The Song of the Iberian Wolf

Chapter 1

Will stared at the glowing green crystal rock. His paw reached out, touched the stone, and he sighed. "I miss you, husbands. Old Bear, I don't do well without you in my life. And you, Wolf; I barely got to know you. I can't remember the taste of you, and I remember everything. You've both been away too long."
 
The Iberian wolf sat down beside the stone and he wrapped his arms around its thinnest side. "Please come back. I know I promised to be patient, but damn it, this has gone on too long. It's been thirty-five years. Sarah and Paul are both dead. We buried them on the island and you weren't there. They tried so hard to wait for your return, but human bodies don't last forever.
 
"Kristopher, Jenny, and their two youngest kids moved off the island years ago. I told you about them, right? They're helping Kabelo and his pack in Africa. They're doing habitat restoration. You would have thought Billy would have been the farm animal expert, what with all the time he and Diego spent behind the barn. Nope, it's his brother, Kristopher, helping the South African government put Kruger National Park back on the map. He works with some amazing South African ecologists in using hoofed animal migrations to restore grasslands. They have a huge volunteer group that helps with replanting trees and so much more. And the pack watches over them all and keeps them safe.
 
"The elephant herds are thriving, and one of these years, I bet they can even take the black rhino off the endangered species list. It's remarkable how they found a small herd of them where no one thought they existed. They say it's a miracle the rangers ever found them." Will laughed knowingly. "Chipo is such an extraordinary guardian over his rhinos. Can you believe it? Our whole family is so involved in turning this world around. No more standing on the sidelines hoping the humans can make it on their own.
 
"Their eldest daughter, Isabella, is somewhere in the Southwest… Texas I think. She's helping with the desert reclamation project. They've restored grasslands to thousands of acres of arid ground. The grass in turn is cooling the ground and the surrounding air. It's not exactly global cooling, but the changes are at least ones that are stabilizing the climate from all the damage of the last century. The polar ice caps may never return to the way they once were, but at least what's left isn't melting anymore."
 
The old wolf stretched and readjusted his legs. "She comes up to Montana every month to make sure we stay on task. She can be pretty demanding, but we love her. There are cottonwood trees down by the old wash now. The creek runs for four months out of the year. It's kind of amazing. It reminds me of the way it used to look four hundred years ago. Maybe better. But it's missing the polar bear that made it the home I always returned to. You could come home, Old Bear. You too, Wolf. The place looks better with both of you there.
 
"Their oldest son, Kurt, is in the Amazon with local crews. I guess he's quite the renowned botanist. Who would believe that a two-year-old kid who used to eat grass would grow up to create drought-resistant crops? They're helping wipe out the last pockets of hunger on this planet. Of course, that's not why he's down in the Amazon. He's working with the Brazilian government to restore the forest. It had a rough go from the last war and all the logging, but it's turning around. I don't want to say Kurt isn't amazing, but I think we have him down there just so the humans have someone they can point to for everything Gaia might be doing to help out."
 
Will rubbed the stone lovingly. "He's married, you know. Kurt married Simon Kellogg. No relation to the cereal, by the way. I don't think you've met him. He's a wonderful guy. Absolutely refuses to become a werewolf, but that sure doesn't stop him from acting like one every chance he gets. He's the first human to run with us. Every full moon, he's right there beside his husband when Kurt comes home. I'm glad they have each other. Although long-distance relationships are tough, to say the least. You should know that. You've been away long enough."
 
In the quiet of the cavern, Will continued his daily ramble. "Kendal seems to be doing well. Steve's death has been so hard for him. We always think we'll live forever. We forget that life catches up with all of us sooner or later. It would have been nice for those two if it had been later rather than sooner. Steve was such a good man; such an amazing werewolf. Werewolves should have hundreds of years together, not just a few years. We all deserve that, don't we?"
 
Will choked back a sob. For a time, only the labored breathing of a wolf crying filled the cavern. In time, the old wolf raised his head, wiped his eyes, and continued. "Steve saved so many lives. He's a hero buried next to all the memorials of our fallen heroes. But at such a cost to Kendal. It never really heals, Old Bear. It never heals. We find a way to make peace with it. We move on. But it lingers there, never quite going away." The old wolf grew quiet, and his head dropped again.
 
When Will looked back up, he forced a smile and rubbed the crystal longingly. "But Kendal loves his home on the island and he keeps things working around the lighthouse. He'll be fine, eventually. It's not even been a year. We all take care of him, and I'm sure one day he will find himself another mate. But you know how it is when you've lost someone you've loved so deeply. It's hard to see beyond the loss.
 
"Greg was that way when Trevor died. He threw himself into his work." Will laughed quietly. "The island has so many buildings on it now. They look great. It's like walking through history. So many people come to see the memorials. But Greg was so broken. Even his daughters and their families couldn't get him past that hurt. And then one day he bumps into Michael." Will shook his head. "Yeah, I know, two werewolves named Michael on the island. We call him Mike, trying to avoid the confusion, but it was bound to happen one day.
 
"Not that I'm complaining in any way. I'm so happy for them both. When I say they bumped into each other, I mean they slammed into each other. It was pouring rain, and they were running from opposite sides of the island trying to get out of it." Will's hands went up and waved wildly. "WHAM! One big ball of fur trying to sort itself out on the ground. By the time they had sorted out their arms, they were wrapped around each other and kissing. Mike is a wonder that way. He doesn't hold back. He drags Greg into life just the way Trevor did. They are so good for each other.
 
"Milo called last week. He wanted to point out that the fiftieth anniversary of Bear Paws Enterprises buying their town is this June. You said you would be there to turn the deed back over to the town, Old Bear. You know how I hate showing up to those things without you. It's going to be huge. They're going to have a key to the city and… and…" 
 
Will took a deep breath. "You've heard this all before, haven't you? I ramble on so badly when I'm with you. All I want to do is touch you, so I never know what to say. I need to feel your fur up against mine. I need you inside me, Old Bear. Wolf, you can have me anyway you want me, I don't care. Just come back, you two. Please come back."
 
The wolf's ears perked up as he heard the quiet footfall of another werewolf and a lumbering bear. He stood up and quickly kicked the stone. "There, you bastards. That's for taking so long to come back." He turned, and Derrick smiled at him. Oliver rested on Kris's shoulders. The Kodiak dipped his head, pulled the badger off his shoulders, and placed him on the ground.
 
"You don't have to hide the way you're feeling from me, Husband," Derrick said as he wrapped his arms around the gray wolf.
 
"I'm not," Will said, wiping his eyes with the back of his paw. "This cave is dusty. I get stuff in my eyes."
 
"Me too," the black wolf said, staring at the glowing rock. "They're called memories. Those two make me tear up every time I visit. They've been away too long."
 
"Well, I can kick those two bastards every time without shedding no tears," Oliver said as he waddled up and kicked the rock. "They's making my husbands sad, and it don't do my butt no good to have them two locked up inside a rock." The badger looked at the rock and kicked it again. "Wake the fuck up, Changelings. You gots beasts here who misses you, damn it."
 
Will laughed. "I love you, Oliver," he said as he grabbed the little mammal into a tight hug. Kris walked over to the stone. His hand reached out and touched the glowing rock as he closed his eyes and sang in a quiet voice.
 
"I misses them both, Old Wolf," the badger said. "I knows it ain't easy for us, but it ain't easy for them neither. We just gots to hold on to their memories a bit longer. They's coming back as quick as they can."
 
"And we will be here when they return," Derrick said with a smile as he took the badger from the old wolf and squeezed him.
 
"Well, I guess you gots to be there when your husbands come back," Oliver said, trying to sound upbeat. "But I misses you both something fierce when I'se on the island."
 
"You have Martin and Nathaniel, Oliver," Will said. "Surely those two handsome husbands can tide you over until you come to visit us here."
 
"Just cause I gots food, don't mean I'm okay living without water. My husbands is like food and water for me. I needs both in my life. Ain't one gonna do me right without the other."  
 
Derrick squeezed the badger tightly and then put him back on the ground. "And you, Husband, are like the air we breathe. We can't stay away long from you, either. It's just that we wait here as we always do for their return. Sometimes our duties pull us away, but you know that we always leave one behind to watch. One day, you will do the same for Nathaniel."
 
"I knows. Ain't sure who he's gonna merge with, but I knows it will happen one day. You's teaching me right proper how to be a good husband to a Changeling." Oliver looked up at Will and grinned. "So, I gots something for you, Old Wolf."
 
"I was wondering why the unexpected visit," Will said.
 
"Not that we don't intend on taking full advantage of you being here, Badger," Derrick added quickly.
 
Oliver giggled. "I likes the way you takes advantage of me, Pup."
 
"So, what is this something you have for me?" the old wolf asked.
 
Oliver looked back toward the antechamber of the cave. "Bring it in, boys. Put's it on the desk."
 
Will glowered. "Oliver, NO."
 
"Cant's help it, Old Wolf. You knowed it was coming."
 
"Ohhh, Oliver, this isn't fair."
 
"You is the best at what you does. Them board members with all them lawyers and accountants can take care of things for a time, but it's been two years, and things are getting ragged around the edges. They's demanding you comes back. And Jean Pierre is your alpha. You can't go saying no to him. He says it's time for you to come back."
 
"So, you want me to return to being the CEO of a multinational conglomerate with annual revenues greater than most countries, start managing the properties again, decide how to move the finances around, AND wait for my husbands while living in a cave?"
 
"Pretty much nailed it, Old Wolf."
 
"So, they sent you to ask me because I can't say no to you?"
 
Oliver grinned. "You sees? You don'ts even need the Sight to figure this family out."
 
"Well, this sucks. First, I can't have all my husbands next to me in bed, and now I can't even pretend that this is a vacation from work."
 
"Thas, why I'se here, Old Wolf," the badger said. "I'se a bribe. You can'ts have all your husbands in bed, but you can has one more. And that would means that at least they is all here on the highland with you."
 
Will's smile was so wide his back teeth showed. "Really, Oliver. Not just a visit, but you stay?"
 
"I stays with you three. My other husbands will come to visit me every weekend instead of the other way around. We does it every few years anyway, we is just bumping up the timeline so you will say yes to coming back to work. And this time I'se staying ‘till them two come back."
 
Kris looked up from the stone. "Well, that's a pleasant surprise. I always appreciate a shake-up in my lunches."
 
Oliver giggled again. "You's silly, Bear. Nothin' never stops you from eating me every time I visits."
 
"Yeah, but now it's going to be like finding a wonderful snack in the fridge anytime I want," The Kodiak replied. He paused. "Unless, of course, that's not what you want, Husband."
 
Oliver looked at the bear as if he had said the most stupid thing in the world. "You thinks I'se ever going to say no to you, Bear? The Sight sure never wore off on you."
 
The bulky brown bear jumped over the rock and fell right before Oliver. "Take me, Badger. Take me before those wolves occupy your next three days, and I'm left here on my own."
 
Derrick laughed. "You know that's not going to happen, Bear. We wouldn't exclude you."
 
"Hush, Pup," the Kodiak commanded. "The badger and I are in negotiations. Don't let facts get in the way."
 
Oliver looked at Will. "You's the negotiator, Old Wolf. What does I say?"
 
"You say yes, Oliver," Will said with a wave of his hand. "Changelings always get their way, so you just say yes to whatever it is they suggest. Fucking Changelings."
 
Oliver looked at the bear. "Fucking Changeling?"
 
"Oh, yeah, Badger. A whole lot of fucking Changeling today."
 
Oliver turned and looked at the wolves. "I apparently has ended my negotiations and the Bear and I will…" There was a roar as a running ball of russet fur swooped the little badger up into tightly held arms, and the bear raced out toward the mouth of the cave.
 
Will laughed out loud. "Well, that sucks even worse than before. I get bribed by an offer to have one of my favorite play toys come live with us, and as soon as I say I'll come back to the business, he runs off with another of my favorite toys."
 
 Derrick nodded his head. "Yep, that sucks," he replied. "But then so do I."
 
"As do we, Old Wolf," Damien said as he poked his head into the room. "Give us a few minutes and we'll have the computer installed. Old style flat screen, just like you insist on at home."
 
"Thanks boys."
 
"You have no idea how hard they are to come by anymore, Old Wolf," Darius said. He held up a handful of wires. "Cables, Old Wolf… cables. Do you know how hard these are to find? They don't even have 3-D printer programs for these things. We had to build this entire system from the ground up. But we want you to be happy." He looked at the Iberian wolf looking at him and frowned. "Well, at least as happy as you can be with a job instead of a vacation and two husbands that are a rock."
 
 Damien turned back toward the antechamber. "Oh, by the way, before I forget; Marcus Sarraf said that if you're going to return to work, he expects to get a call from you. Seems he believes letting you have a year off is excusable, but this is going on two, and he wants to hear your voice."
 
Will smiled. "Marcus? How is he?"
 
"New Home is fine. He said if you want to know how he is doing, you need to give him a call."
 
Derrick smiled. "Marcus, as in ‘the human you had phone sex with', Marcus?"
 
Will looked at Derrick with a frown. "You make it sound so tawdry. I never had enough time to make it as tawdry as I had hoped. Humans. They have no stamina. Three orgasms into a call, and he was already telling me he couldn't go on."
 
Derrick laughed. "Well, apparently, he misses your voice. I can understand that. But if you two want to play again, I think your husbands have a viable claim to it being put on speaker."
 
Will leaned over and kissed the black wolf. "Let me chat with him first. If I have to lay ground rules for future calls, I will."
 
"No ground rules, Husband. If he finds pleasure in your company, we're not complaining."
 
"That's the part that fascinates me about Marcus. We've only talked over the ComLink. In all these years of him calling for New Home, I have yet to meet him."
 
"Really? Never?"
 
"He is one of their best representatives, but he works entirely via voice. He never even turns on the video side of the ComLink."
 
"Ah… a man of mystery."
 
"I suppose he has what he thinks are legitimate reasons. Still, he just sits behind the scenes and does his magic. He has placed so many kids and raised so much money for their care."
 
"Well, maybe you should invite him up here one day. You know, finally put a face to the voice."
 
"He's human, Pup."
 
"Oh, and we know how well that's gone when we have humans up on the highland. Max and Martin sure turned out to be disappointments."
 
Will laughed. "Okay, point taken."
 
Derrick rubbed the old wolf's shoulder. "You do what you think is right. Personally, I'd like to meet the guy. He sounds intriguing." The young wolf pulled on the older toward the front of the cave. "Shall we go see how the twins are doing putting together that computer of yours?"
 
"Yeah, and after that, we can go for a walk. Wolves like to go for walks in the woods."
 
"Not so much," Tuff yelled from the other room, his keen hearing picking up the conversation as the two walked away from the glowing stone. "But there are a lot of other things to do in the woods that we like."
 
Damien poked his head back around the main hall's entrance. "Come on, Old Wolf; time to take a look at the new command center of Bear Paws Enterprises."
 
Will took Derrick's hand and walked into the cave's antechamber. "I already know what my bribe is to take back the job. Time to take a look at what the twin twins brought as my benefits package."
 
Tuff smiled. "Oh, you're going to like what we've got waiting for you, Old Wolf." Minutes later, six wolves sped across the glade headed toward the forest and the rest of the Montana pack

Chapter 2

Will leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. "So, what has you calling so late at night, Marcus? I thought we were all caught up on business."
 
"I'm sorry, William. This was more of a social call. I hope I'm not out of line. I thought you were a night owl."
 
"You can call anytime you like, Marcus. I think we're secure enough in who we are to make that a given. And yes, I like the night, but I wouldn't say I'm an owl."
 
"That's true. I see you as something more feral. A tomcat maybe," the voice said. "No, not a tomcat. A wolf. A wolf on the prowl for a mate."
 
"I have a mate, Marcus."
 
The quiet that followed was palpable. "Oh? I guess I hadn't thought about that. Was this before or after we jacked off together on one of these calls?"
 
"I've been married for quite a few years," the wolf answered. Will could almost hear the wheels turning inside Marcus's head. "And no, it's not complicated. I love them, they love me. We all tend to have individuals outside of our relationship with whom we are intimate."
 
"And me, that's how you see me?"
 
"I would like to think so. It's kind of sad if our jacking off was nothing more than the two of us being horny."
 
"I've always felt that way. But truth be told, horniness does have play in the way I feel when I call you."
 
"That's okay, Marcus. You bring out those same feelings in me."
 
"I love hearing your voice. I love hearing the stories you tell."
 
"And I love you calling, Marcus. I'm glad you call when it's not business hours. We don't get this time together very often."
 
"It's okay, then? Your husband won't get upset?"
 
"Husbands, Marcus."
 
There was another period of quiet where Will could hear the breathing on the other side of the line. "Plural. I thought I just didn't hear it correctly the first time."
 
"You heard it right, Marcus. I have five husbands. In order of my mating with them, there's Derrick, Kris, Eric, Oliver, and Donovan."
 
Marcus took a deep breath. "Wow."
 
"That's what I say every time I see them," Will said with a laugh.
 
Will let the silence go unchallenged. Eventually, Marcus spoke again. "Why me then, William? Why would you let our conversations head into this territory instead of keeping it strictly business?"
 
Will thought for a moment. "Do you regret our choices, Marcus?"
 
"No, not at all," was the immediate response. And then, "Well, maybe. I guess I had thought it might have been leading to something else."
 
"I never said I'm opposed to that."
 
Marcus laughed out loud. "What, you want an even half dozen?"
 
"Friendships are important to me. Where they go has always been a bit of a mystery. I didn't go into any of my relationships thinking I was going to marry them. Well, except Oliver. He's the only one I ever proposed to flat out. The others had to help me along the way."
 
"You're telling me that four men asked you to marry them?"
 
"More or less."
 
"Four men who knew you were already married asked you to tie the knot with them?"
 
"Well, actually, Derrick asked me when we were both single. He's the first husband on my list. But yeah, three asked me or we mutually came to the same conclusion. But I had to ask Oliver twice because the first time he sort of bailed on the idea."
 
"This sounds like one of your stories, William; only without all the werewolves and werebears."
 
"Hey, you're the Furry. Don't blame me if I toss in a bit of what I know you're going to like into the storyline."
 
"William?"
 
 "Yes, Marcus?"
 
"Those stories. The one about the werewolf who was in love with a polar bear and another werewolf."
 
"Hot stuff, huh?"
 
"Oh my, yes. I needed a towel three times that night," Marcus said laughing. "But… but…" There was a pause. "Derrick. When did he ask you to marry him?"
 
"A long time ago."
 
"No, I mean before or after you met the polar bear?"
 
"It was just a story, Marcus."
 
"Yeah, yeah, I know that, but the characters. Have you been telling me the story of your life?"
 
"Well, storytellers usually ground the best stories in some sort of truth," Will replied. "I'm not much of a storyteller, Marcus. I know how to get a man off. That's an instinct in me. But making up stories, I'm not that good at that."
 
Marcus laughed. "Tell that to my dick and my right hand."
 
"Hmmm…" Will said thoughtfully. "Another piece to the puzzle. I now know you're righthanded."
 
"So, how much do you think you know about me? We've never even met face to face."
 
"That's true, but I know a bit about you."
 
 "Really? Let's see what you've got."
 
"Well, I know you're employed by New Home. You're one of the top fundraisers in Canada for orphaned children. You've helped place scores of them yourself, although the final paperwork and logistics have always fallen to someone else. Your only interest is in finding them the right home."
 
"So far, you're talking about things that you could have found out in your due diligence before contributing to New Home." 
 
"I know you don't have much of a social life outside of the office; which is in your apartment. You work from home. You're possibly agoraphobic, but I think it's more that you see no reason to leave your apartment. If you had a reason, I don't think you would have a problem walking out the door.
 
"You're shy. Painfully so, except when you're on the other side of a ComLink. That's when you blossom. You're not fettered by who you are or what others might think when they see you."
 
"Ouch," the voice on the other side said. "But you're right on all accounts. That's why I call you. You're the closest thing I have to a social life. How did you know?"
 
"I'm married to a Furry, Marcus. Derrick and you are kindred spirits. I can hear it in your voice. Almost every Furry I've ever met has been a shy one who dons their fursona to break free from the bonds that their life and their human body have forced on them. To a person, they've been friendly folks. I have to admit, that surprised me."
 
"Too weird for you to see a guy walking around in a fursuit?"
 
"Not really. I'm pretty comfortable with furry guys running around wagging their tails. What surprised me was how many humans feel at odds with who they are. There are so many out there, Furries and non-Furries alike, who wish they were anything other than human." Will paused. "I hope that's changing. Humankind seems to be heading in a different direction of late. Maybe there's hope for us yet."
 
"I think that's the first time I've heard you lump yourself in with humans, William."
 
"I've always been one, Marcus," Will replied. "But I'm a bit like you and Derrick. I've never really felt a part of what I saw out there."
 
"It's getting better, William. We have to have faith."
 
"I agree. There are some wonderful humans out there. Present company included."
 
Will heard the laugh on the other side. "Well, I try to be good. So, what else do you think you know about the disembodied voice on the other side of this call?"
 
"Well, I know I would like the body of the disembodied voice."
 
"And thank you for playing, sir. That's the first mistake you've made, and you lose the grand prize."
 
"Oh, you think so?"
 
"Trust me, on this one."
 
"You're first generation Canadian. Your parents fled the Middle East just before Gulf War Five. My guess is because they knew their little boy was gay and they couldn't stand the thought of their child growing up in a country where the government might imprison or kill you for loving another man."
 
There was total silence as Will continued. "You're forty-eight, about two hundred and sixty pounds, and you're just a shade over five feet, which you feel is much too short. However, you're taller than one of my husbands. So, I'm going to write that concern off as a bit of social stigma you've let creep into your life instead of ignoring it. You are losing your hair and are bald on top. But on the flip side, you've got a killer beard and more than enough hair covering your body to make up for the difference. Middle Eastern phenotypes are apt to be delightfully hairy.
 
"You've got quite the handful of cock and while you know it's not the biggest thing in the world, it's thick, and you're pretty comfortable with the idea that no guy is going to be disappointed when you share it with him. You are, of course, circumcised, which you wish was not the case. But, because your parents were exemplary Muslims before the fundamentalists came into power again… snip, snip."
 
Will took a breath and continued his speculating. "You, unlike your parents, are not religious. You're more of a humanist. The belief that we have to do right because it's the right thing to do is fundamental to your core. But not because you have been told to do so by anyone or any god. You're ruled by logic and facts. Nothing you do is out of fear that some unseen deity will disapprove. And you don't do it because you hope those gods will reward you after you die. You do it because it's the right thing to do right now. Which of course means I find you sexy beyond belief. Not just because I think that body description is utterly hot, but because a man who does right because he has looked at all the facts and follows his heart is positively irresistible."
 
Will paused and listened to Marcus's breathing. "So, how did I do?"
 
"You really think a short, fat guy with back hair that you can knit into a sweater is sexy?"
 
Will laughed. "One day I will introduce you to Oliver."
 
"I would like that. I am completely intrigued by a family of six husbands." Marcus paused. "William, you were right about one thing. I don't get out much. I've never found a reason to go beyond the little world I have here. But I think I should reconsider that safety bubble I put around myself."
 
"Sounds like an idea whose time has come."
 
"Would you like to get coffee or something? I can get over to Partridge Island without too much of a problem. It's not that many hours from Montreal by bus. Even faster if I fly into St. John Airport."
 
"I'm not on Partridge Island right now."
 
"Oh? Do they have coffee houses in Montana?"
 
Will laughed. "I'm not there, either. I'm in British Columbia."
 
"How many homes do you have, William?"
 
"Only one, Marcus. That home is always beside my husbands. Right now, Eric and Donovan are involved in a project they can't break away from, so we are here."
 
"All of you? All six?"
 
"As of last week, yes, all six," Will said, the happiness unmistakable in his voice. "Oliver's other husbands said we could have him on permanent loan until Eric and Donovan are back."
 
"Oliver has other husbands?"
 
"Yes. Two others. He's married to Nathaniel and Martin.
 
"That would make them the short-faced bear and the Megatherium, right?"
 
Will laughed. "Don't be absurd, Marcus. We don't have any Megatheriums in our family."
 
Marcus was quiet for a moment. "I probably should run from your family. You sound like some gay Mormon cult. But I am so intrigued."
 
"I have an offer. I'll put it on the table, and you can take me up on it anytime you would like."
 
"I'm listening."
 
"Bear Paws Enterprises is a rather large company."
 
"You're an empire, William. Your annual report takes longer to read than War and Peace."
 
Will laughed. "A company of that size requires frequent travel options. We have a hypersonic aircraft that can get you from Montreal to here in about half an hour, including loading and unloading."
 
"How? I thought only the U.S. and Chinese military had hypersonic aircraft."
 
"We sometimes ignore the rules if we find them either inconvenient or morally outrageous."
 
"Okay, ignoring totally that said military would shoot you out of the sky the moment your plane showed up on radar, are you offering me a ride out to British Columbia?"
 
"As a matter of fact, yes."
 
"I'm going to say yes; you know that, don't you?"
 
"Of course. I've aroused your curiosity too much for you to pass it up. In the worst-case scenario, the two of us are nothing like we think we are and you go home having lost a few days of vacation time. On the plus side, I'll make sure you're well-fed."
 
"And best case scenario?"
 
"You have a new friend who won't object to you touching him. I think they still call them friends with benefits. There are so many directions our lives can go from there."
 
Marcus was quiet again. Finally, he spoke. "I've not exactly had a life where I can offer you much experience."
 
"I don't see that as a problem," Will said unconcerned. "Will it upset you to find out mine is rather extensive?"
 
Marcus chuckled nervously. "No. But if we choose to do anything, will you please be gentle?"
 
"What do you think experience teaches a man, Marcus? It teaches us to read the ones we love and try to match their needs with our gifts."
 
"You're calling sex a gift?"
 
Will gave a low laugh. "It is if you're doing it right."
 
Marcus's breathing was all Will heard for minutes. Finally, Marcus's struggles found words. "Will. I haven't been totally honest with you."
 
"Sure you have. Omitting something isn't necessarily lying. I haven't told you everything about myself. That doesn't make me dishonest. Nor you." Will took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "You're blind. I'm okay with that."
 
"How… how?"
 
"Elementary, my dear Marcus," Will replied. "I listen to you. I hear things you do that you never give a second thought. When we talk business, I can hear you reading braille.
 
"No one can hear that, William. It's just my fingers on the screen."
 
"I have very good hearing, Marcus. The screen uses vibration to form the Braille under your fingers. I can hear it. It's almost like Morse code if you listen carefully enough."
 
"You're right. Sometimes it's easier to hear the words than feel them," Marcus said in agreement. "Once you understand the rhythm, it's easy. But how? How do you know that?" 
 
"It's the same way I know you're part of a first-generation Middle Eastern family living in Canada. I hear your parent's accent in your voice, but it's tempered by schooling in Montreal where they taught you English and French. I've heard you speak seven different languages. That tells me you are incredibly bright, but also that you spend a great deal of time studying. That study has been mostly from the desk you're sitting behind because you have access to the world through that computer in front of you."
 
"And my body shape and size? How did you guess that?"
 
"You need to get out and exercise more, Marcus. I can hear your labored breathing. It's throaty, resonating in a windpipe covered by a pretty thick neck. Your fingers are pudgy. I can hear them when you type." Will paused. "Oh, have I mentioned I think pudgy fingers are sexy?"
 
Marcus laughed. "No… no, you haven't."
 
"Well, I do," Will confirmed. "And by the way, the size of your cock, that has to do with your fingers as well. There's just something about the sound of a man with thick hands whacking off that is unmistakable. I told you I have experience."
 
"You did that," Marcus said, shaking his head in disbelief.
 
"And you're about six and a half inches. I don't round up like most guys do. We should appreciate cocks for exactly what they are. Never for what we wish they were."
 
"Okay, how?"
 
"The timing between your hand slapping up against your belly as you go for your orgasm. Taking your body configuration into consideration gives me your arm's length, provided you're not a gorilla. The size of your fingers, the pace of your stroke, the number of times you're smacking into your belly in a minute…" Will's voice trailed off, and he groaned. "Fuck, Marcus, I've got a hard-on now thinking about this. Anyway, I do the math. You're six and a half inches and thick."
 
"You're hard?"
 
"Yes, I'm hard."
 
"That's amazing."
 
"Really? I just did on-the-fly computations about the man I jack off with that requires algebraic theory and geometry.. and pppffft, but the fact I get a boner thinking about you is amazing?"
 
"It is to me."
 
"Well, you've had one thinking about me for the better part of this conversation."
 
"H..h…how?" Marcus stammered. 
 
 "I can hear you playing with it," the old wolf said. "I like the sound of you playing with yourself. That's why I didn't mention it. I knew the minute I told you I could hear you stroking, you'd stop. Which, by the way, I was right about as well. You stopped."
 
"Damn it, William," Marcus said, the frustration resonating in his voice. "I can't even touch myself without you knowing. Do you realize how embarrassing that is? I might not enjoy myself ever again for fear that you'll hear my fat hand slapping up against my fat belly."
 
"Sounds hot," the sultry wolf's voice replied. "Don't stop, Marcus. You know where you were going is where you wanted to be all night. It's where I wanted you to go from the moment I answered your call. I can join you if that would help. Two men sharing their hard-ons. You rubbing yours, me rubbing mine. You thinking about how good it would feel to reach out and touch mine. I'm uncut, you know. Just the way you hoped I would be. And I like it tugged, Marcus. You can do whatever you want with it, and it will just make me smile all the more."
 
There was only labored breathing on the other side of the ComLink.
 
"And then there are my needs, Marcus. I'm a man of particular appetites, and your girth is what I need inside me. But first, I need to make sure you're fully erect. You won't deny me my pleasures before you take me, will you? Me slowly lowering my head and taking you in my mouth. You thrust your hips into me, cramming that cock of yours in my face. I'll wait until I can feel you're hard enough, and then I'll pull off. You know what I need, Marcus."
 
Marcus's breath came a bit more quickly, but he didn't say a word.
 
"That's it, Marcus. No shame between us. No judgment. Just pleasure. The pleasure of men being men together. My cock and yours, straining to be free. Stroke it for me, Marcus. Let me hear it. You know what hearing you jack-off does for me." The wolf's breath came quicker and deeper.
 
"That's it, Marcus. I can practically feel you. Damn, I want to taste you. Let me taste you, Marcus. I can suck you right to the edge and then back off just enough so that all you can think about is shoving your cock into me. Don't stop stroking. I can hear you getting close. I can hear that pre-cum of yours lubing up that cock until it's as slick as I need it to be to slip into my ass. Marcus, think about it. Think about standing over me, my legs spread apart in a sling. Think about shoving it in deep. Come on, Marcus, you know you've wanted to since the first night we did this. And you know I've wanted you from the first moment you said hello."
 
There was a quiet whimper from the other side of the ComLink, and Will smiled. "Don't hold back. Come on, Marcus. Tell me what you want. Tell me, and I'll make it happen."
 
"I want to come," Marcus yelled. "I want to shove my cock up inside you and shoot my load, I want to… to… Oh, fuck, William, I'm going to come…" There was a guttural noise from Marcus that pushed Will over the edge. 
 
The two listened to the labored breathing of the other for a time before Marcus spoke. "Did you growl, William?"
 
"I might have. When I come, I don't always know what noises I make. I sort of get lost in the moment."
 
 "But you came?"
 
"Of course I came. I hear you come, I come too. It's like a chain reaction… a very sticky chain reaction." Will gave out a disappointed sigh. "Ah, Marcus, don't wipe it up with a towel. Come on, spread it over that beautiful belly of yours. Lick your fingers. Tell me what you taste like. What does it feel like to have your cum dry on all that fur? Tell me, so I know what to expect when we're together for our first time."
 
"You really want me to come and visit?"
 
"How long will it take you to pack?"
 
"Give me a week to rearrange my schedule."
 
"Are you going to make it that long without a call?"
 
Marcus laughed. "I think so, William."
 
"That's probably for the best."
 
"Why do you say that?" Marcus asked.
 
"Because my husbands Kris and Derrick want you on speaker next time."
 
"I couldn't do that. I would be too embarrassed."
 
"Really? You wouldn't want to listen to three other men telling you how much they want you? How good it would feel to hold you? You don't want to know what they would do to you; what they would let you do to them?"
 
Marcus groaned. "Stop it, William. I'm still hard as a rock, and that's not helping any."
 
"I like you hard, Marcus. I like you thinking about what my husbands will do with you. You tell us what you want to do. We're good listeners. Have you ever had a man working your nipples while another rimmed your ass and the third sucked your cock? Have you ever done that, Marcus?"
 
"No, but that sounds so wonderful."
 
"It is, Marcus. All you have to do is tell me you want to come again. All you have to do is ask them to open up their ComLinks and we'll take you there. Come on, Marcus. Join us."
 
Marcus looked down at the cum slowly drying on his belly where the towel had missed. Squeezing his cock, he watched the last of the ejaculate spill out. He wiped his finger up along the thick drip and shoved it into his mouth. His eyes closed and realized he had no choice. He tapped his ComLink. "Open all incoming channel requests," he said as he leaned back, stroking the still-firm cock.

Chapter 3
  
The shining metal wings of the Gray Wolf appeared in the distance as the airship approached the highland. It slowed as it neared the landing rock. The thrusters shifted. The airship rocked for a bit and touched down lightly. Two Hokkaido wolves waved from the cockpit and then disappeared as the rear cargo door opened, forming a long, wide ramp. The first wolf guided the human to the ramp. "You have a ramp in front of you. It's not all that steep, but if you want any help navigating it, we're here. It's going to be twenty-two steps if you have an average gate for a man your size."
 
Marcus laughed. "You sound like William."
 
"We're Japanese. We are raised on math. William is quite amazing, though. He is self-taught."
 
"Really, I was sure he would have some sort of scholastic pedigree."
 
"He has a pedigree, but not from colleges," one wolf said with a laugh. "And not for math. His pedigree is more like a family tree." 
 
"Ah," Marcus said thoughtfully. "So he comes from a long line of academics."
 
"Something like that," the other wolf said, the amusement clear in his voice. "Will is an open book, but it takes a lot of reading to gain an understanding of him."
 
Marcus nodded. "I will agree with you there." He put one foot out. "So, you said twenty-two steps?"
 
"Yes, we can help you if you'd like."
 
"No, that's quite all right. I will be fine," Marcus replied as extended his cane and tapped the metal surface of the ramp. "Sounds different."
 
"Good ear, Marcus. It's a metal alloy especially created for our airships. It's lightweight, but stronger than titanium."
 
"I didn't know such a thing existed."
 
"Not many people do. It's sort of been a family secret."
 
"And you have a family waiting for you, Marcus," the human heard a familiar voice from below say.
 
Marcus adjusted his glasses. "Thank you, men," he said to the wolves on either side of him. "It's been a pleasure." 
 
"We hope to see you again one day soon, Marcus," one wolf said.
 
Will walked up the landing site steps. "You're not going to stay, Takeo?"
 
"Sorry, Will," the wolf apologized. "You have to know we're busy if you see us instead of the Red Wolf."
 
"Where are my boys?"
 
"Somewhere over the Netherlands."
 
"How's it going?"
 
"Pretty well. It was a big storm, but they're getting back on their feet again. Most of the support is being done by the Black Rhino. You know… supplies, food, clothing."
 
"And the Red Wolf?"
 
"Doctors Without Borders. Diego and Billy are heading up the team. They brought in a contingent of the special unit rescue forces. There are still some folks dealing with lowland flooding."
 
"Give all of them my love when you see them next."
 
"Will do."
 
"Be safe, Takeo, Daisuki."
 
"We will do our best," Daisuki said with a wave. "Now if you two will get off this rock, we have places to be."
 
Will laughed and took Marcus's arm. He put his hand in the human's. "If you'll allow me?"
 
"If I get to hold hands with you, Will, I'll pretend I'm helpless."
 
"I know you're not helpless. I'm just trying to be friendly."
 
Marcus nodded his understanding. "It was a joke, William. I'm on level ground. I can figure out the terrain, but it's always nice to have a friend helping." Marcus rubbed the werewolf's paw. "It's good to finally meet you."
 
"It's good to see you, Marcus." He leaned over and kissed the human's cheek. "Stairs ahead. They're rock, just in case that cane of yours is trying to tell you otherwise."
 
"It's saying rock, but you, William… you, it's struggling with." Marcus stepped down off the landing site and onto the stairs.
 
"Well, I'm a complex man. As are my husbands, so you might not want to go listening to that cane of yours about them."
 
"I can turn the glasses and the cane off if it would make you feel more comfortable."
 
"I'm fine with whatever you want to do, but we're old school. We thought you were going to feel our faces and all that fun stuff."
 
Marcus laughed. "Really? I haven't tried that come-on since I was a teenager."
 
"Did it work back then?"
 
"Of course not," Marcus said, pushing the old wolf playfully.
 
"It will today," Will said as they stepped off the rock and onto the glade. 
 
"Really?"
 
"Wouldn't work for me," the badger said as the two grew close to the three animals standing out in the grass. "I'se surly. Means I'se crabby and I don't likes humans."
 
Marcus's face lit up with a happy realization. "You're Oliver, aren't you?"
 
"Yeah, that's me," Oliver said, confused. 
 
"William has told me so much about you," Marcus gushed. "Well, not you, but a badger that he patterned after you."
 
Oliver scowled at Will. "Bastard wolf," he grumbled.
 
"He wanted stories. You know me. I don't know any stories."
 
"Oh, please don't be mad at him, Oliver," Marcus begged. "He's crazy in love with you. You two always find your way back to each other in the stories."
 
Oliver's right foot twisted in a little circle. "Yeah, we always does. I loves the old wolf forever," Oliver thought for a moment. "I mean, I loves Will forever. I just sez old wolf 'cause that's my pet name for him."
 
"And as pets go, he has me on a very tight leash," Will said as he knelt and hugged the badger. "It's wrapped around my heart and all he has to do is tug and I'm there." The two's lips pressed together, and Oliver's foot made the circle once more.
 
When the kiss ended, Will stood up. "Well, you met Oliver. Derrick is to your left, and Kris is to the right."
 
Marcus nodded slightly toward the two. "So you're the ones who would let me feel your face?"
 
Derrick laughed. "I'm not sure. I might wait until I see how it turns out for Will."
 
"This is the first time I've ever met William outside our phone calls. I wouldn't be presumptuous enough to ask to feel anyone's face unless they offered. I know we have a certain level of intimacy from our ComLink calls that most don't. But somehow it doesn't translate to meeting you in person. I hope that makes sense." 
 
"Of course it does," Will replied. "Still, you can feel my face anytime you want. Although I have other body parts to feel that would be way more fun."
 
Marcus tapped his cane on the grass. The red light at the tip flickered and fed back information on multiple levels through his hand, glasses, and earpiece. "Really?"
 
"Feel away," Will said. "Go for any part you want."
 
Marcus held out his cane toward Derrick. "Could I get you to hold this for a moment, Derrick?"
 
"Sure," the black wolf said as he took the cane in his hand. 
 
Marcus's hand reached out to where he thought Will's face would be, pushing into the chest of the werewolf. "You didn't wear a shirt today, Will?"
 
Will's eyes widened. There was a sudden shifting of bodies as all realized what was happening. Marcus's hand dropped as he clung to the chest of a werewolf becoming human.
 
Marcus rubbed the chest. His head cocked to the side. "What just happened?"
 
"Nothing, Marcus. I just changed positions."
 
"You changed more than positions. You all did. I heard it. Like someone cracking their knuckles, only muffled."
 
"Ain't none of my knuckles cracked," the badger said, looking at the human.
 
"No, yours didn't, Oliver. But these three's did," Marcus said, waving one hand toward the rest of the group. He reached out and rubbed Will's human chest. "And as nice as this chest feels, it's not what I touched a moment ago. Will, what's going on?"
 
"Nothin' out of the normal," Oliver said matter-of-factly. "The old wolf is just fucking-up everything with a human he loves the way he always does. If you goes and asks him to turn you, don'ts forget I warned you."
 
Marcus squatted, realizing Oliver's voice came from even lower than his own small stature. "Oliver, I know you said you don't like being touched by humans, and I won't ask to feel your face, but would you shake my hand?"
 
"Makes no nevermind to me." Oliver stuck out his paw and put it into Marcus's hand.
 
"Oliver," Marcus said with a look of confusion on his face. "You're a badger."
 
"No, I'se a fucking wolverine," Oliver said, exasperated. "Of course I'se a badger. What? You didn't believe my husband when he tolds you so?"
 
"I'm afraid not," Marcus said, shaking his head. "I thought it was a story."
 
"It were a story, Human," Oliver said flatly. "It were the story of a wolf who loved a human who became a badger. And a badger who run from the one he loved. I don'ts run from nothing no more. Especially not visiting humans."
 
"I'm glad you don't, Oliver. Don't let anyone ever convince you to do otherwise."
 
"You don't seem particularly upset that you's talking to a badger."
 
"No…" Marcus said, thinking it through. "No, I don't. But it's like I've known you forever. Will made you come alive for me. And just like Will, I can't imagine not loving you from the first time we met."
 
Oliver's foot twisted out a small circle. "That's right kind of you to say. But I'se pretty much a bastard. You mights want to reconsider who you loves, Human."
 
"So, if I understand correctly, you don't kiss humans, but you let humans kiss you?"
 
"I'se kissed humans before. Don't fancy kissing females, but I'se got female family, so I works through it."
 
"Would you let this human kiss you hello?"
 
"You gonna use tongue?"
 
"I'm gay. I just might if we hit it off."
 
"Okay, then. But mind my teeth. They can be kind of in the way. Ain't all that sharp, though. They just looks like it." Oliver's paws reached up, and he guided the human to his mouth. When the kiss ended, Oliver smiled. "Not bad for a human. You's gonna be right fun when you's a beast."
 
"OLIVER!" Kris said correctively. 
 
"What? You don'ts need the Sight to see that them two loves each other."
 
"What's he talking about?" Marcus added.
 
"Oliver has a way of pushing people into situations where he feels they should go," Will responded. "But sometimes he's a bit too pushy." The old wolf looked at the badger. "Please, Husband. Let this unfold in its own time."
 
Oliver looked away shyly. "I'se sorry, Old Wolf. I was trying to help. I was out of line." The badger looked up at Marcus, who still sat squat before him. "He's a good man, Marcus. He's an ever better wolf. But you knows at least that much on your own."
 
Marcus smiled. "I do. I didn't want to believe it when I felt his chest change from wolf to human, but I knew it the moment I felt your paws." Marcus looked up. "Derrick, you're the black wolf, and Kris, you're the Kodiak bear who looks like Santa when he's a human."
 
"That would be me," Kris said. "Generally, humans aren't supposed to see us as we are."
 
"Not unless they love you," Marcus said, standing up. "I know the story. All the times William would tell me about you. All I could think of was how much I would love it if the stories were true. I fell in love with the wolf who told me the stories, and I fell in love with the men he loved. You have no idea how much he loves you three; how much he loves Eric and Donovan, wherever they are."
 
Derrick smiled. "We do have an idea how much he loves us, Marcus. That's why we're married to him. What he may not have told you is how much we love him."
 
Marcus turned his head to the voice. "So what I heard? The knuckles…"
 
"Our bones, actually," Kris replied. "We shifted to our human forms when we realized you might be able to feel who we were as beasts." 
 
"You're Santa right now?"
 
"Yes."
 
"And you're naked?"
 
"Yes."
 
"Oh god," Marcus sighed. "I've had fantasies like this since I was a kid where I sat in your lap."
 
The bearded elf laughed the laugh Marcus knew he would. "I suspect we can arrange that," Kris replied.
 
 "But you're normally a bear?"
 
"That is my preference."
 
"And you, Derrick?"
 
"I prefer being a wolf over my human body, but I'm comfortable with whatever makes you most comfortable."
 
Marcus waved his hands. "Please, please, don't let me keep you from being who you prefer to be." He heard the muffled sound of bones shifting. He turned to Will who remained human. "And you William?"
 
"Remember the part of the story where sex with the werewolf changes the human?"
 
Marcus thought a bit. "Oh yeah, that's right."
 
"I'm human now, Marcus. Anything we do won't change you. And I have promises to keep." Marcus felt the warm hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes, not knowing why, and leaned into Will's hand, guiding him to a kiss. 
 
When at last they separated, Will began unbuttoning Marcus's shirt. "I told you that the day we met I wanted to taste you, and now I have." He tugged the shirt off and reached for Marcus's belt. "And you said you wanted to come inside me. I took that as a promise to do so."
 
"But your husbands…"
 
"They're gone. Today is ours, Marcus. Later tonight, you get to sit on Santa's lap."
 
Marcus smiled and helped Will free him from his clothes. "I would love to feel your face now, William."
 
"Feel free," Will said as he guided Marcus's hands to the full beard. "And when you're done with that, let me show you those other body parts I was telling you about." With a gentle tug, Will pulled the human's pants down and pulled him to the grass. As he helped Marcus off with his shoes and pants, the two began exploring each other's bodies for the first time.
 
"Oh, my," Marcus said when he finally found the courage to wrap his hand around Will's cock. "That could make just about anyone else feel woefully inadequate."
 
"Don't you dare go there, Marcus," Will corrected. "This isn't a contest. And it isn't about making anyone feel less because one has more. It's about sharing who we are with each other."
 
"I'm sorry, William," Marcus said. "I told you I haven't had much experience. What's there between your legs is impressive."
 
"I'm fine with you saying that," Will said as he shook the human playfully. "I just don't want you telling me it makes others feel bad." 
 
"Understood. I'll get better at this the more times we do it, you know," Marcus said with a smile.
 
"Yeah, we will. Now about that ‘coming inside me' part of the day."
 
"You okay with a neophyte?"
 
Will smiled. "I love neophytes. They're so open to suggestions."
 
"Like what?"
 
"Well, when I'm screaming ‘HARDER' in a few minutes, that would mean I want you to fuck me harder."
 
Marcus laughed. "Oh, I should be able to figure out those kinds of suggestions."
 
Will's hand came up and rubbed along the blind man's beard. "Tell me how much help you need with this, Marcus. I'm more than willing to let you take me all on your own. You're far from a clumsy lover, but I know we're entering unfamiliar territory for you."
 
"I think I can find most of the things I need to. I'll tell you a secret. Despite our differences in size, we seem to have all our body parts in the same place. And I'm pretty adept at finding and playing with my own."
 
Will laughed and hugged the human. "Take me, Marcus. Have your way with me. Fuck me senseless, and then do me all over again."
 
"So, you're a bottom, I take it?" Marcus said, laughing.
 
"Those stories I told you didn't teach you anything?"
 
"Yes, they did," Marcus said. "They taught me how easily men fall in love with you." The two were quiet for a time. "How easily I've fallen in love with you."
 
"It's shared, Marcus."
 
"But five husbands…"
 
"You're going to lose your hard-on if you fixate on that too much."
 
Marcus snickered. "I don't think so, William. Half of me is struggling with the idea of where I might fit into your life, and the other half is thinking that later tonight I'm going to be naked sitting in your husband's lap. It's very confusing, but all pretty much too arousing to lose this hard-on."
 
"Stay here in the moment with me, Marcus. Push the other thoughts away and be here, getting ready to fuck someone you love and who loves you in return. Nothing else matters in this moment. Just you and me. Just two men doing what we have both wanted to do for so long."
 
"You make it sound so easy."
 
"Fucking someone you love is easy, Marcus," Will said. The mountain man's hands reached down and pulled Marcus's hips into his. "I'm going to put my legs on your shoulders now. And after that, it's up to you to figure out what to do." 
 
Marcus felt the warmth of the legs pushing beside him and then over his shoulders. "Oh," Will said, almost as an afterthought. "I brought lube. Just squeeze my cock."
 
Marcus laughed and did as he was told. He felt the thick liquid spilling out of Will's dick and shook his head. "Did you already come?"
 
"No. You'll know when I come. Pretty much everyone on the highland will know when I come."
 
"But there's so much."
 
"Just enough for you to fuck me with," Will teased. "Unless you take so long, it all dries on your hands."
 
Marcus pulled himself back into the moment. "Sorry, William. This is all so new."
 
 "But fun, right?"
 
"Oh yeah, it's fun." The human replied as he took his slick hand and rubbed it across his erection. He let out an audible sigh at how good it felt. Taking the same hand, he traced back across the balls of the man below and slipped further south. When he felt the tight pucker of another man's ass, he smiled and let his finger slip inside. 
 
"That feels nice, Marcus," Will said with a sigh. "It's going to feel even better when you're in me."
 
"You will help me with this, won't you?"
 
"I'm a very vocal man," Will said. He put his hand on Marcus's cheek and Marcus pushed into the palm, kissing it. "You'll be fine, Marcus. I love you, and I'm with you every moment. It will surprise you how much easier it is because of that." The hand of the mountain man below slipped away. "Go on, Marcus. Take me. I want you to. Fast or slow, I don't care. Just promise me you won't be shy about this."
 
Marcus chuckled. "I love you, William," he said as he took his cock in one hand and found the tight hole with his other. He guided the cock into the hole, and when he heard Will breathe out and groan happily, he abandoned himself to go where both men wanted to go.
 
By the time Marcus had come for the second time, the whole of the highland knew both men had come and the beasts in the cave leaned back from their Scrabble game with cheerful grins on their faces for their growing family.
 
Marcus lifted the legs off his shoulders. For the better part of ten minutes, he had used them to support his body as he leaned into Will after his orgasm. "Oh dear, that was incredible," he said, still panting. He rolled out onto the grass and felt the coolness on his back. Will rolled over on top of the human and kissed him. Marcus smiled. "I guess it's my turn, isn't it?"
 
"Have you done this before, Marcus?"
 
"Not in years, but I have some pretty strange-looking toys that have seen my insides more often than I care to admit."
 
"Any of them a size remotely like my cock?"
 
Marcus shook his head no. "Until you, I didn't think that toys that size were anything I'd stumble across in the real world."
 
Will laughed. "We have both come twice. I'm pretty sure your limit is three times, and I want to save some of you for my husbands. What say we wait?"
 
"But I want you that way, William. I want to feel you inside me."
 
"And I'm willing, but not at the cost of you limping around for the next three days."
 
"I have a week off. I could heal."
 
"You would miss out on Santa's lap."
 
Marcus thought quietly for a moment. He shook his head. "I can't believe I'm thinking about that. I have a man who I love laying on top of me, and I'm thinking of letting his husband fuck me instead."
 
"That's ‘cause you's one fucked up human," Oliver said as he approached. "Ain't no reason you can't love the old wolf and still gets fucked by the bear. Neither of them is gonna complain."
 
"OLIVER!" Will scolded disbelievingly. 
 
"Sorry, Old Wolf," Oliver said. "He's gots a nice butt for a human, and you really shoulds stay to play with it, but you gots a call from Hong Kong.
 
"Really? the Compton merger?"
 
"Yeah."
 
"Did you tell them I was busy?"
 
"Yeah, they said they talks with you or they walks."
 
Will leaned in and kissed the human. "I'm am sorry," he sighed. 
 
"Go, take care of business," Marcus said, giving the tall, stout man a gentle shove.
 
"That group needs to learn that my personal time is sacrosanct. Business hours ended two hours ago. I am not on their clock, they're on mine. They are going to lose another two million off my asking price for this. One for each hour they ignored." 
 
Marcus laughed. "I'm not worth that much."
 
"I disagree, but a donation by them to New Home of two million will give me no end of pleasure."
 
"Did I tell you already that I love you?" Marcus asked.
 
"Yeah, well, you keep that thought. I will be back." Marcus felt the large man stand up beside him. "And you, Oliver; try to behave." 
 
"What's the fun in that?" Oliver said. "Gives me a kiss, Old Wolf, and I promises not to turn your human before you comes back."
 
"I appreciate that," Will said as he kissed Oliver. He took a few steps toward the cliff face of the highland. He turned back. "Although, if you keep him hard while I'm gone, that wouldn't be such a bad thing."
 
Marcus heard the shifting of bone and the sound of Will falling onto all fours before he disappeared almost as silently as Oliver had appeared. Marcus sat quietly for a bit. "Are you still here, Oliver?"
 
"Yeah, I'se here," Oliver said. "You's kind of cute naked. Hope you don't mind me staring at you a bit."
 
"Really?" Marcus asked skeptically.
 
"Yeah. You gots a nice butt, and your chest is right pretty. But I likes me fuzzy butts and hairy chests."
 
"You have an amazing family, Oliver," Marcus said, smiling as he rubbed his chest. "You make me feel almost beautiful."
 
"Well, I don'ts know about beautiful," Oliver said with a chuckle. "You's handsome, no doubt about that, but waterfalls and flowers is beautiful. The black wolf, he's beautiful. We bulky ones is way too much of what we is to be beautiful. You just gots to be content that you ain't ugly by a long shot."
 
"One day I'd like to feel that way," Marcus said wistfully. "What about Will? Is he beautiful?"
 
"He's a handsome one as a human. And as a beast, he's gorgeous. But he ain't beautiful the way most people thinks of beautiful. But that word means something different to all of us. When I thinks of beautiful, I sort of thinks of something that looks frail but you knows is strong. Beautiful is like snowfall, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
 
"Handsome is things you knows is strong, and even though you knows you should run from them, you can'ts, because they keeps you wanting to be near them. Bears, tigers, mountains… them's handsome. Will is handsome. He's one of the most handsome men I'se ever known. And as a wolf…" the badger took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. "You looks into them yellow eyes of his and you knows you's gonna wind up in mischief that will leave you scarred, but you dives into his arms anyway."
 
Marcus felt the fur of the badger rub up against him as the little mammal sat down. "But if you asks if he's beautiful to me, I'se always gonna say yes. You probably can understand that more than most. I don'ts just see the old wolf with my eyes. I sees him with my heart. And when I looks at him that way, there ain't nothin' more beautiful."
 
"He's beautiful to me, Oliver."
 
"Then you is lucky, Human. We's both lucky that way."
 
"Oliver, do you really have precognition?"
 
"Don't like fancy words, Human."
 
"I'm sorry. Do you see things in the future?"
 
"Yeah. We calls it the Sight. Changelings gave it to me. They's always fucking-up something when it comes to humans. I don't likes it, but it protects my family, so I'se willing to live with it." 
 
"Do you see any future for William and me?"
 
"You asking as a curiosity? ‘Cause it ain't no parlor trick."
 
"No," Marcus said. "I'm asking because I don't want to come out of this with a broken heart."
 
There was a quiet that made Marcus uncomfortable. Finally, Oliver spoke. "He won't break your heart, Human." Marcus felt the badger's hand rub up against his leg. "You's gonna break your own heart, and then you's gonna break his."
 
Marcus grabbed the small paw and squeezed it. "No, Oliver, I promise I would never—"
 
"I never thought I woulds ever break the old wolf's heart, not the way I loved him, but I did. Sometimes what we tries not to do is exactly what we does."
 
"Tell me how to avoid it, Oliver. Please tell me how."
 
"I wish I could, Human, but I can'ts. The old wolf and I are bound by ties that run deep. I feel his heart beating next to mine. I can feel things he feels. But I can'ts see the path he's walking all that clear. You two is walking a path that you has to walk. I can'ts tell you where it's going to go. You two is gonna need to figure that out together."
 
Oliver rubbed Marcus's arm. "The old wolf loves you, and one day, he is going to lose you. That much I can see. There ain't nothing you two can do to change it. The best you can do is make peace with it." 
 
Marcus felt comforted by the paw resting on his arm. "But he has the Sight too, Oliver. Why would he let me break his heart? Why would he live with that pain when he can just walk away from it before it happens?"
 
"You gots a lot to learn about the old wolf, Human. He's had his heart broken so many times, I don't think he counts no more. Sometimes because of what he done. Sometimes because of what others done to him. But he always heals. You and me, we gots scars on our hearts. We has things we never quite heals from. They's sensitive spots that keep us guarding our hearts for fear they's gonna get hurt again and we won't be able to fix them."
 
Oliver adjusted himself closer to the human. "Will… Will is different. I don't think his heart's got no scars. He's learned what we all needs to learn one day. He dives into life and he don't hold nothin' back. And when life smacks him down, he gets right back up and he goes at it again." The badger paused, trying to choose his words carefully. "When it comes to love, he is fearless."
 
"I don't think I could be that."
 
"And that's why you's with him, Human. To learn how to be like the man you love. You's here to learn how to love, and lose, and love again without its ever scarring you."
 
"That's why I'm here?"
 
"Well, that and to get fucked by Santa, but that seems shallow with all this talk about deep thinkin' stuff."
 
Marcus's laugh bellowed as he leaned backward, shaking his head. "You are a wonder, Oliver."
 
Oliver rubbed the top of Marcus's hand. "He's gonna be fine, Human. He's got family to get him through a broken heart. You don'ts let that stop you from loving him, you don'ts run away from him like I done. You stay here and you love him. And you lets him love you. You learn to live in this moment and if you does, your life will be the most amazing thing."
 
"Are you always so… so cryptic?" Marcus asked. 
 
"Yeah, that's me. I'se downright enigmatic. What did I tell you about fancy words, Human? Badgers are obtuse, and we prefers it that way."
 
Marcus laughed again. "You know, I think I'm really going to like you."
 
"Well, that's fine by me," Oliver said as grabbed Marcus's hand. "Let me gets your clothes and cane, Human. It's time we goes for a walk."
 
"Oh, do you have more to tell me?"
 
"I suppose. There's a bear I loves back at the cave. He's staying human just so you can gets fucked by Santa. I figure it's time I takes you there. Better n' sittin' out here in the wet grass."
 
"That's very kind of you."
 
"Ain't all that kind. The sooner you's fucked, the sooner I gets my bear back," 
 
Marcus laughed. "I'm okay with that as well."
 
Oliver stood up. "Do you needs my hand?"
 
Marcus slipped on his glasses and grabbed his cane. "Not to see where I'm going, Oliver. But I would still like to hold your hand."
 
"Guess that'd be okay, Human. Not opposed to holding yours for fun, neither." The human reached down and the badger reached up. Somewhere in the middle, the two hands met and locked. "We's walking here, Human," Oliver said with a gentle tug that began their journey toward the cliff. "Oh, since you can't see, I should tell you that the pup… I means Derrick… is pretty much a Santa when he's human, too."
 
"But he's a young man, right?"
 
"Not no more. He's over two hundred years old. But his human body is still thirty-two. He ain't never going to age on the outside. Takes my advice, Human; if you wants to get fucked tonight, let Derrick have you first. He's the smallest of us when he's a human."
 
"I thought you were the smallest both as a werebeast and as a human."
 
"No, I mean small, as in it ain't gonna hurt as bad going in. I mean, it ain't tiny or nothin'. You's gonna know it's in you, but it ain't as big as Kris's or Will's. Plus, he's probably the gentlest critter you will ever know, no matter which critter he is."
 
"So, even before I sit in Kris's lap?"
 
"You likes yourself Santas, right?"
 
"Right."
 
"Well, you's blind, so you can't see Derrick's hair color. Other than that, he's as much a Santa as Kris. They's both big boys. Both of them got thick beards and bald heads with hair on the side. Kris has got a longer beard and a braid down his back. But I seen all sorts of Santas, and when it comes down to hot Santas, I'd let either one of them come down my chimney on Christmas Eve. 
 
"Think of Derrick as a younger version of Kris, and you won't be far off the mark. Let the pup take you, and then lets Kris do the same. Derrick will make you so happy you is a man. That boy has got the Sight in special ways. But mostly, because he's Pup. Pup was born special. He's got him a heart like no one else, and it turns his lovemaking into something that can make you cry for the beauty of it. Kris is special, too. He can heals what he's going to do to you."
 
"Heal me? Exactly what is he going to do?" Marcus said, stopping in his tracks.
 
"He's big, Marcus. That body of his were made to please the wolves. He's got one of the biggest peckers you will ever find because he knowed the wolves would love him that way. And the bear ain't got much experience with humans. He forgets sometimes how frail you is."
 
"Am I making a mistake wanting to be with him?" Marcus asked. 
 
"No, you ain't got nothin' to worry about," Oliver answered. "He's got ways to make you feel good even when you'se doing things a body ain't meant to do. And after he has done you just the way you dreamed of being done, he can fix you so you don't hurt the next day."
 
"That's quite the talent, Oliver."
 
"He's a talented bear," the badger replied as he pulled on Marcus's hand and began walking again.
 
"He's not a bear, or a Santa, is he, though?"
 
"Nope. He's a Changeling."
 
"What's a Changeling?" Marcus asked.
 
"Some critter from outer space that can change his shape."
 
"And he chose Santa and a Kodiak bear?"
 
"Didn't Will tell you the story?"
 
"Not all of it. I think there are parts of it he left out. Darker parts. Parts a human might not want to know."
 
"There ain't nothin' we's gonna hide from you, Marcus. But Will might have been right not to tell you everything. Some of that story is sacred to the Were Nation. Will's gonna tread lightly on that which humans don't needs to know. We sings of them stories together to remind us of all we has lost, and we has lost so much at the hands of humans. But we sings of all that we has found, too. And sometimes in them stories, a human like Max comes along and we realize that we can't turn our back on the humans. We hopes that one day they'll be family too."
 
"Will I ever hear those songs, Oliver?"
 
"I hopes one day you sings them with us, Marcus. They is our history. They is who we are and what we believes in."
 
"And what happens when I learn the complete story of the Were Nation and the Changelings?"
 
"You's just gonna love them all the more, Marcus."
 
"Then I hope one day to hear those songs."
 
"Best let the bear fuck you first. Don't want you to be all googly-eyed in love with him ‘cause of what he done. Better to think of him as just a hot Santa with that big candy cane you wanted since you was a kid." Oliver stopped for a moment. "Oh, and ask him to teach you how to rim. ‘Cause that man can send you places with his tongue you didn't know you could goes. And remind him to go slow if'n he starts getting eager-like. He's an excitable one."
 
"Thanks for the tips, Oliver."
 
"Just trying to help. Don't want you waddling around here hurting." Oliver gently pulled on the human's hand. "You can't see it, Human, but they's got the lights on for us to come home."
 
"I haven't had a family that leaves the lights on for me in years, Oliver."
 
 "Well, you does now."
 
"It will take a bit of getting used to."
 
"Nah, Human, it's easy. Just let it be. You's changing. Change is harder when you fights it. Takes it from one who knows."
 
"I'll try to remember that, Oliver."
 
"Oh, and one other thing you gots to remember."
 
"What's that Oliver?"
 
"You gots to use lots and lots of lube."
 
Marcus squeezed the hand of the little badger and smiled. 
 
Chapter 4
 
Marcus dangled his feet over the cliff, listening to the waterfall as it spilled over the far side of the highland. He heard the footsteps of an upright wolf. "Hello, William," he said, looking backward.
 
"Good morning, Marcus," the werewolf replied. "I tried to make enough noise, so I didn't scare you. You realize the drop over that cliff is substantial, right?"
 
"Forty-six point seven meters to the bottom. That would be one hundred fifty-three feet, two inches for you. There's a ledge at about twenty-five feet down and a few others along the way. If I slip, I'm pretty sure I'll bounce off the cliff face at least four times before I hit the bottom." 
 
Marcus scooted himself back along the rock face until his legs were back on the highland. "If you want to know how many gallons of water are going over the side per minute, I can tell you that."
 
"Pretty snazzy cane and glasses," Will said with a laugh. "Are your shoes involved in all that tech?"
 
"Yeah, and the shirt. It's sort of a total package."
 
Will sat down beside the human. "You're not frightened by heights?"
 
"Not really. Most of that is a visual thing."
 
"How did you go blind, Marcus?"
 
"Oh, that was in Marrakesh. I was transporting the crown jewels back to the royal family when ninjas attacked me."
 
"Oh, I see. Ninjas with what… acetone in Super Soakers?"
 
Marcus laughed. "I was trying to be funny, William. Genetic defects are pretty boring."
 
Marcus felt the hand of the burly wolf take hold of his. "Not to me," Will replied.
 
"Tay-Sachs disease. On the plus side, it's not terminal anymore. I am pretty lucky, to tell the truth. The damage could have been a lot more extensive than it was. I'm blind. I'm shorter than most, but considering the normal outcomes, not so bad. All my faculties seem to be in order if I'm not having a delusional fantasy going on in my head right now."
 
"No, this is real. You're talking to a werewolf."
 
"I'm glad to hear that," Marcus replied. "Although if I had totally lost it, that's what you would say, you know."
 
Will laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He hugged the human and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Did you enjoy yourself last night?"
 
"Oh my, yes. Your family is amazing." Marcus was silent for a moment. "Oliver never joined in. Do I upset him?"
 
"No, not at all. He's quite taken with you, actually. Poor guy sat in the corner watching us most of the evening. I'm pretty sure that's why Derrick and he went outside to sleep under the stars."
 
"They didn't sleep?"
 
"No, but they tried so hard to be quiet while they played. They fail at it so miserably when dealing with werebeasts and our hearing. Oliver is hopelessly loud, even when he's trying not to be. I'm grateful the temple dogs came and got them or they would have kept me up all night."
 
"The temple dogs came and got them? There are dogs on the highland?"
 
"Yeah. They live on the far side of the highland near the airship landing site. Think of the Foo Dog statues they sell at the import stores. Or a Tibetan mastiff that's twelve feet tall standing up; only way furrier and golden blonde."
 
"I don't know that I've ever seen a Tibetan mastiff."
 
"How about a St. Bernard?"
 
"Oh sure, I've seen those."
 
"Kind of like them with tons more fur and that whole twelve-foot tall thing thrown in on top."
 
"They sound beautiful."
 
"They are," Will agreed. "They are one of the most beautiful creatures you will ever meet. But Changelings having sex arouses them, so more than likely you won't meet them until Kris has convinced himself to stop playing with you."
 
"Oh? I thought that was a one-time event last night."
 
"In the Were Nation, anything that is enjoyable and brings us together is generally something we look forward to repeating. Besides, you benefit from spending time with Santa."
 
"Oh? Other than the obvious fun of it all, what's involved?"
 
"Kris is a Changeling. All Changelings give off pheromones that often make them irresistible to other beasts, and to an even greater extent humans. That is why he was so careful to ask you multiple times while you were having sex if you were okay with it. They always worry that you're being influenced by their hormones rather than your desire."
 
"No," Marcus said with a laugh. "That was definitely my desire last night."
 
"And ours as well. When you were with Kris, those pheromones of his went off the charts. It helped you ease into all the sexual activity that you've not done in years, including me mounting you. So, as you might guess, I'm grateful to have a Changeling husband."
 
"Three actually, right?"
 
"Right, but you haven't met my other husbands yet," Will said casually. "At any rate, the temple dogs were being driven crazy by what we were doing last night, and poor Oliver was so horny after watching us… well, one thing led to another. So, last night, the aroused temple dogs came out and confiscated my husbands to take care of the whole family's mutual needs.
 
"That's why you haven't seen Oliver and Derrick this morning. The five of them are sleeping together now; all sated and happy. They really are the cutest things when they're all curled up together. I'd say we should go wake them, but the temple dogs have no human persona, and morning always finds them aroused. It's a kindness to them, and a safety precaution for you not to visit with them until later this afternoon."
 
Marcus shook his head. "I have stumbled down the rabbit hole, haven't I?"
 
"Remember when you visited New Orleans for the first time? You stepped out of your hotel room into that humid air and walked along Bourbon Street. There were all those sounds, that music, and the hooves of the horses as they moved along the streets. And then there were all those wonderful odors… all that food simmering on the stoves… aromas, tastes, and pleasures that you had never experienced before."
 
"Oh, yeah, I remember. I was just out of graduate school and going for a job interview. It was all so new, so different, even a bit scary and intimidating, but so unbelievably exciting. I remember William. I didn't know you did."
 
"You mentioned you visited once. I remember my first visit, too. Only Canal Street was the real hub when I visited. New Orleans was the largest city in the south. I visited for a while back in eighteen fifty-seven. Never got around to getting back there, but I remember it well. The marketplace, the Francophone community, the shipping docks with all those lonely sailors… oh…" Will's voice trailed off in memory. "… all those lonely sailors." 
 
Will shook his head and came back to his thought. "We're like that city, Marcus. When you first visit, there's excitement in so many new experiences. It's thrilling and scary at the same time. But you're drawn to it, all the while wondering if there isn't some darkness in the alleyways that will lead to your doom." 
 
Will paused. "But if you stay. If you live with the people, over time you find a simple comfort overtakes you. You never lose your excitement or love of the place, but you find yourself at ease in that crazy world of sensations and pleasures. You realize it's as much a home as anywhere you can go. Home isn't a place, Marcus. It's where your people are. We're still new to you. But give us a chance. One day you'll realize that when you stepped off the Red Wolf, you had come back to a home you never even knew you had."
 
"You should have used Montreal as the city, William. That I know is home to me."
 
"No, Marcus. Montreal is safe. You're not afraid in Montreal, but it's not home. When you find home, it will challenge you, it will force you to grow, and it will be your sanctuary all at the same time."
 
"And you think you and your family are home for me?"
 
"Maybe not yet, Marcus. I'm saying we're your first step toward home. We're the excitement you've always wanted to feel. We're the experiences that are challenging you even now. One day when the world seems so different from what you thought it was; this is where you will find sanctuary. This is where you will find your family waiting to help you grow into who you are meant to be."
 
"What if I'm content to be a guy who helps orphaned kids find homes in my little one-bedroom apartment?"
 
"I hope you never lose touch with that guy, Marcus. It's a part of who you are. But if he was all you are, if you were really content, would you be here?"
 
Marcus thought for a moment. "Maybe I could be a bit more content."
 
"Then let's leave it at that," Will said, wrapping his furred arm around the human. "We have breakfast to make for the family. Derrick is about the world's pickiest eater, so let's get working on it together."
 
"I put containers into a smart oven, William. I don't cook."
 
Will made sure Marcus could hear his sigh. "Another one. Derrick doesn't even know when to flip a pancake. We've been together for how many centuries, and he still can't cook anything but bacon, eggs, and toast."
 
Marcus laughed. "He's doing better than me, William."
 
"All right," Will said, wrapping his arm around Marcus's, "we're off to make breakfast and before today is done, either you or the pup is learning to flip pancakes."
 
Marcus bent his elbow and locked Will's arm into place. "You have a deal."
 
"Then you have breakfast," Will said happily. "Bear heading toward us at two o'clock."
 
"Good morning, Kris," Marcus called out.
 
"Good morning, Marcus. I've come to bring you two home. Oliver is cooking breakfast."
 
Will smiled. "You're off the hook, Marcus. Another member of our family that knows how to cook is at work."
 
Marcus smiled. "That sounds wonderful." He waited until he felt the thick-furred arms wrap around him in a hug. "Thank you for last night, Kris. I had a wonderful time."
 
"I did too. As a bear, I sometimes forget that I have a lap. It's nice that my human does."
 
Marcus laughed. "You have a wonderful lap, and I have something taken off my bucket list that I never thought would be possible. And by two separate Santas, no less."
 
"Well, I'm glad you had fun. I hope you're not too sore today. I really am sorry about that."
 
Marcus laughed. "I still can't believe everything William told me about your pheromones. The jury has always seemed to be deadlocked on whether they exist for humans."
 
"I choose to have little control over mine. We make considerable use of them in the Unity, but more as identifiers. We didn't realize the effect they have on other species. But in my defense, I have also never been with a human before. I never knew just how sexually fragile you are."
 
"Well, that just did my ego a world of good," Marcus said, shaking his head in disbelief. "First Oliver, and now you call me fragile." 
 
"I mean no offense, Marcus. I will never lie to you," the bear said to the human. "None of us will ever lie to you. This is our life. Humans have lived beside us for centuries, but we seem to take a physical toll on you that is overlooked. We love you. We would never intentionally hurt you. But, no human mated to a Changeling or werewolf has ever lived past the age of eighty-one."
 
"Eighty-one? That is pretty young, isn't it?"
 
"Candles burning at both ends… and all that," the bear said quietly.
 
