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Friends and Foes Ch. 01

By: ingarlm



Note: This story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes from the start.

This is the follow-up story to Cats and Dogs, but I hope that you can still get the story if you haven't read that. This is about a team of werewolves, panthers and lions who carry out missions on behalf of the Were 'government'. In the first story they destroyed a research lab which was being used to experiment on Weres and saved some of the captives, although it's still not clear to them who was behind that or why.

I've reintroduced the characters mostly by them having sex, but there is some plot at the end of this chapter! There is rather more plot in later chapters, and for those who asked, you will get to find out what happened to some of the captives and who the baddies are. I really appreciated the comments and votes on the first story, so thank you. 

I haven't finished writing this yet but I do have about three quarters of it (I think). I aim to be posting new chapters weekly...

* * * * * * 

Friends and Foes

1

It was an unusually quiet morning at Samuel Arcan's mansion in the country. Over the previous few months it had been a hive of activity with the commando teams based there training and executing a mission. Now they had achieved their objective they were on leave and enjoying their freedom. For a couple of the residents it was time they needed to get back to full health, and everyone was using the opportunity to reconnect with their mates.

It had been two weeks since the successful completion of their mission. Four of the usual residents of the house were taking their time off with their families and another eight were holed up in the house in their pairs. For different reasons each couple found little time to be with the others while they didn't have work to do. 

The two Alphas who led the teams were still in the early stages of their relationship, but both were very sure that they were meant to be together and they had declared themselves mates after only a couple of days. It had been something of a surprise to the teams, not because they were both men, but mainly due to their different species. While Sam headed a team of werewolves, Tom was werepanther. It was unusual for cross-species relationships to develop, and Sam had fought it for quite a long time before giving in to the connection they had felt from the start. Now he couldn't understand why he had ever stopped himself.

Sam lay in bed watching Tom as he wandered around the room. Tom was naked and Sam could see his pert backside and broad chest and the muscles moving as he tidied up. He couldn't stop looking at his mate, and even when Tom wasn't doing anything sexual, like now, he found himself getting hard just from the sight. His moan of desire as Tom bent over and he could see his mates ass perfectly was not lost on Tom, who made the most of the situation by bending further and spreading his legs slightly. Sam couldn't resist a sensual growl leaving his throat. Tom turned to him and grinned.

"I'm supposed to be making this place tidy Sam, and all you can think about is sex. We do have to do other things sometimes you know!"

"It's your own fault for teasing me like that. How am I supposed to think pure thoughts when you wiggle your ass at me like that? All I want to do is head over there and bite it!"

Tom glared at him, but it wasn't a serious warning. "Don't you dare. I already have far too many bite marks on me from the last couple of days. It's a good thing most of them will be covered by my trousers."

Sam laughed. "There's hardly a mark on you love, you're being dramatic. Besides which, even if you were covered in them I doubt anyone else is leaving their room so they won't see you. And you haven't exactly kept your teeth off me either!"

"It's retaliation. And I have smaller teeth than you."

Sam decided he wasn't going to win this argument and that another tack would be the way to go. Even if Tom hadn't meant to he had been displaying himself and Sam was seriously horny as a result. He lay back and moved the covers so his nearly erect cock was revealed. Staring at Tom he licked his lips and started to stroke himself slowly, moaning as he enjoyed the simple pleasure. He grinned at Tom when he saw how he was staring and that his bright blue eyes were starting to burn with lust. 

Tom kept staring for a moment as Sam stroked himself to full staff, but when he saw the first drop of precum forming it was too much for him and he bounded across the room to taste it, surprising Sam with his speed and desire. After only a couple of soft licks he went to work in earnest, keen to give Sam all the pleasure he could. His hands worked his mates balls as he licked and sucked up and down his shaft, occasionally taking it all into his throat and purring softly. His reward as he worked was the constant stream of growls and moans coming from Sam, and after another long purr he was treated to a mouthful of cum as Sam came hard and fast into his warm mouth. He took a few moments to gently lick Sam clean as he softened, and then sat up grinning.

Sam couldn't muster the energy to speak out loud so thought into Tom's head as the weres were able to do. "You look pleased with yourself. Definitely the cat that got the cream!" Tom just laughed at him. Sam's eyes fell to Tom's crotch and noticed he was now erect. His teasing had already achieved a lot of pleasure, and now he could get even more. "You gonna bring that hard dick over here and stick it somewhere we'll both enjoy?"

Tom's grin widened and he pounced again to flatten himself on top of Sam. He kissed him hard and the two of them shared the taste of Sam's earlier release, and the connection leading up to the most intimate they could be. They had fucked each other last night and there seemed to be no need for lube when Tom checked with his finger, so he just moved himself so he could slide straight into Sam. No matter how many times he did this, or he received Sam the same way, he didn't think he would ever get used to how amazing it felt. Sam was so tight and warm, and he couldn't hold back from starting to slide in and out, setting up a fast rhythm that Sam mirrored with his hips. The two of them moved like that for several minutes, speeding up until all they could hear or feel was the furious fucking they were both involved in. It was too much for Tom eventually and he felt himself stiffen and yowl as he coated Sam's insides. 

Tom collapsed on top of Sam, feeling both their hearts beating fast and loud, and the sweat and cum sticking their bodies together. When he started to recover he ran his fingers through Sam's long dark hair and gently stroked his cheek, kissing him gently as he did so. He looked into Sam's green eyes and tried to let his look say all he wanted to; this was his love and he wanted to be with him always. Sam's look said the same. They hugged and kissed for some time, reinforcing the bond between them even though they had probably spent more time in their bed in the last few days than out of it.

"That was great! I'll have to tease you more often if I get a reaction like that." Sam said, holding Tom tight to him.

"You're just horny all the time babe. I don't know how I keep up with you!"

"I'm sure all the effort is worth it!"

"Oh God YES!" said Tom, laughing. "We may need to slow things down in a few decades time though!"

Sam just joined him in his laughter, pleased to be discussing their longterm future. It was reassuring to know that Tom thought about them getting old together, especially since their natural lifespans were longer than a normal human. It was quite a commitment being mated as a were, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

* * * * * *

Along the corridor another pair of mates were having a rather less exciting time. Dill was frustrated. He had been stuck in this room on his back for since the mission and was going slowly mad. He wasn't allowed to do anything for himself and while it was nice to be waited on, as long as his mate was there he didn't want her caring for him like he was an invalid, he wanted to be making her purr while he brought her pleasure. His thoughts of what he would like to do to her were getting increasingly vivid the longer he was unable to act on them. As he lay there and looked over at Tilly this time the vision in his mind of her naked made him moan. She looked up from her book and smiled at him.

"Dill, you've got to stop thinking like that. I know it's hard but it is for me too, and when you are broadcasting your lust like that it makes things worse."

Dill looked down the bed at his body and made sure her eyes followed his gaze before he spoke. "Yep, it's definitely hard, and it's hard for you."

Tilly just rolled her eyes at his poor attempt at humour. It wasn't as though she wanted to just sit here either, but when he had a broken arm and eight broken ribs she really couldn't jump on him without making his injuries a lot worse. At least he was able to tease her. For the first couple of days after their mission the attack he had suffered meant he wasn't even conscious. She didn't want to start thinking about her fear that he might never wake up again. It had been the hardest couple of days of her life.

Dill caught her emotion through their bond and smiled at her. "I wish you'd stop thinking like that. I'm going to be fine, you've known that for a while. The most serious thing wrong with me right now is intense sexual frustration!"

"And the broken ribs and broken arm, in case you've forgotten."

"I've not forgotten. How could I when my whole life revolves around when these ruddy bones will heal? At least I can get wood without it hurting now, that's a major improvement! Just wish I could do something with it."

Tilly smiled. "So do I, but not until the doctor gives you the all-clear. We can't make you worse Dill, it'll be even longer before you're back on your feet."

"I don't mind being on my back as long as you are on top of me!" 

He grinned cheekily at her and saw her roll her eyes again. She went back to her book to avoid talking any more about this, but her empath skills were so strong that she couldn't stop the waves of lust from hitting her. She was able to pick up on most emotions, but lust and need were often the easiest, and it was particularly hard to ignore when she already felt the same and she knew the feelings were directed at her and coming from her mate. She sighed deeply and tried to put up some kind of shield to minimise the feelings, hoping Dill would go back to sleep when at least she only had to keep her own feelings under control.

A knock at the door surprised her and brought her back from the other world in her book. She called that it was okay and the doctor came in smiling. He was pleased that every day when he visited his patient looked better, especially considering the head injury he had sustained that had made things touch and go at the very beginning. 

"Good morning Dill. You look better again today. Ready for your inspection?"

Dill nodded and gritted his teeth. This bit always hurt as the doctor had to prod his chest to see how well the bones were knitting together. He tried hard to keep a lid on the pain particularly because he knew that Tilly felt it physically as well. He didn't want to cause her any more hurt, and she had been more fragile since the mission because of his injuries and her worries over nearly killing the man that had hurt him. It still came as a surprise to her that she could feel such hate and anger that she would want to kill someone in cold blood.

The doctor moved around his chest carefully, gently feeling for the breaks and noting that the bones were starting to heal well. It was fortunate that Weres healed fast, because with these kind of injuries a man would probably still be unconscious at this stage. 

"Good. You're healing very well. In another couple of days you may be able to get up and wander around a little. It will do you good to get back on your feet and using your leg muscles. Anything you want to ask?"

Dill replied quickly. "Yes doc. When can I have some sex?"

Tilly just looked at him disapprovingly, but he grinned back, and the doctor seemed amused. 

"I'm afraid that I can't put an exact time on that just yet. However, if you are imaginative and don't put any pressure on your ribs at all, I see no reason why a little, um, stroking, would hinder your recovery."

Dill's eyes gleamed as he looked at Tilly, and the shield she had tried to put up was no defence. He was already using his imagination and she knew he wasn't going to want to wait to see what could be achieved within the doctors instructions. She just looked embarrassed as the doctor left the room with an amused grin on his face. He was glad to see a young couple in love like they were, and could totally understand the frustration of the man stuck in bed like that.

As soon as the door closed Dill beckoned Tilly towards him with his good arm. She stayed where she was and pulled a face at him. 

"Come here babe. Let's see what a little stroking can do."

"I'm at a good bit in my book. Let me finish the chapter." 

Tilly tried to keep her face straight, but she knew that Dill saw she was only teasing him. He hissed at her to show his annoyance. 

"I've been stuck on my back for weeks thinking about touching you and now I get some good news and you want me to wait? Come here Tilly." 

The last words were said like an order, and Tilly raised her eyebrows expressing her surprise. She put down her book though and moved towards him, making him smile.

"Thank you. Now take off that dress and sit here." he said, indicating the chair beside his head at the side of the bed.

Tilly started to strip but wondered about the chair. "I won't be able to reach your dick from there babe."

"I know. I want you to do me a favour first. Sit down." 

Dill took in the sight of her naked body as she followed his instruction. He hadn't seen her since before he was injured, and although that had only been a couple of weeks it felt a lot longer. While he had been unable to do anything about his sexual frustration she had decided it wouldn't be a good idea. Now Dill was going to make her fulfil some of the fantasies he had been having. He drank in the sight of her beauty and licked his lips in anticipation. He knew what he wanted now and carried on with his instructions.

"Spread your legs for me. I want to see all of you." Tilly looked a little embarrassed but did as he asked. He could scent her arousal and it made his dick even harder. He tried not to think about that too much, wanting to focus on his fantasy. He continued talking in a low sexy tone. "I've been lying here dreaming about being able to touch you and caress that beautiful body of yours, but since I can't do it right now, I want you to do it for me."

Tilly looked at him slightly shocked. "You aren't serious?"

"Absolutely serious. I'm not asking you to do anything I wouldn't do if I was able to. If I can't give my mate pleasure then I need to know that you still get what you need. And how can I know that if I don't see it?" 

Tilly just stared at him, unsure of doing what Dill was asking her, but wondering whether she should. Dill saw her uncertainty and pressed his advantage.

"Do you have any idea how good it would make me feel to see you touch yourself, give yourself the total pleasure that I want to? You know how we connect, how I can feel what you do, and I want to feel you on fire, lost in a fantastic orgasm."

Tilly could feel the combination of Dill's words and emotions hitting her and making her lose her inhibitions about what he was asking. The tone of his voice was so gentle it made her shiver with desire, and she shifted in her seat, knowing she was getting wet and that Dill could tell. 

Dill looked into her eyes. "That's a good start my love, but you know what would make you feel even better?" She shook her head. Dill took her nearest hand with his uninjured one and raised it to her breasts. "Touch yourself for me. Show me what you'd like me to do." 

He watched as Tilly closed her eyes, the slight blush on her face starting to disappear as her hand began to move. Dill watched fascinated as she gently cupped one breast and started to move her hand, and a moment later her other hand came up so she could stroke both at the same time. Dill couldn't stop himself moaning when she started to softly pinch and roll her nipples. This was even better than he had imagined, but like he had said to her he could feel her pleasure building.

"That's good, isn't it babe. You are so beautiful, and I could watch this all day, but you need more and so do I. You know what to do. I want to see you come."

There was a moment of hesitation before her hand started to move down her body. Dill watched in eager anticipation as her fingers slipped between her legs and he saw her wet them with the juices already flowing freely from her body. He wanted to taste, but decided he could wait until she had finished. 

"That's it. You are making me so hot. Now stroke yourself, think about what I will do to you when I'm well again, how I will lick and suck on you to get you ready for my hard dick. I'll be aching to be inside you even more then than I am now."

Dill watched as Tilly sped up her movements and he heard her start to pant and moan. While one hand worked furiously over her clit the other still rolled a nipple. Her head fell back and she spread her legs even further, giving over totally to the desire for pleasure. He couldn't help himself from talking to her, wanting to be as involved as he could in what she was doing and using his most seductive tone of voice to turn her on even more. 

"I can't wait until I can do that to you. I want to take those hard nipples into my mouth and suck them until you moan. Then I'll move down that tight body of yours, kissing and licking across your stomach and hips until I get to your clit. I'll finger you, sliding first one and then two inside your hot cunt, giving you just a taster of what will come when I can slide my hard dick inside and start to fuck you. It will be slow at first, long strokes in and out so you can feel every last inch of me. Then I'll speed up and have you moaning as you push back against me, desperate to get me in as deep as you can. By the time we get to fast and furious fucking we will both be yowling with the pleasure coursing through us, and it will only be a moment before we come together and I fill you with my seed, feeling you pulse around me."

Tilly's fingers seemed to be flying across her clit and as he talked she could only moan and imagine him really doing the things he was just taking about. As he described how they would come together, she managed it by herself, feeling the waves of pleasure hit her and the contractions inside as her juices flowed. She cried his name as it happened, and his pleasure at hearing that extended her feelings. As she relaxed she opened her eyes and looked at her love, seeing the desire and frustration in his, and also suddenly feeling embarrassed about what she had done. 

He moved to grab her hand, reassuring her at the same time. "Don't be embarrassed babe, that was amazing to watch and I'm glad you let yourself go in front of me. I wanted a reminder of our first night together, even if I couldn't be the one to help you out this time." 

His reassurance might have worked to stop her blushing if he hadn't then raised her hand to his mouth and started to lick and suck her fingers, not wanting to wait any longer to taste her again. Tilly went bright red.

He wouldn't let her take her hand away until he had thoroughly cleaned it, savouring the taste of his mate. "Sorry babe, but it was too good to resist any longer. I've been dying for a taste of you. Now though... I have a little problem that I could use your help with." he said grinning and staring down at his erection making itself very plain under the covers.


Friends and Foes Ch. 01



Tilly smiled back. "Doesn't look so little to me, but I'll see what I can do." She lifted the cover back and stared at his dick, grinning at what she saw and glad that her display had caused it. "Mmm. I know the doctor said stroking, but I have a better idea." 

Dill couldn't stop a loud groan when she licked across the head. After no sex for so long he was far more sensitive than he thought possible, and after her display he was already nearly ready to shoot.

"Babe, this won't take long and it could be more than a mouthful." he said to warn her. 

She just purred and slid him inside her mouth. Dill tried to hold out and not to move too much because arching his back hurt his ribs. However, he lost on both counts and had the strange combination of pain and pleasure at the same moment. The pleasure was intense though and it won out as he felt himself shoot again and again. He was right about the quantity as well, and Tilly seemed to be struggling to swallow his pent up release, but she certainly was trying. As he recovered he felt her nuzzling at his groin cleaning up the remnants.

Dill groaned again. "Go easy babe, I need to recover. Normally I'd be up for more straight away, but these bones of mine are protesting."

"I'm sorry sweetheart. I guess I needed to taste you too."

"Don't apologise! How could I be upset by what you just did? It was amazing to see and feel you again. And at least it's taken the edge off for the moment. I'm not sure how long I'll hold out before needing some more loving though." he finished with a grin.

Tilly smiled back. "I felt the pain as well Dill. We still need to take things slowly, but I'm as glad as you are that we can have some fun." She leaned in to kiss him then, the two of them sharing the contact and the flavour of each other. 

Dill had one thought left at that moment. "The strangest thing is, much as I really wanted to do that and I'd love to do a lot more, the thing I miss the most is being able to wrap my arms around you and hold you close."

Tilly pulled back from their kiss to look at him, her eyes showing her devotion. "You soppy romantic you! And here was I thinking you were just after me for my body!"

"That as well, of course!"

The two of them resumed kissing in between their giggles. It was great to be able to have some sexual contact again, but also true that it was the simple things they missed the most. Still, neither had much doubt that as soon as Dill was up to it they would be very eager to make up for lost time.

* * * * * 

Meanwhile in the other wing of the large house the youngest residents were getting ready to head out of the house to check the perimeter. Peter and Michael were both lions and still in training, but had been assigned to the teams based at the house to complete it. They had only been with the teams for a few days before the mission, and officially assigned for the last week. It had been an eye-opening experience, both seeing the fully trained commandos in action and also that a gay couple not only worked as commandos but ran the teams.

Being based at the house was more than the two young men could have hoped for. They had developed a relationship while at HQ training, but had needed to keep it a secret because of the views of others and not having any time or place for themselves. Here, they had work to do but no-one minded what they got up to outside that time and instead of having a barrack room to share with others they had a large room and huge bed to themselves. The first night they had got there even the idea of being able to sleep together had been new, and they had been taking full advantage of the opportunities over the last couple of weeks.

Michael grinned at Peter as they headed for the door. "Seems to always be us working these days, huh?"

"I don't think we can complain. It's not as though we took part in the hard training or the mission with them, and I hardly think we can put a bit of computer work and filing after the event in the same league. Plus Dill and Sky are still recovering." replied Peter, knowing that Michael was only mildly complaining, and it was only because they both loved the time they spent alone in that bed and didn't want to leave it.

The two of them headed along the corridor and down the wide staircase to the impressive hallway. The room was flagged with stone and stretched up high to a vaulted ceiling. Despite the age and beauty of the HQ building, Sam's house was still very impressive, and they both felt it was a lot more like home. They went down the front steps to the gravel drive out front, past the stone wolves who looked like they guarded the entrance, and changed to their lion form. They were beautiful young beasts and it was hard to tell them apart in that form. They knew the grounds well and chased one another through the trees until they reached the perimeter, working around it slowly as they checked for unfamiliar sights or smells. They would have to report to the Alphas on their return and it was important to them to do their job properly.

* * * * * * 

Sky had woken from her sleep when she heard the lions running along the corridor. They weren't loud, but she still slept fitfully and was very conscious of any movement. Months kept as a prisoner in the facility the teams had raided had made her very nervous. It was going to take a while before she stopped fearing that the sounds of people close by meant someone was coming to question her or hurt her. The main thing that kept her calm was Finn. Her eyes went to him as soon as she woke, seeing him still sleeping on the mattress on her floor. 

Like this she couldn't see his gorgeous green eyes, but she could still appreciate the sight of him. He was lying on his back and she could see his broad and muscled chest with the sunlight streaming across his body. The sheet and his jogging bottoms hid the rest of him from her view but even now she could see the tent in them. She moaned softly at the thought of him being erect. It was probably only morning wood but the thought that one day soon she would be able to have that hard dick in her made her tremble.

If only she wasn't so weak she would already know how good that would feel, and she had no doubt it would be really good. With a sigh she reached beside her bed for the food and drink that was always there. She was under doctors orders to regain her strength, and the biggest incentive in the world was knowing that when she did she would finally be able to bond with her mate. Neither of them had actually used that word out loud as yet, but she certainly felt it and was fairly sure that Finn did as well. They spent all their time together, waking or sleeping, except for her baths. Finn said he couldn't face seeing her naked when he had to keep control of himself. When they no longer needed to it was going to be explosive.

She needed to pee, and didn't see any need to wake him to do it. She had been walking around a little over the previous days, usually with Finn hovering by her side in case she fell, but to be honest his presence was more of a distraction from what she was trying to do than a help. She almost wanted to fall so that he would have to catch her and hold her body in his arms. A quick trip to the bathroom solved her immediate problem and she wandered back into the bedroom, her gaze drawn back to the sleeping form on her floor as soon as she got through the door. 

She stood for a moment, taking in his beauty and the pull she felt towards him. Walking to the side of the mattress she made her decision, and at the last moment pulled her dress over her head so she was totally naked as she settled beside him. He stirred, and she held her breath, but he didn't wake. She slid her body as close to his as she could, slowly so that she wouldn't wake him. Her front pressed to his side and her arm and head rested on his chest, hearing his heart beat and feeling the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed softly. It was the most comfortable pillow in the world, and like this she almost felt like she had never been in that cage. When his arm came around her body to hold her too she moaned softly. It was an unconscious movement by him but even in his sleep he wanted to protect her and keep her close. That final move was enough to relax her totally and she fell back to sleep against her love.

It was probably about an hour later when Finn awoke, and he was confused for a moment. He opened his eyes and lifted his head slightly so he could confirm his suspicions. The sight that greeted him made him growl with pleasure and he felt his cock stiffen. Sky lay pressed against him, and for the first time since he had rescued her, he saw her naked body. He took his time appreciating the swell of her breasts and the curve at the small of her back leading to round and pert buttocks. For the first time he noticed she had a tattoo on her hip, and he smiled when he saw it was a wolf's head, looking out at the world. Strangely it had green eyes. No wild wolves had that colour, it was only possible for a werewolf, and even then it was unusual. It was almost as though she had known him already. Even the colouring was so like his own it puzzled him. She hadn't even seen his wolf form yet. 

When she started to stir, waking up against him, he had to try and calm himself. It wasn't like it was the first time he had an erection near her, but he still needed to keep control, and her naked body wriggling against his half-naked one was a serious challenge to his pent up lust. He couldn't stop himself groaning as her breasts rubbed against his chest. Her eyes opened and she looked up at him, smiling. He returned the greeting.

"Morning. I was just wondering how you ended up naked in my bed."

"I didn't think you would complain." she replied, amusement in her tone.

"I wasn't complaining! It's just a surprise. A very very nice surprise." he returned.

She went a little red. "I had to go to the bathroom, and on the way back I couldn't resist slipping in beside you here. I really wanted to wake up with you, not by myself again."

"And the lack of clothes is because...?"

"I also wanted to feel you properly against me. Well, as good as I could without stripping you off too."

He moaned again. Her thoughts were driving him wild. He put both his arms around her and pulled her further on top of him, kissing her gently but with as much passion as he could. He had to break away when she started to wriggle on top of him and the rubbing against his cock, despite the layers between them, was almost too much for him. She seemed aware of his problem, well, given that she was lying on him it must have been pretty obvious pressing into her. He gasped as she slid her body back down the side of his and her hand moved down until he felt her soft caress directly on it. A second later her hand moved up again and then back down, this time under his clothes. His moan as she wrapped her hand around him was loud enough that he hoped no-one was in the nearby rooms.

After that thought, nothing more sensible passed through his mind. He might have been howling for all he knew, he was just aware of the intense pleasure as her hand moved up and down his erect dick. His eyes closed, automatically focusing his attention solely on the contact between them, the humming of his body as his pleasure built, and the faint moans of pleasure he heard from her. His hips bucked slightly to meet her slide and as the speed of both movements increased he knew that he was going to come hard. A moment later it came, lights flashing behind his eyes and his entire body tensing with the pleasure as he shot in his trousers and over her hand.

He lay there breathing hard as he recovered, his cock and body still twitching with aftershocks. He wanted to thank her properly, but when he opened his eyes he could only growl. She was licking his release off her hand and it was probably the most erotic thing he had ever seen. His growl was almost possessive, and before she had chance to do anything else he rolled the pair of them over so she was now lying under him. He propped himself up rather than put any pressure on her slight frame, but she seemed happy to be there and just looked up at him with lust showing in her eyes. He needed to put out some of that fire and give her the same pleasure she had given him.

His lips pressed to hers again, thanking her as best he could for what she had already done, and promising more. He moved his lips to her neck and kissed and nibbled at her skin, resisting the urge to mark her as his. Her skin was smooth and tasted sweet, and he wanted far more of her flavour. He was aware of her soft moans as he worked his way downwards, and when he reached her breasts he was still gentle but made sure he licked every last inch of skin. He sucked gently on her nipples and heard her pleasured sounds increase in tone and volume. Her hips started moving, trying to find some release for her, and her tone became more frantic the longer he worked.

He might have been able to stay there all day if he hadn't become aware of her scent building. She was getting so wet for him that he couldn't wait to taste her properly, and he continued his descent although he didn't spend that long on her stomach. He knew where he was headed and so did she, and neither of them wanted to wait any longer. He lengthened his tongue to be more wolf-like and flexible, and his first swipe across her moist lips had her almost lifting off the bed with her excitement, and him growling at the first proper taste of his mate. 

After that he went to work in earnest, loving it when her hands moved into his hair to caress him as he worked. He teased her clit out of its cover and licked and sucked at it, occasionally moving down to lick up more of her juices as the flowed. It didn't take him long to have her at the point of no return either, and as she climaxed more of the sweet juice flowed for him to lap up. He could feel her contractions as he lapped inside her to get more from the source, and this time he probably wouldn't have stopped had she not pushed him away from her, needing to stop the pleasure so she could relax again. 

He straightened up, pushing himself back up on his arms so he could take in the sight of her. It took his breath away again, seeing her sated after he had made her come. He just smiled as he watched her recover, intensely proud of himself and pleased to have finally had some release with her, and even better that she had initiated it. How could anything beat waking up with her in his arms and them having their first sexual experience with each other. 

"Every time I think I've seen the best of you, you end up looking even more beautiful." he thought to her.

Her eyes flicked open, staring right into his. "You look pretty good yourself."

"I must do if you already have my picture on you."

She looked puzzled. "Your tattoo. The wolf with green eyes. Where did you get that idea from?"

"I don't know. I used to have this dream when I was little, before I knew what I was, and it was always a wolf with green eyes that I saw. By the time I was 18 I knew I could change, but it wasn't easy to do, and the tattoo was to remind me of what I was."

"How come? You weren't raised by your family?"

Her eyes clouded a little, clearly not happy to remember.  "I was in care from very young. I don't remember my family, unless the dreams were of them. They raised me in the children's home assuming I was human. It was a hell of a shock the first time I managed to change, but I kept it from them. I was sure they wouldn't handle it. As soon as I was old enough I left and started fending for myself. I spent a lot of time as a wolf then, traveling around all over the place, working for a while as a human until I felt the need to move on, and finding out what I could about what I was. I hadn't met many others like me until I got caught."

She stopped talking then, not wanting to re-live any of that time just yet. Finn just kissed her to reassure her.

"You have me now, and the rest of the unit. No-one is going to hurt you again, and you belong with us, with your people. You might not know where you came from, but it brought you to us eventually. More importantly it brought you to me, and I will be thankful every day that you are here with me."

Sky felt her eyes filling with tears. It was overwhelming happiness at what Finn said, and the intensity of feeling he put into it. He held her close and kissed her, letting her cry it out since he could also see how she was smiling. Her arms were tight around him too, holding on to the one thing she needed, a man to love her.

* * * * * * 

The phonecall was unexpected. Sam and Tom were in the office chatting while Sam looked through some documents for the business. He was lucky enough to have good management in place which meant he didn't need to worry about things on a day-to-day basis. It would have interfered with his far more important work, but he was still the boss and the figurehead of the family firm and there was no way he could ignore things altogether. His first thought was that the call was from the office, but hearing Mark's voice on the end of the line he was instantly on alert. They had been given six weeks leave, so the head of Council ringing him was unexpected. He could have spoken to his son directly if it wasn't important.

"I'm sorry to do this to you Sam, but I need to come to the house. Some information that you retrieved has given us a lead about the people backing the research. I think you need to be involved in this."

"Okay, when will you be here?"

"I'm already on the way. I'll be there in about an hour. Can you make sure you and Tom and Tilly are available."

"Of course."

Mark hung up without any further information given. Sam and Tom just looked at each other, unsure of what to say. This must be big if Mark was coming here rather than them being ordered to him, and to call when he was already nearly there made it seem even more worrying. 

Sam broke the silence first. "I've called Tilly. She'll be down as soon as he gets here. It's not worth speculating I guess, but it's hard not to."

"It must be serious." replied Tom. "But I agree, we've got no way of knowing anything so we'll just have to wait until he tells us. Meanwhile, perhaps we should go for a run and burn some nervous energy off."

Sam gave him a cheeky smile. "I can think of better ways of getting rid of our excess energy!"

"Honestly, is there anything you think about other than sex?"

Sam's expression showed mock offence. "Yes. But not when you are around!"

Tom just rolled his eyes, trying to make out he wasn't just as horny as Sam was now that the idea had been mentioned. It didn't work for long, because only a moment later Sam was kissing him hard and he forgot any idea of running outside, content to let his mate play with him however he wanted. 

The time passed very quickly, and they were only just putting their trousers back on, grinning at each other after a fast and furious sex session with Sam bent over his own desk while Tom fucked him hard, when the gate buzzer sounded and they had to let Mark onto the property. Tilly soon joined them in the hall as they waited for the car to reach the house. She looked at the others nervously, but they had no more idea than she did and tension was running high. Mark didn't hang about once he got in the house either, only briefly greeting them all and enquiring after Dill and Sky before he headed towards the office.

The four of them sat down, Mark being looked at expectantly by the other three.

"We've been able to read all the encrypted files you recovered. It's only a small proportion of what they had there, we know, but a lot of information about what they were up to and why is now available. Unfortunately it appears this was not the only facility, and we are working up to other teams entering the others as soon as possible. It will be a harder job as they will be expecting it now, but there are a lot of us. More importantly from your point of view, we think we have found out at least one source of their funding. His name is Adam Stephens."




Friends and Foes Ch. 01



Tom sat between the other two and heard the sharp intakes of breath to either side of him. The name obviously meant something to them. He looked at Mark for an explanation.

"Adam Stephens is the head of Stephens Construction, the major rival to the Arcan business. It's a similar situation, a family firm. He took control a few years ago when his father retired. Not long after he took over he began diverting some of the profits of the company into the research facility. I was hoping your business knowledge of him would shed some light on the man before we make our next move."

Tom felt a strange shift in the connection he had to Sam, and could feel Tilly was shuffling nervously in her chair. He was about to ask when Sam started to speak.

"Sir, I have to say I find this kind of hard to believe."

"I don't." said Tilly quickly. "Have you forgotten..."

Her words were interrupted by a growl from Sam. "I will tell them." He took a deep breath before continuing, and Tilly's fidgeting got worse. Tom even put a hand on her to try and calm her down. He had no idea what this was about, but there was obviously a lot yet to be said.

Sam cleared his throat, seeming to be uncomfortable with what he was going to say. "You will be aware that Tilly and I went to a human university. Our parents thought it would be very useful for us to have a presence in the human world when it came to running the business that our family has been involved in for generations. While we were there Adam was also a student. We became friendly despite the competition between the family firms, because we all understood the pressure and responsibility. We even thought at one point that when we took over our firms might work together."

Mark nodded. "It is understandable. It's also helpful if you knew him personally rather than just professionally. We need to know all we can about him."

Sam started to go red, and he looked at Tom before saying any more. "Adam and I became involved, for a while."

There was silence, Tom and Mark taking this unexpected news on board. Tom was the first to question that statement.

"You mean you were lovers?" he asked, not sure if he wanted the confirmation.

"Yes." was the quiet response. "It wasn't that serious, and it didn't last very long. In the end Tilly and I had to cut all contact with him."

"Why?" asked Mark. "What happened? I realise this is difficult for you but Council needs to know."

Sam looked across at Tilly, giving her permission to continue. She nodded her head in acknowledgment first.

"Adam had an interest in literature, particularly in folklore and history and more specifically the supernatural and paranormal and accounts of contact through the ages. A major part of that was an obsession with werewolves. His research was extensive even then. He found some texts that are rare even amongst our people. And he believed it all. We couldn't take the chance of him finding out about us. We tried to convince him it was all superstition and rubbish, but he almost became more sure he was right because everyone laughed at him. It was as though he was determined to prove everyone wrong."

"You're making him out to be some complete obsessed nutter." said Sam, displeased.

Tilly snapped back. "I was able to see what he was like a lot more clearly because I wasn't fucking him. And I would have thought what Mark has told us proves my point."

Mark stopped them both. "Arguing isn't helping. I hate to say it, but Tilly does have a valid point. Being involved with someone can often blind you to their faults. I guess you saw it eventually."

Sam nodded. "I knew that he was going to continue his research, but it was all books Mark, not anything real. We just couldn't take the chance of him finding we were what he was looking for."

"Perhaps once he did find the real thing it was far more tempting than books." said Tom. "I'm with Tilly here. You wanted him and that will stop you looking for the bad in people. I'm not upset with you, hell, I've made some bad choices in the past too, but a history like that plus him now having the money to throw at his research adds up to him being a perfect candidate for our bad guy."

"Is it at all possible he knows what you and Tilly are?" asked Mark, very serious.

Sam could only tell the truth. "He can't know for sure. I certainly didn't tell him. But he did ask me straight out one time."

Everyone else looked at him shocked, and he had to explain. "There had been rumours of a wolf sighting on campus. I don't know, it could have been true and someone saw me. Certainly there wasn't a natural population anywhere near, although it could just as easily have been a husky or something like that. Adam became convinced that it was a werewolf. I don't know why he thought it could be me. Perhaps I was too vehement that it was all rubbish, or maybe he saw or heard something when my guard was down a little. But he did ask me."

"What did you say?" asked Tilly, her tone severe.

"I just laughed at him. That was pretty much the last time I spoke to him too. Perhaps cutting off all contact like that told him what he wanted to know anyway. I couldn't take any more risks with him, it was far too dangerous for me and Tilly if he did discover anything."

Mark was deep in thought for a moment. "I agree you did the right thing to cut contact, but given the level of his interest perhaps it would have been wise to inform someone else of the situation."

Sam looked embarrassed. "I did consider it. But at the time, it would have meant me making a confession of my own that I wasn't ready for. I couldn't tell my parents I was gay and I'd been sleeping with the guy."

Tilly's annoyance was still obvious when she replied. "I knew about you. You should have told me and we could have worked out a way if that was what you were worried about. Instead you just told me it had fizzled out but he wasn't taking it well so you wanted me to leave him alone."

"I'm sorry I lied to you sister. But you have no idea how I felt at the time. I was young and insecure, it was my first attempt at a relationship, and I know I was stupid now, but at the time I thought I had done enough. I really didn't think he was a threat. I'm still finding it hard to believe that he could be involved in that kind of research. I mean, he had his obsession, but he wasn't exactly pro-active or confident. It's a miracle his father ever retired and let him take over the firm."

"We haven't seen him in a long time Sam. He's obviously come out of his shell. And I agree to some extent, I can't imagine him getting involved in torture or those interrogations himself. But that doesn't mean he wouldn't have funded them to help him find out whatever he wants to know."

Mark cleared his throat to stop them arguing. "I don't think debating what should have happened then is going to help us. I have to say that with this knowledge I'm even more keen to do what I was planning, and set someone to find out more information about him. We may well be able to find and remove the other facilities anyway, but we have to treat him as a possible threat. Council works hard to make sure that our existence is not made known to the general public, and Adam certainly seems too interested for us not to investigate further."

Sam nodded. "So what do we need to do."

"Nothing." Mark said, to surprise from the others. "He knows Sam and Tilly, so you can't get close to him with the history you and your firms have without it becoming suspicious. That said, if we don't find out enough covertly it might come back to you making contact. I'll have to discuss that with Council. For the time being you stay off his radar, especially if he might already think you are Were. We can't take the risk."

Mark left them to it after that and headed to see Peter before he left. Tilly could feel some emotions rising and decided it was time to leave them to it. She figured that Sam would want to discuss the recent revelations with his mate, and she needed to be with hers.

"I'm going to get back to Dill. I'll see you at dinner."

The two men nodded, both deep in their own thoughts. There was a moment of silence before Sam spoke.

"I'm sorry you found out about Adam like this. I need you to know, it was nothing compared to what we have."

Tom gave him a look. "I know that, otherwise we wouldn't be together now. I'm not cross at you for having a past Sam. I can't sit here and say I was a virgin when I met you. But I am upset at you for putting yourself at risk. And the fact you were thinking about doing it again. He's dangerous and I don't like the idea that he might even have the slightest idea of what you are when he's been involved with that place. You know as well as I do what they were doing to our kind. The idea of you being subjected to that... it terrifies me."

Tom started shaking and Sam could feel the fear that rose inside his mate at the thought of him being hurt. He put his arms around him and drew their bodies together, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"That's not going to happen. I'm not putting any of us at risk Tom. But I do feel partly responsible for this. If I'd not got involved with him, or had handled things better back then, perhaps people like Sky wouldn't have had to suffer now. If there's a way I can put that right – without any of us getting hurt – I want to help."

"He was obsessed before you ever met him Sam. There was nothing you could have done to change what has happened. And you already have helped put things right when we destroyed that place, and found the information that will let other teams do the same for the other centres. You are not responsible for what happened to Sky or any of the others."

Sam let it lie there, kissing his mate hard until he relaxed in his arms and started to respond properly to the attention. He tried to switch his mind off, but involuntarily his time with Adam started to drift back to him. Conversations they had shared, little details of his research and what had been said when he had ended it. Only the feeling of Tom pulling out of his arms and away from him brought him back into the moment. The look on Tom's face was hurt and annoyed.

"Don't lie to me Sam. Don't pretend you're going to leave this alone and then kiss me while you're thinking about him."

"I wasn't." The hurt look he got at his denial cut deep. "I wasn't thinking of him like that," he corrected.

"It doesn't matter that it wasn't about you fucking him. It matters that you aren't leaving this alone when you have been told to by Mark. And it matters that you are thinking about an ex, even innocently, while you kiss me like that." He turned to leave the room. "Leave me alone until you can keep your mind on us. And if you dare put yourself in danger by going after him I will tear you a new hole personally." he snarled.

Sam slumped into his chair dejected. He felt bad enough already finding out about Adam, and now he had upset his mate. The worst part of it was, as distressed as he was about Tom, he still couldn't get his mind off what had happened with Adam and whether there was any way he could have known and stopped him.

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 02



My usual reminder/warning – this story features m/m and m/f sex scenes

Thank you for the comments and votes on chapter one. I'm trying to stay ahead of you with the writing, and I'm just finishing chapter six although I've written a fair bit past that point, I just need to join it together. There's a lot more plot in this chapter, but I figured Sam needs to make up with Tom first...

* * * * * *

2

It was dark by the time Sam had finished brooding in his office. He knew that as much as he wanted to be with Tom and make things right with him, he wasn't going to be able to do that when he was still blaming himself for all that had happened. After an afternoon of going over and over in his mind everything he knew about Adam he realised that the others were right. There was no way he could have known that someone he had a brief relationship with all those years ago was going to let his obsession with werewolves develop so dangerously.

He still felt like he should have told someone then, but it might not have made any difference. He still couldn't see how Adam had become so much of a threat or had funded the torture and research they had discovered. But Sam had been responsible for helping shut it down, and for rescuing Sky and the others, and that was, for now, going to have to be enough.

The look on Tom's face when he had left came back to his mind and he felt the shame and pain of having caused it. What he needed to do now was love that look right off Tom's beautiful face. 

He headed upstairs and was relieved when his senses told him that Tom was in their room. He entered cautiously and saw Tom was lying on their bed, but unlike usual he still had clothes on. That wasn't the best sign. He watched as Tom turned towards him and looked at him expectantly. The silence before he started to speak was tense.

"I'm sorry love," Sam started. "It was a lot to take in and I can't help feeling a little responsible, but I realise that there is nothing I can do to sort it out. Adam is on the radar now and the Council will keep an eye on him. As for me, I just need to stay safe and keep those I love safe. I love you, and I can't lose you over this."

There was another tense silence while he waited for Tom's response.

"You won't lose me. We're mates and bonded now. I was just cross with you, and that's bound to happen from time to time. The only thing in this world that scares me is the thought of you being hurt."

Sam almost flew across the room to gather Tom into his arms, rolling so his mate was on top of him while he kissed him hard. He was glad to feel his kisses returned just as intensely. Sam hear himself growl his relief and his pleasure. 

"I'm not going anywhere my love. I just need to be with you right now."

He felt as much as heard the purr his words caused Tom to make. He could also feel almost all his hard body pressed to his own, but there were far too many clothes in the way. His hands hesitated before starting to push Tom's trousers down over the ass he wanted to get his hands on, but there was no attempt to stop him. Tom lifted himself up a little and helped so that they were soon both naked and back to their kisses but this time with nothing between their bodies or their hard cocks. The delightful friction made both of them moan.

Sam was unprepared for Tom's sudden movement but glad when he felt his dick sliding inside his mate. Tom sat slowly down, taking him all the way inside. His eyes gleamed as he settled fully, grinding himself against Sam's crotch and making him growl. He started to ride, sliding up and down on the hard pole and kissing Sam each time he rose up before sitting back down hard. Both of them groaned each time Sam was all the way inside, and Sam thrust his hips up to meet his lover on his descent. 

Sam tried to speed things up a little with his thrusts, but Tom stopped moving when he did so he had to settle for the slow pace his lover was setting. The feeling of being deep inside the hot channel of the man-cat he loved was intense, but he was on edge, not able to trip over at this slow pace and so desperate to spill inside and mark his mate as his yet again. Their panting, groans, growls and purrs filled the room and the sounds turned him on even more.

Frustration won out after a while longer and he grabbed Tom and turned them both over, never removing his cock from its home. Tom looked surprised for a moment, but when Sam started to thrust into him hard and fast he closed his eyes and let the feelings take over. Sam loved the look on his face when he was like this, lost in the throes of passion. His animal side took over a little and his sharp teeth nipped at Tom's neck, marking him in another way before they both spilled their seed with shouts of each others names.

Sam kept moving for as long as he could, not wanting to leave Tom's body even though he was starting to soften. He growled his disappointment when his flaccid cock slipped out anyway, but he wasn't finished yet. He flipped Tom over, hearing a sound of surprise as his mate landed on his front. Sam's head descended and his lengthened tongue went to work clearing up the juices he had left and caressing Tom's hole with kisses and licks that had him moaning frantically. 

Sam growled possessively as he worked, making sure his wolf like tongue flicked inside at Tom's prostate and relishing every pleasured sound his mate made and the taste of their combined flavour. He heard Tom start to whimper, and although he was speaking too it was just a stream of half finished words with the occasional 'fuck' or 'please' all that Sam could make out. He kept going until he could tell Tom was close to coming again, then flipped him back over and sucked his hard cock to the hilt. He didn't even have to work for it, Tom came hard and fast right down his throat and with a yell that would probably be heard all over the house. 

Looking down on his lover afterwards, Tom barely conscious but still twitching with aftershocks and softly moaning, made Sam grin. He had turned his mate to jelly, and the only thing remaining was to put some cream on top. A few strokes of his own hardness and he groaned as he shot over Tom's chest, his cum mixing with the remains of Tom's from his first orgasm. Sam sighed as he fell down at the side of Tom, still not able to take his eyes from the beautiful sight of his sated mate covered in their releases.

It was a good ten minutes later before Tom started to stir and Sam couldn't help grinning at him as he saw his blue eyes open. He still looked dazed and confused. When his eyes locked onto Sam's he smiled.

"I should get pissed off with you more often if I get treated like that after!"

Sam growled even though it was a compliment.

"I don't want to upset you again Tom. You can have anything you want from me, anytime. I'm sorry I was an idiot earlier."

"You are so forgiven," Tom replied with a grin.

* * * * * *

A week later the latest visit from the doctor brought good news for everyone, particularly Sky.

"You're doing brilliantly," he stated. "As long as you keep up this improvement you'll be back to normal physically in no time. You still need to take things slow and bear in mind you will be tired easily, but I'm officially taking you off bed rest and you can change form whenever you feel like it. I don't suggest running wild just yet, but perhaps a few walks in the woods would help. I'm sure you'd appreciate the fresh air."

Sky couldn't help but grin at that. She nodded her head, and glanced at Finn who looked equally pleased. That pretty much cleared her for any exercise she wanted, and as the two of them had shared very little else since their morning together she couldn't help thinking about what else they would now do. Her thoughts must have shown on her face because Finn gave her a wink, making it pretty clear he was thinking along the same lines.

"Thank you so much," she said to the doctor.

He smiled at her in return. "I've done very little for you, it's mainly been down to this young man here taking such good care of you."

Sky blushed, hoping the doctor didn't have any idea how much Finn had done for her. It had gone way beyond normal nursing care and she had loved every moment. Now though, all she could think about was getting outside and letting her wolf free. After that she would be able to indulge some of her fantasies with the gorgeous man across the room. 

The doctor let himself out to go and check on Dill and Sky looked out the window again, yearning for the outdoors after however long she had been locked up. She wasn't entirely sure. She heard Finn laughing softly and turned to give him a dirty look.

"I guess that wistful look means you'd rather be out there than in here with me," he said, but clearly amused.

"I'd rather be out there, yes, but only if you come with me."

"I had no intention of letting you go alone. I'm going to be right by your side."

She watched as Finn slipped out of his clothes, enjoying the sight of the tight planes of muscle for a moment, before he started to change. She had the sudden realisation that she hadn't seen his wolf, and then he was standing in front of her. She could see why he had commented on her tattoo, because his colouring was very similar. Still, she knew it was just coincidence. It wasn't even as though she had designed the colours, the artist had done that using his judgement, although she had insisted on the green eyes. Somehow she knew it had to have green eyes.

The green eyes in front of her kept staring until she remembered she was supposed to be joining him.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see what you look like."

She lifted her dress over her head and started her own change, the other wolf watching her just as intently as she had watched him. When she was completely changed she wagged her tail at him and got the wolf equivalent of a grin in return. He rubbed his face against hers, having to bend his head slightly as she was smaller than he was, and then made sure that their bodies rubbed together on each side. It was an introduction for their wolves and also a chance for him to ensure she had his scent on her, because although he knew there were no unmated males nearby he wanted his team mates to be quite sure that she was his. 

Finn had the sudden thought that not having lived with Weres she might not even know what he was doing or the implications of him marking her like this. Perhaps it was time to have a talk with her about all of that, or maybe get Tilly to do it in case Sky freaked out at the thought of him wanting her. Not that she had ever rejected his attention, and seemed to enjoy it, but if he had his way she would end up as his mate and although he knew she knew the term he needed to be sure that she understood what that meant before she agreed to it.

Now though it was time for a walk. He didn't think he'd ever walked in the grounds, unless you could count stalking towards an outbuilding checking for traps and entry points. This could be rather fun for him as well. He led the way out of the house, knowing she was following him without having to check, and then down the main steps before deciding to show her the prettiest parts of the grounds, which definitely did not include the training areas. He'd had more than enough of them lately.

They walked in silence for quite a while, Finn happy to let Sky take her time exploring and getting the sights and scents of the place. She seemed happy just to be outside and he wondered how long it had been since she had had grass under her feet. The thought of the place he had rescued her from and what they may have done to her almost made him growl, but he kept a check on his emotions so as not to upset her. He hoped that in time she would open up to him about things, and he knew at some point he was going to have to broach the subject of her going to Council and telling them what she knew. For the moment though her healing was the most important thing and all he could do in that regard was let her take her time.

It was almost as though she could sense what he was thinking, because after a while she started to ask questions.

"Finn, what's going to happen to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Sam's letting me stay here, and that's great, but what about when I'm better? Will I have to leave?"

Finn's growl at that thought was involuntary, and seemed to scare her slightly. He tried to calm himself before replying.

"You won't have to leave. I will make sure of it. You will have to go to Council HQ for a little while, but then you will be coming back home."

She looked even more afraid after what he said. "I have to tell them about it all, don't I?"

He nuzzled her as reassurance. "Yes. But only when you are ready, and only to one or two people. And I will come with you so you won't be alone."

She cocked her head at him, almost in question. "That's another thing. You and me.... us... whatever this is."

"You're mine," Finn replied, without even thinking.

He realised he had said more than intended and held his breath while she just looked at him. At least she didn't seem ready to run.

"Does that mean we're mates?" she asked.

Time to make sure she knows, he thought. "That's what I'd like, yes. But I wasn't sure whether you really know what that means. It's married in the Were world. No ceremony really, but together forever stuff. I'm not asking you to agree to that just yet if you aren't sure."

"I'm sure."

He couldn't stop his wolf from bounding over to her, rubbing her all over to reinforce his scent and growling his pleasure when she was helping him do it.

"I'm not quite sure what this is about though."

He stopped to look at her, realising she was serious.

"This is making sure you smell like me. With our scents on each other it lets others know we are together, and if there was an unmated male round here he'd know not to mess with what's mine."

He heard her laughter in his head. "And I thought human men could be possessive!"

"I suppose it is, a little, but it's also about you being under my protection, and you're marking me too. Any woman round here would also know I was off the market."

She started rubbing at him harder then and he had to stifle his laughter. He had no objection to this turn of events at all, but it was kind of odd having to explain what he thought of as perfectly normal behaviour.

"I guess I always thought it happened more naturally than this, the scent transfer thing."

