Wolf Tales V (4 page)

Just the two of them, Stefan on top and Anton squirming beneath him, trying to find relief from the growing pressure in his cock, the hard ache to his balls.

Stefan continued to massage his shoulders and back, but the touch of his hands was secondary. Anton shuddered under the weight of his pack mate straddling his hips, the tantalizing sweep of Stefan’s cock over his ass, the rough abrasion of coarse hair on Stefan’s legs riding across his thighs.

After long minutes of rubbing and teasing, Stefan rose up on his knees and slipped Anton’s briefs down over his legs, then tugged them past his feet.

He spread Anton’s legs apart and lay on top of him. Anton shifted, better to wedge Stefan’s long cock tightly between his cheeks, then he grabbed the top edge of the mattress, wishing for his bed at home with the iron railings.

He waited, breath caught in his throat, heart practically stuttering in his chest, for Stefan to fuck him. Instead, he felt fingers reaching under his belly, finding his cock, stroking it in long, slow, teasing sweeps.

Groaning, twisting beneath Stefan’s weight and heat, Anton thrust his hips down, pressed himself into Stefan’s grasp, practically wept when Stefan slipped his hands away.

“It’s been awhile, hasn’t it? I figured it was your turn for the bottom.” Stefan chuckled, then slipped away from Anton. “Don’t move.”

Anton lay there, remembering. The first time they fucked, the first time either of them had ever had a sexual encounter with another man. Stefan had come to him, caught halfway between man and wolf, angry, needy.

Stefan had been afraid and belligerent at the same time and he’d burned with a sensuality that was almost intimidating. Anton’s breath caught as the full memory blasted through his mind. He’d shifted and wrestled Stefan to the ground, had speared him with his wolven cock without care, had taken him in what would have been an act of rape if only Stefan hadn’t wanted it so badly.

Not merely taken him… he’d screwed Stefan in front of Alexandria. Fucked him hard and long, shifting from wolf to human, filling Stefan’s firm ass with his sperm and bringing the young magician to an incredible climax.

Then he’d walked away and let Stefan and his future mate sort it all out themselves, something they’d done admirably.

Later, the tables had reversed. With youth and anger, passion and lust on his side, Stefan eventually bested his mentor, but there’d been no losers, only winners… pack mates.

A new beginning.

The bed dipped. Still lying on his stomach, Anton spread his legs wider, giving Stefan access. He felt the gentle touch of Stefan’s fingers, rubbing some sort of lubricant between his legs, around his sensitive ass. Anton groaned when Stefan slipped one finger inside his tight sphincter muscle, then shuddered when Stefan slowly guided him up on his knees and rubbed his balls and cock.

Stefan’s hands stroked and teased, fingers circling Anton’s balls, then tracing the sensitive length of his cock, slipping back between his legs to lightly squeeze and massage his balls once more.

Trembling now, Anton buried his head on his crossed arms and braced himself. His breath rushed in and out in short puffs. Stefan’s hands were everywhere, rubbing his cock, circling the hard crown, massaging the pulsing vein back to his balls.

He felt the solid head of Stefan’s cock pressing tightly against his ass. Grunting, forcing himself to relax, he sighed as the huge crown pressed hard, harder then slipped past the tight sphincter. Anton shuddered as Stefan filled him in one long, slow thrust.

Both of Stefan’s hands wrapped around Anton’s cock. Covered in lube, they slipped to the very end as Stefan withdrew, then slid back against his belly as Stefan thrust forward.

Anton felt Stefan’s balls pressing against his for the briefest of moments, then once more he was sliding out, moving his hands in the opposite direction.

In, out, faster, harder, Stefan’s fingers tightened around Anton’s cock with each thrust… pressure building in balls and gut, breath rasping, muscles clenching, Anton’s mind open and screaming on the edge of orgasm.

Suddenly Stefan was there, deep in Anton’s thoughts, sharing the sensations of heat and pressure, of cock stuffed deep in his lover’s hot bowels, of the slick slide of fingers over straining cock, a link that went full circle, growing, building sensation upon sensation, peaking as one, coming as one, both of them crying out, hanging there in a sensual high for what seemed like forever.

Yet lasted only seconds. Mere seconds before Anton’s cock was shooting his seed all over Stefan’s hands, mere seconds before Stefan’s cock was spasming, pumping his ejaculate into Anton’s welcoming body.

Minds open, hearts open, both of them linked as tightly as two people can be. Open to each other.

Together they heard Keisha’s mental scream.

Chapter Six

“Quit that!” Laughing, Keisha slapped Xandi’s hands away from her crotch and climbed out of the car. “It’s not easy to drive when some little bitch has her hands between your legs. Now cut it out!”

“Like you want me to stop? Admit it. You love it.” Grinning like the very devil, Xandi followed her up the stairs to the front door.

