Peace and Quiet - 5. Chapter 5

Waking that morning was one of the best in recent memory. I woke when the sun hit my eyes and I saw a lady bug crawl over the leaf next to me. It got to the tip and then flew off. I watched it and rolled to keep my eyes on it. Then I saw something more beautiful and my breath caught in my throat. Zeke was looking at me with half lidded eyes and a gentle smile played about his lips. One arm was under my head as a pillow, the other draped across his broad chest. With the northern morning, we were glistening with dew and it set his soft blond chest hairs aglow. A small, cool breeze that hinted at a winter not too far away made me snuggle in closer. I remembered where we were and enough of what happened last night to know we were naked in the middle of a field and the middle of nowhere.

“Do you want me to move?” I asked him in a whisper.

“No. I want you to crawl on top of me and kiss me.” With a bit of a shy smile I did as he told me to. I didn't straddle him, I curled up on him and kissed him gently. His arms came around me and held me close, secure. These arms, the way I felt in them, the way I knew I would never be intentionally hurt by him...That was the moment I told myself I never wanted to lose this man. I didn't care about the age difference or the fact that we lived in different states or that we both wanted to be bottoms. I knew.

“Zeke?” I asked softly as I pulled away.

“Yeah?”

“Is that a gopher trying to burrow into my butt or are you very happy I'm laying here?”

His grin was slightly mortified. “Um...sorry. I can...” he stopped as wiggled my ass against his morning wood. His eyes rolled back and his mouth fell open in a gasp. “Quint...I am not a strong man. I don't have infinite will power.”

“Are you saying if I keep teasing you, you'll take it?” I was biting my lip a bit. I had never tried this tact before: Aggressive Submissive. I wiggled more, feeling my body responding to what it wanted.

“Quint...”

I leaned in and whispered in his ear. “You want me to be dominant?” He swallowed and nodded, his cock twitching. “Then you will do as I say, right?”

“Yes sir,” he whispered back. I could scent him getting so aroused right now.

“Then take that big dick and shove it where it wants to be.” His eyes went wide. “I didn't stutter and I know you heard me.”

“Quint...” I sat up and looked down at him. His pulse was racing as I positioned his dick right at my hole. “Are you...” I sat back and it went in. Both of us groaned and I know my entire body felt like it was on fire, the coal burning from where his dick was embedded in me. He wasn't huge, but he was big enough to make my ass throb. One thing about being Lycan was I was virginal after every session, having healed back to tightness. He wasn't nearly as big as Amos, but I was so grateful for that. “Oh god, man you are tight. Holy fuck! Are you sure...”

“Shut the hell up and fuck me, Zeke. That's an order.” His entire body responded to my direct order like I knew it would. He thrust forward and I had to grab his chest to keep from being bucked off. I stayed where the top of his thrust moved me so he could get a good rhythm and depth and I just stopped thinking because Zeke was having none of this. He grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back as he thrust forward and I whimpered. It hurt a bit, but he just barely bottomed out with full penetration. Seven and a half inches is still something to work with. He would let me bounce forward and then push me back with each thrust. “Zeke...this is what I want from you right now. Take...my...ass and claim me.” I growled this into his ear.

“You want this?” I nodded as I moaned. He stopped and looked me in the eyes. Both of us were horned up and wanting to rut. “Quint, tell me plainly what you want. I need to hear it.”

“You. I want you. I don't care about age or distance. I want these arms around me every night. I want to wake up to that beautiful smile every morning. I need you with me. And not as friends. I know this is fast but...” This time he shut me up with a lip mashing kiss. There was nothing to misconstrue, he was fine with this. I couldn't help but whimper as he slid deeper into me and pulled me against him. I knew he was strong but oh god I never knew he was this strong.

Then we both paused as the wind shifted. We stopped and looked over our shoulders to see Colton sitting there watching us with his head cocked to one side. “Don't stop now, it's just getting interesting.”

“How...how long have you been there?” Zeke asked, his face turning red but his dick getting harder.

“Since about two in the morning when Gene told me to watch over you two sleeping idiots. But please, continue.” He gestured to us.

