The Song of the Island Children
Chapter 1

"UNCLE WILL, UNCLE WILL, Wait up!" the voice yelled.

Will turned to see the rotund little three-year-old racing to catch up on legs far too short for the lad to be happy with them. Will stopped, turned toward the youngster, crouched down, and extended his arms. The lad ran into the hug, and Will picked him up and spun him around. "What's up, Little John?" Will asked.

"It's Little Jean, Uncle Will. Jean, like Jean Pierre, the alpha of your pack, not John, like Little John in Robin Hood. It's a wordplay."

"I'm okay with mispronouncing your nickname," the old wolf responded as he knelt back down and placed the child on the ground.

The lad let go of the hug and smiled. "I guess it's okay. You're never going to learn French, are you?"

"Qu'est-ce qui vous fait penser que je ne parle pas Français?" the wolf asked.

Little Jean's eyes widened. "You speak French? Then how come you can't pronounce my name right?" the little boy asked.

"Because I like calling you Little John. The family started calling you Little Jean because they thought the pun was cute and it helps differentiate who they're talking to when you and Jean Pierre are together. But I'm not fond of calling anyone little as a nickname. I'm married to Oliver, remember? So, I fudge a bit and call you Little John. Little was his last name, but he was anything but little. Little John was a wordplay on that ironic difference; not pointing out his diminutive stature. So, either I call you Little John or I call you your given name, Jean Pierre. I'm not calling you Little Jean. Just chalk it up as what you have to deal with to talk to the old wolf."

"The temple dogs call all of us little ones," Little Jean countered.

"Look at them. Except for Nathaniel, we are all little to them," Will laughed. He paused. "Their use of the word little denotes their relationship to us. They see us as ones they promised to protect and educate. It has nothing to do with stature. It has to do with a responsibility they see as theirs."

"So, it's okay."

"To me it is. We are talking about why I do something. If you want to know why they do something…"

"I would talk to them," Little Jean interjected, filling in the thought.

"Exactly."

Little Jean thought about it for a moment. "That makes sense. I like your reasons. I'll be Little John."

"Okay, then, that's what I will call you. Where are your fathers, Little John?" Will asked. 

 "Oh, I told them I wanted to visit with you, so they're taking advantage of a break in the kid-rearing department to decompress. They're off having some quality time with Lewis and Anders."

Will laughed. "So we're calling it quality time now?"

"I like that way of describing it. It's true, you know. You werebeasts bond when you have sex together. Our family is stronger because of it."

"I agree. It's just you're the only three-year-old on the island who doesn't giggle when you talk about the way we spend so much ‘quality time' together," the wolf said, making air quotes with his paws.

"I know, sometimes three-year-olds can be so immature," the lad said with a nod.

Will laughed. "So, are we walking?"

"Yeah, we're walking."

"Holding hands or on my shoulders?"

"Hands today, I think. I wanted to talk to you about something."

"I'm not afraid of you, Little John."

"That's still just weird, Uncle Will. Do you know everything that I'm going to say before I say it?"

"No. I sense your concerns before you speak them. But that's because all my family's concerns come at me pretty much non-stop," the old wolf answered. 

"Is that hard to live with?" the lad asked.

"It would be if it was anyone else but my family. I've learned to filter out everyone else except as needed."

The lad smiled. "I guess it's okay then that I freak you out sometimes. You freak me out now and then, too."

"Well, it's not you who freaks me out, Kid. It's the ways humans perceive smart children that pop into my head from time to time. You have to remember I lived through the nineteen seventies. There were lots of creepy kid movies where super-intelligent kids caused all sorts of awful. The Omen, The Bad Seed, The Village of the Damned." Will paused. "Well, let's just say it's a long list. I hate to admit it, but they often portrayed super-smart kids as evil."

"I'm not evil," the three-year-old said, the frustration unmistakable in his voice.

Will knelt down and kissed the lad on his cheek. "I know you're not. It's just sometimes those little flashes of movie history pop up in my head. What you see are those glitches in my brain. They're a disconnect between what you know is my protective nature of you and the fear you can sense in others who might hurt you because they're afraid of you." Will stared into the young one's eyes. "Okay, look close and use the Sight. Do you see anything that even remotely looks like I would ever hurt you?"

Little Jean looked deep into the yellow eyes of the wolf. "I see… I see… yeah, it's coming in a bit clearer now. It's a bottle of habanero sauce."

Will pushed the boy back. "Oh hell no, you told me you could handle it."

"Uncle Will, I'm three years old. What makes you think I have a clue about what my taste buds can handle?"

"I told you I was sorry," Will groused. "Besides, you're not using the Sight. You're just teasing me."

Little Jean shrugged. "True. But I don't need the Sight to know I'm safe in your company."

Will squeezed Little Jean's hand tightly. "I love you, Little John. Try to ignore the Sight when it's tapping into my memory instead of what I genuinely feel. We all have stupid fears that aren't logical, or even what we truly believe. Those gifted with the Sight have to see beyond those fears to the truth of who a person actually is." Will looked down at the child. "I'm not explaining this very well, am I?"

"No, you're fine, Uncle Will. I get it. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't anything I did."

Will laughed and added, "No, Kid, I'm crazy about you. You're still freaky, but really, any three-year-old kid who is studying quantum physics is bound to be freaky, right?"

"Right. I'm okay with freaky. I just don't want to be scary."

Will stopped. "You're never scary, Kid." Will's nostrils flared and his ears set up. "Your Uncle Paul is coming. Can you sense why?"

The little one closed his eyes. "Oh dear, the fecal material is about to hit the oscillating wind generation machine."

"Yep," the old wolf agreed. 

Paul rounded the corner running, but he slowed when he saw the two. "Hi, Uncle Will. Do you know where your husbands are? They're not responding to their ComLinks."

"They're spending a bit of quality time together," Will responded with a slight shake of Little Jean's hand.

"I have a problem. Kristopher came home from school with a black eye today and a note that we have to meet with the student counselor and principal tomorrow over a fight he was in."

"No way," Little Jean protested. "Kristopher would never start a fight."

Paul looked at the youngster. "I know that, but he won't talk about it. I was hoping Derrick might help. Kristopher seems to be comfortable talking to him because they're both shy around others."

Will shrugged. "Little John and I could go talk to him."

Paul's face twisted into a dissatisfied frown. "I love you, Uncle Will, but I'd worry that you would tell him it was good to get into a fight. They didn't give you that whole Warrior clan, glow red in the dark stuff, undeservedly, you know."

Will laughed aloud and hugged the human. "I'm not a warrior full time, Nephew. Let's leave my husbands to their play. I promise I won't tell your son it's okay to fight unless you give permission first. Deal?"

Paul let go of the hug. "Deal." He looked down at the little boy. "Are you okay with coming along, Little Jean?"

"Sure, Uncle Paul. Kristopher might appreciate a little backup if all he has are adults asking questions."

Back at the house, Sarah looked up as the screen door opened. "Hi Uncle Will," she said as the werewolf ducked under the doorway and entered their home. 

"Hi, Sarah," the old wolf responded. "The husbands are off being husbands together." Will picked up Little Jean's hand. "We thought we would see if there was something we could do to help."

"You can try, Uncle. He's not talking to anyone. He says it's no big deal," Sarah said, exasperated. 

Will looked at Kristopher, his head bowed on the kitchen table. He came over next to the young man and rubbed his head. "I told your dad that I would never tell you it's okay to fight. And I won't, because your dad is right. But defending the weak isn't fighting. Talk to your folks. They love you. They will understand."

Kristopher looked up, his black eye half shut with tears streaming down. "I didn't throw the first punch, Uncle Will."

"I know you didn't," the wolf answered. "Just tell your folks the truth. It might surprise you who's on your side."

Sarah put her hand on Kristopher's shoulder. "Tell us, son. We have never been a family of secrets."

"There are bullies at school. They tease the weaker kids. Some of us know how to avoid it. But Max doesn't. Max doesn't get humans at all. They go after him and they tease him, but he doesn't even get that they're making fun of him." 

Kristopher rubbed his one good eye. "I was okay with them making fun of him because he never understood what they meant. But today they shoved him. I had to step in and stop it. They just never let up. They keep pushing it further and further. Someone had to push back."

Paul squatted next to his son. "What happened?"

"They were calling him names, and he was just sitting there smiling like he always does. And then one of the bullies pushed him. He fell on the ground and I went to pick him up. I told them to leave him alone. I said he was just a little kid and they should pick on someone their own size."

"Ouch," Kristopher's dad said. 

"Yeah, I don't know why I said that," Kristopher said, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's when Billy punched me in the eye."

"And…" Kristopher's mother asked.

"I just stuck out my hand. No one really knows what happened but Max and me. But the bullies won't bother either of us ever again. They just know that they woke up with the wind knocked out of them."

Will sighed. "The power is there to protect, Kristopher. Until you're trained in its use, it's bound to manifest in uncontrolled ways."

"They didn't have a right to bully him. They didn't have a right to hurt him."

"No, they didn't," Paul said. "Your Uncle Will is right. There is never a time to pick a fight. But there is a time to protect."

Sarah looked at her son. "Tomorrow you tell your counselor and principal the truth. Right up to where you stuck out your hand. You tell them you made sure your brother was safe, and that you did what you had to do. We will make sure that they don't press this any further."

Kristopher looked up. "You can do that?"

Sarah smiled. "Your dad's a lawyer; he's even scarier to humans than that glowing blue hand of yours."

Kristopher laughed. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad." He looked up at the werewolf. "Thank you, too, Uncle Will."

"My pleasure, Kid," the wolf said. He put his paw on the young man's arm. "Time to tell your folks what the bullies were teasing your brother about."

"Do I have to?" Kristopher asked. 

"It's important," Little Jean replied. "He's a good kid, but your folks need to know what's going on. You have family. You don't have to protect Max alone. Let your family help."

"They were calling him a queer," Kristopher blurted out. "They called him a queer, a worthless piece of garbage that lived on an island of fags."

Sarah and Paul's faces darkened. Kristopher looked up at them. "Max just smiles. He lets it all run off him because he doesn't care. He doesn't argue with them because he doesn't care what they think." Kristopher rubbed his hands on the table. "And I let it slide too because they're just words. But some humans use words like weapons, and when they find they don't inflict enough pain, they lash out and become physical. I couldn't let them hurt my brother."

Paul let out a low growl that surprised even Will. "They have no right. They will not punish my son for doing the right thing."

Will put his hand on the human's shoulder. "Nephew, remember what you told me? Now is my time to say you're right. We stand down from escalating the fight. We protect our own, but we can do that without this becoming an issue on the Mainland."

Paul looked up, and his angry face softened. "I will behave, Uncle. I promise. But it will end today. Their bullying will stop."

"Your son has seen to that," Will said. 

"No, I mean the bullying will stop for all the children. Those kids will just find a new target. It has to end. The children need to have places where they can go to feel secure. Schools have to be one of those places."

"Dad is right," Kristopher said. "If they aren't stopped, they will bully others who don't have someone to protect them."

Little Jean smiled. "I have a suggestion. Punishment will only make them angrier. Bullies see punishment as an extension of exactly what they do. The only difference is that someone stronger than them is doing it. They see the principal as just a bigger, stronger bully who is forcing them to bend to his will. It's a lose/lose situation. Being forced to stay after class accomplishes nothing. Expulsion? Telling a kid he can't go to school is a punishment? That's insane. I say make them pay for what they've done, and by doing so, possibly kill what their lives have instilled in them."

Will looked at the three-year-old. "That's a violent word to use for what you say is a non-violent idea."

"Hatred and bigotry have to be torn out at the roots, Uncle Will," Little Jean said. "If you don't, it grows back, often stronger than before. If bullies can't attack those that they hurt the first time, they just focus on someone else. There has never been a time in human history when we, as a species, have not found a group of other humans to see as inferior to ourselves. It might have been race, or religion, or so many other things."

The three-year-old's brow furrowed. "Look at the Japanese. They were a mono-ethnic group of people, all practicing essentially the same religion in a closed society. The two biggest demons in our prejudice lexicon, race and religion, were missing from their society. Did it make them a harmonious whole?" Little Jean shook his head. "No. They created the Burakumin."

"What are the Burakumin?" Kristopher asked.

"They were jobs the Japanese declared impure because they dealt with death," his father replied. "They were the undertakers, butchers, leatherworkers, or any job where they had to deal with corpses or dead animals. These were jobs that are essential to any civilized society, but by common decree, they became the lowest of the low… a group of people that everyone could look down on. You would always have someone inferior to you; unless you lived in the Burakumin ghettos." 

"But if those are jobs that had to be done, why would they pick on them?" Kristopher asked. 

"Because humans have to have a scapegoat to blame, or someone to look down on," Little Jean said. "We're just not happy unless we know someone else is unhappy, it seems. That's what creates bullies. It's part of our evolution. Dominance over benevolence. It's hardwired into our DNA. However, where it once helped the strongest pass on their traits, now it only serves to create strife among ourselves."

"Hating a butcher seems pretty dumb," Kristopher said. 

"Any dumber than whites hating blacks, straights hating gays, or any religion hating just about everyone else who doesn't believe?" Sarah asked sadly.

"No, Mom," Kristopher replied. "It all seems pretty dumb."

Will looked up. "Don't forget humans hating wolves."

Paul smiled. "Well, that is just totally dumb as well. I'm very fond of the ones that live on this island."

"You're not human anymore, Nephew."

Paul grinned. "I think that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me." He looked at the three-year-old. "So, what's this idea you have?"

Little Jean grinned. "If the bullies picked on Max because he lives on an island of fags, make them do the same. Bring them over here as a work crew. Force them to live with the creepy, freakish things on this island. And then watch as they learn who the truly creepy and freakish ones are."

Kristopher laughed. "It could work. And for the first time in their life, they would know what it's like to be shunned by the people they want to like them."

Sarah looked at her son. "What are you talking about?"

"Jan and Jenny," Kristopher said. "Uncle Greg and Uncle Trevor's daughters. They are the most beautiful girls in the entire school and there's hardly a guy that wouldn't want to date them. Both are seniors in junior high school. The two of them are like the holy grail of the girls we want to date. They're two years ahead of the bullies. Here on the island, the bullies would realize that they don't have a chance of even turning their heads because Jan and Jenny won't have anything to do with anyone that doesn't respect their fathers."

Sarah looked at her son. "And since when did you become interested in young ladies?"

 "Maaaahhm!" Kristopher protested. "I'm just saying they live here on the island and they're popular."

Little Jean and Will both snickered. "You're going to have to deal with it one day, Niece," Will said.

Sarah smiled at the wolf. "I know. It just happens so fast." She looked back to Kristopher and tousled his hair. "Okay, so we put the bullies into the middle of the very things they hate the most. How does that help Max?"

"Because we're just like them, Aunt Sarah," Little Jean replied. "Fear comes from ignorance. You drop the bullies onto this island. You make them work alongside the people they fear and day by day, they learn there is nothing to fear… nothing to hate. The bullies die and friends are born."

Will leaned back in his chair. "You're relying on those boys being able to get past the hate they have inside and the hate they have at home. Very few bullies spontaneously generate, you know. Their parents teach most of them to be what they are."

Little Jean nodded in agreement. "It might not work. They may already be too far gone for anything to affect what they are, but it's worth a try, isn't it? If we really believe that we're part of a human family, don't we keep trying until all our options are exhausted?"

Paul smiled. "Our kids are right. If there's going to be a shot at changing these bullies' attitudes, this island is the place they need to be." He stood up. "Time to put on the lawyer's mantle, family. If we prosecute these kids under the Young Offenders Act, they could see fines and even detention time for assault. I'm pretty sure that they and their parents will opt to work on the island for a few months to avoid that."

"Actually, Will is right about one thing, Uncle Paul. It was the parents that taught those kids how to hate who's on this island," Little Jean said. "They're going to be the tough ones to convince. Getting a homophobic parent to say yes to their children spending hours a day in the company of gay people is going to be a tough sell."

"It's surprising how quickly parents change their minds in the presence of having to pay major fines," Paul said. 

Kristopher looked at his father. "That's just wrong. You don't make choices about your kid's safety based on money." 

His father shrugged. "Your parents don't, but other parents do." 

Will leaned forward. "So, we invite the parents to visit the island whenever they feel the need to monitor their children's safety. It couldn't hurt to have them exposed to the same things as their children."

Paul smiled. "Fair enough. So, tomorrow we lay the groundwork. Within two weeks, if all goes well, the island will have its first known bullies as visitors."

Will shook his head. "What could possibly go wrong?" he said, the verbal irony clear in his voice.

Little Jean looked up and smiled. "Oh, bunches, Uncle Will. Bunches and bunches."
 
Chapter 2
 
Two weeks later, Kristopher, Max, and Jean Pierre were getting ready for bed. Little Jean was doing his best to squeeze into a pair of Max's pajamas, but wasn't having much luck. The corpulent child had taken to visiting the Carver boys more frequently as they prepared for the first visit of the mainland bullies. Dinners often turned into nights of gaming, and as the evening wore on, an invitation to stay the night met with their parents' approval.

The impromptu sleepover hit a snag when sharing a set of Max's pajamas became problematic. Little Jean struggled to put on Max's too-tight shirt over his girth. Jean Pierre flailed for a time, trying to get his arms into the sleeves when Max finally said, "Here, let me help you." He reached over, grabbed the flopping arm of the pajamas, and pulled off the top. 

"Let's start over," Max said with a smile. He reached over and grabbed the top of one of Kristopher's pajamas. "Hands up in the air, Little Jean." 

Jean Pierre stuck his hands up. With a quick swipe, Max pulled the shirt down over the corpulent boy's arms and head. With a tug, the top slipped across his rounded belly. "Thanks, Max," Little Jean said.  

"You're welcome," the young man replied. "We all need help sometimes." Max looked over at his brother. "I wanted to thank you again for what you did. Those bullies coming here tomorrow leaves me apprehensive, but I know they'll be on their best behavior when they see you. They sure turn away quickly when we see them at school. Still, I'm sorry you got hurt."

"I'm sorry I overreacted. I know you can take care of yourself. It's just sometimes it… it…"

"They're just words, Kristopher. They don't hurt me."

"They hurt me. I don't like hearing you being called those things."

"They're meant to hurt. I just do what I always do. I translate their meaning in my mind. I break them down like an etymological puzzle until they can't hurt me anymore."

"What's etymological mean?"

"It's what words mean and how they've changed throughout history. You break a word down far enough and it loses its power."

"I still don't like it, Max. You're my brother."

Max smiled. "I've noticed that. It's one of the best things in my life."

"Are you going to tell Mom and Dad?"

"I already told them. You were there."

Paul poked his head through the open bedroom door. "Jessica's down for the night. How are you three boys coming along?"

"Doing fine, Dad," Kristopher replied. "Got our PJs on and everything."

"Thanks for letting me stay over, Uncle Paul," Little Jean said, smiling as he tried to move his arms in the baggy pajama top. "We should be just fine."

"Okay, then." Paul paused a moment as he turned toward the kitchen and looked back at the boys. "What did you already tell us, Max?"

"Oh, that," he said nonchalantly. "I told you I was gay."

Paul's eyes widened. "You did what?"

Kristopher sighed. "He told us he was gay when he was four. It was the same day he told you he was smarter than all of us combined."

"BABE," Paul called out. "Better come here. We have a boy that we need to talk to."

Little Jean looked back and forth anxiously. "Should I leave? I can go back home."

Paul shook his head. "No, Little Jean, you're fine. Nothing bad is going to happen here."

Sarah came up from behind. "What's going on?"

"Tell your mom what you told me, Max."

Max rolled his eyes. "It's no big deal. I've already told you both a long time ago. It's not going to be important to me until I'm in my twenties."

"Son," his father pushed.

"I told Dad I'm gay. But I told you that when I was four."

"The same day that he told us he was smarter than all of us combined. Remember that?" Paul asked.

"Actually, I do remember that, but not the part about being gay."

"Okay, I didn't use the word ‘gay', but I told you I liked some of the boys on the island."

"We thought you meant you enjoyed playing games with the boys from the foster village."

"Well, I do, but I meant that I liked some boys like… well, ‘gay liked' them." Max corrected. "Is this going to mess up everything? It's not that important to me."

Paul looked at his son. "But it will be one day. It won't be easy being the only gay young man on the island."

"He's not the only one," Kristopher said. "I'm pretty sure Diego is gay."

"What?" Sarah said disbelievingly. "Diego? The fourteen-year-old linebacker on the varsity high school squad? That Diego?"

"Yeah," Kristopher said. "Just watch him sometimes. He's got a major crush on Uncle Nathaniel."

Little Jean laughed. "He practically swoons when Uncle walks by."

"Really?" Paul stammered.

"He's gay," Max said casually. "Dalton is gay, too. The Sight for me is like gaydar on steroids. I can pretty much tell who's who when it comes to being gay. It doesn't seem to work that well for Kristopher or Jessica. But neither of them has all that much interest in using the Sight for anything, anyway."

"Still, just three of you," Paul said. "That can't be easy."

Little Jean looked up. "There are four of us, Uncle Paul."

Sarah laughed out loud. "Are we utterly clueless or what?"

Max shook his head. "No, Mom. You're fine. Don't make this out to be more than it's supposed to be. I'm only ten years old. I won't even have my first sexual experience until I'm twenty-five. Everything will be fine."

Little Jean looked over at Max and smiled. "I'll be eighteen."

Max broke into a wide grin. "Yeah, and we are going to have sooo much fun."

Sarah gasped. "Okay, young man. Way too much information. You know what dissemble means, right?"

"Yes, Mom. It means to hide one's true feelings or opinions; often to avoid censure from those who might object to the truth. I've done it my whole life."

Sarah's face dropped. "I thought it meant filtering what you say so that people don't get an information overload. You know, TMI."

Max's head lowered. "I memorized the Oxford dictionary last year. I could quote the definition if it will help."

Sarah slipped into the room and fell to her knees as she hugged her son. "No, Max. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I'm your mom. I'm not sure I'm ready to hear that you and Little Jean are going to have sex one day. But I am ready for you to stop hiding your true feelings. You have to know you can come to us with anything."

"Even what comes from the visions? Because they've been getting pretty scary of late."

Paul knelt down. "Especially the ones that come from the visions."

Max looked back up. "I like Little Jean because we help each other. He teaches me about dimensional theory and I try to show him how to use the Sight."

Paul looked at the three-year-old boy. "You're teaching my son about string theory?"

Little Jean shrugged. "String theory is a bit naïve, but we started with the basics. It's what your son does with it that I'll never be able to do. I don't have the Sight the way he does. He sees everything around us differently than we do. There are dimensions he is moving through that we've never even hypothesized exist. I'm afraid for him, Uncle Paul. We're kids. There is only so much we should see."

"What's he talking about, Son? What do you do?"

"I see our entire universe unfolding. From before the Big Bang until our universe dies and a new one is born. We aren't the beginning. We aren't the end. This thing we call the universe is such a small part of what's out there. We are riding on the cusp of a wave moving through time and space. Dimensions are being born and vanishing that we are never even aware of. We're so tiny. All that we know… all that we think we understand… it's not even close to the truth. I see so much, Dad. Sometimes it feels like my head is going to burst."

Sarah grabbed her son's hand. "Show us your color, Max."

Max, put out his hand, and it burst into blue light. "I'm not the one, Mom. I know Uncle Martin is looking for him, but it's not me. He's coming, but I can't see him clearly. He's just this big thing in the shadows."

"But you said you see everything, Son."

"No, Dad. I mean, I see the infinite. The universe that Uncle Martin sees, I see." The young boy's hand still glowed blue. "And so far beyond what he's ever seen. What even the Changelings have seen." 

The lad's hands started trembling. "But when I narrow my vision to this world, I can see my little place in it because I'm a kid and I want to see what happens to me. The further I move from my life, the cloudier the visions become. I don't think I will survive if I see it all. I don't think anyone can survive if they see everything that will happen to their world."  

"I see what Uncle Martin sees, but I can't control it the way he does. I was hoping Little Jean could help me, but the universe is spreading out in front of me and I can't stop the images. I can't stop them, Dad."

Paul watched his son's shaking move from his hands up his arms and across his shoulders. "Son, I want you to pull back from what you see. Stop talking about this. Stop thinking about it. Wherever you are right now, I want you to come home. Come back to your family." He motioned to his wife. "Get Nathaniel here, quick."

Before she could tap her ComLink, there was a knock on the front door. She ran to the door and opened it. The saber-toothed cat and the badger stood in the opening. "We's here to help," Oliver said.

"How did you know?"

"Max," Oliver replied. "He's waking up. No, he ain't just waking up. All hell's breakin' loose and he's ground zero." A wave of blue light, carrying with it the sound of a sonic boom, blasted out from the back bedroom and shattered the glass windows as it moved outward. 

"Do something," Sarah screamed. "You made him this way, do something."

The badger pushed past Sarah. "That's why I'se here, Sarah. I'se here to bring your boy home."

The saber-toothed cat followed the badger. "And why am I here?"

"To sees what I can't, Cat. You gots the Sight I ain't got. I can't figure the path, but you can show me where it is. I don't know where he's heading. You finds the path, and I will finds a way to bring Max back on it."

The badger threw back the door to the bedroom. At the front of the house, he could hear Tyler and Michael yelling that they wanted their son. He looked at Paul. "You takes Kristopher and Jessica and gets out of here. Things is gonna get worse."

Paul glared at the badger. "I'm not leaving without all my children."

"Nor are we," Tyler said, defiantly pushing his way into the bedroom. "Give us our son."

Oliver grabbed Max's glowing hand and fluoresced into a bright blue badger. His small hand pushed outward and Tyler went tumbling out of the room. "You can'ts be here."

Kristopher shoved the badger. "He's my brother. We don't leave our family. Don't try to make us leave, Uncle Oliver. I will fight you." The boy's hand burst into blue flame. 

"Fuck," the badger said. "I can'ts get no one to do the right thing, Max. You'se gonna have to help us or lots of your family is gonna gets hurt."

Max began shaking even more violently. His body flailed as he fell off the bed and onto the floor. Martin leaned over and grabbed the bed and threw it across the room, nearly slamming it into Michael's head. "Sorry, Michael. We need space here," he apologized. 

"Jean Pierre, venez à votre père," Michael said, reaching toward Little Jean.

The chubby boy backed away from his father. "I'm staying here with Max, Papa."

"He stays," Oliver growled. "If you wants to stay, then stays, but don'ts get in my way. I'se gots a boy to save here." Oliver's eyes closed tightly. "Pass me the power, Max. Don't hold it in. It will fry you deader than a frog in the desert."

Max's eyes opened up, flaring a bright blue light. "Dad, I'm scared," the fragile voice said.

"I'm here, Son. Listen to Oliver. Let him guide you home."

"Martin," an adult voice screamed from the child. "Martin, you have to see. You have to let them know there's no other way."

 Oliver's eyes opened up, shining a bright blue. "No, Max. You's just a baby. The little one needs to be a child. His parents needs him to be a child."

"Martin," the voice cried out again. "For god sakes see me. Don't let me die alone."

"No, Max," Sarah screamed.

The young boy's flaming hand grabbed onto the cat's arm. "Don't let me die alone, Martin. We figured it out. We were just too late. It all ends here unless you can see me."

Martin's eyes shut. He shook his head in disbelief. "No, they couldn't. They wouldn't." he tried to pull his arm away, but the young boy clung tightly, not letting the cat move.

"Speak the truth, Cat," Oliver yelled. "The boy ain't gonna hold on much longer."

"The humans, they finally did it. They tore our planet apart with their war. Everyone is dead. Terra is dead. We're all dead. Max is the only one left alive on the island and he's dying."

"Martin, please," the voice begged.

 "Who is that?" Paul asked.

"It's Max, Paul. It's Max at thirty-five. Your son and his husband figured out how to stop the coming war, but it was too late. He's lying there with his husband dead in his arms on their wedding day. The nuclear war that everyone said could never happen did."

Tyler looked at the cat. "What about our son?" he inquired.

"Dead in Max's arms, Tyler. Jean Pierre and Max were married just hours before the first nuclear blast hit Washington DC. New York followed. Then Montreal." Martin shook his head. "What the bombs didn't kill, the micro-drones will. They're everywhere. The entire world. They killed it all."

Little Jean's face blanched white. 

"Non," Michael cried out. "Pas notre fils."

"Not our son," Tyler repeated.

"All of us, No one on this island survived. No one in Montana. No one on the highland. Everyone is dead. What human life is still alive will die in days from the radiation and the hunter drones. There are no bunkers deep enough to wait out what's happened to the world. The earth is a dead planet floating in space." Martin grabbed his chest. "I can't stay here, Badger. I'm doing what I can to keep Max alive, but I'm already dead here. You're already dead. We can't…" the cat's voice trailed off as he crumbled to the floor.

The badger groaned painfully. Past the burning white light of his eyes, blood spilled onto his cheeks and turned to ash. "I'm overloading, Cat. You gots to tell me what to do."

"Bring him home, Badger. Bring Max home. You see the path, I know you do."

"Buts they's just little babies, Cat. They ain't had no time at all to be kids."

Max's chest heaved upward, and he fell back to the floor. The house was shaking as if it was in the middle of an earthquake. Above the badger, the bedroom light with model airplanes hanging from it swayed wildly. Oliver looked up and watched it for a moment, judging what to do. "Please, Oliver," Max's adult voice begged. "I don't want to die. I can't let them die. I can't lose you all." 

Max's body slumped and his head fell to the side. "He's passed out, Badger, the boy is dying. Do it, Badger," the cat yelled over the increasing din. "Bring him home. Don't leave him there to die alone."

"Forgive me Max," Oliver said. "And forgive me Little Jean." The badger reached out and grabbed the chubby little boy and pulled him down to Max. He looked up at Paul and Sarah. "Please, Paul, please. Please, Sarah. Takes your family and gets out. I promise I'se gonna take good care of your baby. But he's gonna hurt you all if you don't leave."

"You promise."

"I promise I'se doing exactly what he wants me to. You gots to trust him. Don't lets him die in that awful alone. Lets us bring him home."

Martin clutched his chest and looked up at the two werewolves. "Please, Tyler, Michael, leave. If you want your son to live, you have to let them do this together."

"Swear, Cat," Tyler said with tears in his eyes. "Swear that you'll save my son."

"Max will save your son, Tyler. I'm just his guide. Trust the boy. He loves your son just as much as you."

Sarah reached out, grabbed her other two children, and pulled them toward the front door. Tyler and Michael waved to their son, and he waved back. They turned and moved outside. In the cool night, the Hargrove House was ablaze in blue light. The island residents were gathering as they tried to figure out what was happening. Nothing they conjectured was anything remotely close to what was happening inside.

Oliver's eyes were still burning white and his body turned into a white light that Martin could barely stand to watch. Oliver put his hand on Little Jean. "Close your eyes, Little Jean. I'se gonna make you blind if you keeps lookin' at me."

Little Jean closed his eyes tightly. "What am I supposed to do, Uncle Oliver?"

"You kisses Max."

"What?"

"You kisses Max. Don't argue, Little Jean. You's wanted to do it since you was six months old. You kisses Max and you don't stop no matter what you sees or what you feels until he starts kissing back. And then you just kisses him all the more."

Little Jean reached out and let the badger's small paws guide his hands until he felt Max's face. He leaned over. "You won't tell my dads, will you? They will be so upset that I'm doing this. I'm not even allowed to date until I'm fifteen."

"They's gonna forgive you, Little Jean. You is Max's path back. You has always been who he's drawn to. You's gonna save Max, and you's gonna be alive. Them's both good things." 

Little Jean leaned in and found Max's lips. "I wish you were here to kiss me back, Max. You do know I love you, right? I've loved you since the first day I saw you dancing with your mom at our uncle's mating reception." 

Little Jean's lips pressed up against the unconscious boy. He kissed the boy until the fear of his fathers' disapproval slipped away. The smooth skin of the older boy's lips drew him deeper into the embrace. The three-year-old boy's body began radiating the bright blue glow of the ten-year-old below. 

Outside, Sarah felt the thick arm of the short-faced bear wrap around her shoulders. "They'll be fine Sarah. My husbands know what they're doing. Your son knows what he's doing, too."

Sarah sighed, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I wish I did." Her husband and children gathered around her and waited for the unknown outcome of the evening.

The crowd watched the glowing house as roof shingles burst into blue flame and flew upward into the sky. When the rafters tore loose from the house, the crowd ran for cover. 

A bright white light began forming a whirling bubble that pushed slowly out past the second story as it expanded beyond the walls of the house, lighting the grass and trees on fire. Then, in a blinding flash, the light imploded, leaving the entire island in darkness. Only the burning plants gave off any light. The house was gone.

The auxiliary generators of the hospital and lighthouse kicked in after a few seconds, adding a bit of additional light from a distance. The crowd stared at what little remained of the Hargrove House. There was no debris anywhere. Only the cracked foundation remained and a large pit where the boy's bedroom had once been. There was no discernible way of knowing where the rest of the house had gone.

The crowd heard movement from within the pit and saw a warm white glow moving up from the darkness. Oliver climbed out, awash in the white light, and brushed himself off. "Damn bedroom light fell right on top of me," he complained. "Son of a bitch toy planes melted all over me before they burnt up to nothin'."

Martin lifted himself out from the pit after Oliver, his normal cat-like reflexes worn thin as he stumbled forward. "Quit bitching, Badger. Write it off as part of the downside of doing your job." He grabbed the badger and pulled him up into a warm kiss. "I love you, Badger. Let's not do this again someday, shall we?"

"Ain't high on my to-do list, that's for sure," Oliver said as he leaned in and kissed Martin again.

A naked man stepped out of the shadows and through what would have been the bedroom door had there been any door left. He was tall and muscular, with graying temples and a boyish grin. He shook his head, trying to get his bearings. "Well, that was a rush," he said, his voice remarkably familiar. He looked out at the crowd until he saw the Carver family. He waved shyly. "Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. It's me, Max."

Sarah needed no convincing. She ran toward Max and slammed into the front door of the house that wasn't there. As she fell backward off the wooden steps of the house, Nathaniel caught her. "Are you okay, Sarah?" he asked, confused by what happened.

"The house. It's still there. But it's not."

Nathaniel set Sarah down on the ground and reached out, pushing against the porch railing that no one could see. A second, far heavier, but equally tall man climbed out of the pit that was once the bedroom. Bald, fully bearded, and looking just slightly less hairy than the beasts surrounding him, the man seemed disoriented as he rubbed his chest with amusement. "Didn't see this coming," he said with a grin. 

Max looked back, "I did. Why do you think I asked you to marry me?"

The chubby man looked at him. "Because you're a Chaser, like eighty percent of the guys on this island seem to be."

Nathaniel looked at the four inside. "Okay men, find your way out here, but be careful."

The four reached out their hands, feeling their way carefully around the rooms they couldn't see. "Ouch, ouch, ouch," the heavyset man said as he grabbed his foot and bounced. "That would be the piano." 

"Who the fuck makes invisible houses?" Oliver said as his head slammed against an unseen table just above his outreached hands.

"It's not so much invisible as out of phase," the taller, thinner man said. "It's still corporeal in some sense, but just not on a visual plane."

The chubby human looked at the other. "That's actually kind of cool if you think about it." Hands carefully extended, he inched his way to where the front door was. When he found the door, he reached down and opened it. Watching the pantomime of a big man opening a door, Max dashed through the opening where the door once was. He ran into the arms of his mother as she began crying. "Ahh… Mom. Don't cry," the man said. "I'm okay; just older."

The chubby bearded man's eyes keep searching the crowd as he walked through the front door that wasn't there looking out on the crowd until he saw the two werewolves. "Evening, Dad. Bon soir, Papa."

Tyler and Michael looked at the man and in unison asked, "Son?"

Little Jean nodded yes. "I'm sorry that I never lost the weight you wanted me to."

The two werewolves bounded toward their son and hugged him tightly. "You look beautiful, Son," Tyler said happily. He pushed back and looked at his son. "But how? What happened to our beautiful baby boy?"

"He's still inside me. But so is the twenty-eight-year-old me. That one is pretty much the permanent look on the outside." He pointed toward the other newly arrived adult. "Max did it. I don't know how." He bowed his head. "Oliver made me kiss Max. I'm sorry. I kind of liked it, but I knew you would be mad."

Michael clung tightly to his naked son. "You're home, Son, I don't care about anything else."

"I could use some clothes," Little Jean said. "The pajamas I had on didn't fit to start with. Toss in a growth spurt at fifteen, and they were pretty much toast."

Tyler smiled and shook himself back into human form. Michael followed. "There," Tyler said. 

"We have father and son matching outfits." Michael laughed.

"Best looking outfits on the island tonight," they heard a husky voice say from behind. 

Little Jean turned and smiled. "Uncle Will," he said as he hugged the old wolf. 

"Welcome back, Kid," Will said. He held the man at arm's length. "Just as hot as I thought you were going to turn out to be. Max is going to be a lucky man."

"Uncle, I don't know what happened. I don't understand anything about tonight."

 "Give it time, Kid. The two of you will piece it together. You have time now. Max saw to that."

The heavyset man rubbed his bald head. "I love him, Uncle."

"And he loves you."

Little Jean leaned into the old wolf and whispered, "We're going to turn, aren't we?"

"Yep. I'm surprised Max isn't already, but there's something in the mix here that's not quite right. I know he's going to turn first, and then he's going to turn you."

"I'm afraid, Uncle Will. There's still a little three-year-old kid in me that never had a chance to grow up."

"I know, Kid. It's not fair. But I tell you what. You have great dads and a pack that will be there for you if you choose to go wolf."

"I get to choose?"

Will hugged the man in front of him and whispered in his ear, "yeah, just don't tell them I said so. When you don't choose to become a wolf, they're going to be wondering if I was the one that told you. But they'll get over it. You're going to be amazing."

"Do you know what I'm going to choose, Uncle Will?" Little Jean asked as he let go of the hug.

"Nah, I blocked that part out. I like surprises. I just know you're not turning wolf."

"What about Max? Do you know what he's going to be?"

"Him I know. We've talked about it since he was a little tyke."

"And…" Little Jean prodded.

"I told you I liked surprises. You're in for a surprise. I'm sure we all are. Things like this are always in flux. What he dreamed of when he was a kid might be different from what he dreams of now. All I know is you're both amazing. You'll both be amazing as beasts."

The big man hugged the old wolf again. "Will you be my best man?"

The wolf grinned. "I'd be honored. But you two aren't making it to the altar. I think you know that already. That light show probably short-circuited the Sight in you for a bit, but you don't need that to know how you feel about Max."

"So, can you and your husbands teach me how to do that whole mating ritual? I'm sure not going to ask my dads. I'd die of embarrassment."

"You want to practice with Max?"

"Can I?"

"Sure."

"You'se gonna find it gets easier to be in your body," Oliver said, waddling up to the big man. "Your older yous is gonna start remembering who they is the longer you's here."

"I'm going to miss my three-year-old."

Oliver looked up. "Me too, Little Jean. You was a good kid. I'll miss you in tai chi class."

The big man frowned. "I can't go anymore?"

Oliver grinned. "You still wants to?"

"I love tai chi class, Uncle Oliver."

Max walked toward the group from where his family and Jean Pierre's parents were talking. "I want to keep studying too, Uncle Oliver."

"Well, then, I'll see you both on Monday. You rests tonight and tomorrow."

Max's eyes widened. "Oh crap. Tomorrow. The bully brigade is coming."

"They ain't gonna think about pushing you no more in that body," Oliver said with a laugh.

"No, Uncle Oliver. How do we explain ourselves?" Little Jean said, waving at his body. "Max can't show up looking like that at school," he said, pointing to the man who now towered over his father.

"Homeschooling," Tyler said as he approached the four. "The Carver family, your father, and I have decided we have gifted children whose needs aren't being met by the public school system. Li Wei will tutor our sons in philosophy, Nathaniel will teach science, and Martin and Oliver will help them with the Sight."

Will grinned. "What about me?"

"If they need educating in being a smart-ass curmudgeon, you'll be our first choice," Michael said as he leaned over and kissed the old wolf. Will grabbed around Michael's waist and pulled him into a much tighter, much more passionate kiss than Michael anticipated, but he easily yielded to the Iberian wolf. When they broke, he sighed. "Mon Dieu, you do that very well, too. But the only ones getting lessons from you about that will be my husband and me." 

Tyler hugged his burly son. "Until we sort this all out, you boys go to class here on the island."

"Really," the overweight man said, happily clapping his hands like a three-year-old boy. "That is so awesome."

Michael smiled and hugged his son again. "Oui, that is so very awesome."

"But for tonight, let's see about getting the Carver family some lodging they can actually see," Martin said, as he and the Carver family came up to the gathering group.

Michael watched as his son's hand slipped into Max's. "Perhaps we should let our sons sleep together tonight. They've had a rough night and their stay over has been pretty much lost to all this," he said, waving to where the Hargrove House used to be.

"I'm not sure…" Sarah interrupted in a motherly tone.

"Babe," Paul interjected. "Your son just crossed twenty-five years of time and space to be with the boy he loves. It's time to let our son start living the life he never got to. Let them be together tonight."

Kristopher giggled. "They're going to do it."

His father sighed. "Yeah, probably. Every other guy on this island seems to."

"Gentlemen," Sarah said with her best voice of authority. "I don't care what my son does tonight, but if you two so much as mention anything else that might happen, the total weight of a mother's longing for her little boy will come crashing down on top of you."

Max let go of Little Jean's hand and hugged his mother. "Mom, I promise we won't do anything."

His mother hugged him tightly. "You do what your heart tells you to do, Son."

The man shook his mother playfully. "My heart tells me not to worry you tonight so that you can get some sleep. There's plenty of time for Jean Pierre and me to be together now. No need to rush anything." He let go of the hug and stepped back. 

Little Jean stepped forward and hugged Sarah. "We'll be good, Dr. Carver. I guess I better stop calling you Aunt Sarah from now on. It could sound creepy if I'm dating your son."

Sarah laughed as she hugged the heavyset man. "Call me Mom. I guess I better get used to it. We already know there's a wedding down the line." Little Jean nodded, letting the truth he saw be unspoken for the time being. Sarah pushed back from hugging the six-foot-four bald man. "You know, you are quite the fur-ball. It tickles my nose."

Little Jean's face beamed. "I like it. I don't know who my biological father was, but I like to think of this as acquiring a few of my adoptive fathers' genes by osmosis. It's my inner werewolf popping out."

Sarah smiled and rubbed the large chest, watching the fingers partially disappear in the flowing hair. "I think that's a wonderful way to look at it."

"Okay," Nathaniel said, turning off his ComLink. "Boys, you grab a room in the tunnels tonight and the rest of the Carver family is off to the Hospital Steward's Home. Greg told me he updated the interior of the house for just this purpose. It seems he anticipated our family destroying multiple homes along the way." 

Paul laughed. "Great idea. But then where do you and your husbands go when you wipe out the museum?"

"Greg said he has that covered, too," the bear said with a smile. "We appear to be building again. The General Hospital that once existed on the east side of the island is being rebuilt to house any oversized beasts who need a home, and…" the bear shoved the two men together. "You get to pick out the wallpaper on the McGowan home's remodel. Seems it doesn't have a man-cave and Greg insists a couple like you definitely need one." 

Max smiled. "I don't even know what kind of couple we are, Uncle Nathaniel."

The bear returned the smile. "You're a couple in love. The rest will sort itself out, I promise."

Oliver reached up and grabbed Little Jean's hand. "Come on. I'll show you boys my old room. It's got a nice big bed in it. We can discuss the meaning of…" The badger's voice trailed off as he looked at Sarah. He tugged at the heavyset man's arm pulling him down. He leaned up to his ear and whispered, "Big spoon, little spoon. I'm figuring you's gonna be the big spoon."

Little Jean chuckled. "We might take turns, Uncle Oliver. We already know what spooning is, but we have lots to figure out." He reached out and took Max's hand. "We probably need some pajamas."

Oliver looked up at the two naked men. "You boys is all growed up. You's already wearing your pajamas."

"OLIVER ERASMUS TEMPLETON!" Sarah yelled in the dreaded voice of all three names. The badger did his best to avoid eye contact as he pulled the two boys toward the tunnels. 

It was three in the morning, and the quiet of the island had returned as the inhabitants slept soundly. Where the Hargrove House once stood, the sounds of the island night filled the air. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore melded with the chirping of crickets as the fog rolled back onto the ground. On the rocky ground below, the last of the embers that were once trees smoldered safely. The pit torn out from the house foundation where the boy's room used to be was all that remained visible of the two-story home. Life had returned to normal on Partridge Island.

The crickets stopped their night calls as a yellow glow began pulsing from the depth of the crater. A beam of yellow light shot up into the sky, spread out in a shallow wave across the heavens, and disappeared. Normal life on Partridge Island was never normal.

Chapter 3

The two new adults heard the knocking on their door. "Who is it?" Max asked. 
 
 "Derrick and Oliver," was the response. 
 
"Hold on a minute. We don't have any clothes on."
 
"I know," Derrick said with a laugh. "We brought you some."
 
"Oh crap," Little Jean said. "He's right. We didn't have any last night."
 
"Is the door unlocked?" Max asked.
 
The door creaked open slightly. "Yep. No one locks their doors on the island after the tourists leave," Derrick answered.
 
"Come in, guys. We'll stay under the covers."
 
The door pushed in and the two watched as Oliver and Derrick walked in. "You two's gonna have to get used to being nekkid around other werebeasts if you ever wants to have a social life."
 
"We know, Uncle Oliver. It's just that this is a big change," Little Jean said. "I mean I've only been out of diapers for two years and now you're asking me to deal with a body as big as…" He paused, "well, I don't know what I'm big as, but I'm big."
 
"Well, that's true," Derrick laughed. "We brought you breakfast. Do you want us to turn around while you get dressed or would you like breakfast in bed? I can guarantee that you aren't getting this kind of service for long."
 
Max laughed. "We can get dressed. You don't have to turn around. You're right about us needing to get used to it." He slipped out of the bed and stared down at his hard-on. "Crap. Is this going to happen all the time?"
 
"If you's lucky it will," Oliver said with a grin. "Here," he said tossing the prematurely graying man a pair of sweats. "Puts them on. I likes seeing a man's morning wood poking through his pants."
 
"Uncle Oliver," Max groaned. "This is hard enough as it is without you making jokes."
 
"Nah, Kid," Oliver said jumping up onto the bed. "You can gets way harder than that. That's just your adult body doing what it does. You is still young, so it seems awkward to you. But it won't be forever. Just wait until you two starts playing."
 
Little Jean frowned. "Uncle Oliver, I'm still three years old. I have this old body, but I'm just a kid."
 
"Yeah, I knows," the badger said, leaning back onto the bed and looking up at Jean Pierre who still sat in the bed with the covers pulled tight. "I'se the one who told older Max to do that."
 
Max looked flustered. "Why would you do that, Uncle Oliver?"
 
Oliver righted himself. "Because you was just babies. You never known nothin' but being kids and it weren't fair for old Max to take all that away from you."
 
Derrick sat on the bed next to Oliver, in the space vacated by Max. He rubbed Jean Pierre's bald head. "I know it's tough right now, but you're going to be growing up fast. Not like your mother and fathers are always telling you; I mean outrageously fast." The black wolf looked at Max as he slipped into his sweats. "I don't understand time the way you do, Max. Well, not you, but the older you. You move through time like it's a river. You swim back and forth in it, but the river stays unchanged, always moving forward."
 
"The older Max was dying, boys," the badger added. "He had lost everyone and everything, including you, Little Jean. He had no choice but to swim back here and replace his younger self. And he knowed he couldn't let you be dead, so he dragged you back with him to where you was alive."
 
"But why did he bring us back with these bodies?" Little Jean asked.
 
"Because Oliver told him to," Derrick said. "We're werebeasts. We understand the pain that comes with a body trying to reconfigure itself to a new shape and size. Asking you two to grow into new bodies each day would leave you in agony for weeks on end. We couldn't have you suffer like that. Oliver knew that. So, he had older Max keep the bodies you already had and bring them back here."
 
Oliver rubbed the chubby man's chest. "He's inside you, Little Jean. There's a Jean Pierre that's all growed up inside you, and one day you's gonna wake up and be him. But I couldn't let those men take away all the joys of being a little boy from you in a single night."
 
"I don't understand, Uncle Oliver," Max said.
 
"They's both inside you. Your older selfs is there kinda hibernatin'. They's just sharing the space with you and letting you be boys for a bit longer. They wants you to know what it's like to feel the first time you walks along the beach holding hands, the first time you explores those bodies of yours and you comes. They wants you to experience the first time you gives each other a blow job or when you decides to turn and be mated. You gots so many first times, and they wants you to have them. They've already had theirs. It ain't fair that you don't get yours."
 
Little Jean grimaced. "I'm not sure I want to give Max a blow job. I mean I know you guys like it, but it sounds pretty gross."
 
Derrick laughed. "Your three-year-old self won't want to, but we won't be able to stop your sixteen-year-old self from having Max in ways you haven't even thought of yet. All those years are going to be compressed into just a few months, but you'll have the chance to experience them and they'll meld with your older selves to give you a life lived, instead of a life remembered."
 
Max reached over and grabbed a doughnut from the tray Derrick brought in. "Is that why I know how to ride a horse, even though I've never even seen an actual horse yet?"
 
"It were your eleventh birthday," Oliver confirmed. "You wents horseback riding in Montana. Max went with you. You boys was already in love."
 
"I'm ten, Uncle Oliver. I'm not eleven for another month."
 
"No, you's eleven and Little John is turning four tomorrow. Today you is a couple of months older than you was yesterday. Your older you's lives are being lived right beside the ones you got here. Their lives is just flowing into yours and all of you is living much, much faster. 
 
"Your older Max is eleven. You're already feeling his life as an eleven-year-old lodging in your permanent memory," Derrick said. He made a frown. "I know. You think about this stuff too long and your head will hurt. Just think of it this way. Every week, you grow a year closer to your older selves. The clock is ticking down and by the end of six months, the young you and the older you will be the same person."
 
"How do you know all this?" Max asked. 
 
"Derrick's got the Sight, same as me," Oliver said. "He sees the ones with the Sight just as they's being born. He sees you two the way I sees you. You's like two you's that is headed toward your other selves, but you gots a few months to be yourselves and makes your own memories that you can lock away forever. I knows it ain't much, but we ain't got much time for you to be the younger yous."
 
Little Jean groaned. "Uncle Derrick is right. My head hurts."
 
Derrick gave a little chuckle. "What it means is that each day you wake up you'll feel new experiences that you've never had as if you already did. But each day, you can create your own experiences together as the kids you are. You boys already know you were born to be together. Take this time to understand why you're going to be best friends for life."
 
"What do we do, Uncle Derrick?"
 
The door opened wide, and Will stood in the doorway. "For starters, you boys come with me. We're headed to Montana."
 
Both the men's faces lit up. "Are we going to ride horses?" Max asked enthusiastically.
 
"You two and Chet are riding the range today, and tonight, you sleep out under the stars you hardly ever see on this island for all the fog. Max, Little John, we're throwing both of you a birthday party tonight with your families. The bullies from your school are already on their way to the island, so we want to get you two off and running before they get here. Max, your dad will be with the kids just long enough to get them settled in with their chaperones. After that, the whole Carver clan and Little John's dads will head out to Montana and join you. So, you boys hop to it. It's burning daylight out there."
 
The old wolf threw both boys brown Stetson hats and boots. "Chet's birthday gifts for you two. You're only eleven and four once in your life. Well, twice in your life, but that's just weird, so I'm not going there. Come on; suit up. The Red Wolf is champing at the bit." Will paused. "Okay, that's it. I've run out of cowboy sayings. Get a move on it, Kids." The boys rushed to get their clothes on and dashed out the door with their uncles toward the Red Wolf.

Chapter 4

As the birthday party ended, the parents said goodbye to their sons and boarded the Red Wolf for a trip back to Partridge Island. The bully brigade, as the island residents called them, was returning tomorrow after their first day on the island. Paul was taking them through Juvenile Detention lockup on the mainland before their trip to the island as a part of their community service. He was calling it incarceration awareness day. He thought it was important to their defiant attitudes that they realize what they were avoiding during their visits to the island.
 
The parents and siblings of Max and Little Jean's fathers waved one last time as the boarding ramp retreated. The door closed, and the ship rocketed upward, streaking across the sky like a shooting star in reverse. 
 
"Okay, Jefe," Chet said. "Hop onto the wagon. There are straw bales in the back if you want to ride together. We're going to camp out on the plains tonight."
 
Both men beamed a cheerful smile. "This is the best birthday ever," Little Jean said, his excitement uncontainable. 
 
"Yeah, best ever," Max smiled. He looked at Little Jean and pushed him toward the wagon. "You go first," he said. He helped the big man up into the back of the wagon. Little Jean sat on a bale of hay and Max sat beside him. The two looked at each other and pushed shyly closer together. Max's hand moved to cover Little Jean's, and when they touched, both smiled.
 
Chet lifted himself onto the spring seat, released the brake, and shook the reigns. The draft horses shuffled forward, headed out onto the dirt road, and away from the ranch. About half an hour later, the boys saw the glowing light in the distance. "What's that, Uncle Chet?" they asked almost in unison. 

"That's a yurt. Mongolian and Turkish nomads used to make portable tents thousands of years ago out of furs wrapped around a circular wood latticework. The design is very efficient, and nowadays they make a wonderful place for our men to stay the night. We have quite a few out here on the plains to help manage the herds. But tonight, the boys are staying at the ranch so you can enjoy a night out under the stars, just as Will promised."
 
When the three stepped into the yurt, the men who were still boys gave out a long "whoooa." Nothing like a tent, two oversized beds sized for werewolves, a couch, and a wood stove filled the round canvas tent. A desk off to one side had a monitor screen and ComLink station. It surprised the boys to see a small kitchen and even a bathroom. 

 Chet smiled. "We gave up roughing it years ago, boys. Riding the range all day leaves us tired. We're not throwing a sleeping bag on the ground and calling it good if we don't have to. You boys sleep here tonight. I'll sleep outside." Chet became a ball of motion as his clothes slipped away from the ever-shrinking body, and he became a red-tailed hawk.
 
Max and Little Jean looked at him. "You're so cool, Uncle Chet. Are you sure you want to sleep outside?"
 
The bird nodded.
 
The two looked at him. "Don't you talk when you're a hawk?"
 
The bird shook its head.
 
Max closed his eyes in thought and then opened them. "Because people would think you're a pirate parrot or something."
 
The bird nodded. 
 
"We understand, Uncle Chet. We won't ask you to talk when you're a hawk."
 
Little Jean looked at the hawk. "Uncle Chet, could you please stay with us tonight? I know we're supposed to be adults and all, but this is kind of out in the boonies. I'm not exactly scared or anything, but you know… three-years-old… kid..."
 
The whirlwind that was the hawk's transformation returned a short, naked man to the room. "Okay, but you boys have got to promise not to stay up all night talking. I have a busy day tomorrow, and I need my rest. Besides, you've been riding all day and you need your sleep as well."
 
"We promise," the two said together.
 
"When the lights go out, the clear dome in the center will let you see the stars. On a night like tonight, you might even see the trailing edge of the Milky Way." Chet looked down. "I guess I should have brought pajamas."
 
"Oh, that's okay, Uncle Chet," Max said as the two pulled off their shirts. "We're all grownups here." The two pulled off their boots and pants and jumped naked into one of the beds together. "We're wearing our pajamas all the time."
 
Chet laughed. "Okay boys, as long as you're comfortable with the Montana Ranch house attire, I won't complain."
 
"Does anyone wear pajamas here, Uncle Chet?"
 
"Nope. It gets in the way of too many things werewolves do at night."
 
"What do they do?"
 
"Talk to me when you're sixteen. That's what? A month from now?"
 
"For me," Max said. "Little Jean will only be nine."
 
Chet smiled. "Kind of robbing the cradle there, Max."
 
"Yeah, especially now," Max laughed knowingly.
 
"You two can stop talking about my age now," Little Jean said with a snort.
 
"I'm sorry, Little Jean. You know I love you, right?" Chet asked.
 
Little Jean smiled. "Yeah, I know. I love you too, Uncle Chet."
 
Max hugged Little Jean. "And I love you."
 
Little Jean hugged back. "I love you too, Max." He paused for a moment. "Would you like to have our first kiss in the middle of Montana?"
 
"Silly," Max said. "We already had our first kiss in the Hargrove House."
 
"I don't think it counts as a first kiss if you were passed out when I kissed you."
 
Chet laughed. "Sorry boys, I couldn't help but hear. I agree with Little Jean. Kissing when one of you is unconscious doesn't count as a first kiss. At best, it's a practice run."
 
"So?" Little Jean prodded for an answer. Max pushed his lips against Little Jean's and they rubbed them gently together. The Montana night had a noisy quiet to it. The crickets chirped while a pack of coyotes called out their loneliness to the bison. 
 
"Damn it," Max yelled. "Is this thing going to pop up every time I kiss you?"
 
Chet burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the yurt. "That's exactly what you want to happen every time you kiss him," Chet said as he leaned over and turned off the lights. "Enjoy the stars, you princes of Partridge Island, you kings of New Brunswick."
 
The boys looked up past the cloudless dome. "Whoooa."

Chapter 5

Two months had passed since the men who were boys first slept under the stars in Montana. Each week, their families would celebrate their birthdays. In those few weeks, they had been to many places and done many things, but nearly half of their parties had taken place on the Montana ranch at the men's request. Today, after Max and Little Jean's families had spent the night sleeping in Conestoga wagons, they were preparing an early morning steak and egg breakfast. 
 
"I hope this doesn't take you away from anything important," Paul said to Chet as the foreman flipped the steaks on the grill.
 
"Not at all, Jefe," Chet said with a smile. "I enjoy having the boys visit. They're growing up so fast."
 
Paul laughed. "That they are. I know they're young, but their other lives are catching up with them so quickly. I'm pretty sure you played a bigger part in their lives than our constricted time frame is letting us see. They're both quite fond of you."
 
Chet looked up. "And I am fond of them. Does that concern you?"
 
"No, not in the way you might be thinking. I watch the way the two watch you. I remember my days as a child and how there were men I looked up to and wanted to become." Paul paused for a moment. "You're one of those men in their life, Chet."
 
"I try to be a good man, Jefe," Chet said as he turned another steak. 
 
"Oh god," Paul said. "I'm saying all of this so badly. Forgive a father for not saying things the way he hoped. I'm trying to say thank you, Chet. It's difficult for me to teach my gay son how to grow up to be a good gay man. I know all the parts about being a good man, and I'm doing my best to show Max that path. But how to be gay, especially how to be gay in the company of werebeasts," Paul sighed before continuing, "that I rely on my family to teach him. He looks up to you, and I'm grateful you're the man you are."
 
Chet smiled. "Thank you, Jefe."
 
Paul paused. "What does Jefe mean?"
 
"It's Spanish. It means boss."
 
"But I'm not your boss, Chet."
 
"I call you and the boys Jefe. I call others Jefe as well. For me, it's a term of endearment. I use it to say that you are a special part of my life. You are the bosses of my heart, so to speak. You can't demand to be the boss of my heart. No one can. But I can give that power to you. With your family, I do so willingly. Now, your wife, if I call her Jefe, then you know that means boss," Chet said with a laugh. "She is one tough woman. You married very well, Jefe."
 
Paul smiled. "Jefe, huh?"
 
"Yep."
 
"One day they're going to turn, aren't they, Chet?"
 
"I think so."
 
"You'll help them become good beasts, as well as good gay men, won't you?"
 
"You don't need to worry, Jefe. They have the hearts of all in our family. We will look after them and protect them." Chet paused, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. "I will look after them and protect them with my life."
 
Paul reached out and hugged Chet, who froze briefly, and then returned the hug. "It's been a long time since I've hugged a human," Chet said. 
 
"I've never hugged a man that could become a red-tailed hawk."
 
Chet squeezed him a bit tighter. "So, how's it going, Jefe?"
 
"I'm liking it," Paul said. "I just might have to start calling you Jefe if this goes on much longer."
 
Chet let Paul go and smiled at him. "Are you working with the bullies on the island today?"
 
"Day off for me, but they're there. The foster kids are helping them with working the farm."
 
"How is the farm?"
 
Paul laughed. "It's a petting zoo, Chet. Nothing like here. We have cows and goats with names, not bison steaks on the grill."
 
"We are all a part of the great web of life," Chet said. "We who eat meat teach our charges to never waste and to give thanks to the ones whose lives we take so that we might live. You teach your visitors to love the animals on another level. I see both paths as being excellent choices."
 
"I agree with you there. We're trying to do our part to make the world a better place."
 
"And what of the children? Are they still bullies?"
 
Paul thought for a moment. "I think they're changing. It's slow, but they're not the same kids they were when they first arrived. Time will tell how it all works out. We have another month with them. It was at least worth the effort. I'm hoping that Jean Pierre's idea works out."
 
"I will hope for a good return to your efforts," Chet said, as he scooped up the last of the steaks and put them on a plate. "And now we have a good return to my efforts. Esteban should have the eggs done, and the boys will have finished the toast. I say we have breakfast." Chet handed a plate filled with steaks to Paul, and they headed over to the tables of waiting birthday celebrants. 
 
Chapter 6
 
On Partridge Island, the weekend cleanup was going well. Oliver was overseeing the children and found the once tiresome chore to keep the bullies focused and out of mischief was progressively easier. Only Billy seemed to hold tenaciously to his entrenched beliefs. Regardless, he seemed to spend an increasing amount of time with Diego, and Diego seemed content to let him do so despite his daily diatribe against the inhabitants of the island.
 
They were inside the barn shoveling out the goat pen when Billy turned to Diego. "I don't get how you can stay on this island full of fags. It creeps me out totally."
 
"I don't know," Diego answered. "They're all pretty nice people. None of them would hurt you and most of them actually want to help you. Although I'm not all that sure you're worth helping."
 
Billy stammered. "I… I… I don't need any fixing. I'm not the pervert on this island."
 
Diego looked at him. "Perversion means going against the natural course of something. Your narrow point of view doesn't take into consideration that everyone on this island is doing exactly what they were born to do. The straight people on this island are straight because they were born that way. The gay people on this island are gay because they were born that way. For them, being a pervert would be if they tried to act straight. That goes against their nature. Not loving someone their heart tells them to love is what's perverted."
 
"That doesn't make any sense," Billy rebuked. "It's God's law. You can't be a homo."
 
"Well then, God shouldn't have made so many of them," Diego said casually. "Funny thing about God's laws, though, Billy. I can find you a hundred churches that say God's law is all right with gays." Diego paused. "You know much about history, Billy?"
 
"Nah, it's boring," was the reply.
 
"I'm taking it you're a Christian, right?"
 
"Damn straight."
 
"Well, I'm not so sure," Diego said, "but I'm going to work with it. Did you know that two thousand years ago Romans considered the Christians perverts?"
 
Billy looked flustered. "What the hell are you talking about?"
 
"Christians were new on the scene and their beliefs and practices made them the objects of ridicule all over Rome. Kind of like the way you teased Max and the other kids who you thought were different. And just like you, the Romans weren't content to leave the bullying at just words. It kept getting worse. In no time at all, it was okay to kill the Christians. At first, just because they were sick individuals whose beliefs had to be stopped, but eventually it became a sport, Billy. Just like you."
 
"I haven't killed anyone," Billy protested. 
 
"Not yet, but I think given time, you're going to. If you don't change, I bet I see your mug shot on the eleven o'clock news one day. Those gay people out there, Billy; you're afraid of them the same way the Romans were afraid of the Christians."
 
"I'm not afraid of homos. They're just unnatural."
 
"There are over fifteen hundred species of animals that practice homosexual behavior, Billy. You can't use the defense that it's unnatural. Hell, there are even animals that change their sex. The only defense you have against homosexuality is that you were told by someone to hate it and you took the bait."
 
"No one told me it was wrong. I just knew it."
 
"Like you magically knew God's law from the moment you were born?"
 
"My dad taught me that. But it makes sense."
 
"My foster parents taught me to love everyone, including assholes like you, Billy," Diego countered. "It just makes sense. You leave me alone; I leave you alone. You believe whatever you want as long as your belief doesn't include forcing me to believe it, too."
 
Billy fidgeted. "But… But… you know they're perverted."
 
Diego sighed. "I know they're loving and kind. They protect me and take care of me. I know you're a bully. Which of the two seems perverted to you, Billy?"
 
"They're not normal," Billy yelled defiantly.
 
"You're going in circles, Billy. You can't prove your arguments using anyone on this island. If I had to trust someone with my life, I would trust the ones who are true to their nature. The ones who love me. The ones who love each other. They're the normal ones. They aren't the perverts, Billy. You are."
 
Billy's eyes tightened. "I'm not a pervert," he glowered. "Take it back."
 
Diego flexed slightly letting his bulky muscles show through his shirt. "No."
 