"It does, but the longer mates are together the more obvious it is, and in the beginning it makes sense to be very certain. There is one possible downside to all this stroking though..."

"Which is?"

"I'm getting really turned on. And something else new mates do is have sex, and lots of it."

She stopped rubbing against him and just stared for a moment.

"How is that a downside?" she laughed, suddenly heading away from him and towards the house. "You coming? There's a nice big bed in there we need to christen!"

* * * * * *

Dill had been waiting rather impatiently for the doctor once he knew his latest check up was due. His bones seemed mostly healed but he was still sore and stiff, and had a sling to keep his broken arm still. He had been able to walk around for the last couple of days but was still frustrated at the lack of energy he had and the fact he couldn't change to his cat. Most of all he was frustrated because he still couldn't hold Tilly or make love to her like he wanted. It was about three weeks since they had declared themselves mates and he still hadn't been able to love her. Even his scent seemed to be fading from her body and that annoyed his cat more than any of the rest of it. 

Aside from the physical need, he also wanted to protect his mate, and he still could feel from time to time that she was worried about what had happened. Him being injured and her nearly killing someone was something neither of them was going to get over in quite a while. He'd never had anyone else to worry about before and he was finding it a strange experience, but he would do whatever it took to make her forget about anything but him.

His relief at finally seeing the doctor was obvious. He knew the older man was aware of why he was so tetchy but there was nothing he could do about it. He lay down for his bones to be checked and prayed that this time they would be healed enough that he could at least get rid of the damn sling. At least his bruises were gone and he looked as good as ever. Unfortunately appearances were in this case deceptive and even though Weres healed quickly, he was still not totally back to normal.

The doctor spoke. "The good news is, no more sling, and you can start taking more exercise. But I don't recommend changing right now. Give it another week until we can be sure those bones are completely healed, else it will hurt like hell when you do. You know you're still tender around the chest due to all those broken ribs, so don't rush things."

"I guess that's some good news then. I am sorry for being a difficult patient, but Tilly will make sure I stick to your orders, or else!"

The tiger laughed. "I can believe that. It's for your own good remember."

Tilly entered the room then, clearly having heard the last part of their conversation.

"Someone has to keep you in line," she muttered.

As soon as the doctor left them alone Dill grinned at Tilly.

"Did you hear I can lose the sling? Like right now. Can you help me with it?"

She moved over to him and got the fastening at the back of his neck undone. While he removed it she placed a gentle kiss on the back of his neck and heard his purr in response.

"You trying to tempt me woman?"

"Do you really need tempting? However, just because the sling is off does not mean we can go wild. Your ribs are still too sore."

She heard his hiss of annoyance. "I can do one important thing though."

He turned and gently wrapped his arms around her body, not holding her anywhere near as tight as he would like, but enough for now. Her arms came up slowly to do the same to him and they were both purring until they started to kiss. It was strange how the small things really had been missed the most, and although the pleasure of having his mate in his arms again made Dill hard instantly he was content with this contact for the moment.

* * * * * * 

After another couple of peaceful days, Tilly was in Sam's office going through paperwork. She was keeping away from Dill for a bit, knowing he was eager to resume their sexual relationship in full but worried that it was too soon for him to be doing that. Being out of his sight calmed him and meant she wasn't bombarded with his emotions while he thought about what he wanted to do with her. 

She wasn't sure working was the best idea since the accounts she was looking at seemed to make no sense whatsoever. Either she was not concentrating properly or the person who had drafted the figures for this project couldn't add up, and she really couldn't work out which it was. 

When the phone started to ring she rather hoped it would be someone who could explain that to her. She picked up and heard the voice of one of the senior managers, resigning herself to having to deal with some major issue and hoping it wasn't going to take all day. The tone of his voice sounded annoyed.

"Tilly, I've got some guy on the phone. Won't give me his name, but he's rung about four times today insisting he needs to speak to you or Sam. Apparently he can't discuss whatever this is with a 'lackey' like me. Frankly I'd happily cut him off but he reckons you will want to speak to him. Do you want me to get rid?"




Friends and Foes Ch. 02



"He's not exactly buttering you up to get put through is he? I'll make sure he knows you are no lackey. I might as well speak to him, it'll make a pleasant change from the accounts I've been staring at for the last hour. If he's a nut I can easily cut him off myself."

She heard an amused laugh on the end of the line before it clicked and the call was put through.

"Tilly Arcan speaking," she stated.

She sat bolt upright and a shiver went down her spine when she heard the voice. She didn't even need him to introduce himself. 

"Tilly, it's good to finally speak to you. This is Adam Stephens."

She broadcast an alert to Sam and Tom, but kept her voice neutral to speak to him. 

"Adam. What can I do for you?"

"I wanted to ask if you and Sam would meet me for lunch one day. I have some things I would like to discuss with you."

Tilly's mind was racing. She felt Sam trying to contact her, but right now she couldn't concentrate on that, she was just wondering what to say and what the hell this meant.

"I'll have to get back to you about that. Sam isn't here right now and I don't have his diary in front of me."

That seemed fairly neutral, and would give them some time to work things out. He sounded almost amused when he replied.

"That's fine, I didn't expect you to answer immediately. These things take planning when people are as busy as you and your brother. And I'm sure you'll need his okay before we can make any arrangements."

Smug bastard, thought Tilly. 

"We'll let you know. I'll speak to Sam as soon as I can."

"I bet you will. I'll be expecting your call."

He didn't even bother to say goodbye, he just hung up. Tilly took a deep breath to calm herself, and started at the phone in her hand in disbelief. This could not be good. She'd just about recovered from her shock when Sam and Tom barged through the door, looking like they'd raced here but so out of breath she'd probably interrupted something else they were doing. Sam didn't look impressed either.

"What was that about? It'd better be important," he barked.

"I'd say so. Adam would like to meet us for lunch."

Sam seemed to go slightly white. "Adam, as in.... that Adam."

"Yep. The one we aren't supposed to go near and who might just know we are Weres. Not to mention the one who might stick us in cages if he's sure."

"Alright, no need to rub it in. What happened?"

"He called Matt insisting he needed to talk to us, got put through to me and asked if we'd like to meet him for lunch sometime as he has things he wants to discuss with us."

"And what did you say?"

"I said we'd see him Friday," she replied sarcastically. At his look she gave him the real answer. "I said you weren't available right now and I'd have to check your diary and get back to him. I guess we need to consult Mark before we do anything else."

"That's for starters," said Tom. "What's he up to?"

"Well, the only way we'll find out is to meet him, but only if Mark gives it the okay, and only with a hell of a lot of protection in place first," replied Sam. "I guess a phonecall to Council is in order. Adam would be pissing himself laughing if he knew how much trouble one little lunch request would cause."

"Don't be so sure he doesn't have an idea," Tilly commented. "He seemed pretty sure I wouldn't be able to give him an answer there and then. We have to assume he at least suspects what we are."

Sam looked at her. "He suspected me, not you."

Tilly laughed. "And you were forgetting that he knows I am your sister? We never told him I was adopted either, so there's sod all chance he doesn't suspect just the same about me."

Sam took a deep breath. "Okay, let's focus. I'll call Mark right now."

Tom and Tilly waited while Sam made the call, and heard him explain what had happened. He was silent for a long time while he listened to the other man tell him what to do, occasionally answering questions. When he finally hung up he looked back to them.

"Mark is going to speak to the Council later today. He'll let us know what they say. His opinion for the moment is that if they do let us go we will have to take all the teams with us, nice public place, and people inside and out so we are safe. I got the impression he's not keen on the idea, but thinks we might get more information on Adam this way than any other."

The others nodded. Tom spoke first. "I doubt he's anywhere near as against the idea as I am. This does not sound good at all. I've no desire to meet the man, and even if we are safe I can't help thinking he'd be worth taking out rather than talking to."

"That's not going to help. Mind you, if he has any suspicions at all about us he'd be a fool to meet us anywhere he wasn't also safe. Even if he has no idea we know about the research centre he'll be thinking we are dangerous."

"And so is he. Plus if he thinks we are a danger he's likely to have men there too, which makes it even more dangerous for us."

Tilly interrupted the two Alphas discussions. "This isn't going to help. We have to wait for our orders and then do whatever Council says. Lets have the argument about how and why if we have to do it."

She left the two of them to their bickering, knowing that it was mainly Tom's concern for his mate and their teams that made him not want to do this. She didn't exactly like the idea, but she would follow orders, and they would do everything possible to minimise risk to them. The one thing that they had to consider is that this might be very useful. Adam knew a lot, and although it was unlikely he would tell them all he knew it seemed too much of a coincidence that he would call them now, after so many years. He had to think they were Weres and need something from them. She just hoped to God it was not more labrats.

Tilly headed blindly through the corridors and up the stairs to her room. She couldn't get her mind off what had just happened, and the only way she could think of to clear it was to see Dill. Slightly ironic that she had been avoiding him and now the fact that he would be broadcasting his lust to her was just what she needed to stop thinking about other things. As she'd said, it wasn't worth getting involved in further debate until they had their orders, but she didn't think Sam or Tom would be thinking about anything else either.

Dill's smile when he saw her lit up his face, and she smiled at him when she immediately felt his emotions. It didn't seem to matter whether she had been away from him for five minutes or five hours, he was just as pleased to see her and just as horny. She headed over to him to give him a hug and kiss, surprised when he pulled her fairly tightly to his body and didn't flinch with pain as he did it. She returned the hug fairly gently and looked at him, asking with her expression what he was doing, even though she felt his emotions ramp up in intensity now he was close to her.

"It seems I'm doing a lot better today," he said with a grin. 

She immediately knew where he was going with that line of conversation and tried to pull away from him to stop things before they started. He wouldn't let her.

"Don't do that. I'm serious. You know I'm not in pain, and I'm so nearly healed it's good enough for us to do some of the many things I think we'd enjoy."

"Dill, it's probably better if we wait until the doctor clears you."

Dill raised an eyebrow in question. "You'd prefer it if I asked him outright if I can have sex with you again?" She blushed. "Didn't think so. How about we start slowly and see how we get on. I've got to get back to normal activity sometime you know." He ended with a wink.

Tilly's objections were stopped by a passionate kiss that had her trembling all over. She hadn't felt that kind of reaction for a while, and as much as her rational mind said that they really should wait, her body and her cat took over. She returned his kisses with ones of her own, savouring the flavour of him and the feeling of their lips and tongues entwined. Their purrs were so low and soft they could hardly be heard, but she could feel his chest vibrating with the sound.

He gently stripped her, raising her dress over her head, and looking at her with desire when he had her naked. He pushed his trousers to the floor with his next move and noted Tilly's eyes moved straight to his hard cock. Dill didn't think he'd ever felt so desperate to have someone, and this was his mate, his forever.

Before she knew what was happening Tilly found herself being pushed back onto the bed, and Dill joined her lying on his good side and running his hand up and down her body. She could feel that she was getting hot and wet just from this. Perhaps it really had been too long and was time to let herself just be with her mate and feel all that she could. She rolled onto her side as well, pressing their naked fronts together and relishing the feeling of his hand running up over her hips and over her waist up to her breast. She sucked in a breath when he moved it down and started to roll her nipple between his fingers.

The evidence of Dill's arousal was pressing hard into her leg and when she moved his moan as they rubbed together filled the room. She heard him gasp and he tried to get closer to her to get some more contact. Her pussy was almost aching with need to have him inside her, and she wondered how to do it without hurting him. It came to her a moment later and she rolled over to her other side, enjoying the feel of his hand sliding over her skin as she moved.

Tilly raised one leg and tilted her hips back, letting his cock slide between her legs towards her centre. He got the idea very quickly and grabbed hold of himself to direct his dick inside her. Not having taken him for a few weeks he felt huge inside her and she groaned at the sensation. It was nothing compared to the groan he let out at finally being surrounded by her tight, wet heat. He started to move immediately, too desperate to wait.

The two of them set into a gentle rhythm, both loving being able to connect like this again, and panting and moaning at each new movement. Dill placed soft kisses on Tilly's neck as me moved behind her and used his hand to cup and caress her breast. His speed started to increase, knowing in himself that as much as he might like to make this last he was too excited at being able to do this to manage to stop himself from coming for long. He moaned as she met him with his movements again, instinctively knowing how fast he needed to go.

Dill felt himself building fast and it was only going to be a matter of moments before he filled his mate with his seed. He tried to let her know, wanting her to come with him. When his orgasm began he couldn't do it and the only thing he managed was to bite down hard on her shoulder. Her scream was a mix of pain and pleasure and he shot his load as she spasmed in his arms. 

Tilly kept her legs locked around Dill so he couldn't leave her body as they both panted to recover their breath. His arm was around her holding her as tight to him as possible, not that she had any desire to get away from the feeling of his hard body pressed to hers. Little aftershocks kept going through the pair of them. It had been fast and furious but so satisfying that Tilly couldn't help purring as she lay there. 

"Told you I could do it!" came his voice in her mind. "Next time I might even be able to make it last."

She turned her head so she could kiss him.

"That was fantastic. Don't worry about not lasting for hours. At least now we know we can get back into practice!"

Tilly expected a silly answer, but she just felt herself pulled tighter to his body. There was a moment when she heard him hiss slightly in pain but he didn't say anything. She just held still so as not to hurt him any further. His kisses along her shoulder started again and she heard him speak.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Just keep holding me."

The two of them stayed curled together, falling asleep wrapped up in each other mentally and physically after so long apart.

* * * * * * 

It was late evening when the call back from Mark finally came. Sam picked up the phone and kept his face blank as he spoke to him, even though he knew Tom was hovering trying to hear something of the exchange. He just listened for most of the call, finally speaking.

"I understand. We'll make arrangements."

Tom's face fell. They wouldn't need arrangements if it was a no. That meant he was going to have to let Sam meet with a man who was dangerous, with no idea what he wanted. And on top of that, as much as Tom didn't want the issue to get to him, he was an ex-lover. A relationship when Sam was young and insecure, but still, he'd made love to Sam like he had. He surpressed the urge to hiss his annoyance at that, trying to concentrate on the matter in hand as Sam hung up.

One look at Tom's face made it obvious he already knew the answer, but Sam told him anyway.

"I've to make contact and arrange to meet in a restaurant that we can station men inside and out."

Tom wondered at the word. "Men? So Tilly isn't going?"

Sam actually growled at that. "I don't like it, but Adam is expecting to see both of us, and on top of that she should be able to get a feeling for the situation that I won't. Her empath skills are pretty useful in situations like this."

"I'm coming with you."

Sam looked startled. "You can be outside or in the restaurant, wherever you like."

"By your side," said Tom firmly.

"I don't want to put you at risk."

Tom hissed loudly. "I don't want you at risk either. There is no way you are going to meet that man without me being right beside you."

"How do I explain that?"

"Perhaps you could tell him I'm your husband. That would explain it very easily." 

Tom's tone was a mixture of sarcasm and annoyance. Sam didn't like this idea one bit. If anything were to happen to him that was one thing, but his sister and his mate both in danger as well was not something he wanted to contemplate.

"Tom, please..."

"You aren't going to talk me out of this. We go together."

Sam dropped his head, resigned to having to agree. "We need to form a plan and speak to the team. Mark suggested Antonios as the restaurant. High end, and I know it's somewhere Adam would feel appropriate and he's been before."

"Plus the added advantage of being owned by Weres," Tom finished. "They can't know why we are there though."

"It will make it easy to get tables for our people. Get Finn and the trainees in for dinner, maybe Alex and Cal on the premises but out of sight and Den and Rob outside with a vehicle or two."

"You really think we should take Peter and Michael?"

"Again, Mark's idea. I know they need some field training, but it's a bit of an odd thing to take them on. Not exactly our usual type of mission, nor usual considerations."

"I can think of only one problem," said Tom.

* * * * * * 

"NO!" said Dill, almost shouting at the Alphas.

Tom shot a thought to Sam that he'd been right, before trying to calm the situation.

"Dill, you are not healed properly yet. You can't change, and you won't be able to defend yourself as you normally can if the need arises."

"I don't care. There is no damn way you are taking my mate to meet this guy without me being there."

Explaining the situation that had arisen and the information about Adam and his subsequent phone call to the teams had gone fine. They had explained that Sam and Tilly knew him from university, although left out that he and Sam had a relationship. The problem had arisen when they set out the plan for who would be there and Dill realised he was being left back at the mansion while Tilly would be face to face with the man who was probably responsible for everything that had gone on. 

Sam actually understood. He didn't want Tom there either, but at least he was an Alpha and fully fit. Dill was rather different and he had no place arguing. The problem with having mates on teams, especially when they were first together, was that they tended to be overprotective. Tilly was just as well trained as any of them, but Dill still wasn't prepared to back down on this one. Even Tilly's gentle coaxing of him to sit down and calm himself wasn't working. Sam sighed.

"You can go to dinner with the others, not meet Adam. It's not a good idea frankly, but there's not much chance of them working out who everyone is. If you so much as look in our direction during the meal I will personally make sure I never have nieces or nephews."

Dill sat back down, clearly not happy but prepared to compromise when the alternative was castration. Not that he thought Sam was serious about that, but he'd probably get some kind of punishment he wouldn't appreciate if he messed up. The fact he was only in the situation of not being able to protect his mate properly because he had ignored orders on their last mission was left unsaid. 

There was one problem that neither Sam or Tom had considered. Finn spoke up next.

"What if this is a trap?"

"That's why we are going in so carefully and with backup."

"I meant, what if this is a trap for Sky? If we all leave this place she's here unguarded, Adam knows where you live, and you've said there are more facilities around."

"Shit."

Tom just looked at his mate, startled by the response. Finn had a point though. 

"There's more to it than that though," replied Tom. "You're right, but it might also be an opportunity to search this place if he thinks we have any involvement with trashing the centre. We need to shut the house down tight, and it would be worth asking Mark to send some people to keep an eye out."

"I think we should take Sky with us," Finn carried on. 

Everyone looked at him in shock. He blushed, which made the stares even worse, and he was sure everyone was waiting for an explanation.

"I know this is getting overcomplicated, but I need to guard my mate too. And unlike the rest of you she doesn't have training and she's not in a position to look after herself."

Sam was the first to ask the question that was probably on everyone's mind.

"Your mate?"

"Uh, yeah."

"As of when?"

"About three days."

"Well, I guess congratulations are in order. And I don't suppose there is any point leaving her here. She'd be safer with all of us."

"Table for two?" Finn asked cheekily. "I've not taken her on a date yet!"

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 03



This story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes.

Thanks for the comments, votes and mails, all positive and most asking for more! I've got no idea yet how many chapters there will be but I'm writing chapter 7 and I do have the whole plot in my head and a lot written, it's just a case of getting it all down. If only I could connect direct to the computer without having to type it I'd be done by now! I'll be sticking with the weekly submissions of this, and I hope to get some other things finished up soon which I'll post when done. 

* * * * * *

3

"I really don't like this idea Sam," said Tom as they walked up to the restaurant entrance.

"You've said that several times. I know it's not ideal, but this is a public place and we have people in there and outside. We have to find out what he wants. Now remember, play nice both of you, and whatever you do, don't hiss or make any other cat-like noises."

Tom just gave him a look, saying quite clearly that he was not an idiot. Tilly's expression was pretty similar. Sam shrugged. This could be very interesting, but he didn't like it either. 

When they got to the door they were greeted and their coats taken. This was quite a high end establishment, the kind of place Tilly and Sam were used to and not surprised that Adam frequented. Tom was rather more uncomfortable in the plush surroundings. Sam gave their information to the waiter. "We're here to meet Mr Stephens."

"Right this way Sirs and Madam. Mr Stephens is already here and expecting you." 

They followed the waiter to the table, taking in the layout as they went like they usually would in unfamiliar surroundings. They also glanced around the people present, not lingering but all noting the positions of Dill, Peter and Michael who were sat together at one table, and Finn and Sky at another. The two of them were doing a fairly convincing portrayal of a loving couple, probably because it wasn't acting. However, Sam and the others knew that despite their apparent interest in each other, Finn was also on alert.

The waiter took them towards the back of the room where there was a small side room, separated from the main area by a thick curtain. They entered slowly, all nervous and wondering what would happen. They all knew that Adam was behind the kidnappings and the facility they had attacked. The question was what did he know and why had he asked to see Sam after all this time. It seemed too much of a coincidence that this was a purely business meeting.

Adam was sat at the table with another man they didn't know. While Adam smiled at them in welcome, the man looked very nervous, and Tilly felt his fear. She wondered about that for a moment until she saw his face. Just about managing to keep control of her expression, she shot a thought to Sam and Tom. 

"That's the man who attacked Dill."

Sam sent a thought back quickly. "I know. Keep control."

Adam started to speak. "Sam, it's good to see you again, and the lovely Tilly." 

He held out his hand, and Sam shook it very briefly. Tilly managed to stop a shiver of revulsion when Adam took her hand and kissed it. 

Adam then looked at Tom. "And is this your bodyguard?"

Sam felt Tom stiffen at his side and knew he didn't like the suggestion. "No, this is Tom, my husband. You wanted to talk business, and we are most of the board now. Tilly's husband couldn't be here but three out of four seemed good enough."

"It seems the make up of the family firm has changed a little since we last spoke. You've both got married huh?" he said, seeming to be deep in thought. "I don't suppose that there's anything to discuss that won't involve him anyway."

Sam wondered about that comment, but anything he might have said was stopped by the waiter coming to take their orders. They quickly looked at the menus and made their choices. It was a brief moment during which they were all able to calm themselves. Tilly was impressed at how calm Sam could be when they all knew what Adam had done, and they had the man that had nearly killed her mate sat across the table from them. She tried hard not to look at him, still angry for what he had done, but also at herself for what she had so nearly done. His arm was in plaster, so she had broken it as she thought. There was no way of seeing, but she could be fairly sure he had bite and claw marks on his body underneath that suit.

When the waiter left again Sam decided to move the conversation on. "So, what can our firm do for you?"

Adam laughed. "It's not about your firm Sam, and you know that. Our businesses may be in competition, but this is about your extra-curricular activities." He snapped his fingers and the other man quickly pulled out a briefcase and opened it, handing Adam a couple of files. 

"I forgot to mention, this is Simon, an employee of mine. You've already met."

Sam looked at Simon then raised an eyebrow. "Not that I recall."

"Then let me jog your memory." said Adam, opening one file and sliding across a photograph. 

The three weres looked at it, keeping their expressions blank. It was a view of the stairwell in the facility they had attacked, showing the moment after Tilly had been called off Simon's throat. Dill was lying on the floor, Tilly beside him, and Sam was staring at Simon who was backed against the wall cradling his arm with a look of fear on his face.

Before they could look up from the photo another was thrown on top of it, this time showing Tilly leading the way out while Sam carried Dill in his arms. Tilly and Dill were both in panther form, while Sam's body was human but his face still mostly wolf. 

Tilly looked at the other two men. Simon seemed to be averting his gaze from the photo and them, not wanting to see the reminder of what had happened. Adam was intently waiting for them to react. 

"That's bizarre." she said. "I don't see why you want to speak to us about some wild animals and a bloke in a mask."

Adam's expression and tone were patronising, and he threw another photo onto the pile. This one was a close up of the crotch of the human/wolf hybrid. 

"You'll note the birthmark on the thigh. These are stills from a video which clearly shows the transformation. That's you Sam, and we all know it."

Sam looked up and grinned. "You always were obsessed Adam. How long did the special effects work take?"

Adam looked angry. "If you want to play pretend then carry on. You know it's not special effects, and so do I. I have plenty more photos here." he said, almost dealing them across the table. 

They saw pictures of pretty much all of them, the lab being destroyed, the men being rescued, and Finn carrying Sky out of the building, the pile increasing as he emptied the file he was holding one by one. 

"I have more, but I thought it would be a waste of time showing you every last frame when you know what happened better than I do. It was easy to work out which one is Sam, I was wondering if you were there Tilly. Is this you, or this one?" he asked, showing them photos of Den and Rob.

Tilly laughed and easily managed to be amused since Adam had got it so wrong. 

"You think I'm a werewolf? I have to agree with Sam, you've always been obsessed, and you're only getting worse."

Adam's face and emotion told of his annoyance. The waiter coming back made him grab the pictures up quickly and stuff them back in the file before they were seen by outsiders.

"Fine, you can play it that way if you like. I know that Weres exist, and that these photos show werewolves and werecats. You can deny it all you want, but you're only here because it was Sam and probably also you two who entered my facility and stole enough data that it'd be a miracle if you didn't know I financed the operation." he looked at Tom then "Or is this all coming as a big surprise to you? Did you know you've married half man, half dog?"

Tom started laughing. It was helping to keep treating this as a joke, but really they were all surprised that there was so much photographic evidence. There must have been some hidden surveillance cameras because they had disabled the ones they had known about. He shot a thought to the others. 

"Bit of a bugger this, but I doubt anyone would believe him. Nice photo of your dick there love!"

Sam tried not to smile in response to the thought.  "We figured he was making contact because he thought I was Were, not because he had the birthmark to prove it. Still, it doesn't change that much, we just have to keep playing it cool." 

Sam looked up at Adam, just as their starters arrived. "So, I still don't see what you want Adam. What are all your pictures supposed to prove?"

"That it was you who destroyed my research base, and therefore you need to help me finish the job."

"What job?"

"I want to know how to change, become one of you."

Tilly and Tom had just started on their soup and both ended up coughing it up again. They looked at Adam to see if he was joking, but the face was totally serious. 

Sam was the only one who was able to speak. "You want to become a werewolf? And you think we can help you? You're crazier than I thought."

"I wish you'd stop saying that. I know what you are, you know I know, why keep pretending I'm crazy?"

"You just told us you had a secret research laboratory looking into how to turn a human into a werewolf. Are we supposed to think that's normal?" asked Tilly.

"Perhaps not totally normal, but when you want something enough it's worth taking unusual steps."

"Like kidnapping and torturing people to try and get the information you want?" she asked again, letting her disgust show in her voice.

Adam looked down. "I don't expect you to believe me, but that wasn't my plan. I should have taken more control of the operation, but I thought it would be best to keep it at arms length in case any of my normal business contacts got wind of it. Unfortunately I hired the wrong people and they took matters into their own hands. I never intended for anyone to get hurt."

Sam's reply was sarcastic to say the least. "I'm sure that would come as great comfort to the lab rats."

Simon spoke for the first time. "It's true, honestly. Adam sent me to check out what was happening. I arrived in the afternoon before the raid, and what I saw was shocking. I couldn't get access to those people who were being held because the men running the place had decided what they wanted to do and had no desire to stop."

Tilly couldn't stop herself. "Funny, from that photo it looked rather like you were joining in until you got outnumbered."

She heard the rebuke from Sam and Tom in her head while she was still speaking but it was too late by then. She stared at Simon, willing him to explain himself, and without realising it her eyes flashed her anger and her pupils narrowed closer to her cat form. She saw him flinch.

"I'm sorry. I was scared and confused. It might be hard to believe if you saw the end of it, but I was coming off worse in that fight. It got to the point of him or me. Did he..." he stopped short of asking whether the cat had died.

Tilly was tempted to answer, but before she could do so she heard Sam in her head. 

"DON'T. Do you want to blow your cover, or Dill's? You've already pretty much told them you know what he did. Let's hope he doesn't know it was you that hurt him."

Adam cleared his throat. "Simon, can you leave us? I guess it's not worth asking for Tom to leave as well?" The look Sam gave him made it very clear that wasn't going to happen. 

"There's nothing I want to discuss without him here. You don't get that choice."

"Fine. I wanted to explain some things, but I don't need the staff knowing about it."

"Go ahead. We're listening."

Adam looked nervous, but managed to speak clearly despite his voice being lowered so he couldn't be overheard. 

"When you two cut me off I spent a while wondering what I had done. I thought we were friends even though I knew Sam and I wouldn't last. You spent so much time trying to discourage me from my research into werewolves I figured you just got fed up with me, but I knew it was true even then. It wasn't long after that I discovered you were actually trying to protect your secret. I couldn't quite believe it. I'd had werewolves right under my nose all that time, even in my bed."

Tilly snorted her amusement, Sam stiffened, and Tom gave a glare that Adam decided to ignore. Tom wasn't happy hearing about that, even though he knew Sam had had a physical relationship with the man he really didn't want reminding.

Adam continued as if he hadn't noted their reactions. "I never stopped trying to find out more. I discovered that there weren't just wolves out there. I know there is some kind of government for your people. But more important than all of that, I found my mate."

The Weres couldn't help staring at him when he used the term.

Adam laughed at their expressions. "Yes, I know the word, and yes, he's a Were. In fact he's a wolf."

Sam couldn't help himself asking. "So if you have a tame werewolf, why do you need to research anything? Can't he tell you all you need to know?"

Adam looked annoyed. "Don't make it sound like he's my pet. I use the word mate advisedly. And no, he can't tell me. He says that as far as he knows it isn't possible. However, he also doesn't like to discuss it. I believe you two distrusting me still means that he doesn't entirely do so."

"This just gets weirder. If he's truly your mate then he wouldn't keep things from you. I find it hard to believe any Were would have that connection to a human either."

"He said you'd say that. I can't prove it but I can talk to him just like you guys probably have been talking to each other during this meal. Telepathy is a very handy skill."

"He's right there." said Tilly. "It means we can call him a dickhead without him knowing."

Tom couldn't stop himself starting to laugh, but he managed to put a lid on it quickly. The dirty look he got from Adam nearly set him off again.

"I'm sure that was hilarious, and at my expense."

Tom just glared at him. "You haven't done or said anything so far to earn any respect from us."

"I know that what those people were doing in my name have set you against me, and I understand that. I didn't want to hurt anyone, I just want to be able to be totally one with my mate. As long as I can't change and he knows Sam doesn't trust me that can't happen."

"Why does what I think of you have any bearing on this? Do I know him?"

Adam didn't answer straight away, but opened the second folder, taking out another photograph. He slid it over to them. "I think you know him very well."

Tilly gasped and grabbed for the photo, and Sam seemed to be speechless, just staring at the picture in front of them. Tom was the only one in the dark. "Who is that?"

His question wasn't actually answered, but Tilly shot up from her chair and had Adam round the throat in an instant. "What have you done with him?"

"Tilly. Let him go." ordered Sam. 

She turned to him and snarled. "He has our brother."

"I know. But pissing him off isn't going to help get Jake back."

"A bit of pain might."

Sam was tempted to let her hurt Adam, but he didn't think that would help them. "I said no."

Tilly reluctantly let her hold slip, and was amused when Adam gasped a little to get his breath back.

"So, what now? We help you and you free our brother?"

Adam looked at Tilly nervously as Sam spoke to him, especially since she didn't sit back down but stayed hovering near him. "He isn't my prisoner Sam. I told you, we are mates. He chooses to stay with me."

"And he chooses not to contact his family?"

"Yes. That has been his choice. I didn't meet him until nearly two years after he left. He told me that he felt he was living under your shadow, and could never become what you expected. You two did work that was so important he felt insignificant by comparison. It was only when I saw those photos I got an inkling of what that work was. Ironically, he also thought you might not accept him being gay. You also need to know, I didn't know for quite a while that he was your brother, and that was a big surprise to me. He kept his past and his wolf side hidden for a long time. And when he found out that I knew you two and what had happened he took your side on what I needed to know. As close as we are he still considers you his Alpha."

Sam considered that. He wasn't prepared to accept that Adam knew more about Jake than he did, but there was the possibility that he had left them because of those reasons. 

"Sit down Tilly. You'll have Dill rushing in here if you don't calm yourself."

Tilly again didn't seem keen, but she was also thinking over what Adam was saying and wondering if it could be true. She moved back to her chair and sat down.

"I can't imagine why Jake feels you are controlling Sam." said Adam as he watched Tilly walk away. 

Tilly bit at that. "You don't get to judge us. If you knew as much as you think you do then you would understand."

"I know that everyone does as the Alpha says, but it doesn't make sense to me."

Tom smiled. "You run a huge business and you don't understand the concept of being in charge?"

"That's rather different. I don't expect my employees to obey me 24 hours a day, or when it comes to their personal lives. How does it work being mated to the Alpha anyway? Do you just bend over any time he tells you?" he asked with a dirty grin.

Sam's connection to Tom made him aware of his intentions before he moved and he grabbed Tom's arm to stop him going for Adam. He smiled sweetly at Adam and decided to wipe the smug grin off his face. 

"I got tired of relationships like that after you and I broke up."

Tom laughed when he saw the look on Adam's face turn from smug to embarrassed. It was amusing to hear that detail about their relationship and to know that theirs was a lot more even.

Sam wanted to move this along. "Much as this banter is great fun, we were discussing the rather more important issue of you getting my trust and what you are doing with our brother. If he's so free why isn't he here explaining this to us?"

"He was worried you wouldn't want to see him after he left and hadn't contacted you for so long, and now he thinks it's even less likely because of me."

"He's our brother and we love him." said Sam. "It doesn't matter why he left, we want to see him. And if you want anything from us then you'll make it happen. If he's truly free as you say then he can come to the house and stay with us for a while."

"And let you spend all the time slagging me off so he won't come back?" Adam asked, clearly not keen on the idea.

"If your bond is as strong as you claim then nothing we can say would stop him leaving. And we don't put people in cages. If you're right then he might be able to persuade us you aren't what we think."

Adam seemed to be thinking this over. "Okay. I agree. It's going to be hard being without him, but if it will help in the longterm."

"We'll expect him at midday tomorrow, unaccompanied."

Adam looked surprised. "So soon?"

"Doesn't give you enough time to get the chains off him?" asked Tom.

Adam snarled, and it was so much like a wolf noise that the others started. "Perhaps once you've seen him you'll stop thinking like that. If you'll excuse me I'll go and let him know so he can pack. Your meals are paid for so do continue. I hope I will see you all soon, and it will be a rather more friendly meeting."

"We'll see." said Sam.

When Adam had left, the three of them just looked at each other, all in shock over what they had just learned. Each of them digested it in their own way and bolted down their food, eager to leave. They didn't want to talk out loud in case there was some sort of surveillance still there.




Friends and Foes Ch. 03



Tilly started the conversation, wanting to know Sam's thinking. "Why tomorrow? We shouldn't have to wait to see Jake."

"I don't want to either, but we need to clear out the house. I don't want him to meet anyone other than us three and Dill. Plus we need to make sure there is no Council information lying about."

"You don't trust him?"

"We don't know what he's like now Tilly, it's been seven years. And if he is involved with Adam we can't take the chance."

"For what it's worth, I still don't like Adam, but I believe him, at least about what he thinks of Jake."

Tom looked at her amazed. "You can't be serious. I take it he's good at shielding?"

"No, he's not. More than that, he does project. It would take a hell of a lot for a were, let alone a human, to not only shield but also broadcast what he wanted us to think. He genuinely cares for Jake. When you made that crack about the chains he was upset, and his emotions were saying he would miss him not that he had to go set him free."

"Well, tomorrow should be interesting." said Sam out loud. "Shall we head off now? We'll have to get ready for our guest."

"I can't wait to see Jake. We need to remind him we are still family and he can talk to us even if he won't stay."

The three of them left and headed back to their car, sending quick thoughts to the others that they should finish up and head back to the house whenever they were ready. They reassured them and said all would be explained later. Dill in particular didn't want to wait. Through his connection to Tilly he could feel her mixture of excitement and worry.

"What's wrong love?"

"Nothing babe. It's all a bit weird. It turns out our missing brother is living with Adam, and he said that Jake is his mate."

"Okay, that is weird. How does that happen?"

"We don't know. But we'll get to ask him tomorrow. He's coming to stay with us for a few days. I can't wait!"

* * * * * * 

Outside the restaurant Adam headed to his car. The back windows were blacked out but Simon could be seen in the front seat, together with a uniformed driver. Adam headed to a back door and got in, telling the driver to wait there for a moment. He looked across at the man already sat in the back, and spoke.

"That went as well as could be expected."

"You're still in one piece, that has to be a good sign."

Adam rubbed his neck, wondering if he'd end up with a bruise. The other man looked concerned. "Did Sam attack you?"

Adam laughed a little. "No, he was surprisingly calm and collected. It was your lovely sister who decided to shake me warmly by the throat. I guess I should be thankful she obeys her Alpha."

"So, what do we need to do to get them on side?"

"As we thought, they want you."

Jake looked at him sadly. "I gather from your expression I have to go alone. And soon?"

"You're to be at Sam's by midday tomorrow. Apparently that will at least show I don't have you chained up somewhere, although I was somewhat surprised they didn't demand I produce you there and then."

Jake smiled. "They want time to clear up. I'd be very surprised if I get to meet anyone other than Tilly and Sam, and anything that might give me information about what they are up to will be gone."

"I think you may get to meet at least a couple of others. I've just met Sam's mate, who took great delight in laughing at me, and apparently Tilly has a mate as well."

"Really? There's a lot I've missed out on. I wonder what they are like."

"Well, Tom's an arse. Cute though." Adam grinned at the warning growl from Jake. "Down babe, you know I only have eyes for you."

"You'd better. Especially if I have to leave you for a while." 

Jake's teasing drifted off as he saw Sam and Tilly coming out of the restaurant and heading to their car. He watched them in silence until they left. It had been a long time and they did look older than he remembered. He could just about smell them from where they were sat, and it was a strange reminder of home. The scents were familiar but almost forgotten, and mixed with other scents that he didn't recognise. The biggest surprise was what he smelt of Tom.

"That's Tom?" he asked, looking at Adam who nodded. "Strange. He's not...." he stopped himself from saying any more, and saw the look on Adam's face turn upset. "I'm sorry."

"You always are. One of these days you might trust me enough to tell me what you are thinking at moments like this." Adam said with a hint of bitterness. He knew there was something about Tom that had surprised Jake, but he also knew he may never find out what it was. Damn his misguided loyalty to a brother he had chosen to leave. "Let's hope this visit home makes some difference."

"It's not my home. That's with you. But I understand why you hate these moments, and I do too Adam, but I can't tell you things that aren't my business, let alone yours."

"Can you scent them from here? More importantly, can you scent any Were?"

"Yes, definitely them, and probably anyone. Why?"

"I just thought it might be worth finding out how much Sam distrusts me. If we wait here for a bit perhaps we'll see how many other Weres just happened to pick this place for lunch."

Jake looked at him. "I'm not sure I can do that. It's compromising Sam's people."

"How? I already know he's working with wolves and panthers, and how many. Assuming Tilly and Tom were also at the facility, even though you won't confirm it, there could be up to six more in there."

"You don't know what they look like though. One wolf or panther looks pretty much like another unless you know them very well, but their human sides would be easy to identify. And I have no idea whether Tom was there, I've never seen his other side so I don't know what he looks like." Jake now knew he was likely to be one of the panthers, though he wasn't going to mention it. 

Adam thought for a moment. "You wouldn't have told me Sam was in those photos, would you." He watched sadly as Jake shook his head.

"I had no idea you'd recognise him from his body."

"You know what Tilly looks like as well, I assume."

"Of course, but I'm not going to point her out to you."

"That almost sounded like an admission I do have her photo somewhere. I showed her the pictures of those two wolves that weren't obviously men, but she just laughed at me."

Jake couldn't help laughing. He knew why that would be. "I'd have been amazed if she'd pointed to one and said 'that's me there', wouldn't you?"

"I guess so. Back to the matter in hand though, how about you give me a number if you won't point them out? It will be to your advantage as well if you have to go into their territory."

Jake considered that. He knew they weren't running any surveillance, so he supposed a number couldn't hurt, assuming it wasn't more than six. He nodded his agreement. He'd been regularly sniffing the air anyway, but his senses were quickly alerted by a couple walking out of the doors. Adam looked at them with surprise.

"That woman is the one being carried out, I'm sure of it. She's been fed and cleaned up a bit, but she's the one from the film. I'd be surprised if that guy with her wasn't Were too, maybe even the guy who carried her."

Jake shrugged his shoulders. He didn't recognise the man, but she certainly was the one from their pictures. He could smell they were both wolf, and they were obviously close because their scents lingered on each other. He had no way of knowing if the man had been at the facility since he only had pictures of the wolves to go on. One had looked vaguely familiar but he didn't know who it was. The other two, including the one who had partially transformed, were strangers to him.

He sat quietly for a while, letting a good sixty people leave the restaurant before he suggested that they leave. Adam just looked at him.

"I think that's probably it. Most of the lunchtime clientele have left." he explained.

"And?"

Jake looked at him. "Five."

"Three other than that couple?"

Jake nodded. He was more surprised by the other three but didn't want to encourage any questions. There hadn't been any lions on their videos, but two of those men had smelled like they were. And the other, he'd be very surprised if that wasn't Tilly's mate. Otherwise he'd be unlikely to have her scent on him. He wondered about that, and figured he wouldn't be giving much away if he asked.

"You didn't meet Tilly's mate?"

"No. They said he wasn't able to make it." Adam paused and looked at Jake's face. "Do I take it his other engagement was pretty close by?" 

Jake just looked at him. He wasn't going to confirm that and have Adam trying to work out who it was. Adam's look back was annoyed again. He knocked on the partition to let the driver know they should leave. Jake decided if he couldn't talk about it, he could at least give Adam something to cheer him up, and he slid to his knees before his mate and heard Adam whimper, knowing what he intended to do. Jake had always found it strange that Adam made such animal like noises, but he loved it.

Jake's hands slid up the inside of Adam's trouser covered thighs slowly, watching his crotch and noting the swelling increase as he neared his objective. He gently stroked over the bulge, making Adam groan, and began to unbutton his trousers and very slowly undo the zip. Adam wriggled and his hands moved into Jake's hair. Jake stopped what he was doing and looked up at him. He took Adam's hands and moved them away from him and back to his sides. "Open your legs, and sit on those wandering hands of yours."

He waited for Adam to assume the position he had instructed, then looked up at him again. "Now sit still." When he was satisfied his lover was going to obey him, he started the slow slide of his hands up his lovers inside thighs. Adam whimpered again but didn't move this time, just watching and waiting for Jake to reach his most sensitive parts. His cock had grown due to the caresses and Jake's orders. Jake smiled appreciatively when he stroked over the bulge again and felt the hard ridge through Adam's underwear. He fully opened the zip and saw the head of Adam's cock straining against the cotton, gently mouthing it through the material and grining when he heard a moan.

Jake was enjoying the teasing, but he really wanted to suck on his mate. "Lift." he ordered, and as Adam did so he slid the trousers and underpants down to the floor of the car. He pushed Adam's legs further open once he had resumed his position, and started to lick at his lovers balls, slightly lengthening his tongue to his wolf like form so he could reach all around them and make sure every area was treated to the same warm bath. The volume of Adam's whimpers increased and he gave him a stern look. "Keep it down, or I'll have to stop."

He saw the look of lust and tension on Adam's face. The occasional soft moan could still be heard, but he was really trying not to make a sound. Jake enjoyed sucking Adam's cock, but even more so when he was taking control like this. He could feel his own cock straining in his trousers, but didn't want to deal with that now, he had some ideas for when they got home. Jake used his flexible tongue around his lovers shaft, mixing long slow slides up and down with quick laps over the head. He could feel Adam's body shaking with the combination of the pleasure he was receiving and trying not to move or make a sound.

Finally Jake took Adam's erect dick into his mouth and began to suck, gently at first but soon increasing the pressure. He put his hands down hard on Adam's thighs to help hold him still, although he was doing pretty well at it himself. Jake sucked the whole shaft into his mouth and throat and growled low to create vibration. It was too much for Adam and his back arched as he started coming straight down Jake's throat. Jake drew back to taste the seed he had made erupt and swallowed every last drop, licking around until he was sure he had it all. 

Jake sat back on the seat, and took in the sight of a sated Adam with a smile. When Adam's eyes opened to look back at him he couldn't resist kissing him hard, and making him taste the remnants of his own cum. 

"So, seeing as we only have one night, what would you like? Soft and gentle lovemaking, or would you prefer we get out those chains my brother thinks you keep me in?". Adam just whimpered again in reply, and Jake gave him a lecherous grin. "Chains it is then!". He sat back with a pleased smile on his face, eagerly waiting for them to get back to the house.

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 04



This story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes.

Thanks once again for the votes and comments, it's always great to get feedback, and fun to see how you guys see the story and the characters, and particularly fun that I got to surprise you!

* * * * * *

4

When morning came the house was almost empty, but those present were on edge. Dill tried hard to keep Tilly calm, but she was almost more nervous than the rest of them and finding it hard to shut out the combination of excitement and unease that they all felt. None of them could be sure how this was going to go, and as much as Sam and Tilly wanted to see their brother, it had been a very long time and they could not be sure what he was like now, especially knowing that he was involved with Adam. Sam in particular wanted to know more about that because he couldn't understand how any Were could say a human was his mate.

It seemed to take forever for the clock to move round to midday, but almost as the chimes struck on the large clock in the hallway they heard the buzz of the gate, and Sam pressed the security switch to open the gate to let Jake in. They could see from the cameras that he was alone. The four of them filed out to the top of the steps, Tom and Dill hanging back a little as they were aware this was more about the family reunion for the moment. 

Tilly thought that it seemed to take a long time for the car to actually arrive at the house. The driveway was long, but she wondered if Jake was taking his time since he would probably also be nervous of this meeting after so many years. As he finally pulled up she had to resist the urge to run up and hug him, knowing that Sam would disapprove. They waited and watched as Jake got out of his car and headed towards them. He looked so much more grown up than the last time she had seen him, and a wealth of feelings overcame her at the sight of her long lost sibling, who for a long time they had thought might not even still be alive. The thought of that had her running down the steps despite what Sam might think, and she threw her arms around Jake to hug him hard.

She was relieved when the hug was returned, although Jake seemed to try and disentangle himself quite quickly. The look on his face was amused when he managed to pry her off him a little and take a proper look at her.

"I need to breathe sister! It's good to see you too, but I would like to make it inside in one piece." He stood back and took in the sight of the house. "Strange to see this place again."

Jake then looked up at the three men stood at the top of the steps. He was glad Tilly had gone with the informal greeting because Sam didn't look quite so pleased to see him. The other two men were standing back from the action. He knew from seeing them outside the restaurant who they were, and had it confirmed that the man he had seen with the lions was Tilly's mate, although he didn't as yet know his name. He slowly climbed the steps, holding Tilly's hand as she seemed unwilling to let him go, and stood in front of Sam, bowing his head slightly to his Alpha.

Sam smiled a little at seeing the gesture of obedience from his younger brother. "Glad to see you remember how to greet your kind. Even if Tilly doesn't seem to." 

"You are still my Alpha, Sam. I may not have chosen to stay with the pack, but I don't have another."

Sam growled slightly. "I thought your "mate" would be your Alpha now."

Jake knew that was a sore point even before he arrived, but the tone of Sam's comment made it very clear he was going to get given grief over that. 

"It can't work like that and you should know that I have respect for our ways. If I'd mated with another Alpha it would be different, but he doesn't have any rank with our people so I'm still in this pack. Assuming you haven't disowned me."

Sam just stared at him, surprised that he was admitting to being part of his pack. 

"We didn't know if you were still alive Jake, we didn't consider disowning you." 

He left it unsaid, but that was crossing his mind now that he knew Jake was with Adam. Despite that, he was still happy to see Jake, and wanted him to know that before the difficult conversations that were to come. 

"It is good to see you though brother. I just wish it wasn't under such circumstances. And you already know I really wish you hadn't decided to mate with a human, especially not Adam."

Jake couldn't resist a little dig. "I see you've mated with a cat brother. Seems you aren't quite so strict on yourself." 

He knew he had gone a little far when he heard Sam growl again.

"He's Were. Species isn't important. And our sister is a cat too if you remember."

Jake looked upset. "Of course I remember."

Tilly decided to break the rising tension between the two brothers. "Jake, since Sam has omitted the introductions, this is his mate Tom." The two men nodded to each other in acknowledgement. "And this is my mate Dill." she continued, smiling broadly as she introduced him and Dill stepped forward to say hello. 

Jake was pleased that Dill also seemed to be friendly, as Tom was clearly taking Sam's side in this dispute and was polite but unsmiling when he was introduced. He understood them being wary of him, but it was hard to see how little Sam trusted him. They had never got on incredibly well, but he did respect his brother and wanted him to approve of what Jake did, even though it was clear that his choice of mate was not going to get approval, at least not yet. He really hoped he could persuade them to believe him, and soon, because it was going to be hard being away from Adam while this visit went on.

Tilly took charge and lead the way into the house. She could sense that Dill was tired, needing a lot more sleep than usual while he was still in the recovery stage. She smiled at him and let go of Jake's hand for the first time since he had got there to go to her mate. 

"Do you want to have a nap babe? I'll fill you in later."

Dill just nodded, and then kissed her lightly before heading up the stairs. The others watched him leave, Tilly's face showing her concern for her mate. When she turned back to the others, it was Jake's face that drew her in first. Sam and Tom knew why Dill was heading off, but Jake shouldn't. His expression and emotion were slightly confused, but he seemed to know something. He looked at her and decided to brave the question on his mind.

"Was it him that Simon attacked?" Jake didn't need to hear an answer when he saw the look on Tilly's face, the horror and fear at the remembrance of that moment showing clearly. "Sorry Tilly. I don't want to upset you, but I did wonder what had made you react like that. I could hardly believe it was you in that film, but it makes sense if you were protecting your mate."

Tilly looked close to tears, and Sam wanted to stop this line of questioning, knowing it was upsetting her. "It was Dill, but we would prefer not to talk about that. There are other things to discuss that are more important. Shall we head to my office?"

Jake just nodded at Sam, but moved to put an arm around Tilly to reassure her. "Sorry." he said quietly. He needed to keep her on side, because she was his best hope of getting anywhere with Sam. He knew she could feel his emotions too, and it would help his case if they knew he was being honest about him and Adam.

The four of them headed down the corridor in silence and filed into the office. Jake remembered the room well from his youth, when their father had spent much of his time in here. He took a deep breath to scent the leather bound books and it brought back so many memories, particularly of sitting on his father's lap as a pup, and latterly his fights with Sam when he didn't want to carry on in the family business. That part of the memories he needed to keep under control, because this was going to take a lot of talking, and he would do better not getting annoyed about anything.

