by J. E. Cluney
“Sure,” Scott shrugged. “I’ll just go check out the desserts,” he grinned.
I laughed at his bottomless stomach and followed the three men out of the barn. Jaye returned to his post to continue face painting for those who weren’t going to the river, and I helped Nathan untack the horses and set them loose in the fields.
“What’s it like, living away from the ranch?” Nathan asked as he carried a saddle inside the stable with me in tow. I had the bridle and saddle blanket from a gorgeous appaloosa mare who was too old to be a broodmare now.
“It’s nice, I guess. Neema’s place is big and modern, we’re on the edge of town with the forest out the back where we train, my work is good, and the pay is not too bad either,” I said as I handed him the bridle and blanket after he’d sat the saddle on a rack.
“Do you think Neema will ever come back to the ranch?” Nathan asked.
“No idea, she doesn’t feel wanted by my dad,” I shrugged.
“That’s a shame,” he frowned.
“I know, it’d probably be good for her. She was born and raised in the Pack, not having it must be hard. I mean, I’ve only been away two years and I do mis it, I miss you guys.”
“It’s family, and it’s home. And we’ve missed you,” Nathan sighed as he strode over and planted a soft kiss on my lips.
He pulled away as another Pack member entered the stable with more tack to put away.
“How’s the breaking in going? Any new horses to talk about?” I asked as I followed him back outside. The other handlers had untacked the remaining horses, and we decided to sit on a bench outside the stable for a few minutes.
“We just got in this big mare, a beautiful pinto, chestnut and white. But she’s skittish around us, terribly so. Enough that she almost double barreled Shane the other day when he was feeding them,” he groaned. Double barreling was dangerous, it was when they kicked back with both their hind legs. From a half tonne animal, it could be a killer, even for us ‘wolves.
“I need to work with her, we’ll use her for breeding as she’s got good lines, but making her rideable is always a bonus. I’m going to work with her tomorrow mornin’ if you’d like to come watch?” he smiled at me, his eyes lit up at the prospect of me watching him work. He loved his work here on the ranch, whether it be herding cattle or working the land, this was his life and his home.
“Sure,” I nodded. It’d been too long since I’d watched him work his magic with horses.
“So, you excited for tonight?” his smile turned devilish as he caught my chin in his thumb and forefinger.
I caught my breath at the heated intensity in his eyes.
I bit my lip and his eyes dilated before he kissed me, his soft lips moving against mine.
The heat flared between my legs, and I moaned into the heated kiss as he fisted a hand in my hair to hold me steady.
By the time we broke apart, I was wanting a hell of a lot more.
“Yes,” I managed to breathe, remembering the question.
“Good,” he smiled, a hungry look in his eyes as he drank me up.
I just stared at him, wondering if we could get away with a quick fuck behind the stable. I could see he was contemplating the same idea as his eyes trailed over me, but then he shook his head.
“You best catch up with Scott, he could use a hand out there,” he broke his eyes away to look out across the horse fields.
I wanted to run my hand across his thigh, tease that bulge in his jeans. But I’d wait. There’d be plenty of time for that tonight.
“You better still be that horny tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve been with you three,” I said, my voice husky as I kissed his cheek. “I can’t wait to have you all.”
He shuddered as he turned and caught my mouth with his, but I pulled away when his hand started to explore.
“Damn, Tay. I could do it right here,” he groaned as his hand strayed down to his bulge.
“I know, but you’ll have to wait,” I grinned.
He scowled at me but I kissed his forehead as I stood up.
“Besides, I’m sure you’re needed,” I said, and no sooner had the words left my mouth that a Pack mate was calling for him.
He rolled his eyes in frustration, glaring down at his obvious erection.
“I’ll take care of you later,” I said sweetly before turning away. I could’ve dragged him into the barn and climbed on top of that sweet cock right now, but there were children around, and I’d told Scott I’d help him out.
I could feel Nathan’s heated eyes trailing after me like a lost puppy.
Tonight would be fun.
“This is such a beautiful spot,” I sighed as I helped Scott carry the tools over to the cottage from his truck. He’d already dropped the guttering off yesterday but had been called back to the mansion to come collect me, and hadn’t been able to finish the job.
The cottage was built just within the tree line, a safe distance from the river if any flooding occurred. It had a clearing around it, and the small cottage looked so quaint and cozy. A simple, two-bedroom cottage like most of the cottages and cabins around the ranch. Once children came along, it was extended and added on to, sometimes even a second story was put in.
One extra room was enough to start with for now, and some ‘wolves just had two or three children share the one room. We were Pack creatures by nature, so sharing wasn’t a problem for the children, although some squabbles could come about.
The cottage had a porch that wrapped around two sides of it, and through the open curtains I could see the master bedroom opened out onto the side porch and then it wrapped around to the front, where a wooden table and chairs was set up to overlook the river. It was a more modern cottage, with white painted weatherboard on the outside. Some preferred to have wooden cabins, the original style we’d had for the last few hundred years.
The ranch had been in my family for generations; the mansion being a new build from when I was a child. The original homestead that had stood in its place had burned down one night, and we assumed that the Williamson Pack was behind it, even though they’d always denied it.