Billy looked at the boy in front of him. "You take it back, or… or…"
 
"Or what, Billy?" Diego interrupted. "I'm not afraid of you. You can't hurt me. The only one in danger here is you. You're in danger of living your whole life as a pervert because you believed a lie you heard as a kid."
 
"What are you talking about?" Billy yelled.
 
Diego grabbed Billy's collar and pulled him into a tight kiss. Billy struggled to break free but Diego's strength overwhelmed his efforts. When at last Diego felt a yielding from Billy, he let him go. Billy didn't break the kiss for a few moments after Diego let go. But then, with a forceful shove, Billy stumbled backward. "What the hell did you do that for?" he cried out.
 
"Because I'm not a pervert, Billy," Diego responded. "Because I am doing what is natural for me to do since the day I was born. I'm gay. I have known it since I was a baby."
 
"But you can't be. You're straight. You're on the football team. You've got to be straight."
 
"Nope. Gay. Gay… gay… gay… gay… gay," the bulky youth responded. "Billy, it's not me that's got a problem with who I am. It's you. Trust me, Billy. I'm gay. I enjoyed that kiss, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Even so, I apologize for what I did. I was raised better than to kiss someone without his consent. I promise you, I will never lay a hand on you again without an invitation."
 
Billy's fists clenched. "I didn't… I'm not…"
 
"It's okay to be gay, Billy," Diego said. "It's only perverted if you go against who you know you are."
 
Billy ran to Diego and pounded his fists into the other's chest. "I'm not gay," he screamed. "I'm not gay." 
 
Diego stood motionless as the fists pounded into his chest. Eventually, Billy's screams of protest became sobs, and at last, he fell to his knees crying. "I'm not gay, damn it," Billy whimpered. 
 
Diego dropped to his knees and looked the bully in the eye. "That's okay, Billy. You don't have to be gay. You don't have to be straight. You just have to decide who you are and then just be you. Billy, I like you, but you're so full of anger. You have to let it go. The anger will kill you or someone else one day. I don't want to see that day. I'd rather be your friend. But you have to stop hurting others. You need to let that part go as well. You can't just lash out at what you don't understand."
 
Billy was quiet. The minutes ticked by and Diego and Billy sat without a word between them. Finally, Billy whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hit you." 
 
Billy's hand reached out and Diego took it. "I know you are."
 
"I'm not good at saying I'm sorry."
 
"You're doing fine. I'm pretty easy when it comes to apologies. I don't hold grudges."
 
"I don't want… I don't want you to hate me, Diego," Billy said squeezing the brown-skinned boy's hand tighter.
 
"No one on this island hates you, Billy. Why do you think we asked you to come here? We're not who you think we are. We're not what you think we are. There is so much more to life than your father has taught you. There is so much more to this world than you can imagine. But you have to let go of what you think you know before you'll ever see it."
 
"Please don't hate me," Billy said quietly, bowing his head. 
 
"I don't hate you, Billy," Diego said. "I've never hated you. How could I hate the guy I might have become if life had just taken a different turn?"
 
Billy looked up. "What do you mean?"
 
"I had a father once who hated fags. He beat me, he told me to straighten up." Diego made a small laugh. "Like I could ever do that." With his free hand, he brushed back Billy's tears. "I know what it's like to live in a world where everything you are is hated and despised. I was learning to lash out, just like my father. Everyone who ever hurt me would hurt even worse by the time I was done. I made sure I punished every boy I ever felt anything for, just for existing as my temptation. I wouldn't let anyone close because that made me vulnerable, and I would never be weak."
 
Diego paused. He made a small choking noise. "A bomb took my family away from me, Billy. The end of every violent path is the same. We die. We all die without ever having lived. I don't want you to die without ever having lived, Billy." 
 
Billy reached out, grabbed Diego into a hug, and clung to him. Diego stayed with his hands by his side, unsure of what to do after his promise. He quietly whispered, "I was lucky, Billy. When I lost one family, there was one there to take me in. They're good people. I can be who I am. Two gay foster parents from Korea and one from Ireland love and protect me. We have the most mixed-up family you can imagine. But it works, Billy. It works because we don't go against our natures. The hard job is yours. You have to decide what to do with your life. Please, end the violence that's shoving its way into your life before it destroys you."
 
"I don't know what to do," Billy said. He pulled Diego in even more tightly and Diego returned the hug.
 
"Admitting that is a good place to start," Diego said with a smile. They held their hug for a time until Diego let the hug go. He looked at his watch and sighed. He pulled Billy up as he rose. "For starters, let's get cleaned up. It's time for you to go back to the Mainland." He brushed off the dust and straw from Billy's jeans. "A couple of minutes in the restroom and you'll be as good as new."
 
Billy smiled. "Thanks, Diego."
 
"My pleasure," Diego said smiling back. 
 
Inside the restroom, the two washed their hands and splashed water onto their faces as they cleaned up. Billy looked over at Diego. "You won't go telling anyone about this, will you?"
 
"What? That you're kind of nice if you just ignore the asshole, or that I like you?"
 
Billy stammered trying to find the words. "That… that… that I like you. Okay? That I like you."
 
"So, we're friends. Worse things happen to kids all the time. I mean you could like listening to K-pop boy bands or some other horrible thing."
 
Billy laughed. "You know what I mean."
 
"If they ask me if I think of you as a friend, I'm not going to lie to them."
 
"I guess that's okay. I guess I won't lie about that either."
 
"So what am I not going to tell them?"
 
"You know… stuff. Like kissing stuff."
 
"God, Billy, what kind of lunatic do you think I am? Do you want my reputation to be ruined by someone finding out I kissed the biggest bully in the school? I got Kenneth Farmington to kiss me. He sure won't do that again if he finds out I kissed you."
 
"Kenneth? Like senior quarterback Kenneth?"
 
"Yeah. He plays with more balls than just those on the football field."
 
Billy shook his head. "I did not need to hear that."
 
Diego leaned over and rubbed the back of Billy's neck. "I promise. What we did was between friends. Friends don't brag about conquests because there never is a conquest. Just two guys doing what they agree to do."
 
"Thanks, Diego."
 
"Hey, that's what friends are for." 
 
Billy looked at Diego. The two stood quietly for a moment. "Friends," Billy said contemplatively. Before he could say anything else, a crowd of other children and the bully brigade rushed into the restroom to clean up before the return skiff headed back to the mainland. Separated by the milling crowd, Billy and Diego never found time alone again. The last they saw of each other was when Diego waved goodbye from the wharf as the skiff set course to return Billy and the bully brigade to the mainland.

Chapter 7

The firm paws of the werewolf shook Diego awake. "Diego, wake up. There's been a horrible accident. He asked for you."
 
Diego looked up and saw the Padre. "Who, Dad? Who asked for me?"
 
"Billy."
 
Diego bolted out of his bed. "What happened? Where is he?"
 
"He's with Nathaniel in the ICU. He slipped into a coma on the way over from the mainland. Diego, what happened today?"
 
"Nothing, we talked. I told him I was gay and that it was okay for him to be gay too." Diego stumbled to the closet and put on a pair of pants over his pajamas. "We didn't do anything, I swear."
 
"You're fine, Son," the werewolf said. "We're just trying to piece together what's happened. The boy was Life Flighted over here from St John Hospital. His injuries are very serious. The mainland doesn't send people here unless the patient is beyond their helping."
 
Diego's face dropped. "No, Dad. Please, no. It wasn't supposed to end like this."
 
"Come on; let's get you to the hospital. They're preparing the ER operating room now."
 
Diego shoved his feet into his slippers and was running out the door before the Padre could even catch up to him. Within moments, the youth broke through the doors of the hospital. "Where is he?" he cried out. 
 
The charge nurse quickly escorted him through the causeway and into the ICU. Nathaniel looked up from the young boy in the bed when Diego stormed into the room. The South American lad stared at the beaten, bloodied body lying in the bed. "Por favor, não deixe que isto seja verdade," he said sobbing. "I didn't mean this to happen, Billy. I swear I didn't mean this to happen."
 
Diego pushed past the red-headed doctor and toward the now comatose boy. "I only wanted you to be free. You weren't supposed to die. I should have left you alone. I didn't know your father would do this."
 
Nathaniel's eyebrow raised. "Billy's father did this?"
 
"Yes. I'm sure of it," Diego said through his tears. "I told him it was okay to be gay. I told him to be true to himself. God, what have I done? We're just kids, Uncle Nathaniel. How could anyone do this to him?" 
 
Diego grabbed the bloody body beneath and hugged it tightly. The charge nurse stepped forward to pull Diego away from the patient before his hug furthered the damage, but he suddenly found himself forced back along the floor and out the door by a green light spreading from the bearded doctor's hand. The glass doors slammed shut, and the curtains drew closed on their own. 
 
Outside, the werewolf shook his head and realized that the doctor had politely asked him to leave. Inside the room, Nathaniel pulled off his lab coat and shook into a bear. He put his paw on the young lad, cradling his friend. "Do what you were born to do, Diego. Use the gifts given to you," he said. "Now is your time. Billy is your key. Follow your heart."
 
Without looking up, Diego closed his eyes and concentrated. He saw the bloody body in his mind. The cracked skull and the oozing colorless liquid leaked out into the surrounding area. Eyes still shut tight, he saw the green light closing the gaping wound. He saw broken bones and ribs and he brought them back together. The torn flesh became whole as the green light flowed out from Diego and into Billy's broken body. 
 
Diego tried to see further inside the boy, but it all was a jumble of unknown parts that fit into unknown areas. He concentrated, but it was all a mystery. "Please, I don't know what they are. Please fix them," he begged, looking into the eyes of the bear. 
 
Nathaniel leaned over the boy and put his paw against the side of the bloody body, closed his eyes, and answered the young boy's plea. In their minds, both saw the boy that Diego loved coming back from the brink of death. Outside, streaming through the curtains, the nurse watched the beams of bright green light breaking through the open spaces and he smiled.
 
A violent shudder swept over Diego. The bear pushed his glowing paw against the boy's shoulder, bringing the boy's awareness back into the room. "That's enough, Son. Don't use it all up. Your boyfriend will be just fine."
 
Diego looked up at the bear. "He's not my boyfriend."
 
The raspy voice of Billy interjected, "But I could be." Diego turned to see Billy's eyes open and a half smile form across the bloodied mouth. He struggled to move his arm and placed a finger on his lips. "You said you had to have an invitation. Could you please give me another kiss now?"
 
 Diego looked up at the short-faced bear. "What?" the bear asked. "You're the doctor. Your patient has asked for life-sustaining treatment. You're going to deny him that?"
 
Diego smiled and lowered his face onto Billy's, and they kissed. After a time Nathaniel considered adequate to leave both boys happy, he cleared his throat. "Okay, boys. It's time that you were both resting. I'm reluctant to interrupt such a pleasant interlude for you two, but sleep is on the docket for the time being."
 
Diego looked up. "I can't sleep after tonight. I'm too keyed up."
 
Nathaniel smiled. He reached over and pushed the call button. The nurse answered, and the doctor ordered another single bed for the room. He looked at the two. "How old are you boys?"
 
"Fourteen," Diego said. 
 
 "Fifteen," Billy said. "I failed a grade." 
 
"Well, that's not going to happen again, is it, young man?" the bear asked. 

 "No sir," Billy said without hesitation. "Doctor, how come I can't see you very clearly?" 
 
Nathaniel reached over, grabbed the Ophthalmoscope, and looked into the young man's eyes. "This is kind of bright, but do your best to keep your eyes open," he said as he shook back into human form. Nathaniel looked at both eyes. "You have some damage to your eyes from the trauma, but most of it will heal over the next few days, I suspect." He bumped his arm against the Latino youth standing beside him and smiled. 
 
"That's good," Billy said. "For a moment I thought you looked like a blurry bear."
 
"Interesting, Billy," Nathaniel said with a smile. "You might have to get used to that part."
 
A team of orderlies wheeled in the extra bed. Nathaniel motioned them to put it next to Billy's bed. Once in place, he grabbed Diego and put him up on the bed. "Okay, I know you're both of an age when you're probably going to think of all manner of things you can do besides kiss each other, but this is a doctor's order. Nothing… and I mean nothing more than kissing each other good night, and then it's off to bed for both of you."
 
Diego and Billy both smiled. "Thank you, Uncle," Diego said.
 
"Thank you, Diego," Nathaniel responded. "You're going to make a wonderful doctor someday."
 
"Really?"
 
"Really."
 
"Now off to bed. I will see you both in the morning." The redheaded human shook himself back into a bear. "And you know me, Diego. You boys go off doing anything other than sleeping tonight and I will know. There are some things young men are best off waiting for until they're a bit older."
 
Diego laughed. "I promise we'll behave, Uncle."
 
"Damn," Billy said.
 
Nathaniel laughed. "You're going to love Diego's Uncle Will, Billy. You are two of a kind, I can tell."
 
When the door closed behind the bear, Billy and Diego sat quietly for a moment. Finally, Billy turned to Diego. "What happened here, Diego? I remember my dad hitting me with a cast iron frying pan. I'm not sure I should even be alive, let alone talking."
 
"Remember what I said about a world that you couldn't see until you let go of the one you were holding onto?"
 
"Yeah."
 
"Well, you're about to find out what I meant in the days to come."
 
"I'm afraid of what's to come, Diego," Billy said. "Dad went insane when I told him I was gay."
 
"I figured that's what the frying pan meant," Diego said. "We won't let your father hurt you ever again. My Uncle Paul will see to that."
 
"You have a lot of uncles, don't you?"
 
"More than most," Diego said. "I'm lucky that way." The two were quiet for a time when Diego asked, "remember when you said you didn't want me to hate you?"
 
Billy was silent for a moment. "I don't want you to, Diego. I don't want you to hate me. I have been so wrong about so much."
 
"I don't hate you, Billy," Diego said. "I know I want to be your friend." Diego paused. "I might even love you."
 
"I think I might love you, too," Billy said. "I don't think I would ever have told my dad I was gay if you hadn't told me to be true to who I was. The entire trip back on the boat, I kept thinking about what you said. I had to stop being perverted. I had to be true to my nature, and I knew that meant being true to everyone. Even the tough ones like my dad."
 
"You're a brave guy, Billy."
 
"Not really. I'm a coward, like most bullies. I just had to be brave for you. I realized that what I feel for you is more than anything I feel for my other friends. I was changing my life so I could be with you. I can't say it was my finest hour. I tell my dad I'm gay and get clocked by a frying pan, all at the same moment."
 
"I'm sorry that happened, Billy. I didn't mean for you to get hurt because of anything I said."
 
"It's okay, Diego. Some guys need a pan upside their head before they wake up to what they should see," Billy replied. He paused. "I can't go home again, Diego. The hospital sent me here so dad couldn't get to me. I'm so afraid of what he might do if he finds me now."
 
"It's not easy being on the wrong side of a bully, is it?" Diego said.
 
"No, it's not. But it's better with you in the bed next to me. It's not so scary knowing your family is out there." Billy was quiet again for a moment in thought. "Do you think I could get a goodnight kiss?"
 
"I don't know, Billy. Being this close to you is tough. I think if we start kissing, I won't want to stop. I've got a hard-on just thinking about it."
 
Billy giggled. "Would that be so bad? I've never been with anyone before, but I could try. I've got a hard-on too."
 
Diego shook his head no. "You're still badly hurt inside. You need to get better first. But even if we could, we can't, because I promised Uncle Nathaniel I wouldn't."
 
"How's he going to know?"
 
"He knew the first time I ever masturbated."
 
"He caught you jacking off?" Billy asked laughing.
 
"No, he could smell the cum on me hours after I did it. And that's even after I cleaned up with a washrag."
 
"Really?"
 
"My dads are worse. Their sense of smell is incredible. You don't want to mess with my family when it comes to keeping your word. They've got skills in finding out the truth."
 
Billy reached over and held Diego's hand. "I'm not sure what it would be like to have a family like that."
 
Diego smiled. "It feels great. Even those embarrassing times."
 
Billy rolled over on his side and looked at Diego. He pulled the hand he held close and kissed it. "I know we're kids. And I'm a major asshole that has a lot to learn, but I would like to be a part of your family."
 
"You mean like a brother? I kind of have enough of those."
 
"I was thinking more like a boyfriend with an option for something more serious down the line."
 
"Wow, you like to rush into things, don't you?" Diego laughed.
 
Billy frowned. "I guess so. Maybe because I'm afraid I'll wake up tomorrow and this will all be a dream."
 
"Boyfriends would be nice," Diego said thoughtfully. "And my dads taught me never to say never when it comes to love."
 
"That's great," Billy said with a smile. "Do you think Master Li Wei will let us work out together?"
 
"When you're better. And if you promise not to fart every time you raise your leg."
 
"I promise."
 
"Well, good. Then we should try to get some sleep."
 
The two closed their eyes and let the darkness surround them.
 
"Diego."
 
"Yes, Billy."
 
"Your uncle turns into a bear, doesn't he?"
 
"No, it's more like he's a bear that turns into a human."
 
"Am I going to be okay here?" Billy said, as his eyes opened and he looked at the boy next to him.
 
"You're going to be fine. There is nowhere in the world safer for you than here."
 
Billy smiled. "Okay then. Goodnight." The medications in Billy's IV drip took effect, and his eyes closed as he nodded off.
 
"Goodnight, Billy," Diego said, letting the other's hand slip from his as he pulled up the covers.

Chapter 8

Billy and Diego woke up to see a doctor bear rummaging through the drawers in their room. Nathaniel looked up and smiled at the two. "Hello, boys. How did you sleep?"
 
Billy tried to smile. "Not very well. I hurt all over."
 
"I didn't sleep very well either. I worried about him all night long."
 
Nathaniel smiled. "Well, that's to be expected on both your parts. Billy's father beat him severely, and the damage was extensive." Nathaniel put his stethoscope on the young man's chest and listened. "We won't be telling the mainland about your progress for some time. Boys don't go from arriving at a hospital in a coma to being alert the next day unless something very unusual happens. And we try our best not to be unusual on this island any more than we have to." The bear paused and moved toward the young man. "You know what a coma is, right?"
 
"Kind of like almost dead but not quite?" Billy guessed.
 
"That's a good way of looking at it."
 
Billy looked at Nathaniel. "You're a bear. A very big bear."
 
"Well, that's what I look like at the moment. The truth is a bit more complicated, Billy. But for now, let's just go with the fact that I'm a bear. Do you have a problem with that?"
 
"I don't know. I've never seen a bear that talked before."
 
"And I've never met a fifteen-year-old bully before. Life is full of surprises."
 
Diego looked disapprovingly at the bear. "Uncle Nathaniel, he's not a bully anymore."
 
Nathaniel turned toward Billy and produced a tongue depressor. "Say Ah, Billy."
 
Billy stuck out his tongue and said Ah. The flat wooden stick pushed down his tongue. "Oh, that's amazing. I'm surprised how much your mouth looks like one that was calling us an island of fags just a week ago."
 
"I'th thorry, Dother Tetleton," Billy said, struggling to talk past the stick. 
 
Nathaniel removed the stick. "Pardon me? I didn't quite hear that."
 
"I'm sorry, Doctor Templeton," Billy repeated. "I was wrong to say what I did. Worse yet, I was wrong to pick on your family."
 
Nathaniel smiled. "It's nice to hear it from you, Billy." The bear put up his paw. "This is going to glow green. It's won't hurt you, but I need to know just exactly what Diego did for you last night, and this is like a scanner." The paw fluoresced a brilliant green. 
 
"Holy shit," Billy said, leaning away from the paw.
 
"It's okay, Billy," Diego said. He stuck his hand out, and it glowed a slightly less vibrant green.
 
"Are you going to turn into a bear?" Billy said, backing away as far as his bed would let him.
 
"No, I'm a human, just like you. Only this," he said, waving the glowing hand, "this is a gift from his family to me."
 
"And if you're wondering, it's what saved your life last night," the bear said casually. "Diego seems to love you enough to put his life on the line for you."
 
Billy looked at the boy in the bed next to him. "Really, Diego?"
 
"I just did what Uncle Nathaniel told me to do. He told me to follow my heart. My heart told me not to let you die."
 
 Billy looked down and rubbed a tear out of his eye. "No one… no one… has ever done something like that for me. Why would you risk your life, Diego? I'm not worth that."
 
"Well, that remains to be seen," Nathaniel said. "Diego, it's time for you to get ready for school."
 
"Please, can I stay here today?" Diego begged. 

 "Sorry, son. Billy is spending the day with your family, and your place is in school today." The bear leaned over and kissed the boy on the cheek. "We won't be easy on him, but we will be fair."
 
Diego looked up at the bear. "Please, Uncle Nathaniel. I love him."
 
Nathaniel picked up the youth and slung him over his shoulder. "As do I, Diego. Your boyfriend will be here when you return later today. And then you can spend the evening with him." He headed toward the door with the lad dangling from his shoulder. "I'll see if I can persuade the orderlies to leave Diego's bed here one more day."
 
The bear flung the glass door open and handed his captive to the werewolf waiting outside. "Get him to class, Tyler. My guess is he's not going willingly, so watch him like a hawk."
 
"No need for me to do that, Doc. Chet is here visiting with the wolf pack. You want hawk eyes watching him, you've got them."
 
Diego groaned. "Chet? The red-tailed hawk?"
 
"Yep," Tyler said. "He's here to visit with Derrick and his husbands. Seems he misses the pup enough to let his father talk him into visiting. You can't pull him away from the ranch very often, but Derrick is the bait that will get him to fly in."
 
"On wings?" Nathaniel asked. 
 
"Not this time," Tyler said. "The Red Wolf touched down about an hour ago. The twin twins are also here. And your fathers. It seems it might be a conjugal visit of sorts. Will and Derrick have been away from home too long and there are bears and wolves on the hunt. I'm not sure if the entire pack is here or not. I haven't seen Jean Pierre, Jason, or Lothair, but it wouldn't surprise me if they're on the island." He tapped the screen on his pad and flipped the screen with a weather forecast on it. "It's a full moon tonight. I've cordoned off the south side of the island. I'm pretty sure we're running at moonrise."
 
Nathaniel smiled. "It will be good for you to enjoy your pack for an evening."
 
"Are you joining us?"
 
Nathaniel smiled. "I think not. It will be fun to have my husbands to myself for a change."
 
Tyler frowned. "Do we monopolize your time too much, Bear?"
 
Nathaniel shook his head. "No, not at all." 
 
Diego tried to wiggle out from under the werewolf's grasp. "If you two are going to be busy planning how to get laid tonight, could you at least let me go back and visit with Billy?"
 
"I'm sorry," Nathaniel replied as he shook his head no. "Diego, promise me you'll go to school."
 
"I promise."
 
Nathaniel's head twisted slightly. He reached up and tapped the ComLink in his ear. "Hi, Handsome, what do you need?" There was a pause as he listened to the response. "Really, Oliver? You sure that's necessary?" Another pause. "No, I just didn't want him to have to deal with it." The pause happened again as Nathaniel listened. "Okay. At least Diego will be happy to hear he doesn't have to go to school today. Where are you?" Another pause. "Okay, I'll see you soon. I'll have Tyler take Diego over to the Hospital Steward's Home."
 
"Well then," Nathaniel said with a confident voice. "Seems we have a change of plans. Diego, you're staying on the island, but I need to have you go to the Carters and talk to Martin. I guess you're coming back soon. We can let Chet off the hook and get him working on something more important."
 
"Like the pup?" Tyler said with a laugh.
 
"Like Pup. That boy could use a bit of time in the arms of a Montana cowboy. Will is far too busy with this island's finances today."
 
Tyler smiled. "Yee, Haw. Ride ‘em cowboy."
 
"Yep, get the two of them together as soon as you get Diego over to the Hospital Steward's Home." He leaned over and kissed Diego once more on the cheek. "He'll be fine. Diego. I promise."
 
"Okay, Uncle Nathaniel," Diego said. He reached out, took Tyler's paw, and headed toward the causeway. 
 
Nathaniel slipped back into the room where Billy was fidgeting nervously. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Billy," the bear said. "What did you see outside?"
 
"You and Diego talking to a werewolf."
 
"Interesting," the bear said. "I'm thinking that you're experiencing a bit of residual kickback from what Diego did to you last night. I'm not sure how long it will last, but we're going to take advantage of it for now." The bear moved over to the far side of the room and leaned back against the countertop. "Billy, have you read A Christmas Carol ?"
 
Billy shook his head no. "I've seen the movie. Does that count?"
 
Nathaniel smiled. "For our purposes, yes. There are a few hours before Diego returns, and in that time, you're going to be visited by ghosts if you will." He waved his hand out toward the hallway. "In reality, they're my husbands. They're not ghosts, but they're going to show you things like the ghosts did in the movie. Anyway, you'll get to meet both of them, today."
 
"You can't do that. It's against the law to marry more than one person."
 
"And yet, here we are. All happily married. The law doesn't say anything about what a bear and his husbands can do."
 
"But you're all guys. Aren't you supposed to settle down with just one other guy?"
 
"Well, I'm a bear. I've married a cat and a badger, so effectively I'm only married to one of each species."
 
Billy shook his head again. "No, no… that's not the way it's supposed to be."
 
Nathaniel approached the bed. "Exactly what do you think the goal is when two guys get married?"
 
"To show how much they love each other."
 
"And if I happen to love two?"
 
"You have to choose one."
 
"Why?" Nathaniel asked. "If they're both happy being married to me and each other, why do we have to live according to human laws that aren't even as old as I am?"
 
"What do you mean?" Billy asked. 
 
"If you believe the statistics, only about twenty percent of the world's population practices strict monogamy," Nathaniel said. "You know, that whole one man, one woman thing for straights and well, ewe, for all those gays and lesbians paring up the way they do. That means eighty percent of other humans live some other way. For all your protesting about how I choose to live my life, your idea of married life is in the minority, Billy. And face it, if you enjoyed Diego kissing you last night, your minority status just got even smaller."
 
"I know that," Billy said despondently. "I fought so hard against what I am. I thought it was wrong." Billy was quiet. "I'm still struggling with it, Dr. Templeton. I don't know how Diego can be so strong. He just doesn't give a crap what anyone thinks. I can't do that."
 
Nathaniel smiled. "Neither can he, Billy. He has lots of people who he cares about. He cares what they think. But they know him, Billy. They don't judge him by a label, or an attribute like the color of his skin, what he wears, or even who he loves. They know him and they like who he is."
 
Billy was quiet for a moment. "I like him too."
 
"Well, let's just see how well that goes, shall we?" Nathaniel asked. Nathaniel looked up at the room clock. "Well, it's about to strike the hour. As you know, that's when ghosts arrive in these sorts of stories."
 
"I don't think I'm going to like this, Doctor Templeton."
 
Nathaniel looked up in contemplation. "I'm pretty sure Scrooge didn't like it either. And you both were assholes, so that should work out well." The bear looked at him and smiled. "Billy, your friends are going to need your help here, and believe it or not, you're going to need theirs. You have all made life very rough for a lot of kids. It seems only fair that life returns the favor."
 
There was a knock on the door, and the sliding glass door slowly opened. The doctor turned around. "My cue to leave. I'll see you later this afternoon when I round."
 
Billy waved. "Bye, Doctor Templeton."
 
Nathaniel nodded, and slipping past the curtain, he stepped out through the sliding glass door. A few moments later, a very nervous Billy watched as the curtain slid back. He saw a small creature standing in front of the bully brigade. "Well, here we is," the animal said. "Go on in. Takes a look at your friend."
 
Carl stepped forward first and grimaced when he looked at Billy's bruised body. "What the hell did they do to you?" he asked. 
 
"They kept me from dying," Billy said defensively. "My dad was the one who did this." he scratched his hand on a chest covered in bandages. "Doctor Templeton says they may still have to operate to fix a ruptured heart valve or something. I guess my dad beat me hard enough to stop my heart. He says a lot of things I don't understand, but some of what he says scares me."
 
The gang of four all nodded their understanding of the fear. "They didn't tell you about your pecker, I suppose," the badger said casually.
 
Billy's eyes widened. "What about my cock?"
 
"Your dad kicked it," Oliver said as he got behind the group and pushed them all toward Billy. "He kicked it a lot. You's probably never gonna have kids." The badger paused and chortled a bit. "Not that that's gonna be any big deal for you; but still, it's one seriously fucked up pecker."
 
"It feels fine," Billy protested.
 
Oliver shrugged. "That's good. Figures Diego might fix that first. A boy's gots to have priorities."
 
Bucky looked at the badger. "You talk funny."
 
Oliver stared at the young man. "Yeah, I does. Lots of folks talk funny, Kid. You's gonna meet all sorts of people in your life, and if talking funny is gonna throw you off, you's more fucked up than anything I can do for you."
 
Bucky looked down. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean no disrespect."
 
Oliver looked up. "You talks funny, kid. You should have said ‘I meant no disrespect.' Saying ‘didn't mean no disrespect' is a double negative. Don't they teaches you nuthin' in that school you go to?" The kid looked at Oliver, and Oliver grinned back. "Just cause I talks funny don't mean I don't know how to talks normal."
 
Matthew scratched his head. "Then how come?"
 
"I'm old, Kid," Oliver replied. "I learned to talks this way and I'm comfortable with it. My family loves me enough to not pick on me ‘cause I don't talks normal. You should learn a thing or two from them."
 
Steve nodded. "I think we already have."
 
Oliver looked to Carl who appeared to be the largest of the four. "Can you picks me up and put me on Billy's bed, please?"
 
Carl reached down, picked Oliver up, and with a grunt hefted him up onto the bed. "You're heavy," Carl said.
 
"You should sees me as a human," the badger laughed. "I'se way fatter."
 
Billy looked at the group. "You see him? You see this animal guy?"
 
"I'se a badger, Billy. Don't show no disrespect." He stared at Bucky and grinned.
 
"I'm sorry, sir," Billy said. "I didn't mean any disrespect. I've just never seen a badger before. I didn't know what to call you."
 
"Call me Oliver. That's my name."
 
"I'm sorry, Oliver."
 
"Well, you's all gonna be sorrier when I'se done here. You alls been busy today seeing and hearing stuff. And I guess if you's following along with the story, I'd be the ghost of Christmas past ‘cause what's you's about to see ain't your future. It's what you and your kind has done to little ones for centuries."
 
All five boys looked confused. The badger put out his hands. "I'se sorry boys, but life is coming at us faster than we'd wanted. We's got to take care of you before we takes care of somethin' far more pressin'." He extended his arms and they began to glow. "Ain't never channeled the Yellow clan. But here we goes." The paw pulsed once, and the boys fell to their knees. Billy screamed in tandem with the rest. Only seconds had passed, but whatever they saw left all the boys sobbing. 
 
"You figured it out, I sees," Oliver said. "Them's the faces of all the children that bullies beat down. They's all dead because of what happened to them. Some didn't survive the beatings they gots. They didn't have no one to heal them the way Billy did. Some of them didn't have the strength to keep living, so they stopped. They ended their lives too soon, 'cause of monsters like you." Oliver stared at the group. "You's heading straight for where all them bullies who hurt those little ones are heading. They's all murderers. They's all got blood on their hands. And one day it's gonna all catch up with them. And sooner than they knows.
 
"But you boys gots a chance now. You seen the awful you's becoming. You seen where what you does is headin', and you gots a chance to change. You gots a chance to get your life back." The badger kept his gaze directed at the youths and none could turn away. "Look at Billy. Look at what you becomes capable of doing by letting that hate inside you grow. His daddy gots more hate in him than all of you, but you's catching up right quick.
 
"Wanna know somethin' funny, boys? Billy ain't one of you no more. He's just like the little ones you pick on." Oliver turned and opened the door. "Chews on that for a bit," he said as he walked through the door and closed it behind him.
 
The bully brigade looked at Billy. Questions reflected in their eyes. Billy shook his head. "I'm gay. I thought if I could beat it out of someone else, maybe I could beat it out of myself. But it doesn't work that way. And when I told my dad the truth, he nearly beat me to death."
 
"You can't be gay," Matthew said. "You don't act gay."
 
"Do you know anyone on this island who acts gay?" Billy retorted. "We picked on Max because he was weak, because he talked funny, and because he wouldn't fight back. That didn't make him gay. It just made him different. And it made us mean. It made us the awful that Oliver was talking about."
 
"We… we weren't trying to hurt him. We were just having fun," Matthew said. 
 
"At someone else's expense," Bucky said sadly. "Didn't you learn anything from what you saw, Matthew?"
 
Matthew was quiet. "I can't look at it. I can't let it soak in, Bucky. If I do, it hurts too much. I can't stop seeing the faces." The lad began to cry.
 
Carl slipped to his side and put his hand on Matthew's shoulder. "I can't stop seeing them either, Matthew. But I think that's what's supposed to happen. I don't think that badger thing wants us to just get over what we saw today."
 
Steve nodded his head. "He was right when he called it the awful."
 
Billy sighed. "So, what are we supposed to do? What does Oliver want from us?"
 
The hospital door slid open, and Martin walked through the door, pushing the curtain back. "Oliver doesn't want anything from you, Billy." The group of open-mouthed boys stared at the saber-toothed cat. "He was trying to give you something."
 
"Nightmares?" Matthew asked.
 
"No, you probably haven't figured it out yet, but you're the nightmares." The cat pulled up a chair, spun it around, and sat down, spreading his legs around the back and leaning onto the top of the chair. "Ask any of the kids you see who the monsters are on this island. Ask them what gives them nightmares. It's you guys. It's all the people just like you. I may look like a monster, but I've never taunted another person for who they are. I never shoved anyone because they were different or I was afraid of them. And I've never been cruel just because someone was weaker than me."
 
The cat leaned back. "So, tell me, kids. Who's the monster in this room?"
 
Bucky bowed his head. "I am, sir. I see that now."
 
The cat smiled. "Then you're not a monster, Bucky. You were a monster. As soon as you can see it, as soon as you turn away from it, you stop being one."
 
Matthew looked at the cat. "We're all monsters, Sir. Some of us are worse than others."
 
"Call me Martin," the cat said with a smile. "You can all be something else if you choose to be."
 
Billy nodded his head. "I'd like to be."
 
Matthew lowered his gaze. "Will it make the faces go away? Can it stop the hurt?"
 
The cat sighed. "In time. I'm afraid you're going to have to live with them for a time, but don't worry, it's not permanent. The badger might seem kind of ornery and gruff, but he loves you boys. He won't ever hurt you, even if you're hurting now."
 
"I don't understand," Steve said. The other boys nodded their heads in confusion.
 
"Sometimes we have to walk through hell to get out of it. You gentlemen were building a pit deep enough to bury yourselves in that hell. You're only feeling a bit of it because you saw the faces of those who your kind hurts. Oliver will risk dragging you through that hell if he can get you to walk out of it on your own. He knows what it feels like. But he also knows you're the ones who have to walk out from that pit you've dug. None of us can do it for you."
 
"What are we supposed to do?"
 
"I think you know the answer to that. It's not just that you all stop your bullying. That's the simple part you've already figured out. It's what you have to do to make things right."
 
Diego stood at the door, listening. Martin looked up at him. "Did he come?"
 
"Yeah, but he's not happy about this."
 
"I didn't figure he would be. But he's got to give them the chance that Max can't."
 
The boys' faces blanched white. "Is Max… is he…"
 
"He's fine. But he's always forgiven you guys for what you did. He's quite the amazing boy in that respect. His brother on the other hand…"
 
The boys winced. "We're sorry," Bucky said. "Please tell him we're sorry."
 
The cat purred. "No, you tell him." The cat looked out the door. "Come on Kristopher. This battle ends here. Your family has bigger challenges ahead than this."
 
Kristopher came around the corner. Diego reached out and grabbed the lad into a hug. Kristopher stared at the bulky, muscled lad in front of him and kissed him on the lips. All the boys, except Billy, recoiled. 
 
Kristopher looked at the boys and shrugged his indifference to their silent stares. "I'm straight," Kristopher said. "Diego, not so much, but our whole family is kind of a huggy, kissy group. I've gotten used to it. You hang around this place for very long and you're going to see a lot of hugging and kissing, because these people love each other, and that's what they do to show it."
 
The group sat silently staring at Kristopher. Kristopher turned to the cat. "This is what you brought me here for, Uncle Martin? To sit and watch a bunch of bullies stare at me?"
 
"That's up to them, Kristopher," the cat replied.
 
Billy shook his head. "I'm sorry Kristopher. I'm so sorry I hit you."
 
Kristopher looked at the bandaged boy. "I'm sorry I hit you, too."
 
Bucky's eyes widened. "That's what happened to us? You hit us?"
 
Kristopher sighed. "More or less."
 
"I didn't think you were that strong," Billy said.
 
Kristopher glowered at the boy. "So, that's why you took a chance and belted me?"
 
The cat was about to say something when Bucky stepped forward. "No, we hit you because we're the awful that Oliver told us about. We're sorry, Kristopher. I don't want to be that guy who thought it was funny when Billy punched you. I want to be the guy who would have stopped Billy from hitting you."
 
Kristopher smiled. "Okay, fair enough. You guys forgive me and I'll forgive you, deal?"
 
Bucky stuck out his hand. "Deal." Kristopher took the hand and shook it. One by one, the process repeated until Kristopher shook each of the bully's hands.
 
Kristopher looked at the saber-toothed cat. "Can I go now, Uncle Martin?"
 
"I don't know. You tell me. If these guys came to visit here someday in the future, would you come up to them and say hello?"
 
Kristopher shrugged and looked at the boys. "I don't know. If I'm doing chores at the farm, are you going to help?"
 
"Sure," Billy said as the rest nodded.
 
"Then, yeah, I'm going to say hello," Kristopher said.
 
"Then we're good here. Say Hi to your folks for me, will you? Enjoy your time at the beach with your brother. Don't poke anything in the tide pools with a stick, okay?" the cat said. 
 
"I haven't done that since I was four years old," Kristopher said, shaking his head. "I would think everyone would have forgotten it by now." He headed toward the door, and Diego extended his arms. Kristopher laughed. "Okay, I kissed you just to freak them out. We're not doing that again until I'm like twenty and can deal with it."
 
Diego laughed. "Okay. I still get my hug, right?"
 
Kristopher grabbed the huge lad and hugged him tightly. "Of course." When the hug ended, Kristopher was off, racing back home.
 
Diego reached for the door when a large brown paw pushed forward and stopped him. The bear pushed his way inside with the badger holding his hand. Nathaniel looked at the five boys. "I hope this little adventure of yours on the island has helped, gentlemen. I'm afraid parts of it are about to be lost to you. Maybe forever… maybe just for a season."
 
Carl looked confused. "What do you mean Dr. Templeton?"
 
"There is a part of this island that humans only see when they truly love the ones they're looking at. When you leave the island today, you will remember what you saw and heard, but as a part of who you were and who you are becoming more than an actual memory." Nathaniel waved his hand over his furry belly. "After today, you won't see us like this. You'll see us the same way you saw us when you first stepped onto the island. We'll look just like you."
 
Steve shook his head. "No, please no. We promise we won't tell anyone."
 
Nathaniel smiled. "I'm sorry, Son," he said as his massive paw reached out and rubbed the boy's shoulder. "It doesn't work that way. Rules of engagement, I'm afraid. We gave you a temporary gift to see us as we are. But it's never a gift to see us. You have to earn the right to be on this island and see the beasts."
 
Bucky waved his arms. "How? How do we do that? I swear I'll do whatever you say."
 
"You have to love us."
 
"But we do," Steve said.
 
"No, you like us. You're not afraid of us anymore. Those are big steps for you to take, but there are more steps you have to take before you love us."
 
Matthew was still looking down. "Maybe some things are better forgotten. I like you all. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you ever again. But maybe it's better this way." Oliver cocked his head and looked at the boy.
 
"No, Matthew. We can take whatever steps we have to," Steve said. He looked at the bear. "You just have to show us how."
 
"Come back to the island just as you planned to. Study with Master Li Wei. Pal around with the kids. Become the men you always should have been. If you do that, I promise, one day you will see us again." Nathaniel reached out his paw, and it glowed green. "Until then, young men, we will wait for you."
 
The boys blinked. "Okay, Dr. Templeton. We promise we'll keep coming back," Steve said. He shook his head. "There's something I was going to say, but I can't seem to remember what it was."
 
The bear smiled. "So what do you think of my new scrubs? Sarah got them for me. Tie dye… very nineteen seventies hippy."
 
Bucky smiled. "They're cool. I think you should sell them in the gift shop. I'd buy a pair."
 
Nathaniel laughed. "Now there's a marketing man if I've ever seen one."
 
Bucky scratched his head. "Is that a good thing?"
 
Nathaniel tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Can be. Like most things in life, it depends on what you do with the gifts you have. Are you gentleman ready to head home?" The group nodded.
 
Oliver pulled back the curtains. "Okay, boys. I gots to get you all home to your families. We gots a boat waiting for you."
 
"Okay, Oliver," Steve said. He looked at the badger. "Do you always wear overalls?"
 
Oliver looked down at his furry body and then back up at the young lad. "Mostly. Although I don'ts wear them at night when I go to bed."
 
"Pajamas," Bucky said with a smile.
 
"I'se married to that doctor," Oliver said pointing to Nathaniel. "I don't wear nuthin'. One day you's gonna understand why I don'ts."
 
Nathaniel pushed the boys toward the badger. "Time enough to learn everything, Oliver. For now, get them safely home."
 
The badger came up to the bear, and the bear leaned down and kissed the little mammal on the lips. "I love you, Badger," Nathaniel said.
 
"I loves you, Bear," Oliver said in return.
 
Bucky shook his head. "I don't get pet names. They never make sense."
 
"Ain't gonna call him Snookums," Oliver said gruffly. "Come on boys, we's walking here." With that, the boys left the room.
 
There was a quiet as Nathaniel turned to Billy. The boy looked at Nathaniel. "I still see the bear."
 
"I know. I don't see the bully. I guess we're both lucky today."
 
Billy smiled. "I guess we are."
 
"You know you're sworn to the highest level of top security secretness, never to reveal what you know." 
 
Billy laughed. "There's no such thing."
 
Nathaniel smiled. "No, there's not. Actually, you tell anyone what you know, and they'll lock you up in a psychiatric ward for observation. But I trust you to keep our secret safe."
 
"I will, Dr. Templeton."
 
The bear turned and put his stethoscope on the counter. Turning back he looked at the young man. "There are things Diego doesn't understand about the human body. He couldn't fix what he couldn't understand. Your heart has suffered some major trauma, and your liver has right-sided bruising. What happened last night with the green light was like putting a bandage on a cut that needs stitches. It stops the problem for a bit, but it doesn't fix it."
 
The bear turned and grabbed a model of the human heart from the counter. "The damage to your heart is here and here," he said, pointing to the model. "There are two ways to go about fixing these things. I can open you up and stitch you back together and you'll be fine in a few months. Or I could do what Diego did and heal you. But it means you let a gay bear hug you."
 
Billy thought for a moment. "Scars would be cool, but I think I would prefer the hug. Your being gay doesn't scare me anymore."
 
The bear reached down and pulled the boy up into a warm hug. As the body of the bear glowed green, Billy whispered, "Doctor, you could hug me even after I'm all better if you wanted to."
 
Nathaniel smiled and closed his eyes as he saw the damage to the boy's heart begin to mend. "I would like that, Billy. I would like that a lot."

Chapter 9

Paul signed the paperwork and handed it back to the foster parenting agent. "So, are we all good here?"
 
The agent looked at the documents and nodded. The police officer extended his hand. "It all appears to be in order. The restraining order is in effect, so if he gets out on bail before the trial and you see Mr. Carpenter anywhere near the island, you call us."
 
Paul shook the extended hand of the police officer. "Thank you, Officer Clements." 
 
The police officer looked at Billy and then Paul. "You take good care of him, Mr. Carver. We can't let them keep slipping through the cracks anymore."
 
Paul smiled. "I agree."
 
The police officer looked at Billy. "And you, Billy. You don't blow this. I don't ever want to see you again except at the island's summer picnic."
 
Billy looked at the officer. "The summer picnic?"
 
The officer's eyes glowed yellow with black pupils that seemed to have a depth beyond the police officer. "I make a killer potato salad," he said with a grin. Billy stared at the officer as his eyes became brown again. "We're always here to help, Billy. To protect and serve. It's not just my job description. It's also my duty as part of your extended family."
 
Paul nodded to the young lad. "Well, Billy, are you ready to go home?"
 
Billy rocked back and forth nervously. "Are you sure, Mr. Carver? I've been such an asshole to your kids. They can't be happy with this idea."
 
Paul smiled and squatted down to look the lad in the eye. "On the contrary, it was Max who suggested it. He thinks it would be nice for Kristopher to have a brother near his age again. Jessica seems fine with it." He paused a moment. "Kristopher, on the other hand…"
 
"Oh god, I'm so sorry Mr. Carver, I wish I could take that day back. I wish I could take all the days back."
 
"So does he, Billy."
 
"Will he ever forgive me?"
 
Paul nodded. "He already has. It's in your court now, Billy. You prove to him you're worthy of his friendship and he'll be the best brother you've ever had. Just realize he's as nervous about this as you are. But you both want this to work. You'll find a way."
 
"I never had a brother."
 
"Well, there you see? He already is the best one you've ever had," Paul said with a laugh. He put his arm around the young man's shoulders. "Let's see if we can catch one of the skiffs to the island before they close the park for the day."
 
At the dock, all of Billy's old friends were waiting under the shade of the rain shelter. A rare day of sun beamed down, and the boys knew better than to be out in it for long. Billy stepped out of the car and stared at the group. Carl stepped forward. "Is it true? You're gonna live on the island?"
 
Billy took a deep breath. "Yeah, it's true. I'm going to be living with the Carvers."
 
Carl flashed a big smile while the others grinned. "That is so cool. I would love to live there."
 
Billy smiled. "It's a nice place. I'm lucky they're willing to take me in. I've been a total jerk to them."
 
"Yeah," Matthew said. "You and all the rest of us. We were wrong, Billy."
 
Carl nodded. "Seriously wrong."
 
There was an uncomfortable silence and then Bucky asked the question all the boys were thinking. "Are you really gay, Billy?"
 
Billy blinked a few times. "Yeah. I was gay long before I ever stepped foot on the island, so don't you go worrying about turning gay because you went there."
 
Carl laughed. "Nah, we weren't worried about that. It makes it easier if we know, though. We could stop talking about girls around you if that helps."
 
"Well, unless you don't mind," Steven said.
 
"We could talk about guys too, if you wanted," Bucky added.
 
Billy smiled. "I have a boyfriend, Bucky. Diego and I will probably hang out together a lot more in the future."
 
Carl frowned. "Does that mean you're not seeing us anymore?" he asked.
 
"No, it means you're going to be seeing a lot more of Diego, numbnuts," Billy answered.
 
"It's hard to believe he's gay," Bucky said. "I mean he's huge and muscular."
 
"Well, he kisses like he's gay," Billy replied defensively.
 
"Okay, you may need to tone it down there a bit, Billy," Paul said. "Your friends aren't attacking you. You just have a boyfriend who isn't what they thought a gay guy would look like. You're breaking down stereotypes, so cut them some slack." Paul looked at the group. "Diego is gay. He's also a brick wall in human form. And he's a great kid. You'll like him."
 
"I'm sure we will," Bucky said, nodding. "We didn't mean any offense, Mr. Carver."
 
"Me either, Mr. Carver," Billy said apologetically. 
 
"None taken," Paul said. "You boys are just learning what it means to have friends with different views and lives than yours. That's always a tough transition. But it's worth it. My uncles are all gay, and they're the best people I've ever known. You boys start making your own choices and your own decisions about other people. Don't let your fears keep you from meeting someone who might become your best friend down the line."
 
Bucky shifted his feet. "Mr. Carver, do you think Master Li Wei would let me come to tai chi class even though our detention is over?"
 
"Have you asked him?"
 
"No."
 
"I think that would be the starting point, don't you?" 
 
"Yes sir," Bucky replied. "Is there room enough for me on the boat?"
 
"I think there will be. It's one o'clock. That's usually a slack time for tourists to be transporting. Just be ready to go home by three like you usually do. I don't want your parents calling me upset if their kids are gallivanting around on the island instead of doing what you're supposed to be doing."
 
"I don't have the money to pay for the boat ride, but I'm willing to work on the island to pay for my fare," Bucky said with his head bowed.
 
"Me too, if you'll let me," Steve said.
 
"I'd best be getting home," Matthew said, looking slightly away from direct eye contact with the only adult in the group. "My mom and dad don't particularly like me visiting the island." 
 
Paul looked at Carl. "And you, mister?"
 
"It would be nice to go back," the boy replied. "I kind of like Adelina. Do you think maybe we could go to a movie or something?"
 
Paul's smile betrayed his amusement. "Why are you asking me?"
 
"Because you're not as scary as her fathers. Those three are tough."
 
Paul frowned. "I can be tough," he said defensively.
 
"Yeah, you can Mr. Carver. But I don't want to date Jessica. She's too young."
 
Paul laughed again. "Okay, boys. Skiff's arriving. Everyone on board who's getting on board. We'll see about establishing some visitation rights for you in the future. Convincing your parents will probably be the toughest part."
 
"Not mine," Bucky said, grabbing his round belly. "They love getting me out of the house. I've lost twenty pounds already."
 
"Mine will probably be okay with it," Steve said. "I haven't been to the principal's office in over a month." 
 
Carl thought about it. "Mine will be fine," he mumbled. "It would probably help if you held church services at that little chapel. It surprised them when they visited the memorials. They didn't know you cared so much about the people who were there before you." 
 
"Mine might be a problem," Matthew sighed. "I still hear the words I learned for gay people at home. I won't ever say them again, but I don't think my folks will ever change."
 
Paul looked at the young man and nodded his head. "You sometimes just have to accept that changes won't happen no matter how hard you try, Matthew. But I'll talk to them. If you'd like, I'll bring my wife. Maybe that will ease their minds."
 
Matthew looked down. "Telling Billy's dad everything was going to be okay didn't work."
 
Paul looked at the child. "Do you want to talk about something, Matthew?"
 
Matthew looked up. "No, Mr. Carver. It's nothing like that. I'm straight. It's just now my best friend isn't. It complicates things. Oliver was right about the awful." He started walking back toward the pier entrance area. "I'll be okay. Sometimes you just have to deal with things."
 
Paul's look of concern was noticeable, but he deferred to silence and watched the lad as he kicked a rock off the pier and into the water. The group gathered and moved to the end of the pier as the skiff pulled into the dock. As they waited for tourists to unload, Paul listened to them talking. 
 
"You really kiss Diego?" Bucky whispered to Billy.
 
"Yeah, I kiss him."
 
Bucky shook his head and paused. "What's it like kissing someone?"
 
Carl nodded, "Yeah, what's it like?"
 
"It's the best thing ever," Billy said. "Well, at least once you get past the first time. I think the first times are always gonna be screwed up."
 
"Awkward," Steven said. "I totally blew my first kiss with Gretchen."
 
"Yeah, awkward. That's what the first one is like," Billy agreed.
 
"Wait," Carl interrupted as he looked at Steven. "You kissed Gretchen?"
 
"Yeah, a few times," Steven said proudly.
 
As the last of the passengers debarked, Paul rounded up the chatting boys with a gentle push and moved them onto the boat. He turned and looked at Matthew. "Matthew, we should talk. Please, promise me you'll take care of yourself."
 
"I'll take care of everything, Mr. Carver," Matthew replied without looking up. "You don't need to worry about me." Matthew turned and walked back to the shore. Paul gave a frustrated sigh and turned to the others as they climbed into the skiff.
 
"Good Afternoon, Mr. Carver," the boat pilot said with a smile. "You've got quite the crowd with you there."
 
"I do indeed, Cable," he said as he introduced the boys to a werewolf only Billy could see. 
 
Later, as he watched the boys disembark and head toward Lei Wei's home, he tapped his ComLink. "Martin," He said. There was a pause. "Martin, I'm concerned about one of the boys. Do you think we might talk after they've gone home for the day?" He paused listening. "Thanks. Oh, and could you bring Oliver?" He was quiet again listening and then he laughed. "Well tell him there's a kiss in it from the straight guy if he comes." Another pause. Another laugh. "No, not on the lips and no tongue. Just ask him, please. It's important." Paul smiled. "Thanks, Martin." He tapped his ComLink again and watched the boys as they disappeared over the hill.

Chapter 10

"You're Dr. Templeton?" the woman screamed. "What have you done to our child?"
 
The redheaded man in scrubs stood at the door of the St. John Regional Hospital ICU. "For the moment, we've performed a gastric lavage. They sometimes refer to it as pumping out someone's stomach. What I'm curious to know is how your son had access to so many opioid painkillers and benzodiazepines. We're talking a lot of OxyContin and Valium in that boy's stomach. You both seem to be in no physical pain that requires such draconian medications in your home."
 
The man and woman looked at each other and then slightly down, but the man rebounded quickly. "This isn't our doing. Our son was fine before he started going to that damn fag island."
 
"Your son was doing community service on that island for bullying and hitting other children. Is that your idea of fine?" the doctor asked calmly. 
 
"He didn't try to commit suicide before he went there," the man yelled.
 
The doctor carded the double doors of the ICU and they opened. He ushered the two humans in and began walking down the hallway of rooms. He stopped in front of one. "We'll have to keep our voices down here; we have patients trying to recuperate. Your son included." 
 
Nathaniel paused for a moment. "You're right. Matthew didn't attempt suicide before he started his community service on the island. He also didn't attempt suicide before he went to the movies, or while at school, or many other things he did. His actions weren't the result of only one influence." 
 
"You're telling me that what went on at that island isn't responsible for this?"
 
"Oh, I'm one hundred percent sure that we had something to do with it," the doctor said. "I'm the chief surgeon on that island. And I know your boy was deeply upset by something he saw just recently. So, yes, I'm accepting the fact that we are a part of this." The doctor slid the door open and pushed back the curtain. "But you two are a part of this as well. I'm not shying away from our involvement. What about the two of you?"
 
"We had nothing to do with this."
 
"There is rarely a genetic link to children that bully other children. Teaching children to hate and devalue others is the most common method of creating abusive children."
 
"You're not going to blame this on us," the man fumed.
 
"Want to make a bet on that?" the doctor asked dispassionately.
 
"We'll sue your faggot ass and that whole damn island," the man threatened.
 
Nathaniel walked over to Matthew's bed and looked at the boy's IV. He motioned for the parents to step further inside the room. "Why don't you talk to your son before you talk to your lawyer?" 
 
The parents walked in and saw a small person sitting on the bed with Matthew. The lad looked up at his parents. "This is my friend, Oliver," he said weakly.
 
"Oh, crap, Kid. Don't say that. Now they's gonna see me as your schoolmate, damn it."
 
Matthew looked at the badger. "I'm sorry, Oliver."
 
"It's okay, Matthew," Nathaniel said. "Oliver will be fine." Nathaniel looked at the parents. "This is my husband, Oliver." 
 
"What's he doing here? Unless he's a doctor, he has no place being here. It's bad enough they allow your kind anywhere near him."
 
"Well, my kind saved your son's life without the extensive brain damage the hospital feared. My kind is also the one your son asked for when they found him."
 
"He wouldn't have needed saving if it hadn't been for you pedophiles," the angry father retorted.
 
"Firstly, there ain't no pedophiles on Partridge Island," Oliver chastised the father. "That's against the law, and we don't break them laws. You'se mixing up your big words trying to find someone to blame. Stick with faggot, at least then you'se gonna be right." Oliver looked at Matthew and then back to the father. "Your son's hurtin' and all you can thinks about is who's to blame?"
 
"You shut up," the father retaliated. "This has nothing to do with you."
 
"Yes it does," Oliver protested. "I'se the one who let him sees what happens to the children he bullied. Didn't have no idea that one of them faces he seen was one he knowed personal-like."
 
"What are you talking about?" the mother asked.
 
"Part of the children's time with us included a presentation," Nathaniel said. "We have access to the faces of children who have lost their lives due to bullying. Your son and the others saw the faces of thousands of those children."
 
Oliver reached out and held Matthew's hand. "But this little one saw a face he recognized. A little boy named Anthony he knowed. He saw himself a newspaper report that Anthony committed suicide. He weren't lucky enough to have a doctor to save him like your son."
 
The mother looked at Oliver. "Our son had nothing to do with that boy dying."
 
"Yes I did, Mom," Matthew interrupted. "Anthony was just this tiny little kid who had a stutter. His dad was in the military so he moved all around Canada. Everywhere he went, he tried to make new friends. And everywhere he went, he met guys like me. Guys who teased him for the way he talked, who shoved him when he walked by, who made his life hell." 
 
"He was in fourth grade when I met him," Matthew said lowering his head. He was silent for a moment and then shook his head. "I wasn't even ten, and already I thought it was fun to make other kids' lives miserable. What the hell is wrong with me? He was gone from our school for years before he committed suicide, but I am still a part of what led him to that choice."
 
"You're not to blame," the father said. "He was weak. They can't hold you responsible for someone not being tough enough to deal with what everyone deals with at school."
 
Matthew looked at his father. "Don't you get it, Dad? I shouldn't have been the one making life tough for him. I should have been someone reaching out a hand he could grab onto."
 
His dad shook his head. "That's not your responsibility. You're not to blame for some fag kid offing himself."
 
Oliver looked at the defiant face of the father. "Oh, fucks this," Oliver said. His hand went up and the yellow light blinded the room. When their vision cleared, Nathaniel and Matthew saw the parents curled up on the floor, crying.
 
"What have you done, Badger?" Nathaniel sighed.
 
"What was needful, Bear." Oliver turned to Matthew. "They ain't hurt, Little One, but they is hurting."
 
"I don't understand, Oliver," Matthew said. 
 
"Your dad is a bully. You knows that. You knows the way he treats you and your mom."
 
"Yeah, I know."
 
"It was gonna get worser, Matthew. It was gonna get way worser after tonight. Your papa sees you as weak now. He ain't gonna like seeing you around." Oliver reached out and rubbed the boy's shoulder. "I can'ts let that happen again to you little ones. We ain't never meant you visiting the island to kill you."
 
"Dad hits, but it doesn't hurt us all that bad. Not usually."

 "Well, I just made sure he never hits again."
 
Nathaniel looked at Oliver. "Badger?"
 
"I showed them both their lives. When we is in the middle of something, it's easy to see how we is right all the time. We ain't gots perspective. I just pulled them two out of themselves and let them sees their lives from the time they was little babies. I showed a bully papa how he growed up to be a bully just like his papa. I showed a momma how she let her son be in harm's way because she was afraid she weren't good enough or strong enough to deserve better. Them two is watching their lives from the outside. When you sees the awful from that view it changes you.
 
Nathaniel frowned. "Was this really necessary? Couldn't we have worked with them?"
 
Oliver shook his head. "We ain't got the time, Bear." Oliver looked at Matthew. "They's gonna be fine, Little One. You's got to trust me on this one."
 
"I trust you, Oliver."
 
"And you, you ain't gonna do something so stupid no more, right?"
 
"I'm sorry, Oliver. I'm sorry, Dr. Templeton. I just couldn't stand the pain. The other guys are doing fine with what they saw. They're apologizing to the kids we've picked on. They're trying to make it right. I am too," Mathew said. He grew suddenly quiet. "But Anthony," he whispered. "I can't make it up to Anthony. I should have…" the boy's voice trailed off.
 
"We all has done things we regrets," Oliver said. "I'se done horrible things in my life that haunts me just like you, Matthew. But we gots to live our lives to make up for them wrongs. We can'ts just walk away from them that we did wrong by. We gots to live our lives so the other's out there who needs protecting can find us."
 
Nathaniel watched the two carefully. His hand stretched out and a light green glow covered the two human adults. "Oliver, does Matthew have the Sight?"
 
"Yeah, he does. That's why he sees so far beyond what the other little ones does. It woke up when he seen them dead children."
 
"What's the Sight?" Matthew asked. 
 
"It's a power that let's you see things as they really is, and sometimes it gets scary when what you sees is the awful."
 
"Like Anthony."
 
"Like Anthony," Oliver agreed. "Matthew, you gots something that can be a gift or a curse depending on how you uses it. We's at a crossroads. What we does now is up to you." 
 
Oliver took the lad and propped him up straight. "I can make the gift go quiet-like. I can make it so you's just like your friends. You's gonna know about them little kids that died, but Anthony will just be one of thousands of faces you seen. You ain't gonna have the visions, you ain't gonna hear the voices. But you ain't never gonna know when someone who really needs you is there. And you ain't never gonna see who you needs to go to when you needs protectin'."
 
"Like you, Oliver? Like why you called 911 and told them about me?"
 
"I'se never gonna stop protecting you, Matthew. None of us ever is. The day we brought you to the island, we took an oath never to stop looking after you. We will always be there. You just won't know it."
 
"I won't see you as a badger, will I?"
 
"No," the badger said with a bit of irritation in his voice. "You's probably gonna see me as a fuckin' kid."
 
Matthew laughed. "I'm sorry, Oliver."
 
"Yeah, me too," Oliver sighed. "But you won't remember the awful. You won't remember even this. Doc here can erase all that. Nathaniel is one of them that gave you the gift. He can make it go quiet. He can makes it like it was before."
 
"My mom; will she be safe?"
 
"When they comes back, I promises I will leave both your momma and your papa in a better place than were they was."
 
The lad reached out and petted Oliver. "I will miss you, Oliver. I don't know if I can keep seeing what I see and not do this all over again. The pain I feel; it doesn't go away. I just want it to stop."
 
"I understands, Little One," Oliver said sadly.
 
Nathaniel knelt beside the two. He took off his lab coat and shifted into a bear. The boy jumped backward on his bed, and then seeing the smile on the bear, he relaxed. "Is that you, Dr. Templeton?"
 
"This is me, the way I usually am," the bear responded. "Matthew, before you decide what you want to do, I hope you understand you won't have to live with what you see alone. There are many who will help you. Some, like Li Wei and Mr. Carver, you already know. Other's you'll meet as time goes by."
 
The bear reached out and put his paw on the young lad. "Like Oliver, I will back whatever it is you tell me to do, but I want you to think for a moment before you decide. People talk about whether to take the easy path or the hard path. For my money, the easy paths are most often the better choice. Life is hard enough without choosing to make it more difficult. But sometimes, as with you, there are no easy paths. Both your lives will be difficult. Whether you live with the gift or whether you let it go quiet. Your friends are changing and you are too. Growing up is tough. And you're heading into the time of life where it's about as tough as it gets."
 
Matthew fidgeted slightly. "Tougher for us now that we see what we've done."
 
"That's true," the bear said. 
 
"You won't hate me if I say no to that gift will you?"
 
"Not at all. You're a kid. Kid's shouldn't have to make these choices."
 
Matthew was quiet for a time. He looked down at the glowing parents. "What will happen to them?"
 
"It's kind of tough to explain. The three of you will be here in this room, but there will be a gap in your memory trying to fill itself back up with a logical reason for you all to be here. That's where Oliver and I will come in. We'll replace the gaps in your collective memory with a story that helps you find your way back. Your parents will need even more guidance to come back from where they are, but I think we have an answer for that."
 
"Where are they?" the little boy asked.
 
Oliver answered. "Between what they is and what they once dreamed they would become when they was little. Before the world came crashing in on them and beat those dreams out of them."
 
"They'll be okay? Dad won't hurt mom?"
 
"Not no more. I won't lets him do that no more, Matthew," the badger said. "My husband is right. They's gonna take some time sorting it all out, but they's gonna see a way out of the awful one day. Cause we's got a big-toothed cat to help us."
 
There was a knock on the door. "Come in, Cat," Oliver said.
 
Martin stepped through the door. "I recognize you," Matthew said, smiling. 
 
"Hi, Matthew," the saber-toothed cat said with a grin. "How are you doing?"
 
"Not the best from what I can tell. I tried to kill myself."
 
"So I hear," the cat said. "That's why I'm here. I've been waiting until I heard my name called."
 
"Your name is Cat?" 
 
The cat laughed. "No, it's Martin. But these two both call me Cat."
 
"Like I'm Bear," Nathaniel said.
 
"And I'se Badger. They's pet names ‘cause we're in love."
 
Matthew smiled. "You're lucky. My folks don't have pet names. They don't have much that holds them together."
 
Martin nodded his head in agreement. "Matthew, you'll have to trust us to do our best to keep your family together. But you still have the Sight, and I think you can see the risks in trying to help your parents make peace with their past."
 
Matthew squeezed Oliver's paw tightly. "They're going to get divorced before they find their way back, aren't they?"
 
"They have lots of options to choose from," Martin answered. "But that's probably the one they're going to choose without intervention."
 
"I see it," Matthew said. "I see it, but I don't want it to happen."
 
"Sometimes people gots to be apart for a time before they realizes they was meant to be together," Oliver said knowingly. "But, sometimes being apart is the best they can do to end the awful."
 
Nathaniel stood up from beside the bed. "Matthew, what do you want us to do?"
 