The four of them sat in Sam's office. It was already slightly uncomfortable with tensions between them, particularly between the men. Tilly wished yet again that she didn't have to keep putting up shields to protect herself from the emotions that floated around. It was even harder knowing that her brothers did not trust each other and were each wary of the others' motives. On the other hand, she understood the distrust because it was down to Adam. If he hadn't been involved with the facility that kidnapped and experimented on Weres then Sam still probably wouldn't be happy about Jake's choice, but with that taken into account even she felt uncertain about why Jake wanted to be with them again.

Jake started the conversation. "I know this isn't going to be easy, but we really need to start talking about things so hopefully you will start to trust Adam and I. And as much as I am glad to see you, I want to be able to get back to my mate."  

Sam stiffened at the word mate, and Jake saw it. "You may not like it Sam, but he really is. I heard of the connection that you feel to a mate, and I never expected to find it in a human or because I knew I was looking for a man, but it's there. And imagine how you would feel if someone told you to separate from Tom for a week or more. I suppose I should be grateful you let us have one last night together." Jake drifted off, thinking about what they had done that night. 

Tilly felt the emotions coming from Jake when he stopped talking. His feelings for Adam were certainly strong, and last night must have been eventful. She decided to interrupt since Sam was just looking at him puzzled. 

"Jake, you're broadcasting." she said, letting him know she could sense what he was thinking.

Jake looked surprised for a moment then grinned at her. "I forget about your abilities sister. Since you're getting the gist anyway, why don't I show you something?" He put an image into her head before she had time to object.

Tilly jumped out of her seat. "Holy shit!" was her reaction to the image she saw. 

It was a still from the night before of Jake's view of Adam, tied to their bed naked and gagged, his eyes showing his desire for Jake and his want for whatever was about to happen. Tilly didn't really need any clues about what happened next. She calmed herself and sat back down, giving Jake a dirty look. 

"Don't do that again. There is such a thing as too much information, you know."

Jake just laughed. Sam and Tom sat looking puzzled, only knowing that whatever Jake had shown her was bound to be sexual in nature, but wondering what could shock Tilly. Sam was particularly keen to know. 

"What was that in aid of?"

"Just proving to Tilly that you guys really are wrong if you think Adam keeps me in chains." 

Jake laughed again when he saw Tilly's face, her look somewhere between amused and shocked. He wasn't sure if it was due to what he had shown her or his comment to Sam. 

"Are you okay sis? I'm sorry, but it was too good an opportunity."

"For you maybe. I may never be the same again!" Tilly replied, smiling at him to indicate he was forgiven, and she wasn't too horrified. 

Sam was rapidly putting two and two together and not liking the answer. His growl of displeasure got Jake's attention. 

"Please tell me you were not showing my sister pictures of Adam in some bondage game."

Jake's glare and growl were clear, but Sam wasn't sure why for a moment. 

"Our sister. And I'll do what I like."

"Well, that's pretty clear. Running off and leaving us not even knowing if you were dead or alive was the first clue. And then when we find out you are still in the land of the living it's only because Adam needs our help. You wanted nothing to do with us for years, and now you'll do what you have to to protect a man who's imprisoned and tortured our kind. Would you like to read about what he did to them?"

Jake snarled. "He didn't do anything. He hired the wrong people. And I know what was done to them, and I hate it just as much as you do, and so does Adam, although you won't believe that."

Sam laughed bitterly. "No, I don't believe it. He hired them, paid them, and financed the whole operation because of his obsession. Why would I believe he had no idea what was going on? Perhaps you are having trouble seeing past your obsession with his ass to what's really going on."

Sam and Jake squared off during their argument, ending up almost nose to nose and snarling at each other. Tom and Tilly looked at each other and both made the decision to move. Tom took Sam's arm gently, trying to pull him back and calm him down but got a growl for his efforts. Tilly took the more direct route and moved between the pair of them, pushing them apart. 

"Stop it, both of you. We need to be calm and rational about this, not end up fighting. You're grown men now, not pups."

The two backed away a little, but continued to glare. Tom tried again to calm his mate. "Sam, this isn't helping babe. We need to talk to Jake." 

He pulled him back further and sat down, taking Sam into his lap as he went. Sam turned to him, surprised to find himself sitting like that, and Tom just smiled at him. "This way I can keep you under control." he said, wrapping his arms around Sam's waist both to reassure him and to hold him back if he decided to go for Jake again. 

Meanwhile Tilly was backing Jake off and sitting him back down as well. "Chill brother. It's been hard on us with you disappearing like you did, and Sam's right, you have only come back because you want something from us. So you need to start talking and let us try and work things out."

Jake looked at her sadly. "I know. And I am really sorry for not letting you know where I was. I felt like I would always be living in Sam's shadow and while you seemed happy with that I knew I never could be. I only planned on it being a short break, but the longer I left it the harder I thought it would be, so I was a coward and didn't. I spent a long while wandering, living as human most of the time but letting my wolf free when I travelled from place to place. A couple of years in I met Adam at a hotel."

"Didn't you know who he was? His company is pretty well known, and has been in competition with us for years." asked Tilly, glad that Sam was staying out of this for the moment.

"It was a long way from here, and it didn't occur to me when I first heard his name. Well, to be honest, I didn't find out his full name until the next day anyway." 

Jake blushed slightly, recalling how they had hooked up in the hotel bar and enjoyed their first night together. Tilly cleared her throat to bring him back to the present. 

"When I realised who he was I gave him mum's surname as mine so he wouldn't make the connection. I wanted to see him again, and I thought if he knew who I was he wouldn't be interested. He said later that it wouldn't have made a difference, but I still think if he had found out then, especially given his history with Sam, I wouldn't have seen him for dust."

"When did he find out who you really were? And when did you find out he knew Sam and I?"

"That was pretty much at the same time. I came back from the conference with him two days after we met and stayed at his house. About a year after that Sam beat him to a contract he really wanted and he wasn't happy about it. Some of the things he said made me realise he knew Sam, not just as a business rival, so I asked about it. He told me he knew you both at university, and that he and Sam had had a brief relationship but it ended badly and you didn't speak any longer. I found out more details later."

"So you told him who you were?" asked Tilly gently, sensing Sam's discomfort at this whole discussion and wanting to get the information he needed without him getting involved.

"No, I didn't. I was sitting there in shock to be honest, because I never knew Sam liked boys too. Adam just started looking at me strangely, staring at my eyes. I guess he suddenly saw the similarity, because he said that he knew you had a brother called Jake, and last thing he'd heard Jake had done a runner. He just sat looking at me after that, but I couldn't look at him. I felt so bad for lying to the man I loved. I had to admit it and explain myself. I told him I didn't have contact with you and I had no idea he had been involved with Sam, just that he was a business rival and it might make him not want to be with me."

"How did he know you were a wolf?"

"That was weird. He didn't react badly to me having lied to him, he just sat there thinking for a moment and then straight out asked me if I was a werewolf. Of all the things I thought he might say, that didn't even cross my mind, and I was totally speechless. No-one has ever asked that; they've either been Weres and knew, or humans who have no idea we exist. I didn't answer, so he just started to tell me what he knew already."

"How much did he know?"

Jake looked a bit affronted at the question. "You mean how much have I told him?" Tilly shook her head. "He'd been researching for years, putting together details from folklore and eyewitness accounts over the centuries. You'd be amazed how much stuff is out there. Of course, most people don't believe it and just think it's fantasy, but Adam really accepted it was true. He explained he'd come across a test, using hair and some simple chemicals, that can show if someone is Were. When Sam first left he assumed he was just fed up of his obsession, but then he began to wonder and he ran the test on some hair he found. He couldn't believe it, but it explained a lot about Sam's behaviour, and yours Tilly."

"There's a test?"

"Apparently so. He said he wasn't going to run it on me. He loved me and it was up to me to tell him if I trusted him."

Sam's quiet and patience started to run out at that point and there was a noise expressing both amusement and disbelief before he spoke. "And you believed that?" The look he got from both Jake and Tilly shut him up again.

Jake carried on talking direct to Tilly, but his first words were pointed and directed at Sam. "Yes, I believed that. We had been together for a year and I knew him well and we both knew it was love. More than that, I knew we had the connection that made us mates, but I hadn't discussed that with him for obvious reasons. And I didn't just 'fess up immediately either. I thought about it for weeks. As much as I wanted to tell my mate the truth, I couldn't get past what Sam and our father always taught us about not trusting outsiders. In the end though, I decided he was family and he deserved to know."

* * * * * * 

Jake thought back to the night he had decided to tell Adam, or rather show Adam, the truth. He remembered how nervous he had been despite him being fairly sure it would not come as a surprise. It was the training he received as a child and the constant reminders to keep their secret that had made him fear doing it. He remembered how they had made love, slow and gentle on that occasion, and afterwards he'd left Adam sated in their bed and headed to the bathroom saying he needed to clean up.

"I've got something I thought you might like to see Adam." he'd called. "You ready?"

"For you babe, I'm always ready." he heard in reply.

Jake wasn't entirely sure he was, but he'd made his decision. He took a deep breath before he started the change, feeling the familiar tingle as his fur grew and his ears and tail appeared. He stretched out and admired himself in the mirror for a moment, not having seen his wolf for a long time. Hopefully this was the end of keeping that secret. He padded out of the bathroom slowly, noting Adam's eyes go wide as he saw him. "Oh my god. Is that really you Jake?"

He gave a soft growl in reply, knowing he couldn't speak to Adam like that. He headed over to the bed and leapt up onto it, keeping a little distance in case Adam freaked out. He didn't seem scared, more fascinated as his eyes ran over Jake's new body. His hand reached out to touch but he seemed to stop himself before making contact, so Jake pushed his muzzle and then head under Adam's hand to encourage him. Adam started to stroke his head then and tickle behind his ears, and Jake growled again, enjoying the attention. He lay down at Adam's side, pressing his body to his lover and receiving more strokes as Adam gained confidence touching him. 




Friends and Foes Ch. 04



Adam looked into his eyes before speaking again. "I knew it. How could you not be if Sam was. But actually seeing you like this..."

Jake growled again and licked at the naked body beside him. Somehow in this form the taste was different, more intense, and he relished it. His licks had Adam groaning, and that turned him on even more.

"God, you taste good," he thought.

"Mmmm, I love the feel of your tongue on me."

"I'm gonna lick you all over. Every last inch."

"I'm all yours."

Jake started slightly but Adam didn't seem to notice. He could have sworn that last comment had come straight into his mind. He looked up at Adam's face, his eyes closed as he enjoyed being pleasured, and kept a close watch.

"Tell me what you want baby. Tell me how good this feels."

"Keep doing that. You're making me hot again."

Jake stopped dead. Adam hadn't moved his lips but that had come across loud and clear.

"What's wrong baby. Why have you stopped?"

"Adam, how are you talking to me?"

"What are you on about?"

"You're not speaking, but I can hear you."

The reply sounded irritated for a moment. "Of course I'm speaking... Oh Fuck!"

Adam shot upright in the bed when he realised he hadn't been. His face showed shock and confusion.

"What have you done to me?"

"I haven't done anything. This shouldn't be happening. We talk like this, humans can't, or they shouldn't be able to."

Adam's face showed intense concentration, so much so that his features were screwed up and Jake couldn't help smiling.

"Then how can I do it?"

"I have no idea. You don't need to pull that weird face though, you were doing it before without thinking about it."

"You know what this means?"

"What?"

"There's no point gagging me any more!"

Jake needed to laugh so much he let his form shift back to his human one and let it out. Adam joined him in his laugher and the two of them lay on the bed giggling for some time before trying to speak again.

"Can you still hear me Adam?"

"Apparently. This is so weird."

"I've not done it in a long time myself."

"Well, now we've got that out of our systems, how about you change back and get on with licking me all over?!"

* * * * * * 

Jake related part of this story to the others back in Sam's office, leaving out the details of what they had been doing at the time and the precise conversation. They all looked shocked. Tilly continued her efforts to try and get the answers they all wanted.

"He'd never done that before?"

"I don't think so. When I thought back there were one or two occasions he might have heard me, but on the other hand it might just have been the situation. Certainly the first time I knew about it."

"But it shouldn't be possible. He said at dinner he could talk to you like that but I'll admit I thought he was just trying to be clever because he knew we were probably doing it."

"He wasn't lying Tilly. He hasn't lied to you."

A growl from over by the desk made it clear that Sam at least still didn't believe that. Jake and Tilly decided to ignore it.

"So then he knew about you, but what about the rest of it?"

"After that it was another couple of years before anything further happened. We enjoyed having that connection but I didn't realise that he didn't feel complete. He eventually admitted that the reason he had been reading all those books was to find a way to become like us, and knowing me as he did he wanted it even more. No matter how I explained that we were mates and had all of that, as well as the telepathic connection which was unheard of, he wanted to be just like me."

"You've told him it's not possible to turn someone?"

"Of course. But there's a lot of stuff in modern literature that says it is, the stories are there, and its the thing he wants most in the world, to be able to run through the woods with me, and... things that only we do."

Tilly guessed that from Jake's embarrassment and the way he had changed his words, he'd been meaning to say something about them mating as wolves. She decided to gloss over that fact.

"All the research they've done, we've seen plenty of it, and they haven't found a way. Genetics don't work like that. We can mate and produce young with humans but the Were traits diminish. Everything I've seen says that there's never been a hybrid that can transform."

"I know, I've seen their conclusions, and plenty of information as they went along. They didn't tell us how they were doing it though, you have to believe me on that. We only knew everything after that night you trashed the place."

Sam's voice came across again. "They didn't tell you. Doesn't mean that Adam didn't know."

Jake was irritated. "How could he keep a secret like that from me? I'd know if he was lying Sam, you can't do that to your mate and them not know. Nor would you want to. He was horrified that they'd been hurting and killing Weres. He wants to become one of us, not hunt us down. However, he thinks this may be part of something larger."

"We know there are other research labs," said Tom.

Jake looked shocked. "That can't be right. They told Adam this was the only place they could do the study. They needed what he could offer them."

"Who are 'they'?" Sam asked.

"We don't know. I certainly don't know. Adam didn't trust them to have anything to do with me. There were a couple of guys who seemed to share his interest, but now he realises their reasons were very different. That's what I mean by it being part of something larger, they approached Adam because they knew he had money and would fund something like that because he wanted to know more."

"There was already something going on, and they brought Adam into it, you mean?"

"Yes. Although how they found out about him I don't know."

Tilly thought for a moment. "He might be keen to keep that part of his life secret now, but it wasn't anything of the sort when we were at university. He was obsessed and everyone who knew him knew about it."

Jake looked at her oddly. "I find it hard to imagine what he was like then, and it's strange that you knew him and I didn't. I really don't like thinking about how well Sam knew him."

Sam's growl was clear. "I take no pleasure in remembering that either, so shall we forget about how dumb I was getting involved with a crazy human who wants to be a werewolf, and concentrate on why on earth you are doing it. At least I had the sense to get out of there, not show him I really was a wolf and help fuel his insanity."

"He's my mate and I love him," Jake snarled back.

"He's just a piece of tail. Which would be fine if he had one. He was already well broken in when I met him, god only knows how much cock he's had run through him since then."

Tilly didn't have time to react, Jake leapt past her so fast. He started to change as he went and by the time he reached Sam he was all wolf. He bowled Sam to the ground and stood over him, his jaws around Sam's neck as Tom finally reacted and tried to drag him off.

"You will not speak about my mate like that," Jake projected loud and menacing. He released his grip to snarl at Tom for interfering, and it was enough distraction for Sam to throw his brother off him, changing himself so he could do some menacing of his own. He was larger and he was the Alpha, and he would not let his little brother forget that.

"You would do well to remember your place. Mess with me again and neither you or Adam will live long enough to regret asking for my help in the first place."

Tom considered trying to get between them, but Tilly shook her head. If she wasn't going to get between her brothers for fear of getting hurt he sure wasn't going to try it. Plus if Jake hurt him, even by accident, there was a very good chance of Sam ripping his throat out, brother or not. You didn't mess with someone's mate, and Sam had very clearly been goading Jake even talking about Adam like that. It was no surprise that they were now growling at each other in the corner, it was more shocking that no blood had been drawn.

It took Jake what seemed like forever to start to crouch down and acknowledge the authority of his brother. Tilly breathed a sigh of relief when it happened. She didn't relish clearing up the mess and had been holding her breath while it all kicked off. She didn't even realise that her emotions had been so strong that Dill came storming into the room a moment later, clearly concerned for her. He took in everything before deciding she was not in danger, and taking her in his arms to calm her and himself down. With the unspoken support from her mate she managed to speak.

"Jake, I think it would be best if you came for a run with me for a bit. Perhaps we can continue this later."

She was pleased to see that Sam backed off, and Jake slunk away from him, still cowering a little although nowhere near as much as she'd expect given he'd just attacked an Alpha. She couldn't decide whether his confidence was a good or bad thing, but it was a reminder of how much he had changed and how little she knew about him after all this time.

Once the three of them were out of the room, leaving Tom to calm Sam down, she looked down at her brother. He got into the hallway before the shaking that seemed to be taking over his body succeeded, and he changed to his human form and curled into a ball against the wall, clearly crying. She ignored the hiss of warning from Dill when she went to gather Jake into her arms.

"He's my brother, he needs me."

"He's not blood."

She looked at Dill shocked. "You think that makes a difference?"

"It does to me."

"Deal with your jealousy Dill, he is my family. Blood does not matter."

She saw that Dill was still annoyed, but at least he did her a favour in shutting up. She really didn't want to get into a row with him right now, especially not with all the anger and hurt already floating around. She hugged Jake tighter to her and let him cry even though he was getting her dress and arm wet.

"How could he say those things? He knows how cruel it is to insult someone's mate. He nearly hit me for pointing out Tom was a cat. Adam is not a slut."

"He's angry at you for leaving us. He used the one thing that would really upset you to deal with it. No matter what he says, and how little he trusts Adam, he does love you."

"He hates Adam, and he hates that I am with him. How can I possibly get his help?"

"You can get my help. He won't fight the pair of us. Although from what you've said, I fail to see how we can do what Adam wants. None of us can make him something he isn't."

"Adam wants to help us find the men who contacted him. We need to know what their intentions are, especially if there really are other research centres."

"They are being dealt with."

Jake stopped crying and looked at her seriously for a moment. "I don't doubt it. Nice job by the way. I've seen more of the records they kept than I ever want to, and I'm glad you got those people free. Particularly that poor wolf. She looks so happy now."

"What?" Tilly exclaimed.

"I saw her, coming out of the restaurant with that guy. Plus your mate here and those two lioncubs."

Tilly's arms went from holding Jake to grabbing his arms and pushing him back into the wall, her concern over what she was hearing outweighing her worries over him right now.

"Does Adam know this?"

He looked at her sadly. "I knew you didn't trust him, but you don't trust me either, do you? I didn't tell him. We both recognised the girl from the tapes. I didn't know the guy who was with her anyway, although I guess he is one of Sam's team. All I told Adam is that of the 60 plus people who came out of that restaurant after you, five were Weres, and one was probably your mate. Tilly, he doesn't even know you aren't wolf. I love him, but I can't let him in on your secrets, not when I know how important what you do is."

Tilly relaxed her grip. "Sorry Jake. He said you wouldn't tell him everything because of us, but I was worried, especially about that wolf. She has been through enough."

She sensed that Jake was aware that she had deliberately not given him a name for the wolf, or any of the others, nor confirmed the lions.

"I'm not here to gather information Tilly. Adam knows no more than what he saw on those tapes, and I had no idea he would recognise Sam. Hell, even I only recognised you and him. Now I might know Dill if I saw his cat again. I'm guessing you cleared everyone else out, because I can smell plenty of other scents here. Since when do you guys have panthers and lions on the team?"

"You know I can't tell you anything. If you hadn't engineered getting yourself kicked out of training it might be different."

Jake grinned. "Guess I wasn't as subtle as I thought about that! You knew I didn't want to go in the first place, it was only because Sam was determined I would follow in your footsteps. He never stopped to ask whether I had plans for my own life. He doesn't seem to have changed all that much either, although no-one was ever able to control him as well as Tom seems to. Not even you," he ended.

"He found his mate, and Tom understands him. Plus doesn't take his shit either. They're a good match, just as demanding as each other when they need to be."

"Good. I'm glad he's happy. I just wish he could be happy for me."

"Give it time Jake. You only just came back from the dead."

Jake suddenly looked very sad. "I'm so sorry sister. I wish I'd called you at least, but I was scared you'd not want to know after I skipped out. I've been so happy with Adam, but you were always missing and it hasn't felt right."

Tilly hugged him back to her, ignoring the involuntary hiss from Dill, although Jake heard it and stiffened slightly.

"Whatever happens, we don't have to lose each other again. You can talk to me anytime." She heard Dill clear his throat behind her and felt his thoughts, making her laugh. "Apparently, you can talk to me anytime except when my mate is horny and demanding all my attention."

Jake joined in her laughter, although Dill didn't seem to find it funny that she had repeated his thoughts to her out loud to her brother. She let go of Jake and went to Dill to place a soft kiss on his lips.

"Sorry baby, but you were being a bit too obvious and possessive."

Dill hissed when Jake kept laughing.

"I'm sorry too, but this is just too weird. I never thought I'd get to see both my brother and sister in those early days of mating when it's all about wanting to keep your mate all to yourself. It's amusing to be on the outside seeing others go through it!"

Tilly gave him a disapproving look. "Seriously, you do not want to tease Sam about it, and you'd be unwise to tease me either. If you know what it's like you also know it's not a good time to be joking around."

"I do know. And trust me, I have no intention of trying to wind Sam up. I think that would be a little too easy, and probably painful for me."

Tilly nodded, aware that Dill's thoughts were getting stronger and all he wanted to do right now was get her naked. Even though Jake was her brother, his scent being on her was agitating Dill and as much as he tried to keep control of it because she had insisted, he needed to take her and mark her again. He knew exactly what Jake was talking about, and if he had his way now that he was nearly back to full health Tilly would be doing nothing other than writhe underneath him as he took her again and again. He knew that his thoughts were turning her on, and one little lick to the back of her neck had her shuddering despite the fact Jake was right there. 

Jake knew what was going on as much as they did, the smell of arousal was clearly in the air, and it was definitely time for him to be out of the way. Besides which, he wanted to talk to Adam, and he needed to be on his own for that.

"How about you tell me where I will be sleeping, and I can have a nap. I'm tired from the journey and all the emotional upheaval since then."

Tilly nodded, her relief evident. She called Rob from out the kitchen where he had been hiding and Jake looked amused to see the wolf there. 

"My guard?" he questioned.

"Not exactly. To make sure you don't get lost."

They both knew that was a lie, but Jake wasn't going to push it. He couldn't get lost in his childhood home, but Sam didn't trust him not to go wandering. He wasn't going to argue with that right now, it would only make things more complicated.

"Perhaps you would be good enough to show me where I'm being stationed then, and we can leave these two to get on with things," he said to the wolf, and was amused to see the equivalent of a grin back. He guessed that all the Weres in the team were suffering to some extent from all the newly formed matings.

* * * * * * 

Jake was amused to be led to what used to be his bedroom, all those years ago. It had been redecorated, but still reminded him of his childhood. As much as he had fought with Sam as they grew up, particularly when he didn't want to involve himself in the business or the commando teams, they had been close once and being here brought that back as well. He settled down on the bed and concentrated on reaching Adam, hoping that their link would be strong enough for the distance.

"Are you there baby?"

A pleased voice came back to him.  "I am. I'm so glad this works like you said, I miss you already."

Jake sighed. "I miss you too. It's been a stressful day so far and I could do with a hug. Tilly tried but it wasn't the same. Particularly not when she pinned me to the wall straight after."

He heard the concern. "Is it that bad? I feel like coming down there and having it out with them for hurting you."

"That wouldn't do any good and you know it. We have to take this slowly. They don't trust me much, and they definitely don't trust you. At least Tilly is a little open-minded. I'm not sure I can get anywhere with Sam."

"You have to try. This is important."

"Don't you think I know that? I wouldn't be here trying to get into their good graces if it wasn't. I'm just saying it is going to be very difficult, and I'm not enjoying myself."

"How has Sam reacted so far?"

"Growled at me, faced me off a couple of times, threatened to kill the pair of us, insulted you. Pretty much as expected, to be honest."

He heard the growl in his head. "If he hurts you..."

Jake laughed. "He's not going to hurt either of us if we play this right. Just leave it to me. I doubt I'll see him again today though, he's been left to cool down."

"Where are you?"

"They put me in my old bedroom. With my very own wolf to keep me company, just outside the door. I think that's telling of how little Sam trusts us."

He heard a sigh.  "We also suspected that might happen. He's worried you'll go wandering and find stuff you shouldn't. I take it there are very few people there."

"Just the two couples and my new guardian. And they made sure I only saw his wolf side. He's one of the ones from the centre though, I'm pretty sure."

"You'll let me know how things are going, won't you?"

"Of course. I'll be in touch as often as I can. Especially as there is one issue we hadn't planned for."

"What's wrong?"

"Not wrong, just frustrating. You wouldn't have picked up on it, but both Sam and Tilly are fairly newly mated, which means they are seriously overprotective and very horny couples. It makes life much more difficult for me because I have to get some time with them both without the distractions they want, and to make matters worse the pheromones floating round here are making me miss you even more."




Friends and Foes Ch. 04



Adam laughed. "You need a good fuck?"

He growled in reply. "That is not helping me. Please don't talk about things I can't have."

"I don't know. This has got to work better than phone sex."

"What?"

"Phone sex – talking to each other while we amuse ourselves. With me in your head and you in mine we should be able to have quite a lot of fun despite the distance. It might not be quite the same as being together, but it will be a lot better than nothing. How about you get naked and we give it a go?"

"What about you?"

"I'm already naked."

Just those words sent a shiver through Jake and he threw off his own trousers quickly, already noting his cock starting to come to life.

"I'm with you baby."

"Mmm. You have no idea how hard I am already, just thinking about your tight body lying there, and that hard cock of yours. I love that cock and I miss it. I can't wait until I can hold it again, lick and suck it again, and most of all feel it filling my ass."

Jake let out a groan. He'd started stroking himself to the sound of Adam's voice, and his dirty talk was already working well, not to mention the fact that even at that distance he could feel his pleasure and desire. The connection between them was strong enough that he could almost feel his hand was around Adam's cock and vice versa.

"God baby, that feels good. I miss filling you as well. I love being with you and playing with your hard body, getting you ready so I can take you hard. You love that the most, don't you, when I take total charge and your body is all mine to use however I desire." Only a wanton moan came back to his mind so he continued. "I can almost imagine it now, me starting to fuck you harder and harder. I'm hitting that spot inside you that makes you let out all those delicious noises that turn me on so much."

He was hearing a good few of those noises anyway, and he could feel himself starting to tremble, working towards the inevitable climax.

"When I get back I'm going to tie you up and play with you for hours. Tease you and touch you, and make you suck me dry before I tease you some more. Then when I can't take it any longer, and I'm hard again and aching to be inside you, I'll seat myself in one long hard thrust and make you scream my name while I pound away at your asshole and fill you with my cum....  oh Fuck!" he shouted the last part as he came hard at what he was imagining, and he felt Adam doing the same.

He lay there panting for some time, eventually recovering enough to hope that his guard dog had not heard him, and figuring it was pretty likely he had. As he started to realise he really was drifting off to sleep he sent out a final thought to Adam.

"You still with me baby? That was hot as anything. Great idea of yours!"

"I agree," came the sleepy and satisfied sounding reply.

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 05



This story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes. Unusually, this particular chapter only has m/f!

Thanks for the votes, comments, and mails. To the several people who mentioned it, I really am sorry you have to wait a week between chapters! I wanted to get some more writing up and put pressure on myself to concentrate on this story because I have a habit of having several stories on the go at once, all wanting to be written, so I jump around between them depending on my mood and what I fancy writing, or what is nagging to be written the most. Hopefully everything will get finished and up on Lit at some point. I'm managing to stay a good bit ahead of you with this one, so I can post regularly, but it's an awful lot of typing!

* * * * * * 

5

While the team leaders were meeting their long lost brother, Finn was driving Sky to HQ so she could be interviewed. He didn't like it, and although she had agreed to go, he could feel she was nervous. Since he'd met her the only thing he cared about was keeping her safe, and making her go through this felt like he was putting her in danger. He knew she'd not told him much and the rest she was keeping bottled up. She had opened up about her life before she had been captured and even that was hard for him to hear because she had been so alone. Growing up without a family to call her own must have been difficult, but somehow she had come through that and the research centre and he had found his mate.

He gave a pleased little growl out loud at the thought she was his mate now and he heard her laughing softly.

"You getting all possessive again?"

He grinned at her. "Can you really blame me? Even if I was a complete idiot and wanted to fight my attraction to a beautiful woman, nature doesn't allow it. You're mine now and I couldn't be happier about it." 

Sky blushed and looked across at her mate. She couldn't be much happier either, although what they were heading to do was terrifying. There were some things that she wasn't sure she wanted to tell Finn, but she knew he wouldn't leave her side during this. Thank god she was never raped, although the things they had done to her... she shivered at the thought. Before she could get her mind back to Finn he had pulled the car over and wrapped his arms around her. 

"I know you're scared love, but I will be there to help you through this. Just don't shut me out. It doesn't matter what happened, it will never happen again because I won't let anyone hurt you."

She wondered how he knew almost exactly what she was thinking.

"I'm going to need you there. I don't really want to talk about it yet, but I know if I keep things bottled up it will end up eating away at me and getting between us. Plus any way that I can help I want to. If there are others being kept like I was then I need to do what I can."

"I know you can do this. You're stronger than most otherwise you'd not be doing as well as you are. It will be good to talk though, work it through."

She smiled at him. "I'm doing so well because I have my strong mate to help me. You saved me and you still are, every day when I see how much you care about me, and there's that sexy little twinkle in your eyes that says you want me."

"Always," he growled.

"You'd better start driving so we can get to HQ then, because there is no way I'm doing it with you on the back seat of a car in broad daylight."

"How about at night?" he grinned.

He heard an exasperated little sigh from her, but knew it wasn't serious. She was just as happy for them to be naked in each others arms as he was, and sometimes she took him by surprise with her desire for him. Part of him wondered if that was down to wiping out memories, and he had the feeling sometimes that when she was feeling too much from that time she used being with him to wipe that from her mind. He understood and didn't mind since it worked to his advantage as well, but if she didn't get to talk it through he was concerned about how it would affect them longer term and was glad to hear that she recognised that too.

* * * * * *

By the time Finn finally pulled up to HQ a couple of hours later, Sky had fallen asleep. He couldn't help taking a moment to look at her, so peaceful and gorgeous, and all his. She still tired easily, and it didn't help how active the two of them had been, but she didn't regret a moment of it, and he loved being able to watch her sleep. Sadly he couldn't do that now, and he gently shook her to bring her around.

"Hey baby, we're here."

She sat up, her eyes widening when she saw the building.

"And I thought Sam's house was big. This place is massive!"

"Did you really think the Were Council had a less impressive house than Sam? This is only the tip of the iceberg, as it were. There's loads more of it underground, plus the land around for miles, and the training camp where we all learned our trade is on site as well."

"I guess it's a pretty big organisation. You have to forgive me being stupid, but I don't really have an idea of how many of us there are, or what species, or much to be honest."

"I don't know how may of us there are either. Lots, I know that. Most are pretty integrated though and live amongst humans without anyone knowing. And species wise there's plenty as well. I'm not sure I could tell you that either, but it's mostly cats and dogs here. Apparently we are the best at paperwork!"

He was pleased to get her laughing, because it distracted from the huge doors they were heading towards. He knew there were plenty of guards too, but he suspected Sky would only know about the ones she could see. Not that either of them were in any danger here, but the Council had to take security seriously. He was surprised that when they got past the door guards the person waiting to meet them was Mark. He bowed to their leader, not sure whether to be amused or embarrassed that Sky was paying far more attention to their grand surroundings than the head of the Council. He nudged her to get her to notice Mark, and decided on embarrassment when she offered her hand to shake his.

Mark gave an amused smile as he shook hands with Sky, and a wink to Finn who was squirming over the human greeting.

"Hello Sky. It's nice to meet you. And good to see you again young man. I'm afraid I've missed the pair of you the couple of times I've been to see Sam lately."

Sky looked confused. "You've been to the house?"

Mark laughed. "I'm Peter's father. Plus on the side I head the Council and order Sam and Tom about."

Sky suddenly realised his importance and her face flushed. "Sorry, I didn't know who you were." She looked crossly at Finn. "You might have told me."

"I didn't get a chance. If it helps, he was just about the last person I was expecting to be here to meet us."

"I wanted to see you both, and I'm heading up all the information gathering so it makes sense. Plus, it's always good to meet a member of my favourite team. I'm rather proud of my pet project in inter-species co-operation! I'll show you where you'll be staying and you can do what you want for the rest of the day, although there's dinner later."

"We only need one room," said Finn quickly.

Mark just smiled. "I know, I have been informed. Although it's usually pretty obvious to us old-timers even before these things happen."

He led the two upstairs, and Sky was relieved that they would not be staying underground. She needed a window now so that she would see the outside world. Too long deprived of that made her fearful of being anywhere she couldn't see out from. Finn must have sensed something going round her head and he put his arm around her and pulled her close as they walked. She loved having someone who could tell when she needed their support without her having to ask. She'd never had that until she'd been rescued and now she had friends and what she could consider family, as well as the man of her dreams. 

All she needed to do now was get this trip over with, and get what she could out in the open. Perhaps they might even be able to explain some of the strange things that had been said and she would get some answers about her family. She must have one somewhere, and they might just have a record. Then she remembered that Tilly didn't have her birth family, and she must have tried to find out why she had been abandoned. Perhaps her adoptive family had been enough, but Sky didn't even have that connection and she needed to know anything she could.

Mark showed them to a light and airy room, leaving them to get settled in. It was painted a peaceful blue colour that instantly made Finn think of Sky's eyes, it matched her so perfectly. He was glad the set-up here was much the same as at home and they had a large bed to share. Not that they needed that much space, he made sure to curl himself around Sky as close as possible every night now that they finally could share a bed, and he didn't plan on that stopping anytime soon, if ever.

Thoughts of Sky and him in bed immediately had his libido and his dick rising, and Sky noticed and was amused.

"Again Finn? I'm tired," she said, teasing more than denying him what he was imagining.

"You slept in the car," he replied with a growl, sweeping her off her feet and onto the bed.

Sky just laughed at him, definitely not having any objection to him having what he wanted because she knew by now it would be really good for her too. As soon as he gave her space, stripping off his clothes, she wriggled out of her own and saw the usual intense look in Finn's face as he gazed at her with need. Being wanted like he did was a new experience, but one that she was glad to get used to.

"Come here baby and show me what you've got," she teased, able to see perfectly all of his beautiful body and his hard dick that was pointing almost to the ceiling. She knew she was getting wet just at the sight of him and the thought of what he would do next. She heard him growl before he pressed his body on top of hers and kissed the breath from her body. The teasing ended there, because all she could think about was the feel of his body on hers and how much she needed to feel him inside her.

Finn started to lick his way down his mates body, his wolf growling with delight at being able to do this and the wanton sounds she made as he enjoyed her body. He wanted to taste her but she grabbed hold of his arms and brought him back up. She didn't have the power to stop him if he insisted but he consented to her wishes about this and kissed her hard, hoping she would tell him soon what she did want. His cock was hard and leaking and nestled between her thighs which was a pleasurable torment, close but not close enough to her wet pussy. She groaned and drew away from his lips so she could speak. 

"I don't need foreplay. Please, fuck me."

Her voice was deep and tense with her arousal and sent shivers through Finn. He didn't need any more invitation than that, although her legs opened further so he could get access to her as well. He gave another possessive growl as he found his cock nestled at her entrance and thrust it in with one long hard stroke, making both of them moan aloud. The physical connection renewed their bond each time and he would also make sure he marked her because knowing how many people were around and what she had to do here, he needed that extra reassurance for him.

Her body had started moving almost immediately, and he could only join in the rhythm she had already set, pushing in and out of her body and feeling it welcome him in every time. He tilted his head slightly so he could kiss her as they worked together towards the inevitable conclusion, tender kisses contrasting with his ever more fast and forceful thrusts into her tight body. He needed to come in her and could feel both of them getting closer. 

His lips moved to her neck, sucking and licking her there before he bared his teeth and bit down, fairly softly but enough to leave a mark for a few days. Her cry was a response both to the sudden pain and because she was coming, her pussy pulsing around him, and with one final push he was spilling his seed inside her and moaning her name as the bright lights flashed inside his head. His arms lost their strength to hold him up and he collapsed on top of her and feeling the aftershocks going through both of them. Exhaustion of the best kind flowed through him and he thought of rolling her into his arms and sleeping for a while.

Before he could move he started to feel Sky's body trembling beneath him, and he cursed himself for squashing her, he was a lot bigger and heavier. He rolled and moved his arms around her so they would still be together but she would be on top. His eyes didn't open for a moment, but when her trembling didn't stop he had to check on her. He expected her to look as sated as he felt, but although he could see that on her face she also seemed distraught and near to tears and he became frantic.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

She just shook her head, trying to move her face so he couldn't see her cry. She had felt amazing, as always when he took her, and then the doubts and fears had started to surface again and she realised what she had done was not fair on him. Not that he hadn't wanted to have sex with her, but he didn't understand. He tried again to get through to her.

"Tell me what's wrong Sky. I need to know. I can't make love to you and then have you in tears without knowing what I've done to hurt you and putting it right."

"It's not you," she replied, her voice trembling as she tried hard not to let any tears fall. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? You haven't done anything wrong, that was incredible."

Sky tried hard to calm down so she could talk to him properly. If it wasn't bad enough that she felt like she was using him, making him think he had upset her as well was too much for her to bear.

"I'm scared."

He held her tighter and kissed her softly wherever he could reach.

"I know, but I'll be right there with you to help you through it."

She sobbed again. "I've been using you to get rid of the bad thoughts. When I remember what happened at the centre or get scared of talking about it then I use you to clear my mind."

"I know that too."

His voice sounded so matter of fact she stiffened. It sounded like he didn't understand, or it didn't matter to him what her motives were as long as he was getting what he wanted. She started to get angry with him just over those few words.

"You don't care," she said as an accusation.

His body stiffened as well then, and he rolled them over so they were lying on their sides. She tried to move away from him but he wouldn't let her go, holding her head so she had to look at him, although she tried to keep her eyes down so she didn't see his gaze. She was fully expecting him to get angry with her now, but when he started to speak his voice suggested he was upset not angry.

"Look at me Sky." The order had her reluctantly meeting his gaze, but his expression was soft.

"I care that you were hurt and about what you went through, and have been through your whole life. I know that sometimes when we are together you're creating good memories with me to block out the bad ones, but I understand. If there was some way I could make you forget it all, or that it had never happened, I would, but if all I can do is hold you and make love to you when you need that comfort then I will. I love you and I will do everything I can for you."

His words were too much and she finally let the tears flow, although now she was crying for a different reason, and he wasn't worried by it he just held her as she let it out. She clung to him, still wondering how she had been so lucky as to find a man who understood her and loved her so much. His strength and his love would get her through this.

"I love you too, you know that don't you? I wish you could have met me before all this, when I wasn't so screwed up."

"No-one can control how or when they meet their mate. I'm just glad that I have you now. I think we should have a nap, and then we can shower and go for dinner. The food here is really good."

Sky actually smiled at that. "Typical. Got laid and now all you can think about is food!"

"Not all. I'm also thinking about how I can get laid again after dinner!"

* * * * * *

After waking and sharing a long hot shower together, mainly due to their inability to keep their hands off each other, they dressed and Finn led the two of them down to the canteen. He'd rarely stayed in the main house, and the facilities here were a far cry from the training camp where he'd lived during his commando training years earlier. He'd enjoyed that time, but he appreciated his creature comforts a lot more now. He was probably very lucky that he'd met Sam early on and ended up in his team, because it was rare now for him to have to spend time stuck in basic accommodation and he'd rather got used to it.

Sky was by his side all the way, knowing she was safe amongst these people, but not wanting to stray far from her mate when there were so many unfamiliar people around. There were dozens of people eating and talking in the hall where they ended up queuing for their food, and she took the sight in with surprise. She'd never seen so many people knowing they were all like her, or at least similar. They were from a variety of species, she knew that, but there was little way of telling when they were in this form, or at least not that she knew about. There was a strong mix of scents too, which she found confusing.

Getting their plates full finally, she was amused to note that Finn had twice the amount on his plate than she did, even though she thought she had taken quite a lot. He noticed her grin.

"I have to keep my energy up somehow! Plus, the food really is good, and it's a lot nicer when you didn't have to cook it."

"You hardly ever cook," she teased.

"I chop things when it's my turn to help. Trust me, you would not want to eat anything I had actually prepared. Cooking is not one of my many talents."

She laughed. "I wasn't aware you had that many talents."

"I'm pretty talented at turning you on and getting you moaning my name and begging for my cock," he replied direct to her head, not wanting everyone else to hear even though no-one would be shocked. He was wrong about that, because the look on Sky's face told him she had been a little surprised. He just grinned at her, and might have followed up his thought if he hadn't heard his name called. A quick check round the room revealed the source, and he smiled, grabbing Sky's free hand and leading her to sit with two men at one of the tables, introducing them as he sat.

"Sky, this is Steve and Dev. I was in training with Steve, although he didn't leave for long and ended up back here teaching. Guys, this is my mate Sky."

The men nodded to her, although Steve seemed particularly interested and grinned at Finn.

"Finally found the girl for you then! It's nice to meet you Sky."

Sky was a little nervous of meeting new people still, but she was polite. Eating her dinner was the most important thing to her right then as she was really hungry, so she left the men to talk. Dev was also pretty quiet and it was mostly the two old friends catching up.

"Well done by the way. Obviously news of your mission was not supposed to reach the training camp, so all the trainees know about it!"

Finn laughed. "As per usual then. I never knew how the rumours got about, but we always knew plenty."

"A lot of it is because everyone has been warned. How other information leaked out I don't know, but everyone has to be on guard these days."

Finn knew this conversation was uncomfortable for Sky, he could feel her response. He moved closer to her for reassurance and sent a thought to Steve to change the subject. He didn't need to tell Steve exactly why Sky was upset by conversations about the danger, he would assume either she had been captured or some of her family had and either way he wouldn't mention it further. Finn decided to start up their chat again with a different topic.




Friends and Foes Ch. 05



"So, you guys still happy teaching the next generation? Have to say, they all seem wet behind the ears these days, but maybe I'm just getting old!"

Steve pulled a face. "We are getting old! You have no idea how much it feels like that when you have these teenagers coming along who think they already know everything. Each year the new intake comes there's at least a few that are only 18 and each year I'm another one older. I swear they look at us sometimes and assume we are ancient!"

"Still get a few trouble makers in too, I suppose?"

"They don't make it far. I don't think we've had a major issue for nigh on a year now when we had to throw a couple out for bullying. That reminds me though, you have two of our recent stars with you now I gather."

"They're good lads, and been very helpful. Why did kicking the bullies out remind you of them?"

Steve looked slightly uncomfortable for a moment. "Michael was their target. Peter stood up for him when he found out and ended up getting in a fight about it, which I had to break up. I have to say I was glad they went together because they are such good friends. I was impressed at how Peter handled everything and how well he looked after Michael afterwards. They were always close, but after that they were pretty much inseparable."

Both Finn and Sky started laughing, knowing just how inseparable the two were now. The other two looked more confused, which puzzled Finn as he had assumed the reason for Michael being bullied and he knew that Steve and Dev were mates. 

"What's so funny?" Steve eventually asked.

Finn grinned. "Well, I was wondering how you of all people didn't realise just how close those two are!"

Twin looks of shock met his eyes and he started laughing again. Steve was the first to recover and speak.

"As in..."

"Yeah, as in lovers. I guess that could be a fairly new development, seeing as they wouldn't have had much privacy in camp, but Mark sent them to us because he thought they were involved with each other."

"I guess I just assumed it was because of what you were doing, and his idea of merging the teams and species."

"It was. But you'll have noticed the teams he merged both had gay Alphas. I gather he thought they might help the lads realise that it wasn't going to be a problem for them."

"We told them that. But after it came out about the bullying Sandra found out too, and you'll know she is seriously anti-gay. Whenever she saw Michael she made it pretty clear she disapproved."

"She had a go at Sam and Tom in a Council meeting too. Nasty piece of work as far as I'm concerned. We were all working damn hard, they deserved to have a life too. None of the team cared that they'd mated, and we were the ones who had to work for them."

Finn was suddenly staring at another pair of shocked faces and started laughing again.

"Seriously guys, you may think the gossip is good in camp, but you are way out of the loop. Sam and Tom got together, and Tilly and Dill. Since Peter and Michael also came out and admitted they are in love, and I found Sky, Mark isn't quite sure whether he did a team merger or started a dating service!"

The four of them started laughing together then. It was a nice moment, particularly for Sky as it was another way to make her forget what she was here to do. She knew that Finn could still feel her nerves, but she felt better able to cope with this the more she got used to the situation. These were the good guys, and any information she could give them would help anyone else who was like her. If indeed there was anyone like her. She seemed to have had a unique upbringing, and some of the things they had said about her at the centre still puzzled her.

Once they had finished eating, she sat for a little while taking in the scene while Finn chatted away, but soon thoughts of what else they could now be doing started to filter into her mind. As much as she was enjoying the company, having him all to herself seemed like a very good idea. She would be able to strip him naked and caress that hard body she couldn't get enough of. Her thoughts caused her to let out an involuntary growl, and although Finn was as embarrassed about it as she was, Steve was just laughing.

"Fairly new mates I take it?! I don't know if it will make you feel better, but the frantic urges to have your mate wear off after the first few years. Well, don't happen quite so often, anyway." The correction was caused by a nudge from Dev that indicated the two of them were just as hot for each other after all the years they had been together. The nudge was lost on Sky at that moment, she was overwhelmed with her need to get Finn alone and in her. He managed to give an apologetic look to the others, but it was pretty clear where they were going and why, and the guys were just grinning at him.

As soon as they got out of the main hall Sky set off for their room at such a pace that Finn was unprepared and had to run a few steps to catch up to her. He would have laughed, but knowing that she wanted him so much at that moment had him just as turned on as she was and as eager to take her even though it had been less than two hours since the last time. He wondered whether the stress of this situation was going to make her need him more but decided that if she did it could only be a good thing.

She surprised him when they reached their room and were alone. Once he had shut the door he found himself pressed back against it and her taking the lead, kissing him hard and stripping him of his clothes before he had chance to move. She slipped his trousers down but left them on his ankles, and when her hands were free they came to his wrists to hold them to the door. The show of dominance made him even harder than he already was. He could easily break her hold but he was content to see what she had in mind.

Her mouth was on him a moment later, licking and sucking at his erection and making him groan. Without using her hands she was still able to do so much to him, and somehow take almost all of his dick into her mouth and throat. He just stood and let her give him the pleasure, crying out as she worked hard to make him come, and he knew she wouldn't have to wait long. His body started to shake and stiffen and he pressed back harder into the door for support before he began to shoot. Her name was a long and low growl from his throat as he came hard, feeling her swallow and then lap up the rest of his seed.

It took Finn a few moments to recover, and Sky was clearly pleased with herself when he looked down. His legs wobbled slightly as he put his weight back on them, but he was able to stand and grab for her, lifting her over his shoulder and carrying her to the bed with a possessive growl of his own. It was his turn to play and she found herself stripped of her dress before he set her down and began to toy with her, using his mouth and lips on her most sensitive places until she came screaming his name. He just smiled at her as she opened her eyes afterwards.

"Payback baby!"

She grinned back. "I hoped you'd feel that way!"

"I got a tasty dessert. You taste even better than the food here."

"You too. I can't seem to get enough of you, my mate."

He pulled her into his body and curled himself around her as they liked to sleep, too worn out right at that moment to do anything more, and his cock doing nothing more than twitch at the feel of her naked body against him. It had been a long day and he knew that she was tired. It didn't seem a bad idea to sleep after their journey and exercise, and tomorrow was going to be hard work for both of them. She would have to talk about things that she didn't really want to, and he was going to have to listen. He just hoped that he could be strong for her despite his own feelings. He was going to hate hearing about anyone hurting her and it would be hard for him not to let those feelings show. 

* * * * * * 

Both Finn and Sky woke early, but neither wanted to move from the position they were in. Sky felt safe and protected with her mate curled around her like he was, and she needed that from him now more than anything else he could give. She knew the only way she was going to cope with things today was to have him there, but in some ways she wished he wouldn't have to hear it. He cared so much for her that he might even be more upset than she was. Perhaps she should have told him before now, but it was too late to do that.

Finn felt more afraid about the day ahead than he was going to let on. He needed to have her there beside him and he feared that finding out was going to make things different between them. On the other hand, he would need to know if they were going to move forward. He wanted her to be his forever, have his pups, and grow old together, and as long as she had those secrets it would always come between them. That she hadn't trusted him enough to tell him yet was also a worry, but then it hadn't been that long and she was only just getting well, and having to deal with their relationship on top of everything else. He knew that had been good for them both and he had spent far too much of his life alone so far, he had no intention of letting her go.

Subconsciously he was holding her tighter and tighter as the thoughts went round his head, and eventually she struggled. He released her quickly, mentally kicking himself for letting his thoughts get the better of him.

"Sorry love."

"Don't worry. This is going to be a tough day, I don't want you to let go."

"I'll be there for you."

"I know. Thank you."

They lay in silence for some time after that, still not wanting to move and neither of them in the mood for sex when other things were on their minds. Even when they had to get up and go downstairs for breakfast the two of them ate mostly in silence and it only got worse when Mark came to tell them they would see them afterwards. Finn held Sky's hand and squeezed it for some reassurance, still not sure if it was for her or him that he sought it.

