by GA Hauser
The noise of horse hooves pounding the ground was like a vibration through his cheek and chest.
Then the light vanished and all went silent.
Tickling licking on his cheek made Roman open his eyes.
Harley was trying to rouse him. As if seeing he had, he sat down and panted, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.
Roman leaned up on his elbows and spotted a flashlight, searching through the brush and deep snow. "Here!" he said.
He heard JP and Goat's voice. "Roman? Is that you?"
"Yes." Roman reached around him and touched Butch and Charlie. "It's all of us."
JP stood over them, shining the flashlight. "What the hell happened?"
Roman held up his hand to block the flashlight glare and could see Butch and Charlie moving, coming around after the strange impact of wind.
Noise of an SUV engine whining out in the distance, the sound of men's voices, brought Roman back to the present.
He sat up and rubbed his face and neck. "Jesus. I am completely confused."
"Roman?"
"Charlie." Roman reached for him.
Charlie dove on Roman and embraced him, holding him tight.
"Thank fuck." Butch appeared woozy, sitting up.
"Get the hell over here." Roman grabbed Butch's shoulder and held him in a group hug.
"Go find their clothes, Goat." JP crouched down. "Anyone hurt?"
Roman looked at Harley, shaking his head. "Only my ego."
Butch and Charlie began to chuckle, then laugh loudly.
Spotlights lit the area and JP waved at the back-up that had finally arrived.
Goat returned with a pile of clothing in his hands. "I have no idea whose this is."
"Don't matter." Charlie reached for it, handing it to Roman.
As he got dressed, Roman heard Phil's voice, asking, "Where the hell is Burk now?"
JP led Phil to him.
"Naked again, Burk?" Phil shook his head. "I'm going to tell Nick to assign you to a nudist camp."
"Shut up, Dean." Roman stood, aching, trying to put on his pants.
"Here ya go." Goat had another handful of clothing.
"Thanks." Charlie gave Butch his coat and tried to sort out the pile.
Sheriff Kenmore appeared near Phil, holding a flashlight. "Anyone need an ambulance?"
Roman touched the slice on his stomach and shook his head. "I need a week or two of therapy to figure out what the hell just happened, but I'm okay physically."
The sheriff shined the flashlight around the area. "What did happened? All the plants are flattened out."
"And the snow is melted." Phil walked closer to the spot where the conflict occurred.
"I have no idea." Roman put his jacket on and then looked for his gun. He spotted it nearby and stuck it back into its holster.
Harley stood at Roman's feet, his front paws on his shin, his tongue wagging with his tail.
"Huh." JP shined the light on the dog. "He finally likes you?"
Roman laughed. "He's surrendered. I'm his alpha."
"Uh uh," Butch laughed. "He's yours."
"He had help." Roman met Charlie's gaze. "You do that?"
Charlie smiled.
"Do what?" Butch asked.
"Can we get off this freezing mountain?" Phil said, gesturing to the SUV.
"Yes. We can." Roman put his arm around both Charlie and Butch and walked to the SUV.
"Where did you find Butch?" Goat asked.
"I did," Charlie said, "And I have no idea where the hell I was or how I got there." Charlie tapped his cowboy hat on his thigh to brush off the dirt, then popped it on his head.
"You're all insane." Phil opened the car door to get behind the wheel.
"Do I need to write a report?" The sheriff leaned into Phil's car.
"About what?" Phil asked, looking perplexed.
Sheriff Kenmore appeared to think about it. "Have a nice night, boys." He tapped the top of the car and walked away.
JP and Goat waved, climbing on their horses and headed back to the barn. "Get some sleep. Good to have ya back, Butch." JP spurred his horse on.
Roman sat beside Phil on the front seat as Charlie and Butch climbed in back. Harley hopped into the back seat, making himself comfortable on Butch's lap.
Once they were all inside the car, Phil turned the SUV around and headed back down the snowy trail, his headlights shining on the two horses. "You ever going to tell me what the hell happened up there?"
Roman looked back at Charlie and Butch. "Either of you know?"
"Nope." Charlie petted the sleepy dog and relaxed on the bench seat.
