Run with the Moon

by Bailey Bradford

  Aaron blinked at him and leaned against Valen’s side. “Please?”

  It was going to set a bad standard. Aaron would think he had Valen wrapped around his little finger.

  The thing was, he did.

  “For a few minutes,” Valen muttered. “Rivvie, grab the bag.”

  “Sure.” Rivvie jogged into the forest.

  Anita pointed to Valen’s groin. “There are children about in the village.”

  Valen arched an eyebrow at her. “And they haven’t any genitals themselves?”

  Anita’s cheeks turned pink. “Er, I think we’re a bit more prudish than shifters. We keep our genitalia covered except when we’re, hmm, with the person we are copulating with.”

  Valen’s other eyebrow winged up with the first. “You just took every bit of fun out of sex saying it that way. It looks like I’ll be waiting here after all, Aaron. Clothes aren’t something we shifters bother with unless it’s cold and we’re not wearing our fur. Our children aren’t traumatized, either. We’re all quite well adjusted.” And they hadn’t almost killed each other off. Shifters tended to be a pretty accepting bunch.

  “I’ll bring you something,” Matthew offered. “The problem is, we’re all smaller than you and Rivvie. I’m not sure we have anything that will fit.”

  “We’ll wait here,” Valen repeated.

  “So will I.” Aaron clutched Valen’s hand. “If you’d bring me what you were going to pack, please.”

  Matthew’s lips thinned even more.

  Valen suspected he’d wanted to either grill Aaron, lecture him, or possibly bully him into including Matthew on the short trip.

  “We’ll do that. Matthew, ride with your sister Anya. Your mother and I will take your mount, and I’ll bring Aaron’s favorite back here.” Walter held his hand out.

  Matthew placed what looked like ropes in Walter’s hand. The ropes appeared to be tied to something in the horse’s mouth.

  Walter and Anita hugged Aaron. “You’re coming back,” Anita said.

  Aaron bobbed his head. “Of course.”

  Walter gave Valen a look he interpreted to mean ‘take care of my son or I will take care of you, permanently’. It raised Valen’s respect for the man. He tipped his chin in acknowledgment of the responsibility.

  Valen stood with Aaron and watched them ride away. There were so many things Valen wanted to ask Aaron, like why he’d decided to go with Valen, had he thought of Valen often—what Aaron was thinking of when he’d sunk down into the stream that day.

  Valen said none of those things. Instead he turned Aaron to face him, then he kissed Aaron, losing himself in the taste of the man.

  Chapter Nine

  When the kiss ended, Aaron’s head was spinning.

  Everything he had thought and feared had suddenly been altered. He wasn’t being sneered at or punished because he wasn’t like everyone else he knew. He wasn’t going to be forced to fake an interest in a woman, or to help make children. His father and mother seemed to believe he’d been running away despite what he said otherwise, and they’d worried they were going to lose him. Now they were doing everything they could to make sure he knew he was loved.

  Maybe they’d all needed a shake-up. At some point, Aaron had forgotten that his parents loved him, and wanted him to be happy. With all the work required day in and day out to survive, happy had always been an unrealistic dream when combined with Aaron’s hidden desires.

  “How do shifters live?” Aaron asked of Valen.

  Valen’s thick eyebrows drew together over his nose. “What do you mean?”

  Aaron shrugged. “I mean, like for us, there are so many chores to do day to day just to survive. Hunting has been scarce, and all the chickens we had were killed by a fox months ago. Father sent someone to the next village over to try and trade for more, but they never returned here. The last three people who’ve been sent out haven’t come back. The gardens are dying no matter what we do. Food is becoming a true source of concern. I just look at us, at my people, and wonder how much longer we’ll be able to make it.”

  “It sounds like you have had a few rough years,” Valen observed. “We aren’t that far from your village, and we’ve plenty to hunt. Gardening… Well, we’re shifters, more of a carnivore than not. Our shaman has some greens she grows. Potatoes, too. She also has several fruit trees, apples and oranges, lemons. Our homes have been around for many, many years. They are well built. We don’t seem to have the problems your village is having.”

