by BA Tortuga
They were, though. They were now. He needed them, crazy as it was.
Riana stared at him, unblinking, but as soon as he looked at her, she looked away. That became a game in itself, him looking away, her staring, him catching her at it. She knew how to play.
She started vibrating a little, but she stayed close, trusting him not to bite. Canyon rumbled happily; Riana had more courage than she thought.
He caught her eyes again, and admired her. Such a pretty lady.
She growled softly. Freaks. We’re freaks.
But you’re my freaks now. Hell, as far as the real world was concerned, he was a freak.
He dared to lean forward, nose on her muzzle. Wend woke, chirruped softly, offered that white belly.
Mmm. Canyon sniffed deep, then turned to Wend to nuzzle, taking what was his right—soft fur covered smooth skin. He let them hear his happy rumble.
Wend stretched and chuffed, and Riana curled into herself, watching them silently. She was so contained, so cautious. Wend was open, like he’d never been hurt, which Canyon knew was bullshit. Still, Wend’s joy was like a drug. Canyon could hear the song—freedom and light and running and sky. Hope.
He supposed that hope was a commodity that had been in short supply in their lives. He was glad to bring some.
Wend rolled over, nuzzled Riana, and she yipped, backed away, then pushed closer. She was so confused. Canyon sighed, moving in on her a little, knowing she needed the physical closeness to help her get used to him.
As soon as they all touched, Canyon jerked, a howl torn out of him. The world spun underneath him, his fur standing on end. His body tried to shift, his wolf just not knowing what to do.
Wend groaned and little Riana yelped, the sound shocked and wild.
Fuck.
Fuck.
He just…what the hell was that?
Two pair of ice blue eyes stared at him. It looked like they didn’t know, either, but the pair sure felt it. Canyon held onto his wolf, but barely.
He wanted to howl, he wanted to dance. Hell, he wanted to rub all over both of them until they smelled like him. They were. His. They needed to carry his scent.
He nosed Wend over, smoothing the soft belly fur. When Riana tried to move away, he stopped her with one paw. Stay.
Wend wiggled, but not to get away. Instead to get closer. Canyon vocalized gently, easing his girl, encouraging her to relax for him. He would make it all right. He would. She panted hard, waves of panic coming from her, but still she stayed. Such a lovely girl. Such a good girl. He couldn’t help but share his thoughts with her.
Wend wagged, tongue slowly moving over her fur, grooming her. The little male was rejoicing with it, too, pleasure ringing in the air. He had the idea that they didn’t get to touch much, if at all. That this was all new.
Who could do that? Keep one of their own so separated? Alone?
The Alpha. That was Riana, her voice so strong.
Crappy Alpha. There’s no way Mesa would have done that, even if he thought those two would be powerful together. No way.
Riana and Wend both laughed, the sound of their chuffing together so sweet, so right.
His tongue lolled with his approval, his happiness. That would end soon enough when he asked them to move again, he was sure.
He thought that Riana would bite him if he suggested it. He leaned down, lapping at her wet, raw paws. She jerked away, trying to cover them with her muzzle, but he knew the doctoring would help, so he kept at her. She whined, but her instincts kicked in—slow but true—and she started cleaning his ears.
Good girl. He worked at her feet until they stopped twitching, showing Wend how to help. It would go a long way toward healing her. Wend groomed her eagerly, then him, seeming almost desperate to touch.
Canyon made a low sound, encouraging, letting Wend know it was okay. Touch was good. The pointed snout moved other him, tongue smoothing his fur.
Lovely wolf.
Sweet boy. They were basking, and he knew it. Time was ticking away, and he could feel it on the back of his neck like a phantom breath. This was important, though, this bonding.
Wend ducked his head and panted, tail wagging.
He rubbed muzzles with both of them, then lifted his head, scenting the wind. Something was coming. He couldn’t smell it, but he knew it. Maybe not now, not even today, but it was coming. Wend growled, and their lady whimpered, the sound small and scared.
Poor babies. He wanted them to feel safe and strong, not be so damned worried. He sighed. It was time to go.
