by Zara Zenia
open. Laurie was a farmer’s daughter from Nebraska. Growing up on the farm had instilled in her a set of motivated values and her work effort was unmatched by anyone else I had ever met in my life.
Laurie was also a dog shifter. Her animal was a white Labrador, but even shifted into her
human form, she had a strong bond and compassion for animals and creatures big and small alike.
Laurie was the type to never leave an animal in distress. She had a love for all of nature
and it added to her uniqueness. Being able to shift into a Labrador suited her soft-hearted and tender demeanor and fit perfectly with her patient manner. She was the description of kindness, and every day I thanked my lucky stars that I had been paired with someone as gentle as she was.
The door burst open and I saw her there, just as I had expected. Her brown eyes were
perky, and her smile was cheerful. She was slightly taller than me with a muscular build. Her short silver hair was perfectly kempt.
“I can’t believe you’re finally back!” I cried out as I wasted no time roping my arms around her neck. I reeled her in for a sisterly hug.
Laurie laughed. “I’m not even a foot in the door yet.”
I pulled away with an eager grin. “You don’t have to be. I can devour you with adoration
from anywhere.”
We both burst into laughter.
“Well, it’s nice to reunite with you too,” she said. Her smile was warm and earnest.
“Do you need help with your bags?” I asked. I craned my neck down the hallway. “Did
your parents drop you off?”
“I was only gone a week, Marina,” she said with a chuckle. “And I only have the two bags. But, yes, Mom and Dad dropped me off. I would have flown, but they wouldn’t hear of it. I wish they would have let me, it would have been easier on them because they couldn’t stay. They had to get back to the farm and it’s a long drive back.” She waved her arms around in the air in one swoop. “You know. Duty calls and all that.”
“Oh, I know. I can’t believe they are driving back so soon. I understand having to get back to the animals though.” I smiled. I was so thrilled to have my roomie bestie back with me that joy was all I felt in that moment.
The first few weeks of second semester flew by in a happy blur. I was happy to be nestling back into a rhythm and routine of juggling both my social life and my classes.
One afternoon in particular, after we had finished up classes for the day, I was hanging out at the tables in the courtyard with Vlad, Daniel — who really shouldn’t have been out in the sun but did his best to keep to the shade — and Colin. It was a particularly warmer day than usual, and some of the snow was beginning to melt. The decent weather was helping to liberate my mood as well.
I leaned back against Vlad’s chest and exhaled contentedly. “It feels so good to be with you guys. I really enjoy spending time with all of you like this, out in the open.”
Daniel’s eyes brightened. He reached over and squeezed my hand. “We all enjoy your company too.” He leaned in and kissed my lips.
I felt myself beaming. “You are really sweet to tell me that.” I was surprised that he was risking the sun to be out here with us. “Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked, concerned.
“I’m fine, baby. Stings a little when it’s directly on me, but the tree is doing a decent job of keeping me shaded.”
“Good. I’m glad,” I said, stroking his cheek.
“I’m ready for the weekend,” Vlad said with a mischievous grin as he squeezed his thick arms around me. I glanced up at him and he cast me a wink for an extra zest of charm.
“Are you throwing another party?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. I gave him an errant grin as I wiggled my hips in his lap.
It was Friday and customary for many of the students to let loose from the week and relieve stress with a good old-fashioned dorm gathering that, more often than not, turned into a full-fledged party with pumping music, alcohol and dancing.
“You bet we are.” Vlad and Daniel gave each other a high five and ended with a fist bump.
I laughed. “You guys are hilarious.” I felt my heart flip because they were always at the front and center of adventure, usually taking me along with them for the wild ride.
“You’ll be there, right?” Colin asked softly, leaning in and gazing at me with hopeful expectancy.
“Of course, as if I would miss it.” I gave them all a reassuring smile.
“What’s this about a party?” I heard the familiar sound of Tom’s voice quip with masculinity behind us.
I shot up like a rocket, out of Vlad’s arms jumped to my feet. I felt an enormous grin stretch across my face to see him approaching us. This was the best surprise I could have ever received.
“You came!” I shouted with delight as I threw myself into his waiting arms. “I didn’t think you were going to make it this weekend.”
Tom could be charming in his own roundabout way, but when we first met, I hadn’t liked him at all. He’d been really rude. But then, he’d saved my life and started teaching me and we kind of fell for each other. It took him a bit to get used to me dating Vlad, Daniel and Colin too, and being part of our group, but in my opinion we all worked great together. Each of the guys brought out something different in me. With Tom it was my love of friendly competition, which he always provided, seeing as we were both at the top of our academic classes, just at different schools.
His black hair was perfectly kept and brushed back. He looked as gorgeous as ever. His cold blue eyes seemed to pierce my soul as soon as I met his sizzling gaze. Leaning down his kissed me and I felt my breath catch. I’d missed him.
“You seem unusually chipper today,” Vlad teased.
Tom rolled his eyes. “Or, maybe I’m always like this and you are too buzzed to notice?”
Vlad snorted. “Yeah, that’s not likely.”
