Gareth finally came to rest, muzzle snuggled in Sochar's warmth. So fine. So strong. His mate.
Sochar was rumbling, sounds happy and lazy and good.
When winter came, they would be always with the pack. Perhaps today should simply be their own. He yawned, snuggled in. Yes. Their own.
A nap, first. Then, a day to play.
***
They had played all day, chased and run and nipped and howled and loved. Now they were returning to the pack and Sochar didn't know what to do
Would he be allowed to stay at Gareth's side? Would he be expected to stay back? Would Gareth acknowledge him as mate? Would anyone challenge that? He whined softly, pressing closer to Gareth while he still could. Gareth nuzzled him, that low growl still proud, still naming him mate.
He barked happily, picking his feet up high.
The guards watched them, muzzles dipping for Gareth, the pack slowly gathering, soft yelps and barks filling the air. Gareth searched out his dam, blue eyes shining at her. Sochar raised his head, staying close, letting his shoulder rub against Gareth's flank. His instincts were telling him to be ready, to take down anyone who challenged his place next to Gareth.
Greta, the Alpha female and Gareth's sibling, snarled low, tossing her head. Her mate was Tamm, a strong second, often challenging Gareth for Alpha.
Gareth bared his teeth, the warning growl sharp. He bared his own teeth, growling as deeply as he could, adding his voice to Gareth's.
He could smell the surprise, the shock as the pack realized what this meant.
He gave a sharp bark, proud and full of love. Mine. My mate. My Gareth. His mate responded, agreed. Mate. Mine.
His.
It made him feel ten feet tall, made him feel like the strongest in the pack, able to take down an ox all on his own.
Greta made to snap at him, growling, threatening, and his dam snarled at her, both females backing off as Gareth barked.
He worked to contain his quivering, but it was hard. He didn't entirely understand the dynamics, had to fight his urge to jump forward and protect Gareth instead of letting Gareth speak for them both.
Gareth slowly shifted, standing proud and strong and tall amongst them. "He is my ves'tacha. He will share my home when he is ready. There will be none other."
He gave a bark, licking at Gareth's hand, rubbing his head against Gareth's thigh, the warm skin so different against him compared to the magnificent pelt Gareth wore in wolf form.
The long fingers stroked his ears, his head. It did not surprise him when Greta shifted, glaring. "He is a pup, a male. You have a responsibility to the pack."
"He is full-grown, he hunts with the pack."
Gareth's fingers felt so good on him, it was hard to concentrate, to pay attention. He wanted to go back to playing, to gamboling through the grasses and pouncing his mate. He gave a bark though, backing up what Gareth said. He was a good hunter, willing to learn to be even better. He had run beside Gareth when they took down the ox.
"You need a female. Fransi is of age and fine. Mating with him denies us two males."
Gareth rolled his eyes. "As if there is a lack of randy males."
He chuffed and snorted, turning to lick Gareth's hip. His Mate's human skin tasted good, salty and not as sharply musky to his wolf's nose. The argument continued, the words token and pointless, the important thing the scent of need on his mate's skin, the hand on his fur. Gareth tasted very good, and he licked at his Mate's groin, rumbling happily as the scent was stronger there. It was even stronger behind and he licked along Gareth's buttocks, searching out the strong musk.
Gareth's words faded, the blue eyes focused on him, dancing, laughing. "The bond is too new to waste on fighting with you, Greta. We are going to our cabin, yes, Sochar?"
He barked and licked Gareth's buttocks again and then bounced a few steps away before coming back and licking at Gareth. Wasn't Gareth going to come? Was he supposed to shift? Hurry, he wanted to explore the smells!
The Alpha's cabin was distant from the others, a nice building made of wood and peat and he wanted to see inside, wanted to know. Gareth led him in, the huge hearth and pillows strewn about it the focus of the room. It was a place for man or beast to be comfortable and he examined it thoroughly, smelling and tasting everything before going back to Gareth and resuming his tasting and smelling of his mate.
Gareth spread out on a huge cushion, relaxed and open for him. He sniffed and licked thoroughly, going back to Gareth's cock, balls and ass, as those had the most interesting smells, the strongest sense of Gareth.
"Curious..." The word was growled, Gareth moving restlessly, shaft filling.
He barked. Yes, curious. The smells were familiar, but different like this and when he licked at the heat in the crease of Gareth's buttocks, it was strongest, good and so hot. Gareth growled, rubbing against the cushions, panting now for him.
He whined softly, licking Gareth's shaft again, barking at the sharp taste that leaked from it now. Gareth's fingers stroked his head, hips jerking, cock bobbing with the motion. He whimpered, that touch from Gareth's human fingers so good, and set to licking the long shaft some more, being careful with his teeth as he searched for more of that sharp Gareth flavor.
More or less careful.
Gareth's sounds were sharp, needy; his name had never sounded that way from another's voice. Encouraged, he continued, alternating between the heady musk behind and the sharp flavor up front.
"You make me want, mate." The words were bitten out, Gareth's eyes rolling.
