Chasing the Moon

by B. A. Tortuga

  Still, patience was important. That was the way.

  “Go on, sweet. Go fix us each another bowl.”

  “Okay.” Halian trotted off, and Nathan watched the bounce in the kid’s step. That made him happy. It honestly did.

  Halian needed a friend, someone to care for him until he gained confidence. Nathan knew he was the man for the job, and he could keep his hands to himself if need be. If need didn’t…. Well, that would come.

  When Halian was ready for a lover, Nathan would be there, waiting.

  Right now, well, he figured Halian had a whole new world to explore.

  2

  Halian washed the dishes and made sure not to clank the bowls together. He didn’t want to upset Mr. Nathan, not at all. He wanted to be able to rest safely for a night. Just one night.

  This was… well, this house was so much more than a good place. It vibrated these amazing, calming vibes. Like, total love. He wanted to sink into it and stay, but he didn’t want to be a problem either. He wanted to help.

  So he would clean and be silent. That was good. Maybe Mr. Nathan would forget about him.

  He could be a ghost in the A-frame. The thought made a chuckle escape him, and he looked around to make sure no one heard. Nathan was humming in the main room, then music started to play, so he breathed a sigh of relief.

  He swept the floor and mopped it, making sure it was spotless.

  “Halian? What are you doing, sweet?” Nathan wandered over to the kitchen, eyebrows rising. “Oh, how lovely. You didn’t have to clean up, but it looks amazing.”

  “I—I wanted to help.” He blinked up at the huge man with the gorgeous dark eyes.

  “You did too! Will you come sit with me? I have some ice cream I’ve been dying to try. They’re little cones in their own wee packages.” Nathan made sure the floor was dry before tiptoeing to the freezer.

  “I will.” He was fascinated by Nathan, curious to see what little meant to the big man.

  The ice creams were in normal-size sugar cones, the kind with the pointy ends. They had a ball of ice cream with nuts all around it.

  “Thank you. Really. I appreciate it.” He loved sweets. They came so rarely.

  “No problem at all. I have a bit of a sweet tooth. It’s why I have a gym. Since I don’t actually fully hibernate all winter, I would look like a giant panda instead of a grizzly unless I worked out.” Nathan’s little laugh was so humble it was cute.

  “You definitely are a grizzly. No question.” Hopefully that wasn’t too forward.

  “I am!” Nathan yawned. “Do you like movies? I have an entertainment room with all these movies and couches and pillows. That way if I nod off, you’re not bored.”

  “I do. Can I come with you? I’d love to see.”

  “Yes! Come on.” Nathan tossed their ice cream wrappers, then led him down a flight of stairs to a huge family room with a pool table and big windows out to a deck. At one end was a closed-off media room, though somehow it managed to be cozy and open rather than weird and claustrophobic. “Come and sit with me, hmm? It’s comfortable and soft.”

  “Thank you.” He chose a section of one of the big couches, curling up, knees under his chin.

  Nathan put on a movie, then flopped on the other end of the moon-shaped sofa from him, groaning happily.

  The ice cream was sweet and cold, and he lapped it up, careful not to spill a drop. Nathan was a little messier, but watching the big man lick his fingers was both funny and oddly sexy, so Halian wouldn’t complain.

  He snuggled into the sofa, humming deep in his chest. So soft. So warm. And it smelled like… well, deep. Musky. He supposed it was bear, and that should scare him, but it comforted him.

  “It’s good, I know. Do you like funny? I love to laugh. I like singing too.”

  “I like to laugh.” Did anyone not like it? Maybe someone did. He thought his alpha might hate it….

  That didn’t matter, though. What mattered was that he was here, now, tonight. Not there.

  Nathan started a movie that had a board game that turned into a video game, and he stared at the screen, not really fascinated, but not wanting to insult Nathan. Soon enough, he did find he was laughing along, and when he glanced at Nathan, the big guy was asleep.

  He carefully got up, got a blanket and bent to put it over the sleeping bear, gasping softly as Nathan grabbed him and drew him in, one hand stroking his hair.

  “You’re safe, little wolf. I swear on the moon.”

