The mother straightened up, her voice full of pride. Yes, he is. He’s also a hybrid between wolf and fox. He unites the strength of both our breeds. Not that you or your kind would understand that.
My kind?
Yes, your kind. The one that hates the unknown.
I don’t—
Yes, you do. You’re scared of a sweet, innocent child. Now, please let us go so I can at least rescue one of my children.
The pup started to whine. He got up on his hind paws to angle for his mother’s snout with his forepaws. She obliged and bent down her head. The pup licked her snout fiercely, his tail swishing back and forth. All the while, he emitted soft yips.
Tim was surprised by the effect the affectionate and tender gesture had on him. Tears welled up in his eyes. The desire to help protect the pup—or should it be kit?—skyrocketed so fast and high that Tim shook his head to clear it.
A loud howl echoed through the wood. Immediately all audible signs of wildlife vanished. A shocked silence settled over the wood.
The pup scurried behind his mother’s legs, peeking out from behind them. He trembled visibly, his small chest heaving way too fast and his eyes shining even more brightly. It took Tim a second to recognize tears of absolute terror pooling in those beautiful eyes.
The wolf got up with a terrified look on her face. Tim watched her ears, showing her alertness and that she was ready to dash off any second. His gaze darted from her to the small pup who looked at him in a way Robin sometimes did. It was his you’re going to make this okay, right? face.
Do you need help?
The older wolf turned startled eyes at him. She narrowed them while also nudging the pup’s head behind her legs.
So you can kill him?
The pup gasped, then whimpered. Tim’s heart broke a little bit upon hearing those sounds. He was unsure about a lot of things, but he knew for sure he’d do everything in his power to keep that little buddy safe.
No. I could take him somewhere. You could distract the other wolves.
If you’re so keen on helping us out, why don’t you try to fool them?
They're obviously searching for a female wolf carrying her pup. They wouldn’t follow my scent, Tim reasoned.
She stared at Tim. He couldn’t help but shift his weight from foot to foot. Hell, he even dropped his gaze to the ground.
Suddenly, a little head appeared in his peripheral vision. The pup tucked his tail so tightly between his legs that one could think he didn’t have one. Yet, he approached Tim.
The mother called out for her son, not caring about Tim listening in anymore. Jay!
Jay. Tim rolled the syllable around on his tongue, savoring it.
Hey, little one, Tim greeted him.
The pup stopped and blinked at him in obvious bafflement. Then his ears perked up and his tail came out of its hiding place. He didn’t wag it, though, causing Tim to hold his breath.
Hey, big one.
Tim’s eyes widened in surprise. He could hear the pup’s voice. The hybrid pup’s voice, which should be impossible if what he knew was correct.
Tim could even talk to the pup telepathically. How awesome was that? Also, what did it mean? Tim’s confusion didn’t prevent him from lifting his head to look at the other wolf, saying, just a tiny bit smugly, I can talk to him.
Don’t you dare touch him! she hissed.
Mommy! Big one nice. Jay go with him.
No!
She lunged at her baby, grabbed him by the nape of his neck, and ran away in long jumps. Tim took up the chase immediately. He heard the pup crying and shouting at his mother.
Want big one! Want big one!
Tim’s muscles were sore and overexerted. He gritted his teeth and did his best to catch up with the fleeing wolf. He didn’t care much about the wolf, but he needed the pup.
Tim couldn’t explain why he needed the pup; all he knew was that he wanted this little hybrid close. He’d never feel complete without him. Never.
With a grunt, Tim sprinted after the wolf who carried his heart.
Four
TIM’S lungs burned and his feet felt raw, but the distance between him and the other wolf remained. While he jumped over fallen tree trunks and dodged low branches, he wondered if the mother had some kind of supernatural abilities he didn’t.
With growing dread, he watched the wolf jump over a small creek. He was beyond exhausted and feared he wouldn’t be able to follow much longer.
The wolf cried out when she landed on the other side and came to an abrupt halt. She dropped the pup and whimpered in pain. Even from the distance, Tim could see her right forepaw sticking out in a way it wasn’t supposed to.