“If I ever have my own place, I want it to overlook the river too. Further upstream. There are a few good spots where there’s good fishing too,” Scott said as he set up the ladder by the porch.
“Is it only the guttering you need to finish?” I asked.
“No, the internal doors need to be put on, they’re drying around the back of the place, and I only finished painting the master bedroom yesterday. A few small, finishing touches in the plumbing area, and then it’s done. Keith will be out first thing in the morning to finalize the plumbing, and tomorrow afternoon they’ll start moving in. They’ve already got furniture ready, although they’ve requested if I can make a queen or king-size bed for them, as they’ve only got a small double for now. I’ll get on to that when I’m back at the workshop,” he said as he climbed the ladder to inspect the roof. The guttering was laid out along the front of the porch, ready to be put up.
The workshop was part of a large shed to the right of the mansion. Two stories high and six bays long, it housed Nathan’s jeep, my father’s black Jaguar, and Scott’s blue pickup. The last two bays were set up as the workshop area, and a few other ‘wolves worked in there with Scott as they built assorted pieces for the Pack.
I got to work helping him put up the guttering, passing him the tools and helping him hold the guttering up. I looked wistfully at the river, imagining the four of us sharing a cottage by the river, our own little home. Nathan would help me with the cooking, Scott would fish and do any repairs and new work, and Jaye would give our new home some extra special wall art.
I envisioned the four of us, coexisting together easily, like a family. A few children one day, maybe one to each man.
I shook my head, snapping out of the thoughts. What the hell was wrong with me? I wasn’t here to stay; I needed to complete my training. Then I might return home, but I sure as hell
wasn’t going to go and start popping out kids. All my training would be for nothing then.
“C’mon, just two more lengths to go,” Scott grinned as he climbed down the ladder to change position.
I focused on helping him, unable to stop myself from checking out his firm ass as I held the ladder in place for him on some uneven ground.
Tonight I’d be with all three of my boys.
We finished up the guttering in record time, and I helped him install the doors, wowing at the cozy little cottage’s interior. The kitchen was modern and stone topped, a dishwasher in place and a fridge ready to go. I envied Leya and Warren. They had one sweet little home, and they didn’t even have to pay for it.
It was how we all worked. No one paid for any work done, we were a Pack. They all were expected to assist the Pack where possible, and they received an allowance from our fortune. Each ‘wolf was allowed to get an outside job, one off the ranch, but few did. Everyone had to chip in and be a part of the Pack.
“That’s the last one,” Scott sighed as he tested the final door leading to the bathroom. It swung without any issues and he smiled.
“Good job,” I yawned, noting how the light of the day was beginning to fade. I hadn’t slept much the night before, and I wondered if I could catch a nap before my time with my boys. I was curious as to where and when they were planning it. Something told me they’d organized something.
“Well, let’s head back, Nath was planning on having us an early dinner prepared,” Scott said, offering me his big, firm hand.
I accepted as he led me out of the cottage, not bothering to lock it. No one would ever steal from one another here, and no one crossed into our territory without us knowing.
When we reached the truck, Scott swept me off my feet and kissed me, a sweet, gentle kiss before he pulled back to stare at me. He smiled tenderly and set me back down, stroking my cheek.
“It’s good having you back,” he murmured before he ducked down to kiss me again.
This time, I begged to deepen it, pushing my body against his as the warmth spread between my legs.
He moaned as he allowed me to deepen our kiss, and I moved my body against his, feeling his length grow, pushing against his jeans.
He broke away, growling as he looked away sheepishly.
“What?” I pouted, clinging to the front of his shirt.
“We should wait for the others,” he gave me a sweet smile.
Right. I’d stopped Nathan from having me just earlier because I wanted to wait. But I couldn’t help the wetness that overcame me easily when I was around them.
“Right,” I breathed, stepping away from him. If I stayed so close, drawing in his woody, intoxicating scent and feeling his arousal against me, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.
His nostrils flared and he breathed in my arousal, his eyes darkening before he shook himself.
“Let’s go, before I take you right here,” he groaned, stuffing his hands in his pockets and fishing out his keys.
Once inside the truck, he blasted the AC in hopes it would drive off our desire and warmth. And after a few minutes, I tried to move into a normal conversation in hopes it would distract us.
It did, a little.
We spoke of his projects for the Pack, a large carved wolf he was making for the barbecue area, the assorted toys he’d made for the kids, including a number of rocking horses and trains. He told me how he’d been going into towns and selling some of his works too. People paid good money for handcrafted pieces, and he’d gotten a few requests and commissions. He was saving up the extra money for a holiday, although he wasn’t too sure what yet. Either travel internationally or go on a long road trip, travel around the States and see the whole place.
Our allowances from the Pack’s money, aka, my dad’s fortune, was only for living and all other normal expenses. Holidays had to paid for out of our own earned money. It was my father’s way of keeping everyone close to home, and few ‘wolves cared for holidays since life was so easy going here anyway.
“Where would you go first?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. I’d like to see Hollywood, eventually. Who doesn’t,” he grinned.