Wend was the one that got Riana moving, even though everything about her protested. That was it. He made little noises, helping as much as he could without pushing. Now. Go now.
Riana’s head hung down, but Wend’s was high, eyes bright, curious. That was where he’d have to concentrate his efforts. Riana would eventually respond to Wend’s high spirits.
Outside. Wend panted. We’re free.
Riana growled softly.
You’ll see, love. Out can be good. He knew she didn’t believe it now. She would.
Her eyes met his, for the barest second, and he could feel her curiosity. From Wend he felt pleasure, joy, and the beginning of desire. Wend was going to be so easy. It was kind of hot, actually.
Wend bumped into him, then nipped at Riana’s flank. What a puppy.
The next time Wend came toward him, Canyon jumped sideways , barking low, encouraging the play.
Wend’s chest went down, back end up. Oh, look at that.
There was always time to play, even as they moved through the trees. Canyon leaped, landing half on Wend’s back before dancing away.
Wend barked happily, spinning around and chasing him, the motions awkward, but there.
Good boy! They romped, Riana watching them like they were crazy.
Wend gnawed on Canyon’s ears for a second before bouncing off, smiling hugely. Canyon chuffed, just happy to be alive.
So pretty, so alive. Wend was a light that his eyes needed to follow. Riana was more of a dimmed glow, one that needed coaxing back out. When she did wake for them, she would be breathtaking.
Canyon went to her, chuffing softly as she backed away. He lowered his head, letting her see he wasn’t a threat. She had to start trusting.
Wend circled her, nuzzled her flank as she whimpered.
That was sweet, and it made her stumble forward a bit, so they touched. All of them.
That light hit him again, square between the eyes, and suddenly he was in human form, staring at an all-too human male and the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
A beautiful woman whose eyes rolled up in her head as she collapsed.
* * * *
“Riana!” Wend scrambled forward a step, grabbed her, her skin seeming so cold for only a second before her pelt was soft and warm again. Still, her eyes didn’t open. “Riana!”
She’d changed.
She’d changed.
He squeezed her, shook her. “Riana!”
“Hey. Hey, now. Here, let me help.” Canyon knelt in front of him, pulling Riana away, letting her lay across his heavy thighs as Wend’s long fingers petted her.
He whined and came closer. “She’s not awake. She changed.”
“She was scared. She’ll be all right. She’s sleeping; let her hide a minute, hmm? It won’t hurt her.” Canyon reached out to him, the touch warm and sure on his bare skin. He moaned, the touch electric, zinging through his body. That was new. So good. Good enough that he lost his words.
“Mmm. Oh, you feel good.” Canyon had words but they sounded rough and a little broken.
He nodded, scooted closer. The ground was cold under his bare knees, but it didn’t matter. Canyon’s heat was like fire.
“I got you both.” That big hand pulled him close, right up against Canyon’s side.
Wend’s body reacted strongly, his cock going full and hard, his hips rolling uncontrollably. “Sorry.”
“Shh. It’s okay, Wend. It
’s okay. This is a good thing.” It felt so good to let Canyon hold him, support him.
Wend leaned in, licked Canyon’s jaw, the flavor so right, so perfect, so he licked again. Canyon tasted different. Salty. Warm.
Turning a tiny bit, Canyon caught his mouth, lips sealing over his. Oh. Oh. The flavor of Canyon crashed over him, left the world spinning behind his eyes. He crawled closer, an ache building in his belly.
Canyon pulled him so tight there was no room between them. One big hand still cradled Riana, holding her so she didn’t slide. The kiss made his head spin, made him want to pant.
They licked each other, growled and moaned into each other’s mouths. Each sound tasted better than the last, and Wend couldn’t stay still. All he could do was rub all over the parts of Canyon he could reach, grunting when Canyon touched him, his thigh and hip, fingers brushing his cock.
Please. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Help me.
I know what you need. Canyon shifted him, easing Riana down on the ground before pushing him back, covering him, teeth on his throat. Wend yelped, head falling back, as his body began to burn, his balls heavy, swollen. Canyon spread his legs, settling heavily between them, rubbing them together like mad.
