by Zoe Perdita
Dmitri drapes his arms around my shoulders and pats my chest. The touch feels right, expected almost, but the nagging in the back my head makes me want to step away. Why do I have a weird addiction to Lowell boys? I really need to get over this. It’s like they're a drug- a drug I can't live without. However, I spent the last seven years of my life living without them, and I did just fine. But ever since I came back my time away seems like a dream, something that didn't really happen. This is the only real life I’ve ever known- this sharp and bright now. Everything else was just a fantasy. God, what the hell is wrong with me?
Summoning up all my strength I shrug off Dmitri’s arms and move toward the door. "Well it's been nice you guys, but I have some work to do. I've got stuff to pick up at the hardware store. Turns out when house is left unattended for six months things start falling apart."
"You’re not going alone!" Yuri and Dmitri say at once. Pasha stares at me with his eyes wide, frightened almost. What the hell is he scared of? What are they all scared of? Wolves only come out at night, right? And they don't frequent hardware stores.
The scar across my side itches, and I scratch it. Feels like it's getting worse lately, darker red each day. Why did that only happened since I came back? I've had the damn thing for seven long years, and it's been perfectly fine until now. "What? Do I need supervision just to go to the store?"
"I'll go," Dmitri says, "we needed to pick up some nails for the shutters."
Yuri shakes his head. "No, Pasha should go. He can pick up the nails just as well as you can."
Dmitri glares at his older brother, his forest green eyes shining in the late afternoon sunlight, but he doesn't argue.
Suddenly Pasha grabs my arm and pulls me toward the door. "Come. We'd better hurry before it gets dark," he says and then gives me an apologetic smile. His touch makes my skin tingle just like the other brothers. Shit! I'm fucked up. Having a crush on all five brothers? There's definitely something wrong with me.
I glanced back at Yuri and Dmitri as the youngest Lowell brother pulls me out the door. "Do you want me to drive?" I ask. No point arguing now. Doesn't look like Yuri's gonna let me do anything on my own, at least not at the moment.
"No, I can manage," Pasha says and climbs into their old beat up truck. I get in after him and glance at the western mountains and the sun's slow and steady progress toward them. The fields around us are golden with late summer wheat, almost ready for harvest- the hot air alive with the sounds of insects. Is it really so dangerous? Will a wolf attack me during the day just because I’m wolf’s bait? What the hell is an animal gonna do to me besides kill me? There's way too much about the situation I don't understand. Way too much they're keeping secret.
We ride in a comfortable silence, and I'm glad Pasha doesn't bombard me with questions about what I've been up to. Telling him about college and life outside this small farming town doesn't seem to hold any real weight anymore, not after everything else I've been through.
After about twenty minutes we pull into a hardware store, one of those little local ones big cities don't have. "Why didn't we go to Spokane?" I ask as we both climb out of the truck.
Pasha shrugs. "We always come here. Plus, it's closer than Home Depot."
The sign on the door says they close at eight. Glancing at my cell phone I notice we got here just in time. Seven-thirty P.M.
"What did you need?" Pasha asks as we walk inside.
"Pipe stuff," I say, and he points me in the right direction as he heads towards the nails.
I root through the plumbing supplies, hoping I'm picking out the right size, as I remember my dad showing me how to fix things when I was a kid. It'd be so much easier if they were still around, if I could still call them and ask for help. What would they think of this situation? Of the Lowell brothers? The idea of wolf's bait? Who am I kidding? They wouldn't believe a word of it. They could hardly believe that a big white wolf attacked me when I was eighteen- but I had a huge gash in my side to prove it. Now this? Hell, they didn't even know I might be gay. Do I regret never telling them? Damn, I regret a lot of things. Way too much for normal twenty-five-year-old.
As I pick up a pipe, a familiar shiver travels through my body, and suddenly my scar, the one from the wolf attack, itches like crazy. I reach to scratch it, but the annoying sensation just won't stop- like ants crawling around under my skin. Biting it. Gnawing until its an angry red. What the hell?