“Boys, be nice,” I warned, not wanting this to turn into a pissing match with me as the prize. I moved from Tom’s arms and put my hands on my hips. I knew that they harbored some jealousy for each other, but I did my best to keep them all happy and make sure they each got equal amounts of attention. The friendship between Tom and the others was fragile with Tom being from a different school. Vlad, Daniel and Colin hadn’t trusted him much, with him being from Salem, which made it hard for all of us to hang out together, but my guys were trying their best to get along for me, and I appreciated it.
They each looked at me and softened their demeanor somewhat.
“Okay.” Vlad was the first to step down. “I’ll do anything for you.”
“So will I,” Tom quickly stated.
I chuckled. “I know that each of you have my best interests at heart and I appreciate it.”
Truth be told, I was exceptionally elated to have all four of them with me and I just wanted to be able to have a relaxing weekend without any arguments ensuing.
I took Tom’s hand and squeezed it gently. “I’m really happy you’re here,” I whispered.
His icy blue eyes, a trademark of handsomeness to me, flashed with sincere happiness in response to my compliment.
“I’m glad to be here with you too,” he whispered back.
“I have to get to rugby practice,” Vlad said, a grin on his lips. He was a great rugby player and he knew it. Vlad was confident in all things athletic.
I found his confidence adorable rather than annoying.
He stood up and embraced me, kissing me softly before jokingly narrowing his eyes and pointing fingers at the other three guys. “I can trust that I’m leaving her in good hands with you three?” he said archly.
I laughed. “Well actually…”
“You have to go?” Tom’s features fell in disappointment.
“I wish I’d known you were coming, but I have plans to meet up with Laurie. We’re going shopping, but if you want, you can join us,” I suggested, hoping he would agree.
Tom glanced over his shoulder and appeared to be debating the idea, but then Daniel and Colin must have decided to spare him the girl chat because they invited Tom to help them get the house ready for the party.
Tom seemed like he didn’t want to do either, but he didn’t turn his nose up at the opportunity to hang out with the guys, thankfully. I took it as a sign they were really working together to make this relationship work between the five of us.
“I’ll see you later, I promise.” I lightly kissed his lips and he seemed to liven up a little bit more.
I gave each of them a hug and a kiss, my heart feeling full of having all four of my guys here. I couldn’t wait for the party later to be with them all again.
I watched the guy’s trek away, three of them in the direction of Vlad and Daniel’s place, and one off to rugby practice. I smiled, feeling the center of peace flood me with joy in the hopes that I would get the chance to spend equal quality and private time with them over the weekend.
When I returned to the dorm, I found Laurie sitting at her desk, scrolling through her phone. She looked up when she saw me coming through the door.
“Hey.” Her smile was warm and inviting. “Wondered if you were going to make it back in time to go shopping.”
“Hey.” I grinned. “Of course I’m back to go shopping with you, wouldn’t miss it.” I plopped down on my bed and looked at her. “What have you been up to?”
“Oh, nothing. Just checking in with Mom about how things are going on the farm.”
“And?’ I asked.
“Nothing new to report, really.” She chuckled. “Just the normal stuff, you know?”
“That’s cool.” I nodded and propped my back against the wall where my bed was tucked into the corner.
“Where have you been? Do you still want to go out shopping?” Laurie asked.
I looked at the ceiling and then back down at my hands before finally setting my gaze back to her. “I was with the guys,” I admitted, smiling.
“Oh?” Laurie perked up. A huge smile curled at the edges of her lips.
“Yeah. We were just hanging out in the courtyard. Tom is here too,” I said.
“He drove over to surprise you?”
“Yep.” I nodded.
“Well that’s nice of him to trek down here for the weekend, did you want to go hang out with him instead of shopping with me?”
I smiled, thinking of Tom’s beautiful eyes. “Yeah. It was.” Even to myself, my voice sounded dreamy. “But, no, he’s with Colin and Daniel getting the house ready for tonight.”
“I never did ask, how does your mom feel about you dating multiple guys?” Laurie’s voice didn’t sound probing or judgmental, more naturally curious. She tied her shoes and grabbed her purse. “We can talk as we head to the car.”
I let out an ironic chuckle and stood up, following her out of the room. “Well, to be honest, it’s a little awkward.”
Laurie winced, but in an empathetic way as she looped her arm through mine. “That must be tough to explain.”
“It is.” I nodded. “She doesn’t really understand how I’m dating all of them and they’re all okay with it. Or even how I want to be with them all.”
“Maybe in time she’ll be more open minded about it?” Laurie questioned as we reached her car.
“It’s not that she isn’t open minded now,” I said climbing into the passenger seat. “But she still thinks we’re just dating. There’s no way I can tell her we’re having sex, let alone all of us together at the same time!” I shake my head. “Plus, I think she’s just a little overwhelmed about the fact that I’m spending so much time with all these supernatural beings.”
“And she’s a human so she can’t relate to that, let alone understand the poly thing.” Laurie started her car and backed out of her parking space.
I frowned. As much as I hated to admit it, Laurie was right on the mark. “Yeah…” I trailed off, my mind focusing on the fact that not only was I a supernatural being, but so were all four of my guys, and that just over the last few months, we’d been hunted because of it.