  Aaron poked at the ground with his cane. “I think about death a lot, I guess because it happens so often. We just lost one of the babies last month, and Arial Jutto, she caught some kind of coughing sickness and passed, too. There’s no reason for who death takes sometimes. It scares me, but it also…” Aaron inhaled shakily, then exhaled slowly. “It also seemed like an answer to the turmoil in here.” He touched his temple. “No one in our village is like me, Valen. I thought something was wrong with me, to want what I want.”

  “Like you how?” Valen asked. “Because I can tell you, no one else is like you. Aaron, you are fascinating, and I want you. Not just for a night, either. I want to see if we’re as compatible as I suspect we are. What did you mean, though?”

  Aaron’s heartbeat sped up. “If we are compatible, then what?”

  Valen raised Aaron’s hand to his lips and kissed his palm. “Then we discuss what it means for me and you to be mates. Wolf shifters mate for life, Aaron. Sometimes with multiple partners, but that isn’t for me. I’ve always known there would be only one man for me.”

  “And you think I’m him?” Aaron’s voice squeaked, breaking on the last word.

  “Maybe,” Valen replied. “I hope so.”

  Aaron hung his head, his chin resting on his chest. “I don’t know that I’m a good match. I told you, I’ve thought of dying as a relief. The day we parted, I kept thinking, I could just sink down to the bottom of the stream and stay there. Then I wouldn’t have to go back to the village and be forced to do things I just couldn’t imagine doing. I wouldn’t disappoint anyone that way. It’s a selfish way to think, I know. It’s just, I hurt so bad inside, and didn’t know how to handle it.”

  Valen pulled Aaron into a tight embrace and rubbed his cheek against the top of Aaron’s head. “If the village is that bad a place for you, going back shouldn’t be an option.”

  “That’s just it,” Aaron mumbled, his cock rising as he enjoyed the press of all those hard muscles against him. “I don’t think it was them. I think it was me. My father and mother both talked to me today. Well, it was my father that really got through to me. He said he’d had a brother who was—um—”

  “Gay,” Valen supplied. “It means to be attracted to one’s own gender. There are other definitions. To me, to the pack I was raised in, that’s what it means and no one gave a damn who fucked whom, as long as it was consensual and everyone was of adult age.”

  Aaron nodded, the crinkly hairs on Valen’s chest scraping his cheek. “That, then. Gay. No one else is in our village. I had an uncle who was, though, so Father understands. He said where he came from, they were like your pack. No one cared. He said he’s been wrong to just keep blindly following rules when the rules aren’t for everyone. It… Hearing him say that, it took a lot of the darkness out of my head. I don’t feel like I’ll be all alone because of who I am.”

  “You wouldn’t be regardless,” Valen whispered. “I would—will—be here for you.”

  Aaron shimmed a little closer. “Will you teach me more about sex? Are you going to stay with me in the village?”

  Valen laughed, then said, “Yes to the first, definitely. Most definitely.” He squeezed Aaron’s butt. “Staying in the village, I don’t know. There’s the issue of clothing. I’m supposed to be finding my own territory and establishing my pack. I have two members now.”

  “Two?”

  Valen nodded at him. “Rivvie, and you.”

  “I’m not a shifter,” Aaron prote
sted. “I’m—”

  “Mine,” Valen rumbled before kissing Aaron again. He also ran his hand down to cup Aaron’s bulging cock through his pants.

  Aaron was dimly aware of being moved, shuffled backwards. Then his back was against something hard and lumpy—a tree, he realized as Valen began nibbling along his jaw.

  Valen kept up the pressure on Aaron’s dick, too, rubbing, squeezing, providing friction. When he began to work Aaron’s pants open, Aaron tipped his head back, panting, so close to release already that he should have been embarrassed. He wasn’t.

  “You have a pretty dick, honey,” Valen said right before he fisted it. “Very pretty.” He raked his teeth over one of Aaron’s nipples through his thin shirt.

  “Oh, gods, Valen, do that again!” Aaron grabbed onto Valen’s shoulders. “Please!”

  Valen did something better. He bit Aaron’s nipple, not hard at first. Then he increased the pressure, biting until Aaron moaned and begged for more.