Then I notice him. A guy standing at the end of the aisle. A man I've never seen before.
"Problem?" he asks and steps toward me while I gape at him like a fish out of water.
I let my hand fall to my side although the horrible itch only grows worse the closer he gets. "Uh, no. Just picking up some supplies," I say dumbly, unable to take my eyes off him.
He smiles, showing bright white teeth and canines that come to sharp and dangerous points. Teeth just like Yuri's. But what the hell does that mean? Not to mention this guy is just as hot as fuck- like all five Lowell brothers. He stands several inches taller than me, even taller than Yuri- he must be something like six four and solid with muscle. His hair is just as pale as Pasha's- a shocking Scandinavian blond. His features are more rugged and handsome than they are beautiful. A strong jaw, a straight nose, a high even brow and a square chin. His eyes are a pale, arctic blue. But the weirdest thing of all is I feel like I've met him before. Like I know him just as well as I know the Lowell brothers, just as well as I knew my parents. Maybe even just as well as I know myself. But that doesn't make any sense!
"Maybe I can help you with something," he says and takes another slow step toward me.
My heart bangs against my ribs. The whole world narrowing to just him and me and this intense electricity between us- like I'm lost and he's my only savior. But no! That's not true! I don't even know this asshole!
Just as I open my mouth to speak someone grabs my shoulder, a familiar touch easing my overly tense body. "Got everything you need?" Pasha asks, his voice rigid and low. Almost a growl.
I nod and glance at him. But he's not looking at me. No. He stares daggers at the tall blond guy. The kind of dangerous look I've only ever seen on Yuri's face. What did this guy do to piss him off? Do they know each other or something?
Suddenly, Pasha pulls me away. As we walk down the aisle I feel that man's spell break like shattering glass. I glanced back at him, and the man smiles.
"See you around," he says holding up his hand in a mock wave.
God. I hope not.
After we pay and head outside, I shake off Pasha’s hand. "What the hell was that about?"
"That man, he's- dangerous," Pasha says and starts the truck.
"Dangerous how?"
Pasha bites his bottom lip, a habit he's had since he was just seven years old. "Yuri will tell you."
I frown at him. "Maybe I want you to tell me."
"I- I can't. I'm sorry, Sammy, but Yuri needs to be the one to tell you. Has he told you anything?"
The last rays of light shine over us as the sun ducks behind the western mountains. I sigh, heavily. "He told me I'm wolf's bait, but he didn't really say what that meant- besides wolves want me or something." In truth it was hard to pay attention with everything else that was going on at that moment- Yuri’s body pressed flat to mine and his breath on my neck. The fat length of his cock rubbing against my hardened shaft. Shit! Just thinking about it turns me on!
"Anything else?" he asks, and I feel his eyes boring into me.
Heat seeps over my cheeks and up my ears. If Yuri didn't tell his brothers about what happened yesterday, should I? "Not really," I say and hope it sounds convincing.
Thankfully, Pasha doesn't ask any other questions, and we ride the rest of the way home in silence. Pulling back up to the Lowell brothers house I see Alexei and Nikolai are both home. Dmitri stands on the porch waiting to greet us as the smells of cooking waft from the open windows.
"Yo, Sammy," he calls, "you'll eat dinner with us."
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p; I glance at Pasha and then back at my old friend. "I actually have some stuff at home," I say.
"You should eat with us," Pasha says, his voice low.
The command makes me want to follow him- makes me want to do anything he tells me to do. The thick buzzing of electric need surges through every nerve in my body, exciting my senses. Dinner with the Lowell brothers? Why should it excite me this much? I had a hundred dinners with them back when we were growing up, and they were nothing special. Just something kids to do with their neighbors and their friends. Why does this feel different somehow? And do I really have a choice? Probably not.
"Can I freshen up first?" I ask and start toward my house. If I can get away from their magnetic pull maybe I can get out of this situation.
Dmitri’s lips twist into a wolfish grin. "I don't think that's necessary. Come. It's like old times."
