by Jools Louise
Jay paused for a moment, obviously considering his options. His turquoise eyes darkened with shadows, and his mouth twisted into a grimace. “I’m not good at very much, really,” he said, frowning. “When John and I were split up, and our sister Jane, too, I was taken to England and used in a traveling circus for a while before I was sold to an animal trainer and used in movies and television ads. I ended up in the States, and then the trainer died and I was free at last. I headed to California, since there was plenty of work there, hoping to get into acting as a human, but the cult grabbed me and took me, wanting me for their breeding program or their fighting rings.” He shook his head. “I was only there for a few days, then John and the Young Guns came to my rescue, and we were reunited, me and John and Jane. Since then, I’ve been helping with the young cubs, rounding up cattle, and helping build new houses for all the shifters who moved there. Just doing odd jobs, really, but nothing spectacular.”
“It sounds like you’ve done plenty,” Mason said, seeing that Jay looked unhappy for some reason.
“All of you have suffered because of the cult. I never really did. I landed on my feet, and had a pretty good life, really. I was cared for, treated well—not like you and Alfie.”
Mason studied Jay, then leaned forward and took his hand, curling his fingers around Jay’s and squeezing lightly. “Baby, don’t feel bad. I don’t really remember much of what happened to me. I have a vague recollection of being taken from the wild as a cub, and I know my mother was killed. Then I was brought to the States on a large, smelly boat in a nasty box with holes in it. I was smuggled here before being taken to Feenan’s ranch when I was too big to be brought out for people to pet me and have their photo taken at the roadside zoo.” He shrugged indolently, looking unfazed by the whole conversation. “I wasn’t a shifter, so they didn’t treat me as badly as they did the other kids, but I wasn’t fed after a while. In cat years, I was about three years old when me and Alfie were brought here. He was tiny and terrified, and so timid, only a year and a half in cat years.”
“I arrived after you guys did,” Jay said, smiling. “You and Alfie have known each other since the Feenan ranch. I’m the newbie here.” He chuckled at Mason’s snort.
“Honey, I’d say we were all newbies,” Mason retorted, laughing. “I was a full-blooded black jaguar, converted by Joe into a shifter. I’ve no more experience at loving than Alfie has. He’s not the only virgin here.”
Jay looked surprised and then his eyes went dark with desire. “Does this mean I get to pop two anal cherries?” he asked hoarsely, licking his lips, looking like he wanted to gobble Mason up right there on the kitchen table.
Mason gave a low growl, feeling his cock twitch in response. “I’ve been dreaming about popping your succulent ass, lover,” he replied, smirking at Jay’s groan. “Alfie and I may just be more than your sexy ass can handle, leopard.”
They both heard a low giggle from the doorway and glanced over to see their little shifter mate holding a hand over his mouth, eyes sparkling with amusement.
“Mr. and Mrs. Jamieson want to check out now,” Alfie said, grinning widely. He jerked his head to where a middle-aged couple stood, looking between Jay and Mason, laughing heartily.
“They heard us, didn’t they?” Mason asked in a low voice, seeing Jay’s nod. He blushed and got to his feet, ruffling Alfie’s hair gently as he passed the minx. The leopard was full of beans this morning, sassy and playful.
Apologizing to the couple—who laughed at him, showing feline fangs to let him know they were shifters, too—he listened as they explained they were on their way to Two Spirit Ranch. The Jamiesons wanted to see if their son was there, a young man called Michael rescued a few weeks ago from a bunker in Idaho and nearly starved to death when they were abandoned.
Mason felt pleased that the guy had found his parents. The call went out to the shifter community via an online community site that was designed for just that purpose—reuniting families parted by the cult. Michael Jamieson was one of the lucky ones.
“Mr. Pantera, thank you for you your kindness,” Mr. Jamieson said as he paid for their three-night stay. “We’re staying at the ranch for a while, until Michael decides what he’d like to do. We may stay here, though. This town is a great, friendly little community and it has a great feel to it.”
“We have lots of new business opportunities,” Mason said, smiling at the man. “Jay and I were just discussing some of the new stores just about to open.”
“We own a toy store on the West Coast,” Mrs. Jamieson said. “We love the sunshine there, but if Michael decides he’d prefer it here, we’d be happy to relocate. Or at least open a second store here in Sage and visit often. He’d have a business to run, then, his own place, something to focus on.”