"I had you at both ends last night," Marcus said with a snicker. "I think I can understand why the other humans made the choice they did to stay, regardless of those statistics. Even without all your raging pheromones, sleeping next to you was amazing. Sleeping with my arm around Will…" Marcus paused. "Kris, I'm new to this idea of a family that shares so much of each other with a total stranger."
 
"You're not a stranger, Marcus."
 
"I feel as if I should be."
 
"It's not in our nature."
 
 "It seems to be in Oliver's. He wouldn't touch me last night."
 
"No, but not because he doesn't like you. I think you know he cares a great deal for you."
 
"I do. William told me as much this morning. So, what is it? He just doesn't like humans in general?"
 
"No, he loves most humans once he gets to know them. What he doesn't love is becoming human. He tries to make peace with that side of himself, but it's an ongoing struggle."
 
"The red wolves?"
 
"He can't let that day go. He wants so hard to be forgiven. No one alive holds him responsible for the other's actions, and he knows that."
 
"But those who died…"
 
"Exactly. He will never know for sure. And in that tiny doubt lives a grief that never quite heals."
 
"Maybe Oliver doesn't want it to ever totally heal. Maybe that hurt makes him the man he is today."
 
"I never thought of it that way," Kris said thoughtfully.
 
"Me either," Will said. "Maybe I'm too protective. I never wanted Oliver to be hurt over his past."
 
"You both told me that's not in your nature. When you see someone suffering; you try to help it stop."
 
"I love him, Marcus," Will said. "I will always feel that way. But maybe he wears his internal scars the way the temple dogs were theirs on their bodies. Maybe they're reminders."
 
"Only the temple dogs' scars remind them of the cost of playing with you, Old Wolf" Kris said with a laugh. "They have no genuine regrets."
 
Marcus nodded. "I think Oliver's memories remind him to never turn away in fear when he knows what's right." 
 
"So which degree teaches you to be so perceptive? Psychology or philosophy?" Will asked. 
 
"You're doing it again, William," Marcus said, shaking his head. "I know you can't tell that from the way I talk."
 
Will laughed as he leaned back into a morning stretch. "Actually, I can. You sound like two of my favorite people. Li Wei is a philosopher. Kong is a psychiatrist. Often they come at things from different worlds, but they find the same truth."
 
"I doubt that I have their experience."
 
"But you have instincts, Marcus. And you hone them through your studies," Will said. He put his hand into Marcus's. "How many languages do you speak?"
 
"Seven. You said so yourself," Marcus said.
 
"Marcus, always tell the truth to those you love," Will said sternly. 
 
"Fluently, or enough to order at a restaurant and ask where the bathroom is?"
 
Will shrugged. "Both."
 
"Twenty-eight fluently. Sixty-two enough to get by."
 
"How many to get yourself in trouble by asking a guy all the right questions?" Kris inquired as Marcus felt the bear's heavy body push up against his side.
 
Marcus laughed. "One. You're the only men I've ever asked the right questions of."
 
"I could teach you a few words in Changeling that will get you into all sorts of trouble," Kris said as he took Marcus's free hand in his paw.
 
Marcus pushed into the bear. "I'll stick with English for the time being."
 
"So, do you have a photographic memory?" Will asked as they began their walk back to the cave.
 
"That's what they say. Although we know that's a misnomer. No one has ever actually had a photographic memory. Some stuff slips by; some stuff I forget."
 
"How did you hold on to that with Tay-Sachs disease?" the old wolf asked. "Doesn't it wipe out brain cells pretty aggressively?"
 
"Yeah," Marcus answered. "I won't ask how you know that. No one I know has even heard of it. It's treated now with stem cell intervention and hexosaminidase replacement therapy. I'm like a diabetic before they found the cure. I get hexosaminidase injections. Actually, it's all very cool. They couldn't have done any of this fifty years ago."
 
"Then I'm glad you were born when you could take advantage of an available treatment," the brown bear said, squeezing the human's hand.
 
"Me too. I was lucky enough to have it as late-onset juvenile Tay-Sachs. I would already be dead if it manifested when I was born."
 
"Very lucky indeed," Will said calmly. "And to be bright enough to recognize the symptoms so quickly."
 
"Not fast enough to keep me from going blind."
 
"Fast enough to save your life," the wolf said. "I'm rather fond of that life, so I'm grateful for your ability to self-diagnose a disease so rare."
 
"It's just the way I see the world, William," Marcus replied, letting go of the two paws holding his hands. He raised them in front of himself. He moved his hands like he was working on a computer screen. "It's all data. It just sorts itself out in my mind. I'm like a computer that just happens to be in love with a guy who turns into a wolf."
 
"No, you're a human who just happens to be in love with a werewolf who occasionally turns into a human."
 
"So when do I see less of the human and more of the werewolf?"
 
"The day I turn you."
 
"Old Wolf," Kris said with a slight corrective air.
 
"He asked, Husband," Will said. "I told him the truth."
 
"That's okay, Kris," Marcus said. "I sort of expected that answer." Marcus put his hand back into the wolf's paw. "And when is that day?"
 
"The day you ask me to, Marcus. You have a family waiting for the day, and a man who would prefer not to be human in your presence when we share a bed."
 
Marcus shook his head in disbelief. "How, William? You've known me for only a day. A few years at best if you count our conversations over the ComLink. How can you entrust someone with so much without even knowing them?"
 
"I know you, Marcus. I've known you since the first day you called to ask for a donation."
 
"And that… that… How did I get through to you? You have a battery of assistants, lawyers, and accountants to run interference for you. How did I get you when I made that call?"
 
Will leaned over and kissed the cheek of the human. "Because I have the Sight, remember?"
 
"At first I thought that was just a part of your stories, but Oliver mentioned it as well. Do you really know who I am just by talking to me? It's not just some sort of hyper-sensitivity to others that makes cold reading me easy?"
 
"Would being a con artist lead me to answer the ComLink myself instead of letting someone else pick up?"
 
"I guess not."
 
"Would I have been able to cold read your body, your desires, your talents, and more importantly, what a decent man you are?"
 
"I guess there's no benefit in it for you, even if you could. Cold readers are grifters, like you said. You're the CEO of the largest corporation in the world. I doubt you have any interest in the kind of money I make, so I'm pretty much a waste of time if you were a con man trying to make a buck."
 
"Is that what you worry I might be?" Will asked.
 
"No, William. I think you're exactly what you say you are. You're a werewolf in love with me."
 
"And that scares you?"
 
"Shouldn't it?"
 
"No."
 
"You have no idea how much you're asking me to change my world to be with you."
 
"I do. I am not discounting that in the least. You asked me if you should be afraid of me loving you. The answer to that is no. There is the fear of the unknown, the fear of change; all that is normal. It's probably even a good sign that you are afraid. It tells me you're exactly the man I think you are." 
 
"A guy two steps from agoraphobia with commitment issues?"
 
Will laughed as he shook his head. "A man who thinks everything through. Who uses every bit of knowledge and wisdom he has to make a choice. And in the face of a totally alien world, he leads with his heart."
 
Marcus snorted a laugh as he shook his head. "I wish I was that man, William."
 
"You are, Marcus. Trust me on this one. I have a few years on you. I'm good at seeing what you overlook because of your personal insecurity."
 
"How old are you, William?" Marcus asked, turning to the wolf walking beside him.
 
"Not as old as Kris, and we don't talk about age in his company. It makes him testy," Will said with a laugh. 
 
"We stopped counting when he reached five hundred," Kris said. "It got to a point where the candles weighed more than the cake and it was a very big cake."
 
"Besides, wolves slobber when they try to blow out candles," Will added. "While it means I get the cake to myself, even I find it a bit off-putting."
 
"And you're asking me to become like you?"
 
"No," Will said. "I'm asking you to become who it is you were meant to be."
 
"I don't want to be a Chow or a badger if that's what you're saying."
 
"We have bears and wolves. There are a few cats. There are temple dogs, wild dogs, and so many other beasts. We even have the most handsome rhino you could ever hope to meet. And two bears with wings married to an angel who you will love."
 
"A bear with wings? Is there really such a thing?"
 
"Yep. They're adorable," Kris answered. "So is their husband."
 
"And they would be a part of my family?"
 
"Actually, yes. More so than most in the Were Nation," Will said. "We all think of ourselves as family, but they're more our immediate family. And if you choose to be a wolf, you will also have a pack willing to initiate you should you so choose."
 
"Like the black wolf in the story?"
 
"Yeah, I might have toned it down a bit for you because you were getting excited so quickly, but yeah, it would help if you like to bottom."
 
"I'm finding it more pleasant than I thought it would be. You are all so… so accommodating."
 
Kris laughed. "We try. Look, Marcus, despite Will and Oliver trying to convince you otherwise, you don't have to move on this. If you want, spend some time with us. Meet our family. There is a life out there that we are asking you to share with us, but we don't ask you to accept it on blind faith."
 
"That's the strange part of it, Kris," Marcus replied. "I already know what you're asking me to share. Will has told me what to expect in so many stories. I know who I will meet on Partridge Island. I know the wolves that run in Montana. The winged bears and angel are new to me, as is the rhino, but I have a feeling that I will love them the same way I love you."
 
"I hear a ‘but' somewhere in this conversation," Will sighed.
 
"But I'm still not sure that I want what you're offering. I know I want your friendship, but living forever as someone who crosses between human and animal…" Marcus paused and breathed out a sigh. "I'm not sure that I'm that person."
 
"Then until you are sure, let's not worry about it," Kris said.
 
Marcus shook his head. "It's that easy for you? I just snubbed what I know you see as a sacred offer, and you're telling me not to worry about it?"
 
Will leaned over and kissed the human. "That's exactly what we're saying. Kris told you to take your time. I want you to be comfortable with whatever choice you make as well. We all do."
 
"Even if it's not the choice you want?"
 
"Especially if it's not the choice we want," Will replied. "You need to know without a doubt that we will support your choice, Marcus."
 
"What if what I want today is to just hold on to the man I've fallen in love with?"
 
"Then I say forget about breakfast, and let's go walking," the old wolf answered.
 
"Is this walk going to involve sex?"
 
"Undoubtedly."
 
Marcus felt the wolf's hand in his become human. He smiled and nodded. "I'm ready for that walk."
 
"No," Will said bluntly. "I'm ready for the walk. I'm naked. You're not."
 
Marcus squeezed the paw of the bear he was walking with. "Can I impose upon you to take my things back to the cave, Kris?"
 
"For the privilege of seeing you naked again, that is a small price to pay," Kris said, agreeing to the request.
 
Marcus laughed. "Then, give me a moment, Will, and I will join you on your walk. But without my gear, you're going to have to go slowly and give me proper warnings."
 
"You'll teach me, right?"
 
"Sure," Marcus said as he pulled off his shirt and handed it to where he knew Kris was. "When I scream ‘harder', it means I want you to fuck me harder."
 
Marcus felt the warm lips of the human press up against him and for a moment he wondered what the lips of the wolf would feel like on his. With a push of his foot, he removed one shoe and then the other. In the back of his mind, he already knew that one day he would know what it felt like to not only kiss a wolf, but to be a wolf that kissed back.

Chapter 5

The warm summer sun felt good on his skin after so much time inside the cool of the forest. Marcus held the badger's hand as he walked through a clearing in the forest canopy. "Sorry to pull Will away from you again, Human," Oliver said. "I think they sends me to get him ‘cause I'se small and you two won't be as mad at me."
 
Marcus laughed. "He's back in the CEO seat, Oliver. I know he's going to be called away. Besides, I like being with you."
 
"I likes being with you, too, Human," Oliver said. The tiny mammal paused for a bit. "You gots a nice pecker when it's hard, you know."
 
Marcus laughed again. "Why thank you, Oliver. I don't think anyone has told me that before."

"Sure they has," Oliver said correctively. "I knows the old wolf told you that. He ain't never gonna see a pecker like that and not say something about it."
 
Marcus paused a moment in thought. "I guess you're right. He has complimented it multiple times."
 
"There you goes," Oliver said with a laugh. "One hundred percent of beasts you know thinks your pecker is fine."
 
"But you won't play with it."
 
"Sure I will. Just as soon as you's a beast."
 
"But then it won't be a human pecker."
 
"We can play as humans. Don't matter to me. It takes me some time before I'se comfortable showing my human to another, but I likes it when I'se with someone I love. Don't care for it much when I is alone, though. Only dark memories come then, and that ain't easy."
 
"I'm sorry about that, Oliver," Marcus said. He stopped and squeezed the badger's paw. "You said someone you love…" 
 
"Yeah, I did that. I thinks I'll stand by them words."
 
"You love me?"
 
"Yeah, gots to love family."
 
Marcus shook his head in disbelief. "How can you love so easily? You don't even know me, but you extend to me the title of family without a second thought."
 
"Watch your step, Human," Oliver said. "About three meters, there's gonna be…" He paused. "Never mind. Apparently, Gaia thinks you's family, too."
 
"Excuse me?"
 
"Did Will tell you about her?"
 
"I think I heard the name in passing. Originally, William just told me stories to get me aroused. Now, when we talk, he seems to be filling in the gaps. Some stories are more difficult for him than others. Sometimes there are gaps where I know there are stories untold."
 
"Seems as if the old wolf is telling the good without necessarily telling the bad," Oliver said.
 
"I think he wants me to know the truth, Oliver. It just seems parts of the story are too difficult for him. He told me about the Night of Blinding," Marcus said. "I still don't know how Kris could be so forgiving to the ones who attacked his family so violently."
 
Oliver nodded. "I coulds never be the beast that bear is. I tries as hard as I can, but he's something special. What else does you know?"
 
"Kris and Eric had a son from the same kind of joining that Eric and Donovan seem to be in now. Their son was a very horny bear who loved a human aviator from the War of the Continents." Marcus slowed his walking as he tried to remember the story. "The bear had left the highland to learn about life and the world beyond his family. He met the human back on the highland and they were married. It sounded so beautiful, Oliver. I actually cried when he told me the bear was wearing a tuxedo and had his wedding band carved into his claw. I guess I'm a softy about such things."
 
"Weren't a dry eye in the house that day. You ain't alone being a softy around them two. They was special."
 
"Was, Oliver? What happened? William told me about you meeting the human. It sounded like you were in love with him. I thought when he told me over the ComLink that you were married to Nathaniel and Martin, that maybe somehow... But it can't be. Not if the three of you were living in the late twenty-first century. The years don't add up."

Marcus stopped and thought for a moment. "I think William still leaves out parts of the story that are difficult for him to tell. He told me that the bear and the human came to Partridge Island and met you. I know about the Megatherium, but I don't know where he fits into the story other than he's your mate. I thought maybe you turned the human… but William stopped telling me the story two years ago when he stepped down from Bear Paws Enterprises. He's never revisited it in our conversations until I came here to the highland."
 
"He needed to take a break from work," Oliver said. "All them peoples clamoring to get to him, and his husbands being gone for more than thirty years were too much. We didn't know about you, or we would have let you two be together. He asked about you from time to time, but we was working with your coworkers. Didn't know he had something special with you. I'se really sorry about that. We fucked up big time for our not knowing."
 
"It's easy to slip through the cracks when you take as much time as I do to stay hidden, Oliver," Marcus consoled. "You didn't do anything wrong. It was me who should have at least wished him well when I read he stepped down."
 
"You tried to find him when we forced him back into working. That's a good thing."
 
"Yeah, it's been a great thing, Oliver. I can't believe how glad I am that he called me back." Marcus paused. "But what happened, Oliver? What happened to you and the bear and the human? Did the human become the Megatherium?" He squeezed Oliver's paw. "I'm glad you're married. I know about Nathaniel and the human, but he only called the human Pilot." Marcus paused again thinking. "But I'm doing the math here. That was over a century ago. What happened to the human? Are the pilot and Martin the same person? Where do your other husbands fit into your family's story?"
 
Oliver was quiet for a time. "Max were the human. He died. He were Nathaniel's first husband. Nathaniel is my bear husband. He's the cub of Eric and Kris you were told about. Max married Nathaniel and they moved to Partridge Island. That's where I met them both. Max and me was best friends, but we never gots the time we needed to be mated. We was too afraid of what others might think to speak the words that we should have. Maybe that's why I pushes people now to do what their hearts tells them to do instead of holding back because of fear. Nothin' hurts like knowing you should have done something, not even findin' out it was wrong after you tried."
 
"I'm sorry, Oliver. I didn't know."
 
"There's lots to the story the old wolf ain't told you yet. I'se married to Nathaniel and Martin. Martin was the Megatherium, but the beast died and his human got turned again. He's a saber-toothed cat now."
 
"It would appear I have a lot of catching up to do before this isn't totally confusing."
 
"Yep. We's one fucked up family. But we loves each other, and the knowing is worth the effort, Human."
 
"And Gaia is a part of that story?"
 
"Yeah, she is. She was Bear's spaceship."
 
"The companion?"
 
"Yeah, she likes being called Gaia now."
 
"William told me that the spaceship was alive, but even after finding out he was a werewolf, I sort of figured that was too fantastical to be true."
 
"The old wolf only told you the truth, Human," Oliver replied. "If you knows about it, it's true."
 
"So what about Gaia makes you think I'm family to her?"
 
"I was gonna tell you about a root in the path, but it's gone now." Oliver tugged at Marcus's hand and they began walking again out onto the glade. "You ain't got nothin' to worry about here, Marcus," Oliver continued. "Gaia don't put no rocks or nothin' out here in the glade, ‘cepting the time when the old wolf fucked up her pagoda by playing with the temple dogs. Then she got pissed and throwed up all sorts of stuff everywhere he stepped. But she forgave him a long time ago, so it's always safe."
 
Marcus laughed. "There are so many stories I don't know; aren't there, Oliver?"
 
"We gots a long history, Marcus. Our oldest brother, Chet, is over ten thousand years old. The Changelings are even older."
 
"Do you ever get tired of life, Oliver?"
 
"I used to. Back when I first became a beast. Not no more. I'se got family. Ain't good to be a werebeast alone. But if you gots family, life ain't so bad."
 
"I'm struggling with William's offer to become a part of your family."
 
"Yeah, I know you is," Oliver said with a nod. "That's why I'se trying to help you by staying a beast."
 
Marcus stopped in his tracks and looked down at the badger he couldn't see. "Oliver, are you telling me that you're dangling sex with you like a carrot to get me to change?"
 
"Is it workin'?"
 
"It might be."
 
"Then yes. And I gots a nice pecker to dangle. It's more fun to eat than a carrot."
 
Marcus laughed. "I'm sure you do." The human was quiet for a time as they walked through the grass. "Oliver, why?"
 
"‘Cause I sees you, Marcus. I sees you as a wolf and I knows you ain't never gonna be happy until you risk it all and let the old wolf turn you."
 
"Be honest, Oliver. What else do you see?"
 
"I sees you is something special. Something none of us is ever gonna understand, but someone we is always gonna love."
 
"Any details or is that as good as it gets?"
 
"I sees you takes a liking to badger dick if that's any help."
 
Marcus reached down and picked up the little mammal. "Prepare to be kissed, Oliver," Marcus said as he pushed his face into the badger's. 
 
When the kiss ended, the badger sighed. "You knows I can play with you a bit as a badger and not turn you, right?"
 
"No, I didn't know that."
 
"You would of if the old wolf had told you about Nathaniel and Max."
 
"There's so much I don't know," Marcus said. He shook the badger's paw. "So, are you saying that even as a werebeast, you can play with me?"
 
"I'se pretty good at sucking dick, Human."
 
Marcus dropped to his knees and freed Oliver, who instantly pushed him down onto the grassy field. "Oliver," Marcus whispered, "don't do this if you don't want to."
 
"I wants to, Human," Oliver responded. "I wouldn'ts offer if I didn't. Is you okay with a badger having you?"
 
Marcus reached toward the badger's voice and found his shoulder. "I'm okay with this," he answered.
 
The badger lowered his head onto the already erect cock and slid his jaws over the hardened flesh. Marcus groaned happily as he reached down to rub the top of the badger's head. "Oliver… there aren't any teeth."
 
Oliver laughed happily, never letting the cock slip from his mouth. "We's figured out a long time ago that we can shift most any part of us a bit. I just retracts them when I'se giving head," the badger mumbled through his fellatio. 
 
Marcus pushed himself up and grabbed Oliver, turning the badger's body until it rested on his belly. The badger never slowed in what he was doing. Marcus rubbed the rump of the badger, feeling his tail, his rounded butt cheeks, and then the sack of furred balls that led to the cock pressing into his chest. Marcus tugged the badger's rear legs as he leaned back onto the grass. "Please, Badger," he begged, "let the human come out to play."
 
There was a shift, and Marcus felt the weight of the human on top of him. He turned their bodies onto their sides as he felt the hairy back that matched his own. With a bit of negotiating from both the humans, they found themselves with each other's cocks in their mouths. Heads bobbing, and their mouths full of hard flesh, no one heard their muffled sounds of ecstasy when they both came. But inside the cave, the old wolf's nostrils flared, and he looked up. "Thank you, Oliver," he said with a smile. "Bring him home." 
 
Will tapped the ComLink in his ear. "Sorry for the delay, gentlemen," he said. "I just got some very unexpected good news." He pivoted on his chair to see his two husbands smiling at him in the doorway, their noses twitching at the smell of sex on the glade. "Some excellent news for my whole family. Now, about this contract. I think you'll find we're in total agreement with one small exception about the wages of the workers. Let's make sure everyone profits from this venture, shall we?" 
 
Outside in the field, the two humans wrapped their arms around each other. "Thank you, Oliver," Marcus said, the emotion in his voice clear. He leaned in and kissed the human, and felt the kiss change as the badger returned. Marcus didn't turn away from the change. He embraced it and realized the one that he was kissing now was the one he wanted to kiss.
 
"Let the old wolf turn you, Human," Oliver whispered. "Become what you was meant to be."
 
"I'm afraid to," Marcus replied. 
 
"And that's why you lets him turn you, Human. He is fearless in love. He's strong enough for both of you until you's brave enough to stand on your own."
 
Marcus took a deep breath. "He's going to need to be awfully brave."
 
"As is you, Human," the badger said. "But I has faith in my family. They has never let me down yet. You ain't going to neither."
 
"Promise me it will all work out, Oliver."
 
"Ain't no way to promise that, Human. What I can promise is we will be there even if you can'ts see us."
 
"Again, with the… the…" Marcus struggled to find the words.
 
"You's meaning to say, ‘again with the cryptic pronouncements,' but them's just too many fancy words not to piss me off," Oliver said as he nudged the human. 
 
Marcus smiled. "Yeah, that's what I was going to say." He let his hands feel the face of the badger moving across the cheeks and down the neck. "I love you, Oliver," Marcus said. "I love you all."
 
"And we loves you, Human." Oliver moved closer to Marcus. "Come on, Human, let's give you your first lesson on how to cuddle with a badger after sex." Marcus smiled and entered the embrace.

Chapter 6

Will found Marcus with his feet dangling over the cliff again. "You seem to like it on the edge, Marcus," he said as he sat down next to the man, his wolfen legs slipping over the side.
 
"No," Marcus corrected. "Actually, I don't. This is more of an object lesson for me. What I have to lose by diving into the unknown."
 
"So, three months with us still leaves you with doubts?"
 
"I'm so conflicted, William. In my mind, I had this idea of what my life was going to be like. One day, I would find a nice, quiet man. We'd settle down in a two-bedroom apartment. We'd have two pugs that we called our babies, and it would all be so calm and proper."
 
"Well, Derrick and I aren't pugs, but you have two canines in your life and lots more if you want them. Plus, we're already housebroken."
 
"You're anything but quiet."
 
"That's true. We're a noisy family."
 
"And a family that keeps encouraging me to join them."
 
"It will save you a bundle not having to have a fursuit made."
 
"This is important to me, William," Marcus scolded.
 
"It's important to me too, Marcus. I don't mean to make light of your frustration, but I keep waiting for you to tell me what it is we can help you with. It's as if you're content to let a part of you lie dormant."
 
Marcus pushed back from the cliff. "I think that's exactly it. I am so content here. There are four men here that I love being with. I still have my work. At night you tell me the stories of the world you offer me, and I still have such strong doubts that I belong in that world."
 
Marcus felt the arm of the wolf wrap around him and pull him close. "And why is that, Marcus?"
 
"Because you're not just a family of werebeasts. You're amazing. You've saved the entire planet, William. When each day ends, I can lie down with you and forget all of what and who you really are. I can pretend that you and I are just two men who love each other and that there is nothing beyond that world. But when I feel the wolf wrap his arms around me, I look at what you and your family have done, and I'm not sure I'm capable of standing beside you."
 
"But, Marcus, you're an amazing man," Will rebutted. "Look at all those children whose lives you've changed for the better. They're growing up and their lives are affecting others for the good. You're already doing what intimidates you most. This world is changing because of you. You're making this world a better place."
 
"It's all about scale, William."
 
"Want to know the truth about the Were Nation, Marcus? Most of us live a very long time. It changes our perspective. What we do, we do because it needs doing, but that's all of us. There's a werewolf back on Partridge Island. His name is Kyle. He has a beautiful husband, and he is content to be the groundskeeper of the south side." Will paused. "He plants flowers and trees, Marcus. He makes sure the forests are healthy and that beautiful things are growing down by the graves and memorials. That's pretty much what he does. But he does it knowing that someone is going to walk by those flowers one day and smile. He knows a child is going to laugh when she sneaks one of those blossoms and gives it to her mom. And he knows his family will find shade in those forests on a hot summer day when they sneak off to be together."
 
Will pulled Marcus in tighter. "And you know what's amazing about Kyle?"
 
"He was part of saving the world?"
 
"Yeah… yeah, he was. Because on that day, every one of us walked by the flowers he planted, and we smiled. We saw those trees and knew Partridge Island was our home. We knew we belonged there, and we knew we had to fight for what we loved. He gave us confidence in what we were doing. He took a bit of his world and shared it with us, and we knew that world was worth saving. 
 
"This is who we are, Marcus. We don't have a caste system in our world. I'm not better than any of my brothers because of how much I earn or the job I have. Kyle is no less important to me because of what he does. He is a part of my world, and I never question that what he is doing is exactly what he should be doing. Because he believes that. And that makes all the difference in the world."
 
"So, you're telling me that I'm the one struggling with where I belong in the big picture that you don't even care about?"
 
"Pretty much. We're trying to show you that, for the most part, there is no big picture in our lives, Marcus. It's just you and me right now. And later, if I'm not mistaken, it's going to be you and Kris, because he is really enjoying his Santa body of late."
 
Marcus laughed. "That whole ‘be in the moment' thing the temple dogs keep trying to pound into my head?"
 
"Yep. We all learn eventually that we make our world out of tiny moments strung together. Look at the big picture too often and it all gets confusing, it gets scary, and intimidating. But if we stay here together, and if we realize that moment to moment we're just where we're supposed to be… then that… that is doable."
 
"I guess I never thought about it, but I've done that all my life, until the day I stepped onto this highland."
 
Will leaned back onto the ground, pulling Marcus with him. "Exactly. I know that you've had a lot to learn about in the last few months. But we're not asking you to be anything that you aren't already. What you might do, what you might become, that's all for moments in the future. We trust you to stay true to the man we love right now. It doesn't matter if you're a human or a beast. The Marcus we love is so much more than that outward shell you're so fixated on."
 
"So if my body is no big deal, why do you keep asking me to change it?"
 
"Because you, my handsome friend, are a big deal. The body gives you time to figure that out." 
 
"William, I don't want to be a disappointment to you."
 
"You're not, Marcus."
 
"But if I turn, I might be."
 
"So, you're willing to stay where you are, even though you dream of what we offer you because you're afraid of disappointing the ones you love?"
 
Marcus closed his eyes. "Yeah, something like that."
 
"Well, that's disappointing," Will said as he nudged the human next to him.
 
Marcus nudged back. "That's just cruel."
 
Marcus felt the human slip up over the top of him. With a shake, he felt the weight shift and the flesh pushing against him turn to fur. He tried not to, but his body shook when he felt what he had tried to imagine for the last three months. The lips of the wolf slowly pressed against his. It was nothing like he expected, and yet everything he knew it would be. He leaned into the kiss. When the kiss finally ended; he put his hands on the neck of the wolf and moved up to his jowls. "If I knew I would be the same person as I am now regardless of what else you offer, I would do it in a heartbeat."
 
"You will be the same person. All the strengths, all the weaknesses, just more fur. And you'll have your sight back. And that whole leaping tall buildings in a single bound stuff."

 Marcus laughed, but he grew serious quickly. "William, give me the reason that will convince me."
 
"Because Oliver said to."
 
Marcus paused. "Not because you say to? You're not convinced?"
 
Will sighed. "Marcus, if it had been entirely up to me, I probably would have taken you back to your apartment three months ago. I know you're an incredible person. You would make an incredible werebeast. But for all my knowledge of that, some people will never get to that place where they're able to make that change. And I don't blame them. This isn't just becoming a werewolf and howling at the moon a couple of times a month. This is embracing a fundamental change and an entirely new family."
 
Marcus was quiet for a time, knowing that the old wolf would not pressure him to speak. Finally, he spoke. "And you don't think I'm that man?"
 
"I'm too close to you to know, Marcus," Will replied. "I can't always see clearly when I love someone. Oliver totally blindsided me when I turned him. I never saw his past or what he wanted from the turning. All I knew was that I loved him. And in loving him, I failed to see the truth."
 
"He turned out all right."
 
"Not because of me, Marcus. I couldn't see the Oliver who was struggling with life, because I was in love with the Oliver who was happy by my side. Oliver is strong, incredibly strong, but even he needed someone to guide him to who he is today. Nathaniel and Max started the journey back for him. Martin, bless his heart, he dug down and found the Oliver I love lost inside that badger body, and he pulled him back. And when he had done that, Martin pushed me back into Oliver's arms." Marcus felt the paw of the wolf in his hand. "I'm too much in love with you to know whether turning you is the right thing to do anymore. I thought I knew, but I have my doubts now."
 
"But Oliver doesn't?"
 
"He has never altered his opinion since the first day you stepped off the Red Wolf." The silence lingered while Marcus thought about what he had just heard. Will squeezed his hand tighter. "And I trust Oliver. I trust him with my life. And I trust him with yours."
 
The two lay in the grass for the better part of an hour before Will felt Marcus's hand squeeze back. "Turn me, Will. I trust Oliver, too."
 
"We should go get our family."
 
"They're not all going to want to do me the way Derrick got done by the pack, are they?"
 
"Well, Oliver has waited a very long time, you know."
 
Marcus shook his head and laughed. "They're all going to have me once I turn?"
 
"Is that going to be a problem?"
 
Marcus didn't have to think about it long. "No. Actually, no, that won't be a problem. I've wanted to be with them as beasts ever since they told me that was their preference. I guess it's about time I stepped up and accommodated them for a change."
 
"The change is hard, Marcus. It will help to have family by your side to get you through it."
 
"How difficult?"
 
"Incredibly difficult the first time. It gets easier, but having your family with you will help. Both to help you through the change and to distract you later as you settle into your new body."

 "How do we call them? I'm kind of happy being right here in the field with you. You let me up and who knows what I'm going to do? I'm the first to admit I have commitment issues."
 
Will reached up to his ear and tapped his ComLink. "Gentlemen, I have a human who says he's ready to turn. Let's make this as easy as we can for him, shall we? I could use your help." The wolf paused in thought. "Oh, and dogs… could we please wait until he can stand upright before you try to take him to the trees?"
 
"You are wise, Old Wolf," he heard Noboru say in response.
 
"Trees?" Marcus asked hesitantly.
 
"Gaia won't let us build another pagoda."
 
"Oh? I am going to be so sore tomorrow, aren't I?"
 
Will leaned over and kissed Marcus. "Oh yeah, but on the plus side, you'll heal quickly."
 
Marcus laughed. "Make me a part of your family, William," he begged. 
 
Will lifted the human's legs. "It would be my honor," he said with a smile. 
 
Marcus winced as he felt the cock of the wolf slip into him. He relaxed into the moment and closed his eyes. He soon felt a warm paw alongside his left arm. "Is that you, Wolfy?" he asked between his panting.
 
"It's me, Marcus. Just relax and enjoy this part. It's kind of the calm before the storm."
 
"He's kind of huge," Marcus said, still panting as he tried to relax past the pain.
 
"Hi, Marcus," the human heard the voice of the bear say. "I'm going to kiss you. Just breathe deep and it will help ease the wolf into you." 
 
Marcus felt the warm furriness of Kris's muzzle push against his lips. He realized that without thinking, the bear's tongue and his were playing. Soon, he realized the bear was right. The wolf's nut sack was slapping up against him, and all he felt was pleasure. "I really have to admit I'm glad for your pheromones today, Kris." 
 
The bear kissed the human again and when they separated, he said, "Relax, Marcus. When you feel the wolf come, feel free to become whatever it is you dream. Wolf… bear… badger…" the bear paused, "… or all the other choices available to you; it really doesn't matter. Become whatever is in your heart."
 
By the time the temple dogs had taken their place, Marcus realized that being penetrated by a wolf surrounded by other animals somehow felt not only natural, but comforting. "Where's Oliver?" Marcus asked as the wolf's continued humping left only pleasure in the wake of the initial pain.
 
"I'se right here," he heard the voice from behind his head. The small hands of the badger pressed against his temples. "I'se gonna hold your head in place when you turns."
 
"Is it going to hurt that bad, Oliver?"
 
"Oh hell, yeah. You ain't never felt nothin' so painful."
 
Marcus sighed. "Sometimes I wish you would lie to me, Family," he said.
 
"But if we lied about that, how would you know we was telling you the truth when we tells you getting fucked by temple dogs is just about the best thing ever?"
 
Marcus laughed. "So, what's the best thing ever?"
 
"Probably fucking me," Oliver answered, "but then they sez I'se biased."
 
"You are, Oliver," Will said as he continued his thrusting. He looked down at the human below him. "Marcus. You tell me when you want to turn. I can keep this pace up all day, but when you're ready, so am I."
 
Marcus smiled and reached up with his free hand to rub the wolf's chest as it pushed up and down along the human's palm. "I could do this into nightfall and be happy. But I believe I have obligations to my family to not drag this on too long."
 
"So, let's say we do it for another ten minutes and call it good?"
 
"That… would… be… very… very… nice," Marcus said between thrusts.
 
When the wolf howled, the family grew close and grabbed the human's limbs as the first wave of bone transformation began. Pinned to the grass, he writhed in pain. The family watched as the grass grew up around the human and locked him in place. So tightly bound to the field, the tortured jerking of the beast being born would hurt neither the once human beast nor his family struggling to keep him safe. Gaia had stepped in to do her part to ease Marcus into his new life. 
 
The fur grew from every limb and across his chest as Marcus gasped for breath. "Hurts… hurts so bad…"
 
"Hang in there, Marcus," Will said. "The first time is always the hardest. You know that. I've told you the stories. Use that photographic memory of yours. Watch every bone and where it shifts. See what grows. See what shrinks. Think about the beast you want to become and help your body ease into that new form. Memorize it all so that the next time your body knows exactly what it needs to do to make the change. You learn that now, and this will never hurt as bad again."
 
"Trying," Marcus growled as his muzzle began elongating. The features were unmistakable as the claws pushed out through the once human fingers, now turning into paws. 
 
"Don't talk now, Wolf," the bear ordered. "Hold your tongue so that you don't bite it off. Bear down on that jaw. Keep thinking about your beast and help give birth to him."  
 
Marcus did as he was told and followed the guidance of his family all the way through the transformation. In time, the transformation was complete. Marcus did his best to speak past the growling wolf he had become. He listened to the family's advice as he tried to gain control of his new body. He was especially happy to follow all the commands and suggestions they offered as he learned what it was like to be taken by beasts so many times he lost count.  
 
The newborn wolf even followed the orders of the temple dogs as they guided his first trip into the trees. As the moon completed its arc across the sky, Marcus looked up into the golden dogs' faces and saw the moonlight creating blurry shapes that his brain struggled to interpret. The dogs had left his chest and belly puddled with his own cum. The old wolf insisted he not wipe it off. Nestled in the arms of the Noboru and Katashi, the newborn wolf hung between two trees in a hammock created by the bodies of two temple dogs. The third, dangling from an unseen branch overhead, gently lapped at the ejaculate. Marcus realized why the old wolf had made his command. The sensation of the warm tongue of the dog across his body was like nothing he had ever felt before.
 
"That feels so nice," Marcus said sleepily. "Oliver was right. I wouldn't have believed how good it feels to be with you dogs."
 
The dog over his chest pulled up on his prehensile tail and put his finger up to the wolf's lips. "Hush," Zhuang said. "Now is not the time for talk." There in the darkness, Marcus obeyed his last command of the night. "Close your eyes, Little One. Rest," Noboru said as the two dogs rocked the newborn wolf gently to sleep. 

Chapter 7

Marcus had seen twenty-three nights turn into morning. This morning found him waking quietly squeezed in between the four husbands. He remained clueless as to how he came to be lodged in between them all. The last thing he remembered clearly was going to visit the temple dogs for lunch, and somewhere shortly afterward, his cock being swung in and out of the mouth of one of the temple dogs high above the ground. But for now, he felt warm and content where he was. 
 
The newly born wolf could feel the massive erection of the bear pushing up along his back. Marcus's arm draped over the old wolf, and somehow Oliver was resting on top of him, occasionally laughing in his sleep. He smiled, wondering what the badger was dreaming about when he felt the old wolf stir. Something inside shifted, and he felt a stab of pain. He tried to figure out what had happened when the old wolf rolled over and kissed him good morning.
 
Will looked into Marcus's face. "I see wheels turning inside there, Marcus. What are you thinking?"
 
Marcus gave a halfhearted smile. "I'm still wondering if I did the right thing. Everyone seems to think the transition becomes easier once the turning is over, but there are still parts of me I can tell are changing. It's not over, William. I'm like a half-baked cake. I might look like a cake on top, but underneath, everything is just a mess."
 
Will's look of concern was evident. Oliver, roused by the conversation, was equally concerned. "Does it hurt?" the badger asked.
 
"Sometimes… Not always… it's mostly just disconcerting. The closest thing I can think of is puberty. Remember when suddenly your body was something different every day?"
 
"It's been five centuries, Marcus. I can't say as I remember it all that well," Will responded.
 
"Changelings don't have puberty, so I'm at a loss, too," Kris said as he pulled the newborn wolf closer to him.
 
"Every day I look into the mirror and there are changes. And they're always changes that stem from who I was holding the night before. At least the external ones. The rumbling inside me is essentially a constant."
 
Oliver looked at Marcus. "You does sort of look more like Kris today. Your fur is mostly brown. Yesterday it was mostly black."
 
"Exactly," Marcus said, pointing to his nose and then to Oliver. "That's what I'm talking about. Last night it was Kris holding me; the night before it was Derrick."
 
"Well, this might be a bad time to bring this up," Kris said, "but there may be an explanation for that. There is a reason that we're known as Changelings on this planet."
 
Marcus looked at Kris. "What do you mean?"
 
Kris sat up in bed. "Okay, husbands and newly minted family member; try not to be too upset by this."
 
Kris shook and was suddenly a wolf. He shook again and was a polar bear. Another shake and a kangaroo appeared, then a seal, a three-toed sloth, a capybara, a tiger, and at last the Kodiak bear they all recognized returned. "We're kind of malleable that way," he said shyly.
 
"Fancy words," Oliver said, frowning at the bear. 
 
"We're shapeshifters. The real kind, Oliver. We can be whatever we choose to be."
 
"Can't be a squid," Oliver said defiantly. A large squid sat on the bed, tentacles writhing and beak snapping for a moment, and then it became a bear once more. "Fuck," Oliver said. "I don'ts ever want to see that again, Husband. Promise me you won'ts never do that again."
 
Kris smiled. "I promise, Husband. Come, hug me."
 
"You gots any squid slime on you?"
 
"No, but I can't say the blanket fared as well."
 
"Then I'll pass on that hug. I'll takes a bath with you later down by the creek, though. If you's sitting in slime, your balls is gonna need extra working to get clean."
 
Kris laughed. "Fair enough, Badger." He turned to Marcus. "So, as you can see, there is a marked difference between ourselves and our human turnings, or their turnings, as well.
 
Derrick looked at Kris. "Then why haven't you changed in all these years? Why would Eric be a polar bear for over twenty thousand years?"
 
"Because we live on a planet where we are the only ones who truly shapeshift. Even the Were Nation doesn't really shift except between their human and avatar forms with a sort of sliding scale werebeast in between. It was our goal to be recognizable to you. We didn't want you to wake up to a new mate every day wondering what we were going to look like. We allowed the world to choose our avatar, and we became that beast. Or in Nathaniel's case, and most of the Changelings left behind, they became human as avatars to their beast. It just made sense to us. Since you don't really change all that much, we became like you."
 
Marcus looked confused. "Are you saying that's what's happening to me? Am I closer to you than I am to William?"
 
"Well, not nearly as dramatic, Marcus; but perhaps a bit. You seem to adapt to the one you're closest to. It's not really that extreme. You're still a wolf today, but your color takes on a different hue based on who you're with. Even then, only after a night next to him. It's not like your fur is changing, even though Oliver is touching you."
 
Oliver waved his tiny paw. "He's right. I'se got my whole body on you and you ain't developin' stripes."
 
Marcus smiled at Oliver. "That is true. Although I love your stripes, so that might be fun."
 
"You could stay inside me all night. That might get you to turn stripey," Oliver said with a wiggle on top of the wolf.
 
Marcus rolled onto his back as he picked the badger up and kissed him. "I would like that, Oliver. But what would the family say?"
 
"We'd probably demand equal time," Derrick said with a laugh. "Can't have you playing favorites."
 
"But you already know I have a favorite," Marcus said with an air of seriousness.
 
Derrick nodded. "And rightfully so, Marcus. Will is your first and the wolf that turned you. He will always be special."
 
"And the one who gets to sleep with him inside me first, if I have any say about it," the old wolf grinned.
 
"T'were my idea, bastard wolf."
 
"Then what if Marcus stays in me and I stay in you?" Will said, leering at the badger.
 
"Okay, that works," Oliver said, returning a grin.
 
Marcus laughed. "I love this family so much. But it doesn't solve the problem. How long is this going to go on?"
 
Kris shrugged. "Truthfully, I don't know. I'm not even sure why it is happening. But I can think I can guarantee it's our biology in play, not yours."
 
"So you think I'm going to be okay? It's not like the turning is somehow defective because of my Tay-Sachs disease?"
 
Kris grabbed the brown wolf and hugged him tightly. "No, Son. This is Changeling DNA in you, not the Tay-Sachs. The moment you changed, your body began healing. Like every other werewolf, you are a unique creation. You're changing, but one day you'll stop. One day, you'll be who you are meant to be. Don't be afraid of this. Every human who has ever become a beast has a path to follow. Be willing to let time help you find yours. Don't rush what appears to be a much slower change than the others."
 
Marcus hugged back. "I will try, Kris." The brown wolf looked out to the others. "I am so going to miss all of you."
 
Will jumped off the bed and turned around. "What?"
 
"I know this sounds strange, William, but I'm taking a lead from your son the bear."
 
"What has Nathaniel done now?" Will asked.
 
"It's what he did. He left the very ones he loved the most to find out who he was. I have been here three weeks since my turning, and I think it's time I return to my work and my world to figure out who it is I've become."
 
"Nathaniel had the advantage of being billions of years old the day he was born, Marcus. You're new to the Were Nation. I'm not sure this is such a wise idea," the old wolf said.
 
"But it is my idea, William. I need to do this for myself. Maybe away from this highland, my body will settle into what it was meant to be. I'm not sure that my affinity for all of you isn't complicating matters."
 
Oliver looked at Derrick. "Did he just say that his shifting all crazy like is ‘cause he likes us?"
 
Derrick nodded. "That's what he said."
 
Oliver looked at the newborn wolf. "You knows that's totally fucked up, right, Marcus?"
 
The newborn wolf looked at Oliver. "You called me Marcus."
 
"Of course I dids. That's your name."
 
"Not Human."
 
"You ain't human no more, Marcus. You's you." Oliver took a deep breath and sighed. "And I guess that's what you's saying. You can't become you if you stay here beside us and becomes us every night."
 
"That's what I'm thinking."
 
"Damn it," Will said. "Why does that have to make sense somehow?"
 
"Look, I have a ComLink, just like Nathaniel did. If I get into trouble or need your help, I'll call."
 
Will looked at Marcus. "You are coming back, aren't you?"
 
"Of course, William," Marcus said. "This is where my family is. I promise I will return."
 
"When?"
 
"How long was Nathaniel gone?"
 
"Four years."
 
"Then how about four years?"
 
"But no longer; this is a walkabout, not a walk away," Will said with a note of finality to his voice.
 
"I will come back, William." Marcus paused. He turned to the others in the room. "Gentlemen, would you mind if I took your husband for a walk? I promise he will return by tomorrow."
 
The three nodded. "Give us one last hug before you go, Marcus," Derrick said, extending his arms. One by one, the brown wolf hugged the three. 
 
Will and Marcus walked out of the master bedroom and into the antechamber of the cave. Marcus looked toward the main hall with its warm green glow. "I should tell them goodbye."
 
"I'll be here waiting," Will said with a smile.
 
Marcus walked into the hall and stared at the chrysalis. His hand reached out and touched the glowing green rock. "I wish I could stay to see you return. There's so much about you two I wish I understood. I will be back in four years. Oliver told me not to walk away. I think you would tell me to stay. I know I should. But I'm not ready to be this," Marcus said, waving over his wolfen chest. "I only said yes, because one day I hope I will be. I knew if I walked away from the highland as a human, that opportunity would never come again.
 
"I hope they'll all forgive me for leaving. I hope you'll all forgive me. That path they all seem to think I'm on seems so unclear. Please, if you can hear me, tell William I love him. Tell him I'm sorry." Marcus pulled his hand away from the stone and stared at the faint green glow he saw radiating from his paw. He shook his paw, and it disappeared. He turned and walked back to the waiting wolf. "All ready, William. I believe we have a walk to take, and today I've even dressed appropriately for it."
 
Will smiled. "Indeed, you did." The two left the cave and began walking across the glade toward the cave home of the temple dogs. Ten hours later, the wolves gave goodbye hugs to the temple dogs and a promise from the newborn to return one day. 
 
As they two watched the sun setting over the coast range, they reached the edge of the forest and Will stopped. Will looked at the brown wolf and his hand reached out to grab the other's paw. "Lose the ComLink, Marcus."
 
"What? Why?"
 
"Because I'm me. If you say you're strong enough to make it on your own, then I have to let you prove that to yourself. I can hack that tech like a six-year-old plays holo-games. I already miss you. You give me a way to track you down, and I will. I'm sorry. That's just who I am."
 
Marcus smiled as he pulled the Iberian wolf into a hug. "I wouldn't have you any other way." The brown wolf pulled the bud from his ear and took off the ComLink on his chest and handed it to Will. "Here, you keep it for me. I'll be back in four years to pick it up."
 
"Don't give up your work, Marcus."
 
"I won't. We're alike, you and I. I can do my work anywhere around the world. All I need is a quantum link, a burner ComLink, and I'm good to go."
 
"I'd need a flat screen," the gray wolf said, rubbing up against the chest of the brown wolf.
 
Marcus laughed. "Yeah, well, that will be our undoing one day, won't it? You with your flat screen and me with my keyboard. We are dinosaurs, William."
 
"I'm a dinosaur that loves you, Marcus," Will whispered. "Please be careful."
 
"I promise I will be," the brown wolf answered. Marcus knelt down and rubbed the sheath of the wolf before him. It took no encouragement for the cock to spring from the fur and swell to its full size. "You have such a beautiful cock," Marcus said, smiling as he lowered his head onto the shaft. 
 
After a few minutes, Marcus pushed the Iberian wolf forcefully, and Will, taking the hint, fell backward. He expected to feel his legs lifted over the shoulders of the brown wolf, but instead, the wolf straddled him and smoothly impaled himself on Will's cock. Will shut his eyes in complete bliss. "No, Old Wolf," Marcus said. "Eyes open tonight. Let me see the eyes I will not see for another four years. Let me burn them into my memory. Leave me knowing after this night, I am creating my one great regret."
 
"You can stay."
 
"No, I can't. We both know that."
 
 "Oliver is right. I fucking hate the Sight."
 
"But I love the wolf with the Sight," Marcus said as he lifted himself up and then fell back onto the old wolf's cock once more.
 
Will groaned happily. "And the wolf with the Sight loves you." His paws reached up and grabbed the brown wolf's hips and guided him into the motion that drove them both toward their inevitable orgasm.
 
Hours later, the two wolves were still joined together. Their positions had changed multiple times, but now the old wolf began to lift the legs of the brown wolf off his shoulders. "No, William, please stay inside me."
 
"How long?"
 
"Well, you did tell Oliver you could stay inside him all night."
 
"That's true, I did."
 
"Dawn can't be more than a few hours away. Stay inside me until morning light?"
 
Will smiled. "Okay to spoon? I know you said to look in your eyes, but it would be nice to lie here in the grass together."
 
"I would like that, William."
 
Without pulling out, Will gently turned the wolf below him on his side as he lifted the legs off his shoulders and rolled them across his chest. Once the brown wolf was on the ground, Will carefully slipped up beside him and whispered, "I love you, Marcus."
 
Marcus sighed contentedly. "I love you, William."
 
"Get some rest, Marcus."
 
"Could I feel you coming inside me just one more time?"
 
"Really? After all we've done? You want one more time?"
 
"Well, you could do it twice if you'd like," the brown wolf said with a childish giggle.
 
"I am going to be so sore by morning."
 
"Yeah, me too," Marcus said, snickering again. "Ain't love grand?" He felt the wolf behind him push his cock deeper into his tight hole. He closed his eyes as the waves of pleasure ebbed and flowed with each push.
 
Inside the cave on the other side of the highland, the three husbands lay cuddled up in bed. Oliver pushed back against the black wolf. "He's gonna get his heart broke, Pup."
 
"I know, Oliver."
 
Kris rearranged his girth, trying to get closer to the two. "Are you both so sure?"
 
"Oh, yeah," Derrick responded. "I'm not very good with the Sight, but even I can see this one coming."
 
"Will he be okay?" Kris asked, the concern in his voice clear.
 
"He's got us, Bear," Oliver said. "And he's got a heart that don't never quit even after it's broke."
 
"I don't want any of my husbands to deal with a broken heart."
 
"But here we is, Bear. All of us has had one. And we is still smiling ‘cause we gots each other."
 
The big arm of the bear reached over and pulled both the badger and wolf close to him. "And that will always be the case, Husband." The bear sighed. "My god, those two are going at it again. Don't they have any mercy? Changelings can't deal well with that much sex floating around in the air."
 
"I know one Changeling who could just as easily be a part of that sex floating on the air instead of talking," the black wolf said with a grin.
 
"Really, Pup?" the bear said happily. "I'm I bottom or top?"
 
"You'se both, Bear," Oliver said as he wiggled out from under the thick paw and jumped on the bear. With a shake, he became the werebadger. "Dibs on whatever bunk the pup don't grab first," he yelled happily. 
 
The bear leaned over and bit the black wolf's neck. "Pups on bottom tonight," he said as he flipped the wolf and penetrated him. 
 
"Then moves your butt, bear, ‘cause I ain't big enough to hump it with you on your knees."
 
"Doesn't matter, Badger," Kris said, grinning. "I'm getting me some badger dick while I'm doing the pup." The bear reached behind him. In one smooth move, he pulled the badger off his back and shoved the werebadger's cock into his mouth. "Now, this is where I've wanted to be all night," he said, mumbling past the swollen flesh.
 
The three had scarcely been together more than a few moments when they heard a light rapping on the outside of the rocky entrance to their bedroom. The three looked up. "Come in, dogs," the three said in chorus.
 
Noboru was the first to enter. "We're extremely sorry for this late visit, but the two wolves in the glade are most disturbing. We thought we would be able to make it through the night, but Ancient One, you know you have no control over your pheromones or what they do to us."
 
Kris looked up from his fellating of the badger. "I have control, Noboru. I just choose never to use it. Come join me. I have been told by the badger that he cannot mount me while I am inside the black wolf."
 
Katashi stared at the round rump of the bear, and his tongue licked across his wide mouth. "We could help the badger by mounting you in his stead."
 
Oliver laughed. "Go for it, dogs. I loves watching my bear being pounded by temple dogs."
 
Zhuang bowed. "With your permission then, Badger," he said. With one great leap, he was on the back of the bear and pushing himself deep inside the bear's willing ass. The two other dogs rocked anxiously and seeing only the badger not impaled, moved toward him.
 
Oliver's eyes widened. "Bear, do something!" he yelled. "They's got that look in their eyes. And they's looking at me."
 
Kris looked up and quickly backed off the black wolf. "Husband, which of us goes?"
 
Derrick laughed. "I'll make the sacrifice, Bear," he said, giggling the whole time. "Roll over, Katashi," he commanded. "Tonight we go for double penetration of the wolf."
 
Katashi obediently rolled over onto the floor of the cave, his large cock flipping up into the air. The wolf pounced on the cock, shoving his ass onto it with one quick motion. He barked happily as the temple dog pulled him forward and the other temple dog came up from behind and penetrated him. 
 
Kris looked at the badger. "I have a cock that needs you, Badger."
 
Oliver shook his head no. "You gots a ton of beast on your back and you ain't no lightweight yourself. You's gonna crush me flatter than a pancake."
 
The bear rolled back, slamming Zhuang back onto the floor, his cock still deep inside the bear. "You have any problems riding me from below?" the bear asked the temple dog.
 
Zhuang pushed up into the bear. "None at all, Ancient One. I will see to your satisfaction in whatever position you put me."
 
Kris reached out and pulled the werebadger close. "Change, Oliver."
 
"Bear, you's gonna cover me in cum," Oliver protested.
 
"Change, Oliver. You know we both love it."
 
The grin that spread across Oliver's face told the bear all he needed to know as the little badger returned. "Takes me, Bear. You knows I can't say no to you."
 
The bear kissed the badger. Then, placing him between his paws, Kris began using the badger's furry belly like a jack-off sleeve on the front of his oversized cock. As the bear rubbed the badger up and down over his swollen flesh, Oliver laughed hysterically. The little mammal briskly rubbed the bear's frenulum with his paws as his belly pushed up against the shaft. "Augh, Bear," Oliver screamed. "It tickles."
 
"Oh god, Badger," the bear yelled out. "Please don't make me stop."
 
"Is you crazy, Bear?" Oliver laughed. "You's gonna make me cum. Don't stop nothin'. You goes on ticklin' me."
 
The bear looked over to his husband and smiled as the black wolf took both temple dogs, playing with their willing bodies like a puppeteer guiding his marionettes. The bear felt the swelling of his cock and with the temple dog pounding at his prostate, he let the dog and badger push him to exactly where he wanted to go.
 
With a loud roar, the Kodiak's cum shot out and upward. The first volleys of the white liquid were uncontrolled, splattering up against the ceiling and across the room; but then the hands of the little badger lifted and channeled the cum down the swollen flesh and across the belly of the badger.
 
"Don'ts stop, Bear," Oliver yelled. "I'se almost there." The bear never hesitated, shoving the badger firmly up and down along his cock as the badger's cum soaked body became thoroughly lubed. Oliver's eyes rolled into the back of his head. He closed his eyes tightly as his own erect flesh slid back and forth across the bear's.
 
With so much cum still spilling out of the bear, it was hard to tell exactly when the badger came, except for a happy whimper escaping his lips instead of his usual scream. The low guttural growls of the temple dogs heralded their orgasms, and the black wolf soon followed. 
 
The merry group remained intertwined for the better part of an hour after their collective orgasms, fondling and kissing each other's bodies. For now, their unity was enough to help them remain sated, despite what was happening with the two wolves out on the glade. Kris looked up from where he lay beside the youngest of the temple dogs. Oliver lay quietly snoring. His tiny body rose and fell with each breath of the bear's chest. "What say we call it a night?" Kris whispered to the rest. "We can clean up tomorrow. I don't have the heart to wake the badger."
 
Noboru looked up from kissing the black wolf. "It might be for the best. As much as I enjoy the pup's gentleness, it is starting to arouse me again."
 
Derrick smiled. "Same here, Husband. We either cuddle up together and sleep, or we go at it again. Tonight, I think Oliver has the right idea."
 
"I love you all," Kris said. "I will see you all tomorrow morning."
 
"Nots too early," the little badger said sleepily. "Them wolves gots to say their goodbyes."
 
"And that, they have to do alone together," Derrick added.
 
"His heart will break," Noboru said sadly.
 
"It's already broke, Dog," Oliver said with a sigh.
 
"And it will break again before this all plays out. It will be our job to help him pick up the pieces so that he can put them back together," Derrick said compassionately.
 
"Is there nothing we can do to help him avoid the pain?" Zhuang asked.
 
"Not without asking the old wolf to stop loving," Noboru said.
 
"And we cannot ask of the old wolf that which he cannot do," Katashi added. "We can only be there to ask him what he needs of us when the time comes."
 
"Sleep well, gentlemen," Kris said. "May your dreams be as pleasant as this evening has been for me."
 
The group nodded in agreement. Pushing up against each other, they closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 8

The morning sun was beginning to lighten the dark blue sky with shades of pink when Will felt Marcus stirring. "You're still inside me," Marcus said happily.
 
"It was still hard. It had to go somewhere," Will said with a smile. "You're the best place I could think to keep it."
 
Marcus sighed happily. "I'm happy with it there. Thank you for last night, William."
 
"And thank you. I will miss you, Marcus. But I will have my memory of last night with you until you return. It won't be enough, but it will have to do." The Iberian wolf reached around and grabbed Marcus's erect cock and played with it gently. Will's eyes opened with an arch of his eyebrow. He felt along the girth of the cock, squeezing it like a shopper trying to determine the ripeness of a tomato.
 
Marcus laughed. "What? You didn't think I'd have a hard-on? I'm just like you, William."
 
Will felt the cock again and then stared at the head in front of him. "Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It might be embarrassing to admit this, but I've jacked off enough over the last half millennium to have a pretty good idea of what my cock feels like." He stared at the gray fur intermixed between the black, white, and brown fur, noticing the familiar pattern. "And well… your cock doesn't feel like yours did last night. It feels like mine."
 
Marcus bolted up and looked at himself. "Fuck!" he cried out.
 
Will looked up from his reclining position at the gray wolf facing away from him rubbing his paws over himself. "You never say fuck, Marcus."
 
"I do today," the gray wolf said, turning around and looking at Will. 
 
Will looked at the wolf. His stare was obvious as his eyes ran up and down the length of the werewolf in front of him. "Fuck," Will said, shaking his head.
 
"I'm you, William!" the confused wolf said.
 
"Yeah, you are."
 
"Maybe just the fur."
 
"And the cock."
 
Marcus looked down. "Okay, can't say as that's going to bother me all that much. I'm rather fond of your cock. But just how alike do we look?"
 
Will pulled back the fur on his forehead that formed the shaggy cowlick always seen on both the wolf and the human. "What's under your hair, Marcus?" the old wolf asked, showing the long scar across his forehead.
 
Marcus hesitated a moment and pulled the hair back, exposing the same scar. He felt the line across his flesh. "It's there, isn't it?"
 
Will nodded. "It's there."
 
Marcus dropped to his knees and shook his head. "No, this can't be happening."
 
Will knelt beside him and put his arm around the newborn Iberian wolf's shoulders. "It's okay, Marcus. If I had known it would happen, I probably would have had Derrick stay inside you all night long because, let's face it, that boy is hot. But being a gray wolf isn't all that bad. There are quite a few of us out there, and we do all right for ourselves. There aren't many Iberian grays out there, but you'll blend in, trust me."
 
Marcus looked up. "I look like the man I love. Not just sort of look like him. I'm his twin."
 
Will smiled. "That's just between you and me, Marcus. Why don't we go get cleaned up down at the pond and you can leave before the others get up. No one but the two of us needs to know."
 
"I feel like the ultimate stalker. I meet the man of my dreams and I become him. It's disturbing."
 
"It's flattering."
 
Marcus looked up at Will. "What?"
 
"I'm okay with it, Marcus. I love you. I don't care if I have to look into a mirror to be with you. I can live with that. Now, all we have to find out is if you can."
 
"You don't mind?"
 
"I don't mind."
 
Marcus rubbed his chest. "I guess I'm okay with it. You know I think you're beautiful, right?"
 
"There's no accounting for taste, but yes, I know. And I'm glad you think so."
 
"You're the one who's going to have to make love to his twin if we ever do it again," a disappointed Marcus huffed.
 
"We will do it again. I will never say no to you, Marcus," the old wolf said with a smile. "Are we good?"
 
Marcus shook his head. "I guess we are for the time being."
 
"Want to go take a bath together? I'd like to make sure you're sent off with your fur all nice and clean."
 
"Does this involve sex?"
 
Will grinned. "Undoubtedly."
 
"Then yes, I would like to go take a bath with you."
 
"So if I said no, you would turn the bath down?"
 
"No, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't reading the offer wrong. I can't say I've had enough experience reading what others say to understand exactly what they're offering. I've not had a great deal of opportunity to read other's emotions inside that apartment of mine."
 
Marcus helped Will up and the old wolf put his arm around his twin's shoulder as they walked toward the creek. "Marcus, there's one thing you have to learn about me and the way I feel about you. If I am with you, there will never be a time when I don't want to have sex with you. Sometimes things will stand in our way. Occasionally, societal constraints and work obligations will cockblock us. I won't ask you to hump my ass in the middle of a grocery store, for example."
 
"Okay, I'm good with that."
 
"But really, the only time I won't want to play with you is whenever you tell me no."
 
"I can't think of a time when I would do that," Marcus said with a laugh.
 
The old wolf stood by the pond and jumped in. He turned to his twin and extended his arms. "Come on in, Wolf. The water is brisk. It will make your nipples hard, and I'm pretty sure you like them that way. I know I do."
 
Marcus dove into the water and headed straight for Will's legs. He pushed through them and rose up, tossing the old wolf into the air and into his arms as he fell back to earth. He leaned in and kissed his double. When their hands began gently scrubbing the other, he released the kiss. "I will miss you, William."
 
"And I will miss you, Marcus."
 
"Will you be here when I come back?"
 
"I will be here."
 
"Will you still love me?"
 
Will smiled at his doppelgänger. "I will always love you, Marcus. Never take a step in your life without knowing that truth. Find your way back to me, no matter how long it takes. I will be waiting."
 
"I'm doing the dumbest thing I've ever done in my life, aren't I?"
 
Will laughed out loud. "Oh hell, no, Marcus. You're young. You're going to do a lot of things dumber than today before you're even two hundred."
 
Marcus grabbed Will and kissed him again. "You're so comforting."
 
 Will grinned. "You know what's really comforting? A warm cock up my ass."
 
Marcus laughed. "And I think I have just the cock for you."
 
"You better. It's mine, after all."
 
Marcus smiled as he turned the wolf around and penetrated him. He leaned in and gently bit Will's shoulder. "We're going to make this work, right, William?"
 
"Yeah, Marcus. We're going to make this work. Now just work it in a bit deeper, will you?" The wolf made a happy growl as Marcus gave him just what he craved.
 
Hours later, the two stood watching the water cascade over the top of the waterfall. "You know, it was easier to deal with this when I was blind," Marcus said. 
 
"I can help you down the mountain if you want," Will said. "I can even show you the place where Eric and Derrick made love along the path on their way here for the first time."
 
Marcus shook his head no. "I know the path, William. Down the cliff over there, a switchback, then behind the waterfall, another switchback past the ledge where the two made love, and then just follow the path out onto the plains."
 
"Seems you got more than just my good looks," Will said with a smile.
 
"I am trying not to hold on to the memories, William. They're yours. I will find a way to let them go."
 
"What do you see?"
 
"The last three or four hundred years; mostly your time with the Old Bear and moving forward. Before that, it's dark, almost like a night fog. You have not had a peaceful life, William. There is so much sadness."
 
Will rubbed the wolf's shoulders and looked into the yellow eyes that matched his perfectly. "Find the happiness, Marcus. If you let it, it will soften the sadness. It helps put the hard times in perspective. It's those moments of sheer bliss that make my life worth living. Let that be the last lesson I teach you before you leave this mountain."
 
"I would prefer to just let it all slip from my mind."
 
"I will just tell them to you as stories when you come back. They're yours. I give them to you willingly."
 
"What is it Oliver once said? ‘We's the most fucked up family in the universe.' I'm beginning to think I fit right in."
 
Will smiled, nodding his head. "He did say that. He also said ‘let's be fucked up together', and I think that's about as good as any advice I've ever heard when it comes to this family."
 
Marcus pulled his mirror image in for one last hug. "You and me, fucked up buddies forever?"
 
"You know it, Marcus. Now go. You have a lot of distance to cover before nightfall." With a last kiss, the newborn Iberian wolf turned and began his descent down the mountain. Before he reached the waterfall, he was gone from Will's sight. 
 
Will turned and began walking back toward the cave. As he neared the edge of the forest, he saw the three temple dogs standing behind the bear, the wolf, and the badger. He smiled. "Family," he said quietly, wiping his paw across his eyes. He walked into their embrace, never once trying to fight back his tears in their company.
 
Chapter 9
 
"Noble Prime Minister, members of Parliament, I think we can all agree that our land has laid neglected for too many years," the temple dog said with a wave of his hand. "The War of the Continents was over sixty years ago, and still many of the dead of that war remain unburied or lie in unmarked graves. The land is desolate from the bombings. Those brave enough to traverse the passages through the mountains avoid the ruins of the temple as haunted."
 
The council before Li Wei stood quietly listening to the words spoken in an old Tibetan dialect. "We are a nation of refugees returning to our homes," Lie Wei continued. "A war not of our choosing tore from us our ancestral home. Our losses were great. The lives of so many innocents lie on all our backs, and we cannot turn away from this any longer."
 
Derrick turned to Kris. "What's he saying, Bear?"
 
Kris put his thick, furred finger up against his lips. "Shhh… Pup," he commanded. "Use your ComLink." He tapped it and said, ‘Tibetan; translate'. Instantly, the black wolf heard the dog's speech in his ear as English.
 
The black wolf looked at his mate sheepishly. "Sorry, I forgot," he whispered. The Kodiak bear squeezed his hand lovingly.
 
"I understand your desires, Master Li Wei, and I sympathize with your losses," the prime minister said. "But we are a poor nation with few resources that aren't already stretched to the breaking point. One day, the natural resources we have beneath our feet will rebuild our economy, but that day is not today."
 
"We understand that, Noble One," Li Wei said with a bow. "Let this be our gift back to the people we have lived with for so many centuries. My fellow monks wish to come home. We wish to rebuild our temples and our monastery. We wish to tend to the suffering and the lost as we have since before there was a Tibet."
 
The Iberian wolf stood up and in flawless Tibetan added, "I will personally see to the financing of the monk's proposal, your Excellency. For generations, my family has benefited from the care of the monks. I have spent many memorable years under their watchful care. I am grateful for what they offer to us, not only to my family personally but to the world at large. Since the War of the Continents, they have lived by our side, and we are grateful for that time. But they have a home, and that home is here in Tibet. Many of you in this room remember what it feels like to live in exile. All of your parents or grandparents have told you the stories of what it felt like to return to their birthplace after such a devastating war.
 
"We ask nothing of the Tibetan people save to restore to the monks that which is rightfully theirs. Let them return to their lands and bury the dead. Let them restore the mountain passes and create a new home where their old one once stood. In return, they will provide sanctuary for the lost and the ill as they have always done. They will create a place where the pilgrim can find solace and peace."
 
The parliamentarians began talking among themselves. Finally, one spoke. "So what is it that you are asking of us?"
 
Li Wei and his brothers bowed deferentially toward the dais filled with officials. The Tibetian parliament saw four old men with shaved heads and lose fitting robes. "We ask that you acknowledge our right to our lands; that you allow us to return and rebuild." 
 
"And," Will added, "We ask that you allow us to traverse your airspace while we rebuild the temples and monastery. We will restore the passes, we will bury the dead and create memorials for them, and we will return to that forsaken area a place of beauty and tranquility."
 
"Our people could use the work," the prime minister said as he threw out his first bargaining chip.
 
"And we will be happy to employ them," the wolf responded. "We have architects and construction supervisors who understand the needs of the monks and the sacred nature of their buildings. They will oversee the construction and ensure the rebuilding honors those codes and practices. But in all other phases, we will have your people by our side."
 
"You make an offer that is quite appealing, Mister… Mister…" The prime minister looked down at his paperwork mumbling as he tried to find a name.
 
"Gentry. William Gentry."
 
"The CEO of Bear Paws Enterprises?"
 
"The same. I did not come here today without considerable backing to my words and promises." The wolf stepped forward around the desk for visitors. "But please call me Will. If this venture is to succeed, we will need to be friends more than business partners."
 
The prime minister smiled. "Agreed. Let's get our legal counsel to meet with yours and have the proper documents drawn up. We will deed the lands you request once more to your monks, Master Li Wei. We wish you well in this venture. The north needs all the healing it can find."
 
"We are grateful, Noble One," Li Wei said with another bow. "May good fortune smile on all our efforts."
 
The first day of the site overview was a celebratory one for the temple dogs. Preliminary appraisals of the work ahead were far from a return to their home, but even so, to see the land, to feel their feet on the soil where they shared so much of their life was a comfort they had long hoped for. As the three temple dogs and their werewolf construction crew moved up the hill toward the temple, Will and Oliver were joking with Greg about what it would take to get the temple dogs to add a few modern conveniences to the reconstruction when they crested the hill.
 
"Wow," Greg said, taking a deep breath. "They didn't leave much behind, did they?" Everywhere the rubble of the once great monastery lay scattered about the ground, covered in a layer of snow. The few walls remaining upright stood riddled with bullet holes and ordinance damage.
 
"We were in the middle of a land the warring tribes were fighting for," Zhuang replied. "From all points of the compass, they considered this land a line in the sand that no one could cross. We became a land that all nations were willing to destroy rather than give it up to another country."
 
Noboru sighed heavily. "Now you know why this land has been deserted since the War of the Continents. The thousands of dead whose bodies lay on the surface so long that they melded back into the earth without burial are incalculable. The flood from the breaking dams devastated these lands. Returning to the desolation was difficult. This land is too remote. There is such a struggle for anything to survive. The plants and soil washed away in the flood. All that remains is ice, rock, and lifeless dirt." 
 
Katashi nodded his head. "The damage from the war within the major cities of China occupied every resource to save those that remained. For all these years afterward, no one returned to a land devoid of life. If you want to know why there was no real dispute to our claim for this place, you have only to look and see a wasteland no human can face."
 
Will stepped forward, walking into the debris. "I'm sorry, Dogs," he said as he picked up a broken piece of the Mountain Gate Hall's arch and tossed it onto a pile of clay bricks. "This should never have happened."
 
Noboru smiled. "We have fixed worse from just the five of us playing, Old Wolf. We will rebuild. It is time to restore this sacred place and lay the souls who died here to rest."
 
Will nodded. "I suppose so. We have our work cut out for us, that's for sure," he said, looking out at the destruction. He noticed a staff jutting from the debris as he walked forward. "There's one of your khakkharas," he said as he pushed his way past the half-standing arch of the Mountain Gate. He reached for the staff. As he gave it a tug, he felt the wire wrapped around it grow taut. He turned back to the crowd. "EVERYONE DOWN!" he yelled as the landmine exploded in a flash of light.
 
The badger screamed as the explosion enveloped the old wolf, tearing his left arm off and throwing it toward the group. The milliseconds the landmine took to do its damage stretched into an eternity as the little mammal struggled to cross the debris field toward Will.
 
"Badger, No!" Greg yelled. "There may be more."
 
"I don't care," Oliver yelled as he rushed toward his fallen mate. He dropped to the wolf's side, watching the blood gush from where his arm once was. His leg had fared no better. It was a shredded mess of bone and flesh that clung to his hip. The left side of the wolf had borne the brunt of the explosion as he turned away from it. "No, Old Wolf," Oliver cried out. "You don'ts go out this way."
 