  His other nipple was pinched and plucked. The pleasure was almost too much. Valen had his mouth on the right one, his fingers on the left, and his other hand jacking Aaron’s cock.

  Aaron keened as his balls shot his cum out through his dick.

  Valen dropped to his knees, moaning as he caught the second shot of seed in his mouth.

  Aaron could do nothing other than writhe and try to breathe. When he finally calmed, he opened his eyes and saw Rivvie standing a few yards behind Valen, holding the leather satchel.

  Valen turned his head and unless Aaron was hearing wrong, he growled at his brother, sounding like a wolf and nothing like a man.

  Rivvie cackled and seemed unbothered by Valen’s pique.

  Valen stood slowly, dragging his body against Aaron’s. Then he tucked Aaron’s cock away and fastened his pants.

  “Don’t be mad at me, Val. I think it’s cute how you two can’t be alone without humping.”

  Valen mouthed ‘sorry’ to Aaron then dropped a quick kiss on his lips. He turned around. “Rivvie, stop talking unless you’re going to say something that doesn’t embarrass Aaron.”

  Rivvie sighed dramatically. “Man, I can’t say anything after this because he blushes all the time. It’s almost as cute as you two being all horny-gropey.”

  “Can you still see the smoke?”

  As soon as Valen asked the question, Rivvie’s amusement vanished. “Yes, I can. It’s growing fainter, though. Can’t smell it now.” He set the bag down. “Here comes Walter.”

  Aaron knew he was going to blush all over the second his father looked at him. He smelled of sex and Valen’s lips were swollen and darker than usual. Walter wasn’t an idiot. He’d put one and one together and get two.

  Valen also had an erection that was impossible to miss.

  “Maybe you can put the leather bag over your, er, penis?” Aaron suggested.

  Valen gestured for the bag.

  Rivvie picked it up and tossed it to him.

  “Thanks.” Valen slung it over one shoulder and ducked his head under the strap. The leather satchel covered his erection, much to Aaron’s relief. “Maybe I should invest in some clothes. Should have brought some when I left the pack, but that isn’t our way. I had to leave everything behind except for the gifts from the shaman and the alpha.” Valen fingered a necklace Aaron hadn’t noticed before then.

  “How did I not see that?” He hefted the small pouch in his hand. “What’s in it?”

  “You didn’t see it at first because it was dark out, and when morning came, we were busy. Then we parted.” Valen wrapped his hand around Aaron’s. “Today when I shifted, the pouch was on the back of my neck. It’d gotten turned around when I was a wolf.”

  “How’s it big enough to go around your neck when you’re a wolf?” Aaron measured the leather thong holding the pouch. “It’s not wide enough to fit you then.”

  Valen hitched one shoulder up. “Magic, I guess. Our shaman is very powerful.”

  Aaron had heard that word before. “What’s a shaman?”

  Valen explained briefly, then Walter was almost to them. He rode his own mount and led Aaron’s favorite, Tentin. Aaron couldn’t help noticing the flicker of awe that raced over Valen’s features when he looked at the horses.

  “You can touch her,” Aaron offered, taking the reins from his father. “Tentin is gentle. She’s sure-footed and fast, too, but gentle is why I love her.”

  “Can I pet her too?” Rivvie asked, warily stepping forward.

  “Sure.” Aaron was bemused by the cautiousness and amazement these big men were exhibiting, although caution was proof of their wisdom. It wasn’t smart to be aggressive when facing an animal bigger than they were, especially when it was obvious that neither Rivvie nor Valen had any experience with horses.

  “She’s a quarter horse-mustang mix, we think. She’s a liver chestnut, which is rare,” Aaron added as the brothers tentatively touched her neck. “Tentin likes to be scratched behind the ears, and stroked anywhere.”

  Tentin nickered softly as if to agree with him.

  Walter added, “She’s a bit of an attention lover, Tentin is. Wish we could breed her. We would, except that she never comes into season. Guess there’s only room for one beautiful mare like her in the world.”

  Valen’s smile was so carefree it made Aaron’s chest ache with a resonating happiness. “Her hair is so soft,” Valen observed.