“You’re a traffic hazard, woman. I probably left a wet spot on the leather upholstery. Explain that to the car rental agency!” Keisha opened the door and stepped inside.

“Oh, damn.” Xandi paused at the threshold. “I left the bag of groceries in the trunk. Let me have the keys.”

Keisha tossed her the keys as she leaned down to unlace her boots. Xandi closed the door and ran back down the steps.

Keisha hoped she’d hurry. She was hot and wet, her pussy so ready for more of Xandi’s talented fingers, it wasn’t even funny.

Xandi, make sure you lock the doors. I can’t remember if I did or not
.

Hell, she’d barely been able to remember where her condo was, as turned on as she’d been while they drove along the crowded streets with Xandi’s fingers beneath her skirt, slowly stroking her very receptive clit.

Xandi? Did you hear me
?

Xandi
?

Dread curled, dark and potent in her gut. Keisha raced back to the front door and yanked it open.

Groceries lay scattered on the sidewalk in front of the condo. The rental car was gone.

So was Xandi.

* * *

“Ms. Rialto, you don’t know for certain it was Carl Burns who took your friend.”

“Who else would it be? The man’s been following me for weeks. You’ve got to find her!”

“We’ve got people working on it. If you hear anything, call me.” The burly detective handed his card to Keisha. “My cell phone’s the best way to get hold of me.”

The detective had been gone less than a minute when the phone rang. Keisha burst into tears when she heard Anton’s voice. She needed him with an almost paralyzing desperation. Needed both of them -- Anton’s steady strength, Stefan’s quick humor and compassion.

After a short conversation, Keisha slowly set the phone back on the table. Anton and Stefan were already at the airport. Somehow, they’d heard her, somehow, in spite of the distance, they’d known something terrible had happened.

Her pack mates were due to arrive in San Francisco shortly after midnight. They’d cancelled their morning meetings, left their luggage to be shipped later by the hotel.

They’d dropped everything to protect their women.

There was nothing she could do now but wait. Once more Keisha sent out a quick mental search for Xandi.
Nothing
.

Wrapping a faded afghan around her shoulders, she curled up on the end of the long couch. Fog settled over the city, muting the sounds outside, sending the afternoon into an early dusk. Keisha opened her mind, searching blindly for Xandi.

It was frightening, after so many months of sharing thoughts, to have no one answer when she called, but she kept her mind open, the plea to Xandi running in a steady litany, time meaningless, the silence oppressive.

She glanced at the clock over the fireplace. Almost seven. She’d been huddled here for almost three hours. The men would be in the air by now, completely out of touch. Sighing, she settled deeper into the soft couch, closed her eyes. Once more she silently called out.

Xandi? Why can’t you talk to me? What has he done to you
?

Keisha? What
…?

Stunned, blinking in surprise, Keisha leapt to her feet. Finally! Contact!

Where are you? You can’t be too far or we couldn’t connect! What happened
?

I’m not sure. Someone must have hit me on the head. I’m just now waking up… How long have I been gone
?

About three hours. But where
…?

Smells like fish… Near the ocean, I think. I’m handcuffed, tied and blindfolded. Other than a headache from where they conked me, I’m okay. I don’t sense anyone else around. If I shift, the bindings might come off and
…

Don’t shift! If it’s Burns, he’s watching you. I know he is. Anton and Stefan are on their way. They should be here after midnight… it’s just after seven. Keep your mind open to me. I’m coming to find you
.

There was no time to consider, no time to worry if this was the right course of action or not. The fog was growing thicker, the night darker. She called the detective’s cell phone. Left a message that she’d heard from Xandi, though she obviously couldn’t tell him how. Tucked her own cell phone into a fanny pack.

Keisha took a deep breath. Damn, if only Anton were here! He’d know if she were doing the right thing. It was risky, but her senses were sharper as a wolf, her legs faster, endurance and strength multiplied. The fog would help hide her, but the risk of discovery was great.

Xandi’s life depended on Keisha. She had no other choice. Keisha could do things as a wolf she could never accomplish in human form.

She stripped her clothes from her body. Naked, pack slung about her neck, Keisha slipped out the back door, checked to make sure no one was watching and shifted.

Within seconds, a wolf leapt the back fence, raised her head to sniff the smells of the city and, with the small black pack hanging loosely around her neck, raced in the direction of the mental touch she’d felt just moments ago.

Chapter Seven

Xandi blinked against the darkness, praying her blindfold would slip, wishing she could see something, anything that would lead Keisha to her. She’d lost track of the time. Every moment Keisha searched as
Chanku
put the entire pack at risk of discovery.

She rubbed her face against her shoulder but couldn’t reach the blindfold, tugged at what felt like handcuffs holding her wrists but only succeeded in making her wrists bleed. If she could be sure she was alone, Xandi knew she’d risk shifting. It would be so easy to free herself.

