred now?"

Her name had just been paged, requesting her presence by the gate agent. 

"I'll watch your children," Blake offered. Reading the wariness in her eyes, he continued, "I give my word, your children will take no harm from me. You'll be within sight and shouting distance. It'll be easier not to have to drag them along." He said softly, with a slight smile. 

Carly didn't want to trust him. She had serious misgivings about anyone as handsome as he, but his offer was too tempting. To deal with whatever the airline was going to throw at her without Caleb's incessant screams? It was almost too good to be true. Strangely, she wanted to trust the man, almost as if it were a compulsion. Most unlike her. She narrowed her eyes and inspected him briefly before nodding. "Step over the line, make the children even vaguely uncomfortable in any way, and I will kill you," her voice ringing with the utter conviction of her words. Blake returned the nod solemnly knowing her words to be true. "You have my word," he responded softly. 

The whole situation was suddenly overwhelming and utterly ridiculous. Grabbing her purse, she moved to the gate counter, hoping it wasn't some new disaster. Blake positioned himself between the children and Jack, as the other man sauntered over, a smug look on his face.

"Something still isn't right about this whole situation," Blake sent mentally to Jack, not wanting to speak it out loud in front of the children. "These kids aren't hers. She knows nothing about babies, and the older one isn't talking at all, even when directly questioned. Like he's under some kind of compulsion to keep quiet."

Jack could hear the worry in Blake's mental tone, and did his best to reassure his Alpha. "You know better than anyone about noncustodial parents and court ordered guardians." He sent back. 

Blake's eyes followed Carly, who was staring disbelievingly at the gate agent, eyes narrowed. "If she is my mate, my wolf is staying mum on the topic. Maybe my wolf just sensed that she needed someone. Or didn't want to be trapped in a metal death tube with an obnoxiously loud infant."

This time, Jack only replied with a snort. If Blake wanted to pretend, who was he to argue? Everyone knew that a wolf reacted differently to a mate of human origin, and not as intensely as a mate found among other werewolves. The wolf knew his mate, but would allow his human side to court and claim the mate. The connection was there, but would grow gradually and not instantaneously. He'd figure it out, eventually. 

Switching back to normal speech, Jack pulled out his phone and started casually discussing mundane elements of the business. "We're now fully booked through Labor Day weekend, and things taper off for a bit until hunting season starts in earnest. But we've had to turn many people away. We should consider hiring extra employees next summer and offer more tours."

Blake considered this, briefly. "Have Meredith look into numbers, figure out if it'll be profitable. Look at the types of activities that are attracting people over capacity, and what we could easily add. Make sure she considers new equipment as well, this time."

"I'm sure she'll love the reminder of the one and only mistake she's made in the dozen years she's been working for you," Jack replied, rolling his eyes and grinning. "Your meeting with Thorson has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning. And the manager of The Lodge has requested your input on certain sensitive matters." 

They continued with inane business matters, until Carly rejoined them. Blake smoothly made introductions, as Carly eyed this newest threat to her sanity. Jack, as he had been introduced, was shorter and leaner than Blake, but gave off the same sort of overwhelming presence. His hair was a shade or two lighter, but cut in a similar style. Carly almost instantly distrusted him, though, as his eyes seemed to twinkle with mischief. She had seen that look too many times to ignore it. His tanned skin was lined, as if he spent a lot of time in the sun. He had the look of a serious athlete, maybe a runner, she decided. 

"I believe I have you to thank for my my mysterious upgrade?" She asked, unsure how she felt about everything. She felt volatile emotions course through her and was torn between thanking him and slapping him. 

Blake cut in, not entirely liking the way she was eyeballing Jack. "You just looked like you could use a hand. And maybe something of a treat," he said with a soft smile. "I like helping people, it's kind of my thing. You, your family, it's not hard to see that you're hurting. Just say 'thank you' and enjoy this small luxury."

She smiled to herself. This was not how she was expecting the trip to go. But how could she turn down first class accommodations? 

"Then thank you for taking pity on us, I'm sure I will enjoy this little treat." She said rather flippantly. Carly smiled to take the sting out of the words, but it didn't reach her eyes. Blake saw the renewed wariness and wondered again why he was bothering.

The other werewolf clearly read all the emotional subtexts in the little exchange, and it became increasingly obvious to Jack that these two were destined to be together. He knew his Alpha was a goner, even if he didn't realize it yet. Carly had some fight in her; he had seen a spark enliven the little human with the exchange of words. Despite the misgivings he could feel from the other two, Carly would be perfect for Blake and a wonderful addition to the pack. Quietly excusing himself, he wandered back over to Tristan and Ryan. 

Soon announcements were made and boarding began. Despite her protests, Blake helped Carly manage the children and their belongings. Jack had been able to get Carly and the children across the aisle from where he and Blake would sit. Tristan and Ryan were a bit put out, as it was their seats the woman and children were taking. Sitting in coach would not be enjoyable, but Jack had offered compensation for the inconvenience when they returned home. 




Werewolf at Heart Ch. 02



Jack sat across kitchen table from Blake, thoughtful eyes meeting anxious ones, a bottle of Jameson's between them. Jack had had come over to tell his Alpha what he'd learned about Carly and her sister's accident. It wasn't pretty, hence the whisky. 

"She hasn't called you yet, has she? It's been a week, and she hasn't called," Jack mused when silence met the end of his story. 

"Why doesn't she call? She needs me," Blake sounded almost lost. 

Jack was unnerved by the wistfulness, never knowing his alpha to be so weak, especially in the face of a challenge. "So call her, then. Since when have you ever let your prey come to you? Hunt her down!" 

Blake laughed, a little ruefully. "She didn't offer her number, and I didn't press the issue. I really thought she would call."

"Rookie mistake," Jack shook his head in mock sadness. "But it's not like it's difficult to find a phone number. I bet I could get it in twenty minutes, tops."

Blake sighed, "I know. But I feel like she needs to come to me and not the other way around. You know the Fates whisper in my ear. They hint at how it should be, but they never tell me why, or how to make it happen." 

It was a rarely mentioned secret, the Alpha's connection to fate. It was something few knew, but it was the reason Blake, along with the others in his family, made such competent leaders. They just knew the right course of action, most of the time. It was a blessing, and a curse.

They sat there for a moment, quietly sipping at their whisky, contemplating the situation. Finally Jack sighed, halfway to hating himself for making the suggestion, but unable to keep it from Blake. His Alpha needed him, so he offered, "You're missing the obvious solution. There's one of the pack who knows exactly how to get ahold of her. Give fate a nudge."

"Emile," Blake said slowly, as he downed the rest of his glass. He watched Jack closely, not missing the tightness in his eyes or the carefully contained emotions. Emile Beauchamps, Jack's bane. 

There was another long silence as Jack watched Blake come to a decision. "I think it just might be time for Emile to return to the pack. I give you leave to find a way to convince her to come home for good. Any means necessary. It's past time she accepted that life keeps moving. And have Emile convince Carly to give me a call, in that mysterious way of women." Blake met Jack's stunned gaze with an unrepentant grin. "Let the games begin, old friend."

Several years earlier, Emile had first crossed Jack's path. He knew almost at once they should have been mates, but fate cruelly changed its mind. The rage he struggled to contain at the mere mention of her name wasn't directed at the woman, but at the whole situation that had been tossed his way. Jack would be Emile's salvation, but first she must be his punishment. 

Seeing her unexpectedly had a way of making his inner wolf nearly feral. All through the many years he could manage, after a fashion, only if he could mentally prepare his wolf ahead of their meeting. In his wisdom, Blake had given Emile time and space to deal with her issues, only requiring her to be on pack lands for the full moon. Blake's decision to allow her an unprecedented amount of freedom hadn't come easily or been made lightly. Commanding Jack to keep his distance was almost as difficult. He knew it would be absolute hell for Jack, but just as necessary for Emile, the Fates had shown him that much. 

The man understood the reasons behind Emile's need and Blake's decision; he understood but wasn't happy about it. His wolf, as a creature of instinct rather than logic, just wanted to be with his mate. His wolf felt the rejection hard, every time. Years had taught him almost superhuman control, but even time could do little to soothe the edge of savagery that gnawed at him over the separation.

Each month, under the soft glow of the full moon, Emile would reluctantly return to the pack. Jack stalked her, his prey. He was never far from her, relentlessly trying to draw her out from her self-imposed, Alpha-sanctioned isolation and into his life. She remained cold and aloof, only rarely deigning to speak with him and always reacting violently to even the slightest touch. Months turned into years with no hint of success, Jack never faltering from his quest to make Emile a permanent part of his life no matter that it was nearly driving him insane. 

"Let the games begin, indeed," Jack finally managed to say, the wolf's elation overshadowing his shock. The first move was his, and he knew just what it was going to be. 

Emile Beauchamps was on edge. 

For several years, her life had fallen into a rather mundane routine. She spent most of her time working long hours as a loan officer for a local bank, but still had enough time for a daily long distance run. Running was her way of dealing with life. She could run from her problems, leave them behind in sweat and pain and sheer physical exhaustion. Almost every other leftover moment she spent with Carly, her neighbor and friend. The friendship settled a deep craving to be part of a pack, a compromise she used to contain the wolf. 

The only other concession to her wolf had been forced upon her by her Alpha. Once a month, she would head north to run as a wolf with her true pack. She hated those times, the reminder that she was no longer herself, but something Other. As much as she hated the monster inside, she didn't mind most of the monsters she ran with. Most of the pack left Emile to herself. They knew she had been brought unwillingly into their pack, changed into a werewolf against her will. It just wasn't the done thing. They acknowledged her with a wave, yip, or a nod of the head, before letting her be.

Most of the pack was compassionate and understanding, though not Jack. He was annoyingly persistent, driving her to the brink of insanity. Before she shifted into her wolf, he would ask questions and demand answers, blithely ignoring her condescending looks and brutally short answers. As a wolf, he was constantly rubbing against her, despite her defensive stance complete with bared teeth and warning growls. As the pack hunted deep into the night he would stay by her side, forcing her to participate when she would rather have curled up and hidden. 

She hated the moments when her wolf wrested control and responded to Jack on a physical level. Her wolf was enamored by the strong, dedicated male, wanted to submit to his needs and join with him completely. Those moments were always brief, for Emile's human side was strong and persuasive, but they left her deeply unsettled for days afterwards. Even though those moments had been happening with increasing regularity, Emile was certain she would always retain the upper hand; Jack could pursue her until the end times, she would never give in to his demands. She refused to be just another of his conquests.

Jack's relentless pursuit wasn't new, so it only played a supporting role to her current troubled feelings. Emile was a roil of emotions when she thought of the game fate was now playing. Terror was the most prominent, although rage wasn't far behind. Hopelessness clawed at her, threatening to turn her catatonic. 

She hadn't been able to settle down since retrieving Carly and her nephews from the airport. It was bad enough there were children involved, but she was almost prepared to deal with them. It was the unexpected scent that clung to Carly that had nearly pushed Emile over the edge. How was it possible that Carly wore the Alpha's scent? Suddenly, her hidden world was crashing headlong into her safe, public world. Emile knew that she would lose Carly to the needs of parenthood, but was completely unprepared to let her into pack life. Emile didn't think she could cope. For a week now, she had been avoiding Carly and agonizing over what to do. It seemed there was just one option that could protect her sanity. Emile knew she had to run, to defy her Alpha completely and leave the pack for good. Tomorrow was Friday, the perfect time to leave. She would have the weekend to make her escape. No one would miss her until she didn't show up for work on Monday. Deep inside her wolf mourned, but she ignored it in her panic.

Emile was up early the next morning, but even before she had a chance to finish her first cup of coffee, the doorbell was ringing. The sound filled her with sudden dread. Good news rarely showed up at quarter past six in the morning. Stopping before the door, she took a deep breath, scenting the air to determine who was there. 

"fuckity fuck fuck FUCK!" she said more to herself and not to the all too familiar man on her doorstep, wishing she had thought to grab a knife before she left the kitchen.

"Just open the door and let me in. I have a message from Blake. I promise I won't stay long," Jack said, hoping that using the Alpha's name would gain him entrance into her home. 

Wordlessly she tore open the door before whirling back around, stalking into the kitchen and snatching up her coffee cup. 

"I'll take mine with some sugar," Jack said with a wink and a sly grin. He pulled out a chair and sat, watching Emile take an almost defensive stance against the counter, as far from Jack as possible. She wasn't up to a war of words and wits with him, so she let her silence do the speaking. Hell would have a sudden climate change before she would serve Jack coffee in her own kitchen.

She glared at him, failing to resist noticing his familiar features. The hint of a beard against his tan skin, his expressive eyes, the way his ears stuck out very slightly at a charmingly odd angle, the way his nose had been broken and healed crookedly, the slight quirk of his lips that invited you to join in some secret joke. Not for the first time, she wondered just how those lips would feel. She squelched that stray thought ruthlessly, knowing he would notice even the slightest hint of her arousal. 

Jack looked at Emile just as closely, taking his time to assess her. He wanted to feel the softness of auburn curls rioting around her head, still mussed from sleep. He dreamed of tasting each freckle that dotted her creamy skin. He longed to claim her lips, to soften the hard slash of her disapproving frown, to caress every curve until she cried out in pleasure. He knew he was dangerously close to crossing the line, wanting to act upon the vivid images he was conjuring up. Unlike Emile, he did nothing to hide his arousal. This time, they would play their game on his terms. He was the one with his Alpha's blessing. 

The heat of his gaze was almost scalding, promising unbridled pleasure and debauchery. "The Alpha's message?" She finally prompted, blushing furiously under his close scrutiny and obvious desire. 

Jack sighed theatrically, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I can't remember," he lied, "you have driven all thoughts of Blake straight from my mind. I can only think of..."

"DON'T!" she yelled, throwing the coffee cup at his head spontaneously. "Don't you dare say what you were thinking. It's bad enough I can scent it, that I can see the evidence. I don't want to hear it!"

Jack ducked the flying mug, which shattered against the wall. "I said I take mine with sugar," he said as he stood. His keen mind rapidly assessing the situation. Emile was off kilter, and wouldn't be able to hold onto the cold anger she wore like a second skin. Now was the time to press his advantage. He moved closer, eyes never leaving hers. He let his wolf out a little, taunting her with his predatory gaze. 

Jack was slowly stepping into Emile's space, but she slid away when he drew close. Across the house they moved, at a slow stalk, until her back hit the living room wall. There was nowhere she could go. Her body tensed, her hands raised as if to push him away, her breath coming in panicked, shallow pants. This was a side of Jack she had never seen before, a dominant sexual beast. She couldn't ignore how her body responded to the sheer masculine presence. Jack stopped a hairsbreadth away, his own body rigid with tension. He boxed her in, placing his hands on the wall on either side of her shoulders. Leaning in, he scented her deeply, closing his eyes at the heady mix of nutmeg, coffee, werewolf, and woman. Emile trembled, in fear and anticipation. Her upraised hands were resting against his chest, almost a caress, the heat of his body searing. She wanted to shove Jack away, or maybe wrap her arms around him and pull him close. Her anger warred with desire, and she honestly couldn't decide which she wanted to win. Groaning in agony, she turned her head and raised her chin, granting Jack her throat in submission. 

This time it was Jack who shook with the effort of holding himself in check, desperately wanting to bury himself completely in his woman but knowing it wasn't the time. Yet. He leaned in further, lips barely touching the pulse pounding in her neck. Another barely there kiss settled on the corner of her jaw, his hot breath sending another wave of shivers across her body as his breath fanned across her ear. "I let you go before, all those years ago, but I won't do it again. You. Are. Mine." He punctuated each word with more impossibly light kisses along her jaw.

Emile had no time to respond, let alone think before his lips met hers. It wasn't the soft, gentle caresses of just seconds before. It was a punishing kiss, brutal and needy. In it, she felt the chastisement for the years of pleasure missed and promise that the words he spoke were utterly and irrevocably true. She was his, and wouldn't be able to escape it this time, no matter how far and long she ran. 

Emile tried to hold onto her anger, tried to resist his claim, but it was futile. Jack's hands remained on the wall behind her as he assaulted her with his mouth. He breached her defenses with lips, teeth and tongue, setting her body aflame. Moaning, she gave in and slid her arms up and around his head, pulling Jack impossibly closer. He took advantage of her moan, sliding his tongue between parted lips. Jack was lost in his need to taste his woman, to take his woman and claim her, tying them together with unbreakable bonds. 

