The Crime of Protection

by Gloria Martin

  “We should move,” Micah said, walking down the steep hill.

  “You heard the man. Want a piggy back ride?” Brutus asked, winking at Mia.

  Mia smirked at him and followed Brutus down the hill. Mia was not a delicate woman. She knew the woods because of her and her dad’s many hiking trips. Now that her adrenaline had subsided and her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she would be fine. There was still the matter of not losing daylight later. It was nighttime and if they marched on all night, it would throw off their sleep schedule.

  “Should we get some rest before the sun comes up? I don’t want to be sleepy in the morning,” Mia said, catching up with Micah.

  “No,” Micah said. His handsome face was contorted into a scowl.

  “Are you always so charming?” Mia asked, scoffing.

  A slight smile spread on his face, but he quickly composed himself.

  “Oh, so your friend can smile?” Mia asked, looking at Brutus.

  Brutus had a face-splitting smile on his handsome tanned face. His disposition seemed a lot more kind than Micah’s. Micah seemed to have a chip the size of a mountain on his shoulder and was leading the way. When he wasn’t scowling, he was sniffing the air and making slight adjustments left or right. Brutus seemed content with following Micah.

  “Where are we even going?” Mia asked, speeding up to keep up with Micah.

  “Eventually North Carolina. Far enough away from the pack we will sleep, but not now,” Micah said, stopping dead in his tracks.

  “I smell it. Be right back, gorgeous,” Brutus said, collapsing on all fours.

  His body bent and twisted until he was covered in fur and was back to being a large, tawny wolf.

  “What? What’s happening?” Mia asked, backing into Micah.

  “We have company. It’s just dinner. Calm down,” Micah said, smirking at her.

  “Oh. Do I even want to know what’s on the menu?” Mia asked.

  “Venison. You can let go of my arm now,” Micah said with humor laced in his voice.

  Mia looked up to see she had both her arms around Micah’s defined bicep.

  “Oh, sorry. I’m just freaking out. I’m usually a lot better than this,” Mia said.

  “Look, I think you’re doing fine. It’s not personal. It’s the animal instinct thing. I just want us to get to safety. Brutus is my best friend, but he’s a goofball. I’ve gotta keep him straight,” Micah said, wincing.

  “I see. Well, you two together seem to be doing alright. Thank you for saving me.”

  “Don’t mention it. We would have saved your friends too if we had more time.”

  Mia nodded, understanding.

  “What are you two even doing here? Why are any of your kind here?”

  “Most wolves roam. It’s usually to avoid humans, or for food, or for fun.”

  “Fun? I can’t exactly imagine you having fun. You seem…stiff.”

  Micah whipped his head around to look at her and he seemed affronted.

  “I’m fun!”

  Mia laughed, amused by how angry he got by her simple observation.

  “Brutus seems fun. I mean you’re cute, but you need to lose the serial killer face.”

  Micah went to speak but the sound of rustling in the underbrush drew their attention. Brutus was behind them holding a large buck by the neck.

  “Um, I’m assuming we’re cooking it,” Mia said, swallowing nervously.

  *****

  Mia sat around the fire with Micah and Brutus. Both men were looking at the cooked meat with downturned expressions.

  “Try it. You might like it,” Mia said, picking at her cooked chunks of venison.

  “It’s so dry. Where’s the blood?” Micah asked, sniffing the meat in his hands.

  “No blood. Blood is weird and not good for you. If I had some seasoning it would be even better,” Mia said, chewing on the last of her share.

  “It’s too dry,” Brutus said.

  “Next time, leave mine raw,” Micah said.

  Mia rolled her eyes and inched closer to the fire.

  “You cold?” Brutus asked, rubbing her shoulders.

  It felt good and it helped reduce the chill that felt like it had sunk into her bones. She could not help but take in Brutus’s smell. He smelled so masculine and woodsy. Mia was sure this is how nature intended for men to smell. His body was also radiating heat. Mia inched closer to him and cautioned a look up at Micah who was watching them.

  “I think we’re making Micah jealous,” Brutus whispered in Mia’s ear.

