“Face the wall and put your hands above your head on the wood.” The hoarse demand greeted his arrival behind the empty cabins at the far end of the camp. The danger of discovery sent a frisson of desire spearing to his cock. Slowly, he followed R.J.’s instructions, his pulse beating erratically. Although unsure of R.J.’s agenda, he liked this surprise side—the dominant lover who expected him to obey an order. He liked the fact R.J. wanted him enough to risk exposure.
R.J. nuzzled his neck, breathing in his scent. His tongue stroked the shell of Corey’s ear, bringing a shiver. While the sensations coursed through his body and the moist lap of R.J.’s tongue distracted him, hands reached around to unfasten his belt. The rasp of his jeans zipper sounded overly loud, and Corey cringed, almost expecting someone to investigate the noise. He bit his lip, attempting to contain the moan of excitement struggling to break free.
Competent hands pushed his jeans down his legs and slid inside his boxer-briefs. R.J. grasped his cock, smoothing his thumb over the crest.
“You want me.”
“Always.” The undeniable truth. R.J.’s presence and especially his touch turned him on in an instant.
“This is gonna be quick.” R.J. pressed a knee between his legs, silently encouraging him to spread them farther apart. “Can you keep the noise down?”
“Yes.” Anything to persuade R.J. to continue with his stroking and caresses. “I can keep quiet.”
An abrupt rustle indicated R.J. rearranging his clothing. A cool finger stroked his pucker. A jolt punched through his body. No matter how often R.J. touched him, each time brought something new and memorable, an experience to savor when he returned to the city.
Corey scowled at the wall. It was something he didn’t want to think about. Shifting his focus back to his lover, he waggled his butt in a silent demand to get a move on.
R.J. chuckled. “I’ve never met a more impatient kid in all my life.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“Figure of speech. I wouldn’t be here if you were a kid.” He cupped one ass cheek, stroking then smacking without warning.
“Ow!”
“Shush.” R.J. massaged his entrance, and Corey bit back a groan, startled by the cool lube. Also impatient, he was relieved when the push of R.J.’s cock stretched his hole. He widened his stance and pushed back against the intrusion.
“Easy.” R.J’s hot breath brushed his ear. They slid together, silent as they took their pleasure. Some people might say furtive but Corey found their loving perfect. Hot. R.J. thrust hard. One hand grasped Corey’s cock while the other clutched his shoulder. Higher and higher they soared until R.J. grunted and the hot rush of come filled him. R.J. pressed against his back, squashing him against the cabin wall. Corey didn’t care. With the hard wood against his cheek and R.J. at his back, he came with a heated rush of pleasure.
In silence, they righted their clothes. This was the part Corey hated—the parting. Just once he’d like to fall asleep pressed against R.J. and spend the night in his arms. He’d like to wake the same way and have lazy morning sex before they went about their day. Sadly, a dream. In a few weeks he and the rest of the group would fly back to Los Angeles.
“I’d better go. I told Teague I intended to sketch some night scenes.” Corey turned away to pick up his drawing materials.
“Wait.” R.J. grasped his shoulder and spun Corey back to face him. “I bought something for you.”
Corey started to say something but R.J. yanked him close and kissed him while pushing something into his rear jeans pocket. The words slid from Corey’s mind and he curled his hands around R.J.’s neck. His mouth opened and he savored his lover’s taste, the solid weight of their bodies pressed together. No doubt about it. Returning to Los Angeles wasn’t something he looked forward to, and that day was fast approaching.
“You’d better get back to your cabin.”
“You could walk back with me.” Pleasure suffused Corey when he realized R.J. had given him a chocolate bar.
“If I escort you back, I’ll have to punish you for leaving your cabin during the middle of the night.”
A chuckle escaped Corey. “Kitchen duty?”
“Or worse.”
“Teague warned me about probable consequences. He’s still pissed about Hal making him peel potatoes all week.”
“That’s what you get for breaking the rules.”
Corey winked at him. “We’ve been breaking the rules.”