"Could you please try to keep them together?"
 
"We will try."
 
"And I will miss you all. I know I won't remember that, but I just want you to know now before I forget."
 
Martin smiled. "We'll still be there in your life, Matthew. You will have a family watching over you for life. One day you might even see us again."
 
"That would be nice."
 
"So are you ready, Matthew?"
 
"I'm scared."
 
Nathaniel leaned over and wrapped his arms around the boy. "It's just a big old bear hug, Matthew." The bear pulled the little human in close and his eyes closed. The warm green glow began to spread from the bear to the boy.
 
"See the path, Bear," Martin said. 
 
"I don't have the Sight, Cat," the bear said frustrated. 
 
"Yeah, but your husband does. The saber-toothed cat leaned over and kissed the bear as the yellow glow spread over him. The badger looked up and laughed. "You twos gonna have to remember to follow that boy's path and not your own."
 
The two separated from the kiss and smiled at the badger. "All done, Badger," Nathaniel said. "Now we see if it works out." He laid the young boy down on the bed. With a shake, he was the doctor again as he pulled the lab coat over his naked body. His glowing hand faded, and the parents stood up, struggling to gain their footing. 
 
"So, doctor, how did this happen?" the mother asked. 

 "Your son heard you two talking about divorce," the doctor answered. "He thought he was to blame. That he wasn't good enough to keep you two together." 
 
"Are you saying this is our fault?" the father asked. 
 
"There's no reason to assess blame here," the cat answered. "Your son is suffering. You decide what to do about it. You're his parents, and he needs you now more than ever."
 
"We want to help our son, of course," the father replied. "I've seen enough in my life to know what it's like to watch a family fall apart. It's even tougher when I'm watching mine fall apart."
 
The mother grabbed the father's hand. "What can we do?"
 
"There is a specialist on Partridge Island. Dr. Zhang Tao Kong deals exclusively with children's issues. I'm going to suggest regular visits might be in order."
 
"Yes, of course, anything," the father said.
 
"There is a very good likelihood that the good doctor will suggest family therapy."
 
The mother looked at the father. "We'll be there."
 
"Matthew is very lucky to have two parents who love him so much," Nathaniel said. "I'm afraid I didn't have time to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Templeton. My associates, Dr. Casey and Dr. Welby, are part of the St. John Regional Hospital foreign exchange program. I suspect you won't see much of them past tonight, but I will follow your son's case closely. He has made quite an impression on the residents of Partridge Island over the last few months. We'll do everything we can to make sure he doesn't feel the need to try this again."
 
The father looked at the sleeping child. "I never saw it before. My whole life is just repeating itself in my son." The father looked at Nathaniel. "It has to end. Somewhere it has to end. And not the way my son tried to make it end. I don't want to lose him, Doctor." 
 
"He's resting now," the young doctor said. "Why don't I take you downstairs for a coffee and we can talk about where to go from here?"
 
"That would be nice, Doctor," the mother said. "We can't thank you enough for saving our son."
 
"My pleasure, Mrs. Kingston." Nathaniel pushed open the door and escorted the two out into the hall. "Dr. Casey, could you please stay here the night and make sure that when Matthew wakes up, he sees a friendly face?"
 
Oliver looked confused. "Which ones of us is Dr. Casey?"
 
Nathaniel closed the door with the parents on the outside. "The one with the really cute ass."
 
"Oh, that would be me," the badger and cat both answered together with wide grins.
 
Nathaniel smiled. "Yeah, I know. I'm the luckiest husband on the planet. Cat, come with me. You good here, Badger?"
 
"Yeah, I'se good. Gots some calming to do for this boy. The Sight don't like going quiet even if it's told to by a Changeling." His paw began to glow a faint white that shifted to green. "But I'se better have someone willing to plow my cute ass when I gets home tomorrow, ‘cause I ain't pulling the late shift without special compensation."
 
Nathaniel leaned over and kissed the badger. "I love you, Badger."
 
"I loves you, Bear."
 
"Night, Badger," said the cat. "I'll see you tomorrow. I'll make sure that compensation is all ready for you."
 
Oliver smiled. "I'll be looking forward to it, Cat. I loves you, too." The badger and the cat kissed; and with that, the cat and the redheaded doctor opened the door and walked out of the room. They smiled at the two parents and escorted them to the elevators. Inside Matthew's room, a green glow peeked through the curtains. Oliver smiled, gently stroking the young boy's hair with a fluorescing hand. "We's gonna always be with you, Matthew. You gots family watching over you that you ain't even met yet. You's gonna be just fine."

 Chapter 11

The sun rose slowly over the Montana plains. Three naked horsemen, riding on nothing but bareback pads, broke through the buffalo herd, racing back toward the ranch. Jean Pierre pulled up his horse despite its eagerness. "You have too much weight on your back, Thunder. Let those two try to figure out who's best. We know the truth, don't we?" 
 
Chet pulled up his horse and pivoted it around, heading it leisurely back toward Jean Pierre. "They bred Thunder to be happy with a big man on his back," he yelled with a laugh. "Much like me." He pulled his horse around when the two were side by side and took a deep breath of the morning air. "Thanks for your help with the fences yesterday. I'm not sure that's exactly the way to spend a birthday, but you made three ranch hands very happy with their unexpected day off. And you get to enjoy your family later today."
 
"We wanted to spend Max's twenty-fifth birthday with you," Jean Pierre said with a smile. "He's turning when we get back from the highland."
 
Chet returned the smile. "I am happy for both of you." He looked at Jean Pierre. "You will make such beautiful beasts."
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "You don't even know what our choice of beast is."
 
"You are beautiful men. By extension, you will be beautiful beasts. I have no doubts about that."
 
Max came trotting up to the two. "Well, that was a quick and rather one-sided race."
 
"I decided my horse had an unfair disadvantage," Jean Pierre replied. "Me."
 
Max leaned over and kissed the heavyset man with a bald head and full beard. "I don't consider being ridden by you to be a disadvantage."
 
"You wouldn't know," Jean Pierre said with a giggle. "We haven't done that yet."
 
Chet looked over at the two. "You haven't? I've heard you two going at it for weeks. How did you avoid…" he thought a moment, "… bumping into each other in that fashion?"
 
Max shook his head. "We didn't avoid it. We waited for it. I'm twenty-five, and JP is eighteen. We're both well beyond legal age. No one can question our right to make choices for ourselves."
 
"I think your family would agree with you on that front," Chet said. "You two have always been mature young men who deliberate things carefully."
 
"Then you know that what we're about to ask you, we've thought through carefully," Jean Pierre said. He leaned over his horse and gave Chet a quick kiss on the lips. "We want you to be our first."
 
Chet looked at the two, stunned. "No, Jefes. Your first should be for you two alone. You two lovebirds are meant for each other. You should have done it long ago."
 
"In another world we did," Max said. "I know this has been a difficult time for everyone, Chet. We have the advantage of knowing how our years slowly unfolded with you in another time. You've only known us these last few months. We didn't wait for anyone back in those days. We were at each other long before family and friends were even aware. But this time, we don't have the luxury of growing up with someone we love. We have a few brief moments, so we have to decide how to make them special."
 
"This is one of our special moments, Chet," Jean Pierre continued. "You are one of our special moments. The day you took us after my turning was one of the happiest of my life."
 
"Our lives," Max interjected. 
 
Jean Pierre continued. "We had talked of it for months, the three of us. We knew you couldn't turn us because you are a bird and, well… the logistics are all wrong. But we also grew up with you. You are our best friend. Derrick turned Max because he was kind and understanding. But he wasn't our first choice."
 
"You were, Chet," Max added. "You were always our first choice. You will always be our first choice."
 
Chet was silent for a long while as the horses led themselves back toward home. When he looked up there were tears in his eyes. "I have always wondered why I am drawn to you boys. Why is it that from the very first day, your happiness was so important to me? Perhaps I don't see it unfold as you two do, but my heart has always kept pace with yours. You are more to me than just friends. If you have waited for me, I will not question your choice. My heart is yours, Jefes."
 
The horses stopped in front of the hitch in front of Chet's home. 
 
Chet slipped off the horse and tied the reins to the hitch. "Why don't we go in and get something to drink? It's hot out here." 
 
Inside the adobe building, Max and Jean Pierre looked around the sparsely furnished home. "You don't have much here, Chet," Jean Pierre said. 
 
"There are my books and my music," Chet said matter-of-factly. "I need little else. I spend most of my downtime flying or sleeping."
 
The two bears looked around. The back room, obviously meant to be a bedroom, had no bed. "Where do you sleep?"
 
Chet pointed to a wrought iron perch standing in the corner. "I sleep there. I'm a red-tailed hawk, remember?" He pulled two seats from the kitchen table. "Here, have a seat," He said. He stood for a moment and then pulled up another chair. "Friendship is difficult for me. I am a cowboy. I ride the range taking care of broken down fences, I watch my herd, and now and then when all those man-juices build up, I head into town and I grab myself a werewolf and I have at him in my human form."
 
He sighed. "Up until the two of you, I had one true friend. You know I love all the pack, but Derrick is my wolf soul mate. He and I are so content not being a part of anything bigger than our simple lives. When he and I are together, any sense of loneliness I have disappears, and I'm good for months."
 
"Well, would it be so bad to have a couple of more men who do the same thing for you?"
 
Chet thought about it for a moment. "You are both so handsome. And I can't say that your human forms haven't been a distraction since you returned. Sometimes it has been difficult to remember to see you as children while you grew up."
 
"Understood," Max said. "But we're not children anymore, and our lives are going to get complicated very quickly. We just want a few moments with the man we love before we have to take on those obligations."
 
Chet smiled. "I would be honored to be your first. You do know that the first times aren't usually all that pleasurable, right? There's pain involved in…" he paused, searching for the words, "stretching things to accommodate things they don't normally accommodate."
 
"We have been trying to prepare ourselves," Jean Pierre said with a grin. "We have read enough to realize that just jumping into anal is pretty much a recipe for disaster, unless you're like Will or Derrick." 
 
Chet laughed. "For most of us, it's an acquired taste." He paused. "But a very pleasurable one."
 
"We've been using toys for a while," Max said. "We wanted to at least be a bit more flexible than we started."
 
"And what about topping someone?" Chet asked. "You're my best friends. Friends take care of their friends' needs as well."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "You bottom?"
 
"I'm a werebeast. I don't know any of us who, after the first few hundred years, don't both bottom and top. Sex is a wonderful thing, but over the centuries it helps to have a very big playbook of what you enjoy."
 
Max and Jean Pierre both laughed. "We hadn't thought about that," Max said. 
 
"Well, you're turning in a few days, Jefes," Chet said, "you better think about all of your life in relationship to living a very long time."
 
Max's eyes saddened, and he looked out the window. "I hope so, Chet."
 
Chet looked at the gray-haired man. "Do we need to talk of something, Jefe?"
 
"No… not today," Max said trying to force a smile. "Today we want to spend our morning with you making memories we'll never forget." He lifted himself off the chair. "We have maybe six hours before noon, right?"
 
"Actually, seven. You two are supposed to be at the highland at noon. There is an hour's difference between here and the highland," Chet said with a smile. "We have enough time to go slowly…" he paused, "Well, slowly for humans. As werebeasts, I'm thinking you might find seven hours rushed for your needs."
 
The two men laughed as Chet looked out the front door at the horses. "I will have the hands take care of them today. I don't want to waste a moment of this day doing chores instead of being with you two."
 
The two nodded. Chet's face took on a look of concern. "Damn. I don't even have a bed." He tapped the ComLink in his ear. "Front." There was a pause. "Hello Jason. We have a bit of a problem, today. I don't have a bed in my home." Another pause. Chet laughed. "You don't think Father would be upset?" The two humans stood patiently wondering about the other side of the conversation. "Okay we'll take you up on the offer." Chet turned to the two. "Jason says we can use the master bedroom at the ranch."
 
Max's eyes widened. "The master bedroom?" He asked. 
 
"Yeah, that one," Chet said with a laugh. "The family is already up on the highland preparing for your birthday party. Jason is about to leave on the next shuttle. We three will be the last Tiff and Tuff transport." The chubby man paused, gathering his thoughts. "Before we say yes to this, if we use that bedroom, we will have a fabled history to live up to. Let's make sure we are truly willing to give them something to be proud of."
 
Max leaned in and kissed Chet. The kiss lingered long enough for both to stir in other parts of their bodies. When their lips slipped apart, Max said, "Why don't you fly over there and get the room ready for us? We can run the quarter mile from here."
 
"You can run it if you want," Jean Pierre said. "I'm walking. I'm saving all my energy for more important things."

 Chet leaned in and kissed the large man. His hand slipped down below the thick waist and rubbed the growing cock. "The sooner your there, the sooner we start."
 
"I'll run."
 
Chet pushed open the screen door, and with a flurry of spinning feather and flesh, the red-tailed hawk rose into the air and headed west to the ranch. Max and Jean Pierre looked at each other. Max sighed. "If it doesn't work, at least we'll have today."
 
Jean Pierre leaned in and kissed Max. "I love you, Max. Whatever happens, I will always love you."
 
"And I love you, JP." The two hugged briefly and turned toward the ranch. "Race you there," Max said as he ran out onto the dirt road heading west.
 
Moments later, the two stared up into the cathedral ceiling with its large ponderosa pine beams and paneling. "This place is huge," Jean Pierre said in awe.
 
"The husbands who live here are huge as well. Will has robust appetites, and he created a room capable of handling the intensity he and the bear could get into from time to time," Chet pointed toward the bed. "Now that the Kodiak and the Pup are here, it's become even more important that what plays in here stays in here."
 
The two humans laughed. "Is that really bulletproof glass?"
 
"It is. It has stood up to at least two of the husbands being thrown up against it. But worst-case scenario, it comes out as one piece. Nothing in this room is breakable, or at least nothing is dangerous once it's broken."
 
"What about the mirrors?"
 
Chet smiled. "They're nicely done, don't you think? The ones on the side are perfect for the curious bottom that wonders what he looks like being taken."
 
"But they're glass, right?" JP said, staring up at the two large mirrored panels that hung from the ceiling.
 
"Actually, they're Mylar. A very special grade of the stuff, but you smash into them, you take out some plastic and wood. The ones above us are retractable. They recess into the walls when not in use."
 
"Will we be doing any of that smashing into stuff?" Max asked with a look of concern on his face.
 
"No, you're humans. Beasts go easy on humans. We may play for longer than you can keep up with, but we are always gentle." Chet leaned over and kissed Max. "We will go even more gently today. Today of all days, I want you two to be happy with the choice you made."
 
"We're happy," Jean Pierre said. "Today we will tell the man we love how we feel in a way we have never told another. Not even each other."
 
Chet wiped his eyes with his hand. "You are sure about this, Jefes?"
 
Max threw himself onto the bed and thrust out his arms. "I'm sure."
 
Grabbing the dark-skinned man, Jean Pierre rolled onto the bed, over the top of Max, and wound up with Chet on top of him. "We probably need some lube. Do you think they have any here?"
 
Chet laughed. "Will designed this room. I wouldn't be surprised if he has it on tap." He leaned in and kissed the bearded chubby man. "But I am a beast, despite my outward appearance. Give us enough time and we make plenty of our own."
 
"How much time is that?"
 
Chet reached down between his crotch and the big man's belly, pulling up a dripping hand. "It seems to be ready now. Jean Pierre pulled the hand down to his lips and shoved three of the dripping fingers into his mouth. He smiled licking the fingers clean. "And it's even flavored with my favorite taste... red-tailed hawk."
 
Max came up alongside the two. "So what do we do now?"
 
Chet smiled. "Well, I know you can't handle the foreplay of a red-tailed hawk, so how about we take this morning as humans?"
 
"Sounds fair," Max said. Chet felt the legs of Jean Pierre below him lifting up around his torso and up onto his shoulders. The bulky bald man maneuvered himself skillfully into position until he felt Chet's dripping cock slip up against his soft, tight hole. He lay motionless. Max stood up and positioned himself behind Chet. With a rub of his dripping cock across the inside of Chet's ass crack, he made a slight chuckle. "So on the count of three, we all push, okay?"
 
Chet shook his head. "I have seriously underestimated the extent of your preparation for this day."
 
Jean Pierre looked up into Chet's eyes. "Perhaps, but we humans will be gentle with you the first time, Beast."
 
"One… two… three," Max yelled, and all three pushed against their willing partner.

 Chapter 12

Oliver rubbed the back of the black wolf. "You's gonna be fine, Husband. Don't worrys yourself about this."
 
Derrick paced anxiously. "Why did I ever agree to this?"
 
Will leaned back and smiled. "He's right, Pup. You've been here before, just on the other side of a different timeline. The boy loves you, and you love him. You'll be fine."
 
"Max turned thirty-two five days ago back in Montana," Oliver said, trying to console the pup. ‘He's practically thirty-three. And you celebrated Jean Pierre's twenty-fifth birthday right alongside Max and the rest of the family. They's all grown up." The sigh made by Derrick told Oliver that he hadn't convinced the black wolf. "All them years ago, they asked you to be the one when they come of age. Max waited for Jean Pierre so they could turns together, but they has always had you by their side. You's just doing what you already done."
 
"I've never turned anyone in this universe," Derrick said with a whimper. "What if I mess this up?"
 
"We'll just add another to our family roster of men who fuck-up transformations," Will said with a laugh. "It's no big deal. Look how nice Oliver turned out."
 
"I ain't fucked up, Old Wolf," the badger said, glaring at his mate.
 
"I didn't say you were," Will said as he reached out and grabbed the little mammal. "I said when you turned, we both thought you were going to be a wolf and you became a badger. To me, you were just another fucked up turning because of me. But it turns out, you became just the beast I always needed in my life. I love you, Oliver." The wolf buried his muzzle into the belly of the badger and shook. 
 
"Ahhhhh… stop it, Old Wolf," the badger yelled, laughing. "You knows I'se ticklish there."
 
The wolf looked up from his play. "Is there any part of you that isn't ticklish?"
 
"My pecker ain't ticklish."
 
"It is after you've cum."
 
"Ain't cum yet."
 
"I can change that, Husband," the wolf said with a grin.
 
"Uh, husbands," Derrick interrupted. "I'm in crisis mode and you're about to…"
 
"To show you how easy it is to find yourself in the arms of another beast doing what beasts do," Will said with a smile. "Come here, Pup."
 
Derrick walked over to Will as the old wolf put the badger back down on the ground. Will took the black wolf in his arms and bit into his shoulder. When he let his jaws slip, the old wolf rubbed the younger wolf's erection. "See? That part comes easily to you." The old wolf's paw came up and rubbed the pup's chest. "And the heart inside here is more open and loving than anyone I have ever met. This is what Max wants. This is what you've already done before when he was twenty-five for the first time. Trust yourself, Pup. No man could ask for a better beast to turn him than you."
 
"He's right, Pup," Oliver said tugging gently at the black wolf's leg. "Them boys have the Sight. They knows who their protectors are. They knows who will keep them safe, and they trusts you to guide them in the most important choice of their lives. You's meant to be there for them. Now and forevers. Trusts that they knows what they wants, and they knows what is right for them."
 
"Come on, Pup," the old wolf said as he wrapped his arm around his mate. "We'll walk you to the museum."
 
"And why there?"
 
"'Cause they's got soundproofing stuff in the walls," Oliver said with a giggle.
 
"I'm not that noisy am I?"
 
"Not at all, Pup," the old wolf said as he nudged the giggling badger.
 
After a short walk, the three stood in front of the garage door of the museum. Martin opened the door and welcomed the husbands in. Max and Jean Pierre sat nervously on the side of the oversized bed. They waved hello to Derrick when they saw him and he waved hello back. "Well, gentlemen," the cat said to the old wolf and badger, "what say we head on over to the commissary and have lunch with Nathaniel?"
 
"Sounds like a plan," Will said. He leaned over and kissed Derrick. "You'll be fine, Husband." He looked at the two men. "You'll all be fine. Don't worry about this. Just remember, whatever you become, we will love you. Let your heart tell you who you are and what your avatar will be."
 
The badger looked at Will. "Who is you, and what has you done with my husband?" Everyone laughed, and the badger turned to the two men. "My husband is right. Don't become what's you think we wants. Become what your hearts tells you to become. We loves you to pieces already. We's gonna loves you as beasts just as much."
 
The two men smiled. "Thanks, uncles," Max said.
 
"Yeah, thanks," Jean Pierre said with a nod. The heavyset man looked at the black wolf. "I guess we might as well get started."
 
There was a bustle of quick hugs and kisses and the cat, wolf, and badger left the house, locking the door behind them. The three remaining individuals sat on the bed silently for a bit, trying to work through their uneasiness. "I suppose you realize that picking the shyest guy in the family to turn you would lead to a few awkward moments, right?" Derrick asked.
 
"Yeah, but then we're pretty shy about this too," Jean Pierre said. "We needed someone who understood that; someone who wouldn't try to rush us."
 
Derrick laughed uncomfortably. "Yeah, I won't be doing that." He looked at the two and smiled. "I know we've done this before, but in that other world, I had years to spend with you and watch you grow up. In this world, I've only had a few months. When they say kids grow up fast, they probably didn't know just how fast that would be for the two of you."
 
Max laughed. "I know, Uncle Derrick. We're asking a lot of you."
 
Derrick nodded. "Call me Pup or Wolfy. We're going to go beyond the uncle stage today. We might as well use a name I enjoy hearing."
 
Jean Pierre reached out his hand and touched the wolf's face. "I have always thought you were the most beautiful of the wolf family."
 
Derrick smiled shyly. "Thanks. You both turned into handsome men."
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "I'm chubbier than I had hoped, but you know, when you get down to it, you are who you are. Better make peace with it."
 
Derrick laughed. "Okay, now that helped a lot. You're sounding all grown up to me." The wolf leaned in and kissed the overweight bald man. "So, I can't call you Little Jean anymore. What do I call you?"
 
"You can call me JP. That's what Max calls me. Or, Jean Pierre. Your husbands, Will and Eric, call me that. I like both." Jean Pierre leaned back into the kiss. The kiss lingered and when they separated, Jean Pierre took a deep breath. "You know you're turning Max, right?"
 
"Yeah, I know," the wolf said. "But I need you to stay here with us. He's going to be your mate one day, and that means you should stay by his side during the turning, just as he will be by your side. The changes in your body won't be easy ones, and you need support to get through them."
 
"I know," Max said. "We're prepared."
 
"No… no you're not," Derrick corrected. "You have no idea what is about to happen or just how painful it is the first time. We never tell another before we turn them. We hope they get through it, and in the end, they will realize all the pain was worth it. But if anyone knew going in what it would feel like, very few of us would have ever made the change. But your circumstances are different. You deserve to know the truth."
 
Derrick put his paw on Jean Pierre's leg. "You are going to have to watch the man you love turn, and it will be painful and frightening to watch. Your choice to let him turn you is a noble one, but it will also be a very, very difficult one." The wolf smiled. "So, let's do this together. You don't sit on the sidelines and watch the two of us, Jean Pierre. You get in there and have fun with your future husband's body while the two of us prepare for the turning."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "I would like that. And will you stay with us when it comes my time?"
 
"Of course."
 
"Well, then I guess I could use another one of those kisses," the bearded man said with a grin. He looked at Max. "You have to try them. This wolf knows how to kiss."
 
Max laughed and grabbed his partner kissing him as they rolled back onto the bed. "Well, see what you think after the turning," he said when the kiss ended.
 
"Okay, gentlemen. Let's get you out of those clothes," the wolf commanded. "Time to make that turning a reality. If there's one thing I know, the longer you talk about it, the harder it gets to convince yourself to do it.
 
Max pulled his polo shirt over the top of his head while Jean Pierre yanked his tank top off. The two stood for a moment, shyly holding onto their pants. "Wrong day to go commando, huh?" Max said to Jean Pierre.
 
"Nope," the balding big man said with a shove downward of his sweats. "I'm thinking today is the perfect day for wearing our matching pajamas." Derrick laughed as he remembered the night the boys returned as men.
 
Derrick leaned in and kissed Max, rubbing his paw up against the thinner man's chest. "We go at your pace. What we do we do out of love for each other and for the unity you two will find as beasts. I know you've both thought long and hard about this, so now is the time to bring those thoughts to the forefront."
 
"I'm ready, Wolfy," Max said as he fell backward onto his back. He reached forward and grabbed his legs. "I want to be watching your eyes when you come. It will help remind me of what I wish to become."
 
Derrick smiled as he pushed his body up against the legs and took them in his paws. "Stay focused, Max. Keep your beast in your mind. Remember every detail. The color, the size, the species; remember it all. Don't let any of it slip away."
 
Max smiled. "I have been through this before, Wolfy. You turned me on my twenty-fifth birthday. That was seven years ago in my first life. I remember. I remember it all. I know what it feels like, and I know what JP doesn't know about the pain. You need to know that I'm not hesitant about this choice. This is what we both want. We know what we need to do this time. I just need you to help me stay strong. Look into my eyes and keep me strong, Wolfy."
 
Derrick rolled forward and penetrated the human. Max grimaced slightly. "Dang, you're big," he groaned, but the smile came back to his face almost immediately. "And I think that might be a wonderful thing. Take your time, Wolfy. I know what's coming soon. Let me enjoy this moment with you."
 
"I'm not the best top in the world," Derrick said apologetically. "I'm easily aroused, but I'll try to make it last."
 
"I didn't make a mistake asking you the first time, Wolfy," Max said as he pushed into the thrusting. "I'm not making a mistake this time. Take me, Pup," the human begged. "Make me a beast."
 
The rhythmic flow of the two bodies became more heated, and when the wolf's panting turned to a loud growl, Max knew what was happening. He had heard the growl in another life. The howl that followed would shake the museum's rafters as the warm fluid of the wolf entered him. The bright blue eyes of the wolf never left their tight stare into the human's eyes, and when the beast came, it was as it had been before. Only this time, Max concentrated even more intently on making the change to a new dream… a new avatar born of his days in a new world with Jean Pierre by his side. 
 
Max had barely a moment to enjoy the pleasurable sensations of feeling the wolf coming inside him before the act began rewriting his DNA. The pain was incredible. What would cause a human to pass out was overridden by the first gene mutation that increased his strength to survive the rest of the transformation. But it also meant that he was fully aware of the agony the change forced onto his body. He heard himself scream, and saw his human lover leaning over to grab his shoulders, trying to stabilize his writhing body. 

 Every new follicle of hair that pushed through his skin was as if a needle was piercing him from the inside and moving outward, and when the bones of his body began their reconfiguration, he lost his ability to focus on the beast he was to become. However, by then, the DNA already cued to what it was turning Max into. Beyond thought, the body knew what to do, and it was unerring in its execution of the desired changes. 
 
Max lurched upward in a daze as his furred, clawed arms reached out, throwing Jean Pierre across the room where he slammed against a couch. Derrick was on top of him almost immediately, pushing him back onto the bed while the reconfiguration took place. 
 
"Stay with me, Bear," Derrick yelled. "Your mate is fine. Just dazed. Stay with me."
 
Max looked up into the blue eyes of the black wolf and, through the pain, he smiled. "I will be strong," he thought to himself. For a moment, hovering on the brink of passing out, he felt the pain subsiding. He felt the bear he was becoming, but he pushed even further. He closed his eyes and saw the bear he wished to become again in his mind. And he saw the eyes of the black wolf in his mind, reminding him to remain strong and become the beast he was born to be. The pain returned in searing agony as the backbone shifted and new bones grew into place. 
 
With a noise between scream and growl, the bear's arms flailed wildly. Derrick pinned them back to the bed and waited for the heaving bear to relax. Eventually, the bear relaxed and fell back onto the bed, breathing heavily. "Well, aren't you just the most beautiful thing ever, Bear?" Derrick said as he stroked his paw over the bear's furrowed brow.
 
The black wolf helped the bear up onto all fours and stared at him with a grin. The bear with gray-blue fur growled, sputtered, growled again, and then stomped his front feet in frustration. 
 
"Okay, Max," the wolf said calmingly. "You need to think with your human voice. The vocal cords are still there, but you have to push past the animal to let the human speak."
 
"Is Jean Pierre okay?" the bear asked, halfway between a growl and a question.
 
Jean Pierre rubbed his shoulder. "I'm okay, Hon, you didn't damage anything that won't heal the minute I become a bear."
 
Derrick smiled. "Oh, a matching set. That will be fun. And there you go, Max; he'll be fine." Derrick leaned over and stroked the back of the bear. He shook his head when he rubbed across the bony ridges that felt as if the bear had three backbones spread across and down his shoulders. He shook off the concern, as he lacked any actual knowledge of American black bear anatomy to start with. "Now, comes the next step in this process. You're a bear; you were a human. Somewhere between the two, you will find the werebear. He is the one who will turn Jean Pierre. Find him."
 
"I think I blocked out of my mind just how painful the turning is," the blue bear said with a groan. "Becoming a werebeast is going to be just as bad, isn't it?"
 
"Yeah, it will hurt. But you have to remember, you're doing this to be with Jean Pierre. He's going to be your mate. Push past the pain. The transformations will get easier with time. Stay focused on the goal. Stay with the love you have for that beautiful man over there and make the change."
 
The bear looked up at the overweight man rubbing his bald head. "Sorry about throwing you across the room," he struggled to say. "I love you," 
 
"And I love you. Ever since I first saw you," Jean Pierre said. "Change, Bear. It's time I joined you."
 
Max gritted his bear teeth and closed his eyes. There was a shift, and the bear pushed himself upright. He groaned in pain as the bones realigned, forming the stout legs and rounded butt of the upright bear. Muscles shifted, forming the skeleton and muscle structure beneath the fur that would allow the bear to walk upright. The bear's gluteal muscles shifted more toward their human underpinnings, allowing the gluteus maximus to take on the responsibility of keeping the bear upright. Other muscles shifted, and bones reconfigured until the bear had both a chest and gut shaped more human than ursine, but covered in the thick fur of the blue bear. 
 
Jean Pierre picked himself up and stumbled toward the bear and wolf. He kissed the wolf tenderly. "Thank you, Wolfy. Thank you for everything."
 
Derrick smiled. "Getting tossed across the room was easy, JP. Now comes the tough part."
 
Jean Pierre smiled back. "I know. I'm ready if you'll stay beside me."
 
"I'm here for both of you," Derrick comforted. He leaned back in and kissed the bearded man. "It's time. Max is weak from the transformation and easily aroused because you're here with him. All things considered, that will go easier on your body than if you wait for him to regain his strength."
 
Jean Pierre looked at Max. "Are you up for this, Hon?"
 
The blue bear rolled backward and pulled at his genital sheath. The thick grayish-brown cock slipped out from the fur. In seconds, it was fully erect. "Yeah, I'm up for this," the bear said, struggling with his words.
 
Jean Pierre straddled the bear and looked back at Derrick. "I'm not exactly a great bottom yet, so we made a deal. I'm going to sit on him and we'll go at it that way. My weight will help slow his thrusting down a bit."
 
Derrick laughed. "No it won't, but it was a clever idea." The black wolf came up to the human and put his hands on his shoulders. "He's aroused. This won't take long. If you want, I'll push down on your shoulders and help keep the two of you a bit more… grounded."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "Thanks, Wolfy. You're the best." 
 
"Did it work?" Jean Pierre asked Max.
 
Max nodded. "You have to stay focused longer than I thought," he said struggling with each word.
 
"You help me stay focused, Max," Jean Pierre said, touching the muzzle of the bear lovingly. The corpulent man looked at the bulky bear and smiled. "Remember what we rehearsed? We don't back down. You take me no matter what I might say."
 
The bear looked into the eyes of the human. "I promise. We will be one."
 
With that Jean Pierre lowered himself onto the bear's cock. He grimaced and stood back up. "Okay, gonna need a bit of help here." He looked back to Derrick. "I could use a bit more lube if that's not asking too much. We fat boys aren't all that good at getting it up our asses."
 
Derrick laughed. "Speak for yourself. This fat boy is just fine with it. But I'm here to help you. And if that requires more lube, then that's where we go." His black paw reached down and pulled at his genital sheath. He pulled a small plastic vial from inside. "Will taught me this one. You can hide a lot in this sheath. With a squeeze of the tube, Derrick leaned over and gently massaged the lube into the tight hole of the human. "Relax, JP," He said. "Just let it be." The wolf's teeth bit into the shoulder of the human and Jean Pierre made a quiet whimper of pleasure. "Remember JP; push past the pain until you find the pleasure. It will always be there."
 
Jean Pierre felt a warm, furred finger slip inside him massaging the thick liquid around his insides. "Okay," he sighed. "I could get used to that. The fur feels nice. And no claws. That's surprising."
 
"Well, we'll talk about that later," Derrick said, slipping the finger out and then back in with even more lube. "But for now, you have bigger things on your plate." He looked down at the eager bear stroking his full erection. "And I do mean bigger."
 
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Wolfy. Let's hope this works." The big man lowered himself back onto the head of the bear's cock. He let out a painful groan. "Ugh, Max, I am going to think of a cock so big you'll know just how I feel right now every time I plow your ass as a bear."
 
Derrick gently rubbed the human's shoulders. "Okay, JP, no jokes. We can't go having a wayward thought leaving you with a dick dragging through the dirt here."
 
"Sorry, Wolfy."
 
"It's okay. Keep whatever it is you've rehearsed in your mind. But Max is going to be a very good bottom, so don't skimp on that cock if you can stay focused on everything else you want."
 
Jean Pierre squatted down, falling onto the bear's dick. With a loud painful groan, Jean Pierre took a deep breath and said, "I'm good to go, Hon. Make me your bear."
 
The thrusting of the bear below began as the human and bear interlocked their hands. "Hurts," Jean Pierre yelled through the pounding. 
 
"Gonna get worse," Derrick said. "Stay focused, both of you. Jean Pierre, think on your bear. See him. Just like Max. See everything down to the color of the fur, the size of him, the weight, the muscle… see it all."
 
"Gonna cum," the bear roared.
 
"NOW, JP," Derrick yelled. "Think of the bear!"
 
Jean Pierre shut his eyes tightly and tried to think past the pain. When the blue bear roared through his orgasm, a smile came across the human's face. He saw the bear. There was a warmth that spread throughout his body. Beyond pleasant, it was a remembered sensation amid his intense concentration. Opening his eyes, the human saw the blue bear below him in the last throws of his orgasm, and he realized the white fluid spread across the bear's belly was human. It was the human's last orgasm before the change began.
 
Derrick grabbed the human. "Focus, JP. Don't let the image of the bear slip away."
 
"It won't," Jean Pierre said. "I see him clear as if was standing in front of me."
 
"Good," the wolf said. "Now see him not in front of you. See him as you look into a mirror."
 
The wolf took the human and pulled him up off the spent cock of the bear and threw him onto the bed. An unbelievable pain almost immediately replaced Jean Pierre's surprise at his change of position. "Max, shake out of it," Derrick yelled. "JP needs you."
 
Max shook his head and struggled to get his bulky body rolled over. As soon as the bear righted himself, he leapt toward the two. "Where do I go?" He asked.
 
"Stabilize his head and shoulders," Derrick replied. "I'll hold his legs in place." The wolf grabbed the human's legs and the sound of crunching bone matched the reconfiguration of the shorter, stouter legs of the bear being born. 
 
Max grabbed Jean Pierre's head and gripped it tightly. "I'm here, JP. You're not alone. We're going to be here with you through it all."
 
"Oh god, it hurts," Jean Pierre cried out. The cream-colored fur began sprouting from every limb of the human. 
 
"I know, JP, I know," Max said. The shifting of the blond bear wasn't into that of a polar bear, though. Like Max, this bear was smaller than all the family's previous bear incarnations. These were both black bears, but their coloration was extraordinary. 
 
"Take me now," Jean Pierre gasped through the change. His jaws snapped fiercely with his awareness of the huge teeth inside his elongating muzzle.
 
"We have to wait for the change to finish," Max objected.
 
"What are you boys talking about?" Derrick asked.
 
The half bear, half man writhing in the middle, suddenly pulled away from both those steadying him and pushed himself off the side of the bed. "This," he said, as he jumped toward the blue bear, pushing the bear down onto his belly. The fully formed muzzle of the white bear bit into the back of Max's neck. The blue bear roared out in pain but did not fight as the blond bear lost the last vestiges of his human body and mounted the blue bear below. 
 
Derrick looked on and smiled. "Okay. You're mating. Didn't think that was going to happen today, but I'm good with it." He began backing away as the blond bear intensified both his grip on the neck and the thrusting of his hips into his mate. Derrick nearly cried with happiness when he watched the blond bear do what was, at best, a fumbling reach around as he played with the blue bear's erection. 
 
At the point where the blond bear began making the guttural sounds that would be the telltale sign of all his pending orgasms in the future, the blue bear growled a laugh. "I'm getting ready to come again, JP," he said happily. "Better say the words, or I'm tossing you."
 
Jean Pierre remembered Derrick's words earlier and tried to speak with his human vocal cords. While barely intelligible, both Max and Derrick heard the blond bear struggle. "Be my mate," he growled.
 
The blue bear smiled. "Now and forever," he answered. Derrick plugged his ears as the two bears roared their way through their orgasms. But the bliss that seemed to overtake the two as the blonde bear lay limp on top of the blue bear was not to last long.
 
The blue bear pushed up and threw off the blond bear. The blond bear began circling the blue, and the blue began pacing in kind. Their circling seemed to be a pair looking for a lapse in the defensive posture of the other. "You spent?" the blond bear asked the other.
 
"Not hardly," the blue bear responded. "I've got a bear to mate today."
 
"You want me to make it easy for you?"
 
"Nah. I've always been able to take you. Let's go with tradition. Make me earn the right to be your mate."
 
"I'm still heavier than you, Max."
 
"True, but I have the advantage."
 
"What makes you think that?"
 
"Because you're a big softie, and you could never hurt me."
 
The blond bear stopped his circling and lowered his head, exposing his neck. "Damn it, you're right," he said. "I'll never be as ferocious as you."
 
Max pushed his muzzle against Jean Pierre's. "I don't love you because you're ferocious. You keep me from becoming ferocious, that's why I love you. I'm a better man because of you. I'm a better bear. Be my mate, JP. Make me the happiest bear in the world."
 
Jean Pierre nodded his consent. "I still think we should wrestle for who gets to mate who next," he said shoving the blue bear away once more.
 
"You already mated with me," Max said as he renewed his circling again.
 
Jean Pierre began a counter circling to the blue bear. "Yeah, but it's really fun. I don't feel any pain now. It all burned away the minute I bit into your neck."
 
"And you're going to deprive me of that?"
 
"Do you hurt anymore?"
 
"No, but I still want to mate with you."
 
"Sure, come and get me," the blond bear replied, stomping his front paws down in a locked stance. And then from the back of the bear sprang two large white wings, flapping defensively. The blue bear shook and his wings burst from his back a slightly lighter blue hue than his fur.
 
Derrick looked on. "Well, my Sight sucks. I didn't see any of this coming," he said with a laugh.
 
The two bears turned and looked at the wolf. "Are we going to be in trouble for this?" Jean Pierre asked, his youth coming to the forefront.
 
"You're both beautiful. How could any of us ever be upset with you?" The wolf paused and then waved his backhand to the two. "Now, go… you have a mating to finish."
 
Max smiled. "And afterward the family gets to take us, right?"
 
Derrick laughed. "There is that tradition. But our family has gotten pretty big of late. What say you two finish what you should and we'll save the rest for another day?"
 
"Then just you, Wolfy?" Jean Pierre begged.
 
Derrick smiled. "Okay, and maybe Li Wei. I can hear him whimpering outside the door. Those poor temple dogs can sense a mating from miles away."
 
Jean Pierre smiled and lowered his neck and folded back his wings. Max leaned into the bear and bit into the thick-furred neck. He paused only for a moment. With a flap of his wings, he was on top of the other bear and working to get a foothold as he probed the blond bear's bottom in search of an entry. He realized quickly that the blond bear was indeed wider and heavier than he was. There was no way that he was holding onto his bite and entering the bear at the same time.
 
Jean Pierre giggled slightly at his partner's frustration. With a flap of his wings he knocked the blue bear off and pushed him onto his back. The blond bear looked down at the blue and straddled him in the same fashion as his turning. This time, Jean Pierre took the engorged flesh easily. He leaned over slowly and turned his neck toward the blue bear's jaws. "You bite me, and I ride your cock. It doesn't actually say in the mating ritual who mounts who. It just says we exchange our essence while biting the neck… or something stupid like that where people don't want to say the word cum."
 
Max looked up at the exposed neck of the bear. "You know how much I love you, right?"
 
"Yeah, almost as much as I love you. I love you a little more because I'm heavier."
 
Max smiled and bit into the neck. As the blond bear rose and fell on the shaft of the blue bear, Derrick quietly went to the garage door and opened it just far enough for the temple dog to slip under.

Chapter 13

The Kodiak bear let the fat, black cock of the polar bear slip out of his mouth and wiped his muzzle. He smiled. "I bet it's Will."
 
The polar bear listened to the incessant beep of the ComLink. "We're having sex. Of course, it's Will." Eric grabbed his cock and pushed it forward. He squeezed it hard until a thick stream of pre-cum spilled out over his paw. "Put the camera on this and answer the call," he said with a wicked grin.
 
Kris reached over, grabbed the camera mount of the ComLink from off the side table, and placed it on his chest. Instantly, the small device fixed itself into the fur and rotated outward toward the white bear below. "Camera on," the Kodiak said. He tapped his earbud. "Hello, Husband."
 
There was a moment of silence where the two could practically hear the wolf salivating. "That's just cruel, you two. You know how much I miss you."
 
"We're not the ones calling you in the middle of sex every time we turn around."
 
"I don't do it on purpose," the old wolf protested. He stared at the cock hungrily. "Gawd, that looks so good."
 
"It tastes good too," Kris said as his head bobbed into the camera view, taking the black cock back into his mouth. 
 
"Oh fuck, that's… you two… that's not fair."
 
Kris shifted the camera back to personal view and wiped his mouth again. "Sorry Old Wolf. We miss you too. You know we're going to tease you back home to Montana if we can."
 
"Yeah, but now I got a hard-on," Will whined. 
 
"Really?" Kris's eyes darted around the room. "Where are those specs?" He opened a dresser drawer and rummaged through it. "Here they are," he said as the camera showed him placing a pair of thin transparent lenses onto his muzzle and tossing the other pair to his off-camera mate. "Show us, husband. We miss seeing your cock."
 
Will leaned back in his chair and shifted his hips forward. He smiled as he heard the audible low growls of his appreciative husbands.
 
"I never tire of seeing that, Old Wolf," the polar bear said. "Stroke it for me."
 
The wolf's paw slipped over the swollen flesh and pushed the genital sheath back into his groin. He slid his paw up and down as he watched the Kodiak bear's eyes widen. The bear licked his muzzle. "Jack-off, Husband," the brown bear begged.
 
The wolf leaned forward. "Give me a reason to jack off, Husband. You want me to come, you show me yours first."
 
The brown bear fumbled with the ComLink camera, pulling it from his chest. He tossed the dime-sized camera into the air, where it hovered in anticipation of the next command. The picture shifted to overhead the two bears. "Just say when," he said anxiously.
 
The picture shifted, and the view was right between the polar bear's legs. Will groaned. "How can a top have an ass that hot?" he mumbled under his breath.
 
The picture shifted again, and he watched the view of the bears from the side. "Camera pause," the old wolf said as the bulky brown bear pushed between the polar bear's legs. Will's paw began to stroke his erection. "Fuck him," Will urged. "Fuck him and I'll give you all the cum you want."
 
Kris looked into the camera. "You can never give me enough cum, Old Wolf. Haven't you learned that yet?"
 
"Fuck me anyway, Husband," the white bear encouraged.
 
The Kodiak kicked out one of his legs over the top of the polar bear and used the other to force the white bear's legs together. Straddling the well-padded belly of the bear beneath, the brown bear leaned over and kissed the white bear. "He never said who has to fuck who." He rose and fell backward, impaling himself on the polar bear's upright dick.
 
"Bears, you are so beautiful together," the old wolf said as his breathing increased along with the pace of his jacking. "Ride him, Old Bear."
 
Eric needed no encouragement as fifteen hundred pounds of white bear pounded against the butt of the Kodiak above him. Kris groaned happily, watching the old wolf's masturbation in the glasses and feeling the girth of the polar bear deep inside him. His cock flopped back and forth, slapping between both bellies. He captured the swollen flesh in his paw to encourage the inevitable orgasm. 
 
The polar bear reached up, grabbed both of the Kodiak's arms, and pulled them forward. He growled lustily. "Come for me, Husband. You don't need your hands. Use me."
 
Kris began using the bear below as a willing toy for his lust, grinding the dripping cock deeper inside him until it found the spot where the white bear's thrusting was pushing him toward the release he craved.
 
"Come, Husband," the polar bear ordered. "I'm too far into this to staaahh…" The words became a guttural growl that turned into a roar.
 
"Camera back," Will said between labored breaths. The camera shifted to the view of a slick black pillar plowing into the Kodiak's ass as white cum spilled from the hole each time the cock slipped from it and before it plunged back in. 
 
"Don't stare at my ass too long," Kris huffed, "or you'll miss what's going to happen up front."
 
"Camera front," the wolf yelled just in time to watch the Kodiak's cum spiraling out of his cock. The wolf grunted and delivered on his promise as one volley after another shot toward his ComLink.
 
Both bears lurched back involuntarily as one thick glob headed directly into the camera lens of the ComLink. The view became a pale translucent white that flowed like a slow-motion waterfall. "Oh gawd, I love you two so much," both bears heard the old wolf pant over the speaker in their ear.
 
An hour later, the three were trying to slow down enough to clean up. "Stop licking him, Old Bear. It's getting me hard again."
 
"But if I use a towel, all that cum goes to waste," the bear mumbled with his tongue lapping across the brown bear's belly. 
 
"Pity an old wolf," Will begged. "This was supposed to be a quick call to ask you to get the family together and come to the highland."
 
"You let us have sex in front of you while you jacked off, and you knew we were going to be together on the highland in a couple of hours?" Kris said, pushing up onto his elbows.
 
Will grinned guiltily. "Yeah. Sort of. Damn it, you two, you started it with that hard-on hello shot."
 
"Well, Derrick will probably be upset that we did all this now without him."
 
"He's actually indisposed at the moment. He and Li Wei have been in the museum house for the last two days with Max and JP."
 
The Kodiak's eyebrow arched. "Really? What's that all about?"
 
Will laughed. "Long story, but the short ending is we have another mated couple in our family. It's anyone's guess what they are, but from the sound of it, I'd say they're bears."
 
"Max and JP?" the polar bear asked. "When did all this happen?"
 
"A couple of days back. I'm afraid it's just the tip of a very big iceberg of changes coming our way. We've scheduled a council meeting in a week here on Partridge Island. We're trying to get representatives in from the Were Nation. But I think we're on a schedule that is rapidly speeding up. Oliver has called a family meeting on the highland."
 
"Oliver?" Kris said with a smile.
 
"My husband has become very insistent lately. I think he senses the timeline involved here more than anyone else. All I know is Martin agrees, and when those two are in agreement, you best do what the badger says."
 
Kris laughed. "So, what's this all about?"
 
"Beats me. The three of us are going to have to be there to see it, just like everyone else. Just bring the whole family. That includes your avian son, Old Bear."
 
"Chet? How bad is this, Husband?" the polar bear said, pushing into the camera's view.
 
"We're heading toward something pretty bad, Old Bear. But for the moment, I don't think that's why the family is meeting on the highland. Take comfort for the time being. We seem to be headed for a very pleasant calm before the storm."
 
The polar bear smiled. "Well, today certainly started pleasantly enough. We will gather up the family and see you up on the highland soon."
 
"Chet's about to get a call from Oliver," Will added. "You might give him a heads up. I don't think my asking you to bring Chet is a suggestion so much as an order from Oliver."
 
"Really?" the white bear said, scratching his head. "Then I suppose we best get cleaned up and be ready for this day before it catches up to us unprepared."
 
"That's pretty much what I was thinking, Old Bear," Will said. He paused and smiled. "But thanks for taking care of a horny wolf in distress first."
 
Kris laughed. "What else would we do, Old Wolf? Do you have any idea what seeing your hard-on does to the two of us? Now, hang up on us so we can get going. 
 
Will nodded. "I'll see you soon, husbands." The screen went black and the two bears removed the glasses from their faces.
 
"I suppose it would be silly to even think we could get a shower in before we go," the brown bear thought aloud.
 
"Not a good idea, Husband," the white bear responded. "We told Will we'd meet him on the highland soon, not tomorrow."
 
Kris sighed and rubbed his rotund belly. "Yeah, I guess you're right." The bear turned into his gelatinous form and then became a bear again. He looked down at the fur void of all the cum that was there moments ago. "It's convenient," he said with a smile. "But not nearly as much fun." He leaned over and kissed his mate. "Let's go round up the family."
 
The polar bear shifted to his original body and back again. He reached out his paw and took the Kodiak's paw in his. "We'll get that shower as soon as we come back."
 
"Fair enough," the brown bear said with a grin.
 
Chapter 14
 
"Madre de Dios," Chet said slapping his head. "You know." He stared dumbfounded at the badger.
 
"I don't know nothing, Chet," Oliver said. "The Sight… it pushes things on me sometimes, but I pushes right back. I don't know what you gots hid, but it ain't mine to unhide. You's family, I don't pry into your life unless you asks me to." The Badger paused and looked into Chet's eyes through the camera. "All I knows, Chet, is you's gonna be asked to be a part of somethin' bigger than all of us, and you can'ts do it unless you tells your family who you really is."
 
"Okay, I am in love with JP and Max. Is that what you want to know?"
 
"Hell, Chet, we's all known that for weeks. They's in love with you. They can't hardly talk of nothin' else. That ain't no big thing. Their folks are happy for you all. This is something deeper. You knows what I'm talking about, Hawk. You's willfully avoiding it even though you knows what I mean."
 
"I don't think I can do that," Chet said sadly. "I have hidden it for so long. It's a part of me I don't even think exists anymore."

Oliver looked at the Native American. "You is my family, Chet. Ain't nuthin' that will ever change that for me or anyone outside waiting for you. Tiff and Tuff are coming back for the boys and the pack. You comes with them, please. Come to the highland and be with your boys. We's all here for a reason and it ain't their birthday party. It's time you let us all know what that reason is."

 Chet looked over the shoulder of the little badger to the four temple dogs behind him. "Sensei?" he said as much a plea as a question.
 
Katashi shook his head with a small smile. "Remember nine hundred years ago I told you a day would come when you would no longer need to hide who you are?"
 
"Yes, Sensei."
 
"Today is that day. Come home, Tenshi. Your family is waiting." The temple dog rubbed his heart with his paw. 
 
An hour later, Chet stood before his family in the middle of the highland glade. "There have always been tales of how I came to be."
 
"Yeah, tell me about it," Will complained. "Your papa strung me along for two hundred years thinking you were part of a pack initiation gone wrong."
 
Eric looked up and bared his polar bear teeth. "Will, you're either part of the solution…"
 
"Sorry, Chet, you know I love you," Will said with a grin. He quickly zipped his finger across his lips.
 
Chet smiled. "I know you do, Will. I couldn't do this unless I knew that." He looked at the family. "Some of you don't know me very well. I am sorry about that. I am a very private man and it means I have neglected time with my family."
 
"Does this mean we'll see more of you?" Sarah asked.
 
"It does," Chet said with a smile. "Provided this goes well. It has been so many years since I have been with a human family, I have forgotten how quickly time passes for you. I have missed out on too much hiding in my own shadow." He paced a bit, trying to gather his thoughts. He reached up and began unbuttoning his shirt. "I really hope my pants hold up."
 
Paul laughed. "Our kids are pretty used to seeing werebeasts running around naked all the time, Chet. If your pants don't hold up, don't worry. They're used to it."
 
The children from the orphanage all smiled and nodded in agreement. "It's no big deal," Alejandro said. "But we've all seen you as a werebeast. You don't need pants to be a red-tailed hawk."
 
Chet sighed. "You've seen my animal avatar and you've seen me in this form. None but my father and the temple dogs have ever seen me as a werebeast." Chet pulled off his shirt to reveal his smooth brown skin. A large chest and ample belly were the hallmarks of many in his family. Paul called it the family's preference for men that looked like corpulent monks. Others used other descriptions. Yet they all arrived at the same conclusion. The family had grown comfortable with their men being big in so many ways.
 
Chet looked to his father, who had stepped beside the temple dogs. The polar bear smiled. "You're doing fine, Son. There is no safer place on this planet for your story to be told, nor any more loving group to hear it." The temple dogs bowed their heads in agreement. When their heads lifted, Chet began his story.
 
"You have never heard my story because the story we put in place was there to protect me. It gave the illusion that I was part of a pack, and before that, a part of a tribe of Native Americans. I have never been either." Chet paused in thought. "Or perhaps I have a stronger right to lay claim to being a Native American than those who use the title today. 
 
"Over twenty-five thousand years ago, the first indigenous people of the Americas crossed over from Asia via the Bering land bridge and migrated down from what is now called Alaska into the Americas. This was thousands of years before those we call the First Nations or Native Americans made the same migration. Moving ever southward to warmer climates, my people crossed the ice fields and settled in North and Central America. There we lived in peace for twelve thousand years.
 
"Through those years, our scouting parties watched as the mix of people crossing the land bridge grew ever larger. We are not a history of this land. Those who call themselves the first inhabitants of the Americas refer to us as legends. We were a blip on the historical radar, a cipher that doesn't exist in the archeological record. Before the Hopi Nation, before the Anasazi, my tribe lived in what is now Arizona.
 
"My tongue is no longer spoken. My people no longer live. I am the last of my kind. For all their claim to the Americas, the First Nations and the Native Americans killed the tribes that were on this land before them. My people are a part of the Hopi legends. The ones they killed to claim the lands gifted to them by their gods. When I was born, my tribe viewed me as a freak of nature. I was a giant among my people. And the taller I grew, the more fearsome I became."
 
Will looked at Derrick. "He's what, five/two, five/three max? How is that a giant?"
 
Chet's keen ears heard the question. "My people were called the Mutwajigwa; the little ones. In many tales of indigenous people, there are tales of the little people who were there first. The Menehunes of Hawaii are the most famous in legend. But talk to any tribal elder who knows the history of his people, and there will be a name for our kind. The Nirumbee of the Crow nation, the Nimerigar of the Shoshone, The Makiawisug of the Mohegan; you can find tales of the little people throughout the Americas. When we fled the persecution of the human giants across the land bridge into the Americas, we found a home like no other. We were the first of our kind to populate this verdant land. We thrived and grew, but we were always fearful that the human giants would one day find us and kill our people as they had done before.
 
"This is why I was so upsetting to my people. I was tall, while my people were short. I was heavyset, while my people were thin. I was smooth, whereas my people were hairy. I looked more human than any of my kind. My people eventually perceived me as a bad omen. I was the one who would bring the giants to our land. They thought the giants would look across the land bridge and see my head above the clouds. I tried to show my love for the tribe, but even then, I was a threat because of the ones I loved most. Young men that loved other young men did not produce offspring to help the tribe grow. They were a drain of resources with no benefit.
 
"Being seen as a bad omen on so many levels, they cast me out of the tribe, forcing me out into the encroaching deserts of the Southwest. Having nowhere to go, I sat down and prepared to die. That is when I heard the call of the red-tailed hawk. I looked up, and it was fighting the vultures circling above me. It was driving away the death that came for me in the shape of birds. When the sky was clear of all but the red-tailed hawk, it called out to me and flew toward the north.
 
"Day after day, I moved ever northward until I returned to the land of the frozen. The last of the great frozen years was ending, and the glaciers were melting back from all of Canada, but toward the north, the ice still held the land captive. I followed the hawk, and it led me onto a great glacier.
 
"I was ill-equipped to handle the cold, and each day I grew weaker. I wondered if the great hawk had brought me to this frozen place to die, to fall asleep in the cold and never wake again. Just as I convinced myself that was my destiny, the white bear appeared and took me in his arms. He held me for days in his embrace, warming my body and keeping me alive. Even so, I knew I was dying. I would not survive the cold that the bear lived in."
 
"How do you thank a creature that saves your life?" Chet said, looking at Eric. "How can you tell a beast that you love him?" Chet lowered his head. "And so I pressed my nose against his and shared my breath with him, as was our custom to show respect and veneration. When he returned his breath, I realized I was on a vision quest; a dream meant for me alone. When he spoke, I knew I was safe. Thrown out by my people and cast from my home, I found a new home by the side of a white bear. He told me there was a way to save me, to let me survive the cold if I would let him."
 
Chet's head lifted. "I heard the call of the red-tailed hawk as it flew above the two of us. It was a sacred omen, and I agreed to let him turn me. The beast I loved became man. For the first time in my life, I knew what it meant to be whole, to be completely unashamed of who I was, and what I was becoming." 
 
Tears brimmed in Chet's eyes. "I have never known a happiness that equaled that moment in my life. I embraced my passions and let the man take me in ways I had only dreamed of. And when I heard the call of the red-tailed hawk, I looked up into the eyes of the one inside me." Chet pointed to Eric. "My vision of this beautiful man melded with the outstretched wings of the hawk that flew overhead and in a moment of pure bliss, I became this…"
 
Chet extended his hands from his sides and formed fists. In one mighty shake, his massive wings extended in a flurry from his back. His body grew to a few inches over six feet tall, still human and yet not. The pants didn't survive the transformation. Shredded with only small bits hanging from beneath his gut, the few remnants were enough to hide his genitalia pushing out against the fabric. His tail feathers fanned outward from his back, but it was what lay in front of the group that captivated their eyes. 
 
The same feathered patterns as the red-tailed hawk spread out across Chet's body. His belly was white feathers dappled with brown contour feathers. The feathers extended up across his chest, becoming increasingly smaller until at the tip of his clavicles they disappeared entirely. Chet's aquiline nose now looked appropriately beak-like, but his gentle, familiar face survived the transformation. 
 
Chet's copper-colored eyes occasionally blinked, not only top down but also left to right as the cloudy nictitating membrane slipped over the eyes. On top of his head, where once there was jet back hair, black feathers now extended out with a slight cowlick to the front and down across his back turning into the traditional rust and black feathered back of his avatar. The arms of a human remained in place covered in fine feathers, looking as if they were ruddy, thick hair. The same thin feathers covered his legs, ending in a human foot where the traditional five toes ended with the three largest displaying a short, curved talon at the end. 
 
Chet was breathing anxiously, fearing what his family might think. His wings, russet and black on top, white and black striping underneath, gently flapped. Chet took a deep breath and flexed his wings out to their full span. The silence of the awestruck crowd worried him even more. 
 
 "He's an angel," one of the little children finally said.
 
"You's beautiful," Oliver said his mouth agape. "You's the most beautiful thing ever. Why would you ever hide that, Chet?"
 
Martin looked at Oliver. "Because he's a dark angel."
 
The polar bear smiled. "You see, Chet? Not only do they still love you, but some of them even understand why we taught you how to control the change."
 
"I don'ts get it," Oliver said. "What's it matter what color an angel is?"
 
"Lucifer, Son of the Morning, the dark angel who fell to earth," Paul said. "Our human superstitions mark him for death the moment his wings unfurl."
 
"You couldn'ts do that, could you?" Oliver asked. 
 
"Not us," Max replied in his human form. "None of us here would do anything to hurt Chet. But Dad is right. The world would not look on him as kindly."
 
"But there are protections in place now," Sarah said. "There is no reason you can't be whatever you choose to be, Chet. Oliver is right. You're beautiful."
 
Chet looked away shyly. "Thank you. It has been so many thousands of years since I have stretched my wings. I forgot how good it feels to be free."
 
Eric looked at the red-tailed hawk-man. "This is my son. For longer than history records, he has been my pride and joy. I love him more than I can tell you."
 
Anders head tilted as he looked at the polar bear. "Old Bear, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
 
"Yes, but I have never liked those archaic terms. My love for Chet is no less or more than any other love because he was the firstborn."
 
"And I have never felt my father's love for me ever wavered because of those that followed."
 
"Why father, and not mate?" Sarah asked.
 
"That was my choice," Chet said. "I was dead, and the bear brought me back to life. I was reborn through him. He is and always will be my father. But my path was not his, and I would not stand in the way of him becoming the great white bear of legend that destiny held for him."
 
"I'm glad to know that I'm no longer the oldest werebeast in our family," Lewis said with a smile. Chet looked up and returned his smile. The white wolf extended his arms and hugged the angel. "You are so beautiful, Chet. It is good to know the firstborn came from a love understood by both father and son. Welcome home."
 
Darius looked at Damien and smiled. "Well, at least nothing changed in our family tree." He walked over to the hawk-man and hugged him. "Chet, nothing has changed. We love you as we always have. As a man and as a hawk, we have loved you, and we will love you as we see you today. We will love you no matter who you choose to be in our presence."
 
"Although the animal avatar is decidedly too small for what we were enjoying earlier in the week," Tiff said with a smile. The young children laughed and Tiff turned to them. "You aren't supposed to know what I'm talking about until you're much older."
 
"We know, Uncle Tiff," Diego said. "But we still think it's funny how hard you try to hide what you have never been able to hide."
 
Darius hugged Tiff, kissing him on the cheek. "We are who we are. I would rather they laugh at us than disapprove."
 
The children shook their heads in unison. "Why would we disapprove?" Alejandro asked. 
 
Billy held Diego's hand. "Are they saying what I think they're saying?"
 
Diego smiled. "Yeah, they are. You'll understand it after a while. It's actually kind of neat. The Weres have a social structure that is unique to them."
 
Billy shook his head. "I've only lived with you three months and already I have a brother who I met when he was ten and he's thirty-five now. My whole family glows blue at the weirdest times. I've met a doctor bear with three husbands, one who has two other husbands, and those two have two other husbands. There are werewolves and temple dogs everywhere and I can't tell most of them apart. And now I meet an angel who is a part-time bird, and he tells me a bear is his father. I'm totally confused.
 
Darius laughed aloud. "You see? We're not the only ones."
 
"I'm sixteen and a human," Billy replied. "I'd kind of hoped you guys would be able to help me figure it all out."
 
Damien held up their notebook. "We can show you a family tree chart, but I can't promise it's going to make any more sense to you after you see it."
 
Billy sighed. "Okay, I'll take a look at it. But I'm still working on just getting used to my family being mostly animals."
 
Paul put his arm around the boy. "We're all animals, Son. They're just the pretty ones."
 
Billy leaned into Paul. "You're right, Dad. They are the pretty ones." 
 
Chet looked to Max and Jean Pierre. He extended his arms. "Well, come on, you two. You've been waiting since you were little ones for us to do this." The two grown men needed no encouragement. They raced into the arms of the angel and, as the wings wrapped around them, the two gave a happy sigh. 
 
Only Chet heard the whisper of Max beneath his wings. "I wish we had known sooner, Chet. We would have waited for you to turn us."
 
Chet lowered his head. "I love you both, but it was Derrick that changed you in your world. It was right that he should do so in this world. Show me what you have become." There was the sound of tearing clothes and the ruffling of the angel's wings as he moved them to accommodate the shifting bodies in his grasp.
 
A few keen ears heard Chet's remarks. "Should we leave you three alone?" Will asked. 
 
Chet looked up. "And leave all the cake to the mercy of you, Old Wolf? I think not. We will find our own time to be together. For now, we have a birthday party to be a part of. But today those celebrating their birthday have a gift to give to the family." Chet's wings flared back out, exposing two bears hugging his body. "Family, meet your sons." The two bears turned toward the highland gathering.
 
"Bears," Will said, shaking his head with a smile. "You did it, boys. Congratulations." He stepped forward and rubbed the bluish gray fur covering Max. "So pardon me for not knowing anything about anything, but what sort of bears are you?"
 
"We're both subspecies of black bears," Jean Pierre said with a smile. "With deference to our uncles, we wanted to be bears that our family could hug without standing on tiptoe. We have too many humans in our family tree."
 
Darius looked at Damien. "Crap. We left out the Carver clan."
 
Sarah's laugh filled the forest glade. "Of course you did. You always leave out the Carver clan. Those poor humans don't even get a second thought until their son turns into a bear."
 
Damien and Darius both looked like spanked puppies. Their eyes widened and their faces dropped. They tucked their tails between their legs and their ears pinned back. "Oh crap, I'm so sorry, Sarah," Damien said. "We promise. We'll get together with you and work on both your families' genealogies the next time we come to visit."
 
Sarah stood unmoved. "Really? How many years was it before Paul and I even saw the Red Wolf and your husbands piloting it?"
 
"Way too long?" Darius stammered out his response.
 
"That's right, Darius. And if you think we're getting over this with just a piece of cake and some promise to look at our family tree, you beasts best think again."
 
"What can we do to apologize?" Damien asked.
 
