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    astone2292
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Cernunnos - 33. Chapter 33

A loud commotion erupted outside of the room. Jaime and Kara were the first to their feet, positioning themselves in front of the second bed. Cyn rose from the bed. His heart pumped with fear. Wha- What’s going on?

A silhouette flashed in front of him and from the scent, he instantly knew it was Shea. The deer's eyes darted to Kara, who silently grabbed a handgun from her duffel bag. The three lycan looked at each other, only for Shea to hold up a closed fist. Both men withdrew their pistols from their bags. Following a few swift hand signals, Jaime knelt in front of Kara.

Cyn sat in complete terror. When Shea glanced back, the wolf smiled and brought a finger to his lips. The deer understood. Silent. I… I think they are ready to strike! Shea’s palm was brought up, giving an order to remain seated.

The noise ended, and the lycans shared another look. Shea tapped his nose and wagged two fingers towards the door. Jaime and Kara nodded. As the enforcer walked forward, Jaime stepped backwards, guarding the cernunnos.

He watched as Kara gripped the door handle with Shea at the ready. She counted down from three using signs. The last finger fell and she yanked the door open. Cyn’s breath held as Shea lurked outside the room and went left as Kara turned right.

Firm and commanding voices clashed, but Cyn distinguished Shea’s demanding tone. “Put them down! I said put them down!” Silence came again. “In the room, now! Before we wake up the whole building.”

Cyn watched as four men entered. He shook as he saw a few of them with gashes along their faces. A familiar scent rolled by and he recognized one of the captives.

It’s him! That… It’s that man from the road!

The officer’s eyes met Cyn’s, but Jaime stepped between them. “I’ll drop you right now.”

Shea’s growl erupted in the room. “Explain everything.” He darted his barrel towards the man left of Baxter. “You. I recognize your scent from a previous mission. Speak.”

One of the bloody lycans nodded, “Yes, Delta. These two are with me on your security detail. This man isn’t. We saw him stalking the hall and was approaching your room door. We intervened and he started a fight.”

Shea’s gaze fell to Baxter. “Why are you here? You are not a part of their team and your earlier stunt already pissed me off. I want an answer!”

Cyn pulled the comforter closer. The movement caused a collective shift of glances, including Baxter’s. The wolf’s nose twitched as he and the deer locked eyes. Cyn shivered and looked away.

A grunt forced his head up. He gasped when he saw Shea gripping Baxter by the face. “Are you fucking looking at him?” The enforcer’s eyes squinted as anger flowed through the room. “You wanted a midnight snack, huh?”

Baxter barely shook his head against Shea’s hold.

“No? Then why have you looked at my mate with anything less than a smile?” He released the officer and watched him fall to a knee.

After collecting himself, Baxter bared his neck to Shea. “I wasn’t here to cause shit, sir! If I can do something without getting shot, I have an envelope in my back pocket.” Looking at Jaime's aimed gun, he dipped his head for permission. Once the barrel was lowered, Baxter slowly pulled a paper from the promised location. “I wanted to slide this under the door. Alpha Rogier reamed me a new asshole.” He ran a hand through his short hair. “I won’t be a liar and say I’m fond of the prey shifters, but I try to mind my business.”

Shea growled but took a step back. “I understand your intentions, but an in-person apology would have been fine.”

Baxter shook his head. “No, sir. Alpha told me how protective you are of the cernunnos. I felt this was the best route. I wasn’t expecting the security though.”

Kara clicked the safety on her pistol and let her arm fall lax. “Shea, I smell his sincerity. He’s an asshole, but I think this was a misunderstanding.”

“I agree.” He lowered his Glock and glared at Baxter. “I’ll be keeping an eye on you, but I’ll accept the envelope on one condition.”

“Name it, sir.”

Shea crossed the room and sat next to Cyn. With the big man’s arms around him, the deer’s smile started to return.

“I want you to apologize to Cyn. He’s gone through a lot the last week and you pulling us over didn’t help.”

“May I approach?”

Cyn saw Shea’s head close in. “You okay with that, baby?”

The deer nodded and whispered, “Y-yes.”

He watched as the mustached man took a few steps. “When Alpha Rogier gave me a talking to, he told me what your alpha told him. If I would’ve known your actions over the last several days, I wouldn’t have acted like an ass. Did… Did you seriously spot a scope from a bush in a forest?”