  “And warm. Wow, she’s a powerful beast.” Rivvie fingered her mane. “I’m surprised she isn’t scared of us. A lot of other animals are. You won’t find any pet cats in our pack, and we don’t even eat them.”

  “Some dogs, though,” Valen said. “Others are terrified of us even when we’re like this instead of wolves.”

  “Tentin is smart, and very calm.” Aaron took a step then realized he’d dropped his cane at some point. “Oh, could you get that for me?” Bending down might not be the best thing for him to do if he wanted to be allowed to go with Valen and Rivvie. There was a chance he might not be able to stand back up.

  Valen gave him a knowing look but didn’t say anything. He strode over to where the cane lay then picked it up and brought it to Aaron. “Do you need help getting up?”

  “He does but he won’t say so,” Walter grumbled. “His knee could have used a few stitches. Would have gotten them too if Aaron hadn’t refused.”

  “The last person who was stitched up by Vestus Luedke died from blood poisoning, Father. I’d rather have an ugly scar.” Aaron might have considered dying before, true enough. But he wouldn’t want to suffer for a week before passing. He was also trying to work out in his head if his down moods were based on something inside himself, or his preconceived notions about what would happen to him should his secret desires be discovered.

  They were more than desires, he now knew. They were needs, and it was the way he was built. And maybe being different didn’t make him a freak. Maybe, like with Tentin, he could be special though not beautiful like she was. Kind and calm as she was, and accepting of himself.

  Besides, Valen was like him, and there was an undeniable confidence and strength in Valen. Aaron wasn’t too sure about Rivvie, not where his interests lay or what he was truly like. Rivvie was loyal to Aaron, which counted for something.

  “Are you going to let me help you up?”

  Aaron blinked at Valen. He had a feeling that wasn’t the first time Valen had asked. “Sorry. My mind wandered.”

  Valen winked at him and Aaron’s jaw dropped.

  Which got him another wink and a pat on the butt.

  Walter cleared his throat.

  Valen smirked. “Sorry if it bothers you, Walter. Aaron is mine, and I intend to touch him often.”

  Walter scrunched his nose up as he grimaced. “Just try not to be too grabby with him in front of me or Anita, please. It’d be similar to you seeing your parents getting, er, friendly.”

  Rivvie made a gagging sound. “That’s disgusting and disturbing.”

  “Point
taken.” Valen touched Aaron’s hip. “How do I help you up?”

  Aaron liked that Valen could ask questions when he didn’t know how to do something. He talked Valen through the mounting, then beamed at him once seated properly in the saddle.

  “Be careful, son,” Walter said. He looked as if he’d aged a few more years since their talk earlier.

  Aaron nodded to his father then watched him turn his horse around and ride off.

  Rivvie watched him, too. “He seems like a good father.”

  Valen rested a hand on Rivvie’s arm then patted him. “So is ours, but all parents are fallible. They make mistakes and sometimes that means they say things they shouldn’t.”

  Aaron wondered what that was about. He didn’t ask. If Valen wanted him to know, he’d tell Aaron. Or if Aaron couldn’t let go of his curiosity, he could at least wait to be nosey until Rivvie wasn’t listening in.

  “We’ll stay on or near a pathway you can ride on,” Valen said. He stepped away from Tentin. “Perhaps it’d be best if we shifted in the forest, and you followed us after a minute or two. You said Tentin is calm. However, having two wolves appear right by her might be too much for her to handle.”

  “Possibly,” Aaron agreed. He wanted to believe Tentin wouldn’t panic on him, though it wasn’t worth risking a broken neck over. “Okay. I’ll wait until you give me a sign.”

  Rivvie started jogging off. “I’ll bark!”

  Valen followed his brother, then passed him, both men running full out by the time they reached the forest.

  Aaron turned Tentin away, lest she spotted them shifting. She’d surely smell the wolves in the forest, and after, when they came to the flat lands on the other side of it. At least they were skirting the mountain. Aaron didn’t know how, but he was certain they would. He’d never been out any farther than he’d gone the night he’d stolen Valen’s bag, so he was excited.

  That didn’t mean he wasn’t worried for Valen and Rivvie. He hoped that nothing bad had happened to their father or former pack. Maybe there was just a fire, or something was burned purposefully.