Tim slowed down, gulping in air in huge chunks, hoping to dispose of some of the burning pain in his chest. The pup danced around his mother, yipping and fussing.
Mommy? Mommy hurt?
The mother glanced at Tim, her amber eyes clouded with pain. Yes, sweetheart. Mommy is hurt.
Unhurriedly, Tim walked into the creek. The cold water felt good on his raw paws, cooling the soreness there. When his breathing became more regular, he asked, Will you take me up on my offer now?
Jay’s eyes glittered in excitement. Cheerfully, he snapped at one of his mother’s ears. She shook her head, which sent Jay sprawling on his belly. Dazed, he looked up at his mother. He asked, I go with big one?
The hurt and love in the mother’s eyes caused Tim’s throat to tighten. Jay didn’t understand how much danger he was in. How could he? He was just a pup—a little kid.
Yes, sweetheart, you’re going with the big one. He’ll bring you to a safe place. Don’t shift before he tells you to, okay? When you’ve shifted, stay in that form. Don’t ever shift again before I tell you to.
Why?
Because I told you so. That’s a good enough reason, Jay. Trust me and obey.
Part of the seriousness of the situation started to infiltrate Jay’s excitement. He lumbered to his mother, his big baby-blue eyes taking in the signs of distress on her face.
Mommy? You come get me soon?
Tim turned his back to them. If the other wolves found the mother, she was dead.
Something sharp stabbed Tim’s heart, and he swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. Where was his mom right now? Why wasn’t he at home, protecting his siblings? Tim sniffed, his emotions getting the better of him.
He knew he should be where he belonged, with his family, not staring at a hybrid pup he didn’t even know. A pup he felt somehow connected to, a pup he needed to protect even if it cost Tim his life. He gulped. What was he supposed to do? He was only thirteen years old, after all!
Jay cowered next to his mother, yipping pitifully. Tim’s heart went out for him, and despite his guilt and inner conflict, his desire to protect Jay won. For the time being, at least.
Will you take him somewhere safe? Jay’s mother asked. The concern in her voice was almost palpable. Surely, she didn’t really trust him, but she also knew she had no other option left but to take this chance.
Yes. How will you find him?
Through his scent. A mother always finds her children by their scent.
Won’t other wolves be able to smell the difference?
No, astonishingly, that has never happened. I don’t think they smell differently to normal wolves. He smells like a wolf in his animal form and he smells solely like a human when he’s human. That could become a problem once people figure out he can shift but doesn’t smell like a wolf in his human form.
Tim frowned, not really getting what she was talking about. Puzzled, he said, He does smell differently to me.
I figured that.
You did?
Yes, but he smells different to you for another reason, which is also why I trust you to keep him safe. I know you’ll protect him with your life.
As Tim walked to the bank at the other side of the creek, where Jay and his mother were, he wondered how she could know all that. He never got around
to asking because he heard a howl in the distance. Shit, they were closing in on them quickly!
Come here, little one.
I no little one. I big.
Despite their situation, Tim and Jay’s mother chuckled, which sounded like a throaty cough in their animal forms. Jay sat on his butt and glared defiantly at Tim. He was sure Jay would sport a huge pout if he were in his human form. Softening his voice, Tim called out for him.
It’s Jay, right? I’m Timothy, but you can call me Tim, like all my friends do. Come here, so I can bring you to a safe place. He added, It's your mother’s wish, Jay.
Sadly, Jay looked up at his mother before he confessed, I scared.
I know, sweetheart, I know. Be a good boy and go to Timothy.
Jay glanced from his mother to Tim and back. To Tim’s great relief, Jay finally got up and walked over to him. Gently, Tim swiped his tongue over the pup’s head, then nuzzled him behind his ears. The scent was even stronger there.
Their surroundings faded as he kept nuzzling, inhaling the scent deeply. Jay reciprocated in kind. His tail wagged in excitement, the bushy tip brushing Tim’s cheeks from time to time.