"Well for starters," Sarah said her frown still in place, "I want a kiss right here from the offending party who took so long to let us see your world." Sarah pointed to her lips and smiled. "You, Old Bear," she said looking at the polar bear. "You kissed my husband. Time to bring balance to the universe."
 
The polar bear's eyes brightened as he smiled. "Really, Sarah? That's what you're putting on the table as a negotiating chip? Because I'm more than willing to oblige for the sake of our family's unity."
 
"Yeah, for starters, that's what I'm putting out there."
 
The polar bear shrugged. "Okay, any of you with delicate sensibilities who can't watch a bear kiss a lady might want to turn the other way." All eyes remained on the two as the bear approached Sarah. 
 
The bear fell to his knees and wrapped his thick paws around the female human. Slowly, he brought his face and hers together and he kissed her. The silence of the crowd betrayed their wonderment at how the kiss would end. When it did, the bear let the female go, holding onto her just long enough for her to regain her footing. 
 
"Wow," Sarah said. "I mean really, WOW." She looked at her husband. "Okay, new rule. You don't ever do that to Paul again." She looked up at the bear as he stood and laughed. 
 
The Kodiak reached out and grabbed Paul pulling him in close. "Please, Paul?" the bear begged.
 
"Go for it," Paul said with a smile and the brown bear kissed him. 
 
"What the heck?" Sarah asked loudly. The kiss still held. "Really, Uncle Kris?" The kiss continued and Paul's arms wrapped around the bear.
 
When the lips of the human and the brown bear separated, Kris turned to Sarah and smiled. He pointed to his polar bear husband. "You said HE couldn't do it again. I figured if I didn't nab the chance, you would make a blanket no-kiss zone over your husband. Really… I'm sorry… but you know… ass worth biting…"
 
Sarah laughed. "God, I love you men," she said. "All is forgiven. Come on; give me back my husband and we'll call this even."
 
Paul put up his palm between him and the bear and poked his finger into his palm toward the brown bear. "He's really good at that, Babe. I would hold out for another kiss from him if I were you."
 
The black, brown, and gray-streaked fur of the old wolf's arm reached out and gently pulled Sarah close. "If you have no objections, I would like a kiss before the entire Carver family puts restrictions on all of this." Sarah smiled and nodded yes. He leaned in and kissed her. When they separated, the old wolf smiled. "I have wanted to do that since the first day I saw you at the hospital in that god-awful nurse's outfit. I have never met a woman like you, Sarah. You have a strength that is unlike anyone I have ever known. Almost makes me wish I was a lesbian," he said his grin widening. "I love you, Sarah Carver."
 
"I love you, William Gentry. Not bad for an old wolf. Not bad at all."
 
Derrick squeezed Oliver's hand and smiled. "Family, Oliver. It's the best."
 
Oliver looked up. "Ain't never lip-lockin' with a woman."
 
Derrick smiled. "Neither am I. Isn't it great we have husbands who will run interference for us?"
 
Oliver snickered. "Yeah, I guess it is." The badger looked up and in a loud voice said, "so we was talking about our new bears before all this kissin' started." 
 
"That's okay, Uncle Oliver," Max said. "I like it when our family does this kind of thing."
 
"Me too," Jean Pierre agreed. 
 
Oliver looked at the two bears. "I still wants to know hows we got a blue bear and a tiny polar bear out of our boys."
 
Max nodded, "I'm what they call a glacier bear. Ursus americanus emmonsii for all you bear uncles that geek out on that sort of thing." The bear smiled. "Glacier bears are black bears with blue fur. There aren't very many of them, and their color ranges from blue-gray to all kinds of strange combinations that most wouldn't even call blue. I picked the bluest fur I could imagine that nature let me get away with. I wear my colors to honor the clan of my family and the wolf that turned me."
 
Jean Pierre stepped forward. "I am Ursus americanus kermodei, or a Kermode bear. Sometimes we're called spirit bears by the First Nation tribes. Unlike the polar bears whose guard hairs are actually transparent, but look white, my fur is the cream color you see. No optical illusions here. I am like Oliver and Donovan. I am a Channeler. I am a black bear like my husband, but I wear white fur to honor my clan."
 
"Husband?" all the parents of the two bears said simultaneously. 
 
"Sorry. We couldn't wait. It was a promise we made to each other. If we made it to our transformations, we weren't going to wait for our mating."

 "Damn it, Kids," Will said, the disappointment clear in his voice. "If you could have waited just a few days, we could have parlayed this into a week with two cakes."
 
"Sorry, Uncle Will," Jean Pierre said. "You can have my cake today if you'd like."
 
Will laughed. "That's fine, Kid. I'll survive. And I'm sure your parents will survive not watching your mating ritual if they give it a bit of thought. You boys were meant to be mated. Marriage in front of some justice of the peace was never really in the cards."
 
Sarah sighed. "I know, but sometimes a mother can dream of watching her boy walk down the aisle."
 
Michael nodded his head. "Oui, my boy has grown up all too soon. There is longing mixed with my pride in both of you."
 
"We are blessed with children that will never follow a traditional path," Paul said. "We just need to remember that, and all the rest seems to fall into place."
 
"I'm glad you feel that way, Dad," Max said. "Because we have one more piece to fall into place."
 
Max stepped forward as Jean Pierre retreated, giving space between the two. Derrick clenched Oliver's paw even more tightly than before. "Watch, Oliver. This is a moment we will sing of in the centuries to come."
 
Max closed his eyes and clenched his fists. The wings spread out from his back in a slow, effortless movement. Behind him, Jean Pierre's wings flashed out in a quick snap. There was a murmur from the crowd. Max looked up. "And these are to honor the one we love. The one who now will have a winged family to call his own."
 
Chet stood behind the two, staring at the wings on the bears' backs. He had no words. But his tears told the gathering all they needed to know of his feelings. 
 
As the crowd talked amongst themselves, Li Wei leaned into Will. "Look at them, Old Wolf. One mighty and headstrong; the other gentle and thoughtful. Do they remind you of a wolf couple we know?"
 
Will looked up at the dog and smiled. "Haven't got a clue."
 
"But even more interesting," Li Wei continued, "Look to their stature and color. Both are the same height… a perfect match. But one is muscular, his weight and power are on top, in his arms and chest. The other is round in the belly. His power is on the bottom, with powerful legs and brute weight. Max has dark fur. Jean Pierre is light."
 
Will nodded. "Yeah. They've got a polar opposite sort of thing going on. They're like the Bert and Ernie of the furry world." 
 
"No, Old Wolf, not polar opposites. Perfectly matched interdependent dualities. They are not Bert and Ernie. They are Yin and Yang."

 "Son of a bitch, you're right. Right down to their colors."
 
"Yin and Yang. The forces that bring balance to the universe."
 
Will sighed. "Here's hoping they can pull that off."
 
"The Way begot the one. And from the one came two. Then the two begot three. And from the three, all else," Li Wei said, quoting Tao Te Ching under his breath. "The two have returned to save the third, and in so doing, they will save all else."
 
Will turned to the temple dog. "What?"
 
"Yin and Yang are the beginning of change. They are not the endpoint. The boys did not return to save themselves. They are here to save another."
 
"Chet," Will said with a smile. "The first of our kind."
 
"And in saving the first, they will save all else."
 
"Do you really believe all that metaphysical mumbo jumbo, Li Wei?"
 
The temple dog sighed. "In this case, Old Wolf, I have to. We have pinned our hopes on those two without even knowing it yet."
 
By then, the bears were hugging their family. When they turned to look at the hawk-man, he was ready with arms extended to take them both back. The wings of the bears folded gently back into their bodies, disappearing except for a faint line of ruffled fur. The two hugged the angel, and as the wings wrapped around the bears, cloaking them from the rest of the congregation, Chet bowed his head. "I was wrong. I need some time alone with my family today."
 
Kris approached the angel and the bears. "Nathaniel," he called out, looking back. "Come here, Son." Nathaniel carefully pushed through the crowd and stood by his father. Kris smiled. "There is a place on the far side of this highland that is sacred and beautiful beyond words. It is where my son and Max spent so many hours of their days here. It is where love has always thrived and memories fill the air."
 
Nathaniel nodded. He reached up and wiped his eyes. "Let me show it to you three. Max would have wanted his namesake to have a special place to visit whenever his family is here on the highland."
 
Chet smiled. "That would be wonderful, Ancient One."
 
"Nathaniel, please, Chet. We are family."
 
The wings fluttered for a bit. "Nathaniel."
 
The hawk-man turned and, taking a paw of each bear in his hands, he followed the short-faced bear into the woods. A few yards into their walk, the wings folded up against the winged man's shoulders. Chet looked back. "I expect there to be cake for all of us when we return, Old Wolf."
 
Will laughed. "No problem. I figure I can get into town, have a cake made, and be back here before you three show up on our doorstep again. We wish you boys a happy birthday, but we will rely on Chet to make sure it is."
 
"I will not fail you, Old Wolf," the angel said. His wings flared out and gently curved back around the bears.
 
Will turned back to see Paul consoling his crying wife. "Ahh, Sarah, don't cry," the old wolf said. "They may not have made it down the aisle together, but they are walking together across a field full of flowers. That's romantic. It's almost as good if you think about it. The ones who should be together are. This is a happy moment."
 
Sarah looked up. "I know that, Old Wolf. I still intend to cry. And don't get between me and the cake today because I binge eat when I feel like my babies are growing up too fast."
 
Paul hugged his wife from the side. "I binge eat pretty much for every emotional rise and fall, so you might want to clear a path for me, too."
 
"Well, that explains the ass worth biting," Will said with a smile as he hugged the couple. He pulled back and looked at the group. "Don't we have some cake we're supposed to be eating?" The crowd turned toward the picnic tables carefully set up with colorful tablecloths just outside the mouth of the bear's cave. 
 
"And hot dogs," Greg said as he reached down and grabbed Oliver. "I have a craving to bite a wiener today." He buried his face into the badger's belly and shook his muzzle.
 
"Aggghhhh…" the badger yelled. "You knows I'se ticklish, Wolf." He looked over to Trevor. "Rein in your husband, Human. We gots children here."
 
"Yeah, we do," Trevor said with a smile. "And if I'm not mistaken, they're all going to be after your tummy now that they know where to tickle you. You're safer up there, out of their reach, with only a wolf to tease you."
 
Oliver looked out at the crowd. Every child was nodding in agreement.

Chapter 15

"We've got incoming," Will bellowed as he pounded on the side door of the museum apartment. 
 
Nathaniel appeared at the rear door as a human, befuddled and naked, but able to slip through the door where the short-faced bear couldn't. "What?" he said, rubbing his eyes. "What's wrong with my ComLink?" 
 
Will shrugged. "I don't know. But they're on their way."
 
"From where?"
 
"South Africa, out of what's left of the Kruger National Park."
 
 Nathaniel grabbed a lab coat from the coat hanger near the door. "Damn, hasn't that pack suffered enough?"
 
 "They're rangers, Son. They're the last line of defense for the animals against the poachers. The government is too busy fighting an uprising to care anymore about what happens to a bunch of elephants and rhinos."
 
"Do we know who got hurt?" Nathaniel asked as he and the wolf ran toward the helipad. 
 
"I don't know him. I thought I knew all of Kabelo's pack, but I haven't heard of Chipo before. All Tuff told us was to bring a bariatric gurney." 

Will shook his head. "A bariatric gurney for a wild dog? I don't get that."
 
Nathaniel tapped the medical ComLink on his chest. Nothing. He tapped it again. "What the heck?" He looked down and groaned. "Damn it. I forgot to take it off last night."
 
Will laughed. "There's a problem with that?"
 
"There is if Oliver gets frisky. He bites, you know."
 
"Do I ever," Will said happily. "Just one of the things I like about him."
 
"He bit right through the ComLink. I see his teeth marks on the thing."
 
The wolf yanked at his chest. "Here, take mine."
 
Nathaniel grabbed the link and pushed it up against the coat. "Transfer, William Gentry 5524 to Nathaniel Templeton 5528." The bear ran up the stairs at the helipad. "Thanks, Father."
 
"Hey, it's what fathers are for. We let you borrow the car, sneak you into R-rated movies, and let you snag our ComLinks. You know… that kind of stuff." He looked up into the cloud-covered sky. "Mind if I stay? Curiosity has the better of me."
 
"Sure. But if you stay, I might press you into service. You're still one of the finest assists I know."
 
"You ask, I'll be there, Son." He paused as his ears perked up. "They're here."
 
The Red Wolf broke through the clouds, pulling them along the wake of the wings. Two orderlies holding the bariatric gurney stood by, waiting for the landing. As soon as the Red Wolf landed, the orderlies rushed to the opening cargo door. A wild dog jumped out of the main door and down the boarding ramp. "I don't care what you say, you're going to see the doctor," he yelled back into the aircraft.
 
"I got shot in the butt, Dad," a bass voice boomed a response from inside. "It probably didn't even penetrate. I don't feel a thing."
 
Will's eyebrow arched. "Dad? Kabelo, when did you become a dad?"
 
The wild dog looked up. "Oh, hello, Old Wolf. Nice to see you. I turned Chipo three months ago. We're not mating, so he insists that makes me his father."
 
"Well, don't talk to Chet about it," Nathaniel said with a smile. "He would agree with Chipo." The bear's paw extended. "Dr. Templeton. I'm Will's son."
 
Kabelo grinned. "Son of a gun, really?" he asked, shaking the huge paw that dwarfed his.
 
Nathaniel nodded. "Really."

 "Damn, Old Wolf, we both have big kids."
 
An orderly walked out from the cargo deck. "We're going to need a lift."
 
"A Hoyer Lift?" Nathaniel asked.
 
"Or a crane," the werewolf replied. 
 
"Okay, that one's over the line," the voice from inside protested. There was a loud thud on metal and the clang of heavy footsteps leading to the back of the Red Wolf. "You can make fun of my weight or the fact that I'm big, but don't go making fun of medical equipment needs for the obese."
 
The werewolf looked toward the cargo bay door. "Sorry, Chipo. I was way out of line. But please, could you get back on the gurney?"
 
"I'm fine," the voice said. "I can walk. It was just a gunshot wound." The gurney slid down the cargo ramp and slammed against the heliport's railing. "Here. Look at my butt. Do you even see anything?" the voice asked.
 
"No, sir," the werewolf inside answered. "And for the record, I don't think you need a lift. You don't even need us."
 
"You see, Dad?" the voice asked as it grew closer to the exit. "We've got an orderly here who agrees with me. We should have never bothered these fine people." 
 
A large foot with three short toes stomped onto the cargo walkway. The resounding next step shook the ramp as a massive beast lumbered forward. His body was mostly gray, virtually hairless, with leather-like skin that was rough and wrinkled. Will watched as each step revealed more of the beast. "Kabelo, your son is not a wild dog."
 
Kabelo nodded. "And Oliver isn't a wolf, and Kong is a Chow. What of it?"
 
"Nothing," Will answered. "Always happy to see another werebeast who can't turn a guy."
 
Will watched as the beast turned around the corner. His hands had the same three digits as his feet, but were better articulated. Still, Will could tell the limbs were not those of a beast who moved about gracefully. When he saw the short horn on the face of the beast, he smiled. "Hello, Chipo, I'm Will," the Iberian wolf said, approaching the upright rhinoceros. 
 
Chipo's face brightened with a huge smile. "THE Will? William Gentry?"
 
Will looked slightly confused. "That's me."
 
"Oh my god, you're my hero," the rhino said. "I dream of being like you one day."
 
Will's look of confusion didn't fade, but he tried to be polite. "Thanks, I guess."
 
"Oh yeah; one day I want to be the biggest slut on the planet."
 
Will's eyes narrowed. "Okay, Chipo. What did your dad promise he'd give you if you said that?"
 
"Damn it," Chipo laughed. "I told you I couldn't pull it off, Dad. You still owe me the hat, though."
 
Will turned to Kabelo. "Really, Dog? The biggest slut on the planet?"
 
Kabelo reached out and hugged the Iberian wolf. "It wouldn't have worked if I told him to say the best slut on the planet… or my favorite."
 
Will laughed. "I will take it as a compliment, then."
 
"I have missed you, Old Wolf," the wild dog said as he squeezed tighter. 
 
"We both have a full dance card of obligations, that's for sure," Will sighed. He pushed back. "Chipo, this is my son, Nathaniel. But for this visit, he is Dr. Templeton. He's the man you came to see."
 
Chipo shook his head. "No, it's Dad who thinks my getting shot in the ass is something to worry about."
 
"That was what I told you, Son. But it's not that gunshot that has me concerned. It's about what happened in that firefight."
 
Nathaniel leaned in. "Tell us about it, Chipo."
 
The rhino shifted nervously. "We had cornered an elephant poaching ring, but they came with more firepower than we had. We all knew that someone was going to get killed, and with their automatic weapons, we were afraid it was us. I turned to get the bullhorn to see if I could negotiate with them. That's when I got shot in my butt."
 
Nathaniel squatted in front of the rhino. "Turn, please."
 
"To check for bullet holes or just to ogle my ass?" Chipo said with a laugh. 
 
"I'm a doctor, Chipo. I have spent twenty-three years in advanced studies to hone my skills as a diagnostician. That training gives me an edge over the average Terran." The warm hands of the bear rubbed a small bloody dent on the thick hide that was rapidly healing. "I can do both at the same time." He gave the butt a swat. "Your ass is fine, Chipo."
 
"Fine as in I'm okay, no damage; or fine, as in ‘that ass is fine'."
 
"Both," Nathaniel replied with a smile as he stood back up.
 
Chipo returned the smile. "Do you hug around here?" 
 
Nathaniel reached out, pulled the rhino in, and hugged him. "I'm glad to see you're not hurt badly. But I have a sense you've yet to finish your story."
 
Chipo let the hug go. "No. When I got shot, I turned, and this happened." The three fingers of the rhino's hands spread out, and the hand burst into yellow flames.
 
Nathaniel's eyes widened. "I'll go get my husband," he said turning toward Will. "Can you keep our patient company for a bit?"
 
"I suppose that just means sitting around here and talking?" the old wolf responded.
 
"For the time being. He certainly has a clean bill of health for things later if I understand that look in your eyes."
 
Will grinned. "I'm the world's biggest slut, you know."
 
Nathaniel leaned in and kissed the wolf. "I love you, Father."
 
"And I love you, Son," the wolf replied.
 
"Kabelo, could you come with me, please?" Nathaniel asked. "I'm going to need the alpha of your pack to make a few choices here."
 
Kabelo's head tilted. "You realize our pack is like Jean Pierre's, right? I'm a figurehead. We make most decisions by common consent. The only time you see me step in is when we're at loggerheads over something."
 
"I'll tell you a secret, Kabelo," Nathaniel said as he reached out to the wild dog. "The Were Nation has nothing to do with a hierarchical structure. I have yet to meet a pack out there ruled by an alpha. You think there's some magical mythos that you're all living about alphas and their packs. But it's the same for every pack out there. You choose a leader you trust to help guide the direction of the family. It's never been about dominance for any of the alphas that head a pack. It's always been about protecting the ones you love."
 
Kabelo scratched his head. "You mean that whole alpha thing… none of us are actually doing it?"
 
"To a beast, you never have. It's just a myth."
 
"Like the whole turning at the full moon kind of thing?"
 
Nathaniel laughed. "Exactly."
 
"Well, that sucks," Kabelo said. "How am I going to keep my son in line now?"
 
Chipo looked up from rubbing the old wolf's leg. "Like you always do, Dad; by asking me to behave."
 
"There, you see? The same way we've done it for millennia," the short-faced bear said with a smile. "You have no rulers in your pack. You simply have one who accepted the mantel of responsibility to be a father to the ones he loves. And let's be realistic here. We know how much control fathers have over headstrong kids."
 
Kabelo laughed. "That we do." He looked at Chipo. The rhino had his legs tightly pulled together. "Son, if you keep fondling the wolf, you will get hard. You get hard, and you will do nothing but frustrate my good friend who swore to only talk to you while we're gone. Could you please put some distance between the two of you?"
 
Chipo frowned. "Really? Now you go all fatherly on me?"
 
"Perks of the title you gave me, Son."
 
Chipo slid across the bench the two beasts were sitting on. "Damn." 
 
Nathaniel grabbed the hand of the wild dog. "As Oliver would say, ‘we're walking here.'"
 
"How is the little badger?" Kabelo said as they walked off the helipad.
 
"You can ask him yourself. He's curled up in Derrick's arms, sleeping. Martin is spooning Derrick. He's the one we need to talk to."
 
"Your two families sleep together?"
 
"It seems the most practical thing to do."
 
Kabelo shrugged. "That's true. Makes it tough to get any sleep, though, doesn't it?"
 
Nathaniel grinned. "What's sleep?"
 
The two were out of hearing range in moments. Chipo scooted nearer to the old wolf. "Your dad is right, Chipo," Will said with a grin. "I know what rhino dicks look like from pictures. It will be a challenge to keep my promise if you get aroused."
 
Chipo slipped back a bit. "Are you really the world's biggest slut?"
 
Will laughed. "No, your dad was teasing me." The wolf paused. "I'm probably in the top ten, but I doubt I'm number one." The toothy grin of the Iberian wolf spread.
 
Chipo laughed. "You don't mind being called that?"
 
"Not really. Not when it's Kabelo saying it. Your dad knows me, Chipo. He knows I love sex, and he also knows I love just about everyone in the Were Nation. So as long as we consent to it, he knows there's very little I won't do with my fellow beasts."
 
"Even me?"
 
"Even you. You're old enough to decide who you share that body with, and if you want to share it with me, I'm sure won't say no."
 
"I wouldn't want you to lose your standing in the top ten sluttiest werebeasts."
 
Will's hearty laugh made the rhino smile. "Thank you for your concern." The two were quiet for a bit. Will looked at the rhino. "So, is it really twenty inches?" Will thought for a moment. "Fifty centimeters. Sorry, I am very old school. I might never get used to metric."
 
Chipo looked away shyly. "It is in my animal avatar, but when I'm like this, it's smaller and a lot more human."
 
"What's smaller mean?"
 
"It never gets over…" the rhino did some mental calculations, "fifteen inches more or less. I only measured it back when I was first turned. You know, we all do that, right?"
 
Will laughed. "Yeah, we all do."
 
"Why rhino? Why not a wild dog?"
 
"The entire Were Nation knows of the human who became a Megatherium who became a saber-toothed cat. When Dad sat me down to discuss the change with me, he told me not to let who he was, dictate who I would become." The rhino rubbed his belly. "Dad is an amazing beast. He let me become this. He let me become the protector of the few remaining black rhinoceros out there by becoming one with them."
 
"Your dad is a keeper, that's for sure," Will said with a smile. "Can you talk with the black rhinos?" Chipo's look told Will the question surprised him. "I know they're not extinct. It's the reason you defend Kruger National Park. The last of the black rhinos are there, just as the last of the dragons are here. You're the sanctuary for the last of their kind."
 
Chipo nodded. "That's why I turned rhino. They needed to know that they couldn't wander beyond their little space on the savanna that they call home. It's protected the same way as all Were Nation properties. The humans don't see it, and they never see the rhinos that live on the land. To all of them, the black rhino died out in the early two-thousands." 
 
"And you're there talking them into staying out of sight?" Will asked again. 
 
"Yeah, in much the way you'd expect. It's not too deep. But when I tell them to stay, they stay. They know I will stand between them and anyone out to harm them."
 
"You're a good man, Chipo."
 
"I try to be." Chipo was quiet for a moment, fidgeting slightly. He looked up. "Will," he said as his hand burst into a yellow flame that gave off no heat, "what is this?"
 
"It's a gift from the Changelings. It was entrusted to the one they thought best capable of understanding and using it."
 
"I don't understand it at all."
 
Will raised his hand, and it flamed red. "I didn't either. My guess is you will be like all of us who have the powers. We don't want them. We never sought them out. But we will use them to protect our own."
 
"That's what I did."
 
"You didn't kill, did you?"
 
"Oh, no. I would never do that if there was another way."
 
Will breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. It weighs on a man's soul to live with that choice."
 
Chipo moved close to the old wolf and put his thick arm around the shoulders of the canid. "We sing of the Blinding Night in our pack. I know of your Changeling husband who became the Kodiak. We sing of the bear that blinded the humans to save them. I know of the wolf who sacrificed himself to save his alpha… his friend. And I know of your mate and what he did to save you."
 
"I live with two of the most amazing beasts you will ever know, Chipo. Derrick and Kris have both given more to save our people than anyone should have to give. We all have given too much."
 
"I am sorry you live with the memory of unavoidable acts that still tear at your soul," Chipo said. "But I am grateful that your lives are a part of mine. I will not kill if there is another way. I have learned so much from you all without ever having met you."

 "So, what did you do?"
 
"I did as the great brown bear did," Chipo responded. "I blinded them."
 
"They didn't see you in the first place, did they?"
 
"No," Chipo answered. "I blinded them. As in, their sight was gone."
 
Will laughed.
 
"I figured they couldn't shoot at what they couldn't see."
 
"Okay, you were a human once, right? Humans shoot at all sorts of shit they can't see, including each other."
 
"True, but once they realized they couldn't see anything, all it took was a few well-placed shots with a rifle to persuade them we had the advantage."
 
"And the blindness?"
 
"A gift from Karma that they will have for a lifetime, I suspect. They seemed happy letting us take them into lockup, where they will at least feed them two meals a day. A far better life than most of our citizens endure."
 
Will looked out across the helipad. "They're back," he said.
 
The saber-toothed cat was the first to crest the staircase. "Good morning, Will. I didn't even feel you slip out of bed this morning."
 
"I had ranch business to attend to. I figured I would get an early start on it. You know Oliver. He wakes up horny. I didn't want to lose my few days a month with him working on the ranch instead of him."
 
Martin laughed. "I understand. If we need to give you more time with him, we can certainly let you take him back to Montana with you."
 
Will's face grew somber. "I don't think any of us are going back to the ranch anytime soon."
 
The cat sighed. "So you see it too?"
 
"Yeah, I see it coming. Don't know what it is, but it's dark."
 
The cat reached the two sitting on the bench and extended his paw to the rhino. "I'm Martin."
 
The rhino raised his hand and shook the paw. "I'm Chipo. It's an honor."

 Martin laughed. "Really? That's just weird. But thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you Chipo. We have something in common."
 
"What's that."
 
The saber-toothed cat raised his hand, and it began glowing yellow.
 
Chipo recoiled. "It's not just me?"
 
"No, there are three of us," Martin replied. "There are always three of us."
 
"I don't think I understand."
 
"That's not unexpected. I didn't understand either. We are a part of a clan. In the same way that you are a part of your pack. The three of us share the responsibility of our powers, and the one who we might call the alpha for us is Anders. He's a Changeling."
 
"He gave us this?" Chipo asked, letting his hand fluoresce. 
 
"No, two of his kind. They are no longer alive. They gave us their powers to continue a triad that must be in place for the powers to work at their peak."
 
"Then why me? To be honest, I don't want it."
 
"Welcome to a small club of werebeasts and humans who have a power that everyone refers to as a gift except the ones who have it," Martin said, nodding in agreement. "I don't know of a single individual who wants these powers. But I assure you that you were called because you are the best choice… perhaps the only choice… for what you possess."
 
"I still don't understand."
 
Kabelo approached his son. "Chipo, I will stay here if you want me to, but the pack needs me. You have family here. I trust them as much as I do our pack to protect you. You need to be here for a time. You need to be with your clan."
 
"Dad…" the rhino said, the fear obvious in his voice.
 
"We all have a part in protecting this world, Chipo. I am afraid you're being called to take a larger part in that than the world will ever ask of me."
 
Chipo's face saddened. "You won't leave me here forever, will you?"
 
The wild dog grabbed the rhino and hugged him. Dwarfed by his son, the dog seemed so incapable of protecting the child in front of him, but all knew the truth. "I will never leave you, Son. But the universe tasks us from time to time to do things that will separate us from each other." 
 
The rhino pulled the wild dog in close. "I'm afraid."
 
"I am too, Son. I am too."
 
 Kabelo pushed back from the hug and looked at Martin. "I am entrusting my son's safety into your hands. Swear to me, I will not regret this."
 
Martin put his paw over his heart. "My life before his."
 
"And this Anders Changeling?"
 
"His life before ours. I have no doubt."
 
Kabelo looked at Will. "Old Wolf, I entrust you with a task you are uniquely qualified for. My son has only known the affections of his pack. But he is a young man whose drives are as large as his body. I will leave his education to you on matters of sharing his passions with the Were Nation. It is time he learns the fellowship and pleasures to be found in our extended family."
 
Will smiled. "I will see to it, old friend."
 
Kabelo reached out and hugged the wolf. "I know you will, Old Wolf. Stay by his side. I trust the cat, but I know you."
 
"Until you're back in his arms, Kabelo."
 
Kabelo stepped back. "Chipo, these are your family. Work with them. Protect them. Let them protect you."
 
Chipo nodded.
 
"And when you are lonely and need the touch of another, go to Will. He will introduce you to a family of companions like no other."
 
Chipo smiled. "I will be fine, Dad. I have one of the top ten sluts in the world to guide me."
 
"And don't think that doesn't cause me a bit of concern," the wild dog said with a laugh. He gave his son one last hug and a kiss and then turned and started walking toward the Red Wolf. He stopped and looked back. "Oh, one other thing, Old Wolf. The boy makes three sharp snorts right before he comes. Trust me on this. You do not want to be under him when that happens. His legs turn to Jell-O."
 
"DAD!"
 
"We protect all, son. That includes the beast I know will have you before the day is done. He needs to know."
 
"Okay. I will miss you."
 
"I will miss you too, Son. I will return as soon as I am able. And I'll bring the pack so you can run with us in the night."
 
Will looked at Chipo and smiled mischievously. "You run with a pack?"
 
"Of course. Rhinos are great runners. We're certainly faster than humans and have much more stamina." The rhinoceros grinned. "We have a lot more stamina than humans in all sorts of things."
 
Will reached out and rubbed the rhino's shoulders. "Oh, young one, we are going to have so much fun."
 
"I would appreciate it," Kabelo said as he walked up the boarding plank of the Red Wolf. He turned and waved one last time as the plank receded into the aircraft and the hatch closed. In minutes, the Red Wolf had vanished into the clouds. 
 
Martin motioned to the bulky rhino. "Come on, Chipo. Let's head over to the Lighthouse Keeper's Home and introduce you to the third in our clan."

 "You can't wait an hour or two?" Will asked coyly. 
 
"No, Old Wolf."
 
"Twenty minutes?"
 
"We're walking here, Old Wolf."
 
 Will sighed. "Okay. Be safe."
 
Chipo looked back at the sad-faced wolf. "I will see you later today, Will. I promise I will not let your reputation tarnish because of me."
 
Will's face brightened. "Thanks, Kid."
 
Martin took Chipo's hand. "You'll like Anders. He's a Bear. Oh, and his wolf husband; he has a thing for the big ones."
 
"Really?" Chipo asked enthusiastically.
 
"Oh, yeah, he's going to have a hard time staying focused if you give him even the least bit of encouragement," Martin replied as the two began walking toward the lighthouse. "Will is right. As soon as we bring you up to speed on your newly manifested powers, we're going to have so much fun. We have to mix it up, you know. It can't always be work, work, work." He looked back at Will, standing in the distance. "Don't hold dinner for us, Old Wolf," the cat yelled.
 
"Bastard," the wolf yelled back with a laugh. 

Chapter 16

Two weeks later, Oliver looked at the milling group in the grand ballroom of the Power Plant. He tapped the microphone and said, "I knows we don'ts call meetings of the Were Nation for nothin' but the most important things, so you knows tonight is one of those nights." 
 
Nathaniel helped a few stragglers find seats and walked up to where Martin sat on the rostrum. He pushed the large empty chair further from Martin and sat down. The chairs in the ballroom had no arms. While their pads were larger than any available elsewhere, they still couldn't account for the girth of the short-faced bear or the rhino trying to find a comfortable spot in his chair. Will stood at the back of the hall, ready to escort any other late arrivals. Max and Jean Pierre sat on the rostrum in their human forms, wearing hospital gowns.
 
The badger leaned into the microphone. "The awful is coming, and it's coming faster than any of us knows. Any of you who's seen the Hargrove House knows that something is happening, and tonight, you's gonna find out what. Whether we can fix it, I don'ts know. But this is the night we begin trying."
 
Martin stepped up beside Oliver. The voice of the saber-toothed cat reverberated to the back of the room without the microphone. "You all know Max and JP. And I'm sure there has been speculation about what's happened to them. It's been six months since that night, and there have been some dramatic changes. We apologize to their families that so much of what has happened has come with no warning and no chance to prepare. We haven't even had time to celebrate in the joy of some of those changes." He looked at the two men sitting on the stage. "You want to tell them?"
 
"We asked Eric to pitch in," Jean Pierre replied. "We know it's stupid, but we're not quite ready for all this attention."
 
Martin smiled. "I sure wouldn't be. You men hang in there. We'll get through this together."
 
The two men nodded as the great white bear stood up and approached the podium. Oliver jumped off his box and pushed it to the side as Eric adjusted the microphone. "Before I begin, I'd like to offer my congratulations to the happy couple. I know that our family has a history of jumping the gun with our marriages, so they're both keeping up our long tradition of that."
 
There was a ripple of laughter through the audience. "The two have both held off until this meeting to introduce their avatars publicly. They have shown them to their family, but tonight, we greet them as part of our larger family. As a part of the Were Nation. I suspect they're worried about how we might receive them. But I've known most of you since before they were born, and I know you will be so delighted to meet your new brothers."
 
"They have a task ahead, and all the changes they have made are to prepare them for that work. Everyone, please know these two have challenges to meet that will test all that they are and all that they are becoming. Part of the reason we are here is to let them know we stand beside them as a family. We are here tonight to let them know we will be there for them."
 
There were nods of agreement throughout the audience. 
 
Eric shook his head as he gathered his thoughts. "Only a few know what happened the night of the Hargrove House's disappearance. The rumors you have heard are more than likely true. The men you see before you are Max Carver and Jean Pierre Durand from a future time. These last few months have been a chance for them to live out a bit of the life they missed making this trip back. Tonight you find out why. This group, this hall of Terrans from all walks of life, and from around the globe, will decide tonight where we go from here when we leave this place. Your voice, your vote, will decide more tonight than any one group has ever chosen before."
 
"I am not the one to tell you what is ahead of us, but there is one who saw this day approaching long before any of us. He was my son-in-law, and one of the greatest Terrans most of you have only known as a chapter in history books. This was the human that helped end the Great War by brokering a peace none thought possible. He was our friend, our family, and even now he has never wavered from trying to save his people from themselves. He entrusted Oliver with this video so many years ago. The man you will see hoped that this video would never need to be shown, but tonight we hope it will help you understand the urgency of why we are meeting here tonight."
 
The podium slowly sunk into the stage as a large screen slowly lowered from above. When the screen had locked into place, curtains moved in and framed the white pane with a dark black shadow. The screen flickered, and the group saw an old familiar face to some and a stranger to others. A new generation never knew who they were looking at. "It's Uncle Max, Babe," Sarah said to her husband. Paul nodded and held her close.
 
For a moment, the man sat trying to steady the camera and get his chair adjusted. "I don't do this kind of thing very well," he said as he tried to work out the last of the details. He looked behind himself and grumbled. "I keep expecting to walk over cords; that's how old I am." 
 
He looked up into the camera. "When I was a kid I used to think it was so neat during a movie where in the middle of a crisis they pulled out a DVD player and put in a disc and the guy would say, ‘If you're watching this, then I'm dead, and the world is about to end.' He would give a rousing speech and tell them just what they needed to do to save the world. I don't think it's so neat anymore." 
 
The man fumbled around again. "Damn, I bet most of you don't even know what a DVD player is. For the record, I'm using nano-crystal technology, so I'm not that old." He looked up and frowned. "You don't have a clue what nano-crystal technology is, do you? It's some obsolete way of recording video that you replaced years ago. Oh well, time marches on. But some things never change. I'm here to talk about one of those things."

Max sighed. "When you're on this side of the camera, you realize how helpless you are to be a part of the lives of the ones you love. You realize saving the day even after you're dead only works in movies. I don't know if anything I say today will help. And my fondest wish is that Oliver just grew tired of this sitting around after thousands of years and he's watching it just to see what I had to say and call me a dumb-ass for not seeing the future better."
 
Oliver chuckled. "You ain't no dumb-ass, Max. You's as smart as they come."
 
The video continued. "But, if the reason for my making this video is happening, then there's more of you than just Oliver in front of me, and unfortunately the world is about to end, and faster than you realize." The human fidgeted uncomfortably. "When I was alive, most of you realized I talked with Gaia. Well, we sort of talked. I never learned Changeling and sometimes she just couldn't dumb down the conversation with me enough to tell me what she needed to say. So she introduced me to her closest friend."
 
Max looked around. "I brought visual aids with me. I'm trying to keep this from getting too boring." He rummaged through something in front of him. "Where the hell did I put them?"
 
Nathaniel laughed past his tears. "You never could find anything in that jumble you called an office. You're the most disorganized, organized person I have ever met." The bear reached out to the screen. "I miss you so much, Human. I miss you so much."
 
"And stop bitching about my organizational skills, Bear. You bought into this when you married me," Max said still shuffling through what was below the camera. "Oh here it is." He pulled up a picture of earth as seen from space. "This is Gaia's best friend. You probably call her Earth, but she prefers Terra. You couldn't pronounce her actual name. There are four sounds in it that human vocal chords are incapable of making."
 
"Like Gaia, she understands and speaks all the languages of the ones who live here, but she also understands where we are in our evolution and how we came to be here in minute detail. So we could talk, and her dumbing down the conversation for me wasn't as hard for her. She pretty much already knew I was dumb, and she worked with that." 
 
Max flipped the picture away. "Yes, she's alive. Not just metaphorically. She's a sentient being just like us, only so much kinder, so much better. She's what we should have been; what I always try to be and come up short. This universe is so much more than we have ever thought."
 
Max put up another picture of a small apelike creature with a series of other apes eventually becoming human. "Think how long it's been that we've struggled with something as simple as evolution. We can't get past the idea that life is everywhere in this universe and we're only a tiny part of what is out there. Our egos won't let us be just a part of the great whole. We have to be in control of our world. We have no clue what little impact we have on what's out there," he said with a flourish of his hands upward.
 
"So, if we could come together out of amino acids floating around in goop that gets struck by lightning, or the truth (which is even more unbelievable), is it such a stretch to realize that all the elements needed for life could roll up into one great planet and evolve just as we have? Is it that impossible to believe that they grew just as we have done? This isn't new age, touchy-feely, mumbo jumbo. It's what's out there. It's what has always been. Terra is older than all of us. And that includes you Bear, and any other Changelings that might be watching.
 
"Not every planet is alive, of course. Kind of like when you look into a tide pool at the rocks and then one of them moves and you realize, ‘oh, that one is alive', because it's a fish and not a rock. Planets are like that. Billions of them floating around out there, but not that many of them are alive; anymore than life on other planets is all that common. Planets that are alive and that have life on them… well, that's even rarer still. So, yeah, we're on a pretty spectacular piece of real estate here.
 
"In our system, only two planets are alive; Earth and Jupiter. Two of Jupiter's moons are also alive. The odds that our solar system has four living planets compared to what else is out there are amazing. I still don't know enough about the science to tell you if the other planets were alive and are dead now, or what, but I know which ones are alive now. And yeah, if you think about it, the stuff living on Terra's crust is pretty analogous to the stuff that we have living on our skin. We don't pay much attention to it until it starts causing a rash or some other obnoxious problem."
 
Max looked around. "Time for the next visual aid." He reached down and pulled up a large cat. "This is Mr. Kitty. Right now, he seems to be just fine. No reason to worry. We can share this room and it's all hunky-dory. But one day Mr. Kitty realizes that this space we share, as large as it might be, isn't really enough for him; that he needs more. And so instead of just pawing me now and then, he scratches at me to see if there's anything inside me he wants. We have more than enough food for both of us, but it's no longer enough to satisfy him, and he wonders if maybe I wouldn't taste better than what we have to share."
 
Max continued to pet the cat. "Day after day, I do the best I can with the situation. It's obvious we don't speak the same language, but I try to tell him that things are getting out of hand. I can't stay healthy if he keeps doing what he's doing. I push back gently, trying to get him to listen to reason. Nothing I try, though, seems to change his determination to control me; to use me for whatever he thinks I might give him."
 
"He eyes me and wonders if there isn't more that he can't see. Maybe the only way he will be happy is if he controls me completely. He can tell I'm getting sicker, but it doesn't really matter if I'm dead as long as he owns me. And so the attacks begin. He comes at me with an unrelenting fury. A decision has to be made. Do I curl up and die at his hands or do I…"
 
 Max reached down and snapped the neck of the cat. The breaking neck bones made a horrible crunching sound as the lifeless body dropped into his lap. "You see? It isn't cruel. It isn't vindictive. It's just surviving."
 
The group sat horrified at what they saw. Max threw the cat over his shoulder and it hit the wall, falling to the ground. There was a gasp from the group. "I really didn't have a choice. No matter how loving I might have been, it wasn't enough. And one day I had to choose my life or the life of Mr. Kitty… insane, vicious, insatiable Mr. Kitty. Because, after he killed me, he would just go out and find something else to kill. I had limited choices," Max said with a shrug.
 
Max reached down and pulled up Mr. Kitty, who purred happily when Max kissed the top of his head. "I want you all to thank Mr. Kitty for being a part of my video today. And that stuffed toy at the back of the room. For those of you who don't remember, I was a pretty good amateur magician." He put the cat up onto the desk in front of him. Mr. Kitty looked into the camera, became instantly disinterested, and walked off screen.
 
Max looked at the screen. "I need you to never forget that feeling you just had when you thought I killed Mr. Kitty. I meant to shock you… to horrify you. Someone I love is trying to survive. In our bigger story, the insane, insatiable Mr. Kitty is us. Terra has to decide. Does she die, only to let us go out into the universe to kill even more of her kind, or does she wipe out the virus called humanity before it spirals out of control?"
 
"That feeling of horror you had… hold on to it. Realize what a horrible choice Terra has to make. Realize that if I am talking to you, she is there at the point of no return. Her Mr. Kitty is clawing at her eyes and tearing deep into her flesh, and she has to make a choice. And make no mistake about this, ladies and gentlemen, and gender identities unknown to me... I have told Terra that she has to defend herself at all costs. What she is to this universe is too important to let something as trivial as the human race destroy her on their merry way to wiping themselves out."
 
Max grabbed a tablet and faced the screen toward the camera. "I hope you appreciate this. It took me three days to make this and I'm rather proud of it." He pushed his finger against the screen and a spinning globe of the earth appeared. "This is Terra. Or at least a globe of Terra stripped down to the water and land masses."
 
Max paused and shook his head. "Sorry, losing my train of thought here. I really don't want to talk about this stuff." He touched the screen and a red outline appeared around much of the Pacific Ocean rim. "This is the ring of fire. If it goes…" The red color expanded to cover most of the Americas and large parts of Asia. "Dramatic, don't you think?
 
"Toss in the current progression of global warming and we get flooding in these regions." A dark blue color flooded all of the globe's coastal areas and along every major river. The waters and adjacent land turned a deep purple where the red and blue overlapped. 
 
"By the way, if it's greater than one hundred years into the future, and you're still on the island, thank Gaia. She loves her island children as much as I do. She's building up the foundation of the island to keep it above water. That's why you're still there and not wearing scuba gear to get to the hospital."
 
Max touched the screen again. "We're going to add Terra's ability to play with the atmosphere…" the color green spilled over the globe. "The Yellowstone Caldera…" Violet layered over what little remained of already darkened America. "A vast set of fault lines you know about and hundreds you don't even realize are there…" More colors appeared that, when they dropped into place, were no longer discernible among the expanding black of the colors as they piled one on top of another. "And well, by the time you add up all the options available to her… we get this." The solid black orb spun silently around. "I used a nice green color to show all the places where humans survive. Don't mess with Terra, Kids, because she can be one mean bitch if she has to."
 
Max put the tablet down. "I am going to get so much crap from her for saying that. I really should have scripted this."
 
Max began fumbling about again. "But my little play is missing a piece of the big picture. Humans aren't all good or all bad. And they have friends; Changelings who love them." He held up a picture of Nathaniel and himself in their tuxedos on their wedding day, their smiling faces beaming. "But the Changelings now know the earth is alive and their law says all life is sacred. They can't let one life kill another for the sake of greed or control. They swear first above all else to protect. If there is a war to come, they will fight on the side of Terra, and rightfully so.
 
"We are killing ourselves. We are killing Terra. I thought the War of the Continents would end the hatred and the bickering over land and resources, but I was wrong. You're watching this and that means I was always wrong. We just don't learn." Max shook his head. "I have grown so tired of being human. There are days when I look at Nathaniel and I want him to turn me so that I can look away from who and what I am. I have days when I wish I could say I'm no longer a part of humanity; that I am something different. But I know being a bear or a wolf won't change who I am or the species into which I was born."
 
Max put up a picture of him accepting the Nobel Peace Prize. "And so I fought my whole life to change my insane Mr. Kitty into something kind, something that would protect the one beneath our feet. I thought I would make a difference. But it wasn't enough. It still isn't enough. There has to be a moment in time when we do more than try to persuade the human race to do the right thing. There has to be a time when we step in and protect Terra.
 
"Fathers, Husband, if you're watching this; that time is now. I don't have the answers. I know have limited choices, but you can't sit and wait the way you have always done. There is a life below you that needs protection. We are the insane cat that is blindly tearing at her with no thought of what we're doing.
 
"Find a way to save the humans if you can. But if you can't see a way clear of their violence and unrelenting hatred, see us for what we are. We are a horror that will reach out into the universe and kill everything in its path. We are the Children of the Night for all that lays out there beyond the stars. And just as you sacrificed yourselves to stop us once, you must do it again. I will never stop trying to turn the tide, but if the day has come that the tide is washing over all of you, you must fight back. You must do right by who and what you profess to be. And to the Were Nation, your time to take sides is upon you. Choose wisely. Save the one who lets you live on her surface over the ones who kill you on sight."
 
Max bowed his head. "That's all I have to say about that. I wish you all the best. I'm sorry I can't be beside you to help make the horrible, horrible choices you must make. But make them, you must do." Max looked up and laughed as he wiped away his tears. "Dang, I sound like Yoda." He grabbed a Kleenex and blew his nose.
 
Max looked back into the camera. "So, for all of you in the room who aren't my husband or the badger, could you just turn off your ears for a moment and let me talk to them?" He paused. "Are their ears turned off? Okay, good. Bear, Badger, I'm so sorry that you ever had to watch this. I can't imagine how much it hurts to open old wounds you thought were healing. But know, no matter how I died, I never stopped loving you two.
 
"Bear, you are the one thing in my life I have never questioned; the one gift the universe gave me that I don't deserve. I love you so much. Waking up with you every morning keeps me going. I can't imagine my life without you. I hope you had the sense to marry Oliver after I died. If you didn't, what the fuck is wrong with you? Go out and marry him now. Don't be the idiot I was. 
 
"And how do I know I was an idiot? Because right now I'm struggling to get past all those years of being a human. They raised me to believe that marriage was first between a man and a woman, then later, it was least supposed to be between one human and another. All it took was meeting the bear of my dreams to decide living with the idea of marriage being between one human and one alien was alright by me. 

"And then I met you, Oliver, and you shook up everything I ever believed in right down to my core. For the first time in my life, I wasn't sure that marriage has to be between just two individuals. But if you're seeing this, it means I never found the way or the time to do what I'm trying to do."
 
Max stared into the camera. "Oliver, I'm so sorry I stopped at just a kiss that day when Nathaniel was drying you off. I should have taken you then and there and made you my mate. I just couldn't get past my human conditioning. We are such fragile, fearful creatures. Thank you for never leaving my side, even if I couldn't be the man I should have been for you."
 
Oliver rubbed his eyes. "You was my human, Max. You will always be my human."
 
"And like I told the bear. If he hasn't married you yet, you kick his ass." He smiled, "And if he has, you pound that ass, because that boy needs attention like no one I have ever known. I am so lucky he makes me a part of that passion. You hold on to him, Badger."
 
Max wiped his eyes again and grabbed a Kleenex from the box. He blew his nose. "How can we make this much snot and survive?" he asked with a laugh after he threw the third Kleenex into the trashcan. He looked back up at the camera. "This is so surreal. I know I'm dead, but I look into that camera and see you two in my mind and I can't leave you. I can't turn off the camera and walk away. I want to be there to feel your touch on my skin. I want to feel your fuzzy lips against mine. I don't want to go, Husband. I don't want to go, Badger. But I know one day I will. And when you watch this, that day has already come.
 
"You two take good care of each other. You love like crazy. Don't you ever hold back. Don't let any conventions stop you from being who you are. Marry the whole family for all I care. Let nothing stand in the way of your love. You taught me just how little I knew about love when I crashed into the highland. I'm still learning every day. You keep teaching each other. If you do that, I will rest in peace. I can forgive myself for letting a badger spend his life waiting for me to do the right thing. And I will forgive myself for being human and dying in front of the bear I love." Max raised his prosthetic arm. "Goodbye, Badger. Form feet and legs. Form arms and torso. And give that bear head."
 
"Bear, you will always be my big spoon." Max brought his fingers up to his lips and kissed them. He placed his fingers on the camera lens. "I love you both. Be happy."
 
The screen went blank. The silence in the room was palpable. Oliver turned and looked at the group with tears streaming down his face. "Now we does what my human says we has to do. We saves Terra, and we tries to saves the humans."
 
The murmur through the audience was doubt formed into whispered words. Max and Jean Pierre stood up. "In my thirty-fifth year," Max began, "the world was at war. Not the war we're in now, but another war to end all wars. Only this time, humankind succeeded. We finally ended war forever by destroying our planet."
 
Jean Pierre continued. "We humans had grown so bitter, so divided. When it came down to irrevocable choices, we chose our mutual destruction rather than sacrifice any of our entrenched beliefs. We were a species that would rather die knowing our enemies were dead than try to broker peace. All it took was a pivot point to unleash hell on this planet. That pivot point was a group of hackers called the Bringers of the Kingdom. They were a religious cult that believed that their lord and savior wouldn't return until the last moment when Armageddon threatened all life on the planet. They hacked into the launch systems of India and Pakistan's nuclear arsenal and fired their weapons at each other and toward America and China." 
 
The thinner of the two men on stage sighed heavily. "A cascading domino effect had every nation launching their weapons into the air before most of them even realized their auto-responders had kicked in without their fail-safes in place." The crowd's shock was instantaneous. Max nodded his understanding. "Yeah, we had gone that far. It didn't matter anymore who died as long as whoever was shooting at us died, too. The only problem was that the launch of the missiles came so quickly that even Terra couldn't stop what happened. So few living planets in the universe and we killed ours the day we killed ourselves."
 
"Make no mistake about this," Max said thoughtfully. "If we do nothing, as a species, we will be extinct by our hands in less than twenty years. We welcome your questions, your doubts, and your suggestions tonight. But one thing is certain. If we do nothing but talk about our future here tonight, that future will leave us all dead before our island children even know what middle age feels like. That was my world. It is where I died. It is where we all died."
 
Max stepped back, allowing the crowd to absorb the reality of his words. After a few minutes of allowing them to talk among themselves, he cleared his throat and spoke. "Most of you remember us as little children. I'm sorry that we were so freaky weird." The audience laughed. "We didn't choose to be who we are, but we love you all, and we knew from a very early age where this world was headed. JP and I have always known. And we have always known we couldn't let it happen. We couldn't lose you…" Max's voice broke into a sob. "We can't lose you."
 
Jean Pierre stepped forward and wrapped his arm around the thinner man. He looked across the crowd. "For as long as we can remember, we searched for a way to save our world; to save our family. I know it helps to have charts and diagrams," the heavyset, bearded man said. "So, here are ours. The two of us ran best and worst-case scenarios for years, trying to save Terra from what we felt was her inevitable destruction at the hands of humans." The screen lit up again behind the two men. A list, three columns wide, flashed onto the screen. Just as the crowd began reading the list, it started to scroll. And scroll. And scroll, until the crowd became uncomfortable with the number of options flying by them.
 
At long last, the list stopped. It disappeared, leaving only two options side by side. "These are the only two that had the potential to save Terra from the humans, not just for the short term, but possibly forever," Max said, regaining some of his composure. "The first was for me to go back in time and talk to the Changelings two million years ago. I would ask them to back off from their protection of the evolving humans. I would tell them of the one who lives beneath us all. They needed to know why we had to let nature take its course and allow human beings to die out. We solve the problem because we are the problem. We cease to exist, and Terra watches a new world grow up around her. I can't tell you what that world becomes, but the hairless apes would not be the dominant species."
 
Paul looked to Sarah. "And we would never be born-- none of us."
 
"There are obvious downsides to this approach," Max continued. "We keep the humans from killing Terra, but we are also not here to protect her from what might evolve in our place. Our extinction could pave the way for something even more destructive than us."
 
"Hard to imagine that," Will said from the back of the room. 
 
Kris turned around and looked at the old wolf with a frown. "That is because you have lived on this tiny planet your entire life, Husband. There are horrors out there that dwarf your human capacity to understand. There is a reason we have tried so hard to save your kind. You have the capacity for great kindness in a universe that is totally indifferent to the survival of anything."
 
Max nodded as he heard Kris's comments. "Uncle Kris is right. There is a universe out there totally apathetic to who and what we are on this planet. It is a universe that sees an asteroid hitting a planet and destroying all life as no different from one that brings life to a barren world. That we humans can love, that we can care beyond ourselves, is actually almost counterintuitive to surviving in this universe."
 
"But none the less essential," the polar bear interrupted.
 
"Without a doubt," Max agreed. "We know of only one species that travels in this galaxy hoping to find friendship. They live among us. They are our friends, our family, our lovers, and the truest example of what we might become one day, if only we could keep from killing ourselves first."
 
"And they fucks up everything just like us," Oliver said.
 
The room laughed and Max smiled. "Yes, they do, Oliver. But with one significant difference. When we fuck up this world, it has always been our lust for power, wealth, or resource that drove us. We roll over the top of those in our way because we can't see beyond our own self-interests. As misguided as some of the Changelings' actions have been, they have always been an attempt to help. And that is the difference between our species."
 
"We don't have to go back in time to ask the Changelings to solve the human dilemma. We all know that the power to remove the humans is in their hands. They can resolve the issue here and now. All they need to do is use their powers to remove every creature on this planet with a human chromosomal signature. They kill the virus to save the patient. The only two potential outcomes that guarantee that humans won't destroy this planet is to remove them from the equation."
 
Jean Pierre looked out on the crowd and waved slightly when he saw his fathers. They waved back, and he smiled. "My fathers. I love them so much. I can't imagine a world without them. But the day I died, I saw that world." The bulky man shook. A blonde bear tore away the hospital robe, replacing the human. The crowd murmured at the change. "I would do anything to stop that world from coming. Anything."
 
Max shook, and the glacier bear's blue eyes looked out over the audience. "We would do anything to save this world, but we needed a plan that saved our family as well." He pulled at the shredded hospital gown and tossed it onto the chair where he was sitting moments ago. "The guaranteed outcomes weren't acceptable to us. There had to be another way amongst all the options. And that is where a third option comes into play." 
 
Jean Pierre lifted his paw, and the white glow spread over his arm. Max extended his paw, and as it neared Jean Pierre's, an arc of blue-white light jumped between the two. Max dropped to his knees and put his paws on the stage. The stage wood creaked and bent as a whirlwind of light and motion spun around his paws. Eric looked at Donovan. "Is he channeling?" 
 
The two watched as the splintering stage reshaped into a tree with growing branches and leaves. Donovan shook his head. "No, I have no idea what he's doing. The two are sharing their powers, but none of us have ever used them in that fashion." He paused. "Except Gaia."
 
"This is the tree from which they made a part of this stage. I'm merely reconfiguring it back to what it once was, using the DNA markers that still lie inside each cell of the tree," Max said. "I'll avoid going into the science of the change because it's not science for most of you. It's more like magic. But trust me, there is no magic involved here. It's just science you don't understand."
 
"Are you saying you do?" asked one of the audience. 
 
"Yes," Max replied. "This is the outcome of being freaky weird as a kid."
 
The audience laughed. Max lifted his paws from the stage and waved them slightly. "I shouldn't make light of the situation, but really, we have so much to deal with tonight. I need a break from all the seriousness."
 
"It's okay, Son," Paul said. "We are here with you. You take your time."
 
Max looked out onto the audience and found his father. "Thanks, Dad. I love you." The smile that spread through the audience was almost palpable.
 
Max took a deep breath, and his paws moved again. This time, a blue glow moved up across the tree. Flowers sprang from the branches, the petals withered, fell off, and what remained became small buds that grew and became nuts. "This was a pecan tree years ago when they cut it down," Max said. "It is true to what it is because of the code lying within each cell that tells it what to become."
 
Max's hand shifted, and the tree shape subtly changed. The bark grew grayer and smoother, while leaves once forming paired lines became individual, larger, single leaves. The nuts now gone became flowers that bloomed, lost their petals, and became apples. Max looked up and staggered slightly. "All I did was alter a fraction of the code. Just a few genes here and there, like piecing together a puzzle, and the tree is now an apple tree. Hardly anything changed, and yet everything has changed."
 
"Are you sure you're not a magician, just like your great uncle?" one of the crowd asked with a laugh. 
 
Max smiled. His eyes closed and his hands moved again. Jean Pierre's paws once more glowed white and the arc of light between the two bears grew brighter. The tree shimmered and then shifted to a small, fat cat everyone recognized as Mr. Kitty. "It's not magic," Max said, trying to catch his breath. "I'm just rearranging the DNA. Change the configuration; change everything. All it takes is the knowledge of what to change and the energy needed to do it." He looked out at the audience, "Although I think it would impress my great uncle Max."
 
The audience laughed. With a single motion, the stage returned to its flat surface. Max looked at the group. "I know this is a very simple example of what JP and I are going to suggest, but we were working on this problem since we were kids and it wasn't until years into the future that we figured out the only way we could save Terra and humankind. We had to alter the DNA of the human race."
 
There was a flurry of whispers in the crowd. Kris's eyebrow arched thoughtfully as he turned to his husbands who shared his concern. "Max, we tried this before. The Children of the Night, remember?"
 
"You're right, and strangely enough, they're the proof of concept rather than the failure you might think they would be."
 
"I don't see how," Donovan said.
 
"First, while genetics played a part in the insanity of the Children of the Night, we already know the real reason stems from nine months in the dark crying out for someone that never came. We know two things from that horrible time."
 
"Oh, no, science gobbledygook," Oliver sighed.
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "No, Uncle Oliver. We'll try to keep the jargon to a minimum tonight. We both prefer this to be as simple as possible. It's actually easier for me to understand when Max doesn't try to fill in the blanks with theorems."
 
There was a collective sigh of relief from the group. Max reached for the remote and pushed it. A slide of a pastoral painting came up. "France in the middle of the dark ages. It was the last part of the thirteenth century. Uncle Lothair, could you please tell us when the birth of the first Child of the Night took place?"
 
Lothair shifted uncomfortably. "Twelve ninety-three."
 
"And how many were born before the Were Nation realized what had happened?"
 
"forty-three."
 
"And how many girls?"
 
"What?"
 
"How many girls were born when the werewolves mated with their human wives?"
 
Lothair looked confused. "I don't know. No one knows. We didn't track them. The gene splicing takes place along the Y chromosome. Only the males became werebeasts. The females never caused problems. They were just normal little girls."
 
"So, you know little of what happened to the females born of the unions?"
 
"No, I suppose not. It was the times. Society didn't consider women important in the grand scheme of things." Lothair slapped his head. "Damn, that sounds so vile."
 
"No, not at all, Uncle Lothair," the Kermode bear interjected. "You are telling us of the times. Context is everything here. The young girls born from the unions of werewolves and humans grew up hidden from the eyes of the world. They were decent young girls; they never showed up in asylums. But as they matured into women, they didn't live quiet, normal lives." 
 
Max pushed the remote again, and the screens filled with images of women, some easily recognized for their place in history, but mostly unknown to even the most learned. "They were remarkable women. They were on the front lines of so many societal changes. The women of the Were Nation have gone unheralded for centuries because you never even knew they existed."
 
Greg stood up. "Are you saying there are female shapeshifters?"
 
"No, and there never will be. The shape-shifting gene and almost every gene that transfers are, as Lothair said, transferred along the Y chromosome. But not all." Max paused. "I don't want to say that's because we live in a male-dominated society or that we overlooked our women, but…"
 
"Well, I'll say it," Sarah yelled out. The audience laughed.
 
"Thanks, Mom," Max said, putting his hand over his face. "But she is right. We have overlooked the female children in the genealogies of the Were Nation." Max looked at his mother and quickly interjected, "And before Mom agrees with that, it's why Damien and Darius's family tree book overlooked the Carver family until just a matter of days ago."
 
Damien and Darius looked away shyly. "Don't worry, uncles," Max said. "In another life, you were on top of it just as quickly as you were this time when you realized the mistake, but we had years to ruminate over that part of the puzzle."
 
Jean Pierre looked up. "Science time. Sorry Uncle Oliver. But we have cool pictures."
 
Oliver laughed. "You go ahead, boys. I can always has my husbands explain it to me later."
 
Jean Pierre brought up a picture of two twisting bars with links between them. "Just about everyone recognizes DNA. This is human DNA. There are forty-six chromosomes organized into twenty-three pairs along a double helix."  
 
A new picture came up. "This is Terran Changeling DNA. There are fifty-four chromosomes that bond in twenty-seven pairs, also along a double helix. If you were to look at the Unity, you would find a very different version of DNA. Without even thinking about it, Terran Changelings adapted their DNA the same way they adapted their bodies to this planet. They are the most fluid creatures one could imagine. For that fact alone, humans should be eternally grateful." 
 
A new image with the two DNA strands showed them growing closer. "You're watching what happens when they merge." The moving images highlighted a series of identical bonds in glowing red. "And this is where it gets interesting."
 
Max reached back into his hospital gown and took out a laser pointer from the pocket. He flashed it up onto the screen. "Glad Mr. Kitty isn't here. We wouldn't have a screen for long." The crowd laughed. "This might seem complicated, but hang in there, it gets easier. For thousands of years, the Changelings have known their DNA transfers along the male Y chromosome. It's fairly obvious why. Look at the beasts in this room. Only one sex. The females in this room are all human. But the Y chromosome spans over fifty-nine million base pairs, the building blocks of DNA, and represents almost two percent of the total DNA in every cell.
 
"Each human normally has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell. The Y chromosome is present in males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes. Basic biology 101.
 
"The Y chromosome contains over two hundred genes. That's over two hundred complex structures that house those fifty-nine million base pairs I mentioned that provide instructions for making proteins and trigger embryonic development. We all know only males have the Y chromosome. The genes on that chromosome are involved in male sex determination and development. Sex is determined by the SRY gene, the one responsible for the development of a fetus into a male. For lack of a better describer, the SRY is the gene that attracts Changeling DNA."
 
"That's the perfect word for it," Sarah said. "Look at this crowd. Attraction to each other is your most obvious common trait."
 
The audience laughed again. "Mom is right," Max continued. "The Changeling DNA seeks to bond with the human DNA and it uses the SRY gene marker as a guide to that union."
 
Jean Pierre looked out at the audience. "How are we doing so far? Are you following this?" 

Most of the crowd nodded. 
 
Even Oliver gave a nod and a smile. "You's talking how we was made. We may not know the words, but we knows what happened." 
 
"Great," Max sighed. "So far, so good." Another picture came up with the Y chromosome gene enlarged. "All genes along the Y chromosome are important for many other aspects of being a man. But if you look at the difference between humans and werebeasts, there are one hundred thirty-eight of those genes that are key in the turning of a human into a werebeast. 
 
"Not every gene of the Changelings bond with the human genes, and some obviously don't even overlap. Those genes are simply sloughed off as useless to the human. That's why even after the turning, humans still have the same number of chromosomes even though they have a lot of altered genes with millions of new and altered base pairs telling their newly forming bodies what to do.
 
"Many genes are unique to the Y chromosome, but genes in areas known as pseudoautosomal regions are present on both sex chromosomes. As a result, men and women each have two functional copies of these genes. Many genes in the pseudoautosomal regions are essential for normal development in both male and female."
 
"No," Eric and Nathaniel said almost simultaneously as the awareness hit.
 
"Yes," Max corrected. "There is a gene that splices into the human body not along the Y chromosome, but in the pseudoautosomal region of our DNA. It's not the gene that allows for shape-shifting. Nor the ones that give us our extra strength. Sadly, not even the ones that make werebeasts virtually immortal. But one gene, one gene that unites all Changelings, bonds to the humans in the pseudoautosomal region here." Max pointed to a small line in the diagram.
 