I looked at Zeke who had the biggest grin on his face. “Oh...” was all I got out before he flipped us over and pinned me to the turf, never pulling out. It was the most aggressive thing he had ever done and it sent chills all the way down my back to my balls and they emptied themselves. It was almost painful how hard this one hit and having him inside was making it even more powerful. “Zeke! Fuck!” And he did. He fucked me through the orgasm and then I could hear him growling and he buried it to the hilt. Then he bit into my shoulder, the growls resonating throughout my body. He had done it. He had claimed me right there and Colton was watching...and I was so turned on by that. I'm no exhibitionist, but right then I was, and damn, I didn't care who watched.

Zeke's breathing was labored but slowly calming. It had been fast but I felt so good right then. It was him, the young man I was seriously falling for too quickly. “Am I too heavy?” I shook my head.

“God...that was it? Need to work on that stamina, Zeke,” said Colt with a chuckle and he walked away. “Oh, before I forget...Nice man tackle. Both of you.” He hadn't turned back, just kind of said it over his shoulder.

Zeke looked at me and I shrugged. We still didn't get if Colton was serious or just messing with us. “I should get up.”

“You should stay right there,” I said and kissed him, toying with the nape of his neck.

“For how long?” he asked and rolled us back over so I was atop him.

I leaned over to his ear. “Until you're ready for round two.” He shivered and chuckled. “But we should get back to the others. We have training to get to. After we bathe. I left evidence,” I said and sat up to swirl my cum in his body hair.

“OH GROSS! Quint, that takes forever to get out!” He squirmed but I tickled him, mashing it all into his fuzzy self. He laughed and tried to fight me off, but I just kept it up until I heard a cleared throat from behind. “Um...hi Dylan.”

“Go get washed up, boys. We have training.” He at least wasn't staring at us like Colton had been. He did smell very amused though.

“Go away, Creep. Bad enough Colt had to watch.” Dylan turned his head.

“He...watched?” I nodded and stood slowly, Zeke sliding out of my with a plop. It was durned gross feeling it slide down my leg. “Hot. Now get washed.” We did as ordered, a stream not too far away.

“Zeke?” I said softly. “Thank you. For everything.” He just smiled at me. Ever seen that look of pure joy and love? That feeling you get that those eyes will only look at you like that? That was Zeke's eyes right then. “Why do you look at me like that?”

“Like what?” He looked down in embarrassment.

“Like I'm the most wonderful thing you have ever seen. Like I'm The One for you.” I have never had anyone look at me like that...or really seen that look at all really.

We walked back in silence. I knew he was thinking about what I asked, but I'll be durned if it wasn't annoying. He stopped us about a hundred yards from the other guys who were looking at us like we were taking our sweet time. Gene whispered something to them and they nodded, finishing the camp break down.

“Quint, I know you think I'm too young for you, and yes, I'm 6 years younger than you are. I'm still in college and you've seen the world. I'm still learning what it is to be an adult in both the human and Lycan worlds and you got one down and will have the other very soon. I'm from South Dakota originally and you're from the South. I could go on about our differences...but when I look at you...I see who I want to be with. Not just that but who I want to be. You're strong, brave, caring, independent, handsome, witty, charming, and fucking sexy as hell. I know you are still having to get over Amos, but I will be here when...”

I shut him up with a kiss.

At first he was shocked and stock still, but then he enfolded me in his arms, lifted me from the ground so easily, and held me up while I told him without words what I could not say with them. My mind said I shouldn't date again so soon and should not date someone so much younger than me, but what he was saying...6 years wasn't that much. He was in college and preparing for adulthood and he could teach me a lot of what it really meant to be a Lycan. My mind said I needed to get right in the head before dating anyone again. My mind needed to shut up for once because my heart didn't care. My heart wanted Zeke. Not someone like Zeke. I wanted him. This man was what I wanted and needed, and I put all my feeling into my kiss.

When I pulled away he started to smile. “Okay then. I'm stuffed.” I laughed and he put me down. We got dressed very quickly and no one said a word. I don't know if they could think of anything to say at that point. I couldn't think of what to say either. I didn't trust myself to talk. I would say something stupid and talk myself out of what my heart wanted.