  He lay there, stiff as a board, for long moments. But Nathan didn’t bite or scratch, simply smoothed that hand over his head, breathing deep enough that Halian rose and fell with Nathan’s chest.

  Finally he chuckled, shook his head, and let himself relax.

  Nathan was asleep again in no time, big hand resting on his back, keeping him there. That was okay. Nathan was warm and fuzzy and comforting, and he was so tired.

  So tired and so lonely.

  How had he been so stupid? How had he thought Maicoh would accept him away from the pack? He was so stupid. Such an idiot.

  Maicoh had Ash. That was, like, constant as the moon. He had no idea what he was going to do. The pack—what if they came looking for him? It was Maicoh they wanted, but he could be punished.

  You’d be punished regardless.

  He shook his head. He was safe right now. Nathan was bigger than any wolf as a human. Halian could sleep, just for a little while. Right here.

  “No one will hurt you. Rest.” Nathan’s voice echoed in him. “No one.”

  No one.

  He closed his eyes, trusting in that rumble, and he cuddled in.

  Sleep now. The rest would work itself out later.

  3

  Nathan woke up feeling happy, warm, and horny.

  He often woke up warm and horny, but the odd happiness buzzing in his chest was new. He yawned, trying to pin down the feeling, and then he stretched, the pressure of another body sliding against him. Huh. Weird. He cracked an eye open, tickled to see that little Halian had come to sleep with him. Nathan hummed. He did like a snuggle, and he didn’t get near enough these days.

  Halian was lovely—his looks were closer to Ash’s than Mai’s. Dark hair, but lean and drawn, with tons of marks from bites and scratches.

  Poor baby. He’d heard from Ash how hard it was to be an omega, but this was just… barbaric.

  Nathan did not approve, and he felt like maybe Mai didn’t either, which was handy. He intended to keep this one, if Hali was willing. His bear wanted to keep Halian safe.

  And not in that mother hen sort of way. More in that “I want to be his lover” kind of way.

  Oh, he could be patient. Halian thought he was in love with Mai, and he was so… hurt. So fragile. Nathan’s patience would be rewarded, though. He knew it. Hali would be his.

  And if he was wrong, then he would be Halian’s defender, his friend.

  Everyone needed a bear. Liam had told him that more than once, bemoaning the fact that they weren’t attracted to each other.

  He grinned at that, stroking Halian’s lean back. That spine was too pronounced, too knobby. He needed to make cookies. Surely Halian liked cookies. Mai and Ash did. Scone with berries were good too, but that was more bear food…. Oatmeal scotchies. That was the ticket.

  As if he could hear Nathan’s thoughts, Halian’s belly rumbled.

  Some protein too, to make him strong again.

  “Mmm… bacon now, cookies for snacks.”

  Halian’s eyes popped open, the green there bright with fear, with total panic.

  “Shhh. All is well, Halian. It’s Nathan, remember? We had a nap, but I think it’s time for another snack. Would you like to help me make cookies?” He rubbed that thin back some more, long, soothing strokes.

  “Cookies. I can help. Yes. Nathan. You’re real. I slept hard. Hello.” Oh, sweet wolf.

  “Hello, sweet. I liked napping with you. You sleep hard, did you know?”

  “I’ve been so tired,
” Halian admitted. “You have a good home. Quiet. Safe.”

  And Nathan thought the little wolf had been craving both quiet and safety.

  “It can be quite loud when I have a party, but that’s not very often,” Nathan admitted.

  “I can see that this place would be perfect for gatherings. It’s so wonderful.”

  “Thank you.” Nathan gave Halian a little squeeze before letting go. “So. Snack.”

  “Yes. I’ll help.” He could almost see Halian wagging.

  “Yay!” He lifted Halian up, then rose himself. “We can put the bacon in the broiler while we get the first batch of cookies ready to go.”

  “We can have bacon and cookies?” Look at those wide eyes.

  “We can. I was thinking oatmeal scotchies, but peanut butter might be nice too. What do you like best?”

  “I love both. What’s your favorite?”