He thrust his tongue into her mouth again, mimicking what he so desperately wanted to do with other parts of his anatomy. He ground his erection into the soft curves of her body, growling in pleasure as her legs wrapped around him, seemingly of their own accord. Emile was hanging off Jack, lips locked in the eternal dance of lust, as he braced himself against the wall. Her body was on fire with need. She wanted to be closer still, to feel his hard length slamming into her tight body again and again. She rocked against him, completely lost in the hot need and blind desire he inspired. 

He was drowning in the taste of her mouth, the touch of her body against his, he was drowning and he didn't want to be saved. He longed to touch her curves, to stroke against the sheer feminine softness, to use his body to bring pleasure to hers. But a spark of sanity remained, buried deep within his passion. He knew the second he felt the weight of her breasts in his hands, the softness of the skin at the curve of her hip, or the dripping need of her arousal, he would be forever lost. And damned. 

Jack stilled his assault, breath coming raggedly. Emile continued to writhe helplessly against his body, seeking the touch he wouldn't supply, yet. "Look at me," he demanded, desire making his voice almost harsh. 

Through her own haze of lust, Emile heard his command. She didn't want to obey, but she couldn't resist. She would do anything for Jack. 

She opened her eyes, drinking in the face that haunted her dreams. She stroked the side of his head, her soft touch pulling out a groan that seemed to come from his very soul. He inspected her face, frowning slightly at what he saw. Although her body was all human, her gaze told that her wolf was completely in charge. 

"I must claim the heart of the woman first, little wolf. She'll never forgive me if I took without her permission." He said in soft apology, placing a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. 

With a strength of will he didn't know he had, Jack carefully disentangled Emile's lush body from his and stepped away. She whimpered at the distance, until the wolf leeched from her eyes and her human side regained control. Just seconds previously, her gaze had been heavy with lust. Now, Jack could only see anger and hate. "I want you out," she snapped, reaching for something, anything, to hurl at him. "Out of my house, out of my life, just out!" Her hands came up empty, so she curled them into fists.

"I know why you fight me," he said, voice full of compassion even as it was rough from passion. "But make no mistake. You ARE mine, and I will not sit by any longer. I will pull you kicking and screaming, if needs be, into the present. At my side. Where you belong."

His body was still tense and hard with need, but he somehow found it in himself to turn his back on Emile and walked towards the door. "And," he looked over his shoulder with a wicked smile, unable to stop himself, "we both know who's side your wolf is on."

Emile shrieked and launched herself at Jack, but he managed to slip out and shut the door before she reached him. "I fucking hate you so fucking much!" She screamed, punching the door. 

"two sides of a coin, my darling." 

She punched the door again, as she heard him retreat, laughing. She wasn't sure if she was more upset with his sudden appearance in her life outside of the pack lands, or that her wolf would so easily slip the chains she had forged within herself. Punching the door one last time for good measure, she walked back through the house to the kitchen. Jack's scent hung heavy in her home, an unwelcome reminder of her wanton loss of control. Fighting the urge to keep hitting things and screaming wordlessly, Emile grabbed her phone and punched a number.

"I'm going to fucking castrate the fucking fuckwit if he ever shows his fucking face at my fucking door again!" she ill-advisedly screamed into the phone as soon as the call connected.

"Watch it," Blake growled in warning at the shrill tone, the language, and the threat. Looking at the clock beside his bed, he added 'the time' to the list of things Emile should definitely be watching.

"The fucking moron shows up at fucking ridiculous o'clock, says he has a fucking message to deliver and then fucks off before he fucking delivers it!" Emile was someplace beyond rage.

Part of Blake wanted to laugh at the temper tantrum of his normally icy pack member was currently throwing, but he held back and let his anger color his words. "Don't say another word," he ordered. 

Emile promptly shut up. After a moment of silence, Blake spoke with calmly. "Without using any variation on the word 'fuck' tell me what happened that has you so upset you needed to wake me."

Emile swallowed hard. She hadn't thought this through, but there was no way to get out of it now. "Dumbass showed up on my doorstep this morning and said he had a message to deliver," She said sullenly before continuing. " Then he refused to give me the message and... and... kissed me!" 

She sounded so appalled that Blake couldn't hold in his laughter this time. It was going to be quite amusing to watch Jack chase Emile in earnest. He should have let him years ago, even though he knew the time hadn't been right.

"It's not funny," Emile grumbled in acute embarrassment.

Blake sighed, trying to get himself back under control. "I gave Carly my number when I ran into her at the airport, but she hasn't called. You get to convince her to make that call, since I saw her getting into your car."

"No," Emile refused absolutely, emotions still running high. 

"You'll do it, or I'll revoke your freedom," his threat was clear, even though his tone was understanding. "And before you think to argue further, I'll remind you that only one of us is Alpha. So buck up." Blake hung up, almost before he finished speaking. 




Werewolf at Heart Ch. 02



Emile looked at the phone in disgust, wanting nothing more than to pulverize it. Her escape plans had been aborted, before anyone even knew what she was planning. WIth a growl, she dialed a different, more familiar, number. 

"What time will the kids be asleep?" she asked without preamble.

"About eight thirty, or nine for sure," Carly answered. "Why?"

"I need to get terribly drunk and bare my soul. I'll be over at seven, we can start drinking. That way, when the boys are finally asleep, I can tell you everything I want to tell you without interruption," Emile answered.

Soft laughter floated over the phone. "In vino veritas?"

"It won't be vino. I'm coming loaded for bear. Ciderboys and Jameson's. We're going all in tonight."

This time, Carly groaned. "I don't think I can deal with my life hung over," She admitted. "Although blind drunk does have some appeal. Let me see if I can find a babysitter for tonight. Then we can drown ourselves in alcohol and bare our souls at your place without interruption."

"That would be wonderful," Emile said before ringing off.

Emile placed a last phone call. She knew there was no way she would be able to accomplish anything at work today, so she phoned in sick. Her heart and mind were in utter turmoil, so she did the one thing that never failed to bring peace to her soul. She ran. Unwilling to run as a wolf, and not wanting to be caught out in a lie, she stayed at home and put some serious miles on her treadmill. Eventually her body grew exhausted, but she was still deeply unsettled with more unanswerable questions. 

After a shower and a quick meal, she steeled her nerves and stepped outside. Her home was somewhat small, more cottage than anything, but it was old and carried the years with charm. Her yard was shady, the grass neatly trimmed and surrounded by a white picket fence. An all-American house hiding a monster behind the doors. She sat on the front stoop, half thrilled she had guessed Jack would still be lurking about. He sat in his car across the street, watching her intently.

"It's safe, for the moment," Emile said, knowing he could easily hear her at that distance. "I have questions and I don't understand what is happening." 

She was resigned, the fight gone. Her shoulders slumped, hands dangling between her knees, as she leaned against the railing. Jack hated seeing her so defeated. He got out of his car, walking up her, trying to figure out the right path. He stopped, staring down at the top of her head. She was refusing to even look at him. Sighing, he decided to sit next to her. He would have rather had this conversation face-to-face, but she needed the distance.

"I'm not going to apologize for the kiss," he said.

She snorted softly. "I wouldn't have believed you if you'd have tried."

"You talked to Blake?" It wasn't a question, not really.

Emile picked up a leaf from the lawn, and began tearing it to pieces. "Yes. And I may have said some things that I shouldn't have." She sounded so young and lost and afraid.

"Blake isn't heartless, you know. Far from it. He blames me for your actions, but has already forgiven you." Jack said, struggling to explain the Alpha to his errant packmate. "He may not be the world's strongest Alpha or lead the biggest pack. But he is the most selfless werewolf I have ever met, so I willingly submit to him. He weighs his every decision against the benefit of the pack, each of the members, and finally himself. Forcing you to live full time within the pack lands would only have made you miserable. That misery would have impacted others. Instead, he let you live here. Here, where he worries after your safety and wellbeing."

She turned to look at him, shocked. "He worries about me? Why would he do that?" She was utterly perplexed at this revelation. She always considered herself a nuisance; she never fit in with the others. 

"Yes," he said gently, "He worries. You're vulnerable out here away from the heart of our defenses. While things have been quiet for the past decades in this part of the world, there is always a chance of attack. Alone as you are, we could not get you help in that case. As for your wellbeing, werewolves need a pack. Alone, they tend to get a bit crazy. And not in a good way." He stopped talking, letting her sort through her feelings and giving her a chance to wrap her brain around what he was saying. 

"He shouldn't worry. I'm nobody. I'm nothing to the pack. And death? I think I'd welcome it, if it came for me." Emile's confession tore at Jack. He reached out and grabbed her around the shoulder, pulling her close to his side.

"Don't ever say that. The pack would love you, if you'd let them. For now, they respect the walls you've built. Promise me," he almost begged, "Promise me that if death comes you will fight, tooth and claw. Promise me this."

"Why? Why do you care?" Emile didn't think she could have been more stunned or confused, but the depth and weight of his words would have brought her to her knees if she wasn't already sitting. 

It took him a long time to figure out how to answer that without scaring her away all over again. This was the first proper conversation they had ever really managed, and it was killing him.

"Why, Jack?"

"Because I don't want to live in a world where you don't exist." This time, it was Jack who wouldn't meet Emile's eyes. Instead, he scented her deeply, assuring his wolf that she was safe. 

"I don't understand," her whisper a plaintive plea. 

"You need to talk to your wolf, she'll help you understand." Emile didn't respond, but Jack could feel her confusion. "Come on, this will be easier inside." 

Emile meekly followed Jack into her living room. It felt so much different than it had early this morning although nothing had changed. Jack sat, and pulled Emile into his lap, needing to be surrounded by her scent, to feel the weight of her body pressing into his, to reassure himself that she was there and alive. 

"It should be as natural as breathing, but for now get comfortable," he instructed. "Find the wolf inside of you, like you are going to shift. But this time when you go to her, talk to her."

"She doesn't like me," Emile confessed sadly. "I keep her chained up and she doesn't like me."

"Why do you chain her?" Jack sounded almost as sad and slightly worried. If he had known Emile was in so much agony, knew so little about herself, he would have defied orders long ago. 

"She's a monster," surprised he didn't already know.

"Emile, darling, your wolf isn't a monster. She's you, your atavistic instinct and primal self. She won't hate you. She is you. Just go talk to her."

Emile closed her eyes and took a deep breath, leaning into Jack, her head resting against his chest. It didn't take long for her to find the wolf inside. She stood within her own mind, staring at the wolf she could become. The wolf was of an average size, but powerful. She was almost completely white, with a yellowish tint along her legs. She sat, rather relaxed, tail thumping on the ground. 

"Jack says we need to talk. That you can explain things to me," Emile said to her wolf. 

The animal only chuffed in reply. Steeling her nerves once again, she walked over to the wolf and unchained her. "He didn't seem happy you were chained. I didn't know it was the wrong thing." It was part apology, part excuse. 

"As if I couldn't slip free when I want, as you well know," the wolf replied, speaking directly into her head. Emile tried to ignore the odd sensation that she was talking to herself inside her head, and she was only sort of the one answering. 

"Why didn't you tell me I was mucking things up?" The human self asked. 

"You already knew. Besides, you needed something to control," the wolf replied. 

"Why is Jack so afraid of me dying?" 

The wolf snorted, "you aren't ready to know that. When you're ready, you'll know. There are things you need to learn about yourself, first. Now go back to the man Jack and tell him that no one way is right and he should trust you. You should trust you."

Emile opened her eyes and looked at Jack. For the first time, she really looked at him and saw beyond the handsome exterior. She looked deep into his soul, tried to divine the reasons behind his words and actions. What she saw scared her with its depth and wealth of emotion. Maybe her wolf was right, she wasn't ready yet. Still, she felt compelled to do something. Reaching up, she trailed her fingers along the side of his face. 

"My wolf says you need to trust her. Me. Us." she wrinkled her forehead in confusion. "And that there's no one way that's right." 

Jack closed his eyes and smiled, leaning into her touch. They stayed like that a long time, content to just be. Today had been emotionally draining, and she knew it was far from over. Trust. She knew she was finally going to trust Carly with her past, so the other woman would understand her reactions. For now, though, she could figure how to trust Jack, and take comfort in his presence. She drifted off to sleep, with the feeling of his strong arms wrapped securely around her, the sound of his heartbeat steady and soothing, and his scent a healing balm against the rawness of her soul.



Werewolf at Heart Ch. 03



"Don't worry, Ms. Whelehan, it'll be fine. You know I can handle it," the young woman said, standing in the kitchen and smiling prettily as she bounced Caleb on one hip.

"I know that Maddie," Carly said, matching Maddie's smile with one of her own. "I guess I'm just nervous. I've not spent any time away from the boys since I became their guardian. I worry."

Maddie laughed, and freed a long strand of blue hair from Caleb's grasp. "You have given me six different people to call, and you're only going to be next door. Everything will be fine." If it was odd that the younger woman was reassuring the older one, no one mentioned it. 

"You're right, I know." She dropped a kiss on the top of Caleb's head and went to find Jason. "Listen to Miss Maddie while I'm away. If you need me, she knows how to get ahold of me. When you wake up, I'll be here. We'll watch cartoons and have breakfast in bed," she said with a gentle smile. Jason nodded solemnly at her assurances. He still wasn't talking, and Carly worried. It seemed to be all that she could do these days.

Leaving behind everything but her phone and a six pack of her favorite brew, Carly walked next door and into her friend's house. It had been years since they had bothered with any sort of formality, coming and going between the two houses with little thought and less effort. She strolled through the house to the kitchen, calling out to Emile to let the other woman know she had arrived. 

Grabbing a plate, she dug through the fridge, pulling out cheese and vegetables. She found the crackers and beef sticks in the cupboard, where she knew they would be. After cracking the top of the first beer, she stowed the remaining bottles in the fridge. 

"It's hard to have girlie time if I'm all alone," Carly called out again. She could hear Emile moving around upstairs, so she turned on the television and settled into the couch to wait, munching on her snacks and drinking her beer. 

"Sorry," Emile said as she descended the stairs.

She passed into the kitchen, foregoing a snack but pouring a liberal amount of whisky into a pint glass of cider. Carly turned down the volume on the television as Emile flopped onto the couch. She sat with her back against the armrest, knees tucked up close to her body, intently watching her friend. 

"I'm a hot mess," Emile admitted, borrowing one of Carly's pet phrases. "And I feel terrible dumping my problems on you. I just... well, you're my only friend. Sad, huh?"

Carly looked at her friend thoughtfully, turning to mirror her body position. "You're my only friend, too, you know. And 'hot mess' could probably accurately describe my life at the moment. So what's up? I've been back for a week, and you're acting like I have the plague." She didn't mean to sound so accusatory, but the abandonment had stung fiercely. 

Emile looked away, ashamed. She took a long pull of whisky-laced cider before finally answering. "It's not you, it's me," she said, trying and failing to inject some humor into her voice. 

Then, before she could lose her courage, she started her story. "I used to be married, a long time ago. Jacob. Jacob was the light of my soul, the air I needed to breathe. He was everything to me, my first and only, my high school sweetheart. Together, we were invincible. We married, and started trying for a baby. It took years of heartbreak and doctor's appointments. Years. Until I finally fell pregnant. We were beyond happy, beyond overjoyed. Nothing could keep the smile from Jacob's face, or mine. The room he had been using as an office space was turned into a nursery, all decked out with the latest bits and bobs a baby needs." Emile paused her story, seeking the strength to continue at the bottom of her glass. Carly wanted to stop the story there, pretend there was a happy ending. She had known the other woman for years, and never was there a mention of a doting husband and adoring child. Carly knew the rest of what she had to say wouldn't be pretty.

Eventually, Emile managed to continue. "I was thirty-five weeks along, so near the end. I was ready. More than ready. I had nurtured my baby as much as humanly possible, but I wanted to be able to bend over again. I wanted to be able to drink coffee and whisky. I wanted to walk instead of waddle. I wanted to hold my baby and show her all the love a mother could give to a tiny girl. I wanted to watch her learn and struggle and love and grow. Jacob decided we needed a weekend away, one last weekend for us before the baby came. We went to a friend's cabin on a lake up north. It was a charming place, and we spent the day relaxing and enjoying nature and each other. Sometime after dinner, there was a knock on the door."

Emile closed her eyes, reliving the horrors once again. Carly shifted, leaning into her friend and offering wordless support. "Jacob answered the door. It happened so quickly. He screamed and fought, but he was unarmed and there was so much blood. When Jacob hit the floor and didn't move, the man came for me. He came for my baby, my precious little girl. He didn't know what he was doing." 