Greg stood up in the middle of the crowd. "Everyone, find your footsteps in the snow. Carefully step back through them and watch yourselves."
 
"But Will," Noboru objected as he pointed to the werewolf in the badger's arms.
 
"I'm afraid that's out of our hands now," Greg answered. "We have to make sure those mines don't injure anyone else today." He helped one of the crew stand up. "Now, everyone move." Greg looked back at the two at the epicenter of the blast. He tapped his ComLink. "Tiff, Tuff," he said. "There's been a horrible accident. We need an air rescue extraction team, stat, and you better fire up the Gray Wolf and get an ordinance team onboard. There is a booby-trapped monastery here with landmines buried for over half a century. We're on top of some very old, very testy explosives."
 
"We're on our way," Greg heard the response.
 
"Oliver," Greg yelled. "We have help on the way. Stay where you are. We will come for both of you."
 
The badger looked up, his eyes blazing white. "They ain'ts gonna make it in time for him. I can'ts let my husband die." Oliver looked at his bloody paw as it pushed against the brachial artery. "Damn you, Old Wolf. Don'ts you never look with your Sight no more? You goes trusting them humans, but you forgets we gots to live with who they was."
 
The wolf didn't respond as the blood continued to spill from the wound. Oliver looked at the bloody face of the canid and he stroked the cheek. "My life before yours, Old Wolf," he said, and he leaned in and kissed the lips of the old wolf. The badger's body fluoresced to a brilliant white.
 
Radiating from Oliver, the white light became a bubble of intense energy that spun and whirled like a hive of angry hornets. The glowing light slowly expanded outward, and with it, all could hear one explosion after another as landmines detonated into the white light. Their explosions would begin advancing outward in red flame and then suddenly implode into an invisible void. From the outside, the crowd watched the bubble spreading past them and off into the distance. All the while, the explosions continued in places where just moments ago they had walked.
 
The wolf's body shifted as Oliver clutched him tightly. First, the blood ceased oozing from the old wolf's missing limbs, and then the huge lacerations and cuts that covered his body pulled together. As the others looked on, they could see the white light drain from the badger into Will as the wolf's life returned.
 
For what seemed an eternity to those watching, the white light of the badger flowed into the unmoving body of the wolf. Suddenly, with a violent lurch of his body, the old wolf's eyes opened. He looked at Oliver and tried to push him away with an arm that was no longer there. "No, Oliver," he protested. 
 
"Shut up, Old Wolf," Oliver commanded. "You gots no say in this." 
 
Oliver shut his eyes and glowed even brighter as the bubble moved further outward. And then, with a blinding flash, it was gone. There was a deathly silence as the band of werebeasts looked toward where Oliver and Will once were.
 
"Where did they go?" one of the construction crew asked.
 
"They are still there," Katashi said, looking over the werewolf's head. "They have fallen on the ground. You can't see them because of the rubble, but they are unmoved from where they were. The badger is most certainly dead. I can't say what the old wolf's status is."
 
Static came over Greg's ComLink. "We're two minutes out," he heard Tiff say.
 
"There's been a casualty," Greg said sadly. "Oliver is dead."
 
There was a silence on the other side of the ComLink. Greg heard only the sound of a choking sob.
 
"I did not say Oliver is dead," Katashi corrected. "I said the badger is dead. The human might still be alive."
 
Within moments, the Red Wolf hovered over the two bodies that lay in the debris field of the monastery. Two werewolves in flak jackets and body armor rappelled down ropes alongside a wide stretcher with screens and flashing lights. 
 
The soldiers went about their work carefully. They placed a stretcher close to the two bodies, and the soldiers spoke quietly into their ComLinks. The soldiers stepped back, and the stretcher moved toward the body of the human that was once a badger. It lifted itself up and rolled over the body, trailing a bright cloth over the top of the motionless man. When it completed the circle, the fabric shrank to fit his body tightly. The stretcher gently rotated the body into the rigid shell. No hands ever touched Oliver, but the stretcher itself kept the body immobile and safe as it rose quickly up into the cargo bay of the Red Wolf. A second stretcher came down and repeated the actions for the old wolf. The two werewolves grabbed the carabineers on their harnesses and released them to return inside the Red Wolf. Within seconds, the aircraft was gone.
 
Both the werewolf soldiers looked around, assessing the situation. One was holding a device that reflected a screen light back into his face, but the group could not tell what he was viewing. They stood silent for a moment. "The area appears to be clear," the one holding the device said in confusion as the two walked toward the group. "But that's not to say it was just a few minutes ago. There is a great deal of residue here from what appears to be over eighty bomb blasts in a ten-kilometer radius." The werewolf shook his head. "But just one explosive crater over there where the two were. What happened here?"
 
"Oliver took charge of things," Greg said sadly. "He wasn't about to let the mines do to us what they did to his husband."
 
"I'm sorry to hear that," the other soldier said. "Of course it's Oliver, so I expect nothing less." He looked about. "Morbid question, but is there a wolf's arm around here somewhere?"
 
Noboru walked over to a pile of brick and lifted the remnant of the old wolf out from under the dirt. He extended it toward the soldier werewolf. It was mostly bone, with a few parts of flesh and fur still clinging to it. What remained was nothing one would call an arm anymore.
 
The soldier reached out and took the remnant of the arm. "Thanks. I doubt there's anything we can do to put it back, but you never know. Templeton Memorial Hospital has done some pretty amazing stuff in the past."
 
"Oliver?" Greg asked. 
 
"He's alive, but beyond that, I can't say."
 
"The badger?"
 
"He wouldn't have been human if the badger survived. We all know that."
 
There was a low hum overhead, and all looked upward. The great ship rocked slightly. The wings shadowed its slate gray wolf head insignias. As the ship steadied, the blue thrusters pointed downward. "Gray Wolf is here, gentlemen. Let's say we get you all onboard and sort everything else out back at Templeton Memorial." 
 
The geared-up werewolf tapped his ComLink. "Let's get our people out of here," he ordered. He paused. "Yeah, we'll leave them behind. We can double back and pick them up in a few days. We're going to want to make sure this area is clear before the temple dogs return. But for now, let's get everyone to Paris." 
 
The soldier wolf paused, listening carefully. "Yeah, clear it with the Tibetan parliament, but I'm sure they'll allow a full contingent of bomb disposal wolves into the area. Remind them the safety of their future homesteaders should be as paramount to them as the safety of our people is to us." He paused again. "No less than six hundred kilometers. I'm not taking any chances." He listened again as he nodded. "Yeah, tell them we'll sweep the passes, too. Lets' keep the humans safe should they ever make pilgrimages to the temple."
 
The cargo ramp of the Gray Wolf lowered. The soldier werewolf extended his hand toward the opening. "Gentlemen, please." As the group walked up the ramp, seven werewolves strapped with gear walked past them in the other direction. They nodded and reached out gently to touch each of their brothers as they passed.
 
With a collective sigh and unsure of every step they took, the group boarded the aircraft and took their seats. The lead soldier secured the temple dogs upright to the side of the aircraft with the webbing used for cargo. He made apologies for such awkward arrangements and found himself a seat beside the others. The flight to Paris and the hospital was a quiet one. Everyone struggled for words that would somehow express their feelings, but nothing could break the silence of complete confusion over the morning's events. 
 
When the Gray Wolf set down on the helipad of Templeton Memorial, the Red Wolf was nowhere to be seen. There was a contingent of white coats standing by to greet the group inside the hospital. The crowd expected and heard apologies that they could not follow the patients into the ER. Ushered to the emergency waiting room; they tried to prepare for news.
 
Only minutes later they saw the red-headed doctor run past them toward the operating theater. Greg shook his head. "Nathaniel has seen his loves die too many times."
 
"They're not dead," Noboru said correctively. "He will not let that happen."
 
Greg nodded. "I'm sorry, you're right. It's been a hell of a day."
 
"Indeed, it has," Noboru said as he put his arm around the werewolf and pulled him in close.
 
Chapter 10
Oliver's eyes opened to a green haze. He blinked a few times trying to clear it and then saw the fuzzy image of a bear's paw hovering over him. "Turn off the damn light, Bear," he mumbled. 
 
"You need it for the time being, so just shut up and deal with it," came the short-faced bear's brusque reply.
 
"You never orders me to do nothin', Bear," the human said, stirring uncomfortably. "Is I that fucked up?"
 
The immense face of the bear came toward Oliver and kissed him. "You are that fucked up, Oliver. Now please let me do what I can to help."
 
Oliver was quiet for a moment. "You should be with the old wolf. I don't care how fucked up I am. He's gots to be more fucked up than me."
 
Nathaniel nodded in agreement. "Ivan and Dad are with him, Oliver. We're doing all we can."
 
"Is them two gonna be enough?"
 
"We're all pretty weak. Our powers haven't regenerated all that quickly since the day you returned them to us, but between the three of us, we will find a way out of this."
 
"Damn old bear should have woke up. He could have used the old wolf as an excuse to drain out all his powers again. He'd know there ain't nothin' I can do to fix him this time."
 
"That's my papa you're talking about, Oliver."
 
The human sighed. "I knows… I knows. But I know he'd give it all up for the old wolf."
 
The human felt the bear kiss his cheek again. "We all would, Husband. But that willingness to give up all we have extends to you as well. Let us do what we can to take care of the one who's already given up too much to save his family."
 
"Family is hard to come by for a badger," Oliver said. He paused for a moment. In a room full of beeping machines and noisy ventilators, he could hear the tears falling from the bear's eyes, his labored breathing, his beating heart, and the silence of the words he couldn't speak. "It's okay, Bear," he said. "I knows the badger died. We agreed it was the right thing to do."
 
"One day when you and Will are both better, he can turn you again," Nathaniel said, trying to smile. "You can become whatever your heart desires, Oliver."
 
The human smiled. "That would be nice, wouldn't it?"
 
"It would be wonderful."
 
"So, is the old wolf all burnt up like the sloth was?"
 
"No. The explosion was an anti-personnel mine. They're meant to inflict close-quarter physical damage. He's still a werewolf, and that's helping him heal."
 
"He gots no arm, Bear. I saw it flying by me when I was running to him."
 
"No, it's gone. Werewolf bodies are too complex to just attach a bit of bone and watch it grow back."
 
"He can get a new one, right? Like Max."
 
"We're already working on it. We have technologies that are far more advanced than what we are using with Will, but Martin insisted we use some rather old-fashioned prosthetic devices."
 
"More than one?" Oliver asked. 
 
"An arm, a leg, an eye, and a partial jaw reconstruction. The landmine did what it was supposed to do. Only you and a werewolf's superhuman strength kept him alive." Nathaniel paused, thinking. "Well, that and his quick reflexes. He turned into the remaining bit of the Mountain Gate wall and it blocked much of the blast."
 
"Can I goes and see him?"
 
"He's in what we call a medically induced coma, Oliver. He won't be able to talk to you."
 
"That's okay. I can talks to him. He never listens to me anyway… bastard wolf."
 
The human felt the bear lean in and hug him. He remembered a day when the touch of the bear's fur was a pleasure he craved. But today it felt like small pins pushing into his skin. "Fur kinda hurts, Bear," he whispered. There was a shift, and he felt the smoothness of the red-headed human pressing up against him. He still hurt all over, but at least that pain wasn't from the touch of his lover. "I guess I'se gonna have to get used to the human you for a time."
 
"Only for a time, Oliver. It will take you longer to heal as a human, but you will get better."
 
"Yeah, but until's I'se a beast again, ain't no way I'm letting that bear near my ass."
 
Nathaniel laughed as he let the hug go. "Fair enough."
 
"But the human… he best be ready soon, ‘cause I ain'ts given up playing with my husbands."
 
"I will be there for you, Oliver. And you like playing with Martin and Derrick's human bodies."
 
"I likes Kris's too. I likes playing with all my husbands' ape suits." Oliver said as his head drooped slightly. "Would it be okay with you if I falls asleep? I'm kinda tired."
 
"That would be fine, Hon," Nathaniel answered as his paw lifted, glowing green. "Think of it as a nightlight."
 
Oliver smiled. "I loves you, Bear. Nows and forever."
 
"Now and forever," the bear repeated.
 
Chapter 11
 
"Oliver, Dad, Papa Wolfy, He's coming around," Nathaniel said. 
 
The old wolf's eyes flickered open, glowing bright yellow. He saw the face of the short-faced bear looking at him with an Ophthalmoscope. "Turn off the damn light, Son," the wolf mumbled.
 
"That's what I told him," he heard Oliver say. "Damn bear loves shining lights in people's eyes.
 
"Well, Oliver," Will said with a pained expression, "it's not exactly my eye." He looked up at Nathaniel. "Is it?"
 
"Not really. It's a close approximation."
 
"It's kind of weird, but it's workable. Seeing some interesting colors I've never seen before."
 
"Those will disappear as your body gets used to the new way data is being transmitted. Brains like to return things to normal, so it will make adjustments."
 
The wolf's prosthetic arm came up and rubbed the muzzle of the bear. "Damn… pretty good reflexes. A hell of a lot better than Max's old arm."
 
"They have made a few improvements over the years, but Martin told us not to install any grafting prosthetics. You, of course, can override his insistence on that."
 
"Martin said to do this?" The wolf asked, waving the arm in front of his face. It was a flat black metal. The various methods of articulation wove through the arm in different spots. Even a few servo drives and cables lay visibly buried inside the prosthetic elbow. "Kind of very nineteen-nineties Terminator, don't you think? I like it."
 
"You can have one that grows your own skin and fur over it if you want, Old Wolf," Derrick said, trying to be helpful.
 
The old wolf pushed up. He stared at the black wolf, the Kodiak bear, and the little man standing between them. "Well, look at you, Oliver. What have you done with my badger?"
 
"He's dead, Old Wolf. I'se sorry, but he ain't no more."
 
Will frowned and held out his arms to the human. "I am too, Oliver. Come on, give me a hug. Let me get used to hugging you with clothes again."
 
Oliver threw his leg up onto the bed and scooted close to the wolf. "We can get rid of these damn clothes if you likes. I'se just trying not to scare the humans in the hospital."
 
Will hugged the human. "I'm good with this for the time being, Oliver. But when we get home, the clothes go off permanently in Montana and anytime we're away from the human family on the island. Let the werebeasts deal with it. I like my husbands naked."
 
Oliver laughed. "You has a deal, Husband. You sure you don't wants that furry arm Derrick was talking about?"
 
"Martin said this is what I need to have," the old wolf said, waving the arm. "You really want to question him about that, do you?"
 
Derrick shook his head. "I know I wouldn't." The young wolf leaned over and kissed the older.
 
"Not me," Kris said as he leaned over and repeated the kiss.
 
Will looked at the group. "How long have I been out?"
 
"Just a little over a month, Father," Nathaniel answered. "We had to keep you in a coma until your body could heal itself enough to bring you back."
 
"Well, that was nice of you to wait."
 
The short-faced bear nodded. "We always wait, Father. It's what we do for our family. But if you'll excuse me, I have to return to my responsibilities on Partridge Island."
 
"I totally understand, Son. Say hi to the cat for me."
 
"We'll both be back to visit you tomorrow, Father."
 
Will smiled. "That would be nice. For now, I have three beautiful husbands to enjoy." Will looked at the short, rotund human on his bed. "So, Oliver, are you going to have any problems with me keeping these artificial limbs?"
 
Oliver thought for a moment. "No, I guesses not. If Martin says you wear that arm and leg, then I agrees with the husbands; you best wear them. That cat has got the Sight in peculiar ways." Oliver looked up at Nathaniel. "Does he know why the old wolf's got to wear them old-fashioned things?"
 
Nathaniel shook his head. "He hasn't got a clue. He just said that one day Father will understand." 
 
Will smiled and took a deep breath. He let it out slowly and then said, "It sounds sort of optimistic to me."
 
"To me too, Old Wolf," Oliver said happily. "You gets all better. You gots a human to turn."
 
Will pushed up from the bed. "No, Oliver. Let Nathaniel or Martin do that. You know how I fuck-up turnings. They're your first husbands."
 
"You's the one who turned me, Old Wolf. I ain't changing horses mid-stream. Besides, one of them other horses is hung like an overgrown bear."
 
Will laughed. "It will be a while before that day if you wait for me, Oliver. Go ahead, let them turn you. I'll love you no matter what you choose to become. Besides, you know me; I like surprises."
 
Oliver frowned. "I'se waiting, Old Wolf. End of discussion. You gots your own pecker there still, so as long as it ain't metal, you's turning me."
 
"And with that, I'll say goodbye again, Father," Nathaniel interrupted, cutting the discussion short. "I can rely on the staff here to take care of you, and your husbands to make sure you stay happy." The short-faced bear leaned over and kissed the wolf. "I'll see you tomorrow." With a spin, the short-faced bear in a lab coat kissed the other three in the room, turned, and walked out the door.
 
The room was quiet while the four waited for the door to close. Will put his hand out to Oliver. "Well, one thing is for sure. I'm not turning you here in this damn hospital. I hate hospitals. And Pup isn't too fond of them, either." Derrick shook his head no. He rubbed the short man's thick beard. "Where do you want to turn?"
 
Oliver reached into his pocket and held up a picture. "Here," the grizzled man replied. 
 
Will looked at the small, reddish-brown photo in a dilapidated paper folder. Two overweight, bearded men stood with their arms around each other in front of a saloon. One towered over the other, but their wide grins spoke of their friendship. The tin-type had not fared well over the years, but Will could see the thousands of miles and hundreds of years it had traveled inside the trail bags of a scout whose life forever changed the night he became a badger.
 
Will smiled. "That's us in Deadwood. My god, Oliver, I had no idea you kept that tin-type."
 
"It's all I hads of you, Old Wolf. How coulds I ever let it go?"
 
Will grabbed the human and hugged him tightly. Oliver pushed back and pulled his T-shirt over his head. "Looks, Old Wolf," the human said with a wide grin. "I'se even gots the same outfit I wore the night you turned me."
 
Will pulled the human back into a hug, and with a sharp tug, pulled the sweats off of the human and threw them on the floor. "Funny thing that, Oliver. I'm wearing the same outfit the night I turned you as well. What are the odds of that happening?" Will looked up at the black wolf and Kodiak, who stood watching the two. "Husbands, on a normal day, I would ask you to join us, but could we have this moment together?"
 
"Of course, Husband," Kris said. "But a few details you haven't thought through yet. As one of your attending physicians, I have to point them out."
 
Will's eyebrow rose. "Oh? What's that, Doctor?"
 
"They create prosthetic devices for a unique individual. Things like eye color and size, jawline, arm length, and leg configuration. They carefully measure all that stuff and create them for one individual. So, if that individual happens to be a seven-foot wolf wanting to turn into a six-foot-four human so he can have sex with another human without turning him…"
 
"Fuck," Oliver groused.
 
"I'm sorry, Oliver," Will said, disheartened.
 
"As your doctor, I had to point that out."
 
"Understood, Bear," Will sighed sadly.
 
"As your husband, and one who has had some time to enjoy Oliver's human side while you recouped, I might mention that he does have a very tasty cock."
 
Will smiled. "He does that." He looked at Oliver. "I know it's not what you would like. We can't even sixty-nine… but… well, it's a start, right?"
 
Oliver smiled. "Kiss me, Old Wolf. I'se already gots a boner and if you don't take it, one of them husbands behinds me's getting it, cause I ain't walking around with blue balls until you's better."
 
The wolf growled and pulled the human into a kiss. The two other husbands quietly stepped out into the hall and watched the glass door close. "Door… lock… open only on my order or the order of Dr. Nathaniel Templeton, William Gentry, or Oliver Templeton." Kris smiled and kissed the black wolf. "I love watching young love blossoming." 
 
 "They are beautiful, aren't they?"
 
"We married well."
 
"And Oliver was right about one thing," the young wolf said.
 
"What's that?"
 
"Well, I've got a boner from watching them, and if you don't take it, I'm going to find me a bear who will. I happen to know Max and JP are out there in the waiting room with Chet. They all like black wolf dick."
 
Kris laughed. "I saw a vacant room on the way in, Husband." The two turned and walked down the hallway. Kris stopped in front of a wide door and pushed it open. 
 
Derrick stared inside. "It's bigger than I thought it would be."
 
"They built this hospital for beasts of all sizes, Pup," the brown bear explained. "This is a large mammal room. Water buffalo, Elephants, beasts like those. They put it in years ago when they found out about Chipo. After all, accidents happen, and Templeton Memorial is much closer to Africa than Partridge Island."
 
Derrick stared at the bed that covered the space of three. Kris nudged the wolf. "So, Chet and the boys are out in the waiting room?" 
 
"Yep, they had the weekend off and thought they'd come to visit."
 
"The weekend, huh?"
 
"Seems almost rude to make them sit out there waiting to visit our husbands when we know they're preoccupied," the wolf said.
 
Kris smiled. "You turn down the sheets, Mr. Wolf, with a boner that seems to keep growing the more you think about them. I'll go get Chet and the boys, and we can tend to your needs."
 
Derrick smiled sheepishly. "That would be really nice."
 
Without another word, Kris was lumbering down the hall toward the waiting room.
 
Chapter 12
 
Two months later, Oliver and Will were having their picture taken at Deadwood's Wild West Old-Tyme Photoshop. The short, overweight human stood proudly in front of the camera wearing buckskins. His arm wrapped around a seven-foot werewolf dressed in cowboy gear fitted around his body and tied at the back. Even with the cheat of the photographer's costumes, the outfit strained to fit his stature. 
 
The photographer went about his business, never once noticing the werewolf in his midst. "We're quite proud of our little shop here," the white-haired gentleman said. "This town used to be something special before the war. Who would have thought they'd drop a bomb on it? But then again, there were those rumors of silos out there," he said, shaking his head. "But we came back and rebuilt. We used photos from as far back as we could find to recreate the buildings. Our family has been in this shop for three generations. I think we've done a remarkable job of recreating Deadwood."
 
"You did a good job, Mister," Oliver said. "Looks almost like it used to back when we visited. Quite a bit cleaner and not so muddy, but them buildings look right fine."
 
"Oh, my," the old man said enthusiastically. "You two were here before the war?"
 
"Before quite a few of them, actually," Will replied. 
 
The human handed the two their 8x10 photograph in a fancy cardboard frame. "There you go. I hope you like it."
 
Will took off the shirt and vest that were sewn together and tied in the back. He handed them to the proprietor and took the photo. "It looks wonderful… I'm sorry, I don't think I got your name," Will said apologetically. 
 
"Franklin, Ben Franklin. And before you go making any jokes, my folks were big fans of his, and I am too." 
 
Will smiled. "For a heavy-set gent, he had quite the way with the ladies," the wolf said with a laugh. "None of us is perfect, and he was a man of his times. But there were moments when he rose above those times. They named you after one of the good ones, so you'll hear no jokes from me."
 
The white-haired man looked at Oliver. "Your buckskins are beautiful, by the way. I've never seen such craftsmanship. Hand tooled and sewn, right?"
 
"Yeah, they's a might old, but I'se always taken good care of them."
 
"Well, it was a thrill to see them. I think you're the first person ever to wear his own costume into the store."
 
Oliver looked down at his clothes. "Never thoughts of them as a costume. They's just what I wore on the day the old wolf turned me."
 
"Excuse me?"
 
Will laughed. "It's a long story, and we have friends waiting outside. Thank you again." He handed the shopkeeper a hundred-dollar bill. "It seems fitting, what with your name and all. Keep the change. Thanks for keeping the dream alive," Will said, dragging the human in buckskins out the door with him.
 
Outside, Will and Oliver found their husbands with ice cream cones, trying their best to stay one lick ahead of the dripping treats. "We found the candy shop," Derrick said with a smile. He held out a small white bag. "Whip licorice. I thought it might add some kink to your turning, Oliver."
 
Oliver laughed. "I wants to thank you for coming. I knows it's silly of me, but this time, I wants witnesses to my turning and the wolf taking me as his mate. This place has haunted me all my life. Time to put them ghosts to rest. I wants this place to be where I always remembers I was reborn by the wolf I love."
 
"We are honored, Oliver," Kris said as he licked the flow of melting chocolate over his hand. He licked his tongue over his mustache but abandoned himself to the fact nothing was going to keep his beard from becoming a sticky mess. "But how are we going to find you a place to turn and mate? It's not like it was in the old days. They developed the land around Deadwood. Most of it is private, and you sure can't be fornicating out on national parkland."
 
"I guess I hadn't thought about that, Bear," Oliver said. "I just wanted us to be where we was before." 
 
"Well, what have we here?" the group heard a voice say from behind them. The sheriff stepped out of his cruiser with the lights flashing.
 
"Just a little family gathering, officer," Kris said calmly.
 
"We don't get many out-of-towners that look like a gang."
 
"You have got to be kidding me, officer," Derrick said, shaking his ice cream cone. "How many gang members have you seen in the last forty years, let alone overweight ones cruising with ice cream cones?"
 
"I have been at this job a long time, and I know men up to mischief when I see them," the sheriff countered. He paused and let the nervousness of the group grow a bit. "And none says mischief more than that Iberian wolf there." The smile broadened on the human, and his eyes flashed yellow. "Hello, Will. It's been too long."
 
"Hi Henry, when was the last time, nineteen sixty-two?" Will asked as he extended his arms. "You were in Sturgis as part of the Black Hills Run. A bit of overtime security, as I recall." 
 
"And you were doing overtime with the bikers, as I recall," the sheriff said with a laugh as he hugged the wolf and slapped his back. He looked at the group. "This wolf was amazing. By my count alone, at least sixty bikers went home from that rally very, very happy thanks to that revolving door he called his hotel room. It may have been the summer of love in San Francisco that year, but it was smoking hot in Sturgis."
 
"And the judge ordered never me to return," the wolf remembered.
 
"You fell out of the hotel window naked."
 
"There were three other guys who fell out of the window at the same time."
 
"Yes, but two of them were city council members, and the other was my husband."
 
"So, they all got off?" Will asked.
 
"They may have gotten off with you, but with the judge? Oh hell, no. They banned my husband just like you," Henry answered. "I couldn't tell anyone he was my mate. It was the sixties, remember? But oh, you made two beasts so very happy that year." He grabbed the Iberian wolf and hugged him again. "I'd turn, but this is my best outfit, Old Wolf." The officer sighed. "God, I've missed you. What brings you here?"
 
"Do you remember Oliver?" Will asked.
 
Henry looked at Oliver, and a spark of recognition came to him. "You two… outside the saloon… you had that tin-type made. How are you, Oliver?" he said, grabbing the human and hugging him.
 
"I'se good, Sheriff," Oliver said, confused.
 
"Henry, please, Oliver. You probably don't remember. But you two looked so happy. I just about outed myself to congratulate you on what a handsome couple you made. But those were different times, and I held my tongue. I had no idea Will was going to turn you that night."
 
"It's not the best of stories, that's for sure," Oliver said, shaking his head.
 
The Sheriff knelt down before Oliver. "Nonsense. You two are the benchmark by which many of us look at our lives. You fought the odds, and you won. It doesn't matter how long it took. You're together."
 
"We is that," Oliver said proudly.
 
"Although not altogether, all together, it would seem. New arm and leg, Old Wolf?"
 
"Bit of an accident."
 
"I'm sorry to hear it."
 
"And Oliver can't shift. He's human. We came back here to change that. Oliver wants to turn where he turned the first time."
 
"Gots to have traditions," Oliver said matter-of-factly.
 
"Do not make me arrest you two trying to bare your butts at Bear Butte State Park."
 
"We's gonna mate again," Oliver said. "Gonna be right-hard to not bare some ass at some point."
         
The sheriff looked at the white-haired Santa impersonator. "You're the Changeling," he said, bowing. "I still find it hard to realize the old wolf moves in such circles. We sing the stories, but he's just Will to us. He's our friend, not some Were Nation legend."
 
"I totally understand," Kris replied. "We don't think about it all that often either. He's our husband. The five of us don't see him as a legend anywhere beyond the bedroom." 
 
"I think of him as a legend up against the kitchen counter and just about anywhere outdoors," Derrick said with a snicker.
 
"Yeah, I hear you there, Wolf," the sheriff said, seeing past the corpulent man trying to keep up with the melting ice cream cone. "But hold on a minute; the wolf has five husbands? I heard he had more than one. I know about the black wolf and the Kodiak bear." He looked at the younger, chubby man. "You're Derrick, right? The black wolf with the blue eyes." Derrick nodded. The sheriff looked back at Santa's twin. "And you're Kris, right? The one who saved the wolves on the Night of Blinding?"
 
"That would be me," Kris said, smiling. "We have two other husbands who couldn't make this trip."
 
The sheriff smiled. "Damn, Old Wolf, this complicates things no end."
 
"Tell me about it, Henry," Will replied. "We're going to have some serious rutting going on once our mating has ended and we invite them to our welcoming."
 
"Well, I am probably going to regret this," the sheriff said, reaching into his pocket. "Who's the driver today?" Kris raised his hand. "Okay then," Henry said, tossing a key fob with a single key on it toward the man wearing the red plaid flannel shirt with white cuffs.
 
"Open your ComLink," the sheriff said.
 
Kris did as he was told, and the sheriff rattled off an address. He smiled at the ancient elf. "That's the address to our ranch. I'll call my husband and tell him you're coming. If he can get away from work, he'll meet you there, but if not, the key will open the front gate. There are thirty acres of forest out back for our family when they come to visit. It should be a good place for your family as well. There's even a fire pit in the backyard where you can wait for Will and Oliver before they call you." He looked at the Iberian wolf. "Try not to break any of the trees, Old Wolf. Some of them are older than you, and that's ooollllld," he said with a smile.
 
Will smiled back. "I will be careful, Henry. I promise." Will motioned to the brown bear. "About the Changeling and your husband."
 
Henry sighed. "Oh, I hadn't thought about that… pheromones. Can you men hold off until eight when I get home?"
 
"Sure," Oliver said. "We didn't do nothin' until the night the first time."
 
"Then if you have no objections, my husband and I will join you. That would solve any conflicts I see arising."
 
Will smiled. "Try not to break any trees, Henry."
 
"We'll see," the sheriff said with a laugh. He hugged and kissed his way through the group and got back into his cruiser. With a wave, he was off down the street.
 
The family watched as the oversized car moved away, its flashing blue and red lights turning off as it rounded the corner. "We should probably call Nathaniel and Martin," Will said casually.
 
"Why is that, Old Wolf?" Derrick asked.
 
"Henry's husband, Dennis; he's a puma."
 
"A mountain lion?" Derrick asked with a grin.
 
"Henry's got a soft spot for cats."
 
Kris tapped his ComLink. "Display recent address," he said. There was a short pause. "Okay, there we go… call, Henry Longfellow." Following a short, expected pause, the wolves and badger's keen ears picked up both sides of the conversation. Within moments, the Deadwood sheriff had happily agreed to as large a gathering as Will's family wanted. Without a word about the saber-toothed cat, Kris tapped the ComLink and disconnected the call.
 
Kris tapped the ComLink again. "Nathaniel," he said. The group waited quietly. "Hi son, are you busy tonight?" there was a pause. "Could we invite you and Martin to a mating?" Kris was quiet for a bit and then laughed. "All you had to do was ask. We didn't want to impose." Kris nodded quietly. "Okay, get a hold of Tiff and Tuff and see about getting out here in the next hour or two. You know, you might as well tell the twins to bring along their husbands. Can't have them sitting around the Rapid City airport doing crosswords. We'll meet you at Deadwood Dick's Saloon. We can get our tourist on while we wait for you." There was quiet again. "I love you too, Son." 
 
Kris tapped the ComLink, ending the call. He looked at the group. "Well, that's done. We can explain things to Martin when he gets here."
 
When two large vans pulled up to the metal gate, the werecat was waiting patiently to open it. He waved them on in. When Santa stuck his head out the lead van window, the puma smiled. "Over behind the house, you'll find parking on the gravel. Anywhere is fine. Feel free to make yourselves comfortable and get out of those ape suits." 
 
Dennis ran ahead, pivoting at the end of the driveway, where he waited for the vans to park. He watched as each one of the group climbed out from the back of the van, removed their clothes, and shifted into their animal avatars. When the twin twins shifted into red wolves, the cat took a deep breath. "Oh, my," he said. "I am so sorry that I'm going to be staring at you four all night long."
 
The four red wolves laughed. However, it was when Martin stepped out from the truck and shifted that the puma's repeated, "oh, my," had a new intensity. "My husband is going to be very distracted tonight," he said with a purr. His paw extended toward the saber-toothed cat. "You must be Martin. Your reputation precedes you."
 
Martin smiled and shook the puma's paw. "I don't think of myself as having a reputation. The old wolf, now he has a reputation."
 
Dennis smiled. "We sing your stories in our evening gatherings. Out here, we have no pack, but we gather together as best we can. It's a small family, but a tightly knit one." The puma put out his hand and rubbed along Martin's fur. "You are more beautiful than I imagined."
 
Martin turned his head slightly. "I am flattered. You are the first puma I have ever met."
 
"And the only one, I suspect," Dennis said, smiling. "My husband has been a friend of Will's for centuries and knows of his history turning beasts. The day Henry turned me; he told me that if Will could let a man become whatever he desired, he could do the same for me."
 
"And you became a puma?"
 
"No mystical reason behind it, Martin," the mountain lion said. "Henry is a cat person. I picked what I knew he would always be happy to see."
 
"Love is the best mystical reason of them all," Martin said with a smile. He reached out and hugged the cougar. When the hug ended, Martin pointed to the short-faced bear. "This is my husband, Nathaniel."
 
The puma bowed. "Your visit honors us, Ancient One."
 
Nathaniel bowed back. "And we're grateful to be here." He pointed to the Kodiak. "This is my dad, Kris."
 
"Ancient One," the cougar said, bowing once more.
 
Kris laughed. "You do know what we're going to be doing in a few hours, don't you, Dennis?"
 
"Yes sir," the puma replied. 
 
"Would you rather be doing that with ancient ones, or with friends?"
 
"Friends, sir."
 
"Then let's try this again." Kris reached out and pulled the cougar in close. "Hi, Dennis. My name is Kris. Do you prefer handshaking or kissing?"
 
"Kissing."
 
"Well, aren't you just the luckiest cougar in these Black Hills? You've stumbled onto a whole zoo full of men that love to kiss." The Kodiak leaned in and kissed the puma. 
 
When the two finally separated, the cougar let out a long breath. "I think you're right, Ancient…" he paused catching himself, "…Kris. I am one very lucky lion." He fidgeted, trying to adjust his already erect cock. "It might better serve me if the zoo was kind enough to keep those kisses a bit shorter until my husband gets home. I'm afraid I am one easily distracted cat."
 
"We promise to keep the laser pointers in our pockets, Dennis," Will chuckled.
 
"That's just mean, Old Wolf," Dennis said with a laugh. "And one word about that day and you will find my claws haven't dulled in all these years."
 
Will leaned in and kissed the puma. The kiss lasted even longer than Kris's, but Dennis never backed away from the intimacy. When at last the kiss ended, the cougar smiled. "Damn, Old Wolf, I have missed you. Now, introduce me to your other husbands and the red wolves. I would like to meet these men as something other than legends."
 
Will smiled. "Dennis," he said, pointing to his husbands, "I would like you to meet two whose skills you will swear are legendary by the end of this gathering. This is my husband Derrick, and my husband Oliver. The four wolves are my sons, Tiff and Tuff, and their mates, Damien and Darius."
 
Damien cleared his throat. Will looked at him and smiled. "Who are also my sons. I'm not forgetting that, Damien. Just trying to get our interpersonal relationships straight for Dennis."
 
"I think I'll be confused most of the night, but it's a pleasure to meet all of you," the puma said. He adjusted himself, trying to move his swollen cock to the middle rather than the way it hung off to the left. "Let's go, men, I'm not going down anytime soon. I might as well enjoy it." He extended his arms toward the black wolf and hugged him. 
 
When the black wolf's kiss ended, the cougar looked at the human. "And you, Oliver. I know of your history, but on such a special night, may I be the first to welcome you back home to the Were Nation? It is an honor to be here at your turning. And even more so, because we get to share in the renewal of your mating with the Old Wolf. We will have songs to sing forever before this night is done. The man who became a badger, who became a man, who became a…"
 
"Ain't told them yet," Oliver said.
 
"He hasn't told any of us," Derrick said. "He wants it to be a surprise."
 
Oliver looked at the black wolf. "That's because the old wolf likes surprises. I wants tonight to be special for him. He's gonna get to see what I finally dreamed of becoming after all these years."
 
The cougar smiled and hugged Oliver. "I'm sure whatever you have chosen will be beautiful. As I said before, it's an honor."
 
Oliver smiled, drawing a small circle in the Black Hills sand. "It's an honor to be with so nice a family." He smiled. "But you can kisses me until I gets a boner like yours and I sure ain't gonna complain." The cougar smiled and obliged Oliver's request.
 
The cougar extended his arms to the red wolves. "Obviously, I have a thing for wolves. I married one. But that said, you four are incredible. I will do my best to end our greeting with a kiss."
 
The four smiled. "And we will do our best to do the same," Tuff said as he extended his arms and the puma entered into his embrace.

Chapter 13
 
By the time nine o'clock had come, the cougar and wolf had set out dinner and lit the campfire. "You men eat up," the puma said placing a plate of hamburgers down in front of the family. "You have a long night ahead, and we don't want you to think our hospitality isn't up to sustaining you."
 
Will smiled. "You don't have to worry about us, Dennis. We don't stand on ceremony. Tonight, don't either of you dare to. I know you're in the company of men who might seem intimidating because of their history, but you have never met more loving and friendly people in your life."
 
"And they gets right horny, too," Oliver said as he reached for a hamburger. "If you's gonna try to be polite, they will just eat you alive."
 
"Oliver," Kris said disapprovingly.
 
Oliver looked up at the bear. "Did I lie?"
 
The Kodiak looked at Oliver and shrugged. "No." He looked back at the wolf and his puma mate. "We can be somewhat overzealous in our affections," he said to the two.
 
"Are we talking broken bones or just sore muscles here?" the cougar asked with a worried frown.
 
"Sore muscles," Nathaniel replied as he took his hamburger in one bite. "We will hold back tonight for the sake of all concerned."
 
The cougar shook his head, "No, please, that won't be…"
 
"It's necessary," Will interrupted. "Trust me on this one, Cat. You and Henry will be much happier in the long run if you defer to them on this. The Changelings' size and strength make them formidable lovers even when they are gentle. Let them be gentle tonight. I promise you that you will still wake tomorrow with sore muscles you didn't even know you had."
 
Dennis laughed. "That is true of you, Old Wolf."
 
"True, but I'm never gentle with you two," the wolf said, leering. 
 
"Then if we can get your promise to be who you have always been, Old Wolf, we will defer to your family's desire to be gentle with us," Henry said. He leaned back and scratched his balls. "So as my husband said, eat up."
 
Oliver stared at the Great Plains wolf's balls as the paw slipped away. He smiled. "I intends to, Wolf. Just as soon as I makes this wolf next to me my mate forever." 
 
All the mated pairs walked into the woods. When they entered the clearing, Henry pointed out the carefully mowed grassy area. "We know that it's not much. Our soil is hard here, our grasslands are often more rock than grass, but we've tried hard to make it comfortable."
 
Kris put his arms around the wolf and pulled him in close. "It's beautiful. It reminds me a great deal of our home in Montana."
 
"Or Partridge Island, for that matter," Nathaniel said with a big smile. "Our family is used to grass that has had to wait for years to get a foothold."
 
The cougar had a look of relief from what he heard. "And how about for the two of you?" he asked Will and Oliver.
 
"This is about the most beautiful place I has ever seen, Cat," Oliver replied. "But then I is here to be turned and mate with the man I has loved for hundreds of years. Nothing could keep it from being beautiful."
 
"Then we will leave you two and await your call to be by your side when you have mated," Henry said. He put his arm around Dennis and kissed him. With a simple shake, the two were no longer werebeasts but a puma and wolf racing out of the forest back toward their home.
 
Nathaniel and Martin each leaned down and kissed their human husband. "We will wait for you as well, Husband," Nathaniel said. "I once thought I would never see a creature as amazing as the Megatherium. But then I met a saber-toothed cat, and I realized it didn't matter to me what beast my husband became because I was in love with the soul of that man, and that never changes no matter what beast I see."
 
Oliver's hand gently rubbed the face of the bear. Nathaniel stroked the paw on his face as he spoke. "So, you become whatever it is you hoped to become all those years ago, or you become what your heart yearns for now. I don't care. I love you, Oliver. I will always love you no matter who I see before me."
 
"And I will always love you, Bear," Oliver said. 
 
"Well, I guess that is my cue," Derrick said. He squatted and looked into the human's eyes. "I'll see you soon, Oliver. I can't wait to see what I've married. You be gentle on our husband when you mate, okay?"
 
Oliver snorted. "Hell, no. He's gonna know that we's mated forever by the time this night is done."
 
Derrick laughed. "That's what I was hoping you would say."
 
"And we hoped the same," the twin twins said as they reached down and pulled the human up into a group hug. "Just be advised we intend to plow the butt of whatever you become, Oliver," Tiff said with a wide grin.
 
Oliver laughed. "You's saying that just because you knows I expect something all polite and fancy from you, ain't you?"
 
"No, not really," Damien responded as they put him down from the hug. "We just thought we should warn you."
 
"I'se properly warned, Wolves," Oliver said with a smile. "I loves you forever."
 
"And you, Cat," the human said, turning to Martin. "I will always loves you forever too. You taughts me to be brave enough to become what I wants to be. To be what my family needs me to be."
 
Martin knelt down and gave the human a hug. "You have always been what your family has needed you to be, Oliver." The cat looked up at Will. "Old Wolf, know that your husband's choice is final. If I hear one bitch from you the way I have had to listen to you at every transformation I've made, these claws will find their way into your hide." The saber-tooth cat's claws flashed out, shining in the moonlight.
 
Will smiled. "I have learned the mistake of judging too soon what I see before me, Cat. You have taught me that. Whatever Oliver chooses tonight, he will always be my husband. I will love whatever he becomes."
 
"Then I think this has been a very productive conversation," the cat said with a smile as his claws retracted. Martin looked back into the eyes of the human. "I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Oliver, but when you're turned, your powers are going to return. You don't get a choice in the matter. Your powers aren't like those of the Changelings. You can't use them all up. The universe chose you, and while it may have given you a break to heal, it will see your turning as a sign that your healing is complete."
 
"I knows that, Cat," Oliver said. "the Sight never left me, so I saw what I was trading to be a beast with my family. It ain't a poor trade. I loves you all too much not to be a beast again."
 
"Then I'm happy for you, Husband. I'm happy for you on so many levels. Become who you were meant to be," the saber-toothed cat said with one last hug.
 
Left alone with the two, Kris leaned in and kissed the human. "Time for me to join the family," he said. "Be happy, Oliver. Become whatever you dreamed of becoming and know that we will always love you."
 
"I will, Bear," Oliver said with a smile as he hugged the Kodiak. 
 
Kris turned, fell on all fours, and began lumbering out of the forest. "Oh, Oliver before I forget," he said without slowing or turning back, "that whole thing about the wolves plowing your butt. I have to agree with them. Whatever you become, Husband, I will look forward to plowing your butt as well."
 
"What about me, Husband?" Will said with a laugh. 
 
"Oh, your ass will know that I've been in it before we're done, Old Wolf," Kris said. "You are my husband, and I will not shirk my responsibilities."
 
"Okay, just so we're clear," Will yelled as the brown bear disappeared into the darkness.
 
Oliver's hand reached out and grabbed Will's paw. "We has got the best family ever, don't we?"
 
"Yeah, we do," the old wolf said, staring into the darkness. He reached back and took off the backpack he had on his shoulder. Reaching in, he pulled out a saddle blanket. "It's not the original one, Oliver. That one has long since turned to dust. But I remember when we put it on the ground and lay down together. We had made love so many times along our travels, but that night was special. That was the night you were going to turn, and we were going to mate."
 
Oliver looked at the wolf that towered over him. "I'se so sorry, Old Wolf. I never meant to break your heart. I never meant to hurt you at all."
 
The wolf's paw reached down and rubbed the small man's beard. "Lay with me now. Tonight can be our first time together if we let it be. Let me convince you all over again to turn. Let me be with you tonight the way I dreamed it would be that night."
 
"The way we both dreamed it would be before I let fear in," Oliver said as he took the hand that rested on his cheek and kissed it. "Take me, Will. Make me a beast and then bites my neck. Make me your beast forever."
 
Will smiled. "I will, but if it's okay with you, can we just lay here awhile, you and me, alone like it was in the old days?"
 
Oliver pulled the wolf down to the ground with him. "I would like that, too." He grinned. "You knows I'se gonna eventually top you, right?"
 
"Oh yeah, Oliver," Will said, grinning. "Just like old times."
 
Oliver leaned in and kissed the gray wolf. "I knows you can't turn to human, Will, but I remember your touch. I remember everything we ever done in our naked times. So, tonight, I'se gonna do you just like the old times, Will. The way we did it all them years ago." Oliver pulled at his boots. "Nathaniel says I can fucks you like we used to do in the old days if you concentrates on not changing me."
 
Will laughed. "I'll try, Oliver, but you know me. Concentrating on anything but you fucking me was more or less out the window once you were inside me. Are you good if the change comes because of what we do before I fuck you?"
 
"I'se okay with that," Oliver said. "I just want tonight to be as close as we can get to that night." Oliver grabbed Will, and they kissed for a time. Suddenly Oliver pulled his buckskins to his ankles, pushed Will over onto his stomach, and crawled on top of the wolf that was two feet taller than him. "I weren't no good at foreplay at all until I met Nathaniel. So just like old times, Will," Oliver said as he shoved his cock deep into the man below.
 
Will yelled. "Oh fuck, Oliver." 
 
"Your forgots, didn't you, Old Wolf?"
 
"Oh yeah, I forgot," the wolf said grimacing.
 
"I didn'ts. But I remembers what happens next."
 
Will felt his body ease into the rapid thrusting of the man above him. He relaxed even more as he felt Oliver's copious pre-cum lubing his ass. "Okay, I'm remembering this part," he said happily. "You were actually really good at this."
 
"And I still is."
 
"Oliver, I love you."
 
"Nope, can't say that yet, Old Wolf. You didn't say that until just before you turnt into a beast and asked me to be your mate."
 
Will stretched to look back at the man that had mounted him. "You remember all that?"
 
"Yeah, you know what you said when we fucked as humans?"
 
Will groaned happily. "I don't care, Oliver. Just keep fucking me."
 
"Yep, that's exactly what you said," Oliver snickered as his pounding became more forceful. 
 
When at last the little human had climaxed and slipped to the side of the wolf, the two lay on the blanket, looking up into the starry sky. Oliver pulled off his boots and buckskins and felt the warm Dakota night breeze across his skin. He lay back down, letting his hand slip into Will's, and he whispered, "Does you remember what you said when we was laying in the night like this?"
 
"Oliver, there are worlds out there that most men never even know exist. Some men become wolves and some bears become men. I know one of those bears, and you know one of those men."
 
"What is you saying, Will?" Oliver said repeating the conversation of so many centuries ago.
 
"That I'm a werewolf. I'm just like the beasts that you have been defending on your own for so many years."
 
"I knows that."
 
"You can become one of us, Oliver. You can become one of the beasts you defend."
 
"You is able to do that to me?"
 
"I can," Will replied. He shook his body the way his human side had done so many years before under the light of the full moon. The bones did not shift, but Oliver understood the imagery and smiled, remembering the first time he saw Will as a werewolf. "You can become just like me, just like all the wolves and bears…" Will grew suddenly quiet. He squeezed Oliver's hand tightly. "The bear… After I turned you, I told you I couldn't wait to introduce you to the bear I loved... to my closest friend, who was a white bear."
 
Oliver squeezed Will's hand back. "I needed you to remember Will. There were a reason I run away from you, and I needed you to know why. I knowed the white bear. I could never face him because I were a badger, a coward, I weren't nothin' that bear could ever see and not kill for what I done to his family."
 
"Oliver, you know that's not true."
 
"I does now, but I didn't then. I only knowed I became something small and weak. A badger weren't of no use to you, and no use to the bear you loved. I weren't of no use to nobody. I ran away ‘cause I couldn't stands the thought of your life fallin' apart when you showed me to the bear."
 
"Oliver, I'm so sorry," Will said as he pushed up and leaned over the little man. "I never knew."
 
"And now you does. And if you sez you still loves me, I will know that I can become a beast again, a different beast, a better and stronger beast than I become that night."
 
The wolf looked at the human, and his face softened. Oliver looked into the yellow eyes and saw the same feelings he had known for centuries. Will shook his head and smiled. "Silly man. I have loved you since I first met you. Through centuries of good and bad, I have loved you. I have been by your side when you helped save the world. There is no beast stronger or better than you, Oliver. And there is no man I love more in this world."
 
"And you will mates with me all over, knowing all the truth now?"
 
"I will mate with you all over again."
 
Oliver rolled over and pulled his long hair to the side. "Turn me, Old Wolf. And then bites my neck. Make me your mate."
 
"I love you, Oliver. Now and forever."
 
Oliver sighed. "Yeah, this is when you said it."
 
"And I will say it again when we are one."
 
Oliver choked slightly. "Are you crying, Oliver?" Will asked.
 
"Yeah, Old Wolf, I is crying."
 
"Are they happy tears?"
 
"Just about the happiest ever."
 
The little human felt the wolf push up against him, and when the muzzle pushed up against his neck, he felt the wetness of the wolf's tears. "Ain't we just about the most fucked up two that ever lived?" the human asked.
 
The Iberian wolf laughed. "Yeah, we are, Oliver. I wouldn't have it any other way." The wolf's cock pushed past the hairy cheeks of the human and plunged deep inside. The human muffled a scream as he endured the pain. "I'll be quick, Oliver. Stay with me. I'll be here for you."
 
"I knows, Old Wolf. I knows," Oliver said, gritting his teeth. "Make me a beast. Let me feel you come inside me."
 
Will rode the ass of the man below him, doing his best to be gentle, and when he felt the orgasm overtaking him, he whispered to Oliver, "I'm going to come. And then I'll pull out so I can help you through the turning."
 
"You stays inside me, Old Wolf," Oliver ordered. You pins me to this blanket with that dick of yours and you helps me through the turning by staying in me."
 
Oliver couldn't see the nod of the werewolf above him; but when the cock pushed even deeper, he knew the wolf had agreed to his demand. He closed his eyes and when he felt the warmth of the ejaculation pulsing into him; he thought of his beast.
 
As the family sat around the fire pit, there was an amazing calm for a night of mating. When they heard the howl of the wolf, they smiled at each other. "He's turning," Martin said. And then he smiled. "Son of a gun. An unusual choice, Oliver."
 
"Oh, that is not fair, Cat," Kris said. 
 
"Those two are fucking. Oliver's guard is down and they're pushing into my head the way they always do. We're sitting here talking while I see every move they're making and you tell me it's not fair? I agree, Bear. It's not fair," the cat said, thumping his erection. "It's not fair to me."
 
"What is he?" Kris asked. 
 
"You'll have to wait. It's his surprise," Martin replied. "I will tell you he's happy. He's happier with what he became more than he has ever been in his life."
 
The wait for the call took hours longer than the family expected. Whatever beasts were in the forest, their growling layered over each other as they mated. But what all could tell was the mating was far from traditional. It wasn't hurried; it wasn't even heated. They were making love in the way Will and Oliver had done for centuries. Playful and unforced, the biting and energetic copulating of the two was obviously very much a part of what was happening in the forest, but the setting of the teeth into each other's necks never quite materialized.
 
After four hours, Martin groaned. "Oh god, you two," he sighed. "Give it a rest already. Bite your necks and be done with it. That's the third time for both of you."
 
Nathaniel laughed and pulled his husband in close. "Should I take you, now, Husband?" he asked.
 
"I think you might have to," Martin whimpered.
 
Nathaniel grabbed the saber-toothed cat's paw and pulled him up from his seat. "Come on, Cat; follow me." The bear led him to the edge of the forest and turning smiled at the gawking group. "Well, there's nothing that says we have to wait for those two, and I know for a fact my fathers rarely do."
 
The puma and his mate looked at each other and then back to the Changeling. "You don't wait?"
 
Kris looked down shyly. "Not usually. We're there for them when they call for us, but we find it really frustrating to wait."
 
"Like we don't?" an anxious Great Plains wolf asked.
 
"We could just play until they call us if you wanted to," Kris said.
 
"We can do that?" the mountain lion asked. "That doesn't break some sacred code or tradition?"
 
"Not that we can find," Derrick said, rocking slightly.
 
The puma looked at the Great Plains wolf. "Honey, you grab the cat. I'll run interference with the bear." The two leapt off their chairs and raced into the woods after Nathaniel and Martin.
 
Kris looked at the two as they disappeared into the darkness. "They make a very attractive couple, don't they?" he said calmly.
 
"Yeah, they do," Derrick replied. "And if someone doesn't fuck me right now, I am going in after them."
 
The brown bear looked up from across the fire pit. He stood up with his thick hard-on flopping back and forth in the firelight. "Thank goodness, Pup, I thought you would never ask." He reached out and grabbed the black wolf and dragged him toward the forest. Within moments, the night hid them from view.
 
The four wolves looked at each other and laughed. "Seems we're alone, husbands," Tiff said.
 
"And next to the embers of a very pleasant fire," his husband Darius added.
 
Damien nodded. "I say we just fuck here and avoid all that traffic in the woods."
 
Two wolves jumped over the fire pit and onto their mates, pushing them to the ground. They kissed each other as their paws began to explore. Damien's head raised, and the howl reverberating through the valley turned everyone's head except for Oliver and Will's. Oliver's bulky head was biting deep into the neck of the werewolf below him, and the wolf was only too happy to let the newly born beast take him for the fourth time.
 
Chapter 14
 
It wasn't until morning had begun creeping over the hills that Will and Oliver made the call for the family to join the newly mated. As the family raced toward the center of the forest clearing, they pulled up short to find the old wolf leaning up against a large ponderosa pine. "Where's Oliver?" Derrick asked.
 
"I thought it might be fun to do a bit of a great reveal," Will said smiling. "Gentlemen, family," Will said as he stepped away from the tree. "I give you my husband, Oliver Templeton-Gentry. And I swear if I ever hear that hyphenated last name again, I will make you suffer. Oliver thinks it's cute, but I just think it's silly. After all, if we start hyphenating everyone's names, it will take us half a day just to introduce ourselves." Will stood straight-faced and then smiled. "So…" he said with a wave of his paw toward the tree, "what you've been waiting for. The beast I love, Oliver."
 
The little mammal stepped around from behind the tree. "OLIVER!" his family yelled happily.
 
Kris was the first to race to the badger and grab him up into his arms. "Look at you!" he gushed. "You're the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."
 
"Does you like it?" Oliver asked. "I'se a foot taller and my werebeast is bigger, too. I figured it would makes it easier on me, what with having big husbands and all."
 
Derrick laughed as Kris passed the badger to him. "But why, Oliver? Why a badger? I thought you hated being a badger."
 
"I did," Oliver said, nodding his head. "Until last night when Will told me there weren't no beast better or stronger than me. And I knowed that the beast I was born was the beast I was meant to be. Will has always made beasts that were meant to be what they is. He just never knowed it because he was thinking we was all supposed to be wolves." Oliver kissed the black wolf. "You's his only wolf, Pup. Because you was the only one of us meant to be a wolf."
 
Will sighed. "Well, there is Marcus, but we'll have to wait to find out what comes of him."
 
"He'll come back, Husband," Derrick said as he handed the badger off to the twins. "We always come home. Sometimes we just get lost along the way."
 
Will smiled slightly. "I know, Pup. I just wish he could have been here. But you're all here, so let's not let this moment slip away from us. I believe we have a family to welcome into our lives."
 
Henry and Dennis smiled. "This is where I guess we should be going," the cougar said. "But we wanted to congratulate you two."
 
The crowd turned and looked at them. "No! This is where you stay," Kris commanded.
 
The two leaned back at the comment. "But we're not family. We're Were Nation, but not family."
 
Derrick leaned over and pulled the cougar in close. "We have found that over the years, we define our family by something greater than shared genes or shared genealogy. Shared hearts make us family. There's no reason to walk away from this gathering when the entire family wants you by our side."
 
"Really?" the Great Plains wolf asked.
 
Will reached out and hugged the wolf. "Really, Henry. After all these years, you need to ask?" He kissed the wolf, and the wolf returned the embrace.
 
"We could bites your necks," Oliver said as Tuff passed him to another red wolf. "But that part of the family is getting' confusing. So, if you just takes it on faith that you'se family, it will make things easier."
 
Dennis rubbed the tear from his eye. "We have always dreamed of having a big family, but well… this is South Dakota. That pretty much says it all."
 
Kris walked over to the cougar and hugged the cat. "Then this is the day your dreams come true," Kris said as he leaned in and kissed the puma. "Your husband is about to take the old wolf, Cat. We Changelings can smell it. So, what are your desires?"
 
"I really like the red wolves," the mountain lion replied.
 
Kris stepped away from the puma. "There are four of us still unoccupied at the moment," Damien said as put down the badger. "Do you have a preference?"
 
"All of you?" the puma said as much a request as a question. He put his arms around Damien and looked back at the other three red wolves.
 
Damien looked toward his husband. "Well, Hon?"
 
Tuff smiled and leapt toward the two, locking the three into an embrace that toppled them to the ground. In a matter of moments, all five found the positions they would be in for hours to come.
 
Martin reached out and pulled Will into his chest. "Well, Old Wolf, if we're grabbing what we want, I want you." He smiled at the wolf flashing his two long teeth.
 
"Ahh… the burdens of the newly mated," Will said with a grin. "I will do my best to provide you with what you want."
 
The saber-toothed cat's large paw reached out and grabbed Henry. "And you, Wolf. I want you too." The tongue of the Megatherium slipped out of the cat's mouth and down along the Great Plains wolf's chest until it found a nipple and wrapped around the surrounding tip, tugging gently.
 
The wolf groaned happily. "Oh hell yes, Cat. Take me any way you want me."
 
Nathaniel laughed. "Okay you three, that looks like fun. Make room for a bear." He pushed the cat and the wolves forcefully and they fell down onto the grass. They braced themselves for the impact of the bear falling onto them and were soon moving toward the body parts that interested them the most.
 
"Well, Badger," Kris said, "It looks as if you have two husbands to satisfy per the traditions of the Were Nation."
 
Oliver looked at the black wolf and the Kodiak. "Ain't nothing in them traditions about that. Says we gots to share our loves with our family. Don't say who's gots to satisfy who. Could be I'se looking for you two to satisfy me."
 
Derrick grinned as he grabbed the badger. "Oh really, Oliver? You want to go in that direction?"
 
"Is it gonna leave me with a sore ass and regretting ever saying them words?"
 
The badger felt the Kodiak push up behind him. "Oh, yeah, Badger."
 
Oliver grinned. "Then, yeah, I'se going in that direction." With a shake, he became a seven-foot badger with a Cheshire cat grin. "Takes me, husbands. Remind me of what I'se been missing not being a beast." The two husbands pushed Oliver between them and began his reeducation. 
 
Two days later, the family lay on the grass. Their heads rested on the belly of another beast, forming a great mishmash of totally relaxed bodies. Henry finally spoke after hours of contented quiet. "I want to thank you men for allowing us to renew our vows to each other in the middle of your family's celebration for Oliver and Will. You reminded us both how long it has been since we have publicly shown our commitment to each other."
 
"It's obvious how committed you are to each other in every move you make, Henry," Derrick said. "I've learned a lot from watching you two together. I hope one day I can show my husbands how much I love them as gracefully as you two do." He paused. "And passion. That cat still amazes me."
 
The puma would have blushed if he could. "Thank you, Derrick. My husband brings out a side of me that I don't often get to share. But these will be days we remember fondly for all time."
 
Nathaniel leaned in and kissed the Great Plains wolf. "Partridge Island is not so far away with the Red Wolf in the air. Don't be strangers. This is beautiful country but isolated as well. You two need to spend more time with your family."
 
Henry laughed. "We work in a tourist town. Do you think maybe you could get the word out that the Were Nation could come here and visit now and then? They won't even need to book a hotel room. Our house is open to all."
 
Nathaniel grinned. "Of course."
 
Will pulled Henry into a hug. "You have a point, Wolf. We have a database for every werebeast we've ever located out there. Many live in relative solitude, and that's not good. We could easily set up a visitation program. Some sort of cultural exchange program."
 
"But those beasts speak so many languages. How are we going to negotiate all that?" Derrick asked.
 
"Have you ever known a beast that couldn't say hello to another beast without saying a word?"
 
Derrick laughed. "Well, that is true, and we have ComLink translators, so I guess it's not that much of a stumbling block."
 
"My brother and I would be happy to facilitate this idea," Damien said. 
 
"Yeah," Darius agreed. "We love the challenge of finding ways to get our extended families together."
 
The puma reached out and held the red wolf. "Tell me this will not be the last time we will find a way to get our extended family together."
 
Darius kissed Dennis. "We will return. And don't forget that open invitation to visit. Montana is even closer to you than Partridge Island. And we have ranch hands… lots of friendly ranch hands."
 
Dennis smiled as he put his head against the chest of the red wolf and purred. "We won't forget. We both have vacation days coming. It's time we used them. Maybe we could bring along our family if you're agreeable to that. They would so love to meet you all."
 
"We'll start planning for a meeting as soon as we get home," Damien said. He scrawled something into his little book and placed it in the pocket of the pants next to him.
 
"Well, Gentlemen, it's time we get back to Rapid City and head home," Kris said with a sigh of regret. "The highland is calling." 
 
"That's my husband. Always on task," Will said.
 
"Four temple dogs are waiting for us on the highland just to see you and your new husband today."
 
Oliver looked up. "All four of them dogs is gonna be in the same place?"
 
"And the scent of a newborn, that's also newly mated, is all over you, Oliver."
 
Oliver smiled. "‘Bout time them beasts gots some scars from something other than a wolf."
 
Kris laughed. "And the pack is already there watching over our husbands. Jean Pierre handed off operations to Eldon and Aengus the day you two went into the hospital. He's been there with Jason for the three months you've been out of commission, but now the entire pack is gathering to welcome you home."
 
"And the winged family," Derrick said, smiling. "Chet promised they would be there to celebrate the union. He said something about the old wolf and his new husband being too distracted to properly attend to their other husbands." Derrick flashed a wicked glance at Will and Oliver. "Just saying he might be right. My guess is they started flying to the highland the day before yesterday."
 
The puma looked at the black wolf. "The winged bears really fly?"
 
Derrick nodded. "They're surprisingly graceful for such heavy beasts."
 
The cougar looked at the Great Plains wolf. "Honey?"
 
"Yeah, I know," the wolf replied. He looked at the group. "Could you fit another two in the back of that van?"
 
Martin laughed. "Of course we can."
 
"I think I'm coming down with an acute case of the forty-eight-hour flu," Henry said with a grin. 
 
"Me too," Dennis said. "Let us make a few calls, and we'll join you. It's time we met a few of our new family."
 
Will wrapped his arm around the mountain lion's shoulder. "Better make that the seventy-two-hour flu. There are temple dogs involved in this little get-together. They don't know the meaning of the word sated with a newly mated family."
 
The wolf and puma's eyes widened, and smiles crept over their face. The two made quickly the calls, and the group crowded into the vans and headed out to the highway and Rapid City.

Chapter 15

Will felt himself go deeper into the black wolf's ass as he stretched out. "Pup," he sighed, "you are without a doubt the best break from this job I have ever had."
 
"That's what personal assistants are for, Old Wolf," Derrick said with a grin. "I love sitting on your lap and taking your big, manly dictation." He leaned over and kissed the Iberian wolf. "But that said, I also brought a couple of warm, wet towels in my attaché to clean us up."
 
"Do I have to, Pup?" Will asked with a pout. "I like the smell of your spunk on my fur."
 
"And on any other day, I would say leave it there, but you have a meeting with Chet out in the field. I can't have you going there smelling of sex. You know the two of you will distract each other too much to get his report done. And we don't have time for a shower, because… well… showers and the two of us never get over quickly."
 
"He'll still smell it. Washing off a bit of cum won't change that."
 
"Probably, but we should make the effort," the young wolf said, turning to grab the attaché. Never leaving the lap of the Iberian wolf, Derrick opened the latches on the case. Grabbing the towels, he smiled as he rubbed one over the face and chest of the old wolf. 
 
Will sighed happily. "You know, if you want to clean off my cock, it's going to have to come out of you first."
 
"I know," Derrick said, the disappointment obvious in his voice. "The sacrifices I make for the good of our family business."
 
Will pushed up into Derrick, and the black wolf groaned happily. "This is our family business, Pup," the old wolf said as he thrust once more into his mate. "We do all this," he said, his paw waving out to the room, "so that we can take care of our family business unfettered."
 
Derrick smiled. "Sorry, Old Wolf. Sometimes I forgot what's really important. If you want to go visit with Chet all gooey, you go right ahead. He has as much a right to be a part of the family business as we do."
 
Will laughed, standing up while he held the black wolf still impaled on his cock. With a few last thrusts, he pulled the pup off and lowered him back to the ground. "I'll clean up, Pup," Will said. "Chet and I are developing a relationship that doesn't seem to need a dripping cock to set each other off."
 
Derrick began wiping the old wolf's slick cock. "I'm glad to hear it. He really is a good man."
 
"Well, of course. He's an angel. It's part of the job description," Will said with a laugh.
 
"One day we should spend some time with him together… that is if you would like to."
 
"I've just been waiting for the two of you to ask," Will replied as he turned and fumbled for some papers on his desk.
 
"I'm asking," Derrick said, hugging the old wolf from behind. "Find out how he feels about it today. Oh, and I guess we should include his husbands in this. We've both played with them enough in one configuration or another."
 
"We're getting quite the crowd here, Pup," Will said as he pulled on the black arms wrapped around him. "You keep expanding, and we'll be doing a run with the whole family by dinnertime."
 
Derrick laughed. "I guess so. Ask Chet, please. I would like the three of us to feel that we can share the love we have for each other without it always being separate."
 
"Done," Will said as he shoved the papers into a backpack. "It's on my agenda." He paused. "Damn… I have a hidden gay agenda. I didn't think those things really existed." The old wolf shook and became human. He stared down at his completely dry human body. "Oh, forgot about that way to get rid of cum," he said with a laugh. "Are the trucks all charged up?"
 
"Yeah, only a few are out today. Most of the hands still prefer horses."
 
"Well, I'll take one out to talk with Chet. I just want to make sure we're on top of things and that he doesn't need our help in any new way. After that, we can hightail it back to the highland."
 
Derrick smiled as he sorted the papers on the desk. "Give him my love," he said.
 
"Will do," the naked human said. "Do you think I should put on some clothes?"
 
"No, that would just be a bother. You'd have to take them off before you shift, and you know you're going to shift as soon as you get there."
 
"True. Maybe I should just give myself longer digits on my paws and drive out there."
 
"You're seven-foot-three, Old Wolf. Do you really want to ride out there all cramped over? Your six-foot-four human is awkward enough trying to cram yourself into a vehicle."
 
"Okay, Pup. No clothes it is," Will said. He walked back and kissed the black wolf one more time before heading out the wide double doors of the study.
 
An hour later, two lone men stood looking out over the plain toward the butte; one a wolf, the other a winged angel.
 
"I never grow tired of this place," Will said, looking out on the expanse.
 
"Neither do I," Chet said with a smile. He pushed up and kissed the wolf. "Nor the family that brought me to this place."
 
"We are the lucky ones, aren't we?" Will said.
 
"We are, but there is still a sadness in you, Old Wolf."
 
"Oh? I thought I did a better job of hiding it than I must be doing. It's a little thing, Chet."
 
"Marcus isn't a little thing, Old Wolf."
 
"Are you catching the Sight from your husbands?" Will said, turning toward the angel.
 
"No, I know longing when I see it in another. That bittersweet look of a man who wonders if he did right by the ones he loves; I have seen it in the mirror for thousands of years."
 
"Oliver is finally happy with who he is, but I seem to have created another beast wandering this planet alone. We can't find him, Chet. I even tried using that genetic locator gizmo of Dr. Kennedy's. We used some fur of his from a brush."
 
"He brushed his fur?"
 
Will shook his head. "No, I did. I like brushing wolves' fur."
 
Chet laughed. "Good lord, Old Wolf. How did you get the reputation for being a curmudgeon? Everything you do is the act of a hopeless romantic." The hawk-man paused. "Not that it's a bad thing. I am fond of hopeless romantics. I might even take up brushing your fur one day, Old Wolf."
 
Will laughed. "Well, I have a brush you can use. The fur didn't help me locate him. Seems the only match on the planet belongs to the man you have your arm around."
 
Chet looked at him. "That is intriguing. Are you saying that his changing created an exact duplicate?"
 
"I'm not saying that: that damn machine is," Will replied. "Dr. Kennedy thinks the reason we can't find Marcus is that he's probably been with another beast. That his genetics have changed yet again. We can't find him because he's not the same beast anymore."  
 
"That has to be difficult," Chet said. 
 
"I shouldn't have told him I could track him down, Chet," Will said. "I gave him a warning and when he decided to go it alone, he knew exactly how to cover his tracks."
 
The angel pulled the old wolf in close. "His tracks will find their way back to you, Old Wolf. He knows what life with his family feels like. One day he will return to embrace it. You need to give him time."
 
Will nodded. "I'm trying. This world can be a very large and lonely place. I don't want him to hurt, Chet. I want him to come home."
 
"One day, Old Wolf. One day."
 
Will smiled. "And until that day, I have a family that needs my attention and a business that claws at my door every day."
 
"You do that," Chet said with a nod. "And what of my reports and proposal?"
 
"They certainly seem in order," Will said as he pushed them into his backpack. "I'll have accounting and legal look at them just to make sure the proposal has all the I's dotted and the T's crossed. I'm betting that Congress will authorize opening up some of their lands to let our herds of buffalo move onto it. We've got the proof of how we can use them to restore grasslands."
 
Will paused for a moment in thought. "I guess I'm going to have to beg Kris to open up the human's eyes to the ranch. We can't exactly ask to graze on land next to us if they can't even see where we are."
 
"Can he do that?" Chet asked.
 
"We'll find out when we ask him. He seems to have gifts he holds back until needed. I just have to remind him this is a step in the right direction to bring the Were Nation and the humans back together."
 
Chet smiled. "That would be good. I would like to bring our herds and the national park herds back together without a conflict between us and the government oversight committees." 
 
Will nodded. "If we have to, you might be called to testify on the bison's behalf. You know more about their husbandry than any man alive. I have the best guardian for their care that I could ever ask for."
 
"They are my babies," Chet said with a chuckle. "Some folks have dogs or cats. I have bison."
 
"You do what wolves have done for centuries, Chet. You keep the herd strong."
 
"And you, Old Wolf. You keep our family strong."
 
Will smiled. "I try my best, Chet. But I'm lucky. I have a strong family to start with. You get me through my toughest days." The wolf rested his head on the shoulders of the hawk man. "Thanks for being here for me today, Chet."  
 
The quiet lingered between the two as they watched the herd of bison move slowly across the plain. Chet rubbed his hand on Will's neck. "How do you do it, Will? How can you make peace with loss so many times and still be who you are?"
 
The old wolf looked at the angel. "I'm a bastard, Chet. It's easy to be a bastard, no matter what happens."
 
Chet smiled. "You can lie to your family all you want, but you shouldn't lie to an angel."
 
"You're not an angel, Chet. I have the scars on my leg from your talons to prove it."
 
Chet's eyes widened. "You do? Old Wolf, you should have let those heal years ago."
 
"I like them. They remind me of happy times. You know; the good old days."
 
"That wasn't so long ago. My husbands were flying when that happened."
 
