by GA Hauser
Butch noticed Roman's clothing on the floor and felt modest for him, though Roman was more interested in Charlie's wellbeing at the moment than anything else. Butch tried to hand Roman his pants, and not be obvious he was staring at him.
"Babe?" Roman inspected the scratches on Charlie's chest.
"He won't tell me how he got them," JP said, looking concerned. "Did you do it, Roman?"
"No. I didn't." Roman finally noticed Butch standing there, poking him with his black slacks. Roman took them, laying them over his lap. "Thanks, boys, but we're fine."
Goat choked in sarcasm, holding the shotgun down at his feet.
JP said, "We have to tell Vernon about this."
"I'm amazed the gunshots didn't bring him over," Goat replied.
"We're right next door," JP tilted his head as he spoke, "an' he's up at the house. I doubt he'd hear it, especially if they're all asleep."
Butch rubbed his face. "What time is it?"
"After midnight," Goat said, reading his watch.
"What?" Charlie asked in surprise. "Did you say after midnight?"
Goat nodded.
Butch tried to think. "What time did we leave Vernon's place?"
JP thought for a moment. "I dunno. Nine? We left at around ten."
Roman moaned and rubbed his face. "Christ."
Butch said, "Three hours? I don't get it."
"I need to get something to treat those scratches on Charlie." Roman stood and slipped his slacks on, walking down the hall to the bathroom.
JP said to Butch, "You sure you wanna stay here?"
"I do. I have to." Butch sat beside Charlie and touched the skin near the claw marks. "You okay, Charlie?"
"Yeah. I'll live." Charlie looked down at his chest.
"So," JP said, "If Roman didn't do it, who did?"
Roman returned with cotton and peroxide. Butch slid over for him, letting him tend Charlie.
"They're not tellin' us, JP. Seems we're not trustworthy." Goat shifted his stance and it was then Butch could see he was wearing slippers and pajamas under his jacket.
Charlie flinched and tensed up as Roman dabbed at the cuts. "If I tell ya, don't tell no one!" Charlie clenched his fists at the peroxide sting.
Butch watched JP and Goat for their reaction.
"Charlie," JP replied, shaking his head. "It's Vernon's ranch."
Roman stopped dabbing the cut to say, "Something is here. An Alpha."
JP and Goat exchanged confused glances.
Butch bit his bottom lip, knowing Vernon was going to be furious.
Charlie added, "We think it's part of the killin' that's been goin' on up here. It's been with us since Friday."
"What's an Alpha?" Goat asked, sitting on the coffee table, the gun between his knees.
"Alpha male." Roman went back to cleaning the cut. "Alpha wolf."
"Are you kidding me?" JP shook his head. "There's a third one of you?"
"He's not one of us." Roman poured more peroxide on the cotton ball.
Butch tried to figure out how three hours had gone by when it felt like fifteen minutes.
"What is he then?" JP crouched by the arm of the sofa.
"We don't know. But he's powerful and angry." Roman capped the bottle and set it near Goat on the table. "How are you, Charlie?"
"Tired. All I wanted to do was sleep when he came after me." Charlie rubbed his face.
"Did you change into a wolf?" Butch asked.
"No. I fought it and him. He was on me like white on rice." Charlie peered down at his chest. "I had no idea how to fight him."
Roman growled.
Charlie stuck his index finger into Roman's face. "Don't you dare."
"Oh boy." Goat stood. He looked at the cabin's log wall and inspected the holes. "How you gonna explain that to Vernon?"
"I ain't." Butch stood and looked at the damage. The home was built with the local timber, and the logs were too thick for a bullet to penetrate, at least not a forty caliber. "I'll patch it up."
JP walked over. "How many did you shoot? I thought I heard three."
"Told you not to shoot it." Roman stood and left the room, Butch assumed to get his gun from the kitchen counter. He returned, pulling out the magazine. "Three."
"Stupid shit." Charlie rubbed his sore chest. "Ya coulda' killed Roman."
"Well," JP said, "It brought the cavalry." He leaned the shotgun on his shoulder. "You want us to camp out here?"
Butch said, "Now ya see why I wanted to."
Goat smiled. "Sure, Butch."
