by Jamie Lake
“You are not to look at them,” he snapped.
“Why not?” I asked, my brow furrowing. I couldn't see the harm in just looking.
Clearly not used to being questioned, Japheth scowled at me. “You are not to question me.”
“Why the hell not?” I asked again, finding my courage now that I had a little food in my stomach.
His hand gripped the cloth and dipped it in the basin, wringing the water out.
“Because you belong to me now,” he said. He stated this simply like one would state the sun would come up in the morning.
“I don’t belong to anyone but Buck.” As I said the words, guilt curdled the meager food in my stomach.
“He is dead!” Japheth said raising his voice.
“Not in my heart,” I said, the idea making my nose and eyes sting. He looked at me, hurt and angry, as if he didn’t like what I had to say, but I didn't care. It was the truth. Buck may have been dead physically, but he was alive in my heart. And I was still his.
“When we were younger, my brother and I were best friends. We did everything together. They could not separate us. But after my mother was … murdered, everything changed.” he said wiping the wet cloth on my face. Again, he was far gentler than I thought him capable of being.
The cold water made me flinch, gooseflesh peppering my skin.
“Do not resist. You smell foul.” He wrinkled his nose at me to punctuate his point.
I knew he was right and quite frankly I needed a bath after nearly 24 hours of fucking.
“Murdered?” I asked softly. I was afraid to -really- make him angry, but my curiosity got the better of me.
“Yes,” he nodded and continued to bathe me as he explained more. “I know Buck must have painted my father as a hero, as an all wise leader. However, he was anything but. He was a jealous man, an angry man, a cruel man who killed my mother in cold blood. He accused her of being unfaithful, but she was not. I knew my mother. I was close to her, closer to her than even Buck, and I know she would not do that.” His face was florid, his jaw tight.
“And he killed her for being unfaithful?” I asked.
“She was accused and he took the side of his wise men over the word of his wife. She was killed in the woods when she was alone. They said it was one of the humans that did it, but I knew that was not true. I’d seen my father do it with his bare hands. Buck refused to believe me. He took my father’s side and I made him promise not to tell father what I’d seen, but he did.”
I looked at the sincerity in his eyes as he told the story. His anger was melting away to hurt. The evil that I’d seen before seemed to have a softer side, a kinder side, a side that begged to be understood underneath it, and the more he spoke, the more I wanted to know. I’d gotten a taste and now I wanted more.
“That does not sound like Buck,” I interjected. “I cannot imagine him breaking a promise.” I shook my head, bewildered, trying not to shiver as he ran the cloth over my body.
He smiled at me sarcastically, “Forget about that facade my brother put before you. I know the real Buck. I thought I knew him then, but as he got older, he and my father became closer. Buck knew what I’d said was the truth but he didn’t care. He knew the closer he got to our father, the more likely he was to become leader, but it didn’t turn out that way. Not at all.”
He looked at me and I looked at him. He appeared to be a totally different person. No longer a shell of evil but a real flesh and blood person with hopes and dreams, fears and desires.
And no matter how I tried to resist the thought, I had to admit, he was attractive to me. He looked down at my hardened cock, it sprung up like it was saluting to him and a small sexy smile spread across his lips. His gaze was all consuming, full of longing and desire and a hunger that was so potent, I shuddered. I hated my body. It betrayed me again.
He lowered his head to my crotch and smelled my balls. “Mmm, you smell appetizing.”
That’s when he kissed my balls, then up along my stem and finally my head. It was electrifying. My eyes rolled back and I couldn't even begin to suppress my groan.
The sensation drove me wild and I moaned jerking my head back which only encouraged him to do it more. Only this time, he opened his hot wet mouth and slid my cock inside. He went slow, perhaps to tease me. He took me in, just the tip. His hot, wet tongue swirled over the head of my cock as he lightly sucked. His hand cupped my balls, hefting them, rolling them gently in his palm. I shuddered again, biting my bottom lip as he continued to tease me. My fingers curled in the dirt of my prison as I hissed through my teeth.
Japheth slid down lower on my cock, more of my thick, hard dick sliding and disappearing between his lips. He drooled on my dick, coating it in a warm film of saliva, getting it all wet. Slowly, slowly he went further until his nose brushed my pelvis. There, he held me in his mouth, buried to the hilt between his lips, while he suckled so hard he hollowed out his cheeks. The sounds, so naughty and filthy, were wet and slurping as he sucked me. Cautiously, I lifted my hand as my head swam with pleasure, and I curled my fingers in his hair.
He rumbled his approval and the vibrations from his growl sent shocks of pleasure up and down the shaft of my cock. I gripped his hair, experimenting, pushing my luck. I pushed my hips forward, showing him without speaking that I wanted, needed more. I wanted to cum in his mouth, make him swallow my seed. I wanted him to look up at me as he sucked me off.
As if he could read my mind, Japheth raised his burning gaze to my face. God, the way he looked at me, as if I were something delicious to be devoured. I moaned again, once more thrusting into his hot, ready mouth.
“That's it,” I whispered, breathless. “Just like that.”