Timothy! It’s time! Jay’s mother urged.
Tim and Jay jumped apart. Tim nodded. He bent down, picked Jay up by the nape of his neck, and walked back into the creek to cover up his tracks.
Jay let out a sob. Bye, Mommy.
Bye, sweetheart.
Tim suppressed the desire to give his tears free rein and swiftly sloshed through the water, holding his bundle securely in his mouth.
TIM splashed through the water, drenching himself and Jay. At first neither of them complained; then Jay began to squirm.
I cold and wet. I don’t like.
I’m sorry, but we have to hurry and the water will cover up our tracks.
I want Mommy back.
I know.
Where we going?
I don’t know.
Tim decided to step out of the water and set Jay on the ground for a few seconds. His jaw ached from carrying Jay around. Not for the first time, he wondered how old Jay was; it was difficult to gauge.
If he were purely a wolf, Tim would have said he was about the same age as Robin, around a year. That couldn’t be, though, because Jay talked too well already. Since he’d also inherited fox genes, the small build of his body could be misleading.
As soon as Jay’s paws hit the ground, he shook himself vigorously. Drops of water flew everywhere, resulting in Tim closing his eyes so as not to get any of them into his eyes. When the shaking sounds stopped, he opened his eyes again. A laugh sounding very much like a bark erupted from his mouth at the sight in front of him.
Jay’s fur stood in disarray, giving him the appearance of an oversized fluffy ball of hair. Jay tilted his head questioningly to one side.
Why you laughing?
You just look cute.
I always cute.
Tim blinked, taken aback by Jay’s comment for a moment. Jay started scratching himself behind his ear with his left hind paw, completely oblivious to the baffled look from Tim.
How old are you?
Jay stopped scratching, sat on his butt, and proudly pushed out his pristine white chest.
I three years old.
Wow, very impressive. So you are a big boy already.
Yes!
Worriedly, Tim surveyed the woods around them. He heard normal sounds—the scurrying of little feet close to a tree a few inches away, an owl hooting sleepily, leaves rustling. They had gotten rid of their hunters, but for how long, Tim wasn’t sure.
When he looked back at Jay, the pup shivered. His head hung as well as his ears, adding to the look of utter misery. Without consciously moving, Tim walked up briskly to him. Stepping over Jay, he surrounded him, trying to lend a bit of his own body heat.
You wet! Jay complained.
Tim chuckled. Well, I was in the creek too. Doesn’t it feel a little bit warmer than before?
Jay scrunched up his face. A few seconds later, his ears perked up and he stood up on his hind paws to be on par with Tim. Tim bent his head down a little, making it easier for Jay to reach him. The pup pressed his forepaws against Tim’s throat, almost hugging him.
Warmth flooded Tim so abruptly he gasped. Jay, interpreting Tim’s gasp as pain, reacted by swiping his tongue all over Tim’s snout. Warmth spread from Tim’s gut to the rest of his body, chasing some of the coldness away.
Tim wagged his tail excitedly from one side to the other, and a light whimper tore free from his throat. Jay stopped licking and instead rubbed his little head against Tim. Tim caught a soft, contented sigh when he gently nibbled behind Jay’s left ear. Good, so he wasn’t the only one who liked their closeness.
Jay grew more and more excited the longer their nuzzling went on, his whole body wiggling. He could barely prevent himself from toppling over.
Enveloped in that enticing scent, everything around them faded to the background. Tim’s heart soared and his soul reached out. He had never felt so calm, so happy, so utterly content, so complete before. The world suddenly made sense, was a good place, where his life had meaning.
Tim hunkered down on the ground with Jay following suit. Jay curled himself between Tim’s paws, nudging his head repeatedly against Tim’s. He wagged his tail, the tip tickling Tim’s nose with every upward stroke. Mesmerized, Tim watched the white tip until he couldn’t contain himself anymore.
With a playful growl, he lunged at it. Jay squeaked in surprise. Tim snatched at the tip, holding it carefully for a short time before releasing it.