Wend nodded, the heat and pleasure huge, the sensations wild. He met Canyon’s eyes, pure passion there.
They moved together, Canyon growling, worrying the skin on this neck with those blunt human teeth again and again. It stung, but it made his nipples hard. His cock ached, leaked on Canyon’s belly. Making Canyon wet. Making them smell the same.
Canyon’s prick pushed against his thigh, so hot he thought it might burn him. He’d never touched anyone like this, had never known. Canyon didn’t feel scared, though, or worried. No, Canyon felt exultant, and needy, and perfectly wonderful.
He reached out, stroked Canyon’s jaw, his legs wrapping around Canyon’s hips.
A low moan tore from Canyon’s throat, the man pressing down harder, giving him that whole body to hold against him. The hair on Canyon’s chest rasped his skin, the hard prick against his now.
His mind wasn’t sure what to do, but his body knew, his wolf rejoicing inside him as their bodies danced together. Canyon felt like fire against him, and there was something familiar and primal about the way Canyon shook him.
Heat poured from Wend, his belly tight as his balls emptied, shocking him.
“Oh.” The sound was little more than a whisper, but Canyon was there with him, seed hot and wet on his skin.
He licked at the air, at Canyon’s skin, tasting them together.
“Lovely boy.” Canyon stroked his hair, his neck.
“We. You touched me.” Wend couldn’t stop moving.
“I did. I’m not sorry.” That smile made him want to laugh aloud.
“No. No, not sorry.” Being sorry was silly. Especially now.
“Good.” Canyon’s eyelashes tickled his skin for a moment, those pretty eyes closing. “We should tend to Riana.”
“I can touch her now.” Wend reached over, stroked her ear, eyes rolling as they all came in contact. “Riana.”
“Oh, God.” Canyon shivered, but he did not feel cold at all. “What the hell is that?”
“Us? The three of us.” That was only answer he had.
“Yeah.” Canyon made this amazing noise, happy and yet almost curious. “Yeah, us.”
Riana’s eyes popped open, staring at them both as she rolled to her paws, and Wend just beamed. “Riana. Pretty girl.”
“Hey, lady.” Pushing up, Canyon moved off him, but stayed close, hands on him.
Wend? He heard her deep inside, curious and scared and so lost.
Riana. He smiled at her, petting her, letting him feel his pride and happiness, his love.
Her tail thumped the ground, and she nosed Canyon’s thigh.
He scratched her ears, smiling. “I’m right here, love. Pretty girl.” Canyon was just effortlessly good to both of them.
“She is. She’s so brave.” Wend couldn’t remember a time without her, without knowing she was there.
“Of course she is.” Canyon nodded firmly. It was adorable.
Brave? Her voice was so soft.
Yes. Brave. And you changed.
She snorted, rolled her eyes.
“You did, too! Ask Canyon!”
“You did, love. Then you passed out and went wolfy again.”
Me?
Wend nodded. “You were beautiful.”
Nonsense. She curled up, tail over her nose.
“You were.” Canyon crossed his legs, looking comfortable.
Wend ended up curled in Canyon’s lap, the man wonderfully warm. “You could come sit with us.”
She wrinkled her nose.
“What?” Canyon was laughing, making Wend bounce. “Don’t like the way we smell?”
Riana sniffed, then tossed her head, playing. His girl. Playing. He was so proud of her.
“If you change, you could sit here, too. There’s room.” He wanted to see that again—her pale skin, her curves, her.
“You could,” Canyon agreed. “You’re very pretty as a woman, love.”
Her ears swiveled. I don’t know how.
He looked to Canyon. He didn’t know how either. He just did.
Canyon shook his head. “I’m not sure I can explain it. We’ll talk to the shaman when we get home, I guess. I mean, I just think real hard about being a person.”
Shaman? Wend thought about Beryl, and that led to the one that was with the Alpha, the one trying to having pups, and Riana whimpered, backed away. No. No. They didn’t want that home. No more crates. No more cages.
