Dark Wolf Watching

Disclaimer: all trademark and licensing rights of the Anita Blake novels belong to Laurell K. Hamilton and Jove books published by Penguin Putnam. I receive no profit from my writing of fan fiction.

Timeline: After Cerulean Sins

Author's Note: There is a powerful short story called 'Show Me' that I had in my subconscious when I started to write this. So I hope the wonderful writers Sabriel & Sian don't mind.


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Dark Wolf Watching

I loped through the forest relishing the wind in my thick black fur, the sounds of the night and the scents teasing my nose. Dawn was only a few hours away and it had been a good run for the pack. My massive paws flung clumps of earth as I wove between the trees back to where the cars were waiting. But no one waited for me. Even as a wolf I ran alone, like I have done for years. I always told the pack I started my run early in the evening before most arrived to make sure their surroundings were safe and my excuse for not joining them later was that I patrolled the nearby access road so no humans would stumble upon them. Considering my position in the pack all the werewolves thought this was logical. Safety was my job. How could I explain that running surrounded by others seemed to make me feel even more alone.

The only thing I regretted about missing the gathering of werewolves was that Jason was sure to be there. The younger exuberant wolf always seemed to make me laugh with his outrageous comments. Well, at least laugh silently to myself. The was something so vital and vibrant about the other man that drew me like a helpless moth to a flame. And when I occasionally allowed myself to be near Jason my inner coldness thawed and I seemed almost warm again. But not too close and not too often, because when I was near most of the younger wolves quieted and regarded me warily. I wasn't sure if was my position in the pack, my aloof manner or that they just didn't trust me. I did not blame them, when I first joined I was under Raina's chaperonage and did not believe the few rumors that slipped past the bitch to reach my ears. I had been so blinded by always looking backwards at my past that I failed to notice the atrocities going on under my nose. But then failing others was something I excelled at. But in my full wolf form I didn't dwell on those thoughts and sometimes these moments were the only ones I allowed myself to feel carefree.

Only a few cars were left and I saw one of my packmates smoking a cigarette by my car. Actually a clove, not a cigarette, my nose told me as I drew the rich aroma deep into my lungs. I recognized Graham, a werewolf a few years younger than myself who I practiced fighting with on a regular basis. His long black bangs fell back from his face as he tilted back his head to exhale. Even as a wolf I was not fooled by the other's casual manner.

When I was next to my Camero I shifted, thick black fur rippling to reveal smooth dark skin as clear goop splattered onto the dirt. I opened the unlocked door and reached past the weapons piled on the car seat for my jeans, a bag of rubber bands for my hair and my necklace. Any thief would be easily scented and none dared to steal from me. I put my necklace on, the black leather cord and onyx ankh almost disappearing against the darkness of my chest. I pulled the black Levis up my muscled thighs, zipping them but not bothering with the button so they rode low on my slim hips.

"Are you waiting for me?" I asked.

"Nah, not really...more for Jason." Was Graham's reply.

I noticed Graham's gaze on my face and fought to keep my expression blank, as usual, swiftly quelling the surge of jealously. I relaxed as the other man continued.

"Jason caught a ride here with Stephen and since I'm heading right past the Circus I wondered if he wanted bum a ride there."

It was common knowledge that the blonde werewolf spent most nights there as he was the Master of the City's favorite blood donor. Jealously again flared but this time directed with envy to the handsome vampire, Jean-Claude. How could someone like me compete with such timeless beauty.

I was leaning against my car talking with the other man when faint angry voices reached our ears. Graham and I looked at each other and frowned. Were Jason and Stephen fighting? That seemed unlikely considering their personalities and close friendship. But tension was riding high in the pack. Many were upset over Richard trying to make a untimely show of independence against Jean-Claude during Musette's visit. And the resulting beating of Sylvie, our Freki, because she voiced what most were thinking. Though a small group still wanted total separation from the vampires and that undercurrent flowed through the pack disrupting it. And now Richard seemed to be constantly in a foul mood, especially at Jason since it became known that the younger wolf had sex with Anita our Bolverk. The fact that she used to be Richard's Lupa and now the lower ranking wolf had mated with her was a festering wound for the Ulfric. Though to his credit the usually brash Jason was wise enough to keep his mouth shut and avoid our packleader. Something I was thankful for.

The voices raised in volume and we could hear alarm mixing with anger. Recognizing one of the sharp cries as Jason's, I raced towards the disturbance, my long hair fanning out behind me. Graham cursed and threw down his clove to follow. My sharp eyes, courtesy of being a lycanthrope, saw the combatants even in the darkness of the night and forest. Two weres in wolfman form were fighting with Jason and another in human form with Stephen while a fourth also in human form hovered close by. Two more men were further away and appeared uneasy now that physical violence had erupted. Ugly words filled the air, 'coffin bait' and 'pussy lover' were just a few.