Emile lifted the edge of her shirt, allowing the scars to tell the story. Three parallel slashes on either side of her belly. She couldn't put the pain and horror into words, she couldn't explain what had happened. Carly let out a soft cry, understanding was clear and words were not necessary. Tears flowed from both women, but Emile wasn't quite finished. 

"There were some hikers in the woods nearby, and they heard the screams. They tried to save my baby, but it wasn't possible. No one could have. Jacob was dead, my precious baby was dead, and because of the hikers, our murderer was dead. So much death, but I wanted to join them."

She was heavily editing the story, leaving out that the attacker was a werewolf, as were her rescuers. That the attacker shifted to a wolf, as Jacob grappled with him. That the scars were from claws and not a knife. That there were long-healed bite wounds that would be harder to explain. The horror of death compounded by the lycanthropy that had been passed to her during the savage attack. Without this information, the next bit of the story didn't make much sense, but Emile needed to see it through.

"The hikers were part of a group, I guess you could say. And they kind of took me in like a stray. They looked out for me, long after I was released from the hospital. I lived with them, for a while, because I couldn't manage to face my old life. I couldn't live where Jacob no longer lived, a nursery my baby would never see. I guess they felt responsible for what had happened. My body healed, but my soul was shattered. That isn't something that can be healed."

The hikers were responsible, in a way. Not for the attack, that had been carried out by a lone werewolf of uncertain motive. They had been tracking the loner, knowing they often went crazy, and had failed to stop him in time. As she spoke she wondered, for the first time, if her anguish could actually heal. Jack, it would seem, was trying to piece her soul back together again. And wasn't that a frightening thought? As Emile was caught up in her thoughts, Carly took the opportunity to grab more drinks, skipping straight to whisky over ice. 

"They still check in on me," Emile finished her story when Carly returned. "They never gave up on me, or let me give up. One man in particular has been rather persistent lately. I hate him, but he won't go away. I just can't deal with it, with feeling, you know?"

Emile finished her fresh glass of whisky in one long drink, before admitting, "Boy problems aren't the worst, though. I can't look at babies, at your little Caleb, without dying a little more. He lives, they live, everyone lives but my baby girl, her precious life..." Emile couldn't go on, sobbing as fresh pain pierced at her. Carly hugged her friend, sharing her grief. 

"I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry. I can't imagine, I just can't even think about what that would be like," Carly said tearfully, trying to ease her pain. Tears and hugging continued for many long moments, until Emile finally broke away. Wiping her face on the edge of a blanket, she attempted to regain control. 

"So, boy trouble, huh?" Carly finally asked after long moments of silence, latching on to the one part of the story where she could actually relate. 

Just like that, the mood shifted. The story was a new truth between them, not to be forgotten, but what was there to discuss? It was pain and horror and darkness, and Carly knew enough. Emile had offered it as explanation, a past best left behind. 

Drinks were poured and poured again, as Carly told of Blake and Emile told of her run-ins with Jack over the years. Every look Blake had given Carly, every word he had spoken was taken apart and analyzed. Jack's words and looks were subject to the same intense scrutiny, most especially the recent ones. The women giggled at the arrogance of men and plotted how best to handle them. When the whisky bottle was empty, Carly knew it was time to head home and relieve the sitter. It was just past midnight, but she had to be responsible. 

"My boys would love you, if you let them," Carly offered, unknowingly echoing Jack's earlier words.

"I'll come over and we can talk tomorrow," Emile promised as Carly took her leave with one last hug.

Carly woke with a groan. Sunlight poured through the window. Apparently, she hadn't bothered to close the shades when she finally made it to her bed the night before. Not a real surprise, given they had finished a handle of whisky between just the two of them. She groaned again as a small finger poked her shoulder. She turned and squinted at Jason's serious face. Scooting into a sitting position, she pulled back the duvet and Jason crawled in. 

"You find us something to watch," she told him, "I'm going to make some coffee and clean up a bit. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Jason nodded, searching out his favorite Saturday morning cartoons. Before long, he was snuggled up against Carly, watching the show intently as she sipped at her brew. When Caleb started crying, she brought him to the bed, too, along with his bottle. 

And that was how Emile found them, piled into bed watching cartoons, when she stopped by as promised. Her heart squeezed at the sight of such easy, happy domesticity and she almost bolted. Carly's words stopped her imminent flight. 

"There are muffins in the kitchen, and you're welcome to join us. I can't give you back your heart, but I can share these hooligans. Play at being Auntie, they need a replacement." Her words were soft and persuasive. Emile looked inside for strength, and found her wolf waiting for her. 

"Trust them. They need you," her wolf said, offering her strength. 

Kicking off her shoes, Emile crawled into the bed, passing out muffins. Leaning close to Jason, she whispered, "at least the crumbs won't be in my bed." 

Jason suddenly looked at Emile with such intensity, she actually shuddered. "Oh, Jay-Jay," she cried softly, instinctively connecting with the anguish of loss she saw in his eyes. "I know, baby. God, do I know." 

Emile pulled Jason into a tight embrace, holding him as he started to cry. She understood him. Some things hurt so badly they transcended words. She hadn't expected to find healing here, her heart filling with love for the nearly broken child. In her head, her wolf snorted. 

Carly looked on, astonished at the unexpected development. After Emile revealed her past last night, Carly was resigning herself to losing her friend. She honestly hadn't expected her to show up. Now, she was a little stung that Jason so readily connected to her. All it had taken was a look.

Emile looked up, sensing her friend's thoughts. "Like calls to like." She said softly. "His soul is in agony in ways that you can't understand. I can."

Carly nodded, trusting Emile knew what she was talking about. Eventually Jason cried himself out, and dozed off. Carly cuddled a cranky Caleb as Emile comforted Jason, even in his sleep. 

"Now," Emile said, "about that man of yours. You promised me you'd call." She raised an enquiring eyebrow. 

"I promised, but only if you called yours," she returned the challenge. 

"I called Jack before I came over," Emile said smugly, if not entirely honestly, holding out Carly's phone. 

Carly protested a bit longer, but eventually caved to her friend's demands. In truth, a part of her had wanted to call Blake, but she still felt his offer hadn't been entirely sincere. He was everything she was not- handsome, confident, well put together. What could he possibly want with someone like her?

Emile didn't bother to hide her amusement when Carly finally relented. Although Carly was adamant that she would never actually phone Blake, she had programmed his number into her phone all the same. 

"Hi, Blake," She said awkwardly, acutely aware that Emile was listening to her every word. "It's Carly, from the airport. I guess I was just calling to say hello. Give me a call, if you want." She rattled off her number and quickly disconnected.

"Doofus," Emile giggled, "That was probably the lamest voicemail message in the history of ever!"

"I know," Carly said helplessly. The women looked at each other, and dissolved into giggles. For several minutes, they could barely face one another, overwhelmed by the desire to laugh at the impossible situation. 

"Hello?" Carly managed to answer the phone when it rang, desperately trying, and failing, to stifle the giggles.

"I feel like the hapless victim of a gaggle of girls at a sleepover," Blake said lightly, amusement in his tone, all the while wondering just what was going on.

"Maybe not a sleepover, but I am in bed with my best friend and two boys," Carly said, finally regaining her composure.

Blake managed to not say what he was thinking, his mind showing him pictures of what Carly in bed might look like, although his mental image was definitely devoid of friends and small children. "I'm glad you called. I'm going to be in The Cities on Wednesday for business. Can I take you out to dinner?" He held his breath, hoping she would answer favorably. He knew the question was rather sudden, but he wanted to see her again. "We can go somewhere family friendly; the boys are welcome to join us," He guessed at her hesitation.

"You don't have to do that," she said, her eyes pleading with Emile to fix this. She didn't want to talk with him on the phone, let alone go on a date. 

"Ah, but I would like to," He responded easily. "I believe that Caleb still has much he would like to say to me. He was rather vocal the other day." His tone remained light and teasing, wearing down her defenses.

"Fine, we'll join you for dinner," she agreed grudgingly, "But only if it's our treat." 

Emile rolled her eyes at her friend.

"You have done this before, right? You're not secretly a twelve-year-old or anything?" She asked, only half in jest, when Carly finally disconnected the call.

"It's been a while," Carly admitted, "but I have lived many a year on this earth. I have dated and kissed and even slept around. Men throw themselves at me almost daily. Why, I practically have to beat them away with a stick,' she finished, haughtily. 

"Well, if you're not a naive youngling," Emile teased, "Why were you acting like it?"

"Blake isn't just anyone," She said slowly, feeling for the right words. "I feel like I have known him since forever, and I feel like he could easily be part of my life for the rest of forever. And it scares me, the way I feel. He's so, I don't know, he's such an alpha male, so confident and demanding. I could lose myself in him, and I don't want that. I don't want to give up me, not even for him."

Emile thought about it seriously, understanding completely. "I feel the same about Jack." She said slowly. "I guess we just have to trust in our men?"

Carly slipped out of bed with a sigh. 

By the time the doorbell rang late Wednesday afternoon, Carly was half tempted to hand off the children to Blake for a moment of peace. The day had been long and arduous, with next to nothing going according to her plan. Jason had refused to comply with any of her directions, alternating between glaring and just walking away. It was almost enough to drive her insane. Caleb was handily supplying the last little push off the edge of sanity. 

Blake wanted to take her in his arms as soon as she opened the door, he wanted to soothe the edge of hysteria he saw in her eyes. Instead, he reached for Caleb, who was screaming bloody murder and refusing to be comforted. 

Carly looked at Blake wearing an expensive suit, easily calming the baby. Astonishment quickly turned furious. "You're hired." 

"For what?" He asked, a bit cautiously, wary of the look in her eyes.

"To nanny for that demon until he learns to speak. And maybe even after. He hasn't stopped fussing for love or money, and ten seconds in your arms and he's acting like he's the most angelic thing this side of heaven." Her eyes were snapping, and she knew she was unloading her temper, but couldn't seem to stop.

"I guess it's just a guy thing?" he shrugged, trying to gauge just how close to the edge she was. 

"Well, then do your 'guy thing' on Jason, too," she said sarcastically, complete with finger quotes, "because it is flapping difficult to have a conversation with someone who refuses to speak! Jason's mad at me, Caleb hates me, and I suck at this!" Her tone was frenzied, and Blake was concerned. 

"Change of plans," he said, slipping easily into his Alpha mode, waving Carly into her own home with one hand. "You go and take a bath or do whatever it is you do to relax. I'll order pizza, and then have a little man-to-man chat with the boys. I'll let you know when the pizza arrives, and we'll eat in the living room. Jason gets to pick out the movie." 

She glared at him for a long moment. "Fine. Just waltz in here and fix everything, you big stupid man," Carly muttered as she stomped away. She was perilously close to tears as she marched up the stairs and slammed the door. She knew she was being petulant, but she couldn't seem to help it. Caleb was taking to Blake like a fish to water, and Jason was bonding with Emile. She felt more alone and more like a gigantic failure than ever before. And Blake just breezed into her home, ordering things about to fit his whim. Carly was furious with herself for letting him take control, even as she was relieved. She had needed a moment to collect her nerves and recover her patience.

She hadn't taken a bath, as he had suggested. When the doorbell heralded the pizza delivery and she hadn't returned, Blake set Jason to gathering plates and napkins while he went to find Carly. She was starfished across her bed, snoring lightly. He took a moment to memorize her relaxed features, in sleep looking so innocent and carefree. He wanted to crawl into bed with her, and imagined the scene. Her waking as he tasted every inch of her skin, her writhing in pleasure as he slid slowly into her welcoming body... Lust hit him like a sledgehammer, and he decided that he would do anything to make that imagined scene play out in actuality. He continued to watch her sleep and imagine various ways to wake her, until he was snapped back to reality by Caleb's cry. 

"Carly, honey," he said softly, gently stroking her hair away from her face, unable to resist touching her. She blinked several times, before he spoke again. "Pizza's here. Come on down and eat."

Carly sat up, stretching languidly, and groaned. Blake, trying to be a gentleman, hid just how is body reacted to hers. "I'm sorry for earlier," She said, looking at him, as he searched for composure. "It's been a rough day, but I shouldn't take it out on you."

"I told you once before," He said, reaching out a hand and pulling her to her feet. "I'm here for you, whatever you need. If you need to abuse someone, well, it isn't the most pleasant way to spend time, but I can take it." His simple words assured her that all was forgiven, but the gleam in his eye told her exactly what pleasant ways he was considering. Blushing, Carly pulled away and skipped lightly down the stairs.




Werewolf at Heart Ch. 03



Before long, the pizza was finished and the dishes cleared away. By the time the movie ended, Caleb was sleeping on Blake's chest, Carly was curled into his side, and Jason was using Carly as a pillow. Wordlessly, Blake carried Caleb to his crib. He deftly changed the baby, singing softly to lull him back to sleep when he threatened to begin wailing again. Meanwhile, Carly had herded Jason up the stairs where he brushed his teeth and crawled into bed. She read him a chapter from the novel they were sharing, half listening to Blake's song.

With the children settled, Blake and Carly returned to the living room. Carly again curled into Blake's side, his arm resting across her body, absently stroking her arm. She returned the touch, practically petting his thigh. He longed for her touch to move in a more intimate direction, and wondered if she even knew what she was doing to him. Neither was really watching the movie they had put on, each caught up in their own thoughts.

"You scare me," she admitted, deciding he should know how she was really feeling.

"You have nothing to fear," he returned.

"I fear being consumed by your sheer presence, and losing myself. You're so dominating, so instinctively in charge," she tried to clarify her thoughts, but his touch was growing increasingly distracting. 

His jaw clenched. He couldn't help who he was, he was an Alpha to the very core of his being. It wasn't something he could turn off at her whim, it was something he was born to do, born to be.

"What do you do for a living?" he asked, changing the topic completely. 

"I'm a teacher," she admitted, a bit uncomfortably. She was pretty sure a teacher should have been better able to handle life with the boys. She was also fairly certain they had talked about it earlier, and wondered if he was avoiding the conversation she had started.

"And you're good at it?" His question stung. 

"I'll have you know that I was the Teacher of the Year last year," She answered, affronted.

"And what do you teach?" He asked again, eyes narrowing.

"Math, mostly various forms of calculus," she answered.

"So let me get this straight," He said, setting her upright so that he could face her. She almost sighed at the loss of contact, but managed to contain it. Barely. "You teach advanced mathematics to overachieving, college-bound seniors. Who, based on my experience with that particular breed, are soaking in hormones that make them act stupid in a misguided attempt to impress each other, believe they know what's best, and generally cause mischief and mayhem wherever they go. And you manage to keep them corralled and learning, doing well enough for recognition and acclaim."

Carly nodded, afraid to actually speak.

"And yet you are afraid that I will eclipse your spirit with my own?" He quirked an eyebrow at her, inviting her to see the ridiculousness of the situation.

"Well, when you put it like that..." She trailed off, not sure how to finish that statement. If he was right... no, she didn't even want to think about it. 

"I think it's time for you to leave," She said abruptly.

Blake looked at her, assessing. "I'll leave," he agreed, "For now. But this conversation is far from over. I find you lovely and fascinating and so very alluring, even when you're twitchy with nerves. I'll call you tomorrow," he promised as he took his leave. In his mind, he could feel his wolf's amusement. The chase was on.

Emile's breath caught as she opened the door. Jack was dressed to perfection, the tailored suit fitting impossibly well. He posed, leaning against the bannister on her front stoop, grinning. He looked good, and knew it. 

"Jack," she breathed, meeting his smile with one of her own.

"Are you going to invite me in?" He asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"No, I don't think so," she sighed. "I'm enjoying the view entirely too much." Her own eyes were dancing, and he knew something had finally changed within Emile.

Fast as thought, Jack was on her. He threaded his fingers through her hair, pulling back her head gently. She squeaked, as his lips descended to meet hers. One touch of his lips and she was on fire, the heat of desire singing through her veins. Her hands went around his waist, untucking his shirt, stroking his heated skin. He groaned into the kiss, his own hands roaming her pliant body. 

He broke the kiss, asking the question that he needed answered before he was too far gone. "Is this you or your wolf?"

Her laugh was husky, and his cock twitched at the sound. "Didn't you say I was my wolf, and the wolf was me?"

"Dammit, woman. Now is not the time for philosophy. If it's you calling the shots, I want you naked and splayed across the bed so I can do everything I have ever imagined with your body. If it's your wolf," he swallowed hard, wondering if what he was going to say was a total lie. "If it's your wolf, I can try and be patient a little while longer." 

Emile smiled as she took a step back, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You know," she said, "I did promise to castrate you if you ever showed up on my doorstep again." 