No luck. I can’t move the blindfold. Keisha? What if you link, the way we used to do during sex? Then you’ll see what I see… if I ever see anything
!

You’re too far away for a complete link. I’m on Nineteenth, heading toward the Golden Gate… I’m planning to cut through the park. Your mental signal is growing stronger. Keep feeding me anything you sense
.

Xandi opened her mind, absorbed the sounds and scents around her. She drew on her
Chanku
heritage without shifting, delving deeper into her basic wolven instincts.

Fear hovered just beyond. She refused to acknowledge its presence.

The scents grew stronger, the sound of water lapping nearby, the roar of cars overhead.

Overhead?

Keisha? Is there any place under a bridge or overpass where he might have me? I smell fish and hear water, but I also hear lots of cars going overhead
.

Fort Point
!

What
?

Fort Point. It’s just at the foot of the bridge, an old military base. I’m not that far away and the signal is stronger in that direction. Hang on
.

Xandi sensed his presence even before she heard the door squeal on its hinges. Her body tensed.
He’s here. In the room
.

So am I. Not physically, not yet. But I’m getting closer
.

Xandi almost sagged with relief when she felt Keisha enter her mind. Instead, she sat straighter in the hard-backed chair and took a deep, calming breath.

“Who are you? Why are you keeping me here?”

She sensed movement, felt the brush of fingertips along her cheek and immediately recoiled. Her heart pounded beneath her ribs.

“Who are you?” It was all she could do not to scream. Heart pounding in her chest, breath rasping in her throat, Xandi forced herself to find a calm she didn’t feel.

It’s Burns. I can feel him. But what the hell is he trying to prove
? Keisha’s soft mental voice tinged with her usual steel helped calm Xandi’s racing heart.

She felt the man’s presence, stronger, closer. His lips brushed against her ear and he whispered softly, “Why haven’t you shifted? I know you’re one of them. Shift. That’s all you have to do. Turn into a wolf for me and I’ll let you go.”

“You’re crazy.” Xandi practically spat the words.

Quiet laughter echoed in the room. “Ah, no crazier than your friend. That little black girl’s hiding a secret that’s going to make me rich. No, I’m no crazier than your friend… or her mother. The bitch!”

Did you hear him? Keisha, could your mother shift
? Xandi turned and faced the direction of the man’s voice. “What’s her mother got to do with this? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, yes you do. You know what your friend is like. She’s a tease, just like her mother. A monster. A wolf in human form. I think you are, too.”

I don’t know if my mother could shift or not. She died when I was little. Keep him talking. Get him to take the blindfold off if you can. The more I can see, the better my chance to get you out of there
.

“I don’t know anything about her mother. Keisha does not turn into a wolf. Are you nuts?” She shook her head and laughed. “Well, I guess that’s a given. Take this blindfold off of me. I know who you are, Mr. Burns.”

Her head jerked back with the force of his backhanded slap. “Ah!” Xandi tasted blood, but at least he ripped the blindfold away.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, bitch.” Burns stared down at her, his sallow face illuminated by the glow from a small flashlight clutched in his hand. “How come your friend hasn’t come to save you? I know you communicate. Is it telepathy? Do you read minds? Are you aliens? What the fuck are you?”

Xandi ignored his question. She took in all she could of her dark surroundings, hoping Keisha would grasp the images.

Burns set the flashlight down on a small table and walked around Xandi, trailing one finger along her collarbone, over her shoulder, across her back. The narrow beam of light sent a crazed pattern against the wall, over his fleshy hand. Xandi shuddered, aware even as she struggled to hold still that Keisha fought the same battle within her mind.

Xandi stiffened her spine as Burns slipped his fingers beneath the neckline of her sweater.
Where the hell are the police
?

I left a message and I have my cell phone with me. Maybe the detective isn’t taking my calls
.

Not the time for humor, m’dear
. Xandi turned to follow Burns as he circled her, his hands now trailing over her arm. “Why did you kidnap me?”

“You really want to know? Might as well tell you, since it looks like your friend is taking longer than I expected.”

He squatted down in front of Xandi. His eyes were surprisingly clear, not the crazed look of a madman. Xandi found his calm demeanor unsettling.

“Her mother was a wolf. Yeah, you look at me like I’m nuts, but I saw her shift. We went to high school together. I worked on the school paper. It was late, the school was almost empty, and I imagine she thought she was alone. I was in the journalism room, putting the paper to bed when I saw her in the quad outside. Just standing there, sort of staring at the woods beyond the campus. I watched her…”

He looked off in the distance, as if remembering. Xandi felt a shiver run down her spine.

“She sort of shimmered, this cute little black girl. Damn, she was such a hot babe. She just… shimmered. Then there was a pile of clothes on the ground and a huge wolf standing over them. She turned and saw me. She snarled. Man, did that bitch have a mouthful of teeth! I slammed the window closed and locked the doors. When I looked back, she was gone, but I know she saw me.”