  “Mmm. Depends on the day. I think protein wins and peanut butter goes better with bacon, hmm?” Nathan wandered to the kitchen, knowing Halian would follow. The lad was so eager to please, and Nathan would have to work not to take advantage of that.

  The soft footsteps padded after him, the scent of Halian chasing him.

  Lovely man. Nathan wanted to strip him naked and sniff him all over. A bear lived by his nose far more than any wolf, and Halian’s smell teased him. Poked and prodded him. He licked his lips, then pulled bacon out of the fridge.

  Halian’s smell was heaven and promised so much.

  Halian looked at him. “Do I need a bath? Do I smell bad?”

  “What? No. Why?”

  “Your nose keeps working hard.” Halian shrugged, a small movement. “And you sniffed me. At Maicoh’s.”

  “I like the way you smell,” Nathan said. “Very much. More than bacon.”

  “That’s very much. Very.” Halian leaned close, inhaling deeply.

  “I know.” How could he not smile at that? He liked fish that way, but the wolves always went for pig.

  “You smell like… honey. Honey and something else. Something good.”

  “Oh, I thought you were sniffing the bacon!” Delighted, he reached out to squeeze Halian’s upper arm.

  “That’s better when it’s cooking. You smell good just as you are.”

  “I’m so glad you think so.” He set the food aside so he could take Halian in a hug. Nathan loved hugs.

  “Oh.” Halian stiffened for a second, then melted into him.

  “Shhh.” Yes, little wolf. Relax and let me care for you.

  “Thank you. You are… warm.”

  “Too warm?” Nathan knew he could be like a large space heater. Sometimes people said he was too hot, and had to not snuggle with him anymore, and some people, like Ash, liked how hot he was because they were all skin and bones.

  “No. No, perfect. I slept so well. Napped.”

  “You did. All I want you to do the next few days is nap and rest and eat.” Keeping his voice light, he kind of… danced Halian around the kitchen, humming a few bars of an old waltz.

  “I can stay a little while?”

  “You can stay as long as you need. It sounds like where you came from wasn’t good, hmm? Not for you, anyway. I like company.” That was why he was here, right? In Glen Wood. He was an odd bear.

  “It was…. It’s hard, being the little wolf. Being the omega. Ashkii was that too.”

  “I know. Bless him, he was so skinny when he came. So sad.” He rubbed Halian’s back, offering comfort and safety.

  “I’m not that sad. I—I want to be useful so I can stay. I don’t want to go back.” The words were offered over like jewels.

  “Hmm. Well, then. Cookies, ho!” He loved the simple act of cooking with another person. It told Nathan so much about the person in question, whether they rushed or took their time, made a mess or carefully cleaned up. All were fine; he liked to see.

  “Do you have a recipe book, or do you know?” Halian blinked at him, nice and slow, like he’d been dazed by their connection.

  “The peanut butter ones I cheat on. A cup of sugar, a cup of peanut butter, and an egg. That way I don’t even have to get out the flour.” He winked when Halian gaped a little. “So simple, right? I mean, I have the one in the Pillsbury book when I want to be fancy, but we just want cookies.”

  “Wow. If I’d known that, I would have had more cookies. How can I help?”

  “The sugar is in the second canister from the right there, and the eggs are in the fridge.” Bacon. Peanut butter. Lalala. Nathan moved around the kitchen, and Halian slid around him a little like a moon. Always in orbit and never colliding.

  Halian tickled the hell out of him, remembering the recipe and making it without a bit of trouble. They spooned balls of dough onto a cookie sheet, then popped them into the bottom oven.

  “So it’s two? I mean, they’re both ovens?” Halian asked.

  “It is. I love it.” Nathan’s smile was so warm. “I like to cook.”

  “Wow.” Halian turned and began washing dishes. Someone had been told to keep his home, wherever it had been, clean. Nathan would have to teach Halian how to leave the occasional dish in the sink. They had a dishwasher, and sometimes it was fun to be lazy.

  Someone had driven the little wolf hard, making him shaky and worried. It was wrong. Stress was a terrible thing. The pack Ash and Halian came from needed to change. They had issues with cruelty, and that sucked.