"Yeah. You should see the scars they left."
 
"You do realize that we have sworn off ever having sex in midair with one who cannot fly because of that debacle?"
 
Will looked at the angel crestfallen. "No, that's not fair. Look, it got a bit out of hand, but that was my fault. Derrick would be fine, and you know how much he loves you three. Take him in the air; he would love it."
 
"He hates to cross bridges because they are too high."
 
"No, he hates to cross bridges because he thinks they're going to collapse. I'm sure if you stay low, he would think it's just fine."
 
"If he ever asks, we will consider it, but for now our sex life in midair with others is not on the table."
 
Will smiled. "We could do it on the table if you like." He raised his prosthetic arm. "I think I've almost convinced Nathaniel to let me have attachments for this thing. You know… silicone toys…"
 
"God, Old Wolf, you're insane," Chet said with a laugh. He rubbed the wolf's neck again. "I still want to know how you push through so much."
 
"I'm pragmatic, Chet. I figure out pretty quickly where things are going to head. What needs changing that I can change, I do. And what I can't change, I try to make peace with as quickly as I can. Anything else is just spinning my wheels."
 
"I don't know that I can do that. I tend to push back and fight the change."
 
"It doesn't always work for me, either. Sometimes I look at what's in front of me and I can't stand the thought of what I have lost. So, I try to remember what the temple dogs taught me about living in the moment. And I remember how the Changelings taught us to sing our songs as a family. First, we sing of all that we have lost, and then of all that we have found. There's wisdom in that, Chet. I mourn my loss as I take in a deep breath, and as I exhale, I let it go and come back to a world full of possibility."
 
"And it works?"
 
"Sometimes I'm heavy breathing for days," Will said with a chuckle.
 
"I will try it the next time I am frustrated by this world."
 
Will stroked the angel's wing. "I hope you never have to be frustrated again, Chet. Your family has given enough to this world. I'd like to think you can rest now."
 
"Do you really think that's going to happen?"
 
Will took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He exhaled slowly. "I can hope. But for now, the sun is shining, and the air is warm. It's summer in Montana, and I have a beautiful man beside me. Surely, we can think of something else to do besides talk."
 
The wings of the angel wrapped around the old wolf and pushed him to the ground. "Did you know I'm the best cocksucker in the family?"
 
"I hadn't been keeping track of such things. We have some very gifted cocksuckers in our family, you know."
 
Chet leaned in and kissed the wolf. As the kisses slowly moved across his neck, down his chest, and across his belly, the wolf sighed. "But research is always a good thing." He felt the warm mouth wrap around his cock and slip down the veined shaft. "A very good thing." 
 
Will began slipping into a euphoric state that he often did when in Chet's company. Yet, ever aware of his promise, he slowed the angel's fellating. "Derrick wanted to know if our relationships have evolved to a place where the two of us might spend time with you together."
 
Chet pulled off the cock and smiled. "Really?"
 
"Really."
 
Chet grinned wildly. "Hold that thought." With a flurry of spinning wings, Will watched the red-tailed hawk speed off toward the ranch house. Moments later, he saw the angel's wings flapping quickly with a black wolf clutched below him. 
 
When Chet gently lowered Derrick to the ground, the black wolf trembled a bit and then shook himself like a dog in the rain. "Okay, Chet, I'm going to accept that you two are excited by this idea and cut you some slack. But that's the last time we do that, understood?"
 
"You hated flying," Chet said dejectedly.
 
"But I love the man I flew with, so all is forgiven."
 
"Husband," Will said, "if you don't fly, you'll never know what it's like to make love to him in midair."
 
Derrick looked at Will, "Oh, you get me up high enough and Chet and I will still never know what it's like to make love in midair. I will be clawing my way back to earth out of sheer terror."
 
Chet smiled. "We could have my husbands along to make sure you remain safe."
 
The black wolf leaned in to kiss the angel. "I have seen the scars, Chet. I know what talon marks look like on an Iberian wolf. They won't look all that different on me."
 
"But that's because of what the old wolf was doing. We would be so much more gentle with you."
 
"Nope. Not feeling the love here," Derrick said. He paused and then smiled. "No, I do feel the love here on terra firma, but I will never feel it up there," he said, pointing toward the sky.
 
Chet frowned. "I understand. But if you should change your mind a few centuries down the line…"
 
"You will be the first I tell."
 
Chet's frown turned into a smile. "Hope is a good thing."
 
"And so is research," Will said, stroking his still-firm cock. "Chet and I were discussing who in the family gives the best blow jobs. He was trying to convince me it was him."
 
"Well, that remains to be seen," the black wolf said as he jumped onto the old wolf, pushing him to the ground. He shoved his mouth over the top of Will's cock.
 
Will groaned happily as the Angel stared at the black wolf's butt raised in the air. He stepped in between the black-furred legs and moved the tail to one side with his hands. Derrick gave a happy yip when the angel slid inside him.
 
Will closed his eyes and extended his hands. "I LOVE RESEARCH!" he yelled so loud it echoed back from the butte. 
 
Max looked up from planting a ponderosa pine seedling. He looked over and smiled at JP, whose grin was growing wider by the moment. They both took the seedling bags off their shoulders. "I'll race you there, JP. I bet we can find them in no time. You can already smell the scent of their musth."
 
JP's wings sprung out and with two bounding leaps, he was airborne. Max crouched down and as his wings spread, he bolted into the sky. The young bears had already learned that family business always took precedence.
 
Chapter 16
 
The five were watching the stars slowly light up the evening sky when Will's ComLink vibrated. He tapped his ear. "Hey, Handsome, we're going to be headed home soon," he said.
 
"Better sooner than later, Husband," Kris said on the other side of the call. "Our husbands might be coming home." 
 
Before anyone spoke another word, Chet tapped his ComLink. "Red Wolf, priority one; prepare for departure," he said, pushing up off the ground.
 
Will and Derrick both bolted up out of the arms of the bears. "Really?" Derrick asked, overjoyed.
 
"Oliver kicked the stone, and it's leaking. There's a lot of motion going on inside. I think it's time. If nothing else, get home because our badger is having a panic attack. He thinks he might have hurt them and he's inconsolable. He could use you by his side, Will. You know what it feels like to be where he is right now."
 
Will laughed. "I do that. Grab some duct tape and let Oliver have at the rock. It won't change a thing, but it might help calm him down. We'll see you soon, Husband."
 
Will closed the call with a tap and looked up at the group. Chet smiled. "Congratulations, you two. We have Tiff and Tuff already headed to the Red Wolf." Chet put his hand on Derrick's shoulder. "I know your feelings on the matter, but if you let us fly you to the Red Wolf, you'll be there much faster than trying to get there by truck."
 
Derrick shook his head. "I can't believe I'm going to say this, but take me, Chet. I want to be by their side when they return."
 
Chet smiled and wrapped his arms around the black wolf. "I already took you, Pup. But for now, let's get you home. Close your eyes, Jefe," he said as the dark wings flapped outward.
 
Derrick pushed his face into the feathered chest and closed his eyes tightly. He felt Chet pull him tight. With scarcely any other motion, Derrick felt the cool wind blow over his fur, and he knew he was airborne. 
 
When the Red Wolf landed on the highland, the temple dogs were there to greet the returning family. Noboru looked up at the number of beasts spilling out after Derrick and Will had bounded past them on their way to the cave. "You are all most welcome," the temple dog said. "This is a joyous night, and your company is much appreciated."
 
Chet bowed to the three dogs. "We are thrilled to be here, Sensei. What can we do?"
 
"I believe it is the custom of Westerners to boil water at the birth of a baby," Noboru responded. "Although I can find no record of our family doing so at the birth of Nathaniel. I am at a loss for what we should do other than be there beside the ones we love."
 
Chet grabbed the paw of the dog and pulled him along as he began to run toward the cave. "Then let us be there as quickly as possible." 

Max grabbed Katashi's paw and JP grabbed Zhuang's. Together the six raced toward the glowing maw of the cavern. 
 
Jean Pierre looked at the red wolves. "Go, Sons," he ordered. "There is hardly enough room in that cave, but the Old Bear will be happy to see his sons waiting for him when he returns."
 
Tiff and Tuff fell onto all fours and raced across the field toward the cave that was growing increasingly bright from the inside. Jean Pierre smiled at Damien and Darius. "Could I interest you two in a nice leisurely walk to the cave with my husbands and me?" The two red wolves smiled back and with a nod, the rest of the Montana family was walking across the field.
 
"I've never been to an emerging of Changelings from their chrysalis," Damien said to Jean Pierre. 
 
Jean Pierre nodded. "Nor have any of us, Damien. Tonight will be the first time that anyone but Derrick and Will have watched their husbands return."
 
Jason looked up at his husband. "Do you think that's the way it should be tonight? Just the three husbands?"
 
"I would if it were not for the insistence of those husbands to have their family by their side. We are here by invitation. My guess is that the two wolves see something in the return of their husbands that will be better with our family here."
 
The fox nodded. "But not the entire pack?"
 
Jean Pierre laughed. "We have to draw the line somewhere, my love. This seems as good a place as any. Come, let's not dawdle. The light from the cave is already the color of the old bear's power. He is guiding his family back home. They are returning."
 
The last of the Montana family slipped quietly through the cavern's mouth and hurried through the antechamber into the cave's main hall. There they saw the two rising green blobs of wet goo taking shape. The two were almost instantly recognizable by their size and shape. The two were returning as they had left; an Armbruster's wolf and a polar bear. Jason smiled and squeezed both his husband's paws. "It's nice to see them return as someone I recognize."
 
Will turned, grinning. "They say they return as what makes them happiest. That means they're coming back as your family and as our husbands."
 
Lothair smiled back at the Iberian wolf. "That was a given Old Wolf. Who would ever leave you for even a moment without yearning to be back by your side?" He nodded toward the Kodiak bear and the black wolf. "And I mean that to include all their husbands, of course."
 
Derrick and Kris nodded back to the Changeling wolf. "Of course," Kris said with a smile. "Now we see what comes of waiting forty-two years for our hibernating husbands to return."
 
"Is it only the two?" Darius asked. 
 
"No, there's a son in all that melting rock," Oliver answered. "They's gots an order to this. The fathers come first and then they brings their baby into the world."
 
Kris laughed. "You seem well versed in something you've never seen before, Badger."
 
"I'se got the Sight, Husband. As soon as you handed me that duct tape and I touched the stone, I calmed down enough for it to tell me to stop being afraid of what was coming."
 
"Hmmm…" Kris said, looking at the green beasts forming from the liquid that surrounded them. "Do you know what their son is going to be?"
 
"Nope," Oliver said, shaking his head. "All I knows is I ain't got a clue. I ain't sayin' he's blocking me or anything, but whatever their boy's got in mind, it ain't making no sense to me."
 
"I like surprises," Will said calmly. "It's good to let him figure it out on his own. He has his fathers to help him. Kris and Eric did a wonderful job with Nathaniel. I'm sure that Donovan and Eric will do just fine."
 
"Speaking of Nathaniel," Oliver interjected. "He and Martin knows what's going on, but they's gonna stay mum until we call them in a few days so this reunion don't get out of hand. The birth of a Changeling is big news in the Were Nation."
 
"That's true," Derrick agreed. "Nathaniel was born in the middle of a war, so the Were Nation had little chance to get out to see the newborn. But we're at peace now. They'll have ample opportunity to meet this child."
 
"Well, for the time being, let's let him deal with this little crowd," Kris said. "He'll get to meet his extended family soon enough."
 
While the family talked, the two shapes continued to coalesce into the shape of the bear and wolf. The limbs developed fur and the green glow softened. While obviously preoccupied with their regeneration, after a time, the two heads seemed to turn back and forth toward whoever was talking. 
 
"We are honored to be among that family that is present to welcome this son to his new home," Noboru said with a bow toward the Kodiak bear. 
 
"And we're honored to have you," Kris said with a bow in return. "None have been by his side more faithfully than the three of you. The boy should know from the first how many loving fathers he has."
 
"No, we are not fathers," Noboru protested. "We are merely here on the highland watching over the two and their child."
 
"And what would you have us call one who watches over a child but a father?" Kris asked. "The boy needs to know his life with us will be far different from the world around us. He needs to know how many fathers he has. He needs to know how many wonderful men will stand by his side to teach him and train him in the ways of the Were Nation."
 
Noboru bowed again. "I defer to your wisdom, Ancient One. We are grateful to be called father should he so choose." Zhuang and Katashi nodded their agreement as they too bowed.
 
"And I defer to your wisdom as well," said the green, glowing polar bear as his muzzle took shape. "Our son has never thought of those who waited for him to be born as anything but his fathers. He understands biology, but he also understands the love of those surrounding him."
 
Jean Pierre's eyes clouded with tears at the sound of the polar bear's voice. "Welcome back, Old Bear. I have missed you."
 
"And I you, Gray One," the bear responded. The bear turned toward Will. "And you, Old Wolf. I am so sorry for the delay."
 
Will rubbed his eyes. "It's okay, Old Bear. You probably should have just married a more patient wolf."
 
"He did," Derrick interjected. "He married me. I'm a much more patient wolf than you, Husband."
 
The green bear nodded in agreement. "You are, indeed, Pup. But I have missed you all so much. It has been too long and were it not for the joy of bringing our son into this life, I never would have left any of you."
 
"Nor would I," the green Armbruster's wolf added as his muzzle formed and his jaw opened. "It has been too long, family. I have missed your touch. But I thank you all for the years when I heard your voices in the darkness. I am so glad to be home." The wolf shook one of his paws and the green fur became the mottled fur of the Armbruster's wolf. The green fur on his back took on the dark spots, and a lighter beige spread over his belly.
 
"Well, hurry your asses up and get's your bodies back," Oliver said impatiently. "You'se been gone too long and your husbands ain't gonna give me a hello until they's had you and renewed their vows, so don't keep them waiting no more. Shake off that green goo and bed your husbands."
 
The green polar bear shook, and the fur shifted toward white along his belly and arms. He closed his eyes in concentration and with a shake of his head, the white fur and black nose of the polar bear returned. "We are both going as fast as we can," Eric said with a laugh. "My god, Badger, you're impatient enough to be one of our husbands."
 
"Ain't saying I won't say yes to that idea one day, Old Bear," Oliver said with a grin. "But for now, you've got some husbands who need some serious sexing for all them missed years."
 
"And what of our son?" the Armbruster's wolf questioned.
 
"He's got himself temple dogs if he wants to follow in his father's footsteps, and the whole pack here to take care of him while he waits for you two to does your husbandly duties," the badger replied. "By the way, where is the boy?"
 
"He's coming. I think he's going to be another shy one, like Nathaniel," the white bear replied. He hesitated a moment. "Or Derrick," he added, smiling at the black wolf.
 
"You got to watch out for those shy ones," Will said with a snicker. "They're the ones who sneak up on you and ask you to marry them just when you least expect it." Derrick gave a shove to the old wolf, and Will turned and smiled at his mate. "And I am so glad you did. Now and forever, Pup."
 
Derrick smiled. "Now and forever, Old Wolf. I'm glad you said yes."
 
There was movement in the middle between the polar bear and Armbruster's wolf. "There he is," Jason blurted out as he pointed. He looked at everyone around. "Sorry, outside voice. But this is really exciting for a little fox."
 
Kris smiled at the red canid. "It's exciting for all of us, Fox. You just said what all of us were thinking."
 
The shape in the middle grew, and the height rivaled that of the polar bear, but the shape of the muzzle seemed more akin to Donovan's wolf. When the shoulders went broader than either the bear or the wolf, it was clear whatever the beast was; it was the first of its kind.
 
"What the hell is he?" Oliver asked. "He gonna be a Sasquatch?"
 
"He's going to be what his heart tells him to be, Oliver," Eric said with a frown on his face.
 
"I'se sorry bear," Oliver said, recanting his comment. "I didn't mean to disrespect his choice. He's gonna be something we all love, but he's turning out to be just as broad in the shoulders as Nathaniel. But he's got a build more like Donovan."
 
"You go for what you dreamed of being," Donovan said to the green animal beside him as he shook his foot and the last of his body separated from the green liquid. A faint green glow still seemed to cover the returning wolf's body, but it was fading quickly. Donovan rubbed the glowing green shape next to him lovingly. "Oliver is just confused by what you're becoming."
 
The glowing creature nodded his understanding and shook. A wolf's head took shape, with a flatter muzzle and rounded ears. The wolf's muzzle separated into an upper and lower jaw. The beast tried to talk, but only a gurgling noise slipped from the mouth that still dripped the green liquid. 
 
The arms of the beast were thick and bulky, like the polar bear beside him. The massive chest didn't drop over the characteristic gut of the bears, though. It took on the tighter, defined torso that was common among werewolves. The leg's musculature was closer to that of a wolf. However, the legs were far stouter than a werewolf's. They also lacked the hock joint characteristic of all the Canidae. With another shake, the beast's fur showed white with a tan spotting along the back.
 
The crowd looked on, trying to figure out what they were watching being born. None had quite figured it out until a young man's voice struggled past the now-furred muzzle and told them, "I'm a bear-wolf."
 
"Ain't no such thing," Oliver said.
 
"Is now," the bear-wolf said defiantly.
 
Oliver smiled. "Well then, I guess there is. You's a handsome one, whatever you wants to be called," Oliver said.
 
"I'd like to be called Colton," the bear-wolf replied. "That's my name."
 
"Right purty name," Oliver said. "You gonna suck up the rest of that juice and gives you some feet so I can hug you?"
 
Colton smiled. "Yeah, I'm working on it."
 
"Take your time, Son," Eric said. "Oliver is an impatient one. Don't let him rush you."
 
"But Will is impatient too," the bear-wolf said. "I heard him every day for the last twenty-eight years."
 
Will groaned. "Okay, Son," he said with a sigh. "I missed your fathers. I'm not a patient man. Neither is Oliver. That's who we are. We like to be close to the ones we love."
 
Colton grinned. "Me too." He lifted his left leg and the thick foot of a bear shook, turning from green fur to white.
 
The temple dogs looked on as the last of the bear-wolf took shape. "You are quite unique," Zhuang said.
 
Colton nodded happily. "Yeah, I am. I wanted to be both my fathers, so I picked something in between them. I think you can understand that, right? You dogs are a sort of cross between the temple dragons and something smaller and more nimble."
 
"Indeed," Katashi said. "We are like you. The world had never seen a temple dog before us. It does not disturb us in the least to be unique. It should not disturb you."
 
"Well, I think he's beautiful," Derrick said.
 
"And I think you're beautiful," Colton replied, looking at the black wolf. "Are you going to have sex with my fathers soon?"
 
Derrick chuckled. "Yes, Colton. I'm going to have sex with your fathers just as soon as we welcome you to our world."
 
"Does that involve sex? I am pretty eager to try all the things my fathers have missed the most."
 
Derrick's chuckle became a laugh. "It can involve sex if you would like it to. But for now, how about a hug and a kiss?" The black wolf extended his arms, and the massive white and tan beast grabbed him into a hug. The kiss lasted as long as one would expect a kiss between Derrick and another beast to last. It was longer than expected and explored more than anticipated. When the two finally separated, they were both erect.
 
"Well, Old Bear, I will say your son has a fondness for the pup just like you," Will said, grinning.
 
Colton turned toward Will. "Just wait until I show you how fond I am of you, Father," the bear-wolf said, grinning. "Your arm and leg don't look nearly as bad as you told us. You are still beautiful."
 
"Well, thank you, Son," Will said. "I'll look forward to letting you get familiar with the metal parts of me, but for now, just a hug, okay? I have been waiting for forty-two years for my husbands to return, and I don't want to wait any longer."
 
Colton's face scrunched up in thought. "Of course, Father. I'm sorry to keep you from your husbands." His thick arms extended. "Give me a hug. I can wait for the kiss. I'm afraid those are just too much fun."
 
Will stared at the bear-wolf's thick erection. "Yeah, I can see that. You're gonna be a head turner, Son." The old wolf reached out and hugged the newborn. Kris followed; and with an apology, he too expressed his desire to be with his husbands.
 
Oliver reached up toward the bear-wolf. "Come on, Colton," he said. "Picks me up. You, me, and the temple dogs is going for a walk. Let's let the husbands be for a while." He looked toward the Montana pack. "You wolves best tag along. I gots a feeling this boy has no control over his pheromones.
 
The three temple dogs nodded. "We can attest to that, Oliver," Noboru said. "Between him and the Kodiak, this room is growing increasingly claustrophobic."
 
"You gots some trees you wants to show us, Dog?" Oliver said with a grin.
 
"Could we, Oliver?" Noboru asked eagerly.
 
Jean Pierre waved his hand outward toward the mouth of the cave. "Men, I believe the dogs have the urge to show this young man how to climb a tree." He looked at Colton. "Provide you're up for it, young man."
 
Colton nodded happily. "Oh, yes, I'm already up for it." He thumped his erection. "Papa taught me all about innuendo."
 
"Then good," Jean Pierre said. He took the hand of Noboru. "Come, Dog, teach this old wolf some new tricks."
 
"I would be honored," Noboru said with a bow.
 
Colton reached out and took Katashi's hand. "And you can teach a new bear-wolf some old tricks," the beast said with a smile.
 
Katashi smiled. "I too will be honored," he replied with a bow.
 
Zhuang smiled at Oliver with a lecherous grin. "I believe that leaves me to attend to your needs, Oliver."
 
The four red wolves looked at the badger and dog. "And who is going to attend to our needs?" they chimed in together.
 
"Oh, that's an easy one," Oliver said. "You gives me time, and I'll make sure you all's properly done."
 
"I will also assist Oliver in such a noble cause," Zhuang said with a bow.
 
Lothair waved toward the door. "Go, Sons. If you make it to the forest unattached, Jason and I will make sure you're attached to something in short order."
 
"Then we're out the door," the four said, dropping onto all fours and rushing out toward the mouth of the cave.
 
Lothair looked back toward the five husbands. "Welcome back, brothers," he said. "We leave you in the most capable hands I can think of."
 
Jason nodded in agreement. "But we wait for your call after your mating," the little fox added.
 
Lothair looked down at the fox. He scooped up his tiny husband and threw him onto his shoulders as he turned to walk out into the main hall. "You may be waiting, Fox, but I have a craving for a bit of fox tail before this night is over, and I'm about to claim husbandly privilege to satisfy that craving."
 
Jason laughed. "I love you, Husband," he said in his outside voice as the two ducked and headed out of the cavern.
 
The five husbands stood as the last of the faint green glow left the two Changelings. "Welcome, home husbands," Kris said, reaching out to the two. The three entered into an embrace, followed by the two wolves grabbing the group from behind.
 
"I know we promised to mate upon our return," Donovan said, "but I would so like to make love to you before our mating. Something more akin to cuddling, perhaps?"
 
"Works for me," Derrick said, smiling. "I like to cuddle."
 
Donovan turned, and his paw reached around the back of the black wolf. He felt the raised flesh of the young wolf's scar on his shoulder. "Let it heal now, Pup. I've come home as I promised. Now you heal as you promised." The Armbruster's wolf felt the thick scar tissue fade away and the furriness of the black wolf's shoulder return. He leaned in and kissed the young wolf.
 
Eric looked at Will. "You, too, Old Wolf. Heal those scars. We can make new ones soon enough if keeping your mating history on your hide is that important to you."
 
Will shook his head as the scars faded from his body. "No, Old Bear. They're not important. The ones who gave them to me are important, but they're all home now. It's time to let the reminders go and embrace my reasons for having them in the first place. Hug me, Old Bear, and take me. It's been too long without you inside me."
 
With a gentle tug, the white bear pulled the wolf down toward the dirt floor of the cave. "Husbands," Kris said. "We have a bed in the master bedroom that was made for our family. It's way more comfortable and much easier on the knees than the dirt here. What say we retire to our bed? It doesn't matter to me what happens this night, save my husbands knowing how happy I am to have them home."
 
"Do we have a timeline for this mating of ours?" Donovan asked.
 
"I don't see why we should," Kris replied. "The dogs have the rest of the family. That means we're certainly in no rush."
 
"It seems strange after forty-two years of sleeping to think it would be nice to sleep again. But tonight, after we renew our acquaintances with these bodies, sleeping with you would be a pleasure I have dreamed of."
 
"That also works for me," Derrick said as he took the Armbruster's wolf's paw. The two walked out toward the antechamber. A quick jag led them into the master bedroom off to the side. The others followed, looking forward to their chance to sleep together once more. But with the first of the kisses goodnight, they all realized that sleep would have to wait until they all finished the newly returned husbands' welcome home.
 
It would be four days before the call went out to Nathaniel and Martin to announce the birth of the new Changeling. Soon enough, the Were Nation began making their way out to the highland. As the Gray Wolf touched down on the landing rock and lowered the boarding ramp, the two Hokkaido wolves ushered their passengers out onto the highland. The family in the field prepared themselves for visitors. 
 
The Black Rhino lifted off from its base in Africa, filled with the wild dog family and their Rhino son. A brief stop in Paris claimed several more European werebeasts eager to meet the newest son in the family.
 
Around the world, other groups of beasts heard the news. They sent either greetings or a request for travel to the highland. The pilots pressed the three airships into service more than any time they could remember. To a crewmember, it thrilled them to be involved in their tasks. Colton was equally thrilled to hear the news that he was soon to meet even more of his family. With each arrival of the airships, his fathers smiled as they watched the all too familiar rocking of Colton's eager anticipation dance.

Chapter 17

Colton waved as the last of the three airships lifted off the highland and sped upward. "The humans were much smaller than I had thought they would be from their histories," he said as he stared into the empty sky.
 
"They have always had an opinion of themselves not warranted by their stature," Will said knowingly.
 
"But they are very nice," Colton added to his thought.
 
"They is that," Oliver agreed. "They weren't always, but they's changing, and it's a good thing."
 
Colton continued to stare into the sky. "Maybe I should make myself slightly smaller so that I don't intimidate them."
 
Nathaniel shook his head. "No, don't do that. They love all the big beasts in their family. One more won't change that for them."
 
Colton looked back down from the sky and stared at the badger. "And what of Oliver?"
 
Nathaniel bumped the badger with his foot lovingly. "They love him all the more. This is our family. We come in all shapes and sizes. We come from all species and races. There is only one rule. We look first with our hearts, and then with our eyes. What we love, we always see as beautiful."
 
"Even if we looks like a skunk bear," Oliver said with a laugh. 
 
"I like the way you look, Oliver," Colton said.
 
Oliver grinned. "I ain't unhappy with the way I looks, neither," he said, rubbing his belly. "I gots a family that makes me happy to be who I is."
 
"So, what do I do now?" Colton asked.
 
"That's a good question," Eric replied. "We all have jobs we need to return to. Will and I have a trip to France in three days. You're welcome to join us. But it's up to you. For the time being, you're a free agent."
 
"You could stay here and work the fields with us for a time," Noboru said, pointing toward the terraced mountainside.
 
"That is true. Do you think the five of you will get any work done, though?" Kris said with a chuckle.
 
Li Wei bowed. "I am returning to Partridge Island and my charges. The dragons are eager to have me home. Kendal informed me that while his visits with Dá Lóng and the fenghuang are pleasant, they miss their routines with me."
 
"I would love to meet them and their children one day," Colton said with a smile.
 
"And one day you shall, but for now, there is an invitation from my brothers to consider," the golden dog replied.
 
"We would love your company, Colton," Noboru said. "As for our work, the caretaking of the highland will fill our days. Our nights alone we will save for play." 
 
"And sleep?" the brown bear asked.
 
"Highly overrated," the temple dog said with a smile.
 
"You promise to make sure he gets his sleep?" Eric said with a voice that made the question sound very close to a command.
 
The three dogs bowed in unison. "We promise," Noboru replied.
 
"And you, Son?"
 
"I like the idea of staying here, Papa," Colton answered. "And I promise to get enough sleep."
 
"Your new body requires more rest than the temple dogs," Will said with the same voice of authority the polar bear had used.
 
"Yes, Father," Colton replied. "I promise. No drowsy days for me because of my time with the temple dogs."
 
"And trees?" Donovan's fatherly voice questioned.
 
"No trees until I make sure all our work is done," Colton said, crossing his heart.
 
Noboru nodded in agreement. "No trees until all our work is done," he promised as his paw formed the same cross over his heart.
 
"Well then, that is decided for a time," Eric said with a smile. "Let's say our goodbyes and get everyone back to where they need to be." He looked at his short-faced bear son. "I'm sure everyone at the hospital is eager for your return, Son."
 
Nathaniel nodded. "I'm sure they are. But then again, I noticed more than a fair share of them off and on throughout the last week, so I'm pretty sure we're well covered." He took a step forward toward the bear-wolf. "But it will be nice to be back at work. I could use the break." He laughed and hugged the newborn family member. "Welcome to Terra, Brother."
 
Colton hugged the bear tightly. "Thank you, Brother," he said, letting the feelings of the hug sweep over him. 
 
"Red Wolf returning to pick up the last of the Montana pack," Derrick said, pointing up toward the empty sky. In moments, the silver ship appeared, coasting in near the horizon.
 
"That's just weird," Colton said with a smile toward the black wolf. 
 
"I seem to have a gift for it," Derrick said, nodding in agreement. "Will taught it to me, and now it just seems second nature."
 
"We all have gifts," Eric said as he hugged the bear-wolf. "One day you'll find where yours are strongest." He pushed back gently from the hug. "I know you have skills playing with your family. You're a quick learner and not afraid to try new things. That will always serve you well. But you're like Pup. You're a shy one. You're going to have gifts that few in the Were Nation share because of that. In time, you'll find other skills beyond these shared over the last few weeks."
 
Colton reached out and grabbed his polar bear father. "I will do my best to find out what those skills are."
 
"In time, Son," the white bear advised. "Don't feel compelled to discover them all right away. Pup has grown so much over the last few hundred years. I can truly say I never expected him to be who he is today." Derrick's head tilted to the side in confusion that the polar bear recognized instantly. "That's a good thing, Pup. You're amazing."
 
Derrick reached out and hugged the bear-wolf. "You just let yourself be you, Colton. We're like water. Given time, we all find the level where we belong. I never thought I would be married to five men when I first met your father so many years ago. But I've never been happier that my life has gone so far afield from what I thought it was going to be."
 
"I will be patient," Colton said as he transferred the hug to the Kodiak bear. 
 
"Patience is good," Kris said with a squeeze. "We could use a few more patient men in our family."
 
Donovan took up the hug. "I think it's given too much credit as a virtue," the Armbruster's wolf said with a chuckle. "But in our family, a bit more might not be a bad idea."
 
"Ain't never done me no good," Oliver said as the bear-wolf reached down to hug him. "Cepting maybe I should have been a bit more patient to see how things turnt out the first time with the old wolf. Might have been better to be patient then." Oliver looked up at Will and smiled. He turned back to Colton. "Ignore me, Kid," he said with a change of heart. "Patience is a good thing. You learn it from them temple dogs. They's got all manner of patience for us, and I loves them to pieces."
 
Colton hugged Li Wei and followed with hugs for the two Montana wolves and their fox husband. Two red wolves walked up to the gathering. "Goodbyes all done, family?" Tuff asked.
 
"I think I'm good," Colton said with a smile.
 
"Okay then," Tiff said. "Where are we taking you, Colton?"
 
"I'm staying here for a time," Colton replied. 
 
"Great idea," the two red wolves said in unison. 
 
"But the rest of us could use a ride to other homes," Eric said. 
 
"Okay," Tuff replied. "We know Martin and Nathaniel are heading back to Partridge Island. Where is everyone else going?"
 
"Montana," the black wolf replied, waving his paw upright.
 
"Montana for us, of course," Jean Pierre said, holding on to his two husbands.
 
"New York for Donovan, Will, and me. We'll stay at the corporate apartments for a few days while we get ready for the trip to France," Eric said with a sigh. "I have to get back to helping Will with the corporate side of our lives. We're turning the Bord du Lac deed back to its people on Saturday. We have to look over all of that. Our lawyers always seem to find something for us to worry about."
 
Will rubbed the shoulders of the white bear. "It will go fine, Husband. They have never once complained that you left them."
 
"But it has been so many years. Milo's son is all grown up, and I wasn't there for him."
 
"We were all there, Papa Bear," Derrick said. "When Milo asked you to be his son's godfather, he never knew that the boy would have so many godfathers."
 
"But it was me that promised."
 
The Kodiak reached out and took the paw of the polar bear. "Sometimes life keeps us from honoring our promises the way we hoped. You sent us in your stead. The boy is happy. He is waiting for you to return. The whole town is waiting. This is a happy time for them. Don't let your disappointment in missing out on their lives dampen their happiness to have you return."
 
Eric smiled. "You're right. I just haven't seen them in forty-two years. A moment in time for me is half their lifetimes. I have so much time to make up for."
 
"And you will, Old Bear," Will said, still rubbing his shoulders. "Stop worrying. Saturday will be fine. What we really need to worry about is exactly where a cute little furball wants to go."
 
All eyes turned to Oliver, the one beast who was watching his husbands heading off in three different directions. "I guess I'se going to go to Partridge Island. Seems most everyone is going to Montana. Can't go leaving my two husbands alone."
 
Eric cleared his throat and turned toward the short-faced bear and saber-toothed cat. "I know this is asking a lot, but could Oliver stay a few days with us? Donovan and I would like to talk to him."
 
Nathaniel grinned widely. "Are you finally going to ask him to be your husband, Papa?" he asked happily.
 
"Maybe not right away," the polar bear responded. "We've disrupted the Were Nation enough over the last two weeks." Eric knelt in front of the badger. "But I think it's time we started thinking about it, don't you, Oliver?"
 
Oliver's right foot made a small circle in the grass. "I'se only got to hear it from your lips, Old Bear. You gave me sanctuary, and you gave me back my life. I has wanted to be your mate for longer than I'se willing to say." The badger looked up at the Armbruster's wolf. "And you, Wolf. You's just plain beautiful, and we's clan, so you knows I wants you."
 
Donovan squatted next to his polar bear husband in front of the badger. "Then, Oliver, let me ask this of you so that you can return with your husbands to Partridge Island today." The wolf rocked forward on his haunches. "Oliver, be my mate. There are a thousand reasons I can tell you why you should say no, and only one why you should say yes. I love you, Badger. I have loved you since the night you took my hand and pulled me back to your mating ceremony. You dragged me into this family and never let me turn from it. You showed me where my place was in this life."
 
The Armbruster's wolf paused. His head lowered, averting the eyes of the badger before him. "I owe you my life… literally. You brought me back to this world with the words you spoke in Verital. At the edge of nothingness, you held me fast to this world. I have no other way to tell you how much you mean to me than to ask you to be my mate… to be the closest thing I can be to you in this world."
 
Oliver looked at the wolf and then the polar bear. The bear nodded. "Be my mate, Oliver. We have a history together that's been a tough one, but you know now that I have never felt anything but love for you. Let's agree to let the past be past. But let's also agree to let the love go on."
 
Oliver put his paw to his chin. "This is gonna complicate matters, ain't it? I ain't never knowed a man with seven husbands."
 
"Mormons used to do it all the time," Derrick said with a chuckle. "Just with wives. You're never marrying a woman, so think of this as bringing balance to the universe. Finally, husbands get to be on the flip side of polygamy."
 
Nathaniel and Martin both squatted down as Oliver turned to them. "Do what your heart tells you to do, Badger," Martin said. "The world always gives us so many paths to choose at a time like this. But you already know what you want to say. Just have the courage to say it."
 
Oliver reached out and hugged the cat. "Thank you, Husband," he said as he kissed the whiskered cheek of the cat. Oliver turned back to the newly returned Changelings. He nodded. "Yes, I will be your husband. And no, I ain't gonna bite your necks right now, ‘cause truth be told, my ass is pretty damn sore after a week of temple dogs and Colton going at it."
 
The group laughed. "We can wait, Badger," Donovan replied. "All we wanted to hear was that you would say yes."
 
"Don't know why you thoughts that would take a couple of days to wrangle out of me," Oliver said, looking askance at the Armbruster's wolf.
 
"Because we're a complicated family with complicated histories," the wolf replied. "We've just had forty-two years to discuss it between ourselves. We thought you deserved a bit of time to think it over."
 
"What did you think I was doing for forty-two years, Wolf?" Oliver asked. "I kicked you every day, asking you to come back to your family." Oliver looked down as he made the circle with his foot. "… I was hoping you might make me a part of that family."
 
Eric reached out and hugged the badger. "You've always been a part of our family, Oliver."
 
"Yeah, but you knows what I means. I has always wanted you to be husbands next to me when I crawls into your bed. Now, I can have you that way."
 
"Then if we're in agreement over this," Donovan said, standing back up, "I say Oliver returns to Partridge Island." Donovan turned to Eric and Will. "And it gives me a chance to beg off the trip to New York. Really, you two. I love you both, but that place will never feel like home."
 
"Agreed," Kris said, leaning back and stretching. "Which is why I think you should return to Montana. Oliver has two husbands. I think it's only fair I should too."
 
Donovan smiled. "I'd like that, Bear," he said.
 
The Kodiak reached down and scooped up the badger, giving him a kiss. "Then we're all sorted out," Kris stated as he looked toward the red wolves. "Tiff, Tuff, you have your work cut out for you. Can we all get a lift home?" 
 
"You have but to ask," the two said in unison.
 
"Consider yourselves asked," the bear said as he grabbed Derrick's hand and walked by, giving each red wolf a quick kiss on the cheek. "Pup and I are walking here."
 
The group watched the two as they sauntered toward the Red Wolf shining in the afternoon sun. With a collective grin, as they saw the black wolf's paw rub the rump of the brown bear, they too were walking.
 
Chapter 18
 
Milo wrapped his arm around his wife, Louane, and looked out onto the fields of grapes glowing green in the sunshine. "I wonder what they're talking about," he said as he watched the two walking between the rows.
 
His wife laughed. "Well, we certainly know it's not about winemaking."
 
"I'm serious, darling," Milo pressed.
 
"Does it matter?" Louane replied. "Look how happy they are together. It's like all those years have just melted away and they're back together."
 
"I know. I am happy for them, but it's a confusing time for me," the husband said with a sigh.
 
"Your son is who he is," his wife said. "Don't you go trying to press that whole ‘we have to have grandchildren' thing on his shoulders again. You have a daughter and two other sons, all doing very well supplying you with grandchildren."
 
"But his would be so special," Milo protested. "They would be gifted, and artistic, and beautiful."
 
Milo felt a sharp shove against his shoulder. "And if our other children ever hear you say that, I will give them my blessing to kick your butt."
 
Milo waved his hands. "Non… non… you know I don't mean it that way. All of our children are special. I just want who they are to go on forever."
 
"All of us do, my dear," his wife agreed. "Each of our grandchildren is so unique that one wonders sometimes where their personalities came from. They are like none of our children. But they are all beautiful. There will never be another in the world like each of our children or their children." She paused, watching the two out in the vineyard as they hugged. "And in our youngest son, we have a boy who brings us nothing but happiness."
 
Milo nodded. "You know who he reminds me of?"
 
"Uncle Tiago?"
 
Milo mused for a moment. "A bit… but more like Derrick."
 
"Eric's young husband?" Louane thought and nodded her head. "You're right," she said, pulling Milo into her sideways hug even more tightly. "They are both shy, deferential men whose heads are always in the clouds dreaming. There are far worse things to be."
 
"I agree. Derrick is a loving man. He made a good godfather."
 
"They all did," Louane said, smiling. "And now, the godfather he has missed for so long has returned. And their relationship is just as it has always been." The two saw their son give Eric a playful shove as they walked. "You chose wisely," she added.
 
"It was Eric who made the first choice to involve himself with our town. We owe him so much."
 
"And tomorrow the whole town will turn out to say thank you."
 
"He dreads the whole day," Milo said. "He hates being fawned over."
 
"I know. But we will get him through it. It is our turn to help him accept our love gracefully."
 
"Do you see him?" Milo asked.
 
"You mean the bear?"
 
"Yes, the bear."
 
"I see him. From the moment he stepped off the plane."
 
"It was a helicopter."
 
"No, dear, it was a plane; an enormous silver plane with wolves flying it."
 
Milo looked at his wife. "You see so much more than I ever do."
 
Louane looked at him and grinned. "And it has only taken you sixty-two years to figure that out." She nudged him toward the vineyards. "Go, ask Éric to help Will and me in the kitchen. You and Eric need to talk."
 
Milo nodded. "Will… is he a bear?"
 
"No, dear," his wife replied. "He and Derrick are wolves. Kris is a big brown bear. Oliver might be a badger. I had to look him up at the library. He's nothing like our blaireau. Our badgers are much more kempt. I think he's an American badger. But he's still very cute and very loving."
 
"How? How could you possibly…"
 
"I have seen them for years. Not at first, but as they played with our child when they visited, I realized how much he loved them and how much they cared for him. One day they were just there. Will made me promise to never tell another because it was important for each of us to see them in our own time."
 
Milo shook his head. He leaned in and kissed his wife. "There is still so much about you that I am learning." He stepped through the arched gateway and headed toward the vineyards.
 
As Milo and Eric walked along the rows between the grapevines, he finally spoke. "How long have you been a bear, Eric?"
 
"As a bear? I think it's been about twenty or thirty thousand years. Me, I'm a little over three million six hundred and twenty thousand years old. I have changed the shape of my body quite a few times over the years."
 
"I will take that to mean you're not human."
 
Eric laughed. "That would be true."
 
"Louane says William and Derrick are Loup Garou."
 
"They are."
 
"No wonder my late-night horror tales only made my son laugh."
 
"They are wonderful men, Milo. Nothing has changed except an outward appearance."
 
"For me, even that remains the same. Except for you, Eric. You are a polar bear."
 
"In time, you will see them. My father blinded the humans from seeing us as we truly are until the day that they love us."
 
"Your father?"
 
"Kris."
 
"But isn't Kris your husband?"
 
"Yes, he is that, too. But the night he blinded the humans to protect the beasts, he was my father."
 
"Mon Dieu," Milo said, shaking his head. "You make the French look like novices when it comes to complex relationships. We thought having presidents with wives and mistresses was avant-garde."
 
"We aren't like humans. We form interpersonal relationships based on the way we wish our bonds to be perceived. For us, having a husband who is also our father is not a conflict. One is genetics, the other expresses who we are to each other."
 
Milo shrugged. "I guess it doesn't seem that strange if I think about it. So are all of you aliens?"
 
"No, Kris and I are aliens. Derrick, Will, and Oliver are humans that have turned werebeast."
 
"And my son?"
 
"We don't turn children," Eric said defensively.
 
"My son is forty-eight years old."
 
"That's a child to me."
 
Milo frowned. "I am serious, Eric. I never realized naming my child Éric was giving a thankful nod to a polar bear."
 
"You didn't, Milo. You gave a nod to me. I am not what you see now. I am not what you will ever see. But I thought our friendship went deeper than this," the bear said, rubbing his furry chest.
 
Milo looked down, embarrassed. "You are right, Eric. I apologize. It's that we worry about our children."
 
"I know. I'm a father, too."
 
"Really?"
 
"Two beautiful boys."
 
"Congratulations. I never knew."
 
"One's a bear. The other is a hybrid between a bear and a wolf."
 
Milo laughed. "I don't know why I am shocked by that."
 
"Your wife wouldn't be."
 
"Non… she seems to have loved you for so very many years. But then she is an extraordinary mother."
 
"She is that."
 
"And Éric?"
 
"An extraordinary son."
 
"But not a werewolf?"
 
"No. He asked to be turned into a beast when he was in his thirties, but William insisted his parents see us first. While his choice to join us is entirely his own, we would like it to be made with the blessing of his family. Families are important to us. We do our best to keep them together."
 
"So all these years, you have waited for me?"
 
"Of course," the bear said. "What would you have us do?"
 
Milo smiled. "I am glad you waited. My son… will he live hundreds of thousands of years like you?"
 
"Barring an accident; he will, as far as we know. The oldest werebeast is only about twelve thousand years old, but he is very healthy and shows no signs of aging."
 
"I told my wife today I wanted Éric to have children so that the gentle soul he has would live forever. It seems his godfather has found another way to make that happen."
 
"It was never our intention. Éric is a gentle soul, but I think you'll agree, exceedingly headstrong." The bear looked at Milo, who nodded. "We never raised the idea of his changing. That was him. But, if your family agrees, we would love to have him join our family as well."
 
"And have you talked to Louane about this idea?"
 
"My guess is that she and your son are talking about it now," the bear replied. "We were hoping to bring up the subject at dinner tonight with you and your wife's approval."
 
"Then why are we out here in a vineyard and not home with my family?"
 
The bear nodded as he turned. "That was going to be my next question."
 
The conversations that evening over the dinner table bounced back and forth between multiple questions thrown at the beasts simultaneously. The beasts tried to answer them one at a time so that all heard. 
 
"So you're saying that my brother is going to outlive me and my children and their children?"
 
The polar bear nodded. "More than likely. On the plus side, it's like having an uncle who never gets too old to show up to birthday parties with exceptional gifts."
 
But what does he do? Doesn't he grow tired of life? How do you survive if we ever go to war again? What will happen to his human family? Will he find someone to love him? Can he get canine distemper or rabies? How many husbands did you say Oliver was going to have? So many questions, all carefully answered by the beasts that most of the family couldn't even see. The world of the family of man and the family of beasts was taking another step closer as the children peeked around the doorway to the dining room, watching their parents interact with animals sitting in chairs.
 
"I know this is challenging," Will said to the Fabron family. "But we love Éric, and we will always make sure he's looked after with the same affection as you do."
 
"I'm not leaving you guys," Éric said to his family. "I'm just becoming something that I've dreamed about since I was a little kid."
 
"Well, maybe that's because you had a polar bear for a godfather since you were born," Milo said, questioning the dream.
 
"Okay, that's true. I've seen him since before I can remember, but it's not that, Father," the already graying youngest son protested. "All my life, I've wanted to dedicate myself to creating a community of artisans and craftspeople that thrived in our town. I don't want to leave my home, but you know I'm not a vintner. What other choices do I have? 
 
"I'm not a shopkeeper. I'm an artist being forced from the place I love to sell my paintings in the galleries up north in Paris. The Inn brings us tourists and visitors. They sample our wines and enjoy our scenery. But we could do so much more. Bord du Lac could become a place where our local artists find a venue for their work. 
 
"We already have a handful of artists that find this area inspires them. What if instead of visiting, they made Bord du Lac their home? What if we fostered a community of extraordinary artisans that rivals the extraordinary wine we produce? I hope to create a special school to train young people to see the arts as an indispensable part of life. Art does more than give you something to hang on a blank wall. It teaches you to embrace the unknown, the unseen, and the beauty that lies beneath the surface. It teaches us to love the ones who sit around this table that most of you can't even see."
 
Éric sighed. "Look, I've even been mayor of our town for three terms, trying to convince the people of this town to dedicate more resources to the idea of a school. But it's tough to budget for a special school when you're struggling to get your kids properly educated with the tight budgets we have. We are a small town, with a small town budget. Keeping our social services and fire departments properly funded seems more important than attracting young people from around the world to study here. We're a small town, and I don't know that we want that to change."
 
Éric's brother lifted his hand questioningly. "And how does turning into an animal help build your school?"
 
Éric smiled. "It gives me time."
 
"And it gives him resources," Éric's godfather added.
 
"We cannot always look to you to come to our aide, mon ami," Milo said.
 
"We don't make our offers at random, Milo," the polar bear said. "Bear Paws Enterprises has extremely deep pockets, but they are not unlimited. Sometimes, we have to choose where those funds will go."
 
"So fifty years ago when our vineyards suffered through the Trégor blight?"
 
"Most of France suffered from the same disaster. Thousands upon thousands of grapevines died. It devastated entire communities that relied on the wine trade."
 
"Then why would you step in to help us? Éric wasn't even born."
 
"No, but Luca Morel was your largest vineyard owner."
 
"Are you saying Luca Morel was a…"
 
"Loup Garou," the polar bear said in a scary voice as his hands waved. 
 
"So, you came to a brother's aid all those years ago?"
 
"Yes, and because he saw his town as his family, we tried to help you out as well."
 
"But why the Inn? Why all the shops and town improvements?"
 
"It was a diversion away from our involvement with Luca. You were so busy trying to figure out what Bear Paws was going to do after they bought your town; you didn't notice that we were working on the cure for the blight with some very sophisticated equipment that didn't exist anywhere on this planet. By the time we found a cure, the method of finding that cure was back under lock and key away from the people that might have recognized it simply couldn't exist with human technology."
 
Milo frowned at the bear. "We were a smoke screen?"
 
The bear shrugged his apology. "Yes and no. Yes, we needed you to be actively watching what was going on in town, and we needed the media to be doing the same. And, no, what we did was for your well-being as much as for Luca's. We watch over this town. You can think of Luca as your guardian angel; a very large, very hairy guardian angel."
 
"So Bear Paws buys a town to keep all of France and the world looking at the building of an inn and new shops and roads?" Milo asked. "You give our town a different economy to tide us over until the treatment for the virus is in place and the grapevines begin their recovery. You save our vineyards and let us return to the work we love. All at the request of a brother wolf? We owe you so much. Why did you create a deed to this town that returns everything to us now?"
 
Eric pushed the documents forward. "We needed time. It was important for the world to see a gigantic business buying out the little farmer. We wanted them to watch the building and the changes like a hawk. But we had no interest in really owning the town. So, we waited until the town of Bord du Lac was no longer news, and France forgot the memory of how this town had changed. Fifty years seemed a reasonable timeframe for that to happen. And now we return the city to the people it rightfully belongs to."
 
"And made a naïve mayor too young for the job keep that a secret. You have truly stressed my life asking me to never tell another you would return the land to us, Eric."
 
"I'm sorry Milo. It had to be done. You held up your part of the contract. The interest in your town faded and allowed you to reclaim your quiet village. That wouldn't have happened if anyone knew of the codicil to return the land. The town is yours again. I hope you realize that in our mind we never took it from you."
 
"And you will be okay with our celebration tomorrow?"
 
"You didn't notify the press?"
 
"Non, we are a town that understands our part in what you have done. We simply want to say thank you for returning our town to us."
 
Will looked up. "It involves lots of cheeses and cakes, right?"
 
The daughter laughed. "We have made pastries that you only dream might exist, Will. We have had half a century to learn your weaknesses, and tomorrow we will test your limits."
 
Will smiled. "Thank you, Margaux," he said as he turned back to Éric's brother. "Now, back to your question. Why should your brother become one of us?"
 
Rayan shook his head. "I am not trying to make this an ‘us versus you' discussion, Will. That you are beasts is not the issue. I am trying to understand how this change will help him with his dream."
 
Éric reached over to his brother's hand and took it. "I need time to do what I hope to do, Rayan. You don't see them. They are the most beautiful creatures. You sit in front of them and you don't even see them."
 
"I will one day, Éric. I promise I will."
 
"There are thousands of beasts in our midst. We have one for a neighbor, for god's sake. How many years has Luca been by our sides lighting the torches to keep the new buds from freezing? How often have Eric's husbands come to visit us to keep the Old Bear's promise to be a good godfather to me? They have played beside you and your children. They have watched over us for years, and still, my family doesn't see them."
 
Margaux shook her head. "One day we will," she said. "We are learning what we have always thought we see is not the truth. We will find a way to see what you see."
 
"And that is why I want the school," Éric pressed. "I saw the bear because I have always seen life so differently than those around me. There are more like me out there. I am trying to find a way to bring them here, let them see the truth, and return to their homes and families as their teachers. It is time the humans know the ones that walk beside them as their protectors."
 
"That is a colossal task, son," Milo said.
 
"Yes, it is. And it will take generations. I have a dream that I know I will not live to see if I stay human. This is something I want to see through. I want to be there when our people and theirs walk side by side."
 
Éric watched his family nodding in agreement. "There aren't just thousands of beasts out there that we don't see," Éric continued. "There are thousands of humans who see them. For centuries, the family of beasts has taken in orphaned children and raised them as their own. They see their family as they are. They go out into the world and the families they create are, in turn, taught to love and appreciate the beasts that live among us. I have to try and do the same. And I live in a town I truly believe can become the first town to see our benefactors for what and who they are instead of the illusion a bear has put into our heads."
 
"You are trying to change the whole town?" Éric's other brother asked.
 
"Yes. Haven't you ever wondered why so many of the guests at the inn are gay? Do you realize how much we owe to the Were Nation for keeping this town afloat? Isn't it time we saw our benefactors the way they see themselves? As our family?"
 
Théo nodded. "More than high time, I would say. Not that it matters, Brother, but you have my support."
 
"It matters to me more than I can say."
 
Milo put his hand in Louane's. "You have our blessing as well, Son. We will do all that we can to help." He turned to the wolf. "And now I see why my son was never terrified by my tales of the Loup Garou. A werewolf with a weakness for cake softens the edges a bit."
 
Will smiled. "We all have our weaknesses, Milo. You only know one of mine."
 
Milo laughed. "I suspect that knowing a man with five husbands tells me another of his weaknesses."
 
Louane's hand pressed into her husband's tightly. "There are children here, Dear." Milo looked at her confused. She pointed to the doorway, and the family turned just in time to see the grandchildren scurry back into their hiding places. "Come out, children," Louane said. "You have been watching them all night. You might as well say hello."
 
One by one, the youngsters crept out, the youngest first, followed by the older. "Bonsoir, Monsieur Ours, Monsieur Loup," a five-year-old said, smiling.
 
"Je m'appelle Eric," the bear said, returning the smile. He pointed to the wolf. "Il s'appelle William, mais il préfère Will."
 
Éric smiled as he leaned forward, watching the children. His dream was beginning to unfold just as he saw it in his mind; a day when everyone would see what the children had no difficulty seeing at all.

Chapter 19

Oliver watched the Red Wolf as it faded from sight. He turned back to the polar bear and the Armbruster's wolf. Behind them, a narrow sandy beach stretched out until it met the ocean as the small island curved. "What is we doing here?" Oliver asked. "You knows that beasts fucking and sand ain't never gone well together."
 
Eric laughed. "That's true, Oliver. But this isn't just a beach. Come with us." The bear extended his paw and Oliver took it. There was a pause, and the bear smiled at the badger. "Holding hands or on my shoulders, Oliver?" the bear asked.
 
Oliver smiled. "I'se so glad you asked, Old Bear." The badger's other hand reached out to the wolf. "Today, I'd like it to be holding hands with both my husbands to be." 
 
Donovan squeezed the badger's paw in his. "I'm glad that's your answer, Badger," he replied quietly. 
 
The three pushed into the jungle of palm trees and lower vegetation along a cleared path. When they rounded a corner, Oliver saw a small house made of wood and palm fronds. He giggled slightly. "Ain't never gonna hold up to the three of us," he said, shaking his head.
 
"No, it's not," the polar bear agreed. "But it's going to keep the sand out of our mouths and asses long enough for us to mate."
 
Oliver stared at the shack. "But why here, Old Bear? Why not on the highland or Montana?"
 
The Armbruster's wolf squatted down by the badger. He looked the little mammal square in the eye. "Badger, we're going to honor your request to mate full-on. We know you won't have it any other way."
 
"I ain't gonna die, am I?" the badger asked.
 
Eric squatted next to the wolf. "No, Oliver," he answered. "But you might wish you were dead by the time this is over. We could change our plan. We could mate as we have always mated with humans and beasts. Our love is no less committed. It's just that after we mate, you would be able to walk in a few hours."
 
Oliver shook his head no. "I wants to know I is yours now and forever. You back down and I just don't know for sure. You's gots to come at me full on."
 
"The only thing that will keep you alive is the first law of the Were Nation. You know that. Right?" the bear said, voicing his concern.
 
"I knows, Old Bear."
 
"Please, Oliver," Donovan said, still holding the badger's paw in his. "Please let us go gently on you. You have to know our love for you won't ever waver. It never has. It never will."
 
"And I'se gonna be headstrong no matter what you sez," the badger replied. "Ain't never been nothin' but bullheaded. Ain't never will be nothin' but bullheaded. You makes me your beast the way you made each other. You don't short me none."
 
The polar bear and wolf both sighed in their uncomfortable agreement. "Then that is why we are here, Badger," Donovan said. "We will mate with you. And when our mating is done, we will take you to a hospital we have set up a few hundred yards away. We will be with you until you heal. There will be no calling of the family after we mate this time, Badger. There will only be two men that love you trying to keep you alive."
 
Oliver looked at the two, concerned. "I ain't thought much about what I'se asking of you. I wants this to be a happy time for us. I don't wants you to hate me because I'se asking you to come at me full-on."
 
"We won't hate you, Oliver," the bear answered. "But you need to know that only we will be by your side for weeks while you heal instead of your family playing with you in the fields."
 
"Is I wrong to want this, Old Bear?"
 
"No, Oliver. There's no wrong or right here. We are to be your mates. For us, that is as crystal clear as the ocean that surrounds us. Whatever it takes to make sure you know it too; that's what we will do."
 
Oliver looked at the two. "I comes from a momma and daddy who done nothing but fight from the day I was born. Maybe they loved each other when they married, but by the time I was there, all that love was gone. I has always seen what we do when we mate as the exact opposite of them. We sorta fights for a single day in our lives, and then never again. It means a lot to me that I knows you will never hurt me after this day. This one time we show that nothin' will stop our love, and the marks on the back of my neck that I wear forever is a sign that my husbands will never hurt me again."
 
Eric's lip curled. "I broke your arm last week when I fell on top of you."
 
Oliver stared at the bear. "I'se talking symbolism here, Old Bear. See what you made me do? I had to use fancy words just to get a point across."
 
The polar bear reached down and brought the badger to his chest. "I'm sorry, Oliver. I knew what you meant. But both of us want to ask one last time if you can't think of another less damaging symbol for how much we love you."
 
"I can't think of none," Oliver replied.
 
"Then change, Badger," Donovan said. "We mate today, and for as long as it takes you to heal, we will be by your side. There will be no doubt in your mind."
 
"Then we does this," Oliver said steadfastly as he shifted into the werebadger. "I only ask you to gives me enough of a break so that I can bites your necks and fucks you later. Ain't no way with you as tall as you is that I can do both at the same time."
 
"We yield to that request, but no other, Oliver," Eric replied. "Any other changes to this mating and we insist you yield to our request to go easy on you."
 
"How does we start?" Oliver asked the bear.
 
With a roar, the bear bent down, grabbed the badger in his jaws, and threw him into the air. Helplessly airborne for only a moment, the badger plummeted straight into the open jaws of the wolf. He felt the wolf's paws shift his body, and the jaws only released their clamp for a moment to reset onto Oliver's neck. The badger felt the teeth pierce his skin and sink deep. The pain was unbelievable. When the bear mounted him from behind, the little mammal realized he had made a grave error in his approach to mating.
 
As the sun set over the far side of the island, Oliver couldn't recall how many hours had passed. His spent and bloodied body hurt everywhere. He remembered mounting both the bear and the wolf, but there was no pleasure in that knowledge. It had come at a cost that pushed his body beyond its limits, and the badger knew it. Huddled against a palm tree where the wolf had thrown him, Oliver saw the two approaching him on all fours. His one good eye not beaten shut by the mating saw their bloodied jaws open and shut as they tried to catch their breath. Oliver groaned. It wasn't over yet.
 
Eric was the first to push his paw up against the badger's chin and stare into his eyes. "Be our mate, Oliver," the bear growled. The bloodied werebadger could barely lift his head to nod his consent. "Not good enough," the bear said. He pulled the werebadger to his feet. "Be our mate, Oliver," the bear roared.
 
The hapless mammal nodded. "Now and forever," he whispered as the blood dripped from his mouth.
 
"Better, Badger. Finish this," Donovan demanded.
 
The werebadger looked up through his one working eye at the blurry beasts in front of him. "Be my mate, Donovan. Be my mate, Eric."
 
The two leaned down so that Oliver could stare into their eyes. "Now and forever, Oliver," they said together. He saw the beasts move into position and lowered his head. He felt the jaws bite into either side of his neck. This time, both bites were gentle. This was only an affirmation of what had gone before.  
 
The tiny badger, long since returned to his diminutive stature, felt the bear release his hold on the neck. When he felt a tug, Oliver realized he was being picked up by the scruff of his neck like a wolf pup in the mouth of the Armbruster's wolf. The arms of the bear came up under the limp badger and cradled him. "We are mated, Oliver. Now and forever," the bear said.
 
"You both done good," Oliver said. "I ain't got no doubts." He paused. "I ain't got no feeling in my legs, neither, but I gots no doubts you's my husbands."
 
Donovan walked up the steps of the makeshift hospital and released his hold of the badger, dropping him onto a bed. The white bear leaned down and kissed the bloody cheek of the badger. "We broke your back, Oliver. It will take a while before the nerves heal. Take my suggestion. Stop trying to stay with us here. Go ahead and pass out. We will be here when you return."
 
"You don'ts mind, Old Bear?"
 
"I don't mind, Husband," the bear replied. 
 
"Nor I, Husband," the wolf said. "You were extraordinary. Sleep. Let your body begin to heal." 
 
Oliver looked up into the bloodied faces of the beasts he would forever call husbands and smiled. His head nodded as he fell into the dark of being unconscious.
 
Chapter 20
  
Oliver blinked back the sunlight filtering through the palm leaves overhead. "I seriously underestimated what you two was gonna do to me," he said as the two beasts stood over him.
 
"And we seriously underestimated you as well," Donovan said with a smile. "It has been nice to have the last three days to heal."
 
"I'se been out for three days?"
 
"You have," the bear replied. "We missed you, Oliver."
 
Oliver looked at his body, groaning as he tried lifting it up to see what condition he was in. Unable to right himself, he dropped back onto the soft bedding. "I'se human," he said with an unmistakable sadness. "Did you kill my badger?"
 
"No, your badger is just fine. Your body has been shifting back and forth between all three of your incarnations. I suspect it's making sure all of you heal properly. Today you're human. When you feel up to it, we can see how well you shift to werebeast and badger."
 
Oliver pushed up again and stared at his body. "I'se also glowing green. Is that your doing, Old Bear?"
 
"It is. And no complaints. You asked us to come at you full-on so that you would know we were committed. Now I'm asking you to let me help you heal; to show me that you will not stand in my way of doing what I feel a husband does for his injured mate."
 
Oliver shook his head. "I ain't gonna complain, Old Bear. It hurts too much to tell you to stop. And you knows I feels the same as you does in this matter, anyway. I couldn't let my husband die at them temple dog's home in Tibet." Oliver looked at the bear, who remained still waiting for the badger to ask. "You didn't give it all to me, did you, Old Bear? You held some back so it can grow in you, right?"
 
The polar bear leaned over and kissed the small human. "Of course, my love. I don't want to incur your wrath."
 
"Fancy words," Oliver groaned as he leaned back down on the soft bedding.
 
"I didn't want you pissed off at me, Oliver," the bear said with a smile. He put his thick paw on the human's foot. "Wiggle your toes, Oliver," he ordered. The human complied, trying to wiggle his toes. "That's good," the bear said. "It looks like your back is healing itself. You should be up and moving around in short order."
 
"I loves you both, you knows that, right?" Oliver asked.
 
"We know," Donovan replied. "Is there a reason for this question?"
 
"I ain't gonna be able to stay with you very long. I'se ready to pass out again."
 
"And we will be here when you wake."
 
"Next to me, Old Bear?"
 
The white bear shook and became his human avatar. "I'm I big spoon or little?" He asked. 
 
"You'se big spoon," Oliver replied. "And Donovan is little spoon."
 
Donovan smiled as he shook into his human form. "Then little spoon it shall be. Roll onto your side, Badger. If I'm going to be the little spoon, I want to feel that cock of yours up against my butt."
 
"I don't think you's gonna feel anything from my pecker for a while, Wolf," the small human said. "I hurt too much to get a boner, even with something as fine as your ass pushing up against me."
 
Donovan reached out and helped Oliver to his side. He slipped in front of the hairy, short man and wiggled into his front. Oliver felt Eric slip up behind him. He sighed when he felt the gray-haired human's cock press against his butt. "You has got such a fine pecker no matter what you is, Old Bear."
 
Eric chuckled. "Well, thank you, Oliver. Be aware that as my husband, I find rubbing up against you highly arousing, so what you feel is what you better get used to when we sleep together."
 
"I'se looking forward to it," Oliver said with a slight nod of his head and he dozed just a moment. He put his free arm around Donovan and rubbed the well-muscled rib cage. 
 
"Badger?" Donovan queried with a snicker.
 
"I guess I was wrong about that boner of mine," Oliver said with a gentle squeeze. "I hope you gets used to it."
 
Donovan pushed back against the shaft. "I already am, Badger. Let's get some sleep." Oliver closed his eyes and soon was lightly snoring.
 
Without disturbing the little man between them, Eric reached out and touched Donovan on the shoulder. "I think we should call Nathaniel tomorrow."
 
"Oh?" Donovan asked; a longer question implied.
 
"We badly damaged his body, Husband," Eric answered. "I can only do so much. For now, Nathaniel is the strongest of the healers. We can tell Oliver that he gets to have visitors now that he's getting better."
 
"It's not like you to use subterfuge, my love."
 
"It's not totally a lie. Oliver is healing, but he's also headstrong. I know he doesn't like it when we use our powers to help him get better. But I don't think we can wait for his body to heal without worrying the entire family. I promised Oliver I wouldn't give all I had to him, and I think Oliver actually knows what giving him my all really means. Nathaniel is our best option."
 
Donovan sighed. "His toes didn't move, did they?"
 
"No."
 
"This isn't permanent, is it, Husband?"
 
"No. He will get better. But with Nathaniel by his side, it will be weeks instead of months. And with far less physical therapy to bring him back to his old self."
 
"Did we do the right thing?" Donovan asked. "Perhaps we should have held back. He is a werebeast after all; not a Changeling. He's not meant to mate the way we do."
 
"We promised him, Donovan. I have never lied to Oliver. I couldn't let the one moment we were closer than we have ever been be founded on a lie."
 
The little human between the two stirred. "Then don't you go telling me that Nathaniel is here for a visit, Old Bear. You tells me I is fucked up and I need help," he mumbled.
 
"You're fucked up, Oliver, and you need more help than I can provide," Eric said.
 
"You knows, I ain't never gonna ask you to come at me full-on ever again, right? Don't matter how many times you turn into a rock. This mating has done me in good. I won't never need you to prove yourselves to me again."
 
"That would make us both extremely happy, Badger," Donovan replied. 
 
"But I'se never gonna back down from you two no matter how many times we renews our vows. You two gots to know how much I love you."
 
"That would make us very happy, as well, Oliver," Eric said, kissing the little man's neck. "Now, could you please go to sleep and stay asleep?"
 
"You two quit talkin', and I might be able to."
 
"Point taken, Husband," Eric replied. "Good night, Oliver. We'll call your husbands tomorrow."
 
"That would be nice," Oliver said as he closed his eyes again.
 
When Oliver woke the next time, it surprised him to be resting in his bed on Partridge Island. His short-faced bear husband hovered over him. As soon as the badger's eyes opened, Nathaniel quickly pulled his glowing paw away. "Don't mind you helping out, Bear," Oliver said with a smile. 
 
Nathaniel smiled back. "You don't have a choice in the matter, Badger. I just remembered you didn't like the light shining in your face."
 
"How's I doing, Husband?" Oliver said as he wiggled, trying to get comfortable. "And no hiding the truth from me like your Papa."
 
"Your husband was simply trying to keep things optimistic," Nathaniel objected. "Under the circumstances, I would have done the same." His paw reached back. "Wiggle your toes, Badger."
 
Oliver closed his eyes and tried to wiggle his toes. "Did it work?" he asked, opening his eyes.
 
"You did very well, Oliver."
 
"They wiggled?"
 
"They wiggled," the bear replied as he leaned over and kissed the badger.
 
"I don'ts feel much down there ‘cepting pain."
 
"That's to be expected. Your nerves and spinal column are regenerating. Think of it like your first time turning, only in slow motion. Your body is rewriting itself back to original factory specs."
 
"That makes sense," Oliver said. "Does I get to see all my husbands soon? I miss them."
 
"Father and Papa Wolfy will come to visit this weekend. They said maybe by then they will be able to greet your newest husbands without throttling them for what they did to you."
 
Oliver groaned. "It weren't them that did it. I made them promise. It were my fault, not theirs."
 
"Regardless of whose fault it is, you have a whole family of husbands who are currently upset with those two. You barely get your badger body back and they broke it into pieces. You're lucky you're married to them, or there would be some serious kickback from all of us."
 
"Please, Bear, don't be mad at them."
 
"I'm not mad anymore, Badger. But I'm still disappointed that you three needed to go to those extremes to prove your love to each other. It's not meant to be a contest of strength and will. It's meant to show your commitment. You could have done that without breaking your back and tearing up your insides."
 
"I knows that now, Husband," Oliver said, nodding in agreement. "It's just the old bear and me has so much history, so much pain between us. I hads to know he loved me full-on."
 
"Do you know how you know my Papa loves you full-on, Badger?"
 
Oliver shook his head no, waiting for the answer.
 
"You ask him," the bear fumed. "He doesn't lie, Badger. He never lies."
 
"Guess that would have been easier," Oliver said shyly.
 
"Damn right it would have been, Badger," Nathaniel replied angrily. "We have a family of men who keep pushing in the wrong direction to prove their love for each other. It's about time we realized we can't go ripping our bodies apart to prove a point. We adopted our mating behaviors from our animal avatars, but we're not animals, Oliver; we're beasts. It's time we realized that and started acting accordingly."
 
"You ain't never gonna bite my neck again?" a concerned badger asked.
 
"No, I'm going to bite your neck again, but I'm won't draw blood. I'm not chewing holes into your neck to prove how much I love you. Never again, Oliver. You need to learn to trust me when I tell you I love you now and forever. If those words don't sink in, it won't matter how deep my teeth sink in, you will have missed the entire point."
 
Oliver nodded his understanding. "I won'ts make the same mistake again, Bear. I promises."
 
"Nor will we, Son," the polar bear said as he stood in the doorway. "Some traditions deserve to be let go. You make a valid point for our mating behaviors to find a better way of expressing themselves."
 
"Look, Papa," Nathaniel said, turning to the white bear. "It's not that I want to end our traditions. I love feeling the teeth of my husbands on the back of my neck as much as anyone. It's just that the traditions started with the Changelings, and they never really changed all that much to accommodate the fact that we are Terrans now… Terrans who mate with a species far weaker than us."
 
"That's true," the bear agreed. "And somehow all of us cling to the idea that coming at each other full-on implies a greater love than if we hold back."
 
"I'se willing to change my mind on that idea," Oliver said as he shook his head. "I learnt my lesson. If I gots a husband who says he loves me, I'se gonna believe it. He don't gots to practically kill me to prove it."
 
"Well, then I say we call a family meeting of all the husbands to make some changes in the way we approach each other," Nathaniel said. 
 
"Agreed," the polar bear said. "But that family meeting has already been called. Your Dad has called our family together. And a rather interesting configuration of our family, to say the least."
 
"What do you mean, Papa?" Nathaniel asked
 
"All the husbands, and all the sons and their spouses. Tiff and Tuff, Damien and Darius, and Chet and the boys were all asked to attend."
 
"And do we get around to talking about how we mate with our spouses?"
 
"Well, let's see how this family meeting goes. Maybe we can bring it up as part of the business at hand if your dad doesn't object."
 
"That would be nice."
 
"So, the question now is, how soon can we move Oliver?"
 
"We can move him now if he doesn't object to a wheelchair. It's going to be weeks before he's able to walk again."
 
"I don'ts care. We need to get our family back together and loving each other. It's time we don't got no bad feelings for each other."
 
Nathaniel tapped his ComLink. "Tyler, could you get one of the orderlies to bring us a badger-sized wheelchair?" He nodded, listening. "Thanks, Tyler." He turned to the badger and polar bear. "Tyler said the Red Wolf is already setting down. Time we make our way to the highland. The family is there waiting for the four of us."
 