Keisha? Did you hear him
?

Yeah. I’ve got a bad feeling about this
.

“I watched her after that. Followed her for a long time without her knowing it. She got married. What a mistake. The guy was a gardener, a real loser, but she had a baby. I kept waiting and watching, but I never saw her shift again… not until years later.”

Did Keisha know any of this? Xandi watched Burns as he rocked back on his heels. Though he looked directly at Xandi, she sensed his mind was somewhere else. Somewhere in the past. Keisha’s presence was a rolling tension in her mind.

“One night, in Golden Gate Park, I spotted a wolf.” He laughed. The sound scraped across Xandi’s already raw nerves. “Like wolves were a regular occurrence in the park? I don’t think so. I followed it. It loped along without a care in the world, but right at the edge of the park, near Nineteenth Avenue, the wolf disappeared into the bushes. I went back and got my car. Figured I’d look farther down the road. A few minutes later, a woman dressed in dark clothes stepped out into the crosswalk. I hit her. Didn’t see her in time and I ran right over her.”

Xandi felt Keisha’s gasp in her mind. Burns shook his head, rubbed his hand across his eyes. “Of course, I recognized her immediately. I was driving an old, beat up car already covered with dings, so one more didn’t make a difference. No one ever found out who killed her. I parked a block away and went back. I was already a reporter, so I had my camera. I waited in the bushes. I thought she might shift when she died, but she didn’t. She just lay there in the center divider, caught up in the landscaping. She might have looked like a woman, but I knew better. I knew she was just an animal. Made me think of road kill. That’s all she was. Road kill. A dead wolf on the side of the road.”

Burns stood up and walked away, disappearing into the shadows. His voice echoed out of the darkness. “I knew she had a kid. Figured, like mother, like daughter, but I never could catch the little brat shifting. All those years… the story could have made my career.”

Oh my God
.

Keisha’s agonized cry echoed in Xandi’s head.
Keisha, it’s okay. He’s nuts. Totally nuts. Where are the police
?

I don’t know. He killed her. He killed my mother
!

Honey, hang in there. We’ll get him. Just hang in there
.

You’re the one tied up. I need to get you out of there, need to
…

No! Just wait. Please. Just wait
. Frantic, Xandi tried to follow Burns’ movements in the shadows while she begged Keisha to stay out of sight.

“But I finally figured it out. Decided that she could shift, she just didn’t know it.” Burns wandered back into the narrow beam of light. “I waited for years, waited and watched.”

He squatted down in front of Xandi once more. “I hired two of them. Not sure where the third guy came in. They were only supposed to scare the crap out of her, not rape her. Scare her good enough that she’d shift. I figured there might be sort of a ‘fight or flight’ reaction, ya know? I was there. I watched it all. It was pretty ugly, but it worked. I took a lot of pictures, but then when the little bitch shifted and killed them, I panicked.”

He stood up, brushed his hand across his face. “God. I was so damned stupid. Would you believe I actually burned the film? I was so afraid someone would connect me with the murders… with her rape. That film could have made my fortune and I panicked.”

Burns whirled around, his eyes wide. “Where the fuck are you? I know you’re here somewhere. Show yourself, damn it. Shift!”

No! Keisha, no
!

Xandi sensed Keisha’s outrage, her uncontrollable anger. She ripped at the handcuffs binding her wrists, tugged at the cords holding her to the chair, but it wasn’t enough. There was a loud crunch against the door. The sound of scratching and panting. Another loud cracking noise.

Burns yanked a knife out of his pocket and slashed the rope holding Xandi to the chair. With her hands still cuffed behind her back, it was all she could do to rise without stumbling. Burns looped another rope around her neck and dragged her to a door at the opposite end of the room.

The door behind them creaked, wood splintered. The hinges groaned.

Keisha? Don’t let him see you
!

Sensing only blind, animalistic rage, Xandi tripped over her own feet. Burns twisted her around, holding tightly to her cuffed wrists and tugging on the rope cutting into her throat. Even if she wanted to shift now, she couldn’t risk it. He literally had her leashed.

Burns grabbed a camera bag in his free hand and slung it over his shoulder, then shoved the door open.

With a final curse, he pushed Xandi out into the darkness and slammed the door behind him. Pushing and pulling, he forced her across the parking lot to the spot where he’d left the stolen rental car.

A loud crash echoed from the far side of the building. Burns shoved Xandi into the front passenger seat. She landed on her side, one leg caught beneath her, the noose around her neck cutting off her air. Gasping for breath, twisting around, she raised her head just in time to see a large wolf leap over the retaining wall at the back of the building.

Burns snapped one quick shot with his camera before throwing his equipment in the back seat and speeding away.