"I mean it!" Butch attempted to justify his actions.
"I'm gonna try to get some sleep," Charlie said, standing, "Again…"
"We can keep watch," JP said.
"Though I'm tempted," Roman walked closer to the two men as he spoke, "No. Go to bed." He patted JP's shoulder and left the room behind Charlie.
Butch exhaled loudly and looked at his two friends, who were appearing sympathetic.
"Ya got your hands full, Crowell." JP's mouth formed a thin line.
"I think you're crazy." Goat ran his finger over the bullet hole in the wall.
"Someone has to watch over them. I swear I don't know what the hell is stalkin' them, but its mean."
"It'll wind up killin' you." JP looked back at the hallway. "Don't stay here. You're insane."
"I don't want nothin' happenin' to those two." Butch tilted his head to the hall.
"Bullets don't work. What exactly are you supposed to do to help them?" JP asked.
"I don't know. But whatever I did tonight, bringin' you two boys with yer guns, well." Butch looked around the room. "It ain't here. I don't feel it."
Goat touched Butch's arm. "Just holler if it comes back."
"We can hear ya from next door. Don't be shootin' at the walls." JP pointed at Butch.
Butch nodded. "Okay. I appreciate that. And… can ya not tell Vernon…at least not yet? 'til the other two are ready?"
"Don't put us on the spot like that." JP ran his hand over his head. He too was wearing his jacket and boots over pajamas.
"Please. I don't ask nothin' of you fellas."
Goat and JP exchanged looks. Then JP said, "I'll give ya one more day. But you have to tell him. Ya hear?"
Butch nodded and opened the door for them. The snow was falling heavily, and nearly four inches had accumulated.
As they left, leaving footprints in the dry snow, Butch said, "Thanks. See ya for breakfast." He got a tired wave as they trudged to the cabin next door.
Butch locked the door, and touched the hole in the wood once more, seeing obviously, guns were not going to do the trick. What would? He picked up the rest of Roman's clothing, including his black sweater and brought it to his nose to sniff. Inhaling deeply the scent of the man, and his aftershave or cologne, Butch closed his eyes and moaned. He carried the items to their bedroom and looked into the room. Charlie was sound asleep and Roman was awake, watching over him.
"Ya got an extra pillow?" Butch whispered, putting the clothing on the dresser.
Roman raised up the blankets for Butch in invitation.
Butch ripped off his clothing in a hurry and washed up for bed, brushing his teeth and relieving himself. When he returned, Roman had shut off the light. Butch crawled behind him on the bed, spooning Roman, holding him close.
Though his dick grew stiff, Butch closed his eyes and pressed his face against the back of Roman's neck. He kissed his hot skin and fell asleep.
Chapter 13
Charlie woke with a start.
He looked around the small bedroom and touched his chest, which was sore. In the strange soft white glow coming from the window, he could see three scratches on his skin and remembered the night before.
The digital clock beside the bed read six-fifty a.m. He glanced over at Roman and spotted Butch lying asleep beside him.
Charlie climbed out of bed and walked into the bathroom, looking at his injury in the mirror.
He recalled the attack
as he stared at it.
Last night, he was exhausted and had washed up for bed, even preparing himself for sex with Roman, always eager for it. Once he had finished his nightly routine, he crawled into bed and could hear Butch and Roman talking, but began to doze.
It wasn't long after he was overcome by sleep that he felt a presence. At first Charlie thought it was in his dream. But soon Charlie was pinned to the bed, facedown and gripped by the back of his neck.
As something began to push between his legs, Charlie went crazy and spun around. It was then he realized the Alpha, in human form, was trying to claim him.
The rage in Charlie instantly brought on the change, but he fought it, and the Alpha male until the sword was brought to his throat.
Charlie looked into the mirror, at his neck. Nothing was visible. He splashed his face and loaded his toothbrush, staring at his blue eyes as he got lost in the memory once more.
"You are mine," the Alpha said.
Charlie met the golden eyes of this strange apparition, feeling the man using his legs to part Charlie's thighs. "Never," Charlie uttered, and snarled.