Assessing Tim’s mood quickly, Jay stood up. Deliberately, slowly, he waved the tip of his tail in front of Tim’s eyes, then brushed it over Tim’s sensitive nose. Tim yelped in surprise and delight, which elicited a cackle from Jay.
Squealing happily, Jay dashed away, with Tim right on his heels. He allowed the pup to believe he could outrun Tim for some time. When Jay chose a fallen tree trunk to climb up and strut on, his chest all puffed up arrogantly, Tim shook his head.
A second later, he held the still-cackling pup in his mouth. After carrying him over to a secluded space under a bush he had spotted on their arrival, Tim carefully released Jay’s neck. Jay seized the opportunity to crawl up on him, his tiny paws barely making an impression on Tim.
Geez, Jay was really a lightweight! Even Robin’s paws made more of an effect on Tim when he climbed up on him.
A sting at his right ear evoked a surprised yelp of pain from Tim. Hey! You’re one cheeky little rascal!
I no rascal. I foxy wolf.
Tim’s light mood evaporated. Jay had just brought the harsh reality back with a sledgehammer. Tim stared at the small body sprawled on top of his back, already making himself ready for another attack on Tim’s ear.
Whoa! No more biting, rascal.
I no—
I know what you are, and you are a rascal.
Jay stopped his movements, choosing to silently glance at Tim. He lowered himself fully onto Tim’s back. Turning sad eyes on Tim, he asked hesitantly, You mad?
No! God, no, I’m not mad. Come down.
Why? I like here. You soft.
Tim’s heart lurched abruptly in his chest. How could so few words have such an effect on him? Why did his heart feel like it might burst out of sheer love at any moment?
Tim inhaled sharply when it struck him what he had just thought. Love. He loved that little guy. Oh Christ! The scales fell from his eyes as realization finally hit him full force.
He had found his mate.
His mate who was a hybrid, and to top that, he was three years old: a child, a really young child. Shocked, Tim craned his head to stare at the small pup nestling comfortably on top of him. How was this supposed to work out?
Five
TIM’S heart stumbled for a few beats. Carefully, he rolled onto his side, and Jay immediately climbed back on top of him, staring down at him with trustful eyes.
How could t
his be possible? His mate was ten years younger and male. He knew about the mating ritual between wolves; or at least he knew it was deeply sexual. His stomach revolted as he thought about doing anything remotely sexual to his mate. This was, after all, a tiny pup, barely more than a toddler in his human form.
But as long as they didn’t mate, their bond would be weak, destroyable. Telepathic communication was only possible when they were close, and any other wolf could claim Jay, or Tim, for that matter, as his.
Tim swallowed convulsively—he wasn’t ready for any of this! He had just gotten used to the idea of being attracted to boys. He hadn’t acted on his feelings so far because he felt way too young to gather experience in the sexual department.
Tim trembled from the effort of sucking in air. Closing his eyes, he laid his head tiredly on the ground. Maybe… maybe there was a solution to how they could remain close. There had to be one.
The thought of being without Jay hurt. Tim's heart beat painfully hard, his stomach knotted together, and a pitiful mewl escaped his mouth.
Jay hastily slid down from Tim’s body.
You hurt?
I….
Timothy?
Tim opened his tear-filled eyes slowly. He couldn’t bring Jay home with him. Jay would be in danger of being hunted and killed, and Tim couldn’t let that happen. The only other chance was to bring Jay to a safe place and claim him later. Much later.
How Tim was supposed to survive for more than a decade, or, more likely, two decades, he couldn’t fathom.
He’d probably be long dead before that. He’d heard mates weren’t equipped to be without each other for more than a few days, maximum, before they grew irritable. Depression, suicide, or destructive and aggressive behavior occurred in these circumstances.
At least when they were mated it was like that. How it would be for them when they had found each other but couldn't fulfill the mating ritual, Tim didn’t know.
Trembling all over, Tim’s mind whirled with the prospect of a future full of torture, pure agony when just a few minutes ago the world had been full of joy and happiness.
Secret Chemistry (Shifters) Page 3