Chapter 21
   
The family sat around the table eating dinner inside the cave. Will swallowed a mouthful of food and looked at Kris. "So, why did we call a family meeting here, Husband ?"
 
"It's not enough that I wanted to see you? You and Derrick have been in Montana for weeks."
 
Will pointed his paw out toward the cave entrance. "Red Wolf, Husband. You call, tell us you miss us, and we're here. You called a family meeting. Big difference."
 
Oliver chewed his food. "Old Wolf is right. We bounces around everywhere to be together. Big difference between that and a family meeting."
 
Kris nodded. "That is true. I have something important to ask of the family, and it requires us to all be here."
 
Derrick pushed his plate back. "Okay, Husband. Let's hear the reason."
 
Kris cleared his throat. "In a million years, our people and yours will be so similar that any race from the outside won't be able to tell us apart. As Changelings, we will always be children of the Unity, but they know we are now on a different evolutionary path."
 
Will smiled at Kris. "Well, I hope we're more like you than you like us."
 
"You already are, Old Wolf."
 
"Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment."
 
"If you like. I was being quite literal," the Kodiak bear said.
 
"Well, I guess that's true of werebeasts in general," Will said reflecting on the words.
 
"To a degree, but for our family in particular."
 
Oliver looked up. "Why's that, Bear?"
 
"Because our family has shared our genetic code for hundreds of years and never given it a second thought beyond the pure pleasure it gave us to share it."
 
Derrick snickered. "Well, it tastes good. But I suspect you mean something far more significant than just the fact we swallow."
 
Kris nodded. "Indeed. In all the Were Nation, there have never been two quite like you and Will, Derrick."
 
Will looked up. "Okay, I will admit our appetites are rather pronounced, but we're not the only power bottoms in the Were Nation."
 
"But you are the only power bottoms in the Were Nation married to three Changelings and fraternizing with four others. Even Martin and Oliver don't come close to matching that."
 
Oliver looked up as he chewed on his food. "Not for lack of trying, Bear. You's just too busy to fucks me as much as I wants you to."
 
Kris smiled. "I'm sorry, Badger. I will try to be better in the future."
 
"That's okay, Bear. I loves you. No need to go changing." Oliver looked over at Eric. "But you, Old Bear. You can change. I'd like it if we was together more often. You was given a body far too beautiful nots to be playing more often with your family. Ain't sayin' it's got to be with me, but I sure wouldn't complains if it was me, now that you's my husband."
 
Eric laughed. "I would like that too, Oliver. It would be nice to do something with you that doesn't have my whole family glaring at me for you being in a wheelchair."
 
"Well, they can just get over it. I asked you to do it, you did it. We ain't never gonna do it ever again. But you is gonna do me lots in the future if I gets my way." The badger grinned at the white bear, who returned the smile.
 
Kris stood up and stretched. "I am about to propose an idea that may facilitate that," he said, as his paws pushed up against the top of the cave ceiling. 
 
Derrick grinned. "More sex with Papa Bear and Oliver? I'm in."
 
Kris shook his head. "Maybe not, Pup. This idea comes with a cost that we as a family have to consider."
 
Nathaniel and Colton both looked up from their dinner plates. The others put down their forks. 
 
Will was the first to speak. "What are we talking about here, Bear?"
 
Kris knelt next to the old wolf, picked up his prosthetic arm, and kissed it. "You know I love you, Old Wolf. It doesn't matter to me one bit how you come to me. I want you in my life. New arm, new leg, new eye. It doesn't matter to me."
 
"I know, Husband," the old wolf replied. "It only matters to me. But like you, I will give up almost anything just to have you by my side."
 
"What if you didn't have to give up anything?"
 
"I can't heal what isn't there, Kris. This is the best I can be given the circumstances."
 
"Merge with me."
 
Will's eyes widened, but it was all those around the table who spoke in unison. "What?"
 
Kris looked at his family and cleared his throat. "I believe I was talking to my husband. While you are welcome to listen, I would ask you to hold your questions until after he has answered me."
 
Will laughed. "You've got to be kidding, right? Even if I could, do you really think I want to be a rock for forty years?"
 
"I was hoping you might."
 
"I'm not a Changeling, Husband."
 
"You're close enough. Merge with me, Old Wolf. I can guide us through the regeneration together."
 
"Regeneration?" Will asked. "As in…"
 
"Become renewed. Your cells and mine intermingle, and in time they reform back to who we have been all along."
 
"I get my arm and leg back?"
 
"And your eye and jaw."
 
"But I don't get screwed for forty years?"
 
"There's always a downside to most things."
 
Will took a bite of food. "Pass."
 
Kris laughed. "Old Wolf, it doesn't feel like forty years to us. It's more like hibernation inside each other's souls."
 
"Let's say I say yes to this. We gonna be making a kid?"
 
"Yes."
 
"He's gonna be like me and you?"
 
"No. He's going to be like him. If he even chooses to be a him. One can choose from so many other options out there. That's not up to us. Ask Nathaniel or Colton."
 
Nathaniel nodded. "He's right. Papa and Dad had an influence on me, but I'm my own bear."
 
"Likewise," Colton responded. "You would make a wonderful father, Will. You already are to me. Don't let another child scare you away from this."
 
Will smiled. "I'm not worried about being a dad again, Colton. I'm worried about missing out on my life here. There's Pup and Oliver to consider. I can't just forget Eric and Donovan. My life is here by their sides."
 
Derrick looked across the table at Will. "Old Wolf, we have waited decades for our husbands to return. Did you think I wouldn't gladly do so for the first husband in my life?"
 
"I can't ask so much of you," the old wolf said, pushing his hand toward the black wolf.
 
"Then don't. I give that time to you freely." Derrick's paw covered the old wolf's.
 
"I don'ts," Oliver said, never looking up from his food. "You's gonna have to give me some serious sexing before you goes turning into a rock." He looked up and smiled. "If you can be with the bear and become you again, be with the bear. He loves you, and he's gots to merge anyway. He can't stop that. Be the one to lie beside him. He ain't just asking to fix you, Old Wolf. He's asking you to spend the dark time with him so he won't be alone."
 
Will looked up at the bear. "Is that true?"
 
"I suppose that's a part of it."
 
"You have to merge? But why? You did that with Eric not that long ago."
 
"That merge was by necessity to save my son. If anything, it just pushed up my own biological need to merge by a few hundred years."
 
"But you can choose anyone, Bear," Will protested. "You know any Changeling would be honored to merge with you."
 
"What if I asked the one I want to merge with me already? Maybe it's an old wolf that I love."
 
"Why, Kris? Why me?"
 
"Because you need to heal, not just in body, but in spirit. This world takes too much from us, Old Wolf. It's taken too much from you. Rest with me. Let me sing to you of a love that was born on this highland so many years ago when I stepped out and saw you two." The brown bear looked at the young wolf. "I would take you both if I could, but one has to stay behind. I have to leave Derrick here to take care of Oliver, Donovan, and Eric."
 
"I'm not so sure that's accurate, Bear," Donovan said as he made circles in his food with his fork.
 
"The Unity has never merged more than two souls at a time."
 
"True, but as you so accurately pointed out; we are not the Unity. Your biological imperative proves that. The Unity wouldn't be in the state you're in right now. Besides, you know that over the years, millions of our unions have fused in the nurseries."
 
Eric nodded. "He's right there. The close proximity of the chrysalises has often led to two or more of them merging during their gestation. No bad has come of those unions." The polar bear tapped the table with one finger of his paw. "While it's not the way we have ever started our merging, there is certainly a history of that being the way it's wound up."
 
Donovan continued his thought. "You're asking a werebeast to be your partner in a venture no beast has ever done. It might actually be helpful if Pup was by his side. The dark time is only possible with one by your side. As much as he loves you, both his first husbands beside him might better serve the old wolf. You certainly have enough experience in merging to guide both through the change."
 
"But that's so much information to sort out."
 
"It ain't like it's math, Bear," Oliver said. "You's gots three bodies you slams together all the time and you ain't never had a problem getting them separated yet."
 
Kris shook his head. "You know it's not that easy, Oliver."
 
"No, it's not," Martin said. "But you have family to help. And you have the yellow clan by your side. We can talk to you, Kris. We can guide you. I know Anders and Chipo would agree."
 
"And if you promises to fuck me as soon as you comes back, I'll drop by from time to time," Oliver said casually. He took a bite of his food and chewed. "I guess if I'se got to live with the Sight no matter how hards I tries to gets rid of it, I might as well make sure you three is safe."
 
Derrick shook his head strongly. "No, I know why Will might say yes to this, but really, why would I want to turn into a rock for forty years?"
 
Kris looked at the black wolf. "Because your husbands are going to?"
 
"Oh, that just isn't fair," Derrick said despondently. 
 
Will's paw touched the young wolf's. "No, it's not. But if you said yes, I would too. I can go anywhere if you're beside me."
 
"We would go too, were it not so soon," Donovan said. "There is nothing to say we can't form some daisy chain of regeneration one day, but for us, our bodies are too new, and we have a son who needs our guidance."
 
Colton smiled. "He's right about that. I will miss all my fathers who go, but I will have to insist you leave at least a few behind. My education is far from over."
 
Will laughed. "Son, you'll be teaching us before this century is over. But I agree. You need fathers beside you."
 
"There is also the promise that Papa made to Éric," Colton said. "Either way, I say my fathers stay behind."
 
"I agree with Colton," Nathaniel said. "Papa has taken on obligations he cannot walk away from, including a son and a young man he has promised to turn. We all need family, and Papa has two families who need him here." Nathaniel leaned back in his chair. "However, I am concerned that Oliver is getting the short straw on this plan."
 
"I'se gonna be fine, Bear. I gots you and the cat to be with me at night. And Kris is right. Without them three around, my new husbands will be looking fine. The Old Bear is gonna need something more than just a wolf to get him through the winters. I'se thinking it will be right pleasant."
 
"No, that's not quite right," Martin interjected. "I am all for making people feel good about their choices, but you, Badger, are not telling the truth."
 
"Is so."
 
"Are not," Will said.
 
"Is so, bastard wolf."
 
Derrick shook his head. "You are not, Oliver. You have a room full of men with the Sight who love you. Do you think you can fool us?"
 
"I can tries," Oliver said defiantly. "Old Wolf, you gots to go. And if the pup has to go with you, then he goes. I can waits for you three to come home."
 
Nathaniel reached over and grabbed Oliver's paw. "Or you can go with them."
 
Kris raised his hands, waving them in objection. "He's not got the same genetic code wired into him, Nathaniel. And I'm already struggling with the idea of tending to two werebeasts."
 
"That's fine," Nathaniel said. "He merges with me, and I merge with you, Dad. We form that daisy chain Donovan was talking about. Oliver gets to be with his husbands through me. You know time moves more quickly in the dark time. Don't leave Oliver alone from his husbands. He already sacrifices too much being separated from them as it is."
 
"Ain't gonna work, Bear," Oliver objected. "I'd just miss the cat. Can't go living without none of my husbands without feeling the lonely."
 
"I have to agree with the badger there," Martin chimed in. "You've just suggested taking both my husbands away to entertain a rock already filled with folks."
 
"Actually, I'm suggesting taking you too," Nathaniel said, looking at the saber-toothed cat.
 
"What?" came the collective question.
 
"Look, we're a unique family. We always have been. In the centuries to come, the Changeling in all of us will feel the need to merge many times. Even now, the change is manifesting itself in the way werebeasts interact. Why do you think you have such a greater need for physical contact than humans? One day you will feel it the same as we do. For now, it's simply a stronger push to be with the other beasts. It will only get stronger the closer you come to a day when your Changeling genes want to merge with another's."
 
"Okay, how am I going to tell that's happening?" Will asked. "I don't have a time when I don't feel that way."
 
"Me either," Derrick agreed.
 
"Same here," Martin added.
 
The group turned to Oliver. "WHAT?" he yelled. "I'se a badger. You thinks I'se ever gonna say no to you wanting to touch me? Ain't never happened, damn it."
 
"I rest my case," Nathaniel said. "We've been together as a family for longer than any of us care to count and all along we've been moving toward a day where our new biology and our old merge into one." Nathaniel stood up. "I am not now, nor have I ever truly been one of the Unity. The day I took on this corporeal form, I become something else. The day my husbands became werebeasts, they did the same. They were no longer truly human. We have our roots in our species, but we are no longer those species."
 
Kris nodded. "He's right there."
 
Donovan leaned back. "Agreed." His polar bear mate nodded in agreement. The rest of the family seemed content to watch the husbands talk, unsure of what they could add to the discussion.
 
"The urge we have to bond and create a new life is within us all," Nathaniel continued. "It is the way we procreate, and it is the way we solidify our unions. We aren't the Unity anymore; we are Terrans. And more critically for this conversation, we are family. We have to seek out a new life and new ways of expressing ourselves."
 
Derrick laughed. "To boldly go where no beast has gone before."
 
Nathaniel grinned. "Yes, exactly. We have to give it all she's got, Captain," he agreed with a Scottish brogue. "This is a part of who we are. We Changelings merge. Everyone in this room will feel that need. Beasts, you have always felt the need so strongly you can't remember a time when you didn't feel it. Changelings, we feel it grow in us every two or three hundred years. That's way faster than anyone on our home planet."
 
"So what are you suggesting?" Martin asked. 
 
"That we start honoring what we are becoming instead of trying to hold on to what we once were."
 
Colton nodded his head. "I agree with my brother. We are something vastly different from what we started out as. Maybe it's time you embraced the change coming inside you."
 
"Ain't change I want's coming inside me," the badger groused. "Don't likes change. Loves my husbands though. They can come inside me all they wants."
 
Nathaniel rubbed the top of Oliver's head. "And I love them too, Badger. We are on a cusp here. Another one of those points where we have to say do we make the leap or do we stay? I say make the leap. Husbands, merge with me. Merge with me for all the reasons you said yes when I asked you to mate. And Oliver, merge with your husbands through me. They need you by their side through this. If it's going to work, we have to do this as a family."
 
Oliver looked up to the short-faced bear towering over him. "Suppose it might be good to has a badger along in the dark time. I spent more years in the dark than any of you. I can help you through it. Wouldn't be so lonely that way."
 
"And you can heal right alongside your husband as he heals."
 
Oliver pushed his plate away. "That's true. Would like to have a body that works again."
 
"Cats have excellent night vision. We always find our way in the dark," Martin added.
 
Kris looked at his family. "Are you sure about this? There are a lot of variables we're probably not considering between our genetic makeups. I was fairly confident about Will and Derrick, but I'm not so sure about Oliver and Martin."
 
"Well, Max?" Nathaniel said, looking at the blue bear. "You and JP have studied our physiology through two timelines. What do you think? Do we go ahead or wait?"
 
Max smiled. "We were wondering how long it would take you to figure this one out."
 
"What?" Eric asked. "You've known about this all along?"
 
"Not exactly," Max said. "We started to think about it when we read the history of Eric and Kris's merging. You had a Changeling who wouldn't survive the alone time without someone beside him. But more to the point, he was a novice. There were nuances he didn't understand that Kris taught him when they merged. We could be wrong about this, but has there ever been a merging that you recall where you allowed two Changelings to form the bond without one having done so before?"
 
Donovan looked at Eric. Eric shook his head in doubt. "The Unity was adamant about leaving behind one who had merged to guide the first gestation," Eric replied. "But we were insistent that we could do it on our own. After all, we held the collective consciousness of the Unity inside us. We didn't need an adult to hold our hand on something that was built into us as instinct." 
 
"They finally left us behind to fend for ourselves," Donovan added. "But only with our agreement to leave the marker here in the cave. It would activate when it was time to return for the merging." 
 
Kris looked at the Armbruster's wolf. "What we didn't tell you was that once it identified your return, it was to launch a new program internally that held the voice of our people teaching you what you were too arrogant to realize was essential to merge successfully."
 
Donovan sighed. "We were so sure of ourselves. Youth in both our cultures would seem to be myopic about the strength of their elders."
 
Kris nodded. "But that program never activated because only one of you returned. Without the hormones of merging Changelings to cue its launch, the program never activated. The marker simply shut down after the first half of the program was complete."
 
"Which is why you and Gaia began your return the moment you heard the Old Bear screaming out his rage at the death of the last of his brothers," Derrick said, putting the pieces together.
 
"Yes, Pup," Kris concurred. "We knew his biology would force him to enter the dark alone. We couldn't leave him there to die, or worse yet, become another Child of the Night."
 
"And so you merged with Eric," JP said. "You took a novice who knew nothing of the merge, who was biologically compatible with the process, but needed a guide through the dark time." 
 
Kris nodded. "There are parts of the dark time one can't learn except through experience."
 
JP's paw reached out to the Kodiak. "Without your guidance, Eric wouldn't be here today."
 
The Kodiak's other paw reached out across the table and pressed against the polar bear's. "I couldn't let that happen, Son."
 
Eric smiled. "Now and forever, Dad," he said, flipping his paw upright and holding the brown one tight. The polar bear looked at the two winged bears. "But how does this lead you to believe we can merge with the beasts?"
 
"The logistics seem simple enough if there is a strong Changeling to guide the werebeasts. It would have to be someone who knew the path through the dark time. Beyond that, as long as the genetics are sound, a novice should be able to regenerate beside his mate regardless of who or what he is. Both Nathaniel and Colton seem to point to the possibility of a Changeling and beast merger."
 
"Me?" Colton questioned.
 
"You're the second of your kind to be born on this planet. And you're the first of your kind to be a hybrid species that can't possibly exist on this or any other planet. You took a form that never existed in the history of Terra. We have seen the genetics of your body only once before in the history of the Unity."
 
JP pointed to the short-faced bear. "Like Nathaniel, you were born with a Terran body. If there weren't genetic changes happening constantly, Changelings mating with Changelings should create a child of the Unity. You both should be colorful blobs of liquid that somewhere down the line choose to become something more akin to your earthly counterparts. You should have never made that transition as a part of your birth. Except that those changes were already there in your fathers. They had already changed from what they were born as millions of years ago." 
 
Max nodded his head. "Everything about your genetics tells us you are no longer a solid link back to the Unity, or your bodies at birth would have been glowing… well, for a lack of a better term, gummy slugs."
 
"Ewe," Oliver blurted out. "Just, ewe. That boy's too cute to be a gummy slug."
 
"Exactly," JP agreed. "He made a choice to be more Terran than Verital from the start. Nathaniel and Colton are both proofs that the Changelings born on Terra are choosing to become something other than the Unity. As Kris said, the differences between us are becoming increasingly narrower. You two children show us that. And Colton shows us that the link to Terra is growing increasingly stronger and more flexible.
 
"Most changes in evolution are subtle. Minor changes happen between parent and child. The ones that work, survive. Those that don't… well, that's what extinction is all about. None of the flora and fauna of this earth has ever intentionally thought, ‘oh, I want to be a bird instead of a dinosaur,' or ‘hey, there's no grass on this planet; I think I'll become grass.' It's always been driven by outside forces pushing mutations in the genome to adapt to this changing world."
 
"Even I knows, that, JP," Oliver said. "What's that got to do with me living in a rock for forty years?"
 
JP laughed. "You, Oliver, aren't evolution on a normal scale. You're a quantum leap beyond normal. In creating you, Will had no idea what you would become. I don't even think you did. I certainly know the story well enough to know you're not the wolf you wanted to become."
 
"Changed my mind about that, kinda happy now with who I is."
 
"As am I. I love you just the way you are," JP said.
 
"As do all our family," Chet interjected with a smile.
 
"Thanks, Chet. I loves you just the way you is, too."
 
"So, loving you just the way you are, Oliver, there is still who and what you are in play here," Max continued. "You inherited a lot of genetic information the day Will turned you, but you also inherited a bunch of code that further altered your genome when Donovan gave you the Sight. Will is one source of your genetic code, but Donovan is another. There's a reason Oliver is a Channeler beyond that whole ‘gift of the universe' mysticism, and that reason is the wolf next to me," Max said. Donovan looked away, embarrassed. 
 
"It's a good thing, Donovan," Max added. "Without your gift, this world wouldn't exist. I know it wasn't intentional, but it worked out for the best. And it's that way for our entire family. Our interactions with the Changelings have subjected the beasts in this family to changes in the same way the canid family has had done to them for centuries."
 
"Huh?" Oliver asked.
 
"Look at your husbands. They are both prime examples of what I'm talking about if we think of them in terms of their avatars," Max answered. "Will is a gray wolf. An Iberian wolf, to be exact. That's one of many subspecies of gray wolf out there. And, of course, the gray wolf is only one of many wolves that evolved along concurrent paths. All in all, they're not that different from Donovan's Armbruster's wolf. But almost every change you see is from some minute mutation that allowed the gray wolves to survive better in their world than the Armbruster's wolf did."
 
"I'm a gray wolf, too; aren't I?" Derrick asked.
 
"No, not exactly. If we were talking wolf biology here, the black color of your fur wouldn't actually be from the wolf side of your family. In our turnings, it is our thoughts that move and shape the change, but the genetics of the black wolf actually harken back to human intervention. When scientists studied black wolves years ago, they found that their black coat came from a mutated variant of a gene in dogs known as the K locus. Like most genes, the transfer to wolves was through mating. But not with other wolves. The wolves mated with black-furred dogs that had been living with Native Americans for years. Humans artificially selected the black fur, and then in a very rare take on biology, domesticated dogs and wolves mating introduced it back into the wild."
 
"I'm a hybrid?" Derrick asked.
 
"Aren't we all?" JP said with a laugh.
 
"Look," Max answered, "we're not a gene-for-gene match to our animal counterparts, but their history informs us. It helps us realize potentialities that might exist as we go forward in our mating. One of those is that some of the Were Nation can breed with Changelings. Not all of us, but some of us."
 
"And the key to that possibility?" Kris asked.
 
"Like everything to do with us, gene compatibility," Max answered. 
 
"So, I can understand why Jean Pierre and Lewis might be compatible because Changelings turned them," Will said, "but beasts turned Derrick and me. How does that work?"
 
"You mate with Changelings, and that genetic exchange is ongoing, Will," JP replied. "Correct me if I'm wrong here, Changelings, but we believe your genetic makeup pushes everyone who comes into intimate contact with it toward becoming the Unity from which you were born."
 
The five Changelings looked at each other and nodded. "That is true," Eric replied. "It's why our first mating so radically shifts their genome. We never thought that continued mating might continue the process even further." 
 
JP smiled. "Ah, but it does. It's the same way your own genetic restructuring is an effort of your Terran bodies to find harmony with your mates. The Unity you were born into pressures you to find balance, right down to your genetic coding. That goes for all the once-human husbands here tonight. Your genes are closer to the Changelings than any other on this planet. And in turn, Eric and Nathaniel have unique histories with humans pushing their genetic makeup closer to humans."
 
Nathaniel looked at the Kermode bear and raised his eyebrow. The bear shook his paws. "Not a bad thing, Nathaniel. Just a thing. And the thing that actually brings you closer to your husbands than the other way around. Derrick and Will are closer to the Changelings because they mate with Changelings. Nathaniel is closer to humans because he has had an ongoing sexual relationship with a human and had a father who was also sexually active with humans. What it means is that if you six want to merge, you are uniquely positioned to do so by your genetic makeup being so similar after all these years."
 
"And our offspring?" Kris asked
 
"Also totally unique."
 
"Not like in ‘Childrens of the Night' unique, right?" Oliver said, the concern in his voice obvious.
 
"No, not like that," Max answered. "Your child will gestate and be born beside you just as all Changeling babies are born. Whatever happens, they will never be alone. In fact, they will have more fathers than any other Changeling yet born. You may even have multiple children gestating because of the number of fathers involved. Whatever child is born of your union will be even closer to the middle ground between Changeling and werebeast. However, that distance is so small for you six already, there won't be any noticeable difference." Max paused. "Unless they choose to be born with wings… which, of course, you might suggest because we're so much fun to play with."
 
Will laughed out loud. "You are that, boys." He looked at the group. "Speaking of which, I don't know if any of the rest of you have noticed it, but Chet's eyes glazed over a long time ago, and he is staring at Derrick's crotch like a starving man looking at dinner."
 
Chet's attention suddenly snapped back to the conversation. "Oh… I'm listening… really…" he paused. "No, not really. As soon as I heard Max say you could do it, I didn't care about how or why. I just thought about forty years without Pup beside me."
 
Derrick nodded. "I understand, Chet. I feel the same way about you and everyone around this table tonight. It's a big decision. We shouldn't make it alone. What say we ask Jean Pierre to call a gathering of the pack a bit early this month?"
 
"That would seem to be in order," Chet said. "If this is your choice, let us say goodbye in the only way that will convince us to forgive you for leaving us for so long."

Chapter 22

Two days later, the highland was full of mingling beasts. The news of Kris and Nathaniel's impending merge with their husbands was a monumental announcement. The family was gathering from around the globe to say their goodbyes and offer their support. In the middle of it all, one confused human stood watching everything. "How are you holding up, Éric?" came a voice from behind the Frenchman. 
 
Éric turned to see another human. "I thought I was the only human on the highland today."
 
The other graying human smiled and extended his hand. "I'm Simon Kellogg. I married that sexy little number over there," he said, pointing to a dog that looked much like a mastiff with his flat snout; but unlike a mastiff, there were no jowls around his jaw. The muzzle was thick and muscled, and inside the mouth were teeth that looked formidable. The ears weren't floppy like a mastiff's. Instead, they stood perked up and slightly rounded at the top. His overall look was more akin to a bear with a wagging tail of a dog. While upright in the manner of a werebeast, it was easy to see that his canine avatar was larger than even a mastiff. The thick muscles that covered his body were far different from most of the wolves and other Canidae walking around the area. The golden yellow fur streaked with reddish-brown stripes made him look a bit like the love child of the red Chow, Dr. Kong, and a temple dog.
 
Éric shook Simon's hand while trying to figure out what kind of dog he was looking at.
 
"He's an Epicyon," the human answered. "He's Kurt Carver. His uncle Max is the blue-winged bear you were talking to earlier. Max told Kurt to become whatever his heart desired when he turned. You do not tell that to one of the leading authorities on adaptive genetic science without getting something unique. He picked an extinct species from a subfamily of North American canids known as the bone-crushing dogs."
 
Éric laughed. "There are so many different beasts. I have lost count." 
 
"It can be daunting, that's for sure," the other human agreed. "I'm human, by the way, just in case you were wondering if your abilities were failing to see us as we are."
 
"Good to know," Éric said. "I was thinking I might be having perception issues."
 
"Nope, I'm staying human. I know it will be hard for Kurt when I die, but I'm not wired for eternal life."
 
"I've wondered about it myself. There are a few hundred years of work I know I really want to do, but Chet is nearly twelve thousand years old. I'm not sure I've got what it takes to hang in there that long."
 
"What do you do for a living?"
 
"I'm an artist. I mainly paint and sculpt, but I dabble in other areas from time to time."
 
Simon grinned. "You'll be fine. Artists never find the end to what they're doing. They just see another horizon when they think it's all been done."
 
Éric smiled. "Thanks. I don't think we've met before. But you seem to know my name."
 
Simon grinned back at the middle-aged man. "We all do, Éric. You're quite the celebrity here. You're being turned today by one of our legends."
 
Éric shook his head in disbelief. "I just think of him as my godfather."
 
"Well, Eric is more than that," the human said, laughing. "But he loves you. No one better could turn you. Just be ready for some serious genetic mixing up. You're being turned by a Changeling. I'm thinking that drinking from the source might be substantially different from a beast turning you."
 
Simon felt a huge paw rest on his shoulder. "I wouldn't go giving him anything to worry about if I were you, Simon," he heard the bear behind him say.
 
Simon turned and looked up at the polar bear. "I wasn't trying to scare him, Old Bear. I was trying to let him know how special a beast he will become."
 
"You're all special to me," the bear said. 
 
Simon nodded. "I know." He turned to Éric and smiled. "But you're still going to be something unbelievable."
 
The white bear picked up Simon and spun him around, giving him a kiss. "As is our only human son," the bear replied. "Now if I could just get you to head over to your husband, Éric and I have a date."
 
"Are you sure about this?" Simon asked. "You've got every temple dog here and a field full of over two hundred other beasts. Is this the best time to turn a novitiate?"
 
"We're up against the wall on this one, Simon. His godfathers wanted to see him before they go, and he understands what might come of a change during this time."
 
"It's going to be overwhelming."
 
"We're family; not animals. You make it sound like we have no control."
 
Simon grinned. "You do? You mean you intentionally do all those things we do on a run?"
 
The bear glowered at the human. "Yes, Simon, I intentionally do all those things, and the temple dogs intentionally do all the things they do. No one on this highland will do anything they don't want to do this week, except maybe those who leave early because they have to return to work. I really expected more of you in the company of other humans unfamiliar with our ways."
 
Simon looked down. "Sorry, Eric. I was trying to be funny, but you're right. Éric has never been with this many beasts or at such a turning point in his life. I was out of line."
 
The bear extended his arms. "Come, give me a hug, Simon. I know your husband. I have a feeling that I won't see you for quite a few days unless I cross paths with the African dogs."
 
Simon smiled. "No hard feelings?"
 
"Hug me long enough, and I'm sure one of us will feel hard." The bear gave the human a wide grin. "Now, see? That's funny." 
 
Simon shook his head and dove into the hug. "I love you, Old Bear," he said. 
 
"And I love you, Simon."
 
Simon let the hug go and turned to his fellow human. "I know this will sound strange coming from a guy who won't do it, but you stay close to this family and you will never regret the choice you're making today."
 
Éric smiled. "Thanks, that means a lot to me."
 
Simon put his hand on the other human's shoulder. "Become what you've always dreamed of becoming."
 
"My family took a vote. Becoming a bear won hands down."
 
"Then become the bear you've always dreamed of becoming," Simon laughed.
 
Eric looked up at the white bear standing over him. "Will it upset you if it's not a polar bear?"
 
Eric chuckled. "I'm married to a Kodiak, my youngest son is a short-faced bear, my oldest son is married to two beautiful bears with wings, and my brother is a grolar bear. Frankly, if you become a polar bear, I will feel as if you didn't really think your choices through."
 
Éric smiled shyly. "You're my godfather. There is respect that I should show."
 
"Then show me that respect by honoring my wish that you become what you want, not what you feel you owe me by some ancient tradition. I assure you, I am much older than that tradition, and I want a son who is happy with his choice."
 
 "It's strange to think you will be my father," the human said.
 
"We don't have to think of it that way if it makes you uncomfortable."
 
"Actually, no, I like the feeling."
 
"Then should we go tend to your turning?"
 
Éric nodded. "Is it going to happen in front of everyone?"
 
"What would you prefer?"
 
"Something a bit more intimate."
 
"Just the two of us?"
 
"That would be nice."
 
"It sometimes helps to have others to hold you down when the turning begins. It's incredibly painful and you're choosing to become an animal that is larger than most. Your godfathers could help if you wish, but it's up to you."
 
"Can you do it on your own?"
 
The bear put his paw on the human's shoulder and rubbed it. "Of course."
 
"I'd like that."
 
The bear smiled. "Come with me. I have somewhere special I'd like to show you." The bear paused. "Are you afraid of heights?"
 
"Not particularly. What are we talking about?"
 
"A path along a rather steep ravine. It's wide, but the view down might give some men vertigo."
 
"I should be fine."
 
The polar bear extended his paw, and the human took it in his hand. The two walked away from the gathering along the far side of the glade. As they neared the creek, the polar bear took a turn away from the forest and toward the grassy edge of the cliff. "It's here," he said, pointing over the edge.
 
"What's here?" Éric asked.
 
"The path down off the highland, or the path to it, depending on which direction you come from."
 
The bear leaned down on all fours and flipped over the side. His arms rose above the cliff's edge. "Come on, Éric. I will help you down."
 
Éric leaned over into the thick paws and felt himself being lifted over the head of the bear and then gently back down again. "This is the way Derrick and I first came to the highland. I remember the pathway so clearly. Gaia has been altering the highland over the centuries, but she knows there is a curve on this pathway that is very important to Derrick and me." 
 
The two walked along the path and when they came to the waterfall, the bear covered the human as he plunged into the cascade and out through the other side. "That's the only time we cross the waterfall," the bear said. "We go down from here."
 
As they rounded a corner, Éric saw the pathway go straight for a distance and end in a large flat widening of the path. Fine grass and thick moss covered the area. Ferns grew along the crag that framed the wide ledge. Off from the far side, Éric finally saw the path on the other side leading downhill from the terrace. "It's beautiful," he said.
 
"Gaia takes care of it," the bear said as he stepped onto the mossy floor. "When I thought I was going to die, this is where Derrick and I made love for what I thought was our last time. This spot is sacred to me. It's grown over the years. Erosion and Gaia never see eye to eye, it seems. She turned it from a widening in the path to a place where Derrick and I come every year to bite each other's necks."
 
"Derrick is a lucky wolf."
 
"No, I am a lucky bear," the white bear replied as he sat down on the mossy floor and patted the spot next to him. "Come have a seat. We can discuss what you hope to walk away with from this moment."
 
The human sat next to the bear. "There are so many thoughts running through my head. I'm not sure I can express them all."
 
"And about the method of transformation?"
 
"Will explained the birds and the bees to me pretty carefully," Éric said with a laugh. "But I noticed you're rather sizable as both a man and a beast. I'm not inexperienced, but I think you'll admit there aren't many out there that can provide the experience you're offering."
 
Eric nodded. "When Changelings become aroused, they give off pheromones. They're sex hormones we use as markers… identifiers of our readiness for mating. Here, they seem to drive men crazy. The downside of this is it makes it difficult for us to know if the men we have sex with want it because that's their desire, or they want it because the pheromones are keeping them off kilter."
 
The human smiled. "Don't worry about that today. I'm here because I want to be."
 
The bear returned the smile. "Then for you, on the plus side, our pheromones will relax you and make it easier for you to accommodate sizes that you normally would find painful. And they heighten your pleasure sensors. If we take this slow so that my pheromones build, and you inhale them, no matter what we choose to do, it should be pleasant."
 
"That's comforting to hear. I have to admit that being taken by a polar bear has been a bit of a worry for me."
 
"We have other options. This is a transfer of genetic material. The most direct link is topping you, but that doesn't mean you can't ingest that same material."
 
Éric looked at the bear. "Are you saying that I can be turned just by swallowing your cum?"
 
"Will didn't tell you that?"
 
"No… no he didn't."
 
"God, that wolf is such a bottom," the bear groaned. "Our genetic code is quite aggressive when it comes to seeking out and changing yours. I suspect if I came all over you and you rubbed it into your skin, it would find a way to take hold of your cellular structure and modify it."
 
"That sounds sort of sad," the human said. "I was kind of hoping we would be more… what's the word I'm looking for here… romantic? You know, something I hold on to for a lifetime. I don't want someone to ask what was it like to be turned and I say, ‘oh, the guy just came all over me and that's pretty much it.'"
 
The polar bear laughed. "I'm just giving you options. I know what I would do if I had my way."
 
"What would you do, Godfather?"
 
The bear leaned in and gently pushed the human back onto the mossy ground. "First, I would kiss you," he said as his lips pressed against the human's. Éric soon realized what the bear meant by the effect of the pheromones on this body. The first kiss was like kissing a man with a thick three-day growth of beard. The sensation, while not entirely unpleasant, was stubbly and course. But as the overly large lips continued to rub against his, the sensation became one he enjoyed.
 
When the kissing stopped for a moment, Éric felt a sense of loss. "Because I'm a bear..." Eric whispered as his paws moved up under Éric's shirt and rubbed along the gray-haired man's chest, "... I would be awkward trying to remove your clothes." The bear paused, pushing against the shirt that trapped his paw. With a forceful jerk that shocked Éric more than hurt him, the buttons tore from the shirt and left his chest exposed. "So, to keep me from getting frustrated, I would simply sacrifice your clothes for the passion I feel for you."
 
They spoke no other words as the bear's claws tore away the clothes of the human, and the kissing began exploring deeper. With a tongue larger than the human's mouth, there was no playful tonguing while they kissed, but when Éric felt the tongue run along the side of his neck, his eyes closed as a shiver swept over his body. 
 
Both men's hands reached for the other. The thick, leathery pads of the bear's paws felt warm against his skin, and when the claws raked gently over his back, Éric groaned in pleasure. Less than an hour into their lovemaking, the human wanted nothing more than for the beast to be inside him. Exploring past the white fur and tonguing his black nipples, Éric realized how everything on the bear was the same as every man he had ever been with, and yet because of their size and texture, everything was new to him. 
 
When he leaned over and tried to fellate the bear, the human felt the warmth of a cock that held all the magic, excitement, and trepidation of the first time he took another man's cock into his mouth. He explored the slick skin and tasted the dripping pre-cum; salty yet sweet at the same time. It was as intoxicating as the finest wines any of the vintners of Bord du Lac had ever created and just as dizzying. Too large to swallow whole, the human contented himself by sliding his lips up and down over the sides of the shaft and using both hands to rub around the fullness of the bear.
 
The first time Éric came, it was totally unexpected. Like his first time masturbating as a young boy, the pleasures that were a part of his first experimentation were so new, so overwhelming, his cum was shooting from his cock before he even had time to do anything but be swept away in the body-shaking orgasm. The bear was not fondling him. Éric was simply letting his body slip along the white fur of the bear's belly, and suddenly he was flooding the bear below with white liquid to match his fur. Éric's body shook with that kind of tremor only the best orgasms bring to a man, and it lasted long past any previous ejaculation. Helplessly immobile for a time, the human relaxed into the bear, holding him gently as he felt the bear's chest and belly rise and fall with each breath.
 
Eventually, Éric found the strength to push up from the bear below. As he did so, he felt the head of the bear's cock press against his crack, and he realized again how much he wanted the bear in a way he was fearful of only hours ago. There was something unbelievably erotic watching a polar bear pull his paw up along his fur, sniff the white liquid delicately, and shove his cum soaked claws into his mouth. Éric laughed. The bear was teasing him, sampling the human's cum like a fine wine to be enjoyed by all the senses. Yet, the human knew that the bear loved every moment of his tasting.  
 
When the bear finally rolled the human over onto his side and lifted his leg, Éric whispered his first word between the two since they had begun. He looked back into the eyes of the bear and said, "Yes." The polar bear moved slowly forward and penetrated the human in a slow, gentle push. The bear waited for the pheromones to take full effect and ease the human into accepting the thick cock. Deep inside the human, the bear began to thrust. "And that is what I would do," the bear said as he leaned into the human and kissed his cheek.
 
"It's exactly what I wanted you to do," Éric replied. He pushed his pelvis back and up into the bear's cock. "Turn me, Eric. I'm ready." The bear obliged the human and increased his thrusting. Within the hour, the nostrils of over two hundred beasts flared and heads turned toward the glade's edge. There was a newborn on the highland.
 
Chapter 23
 
Eight days later, Will stumbled out of the woods. His cock was dripping with the last of his ejaculate, and he was smiling happily. "Oh, gawd, Chipo," he laughed. "I love how you pound the cum out of me."
 
Chipo pushed his way through the trees. "And I love helping you maintain your reputation, Old Wolf." He reached out and grabbed the wolf with his three-fingered hands and pulled him in tight. When their kiss ended, the rhino sighed. "I will miss you, Old Wolf. Your reputation will suffer from forty years of being away. Come back soon, so we can restore you to your rightful place in our history."
 
"I will try," Will said, pressing his muzzle alongside Chipo's cheek. The wolf adjusted the patch over his missing eye when it shifted against the rhino's leathery skin. "Strange to miss something that wasn't even a part of me," he said.
 
Jason walked out of the forest holding hands with Jean Pierre and Lothair. "We will look forward to all your delightful body parts being back where they belong when you return, Old Wolf," the fox said. Will smiled and hugged the fox and his Eurasian wolf husbands.
 
The winged-beast family and Derrick came from the far left of the forest near the rice patties and waved to the growing crowd in the distance. "And we will wait for the pup to return, Old Wolf!" Chet yelled. "We will miss you all, but Pup needs to know that there are those who wait for him as eagerly as the rhino does for you and the cat."
 
Martin looked up from licking his paws clean and smiled. "I am grateful for my clan. I know I have family to return home to."
 
Anders smiled. "Indeed, you do," he said, holding Lewis tightly. "We will both wait for you, Martin. There will always be a spot on the lighthouse catwalk just for you."
 
Kendal smiled as he passed by. "We'll keep the light on, Martin. You hurry home," he said as he rubbed the cat's fur in the wrong direction. Martin laughed, licked his paw, and preened the hair back into place.
 
Birds suddenly flew out from the underbrush as a calamity of noise and laughter came from back in the forest. Oliver came out, happily bouncing in midair in front of the brown bear. What appeared to be the levitation of a badger that could not walk soon became clear. The bear steadied the badger with his thick paws, but the badger was bouncing up and down as he sat on the bear's erection. "And I will have you by my side for all those years, Badger. What more could I ask for?" Kris exclaimed. Oliver's laughter was his only response to the question.
 
As the family slowly filtered out into the sunshine, Jean Pierre took on the mantle of the alpha. "Time to get cleaned up, men. Our human families will be here within hours if I can extricate Tiff and Tuff from whatever and whomever they are doing with their husbands. They can gather up the airship crews and start shuttling the humans to the highland."
 
"The creek will have not seen this many beasts bathing in it for some time," Eric said with a grin as he and Donovan exited the forest with four grinning temple dogs following behind. 
 
The dogs walked up to Will and bowed. "Come home soon, Old Wolf," Li Wei said. "And bring Pup safely home with you."
 
Will put his hands up to the temple dog's face and they kissed. "I promise."
 
"By the time you return, we will have a new temple and monastery built in Tibet," Zhuang said as he rubbed the shoulders of the Iberian wolf. "There will be a new bell pagoda just waiting for you to help us topple."
 
Will grinned and turned to kiss the temple dog. "Build it strong, Zhuang. We need to hang from those rafters for much longer than we did the last time."
 
"I promise," the temple dog said with a smile.
 
"As do I, Old Wolf," Greg said as he passed by. "We will build the temple and monastery to a very rigid code. It will withstand hurricanes, earthquakes, and equally as important, the affections of a certain pair of wolves toward the temple dogs who live there."
 
Eric and Donovan hugged their son Colton, and the three looked out over the highland full of beasts lovingly interacting. Eric chuckled to himself when he saw three exiting the forest together. Kurt, Simon, and Éric were together. Simon leaned into the cave bear and kissed him. "I was right, you are extraordinary."
 
Éric blushed a warm reddish color beneath his fur. "Thank you, Simon."
 
"No, thank you," the human responded. "I felt like a total dick for my comments. Seeing you come up from your turning and walk by all those men to be with me meant more to me than I can tell you. Welcome to our world, Éric. You will be such a remarkable beast."
 
"I learned of intention, Simon. I wanted you to know that I intentionally did everything I did this week. There has not been a moment of regret, not a second of doubt since the bear took me in his arms. This is who I am meant to be. These are the people who I will share my life with forever."
 
Simon looked away sheepishly. "I learned of intention too, Éric. I was a fool for ever thinking that we were just animals in heat. What we do, we do knowingly; and in doing that, everything… everything changes." 
 
There was a flash of blue light and the three watched the Red Wolf and the Gray Wolf both rising toward the sky. They laughed as the two airships spun circles around each other and then, in an instant, were gone. 
 
From across the glade, Oliver and Kris watched the two airships disappear into the sky. "I will miss this," Kris said with a certain melancholy in his voice as he placed Oliver up on his shoulder.
 
"And we will miss you, Husband," Donovan said as he approached the two. 
 
Eric sighed. "I suppose it is time I waited for the ones who have waited so long for me." He reached out and hugged Kris. "I will wait for as long as it takes, Husband. Don't either of you hurry this on our behalf. I am not the old wolf. I will not be kicking you daily."
 
Oliver laughed. "You mights every now and then. I think he would like it."
 
"I will kick you," Donovan said. "It's what we wolves do. We're an impatient lot. But Eric is right. Take the time you need. We will be here when you return."
 
Kris looked down and rubbed his matted chest fur. "I'm not sure; is any of this cum yours?"
 
Donovan laughed. "Not that I know of. It's been a long week, though."
 
Kris grinned. "Can I interest you men in a bath together? I'm thinking of using the badger as a scrub brush." The bear felt Oliver smack him upside his head and laughed.
 
Donovan grabbed the Kodiak and pulled him toward the creek. "A splendid idea. If we do this right, before you're cleaned up, I can promise some of that cum on your chest will be mine."
 
Eric smiled, watching the three walk away from him with their arms wrapped around each other. He watched as Kris's rump shifted up and down with each step. "Gonna miss that butt," he said, shaking his head as he dropped on all fours to catch up with the three.
 
Chapter 24

As the last of the human families from Partridge Island began disembarking from the Gray Wolf, the werebeasts gathered together to welcome them. Some of the family came from great distances having long ago moved back into the human world where they raised their own families. Will grabbed Alejandro and gave him a tight hug and then pushed him back looking at him. "Don't you look the distinguished gentleman? The gray hair suits you."
 
Alejandro laughed. "Thanks. It's kind of funny. I have to introduce Dad as my younger brother now to avoid confusion. It won't be too many years before he's my nephew." Alejandro looked around. "Where is he?" 
 
"Phillip and he were the last of the pack to leave the forest. I think the two are getting spruced up a bit before seeing you and your family." The old wolf looked at the middle-aged woman next to Alejandro. "And how is my favorite goddaughter?"
 
"I am fine, Uncle Will," she said as she reached out and hugged the werewolf. "The kids have run off to look for crayfish in the creek."
 
Will's eyes widened, but before he could even move, Derrick shifted onto all fours. "On it," the wolf said as he bounded out across the glade toward the creek.
 
"Is there a problem?"
 
"Their granddads are getting cleaned up after a run."
 
"Oh dear," Victoria said with a look of concern. "Derrick can run fast, right?"
 
"Extremely fast," Will replied. "He'll catch them, but your fathers both have very good hearing. They will hear the children laughing long before the boys reach the creek."
 
"Then I have nothing to be concerned about?"
 
"Of course not," Will said, trying to sound confident. He looked up and saw his mate escorting three teenage boys back across the glade. "See?" he said, pointing. "They're already on their way back."
 
Derrick and the three boys walked by. With a casual wave, Derrick said, "catch you all later. We're on our way to the cave to look for bats."
 
Victoria laughed. "Oh, bats… that's so much better than crayfish, Uncle."
 
"There aren't any bats in the cave. Besides, it's way better than children bumping into wolves down by the creek, goddaughter."
 
Victoria shrugged. "You have a point there." She looked at her husband. "¿Usted piensa que sus padres podrían comportarse?"
 
Alejandro cocked his head and looked at her. "Do you really want them to behave?"
 
Victoria thought for a moment. "I suppose not. Every so often, I just have a moment where I wonder what it would be like to have a normal family."
 
"And what do you decide?" Will asked. 
 
Victoria reach out and hugged the wolf. "I decide that I have a wonderfully normal family." 
 
Two wolves came running toward the threesome, shaking water off themselves as they ran. Just as they were feet from the humans, they shifted into their werewolf forms. Victoria smiled and extended her arms. "How are you, fathers?" 
 
The padre smiled. "We are wonderful, daughter. And so much better now that we see you."
 
"All I can say is I'm glad that we are the first family members to see you," she said with a slight motherly air.
 
The timber wolf smiled repentantly. "Me too." He turned to Will. "It's hard for this wolf to say goodbye to one of his oldest friends."
 
"Then don't say it, Padre," Will said. "Just say hasta luego."
 
Jim shook his head. "It will not make it any easier, my friend."
 
"I will be back."
 
"I will hold you to that," the Padre said. He squeezed the paw of the wolf next to him. "And now if you will excuse us, we both wish to say goodbye to Oliver and Derrick."
 
"Derrick is hunting bats in the cave with your grandkids. I think if you find Kris, you'll find Oliver," Will said.
 
"Thank you, old friend," the padre said as he leaned in and kissed the old wolf. The kiss lasted. And went on. When at last they separated, they smiled at their family, who waited patiently for their goodbye to end. 
 
Out on the glade near the airships, Éric hugged his parents, who were crying over the change in their son. Not sure if they were happy tears or sad, the bear clung awkwardly to them. "I hope you're happy with what I've done here," he said solicitously.
 
His mother looked up at the bear. "It seemed so much different when we took a vote on it. A bear didn't seem so large on a little strip of paper." Louane wiped the tears from her eyes and pushed the bear back, looking at him carefully. "You are beautiful, but I miss my boy."
 
The bear smiled. "I will always be your boy, Momma. Nothing has changed save a bit of flesh and fur. My heart will always be yours."
 
Milo looked at his bear son. "And ours will always be with you, Son. Give us a bit of time to adjust to this change. I'm sorry it came on top of such a sad announcement for our family. We are losing so many of your godfathers."
 
"They will be back, Poppa," the bear said.
 
"Yes, but if I understand this merging that they are doing, we will not be here to welcome them home."
 
The bear nodded. "I know. I'm sorry that this is a goodbye we have to make as a family much too soon. But I will be here when they return, and I will give them your love."
 
The father of the bear smiled. "We will hold you to that. You do not want us haunting that school you're going to build."
 
The bear reached out and hugged the two again. "I love you both so much," he whispered.
 
"We love you, Son," the two replied. When they separated, the three went to say their goodbyes to the godfathers that soon would be stone.
 
Inside the cave, Matthew was hugging the wheelchair-bound badger. "I will miss you, Oliver," the human said as he let the badger loose and stared at him. "I probably won't be alive when you return."
 
"Turn, Matthew. Be here when I comes back."
 
"I'm straight, Oliver. I have a beautiful wife and daughter. Growing old and having grandkids are things I am looking forward to. You know, that whole human experience. What would I do for eternity, sitting around with a bunch of gay guys?"
 
"You might gets used to us after a while. You could be bi, you know."
 
Matthew laughed. "And you, Oliver, could you be bi?"
 
"No," the badger said, shaking his head.
 
"And you expect me to change? How?"
 
Oliver frowned. "I don'ts, Matthew. I just knows I will miss you."
 
"I will miss you too, Oliver. But I was born human. I made my mistakes as a human. I've lived my life trying to make up for them as a human. This is who I am. But I will never forget you and everyone on Partridge Island for helping me make peace with who I am in this life."
 
"You goes on and has a good life, Matthew. Be happy. You deserves that much."
 
"I will, Oliver," Matthew said as he reached out and hugged the little mammal. "You don't forget me. Just leave me there on the fringes of your memory and now and then when you smile, you say, ‘that's for you, Matthew', and you know wherever I am, I will hear you."
 
"I promises I will do that," Oliver said, clinging to the boy who became a man.
 
Matthew stepped away, and Oliver caught the eye of Damien and Tuff and motioned to them. "What's up, Oliver?" Damien asked.
 
"You knows Matthew, right?"
 
"The human you were just talking to?" Damien asked. Oliver nodded. 
 
Tuff watched the human walking away. "We said hello to him on the flight, and I remember bringing him and Marcus home."

Damien nodded. "I remember him from the meeting we had just before the Day of Transformation. But I'm afraid he's a bit of Partridge Island history that we weren't a part of."
 
"Damien, coulds you do me a big favor?" 
 
"Of course, Oliver. What do you need?"
 
"Finds out about a little boy who killed himself years ago named Anthony. I don'ts know his last name, but I bet Dr. Kong does. You gots to learn his history. Finds out why he's dead. Matthew thinks he was a part of the bullies that led him to killing himself."
 
"And you want us to find out what, Oliver?"
 
"If Matthew is right. Or if there's more to this than we's seeing. I'd do it myself, but he's probably gonna be dead by the time I comes back. Whatever it is we gots to do for that boy gots to be done by you. You finds out the truth, good or bad, and you sits on it until the day you needs it."
 
Damien knelt down to the badger. "We'll find out what we can, Oliver. Do you know when we'll need this?"
 
"It's something coming. I wish I knowed what and when. I ain't got a clue. It's too far away for me to see it clearly. But our family is linked to that boy, and he's holding a hurt that never healed since he was a tiny one."
 
Tuff looked at the man with the thinning gray hair across the room. "He's no boy anymore, Oliver. I hope we can dig up whatever it is you think is buried."
 
"He's always gonna be a little boy to me. He's a good man, and he says he's happy. But I can't help but think somewhere along the line I wasn't there for him when I shoulds have been. It's the boy I can't seems to let go of."
 
Tuff picked up the badger from the wheelchair and hugged him. "You rest well, Oliver. Sleep next to your husbands and be at peace. We will find what you are searching for."
 
"And bring him home if he gets lost."
 
Tiff passed the badger to Damien. "We promise, Oliver."
 
The mingling and goodbyes lasted for hours as humans and beasts said their goodbyes to the family. Kristopher and his family said their goodbyes to Nathaniel and his family. After a tearful set of hugs, Kristopher took Oliver aside. "I'm going to ask you to do what my great uncle asked of you." He stuck out his hand and a small crystal chip lay in the middle.
 
"I'm going to give this to Max. The chances are very good we won't be alive when you return, Oliver. Jenny and I can't say goodbye to you the way we would like. So, you gather all our uncles together and watch this when you come back, okay?"
 
"Okay, Kristopher," Oliver said sadly. 
 
"I have been such a lucky man to be born into this family. I have a bear for a brother and a family of animals for uncles, and I have never, never felt so proud to be a human as when I have been with you. You be well," Kristopher said to the badger. He looked up into the immense belly of the short-faced bear. He looked further up into the deep brown eyes. "You all be well."
 
The sound of temple bells tolling in the distance reminded everyone of the time they hoped would never come. Will grabbed Damien and Darius, pulling them aside. "Did you find Marcus?"
 
"I'm sorry, Old Wolf," Darius said. "We've tried everything. Wherever he is, he doesn't want to be found."
 
"But he promised to come back."
 
"That was six years ago, Father," Tiff said as he walked up and took the paw of his mate.
 
"He's lost, boys. He just needs some help to find his way home."
 
"We will do what we can to find him, Old Wolf," Darius said. "You promised to be here. You will honor your promise. We will be here to bring him home if he honors his."
 
"Don't hold it against him that it took him longer than he thought."
 
Tiff smiled. "Why would we do that, Father? We all have our paths home. Sometimes we just don't realize it will take us longer than we think. We will never stop looking for him."
 
"I wish I could say goodbye to him," Will said sadly.
 
Derrick's arm wrapped around the old wolf. "You will be here to say hello if he so chooses. You two love each other. Trust that love to survive this bump in the road."
 
"This is a hell of a bump, Pup."
 
"That's true. But he's a good man, and the temple dogs and our husbands will be here to explain. Don't go into this merging with regret. Be confident that you two will find your way back together. Learn the lesson that a little badger has tried to teach you for centuries."
 
Will felt a tug at his waist. "Yeah, Old Wolf. We ones that runs away deep down insides wants to come back. Marcus will come back. And he is gonna wait for you."
 
 "The Sight tells you that, Oliver?" the old wolf asked as he put his paws on the arms of the wheelchair.
 
"No, my heart tells me that. Which one would you rather believe?"
 
Will picked the badger up, kissing him on the lips. "Your heart, Oliver. I will always trust your heart."
 
"Then gets me to my bear and cat husbands, and let's get this merging over as quick as we cans. The sooner we starts, the sooner we comes home." Will threw the badger onto his shoulders and ducking down, he entered the main chamber of the cave.
 
Kris saw his husbands enter the cave and motioned to his son. Nathaniel took Martin's hand and walked toward the cave's main hall. Only Eric and Donovan entered the cave with them. They gave their hugs and kisses. The family's paws caressed each other lovingly one last time, and their mates returned the affection.
 
"I don't suppose there's any way you could like just shove your cock into me so that when I'm a rock at least you're in me for forty years?" Will asked Kris inquisitively. 
 
"Not without a certain black wolf never forgiving me or you for doing so," Kris said as he shook his head.
 
"Then shove it in him. I like to watch."
 
"No, Old Wolf," the Kodiak sighed. "You two hold on to me. I hold on to Nathaniel and his husbands hold on to him."
 
"Seems a shame no one's getting poked in the butt," Oliver said.
 
Nathaniel laughed. "We have to have some reason to come back, now don't we?"
 
Oliver smiled. "Yeah, I guess we does. Dibs on the bottom bunk when we comes home." He stared at Will. "There, bastard wolf. You don't gets to say it."
 
Will lifted Oliver up over his shoulders and took the badger into one last hug. "Oliver, when I come back, I promise the first place my dick is going is up your butt."
 
Oliver smiled. "You says the sweetest things, Old Wolf. I loves you now and forever."
 
Will kissed the badger. "And I love you now and forever, Oliver."
 
Nathaniel lay on the ground and reached out for Oliver. "Little spoon?" he asked. 
 
Oliver slipped from Will's hands into Nathaniel's. "Little spoon," Oliver said, pushing up against the short-faced bear. He felt the large arm encircle him. "When we wakes up, Bear, you gots to wait until after the old wolf fucks me before you takes me. After forty years, I'se gonna be pretty tight. Don't want you tearing me up, Bear."
 
Nathaniel laughed. "I will be as gentle as the first day we were together."
 
Oliver smiled. "I'se gonna get tore up, everyone. Just so you knows."
 
Kris lay down in front of the Badger. "I'm a healer, Badger. I can fix that for you." He looked back behind him. "Pup?"
 
Derrick slipped in front of the bear and wiggled himself back into the thick fur and belly. "Little spoon, Husband," he whispered.
 
Will knelt behind the Kodiak. "Big spoon, Husband. But only on the condition you reverse that position when we come home."
 
"Gladly, Husband," the bear replied as he felt the wolf press up against him. 
 
"Damn," the old wolf said as he shifted position. "Almost forgot." He looked back at the polar bear and the Armbruster's wolf. "Husbands, a little help with my prosthetics, please?" The wolf stared at his metal arm and rotated it. "Well, at least now we know why Martin insisted on these older units."
 
The wolf rolled over on his side and looked up into the face of the white bear. "From the moment I saw you, Old Bear, I was yours. I have never for a moment doubted we belong together, even if it took me forever to say it."
 
"And I you, Old Wolf," the bear responded as he pressed the unlocking clamp of the leg. He lifted the leg and handed it to Donovan. "Now the arm."
 
Will heard Oliver clear his throat. "DON'T SAY IT, OLIVER!" Will barked. "Or so help me, I will rescind my promise to fuck you."
 
"FORM FEET AND LEGS!" Derrick yelled out.
 
"FORM ARMS AND TORSO!" Kris chimed in.
 
"Damn it, men," Will said, the frustration clear in his voice. "Bear, can you remove the jaw for me?"
 
The polar bear's paw glowed a bright green as he reached into the wolf's mouth and pulled the plastic jaw out. He handed the jaw back to Donovan, who took it and placed it next to the leg on the ground. Eric knelt before the old wolf. 
 
"One last touch before I let it go," Will said, mumbling through a mouth that no longer held its shape. The prosthetic arm lifted up with his other, and the wolf held the face of the polar bear. "Goodbye, Old Bear. Wait for me."
 
"For as long as it takes, Old Wolf," the bear replied as he reached out and uncoupled the arm. "AND I GIVE YOU HEAD!" he yelled. He looked at the frowning face of the Iberian wolf and smiled. "We have traditions, Old Wolf. Don't deny us our memories." He gently rolled the wolf over onto where his missing limbs would have been and helped the wolf secure his arm around the Kodiak.
 
Will felt the polar bear kiss him goodbye on the neck. And then he felt the teeth of the wolf pressing deep into his flesh. "We are mated, Old Wolf," Donovan said. "And wolves mate for life. Bring your life back to me soon, and I will make sure you never doubt that."
 
"I will," the old wolf said in a whisper.
 
Donovan stepped around the Kodiak and leaned over, kissing the black wolf. "And you, Pup. Come back and you will find I have learned how to treat a submissive appropriately to his needs." 
 
"Your training should start now, Husband," the wolf said as he lowered his neck. He sighed when he felt the jaws clamp down, pushing the teeth past his fur and deep into the skin of his neck. Pain… pleasure… love.
 
When the ancient wolf let go of his grip, he looked into the eyes of the badger. "We have barely had time to say hello as husbands. What do I do to say goodbye, my love?"
 
"You's already said it. Gives me a kiss goodbye and I will promise to come back for a kiss hello as soon as I can."
 
"No broken bones upon our return?" Donovan asked with a smile. 
 
"Maybe one or two, but nothing too serious," Oliver replied, returning the smile. He pushed up toward the wolf, and their lips met. The two kissed, and it was done. The wolf rose, and after a kiss goodbye to the Kodiak bear that sealed their pact to meet again, he stepped back from the six.
 
The polar bear had been moving around the group, saying his goodbyes to husbands and sons. He stopped last of all next to the Kodiak. "Father, you gave me life twice. Once when I was born into this world, and once when I was lost trying to find my way back. I love you beyond words, but now I have to find a way to say goodbye and wish you safe journeys back to us one day."
 
"The only honor greater than being your father is to be your husband, Son," the brown bear said. "Give me a kiss goodbye and know your husband will return to be by your side." 
 
The two leaned into their kiss over the top of Derrick's head. The black wolf lifted his eyes and watched the father and son kissing as husbands. He realized for the first time in his life their relationship didn't confuse him. It was as right as any he had ever seen in his hundreds of years of living. He smiled to himself, realizing that time was his greatest teacher of what was worth holding on to. The teachings of his childhood as a human slipped away as he embraced the truths of being in love with Changelings.
 
When the polar bear stood up and stepped back, the Kodiak closed his eyes and the green glow began to spread across his body. Nathaniel followed. The glow spread out and onto the others, casting all of them in a warm glow. When the light enveloped all six, the Changeling bears opened their eyes and stared at each other. Kris's paw reached out over the top of Derrick's head toward Nathaniel. The short-faced bear reached over the badger and clasped his father's hand. "Now and forever, Dad." He said.
 
"Now and forever, Son," the Kodiak responded. "Stay close beside me in the dark time. I will guide you, and you will guide your husbands." 
 
The paws that were once two melded into one as the fur of all the beasts elongated and spiraled around their bodies. Will's fur was a bright, glowing red, Derrick's blue, Martin's yellow, and Oliver's white. Donovan and Eric watched as the transformation progressed as it had for billions of years, and they smiled. Holding onto each other, they watched until the beasts were no more. All that lay before them were two crystalline rocks with a bridge of stone between them.
 
"Forty years, huh?" Donovan sighed.
 
"We took forty-two," his polar bear mate replied.
 
"That's quite the wait."
 
"Yep."
 
"I guess we could ask the temple dogs to stay for a while until they get back."
 
"I'm sure their temple will take some time to build. They have to have someplace to stay."
 
"Probably won't take forty years."
 
"No, probably won't," came the polar bear's disappointed response.
 
"I'm glad you're here with me, Old Bear."
 
"And I'm glad I'm here with you, Wolf."
 
The wolf looked up into the eyes of the bear. "Be my mate?"
 
"Was there ever a doubt?" the bear said, grabbing the wolf and kissing him.
 
Outside the cave, the family watched the glow spill out from inside. Like the union inside, the light fluoresced with all the colors of the beasts within. But eventually, the green glow took over as the two Changelings brought their husbands into their new world.
 
Jean Pierre rose. "And so it begins again, family. We wait. We wait as we will always wait for our family to come home. Come, let us leave the Old Bear and his mate to their vigil. Soon enough, we will return."
 
Katashi moved toward the mouth of the cave. "We will remain for a time, Gray One."
 
Noboru nodded. "These transitions are not easy, and we would not have our brothers suffer from so distant a location."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "You are noble and wise. We will return soon to aid you in your chosen calling."
 
A low laugh moved through the humans. "Really?" Kristopher said as he wrapped his arm around his bear brother. "You can't just say you're going to make sure they get shagged regularly, because that's what you do?"
 
"Not with humans around," Zhuang said with a grin. "We want it to sound more… more… virtuous."
 
Kristopher laughed again. "It is virtuous, Zhuang. For thousands of years, you have kept the peace where we have failed, and you have done so while banging your brains out. One day, we should be so lucky."
 
The temple dog bowed. "Perhaps one day."
 
"Until that day," Alejandro said, "I have children who need to be in bed soon, so if we can get a ride from one of our pilots, we would appreciate it."
 
"Come with us, families of man," Tiff said as he waved toward the Red Wolf. "We will escort you home."
 
Jean Pierre watched as the crowd of humans moved toward the airships. Lothair came up beside him. "You know one day it will be Jason and you beside me inside that rock, don't you?"
 
"I expect as much."
 
"We will, of course, need to exchange massive amounts of DNA to safeguard the merging."
 
"Of course."
 
Jason looked at the two. "You're still doing it, you know."
 
Jean Pierre smiled. "I know, my love. Old habits are hard to break." He took the hand of the little fox. "Beasts of Montana. Do we have anything pressing on the docket for the next few days?"
 
Damien looked at his calendar. "Not that I can see," he replied.
 
"The ranch will be just fine," Chet added. "We have hands in place to take care of the herds and crops."
 
"Good then," Jean Pierre said. "We will stay here for a few days with the temple dogs to help Eric and Donovan settle in."
 
Chet laughed. "I'm sure Father would appreciate that."
 
"I would think so," Jean Pierre said authoritatively. He watched as the Red Wolf and Gray Wolf rose into the sky and disappeared. He turned and grinned at the gathering beasts. "Besides, I have a real craving to shag me some polar bear butt." The alpha shook the hand of the little fox playfully, turned, and walked into the cave with his husbands in hand. With their smiles widening, the pack followed.

Chapter 25

Greg sighed as the older man pointed to the steel girders jutting from the ground. He tapped the ComLink on his chest to help in translating, and the old man did the same. "I assure you, Mr. Beauchat, the school will look exactly like the pictures you all approved. The steel structure you see being built is to make sure the school is earthquake-proof. Terra has a way of stretching now and then in this area, and that just messes up things. We're preparing for those contingencies."
 
"But it looks like some damn skyscraper being built."
 
"It's only four stories tall, but I know how imposing that can look out here surrounded by fields. You have to trust us that this is a necessary step. It won't always look this way. We're trying to get past this part as quickly as we are able. Concrete foam doesn't set any faster than it sets. If we try to push the curing process, it won't provide the protection the school needs. The base isolation techniques we're using are pretty sophisticated. They have to be put in place very carefully. You want this school to be as safe for your visitors as the school for the town children, don't you?"
 
The old man stared at the beams. "I suppose," he mumbled. "How much longer?"
 
Éric approached the two, smiling. "Eber, leave the nice man alone and let him do his work."
 
The old man pointed to the steel structure. "His work is an eyesore, Éric. How long do we have to look at such hideous pieces of metal?"
 
Éric tapped his ComLink. "Visual," he said. He stood beside the old man. "What is this?" He said pointing to the image that appeared in front of them.
 
"A mess of paint splattered all over a sheet," the old man grumbled.
 
"Now watch," Éric said. "No tricks here, Eber. You can tell that's me," he said. A man with paintbrushes and buckets moved about at increased speed, placing layer upon layer of paint over the mess. The artist was using the mess as a guide to something far different from what appeared to be only blobs of color on an enormous canvas. Slowly, an image appeared of the town with its quaint buildings and people shopping from the vegetable carts. 
 
Eber instantly recognized the mural that everyone saw in the main lobby of the train station. "I see your point," Eber said. "The men cannot make a beautiful building until they put a foundation in place. What I see will no longer be seen by the time they are done."
 
"Exactly."
 
"Still looks like Hell."
 
"Doesn't it though? I sometimes wonder how Greg creates what he does. But you saw the drawings and the models. It will be beautiful; like an old villa amongst the trees. People who visit will never know that it hasn't been a part of this town for centuries."
 
Eber looked at the wolf he couldn't see and stared into the wolf's chest where he thought the eyes of a man would be. "I am sorry for my impatience."
 
Greg smiled. "It's okay, Mr. Beauchat. I'm an impatient man, too. The sooner I finish my work here, the sooner I get to return home to my family. I assure you, the steel monstrosity you hate will no longer be visible by the end of this week; Sunday at the latest."
 
"Very well. I will hold you to that promise. If it is gone by Monday, I will make you and your husband a dinner that you won't soon forget."
 
Greg put out his paw and shook Eber's hand. "Then I have all the more reason to make sure we finish on schedule."
 
The old man turned and began his walk back toward the town. Éric put out his paws and Greg entered the hug. He sighed as he pushed his muzzle up against Éric's chest. "Why did you have to be a bear, Éric? Do you have any idea how distracting you are?"
 
"My family voted on what they wanted me to be. Getting them to see me was much easier when they knew what I was going to become."
 
Greg pushed back and nodded. "And you became something adorable. I'm sorry to complain when everything about you is totally what my husband and I enjoy."
 
Éric smiled widely. "Then finish hiding those steel girders by Monday, and I will have you and your husband over for snacks. You'll be my snack, and I'll be yours."
 
Greg grinned back at the brown bear. "You have a deal. Mike will be thrilled to hear it. It's not easy having a long-distance relationship with him. Visiting on the weekends isn't cutting it for either of us."
 
"Couldn't you have let a local contractor build this?"
 
"Not really. Like your town, there are parts of this building that humankind has yet to figure out. We'll introduce a couple of them when this building goes public. It's where the cutting edge will be in about three years, so Bear Paws is going to let it go mainstream a bit early."
 
"But not all of what is happening is for human view?"
 
"Your townspeople and the media are going to see a facade of wood and stucco going up over the metal shell, but a few of the materials we're using aren't what they appear to be. The perks of being a beast, I guess. You get all the protection we can give you and your future students."
 
"I heard about the electrical system from Mike."
 
"Well, the unveiling of metal-free flex-wiring was years ago. There will be people who have never heard of it, but it's pretty standard now in any large-scale building that wants an earthquake-resistant structure." 
 
Éric reached out and hugged the wolf tightly. "Thank you so much, Greg. Thank all of you."
 
"We're family, Éric. This is what we do."
 
The two sat quietly for a time, watching the workers as they moved stabilizers into place. A cloud of dust caught their eye as a paneled van made its way up the dirt road. It pulled to a stop in front of the two beasts, and Margaux stepped out. "I have brought you all lunch," she said, throwing the back door of the van open.
 
Greg stared at the food inside. "You really shouldn't do this, Margaux. We love what you make, but the time involved in doing this every day has to cut into your life."
 
"My family is my life, Greg," the middle-aged woman replied. "Éric is my brother, and you are his. I believe that makes you at the very least a stepbrother. Besides, in France, it is rude not to accept a luncheon invitation. Come. Call your men together, and you can all tell me about how the building is progressing. It is certainly looking awful enough to have the whole town talking about it."
 
Greg shook his head. "Yeah, so I've heard," he said, taking the sandwich and soda. 
 
"Croque-Monsieur," Margaux said, pointing to the hot sandwich. "It's what a grilled ham and cheese should be."
 
Greg took a bite and smiled. "It's delicious," he said. "Almost makes me glad to be working on the school."
 
"It will be fine, Greg," Margaux said with a laugh as she began to hand out lunches to the work team. "Few remember the first buildings added to our town fifty years ago. They looked much like the school. They were all metal and rollers and weird bearings on plates. I was too young to remember anything but the building of the school, but Poppa would tell us stories about the shops that were made before the school."
 
"Mr. Beauchat is certainly old enough to remember."
 
"He moved here after they built the town shops. He never saw the buildings being made. But his restaurant has two Michelin stars. Pretty good for a quiet little provincial town, wouldn't you say?"
 
"Your people have always amazed me, Margaux."
 
Margaux looked confused. Greg smiled. "Bonjour, petite fille. Je m'appelle Jean Claude Devereux."
 
"Wait… you were Jean Claude?"
 
"Our people live a very long time. We often trade names and personas so that we can work with humans over centuries. You know Luca's son who runs the Cadeau de Printemps winery now?"
 
"Of course."
 
"That's Luca."
 
"No," Margaux said disbelievingly. "He's so much younger than Luca."
 
"Have you seen Luca since Victor took over?"
 