“You seem like you’re worried about something else,” Laurie said glancing in her rearview mirror as she drove us to the mall.
She patted my knee with sisterly affection. “What’s going on in that beautiful little mind of yours?” She looked over at me and gave me a sisterly grin.
I laughed. “How can you read me so well?”
“I don’t know. Call it roommate intuition.”
“You’re funny.” I clamped my hands in my lap and stared at them before peering back over at her.
I felt a rising wariness tingling in my bones that I really needed to give voice to my fears. “Don’t you ever worry…about the hunters? Knowing that they are probably still out there, some maybe even disguising themselves as students?”
Some of the color drained from Laurie’s otherwise rosy cheeks. “I try not to think about it.” She glanced out the windshield and held her gaze there for an extended period of time. So long I almost thought she’d forgotten what we were talking about.
“I know, I try not to either…” I trailed off because that was a lie.
In actuality, the fact that they could still be lurking out there made me tremble. I felt like danger was never far away, especially on campus.
“Just hang in there.” Laurie gave me a swift pat on the knee. “We’re college students. We have the entire world at our fingertips. We can be whoever we want to be, and we can be with whoever we want. Just try not to worry about the hunters because for right now, until something happens, there is not really a whole lot we can do to change anything.”
I managed to give her a warm smile in return for her exceptionally soothing advice. “I guess you’re right.”
She tossed me a spirited smile. “Of course, I’m right. Aren’t I always?”
I laughed. “Not hardly!” I giggled as we reached the parking lot of the mall.
I decided to take what Laurie had said to me to heart. Even though I would find it to be a difficult challenge, I had to remind myself that I had a lot of friends and activities to keep me busy. Worrying wasn’t on my current agenda, and I needed to push the fear out of my mind for as long as it would allow.
The party was in full swing by the time Laurie and I showed up. Daniel and Vlad’s house was like party central. They threw a party and the world showed up to take part.
“Babe!” Vlad said, coming to meet me as we entered. He picked me up and planted a kiss on my lips before setting me down. “Later, the five of us are heading upstairs,” he whispered, his eyes filled with mischief.
I blushed and nodded. I’d dressed in sexy lingerie under the skirt and blouse I was wearing. A moment later, I was swept up into Daniel’s arms.
“Hi,” I said, grinning.
“Hi,” he murmured, taking a moment to focus on my lips before devouring them in a passionate kiss. “Much better,” he whispered as he broke the kiss and passed me to Tom.
“I’m gonna go see who all is here,” Laurie called as I giggled in Tom’s arms.
“See you in a little while!” I called back. I looked at Tom and my heart beat just a little faster. “Hi.”
“Mmmm, I missed you, baby,” he said before kissing me. He tasted like beer and something sweet.
“I missed you too,” I murmured gazing into his eyes a moment later.
“I suppose I have to let Colin have you for a moment,” he sighed, and I could see he didn’t want to give me up, but he would because that was how we worked.
I leaned in and kissed him once more before he turned me over to Colin.
“Hello, beautiful,” Colin greeted me, holding me close.
I felt my body calm and become peaceful, like the two of us were in our own little bubble, away from everyone. Colin was serine. I wrapped my fingers into his red hair and sank into his kiss. Being with him was as easy as breathing. When we came up for air moments later, the bubble popped, and we were back in the l
oud music filled living room of Vlad and Daniel’s house.
“Let’s get this party started!” Vlad said, slinging an arm around Colin’s shoulders.
It was after two a.m. and most of the guests had left or passed out. The five of us were in Daniel’s room, I slipped out of my skirt and blouse and started toward the bed. Before I reached it, hands gripped my waist and stopped me.
“No, baby, right here. The four of us are gonna worship you,” Vlad whispered.
They removed my bra and panties, and then I couldn’t tell who was doing what to me. There were hands and tongues on my neck, my breasts and my pussy. I closed my eyes in ecstasy, just enjoying the feelings running through me.
“Oh god!” I moaned, feeling my toes curl as I came.
“Condom,” I heard Daniel say, and then a moment later he was in me from behind.
The guys all shifted, keeping me in a suspended state of euphoria with their attentions.
“No,” I heard one of the guys say, but in the state I was in, I had no idea what they were talking about.
However, a moment later, Daniel had pulled out of me and Vlad was filling my wet pussy with his large cock. The minute he was fully seated, I came again, shattering with a loud scream of pleasure.
The night wore on, and by early morning the five of us were all naked and asleep in Daniel’s bed.
3
Vlad
So far, I had kicked off the new semester with a bang. I was pleased with the way everything had started out. I had to admit, things were going well for me and I had no complaints, not any that I could think about now at least.
I was on the rugby team and I was killing it the practices so far. The coach hardly ever put me on the bench, and I was one of the best players on the team.
My dragon form had grown another two feet in length over winter break, and I relished the fact that I could shift quickly and put on a domineering presence to those around me, just for fun of course.
While I was in the cafeteria line getting lunch, several fellow students even approached me, giving me fond slaps on the back and congratulating me on the huge success and wildly popular party that we had just thrown.