"Did you, now," he replied, wondering where this was going. The predatory gleam in Emile's eyes was reassuringly human, even as her words were designed to cause alarm. 

"Oh, yes. Told the Alpha so and everything."

She reached for his belt buckle and pried it open. Slowly, she undid the button and carefully pulled the zipper down, staring into Jack's eyes the entire time. "Commando? Naughty boy," she purred, as his cock sprang free. 

Jack's hands fisted at his sides, giving Emile the freedom to play her little game. He didn't know where it was going, but he was glad to be playing it.

Torturously slowly, Emile slid Jack's pants down his muscled thighs, not even aware she was moaning as she caressed hard muscles twitching with the effort to remain still. She dropped to her knees, turning her attention to the prize she had unwrapped. 

"So soft, so fragile, so easy to damage." she said, cupping his balls gently, with a wicked smile. 

"hey!" he groaned, in mock indignation. 

She laughed and continued her exploration of his manhood, barely touching, torturing him with gentle caresses. Leaning closer, she ran the tip of her tongue from the base to the top, tasting him. She licked him again from the base, this time swirling her tongue around the head of his cock before popping it into her mouth and sucking gently. She continued in that way, long licks and quick sucks, one hand still gently cupping his balls. 

Jack was unable to keep his hands off any longer and gently grabbed hold of her hair, holding her against him as she started to suck once again. "God, you feel so good, take it deeper, baby, please," he groaned, hips thrusting. 

Emile hummed her own appreciation, unaware of the effect that had on Jack. Her lips were stretched wide over his girth, her tongue finding all of the most sensitive bits as she slid her hot mouth further down his hard shaft. With her free hand, she started stroking what she couldn't fit in her mouth. Jack continued to groan words of encouragement, guiding her head as she took as much of him as she could handle. Using mouth and tongue and hands, she devoured his cock, his responses ratcheting up her own desire. "Oh, god, stop or I'm going to cum!" He groaned after an embarrassingly short time. 

Emile continued with her oral assault, taking pleasure in the almost pain of Jack pulling at her hair. He was trying to pull her wicked mouth away from his throbbing erection, not wanting this to be over. She would have none of it. 

"EMILE!" he roared as he came. She took it all, swallowing as he shot rope after rope of his cum into her eager mouth.

"Mmmm," she said, wiping a drop from the corner of her mouth when he finally pulled free. "Maybe not castration, then. It would be a shame to waste this treat."

"Castration bad," he agreed, trying to recover enough to actually put thoughts together in a coherent manner. 

Emile laughed, and Jack pulled her to her feet before planting a hard kiss on her lips. She pulled back, lust quickly turning to embarrassment. 

"Not that I'm complaining in any way," He said as he let her go, still trying to regain his composure, "but what brought that on?" He pulled his trousers back up, but left his fly and belt undone hoping for an encore performance. He walked to the couch, snagging Emile and pulling her into his lap. It was quickly becoming his favorite position to hold her, especially when they needed to talk. She sighed, resting her head against his chest, listening as his heart slowly returned to a less frantic rhythm. 

"I don't know," She said. Jack wrapped Emile in his arms, placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head. He waited patiently for her to continue.

"I just saw you standing there all delicious looking, and my wolf was encouraging me to play a bit with you, and... I've never done that before," she finished quietly. 

He let the silence grow, waiting to see if she had anything more to say. Eventually he softly told her, "Feel free to play with me like that any time you want. It was rather enjoyable."

"I really enjoyed it, too. But then I started thinking that I should be feeling guilty for betraying my husband, and then I started feeling guilty because I wasn't feeling guilty," she whispered her confession.

"You love him," he said. 

It wasn't a question, but she answered anyway, "With all that I am. He was my world."

"He died, and you lived," feeling his way through the conversation. 

"He died, my baby died, and I was unfortunate enough to survive."

"He loved you."

"From the moment we met until his dying breath," she replied with utter conviction.

"He hated to see you suffer, to see you in any kind of pain."

"Yes," she replied, suddenly wary of Jack's line of reasoning.

"You're suffering and in pain now," He said gently.

"Yes," She said again, wishing she knew how to halt what she knew Jack would say next.

"Would he want to see you choosing to be alone and miserable like this?"

She didn't want to say anything, didn't want to admit the truth to herself. Jacob would be disappointed in her, ashamed that she had given up, that she clung to his memory to avoid living, instead choosing to merely exist. "No," she finally said, barely loud enough for even Jack's enhanced senses to hear. 

"I want to see you happy, to see you living again," Jack said. He kissed the top of her head again, as he gave her the time she needed to come to terms with what he said, and what he wasn't saying yet. 

"You'll regret encouraging this," she warned after a long while. "I'm going to so totally suck at living. I'm going to do the wrong thing and say the wrong thing and be totally neurotic and..."

"Darling," Jack said, cutting her off and doing his best to lighten the mood, "I think we already determined just how well you suck. But if you feel the need to practice, I'm sure I can rise to the occasion."

"What are you even doing here?" Emile asked, turning to look at Jack, completely ignoring his previous words, even as she blushed furiously.

"I was in town for business with Blake, and he's off letting Carly and the boys take him on a date. I decided it was best if I made myself scarce, and I really wanted to see you again," he answered easily.

"I suppose you're going to expect that I feed you?" she sighed in mock exasperation.

He smiled down at her, eyes hot with need. "I can make it worth your while," he said persuasively, stealing an all too brief kiss.

She scrambled out of his lap, nearly running to the kitchen in a panic. She wasn't quite ready to return to more carnal pursuits, she still felt too conflicted and raw. "Oh, I'm sure I have some dog food around, somewhere," she called out. Laughing, Jack joined her in the kitchen. 

The pair enjoyed a relaxed evening of good food and better conversation, staying to safe topics until Jack's phone rang at almost the same time as Emile's. 

"Carly, it can't be that bad. Give me a minute and I'll be right over." Emile said, as Jack assured Blake he was ready to go.

"Will you come up to the pack lands this weekend?" he turned to ask her, halfway out the door.

She closed her eyes, kissing him gently. "I had a good time tonight, but I don't know if I'm ready," she whispered, uncertain. Part of her wanted to spend the weekend with Jack, part of her was terrified. 

Jack kissed her once more, tenderly. "I'll be there, whatever you decide," Jack said in parting, and then he was gone.



Werewolf at Heart Ch. 04



True to his word, Blake called Carly the following day. She waited in nervous anticipation, longing for the phone call, yet dreading it would come. Several times, she considered phoning him just to get it over with, but in the end she waited. It wasn't until late in the evening the phone call finally came.

They chatted easily for a long while, sharing the inconsequential details of the day. Finally, Blake returned to yesterday's conversation, as threatened. 

"Have you figured out what you're afraid of?" he asked when there was a lull in conversation.

Carly huffed and closed her eyes, wishing they could continue to ignore this particular topic. In the end, she decided to answer his question, knowing he would continue to force the issue otherwise. "You're fancy suits and first class travel, and I'm comfortably middle class."

"I'm not just fancy suits, but it certainly helps with business matters and I do have a reputation to maintain," he replied. "And as for first class travel? I run a company that specializes in outfitting and adventures. I'm more at home in a kayak or on a bike, than I am stuffed into an airplane. I enjoy the finer things in life, but the wilderness speaks to my soul." In more ways than he was willing to share, just yet. 

There was amusement in his tone, and it made Carly bristle. "You are three and a half hours away, and I have small children now."

"It may be a bit far, but I'm willing to make the drive if you're not. And if you work in a high school, finding someone to babysit can't be that difficult. I'm sure you can wrangle a responsible teenager or two," he countered, deciding not to mention just how well the boys responded to his presence. That would be a fight for another time. 

"You walk into a situation and take charge, and all but order me around. I let you get away with changing my ticket in the airport, I let you talk me into a date, and then I let you change those plans. I didn't argue, and I should have."

"I take charge, because that is who I am. I couldn't do my job if I let others push me around. I am used to dealing with situations, assessing them, and making decisions. Maybe the plane tickets was a bit underhanded," he conceded, "but I wanted to get to know you, I was drawn to you from the beginning. You let me talk you into the date because you wanted it, and you let me change the plans because you were in no state to leave your home, and you knew it."

"I take comfort in my routine, and I don't want my life to change. I don't want someone telling me what to do, and I don't want to be the type of woman who is controlled by a man," Carly protested, almost desperately.

"You don't want your life to change, but that's what life is. You know that, right? Besides, you can't help it now, not with the children, not with me. Sure, you accede to reason and desire on occasion, but you are no man's puppet. I doubt you would have even answered the phone if you really thought I was controlling you," Blake briefly considered how he would like to control her, in the bedroom, though, and not the rest of her life. His thoughts wanted to continue down that particular path.

Instead, he listened carefully to each of her protests, and then skillfully rebutted every argument. One by one, he hunted down her insecurities, using logic and reasoning to lay them to rest. He was a patient hunter, and knew that logic ordered her soul. The call lasted long into the night, until Carly finally gave in.

"Fine," she said, rather grumpily. "I will acknowledge that there is something worth exploring between us, something that will bring mutual happiness, at least for a time. You will be arrogant and domineering, and I will be stubborn and resist you. It is who we are."

Blake laughed at her grudging capitulation. It was the opening he was looking for. "I shall be at your door at six o'clock Saturday night," he informed her, almost daring her to argue. "Hire a sitter, and dress to impress. I have reservations at La Belle Vie."

"A last minute babysitter and reservations at the most pretentious restaurant in Minneapolis? I don't think so," she scoffed with more amusement than anger. Without another word, she disconnected the call. 

*****

Friday night found Emile sitting in Carly's living room, glass of wine in hand, listening to her friend agonize about Blake and how he had practically ordered her to join him for a dinner at one of the swankiest restaurants, and how she had absolutely nothing appropriate to wear. Emile sympathized, knowing well the game the Alpha was playing. He was slowly overcoming her defenses, chasing her. It was how she had felt all those years Jack patiently chased her. The thought struck a chord. Suddenly, she couldn't think. She heard Carly talking, but she wasn't listening. 

Jack. He had chased her. 

Suddenly, Emile knew she didn't want to be here. She wanted to be far to the north, with Jack. It went beyond mere want, and was more akin to unchecked need. As if something unlocked deep in her mind, and she knew. She knew what Jack had meant as he kissed her senseless that first time, when he had claimed she was his. Knew what he and her wolf wouldn't explain. She knew, with every shred of her being that Jack belonged to her. She had loved deeply and lost terribly, and the world stopped spinning. But it hasn't, not really. Jack was there, had always been there, had never given up on her, would never give up on her. Jack had claimed her, called her his. Her wolf had known, had probably always known. Her wolf, so willing to submit. Jacob was her past love, Jack could very well be her future. Jack had been chasing her for years, and she hadn't figured it out. Now it was startlingly clear. Jack had chased her, and part of her wanted to be caught.

"I'm sorry," she apologized as she almost jumped to her feet, unable to be separated from Jack any longer. "I've got to go!" She laughed in delight, knowing to her very core she was making the right decision.

"Where are you going?" Carly asked, confused. She had been hoping Emile would to tell her what to do, hoping her friend would give her permission to cancel the date.

"Oh," She said laughing at her private joke, "I've got to see a man about a dog!" She was out the door before Carly could say anything else. 

Emile raced through her home, grabbing a small suitcase and filling it with clothes and toiletries. She regretted not having any lingerie, knowing exactly how she was planning on spending her weekend. She didn't bother calling even though it was late, knowing that Jack would be waiting for her, whether she showed up or not. He had said as much.

Anticipation grew, and nervousness set in as the hours in the car slowly dragged on. Finally, she was where she most wanted to be in the world.

The pack land, for all the world to see, was a quiet subdivision set back in the woods. Close enough to Duluth to be an easy commute, for many worked in the city, yet far enough away they could safely run as wolves whenever the mood struck. The homes weren't large, but the yards certainly were. As a whole, everything was well-maintained; the pack looked after itself. At the heart of the subdivision was a larger, stately home belonging to the Alpha. Nearby was a community center where the pack regularly congregated. Werewolves were social creatures, and enjoyed having a large, neutral location to play games, watch movies, socialize, and eat. The basement housed a fitness center that would make many weep with envy. There was an enormous playground for children of all ages, with plenty of places to climb, swing, and slide. If anyone in the neighboring communities thought it odd that the homes in this particular subdivision never went on sale, and that all of the neighbors were uncommonly friendly with one another, they were silent on the matter. The subdivision, the pack, was happy and prosperous. 

Emile knew there were perimeter guards on patrol and that one of the houses hid a state of the art security center, but they would know her. She was pack, even if she had never before ventured onto the lands outside of the full moon. She had never been to Jack's home before, but as second in command, he would be close to the Alpha at the heart of the pack. She parked along the street in the general area and took a deep breath, scenting his familiar scent and following it easily to his home. She knocked, but no one answered. Embarrassment and fear growing, she closed her eyes and called to her wolf.

"Use me," her wolf replied, jaw dropping in a grin. "I can find him."

Leaving her bag on his doorstep, and hoping that it actually was his doorstep and she wasn't making a huge mistake, she quickly stripped. While nudity was common among the pack, Emile was always acutely aware of her scars and hated being naked. Calling on the wolf, she breathed deeply, falling to her hands and feet. The shift came easily, momentary pain washed away by the tingle of magic. Bones and joints cracking as they rearranged, muscles pulling to adapt to her new shape, skin itching as thick white fur covered her body. She shook to settle her fur, and stretched, reacquainting herself with her other shape. She let her wolf take the lead, but stayed close to the surface, afraid as always of losing herself entirely in the animal.

Emile sang out when she reached the forest's edge, wanting Jack to know she had come for him. She was still nervous, but as a wolf she didn't mind nearly as much. Still, she jumped when she heard Jack howl his reply. She ran, heading deep into the woods, avoiding the other wolves as she lead Jack on a merry chase. Jumping fallen logs, dashing through the shallow creek, weaving in and out among the pines, she was happy. 

Jack caught up with her in a small clearing, yipping. She whined a bit, ears pinned back, still nervous. Tail wagging and tongue lolling out, Jack rubbed up against Emile, happy she took him up on the invitation to visit. He herded her to a sheltered area with a soft carpet of grass. He shifted back to human. 

"God, I am so happy you're here," he said, when she had returned to human as well.

"I wasn't going to come, but then... and you weren't there. I was so afraid I was about to make a fool of myself," Emile replied, uncertain in her decision regardless of Jack's words of welcome.

Jack had no desire to have a conversation, instead deciding show her just how happy he was to see her. He slid next to her, hands reaching up to frame her face. Crushing her lips beneath his, he tasted her, pouring out his love. His hands slid down her body, cupping her breasts, feeling the heavy softness. Her nipples pebbled beneath his questing fingers and he tweaked them, causing Emile to squeak in the most delicious way. Breaking the kiss, he sucked on first one nipple, then the other, using his tongue to soothe the minor pain. 

His hands drifted to her hips, softly stroking the curves. He kissed his way down her body, where she tried to cover the scars. He would have none of it. He kissed the length of each slash, three on either side of her belly, trying to wordlessly assure her that he found every inch of her desirable, scars and all. Finally, his mouth landed on her dripping need. Holding her firmly by the hips, he took his time licking, sucking, and tasting her fevered flesh, reveling in her taste. His teeth eventually scraped her clit, and she came undone, screaming wordlessly into the night.

He kissed his way back up her body, allowing her time to recover. "Your hair," she finally managed to gasp. "Grow it out," she demanded. Jack laughed, knowing exactly what she wanted. She had tried and failed to find purchase on his head as he pleasured her with his mouth. 

He kissed her again, and she tasted herself, an intensely erotic flavor. As their tongues tangled, he rolled on top of her, weight resting on his arms. He teased her, rubbing the tip of his cock against her entrance. Breaking the kiss, he stared down into her eyes. "I want to watch you take every inch of me," He growled, heart in his eyes. "I want you to see me as I slide inside you; don't you dare look away!"

Slowly, oh so slowly, Jack sheathed himself completely in her welcoming body, eyes never breaking contact. He pulled back, and Emile whimpered at the loss. He thrust hard, her hips rising to meet his, before he slowly pulled back again. "God, you are so tight, so perfect, so unbelievably mine."

At his words, Emile completely lost control. Her legs wrapped around Jack, pulling them closer together with his every thrust. She was clawing at his back, wanting to merge their bodies as close together as possible. Her hungry mouth tasting every inch of skin she could reach. Jack's control didn't last much longer. She was moaning as he spoke words of love and affection, bodies slamming together again and again. It was blinding passion, fevered need. Jack knew he wouldn't last long; he knew that gentle lovemaking would come later. Here in the forest, it was sex with an animalistic ferocity as he claimed her in the most primal way. "Emile, I'm going to cum, cum with me!" 