After slowly nodding, he felt Shea nuzzle his neck.

“My wolf is beyond impressed. Like I said, I'm partial on prey shapeshifters, but you seem different. You're not like the ones that squeal and demand for better treatment when it hasn't been earned. You... ” Searching for the proper words, the officer looked down, but lifted his gaze back to Cyn's, "You fit in well. From Alpha's tale at the crime scene, you wanted to do your fair share of the work." Baxter knelt on his right knee. “I respect you, kid. Please accept my apology.”

Cyn looked over the lycan for a few seconds. He's telling the truth. When I look at him now, I don't get the feeling like when I first saw him. He was mean then, but he isn't now. The cernunnos smiled. “I accept. I think you were scary before, but I don’t think you mean any harm.”

Baxter stood and turned to Shea. "I'll see Alpha in the morning and accept the disciplinary charges."

The enforcer shook his head. "I don't think that's necessary. You came to deliver an apology and that's what I saw." Looking at the security detail, Shea continued, "I can't give orders, but I'm requesting this incident go unreported."

As the security team nodded, Baxter bared his neck. "Thank you, sir. I'm sorry for waking you all."

Baxter and the detail quietly left the room. As the door closed, Kara whispered, "You sure that was a smart move, Shea?"

Shea grumbled and moved to his side of the bed. "Probably not, but I'm too tired to care. If anything, it taught that asshole a lesson in humility." He laid his head on the pillow and reached for Cyn. "Come here, pup. Let's go back to sleep."

Cyn smiled and unfurled the blanket. Scooting closer to the wolf, he brought the comforter up to his neck and was wrapped in Shea's burly arms.

***

"You did what?" Eike snarled at his subordinate in a state of fury.

Hauser shriveled and bared his neck in submission. "I needed to piss, and you were taking a while with the rabbit."

The furious growl couldn't be contained in the truck. With a swift backhand, Eike struck. "Now they know we were there! You know they'll get Farren out there in a fucking minute!"

Thinking, the delta's mind moved hastily. Green Bay isn't safe anymore. Milwaukee'll be on high alert as well. Do we make our run to the border? No, it's too soon. Damn it all!

He sighed and glared at Hauser as he put the truck in gear. "Thanks to your fuck-up, we'll need to lay low. When the stores open, we're buying some camping gear and rations."

***

Bright and early the next morning, Kieran knocked on the alpha's door with his satchel shouldered. He waited a moment before repeating. Is Alpha even awake?

The lock turning jolted the scribe back into the present. He watched the door open to a shirtless Arric. The scowl on the muscled man’s face was the center of attention. “I thought I told you nine.”

Kieran smiled cheesily. “It is nine, Alpha! I can come back later if you need some sleep.”

Arric growled. “I’m already up. Come on, I’ll make some coffee.” He turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Closing the door behind him, Kieran followed. He set the satchel down and pulled his laptop out. The aroma of coffee grounds wafted to his nose. “Is that Death Wish?”

“Sharp nose. Only shit that gets me going in the morning.”

Kieran watched as Arric sniffed the open bag. The thinnest smile curled on the alpha’s face as he loaded the filter. Arric’s eyes darted to meet the historian’s. “See something, Kieran?”

He blinked and raised his eyebrows. “What’s that, Alpha?”

“You’re staring.”

“Oh, my bad!” Booting up his computer, Kieran resumed his work. “I finished the map last night when I got home. Just sent it to your email."

Arric kept his gaze fixated on the coffee pot while tapping his foot. "Good. What's your take on it?"

"Well, there wasn't a whole lot. Pretty much after Cyn's attack, the vehicle booked it to Green Bay and hovered in the downtown area between the murder scenes. Then it suddenly changed routes to the scout camp and was there for two days."

"Marric must have deserted then. Eike's smart enough to keep those two next to him."

Kieran crossed his arms and snorted. "Or Marric was sent on a mission to watch the forest."

The alpha smirked. "This is a new side of you, Kieran. I'm not sure if I like it yet."

"What do you mean?"

"You're cold and calculating. What happened to the dopey historian act?"

The lanky wolf snickered. "Can't help it! I guess I'm a little protective of my students and Cyn's gonna be one of them. That, and you told us to move fast with catching these guys."

Arric straightened up and leaned against the counter. "I did, and I appreciate everything you've done so far. Ever since I laid eyes on the cernunnos, I knew he would be something special. My wolf told me to protect him."