"This is what you missed, Changelings. You missed the needle in the haystack. You never saw the one gene that spliced itself to both sexes in the humans because of all those that didn't. And when I say splice, I think the better word might be overwrite. Our human DNA is modified, changed for the better."
 
There was a sudden song filling the hall as the Changelings began talking to each other. The baritone voice of the badger yelled out in Changeling and the Changelings grew quiet. "Sorry, Oliver," Eric said. The polar bear looked at the group. "We're sorry. We apologize for talking in a tongue you don't understand. Max has found something we never realized. We've been totally blind to it."
 
"Because you weren't looking for it," Max said. "JP and I were. And we've found it because it's been right here all along."
 
Kris looked at the two colorful black bears. "Where?"
 
A piece of paper came up with Darius's hastily sketched genealogical tree. Max smiled. "This is my family tree. Going all the way back to the early 1100's. Now most of you know there's no way the twins could do this without help. That's roughly forty generations ago. But we cheated and asked the one lady who knew all those names: Terra. She has shown her willingness to let this plan move forward by helping us with names essential to this idea."
 
Max pointed out into the audience. "Mom, will you please stand up?" Sarah stood up reluctantly. "To the Were Nation, I give you the great great, thirty-six generations back great-granddaughter of Isabella Bérenger: my mother, the thirty-eighth generation decedent of the first daughter of the Were Nation."
 
The French Wolf rose up. "Evrardin and Juliana Bérenger's daughter?"
 
"The same, Uncle Jean Pierre."
 
"How?"
 
"Gaia, Uncle. And a bit of help from the one who taught her the genealogies of all that have ever lived here. Know this though. Your sacrifices… all you have been through… all your pain; it may yet save this world."
 
"Aside from realizing why my family enjoys kissing these men so much, what does this have to do with anything, Son?" Sarah asked. 
 
Max laughed. "Take a look at the slide, Mom." The laser scanner flashed out to a single line through the DNA strand. "Right here on the third pseudoautosomal region, a Changeling gene merges into our human DNA. Regardless of your sex, this one alters your DNA, while no other gene bonds with a female."
 
"Seems about par for the course for Changelings," Sarah said with a smile.
 
"Mom, this is the gene that saves us all," Max said. He paused. "Mom, Punch Dad." 

Sarah smiled and punched her husband's arm. "Ow," Paul said. "This is a pretty strange exhibit."
 
"No, Mom. I mean, really punch him. Right in the face, break his nose. You know Uncle Nathaniel can fix it. This is really important. You need to punch him hard."
 
Sarah looked confused. "No," she said defiantly. 
 
"The fate of the world depends on this, Mom. Hit him."
 
"No. I won't. I can't. He's my husband."
 
"Okay, then hit Uncle Will. He will heal fast, and you're not strong enough to even put a dent in him. Just give him a belt."
 
"No."
 
"Why not? It won't do any permanent damage and you can save the world."
 
"I don't like this, son. It isn't funny."
 
"I know it isn't, Mom. But it does make a point."
 
The wings flared out on the blue bear. There was a gasp from the audience at the revelation. "This is my mom," he said, pointing to his mother. "She possesses a gene that comes from a direct line back to the first female of the Were Nation," he said, flashing the laser pointer to the single line on the illustration. "Call it what you will. It is one of the key genes that makes Changelings what and who they are. It is what creates the Unity. JP and I call it the empathy gene."
 
Jean Pierre stepped in front of the screen. "Every werebeast has the gene. It is why in thousands of years, we have never had a skirmish or fight among ourselves, save the sad affair of the Children of the Night. The one gene that passed on to the daughters of the Were Nation through the mating of human and werebeast never transferred to the males in utero. Driven mad by their loneliness, the Children of the Night lacked any empathy toward the ones they saw as their tormentors. But it is also the only gene that has for generations transferred to the human species via the original females and their progeny without our even knowing it had happened."
 
"Violence is unthinkable to my mother, except to save an innocent life. Just as the Changelings will never do violence, save to protect. We are all hard-wired to be who we are right down to our very DNA. The Were Nation is the most peaceful nation on this planet. We have created homes for our people, sanctuary for our lost, and a family where we turn away none. The Were Nation is everything that the best of humanity aspires to, but our own human DNA denies us. We crave the Garden of Eden, but our behavior drives us out. There is no snake to blame. There is no apple to curse. We live in a desert of our own making."
 
Oliver stood up on top of his chair. "Okay, I gets that Sarah is special and there's more like her out there, but we knows how beast genes affects the men folk. How comes we ain't gots lots of nice women and lots of angry men?"
 
"That's a brilliant question, Oliver," Max said. "The answer for that is exhibit B: my dad."
 
"Me?" Paul said pointing to himself.
 
"You, Dad," Max answered. "Like Mom, you have the empathy gene locked into your DNA. Your lineage is different from Mom's, but you both are decedents of the original daughters of werewolves and humans.
 
You, and so many other men like you, link to the Were Nation in the same way our women link to it. But only one gene was in play through your human mothers. They transferred it to their children, girl or boy. But without the other genes in play that affected the Children of the Night, your gestation was totally benign. The gene transfer helped form you into the man you are today."

 "All that pro bono work your dad does for the underdog is because of a gene?" Will asked. "You're giving a gene an awful lot of credit."
 
"No, Uncle Will," Max said. "I'm giving it all the credit it is due. My father is a remarkable man, but there is an underlying reason why he seeks to help others and it's as much his genetic makeup as it is his upbringing."
 
Francisco rose. "As an insight, this is remarkable news. But as a matter of practical application, what good does it do us? It seems as if the gene doesn't manifest in every human child born to one of the original mothers. If it did, this many generations removed from the first, every human on the planet would have the gene. We are twenty years from Armageddon. It would take generations of selective breeding before the gene passes on to all your people. The destroyers of this world are already born."
 
"That is true. The only avenue open to us is to change the DNA of the entire human race."
 
Oliver stood up again on his chair. "Is you saying what I thinks you're saying?" Oliver asked. "Is we gonna turn all the humans into GMOs?"
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "That's what we're saying, Uncle Oliver. The only way to save humankind is for us to lose the aggression we have toward each other and replace it with a proven path. The very thing that helped us rise up on the African plains is the very thing that will destroy us in less than two decades. And that's if Terra chooses to wait that long."
 
"The Changelings have proven to us by the history of the Unity that there is another path we can take. If we do nothing, the human race is extinct in twenty years. We alter our DNA to add one Changeling gene and we might live to see the Children of Man surviving into the next century. We have over forty generations of children to prove it. To save the humans, we have to change all of us."
 
There was another audible gasp from the crowd. Donovan rose. "We can't force such a choice on a world without their consent. It is not our way."
 
From the back, a young voice yelled out. "What the hell is wrong with you people? You're talking about a choice like we have one. You do nothing and I'm dead in twenty years. It's like that anti-vaccination cult in Southern California. ‘Oh no, we can't do that to our children,'" the voice said sarcastically. "‘Oh, our poor babies have to have a choice in this matter.' ‘Kelfer virus doesn't kill everyone. Some who survive might even be stronger.'" 
 
The youth stepped into the aisle. "Where are the thousands of those children now? How do we deal with those unfortunate enough to survive? What do you say to their blind and limbless children? Did they have a choice? Did the ones who could save their children from such misery do right by waiting until their children could make the choice?" The youth moved toward Donovan. "Sir, you have the chance to save me. That boy up there says he knows how. If you care so much for me, then stand out of his way and let him do what he has to do."
 
Max looked down into the darkness at the lad. "Bucky?"
 
"Hi, Max. It's been a while. You haven't changed."
 
Max laughed. "Actually, I've changed more than you know, Bucky. What brings you here?"
 
"That would be me," said the rising red Chow. "I felt we needed to have an unbiased group of humans to lend their voice to the proceedings."
 
Will laughed. "Interesting, Kong. Who else did you bring?"
 
 "I believe most of you remember the boys from the bully brigade."
 
The young boys each stood up nervously in the back. They waved awkwardly as the group stared at them.
 
"If nothing else, we know they don't carry the gene," the Chow said. "I figured they had a right to hear what was going to happen."
 
Jean Pierre shook his head. His wings flared out. "Oh, dear. The fecal material is about to hit the oscillating wind generation machine again."
 
Bucky laughed. "You must be JP. I heard Max had a boyfriend." He looked up at Max, seeing the same boy he last saw six months ago. "Look, Max, I am so sorry for what we did to you. I would have told you so months ago, but they keep you away from all of us like we're going to hurt you or something." 

Bucky stepped forward. "We wouldn't ever. We would have, I did, but we're not the same guys. I know there are more important things to discuss here, but please let me say that I am sorry."
 
Max smiled. "It's all good, Bucky. I don't hold grudges. And you were right. I was gay. That's why what you said never bothered me."
 
"I was still wrong. It doesn't matter what you are. I was trying to hurt you. Please, I may never get this chance to see you again with the way your family protects you. Please forgive me."
 
"Done," Max said. "Now, about that opinion of yours."
 
Bucky took a few steps back. "That easy?"
 
 "Yeah," Max replied. "End of the world stuff going down here tonight, remember? If you want, we can get all Kumbaya about it later. But for now, this group needs to hear what you have to say."
 
Bucky looked back at the group. "I'm not sure I understand half of what you people are talking about, or how you organize your nation. But what I do know is that you have a chance to do something to save the people around you, and you're sitting here discussing it like it was whether or not you're letting your kid go to the prom. It's my life. You act like I should get to decide if I want some crazy people to end it for me. I don't have that choice. You sit back and in a few years, I'm dead. You're dead. There are no arguments to be made here. There's just whether you're willing to step up and help Max. I hope you do. I'd like to have a life where I get to get all Kumbaya with him instead of getting blown to hell."
 
Billy stood up from his seat next to his father, Paul. "I was one of the bully brigade, so you know I never had the gene. But I have a family now. I don't want to lose that because you can't figure out that when someone is about to step off a cliff, you have to do something drastic to save them. My life is here on the island. You are my people. I have a bear for a brother, and he's asking you for help."
 
Billy pushed out into the aisle next to his old friend. "Bucky might not see you as you are, but I do. I understand every word of what my brother is saying. You all have to do more than just sit on your beliefs and watch us die. Worst of all, we will take you with us if you wait too long. I love you all. I love this island. Don't let it slip through your fingers. This island is too important. Not just to you. It's one of the last sane places I know in a very insane world. And that's a human kid talking to beasts, so you know we've fucked it up big time." He paused. "Damn it, I shouldn't have said fuck."
 
Oliver laughed out loud. "I loves that boy. And he's right. This is a seriously fucked up world. Those of us with the Sight can't see everything that's coming at us, but you best believe the bear up there when he says options are scarce and time is short."
 
Kris rose and shook his massive body. "I have to agree with the humans. Terra is going to act even if we don't. She's big, and I know what it's like to have a big body trying to do delicate things. We get klutzy. We break stuff we don't intend to. I don't think Terra will wait for the humans to destroy themselves now that she knows what's in store for her. I certainly won't advise her to. She is going to do what she has to, and trust me; the Were Nation will be a casualty of her efforts, regardless of how careful she tries to be."
 
Tyler stood up. "So, what is the plan, Max? What are you asking us to do?"
 
"The members of the Blue clan are builders. We create unity from chaos. Humans are chaos personified. We have gone from a world of seven billion people to just under three billion from the wars we have fought over the last half-century. I see answers to the dilemma we face, and they can end in different ways. Only one leaves Terra, the humans, and my family alive. Please understand, that this isn't the safest way. And it doesn't come without a cost that most of us will turn away from rather than face. There is no easy option that leaves humans on this planet."
 
Max shrugged and his wings flared out again. "The only easy option is to let Terra flex. Let her shake off the dust of billions of years and start over. I cannot accept the easy alternative. I am named after a man who could never give up; one who could never stop trying to save his people. His name and his dreams are my birthrights. I cannot stand down. I cannot give up without a fight for what I believe in."
 
Jean Pierre's wings flapped quietly for a moment. Never lifting his head, he said, "There are those we have returned to save. They are our family. They are the ones we love. But there are also the billions of people we have never met, but who will one day marry the sons and daughters of our human families. They will become the newborn of the Were Nation. If we must die, I will stand by my husband and die trying to save humanity from itself. Terra may take us all the same, and that is her right. But before that day, she will know that Max and I have given everything we have to save our people and to save her."
 
Paul rose and put his arm around Billy. "Tell us, Max, what happens next?"
 
"There is a way that might work, and if it fails, Terra will still be able to save herself," Max answered. "The gene that combines with human DNA is a simple thing to replicate. You watched me change a tree into a cat. That was complex. Splicing one gene into a DNA strand is so much easier."
 
"Unless you're trying to do it to three billion people," Michael said. "I watched you, son. You faltered each time you made those changes. If making a tree will wind you, how are you going to deal with three billion humans?"
 
"With the help of the Changelings and my clan," Max responded. "There are ways to generate energy. And I married a Channeler who can move energy wherever he sees fit. Uncle Oliver also has the gift. And he's got one gift that will allow us to drain this entire planet of the deadliest form of energy we have and let me use it to alter the entire human race's DNA at the same time."
 
"And how do we help?" asked Donovan.
 
"Some of you, like the green clan, will combine your forces to protect Terra from what we do. Others will be there to end it all if it goes wrong. First, we protect. And Terra is who we protect first. But if all goes well, we will have a world where humans can no longer look at each other with indifference. Once the gene becomes a part of the human genome, the world will change slowly toward a unity not unlike what the Unity has found on their home world. We will be millions of years out from where they are, but we will take a quantum leap past where we are and land in a place where our very nature will keep us from self-destruction."
 
The polar bear looked at Max. "And you can do this?"
 
"I am confident I can."
 
"And what of me?" a voice said from the back. "What happens to the likes of me?" 
 
Max looked out into the darkness. "I'm not sure. Who are you?"
 
The young lad stepped into the aisle. "Matthew Kingston. Bully brigade. What comes of the ones like me?"
 
"Most of you will simply stop what you're doing when you realize it goes against everything you feel."
 
Matthew continued to walk forward through the aisle toward Max. "No, Max. Look at me. See me. What happens to the ones whose life has been so wrong, so misguided that they tried to kill themselves simply to get away from the pain they felt when they saw the truth?"
 
Oliver's head spun toward Matthew. He shook his head in disbelief. Kong came up from behind him. "One can find the truth through many paths, Badger. Matthew found his truth in an Alberta paper archive while studying for a school project on bullying. That's all it took to bring back the memory."
 
Matthew looked at the badger and the short-faced bear. "I'm sorry, Oliver. I'm sorry, Dr. Templeton. You both tried. Mom and Dad are doing great, so I can't thank you enough. But I have to have an answer to this." He looked back at Max. "What becomes of those like me?"
 
"Your own nature will make you hesitate for fear that others who might need you would suffer from your death. Most like you will find help before you choose suicide as an option."
 
"But not all?"
 
"No, not all," Max replied. "Sociopaths, despots, and others who prey on humanity will fare even worse. There will be people whose lives have been so swamped by their greed and lust for power that they will feel a backlash severe enough to stop their hearts. Others will go insane or commit suicide from the guilt and grief they feel. There will be a death toll that will shock us all to the core."
 
Jean Pierre put out his paw and pulled Matthew up onto the stage. "We will all feel pain, Matthew. None of us are guilt-free. But we will also feel a need to comfort others who are suffering. The latter will win out, eventually. But in the beginning, it will be very difficult. All that we can tell you is that the balance will shift, and in the end, humanity will be alive to try again. Only this time they will have help. They will have the Were Nation to stand beside them."
 
Matthew looked at the two. "Thank you for being honest."
 
Max's face showed his concern. "I'm sorry, Matthew. I wish so much that I wasn't a part of the pain you feel."
 
Matthew looked down. "Self-inflicted wounds, Max. I know you didn't do this to me."
 
"But we can work on healing the wounds together. If it works, we will have time."
 
Matthew looked up. "I would like that. Can I have a hug?"
 
Max laughed. "Sure, you don't have a problem hugging a gay guy anymore?"
 
"Nah," Matthew said. "Especially now that you look like some weird winged teddy bear."
 
"Oh? How long has that been the case?"
 
"Since you told me the truth." Matthew paused. "I saw Oliver and Dr. Templeton when I walked in. I miss them, Max. I've missed everyone here."
 
Max reached out and pulled the boy into a hug. Matthew sighed. "We don't have to sing Kumbaya, do we?"
 
"God, I hope not," Max replied as he rested his head on top of Matthew's. 
 
When the hug ended, Matthew turned and looked out at the audience, who were quietly waiting for the hug to end. "My name is Matthew. I was a bully, and what I and other bullies did to a little boy named Anthony eventually led to his suicide. That, in turn, almost led to mine. You wonder if Max can do what he says. I am about the worst example of a kid I can think of. If you need to find out, I say let him change me. Let him put that gene into me and see what happens."
 
"Matthew, no," Dr. Kong protested.
 
"Dr. Kong, I need to face my demons. Here inside this building, at least I have a blue bear willing to stand by me."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "You also have a fat blonde one if you need him."
 
Matthew smiled. "Really? Do you have wings too?"
 
"Yeah, they're white. You'll see me soon enough if you hang around the two of us."
 
"That would be nice. I don't have many friends."
 
"I will volunteer too," Bucky said, still standing in the aisle. "Change me, Max. Prove to these people you can do what you say."
 
Steve and Carl stood up from the back. "We volunteer too. You have willing humans to prove your point. I don't know what you people are, but from the way you talk, you're not anything like what we see. But I know at least I'm human, so let him prove it will work."
 
Kris's eyebrow raised. "They have a point. We need to see if this will work on a small scale before we commit ourselves to an entire world."
 
Will shrugged his shoulders. "Not really, Bear. If it doesn't work, we're all dead anyway."
 
"Yeah, there is that," said the brown bear thoughtfully. "But let's say we give it a try, regardless."
 
Max nodded his head in agreement. "Come on up, guys." The crowd waited for the lads to climb up on stage and they stood by Max. "No matter what happens," Max said, "We will be here. We will not let you fall."
 
"Why do you think I asked you to do it now?" Bucky asked. "I figure if I've got to make this change someday soon, I'd rather have it where if I go crazy, the surrounding people will take care of me."
 
Max laughed. "Never change, Bucky. One day, you and Oliver will be the best of friends."
 
Bucky smiled a confused smile. "What do we do?"
 
"Close your eyes," Max said, and the four boys closed their eyes.
 
Billy shoved his father. "Dad," he said pleading.
 
"Go, son," Paul said. "Be with your friends."
 
Billy rose and quickly pushed his way through the row of werebeasts toward the middle aisle. "Wait, Max," he called out.
 
Max looked out to see his brother running up the stage. Billy took his place next to his friends. "Are you sure?" Max asked.
 
"We don't leave family in a crisis," Billy said. "These are my friends. They're my family."
 
Max leaned in and kissed Billy on the cheek. "And so am I." He paused. "Close your eyes, men. It will go easier if you don't see what happens."
 
"Like we're going to close our eyes now," Carl said with a laugh. Max's paw began glowing bright blue, and the light swirled around the fist. Some saw a boy, others saw a bear, but the one thing they all saw was the pulsing light followed by a humming all around them. Max's eyes closed in concentration as he looked to see the boys break down into simple cells, each with their DNA strand linking to the Changeling gene. 
 
Martin sat at the far end of his row, glowing a faint yellow. "See the path, boy. The change is there. Don't lose sight of it, just let it be." The cat closed his eyes and concentrated.
 
There was a momentary flash of blinding light, and Max staggered backward. Jean Pierre caught the blue bear just before he fell over the brink of the stage. Max shook himself. "It's done," he said.
 
The five boys remained upright. Matthew was crying, but the other boys seemed unfazed by what had happened. "How do we tell if it worked?" Tyler asked his mate. 
 
Michael shrugged. "Je ne sais pas."
 
Nathaniel looked back at the two. "I guess we do a blood test and take a look at their cells."
 
 "Ain't no need, Bear," Oliver said. "The boy done what he said he'd do."
 
"How can you tell, Oliver?" Nathaniel asked the badger. 
 
"They look different," Derrick said. "They're not quite human anymore."
 
"What?"
 
"You know, Nathaniel," the black wolf answered. "They're not exactly beasts, but they're not quite human anymore. They're a hybrid. Pretty much like us, only distinctly human."
 
The short-faced bear looked at the black wolf. "And you see this, Pup?"
 
"Yep," the badger answered. "They looks like Sarah, and Paul, and their kids looks like to us. Twern't never a thing we thoughts on, until today. They just looked like the Carver family. Different, but nice, you know. So, we didn't pay no attention to it."
 
"Okay, will you two stop answering the other's question, please?" Nathaniel said, the frustration clear in his voice. 
 
"Sure," they both agreed.
 
Max knelt next to Matthew and hugged him. "It will be okay, Matthew. You'll find forgiveness one day. Dr. Kong will help you."
 
Matthew squeezed the bear tightly. "I know. I'm crying because I'm still alive. Anthony didn't deserve to die, but neither do I. I won't forget him, Max. I will find a way out of this, and I won't forget him."
 
Eric stood up. "I think it's time we took a vote. All those in this hall who say we do what we can to save the humans say aye." There was a resounding chorus of ayes. "And those who say nay?" There was nothing but silence. 
 
Donovan stood up. "Terran Changelings, we have work to do. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow we help Max change our world."
 
The five Changelings rose as the polar bear jumped off the stage and returned to his mates and son. Kris leaned in to kiss his husband. "Well, let's hope this time we don't fuck things up."
 
Oliver looked up and patted the Kodiak's butt. "You's gonna be just fine, Bear. This time you gots us to help you fuck-up everything."
 
Kris looked at the badger and smiled. His paws reached down, grabbed the little mammal, and put him on his shoulder. "Take me to bed, Badger. I have a need for some cuddling with a little spoon."
 
Oliver laughed. "Okay, I'se gonna let you get away with that tonight, ‘cause we's all probably gonna be dead in a week." He paused. "Well, that and ‘cause I likes the way you put your dick between my legs when we spoons."
 
"Me too, Badger," Kris said as he headed out of the rapidly emptying hall into the rainy night.
 
Out on the southwest side of the island, the yellow light broke free from below and launched toward the sky. It was almost as much a part of the Hargrove House as the broken concrete and invisible walls. Chipo sat and watched. "What are you trying to tell us, house?" he asked quietly. He reached out and pushed against a wall that wasn't there, yet it blocked the rhino's fist. "You're still there, aren't you? We can't see you, but you're still there." Chipo leaned back. "Curiouser and curiouser."

Chapter 17

The rain fell hard in the morning but had turned to a drizzle by the time the Partridge Island residents began gathering. Chipo listened to the commotion from where he had sat all night. He made a grunt as he tried to stand up. "Might as well go watch the show," he said. His hoof-like hand punched the side of the invisible house. "Tell, me, house. I know you have a secret you want to tell. Tell me. I will listen." The wind whistled through an open window somewhere along the side of the house, but the words it spoke were unintelligible to the rhino.
 
"Come on, everyone, let's get this organized," Donovan said. "We need all the children who don't carry the gene to gather next to Oliver and Max. Ten of the children moved together as Alejandro ushered them toward Oliver.
 
"We're the ones, Uncle Donovan," Alejandro said. 
 
Donovan smiled at the word uncle in front of his name. He shook his head trying to understand how they so easily adopted him into their family. "So there are eleven of you?"
 
"Most of the children carry the gene already, Donovan," Kwan replied. "I suspect that might be why they adapted so successfully to the Sight."
 
"I would like it if we had a larger test group," Donovan said. "With Kendal, that's only twelve."
 
"Baker's dozen," Trevor said as he moved out from the crowd. "I married a werewolf. I never took on his genetic markers. You know how that works. We've always mated as humans."
 
"Same here," Ethan said as he and Bartholomew stood hand in hand. 
 
"We're here too," Jan and Jenny said, smiling as they stood by their werewolf fathers. "That makes sixteen."
 
"Don't rightly matter how big the group is Wolf," Oliver said matter-of-factly. "We gots one shot at it, and if we don'ts succeed, Terra will end it all. She's gonna knows if it works. This is just to calm your fears."
 
"It's not just my fears, Badger," Donovan said as his brow furrowed. "It's everyone who said they would stand by you. We just need some assurance that we've made the right choice."
 
"So, let's do this," Max said. "Uncle Donovan, you're going to be the outside energy source. Oliver and JP are the Channelers to me. We find out if those links work and if once I have the energy, I can redirect it into changing the DNA of the island humans."
 
Donovan took a stance. "Humans, spread out. I want you all across this island. Ethan, can I get you to head down to the lowest part of the Hospital basement behind the lead shields in x-ray? We have to make sure that this will work with every human, no matter where they are." Ethan nodded and ran toward the hospital. 
 
Donovan looked at Kendal. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
 
"He's my friend. He won't let me get hurt. You want to know. This will test the limits more than any other option. I'm a freediver, Donovan. Dá Lóng and I do this all the time. It's like mediating. Don't worry about us. Worry about the three trying to change the world."
 
Donovan put his paw on Kendal's shoulders. "You really can hold your breath for five minutes?"
 
"Ask Steve. I've gone down on him underwater before," Kendal said with a smile.
 
Donovan looked at Kendal's mate. Steve shook his head. "I don't know. He's doing it underwater, and I get too excited in my human form. I don't last all that long. Maybe it was five minutes. I honestly don't know."
 
Donovan turned back to Kendal and kissed him. "Be safe, Kendal. Don't you or the dragon take any undue risks."
 
"You have our promise, Donovan. I told Steve if we pull this off, he can turn me. I have a reason to come back in one piece."
 
Donovan looked out at the milling crowd. "Everyone move out."
 
With a nod of understanding, the humans moved toward their predetermined positions. At eight minutes, Donovan tapped his ComLink. "Kendal, you and Dá Lóng make your dive now. Stay down two minutes at whatever depth you reach and then come back."
 
"Will do," Kendal said. "Leaving the ComLink here on the beach. The waterproof warranty doesn't hold water past twenty meters."
 
Donovan laughed. "See you soon, merman." He tapped his ComLink again. "Open line." He paused a moment. "Just as soon as we call you, everyone heads back here to the farm. If this goes as we hope, you'll have no sense of any kind of physical change. There might be some emotional changes that happen. Just remember, your family is here. Return to us and we'll see what's happened." 
 
Donovan waited until everyone confirmed they understood the orders. "Brothers," he said. Ivan and Francisco put their hands on Donovan's shoulders and the colors of their clan surged brightly. The Armbruster's wolf began moving his paws in tight circles. The glow from them was almost immediate as a small glowing ball grew with each passing moment. "Okay, boys," he growled. "This is going to come at you fast and hard. Do what you need to do and give it to Max. And Max, you do what you say you can do. We're all in this together. Let's make sure we're ready."
 
Oliver, JP, and Max all nodded. "Do it, Wolf," Oliver said, and his eyes winced as the bright white light burst from the wolf's fists and flew straight toward them. Oliver and JP felt the power slam into them almost like a fist, but they rebounded with no problem and turned toward Max, passing the power into him with a single motion. 
 
Max smiled, and in seconds, he looked up. "It's done. Sixteen down, two billion, nine hundred eighty- six thousand, seven hundred, and twenty-six to go."
 
Donovan tapped the ComLink again. "Come on home, family. We're waiting for you."
 
As the humans started filtering back into the crowd, everyone was asking if the change had been successful. Oliver and Derrick grinned as they looked at each of their human family returning. From the beach area, Kendal came walking back soaking wet with something that looked far more like slime than seawater. "Well, that was an experience I'm not sure I want to do again."
 
 "How far did you get?" Donovan asked. 
 
"Four hundred ninety meters."
 
Kris turned and looked at the human. "You would be dead."
 
"I would be if I was on the dragon's back, but Dá Lóng and I both knew that wouldn't work. Dá Lóng put me in his mouth and kept the pressure constant as he dove. He took me down to a nuclear submarine's test depth. They're currently the deepest running sub out there. No human on the planet is more inaccessible. You wanted the ultimate test. We gave it to you."
 
Donovan smiled. "You never had any intention of doing what you told me. A freedive just two hundred meters deep, you said."
 
"This is my family, Donovan. I couldn't let them be guinea pigs without stepping up myself. We were down only a minute before he knew the test was over. He's like a short-term biological submarine. The two of us never took an undue risk, which is what I promised. The only permanent damage is to my outfit. I love him to pieces, but Dá Lóng's a drooler."
 
Kris shook his head. "I am constantly amazed by this family."
 
"It worked," Derrick said. "Everyone of them has the gene; including Kendal."
 
"And the transfer of power?" Donovan asked. 
 
"I think it would be better if they held my hand," Max replied. "It would be a more direct connection and help me stay focused."
 
"Done," JP said with a smile. "I love holding hands with you."
 
Max smiled. "So we have time now to train and prepare. We change the humans as blocks of individuals, starting with those areas that are at war first. We try to intervene where it will do the most good."
 
"I don't think so," the rhino said from behind the group. The crowd turned toward him. "I've been watching the Hargrove House, and there's a possibility that we're ignoring a very important part of this puzzle."
 
Max looked at him questioningly. "What part, Chipo?"
 
"The one variable that affects this time line. You and JP, Max."
 
"That's why we returned here, so we could have time to stave off the destruction."
 
"Agreed. But think this through, Max. Your alternate timelines have been keeping pace with your own growth. You and JP are only hours away from your alternate timeline wedding day, are you not?"
 
Max nodded. "I'm having all my pre-wedding day jitters right now."
 
"Me too," Jean Pierre said.
 
"I could be wrong, but I think time seeks to right itself with set points in the universal flow," Chipo said. "It's why the Hargrove House is out of phase. We used it as a portal to disrupt time. It will remain that way until the timeline restores itself to equilibrium."
 
"I can't say I disagree with that," Max said. "It's a possibility. But what does that have to do with our timeline?"
 
"You died on your wedding day. We all died on your wedding day. That moment is about to intersect with your current life. What if the circumstances of our deaths are also converging into this new timeline? What if even as we speak, the crazed Bringers of the Kingdom are just moments away from cracking the launch codes and starting Armageddon?"
 
Max shuddered. "It might…" he paused.
 
"Can we take a chance that it won't?" Chipo interrupted.
 
Max shook his head. "He's right. We can't take a chance. If the timeline is seeking to reestablish itself, we only have moments to start the changes we've been discussing all night long."
 
Eric looked toward the blue bear. "Are you saying we're going now?"
 
Max nodded. "I am. The risk of waiting is too great." Max looked toward the Changelings and his werebeast uncles. "You all know your parts. I need you all to be committed to this idea. Once we start, there will be no backing down."
 
"And you're sure now is the time to start?" Kris asked, his heavy body shifting uncomfortably.
 
"It's not a matter of being sure," Martin spoke up. "Chipo is right. If we pushed the timeline forward, we can't afford a wait-and-see attitude."
 
Anders, nodded. "You have the three of us in agreement here. None of us knows all of what the young bear has done, but to err on the side of hesitating could see our deaths playing once more."
 
Donovan looked to Eric. "Old Bear, you are our leader. What do you say?"
 
 "Me?" the polar bear asked in disbelief. "You're the oldest."
 
"And you have lived on this world longer than all of us. Our dormancy leaves us vulnerable to missing pieces to this puzzle in front of us."
 
The polar bear rubbed his fist against his forehead and breathed out his frustration. He took a deep breath. "Are you ready, Max?"
 
"I am as ready as I will ever be. We know it can work. I just have to commit to the change worldwide."
 
"And can you do that?"
 
"Yes, Uncle, I can."
 
 "Then we begin. Changelings, we know our tasks. For Terra and humankind."
 
The voices of the Changelings responded in unison. "For Terra and humankind."
 
Max bowed his head. "It begins now," he said. He looked at Jean Pierre and grabbed his paw. "You know how much I love you, right?"
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "Enough to take me wherever you go?"
 
Max leaned in and kissed his mate. "Now and forever."
 
Oliver grabbed Max's hand. "You takes me with you, too, Max. There's a reason we gots so many Channelers here. JP can'ts do this alone. He's gonna need help."
 
The glacier bear's hand glowed blue and the light spread to the badger. "I was kind of thinking of taking him to the tunnels and pounding his butt after all this was over," he said with a smile.
 
"Well, then, you's definitely takin' me," the badger said, grinning. "Time to links us together." 
 
The blue bear closed his eyes. "Come on, Max," he said under his breath to himself, "you can do this. It's easy. Save the world." 
 
"No, Kid," Max heard the old wolf say. "Remember you can't change the ocean. You change the drops of water. Save your family one at a time. You can do that. You do that and the world will follow. Save one, save all."
 
"Thanks, Uncle Will," Max said, looking up at the Iberian wolf. "Keep me focused."
 
The old wolf rubbed the bear's shoulder. "You know the game plan. You need any of us, you call out. We will be there. How far back does everyone need to be?"
 
"How about New York?" Max said as his grayish blue fur began glowing a cobalt blue. It grew lighter as the intensity of the power built inside him. His head shook in disagreement. "You need to trust me, Terra. We need all the power. And we need to remove the threat to you. I won't let them hurt you, I promise. If I see this is going to end badly, I will take us all out. You have my word."
 
"What is he doing?" Sarah asked as she backed away. 
 
"The most fucked up part of this entire plan," Oliver said. "And of course, if you's gotta do something that's gonna kills us all, have the badger do it, ‘cause you can blames the little guy for fuckin' up everything."
 
The little mammal put his paw up. "Needs your help husband. Gots to have a Warrior Class. Ain't gonna work no other way."
 
Francisco stepped forward. "Lothair and I can do this, Oliver. Let us take the risk."
 
The badger shook his head no. "The old wolf is prepared for this. Besides, you Terran Changelings are the fail-safe. We don'ts make this work you ends us all. You saves Terra." 
 
Will's paw bust into red flame. "Where does this go, Oliver?" he said shaking the paw.
 
"On my cock and balls, mostly my balls ‘cause I likes you there."
 
"Really, Oliver?" 
 
"If we's gonna be dead in a few minutes, I wants my husband playing with my balls when I goes. Everyone else can deal with it."
 
Will smiled and leaned over and cupped the badger's balls with the glowing paw. He leaned in and bit the neck of the little mammal that was now burning a bright purple as the two powers merged inside. "I love you Oliver," Will whispered. "I have since the day we met."
 
"I loves you forever, Old Wolf," Oliver replied. He squeezed the paw of the glacier bear. "Let's do this." His eyes shut tight. "Launching them all."
 
"Launching?" Paul asked from a distance. 
 
"Your son said we needed more energy than any of us possess to do what he hopes to do," Derrick told the human. "Oliver has just launched every nuclear missile in the world. When they reach their apex he's going to detonate them. The humans are no longer a part of a clandestine launch. Oliver just took that away from them."
 
The black wolf pointed to the west. "Gaia is taking out every other man made nuclear power source on the planet. Humankind is about to lose nuclear power for a very, very long time. It's draconian, but it was a part of our agreement with Terra to give us a chance to change the timeline."
 
Derrick looked up, trying to gauge something that he alone seemed to see. "Bombs, missiles, hunter drones, and other major armaments are about to be history as well. Gaia is taking them out and funneling the energy up through Oliver. As far as I know, bullets and some smaller armaments are going to survive. It's like a big net with holes. Some of the smaller stuff is going to slip through."
 
Derrick suddenly had another thought. "Oh… and every source of energy production is about to get a very unexpected drain. Hydro-electric plants, coal, and gas burning sites. If it creates energy, its total output is about to be sacrificed to make this happen. All that energy is about to be focused through Oliver and JP back into Max."
 
"But how does Max use that energy to change human DNA?" Sarah asked. 
 
"I'm not really sure," Derrick replied. "I know Max surfs time like we move through the other dimensions. He sees things in ways we don't. I think the universe is like a painting to him. He just paints in an alternate picture when the one he sees doesn't suit him."
 
Paul looked at the black wolf. "So we're going into some alternate universe?"
 
"Not exactly. He's creating a new timeline. If you create a new timeline, the old one collapses. But on the plus side, if this doesn't work, we'll never know it. I'm pretty sure Max is going into this with his hand on a delete button we don't see. At least it's a less painful end for the human race than the one Terra will use." Derrick's eyes shut tight. "The first of the missiles are coming down in Asia and the Middle East. Shields up Healer class," the black wolf yelled. "Protect your charge. Protect Terra. Oliver and Jean Pierre will channel the energy to Max."
 
Ivan stepped back away from his clan into the circle of Changelings, acting as the fail-safe should things go wrong. Nathaniel grabbed his fathers' paws and the three burst into green flame. Kris's paw pushed upward and the green light followed. Above them, a green dome formed that extended beyond the horizon. Within twenty minutes, the first explosions of blinding light filled the sky overhead.
 
"He's confident. Whatever he's hoping to do, he sees it working," Derrick yelled as the brilliant light that was once Max continued to absorb energy through Oliver and Jean Pierre. The sound of the transfer was as if a jet engine was starting up — if the engine was being powered by hundreds of angry cats. "There is a physical change actually going on in the world, but to Max this is like creating a mosaic. Three billion little canvases and he's painting each into a picture that contains the new gene." 
 
The din of the light show that was once Max continued for the better part of an hour when everyone noticed the old wolf and the Kodiak drop to one knee almost simultaneously. When both clutched their hearts, breaking their bonds with the others, the family knew something had gone wrong.
 
Diego ran to the glowing green bears and shoved his hand against the Kodiak's chest. He shut his eyes and saw his entire energy move through him into the brown bear. He moved it towards the bear's heart and pushed against the rupturing valve. "Heal, damn it," the boy yelled. "You're a heart. You know what you're supposed to be. Fix yourself." 
 
There was a flash of green light, and Diego found himself dazed and yards away from the family of bears. The brown bear staggered upright again and shoved his fist back into the air. The dome returned. Nathaniel looked down at the boy. "Interesting bedside manner," he said with a smile.
 
The boy shrugged. "It worked," he replied. He shook his hand and realized whatever had once been there was now gone. He carefully retreated to his family and grabbed Billy's hand. 
 
An explosion of ground from where the barn once stood blew across the field. A tornado of white light spun upward toward the sky. "They're losing it," Donovan yelled. The Armbruster's wolf pivoted toward the growing energy funnel. 
 
"Stand Fast!" the polar bear commanded. "We do what Max told us to do."
 
"They have no idea what they're up against, Old Bear. Oliver and JP can draw power like none I've ever seen, but they lack control. They need more training before they understand how to move what they've collected into Max." Donovan pushed his hands out toward the energy tornado heading toward the hospital. "I will stand fast, BUT I WILL NOT STAND DOWN!" His arms drew back toward his side and the white light of the tornado spiraled toward the Armbruster's wolf.
 
Donovan's hands moved in circles, gathering the energy around his paws into a tight circle of brilliant light. He turned toward the group of glowing beasts. His paws pushed forward. The white light burst from the wolf, slamming into the Glacier Bear. He looked at the polar bear. "I am a Changeling. Above all I protect. I am Terran. I protect my family." 
 
The Armbruster's wolf turned back toward his glowing family. "Badger, Kermode, you have to control the transfer. You're spreading Max and yourselves out across time. Focus!"
 
"There's just too much, I don't know how," came the voice of three-year-old Little Jean from the white bear holding hands with Max.
 
"I'se got no way to control it," Oliver yelled. "I can't stops it from coming and going where it wants. I ain't got the strength to hold it."
 
"Badger, Bear, break the bond. You will all die if you don't get control," Donovan yelled as turned toward the erupting ground to his left. Before the tornado had even sprung from the ground, his swirling hands glowed white and pushed the power into the blue bear.
 
"Little Ones," the voice of a temple dog yelled out over the calamity, "Circle Stance!"
 
The badger and Kermode pulled away from the boy. Their feet set stance and their arms rose before forming a graceful circle between the chest and the outer reach of their paws. "Breath in," Lie Wei yelled. "Gather your chi into the circle. Feel it move into you, Remember Little Ones, one part stops, all parts stop. One part moves, all parts move. Feel the flow of the circle. Move your chi into the circle. Take in the chi with your breath."
 
 Oliver and Jean Pierre's color began to return to normal as the light swirled around their hands. "Now, grab Max's hand and breath out," the temple dog said. "Let the chi flow out to him. Push and breath out!" 
 
The light slammed into the bear, and for a moment, he was gone. When he returned, a ten-year-old boy stood dazed and lost between the badger and the Kermode. "Mom, Dad!" the boy cried out.
 
Paul's hands became blue flames, and he started racing toward his son. A large muscled arm covered in black fur pulled him up short. "Stand down, Human," the wolf ordered.
 
"But he's my son."
 
"And a beast, Nephew," the black wolf growled. "His body can take this abuse. Touch him and you're a dead man. I can't let your family sacrifice any more than it already has. Those in the fray are my husbands and the boys I helped turn. These are my charges, today. Stand down."
 
Before Paul could protest, Martin knelt in front of the little boy and grabbed him into a tight hug. "Max, your dad is here. But I have to help you back to him. He can't come to you. Do you understand?"
 
"Yes."
 
Derrick knelt next to his mate. "You don't look so good, Old Wolf."
 
"I'm dying, Pup. I can't sustain the drain Max is making on me."
 
"Then we give him what he needs to save humanity. We stay together as a family through the end." The black wolf wrapped his arms around his mate. 
 
Oliver looked at his husbands. "We stays together, Old Wolf. We stays together forever."
 
Derrick shut his eyes and smiled. "This is for you, Oliver." The black wolf cradled the failing Iberian wolf on one arm and grabbed the paw of the badger with his other. "I FORM THE FEET AND LEGS!"
 
The old wolf looked up. "I FORM WHATEVER THE FUCK IT IS I FORM!" he yelled.
 
Oliver grinned. "AND I GIVES YOU BOTH HEAD!" 
 
Derrick howled in pain as he burst into blue flames that became purple as Will added all he had to the pup and badger.
 
The boy in the middle of the maelstrom for a moment became the blue bear and then returned to human form. The cat shook the young boy, who was fading in an out of phase. "Max. I need you to pay attention. I know you're scared, but you have to find a blue bear. He's your friend. He will bring you home."
 
"All I see is fire, Uncle Martin."
 
"Look for the blue bear, Max. He's there. You just have to find him." Martin squeezed the boy even more tightly into his hug.
 
"I see him, Uncle Martin. I see him. He looks lost just like me."
 
"He is Max. You trust me right?"
 
"Sure."
 
"You've seen football before, right?"
 
"Yeah. Diego plays it."
 
"You remember the times when he would run at a guy as fast as he could and slam right into him?"
 
"Yeah," the boy said with a laugh.
 
"You have to run into the bear just like Diego. You run as fast as you can and smash right into him."
 
"Won't he get mad?"
 
"No, Max. The bear got lost. He sort of split in two. You're going to put him back together."
 
Max was quiet for a moment. "I'm the bear, aren't I, Uncle Martin?"
 
"Yes, Max. You became the bear you always wanted to be. Now you go smash into him and put yourself back together, okay? You have work to do as the bear. You have to finish that work."
 
"Okay."
 
Martin closed his eyes. "Run boy. Run like our lives depend on it."
 
There was a pulse of white light that knock the gathered family to the ground. When they looked up, Martin was hugging the glacier bear. 
 
Donovan grabbed another blast of energy erupting from the ground. He spun it out toward the blue bear. "Old Bear," the Armbruster's wolf said, looking at Eric, "it's not enough. The bear will fail. He doesn't have enough energy to pull off the transformation. It's almost done, but he needs our help."
 
"How do you know?" the polar bear asked. 
 
"Because Oliver is telling me. He's a Channeler, just like me. Clan talks to clan. But he has the Sight. He sees what the bear is doing." The Armbruster's wolf looked to the green glowing bear. "The bombs are gone. Terra is safe. Our children are not. We protect. Give the order, my love. You have no time to hesitate."
 
Eric heard the words and let go of his son's paw. The polar bear turned to the Changelings. "Brothers, you heard the plea. We do what needs to be done. TERRAN CHANGELINGS… ALL IN." The bear's fists pushed out and when they opened, the green light sped toward the Armbruster's wolf.
 
The Changelings all turned and followed their leader. As each burst of energy hit the wolf, he shook, but his hands stayed in constant motion, rolling and shaping the energy into a spiraling ball that blended the colors of the clans. 
 
The swirling light around the wolf coalesced into a ball of white light when the wolf's ears perked up and his eyes shut tight. His left hand reached out and a ball of white light slammed into Anders and Chipo, knocking them across the field. "Yellow clan," Donovan yelled above the fray. "Stand down."
 
Ander's shook his bear body and raced back toward the tumult, his body glowing bright yellow. "We can help," he yelled. 
 
Chipo finally righted himself and hurled back toward the gathering. Donovan's fist rose again, threatening a repeat of what had just happened.
 
"You have given enough. Badger says stand down. You stand down." Donovan's white eyes looked at the Carver family. "Blue clan! All in!" the Armbruster's wolf yelled out the command.
 
Paul looked up. "Carver family," he yelled. "Flame On!" His hands flared blue, and he pushed them toward the wolf. His wife and children followed his lead, and Donovan grabbed the bolts of blue light and spun them into the mix. The Armbruster's wolf turned and his paws pushed out. The ball of blinding white light surged into the once blue bear.
 
The cat looked into the glacier bear's eyes. "Finish this, Max. There's no time to hesitate. Do what you have to do and finish this."
 
The bear's face saddened. "But, Uncle…"
 
"Finish this now, Max," the cat yelled. "You promised to save Terra. You've done that. Now save the humans. Take us all if you have to, but finish this."
 
The bear's wings sprung out from his back and folded around the cat. "Et mutationes incipere," he whispered in a voice no one but the cat heard over the escalating noise. "It ends here." 
 
The family remembered the deafening noise that grew beyond painful. They remembered the rush that was like a wind that blew them off their feet, tossing them about like rag dolls. They remembered the light… the searing light that left the humans sunburned and the beasts smelling a bit of burnt fur. And they remembered the moment that they realized that Max and Martin were nowhere to be found. But mostly they remembered the pain… the indescribable pain of finding the four lifeless bodies where once their family and lovers had stood.

Chapter 18

"I don't care what the hell your policy is, officer. From what I understand, you have your hands full with unaccountable deaths as it is. We will take care of our own. We filed the paperwork with you as a courtesy." 
 
There was a pause while the white bear listened. "No, there will be no autopsies on any of the six. READ THEIR FUCKING DEATH CERTIFICATES! If you have questions, feel free and try to make it to the island in all the turmoil out there. Just don't expect us to provide you with transport. We are in mourning here. Our traditions allow no one but our families on the island during times like these."
 
There was another silence. "You do what you feel you have to, officer. We will do the same. I will say good day to you, but only because my training has left me with an inability to say, 'KEEP YOUR FUCKING NOSE OUT OF OUR LIVES, AND STAY THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY, BECAUSE I WILL COME DOWN ON YOU LIKE A RABID POLAR BEAR IF YOU CROSS ME!'"
 
The bear, finding no way to slam down a receiver on a ComLink, threw it across the room, shattering it into tiny metallic bits. The bear's head dropped on the desk and he sobbed. "Oh god, Will, what am I going to do without you to take these calls?"
 
Eric felt Kris's warm paw rub his shoulder. "Who do you need me to be, Old Bear? Father? Husband?"
 
The polar bear looked up, "I am so lost, Father. How can you cope? How can you even reach out to another without the pain silencing every comforting word you try to speak?"
 
"Because I have two sons who are hurting beyond endurance and I have to be there for them. One day, when their pain softens a bit, I will fall apart and rely on them to pick up the pieces."
 
The white bear reached out and hugged the Kodiak. "One day, I will be there for you. But for now, it will be all I can do to be a father to our child."
 
"Then tonight be my husband. Be the father of our child and let us grieve his loss. Let us help him find a way to endure the unendurable. He will never be our child again after this night. Life has taken too much from him ever to see this world again through the eyes of a child."
 
"The death of our husbands, two children lost, and every joy in our son's life shattered. Was it worth it, Father?"
 
"Our husbands thought so. They didn't hesitate to do what they did. Time will tell what comes of these last few days, but I will honor them by never questioning if their sacrifice was worth it. I couldn't take another breath if I doubted for a moment that what they did was best for our family and Terra."
 
"I wish I had your faith and vision, Father. One day when I am a few thousand years older, maybe I will see the rightness of all this. But for now, I only see our loss."
 
The brown bear lifted the polar bear. "For now, that may be all any of us can see. Come, Son. The candle ceremony will start in a few hours. Our son needs to be there. We have to help him prepare the badger's body."
 
"It's too soon, Husband. Can't we give him just a few days more? Can't you give me just a few days more?"
 
"We set the timelines because they force us to face the deaths. We have to let their bodies go because they keep us from binding our hearts to their spirits."
 
"I know the practices and rituals of the Terrans and Changelings. It might surprise you that I don't give a damn about them when it comes to my family, father who is my husband."
 
Kris laughed. "How can I not love the husband who makes his father laugh at such a sad time?" The brown bear rubbed the top of the white bear's head. "We will make it through this together, Husband. Are you ready to help our son?"
 
Eric looked up and sighed. "I will never be ready to say goodbye to these men, but I will go to help my son."
 
The knock on the museum door went unanswered, so the father bears put their paw on the print reader and the garage door opened. Inside, they found their son kneeling next to the body of his husband, struggling with the shroud as he wrapped it around the tiny body.
 
Nathaniel looked up. He held the lifeless body in his arms out to his fathers. "I don't have anything to heal him. It's all gone. I keep telling him to wake up. He has to be just sleeping. There's not a bruise on his body. Please, Fathers, wake him up. Don't make me have to do this." A painful wail filled the museum's lower floor and pushed out onto the island. 
 
Anders turned from the top of the lighthouse and looked down at the red building. His husband put his arm around him and pulled him close. "I have spent so many years as the companion of death. Just once could he pass over my family? Must we always be the ones to save the humans at such a cost to those we love?" The bear roared out his pain and the island werewolves joined in the agonized howl of a loss so great that words no longer expressed their feelings.
 
Sarah looked up from the kitchen table listening to the dirge sung by her family. Her husband stood by, unable to find the words to stem the tide of tears his family had shed. "My baby… my baby boy," she cried. Kristopher, Jessica, and Billy stood beside their parents, trying to understand what they one day would realize is never understood. For now, they only knew the bear who was their brother was gone. 
 
Tyler and Michael sat across the table from the Carvers, doing their best to control their grief. Tyler looked up. "No… this isn't right… This isn't fair." He stood up and flung the table across the room. "My baby can't be dead." He bolted toward the door and Michael followed as the door flew off its hinges and the howl of the fathers pierced the fog. 
 
The carillon bells began to ring, calling the family to the candlelight ceremony. Paul pulled Sarah up. She looked him in the eyes. "There's not even a body to say goodbye to. He's just gone."
 
"I know, Babe," Paul said. "I keep thinking we have it easy. I can lie to myself and say he's out there somewhere. That he's fine and happy." His voice choked. "We have paid too high a price to save our kind. God help them if my son's sacrifice doesn't turn the tide, because I will see them all in hell before another child in this family dies for their sins."
 
He reached over and grabbed the children's coats from off the coat rack. "Come on, children. We have family to say goodbye to." The children dutifully put on their coats and stepped out into the night.
 
Even the island was in mourning. The evening fog lay over the land like a shroud over the corpse of a loved one now gone. Path lights gave a faint glow as the fog obscured even the pathways on the island. The Carver and Durand family began their walk to the vigil, leaning on each other to move forward with each painful step. 
 
As the two families walked out onto the large east-side field, they saw the father bears with their son. Kris led with Derrick in his arms and gently laid him down on top of the wood frame. He leaned over and kissed the black wolf wrapped in cloth and backed away. 
 
Eric stepped forward and placed the old wolf next to the pup. His thick claw tore into the wrappings around both wolves until he freed their hands. He placed the two paws reverently together. "Go together wherever you go, noble wolves. I will miss…" The white bear choked on his words and he let his tears tell the wolves the rest. 
 
Nathaniel moved up from behind the polar bear and placed the little badger between the two wolves. "Now you're a family," he said as he touched the badger's lips. "When this is done, I will take you all home to be with Max. You should spend eternity with someone as special as him. I wish I knew what happened to Martin. I hope the cat and the sloth are happy wherever they meet." Nathaniel leaned over and kissed Oliver. 
 
Tyler and Michael carried their son together on a stretcher made of birch wood and elm bark. They laid him next to the three husbands and rubbed the cream-colored fur on his head one last time. "Four years is too soon to say goodbye, Son. Use your wings to fly back home. We will be here. We will wait for you forever," Tyler said. 
 
Michael leaned over and kissed the Kermode bear. "Soyez heureux, mon fils."
 
The wolves stepped back and the Carver family laid a flower bouquet with the bodies. Paul did his best not to choke through his words. "We feel the same as the Durand family, Max. Find a way to fly back to us. Don't make us live without the bear we love so much in our life. We will wait here on the island. Come home. You know where we live."
 
Across the island, the old Carver home stood invisible to the eye. As it had done for so many nights before, a beam of yellow light shot up into the sky, spread out across the darkness, and disappeared. Chipo looked up at the beam with a sudden flash of recognition. He looked over the crowd, searching for Anders. When he made eye contact, he motioned him over toward the west. 
 
"Did you see the flash of yellow light?"
 
Anders shook his head. "No, not tonight. I've seen them before. What do they mean?"
 
"I think it might mean that Martin isn't dead. Maybe Max as well."
 
"What? How?"
 
Chipo pointed toward the invisible house. "We need to head over to the Hargrove House." The black rhino began walking quickly and the grolar bear followed. "Max moves through dimensions, Anders. Space, time, worlds… he plays in them the way we run along a forest trail. We veer off the trail from time to time, but we come back. No big deal. We don't mess up the world. But his steps off the trail have consequences."
 
"Sure, got that idea under the belt, but what does that have to do with the yellow light?"
 
"Let's say Max gets lost. We know it can happen. We saw it just days ago. He split across timelines. Martin brought the boy and the bear across two timelines and merged them back together."
 
The bear nodded. "Right. Are you saying Max got lost again?"
 
"Maybe not lost; maybe more like blown off course. Think about the power he was working with. What if the cost of what he did was to be kicked out into a part of this altered universe he doesn't know how to return from?"
 
"It would be a good idea to take along a homing pigeon… or in Max's case, a homing cat," Anders said thoughtfully. 
 
"Exactly. But what if the cat is trying to find not just the doorway back, but the right time to return? If you're swimming in time, jumping out onto the shore at the right time is just as important as where on the shore you jump." Chipo shook his head. "Okay, I'm mixing up the metaphors, but you get my point."
 
"I think so. The lights appear months ahead of the event because Martin is trying to find his way back, both in space and time."
 
"Right. Max might be hurt, or he might have done what the rest of the Changelings did with their powers. If he used them up, Max might be powerless to help Martin locate where he is or how to bring them both back. Martin might be flying blind. He might be sending out signals in the dark, hoping someone answers."
 
"But because he started sending out signals in a timeline months before he got lost, we never tied it together with what it might mean. He's found the location, he's trying to find the right time." Anders shook his head in disbelief. "It's hard to tie my head around the idea that he's been trying to find a way back before he even got lost."
 
The rhino filled in the rest of the thought. "Even Martin didn't understand what he was looking at," Chipo said as he stopped short in front of the house. "He's out there in time. He wants to avoid coming back when his saber-tooth cat fits the landscape. Or worse, the two get eaten by a dinosaur."
 
"Then we can help Martin. We can form the triad. We send him a signal and he triangulates and moves toward us. He comes through in a time when we are both alive and so is he."
 
"It's worth a try, but it also means if they both return, they do it on the night their husbands are being laid to rest."
 
"Oh, dear god. We have to get them back right away," Anders said frantically. "But what if Martin doesn't light it up for another week? His husband will be long since gone to the highland."
 
"We do exactly what he has been doing," Chipo said, rubbing the back of his thick, gray neck. "We shoot into the dark and hope that he sees it. He has been looking for an answer all along, and we need to trust that he will be better at finding it than we have been. The two stood in front of the house that wasn't there. Chipo pushed open the door he couldn't see and headed into the house where the dark pit lay. "I think that we're looking at the center of Martin trying to find his way home."
 
"Then let's get to work. The eulogies won't last forever." The bear brought his paw up and it glowed yellow. He thrust his hand downward and a bolt of yellow light sped into the darkness.
 
The rhino's hand rose and flamed into yellow as well. "Come on Martin. See us. You don't have time to dawdle. Come home, Cat. Come home to say goodbye to your family before they're no longer here." The rhino pointed his hand down and fired repeated bolts of light into the pit. The darkness absorbed the light.
 
The grolar bear walked to the other side and fired the light into the same space. The two began walking around the pit, firing into the center where they watched the light disappear into the void. "Equidistant apart, Anders. If this is to work, he has to have a bit of reference to head toward."
 
"I agree. Just don't stop, Chipo. You have no idea what a good man Martin is. We can't afford to lose one of our own."
 
Chipo looked up and smiled. "I agree. He seems to be a remarkably friendly feline."
 
"He is that," Anders said, smiling back as another volley of yellow light sped from his hand. "But he is more than just a companion to play with. He is a finder of lost souls and a restorer of lost dreams."
 
"Then let's hope he can flip his talents to bring himself back." Another blast of light sped into the darkness, but this time, there was a response. Up from the center shot another beam of yellow light.
 
Anders cheered. "Go, Martin. You find your way back. You snatch your life back from death. Kick his ass and don't look back." The bear and rhino began firing beam after beam of light into the pit. 
 
"Okay gentlemen, you can tone it down," the rhino and bear heard from the pit. "We're coming up. No need to take off our fur in the process." The two looked into the darkness and saw nothing.
 
"Max, you need to open up a portal here. You're just on the other side of our home. You need to see the portal," Martin's disembodied voice said.
 
"I can't see, Uncle Martin."
 
"You're blind, Max. That doesn't mean you have no senses. Use them. Feel your way through the void. It's like stumbling around in the house with the lights off. You have to remember what it looked like before you lost your sight. It's there. Touch it, feel it, and then reach out and open a portal to it. Bring us home, Max. You can do this."
 
Anders yelled out. "Max, you have to do it. You have to do it now. Bring yourselves home. There is something you have to do on this side and you have to do it now. You can't wait. Listen to my voice. Find me in your mind. See the doorway and come through."
 
The darkness of the pit rippled like a black pool of oil and a blue furred fist broke through. "Grab him, Chipo," Martin yelled, "but be careful. He's got a broken wing, and he's blind."
 
"I have him, Cat," the rhino said as he reached down and pulled the glacier bear out of the pit. 
 
"Come on, Cat. Reach up. I'll bring you home," Anders said happily. "I've needed to cheat death for so many, many years."
 
Martin laughed. "You didn't cheat him, Anders. He was never involved with us." A spotted paw shoved through the rippling void, and Anders pulled the cat back into his world.
 
Max smiled. "Are we really back, Uncle Martin?" 
 
"I told you we would find a way back, Max. There's always a way back."
 
"I'm sorry for both of you," Anders said, "but your husbands didn't survive what happened that day. You have only a few moments before the candle ceremony is over. If you want to say goodbye, you will have to…"
 
Martin interrupted the grolar bear. "No, what day is it? How long have we been gone?"
 
"It's Fourth Night."
 
Martin looked panicked. "Chipo, shift to rhino. We'll put Max on your back. You run back there faster than any rhino has ever run and you stop the ceremony. Don't let it happen!"
 
"It's okay, Uncle Martin. It's only a candlelight vigil. We'll be okay. They have those all the time on the mainland."
 
"Max, didn't you ever read the stories of the Changelings?"
 
"I was ten when Li Wei wanted me to read those. I sort of forgot to get around to them."
 
Martin threw the bear up on top of the black rhino. "Changelings don't have candlelight vigils. They have candle ceremonies. After everyone has said their goodbyes to the deceased, they set the candles on the funeral pyre and burn their bodies."
 
"No," the bear screamed. "Chipo, you have to get me there. Please, I have to get there."
 
"Hold on Bear," Chipo yelled. The rhino leapt forward. There was a thunderous crash as the rhino's body smashed through the house that wasn't there.
 
Martin turned to Anders. "How fast can a rhino run?"
 
"That one is fast. He will be there before we even start running."
 
Martin looked off to the east and saw the light of the fire glowing brighter. "Oh, please, let it be enough." He hit the ground as the saber-tooth cat and ran toward the light. "Gaia, Terra, do something. Those men saved our lives. Don't let this happen."
 
There was a clap of thunder and the skies opened up. The deluge of rain pummeled the crowd at the candle ceremony as they looked up into the water pouring from the darkness. It splashed over the logs the four bodies lay on, but the fires continued to leap upward, protected in part by the very bodies the flames were about to consume. 
 
"Stop," Max yelled. The crowd turned to see a rhinoceros barreling toward the group with a winged bear on his back. The bear's left-wing dangled limply to the side, but there was determination in both their faces. "Don't let them burn, Chipo. Whatever you do, don't let them burn."
 
"Out of my way!" the rhino roared. The crowd in front of the beast leaped to the sides as he slammed into the burning pyre. The bodies slid off along a slide of cascading logs into the rain and onto the muddy soil below.
 
Sarah screamed with joy and rushed to her son. She hugged and kissed him. "Not now, Mom," the bear yelled. "I can't see. I need Jean Pierre. I have to get to Jean Pierre."
 
Max's mom dragged him to the carefully wrapped body and put the bear's hands on the shroud. "No," Max cried out. "We have to get whatever they're wrapped in off of them. I can't help them if I can't touch them."
 
Kris looked at Nathaniel. "Don't ask questions. You get Oliver, we'll get the old wolf and Pup."
 
Max looked up with clouded white eyes. "Mom, I need your help. I'm blind. Help me get this stuff off before it's too late."
 
Max heard the cat purring. "Out of the way, Niece. This requires something you don't have." Sharp claws sprang from the cat's paws and he tore past the cloth. "He's clear, Max, and he's just as beautiful as the day you left. Bring him home."
 
Max leaned into the Kermode bear and kissed him. His body fell on top of the lifeless bear below. He stopped the kiss and said, "Find it, JP. It's right there in front of you. See it. See your body, JP. Run to it, and when you're right on top of it, you don't slow down. You run right into that wall of bear and become one with it."
 
There was a gasp of breath from the bear, and his chest heaved up from the ground. The bear below smiled at the one above. "I have the most outrageous hard-on."
 
"Yeah, me too," Max said. 
 
"It's Fourth Night," Martin said. "No time for extended hellos. We have our family to bring home."
 
Max gave Jean Pierre a quick kiss. "You keep that thought… you know… outrageous hard-on… I promise I'll get back to you about it." Max stood up, his arms flailing. "Bring them to me. Bring me my uncles."
 
Nathaniel ran up to the blue bear and handed Oliver to him. "It's the badger. It's Uncle Oliver."
 
Max squeezed the little mammal tightly. "Come on Uncle Oliver, you know what to do. Run to the badger. Run!" The bear paused. "Damn it, Uncle Oliver, we don't have time for this." Another pause. "Okay, but if you mess up the other's getting back, so help me." The bear pulled up the badger from his hug and kissed the badger deeply until the badger was gasping for breath. 
 
"It was worth it, Bear," Oliver said as the bear placed him down onto the muddy ground.
 
"Give me Uncle Will. Where's Uncle Will?" the blue bear called out grabbing at air. 
 
"Here he is, son," The polar bear said, handing him the limp body of the Iberian wolf.
 
Max fell onto the mud below and ground his body into the wolf. "I know you, Uncle. You won't make this any easier than Uncle Oliver did." He kissed him, slipped his paw up along the crotch of the wolf, and pulled the sheath back to expose the wolf's cock. He rubbed it while kissing the old wolf until, with a loud gasp for air, the wolf reclaimed his life. "Well done, Kid," the wolf said. "Now go save my husband. I've already been dead before. This is old hat for me."
 
The muddy bear reached up his hands, and the Kodiak lowered the black wolf into his paws. "That's Wolfy, Max," Kris said.
 
Max felt the face of the lifeless wolf. He pulled him into a close hug. "Come back to me, Wolfy. You can't turn a boy and not let him grow up beside you." He leaned in and kissed the wolf. "See the black wolf with blue highlights. See the father of the blue bear. Run to him, Wolfy. Run to the wolf you have always been." The lips returned to the kiss, but there was no movement. The bear continued to hug the lifeless body, but still no gasp of breath, no twitch of a muscle. 
 
Max looked at the wolf. "You don't get to do this, Wolfy. I can't spend eternity with you in my head." The bear began CPR; his thick paws pressing into the rib cage of the black wolf. 
 
Will watched the bear's efforts. "You should be pounding him from the other end, Max. Pup is lost inside that brain of yours. Give him a reason to find his way back to his body."
 