His words pushed her over the edge, her slick walls clamping down as wave after wave of pleasure rippled through her body. He roared, burying himself deep, his cock twitching as he emptied himself.

Rolling onto his back, he pulled Emile on top, still connected in the most intimate of ways. They lay there, utterly spent, taking comfort in the pleasure of each other's touch. 

*****

At precisely six the next night, Carly's doorbell rang. 

"Aren't you going to answer that?" Maddie asked. She had again been called over to babysit, and was happy to earn a few extra dollars. 

"Maddie," Carly said fervently, turning to the younger woman, "There is a rich, handsome man on my doorstep. He's more arrogant and demanding than anyone has a right to be. If you want him, he's yours."

Maddie laughed easily. "Dressed as you are, I doubt he will even notice me." She was probably correct. "And he's probably old," Maddie added as an afterthought. 

"Well then," Carly said with dignity, "It is my prerogative, as a woman, to make him wait."

The doorbell rang again, rather impatiently, but nothing could induce Carly to answer the summons. This was such a bad idea. She should have called and canceled. Maddie gave her a strange look, and went to answer the door herself.

"Ms. Whelehan is panicking in the kitchen," Maddie offered, deciding it would be best to take the boys upstairs to play. At least for a little while. 

Blake strode into the kitchen, intent on dragging Carly to his car. He thought they had worked it all out on the phone the other night. Why would she dare she leave him on the doorstep like that after he'd spent so long in the car, just to spend time with her? He had managed to work himself into a fit as he stood waiting outside. 

When he caught sight of her, he froze, and all angry thoughts fled. Carly wore a deep blue dress that shimmered in the light and clung to her curves enticingly. The dress landed mid-thigh, with a halter top that left her shoulders bare and offered just a hint of cleavage. Her clutch was made of the same fabric, the tight grip she held it with betraying her anxiety. She shifted slightly, his attention drawn to her feet, which were encased in stilettos that added height and enhanced her sexuality. 

Carly was secretly pleased to note that Blake was practically drooling as he looked at her for longer than was probably polite. It settled something deep inside. Suddenly, the nervousness vanished. She had made her decision, and now needed to see it through. 

"I am sorry to keep you waiting," she announced almost regally into the silence. "And for the record, I wish it known that I reserve the right to dislike you immensely and have a terrible time."

Blake laughed as the tension broke, and offered Carly his arm with a slight bow. "As my lady wishes." 

He escorted her to his car, guiding her through her own home with soft touches. He just couldn't seem to keep his hands to himself. Holding open the door to his top of the line Mercedes C-class, he watched in avid fascination as she slid in, the hem of her dress inching higher. 

Blake adjusted himself discreetly as he walked to the driver's side of the car. As he entered into traffic, Blake struggled to pull his mind away from rather explicit thoughts and engage Carly in conversation. He just hoped he could have himself under control by the time they made it to the restaurant.

"I feel so out of place," Carly murmured as they entered La Belle Vie, hanging off of Blake's arm. 

"You belong," Blake returned, just as softly. "Never doubt that you belong, here and by my side. You are something no money could buy; you are real, strength and beauty."

His words calmed her nerves, and she practically glowed. She wasn't used to pretty words and heart-felt compliments, and didn't know how to respond. Instead, she studied the drink menu, finally deciding on a fruity specialty of the house. 

Carly tried hard not to notice the prices, and was only partly successful, until Blake piqued her temper once again. Without even considering her opinion, he ordered the most expensive tasting menu the establishment provided. It would be a truly gourmet experience, lasting a dozen courses. 

"Perhaps I am a vegetarian," she almost growled in frustration as soon as the waitress stepped away.

Blake looked at her with patient amusement. "You had no trouble eating pepperoni pizza."

"Did you even consider asking me what I wanted before ordering for me?" She asked. 

Realizing with remarkable alacrity his mistake, he apologized. "I thought to offer you the very finest experience, a dinner worth lingering over. If you would prefer something else, I will get the waitress back over."

"It's what I would have chosen," Carly's anger vanishing with the sincerely offered apology. "I just wish you would have asked. I don't want you making decisions for me."

When the first course arrived, it looked almost too pretty to eat. Tiny quail eggs had been poached and placed on thin slices of perfectly toasted wedges. Caviar and wild onions were used as almost decoration. "I'm half afraid to eat this," Carly admitted, looking at the food. "It looks more like art than food."

"The presentation makes it all the more delicious," Blake said, taking a bit with no hesitation. 

"I've never understood the fascination with snapping photos of food before, but it almost feels like a compulsion tonight. Like the world should see what I'm eating, so they can be insanely jealous." Carly was still admiring her food.

"Eat, woman," Blake growled playfully.

She complied, savoring the rich, complex flavors. Each course was similar in nature, a gorgeous presentation that managed to taste divine, paired with a wine that complemented the food to perfection. Conversation flowed easily as they enjoyed their exquisite meal. The pair swapped stories, Blake telling about adventures gone wrong, memorable trips, and life with the pack, glossing over the preternatural aspects of his life. Carly told of the antics of her classes over the years and places she had explored with her sister, but enjoyed listening to Blake more. She was a bit envious, truth to tell. Blake lived life fully, and she was imagining just what her future could be like. She wasn't sure if she was ready to leave the comfort of her own safe little world, but it was a tempting world he offered.

They lingered over their meal, but time moved much too quickly for Blake and Carly. Eventually, he paid the massive bill, and they rose to leave. Carly sighed, a bit sadly, not entirely ready for the evening to be over. "It's a pity the Maddie is expecting me back," she said, a little wistfully. 

Blake shot her a knowing look, and leaned over for a brief kiss. His words were loaded with promise. "Call her and let her know you'll be late."




Werewolf at Heart Ch. 04



"And just where would we go?" She asked, not sure she was ready for what his words promised. 

"We can leave the car here and take a walk," Blake offered innocently. 

"you want me to walk? In these shoes?" She looked horrified at the very suggestion. 

Blake laughed at her expression, and sent the valet to fetch his car. He decided that he enjoyed pushing her buttons, keeping her slightly off balance. It brought out her fighting spirit, and he loved the spark of fire that lit her eyes. He reached for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, smiling happily. 

"No. As much as I never want this night to end, I think it best we head back," Carly said, a little regretfully. 

"It's time to take Cinderella home before she turns into a pumpkin?" He teased, as he helped her into the car. 

Blake insisted on walking her to her door when they arrived at her home, and she couldn't find it within herself to argue. The evening had been a dream.

"I would like nothing more than to invite you in," she admitted, "But I fear it would be unwise." 

Blake leaned in, and allowed his lips to lightly brush against hers. "I would like nothing more than to accept your invitation, but now isn't the time," he agreed.

They stood like that for a long moment, breath mingling, as shared passion made the air grow heavy around them. Finally Blake could handle it no longer, he needed a real taste of her. "So kiss me goodnight like you mean it, and we can talk again in the morning."

She responded to his words and the tension between them, meeting his desire with hers. Their lips joined, Blake gently nipping at her lower lip, demanding entrance. She allowed it, their tongues tangling as they devoured one another. Carly was running her fingers through Blake's short hair, drawing him closer. His hands had drifted lower, and were gently stroking the skin under the hem of her dress. It wasn't long before Carly pulled away, afraid she would forget herself if the kiss lasted any longer. Blake groaned, trying to keep a tight reign on his own desire. His wolf demanded more, so he pulled her close again, his tongue stroking deep into her mouth. Her hands slid down his chest, feeling the hard planes and ripples of well-toned muscles. She wanted more, but knew now was not the time or place. She bit down on his tongue, gently, getting his attention.

This time, when Carly pulled away, Blake let her go. "Later," she breathed with a smile and little fluttering wave of her fingers, before she disappeared behind the door.

*****

Jack woke late Saturday morning with a smile. His wolf was at peace, and Emile was in his bed, where she belonged. He watched her sleep, unable to stop from stroking her soft skin along her side and across her hip. Soon his lips joined his fingers, and she slowly came awake to his touching and tasting. Wordlessly, she pulled him closer, letting him explore her body as desire built between them. His touch was light as he explored her curves, hips and breasts and throat. When Jack could no longer stand just the teasing touches, he aligned himself with her center, and entered slowly. Emile moaned as her body stretched to accommodate his, loving the delicious fullness, how perfect he felt as he slowly thrust inside of her. Jack continued exploring Emile's body with fingers and mouth, even as he moved inside of her, thrusting deeply and oh so slowly. Wanting this moment to last forever, he fought the urge to go faster, keeping their lovemaking languid. Desire continued to build to nearly impossible heights, until, with his lips teasing her collarbone and his fingers on her clit, Emile came with a cry, Jack finishing soon after. Sated and happy, she curled into his side, pressing her body against his. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. Sated once again, Emile dozed as Jack held her. Jack, on the other hand, was wide awake, contemplating Emile.

He loved the texture of her skin, the taste of her body, the way she responded to him. He loved the soft sounds she made, breathy sighs and moans, the way her breath hitched when he found his way to a particularly sensitive part. He loved the feel of her tight, wet womanhood surrounding him as he entered her body completely. He even loved the way she tried to pull his hair. He loved her spirit, the strength she wasn't even aware of that hid behind her vulnerability. He loved how willingly she submitted, and how fiercely she fought. He loved his woman, every inch of her body and soul.

Regretfully, Jack slipped out of bed to shower and find something for them to eat. 

That was how Emile found him when she awoke. She took advantage of the bathroom to clean herself, and found something to wear before searching Jack out. He was only wearing jeans, his back towards her, standing in front of the oven. 

"I hope omelettes are ok," he said, not bothering to turn around. 

"As long as they are served with coffee," she answered, sitting down with a smile. She should have offered to help, but she was enjoying her view. She enjoyed the play of muscles beneath his skin as he moved about the kitchen with easy grace. She enjoyed the way he was so self assured and confident. She enjoyed his easy smile, and the look in his eyes when he regarded her, how safe she felt in his arms, how she could let someone else carry the burdens of her soul if only for a little while. 

She sighed, dreamily. "You're much too good for me. You deserve someone better."

Jack turned off the the stove, and met her eyes. "You have it wrong, Emile. You deserve so much more than I could ever give you," he said seriously, thinking of her past.

"I wasn't wrong when I said I would be completely neurotic and suck at living," she replied. "And I'm not going to be easy to deal with."

"You still don't see it, do you? I don't want some hypothetical perfect woman I can earn by being good. It's you I want in my life, it's you I need. It's you I love. You will be my mate, the center of my soul. I love you." He wanted so desperately for her to believe his words, and was terribly afraid she would reject them.

Instead, Emile's eyes filled with tears, and Jack reached out to hold her. "I never wanted this to happen," she sobbed into his chest.

"Fate has a way of ignoring what we want and what we deserve. Instead, it gives us what we need, when we need it, even if we don't know that we need it," he finally answered.

Emile continued to cry, finally whispering the admission that burned at her soul, "I don't think I can love again, I'm too broken."

Jack trying to comfort her with gentle, reassuring touches and babbling soft words. "I do love you, and one day you will be my mate. I know it hasn't been easy for you, but it will get better, and you are healing. You're not too broken, and love is always possible. I'll be here for you, and for you I will be patient. I have been waiting for years to claim you as mine, and I will continue to wait for as long as you need me to. For you, I will do anything."

She loved how he could be so patient and gentle with her, even while she knew how brutal and ruthless he could be. Emile pulled away, trying to smile at his words.

"I still don't want to face the pack," she said.

"They can wait, for a bit."

"I am not ready for you to be my mate."

"Let's just start with food, then," Jack said, turning back to the stove. He was already planning his next move.



Werewolf at Heart Ch. 05



Life for Carly started falling into an almost comfortable routine over the next few weeks. Jason still wasn't talking, but he wasn't as surly anymore. Caleb was spending less time wailing like he was possessed by demons. Carly was seeing less of Emile, who was spending her weekends with her mysterious man, but they still caught up several times a week. 

She wasn't completely bereft at that loss, however. Blake was texting and calling at all all hours of the day and night. Several times, he drove down to see her. Sometimes they went out alone, sometimes with the kids, and sometimes they stayed in. She was beginning to find her equilibrium, but knew it was only a temporary reprieve. Summer was drawing to a close, and the school year would soon begin. 

Blake was growing wildly impatient. Carly was firmly entrenched upon his heart, his wolf was enamored by her and called out for her, and yet she stubbornly resisted a more intimate relationship. They talked constantly, he visited as often as business and the pack allowed, yet he was always left wanting more. He wanted to take her to bed, to let loose the passion that flared between them, to let the heat of need consume them both. She was keeping things to small touches, shameless flirting, and soul searing kisses, and then hiding behind obligations when things started getting more interesting. He could scent her arousal, knew she wanted it as badly as he did, and he wasn't willing to wait much longer. 

As for Carly, she wanted more from Blake, too. There was something that she didn't quite trust, some secret he kept hidden. It bothered her greatly, that he wouldn't confide in her, that there was some integral part of himself that he felt he needed to shield her from. She sensed the secret, but was never able to guess at it. The secret bothered her, though her near constant state of arousal when in his presence was starting to bother her more. 

"You know," Blake said thoughtfully when he was visiting one afternoon, "Summer is almost over."

"Don't remind me," Carly groaned. "I go back to work the week after next."

"Next weekend, I'd like you to visit, a bit of a vacation," he offered, working his way up to the next part of the seduction plan.

"My company has a bit of a tradition," he continued, "The employee's children are taken on an overnight hiking trip. Some families go, of course, as guides and chaperones. But most families just send their kids."

His words were not a total lie, nearly all of the children were children of his employees. But then, nearly all of his employees were also pack. And while children didn't shift for the first time until puberty, Jason would be the only truly human on the adventure, if he was able to convince Carly to accept this plan. He looked at her, waiting for her reaction, while making a mental note to remind the others not to speak of the pack or sensitive topics in front of Jason.

"I'm not an employee, so I'll have to decline the offer you haven't quite made," she answered. She wasn't sure she was ready to be separated from Jason for that long, and was certain she didn't want to hand him over to strangers. And she certainly was wary of the speculative gleam in Blake's eyes.

"But I'm the boss, they'll gladly let him tag along if I ask. I think it might be good for Jason. Maybe he would be able to return to something like normal if he spent some time with a few people his age, doing something new and different. There's this group of kids, they'll be going. Fiona, she's a bit of a wild child, the leader of the little pack. She's a happy, mischievous scamp, and she draws everyone to her. She'll make sure Jason's included," his words persuasive. 

"If families go," she said, not quite giving in yet, "Then I should be there with him. I'll worry that he's not safe. What if something goes wrong? What if there are bears? What if..."

Blake stole a kiss, wanting to put a stop to her spiraling fears. His lips lingered only briefly, knowing he had to finish this conversation.

"My people are well trained, and have been doing this for years. I trust them. They will keep all the kids safe, as their children will be there, too." He spoke with such conviction, Carly implicitly believed them trustworthy. "Besides," Blake continued with a charming grin, "many also run my company's fall hunting trips, and would know what to do in the unlikely event they spotted a bear."

"You want Jason to go, but not me?" She answered in return, beginning to see the shape of Blake's plan. She wasn't sure she was ready for it. His obvious secret rankled.

"You and I have some unfinished business," he said, very softly.

"And what business might that be?" She asked, eyes wide in faux innocence.

"I need to spend some serious time getting better acquainted with your body," he said, dangerously. "I want to know the precise flavor of your cunt, and figure out just what it takes to bring you to orgasm. I want to hear all the delicious little moans you will make as we make love. I want to see your breasts sway as I take you from behind. I want to feel myself buried deep within you. God, do I want that so badly." 

His words drew quite the picture of how they would spend the weekend. "Sounds rather boring," she lied and pretended to yawn.

Blake laughed wickedly. "Oh, Carly. You are too much. Next weekend, you're mine. Jason will be off adventuring, and Caleb will be tucked away with a friend. They're a young family and won't mind another baby for a bit. You... you will not leave my bed, even if I have to chain you down." 

Carly gulped at the promise, not even sure how to respond to his dominance. 

Jason, when he was told of the planned adventure, seemed interested but reserved. Blake told stories of Fiona's exploits, described the hiking and camping, and promised him the very best of his equipment. Jason began looking forward to the promise of s'mores. 