Obvious guilt had filled R.J. then. Corey recalled it and glowered at a dirty pot. R.J. didn’t like sneaking around or keeping things from Hal. He said he owed Hal and there would be trouble if anyone discovered he and Corey were fucking each other like rabbits.
Chapter Seven
R.J. tried to act normal, but his heart refused to cooperate. The final week of the summer course. Each snatched meeting with Corey was one to treasure. He stared out the window of the dining room then turned to check the wall clock. Almost time for the last run with the kids.
“Something wrong?” Hal’s voice came from behind him.
Steeling himself, he turned to face his boss. “The end of a course is always a bit sad.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s hard not to get attached to the kids. Even Corey Wilson turned out all right, despite my worst fears.”
“He’s the most promising student we’ve had through here for a long time.” R.J. fought to keep his expression suitably composed. The last thing he needed was for Hal to become suspicious.
“I agree. Corey’s a talented artist too. He was telling me his father expects him to join his firm of architects once the summer is over.”
“Huh, he doesn’t seem like the architect type. I can’t imagine him wearing a suit.”
The edges of Hal’s mouth kicked up into a grin. “I wonder if he’ll go back to his black hair and makeup.”
“Not our problem.” R.J. shoved aside the traitorous thoughts urging him to make Corey his challenge. No. No, he’d considered this in the small hours of the morning. Their backgrounds created a predicament for one. Corey came from wealth and his family held expectations for his future. They wouldn’t include a werewolf with his own family history—objectors who refused to take the suppression drugs and died for their cause.
“Thank goodness he’s not our headache.” Hal glanced at the clock. “Time to go. I’ll round up the troops.”
“I’ve loaded the meals on the bus.”
“Great. See you out front.”
“In five.” R.J. strode into their small office on automatic pilot. He stared at the pile of admission files ready for their short week-long courses without interest. Corey filled his mind. Only a few days until the students departed and already his heartstrings twanged at the parting.
“There is no possible future,” he muttered in an attempt to set his mind straight. Cursing under his breath, he grabbed his binoculars and stomped out to the bus.
“I’ll drive today,” Hal said, already heading for the driver’s seat. “You give them the gritty details during the journey to the trailhead.”
R.J. laughed, as Hal meant him to, although to his ear, the chuckle came off forced. He’d counted on driving, having something to concentrate on instead of Corey. Every time he caught a glimpse of the kid—at present sitting with his best friend, Teague—his pulse raced. They were picking on Maria and Beth, teasing the two girls. A wave of jealousy swelled inside him. Stupid, he knew, but he couldn’t help the weakness in him.
Swallowing, he picked up Hal’s clipboard. Once the kids settled and Hal was underway, he started.
“Today we’re aiming to make a kill. You have the knowledge necessary to bring down a deer. We’ve taught you the skills to track.”
“I don’t want to kill a Bambi,” Maria said, screwing up her nose.
Teague reached over the seat and squeezed her hand in comfort. She fluttered her lashes at him like sleepy kitten. Young love. Maria’s parents would have kittens if they knew she
was cuddling up to a scholarship student in her spare time.
And was he any better?
R.J. continued. “You can make your kills singly or in teams. Your kill can be small if you’re hunting alone. If you’re part of a team, we expect a bigger kill. Any questions?”
“How do we prove we’ve killed something?” Teague asked.
“If it’s small you can bring your prey back to the spot where Hal and I set up camp. If you bring down larger prey, signal me with a howl and I’ll come to you.”
Corey cocked a dark brow, his eyes alive with excitement. “What if we fail?”
“We expect each of you to submit a verbal report to us once we get back to camp. After Hal and I hear your report you’ll receive a pass or a fail.”
Beth flipped her hair over her shoulder. “What happens if we have a problem?”
“Or we injure ourselves?” Maria asked. “What if our prey attacks us?”
“The attack of the killer bunny,” one of the boys droned with voice-over dramatics.