When I saw a blow land on Jason and the smaller man almost went down fury engulfed me. A terrible roar gave the fighters a split second warning before I entered the fray. I backhanded Stephen's attacker on my way to confront the two circling Jason. I was dimly aware that the two who had been watching tried to flee and met Graham instead. Jason was covered with blood and bruises but still trying to land punches against his attackers. It was two against one and the other weres were much larger in their fur covered forms so it was obvious he would not have prevailed or even stayed up on his feet much longer. Though Jason was outmatched, his attackers did not stand a chance against an Alpha and I joined the fight.

Beast claws sprung from my hands to shred the flesh and fur of the others though my own skin stayed the smoothness of my human form. Even though they towered above me they could not equal my skill or fury and soon were bloody heaps whining in the dirt. I ignored Graham's voice and only Jason's touch stopped me from killing my helpless prey. Panting and snarling I let the smaller man push me away as my beast struggled to be free and finish them.

Jason was pressed close to me and pushing on my chest when I enfolded the younger wolf in a rough embrace while growling over the blonde's head. The excited voice that I had barely heard in my rage silenced and the smaller man grew still. As I tried to control my beast I worried that Jason might be afraid that he would be hurt by me in the blindness of bloodlust. But I realized with relief that I smelled no fear coming from the young man. I heard a soft noise and felt Jason move closer so the bare skins of our torsos seemed to merge. Distracted from killing, my beast now wanted to claim the smaller man I had wanted for so long and I grew afraid of myself as these desires were stronger than those of blood. Instinct urged my beast to cover the smaller man that now stank of others and assert a claim of my own. But I was not going to aid Jason from an attack and then subject him to another.

I pulled the smaller man away and focused on the bruised and bloody face. Bright blue eyes shined in the moonlight from all of the dirt and gore as Jason looked up at me. My beast quickly quieted, the need to protect and care for overwhelming the need to possess. My huge hands cupped Jason's face and the claws that recently tore apart flesh now cradled the blonde man's jaws. I leaned down and licked at a cut at the shorter were's temple, tasting blood, torn flesh and ...Jason.

I did not know how long I would have stood there licking the other man clean for I was interrupted by Stephen's quavering voice.

"I want to go to Antia's, the pard is there and I want to see my brother and Vivian." Was the shaken request.

I had forgotten about the other wolf and reluctantly turned towards him, tucking Jason securely under my shoulder. Stephen's attacker laid in a crumpled heap and the two men who had tried to run crouched bruised and beaten a short distance away. Only the man who had hovered near the fighting was untouched and was cowering in the dirt whimpering. Graham was keeping a close eye on them like the good bodyguard I trained him to be.

I looked both of the young men over and allowed them to convince me that they really didn't need to go see Dr. Lillian like I wanted them to.

"What should we do with them?" Asked a disgusted Graham, motioning to the men on the ground.

"Call some of the other enforcers and have them come and take them to the clinic." I growled at the men, "I'm only giving you medical attention so you can leave the city."

At their faint protests I continued, "You all have two weeks before I start hunting you-get far away."

They quieted, hearing the deadly truth in my voice.

"Go back to the cars," I told Graham,Stephen and Jason, reluctantly releasing the paler smaller man snuggled against my side.

They hesitated but left, only Richard or perhaps Sylvie could had countermand my orders. I turned to the unmarked man, the one who had not actually fought but had hovered like a vulture during the attack. Hovered with a hard-on, eagerly waiting for one of the smaller men to be beaten helpless. I showed little mercy but did leave the other man breathing, something I felt generous about.

When I joined the others at the cars I overheard the two younger men discussing some of the bigotry and cruelty of certain packmembers. Jason as dealing with more than the usual amount with Richard's disfavor so blatant. Graham gave me a long look.

I made a sudden decision that more wolves should be given to Jean-Claude at the Circus and the new volunteers should include enforcers as well. If packmembers wanted to target the blood donors we would give them 'victims' that could kick their asses. When I shared my decision Graham asked,"How am I going to get them to volunteer, I mean I will but..."

"Tell them they can be convinced by your recruitment speech or mine...and mine's not so nicely worded." I gave him a cold smile as I said this.

I turned to the two men now clothed and asked,"Are you sure you guys are ok and don't need to swing by the clinic?"