*****

Life for Emile wasn't falling so happily into a routine. Or rather, it was falling into a routine she wasn't happy with. Each weekend, Jack insisted she come to visit him on the pack lands. Not in so many words, no, he just refused to come down to see her, so if she wanted to see him, she was the one making the trek north late Friday night. It was an insidious little game, forcing her to chase him. She didn't want to make the drive and she certainly didn't want to find herself so often surrounded by the pack. She knew what Jack was doing, and she played right into his hands. She hated it, but she couldn't resist. She craved his touch, the way his hands drifted fearlessly over her body, leaving behind a trail of fire that lit her soul. She craved the kisses that made her forget everything. She craved those moments that felt so perfect, when he was thrusting hard into her body. Mostly, though, she craved how comfortable and safe she felt when he was around. So as much as she hated it, she played his game, leaving for the pack lands after work on Friday, and staying late until Sunday evening.

"Come on," Jack said, rather impatiently, when she arrived on one such Friday evening. He had been pretending to read on the couch, waiting for her arrival. As soon as she opened the door, he jumped to his feet and reached for her bags. Setting them aside, he pulled her into a tight hug and allowed a very brief kiss. He wanted more, but he had other plans for the evening.

"Someone decided there would be a chili cook-off tonight at the clubhouse." he continued, putting her at arm's length, trying to avoid temptation. "There's got to be a dozen or more different chilis to try. Let's go snag some food and join in the judging!"

"Can't we just stay in?" Emile asked, arms crossing over her chest and feet wide, she was settling in for a fight. "It's been such a long day already, I just want sex and a snuggle."

Jack regarded her, eyes going squinty, own hands at his hips. "I'm beginning to feel like you're using me for my body. As pleasurable as that is, and I assure you that it's plenty pleasurable, I would like to go out tonight. With you. Where people can see how much you mean to me."

"You promised me I wouldn't have to deal with the pack," Emile cringed a bit at the whine in her voice.

"Incorrect. I promised that the pack would love you, if you let them. I also promised that facing the pack could wait for a bit. We've waited. I have friends I hardly get to see, because I have been spending my time with you. Again, quite pleasurably, but there's more to life than awesome sex."

Emile gave him a disbelieving look. 

"I'm not hungry," she said, "and I don't like chili." She was grasping at straws, and they both knew it.

"Liar," he said, as her stomach chose that moment to rumble.

Tears started to fill Emile's eyes, and Jack wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms again and grant her every wish. "Why can't we just keep things as they are?"

"Because I want so much more," he said, relenting a bit and opening his arms, inviting her in, letting her take reassurance in his touch. Emile wrapped her arms around his waist as he held her fiercely, resting his chin on the top of her head. "You know that I love you. I need you to heal. I want to see you laugh and smile and be happy. You see the werewolves as monsters. You only interact with others when the pack hunts under the light of the full moon, on four feet. You need to see them as people."

"Who decided you could be my therapist?" Emile grumbled into Jack's chest.

"You did, love, since I'm the only one you've let in."

"You invited your damn self in."

Jack practically felt her give in, the tension suddenly leaving her body. He sighed in relief. He knew her road to recovery would be rocky and full of these potholes, but she was well on it. Soon, he thought. Soon they would be mates in fact.

Eventually Emile pulled away from the embrace and resumed her defensive stance. "So are we doing this or what?"

Jack shook with laughter, a happy smile covering his face. He grabbed for Emile's hand and pulled her out the door and down the street.

The clubhouse was full of pack, and noisy. Emile almost bolted at the cacophony, but Jack held her hand tightly and refused to let her pull away.

"Jack, you're here!" somebody called. Emile was suddenly worried that she had never learned the names of anyone in the pack. It just never seemed important to her before. She recognised most of them by sight, and now she felt like she should know them, especially since she was here with Jack.

"I never miss a chance for free food!" Jack returned with an easy grin. 

"That's Connor, third in line of the pack, and head of security," Jack told Emile mentally. Emile's smile was full of relief. She didn't enjoy communicating this way, but she wasn't going to complain this time. Jack would take care of her, as always, knowing exactly how to help make her comfortable.

"And Emile," Connor said, turning to her. "I don't suppose you brought a batch of chili to enter into our little contest?"

Emile shook her head, gripping Jack's hand tighter. "I only heard about it ten minutes ago," she said shyly. 

"Well, I'll be sure to let you know when the next cook off will be, so no excuses. I, for one, would love to taste some new cooking around here," Connor said with a flirty smile.

Emile turned to Jack, discomfited and not at all sure how to reply. "It'll be harmless fun, but it's up to you. Accept or decline, no pressure," he sent to her mind, before sending a slightly menacing thought to Connor. 

"Perhaps," Emile said, knowing how easily that could become a "no". 

Jack and Emile sat at a small table, and one of the pack brought over bowls of chili. They tasted and discussed the relative merits of each sample, before filling out their voting card. It wasn't as bad an experience as Emile had feared, until the empty bowls had been taken away. It was like a signal for the pack to descend upon her. 

People came and went from their table, Jack keeping her grounded with small touches and a running commentary in her head. The pack was slightly larger than a hundred members, and it seemed to Emile that every last one of them was intent upon joining their table, at least for a few words. In truth, there had been maybe twenty people, some arriving singly, others in pairs or groups. Jack easily carried the brunt of the conversations, his unmistakable charisma pulling the others in. As much as she would have loved to pretend she wasn't here, as much as she wanted to pull on her cold, aloof personality, she knew that would disappoint Jack. She didn't want to disappoint him, so she followed the conversation and offered her thoughts when they were required. It wasn't easy for her, but she would happily do it for Jack.

"They're just curious, love. You've been one of us for so long, yet you hold yourself apart. They want to get to know you. And they're wondering about us, if we're just casual or something more," his voice floated through her mind, so calming and comforting. 

She scooted her chair closer and leaned into him. Jack draped his arm around her shoulder and gently kissed her forehead. Emile sighed and closed her eyes. "Let them guess," she sent to him, too exhausted to care. Tonight had been emotionally exhausting, and she just wanted to crawl into Jack's bed and sleep, cuddled close to him.

As soon as the winner of the chili cook-off was announced, Jack pulled Emile to her feet and started to take his leave. The party would continue late into the night, and most were at least a little happy to see them go. It would make gossiping about the second in command and the ice wolf so much easier. 

"I love you," Jack said once again, as Emile crawled into bed. He never tired of saying those words. He lived for the moment Emile would realize that she loved him, and say those three little words back to him. Until that happened, he was content to love enough for the both of them.

*****

Like a herd of turtles, Carly and the boys left early the next Saturday morning. They would be meeting up with Blake at the outfitters, where Jason would be kitted out and handed off to the guides responsible for the late summer weekend adventure. As soon as they arrived, Jason was caught up in the whirlwind of last minute details, nearly bouncing in anticipation. As promised, Fiona took to Jason and added him to her group of friends, without the prompting of her Alpha. The little slip of a girl was talking nineteen to the dozen, and her excitement was infectious. Jason was grinning widely, which calmed Carly's anxiety a bit. 

Carly stood with Caleb on her hip, Blake's arm draped across her shoulders leaving no question in anyone's mind why Jason was tagging along on a pack outing. They would watch what they said and how they acted, guides, parents, and children. No one wanted to draw the wrath of their Alpha... and they could see just how happy he was with Carly. 

"Now," Blake said later, when the last vanload of pack was off, "I do believe it is time to settle Caleb on his own adventure." 

"Lead the way, Blake," Carly said with a nervous smile. 

Carly followed Blake back to his home, and they walked down the block to his friend's home. He introduced Meredith, Ethan, and two sets of twins, ages two and four. 

"You see?" he laughed at Carly's expression, "they'll hardly notice another one tagging along!"

With several last-minute instructions Carly felt obligated to give, even if the couple could clearly handle children, they took their leave. The morning was over, but Blake and Carly were finally alone. 

"I feel like we should be out enjoying such a wonderful day," Carly offered once their lunch was cleared away, "Spending it inside seems like a waste."

"I believe I mentioned chaining you to my bed if needed," Blake's tone had turned dangerous, and he stalked forward. Carly shivered in anticipation. 

"Oh, Blake," She sighed, giving in to the growing desire. "What are we doing?"

"We're bringing pleasure to one another," he answered, before claiming her mouth with his own. He was insistent, demanding entrance. She moaned, opening for him. His tongue stroked hers, and she suddenly recalled what Blake had said when he proposed this weekend, about how he longed to know the flavor of her cunt. She imagined his tongue between her lower lips, and knew deep in her soul that today would ruin her. She was lost. 

She ran her hands up his shirt, feeling his hard muscles jump and quiver under her touch. She loved the feel of his hot skin beneath her fingers, the ripples of muscle all too often hidden under his clothes. Lost in the feel of his body, the taste of his mouth, she wanted it all.

Blake's hands were busy exploring Carly's body, too. He was caressing the soft skin at the dip of her spine, almost wishing she weren't pressed so closely to him. He would rather be toying with her breasts. He held his control tightly, although he wanted to take her hard, here in the kitchen, folding her over the table and taking her roughly from behind. 

He broke the kiss, roughly ordering, "bedroom, now!" with a swat on her ass. She squeaked and sauntered away, suddenly deciding that she if she was going to go through with this, she wanted to be in control. Hips moving with an exaggerated sway, she shed clothes as she walked. Blake watched, enjoying the view too much to move. When Carly was out of sight, he followed a trail of discarded clothing leading to the bedroom.

Blake froze in the doorway. Carly sat on the end of his bed, legs wide, one finger trailing along her lower lips. Blake's eyes followed the finger as it slowly dipped inside her body. He groaned as she pulled her moistened finger from her dripping sex and brought it to her lips. She sucked, pulling the cleaned digit out of her mouth with an audible pop. 

Blake's cock twitched, and he nearly came at the sight. "Are you trying to kill me, woman?" he asked, unable to move. 

She laughed, a low, throaty sound full of sexual promise. "Not yet," she answered, hands drifting to her breasts.

Blake continued to watch the erotic sight of his woman playing with herself, resisting, just barely, to take his erection in hand. Gently rolling the nipples between her fingers and pulling lightly, Carly threw back her head, crying, "God, Blake! You said you wanted to taste my cunt, what the fuck are you waiting for?"

He went to her, then, falling to his knees and pulling her roughly forward. She fell to her back on the bed, hands continuing to play with her nipples. Blake held her thighs apart, face so close she could feel his hot breath on her skin. Finally, he licked bottom to top, tongue pressing between her honeyed folds. Holding her firmly in place, Blake used only his lips and tongue. He stroked against her cunt, thrusting his tongue deep into the center of her womanhood, alternating with sucking on her clit. She writhed and bucked against his face, wanting more. Her wordless moans and shrieks of pleasure filled the room, until she could bear the exquisite torture no longer and screamed out in her release. 

She lay there panting, hands still cupping her breasts, her hair a wild halo against the sheets. Her eyes were closed and her face flushed. Blake stood, watching her recover. She was so responsive, so vocal, so very much his. His heart was so filled with love he could barely stand it. 

"On your hands and knees," he demanded, voice rough. He loved taking a woman from behind, loved the control and the access. He needed Carly this way, needed her open and submitting to him with her body. He needed to claim her body in every way possible.

She complied, rolling over and crawling up the bed, turning her head to watch him over her shoulder with a smile. He climbed onto the bed behind her, aligning his aching cock to her dripping core. He slid himself in slowly, wanting to feel every moment, memorize the way he made her body his. 




Werewolf at Heart Ch. 05



His control didn't last long, and soon he was slamming into Carly's body again and again. He held her hips steady as his thrusts pushed her forward. She reveled in the feeling, begging him to taker her harder. His tempo increased with her cries and demands, utterly lost in the moment. He was groaning his own pleasure, shouting out love and endearments and praise of her body. Time was endless as they joined together in the most primal of ways. 

Blake's body tensed, and he wanted nothing more than to cum deep within his woman as her body clenched around him. Reaching his hand around, he played with her clit, never slowing his relentless thrusting or running commentary. "Carly, baby, I'm so close to cumming. I want you there with me. God, I love the way your body feels around me, all hot and needy. I want to feel your hot cunt squeezing my cock. Fuck, Carly, cum for me."

She screamed for Blake as her body shattered under his ministrations, wave after wave breaking against his hard length buried deep within. Blake let loose the last of his control, cumming hard as Carly's body milked his, the most intense orgasm of his life.

"Fuck, Carly," He groaned, collapsing to the bed and pulling her close, "I don't think I'm going to survive having you in my life."

"I could die happy, here in your arms, after what you just put me through," she replied.

They lay there, dozing as they recovered from the intensity of their experience, until Carly suddenly started to panic. "Oh, fuck. We didn't use condoms."

"It's ok," Blake slurred, voice heavy with sated exhaustion, "I'm so clean I could squeak."

"Good to know, but..." 

"Shh," Blake soothed, gently kissing her temple and stroking her hair. "I'm sorry I forgot. I got lost in your body, like none before. We'll deal with the consequences if they come. Right now, sleep. Don't borrow trouble."

Carly allowed Blake's calm words and soft touch to ease her panic, and soon she, too, was drifting off into a sated sleep.

They awoke some time later, Blake finally able to play out his fantasy of waking Carly with the evidence of his desire. This time, their joining was less urgent and more slow, hedonistic passion. 

*****

"You should answer that," Carly said drowsily. "It sounds important."

They were still in bed, dozing between bouts of lovemaking. Carly was on her side facing Blake, one hand lightly petting the hard muscles of his arm. His own hand was teasing the skin at the flare of her hip, his growing erection pressing against her soft curves. 

With a sigh, Blake reached for the phone. "What?" he said, not bothering to hide his irritation. 

"Alpha, we have a problem," David admitted nervously.

Instantly, Blake came to attention. David was the lead guide out with the children. "What," Blake repeated, more demanding, letting the other man feel the full weight of the Alpha's power even through the phone.

"One of the kids is missing. We were setting up camp, the kids being kids were playing some game. Fiona told me that she couldn't find him. I went out to scout around, but I couldn't even catch his scent." The information tumbled out quickly.

"Who is it?" Blake was afraid that he already knew the answer.

"It's that silent child you sent along. Jason."

Blake cursed the air blue, rapidly pulling together a plan. "I'll be out there in forty-five minutes with as many of the pack as I can get. I'll organize the search when I arrive. Don't let anyone leave. I assume you made it to the campsite we discussed?" 

Blake waited for the affirmative from David before disconnecting. 

"Get dressed," he snapped at Carly, who flinched at the tone.

"What's wrong?" She asked while dressing. She wanted to know, but was dreading his response. Whatever was happening had put Blake in a terrifying mood. 

"One of the children wandered away from the group and has been lost. I'm gathering up my people for a rescue. We're heading out there." Blake spoke rapidly, not wanting to tell her just who was missing.

Carly figured it out anyway. "Jason? It's Jason, isn't it?" It came out more like a screech. "You promised me he would be perfectly safe! I trusted you!"

"Now isn't the time to get into it," He answered coldly, trying to drown out her rising panic.

"We are going to stop for Caleb first," She demanded, needing to know that at least one the the children were safe. 

"Fine," he accepted her need, and it wouldn't take much extra time. Mentally calling out to several of the pack members who were tasked with security, were experienced trackers, and would be helpful in the search, he directed them to the campsite. Jack wasn't nearby, and it nearly had Blake cursing again. He didn't want to take the time to call, and he needed his friend and second in command.

Blake drove Carly's car. They needed the car seat, and he needed to be in control. In less time than it should have safely taken, Caleb had been retrieved and they had arrived at the campsite.

"Jesse, Tristan, Ryan, David. Shift. The rest will stay human; I'll send them out as they come along. Find him, and sing out when you do. The child is human and won't respond to a wolf. Connor, call in everyone available. Make sure Jack is the first. Isabelle, stay here. Get the other kids to talk, see if we can pinpoint when Jason was last seen, if they noticed anything out of the ordinary. Report back ASAP." Blake barked out the orders in full Alpha mode, all his attention on finding Jason. The four men he had first named were almost instantly stripping and shifting into their wolven forms. Connor seemed to be working two phones at once. On one he was making calls, the other sending a flurry of texts.

Blake continued barking orders, coordinating the search. His pack did him proud, the search was well underway. Outward, he was confident it wouldn't be long before Jason was safely found. Inside, he worried that the child was injured or kidnapped or any number of things that could befall a child alone in the woods.

Carly stood there, leaning back against the car, frozen in panic and abject terror. She watched numbly as Blake ordered people around, and they responded without a thought. Jason was missing. Jason was missing, and no one was phoning the police. Jason was missing, no one was phoning the police, and four naked men had just turned into wolves. 