“Hal and I have a fully stocked hamper with food supplies. We have a first aid kit and a plan for every other contingency. Howl, and one of us will come running. Or, if you’re working in a team, one of you come back and get us. Any more questions?” The final hunt was a time of joy and celebration of everything they’d learned.
Normally.
This time he felt as flat as a tire pierced by a sharp nail.
Hal pulled up at the trailhead. The kids piled off the bus.
“Did everyone get their water bottles?” R.J. asked.
“Yes,” the kids chorused with varying degrees of sassiness because either he or Hal voiced the same question every time.
“Good. Everyone gear up for the hike to our base. We have a lot of supplies and I’m not carting them all,” Hal said.
Finally they organized the kids and set off with Hal at the front and R.J. bringing up the rear. The kids were talkative today. Excitement tinged their words and manner. Most of them wore a cloak of confidence.
“Do you really fail students?” Teague asked.
“If necessary,” R.J. said. “We’ve only failed one student since I’ve worked here.”
“I want to frame my certificate and give it to my grandmother,” Teague said. “She used to tell us stories of the old days before we took suppression drugs. She was excited when I won the scholarship here.”
“You’re lucky. My family never talks about pre-suppression times,” Corey said. “My father is too busy shouting at me.” He grinned. “I’m a trial to them.”
“You should visit some time. My grandmother likes visitors.”
“I’d like that,” Corey said.
The two young werewolves started chatting about their lives in the city, and R.J. followed in silence. Self-belief shone in both young faces. They were the two best students and would pass this final test with flying colors.
At their chosen site, the kids prepared.
“Remember, you have three hours. Hal and I will call in chorus when time is up. This is the signal for you to return. And don’t forget to keep away from bears and other wolves. Give them a wide berth.” After answering last minute questions, they finally raced off singly and in groups. R.J. watched Teague and Corey dash off together before he settled back to wait with Hal.
“Something wrong?” Hal asked.
R.J. let his frown slide off his face. “Nah, I’m a bit tired. I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“That makes two of us,” Hal said.
Surely Hal hadn’t seen him and Corey last night? “Problem?”
“Some of the officious busybodies are attempting to shut the program down again,” Hal said. “Nothing I can’t handle. It happens periodically. We have a hundred percent safety record. Not one of the kids has gone berserk or drawn human interest to us. They’ve started taking the suppression drugs once their wilderness experience ends with no one any the wiser.”
“And? Is there something else?”
“Yeah. You’ve heard about the militant movement who reject the suppression drugs?”
R.J. shrugged. “Rumors. I presumed the talk was idle gossip and speculation.”
“No. There’s an underground movement, much like the old railway system for slaves. Sympathizers help move rebel werewolves across the border into Canada. From there most of them fly or ship out to Australia or Africa.”
Something in Hal’s stance brought R.J. to attention. This wasn’t mere idle conversation. “What’s going on?”
“I have a werewolf arriving later tonight.”
R.J. stared at Hal, thoughts flashing through his head so fast he didn’t know which to voice first. “Is this the first one?”
“No, there have been others.”
R.J.’s gaze narrowed. “Your cousins from New Orleans? And the ones from Washington D.C.?”
“I didn’t think I could pass off more cousins.”
“You’re taking a big risk.”
“I know, but I can’t sit back and do nothing. The suppression drugs are wrong on so many levels. There’s no good reason for werewolves to live like this. The only reason we do it is to keep a few of the high-level pack members in their positions of power.”
“Last I heard, voicing things like that will get the Enforcers on your tail.”
“It’s the truth.” Hal dragged a harried hand through his hair.
“But participating is dangerous, for all of us.”
Hal started to pace back and forth. “You’re right. I shouldn’t involve you in my cause. Forget I said anything.”
R.J. grabbed Hal’s arm as he strode past. “I didn’t mean that. Of course I’ll help you. I owe you everything. You helped me after the Enforcers killed my family. And you helped me get this job. I know there were objectors because of my history. I’ll never forget everything you’ve done for me.”