Sky knew her steps were shaky as they followed Mark and Sandra through the building. The last time she had been 'interviewed' it had been with the threat of torture behind it, and thinking about that and having to talk scared her. When they showed them into a room with comfy chairs and sofas she relaxed a little, having feared it would be like the rooms in the research facility. Mark indicated they should sit down, and although she thought it might be considered a little unusual, she decided to sit on Finn's lap. He didn't seem to mind and wrapped his arms around her, and she was pleased that neither of the others commented on it.

Mark began the discussion. "We'd just like you to tell us what happened, from when you were taken. Anything you can think of may be useful. We've interviewed everyone that has been released, so we have a good idea of what was going on, but your perspective on it will really help. There might be something you heard or saw that no-one else did."

Sandra continued. "We are not going to be questioning you, and if you need to stop then just say so. If we need to have several sessions then we will. I know this will be difficult, but I also know from speaking to the others that talking it over will help you in the long run. Also, no-one but us will ever know that this information specifically came from you."

Sky was surprised that the woman showed compassion and she spoke kindly and softly. It didn't gel with what she had heard about her, and she didn't really like the woman, but she had already warmed to Mark and she was going to do her best. She took a deep breath and settled back onto Finn, keeping as much of his warm body close to hers as she could and wrapping her own arms around his to keep him holding her. Then she closed her eyes and began to tell them what she remembered.

* * * * * * 

Sky had been travelling for some time, weeks on this occasion, looking for somewhere she wanted to stay for a while. For about five years, since she'd left the children's home, she had roamed the country, spending a few weeks or months in one place and then moving on. During that time she had started to meet others like her, not always wolves, but somehow she could smell them and knew. The first time it had been a shock, but although she hadn't met more than a dozen Weres over the years, she had gained some information about them. 

She'd found that those she met were usually reticent at first, but when they realised she was a lone female and not tied to a pack that was likely to turn up in their area, they spoke to her. Some of them didn't live as Weres anyway, they were so integrated into the human society that they didn't change, but she could still tell there was an animal within. She became aware of the existence of the Council, and that there were packs and families in different parts of the country, but she didn't find anyone who knew who she was.

It was that which drove her to travel. She wanted to know what had happened to her family, how they could have lost a daughter and never tried to find her. Perhaps they were out there looking still, and she would find someone who had come across them, or had heard of them, anything that could give her a lead as to who she was. What she feared was that they had deliberately left her and hadn't been looking. However, someone had cared for her during her young life. She had been told she'd been nearly two when found, well dressed and fed and clean. She'd known a few words, including her name, but nothing of where she had come from. 

She was in some woodland, she had no idea exactly where as it had been a while since she'd been near any habitation. The sound of voices had led her to change her path to try and avoid them, but she suspected now they had deliberately been talking, because the way she went was where the trap was set. She remembered her fear and anger at being trapped, but they'd drugged her quickly and she lost consciousness fast.

When she woke she was in a cage, much like the one Finn had found her in. It was too small for her to change form so she paced as a wolf until the men came to see her. Despite her snarls they wouldn't leave her alone, and she soon discovered this was a crush cage. They made it so small that she couldn't turn or move and she had to lie down, every part of her pressed against the bars. They took blood, she had no idea how much, and samples of her hair. The ultimate indignity, as she struggled to remember what had happened and to understand what was going on, was to be muzzled. It bit into her head and prevented her from opening her mouth at all, but she still managed to growl at them as they also fitted her with a collar. It was heavy, even though she wasn't standing, and they made sure it was tight as well so she wouldn't forget it was there.

Finally one of her captors spoke to her, and his words filled her with dread.

"Good dog. Welcome to your new home. If you do as you are told, we won't be too hard on you. For the moment you'll just be settling in, and our work will begin in a few days. Meanwhile, if we see so much as a flicker of you changing form, or you disobey in any way, that collar will make sure you regret it. This room is constantly monitored and we will be watching. Just to make sure you understand this fully, this is what we do to disobedient pups."

She felt a jolt of pain through her body, the collar concentrating an electric shock into her. She tried to yelp, but the muzzle stopped her from making the sound properly. Her strangulated sound of pain just made the men laugh as they left her alone, restrained and muzzled and terrified.

* * * * * * 

Sky brought herself back into the present for a moment, the memories starting to distress her too much. She had tried hard not to think about her capture, and trying to relate it made it feel like it was happening all over again. Only Finn nuzzling at her neck as he hugged her for reassurance helped her to relax. She took some deep breaths and looked over to Mark.

"I'm sorry. I just need a moment."

"We meant what we said. If you need to stop at any time you can. No-one is going to push you to tell us everything today."

"I want to. I need to get this out so I can move forward."

"I don't know if it will help, but what you are saying matches what we have been told by pretty much everyone. They set out initially to show their strength and get a way of control."

"I keep thinking they needed to make sure they saw us as animals. They were insistent that I not change, for some time. It was cowardice really. They could torture an animal, but they couldn't touch us human until they were confident they thought we were somehow different, not worthy of being treated properly."

"You're probably right. Certainly from what we've seen they have been operating on the basis that Weres aren't human, forgetting that we are in part but we are more than that. They don't like that we are something different."

Sky wished Mark hadn't used that word. That was something she still had to get to, and the part of the whole experience that scared her the most, despite the fact that it was just words. It was the only thing that she might not be able to leave behind and could affect her life. Her small shudder was obvious to Finn and she felt him nuzzle at her again to calm her. She took some more deep breaths, trying to disassociate herself from the story she had to tell.

"After about a week, they started to talk to me. I shouldn't word it like that really, it was interrogation. They would make me change, although they never took off that collar, and secure me to the table so they could ask what they wanted but I couldn't escape. If I didn't answer, or they didn't like the answer, the collar would shock me, or they would use one of their prods or something. I was always sat on a stool which was secured to the floor, so they could whip my back. I guess that was pretty standard as well."

She saw both Mark and Sandra nod to confirm it was, but they didn't try and interrupt her. She hung her head, not wanting to see their faces as she carried on.

"They didn't like my answers much. I didn't know anything useful to them, I'd met so few Weres during my life and I don't think they believed me at first. When they finally did, they didn't know what to do with me. The guy who used to do most of the questioning didn't think I was of any use."

She left it unsaid, but knew that they all understood that she had taken a lot of punishment. The electric shocks were bad enough, but the whip cut into her, leaving her raw and bloodied at times. One of the 'assistants' was particularly keen on that type of punishment for her not telling them what they wanted to know. He seemed to get pleasure from her torment, and she could only be grateful that he had never had access to her when she was alone.

She knew from the feelings hitting her from Finn that he was well aware of what she was not going into detail about and he was angry and upset about it. There was nothing he could have done, but the thought of her being hurt ate away at him. She wanted to reassure him, but she had to get the rest of it out before she lost her nerve. 

"I thought for a while that they were going to kill me, and in a way I thought that might be the best thing. I couldn't see how I would ever get out of there otherwise. I was 'saved' I suppose, because the scientists found another purpose for me. They thought they could use me to breed some more Weres, or some crossbreeds."

She meant to go on straight away, but she felt Finn stiffen violently. She knew what he was thinking and had to stop his train of thought right then. She turned in his lap so she could face him and saw the fear in his eyes at the thought that she had been violated.

"It wasn't what you are thinking baby," she said softly. "They never did that."




Friends and Foes Ch. 05



She saw relief flood his features and he kissed her hard.

"Sorry, I didn't want to upset you any more than you are already, but that was what scared me most. It's bad enough that you were hurt, but it's some consolation."

"You're the only one who has been inside me for years. And the only one who will ever have that pleasure again."

She heard his pleased and possessive growl, and knew that the others did too, even though they couldn't have known exactly what was being said. Now that Finn was calmed again she could get back to her story, and she turned back to Mark.

"They were giving me drugs, they said to get eggs from me so they could create some embryos for experimentation. I didn't have any choice, obviously, but I hated the thought that they were going to do it. Somehow, when they scanned me there were no eggs to remove. They gave me two more courses of drugs, each a lot stronger than the one before, but it still didn't work. It made me sick and weak each time but they didn't care about that." She glanced at Finn for a moment, hoping that he would understand her fear. "I'm scared that I can't have children. If I don't produce any eggs there's no chance, is there? I've never had a period in my life."

Sandra actually smiled at her, the first time she showed any emotion. 

"There's nothing to be scared about. Some drugs don't work on our physiology because of the differences to humans, and we've discovered that's one of them. Thankfully we rarely need IVF. Your body isn't wired like a human one and you never will have a human cycle. Weres come into heat, much more like the animal side."

"What happens? I've never noticed anything unusual."

"Again, it wouldn't have happened yet. There's some connection with the pheromones created between mates that start it off. I guess as you are fairly newly mated it wouldn't have occurred yet, but it will given more time."

The relief in Sky's face was evident when she looked at Finn. He seemed unconcerned, but she supposed he understood the process better than she did. He placed a light kiss on her lips.

"You were worried you couldn't have my pups?"

"Yes."

"It wouldn't have mattered. But you can, and we will have great fun making our children when you do come into heat."

"How will I know when that happens?"

He grinned at her. "We'll have an overwhelming need for each other."

"Worse than now?"

"Oh, yeah!"

She swallowed hard. That didn't quite seem possible, given how much they were together already. Thank god that it was a possibility though. That was one of her secrets out in the open, and she had been worrying about nothing, not that she could have known that. No-one had explained werewolf reproduction to her.

"There was something else. The scientists got very excited about me anyway. I don't know what it was about, but they found something in my DNA they said they'd not seen before. It was why they picked me for the experiment. I want to know what that was."

Mark nodded. "We can take a sample if you want us to, there may be something we can find. I would like to say we don't need to take one directly, but none of the research we found at the centre relates to those kind of experiments, or to you. They were certainly taking blood samples from everyone and trying to get pictures of our anatomy through scans as well. It would appear, from other information we have gathered, that the object was to find a way to turn a human into one of us. They don't appear to have found a way, not that we believe it to be possible. We didn't get everything that was held there, but none of it relates to you. We didn't even find your blood records."

"I think they had sent it somewhere," Sky replied. "They didn't talk all that much in front of me, but when I was weak and tired they sometimes forgot I was able to understand them. They were worried about what they were doing. Not about the ethics of it, before you think they had some conscience, but that it wasn't working how they thought. They kept saying that people would be angry with them for not being able to do it. Whatever it was about me, they were planning to send me to another research place. They said they had to move me before someone found me, but I don't know who that was."

"When Finn and the others found me, that was pretty much the last day I would have been there. Something had happened and they were even more scared, and wanted to move me fast. They even had a moment of worry that the people at the new place would be angry with them for starving me, although it was mainly a side effect of the drugs they kept pumping into my body."

She heard Finn let out a pained growl, surprising her that he didn't manage to contain his feelings, although exactly what had upset him she wasn't sure.

"Sorry. It was thinking that if we'd been any later I might never have found you."

"But you did. I am thankful for that every day."

"So am I." He said the words softly, but the images he started to place in her mind at the same time were anything but, visions of them naked together and him taking her hard while she cried out her pleasure. A blush came over her face, and she knew that the older Weres would know what was going on by the arousal stirring within her. There was just one other thing she needed to know before they went and did what they both wanted.

"Do you know anything about my family? I want to know why they left me, and who I really am. I have Finn and Tilly and the others now, and I know I won't be lonely again, but there's always going to be that gap."

Mark shook his head. "I had some of the staff check for reports of missing children. I'm sorry, but there's nothing in our records. It could be that your family is pretty much humanised and don't interact with other Weres, or there was some reason they had to do what they did. We might be able to help with your DNA though. It will show if there are any links to families we do know, even if it is distant. We will help as far as we can, but I can't promise we will ever find the answer."

Sky was disappointed, but maybe even distant relatives would be good. They might know of her ancestors. Now though, Finn's thoughts were getting more and more insistent, and her body craved the touches he was showering on her in her mind. They didn't even excuse themselves properly, and if she had looked back she would have seen Mark and Sandra looking at the departing young couple with amusement. All Sky could think about was Finn, and she was so glad that there were no longer any secrets between them.

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 06



This story contains both m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes.

Thanks as usual for all your votes and comments. I love hearing your thoughts and I'm glad there are a few of you keen to know what happens next. 

* * * * * * 

6

Jake woke with a start, some long forgotten and some unfamiliar scents drifting to his nostrils. It took him a moment to orientate himself, not being sure where he was when this wasn't his bed and he was alone in it. Being back in his old bedroom was strange, but being without Adam was awful. He wanted to be with his mate, not all alone in a place where no-one trusted him. This had to be done, he reminded himself, and they had both known that Sam would insist on seeing Jake without his mate being present. He was just going to have to play nice and hope that before too much longer his family would agree to meeting Adam.

It was probably only an hour or two since he had retired to his room, and he decided to have a quick shower to remove the sweat from his journey and clean the tears from his face and the cum from his body. He must look dreadful, a combination of tiredness, anger, upset and ecstasy obvious to anyone who saw him. The shower was warm and reviving, and the next thing on his mind was definitely going for a run and getting some fresh air. There was a fair chance both his brother and sister were still at it with their mates, but he was fairly sure he'd be allowed out so long as he took his new guardian with him.

He changed form as soon as he opened the door, surprising the wolf outside for a second, but not trying to get past him. He didn't need to make things more difficult by pushing the boundaries that had been set for him.

"I need a run. Can we head out for a bit?" he thought.

"Sure," came the reply. 

Jake rather hoped the guy would eventually talk to him rather more than this, but at least his orders extended to Jake going where he pleased so long as he wasn't alone. He lead the way down the stairs and out the front doors, taking a deep breath of the fresh air as he reached the top of the stone steps. He'd spent most of his life out in these woods and gardens, latterly hiding from Sam a lot of the time, but he had fond memories of the place even so. 

It was no great surprise that the other wolf gently encouraged him to turn left, away from the training areas. He doubted there would be much to see there, but he had no desire to check. Probably those old buildings were even more covered in undergrowth than they used to be, and he guessed that the Weres based here used them regularly. He still couldn't help wondering how there were panthers and lions here. Sam and Tilly had always had wolves working with them, but then a lot had changed for him over the years he had been gone and there was no reason to think that they hadn't changed as well. 

Jake ran into the trees, immediately starting to play even though the other wolf wasn't joining in. His own wolf was more confused by that than he was, not understanding the complexities of the situation. He did want to make friends if at all possible though, as he hoped to be back here before long, ideally with Adam. He wondered quite what the wolfs orders were.

"So, you allowed to talk to me?"

He saw a wolf-style grin before the reply came. "Yes, within reason."

"I can guess what we aren't supposed to talk about. I assume you live here."

"Some of the time."

"It was a great place to grow up, but kind of lost it's appeal when Sam started to make me train all the ruddy time. He had grand plans for a family team, which I screwed up when I got kicked out of training. Took me ages to do anything bad enough that they would send me home though!"

"I heard. He wasn't happy about that."

"Still isn't. But at least I've managed some different things since then that have pissed him off even more. He doesn't get that I really do love Adam, or that Adam didn't know what they were doing in that research facility."

He heard a faint growl from the other wolf, and decided to continue and push his luck. "I guarantee you, I have seen what they were doing and it was horrific, but there is no way Adam would have funded it if he'd known. He loves me and he only wants to be one of us. He would not have let anyone hurt our kind."

There was a long period of silence, and he figured he'd pushed it too far. Changing the subject now he had laid the seeds of that seemed like the best idea.

"They seem happy, Sam and Tilly. I'm really glad they found their mates, and I'm looking forward to getting to know my new family. It's a good thing I'm already used to cats though, Tom was a shock."

"To most people."

"That Sam liked men, or wanted a cat?" he enquired.

"A bit of both. They are really good together though, and no-one was worried about it after we got over the surprise. I think Tilly knew all about it though."

Jake sighed. "She's known he was gay for years. I didn't. They've always been a lot closer than he and I have even though there's no blood there. I guess the two of them growing up together made all the difference."

"Maybe, but she shared his ambitions as well. If you'd wanted to join the teams it would have changed things, but you hated all of that and then ran away. You've not been here to have a relationship with your brother."

"This suddenly feels like I'm in a therapy session. Should we head in and find a couch?!" Jake made the joke to cover his discomfort with what was being pointed out. He knew all of this, but some stranger telling him wasn't good.

"Sorry. It's none of my business."

"No, but you probably know Sam better than I do now. I've been away a long time, and we haven't exactly had the best start to rebuilding the family ties."

"Give him some time. Everything has been crazy lately, and the last thing he was expecting was for you to turn up. Anyway, I wouldn't say I know Sam better, I work for him. That's not the same as being family."

"Family that hasn't been around for years. Tom is his family now, Dill as well I guess."

"They are your family too, and they are good people."

"I think they have both taken their mates side on this. Dill was friendly, but Tom wasn't so keen. Just doing what the Alpha tells him, I guess."

"Tom is an Alpha in his own right. He may be cautious if his mate is, but he makes his own decisions."

That was interesting information. Jake hadn't figured on Tom also being an Alpha, and it suggested that there were two teams here, albeit ones that had merged to some degree. That would be the explanation for the large number of cats now here, even though aside from the ones that had mated his siblings he hadn't been allowed to meet them. Perhaps also he might be able to persuade Tom rather more easily that Adam was not a threat, since he didn't have the history colouring his judgement. It had to be worth a try, when he next saw them.

"So, is there any chance of me seeing my family again today, or are they in the constant sex stage of the relationship?"

He heard some laughter in his head. "They do stop to eat, occasionally!"

* * * * * * 

Back in the main house Sam was proving his brother wrong. Even more than two hours after their argument he was still pacing, and still angry, and even more confused. Tom had given up trying to calm him down or distract him and just sat in the office, watching as his mate walked back and forth across the room. Sam was cross with Jake and with himself. He shouldn't have insulted Adam, he did it to try and get a rise from Jake, and it had certainly worked. But all that proved was how much his brother did love Adam, and that he was probably being honest about the depth of their relationship.

Not that Sam was any happier knowing that fact. He considered all the information so far and still couldn't work out whether he believed Jake about the level of involvement in the research, but then his own instincts at first were not to believe it either. Had they both been seduced into believing what Adam wanted, or could it be that this was the truth? Adam was obsessed with wolves, to the point now of wanting to be one, but could the shy and bookish man he had known take part in that? Adam was submissive, to his parents, to his friends, and certainly to his lovers. It didn't seem like his style at all.

He needed to know more and there was only one person he trusted to give him some answers right then.

"I need to see Tilly," he announced, before striding out of his office. He heard Tom running to catch up with him, and he scented the air to find out where she was. Upstairs, probably in her room. He ignored the fact that the scent he was following told of her arousal. He wasn't going to relax until he had figured some of this out and he wasn't concerned if he had to interrupt her with her mate. Tom was equally aware of the scent, and less single-minded so he was worried about what they would be interrupting. 

"Sam, they're probably having sex. Why don't you call her, she'll come as soon as she can. Surely it can wait a few minutes."

Sam didn't reply, he just kept on walking. Tom gave up trying to stop him, there was something going on in his head that he had to get straight right now and hopefully then he would get back to normal Sam. Not even Tom's images of the two of them in bed had been able to distract him, and that was usually the first thing that worked. He decided it would be best for him to let Sam work this through, otherwise they would end up having another row when Sam couldn't keep his mind on his mate.

When he got to Tilly's door, despite the sounds that could be heard behind it, Sam opened it wide and called her name. Her eyes shot open, and he was treated to one of those looks that could kill. He actually regretted it then. She had looked so lost in what she was doing for a moment before he disturbed her, and he knew he should have called. Tilly had been riding her mate, both of them probably close to completion and he finally did feel like a shit for not waiting.

He dropped his eyes, trying to apologise, and trying not to look at the scene before him. Not that Tilly naked was something he'd never seen before, or did anything for him, but in this position was a first and the one thing that did draw his attention was what she had been riding. He hadn't considered it, but Dill was very well blessed and he found it difficult not to look. It probably wasn't much different to what either he or Tom had, but it was a surprise on the smaller cat. 

Tilly spoke after a moment, and as he expected she was pissed off.

"What is so important it couldn't wait five minutes?"

"Sorry, but it's been driving me nuts. I need to know your thoughts on what Jake has told us. Any feelings he let slip and whether he can be trusted. Well, more whether Adam can be trusted."

"Go wait downstairs. I will come down and we can talk this over, but you need to let me get tidied up first. This isn't fair."

Sam mumbled another apology and shut the door, while Tilly tried hard to stop her brain running through different options for hurting her brother. She'd known he'd want to talk at some point, but had thought he might at least ask her rather than bursting in on a private moment. She looked down at Dill, and he was just embarrassed, and was going soft despite still being inside her.

"I am so sorry Dill, but if he's in one of those moods it'll be easier to go sort this out now."

"He's kind of killed the moment anyway. Can we get a lock for that door?"

Tilly laughed. "That's a very good idea. Thank god he waited so long to disturb us, I think I'd be ready to kill him if I hadn't already come three times!"

"I might have beaten you to that if you hadn't been on top!"

The two of them laughed as they disentangled themselves. Tilly thought jumping in the shower was a very good idea, just to wash her body off, but Dill grumbled that he had covered her in his scent and didn't see any reason for her to do that. It wasn't as though Sam didn't know exactly what they had been doing. Since he was still a bit touchy about her and Jake she decided not to argue the point at that moment, and just got a flannel to wash up between her legs before getting dressed.

"Are you coming too?"

"Sam wants you and your expertise. I don't need to be at a meeting of the Alphas, I'm not that important. You can fill me in later on anything I need to know."

Tilly kissed him lightly before heading out. "You're very important to me. And I'd rather you filled me in later!" She left him laughing, and headed downstairs to the office, making sure to knock although she did walk straight in afterwards. Sam didn't get chance to speak, she needed to get one thing off her chest.

"Before we start, I don't appreciate what you just did. I know I walked in on you two that time, but that was in here. I would never dream of just wandering into your bedroom. Being my Alpha does not give you that right and it will not happen again, or else."

"Understood. I am sorry, I had all this stuff running round my head and I needed it sorting, but I should have called you for your help, not barged in."

"So what's the problem? You heard what Jake said, or at least most of it. If you want to know what I felt, he's telling the truth. You must realise that he's been honest about the situation with Adam, and I told you before I don't think Adam lied about that either. I guess the only question is how much Adam might have kept hidden from him about the research. If they've discussed it together since they got the information out then I can't see how he could have lied directly to Jake without him knowing."

"Which leaves us with either Adam isn't lying, and he didn't know, or the two of them are playing us. As much as I dislike the fact that Jake is in a relationship with Adam, and the man himself for that matter, my first thought was that he couldn't be involved in this. You were the one who believed he was capable of hurting our kind."

"Yes, I was. But that was before I met with him, and now I don't think he has changed all that much. I agreed that he wasn't that kind of person when we knew him years ago, but people do change. I think he is far more confident as a result of taking over the firm, and perhaps thanks to Jake, but he doesn't seem like the type to sanction that research. Nor do I believe Jake would let him."

"Do you think we really still know our brother?"

Tilly looked at him shocked. "Of course we do. It has been a while, but he is still our little brother. You can't possibly think he has changed that much, even though the two of you had issues when he wouldn't join our team. He's more grown up and he has Adam, but he has the same respect for our family and our ways. Where is he anyway?"

"Out for a run with Rob. Apparently he had a nap, then a shower, and now he's outside."

"Why did you push him like that? He was in tears after he left here, because of what you said about Adam. It was unnecessary and cruel to say those things."

"Possibly cruel, but I needed to know whether his feelings ran as deep as he said. He does think of Adam as his mate, or he wouldn't have reacted that way."

"You could have just asked me. Do you realise, what Adam said is true and Jake won't tell him about anything that involves us. He was outside the restaurant, waiting in the car, and although he told Adam how many of us there were he didn't point anyone out, or tell him that Tom and I were panthers, nor about the lions. He keeps things from his mate to protect us and what we do. If you really don't think you can trust him I don't see what the point of any of this is."

Tom joined in the conversation, unable to comment on the family situation but his own confusion about Adam and Jake's motives weighing on his mind.

"That is the question though. Aside from Jake seeing you guys again, what is the point of this? Jake told Adam he can't turn him and we've told him the same. Perhaps we can begin to believe that Adam didn't really know what was going on, but we can't help him, so why go through this? They must have realised that Sam wasn't going to trust them."

"Jake told me that Adam wants to help. I genuinely think the stuff about the other research centres was a surprise. Adam was approached by a couple of men who asked him for the funding, but it seems Adam didn't trust them enough to let Jake meet them."

"So we need to find out who they were, and see if we add more information to what we already have. Presumably they are still out there," Tom replied.

"Yes, that's true, but there is the additional issue of what Adam can do," said Tilly. "There is no way a human should be able to communicate telepathically."

Sam growled. "If that's the case then they'll need to prove it. I might begin to believe some of the other stuff, but Adam is definitely not Were."

Tilly sighed, exasperated. "That is a given, but there is obviously something about him. I'm going to check through some of the books we have to see what powers have remained with hybrids, and perhaps there will be some answer there. However, there really is only one way to see if Adam can do it, and to find out what else he knows and who those men are."

Sam looked more resigned than anything, while Tom was the one shocked at what she was saying.

"You are seriously suggesting we meet him again? Even if we believe he is not behind it, how do we know that those that are won't be keeping an eye on him."

"We bring him here," Sam murmured.

Tom turned to his mate, even more surprised with his comment. "You agree with this? It's a crazy enough idea anyway, but we don't need him in the house."

"He's my brother's mate, it makes sense to invite him. Plus this is the only place we can control. He won't be able to bring backup and we can have all the teams here to guard the place and him if necessary."

"And the fact that we are compromising our base of operations in the process?"

"Tom, he already knows where I live. There's nothing here that can't be hidden behind a locked door, and there is no way he will have free rein to wander where he wants. Plus so long as he never sees the human side of anyone else, there's plenty of us to keep tabs on him."

"Am I the only one that thinks this is a bad idea?"

"No. But it's the best idea we have to find out what we want to know, and show whether Adam really does want to help us."

"Okay, just so long as it isn't only me that's got alarm bells going off about this. When?"

"We give Jake a couple of days to settle in, and then we tell him to get Adam here. I want to spend some more time with him first, see what he knows and find out about him. I need to know what my brother is like now before we introduce Adam into the equation."

* * * * * *

Jake was immensely relieved, having not seen either Sam or Tilly again that day, that the next was more peaceful. Sam even came to wake him up, asking him to spend the morning wandering around the grounds so they could get reacquainted. They talked for a couple of hours, and although Sam still tensed whenever Adam's name was mentioned, he even apologised for what he had said to upset Jake the previous day. Okay, so he wasn't going to turn into a fan of Adam's overnight, but at least he was making an effort. 

Not that Jake wasn't a little suspicious, but he felt it best to be honest with his brother and hope to win his trust. He missed Adam more than he had expected, and while the long-distance sex they had had the previous day was fun, it in no way made up for not being able to hold, touch and fuck him properly. This part of his thoughts he kept to himself, but otherwise he told Sam about his life now and how happy he was, avoiding talk about the research until Sam brought it up. Perhaps Tilly had spoken to Sam and made some difference.




Friends and Foes Ch. 06



At lunch Tilly, Tom and Dill joined them, and Jake really enjoyed chatting to them as well. He agreed with Rob, they were good people, and both Tom and Dill were friendly and he was amused when they teased their mates, even managing to join in once or twice when he felt a little more confident that Sam was not going to bite his head off again. Still, in the back of his mind he felt the separation that he didn't like. He would have loved to ask how long they wanted him here, or what they were thinking about what he had asked, but he didn't want to push that right now and disturb the ease that was developing. It was fun having his birth family back, but he'd still prefer to have his chosen family there as well.

Tilly spent the whole of the lunch feeling happy, glad that after their long discussion yesterday and the decisions that had been made, Sam and Jake were actually getting on. There was nothing harder for her than sensing the negative feelings between the two of them, and although they were both a little cautious still, they actually seemed to have bonded during the morning. It had been sad to hear Sam say that he wasn't sure they knew Jake any more. He had changed, yes, but then he had been immature when he'd left and all Sam had seen of him for some time was an argumentative young man who fought against whatever Sam thought he should do. 

It had been easy for her. She'd wanted to join the team, keen to do what she could. Plus she had been brought up so closely with Sam that the two of them had gone to school, university and training camp together. Jake had been the baby and those few years behind them doing everything and she knew that he had felt left out along the way. Perhaps he still did, because he had never bonded with Sam like she had. He'd also been the only one at home when their parents had died, and had been alone through much of that when she and Sam had each other.

By the end of the day, Sam felt that he'd done what he could. His brother felt like family again, and he was so glad of that, even if he was fearful of letting Adam into their lives. At the end of the day, he didn't have a choice about that, Jake had made the choice for him. Sam didn't think he'd apologised so many times in his life, let alone in one day. He understood, now, why Jake had left, but at the time it had seemed so unreasonable. He should have let Jake have his own life all along, and perhaps in a strange sort of way he had pushed Jake into Adam's arms. They might never have met if Sam hadn't forced his brother out through his actions.

A deep sigh as he thought about that possibility had Tom wrapping his arms around him, and Sam forgetting what he was worrying about. His mate smelled good and felt even better, and in all the debates over Jake he'd not managed to remind himself just how good they could both be feeling if they were naked. He caught Tom's gaze, staring into the beautiful blue pools. Mindful of his family sitting around and still chatting he thought directly to him.

"I am so sorry baby. I've been preoccupied with Jake and I haven't taken care of you."

He saw the cheeky grin spread across Tom's face. "What did you have in mind?"

"I think I'd like to start by kissing you senseless. Then I'll strip you naked and lick and suck on your hard cock, before we decide who gets taken and who gets to take tonight."

"Sounds good," came a sexy purr. "What if I have a preference on the taking part?"

"Anything you want Tom. You know that. I would do anything to make my mate happy."

A soft lick to the side of his neck was all the response he got at that moment, but he knew that Tom approved of his ideas, and it made Sam even more keen to carry them out. He could feel his cock stirring at the thoughts that started to run through his head about pleasuring his mate, and a soft, almost inaudible purr coming from Tom had him rapidly excusing them both. At least everyone else there understood the need that came over mates and how much they had to bond when it did. He didn't even glare at Jake when he saw the knowing smirk on his brother's face. 

Tom led the way upstairs, and Sam found his attention taken completely by Tom's firm ass. How had he managed to keep his hands off his mate for two days? It had been almost impossible to make it through two hours when he first submitted to his desires. In some ways he was glad that they were not quite that obsessed now and things had settled down a little, and he knew that the sex would still be incredible. His growls as he thought about what they could do sped Tom up and he was almost chasing him by the time they reached their room.

He grabbed Tom and spun him into his arms so he could kiss him. He tasted their meal earlier, and the coffee they had just drunk, as well as the addictive taste that was purely Tom. Somehow he moved them over to the bed without their lips having to leave each others, and he was soon on top of his mate as they lay on the bed. He loved pressing Tom into the mattress, feeling his hard body and hard cock beneath him as the two of them took the simple pleasure of kissing, although it almost always turned into something more before long. It was definitely going to this time.

Sam remembered what he had said downstairs, and lifted himself up so he could get his clothes off, pleased when Tom took the opportunity to do the same. No matter how many times he saw Tom naked he couldn't get enough of the sight of toned flesh that was all his to explore, and he knew from the look on Tom's face that he was never disappointed looking at Sam's body either.

Tom was needy, he knew it. He whimpered at the sight of Sam naked and erect for him. He understood why his mate had been preoccupied, but he needed him all the more now that he was able to focus on them. All his thoughts the previous day that he had tried putting into Sam's head had been ignored, and he had ended up sexually frustrated for the first time since he'd been able to persuade Sam to give them a chance. His frustration and need now must have been pretty obvious, and Sam pushed him back down on the bed and started to kiss him again while reassuring him.

"I love you, and I have missed doing this. There is nothing better in my life than having you naked and writhing beneath me, knowing we are about to bond and bring each other pleasure."

"So bring on the pleasure then love, because I am too horny right now to take much more of this."

Sam chuckled, and began to move his kisses down Tom's body, hearing his gasps and mewls as he worked ever closer to the hard dick he had promised to suck. It jutted out from Tom's beautiful body, hard and leaking, and he took a moment to lick and savour the flavour before taking it into his throat. Tom yowled and started to scratch at his back as he worked, the slight sting of claws spurring him on. It didn't take long for Tom to treat him to his favourite drink and he lapped up the cum as it spilled into his mouth.

He sat up to take in another of his favourite sights – Tom still lost after the pleasure of orgasm, which would soon turn to a sated smile that would be sent his way. Even though Sam was still hard he felt his mate deserved this moment first. He wanted to slide himself into Tom's ass, but he had said Tom could choose, so he waited until he seemed calm enough to ask.

"So, who is doing the taking tonight? I need you, either way."

"Fuck me. Hard, fast, and now."

"Your wish is my command."

Sam barely had time to rub some lube on his cock before Tom was pushing against it, desperate to be filled. Sam groaned and pushed back, just as desperate to feel Tom around him. He only gave him a few moments to relax before taking his instructions to heart and hammering Tom hard. It was beyond amazing, but couldn't last at this intensity. He wanted to slow it down and savour the moment but Tom wouldn't let him, and just a couple of minutes later he howled his release. A few swift strokes to Tom's revived dick and he was undone as well, and the two of them collapsed into each others arms.

* * * * * * 

Downstairs, Jake sat still chatting with Tilly and Dill. His new brother had a wicked sense of humour and didn't let Tilly boss him around, not that she seemed to be doing so with any particular fervour. The two of them clearly worked well together, and the only time he saw Tilly tense up was when Dill made a joke about his days unconscious. Clearly she didn't find that funny, but it was bound to be easier for the one out of it than the one waiting for their lover to wake up. Jake enjoyed the banter, but he still felt his own loneliness when he saw other mates together. His mind wandered as he started to think about what Adam would be doing now, and he stared into space so that Tilly had to repeat his name to get his attention.

"Sorry sister, I was miles away."

"You miss Adam."

Jake smiled. "There's no hiding from you, is there. Of course I do. I've loved today, but it's not the same without my mate here. Sam still flinches when I mention his name, but at least he's not flipped out on me today. I just need to get back to him."

"It won't be long, I promise."

He wanted to ask if that meant some sort of decision had been made, but a howl in the distance had him laughing too much. He could see Tilly was also amused.

"Is that a regular thing round here?"

"I guess so. There's four couples here most of the time, three of whom are fairly new mates, so it does happen. I'd like to think no-one has ever heard me!"

"However, Sam has seen us, so I'd think being heard is the least of your worries!" Dill pointed out to her.

Tilly coloured at the memory. "Don't worry, I gave him enough of a talking to that he won't do that again."

"Good. Perhaps I can trust him not to walk in on us tonight."

She coughed and tried to cover her thoughts on the subject, but it was too late for Jake not to have noticed they were having a private, and sexual, conversation. He just laughed.

"Perhaps I should head to bed too. If it makes you feel any better, despite my mate being miles away there's still a chance of me being overheard. It's amazing what the mind connection can do!"

* * * * * * 

There had been rather less emotional upheaval for Finn and Sky over the time they had been at HQ following the interview. It had changed things between them, but only for the better. All the things that they had feared were out in the open and it turned out that nothing was as bad as they had thought. It was a relief to both and they had spent the time reinforcing the bond they already shared, without fear of anything coming between them.

When Finn woke on the third morning in the mansion, he was wound around his sleeping mate as had become usual, and he smiled as he looked over her peaceful face. She was so beautiful, and he still couldn't believe he had been so lucky as to find her. That she had been so close to being sent somewhere he might never have done so still scared him, but there was little point worrying about what had never happened. She was his now and she was going to stay that way. He'd spent his life on the commando teams and hadn't really expected to find a mate through that, with little opportunity to meet anyone otherwise. It must have been fate.

Her first stirrings in his arms just made him draw her closer, and nuzzle into her neck to help her wake up feeling safe and loved. It was something he had started to do in their first days together, when she often woke from bad dreams, and even though they had mostly stopped he loved doing it and he knew she enjoyed it too. A gentle moan met his ears as she came to, wriggling her naked body against his and arousing him immediately. It didn't take much for her to do that to him.

Her bright blue eyes opened and she turned her head so she could look into his green ones, her gaze full of her love for him, and his heart skipped as he had his first proper look at her for the day. They smiled at each other, no words needing to be said as they both knew what they felt and how important it was to the other to be here like this. Their first soft kiss drove their need and it was only moments before Finn was on top of Sky, pressing her into the mattress and letting his lips trail over her body to her moans of pleasure.

He made sure to spend a long while licking and sucking at her breasts and nipples, enjoying her gasps and her body moving underneath him to get him to pay attention to the spots she particularly wanted his attention on, not that he didn't already know how sensitive her nipples were and how wet it would make her if he played with them. He worked further down, kissing her flat stomach that one day soon he hoped would swell with his cubs, and ending up between her legs where he wanted to make love to her.

The first long stroke across her pussy lips and clit had her arching her back to lift off the bed, and his hands came to hold her hips still while he went to work, nibbling her clit with his lips and then sucking on it gently. She yelped as he thrust two fingers inside her and began to fuck her with them to warm her up for the real thing. She was wet just as he knew she would be, and he lapped at the fragrant juices, savouring the flavour and her reactions to his every movement. It was only a couple of minutes later that she came, flooding his hand and crying out for him. His name on her lips was almost like a prayer, begging for more of him, and he knew what he was going to provide.

He didn't let her wait or calm, his need driving him inside her immediately, still feeling her tremors as he entered, but her body accepting him with ease. He groaned as the warmth of his mate surrounded his hard cock, fuelling his need to mate with her, hard and fast. His movements started instinctively and she moved her hips to meet him, every thrust slamming their bodies together and making the two of them gasp. It couldn't last at that intensity and Finn came first, growling as he filled her and the combination of the feeling of him hardening and shooting inside her and his growl had Sky following him over the edge almost immediately.

The two of them lay panting afterwards, wound around each other as much as they could and neither wanting to move anywhere when they could stay so closely connected. Finn was even starting to wonder if he ever wanted to let her go and if it was possible to keep her naked and sated beneath him forever. As if his stray thought had been heard by some higher power that wanted to mess with him, he heard Tilly's voice in his head and he groaned as he listened to his orders. Sky shifted beneath him, noting his lack of attention, and once he had heard all he needed to he explained.

"We have to go back home as soon as we can. Adam is coming to the house today and Sam wants everyone there. You won't be meeting him, I promise, but I will have to be with the team. We should get up and dressed, and we can grab some breakfast before we go. I'll try and get hold of Mark in the meantime and see if there is anything they can tell us about the blood test results."

"Damn. I was rather enjoying having you to myself for a little while!"

Finn growled. "I am always yours. However, I do have to work. I wish we could stay like this too, and I promise you that next time I have leave I will take you away somewhere that is just us and no interruptions."

Sky giggled. "Will we get out of bed?"

"Not if I have my way," Finn growled in reply.

"Sounds perfect to me too."

"Unfortunately, it can't be right now," he returned, getting off his mate and standing up beside the bed, stretching out after a night spent curled up around her.

Sky watched the play of his muscles as he raised his arms and wriggled, his now soft dick flopping between his legs but still drawing her attention. He was just perfect and all hers. Despite having only just had him she would love to pay him some attention now, watching his manhood grow until she could use it for her pleasure, but she of all people understood the importance of what he did with the team. Without them she might not even be alive now, let alone safe and here with the man she loved. Reluctantly she joined him in getting out of the bed, and kept her hands from drifting onto his body.

They took a very quick shower together, not cleaning each other so they avoided temptation, and dressed and went for breakfast. Sky smiled again when Finn loaded his plate with everything that he could see and she wondered how he kept his figure with all the food he put away. All the hard work with the teams obviously let him eat however he liked. Her choices were much more considered and she took smaller portions. The only exercise she had been getting lately was in bed, although she still needed to build up her strength and was probably a little underweight.

This time they sat alone, clearly no-one that Finn knew was in the room, or at least no-one that he wanted to talk to. She was relieved in a way, it seemed like they had only just got to appreciate the time they could spend together and they would have to go back to reality very soon. She loved Sam's mansion, it was the first place she had ever considered to be home, but it was also the place where other people could make demands on her mate's time.

As they finished their meal they were surprised by Mark walking over to them.

"I know that you have to leave shortly, but I'd like to speak to you both first."

They nodded their agreement and followed him out of the room and along one of the large corridors to his office. Mark indicated that they sit down, and Sandra came into the room almost immediately to join the three. Sky was apprehensive but she calmed when Finn took her hand and squeezed it, both of them wondering what was going to be said, but Mark didn't make them wait.

"You know what is going on back at the mansion. Sky, if you would rather stay here than put yourself in the situation of meeting the man we still have suspicions about, you will be very welcome."

"No. Thank you for the offer, but I need to be with Finn. I will stay out of his way, but I'm not going to let him push me out of my home."

She heard the approving growl from Finn, clearly happy to hear she didn't want to stay. She didn't know that he would have understood if she had, but he wasn't going to try and talk her out of being with him rather than a frustrating separation.

"Okay. If you need to come back here though, you do so."

Finn spoke up. "I appreciate the offer too Mark, but if things become difficult Sky can go and stay with one of the other mates. It'll be nearby but out of the way enough that she won't have to run into Adam."

"Then there is just the issue of your blood tests," Mark continued. Sky sat up, alert and waiting for any information, and he looked at her slightly sadly. "I'm sorry, but there isn't much we can tell you about your family. There are a few markers in your DNA that indicate very remote links to some of the families we know of, but nothing we can pin down. It is quite possible that your family has been living as human for several generations and we don't have their details."

Sky watched as a look passed between Mark and Sandra. She tried and failed to read the expressions on their faces, and assumed they were talking to each other mentally. When that moment passed they both turned back to her but they seemed to have agreed that Sandra should explain the rest, and she started to speak, softly and picking her words with care.

"We know what they found different about you, and it makes it harder to trace any family. You have higher than normal levels of human DNA for a Were."

"What does that mean?" Sky asked.

"Nothing. Well, nothing to worry about. The most likely explanation is that at some stage one of your ancestors mated with a human and the hybrid offspring mated back with full Weres. If they hadn't you wouldn't be able to change. It was probably many generations ago, and it is highly unusual, our races had rules about relationships with humans until only a few decades ago. But it does make it far more likely that your family wouldn't be allied with the Council now. Something like that would still be a shameful secret for many families. It also explains why the researchers were particularly interested in you, they thought the increased human DNA would assist their experiments, but as we know, it didn't make a difference."




Friends and Foes Ch. 06



Sky didn't know what to think, but she could only really focus on one thing.

"So I am a freak, just like they kept telling me. I thought I'd found my people but I'm still a freak even among the Weres."

Finn's denial joined Mark's, both of them trying to reassure her. In the end Finn settled for nuzzling at her neck while Mark went with words.

"You are not a freak. You are Were and wolf and you have a mate and a pack. You are as much one of us as anyone here. You may not know your birth family, but you have found your family now and they will be there for you. Finn will be there for you for the rest of your lives. If you are a freak then so is he, and so am I. Do not start to believe what you were told by those who hunt our kind."

"They knew what I was."

"No," Finn replied. "I know you, as my mate, my love and my family, they knew nothing except what they beat out of you. You are beautiful, both as woman and as wolf, and one of the strongest people I have ever met. I am proud to be yours and to have you as mine." 

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 07



This story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes. 

Hi, thanks as usual for the votes, comments and e-mails, and to those of you who have put forward your theories on what might happen -- I'm not saying anything! You'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out.

I'm trying to keep a balance between plot and sex in the story as a whole, which sometimes means a particular chapter leans rather heavily one way or the other. This one ended up with quite a bit of sex in it! I'm estimating that there will be three more chapters after this one, based on what I have and what I still need to write, but it's hard to tell until it's on screen. 

* * * * * *

7

After his reminder the previous night of what he needed from his mate, Sam woke to the feeling of his cock being sucked, and it was the perfect start to his day. He knew that Tom could tell that he was now awake, but he didn't want to break the moment and kept his eyes shut as his body reacted to the warmth and pressure and Tom's talented tongue playing with him. It was too good a feeling and he let out a groan and heard Tom's amusement in his head in response. 

"So, you going to keep pretending you are fast asleep, or can we make this a 69?"

"Mmm, I'd like that."

Tom moved, never taking his mouth away from Sam's hardness, and a moment later Sam felt his mates erection pressing down towards his lips. He put his tongue out to lick it and felt the shudder the attention sent through Tom, urging him on to take things further. His hands moved to Tom's tight buttocks, caressing them as he brought his dick further into his mouth and throat, growling when he had most of it inside him and he could also play with the hot and hard flesh.

The two of them teased each other, giving pleasure slowly but not quite enough to let the other trip. Sam enjoyed it for a while, but he had been receiving his mates attention for longer and he realised he was building faster and was going to come first. He didn't want to leave Tom behind so he increased his efforts, sucking harder and moving his tongue up and down Tom's shaft, glad when he could tell it was having an effect. His own body was tightening ready to orgasm and he felt the same thing happening to Tom.

Sam started shooting only a few seconds later, and the feel of his cum filling Tom was enough to tip him over the edge as well. Each of them was treated to the warm flow of the essence of the other, the combination of that treat and their own pleasure making them moan even though their mouths were still full. They gently licked each other afterwards, recovering while they cleaned their mate off and savoured every last drop.

Afterwards, Tom turned around and took Sam into his arms, feeling himself wrapped up immediately in his embrace as well, and sharing their first kiss of the day, the remnants of cum in their mouths being shared and transferred as their tongues entwined. Neither one of them could think of a better way to start their day, and they lay curled together taking full advantage of the peace before work had to take precedence. It was a good twenty minutes before Tom braved asking what had started to prey on his mind once the afterglow had worn off.

"So, when are you going to tell Jake?"

"At breakfast. I don't expect to have to wait long after that until Adam is here either. Jake misses him badly, and as much as I still wish we didn't have to deal with him, we need to talk."

"You're not going to go all alpha male on him to make sure he's serious about Jake."

"No, I believe that. However, I do have an idea that may be a little 'alpha male'. I am going to make sure he doesn't underestimate us."

* * * * * *

Jake's beaming face at breakfast almost made it worth it, but both Sam and Tom were still nervous about letting Adam into their home. And although neither of them would admit it, the fact that he was Sam's ex was an issue for both. Sam regretted ever having been involved with him, and Tom hated the idea that a man like that had had his hands on Sam. He was also more pleased than he should have been that Adam was a total bottom and had never been inside Sam like he had on a regular basis. The idea of a one-way relationship did not appeal to Tom, but it obviously worked for Adam and Jake.

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate this, and Adam will too. I've missed him so much," Jake responded to the offer of Adam coming to stay.

"Just bear in mind, we need to talk to Adam as well. We are also concerned that he might be followed or tracked, so Tilly will go and pick him up from the village and he has to leave his car and phone there. He comes alone and we will make sure no-one knows exactly where he is," Sam instructed.

Jake was not stupid, but in this case he kind of understood their distrust. His mate didn't trust the men that had been in contact with him enough to let them have any contact with Jake, so taking precautions was sensible. He wanted to ask to go with Tilly to fetch Adam, but had a feeling that would be refused. Still, he would be at the gates so he could see his mate as soon as possible. Even the thought of being able to hold his man again had his cock twitching in his pants. The thought of what else they would be able to do was so distracting he had to calm himself before contacting Adam. 

The others could tell from his vacant gaze that he was speaking to his mate, and when his smile became even broader they knew Adam would be on his way, and probably soon. Jake broke off the contact and looked back at his family.

"He'll be here in two hours. He said he'd call me when he gets close so Tilly can get him."

"He won't have to park far away, they can probably walk down. It's just so long as anything that can trace him is outside our grounds, because we can protect our boundaries." 

Sam couldn't dim his brother's enthusiasm at that point, or his repeated thanks. He mentally wrote off the idea of speaking to Adam for at least four hours because he was pretty sure Jake would want to take him somewhere private the moment he arrived. Sam was going to arrange a welcoming committee, purely for his own satisfaction, but he would play nice, and he had no intention of keeping the two of them apart and antagonising Jake when he was only just starting to build a relationship with him again. 

* * * * * * 

Two hours passed very slowly as far as Jake was concerned, desperate as he was to see Adam again. No-one else bothered him, sensing how preoccupied he was, although he had regular updates from Adam as to his progress towards them, plus lots of ideas of things he wanted to do when the two of them were finally together. As much as Jake loved all the ideas his mate was sending his way they just increased his frustration. Immense relief washed over him when he finally heard that Adam was about quarter of an hour away and he fetched Tilly immediately, walking down to the gate with her and not even bothered that she was teasing him about the state he was in.

Tilly was amused, but it was good natured teasing. All of those who were mated understood the need to have their mate close and the sudden desires to be with them. She knew most of all how hard it was to be parted from your mate and in her case it had been even worse because she couldn't be sure that he would ever wake. Even now those thoughts terrified her, and she knew that he was fine and would soon be back to full health. When they got to the main gate she could tell how on edge Jake was and tried to reassure him.

"I will be back very soon with your mate, brother. I will take good care of him too."

He didn't really relax, but he appreciated what she was saying and that she referred to Adam as his mate.

"Thank you," he replied, not quite sure which part he was thanking her for and still far too distracted to concentrate much on his sister.

Tilly left him, still smiling at his excitement and glad to see that Jake was so happy, even if his mate wasn't an ideal choice as far as she was concerned, and pretty much the worst choice possible in Sam's opinion. Maybe seeing the two of them together would calm his worries about that, but she doubted that Sam would ever entirely trust Adam. She should be easier to convince, but there were still doubts in her mind about the safety of this course of action.

She reached the carpark where she was due to meet Adam only a minute before he pulled into it and parked, and she wandered over to his car, noting it was high end and expensive, not that she would have expected anything less. He seemed pleased to see her, but just as with her brother, he was far more interested in seeing his mate than her and she was pleased to see it. 

"Hello Tilly. I was surprised to hear you would be my escort, but it's good to see you again."

"They thought I would be the least intimidating option, aside from Jake of course, but if we'd sent him you might not have made it to the house for several hours."