Sighing, I follow Pasha up the stairs and toward the five strange brothers.
Alexei and Yuri are arguing in Russian when we get inside, their voices low growls of syllables I don't understand. Alexei's dirty blond hair hangs in his eyes, and he shoves it out of the way as he madly gestures at his older brother. Nikolai sets the table, but when he notices us he says a single word and they both cease. I have the sinking feeling that argument was about me. Great way to start dinner!
"Good. You’re staying," Yuri says to me, and Alexei glares at him.
"For dinner," I say and set down my bag of plumbing supplies.
"He was at the store," Pasha says and gives Yuri a meaningful look.
Yuri bears his sharp teeth. "You’re staying the night with us, Sammy," he orders and the familiar tingle surges through my body.
Dammit! I don't want to give into them, even though it would be so much easier- even though looking at them makes the heat rush to my needy groin. Why am I so fucking weak?
Before I can respond, Dmitri calls everyone for dinner. Nikolai and Pasha bring in plates piled high with the cooked meat and potatoes, typical Russian fare. There's even a salad, but I don't know if that's for them or just for my sake. The Lowell brothers tend to eat more meat than anyone I've ever seen.
Pasha dishes up our plates as everyone else takes their seats at the table. Looking at each brother's servings, mine seems downright minuscule, but it's not. How the hell do they eat that much and not gain a bit of weight? It's a mystery.
We eat in a chorus of growls, grunts and savage chewing. When we were kids I thought this was just a game they played – I didn't realize they ate like this all the time. Any conversation they have is in Russian, probably so I won't be able to understand what they're talking about. It sounds heated – but then again most Russian does.
I finish first and watch the rest of them devour their food, taking in the beauty of these five men. Alexei's strong jaw and chin are masculine and handsome, his frame more muscular than thin- similar to Dmitri’s. His longish dirty blond hair has a fringe that dangles in his clear gray eyes. The slight crook of his nose and curve of the lips soft and alluring. As the second oldest, he's not quite as tall as Yuri, standing at just about six feet like Dmitri and me.
Nikolai and Yuri look almost identical. They both have long, almost black hair that hangs well past their toned shoulders, and lanky but finely muscled builds, like swimmers. Their almond shaped eyes are nearly the same blue, but Yuri's are just slightly brighter while Nikolai's are deep and fathomless like the ocean.
Finally I look at Dmitri, the one I was closest to growing up. The one I wanted more than any of the others- if that's even possible. His rusty hair is wavy, hangs just past his ears and is just as unkempt as usual. Like all the other Lowell brothers he has a Russian nose, full lips and intriguing eyes, except his are deep forest green- like moss.
The room pickles with a strange energy, and each brother casts me side long glances like they're trying to keep the others from realizing they're looking at me. What the hell is it with them?
"Yuri, this is ridiculous. Tell him!" Alexei says and slams his fist on the table.
"I did. He's not ready to believe. What more would you have me do?" The oldest brother says calmly.
Alexei huffs and rolls his eyes, shoving away his empty plate. "What the hell are we supposed to do if he doesn't believe it?"
I frown. "I'm right here, you know?"
Alexei's lips curve into a cruel smile. "Believe me. We all know. Your presence is impossible to ignore."
Then all five brothers look at me, their eyes burning my flesh like brands. My heart slams against my ribs and the room seems suddenly devoid of air. Sweat drips down my neck, my back, my chest, and the sudden surge of heat builds up in my cock and balls. Why does just being around them turn me on?
"I really need a shower," I say and stand up without waiting for their approval. Then I hurry toward the front door. I need to get out of here as soon as possible- get away from those eyes, that hungry presence, that aching need in my gut and veins and heart. I’m running by the time I step outside. Feet pounding against the wooden porch, down the steps, across the manicured lawn and toward the little white fence that separates our two yards.
"Wait!" Dmitri calls and strong hands grab me by the shoulders.