“This isn’t about payback, R.J. You’re like a son to me.”
Warmth filled his chest. “I care for you too.”
“Damn! I didn’t tell you…this isn’t about emotional blackmail.”
“Of course not.” Hal had given him so much over the years. Shelter. Companionship. Trust. And love. He’d do anything to help Hal in return. “This is about friendship and loyalty. It’s about doing the right thing. I don’t agree with the suppression pills. We’re lucky we’re able to live such unfettered lives. I’ll do anything I can to help.”
“It could be dangerous.”
“So? You need help. Tell me what you want me to do.”
Hal gripped R.J.’s hand. “Thank you. As long as you’re sure.”
“Positive.” Laughing, R.J. swept Hal into a hug, clasping him hard for an instant and releasing him before Hal became too uncomfortable with the contact. “You can count on me.”
Corey raced through the undergrowth with Teague at his side. The fresh green of the ferns and bushes filled his lungs and burst through his mind until he wanted to howl with the pleasure of the experience. Not even the knowledge this sojourn would soon end dimmed his enjoyment. By common consent, they slowed their lope enough to scent the air.
Corey caught a musky scent straight away. He slowed a fraction more and Teague followed suit. Rabbit. All right! He moved closer to Teague, giving him a swift nudge. Teague let out a soft whine of agreement and they were off, following the scent trail. This time they moved carefully, as R.J. had taught them, sliding past the plants and choosing their footing with caution. A snapping stick would alert the rabbit to their presence.
A scuttling and faint crackle of dried grasses in front of them made them freeze. Without any communication, Teague stayed in place and Corey circled to approach from the other direction. Once in position he slinked forward. There. The tips of the rabbit’s ears moved, twitching a fraction while it nibbled on some greens.
Together they leaped, pouncing at the rabbit from opposing directions. Panicked, the rabbit jumped. It struck Corey in the chest. On instinct, he grabbed. His tee
th sank into warm flesh.
The rabbit ceased struggling, dead before he knew it. He dropped the creature on the ground, hunger tearing through him without warning. No, he needed to show R.J. to prove they’d listened to every lecture. But first, they needed another kill.
They considered burying the rabbit and decided against this in case another animal stole their prey while they were off chasing their second kill.
In hunting mode again, he—carrying the rabbit—ghosted through the forest behind Teague, pausing frequently to listen and scent the air. Teague sighted the ground squirrel first. He froze and Corey immediately followed suit.
Their second kill came laughably easy, and Corey chortled gleefully inside. Hunting was easy. They had a couple of hours to spare. Maybe he and R.J. could sneak away for a quick fuck. Despite enjoying the hunt and a part of him wanting to devour the rabbit, he’d love a juicy hamburger. As soon as he arrived back in L.A., he’d indulge the need for fast food.
The thought reminded him of R.J. and his good humor faded. Damn. He was trying to behave like an adult. Walking away from R.J. was gonna kill him.
With their prey dangling from their jaws, they trotted back toward the spot where Hal and R.J waited for them.
A whimper to the left of the path caught their attention. Corey stopped and dropped his rabbit. At his side, Teague did the same. They glanced at each other, and when the whimper repeated a second time, they approached with caution. A musky scent—familiar but not quite right—prodded Corey to vigilance.
Wolf.
Teague pressed close. Together, they inched forward over the grassy track and into the undergrowth. Rounding a corner, they came across an earth and rock scar. Small uprooted bushes withered in the relentless sun. Ripe earth and grasses rested like chunks of vomit across what was left of the narrow track. The loose dirt and rocks trembled and moved beneath their weight, shifting in a precarious manner. Alarmed, they halted, only the pained whine urging them to move again and continue across the uneven terrain.
At the far end of the slip, a rock trapped a wolf in place, snaring its front leg. Yellow eyes glared at them from a narrow face. Corey padded closer and the wolf panicked. A pained growl filled the air when the wolf strained against the weight trapping him.
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