Blake looked over when he heard Caleb start to wail. He froze for a moment, taking in the scene before him. Carly stood almost catatonic, gripping the baby a bit too tightly, a wild look in her eyes. He cursed the situation, and tried to catch Carly's eye. "Later," he said to her before turning and resuming the role of Alpha, protector of the pack. 

Jack drove up not long after, with Emile in tow. Taking everything in with a quick look, Jack gently pushed Emile in Carly's direction. Carly flinched away from her friend's touch, refusing to even look at Emile. Unperturbed by Carly's reaction, Emile started offering the other woman quiet reassurances that Blake's men would find her nephew. She spoke of their skill at tracking, their knowledge of the woods, and their fierce protectiveness of anyone they saw as theirs. And Jason was surely theirs, as if he had been born to them. 

A howl rent the air as the sun was setting, and the tension among those at the camp broke with cheers. It was a signal from one of the four he had sent out as wolves. Using mental communication and the howling wolf, one of the searchers in human form would bring Jason in. Blake relayed the message to Carly. Jason had been found; he was safe and on his way back.

Finally, Carly heard people approaching, and searched for the one face she needed to see. As soon as Jason broke through the trees into the clearing, he took off like a shot, straight for Carly. With Caleb still held to her shoulder with one arm, she squatted down with her other arm outstretched. Soon, little arms were tightly wrapped around her neck, and both aunt and nephew were sobbing. 

"I'm sorry, Aunt Carly," he whispered in her ear. 

"Shh, honey. You're ok," she soothed, her heart breaking that these were the first words he had spoken to her this summer. "I was just so scared for you. And I'm so happy you're safe. I love you so much, Jay."

Holding both boys tightly, as if she was afraid to let go, she looked almost calmly up at the people surrounding Blake. "Thank you for finding him and bringing him safely back to me," she offered the gathered group. "But if you'll excuse me, I'd like to take my children home, now." 

"Jason, honey," she said quietly, "I know I said you could go camping, but it will have to be another time. We need to go home."

Jason nodded in agreement, more relieved than upset, still holding his aunt's hand tightly. 

Carly turned to Emile, eyes flinty and tone suddenly growing hard. "You," she said, spearing her friend with with her gaze. "And you," she said, glaring dangerously at Blake, "We need to talk."

Blake growled softly at the command in her voice, his wolf still close to the surface. "Be very careful," he ground out between clenched teeth. 

Carly spared him the same flinty look she had turned on Emile seconds earlier. "Please sir, will you converse with me? My pretty little head is filled with ever so many questions that only a big strong man like you can answer," Carly rephrased, voice dripping sarcasm and saccharine sweetness. 

Blake nodded tightly, ignoring the insincerity. "Later," he answered.

Carly fluttered her eyelashes, still playing the helpless damsel. Blake only growled again, and stalked over to her car. She held out her hand, challenge in her eyes. He held up the keys, his own eyes flashing. "I drive. No running away." 

Jack laughed, and decided it was in everyone's best interests if he invite himself along to the party. "Come on, love," he said to Emile. "Let's head over to Blake's. I do believe you were given an order. This is going to be such fun!" He turned to another one of the werewolves, and finished, "Oh, and Connor? See to the mopping up here. I think our Alpha is going to be occupied for a time."

Jack's tone may have been light, but that was mostly for show. He was deeply worried that things would not be ending well this night. 

Blake worked hard to reign in his wolf and look at the situation objectively, but Carly was nearly incandescent with rage by the time they arrived at his home. Once there, she temporarily settled the boys into a spare bedroom, as far from Blake and the impending blow-up as possible. She had no desire to expose the children to this, or any, fight.

"I'll be back in a little bit," she said as calmly as she was able, "But there are some things I need to discuss with Blake first. Please stay here, and watch out for your brother."

Jason looked at her with worried eyes, but managed a slight nod. Leaving the boys, she found the object of her ire in the living room. 

Unable to sit still, Carly paced, and Blake sat with feigned calmness watching her every move. Suddenly she stopped, turning to look him dead in the eye. "Tell me I wasn't imagining things."

Blake didn't pretend to not understand. He answered her anger with a dispassionate tone. "You weren't imagining things. They were human, and shifted to wolves. Werewolves."

Carly accepted this, to some extent, for the moment. Logic was currently missing from the equation, it was probably curled up in some corner of her mind rocking and crying into a teddy bear, as things this afternoon had gone so very, very wrong. "These people. They followed your orders."

"The werewolves, yes, they follow my orders. I am their Alpha. They follow my orders or suffer the consequences." He tried, and failed, to hide the superior note in his voice. It only served to add fuel to Carly's flaming rage. 

She resumed pacing, as Emile and Jack walked in and sat. 

"You," Carly turned on her friend. "You know Blake. Do you know about his crazy ideas?"

"She is one of my pack. She belongs to me," Blake answered for her, drawing Carly's anger back in his direction. He didn't want to see anyone else hurt tonight. 

"He's not crazy, Carly. It was a werewolf that attacked me," Emile told her friend softly, "I had no choice but become one. He leads the pack. I belong to him."

Again Carly paused her pacing, taking a moment to consider her friend. "I've known you for years, and all this time you never told me?" Betrayal and pain and white hot anger forced Emile to look away. She didn't know how to answer; it wasn't nearly as simple as Carly seemed to think. 

"And you!" Fury blazed from Carly as she again considered Blake. "I let you near the children! You convinced me to love you! I went willingly to your bed! I'm such a fool! I knew you were keeping secrets! When were you going to tell me?"

"This isn't how I wanted you to find out," he told her, resuming the dispassionate tone. His wolf thrilled at the admission of love, but the human part knew better than to pursue what was said in the heat of her rage. 

"Just when were you going to tell me?" She again demanded.

"When the time was right," he didn't have a better answer. He knew it would eventually come out, that he would have to tell her at some point, he just hadn't put a plan in place. Jack shot him a measuring look, but remained quietly on the sidelines for now.

"And what do you want from me?" Her tone was deadly, and he considered his answer carefully.

"I want you to love me, all of me," a deceptively simple answer. 

"Why me?" She hated asking the question, was afraid of the answer, but needed to know.

"From the beginning, I felt drawn to you. I felt a deep connection with you. In my heart, my wolf knew you belong to us. You, Carly, are my one true love, my destiny, my mate." Blake knew by claiming her at this moment he would lose her, but he needed to know he had spoken nothing but the absolute truth. He braced himself for the backlash he knew was coming.

Carly's fury solidified into an icy ball, deep within her soul. She considered his words, and what she knew of the mythology of werewolves. She put two and two together and came up with four. "Your mate. Yours. And you'd want me to become like you? A werewolf? Part of your pack?"

He didn't bother denying it. "Yes, of course." 

"And you don't think that's a problem?" She finally screamed, angry tears flowing. "At your heart you're a werewolf, and I will always, ALWAYS be human!"

Blake jumped up to stop her when she stormed from the room, but Jack restrained him. "Stop, my friend. Let her temper cool. Tonight has been a terrible shock in more ways than one, and she needs time to process it. You will only push her further away if you go after her now." Jack spoke quickly, hands pressing against his Alpha's shoulders. Jack knew how it was to wait to claim a mate, knew the crucible of torture. It would be worse, though, for Blake was Alpha. There were no orders for him to obey

Blake watched Carly walk out of his life, his heart in his eyes. She never once looked back in his direction. When he could no longer see her car he shifted, losing himself in his wolf.



Werewolf at Heart Ch. 06



Emile looked at Jack, who watched his Alpha run into the woods. "That... could have gone better," he said wryly.

Emile sighed and wrapped her arms around Jack, resting her head on his shoulder. It felt strange to be alone in the Alpha's home, but it didn't seem to bother Jack at all. "So what do we do now?"

Jack pulled Emile tight, content to just breathe her in. "This is going to be a nightmare. I suppose I've got to keep the pack and businesses running, while containing Blake without challenging him."

"He's not going to..." Emile couldn't bring herself to finish the question.

"You have nothing to worry about," He reassured Emile. "Blake isn't going to abandon the pack, so he won't turn into a lone wolf, he won't be crazy, just unbearable. Eventually, he will find a balance. His wolf was rejected rather harshly, and is mourning, not that I blame Carly. Blake was being an utter bastard. He'll manage to control his wolf, and then he'll be back, even if I have to go out there and beat some sense into him."

"Is this what I did to you, all those years?" Emile asked quietly, afraid he would answer.

"It wasn't the same. Blake brought this on himself. You, well, I told you before," he said, pulling back so she could read the truth in his eyes, "For you, I would do anything."

"You really would, wouldn't you?" She asked, wondering why it had taken her so long.

"You needed to heal. It wouldn't have been right. I hate what happened to you, and I regret that was how we met. But I don't regret waiting for the time to be right. I'm just happy you're here with me now, love." Jack answered the question she didn't even need to ask. He just knew her that well. 

Emile reached up to kiss him. It was gentle and tender, and was everything she couldn't find the words to say. It was promise that her heart and soul were finally healing. It was hope for the future, together. It was love, deep and pure and forever. Jack let it drag on forever, not wanting to lose the connection he could almost feel growing stronger between them. Groaning, Emile finally broke the kiss.

"Carly isn't like us," She said, after taking a moment to collect her thoughts, and snuggle herself comfortably into Jack's embrace. "She holds order and logic as fanatically as a religious ideal. You heard her as well as I. She believes that werewolves cannot exist, so we must be some sort of delusional crazy. She's just stubborn enough to convince herself to stay away from all of us."

Jack considered her words carefully. She knew Carly as well as he knew Blake. "My guess is that she will reach out to someone, probably you. You've known her for a long time, and you can help her process. For now, we'll keep things as they are. Spend your weekdays at your home and work, spend your weekends here with me. You help Carly process, I'll help Blake cope, and maybe see some sense."

"This is really going to suck," Emile said with feeling. "I can hardly deal with myself, how am I supposed to help her?"

Jack smiled, "You're strong, and you love her. You'll figure it out."

There was something else Jack was worrying about, something he was fairly certain no one else had picked up on yet. The boy Jason was only eight, yet he managed to escape from a well-supervised group of werewolf children, elude the best trackers and guides the pack had to offer, and remain hidden from sight, smell, and hearing for hours. It was anything but normal, especially for a human, and especially for one so young. He decided he was going to need to dig deeper. Something was clearly amiss, and the need to protect the pack was strong.

"I'm going after Blake. Will you be alright alone?" Jack asked.

"I'll be waiting in your home when you return," Emile answered. She wanted him to stay. She didn't really feel comfortable in his house or on the pack lands alone. She also knew his duty to the pack, especially when the Alpha was indisposed, could be overpowering. She knew it wasn't abandonment, but that was how it felt. She anchored herself in him, especially when she visited. Yet he believed she was strong, so she would be.

Sensing her insecurities, Jack kissed her, drowning her fears in taste and touch. Passion flared, white hot. He trailed kisses down the column of her throat, nipping lightly at her collarbone, fingers seeking access to the treasures under her skirt. Emile's hands hadn't been idle. She had quickly undone his fly, and was soon wrapped around his manhood, stroking him. Jack backed her into the wall, skirt rucked up to her waist. Pushing her panties to the side, he entered her. Both still mostly clothed, heedless of the fact they were still in the Alpha's home. Emile clung to him, legs wrapped around Jack as he held her ass, keeping them perfectly aligned. Their joining was fast, almost primal. Emile rocking her hips to meet each of Jack's hard thrusts, muffling her moans and cries by biting him hard in the thick muscles where his neck met his shoulder. Jack could feel himself tightening, knew he was close to cumming. He started rubbing and flicking her clit with one hand, wanting to feel her body milking his cock. It was an addicting feeling, and he managed to hold off, just barely, until he felt the first wave of her orgasm ripple through her body. Then he let himself loose, shooting his load deep into her welcoming body. 

They stayed connected, gasping for breath, Emile caught between the wall and Jack. She smiled, happy. Yes, she could be strong, she would do anything for Jack, if this was the reward. Sudden realization of where they were washed over her. 

"Did we really just fuck in the Alpha's living room?" She asked, horrified.

Jack laughed. "And wasn't it fantastic? I love how your body responds to mine. We could do it again?" He asked. Emile wasn't nearly so amused, but if Jack wasn't worried than she wouldn't, either. 

"Although we might want to open the windows before we leave," Jack mused, as an afterthought. 

All too soon, the windows were open and Jack was pulling Emile out the door. They headed back to his house, where he quickly shifted and loped off into the woods to find Blake. Emile made herself comfortable, deciding on baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and settle in to wait for her man to return. 

Blake ran through the woods as a wolf, not going anywhere but away. If only he could run away from his thoughts. He had given Carly no reason to trust him, but had demanded it from her. She trusted, and he failed. And now she was gone. He had urged her to accept him without letting her know what she was getting into, and yet she gave of herself so willingly. He had expected her to fall in line, never guessing that she wouldn't. She had been feisty, but he had worn her down until she gave up. He played upon her feelings and desires, manipulating her until he got what he wanted. He had messed up, and wasn't sure he could recover. He wasn't sure he deserved to.

So through the woods he ran, losing himself in the rhythm of moving through the forest. He followed the well worn paths, where paws had tread a thousand times before, wearing down the vegetation and packing the earth smooth. He ran, feeling the wind ruffle his fur, carrying the scents of pine and birch, the ripeness of late summer, squirrels and deer and grouse. He let his mind fill with the connections to the pack, the close friends he surrounded himself with, the families that birthed the next generation, the elders that kept the memories alive. He deserved none of it. He had failed his mate, and by extension, the pack.

As if conjured by thought, Jack suddenly appeared by his side. Jack understood what Blake was going through, and offered friendship and loyalty, knowing it would be enough for now to keep him connected to his pack. Together they ran, not hunting, not talking, just letting the natural world calm and comfort a troubled soul. Hours later, exhausted from running late into the night, they returned to Blake's home. 

"I'll be fine," Blake said, speaking mentally instead of shifting back to human. 

Jack cocked his head to the side, an almost disbelieving look on the wolf's face.

"I've been stupid and seriously screwed things up. It was my fault, and I need to figure out how to fix it without making it worse. Tonight, I'll be fine. You can go home to your woman." Blake elaborated. 

*****

Carly didn't know what to think. Finding out Blake believed himself a werewolf wasn't some minor, insignificant detail. It was something he should have disclosed, so she could have walked away from his brand of crazy before her heart was entangled. In the heat of her anger, she had almost accepted that werewolves were real. With time and distance, she was beginning to doubt the whole impossible situation. She didn't have room in her reality to believe werewolves existed. It wasn't something science and logic could explain, and she understood logic. And yet those men in the woods at the camp had turned into wolves. She had seen it with her own eyes, watched as bones and muscles changed and rearranged. Skin grew fur. Wolves had stood where once there had been men. So she struggled with an impossible situation, logic versus evidence. 

She decided to address the one thing she could, at breakfast the following morning, ignoring for the moment the whole issue of werewolves. When Jason was done with his pancakes, and Caleb was happily squealing in his high chair playing with his cereal, Carly asked the question that had been haunting her. 

"Jason," she started, "I know yesterday camping trip didn't go according to plan. I'm sure you were frightened, all alone in the woods for as long as you were. I need you to talk to me. I need you to tell me how it happened."

Jason played with the syrup on his plate, drawing shapes with his fork. 

"Jay, honey, it's important." She said seriously, never taking her eyes of the child.

"I'm sorry," he said, still not looking up. 

"Mistakes happen, and we learn from them. However, we aren't free from the consequences. You need to tell me the truth, so I can decide how to best handle the situation. I'm going to need more than an 'I'm sorry' from you," Carly said, not realizing she had slipped into her teacher voice.

Jason could hear the disappointment in her tone, and she sounded so very much like his mom. But he was afraid to tell her the truth. What if she decided she didn't want him and sent him away? Dad always said that the secret was important, that no one could ever find out. But Fiona had found out, met his truth with her own. Aunt Carly was nice, but he wasn't sure she would believe him. He had listened, last night, as she fought with Blake. She had yelled that she would always be human. Jason, well, he wasn't entirely human himself. 

"I got scared and ran away, and then I was scared that I ran away," he finally said, still looking at the patterns that he was drawing in the syrup. 

"And why were you so scared?" Carly was prepared to pull it from him word by word, had a great deal of practice pulling stories from reluctant teens. She hated that their first real conversation had to be about this, but a part of her was happy that Jason was finally talking. At least, he was talking for now, however long it lasted. 