That panic began to creep up on him again. How was he supposed to care for Riana? Feed her? Keep her safe?
Riana’s eyes rolled, whites showing, and he knew she was listening to him, so he stopped. He would do it. He could.
“Hey.” Canyon touched them both again, rising up to get to Riana. “She’s my sister. It’s okay. The shaman, I mean. She’s good.”
Riana backed away, whining softly, paws sliding on the leaves.
“No. No, love. Please.” He vocalized softly, needing her to calm down.
Canyon sat back. “Her name is Juniper. She has this crazy hair. You’ll like her.”
“Our witch was…She hurt. She would…” He dropped his voice. “She would take Riana away, make her cry. She cut…” He shuddered, the memory raw.
Canyon growled. “No one will do that again.”
“No. No, I will not let them.” He growled, too. As scared as he was, he would not let anyone hurt her. Never again.
Riana’s held tilted, and she scooted closer. Neither Canyon nor Wend pushed her, letting her come to them. She did finally, head down, blowing hard. She leaned into Canyon, muzzle on Wend’s chest, and that jolt of electricity pushed through them. He petted her as she shivered, smoothed her fur. So did Canyon. They both loved her with their hands and voices. Brave girl.
When she relaxed, Wend smiled, met Canyon’s eyes. See? See, they didn’t break her.
No breaking. Canyon smiled back, stroking Riana’s fur.
Wend shivered, the wind getting colder, stronger. “Where do we go?”
“I have a vehicle. If we can just get to it there’s food and water and blankets.” Then home.
He nodded. Food and blankets sounded good. He wasn’t sure about home.
Canyon grinned, looking suddenly so much younger. “You’re going to love it.”
Wend leaned forward, licked Canyon’s nose. “Good.”
“It is. Good. We should keep moving, huh?”
Riana rolled her eyes, sighed dramatically, and Wend chuckled at her muttering. She would get used to it. She was just accustomed to lying in a cage.
She was going to get stronger, every day. He was sure of it. She was so strong. Stronger than she knew; he'd seen it even over the last few hours.
He nuzzled her again, body shifting, changing, going back to his natural form. She
barked, the sound happy and good, nuzzling him.
They wagged together, muzzle to muzzle. His lady. His girl.
Canyon came to them, a wolf once more, licking and praising before woofing softly. Time to go.
Wend woofed, too, and nudged Riana. Off they went.
Chapter Six
By the time she saw the big truck, Riana thought there was nothing left in the world that would scare her. She thought she was too tired, too sore.
Too old.
She was wrong.
Canyon headed to the big truck, shifted back into his man-self and opened it up, getting out clothes and food and talking and laughing and…
And Wend was going over there close to it.
Near the truck.
Trucks were bad.
She stayed in the trees, slowly backing away, keeping her eyes on the vehicle.
Canyon turned, frowning when he saw her. “No, baby girl. You have to come on. It will be warm in there. There’re blankets.”
No. No, she was never getting in one of those again. She would stay.
“Come on, Riana. Please. Just come look and sniff.”
She settled into the leaves, harrumphing. Those were loud, scary. Bad. Bad things. Wend picked his way over, snuffling at her. Laughing at her. She growled low, warning him away. Laughing at her. Those things were bad! Those things took wolves to Bad Places!
Canyon laughed. “They can take us to good places, too. Depends on who’s driving.”
She put her tail over her nose, ignoring them. Laughing at her. Hmph.
Wend moved around behind her before nipping her butt. Just at the base of her tail.
She came out of the leaves snarling, teeth bared as she drove him back. NO!
No more.
No more.
No MORE!
Wend barked, bouncing back, head down and butt up. He thought she was playing.
She snapped and stomped, then spun as she heard Canyon approaching. Canyon the man, who wore clothes that smelled spicy and woody.
The scents confused her, made her stop. Men smelled bad, didn’t they? Except Canyon smelled like pack, and like good food and like Wend.
Riana whined softly, stamped her feet. This was so different. Everything was different.