We were well into the wilderness of Montana without a single sing of people when Gene stopped us. “Okay. The things I will teach you are nothing fantastic, but they are suited to you as a group. It seems that most of this is going to come down on your heads whether or not you want it to. I'm going to do my best to turn you into a unit. Guerrilla tactics, stealth, combat maneuvers...all tailored to you.”

I looked at the rest and we could see this would be good. “Ranks or wing it?” I asked. I had military training, but never officer training.

“Equals, but with a voice in their matters. I've known Dyl since he was 13, I know what he can do and what he can't. He's a scrapper in a fight. Leads with his heart.” Dylan nodded at that. I did notice he was not one to back down from fighting toe to toe with someone. “Just needs to analyze situations. That's Colton's area. He ain't much of a fighter face to face, but he'll hamstring you if you're not careful. His area is cut and run.” Colton kind of nodded, blushing a bit. Something in his past made him tackle things from an odd angle. One of these days I was going to pin him down and make him talk.

“Now, I don't know much about Zeke, but I do know bears. They're lazy and slow to anger.” I glanced at Zeke who was nodding. “Until you find that one thing they want to protect. Mess with that, you piss them off. Zeke's found his thing, now all he needs to do is learn to control that anger and not block with his face.” While Zeke laughed, it had an edge to it. How close was Gene to the truth? “The wild card in all this is Quintin. The cats are unpredictable, but you're best asset for stealth. You won't see the coming until you're dead.” Didn't I know that. Amos had an unhealthy habit of showing up in odd places and at the worst time...without warning. “Quint knows he take Amos on directly.

“Your adversary is highly trained in combat, stealth, and has no problem killing to get what he wants. Get that through your heads, kids, because it the truth.” Gene was one crafty old wolf. He knew what was up. “This is not some high school bully. He's not your run of the mill Feral infringing on the territory. He's a killer and he will kill you to get to Quint.” I saw Dylan's face was blank. He knew what he was up against. Colton was a bit scared, but he nodded like he wasn't going anywhere. Zeke...he was livid. He would be the loose cannon. He would go after Amos with everything he had and may wind up with his head torn off. “I'm here to make sure you have the best chance possible. And for that reason, we start now. Lets see what you can do as a unit against me. I will not try to kill you, but I will make you hurt so badly you will wish for death for an hour or so. You have five minutes to make a plan and get ready.” Gene ran off south.

“Is he for real?” Zeke asked.

“Hunter training 101,” said Colton. Test what you got to see what needs working on. Gene is a wily one, and probably one of the best in recent history. We'll need to find a defensible place.”

“Guide us,” I said and Colton nodded. We trotted after him, knowing we would be leaving scent trails. “When we get into those trees, everyone up in them and down them as often and quickly as you can. No straight lines.”

“I'm no good with trees,” said Zeke.

“Then lets play a little game of cat and mouse.” We got into the tree line and I started to explain my strategy. They nodded, getting their parts. The three of us went up the trunks and into the branches, jumping and swinging to make tracking us by scent harder. When I went far enough, I dropped into Zeke's waiting arms and he carried me for a half a mile and then I was back up in the trees with a rock.

I was hidden when I was Gene coming in, his nose finding my trail up the trunk and then along the path I used. He dropped and then he was a bit thrown off. My scent never touched the ground and the other trails were so crisscrossed that he didn't know where I was. But he knew where Zeke was and made a line for him, following his trail without fail. It would be what Amos would do. He knew I would be with Zeke.

I followed Gene while I was in the branches. I was so surprised how little sound I made and I didn't knock a single leaf off. I never knew I could be this stealthy. Gene stopped and looked to his left. I winced when I saw Dylan's head drop down behind the brush. That was not part of the plan! He was supposed to...then I saw the other half. Colton was wearing some of my clothes and was hiding poorly. They were supposed to cause a diversion...this would do it. Gene played his part well. Amos would be very single minded, and Gene went after Colton. The coyote ran quickly away, his scent covered up by my own clothing.