Adam blushed slightly, and she knew from his emotions that he was looking forward to some intimacy with Jake. He was already getting aroused, although he was in control enough to try and defend himself slightly and to question her words.

"So the least intimidating of you is the only one who has physically attacked me? Why do I not find that reassuring?" he asked, with a smile that said he was not entirely serious.

"I am sorry about that. It was something of a shock and I over-reacted."

"It's okay. If I thought someone was hurting Jake I'd have done the same. Probably a lot worse, actually."

"Good. That's how it's supposed to be."

He looked at her slightly startled, perhaps not expecting her comment or that he didn't understand the effects of being mated. She guessed he didn't meet other Weres, so it wasn't as though he would have come across situations where he'd had to defend his mate or make it clear that they were. Not that anyone at home would challenge their bond, but fights, well there was a possibility, although she hoped that Sam would keep control.

Adam grabbed a small bag from the boot and slung it over his shoulder, looking over at her expectantly as he locked the car and obviously keen to get moving. She chuckled to herself as she led the way, not that Adam wouldn't have known where they lived, but he had never been there before. 

"It will take us less time to get to the gate than it will from there to the house. In fact, that part will probably take a lot longer than usual since Jake is waiting right by it."

He gave her a glare, not sure about being teased. "I have control of myself."

"Perhaps. But I'm pretty sure Jake doesn't."

She felt his pleasure at knowing that Jake was waiting and wanting him, and laughed again, receiving another glare.

"You're not used to this, I'm sorry. All mates understand the needs that drive the bond, and we do tease each other about it, even though we all end up being the butt of the joke sometimes."

"I heard something about that from Jake, but I thought it was considered wrong to insult mates."

"Insult one or other of them, yes. It often starts fights. But we don't consider teasing both or either party about their need for each other to be rude. Like I said, it happens to everyone, and we will all find ourselves being the ones rushing away with an obvious excuse from time to time."

She saw Adam grin. "Does that mean I don't need to make excuses if I have to drag Jake off the moment I see him."

Tilly laughed with him. "It is generally considered good form to make it out of sight, so if you could wait until you get in the house it would be appreciated!"

Adam might have answered if he hadn't started to become aware of his mate being close. There was something, either the psychic bond or the scent, that started to drive him crazy and he didn't even hear anything else that Tilly said. As they turned a corner in the track he saw the gates she had mentioned, and waiting behind them he saw his mate. Nothing else penetrated his consciousness then, just the sight of Jake's green eyes fixed on him, the sun glinting in his mid-brown hair seeming to create golden highlights, and his toned chest on display making Adam want to touch him badly. He sped up immediately, needing to make contact with the vision in front of him. 

For his part, Jake too was transfixed. Adam had dressed to impress and despite the journey he looked fresh and smelled good enough to eat, or at the very least lick all over. His dark eyes sparkled as soon as they made eye contact and Jake's arousal grew at the proximity of the man who could undo his control with just a glance. He didn't even acknowledge Tilly, pulling the gate open and his mate straight into his arms for a reunion hug that quickly became an intense and passionate kiss.

Neither of them wanted to break that small connection now they had it again, and they let their tongues play together as they savoured the flavour of each other. Jake couldn't resist a little show of aggression, knowing how much it would turn Adam on, and he ravaged his mouth as one hand slid into his mates hair to grab a handful and hold it tight. The soft whimper Adam let out into his mouth was more than enough reward right then, although he was only dimly aware of the fact they had company and was seriously considering dragging Adam off somewhere right then to take him.

Tilly felt her temperature rising as she avoided looking at the scene. From the emotions hitting her she didn't need to watch, it was quite clear the reunion was intense. She cleared her throat loudly, then again when there was no reaction. She glanced around her when she became aware of other presences, and saw the whole of the team were spread out amongst the trees. Typical Sam, wanting to make a show of his strength.

"Is one of you going to take pity on me?" she shot out as a thought to the team.

She felt amusement coming back to her and almost thought that no-one was going to try and interrupt the loving couple until a loud roar broke the silence. That did have the two men breaking apart, Jake looking annoyed and Adam more scared. He looked, and felt, even more afraid when he saw the lion that had made the sound. Strange, that when he looked around further none of the wolves or panthers had quite that effect on him, perhaps because he had expected them. The sight of the other lion also had his heart racing. Tilly was intrigued, but she wanted to calm the situation for the moment.

"He just wanted to get your attention. That display was probably making him horny too!" she teased.

She heard an amused rumble from both Peter and Michael, which told her she wasn't far wrong. Still, her job now was to make sure her brother and their guest actually made it to the house, and if they wanted to continue like that behind closed doors she was going to get the hell out of there. It reminded her of the intensity of Sam and Tom's first couplings, which was strange given that Jake and Adam had been together for so many years. A few days apart was obviously much more than they were used to. 

Tilly had Peter and Michael accompany them up to the house, keeping a bit of distance, but she found a perverse pleasure in keeping Adam a little on edge, or at least taking his mind off molesting Jake right in front of her. Perhaps she was rather more like Sam than she would have thought. She shot a thought ahead to tell him that they were approaching the house, to be on his best behaviour, and to warn him that Adam and Jake weren't likely to be very communicative for a while. She heard his laughter coming back to her.

"I had already planned for that. We'll say hello and tell them their time is their own until lunch. There's no point me trying to talk to either of them while they are horny as hell. From the reports I just got they nearly started a fire with the heat of the reunion kiss!"

Tilly laughed aloud at the comment, getting a strange look from Jake in return, but he was more worried right then about the tension he could feel coming from his mate, who kept glancing nervously at the lions nearby.

"What's wrong love? They won't hurt you."

"You didn't tell me Sam had lions here," came the concerned reply from Adam.

"I didn't know for sure. Anyway, they aren't just lions, they are Weres and they follow orders. Sam wants to talk to you, not have you eaten before you've even got to the house."

"You sure about that?"

"Absolutely. I really hope he doesn't want to talk to you right now though," Jake continued as they reached the gravel outside the main house and he saw his brother and Tom waiting for them, "because I have some much better ideas that we need to be alone for."

He got a soft moan in reply, reassuring him that Adam was going to be open to those ideas, even if he had other things on his mind at the moment. He noticed that Sam and Tom were both looking very serious as they approached, and braced himself for an awkward conversation and a delay to what he was desperate to do. He noted that even though they had reached the house with their footsteps being marked by probably most of the team, that Sam seemed to have even more people in reserve, as a tiger and another panther came out of the house and bounded down the main steps.

He was surprised by the excited yowl from his sister as the cats headed their way, up until they were close enough for him to smell that the panther was Dill, and although he thought it a little odd that she was so happy to see the man she'd only left half an hour before he let it pass, mainly because the animals rushing in their direction had clearly frightened Adam.

"It's okay, they are coming to see Tilly, not hurt us."

"I'll be glad when I'm inside and everyone stops stalking me. I feel like they are going to jump me at any moment."

Jake grinned at him. "None of them are going to jump you. I, on the other hand, am having increasingly lurid fantasies of doing just that and riding you til dawn!"

For good measure he shot a couple of those thoughts into Adam's head and watched him blush harder and get even more flustered, but now in a good way. Please let Sam give them some time together so he could act some of them out he thought, because he wasn't sure he would be able to wait. It seemed a good sign that Tilly had run off towards the trees with her mate and clearly wasn't coming into the house right now. He was fairly sure that his brother would want her at any meeting to sense the emotion, and he wanted her there as protection.

Jake headed up the steps towards his brother slowly and carefully, keeping Adam's hand in his both to reassure them, and to make very plain to Sam that he was not going to pretend that Adam was not his mate. He was almost shocked to see a small smile on Sam's face as they got close, thinking it more likely that they would be having a few choice words rather than a pleasant welcome. Perhaps Sam really was starting to change his attitude to Jake, and maybe to Adam as well. He still tensed when Sam started to speak though.

"Hello again Adam. Welcome to our home. Obviously we have quite a bit to talk about, but I've got a few things to get done first, so lunch is in two hours and we'll all meet after that if you don't mind."

Sam felt it polite to make it seem they were doing him a favour by waiting, but he knew he was doing them far more of one by the relief on their faces and their frantic thank yous. He smiled to himself as they rushed past, Jake managing to say he'd see them at lunch while pulling Adam behind him and muttering something about getting him settled in. He turned to Tom, his smile broadening when he saw his mate was also grinning.

"So, my sister appears to have vanished with her mate, my brother is off helping Adam 'settle in' which I doubt involves much in the way of unpacking unless you count throwing the clothes they are wearing on the floor.... it seems I am the one left out."




Friends and Foes Ch. 07



Tom arched an eyebrow and smirked. "I'm not sure what you are suggesting Sam. I thought we had work to do. Isn't that what you just told Jake?"

Sam let out a growl. "You know very well what I'm suggesting, and you know I was only telling Jake that for his own good. I need you. More specifically, I need you naked in our bed, right now, fucking me with that erection you're pretending you don't have while you are playing the unlikely innocent. Come on baby, let's go corrupt each other!"

Tom stopped trying to pretend and smiled, his eyes sparkling with mischief and lust.

"Two hours until lunch. Mmm, that's got to be enough time for me to take you at least three times. Why don't you get your pretty ass upstairs and we'll give it a try."

* * * * * *

Jake pretty much dragged Adam up the stairs and along to his room, thanking whatever deity had made Sam let him have this moment. He slammed the door shut behind them, pushing his mate into the room and growling at him.

"Strip," he ordered, watching as Adam flung his clothes off fast. As much as Jake enjoyed taking control, Adam enjoyed being given the orders just so long as they both got off, and that was a certainty.

Adam's erection was full blown already, after the few days apart the kiss and a couple of dominating actions more than enough to have him hard and ready. He was already panting and desperate for Jake to take him, and he'd made sure to be ready for this moment. He knew this time would be fast and furious and he was more than happy for that to be the case. He shuddered as he watched Jake's eyes travel over his naked body, waiting for his next instruction.

"Face down on the bed. Put a couple of those pillows under your hips. I need to take you right now."

Jake was hard as steel as well, just watching as his mate followed his orders immediately. He pushed down his trousers and walked over to the bed, noticing as he got there that Adam's legs were spread ready for him, but there was already something in his ass. He grabbed the plug and thrust it in and out a couple of times, realising that Adam had already lubed himself as well. He let out a pleased growl.

"Good boy. You knew I wasn't going to wait for this," he said, patting Adam's buttocks as he threw the toy to one side and got himself into position. 

One strong thrust made Adam yelp and Jake groan, but he was inside Adam to the hilt with just that. He took a moment to let his mate calm and to remind himself of how good it felt. It didn't matter how many times over the years they had done this, each time was just as good as the first. It felt like coming home, warm and welcoming. He leaned down so that his front was pressed to Adam's back, and wrapped his arms around his torso to keep him close, enjoying that warmth and their skin to skin connection.

Jake started to move as soon as he had as much of Adam against him as possible. His lips moved across the broad shoulders beneath him as he pistoned back and forth, and occasionally he let his teeth nibble at the soft skin. Adam's moans just became wanton. He was pretty much pinned to the bed by Jake's body and being taken hard, but he absolutely loved it and there was nowhere he would rather be.

Adam stiffened violently and Jake knew that was going to be the end of both of them. It had only been a few minutes, but the pleasure was too intense for either and the speed and force didn't make for spinning out their reunion bonding. He let himself start to fall, Adam's pleasured sounds and spasm as he came taking Jake over the edge and he started to spurt into the hot channel, knowing that Adam was shooting over the pillows beneath him. His final act, before he finished pumping, was to bite down hard on Adam's shoulder, making sure he left a possessive mark on his mate. He needed that bond to be reinforced after their days apart.

Neither of them moved for a long time after, Adam savouring his mate above him and the feel of his softening cock still lodged in his ass. The plug was nowhere near as satisfying as Jake's dick, but he was glad he'd thought of it. A couple of times on the journey down he had regretted his choice as the toy was distracting, but he knew that Jake was going to fuck him hard as soon as he could and it seemed like a good idea to be ready and waiting. Jake would have taken the time to open and lube him, but he also knew how much he'd appreciate not having to wait.

Eventually Jake rolled the two of them over, keeping Adam in his arms but moaning his disappointment when his dick left its home. He kissed along his neck again, and licked over the mark he had made to soothe it. That was going to leave quite a bruise, he thought with pride. He didn't ordinarily mark Adam, but he liked to do it once in a while and now was definitely a good time for him to see a reminder of the fact this man was his. When Adam started to struggle a little in his arms he relaxed his hold and let him turn, smiling back when he saw the smiling face that greeted him, and liking it when Adam put his arms around him to hold him tight as well.

"Thanks love. I missed that," Adam told him as he started to kiss him tenderly.

"I missed you too. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

Adam looked as though he was thinking that over for a moment, and he wriggled a little, testing his muscles.

"My ass knows I've been fucked, but that's a good thing. My shoulder hurts a bit, but I don't mind that either."

"Got a bit carried away with my possessive side, sorry gorgeous."

"Don't be. I'm yours and you can do whatever you want with me because we both know I'm going to love it just as much as you do."

Jake just growled, loving hearing his mate reminding him that he was his. What more could Jake want than an open offer of the body of the man he loved? 

"I still can't quite believe Sam agreed to this," Jake thought.

"He's trying. But I don't think he completely believes us, and he certainly doesn't trust you. Probably doesn't trust me either."

"I got the lack of trust thing when we were surrounded outside."

"It was just Sam showing off. He doesn't want you to underestimate his strength."

"I saw the film of his guys trashing that lab, I'd never underestimate him. But I also saw how not one of those men was injured. They knocked them out and tied them up, but he dealt with it perfectly."

"One man was injured. And trust me, that is going to be a sore point."

"Are you going to tell me why, or is it just the obvious fact that Simon attacked that panther. You saw the tape, he was about to take it too far, but it was lucky he hadn't been brought down long before."

"He would only have been drugged. Even after he knocked the panther out they only put him to sleep."

"Simon didn't know that. He thought he was fighting for his life. I have to say, he's a lot more powerful than I would have thought."

Jake didn't want to dwell on that aspect of what had happened, and he also didn't want to get into who was involved. He had seen his sister so close to tearing Simon's throat out for nearly killing Dill, and it wasn't a sight he wanted to be reminded of. He decided to change the subject.

"So, will you tell me why you have such an issue with the lions. You were terrified, but not worried by the others."

Adam looked nervous, but did start to explain. "I met a real lion when I was younger, in Africa. It nearly did eat me, until it was shot with a tranq. Even then it took a while for it to let me go, it seemed like forever. I know that wasn't a Were. Plus it was a female, but I don't like lions."

"Would it help if I told you they were just boys. I know you've only seen the lion side, but they are young men, and they really do just do as they are told."

"Then why did one of them start roaring at us?"

"Tilly asked someone to help her out by breaking us up. She feels emotion, and we were sending off a lot of intense vibes that were a little uncomfortable. I guess the fact I was seriously thinking about dragging you off into the bushes to take you didn't help."

"Or the fact I was wishing you would do just that! But then they almost seemed to be laughing at us."

"They were laughing at what she said about them being horny. Trust me, they were not having a go at you, and I would not be surprised if she was right either. There's a fair chance those two have run off to do pretty much what we've just done."

"Is everyone here gay?!"

"No. Sam and Tom, obviously, and those lions. Other than that I don't know but I don't think so."

"How can you possibly tell?"

"I can smell it. Well, not their sexuality, but when people spend a lot of time close together, as lovers, their scent is all over the other."

"Does that mean I smell of you?"

"Yes, and I smell of you. Although after a few days apart, it tends to fade. That's why I was quite so possessive of you when I saw you. I needed to renew my scent on my mate. It's one of the quirks of being Were."

"I really don't mind you know. Any time you want to rub yourself all over me is absolutely fine!"

Jake grinned, feeling his arousal and dick growing again at the thought and the way their discussion was heading. He nudged at his mate and started to kiss him harder.

"So, you up for more of me yet? Gentle this time, I promise, because I want to savour being able to take you again."

He heard the groan in reply and took that as his okay, soon working over Adam's body and touching and tasting every part. Shame they had to show their faces at lunch, this was good enough to take all day.

* * * * * *

The team outside had dispersed, most of the men heading back to their families. Sam's orders were just to be there for a welcome party and then they were to stay away from the house, and if they did have to come it was to be in animal form. He didn't want anyone to be recognisable if Adam hadn't already met them. Those that normally lived in the house, Finn, Sky, Peter and Michael, had been moved into Tilly's house for the timebeing.

The only part of this that had surprised Tilly was when Dill ran out of the house. She knew about the orders but not the fact all the team would be there. But to see Dill like that had been a shock, if a very pleasant one. She knew he'd come out of the house with the doctor so she wouldn't have a go at him for changing without being told it was okay. When she saw him changed though, all she wanted to do was run and play. It only took a glance to check that Sam wasn't going to need her and the pleasure she felt from Jake and Adam, to realise she wasn't going to be missed.

She fell to her knees and let Dill rub against her, his whiskers tickling her and his purr as she stroked his head and down his back. This was good but she needed more, and she barely bothered to check if they were alone before throwing off her dress and changing form herself, allowing her cat to rub against her mate. It felt good to be able to do it after so long. 

"So, is this it, you've finally got the all clear?" she asked.

"Yep. I'm all healed, all I need is to get back into full training and I'll be back to normal in no time. And of course, I'll have to remind myself of what we can do like this," he replied, laughing.

"Really? You'll have to catch me first."

Tilly took off into the woods, laughing herself. She knew Dill was close behind her and she didn't intend to make him work too hard to catch her, but it amused her and her cat to play like this again. As much as she enjoyed the chase, she needed him and wasn't going to make him wait too long. Even if she had wanted to, the barrage of images of the two of them entwined that he was sending her way were turning her on more and more, and she was unable to shut out his desire and need that seemed to hit her in waves. 

She changed her mind about the direction of their run and where she was going to lead him, knowing they would not make it back to the house and their bed, and that her house was currently occupied and not available as a retreat. She headed towards the training area, looking for one of the smaller buildings that was not too dirty inside even if it wouldn't be that comfortable. It was at least out of the way of anyone who might still be in the grounds, and that would have to be enough because she couldn't wait any longer. 

Dill was amused when he realised where they were going, but quickly followed her into the building, bowling her over to take the advantage and pretend he had caught her fair and square, even though he knew she had let him do it and could have outrun him for longer if she had wanted to. His thoughts that he had been sending to her ensured she wouldn't want to, and as much as he knew they had an effect on her, they had turned him on too. 

She surprised him when she didn't change, but once he had her pinned she moved her tail, an open invitation to his cat side to take her, but he didn't want to take any chances.

"You really want this?" he thought to her, because she'd never before wanted to stay as cat for them to mate. He had never minded, but this would be more animal and intense and he wasn't sure that she really did want him this way.

"Yes."

It was barely a whisper in his head that formed her reply, but it was spoken with need and he let his cat take charge then, forcing his way inside her to a yowl from her throat, but she was wet and needy and he was sure it hadn't hurt, just surprised her. His certainty that she was enjoying this shut down the rest of his rational brain, and he thrust rapidly inside her body, grasping the scruff of her neck in his teeth to hold her still. This was purely their animal sides involved, him taking her hard and her reacting to his every move even though she could barely move under his weight.

And god, was it good. It was raw lust and passion, nothing like either of them had experienced before, but it couldn't last. Dill bit down harder on Tilly's neck as he came, both of them crying out as their coupling came to an explosive climax that left them weak and shaking. When he started to recover, Dill licked at the wound he had made, his sense gradually returning. He had to shake his head to start to clear the animal need from his mind, getting back his humanity and taking stock of what had just happened. He saw Tilly was doing something very similar underneath him, and he moved himself away from her, now aware of what he had done and worried for her.

"Are you alright? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No, I'm not hurt," she replied, still trying to recover and not sure how to say what she had felt when her cat had totally taken over, driving her desire to new levels where it was all that mattered. "I feel great. Why have we never done that before?"

He chuckled with her, glad to know that she had enjoyed it too.

"I don't know, but we'll have to make sure we do it again!"

"Definitely."

* * * * * *

As agreed, they met for lunch, although Tilly was disappointed that Dill could not join them. She sat with the men, still glowing from the intensity that she had experienced, and well aware that she was not the only one in the room that had been well fucked since their last meeting. They didn't discuss anything of import over the food, and it was only after they had cleared up and moved to Sam's office that the questions began, Sam taking the lead to ask what the Weres wanted to know. Sam and Tom sat behind his desk, Adam and Jake facing them, and Tilly behind to take in the emotions and alert Sam to anything unusual.

Adam felt already like he was about to be interrogated, but then considering the way the captured Weres had been questioned, he had it easy. Jake held his hand to reassure him, and he listened carefully to Sam's questions.

"So, Adam, perhaps you should start at the beginning. How did these men contact you?"

"They made an appointment at work. I assumed it was about a building project, but they quickly made it clear it wasn't. They knew about my interests and knew I had the money to fund the research they said they were doing."

"But you didn't know them?"

"No. In recent years, especially once I knew about Jake, I have kept my werewolf research secret. But as you know, I was less careful in the past. They could have found out about me any number of ways."

"When was this?"

"About three years ago. I have to admit I was intrigued straight away. After all, they were pretty much offering to answer all the questions I still had. They even had a fucking business plan. They had the building, they needed the equipment, and it was all costed."

"We should find out who owned that building over the years. Currently, Adam, you do."

"What?!"

Sam checked with Tilly and her expression confirmed he really had been surprised by that news.

"Pretty much everything there ties to you. No trace or record of any other involvement aside from the employees, who were hired by your company. Well, a subsiduary of it."

Sam handed Adam a couple of the bits of paper they had obtained and he and Jake sat there looking at them in confusion. Adam finally spoke.

"I swear Sam, I had no idea. If this is part of my company I've never even heard of it. Someone is setting me up here."

"It's not exactly implausible that you would do all of this yourself Adam. Jake says he never met these guys, so who did who can help you out?"

"You think I made them up? I hoped Jake had made more progress than that." He turned around to look at Tilly. "You must be able to tell I'm not lying. Please tell him."

"I have done, but you have to admit it's hard to believe, and Jake can't back you up."

"I wasn't going to put my mate into that situation. I didn't know those guys or exactly what their motives were. Sure, I wanted to get involved, and I did give them the money, but I couldn't risk them finding out about Jake. No-one else knows about him."

"What about your family?"

Jake laughed at that, patting Adam's knee to reassure him.

"Hell no. My mother in particular does not need to know about us."

"So Jake is your guilty little secret?" Sam asked, his disapproval clear from his voice.

Adam frowned. "No, he isn't. My friends know that I'm gay and that Jake and I are together. But my parents are not privy to that. Jake agrees with my reasons. My mother is homophobic, plus she doesn't like your family because of the business. God knows why she's so against you when it was my father's family business, but she is. It's better to let her hassle me about finding a good woman every time I see her rather than tell her I've already found the one I love and he's not only a he but also an Arcan."

Sam didn't really like the answer, but if Jake was happy with Adam not telling his family about them it wasn't his place to interfere, and there were rather more important things he needed to know right then.

"So, back to these mysterious men. Is there anyone else who saw them and might be able to give us more information about them?"

Adam went very quiet, and it was clear from his face that he was having some private conversation with Jake before he spoke up again.

"Simon met them. He's my right hand man, or at least he was before one of your people broke it."

Jake winced visibly, but no-one noticed that because the others were growling. He tried to defend Adam, even though he couldn't believe quite how his mate had worded that after his warning. He should have known it was not something to be joked about.

"Adam doesn't fully understand what happened. It was a poor choice of words but he isn't blaming anyone."

"No, I'm not, but I sent him there to find out what was happening. I didn't expect him to be coming out in an ambulance. He didn't deserve that."




Friends and Foes Ch. 07



As much as Adam had seemed not to notice the sounds the others had made to his original comment, he certainly noticed the loud hiss from behind him when Tilly couldn't stop herself from making her displeasure clear, and he turned and looked at her in surprise. She was pretty sure what had happened had been well deserved, even though she was glad that Sam had stopped her killing Simon. Sam just about managed to stop growling, but his voice was harsh. 

"He nearly killed one of us, it is not a subject for jokes. Everyone was sedated, not killed, despite what they were doing. He fought and had to be subdued first. You've seen the film of it, I'm sure, and as far as we are concerned he deserved everything he got."

Adam's attention had been drawn back to Sam as he spoke, and he felt himself wincing at the force of the words. It wasn't as though he didn't know what had happened, and he knew that Simon had fought the cat, and nearly won, only stopped from delivering what might have been a killing blow by the arrival of the other Weres. The door opening behind him made him turn again, and he watched as a panther padded into the room straight up to Tilly. Now he paid more attention to her and could see she was upset and shaking slightly, but the presence of the cat seemed to calm her a little.

Tilly had been affected by remembering what had happened to Dill, and he had felt it. He had been ordered, like the others, not to show his human side in front of Adam and he hated the fact that he couldn't put his arms around her as comfort, but he nuzzled against her as best he could in his cat form. Tilly needed more as well, and she slipped to the floor, Dill quickly climbing into her lap and rubbing his face against hers as he purred softly. 

It was only Adam who found this unusual, until he started to put two and two together. He wasn't sure if he could ask Jake, but he'd have to decide that later. Right now everyone else was ignoring what was going on behind him, so he turned his attention back to Sam as though everything was perfectly normal. In some ways, perhaps it was, even to him. He sometimes sat like that with Jake, stroking his soft fur, until one or other of them would change their touches to more sexual ones. He assumed that this contact was more for comfort than anything else, unless Tilly had been lying to him about couples making sure they were out of sight. He cleared his throat before speaking again.

"I am sorry. It shouldn't have happened, and I shouldn't have tried to make light of it either. I need to make things right Sam. None of this should have happened, and probably wouldn't if I hadn't given them the money. I should be content with what I have, but I was so desperate to be one with Jake I didn't even wonder for a long time how they were getting information. I was stupid, and some awful things have been done because of me. You have to let me help."

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 08



The usual warning – this story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes. This chapter contains some pretty mild, and consensual, D/s and roleplay. 

I'm getting there with this being finished, but it seems each week I'm finishing the chapter closer and closer to submission time. I'm going to have to put a good bit of time in over the bank holiday to get ahead again, and I'd really like to get to the end! It's been running around my head for far too long now – according to the document stats I started this in December 2007 although there was a long gap while I was writing other things (like the gay stories that are up on Lit and numerous others that are still unfinished, but will get posted eventually). 

Thanks for all the votes, the last chapter for some reason had hundreds more views than the previous couple, dunno how that happens! 

* * * * * * 

8

After Adam had apologised and begged to help them, they had discussed things a little further before Sam had called it a day, after assuring him that they would let him assist as far as he could. He didn't know how far that could be though. It seemed that Adam didn't have contact details for the men and had pretty much left them to things, plus the only research centre he knew about was the one that Sam and Tom had already trashed. The two of them lay in bed, both considering what had been said and wondering what they could do with so little information.

Tom drew Sam's body to his, spooning behind him and starting to lick at his ear before coming out with his thoughts.

"We need to find those men, although how we do that I have no idea. Plus, they must be working for or with someone to have the ability to set up that place and staff it. There is something bigger at work here, and very keen to implicate Adam in all of it."

"Can you blame them? If you were looking for a patsy he's perfect, obsessed and a bit geeky plus absolutely loaded so he can afford to write them blank cheques. But it means whoever is responsible has a good idea of our level of organisation, the Council and all that."

"Should you really be calling your brother a geek?" Tom asked, laughing.

"I don't mean in looks. He doesn't hold a candle to you love, but Jake could have done a lot worse. It's just the almost obsessive love of books and computers that makes me think 'geek'."

Tom wanted to keep teasing and take their minds off things. His best thought right then was that they make passionate love and then sleep on it, and perhaps some idea would come to them overnight.

"So... If Adam is loaded because of his business, and yours is their major competitor, does that mean I'm now in the money with a rich mate?!"

Sam laughed. "Nope, the Arcan profits get split three ways but Adam is an only child. I'm afraid that you'll have to cope with the fact that you and I are only multi-millionaires, while he's worth over a billion."

That stopped Tom from laughing, and he studied Sam's face for some indication he was being teased back, but didn't see it.

"You're not joking.... Millions?"

"Yes. How do you think our family got this house? It's not exactly tiny."

"No, but that doesn't mean actual money. How come you don't have the place full of sports cars and butlers?"

"Do you want that? I wanted to be on the commando units all my life. That's far more important than money. We pay people to run the firm so that Tilly and I can do what needs to be done. Living a life of luxury doesn't appeal to me, but it works for Adam and Jake."

"I understand, and no, I don't want it. I love what we do and that is all that matters, not being rich beyond my wildest dreams. Can I ask for one thing though?"

"Anything baby."

"Next time things go quiet, I want a weekend of luxury somewhere, just us."

Sam loved the idea too. "That sounds perfect. But a couple of weeks sounds better," he continued, rolling over and taking Tom into his arms so he could hold and kiss him. "Enough talking, time for getting some practice in for when we get that holiday!" he thought, making sure that Tom knew exactly what he was thinking of as he ground their erections together and forced the first purr of contentment from his mate.

* * * * * * 

Adam was not aware that he was being talked about, but it wouldn't have surprised him. Mostly on his mind was what he had discovered that evening, but concerned that it might not be a topic to bring up in front of the others, he waited until he and Jake were alone before commenting.

"I always thought it was strange that Tilly didn't look anything like Sam despite them being twins, or so they said."

Jake looked at him and shrugged, clearly not that worried. "Yeah, she's adopted. So what?"

"I was more interested by the fact she's panther."

That comment did seem to make Jake look nervous.

"What made you think of that?"

"The fact that panther climbed into her lap twice today. He's her mate, isn't he?"

"Yes. Cross-species does happen though. Strictly speaking, you and I aren't the same species."

"She hissed at me Jake. I've heard all the noises you can make, and that isn't one of them. More importantly though, it was the two of them in that stairwell with Simon, wasn't it? That's why everyone was pissed at me for mentioning it, and why she got so upset. I really am sorry, but you should have told me so I didn't drop myself in it."

Jake looked cross. "I told you it was going to be a touchy subject, and then you go making that joke about his broken arm. I couldn't go into detail."

"You never can," Adam said sadly. "Even now, we're in their home and you're still keeping secrets from me. I expect it from them, but you are my mate, we are supposed to share everything."

"I share everything about me Adam. You have all of that, but I can't share the secrets of others, it isn't fair to them. Long ago we decided to stop telling people Tilly was adopted, because that was what she wanted. People looked at her with pity and she felt it, even though she never thought she had missed out on anything. We were her family even if it wasn't biologically, and Sam has always been her twin. If anything, I am the one that missed out, because the two of them are so close they never really needed me, and that much older that I was just a toy to play with or an annoyance to order about."

"That still makes you sad, even now?" Adam asked, seeing and feeling the thoughts his mate had about that, and the loneliness he had experienced.

"Sometimes. Not often now, because I have you. We have a far closer bond than family."

Adam smiled. "I should hope so! But it's a bond that has been stretched too far over the last few days. I still miss you."

"I'm right here Adam, what's to miss?" Jake asked, grinning because he had a very good idea of the answer to that.

"You inside me," Adam growled back, making Jake laugh.

"Fine, but I had to do all the work earlier, so don't think you're getting away with being lazy this time," he said, stripping off his clothes to appreciative looks from his mate before lying back on the bed. "Ride me," he ordered, pleased when Adam immediately stripped and came to lie on top of him, getting himself into position.

Adam knew he didn't need to worry about being slow, because he'd already taken Jake twice today plus had a toy in him for hours, and he made both of them moan when he sat down, taking the whole of his mate's cock into him in one sweet slide. He didn't wait to start riding it either, desperate for the feeling of it pumping in and out of him and knowing Jake would tell him again if he didn't. Not that hearing orders did anything for him but turn him on more, but right now he didn't need that, he still felt like he had been empty for days and had only just rediscovered the one thing that could fill him completely and bring him pleasure.

Jake's hips moved up to increase the thrust each time Adam sat down, making little grunts and whines spill from his lips. He was hard and aching and the cock he slid in and out of him with every lift of his own legs had never felt better or harder, not even during the hard fuck he had received when he first got there. This time he had to work for his own pleasure, and he could move to make sure the thrusts hit him in just the right place. The moment he found that spot, he went wild, riding harder and faster, his groans becoming one long sound echoing around the room.

His back arched as his movements finally found him release and his cock spurted, coating Jake with his cum in long streams. His legs collapsed and he stopped moving, but with a growl he found himself flipped over and Jake driving into him with a few hard fast pumps before he howled out his own release.

"You made me work after all. I'll have to think of a suitable punishment later," Jake thought to him, as they both started to recover.

"Sounds good to me!"

* * * * * *

While her brothers had taken their mind off the events of the day with sex, Tilly was not finding it so easy. Once back in their room, Dill had been able to change but even with his strong arms wrapped around her and him nibbling and licking at the back of her neck, she couldn't switch off properly and focus on her mate. It had been so easy earlier when she had let her cat take the lead, but now her human mind was racing and one thing in particular was bothering her. She pulled away from Dill's warm body, sighing her disappointment that this wasn't having its usual effect.

"I'm sorry love, but there's something I need to do first. I need to know something."

"It had better be good, because I'm starting to feel inadequate here. Normally I can switch your mind off anything. You're not still upset from that stuff earlier? I'm fine and you've had the proof I'm back to full strength. I know Adam shouldn't have been joking about it, but he didn't know it was me or you."

"I know that. It's just some of the things he said are bugging me. Not his joke, something else but I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong with it. Come on."

She led the way out of their room, and Dill didn't even think of changing when he followed her. He'd do it quickly if needed, but right now he wanted to be able to reassure his mate because he could feel her nerves but she was also determined. He also wanted to ask where they were going, but just let her lead the way figuring she would tell him soon enough. 

Tilly didn't say anything as she headed into Sam's office, or as she booted up his computer. She was too busy steeling herself for what she felt she needed to do. She searched the files as Dill looked over her shoulder and heard him gasp as she found the video file she was looking for.

"You have to be kidding me," he said. "Baby, you do not want to watch that. You got upset enough today at just a mention. And to be honest, I don't want to watch it either. I consider it fortunate I don't remember much of what happened."

"But I do, and something doesn't sit right about it."

"Aside from me getting the shit beaten out of me? I would have thought that was enough," he replied slightly bitterly, and starting to get scared. What on earth Tilly was thinking he had no idea, but he really didn't want to watch the video of what had happened to him in that stairwell. He had only just got well, and it helped not to know.

"Don't you see though, that's the point? This Simon, he works for Adam pushing paper. When we met them for lunch he seemed like nobody, just another businessman. How did he get the advantage of you with your years of training?"

Dill went silent for a moment. She had a point, and he didn't know either. He'd seen the guy too, and now she'd raised it, it did seem unlikely. But he couldn't remember what had happened. He swallowed hard and looked at the screen again.

"Play it," he murmured. He wrapped his arms around her as it started to play, as much for his own reassurance as hers.

There was no sound, and at first there was no movement either. He tried to remember where he had been on that floor. He knew that when he'd first come down the stairwell he'd found the offices, but he didn't think he had checked them all. There were tapes and computers up there and he had grabbed what he could for the team to look at later, much as the others had been doing downstairs. The place had seemed empty and he hadn't thought to check for anyone who might have been sleeping or still working. He shouldn't have been on his own, but he knew that and had found out the hard way why not.

There was a flash of movement past the doorway they could see open onto the landing, and it was obviously him in cat form, but he didn't come into the stairway just then. He must have been heading to some of the other rooms. Then there was another shadow cast across the landing and this one was human, presumably Simon, although all that could be seen of the person was his feet. But it didn't look like he was trying to get out, or hide, it seemed that he was following Dill, moving slowly so as not to make noise. Perhaps it just appeared that way, but just from the feet it did look like stalking.

A couple of minutes passed without any more signs of life. Dill had no idea whether Simon had caught up to him in an office or on the stairs, but when he came into view it was clear it was before he made it back. The two of them were already fighting and he watched as he took a couple of kicks, wincing slightly but knowing that they hadn't been that bad. He concentrated on Simon's movements rather than what he was doing, but pleased to see that he had got plenty of scratches in. It was confused, and not all in view of the camera, or not very well, but he could see how Simon was going for him. He was planning attacks, then waiting for Dill to come back towards him and blocking what he could. When Dill knocked him down, he sprang back to his feet after just a moment even though it must have knocked the wind out of him at least a little.

"He's fighting," he confirmed. "Proper fighting; he's been trained. Not just defensive martial arts either, there are pure attack moves in there." He swallowed hard as he watched the blow that had taken him to the ground, and it was obvious there was a lot of force behind it. "Fuck," he whispered. He felt Tilly's arms tighten around his own to comfort him, but in some ways he was fascinated by what was unfolding. He didn't remember any of this, but from then on he hadn't even been conscious.

Tilly moved her hand to the mouse to stop the film, but he stopped her. 

"No, let me see. I need to know what you went through."

She drew back her hand, but he could feel she was more nervous now, and he wanted to check if she was even watching, but he couldn't take his eyes from the screen. He knew that the blow from that cattle prod had never come, but seeing it raised over his prone body still scared him. It would have come down right into his skull and that would have been the end of him. The black cat that suddenly came into view almost seemed to be flying, as Tilly knocked the man to the ground and started to claw at his body.

He had never seen someone forced to protect their mate to that extent, but he knew that Tilly would have been fighting with all her might. He could tell when the guys arm got broken from the look on his face, and he could see the fear when Tilly's teeth were around his throat. He didn't feel any sympathy for him though, having seen what he had done to that point. It was only the intervention of Sam that had saved the guys life, and although Dill was glad he hadn't been killed, it was for Tilly's sake not Simon's.

The film cut out after Sam had carried him down the stairs and out of sight, and Dill breathed a sigh of relief that it was over. He still wasn't sure whether he had wanted to know what went on, but it seemed more impersonal watching it on the screen and that had to be better than him being able to recall every moment. He knew that Tilly hadn't known the detail of the fight either, having arrived at the end of it. One thing he was conscious of even more than before was how much he had to thank his mate for. He nuzzled at her neck, and at least this time she responded, although it didn't seem that she was aroused by it, more comforted.

"Thank you. I'm kind of glad I've seen it, but I am really glad that you saved my life. I know that you will say that anyone would do that for their mate, but the fact remains that you actually did. I love you."

"I love you too baby, but I still wish none of that had happened."

"The question is, what do we do now? There might be a good reason he can fight like that and it isn't relevant to our investigation."

"Or there might be a good reason that is very much relevant. However, I can't get hold of Sam right now so he must be sleeping, or having some extremely good sex so he can't hear me, and I vote we wait until tomorrow to discuss it."

Tilly turned to look at her mate and wrapped her arms around him as she stood from the desk, making sure to press her body close to his.

"Right now though, I need to curl up and sleep in your arms. That was too much of a reminder how nearly I lost you, and it still scares me."

"I know, but you didn't lose me. In fact you are stuck with me forever, so you'd better get used to it!" he replied, smiling and lifting her up into his arms so he could carry her back upstairs. "You sure all you want to do is sleep?" he asked with a cheeky grin.

* * * * * * 

The next morning they sat in the dining room eating the breakfast that Tilly had prepared with a little help from Dill. Sam had looked at them disapprovingly when he had seen the two in the kitchen, but after a warning look from Tilly he conceded the battle on whether she could have her mate there in his human form. Adam had looked surprised at first when the other man had joined them at the table, but made no comment, being sure he knew who this was. The conversation and the gentle contact between the man and Tilly confirmed it.

After their long conversation the night before, Adam wasn't expecting anything more right then, but Tilly had other ideas. She left it until they started eating, clearing their plates of eggs and bacon, before she started asking questions, cautioning Sam and Tom to stay silent.

"Adam, you said yesterday that Simon met the mystery men. Is he likely to have any contact details for them if you haven't?"

"I doubt it. He was their point of contact for us if they couldn't get hold of me, but I don't think he ever got in touch the other way around. I can ask."

"No. We need to be careful not to alert them to anything. Does he know where you are?"

"I told him I was going away for a few days with Jake, but not where. Just said I would be out of contact. It's not unusual and he's quite capable of running the business alone for that length of time."

"So he's good at what he does?"

"Absolutely. I said that he's my right hand man, but to be honest sometimes what he knows about the business makes me wonder who is running the show!"

"A life spent training up in management skills and business analysis just like us then?" she joked, hoping this line of questioning wouldn't raise suspicions. She couldn't feel any emotions that indicated that though, he seemed pretty relaxed.

"Aside from the fact his parents ran a country pub rather than a multi-million pound business, I think so. When he talks about it, it's just a question of scale, they were grooming him to take over the family firm just like we all were. He was sent off to university to do a business major too, and he passed the courses with flying colours."

That was enough to confirm to Tilly that there was something unusual about Simon. If he'd got a background in the army or something like that she might have accepted what they had seen, but it seemed more likely that there was something else at work there. One other issue that she still needed to resolve came to mind, and she concentrated on sending her thoughts to the whole room to see if it worked.




Friends and Foes Ch. 08



"How long has he worked for you?"

"Ten years. Since I took over."

Adam's reply came to their ears, but he'd not heard her question that way. Even Jake seemed surprised that he had heard the thought, but Adam didn't appear to have noticed either that she was thinking to him, or that the others were now watching him more intently. He was too busy cutting up and eating his breakfast in between his replies.

"He doesn't know what Jake is, does he?" Tilly asked, slightly concerned.

"No. We never told him, and he doesn't know who he is either, beyond my partner. The Arcan name has never been mentioned."

"Adam..."

"Yep."

"Do you realise I haven't said a word for the last few minutes? I was trying to see if you could hear me just like you hear Jake."

Adam's eyes had shot up only partway through what she was saying, so he saw clearly that she wasn't speaking aloud. He looked at her and then Jake in surprise, and then pretty much stared back at her as he tried to respond.

"Can you hear me?"

Not only Tilly, but Dill and Tom too, nodded at him in confirmation. He glanced around the table, wondering how this was happening.

"I thought I could only do this with Jake. Mind you, I've never met anyone else I could try it with, but still, I thought it was a mate thing."

"It works between all of us, anyone you know well enough. Depending on how close a bond you have either as mates or friends or family, it works over increasing distance."

Adam and Jake looked slightly embarrassed before he replied, both of them recalling the sex they had had using their mind connection.

"I knew I could contact Jake over distance, we've done it plenty of times since we first discovered it was possible. But you, and the others, how is that working?"

"You shouldn't be able to do it. It's not the first time that a Were has chosen a human to be with, but it isn't supposed to work like this even if they are mates. When a Were and human have children they aren't able to change, but sometimes there are things that linger, usually heightened senses or speed of recovery from injury. I've been doing some research but I haven't found any record of the psychic link remaining."

"So how come I have it? Jake said it was unusual, but it works and I didn't even have to try the first time."

"We need to have a look at your family, particularly the women as the genes stay stronger in the female line. Chances are you are not the first one to find a Were to be with, and if we're lucky they are still alive. I still can't explain how even if you have Were blood somewhere you have retained the trait, but maybe if we can find the person we can find something to work it out."

"You'll help me with this?" Adam asked her, both pleased and surprised that she was offering.

"Yes, of course."

"Why?"

"You are my brother's mate. It makes you family. Plus, I would love to know how this happened. You are unique as far as I can make out, and that intrigues me. I know you feel that you can't totally be one with Jake if you can't change, but you are more like us than you realise, and as much one with each other as any mates here."

Both Adam and Jake grinned at her, pleased with what she was saying. She could feel their elation at her words and her offer and it made her glad that she could help, even if she did have her own reasons as well as wanting to help them. She still wanted to know where he had come from and how this had happened, and what little she knew of his family so far definitely did not explain it.

* * * * * * 

Once they had all eaten, Jake and Adam were left to clear up, and Sam sent a thought through to Tilly that they needed to talk. She wasn't surprised at that after her enquiries over breakfast, and she doubted it was much to do with finding out that Adam was telepathic. His question once the four of them were in his office with the door firmly shut confirmed it.

"So, would you like to enlighten Tom and I over the twenty questions about Simon?"

"Dill and I were talking about it last night. Something about that man bothers me, and it isn't what he did. Well, not exactly. Let me show you."

She found the file on the computer and moved away so Sam and Tom could watch it clearly, not really needing to see it again so soon.

"Concentrate on Simon, the way he moves."

She watched their faces as they did as she had asked, seeing the same reaction to the film that she and Dill had, although less stressed at the scene unfolding. She still saw Tom in particular flinch as some of the damage done to Dill was revealed, and she realised that neither of them had watched this before either.

There was a moment of silence once it finished, Sam just staring at the screen for a while, obviously gathering his thoughts before he spoke, but Tom got there first.

"He's supposed to be a businessman. He sure doesn't fight like it."

"Exactly. I was trying to see if there was something in his background that explained it, but country pub and business school doesn't normally train you in self-defence, let alone those kind of moves."

"It might just be a hobby," Sam said quietly.

"It might," Tilly agreed, "or he might have learned all of that somewhere else, that Adam doesn't know about. I'm not saying he is definitely involved, I'm just thinking that something doesn't add up. Plus, aside from that film, we know now he can pretty much run the business single-handed. That would certainly help in setting up a company to manage the research without Adam's knowledge, and putting him in the frame for it."

Sam looked up at her in question. "Are you completely discounting Adam being involved? I agree with you about Simon, and I think we should let Mark know about this and get some eyes put on him, but I'm not ready to conclude that Adam is as clueless as he says."

"I'm not saying we should totally rule that out, no. But if you ask me, I think he's being played here and they've been trying to do the same to us. You can see how he is with Jake, and he's at least partly Were. I don't believe he would have got involved in the research if he knew exactly what it involved. Simon, however, seemed not only unsurprised at the presence of Weres there, but also quite willing to contain one by force."

"A lot of force," Tom continued. "It is a really good lead. I can't believe none of us thought of watching this before."

Sam growled. "I can. I can't quite believe the first ones to watch it were you two though," he said, looking at Tilly and Dill. "That can't have been easy. It's just shocked us. Well fought though, both of you."

It was Dill laughing that broke the tension a little. "I think we can safely say it wasn't my fighting that won the day! At least now I know that there was a good reason a human got the better of me."

"That human will shortly be under surveillance. Meanwhile Tilly, you had better find out about this other thing."

Tilly smiled at her brother and his dismissal of the 'other thing'. "You mean how come Adam is part Were? I would have thought that was very interesting."

"It's not relevant to our enquiries, but if it helps Jake then I guess we have to do our best," he replied, grudgingly. He did want to know about it as well, but he didn't really want to be seen to be helping Adam out when he still wasn't happy about that situation. Even if Adam was being played as Tilly thought, he still wouldn't be Sam's choice of a brother. He had no choice in the matter, but he didn't have to like it.

* * * * * * 

While Sam and Tom spoke to Mark and explained about the situation with Simon, Tilly spoke to Adam and he quickly came up with the perfect opportunity to meet most of his family in the hope she could find a lead.

"It's my uncle's 60th birthday this coming weekend. Huge party, obviously, and at my parents house so my mother can play hostess. Show off, that means to everyone else, but she's pretending it's all about him."

"That will work brilliantly. How do we get me in there though? She'll know who I am."

"Well, she is always after me to find a woman. Perhaps I should take you as my date!" 

Dill hissed slightly even though he knew the man was joking. It didn't stop a momentary shudder of nerves from Adam though.

"You know she really isn't my type. It will be safe for her there, I promise."

"I'm sure it will. Especially as I will be there too."

Tilly's eyes narrowed as she glared at him. "Dill, you can't go everywhere with me you know. I'll be fine."

"It's not up for negotiation. You might trust him, I don't. If you can believe his story about him knowing nothing about any of the research it reassures me a little, but not enough to let you go off with him by yourself."

Adam was acutely aware they were having a private conversation, and it didn't take a genius to work out the gist of what Dill was saying. He had relaxed enough around the family that he felt able to make a joke about it.

"We'll need a driver. I have one, but you could do it so you're just outside if needed. Plus I bet Tilly would love to see you in uniform!"

The couple stared at him in slight surprise that he was making jokes like that, but the smiles that followed when they recovered indicated that it was all agreed. 

* * * * * * 

Three days later when he was getting ready for his role Dill didn't think it was such a good idea any more. He didn't do suits, and this was definitely a uniform rather than just smart clothes, which made it worse. He glared at the hat in disgust, wondering how Adam's regular driver coped with wearing the thing. The salary would make it worthwhile he guessed, and he was just going to have to do it to make sure he could protect his mate. She'd saved his life, the least he could do was be uncomfortable and embarrass himself.

He looked the outfit over in the full-length mirror and sighed, then turned to head out to meet the others. Tilly had beaten him to getting ready and came through the door before he could leave the room. He let out a gasp at the sight of her and let his eyes travel down her body taking in the way the dusky pink silk dress clung to her curves, her dark hair falling in soft curls around her face and onto her shoulders. She usually took his breath away, but he'd never seen her dressed up like that before.

"Do we really have to go out?" he rumbled, letting his hands reach out to slide down her side into her waist and out across her hips.

Tilly thought to move away from his hand, but she was appreciating what she saw as well. It seemed Adam hadn't been that far out with his crack about a man in uniform. It was more that it was her man in uniform though, and she wouldn't have minded stopping to strip him out of it, or better still, getting him to strip for her. She realised that would have to wait, and she took a step to the side to get his hand off her, because even that soft caress was starting to have an effect.

"Yes we do. But, when we get back, I promise you can do all the things you are thinking about right now."

"How do you know what I'm thinking!"

Tilly smiled at him. "It's what you're always thinking!"

"Not quite. You look so beautiful tonight, and I always think you are beautiful. This is a whole other level. Why haven't you ever worn that dress before?"

"I don't often have any need to dress up. It's hardly appropriate for work, is it? But if you like this, I will dress up for you now and again, on one condition."

He looked at her intently. "Anything."

Tilly grinned and winked at him. "You keep that uniform."

Dill laughed, seeing the desire in her eyes now that he was concentrating more on her face than the lines of her gorgeous body.