He took the verbal encouragement to heart, picking up his pace. He sucked and slurped down my cock and I felt the head brush against the back of his tight throat. His spit slicked my balls which he was still rolling around in his hand, increasing my pleasure. I called his name without thinking, it just bubbled passionately from my trembling lips. I was going to cum. I could feel my balls tighten, feel the tingle at the base of my spine.
Giving my balls a gentle squeeze, he sucked me deep and long. I was so close, teetering on the edge of an amazing orgasm. Just as I was about to unload in his sexy mouth, just as I thought I was touching the sky, one of the men burst through the room.
there was a cough, an 'ahem'.
“Japheth, I apologize. But please-”
He growled and tore away from me, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
“What do you want? Can’t you see we’re busy here?” Japheth scolded.
“I’m sorry but it’s important, very important.”
Japheth got up, leaving me craving for more and marched toward the man. “It had better be or I will personally tear your head from your shoulders.”
Chapter 3
I threw my head back and sighed. I was going to get blue balls, I needed to jack off, but something told me whatever they were talking about was serious; was something that could and would affect me. I tried to listen carefully as I heard their muffled and gruff voices.
I tried to sit up but the chains that seized me kept me from doing so. I had to get out of these, I thought to myself as I turned my head toward the exit trying to listen in.
“That’s impossible. It’s a lie.” I heard Japheth bark. I could see his feet pacing back and forth in frustration. His voice was full of rage, snarling and growling.
“I swear, Japheth. It is his scent, his markings, his track,” the other werewolf said in defense.
Japeth sighed. He stopped pacing and stood in front of him. “Prepare the men. I do not want him to step one foot on our land or anywhere near it. Find him, bind him and lead me to him. I want to personally see him die.”
“Yes, sir,” Paul said.
Who was it? Who were they talking about? It seemed whoever they were, this pack had more than one enemy. I shuddered at the grim tone of Japheth's voice.
I forced myself back down as Japheth entered in a huff.
“Clothe yourself,” he told me, opening a trunk with a towel like garment in it. He tossed it in my direction.
I raised my chained arms, “It’s kind of hard when….” I trailed off.
He sighed, digging keys out of the trunk and kneeling by me. I could smell his delicious scent as he reached behind me, his skin brushing against mine as he did so. He looked at me, hurriedly unlocking the chains, and for a moment, it seemed as if he wanted to kiss me, but turned away.
“Make haste,” he instructed getting up. “Now.” He seemed to be reluctant to move away from me, but when I looked back up at him, all of the warmth and tenderness was gone. His face was stoic.
I did what I was told, quickly trying to put on the strange garment. There was no shirt that went with it, and I felt like I resembled more of a Roman toga than anything.
“We must leave now,” he said, his tone laced with urgency.
“Where are we going?” I asked, fastening the last of the bands that held the garment together.
“No questions. Just do as you’re told,” he said, his lip curling into a slight snarl.
“So bossy,” I mumbled. That’s when he charged toward me lifted me up and draped me over his shoulder, carrying me outside the tent.
The campsite was in a large clearing in the forest. Several fires smoldered, billowing thin, gray smoke into the air. Most of the tents were erected against trees, like mine, but some were just a thick sheet or piece of worn leather draped over wooden supports. Bones, standing out stark white against the gray-brown of the dirt, littered the ground by the campfires. Leftovers from their hunting, I thought.
He carried me through the chaotic mess of men coming out of their tents, preparing their weapons of war. Men strapped daggers to their sides, long curved knives and other blades of varying length. They were all dressed light, no armor, just plain clothes. I thought this odd for a moment until I remembered that they transformed into a much more agile and powerful shape. Some stayed in loose groups, talking to each other, their faces grim, but most, once armed, made their way to us.
“Find him,” Japheth told the men that gathered loosely around their Alpha. They looked up at him expectantly.
“Yes, sir,” they answered, almost in unison, obeying him without question.
“I can walk myself you know,” I told him, grousing. I puffed out a big sigh. It was quite undignified to be hauled around this way.
“Not fast enough,” he told me picking up speed, his bare feet turning into paws before my eyes. His skin grew thick, black hair and his face elongated, becoming more of a snout. His mouth was lined with razored teeth.
“Hold on,” he growled, as we took off like a rocket through the thick woods, so fast I could barely catch my breath. The branches and bushes scratched at my skin as he weaved his way in and out of the trees until we were a good four or five miles from the camp site. That’s when he slowed and I was dumped on the ground unceremoniously with seemingly no concern for my well-being.
“Ow,” I said as I rolled on the ground, bumping my head.
He caught his breath, his massive werewolf chest heaving in and out as he shifted right before my eyes again into his human appearance.
“Are you alright?” he asked. He said this lowly, his brow crinkled. Could he really be concerned for me after all?
“Yeah,” I said, catching my breath too. He extended his hand to help me up, and I took it. With one, hard pull, I was up on my feet, and I looked around. Wherever this was, it was beautiful. We were surrounded by an army of evergreen trees that were tall and proud as if they were standing guard. Fresh country air and the relax sound of nature.
“Where are we?” I asked looking around.
“Safe.” he said with assurance. Again, I thought, with the one word answers that never really answered my questions at all.