The sun had set and Scott had turned on his headlights to navigate the dirt roads of our Ranch. Everyone owned some kind of truck of 4x4 to traverse the area. Concreting the roads was not something we wanted to do to be honest. We liked the way things were, our closeness with nature, the wildlife that wandered around the place. Speaking off, Scott slowed down as a doe stood frozen on the track before us, staring at us with wide, petrified eyes.
I sighed and waited for the creature to get herself together before bounding out of the way, which didn’t take long.
“You excited for the hunt tomorrow night?” Scott changed the subject.
It was the last Sunday of the month, which meant that our usual Sunday run would end in a hunt. The Pack would split up into two and scour the forested areas for prey. Either a buck or boar or something else. We had an abundance of deer on the property, and we made sure not to hunt them too much as to ruin their numbers. Sometimes my father would buy in deer to replenish the numbers if he deemed it fit to do so. But it was not a necessary thing we needed to do. Maybe once every few years.
“Yeah, it’ll be good. I’m excited for the Pack dinner,” I said as I eyed the moon outside. Half-full. Full-moons didn’t force our shift despite many believing so. But it did have an effect on us. It brought about an excitement and energy inside us, and a need to run and shift. But it never forced one, it was a choice to give in to the pleasure of the full-moon, running and drawing in its soft glow and strength.
Scott’s truck rumbled and bumped up the track to the back of the mansion, and I smiled at the sight of the back of the mansion lit up. It was the main working hub for many of our ‘wolves too. Holding offices and such. Jaye had a large room set up entirely for art, and there were a few she-wolves who used it for clay making and other crafts.
“There’s Jaye, why don’t you go see him and I’ll see how dinner is coming along?” Scott said as he pointed out the window.
Jaye sat under the barbecue area on a table with an art-pad in hand as he sketched something. The automatic lights under the barbecue area had been installed when I was a kid, although there was something special about only using the light from a bonfire like we used to.
But my father had said we should refrain from having fires unless needed, and we changed to having a big bonfire only a few times a year. The smoke had a tendency to drive away good hunting on our last Sunday nights.
Scott pulled up by the shed and I jumped out, following the gravel road back down to the barbecue area.
Jaye only flicked his eyes up at me in acknowledgement before focusing on his piece, but a soft smile brightened his face at my arrival.
I sat beside him, feeling him relax as our shoulders touched, and I eyed his sketchbook. Four wolves were running freely, splashing through a stream as they frolicked.
I smiled as I realized it was the four of us.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured.
“Thanks,” Jaye grinned, finally drawing himself away from his work to look at me.
He leaned over and kissed me, his lips hungry and smooth against mine.
He set his sketchbook down as he kissed me, laying me back and pinning me down on the table as he turned the kiss into a full-blown make-out session.
Not that I was complaining.
I melted into his body, into his desperate kiss, loving how his hands slipped under my shirt to caress my skin.
He broke the kiss, scowling as he groaned and rolled to my side.
“You’re irresistible,” he groaned as I rolled to nestle into his side, missing his warm body against mine.
“Let me guess, you boys agreed to hold off until we all were together this time?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. Nathan had almost broken that agreement then.
“Maybe,” he gave me a devilish half smirk as he
stroked my arm softly.
I closed my eyes as the sweet touch sent shivers down my body.
“Did you finish the painting?” I asked softly.
“I think so. There’s always new things you want to do, but you need to settle sometimes and accept that it’s done,” he said.
“I’d like to see it,” I murmured.
“When we head inside. For now, I’d like to enjoy just being with you here,” he said tenderly, his voice soft and soothing as he continued stroking my arm.
“How do you think my father is going with the Council?” I asked. I hadn’t forgotten, every time I felt at ease and content with one of my boys, the unease reared its ugly head again. I wanted this wait to be over. I needed to know what the Council decided to do about this proposition.
“I don’t know. He hasn’t called yet, I imagine he will a bit later tonight,” Jaye murmured as he pulled me closer against his side.
“I sparred with Scott this morning. I beat him,” I said smugly.
Jaye chuckled and turned to me with a bewildered frown. “Did he give you a proper spar?”
“Yes,” I said stubbornly. Did Jaye think he’d gone easy on me?
“Well, how about I give you a test too then? After all, we’re your father’s betas, supposedly the best fighters of the Pack,” he smirked as he rolled his head to stare up at the barbecue shelter.
“Okay, fine.” I sat up, annoyance settling over me at his disbelief that I’d beaten Scott.
I marched off to take up a stance on the grass, waiting for him to join me.
He gave me a humorous look as he shook his head and slid off the table to join me.
I’d show him just how good my teachings with Neema had been.
“Just don’t ket your emotions win out,” I muttered to myself. If I had to go against Richard, I needed to be able to control my chaotic emotions.
Jaye’s expression turned serious as he took up a defensive stance before me.
“I won’t go easy on you,” he warned me.
I didn’t expect him to.
I shot forward, dipping low and sweeping my leg, intent to knock him off balance. He leaped over my leg and shot out a fist, which I blocked and used to tug him forward, unbalancing him.