“Did you say your son was Michael Jamieson?” Jay interjected, coming to stand beside them, head tilted curiously as he listened to the conversation.
“Yes,” the couple answered, nodding.
“He’s been doing pretty well at the ranch,” Jay replied. “From what I heard, he’d probably love to run his own place. He spoke often of the toy store his parents owned and was so excited when he realized you’d found him.” He grinned at their pleased looks. “I’ve spent a little time with him, from when he moved to the clinic over there, and he’s wanting to do something, he just doesn’t know what yet.” Nodding at the pair, he sauntered back to the kitchen, leaving them standing there with tears of relief in their eyes.
“You haven’t managed to speak to him yet?” Mason asked, knowing the couple had been to the ranch a few times since their arrival, but hadn’t stayed there.
They looked ashamed and exchanged an uncomfortable look. “We were against our son being gay at first,” Mr. Jamieson admitted finally. “He came out to us, saying he liked guys and had a boyfriend at school. I was really angry, not understanding what being gay was all about, thinking it was just a phase.”
“We took him to a place, a church, where they did some kind of conversion therapy, but didn’t like what we saw. We didn’t want our son to be hurt, and the electric shock treatment is nothing less than torture.” Mrs. Jamieson scowled at the memories and then looked sad. “One day, he didn’t come home from school, and we received a letter from the church, from that bastard Pastor Leonard.” Mason held his breath, having some idea of what was coming next.
“The pastor had taken Michael and his boyfriend Xander, said if we tried to get them back he’d make sure we never saw him again,” Mr. Jamieson said, looking angry. “Xander’s folks tried to follow their son, and the next we heard, they’d been killed in a house fire a few days later. They’d been shot first, and then the house burned down around them, destroying everything.”
“We were nervous to see Michael and Xander, knowing it was our fault they were taken. Leonard never would have known about them if it hadn’t been for us,” Mrs. Jamieson admitted, her eyes swimming with regret.
“My friend Joe showed me a list,” Mason told them. “He said it shows Leonard’s movements, and how he targeted the individuals he kidnapped.” He sent them a steady look, wanting them to understand what Leonard was, and how much he had been responsible for their loss. “Leonard was friends with two teachers at your son’s school, who were homophobic, and who told him whenever there was someone who might be of interest. They had to be both a shifter and gay, or at least gender fluid when it came to sexuality. Even at a young age, kids have an idea about those things. Leonard already knew about Michael and Xander, well before Michael came out to you.”
The Jamiesons gasped in shock, looking sick.
“If you had gone after them, you would be dead, too. Instead, you get a second chance with him, and his boyfriend, who he still loves, by the way.” Mason gave them a hard glance. “Being guilty of ignorance is not the biggest sin here. Your son knows who he is, knows his own mind. Do you still think it’s just a phase?”
“No,” Mrs. Jamieson whispered, horrified. “Once he
was gone, we were desperate to get him back and went to see some friends whose daughter had just come out to them. We had a long talk with them and then visited a center that helps parents understand what homosexuality is all about. We love our son, more than anything. We never wanted him to be hurt.”
“We were shocked when he told us, not knowing how to process what he’d said,” Mr. Jamieson said, holding his wife closely. “We’ve been hiding our true shifter selves all our lives, afraid that society would reject us. Then when he came out, we were afraid for him, afraid he would be bullied, ostracized, even in California. Being a shifter is as ingrained in who we are as a person’s sexuality, and we understand that, now.” He stared at Mason, sincerity in his dark gaze. “Now, because of you and your friends, we all have a voice, as shifters. We’re not afraid to fight for our son, either. If he’s gay and in love, we’re happy for him. That’s all we wanted for him.”
Mason shook the man’s hand, nodding. These were not bad people, just afraid to speak out, afraid for their son. Had Leonard not been the evil monster he was, the family would have resolved everything. They obviously loved Michael.
“We visited with Xander as well,” Mrs. Jamieson said, looking sad. “He was upset that his parents died trying to rescue him. We talked for a long time, and we’re thinking we’ll officially adopt him. Whatever you say about Leonard, Mason, we’re responsible for what we did and for our ignorance. Being gay isn’t a crime, but if we had been more alert, we would have seen how our son and other children were being treated. There were other children who left suddenly, but nobody ever discussed why.”