Gene was moving quickly through the trees, aware of Dylan coming in to flank him, but still going after Colt as his target. When Colton burst into a clearing, Gene got his first good look and saw it was not me. He tried to skid to a halt to confront Dylan, the obvious threat. Dylan was closer than he thought and body checked Gene hard enough to send him flying into the clearing...and right into Zeke's massive arms. Zeke grabbed him and held on, falling forward to pin Gene to the ground. Gene, wise to this, wriggled out of the hold, out from under him and grabbed him by the leg and tossed him. I was wide eyed and in awe that someone Gene's age could do that so easily. Zeke landed heavily and lay there for a moment. Dylan was up and moving, but Gene was ready. He did forget about Colton who rushed in and took him out at the knees before running away again. Dylan was there, but Gene was already rolling back to his feet. He kept his sense on all three of them...

...Then my rock hit him in the head. Gene blinked and then looked all over for me. I dropped from the trees where Gen had run directly under me. “If that was a bullet, you would be dead.” He looked at all of us and then started laughing.

“Well done! Amos might find the four of you more than he expected, if you know he's around. Not a bad strategy, using Colton as bait to lead him into a feint and ambush. It might not fool him long, but it will be enough to keep him guessing. So...who carried Quint?”

“We all did. Where all three trails crossed is where we did the hand off.”

“That was Colton's idea,” I said.

“It was a good one. And the decoy?”

“Dylan's. He said that Amos never once took his eyes off Quint during their fight.” Zeke had been on the ground at that point and couldn't watch it. “He's very oriented.”

“Good. Now, was it part of the plan?”

“Not as far as I knew,” I said, a bit upset they didn't tell me. “Their job was to get me a clear shot in the clearing. Keep him wondering where I was and too busy to come look.”

Gene nodded. “Plans change in the middle of the fight, you know that. They completed their objective...”

“But put Colton in harm's way. Amos is a lot faster than Gene was going and would have caught you,” I said as I turned to Colton. “I don't want anyone hurt on my account. If we can avoid getting hurt, that's what I want.” They nodded, seeing it meant a lot to me that they stayed alive and unharmed. “Still, this time it got the job done. It was a good idea.” Dylan grinned, happy to hear I wasn't truly upset with him for the idea.

“Good. It's nice to see you guys know the value of camaraderie and how to compromise. Now, lets talk about this plan.” And we did. Gene spent the rest of that day going over strategies for wooded areas, but there were not nearly as many of those as there were plains. The plains, though, would not hide him as well as the woods. Dylan and I seemed to have a good affinity for the open plains and were throwing out strategies.

“How come they have all the ideas?” Colton said with a grin.

“They're cats. Lions hunt the plains. Lynxes hunt in all areas from mountains to forests to plains. From what I saw last night, he's closer related to the Canadian lynx than some of the others. Quintin would be a good asset in the cold, right there beside Zeke.” So I would be a general troop, good in most areas but not specialized in any of them. All because I was a lynx.

That night's hunt was a different type. This time we hunted for a more elusive and hardy prey. One that would feed the small pack for a very long time. We hunted bison. They would be resting and not expecting an attack from anything larger than maybe a wolf. Definitely not a huge polar bear and a bipedal wolf. Colton's nose was the best and he would find them for us. He disappeared into the tall grass as soon as he was able to move after his change. They were painful to watch. I almost wished he would talk to me and tell me why us being here was so different. “When he gets back, go for the old or the sick. Do not hunt the healthy.” We nodded. I was not really that interested in the meat, I preferred fish and small game to something that could step on my head and crush it. I know Zeke also liked seafood over red meat, but he wasn't as picky as me.

It didn't take long for Colton to come back. It seemed too short actually. He began to growl at Gene and then began to whine. “Really. Damn. Dylan, run as fast as you can and get the rest of the Hunters.” Dylan pulled out his cell phone. “Or that. We got five Ferals that have come south from Canada.” Dylan's eye narrowed as he dialled.

“Dad, bring the Hunters. Ferals north of Malta. We can keep them busy until you arrive.” Dylan seemed to be itching for a fight. I had no desire to take on a Feral. “Okay, Dad, will do. Yes, we're still down wind and Gene won't let them get close enough to hurt us. Dad...Dad...DAD! I'm the damn Enforcer and I can't do that if you keep me out of combat. No, for once this is up for debate or find another Enforcer. Yes, this is a direct challenge to your authority if you want me to remain as your Enforcer. Fine, come in person then because I am going to go my job.” Dylan hit the off button and pocketed his phone. “Lets go.” Gene stood stock still. “Gene, I would like your help. I've never dealt with a Feral, let alone five. Colt, you know your job.” The coyote nodded. Dylan looked at us. “If you wish to help, please come. If not, then stay here. I cannot order you around.” He stalked off.