"Nah, they weren't using their claws so we're not cut up, so just some colorful bruises for later." Said Jason.

"Man, they wanted to hurt ya, but not claw...that doesn't make sense." Commented a confused Graham.

Jason's grin had a bitter twist to it,"They didn't want us to be too messy to be raped later."

Stephen huddled deeper in his jacket and Jason wrapped his arms around himself. All the young man was wearing was a long sleeved tee-shirt that hugged the sleek muscles of his torso and a faded pair of jeans that molded to his tight ass. I wanted to pull him against me again and warm him with my body heat in the chilly night air but stopped myself. I settled for digging in my car and tossing him my cashmere pullover sweater I left there from wearing it earlier before the run started. Jason didn't put it on but hugged it to his chest, burying his hands in it.

It was agreed that Graham would drop off Jason at the Circus like he had planned on doing. Jason made the ironic comment that he was safer surrounded by the soulless bloodsuckers than his own pack. I felt quiet rage and longed to be the one to take him home and curl my larger body around his until he felt safe again. But I was afraid my comfort might turn to caresses and I wasn't going to take advantage of anyone, especially him. Besides someone had to go with the other shaken wolf and explain the situation to Anita. Graham looked overjoyed that I outranked him and this lovely duty fell to me. We waited until Clay and Travis showed up and I explained things before we left.

Grabbing my cell phone and keys I offered to drive Stephen's car since he appeared unraveled but didn't want to be stranded at Anita's. We followed Graham's car down the tree lined gravel road and Old Highway 21 back to the city before parting, them to Jean-Claude's, us to Anita's. Stephen was mostly quiet on the drive back and I didn't pressure him to talk.

Anita's home still had lights on and cars parked infront of her house. It appeared that most of the pard had stayed but we found a spot next to her neighbors. Well the empty house that was closest to her. I wondered if the previous owners had sold before or after the gun-battle I had heard about.

As we walked in I realized I didn't have to explain as the previously silent Stephen was now a font of information as he rapidly shared everything. I tried to protest at the whole 'me and Graham being heroes thing' but no one was listening so I just leaned back against their kitchen cabinets and waited for Anita's interrogation. It was funny how fierce she looked stomping around her kitchen in her pajamas asking questions. I didn't laugh though. She had on a nightshirt with penguins sitting on an ice flow with the words 'Just Chillin' written underneath. It was one of the few times I have ever seen her unarmed, it relieved me to discover she didn't sleep with her shoulder holster on. Of course she wanted to call a meeting for tomorrow and wave her gun about. Usually I agreed with her but this time I spoke up.

"I will handle this." My voice deep and dangerous with a growling undertone. Either they had forgotten about my presence or my dark skin blended in the semi-darkness of the kitchen. I was flattered when Anita's eyes slid towards the butcher's block of knives on the counter and the muscular body of Micah stepped in front of her. I hid my grin and rolled my eyes instead.

The tense moment was broken by Nathaniel asking if I wanted coffee or hot cocoa. I decided on the hot cocoa and the slim muscular redhead added little marshmellows in my forest green mug. There went my big bad wolf image. I went to Stephen now sitting at the table and squatted down, balancing on the balls of my feet. I rested my hand on one of his knees and was glad that he didn't flinch away.

"Are you going to be ok?" I asked peering up into his thin pale face. "I can stay." It was nice that no one mentioned that I hadn't been invited.

"Nah, I'm alright here with the leopards." He replied staring at his steaming mug.

"You did real good back there," I said brushing my knuckles along his jawline."Fighting back like you did." I had remembered his background of abuse.

He shrugged, "I didn't fight too well."

"Well you did fight and that's what counts," I said. "We have practice...some of my guys ..you could come by and I could show you some more moves." I offered, hating that lost look on his face.

"You're opening up fighting practice to non-enforcers?"

"I never thought it was closed." I frowned. "Anyone in the pack can join."

"Can Gregory come too?" The young wolf asked nodding at his brother.

"Sure," I said smiling at the young leopard. "The pard is welcome."

He shyly returned my smile, his hand reaching out to my hair.

"It must take hours-like at least eight- to do this, how is done already tonight?"

"I change back with them." I grabbed a handful of my hair and frowned. "I didn't do all the ends yet so they are starting to unravel."

His eyes widened, "You're kidding."

"Nope, I started changing at twelve and spent years practicing with my hair, I can even make it longer...trust me if I had been older I would have concentrated on my cock instead." I explained with a droll masculine look.

This got a laugh even from a pale Stephen and I was glad.