Mason exchanged hugs with the Jamiesons, saying good-bye and wishing them well. The next hour or so was busy, checking people out and then making sure the dining room was cleared and reset for breakfast the next morning. At first, before the restaurant and café had opened, they had offered an evening meal, but now, it was just a bed-and-breakfast deal for guests. With no more arrivals until later that afternoon, Mason headed for the kitchen, smiling as he saw Jay and Alfie washing up and getting the kitchen in order.
“I’ll go start changing beds,” he said and headed upstairs.
The inn had eight bedrooms, all with two double beds, that could be sold as a twin room or double or a family room, since each room had an additional double sofa bed. Three rooms just needed the beds made up, the other five a full change. Mason actually liked the job, liked making sure the beds were just so, the little miniature bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and bath foam were replaced, the towels folded neatly. It amused him that he was so domesticated—who knew?
He finished the three simple changes, replaced towels and toiletries, and then vacuumed and dusted. He started on the other five beds, working swiftly, and within an hour he was done, everything shipshape, ready for the new guests later. They had a couple of vacancies that evening, but three more guests were incoming, two singles and a family of three. The inn, which he’d named Spirit of Sage in honor of the former residents of the old inn, Herb and Kim Alston, had its own website, and was linked to the shifters’ social networking site. All the businesses in the town were listed, offering discounts to local residents, job offers, and advertising upcoming properties. A developer from Oregon had put in an application to build an entertainment complex, offering a bowling alley, a small duplex cinema, and room for a casino and small fast food restaurant and bar.
He’d heard from Cody that Joshua Blackhawk from over near Landers, Wyoming, was thinking of opening the casino in town. He had a successful business where he lived, but his two youngest sons, Creed and Cord, wanted to try living on their own and were interested in residing in Sage.
He headed downstairs, through the kitchen and to the back of the property where his living quarters were located. He had three bedrooms there, in addition to his own, and a joint living area. Alfie had taken one of the rooms as his, as keen as Mason was to be near his mate, but as he neared the hallway, he heard noise from his own bedroom, a large room with a huge king-size bed that dominated the center. The master had its own en suite bathroom and a small, private living room with a television set and a small dining table. He used the main kitchen for all cooking and often ate in there with Alfie.
He stopped dead as he stepped into the master bedroom, his eyes going wide and his cock swelling with instant arousal.
On his back, completely naked, Alfie lay in the center of the big bed, his fingers clutching at the quilt, his mouth open, and his face contorted as though he was in agony. Mason slowly unsnapped his jeans, watching as Jay lay between Alfie’s slim legs, his big body naked and beautifully muscled, his tanned skin rippling as he lapped sensuously at Alfie’s smooth skin, his eyes closed as he purred with each taste.
“I’m sorry, babe,” Jay growled without opening his eyes, “I couldn’t wait.” He went back to lapping at their mate’s body, his tongue rasping over the shallow grooves of Alfie’s abdomen. Soft whimpers came from Alfie, his chest rising and falling rapidly. “Come and play with our little mate,” Jay invited, his tongue diving into Alfie’s belly button. “He tastes absolutely delicious.”
Mason gave a low growl, slid off the rest of his clothes, and then crawled up the bed, coming to lie beside Jay. He stroked his hand down Alfie’s inner thigh, nipping at the younger man’s flesh behind his knee.
“Oh, God, you two are going to kill me,” Alfie moaned, his swollen cock a vivid red and dripping pre-cum, lying against his taut, ripped belly.
Making his way down between Alfie’s legs, Jay chuckled, licking around the plump mushroom head of Alfie’s dick, which twitched in reaction. Pushing his legs wide, with Mason assisting, Jay gave a low sound of approval as he invited Mason to view the gorgeous sight winking up at them.
“He’s so beautiful,” Mason sighed, licking two fingers and sliding them along the little shifter’s moist crease, pressing at the tiny rosebud and rubbing it delicately until Alfie was writhing helplessly. “Baby, you smell so good,” he said, sliding up, wanting a taste of Alfie’s mouth. “Give me your mouth, sweetness,” he begged, and Alfie moaned, turning his head, his eyes unfocused and glittering with shards of gold and green. Mason leaned down, his fingers still playing at the man’s hole, his lips opening over that succulent mouth. Mason dived inside with his tongue and groaned long and low as he felt Alfie’s spicy flavor explode on his tongue.