The man laughed and the sound was off sync, like it was when he spoke. Knowing he had to fight or be dominated, sexually, Charlie bucked his hips and pushed at the man's arm, freeing himself from the blade. Instantly the man changed into a wolf and Charlie rolled off the bed and went for the door.
He was attacked and heard the threatening vocalizations of a powerful animal on his back. Charlie clenched his teeth, refusing to change, battling to stop the violence. He closed his eyes and envisioned an entire pack of wolves, wild wolves, to come to his aid. Calm overcame Charlie in that moment and not only did he not morph into a wolf, the attack ceased.
The toothbrush in his mouth, Charlie stared at himself, truly wondering about his sanity. He spat out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth, wiping his face on a towel. I am losing my mind.
He shook his head at his thoughts and spread shaving cream on his face, shaving, trying to stop a demon that was struggling to possess him.
~
Roman opened his eyes.
The room was such an odd shade of white, he grew startled and sat up. Butch was out cold beside him and Charlie was not in the bed. Roman listened and heard the water running in the bathroom sink. Rubbing his chest, trying to calm down so he could remain in control, Roman slipped out of the bed and pulled back the sheer curtain. A deep layer of snow coated everything, even the driveway. He estimated it to be nearly two feet. It was the snow white landscape that was giving off the odd glow.
Roman glanced at the clock and knew it was too early for anyone to be out shoveling. Even the ranch hands would not be here until later.
He headed to the bathroom and glanced back at Butch. The young man was deep in slumber. Roman closed himself into the small room and caught Charlie's smile in the mirror as he shaved.
"Yer up early," Charlie said, rinsing the blade.
Roman stood in front of the toilet. "How do you feel? How're the cuts on your chest?" He held the base of his cock and urinated.
"I'm fine." Charlie glanced at Roman's body as he relieved himself. "Is Butch up?"
"No. Out like a light." Roman flushed the toilet and reached into the shower, turning on the water.
"So, he's sleepin' in our bed?" Charlie rinsed off his jaw and stood facing Roman. "All week?"
"Not if it upsets you." Roman touched the cream Charlie had missed, a white line running down his neck.
"No. It don't upset me. I jus' don't want him thinkin' we're a trio."
Roman cupped the back of Charlie's head and drew him to his mouth. He pecked Charlie's lips. "He knows."
"I doubt it." Charlie stepped into the tub and wetted down.
Roman brushed his teeth and inspected the stubble on his jaw.
When he spotted Charlie washing up behind the shower door, Roman rinsed his mouth and joined Charlie in the tub, wrapping his arms around his waist and pushing his cock between Charlie's legs from behind.
Charlie flinched, then relaxed.
"What?" Roman hesitated in his seduction.
"Nothin'. I'm ready for you. Was ready last night." Charlie reached over his shoulder for Roman.
"Last night." Roman turned Charlie around in his arms. "What did that bastard do to you other than this?" He touched the scratches.
"Nothin'." Charlie met Roman's gaze.
"He tried to get in. Don't tell me he didn't."
"He tried. He failed."
"How did you fight him off? Were you a wolf?" Roman swapped spots with Charlie and stood under the shower spray.
"No. I knew that was a losin' battle." Charlie shampooed his hair as he spoke. "I went into a mental trance."
Roman gave him a skeptical look and took the shampoo for himself.
"I envisioned an army of wolves, ya know?"
Roman blinked in surprise and listened carefully. "Go on."
"I tried to calm down, so I wouldn't change over." Charlie swapped spots with Roman again and rinsed his hair. "I imagined an army of timber wolves, Roman. I dreamed of them runnin' down the mountain, a whole pack…"
"And?"
"And…he retreated. Or at least he let me be and headed for you and Butch."
"So, you don't know if your tactic worked, or we distracted him."
Charlie stopped washing. "Roman, if he had intentions of making me his, which he did, since he said, 'You are mine' as he tried to fuck me, then yes, the tactic worked."
Roman opened his mouth to respond and then shut up, trying to digest the information.
"I swear, that's what happened." Charlie scrubbed his pits and crotch with soap and then stood under the water.
Roman touched his sternum, feeling his own heartbeat. Imagining an army of wolves? "Are you sure?"