It didn't sound like a bad thing, so he kept it up, trying to suck on Gareth's shaft, to pull more of the pure flavor out. His teeth scraped a little and Gareth yelped. Yelping himself, he jumped away, backing into a corner, head low.
Gareth rolled onto one side, arms open for him. "Here, pup."
He went slowly, head and belly low to the ground, whimpering soft apologies. Gareth pulled him close, petting him, forgiving him. Happiness rumbled in him, those hands making him feel good. His belly was rubbed, the base of his tail scratched. He yipped and licked Gareth's face, tail wagging hard. Gareth rubbed harder, hands massaging his muscles, melting him deep inside.
He thought hard and shifted into his human form, Gareth's touches sliding over his skin, making him whimper.
"Mate." Gareth's lips slid against his.
"Mate," he whispered, touching Gareth's lips with his not nearly so sensitive to tastes and smells human tongue. Still, he could taste Gareth inside his mouth.
Gareth held him, tongue sliding into his mouth, then backing away, offering him a kiss. He followed Gareth's tongue back into his mate's mouth, whimpering softly. Oh, this was good in a way being the wolf wasn't. This was... softer but deeper, too.
Gareth sucked his tongue softly, then let him in, let him have all he needed. He pushed close, rubbing as he licked the insides of Gareth's mouth. Gareth was rocking, shaft hard against his thigh. He wanted to know suddenly, how that leaking shaft would taste in his human mouth. With a whimper, he tore his mouth from Gareth's and slid down the long, sleek, unfurry body.
Gareth groaned, panting. "Such instincts. Mate."
He rumbled, yipped, licking at the liquid that leaked from the tip. So good, exploding sharply across his tongue, even his puny human tongue could taste this. Looking up, whining softly, he opened his mouth and wrapped it around Gareth's shaft, again trying to suck more of that liquid from Gareth, worried he was doing wrong.
Gareth's face was slack with pleasure, lips parting, breath panting from him. Oh. Oh, he wasn't hurting. It was allowed. Good. He closed his lips around Gareth's shaft and pulled with all his might, sucking hard for more of that flavor. The salty drops exploded on his tongue, male and rich and strong. He sucked harder, wanting more, greedy and needy. His own hips were moving, humping against Gareth's shins.
Gareth's hips began to move, to slide the hard shaft over his tongue. He jerked away at first, surprised.
One hand stro
ked his cheek. "Sorry. You make me need."
He turned his head, licking at Gareth's palm. "I make you need. Me." He gave a sharp human bark and turned back to Gareth's shaft, taking it in his mouth again.
"You." The motions started again, slow, careful, gentle. He whined around Gareth's shaft, encouraging the motions now that he knew what they were, what they meant.
Gareth stretched, growled low. "Mate. Need."
Pleasure moved through him, that he made Gareth feel that way. Him. He pulled harder, whimpering every time the hot, sharp liquid dripped onto his tongue. The motions grew harsher, faster, growls constant. It was a little scary, that large shaft pushing into his throat over and over again, but it was exciting, too and he held onto Gareth's thighs and let his mate take his mouth.
He heard Gareth's howl, then seed filled his mouth, hot and salty. He gagged and then swallowed quickly, lapping Gareth's shaft clean of seed once it stopped pouring out. His. His seed.
Gareth whimpered, the sound happy and sated, slumping into the cushions.
He continued to lick and nuzzle at Gareth's cock and balls, searching out the scents and flavors, noticing how much harder it was with his human nose and mouth, but how much more he could feel the heat and silkiness of Gareth's skin.
His hair was stroked, petted. "Ves'tacha."
He whimpered, nuzzling up into Gareth's hand, body vibrating as he rubbed himself against Gareth. Gareth moved down, pulling him into the curve of the muscled body, fingers stroking.
"Mate." He whimpered, hips moving hard.
"Mine." His shaft slid between Gareth's strong thighs. His eyes widened and he looked into Gareth's eyes, yipping as he moved faster.
Gareth squeezed him, giving him the hot press of flesh to work against. He grasped hold of Gareth's arms, holding tight, clinging at the so big feeling coursing through him.
"Yes, mate." Gareth licked his lips, kissed him.
He cried out into Gareth's mouth, seed spraying from him.
Gareth snuggled into him, nuzzling. "You will den here, with me."
Oh. He nuzzled and pushed into Gareth. He could do that.
"My mate." Gareth wrapped around him, holding him.
He nodded. "Yours."
"Be wary of Greta. She does not approve."
"What is she going to do?" He shivered, pushing closer. His Gareth. His.
Gareth chuffed. "Probably try to seduce you."
He pulled back, looking to see if Gareth was joking. Greta was bitch Alpha, almost a second mother to him. To all the pups.
Gareth didn't look like he was joking...
"But she's... " Almost his mother. A female. Old. "Not you."
"No. She is not me." Gareth smiled at him, nuzzling.
He buried his face in Gareth's neck. "You're laughing at me."
"No. I'm happy." Gareth rumbled softly, petting him.
"Oh." He nuzzled Gareth's neck. "I am, too."
"Good. Nap now. Then we will explore further."