Max rolled the wolf over. The bear lifted himself just enough to move his one-working wing outward. He grabbed the other,ret trying to hide what was about to happen from the crowd. The glacier bear lurched forward. The fully erect cock of the bear plunged into the black, furry butt of the beast below. "Come on, Uncle. Find that body of yours. Don't waste time wandering around. It's Fourth Night. I don't know what the hell that means, but I bet you do."
 
Derrick gasped for breath and sputtered with his mouth sloshing around in the mud puddle below him. "Fourth Night." He mumbled. "The last night the Changelings believe the souls of werebeasts can return to their bodies. We were on a deadline, Nephew. You might want to point that out to my husbands the next time they want to slow anything down just to get a kiss from you."
 
"I knew it," Max said with a touch of anger in his voice. He looked at the badger. "I told you. You almost locked your husband inside my brain forever."
 
"Sorry," the badger said. "I'se glad you could bring him back. I just wanted a kiss like Jean Pierre gots."
 
"Uncle, all you have to do is ask. I won't ever say no." The bear pulled back slightly from the pup.
 
"Nope," the black wolf objected as he pinned the bear's paws to the mud. "You don't leave until you finish what you started."
 
Oliver and Will sat watching the bear take their husband. Oliver tugged at Will's arm. "We should'a held out."
 
Will nodded in agreement as the rain poured over his muddy body. "Yeah, I think you're right. Well, except I really like Pup, and I would hate for us to lose him just to get our butts plowed."
 
"Yeah, there is that's, I guess," Oliver said with a sigh. "Still, the bear knows what he's doing, that's for sure."
 
"Yeah, he does," the old wolf said, turning toward the badger. He looked at the little mammal's matted, muddy fur. "You look so beautiful, Oliver."
 
Oliver laughed. "I'se a mess, Old Wolf."
 
"I don't care," the old wolf said as he fell backward toward the ground, pulling the badger with him. He kissed the badger. "I'm going to fuck you now, Oliver. If the pup gets to get plowed tonight, so do you. Can't be having favorites in this family."
 
Oliver laughed. "They's got kids here, Old Wolf, and you ain't got wings to hide it."
 
"They're all home," the wolf said authoritatively. "It's pouring rain."
 
"No were not, Uncle Will," the wolf heard Alejandro say. "We're all…" there was the noise of a sharp tug and bodies being scooted along. "But, Dad," Alejandro protested. "It's like a biology class in 3-D."
 
"We're leaving now, Kids," the Padre said forcefully. "Your Uncles need some alone time." The collective sigh of disappointment from the foster children made the uncles laugh, as they now waited patiently for the children to be escorted away from the field. "It's good to see you, men," Pastor Jim said over the rain. "Prepare to get your asses kicked tomorrow for what you put my family through." He leaned over and kissed the muddy Iberian wolf. "But for now, I'm so glad to see you again, old friend."
 
Hanuel and Kwan pushed the crowd of children toward the pathways leading to their home. "The Padre is right," Kwan said in his most commanding voice. "Time for little wet ones to get inside and dry off. Our family has come home from where no one ever returns, and that is a cause for celebration. Tomorrow we plan a grand party in honor of their return." 
 
As the children cheered, the Padre looked at the two and raised an eyebrow.
 
"A party which we will have three days from now when they come up for air," Hanuel added. "With lots of cake for the old wolf." The children cheered even more loudly and willingly moved toward the Marine Officer's Hospital.
 
Paul leaned over his son, the blue bear. "You know your Mom is beyond happy to see you when she lets you get away with mounting a wolf who's not even your husband. She hasn't said a word. I can't think of a single complaint myself. Welcome back, Son. You boys come home to visit tomorrow, okay?"

"Will do, Dad," the glacier bear said with a smile. He smelt the proximity of his mother and heard her footfalls. Max began pulling out from the wolf, preparing to stand.
 
"UH unh, No, you stay right where you are, Maxwell Carver," Sarah said. "I am having the sight of my son's bare bear genitals flopping around in my brain forever. Don't budge. I'll come to kiss you goodnight." She walked over and kissed her son on the cheek as the bear took his wings and covered his body and the wolf's below. "Good night, Derrick," she said to the wolf below her son. 
 
"Good night, Dr. Carver. Sorry about this," he said apologetically. He paused. "Well, sort of. It is nice to be home, and I genuinely love your son."
 
Sarah laughed. "I know, boys. Have a wonderful night. And for god sake, make sure you sleep in a room that has showers tonight."
 
"Yes Ma'am," she heard six voices reply. 
 
The Carver family turned and, as they walked away, Kristopher said with a smug attitude, "I told you they were going to do it."
 
"I don't care what they do, Son," Paul said without looking back. "My boy is home and my family is okay. Let them have their night together."
 
"Yes, sir," Kristopher said, happy to agree.
 
Nathaniel looked at his fathers. "Oliver seems preoccupied with his husband, but my cat is back. You know how sex relaxes me after a trying day, right?"
 
The polar bear laughed. "Go, Son. How could I deny you that reunion?" The short-faced bear took two leaps and was on top of the cat, rolling in the mud while kissing him. The polar bear laughed. "Well, that was a quick conversation." He looked at his brown bear mate. "We best call the ranch. It will thrill the pack to hear this news. I doubt they can break away from the turmoil out in Montana, but at least they will know that when they next see their pack brothers, it won't be at their graves." 
 
With the good news passed along to those at the ranch, the two father bears looked at each other in the pouring rain. "Well, we're already wet," the Kodiak said smiling.
 
"True," the polar bear replied. He leaned in and kissed the Kodiak. He rubbed the brown bear's nipples with his paws and the Kodiak's paws went instinctively toward the polar bear's swelling cock.
 
There was a cough from in front of the two. They looked down to see the Kermode bear. "I'm kind of missing my regular dance partner," Jean Pierre said shyly as he stood in front of the two bears, his erection bobbing uncomfortably hard and his wings outstretched. 
 
Eric smiled. "Chet is on his way. As soon as I told the Montana group what had happened, I saw nothing but wing and he was gone."
 
"I know. We both do. Will has been teaching both of us to use the Sight to sense our family. I think it's the only reason we're kind of randy around everyone tonight. Max knows he can have Wolfy tonight because Chet is already on his way."

 Kris nodded his head. "Well, Pup is a pleasant distraction, to be sure. I suppose we could do our part to distract you until Chet's arrival tomorrow."
 
"You can wait until tomorrow to be back with Chet, Son," Tyler said. Jean Pierre looked at his father with a disappointed frown.
 
Anders reached over and hugged Tyler. "They're young, wolf. You remember those days, don't you?"
 
"But the bears. You know they're going to do what they do, and the temple dogs are just standing there and they're going to smell the Changelings, and…"
 
Anders leaned in and kissed Tyler. The Changeling bear's hands roamed over the werewolf. "I give up," Tyler sighed. "Come on Michael. The lighthouse floor needs cleaning."
 
Michael laughed. "And our backs are just the mops for the job," he said, grabbing Lewis and walking toward the lighthouse.
 
Jean Pierre looked at his father. "So, Dad?"
 
"Have fun, Son. But, could you please not gauge what the rest of the world's genitals should look like based on those two bears and the temple dogs?"
 
"Sure, Dad," the Kermode bear replied. He waved as his fathers walked off with Lewis and Anders. He looked at the two father bears shyly. "I'm still kind of new to this. I've only been with Max and Chet."
 
The polar bear smiled. "And we're new to winged bears. I guess we're all in for a learning experience tonight."
 
The bear smiled, his wings still sprawled out behind his back. He kicked the muddy ground, watching the water splash. "I'm sorry about the wings. That happens when I get excited."
 
Kris smiled. "I think they're very attractive."
 
"Really?"
 
"Really," the bear said as he leaned in for a kiss that the Kermode bear willingly returned.
 
The polar bear slipped up alongside the winged bear and kissed his neck. He looked up and his nostrils flared. "Temple dogs, men. They're already aroused. What say we take this to the south side of the island while we still can?"
 
The beasts looked up and nodded their muddy heads. Nathaniel looked at Martin. "I'm going to be late for work tomorrow, aren't I?"
 
Martin smiled. "I don't think work for either of us was even on the roster, Hon. And no one is going to persuade me to clock in for at least the next few days. You have no idea how far I have come back to be with you tonight."
 
Nathaniel reached out and touched the cat's face. "Please don't die on me again, Martin. I really have a hard time with it."
 
"I've always come back."
 
"I don't care. A doctor can only fix a broken heart so many times."
 
"I promise I'll do my best," the cat said. "Until then, let's not lose a moment of our lives worrying about the last four days. Time enough tomorrow for explanations."
 
Nathaniel hugged the cat. He felt a tug on his left leg. Looking back, he saw Oliver smiling a muddy grin. "Hi Bear."
 
"Hi Badger," the short-faced bear said.
 
The badger grinned. "Wants to fuck a little mammal in the butt?"
 
Nathaniel grabbed Oliver and began kissing him ceaselessly. 
 
The badger laughed out loud when the kisses spread across his belly. "You's tickling me, Bear." 

Nathaniel pulled Oliver into a tight hug, glad of the rain so the badger couldn't see the tears.
 
"You crying bear?"
 
"Of course," Nathaniel replied. 
 
"Is they happy tears?"
 
"Yeah, the happiest I've ever had."
 
"That's good. My happy tears are the best, too." Oliver squeezed in closer to the wet bear and shifted into the werebadger. He sighed when the cat drew close. "We's the most fucked up family in the universe."
 
Martin laughed. "Probably so."
 
Nathaniel pulled both beasts in closer. "Just lucky I guess."
 
The saber-toothed cat and the badger nodded and the three rose up. The bear slung the werebadger up onto his shoulders and wrapped the legs around his neck. As they crested the hill, the bear reached out and grabbed one of the temple dogs, pulling him back toward the south side of the island.

Chapter 19

The previous night's deluge had tapered off to a fine morning mist that fell over the island. The Padre's lips slipped off Will's cock. He squeezed the last bit of cum from it and lapped at the still stiff flesh. Will smiled. "Thanks for just pounding my ass instead of kicking it, Padre."
 
"Will," Jim said with an exasperated sigh. "Do you have any idea what it feels like to lose your best friend right before your eyes?"
 
"I had a lover and a husband turn into a rock for forty years. Does that count?"
 
The Padre smiled at the effort. "No, not really. It's hard to grasp how much this island hurt on that day or all the days that followed." Jim paused and slid up alongside the old wolf. "You have no idea how much I hurt."
 
"I'm sorry, Padre. We didn't have a choice. Max needed us all, but there just wasn't enough energy to take our bodies along and return them safely. So he took us without the extra baggage."
 
"I guess I understand that. Still…" the timber wolf's voice trailed off. 
 
Will pulled the Padre's face close and kissed it. "I'm sorry, Jim. I'm so sorry for the pain I've put you through."
 
The Padre smiled at Will. "You called me Jim. How many years and you finally called me Jim?"
 
The old wolf shrugged. "I guess it's time." Will kissed the timber wolf again. "So, can we just keep kissing the hurt until it's all better?"
 
Jim smiled. "That's going to take a lot of kissing, Old Wolf."
 
"I've got quite a stockpile of kisses, Jim."
 
 Jim leaned in and kissed Will. "Call me Padre. I like it when you speak Spanish to me."
 
"Cómo se dice ‘will you fuck me again', Padre?"
 
The smiling timber wolf ran his paw up alongside Will and gently shoved him onto his belly. "I think you said that just fine." Will gave out a joyful bark as the wolf above entered him.
 
Oliver looked up when he heard the bark. "The old wolf is sure happy."
 
Nathaniel looked at the little badger on his chest as he rose and fell with each breath. "I don't think there's a Terran on this island today that isn't happy." He looked around. "We seem to have lost Martin."
 
Oliver snickered. "Chipo grabbed him last night. Seems the rhino has a soft spot for his clan."
 
Nathaniel laughed. "Crazy world." His paw reached out and touched the badger's face. "Sometimes I think it's too difficult to live this life. The ups and downs."
 
"Yeah, but them ins and outs kind of make up for it," the badger said, cuddling up closer to the bear's neck.
 
The short-faced bear laughed. "I suppose so." He hugged the badger quietly, and the minutes slipped by with both content simply to feel each other breathing. After a time Nathaniel whispered, "please don't ever die on me again, Oliver."
 
"I didn't die on you's, Bear. I just went away for a bit without my body."
 
"It felt like you died."
 
"I'se so sorry for that, Bear. We didn'ts have no time to tell you what was happenin'."
 
"I think a part of my heart tore apart by what happened that day. I can't seem to shake the dread I fear every time you move away from me."
 
"It's gonna be hard for you, Husband. I knows what it feels like to always have a part of your heart that just don't heal." The badger sighed. "I gots scars for every one of them red wolves. I hopes they forgives me. Everyone that lived through that day tells me they forgives me; but the pain just stays there floating around, waiting for a bad day to shows itself again."
 
"What do you do, Oliver? How do you live with it?"
 
"I hurts for a bit and then I moves on." The badger rubbed the chest of the bulky bear. "I'se so sorry I'se one of those scars. I don't never want to hurt you."
 
"Maybe it will heal. Maybe right now it's just an open wound."
 
"That would be nice," the badger said. He thought on it a moment. "Nots that I wants you to have open wounds, Husband. I means it would be nice if you healed one day, and what we hads to do wouldn't hurt you no more."
 
Nathaniel laughed. "I know what you meant, Husband." The bear closed his eyes and felt the weight of the badger on his chest. "I love you, Oliver. I love you so much."
 
"I loves you too, Bear. I thinks we's been together too long for us not to hurt when we's apart."
 
The bear lifted his head. "What are you saying, Oliver?"
 
"That maybe I'se scared of what happened the same as you, Bear. That maybe I'se not so sure I wants to leave your side for fear I might not find my way back to you." The badger was quiet for a while listening to the bear's breath. "I'se seriously fucked up, Bear."
 
"Welcome to my world," the bear sighed.
 
The badger pushed up on the bear's chest. "Let's be fucked up together, Bear."
 
Nathaniel looked confused. "How do we do that?"
 
"We stays together for a time. Don't have to be forever, but we stays together."
 
"That could be very difficult, Oliver. We have very busy lives full of obligations. We can't just walk away from them."
 
"Maybe we could just always be together when we's having sex. You know, when we's at our closest to each other."
 
Nathaniel laughed. "So what you're saying is that you don't necessarily want monogamy, but you want us to start playing together whenever we play?"
 
"Sounds about right."
 
"What about our other husbands?"
 
"Well, they does pose a problem don'ts they?"
 
"I'm thinking, yeah."
 
"They don'ts have to always plays with us if they don'ts want to."
 
"Well, that's a given. I'm not forcing anyone to have sex with me who doesn't want to do it," Nathaniel agreed. "But there are times when I think Will and Derrick have every right to have you to themselves."
 
"I suppose. It's just that I wants to have you by my side. I'se afraid of losing you."
 
"And I want you there, Badger. I'm afraid too," Nathaniel said. 
 
A shadow swooped down and snatched the badger off the bear's chest. Nathaniel looked up to see Will walking away with his husband. "Father," Nathaniel called out, upset. "We were having a conversation."
 
Will turned around. "I know," he replied. "I'm stopping it now."
 
Oliver punched the wolf in the chest. "You gots no right."
 
"I have plenty of rights. You two just seem to be forgetting them."
 
"I brought that up," the bear protested. 
 
"Okay," Will said, returning the badger to the chest of the bear. He looked down and stared at Nathaniel's crotch. "Damn, Son, you have such a nice cock." He shook his head. "Sidetracked there for a minute. I really didn't want to leave the Padre for this. Okay, you two; rules of living as a beast from one who's been doing it a lot longer than you two."
 
Will sat beside the bear. "What happened to our family is horrible. It's frightening, and it leaves us all unsure. It makes us afraid. We realize just how quickly everything we love can be taken from us. Then we decide what we need to make that fear go away is to hold on to those we love even tighter. Soon we're not taking any chances. It is too scary for us to go outside, so we stay at home. We think that staying glued to each other will somehow make all that fear go away. As long as we can see the one we're afraid of losing, everything will be fine. We pull each other in so close we suffocate from our grasping."
 
"But we can't become those people." Will rubbed the chest of the bear. "Look, you boys want to start playing together as a couple, Derrick and I will play along. I like getting fucked by a hot short-faced bear as much as the next guy; maybe more. I'm sure Martin will do his part. And yeah, I like me some hot cat tongue on my ass more than most as well. So, I've got no problem with that."
 
The wolf leaned over and kissed the badger. "What I have a problem with is living in fear. Letting it eat you up inside so that you make choices not because they make your life better, but to try to make it less fearful. Oliver, I love you, but sometimes for all you see, you don't see how you let fear block your path. You hesitated to do what you felt was right during a battle. You feared turning against what human conventions taught you about right and wrong. That moment in time has haunted you ever since. You ran from me because you were afraid of what I might have felt about the badger you became. Fear kept you from seeing all I ever felt was a love for you that never wavered. You and Max stayed silent about the way you felt for each other because of fear, and you missed out on so much you could have offered each other."
 
The badger frowned at Will forcing him to think about his most difficult times. Will rubbed the little mammal's chest. "The only times in your life where you can truly say you have no regrets aren't those times when you played it safe. They're when you dove into life and grabbed for all you could. Your moments of greatest happiness were when you cast that fear aside and risked everything. You have the most beautiful husbands in the world." He paused. "And me… I'm okay, but not nearly as hot as Nathaniel and Derrick. And well, Martin, the boy's got that soft fur and that tongue; you know that's going to jack up the awesome factor by leaps and bounds.
 
"Oliver, you can't let fear keep you by the bear's side. Be there because you love him. Be there because he's got an incredible dick and about the hottest ass on the planet… and a furry chest to die for…" the wolf stopped, adjusted his swelling cock, and proceeded. "Okay, got sidetracked for a minute there. Be there beside the bear because he has a soul that is even more incredible than that body. Oliver, you have so much in front of you. Never stop taking it all because you want to hold on to just one slice for fear of losing it."
 
The wolf turned to the Bear. "And you, Nathaniel, you let the loss of those you love overwhelm you. We all have to grieve. But we don't die when our loved ones do. We live on, and we have to learn how to carry the pain of our loss with us. We live with that pain. We don't turn from it. You are the Unity. You're a part of the Were Nation. We don't deal with pain by curling up into ourselves, but by reaching out to others who can help us through those dark times. The most amazing family surrounds you. If you grieve, don't ever do it alone. Grieve in your own way and your own time, but never forget the love that surrounds you.
 
"Trust me, I'm a sympathetic soul. I used to be the poster boy of inertia when it came to love. I loved your Papa for over three hundred years without showing him just how much. Fear kept me doing what I wanted to do for centuries. He should have felt the teeth marks on the back of his neck so much earlier. I lived in fear that telling him what I felt would scare him away. It took Derrick… the shyest guy I know… to kick my ass and make the first move. But not anymore. I won't live my life that way anymore, because I've been dead once, and lost in some limbo world inside Max's brain. That's enough for it to soak in for me.
 
"We get one shot at this life. It's scary, and it's horrible, and it's the most amazing thing we will ever know. We have to embrace it all. There's no cherry-picking here. Nathaniel, Oliver, if I die tomorrow, no one will question your right to grieve. I hope I've lived a life worthy of you missing me. But I never… never… want you to stop realizing no matter how bad you feel, there are others out there who love you. Oliver, Son, there is always life beyond death. There is always life beyond fear. We have to embrace it. Be a part of life. Don't sit there on the sidelines, afraid you'll stub your toe instead of dancing to the music the world never stops playing."
 
Oliver looked at the old wolf. "So, you's done?"
 
"Yeah, I'm done."
 
"You's gonna lets me talk now?"
 
The wolf shrugged. "Sure."
 
"You wants to fuck a little mammal in the butt?"
 
Will grabbed the badger and spun him around into a kiss. "God, how I love you, Oliver. Yeah, I want to fuck a little mammal in the butt."
 
Nathaniel pushed up and smiled. "So do I."
 
Oliver looked at the bear, and then the wolf, and back to the bear. The fur on the back of the werebadger bristled in gleeful anticipation. "Double penetration," he said with a grin. "I think's this day is just gonna get better and better."
 
Chapter 20
 
The sun was beginning its climb toward midmorning as the two bears helped the Kermode straighten out his wings. Three temple dogs lumbered toward them and waved hello. "How are you today, Winged One?" Noboru asked.
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "I'm great. Really, really, great."
 
Noboru nodded. "The ancient ones have the same effect on us."
 
"And how was your night, gentlemen?" Kris asked.
 
"We also had a really, really great night."
 
"Ah… did you spend the night with Will?"
 
"No, with your husband, Pup, and the winged blue bear."
 
Eric grinned. "Well, that is a bit of a surprise."
 
"The two are most…" Katashi paused. "…energetic." The temple dog looked to the left and then the right. "I'm afraid the wall between gunnery apartments four and five will have to be repaired. There is a sizable hole." He paused. "Actually, there is no wall."
 
Kris's laugh filled the forest. "So you had fun?"
 
"Oh yes," Zhuang said with a grin. His brow furrowed a bit. "Although we have decided it might be time to let go of our scars. Being with the old wolf and the pup could very well leave us all scars and no fur."
 
"You'll at least have your memories."
 
Katashi nodded in agreement. "And they are happy ones indeed." He turned to the Kermode bear and bowed. "We are grateful for the loan of your husband last night. He is a remarkable creature. Oh, and his sight is returning. When his wing heals, he will be a most difficult beast in the most wonderful ways."
 
Jean Pierre bowed back. "My thanks for giving him such an auspicious night while I was indisposed," he replied trying to sound as formal as the dogs.
 
Derrick came up along the pathway and began to cross toward the forest on the island's leeward side. He waved to Kris and Eric. "Hi husbands."
 
"Where are you headed in such a hurry?" Eric asked. 
 
"Will left his ComLink turned on. Oliver said something about double penetration. Just going to check it out," the black wolf said with a smile. "You know… husbandly duties and all."
 
Jean Pierre looked at the two husband bears. "Can they really do that?"
 
"Will certainly can. He's done it before," the polar bear answered. "I'm afraid if Oliver is asking Will and anyone else to take him, he might have difficulty."

 "But Will can… well, he can…"
 
"Take two men up his butt?" Kris said bluntly. "Yeah, he can do it and get another man off by going down on him at the same time. And that's not considering what he can do with his hands and feet at the same time. The wolf has skills."
 
Jean Pierre's wings flashed out. "Oh, crap," he said, the frustration in his voice noticeable. He reached up and tried to pull the wings back into place, but they were having none of it. 
 
"Don't worry, Jean Pierre. You'll get used to controlling them with time. For now, just know we think you're beautiful." Kris leaned over and tapped the bear's erection. "I think they're linked."
 
Jean Pierre sighed. "Yeah, me too."
 
Martin came rushing by, dragging Chipo with him. "Good morning men. Can't talk. See you later."
 
Kris laughed. "You hear Will's open ComLink, too?"
 
"No," the cat replied. He pointed to his eyes. "The Sight, remember. When Will and Oliver get together, there's no way I can ignore it. I never imagined that Oliver could…" the cat looked over at the Kermode bear with the erect wings and genitalia. "Well, later… we'll talk about it later."
 
"What?" Jean Pierre asked. "You can tell me. I'm already hard, and it's not going down anytime soon."
 
Martin leaned over and put his paw to the bear's head. They closed their eyes for only a moment when Jean Pierre's startled eyes opened wide. "Oh, you can't do that, can you?"
 
"Oliver can." The cat waved again. "Gotta scoot, guys. Nathaniel isn't paired up yet."
 
Kris smiled and began a familiar, anxious rocking. Eric looked at him. "Well go… they won't wait for you, Husband."
 
Kris rose and kissed the polar bear. "Thanks, Hon. I'd stay and be sociable and all, but it's… you know… double penetration. Just watching it is like a double matinee with extra butter on the popcorn."
 
"So it would seem," the white bear said, waving the brown bear off with a smile. "You have fun. Try not to break any body parts."
 
The three temple dogs' noses twitched in unison. Eric shook his head. "Yeah, I know, gentlemen. Kris has no control over his pheromones. You go too. Have fun. Say Hi to Li Wei for me."
 
The three bowed deeply. "Thank you, Ancient One. We're sorry to leave you this way… but… but…"
 
"I know," the bear interjected. "Double penetration."
 
"We are most grateful," Noboru said as he pushed the other two toward the forest. Within two steps, the dogs were on all fours, racing toward the scent of the brown bear.
 
Eric leaned back. "I'd tell you to go watch, Jean Pierre, but you have a visit with your parents at ten, don't forget."
 
"Oh, crap," Jean Pierre said. "That's right." He tugged at his wings, but they wouldn't budge.
 
"Why don't you go down to the gunnery tunnels and see if Max is still there getting cleaned up?" Eric suggested. "He's probably in room four or five. I'm sure he'll find a way to help you get those wings down."
 
"That's a good idea," the Kermode bear said. "You said we have, like, an hour?"
 
"Yeah… shoot for ten o'clock."
 
Jean Pierre leaned over and kissed Eric. "I feel kind of awkward now calling you Uncle Eric."
 
"Our names will change many times throughout our lives. I'm not calling you Little Jean anymore, right? You don't have to call me Uncle. You can call me Eric, or Old Bear. I answer to both. The twins call me Notaku from time to time if you like that one. Chet calls me Klicktakuwa when he doesn't call me Father."
 
"What do they mean?" Jean Pierre asked. 
 
"Well, Eric means I hated my given name Lee so much that I took a name that I found while looking in a census ledger. Old Bear pretty much means a bear that's old."
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "No I mean Notaku and Click-a-whatever it was."
 
"Klicktakuwa. It means ghost bear in his native tongue."
 
"That's cool."
 
"He and I are the last to speak the language of the Mutwajigwa. They are all dead. Even history has forgotten them. But Chetanluta remembers. It sometimes makes him sad to speak the name. So, you won't hear it very often."
 
"Oh, I guess I won't call you that." Jean Pierre said sadly. "I know it's kind of dumb that Max and I gave ourselves wings because we didn't want him to be the last of the winged beasts. It's not like we can fly or anything. But we love him. We didn't want him to feel so alone."
 
"That's a very kind gesture, Jean Pierre," Eric said. He pointed behind the bear. "Your wings are getting soft."
 
Jean Pierre flexed, and the wings slipped back into hiding. "Not the best reason for them going down. I feel bad for Chet. He's such a good man. He shouldn't have to live alone."
 
The polar bear stood up. "I agree. Where is my son this morning?"
 
Jean Pierre closed his eyes. "Over Michigan. He'll be here later today."
 
 "Really?" the bear asked. "That boy of mine needs to understand the benefits of using the Red Wolf."
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "He has a lot to think through. He's comfortable in the air. We will wait for him. We will always wait for him."
 
The bear smiled. "Let him catch up to you two. He will be worth the wait."
 
"We know that, Eric," Jean Pierre said. He shook his head. "That sounds so bizarre coming from my mouth."
 
 "Remember, Jean Pierre, you don't have to go changing right away. Take things at your own pace."
 
"Call me JP. I know Jean Pierre is what you call one of your oldest friends."
 
"And one of my newest. I don't have a problem with that Jean Pierre."  
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "Then Jean Pierre it is."
 
The polar bear pushed up on his forearms and kissed the Kermode. "Now off you go. If you hurry, you'll have just enough time to get a shower in with your husband before heading out to your folks."
 
The wings flashed out again. "Oh, crap," the blonde bear said, as he turned and walked toward the gunnery tunnels.
 
The polar bear watched until he saw the Kermode walk down the steps next to the Gun Shelter. "Well, I guess I might as well join the family." He smiled. "After all, it is double penetration." 
 
The bear had taken only a few steps when he saw Donovan approaching. The two waved. "I'm on my way to join the family in some serious group rowdiness," the bear said. "Care to join me?"
 
The Armbruster's wolf grabbed the bear and kissed him. When they finally let their tongues slip back into their mouths, the bear inhaled deeply. "Or we could do some serious one-on-one rowdiness right here," he said, rubbing his paw across the wolf's chest.
 
"Old Bear, we need to talk."
 
"About you calling me your love in the middle of Armageddon?"
 
"Yes."
 
"I know it's traditional not to hold a man to his words in the middle of a crisis," the bear said, "but those words framed everything I did from that moment on."
 
The Armbruster's wolf stared into the black eyes of the polar bear. "I stand by my words. Especially those two, my love."
 
"Then I can hold you to the words?"
 
"If you will have me."
 
 "And what of my husbands?"
 
"The wolves pose a problem. They have so many husbands to look after already."
 
The polar bear smiled. "Our family juggles many responsibilities in the name of love, Donovan."
 
"They would not mind another?"
 
"We can ask."
 
"You said ‘we'," the wolf said.
 
"Of course. If you are to be my mate, I would be there to support you."
 
The Kodiak came trudging back from the forest with his head held low. "Martin, Oliver, and Will just shoved me out of the fun. They said I needed to come back here. I swear, when the three of them get together, the Sight just becomes a pain in the ass," he said, not looking up. "And not the good kind, if you know what I mean."
 
The brown bear looked up with a dejected frown that turned immediately into a smile. "Donovan. I didn't see you."
 
"I am sorry they kicked you from your play," the wolf said, reaching out to hug the bear. The two kissed and Kris's stirred passions found a new partner in Donovan's arms. Donovan pushed back gently and stared at the dripping cock of the bear. "But not too sorry. I can help with your frustrations, Bear."
 
Kris smiled and rubbed the wolf's straining cock. "And what of yours?"
 
"I am trying to settle that right now. For centuries, I have been the Changeling who has taken no partner. My calling left little doubt that I would one day fall in battle, and I had no desire to inflict that pain on a mate."
 
Kris rubbed his paw on Donovan's chest. "And now?"
 
"I still have no desire to. But I am working up the courage to ask your son to be my mate."
 
Kris's smile broadened. "That's wonderful. I am glad you choose to no longer wait." He turned to the polar bear and smiled. "He is a wonderful creature, Donovan. Find all the courage you need to finish your proposal."
 
"I would be braver if the Kodiak bear I loved was beside me to help."
 
Kris turned his gaze back to the wolf. "You would have to ask the Kodiak bear to be your mate first."
 
"I am asking, Kris," Donovan said. "I'm just not very good at it."
 
"It's easy. Three words, Donovan. Be my mate."
 
Donovan stared into the eyes of the Kodiak. "Be my mate."
 
Kris smiled. "For me, it's even easier. One word: Yes." The two embraced in a kiss that sealed the pact. When the wolf felt the paw of another bear on his shoulder, he turned to the polar bear.
 
"I will make this easy for you, Wolf. I will take care of the three words, leaving you with only one more word to say. Be my mate," the polar bear begged.
 
The wolf raised his paw and rubbed the cheek of the bear. "Yes," he said as he leaned in to seal the pact. When he felt the brown bear toying with his erection, he pushed back. "And what of you, Bear? Such a sad face on you moments ago."
 
"Double penetration, Donovan. I mean, it was all fun, but someone was going to get banged like you wouldn't believe."
 
"You have the old bear and an even older wolf that love you, Kris. I see no reason you can't be that one."
 
Kris's smile widened. "Really?"
 
"It will get very messy," Eric said, pointing over Kris's shoulder. The wolf and brown bear turned. Four temple dogs were rocking anxiously. "They follow the pheromones, Wolf. Three Changelings about to take each other is more than they can cope with."
 
"Nonsense," Donovan said. "They will cope just fine." He turned to the dogs. "Gentlemen, we require witnesses to the double penetration of the Kodiak bear and the day four temple dogs mounted him in succession. His legendary skills must never be called into question. Join us, please."
 
The dogs leaned forward and leapt toward the wolf and bears.

Chapter 21

The two winged bears fumbled awkwardly inside the shower. "Jean Pierre, you need to get your wings down," a frustrated glacier bear said. "They're just a blur to me. I can't figure out where they are." 
 
"I'm trying, Max," the Kermode whined. "They just don't go down when I'm excited." He flexed, and the wings slammed into the shower enclosure, smashing the glass door out onto the floor. "Oh, crap."
 
Max laughed. "Oh well, at least we have more room now." He leaned in and kissed his husband. "I love you JP. Be my mate," Max said with a smile.
 
"I already am."
 
"I know. I just like hearing you say that you will be again."
 
"Yes, I will be your mate."
 
The two kissed again and Max kissed gently across Jean Pierre's neck, his chest, the rounded belly, and finally, he took the Kermode's thick cock into his mouth. The wings spanned out even tighter. "Oh, crap."
 
Max looked up. "It's okay, Hon. I can fix that." His head bobbed back down on his mate's dick and he began sucking again.
 
"Oh, that's not helping at all, Bear," Jean Pierre groaned.
 
"Give me time. This should work," Max mumbled with a mouth full of cock. "I have the Sight, remember?" The blue bear giggled past his fellatio. "I can't see worth a damn, but I've got the Sight."
 
Later, as the two soaped up their furry bodies, Jean Pierre flexed his wings, moving them gently back and forth in a flapping motion. He smiled. "It worked," he said happily. 
 
"Yeah, so we know now that if you cum at least three times, you get control back."
 
The Kermode bear looked away shyly. "I'm sorry. It's embarrassing. I have erectile wing dysfunction."

 Max laughed. "I love you, Bear. I don't care. We're new to our bodies. This will all work out with time." He took the shower wand and started rinsing off the blond bear's body. 
 
"Max, I'm not twenty-eight."
 
Max smiled. "I know. I'm not thirty-five."
 
"What?"
 
"We're sixteen, Jean Pierre," the glacier bear said as he stepped out of the shower.
 
"But why?" the Kermode said, following his mate.
 
"Because I want my life with you to have a time when we were kids."
 
"You can't just do that, can you?" the blond bear asked, rubbing his towel along the backside of the blue.
 
Max nodded. "Yeah, I can. Well, I guess I should say, yeah, the thirty-five-year-old me can. I haven't got a clue how he did it." The blue bear turned, leaned in, and kissed the blond bear. "After what we've been through, we deserve to be kids for a while. Everyone deserves a childhood. Look at Oliver and Will. They never had a childhood. They lived through the awful from such an early age. And now, they're trying to make up for lost time. They play like the kids they always wanted to be. I'm just taking care of that for us."
 
Max rubbed his towel on Jean Pierre's chest. "I used to love the way you and I would be together when we were young. I didn't want to lose it. We're going to grow older, Jean Pierre. And when we reach an age where we decide we're comfortable being who we are, I'll stop the aging."
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "Well, that explains why my wings and other things keep popping up at the most inopportune times."
 
Max laughed. "Yeah, for me too. You can thank my broken wing, or I probably would have put out an eye in the shower today."
 
"But our bodies…"
 
"They're a constant. These are the bodies we'll have forever. I hope you're okay with yours. Your dads wanted you to lose weight, but your human body is what you had after the turn. I didn't go changing that."
 
Jean Pierre looked down at his overweight bear gut. "Yeah, I'm good with both my bodies."
 
"You are beautiful, you know," Max said consolingly. 
 
"I'm working on that idea," Jean Pierre said with a shy grin. With a shake, he became the tall, overweight human. "I hoped to lose the weight my dads always hoped for, but truthfully, I'm okay with who I am."
 
"Well, I think you're gorgeous, and husbands are never wrong about such things," Max said with a smile. "And I can see you better. At least I can see you're not a bear. Maybe we can play a bit with our ape suits for a few hours."
 
Jean Pierre's eyes widened. "Oh, crap," he yelled. "We're supposed to be meeting up with our families at the Hospital Steward's Home. What time is it?"
 
"It's a quarter to noon."
 
"Oh, crap. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap." The baldheaded man said frantically. "We were supposed to be there at ten."
 
"Oh, crap," the blue bear said as he ran out the bathroom door, through the hallways, and out into the cloudy day. He looked frantically about, straining to see the stairs. His mate was right behind. "Shift to bear," Max said. "Bears can run fast."
 
JP gave a shake, and the werebear returned. "Unless we can run faster than the speed of light, we're going to be way late no matter what, Hon."

 The blue bear stopped and turned back, looking at the blond bear. "Hon… you called me Hon." He kissed the Kermode and grinned. "I am so going to love my life with you," Max said. "I still can't see well enough to make it on my own, Hon, Let me piggyback on you. You can carry me easily."
 
Jean Pierre shifted from werebeast to bear. "Climb on, Husband," he said. Max climbed on top of the Kermode. The flash of Jean Pierre's wings sent the blue bear tumbling out onto the grass. "Oh crap," the frustrated blonde bear sighed.
 
"It's okay, Hon," Max said, shaking himself as he rose back onto his feet. "You can walk me there. I enjoy holding your hand."
 
The two bears arrived in short order and used the knocker. Jean Pierre tried to fully retract his wings but settled for them waving lazily toward the back. Sarah opened the door. "Hello boys, she said with a smile."
 
"Sorry we're late, Mom," both bears said at the same time. 
 
"No, you're right on time," Sarah replied. "I told your Uncle Eric that we would expect you at noon for lunch. I figured after last night, you might want to sleep in late."
 
Jean Pierre grinned. "We didn't sleep."
 
Sarah plugged her ears. "Na-na-na-na-na-na," she yelled. "Don't want to hear it. You're talking to your mother boys."
 
"Yes, ma'am," Jean Pierre said, his grin still there. He turned to Max. "We have to thank Eric for fudging the hour we needed to be here. If he had said noon, you know we'd have still been two hours late."
 
"Yeah, we would have." Max's nose sniffed the air. "Is that strawberry rhubarb pie I smell?"
 
His mother laughed. "Yes, it is. I guess I better get used to a keener nose in the house." She looked up at the swirling gray clouds. "Well, come on in. Mother Nature is about to make up for last week's sunshine." 
 
There was a distant rumble of thunder. Out in the forest, the beasts' ears perked up. The wolves sniffed the air. "Rain coming," Will said. 
 
"Yep," the badger agreed, never slowing his fellating of the Iberian wolf.
 
"Don't care," Chipo said as he pushed himself deeper onto the cocks of the cat and bear. "You wolves aren't the only ones going for double penetration today." The rhinoceros grimaced for a bit as he worked the cocks into himself. "I need stories to tell my pack when they arrive here in two days." He paused for a moment, easing himself ever lower until the fur of the beasts' groins met his leathery skin. "Yeah, that's where they need to be," he sighed. He looked at the wolves and badger. "My hide is thick. No reason to stop because of a little rain."
 
The beasts all nodded their agreement and continued their play, grateful for their warm fur and thick hides.

Chapter 22

Donovan stood on the knoll beside Kris and Eric, watching the beasts at play. "How I envy them," he sighed. "I have never known what it feels like to abandon myself to the best of who we are. My defenses are always up, even when we are at our most intimate."

 Eric rubbed the shoulders of the wolf. "As are theirs, Donovan. What you haven't learned yet is how to keep your defenses up while letting your job go."

"And you can do that, Old Bear?"
 
"It is easier for me. I know that being a healer rarely requires me to make the choices you have had to make." 
 
Kris reached out and held the paw of the Armbruster's wolf. "This is a new world, Donovan. You may yet find a place here where you can rest. Look at the little badger. See how lost he is in the moment? But threaten that moment, and he is as fierce a warrior as you have ever known."
 
"Agreed."
 
"He knows how to unhook from his job, Wolf."
 
"Perhaps I should talk to him. He told me once that I could, but I have been a lone wolf for so long. Embracing another doesn't come easily."
 
Kris laughed. "You seem to be just fine with the two of us and four temple dogs."
 
Donovan returned the laugh. "You two drag me into places I have never dreamed I could go. Is it any wonder I want you as mates? I'm just not sure that will be enough to make the warrior in me stand down."
 
"Try not to force him to," the polar bear said. "Ask him to share his life with that part of you that isn't a warrior. Ask the warrior to become one with the part of you that left four temple dogs bowing in gratitude today. It doesn't have to be a change overnight. Just don't let the warrior fight embracing the peace because he knows only war."
 
"Tough suggestion."
 
"You're a warrior. You're supposed to be tough," Kris said without a hint of humor.
 
"That is true," the Armbruster's wolf responded. "Perhaps this warrior needs to train for a different battle. The one where he can commit all he is to the ones he loves on the field of play."
 
"I'm willing to help you train," the Kodiak said, this time with a wide smile. 
 
"As am I, Wolf," the polar bear added. "We had a good workout today. Let's say we keep up our training. There are two werewolves down there who I am sure will help."
 
"I am afraid for them, my loves," the wolf said quietly. "You are both Changelings. I know my limits with you. But the wolves. They are different."
 
"They are that. But don't let that frighten you off."
 
From the field below, Will looked up and saw the three standing. After giving Oliver a quick kiss, he shifted and bounded up toward the three as a wolf. "Good afternoon, men," he said as he shifted back to his werewolf form steps away from the three.
 
"Good afternoon, Husband," Kris said. "We didn't mean to pull you away from such important activities." 
 
Will laughed. "That's all right." He reached out and let the polar bear take him in his arms. The two kissed, letting their lips say what their words never could. When they broke, the wolf touched the muzzle of the bear. "I'm sorry, Old Bear. I'm sorry for the pain I put you through."
 
"Circumstances dictated actions I know were beyond your control. I am glad you're home. Nothing else matters."
 
Will smiled. "Then all is forgiven?"
 
"There was nothing to forgive, Old Wolf. But if you want to feel guilty about it and restitution involves multiple hours of sex, I can try to act wounded."
 
"I too can act upset if you'd like, Old Wolf," Kris said as he wrapped his arms around the wolf from the back.

 "You, Bear, I do owe an apology to," Will said, turning to Kris. "I don't know why the three of us would kick you out of what was happening this morning."
 
"Because you all have the Sight," Donovan said. "I'm thinking it's for the same reason you're up here now."
 
"True," Will replied, staring at the three. "Well, come on guys… tell me all about it before the temple dogs do."
 
Donovan looked away shyly. "I asked your husbands to be my mates."
 
Will stared at the other wolf. He smiled. "Wonderful choices. I bet it's going to involve some serious damage to one of our buildings soon."
 
"You don't object?"
 
"No, not at all." 
 
"And the pup?"
 
"Ask him yourself. I'm pretty sure he's coming up here soon. His Sight is still young. When he's distracted, he doesn't notice things as quickly. But you just told me, and that means Martin…" Will's voice trailed off as he looked back at the happy gathering of beasts. Martin was tapping Derrick on the shoulder. When the black wolf looked up, the cat pointed toward the four on the knoll. In an instant, the black wolf came bounding up the hill.
 
"I'm sorry," Derrick said. "I was preoccupied. This is family business, I assume?"
 
"I hope so," Donovan said. "I have asked your husbands to marry me."
 
"All three?" Derrick asked.
 
"No, I'm sorry. Just the bears."
 
"Oh well, that's a good start," Derrick said with a smile.
 
"I would feel remiss if I were not to…"
 
Will cut Donovan off. "No, Wolf, don't propose to us. Not yet."
 
"But to share your husbands' affections in front of you, to share your bed…"
 
"We're fine with that, right, Pup?"
 
"No problem. As long as we get to watch." The black wolf looked at the confused Armbruster's wolf. "Just kidding… sort of… unless you kind of like having someone watch… then I probably would…" He paused. "I ramble when I get excited."
 
Will grabbed the pup into a sideways hug. "We might jump in now and then if you three start-up around us, but nothing too pushy, mind you."
 
Donovan stared at the two. "I don't understand."
 
Will smiled. "You're new to this world, Donovan. Eric and Kris are familiar. They're home."
 
"As much as we hate to call them this," Derrick added, "They're baby steps for another Changeling."
 
Kris looked at Derrick. "I think I should be offended."

Derrick shook his head. "No, not at all. We're talking OH BABY kind of baby steps, but this is a bold and frightening move for Donovan to take. Let him ease into this world before we ask him to dive into the deep end."
 
"I had no problem with you two," Kris rebutted.
 
"I know, Husband," Will replied, "and we're grateful. But you're not a warrior. And you don't hold that responsibility of being a Channeler dropped on your shoulders by the universe. Donovan does."
 
The Armbruster's wolf looked at Will. "You understand?"
 
Derrick reached out and touched Donovan's paw. "We both do. Don't burden yourself with two more challenges. Let your warrior stand down in his own time. For now, your heart tells you to love these two. Let that be enough."
 
Donovan shook his head. "I can't believe… it's just that… I…"
 
"What?" Will asked incredulously. "You didn't think we would get it?"

Donovan looked at the two bears sheepishly. "They don't"
 
Will and Derrick both laughed aloud. "But what they understand of you, Donovan, will lead you to the place you've always dreamed of," Will said. "Trust us. We have the Sight."
 
"I know. We gave it to you."
 
"We know," Derrick said. "And you're a bastard just like Oliver told you. You're lucky wolves don't hold grudges or this conversation would have gone a lot worse for you."
 
"I'm grateful that you are both so understanding."
 
"Think nothing of it, Wolf," Will said. He leaned in. "So, did they explain what the family gets to do after you've mated?"
 
"I don't believe so."
 
Will's smile widened into a lecherous grin. He reached out and grabbed the arm of the Armbruster's wolf. "Come on, Wolf. You, me, and the pup need to go for a walk." He tugged at the wolf, pulling him away from the bears.
 
"Old Wolf," the polar bear said with an air of concern. 
 
"I know, Papa Bear. I'm either a part of the solution, or I'm part of the problem."
 
"Don't forget it."
 
Will grinned at the polar bear and then gave a quick kiss to both bears. He put his hand into Donovan's, and Derrick took the other paw. "I never do, Old Bear. I never do."
 
The two bears watched as the wolves retreated to the forest. "He's going to have Donovan so confused by the end of today," Kris sighed.
 
"Yeah," Eric said with a laugh. "And Will's kind of confusion is just what Donovan needs."
 
Kris nodded. "I suppose you're right." He looked down at the frolic still going on below. "Seems they're two men short."
 
"I noticed that."
 
"It would be rude not to pitch in and help."
 
"You want the badger or the cat?"
 
"I think I'll see what the rhino is up to," Kris said as he began walking toward the group, rubbing his furry butt. "Have to maintain good international relations after all."
 
From below, Oliver looked up and smiled. "We gots bears," he yelled. The group looked up and shifted for the new arrivals.

Chapter 23

Inside the house, the family sat around the kitchen table. One leg of the table was hastily duct-taped together with a few screws inserted to hold it together. Tyler had already promised to replace the table and fix the wall into which he threw it. He was best friends with Greg, so he assured everyone that the head of construction would move the repairs to the top of his list.
 
The family sat quietly eating while some calming New Age music played in the background. Michael cleared his throat. "I have three things to say. First: Carver family, thank you for such a wonderful lunch. Second: I am glad that our sons are home safe, and except for a broken wing we all know will heal quickly, they seem to be in good health." The Carver parents politely nodded their agreement. 
 
"And third: I am a Labrador wolf. Like most wolves, we are nervous in the company of humans. Human predation has left my Avatar virtually extinct. Please understand that I am not blaming your family at all. I am just saying there is an instinct that runs deep in my kind. So, I am polite and defer to what humans want." He was quiet. "But I am also French Canadian and, Mon Dieu, I don't know how you humans can sit across the table of a son who you thought dead and not just need to hold him forever."
 
Sarah looked up. "We were trying our best to be reserved in front of you two."
 
Tyler's yellow eyes widened. "Are you saying we are sitting here not hugging the stuffing out of these two because we're all trying to be polite?"
 
 Paul reached over and grabbed the blue bear in a tight hug. "Not anymore."
 
The two wolves grabbed their Kermode bear son, hugging his chubby body and kissing his cheeks. Jean Pierre wiggled uncomfortably. "Dads, don't forget the two of us should have a say in this."
 
"No! You have no say at all," Michael countered. "If you let us think you are dead instead of simply taking care of your job, this is the price you pay for that oversight."
 
Max laughed. "Let them be, JP. I don't know about you, but I'm kind of good with this," he said as his mother kissed him repeatedly on his cheeks.
 
The Kermode bear thought a moment and then grabbed his fathers, hugging back, "Yeah, me too."
 
When at last the hugs ended and the tears dried, the family sat back down to their lunch. Paul looked at his son. "It will take a bit of getting used to having a son who will always have more hair on his head than I do. Historically, the Carver family goes bald pretty quickly."
 
Max smiled. "You're okay with a bear for a son?"
 
"My Uncle is a bear. His fathers are bears. I'm getting pretty used to that part." Paul put his hand on his son's paw. "I have always told you it didn't matter to us who you were or what you became, as long as you were happy."
 
Max nodded. "But learning your son was gay since he was three, that he travels through dimensions to return as a thirty-five-year-old man who turns into a bear with wings and mates with a husband who's a bear with wings," he paused, "that, Dad, is a bit extreme."
 
Paul laughed. "No, that is a lot extreme."
 
Sarah put her hand on her son's other paw. "You're home and you're safe. You have a beautiful husband who loves you. All the rest we adjust to in time."
 
"As can we, Son," Michael said to Jean Pierre.
 
"Thanks, Papa."
 
"What about the elephant in the room?" Tyler asked.
 
"What?" the two bears said, confused. 
 
 "It means what do we do about the question no one is asking?" Tyler responded. "What happened when you left this world, and what's going on out there in that world right now?"
 
"We're supposed to have a party to celebrate our return, right?" Max asked.
 
Michael nodded. "That's true. The whole of the Island, The Montana pack, and more than a few of the Were Nation will be here to celebrate the day after tomorrow. Chipo's pack will be here for sure."
 
"Do you think we can all wait until then for a Q&A?"
 
Sarah and Paul looked at each other. "I suppose," Paul answered. "You do have more important things to attend to than answers, don't you?"
 
"He's coming for us, Dad," Max said. "He's been flying since he heard the news last night."
 
Tyler looked at the blue bear and then back to his blonde bear son. "I didn't think I'd ever say this after all we've been through, but you both need to get out of here." He stood, pulling his son up with him. "Go. Get ready so you can be with the man you love."
 
An hour later, the red-tailed hawk spiraled out of the sky. Just before the hawk touched the earth, he became the dark angel. Chet looked up and smiled at the two bears. "How are my two favorite winged bears in the world?" Chet said as he jumped toward them into a hug. 
 
"We're doing good, but we're sorry about what happened. Everyone has been hurting so much since that night."
 
"I stopped hurting the moment I heard you were alive. I don't look back, Jefes. A hawk's eyes see most of what's behind them by simply looking forward. I try to live my life that way. I attend to what is behind me to make sure I don't repeat mistakes and stay safe. But I look forward. Now that you are back with me, I will not lose a minute of my life to the pain I felt before." 
 
Chet took a deep breath. "So what say we find a place in the woods and see if we can ruffle a few feathers?"
 
Jean Pierre's wings flashed out, extending fully. "Oh crap," he sighed. 
 
The hawk-man stared at the bear. "Retract your wings, Jean Pierre," he ordered. 
 
Jean Pierre grabbed one wing with both paws and tugged at it. "I can't, Chet, I'm sorry."
 
Chet's eyes narrowed. "How old are you, Jean Pierre?"
 
"Old enough to love you," the Kermode bear responded shyly.
 
"HOW OLD?"
 
"Sixteen."
 
"I knew it," the angel fumed. "Only one who hasn't fledged would have such weak control of his wings."
 
"They get better after I've come a few times," the blonde bear said, trying to see the bright side. 
 
Chet turned to the blue bear. "And you, Max. How old are you?"
 
"I'm sixteen too," Max said. He paused. "I can explain."
 
"Explain what? That two sixteen-year-old boys almost let me have sex with them because I didn't have a clue how old they were?"
 
"COMING THROUGH," the baritone voice of the badger yelled out. "Oh hi, boys," Oliver said as he passed the two bears. "I loves what you's done with the wings, JP. Most folks ain't willing to make that bold a statement." He pushed past the two and grabbed Chet's hand. "Hope you boys don't minds if I borrow your friend here. We gots some things we needs to talks about."

Chet looked down at the badger pulling on his arm. "Oliver, we're in the middle of a discussion here."
 
"And you will be again," the badger said. "But for now, you's coming with me."
 
"No, Oliver. This is an important conversation."
 
The badger looked up. His hand fluoresced red. "This is warrior class, Hawk. You can come with me as my friend, or I can knock you clear across this island and talks with you then. I knows what I wants, but you's coming with me now."
 
Chet looked at the two bears. "This isn't over. Not by a long shot."
 
The winged man followed the badger as he led him toward the gunnery. "Down here," Oliver said, pointing to the steps. Chet walked down, and Oliver followed. The badger led him through the hallways to an apartment. He pushed open a door. "The temple dogs and Max sort of messed things up here, so mind yourself around the broken wall." 
 
The winged man ducked under the broken doorjamb and entered the room. "What's this all about, Oliver?"
 
"This is about me keeping you from fucking-up your life," the badger answered. "You know I loves you, right?"
 
"Of course," Chet answered, the irritation clear in his voice.
 
"Then understand that's the place I'se coming from today." Oliver jumped up and sat on the bed. "Grab a seat, or a perch, whatever you likes. We's gonna talk about how you's about to make the biggest mistake of your life."
 
 "I may have already made that." Chet shook into his human form, still standing. "Oliver why?"
 
"Why what, Chet?"
 
"Why did you have me change in front of the family? You said it was for something bigger than all of us. That I had to do it. You made it sound important. All it's done is cause me to let down my guard, and the result is nothing but pain."
 
"I saids you was gonna be asked to be a part of somethin' bigger than all of us," Oliver replied.
 
"Right, that's exactly what you said."
 
"Love is bigger than all of us, Chet. Love can makes a badger whole when he was dying inside. It can makes two little boys remember a man who was good to them when they was growing up. And it can change them so much thats they wanted to become like him. Love can take men and make them bears with wings. Love does that, Chet. It's bigger than all of us."
 
"That's what you meant?"
 
"It's what I means now. Back then, all I knew is that you had to let yourself free. I didn't have no clue why it was so important until now. Them bears loves you, Chet. They changed their world just to be like you. They weren't never bears with wings in the before time. They was just bears. Simple, ordinary, black bears."
 
Oliver patted the bed beside him and Chet sat down. "What they is now, is ‘cause of you, Chet. Your love gave them wings. Loving you let them see colors in their lives they never saw before and they turned them colors into the fur they wear. They shows their pride in their family, in their powers, in their clans, and mostly they shows their pride in loving you. They did that all because of how they felt growing up besides you. What you done for them two is bigger than all of us. I didn't lie."
 
Chet sat silent for a moment. "I didn't know."
 
"We never knows, Chet. I didn't know when I told you. I just sees it now looking back after being in Max's head for so long. But none of us never knows what lives we's gonna touch by our kindness. Or who we's gonna love one day. What I knows now is that them bears love you."
 
"Do you know about them now?"
 
"That they's still little ones?"
 
"Yes," the winged man said.
 
"Yeah, I knows. Age is a strange thing, Chet. I see them growing older every day. I thinks one day Max will make it stop and they'll be like us. They's gonna live forever, but they wants to do it with you." The badger took a deep breath. "Chet, you's fightin' this idea cause you don'ts see the big picture. I keeps trying not to show it to you. But you gots to understand them boys. They ain't got a crush on you cause you're cute and nice to them. This goes deeper."
 
"How could it, Oliver? You said it yourself. They're just kids."
 
"They is now, but they weren't the day they died. They was adults, with adult feelings, and adult loves. Them boys was old enough to turn, and they was old enough to love you."
 
"I… I don't understand," Chet stammered.
 
Oliver's brow furrowed. "What the hell is it with Changelings and beasts? Can't you never take nothin' on trust?" The badger's paw shoved up against Chet's chest and glowed bright yellow. "See's it, Hawk. See's them boys' last day on earth."

Chet was suddenly in a whirlwind of chaos. Ash and smoke were everywhere. The bodies of the dead lay burnt on the ground, their flesh and fur peeling away from their skin. Buildings were now mere rubble and fire. And in the middle of it all, was the man with graying hair cradling a bald, overweight man who only moments before became his husband. He was crying out, but Chet couldn't hear the words over the din of a world in its death throes.
 
"Look at them, Hawk. See's them."
 
Chet's voice boomed out over the calamity. "I see them. JP is dead. Max is dying. He's crying out for something, but I can't hear it."
 
"It don't matter what he's saying, Hawk. Looks at Jean Pierre. See's what he's holding."
 
Chet strained to see what the badger could see that he could not. The bald man slumped over in Max's lap, his arms tightly folded against his chest. If he was holding something, all the smoke and ash obscured it. Then Max let go of his tight hug around Jean Pierre. He raised his clenched fists toward the sky and screamed. The dead body in his arms shifted. Jean Pierre's left arm slid away and fell limp at his side. The torn, burnt wing of a red-tailed hawk slipped out from below the locked right arm that still hugged the rest of the bird. Just as quickly as it had begun, the vision was gone.
 
Chet fell off the bed to his knees. "I was… I was dead."
 
"We all was," Oliver added. "But only one of us was in them boy's arms when the world died. Max loved only two beasts in the world enough to come all this way back to save them. One he dragged back with him ‘cause without him, he couldn't save the other." 
 
The badger gently slapped Chet upside his head. "Why's you think they's got wings? It weren't so they could fly. It was so Max woulds never forgot why he came back. Every time he seen them wings, he would remember why he sacrificed everything. Them boys came back in time to save the red-tailed hawk they loved. They came back to save their husband."
 
Chet looked confused. "Their husband?"
 
"Yeah, their husband. It weren't just the boys that was married that day. You gots a love story that will be sung by werebeasts and Changelings for all time. Them boys came back from Hell to save you. They stopped the end of the world to be by your side." 
 
The badger pointed his finger at Chet. "So, you gots one more thing to do that's bigger than all of us. You's gots to love those boys when they's growing up, and you gots to help them become the men you's gonna share your bed with. ‘Cause that's what they wants and needs from the man they love." The badger paused for a moment. "And you's gots to get yourself a bed, ‘cause them boys ain't sleeping on that damn perch."
 
"But it's like being a father and a lover at the same time."
 
"Well, that's just sick," Oliver said. "You'd expect that kind of thing from Changelings, ‘cause they's always fucking everybody. A father who marries his son, and bangs his own boy now and then. Can'ts go having that. That damn polar bear seeds himself a little man who becomes a bird and then spends thousands of years banging him because they loves each other. Of course, they never gets married ‘cause the little man calls the bear father. Can't go having that kind of weirdness going on. But then them Changelings are all a billion-zillion years old, so maybe that's not so bad."
 
Chet shook his head in disbelief. Oliver pressed on. "Look ats your family, Chet. We plays fast and loose with titles in this family in the name of love. It all comes down to what's it gotta take to keep us together?" Oliver moved to the broken window and looked out on the concrete hallway. "Does you think Max just pulled sixteen years out of the hat?"
 
 "I'm not sure what you mean."
 
"Those two loved you right up until the day they died. They was twenty-eight and thirty-five the day we all died. When we all came back with Max he changed them two bears' ages. He didn't change their hearts. They loves you likes a twenty-eight and thirty-five-year-old man. They loves you like the bears you made love to on the highland just a few weeks ago. That love's just trapped inside sixteen-year-old souls so they can be kids for a few years."
 
Oliver turned back toward the angel. "Them boys sacrificed so much to save this world. Max wanted them to have a normal childhood—even if just for a moment. He wanted them to know what it's like to live a year a day at a time instead of one every week. So he gave themselves as much of a childhood as he could gives them without them ever forgettin' how much they loves you. Sixteen is the legal age of consent in Canada. Max knows what he did.
 
"He ain't worried about you getting in trouble with the law. He knowed no ones gonna think twice about them two in their older bodies. But he picked an age where they coulds be kids for a time. But mostly so you coulds know no matter what happened, they was old enough to know what they wants, and what they wants is to be with you."
 
Oliver jumped off the bed and hugged the angel. "Wait for them if you gots to, Chet. They's in no hurry. They's got the Sight. They knows what they's waiting for, and it's you. We don'ts live in a normal world, Hawk. Max had to make choices. He tried to find the middle ground between them being the boys they never was and being the men who died loving you."
 
"Just don'ts leave them wondering, Chet. You tells them you loves them and then you figures it all out. This ain't no fantasy world where everything works out in half an hour. This could take years, but you gots years to take. You gots to look at the big picture and like I tolds you, that picture includes somethin' that's bigger than all of us. It includes love."
 
Chet reached down, pulled the badger up, and kissed him. "Thank you, Oliver."
 
"You's welcome, Chet. But if you picks out a bed anytime soon, coulds you make sure it's got space to fits an extra badger alongs with all them bears?"
 
Chet held out the badger and smiled. 
 
"Just saying. ‘Cause I knows a badger with the Sight and he says angels is just about the hottest thing ever."
 
"Why don't we go looking for one tomorrow in Billings?" Chet asked. "I think Max and JP will be more than happy to help us look." 
 
"That sounds fun. The news says people needs to get back to their normal lives to keeps the economy from collapsing. Buying a bed right now would almost be patriotic. Do you thinks they woulds let us test them?"
 
"Not the way you're thinking, Badger."
 
"Damn."
 
"Would you excuse me, please, Oliver?" Chet asked. 
 
"Of course, you go find them boys."
 
 Chet sighed. "I hope I haven't messed this up beyond repair."
 
"They's waiting for you, Chet. They's been waiting for longer than you realize. Don'ts make them wait no longer."
 
Chet pulled the door open and watched it as it fell off its hinges. "Max and the temple dogs did this?"
 
"Derrick helped."
 
"Son of a gun," Chet said with a laugh.
 
Chet found the two bears looking forlorn by the breakwater. He cleared his throat and when they turned; he smiled at them. "I'm sorry, boys, I was out of line. You, Max, brought that on yourself, and I will not apologize for my confusion. I am in love with a thirty-five-year-old man one day and then he's sixteen a few days later. That is an awful lot to ask of any man."
 
"I know," Max whispered. "I just wanted us to have a childhood. I wanted to remember what it was like to fall in love with you all over again."
 
Chet knelt beside the two. "And I can't blame you for wanting that. But it comes with a price. I cannot mate with children. I am very, very old school. As in a twelve-thousand-year-old kind of old school. If you love me, I need you to help me cope with the choices you've made."
 
"What do we do?"
 
Chet sighed as he thought. "First, we have to have a level playing field for our expectations. The two of you and I have a date for mating, and I don't intend to postpone it any longer than I have to. Spend this time as children. I will enjoy the time with you growing up." 
 
The hawk-man pushed the two bears gently apart and sat between them. He kissed Max and gently nudged him. Simply watching the kiss resulted in Jean Pierre's wings spreading out behind the threesome. "One day you will be men and on that day, I will give myself to the most beautiful bears I have ever known." He leaned into Jean Pierre and kissed him as well. "And I have known the polar bear far more times than you JP, so accept the compliment without commenting about your weight."
 
Jean Pierre looked at Chet. "Known, like Biblical known?"
 
"Yes, that known."
 
"So you know about… about… the two of us… and…"

 "I know, JP. And all of us will discuss the nature of deception one day very soon, won't we?"
 
"Yes, sir."
 
"That's good to hear," Chet said with a stern voice. He paused a moment. "So what did you do?" he asked with a grin.
 
Jean Pierre shyly took his thumb and forefinger and put them into a circle. Using his other hand, he shoved the forefinger in and out of the hole rapidly.

 Chet's laugh had just a hint of the cry of a red-winged hawk in it. "Right? Doesn't he have the best dick in the world for that?"
 
Jean Pierre waved his hands and jumped up from the bench. "He really does. And he's like the best cocksucker I've ever been with." Jean Pierre suddenly realized what he said and turned to Max. "I'm sorry Max, you're incredible, too."
 
Max looked at him with a face that said he was hurt to the quick. "How could you say he was the best?"
 
Jean Pierre frowned. "I'm sorry, I really am."
 
"It's okay, I know you didn't mean to tear out my heart and stomp it into the ground," Max moaned with an over-the-top melodramatic sigh. He paused. "Besides. The best cocksuckers are the temple dogs," he said, as his grin spread wider with each word.
 
"What?"
 
"They are."
 
"You let me believe I hurt your feelings?" The Kermode ran toward the glacier bear and knocked him over the bench. He leaned forward and bit his ear. 
 
"Noooo… not the ears… not the ears…" the blue bear screamed with laughter.
 
Chet watched the bears as they roughhoused. He stood up laughing at how quickly they became children, and he thought about his early years. "How I envy you two," he said under his breath. 
 
The two bears became a rolling ball of fur and wing moving toward Chet. He was about to step out of their way when both a blonde and blue paw reached out from the fracas and grabbed the angel. The call of the red-tailed hawk screamed as he toppled into the fray, attacked by two bears with the knowledge of his most ticklish spots thanks to the Sight.
 
The battle was short-lived for the bears, though. They soon found themselves suspended upside down in the air, ten feet above the ground; each held aloft by the extended hands of the angel. "Now, gentlemen, this ends here."
 
"Yes, sir," both obediently said.
 