  Especially when it was so unnecessary. A pack was meant to work together, wasn’t it? Everyone had a place. What had happened to Ash and Halian seemed so mean.

  “Mmm. Cookie dough.” Nathan ate a bite, then offered one to Halian.

  Halian opened his mouth, the act easy as pie and quite possibly the most erotic thing Nathan’d even seen. His whole body surged, but Nathan tamped it down, not wanting to scare the lad. He fed Halian that bite, watching as he hummed and licked his lips.

  “So yummy. Thank you.” Halian grabbed him in a quick hug scented of peanut butter. “Really. I can’t tell you thank you enough.”

  “You’re very welcome.” He was happy to hold on. Not to restrain, but to give Halian what he needed. Physical contact was so important, and so many of them—human, shifters, animals—didn’t get enough.

  “So, what else can I do to help? Is there anything you need?”

  “Mmm. Talk to me? Tell me about the desert. What’s your favorite part?” He got lonely sometimes.

  “The flowers when it rains. I love flowers.” Halian stayed close, nose working. “I love the sound of water.”

  “Oh, we have to go to the falls. I love to hike. When you’re used to the altitude, we’ll go.” Hanging Lake was a thousand-foot trail, mostly straight up.

  “Just let me know and I’ll be ready. I want to see everything. Everything.”

  “I want you to as well.” He felt very daring when he let his lips graze Halian’s temple. Then the timer went off and he had to save the cookies.

  The bacon was starting to smell good, the cookies smelled amazing, and better than all of it was Halian.

  Nathan was so happy he couldn’t help but let it spill over, doing a little dance as he put another sheet of cookies in.

  Halian’s little chuff of laughter made him shake it harder, and that got him more of the joy he was looking for.

  “You should see me dance as a bear. I look like a Disney character.” He swung his butt from side to side.

  “Really? I’ve never met any bears before. I bet you’re glorious and warm and beautiful.”

  “Oh, thank you.” He watched Halian slide cookies onto a cooling rack. “And I bet your wolf is sharp and quick and curious.”

  “I’m little, but I’m fast. Really. I can run.”

  “I would love to see that sometime. See you get out in the open and truly go.” He wanted to see all the things.

  “Maybe we could sometime. Shift, I mean. Us. Together.”

  “I would love that.” Nathan eyed the bacon. Another minute or so.
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br />   “Me too.” Halian blushed and ducked his head, moving in a way that spoke of pleasure and the need to please.

  He could eat this one up. Nibble nibble.

  “Do bears play? Like what does your bear like?”

  “Oh, I love to play. To fish. Sleep in the sun. Scratch my back on trees.”

  “I’ll scratch your back, if you get itchy.” Halian was going to kill him. There was a sweet innocence there, but also a natural sensuality he longed to explore.

  “I’ll let you, sweet. Let’s have a cookie to see how they came out.” He grabbed two glasses. “Milk?”

  Halian’s lips parted. “Please?”

  “I love milk!” Liam was the only one who shared his love for it. It would be so nice to have someone to drink it with. Halian was just perfect.

  Halian panted softly, his eyelids heavy. “Me too.”

  Oh, poor baby, to be denied such a simple thing. He supposed where Halian was from, goat milk was more usual, so maybe it wasn’t simple for him.

  Nathan found two glasses, then filled them with milk from the fridge. He got them both some cookies, turned off the bacon, then headed to the table to share. Dessert first, since that was the treat Halian seemed most interested in, bless him.

  Halian sat and waited for him to sit, to eat, even though he was shivering with hunger.

  “Hey, anytime you want to eat something, what I have is yours, okay?” He pushed over the cookies.

  “I don’t want to be rude. I don’t want you not to like me.” The words were a bare whisper.

  “I think that might be impossible. You’re amazing. I know these things.” He tapped the side of his nose. His nose knew.

  “Amazing? Me?” He loved that little grin. “That’s cool.”

  “I know it. We’re going to be grand friends.” And more, but friends were important in a couple. That they have things in common and like each other.

  The rest could come later, and it would be amazing.