“Safe from what?” I asked. What would a whole pack of werewolves need to be safe from, I wondered. Whatever it was he didn’t seem to want to talk about it.
“My father used to take us here when we were little, before my mom was killed. Every week in fact. No matter what things were going on in the pack, this was considered neutral ground. It was where you could speak to anyone, even your enemies and get … an understanding without a threat. It’s where I go, even to this day to clear my head. Lately, that hasn’t been easy.”
I inhaled the forest air, “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s sacred.” he said, his face beginning to relax. “Nathan, I need to ask you something.” He wouldn't look at me, his gaze was fixed on the horizon. He looked troubled.
“What is it?” I asked.
He seemed distracted, almost intimidated a bit as his ears perked up, hearing something, what I don’t know but whatever it was, I sensed it was coming and soon.
That’s when he approached me and lowered himself until he got down on one knee. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, and at first I didn't totally understand the gesture. Then it hit me.
Was he …?
“Nathan, I know you don’t know me well, and I know I have not made the greatest impression on you,” he began grabbing my hand, his touch surprising me with its tenderness, “But you have to know that I care about you, and that everything I’ve done was for a greater purpose.” He sounded so earnest. I wanted to believe him, but given our rocky start, it was hard.
“Like trying to kill me?” I asked thinking about the night before, the words spilling out of my before I could stop myself.
“I never wanted to kill you. Never. I only wanted to … possess you, conquer you. It’s in my nature and when I see something that is mine, I can think of nothing else.” His eyes seemed so sad then. Maybe he truly was sorry.
“What are you saying?” I asked, narrowing my eyes, feeling so confused.
“Buck, he stole you from me. You belonged to me. It was my birthright to have the Special One. I’ve known this, my mother told me, but Buck, he has a way of manipulating people that is unparalleled, and I soon found that he used his powers to influence my father. I killed my father, yes but that was out of vengeance for my mother’s good name and to protect the pack.” He didn't seem to take any pride in the act, nor did he seem sorry. He stated it simply, as if that was all he knew. His duty to his pack.
“And you killed your brother too.” I said pulling my hand back, “You killed the man I loved.” I wasn't willing to forget. I wasn't willing to forgive. Not yet.
“It was for your own good, for the pack's good, I promise you.”
“No, it was for your own good Japheth. You wanted him out of the way so there would be no more competition. You wanted me all to yourself and for what, I don’t know, but I could-” I started to say as I walked away. I couldn't do this anymore. I couldn't be lied to, manipulated.
“I love you,” he blurted out. Those words made my feet freeze in their place and my heart drop into my stomach.
“What?” I said, incredulous, unsure if I even heard him right.
“Don’t you see? The reason why I haven't let this go, why I chased you all these years was because the moment I saw you, I knew. You were the one. Not just the Special One, but my one. You were destined to be my mate. Buck told you he was trying to protect you, but the truth was, he was trying to steal you from me. I did not give up. 5 years I followed you, but the closer I got to you, the more he would get in the way. It was only now, until this age, the age of decision, the age of the marking, that I knew you would be ready to make a decision and now, I want you to make the right one.” He was still on one knee, his arms held out, pleading with me. He poured his heart out to me, drop by every painful drop.
I looked at the sincerity in his eyes. Whatever he was saying, he was believable, he meant it every word of it. I was confused, I didn’t know who to believe.
“Please, come here,” he said extending his hands further, still on his knees.
I don’t know what it was;
maybe it was the way the light cast upon his face, or the way his hair danced in the wind or maybe it was just his half-naked bulging body, but I felt drawn to him. I had to obey, and to my surprise, I wanted to. Once more, I was under the Alpha's spell, compelled to go to him, to bend to his every whim.
I paced myself walking to him, my eyes locked on his.
“I know you don’t know me very well, but we have a whole lifetime to get to know each other. I know you don’t love me yet, but that will come in time. I only ask one thing from you, ask yourself, do you believe me? Do you see that I love you, that I want nothing but the best for you, the best for us? Look into my eyes and tell me.”
It didn’t take long to know the truth, he was telling it. “Yes, I believe you.”
A gentle sweet smile spread across his face, but then there was a snapping sound somewhere in the forest, something that could have been a deer or maybe a beaver but whatever it was made Japheth anxious. He scowled, lifting his chin and inhaling deeply, scenting the air.
“I want you to be mine. To really be mine. I want to mark you-”
“But-”
“Please, it’s the only way I can protect you. The only way I can protect my people,” he said with sincerity and a pleading desperation. Whatever it was that was making the noise in the forest was large and coming closer.
“Please,” he said, “I can only do it if you are willing and if you are willing to mark me too. You need to make the decision. Now.”
It was coming. Whatever it was faster and faster.
“Now!” Japheth insisted.
And just before I could answer, a voice rang out of the forest.
“No! Step away from him!” I recognized the voice immediately and chills ran down my body. It couldn’t be.
And yet it was, stepping out of the clearing, it was Buck. My Buck, bloody, dirty, his clothes, or what was left of them, burned and torn. But he was whole, and strong and focused.
My jaw dropped and Japheth rose, his kindness melting away, giving way to anger.