"Fiona told me her secret because she found out mine. Except hers really wasn't a secret and mine was. Dad said never to let anyone find out my secret." Jason finally admitted, hoping that the questions would stop.

Carly's blood ran cold, imagining all the things those secrets might be. "Sometimes secrets are harmless, like keeping secrets about things that will make others happy, like Christmas presents. Are these secrets happy secrets?" 

Jason just shook his head. "Some secrets are bad secrets, because they could hurt someone. Those sorts of secrets you should tell to adults that care for you. Are these secrets the bad ones?"

Jason nodded, miserably. 

"I need you to tell me the secrets, Jason." Her tone was deadly serious, and Jason was certain he was going to be sent away.

"You won't believe me," Jason answered, finally dropping his fork on his plate and turning his sad, solemn gaze upon his aunt. "Last night you told Blake that he was crazy because he's a werewolf. But he's not crazy. Fiona's a werewolf, too. She told me. I think everyone was." 

Carly closed her eyes, not sure if she should be more concerned that Jason overheard the argument or that he clearly believed werewolves were real. "If that is her secret, what is yours?"

"Dad says that I'm a wizard, like he is. And Caleb, probably. If my dad is a wizard, shouldn't my brother be one, too?" 

"A wizard?" Carly tried to keep the incredulity from her voice. She failed, but Jason didn't seem to notice.

"Don't send us away. Please don't send us away. I'll be good, I promise," he said, nearly bursting into tears, suddenly very afraid.

"Oh, Jason! I wouldn't dream of sending you away!" Carly said, getting up from the table. She pulled her nephew into a hug, wondering just how she managed to find herself in this situation. Math was her life, a world of order and logic. Suddenly she's slept with someone claiming to be a werewolf, and guardian of her nephew who claims he's a wizard. This sort of thing doesn't happen to normal people.

"We'll revisit werewolves and wizards a moment. But I need more information about what went wrong. You said Fiona found out your secret. How did that happen?"

Jason took a deep breath, and started telling the story. He didn't believe his aunt, didn't really believe she would never send him away. Dad had told him never to tell, but Carly wasn't going to give up. "I can do little things to hide. Dad said hiding was sometimes important because people don't like wizards. We were playing hide and seek, and I was using my little things. I can blend in really good, and I can make it so no one can hear me or smell me even. Dad said never to forget the smell because that's how some creatures hunt. So we were playing and I was blending in and smelling like the trees and sounding like the wind, but Fiona ran into me. I don't know how to hide from touch. She was really surprised. But when she asked me how I did it, I didn't want to tell her. Then she said that she was a werewolf, and even if she couldn't shift yet, she should have been able to smell me, and if I wasn't really a human, what was I?"

His thoughts were as jumbled as his telling, and he wondered if Fiona had already told on him. Because that's when he got scared. He ran and hid for real and not just for a game. Until he became really scared and just wanted to go home. That's when he let the werewolves find him. 

"Running away was a bad idea," Carly finally said, trying to figure out this parenting thing. So much of his story was so wildly impossible, but he clearly believed what he was saying. "Run if you're in danger, but not if you're just scared. If you can't face what you're afraid of, then ask someone who can help."

Carly knew it wasn't the right thing to say, but she wasn't sure what the right thing was anymore, and she was feeling a bit hypocritical. Wasn't she running scared, running from Blake? That was different, she reasoned.

She sighed, cleaning up the breakfast dishes and wiping down Caleb. Placing him on the floor, she watched as he started to crawl around, completely oblivious to everyone else, intent on exploring his surroundings. Turning her attention back to Jason she said, "So tell me about this wizard thing. What can you do? What could your dad do? And did your mom know about it?"

"Mom knew, but she couldn't do anything. Dad says it's something you are born with, like blue eyes or curly hair. Dad can do a lot of things. He can make a fire start, and he can hide like me, but he can also see through my hiding. He can make things appear and disappear and come to life, even if they're not real. He once made the snowmen we built have a snowball fight!" There was total hero worship in his voice, and Carly wondered just how she could ever give Jason what he needed, even as she worried at just how deeply she believed. 

Jason's voice turned sad, and forlorn. "Dad didn't stop the truck. Do you think he could have stopped the truck from hitting us?"

"Oh, Jay, honey. I bet your dad did everything he could. He loved you so much, he would still be here with you if he could." She tried to reassure her nephew, but wasn't sure he believed her. "Can you show me any of your little tricks?" She asked, desperately trying to change the topic. She was fairly confident that nothing would happen, but she didn't want him dwelling on the accident that brought him to her. 

"I can't do much because Dad says I won't get all my powers until I'm older, and that I need to get special classes. But I can do a little," He said enthusiastically. "Watch! This is how I hide." 

"Holy Mary mother of God," she swore softly. It was completely disconcerting to see. One second Jason was sitting on the kitchen chair, and the next moment she couldn't see him at all. Just gone. Slowly, she walked over and reached out. She could touch him. He was still there, she could feel the soft material of his pajamas, the warmth of his skin. She heard him giggle, and he suddenly popped back into view, her hands still resting on his arms.

"You dad was right," she finally managed at length. "This is a dangerous secret. People wouldn't understand. You must keep this secret. Promise me that you'll never do your hiding thing around others unless I tell you it's ok. Never out in public or at school or around people who don't know." 

"I promise," Jason said.

"You shouldn't have hidden like this on the trip," She added.

Jason looked sad. "Dad and I used to play hide and seek all the time. I didn't think about that it might not be ok. It's just how I play it." 

Carly nodded, more to herself than anything. She was completely out of her depth, once again. She needed someone to talk to, someone who wouldn't want to lock her up in a psych ward and shoot her full of anti-psychotics. She wasn't sure she was ready to talk it through with Blake. She wasn't sure she ever would be. She was still pissed about how he had handled so many things. But there was someone else with whom she could talk. 

Emile saw that the phone call was from Carly, and almost didn't answer.

"Emile, get over here, now. We need to talk."

Emile wanted to spend the day wrapped up in Jack, but they decided that Carly needed her more. Her tone had been a bit frantic. Jack had listened in on the call, and wondered just how much of it was werewolf business, and how much of it was something else. He would have expected Carly to have calmed down from the excitement of the previous night, but that clearly hadn't happened. Carly needed Emile, so he had let her go, for the good of the pack.

Several hours later, Emile arrived at Carly's home, and walked in. "Have you slept at all?" She asked, looking at her friend.

Carly shook her head, "Not hardly. And this morning has just been too much. Would you mind listening to Jason for a while? I know I called you over to talk, but right now I need to put Caleb down for his nap, and maybe take one myself."

"Jason's talking?" Emile asked, surprised.

"Once he started, I think he's just trying to make up for lost time." Carly replied. "And this is privileged information. I'm only telling you because you're practically family and I don't trust anyone else. If you tell anyone, Jack or Blake or anyone else, I will never forgive you. Tell anyone, and you will be dead to me." 

Emile wondered at the seriousness, in her friend's tone. "As long as it doesn't harm me or the people I care for, I will not tell." 

Turning to Jason, Carly said, "Jay, honey, Emile is someone we are going to trust with the secret. Can you tell her what we talked about earlier?"




Werewolf at Heart Ch. 06



Jason looked at Emile, and then turned back to Carly. "Is she a werewolf, too?" His whisper wasn't all that quiet. Emile smiled, reassuringly, wondering just how Jason had managed to reach that particular conclusion. 

Carly answered, "Yes, Miss Emile is a werewolf." It pained her to admit it, but she was finding it harder to deny the mounting evidence of a secret preternatural community living among them. 

"If she's a werewolf, then why is she so sad? If I were a werewolf, I wouldn't be sad. I would be happy, because wolves can play like dogs, and if I were a dog, I wouldn't have to go to school. And so I would be happy." Turning back to Emile, he asked, "Did someone kill your mom and dad, too? That's what makes me sad."

"Not my mom and dad," She answered, "But my husband and baby. I loved them very much. It's okay to be sad and miss them and to think about them. But it's also good to keep living and be happy." Emile was paraphrasing what Jack had been saying for weeks now. She felt the rightness in the words. 

"Come on," she said, reaching for Jason's hand. Pulling him over to the couch, he snuggled into her side. He was a child of her heart, if not her body. "Why don't you tell me your secret, and then we can talk about your mom and dad. And if your aunt says it's alright, I'll even tell you all about being a werewolf."

Carly nodded, too tired for words. If she was going down this rabbit hole, at least she wasn't going to go it alone. 

Emile and Jason chatted and played games throughout the afternoon. She had listened to what he had to say about being a wizard, and wondered at how Carly seemed to keep tripping over the supernatural world. Most people could happily live their lives knowing nothing of werewolves and wizards, vampires and witches, and all things fey. They knew nothing of the secret world, would never know anything. And here was Carly, surrounded by werewolves and wizards. Emile wondered but tucked that thought away, and challenged Jason to another game of Trouble. It just seemed fitting. 

They played until Caleb screamed, and Emile followed Jason's needless directions for changing and feeding him. Emile and Jason played Sorry and traded stories while Caleb played with stuffies and gnawed on books in his pack and play. It was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. Before long, it was creeping to dinnertime and Carly still hadn't reappeared. She and Jason fixed spaghetti and meat sauce, garlic bread, and a salad before waking Carly from her nap.

After dinner, Carly sent Jason to clean his room and bathe, and the adults finally were able to talk. Carly poured a glass of wine for herself and Emile, and settled into the couch.

"I was half convinced I had hallucinated werewolves, until Jason pulled his disappearing trick on me this morning." Carly said, taking a long sip of wine.

"I was just as convinced that werewolves didn't exist, until I turned into one. The murderer that day, I saw him shift, felt his claws and teeth sink into my body, and I still thought it was some sort of bad acid trip. Even when the pack was patching me up instead of sending me to a hospital, I didn't want to believe. And then I was a wolf, and I found it hard to argue with my senses," Emile offered, hoping Carly would understand and accept the truth. 

"I know why you didn't tell me. I don't blame you, really. I'm not sure you could have told me you were a werewolf in a way that would make me believe," it was as close to an apology as Carly could manage for the things she had said last night.

"I wish I had told you," Emile admitted. "It wasn't fair to keep you in the dark. especially when Blake got involved with you. I figured he'd tell you, but he never did."

"I don't want to talk about it, or him." Carly said. "It's different with you, because you really are my family. You were the one to celebrate my successes, and eat my Thanksgiving turkey, and you've just been part of my life."

"I think I've always kind of thought of you as pack," Emile replied, "You give my wolf someone to follow, all these years. And you protected me all those years, mostly from myself, even without knowing my past. Somehow, you instinctively knew when I needed someone. You'd stop by and watch a movie with me or talk or just hang around my house. You were my anchor, keeping me sane."

Carly shrugged, embarrassed. "I could tell you were depressed, and I worried about you. I work with high school kids, I could see the signs. You needed me, and I was there."

"You make me feel safe. You're one of the few who do. There's you, and Jack now, and I thought the Alpha, too. But he's done you wrong, so I'll take your side. Because someone needs to. The other werewolves remind me of what I am, and what it has cost me." Emile said softly. 

"I'm almost prepared to walk away from Blake, but I don't think I'm ready to give up on us. Sometimes, you just have to accept the weirdness that comes with friends," Carly answered.

"I think you need to give Blake a second chance," Emile said, thinking of how the Alpha was acting last night when Carly left.

"I think he needs to fall face-first into a cactus," Carly retorted, "with both his hands tied behind his back."

"He made mistakes. And he needs to answer for them," Emile allowed, "There are good people and bad people, just like there are good werewolves and bad ones. Good wizards, and bad ones. Blake, his pack, they are some of the good ones. They aren't perfect, but they try to keep the pack happy and healthy. Blake does what he can for all of us, even me. He took me in, helped me heal, and then gave me the space I needed. Jack's taught me a lot these past few weeks, about how the pack runs. Blake's a good leader, and he cares. That's part of what makes the pack so great. But Jason is going to need an experienced wizard to train him, when he comes of age. And Blake can help you find the right person. He has the connections to make sure Jason and Caleb are trained in the right way, without cruelty, learning to use his talents to make the world better instead of worse."

"If he is who you say he is, he'll help regardless of if I give him a second chance or not." 

"But would you be happy?" Emile asked.

Carly sighed. "I like him, I do. But I don't know if I can trust him. He says the right things, and does the right things, but it doesn't feel genuine. Like he's playing me to get what he wants. And I always give him what he wants."

Emile thought about it, knowing that neither of them would be happy if they couldn't work it out. She wasn't sure that Carly was wrong, but maybe she wasn't entirely right. "You've got to talk to him, at least. You can't leave it the way it is. Talk to him, tell him how you feel, let him explain himself. If you don't like what he says, I'll have your back. I can petition another pack, we can move. But we'll have to take Jack along, too. I've grown fond of my domineering man."

Carly thought about it as she finished her glass of wine. "I can see the sense in what you're saying. I don't think I want to talk to him right now, and I don't think this is a conversation that should be had over the phone. It's report week, with all sorts of workshops and trainings for teachers. Pass along a message for me. Tell him I'll be there Saturday morning, that I'll leave the kids with the sitter. Tell him whatever else you want, but leave out Jason's little revelation for now. I need to handle that."

Emile smiled. Carly had just given her permission to speak her mind to the Alpha, and she was going to take full advantage of it.



Werewolf at Heart



After getting Jason situated in the window seat, Carly and Blake talked softly as time flew by. When baby Caleb started fussing, Blake absently reached out to soothe him as if it he were already part of the family. Carly's wariness drifted away as they spoke of family and work, and what had brought them to Seattle. 

"It sounds like there may have been a shotgun involved," Carly teased when Blake told of his brother's wedding. He laughed along with the joke, but he felt little amusement. Suddenly, he didn't want to keep Carly in the dark about werewolves and their customs. His wolf whined in his head, but his human side kept quiet. She was human, after all. The knowledge would only cause her to be put in danger, and he wouldn't be able to protect her. 

Blake eventually worked up the nerve to ask what she had been doing in Seattle, but Carly was reticent and gave precious few details. "My sister and her husband died, and I was retrieving the boys to raise as mine," was all she said on the matter. Blake sensed a world of pain and agony behind those words, but knew now was not the time to push the issue. 

"I can look into it, if that is your desire," Jack mentally sent to him. 

Blake considered it a moment, before granting permission. "I need to know, and I don't know if she will ever want to tell me herself," he grudgingly admitted.

"It's funny," Carly mused as they landed in Minneapolis. "I feel as if I've known you all my life." A soft smile brought a hint of life back to her face. 

"I know what you mean," Blake returned softly, Jack's assumptions running through his mind once again. It certainly didn't feel the same as what he saw with Finn and Rebecca, they had been wild and never far from one another's touch. Maybe not a mate, but he never wanted to give up this little human. In the span of a few hours, he no longer saw a worn woman the world used roughly, he saw strength and compassion and a deep beauty that could not be hidden from the world. He knew he needed to maintain the connection that had been built over the length of the flight. Rummaging in his wallet, he pulled out a business card, scrawling his private number on the back. "Call me, whenever, for whatever. If you need to talk, or a hand, or an all-expenses paid first class trip to Paris. I'm here for you." Blake was slightly worried he came on too strong with that last bit, until Carly laughed lightly. 

"Paris would be delightful, but unlikely." she admitted.

Both sat quietly grinning at each other, imagining just what Paris would be like. 

Shaking her head, she inspected the card. "Duluth?" She tried to hide the disappointment in her voice, but Blake heard it anyway. 

"It's not too far from The Cities. There are roads and everything," he teased lightly. 

"White Bear Lake, actually," she answered his unspoken question. 

"Just call me. Everything else, whatever it is, will work itself out. Have faith. I know I do." His smile was almost sad, and that she just couldn't fathom. He was a man of many mysteries that she wanted desperately to explore. Suddenly, she understood the sadness in his smile. She wanted to explore the man in many different ways, but her priorities had changed drastically with her trip. It would take a long time for her to manage to find balance in her new life. They wanted the same thing, knowing it was impossible. She placed the card safely in her purse, secure in the knowledge she would never dial the numbers but knowing she would always have it to remember the one good thing in her month of misery. 

He stayed by her side as they left the plane and retrieved their baggage, wanting to prolong the connection. All too soon, they were going their separate ways. As Jesse pulled the SUV into airport traffic, Blake watched Carly struggle to fit the infant car seat into her friend's waiting car. Jack, ever observant, watched his alpha tense and quickly looked to see what had caused such a reaction. He knew the driver of the car Carly was entering. They all did. 

"Aw, fuck. Emile." His venomous tone speaking volumes.