"Butch? Who kidnapped you? Where were you?" Phil asked, trying to see Butch in the rearview mirror.
"An Alpha wolf-shifter named Montague. And I was in a cabin. Don't ask me where."
Phil glanced at Roman. "What's an Alpha-wolf-shifter?"
"Don't know." Roman rubbed his gritty hands together. "Okay. I give up. What day is it?"
"Tuesday," Phil replied.
"What time?" Charlie asked.
Phil looked at the dashboard of the SUV. "After three am."
Butch moaned in agony.
"Are we done with this wolf shit now?" Phil asked, parking near the ranch house as the two men on horseback entered the barn.
"I have no idea." Roman opened the passenger's door. "Thanks, buddy." He put his hand on Phil's leg.
"You're welcome."
Roman leaned closer.
"Don't you kiss me, Burk!" Phil moved away.
Butch cracked up with laughter and opened the back door. Harley hopped out and headed to the ranch house.
"Aw," Charlie said sarcastically. "Ya know ya want him to, Agent Dean." Charlie winked at Roman and got out of the car.
Phil gave Roman a warning glance.
"Thanks." Roman squeezed Phil's leg affectionately and said, "Are you going to call Nick? Because I need to sleep for a week to recover."
"I will. And yes. Sleep. Take time off to make sure this thing is gone. Again."
"I will." Roman cupped Phil's head and pecked his lips.
"Roman!" Phil pushed him back.
"Love teasing you."
"I know. You asshole." Phil gave him a look of concern. "Call if you need me. I'll be here for you."
Roman winked and got out, waiting for him to drive down the lane.
Charlie opened the door for Harley and when he did, Roman could see the Norman family awake and waiting for news. Vernon hurried to the door, followed by the three women.
"You boys okay?" he asked.
"Yes." Charlie nodded. "We're fine. Go to bed."
"Butch?" he called out.
Butch approached Vernon and smiled. "I'm fine, boss. No worries."
"Oh, Butch!" Suzie embraced him with Sherlane in a group hug. "We were so worried."
"Where in the heck were you?" Vernon asked.
Butch looked back at Roman and then said, "I guess I was among the wolves. But I'm back now."
"Huh?" Sherlane tilted her head. "Oh no. You're not one of them now too, are you?"
"No. I don't think so. But if I were, I'd be among good company." Butch touched the brim of his hat. "I need me some shut eye." He waved. "'Night, y'all."
"'Night," Sherlane said, "And thank you boys for finding our Butch."
"You got it." Charlie waved and the three of them walked to the cabin, opening the door. Once they were inside, Roman groaned as he took off his coat and boots. "I am so fucking exhausted."
"Me too." Charlie hung up his hat and coat.
"I know I stink." Butch sniffed his pits. "But I am barely upright."
"Don't care." Roman scuffed his feet to the bedroom and fell face down on the bed.
Two more men flopped down on it as well, and Roman fell deeply asleep.
Chapter 17
Roman came around from a deep slumber.
He moaned and felt stiff and weary. Seeing light outside, Roman rubbed his face and then realiz
ed his hands were filthy. "Oh, Christ." Roman looked down at himself and he was fully clothed. There was mud and pine needles on his pant legs and he was wearing his lace up boots.
He moved to drop his feet to the side of the bed and sat up. He glanced back at Charlie and Butch, and realized both of them were in the same state he was; dirty, clothed, and scratched up.
"Wasn't a fucking dream…" Roman got to his feet and used the wall to steady himself. Once he'd reached the doorway, he undressed, piling everything on the floor and stepped inside the bathroom, turning on the light. His eyes were red and puffy, his beard growth had darkened his jaw, and he had a long scratch on his abdomen. With both hands he leaned on the sink and stared at his eyes. "Is it over?"
He couldn't tell.
Shutting the door so he wouldn't disturb the other two, Roman filled the sink basin and shaved his face, getting rid of the dark beard growth, trying to come to a decision on what had happened last night. He simply could not.
Roman finished shaving and turned on the water in the shower, touching the skin where he was cut. The slice confirmed it. It was no dream.
But…
It wasn't reality either. Not as he knew it.