"Am I sure?" Charlie laughed and nudged Roman under the water. "I'm not even sure what day it is."
"Monday." Roman rinsed his hair and soaped up his body. Charlie took the soap from him and lathered up Roman's genitals, making them slippery. "Mm." Roman spread his legs.
"What do ya want, my lover?" Charlie licked at Roman's neck.
"You."
Charlie smiled, spun around and leaned over, bracing himself on the wall of the shower.
Roman grabbed the soap and made Charlie slick with it, pushing his finger inside him.
"Don't you change on me. I don't want to be smellin' a wet dog."
Roman smiled. "I'll try not to." He used two fingers, then three, making Charlie moan and his muscles relax.
Jerking himself to get harder, Roman aimed his cock at Charlie's rim and pushed in. Charlie whimpered and he spread his legs wider. Roman made sure he was lathered up well and pushed in and out slowly, getting Charlie comfortable.
At the sight of his cock inside Charlie's ass, Roman felt his teeth begin to ache and had to calm himself down. He used the soap to make Charlie's dick slippery and then as he fucked his man, he jerked him off.
"Oh, that is so damn nice." Charlie's moans echoed in the wet stall.
Roman watched his cock penetrating Charlie, getting very excited by it. When he was edging the climax, he rested his cheek on Charlie's back and jerked him faster.
Charlie grunted and Roman felt his cock pulsating both inside and out. It pushed him into an orgasm. Roman thrust in deeply and shivered down to his toes as Charlie's cock throbbed in his palm.
A light knock came to the bathroom door.
"You boys see how much snow we got last night?"
Roman chuckled and pulled out of Charlie, backing up.
"Yer not wolves, are ya?" Butch asked through the door. A second later, it opened.
Roman shut off the water and pushed back the sliding glass door. Butch met his eyes and the young man's hunger was palpable.
"Damn," Butch said, naked, his cock erect and bobbing.
Charlie peeked out. "A trio. That's what we are." He shook his head and grabbed a towel.
"Come on, Cha
rlie. Let him at least jerk off." Roman stopped Charlie from climbing out of the bathtub.
Charlie asked, "Is that what ya want, Butch?"
"If it's all I'm gonna get." He grabbed his own cock and yanked it.
Charlie held the towel by his side and allowed Butch his view.
Roman grabbed Charlie's head and kissed him, dipping him low.
"Nice!" Butch exclaimed.
Charlie cupped Roman's jaw and they kissed, touching each other intimately until Butch began to grunt and moan.
Roman pecked Charlie's lips and spotted Butch cupping the head of his cock, holding a pool of creamy cum.
Charlie resumed drying himself and stepped out of the bathtub. "I don't know what's crazier in my life at the moment." He wrapped the towel around his hips and left the steamy bathroom.
Roman took a towel for himself and rubbed it over his hair as Butch washed his hands in the sink.
"Thanks, Roman."
"It's the least we can do." Roman stepped out of the tub and used the towel to dry his back. "Thank you for last night."
Butch shut off the water in the sink and inspected Roman from head to toe. "I would die for you."
"No. No one is dying. And don't you dare put me up on a pedestal."
Butch stepped closer.
Since Roman had him by a few inches, Butch stared at Roman's neck. Hesitantly, Butch raised his hand. Roman stayed still.
Butch caressed the small inverted triangle of black hair on Roman's chest. Roman clasped Butch's hand and kissed his knuckles. "Get cleaned up so we can help Vernon clear the snow."
"Roman." Butch's eyes watered.
"I know." Roman kissed his cheek and left the bathroom, seeing Charlie sitting on the bed, putting on his socks.
"He's crazy about you," Charlie said.
Roman didn't reply, reaching again for black clothing; black jeans, black shirt, black socks. When he looked into the closet at the items he brought, he realized; everything was black.
~
By the time Butch had showered and shaved, the other two were in the living room. Charlie was sipping coffee, while Roman spoke on his cell phone.
"…yeah, come on over, Phil. We're going to grab a quick bite of breakfast and head on up to see the kill area." Roman glanced at Butch, then refocused on the call. "I figure the main roads are clear. But I'd imagine the local ones and our place aren't."