“You look good together,” Jay approved, and Mason felt the man’s fingers join his between Alfie’s legs, pressing against the ring of guarding muscles and sinking inside to the first knuckle. Mason felt Alfie flinch, felt him gasp, and he swallowed the sound hungrily.
“There you go, beautiful,” Mason said, feeling the moment when Alfie relaxed, and pushed in with one of his own fingers, probing the sleek heat of his lover’s body, feeling the muscles close around him, sucking him inside. “Hmmm, so tight and warm, taking us inside this gorgeous ass.” He sucked on Alfie’s tongue, purring.
“I’ve wanted you for so long,” Alfie said, panting as he lifted his mouth from Mason’s, nipping at the jaguar’s whiskered jaw and then licking at the slight sting. “I can’t believe that I’ve known you both as friends and never knew I could have you both here with me as lovers. I didn’t know you’d both want me like this.” Alfie whimpered as Jay sank his finger farther into his welcoming chute, Mason mimicking the action. The pair began to stretch their mate between them, and then Alfie let out a shrill yelp. Looking down, Mason saw the young leopard’s cock engulfed inside Jay’s warm mouth. He watched with fascination the look of utter bliss on the snow leopard’s gorgeous face, heard the purr emanate from his chest.
“Fuuuck!” Alfie cried, hips bucking in reaction, and then he began to move in a steady rhythm, fucking Jay’s mouth.
Mason knelt on the bed beside Alfie and guided his uncut, engorged cock to Alfie’s lips, slapping the dripping tip against his lover’s mouth, teasing him with droplets of his musky essence before he slid his length inside. Alfie immediately clamped down
, sucking and licking, humming with pleasure. Mason’s head fell back at the feel of his mate’s sexy mouth pleasuring him. He began to thrust with shallow strokes, groaning loudly and then swinging his leg over Alfie’s chest. He removed his finger from his mate’s hole, lifted the man’s head in both his hands, and then began to fuck with more force. “Take my cock, baby,” he begged, feeling the exquisite suction drawing out more pre-cum, feeling the wet heat along his thick length.
He felt strong hands on his back, felt warm lips against his backside, and then felt the rasp of a wet tongue along his crease. “So fucking sexy, Mason,” Jay growled, his tongue pushing at Mason’s hole, causing Mason to slow his rhythm inside Alfie’s beautiful mouth. Alfie’s hands came up, gripping Mason’s ass and parting his cheeks. Mason snarled out his pleasure as he felt Alfie’s thumbs press the outer edge of his hole, and then Jay’s tongue pushed inside, stabbing in and out like a mini penis.
Mason cried out, feeling his balls draw up before he spurted into Alfie’s hungry mouth, his release hitting hard. Alfie groaned, jerked, and Mason smelled the pungent aroma as the young leopard came as well, heard Jay’s grunt of pleasure. “I need to be inside you, baby,” Jay pleaded. Mason moved aside, stroking the mess of cum on Alfie’s abs as he lay beside their mate, feeding Alfie’s own load to him and then sharing a spunk-filled kiss as Jay knelt between Alfie’s splayed thighs.
“Make love to me, please,” Alfie moaned, staring with dazed eyes down his body. Mason lapped cum from his lover’s mouth, one hand reaching and finding Alfie’s semi-hard cock in his fist, pumping steadily as Jay breached their mate’s loosened hole with his cock, using Alfie’s own cum to lubricate his entry.
Jay snarled his pleasure, fangs dropping as he sank inside Alfie slowly. “So fucking good,” he moaned, gripping Alfie’s slim hips, his own pushing Alfie’s legs wider. He began to thrust gently, letting Alfie adjust to his girth. Mason curled his body around, stroking Jay’s flank as he swallowed Alfie’s thickening cock in one gulp, each thrust of Jay’s body shoving Alfie’s cock deeper. Hollowing out his cheeks, he sucked at the tasty dick, enjoying the flavor. His fingers slid around behind Jay, finding the man’s sweaty crease and sliding one finger inside his clenching hole. Jay groaned loudly as his ass was breached, his head flung back, his body taut with pleasure as he fucked Alfie steadily, fucking Mason’s finger at the same time.