Something was very wrong here. I padded up to him and pawed at his leg. He looked down and then sighed. “Dad means well and he doesn't want me to get hurt, but I'm not a cub any more. How am I supposed to do my job if he won't let me?” He started walking again, the rest of us falling in step. “And since Amos showed up, I need as much training and practice as I can get. He doesn't get it.”

Are you sure this is not from Amos beating Zeke and then holding you off? I asked in a hiss. He glanced down. It was. He needed to release some anger. A lot of it. If you charge off as angry as you are, you will get hurt.

“I know that, but...sometimes I look back over my past and wonder what it would have been like had I not been a Solaris. I mean right now I am at my weakest. It's the height of the full moon and I can't take on my Solar form at all. It just pisses me off, ya know?” After it all sunk in, I hissed an affirmative. “You know, for someone who doesn't like being Lycan at all you speak Felis very well.”

Amos made me learn and very quickly.

“Ah. I would love to rip his head off just for what he did to you.” I rubbed my body along his leg, as much of a hug as I could do right there. He grinned and ruffled my fur. “Thanks, Quint. I feel calmer now.” I nodded and padded back to Zeke who wuffed in approval.

We found the Ferals chasing the herd of Bison that was migrating through the area. The herd seemed to be afraid but not unduly so. Yeah they ran, they weren't stupid, but it was as if they knew Ferals and knew they were not as big a threat as I would take them. Gene held his hand up for us to halt and we watched. Yes, the Ferals were hunting, but they were being selective. They hunted the weak ones that kept lagging behind. “Dylan, how would you take them?”

“Quietly. They're strong and fast, but Zeke is far strong and Quint and Colt much faster. Right now I am the weakest and I would be hard pressed to take on more than one.”

“Good assessment. I agree. Zeke, can you get their attention and make them come at us for us to ambush?” He, of course, nodded. “Colt with me, Quint with Dyl. Does that sound right, Enforcer?” Dylan seemed a bit surprised he was being asked, but I understood. It was a matter of rank and Gene might be our teacher, but Dylan was the ranked member of this pack.

“Yes. Quint is stronger than Colton and just as fast. Balance for the attackers.” Gene nodded. We took our places and hid in the tall grasses. Gene was the bigger of the other attackers, but I couldn't see him. Yet Zeke somehow got the signal because he stood to his full height and let out the loudest roar I had ever heard. I cowered for a moment, not only remembering the night Zeke protected me last moon, but also some memories of the nights I heard explosions and gun fire.

Dylan touched the top of my head and I snapped out of it. His eyes flicked to the Ferals that were now coming at us, the herd having bolted at the sound of the large, unknown predator. “That's the past, this is now.” I nodded and got into a crouch, my hind wiggling to ready for the pounce.

The lead Feral collided with Zeke and we moved. The others were not ready for the ambush and were caught by surprise, but not for long. I hit one squarely in the knees and began to rake my claws along his sides and up to get to his neck and go for a kill. Yet this foe had hands and grabbed me to pull me loose. Good luck, I thought, and latched my claws into his thigh, side, and shoulder. He would have to rip me off to get rid of me, and that would hurt a lot. I heard the sounds of combat all around me, but I was focused on this prey. I did take some claws to my back, but he knew he could not get a good hold without getting wounded and instead fell to the ground. I was ready and use his body as a running ground and clawed my way around to his other side. That exposed the soft underbelly to my raking hind claws and I shredded him in little time while I took his throat in my jaws and clamped down as hard as I could, tasting the blood spill into my mouth and making me sick to my stomach. It was rancid tasting to me. When he struggled no more, I ripped his throat all the way out and then turned to help Dylan who was grappling with his foe.