"Speaking of new behaviors, I haven't seen you like this before, Alpha." When Arric raised an eyebrow, Kieran knew he had to explain himself, "You're usually this big, bad wolf that's pretty commanding. Since Cyn's been around, you're a lot nicer."

Arric scowled. "I can be nice sometimes."

"Yeah, around Christmas. It's been different the past few days. You like Cyn, don't you?"

"He's different. I scared the shit out of him at the hospital and made him piss himself." The coffee was done pouring and the alpha grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. "Guess it was an awakening moment that I should change things up a bit."

Kieran smiled. "Just my opinion, but I like this new side of you."

"Really now?" Arric brought the mugs to the living room and handed one to his company.

But Kieran gave him a funny look. "Now this is getting weird."

"What? Bringing you coffee?"

"Yeah!"

Arric chuckled. "Call it giving you a little appreciation." He sat next to Kieran and sipped his brew. "Show me the map and their path."

The scribe explained the coordinates for each major destination, including stores and restaurants in Green Bay and the surrounding smaller towns. "This is good, Key. Send this to Rogier and tell him we can lend some uniforms to help out however he needs. Add Donovan onto it as well."

"Yes, sir." He minimized the map and opened a new email. Typing at a frightening speed, he put in a detailed message for the neighboring leaders. Within a minute, Kieran clicked the send button and stretched his arms above his head. “That’s done!”

Arric downed the rest of his coffee and rose. “Nice work. Hungry?”

“I could eat.”

“I'll get dressed. We’re going out for breakfast.”

Kieran widened his eyes in disbelief. “Wait, what?”

Copyright © 2021 astone2292; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

2 minutes ago, drpaladin said:

Bad Hauser. Mustn't go pee pee without permission. Eike spank.

 

Why do the members of Shea's team have different guns? Shea has a Glock which has no safety and Kara is shown clicking one on.

At least Baxter is someone they no longer need to worry about.

I like the new and improved Arric too. Cyn is initiating a lot of surprising changes in those he meets.

I almost cackled, and Noah's napping next to me!

Everyone has their preferred gun. I'm not sure if the why was explained, but Dr. Spencer Reid in Criminal Minds has a revolver while the rest of the team have typical handguns. I always find it amusing to see the skinny FBI guy with a hand-cannon.

Uh-oh. Cyn's inadvertently changing things! Between the alpha and the cernunnos, only one thing is on the mind:  wolf. :blushing:

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Mmmmm Death Wish coffee!!!  My favorite!  I'm liking Arric even more now.  Love the budding relationship between the alpha and the scribe... I think Kieran can handle the alpha personality just fine.  I don't believe Arric and Kieran even realize they are "courting"...too cute!!!  Love is in the air again....  Speaking of love, Sheamus and Cyn are just perfect. 🐺💖🦌 Love them.  It's awesome watching them grow!  Loved Sheamus getting all super protective!  Cyn seems to have a power over everyone he comes in contact with.  It's almost a calming effect.  He is so much stronger than he realizes...  As always, loved this latest installment! You are still 👑!!!

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Dr. Spencer Reid is one of my favorite characters of all time.  I've wanted to try Death Wish for a while, but I'm too cheap to pay that much!  I also scented a little lust in the air.  I'm thinking the alpha might be into nerds.  Camping might be a good way to lay low from humans, but Cyn is a lot more comfortable and confident in the woods than in a city.  The bad guys will smell like the skunks that they are!

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Could never stand the taste of coffee, always woke up just fine without caffeine, a glass of ice water always works!!

That said...something is rotten in Denmark, Sheboygan and Green Bay, methinks that if it isn't Baxter, then there's another Rat in the bushes, unless I missed something obviously obvious!!!!

"You did what?" Eike snarled at his subordinate in a state of fury.

Hauser shriveled and bared his neck in submission. "I needed to piss, and you were taking a while with the rabbit."

The furious growl couldn't be contained in the truck. With a swift backhand, Eike struck. "Now they know we were there! You know they'll get Farren out there in a fucking minute!"