"No, they say he retired to Spain. That's a fairly popular thing to do for tax reasons."
 
"Luca will never leave his vineyards, Margaux. He loves this area, and he loves the town." The wolf took another bite of his sandwich. "We change our names. We tell you we are different people. You just create a new image of who we are based on what we tell you."
 
"Then you don't look like Jean Claude when you're human?"
 
"Probably not. I imagine you remember someone exactly the age you all expected a contractor to be. My human persona stopped aging at twenty-eight."
 
"No, you were much older," Margaux said as she handed a dessert to a worker. "You make a beautiful wolf, though."
 
Greg smiled. "I'm glad you see me, Margaux."
 
"But your husband; oh mon Dieu. Now he is something too hot for words."
 
Greg laughed, choking on his drink. "I agree, but now I have soda up my nose."
 
As Margaux laughed along with the wolf, Éric sat quietly and watched the interplay between his two families. He knew one day all his family would see the beasts the way his parents, Margaux, and the children did. But he was in no hurry. Time was on his side.
 
Chapter 26
 
A cold April wind blew through the skyscrapers of Toronto like canyon winds down a gorge. Marcus watched the wind pummel the new leaves on the plaza trees. He braced himself before exiting the building and stepped out into the urban canyon. He crossed the wide expanse of the plaza. As he neared the street, he saw a homeless man with his hat out. 
 
The homeless rate had fallen dramatically over the years, but there were always those living their lives independently of the world around them. The reasons for their homelessness varied as much as the individuals asking for money to tide them over. Marcus reached into his pocket for his wallet. "Hey, buddy," the nearly bald man with wispy white hair said, "you got twenty-eight years to spare?"
 
Marcus's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
 
"I said have you got some change to spare? I could use a meal."
 
"It's kind of cold out here. Can I buy you a cup of coffee and that meal? There's a diner just around the corner."
 
"Maxi's?" the old man asked. 
 
"Yeah, do you go there?"
 
"Best coffee on the planet," the old man said. "Sometimes my benders go a little long. They're always kind to me there."
 
"Well, then what say you and I go there?"
 
"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" the old man asked. "Someone has been waiting for you a very long time."
 
Marcus looked at the old man. "What do you mean?" he asked.
 
"I just meant I don't want you to miss a meeting or anything if you have somewhere else to be." The old man fumbled to get his backpack as he tried to stand. He fell backward and landed on his butt. "Sometimes I say things that people hear different from what I think I'm saying. I don't mean any harm by it."
 
Marcus looked at the white-haired man. "Is that the drinking or are you just ignoring your meds?"
 
The old man laughed. "Damn, am I that bad now?" He nodded his head. "I used to take the meds, but they don't stop the voices. They just jumble them up so I can't make sense of them. After a while, I realized that was even worse."
 
Marcus put his gloved hand out, and the man grabbed it. With a tug, he was upright. "Do you need someone to lean on?"
 
"Used to have a badger for that," the man said.
 
"I'm sorry? Come again?"
 
"I usually rely on the badges for that. You know, the police. They're pretty decent around here. They know I'm harmless, so they help me out when I get lost. It's not easy being lost. Sometimes it gets so bad, I don't think I'll ever find my way home again."
 
Marcus heard the words, but let them go unchallenged. Somehow, what the old man said this time made perfect sense to him. The two made their way to the diner, and Marcus pushed the door open for the old man.
 
As soon as the two walked in, the young lady at the counter looked up and smiled. "Hey, there Matthew. Hi Marcus. I didn't know you two knew each other."
 
Marcus smiled. "Hi, Lindsay. We just met today. I've invited Matthew to lunch."
 
The young lady reached over and grabbed the coffee pot. "Coffee Matthew? Just brewed it."
 
The old man nodded. "That would be great, ma'am."
 
"How many years have I tried to get you to call me Lindsay?" the young woman said with a laugh.
 
"I'm sorry, Lindsay," the old man said. "I forget so much."
 
Lindsay put down a cup and poured the coffee. "Don't worry, Matthew. One day you'll remember."
 
The young woman looked at Marcus. "You want coffee today, Marcus?"
 
"I think not. Maybe just a glass of milk with lunch, please." 
 
"You've got it." She looked at the two. "I'd bring you menus, but what's the use? A hamburger with everything on it but onions for you, Matthew. And the chicken fried steak for you, Marcus. The only thing we really need to know is fries or potato salad, Matthew?"
 
"Fries today would be nice," the old man said with a smile. "You know, one day I might surprise you and order something different."
 
"Maybe, but not today," Lindsay said with a wave of her hand. "Today is Thursday. Hamburger for you, and chicken fried steak for Marcus. Like clockwork for the last three years." She looked at the two. "You know, that's strange. You both started coming here right around the same time. It's funny you never met before."
 
"He hasn't seen the light," the old man replied. "He's making the biggest mistake of his life, but it's not what he thinks it is."
 
Marcus turned to challenge the old man, but Lindsay spoke before he could. "You're right. He doesn't come in at night. Marcus always comes in during the day for lunch. You're sort of like two men on different shifts."
 
Marcus shook his head, trying to pull it back to a conversation that was increasingly deviating from what he heard. "Are we really that predictable?" Marcus asked. 
 
"Yep. Both of you. Same meals every day when you walk in. If it's Tuesday it's the BLT with extra lettuce for you, Matthew; and the hot turkey sandwich for you, Marcus. I can tell what day it is by what you two order."
 
Marcus looked down at the table. "I've become myself again. Just in a different city."
 
"My turn to ask, ‘come again?'" Matthew said.
 
Marcus looked up. "Oh, I was just ruminating on how life takes us down paths we don't expect to go. Paths that take us so far away from where we dreamed we would be."
 
"You should have gone home a long time ago," the old man said.
 
Marcus decided not to even ask what he should have heard.
 
"Why do you wear those gloves?" Matthew asked pointing to the white gloves on Marcus's hands. 
 
"I have a disease. It causes incredible pain when I touch others skin-to-skin."
 
"You mean if you touch me, I'm going to get sick?"
 
"No, it's only me. It doesn't affect anyone else."
 
"Wow, and I thought my voices were bad," Matthew said. "I'm sorry for you, Mister. No one deserves that life."
 
"Self-inflicted wounds," Marcus said as he rubbed his hands.
 
Matthew's eyes widened when he heard the response. "We're two of a kind. Only I try to drown my voices in alcohol and you fence yourself off with a pair of gloves."
 
"Did I hear you correctly this time?" Marcus asked.
 
"I'm pretty sure you did," Matthew said. "I have what others call the Sight. I see things that others don't and hear voices that no one else hears. It was supposed to be gone forever, but it came back three years ago when I moved to this town. I don't know why I haven't moved out of this hell, but something keeps me here."
 
Marcus looked at the old man. "The Sight. I haven't heard that spoken of in nearly thirty years."
 
Matthew stared into the short man's eyes. "Who are you? How do you know about the Sight?"
 
Marcus shook his head, trying to hold back the flood of memories. When he placed his hand back on the table, Matthew grabbed it. "Tell me what you know about the Sight," he demanded. 
 
And then the wave of memories broke through both men as Matthew's hand touched the skin of Marcus's arm between the long sleeve shirt and the gloves. For a moment, Matthew could have sworn he was looking at himself. Instantly, both pushed away from each other, but the images swirling in their heads lingered. 
 
Matthew glared at Marcus. "You… you're the reason. Oliver took it away, but you're the reason it came back. August eighteenth. That's the day you arrived here, isn't it? That's the day it all came back with a vengeance. The visions, the voices… this unrelenting hell of sight and noise. Who are you? What have I ever done to you that you would hate me so?"
 
Marcus backed his chair away from the table. "You're Matthew Kingston. You were part of the bully brigade."
 
"I know who I am. Who the hell are you?"
 
"I'm nobody. A man fell in love with a wolf. I swear I never meant to hurt anyone."
 
"You're Marcus," the old man said, realizing who was across the table from him. "Why did you lie? Why did you let him believe you were coming back? He waited, Marcus. He waited for so many years." Matthew's eyes grew dark with anger. "And now he can't… he can't… You son of a bitch. He waited right up until the end. He was so sure you were going to come back. But you lied."
 
Marcus grabbed Matthew's arm with his gloved hand. "What happened to William? What end?"
 
Matthew pushed the hand away. "You have no right to ask. You forfeited your right to care about that family twenty-eight years ago when you walked off the highland and never looked back."
 
"I never meant to. I always thought I would return, but life was so much different from what I thought it would be."
 
"Life is never what we think it will be," the old man said as he stood up. He looked over at the counter. "Hey, Lindsay. I've got to run," he yelled. "Can you make my order to-go?"
 
"Sure, Matthew. Give me a second. Gus was just plating it."
 
"Thanks," the old man said. He turned to Marcus. "Three years, you son of a bitch. Three years with this hell inside my head. And for what? So I could tell you what a total fuck-up you've been? You didn't figure that out years ago?"
 
"Yes," Marcus confessed. "Yes, I've figured that out. Please, I didn't know this would happen to you."
 
"But you knew you were going to break the old wolf's heart. Oliver warned you. You knew that, and you still went right ahead and did it. He gave you everything, and you yanked it all out from under him. What kind of monster are you?"
 
Marcus began shaking. "The worst kind. The kind that can't die."
 
Matthew glared at Marcus. "Oh, you can die. You've already done that. Your body just hasn't caught up with your soul. It's probably not news to you, but I was a rotten kid. And then, I spent one summer with that family and they changed my life. It was actually a pretty good run until three years ago. How could you turn your back on them?"
 
Marcus couldn't find words to respond to the question he had asked himself so many times before. Matthew slammed his fist onto the table. "Do you know how many nights in my life I cried because I wanted to be their son so badly? You were the lucky one. You were born gay. I'm straight. I can't turn. Who I am would jeopardize their entire civilization. I know what happens to straight men who turn. I know all about the Children of the Night. But you… they gave you the gift I always dreamed of and you've wasted it. You've thrown it all away. You're nothing but a human. And not even a decent one at that. At least I tried to make up for the damage I did. You, you're just a disaster speeding along at full speed mowing down the lives of people like me who you don't even know."
 
Matthew walked up to the counter and took the cardboard lunch box from Lindsay. "Thanks, Lindsay," he said. As he walked by Marcus, he said, "I'm taking this. I might as well make you pay for something in my life. You've fucked it up bad enough to owe me a whole lot more." He pushed past Marcus, through the door, and headed out into the cold.
 
Lindsay came over to the table with the chicken fried steak. She looked at Marcus. "Is there something wrong, Marcus?" she asked.
 
"Yes, there's something terribly, terribly wrong," Marcus replied. "And I've got to try and do something about it." He put a wad of money on the table. "Keep the change. I'm sorry for everything."
 
Lindsay put her hand on Marcus's shoulder. "I don't know what happened between you two, but you're both good men. Find a way to fix this, Marcus. That man has been hurting so badly for so many years."
 
Marcus stepped toward the door and looked back at the young lady as he pushed the door open. "I know. We both have. I have to catch up to him."
 
Marcus found Matthew in an alleyway inside an abandoned building's doorway. He had wrapped himself in a blanket and was eating his hamburger. He looked up when he saw Marcus entering the alley. "Get the hell away from me, Marcus," he lashed out.
 
"Not before we talk," Marcus said. "You're right about everything."
 
"Well, that's a comfort," Matthew said sarcastically as he reached over and grabbed a paper-bagged bottle and took a drink from it. "I'm so thrilled to find out my Sight is totally functional and not just screaming voices in my head."
 
"Matthew, I'm sorry. I have tried to live a decent life. All my adult life I've worked with orphaned children trying to find them homes."
 
 Matthew looked up as he shoved fries into his mouth. "Well, at least you're not a total asshole. Thanks for letting me know. I'll have something to tell the screaming voices when we chat next."
 
"One thing I've learned to recognize is an orphan. They have a look about them. You have that look."
 
Matthew ate some more fries. "Good eye, Marcus. Everyone in my life is dead. My wife, my daughter, my daughter's husband, and three kids; all of them are dead. The whole family was out shopping. They came home for Christmas. A drunk driver, Marcus. They still have them, you know. Even after all that Max did to save the world; we still kill each other. I suppose I should be grateful that it wasn't malicious, but you know, I'm not. Still, I see some irony in it all. I thought it was the accident that brought back the Sight. It drives you mad, you know. So, I drank to help silence the noise and stop the visions. I got pretty good at stopping the visions, but the voices… they never stop, Marcus. So I'm left here alone. A drunk made from another drunk… sitting here eating food from a guy I hate. I don't drive, though. I'm at least going to drink myself to death without taking anyone else with me."
 
"I don't want you to die, Matthew."
 
The old man laughed, and he took another swig from the bottle. "Oliver asked me to turn. He was so insistent that I be there when he came home. I walked away from that goodbye thinking I would make him proud. But like you said, life didn't turn out the way I planned. Losing my family, losing my mind, losing everything. It takes its toll, Wolf. There's a point where a man just can't rebound."
 
"Let me take you home," Marcus begged.
 
"This is my home," Matthew said, waving around himself. 
 
"No, this isn't your home. Life robbed you of one home. I robbed you of your ability to build a new one. Let me take you to the one that has always been there."
 
The old man looked up. "What do you mean?"
 
"Partridge Island."
 
"They're gone, Marcus. Nathaniel, Oliver, Martin, they're all gone. Everyone I loved on that island is now a rock inside a cave in British Columbia. Every dream I ever had. Everything is gone."
 
"Not everything," Marcus said. "Not everyone."
 
Matthew shook his head. "It's too late for me, Marcus. And too late for you. I doubt they'll welcome you on the island. I doubt you'll be welcome anywhere there are werebeasts, for that matter. You lied to the best-known family in the Were Nation, and you snubbed a wolf that is loved by everyone. You're lucky they don't kill because if they did, you wouldn't step foot on that island in one piece."
 
"I don't care about the fallout for me. Please, Matthew, let me take you home. Let me help you find your family. They can help quiet the voices in your head. If it's my fault the Sight returned, there is no way I can ever make amends for that. But you have family that loves you, and I can get you back to them."
 
"It's a long drive, and I throw up a lot in cars when I drink."
 
"Then don't drink."
 
"It's even worse, then."
 
Marcus shook his head disbelievingly. "Okay, Matthew. We find another way, but in the end, please don't say no." Marcus thought for a moment. "I have an idea. I don't have to drive you far. Just to the airport."
 
"What are we going to do there?"
 
"I'll call Montana and ask for the twins to come and pick you up."
 
"They'll be pissed," the old man said.
 
"Not at you," Marcus countered.
 
"Are you coming?"
 
"If they'll let me, yes," Marcus replied. "I want to make sure you're well taken care of."
 
"Would it hurt your feelings if I say I hope they kick your ass?"
 
"No, I don't think so."
 
"Then I hope they do," the old man said. He paused. "Fuck this gene-splicing nonsense," he said, shaking his head. "I hope they take you back, Marcus. No one deserves to suffer in this world because of something I wish on them. You've suffered enough by your own hand."
 
"Self-inflicted wounds," Marcus said.
 
"They always cut the deepest," the white-haired man agreed. "Go… make your call; for all the good it will do us."
 
Marcus stepped back and tapped his ComLink. "William Gentry, code 744685 dash 323, priority 1, hey, hey, do the Macarena."
 
Matthew looked up. "Well, at least the Old Wolf made you look like an ass in front of someone who can appreciate it."
 
A single tone rang like a temple bell, followed by the voice of the young fox. "Greetings, Marcus," he said.
 
"H-h-hello," a confused Marcus stammered. "How did you know it was me?" Marcus asked the unfamiliar voice. 
 
"We change all access codes weekly. They're on rotating algorithms; nothing like the one the old wolf gave you. He made me promise to leave this line open."
 
"I'm glad you did."
 
"It would have been much easier just to keep your promise, Marcus," the fox said dispassionately. 
 
"I am truly sorry…" Marcus tried to pull a name from memory based on the stories he heard. "Is this Jason?"
 
"Yep. And now for the validation codes that you and the old wolf agreed upon."
 
Marcus groaned. "Is this absolutely necessary, Jason? You know who I am."
 
"Video on," Jason said. "Most of these validation codes require some kind of video response, so you better turn yours on, Marcus."
 
"We were just being silly, Jason."
 
"Let me make one thing very clear, Marcus. When Will was on the highland, he made just about everyone in the Were Nation promise to treat you kindly if you ever returned. To a man, they all swore they would do so. But the old wolf looked at the little fox and thought to himself, ‘he's always so kind, he's always so loving. Surely I don't have to ask him to treat Marcus kindly.' So, he never asked, and I never promised."
 
Marcus's head bowed. "I understand. If I was in your shoes, I would try to make my life as difficult as possible."
 
"No, I would never do that, Marcus. That would violate the trust the old wolf has put in me to treat all callers civilly. I have never violated the trust of the old wolf. It would be nice if all those he loved were as true to the trust he gave them." 
 
The red fox watched as Marcus's video came online. "I am only going to ask you to repeat your agreed-upon validation codes to the letter. I believe you have a photographic memory, so let's put it to good use."
 
Matthew laughed in the background. "Now this guy I like."
 
"Oh," Jason said when he heard the voice. "Even better. There's an audience. Any chance I can get you to move to a bar or a busy street, Marcus?"
 
"No," Marcus said flatly. "Can we get this over with?"
 
"Certainly," Jason said. "First question. Will's family is out on an exploration mission to Alpha Centauri in the Jupiter 2 when suddenly a meteor storm comes hurtling toward them. What is the proper response?"
 
Marcus sighed. He pulled his coat up onto his head and swung his arms wildly about. "Warning, Warning," He yelled. "Danger, Derrick Robnton, Danger!"
 
"Okay, that seems to be in order," the fox said with a snicker. 
 
Matthew started laughing out loud. "Now I really like this guy."
 
"Next question," the fox said unsympathetically. "What's your favorite kind of pie?" 
 
"Really, Jason?" Marcus asked. 
 
"You made the questions and their method of confirmation."
 
Marcus leaned over and, for a chubby man, did what most would consider impossible. He leaned forward and placed his hands on the ground. With a kick, he was balancing on them as his legs waved wildly in the air, trying to maintain balance. When he had settled, he carefully lifted his left hand into the air. Balancing on only one hand, he answered, "3.14159265358979323…" Marcus's handstand faltered a bit, and he worked to regain control by bouncing up and down on the hand until he found his balance once more. "8462643383279502884197169… William's favorite number… 39937510582097494… Please, Jason…"
 
"Just ten more, Marcus. Hang in there."
 
"4592307816." Marcus rolled back onto his feet and dusted his hands. 
 
"Not bad," Jason said. "Per your agreement, your favorite pie is pi carried to the sixty-ninth digit. And why is that?"
 
"Because everyone's pie hole is happier when it's sixty-nining," Marcus said. He turned and watched Matthew's enthusiastic laugh. 
 
Jason looked at the paper before him. "You know, there are a lot of questions here. We could be here quite a while. But I'm feeling generous today, Marcus. You can continue to answer the agreed-upon questions or just two from me of my choosing. You're choice."
 
Marcus's eyes narrowed. "Am I going to hate your questions?"
 
"Oh, hell, yes." the fox replied. 
 
"How many more questions on the paper?"
 
"Thirteen, and the answer to one of them involves mooning a nun if I'm not mistaken."
 
Marcus huffed angrily. "Your questions, Jason."
 
"Why and When?"
 
"Why what?"
 
"You're a smart man, Marcus. I need an answer."
 
"I screwed up, Jason. I fucked up my life and I hurt the man I loved. The why of it isn't really important, is it? Not compared to the outcome. There is no answer to why that will ever justify what I've done."
 
"Okay, I'm good with that answer. Next answer, please."
 
"I don't know what you mean by ‘When?'."
 
"Sure you do, Marcus. You've always known the answer."
 
"Four years."
 
"Sorry, Marcus. That's the wrong answer. It's been twenty-eight years," Jason said, nonplussed. "But that's not the question I'm asking you. You know that."
 
Marcus put his face in his hands. "Now, Jason. I want to come home now." The pudgy man looked up at the fox. "Please, Jason, do whatever you want to make me suffer. I will take it all. But I am trying to get Matthew Kingston home. He has the Sight, and it's killing him. Come get him, and I promise I will call you every day so that you can torture me."
  
"You're not very good at keeping promises, Marcus," Jason said. His hands moved up, and a map appeared in front of him. "But Matthew shouldn't suffer because you're the one who called. He looked over Marcus's shoulder. "I hate to point this out, Matthew, but you look pretty wasted. Have you been drinking?"
 
"Yeah, Devil's Spring Vodka."
 
"Interesting choice," Jason said. "How's your liver?"
 
"I doubt it's in good shape, Jason. I've been drinking pretty heavily for three years."
 
Jason nodded. "Let's get you home to Partridge Island, shall we? They still have the hospitals that you remember."
 
Matthew looked at the fox. "I'm really okay, Jason. You don't have to do this."
 
Jason nodded. "Of course, I don't. You didn't answer any of the validation questions. But let us bring you home anyway, okay? We've missed you, Matthew. There's a big yellow dog on Partridge Island who is waiting for you."
 
Matthew looked up at the video of the fox. "Li Wei?"
 
"Yeah, glad you remember him. He misses you, Matthew. Come home."
 
"I'm sick, Jason. I can't be of any help to you. Just let me live out my life here."
 
"Nope," Jason replied matter-of-factly. "We don't let family die of alcohol poisoning on our watch. You come home. If after twenty years, you're not happy, you can head back to Toronto."
 
"I'll be dead in twenty years, Jason."
 
"Well, that's going to mess up everything, isn't it?" Jason said with a smile. "I guess you'll just have to take up residence. We have room for one more human I'm sure."
 
Matthew shook his head in disbelief. "Why are you doing this Jason? Why do you even care?"
 
"Because Oliver cared, and that means we all care," the fox answered. "Matthew, there are things you don't know, and you need to be home and sober to learn them. I'm teasing you a bit because I love you and I don't want this to be difficult, but please come home. That's where you need to be."
 
Matthew shook his head again. "I can't believe I'm going to say yes."
 
"Can you bring that prodigal son of ours home with you?"
 
"Marcus?"
 
"Yeah, him," the fox said with a smile.
 
"I really hate him, you know."
 
"Yeah, I kind of figured that would be the case. So, what should we do with him? Stomp him into the ground or forgive him and help him find his way back."
 
"You're asking me?"
 
"Sure, you're pretty heavily vested in this."
 
"Kick his…" the old man paused. His head bowed. "Let him come home, Jason. How could I not want him to find his way back when that's all I dreamed of for three years?"
 
"Then that's what we'll do." Jason's hands quickly moved over the map shifting lines and grids. "Okay, Marcus, we need to get you two to the airport."
 
"Sure, I'll get us a cab."
 
"That won't be necessary. You're about forty-five minutes away from the airport. No heading back to your apartment. Don't pack, don't change your mind, just walk out of that alley. There's a limo waiting for you on the corner."
 
The two humans looked down the alley and watched as a black limo pulled up. A tall wolf rose out of the driver's side. "Come on, men. Don't keep the Red Wolf waiting," he said. He shook and became a shorter human. The two watched as the driver slipped into a pair of coveralls and pulled up the zipper. He stared at the two with their glazed looks. "Really? You're both grown boys. You know what a werewolf looks like, and I know you didn't see anything while I got dressed here, so let's shake a leg, shall we?"
 
Marcus reached down and helped Matthew up. "Thank you, Jason," he said gratefully to the video. "I own you one."
 
"No, you owe the old wolf one," Jason corrected. "But until he's home, you can pay me back by treating his family better than you've treated him."
 
"I will, Jason," Marcus said, carefully avoiding the use of the word promise.
 
The ride to the airport was a wild one. As the limousine weaved in and out of traffic, Matthew started to wretch. "Whoa, there cowboy," the driver said. "I don't want to have to clean this rig. You're not even paying me." He slowed down and pulled over. He looked back at the pale-faced human. "Sorry, Matthew. I didn't realize how bad off you were." The driver extended his hand with a small vial. "Drink this. It will help for about an hour."
 
Matthew stared at the blue liquid, and realizing nothing could make him feel worse, he drank it. Almost immediately, his nausea calmed. He looked at the empty vial. "What's in this stuff?" 
 
"It's our answer to airsickness bags. Fix the problem instead of dealing with the results." The driver stuck his hand back toward the rear seat.
 
Matthew handed the empty vial back to the driver. "Thanks. That's about the smartest idea I've ever heard of."
 
"We're always about trying to keep disasters from happening, Matthew. You know that."
 
Matthew looked down at his shaking hands. "I know. Somewhere along the line, I just forgot."
 
The limo pulled up to the drop-off area of the airport. "Here you go, gentlemen," the driver said. "Toronto Pearson International Airport. You head in. To your right, you'll see a little check-in counter for Northern Bear Airways. They'll take care of you."
 
Inside the airport, Marcus and Matthew made their way to the counter of Northern Bear Airways. A young man looked up from behind the counter. "Good afternoon, gentlemen," he said.
 
"We were told to come here."
 
"Well, let's see if I have any standby available." The ticket agent pretended to work on the semitransparent screen in front of him. "Looks like we have an immediate opening for two." He looked at the two in front of him and smiled. "It's good to see you, Matthew."
 
Matthew looked at the man. "I'm really sorry. I don't remember you."
 
"No, you and I tend to meet when you're not at your best."
 
"I'm sorry then that you meet me so frequently."
 
The ticket agent smiled. "It's okay, Matthew. Things work out in time. I'm sorry that it has taken so long for us to bring you home. I know that certain things had to be in place, but to be honest; I don't know all the details. Marcus appears to have pushed the timeline forward." 
 
"He's not been the happiest meeting for me."
 
The uniformed man on the other side of the counter nodded in agreement. "Don't be too hard on him, Matthew. You're both struggling here. And in his defense, he risked everything to make sure you found your way here. He is none too happy to be discovered. I suspect he's part badger the way he dug himself a hole to hide in." Marcus remained mute. The agent handed the two boarding passes. "We have to make this all look official for the tracking cams." The agent pointed toward a concourse. "You're going to take the first right turn and go to gate C-12. Tiff and Tuff are waiting for you both. Have a pleasant flight, gentlemen. Safe travels."
 
The two walked down the corridor, silently trying to find a way to bridge the awkwardness. When they saw Tuff standing by the gate, they both breathed a sigh of relief, happy that there was someone else to talk to. But the flight to the island, even though only forty-five minutes long, seemed like an eternity of unspoken longing and grief. Tiff and Tuff both remained mute except to announce take-off and landing; allowing the silence to leave the two humans with nothing to do but ponder how they found themselves in this situation.
 
As the boarding ramp rolled out into place, the two humans looked out over the island. For the white-haired old man, it was a familiar landscape, somehow untouched by time except for the addition of new buildings dotting the island. His memories flowed back to his childhood when he looked out and saw the temple dog standing below. The dog's arms extended and Matthew ran to him.
 
For the other human watching the reunion, it was his first visit to a place he knew by heart. Every adventure, every love of the old wolf poured out in a story that Marcus could recite word for word. Marcus felt the paw of a red wolf push onto his shoulder. "Come on, Marcus. It's time for us to leave," Tiff said quietly. "This is Matthew's homecoming, not yours."
 
Marcus looked back at the wolf. "Couldn't I stay for just a moment to make sure he'll be okay?"
 
"Just look at him Marcus," Tiff said, pointing to the man hugging the temple dog. "You know he will be fine. For now, our family has to make sure you keep your word. What you do from there will be up to you. But you're going home. The old wolf is waiting for you."
 
"I don't think I can do this, Tiff," Marcus said.
 
"You should have stayed, Marcus," the red wolf said as he led the human to his seat. "Oliver would have told you the futility of running from your fears. If not today, one day you will have to face the choices you have made. I suggest you choose wisely while your family extends our hands to help you."
 
"You're still willing to help?"
 
"First rule of being a part of the old wolf's family, Marcus: We never stop loving. We never stop trying. When we stop trying, we stop being family."
 
"I guess that's why I wondered," Marcus said. "Somewhere along the line, I stopped trying. I stopped being family to all of you."
 
"We don't give up, Marcus. If you forgot that lesson, best learn it again." Tiff said. "Better shuck the clothes, Human. Your family expects to see a wolf."
 
"I can't stay human?"
 
"I think that was where you made your first mistake, Marcus. Are you sure you want to repeat it?"
 
Marcus began to unbutton his shirt. "No, I want to come home." He pulled off his shirt and yanked at his belt buckle.
 
Tiff reached out his paws. "Let me help you with the pants."
 
"I can do it myself, Tiff," Marcus said with a chuckle. 
 
"Yeah, I know. I just love helping men out of their pants."
 
Marcus sighed and let the werewolf pull off his pants. "I never realized how much I've missed this."
 
"We missed you, too, Marcus," Tuff said from in the cockpit. His paws moved over the console and there was a slight sense of motion as the boarding ramp pulled up and locked into place.
 
"William, I heard he's…"
 
Tiff stood up with the pants and put his finger to his lips. "All in good time, Marcus. You've been away for twenty-eight years. I think you can wait a bit longer to get answers. We're your transportation. The answers you're looking for are back on the highland. Wait until you're home before asking those questions."
 
Marcus nodded his understanding. "But I will get answers?" he asked.
 
"There are always answers to be had, Marcus," Tuff said looking back. "Just understand that after twenty-eight years, they may not be the ones you hoped for."
 
"I understand that," Marcus said as he pulled off the last sock and stood naked before the red wolves.
 
Tiff smiled. "Still an adorable human. Go on, Marcus, shift."
 
"I'm out of practice."
 
"Well, if you're at all skittish, you'll only have to deal with the two of us, and we've seen a lot of humans shift to wolves in our day."
 
Marcus leaned against his chair, trying to gather his memory of shifting back. The corpulent man closed his eyes in concentration and shook. His bones didn't yield easily, but they responded as they were told. The new wolf stood in front of Tiff. Tiff smiled and shook his head in disbelief. "Well, I have to give you credit, Marcus. You know how to make an entrance," the red wolf said as he took his seat in the copilot's chair. "Buckle up. We're headed to the highland in t-minus ten seconds… nine… eight… seven… six..."
 
Outside the temple dog watched the Red Wolf tilt upright and launch into the sky. He continued to hug the human, who was quietly crying. "I've missed you, Matthew," he said, rubbing the top of the human's head.
 
Matthew looked up. "I've missed you, Li Wei. I've made so many wrong turns, I've been so lost."
 
"And that is why you needed to meet Marcus today," Li Wei said.
 
"Him? That bastard gave me the Sight back," Matthew said, wiping his running nose with his sleeve.
 
"That's not quite right, Matthew," Li Wei corrected. "You gave yourself the Sight. Marcus was only the means by which the Sight brought you home. You should not be so hard on him. Without his knowing, he was your protector, the one the Sight guided you to."
 
Matthew looked up at the twelve-foot dog. "Are you saying he wasn't responsible for the Sight returning? He moved into town the same day it returned. All my drinking, all the voices, all that started when he moved to Toronto."
 
Li Wei shook his head. "Not the drinking, Matthew. That started the day your family died. If we are going to understand the nature of what is happening, you need to be truthful with yourself and with me."
 
Matthew let his hug go and turned away from the temple dog. "I might have a slightly skewed idea of when things started. All I remember is that a few months after my family died, I moved to Toronto, and the voices and the visions started."
 
"Do you understand the nature of the Sight, Matthew?"
 
"Not really. Oliver explained it a bit, but he told me he could make it go dormant if I didn't want it. So, I turned it down."
 
"It is a power flowing from the deceased Changelings out into the world. It finds those whose lives need to see more than others. But it has always had one goal, and only one goal, no matter how misguided the end results might have been."
 
"To screw up our lives?"
 
Li Wei laughed and put his hands on the shoulders of the human. "Certainly that has been an unintended consequence. But no, the goal was to protect the ones they gave it to. Oliver quieted your visions and your voices, but he couldn't remove the Sight from you. Once given, it is always there."
 
"Then why did it come back? Why didn't it come back before my wife and my family died? Why didn't it warn me?"
 
"Because it was dormant until the one they gifted it to chose to commit suicide. When it realized the goal of your drinking, it stepped in to protect you."
 
"By creating a hell that I can't break free from?"
 
"Actually, yes."
 
"That is one screwed-up protector, Li Wei," the human said, turning to look at him once more.
 
"It kept you from drinking yourself to death, Matthew. Why do you think you have so many blackouts? Why do you think you wake up days after you've done everything you can conceive of to end your life through a bottle?"
 
"I don't know. I don't think about it too much. Mostly, I just start drinking again."
 
"And that is why the Sight returned. And why you and Marcus found yourselves meeting on the street today. The Sight finally found a protector to bring you home. It has been looking for one for three years, knowing he was nearby, but never finding a way to bring you together because you weren't looking for him. Marcus had to find you."
 
"But the guy at the ticket counter said he knew me. It sounded like he was responsible for getting me into a shelter bed on the nights I can't remember how I got there. Why didn't he bring me back here?"
 
"Because it had to be your choice, Matthew. Your return had to be your decision, not our forcing it on you. Rules of engagement with the human race, I'm afraid."
 
"Those rules are pretty lame," Matthew said. 
 
"I can't say I don't agree. Interventions have their place, but not so much with us. We take a very long-term view of this world. But you're home, Matthew. What do we do now?"
 
Matthew looked into the dog's eyes. "Help me, Li Wei. I don't know how to take the first step."
 
Li Wei smiled. "You already have Matthew. Come, let's get you to the hospital. I have a feeling that the next few weeks will find you needing medical care as much as the comfort of your family."
 
"I'm going into detox?" 
 
"Do you have a different path you wish to choose?"
 
"No, no," Matthew said shaking his head. "I'm good with that path." The human paused. "You know that I'm not going to remember a lot of this, right, Li Wei?"
 
"I realize that. We have time to review all of this again as you return back to us."
 
The human grabbed the temple dog in a tight hug. "Please, Li Wei… please don't let me fall."
 
"You have already fallen, Little One," the golden dog replied. "We are here to help you pick yourself back up."
 
The human's face went as white as his hair. "I think I'm going to be sick," Matthew gagged. He leaned over and vomited. Li Wei held Matthew until the retching finally subsided. "Oh god," Matthew said. "I am so far gone. I might not be worth the effort, Li Wei."
 
Li Wei gently picked the human up from his knees. "You are not the first to suffer from delirium tremens. You will not be the last. At least on this island, seeing pink elephants won't be out of the norm."
 
 Matthew looked up and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Dog, your sense of humor leaves a lot to be desired." 
 
"So, I have been told," Li Wei said with a smile. "Let's go get you cleaned up shall we?" Matthew nodded in agreement, and Li Wei tapped his ComLink. "Tyler," he said. There was a pause. "Hello, Tyler. Matthew has made a request for help. I believe that frees us to do so, does it not?" He paused, listening. "Yes, a bed would be nice. And some new clothes while we clean the ones he has." He looked at the human. "You don't want one of those nasty hospital gowns that leave your butt exposed, do you?"
 
Matthew shook his head. "No, please, anything but that."
 
"No, Tyler," Li Wei responded to his ComLink. "He would like something a tad less traditional." Li Wei bowed, "Thank you, Tyler." The temple dog paused for a moment. "Oh, and could you get a janitorial crew out to the helipad lower tier?" Li Wei bowed again to the voice on the line that could not see the bow. "Thank you again, Tyler. We'll see you soon."
 
Matthew took a step and faltered. "I'm crashing, Li Wei. I don't think I can make it to the hospital."
 
"Can I carry you?" Li Wei asked. 
 
"I'll probably puke all over you, you know."
 
"Well, I have been told I clean up rather nicely."
 
Matthew smiled. "Thank you, Li Wei. Thank you for everything."
 
"Let's get you to the hospital," Li Wei said as he picked up the human and placed him over his shoulder. "Deep breaths, Matthew. Let's keep whatever is left inside you there, shall we?"
 
"I'll do my best, Li Wei," the human replied.
 
"That is all we ever ask of you, Matthew."
 
The temple dog began his lumbering walk to the hospital. The human closed his eyes, feeling the warm fur and the comfort of being home.

Chapter 27

The temple dogs were in the rice fields planting when Katashi's ComLink chimed. He looked at his muddy paw and thought better of tapping the device. "Audio only," he commanded. "Hello, Tiff," he said happily. "To what do we owe this pleasure? Eric and Donovan will not return for another week." 
 
"Just thought we'd give you a heads-up, Katashi. We're flying in. We have a passenger who's coming to visit."
 
"Family?"
 
"Most decidedly. But beyond that, let's let the three of you and your soon-to-be guest sort things out. If you're planting, hit the showers. We'll be there in ten minutes."
 
By the time the Red Wolf landed, the three temple dogs were standing at the base of the landing pad. Their golden fur fluffed and blew in the wind like a commercial for some exotic hair shampoo. The boarding plank lowered, and an Iberian wolf stepped out into the sunshine. "Oh, my," Noboru said as he watched the wolf walk down the steps onto the glade.
 
"Indeed," Zhuang said, rubbing his eyes.
 
The wolf waved hello. "I was told I could find William Gentry here," he said.
 
"You can," Katashi replied. "Were it not for the fact I know where he is at this moment, I would swear he is standing before me."
 
"I am mistaken for him frequently," the wolf replied. 
 
"Welcome home, Marcus," Noboru said. "We are happy to see you return, but saddened that it has come at such a time."
 
Marcus's face took on a look of concern. "What has happened?"
 
"Do you know of the merging that happens with Changelings?"
 
"Yes," Marcus replied. "I have been doing a great deal of study on our kind over the last two decades."
 
"William has chosen to merge with his husbands."
 
"All five?"
 
"No, Donovan and Eric could not do so again so soon after their own merger."
 
But Kris, Derrick, and Oliver?"
 
"All merged; as are the husbands of Oliver, Nathaniel and Martin."
 
"Can I see them?"
 
"Of course," Katashi said, pointing toward the crag in the distance. "We will take you there." The temple dog extended his hand and the Iberian wolf took it. Katashi watched as the yellow fur moved up the wolf's arm and expanded across the growing body. In moments, another temple dog stood holding his hand. "An interesting gift, Marcus," he said.
 
"You're not afraid?"
 
"Should we be?"
 
"I seem to be disquieting to most."
 
"Then how fortunate we are not most," Katashi smiled. "Come, temple dog, let us go visit the one you love."
 
Inside the main hall, Marcus watched the light glowing to the beat of so many hearts. He reached out his hand hovering over the stone. He let Katashi's hand go, and in seconds, the gray wolf stood over the stone. "I'm so sorry, William. I told you I would come back. I didn't know there was a time when it would be too late."
 
"William has told us that there is never a time when it is too late for you to return, Marcus," Katashi said. "He is there. He hears you. You will brighten his day no end."
 
"But I had no idea he would ever merge with the Changelings. I didn't even think that possible."
 
"It was a surprise to us all," Noboru affirmed. "One day he will return. Do not concern yourself over missing his presence today. He will be back in your arms in the future."
 
"You seem to remember my affection for William."
 
"We are aware of his affection for you as well. We were told you might return one day. The old wolf asked us to offer whatever hospitality was possible. Our homes and our affections are yours. It saddened Will that he could not say goodbye in person," Noboru said. "We tried to find you before his merging, but regrettably, we were unsuccessful."
 
"That was my doing," Marcus said dejectedly. "I had fallen back into old ways. I am shy by nature. As I moved out into the world, I found what you call my gift made others uncomfortable enough that I retreated back to what I knew. Books and research have become my companions instead of life."
 
"It can happen to us all, Marcus. Do not let your choice dispirit you any longer. You are here, as is William. This is the nature of our world. We wait for those we love to return when they leave us. But this is the family of Weres. If we are alive, we always return."
 
"When will he return?"
 
"We don't like to pressure him by trying to determine that day. He has work that needs to be done. He will return as soon as he completes it. The old wolf has many outside his chrysalis that he loves. He will not stay away from them any longer than he must."
 
Marcus let his hand rest on the glowing stone. The temple dogs watched as the one standing before them became a shifting creature. One moment a saber-toothed cat, then a badger, then a Kodiak bear, then wolves that changed colors and shifted into the towering short-faced bear. When they saw the bear's hand become green crystal, Zhuang leapt forward.
 
Marcus woke up seconds later with his large golden body pushed up tightly against the cavern wall. "I am sorry for this," Zhuang said apologetically, lying on top of him. "You were turning to stone. We had to separate you from your contact with the group."
 
"Thank you," Marcus said. "I don't have control over what happens when I touch another." He shook his head, trying to regain composure. "Is that your hard-on pressing into me?" he asked.
 
"I apologize for that as well. I am Zhuang, the youngest of the temple dogs. I am easily excitable, and this is a most pleasant position, despite the reason for us being this way."
 
Marcus smiled. "It is that, isn't it?"
 
"You will find that becoming me is not unlike becoming William in that respect."
 
"I was just noticing my hard-on is now pressing into you," the newly formed temple dog said grinning. 
 
"We are rather well endowed. It makes our arousal quite obvious when we press ourselves so closely together."
 
"What do we do about this?" Marcus said, looking downward to where their two bellies met.
 
"We can, of course, copulate; which would be my preference. Or we can separate and hope that returning you to your werewolf body would help the two of us regain some composure."
 
"I doubt returning to William's body with an erection would help in any manner."
 
"Nor, I," Zhuang said, smiling. "But I should warn you that temple dogs often lose their normal inhibitions around other temple dogs copulating. You may find yourself participating in activities that are foreign to you."
 
"Are you say…"
 
"That there is a high likelihood that if you do not tell us otherwise, all inside this cave that are not currently stone will mount you repeatedly."
 
"It's been a while since I have had such a pleasant offer, Zhuang."
 
"And you will need to return the favor," Zhuang added. "Oh, and we like to hang from things while having sex. Sometimes we swing into each other and it can get somewhat… boisterous."
 
 Marcus wiggled his feet. "Are my toes prehensile?"
 
"Yes, as a matter of fact. As is your tail. You also effectively have five thumbs on your front paws that can move and rotate independently of each other. Being all thumbs is actually far more dexterous than the cliché implies."
 
"You said that you don't know when William will return. So, can we go at this slowly for the novice in your midst?"
 
"I said William's return is quite some time away. But his husbands Eric and Donovan will return sooner. Their child came to visit us and they took him back home to his family in Montana. The bear and wolf's stay will end in five days. So if we are choosing to copulate, we best start before we run out of time."
 
"Five days?"
 
"It is why we live in separate quarters during planting season."
 
Marcus felt the warm glow of temple dog blood flowing through his body. He shook his head happily and grabbed the dog above him into a tight hug and kissed the lips of his twin.
 
The other two temple dogs rocked quietly for a moment before they too jumped into the fray.
 
Chapter 28
 
The four temple dogs heard the low hum of the Red Wolf as it broke through the cloudy sky. "They're here," Noboru said as he lifted his head off Zhuang's spent cock and wiped his mouth with a sticky paw. 
 
"I told you we should have hurried; we have no time at all for bathing," Zhuang said. He stared at the cock in front of him. "But maybe just enough time to…" he said as his head bobbed forward onto the thick flesh.
 
Marcus pushed gently back. "Perhaps later, Zhuang," he suggested, trying his best to regain his own sense of identity. "It's probably best to have a welcoming committee at the landing site, don't you think?" He pushed himself up, kissing the temple dog. When the kiss ended, Zhuang's face showed his frustration; but he nodded in agreement. 
 
"Come, brothers," Katashi said. "Marcus is right. Focus on the task ahead. We have our family to welcome home." The four stumbled to their feet and raced toward the landing aircraft. Before they were halfway there, three temple dogs were running alongside the Iberian wolf.
 
Eric and Donovan had stepped off the Red Wolf and were watching the four running toward them. "Will!" both happily yelled in unison. The Armbruster's wolf was faster jumping from the landing rock, but the polar bear outdistanced him instantly with his massive strides. The three temple dogs pulled up short. "Oh dear," Katashi said. "Marcus, don't fight this," he yelled to the wolf. "Let your body go limp. It will do far less damage."
 
Marcus stopped running, and as he stood up in werewolf form, he felt the polar bear slamming into him. His time in mid-air was actually somewhere between pleasant and confusing as the polar bear, who was once on top of him, pivoted both bodies in flight. By the time they fell to earth, the polar bear had locked him in a passionate embrace. With a thud, the overgrown white body of the bear was below, and Marcus was on top, shifting into a bear himself.
 
Eric opened his eyes to see the polar bear he was kissing. Marcus rose to back away, but the bear held him. It wasn't as if the newly formed bear struggled. The gentle pull back toward the old bear was enough for Marcus to yield. Eric's head tilted a bit. "I'm really sorry about the cock up your ass," he said with a look of concern.
 
Marcus tried to regain his senses and realized he was indeed sitting on top of the bear with his butt firmly planted on the bear's groin. "Actually, it's kind of pleasant. Is it always this hard?"
 
"I thought you were Will. It's always this hard when I touch him after an absence," the white bear answered. "But under the circumstances, I'm going to guess you are Marcus."
 
"I am."
 
The polar bear below adjusted himself slightly. His paws reached up and adjusted the body on top of him. Still, there was no effort to remove the thick cock from the bear above him. "You seem equally hard."
 
"I mirror the men I touch. You're hard, I'm hard."
 
"I'm also Eric. My wolf husband is Donovan. Will told us you might come to visit one day. Had we known you were coming, we would have brought Colton back with us. He lives with the Montana family. At any rate, Will asked us to make you feel welcome."
 
"You're doing a wonderful job of that," Marcus answered as he realized he was actually moving his body to fit the cock into places that brought him greater pleasure. When he felt the paw of the Armbruster's wolf on his shoulder, he felt the change begin. He shook his head. "Please, Donovan, two beasts can't touch me at the same time. It's painfully confusing."
 
Donovan let Marcus go and watched him return as a polar bear. "I am sorry, Marcus. I have never met another quite like you before. Will told us of your changing, but I have to admit, this is quite spectacular for a werebeast."
 
"I seem to have what the temple dogs call a gift, although I don't think of it as one."
 
Eric looked up at his doppelgänger. "And what is it to you?"
 
Marcus frowned. "A curse. Will brought me into a world that I couldn't believe existed and let me feel in ways I had never felt before. At first, I was eager to go out into the world and experience it all. I promised I would come back to him in four years. I was so excited by the possibilities out there. But that world turned on me so quickly."
 
The Changeling polar bear looked at the one still resting on his lap. "What's gone wrong? Are you saying the Were Nation hasn't welcomed you?"
 
"I haven't had very much experience. But to be honest, other than your family, the temple dogs are the only other werebeasts not repulsed by me."
 
Donovan shook his head. "I can't believe that's the case, Marcus. You are unique, and to be totally truthful, a bit of a shock initially, but you are far from repulsive."
 
Eric rubbed his paw in the center of the other polar bear's chest. "Tell us exactly what happened, Marcus."
 
"I will admit it only happened three times, but after that, I never tried again. I have lived most of my life as a single man in an uptown Montreal apartment. After the rejections, it was easy to find a new apartment and a new job. I became fixated on the study of the Were Nation, trying to find a cure for what I had."
 
"You are unique in the Were Nation, Marcus," Eric said. "You won't find any texts about you."
 
"I know that now. That's why I was willing to return. I was hoping Will would help me, that he could change me back, that he could take away the curse." Marcus turned his face and wiped the tears from his eyes. "To let me be blind again to a world that would rather not see me."
 
Eric lifted onto his elbows. He motioned to the temple dogs that stood nearby, trying not to interfere. They crept up slowly and stood by the three. "Tell us, Marcus. Tell us exactly what happened."
 
"The story was always the same. I met a werewolf and we would talk. I'm too shy to ask another to spend time with me, so it was always the other wolf that asked me to bed. But when they reached out and touched me, I could see the shock in their eyes. I would back away and they in turn would say that it was okay, that we didn't have to do anything. The moment I changed, they withdrew the invitation to be with them. I ran from all of them and never looked back."
 
"And this happened three times?" Donovan asked.
 
"Yes, Donovan," Marcus responded.
 
"And after that, you never tried again?" Eric pressed. 
 
"Three times seemed to be enough. It was an identical outcome from three very different wolves."
 
Eric reached up and pulled on the shoulders of the other polar bear. "Ohhhh," the other polar bear sighed. "You're still inside me. How do you do that?"
 
"You're kind of fun to be inside. I have never been with another polar bear."
 
"But we're talking about such serious…" Marcus's eyes rolled back and shut as a wave of pleasure moved through him with the first thrust of the polar bear below him. "Oh god, Eric, please don't stop."
 
The bear obeyed the request. As Eric's thrusting became more heated, Donovan shifted, becoming a polar bear. His paw reached out and touched Marcus. "Does this hurt?" he said, rubbing the polar bear's back. 
 
"No," Marcus said with a sigh. "It feels good."
 
"And this?" the standing bear said as he pushed his paw onto Marcus's swollen cock.
 
Marcus took a deep breath as the pleasure of being with another beast flowed through him. "It's heaven," he moaned. 
 
"Then this should be equally pleasant," Donovan said as he lowered his head and let the thick purple and black mottled tongue slide over the other polar bear's erection. Marcus closed his eyes, and when Eric shoved his cock deep into him, Marcus abandoned himself to the sensations. 
 
When Eric had finished with the bear above, Donovan was there to take him again. Marcus willingly shared himself with the two, even mounting one; although he never could figure out which. When they finally slowed late in the evening, Marcus sat apart from the group, crying. "This is what I dreamed it would be like. How is it that you can see me in a way that the rest of the world can't?"
 
Noboru came up and put his arm on the gray wolf's shoulder. He waited until the wolf became a dog and leaned in, kissing the dog's lips. "How is it that you cannot see the world around you as it really is? You should not have left, Little One. You have much to learn about a world you do not understand. Your greatest mistake was in thinking you understood the Were Nation by seeing it through the eyes of your human upbringing."
 
"I told you, the Were Nation turned me down once they saw what I was."
 
"No, Marcus," Eric rebutted. "The wolves you met honored the laws of the Were Nation. The Nation forbids coercion. No one will ever force an act of love on another. To do so would make it become an act of violence, and that is against all that we are. When presented with one who has doubts about any activity, we retreat rather than risk the pain of another's regret for what they did. If someone was to back away from me, the first thing I would tell them is that they needn't feel compelled to be with me. I would give them a way out."
 
Marcus looked at the bear, confused. "You're saying they weren't turning away from me?"
 
"I am saying exactly that."
 
"But you never… I mean you…"
 
"I took you because I thought you were Will. The old wolf and I have an understanding. What I did, I promised I would do to my husband upon his return," the polar bear said. "I said I was sorry, but after that, you seemed as happy to stay as I was to have you remain. We spoke the words. You gave your acceptance. I feel only gratitude that you said yes."
 
The newly formed temple dog turned away shyly. "I feel the same way, Eric."
 
"I will admit to more than gratitude," Donovan said, smiling. "Wolves love sex, Bears do too, but often they make it seem too pristine and loving. I enjoy letting the fur fly; and you, Marcus, make that fur practically smoke. Today, being a bear was most enjoyable." 
 
Marcus laughed. "I said I tend to reflect the men I touch. You are lucky you're still walking, Donovan. Like you, I was holding back."
 
Donovan leered at Marcus as he shifted back to the Armbruster's wolf. "Then the next time, I will not hold back."
 
Marcus looked at him with an air of disbelief as he reverted into Will's wolfen twin. "There will be a next time?"
 
"I certainly hope so," Donovan said. Marcus smiled, and the Armbruster's wolf saw the toothy grin of his husband now encased in rock. "It's tough to see you and not see my husband. I hope you realize that to me, your changing is a gift. I loved our time together. And I loved it even more because I did not have to look into the eyes of the husband I miss so much."
 
Marcus thought about the words. "I guess I never thought that the way I look might hurt you two."
 
"It is a longing more than a pain," Donovan said. "It will pass, and one day he will be back in my arms."
 
"And as for you, Marcus, it is time for us to prove our words," the bear said rising off the grass.
 
"Excuse me?"
 
"We have told you that the Were Nation would never turn from you. Now we prove that."
 
"How?"
 
The polar bear tapped his ComLink. "Tiff." There was a pause. "Hi Tiff, sorry to interrupt your dinner hour. Could I impose on you to make a pick-up?" The crowd waited as the bear listened. "You know, I'm not sure. We'll have an answer by the time you get here. See you soon, Son. Thanks. I love you."
 
The bear looked down at Marcus. "Okay, Marcus. Pick any city in the world you want. That way you know that we have nothing to do with the werebeasts you might meet. If there is a werebeast in that city, we will go there to meet him."
 
"Partridge Island."
 
"Really?" the white bear asked. 
 
"You regret giving me too much latitude?"
 
"No, not at all," the bear said with a grin. "I was just hoping for more of a challenge. Partridge Island has so many werebeasts, it doesn't seem fair."
 
"And what are we doing?"
 
"It's what you're going to do."
 
"Me?"
 
"We're going to ask you to give the Were Nation another chance. You have new information… an alternative explanation for what happened. This time we go to Partridge Island and you point out the first werebeast you find attractive."
 
"I have never met a werebeast I didn't find attractive," Marcus said shyly.
 
"Then shall we raise the stakes a bit? We introduce you to the first werebeast we meet as soon as we step off the Red Wolf."
 
"And? You're certainly not going to ask me to hit on him, are you?"
 
"No, you are a shy one. We will leave that to the one we meet."
 
"Okay, then what?"
 
"If he makes an offer, you will take his hand."
 
"But he will turn away when I change."
 
"He will be surprised. You wait until he makes the next move. You don't recoil at his initial response, no matter what it may be."
 
"But what if I do? I'm not sure I won't recoil if I see him react first."
 
"Then you make me this promise. When he defers to you, releasing you from the obligation of being with him, you tell him four words."
 
"What four words?" the Iberian wolf asked.
 
"Please, stay with me," the polar bear answered. "You level the playing field. You tell him what you really want instead of assuming what he feels."
 
The blue lights of the Red Wolf flashed downward, catching the attention of the group. "Time to go, men," the polar bear said. 
 
As Marcus turned to go, two sets of paws held him in place. He watched as his fur turned yellow and he grew to meet the faces of Noboru, Zhuang, and Katashi. "How is it you don't hurt?" Marcus asked. "I understand the wolf's change to bear, but you are all individuals."
 
"We are all the same, Marcus. When we took our vows, turning from the human race, we became the same beast. Over the years, as new initiates came to the temple, they became like all of us. There are only four of us now, but when one touches you, all do. There is no difference between us, and so there is no conflict in you to change to another when more than one of us touches you."
 
"Other than William, being held by you three has been the single most incredible experience in my life."
 
"We are honored, Marcus. As well as extremely happy you chose to join us," Noboru said. He leaned in and kissed the just-changed temple dog. "One day, you will find that we are all alike. Everyone in the Were Nation is your brother. We all look upon you with a love that does not turn away. Let go of your fear. Embrace who you are and let them in. The day you realize your relationship to all of us will be the day you can control what and who you are."
 
"I will try," Marcus said.
 
"Do, or do not. There is no try," Zhuang said smiling. "Yoda knew what he was talking about."
 
"Who?"
 
"Oh bother, I really hate how old that makes me feel," Zhuang said, shaking his head. "You are special, Marcus. Let the Were Nation help you learn just how special."
 
"Come on, Marcus, We're four hours behind Partridge Island," Eric said, extending his hand. "Let's get there before everyone is asleep."
 
The three ran up the boarding ramp. The temple dogs barely had time to wave before the Red Wolf sped upward into the afternoon sky as the sun slipped behind the coast range.

Chapter 29

Anders and Lewis stood on the Partridge Island lighthouse gallery looking down at the werewolf working on the lighthouse's outside light controls. He would shift easily from beast to human, choosing whatever reach or grip seemed most advantageous. "Would you like some help, Kendal?" Lewis asked with a smile.
 
The werewolf looked up at the two. "No, sir," he replied. "I'm almost finished here. The relays are just a bit gummed up. It's the salt air. It's brutal on things like these. I can sense the two of you want a bit of alone time. I'll get this done, and you're on your own."
 
"You're welcome to join us, Kendal. We can share our alone time with you."
 
The werewolf grinned. "Thanks for the offer. Perhaps another night?"
 
"You have something special tonight, Kendal?"
 
"Not really. Just going to go for a walk. Some nights I feel like walking." The werewolf tossed the screwdriver back into his toolbox and closed the lid until it clicked and he heard the mechanical voice say, "Box is secure. The lock is set." 
 
"Let's give it a try, shall we?" he said, yelling up to his audience. The two stepped back, and Kendal spoke to the box. "System link 51868 Activate." There was a moment of concern from the two when the lights didn't come on. "Don't worry," the young werewolf said. "I've added something new. It's booting up." The lights suddenly turned on and the lighthouse was awash in blue light.
 
"Blue," Anders said happily. "I like it." The lighthouse color shifted in a smooth blend to violet. Anders looked at it. "Purple. I like it," he repeated with a laugh. There was another shift of color. "Red, I like it." Color by color, the lighthouse slowly moved through all the hues of the rainbow. With each, Ander's laughter grew louder as he said the color followed by "I like it." When the blue returned, he shook his head. "Thank god there are only six colors in that rainbow," he said, still laughing.
 
"I figured everyone who comes here during the day sees the murals of graffiti on the outside of the lighthouse. Every few years they change, but they're always amazing. The lighthouse is colorful during the day, but at night you can't see anything from the mainland. The paintings wash out under the white light. This…" the wolf said pointing to the lights, "This they will see." He scratched his head. "You don't think it's too gay, do you?"
 
"Don't ask us," Lewis said with a laugh. "We have no clue what too gay is. We suck dick, remember?"
 
Kendal smiled. "And very well as I recall."
 
"You're still welcome to join us, Son," Anders yelled.
 
"No, really… I'm good. I promise another night." 
 
"Thank you again, Kendal. I appreciate all you do for the lighthouse," Lewis said. "One day you'll make a great keeper."
 
"I enjoy being your assistant. No need to rush me off the island in search of a different lighthouse."
 
"You're welcome here for as long as the lighthouse stands," Lewis said. 
 
The wolf picked up his toolbox and shoved it into the locker next to the control panel. "If you miss doing the work, I could back off. There's always plenty for me to do on this island."
 
"And miss your company?" Lewis said, shaking his head. "I won't do that. You know this gallery will always have room for you, Kendal."
 
"I know that, sir, and I'm grateful."
 
The landing lights of the helipad suddenly lit up. Looking east into the clear, dark sky, the three waited for what they knew was coming next. The Red Wolf's landing lights turned on, guiding it toward the helipad. "I guess we have company coming," Kendal said, staring at the fast-approaching airship. "Maybe my walk will be to see who's arriving tonight. I'll see you both tomorrow." 
 
"Goodnight, Kendal," the wolf and bear said.
 
"Goodnight, Lewis. Goodnight Anders."
 
The wolf jumped over the railing of the road that passed by the lighthouse and dropped the twenty feet to the helipad. As the Red Wolf set down its landing gear, Kendal walked up to the hatch and waited for the boarding ramp to drop. He watched the bear lower his head and duck under the door and laughed. "A nine-foot-high, four-foot-wide door, and there are still some who find it easier to walk down the cargo bay ramp."
 
Eric looked down at the wolf. "While that is totally true, Kendal, it's best not to mention it to the ones who usually use the cargo bay ramp."
 
"I'm sorry, Eric," the werewolf replied. "I actually meant it as a compliment. I am fond of the big beasts, you know. You just seem to carry yourselves so well…" Kendal stopped talking as the next occupant stepped from the aircraft. "Oh my god," he yelled. "Will! Welcome back! It is so good to see you. Where are your husbands?"
 
Donovan waited for Marcus to be halfway down the boarding ramp before he began his descent. "This is not Will," the Armbruster's wolf said. "Will is still on the highland."
 
Eric stepped off the boarding ramp. "Kendal, this is Marcus Sarraf, a good friend of Will's from Toronto."
 
Kendal smiled. "Welcome, Marcus. You will have quite the visit, I'm afraid. Will is a very popular wolf on this island. I think it's fairly safe to ask you to forgive us in advance for any wolf who might tackle you in a hug."
 
Marcus laughed. "Maybe I need a name tag or something. Do wolves read name tags before they tackle?"
 
"Probably not when it's someone who could be Will's twin." 
 
Marcus stepped down on the helipad. "I'll try to stay alert."
 
"On the plus side, being tackled in a hug by most of the wolves on this island is kind of fun," Kendal said as he put out his arms. "Do you hug?"
 
"Not so much."
 
Kendal looked surprised. "Oh, okay. Must be a Toronto thing. How about shaking hands?"
 
"I prefer not to."
 
"Fist bump?"
 
Marcus laughed uncomfortably. "I'm fairly new to the Were Nation. I've not yet grown accustomed to your…" he paused, "friendliness."
 
Kendal nodded, "I understand. If there is anything we can do to help you grow accustomed, please let us know. You are a handsome wolf, and we are a very…" he paused, thinking through his options, "friendly group."
 
Marcus smiled. "I'm shy. I hope you don't expect too great a change anytime soon."
 
"Of course not. Always at your own pace, Marcus. Being shy makes it tough for any werebeast in a nation full of outgoing beasts."
 
Marcus nodded his head in agreement. "I'm trying to adjust."
 
"I wish Derrick was here. He's the best at helping our newest and most shy."
 
"I had the pleasure of meeting him; or at least a passing acquaintance with him and his husbands a few years back on the highland. I went there today, hoping to see Will."
 
"Oh, I'm sorry, Marcus. He will return one day. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to see you."
 
"Thanks," Marcus said.
 
Kendal looked at Eric and Donovan. "Do you two have anything special planned for Marcus tonight?"
 
"Not us," Donovan said, shaking his head. "We're just dropping him off. We're headed back to the highland."
 
Kendal turned to Marcus. "I was about to go for a walk. Would you like to join me?"
 
"Perhaps another evening," Marcus replied.
 
"I promise that I won't try to hug you. I just want someone to chat with while I'm walking. I can give you a tour of the island if you like. We light all the pathways. The memorials are beautiful at night. And it rains here so often that you really should take advantage of a clear night like tonight."
 
Marcus laughed. "Am I that bad?"
 
"No, actually, you're that good," Kendal answered. "Somewhere along the line, all werebeasts learn we need to be near our people. I understand your shyness. But it's not good for you to be alone. It's not good for me either, no matter how often I tell myself it's okay."
 
"Just a walk?"
 
"Not even a fist bump between us," Kendal said, crossing his paw over his chest.
 
Marcus smiled. "Thank you. That actually sounds pleasant. Maybe it's time for some baby steps."
 
Kendal pointed toward the stairway off the helipad. "After you, Marcus. The pathway to the right will take us to some of my favorite parts of the island. Well, the lighthouse above us is the highlight for me, but that's because I love lighthouses."
 
Marcus looked up at the lighthouse. "I love the lights. They look colorful."
 
"They're not too gay?"
 
Marcus shook his head. "Not at all. As you might have already noticed, I can be conservative about such things. I just think they're beautiful." Kendal grinned happily as the Iberian wolf walked to the stairs. Keeping a safe distance, the young wolf followed. 
 
Kendal pointed over to the lit pathway. "That way to the bay overlook. It's really quite beautiful at night."
 
"Lead on Macduff," Marcus said with a nod toward the path.
 
"Actually, it's ‘lay on Macduff'… as in jump into the battle and hold no quarter," Kendal corrected. "It's Macbeth, Act five; Scene eight."
 
Marcus laughed. "I know. I don't know of many other people that do."
 
"I love Shakespeare," Kendal replied. His hand went up, swinging a sword that wasn't there. "‘Before my body, I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff, and damn'd be him that first cries, Hold, enough!'" 
 
Kendal put down his imaginary sword, and his eyes glowed with memory in the night. "That was my battle cry on The Day of Transformation. ‘I will not yield and damn'd be him that first cries, Hold, enough.'" The wolf grew quiet for a moment. "I know it's tough to take someone as wrong-headed and murderous as Macbeth and find something good about him, but at that moment, he voiced who I was. 
 
"I was there on the field when I heard Donovan yell, ‘I will stand fast, but I won't stand down.' He taught me so much about what it meant to be brave, and what it meant to be heroic. If Shakespeare had been there that day, I swear he would have written another play to give those noble lines to an Armbruster's wolf rather than Macbeth."
 
Marcus nodded. "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
 
Kendal looked at the wolf that was Will's twin. "Oh, Marcus, I so regret that you do not hug." He pointed toward the pathway and their walk resumed with Kendal carefully watching his steps.
 
Three hours later, the two sat laughing over shared stories while they sat on the gunnery emergency landing pad. "So, the next morning, with the whole of Canada's media watching, the government tried to explain how their guns became rusted pieces of metal tied into knots," Kendal said, laughing. "It was insane. It made the news everywhere and not a single mainlander has ever found out who did it, but every government official took credit for the idea."
 
Marcus laughed so hard that he lurched forward, losing his balance on the roof. Kendal's hand reached out instinctively to steady the Iberian wolf. In an instant, he was holding onto himself. Kendal jumped back at the change. 
 
Marcus struggled backward, pushing himself away from the look on Kendal's face. Kendal's hand reached out and grabbed the wolf as he reverted to an Iberian wolf. In moments, he was Kendal's twin again. "Please, don't go, Marcus," Kendal begged.
 
Marcus looked at him, confused. Kendal let the arm go and watched the wolf shift yet again. "I understand why you didn't want me to touch you now. I'm really sorry. But it doesn't make a difference. It shocked me. It's not often that I see myself without a mirror."
 
Marcus began to get up. "I really should be going."
 
"Please don't let my momentary confusion upset you, Marcus. We were having such a good time." Kendal put his arms by his side. "See? They're all put away. Don't let my momentary effort to keep you from falling be the end of our evening." Marcus looked down at the werewolf looking up at him. Kendal put out his paw. "Please, stay with me," he begged.
 
Marcus heard the words and remembered the white bear. "I was supposed to ask you that," Marcus said.
 
"Excuse me?" Kendal asked. 
 
"Oh, nothing," Marcus said, sitting back down. "I'm sorry. I'm kind of defensive about…" he waved his hand over his body, "…this."
 
Kendal put out his paw near Marcus's. "May I hold your paw, Marcus?"
 
Marcus put his hand on the concrete roof. Kendal's hand slipped over it, and Marcus felt the change move through him. "Do you know why it happens?" Kendal asked.
 
"No, I've tried to find some sort of answer, but nothing," Marcus answered.
 
"I don't think it would be so difficult if you let us know beforehand."
 
"It's been very difficult to do that."
 
Kendal nodded. "I can't imagine how tough it is. But you've made that hurdle tonight, right?"
 
Marcus smiled. "I suppose so."
 
"So, you hold hands now, it seems," Kendal said. "Do you kiss now?"
 
Marcus laughed. "I suppose so."
 
The two kissed, and when they backed away to catch their breath, Kendal laughed. "I see we both have something else in common." 
 
Marcus looked down at both of their swollen cocks. "I take on so much of the men I touch. Right down to the way they respond to a kiss."
 
Kendal sighed. "Oh, so that's more me than you?"
 
Marcus waved his hands. "No… no… please. I said that all wrong. I would be hard, with or without your body's encouragement. That much of my turning has been just like everyone else. But I hope one day to know it's me responding to another man's touch more than what I have turned into."
 
"I would be happy to help with your efforts."
 
Marcus grinned. "That's very kind of you."
 
"And I can introduce you to more than a few friends and family who would help as well."
 
Marcus shook his head. "These are baby steps, remember?"
 
Kendal laughed. "I'm sorry. I did forget. Can I take you back to the hospital? Their canteen is open all night. I'll buy you a coffee."
 
Marcus smiled. "Thanks. But maybe we can try kissing again instead."
 
"Well," Kendal grinned. "That will probably keep both of us up longer than the coffee." The werewolf leaned in and kissed the lips that matched his perfectly. "I wouldn't mind if we decide to do more than kiss," Kendal said when their lips parted.
 
Marcus nodded. "Let's just see how things go."
 
"Of course," Kendal said as he leaned in and the third kiss of the night began.
 
Chapter 30
 
As the morning sun shone through the gunnery tunnel apartment, the Iberian wolf rolled over in the bed and smiled at the Newfoundland wolf next to him. He leaned over and kissed the wolf. The moment his lips touched the Newfoundland wolf's cheek, he stirred, and the Iberian wolf became a Newfoundland wolf as well.
 
Kendal rolled over. "Morning, Handsome."
 
Marcus laughed. "Now you're just teasing me."
 
 "We have to, Marcus. Our lives are so different from what we grew up thinking they would be. Sometimes we just have to sit back and laugh." 
 
"I think I know what you mean. I have so much to learn," Marcus said as he wrapped his arms around Kendal and pulled him close. "This helps."
 
"Yeah, it does," Kendal agreed, pushing back gently. "Did you want to talk about last night?"
 
"It happened once before when I was with Eric."
 
"Same color?"
 
"No, green, I think," Marcus said, recalling the day. "He told me not to let it worry me. He said that it happened to lots of werebeasts."
 
"Well, he is sort of right," Kendal said. "It happens to a lot of his family. Most of the Were Nation doesn't have the gift."
 
"Why does everyone call these things gifts when no one wants them?"
 
"Maybe we're white elephant beasts. You know, we get gifts nobody wants, but we can't seem to get rid of," Kendal said with a snicker. "Mine came along when Max decided it was best if we had a builder on the island full-time." He waved his hand, and it glowed blue. "Blue clan members are builders. Everything the Changelings gave us… our new lives, our new powers, our new loves… they all can be a gift or a curse. It's all in how we use them."
 
"You sound like the temple dogs."
 
Kendal leaned over and kissed Marcus again. "And despite my selfish interests, they are who you should be with."
 
"What?"
 
"Please know that I hope one day to pursue where we went these last two days."
 
Marcus sighed. "I hear a ‘but' coming here."
 
"I know," Kendal said with a nod. "But, you have powers that only a few have ever shown. Eric is a healer. He's Green clan. The clan powers don't mix except for those who channel all powers. Right now, JP, Max, and Donovan are the only ones out there with that power. Oliver is busy being a rock, so he's sort of out of the picture. Donovan lives on the highland waiting for his husbands to return. He can teach you about the power you seem to have. The temple dogs choose to stay by his side until the return of his mates. They have lived for thousands of years helping the Were Nation be at peace with who they are. If you think about it, you know where you need to be."
 
"You can't be there with me?"
 
Kendal smiled. "Look around you. This is where I'm needed. This is where I belong."
 
"And I belong back on the highland?"
 
"Yes. With the temple dogs, with Donovan, and next to Will."
 
"William?"
 
"Yeah." Kendal pushed Marcus away, and as soon as they separated, Marcus became Will's double. "That, Marcus, is one seriously blatant way your heart is trying to tell you something you have been ignoring. No, not ignoring. You've been fighting it."
 
"He's married, Kendal. He's married to five other guys and they're all amazing, and wonderful, and so much better than me."
 
"They are wonderful, but they're not better than you. The only man better than you is the one you become by following your heart."
 
"Again with the temple dog philosophy," Marcus said sarcastically.
 
Kendal frowned. He rolled over away from Marcus and stood up off the bed. "Again with the denial. You are your own worst enemy, Marcus. Choose what you want to be. But for now, I won't be a part of it. When you can be truthful to yourself, then we can talk. I won't be the one you use to avoid seeing what you should see." He walked over to the front door. "I have a job to do. If you'll excuse me, I'll leave you to do yours."
 
With a turn, Kendal was out the door. Marcus sighed. "Well, that went well, Marcus," he said to himself. "You have a knack for being even blinder with your eyes working than when they didn't."
 
He got up and went to the bathroom. He looked at the gray wolf looking at him in the mirror and he shifted into his human form. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" he said, staring at the human in front of him. "Kendal is right. You do love William. You always will. He might be a rock right now, but maybe you need to be next to him. Maybe you need to be with the temple dogs even if they are too free with the truth. 
Platitudes or Asian pseudo-wisdom never offended you before. You're afraid they're telling you the same truth Oliver did." Marcus laughed to himself. "You's one seriously fucked up human."
 