  Mia smirked and looked up at Micah again. Micah shifted uncomfortably, but did not say anything.

  “So what’s the plan?” Brutus asked loudly.

  “I thought it was for you two to make out,” Micah said bitterly.

  “Hey, I’m right here,” Mia said.

  “I think we should sleep up there in the branches. We will sleep on either side of you so you don’t fall,” Brutus said.

  Mia looked up, craning her neck to see the top of the tall pine tree. It was one of many enormous pine trees in the canopy.

  “Great,” Mia said, feeling a lump in her throat.

  “Are you sleepy?” Brutus asked.

  Mia shook her head. Her nerves were still rattled and she still was not sure what she would be doing to get home. Not the she had a lot going on at home. She worked at a hardware store and besides that spent her days mountain biking or hiking. There was not much going on in her life but Cora’s wedding. Mia was the girl who never left her home town and never took chances outside of testing out a new bike trail.

  “Mia? Did you hear me?” Brutus asked, squeezing her hand.

  “What? Oh, no. I can’t sleep yet. Still thinking about Cora’s wedding,” Mia said.

  “I see,” Brutus said.

  “Maybe I don’t remember how this human stuff works, but why is Cora not here?” Micah asked.

  “She doesn’t like the woods,” Mia said, shrugging.

  “Still, shouldn’t she be here with her bridesmaids?” Brutus asked.

  “She’s the bride. She can do what she wants,” Mia said absentmindedly.

  “Do you have a cell phone?” Micah asked.

  “I’m surprised you even know what that is,” Mia said, patting her pockets, “I must have dropped it back when that other wolf was chasing me. Great.”

  “Well, we can stick together for now I guess,” Micah said.

  “Hey, what’s you guys’ story anyway? I mean, how did you became like this?” Mia asked.

  Brutus looked at Micah and nodded.

  “We’re born this way. When we become old enough for human middle school our parents give us the option of joining humans or staying in the wild. Teen boys can’t stay in the pack because it’s competition for the alpha. I tried the human world, but it wasn’t for me,” Micah said, throwing his cooked venison into the fire.

  “What he said,” Brutus said, nudging Mia.

  “Interesting. So, you two live out here?” Mia asked, scanning the forest.

  “Yep,” Micah said.

  “Enough boring talk. We should play a little game,” Brutus said, clapping his large hands together.

  “You want to play a game after the night we’ve had?” Mia asked, raising an eyebrow at Brutus.

  “Why not?” Brutus asked, pursing his lips, “Look, Mia, we live this everyday. People live and die. Animals live and die. In fact, around the world people are dying horrifically right now. It’s the circle of life. That being said, let’s play truth or dare,” Brutus said, rubbing his hands together.

  “Oh boy,” Micah said.

  “What?” Mia asked, looking at Micah.

  “He’s just looking for an excuse to kiss you,” Micah said, scoffing.

  “Hey! Way to ruin it, man,” Brutus said, throwing a rock at Micah.

  Micah dove out of the way and laughed.

  “Well, is that how werewolves meet were-women? You play truth or dare and that actually works?” Mia ask
ed, giggling.

  Truthfully, it was so flattering to even have Brutus take the extra effort with the game. They were both very hot. She would have kissed either, no truth or dare needed.

  “In our world we just go for it,” Micah said.

  “Just go for it?” Mia asked.

  “Yea. There is no awkward humanness,” Brutus said, caressing her cheek. “Just instinct.”

  Mia leaned into his hand and decided she wanted to take on some of the werewolf way of life. Mia leaned in and kissed Brutus. He was stiff at first, but then he cupped her face. Mia felt his tongue swimming into her mouth. Mia climbed onto his lap, kissing him deeper.

  “Looks like you have some werewolf in you,” Brutus said, pulling off Mia’s shirt.

  “I’ll give you two a minute,” Micah said, walking away.

  “No, stay,” Mia said, turning to face him.

  All that was on Mia’s mind was the conversation she and the ladies had before the wolf attack. She may never have this experience again. She may not even live through the night. She may never even find another person in the world that even believed she had this moment. If no one would ever believe her, she wanted to smile every time she thought about this.