"Let's get one thing straight," Chet said in a commanding voice. "I am the best cocksucker you will ever know."
 
Jean Pierre dangled, his wings fully extended. "Prove it!" he yelled as he laughed.
 
"Fold the wings and I will," Chet said. "Until then, you're not even a fledgling and I don't play with baby birds."

 "Oh, crap."
 
"Jean Pierre, fold your wings," Max begged. "We've got him. He never lies."
 
"I'm trying, damn it."
 
"No swearing, boys. It's not my fault you can't fold those wings, baby bear." The angel tossed both of the bears into the air and caught them by the scruff of their necks as they somersaulted down. He lowered them gently to the ground.
 
Chet turned to the pair. "Okay, I'm going to admit I'm a bit skittish about your current ages, but I also know that you love me. And, I know I love you both." The angel took a deep breath. "And one day I'm going to ask you to mate with me. I guess Oliver is right. I always knew that was where I was heading all along."
 
The two bears had wide grins of anticipation on their faces. "Don't get too eager," Chet said. "When we mate, it's going to be in the traditions of winged creatures, not some ‘bite your neck' bear thing. I'm fine with you biting my neck because you're bears. I will honor your traditions as much as I want you to honor mine. But you are winged beasts, and I'm going to insist that we observe our traditions as well. This is non-negotiable."
 
"Sure, whatever it takes," Max said. Jean Pierre nodded in agreement.
 
"It will take much more training than you realize," Chet added. The angel thought for a moment. "Since I am currently the adult in this relationship, here are the ground rules. First: You two aren't the only ones to miss out on your childhood. You have family and parents who missed it all. You are moving back in with your families. They will have the time with you they deserve for the sacrifices they have made. There is no need to tell them your ages, but if it comes up, you never, and I repeat never, lie. Are we clear?"
 
"Yes sir," the two said in unison.
 
"Second: You will spend your weekends with me. My home will have one bed, and we will share it. We will sleep together, Bears, and by that, I mean we sleep. The day you can fold those wings in my presence, JP, is the day we do more than just sleep in that bed. In the interim, I will train you in the ways of winged beasts. We wait until your twenty-fifth birthdays to mate, but what we might do before then is entirely up to you both becoming adults in my eyes." The angel looked at the two bears. "Are we clear about that?"
 
"Yes sir."
 
"Third: I suspect I am aware of what being a werebeast means more than the two of you. I know how much our physical contact with each other helps maintain our equilibrium. You boys may have the souls of sixteen-year-olds, but you have returned in much older bodies, and they are no longer human. You are werebeasts, and with that comes a host of needs that all know exceed those of humans."
 
"You said you could go for months between your visits with Derrick," Max said, with a question implied.
 
"I did. But that came at a cost that I am unwilling to let anyone I love have to pay. At a cost I am no longer willing to accept for even myself. We are creatures that need to touch, who need to feel present with those we love. We take that away, and a part of us dies. Or in your case, as newly turned beasts, it never fully develops."
 
Chet waved his hands outward to the land behind him. "Look at this island. Watch your brothers. They welcome strangers with a hug and a kiss. They touch each other constantly. Affection for them isn't as casual as a human would think. It's as essential as the food we eat, the air we breathe." Chet laughed quietly, shaking his head. "You want to know the difference between the humans and the werebeasts? Humans built their civilization on top of their dead bodies stacked on top of each other in a grave of conquest and subjugation. We built the Were Nation on bodies stacked on top of each other as well. Only they are all fucking each other with smiles on their face for what they share."
 
The two bears laughed and Chet's wings pulled them in close and he hugged their necks. "These are our people. You have been born into a new family by becoming werebeasts. Turn from it even for a moment and you will suffer." The angel flexed his wings outward, flapping once before folding backward. "I am what happens when you turn from your family. See what I have sacrificed for fear of humankind. See what I have left hidden for so many thousands of years. I will not let you become creatures that hide in the shadows."

Chet held the bears tightly. "You want to know what Derrick is in my life? Do you want to know what my father is to me? Or the pack and their affections? They have been life support for one that has been slowly dying all these years. They were sustaining me until two bears from another time returned to save me."
 
The tears welled up in the hawk-man's eyes. "There are those who say I am responsible for you having those wings on your back. I say they miss the fact that you gave me mine back." He turned and kissed Max deeply. When he kissed Jean Pierre, he did not stop until the young bear's wings were straining tight. 
 
He let the embrace go and smiled at Jean Pierre. "One day, the three of us will be unencumbered by your youth and inexperience. I will train you to be winged beasts. But, I will leave your training to become werebears to the loving experts who even now are educating me. We will grow up to be werebeasts together."
 
"Look at your uncles, boys. Those men have seen the worst of this world and turned away from what it would do to any mortal man because of who they are. They are love personified into animals known for their ferocity. They are dangerous creatures who would never hurt another soul except in defense of an innocent. Every one of them has wound up in bed from a single kiss because it felt right. Let the world call them whatever names they choose for their behavior, but I know who stood by your side and sacrificed all to save this world. They are the powerful men I want you to become."
 
Max tilted his head slightly, trying to understand the words he was hearing. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
 
Chet nodded, pointing behind him. "There are acres of protected forests out there on this island not for the sake of any historical accuracy, but because our people need a place where they can be together in the outdoors. There are buildings with more soundproofing than any code requires, to protect humans from hearing our family's copulations at all hours of the day and night. This is the world of the beasts. This is our world. It is full of passion and love. It is full of lust for each other and our lives together. We learn to never turn away from each other by embracing all that we are."
 
Max stared at the angel. "You're saying you won't fuck us, but you don't care who else does?"
 
Chet shrugged. "Well, that takes all the poetry out of it, but yes; that's what I'm saying."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "But one day… when I can fold these," he said, yanking at the wings, "you'll be there fucking us too, right?"
 
"Of course, and let no one try to stop me." He was quiet for a bit. "And besides, I can show you a few spots on Derrick that drive him crazy that only I know about."
 
The three laughed together as they hugged. "We will talk to our family," Chet finally said as their laughter ended. "They will understand why we must do what we do, and why we must live the way we do for the days to come."
 
"And they're going to be okay with our ages?"
 
"Not all of them, but most of them will understand better than this old hawk you wish to marry."
 
Max hugged Chet. "We'll wait for you the same as you wait for us. When we bite your neck, and make no mistake, we will bite your neck, none of us will have doubts about the rightness of our union."
 
Chet hugged back and then felt the blonde bear push up from behind into the hug. He sighed happily as he felt the swollen cock of the bear push into his tail feathers. "Wait for me, Jefes. I promise to make it worth your patience."
 
Jean Pierre kissed the back of the hawk-man. "Wait for us, Chet. We promise the same."
 
The quiet of the hug lasted until the two bears heard the angel take a deep breath and push out from the two. "And so now you know of my non-negotiable requirements for this triad to form."

 "Yes sir," the two bears answered happily.
 
"And what are yours?"
 
"What?"
 
"What is required of me to become your mate? What must I realize is non-negotiable for both of you?"
 
The two looked confused. "I don't know if we've given it much thought," Max said looking at his mate. "Can we think on it a bit?"
 
Jean Pierre smiled and nodded in agreement. "We're still kids, Chet. Long-term planning isn't a big thing for us yet." He paused. "But you remember us when we were kids, right? We're not normal kids."
 
"I remember," Chet replied with a smile. "I know your maturity is far beyond your ages."
 
"And so does, I, Hawk," Oliver's voice said as the little badger waddled up to the two bears and grabbed a paw from each. "Kiss the angel goodbye, boys," he commanded.
 
"Oliver!" 
 
"Times speeding by, Hawk," the badger said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Kiss him, boys." The boys complied, and Oliver grabbed the bears' paws again and tugged at them. "These two has got studying to do, and we's starting tonight." 
 
"But… but…" the hawk-man stammered.
 
"Yep, that's one of the things we's studying. And if you wants to know what you's missing by not being in class tonight, you just watch them butts while we's walking away. ‘Cause, Hawk, you has got some fine butts in your life that we ain't letting go to waste while you catches up with the rest of your family." The badger stopped, turned, and looked back at Chet. "Lessin' you gots some dumb-ass rule about them not getting their butts pounded by anyone but you first."
 
Chet laughed and waved the badger off. "No, no, Oliver. I have no rules about their butts." He looked at the bears. "And I have only one rule for the two of you. Never say no to any suggestions until you've tried them at least twice. The first time to decide if you like the activity and the second time to make sure you were right the first time."
 
The two bears grinned. "Really, Chet?"
 
"Really."
 
"As for you, Hawk," Oliver said as he tugged the boys back into their walk. "I suggest you head back to Montana and fix up that place of yours. The boys and me are coming there tomorrow bright and early to pick out a bed that will fit the four of us."
 
Jean Pierre looked down at the badger. "The four of us?"
 
"Well, you gots to have a bed big enough so family can visits you from time to time, right?"
 
The two bears thought on it a moment. "Right!" they agreed as they began walking away from Chet and toward their family. 
 
"See you tomorrow, Hawk," Oliver said as the three crested the hill and were gone.
 
Chet tapped his ComLink. "Tiff," he said and waited. "Hi Tiff," he said to the voice on the other side. "I'm a bit too pressed for time to fly home on my own. Do you think you could drop by and pick me up?" He listened for a moment. "Yes, that's true. My home will always be by their side, but for tonight, there's a little bungalow down in Montana that needs making into more of a home for the three of us." 
 
Chet quietly listened. He gave out a boisterous laugh. "I have no problem with you showing them any of the things you've learned over the years. Just understand in the beginning I might not be there to use as a visual aid." Chet listened again. "I will explain it all to you on the way home." He was quiet again, listening when the first chirp of a summer cricket began its call, looking for a mate. "Thanks, Tiff. I'll see you soon." The cricket called out again and began its staccato melody. The angel smiled, listening to both the wolf on the ComLink and the cricket. "I love you too, Tiff."
 
Chet tapped his ComLink, breaking the signal. He sat down on the bench and looked out at the breakwater as the waves rushed in. He sighed heavily. "Hawk," he said aloud to himself. "Do right by these boys. Do right by the men they will become."
 
He felt the warm paws of the black wolf press into his shoulders. "You will be fine, Chet," Derrick said comfortingly. 
 
Chet looked back. "You think so?"
 
The wolf smiled. "I know so. Let's head back to the helipad. Your future husbands will have their hands full for the night. Perhaps you would like a bit of company this evening to take the edge off when they come to visit tomorrow. Sated beasts deal better when they're visited by the ones they want, but have promised not to have."
 
"There is no bed at my place, Pup."
 
"Has that ever been a problem before?"
 
"No."
 
 "Well then, shall we head over to the helipad?"
 
"I would like that," Chet said, pushing up from the bench. He hugged the black wolf. "Thank you for all our years together. I love you, Pup."
 
"And I love you, Chet," the wolf said. They hugged quietly for a moment. "It will all work out, Chet. We have time to make it all work out. They came back to give you that time. Don't be afraid to use it."
 
The wings folded around the black wolf, and the hug continued. Chet's ComLink toned the Red Wolf's arrival before the two broke their hug and ran toward the helipad.

Chapter 24

The weather was more than cooperative as the promised island party began with games for the island children. The favorite was easily the jousting with pool noodles on the backs of temple dogs. Even the oldest children, who felt they had outgrown some of their childhood ways, had no problem letting the temple dogs throw them onto their backs, grab the harness wrapped around the chest of the beasts, and ride toward each other brandishing cardboard shields and colorful tubes of foam. 
 
The adults were equally thrilled to share in activities that let them interact with their recently returned family. Will cooperated as the smaller children tied him up before the cutting of the cake. He surprised the children when he easily broke his bonds and ran off with the cake. Crestfallen at the turn of events, the youngest children rallied with a rowdy cheer when Hanuel and Kwan brought out even larger cakes to replace the one stolen. The foster parents sacrificed the first cake, knowing that the old wolf deserved his own for all he had done to protect his family.
 
As the day progressed, questions asked by the adults about what had transpired found answers, even if the answers led to more confusion. Some simply accepted they would never understand the events of that fateful day, when two bears, their uncles, and the Hargrove house had all returned as if nothing had ever happened. Except for the Hargrove house's missing roof, and a sizable hole through the side of the home where a rhino with a bear on his back had burst through, all seemed as it was before. 
 
It wasn't until mid-afternoon as the children tired from their frenetic activity that Oliver began gathering the Changelings and select werebeasts together away from the general crowd. He invited the parents of the two bears to attend the impromptu meeting with the understanding while they could advise the youths, they would have to allow them both to make their own choices and honor them.

"What do you mean by ‘make their own choices?'" Michael asked the badger.
 
"And what do you mean by ‘youths'?" Paul said, pushing the other point.
 
The badger answered both. "There is something that needs doing, and today is the day it gets done. Your babies is a part of that, but they ain't babies no more. You gets to be the parents you never gots to be, but you've gots to be the ones who help them boys become men. You gots to understand their lives ain't never gonna be normal, but the love you gots for them always will be. Let them become men today. Let them become what they needs to be."
 
Paul shook his head. "That's all we ever wanted, Uncle Oliver. Are you telling us they're not men?"
 
"They's not yet to most people's thinking, but they is turning into such wonderful men, you gots to let their lives unfold in ways you might never understand."

 Sarah took a deep breath. "Uncle Oliver, the truth. Not in clouded words. The whole truth. Who is sleeping in our homes at night?"
 
"Your babies, Sarah. They is your boys. They is sixteen years old again so that they can lives out a life with as much of a childhood as they can have in this world."
 
Paul's eyes tightened as he frowned. "You're out there with our sixteen-year-old boys, Oliver? You're telling me those nights out in the forest are with sixteen-year-old boys? And what of Chet? He's been with those boys all this time?"
 
Oliver shook his head violently. "No… no… When your boys came back the first time, they was just as they said they was. When they walked into the forest with Chet, they was twenty-six and thirty-three. But when they come back this time, they was younger again. So much younger. Chet won't lay a hand on them boys because he believes that they's too young to mate. He ain't never gonna touch them until they becomes men."
 
"And you, Badger. What of you," Paul pressed. 
 
"You don'ts got no right," Oliver said.
 
"I HAVE EVERY RIGHT," Paul yelled.
 
"No, Paul, you don't," he heard the voice from behind him. He turned and saw Chet dressed in his work clothes. "You know nothing of this world that surrounds you. You have dabbled your feet in the river of our life and think you understand the ocean."
 
"Max is my son," Paul said defiantly. 
 
"And he will one day be my mate. Do we need to have a contest of who loves the boy the most, or can we agree our love is not in dispute?"
 
Paul's face calmed. "I'm sorry, Chet. I am not challenging your love. I am challenging your actions." Paul paused and waved toward where the Changelings gathered. "And not even yours. It appears you're waiting for my son to mature enough to accept the responsibility that I thought was befitting the thirty-five-year-old man living in my home. But not so with the other beasts and my sixteen-year-old boy."
 
"Do you have any idea who lives under your roof, Human?" Chet asked with indignation. "You see your son in the eyes of the glacier bear. I am glad you do. Too many humans turn away from their children when they display a difference from the norm."
 
"I am not that father, Chet," Paul protested. 
 
"Are you so sure, Human?"
 
"Stop calling me human," Paul yelled. 
 
 "Then stop acting like one," Chet retorted back. Paul was breathing heavily as he stared angrily at Chet. Chet pointed toward the blue bear. "Look at him, Paul. Look at your son. And then stop judging his behavior or ours by your standards."
 
"There are laws of…"
 
"And we have met those human laws," Chet interrupted. "They are sixteen by their own words. I trust them never to lie to me. I hope you do the same."
 
"Of course," Paul said angrily.
 
"And the age of consent in Canada, lawyer?"
 
Paul looked down at his feet. "Sixteen."
 
"And what of the laws of the werebeasts?"
 
"You don't have any laws."
 
There was a sudden murmur in the crowd that had gathered. "Chet," the white bear interrupted.
 
Chet shook his head. "No father; let him say his piece. Let him tell me how many years he's studied the law of the Were Nation. What of our biology, of our history, of our sacrifice so that humans can live? Is he ready to speak to those? Let him tell me the day he stopped being our family and started being our judge."
 
Paul looked up with a look of horror on his face. "Oh god, Chet," he stammered. "Oh god, I am so sorry. I only meant to protect our child."
 
"And you think we would be any less diligent in that pursuit?" Chet asked. Paul stood mute.
 
"No, Chet, you never would be," Sarah said. She looked up at Tyler and Michael as they clung to their son. "This fight stops now. You teach us what we can't see. You tell us what we don't know." She looked at the two fathers. "You tell me how you let your son go out into those woods without a single regret."

Tyler pulled his son in even more tightly. "Because my son is a werebeast. We have the blood of humans running through our veins. A paltry few million years of evolution compared to the billions of years that became a part of us the day we were reborn as werebeasts. You have one gene in your body that tells you to protect and defend, to love and care for all. Can you see how it makes you defend what you feel is best for your son? What do you think happens to your soul when it links to one hundred thirty-eight genes driving you to protect and be one with your own?"
 
Paul and Sarah both shook their head acknowledging they didn't know.
 
"Everyone, stop this," the voice of the blue bear said. He looked at his parents. "Mom, Dad, your family doesn't deserve this. This was my choice. I was the one to bring JP and me back to these bodies. If we made a mistake, it was mine, not those around us. I know this is difficult, but don't chastise your family for trying their best to help the two of us through a very difficult circumstance of my making."
 
"I'm sorry, Son," Paul said, "but what difference does it make if you're a bear or a human if what we're talking about is you being a boy and not yet a man?"
 
"Because a human needs so much less than a Changeling in the way of contact to grow up strong. Think of what it means to be a species so bonded that they never refer to themselves as individuals. They are the Unity. When they step away from that unity as they have done to be with us, it does not come without a cost. The Children of the Night did not go insane simply because of some missing gene that didn't attach itself to their DNA. What turned them into insane creatures lashing out at the world around them was loneliness and abandonment. Nine months alone, lost in a hell where they cried out to be one with their own, but hearing nothing, they slowly went insane. Do you want to know what it feels like? Ask Eric. Ask him what it felt like to live alone in his chrysalis for only a few years."
 
"They needn't ask, Max," the polar bear said uncomfortably. "I will not tell them of so personal a pain."
 
Max stepped away from his parents and toward the beasts behind him. "I had no idea what these bodies of ours need to maintain our connection to this world. I figured we were just humans with fur. I was wrong. The ninth law of the Were Nation is that we turn no one before the age of twenty-five. The needs of a werebeast are so complex that every Changeling, every werebeast wants the new initiates to understand just what a commitment they are making not only to themselves but to the nation."
 
"In over twelve thousand years, only once was that rule broken. To save the life of a boy." Max turned to Jason, as the fox clung to his husband, Jean Pierre. "Please, Jason, let the tale be told. Let them know just what their son has become a part of."
 
Jason looked up at his mate. "Tell them," he whispered.
 
The French wolf took a step forward, but his hand never left the young fox's. "This is a story that few know beyond our pack. It is one that I share only now with great reluctance. But if it opens the eyes of our human family to what is at stake in this conversation, I will abide by my husband's wishes. But know that this is sacred to me and painful to my mate. What is spoken now is never repeated without the permission of the fox that stands before you." There was a nod throughout the crowd. 
 
"It was nineteen forty-two. World War 2 had enveloped the globe. Tiff and Tuff were part of the British Army Air Corps. The white bear and the old wolf had stepped into the fray to save the injured. I had returned to my place of birth in a much more clandestine attempt to save my brothers. I was a part of the French resistance. You hear the horror stories of what the Nazis did to the Jews. Rarely is the sacrifice that the French made to provide safe passage for those hunted by the Nazis ever mentioned. To be a part of the resistance was to have a death sentence on your head, the heads of your family, and any of those even remotely thought to support you."
 
"I was outside Drancy, a suburb of Paris, preparing to meet with contacts that were helping me transport werewolves to safety. To the resistance, they were refugees from the Nazis; homosexuals who were fleeing the country when they had the chance. Jews, Poles, Gypsies, communists, Jehovah's Witnesses, homosexuals, and so many others; the Nazis hated us all with equal fervor. Before they realized what was happening, they took my brothers to concentration camps and exterminated them arm in arm with all those who died in the Holocaust. Our affection toward each other was our undoing. The holding cell for so many before their transport to Auschwitz-Birkenau was an internment camp in Drancy."
 
"A few miles from the camp, I saw a body face down in the mud along the side of the road. I rushed to help but realized there was little that I could do when I saw the bullet holes in his body. Two had shattered his kneecaps. Whoever had shot the lad was toying with him before they fired the shots to kill him. They left him to bleed to death in the rain because it amused them."
 
The wolf's eyes glowed bright yellow with the fire of recalled memories. "I knelt beside him and turned him over, hoping that I could ease the pain of his last moments on earth. And then I saw the pink triangle sewn onto his coat. He was a child, a young lad; and yet marked for death for loving another man." Jean Pierre's voice choked, and the little fox's hand squeezed him more tightly. "I couldn't… I couldn't let this happen again. I had seen too much death. I couldn't let the lad, who never even knew of life, lose his to the surrounding horror."
 
"I told him who I was… and what I was. I told him I could save his life, but at a cost that he would never be human again. He looked into my eyes and told me he had never been human, that he was a freak of nature cast out by everyone. I told him that if he said yes, he would never be alone again."
 
Jason spoke, "He told me I would become a mix of man and wolf and I told him I wanted to become a pink one so that everyone would know who I was. The mark the Nazi gave to shame me would become my badge of honor." Jason shook his head, remembering the day. "Poor Jean Pierre, trying to convince a dying boy that wolves don't come in pink. I was so headstrong, so angry at the world that was determined to kill me. I am a fox because as hard as I tried to become a pink wolf, when the pain of my transformation came, all I could think of was the most brightly colored canid I knew."
 
Jean Pierre leaned down and kissed the fox. He looked up. "And so I turned him. I broke every law I had ever learned, and I turned him. I wouldn't let them win. This child wouldn't slip into oblivion, a cipher to the world that gave him birth."
 
Jason tugged at the wolf's hand. "I was born into the world of the werebeasts. And with my birth, a second beast was born in opposition to everything he hoped to be." Jason looked at Oliver and smiled. "We are the two smallest of our kind, and the only two born into this world harboring a secret desire that no one else knew of."
 
Oliver stepped closer to Jason. "We was bound and determined to kill as many humans as we coulds before they killt us. We was all rage and anger against what we seen as the disease that killt everything that was ever good."
 
Jason reached over and put his free hand in the hand of the badger. "I wanted to become a pink wolf so that as a human I could rise in the ranks of the Hitler Youth as their poster child of Aryan greatness; and the day I stood before Hitler, turn and rip out his throat as a pink wolf screaming, ‘liberté pour les homosexuels.' Jean Pierre gave me the perfect path to the fall of the Third Reich's leader. I would die, but I would take so many with me before I fell.
 
"But the turning is more than just our desire, it seems. Instead of a wolf of terror and revenge, I became a little fox, still too weak to do anything but depend on the wolf that changed me to nurse me back to health."
 
"And me," Oliver added, "I was gonna become the werewolf who was gonna save the Were Nation by killing every gun totin' human that lay in my path. Insteads, I become a tiny badger. And then to make matters worser, I turned from the wolf that loved me and ran out into the world on my own."
 
"This is why we are telling you my story, Dr. and Mr. Carver," Jason said. "So you understand what happens to a newly born beast that is brought up in the Were Nation."
 
"And a beast that ain't," Oliver added.
 
Jason continued the story. "Every day, I watched the wolf as he tended not only to me but the other werewolves in his charge. I watched as he gave aid and comfort to strangers, both beast and human alike. It never mattered to him who or what was before him. If they needed his help, he gave it to them. 

"At the end of every day, he lay down with me in that tiny bed and we touched. He taught me how to love through his every act. He stayed by my side not merely because he turned me, but because I was his family, and I needed what his body offered me so far beyond the physical acts you are afraid your sons are engaging in out in those forests.
 
"Werebeasts are creatures that need the touch of their fellow beasts. It isn't just affection. It certainly isn't just sex. It is a union that transfers to each participant a part of who we are, and what we stand for every time we interact."
 
"A beast that turns from that," Oliver interrupted, "ain't got no guide. He ain't got no one to teach him to be what he should be. And worst of all, he is alone when no beast should ever be alone. You gots no idea the hell we go through when we is alone with no other beast to calm the storm insides our heads."
 
Jason nodded. "By the end of the first week, the rage inside me started fading, just as the scars of the bullet holes were doing. I saw the work that Jean Pierre did, and I realized that there was grace and dignity to him. There was something different about the man that held me in his arms each night. I couldn't understand what it was. I couldn't see past my anger, but there was something that drew me to him nonetheless. And yes, there was sex. There was always sex. And it was the first time in my life that I felt I belonged to something greater than myself. It was the first time that I felt a part of a family."
 
Oliver sighed. "The old wolf would have done the same for me if I hadn't ran away. He would have taught me the ways of the beast and taught me how to love." Oliver's head bowed. "But I'se a badger and I can dig into hell faster than any critter alive. I can digs so fast you ain't never gonna find me."
 
"I met Will three weeks later at the border of France and Switzerland," Jason continued. "What a whirlwind of passion all rolled up into a body that lives for the contact of another."
 
Will smiled. "I might just put that on my resume, Fox," he said.
 
Jason laughed. "And thus began my socialization into the Were Nation. Jean Pierre told me that his work had to continue, but that I had to be protected. He entrusted Will with my safekeeping. Will became my guardian, and when I reached out to him as I had to Jean Pierre, he never balked; he never turned away. He showed me the same love and affection I needed to heal. When he introduced me to the white bear, I found another who never held back his affections. Never in my life had I known a love offered without expectations. In my second month by the side of the bear and wolf, I was told that Tiff and Tuff would transport me to Britain and from there to the Americas to live in a place called Montana."
 
The fox looked at the Carvers. "Somewhere along the line, my goal to rip out the throat of Hitler faded as the actions of the werebeasts I knew taught me another path. And the morning that Tiff and Tuff arrived, I lay in Will's arms after a night of exactly what upsets you so greatly. He brushed back the hair from my brow and smiled at me. ‘I love you,' he said, and I knew it was the truth. And then he looked into my eyes. I felt like he saw that darkest part of my soul when he said, ‘Don't kill, Fox. Don't ever kill. Don't make Jean Pierre ever regret giving you back your life. Make him proud. Make us all proud. But mostly, do it to save yourself and to become the beast you are meant to be.'"
 
"I took his words, and they framed my life from then on," the fox said quietly. "I love the old wolf and my passion for him has never waned."
 
"Mine ain't neither," Oliver said. "But you knows my path, Carver family. You knows what it took for me to find my way back. I missed out on so much from the path I took. I ain't sorry I is who I is, but I have my nights when I wonder how life might have been if I had bit the neck of that wolf instead of running from him. Jason and I is the paths your sons can take. Werebeasts ain't got no middle ground that's worth a damn."
 
Chet cleared his throat. "I can attest to that," he said. "You've seen what hiding ourselves does to us. It keeps us from becoming a part of our family. We hang onto life without ever living it. It cuts away at our souls until it takes a major intervention to pull us back from the brink. Forgive us if we won't subject your son to that for the sake of conforming to human social norms.
 
"I love your son, and I love JP," Chet added. "I will let nothing stand in the way of the day I ask them to be my mates. And I will make sure on that day they are proud, loving, winged beasts. I will teach them the ways of the winged beasts, and I rely on my family to keep them safe and their needs met as they grow into their new bodies. I am doing exactly what I promised you I would do so many months ago, Paul."
 
The fox shook himself into his human form. Small, gaunt, and so frail; the Carvers stared at the youth realizing they had never seen Jason as anything but the little fox. "Your boys are as young as I was the day I was turned, but I have never grown a day older from that moment. My human body is still sixteen and always will be. For the sake of my husband and the rules, I have always pretended to be older, but we've never really fooled the Were Nation by our subterfuge. They simply look the other way, knowing that there were greater rules in play that day than rule nine.
 
"Your son's soul is young, but his body is not. Werebeasts are ancient from the moment they are born. The blood that moves through our veins drives us toward each other. To turn from that comes at a cost your son should never have to pay." The lad shifted and once more was a fox.
 
"Mom, Dad," Max interjected. "The nature of these bodies requires the contact you have known for years happens all around you in order for us to thrive. We're not just horny animals out trying to rut. We're maintaining our ties to the Unity we are slowly forming with our brothers. Thousands of years from now, the differences between the Were Nation and the Terran Changelings will disappear. Humans might even follow someday. But until the day that JP and I catch up with our older human bodies, you need to understand that our werebeasts are already older than even the humans we appear to be inside your homes. We returned as sixteen because I hoped we could be children for a time. But we are older, so much older in these bodies of fur and claw than you will ever know."
 
The Kermode bear pushed gently away from his father and stood by Max's side. "We love you, and understand your frustration. But please understand ours. We want to be your children. We will always be your children. But we are also the children of the Were Nation, and they are making sure we grow up strong. They are seeing to our needs the same as you. Please don't let this be an issue between families that have shared so much love over the years."
 
Paul's eyes were brimming with tears. "Do you ever tire of me sticking my foot in my mouth?" he asked. 
 
 "Not me," Will said. "I kind of like it. Sort of makes you… well… human."
 
"I'm sorry," Paul said. "My personal bias kept me from seeing what I should have known. For that, I am truly sorry. I should have known that my family would always… always take care of my child."
 
"I should have known better as well," Sarah said. "Although, you might have just taken us aside and talked to us about this before it all happened instead of straining our relationships."

 "Yeah, that's true," Will said casually. "But then that whole foot in the mouth thing I enjoy so much would be gone now, wouldn't it?"
 
Paul grabbed the old wolf and hugged him. "I think in the future, you might save us from these moments. You're not the only ones that have special needs in order to thrive."
 
Will pushed back. "I promise we will do our best. I am truly sorry for today. Max and JP being sixteen came as a bit of a shock to us as well. We're trying to keep a balance here."
 
The polar bear came up and hugged Sarah. "We all have challenges to meet as your children grow. As best you can, let us take care of the beasts. The children that are growing older by the day; those will be a handful that your skills will have to deal with as you would have always done."
 
"Eric is right, Mom," Max said. "JP and I were going at it pretty hot and heavy by the time we were sixteen in our other life, so this isn't all that big a change in routine except that we have a lot more fur and social options."
 
Sarah plugged her ears. "Na na na na na…" she said with a laugh. "I don't want to hear that, Maxwell Carver."
 
The blue bear leaned in and hugged his mother. He kissed her on the cheek. "Understood, Mom. Just know I will always be your son."
 
"Are you going to let us have a wedding when you mate with Chet and JP?"
 
Max looked up at the two who smiled back at him. "Sure, why not? Before or after the actual mating?"
 
"After, I think. It's time we honor the traditions of the Were Nation. That is if we can find a tutor to teach us about them."
 
"And the laws and rules," Paul interjected. "It might be easier on the human lawyer if he knew those, you know."
 
Derrick smiled. "I would be happy to teach your family all about the world your son has been born into."
 
"That would be nice," Sarah said. 
 
"And perhaps when today is done, we might extend our focus beyond this island and figure out how we can help the rest of the world right itself," Paul said.
 
The collective snort from the beasts as they exhaled in frustration told Paul he had done it again. Will reached out, grabbed the human, and hugged him. With a gentle kiss on the cheek, he said, "I love what you've done with that foot in your mouth, Nephew. It just screams YOU."
 
Paul sighed. "I know. Time to educate the human again, uncles."
 
Eric laughed. "We are here today to celebrate the return of our sons and lovers. That would be law number three, in case you're interested. First law: Above all else, protect the innocent. Second law: Your family is all. Guard. Guide. Give. Third law: Never let the moment pass when love can be shared."
 
Paul rolled his eyes. "Okay, dumb human here, but I am honestly trying not to let the moment pass."
 
Eric smiled. "And you're doing just fine, Nephew. You're not dumb. But sometimes you don't realize what is going on all around you. Jean Pierre, Jason, and Lothair are coordinating most of the relief efforts out of Montana."
 
"The Were Nation is tightly knit, Paul," the French Wolf said. "We have relief efforts being coordinated on all seven continents even as we speak. We're just taking a break while the European contingent covers for us out of Ireland."
 
 "All seven continents?" Paul asked. "Do you have some sort of penguin rescue going on?"
 
"The penguins are doing fine at the moment, but the multi-national scientific research team lost their supply delivery when the governments fell into turmoil. We've dropped by to provide them with food and new generators. The wind generators we're installing will fare better than the old ones, and we've replaced their old solar generators with a newer one that has a battery storage system that's a little beyond current technology. We're hoping that they don't figure that out too quickly, but they are scientists and it gets boring down there, so they might start tinkering."
 
"Here on this continent, you might remember the announcement made by the President of the United States."
 
"Yeah, I remember," Paul said with a frown. "The government taking claim for something they didn't do. The same thing that happened the day Gaia twisted those guns into knots."
 
"Not exactly, Paul," the French wolf said. "The world knew the horror they barely escaped. They saw it exploding over their heads. They watched as every light in their countries faded. Some explanation had to be given to calm a frightened world. The answer came from a suggestion from the senate. Tell the people that all those years of working on the space station was a cooperative effort of the world's superpowers to set into place a grid that would protect them were they ever to face nuclear annihilation by a launch of missiles."
 
"It was a lie," Paul said.
 
"It was." the polar bear said. "But it helped calm a world spiraling out of control. People needed to feel that there was some sort of redemption for what they had become. This one lie let them feel there might be a way back. Whatever happened; the people of earth needed to believe that they had a part in their own salvation." The polar bear smiled. "So Senator Tyrell approached the President with an idea. A lie, as you say, but one created not for political gain, but a love of his people. The history books will never acknowledge the contribution of Senator Jean-Batiste Tyrell to this world, but the Were Nation recognizes one of their own for what he's done."
 
Paul stared at the white bear. "The Speaker of the Senate is a werewolf?"
 
Will laughed. "And sooooo fucking hot."
 
"I imagine you're telling me what's happening elsewhere is just going to make me feel even worse," Paul said shaking his head.
 
"I imagine so," Jean Pierre said with a grin. "But understand that we are not waiting for the humans to figure out all that is happening to them. Despite the number of governments that have fallen overnight, the people are struggling to find balance. No country has started a war, no military coup has attempted to take advantage of the confusion right now. That's a good sign." 
 
The Eurasian wolf walked over to Paul and hugged him. "If you would like to be involved in the relief efforts, we could use your help. We would have asked earlier, but we felt you needed time with your family. That whole law number two being what it is, you know."
 
"I do now, Jean Pierre," Paul said. "I know an apology isn't much in the way of compensation for my ignorance, but if you can forgive me, I promise I will be there by your side. I can't offer much more than a willing attitude, my abilities as a lawyer, and arms ready to accept as many hugs as you're willing to offer me."
 
"You can gets those anytime you wants, Human," Oliver said. Paul looked at the badger with his wide grin. Somehow the word human didn't carry the sting it had earlier. Oliver's playful smile widened. "Probably gonna needs some myself later today if you ain't busy."
 
Sarah took a deep breath. "So, Uncle Oliver, shall we let the other shoe drop now? You said there was something you had to do."
 
Oliver nodded. "Seems like as good a time as any." Oliver waved the Changelings closer. "We's only a few days from when all hell broke loose, and I wish I coulds let things rest for a bit, but I'se gots a favor to ask of all of you."
 
The Changelings nodded. "Whatever, you need, Oliver," Kris said. 
 
"Before the change, I heard the Old Bear yell, ‘all in.'" Oliver said. "Does that mean what I think it does?"
 
"It does," Eric said.
 
"Then we gots some discussing to do," Oliver said. "First of all," he said looking at Nathaniel, "Husband, can I gets a hug?"
 
Nathaniel smiled. "Of course." He reached down and grabbed the badger pulling him in close. There was a bright green flash of light and Nathaniel pushed back, covered in a green glow. "Oliver?"
 
"You needs it, Bear," Oliver said. "Green clan all needs it. You's healers. World's gonna need healers now more than ever."
 
Nathaniel smiled. "Thank you, Oliver. I would have missed it."
 
Oliver looked outward. "Come on, Green clan, We ain't got all day. Ivan, Kris, Old Bear, you alls getting your power back. Ain't gonna be as strong as before, of course, but it will grow back like it always does."
 
Ivan and Kris both stepped forward and hugged the badger as he transferred the power. He looked at Eric who held back. "Come on, Old Bear," he ordered.
 
The polar bear stood back. "Oliver, can I decline?"
 
"Why woulds you?"
 
"Because I have lived too long with the power you know I possess. I'm ready to let others deal with it. I promise I will still be a healer, but you know how the power of the Unity manifests in me. You see what the others don't."
 
Oliver smiled. "I does that, Old Bear. But you's strong for a reason. Ain't right for you to walk away from what you is. And, we boths knows that what you is, is more than just what you was born."
 
Eric smiled. "I love you, Oliver. You're right. But, let's make a deal. I will take back the power the next time we are alone together."
 
"We hardly gets no time alone, Old Bear. You knows that. We's been knowing each other for what, nearly two hundred years? And in all that time, we's never been alone but once."
 
"That seems about right. It gives me time to adjust a bit before accepting the responsibility."
 
Oliver frowned. "And you wants me to hold onto it until then? Bastard Bear, I don'ts like it anymore than you do. You ain't just green, Bear. Ain't easy holding on to what you is."
 
"Then I will promise not to let another two hundred years pass by before we're alone together."
 
The badger smiled. "I guess I can holds it for awhile, Old Bear. You's always been worth waiting for."
 
Paul shook his head. "They're right, I am totally ill-informed about the ways of werebeasts. It sounds like you two are negotiating having sex."
 
 Oliver looked up at Paul. "That's because we is. The Old Bear is really good at it. I'se got to give him back a power he don't wants. Might as well make it as pleasant for him as I can."
 
"And he's holding it for me until I can adjust to accepting it back," Eric said. "Might as well try to thank him for his kindness."
 
Paul laughed. "Well, I hope you're not asking us to accept the Blue clan power back."
 
"Nah, ain't gonna ask you to do that," Oliver said, shaking his head. "You's humans. You weren't never meant to hold onto the power for long. It was Max that the Changeling wanted to give the power to. But he was human, so he had to divide it up so it wouldn't kill him."
 
Oliver approached the oversized young man who had stood next to Padre Fitzgerald. "You, comes see me when you turn, Diego. There's some of the healer in me that's meant for you."
 
"I'm not turning, Oliver," Diego said with a smile. "I'm going to grow up and marry the guy next to me."
 
Oliver looked at Billy and smiled. "Yeah, I knows. You both come and sees me."
 
Oliver turned toward Derrick. "You gonna be okay with it, Pup? You knows the power was meant for you. We's gonna need builders now, too. This world is seriously broke."
 
Derrick shook his head. "You know I don't want it, Husband." His paw flared blue. "But here it is. I figured there was a reason that Max took us all with him. He was keeping us from going all in, wasn't he?"
 
Max's wing fluttered as he nodded. "I'm sorry, Wolfy. The powers of the Changelings had to be preserved. You were the ones I had nearest to me. I am asking you to hold the power as its guardian. I won't force it on you. You can decline just as Eric did, but I hope eventually you make the same choice that he did. I would love to have the wolf that turned me still be a part of my clan."
 
"Well, I'll keep it, but can I hold out to get something like the deal Papa Bear got? You know, something special from my clanmate to make it easier on me."
 
Max nodded. "Holding onto the power won't ever be easy, Wolfy, but I will make sure you know of my gratitude."
 
The black wolf smiled. "Then we have a deal."
 
Oliver grinned. "I was hopin' you'd say that." He looked at the blue bear. "You gots some serious convincing to do there, Bear. None of us wants what we has to take on, but you can make it easier for us to say yes."
 
Will sighed. "You're going to ask me to hold on to this, aren't you, Oliver?" the old wolf said as his paw flared red.
 
"You's a part of the Red Clan, Old Wolf. They's like all the others. Gots to be three. Francisco and Lothair are two. You gots what they needs to become what they was. Just like Max said, you all can say no to it; but if you don'ts take it, it will seek out someone else and gives it to them. You's really too nice to let someone else deal with that, and you knows it."
 
"I'm a bastard, Oliver. You know that."
 
"Yeah, you is. But you has never lets that stop you from being kind."
 
Will looked at his glowing paw. He looked up at Lothair and Francisco. "Okay, can I flip the deal Derrick and the old bear have? I give your powers back to you, and you make the giving easier on me?"
 
Lothair laughed. "Old Wolf, it would honor me to take back my powers at your hand. Let's leave the scars so we remember what we do this day." Francisco nodded his agreement.
 
Will smiled and nodded his consent. Oliver giggled slightly at the thought of what was being planned for the day. "Sure. We can has a group grope kind of thing. It will be fun. Ain't none of us going to be too happy with the outcome, but at least we's all gonna hate our powers together. That's why we's family." 

 Kris looked at the badger. "You could have done it that way, Badger? You could have given it back to me while we were having sex?"
 
"I suspect I could have."
 
"Well, then I'm rightly upset now," the brown bear said.
 
"I can makes it up to you. I gots ways," the badger said with a smile.
 
Paul laughed aloud and Sarah followed. "I don't know how you even keep this negotiation straight."
 
Oliver looked at Paul. "None of us is straight. We don'ts have to keep nothing' straight."
 
Paul waved his hand. "Okay, Uncle Oliver. On with your chores."
 
Oliver sat momentarily figuring in his head. "Green clan, check. Blue clan, check. Although they's gonna have to find a third one day, that ain't my problem."
 
"We already have a third, Oliver," Max interrupted. "Gaia is Blue clan. She is the third of the builder clan."
 
"But she's a spaceship," Oliver said, shaking his head in confusion.
 
Kris smiled. "And she is my companion. You forget that our corporeal bodies aren't always anthropomorphic." He smiled, giving some thought to his comment. "We don't always look like upright animals, Oliver."
 
Oliver looked at the grass below him, and he knelt down, running his paws through the green. "Thank you, Gaia. Wishes I could gives you something nice for holding onto your power, but there ain't much we got that you needs. Still, you know we loves you." A small flower popped up between the badger's fingers and he smiled. "Red clan, check. Yellow clan, they ain't never lost their power, so they's a check." He looked up. "I'se all done." Oliver looked at Donovan. "I wish I could take it from you, Donovan. I wish we both could just turn it off, but you knows it ain't going away."
 
"I know, Badger," Donovan said with a sigh. "I had hoped it would be gone after all that happened, but our lot in life isn't that easy."
 
"We gots each other and JP makes three. The universe should be happy. We ain't like the other clans. We don't need no special number, but let's hope we ain't got to have no more of us."
 
"You already do," Max interjected. The bear extended his paw and a small orb of white light spun in its center.
 
Oliver looked up. "But you's Blue Clan."
 
"And a Channeler," Max replied. "I wasn't willing to give up my links to the Blue clan because the universe tried to foist something else on me. I knew that understanding how to make order out of chaos was essential to becoming what I am. But I accepted the powers of a Channeler because that too was essential. How do you think I could take all the power from you three and make it into something else? Blue clan can't do something that big without a bit of help. There had to be a buffer."
 
Oliver thought a moment. "Didn't think about it at all. Well, you gots a family of Channelers. You and JP can learn to use it together."
 
"We have lots of things to learn in the coming years," the Kermode bear said with a frown as he tugged at his wing. "I guess we add that to the list."
 
"Learning to be winged beasts takes precedence," Chet said with a smile. "We have to have priorities, and our future family is top on that list."
 
Max and JP nodded. "That was never in question," Max responded. "We know where our priorities are, and they have never veered from you."
 
Oliver grinned happily. "Well, that's all I had, folks. We can all goes back to the party now. I'se drained off most of what I hoped to get rids of, so I'm happy."

 Chet looked at the badger. "What if some of us were hoping to drain you of other things?"
 
Oliver's face brightened. "Really?"
 
"Well, I can't share my affections with the bears until they've fledged. It would be nice to have someone I know who finds me attractive to share my time with."
 
Sarah poked Paul. "I think this is the place where we walk back to the party. Their couplings are just too confusing. If Damien and Darius can't even figure it out, I see no reason to try."
 
Paul nodded. "I agree." He looked at the beasts that stood staring at the two. "Oh, you gentlemen go right on ahead. We'll see you later. You take care of your family. You won't find us standing in your way anymore."
 
Oliver looked up at Paul. "Well, you kind of is right now. We's gonna try to be polite and wait for you to be gone before we do anything too serious."
 
"Really?" Sarah asked. 
 
"Unless you're willing to throw your husband to the wolves," Will said with a smile.
 
"OH NO, Old Wolf," Sarah said with a laugh. "We're gone. Try to make it for the evening sing later tonight." The two humans turned and walked back to the east fields where the party was just catching its second wind. The jousting of the temple dogs had entered the tournament rounds.

Chapter 25

As the sun lowered in the west, Oliver and Chet slipped quietly out of the gunnery tunnels trying to be inconspicuous. As they reached the top of the stairs, Will sat on the outside rim of one of the knotted battery guns. "Hey, men," he said with a smile. 
 
A startled badger jumped backward. "Damn, Old Wolf. Can'ts a badger have a little quality time with an angel without you hovering over him?"

 "Sure you can. And from the way your fur looks, I'd say you had it."
 
 Oliver looked down at his belly. "What's wrong with my fur? We both swallowed, so I knows we ain't all messy."
 
The Iberian wolf jumped off from the battery. "I'm just teasing you, Oliver." He looked at the winged man. "And you, too Chet. I hope you don't mind. I don't often get to tease you about my other husband."
 
Chet looked away shyly. "I am rather fond of Derrick. And Oliver is a charming companion in his own right."
 
"You hears that, bastard wolf? I'se charmin'."
 
"I have always thought so, Oliver. You two found time to be together and I am happy about that. I'm not here to make you feel bad about something that should make you feel good. I'm here to invite you to the family's evening songfest. The dragons have made a special request. We're rounding up the wayward members of our family." The wolf reached out and hugged his husband. "You men are in good company. I just dropped by the museum to roust my husband bears and Donovan. I don't know where Derrick is, but I'm pretty sure if I find Chipo and his pack, I'll find him."
 
Will extended his arms toward the angel. "Do I get a hug, Chet?"
 
Chet grabbed the wolf and hugged him tightly. "One of these days, Old Wolf, I would like it if you and I were to do more than just hug."

 "I thought you were fonder of Derrick, so I have never pushed that idea."
 
"I am very fond of Derrick; that is true. But I think it is time I learned to behave like one of the family and show my affection for all the beasts I love."
 
"Whenever you're comfortable, Chet," the wolf said, letting go of the hug. "Oliver, Chet, would you two like to help me find our favorite black wolf?"
 
Both the badger and the angel nodded yes.
 
"We can't get sidetracked no matter what Chipo and his pack are doing with the pup. You understand that, right?"
 
Oliver looked at the wolf. "Well, then why's we even going huntin'?"
 
Will reached down and grabbed the little badger pulling him up over his head and placing him on his shoulders. "Because we're singing tonight with our husband, Love of My Life."
 
Oliver smiled. "You gonna sing tonight, Old Wolf?"
 
"I always sing with you, Husband. Don't act so shocked."
 
"Singing makes you horny," the badger said, his eyes gleaming in the light of the setting sun.
 
"Life with you makes me horny, Oliver. I don't need music. It's sitting next to you and Derrick that makes me horny."
 
"Oh? I thoughts it was the singing."
 
"Nope. It's you two."
 
"Well then, let's go finds us a husband," the badger said with a laugh. He looked at Chet. "And let's go find the ones you's gonna marry. The sooner you start spending time together, the sooner you all figures a way to stay together.
 
Chet smiled and patted the badger's butt as it spread out over the wolf's shoulders. "I would hate to disappoint you on that front, Badger."
 
"Ain't never been disappointed by anything you's ever done, Hawk." The badger paused. "'Cepting maybe that pat on my butt. You gots hands. Grope them cheeks."
 
"I'm supposed to be an angel."
 
The badger laughed. "Yeah I knows. You sure feels like heaven to me." Chet's hand reached up and played with Oliver's butt for a moment and then the three were off in search of the pup.
 
As the three headed toward the forest, Li Wei came running from the south cliffs. He bowed to the winged man. "Good evening, gentlemen. I hate to disturb your activities, Tenshi," Li Wei said with a smile, "but I have some good friends who would like to talk with you before we sing."
 
Chet smiled. "And who would that be, Tanuki?"
 
Li Wei laughed. "I am not a tanuki."
 
"And I am not an angel," Chet replied.
 
"Then I apologize for the title, Chetanluta."
 
Chet nodded. "And I am sorry for changing the rules on you. For so many years, I was happy to hear the word tenshi. But I am trying to rid myself of a reputation that often comes with the title of an angel. I do not want to be perceived as a man who stands apart from the world reigning judgment down on those he lives above."
 
"Interesting thought, Chet," Will said. "That is a common mythos."
 
Li Wei nodded. "I can see how that definition would make life more difficult. Is Winged One an acceptable moniker? That is what I call your future husbands. I would call you Chet, but it seems so far removed from the beauty I see before me."
 
"Of course. Winged One is fine."
 
"Well then, Winged One, I have a lovely couple that would like to meet you," Li Wei said with a smile. He grabbed the winged man's hand and pulled him gently toward the western cliffs. "But you have me thinking about being called Tanuki now. I might enjoy hearing that when you say hello. There is something to be said for having a reputation of always being horny and possessing incredibly large testicles." 
 
"Well, Tanuki," Will said with a laugh, "we have a husband to find. If you will excuse us." Will bobbed his head instead of a full bow to avoid upsetting Oliver's balance, and they turned back toward the forest.
 
Chet laughed. "Those two. I have missed out on too much of our lives together. Li Wei, I will call you whatever you wish. But who are these people you wish me to meet?" 
 
"They're not exactly people. The fenghuang and Dá Lóng have a favor to ask of you."
 
"Will you interpret for me? My telepathy is very rusty."
 
"There will be no need. The fenghuang is very gifted at talking with those she loves."
 
"I have not seen her in hundreds of years. I'm sure she and Dá Lóng would fare better if you talked to them."
 
"No, my beautiful friend. I will ask instead that you abandon your reluctance to engage your family in conversation. I would not want anyone to mistake you for an angel. You know how aloof they can be." Li Wei's big grin immediately diffused Chet's desire to retort.
 
Li Wei led Chet down the winding ramp toward the beach. "Aren't these wonderful?" the temple dog asked. "Greg and his crew made them so that we can visit with Dá Lóng and his sons. They could never make it up the cliff the way the ladies can. But now we can visit them, and if they so choose, the young ones can even crawl up the ramp to visit."
 
As Li Wei and Chet stepped off the ramp and onto the sand, Dá Lóng and his sons breached out over the bay and began swimming toward the two. "They are as beautiful as ever," Chet said smiling. "It is nice to see his children doing so well."
 
"Indeed, and that is where the request comes in."
 
The sound of rushing wind overhead made Chet look up. He smiled as the fenghuang landed next to him. He bowed reverently. "It has been too long, Sister," He said as he reached out his hand and placed it on the head of the fenghuang. There was a quiet as Chet's head slowly shifted toward his left shoulder. "No, I had no idea," he said. "But surely, you are best qualified to teach them." 
 
There was silence again, and then Chet spoke. "But that was thousands of years ago. They laughed at my efforts to teach them. They already knew so much more of flight than I will ever be capable of." Another pause. "I'm glad they enjoyed the lessons, but they did so to humor me. They were such gentle souls. They never had the heart to tell me I was a kid with finger paints trying to teach Michelangelo how to be an artist."
 
Chet listened and then nodded with a smile. "I have my future husbands to teach, but yes, I will visit. I suspect I will be there only to help your children laugh, but I will not turn down such a wonderful invitation. This is such marvelous news." Chet ran across the beach toward Dá Lóng and hugged the massive beast, paying no mind to the drenching he received from the water dragon. "I am so happy for you, Dá Lóng. I am so happy for your family."
 
Chet glanced back at Li Wei's confused look. "Do you know about the children?"
 
"I know only that they wished to talk to you about them."
 
"Their children are about to go through their first molt. They're going to take on their secondary sex characteristics."
 
Li Wei smiled. "That is indeed good news."
 
"I had no idea that the dragons we know aren't various species. They are one."
 
"That is true," Li Wei replied with a nod toward the two dragons. "Is there something we dogs have overlooked that the dragons have not told us?"
 
"In many species, an animal can grow up to be something entirely different from what it started as based on environmental pressures. Common reed frogs change sex spontaneously when there are too few males. Schools of clownfish have a hierarchy with a female at the top. If she dies, the dominant male becomes a female to maintain order in the school."
 
"What does that have to do with the dragons?"
 
"Everything, Li Wei. Everything." Chet started pacing in thought. His wings flared out and flapped. "Li Wei, how many types of dragons were there?"
 
"I can think of four physical types that once lived on earth. The winged fliers, the forest dwellers, the wingless fliers, and the water dragons." Li Wei thought for a moment. "Maybe the tortoise dragons, but I have never seen one. I have only heard of the legends. All the other aspects of dragon lore are pretty much about cosmetic physical differences. Scales instead of feathers, horns or antlers, claws for digging… that kind of thing."
 
"So how many have you actually seen?"
 
"All four at one time or another, but the forest dragons and Western fliers that lived at the temple died in the war. The wingless air dragons you knew were all werebeasts. Today, only the fenghuang, an Eastern winged flyer, and Dá Lóng, a water dragon, remain."
 
"And until Dá Lóng and the fenghuang, have you ever known a water dragon to mate with a winged flier?" Chet asked. 
 
"No, their union is unique."
 
"And that is why I am so excited," Chet replied. "Dá Lóng and the fenghuang are the last of their kind. There is a reason they appear together only late in Chinese mythology; they are not supposed to be a mated pair. The fenghuang is a winged dragon. Dá Lóng is a water dragon. They came together only as a last resort to save their species. It's not unlike polar bears mating with grizzly bears."
 
"Like Anders, the grolar bear," Li Wei said thinking it through.
 
"Right, in the real world, that's how his avatar is born. Environmental stresses created the grolar bear. It's possible to mate a grizzly and polar bear because they're genetically both subspecies of the same species, Ursus arctos, but it never happened until human interference forced them into the same environmental niche. The desire to survive, to have offspring, is a part of all of us; but even more so in the dragons. They understood they were the last of their kind. When the world left them no choice, they mated and created offspring.
 
"Look, it would be naïve to attempt classifying them using the standard scientific nomenclature, but if we did, they would come down to the same species, but Dá Lóng and the fenghuang would be subspecies. They can breed together, but they never do except in crises, because normally they fill different environmental niches. In a normal life, they wouldn't even cross paths. But you gathered them together to protect them from extinction. 
 
"So, like the grolar bear, the environment forced Dá Lóng and the fenghuang to mate. And here is where it turns interesting; their offspring are born to restore balance to the species."
 
"Like the frogs changing sex?"
 
"Only even more elaborate. Dá Lóng's sons will molt for their first time and become either water dragons or wingless air dragons; the two large serpentine dragons. The fenghuang's daughters will become the winged dragons and the forest dragons. Forest dragons lose their wings in the molt and develop characteristics that adapt them to terrestrial life. There's even a chance we might see a Western flier come from the molt."
 
Chet pointed to the children of Dá Lóng and the fenghuang. "Each new generation will help restore the dragons that are now extinct. It will take hundreds… no… thousands of years, but thanks to Oliver's encouragement, I believe we'll see all the offspring mating much faster than every eight hundred years." 
 
"That is wonderful news," Li Wei said, smiling. "Perhaps with humanity changing, we might see a world where the dragons once more roam freely." Li Wei looked back at the dragons. "And how do you fit into this wonderful news?"
 
"Dá Lóng and the fenghuang have asked me to teach their wingless dragons how to fly."
 
"You can do that?"
 
"I have two bears who even now think they can't fly regardless of their wings. I have to teach them. Perhaps between the dragons and the bears, I will find my family."
 
Li Wei reached out and hugged the winged man. "You have always had family, Winged One. Don't let flight be the requirement for that title. Take joy in their flight, but don't leave your earthbound family to spend even a day without your love because we cannot soar beside you."
 
Chet squeezed the temple dog tightly. "I won't, Li Wei. I promise. Forgive me. In my excitement at having beasts with a shared passion, I have forgotten how many passions we all share that I've overlooked." He lifted his head and kissed the temple dog. 
 
Their embrace lasted until, with a gentle rubbing of Chet's chest feathers, the temple dog let him go. Li Wei took a deep breath. "I am glad we share so many of those passions together. One of which is to sing tonight with our family." The temple dog reached down and rearranged his fur up and over his erection. "I do not know how you will hide yours, but perhaps the trip back up the ramp will help."

 Chet smiled. "Perhaps. I had forgotten how well you kiss. As for the singing; you have heard me sing. It's not the most pleasant of things."
 
"I disagree. I have said before that you must trust your sensei is right in such things. Would you like to head upstairs?"
 
"After you, Sensei," Chet said with a smile.
 
"No, I think you should go first," Li Wei said extending his paw toward the ramps. "I'm an old man and I take these climbs slowly."
 
Chet bowed, "As you wish." He began climbing the ramp.
 
"Well, that, and you have the most incredible buttocks, Winged One. It would be a shame not to watch them as you move up the ramp."
 
Chet laughed as his tail feathers folded in tightly. "I love you, Li Wei."
 
"And I love you, Winged One," the temple dog said as he too started his climb up the ramp.
 
Halfway up the ramp, Chet stopped. "Sensei?" he asked.
 
"Yes?"
 
"I am thinking Tenshi is not so bad a name after all. Perhaps it would be good to be reminded that I should be a winged creature that loves all of his family unconditionally."
 
"That is true. There are certainly many definitions of what makes an angel. I think you could choose the ones you like best and honor them."
 
"I would like to be worthy of that definition as it pertains to my family."
 
"Then, Tenshi, it is up to you to do whatever you feel is necessary to make that happen."
 
"Tonight, perhaps all it will take is for me to sing with my family."
 
"The winged bears will love it," the temple dog said, giving the hawk-man a gentle shove to get him moving again.
 
"Perhaps. But I will be singing to all my family."
 
"And we shall all be grateful to hear you," the temple dog said as he took the last step off the ramp and back onto the island.
 
Chet looked out across the gathering throng of people and beasts, searching for the winged bears. He was still looking when, from behind, he felt the large furry paws grab his hands and drag him toward where the temple dogs, Kris, Donovan, and Eric had gathered. 
 
Max and Jean Pierre pulled Chet to the ground as they sat on the damp grass and placed the winged man between them. "Sing with us tonight, Chet," JP said, leaning into the angel beside him. 
 
"Have you been talking to Li Wei?" Chet asked the Kermode bear.
 
"No, why?"
 
"No reason. He just seems to be of a similar mind that I should sing."
 
The polar bear came up from behind. "I agree with the temple dog. I think you should sing as well." Eric waved his hands to attract the attention of the milling crowd. "Who thinks we should ask my son to sing for the first time with his family as the beast he was born?"
 
Chet looked up to the milling crowd. All eyes were on him. Those that didn't raise their hand nodded their agreement with a smile.
 
Chet's wings folded around the bears he loved and pulled them close. His hands lovingly rubbed their short, extended legs. "This hawk has always cried out through the centuries for his loss. The call of the red-tailed hawk has always been one of longing. I have been alone for so long. My people, dead, my flying brothers, killed. I have those who care for me deeply, but I have always felt on the edge of my family. I have soared high above them, never able to touch their world but for brief moments until these last few months."
 
The family of Weres listened to the quiet voice of their eldest brother. "I am blessed that two bears of the earth grew wings to be by my side. In their wings, I am brought safely to earth, to find my people who were here all along. For a bird with such keen sight, I have been blind for too many years to what lay beyond my longing. 

"From the moment my father took me into his arms twelve thousand years ago, I have had a family that I never fully embraced, searching for a family that no longer existed. We do not make our family up of ‘our kind'. Wings do not define my family. My people of birth do not define my family." The angel looked to the great white bear and the temple dogs that stood behind him. "Forgive me, for looking so hard for my family that I never saw you standing beside me all along."
 
The bear smiled his silly grin, and the dogs matched him in kind. "We have nothing to forgive, Tenshi," Noboru said. "You have always been there by our side. Only you struggled with your right to be there. Sing with us tonight, Tenshi. Let your family hear the voice beyond your lonely cry."
 
The angel lowered his head and gathered himself. He raised his head and, as the plaintive call of the red-tailed hawk spread out across the island, the melody began. Somewhere from deep in his throat came a sound as warm and deep as that of the badger. At first, it vibrated and resonated on two separate levels. There was a deep bass note that modulated and flowed while another higher melody line became a recognizable tune as the words of his song. 
 
The song was reminiscent of the overtone singing of the Mongolian people. However, it carried one more melody line that at first seemed to be the sound of leaves moving in the wind or rain on the Arizona sands. Then the crowd realized what it was. It was the sound of feathers ruffling in the air. Chet's feathers were now a part of the song melded with his voice.
 
Chet knew his words were unknown to all but the white bear. As the words flowed, everyone understood he sang in the language of his long-dead people. He sang of Klicktakuwa, the great white bear that found his body frozen and warmed it. He sang of Max and Jean Pierre, who found his frozen heart and warmed it. It was a song of all the bears that saved his life.
 
As they heard his song, the young bears closed their eyes and raised their voices to join in singing with the one they loved. For a moment, the overtone singing of the angel stopped as he heard the words of the Mutwajigwa spoken by another. The bears looked at him and smiled. Their voices, higher and younger, still held the second lower bass tonality as the words flowed like the summer winds across the grassy forests of Arizona twelve thousand years ago. They sang of Chetanluta, the red-tailed hawk that gave them their wings and the courage to face the challenges that they could not face alone. The two sang of their love. They sang of three who would never be alone again. 
 
The polar bear closed his eyes and listened. He heard the three singing and listened to their songs of all that they had lost and all that they had found. He listened to the one who he had hoped for so many thousands of years would find a people he could call his own; a people who would let his wings spread wide, and his heart open up to the warmth of a love hotter than the Arizona sun he was born under. 
 
The polar bear sat behind the angel, pushed his arms up under Chet's wings, and hugged him tightly. "Welcome home, Son," he said with a smile. "I told you one day you would find your people again, and polar bears never lie." The bear shrugged with a laugh. "It may take us a few thousand years to get to the truth, but we never lie." His paws reached out and touched the young bears' shoulders. "Welcome home, you sons of Partridge Island, you kings of New Brunswick. Take good care of my boy."

Chapter 26

Chet looked out over the butte. The two bears stood quietly with him. 
 
"We start by making large, interwoven circles in the air which grow increasingly smaller and closer as we fly higher into the sky. When we are at the top of our arc in the air, we lock bodies and fold our wings around each other. Of course, we plummet to the earth with our wings intertwined; but just before we hit the earth, we release and repeat the process, rising into the circles that represent the eternal nature of our bonds. When our bodies become so aroused by our contact in free fall that we can no longer control our passion, we land and mate. Both parties take the other and when we are spent, our mating is complete."
 
"Whooaa," the two bears said in disbelief. "Can you even do that?"
 
Chet removed his shirt. He removed his boots, and with a quick tug, his pants dropped to the ground. Jean Pierre's wings leaped out. "Oh, crap," he sighed. 
 
Chet flexed and his wings burst from his back. Feathers quickly spread over his body. He crouched down and gathered himself. With a push upward and the flash of a wing, he was airborne and climbing into the sky. The large, lazy circles of the angel became increasingly tighter until, at the point where the two could barely see the body in the air, they saw the wings fold and Chet dropped toward the earth. Only feet from the ground, the wings flared out, and the angel was heading back into the sky. 
 
At the point where the plummeting hawk-man was about to hit the earth for the second time, his wings flapped outward and he stood beside the two bears. He smiled. "This is where I would take you. I'm afraid I will most likely be first, as your exhaustion will make you too weak for the first advance. But I will be gentle and after I have had you, I will be the most accommodating of partners when you take me." 
 
He leaned in and kissed both boys. Jean Pierre's wings, which were just then bending, spread out again. "Oh crap," he said, disappointed that even his most valiant effort could not sway his body from responding to the winged man in front of him.
 
Chet smiled. "No recriminations, JP. I am always flattered."
 
"What if I never stop getting hard in front of you, Chet?"
 
"Well, then when you reach your twenty-fifth birthday, we will have to seek other options. I suspect you already know how many times you have to come before you gain control."
 
"Yeah, three times in as many hours seems to work," Jean Pierre said, tugging at his wing. "At least for another hour."
 
"Then that would be our first act even before beginning our flight. I am sure by your twenty-fifth birthday, you will have even learned the best way for Max to get you to that place."
 