So...inquiring minds want to know...just what led to Hauser's confession? I mean...everybody else but Cyn missed that clue and I thought it information NOT for general distribution...hummm

  • Like 3
9 hours ago, Patch1 said:

Mmmmm Death Wish coffee!!!  My favorite!  I'm liking Arric even more now.  Love the budding relationship between the alpha and the scribe... I think Kieran can handle the alpha personality just fine.  I don't believe Arric and Kieran even realize they are "courting"...too cute!!!  Love is in the air again....  Speaking of love, Sheamus and Cyn are just perfect. 🐺💖🦌 Love them.  It's awesome watching them grow!  Loved Sheamus getting all super protective!  Cyn seems to have a power over everyone he comes in contact with.  It's almost a calming effect.  He is so much stronger than he realizes...  As always, loved this latest installment! You are still 👑!!!

I think Arric has a clue, but our little dope might be clueless. Thanks for commenting, Patch!

9 hours ago, CincyKris said:

Dr. Spencer Reid is one of my favorite characters of all time.  I've wanted to try Death Wish for a while, but I'm too cheap to pay that much!  I also scented a little lust in the air.  I'm thinking the alpha might be into nerds.  Camping might be a good way to lay low from humans, but Cyn is a lot more comfortable and confident in the woods than in a city.  The bad guys will smell like the skunks that they are!

I may have been influenced by Reid in Kieran's character building a bit. I wanted him to be as smart, but I needed a personality change. Hence, the laid-back and dopiness. 

Try Death Wish out. I allot myself a new food product once a month in my grocery budget. I drink that brand every so often when I really need a boost or if I need to pull an all-nighter. 

Maybe Arric does like nerds, or maybe he has other plans...

Cyn being comfy in the woods is true, but now the rogue wolves will be in their natural habitat. I see a double-edged sword.

7 hours ago, JR Tittle said:

Death Wish coffee is my fave! I’ll take mine with a pack of sweet n low and vanilla caramel creamer please. Make it a double!

Looks as though Cyn is changing minds…and maybe some attitudes…and do mine eyes deceive me, but is there a possible fling in the future? Woof!

Great chapter!

Death Wish is so good! 

Is it a fling? Is it a spark? Who knows! You're reading a romance novel!

6 hours ago, drsawzall said:

Could never stand the taste of coffee, always woke up just fine without caffeine, a glass of ice water always works!!

That said...something is rotten in Denmark, Sheboygan and Green Bay, methinks that if it isn't Baxter, then there's another Rat in the bushes, unless I missed something obviously obvious!!!!

"You did what?" Eike snarled at his subordinate in a state of fury.

Hauser shriveled and bared his neck in submission. "I needed to piss, and you were taking a while with the rabbit."

The furious growl couldn't be contained in the truck. With a swift backhand, Eike struck. "Now they know we were there! You know they'll get Farren out there in a fucking minute!"

So...inquiring minds want to know...just what led to Hauser's confession? I mean...everybody else but Cyn missed that clue and I thought it information NOT for general distribution...hummm

To quote John Mulaney during his bit about college, "I didn't drink water the entire time." 

I don't think you missed anything. Eike was with Cloe for a few hours, and Hauser was waiting. When ya gotta go, ya gotta go... The confession might have come if Eike noticed the increased fuzz (Ha! Lycan police = fuzz) activity. 

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Baxter’s apology was very in line with a man in a position of power and privilege and I kinda wish they’d reported his ass. Granted, all that Cyn has accomplished so far is worthy of praise, but his circumstances are rare (thankfully). Shouldn’t all prey species be given equal treatment by dint of being capable of human intelligence? So what if they cry and whine for better treatment without putting themselves at risk? Their fight or flight response is genetically programmed to flee because they were hunted and killed long before history began to be recorded.

Oop, who put that soapbox under there?!

Shea’s leaning into his newfound authority as so naturally and I can’t help thinking having Cyn to protect — and as his mate — is a huge help in that evolution. An Enforcer with their mate by their side has got to be one of the fiercest of wolves, possibly on a Beta level. Being able to draw on the strength of wolf, mate, pack, and Enforcer, s’gotta be serious juju.

Speaking of Cyn’s influence on the pack, is it me or does it seem like his spirit is already intermingling with the others? I mean, everyone he meets comes away with a new outlook, but Arric’s pack more than most. They’re better versions of themselves. It’s like he’s already a pack member in spirit, just not officially recognized. You mentioned ramifications of Cyn joining the pack in a comment a while back and they’re starting to show ...