  “You heard the lady,” Brutus said, kissing Mia’s neck and breast.

  Brutus pulled her bra off and teased her nipples with his tongue and fingers. Micah walked over and stood behind Mia.

  “I’ll be back,” Mia said, kissing Brutus quickly.

  Mia turned around and kneeled in front of Micah. She looked up at him and nervously unzipped his pants, keeping her eyes locked on him. Something on his stony face was softening and something in his pants was hardening. Mia pulled his jeans down and held his long, thick cock in her hand. She wanted to know she could have an effect on this stone-faced man. She slipped his dick in her mouth and sucked slowly. Micah swayed on his feet and his hands found her hair. He guided himself deeper into her mouth. He was swelling in her mouth and moaning.

  “Stop, Mia. I’m going to come,” Micah said, stepping backward.

  “That’s fine,” Mia said, feeling braver.

  “I’ve got an idea. Lay down Micah so the lady doesn’t hurt her knees. God, I’m gonna bust my load just looking at you two,” Brutus said, pulling off his jeans.

  Micah lay on his back and Mia eased out of her shorts and panties. Mia crawled between Micah’s legs stroking his dick in her hands.

  “Spread your legs, Mia,” Brutus said, rubbing her ass.

  Mia obeyed and started sucking on Micah’s dick again. He tasted so good, and the sounds of Micah melting under every stroke of her tongue just made her pussy wetter.

  “Look at me, baby. Let me see those eyes,” Micah said, sitting up to watch Mia.

  Mia licked his thick shaft, sucking deeper. He was all hers.

  “Perch your ass up, Mia,” Brutus said, stroking Mia’s pussy with his fingers. Mia lifted up so that Brutus had better access. She almost gagged on Micah’s dick when she felt Brutus’s dick plow into her. He was huge, stretching her and filling her pussy. She was soaking for both of them

  “It’s okay, baby,” Brutus said, rubbing her ass and grinding slowly into her, “just suck him. I got you.”

  Mia ground her hips into Brutus’s full dick, taking all of him. She took all of Micah in her mouth and felt heat build in her pussy. She was going to come hard. Brutus slapped her ass hard and it sent her over the edge. Her orgasm sent chills all over her body. It must have radiated to Micah because he came on her tongue in a sweet and salty mixture that she swallowed gladly. Brutus came after, collapsing backward with a deep sigh.

  “Does this make me an unofficial werewolf now?” Mia asked, collapsing on Micah’s chest.

  Micah seemed relaxed and was drawing circles on her naked back.

  “You keep that up and I may just keep you as my pet,” Micah whispered in her ear.

  Mia looked up and he was smiling, but something inside of her wanted him to ask her.

  *****

  Mia, Brutus and Micah climbed the tree after killing the camp fire. Mia was instantly freezing and was grateful to be riding up on Micah’s warm, broad shoulders. She held on tight as Micah hopped from branch to branch.

  “You okay?” Micah asked, swinging up higher.

  Mia tightened her grip around him and pinched her eyes closed.

  “I’ll take that as a no,” he laughed, hopping up to a thick, flat branch.

  Micah squatted low so that Mia could dismount. She climbed off of him, trying hard not to look down to the one hundred feet that was now below them.

  “We should get some rest,” Brutus said, pulling himself up.

  “Agreed,” Mia said, laying down on the branch.

  “Shouldn’t one of us keep look out?” Micah asked, sniffing the air.

  “Nope. With that nose of yours we should be fine. Besides I’m tired. Sex with a beautiful woman and climbing giant trees means nap time for me. See you two in the morning,” Brutus said yawning.

  “I’m gonna have to side with Brutus on this one,” Mia said, looking up to Micah.

  Micah was wearing a stern expression and pursing his lips.

  “No one else think it’s weird?” Micah asked, leaning back on the tree.

  “What?” Brutus asked, rolling over.

  “That Cora didn’t come on the trip,” Micah said.

  “Not really,” Brutus said, “since when do you care about human parties?”