Max looked at Chet with disappointment in his eyes. "Chet, we don't fly. Our wings are decorative. They're a sign of our love for you, but we're bears. I'm seven hundred and twenty pounds and Jean Pierre is eight hundred and change. There's no way we're getting airborne."
 
"Nonsense," Chet said with disapproval. "You two are telling me you're universal physics nerds? How do you explain the temple dragons who weighed over a ton taking flight with the temple dogs on their backs? And with nothing but the most vestigial of wings?"
 
"I don't know. I guess we just assumed we could never take off with nearly half a ton of bear butt holding us down."
 
Chet laughed. "And that is why bumblebees fly and you don't."
 
Jean Pierre raised his hand. "We kind of know how they fly. That has to do with their wing rotation and fluid dynamics."
 
Chet smiled. "And there you have it. They have taken what humans have long thought impossible and found a way around the physics we think we see. You young men fly. You simply haven't convinced yourself yet that you can. The bee never wonders why it can fly. It simply does. Bind yourself to this world and your known science, and you will remain earthbound forever."
 
Chet waved his arms over his body. "I weigh more pounds than I care to admit. The old bear has a thing for chubby men, and I certainly met his criteria when he took me in. I have a bone density that allows me to smash through walls, and yet, I fly. Because I don't let what I don't understand stop me from doing what I have always dreamed of. And until you figure out what I mean by that, it will lock you to this earth as if shackles are clamped around your ankles."
 
Chet's wings flapped outward. "And in being landlocked, you will have passed up mating with one of the best free-flight sex experiences you'll ever have." He chortled slightly. "Well, the only free-flight sex experience you'll have for the time being. We're pretty much it on this planet."
 
Jean Pierre tugged at his wings, but they refused to budge from their fully unfurled state. "Chet, that's not fair. I'm in my sexual prime and you're teasing me about postponing everything until I get it under control."
 
"JP, you are a werebeast. You are always going to be in your sexual prime. That's one of the joys of being a beast. But I am going to hold fast to my ground rules. You control the wings; I will lose control with the two of you. I want you as my mates, not as frisky playthings."
 
"Can we be both?" Max asked with a grin. 
 
"I hope so one day," Chet smiled back. "I will wait willingly for that day. And you?"
 
"I'm good." Jean Pierre said tugging at his wings. "Frustrated, but good," 
 
"Me too," Max said. He paused and flexed his wings. The left-wing rotated a bit as he tried to sense if it had healed completely. "So, shall we start the lessons? The sooner we learn to fly, the sooner we get to practice our mating rituals."
 
"We are here today. The sun is warm on our backs. I have two bears that need training in the ways of the winged beasts. I say we start today."
 
Jean Pierre looked back at his wings in frustration. "I guess Max goes first. These aren't going down for a while."
 
Chet leaned in and kissed the Kermode. "Max first, then. But you train regardless if your wings fold or not. And now begins the training." He grabbed Max and sped off into the air.
 
Thousands of feet up, the winged man stopped and hung in the air, flapping his wings as he held the bear in place.
 
Chet looked into Max's wide eyes and saw the fear. "We are about twelve thousand feet in the air, Max. That gives you a little over a minute of free fall to figure out how to fly before you hit the ground. Good luck," the angel let the bear slip from his fingers and the bear hurtled downward, flapping his wings wildly, trying vainly to right himself and fly. 
 
From the ground, Jean Pierre watched the blue bear plummeting toward him. "Nooooo," he screamed as he realized the bear had no control over his descent. JP could hear the doomed bear's scream as he approached the ground. When the blue bear was only feet from the earth, a shadow of brown and black flew in front of the blond bear, and Max was gone. The blue bear rose with tears in his eyes. Above the Cumulonimbus clouds, the angel stopped and held the bear tightly. "Two things you learned today. One is that you are clueless about how to fly. It isn't as easy as flapping your wings." 
 
He leaned in and kissed the shaking bear. "The second is that I will never let you fall without being there to catch you. No matter the terror you feel, know that I will be there. Red-tailed hawks mate for life. If this is what you truly want, there is a commitment to me and to who we become that no sixteen-year-old boy will understand."
 
"I won't be sixteen forever, Chet."
 
"But I will wait for you forever if that's what it takes."
 
"Teach me to fly. Teach us both to fly," Max begged. "We can learn. We have a reason to learn. He's holding me in mid-air right now."

 Max smiled. "But not for long." He held the bear out.
 
Max waved his paws. "No, no, no. No more ‘toss the fledgling kid out of the nest to see him fly' crap, Chet. Teach me."
 
"First before you fly, learn to glide. Extend your wings and feel the air beneath them. Feel the way it buffers underneath you and let it guide you to the ground. No flying; just soar on the thermals, and let them take you back to earth."
 
The bear felt the hands of the hawk-man release and he extended his wings carefully. In a matter of seconds, he was plummeting to the earth again. He closed his eyes at the approaching ground and believed in the only thing he could believe in… that the man he loved would catch him. Only a moment later, he felt the hands of the angel grab him and lower him carefully to the ground.
 
"This is not going too well, is it?" Max sighed, his wings gently flapping as they folded up against his back.
 
"It is going well, Jefe," Chet said with a smile. "What you are learning is that what you think you know is inadequate for the task ahead. You have a lot to unlearn."
 
"What is he doing wrong?" Jean Pierre asked.
 
"Why don't I take you up and show you?" Chet said. He grabbed the Kermode and shot up into the sky. 
 
"Please, please, don't drop me, Chet," Jean Pierre begged. 
 
"The two of you are seeing flight all wrong, Jefe," Chet said. His wings gently moved back and forth as he leaned in and kissed the young bear. Whatever flexibility the wings had vanished when the kiss ended. "There," Chet said with a smile. "You're ready to glide."
 
 "I'm like a nine hundred pound paper airplane, Chet," Jean Pierre protested. "I won't glide I will crash."
 
"Because you believe you understand the universe that surrounds you."
 
"I don't?"
 
"No, but you will soon understand a part of it that you didn't know before." The winged man slowly rotated their two bodies so that he was below the bear, their bodies parallel to the horizon. "Think of the great whales, JP," Chet encouraged. "Their bodies are massive, and yet they don't sink. They would if they stopped moving, but in the water, they maintain their buoyancy by what are often simple, gentle movements of their bodies."
 
"I know that much, Chet," Jean Pierre said. "Lift and forward momentum keep them afloat." 
 
"Or magic."
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "There's no such thing."
 
"I know. But we use the word for things we don't understand yet. You know how we say that penguins fly through the water?"
 
"Sure."
 
"Well, the dragons and werebeasts swim through the air."
 
"But that's not scientifically possible."
 
"Nor is a cute little bear with wings whose hard-on is pressing up against my belly in a most distracting fashion."
 
Jean Pierre stammered, and he tried to adjust himself on top of the man below. "I'm sorry, Chet," he apologized. 
 
"I'm not," Chet said with a smile. "I will never chastise you for having a hard-on in my presence. That is too wonderful a gift for me to make you ever feel like it's a burden or inconvenience for me."
 
"But you won't help me with getting rid of it," Jean Pierre said dejectedly.
 
"For the time being, no. I am very much a man of tradition. I have lived by them for over twelve thousand years. Would you ask me to change?"
 
"No," Jean Pierre replied. "As long as you're willing to kiss me, and hold me, I'm good with just being close to you. I guess Max will reap the benefits of my horniness."
 
Chet laughed at the thought. "Speaking of holding," the angel said, "Ever since you adjusted yourself, I've not been holding you aloft."
 
"WHAT?" Jean Pierre yelled, immediately falling on top of the winged man below, who wrapped his arms around the bear. 
 
"You were so busy worrying about your hard-on pressing into me, you forgot to worry about plummeting to the earth." He kissed the bear until he felt the fear subside and the swelling of the Kermode's cock press back into his feathers. "Now, Jefe, let go of me and just float in the air the way you would in the ocean. Let the wind catch your wings and use them only to steer yourself like flippers on a whale."
 
"I'll fall."
 
"I will catch you."
 
The bear pushed back from the winged man. He sat motionless in the air for a moment and then fell back into the angel below him. "Let go of your beliefs, Jefe," the angel encouraged. "Embrace a new reality. You could become a bear with wings because you believed you could. Now believe the bear can fly. There is nothing in this universe to hold you back, save your own beliefs."
 
"You will be there, just in case?"
 
"Throughout your entire life. It is the way of the red-tailed hawk. It is the way of the man that loves you."
 
The bear pushed back again and let his paws dangle just above the winged man below him. He began to rock uncomfortably in the air. "Close your eyes," the angel ordered. Jean Pierre closed his eyes. "Just feel the sensation of being airborne. Feel the weightlessness of a body freed from the earth. Keep your thoughts in the pleasure of that moment. There is nothing in this world that feels quite the same." Jean Pierre's rocking steadied. "Good boy," Chet said proudly. "You are doing wonderfully."
 
"I still have wings that won't bend."
 
"And you still have a lovely hard-on. I'm willing to accept the one in return for the other," Chet replied with a laugh.
 
"Can I really do more than just float?" Jean Pierre asked, his eyes tightly closed.
 
"Of course, but for today, let's consider that good enough." 
 
"You're right about it feeling wonderful."
 
"We will have a lifetime together of wonderful feelings, JP," Chet said as he reached up and pulled the bear back into his embrace. "For now, let me take you back to earth. Eyes open."
 
Jean Pierre opened his eyes and stared into the copper-colored eyes of the man before him. "I have you, you will not fall, Jefe," the angel said with a pause afterward. "Look down. Begin letting your fear go and embrace the beauty of soaring above the land.
 
"I'm going to flip us now, so you can see below without me blocking the view. But know that I will not let you fall. Do your best to stay aloft, but if you waver, I will pull you back to me. I will always pull you back before you even know you are faltering."
 
"I trust you, Chet," JP said. "I have always trusted you. Now I just have to let go of my own fears."
 
"We have a lifetime to work on that," Chet said with a smile. "I'm going to turn you now. No surprises for you two anymore. We work on this together." With a gentle spin, Jean Pierre stared at the ground below. He felt a tug on his rib cage and realized he was falling in his mind but the arms of the angel held him fast. The young bear concentrated on floating. He tried to let the buoyancy of the air become water in his mind. And when he felt himself floating, there was a gentle nudge from the man above him pushing the two gently back toward the earth.
 
"Is that your hard-on pushing up against my back?" Jean Pierre asked.
 
"Of course," Chet replied. "I'm on top of a bear I love. What did you expect?"
 
"A hard-on pressing up against my back," Jean Pierre said with a laugh. "I'm just glad it's there."
 
"It will always be there."
 
"It is beautiful up here if I don't look straight down," Jean Pierre said.
 
"Those who fly learn to look toward the horizon and then let their gaze lower when needed. Think of it like riding a bicycle. You don't stare at the ground below the bike, you look to where you are heading."
 
The two soared over the Montana grassland below. Twice before they neared the plateau, the bear felt the firm arms of the angel wrap around him and pull him close. "Notice when you falter, Jefe," Chet said. "It's not when you're looking at the world around you. It's when you think about how you fly. The day you learn to let go of the need to know is the day you will never need me to fly beside you. On that day, we will fly together because we want to."
 
"I know, Chet," Jean Pierre said. "I have a lot to unlearn."

 Chet chortled a laugh that sounded almost like a bird warbling. "Time to learn about landings, Jefe." 
 
Jean Pierre felt the gentle tug of the angel as he realized he was falling with the thought of Chet's words. "It isn't anything to worry about, JP. You're fifty feet above the ground and going lower with every moment. When I let you go, it will be up to you to decide if you're going to float down or fall, but neither option will hurt you. This is the one time you get to think about that lovely big bear butt of yours. Let its weight right your decent so that you land on your feet. But even if you can't do any of that, your fall to earth will hurt nothing but your pride."
 
"I'm not worried about that, Chet," Jean Pierre said. "I just want to make you proud."
 
"I have always been proud of you, Jefe," Chet replied. "Are you ready?"
 
"I'm ready," Jean Pierre said with a push away from the winged man above him. His outstretched wings held him aloft for a moment as he soared toward the earth, and then his brain began thinking about the logistics of an overweight bear flying, and he plummeted the last thirty feet. His body instinctively righted itself to what gravity would do, and he landed with a thud in the grass on all fours.
 
Jean Pierre shifted his position back to his upright stature and dusted himself off. An elated Max came bounding toward him. "You were beautiful, JP," he gushed. 
 
Chet's legs gently touched the earth, and he hugged the Kermode bear. "Not bad at all for your first landing."
 
"I have never seen anything as beautiful as you two flying," Max exclaimed.
 
Chet smiled. "Tomorrow, you join us, Max. But for tonight, let's say we get dinner and spend the night together. 
 
Jean Pierre's wings flared out, and both his companions laughed. "Oh crap," he said sadly.
 
Chet leaned over and kissed the Kermode. "All in good time, Jefe. I love you. We will have a long time together to make up for what you see as lost time. Just know that nothing is ever lost between two who love." The angel paused for a moment. "Or three."
 
Max smiled. "Or three," he agreed. Jean Pierre pulled at his wings, ignoring the bulging flesh between his legs, and nodded.

 Chapter 27

Chet sighed heavily. "I don't get it. You two splice the genes of Changelings into billions of humans with a thought. Max, you wander through time as if it's something we do every day. You see things in your mind and they become reality. What can I do to help you realize you can fly? You know this stuff. You're smarter than I am. You're able to see things and do things I will never be capable of doing. And yet, you balk at the idea of flying when it's far simpler than anything you've done."
 
Max looked up with a frown on his face. "I'm sorry, Chet. I know it's tough to understand, but I'm not the Max who knows how to make changes by seeing them change in my mind. That other Max can travel in time. I see it all in front of me. I sort of move through it, but I'm not at the point where I can interact with it." The blue bear paused. "I will one day. But right now, I'm just an eighteen-year-old kid who's been trying for two years to learn how to fly. There is nothing in my life more important to me than being able to fly by the man I love, but that doesn't seem to change anything right now."
 
Jean Pierre nodded in agreement. "We aren't the men who changed this world, Chet. We will be one day, but that's years in the future. There will be a day when we can look at what you're trying to teach us and we'll laugh at just how easy it all is. But for right now, it's the greatest frustration in our lives because we just can't seem to let go the way you want us to. We feel like idiots because we still haven't learned to fly without training wheels."
 
Chet looked at the two frowning bears. "I'm sorry. This is just me whining a bit. You both fly quite well, all things considered. Last week was a personal best for both of you. Two minutes airborne for you, JP, and a takeoff from the butte's cliff without any help from me, Max."
 
"I fell thirty seconds later."
 
"True, but what a beautiful thirty seconds it was."
 
"You've taught the air dragons how to fly and they don't even have wings."
 
"Well, that's true," Chet responded. "But they also have centuries of instinct that tell them they can fly. You have a lifetime of being human telling you that you can't."
 
"I won't ever stop trying," Jean Pierre said. 
 
"I won't either," Max said, trying to sound positive. 
 
Chet reached out and hugged the bears. "We will work on it together." 
 
Chet leaned over and kissed Jean Pierre. Jean Pierre's wings flashed out. "Oh crap," he said dejectedly.
 
"In time, Jefe. In time," Chet whispered. "Fold the wings, JP."
 
"I'm trying. Even more than flying, I want to be with you."
 
"How goes your training with the family?"
 
The two laughed. "Oh, that goes fine. We're eighteen years old. We have no problems studying THAT," Max said.
 
"I am glad to hear that," Chet said. "My time spent with the family is helping me as well. I now know why Will is so popular among the beasts."
 
Jean Pierre grinned, "I know, right?"
 
Chet nodded, "But I also know why he has the respect of all. He has waited for me for centuries; never pushing me to be a part of his life in that way. I have never felt pressured by him. Encouraged… decidedly encouraged… but never pressured. And when he saw my attraction to Derrick, and his for me, he stepped aside and let the two of us become what we are today. There has never been jealousy, never a need to control the way Pup expresses his love."
 
The dark angel's wings gently flapped. "When he took me, I didn't feel like another one of his conquests. I knew when I looked into his eyes that there was no one else; there was no other time than that moment. He wasn't adding a notch to his bedpost. He was welcoming a friend into the most sacred part of his world."
 
Max stretched out his wings. "And one day, you will take what you have learned from him and teach us, Chet."
 
"I think you've already learned that lesson, Jefe," Chet said with a smile. His hand reached out and squeezed the paw of the blue bear.
 
"Master Li Wei has taught us we always repeat the important lessons throughout our lives," Jean Pierre said. "Just as we go through the motions of tai chi every day, the lessons of life become a part of our core by repetition. Will taught me how to let go of what I can't control and embrace the moment with what I can. Derrick has taught me that there is strength in even the shyest and most submissive of us all." Jean Pierre sighed. "And Eric has taught me that polar bear dick is really, really fun."
 
The three laughed as Jean Pierre reached up and pulled at his wings. "Well, that, and how to never let our outside responsibilities push their way into our play. He can disconnect from his work and job responsibilities better than anyone I know."
 
"That is because to him, our play is his greatest responsibility, Jefe," Chet said as grabbed the blonde bear and kissed him. Jean Pierre's wings flashed outward, and then as the kiss lingered between the two, they slowly folded around the winged man. 
 
Max stood and watched as the revelation went unheralded by the two, except for the kiss. When they finally broke, both were erect as they always were after such a kiss, but Jean Pierre's wings moved back and forth gently. Chet pushed him back. "My love has finally fledged. This is indeed a special day."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "I have been waiting for this day for two lifetimes, Chet." He reached out and stroked the cock of the bird-man before him. He knelt down, opening his mouth as he leaned in.
 
"I really hate to do this," Max said. The two looked at him. "But JP, I think we should wait."
 
Jean Pierre pointed back to his wings and flapped them. "I have been waiting. We've both been waiting. All three of us have been waiting for this," he said pointing to the wings as they folded into his back.
 
"He's right, Jefe," Chet grinned. "This was the day I promised I would see you both as men, not boys."
 
"I know, I know," Max said defensively. "But there are other things in play here." Max went over and reached down, helping Jean Pierre up from his knees. "We can't fly. We promised each other that the day we mated, it would be as beasts. Our promise to each other was that we were saving these bodies for the angel we loved and the day we could tell him so by becoming his mate."
 
Chet nodded. "There is that, Jefe. But then again, there is scarcely little you can do with those bodies for the first time anymore. Life unfolded differently than all of us anticipated."
 
Max nodded. "But everything we've ever done in this timeline we've not done with you. We are still virgins to each other. I know that sounds stupid…"
 
"Not at all," Chet interrupted. "It sounds romantic. And as beasts, our first time with anyone is always a fresh experience to be cherished."
 
"I want you so bad, Chet," Max groaned. "You know I want to be inside you, to feel you, to taste every bit of you. I dream of going all night with you and waking up with feathers in my mouth just to start it all over again." Max looked at JP. "And I want you to be there on that day. I want you like nothing I've ever wanted because I still have a memory of what you both feel like when nothing comes between us. But we made promises, and we layered them on top of the traditions of the Were Nation. You met one of those goals, JP. And you are beautiful. But we still can't fly, and we're still not twenty-five."
 
"But… but…" Jean Pierre said, pointing to his back. "All folded up… all nice and tidy."
 
"Still eighteen," Max said, shaking his head.
 
"You can change that," Jean Pierre said, pleading. "You made us sixteen two years ago. Make us twenty-five today. No one is going to complain. Just another freaky day for the winged bears."
 
"I can't. I don't know how. I know that day isn't far off, but it's not now. But even so, JP, I don't know that I want to change our ages."

 "Why not?" Jean Pierre whimpered. "Look at him, Max. He's the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. We are what we are today because of how we feel when we look at him. Today is the day he said we could be with him the way we have always dreamed of being with him."
 
"I know… I really know. But these last two years have been the best of my life."
 
"And the most frustrating on just about every level."
 
"Yeah, I know. But you see, that's what Master Li Wei has been trying to teach us. The things we value most in life will be the things we have earned. They may come easily, or they may be hard, but when we earn them, we appreciate them."
 
Jean Pierre shook his head. "Well, part of what I value in life is really, really hard, and I was thinking I was going to get to use it today on our future husband."
 
Max laughed. "I know, Hon, Honestly, I do. But what we promised ourselves and what we promised the Were Nation by becoming beasts hasn't come to pass. We still have obligations to what we promised each other we would become. If I could change our ages today, I wouldn't. The path we are walking now is the one that we said we would walk. No shortcuts, no other path."
 
Jean Pierre's head dropped. "I guess you're right." He looked at the blue bear. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."
 
"Squaring the hips," Max said.
 
Jean Pierre grinned. "Okay, I don't like that either."
 
"But it's essential to proper form in tai chi. Fail to set stance properly, and all that follows will suffer."
 
"Twenty-five, huh?"
 
Chet laughed. "It is the way of the Were Nation."
 
"Then it is our way, too," Jean Pierre said with a sigh.
 
Max looked at the two and smiled. "You said you were going to insist that we honor the traditions of the winged beasts, Chet. We have yet to fly. We have yet to practice our mating rituals. If we are not ready to mate, then those things we promised to hold back until we can mate can't be in play, even if JP's wings bend."
 
Chet looked at Jean Pierre and shrugged. "What do you say, Jefe?"
 
"Damn it," Jean Pierre groused. "I say he's right. As best we're able, we should honor all the werebeast rules and traditions."
 
Chet looked thoughtfully at the two. "Your namesake, Jean Pierre, is the alpha of his pack. He, above all others, should live by the rules. He has a husband who he turned at sixteen. I see little reason to hold to some traditions when we have played so fast and loose with others."
 
"I agree," Jean Pierre said, brightening up at the thought a loophole in the plan might exist. "The deal was that I get control of my wings and Chet would lose control with the two of us."
 
"I know what we agreed to," Max said almost apologetically. "But it's really important to me to hold on to a few of the traditions. In our first life, we obeyed them all. Whenever we broke the rules this time around, it was because we didn't think we were going to survive long enough to live the traditions. This go around, we know we have the time. I want us to make it to our twenty-fifth year."
 
Max paced thoughtfully, his hands constantly in motion as he tried to explain himself. "The rule says no turning a beast before the age of twenty-five. That rule was broken with Jason, and I think the reasoning is defensible. They broke the law to live a higher ideal. And when we thought we might fail, we vowed to be with the man we loved at least once before we risked everything. I know I skirted around that law returning us as sixteen-year-olds inside these bear bodies, but I did what I thought was right. I wanted to grow up beside you, Chet."
 
"And I'm grateful for that, Jefe," Chet said smiling. 
 
"So, we can't live true to that law that says we can't turn until we're twenty-five, because we're already beasts. But despite what we are, if we were in any other situation, that would also mean no beast would ever mate with another beast before the age of twenty-five. It's only a few years away, but it would mean so much if we lived by the traditions we can now. We agreed, JP, that when Chet took us as bears for the first time, it would be at our mating. That is more than just the traditions. That has everything to do with who we are."
 
Chet shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Jean Pierre. "He does have a point. As werebeasts, we have traditions. Circumstances might force our hand, but for now, we have all the time we need to live true to most of those traditions. It would do us good to honor them and set a good example to future generations of werebeasts." He reached over and pulled Jean Pierre into a hug. "And I will not have you violate the promises you made to each other as bears for the sake of sex, no matter how that might pain the three of us at this moment."
 
"But… but…" Jean Pierre stammered. He pointed to his back, and his wings flapped forward despite his obvious erection.
 
Chet laughed. His wings folded. With a crisp snap of his shoulders and a shake that moved down to his feet, he looked into the eyes of the Kermode as a Mutwajigwan. "Change, JP."
 
"Why?"
 
"Because the red-tailed hawk will wait until our mating day to have sex with the bear he loves. The hawk has promised and the bears have promised. Those promises we cannot break because we have sworn to live by them as beasts. But humans are notorious for having premarital sex, and I'm pretty sure neither of you will wait for such traditions as humans. I certainly won't as a Mutwajigwan."
 
Jean Pierre shook and became the bulky, bearded, bald man with a grin that stretched wide. Chet looked at the blue bear. "Well, don't just stand there, Max. Change. The three of us will honor all our traditions as werebeasts, but as humans I'm about to introduce you boys to the best cocksucker you will ever meet."

Max smiled and with a shake became human.

Chapter 28

"Oh hell, no, Old Bear," Will yelled loud enough for the entire island to hear. He slammed his fist against the garage door control and waited until it had closed blocking the sound from the rest of the inhabitants of Partridge Island. "You don't go doing this to me again," the old wolf growled. Derrick stumbled backward still in shock.
 
"I'm sorry, Old Wolf," Eric said as he stood by Donovan. "This isn't a choice so much as a biological imperative. We both thought we could just postpone the merging, but that's not the case."
 
"I am sorry as well, Old Wolf," Donovan said. "When I returned to this world, it was in crisis. The primary drive of the Changelings is first to protect. It has been three years and humankind is finding its way back to a new normal. There hasn't been a war in all those years, not even a scuffle. Not one murder, not one act of gang violence, nothing. What Max did is holding. The humans are finally beginning to care for each other instead of taking care of themselves."
 
"What does that have to do with anything?" Will groused.
 
"We are a couple chosen at birth," the polar bear replied. "Take care of our primary drive and our others push to the front. We should have merged centuries ago, and now our bodies are pushing us toward that obligation to our species. I know it's difficult for you to understand, but our commitment to the Unity overrides everything when it comes to this. If you're going to love Changelings, this is part of what you will have to deal with throughout your life."
 
"Fucking Changelings. Make us fall in love with you and then turn into rocks."
 
Kris looked up from his seat at the kitchen table. "There will still be one fucking Changeling here; and I assure you, I will do my best to make sure you're well taken care of."
 
Derrick looked over at the Kodiak. "I know you will, Husband. It's just that Donovan has barely returned, and already he's leaving again." He sighed. "And he's taking Papa Bear with him."
 
"You, Wolf," Will growled, "This is your doing."
 
Donovan stepped backward. "I am sorry, Old Wolf. I truly am. This is biology. You know I would never come between you and your mate if this was a choice."
 
"Not good enough," the old wolf said, the guttural growl flowing through the words. "Not good enough by half."
 
"What would you have me do?" Donovan asked.
 
"Bite my neck, Wolf," Will answered. Derrick looked up surprised at his mate's words, thought for a moment, and smiled.
 
"What?" the Armbruster's wolf asked.
 
"Bite my neck," the old wolf repeated. "I can't forgive another wolf for taking my mate from me, but I can forgive a husband."
 
Derrick's grin widened. "That works for me as well. If you want to find a way through this mess, Donovan, you better try after you can plead for husbandly clemency."
 
Donovan stared at the two. "Are you serious?"
 
"Completely," the old wolf replied. "You share our bed every night we're together. You share our affections, for which I am always grateful. This family can never have too many tops. There are plenty of reasons worthy of our mating, but mostly, marry us because we love you, and we want you to know that we're waiting for you to return just as desperately as we are for Eric. It's time, Wolf. It's time to become a family."
 
Kris looked at Will. "Not that I don't agree, but don't you think this is a bit like extortion, Old Wolf? You have him between that rock and a hard-on you're always talking about. He has to merge, and now you're telling him the only way he can is to marry you. Isn't that unfair?"
 
Donovan was quick to speak. "No, Kris, it isn't unfair. The old wolf is right. For three years, I have been more than happy to share all the joy and affection these two wolves give me. They have been my lovers, my friends, and my mentors for life in this world. They have been, in every sense, the very definition of what a husband is. I am the one derelict in asking them to share the title that long ago they deserved."
 
Donovan knelt on one knee and looked at the two wolves. "I have never asked because I have never had the courage. Wolves do not risk so much easily."
 
 Will smiled. "I know. We're wolves, remember? Both of us were willing to wait for you. We knew you would figure it out by yourself, and one day we would feel your teeth deep in our necks."
 
Derrick nodded. "But you forced our hand. You can't wait, and now neither can we. We will wait for you regardless of what you choose today, but the Old Wolf is right. We would rather wait as your husbands." 
 
The Armbruster's wolf smiled. "I would rather that be the case as well. Marry me, wolves. Be my mates. Let me feel your teeth on my neck and the taste of your nape on my tongue."
 
"One stipulation, Wolf," Will said.
 
"Anything," Donovan answered. 
 
 "Don't hold back. Mate with us as a Changeling."
 
"You will regret that, Old Wolf," Donovan said. "If I don't hold back, if I mate with you full on, I will taste more than just the nape of your neck. Bones will break and blood will spill before it is all done."
 
"We have seen the mating of Changelings, Wolf," Derrick interrupted. "Once, when Eric and Kris mated, and another time when you three joined. We know what we are asking. While we might not survive the bears coming at us unchained, you're a wolf. We will survive. But more importantly, we would also know that the wolf we love is totally and completely committed to this idea. That he is holding nothing back."
 
Kris laughed. "Do it, Donovan. They're going to win this one, and frankly, I agree with them. If you're going to make them wait for decades before they can be with you again, at least let them carry the scars of your lovemaking with them. They will heal enough to get along just fine. When you return, they can exchange their scars for the pleasure of you on their backs."
 
Donovan looked at Eric. The polar bear smiled. "I'm all for it. We probably should do it in Montana, where the temple dogs won't be driven crazy by what you three put off." He thought for a moment. "And maybe you should be a day's ride from the ranch. You have two bear husbands who will probably lose most of their inhibitions as well once you three start."
 
Will looked at the polar bear and smiled. "Would that be such a bad thing?"
 
"Until you've had a week to heal, I'm going to say yes. And that's the doctor in me speaking. You're lucky you have a healer husband on call should things get really out of hand. I can stitch you back up if necessary, but Kris can put the organs back where they belong and in one piece."
 
Donovan looked at the two wolves. "Are you sure about this? I will do whatever I have to make our mating true and earn your trust. But know that once we start the mating, if you ask me to mate with you holding nothing back, I will honor that request."
 
"Has a Terran Changeling ever killed his mate in the ritual?"
 
"Of course not. You know of every mating on this planet."
 
"Ever permanently damaged his mate?"
 
"Obviously, no."
 
"Ever left his mate questioning the rightness of their union?"
 
Donovan paused. "No." He paused again. "And I will not be the first." The wolf leapt at Will and pushed him to the ground. He flipped him over and, without a moment's hesitation, mounted the flailing Iberian wolf. "You better take your best shot at my neck while I'm distracted, Pup," the Armbruster's wolf growled. "It won't be any easier than now." 
 
"Take him, Pup," Will growled as he felt the fangs bite into his neck breaking his flesh with the canines. "Make this wolf know who he's marrying."
 
The Armbruster's wolf howled when he felt the black wolf's teeth clamp into his neck. He tried to shake the pup off, but the young wolf's legs grabbed the elder's into a vice-like grip. The pup's jaws clamped even tighter, and the head shook, setting the teeth deep. When the ancient wolf felt his warm blood trickling down his neck, he smiled and shook his head, resetting his jaw even more firmly into the wolf below. Donovan realized this was going to be a mating he would never forget. That was just the way Will and Derrick wanted it. Donovan's back arched as he felt the black wolf penetrate him. Donovan's tail tucked to the side, and his ears pinned back as he yielded himself to the new alpha in his life.
 
The bears watched the mating in disbelief. But there was admiration for their husbands as well. The three were not waiting for their mating to be convenient. They weren't waiting for anything. "We have to go," Eric groaned. "This is going to get very heated, very quickly."
 
"Too late," Kris said. "It's already there. I can hear Li Wei clawing at the door. Let's grab him and run."
 
"What are we going to do?" the polar bear said desperately. 
 
"Pretty much fuck the poor dog's brains out," the Kodiak growled back. "We're losing it and he's in the line of fire."
 
The garage door rolled up and the temple dog saw the two bears hurtling out of the lower room toward him with lust in their eyes. He smiled and stretched out his arms, waiting for the impact that threw him back off his feet as the two bears dragged him off towards the south woods. 
 
From atop the lighthouse, Anders and Lewis smiled. "One of us really should go down and close that door before that cyclone of wolf fur rolls out into the street," Lewis said with a laugh.
 
"Well, don't ask the Changeling to do it," Ander's said. "You've already seen what it does to us."
 
Lewis smiled. "I'm counting on it, Love. I'll go close the door. You head off to the woods, and I'll catch up with you."
 
"You do know it's going to get rough, right?"
 
"I'm counting on that too," the white wolf said as he leapt from the top of the lighthouse and raced to the door. Anders shook his head and jumped off the gallery. By the time he hit the ground, he was a grolar bear. He followed the scent of the temple dog and bears toward what he knew would leave him sore but happy for days to come.

Chapter 29

Donovan felt the old wolf's body pressing up against his back and the arm draped over his chest. He watched the rise and fall of the young wolf's body in front of him and his paw reached out tracing the bare flesh across the black wolf's shoulder.
 
"I'm awake, Husband," Derrick said.
 
"Let it heal, Pup," the Armbruster's wolf said as he kissed the exposed flesh.
 
"I will," the young wolf replied. "When you return. Until then, I will wear it as a mark of my commitment to the one I wait for."
 
"I could buy you a ring."
 
"I already have two of those wrapped around my cock. Add another and I'll probably cut off my blood supply to the thing."
 
Will growled. "And I don't want that happening," he said as he pulled Donovan in tightly to his chest. "I like the way blood pumps through Pup's cock."
 
"Your scars are worse, Old Wolf," Donovan said.
 
"You shouldn't have yelled ‘I'll make you my bitch,'" Will said with a laugh. "Your wounds outnumber ours combined."
 
"Kris once said that you suggested ‘make me your bitch, stud,' was an appropriately loving Terran entreaty for one who wished to mate with you."
 
"Context, Donovan," the old wolf laughed. "‘Make me your bitch, stud', is a request. ‘I'll make you my bitch,' is coercion by force. We werebeasts never do that. You triggered a natural response."
 
"I was trying to be romantic. You know that. I seriously hate your language. There are too many variables."
 
"I was trying to make our mating a learning experience for you as well," the old wolf said with a chuckle. "I don't regret any part of yesterday. I have a new wolf mate that I love. Nothing else matters."
 
"I'm never going to say that term again, you know."
 
"Nor am I, Husband. Some jokes have outlived their days of being funny."
 
"I like the word husband. Will you be my husband, Old Wolf?"
 
"I thought that was what yesterday was all about."
 
"It was, but I used the wrong words. Today, I want to use the right ones."
 
"Yes, Donovan. Yes, I will be your husband." The old wolf groaned as the pain in his shoulder pushed forward beyond the other pains. "But if you want to bite my neck again, I will have to ask you to wait a few days."
 
"No, your words are all I need today." The Armbruster's wolf pulled the young wolf closer to him. "And maybe we could have sex again if you're up for it."
 
Derrick giggled. "We're bottoms, Husband. You're the one who's going to have to be up for it."
 
"I really, really hate this language," the ancient wolf sighed.
 
"You get used to it," the polar bear said as he and the Kodiak stood over the three. Eric extended a tray. "I made you three breakfast. You enjoy this, and then I'm gone. I have obligations to the rest of the family. Mating rituals, you know. Kris will stay here to attend to your wounds."
 
Will looked up at the bear. "Those rituals say the three of us are the ones to accommodate the rest of the family. Not our husbands."
 
The bear nodded. "That's true, but the rituals don't take into consideration that the mating was as strenuous as yours was. We can fudge a bit to adjust to the current circumstances."
 
"Is Li Wei doing okay?"
 
"He's been hard as a rock all night, but he has three Changelings attending to his needs and he's more than willing to accommodate ours."
 
"Three Changelings?" Derrick asked.
 
"Anders and Lewis are with us. Tyler has been good enough to close off the woods for the day from the tourists. Greg has a work crew making a great deal of noise to drown us out. I'm not sure it's doing all that good a job. There have been three reports of wild animal noises already at the information desk."
 
Will laughed. "Damn, why do we even try to cover this stuff up? We totally suck at it."
 
"Because the humans need this place now more than ever. They need places that remind them of their past and help them build a better future. The park will close soon enough and we'll have the island to ourselves for the night."
 
Derrick pushed up onto his forearms. He groaned painfully as he tried to find a position that didn't hurt. "Papa Bear, please bring our family here. You have all had a good night. But there are traditions we have whenever there are matings. There is love here. It's as old as the millions of years you have walked this earth. There are traditions. We celebrate the mating of not just the three of us, but of all our families."
 
Eric nodded his head. "That is the tradition. But I have two husbands that mated with a Changeling yesterday. I still see the blood on their necks and the scars on their bodies. My Changeling mate certainly looks as if you ran him through the wringer. I doubt any of you are up for the level of intimacy your family might crave."
 
Derrick moved to stand up. "Oh, bad idea," he said, falling backward onto Donovan who yelped in pain. "Sorry, Husband. I haven't had balance this bad since Will turned me." 
 
Kris sat next to the black wolf and his paw extended, glowing a warm green. "It's because your leg is still broken, Pup," he said. He pointed to the bandaged leg. 
 
"Yeah, that's right. Sorry about that last night, Donovan. I didn't mean to kick you off, but you know… Will's ass. Kind of get territorial when I'm pounding it." Derrick looked up to the Kodiak. "Nothing can make your husband lose his hard-on faster than having to shove a bone back into a leg and set it in a hurry."
 
Donovan leaned toward the black wolf and kissed him. "And nothing brings a hard-on back faster than seeing your smiling face in the morning."
 
Will laughed. "He's quite the romantic for a warrior, you know," he said to the white bear.
 
"I know," Kris agreed. "We have an extraordinary family. Warriors with hearts that are gentler than any I have ever known. A shy little wolf with a courage that never ceases to amaze me."
 
"And a white bear who ties us all together," the old wolf interjected.
 
Eric laughed. "I don't hold you together. I am just grateful you let me stay by your side and share my life with you."
 
"And today, part of that sharing is to ask our family to our side, as we've done for thousands of years."
 
"We can wait. This room puts us right in the middle of the tourists."
 
"That's what the soundproofing is for, Old Bear," Will replied. "Have Greg bring his crew over here and put up some scaffolding and a sign saying the interiors on being worked on and there might be some shaking going on. The tourists will be none the wiser."
 
"Besides, we're spent," Derrick said. "And I imagine most of you are as well. It will be gentler and less noisy this time around. You can treat us gently while we heal over the next few days. But Will is right. We need to be with our family. This is the way it has been for centuries. We three started this by mating. It is our obligation and our right to sustain that love. Let us be with our family."
 
"Traditions, Old Bear. We honor traditions," Will said.
 
Donovan smiled. "Traditions."
 
Kris grinned. "Traditions, Husband."
 
Eric put the tray down in front of the three. "Eat your eggs before they grow cold. I will get the family. Eat everything on your plate, men. You'll need your strength."
 
Will grinned. "Really?"
 
"Nathaniel, Martin, and Oliver are out there with us. The pack is arriving in an hour. Chet and the boys have been in the air since yesterday. They insisted on making the trip under their own power. That should exhaust at least a few of the family enough to think a bit of cuddling will be more than adequate."
 
Derrick laughed. "Well, we knew this would happen with a big family."
 
Donovan pushed up and grabbed a plate. "I am ready to meet my family, Husband." The plate of food tilted into the wolf's mouth. "We will be here until all who wish to be with us have done so." His two wolf mates nodded their agreement.
 
"Okay," the bear said as he walked toward the door. "Just don't start without us." He turned, paused, and then grinned. "Just kidding. I know you won't wait. We'll be back soon. Do your best to heal the major stuff, Husband. I'll send up Nathaniel first. He can help in the healing. An hour later, you men be prepared for family," the bear said, looking at the group. With that, he turned toward the door. "I love you all."
 
The four sighed as the bear's rump flexed. "We love you too," Will said as a mouthpiece for all who watched as the bear walked through the door.

Three days later, Donovan leaned back into the belly of the saber-toothed cat. "I don't think I have ever been quite as happy as I am this morning. I love you, Husbands."
 
"We love you too," came the chorus of three of his four husbands. 
 
"And I love you, family," the Armbruster's wolf yelled happily. "Whichever of you happen to still be here."
 
"We love you, too," came the chorus of beasts.
 
Nathaniel's lips slipped off the cock of the winged blue bear. "We're all pretty much here, Donovan. Some of us just couldn't talk with our mouths full."
 
Will looked up. "Where are Eric and Oliver? I don't think I've bumped into them the entire time."
 
"They're out in the forest," Nathaniel said with a chuckle. "Father decided it was time to let Oliver give back his powers. The two of them figured with everyone distracted, the transfer might be enjoyable."
 
Will laughed. "You know, Oliver, he loves himself some quality time with that bear." 
 
The side door creaked open and a polar bear with a badger on his shoulders stooped under the door and entered the room.
 
"Speak of the devils," Will said as he jumped up and ran toward the two new housemates. He grabbed the badger off the polar bear's shoulders and kissed him. "Mmmmm…," he sighed. "Spermy. I love your morning breath, Oliver. Smells like husband. Not your husband, mind you, but definitely our husband."
 
Oliver laughed. "I was helping you out by getting your husband ready for his merging. He's gots to have his powers back to merge. I'se trying to keep my family together."
 
"Indeed you are," the old wolf agreed. He watched as Donovan moved off Martin's stomach and reached up to the polar bear. The bear lifted the Armbruster's wolf up and hugged him. 
 
"Thank you for giving me this time, my love," Donovan said as he kissed the white bear. "I now know why this has been a tradition for so many centuries."
 
"It was my pleasure, Husband," Eric replied. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself."
 
"And you?" the Armbruster's wolf asked.
 
"Never has reacquiring my powers been so pleasurable." The bear looked at the badger and smiled as Oliver smiled back.
 
"How much time do we have, husbands?" Will asked.
 
"Not much, I'm afraid," Eric replied. He pulled up his paw that clung to Donovan's and Will saw the faint green glow shared between the two as the definition between the two paws started slowly fading. "We have already begun the merge. The ties will become obvious within the hour. I postponed it as long as I could by staying away with Oliver, but you see what happens when we touch now. Our biology will win out."
 
Jean Pierre, the alpha of his pack, pulled the Kermode up off his fox husband and kissed the grinning bear. "I hate to interrupt my husband being pawed by my namesake, but it is time my pack rousted themselves from this revelry. Tiff… Tuff… Get to your ships. Tiff, the five Changelings should all be there for the merging. Ivan is in Paris at the Templeton Memorial Hospital. Francisco is a part of the polar ice restoration team up north in Greenland. Track him with his ComLink. I'll let them both know you're coming to get them."
 
The French wolf looked at Tiff's twin. "Tuff, you take the Gray Wolf and get this family to the highland. Take as many as you can, but the two Changelings come first. Make sure they're on the ground and in their resting spot before anything else."
 
"Takeo," Tuff called out. 
 
"Over here, sir," a thin brown wolf called out as he rose from behind the Kodiak.
 
"Grab Daisuki and head on over to the ships. Get them online. Today, you two are piloting."
 
"Sir?"
 
"You joined the team to fly, right?"
 
"Yes sir, but today of all days?" 
 
"What better day than the day we take our family home for their merging?"
 
"Yes, sir," the Hokkaido wolf agreed. "I'll get Daisuki. I don't think he and the Green family ever made it back from the woods. Bear bodies are very distracting to those of us raised on the idea that Sumo wrestlers are practically gods."
 
Kris laughed out loud. "So that explains the last three days."
 
Takeo leaned over and kissed the bear. "You, sir… you are a god in your own right."
 
Kris smiled as he watched the werewolf shift to wolf and dash through the side door Tiff had opened. 
 
Tuff waved his arm around his head. "Come on men. We can get you there within half an hour if we get it together." 
 
Tuff looked at Damien. "You want to tag along, Husband?"
 
"Of course," the red wolf said, jumping up from his embrace with Lothair. 
 
"Take me with you, Husband," Darius said as he pulled Lothair up from the floor. "If we take Li Wei with us, it will free up more room on the Gray Wolf and we'll have the fun of seeing the Paris skyline from the hospital helipad."
 
"It will be good to see my brothers again," Lothair said with a smile. "I'm sure the five of us won't have time for much more than goodbyes when we reach the highland."
 
"Let's move then. The Red Wolf is already warming up." Tiff said. "We need to be out of here now if we're going to be on the highland in an hour." The party of four raced out from beneath the garage door before it was even halfway up.
 
Chet gave one last kiss to the black wolf and stood up. "Husbands, time to gather our family together. There are wolves at work that need to know what is happening." 
 
The blue bear walked to his side as his wings folded. The blonde bear tucked his wings into his back. "Let's split up and we'll cover more ground," he said.
 
"Go, son," the polar bear said with a smile. Promise me you three will not try to fly there on your own." 
 
Chet laughed. "You haven't seen bears fly. Unless you promise not to merge for two days, we will use the Gray Wolf." With a quick kiss from the polar bear and the wolf, they were out the garage door and headed toward the hospital.
 
Derrick walked to the side of the polar bear and the Armbruster's wolf. "Come, you two. Lean on us and let's get you to the Gray Wolf."
 
 Eric smiled. "Thanks for remembering, Pup. It's already locking up our muscles."
 
Will shifted his legs and pushed his arm underneath Donovan's. "Come, Husband. This is all new to you, but it is familiar territory to us. Our Changeling husbands have taught us well. You are in excellent hands."
 
"I actually kind of relish the thought that for the next forty years, not one thing in the universe can ask me to use my powers."
 
"Oh, that's not true, Wolf," Will said. "I will insist on a kiss goodbye that lasts me until your return. That will require quite some power."
 
"I love you, Old Wolf. I'm not sure there is a power in the universe that strong. But I will try."

The Iberian wolf gently turned the conjoined bear and wolf toward the open garage door. Kris came from behind and steadied the faltering couple. "Shoulds we help them?" Oliver asked Martin.
 
"No, Badger," the cat replied. "This is a journey the five of them alone can share. We go to be there when the three leave the cave."
 
By the time the Red Wolf flew in from Greenland, the couple was awash in the green and white glow of their merging. Hasty goodbyes made, the family moved outside, giving the five husbands their last moments together for decades to come. 
 
Donovan's power surged through the polar bear, making it difficult for the bear to breathe. Kris stood by the couple in the main hall of the cave. "Okay, Donovan," the Kodiak said, "I need you to dial back. This is a part of the merging where you need to concentrate. I know you think that you're going to give the bear all that you are, but you do that, and you will kill him. He's already holding back to save your life. Hold on to yourself, hold on to your power. Share yourself the way you would with a lover on a summer afternoon down by the creek. Seduce your mate, tease him with just a taste of who you are. Leave him wanting more."
 
The brown bear wiped the brow of the Armbruster's wolf. "You don't throw yourself at him full force. You'll crush him. This isn't a mating, it's a merging. We slowly become a part of the whole. See it in your head. Don't rush it."
 
Donovan's eyes opened. "I'm so unsure," he said.
 
Will snorted. "Virgins. Gotta love them." The wolf knelt in front of the glowing white wolf. "You have the most remarkable man next to you trying to merge, Donovan. Stop being the warrior trying to control this. Let him in. Let him guide you."
 
Donovan looked at the wolf. "You will be here when I come back?"
 
Will smiled. "Of course, we will. Where else would we be?"
 
"I'm afraid."
 
"I know. Let him in, let him lay beside you. Let him be your husband. Stand down, Warrior. Embrace the peace."
 
Donovan trembled as the crystalline matrix crept up his arm. And then it happened. The Armbruster's wolf's eyes closed. "I love you, Old Bear," he whispered as the green light flowed into him.
 
"I love you, Wolf," the bear responded as the white light moved through him. The three watched until the two were no more. The crystal rock, so familiar in the main hall of the cave, stood pulsing its cool white-green glow to the heartbeat of what had become one.
 
"Damn," Will said. "I never get to say goodbye to them the way I want."
 
Derrick slipped up beside his mate. "But at least we get to say hello the way we want."
 
"True that, Pup. You ready for another forty years?" the old wolf said as he walked out into the darkness of the glade.
 
"Yeah. It's like coming home, Old Wolf. We mated with three Changelings. We best get used to this."
 
Kris pulled the two in close and pointed to the family sitting out in the grass, looking up at the stars. "It will be fun, wolves. Like a camp-out. We'll have marshmallows by the fire… ghost stories…"
 
"And wieners… lots and lots of wieners…" Oliver said, moving closer to the saber-toothed cat and patting the empty space next to him. "Mostly down my throat, but a few up my ass now and then won't be so bad."
 
"Wieners, Oliver?" Will asked. "Really?"
 
"Sure, Old Wolf. And we can has hot dogs every now-and-thens if you want them too. Don't rightly care what we have to eat as long as we gots plenty of wieners to play with."
 
"I love you, Oliver," the old wolf said with a smile as he sat down next to the little mammal. 
 
"Me too," Derrick chimed in finding himself a seat in the grass. 
 
"I loves you both, too," Oliver said happily. "And you, Bear. I'm right fond of you."
 
Kris sighed. "This will be an unusual wait, won't it?"
 
"Why's that?" Oliver asked. 
 
"Because I think by the time my husbands come home, I might have another one."
 
"You gots the Sight, Bear?"
 
"No, Badger, I've got you. And I can't help but want to bite your neck every time I see you."
 
"I coulds live with that, Bear."
 
"It would certainly make for an interesting set of relationships you'll have," Will said with a laugh. "Married to a bear and his father."
 
"Yeah, we does some weird stuff in the name of love, don'ts we?"
 
Will laughed. "It never seemed all that weird to me. Now three temple dogs, a gallon of brownie batter, and forty feet of steel cable… that can get you some pretty weird love if you know what you're doing."
 
"Does I marry the bear, Husbands?"
 
Derrick rubbed the badger's head. "Are you asking us because we have the Sight, or are you asking for the opinions of your husbands?"
 
"Either seems fine."
 
"Marry him." Derrick said without hesitation. "He's like me. He won't hold back if you're his husband."
 
Oliver laughed. "Then I'se a dead badger for sure the day he bites my neck."
 
"But what a way to go, Badger," Derrick said.
 
"I'll asks my island husbands. I thinks they has a say in this." 
 
The large head of the short-faced bear fell in front of the badger, looking up at his face with the silly family grin. "Marry him, Badger."
 
The cat lay down in front of the group and rolled over onto his back. "I agree. I'm tired of my tongue being the kinkiest topic of conversation in this family. First we have a father and son that mate and have a child who becomes the badger's husband. Then the badger mates with the child's father. Now that is kinky."
 
"In this family marrying a father and his son is downright vanilla, Cat," the old wolf said with a chuckle. "Now three temple dogs, a pillowcase filled with turkey stuffing, an electric auto buffer, and a diving board over Jell-O, that's kinky."
 
"I didn't think so," Noboru said as he sat down. 
 
"Nor I," Katashi agreed.
 
"It was pretty kinky in my opinion," Zhuang replied. "But then I am not fond of lime Jell-O. If it had been black cherry Jell-O I might feel differently."
 
Martin looked at the three temple dogs, who shared a common grin. "Are you three pulling our legs?"
 
Katashi smiled. "No, that would require a gallon of whipped cream, an artist's easel, twenty-three feet of eight thousand pound test bungee cord, an oak tree at least eighty years old, and Li Wei."
 
Martin smiled. "I see. There are layers to you temple dogs that I hope one day to understand."
 
"We will be glad to help, Cat," Zhuang said. "We will be here until the bear and wolf's return. That should give us time. Come, plant rice with us in the spring, and we will sing of our adventures with the old wolf. We are still recovering from our adventures with Pup, but I imagine in time, they too, will become legends."
 
Martin laughed. "So, Oliver, back to your question. I say marry the bear. You've wanted to since the first day he made you his snack all those years ago on the gunnery landing site."
 
Oliver sighed. "I really, really hates the Sight, you know."
 
"Yeah, I know," the saber-toothed cat replied. "But the cat with the Sight loves you."
 
"And the black wolf with the Sight loves you, too," Derrick added
 
"And the Iberian wolf."
 
"I guess it's a fair trade, then. I loves all of them," Oliver said with a sigh.
 
"So?" Kris asked.
 
"Yeah, Bear. I will marrys you if you promise to come visits me on the island from time to time. That goes for you two wolves as well."
 
"You're always welcome here, Oliver," Will invited. "You know how these vigils work."
 
"I does," the badger replied. "And you knows that we has ourselves a whole new set of young ones moving in."
 
Derrick leaned back into the belly of the Kodiak bear. "We can always rotate a bit I suppose. I'm sure that our hibernating husbands would understand."
 
"You have a deal, Badger," Kris said.
 
Oliver stood up. "Okay then, Bear, let's get this started."
 
 "Now?" Kris asked.
 
Oliver nodded. "I figure that the group we gots here is about as small a family gathering as I'm gonna get. Half the pack is back on the island taking care of the hospital or the children, and with Li Wei teaching tai chi class to the little ones, I'se only got three dogs looking to pound my ass when we's mated."
 
Noboru shook his head. "You will be fine, Oliver. It's the bear's ass we're going to go after as soon as you're finished with it. He's a Changeling after all."
 
Oliver laughed. "Well, that makes me rest a bit easier, but it's still as small a gathering as we's going to get, so I say we goes for it."
 
Kris rose, and leaning over, scooped up the little mammal and placed him on his shoulders. "Oliver, I love you. Be my mate."
 
"Now ands forever, Bear. Make me your husband." He looked at the other animals staring at him. "Go on, beasts. Back to the cave to waits. This is our moment. You's way too close not to get all hot and bothered and get in our way."
 
The crowd smiled and walked back toward the glowing mouth of the cave.
 
Once he saw all the family inside the cave, the bear grabbed Oliver off his shoulders and threw him into the air. As he fell toward the earth, Oliver shifted into the werebadger, and the bear caught the beast in his teeth. The bear's jaws tightened as he bit into Oliver's neck. "You tell me if this hurts too much," the bear said as he pushed the badger into the grass and mounted him.
 
"Nots hardly, Bear. You wants to hear me scream, you makes it from pleasuring me," Oliver growled. The bear bit deeper and the thrusting of the bruin began in earnest. Inside the cave, the temple dogs rocked anxiously. 
 
An hour later, shortly after the roar of the bear's orgasm had faded and the night became quiet, the Kodiak bear cried out, "Holy fucking Terra, Badger. Where did you learn to do that?"
 
"Be my mate, Bear," the badger yelled through clenched teeth. "Be my mate, and I won't stop until I'se spent."
 
"Now and forever, Badger," the bear bellowed.
 
When the badger screamed his way through his orgasm, the temple dog's nostrils flared. The black wolf's ears pinned back. The old wolf's cock pushed out from his sheath. The saber-toothed cat arched his back and hissed. The short-faced bear rolled forward onto all fours from his rocking. The pack and Changelings all began to stare at the entrance to the cave waiting for the call. 
 
The old wolf looked to the crowd as they heard the beasts roaring. "Men, I believe we have two husbands that are ready for us," Will said happily. As one unified body, the beasts rushed to the cave's opening and out into the grassy field.

Chapter 30

The four husbands stood by the glowing rock, each with one paw touching the stone. "Happy anniversary, husbands," Kris said lovingly. "We all decided it was in our best interest to choose one common day to celebrate. The middle of August seemed right. No one has a holiday in the middle of summer. So, now we have a reason for our family to get together. It's been twenty-eight years since Oliver and I mated. Can you believe it? All that I know is that I am one very happy, grateful bear."
 
Oliver looked up at the bear, and then his gaze returned to the crystal. "And I'se one very happy badger. I loves him so much, Old Bear. I loves him, Wolf. I promises I'se never gonna get between you and him unless it's so you can pounds my butt while I pounds his."
 
Kris laughed. "You know how it goes, husbands. We make family. You're making a new addition even as we speak. Oliver and I just closed the circle on a love that begged to be acknowledged for far too long."
 
Derrick rubbed the glowing stone. "They make such a beautiful pair, husbands. Come back to us. Let us show you just how beautiful they are."
 
Will knelt down. "It's been twenty-eight years, husbands. You know how I am. I miss you. I want to feel you both when I wake up in the morning. Ivan and Francisco merged last week. That's where we've been. Have to say goodbye to the family before they merge. You fucking Changelings; always rolling up into a rock and making us wait for you. We tried to convince them to come here, but you know those two. Their husbands are Parisians. They weren't about to spend forty years waiting for their husbands in a cave. Besides, Templeton Memorial Hospital is their shared passion. Where else would they go to merge? The two of them are resting in room C-244. When you come back, we can go to France and visit them together." 
 
Derrick put his arm on Will's shoulder. "The island children have all grown up. Most of them are married with children of their own now. We seem to have found peace with what our world has become. What Max did is holding. The Terrans still don't realize what happened that day other than they avoided a nuclear disaster. They have no clue of the changes deep within their DNA."
 
"But they's doing just fine," Oliver said to the glowing rock. "them Terrans humans is finally taking care of their own; even all them driven crazy by the change. They's gots homes where they is cared for. They gots their fellow humans and the werebeasts they ain't never going to see looking out for them."
 
Kris rubbed the stone again, as he always did right before he spoke. "The governments are pretty much back in place again. I sometimes think they're there more for a sense of nostalgia and a way of defining geographical areas. As individuals learned to share their lives, the governments followed suit. We don't hear the word refugee very often outside of history classes."
 
The Kodiak leaned over and kissed the glowing crystal. "It hasn't always been a calm peace between nations, but there's never been a war; not even a border skirmish. A lot of very intense negotiations, but they're learning to yield more quickly to that underlying reality that we're all in this together."
 
"God, how we miss you two," Will said. "Please come back. We have a field full of family out there, so eager to see you as something more than a rock." 
 
Derrick touched the crystal one last time. "We have to go now. That family is getting ready for the night. Our daylong celebration is ending, and the pack is eager to run. We love you, Papa Bear. We love you, Wolf. Be happy."
 
Oliver gave the stone a swift kick. "Come back, bastard Changelings. You gots family to take care of. And looks what you done to the old wolf. He ain't even got the heart to kick you no more." The badger kissed the stone. "I misses you. Happy anniversary, Old Bear. Happy anniversary, Wolf. Come back and makes me your mate."
 
Oliver, Will and Derrick turned toward the cave door. "Just a moment more for me," Kris said waving the three toward the door.
 
"Sure, Husband," Derrick said. "We'll see you out on the glade."
 
In the cool glow of the crystal, Kris sat down on the ground and dropped his head onto the stone. "I know this is who we are, husbands. But we make them wait for so long. Ivan and Francisco's husbands; they all wait. I wait, and now I know what it feels like to want to be a part of you again. I am the first Changeling to wait. You have no idea how much we miss you. I don't want you to feel guilty for doing what we do. I just want you to know how deep the longing goes for those who wait. Almost as deep as the love that makes this all possible."
 
The bear rose and wiped his eyes with his paw. "We wait. We will always wait. Come home, husbands. Bring your child with you."
 
Jean Pierre, the alpha wolf, rose from the table and looked across the glade. The artificial torchlights cast a warm glow over the party. "Such a beautiful night. Even the moon is full. Who is up for a run?" His mates smiled and the little fox wagged his red tail. The pack, which contained both werebeast and Changeling, gathered together and shook into wolves and the bear they let slip into the pack on the technicality that he was once a wolf. The company of bears, temple dogs, a saber-toothed cat, a badger, and a visiting rhino, who grinned at the thought of another run next to his Yellow clan, joined them. 
 
Jean Pierre pressed the ComLink on his chest. "How long before you boys are here?"
 
"A few more minutes," Chet responded. "We will greet our human family tomorrow if they wish to go to bed now. Bears don't fly fast and I have no intention of leaving their side."
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "I would expect nothing less of a good husband. We will wait for you if you wish."
 
"No, Old One. Run with your family. We love watching you run from above. We will join you when we get there." There was a pause. "Is Pup there?"
 
"I'm here," Derrick said, his grin widening.
 
"Just curious," Chet said with a cheerful voice. "We look forward to seeing you all tonight."
 
"Just some of us more than others, Pup," Will laughed as he hugged the black wolf. "Don't forget the deal."
 
Derrick kissed the old wolf. "I get touched by an angel, and I'll have the devil to pay."
 
"And old yellow eyes wants what he wants," Will said with a leering grin as he stood up and stepped away from the table and shook into his wolf form. 
 
"Top or bottom?" the black wolf asked as he too stepped out into the field.
 
"Really, Pup? You have to ask?" the Iberian wolf said, bumping into him playfully.
 
"God, you two," Sarah groaned as she maneuvered slowly out from the picnic table. "Do you two ever take a breath for anything other than heavy breathing?"
 
Will smiled at his niece. "Wolves are creatures of habit. We'd try something different, but this seems to be working out so well."
 
Jean Pierre looked at the aged couple. "And what of you two? Sarah, Paul, would you or the family like to run with us tonight?"
 
Paul laughed. "I'm eighty-two years old, Jean Pierre. I didn't jog when we first met. What makes you think I would start running now?"
 
"Because there's a first time for everything, and it involves a lot of kissing by furry animals?"
 
Paul thought a moment before his wife punched his arm playfully. "Sorry boys. As pleasant as that offer might be, I'll pass on it tonight." 
 
"I don't know," Kristopher said playing with what little hair remained on the side of his head. "Might be kind of entertaining to see what bears really do in the woods."
 
Jenny bumped her husband. "You have four children who expect a story from their father tonight, pajamas to put on, far too many cups of water to fill, and a charming wife to satisfy in bed. I would say your night is full." 
 
Kristopher looked down and saw his children nodding their agreement. He grabbed the youngest, pulling her up from the picnic table and onto his shoulders. "Well, then… come little children, and I will tell you the story of a boy whose brother became a flying bear."

 The oldest son rolled his eyes. "We've heard that one about a thousand times." 
 
Kristopher thought. "The human that married a bear?"
 
"Yep, done that one."
 
"The bear and the badger who loved a sloth that became a cat?"
 
The fifteen-year-old gave an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, Dad. All been done."
 
"The teenager who was mauled and eaten by his irate uncles who wanted to run, but knew they couldn't until their human family was inside the cave fast asleep?"
 
The boy's eyes widened. "Yeah, don't think I've heard that one." He paused in thought. "How about the badger and the bear that loved the sloth that became a cat? That's my favorite."
 
"Kids?" Kristopher asked. The remaining siblings cheered. "How about your kids Jessica?"
 
Jessica looked at her husband. "I just got them both to sleep. It's up to you, Babe," he said.
 
"We'll walk back with you, but we might pass on the story tonight," she said with a smile.
 
Jessica and her husband put the twins into their papooses and slipped them over their shoulders. The Carver family grabbed their empty plates and helped their grandfather up from the table. They brushed themselves off, went through the long line of beasts, kissing each one goodnight, and headed back to the rock face of the cliff and their beds.
 
When he saw the last of the humans slipping through the opening in the crag, Oliver looked up to the sky and began singing. The warm tones of the badger spread out across the glade. Changeling sounded beautiful no matter who spoke it, but Oliver's lower register made the song warm and inviting.
 
Kristopher's son stood inside the opening of the cavern and looked back. "Now that, Dad… I never get tired of that."
 
"Come on kids," Kristopher said. "Open up your ears and we'll be just fine listening to him sing inside."
 
The short-faced bear leaned into his badger husband and kissed his cheek. He raised his head and joined the song. The old wolf held the badger from behind, his legs wrapping around the tiny body. He kissed the top of the badger's head and raised his voice in song. The saber-toothed cat and the pup smiled from beside the badger and they, too, sang. With a thud that shook the ground, the Kodiak dropped down, wrapped his arms around his family, hugged them tightly, and raised his voice in song.
 
One by one, the great beasts joined the chorus, helping guide their flying brothers to the highland. Inside the cave, Sarah and Paul kissed their grandchildren goodnight. They smiled and sat down on the couch. "We'll just stay here and listen for a bit," Sarah said.
 
Kristopher smiled. "I don't blame you. It's hard to go to sleep when they're singing."
 
Kristopher's youngest looked up at her father. "Can we sing with them?"
 
"Of course you can, But we can't stay up too late," her father answered. "Remember, Uncles Tiff and Tuff promised to take us in the Red Wolf to visit Uncle Billy and Uncle Diego tomorrow."
 
"Okay," the kids said in unison. 
 
Kristopher smiled at Jenny. "Want to join them?"
 
Jenny kissed her husband. "When could I ever say no to singing with my family?"
 
The family closed their eyes and let the music flow through them. Except for a young straggler, the family sang in one voice. The fifteen-year-old struggled with what to do. It was okay to listen, but really, singing with the family? Definitely not cool. 
 
And so the lad listened. He listened to his family of beasts and humans as they sang of all that they had lost and all that they had found. The words of love, friendship, sacrifice, and redemption filled the glade with their melody. He smiled at the story of how Santa turned into a Kodiak, blinded the humans, and saved the wolves he loved. His head tilted as he listened closely to a new song on the highland. It was the story of his family and the love they had for a fifteen-year-old boy with way, way too much attitude. As the flying bears and their angel mate spiraled out of the air and onto the field, the young boy laughed, raised his head, and began to sing.