Dylan had a few gashes across his arm, but nothing serious. I waited for a good time to pounce and while I saw a few good ones, I waited. My mind was very clear tonight. Somehow I was not as feline as I had been in the past and I could almost read what Dylan was doing. He was as strong as the beast and was biding his time until he could get it in the position he wanted. Each moment brought him closer to that one thing he was looking for, and when it came even I saw it. The Feral pulled free on claw and swiped for Dylan's throat, but Dylan was more than ready and bent backwards, pulling the Feral off the ground and over him. Dylan didn't let go though, and he used the momentum to put him atop the Feral and he wrapped his mighty arms around the thing's throat and squeezed. The Feral scratched at his arms but he was not letting it break his hold.

Zeke roared out a warning and I turned to see the Feral he was fighting, while bleeding from a nasty bite around his thigh, was heading for Dylan to go for the kill while he was distracted and helpless. Not while I was there. I crouched and launched, my claws extended already. I grabbed the Feral in the chest and spun around to latch right on to its left arm, raking deep gashes from his chest to the right side of his back. With my sudden appearance, knew he would not get his kill. He would not see another day because Zeke was back and his massive paw literally took the head off in one swipe. It twitched and fell with my weight pulling it left. I landed hard and heard a snap. It made me flinch and my body lost feeling.

Zeke pulled the body off me and nuzzled my face, licking the blood from me. Feeling returned and I saw Dylan standing up, the Feral's neck broken. His eyes were a burnished gold and filled with almost a righteous blood lust. He let out a primal scream that was more roar than humanly possible. When his eyes fell on me, that gleam left them. I realized the fight was over. Colton and Gene had done their part, and we had done ours. We were hurt, bleeding, and would need some rest, but we were alive. Zeke took a step back when Dylan gestured and I was lifted into Dylan's arms. “You saved my life, Quint. No walking for you, you broke you leg.” It took a moment to realize he was right. With all the adrenaline in my system, and the other various hurts, it was one more thing I just didn't notice. “Zeke, is it okay if I carry your mate?” Zeke nodded with a wuff.

The Hunters arrived about twenty minutes later with Jon and Pat jumping out of the cab of the truck. They looked at the Feral corpses and us while we licked our wounds. “Hmm. Looks like we missed the fun,” said Jon evenly. “Dylan, please come with me.” Dylan set me down gently and Zeke came to stand over me in protection. The Alpha and the Enforcer made their way out of most Lycan's ears, but mine seemed to hear just find. “You did something monumentally stupid tonight, Dylan.”

“Which part? Taking them on against your orders or essentially saying fuck you?”

“Both. I know you are my Enforcer, but I worry Dylan. I have faced Ferals and I know they could kill this group, even with Gene here. Wait, let me explain before you start getting angry at me again.” Dylan nodded and crossed his arms. “When I took this land, there were some Ferals here. You know that. I never told you we lost ten Hunters in three days to them. Men and women who knew what it was to hunt these beasts and were armed with guns and silver ammo, silver knives, and even shrapnel grenades with silver. Ten people killed by two Ferals.” I almost felt Dylan's body get cold. “So, it was not an idle worry. I would have lost both my son and my Enforcer at one time had this gone differently. I couldn't stand that thought.”

Dylan pulled his Lunais father into his arms, even though Jon was four feet taller. “I'm sorry, Dad, for being a dick and for challenging you. It's just...I needed this experience if I am ever to know what it is to be the Enforcer in all but name. I can't do this job you have given me without knowing what it is to fight threats.” Jon pulled back and looked into his eyes. “I also needed to blow off some steam. Amos is pissing me off and hurt Zeke last time, and I couldn't best him even with Colt's help.”

“You don't have to prove you can do the job, Dylan. I hope you feel calmer now.” He nodded. “Good. Now, if you ever try this shit again I will kick your ass out of the house for a month and you better come back with knee pads for groveling,” Jon said with a joke that was also a statement.

“Sure, Dad. Just...let me have the experience I need.” Jon nodded. “I'm not ready to take them on alone, I know that, but I had my friends here. Quint had my back.”

“I see. Then tell me what happened and then go see the doc to get patched up.”

I blinked when I felt someone touching me. I hissed at them but stopped when I saw the pack's physician. Pat acted as their doctor in the field. “Let me look at your leg, Quint, please.” I stuck out my leg and he did a thorough but gentle job of wrapping it after setting the bone. It hurt, but not badly, yet it would have healed at a bad angle had he not not set it. “There. Now, can you tell me what those two talked about? I speak Felis well enough.”