Nathaniel had left the kitchen and now he returned dressed and jingling his keys. He offered me a ride back to the lupanar which I accepted. I told him to take a jacket and he remarked on my lack of one. I explained that I had given my sweater away and at his frown I brushed aside his concerns. He didn't have one that I could borrow that would fit me anyway I told him. He agreed and commented that I had been working out, his lavender eyes lingering on my now more muscular frame. We said our good-byes and left.

After I climbed out of the jeep at the lupanar I waved and watched his taillights disappear in the darkness. I jogged over to the spot of the attack and it was empty, the earth bare and clean looking again as if the hatred hadn't happened. I returned to my car but did not want to drive back to my empty apartment. I reached in my car for the towels I always carried in case I need them to clean up after a change. Grabbing them I saw the note taped on my steering wheel from Shang-Da asking me to call him tomorrow. Rolling the bigger towel up I used it as a pillow and stretched out on the hood of the Camero, a smaller towel draped over my chest. I relaxed and looked up at the clear crisp night sky and stared at the stars.

Nathaniel had told me that after he dropped me off he was going to swing by the Circus and stay the night with Jason. I was relieved that the young man I had grown to care for would not have to spend the night alone after the attack. That Nathaniel would be with him and could offer warmth and comfort. And I so wished it could me instead.

I had visited his room at the Circus on one of my 'check up' visits and I imagined slipping into it. Undressing in the dark and having Jason sleepily awaken and ask after Stephen. Of sliding under the covers and have Jason snuggle close and comparing my night chilled skin to a popsicle. Then groggily offer to lick my 'popsicle' in true outrageous Jason fashion. Me laughing softly in his ear as I spooned behind him and buried my face into his soft short hair. Nuzzling the nape of his neck and marking him with a little nip before soothing it with my tongue. I would pull him against me, his muscled buttocks pressed to my groin and his smooth skin against my coarser pubic hair. I would nestle my cock in the crease of his ass and snake my arm around his waist as Jason shifted to use as a pillow my other arm curled under his head. I wouldn't care if nothing else happened if I knew he would still be in my embrace in the morning. Knowing we could spent the day together before he crawled into Jean-Claude's bed to wait for the vampire to awake and feed. I wouldn't mind sharing him with the elegant Master of the City or with another woman. In fact one of my best fantasies involved the two of us sharing a woman. But I reminded myself grimly that if the handsome young blonde had a lady in bed with him he wouldn't want me there. Jason was very vocal on how he 'liked girls'.

Usually so did I, but I still wanted Jason. Wanted to discover how his chest would feel under my palm and how sensitive his flat male nipples were. If I was spooning behind him caressing his chest would he prefer my finger tips brushing his nipples or the gentle rasp or my nails. What sort of noises would he make if I pinched and plucked them to turgid peaks. Would he beg for me to explore lower or would he grasp my wrist in his strong grip and force it south. I have seen him often shirtless and each time my fingers have itched to trail down the flat plane of his stomach and dip into his navel.

I pushed the towel aside and my hands wandered over my chest as I thought of Jason. I lowered my zipper and pushed at my jeans to free my hardening length. My fingers trailed up and down my cock as I imagined teasing the smooth skin of Jason's shaft. Of drifting down to caress his balls, rolling them in his shaved sack. I knew he was hairless for his stripping job at Guilty Pleasures. I had even seen him semi-hard or erect at one time or another. With the nudity in the pack it wasn't uncommon. But what was uncommon was the strength of my desire to lave all that bare shaven vulnerable skin of his groin with my tongue. To explore and learn the taste of his skin and to discover how much of him I could swallow. Jason's cock was good sized for his height and was pale with a rosy flush when engorged with blood. And how I hungered for it.

If I couldn't taste him then I would be more than content with touching him. Of stroking my palm down the length of him and curling my fist around his cock. Of rubbing his leaking pre cum around the crown of his cock and teasing under the rim. My fingertips would trace the vein running along the underside of his shaft back and forth until he begged for more. Or demanded, Jason was a pushy little shit. Only then would I enclose his cock in my dark hand and pump its length until he writhed against me. His taunt ass wold be grinding against my aching cock, tormenting me with its tight waiting warmth. I would press my face in the curve of his neck as I pumped and squeezed his hard cock until with a great shudder he would spill into my hand. While I waited for the blonde to recover from the tremors coursing his slender muscular body I could lick my hand clean of his salty sweet come.

I felt my own balls draw up tight against my body and barely had time to grab the tossed aside towel before I erupted with my own release. After a long moment of staring up sightlessly at the stars I wiped myself clean and climbed into the car. Turning the key in the ignition I started for my empty apartment, alone. Always alone.


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