An hour later, Marcus looked up the tall flight of spiraling stairs. Anders put his hand on the werewolf's shoulders and watched him turn into a grolar bear. "That is an interesting turn," Ander's said. "I had thought only we Changelings could do that. I imagine it's quite the…"
 
"Please, don't say gift, Anders," the bear said, looking back at him.
 
"I was going to say pain in the butt, but gift might work. I guess it just depends on how you deal with it. But I can tell my body when to change. It can't be easy having one that does it when you don't want it to."
 
"You don't know the half of it," Marcus said as he looked at the bulky bear and smiled. "Thank you for everything, Anders."
 
"I just told you where he is, Marcus. Lewis and I think of him like a son. Please don't make me regret telling you he's up there. He's hurting. And he's hurt so much these last few years. Don't be a part of that."
 
"I don't understand," Marcus said.
 
"Then don't judge the boy until you do," Anders said. "Promise me that."
 
Marcus stared into the eyes of the bear. "I promise." The bear lifted his paw, and Marcus became the wolf again. Marcus shifted to human and began climbing the stairs. At the top, he saw Kendal looking out over the bay from the gallery. Marcus put his arm around the Newfoundland wolf and became him. "I'm sorry, Kendal. I'm so confused by everything and everyone. My life was so much simpler when I lived alone."
 
Kendal looked at his twin. "Was it better?"
 
"No," Marcus said, shaking his head. "No, it wasn't better. For all my confusion, I feel so alive again. After so many years of feeling dead inside, it feels good." His paw reached up and rubbed Kendal's neck. "But for all the rest of this tidal wave of emotions pouring in on me, I can only see the hurt I caused by what I said to you."
 
Kendal remained silent. Marcus took a deep breath. "I should have thanked you for telling me the truth. Instead, I mocked you for it. Please, Kendal. Please forgive me."
 
Kendal looked at the Newfoundland wolf next to him and smiled. "Generally, when werebeasts forgive each other, it involves a great deal of kissing and makeup sex."
 
Marcus laughed. "You forgive that easily?"
 
"Why would I hold a grudge against someone that I care so much about?"
 
"That easily, Kendal?"
 
"That easily, Marcus." Kendal pointed out to the bay. "I remember one day Lewis and I were up here after my husband died..."
 
"Your husband died?" Marcus interrupted.
 
The Newfoundland wolf nodded. "An accident. The Lawrence Cavalier."
 
"The cargo ship that ran aground here? I remember all the news reports."
 
"That's the one. They ruled it a pilot error. Too many hours trying to do too many things," Kendal said. He shook his head as it bowed. "Steve was working down on the docks with the other longshoremen when it happened. Damn fools. They threw an anchor chain around the moorings and pulled from the other side. We're strong, but we're not that strong. Eventually, the ship shattered the moorings and dragged Steve, Kevin, Wallace, and Joe under it. It crushed them up against the docks. They saved one hundred seventy-two lives by slowing the ship enough that it only shattered the outer wall of the convention center. 
 
"They called it a miracle. Even though the engines were in full reverse when they hit the island, the voyage data recorder showed no explanation for a decrease in speed that exceeded the capacity of the reversed engines. The ship should have taken out the entire building. Everything on the VDR said the wreck of the Lawrence Cavalier should have been the greatest disaster in St John's history. Only the Were Nation knows why it wasn't. We pulled their bodies out from under the ship before anyone knew what had happened. Everyone was thanking God for a miracle. No one but us knew who deserved the thanks."
 
"I'm sorry, Kendal."
 
Kendal looked up with tears in his eyes. "Yeah, me too."
 
The two were quiet; content for a time to listen to the waves below them. Marcus waited until the Newfoundland wolf spoke again. "I didn't take it well," the wolf said. "It's been what; fourteen years? I'm still not taking it well most days. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him. But I have family who cares for me. Everyone on the island knows I'm not the same wolf they used to know. But I remember who I once was, and I miss that wolf as much as anyone else. One day I'll find him again. 
 
"Anders and Lewis took me under their wing from the first day. They invite me over to stay with them all the time. They know it's not good for me to be alone. I love their company and their touch.
 
"But Lewis is special. He is tied to the ocean in ways that few share. I've seen some surfers like him, and of course, other free divers like me. We all seem wired with a need to return to the ocean. We all find peace in the liquid that birthed us all. Lewis doesn't dive into it, though. From up here, he watches and listens to it. And he has seen more and heard more than any of us will ever know." 
 
Kendal sighed. "One day, Lewis and I were standing right where we are today. I was having a particularly hard day. He was holding me, and I was crying. God, I was such a mess, Marcus. And he leaned over and kissed my snotty muzzle like it didn't even matter. And that's when he pointed out to the bay and reminded me of the lesson this ocean has been trying to teach me my entire life.
 
"Marcus, the ocean is never still. It moves through tides, rising and falling, just like our lives. It can be a cataclysmic storm one moment… angry… violent… destructive. And by dawn, it is calm again. But what we see on the surface is just the world acting on the ocean. It cannot help but be buffeted by the wind and surge with the tides."
 
Kendal shook his head. "But that's not the ocean. There is so much life in the ocean because no matter what the surface might do, below is calm. Dive deep enough and you will find peace. You asked me how I can so easily forgive you for what you said. It's because Lewis reminded me of what's out there," the wolf said, pointing out toward the bay. "We have to look beyond the surface to see what is really there.
 
"I look at your anger toward me, Marcus, and I understand that's just the surface. You're reacting to the forces of the world around you. But even amid all that turmoil, I can still see the calm below. I simply have to get out of your way long enough for the storm to pass and for the calm to return. It returned. I don't fear the storm when the storm is not there."
 
"But I'm not like the ocean, Kendal," Marcus protested.
 
"No, you choose to let the storms come. You let the bitterness and anger grow. You allow destruction to follow in your wake. That is who we are as humans. But you are more than that now, Marcus. You're a werebeast. The human is in your control. You need to learn to let the calm below guide the course of your actions. Go back to the highland. Learn from the temple dogs. Let the Changelings teach you of your new powers… whatever they may be. Let them teach you to become the wolf you were meant to be, not the one you're touching at the moment."
 
"I will miss you."
 
 "And I will miss, you Marcus. But I get two days off a week. I can certainly spend those days with you from time to time. There's nothing in the rule book that says we can't try to make a budding friendship work long distance."
 
"No, I suppose not. Especially with the Red Wolf making so many trips back and forth between the two coasts."
 
"And you will come home one day. We always come home. Just remember of all the many homes you will have in your life, one is here on Partridge Island." Kendal reached out and held the hand of the werewolf beside him. "Be happy, Marcus. Love like you have never loved before, and never look back in regret."
 
"I will do my best, Kendal," Marcus promised. "The twins will come for me tomorrow at ten."
 
Kendal looked into the eyes of the wolf and grinned. "Then I suggest you take me now, or you will always regret having wasted this day."
 
The werewolf leaned in and kissed the other. As their bodies rolled onto the gallery floor, one could not tell which was which.
 
Chapter 31

The morning came sooner than either Kendal or Marcus wanted. But as the sun rose, the two slowly unraveled their intertwined bodies and began saying their goodbyes. Marcus gave a last hug to Lewis and Anders. Extending his arm to Kendal, the two walked toward the helipad. As they walked, the Red Wolf flew overhead. They watched the engines pivot and flare downward. 
 
As they cleared the top of the stairs, Marcus saw Matthew standing by the Red Wolf. He squeezed Kendal's hand. "I guess this is where I say goodbye, Kendal," he said. "Looks like I have another goodbye up on the helipad as well."
 
"Matthew, the human," Kendal said knowingly. "He's been doing very well, Marcus." Kendal grabbed the wolf and turned him around. He watched the wolf become his match and leaned in for a long kiss. When the kiss ended, he smiled. "You take good care of yourself, Marcus. I'll see you soon."
 
"I hope so," Marcus said with a smile. He let the hug go and shifted back into the Iberian wolf. He turned and waved to Matthew. The boarding ramp lowered on the Red Wolf and Marcus stared as the little red fox stepped out into the sunshine. He walked down the ramp and when he touched the landing pad, he smiled at the Iberian wolf. "Hello, Marcus. You're looking well today," he teased with a grin. "But then I've always thought Will looked too hot for words."
 
"You look well today, too, Jason," Marcus said uncomfortably.
 
Jason walked over and hugged the wolf that instantly became a fox. "Get used to the hugging, Marcus," Jason said. "You're a part of a family now, and we have expectations."
 
"What of my expectations, Jason?" Marcus asked.
 
The fox didn't let go of his hug. "That is a fair question. Is one of them to be loved?"
 
The twin fox nodded against the other's shoulder. 
 
"Then know that those of the Were Nation show our love by holding each other. Are you having any difficulty with this hug?"
 
"I am getting hard, and I am going to have to say goodbye to Matthew soon. That will be awkward."
 
Jason pushed back. "Well then, we will forgo the kiss. I'm sure that will leave us both aroused."
 
Marcus sighed. "You would know, Jason. I am you."
 
The little fox let his grip go, and the gray wolf returned. "And now you are not." Jason stared at the wolf's crotch and smiled at the head peeking out from the sheath. "It is certainly more obvious now that you're a wolf."
 
Marcus groaned. "I know, Jason."
 
"Think about biker nuns with skull tattoos. That seems to work for me."
 
Marcus laughed, but his face changed quickly. "I am sorry, Jason. I'm sorry for everything."
 
"My original comment still holds, Marcus. Treat my family well, and I will hold no grudge."
 
"Thank you," the Iberian wolf said.
 
Jason waved toward the human standing away from them. "Well, go. I came here to visit Matthew today. I can't do that until you're off to the highland."
 
Marcus turned and walked over to the human while Jason patiently waited. "So, is that what happens when you touch another person?" Matthew asked. "You become them?"
 
"That's what happens, Matthew," Marcus said with a nod. "That's why I wore the gloves when we first met."
 
"That has to be tough."
 
"It's not the easiest thing in the world, but I'm trying to learn to live with it," Marcus replied. The wolf looked at Matthew. "You look a hell of a lot better than the day we met."
 
"I'm feeling better," Matthew said. "They told me you were going back to the highland. I wanted to tell you I was wrong to say the things I said about you. Turns out, you weren't the reason the Sight came back. In fact, you were the one it was trying to get me to bump into." Matthew waved his hand outward. "It was trying to get me back here. I was just too drunk to see it. You weren't. You're a good man, Marcus."
 
"I've got a long way to go before I'm that, Matthew. But I'm glad it worked out well for you."
 
Matthew hugged Marcus and felt him shift into his naked mirror image. He pulled away and watched the human become a wolf again. "I'm sorry about that, Marcus."
 
"It's okay, Matthew. The hug was worth it."
 
"Do right by them, Wolf. You've made your mistakes. Now go out there and find a way to fix them."
 
"I'll try, Matthew. Be happy."
 
"You sound like Oliver," the old man said.
 
"I hope one day I can make him proud the way he would be proud of you."
 
"Tell him I said hey if he wakes up," Matthew said, waving to the wolf.
 
"I will," Marcus answered, turning and walking toward the Red Wolf. 
 
As he neared the boarding ramp, Marcus heard the voice of the human. "Marcus," Matthew yelled.
 
Marcus turned. "Yeah?"
 
"You be happy, too."
 
Marcus smiled. "I'll do my best."
 
Matthew smiled in return. "That's all we ever ask of you."
 
Marcus walked up the ramp and Matthew watched as the ramp rolled up and the door closed. He crouched down and put out his hands, and the little fox ran into them. The human took the fox into a tight hug and spun the little mammal around. "It's good to see you, Jason," Matthew said. 
 
 "And it is good to see you, Matthew." 
 
Matthew extended the fox out. "On my shoulders or holding my hand, Fox?"
 
"On the shoulders, I think today. I'm feeling frisky." 
 
The human glowered. "You're not going to be getting wood from this, are you?"
 
"Probably. I'm a fox, Matthew. We're kind of that way. But it's not like I'm going to hump your leg or anything."
 
Matthew laughed. "Okay," he said, flipping the fox up onto his shoulders. "Let's get off this pad so the twins can take off." The human walked down the stairs carefully. At the bottom of the helipad, he saw Kendal watching as the Red Wolf lifted off. He stared upward until the ship had disappeared into the clouds and walked over to the wolf. "You two have something going on?" Matthew asked.
 
Kendal smiled. "We might. We'll just have to see how it goes."
 
Matthew grinned. "Yep. I wish you both the best. I know you guys have a convoluted way of expressing affection, but I hope it works out well for you and Marcus. And Will, too," Matthew said. He paused. "Hell, I hope it works out for all of us."
 
Kendal put out his arms. "Got a hug there for me, Human?"
 
Matthew smiled. "Yeah, Wolf, as a matter of fact, I do. Hold on, Fox, I'm going to hug another beast." Jason laughed as Matthew grabbed the wolf and hugged him tightly. When he let the hug go, he looked back toward the hospital. "Well, I have a lunch date with the guy on my shoulders, and after that, it's therapy with Dr. Kong. I just wanted to make sure Marcus had a good send-off."
 
"Thanks, Matthew," Kendal said. "You want company later tonight? Maybe grab a bite to eat?"
 
Matthew nodded. "That would be nice, thanks. You're Kendal, right?"
 
"That's me. I work with Lewis on the lighthouse."
 
"Bet there are stories to be told there."
 
"We can discuss them over dinner tonight. Around seven?"
 
"When you heading out, Jason?" Matthew said, looking up.
 
"I just dropped by for lunch and a checkup on the construction work over on the south side, Matthew. You're free and clear from my end."
 
Matthew thought for a moment. "Make it seven-thirty, and you've got a date." Matthew thought about his words. "I probably shouldn't say date, huh?"
 
Kendal laughed. "I knew what you meant. Besides, I pal around with Lewis and Anders. Lewis is over two thousand years old, and Anders is close to a million years. You're nice and all, Matthew, but you're way too young for me to be interested in dating you that way."
 
"Okay, cut me some slack," Matthew said with a laugh. "I'm trying to make friends on an island where friends are a lot friendlier than I'm used to."
 
"Understood, Matthew. I'll see you at seven-thirty." He stared at the human for a bit. "I probably shouldn't try to kiss you, right?"
 
Matthew grinned. "Not on the first date, Wolf."
 
Chapter 32
 
"We'll be landing in a few minutes, Marcus," Tiff said looking at the werewolf anxiously pacing in the back. "Time to buckle up. If you don't, the auto-restraints kick in, and you really don't want to deal with those."
 
Marcus looked up from his pacing and sat down in the aisle seat. "Thanks for taking me back to the highland."
 
"Our pleasure, Marcus," Tuff said. "We love taking folks home."
 
"Is that what I'm doing, Tuff?"
 
"I think so, Marcus. You act like a beast who's heading home, but one not sure if he's doing the right thing."
 
Marcus pulled the shoulder harness and clicked it into place. "That would be me."
 
Tiff smiled. His hands reached out and set the landing gear as they coasted into the highland. "I know it will do no good to tell you not to worry, Marcus, but you're going to a home you will one day realize is the safest place you have ever lived."
 
"The highland can be a lonely place, Tiff," Marcus said. 
 
"I wasn't talking about the highland, Marcus," Tiff replied. "I'm talking about finding out who you are and who your family really is. Once you know that, you'll find home. And home is a very, very big place."
 
As the Red Wolf touched down, two temple dogs gathered around the base of the landing site. The boarding ramp lowered, and the two dogs moved forward to welcome the returning wolf. As they hugged, the wolf became a dog and the three temple dogs smiled at each other. "How have you been doing, Marcus?" Katashi asked.
 
"I'm well, thank you," Marcus said with a bow. He looked at the two dogs. "Where is Noboru?"
 
"The planting of the rice fields is done. He has returned to his home in Tibet," Katashi answered.
 
"But he is alone."
 
"He will not be alone for long," Zhuang said with a smile. "The dragon babies are nearing the time of their first molt. When they fledge, they will need new homes suitable for their needs. Tibet will be one of those homes, and Noboru will be one of their guardians. While he waits for this day, there is much that needs to be accomplished. There are gardens to attend to, rituals to be observed, and so many other things to occupy his time."
 
"But his contact with you…" the wolf said with a sad face.
 
"Of necessity, we curtail it for a time," Katashi interjected. "But he has his family, and they visit him frequently."
 
"So, they take good care of him?"
 
Katashi bowed. "Very good care, Little One. And what of you? Are you well taken care of?"
 
"This is awkward. I have returned here to learn from you, to find a way to control my changing, but all I can think about is how much I want to take the two of you out into the woods and find a sturdy tree that we can hang from."
 
"Then we have taught you at least one thing, Marcus," Zhuang said with a cheerful laugh. "We have taught you the importance of family in the Were Nation. We do not let the desires of our family go unfulfilled if we can take care of them. Let us go play. There will be time enough for work in the days to come."
 
Donovan and Eric stepped from the cave and watched the three temple dogs running off into the forest. 
 
 "Marcus is home," Donovan said with a smile.
 
"Yeah," Eric nodded. "Probably won't see him for a week."
 
Donovan laughed. "It's good for him. He needs to be reminded of what's important in life."
 
"That's true," the polar bear agreed. "You have your work cut out for you, Husband."
 
"So, I've heard. But if I understand correctly, nothing really comes into play until after the family returns."
 
"He appears to be a Channeler, Wolf. He will need to be trained."
 
"He is more than a Channeler, Old Bear," Donovan said. "He will eclipse us all."
 
The Old Bear sighed. "Then I am glad he has my husband for a teacher."
 
"I am grateful he has so many teachers, Husband," the Armbruster's wolf said. "He will have much to learn before he becomes the wolf he is meant to be. Knowing that those who will teach him are my family leaves me confident in our future."
 
"Speaking of the future, do you have anything planned for the week?"
 
Donovan looked out toward the forest. "I was thinking there are three temple dogs out there. Without Noboru's skills, at least two are bound to fall out of those trees at some point."
 
The polar bear nodded. "I was thinking the same thing."
 
"Did I tell you that the old wolf taught me how to climb up there with them?"
 
Eric laughed. "No, will it work for a polar bear?"
 
"Sadly, no. But I have a suggestion. I will join the dogs in the trees. Whoever falls from those trees is yours if he will agree to it."
 
"Sounds reasonable."
 
"I expect I will fall multiple times throughout the next few days. I'm not skilled at dealing with moving objects in midair, and my tail is not prehensile."
 
The bear leaned over and grabbed the wolf into a tight hug. "It sounds all the more fun because of that, but I might have another suggestion."
 
The Armbruster's wolf looked at the polar bear. "What is that, Husba…." His jaw dropped as the bear's fur turned golden yellow and his body grew outward.
 
"I never thought about that," Donovan said as his grin became that of a temple dog. "This way we can welcome Marcus home without confusing his body."
 
"When in Rome, do as the Romans," Eric said, grinning back. "And when in the trees…"
 
"Oh, we are going to get in so much trouble if our husbands find out we did this."
 
"Yeah. But it will be so worth it." With a nod of their heads in agreement, the two temple dogs fell onto all fours and raced off toward the forest. 
 
It would be three days before the first tree fell. All five temple dogs were eager to point out to Gaia that was a record for the safest sex they had had in over two thousand years, and fortunately for the five, she agreed.
 
Chapter 33

Matthew watched under his umbrella as the Red Wolf surfed in on the clouds and landed on the helipad. He paced anxiously, waiting for the face of the young fox to appear in the disembarking crowd. When Jason stepped onto the covered ramp, Matthew waved. Jason waved back and stepped to the side as two wolves came out. He pointed toward the human, and they both nodded and waved. Matthew was confused, but he waved back to the threesome.
 
Jason and his cohorts came bounding down the ramp, and Jason ran to Matthew, where he got a welcoming hug from the human. "So, we finally get to see what the new building on the other side of the island is all about?" Matthew asked.
 
"Indeed, you do," a wolf with piercing green eyes said as he extended his hand to the human. He looked at the human's hesitancy. "Unless you prefer to hug. Although, we're kind of wet here. You know, wolves and rain. We're not the best combination," he said with a smile.
 
Matthew nodded shyly. "Actually, I prefer hugging even if we're soaked."
 
"Well then, hugs it shall be," the wolf said, grabbing the human and pulling him into a tight hug. "My name is Clifford, but everybody at this press conference today is going to be calling me Dr. Wells. For some reason, they think it sounds more impressive, although everyone I love calls me Clifford."
 
Matthew laughed. "What should I call you?"
 
"Clifford. Never call me Cliff, unless you want to incur the wrath of a Clifford who hates being called Cliff. Trust me, it's really unpleasant."
 
"I will remember that," Matthew replied with a smile. "I think I've seen you a few times down by the new building."
 
"Yeah, it's the first building on the island to use a previous hospital's footprint, but built in entirely modern architecture. There's a placard to remind people that a smallpox hospital once stood there, but beyond that, there are some memories best not memorialized by a building, don't you think?"
 
Matthew nodded. "Yeah, that's a hospital best left in the past. Who thought to change the status quo?"
 
The wolf nodded toward the other bulkier wolf. "That would be my husband's doing," the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf said, tugging at the arm of the black and auburn wolf by his side. "They're going to be saying all sorts of boring crap about Mr. Kahue, and how he's so remarkable; like a young Frank Lloyd Wright. I won't sound bitter one bit."
 
His mate laughed. "The good doctor turned me when I was twenty-seven. He was forty-two when he turned, and he has never stopped bitching about people calling me his son or the younger one," the other wolf said with a laugh.
 
"You're married?" Matthew asked.
 
"We're celebrating our twentieth this September," the gray wolf answered. He grinned. "We're practically newlyweds in werewolf terms. I'm Nicholas; and yes, you can call me Nick," the other wolf said, extending his arms. "I'm a hugger, too. We have that in common."
 
Matthew entered the hug and felt the warm, wet fur of the dark-haired wolf. "I'm a Yukon wolf," Nicholas said. "We have really thick coats. We're great fun to hug right up until the middle of August and then really… stay away from me if we're not in a pool."
 
Matthew laughed again. "It's nice to meet you both. The building really is remarkable. You can't even see it until you're right up on top of it."
 
"It's the mirrors," Nicholas said. "They reflect the gardens on the other side."
 
"But the roof goes right back into the park above it," Matthew said. "And the waterfall over the front, and the creek… it's all so beautiful. You don't even see the door until it changes when you get close to it."
 
The Yukon wolf grinned. "Well, well; you have been following its construction."
 
"Oh yeah. I came here halfway through the construction. Watching it go from a hole in the side of a hill to what it is today is incredible. It's so peaceful after the crews head home at night. It really is amazing."
 
Nicholas looked at Clifford. "There, you see? I'm amazing."
 
"He said your building is amazing. He didn't say you were."
 
Matthew shook his hands. "No, no, actually you're both amazing. I mean you're beautiful wolves. Nick your fur is about the most beautiful I've ever seen on a wolf. You're right up there with Derrick. And Clifford, you have that white, black, and gray look down perfectly." Matthew pulled up short. "Did I tell you I was straight? I'm straight. I probably should have told you I was straight before I started sounding like I was trying to hit on you." Matthew slapped his forehead. "Now I just sound like some insane guy. That's an improvement."
 
Nicholas reached back and hugged the human again. "I think you're absolutely wonderful." He pushed back. "Shall we head off to the press conference? Jason got you front-row seats."
 
"Me? I don't belong there. I'm just a drunk in rehab who likes Jason."
 
"He told us you were his date."
 
Matthew stared at Jason. Jason's fur appeared to blush a deeper red than it already was. "I might have said that. You know… it's awkward coming to these things alone."
 
"You have two husbands."
 
"Who are both occupied with other matters in Montana. Come on, Matthew. Be my date. I promise I won't hit on you. I just want a trophy human by my side."
 
Matthew laughed. "You could pick a much better trophy human walking down any street."
 
"But I know you, Matthew. And besides, now that the building is complete, I won't be able to come here as often."
 
Matthew's countenance fell. "Why not?"
 
"Because this was a pet project of mine. I took responsibility for it. But it's not my full-time job. I'm in charge of travel and communications for our family. I spend my time behind a ComLink communications hub, remember? That's how we met."
 
"I remember. I just thought… I thought… I won't be seeing you again?"
 
"Of course, you'll see me. There are our family gatherings. You know us. We can't stay away from each other. And I'll try to make it out to visit. I just won't be here as often."
 
"Damn," Matthew said, the disappointment in his voice evident.
 
"But we will," Clifford said. "We've moved into the McGowan place. I really hate moving, but we both realized it's time we lived closer to my work. So here we are instead of Boston."
 
"That explains why I've seen you both around so often," Matthew said. 
 
"Yeah, we've been doing some last-minute work off-island to make our move here permanent. Nicholas is moving his architectural business to the mainland in Saint John. Boston is pissed," Clifford said with a laugh.
 
Nicholas smiled at Matthew. "You'll be okay dropping by now and then to say hi, right, Matthew? Now that you know where we live?"
 
Matt nodded. "I suppose. I don't have many friends on the island. Most of them seem to be scared off by me.
 
Jason laughed. "I am not being scared off. And Li Wei is visiting his brothers so Marcus can take a breather from his training and spend some time with Kendal."
 
Matthew frowned. "I'm just feeling sorry for myself," he said. "And I'm being a total putz, ignoring Greg and Mike entirely from the list in my head. And Carl and Frank; they treat me like gold every time I walk through the Midnight Diner's doors."
 
"We're family, Matthew," Jason said. "We never leave each other, but sometimes the configurations of who we are closest to change because of circumstance. Embrace the change. It's always going to be the way of your family now." The fox tugged at the human's sleeve. "Come on, let's go get our seats. I'll buy you a milkshake afterward."
 
"You trying to bribe me, Fox?"
 
"Sure."
 
"Okay, it's working. But don't you dare introduce me as your boyfriend."
 
"How about sweetheart?"
 
"No."
 
"Love slave?"
 
"No."
 
"Stud muffin?"
 
"I'll think about that one, but for now, no."
 
Jason laughed and took the hand of the human, and they walked toward the building.
 
Inside the main foyer, Tyler tapped the microphone on his ComLink, making the traditional tapping noise that turned all heads toward him. "If I could get everyone to grab a seat or find someplace to lean against, we'll start this. I want to thank the Saint John council members, our esteemed mayor, our guests from the Saint John Regional Hospital, the press, and everyone else who made the trip in the rain for coming out today. I think you'll agree that this opening is unique in our history. 
 
"For the first time, we have created a building that honors the natural heritage of the Northeast Atlantic coastal islands. All while welcoming our community and so many others to a state-of-the-art facility. We have purposely left you in the dark as to the exact function of this building because it has been a labor of love for a wonderful couple and a young man here in the front row who we love and whose presence here on the island we cherish.
 
"The name Nicholas Kahue is synonymous with an architectural style that seeks to integrate the surrounding landscape into the building itself. His buildings around the world have led to accolades from so many that I won't cite them here. But what you see surrounding us is a gift to his husband. A gift to house the dream a doctor and a young man created the day they met. 
 
"Jason is a young man with the soul of a centuries-old sage. He saw a need, and he reached out to a doctor to create a way to help a group of individuals that we so often overlook. This building is the culmination of his work with the philanthropic wing of Bear Paws Enterprises, the generous support of the employees of the First Class Hospital, and the Second Class Hospital research and development teams. 
 
"And last but certainly not least, this is the doctor's dream waiting to come true for nearly half a century. I would like you to welcome the man who will open this building to its first patients… I give you all, Dr. Clifford Wells."
 
There was a round of applause as the gray wolf stood up to a crowd who only saw a tall, thin human with dark brown hair that showed just a hint of gray around the mustache and throughout his trim beard. "I want to thank Tyler for the warm introduction. You know it's a slow news day when we see MicroLink News show up here instead of the White House Lawn looking for a story." The wolf waited for the laughter to calm. "But I hope they find what I hope you all find here today; a story of hope to slip in between the fires, the floods, and the accidents out on our highways.
 
"For those of you who don't know me, I'm going to give a bit of history beyond what you find on the back of my book jacket. I was born here in Saint John. While my father was a soldier, this was one of many homes. He was a big man, a decorated hero, and a father of three children. His oldest son, my brother, was born with a terrible speech impediment. He stuttered uncontrollably and his words would slur sometimes to the point you couldn't understand him.
 
"Even before his first day in school, the military base children would torture him for his inability to do one of the most common of activities. He couldn't speak clearly. Our most basic tool of communication was denied him."
 
Matthew fidgeted in his seat and started rising. Jason's hand came down firmly on his. "Stay," Jason commanded quietly, and Matthew sat back down.
 
"Anthony was an incredible boy. He was so much smarter than anything he could say. He was so much kinder than his words ever expressed. And he was braver than anyone I have ever known."
 
The wolf paused, and everyone could tell he was reliving memories that were hard for him. "You have to understand how strong you have to be to never let constant teasing break you as a child. We need to acknowledge how difficult it is to rise up stronger after every insult, after every shove, after every taunt. Anthony was like that. No bully ever fazed him. They tried so hard to break his spirit, but I am here today to attest to the fact that they all failed miserably. He was brave in the face of those bullies. And he was braver than I could ever be the day he told my dad to stop beating his wife and children. 
 
"This island is home to so many that hear my words and know this story by heart. We know the same horrors. We feel the same pain. But we stand here able to articulate that pain. We can tell our story without stuttering through it. We can exorcise those horrors through their retelling. And we can do so without people losing interest because of how long it takes to get out the words. Those of us who suffered from child abuse tell uncomfortable stories, but we don't make you uncomfortable simply by trying to tell them. 
 
"Anthony never had that advantage. He couldn't tell his teachers, because they grew tired of waiting for the child to express himself. But even in the face of total indifference to his plight, he never let the bullies win. My father, our family's own personal monster, was relentless in his abuse. And it was only Anthony who stood up to him. Everyone else looked the other way, preferring to see the war hero.
 
"You don't know Anthony's story because he didn't live long enough to tell it. In his fourteenth year, Anthony came between our mother and a drunken monster with a gun. The papers would read that fourteen-year-old Anthony Wells committed suicide. They would talk about the bullying of those with disabilities and how the system needed to change. 
 
"What they wouldn't talk about was what war did to a family when their father came home broken from battle. They didn't talk about a system that made a man who needed help feel weak for asking for that help. No one talked about what a man becomes when a battle he should never have fought raged on inside him, even after he returned home. And they never talked about a system that found it more important to prop up a fallen hero than to keep him from falling in the first place. 
 
"Anthony died of a gunshot wound in a scuffle with my father. For the sake of a war hero's reputation, they fabricated a story about his death. A mother too weak to fight, a five-year-old brother too young to be believed, and a two-year-old sister who had no words, lead to this being my brother's obituary." On a sheet of glass directly behind the wolf appeared a newspaper article all too familiar to Matthew: "Child of War Hero Dies in Tragic Suicide."
 
"Ten years after my brother's death, my father committed suicide. In my family's case, trying to cover up the truth took a toll equal to the lie. I don't know whether my father meant to kill Anthony, or if it was a horrible, horrible accident caused by too much alcohol and rage. I do know that the last words my brother heard were ‘You fucking retard. Can't you even get one word out without fucking it up?'"
 
There was a silence in the room so thick everyone could hear the only sound in the room… a man in the front row sobbing. The wolf looked up. "Today we honor that young man for standing his ground, for never letting the disability he had change who he was. No bully could stop him. No challenge could turn him. He died as he lived, defiant of his disability and defiant of any who dared to threaten his family.
 
"Anthony was, and to this day remains, a brilliant light to his younger brother and sister. My sister is Karen Campbell. She was the lead soprano of the Metropolitan Opera in the New York Lincoln Center for eleven years and as a Mezzo-Soprano for another six. Her voice is a gift to us all that Anthony would have loved to hear. The press likes to call her a Diva. I call her Scooter. Gratefully, she's going to sing after my words here so you can go home with something beautiful to remember beyond our story. Just know that a stuttering kid helped give voice to what you hear today.
 
"Me… I'm a doctor who not coincidentally specializes in speech pathology. I've had some success in my field, but the accolades were never why I chose this field of study. Since I was five years old, I have dreamed of giving a voice to children who cannot speak. With the help of individuals so close to me I call them my family, we have created a place of refuge for those children. Today we dedicate the Anthony Wells Memorial Center to the study of speech pathology and the treatment of those who suffer those afflictions." 
 
The wolf's hand extended out behind him and the Center's title lit up along a light green panel of glass. "This is where a child without a voice will find hearts and hands willing to search for a way to heal one of our last great prejudices. 
 
"The last fifty years have seen so much progress. The end of our warring has brought our soldiers home and saved so many souls from being broken by the terror of battle. But we still find it difficult to wait patiently for the stutterer to finish his sentence. We are ill at ease with people who cannot express themselves in a way that we clearly understand. We must continue to grow as humans to embrace all who walk beside us. However, for those children that can benefit from medical intervention, speech therapy, or any of several disciplines that give a child a chance to be heard, this home will be here for them. 
 
"Again, thank you for coming. We have a great group of people to answer questions and guide you around the center to show you where our work will take place. We hope you enjoy your stay. And to the news media, we hope our story will find a way onto your screens so that those who need our help can find their way here. They don't need to worry about the cost. This is a dream, and like all dreams, they come to us at no cost. We simply need to get the word out so that those who need us most can find us."
 
"Dr. Wells, Dr. Wells," a reporter called out. "I have a few questions I'd like to ask." 
 
The green-eyed wolf nodded to the reporter. "I will be happy to answer questions a bit later. But my speech today has distressed someone I care a great deal about. If you will excuse me, I need to attend to that first." Clifford stepped down off the podium.
 
"But, Doctor," the reporter pressed. 
 
The wolf's glowing green eyes went past the illusion that the reporter saw of a human doctor in a lab coat and instantly silenced him. "My family comes first," he said with a growl that was heard and yet not heard by the reporter. 
 
"Yes, sir," the reporter said as he sat back down.
 
Tyler stood up quickly. "As Dr. Wells said, he will answer questions later. But for now, we'd like to take advantage of the fact that his sister Karen is here with us today. We love her to pieces every time she comes to visit her brother, and today she has graciously offered to sing. In a break from her usual repertoire, she's going to sing a song released all the way back in two thousand ten, which I suppose for an opera star is cutting-edge modernity. It was first sung by another diva… Cher." The wolf took a deep breath. "This, of course, means every gay guy on this island probably knows the song by heart."
 
The group laughed, and Tyler smiled. "It's called You Haven't Seen the Last of Me, and I believe that speaks volumes about this family."
 
A beautiful, lithe woman with white hair stood up and smiled at the group gathered in front of her. "If I had known Clifford was going to call me a diva, I would have brought my tiara. Instead, I brought deviled eggs, because he told me our family was having a potluck after this. I hope you enjoy the song because I'm pretty sure my brother and Nick won't let you get anywhere near the deviled eggs."
 
As his sister talked, the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf rubbed Matthew's hand. "Come on, Matthew; let's go somewhere private where we can talk."
 
Matthew looked up at the wolf. "Did you tell the truth, or was this just for me?"
 
"A bit of both, I suppose," the doctor wolf said. "It's all the truth, Matthew. And this center is in my brother's name for a good reason. But yes, Jason brought you here and kept you here so I could tell you something I knew you would turn from if I didn't have a way to pin you down. Forgive me for that. But his story is something you needed to know. Our story is something you needed to hear. We are kin, Matthew. We were both born into a family of abuse. Were it not for our greater family stepping in to change your life, your story would have ended the same way Anthony's did."
 
Matthew looked up into the green eyes of the wolf and saw nothing but concern. "Can you get me out of here without me ruining what you've worked so hard for today?"
 
"Oh, that's easy," Jason said. He motioned to a wolf standing on the sidelines and ran his palm like a sled through the air. The wolf nodded and his foot stuck out as a waiter walked by with a tray of hors d'oeuvres, sending the waiter flying into the air. Every head in the room turned when they heard the noise of the metal tray hitting the floor. The waiter looked up. "REALLY, WOLF?" he yelled. 
 
"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry," the wolf said, instantly solicitous, as he bent down to help the waiter up. "Sorry," he whispered. "Jason needed a distraction to get Matthew and Clifford out of here unnoticed. You were it."
 
"You will so be making this up to me, Bill," the waiter whispered as he stood back up.
 
The waiter brushed himself off and turned to see all eyes on him and the side emergency door closing. "Sorry folks, I didn't mean to be part of the entertainment." He picked up the large silver tray and tapped his ComLink. "Clean up on aisle four," he said with a smile. Three little vacuum devices came out from the kitchen area and sped around the scattered hors d'oeuvres. In a flash, the food was gone and so were the waiter and the wolf. When the first chord struck on the piano, all heads turned back to Karen Campbell as she started singing.
 
Outside, the three ran through the pouring rain. "No one will follow us," Jason yelled. "I guess that's one advantage of a normal day on Partridge Island." 
 
"I suppose if I don't catch pneumonia," Matthew said.
 
"Come on," Clifford said. "Our home is just over the hill by the beach. We'll get you a towel and some dry clothes." Clifford tapped his ComLink earpiece. "On our way home, Babe. Can you have the heat cranked up? We have a hairless ape coming home with us."
 
Matthew looked up at the wolf and squinted his eyes. "That's specist you know. I've got plenty of hair."
 
"Well then, you're better than me. My ape suit is like an ad for men's underwear."
 
Matthew laughed. "You know, I really want to hate you both for what you did to me today, but I'm grateful."
 
The gray wolf stopped running, and Matthew and Jason stopped as well. He turned to the human. "I'm sorry, Matthew. Blame me, not Jason. The center was my dream and Jason saw a way for it to come true and maybe help you make peace with a part of your life. But it was me who insisted I be able to tell you the story where you couldn't run. He knew you well enough to know you wouldn't cause a scene at such an important event."
 
"Okay, I blame you," Matthew said. "Why did you do it, Clifford? 
 
"Why did I make you stay there, or why did I build the center?"
 
"You know what," Matthew said, his eyes narrowing. 
 
"Because my brother would have done it just that way, Matthew," the wolf said, pushing the rain from his brow. "You tried to make his life hell, but you didn't. You just made him stronger. If he had heard your story today, he would have laughed in your face at the thought that you could ever hurt him enough to make him commit suicide."
 
"I would have deserved it, too," Matthew said, looking down at the puddles forming around his feet.
 
"Yeah, you would have. You were a dick kid, Matthew," the wolf replied. "But then he would have taken you in his arms and hugged you, and told you how sorry he was that you have hurt for all these years. He would have cried alongside you for the loss of your wife and baby girl, and for her husband and their three kids." 
 
The wolf knelt in front of Matthew and picked up his lowered face. "He can't be here, Matthew. Anthony can't be here, and I hurt so much because of that. But I also know he would never leave you in so much pain for something you didn't do. 
 
"So, here we stand in the rain, both of us hurting for the loved ones we have lost and the pain we can never seem to let go. Today, I opened up a center in Anthony's name. My brother won't haunt me anymore. I'm letting him become something more than a horrible memory. He is becoming something healing and life-affirming. I'm asking you to do the same, Matthew. I'm asking you to let my brother go. Let him be something other than a pain that will never heal. Please don't let my brother die without ever finding a way to bring you home."
 
"I don't have a home. I lost it when Olivia and Sophie died."
 
"You have a home," the wolf said. "You can't let their death kill you. You're broken, but you're stronger than this. Lean on your family and get back up."
 
"My family is dead."
 
"Your family is all around you, damn it," the wolf said angrily. "Do you have any idea what it feels like to reach out to someone you love and get your hand swatted away? Stop it now. This isn't island rehab, Matthew. This is your family trying to bring you home."
 
Matthew looked up into the eyes of the wolf. He said nothing. His thoughts were so confused he couldn't find words.
 
The paw of the fox pushed against his shoulder. "Come home, Matthew. Don't sit here with one foot in the door wondering what life is like on the inside. We'll be with you every step of the way, but that first step has to be yours, and every one of them afterward."
 
"I don't know if I can," the human said.
 
"You can," the gray wolf said. "Trust that we see more than you at this moment in your life." The wolf pulled the human into a hug. "Come home, Matthew."
 
"I'll do my best," Matthew whispered. 
 
"That is all we ever ask of you," Clifford said, smiling. He pushed gently back. "Now, can we get out of this rain?"
 
The three ran off down the path towards the houses near the beach and ducked under the porch of the McGowan house. Nickolas was standing at the door with a towel out. "Okay, you three. You're not getting by me looking like that." He shoved the towel toward Matthew. "Dry off your hair, Matthew."
 
Matthew grabbed the towel and rubbed his hair. For just a moment he thought he saw the little fox's feet become human as the towel flopped around his head, but when he looked up, the wolf and fox were still there… perfectly dry with their feet resting in puddles. "How… how did you two do that?" he asked.
 
"Wolf… human… wolf. It's like a squeegee for beasts with fur."
 
"Oh, that is just unfair."
 
"Yeah… well, you're the one who turned down Oliver when he asked you to turn," Jason replied. "Don't bitch to me about the perks you didn't get." 
 
"Come on inside," Nicholas said, laughing. "Let's get you some dry clothes."
 
Inside the home, Nicholas pointed toward the bathroom. "I put out some of my clothes for you," he said with a nod toward his husband. "That guy's a beanpole."
 
Matthew went into the bathroom. In a few moments, he yelled out, "Just how tall is your human, Nicholas?"
 
"I'm six foot eight," Nicholas yelled back in response.
 
"Good god, were you a basketball player?"
 
"No, actually, I was on the rugby team. I'm also three hundred and eighty pounds. We Samoans like our food."
 
Matthew came out tightening the sweatpants around his waist. "That explains this," he said, holding out his arms. The sweatpants and shirt both looked like a child wearing adult clothes.
 
"It's the best I could do on short notice," Nicholas said. "I'll go get your clothes into the dryer. You'll have them back in no time. Make yourself comfortable, Matthew."
 
Matthew sat down on a recliner and looked around. "You guys have a really nice place, Clifford," he said.
 
"Thanks," the wolf responded. "We like it. We didn't really change much from what Trevor designed. He was like my husband, an architect with a really pleasant sense of style."
 
"I remember Trevor. I'm glad to see that Greg found someone new."
 
"Werewolves usually have endless lives. If we love a human, we will have to deal with grieving their loss. But we eventually find our way back to our family."
 
"So, Mike is a werewolf?"
 
"Yeah, you don't see him that way?"
 
"Not yet. It usually takes me a while before I see you in your beast forms."
 
"Well, that's part of being human, I guess."
 
"I saw you and Nick as wolves, though. It might be because you were next to Jason."
 
"Or because your Sight is letting you know that you've found new protectors," Jason said.
 
Matthew looked over at Jason. "What do you mean?"
 
The dark wolf came back into the room and sat down next to his husband. "Matthew, you're ready to leave the hospital, but you're not exactly ready to leave the island."
 
Matthew nodded. "I know that. I was hoping maybe they'd let me live in one of the gunnery apartments."
 
"We'd like to make you an offer, Matthew," Nicholas said, leaning forward. "Come stay with us. It would be good for you to have someone in the house with you. It's easier to stay sober when you have someone close by that you can talk to when you need help."
 
"That's true, but I'm straight, Nicholas," Matthew said almost apologetically.
 
"Yeah, so I heard. Well, no one is perfect. Look, our home has a mother-in-law apartment of sorts. It's in the basement. There's a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room. It has at least as many amenities as the apartments, but all the comforts of home. You'd have your own exit, but you also have a stairway up the inside to us anytime you need it. We've had the house pretty well soundproofed, but I can't promise you won't hear things from time to time. We're wolves, after all."
 
"You're really asking me to move in?"
 
"Yeah," Clifford responded. "The same way our family asked the two of us to move here. It was Jason's idea to build the speech center here on the island instead of in Boston. But this day has been decades in coming. It only took Damien and Darius a few months to track me down. And well…" the wolf rubbed his grey mottled fur, "This body of mine is an outcome of that meeting. I became what I needed to become to be there for the children I believe I was born to protect. Four years ago, Jason asked me to come to the one place your family was sure you would return to one day. We have been waiting a long time for you to come home, Matthew."
 
"My being straight doesn't bother you?"
 
Clifford shrugged. "You want to know the truth? You being human worries me more. Is it true you can't lick your balls while watching hockey?"
 
Matthew laughed out loud. "Yeah, can't do that," he said, still chuckling.
 
"Well, that's just going to make inviting you up to watch the game awkward, isn't it?"
 
"You really don't mind?" the human asked, shaking his head.
 
"You are our family, Matthew. We want you by our side. We love our life here. I love my job at the hospital and now I have the clinic. Nick loves his job on the mainland. We have a good life. Come share it with us until you find a life of your own."
 
"What if I never find that life of my own?" Matthew said, looking up at the two wolves.
 
"We will outlive you, Matthew," Clifford said. "Wherever your heart tells you is home is fine by us. There's no pressure to stay, no pressure to move on. Just don't walk away from a home because of some ingrained ideas that the world out there has taught you. Stay here with your family," The wolf pled, extending his arms. 
 
Matthew stared at them and reached forward into the hug.
 
Chapter 34

On the morning of the third day, two temple dogs staggered from the forest and headed toward the cave. "I have to admit that when I told the temple dogs we could keep up, I was sincere in my belief," Donovan said. "But as these days go on, I confess our morning visits with our husbands provide a much-needed break from their unending energy." Donovan shifted and became a wolf. "How about you, Husband?"
 
"Your husband is with Zhuang," the temple dog said as he rose upright and continued to walk beside the werewolf. "I am Katashi. He asked me to join you so that we could tell the husbands what we have been doing."
 
"I'm sorry Katashi," Donovan said, shaking his head. "I really can't tell you apart."
 
"It is quite easy actually," Katashi replied. "Your husband and you are the only temple dogs without scars. Marcus's scars shift based on who he is holding, but you two have only new wounds."
 
Donovan laughed out loud. "I am sorry, Dog, that will be of no help to me."
 
"Then feel free to kiss us. I know you recognize the kiss of your husband."
 
Donovan stopped his walking and turned toward the temple dog. He reached up and kissed the dog and gently played with the dog's ear until he felt the rapid thumping of the dog's foot against the ground. "That actually works," the wolf agreed. "It is a method I am happy to employ, Katashi." 
                                                                                                
"And we as well," the temple dog said with a sigh. The two began their walk toward the cave once more. "We are grateful that you two have been so willing to let us play in the manner we once did when our temples still stood. It brings back joyous memories."
 
"I'm amazed that with your appetites, your pack ever found time to build anything," Donovan said with a chuckle. 
 
"It was easier back in the day. We could take turns taking on the responsibilities of building and maintaining the temples and the responsibilities to our brothers. Our numbers no longer allow such flexibility."
 
Donovan put his arm around the shoulder of the golden dog. "I am sorry for your loss. I didn't mean to make light of their deaths."
 
"And you did not. We miss our brothers, but we honor them and our lives by being who we have always been. A significant part of that is our passion for life, for sex, and for Changelings willing to take on our form to share their bodies with us."
 
Donovan walked through the mouth of the cave. "It has been one of the exceptional moments in my life to hang from the trees with you. I can tell Marcus is so much happier having spent these days together. And Kendal, well, Kendal is in heaven. He loves big beasts, and now they surround him." Donovan stopped and leaned against Will's work desk. "Katashi, they have completed the restoration of the temple in Tibet. Aren't there consecrations and ceremonies that need performing to make the space sacred and the surrounding area hallowed?"
 
"Yes, but it will be a very long time before our numbers grow back to where we can perform those observances."
 
"Must the temple dogs that perform those acts be sworn to their path as you are? Would it be a sacrilege if a Changeling shifted for a time to become a temple dog to ensure you move back into your homes with the ordinances and traditions honored?"
 
"Are you saying you would learn our ways?"
 
"You have learned ours," Donovan said. "Altogether, there are nine Changelings, Katashi. I know I speak for all when I say it would be an honor for us to learn the rituals. You have done so much for our people and for this world. Nothing would bring us greater pleasure."
 
"There is a four-day festival in the forest after the temple consecrations. It symbolizes the union of the Dragon Changeling, his dog and dragon children, and the dragons we protect. One day for each of the pillars that formed our lives. In symbolizing that union, there are what some might feel is an inordinate amount of interpersonal unions taking place."
 
Donovan smiled. "Okay, that will probably bring us greater pleasure, but I am offering this as a complete package."
 
"You are fortunate that we did not choose our original idea of one hundred and eight days as our festival length. It is the Buddhist number that symbolizes all the senses."
 
"I doubt we would survive, Dog," the wolf said with a laugh. "But we are forever grateful that you are by our side."
 
"As am I, Donovan," Katashi said with a bow. "Let us talk to our families and determine where we will go from here. But I think it bodes well that nine is a sacred number to our brotherhood."
 
"Oh really? What does it symbolize?"
 
"The number of Changelings willing to become temple dogs for our benefit," Katashi said with a smile. "Come, let's go talk to your family."
 
"And my husband?"
 
"I am sure that by nightfall, Zhuang will finish with him, or he will finish with Zhuang. We will let your family know his visit will be later this evening. We temple dogs often lose track of time. It is such an ephemeral thing."
 
"Are you sure it's wise to tell our husbands what we have been doing?"
 
"I am sure, Donovan. We must never keep anything from them, especially such a joyous act as our copulations." The temple dog ducked to get under the entrance to the cave. "Do you remember your husbands' conversations with you during the dark times?"
 
Donovan laughed. "I do. I loved hearing their voices. It wasn't until my thirty-second year I could actually tell what they were saying to us. Eric said it was because until then our ears hadn't formed, but I think he was trying to be kind about how inexperienced I was at the merging." 
 
The wolf's paw reached out and touched the bridge between the two stones. "Hello, husbands. Hello, sons. I brought Katashi with me today. We were talking about how much we should tell you about what goes on in our life. He's rather insistent that we tell you everything.
 
"I think he's right. I remember when I heard you talking to me, how happy it made me. This might sound strange to you. I loved you when we mated, but I fell in love with you through all those years where you stood where I stand now and just talked to me. I have never known a love like that, and it bound my heart to you forever."
 
Katashi's paw rubbed the glowing crystal. "It must be glorious to be so close to one's mate. My brothers and I have long wondered if our vows of celibacy didn't keep us from experiencing a greater joy than we might have if we were to marry."
 
Donovan chuckled. "Katashi, you and your brothers are far from celibate. All of my family has been with you in ways that we never imagined possible, and all of us appreciate your sexual prowess."
 
"You are thinking of clerical celibacy, Donovan," the temple dog corrected. "We are celibate in the sense that we do not marry or take mates. The temple dragons were sexually abstinent and had taken vows of silence. However, to be totally truthful, I believe that is because there were no other beasts in the world able to tolerate their sizable genitalia, and dragons have no vocal cords."
 
Donovan snorted a laugh through his nose. "Oh god, I'm sorry. I mourn their loss, but that is funny."
 
"I agree. But if the dragons had been willing to take each other as mates, I think they would have been happier. The longer we live, the more we realize how important our relationships are. Life is not meant to be esoteric and detached. We must dive into it and embrace all that it offers. We are only now learning that the Noble Eightfold Path of our human counterparts is woefully inadequate for these bodies we live in."
 
Donovan nodded in agreement. "Life can be messy, gooey stuff. Best be willing to wallow in it from time to time."
 
Katashi looked at the wolf. "Your adjectives are somehow oddly arousing."
 
"Did you want to get all messy and gooey with me, Katashi?"
 
"It would be an honor to, as you say, wallow in it with you. But should we do so in front of the impressionable young ones being created even as we speak?"
 
"They are born billions of years old with the collective memory of my husbands. Do you really think there is anything we might do that will shock them?"
 
Katashi smiled as he pulled the wolf down to the cave floor. Rolling over the top of the wolf, he leaned in and kissed the spotted beast. "It might be fun to try and find something," he said.
 
Donovan shook, and Katashi stared into the eyes of another temple dog. "Go for it, Dog," the newly made beast said with a lecherous grin. "Let's give them something that encourages them to come back sooner."
 
"It is said that the Kama Sutra describes sixty-four unique positions for two to couple. We have found four hundred and thirty-six satisfying sexual positions for a temple dog over the years. We do, however, admit that most of the last two hundred require at least three partners to accomplish. And without a prehensile tail, ninety-three are impossible to perform."
 
Donovan grinned. "I have a prehensile tail. Let's try one of the ninety-three." 
 
Katashi nodded. He slipped his tail up and under the armpits of the other dog and pulled him in close while his front paws cupped his face in a kiss. "Position three hundred fifty-nine is particularly enjoyable," he said as his muzzle rubbed up against the dog's chest. "I apologize in advance for the sore muscles you will have tomorrow."
 
Chapter 35
 
"Focus!" Katashi yelled as his khakkhara slammed against the wolf's shoulder. "Use the khakkhara as an extension of yourself, Marcus. Block!" The carved staff sped toward the wolf. The wolf lifted his khakkhara behind him and felt the resounding rap of wood on wood as he blocked the thrust. "Again!" the temple dog yelled. Again, Marcus blocked the blow. 
 
As he successfully blocked blow after blow, Marcus smiled. He was finally getting the hang of this; he thought. The force of the staff sweeping under his legs lifted him up into the air and he slammed down on the ground. Katashi leaned over him. "The moment you think you are doing well is the moment your ego has let down your guard. You are at your weakest when you lose focus, thinking you are in control. Those truly in control have no time to sit back and appreciate their skills." The dog's paw extended. "Let me help you up, Marcus."
 
Marcus shook his head and took the paw in his. His gray fur grew yellow as he rose, and by the time he stood, he was a temple dog. "Thank you, Sensei," he said. "How is it that monks so committed to peace are such formidable fighters?"
 
"We know all too well the dangers of believing that those we greet in peace will always return that greeting in kind."
 
 "Can I tell you the truth, Sensei?"
 
"I hope you tell me nothing else."
 
"Martial arts seem so far removed from real life. I mean fine. If a guy comes at me with a knife, I can smack him with a stick, but only if I have the stick with me. In today's world, a khakkhara will not stop a bullet, and they're useless against a bomber with a payload overhead for that matter."
 
"We are not training you to stop a jet fighter, or even a bullet, Marcus. You are being trained to fight against your own thoughts. We are teaching you to conquer your fears. The khakkhara is just a symbol; our sparring is a metaphor for your life. Control the staff, and your life will follow."
 
"I don't know if I can do that," Marcus said, rubbing the smooth finish of the khakkhara in his hand. "I don't even know if I'll ever control my transformations."
 
"That is what we are here to find out," Katashi explained. "Like our fields of rice, you hold the potential to be something that can give so much comfort and nourishment to this world. You want the rice to be in your hand now. But before you can even plant the seed, you must first prepare the ground. We are here to prepare you, even as we prepare the fields each year. Those who come after us will teach you how to control the change."
 
"I guess I had hoped for something a bit quicker," Marcus said with a sigh.
 
"Come with me, Marcus," the temple dog said. Marcus and Katashi walked toward the cave where the family rested in their green chrysalises. "Donovan!" the dog called out. "I have need of you, Wolf." 
 
Donovan stepped out from inside the dark opening of the cave. He stared at the dog with the staff in his hand and huffed. "I was hoping to find you aroused, Dog. Attending to that need interests me more than what you appear to have planned."
 
"When our lesson is over today, I will be happy to spend time with you aroused," Katashi said with a smile. "But for now, I need a skilled warrior to teach my pupil a lesson." Katashi turned to Marcus. "Your khakkhara, please." Marcus handed him the staff and the temple dog tossed it to the Armbruster's wolf.
 
Donovan caught the staff, and he rotated the khakkhara between his two alternating paws until the staff became a blur before him. Without slowing, the staff moved to his side, then behind him, and with a toss, it flew into the air. On the descent, the wolf caught it, slamming it down onto the ground below. He rose from his crouching position and smiled. "Impressive, Dog. The balance is incredible."
 
Katashi bowed. "I am happy you find it adequate. I need to teach my pupil about failure today. He needs to learn to see beyond what stands in our way when we strive, but do not succeed. For that, I need one as skilled as you."
 
Donovan laughed. "Are you telling me you want your pupil to watch you fail?"
 
"No, Ancient One, I am having my pupil watch a most worthy opponent fail."
 
The wolf's khakkhara pulled back in beside his waist. His arm raised parallel to the ground. "Then I will have to disappoint your student today, Noble One." The wolf's fingers flipped back toward himself twice, taunting the temple dog to attack. "Come at me, Dog."
 
The rotund dog set stance. He held his staff forward with both paws, one in front of the other. "Come at me, Wolf. Hold nothing back, or Marcus learns no lesson here today."
 
"Are you sure, Dog?" the wolf questioned. "If you ask, I will oblige you."
 
The dog pulled back the khakkhara to his side, matching the wolf's stance. The free arm shifted, and the paw's flat palm extended. Slowly, each finger of the dog folded until only the twitching middle digit remained extended, taunting the wolf to begin the fight. 
 
Donovan growled, "Defend yourself, Dog," he yelled as he thrust the khakkhara forward. What followed only confused Marcus as he tried to follow the staffs as they slammed repeatedly into each other. Ten minutes in, the two combatants' staffs collided pushing up against each other as both canids stared into each other's eyes. "You are truly gifted for one so large," Donovan said, trying to catch his breath.
 
"Lesson one, Marcus," the dog said, keeping the pressure of his staff against the wolf's. "Never let the appearance of your enemy lull you into a sense of false security. That which is beautiful is not always good. That which is ugly can be righteous. The smallest of us can overpower the greatest. When you assume what you see is the truth, you have already made your first mistake." The dog smiled at the wolf. "Have I given you sufficient time to rest, Wolf, or would you prefer a longer break?"
 
Donovan growled once more, and the fight began anew. Fifteen minutes later, Marcus's jaw dropped as he watched the temple dog begin what he thought was a backflip that instead became the dog running up the wolf's chest. As he backward somersaulted off the wolf's shoulders, the dog's khakkhara flipped under the chin of the wolf, carrying the wolf into the air with the somersaulting dog. At the top of the spin, the dog dropped to the earth, his arms pushed out the khakkhara, and the wolf flew out into the field. The wolf rolled out and onto his feet. He turned back to the dog. His eyes grew tight as he stared at the yellow dog that set stance once more.
 
"Lesson two, Marcus," Katashi yelled. "Find your opponent's weakness by acknowledging their strengths. Use every tool at your disposal to set them off guard. Make them think they have the upper hand. Make them overconfident. Use their arrogance against them. Anger and pride both come before a fall." Katashi's open palm extended once more, and the wolf charged the dog when he saw the middle digit wave.
 
The fight was ferocious, and Donovan's attack was unrelenting. At every move, the dog was there to counter, but neither seemed to be making headway toward a victory. But what angered the wolf the most was that Katashi continued to offer suggestions to Marcus as he fought; never taking a moment to catch his breath. Finally, when Donovan felt he was getting the upper hand, he pounded again and again against the dog's staff until Katashi dropped to one knee.
 
"Yield, Dog, and I will spare you the humiliation of losing in front of your pupil."
 
"Lesson nine," the dog yelled. "Never yield. Failure comes when we back away from the fight. If you choose to engage an enemy, you do so with no quarter and no retreat. You win or lose a battle, but you do not walk away from it."
 
"So, be it, Dog," Donovan snarled as he lifted his staff up and brought it crashing down. At that moment, the dog rolled into a ball that pushed into the wolf, tumbling him over the top of the spinning ball of fur. By the time the wolf regained his balance from the flip, he was staring at the dog set in stance once more. Donovan charged the dog. Katashi's khakkhara spun around in his hands. A moment before the two were about to collide, the dog raised the staff and slammed it into the ground. The shock wave that hit the wolf sent him flying through the air, finally smashing into the highland's cliff face. 
 
Donovan wiped the sweat from his brow. "No fair, Dog. That was not your khakkhara in play. You used powers I did not know you had."
 
"And that, Marcus, is lesson ten," the golden dog said as he walked toward the Armbruster's wolf. "You will never fight an opponent out in the world who will not use everything they have to defeat you. You must never be afraid to do the same. When you hesitate to use that which you have been given, you put in jeopardy all that you are entrusted to defend."
 
The Armbruster's wolf laughed as he rubbed the back of his head. "He is right about that, Marcus. I came into this fight thinking we were merely sparring. He had every right to kick my ass to teach you the lessons you have heard today. Take them to heart."
 
 The hand of the yellow dog extended to the wolf. "May I give you a hand up, Ancient One?"
 
Donovan groaned. "I feel like an Ancient One today, Dog. Thank you for the lessons."
 
"Gaia has been kind enough to route the thermal waters from a spring not far from here down to where we live. Perhaps it would do you good to rest in them for a while. I am grateful for your help today. You truly are magnificent."
 
Donovan finally righted himself and rubbed his shoulder. "I have seen none better than you, Katashi."
 
The temple dog bowed. "I am honored by your words. Noboru tasked me with Marcus's training because my skills are the weakest in our Order. It tends to make me slower. We believe Marcus will learn more quickly if we do our moves slowly."
 
Donovan laughed. "Katashi, would you be willing to have an arrogant old wolf train by your side?"
 
"No, but I would be willing to let you train with me. There was a move in the forty-third minute of our fight that I would love you to teach me."
 
"You kept track of all my moves and the moment I made them?"
 
"Of course. How else is one to learn?"
 
Donovan shook his head in disbelief. "Where are these springs you told me of?" the wolf asked.
 
‘They are located just inside the second cave on the right side of the rice patties. Would you prefer to be alone? We can hold our bathing if you prefer."
 
"No, if you're there, I am fine. These sore bones won't feel any less so by being alone."
 
"Enjoy your soak, Donovan."
 
Donovan turned toward the far side of the highland. "Thank you again, Dog. I will remember this day for some time to come."
 
Katashi bowed as the wolf walked off. 
 
"We are done here, Marcus," the temple dog said turning to the Iberian wolf. "The martial arts will prepare you for what lies ahead. Even the simplest life can benefit from learning control. Think upon that tonight."
 
"I will," Marcus said with a nod. "Thank you, Sensei."
 
"It has been a pleasure. Shall we meet again tomorrow morning?"
 
"Would it be too much to ask to meet you later tonight?"
 
"Would you like to share our bed, Marcus?"
 
"Yes, if that's okay with you."
 
The temple dog smiled. "Of course, Marcus. Kendal and Lie Wei returned home today. Nothing is quite so lonely as the unused side of a large bed. Tomorrow, Noboru will return to Tibet, and the emptiness will seem even greater."
 
"You do not mind my reasons, Sensei?" Marcus asked, embarrassed that his motivation was so transparent.
 
"Not at all, Little One. We feel a sense of loss when the visits of our brothers end. Share our bed tonight and help fill the emptiness that Li Wei's return home leaves in our bed. Help soothe our longing. Shall we say midnight? That will give you a few hours to spend with the rest of your family." 
 
"I will see you tonight," Marcus said as the two parted ways.
 
Donovan let his eyes grow accustomed to the low light. The steamy air didn't help matters, but the candles were pleasant and cast a warm glow on the wet cave walls. He moved forward and saw a temple dog soaking in the water, surrounded by rocks. The dog looked up and smiled. He extended his yellow paw. "Join me, Donovan. You look exhausted."
 
"You don't know the half of it, Dog," the wolf sighed as he stepped into the water. He sat down next to the enormous beast and groaned happily as the warm water soothed his aching muscles. "I made a fool of myself in front of your brother today."
 
"I doubt any of us would feel that is the case, Donovan."
 
"No, it was entirely my fault. I need to work on humility."
 
"It is indeed a hard trait to master," the dog replied, shifting his position. "Come, Ancient One, sit in front of me. I will massage your shoulders."
 
Donovan moved and felt the thick paws push into his tight muscles. "That feels so good," he said. He felt the kneading continue as the warm muzzle of the dog kissed the top of his head. "I have been gone from this world too long, Dog. I have forgotten the simple graces you carry off so well."
 
"You are too hard on yourself, Donovan."
 
"No, I need someone to point out when I'm out of line. Your brother did that today. I appreciate what he did. I need friends who will tell me when I have stepped over the line and when I need to be bolder. My internal compass seems all wrong."
 
"Not all wrong, Donovan. It might only need a bit of tweaking now and then." The temple dog paused. "Although one cannot tweak a compass without destroying it, so my metaphor may be inappropriate."
 
Donovan laughed. "I love how you brethren think." He looked up and willingly accepted the kiss that was offered by the dog above him. "And I love how you feel," he said when their lips parted. "I am sorry, Dog, whose cock am I playing with now?" the wolf asked sheepishly. "I really need to learn how to tell you apart."
 
"I am Katashi, Donovan. I promised you I would spend time with you aroused after our training. This is that time."
 
Donovan spun around and looked at the massive dog in front of him. "How? How did you get here before me? I saw you talking to Marcus when I walked away from you."
 
Katashi extended his arms. "Do you wish to discuss matters of no consequence, or do you wish to be aroused together?"
 
Donovan smiled. "I wish to be aroused." He pushed forward and felt the warm, wet arms of the dog wrap around him as he pushed up against the golden-furred chest.
 
"Find my nipples under all that fur, Wolf, and I assure you, one of us will be aroused."
 
Donovan lapped at the chest, grateful for the long tongue of a wolf. 
 
Chapter 36
 
Eric looked up from his computer to see Marcus watching him. "Hello, Marcus," the polar bear said. "Is there something I can help you with?"
 
"For five years, the temple dogs have taught me of their ways. They say it will help me become prepared for when my next teachers arrive. I'm afraid they're talking about William and the family inside the stones."
 
Eric nodded in agreement. "I think that's a fairly safe assumption. I hope they are teaching you patience. Donovan and I took forty-two years to return. Our family is only in their thirty-second year. To be honest, I have no knowledge of how werebeasts might affect the merging or the timeline for their regeneration."
 
"I'm not sure how well I am going to cope with their return."
 
"It can't be easy being in love with two wolves, both of whom love you independently of the other."
 
"I am amazed at how easily your family sees my every emotion, Eric."
 
"You are not a difficult read, Marcus," the polar bear said as he pushed back from his desk. "That's not a bad thing. We've shared five years with you on the highland. One should expect we would sense your emotions. I think even the most unobservant can tell that Kendal is in love with you. At some point, the two of you are going to realize just how deep that love goes."
 
"And what of William?"
 
"Don't concern yourself with Will for the time being. We don't know how long it will be before he returns. This is a time for you and Kendal to figure out exactly what you're going to be to each other. Whatever you decide, the old wolf will support both of you."
 
"How can you be so sure?" Marcus asked, the concern apparent in his voice.
 
"I've been his mate for hundreds of years, Marcus. I know him. He's strong enough to love without conditions. Not many of us can do that. He can."
 
"It's not easy being in love with a wolf that has saved the world so many times."
 
The polar bear chuckled. "Tell me about it. I'm married to three of them, a badger, and a bear. I seem to have more than my fair share of protectors of the human race." Eric moved a few blocks on his computer screen. Marcus watched, realizing that fortunes were rising and falling with each swipe of the bear's paw.
 
Marcus paused, trying to understand what he had heard. "But you've been there by their side. You've saved humankind just like them."
 
Eric looked up from the screen. "Never in the history of this world have I tried to save the human race. In fact, of the entire family, I am the one that was closest to wiping them all out."
 
"But Tiff and Tuff," Marcus corrected. 
 
"Individuals, Marcus. I saved individuals. The same as I did in the wartime field hospitals. I didn't care what humans did to each other on a global scale. I just wanted to save those few that had no choice being thrown into harm's way. You look at a twelve-year-old drummer boy who has lost his leg in the battle, and it doesn't matter which side he's on. You step in and try to save his life. He should never have been there, but I couldn't stop that. I did what I could, and it was never enough. The human war machine only grew in its ferocity."
 
Eric swiped his paw across the screen again, and the blocks moved. "The old wolf talked me out of destroying the entire human race. Will stood by Derrick and Oliver's side when the fate of humanity was on the line." The polar bear leaned back. "There's a big difference between what I have done and what the Old Wolf has done."
 
"But you were there on the Day of Transformation. You gave the command to go all in."
 
"Not to save the humans, Marcus. My family was trying to save a species. I was trying to save them. I acted to save my family. It has always been about saving my family."
 
"Then the human race?"
 
"They seem to be doing better, but all in all, I'm not terribly vested in what happens to them. Our children have suffered at their hands for too long for me to be anything but indifferent to their evolution. My husbands love them, and so, by default, I watch over them." The polar bear stopped his work. "But I have lived so many more years in their midst than my husbands. I have seen so many I love die for no other reason than humanity's inability to be humane."
 
Marcus dropped his head. "I'm sorry, Eric. I hadn't realized the cost to you being a part of this world."
 
The polar bear looked up. "My son, Chet. His entire species is extinct; killed by humans. Will and Derrick and the entire pack would be dead at their hands were it not for Kris. Oliver suffered through a crisis of conscience that humankind should never force on another man. And for what? Because of hunters wanting not food, but a trophy?" The bear shook his head. "A trophy they were willing to kill two children to procure. The red wolf pack — killed. The temple dragons — dead. Only four surviving temple dogs. And the Brotherhood… those poor wretched souls who stood between hell and the humans, dead at the hands of the creatures they sought to save. Pardon me if my love for humans isn't as strong as my husbands."
 
 "I understand," Marcus whispered.
 
"I don't think you do, Marcus," the bear retorted. "I have given my heart to five humans over my lifetime. Their own kind killed all five. I knew humans die when we mated. I was prepared to be by their side until old age took them. But to see every one of them die at the hands of other humans…" the bear grew quiet. His head dropped into his paws. "Nothing prepares you for that. And each time, it only gets worse." 
 
The bear grew quiet again. Eventually, he looked up at the wolf. "You live with unspeakable pain for your loss and uncontrollable fear of what will come if you love again. Until the day you love a human so much you give him to your best friend to turn him into a beast because you can't stand the thought of him dying in front of you at the humans' hands. You realize there's nothing you can do to protect him because you've seen what happens to the humans you love. To save his life, you ask a pack of wolves to protect him and keep him safe. And you make a deal with death to let it take you instead of the man you love.
 
 "I couldn't walk away from him, Marcus. My father had to protect him when I couldn't even be there to do that. When his life was on the line, the way it always was with those I love, I wasn't there for him. I loved Derrick too much. I should have walked away that first day and let him have a normal life oblivious to the world around him."
 
"I don't think that's what he wanted," Marcus disagreed. "I think you and William gave him the family he always dreamed of. And it's just been growing since then. Hate us, Eric. Hate all humankind, and rightfully so. But don't second guess the gift you gave Derrick to become what he always dreamed of being."
 
The bear wiped a paw across his eyes and looked up at the wolf. "You're right, Marcus. I don't regret the love I have for Pup, or his turning. But as much as I try to drive it out of my mind, I still live in fear that the humans will one day take everything I love away from me as they always have."
 
Marcus put his hand on the bear's knee as he knelt down. The two polar bears sat quietly for a time when one finally spoke. "I'm sorry, Eric. I'm sorry for your history and how it haunts you."
 
The polar bear leaned into the newly formed bear. "Every time my family steps into the fray, I feel so helpless. You've seen them, Marcus. They never hesitate. They just dive in without a thought except to save the unworthy humans. And all I can do is try to throw myself between them and the terrors they face, and it's never enough… It's never enough."
 
"That's what comes of loving humans," Marcus said as he reached out and hugged his fellow polar bear. "It really doesn't matter that they've turned, or that they're beasts. You've fallen in love with the complete package, and that includes their human side. Short of loving only Donovan and Kris, there's no workaround for the men you love, Eric."
 
"And what of you, Marcus? What of the men you love?"
 
Marcus made a small laugh. "I guess there's no workaround for me, either, is there?"
 
"As Oliver would say, 'we's one fucked up family.'"
 