  “Weddings aren’t just parties to humans. It’s important. It’s a huge deal. I remember when I tried to live with them I had a neighbor whose daughter was getting married. The bridesmaids and bride did everything together. It’s just weird to me,” Micah said, furrowing his brow.

  Mia thought long and hard about it still not finding anything suspicious about Cora’s decision.

  “Well, what’s she like? Cora, I mean,” Brutus asked.

  “To be honest, I can’t say I know her all that well anymore. We were best friends in high school and then she went off to college and then we only spoke during summers. I’m not gonna lie, I was shocked when she asked me to be in the wedding,” Mia said.

  “Interesting,” Micah said, leaning his head back.

  He seemed to be chewing over the whole thing with much difficulty. It was like watching him eat the cooked venison all over again.

  “You’re overthinking it, man,” Brutus said, using his hands as a pillow.

  “This park is huge. We passed even bigger groups of campers. Why did they attack Mia’s friends?” Micah asked, pointing a finger at Mia.

  “It was probably an opportunity kill,” Brutus said, waving Micah off and yawning.

  Micah huffed and lay beside Mia. To Mia’s surprise he threw his arm around her and pulled her close.

  “Sorry. Do you mind?” Micah asked. “I just figured you’d be cold.”

  “No, it’s fine. It’s nice to not have to ask. I’m freezing,” Mia said.

  Brutus snored quietly in the background with his back facing them.

  “I guess you wore him out,” Micah teased, kissing the top of her head.

  Mia laughed, snuggling closer.

  “It was—fun. I’d never done something like that before. I just sort of went on instinct,” Mia said, feeling her cheeks get hot.

  “Yea? I’m impressed. It was…good. To say the least. I miss you already,” Micah said, kissing the top of her head.

  Mia leaned up and looked at him. His hard face seemed softer as he watched her.

  “I guess we do need to separate at some point, don’t we?” Mia asked, feeling a knot in her stomach.

  “I guess so. A pretty girl like you doesn’t need to be roaming for hundreds of miles with no shelter, and no assurance of food or safety. I would never want that for you.”

  Mia felt affronted. Why was Micah choosing anything for her? She hated when men did that. It made her furious when they came to conclusions without ensuring the women in their life were on the sam
e page.

  “Do I get a say in that?” Mia hissed back.

  “Huh? I don’t know what you mean.”

  “My life. You can’t just say what I would and would not do. I mean you don’t even know me. This trip into the dark and scary woods was my idea, you know?”

  “Keep it down, love birds,” Brutus groaned, putting his hands over his ears.

  Mia and Micah went quiet and the silence stretched on between them. Mia pulled out of Micah’s hold and inched away. She instantly felt cold.

  “Come back, Mia. You’ll freeze to death. I only want you safe.”

  “Why?” Mia asked, sitting up, “You’re cold to me Mr. Grumpy Face, and you’re accusing one of my oldest friends of something so, so horrific!”

  “You just said you barely knew her!” Micah said, sitting up.

  Mia huffed, and slumped her shoulders.

  “You sound like you have a theory about her,” Mia said.

  “You promise you won’t get mad?”

  Mia narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms.

  “I’ll take that as a no.”

  “Fine. Go ahead,” Mia said, stiffening.

  “It’s just a gut feeling. So again, don’t get mad. You…you don’t feel like you guys were set up?”

  Mia felt like she was being hit over and over with a bag of bricks. She was not sure what was worse, the accusation or the fact that Micah, a man she was so attracted to, would accuse a friend of hers of something so malicious. Mia could not understand why Micah’s mind would go down such a dark path. Was this a sign of how Micah’s mind worked? Did he just assume the worse in people?

  “What’s the matter with you?” Mia asked.

  She was in disbelief.

  “Nothing. I’m just—I’m a predator. I hunt a lot, but I’ve also lived with humans for a while. I know I’m not the softest guy, but…but I care about your safety. I feel a connection with you, but I can’t let that feeling, whatever it is, get in the way of my instincts.”

  Mia was trying to process what he was saying. She was feeling the same way about him, but she did not know if she could get past how superstitious he was being.