He rumbled and settled close. "Yes. Mate."
Gareth licked his lips then morphed, melted into a grey lump. He stroked his fingers through the silver fur and then let go of the human form, joining his mate, lying his muzzle next to Gareth's.
Those icy blue eyes blinked, watched him, then closed, soft snores sounding.
He gave a single bark and settled again, letting his eyes close. He would sleep with his mate now.
***
Greta was skulking and Lynnea rejoicing, the entire pack was in uproar and he?
He was snuggling.
Life was pleasant.
Gareth watched the shadows slip slide down the wall, the afternoon passing as they touched.
Sochar was so happy for each touch, so eager and wanton. And had a pup's capacity for play. Currently it was Gareth's own tail that was the object of Sochar's fascination, the pup stalking and then pouncing. Gareth chuckled, wagging a little harder, teasing a little more.
Sochar whined and barked and pounced again, paws holding his tail still, jaws closing on it. Gareth yelped, turning and nipping, rolling Sochar and making the pup spin. Sochar's paws batted at him, their muzzles knocking together as Sochar whined softly.
He licked and lapped at Sochar, nuzzling in. Peace, mate. Sochar purred softly, body stretching, offering him all of Sochar. It was a gift to Alpha, to mate.
Mine.
He nuzzled, nosing and cuddling in, breathing the heady scent of his ves'tacha. Sochar was full of wriggles and rumbles and little happy whimpers. His muzzle was licked quite often. He growled low, rubbing their muzzles together. Sochar panted, the wriggling beneath him increasing.
He shifted, digging his human fingers in and rubbing that soft pelt. Sochar whined again and licked his face, tail thumping happily.
"Beautiful boy." He growled, watching his mate, his ves'tacha.
Sochar stretched and then morphed, the change easier now, quicker and more fluid.
"Mmm...Hello." He leaned, licked one nipple.
"H...hello!" Sochar arched his back, chest pushing up into his mouth.
"Hungry pup." He nipped, tongue sliding over Sochar's nipple over and over.
Sochar whimpered, body bucking, the hot cock filling and pressing hard against his belly. He licked his way down, drawn by the scent, the heat.
Sochar moaned, hands sliding into his hair. "Oh, Gareth."
Gareth nuzzled, lips wrapping around the tip of Sochar's cock, pulling gently.
"Gareth!" Sochar's voice was shocked, awed.
"Mmm..." He sucked harder, head bobbing.
"Oh! You will make me..." Sochar's hips started to push, cock jerking in Gareth's mouth.
Gareth groaned, sucking harder, pulling at him. Sochar screamed, the pup filling his mouth with seed. He swallowed Sochar down, swallowing hard, drinking his sweet mate down.
Sochar's hands dropped to his head, soft whines sounding. "Gareth, oh. Oh, so good."
He lapped and nuzzled Sochar's cock, growling low. Sochar whimpered, hands tangled in his hair, legs shifting restlessly. He looked up along Sochar's body, admiring; his beautiful mate. Sochar's eyes were on him, wide and full of heat, love.
His tongue tasted all along Sochar's body, just dragging.
"Hot," whispered Sochar. "You make me burn."
"It is what mates do. Make one another burn."
"Do I make you burn, too?" Sochar asked, fingers finally untangling from his hair, moving on his skin.
"You make me ache." He smiled up, licking Sochar's belly, one tight nipple.
Sochar bucked and gasped, pushing into his mouth. "Is that a good thing?"
"It is." He chuckled, bit down. "Very good."
Sochar bucked hard this time, hands grabbing at him. His laugh filled the room, low and rolling, teasing. Sochar's laugh joined his own, long fingers brushing over him.
He morphed, running across the room, tail wagging, tempting, teasing. Sochar laughed and then morphed as well, tripping over his legs as he ran for Gareth.
Yes. He jumped from cushion to ledge, barking and happy. Come. Get me. Sochar followed, hot on his tail. The pup was fast, soon would be faster than him. He twisted and pushed, growling low. He would give his mate a challenge for years -- years -- to come.
Sochar went right into the window and stood for a moment, shaking his head before taking up the chase again. Gareth chuffed, tossing his head, bouncing a little, letting Sochar almost catch him. Again and again the pup got near and again and again he danced away, Sochar snapping at his haunches.
He leapt onto the cushions, rolled, tongue lolling. Sochar pounced him, growling. He chuckled, leaning up to rub and nuzzle. Such a strong mate.
As soon as he began to nuzzle, Sochar returned the caresses, their muzzles rubbing together as soft, eager whines came from the pup. Strength and pure happiness. It was a lovely combination. He told his mate of all the wonders they would find, all the joys they would explore together. The world was vast, their bond bigger still.
Sochar snapped and yelped and howled, promising to always be at his side, to fight with him, Gareth, Alpha, his magnificent mate.
It was all he could want, all he could ask for. All he needed.
Sochar settled with him, curled up close, muzzle on his front paws as their play turned to rest.
Outside his home the pack went about their lives, for today, he and Sochar could leave that behind, leave it outside their door and be just themselves.
Shifting Too Page 25