Arric and Kieran remain my beloved Odd Couple. I don’t know if it was intentional but you sort of explained why these feelings, this pull between Arric and Kieran, only started to blossom recently: Arric changed. He opened up, became more approachable. I suspect his wolf started noticing others in a new way, looking for potential mates where none were suitable or worthy before, and Kieran’s wolf ... well, who can resist a dopey little puppy? Since Kieran’s becoming more grounded too, their wavelengths are aligning. I haven’t been this excited since Cyn and Shea.

Oh, and Hauser. At least Eike will be able to answer the age old question: Does a wolf shit in the woods? 

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8 hours ago, Danners said:

Baxter’s apology was very in line with a man in a position of power and privilege and I kinda wish they’d reported his ass. Granted, all that Cyn has accomplished so far is worthy of praise, but his circumstances are rare (thankfully). Shouldn’t all prey species be given equal treatment by dint of being capable of human intelligence? So what if they cry and whine for better treatment without putting themselves at risk? Their fight or flight response is genetically programmed to flee because they were hunted and killed long before history began to be recorded.

Oop, who put that soapbox under there?!

Shea’s leaning into his newfound authority as so naturally and I can’t help thinking having Cyn to protect — and as his mate — is a huge help in that evolution. An Enforcer with their mate by their side has got to be one of the fiercest of wolves, possibly on a Beta level. Being able to draw on the strength of wolf, mate, pack, and Enforcer, s’gotta be serious juju.

Speaking of Cyn’s influence on the pack, is it me or does it seem like his spirit is already intermingling with the others? I mean, everyone he meets comes away with a new outlook, but Arric’s pack more than most. They’re better versions of themselves. It’s like he’s already a pack member in spirit, just not officially recognized. You mentioned ramifications of Cyn joining the pack in a comment a while back and they’re starting to show ...

Arric and Kieran remain my beloved Odd Couple. I don’t know if it was intentional but you sort of explained why these feelings, this pull between Arric and Kieran, only started to blossom recently: Arric changed. He opened up, became more approachable. I suspect his wolf started noticing others in a new way, looking for potential mates where none were suitable or worthy before, and Kieran’s wolf ... well, who can resist a dopey little puppy? Since Kieran’s becoming more grounded too, their wavelengths are aligning. I haven’t been this excited since Cyn and Shea.

Oh, and Hauser. At least Eike will be able to answer the age old question: Does a wolf shit in the woods? 

I love long comments! Let's see if I can unpack a few things. 

All prey species DO deserve equality under the new law, but Cyn is placed in an unusual spot. He's learning of humanity's ways, including laws. At the same time, the law is a year old, which is enough time for "some" of the dust to settle. Now that the prey can't be hunted, they're empowered and want more in life. They've been given rights, and now they're hungry for privilege, something that certain lycans are finding detestable.

Shea's becoming... well, a badass! 

Cyn is a deer, and besides hunters, humans typically marvel at a deer in their yard in a calm fashion. We stare and smile, instead of waving a stick in anger in an effort to shoo them. Cyn's effect of calm is understandable, but has any of our cast figured that out?

Ha! The Odd Couple. Arric mentioned he felt bad when he made Cyn wet himself at the hospital. This sparked a change and Kieran seems to be the first take notice. But the alpha's noticed change in Kieran. Our dope has been forced to be calculating for his student's sake. Has Arric's wolf seen something it likes? 

Yes. Yes, a wolf does do that in the woods. 

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Dying from the pee pee comments! A steady stream of laughs.

Deer piss mellowed the Alpha.

Wolf wiz may be their downfall.

I'm a coffee and chicory guy but Death Wish is over the top for me though it’s perfect product placement here.

”Key”? A pet name? Interesting. Starting to think there’s a good reason Arric clocked Shea back at the hospital. Maybe he was running gaydar? Hmm.

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1 hour ago, Dan South said:

Dying from the pee pee comments! A steady stream of laughs.

Deer piss mellowed the Alpha.

Wolf wiz may be their downfall.

I'm a coffee and chicory guy but Death Wish is over the top for me though it’s perfect product placement here.

”Key”? A pet name? Interesting. Starting to think there’s a good reason Arric clocked Shea back at the hospital. Maybe he was running gaydar? Hmm.

No watersports here, and I'm fairly certain there won't be any in my stories... ever. 

Arric's the alpha. He knows everything... 😉

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