"Are you having some Lady Chatterley style fantasies my love?!"

"Wrong job. But I would quite like my chauffeur for the evening to corrupt me later!"

"Your wish is my command my lady," he agreed, lifting her hand and pressing a kiss to the back of it, rather than grab her and try corrupting her right then which he knew she wouldn't agree to. He let her lead the way outside, keeping his eyes glued to her ass and her hips swaying as she walked. By the time they got to the car he was semi-erect just from watching and thinking about what he would do with her when they got home. 

* * * * * * 

The party was already in full swing when Adam and Tilly arrived. She was on alert immediately but beyond a sense that she was not the only Were in the house no-one particularly drew her attention. There were nigh on two hundred people there though, friends and family, and it would be difficult to notice one person in the busy environment. Adam took her to meet his parents, which was interesting in that his mother was the most stuck-up person she had ever met, and she hadn't really wanted to do it again. It might be that the Were was in the female line, but it certainly wasn't her. It was clear that his mother was not impressed at seeing her either, and was pleased to hear that she was not Adam's girlfriend. Tilly was amused at the thought that the woman had no idea who in their family her beloved son had been involved with.

Tilly mingled for a while with Adam, but not finding any likely candidates, decided to do what everyone else was up to and filled her plate from the buffet table. She had her back to the room but was still on high alert in case anyone with Were blood passed close. She nearly dropped her plate in surprise when she heard a woman's voice in her head.

"What are you doing here pussycat?"

Tilly calmed her expression and carried on loading her plate as though nothing was happening. She couldn't afford to scare off their one lead. "Right now, eating. After that I'll be looking for the Werewolf living amongst all these humans. Got any ideas who that might be?"

"I think you should go. I have no desire to leave my family."

"You don't have to. I just need to talk to you."

"Are you from Council?"

"No. I do work for them, but this is a personal matter. Besides which, there are no rules against living as human if you want to, haven't been for over 60 years."

"I'm a little out of the loop on that one."

Tilly heard the chuckle and hoped she was making progress. "It's not against the rules to find a human mate or have children either, although I will admit Council prefer to know about it. It saves us suddenly finding humans with a few lingering traits."

"Adam?"

Tilly didn't want to confirm that just yet.  "I'm speaking generally. I would really prefer to do this face to face."

She didn't get an answer to that, just more questions. "Does he know what you are?"

"He knows I'm Were. Does he know what you are?"

"No. Why did you tell him? He's not your mate, I can smell another cat on you."

"I didn't tell him. There are still rules about that. Can I please talk to you properly."

"Come to my room. Give me a few minutes."

Tilly saw the route in her mind, shot to her by the mystery woman.  "Okay."

The voice left her mind and she scanned the room to see where Adam was. He was happily talking to some of the other people there. It seemed best to leave him to it, in case the woman didn't want him to know about her. Any information Tilly could gather might be compromised if she pushed the woman too far too soon. She kept eating for a few minutes as requested, and then slipped out of the room, making sure that Adam did not see her leave. There were lots of people around so it would be a while before he would notice she was gone.

She entered the room cautiously, but it only took a moment to see the only person present was an older woman, small in stature with greying hair and green eyes. Probably a lot older than she looks, thought Tilly to herself.

"So, are you going to explain yourself then?"

"You'd prefer to keep this in our heads?"

"You never know who might be listening."

Tilly nodded her consent. "Okay. Who are you?"

"Dora Chambers. Adam's maternal grandmother."

"I guessed I was looking for a woman. Female line is much better at holding the genes."

"Is that what this is about? Council found out Adam has some tendencies?"

"I said this isn't about Council. Adam has mated with one of my Pack." Tilly left out that it was with her brother.

"Pack? There's wolf and cat smell on you." The woman suddenly became more cautious.

"Long story, but I was raised as Pack. The wolves are my family. As you know, I and my mate are panther."

"I don't get the problem though. You said it wasn't against the rules to choose a human, so why are you investigating Adam?"

"It's not a question of investigating him. He wants to understand us better, and perhaps himself at the same time. Would you be prepared to discuss this with him here?"

She didn't look happy at the idea, and Tilly pushed it.  "He already knows it's likely one of his female ancestors is a Were. We just didn't know who, or whether they were still alive."

"Okay. Go get him, I'll wait here."

"I have a simpler idea." Tilly widened her thought, including Dora in her conversation with Adam. "Adam, can you get away?"

"Have you found something?" he replied. Tilly saw Dora's eyes widen and just smiled at her.

"I've found her. Can you come upstairs."

"Who?"

"Come upstairs sweetheart. I think we both have some explaining to do." Dora replied.

"Grandma?" the response was incredulous.  "I'm coming."

Dora just stared at Tilly for a moment afterwards. She was so surprised she forgot to think her next comment. "He shouldn't be able to do that."

"I know. That's why we wanted to find out where it came from."

Dora's expression turned from shock to amusement. "I guess your brother got one hell of a surprise the first time he did."

It was Tilly's turn to look surprised, and Dora just laughed. "I may be getting on a bit, but I'm nowhere near as dense as Adam's mother. I am right about the brother part? I guess he could be a more distant relation."

"No, you're right. My brother Jake and he have been together for several years. I'm only guessing, but it might be finding his mate that brought this trait out in Adam. He says he couldn't do it before Jake, but now he seems able to communicate with most of us. Not my other brother, but I suspect that's more because they don't like each other and don't want to try."

"Didn't like Jake taking up with a human, or with a man?"

Tilly wasn't quite sure how much to share, but figured that the more she said the more Dora would trust her. "I'm afraid it's Adam himself rather than what he is. Sam's mate is also male, and although he's Were, he's not wolf."

"Things have got far more progressive while I've been away!"

Their conversation was interrupted by Adam knocking at the door. Dora called him in, and he just rushed over to hug her tight. Tilly watched the reunion, pleased to know that Adam loved his grandmother and to feel his emotions were happiness and relief. However, she was aware that she couldn't feel any emotion from Dora. There had been a brief moment of shock when Adam spoke to her mentally, but aside from that she had strong walls up. Living as human for so long and keeping her secret, it was not surprising.

Adam had thought he would be full of questions if he managed to meet the Were in his family, but now that he was faced with her he had no idea what to say. He understood what it was to be that way, having lived with Jake for so long, and seen even more being with Jake's family, and he didn't know what she could tell him. He even knew from what he had been told that it had not been acceptable to mate with a human so he understood why she had never mentioned what she was. There was only one thing left.




Friends and Foes Ch. 08



"Do you know why I'm like this?"

Dora looked slightly sad at the question. "No, I don't. Obviously some genes got through but I don't know why or how that works. I wish I could tell you sweetie, but it must have been meant to be. I'm so glad you found your mate, you'll have to bring him to meet me."

Adam gave a look to Tilly and she shrugged.

"I didn't tell her, she already knew."

He looked back to Dora. "I guess we've both been keeping secrets. I'm glad that is over."

Dora smiled, but to Tilly's keen eye there was something odd about it. After a while of the two of them catching up though, she forgot about that and just watched amused, particularly as Adam described her brother in such glowing terms even she wouldn't have recognised him from his words. Being his mate obviously gave him a different perspective. Eventually she lost interest in the conversation altogether, and started thinking about Dill in his uniform, and out of it.

It was clear to the others that she was no longer with them, and Adam in particular knew why, but he and his grandmother just laughed quietly when they saw Tilly's distraction, and went back to their talk, catching up on the past few years when they had seen each other less and less due to Adam's work and him keeping his relationship private. He missed his grandmother because she had always been far more loving than his mother who judged him unworthy most of the time, increasingly so since he took over the firm. 

* * * * * *

It was another three hours before they got home. Adam and his grandmother had spent some time talking and then the three of them had rejoined the party. Tilly had to keep her thoughts to herself when Adam's mother came over at one point, completely ignoring her and commenting to Adam that he needed to find a nice woman rather pointedly. She also had to keep her violent impulses in check when one guy decided she was there to be groped, but thankfully Adam came to her rescue to avoid incident, and she managed to keep her anger under control so Dill didn't come storming in.

It was definitely a relief to get back to the house, partly because that kind of party wasn't something Tilly was used to and she found hard work, but more because ever since they got out of it and started the long drive home Dill had been sending thoughts her way of what he was going to do to her when they got back. He'd had nothing to do for several hours except think about her and how gorgeous she looked that evening, and once he finally had her back by his side and they were on their way he took full advantage of the opportunity to have her mind racing.

Adam knew the two of them were doing some planning, but he ignored it because he was doing much the same. His conversation with Jake was initially about his grandmother and what he had found out, but soon the undercurrents of sexual innuendo turned into graphic scenes that Jake sent his way to get him ready for his return. It meant that as soon as the car was parked he was out of it and running up the steps to go find his mate for some of the reality.

It left Tilly amused, as she stepped rather more daintily out of the car, assisted by her driver taking her hand. He had stopped with the indecent suggestions into her mind, and was playing the part now, although exactly where he was going with that she didn't know. Nor did she mind, it was going to be fun.

"If you don't mind my lady, I think I should escort you to your room to make sure you are safe. There are lots of wild animals running around this estate," he said, with only a hint of amusement.

"That's a very kind offer, thank you."

Tilly took his arm, and walked beside him as he escorted her rather formally into the house and up the stairs. She had a funny feeling that the formality would end as soon as they were behind closed doors, and she was quickly proved right. His arm went around her waist as they got to the door and she was encouraged through it with some light pressure, not that she wasn't planning on going there anyway. Even before the door was shut both his arms were drawing her body close to his and he kissed her forcefully while he shut the door.

After the time spent waiting and wanting, both of them responded quickly to the kiss and the contact, and she purred slightly as his tongue explored her mouth. His hands raked through her hair and then slid down her back until he was able to place them on her ass and squeeze, causing her to squeak and start rubbing herself against the erection she could feel pressing inside his trousers. He pulled back from the kiss and looked at her with lust.

"I knew it. You've been playing the lady all evening, but I knew all you were after was a bit of rough to end the night with. What would your brother think if he knew you were seducing the hired help?"

Tilly liked the way this was heading, and played along. "Please don't tell him," she begged. 

"I guess whether I tell him or not will depend on you. Be a good girl and do what I say, and no-one has to find out about your unladylike conduct."

Tilly felt a shiver go through her at his words, spoken in a tone of voice she rarely heard from him. He was starting to take charge and she really liked it, but she acted a little scared, trying to back away from his embrace.

"What do you want from me?"

"I think you already know what I want. And I am going to get it. You can't go around teasing me all evening dressed like that and not expect me to react. There's no point pretending you don't want this," he purred, grinding his erect dick against her. "but I am going to make you work for it."

Tilly whimpered. She couldn't help herself because this situation was turning her on so much. She wouldn't have thought Dill could play games with her like this, but he seemed to be enjoying it too if his hardness was anything to go by. He chuckled at her reaction.

"I know you're desperate for my cock. So let's find out if you are as good at taking orders as you are at giving them out to your poor staff. Because from now on, behind closed doors, I'm going to take great delight in corrupting you, my lady. Out there, I'm your servant, but in here you are mine, do you understand?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"Yes what?"

"Yes Sir."

"Good girl. Now strip for me. I want to see what's mine."

As it was, despite his orders he was just as involved at getting her naked as she was, neither of them wanting to wait. His eyes gleamed as he saw the matching silky underwear she had on beneath the dress, but it had to go too. He let his eyes and hands roam her naked body for a while before getting back to his plan. He knew she'd enjoy this, but he'd surprised himself with how much he was liking having her at his command. He also liked having her naked while he was still dressed, although he did get rid of the hated hat.

"On your knees. Legs open wider," he instructed, correcting her position because he wanted to have access to her immediately. Satisfied with how she was then he opened a drawer to find the one piece of equipment he needed to complete his plan of how he was going to take her. "Hands together behind your back." 

He felt his cock lurch at the speed at which she obeyed his command, interlocking her fingers and trusting him totally. He slipped a cable tie over her hands a tightened it around her wrists so she couldn't remove it, although not so tight that it would mark her unless she seriously struggled. He saw her test the bond a little, probably to find out what he had done, but she didn't make any complaint. That dealt with he walked back around her and slid his hand between her legs. He knew by the scent that she was aroused but he was surprised at how wet she had become given that he had barely touched her as yet. He brought his fingers up to her lips and she needed no encouragement to suck and lick them clean.

"You're so ready for me, but I told you you would have to earn it, and I meant it. Suck me well and I might fuck you after," he said, unzipping his fly and letting his cock free. She needed no further encouragement, and although usually she would have used her hands as well, she could still do a great job. Dill groaned as her tongue flicked around his balls, treating them to a quick bath before she slid up his shaft, licking off the precum that had formed. His hands drifted to her shoulders, needing to hold himself upright, and then when he thought she had teased him enough, to her head so that he could make her take him inside. He slid into the warmth and wetness of her mouth, feeling her lips close around his shaft, and something shifted in him making him go wild. He pushed his way further inside, starting to fuck her face. 

He checked her face for signs this wasn't okay, still having some of his senses, but she looked comfortable, her eyes still full of lust, and when she started to moan he knew this was fine, because they were definitely her moans of pleasure. He sped up a little, pushing further into her throat and mewling as she swallowed around him giving him even more sensation, her tongue still working on what of his shaft she could touch. It was too much after a night of teasing and fantasy and his hips moved to give a few sharp thrusts before he unloaded into her mouth, exploding with a force that shocked him and turned his legs to jelly.

Dill managed to stay standing somehow, he wasn't quite sure why as his entire body seemed to be quaking, and the fact that Tilly was still licking at him to clean up the last of his cum didn't help. He let out a small moan, then moved away from her as he needed to recover properly. Moving to their bed he grabbed a pillow from it and flung it on the floor in front of her, noting that she was still wet and maintaining her position waiting for his instructions.

"Put your face down in that. I'm going to make you scream," he croaked out, finding himself unable to speak properly given what she was doing to him. The sight of her bent over, ass in the air and legs spread just increased his lust, and despite having only just come he was almost fully erect again. 

He got on his knees behind her, pushing his trousers down a little further. He and his cat were going crazy at the sight of their mate like that, ready and waiting to be claimed. One last thing to add to the almost perfect picture and the scenario they had been playing out. He raised his hand and spanked her a few times on each cheek, hearing her little yelps of surprise and her moans in response. Her ass bore the prints of his hand and he massaged them both thoroughly, both to relieve the sting and for his own amusement. 

Then he took her. He didn't give her chance to expect it, or to take him slowly, it was one quick thrust and he was fully seated. He was right, she did scream, but it was pure pleasure. He took hold of her hips for purchase and kept on moving, his hips jerking hard and fast, pulling her back towards him as he bottomed out and hearing her moan in response. Being with her like this left him very little control, and it was just fast and furious fucking, but fantastic none the less. It reminded him of when his cat had taken over, the only thing that mattered was the sex.

Only a couple of minutes later he felt his orgasm coming, and he couldn't stop himself. Thankfully he heard and felt that Tilly was coming too, and the movement of her body and her pussy tightening made him come just as hard as earlier, just spilling his seed in a different hole. He was glad he'd thought of the pillow, because even muffled by it Tilly came loudly, he thought screaming his name but it was a little hard to tell. 

He withdrew and the stream of his own cum that followed his dick out, combined with her juices, made his mouth water and he started to lick her clean, hearing her moans in response. Once she was cleaned he let his tongue travel down and lick her clit and that sent her over the edge again. This time her scream was more hoarse and quieter, but definitely his name. She collapsed forward onto the floor, hands still tied behind her, and he struggled to his feet to find some scissors to cut her free.

That done, he lifted his mate into his arms and carried her to the bed, soon shedding his own clothes so he could curl himself around her. He nuzzled her neck as he knew she loved, but she barely responded.

"Are you okay baby?" he asked, cautiously. "Did I take that too far?"

"I love you," he heard whispered into his head, before she snuggled back against him and fell asleep. It was enough to let him relax and do the same, letting out a sigh of relief.

* * * * * * 

Tilly woke with a start the next morning. It was late, for her, but then she had gone to bed much later than usual. She should be smiling after what had happened, but she felt uneasy. As she moved Dill grumbled behind her, trying to draw her back into his warm body but she fought it, trying to clear her head. Something was very wrong. She felt panic and fear rising in her, her ability to sense the emotions of others causing her own emotion to rise with it. 

She tried to get some sense from the jumble of feelings hitting her in waves but it was confused. She couldn't at first even work out who it was or what was happening, she just knew it was bad. And then the emotions slowed, but flashes of vision came to her, not her room but outside, somewhere outside the gates, a van and men but blurred and becoming more so and she suddenly knew what it was she was seeing.

She projected so loud no-one could have failed to hear her, awake or asleep.

"THEY ARE TAKING FINN AND JAKE. HELP THEM."

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 09



For anyone who doesn't know by now, this story contains both m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes. 

Sometimes I swear these stories write themselves somehow and stuff comes to mind that even I wasn't expecting. Most of this chapter was like that! I've written the one after this too, and still haven't finished the story. To speed things up with the posting, I plan to submit chapter 10 tomorrow so as you are reading this it will be in the queue -- keep your eyes open in the next day or two. Hopefully I will finish chapter 11 to get it up as usual next weekend, and I also hope that will be the finale, but I guess I'll know that for sure really soon.

* * * * * *

9

Tilly's near scream into the heads of everyone around caused immediate action. They heard enough to know that Finn and Jake were in trouble and no-one stopped to think. They grabbed gear on the way out of the house, piling into two vehicles and speeding down the drive. Tilly was frantic, now unable to get anything from her brother or her friend and knowing that meant they had been drugged already. That meant they had been caught, and they had to hope the team got there before the van drove away, because once they were gone they would not be easy to find.

Everyone was tense, and it didn't help Tilly calm down at all. In this situation she couldn't even rely on Dill to calm her down because he was just as much on alert as everyone else. She tried desperately to go over what she had felt and seen, trying to get some idea of where they were.

"They were on the road towards the village, but they've been out for a while now so I don't know if they will still be there."

"We'll split up and head opposite ways."

"It was a dark van, box style, maybe 3.5 tonnes. It was hard to tell from what they managed to send me before the drugs took effect."

The teams all heard the conversation between Tilly and Sam, and were determined to find the men. The two cars split up at the end of the drive, and Sam took the route towards the village, hoping that the van in question would still be there. Tilly saw the place after only a few moments, only five minutes walk or so from the house, and her heart sank.

"It was about here. They've been driven away already."

"Then we carry on and find them," Sam replied, his jaw set firm and his fingers almost white as he gripped the steering wheel, determined that they would.

* * * * * * 

No-one spoke for several minutes, all on alert and looking down each side road they passed, but everyone knew the longer they failed to find their friends the less likely it was that they would. Between the team there and the others sent out by Council, every centre they knew off had been put out of action, which meant they had no leads to follow. There was an undercurrent of fear that Tilly could feel, but all of the men were following their training and were outwardly calm.

A sudden call from Tom in the other car had them even more on alert, and ready for action.

"There's a van fitting the description heading your way. I'm following it so I suggest you cut it off front the front. About two minutes from your position, assuming it doesn't turn."

"Understood," Sam said, speeding up further. 

All eyes were fixed on the road ahead, and it was less than a minute before they saw the van coming their way. Sam let it get almost to them before he swung his vehicle across the road, forcing the van to brake sharply and coming to a halt only about a metre away from hitting them. A squeal of tyres indicated that Tom had done much the same to the rear of the vehicle, and soon all the team were pouring out of the doors, heading for the vehicle while they still had the element of surprise and hopefully before any weapons could be drawn.

Tilly stood back slightly taking in the scene. The van fitted what she had seen sent to her by Finn or Jake, but there was something not quite right about it. For starters, it seemed too close to home, and in fact was almost heading back the way it should have come from. Also she could see there was only one man in the front of it, although he was rapidly removed from the drivers seat and pressed back against the side of the vehicle by some angry men. She felt his fear, and moved up to the other men to find out what was being said.

"Where are they?" Sam was growling at him, his arm pressed across the guy's chest holding him in place, but he wasn't fighting back.

"I.. I don't know what you mean," the man whimpered, clearly terrified, and to Tilly also clearly honest, although no-one else was able to tell.

"Get the back doors open," Tom ordered, and Alex and Cal ran around to bust them open, some of the others moving into position for backup in case there were armed guards in there. 

There was a moment of silence, followed by creaking as the doors were opened, and Sam and Tom waited for information. It took another few moments before there was any word, although there had been no sounds of fighting and it was clear at least one of the team had entered the vehicle. Then Alex reported back.

"There's two guys in here, but it's not them boss."

The faces of the team tightened again, sure that they had found their colleagues up until that moment. Sam also tightened his grip on the driver, and he let out a pained noise in response.

"Where are they? Don't make me ask you again, unless you want to get beaten first." Sam's voice was as close to a wolf-like snarl as he could get without changing form, but Tilly knew he wasn't going to get anywhere, and moved towards him.

"Stop it. He doesn't know. Let me talk to him."

Even Tilly flinched when she saw the look in her brother's eyes, but he did release his grip at least a little. The man didn't look all that relieved though, but it wasn't surprising under the circumstances. He was still surrounded by a lot of angry men, and he knew it. His eyes went to Tilly and she took in his appearance. He was probably only in his mid twenties, thin although clearly did some sort of working out, but not to the extent she would expect for one of the kidnappers. His brown eyes showed his fear, and he locked them on her as if she was the only one who could help him.

"What are you doing here? Who hired you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm and kind. He glanced back at the men and didn't answer her. "They won't hurt you, but we need to know."

He was clearly trying to overcome his fear to speak to her, but during the delay Sam growled quietly and it didn't help. Tilly pushed him away from the man, making sure he let go completely this time and putting her own body in between them. Sending a sharp instruction to Sam to keep his mouth shut, she asked again, and this time he pulled himself together enough to reply.

"I'm a student, just doing holiday work. I got this job through an agency, but I thought it was weird. I'm under instructions to drive around this neighbourhood and wait for a phonecall to tell me exactly where the drop off point is. I don't even know what I'm delivering. I was a bit worried it was drugs. Are you police?"

"Not exactly. And it isn't drugs. Plus, I doubt you are going to get that phonecall."

She turned back to Sam and Tom for confirmation, and they nodded that they were thinking the same.

"Diversion. Bastards knew we would be looking for them and sent us on a wild goose chase. Perhaps the men in the back were intended to go the same place if we didn't find them, but not essential if we did. They wanted some of us," Tom said.

"Which means they know who and what we are," Tilly supplied, and the two men looked grim.

Sam completed the plan of action. "We still have time, they can't have got much further. Tom and I will get back in the cars and look for the real van. Tilly, keep Peter and Michael with you, and get the two men back to the house. See what you can find out from him and then let him go if he really isn't involved."

"He isn't."

The orders were given out and men moved back to the cars, leaving Tilly with the driver and the two trainees. She turned her attention back to the driver, who looked less afraid, but still not reassured, even as the cars drove away. Although Peter and Michael were young, probably a similar age to him, they were imposing physically due to the amount of training they did and looked just as much like bodyguards as any of the others would have.

"Is there someone you can call to come and get you? We'll be keeping the van."

"You can't. It's not mine."

She grabbed his arm, not hard, but he still flinched away from her. Gentle pressure soon had him following her though, and she tried hard not to scare him more than he already was. She led him around to the back of the van and let him see what was inside. Two young men were strapped onto hospital style trolleys, drips leading into their arms. She heard the man let out a gasp of shock and repeated her earlier words.

"Like I said, we'll be keeping the van. Unless you want to explain your role in a kidnapping. It might only be as unwitting driver but I don't think that anyone but me is going to believe you. Get them unhooked guys," she ordered the others while the man stood there, still in shock. She drew him back around the van to continue her conversation with him, and this time he didn't protest.

"Can you call someone to collect you?" she asked again.

He nodded dumbly and headed to the cab to pick up a mobile phone that was in a pocket on the door. She heard him make a call in hushed tones, but her hearing was good enough to pick up every word. He wasn't saying anything about what had gone on, but he was begging someone to come get him immediately, clearly shaken up. She checked on Peter and Michael, who by now had the men disconnected from the drips and out of their restraints, and ordered them back to the house. Each of them picked up one of the guys and headed off, not questioning her orders. It would only be about ten minutes across country back to the edge of the grounds, and there would be no problem for them carrying a man that far.

Tilly checked the back of the van, but there was nothing in there other than the trolleys and drips. A quick search of the cab didn't yield anything either, it was fairly new and had been recently cleaned. The satnav was about the only thing that might be of use so she disconnected it to take with her, returning to the man. He was watching the men disappearing into the woods at the side of the road, and from his emotions his fear was giving way to curiosity.

"Where are they taking them?"

"Somewhere safe."

"How do I know you aren't kidnapping them now?"

Tilly shrugged. "You don't. But we have released them, which suggests not."

"What was in those drips?"

"Sedatives to keep them unconscious."

"Who are they, and what the hell were they doing in the back of a van?"

"I don't know who they are, and I can't tell you why they were in there."

"If you told me, you'd have to kill me?"

Tilly actually laughed at his question, as he was joking but not sure quite how much. He'd certainly relaxed around her now that all the men were out of the way.

"Let's just leave it at I can't tell you. What are you studying?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Accountancy and business. I've got one year left and then need to find someone to hire me."

"Are you any good? That usually helps."

He looked at her, mock affronted. "I'm almost top of my class."

"So why are you driving a truck in the holidays rather than doing a vac scheme? It would be far more useful to you getting some practical experience."

He was about to answer her when a car pulled up behind the van, slamming its brakes on and the driver jumping out of it the split second it stopped. It was a day for meeting young, fit men, Tilly thought to herself with amusement. Aside from the two unconscious ones, these two were nice eye candy. Dill wouldn't have appreciated her thoughts, but he was preoccupied right then. The guy who came towards them was blond haired and blue eyed, unlike the guy she had been talking to who had dark hair and eyes. 

They were a nice compliment to each other, and even as she thought that she started to feel the emotions flashing between the two of them. The new arrival was clearly concerned, but what she could feel overriding all of that, from both of them, was unrequited lust. After her time with Dill, and Sam and Tom, and even Finn and Sky, she knew all too well what that felt like. She almost felt the electricity herself as the blond man touched the other's arm, and to her keen senses the dilating pupils and change in breathing were dead giveaways. These boys had the hots for each other, but they didn't know they stood a chance. She was just wondering whether to say something when the blond man got his first words out.

"What the hell happened Jon? You sounded freaked on the phone. Have you been robbed?" he asked, looking at the busted doors on the van.

"I'm fine Ross, and no, I wasn't robbed. I just need a lift home. Can I go?" he asked, turning to Tilly.

She nodded. "Two things first though," she said, digging in her pocket and finding a pen and paper. "This is the number for a man called Matt at Arcan Construction. You've heard of them?" He nodded this time, clearly unsure what she was doing. "Call him tomorrow. You must have about six weeks of the holiday left, and he'll give you a job for the rest of it if you want."

He looked at her, slightly suspicious, but a lot less than the blond man clearly was.

"How can you be sure of that?"

"I'll tell him to. Say you were out driving the other day and you were given his number."

"It's really that simple? Forgive me being a little wary, but since when do huge companies like that hire some random person from the side of the road. If you're serious that would be a great opportunity, but how do I know you're not a nut?"

Tilly smiled again. "You don't, right now, but if you call him you'll find out. It'll be a lot better and much more useful than driving a van randomly round an area."

"Okay. And the second thing?"

Tilly looked between the two men again, sure that she wanted to do it. She instinctively liked the young man and felt bad for them all having scared him when he was caught up in something totally unaware. The blond guy, Ross, was still looking very suspicious of her, and this wasn't going to help, but when he looked at Jon she knew she was right, although she had to go carefully.

"The second thing..." she tailed off, unsure quite how to broach this. She noted the contact they still had, and that Ross was slowly moving his hand on Jon's arm, even if he was unaware of it.

"Sometimes people just need a little push to realise what is right in front of them. All those glances; those innocent little touches that send tingles through your body; when you get a moment to drink in the sight of the one you desire; all the times you want to say something and decide it isn't the right time, or you'll be laughed at and lose a friend; all the times you go to bed alone and dream of a warm body next to yours -- all of that is happening to him too."

She watched as Ross drew his hand away sharply, the two of them not daring to look at each other as they stared at her in shock. They both knew what she was talking about but neither was brave enough to say anything.

"There's no reason to be scared any more," she continued. "you can have what you want, you just need to start talking and take it from there."

Jon gave a quick sidelong glance at the other man, but he was still focussed on her, probably trying to digest what she was saying. He managed to stammer out a question.

"What are you on about? Who?"

She looked between the two of them, wondering how obvious she had to make this. Apparently very obvious if they were actually going to break down their walls and talk to each other. She rolled her eyes as if they were stupid.

"I'm talking to you about him, and him about you. Forget all this unrequited shit, it's not worth it, trust me. Requited is much more fun!"

For the first time, Ross spoke to her directly. "How? What made you say that stuff?"

She shrugged again. "I'm psychic. Like I said, sometimes people need a little push to see what's in front of them. You two are perfect for each other, trust me."

She saw nervous little glances then, but they did make eye contact, if only briefly. Embarrassed eye contact at that, but it was a start. Jon still challenged her though.

"You're not psychic. How do you know anything about us?"

She grinned. "If I told you, I'd have to kill you!"

She left Jon laughing, sure that at least she had tried her best to find him a job and a lover, and headed off into the woods herself. She heard the sound of the car as it pulled off, and hoped that they would listen to her. Mind you, she thought amused, she was just a nut they'd met at the side of the road. She'd have to call Matt and let him know about the job offer, and she'd find out later if any of it had worked.

* * * * * * 

Peter and Michael travelled quickly through the woodland, keen to get back to the mansion. It was only mid-morning but it had already felt like it had been a long and difficult day, and it wasn't likely to get any better until the missing men were found. It was the first time that either of them had been involved in something so desperate and important, aside from as observers, but they were already back to that role, first opportunity the Alphas had to dump the trainees they had.

Peter had felt irritated by it when the order was given, but he wasn't going to disobey, he was too well trained. Now though, walking through the woods with the unconscious man in his arms he was glad. He wanted to help, and what could they do that was more important than saving more captives? A man's life was in his hands and he needed to do everything he could for him. He looked at the guy he was carrying with interest, wanting to know how he had ended up captured and where he had come from.

The body was totally limp, well sedated and it would probably take some hours to wear off if they had been on drips for a while. Still, it was fit and lean. Not like his with his muscles, but then he doubted the man did much training other than running. That was probably it, he felt toned but he was still slim. All he was wearing was a pair of loose trousers, but Peter suspected he would have toned legs as well as the chest he could already see. There was very little hair on it, except for a thin line down his stomach that Peter's eyes followed, looking at where it disappeared into the trousers and wondering what it lead to and what it would feel like if he followed it with his tongue.

He snapped back to reality with a start. Where the hell had that thought come from? He looked across at Michael, the man who had been his lover for months and he had been caressing and sucking off this morning when the distressed cry came from Tilly, startling them out of anything more. They had made love just last night, so how could he possibly be thinking of doing anything with the man in his arms? Michael was a little ahead of him, but also focussed on the man he held and making sure he kept his footing through the uneven ground of the woods.

Peter's attention was drawn back down then, taking in the soft masculine features that somehow drew him in. The man had short hair by comparison to him, but it flopped over his face as he moved. It was a mid-brown that was highlighted in the sunlight when they moved through the patches of light dappled in the woods. He wondered what his eyes would look like because they were securely shut, but he wanted to see them. The guy was almost certainly wolf, while the other was definitely lion, the curly blond hair giving him away. From the second he and Michael had got in the van they had seemed to know which man to look after. 




Friends and Foes Ch. 09



He was relieved when they finally reached the boundary of Sam's house, and it was only a short walk along the wall to a side gate that they slipped through. The longer he held this man the more confused he was getting and the more thoughts of caressing and making love to him he was having, and he wanted to get some distance to sort this through. His mind wandering again, he was brought back to reality quickly as they reached the house and Michael finally spoke.

"I should take him to bed," he said, flushing slightly when he realised how that sounded. Peter barely noticed, he was just thinking what a good idea that would be.

Carefully, the two of them carried their burdens upstairs and into one of the many unused bedrooms where they could lay the men out on beds and wait for them to wake. They sorted out covers and pillows, making them as comfortable as possible, before Peter felt he could relax a little, even though he couldn't take his eyes from the beautiful face that seemed to have him entranced.

He dragged his attention away from the man in the bed for a moment, and looked across to Michael, seeing the same need and confusion on his friend's face that he knew was showing on his own. Michael fussed around the prone figure he was looking after, and then just stared at the sleeping face for a moment, before seeming to notice that Peter was looking at him. A jerk of his head indicated that they both go and sit on the chairs on the other side of the room.

"You feel it too, don't you?" Michael asked as soon as they sat down.

"Yes. I don't understand it, he's not even awake."

"Didn't matter when Finn found Sky."

They looked at each other for a long moment, both sad about what was being said, even though they knew it had to be done and they would both be happier afterwards.

"I guess I never figured things would turn out this way."

Michael gave him a sad smile. "I don't think we could ever have imagined this happening. The good thing is, it hit us at the same time. I can't imagine how this would be if it was only one of us and the other left alone."

"It's still sad. This means the end of everything."

"No. It's the start of something incredible for both of us. We'll always be friends and be there for each other, it'll just be different. We can still work together, and we'll always have the memories of what we've had."

Peter didn't quite know what to say to that. He did feel it too, he was just scared that this would change everything between them, despite what they might want. He'd spent almost all of the past two years with Michael, even before they were lovers, and they would no longer have that closeness, no matter what Michael thought. Their friendship went far beyond sex, but if they were both connecting with their mates there wouldn't be time for friends. Michael seemed to know what he was thinking, another sign of the connection they had despite it not being as close as they might have thought.

"Okay, we might not be together too much after they wake, but that is just in the beginning. Plus, I guarantee you will not be missing me when you can get frisky with wolfie over there!"

They both laughed, Peter thinking about how that might be, and wondering how so suddenly all his fantasies in that direction could be focussed on someone new, who he had never even spoken to.

"We are of course assuming they will be open to this idea."

Michael screwed up his face. "If not, I'm sure it won't take much persuasion. We wouldn't be feeling like this if they weren't right."

The practicalities of the situation hit Peter then. "We need to separate them, before they wake up, plus you and I need to take showers. They'll need a lot more persuasion if they can smell that we are already involved with someone, and I don't really want to be having a deep and meaningful conversation with you in the room, or to hear you doing it either. As understanding as we are about this, I don't need to see you in action with someone else."

Michael nodded. "I know the feeling. We've probably got more than an hour, which should be long enough. We can get the room across the corridor made up, and each take a shower while the other guards our mates. It's a shame to lose that nice room we've been sharing, but I don't want to take my mate to the bed I lost my virginity in, it doesn't seem right."

It was Peter's turn to agree, and then grin. "They don't stand a chance, with us both working on their seduction!"

Michael laughed for a moment, but when he stopped the sadness was back in his eyes. Enough had been said though, they were agreed on what had to happen, but there was one last thing he needed before he went to shower the smell of Peter off him. He took hold of him gently, and pulled him towards him for a hug. It was kind of a goodbye, they both knew that, and neither wanted to let the other go for a long while. It was also the first hug since they had first admitted their feelings for the other where neither one wanted to take it further. 

* * * * * *

Less than an hour later it had all been done, and Peter was across the hall in a different room with the wolf that was driving him crazy. Perhaps he had been a little hasty to move him, because now they were alone it was harder not to think about that. At least before he had Michael to talk to. Now it felt like he had lost that friendship already, because he wasn't with his friend. He was with an unconscious man who he believed was his mate, and until that man woke up there was no proof it was a mutual feeling. He wasn't sure he could share Michael's confidence that this would all be fine, or indeed that Michael really believed it.

Half an hour later, his mind was still whirling with all that had happened in less than a day. The beautiful young man in front of him was highest in his thoughts, but he sighed when he realised that those thoughts had replaced almost all thought of Michael. He knew he had loved Michael, but now he knew that was nothing on what he felt for this man. 

The first stirrings on the bed drew his attention immediately. He watched intently, willing him to wake up so he could meet his mate. It was probably only a few minutes, but felt like a lifetime, before his eyes opened and he looked around in confusion, then his gaze settled on Peter. Peter felt his body reacting just to the puzzled look. His wolf had amazing golden eyes, and they drew him in so that he couldn't think of anything else, and he just held that gaze for as long as he could, watching as the confusion waned and warmth entered.

He suddenly realised he had been staring for a while, and needed to do something else. He didn't stop looking, but managed after a moment to talk.

"Hello. I'm Peter. And you are...?"

"I'm yours," came a soft husky reply, before the man shook his head as if to clear it, and blushed. "Sorry, I'm a bit drugged up. I'm Jamie. What happened? Where am I?"

Peter tried to concentrate on answering those questions, when it was a miracle he hadn't just jumped the guy the second he had started speaking. His lion was roaring it's desire to make Jamie scream in the best possible way.

"I don't know exactly. The commando teams were chasing a truck that had two abducted wolves in it, but they found the one carrying you instead. They are still out looking, and you were sent back to our base. You were out cold because they had you on sedative drips while they moved you. It's been a couple of hours since we found you. You're safe, I promise."

"What about Chris?"

"Is that the lion who was with you?" Jamie just nodded, looking very worried, and Peter had to bite back his jealousy before he answered. "He's across the hall, and as far as we know he was just sedated like you. My friend Michael is looking after him."

He watched Jamie relax. "He's my best friend. I've known him since we were cubs, and I couldn't bear it if anything happened to him."

"Well, Michael is my best friend, and I guarantee he is taking very good care of Chris." A couple of understatements in that comment, thought Peter wryly. Up until he'd seen Jamie he'd have described Michael as his lover. Perhaps that was how close Jamie and Chris were, and they wouldn't want to bring things to an end. His lion's thoughts on that subject made him let out an involuntary growl, which surprised him but seemed to make Jamie smile.

"We are just friends. We became very good friends because we share our inclinations, but we've never been involved with each other. I doubt he'll give me much thought, beyond that I'm okay, if Michael is anywhere near as cute as you are."

Peter felt the blush spreading across his face. He was a little obvious with that growl, given what Jamie had just told him without being prompted in any other way. And being called cute by the man he wanted, even if in a roundabout way, caused his embarrassment but also made his libido and more physical things, rise. Jamie's next comment surprised him.

"You do know I'm wolf?"

"Yes. What does that have to do with anything?"

Jamie looked uncomfortable, and was clearly remembering something he didn't really want to. For the first time, his eyes shifted away from Peter. "It... things... are frowned upon, to say the least."

Peter had an idea what he was saying, but didn't see the problem, especially as Jamie was having at least some of the same feelings that Peter did about their situation.

"What things? Whatever happened to make you think that, it won't be a problem here."

Jamie shyly caught his gaze again, trying to get a sense of what to believe, and what to tell the man he'd only just met who was making him feel like his whole body was on fire with lust and other feelings he wasn't expecting. Tell him the truth, his mind urged, and he took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Chris and I were kicked out of home. Our families were friends, being the only Weres around in the area, and they didn't care that they were different species. Apparently it was okay to be friends, but it wasn't okay to be anything more. My father found us kissing. We really weren't involved, it was just a drunken one time thing because we were both frustrated at the situation we were in. He freaked and our families told us to leave. We still don't know if they were more horrified because we were gay or because we were different species, because both those things came up in the stuff they screamed at us before we got the hell out of there."

Peter couldn't stop himself from reaching out to comfort Jamie, stroking his hand up and down his arm in a gesture of reassurance, trying not to let the feel of Jamie's warm and soft skin under his fingers make him lose control, because he needed calming right then not to be molested. Jamie's eyes came to his, and although he looked sad, Peter also saw the desire that he was fighting.

"It really isn't like that here, or lots of places. At Council HQ there are lots of gay couples and very few people care about it. And the commandos here certainly don't. Our Alphas are a mated couple who are both men, plus one is wolf and the other is panther."

Jamie looked at him in disbelief. "Seriously?"

"Yep. You had it tough, but not everyone feels that way. My dad suspected I was gay long before I told him, and he was only upset that I didn't feel I could tell him straight away. He understands now that I was trying to work things out in my own head before I told people and it wasn't that I didn't trust him. Plus he's always supported Sam and Tom, the Alphas. It doesn't matter who you fall in love with."

A slow smile passed across Jamie's face at the words, even though Peter was surprised that he'd pretty much said he was in love. It seemed to be having a positive effect and Jamie no longer looked nervous, he looked excited and playful and Peter's lust was seriously starting to get to him.

"So... Your dad won't be horrified if you get together with, for example, a wolf?" asked Jamie with a cheeky smile.

In a split second Peter decided not to keep any secrets. It was better that Jamie knew everything now than got upset with him later when he found out. He also couldn't stop himself from talking about it as though it was a certainty, because he could see Jamie wanted it too. 

"Not horrified at all. He will be surprised though. I think everyone will."

"Why? I thought you said no-one here cared about that stuff."

Peter steeled himself, nervous of admitting the reason even though he felt he must. "Because Michael and I have been involved, and everyone knows about that. They won't expect things to have changed so suddenly. Not that I was either."

"So suddenly? That suggests you and Michael aren't over."

"We are over," he replied firmly, "but only as of today."

Realisation dawned on Jamie's face. "So I'm not the only one having crazy thoughts and feelings despite the fact we've only just met?" 

"Definitely not. I'd say there's three of us in the same boat. I have no idea what Chris thinks, but I dearly hope he does too, for Michael's sake. I don't even know if he's awake yet."

He watched as Jamie looked off into the distance, and then a very amused smile spread across his face. He looked back at Peter unable to stop smiling. "Chris told me to fuck off, because he's snogging the cutest guy he's ever seen!"

Peter laughed, and was pleased that he didn't feel at all annoyed that Michael was kissing someone else. This had to be the strangest thing that had ever happened, but it still felt like it was meant to be. A mock frown suddenly appeared on Jamie's face.

"How come they are kissing and we are just sitting here having a chat?"

"I don't know. We'd better put that right." Peter moved to sit on the side of the bed next to Jamie, who was sitting up and waiting for him to move closer. He moved one hand to the side of Jamie's face, staring into his incredible eyes as he leaned in, his whole body shaking with nerves and anticipation. He started to close the gap between them when he heard Jamie's whisper in his head.

"This is crazy, isn't it?"

"Yes, but it still feels right."

And with that he touched his lips to Jamie's, feeling the waves of desire he'd been trying to keep under control take him over entirely. He pressed Jamie back down on the bed so he could move on top of him and deepen their kiss, his lion rumbling his pleasure at the contact with its mate. He didn't even know what to do next, this was so good, and just making that connection and tasting Jamie was enough for the moment. He let the kiss continue for a long time, ignoring the fact that he could feel their erections pressing together. It was only when Jamie started to whimper his need he began to move.

Then he had to stop. He froze as he heard Tilly's voice calling him and Michael. They were on duty, and while Finn and Jake were missing there was nothing more important than getting them back. He scrambled off Jamie and tried to calm himself down while explaining.

"I'm so sorry, the Second is calling us and I have to go. I'll let you know when I can get back. Chris is across the hall, directly opposite, if you want some company. Don't go wandering too far, this place is huge."

He took a look at the bed with his flustered mate in it and groaned, taking in the sight of his chest that was slowly heaving, the kiss swollen lips, and eyes glazed with desire.

"You have no idea how much I want to stay with you right now."

Jamie smiled. "About as much as I want you to, but you have work. Go, we'll work this out later."

With one last regretful glance back, Peter left the room, almost bumping into Michael as he came out the opposite door. They looked at each other for a moment, taking in the smiles, and then laughing. Michael spoke first. 

"How long do you think it will take Tilly to notice?"

"That depends on how important this is. She may be distracted, but not long I wouldn't think. You smell of Chris."

"You smell different too. Chris didn't tell me his name."

"Jamie," Peter replied, smiling broadly just at his mate's name.

"We've got it bad."

"Yes. But we'll be in deep shit if we don't get a move on and find out what Tilly needs."

They practically sprinted along the corridor and down the stairs, quickly finding Tilly in the meeting room. She didn't even look up at them for a moment, too engrossed in studying the maps she had laid out on the table.

"Good, you're here. I don't even want to know why it took you both so long. Speed things up next time. I need you to help me with this so we can try and work out where they went. Clearly that other van was meant as a distraction, so they led us the wrong way. Sam is taking this route here, and Tom this one," she said, pointing at roads on the map. "We may be totally wrong, and Sam can't contact either of them, so they've probably been drugged. Speaking of which, have those guys woken up yet?"  

Neither of them replied right away, they just shared a look for a moment, and their smiles broke out again. Tilly looked up when she didn't get a reply, and saw the two pleased faces. She looked confused for a moment, before she sniffed the air, and then groaned.

"Really? You guys move fast. I assume they are actually conscious then."

"Of course they are," Peter replied, affronted. 

"Is there going to be a problem?"

"Not between us, if that's what you mean. We talked it over before they woke up. Thankfully they seem to agree with us."

"Did either of you find out anything useful about them, or did you just jump them as soon as they opened their eyes? Names, where they come from, how they got caught and how long ago?"

Michael went slightly red, so clearly the answer in his case was no. Peter gave him an amused look before started answering.

"The wolf is called Jamie, the lion is Chris. I don't know family names, but they don't have contact with them. I don't know where but Jamie said they grew up together in a little place where their families were the only Weres. Their families threw them out when they found out they were gay. I don't know for sure, but I got the impression they haven't been taken to any of the research centres, so probably recently captured and in transport."

"It was convenient that they had them to get us off the scent. I'm glad they are safe, but we need to find Finn and Jake before anything bad happens. I need to speak to Adam, and you two need to try working out where they could have been taken. See what you can find out from the maps, or use the research information to see if there are any probable locations. We have to act fast. Also, Sam or Tom may call in with progress, so keep a note of that."

They both nodded, and got their heads down, trying not to let their thoughts of the men upstairs distract them from their task.

* * * * * * 

Upstairs, Jamie was still sat on the bed, wondering what had just happened. In the last 24 hours he'd been trapped and drugged, and then instead of waking up somewhere awful like he'd feared they had been rescued in their sleep and he'd woken up with the strangest awareness. He remembered how members of his family had spoken about meeting their mates, but never really expected to experience it. One thing he did know right now was he needed his friend. With any luck he was having the same feelings and they could help each other understand, in the absence of the man he really wanted to work through his feelings with.

"Chris, you decent? I could do with some company."

"If you know what the fuck is going on, I'd appreciate it too. Where are you?"

"Already here," Jamie replied, coming through the door. He smiled at the state of his friend, sitting in the middle of a seriously crumpled bed and looking slightly shell-shocked. "What happened to you?" he asked with a cheeky grin, knowing the answer already. Chris gave him a dirty look.




Friends and Foes Ch. 09



"Got hit by a tranquiliser dart, woke up to find myself getting hit on by the man of my dreams. Maybe that's it, pinch me to make sure I'm actually awake, will you?"

Jamie laughed. "So Michael is cute then?"

Chris glared again. "Hands off. Although you don't do lions, so we won't have to fall out over this."

"Turns out I do 'do lions', but Michael is safe and completely off limits, I promise."

"Can I stop with the glares, and you just explain please. I'm too confused right now to cope."

"Michael has a very cute best friend, called Peter. He's what I woke up to, and believe me when I say I am just as confused as you are. I think he's my mate, how the hell does that happen? I woke up and just started staring into his eyes, then he asked my name and I couldn't even remember it, I just told him 'I'm yours'."

Chris grinned. "Not playing hard to get then?!"

"I'd take the insult, if it weren't coming from a guy who was kissing the man he woke up to within minutes. Or was it less time than that?"

He was amused to see Chris blush before he replied. "It was at least a minute. I don't know what he did to me, I've never felt that lust and want before. It felt like I'd known him for ages and it was all I could do not to strip him naked right there. I'm always cautious with men and I've never behaved like that."

"He's your mate. We're not going to be able to help what we feel."

"I was avoiding using the 'm' word. How can I be sure of that when I've only just met him?"

"Because it is that different to anything else you've experienced. They are sure they've found their mates."

"How can you know that?"

"Did you actually talk to Michael at all? Beyond finding out his name?" Chris just blushed again. "Didn't think so. Peter and he were lovers, right up until today. They broke that off over our unconscious bodies because of what they felt. That seems pretty certain to me."

"Christ. No pressure then. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'm glad he thought that way, and that Peter did too, but I'm kind of scared that he could be that certain about me before I even woke up. Plus I'm strangely jealous of the fact that a man I've never met has already had his hands on Michael."

"Like no-one has ever had their hands on you before!"

"That is not the point. He's not going to have to face them. What if he wants to go back to Peter?"

Jamie let out a possessive growl. "Peter is mine."

Chris just smirked. "I thought you were his."

"Same difference."

"He's lion."

"I know that. He, well they, are also part of a commando unit, which means danger. However, he told me it is headed by Alpha mates, one wolf and one panther. Turns out that cross-species is not as much of an issue as our families made out, although it is unusual."

"What about the man/man relationships?"

"Those Alphas are both men, plus everyone knew about Peter and Michael and it wasn't a problem. I don't care what he is, I need to be with him. I've never needed anything more, and when he got called away I had a lot of trouble letting him go."

"Tell me about it," Chris said wryly. "I was about two seconds away from ripping Michael's trousers off and inhaling what he kept in them."

"Let's hope they get back soon then, because that sounds like a very good idea of what to do to my mate as well!"

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 10



This story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes.

Hopefully you've already seen chapter 9 which should have been posted a day or two ago. If you start reading this and wonder who the new characters are, you've missed one... As I have no idea what comments might have been made on that, I'll just assure you that I am getting there with the ending and I really appreciate knowing that so many of you have stuck with this story and presumably enjoy it!

* * * * * * 

10

Two hours after Tilly first called them, Peter and Michael were no nearer to finding out where the other van might have gone, and there had been no word from the field teams either. Peter ran his hands through his hair and sat back from the table.