He stepped into the tub and wetted down, scrubbing his face, his hair, his body, trying to let the hot water cleanse him both in body and mind.
In retrospect…
He brought this on. His anger, his temper, and his urge to dominate.
It had to be why this thing, this Alpha, found him.
Roman finished washing and shut off the water. He stood dripping trying to understand the connection between himself, the Alpha, and the red witch. Was there one? Was the red witch his ally now?
She showed me the gun. That red glow.
Roman rubbed the towel over his hair to dry it. She changed me from a crow to a man when I needed to be one.
He stepped out of the tub and continued to dry himself, trying to decipher the data in his head as if he was a computer program. It was how he functioned at work; dissecting criminal activity and using patterns of behavior and surveillance.
Little puzzle pieces, all fitting together.
But this time the jigsaw didn't make a complete picture.
"Roman?"
Roman opened the door to see Charlie, looking rough. "It's all yours." He gestured to the shower. "Is Butch up?" Roman asked.
"He is." Charlie looked over his shoulder. "We can't make sense of any of it."
"Join the club." Roman stepped aside and let Charlie into the bathroom. When he looked up, Butch was standing beside the bed, undressing, appearing exhausted.
For a twenty-one year old man, Butch had showed amazing maturity and courage. Roman tossed the towel on the foot of the bed and approached him.
Butch looked up, his brown eyes wide with curiosity.
Roman caressed Butch's cheek affectionately. "How are you doing, cowboy?"
The smile on Butch's face told Roman a lot.
"Hungry." Butch laughed.
Roman reached for him and drew Butch into an embrace, kissing his cheek and hair.
"Don't bite me."
Roman cracked up and met Butch's eyes. "Only in fun."
Butch blushed and his lashes lowered at his shyness.
Roman cupped the back of Butch's neck and shook him gently. "You showed a lot of strength and courage, Butch. You're a real man."
Butch's gaze immediately met his.
"Are we rid of that Alpha, Roman?"
"I hope so." Roman pecked his lips and backed up, allowing Butch to finish undressing. "I know it's too late for breakfast, but my guess is Connie will cook up a nice meal for you."
Butch nodded, dropping his dirty clothing on a pile and inspecting his wrists.
Roman could see the evidence of rope burn. He reached for Butch's right hand and inspected it. "He tied you up?"
"He did." Butch tried to catch Roman's gaze. "Don't get mad."
Roman released Butch's hand. "I am but I won't turn on you."
"How'd he do it, Roman?" Butch asked. "Last thing I remember, I was riding the horse, seeing the dead doe, and…" He shrugged. "I blacked out. Woke up in a strange cabin."
Roman put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "I don't know. Honestly, Butch. I have no answers."
The bathroom door opened and Charlie stepped out, a towel wrapped around his hips. "Next," he said.
Butch touched Roman's shoulder gently, and took his turn cleaning up.
Charlie stood in front of Roman. "Is he okay?"
Roman gazed into Charlie's eyes but didn't answer.
"Are you?" Charlie ran his hand over Roman's damp hair.
"I don't know." Roman tried to smile, but it took an effort.
Charlie drew Roman to his lips and kissed him. Roman took Charlie into his arms and the towel fell off Charlie's hips. They dropped onto the bed together and Roman held Charlie tight, kissing him, swirling his tongue around Charlie's. The animal urges didn't hit him yet, and his teeth did not ache.
But that didn't mean he and Charlie were out of the woods yet. Two years had passed between the occurrences and they had made love hundreds of times without the threat of shifting.
Roman ran his hand down Charlie's chest to his low abdomen, smoothing his fingers into his pubic hair and holding his cock. Charlie moaned against Roman's mouth and bent one knee, encouraging Roman to touch him intimately.
Roman caressed between Charlie's legs, over his rim, cupping his balls and then up his hard length.
The door to the bathroom opened.
Roman peered up from his kiss to see Butch, watching.
When he did, Charlie turned to look. It was Charlie who reached out his hand, beckoning Butch closer.
Butch moved towards them, his cock swelling and his lips parted.
"Come 'ere," Charlie said, patting a spot he made between he and Roman.
Roman scooted over, making a place for Butch. Butch lay on his back, looking from one man to the other.