They dealt with the problem. Dylan was angry for not being able to take on Amos and needed to get it out. He also needed to learn how to fight Ferals sometime. He took one on by himself. Pat nodded like he was impressed.

“And what else happened? How did you break your leg? Actually, Dylan can tell me the rest when I patch him up. You rest. Thank you for saving my son.” I wondered how he knew I had done that. He smiled and went over to his mate and son. Zeke lay back down and curled around me.

I was awakened when I heard Gene talking to the Alphas. “Those boys work well together. It is as you say, the old blood is strong in them. The old bonds are there. I almost got in the way.”

“How so?” asked Alpha Alan.

“Colt and I have fought together before, so we knew what to do, but it was as if Colt and Zeke were in rapport with each other.” Rapport? What was that?

“Has there ever been coyote/bear rapport?” Jon asked. “I know Quint and Dylan have it.” We did? Was that the bond thing they talked about? I feigned sleep and listened.

“Not to my knowledge. Travis?”

“It is possible, but only just. Those two would have to have a very close relationship in their family lines. Perhaps their ancestors had formed a bond. Coyotes rarely form lasting bonds with mates, but bears do and their...presence is strong. If one of Zeke's ancestors had mated one of Colton's, perhaps on the way East, then there could be a small residual rapport. Tell me more, Gene.”

“That's the only thing I can say it was. I was squared off against one of the Ferals and Zeke had his. Colton was keep one busy in a chase, but he would dart in, take a cheap shot at one I was fighting or Zeke and...Zeke knew when he would pass because that bear just lashed out like swatting a fly by your ear. Almost lazily. And he would connect, knocking the beast to the turf. Colton would then rush in, bite the throat, and move before he got hurt.” I marveled at how this sounded. Zeke and Colton had done a number on them then. Perhaps the one that had tried to go for Dylan had been fed up with being mauled by a bear and went for weaker prey. “And I saw it happen with Quint and Dylan. Quint waited for Dylan to make his move and then protected his flank. Those two have rapport and it is strong. Never tell one of them something you don't want the other to know. They will know within moments.”

“That strong?” Alan sounded shocked.

“Yes. He eavesdropped on Jon and Dylan after the fight and he did it without thinking. Just like he's listening to us right now, faking like he's asleep.”

I snorted and opened my eyes. “Snitch,” I said to Gene. I sat up, doing my best not to disturb Zeke. I was naked, but then all but Alan were too. It didn't mean too much in this company, but I was sincerely in awe. Jon was hung, Gene was decent, Travis was a beer can...and Alan's scared me. When I got to my feet, the few pains I still had screamed at me. Especially the arm.

“How are you feeling?” Jon asked.

“I'm not dead, but I'm hurting. This rapport thing...is that the shock?” Alan nodded. “So why do you shock me too, Alan?”

“It's in the blood. Literally. Dylan is my biological grandson. While you and I would have a rapport, yours with him is far stronger.” I nodded and joined them when they motioned me over. “So, how much do you remember about last night?”

“Ferals, blood, pain, broken arm, Jon being worried about losing Dylan, and me hissing at Pat while he set my arm.” I left out a lot, but that was enough for them.

“That's more than normal, isn't it?” Travis asked and I nodded. “So what aren't you telling us?”

“That's between me and Dylan.” Travis smiled wryly, knowing I would saying nothing else and he could not order me to do it without dire need. “I will say that having me near him will keep him calmer, Zeke will keep him at pique condition, and Colton will keep him gounded.”

“How do you know that?” Jon asked, curious.

“That can't tell you as I don't know how I know. As a unit, we're a good group. That I do know. I...I'm considering petitioning the pack for acceptance. Thinking still, because...Zeke.”

Jon nodded. “If you do wish to, you will be accepted. You have proven a strong fighter and would be a wonderful addition to the Hunters, if you wanted to be one.” The other Alphas nodded. “So, once you decide where you stand with Zeke, know that you have a place with us.”

I bowed. “You honor me, Alphas.” For once they didn't even smirk when I used their titles. To think, I could be in a pack. One where I would be welcomed and given a place that I knew what would be expected of me. Not a loner, not a nomad...a family member.