"I have no idea. There are so many routes they could have taken, all the labs we know about have been destroyed, so basically they could have gone anywhere. Any one of tens of thousands of buildings we can see on the maps could be it, but there is no way of knowing."

"Maybe Sam or Tom have already found them."

"They would have called in. Realistically we have to hope that they took those guys for a reason and they make a ransom demand. They won't be stupid enough to let them wake up in a room they can see out of and give us directions to find them."

"Unless they are just the bait for a much larger trap."

"That's the best you can do?" came an angry voice from the door. "All that fucking training to be so special and the best you can hope for is the bad guys contact us or lead us into a trap. They have my mate," Adam screamed.

"They have my brother and my best friend," countered Tilly rather more calmly as she came up behind him. "I guarantee we are doing everything we can. But the guys are right, I'm sorry. The positive thing is that every other person who was taken was at random, wherever they could find them. This was targeted, so there is a very good chance they will let us know the reason. We will get them back," she finished firmly.

Adam looked distraught, and the other three all understood how he felt, Tilly probably more so because her mate had so nearly died not many months ago. She hugged him as he stood there shaking, and started to give orders to the others.

"Get the doctor here, he is going to need to sedate Sky, she's going crazy. Sam and Tom are on their way back and should be here within the hour. We will have a debrief when they get here. Once you have the doctor sorted get some food ready in the main hall, whatever you can find that will be quick and easy. No-one will want to eat but we have to. I realise waiting is the worst possible thing to have to do, but that is our only option right now. Oh, and get Chris and Jamie down here for food too, warn them this is not going to be a happy family meal. There is no time for anything else right now, understood?"

"We're on it," replied Peter, quite aware of the meaning in her last comment that she shot direct to them. No time to sort out what was going on with their mates. "Who is with Sky?"

"Rob's mate. She's coping, just about, but Sky is having flashbacks to what happened to her, and she's terrified of Finn going through that."

The two lions left the room, heading straight to the phone to contact the medic. Peter explained the situation and he agreed to come immediately. The priority over, they looked at each other, both feeling the yearning to get back to the men that had them entranced.

"How about we see if they can help? It will be done quicker and we can explain what's going on at the same time."

Peter smiled. "Good idea. Not what I'd like to be doing, but they might as well learn right from the start that sometimes they can't be the priority we'd like them to be."

They mounted the stairs eagerly, amused at each other's reactions as much as their own. The trail of scent that led down the corridor aroused the pair, and they glanced at each other, sharing the frustration for a moment and each grateful they had someone else to go through this with. The sound of chattering voices met their ears, and they had to contain their laughter.

"They're discussing what they want to do with us. Sounds good!"

"Would be if we didn't have to wait. I'm not sure I can take hearing about cock sucking that I can't partake in right now."

Michael opened the door and led the way into the room, the conversation ceasing immediately and Chris's eyes meeting his with desire and hope in them. He groaned, and heard a similar sound coming from Peter beside him.

"We need your help," Michael began. "Our next important task is getting dinner ready, and we thought you might like to give us a hand, seeing as the best we can offer right now is a chat and food, not 'sucking him dry'."

It was Jamie who went the most red at the words from their recent conversation being repeated, and Peter smiled at him, wishing he could take him up on that offer since it sent a shiver down his spine, but needing to concentrate on what had to be done. 

"I told you that two wolves were taken before we found you. They are still missing and the rest of the team have been out looking, with no luck. They'll be back soon and we need to get some food and drink out ready for the meeting. There is a fair chance that the wolves have been taken to ransom or to get to the team in some way, and the van carrying you was used as a distraction. It's likely to be tense. One of the guys is on the team so we all know him and work with him, the other is the Alpha's brother, and his mate is already going nuts with us."

"If it was anything like with us, it's not as if anyone could have stopped them. It was so fast. She shouldn't blame anyone here."

Peter and Michael shared an amused look at Jamie's comment, before Peter replied to his mate.

"Adam doesn't blame us, but he doesn't think we are doing enough to find Jake."

"No," Michael interrupted, "he's upset, and he's lashing out because that is all he can do right now. Anyway," he continued, looking at two surprised faces, although one took most of his attention, "we have to get dinner ready or Tilly will skin us. We are under strict instructions not to get distracted, and you have no idea how sorry we are about that. Do you want to help?"

"Sure. It beats sitting up here getting frustrated, plus we can get to know the place a little. You live here?" Chris asked.

"Yes. It's a huge house, so we have plenty of room and space outside. I'll show you when I can, it's lovely out there."

"Is this your room?"

Michael considered that for a moment. "It is now. We have to get out of it and downstairs for a while though."

* * * * * * 

Four people made light work of getting the table laid with food and drink ready for the team to return, and having a job to do helped take their mind off other things, although there were a lot of heated glances. They pretty much ended up working in two pairs, unable to focus on anyone but the object of their desire. By the time Tilly came to check on them they had finished and were sat waiting for the rush, not too close to avoid temptation, but on opposite sides of the room in their new couples.

"Thank you so much," Tilly said, grabbing some crisps off the table. "Adam has calmed down a bit, and the doctor has seen Sky. Everyone else should be here in the next few minutes. Tuck in if you guys are hungry." She looked around the room, taking in the two new men and the emotion floating in the room. Strange situation, but it made sense to them so she wasn't going to get involved, beyond a gentle warning.

"I don't suppose with all that is going on any of the team are really going to notice, but please try and keep control for now. If any of you know how to shield your emotions that would be much appreciated from my point of view as well. I'm going to sit with Adam until the others get back, and then everyone will be directed in here so it will get pretty busy."

Once she left the room, Jamie was the first to ask Peter the question.

"What was that about?"

"Tilly is a very good empath, so she can sense feelings. I'm guessing there are far too many floating around here right now. Plus there's going to be a lot of fear and anger too, it will be hard enough on her without us giving off too many vibes."

"So she knows what's happened?"

Michael responded to that one, even though they seemed to have started a pattern of replying to questions from their own mate. "Took her a couple of minutes to work it out, but she was slightly distracted at the time due to the missing men."

The conversation was ended by the sound of a car coming up the drive, and both Peter and Michael jumped to attention, looking outside to see who had returned. It was Sam and most of the wolves, although as it turned out Tom and the remaining men were only a couple of minutes behind them. They heard Tilly directing the team through to get dinner, but Sam didn't appear with the others. The sound of raised voices could be heard coming from the office, and everyone seemed aware it was Adam and Sam arguing. The best they could all do was stay out of it, particularly as Tilly seemed to have chosen that course of action.

When Tom and the remaining men arrived the room got busy although it was quiet. The voices from the office had died down, but no-one seemed in the mood to talk. They ate because it was in front of them and they had to wait for further orders, but most were keeping to themselves. They all felt failure keenly, and feared what was happening to the captives. Everyone there was acutely aware of what had happened to those used in the research. 

Heads were raised when first Tom and then Tilly and Alex left the room, but it just heightened the anticipation for everyone else. Waiting was not something anyone there enjoyed, and knowing that every moment that went by anything could be happening to Finn and Jake made it worse. Even Chris and Jamie kept quiet, sensing the mood of the others and glad that they had been warned about what had gone on. They were also very glad that it was not them that had been carted off, because the mood of the men made it clear how bad being captured was.

After what seemed like an hour, but was probably only around a quarter of that, Tilly and Alex came back into the room. The team instantly were on alert, waiting for instructions.

"I know you all want to do something, but your instructions right now are to eat and sleep. It is likely that because this was a targeted capture either those responsible will contact us, or they will allow Finn and Jake to. Until that happens there is very little we can do. Tomorrow morning we will all start going back through every piece of information we have to see if there is anything we have missed. Meanwhile Sam, Adam and I will stay up through the night to ensure that if they are able to contact us there is someone to get through. Tom and Alex will take charge of the research in the morning. If any contact is made we will work out what to do based on the information we get."

Tilly's news was delivered to silence, and she knew no-one wanted to go to bed and forget about it. Well, probably with the exception of Peter and Michael and their new mates, although they were highly unlikely to get any sleep, she thought to herself. That reminded her of one good piece of news to pass on.

"On the plus side, this is Jamie and Chris," she said, indicating the new men. "Our work today means they are safe and well, and we have to be thankful for that. They'll be staying here for the time being. In fact, you two can help tomorrow as the more heads we have on this the better. Meet in here at 6am everyone."

The teams drifted out of the room gradually, and as much as they wanted to get upstairs right this second to make the most of the early night, Peter and Michael started to clear the table, knowing that it would be expected. No matter how important their mates might be, they couldn't let their work slide. Both were pleased that the other men helped out without question, because it speeded up the work, and none of them had ever done a chore faster.

Not a word was said when they finished, but need drove them all upstairs and behind closed doors as fast as possible, barely sparing a goodnight to the other pair. 

In Michael's new room he stood by the door, watching as a clearly flustered Chris put as much space between them as the room allowed, and glanced nervously back and forth between Michael and the double bed he'd only left a couple of hours before. 

Michael let out an amused rumble before trying to reassure him.

"I'm not going to hurt you, or do anything you don't want to do. If you're uncomfortable about this I'm quite happy to sleep on the floor, just so long as I get a goodnight kiss."

"No, I... I'm just a little nervous. Why can't I control myself around you?"

"Because we are mates. It's meant to be like this."

"You sound so sure."

Michael shrugged. "I am, but I don't entirely understand it either. I mean, you were unconscious and I was lusting after you, needing to be with you, and I hadn't even seen your eyes or heard your voice. That's crazy, right? But you are so beautiful when you are sleeping you had to be even more gorgeous awake."

Chris blushed hard. "And I woke up to you and thought I must still be dreaming, because I have never seen anyone so cute in real life. I'm still not sure you are real!"

"How can I prove it?" Michael asked, amused.

There was no answer for a moment, Chris clearly thinking of what to say. He moved across the room and lay down on the bed, and even though he was fully clothed Michael was finding the picture far too tempting to resist, but he had to wait for some sort of invitation, he couldn't just take his mate like his lion was telling him to.

"Come here and hold me, and we can see if those kisses of yours are as devastating as they were earlier."

Michael moved, but couldn't help wondering. "Devastating?" he asked, as he lay down beside Chris and let out a sigh as their arms wound around each other.

"They seem to break down all my defences and just turn me into a ball of need and desire."

"Well, in that case, I really hope they are as good as you remember." he replied into Chris's head, not waiting any longer to provide those kisses, because they were just as good as far as he was concerned. 

They lay entwined, moving ever closer together and kissing softly, Michael keeping control of himself despite the burning need he felt. If Chris was nervous he wasn't going to push him, having him in his arms was enough for the moment. He was amazed just by these feelings, it was nothing like he had experienced before even though that had always been good. A hand gently stroking up his side under his top made him moan softly into Chris's mouth, and that seemed to be encouragement to his mate, who then tried to remove his t-shirt altogether despite how closely they were wrapped around each other.

Michael was amused by the movement, and tried to help but they were just too close for it to work. He reluctantly pulled back and stood up, Chris's hands coming out to try and keep him close. 

"I'll come back, but you only have to ask if you want fewer clothes on me first," he said, smiling. His own hands went up under his t-shirt, lifting it slightly, and watching as Chris stared at what was revealed. He stopped and waited, enjoying the look of lust his mate was sending his way, until it turned to annoyed.

"Tease."

"I'm not teasing, I'm offering. What do you want?"

There was a rumble of desire from Chris before he answered, almost growling. "Lose the shirt."

Michael grinned and lifted it slowly up and over his head, gratified by the gasp he heard, and even more pleased by the burning desire he saw as he dropped the shirt on the floor.

"Wow. You have an incredible body."

"Do you want to see the rest?" Michael asked, hooking his thumbs into his joggers so he could push them down, but again waiting to be asked. He knew he looked good thanks to the hours he put in training, but he'd never had anyone look at his body with quite such awe. He could see that Chris's eyes were drifting below his waist, and he was hard as a rock, making an indecent bulge in them. Chris swallowed hard, not taking his eyes off the outline of his dick for a moment, then looked back up at him and whispered.

"Lose them too. I need to see you."

There was another gasp and this time Chris's eyes went wide. Michael just grinned at the effect he was having on his mate without even touching him. That was a very good sign, but just the thought of touching made him move back to the bed and lie down again, pulling Chris back to him. His mate's hands were suddenly all over him and he shuddered under the touches, and the passionate kisses they were now giving each other. He wanted skin under his hands too.

"Can I?" he asked, as his hands journeyed under Chris's shirt. "These are my clothes anyway, I think I should get them back now!"

"That's convenient! But I'm yours too, and you can have me naked whenever you want."

Michael's lion side let out a possessive rumble, that was immediately answered by Chris before he too was stripped and they finally brought their entire bodies into line, wrapping each other up tight and continuing their explorations.

* * * * * * 

When the door closed on the other side of the hall things got off to a rather more frantic start. Peter was surprised to find himself practically thrown down onto the bed, and hands stripping him before he'd even stopped moving. He let Jamie do what he wanted, feeling his desires ramping up by the second. Jamie growled when he saw his naked mate, his eyes roaming over the toned body and broad chest, not even knowing where to start worshipping the body in front of him for a moment. 

His earlier words came back to him, and he dropped to his knees, leaning over so he could go straight for Peter's dick. It wasn't fully to attention but a couple of quick licks soon sorted that out. Peter could do nothing but moan as Jamie treated him to his mouth, lips and tongue, bringing him closer and closer to his peak. With a soft cry he felt himself tighten and his cock started to spurt into his new mate, who moaned around him at his first taste. 

After a short moment to recover, he took hold of Jamie and pulled him up onto the bed beside him, pressing their lips together in a thank you. As much as what Jamie had done to him was wonderful, he wanted to explore his mate first, and he kissed and licked a trail down and around his body, slowly working towards his goal while he memorised the smell, taste and feel of Jamie's body and found the places that turned him on the most, forcing low rumbles of pleasure from his chest. By the time Peter reached his cock it was hard and leaking and there was a soft whimper when he bypassed it, even though it wasn't for long. He couldn't wait either, but after the slow torment it only took a minute or so before he was treated to his first drink. 

Peter settled down onto the bed and drew Jamie into his arms. That had been unreal, and although he recognised and enjoyed the same moves he had done many times before, doing that with his mate was a million times more intense. He heard soft rumblings still coming from the man in his arms and it made him smile that he had given so much pleasure. They both were hard again, he could feel it, but what they had done was enough for him right now.

"Thank you baby. That was incredible," he thought.

"You don't have to thank me for that, I've been dreaming about doing it since I saw you."

"Same here."

"Do we really have to get up at 6 tomorrow?"

Peter laughed out loud. "No. We have to be ready to start work at 6."

There was a grumble from his mate that just made him laugh more.




Friends and Foes Ch. 10



"It's not going to happen every day love, but while the men are missing it will be long hours because we have to get them back."

"What would have happened to me and Chris if you hadn't found us?"

Peter sighed, not sure if he wanted to go into much detail. "They have been taking Weres for research, studying us to find out about our society and our abilities. Can we leave it at the fact that being a lab rat wasn't pleasant? I don't want to think about what might have happened to you. Or what could be happening to our friends."

Jamie shuddered. "I hope you find them. I'll do what I can to help. You need to know though, especially as we are mated, I am not a morning person."

Peter smiled and kissed the top of his head where it was lying on his chest. "I'll bear that in mind. Perhaps I'll just have to think of some good ways to wake you up!"

* * * * * *

Downstairs it was very quiet. Sam, Tilly and Adam sat in Sam's office, each searching for some glimmer of Finn or Jake coming back into consciousness. Tilly would have preferred to go to bed, but she didn't trust the other two left alone together. She thought it unlikely they would hear anything for the next few hours and it would be morning at the earliest before any contact was made. They killed the time by going back over maps and locations, trying to see something they hadn't before, but it was pointless, especially as tired as they were.

She might have been able to relax and doze off for a bit if the tension in the room hadn't been quite so high. They each blamed the other for Jake being missing, and plenty of accusations had flown back and forth in their argument earlier, when they were both angry. She knew they were really just upset, but accusing each other of being responsible somehow by letting Jake's secret out or not keeping him safe wasn't helping. There was still the slight possibility that this was all a fluke, but Tilly hoped desperately that was not the case as all their plans hinged on this being a targeted attack, designed to get to Sam, or Adam, or possibly both.

She yawned yet again, trying to keep her mind off her soft warm bed upstairs that had her sleeping mate in it. She knew he was sleeping because she couldn't contact him, and she really wanted him wrapped around her right then. It had been a very late night and an early morning and she wasn't sure how she was going to manage to stay awake. Sam noticed her and smiled.

"Go to bed Tilly. It doesn't make sense for all three of us to be up now, especially as if Jake can get in contact at distance it will probably only be with one of us. We need you alert tomorrow."

She looked between the two men, really not wanting to leave them alone. Sam noticed the look and knew what it meant.

"We promise not to fight. I know we are both on edge right now, but we will keep control of ourselves."

Adam nodded in agreement and Tilly was relieved. "You'd better both be good. Jake will not be impressed to come back and find you two have beat the crap out of each other."

The fact that they smiled at that, probably more at the way she had said with certainty that Jake would be back, reassured her enough to leave them alone and head upstairs. She wished she felt as certain as she had been able to sound. As she slipped into bed beside Dill's warm and naked body the rest of her worries left her for the moment. Even in his sleep he was aware of her enough to wrap his body around hers and she was able to drift off with a smile on her face.

* * * * * * 

Next morning everyone was up early, most looking like they needed a lot more sleep, but still alert and ready for whatever they needed to do. They were also grimly aware that there was very little they could do right now. Tilly had checked in with Sam when she got up. Adam was asleep in one of the chairs in the office and Sam left him there, closing the door quietly behind him.

"He fell asleep about an hour ago. He's exhausted and very afraid, and I think it's best to leave him to it for the moment. Jake will be able to contact you, or if he can't Finn will. The best thing Adam can do right now is rest."

"Same goes for you brother. You look like death warmed up."

"Thanks!" he replied, smiling. "Tom will be down in a few minutes, I'll head up once I've updated him."

Tilly could tell he'd missed Tom last night, and she knew it was hard to be separated ever, but they were still fairly new mates and that meant the bond needed to be reaffirmed often, at least by contact if not with sex.

"Go up to him now," she told him. "You can update him in about ten seconds. I'll get everyone sorting out breakfast and we can do without him for half an hour."

Sam grinned. "I'm too exhausted for half an hour of anything sister. But I appreciate the thought."

He left her laughing and headed to see his mate, glad to at least have a moment for a hug and kiss before he caught up on some sleep. As much as his dick started to twitch at the thought of who they were heading towards, he knew he really was too tired to do anything about it. Even when he walked through the door to their bedroom and saw Tom bent over putting on some socks his admiration of his mates tight ass wasn't enough to wake him up properly. It still caused him to let out a low growl, which caused Tom to turn round quickly, grinning.

"You look dreadful baby. Let me get you tucked in and then I'll head downstairs to take over."

Sam didn't let himself be taken to the bed when Tom tried, he just drew him closer and captured his lips in a soft kiss. Tom let him carry on for a couple of minutes before pulling away, smiling at him.

"That's not fair Sam. You're far too tired to do anything about it, and now I'm horny!" he said, teasing. "Get into bed love. If I can, I'll come wake you up in a very nice way later."

Sam moved to the bed, finally, slipping between the sheets with a sigh of contentment, even though his mate wouldn't be in there with him.

"Wake me if there's any news. Don't worry about how, you can hold that thought for when the guys are back with us."

Tom nodded, but Sam was already falling asleep, and he left him to it. He had to adjust himself on the way down the corridor, thankful that they wore loose trousers most of the time. He'd only been half kidding about being turned on by that kiss, but focussing on finding Finn and Jake was far more important than anything else.

He followed the soft buzz of voices and the smell of food to where the team had gathered. Normally they were a lot more noisy in the mornings, but today everyone was understandably subdued. Eyes raised to him and various of the men acknowledged his presence, but they were busy eating right then and knew he would have spoken immediately if there was any need for them to pay attention. He took in the two new men, noticing how they were sat close to the lions, but not how he'd have expected, and he made contact with Tilly.

"Have you spoken to the guys we found yesterday? What are their names?"

"Wolf is Jamie, the lion is Chris. I have spoken to them, but not about them getting caught. I guess Peter and Michael may have done, but I doubt it to be honest," she said with a grin.

"We managed to find their mates in the back of a van?" he asked in disbelief. "This place keeps on getting crazier! They up to talking though?"

"I think so. The drugs wore off yesterday, and they don't seem nervous around us. Mind you that may only be because the hormones are running!"

Tom shrugged. Not what he was expecting to happen, but these things rarely made sense, they just took control of your life when you found the one you wanted. By the looks of things, those guys had had a much better start to their relationships than he and Sam, since Sam had refused his advances for quite some time before finally giving in to their mutual desires. He walked over to the group of young men and introduced himself.

"My name is Tom, I'm one of the Alphas here. This isn't the best time to get to know us, but I guarantee you two are safe, and you are welcome here as long as you want. I gather that might be quite a while," he finished with a grin, that seemed to embarrass even Peter and Michael. It was fun teasing new mates, now that he wasn't quite as badly obsessed with Sam as they had been in the early days.

"I could really do with knowing as much as you can tell us about your capture. For starters, where were you found?"

Jamie found his voice first. "I don't know where we are now, but if you've got a map I can point out roughly where we were caught."

Tom didn't even have to ask, one was passed to him immediately, the rest of the team clearly listening in on the conversation.

Jamie scrolled through a few pages of the atlas before pointing out a spot near to a national park.

"We were heading to the park, maybe a few minutes away on foot. We had the idea of going for a run, because we'd been spending too long human on our travels. We figured at night and out in the open it wouldn't be too obvious. I can just about get away with wolf form in the dark and people assume I'm a dog, but a lion wandering around a residential area would probably cause panic."

There was a ripple of laughter around the room. Tom was busy looking at the map.

"That's about three hours drive from here. Either they were taking you somewhere and just happened to be passing, or more likely they brought you here specifically to divert us from finding the others."

He saw sad looks pass across the faces of the men.

"Don't worry, you were convenient and unconscious, it's not as though you had any say in the matter. They probably thought that giving us actual Weres would stop us for longer than an empty van. It was obviously long enough for them to get away. What happened exactly?"

Chris took over the story, reassured by Michael taking his hand. Several others noticed the movement, but no-one commented.

"We were just deciding if we were safe enough to change. We were nearly there and well out of town, there were only a few houses around. Then we heard rustling in the bushes, I think we were on the outskirts of some country estate. We started running, but there must have been more people ahead of us. I heard the guns but they sounded so soft I figured they were far away, up until I noticed I had a dart in me. It took effect quickly, I know I saw at least two men, but I was already feeling the effects and I passed out almost straight away. The next thing I knew I was waking up here."

Jamie added to that. "There were at least four. They didn't get me with the first shot, but I was panicking by then because I knew Chris had gone down. It can't have been more than a few moments later I got darted. Again, that was it until I got here."

"Did you hear anything?" Tom asked.

They both shook their heads. "They were well organised, it was almost military precision. How on earth they knew we were there I have no idea," Jamie finished.

Tom thanked them and turned to the team.

"We know they were taking people from all over the place, and in particular near large open spaces they could expect us to be using. Check to see if there are any other reports of Weres being taken near that spot, it might help. Also if there were any centres near there, although if so they have probably already been decommissioned by us. We are still working on the basis that Finn and Jake were targeted for capture, possibly the intention was to take whoever they could from this house. 

Now they have them it is unlikely we are in danger here, but I want at least four people out in the grounds at all times. Don't go too near to the boundary walls in case, but keep your ears and noses open for the unfamiliar. Everyone else, we will be going back through every scrap of information we can find, including what we just heard. If and when we hear from Finn and Jake, or their kidnappers, we revise the plan accordingly. Understood?"

There were quick nods in response and Tom sent Alex out with Cal, Rob and Den. Even before they had changed and disappeared outside Tilly was handing over papers and maps to those remaining, including Jamie and Chris who bent to the task immediately. Even as she did it she realised how few of them there actually were, but then this was more to keep them all occupied. She and Peter and Michael had spent much of yesterday going back over all this and there was nothing she could see that would give them a clue. She just kept hoping that they would receive a call, and kept reaching out in her mind trying to find Finn or Jake.

* * * * * *

A couple of hours later, and with an involuntary groan, Finn started to wake up, struggling to remember what had happened. He soon started struggling physically as well, discovering he was strapped down to something. His eyes opened a crack, cautiously checking out his surroundings, but there seemed to be no-one there. Looking around the room he was surprised to see wallpaper and carpet. Perhaps with the lack of research facilities they'd had to resort to using private homes. He was indeed strapped to a table and he tested the bonds but couldn't shift them.

He was still groggy from whatever drugs they had given him and didn't seem to have full control of his body, although he had a horrible feeling the straps wouldn't come off anyway. More worryingly he couldn't reach out to anyone just then. He tried for Sky, sure she would be terrified and needing to reassure her, but he couldn't hear her. The same went for Tilly and Sam when he tried them, and then Tom and other wolves from the team that he thought he might know well enough to contact at distance. Of course, he had no idea how much of a distance he was at, he might have been unconscious for days.

Another groan to the side of him let him know that Jake was starting to come to as well, and he turned his head to check on him. He was pretty much in the same state, strapped down heavily so whoever caught them was obviously taking no chances. Finn saw there was a door and a couple of windows in the room, and from what he could see of the tops of trees it was clear they weren't on the ground floor. He reckoned a leap from that height might not cause serious damage if they were changed, but unless they solved the immediate issue of being tied down that wasn't going to be a consideration.

He tried not to think of what he knew about the research, not wanting to focus on what might happen to the two of them. He was concerned when he thought about how they had been caught, because not only should he have been paying more attention, but also they weren't far from the main gates which suggested the cover of the whole team was blown. He had to hope it was just convenience that he and Jake had been outside and no-one else had been found, but he couldn't reassure himself of that at least until his head was clear. He was pretty sure he had got something through to the others even as he slipped into unconsciousness, so they would have been on alert for further attack.

His musings were interrupted by Jake trying to speak, but he stopped him.

"In our heads Jake, you don't know who might be listening."

"Sorry, I'm still a bit drugged up. Do you have any idea where we are?"

"No. I'm guessing not in a research centre. Hopefully we really did destroy all of them."

"I've been trying to speak to Adam, but I can't get through. Do you think they have some way of stopping us communicating?"

"I doubt it. I think we just need to wait for the drugs to wear off a bit more. I hope so, anyway. My mate is going to be absolutely frantic and I need to let her know I'm okay."

"For now," Jake replied, the tone heavy as he knew just what had happened to previous captives as well.

"We need to try and stay positive. We are more likely to be ransom than guinea pigs."

"You sound pretty sure of that. I wish I could share your optimism, but to be honest, ransom doesn't sound that good either."

"We were just outside the gates Jake. That means they knew who we were. Well, probably not specifically, but they knew we were connected to Sam. Which suggests they will contact him about us and try and do some sort of trade. When that happens they will have the might of the Council down on them. They've been trying to find out who was behind everything, and this could be just what they need."

Jake's tone didn't come across as happy. "That's just great. Have you considered that we might not last that long, or we'll just get skinned and returned as a couple of rugs."

Finn gave him a glare. "Not helping, Jake. I know Sam and the others will be doing everything they can to find us, and I'm staying focussed on that. There's no point thinking the worst."

"You'll have to give me a little less credit. It's not like I have my life in danger on a daily basis. I lead a very normal life with all the creature comforts I could wish for. This might be what you trained for, but I got myself kicked out of training long before we got to how to stay calm in a crisis."

Finn laughed out loud, then shut up when he remembered he didn't want to attract attention.

"I don't have my life on the line daily either, but maybe I am more prepared for this than you. You need to have faith in Sam. He's very good at what he does, and he will find us. Meanwhile, we should just keep chatting, try the others regularly, and stop worrying."

Jake felt a little better after the pep talk, but he realised something. "So, seeing as we're stuck here for the foreseeable, can I know your name? I figure Sam's orders about me not knowing any of you don't apply to this situation."

"I guess not. I'm Finn. Pleased to meet you Jake."

"You'll forgive me if I don't shake your hand?" Jake replied with a twinkle in his eye that had the two of them quietly laughing despite their fears.

* * * * * *

Back at the house, Tilly threw the last sheaf of papers down on the desk, resigned and sick of going back over information she felt like she had read a hundred times. The only new detail was where Jamie and Chris had been captured, and although others had been taken from that general area, it was only marginally more than around any of the other national parks. Whoever was capturing them knew it was a good place to find those who were moving around the country and separated from family and friends. It felt pointless, but it was the only thing they could think of to do right then. 

Sam and Adam were still asleep, and Tom and Dill had gone out to help check the lands. The young men still there looked just as annoyed as she was, probably just as desperate to find a clue, and frustrated that it wasn't there. She straightened up a little and stretched out, sighing loudly.

"I'm not sure this is doing any good. I'm going to go and sort out some food for lunch. I think you lot should go for a run. Peter, Michael, keep away from the training areas, and close to the house unless there is any problem. If we get an alert you'll need to help sort it and send your mates back inside."

As she walked out of the room Jamie was the first to grin. "Thank god for that, I was going crazy here. You have no idea how long it's been since we've been able to change and have a long run either. I think my wolf is starting to claw at the walls!"

They all laughed a little at that, moving quickly through the house so they could go outside. Jamie was the last to change despite what he had said. He stood there for a moment surrounded by three lions, suddenly fearing showing his wolf, which seemed so small and ordinary by comparison to the magnificent beasts. He worried that Peter might not be so sure about this cross-species idea when he saw his other side. Michael and Chris bounded outside, already starting to play and their lions rumbling to each other. Peter didn't move but his eyes were fixed on Jamie.




Friends and Foes Ch. 10



"What's wrong baby?" he asked.

"Just feeling a bit inadequate I guess."

The lion rumbled and came up to him to rub against his legs. "There is nothing inadequate about you. I need to see you, we want to meet your wolf properly."

Jamie still hesitated, despite the look in the lion's eyes. He was about to push his clothes off when he found himself bowled to the ground, suddenly lying on his back with the large cat on top of him. His breath left his body with the surprise and he tried to get it back, but the cat started licking at his chest and that made him groan. Peter's tongue like this was coarse and tickled, but in a very arousing way and he found himself struggling against it just so he could stop his erection from developing further. He couldn't push a grown lion off him, but he managed to gain a little space.

"Stop that," he practically begged. It worked, but possibly only because Peter had turned his attention to his clothes and he found his trousers being removed in strips with teeth and claws. He found that even more arousing and struggled to get away, leaving pretty much all his clothes behind. Since he was now almost entirely naked, to avoid the embarrassment of sitting in the hallway with his hard cock jutting out he finally did change, trying to calm himself down as he did so. His wolf gave Peter an accusing look.

"You don't play fair. I was going to do it, I didn't need molesting like that." He wasn't really complaining, just trying to get some control back.

He heard the amused rumble. "Cats like to play, and I couldn't resist. You're wrong by the way, you are just gorgeous like that, and your eyes are a beautiful colour. I've seen plenty of wolves, but never one that made me want to play the kind of games I'm thinking about now."

Jamie's eyes twinkled, finally reassured. "How about chase? If you catch me you can play something you choose."

He didn't wait for a reply, he just shot towards the open door. He knew the lion was bigger and heavier and not built for speed, so he had a distinct advantage. Although that would only be a help if he wanted to avoid being caught, and he had a funny feeling that he didn't.

* * * * * *

Tilly had set about getting some food together when she started to hear voices faintly in her head. She stopped what she was doing, trying to focus on the voices and make them clear, and to send a reply. It took a few minutes, and it was still faint, but she sank down into a chair with relief when she finally could confirm who was speaking to her.

"Thank god, Tilly! Can you hear us?"

"Faint, but yes. Are you both okay? Where are you?"

She heard soft laughter, but both of them were speaking to her so it was good news. "We're fine. Quite impressive quarters they've given us, but they don't exactly trust us to go wandering around. As to where, no idea. It's an old house, big rooms, mature trees outside, beyond that no clue. How long since we were taken?"

Tilly checked the clock. "About 28 hours. Long enough to get you far from here."

Jake's voice came through clearer then. "Is everyone else safe? We can't get hold of anyone but you, and we were worried about our mates. Is Adam still there?"

"Everyone is fine. Adam and Sam are sleeping because they were up all night waiting to hear from you. Sky... I'm sorry Finn but we had to sedate her to calm her down. She may be better once she knows you aren't hurt, but she is remembering everything."

"Tell her I love her and I will be back there soon," he replied sadly. "I understand what you've done. This has got to be hardest on her."

"She's scared, Adam is too but he's turning it into anger. We will find you though, we promise. Is there anything else you can tell me that might help? Have you seen anyone?"

"No-one yet. We'll keep you updated. As the drugs get out of our systems it should be easier to get through to you, but it's hard work at the moment. If anything happens here we'll call you, otherwise give us another hour."

"Understood. I'll let everyone know I've heard from you. Keep safe, we miss you."

It went quiet then. Tilly was glad to know they were okay so far, but still scared for them as they weren't safe. She needed to get them back. Right now though, all she could do was get the message out to the team and wake Sam and Adam.

* * * * * * 

Finn and Jake were rather calmer after finally getting through to Tilly, but things weren't looking any better for them. They still hadn't seen anyone and the longer they were stuck there the more nervous they were getting. Finn was conscious of trying to keep Jake calm and they had been talking about Adam and his life in general to keep his mind off anything else. Finn hadn't really met either of them although he knew who they were. It was strange after knowing Sam and Tilly for so long that he had never met their brother, but he had been gone a long time. He only knew a little about that, but he was starting to get a better picture of the family now.

The one subject that Jake could clearly talk about for hours was his mate, and Finn found it amusing, knowing that if the roles were reversed he would be just the same, going on about how fantastic Sky was and how much he cared about her. It was just odd to hear someone else doing it and to be encouraging it.

Finally they started to hear voices, coming closer. Both of them tensed, waiting to see what was going to happen. Finn couldn't help checking his bonds again but there was no chance of releasing himself. He waited, trying to school his expression so he didn't look afraid, and shot a thought to Jake.

"Keep quiet and don't panic. We find out as much as we can so we can let the others know."

When the door opened the first people through the door were two men dressed smartly and carrying small handguns. Not good, but at least they didn't appear to have any whips or torture equipment with them. They took up positions across the room, clearly as guards. Finn's attention was drawn back to the door, waiting to see who their boss was. 

He was surprised when a third person walked in, not at all the type he was expecting, but not as surprised as Jake was. 

"Holy shit!" came the exclamation in his head. "I have no idea how or why we are here, but I do know who that is."

* * * * * *






Friends and Foes Ch. 11



This story contains m/m and m/f relationships and sex scenes. This chapter is all plot.

I am really really hopeful that this is the penultimate chapter. I've got about half of what should be the final one, at the point of submitting this, and I don't intend making you wait a week if I get it written faster than that, so please keep an eye out. 

So, who has Finn and Jake then? (and which of you readers will be sitting there chuffed that you guessed right?!)

* * * * * *

11

Finn didn't get chance to ask Jake what he was talking about before the woman in front of them started to speak.

"So, which of you two freaks has been corrupting my son?"

That made it pretty clear, Finn thought to himself. "That must be you, I only ever corrupt daughters!" he sent to Jake.

"Yep. She's Adam's mother. I've never met her, but I've seen pictures. This seems an awful lot of trouble to go to just because I'm screwing her son though."

"I don't think she likes any of us," Finn continued as the woman stared at them, clearly expecting an answer. 

She called out into the corridor and another man joined them. He looked vaguely familiar to Finn but before he could put his finger on it Jake had spoken, out loud this time.

"Simon, what the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm doing my job."

"You work for Adam. He doesn't want this."

"No, he doesn't. But since I work for Mrs Stephens, what Adam wants makes very little difference to me." 

Simon pretty much dismissed him with that comment, but Jake was angry now, and he wasn't listening to Finn's voice in his head telling him to shut up.

"How long? You're supposed to be Adam's friend, his right hand man. He trusted you and you repay that like this?"

Adam's mother took over then. "Adam needs protecting from himself, and definitely from you. Simon has been kind enough to do that for me in recent years, although I dearly wish he had been able to intervene before you put a spell on him. I could have a normal son, and I will again."

Jake actually laughed. "I can't do magic. Adam loves me and I love him, there's nothing mystical about it."

The sound of the slap she landed on his face echoed around the room and made Finn flinch. It might not be a serious injury but there was definitely plenty of force behind it.

"You will not speak about my son that way. There is no way he could love a man, or a freak of nature like you. In time he will realise he was mistaken."

Jake's eyes almost seemed to glow with the anger he was feeling. "Lady, Adam was gay long before I met him. But you seem to have missed out the other reason Adam shouldn't want me, even though he does. What's my surname Simon?" he asked, turning his head slightly. It was the only part of him he could move.

"I don't know, who cares? He probably told me years ago but I've forgotten," came the reply.

"Mrs Stephens cares," he said, returning his gaze to her with a grin on his face just to piss her off more. "I'm Jake Arcan. I did think about changing my name three years ago when I married Adam, but just for the look on your face right now, I'm so glad I didn't."

* * * * * *

Tilly heard Finn groan in her head as he relayed the latest part of the conversation to her. He'd been trying to keep her and Sam up to speed while begging Jake to stop talking.

"You getting this? If I wasn't strapped to a table right now, I'd be slapping him. I know he's your brother, but..."

"He's an idiot, I agree," thought back Tilly. "Can you try reminding him not to rile the person who is keeping him captive?"

"I am trying, he's not listening. Have to say though, she has gone an interesting colour, kind of a reddish purple. Blood pressure must be sky-high! She just slapped him again."

"He kind of deserves it right now. Whatever possessed him to tell her that? She hates our family and he already knew that."

"No idea, except I think he's enjoying this. They're leaving. I'll have a few careful words with him while you work out where we go from here. Let me know soon, aside from the recent entertainment it's rather dull here!"

Tilly broke the connection and looked at Sam in question. He shook his head.

"This is personal. I still don't see how or if she is involved with the rest of it, but Simon obviously is. I wonder how many sides he is on? The job now is to find her, because wherever she is Finn and Jake are. We need Adam."

"I already called him," she replied.

"Has he had contact with Jake already?"

"I don't know. He was asleep when they tried earlier, but I haven't been able to get through to just Jake. Finn connecting the two of us was working, but then Adam is closer to Jake and might have done. We need to make sure he doesn't call his mother until we work out what to say."

"Agreed."

* * * * * *

When Adam entered the office he looked at Sam, Tom and Tilly expectantly.

"Have you heard from Jake? Do you know where he is? Is he okay?"

Sam took them one at a time, trying to calm Adam down.

"We've heard from Finn, and they are both okay for the moment. We don't know where they are, but we do know who has them," he said, stopping to take a deep breath before he revealed it. He also wanted Tilly to be on alert just in case Adam knew, but he doubted very much that he would know about this and let Jake be put in harm's way. "Adam, it's your mother and Simon. They have them in a house somewhere, and we need to know where it might be. Where could she have gone?"

There was a long silence while Adam went very pale. When he did speak his usual confident self was gone.

"How? She's my mother, how could she do this? Are you sure?"

"Yes, we're sure. Finn projected us the whole conversation she had with Jake and she thinks he corrupted you somehow. She was not happy to learn you two were married or that he was an Arcan. Aside from that it seems Simon had told her about your relationship."

"This doesn't make sense. Even if she hates Jake, what about the rest of it, the research?"

"We don't know whether she was involved in that. We can be pretty sure that Simon knew a lot more about it all than he ever let on."

"Simon works for me, he's a businessman."

"Simon works for your mother and those mysterious men who contacted you, and he might be a businessman now but he didn't spend his life working in a country pub. I'm sorry this is a shock Adam, but we can't wait for you to get your head round this. Where will your mother be?"

"I don't know. I can call her."

"Only if you don't let on that you know. If she doesn't already know how we communicate she cannot find out we already know she has Jake."

"I can't pretend everything is fine Sam. She has my mate, I love him and I hate her for taking him away from me. It's not as though I liked her that much to start with."

"If you accuse her of anything she might hurt Jake and Finn before we can get to them. You have to stay strong. I know this is difficult, but you can't reveal anything."

Adam still looked pretty devastated, but he set his jaw tight, determination taking over. He would do what he had to for Jake, even if he had to play nice with his mother. That was difficult at the best of times.

"Give me the phone."

It was tense in the room as he dialled, and they heard the ringing, then it cutting to engaged. Adam slammed it back down.

"Bitch hung up on me," he growled. 

"She didn't know it was you," Tilly told him.

"Only family have that number. It could only be one of us, and I'm betting she knew it was me if the number was withheld. She must know I'm here, with you. She saw Tilly and I together just a couple of days ago. Fuck, maybe that was what started this."

Sam stepped back in, trying to take control. "Where could she be Adam. It's an old house, big rooms. Trees outside."

Adam just stared at him. "Do you have any idea how many places my family owns that fit that description? They could even have been taken abroad by now."

"It's unlikely. It would be difficult to transport two unconscious men by plane or boat. Even on private ones, there would be ground or port staff that might see. Van would be the best way, so they are probably still in this country."

"That still leaves a lot of places they could be Sam."

"Who might know? Your father?"

Jake let out a strained laugh. "No chance. They only speak in public, putting a good face on. Up until now I'd have said he hated her more than I did. My grandmother, maybe. She thinks mum is stuck up, but they are still closer than anyone else."

He grabbed the phone again. This time it rang and just kept on ringing, but as before he slammed it down. He was on his feet a split second later.

"Let's go. She doesn't go far, she'll be there. I can't sit around here waiting any longer, I need to do something to find Jake."

Sam and Tom had a quick discussion between themselves and agreed it was worth a try. Sitting still wasn't exactly working for them either, but they couldn't both go. Tom was pleased when he won the argument on that one, and he stood too.

"Right, you, me and Tilly are going. Everyone else will be staying here until we have a possible location." 

Tilly's relief was only tempered by Dill's disappointment when she told him where she was going, but as they walked towards the front doors he just caught up to her for a quick hug and a kiss goodbye, with a promise of better later. What she didn't expect was for Sky to come running down the stairs.

"Where are you going? Do you know where Finn is?"

She was a lot calmer than before, but Tilly could still feel she was stressed. That wasn't going to go anywhere until she had him back.

"No, we don't, but we are going to speak to someone who might. Finn's spoken to you, hasn't he. You know he's okay."

"He's not here though. I want to help, please, let me come."

Tom thought about it for a moment. It wasn't likely to be dangerous, and he understood her need to do something to find her mate.

"Fine. But you do exactly as I say, understand? Finn will kill me if you get hurt."

Sky smiled at the mention of her mate. "I won't be any trouble, I promise."

* * * * * * 

For Adam and Sky the journey seemed to take forever, both of them missing the other part of themselves. They hadn't met before either, but they seemed to bond just over the fact that their mates had been taken and they were both in the same state of mind. It was easier for Adam when he didn't feel so alone, but he avoided saying that this might all be his fault. If his mother had done this just to try and turn him straight or whatever she seemed to think he should be doing, he couldn't help feeling responsible. On top of that he had unknowingly funded the research. Basically he had screwed with the lives of everyone there, and he needed to undo that as far as possible, just as much as he needed Jake back.

As the two chatted in the back of the car, Tom and Tilly were discussing other matters between themselves in the front. Tom wanted to know all about what had happened at the party and Tilly had been filling him in. 

"So, do you think she'll help?"

"If she can, probably. She loves Adam and she wasn't at all shocked that he was with Jake. There is one thing though, I can't read her. I'm not saying I don't believe her, but I get the feeling there is something else she is hiding. Maybe it's just that she's been keeping her own secrets a long time."

Tom pondered that as they got to the house. Perhaps there was nothing to that, but even in the few months he had known her he had got to trust Tilly's instincts. They would just have to play this by ear and hope that if Dora was keeping any secrets they wouldn't be ones that would stop them finding Finn and Jake.

* * * * * *

As they got closer to the house Tilly encouraged Adam to try and speak to Dora. It would be interesting to see if he could do it, for starters, as he hadn't tried anyone but Jake at distance. The smile on his face told her that he had got through.

"She'll be waiting for us. Can I explain what's happened? She will understand I need to get to my mate."

Tom looked unsure when Tilly looked at him for confirmation, but then he shrugged.

"She's one of us, I doubt she'll help her daughter hurt any of us, especially not Adam's mate. Bare details though, I'd prefer she doesn't know about everything with the research, it's better that she thinks this is about your mother trying to 'cure' you or something."

There was another silence while Adam stared into space and he looked quite upset by the time he finished.

"She's really worried," he explained. "About me and about mum. She said that she didn't think mum was that horrified by it any more. What does that mean?"

"We'll be able to ask her face to face in a few minutes," Tom replied. He was wondering that himself.

It seemed like a long few minutes, but soon they were heading through the gates that Dora had opened for them. It was an impressive place, much like the Arcan house but better maintained, especially the grounds. Of course they didn't use their lawns and woods for commando training. Tilly noticed Dora was stood at the front doors, waiting for them and looking concerned even at a distance. By the time they reached her the expression of worry was very clear.

They all got out of the car quickly, Adam immediately going to his grandmother to give her a hug. He didn't give her long for the welcome though, not even bothering to introduce the others as they came up behind him.

"Do you know where she is? I need to get to Jake before anything happens. She seems to think he did something to me, but it's not like that and she needs to understand that I really love him."

"I think she is at the house in the Lakes. I can't be sure though."

"Where, exactly?" Tom asked, not wanting to wait any longer. Adam gave him a postcode and he went back to the car to put it in the satnav. They all heard him exclaim loudly. "Shit. That's right by where they got Jamie and Chris, it's got to be the place. I'm going to tell Sam so he can meet us there." 

Dora started to speak to Adam again. "I am so sorry about this. I need to explain some things..."

Adam cut her off. "I don't have time now, I'm sorry. I'll come back and bring Jake with me, we can talk for hours, but not until he is safe."

"This is important Adam, it will help. Give me five minutes, I'm coming with you."

She turned around and headed into the house, not even acknowledging the others. Tilly was surprised, because this time she could feel a lot of emotion from Dora, and it was fear and confusion that came out strongest. She had no objection to hearing whatever was going to be explained, it would help pass the time even if it wasn't of use, but it was definitely important to the older woman. She had the feeling that some secrets Dora had been keeping for years were about to come out.

* * * * * *

Tom drove, the rest of them sat in the back. This was largely between Dora and Adam, but Tilly needed to know if there was anything relevant to their situation. Even if not, they were on their way to the house and Sam and the others were also heading that way so they could meet them there. They'd have to come up with a plan when they got closer, but at least they were getting somewhere now. Having Sky there wasn't ideal, but they would just have to keep her out of the action later. If necessary they would lock her in the car.

Dora didn't seem too keen to start talking, but actually it was that she didn't know where to start. There was so much she needed to tell Adam and she had no idea how he would take it all. There was one other thing she needed to do as well, the reason she had gone back inside, and she handed him a thermos that she retrieved from her bag. Adam didn't hide the look of disgust on his face very well, and she gave him an amused look.

"I know you hate the herbal teas I make, but you are going to drink it. We both are, as usual. Only this is a different one to usual."

Adam took a sip as she handed him a cup, and pulled a face at the taste. "You're right about that, it tastes even worse than usual too."

She smiled at him again. "I am sorry Adam. I've been lying to you about me for a very long time. I guess I've been lying to everyone ever since I met your grandfather. It wasn't allowed back then, we couldn't mate with a human and stay part of Were society. The Council rules were very strict. So I had to cut myself off and live as a human, and it was a very hard thing to do. I got used to keeping my wolf secret and under control, but I never stopped thinking about it. I used to tell you stories, when you were little, about werewolves, about my family. I thought you would just think they were fairy stories."

"You told me about you? I remember some of it, but I've found out a lot more since then."

"I know. Well, I didn't know, until your mother told me you had become obsessed. She didn't think it was a good idea for you to be reading those books and things. I used to tell her the same stories you know, but she thought it was all rubbish for a long time. Certainly it didn't have the same effect on her as on you."

"When? When did she tell you I was obsessed?" Adam asked.

"A couple of years ago. It was almost in passing, but she wanted me to discourage you if I could. She knew I was much closer to you than she was. I didn't want to, I didn't see the harm. Now I realise you had your mate during that time and that had made you even more certain you wanted to know about us. I wish I had known that, but then I can understand you not wanting to tell me."

Adam looked down at the floor, slightly ashamed. "I knew mother would go crazy if she found out I was with a man. I should have had more faith in you. If I'd ever dared bring him to meet you, you would have known what he was."

"Yes, I would. And I would have been able to warn you. Maybe tell you some of this a little earlier."

Tilly interrupted for a moment. "Is there any chance that she knows what you are?"

"Perhaps. I never made it clear it was me, but she knows there is Were blood in our family somewhere."

Tilly looked at her, surprised at the admission. "You know there are Council rules on that. They might have relaxed the rules on mates, but they don't let us go around telling people. Does she have traits like Adam does?"

Dora seemed more scared than anything else now, but Tilly couldn't help pushing her. It seemed quite possible that Adam's mother knew a lot about werewolves at the very least, and perhaps she knew a lot about the research too. Dora started talking again, but it was slow and cautious, and her eyes flicked between Adam and Tilly as she explained.

"I have four children... I was worried that they might show some traits, yes, so when they were young I took them to a friend of mine, another Were who lived human but had a lot more knowledge about these things. None of them had anything obvious, perhaps they healed slightly faster from cuts and bruises, but there was nothing that would mark them out as non-human. It was one of my fears, that I wouldn't be able to hide them from the Council if they were obviously part-Were, but I knew he would help me if that was the case."

Tilly took this kind of talk the hardest. She worked for the Council and she realised they hadn't always been progressive, but they weren't anything to be feared. It was all about keeping their existence quiet, not about restricting individuals except when they were a danger to humans. To hear Dora talk about them as though they would have taken her children away was very difficult, but she tried to understand that it had been a long time ago, before she was born, and things were different then. 