Charlie rolled to his side, kissing Butch's cheek, then urging Butch to accept a kiss on the lips.
Roman smiled to himself, knowing Butch was finally going to get what he craved.
As Charlie devoured Butch's mouth, Roman kissed his way down Butch's taut skin to his hip, then crouched between Butch's legs.
Butch made a whimpering sound, muffled by Charlie's kiss and spread his legs.
Roman nuzzled into Butch's crotch, inhaling the clean soapy scent and closing his eyes.
When a hand touched Roman's hair, Roman looked up to see Charlie, urging Roman to give Butch oral sex. They met gazes briefly and Charlie went back to his kissing as Roman engulfed Butch's cock into his mouth.
A long, low groan of pleasure escaped Butch.
Roman felt his own body responding to the pleasure he was giving, and sucked Butch's cock from the base to the tip while holding him tight. Charlie moved his sweet kisses to Butch's nipples and neck, so Butch could moan and grunt to his heart's content.
Roman tasted pre-cum and increased his suction and speed, enjoying the act immensely.
Butch's body tensed up, he gasped and Roman's mouth filled with his cum. Butch's vocalizations sounded as if he were in heaven, and after the hell he'd been through, Roman was glad.
He sat up to see Butch's passionate expression and met Charlie's smirk.
"A trio," Charlie said.
"It's called a threesome, Charlie." Roman chuckled.
"Ohhh, thank you, Lord." Butch touched his own cock, running it through his hand.
"I'm not done yet." Roman held Butch by the hips and rolled him face down.
Charlie leaned on his side, his head propped up, to watch. "You ready for yer top dog, Crowell?" Charlie asked, smirking.
"Been ready for two long years." Butch tucked a pillow under his chin.
Roman hoisted Butch up to his knees and spread his ass cheeks, going for a nibble.
"Damn…" Butch gripped the pillow and burrowed into it.
"Don't you turn wolf," Charlie said, laughing.
"Huh?" Butch spun back to look at them.
"I'm not." Roman gave Charlie a reproving glance and went back to rimming Butch.
"I hope ta hell I'm gettin' laid." Butch tucked the pillow under his chin.
"You are, Butch," Charlie replied, "but be wary what you ask for."
"Huh?" Butch looked behind him again.
Roman pushed his finger into Butch's wet ass and massaged him.
Butch howled in pleasure and Charlie cracked up with laughter. "Now look who's a wolf?"
"Get the lube, Mosby," Roman said, grinning wickedly.
Charlie hopped off the bed and grabbed it out of the nightstand.
Butch gave Roman a last glance, gave him a thumbs-up and then spread his knees wider.
Roman pointed the head of his cock at Butch and penetrated gently.
Charlie sat beside Roman and caressed Butch's bottom as he drew Roman into a kiss.
Roman eased his way into Butch and then used his slick hand to service his main man. Charlie knelt up beside him, keeping Roman's mouth occupied with his own, as Roman made love to Butch and jerked Charlie off at the same time.
"Ohhh, damn!" Butch clenched the pillow tighter.
Roman didn't edge the climax, coming inside Butch and feeling Charlie help him with the hand-job. Charlie came, spraying Butch with his cum and he and Roman parted mouths to gasp for air.
Roman pulled out and milked his cock onto Butch's thigh. "Yup. A threesome."
Butch dropped to the bed heavily and moaned.
"Welcome to the pack, Crowell." Charlie smacked Butch's butt and laughed.
~
Dressed, clean, sexually sated and starving, Butch stood at the cabin door waiting for Charlie and Roman.
He touched his bottom through his jeans and looked up to see Charlie's mischievous smile. "Sore, partner?"
"Naw." He was. A little.
Charlie slapped Butch's back and laughed at him. "Sure you ain't."
Roman joined them at the door, his phone to his ear. "Phil," he said as Butch led the way to the ranch house. "Yes. I'm fine. We're all okay…"
Butch looked up at the sky. They had slept until lunch time, and the sun was angling slightly, playing hide and seek with puffy clouds.
"…I don't know if I can ID anyone," Roman said, his concentration on the call with Phil.