I try to pull away, to fight off whoever’s gripping onto me, his fingers digging into my flesh- exciting it in ways only they can.
"Shh,"Pasha whispers, wrapping his arms around my waist. His breath hot and welcoming on my neck. I practically melt into his touch, just like I did with Yuri yesterday and Dmitri all those years ago. Why are they so impossible to resist? Lips brush my skin, tingling across my flesh. Slowly his hands creep under my T-shirt and rub the flat of my stomach, each touch like a jolt of electric lust. No other person can make me feel like they do. But why?
Suddenly' a wolf howls in the distance, and Pasha looks up.
"Get him inside," Yuri growls, and Pasha loosens his grip on me.
Pulling away from the youngest Lowell brother, I run toward my house once again. Even though my body begs me to give into them- begs me to submit to this powerful desire- my mind argues in the other direction. I might belong to them (whatever that means) but it doesn't mean I have to be around them all the time. I can't handle that amount of pressure, that amount of frustration. As I reach my front door, somebody slams into me from behind, my body sandwiched between the house and a powerful male form.
"You really want to get away from us that badly?" Yuri barks in my ear. His heart beats against my back, his cock digging into my ass. This is just like the last time, and I don't know how I'm supposed to resist him.
"I just want to live in my parent's old house," I pant, forcing my voice to be as normal as possible.
He growls in my ear, but surprisingly backs away.
As I turn around to face him, I notice all five brothers watching from the growing darkness, their eyes glowing in the dim light of evening.
"You still need protection, Sammy," Yuri says.
Dmitri steps forward. "I'll stay with him."
"Sorry, little brother. I don't trust you to control yourself properly. Alexei. Nikolai. You stay," Yuri commands.
Dmitri glowers at his older brother, but once again he doesn't argue. Then Alexei and Nikolai step toward me, both clad in only tight wife beaters and well fitting jeans. I have to spend the night alone in my house with those two? Why does that suddenly seem like a bad idea?
"You trust them the follow the rules?" Dmitri barks.
"Better than you," Nikolai says and casts his younger brother a wolfish smile.
Yuri narrows his eyes. "You know what to do and what not to do," he says and steps off the porch into the shadows. Pasha and Dmitri follow, both glancing back at me as they cross into their own yard. Hell, maybe I should've stayed with them, but I can't change my mind now- that would look like weakness. And I already have enough weaknesses for one man.
As I lead them inside, I suddenly wish the house wasn't decorated with floral wallpaper and matching floral couches. At leas
t there aren't any doilies lying around.
"Uh, make yourself comfortable, I guess," I say. Of all the Lowell brothers, Alexei and Nikolai are the ones I spent the least amount of time with growing up. They were just too old when I moved here at age ten and always seem to have their own lives. What the hell are we supposed to talk about?
"Sorry about your parents," Nikolai says, and I nod.
Alexei locks the door behind us and moves to the open windows. "We need to shut these and lock them," he says and casts a meaningful glance at his younger brother.
"But it's not a full moon. I thought wolves only came out on the full moon." Although that doesn't make any sense- unless they're werewolves or something. The thought makes my heart beat faster, my hands get damp. Would that explain everything? Their actions? Motivations? Or is it just crazy?
Alexei smiles, his teeth as pointed as Yuri's. "Wolves can come out any night, Sammy. And you're especially vulnerable."
I frown but don't question him. Even if I do he'll probably tell me the same thing Pasha did. Ask Yuri. Instead I help them shut all the windows. When we're finished, Alexei sprawls on the couch and pats the cushion next to him, a dangerous glint in his gray eyes.
"Wanna watch TV?" I ask and don't sit down. Being too close to him will just make uncomfortable things happen. Uncomfortable being an unwanted boner. How would I explain that?
"Oh, we could do something more interesting than television," he says, spreading his legs wide. The bulge in his pants strains against the tight material, and my fingers itch to free it. Dammit! When did I become such a pervert?
Nikolai glances at the lacy curtains covering the tall windows. "He might be watching."