Adam however was back to wondering how he had turned out the way he was.




Friends and Foes Ch. 11



"Grandma, if mum has no traits, how come I do? I should be even less Were than her, not more."

Dora patted his hand in a loving gesture. "I really don't know. It makes no sense to me either. I relaxed once I knew my children were nearly human, I never thought to check when their children were born. I wish I had. It would have saved a lot of heartache, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. I guess I was a little worried when your uncles started to have kids, but there was no sign of anything. I'd got to the point of being sure it wouldn't be passed on at all, until your mother...."

She went very quiet, and it almost looked as though she was going to cry. There were certainly tears in her eyes, but she sniffed, not wanting to let them fall. She hadn't cried about it for over twenty years and she didn't want to start now. Especially not in front of her grandson. He was going to hate her for this, she was almost sure of that. He wanted to be with his mate and it was her fault that he hadn't been. Tilly was squirming uncomfortably in her seat by now, feeling a myriad of emotions coming from Dora, and a little from Adam, but mostly it was how afraid the older woman was.

"I'm so sorry Adam. If I had ever known how to tell you before now, I would have, but I've spent so long trying to keep my own secret I didn't realise how much I was harming you by doing it. You should have known a long time ago, but your mother wanted to keep you normal. I went along with it because I didn't want to lose you too."

The tears started to fall then, despite her trying not to cry. Adam hugged her tight and it only made things worse. He was trying to make her feel better, but him caring about her only made her feel worse about what she had done. He tried talking to her to calm her down.

"I understand keeping your wolf hidden, I do. Jake did it for a long time even with me, and we both keep that secret now. It's okay, please don't cry."

Her next words were muffled through her tears and his shoulder, but they all heard them clearly enough to cause a shocked silence in the back of the car.

"You have a sister."

* * * * * * 

Back in the house where he was stuck, Finn was bored, tense, and had an itch that he couldn't scratch. Jake was very quiet after their captors had left, and it probably didn't help that Finn had quite such a go at him about what he had said, but it needed to be raised. Jake had probably got them into more trouble than they already were. The only good part was that the others were on their way, hopefully. They had told him they were fairly sure they knew where this place was, but he couldn't help worrying. It didn't help that they had also said it was going to take a couple of hours, although Mark was also sending some people from HQ. It might end up being a large assault on this house, and all he had to do was make sure they stayed alive to benefit from it.

He stopped his thinking over what was going to happen when Jake finally broke the silence, speaking to him for the first time since they argued.

"I can't help thinking this is my fault. I'm sorry you got caught up in it."

"It's not your fault. She's crazy, she doesn't like me either, but at least I haven't been boning her son. It's not as though you had any choice, but she doesn't understand the draw you feel to a mate. No-one could keep you from that. You knew who he was when you met him but it wasn't enough to stop you."

"If I'd told him who I was when we met he might not have stuck around, and we wouldn't be in this mess now."

"Trust me, pretending these things aren't happening don't work. He would have tracked you down, or you would have had to find him again. Your brother tried to fight what he felt for Tom, but that didn't last. Even I was confused when I met Sky and thought I had those feelings for all the wrong reasons, but she convinced me otherwise, very easily. You and Adam were meant to be, no matter what she thinks."

"It might not matter any longer. She's afraid of losing him to me, and to us. They've gone off to work out what to do with me, and she's going to want me dead. It's the only way she can stop him being with me, and she knows that."

"Jake, your brother's team and others from HQ are on their way. They are going to be here soon. Don't worry, they will get to us before anything can happen."

It went very quiet again, and Finn knew what he had said hadn't really helped Jake. He was right, if Finn was any judge of the situation. She was going to want them dead, Jake more than him, but given the situation they weren't going to stop at killing just one of them. He tried not to think about it, but there was a real chance that they would be dead before the others got there, or they would be killed at the first sign of an attack. He tried even harder not to think about how Sky would cope without him. The first time she had family in her life, and it might now be taken away from her. She would still have Tilly, but that would never be enough.

* * * * * * 

"I have a what?" Adam almost shouted in his shock. His voice seemed to echo around the car, the others were so quiet.

Dora had to try and calm herself before she replied. He didn't sound angry at least, that part was probably still to come.

"You have a sister. Specifically a twin sister. Or at least you did have. I don't know what happened to her Adam, I've tried to find out but it isn't that simple."

"Why not? What happened that you don't know where she went? It's not like you just lose a child down the back of the sofa."

"Your mother happened. When you two were born she was so happy, both your parents were. I used to look after you while they were running the business. I would tell you stories and you both loved it when I changed and you could curl up in my fur and sleep. I shouldn't have been doing that, but I enjoyed it too, it was the only time I let my wolf out. Perhaps it was because of that, maybe I showed her how in some way, but your sister started to change in little ways. There would be a hint of something, a change in her eyes or her face shape. I saw the wolf coming through more and more as she became a toddler."

"She could change?" Adam asked in disbelief. Then he became more demanding. "So why can't I?"

Dora looked afraid, but she managed to stay calm, even though her voice was quiet and betrayed her nerves.

"Let me finish. I was panicking, I didn't know how but she seemed to be changing, yes. It would normally be controlled by the mother, but yours didn't know how. I managed to have some effect, bring her back, but I knew I needed to find a better solution, especially when she was so young and couldn't control it herself. I went out to meet my old friend and he gave me some herbs that can be used to keep the Were side controlled. I was going to give her a dose when I got home and keep her human until she was old enough to understand, but I was too late.

I got back to the house and was sorting out a bottle for her when I heard your mother screaming. I raced there, so did your father. She was white, terrified, and when I looked in the bed I saw you curled up asleep with your sister, but she was fully changed. Your mother saw you with a wolf cub in your bed and went crazy. I should have thought of something, but I was panicked too, and when I went to touch her she changed back. Your mum started screaming even more then. She'd heard all the stories I told her, but she didn't believe until she saw that."

Dora took a deep breath, steeling herself to tell the rest of the horrible story.

"She was so scared, and angry. She kept talking about the freak and getting rid of it. I tried to calm her down, to tell her I knew how to stop it. Your father was too, he doted on that little girl and he didn't seem afraid of her. Surprised, yes, but he didn't care what she was. We thought we had done it, we really did, because your mother started to breathe and speak normally. It turned out she was just trying to work out what to do without arousing suspicion. I thought she had accepted it, but I shouldn't have believed her quite so quickly. She told me to give the girl the herbs so she wouldn't change in front of others, making it sound like it was just to keep our secret.

About a week later we'd all relaxed, thinking it was fine. The herbs seemed to have worked, your mother seemed okay with it all. When she said she was taking the two of you out for the day we didn't think anything of it. But she didn't come back that night, and when she did, after your father and I had called her so many times with no answer, she brought you back but not your sister. She said she'd driven miles away and dumped the freak at an orphanage."

Tilly felt the emotions hitting her from all sides then. Dora was still scared, Adam was angry, and Sky was nervous and hopeful. She wondered if this could explain everything, but part of her doubted that it would be so simple after everything she had done to find her family in the past. It was just that the facts were starting to fit. She wanted to ask a question, but Adam beat her to it, practically shouting at his grandmother.

"And you let her? You let her dump my sister god knows where and you didn't try to find her?"

Dora was hurt, but not surprised by his reaction. "We tried to find her, your father and I tried everything we could think of, but with no information on where she might have gone we didn't get far. Your mother threatened us both too, saying we'd never see you again if we brought her back. It was after that your father and she stopped talking. He loved you, but he never forgave her for what she did. I don't think I've forgiven her either, but I felt that it was partly my fault. I should have seen the signs sooner, or got you both checked for traits. I concentrated on you after that, making sure you didn't show any signs and you never would."

Realisation dawned on Adam's face and he spat out the drink he had been sipping. It made him even more angry.

"You've been drugging me, all these years. How could you do that?"

"To protect you. I would have stopped if I'd known about Jake. Somehow being with him was enough that you discovered the ability to communicate telepathically. You needed to stay human so your mother wouldn't reject you as well."

"She already has, and she's trying to kill my mate. How much worse could it have got? All this time I could have been with him properly, and now I might never be able to. Can I change?" he demanded.

"I don't know. You never showed any sign of doing it, but boys tend to be a little slower at developing the ability. All the herbs you took would have stopped it if you could. I am trying to do the right thing now though, this is the antidote," she said, lifting her own cup and drinking more of the contents. "It removes the effects of the other stuff that will be lingering in your system. If you can change, we'll soon know. Drink up," she continued, pouring him more of the tea. This time he didn't even complain about the taste and downed it.

"How am I going to know if it's worked?" Adam's anger was gone now, he was just desperate to find out if he could do the thing he always wanted. He was scared that he might find out it wasn't possible, and scared that if he could it might be too late for Jake to see it, but he needed to know.

Dora smiled, glad that he was no longer shouting at her. "As I remember, you'll feel a bit drunk for a few minutes when it takes effect. When you feel sober again, you'll have all the traits you ever did. I can't promise you can change though, that might be an ability you never had. I know that's what you want, but no amount of herbs is going to make it happen if you can't."

Tilly had watched this with a great deal of interest, and she knew Tom was just as intrigued. The dosing with herbs was something she had vaguely heard about, but it was as a note from history in relation to those who left their families and lived as human. She had no idea people were still doing it. She would love to know if Adam could change, as he already seemed to have a lot of abilities that he shouldn't. Once this was over, Council would want to know how and why the abilities had been retained.

At the side of her, Sky was practically buzzing with questions, and still afraid that the answers she was going to get might not be what she hoped. That fear was not enough to stop her though, and she grasped Tilly's hand for reassurance, knowing the cat could feel some of her emotion and had an idea of what she was thinking. Then she asked the least scary question she could think of.

"What was her name?"

Dora looked across at the woman for the first time, not having really paid much attention to the people other than Adam. The voice was quiet and she seemed nervous, but a pleasant looking young woman, so Dora gave her a smile.

"Her name was Sky," she replied.

There was an immediate reaction from everyone in the car, even Tom who let out a strange noise and swerved the car slightly in his surprise. Only Sky and Tilly knew the full story of her past, although Tom knew she didn't have a family and had been raised human. Dora noticed the shock of the others but didn't realise what it meant. Adam was the fastest to speak having put two and two together.

"You?! Is it you?"

Sky still didn't know for sure, but she couldn't contain her excitement now. "It could be. I was found outside an orphanage when I was about two and a half. All I knew was my name. They knew I'd been well looked after up til then, but they didn't find anything to work out who left me there."

"When? What date?" Dora asked, barely containing her own excitement then. After all these years, could she really have found her grand-daughter?

"November 10th 1983."

Dora didn't say anything, she just launched herself across the car to embrace Sky, making a kind of funny shrieking sound, that they all assumed was immense pleasure. Obviously the date was right. Tilly couldn't wipe the smile of her face, feeling the happiness of everyone in the back of the car, and her own that Sky had found her family. It was almost enough that when Finn started to talk to her she didn't realise, and she had to tune out the emotion and focus on him.

"What the hell is going on? Are you having a party? All I can get off Sky is excitement and she can't concentrate on me. Do I need to remind you things are a little more worrying up here."

"Sorry, it's just been a bit odd. We are on our way, but I don't have time to explain right now. We are supposed to be meeting Sam in fifteen minutes. We will be with you soon."

"You'd better. I'm getting more and more nervous, and Jake is convinced Adam's mother is going to kill him. To be honest, I'm fairly sure he's right, and I'd prefer it if she doesn't get the chance."

"She won't," Tilly replied, with a confidence she wasn't quite feeling. 

* * * * * * 

While the family bonding went on in the back of one car, the other teams were in two other cars heading the same way, and getting ready to meet up. Dill had been tasked with talking to Tilly so they could liaise, as Tom and Sam were driving. He noticed her distraction too, but put it down to worry about the captives. He knew how close friends she and Finn were, and he and her brother being in danger was going to be difficult for her. Even though they were speaking he felt the fact that he wasn't with her keenly. It still surprised him how much his life had changed now that he had someone else to worry about and to keep happy.

"And you were complaining about me being distracted!" came her voice in his head. "What are you thinking about? It had better not be sex, because we have other priorities right now."

"I don't just think about sex. I was thinking about how lucky I am to have you."

"I'm lucky to have you too. More importantly, right now, we are about ten minutes from the meeting point. Where are you?"

"A bit behind, maybe twenty minutes. We'll see you shortly."

"Tell Sam to hurry, we don't want to leave Jake alone with that woman any longer than absolutely necessary."

"He knows baby."

* * * * * * 

After her conversation and reassurance that the others weren't that far behind them, Tilly updated Tom and then let herself be drawn back into the conversation the others were having just so she could keep her mind off everything else. Finn's last words to her had not been comforting. The one good thing at the moment was the new found family were so distracted with each other that Adam and Sky had stopped worrying so much about their mates. That was until Dora put her foot in it.

"So, do you have a mate, Sky? I'd love to meet him if so."

Sky went very quiet, and suddenly felt very guilty. How could she be so happy when Finn was in so much danger? 

"His name is Finn. He got captured with Jake."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know," said Dora, softly. 

"You couldn't have. But we are going to get them back. He saved me, and now I am going to save him," she said firmly.

Tilly was fastest to respond to that. "No, you are going to stay in the car. I know you want to help, but you aren't trained and we can't risk you getting hurt, or have us distracted having to protect you. We will do everything possible to bring him back to you Sky, but you can't go in there."

Any response that might have come was stopped by Adam starting to giggle. Both Tilly and Sky were distracted by the sound and looked at him in question. He laughed harder and tried to reply.

"I think that stuff is kicking in. I feel pissed, it's great!"

When Dora started laughing too all of them descended into giggles. When Tom pulled the car over, Adam was the first to try and get out of the car. He leant forward to pull the door handle and managed to open the door, but fell back into his seat in the same move, just laughing at himself. Tom got out and helped him, amusement clear on his face as well. It was the last chance they would have to relax for a while, and his brother stumbling around at the side of the road was quite funny.

Adam wandered off into the bushes, loudly declaring that he needed a piss, and they watched as he weaved steadily out of sight. Dora had obviously decided that leaning against the car was the best move until the effects wore off.

"It doesn't last long. He'll be fine in a couple of minutes. I have no idea why it works like this, but it is rather fun while it is happening. And guaranteed no hangover!"

"You've done this before?" Tilly asked.

"On and off through the years. The other stuff controls your Were side so it doesn't go frantic wanting to get out. Sometimes you still want to, but you don't feel the need to run or play and you make less obvious noises. It helps when you are around humans the whole time and don't want your differences to show. It must have been wearing off on Adam for quite a while. We'll soon see how Were he is."

There was a long silence while they considered that, and waited for Adam to return. Tilly was almost ready to send Tom after him when they saw him reappear, this time walking in a straight line. He came right up to them and stood for a moment, shaking his head to make sure it was clear.

"I think that was it. How do I do this? Or find out if I can?"

Tom looked around, but the area was deserted, even the road as far as he could see or hear. He figured it couldn't hurt to try, even though it was broad daylight and he'd usually advise against it.

"Think wolf," he said. Adam just looked at him confused. "You need to imagine the animal, let that side of you take control. But..."

Tom never got the chance to finish his sentence. They all watched in surprise as Adam changed in front of them, and a darkish colour wolf suddenly sat where he had been, looking confused and squirming as it sat encased in a jumper and trousers. The sight was ridiculous and the others laughed. Tom continued.




Friends and Foes Ch. 11



"I was going to say that you should take some clothes off first. This is why we don't wear much when we know we will need to change."

They watched as the wolf regarded the clothing around him, and the wolf equivalent of a broad grin spread across his face.

"I can do it!" he shouted into their heads. "I'm a wolf!" He tried to get up, his tail clearly wagging inside his trousers, completing the strange picture. Dora was beaming at him in delight, but he was struggling with the clothing in his way. "How do I turn back?"

No-one had chance to answer before he started the change, obviously having worked it out. He adjusted his clothes, now fitting him properly, and started to jump up and down in his excitement, hugging first Dora and then Tilly and Sky to him. They were all smiling at his obvious pleasure, so glad that he had been able to do it.

"This changes everything," he said. "I can't wait to show Jake."

No-one wanted to burst his bubble, but Tom and Tilly were certainly hoping that would be possible, even as they tried to work out how to do it. Sam's arrival only a few moments later meant they could make their plan. They knew they were about ten minutes from the house on foot, less by car, but they didn't want to make their approach obvious.

The Alphas and Seconds drew away from the others, all talking at once with ideas. They knew there were guards but not how many. Jamie had suggested at least four men were there, and that was only a couple of days before so they could take that as a minimum. The fact that Weres were taken off the grounds at night meant there was certainly some sort of surveillance and the guys had just been unfortunate to wander into the area. It wouldn't make much difference whether it was day or night when they went in, and realistically they couldn't afford to wait.

They had been discussing strategies for a few minutes when Adam walked up to them. His words had Sam and Tom in particular raising their eyebrows in surprise.

"I have a plan. You need to get in there and find out how well guarded it is. Grandma and I can do that. They won't attack us, the worst that can happen is I'll end up tied up somewhere while my mother tries to convert me. I've got the code for the gate so we can get in, and then you can use it to follow us once I give you an idea of the situation."

Sam growled at him. "It's not safe Adam."

"It will be safer for me than any of you. Who better as a scout than someone who can walk through the front door largely unchallenged? I'm not going to try and fight anyone, I'm just going to look. I can help you here, please, I need him back."

He looked so desperate by the end of his plea the others felt really sorry for him, but Sam and Tom had the final say. They had a quick discussion between themselves, trying to decide if this was going to work, and as much as it pained them to admit it, Adam's idea really was the best plan they had. Sam grudgingly agreed.

"Fine. You're right. No heroics though, you keep things as normal as possible, just say you wanted a few days away with your grandmother. You're going to throw the place into panic just by being there so don't make matters worse."

Adam gave him a dirty look. "I am not going to put Jake in any more danger than he already is. That's one thing you can count on."

* * * * * *



Friends and Foes Ch. 12



This story features m/m and m/f relationships.

This is the last chapter. Thank you so much for sticking with this, and the lovely comments and mails and kind votes along the way. I really do appreciate it. 

Writing this story has been really hard work, and made me decide never again to start posting something until I've finished it! I have a few unfinished stories that I'm going to get on with now, so I doubt it will be long before something else is up, although it's likely to be a human one (probably gay male, but I am trying to finish something that is purely m/f for a bit of variety).

About half way through writing this chapter I started to think I was going to miss the characters and I didn't have any ideas for where they went next. I still don't have any ideas for a long story like this or Cats and Dogs (which is probably a good thing!), but I have started working out some plans, perhaps for shorter stories about each couple after the events here. Since bits are already starting to float round my head I'll have to start writing soon and see what I end up with. You'll see it if and when I have something!

* * * * * *

12

Adam and Dora had borrowed one of the cars and were heading towards the main gates. Dora was a lot calmer than he was, knowing his mate was imprisoned somewhere in that house. He tried to look in the windows as they drove up, hoping to catch a glimpse, but it wasn't going to be that easy. He sent a message through to Jake.

"I'm coming for you baby, don't worry. Your brother and the others are right here."

"I know, they've told me. Be careful, I don't want you getting hurt."

"I'll be fine. I brought my grandmother for back up as well. We're quite a team!"

"No jokes now Adam, it's not the time. We'll laugh about all of this later, but right now you need to focus. Sam needs to know what you see. Make sure you tell him every little detail."

"I thought you flunked commando training?"

He heard the growl at him trying to keep this light. "I was thrown out. That's not the point. You need to tell Sam everything you can so he can get us all out of here safe."

"I will baby. I'll see you really soon, we're just getting to the gate now."

Adam had to stop talking to Jake so that he could get in touch with Sam. Every last detail, he had been told that by most of the team even before Jake had mentioned it, and he tried hard, sending a continuous stream of what was probably completely pointless information. Some of it might prove useful, but he didn't know what.

There wasn't a guard on the gate, which seemed odd, but there were cameras and nowhere for anyone to stand. Adam stepped out to put the code into the gate and it started to swing open. He told Sam the code while wondering how long it would be before they were noticed. It wasn't far to the house but he went slow, looking for anyone hiding in the grounds or any sign of curtains twitching in the house, but he didn't see anyone.

He was nervous as they got out of the car, but there was still no sign of anyone in the house. There were lights on, and he knew there were people home, but no-one had appeared. He wondered if his mother would be there to meet them, and if so, whether he could play nice. He sent a description of the front of the house to Sam while he helped Dora out of the car, counting windows and noticing detail he'd never seen before. He hadn't been here for years but he knew the layout still. Jake was upstairs, somewhere, and he was going to find him.

In a moment of quiet before they headed to the door he noticed something he never had before. It was dark out there, he shouldn't have been able to see much, but his eyes had adjusted to the low light from the house and the darkness and he saw into the trees and out down the drive. And he could hear, heartbeats and breathing in the shadows even though he couldn't see them. Two people, one either side of the house. 

A split second after he sent the information back to Sam the front door opened and his mother was standing in front of them. She looked calm and pleased to see them, but he could hear her heart beating as well, and it was running way faster than his own despite the fact he was nervous too. And with the door open he got a scent, faint but it made his heart leap. It was Jake, he would know him anywhere. He felt drawn to the smell but he had to stay calm and not let himself get carried away just yet. He let his mother start the conversation while he and Dora walked into the hall.

"This is a surprise. What are you two doing here?"

Dora smiled at her. "I fancied a short break and Adam was kind enough to offer to bring me. I didn't realise you would be here too, but it's lovely to see you. We can have a family dinner. Later perhaps, I'm tired from the journey now."

"I'd better get you upstairs grandma. You can have a nap," Adam said quickly, offering to help her and help himself to get closer to Jake at the same time. He heard his mother respond, her breathing quickening as she realised they were heading towards the stairs.

"Why don't I show you, there aren't that many rooms ready at the moment but I know where you can have a lie down," she said hurriedly. Dora agreed to that, and Adam got to follow, using his new senses to check behind the closed doors and report to Sam.

"Don't think there is anyone in the front rooms. I can hear there are some in the back, several but I can't give you a number, sorry."

"It's okay. We're at the gates. Make sure you and Dora are safe, all those men in hiding are going to be out and fighting very soon."

As they walked up the stairs, his mother clearly very nervous, Adam noted the scent of his mate getting stronger, making him yearn for a kiss or a touch. They chose not to spend much time apart, especially not nights, and not knowing where Jake had been either was far too worrying. When they reached the upstairs landing there were corridors off either side where the various bedrooms were. Jake's scent was strongest to the left, so Adam was not at all surprised when his mother led them to the right. 

As far as he could tell, there wasn't anyone down to the right, and he let his mother show Dora into one of the rooms. He knew now that Dora was very much playing the old woman, and could certainly show a lot more energy than she was at the moment. The nap thing was mostly a ruse, but he was glad of it because it got him closer to Jake and got her out of danger. He didn't care too much about himself, he would fight for Jake if he needed to, and he was going to press it as soon as possible.

He was fairly sure that Jake and Finn would be guarded, but there was no-one in the corridor when he looked down the hall. His mother was fussing over getting Dora settled down, but kept checking where he was as well. He was pretty sure if he made any move down the hallway she would try and stop him, but she wouldn't be much of a challenge to him. All he wanted now was a diversion so he could be sure most of the guards were occupied downstairs.

It came sooner than he expected, alarms sounding downstairs as the others headed into the grounds. He could hear the orders of Sam and Tom in his head as well and knew what they were doing. His mother went white, suddenly looking just as scared as she had been feeling. It was just what he needed, and he started to walk down the hall with purpose, following the scent to find Jake.

His mother ran up behind him, trying to pull him around by his arm, but he shrugged her off very easily. Then she tried talking to distract him.

"Why don't we go see what is happening downstairs. I think there is an intruder in the grounds and we need to call the police."

He could hear the men in the house moving about and knew they were planning to defend the house, and he let Sam know before he replied.

"There aren't any intruders. I let them in, and we both know you aren't going to call the police to sort it out. Your men are already moving to intercept, but they won't win this fight," he told her, still walking as he tried to work out which door hid his mate.

His mother looked even more scared then, but still tried to deny it. "I don't know what you are talking about. We might be in danger," she said, still pulling at his arm and trying to move him back.

Adam lost his temper then, having nearly got to the right door, at the end of the corridor. He swung round and pinned his mother to the wall, holding her with his arm across her throat but resisting the temptation to squeeze. His next words were low and quiet but with plenty of menace.

"I know you have Jake. I know everything you have done, so don't pretend you are worried about me being hurt. You should be more worried about what the Weres out there are going to do with you when they have taken care of your guards. And mother or not, I am not going to stop them from doing it."

She started sobbing, but it didn't affect him like she might have hoped. He was surprised to see his usually strong and in control mother in tears, but he didn't think they were real despite her fear. She was trying to play him again, and he didn't have the time or patience for it. He released her to get to the door, trying to listen for how many people were behind it but unable to hear much over the crying behind him.

"I've only ever tried to do what is best for you. A mother has to protect her children," she said through her tears.

Adam growled. "Try telling that to my sister. Is there anyone in there with you baby? You dumped her when she wasn't what you wanted, and now you are trying to take away the man I love and the only thing in my life that matters to me. Some mother you are."

Jake sent him back a picture of one man, behind the door where he would be hidden as anyone first entered the room. Perfect position if it weren't for the fact that Adam had the heads up. He tried not to concentrate on the fact the man was pointing a gun right at Jake. He checked the door to see if it had been changed for something heavy, but it was just the normal wooden one. He went to put his shoulder to it to force it open, just as his mother screamed "Kill them."

* * * * * *

Sam and Tom had decided that drawing out the guards and keeping some protection for themselves was the best option, so they didn't bother with subtle access to the grounds. They each drove up to the gate with a few men inside, stopping to let some of them out once they were inside and out of sight of the gate camera. They were to take out the men known to be hiding at the side of the house, and sweep the grounds wider if required. No-one was to be killed, unless absolutely necessary, because they needed to find out who had been behind the research and they had a feeling the answer would be inside.

They could hear the alarms go off as well, although they weren't loud even in the house, it was just that their hearing was better than a humans.

"Sounds like they know they have company," Sam said.

"Hope they're bricking it right now," replied Tom. "I guess we can rule out them opening the front door and inviting us in. You ready?"

A quick nod, and the remaining men and Tilly left the cars and headed for the door, listening for what was behind it. They could hear shuffling as people took position, and arranged their own people against the walls at each side of the main door. When it opened there was likely to be gunfire and they didn't want anyone getting hit. Unless it was very well aimed it was unlikely to kill anyone, but it would still hurt like hell and put one of them out of action for the rest of the fight.

"All secure and ready at the back Alex?"

"Yes boss. Only one behind this door that I can tell. Three in the grounds are already down."

"On my signal then. Three... Two... One..."

* * * * * * 

Adam swung the door right open with the force of his impact on it, knocking the guard off balance before he could fire. Before focussing on Jake he made himself concentrate on the two guns the man was now holding, and he quickly relieved him of them before he had recovered from the door hitting him. Adam backed towards his mate, both guns trained on the guard.

"One with bullets, one with tranqs, I'm guessing. Which is which?" he asked the man, getting a defiant look as a response.

"I am going to shoot you. It's your choice whether you wake up in a few hours or not at all."

The man reluctantly indicated the gun in his right hand and Adam fired it, watching the man slump to the floor with a dart in his chest. He checked in the hall and his mother seemed to be leaning against the wall, taking in his every move and no longer crying. He knew that had been a load of bull. He felt safe enough to turn his back on her as the others could warn him and he still had two guns. He didn't really want to shoot her, but he would if he had to to protect his mate.

Jake was beaming a smile at him when he turned around to check on him, barely aware of Finn being there as well. All three of them could hear the scuffles going on downstairs, and he had no doubt that Finn in particular would warn him if it threatened to move towards them.

"Hello love," he said to Jake. "I've missed you. My mother seems to have a very strange idea of what is good for me, and I'm sorry you've suffered for it."

He didn't give Jake a chance to reply. While his hands went to undo some of the straps so his hands would be free to help with the rest, his lips pressed to Jake's in a passionate kiss. He needed it, Jake needed it, and it would disgust his mother, so perfect all around. His hands fumbled with one of the wrist straps, and Jake pushed him away as best he could with the one hand that was partly free.

"Not now baby, we have other priorities. I promise you, later on when we are home, we can do that, and more, for hours. I'm going to enjoy making love to you."

"I like the sound of that. I've missed your cock as well!" he said with a wink.

They all heard that Adam's mother was coming into the room, and Adam struggled to undo a few more straps, and get at least one of Finn's hands free, before he turned to look at her. She was back to pathetic mode, trying to persuade him she was right.

"Son, he's not worth it. He's put some sort of spell on you so he can take control of your life and the business. He's a freak, and one of the Arcans, he'll throw you aside when he's taken what he wants."

"What part of I love him do you not understand?," Adam snapped back at her. "He hasn't forced me into anything, and he doesn't want the business, he just wants me. Weres mate for life, he's never going to want anyone else."

"No, I won't. I love you, my mate," Jake added.

They watched as his mother's face went red with anger. "You are not one of these... things. You are normal. If you stay with them they will make you a freak of nature like they are."

Adam started to laugh. "You know, one thing I've learned in all the years I have been with Jake is they can't turn me into anything, except maybe a better person. As to being a freak of nature, that's not how I see it. And you should know from what you've seen that it's in the genes. You must have been looking at me all along, wondering if I was going to turn out like she did. Bad news mother, I did, it's just a bit too late for you to abandon me for it. But the good news is, as far as I'm concerned we are no longer related, so producing two 'freaks' is no longer your problem."

"You are NOT one of THEM," she screamed back.

Adam shrugged, no longer worried what she thought of him. "It's going to come down to show and tell then," he replied calmly, starting to strip off his clothes, having learned his lesson from earlier. He turned and grinned at Jake. "I've got a surprise for you baby."

Jake had stopped what he was doing. He had only a couple of straps left to go before his feet and ankles were free, but the sight of his mate getting naked right in front of him was more than a little distracting. The grin on his face didn't help, as yet more skin was revealed. 

"Um, are you sure this is the right time babe?"

Adam glanced down at Jake's feet and grinned again. "I reckon I'm safe until you get free, and by the time that happens you'll have other things on your mind."

"I doubt it," Jake growled back.

His mother was just staring at him as he took off his clothes, concern and anger warring in her features. She didn't think he was Were, but obviously wasn't sure of it. Adam pushed his trousers down a little so they would fall out of his way, and changed into his wolf. He liked this form, it felt comfortable, like he was meant to be this way. He heard the gasp of surprise from Jake behind him, and saw the look of sheer horror on his mother's. It was enough to make him smile as best he could. 

She seemed frozen in shock, and Finn was nearly free, so he took the opportunity to bound up to his mate, placing his paws on Jake's chest and licking him where he could reach. Jake was right, the taste of his mate was much better like this. He expected questions, but it took quite a while before Jake could ask any, he was just too surprised.

"How? How did this happen?" he finally got out.

"It's a bit complicated, but it turns out there are herbs that can stop traits coming out, and I've been taking them. Now I'm not."

Jake patted his head and ran his fingers through the fur. "You're gorgeous as wolf too. Darker fur than mine, but we'll just complement each other beautifully. I can't wait to run in the woods with you."

"We can play chase!" Adam replied, excited at the possibility. Jake obviously liked the idea too, because as soon as he got free he changed as well, and despite the fact that Adam's mother was right in front of them, still not moving, the two of them started to play, jumping on each other and yipping in their delight. Finn looked on amused as he released the last few of his straps, barely noticing when Sam and Tom entered the room. Tom was not that surprised at the wolves playing and turned straight to Finn.

"We have control of the house. No sign of Simon as yet but the others are searching the house and grounds. It's good to see you two are safe."

Sam was just watching the two wolves. "Who is that?" he asked, setting Tom laughing.

"That's Adam. We had an eventful journey up here!"

Sam looked at him in shock. "That's rather more than just 'eventful'. How?" he asked.

Tom started to answer but was interrupted by Adam's mother, now sitting in the corner dejected and upset.

"It's my fault. I breed freaks and I don't know what I did to deserve it."

Sam growled at her in disgust. "We are not freaks. You might not like it, but there are plenty of us out there, and we live in harmony with humans unless they do something to hurt our kind. Kidnapping some of us wasn't a good idea. My boss is on his way, and he wants a word with you."

"Fine," she replied, defiant, "he can talk to me, but I don't have to answer to you people."

"Yes, you do. We have authority here, and you don't get let out until we consider it wise. Threats to our people are taken very seriously. I doubt Adam is going to defend you, or report you missing to the human authorities."

"My husband will."

"I doubt it dear," said Dora as she entered the room. "He'll hardly notice you are gone, and if he does, when I tell him what you have done to Adam he won't care where you are."

"You're turning against me too?" she spat out in disgust.

"I knew you would hate that Adam was gay, and I knew you would fear it if you knew he was Were, but I never thought you would kidnap his mate to make your point. Adam can't help what he is any more than his sister could. I never forgave you for what you did to that child, but I always thought you would love Adam anyway. I guess I was wrong to have any faith in you, but you are my daughter and I hoped I had raised you better than that, not to judge others. I don't know what happened, but I wish I had known that you were as sick as you are."




Friends and Foes Ch. 12



"How can you call your own flesh and blood sick?"

"How can you call yours freaks?" Dora countered. "How can a mother not love her children because of things they have no control over. I never hated you because you were human. In fact, I was glad of it, but perhaps if you had some traits you wouldn't feel this way about us."

"You're one of them too?" she asked, eyes going wide. "You've been lying to me all along."

"No, I told you when you were young, you just thought it was a fairy story, and you learned to hate us somehow despite what I said. You abandoned your daughter and I still didn't realise how deep your hatred went, I thought you were just afraid for your social status and all those material things that were important to you. But it really is just hate that caused this, isn't it? I heard you calling to your guard to kill these men. Adam will never forgive you and neither will I."

"Do you think I care? Look what he's doing, playing with that other 'dog' like it's normal what they do. I don't know what's worse, what he can turn in to, or that he's fucking a man."

Sam and Tom shared an amused glance, knowing it wasn't that way around at all. Getting some idea of the hatred that ran through Adam's mother explained a lot, and Dora was getting plenty out of her without them having to try. Waiting for Mark was going to be quite interesting if she kept talking, but they couldn't relax entirely until they were sure all the guards had been rounded up, and they were still missing one important person from this party.

* * * * * * 

Dill and Tilly were outside, running the grounds with many of the others as they checked for any men that had been hiding outside the house. There were scent trails everywhere, but few were very fresh. They had to make sure that there wasn't anyone left to get in their way, because they could probably still take out one or two of the team before they were noticed. Both were acutely aware that Simon had not been found, and catching him was a priority. He was probably more dangerous than any of the armed men they had already subdued.

While Dill felt like he wanted to catch the guy to get his own back, Tilly was scared. She couldn't help remembering what had happened the last time that Simon had a fight with Dill, and her mate had nearly died. It wasn't something she ever wanted to go through again, and she couldn't lose him, he was everything to her. 

Dill felt her feelings and tried to talk her through it.

"It's okay. I'm going to be just fine, because this time I have you for backup from the start, and he is not going to take me by surprise. Stay strong, nothing bad is going to happen. We can't do our jobs if you're going to be worrying about me getting hurt every time."

"It's not about the job, it's just him. He nearly killed you."

"And you nearly killed him. If anyone can take him, you can. Together, with a plan, he stands no chance."

Tilly tried to stay calm after that and cut out her emotions. She didn't want Dill affected by her fears at the moment, he needed to be on alert and not worried about her. She wasn't afraid for herself, she only worried for him. It was stupid really, she knew he had been jumped the last time, but she kept remembering when he was in a coma and she had been so terrified he would never wake.

Both of them stiffened when they found a very fresh scent trail leading away from the house. They had no idea whether it was Simon, but certainly someone human had passed this way and almost certainly only a few minutes before. Dill followed the trail and Tilly kept watch behind him, calling some of the others to come and meet them. The more of them the better, and the less chance of anything bad happening. 

When they got closer they could hear whoever it was too. Although they were moving so quietly that any normal person would not be able to locate them, the cats had good night vision and excellent hearing, and the beating of a heart was faint but clear to them. They could track him that way just as easily as by his scent, and it meant that they couldn't be lead astray by false trails. No-one could stop their heart from beating. It seemed surprisingly calm, which suggested that he wasn't worried even though he must have known there would be some sort of search going on.

Quietly the two tracked through the bushes towards the sound, being told that some of the others were on their way. Tilly planned to wait for them as neither she or Dill had any way of sedating the guy on them, and some of the others had the tranq guns they had taken off the men inside. Unfortunately, Dill had other ideas. If this was Simon, he wanted to prove he could take him, it was a question of male pride. Even Tilly shouting at him to stop didn't make a difference.

He ran through the last few bushes in his way, no longer really stalking his prey, just trying to catch it. He had the element of surprise this time. Better than expected in fact, because when he burst through the last of his cover, Simon had his back to him. He heard and turned, but it was too late to avoid the leap that Dill made, taking him to the ground and knocking the gun he was holding out of his hand. Simon struggled, trying to get back on his feet, but Tilly was there only a moment after her mate, pushing him back to the floor and sitting on him for good measure, hissing to warn him not to move. 

He seemed to get the idea pretty quickly, probably because the cats were making their point physically as well as with their hisses, and they had their claws extended as they stepped on his prone body to make sure he bore a few more scars from his latest encounter with the Weres. He was probably glad when Rob and Den got there, in their human form and armed, and a moment later the dart was in him and he was unconscious. 

They dragged him, none too gently, back through the woods and into the house, by mutual consent picking him up by the arms rather than the legs so his head wouldn't drag on the ground or get banged on the steps. It was one small concession to him when neither felt that much sympathy for the man. It surprised Tilly how bitter she still felt about what he had done, but it didn't surprise her how much Dill was enjoying getting a little of his own back. Much as they both detested the man, they needed to know what he did.

* * * * * *

Back inside, Sam and Tom heard the news that they had Simon, and there was no sign of anyone else either outside or in. A quick word between the two and they decided on the best way of making sure the two key people were kept safe and secure until Mark got there. Adam's mother turned the air blue when the two of them grabbed hold of her and secured her where Finn had been up until recently. He took some pleasure in helping out with it, even as she screamed about her 'rights'.

"Funny how me and Jake didn't seem to have any of those when you tied us down. You're not going to get any sympathy from me," he told her. 

She quit complaining shortly after and the others were thankful for the vague silence. Even Jake and Adam had calmed down, and were now curled up together in the corner of the room. Both of them would have liked to take off somewhere private but they didn't think this was the right time. There was a lot that might still be said and they wanted to know everything. Adam's mother was still glaring at them from time to time but it didn't bother either of them, they were just enjoying the new sensation of both being wolf.

When Sam and Tom left the room to go check on the others and their captives, Dora took the opportunity to speak to the remaining man, admiring her grand-daughters choice of mate. She spoke softly so as not to interest her daughter in the conversation.

"You must be Finn, it's a pleasure to meet you. Sky was telling me all about you."

"She's here?" he asked immediately.

"A little way up the road. They wouldn't let her come and she wasn't happy about it, but it seemed the safest course of action. I think she recognised that too, but she wanted to get to you anyway."

"It won't be long now, we've just got to wait for the people from Council. I've missed her so much."

"As it should be," replied Dora. She wasn't going to mention the discoveries about Sky's past just yet, thinking it wasn't her place to tell Finn about it, he should hear it from his mate.

Finn thought of replying, but a scent and the sound of footsteps had him rushing out into the hallway. He knew it was Sky coming and although he probably should have been cross with her, he couldn't do anything but gather her into his arms and kiss her senseless. She moaned softly as he hugged her to his body and stole her breath away with the intensity of his lips on hers. He didn't break contact as he started to complain at her.

"You are not supposed to be in here," he told her, not with a great deal of conviction as he was loving every moment of having her back.

"Tilly said it was safe. I wanted to surprise you. I've missed this, you, I was so worried. Did they hurt you?"

"No love, I'm fine. Just got tied down for a while, no-one so much as touched me."

"Thank God. I had all these thoughts running through my head, especially when I couldn't even hear you."

"It's all okay, honestly. God, I want you so badly right now, and we have to wait. It isn't fair!"

"Soon, I promise," she replied, not only hearing the passion in his tone but feeling the effect she was having on him physically as his hard dick was pressed between them. She wanted his skin on hers, his cock inside her, but this was going to have to do for the moment. Besides which, she suddenly realised, there were a few things she needed to tell him. She broke away from their reunion kiss reluctantly and looked up the corridor, seeing Dora in the doorway trying to look as though she hadn't just seen what the two of them were doing. 

"Finn, I want you to meet my grandmother," she said, checking his expression as she said it. As expected, it showed his surprise immediately.

"I thought she was Adam's grandmother?"

"That too. Adam is my twin brother. We've had quite the family reunion on the way up here," she replied, walking up to Dora and giving her a hug. She caught sight then of the woman strapped down in the room, and could barely hide her revulsion.

"Is that her?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid so. She hasn't been making many friends this evening, and both Adam and I have disowned her. She thinks we are freaks," Dora told her.

Sky couldn't help herself walking closer anyway. She wanted to see this woman who had abandoned her, try and understand why anyone would do such a thing. She could see the hate in her eyes though, it showed through her sullen silence. Sky was still inquisitive, she felt detached from the situation and knew she would never have a relationship with her mother, but she still needed to see her and speak to her. Finn seemed to realise that she was trying to work this through and just came up behind her to wrap his arms around her loosely as she tried to decide what to say.

"I'm Sky. It's been a long time since you last saw me. I've spent most of my life trying to find my family, but now I'm glad I didn't. I guess I will never understand why you hated me so much, but I think I've been better off without you."

"It's all your fault," she replied bitterly. "You should have been my perfect little girl, but you were anything but. It's your fault I lost my family. My husband loved me, Adam was my baby, and then you turned and everything fell apart."

Sky was surprised that the words didn't hurt her, they just started to explain what had gone on, and she wanted to know more. She stayed calm as she started talking, taking strength from her mate.

"I was a child, I knew nothing about it. You destroyed the family when you took me away. I can understand you being upset, but I can't understand how you could have given up on your own child because she wasn't what you expected."

"I wanted perfect children, not freaks. Even after I got rid of you I had to keep checking on Adam, making sure he was still normal. He developed his obsession with you people and I tried to stop him, but he just carried on in secret. For years he has been lying to me about what he was doing and I needed to make sure he wouldn't get too involved. I'm just sorry I was too late to save him."

Finn growled at her. "Adam doesn't need saving. He's one of us."

"He wasn't supposed to be, he was supposed to be my son," she wailed. "He was the only thing I had left, and now he's turned and I have nothing to show for all these years. I thought I could get him to stop his reading and research, or at least get him to think it was all fiction. He should have listened to me."

"He's happy now," Dora told her. "He still has family, but more importantly he has a mate, and he would never have found those things if you had managed to keep him from what he needed to know."

"I wanted to help him, to cure him. He still could be normal if he tried."

Every person in the room growled at her, but she didn't seem to care. It was clear how much she hated what they were, and how hard she had tried to keep Adam away from it. She had no idea how little effect that had until now, but they couldn't feel sorry for her when she spoke about them like that. Adam was particularly incensed by her words about him, and he changed back so he could speak to her direct.

"You don't get it, do you? I am normal, I have found the one I love, and the sister I never knew I had, and friends who understand me. The only thing wrong with my life is that you are in it, but that will be put right after today. Stop saying you were trying to protect me, when all you were doing was stopping me from having what I wanted, and feeding your own hate. There is nothing wrong with me or these people."

They expected a smart reply, but her attention was drawn to the door as Sam and Tom came back into the room, Tilly and Dill behind them still dragging Simon. His head had rolled backwards and spots of blood showed through his shirt where they had pressed their claws in. After being dragged for half a mile he was dishevelled and there were bits of leaves in his hair and on his clothes. She watched as they lifted him, none too gently, and tied him down next to her.

"What have you done to him?" she demanded to know.

"He resisted arrest," Tilly said, giggling, "he's only unconscious, he'll be fine when he wakes up."

"He's bleeding."

"A few scratches. He's had worse," Tilly replied, unconcerned.

"I saw what you did to him before. Broken arm, cuts and bruises everywhere, he's got scars down his chest even now. He was nearly killed. Are you going to finish the job now?"

Sam growled. "We don't kill unless we have to. He seemed quite prepared to kill one of us."

"He was doing his job. Protecting the research and protecting Adam for me."

"I wasn't involved in the research," Adam told her. "They all know that. Simon set me up."

"More importantly, how does she know about the research at all?" Jake asked.

There was silence for a moment while they all considered that and came to the logical conclusion. Adam's mother just stayed silent, but her expression was smug, and Tilly could feel her amusement that they hadn't worked this out before now. She felt herself superior to them, even though they had her captured.

"Perhaps we've not been considering who other than Simon would be in a position to create and control a part of the company," said Sam, "but I don't understand why you would implicate Adam in it."

"Not as smart as you all think, eh?" she said, very pleased with herself, "I told you, it was to protect him."

"By making him a target?"

"If you found out what was going on, it would make sure he never got in with you people. Simon would make sure you didn't hurt him."

Adam was in shock now, that she had gone so far and even made it look like he was involved.

"Shame that I already was in with them, and they believed me, wasn't it? How could you possibly think it was protecting me. Do you know what they did to those they captured? They nearly killed my sister, and I would never have even known she existed. What was the point of all of it?"

"To find out how to stop it. Turn them back, or breed it out, anything to stop more and more freaks being born," she answered, finally starting to panic. "You wouldn't have to be like this Adam, we could be a family again."

"I want to be like this. I want to be with Jake. These people are my family now, not some bitter old woman who says she wants to protect me while trying to ruin my life and kill my mate. You hate me too, now I'm one of them and you know I'm gay. That suits me just fine. I'm out of here, and don't think you'll be seeing me again."

He strode out of the room with purpose, not wanting to look back at her, even when she called his name. Despite it all she still wanted her son, but he was no longer going to consider himself that. He knew Jake was behind him, and some of the others, and he couldn't bear to look at her or hear her justifying what she had done any longer. He had learned far too much today and he was probably still in shock over how many awful and unforgivable things she had done.

When he got down the corridor he leaned against a wall, finally letting some emotion show as he shook slightly and breathed deeply while he calmed himself down. Jake's arms were soon around him and he took comfort from that, leaning his head into the strong shoulder in front of him.

"How can she have done all of that? How could I not know?"

"She didn't let you know. She might be full of hate, but she isn't stupid. Don't blame yourself for this baby."

"She was trying to put me right, in her mind. All of this happened because of me."

"No," Jake said, firmly, "This happened because she made it happen. Her warped ideas, her plans, her organisation. Whatever she thought her reasons were, it wasn't your fault."

Adam had another realisation, something he had already said, and he raised his head to see if Sky was there. She was wrapped in her own mates arms, but looking at him, and he held her gaze for a moment.

"I'm so sorry."

"Jake's right, it wasn't your fault. She did this, not you. You need to understand, what happened to me was terrible, but because of it I found Finn. He saved me, and when I remember the bad things he helps me through it by making good memories with me. I'm strong now because of having him in my life. You don't need to feel sorry for me, I have what you do, a man who loves me and makes me whole. And now I have a brother and grandmother too."

"And a father. I'm sure he will want to meet you. I guess we'd better go introduce everyone at once, so there are no more surprises or secrets. I think our family has had enough of them to last us a lifetime."

Sky grinned at her brother. "I agree. But we aren't going there just yet, I want to go home first and spend some time with Finn now I have him back."

"That sounds like a very good idea!" Adam replied, smiling at her and then at Jake, who had started to nuzzle at his neck at just the thought of them having time alone together.

"Not now Jake," he sent through to his mate, who was starting to have an effect he really didn't want in front of others. "Later, baby, I promise. I want you too, just as badly, but we can't do anything right here."

He heard a grumble in reply, but Jake moved his lips away from him. He didn't let go though, and Adam had the feeling that after an enforced separation it was going to be a while before he did.

* * * * * *

"So, what's the plan now. I'm tired of listening to her whining," Tom said.

"We knock her out if we have to, but I'd rather she was awake to repeat all that to Mark when he gets here. It's incredible how far someone can go because they are scared of us."




Friends and Foes Ch. 12



"She hates us."

"It's born out of fear, she's turned it over the years, focussed on us as something to be afraid of and the source of everything that has gone wrong for her. Must have been a shock to find out her children weren't what she expected. Speaking of which, you need to fill me in on what happened on your trip up, because it seems I missed out on quite a bit."

"I will. Meanwhile, I think we should send the civilians back to the house, the trainees too as they are probably desperate to get back to their mates. Tilly to keep charge of it all?"

"Run me by that 'getting back to their mates' part again? When did this happen?"

Tom gave him a grin. "Seems I've been around for all the best bits while you've been asleep or in the wrong place!"

"Once we get back, I'm not letting you out of my sight for a while. You get up to far too much when I'm not around!"

"I much prefer what we can get up to when we are together!" Tom replied, his gaze now full of want and desire. 

Sam cleared his throat, not wanting to get into a conversation like that just at the moment. That one look of lust reminded him that he had slept alone earlier, and he desperately wanted to be curled up with this mate right then. Work came first, but he couldn't begrudge the others their own time together and he sent out instructions to some of the others, especially Finn and Jake and their mates, to head back to his mansion. 

"Get that one downstairs with the others, then you two can go. You're in charge," he said to Tilly, indicating the man Adam had shot. "We'll bring the others back when Mark gets here."

"Don't be long. We need to celebrate!" she replied, already on her way out of the room with Dill behind her carrying the unconscious man.

"And it's about time someone other than our team did the work!" Tom added.

Sam smiled at him. "We must be due some time off, you want to take that holiday we discussed? A life of luxury for a few days, change of scenery, lots and lots of passionate sex?"

"Hell yes!" Tom said, returning the smile and his bright blue eyes gleaming. "Does it still count as a change of scenery if we don't get out of bed?!"

* * * * * *