"I'm not so sure, Eric," the newborn polar bear responded. "I think we're about as un-fucked as we can get, all things considered."
 
"Un-fucked isn't a word."
 
"It might be for our family."
 
The bear tugged his twin in even tighter. "So, you're ready to say ‘our family'?"
 
"Yeah, Old Bear," Marcus replied. "I'm ready to say our family. My family. Give me enough time and I'll figure it out. Forgive us, Eric. Forgive humans for what we've done to the ones you love. Embrace what humans gave you in the bodies of two wolves and a badger that are amazing."
 
"I forgave the humans centuries ago, Marcus. You know that because they're still alive. But I can't forget. I can't let my guard down enough to let my affection for them grow."
 
Marcus let the hug go and became a wolf again. "Then do as you have always done, Eric. Let your affections grow one individual at a time. You're immortal. You have time to let it grow slowly. Maybe one day we humans will be worthy of the love you give to those you call family. But until that day, so many individuals rely on your love. Don't let fear step in front of that love just because we're human."
 
The polar bear looked at the wolf. "I love you, Marcus. You have nothing to worry about." The bear snorted a laugh. "No human does. I cannot violate my code without losing everything I love in the process. I am the protector of humankind by default because the men I love require it of me."
 
Marcus smiled. "You would be their protector regardless of your husbands," the wolf said. "Just one individual at a time, as you always have. That is more than we deserve from our history with you."
 
The bear smiled back at Marcus. "Thank you, Wolf."
 
"A term of endearment," Marcus said happily. "I'm not worthy, but it's nice to hear."
 
"You're more than worthy, Marcus. I know why Will loves you. He has the ability to recognize the special ones."
 
Marcus pulled up a chair and sat beside Eric. "I would love to see what he sees in me someday. For now, I trust my family when they say that I deserve to sit at the table with them."
 
"One day, you'll see the bigger picture, Marcus. It unfolds slowly for all of us."
 
"So, who knows, maybe one day a polar bear will love the humans?"
 
Eric smiled. "Stranger things have happened."
 
Marcus laughed. "I suspect in this family that's an understatement." The wolf's paw reached out and rubbed the polar bear's forearm. The white fur crept up the thickening arm until the two bears sat side by side. "Would it be too much to ask you to step away from your work and lie with me on the bed for a while? I feel like I just met a man I never really knew, and I don't know how to tell him I love him without wanting to do it in his arms."
 
The polar bear reached out and hugged the white bear. "I would like that," he said. His paw stroked over the computer screen, and it went dark.

Chapter 37

"Be on your guard," Donovan said warily. "He ran into here. Keep looking for the glint of his gold fur. He can't hide that."
 
There was a crack of a twig, and the two wolves looked up as the golden behemoth hurtled down toward them. There was no time to raise their staffs before the khakkhara of the temple dog slammed across their shoulders throwing them to the ground.
 
Donovan shook his head. "I always forget their ability to climb trees. Something that big should not be able to climb trees."
 
Marcus groaned. "I know. I thought the two of us would best him easily, but I am learning once more just how much I have to learn."
 
"You two need to work as a team," Katashi said. "You were both working on trying to find me without sharing the responsibility. Had one of you been looking around you and the other above you, you would have seen me and been able to ward off my attack."
 
"We are trying," Donovan said. "You seem to know our every weakness."
 
"And that should be your goal as well," Katashi said as his hand extended toward the Armbruster's wolf. "You need to practice more together. There will come a day when it will serve you both well to find unity in your partners."
 
"Are we talking in a fight or in love here?" Donovan asked as he took the temple dog's paw and pulled himself up.
 
"Both have equally complex needs for unity in their implementation," the dog responded as he reached back down and pulled up the wolf that became a temple dog.
 
Marcus looked at Katashi. "Then why is it we spend so much time with khakkhara in our hands instead of your cock? Couldn't you teach us these lessons on a bed instead of on a battlefield?"
 
"You both are skilled in the ways of making love; of that, there is no doubt. Anticipating each other's needs beyond where your skill set lies is what I am trying to teach you. Five years together has made your sexual intuition highly attuned, but you still struggle to blend those skills with the world outside your passion."
 
Marcus rubbed his shoulder. "We are trying, Katashi," he replied.
 
"And you are doing very well," the temple dog said, smiling at the wolf. "But soon I will turn your training over to Noboru, and I hope to have you ready for that day."
 
Marcus's eyes widened. "It's going to get tougher than you, Katashi?"
 
Katashi nodded. "Oh, much more difficult. The Tibetan temple comes with not only a skilled abbot but a difficult and unforgiving training terrain. If it is any consolation, the difficulties ahead will be buffered by much more passion as well. Noboru trained under Master Bai back when the temple was still standing. His training has continued under the tutelage of Li Wei. Noboru taught all of us while Li Wei watched and gave guidance. But all that Noboru has taught us is only a fraction of what he knows. We still learn at his hand, even as you learn at mine."
 
"Then if he will have me as well, we will both try to be worthy of his guidance," Donovan said. "When is this day to come?"
 
"Soon," Katashi said with a bow. "That is the purpose of his visit today. I cannot stress enough how important it is for you two to work together. You are formidable warriors in your own right, but up to now, you cannot meld your skills with another. Come, let us begin again out in the field."
 
"Does it matter who we learn to fight with?" Marcus asked.
 
"No, the goal is to teach you to be one with all that surrounds you. We simply start with the easiest of relationships for the human mind to grasp. That of a couple."
 
"Then why don't you train Kendal and me to work together?" Marcus asked.
 
Katashi tilted his head. "Because Kendal has no need of my training. He is one with you, Marcus. It is you who struggles to be by his side."
 
Marcus looked down at his feet. "That is true, Sensei."
 
"Don't despair, Little One," Katashi told the temple dog he held hands with. "Your training here is helping lay the foundation for what you two will share. You will learn in time that every lesson learned on this glade will find expression in the real world at some point in your life."
 
"I don't intend to smack Kendal with a khakkhara, Sensei."
 
Katashi laughed. "I would hope not. But learning to see through another's eyes, to anticipate his needs, to know instinctively the man beside you; you can learn all that through the wielding of a simple staff beside Donovan."
 
"I would rather he learned those lessons by mounting me," Donovan said as he twirled the khakkhara in his paws.
 
Katashi smiled knowingly. "Perhaps our training here in the glade is done for the day. Would you two like to continue our lessons indoors on a bed or soaking in the hot springs?"
 
Donovan's grin was instantaneous. "Finally, Dog, some training with you that I truly enjoy. I suggest that I turn…"
 
The yelling from across the glade broke Donovan's train of thought as he looked back toward the cave. He and the two temple dogs listened carefully to the approaching dog as he yelled. "They're coming back. Quick, Little Ones, the ones you love are returning."
 
Donovan's surprise was unmistakable. "It's only been thirty-three years."
 
"It would seem that the number of individuals involved in the regeneration process speeds up their return. Or perhaps it is that the old wolf and badger are too impatient to wait any longer to come back." Noboru stopped and took a few deep breaths to calm himself. "At any rate, their return has begun. We need your presence in the main hall of the cave."
 
Marcus let the hand of the temple dog go and became the Iberian wolf. He dropped to all fours and began running toward the cave with the Armbruster's wolf close behind. The two temple dogs alone in the field looked at each other. "You smell like desire, Katashi," Noboru said grinning. 
 
"I was about to teach my students position two hundred and sixty-three. It requires a great deal of mental preparation before the act."
 
"It does that," Noboru said with a nod that was as much a bow as anything else. "Perhaps when this is all over, you could let me watch your technique. With your training of the wolves and my days in Tibet, it has been some time since you and I shared ourselves together. I miss our closeness."
 
"As do I, Noboru. To have you by my side guiding my movements would be an honor."
 
Noboru smiled. "Then we shall attend to that as soon as we ensure the safe return of our family." The two dogs bowed to each other, and dropping to all fours, raced off toward the cave.
 
Inside the main hall of the cave, the family watched as the crystals began liquefying. Marcus looked on with both excitement and trepidation. "I'm scared, Noboru. What if he doesn't remember me?"
 
"That is not possible, Marcus. Heraclitus once said that the only constant in life is change. William Gentry's love proves the exception to that teaching. The wolf's love is unchanging. If he loved you enough to turn you, he will love you as greatly when he steps from that stone."
 
"I wish I had your conviction," Marcus said as he reached out to the temple dog's paw and held it. Soon the two temple dogs continued their watch as Noboru did his best to calm Marcus.
 
The group watched as the stone and liquid formed around individual shapes. As before, the bodies of the crystals took time to regenerate into something recognizable. Eventually, three shapes formed from each crystal as the temple dogs, the polar bear, and the Armbruster's wolf watched. "There's no child," a disappointed Marcus said.
 
"They are always the last to form. Wait," Noboru said. "One may yet appear."
 
As the rock and liquid of the broken crystals moved throughout the six figures, one by one they rose, taking on the shape of their avatars. As the individual animals became clearly recognizable, the creatures stood on their hind legs.
 
Oliver was the most easily identified because of his diminutive size. His proximity to an enormous beast growing beyond the others identified Nathaniel. Martin's bulky shape and short wagging tail made him an easy guess as well.
 
The three from the other chrysalis were harder to differentiate. Kris's bulky body was a given, but the two wolves took on no color other than the pale green of the stone. Marcus struggled to determine which wolf was the one he had been waiting to see for five years. In his mind, he tried to rehearse an apology that he knew would never come close to being enough for the old wolf to forgive him. And then with a jolt, one pushed upward, glowing bright blue. The other followed, turning bright red as the body grew more bulky and muscular. In moments, the features of the pup and old wolf were coalescing into recognizable individuals.
 
Will's eyes opened and he looked down at his body as it took shape. There was still a red glow to what looked like drenched fur. "Damn," he said as his muzzle separated into a dripping maw. "I was hoping to lose that in the merging." The dissatisfaction was obvious in the wolf's voice.
 
"Don't bitch," the cat with the yellow glow said. "You got your arm and leg back."
 
"That's true. The eye seems to be working fine. And I'm pretty sure I can bite your ass pretty hard with this new jaw if I don't hear something a bit more sympathetic in a few seconds, Cat."
 
The saber-toothed cat laughed. "I am sorry, Old Wolf. But if there needs to be one who must carry the power of the warrior class, it is best resting on the shoulders of one who never wishes to use it."
 
Will struggled to lift his feet but found them still pinned to the rock and oozing liquid below him. He looked up to see the smiling face of the polar bear and the Armbruster's wolf. He grinned. "Be with you two as soon as I can. Sort of stuck here making some feet, it seems."
 
Eric's silly grin of anticipation spread across his muzzle. "We can wait, Old Wolf. Don't rush this."
 
Will looked over and saw the four temple dogs standing together. He turned back to the polar bear and Armbruster's wolf. "Would it be okay if I let the others say hello to you first? I believe the temple dogs need to be greeted."
 
Donovan nodded. "Of course, my love. We have plenty of time to renew our acquaintances. We will renew our vows later if you're up to it."
 
Will rubbed his neck. "All our vows?"
 
"I will go gently this time, Old Wolf."
 
"You better. Because I know Oliver won't. I have promises to keep with that badger, and I'd like to keep this new neck in one piece for a while."
 
Will shook his leg and the last of the red glow faded as he lifted his foot from the remaining stone and liquid. He tapped the wet shape that had begun to form next to him. "Be back soon, Son, you're doing a fine job. Just pay attention to your dads, and you'll be whatever it is you're going to be in no time."
 
Will stepped out onto the cave floor and stared at the temple dogs. He took a deep breath and stretched. "Hello, Marcus. I like that look on you."
 
 Marcus's eyes widened. "You recognize me?"
 
"The man I turned? Of course. I mean, you were a wolf to start with and now you're not. That proves to me you're Marcus. I fuck-up every turning I do." Marcus frowned and Will laughed. "It's a joke, Marcus. You know my history. I joke about them, but for all the times I thought I fucked up a turning, the most beautiful beasts I have ever known were born. I have never changed my mind about that." He extended his arms. "Do I get a welcome home hug and kiss?"
 
Marcus smiled. "I've been waiting here for five years to hug you, William. Of course you do." The temple dog's hand reached out and grabbed Will's. 
 
Will watched as the bulky golden arm of the temple dog began to thin and turn the mottled gray of a wolf. "Hurry, Marcus. While I still have the time to kiss a temple dog and an Iberian wolf in the same breath."
 
When the kiss ended, Will looked into the eyes of his mirror image. "And how long has this been going on, Marcus?"
 
"I think it happened the day I left the highland."
 
 "That can't be easy."
 
"No, it's not. The temple dogs are trying to help me get control of it. So far I suck at not turning as badly as you say you suck at turning."
 
Will laughed. "It's so good to see you, Marcus. I don't care what you look like. We'll figure out what's going on."
 
Marcus nodded. "I hope in time you will forgive me for not returning."
 
"But you did return," the old wolf said. "There's nothing to forgive."
 
"I promised I would return in four years," the twin corrected.
 
"Then I forgive you for having no sense of what time it is. You're here, Marcus. Let's not waste time in the past when I have so much catching up on the present to do."
 
"But you deserve to know why."
 
"I already do, Marcus. Did you think I wasn't listening all those times you talked to me? I was a rock; it doesn't mean I was deaf."
 
Marcus bowed his head. "I'm so sorry, William. I am so sorry for everything."
 
"Me too, Marcus. I should never have let you go. I should have trusted my instincts, but it's not in my nature to force someone to stay anywhere their heart doesn't reside."
 
"I think sometimes I left my heart here on the highland when I walked away. It's taken me so long to find it again."
 
"I'm glad you have," Will said. "Kendal is a beautiful werewolf, both inside and out."
 
Marcus looked at Will. "You're not upset?"
 
"Why would I be upset? I just told you I thought he was a good catch."
 
"But I left you in the lurch, and then fell in love with someone else."
 
"I have five husbands, Marcus. I'm sure I'll find some way to cope."
 
The badger came walking up to Marcus and kicked him in the shin. Marcus howled in pain. "That's for makin' my husband hurt so bad, bastard wolf." He looked at the wolf as he hopped up and down, holding his leg. "Well, bastard wolf, gives me a welcome home hug."
 
Marcus looked down at the badger. "Are you serious, Oliver? You just kicked me."
 
"You deserved it. I deserves a welcome home hug. Seems I'se the only one of us who's got any notion of what's right and proper." The badger stretched out his arms. "Come on, Wolf. I ain't upset with you no more. Well, not much at least."
 
Marcus lowered his leg. "No more kicking?"
 
"Not from me. Pup is pretty pissed off at you, though, so can't actually say how safe you is in this cave."
 
"I'm sorry, Oliver. I'm so sorry for what I did to William, and to all of you who waited for me to come home."
 
"Well, you'se home now. Gives me my hug."
 
Marcus knelt down and hugged the badger. Oliver pushed the other badger back. "You'se changing way faster, Marcus."
 
"Yes, I am."
 
Oliver smiled. "At least you finally found someone cute to turn into. Come on, Badger. I ain't done hugging you yet." Marcus leaned forward into the hug and closed his eyes as his chin rested on Oliver's shoulder.
 
From inside the border of the two crystals, the bulky bears encouraged their newborns. "Come on, Sons," Kris said as he watched his arm slowly becoming more fur and less crystal. "We've talked all about this. You can't stay inside the crystal forever. Just choose what you wish to be and concentrate on that image as you grow."
 
Nathaniel turned as he listened to the two voices inside his head. "You can be whatever you want, even a gummy slug. You know we love you. We'll love whatever you choose." The short-faced bear laughed. "Sure, you can be giraffes, but just keep your head down. The ceiling is only a skosh over twelve feet."
 
"You go turning into giraffes, and you'se gonna be doing each other on Saturday nights. Not no one big enough in the Were Nation to reach up and kiss you boys," Oliver said. "But no matter what you chooses, do it because it's what you wants. Make a you that you'se gonna be happy being."
 
Oliver smiled. "Yeah, I hears you, boys. All your daddies hears you." He paused. "NO!" the badger said emphatically. "You boys ain't never gonna talk like me. I wont's have it. And don't talk all polite and flowery like them temple dogs or the old bear; nor gruff and formal like that Armbruster's wolf. You gots a fine black wolf who talks right pretty and your bear daddies and the old wolf is just fine."
 
Kris looked at Oliver. "Really, Badger? Those are choices they should be making."
 
"They can does whatever they wants. I ain't gonna bitch. But if they wanna get laid, they better listen to their daddies' advice. They's new to this world, and all that book learning you gave them ain't gonna help them one lick to become beasts that makes their life easier." 
 
Nathaniel shook himself, and his newly formed fur moved across him like waves of brown grass on a windy day. "He's right, Dad. Our sons need to at least weigh their options. Even if they can change their minds down the line, it would be nicer if we didn't have to deal with them changing every week trying to find the right match."
 
"I can attest that changing frequently in the company of other werebeasts isn't a great idea," Marcus said.
 
Nathaniel looked up. "Sorry to hear about your dilemma, Marcus. But pay attention boys, he knows of what he speaks."
 
The two blobs of stone and goo continued firming up. They bent upward off the cavern floor. Kris reached over and pulled the black wolf in close. "You freed up there, Pup?" he asked. 
 
"Yeah, I'm good," the wolf said, shaking his foot. The bear picked him up in a hug and stepped out from the ebbing liquid. Nathaniel and Martin did the same. The family leaned back and watched to see what was becoming of the two blobs of glowing green slime pushing up from the last of the chrysalises. And then the two green liquid creatures turned to red, followed by yellow, then blue, and lastly, in tandem, they shifted to white.
 
As the heads and bodies took shape, one of them waved. "Guess what we are, Dads?" his fathers heard in their minds.
 
"Well, you're not following in your bear daddies' footsteps, at least size-wise. Something smaller for sure," the old wolf said.
 
"I think they're bears, though," Derrick guessed. "General size and shape remind me of the boys. Less the wings, of course."
 
"OH," one white blob said as his color shifted to blue. "We can have wings?"
 
"If you want them. But it will take you quite some time to learn how to use them," Nathaniel said.
 
"Okay," the other blob replied without a word spoken. "Maybe later," all heard him telepathically as he turned red. 
 
The heads grew rounder, and the muzzles were shorter than that of a black bear. Oliver watched with curiosity. "Best grow a gut if you wants them Partridge Island Chaser wolves to look at you," he said casually.
 
Instantly huge guts appeared on the blobs that rolled over their legs. "Not that big, boys," Will said. "Think akin to your bear dads. Nice round guts, heavy chests… that sort of thing."
 
"Or like the pup when he's human," Oliver said. "Get yourself an ass like his, and them wolves won't leave you alone."
 
Derrick laughed. "And all these years I've been trying to turn their heads as a wolf."
 
"Oh, you is a pretty wolf, Pup," Oliver replied. "But them boys is becoming bears. Gots to work with an entirely different body as bears. And your human is a right proper bear's body for them boys."
 
The two bodies reconfigured again, their guts growing smaller, their chests wider, and their butts more rounded. "Sons, are you going to be the same?" Kris asked. 
 
A mouth suddenly spread apart from the muzzle, trailing blue slime over the lips. "Yep. We're twins," he said, using his voice instead of telepathy for the first time. "Just like what happens in the nurseries of our homeworld."
 
"That was my home world, Sons," Kris said in a corrective tone. "This is your homeworld."
 
The one who spoke nodded as his color shifted to green. "Sorry, Dad, you're right." With a firm shaking out, the body became even more bear-like. The other blob followed quickly, and soon the two bulky bears of some sort became even more defined.
 
"I don't know what you're going to be, boys," Will said as he watched. "But if you can make it about a foot taller, you'd be better off among your family."
 
"Pandas are only about five feet, Dad," the second bear replied as his mouth became mobile. "Oh, crap," he said. "Now you know."
 
Derrick laughed. "What a wonderful choice, Sons," he said, giving a nudge to the gray wolf next to him. "Your dad is right, though. Throw the zoology book out the window here. You're better off being over six feet."
 
"They's both right," Oliver said. "I'se been small all my life. You gots choices… go big." The bears rose up to the ceiling in an instant. "Not that big," Oliver said with a growl. "You boys is just playing with us, ain't you?"
 
The boy's heads lowered. "Yes, sir," they said sullenly as their size dropped to six and a half feet.
 
"Ain't no reason to pout, sons," Oliver said. "We's good here. Just don't spend all day making us wait. Them temple dogs have a hefty appetite for Changeling's affections and you is just stirring them up with your being born."
 
Both bears looked up. "We can have sex with the temple dogs?" one asked. "Dad didn't have sex for days after he was born."
 
Nathaniel grinned. "I was a late bloomer, boys. But my family was there for me when I needed them. You are born into a family who is ready to embrace you just as soon as you're ready."
 
Noboru nodded. "It would actually be a kindness from both of you if we were able to share your affections upon your birth."
 
Katashi also nodded. "Your fathers are surely going to wish to renew their mating vows. We cannot have them until they complete those vows. You could help distract us while they accomplish that task."
 
"And possibly for a time while we wait for the badger's muscles to heal," Zhuang added. "The Kodiak is eyeing him with a hungry look, and I'm afraid the badger will find a newly regenerated beast is somewhat clumsier than normal."
 
"I can wait, Badger," the Kodiak said as he reached out to hug Oliver. He took a step and tripped over the last bit of stone from the chrysalis. Arms flailing as he tried to regain his balance, he crashed on top of the badger.
 
Oliver pushed up on the chest of the bear he lay under. "I'se a dead badger for sure," he said, laughing.
 
Kris pushed up, and the badger freed himself. Nose to nose, the badger looked at the fallen bear. "We's making our vows today, Bear. And you is gonna have to decide where you wants to be in line. The old wolf promised to take me first. And then Nathaniel is next ‘cause I promised him. And Martin is after Nathaniel, of course. After that, I'd like to do the old bear and the wolf, ‘cause they's been waiting so long. The old wolf is gonna take me again last of all with Pup just ‘cause I knows they's gonna tear me up together. We just gots to squeeze you in all that fucking somewhere. Don't matter to me what comes of you and me ‘cepting you knows I loves you."
 
The Kodiak smiled kicking his legs in the air behind him. "You could take me now. I'm sort of ready for you to bite my neck. My butt is already in the air."
 
Oliver laughed again. "I loves you, Bear. Can we waits for our boys to be born?"
 
"Not much longer, Dads," one bear said encouragingly. He made another shake, and black fur covered his body. Soon enough, the patches of white began appearing. When at last the remaining liquid soaked up through their feet, the family cheered and welcomed them with hugs.
 
The temple dogs looked at Eric and Donovan. "Do we wait now for you to mate, or do we take the pandas and teach them why we do what we do?"
 
Eric looked at the two pandas. "You boys have names?"
 
"I'm Raymond," one said.
 
"I'm Samuel," said the other.
 
"You might notice that there are three temple dogs here that look exactly alike," the polar bear said. "And Marcus and Will are twins for the moment. We have a family that seems to enjoy identical beasts. You two will fit right in." Eric shook his head in disbelief. "So, is there a way to tell you apart?"
 
The two shook their heads no. "Father told us to tell you that one of our dicks leans to the left and one to the right, but he was mistaken. In your company, they both stick straight up."
 
Will smiled when the polar bear glared at him. "They're my boys, Old Bear. Nothing really matters except they have dicks that are straight up for a reason. I'm going to be busy with my other husbands and Nathaniel with his. Can you please make sure the dogs are gentle with them?"
 
"We can try, Husband," the polar bear said. His face softened, and he smiled. "Welcome home, Old Wolf. I've missed you."
 
"As have I," Donovan said. "Be aware that our promise to plow your ass upon your return is still in force, nor will any amount of sex with your other husbands free you from your obligations."
 
Will grinned widely. "I was hoping to hear that, Wolf. I'll see you in a day or two."
 
Donovan shook and became a temple dog. "Your boys will need at least six dogs to keep them safe in the trees." Donovan grabbed Marcus's hand, and the wolf turned into a temple dog.
 
Will laughed. "Go ahead, Old Bear," he said, looking at Eric. The polar bear shifted, and the temporary temple dog reached out to an eager panda. Will's grin widened. "I guess we better make that three days."
 
"You are wise, Old Wolf," Noboru said with a bow. He turned to the free panda. "Come, Little One. There is much we have to teach you." The panda smiled and jumped toward the open arms of the temple dog.
 
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Family?" Derrick asked.
 
"They's babies, Pup," Oliver answered. "Babies plays with their bodies. We's just sending them out with teachers who's gonna educate them how to play with them bodies proper."
 
"They will have their first scars before they're halfway through the week, Oliver," Derrick complained. 
 
Oliver smiled. "Yeah they will, and then them dogs will teach them about healing. And when they is curled up at night together with the dogs, them pandas will learn about family and what loving without sex feels like. Eventually, them dogs will teach them about planting rice, and taking care of this planet, and tai chi, and controlling them new bodies of theirs."
 
Derrick nodded his head. "I guess there are far worse things one could learn than to behave like a temple dog."
 
Oliver nodded back. "And ain't many things better, Pup. They's in safe hands for now. ‘Cepting when they get in the trees, and they'll heal just fine from that."
 
Derrick smiled at the two pandas, who sat anxiously waiting for their father to voice his consent. Derrick made a wave out toward the front of the cave. "Go boys; have fun. Welcome to Terra."
 
Chapter 38
 
"Okay, Susie, I'm going to show you some cards, and you're going to tell me what you see. Are you good with that?"
 
The four-year-old nodded her head. "Wasss d..d..dis haf t…t…to d…d…d…d…do wid my t…t…talkn'?" She asked.
 
"Dr. Wells thinks you might have a part of your brain that hasn't quite woken up yet. You know how you feel when you wake up in the morning and everything is a jumble?"
 
Susie nodded. "Yeth."
 
"It's like that. Normally, as you wake up, your brain wakes up with you. But if Dr. Wells is right, a little part of your brain stays asleep all the time."
 
"C…c…can h…h…h… c…can he figs it?"
 
"Yes, he can. But first, we need to make sure he's right. That's where I help him. I'm a technician here. That's a fancy word for a guy who shows you lots of pictures while you tell me what they are. Just ignore the cameras and all those buttons stuck on you as best you can and have fun, okay?"
 
Susie nodded. "Ok..k…k…ay Mat..t..t..t…ew."
 
Matthew smiled and held up a picture of a bird facing to the right.
 
"Okay, what is it, and what direction is it facing?"
 
"B…b…burt," Susie said, and pointed to her right. 
 
"Perfect," Matthew said. "Next one," he said, holding up a new picture.
 
From the outer window, Jason watched Matthew. "He's doing a fine job," Clifford said as he leaned over and kissed the top of the fox's head. "He has a way with the kids."
 
"He looks happy. How are his studies going?"
 
"We'll have him certified in six months. Until then, he can do what he's doing just fine with the training he's had so far."
 
"There's so much that happens here that anyone who cared could do, isn't there?"
 
The doctor nodded. "It takes a lot to keep kids occupied when they're not seeing the trained staff. It's why we have so many volunteers. All it takes is patience with most of our kids. We really appreciate our volunteers. It's great for the kids and it's great for our community. Saint John has really rallied around the center."
 
"How's the home life?"
 
"Matthew still spends a lot of evenings with us."
 
"It's been five years. Is that turning out to be a problem?"
 
"No, not at all," the wolf replied. "He's good at taking a hint when we need a bit of alone time. I just look at him and say, ‘mind if I sniff my husband's butt, it's kind of a wolf thing,' and he's out of the room in seconds." Jason laughed, and the doctor leaned his paw against the window. "Susie saw me yesterday. I think Matthew is wearing off on her."
 
"Was she okay with it?"
 
"Oh yeah. More than okay. She thinks it's great to have a dog for a doctor."
 
"And her folks?"
 
"She's four years old. She also has an imaginary friend who's a unicorn."
 
"You sure the friend is imaginary?" Jason asked with a laugh.
 
"You know, I guess I don't," Clifford said, chuckling. "The test is at least an hour, Jason. Matthew always takes a break in the middle of it to have cookies and milk with the kids. Can I interest you in a cup of coffee while we wait for him?"
 
Jason's face scrunched up. "Hell, no. I hate the stuff."
 
"Wanna grab the hubby and have at him?"
 
"You said an hour, right?"
 
"Yeah, nothing serious. We'll get you back in time to have lunch with Matthew. Promise," the wolf said, crossing his paw over his heart.
 
Jason smiled. "Sure. I'll race you back to your place." The two dropped onto all fours and raced out the front door toward the McGowan House.
 
Li Wei watched as the two ran down the pathway toward the beach. "They are going to copulate with Clifford's husband Nicholas," he said matter-of-factly.
 
"Do all werebeasts have so much sex?" the panda asked.
 
"Not all of them. But most," the temple dog responded. "We are a nation of creatures that rely on tactile memories to bond our hearts together. And that bond is important above all else."
 
"We know the history of the humans," the other panda said. "I think we understand why it is so important to us. It has been so rare on this planet."
 
"Indeed, Raymond," Li Wei agreed. "It was only through your family's interventions that humankind even exists today. Love… truly unconditional love… has never come easily for humans."
 
"Was it worth it what we did? Are they really worth saving?"
 
Li Wei nodded. "Of course, Samuel. All life is precious. One day, given time, humans will find their core. They will find that which defines them and frames their lives. For now, they struggle with trying on so many options, searching for that truth."
 
"And what about you, Li Wei? Are the temple dogs finished trying on the options?"
 
Li Wei smiled. "No, Little One. We learn and grow with each day. To stop growing is to cease to exist." The golden dog looked at the two pandas. "But you know all this, do you not? Why did my brothers send you here?"
 
"They said we needed to experience the world, and our father said he would be happier if we started with this little corner of the world," Samuel replied.
 
"That would be Nathaniel, I suspect," Li Wei said as he stood up.
 
"Yep," Raymond said. "He seems to be the most concerned about our proper upbringing."
 
"There will be no greater task before you than to become what your father hopes you to be one day."
 
"Do you know what that is, Li Wei?" both pandas asked together.
 
"What you were born to become. He does not care what that is, but he wants you to be ready when you find it. There will be a day when you will see it placed before you. Some call it destiny. Whatever you choose to call it, it is the goal of your family to prepare you for that day; not just so that you can recognize it, but so that you can embrace it and make it your own."
 
"Are you a part of that family, Li Wei?" Raymond asked, looking up at the temple dog.
 
"I hope to be seen as such," the massive dog answered.
 
"Then are we supposed to create tactile memories with you?"
 
Li Wei laughed. "I would like that very much, Little Ones."
 
"Can we start now?" a panda asked.
 
"I have promised your fathers that your time with me will leave you with no scars. If you do not object to sharing my bed, we can start now."
 
"Both of us?" the other panda said happily.
 
"You are twins. It makes it easier if I do not have to keep track of which of you I am with," Li Wei said with a smile.
 
"Do we run to your home like the wolf and fox?"
 
"No, Little Ones; we walk. We will not waste our energy on something as frivolous as running today. You are newly born. Your stamina has not reached its full potential, but mine has, and I am not sure that the two of you alone will be enough to sate me if you exert yourselves with running."
 
Samuel looked at Raymond. "Priorities. Father told us about priorities."
 
Li Wei smiled. "And the old wolf is wise to teach you of such things." With a forceful pull, the temple dog opened the heavy metal doors of his home and welcomed the two pandas in.
 
From the upper window of the First Class hospital, Nathaniel stared out, watching the three enter Li Wei's home. "They grow up so fast," he heard Tyler's voice say as wolfen arms wrapped around his waist.
 
"They're four billion years old," Nathaniel said, trying to not sound too much like a doting father.
 
"Yeah, but they're your babies, Bear," the wolf said. "Go on, you can be a father around me. I have a son myself, remember?"
 
Nathaniel smiled. "That's right. It's so hard for me to think of JP as a child anymore. He's so grown up."
 
"I know what you mean. Now and then I get a twinge of nostalgia when the three of them come up to make a run with us. I love that boy so much."
 
"And I love our boys."
 
"So, you opted not to try and sort out who gave birth to who?"
 
Nathaniel continued to stare at the temple dog's home as he held the curtain back. "Dad and I held hands for our entire merging. I think they both have a bit of all of us in them. It's why they're twins. It's second nature for them. They could have been different, but neither of them wanted to be."
 
"They really are beautiful boys, you know."
 
Nathaniel sighed. "I know. And perpetually horny, just like their dad. It's strange to see that part of me reflected in them."
 
"It's not a bad thing, Nathaniel," the wolf said. "Between you, the old wolf, and your dad, it was bound to transfer. You have nothing to be ashamed of for being who you are. Hell, if you weren't as horny as you are, I'd probably file some kind of formal complaint."
 
Nathaniel spun around and kissed the wolf. "I love you, Tyler," he said. He turned back and took one last look out the window through the curtains. He sighed. "I best get back to work. Oliver and Martin are coming to take me to lunch today."
 
"Sounds nice, Bear. Give them my love." The wolf reached up and gave the bear another kiss, and the short-faced bear sauntered slowly down the hall. When the bear had turned the corner, Tyler tapped his ComLink. "Museum House," he said. He waited patiently. "Hey, Oliver," he said cheerfully. "Look… I was just talking to your hubby, and he's feeling kind of down about your babies growing up too fast. Any chance you and Martin might take him to the woods instead of lunch today?" 
 
The wolf paused and listened to the badger. He smiled. "No, I can't get away, but I'll free up his schedule. Don't even worry about bringing him back. Frankly, you're all too much of a distraction in your current state, but right now, he needs the sort of distraction only you two can give him. He wants to be helpful and do his rounds, but dang, you guys are messing up my administrator's job something fierce. I need to get Nathaniel out of the hospital." Tyler nodded a few times. "I love you, too, Oliver. Give my love to the cat, will you?" Another pause. "Okay, we'll get over to your place one day soon, I promise. Talk to you later, Oliver. Bye for now." He tapped the ComLink and stared out the window. "Ah, crap, Nathaniel," he sighed. "Now you've gone and made me miss my boy."
 
"We gots ourselves a sad bear, Cat," Oliver said as he tapped the ComLink on his chest, ending the call. 
 
"Yeah, I know," Martin said, frowning. "This merge of ours has really pushed the Sight to the forefront with me and my family."
 
"Bad like?"
 
"Remember how I told you about what happens when you and Will are together?"
 
"Yeah. I wish I coulds change that, but I ain't giving up sexing the old wolf."
 
Martin laughed. "And I don't want you to. It's okay. Every now and then, I learn some pretty fun techniques from you two. But the Sight is pushing forward for me to see my entire family on a much more intimate level. We're not talking just sex. I see so much more than that. But when sex does push forward, it can be awkwardly embarrassing. And you know our family. Sex pushes forward frequently."
 
"You gonna be okay, Cat?"
 
"I'll be fine, Hon," the saber-toothed cat replied. "I just need some time to adjust to the change. The Sight in me does what it does because it sees a need. I just have to figure out what that need is, and I should be able to control what's happening."
 
"Bastard Sight. Can'ts live with it, but can'ts protect our family without it."
 
Martin leaned down, letting Oliver guide his face into a kiss. "So what are we going to do about our sorry, handsome bear, Badger?"
 
"Tyler says we gots the rest of the day to cheer him up. He suggested we takes him down to the woods so he can stop bothering everyone at the hospital."
 
"And how do we keep you quiet enough that we don't scare our visitors to death when you come?"
 
"I can'ts scream if I gots a big cat dick down my throat when I comes," the badger said with a smile. 
 
Martin leaned in and kissed the badger. The kiss lasted, and when the cat's paw rubbed up against the badger's swelling cock, the little mammal giggled. "I gots to go with you to the hospital, Cat. Let's me go before I get a boner too big to hide."
 
Martin released his hold, picked the badger up, and placed him on his shoulders. "There. We've hidden your hard-on, and no one will be the wiser."
 
"I likes the way you thinks, Cat. Let's go gets our husband."
 
As Martin and Oliver exited out the garage door of the Museum, Anders, Lewis, and Kendal looked down from the lighthouse gallery. "There they are," Kendal said, pointing eagerly. "Take a deep breath as they walk by." The three all breathed in deeply as the two walked by.
 
"He's right," Lewis said. "Oliver has his own scent when he's aroused. I mean the Cat you can tell from the wolves because he's so large, but Oliver has an unmistakable scent. That badger has Changeling pheromones kicking into overdrive."
 
Anders looked at the two. "That's because they're all newly born. It will fade with time. Give them all a bit of time, and they'll level off a bit. Pretty soon, you'll have to be on top of them to sense it."
 
Lewis smiled. "You could be on top of me, and I bet you'd sense something."
 
"Okay, you two," Kendal said. "If you're going to start something, I'm heading out."
 
"Why would you do that, Kendal? You know you're always welcome to play with us."
 
"I'm dating Marcus."
 
"So?" Lewis said. "We're not asking you to mate with us. Has Marcus asked you for exclusivity?"
 
Kendal smiled. "No, no… not at all. Neither of us would ask that of the other. My comment didn't come out the way I hoped it would. I'm just nervous. I'm heading back there again this weekend and I want everything to be right. It was going to be just a visit, and now suddenly, the whole family is back and we have pandas running around, and Nathaniel is back, and my god, did you see how cute Oliver looks? He's got the same cowlick that Will has."
 
Anders laughed. "It is cute, isn't it? You know, Kendal, it doesn't sound so much like you're nervous about visiting Marcus as you're aroused by who's visiting the island. There's a lot of newborn beasts on the island and they come with pheromones that are pretty powerful until they grow into their new bodies."
 
"But these are all my old friends. It's just awkward wanting to say hello to them, and instead, I get a hard-on when I'm ten meters away. They're driving me insane. I haven't even been able to say hi to Nathaniel, Martin, or Oliver… let alone whoever those pandas are."
 
Anders put his arm around the young wolf. "They can't help it, Son. This is what being reborn is like for a Changeling."
 
"I know, Anders," the Newfoundland wolf whined. "I just want them all so bad."
 
"Then go out there and tell them so. You know they won't say no."
 
Kendal shook his head. "I know they won't. But it's Thursday. I've got plans with Marcus for the weekend. If I do what I want to do today, I'll be totally spent by the time I get to the highland."
 
"Ahhh… now we see the dilemma," the white wolf said with a laugh.
 
"Lewis, it's not funny," Kendal said.
 
"Actually, it is," Anders said, pulling the wolf in close. "Come on, Son," he said, rubbing his muzzle up against the wolf's neck. "Let us take you to bed. You just need to take off the edge. Struggling to avoid the feelings is only going to make them worse."
 
The Newfoundland wolf nodded. "I guess you're right." He looked at the white wolf. "Would you be okay with this, Lewis?"
 
"Have I ever said no to you, Son?" 
 
"No, I just always need to ask."
 
The white wolf climbed up on the gallery railing and jumped. He hit the walkway below and looked up. "Come on, Son," he said, extending his arms. "Come to Papa."
 
Kendal smiled at Anders. "I love you both so much."
 
"And we love you, Son," the bear replied. "Now, jump unless you want me to go first, so you have somewhere soft to land." Kendal vaulted over the side of the lighthouse and landed next to the white wolf. He had scarcely started his hug when the grolar bear pounded the ground behind him and joined in on the hug.
 
Derrick and Will came walking up from Old Street Road. "Good morning, gentlemen," Will said. "You're looking especially fetching together."
 
"Well, thank you, Old Wolf," Anders said with a smile. "We need to talk, boys."
 
Derrick's face took on a look of concern. "What did we do now?" he said with a sigh.
 
The white wolf laughed. "So, you already know?"
 
"We seem to be causing a lot of distraction around here," Will said. 
 
"You're driving our boy here crazy," the big bear said gruffly.
 
"Ahhh, Anders, no… don't tell them," the Newfoundland wolf moaned.
 
"Son, you either talk to the men you love, or you walk away from this with blue balls. I know which option I would take," Lewis said.
 
Derrick nodded. "He's right, Kendal. I've spent way too many years thinking it was embarrassing to talk about my needs with my family."
 
"Well, I still have a few more years before I figure that one out, Wolfy. I'm totally good at not talking about it."
 
"Then I'm not too shy to push for him," the grolar bear said. "You men are newly born after spending thirty-three years gestating inside a bath of Changeling hormones. You have those hormones flowing through your body and most likely will for the rest of your lives. That includes the pheromones that you both are pumping out with no more control than that Kodiak husband of yours. But at least his stays in check until he's aroused. Yours are there twenty-four seven."
 
"Is that what's causing this?" Derrick asked. "We've got wolves walking into walls, orderlies dropping med trays, and Tyler trying to push Nathaniel and us out of the hospital. He told us to get back home to the highland."
 
"That's the problem, boys," the bear said with a nod. "You're going to need time to rein them in. Your sons are at least for the moment sidetracked by Li Wei. I trust him to begin their training before he lets them back out of his home. But until you beasts can settle into your new bodies, you are literally a painful distraction to many of your family."
 
Will shook his head and reached out to hug Kendal. "I'm so sorry, Kendal," he said as the young wolf wrapped his arms around the old wolf. "I didn't know."
 
"It's okay, Will. I mean… my cock isn't going to get any harder now than it was with Anders and Lewis hugging me."
 
"I would take you right now if I could, but we're actually on a deadline. We have to pick up Jason. We're heading back to the highland per Tyler's demand. Jason was supposed to tag along when we left this evening, but they're upping the hour of our departure."
 
"That's alright, Will," Kendal responded. "Anders and Lewis are going to take me home with them. They get me through so much, I'm sure they'll get me through this."
 
"You're lucky to have two who love you so deeply," Derrick said as he put his paw on Kendal's shoulder. 
 
Kendal looked up and smiled. "I know. I try not to abuse their friendship."
 
"Which is still such a disappointment to the two of us," the white wolf said with a laugh. "We'd enjoy the kind of abuse we get into with him more frequently." 
 
"You know what I mean, Lewis," Kendal said, bumping the white wolf from the side.
 
"Okay, we've got you men taking care of each other; all we need to do is get Jason and get gone before we stir up any other hornets' nests."
 
"We would appreciate it, Old Wolf. The temple dogs and your Changeling husbands should be able to help you burn off those pheromones without upsetting an entire island."
 
"We're really sorry, men," Will replied. "You have fun today. Kendal, we'll see you this weekend. Marcus is really looking forward to seeing you."
 
Kendal smiled. "I'm really looking forward to seeing him, too. Any chance I can get you two to be less of a distraction? We don't get that much time together."
 
"I tell you what… we'll have the Black Rhino bring you out to the highland this weekend. We'll have them pick up everyone but Marcus and take us to Montana. We'll ask the dragon family to lie low for a few days, and you can have the highland to yourselves."
 
Kendal's face beamed. "Really? You'd do that for us?"
 
"Of course, Kendal," Will said. "Give us a kiss and we'll be out of your hair." 
 
Kendal leaned in and kissed the old wolf. "Jeez," he groaned. "I was wrong about it not being able to get harder."
 
"I'll kiss you later," Derrick said with a smile and a little wave. Kendal waved back.
 
"You wolves ready to go?" the fox asked as he crested the hill beside the lighthouse.
 
"I thought you and Matthew were having lunch today."
 
"I got stood up," Jason said, laughing. "He got invited to share his lunch with Dr. Khatri."
 
"Maira?" Anders questioned. "She's like what, a third his age?"
 
Jason laughed. "That led to a bit of confusion the first time she asked him to share a lunch. She thinks of him as a lovable grandpa. However, she's human. There's a bond there that Matthew needs. Anyway, she's here today on special rotation, and she asked him if he was busy. The poor guy looked at me and I said I'd see him again next week."
 
"That was kind of you," Derrick said.
 
"The two of them only have a lunch hour to visit during the three days a week she visits the island. She didn't expect to be called in today. But that means he won't see her Monday. She's getting a three-day weekend out of her shift change."
 
"And what about you, Fox?" Will asked
 
"I'm good. As I said, I'll see him next week. Besides, he's having a ball catching up on old times with Oliver. The two of them never expected to see each other again, so it's been great for both of them. He's even getting used to the fact he has a hard-on the whole time they're together. He thinks it's funny." The fox's nose twitched. "In the meantime, Old Wolf, we really need to get you two back to the highland. I'm getting hard already."
 
"Yeah, we should get out of here," Derrick agreed. The young wolf looked to the east, into the cloudy sky. "Wait for it," he said. His paw reached up and pointed to the clouds being pushed forward. "There…" he said. The Red Wolf broke through the clouds and the landing gear extended.
 
"Oh, by the way, Kendal," Jason said as he turned toward the helipad. "Nathaniel and his husbands just ran off toward the woods. I'm pretty sure they would love to see the three of you. Three newborns could use a few extra hands out there."
 
Kendal smiled. "You think?"
 
"They won't be able to burn off those newly minted pheromones by themselves, you know," the fox said with a grin. "The easiest way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it."
 
Kendal felt the bulky arms of the bear squeeze him tightly from behind. "Let's go, Son. The woods are calling us." The three shifted as they dropped to all fours and, with a nod to the wolves and fox, they were making a dash toward the forest.
 
"Well, that is going to have every beast on this island changing their plans about what they're doing tonight," Jason said with a laugh. 
 
"It's Thursday. They only have to hold it together for a couple of days before the weekend," Derrick said, giggling as the three walked toward the heliport and the waiting Red Wolf.
 
"Yeah. I pity the poor guys working the weekend shifts," Jason agreed.
 
Tuff stuck his head out the boarding door, "Come on, men. Tyler has reiterated his request to get you two off the island as quickly as possible."
 
"Wait a minute," Jason said with a pout. "I've had more sex than those two in the last hour. How come they're not kicking me off the island?"
 
Tuff laughed. "Maybe because this isn't about who's having sex on the island, Fox. You know no one is going to complain about that. It's about those raging teen hormones inside the wolves spilling out all over the place. They're not having sex; they're just causing every beast around them to become aroused to the point of distraction."
 
Will sighed. "True that," he said as he bounded up the ramp. "And now you know why Tyler wants us off the island. We have a hospital here where everyone needs to be on top of their game. Nathaniel and his husbands are causing enough problems on their own without us adding to it." The wolf sat in a seat, pulled the harness over his shoulder, and buckled it. "Change of plans, though, Son. We need the Black Rhino to bring Kendal to the highland Friday night. With Jean Pierre's permission, we'll clear the highland and spend the weekend at the ranch to give Kendal and Marcus a bit of much-needed time alone."
 
"You want to spend the weekend in your state with forty-two ranch hands?" Tiff asked from the pilot's chair. "Forget Jean Pierre. You try to convince Chet to let you land once he knows the disturbance you're going to cause." 
 
"Well, you'll be picking up the husbands and the temple dogs when you drop Kendal off at the highland. They can help take up some of the slack."
 
"Oh yeah, tell Chet you're going to be starting a bonfire, but you're bringing kerosene to toss on it to keep everything under control," Tiff said with a laugh.
 
"Those two boys need a bit of time alone," Will pressed. "It's important."
 
Tiff spun his chair around and stared at the three buckled into their seats. "Well then, it's done now, isn't it? We'll find a way to make it work. If we give Chet a heads up, maybe we can figure out a way to get everyone into a rotation so they can visit sometime during the weekend." Tiff paused. "And we're going to have to get the human ranch hands as far away as possible. Don't need any of them trying to figure out why they're suddenly attracted to beasts."
 
Tuff sat down next to his brother. "Well, we have a lot more acreage to put men out into than Partridge Island does. There has to be a point where those pheromones dissipate. Let's get these two out of here and sort it out once we get everyone back to Montana." He turned and stared at the two wolves. "That's some seriously powerful stuff, you two."
 
"So we've been told. How come it's not affecting you the way it does all the wolves on Partridge Island?" Derrick asked.
 
"Because we have a polar bear father, remember? We grew up around those pheromones. They have their desired effect, but we're able to handle them better than most."
 
"And we've been swimming in them for the last thirty-three years, so we seem to be just fine," Will said.
 
"And I have a Changeling husband," the fox added, "so, I may be sitting here with a hard-on because of you two, but I can still stay relatively focused."
 
"You know it's really hard for us to stay focused with you looking that way, right?" the black wolf said with a snicker.
 
"Whatever," Jason said with a laugh. "If I have to be the in-flight entertainment for you two, that's fine with me. Nathaniel assured us it will be short-lived. It's what's left of a hormonal surge, just like any gestation. Your inexperience with the hormones is causing most of the problems. Unlike Kris, who chooses not to control his, I think it's in your best interest to learn how to control them in the company of your fellow beasts."
 
"We'll do our best. It's not like we have any teachers for this sort of thing," Will said.
 
"What about the temple dogs?" 
 
"The temple dogs?" Will said, laughing out loud. "They can't even control their own. What good will it do to ask them to help figure out a way to control ours?"
 
Jason shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I just figure they always have the answers."
 
Derrick nodded. "Me too, but this one might be out of their league. We're in uncharted territory; and since we're producing pheromones in overdrive, I'm pretty sure the temple dogs will be too distracted to want to think about the philosophy of hormonal management."
 
"Well, then just have fun with the sex for the time being," Jason said. The fox paused, thinking for a moment. "You know, maybe this would be a great time to actually make a formal announcement to the Were Nation that the newly born are willing to see visitors. We snag everyone from the merging and plop them down in Montana for the weekend. We'd have hundreds of visitors helping burn off those pheromones faster than even the forty-two ranch hands."
 
"And Kendal and Marcus would have at least five days to spend together," Derrick said with a laugh. When Jason looked at him, confused, the black wolf smiled. "I'm being a realist here, Jason. You know it won't be just a weekend."
 
Jason shrugged. "I guess you're right. Still, I have a day to get the word out." He looked to the forward cab. "You men going to be okay asking your team to fly all weekend?"
 
Tuff turned toward the two wolves. "If you newborns promise all of us a bit of time with you after everyone has gone home, we're on board." 
 
Will smiled. "Of course, Son. How about we all spend next weekend together on the highland and see what kind of mischief we can get into?"
 
Tiff laughed. "We're on approach, men. Lean back." His hands moved over the controls. "Clear it with Jean Pierre and Chet, Jason. If you get the go-ahead, you have your pilots for the Black Rhino. We can let Faraji and Talib enjoy a bit of quality time with their pack and the newborns."
 
Jason tapped his ComLink. "Jean Pierre," he said. He waited patiently until he heard the voice on the other side of the line. "Hi, Husband. We seem to have a change of plans. Everyone on the highland is coming to Montana for the weekend." Jason paused, listening. "Yeah, all the newborns, Donovan and Eric, and the dogs. We're thinking it's best to bring all the newborns to the same place for a while. You know, give Partridge Island a bit of a break." He laughed with a nod. "You know me too well. Is it okay? I'm sure the Were Nation won't mind sleeping out under the stars for a few days." He nodded in agreement again to what he heard. "I love you so much, Husband. You're the greatest. We can discuss the details when I'm back home in a few minutes. I just wanted you and Chet there at the landing site so you can get a hint of what we're in for." Jason listened carefully and then laughed. "Yeah, it's going to be that bad."
 
Derrick looked at Will and shook his head. "I never thought there would be a day when turning heads had a downside." 
 
Will laughed and nodded in agreement.
 
Jason tapped his ComLink and closed the call. "You men are going to be fine. I'm just getting the ranch ready for your visit. There's definitely going to be a run this weekend, regardless of what phase the moon is in."
 
Will put out his paw, and Jason took it. "Thanks, Fox," the old wolf said. "You're the best."
 
"I intend to make you think so after everyone else has had you, Old Wolf," Jason said with a smile.
 
The Red Wolf coasted into the Montana ranch as Jean Pierre and the winged family waited by the landing site.
 
Chapter 39

Marcus rolled over, his large brown bear body stretching as he wiggled out from under Kris's arm. He crawled over Donovan, becoming an Armbruster's wolf for just a moment. As he tried to negotiate around the polar bear, Eric reached up and pulled him into a morning kiss. When the kiss ended, the two polar bears smiled at each other. "Good morning, Marcus," Eric said. 
 
"Good morning, Eric," the polar bear responded. 
 
"Did you sleep well?"
 
"Yes, thanks to Kris holding onto me for the night. I didn't shift once."
 
Eric grinned. "Well then, we have a way to keep you from shifting and still have our family together at night."
 
"It seems to work. Although having Kendal and me sleep in our own room would do just as well."
 
Donovan shifted into a polar bear and reached over, touching the white bear on top. "That is true. But it's important to keep family together, and frankly, I enjoy the two of you in our bed."
 
"I appreciate you all giving us the week together," Kendal said as he stirred from his curled-up position next to the black wolf. "I hope you enjoyed your days at the ranch."
 
"They were pretty amazing," Derrick said with a giggle. "We went into some seriously fun overtime."
 
The badger waddled into the bedroom. "You boys decide to sleep late?" 
 
"We did," Eric said with a nod. "But now that Will is back home, I have enjoyed taking a break from the job of CEO while he takes back the reins." 
 
"You started them companies, Old Bear."
 
The bulky white bear rose and hugged the badger. He threw the little mammal up on his shoulders as he walked out toward the front of the cave. "That is true, and that's why I'll be spending the better part of today helping Will get back up to speed instead of plowing his butt."
 
"I heard that Old Bear," Will yelled from behind his desk inside the antechamber of the cave. "If you want me to take this job on again, you better have a lot of butt-plowing time budgeted."
 
Eric walked into the room and, slipping Oliver from his shoulders, he stepped behind the old wolf, staring at the monitor. His paws reached out and he swiped twice across the screen. "Here… and here…" he said. 
 
"Really?" Will said with a mix of disbelief and admiration. "Why do you need me to come back?"
 
"Because you've always been a better negotiator. And because I love you. With the two of us working on this, we'll finish in half the time," Eric replied. "You already said it. I've budgeted a lot of butt-plowing time, and that includes makeup sex for two wolves and a bear." The polar bear looked where Oliver stood by the bedroom door with crossed arms tapping his foot. "Sorry, Oliver, I don't mean to exclude you, but you're heading back to Partridge Island with Kendal today, right?"
 
"That's right, Old Bear. So, you best get in your sexing of me before I'se gone for a month."
 
Eric laughed. "This afternoon, right after lunch. I promise."
 
The badger grinned. "I was afraid you was going to say you was too busy."
 
"Family first, Oliver."
 
"Yeah, and today we works with one family in particular," Oliver said as he turned toward the kitchen. "I'se already fed our kids, and they's off playing at the creek. Them boys are going to be friskier than even Nathaniel. They can'ts keeps their hands off each other or anyone else who gives thems a willing smile."
 
"Well, that's not surprising seeing as they have Kris, Nathaniel, and Will for fathers," Eric said, chuckling. 
 
"You're forgetting Derrick, Old Bear," Will said with a laugh. "His libido is seriously ramped up beyond most of ours. He's just too shy to press for what he wants."
 
Eric nodded in agreement. "So, what are we going to do with your kids?"
 
"Ain't nothin' we need to do," Oliver replied. "I sent them temple dogs over to say hello. I figure they're all gonna be busy for weeks if we don'ts interrupt them. Them rice fields ain't gonna need much attention until harvest time."
 
The badger turned and looked at the Iberian wolf that was trying to look inconspicuous next to Kendal. "Okay Marcus," Oliver said, "Today you starts to get control of your changing."
 
"You can teach me what even the temple dogs can't?"
 
"They is philosophical. Temple dogs is all about controlling the mind to control the body. They weren't trying to fix you. They was just getting you ready to take on the chore you gots to do. You was training to listen to what's inside you. This ain't a lack of mind control, Marcus. You lack control ‘cause you's not paying attention to what your body is telling you."
 
"I didn't know it was telling me anything."
 
"That's ‘cause you didn't come back," Oliver said, crossing his arms. "You fucked up your life just like I warned you not to. Nobody listens to the badger."
 
Derrick came by and grabbed Oliver, pulling him up into a hug. "I listened to you last night. I did just what you told me to do."
 
Oliver thought a moment. "Oh… that's right. And it was wuuunderful." The badger giggled as the black wolf kissed him. 
 
"I listened, too," Will said from behind the monitor screen.
 
"Me too, as I recall," the polar bear said, looking up from over Will's shoulder and smiling at the badger. 
 
"Okay, I was wrong," Oliver corrected himself. "Husbands pay attention when they's in bed." He pointed to Marcus. "You, on the other hand, you don'ts listen when you shoulds."
 
Marcus lowered his head. "I didn't. But I will. I learned my lesson."
 
Oliver smiled and walked over, hugging the wolf that became a badger. "You's okay, Marcus. You came home. That's what I told you to do. The runnin' away we coulds have done without, but we all makes mistakes. I can'ts point to that one without it pointing back at me."
 
"I'm trying to learn from my mistakes, Oliver. So what do we do with this?" Marcus asked, pointing to his badger body.
 
"You's like a sponge soaking up whatever is around you. That ain't necessarily a bad thing."
 
Will looked up from his work and nodded in agreement. "It makes you an incredible lover because you tap into what your partner wants and needs."
 
"He gots that from you, Old Wolf," Oliver said, grinning. "Nobody knows what a man wants the way you does. It's instinct for you. And ‘cause Marcus is you, he's got the gift."
 
Marcus laughed. "Okay, finally something you call a gift that I would agree is a gift."
 
Oliver smiled. "It's a good gift to have. But it comes from the other gift. The one that makes you change into the rest of us. Because of that gift… and it is a gift, Marcus… because of that gift, you don't just senses their needs and desires, your body pushes ahead past that and becomes them."
 
"Fair enough, I can't disagree with you there, because you're right about every werebeast I have been with. I'm wired to try to please them. Apparently, my time with William gave me that."
 
Will looked back up from his work with Eric. "I don't think so, Marcus. That's your own nature coming through. That's the guy behind the ComLink trying to help people out. You were born wired with that desire to put people at ease, to please them; but more significantly, with a desire to help. I might have helped you fine-tune your abilities when you're with another man, but everyone benefits from the man you already were before we met."
 
Marcus smiled. "Thank you, William. I'm trying to find that man again. I think he got a little lost along the way."
 
"He'll come back to you, Marcus," Donovan said as he entered the room. "This is a group that brings their family home. I know that from personal experience. Trust these men surrounding you, Wolf. Love them, enjoy their passions, share your life with them, but more than anything, trust them."
 
Marcus nodded. "I'm trying to learn to let my guard down. For most of my life, I have relied on making every choice myself. I think I've forgotten how to trust in others."
 
"Well, you grabs a bit of everyone you touches, Marcus," Oliver said. "Try and grab the part that lets you knows we can be the ones you turns to when you needs help. And maybe a bit of us that teaches you that none of us can does everything alone. We have to know when to asks for help."
 
Kris lumbered into the antechamber from the bedroom, scratching his balls. "I've been thinking about those changes, Badger. The way Marcus shifts when he touches us." 
 
The Kodiak looked at Marcus. "Maybe that's why you shift the way you do, Marcus. We spent a lot of time together as a family at the start of all of this. That included being with me… the only real Changeling in that group. In the beginning, your changing was minimal. But the more time you spent with us, the more you acquired our characteristics. You grabbed Will's gift for knowing what pleasures another man. You grabbed mine for changing into whatever you needed to put them at ease."
 
"But I don't put people at ease, Kris," Marcus protested. "I do just the opposite. I freak them out."
 
"You don't freak us out, Marcus," Derrick disagreed. "You surprise most of us the first time. But if you could control it the way the Changelings do, Kris is right. It might comfort the people you meet if you can become the very thing they need to see. Think about when Kris first met us as Santa. He knew instinctively what we needed to see so that we weren't afraid of him. It may not have been a perfect match for Santa, but really, Santa with a big dick dangling between his legs was going to keep us occupied long enough to find out who he really was. By then, we were good."
 
"So, you absorbed talents of Will's and mine that made you better. You just haven't learned to control them yet," Kris said with a smile.
 
The two winged bears and their angel husband entered the dining area from their bedroom. Max waved to the group. "Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, faster."
 
"Harder, firmer, deeper," JP said with a laugh. 
 
Chet waved to the group. "Morning, men," he said. "This has been an interesting week, to say the least. I sure hope your pheromones balance themselves soon. I'm not sure how long my family can go without sleep."
 
Will looked up from the computer screen. "But I bet you're willing to test the limits, right, Chet?"
 
Chet smiled and gave the wolf a kiss. "Yeah, Old Wolf, I'm willing. But why not leave us in Montana with the rest of the family? Why bring us here, Oliver?"
 
"I has some questions to ask of your boys, Chet," the badger replied.
 
"Thought that was what it was going to be about," Max said. 
 
Tiff and Tuff walked through the front of the cave and hugged their father bear and wolf. Will smiled at the two. "Nice to see you, Boys," he said. "Where are the husbands?"
 
"They're back at the ranch helping to straighten things out," Tuff said with a smile.
 
"It got a bit out of hand on Saturday and Sunday," Derrick said with a look of embarrassment.
 
"Well, Monday through Friday were more sedate only in the sense that we broke fewer things," Tiff said, hugging the black wolf and giving him a kiss. "But that's pretty much because we broke everything that wasn't nailed down on Saturday and Sunday. After that, it seemed to level out."
 
After the family had shared their hugs, Max sat on the couch and leaned forward. "I have a suggestion, Wolfy," the blue bear said. "We're about to talk about some seriously boring stuff, and I don't have the heart to ask my husband to stay here and listen to it. Do you think I could impose upon you to take Chet out and visit with your kids and the temple dogs?"
 
JP looked at Max. "Really, Hon? You tell Wolfy that and you ask me to stay with you?"
 
"The sacrifices we make for the family, Hon. But here you stay until later in the day."
 
"You sure I don't need to be here?" Derrick asked. 
 
"I'm sure, Wolfy," Max said. "We will catch you up with everything later tonight. You have a date with the three of us and your husband."
 
Kris looked up from his bowl of cold cereal. "Husbands, Max. I know you're fond of the wolves, but there are bears here that are fond of you."
 
Max nodded. "If you ever doubt how fond we are of the bears in our lives, Kris, you have only to wait for night to fall."
 
"Good, then I will stay behind and listen to what Max and JP have to say. The pup will need to have someone bring him up to speed, and it might as well be me."
 
Will stood up and shut down the computer on the table. "Go, Husband, I will keep notes on the day, and you can help keep our sons and the temple dogs entertained in my absence."
 
Kris smiled. "Are you sure, Old Wolf?"
 
"I'm sure," Will replied. "Your pheromones are already kicking up with the thought of Derrick and Chet together. Tiff and Tuff have to stay here until Kendal and Oliver are ready to head home, but I won't ask them to stay here inside when they can be outside enjoying our new family members. So, keeping you here will just be a distraction to you and the temple dogs."
 
Marcus and Kendal watched what was transpiring and smiled. Marcus shook his head and chuckled. "Do you realize this family negotiates who's staying and who's going out to play the same as you do when acquiring some new business?"
 
Kris reached out and pulled Marcus into a hug. The two Kodiak bears sighed happily. "That is because this family is our only business. All the rest is so that we can stay together. Today is about keeping you in our family. Helping you be at peace with the choice you made to return. But we're not all needed to make that come about, and Chet has given much to have his husbands by his side. As a family, we have decided these conversations are one sacrifice he needs no longer make."
 
Marcus laughed. "Okay." He turned to the angel and smiled. "Have fun out there for me."
 
Chet's face took on a look of concern. "I have no clue what you think is fun."
 
"Ask the temple dogs. They'll show you."
 
"Does it involve the trees?"
 
"Yeah, most of it."
 
"I have Pup with me today. We will avoid the trees. You can enjoy the dogs later tonight after Kendal has returned home. For the time being, what are your feelings about sex in the creek?"
 
"Oh, Kendal and I both love that."
 
The angel's wings flared out and the right wing wrapped around Derrick's shoulder. "Fine then. Pup and I will have fun on your behalf." He tugged at the black wolf with his wing. "Come on, Pup. It has been too long."
 
Derrick laughed. "We were together last night."
 
"That's what I said, Pup. It's been too long." The two turned and were out the door.
 
There was an uncomfortable quiet for a moment before JP broke the silence. "So, we're trying to figure out how to keep Marcus from changing every time he touches someone new, huh?"
 
Marcus looked at the blonde bear. "How did you know that? Oliver's call didn't tell you why we asked you here."
 
"We both have the Sight, and the old wolf schooled us in its use since we were babies. We are pretty much permanently linked to our family twenty-four-seven. If you're hurting, we're going to know it."
 
Marcus turned his head away from the two bears. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be a bother."
 
"We understand, Marcus. You're no bother. Your happiness is as important to us as any other family member's."
 
"All of you accept me so easily."
 
JP smiled. "You'll get used to it, Marcus. One day, it will feel totally natural to you." The blonde bear waved at Kendal. The Newfoundland wolf waved back. "It's nice to see you here, Kendal. It should help make things a bit more informative."
 
"Whatever I can do to help, JP," Kendal said. "I would like to find an answer to Marcus's dilemma as much as anyone in this room." He reached out and hugged the blonde bear. 
 
Marcus took a step forward toward the blonde bear, following Kendal's lead. JP's paw rose. "As much as it pains me to say this, Marcus. Please don't touch me or my husbands."
 
"I'm sorry," Marcus said as he stepped back with a saddened expression.
 
"This is not the rejection you thought came from others. It is in fact exactly what happened when you first met the Were Nation out in the real world," Max explained. "We are obeying the laws the Nation has taught us. When you touch another, the basic configuration of your bones alters to meet the new animal. You've probably noticed that initially before your body learns the configurations of each new contact, there is a certain amount of discomfort."
 
Marcus nodded. "Yeah, with the bears, especially so. But the pain goes away quickly if I stay with them. And once learned, the shift is much easier."
 
"We are not only bears, Marcus," Max continued as his wings flared out. "We are beasts of the air. Those wings have no human counterpart. They are a mix torn from our human bodies and from the surrounding atoms. The change is painful every time any of the three of us shift. 
 
"This is not learning simply how to be a beast. It is a sheer force of will to become something impossible. It is why you will rarely see us as human, and why our husband only infrequently becomes a hawk or Mutwajigwan. 
 
"In time, when you have more control, if you wish to join us in the air, we will welcome you making the change, but until that day, changing back and forth between a winged beast and wolf within seconds will take too great a toll."
 
Marcus nodded his head. "I understand. If I have your promise that I can hug you one day, I will wait willingly."
 
Max laughed. "You know," he said, looking at the Kermode bear, "This all sounds very familiar. We had difficulty controlling our wings when we were young, Marcus. Chet used to say, ‘learn to control the wings and I'll lose control with you.'"
 
JP grinned. "We've had to struggle with these lessons in our lives before, Marcus. Learn to control your body, and we promise we will lose our inhibitions around you."
 
Marcus smiled as he nodded. "Yet another reason to find an answer to all of this."
 
"Okay," JP said, "Let's play doctor."
 
"Oh, I knew there was a reason Oliver called you two to help out," Will said with a low growl. "Where are you going to put that tongue depressor, Doctor?"
 
JP laughed. "Later, Old Wolf. But for now, can each of you touch Marcus? I hope this won't be too painful, Marcus. If it is, you let us know, and we'll stop."
 
Marcus nodded. "What you are hoping to accomplish?"
 
"We're trying to get a feel for the changing," JP answered. "Do us a favor. Before each touch, we want you to concentrate on staying in the body you have right now. After you change, and they let go of you, we want you to hold on to that body as long as you can. Make sense?"
 
Marcus nodded again. "Yeah, I think I can do that."
 
One by one, the men in the room touched Marcus. With each touch, the shift was almost instantaneous. His ability to control the change back was better. Some of the incarnations, like the polar bear, stayed for almost a minute before the Iberian wolf reappeared. It was only when Kendal touched Marcus that all saw a clear winner. Instantly the Iberian wolf shifted to a Newfoundland wolf, and when Kendal withdrew his paw from Marcus's shoulder, he did not change until ten minutes later when he heard Will laugh.
 
"Oh god, men, I'm sorry. The change was taking so long, I was thinking it would be funny to say ‘get a changing room.' I didn't mean to break your concentration, Marcus. I really am sorry."
 
"That's okay, William. I was losing it anyway. And for the same reason. It was so long that felt guilty taking up too much of your time. At least we got a joke out of it."
 
"Fucking, lame-ass wolf joke," Oliver said grumpily. "Best not make no noises when I touches him, Old Wolf."
 
"I promise, Oliver. I said I was sorry."
 
"Okay, ain't my place to chew you out anyhow. If it's okay with Marcus, it's fine by me."
 
"It's okay with me," Marcus replied. He squatted down and put out his hands. "Come on, Oliver, give me a hug." When Oliver hugged Marcus, the wolf sat holding on to the little badger for two minutes past before he became a badger. When Oliver pulled back from his touch, Marcus's shift was instantaneous. 
 
"You don't's like me?" Oliver asked, crestfallen by the outcome of his hug.
 
"No, no, Oliver, I love you. I have no idea why that happened."
 
"I think we do," Max said as he looked at his husband, who nodded.
 
"What is it?" Marcus asked.
 
"We think your body is responding exactly the way a true shapeshifter would if the body was trying to learn from the people it comes in contact with," Max replied. "The gift you have, Marcus, is the one that you had even before your turning."
 
"What gift is that?"
 
"For most of your working life, you become the orphans you tried to find a home for. You learned everything you could about the lives you were going to affect before you ever reached out to help them. We think your body is trying to do the same thing."
 
Kendal looked at the wolf he loved. "That actually makes sense, Marcus. The more time you've spent with one of us, the longer you could maintain the link."
 
"But why would it work just the opposite for Oliver?" Marcus asked. "I love him to pieces. Why wouldn't my body want to stay and learn?"
 
"Well, if you're agreeable to another test, we think you'll know the answer in a couple of days," JP replied. "We have what we hope will be a pleasant challenge for you. We have time to sort this all out. So, for right now, we want you to spend tonight and tomorrow with Oliver."
 
Oliver grinned. "I likes this one already."
 
"We thought you would," Max said with a smile. "We want you two to head over to Partridge Island."
 
"But the family is here right now," Oliver protested. "You's all here and you's gonna be fuckin' come night time. We wants to be here with you."
 
Max laughed. "I know, Oliver, but that's why we're sending you to Partridge Island. We want to remove most of the temptations that might sidetrack you. So for tonight, you go straight to the gunnery apartments, and you spend the night there. You can go out to the forest to play if you want to, but no contact with the other wolves on the island, clear? And no visiting your husbands. I've already told them the two of you are to be left alone." The wolf and the badger both nodded their understanding.
 
Kendal looked at the blue bear. "What about me? Am I returning to Partridge Island?"
 
"Would you mind staying another couple of nights here?"
 
"No, if you think it will help," Kendal said.
 
"We know already where his affections are, Kendal," JP said with a smile. "Keeping you here is probably for the best. But we also don't want to have either of you two distressed by what we're proposing."
 
"No, I'm good," Kendal said. 
 
"Me too," Marcus agreed with a nod.
 
"I'se fine, too," Oliver said with a frown. "Not that nobody is asking."
 
"Sorry, Oliver," Max said apologetically. "On the plus side, Oliver, your job is to have fun. Both of you. Marcus, do your best to stay a wolf while you're with Oliver. But if you change, when you separate for any length of time, I want you to stay a badger until you shift back involuntarily."
 
"It will be a lot of shifting back and forth more than likely, Marcus," JP added. "Don't feel bad about that. Basically, we want you both to have fun. If any of the rest of this starts taking over your thoughts too much, just give it up and enjoy each other's bodies."
 
"I can does that," Oliver said happily.
 
"Well, great then," Max said as he tapped his ComLink. "Tiff and Tuff," he said. He paused. "Hi guys, can we impose upon you to take Oliver and Marcus back to Partridge Island?" There was a pause while Max listened. He snickered a bit. "No, there certainly isn't any rush." The pause. "No, I don't see why the rest of us can't meet you down at the creek." The blue bear tapped his ComLink again and smiled. "All set," He said. "Just as soon as we take care of our family down by the creek, we'll get you two heading off to Partridge Island."
 
Oliver laughed. "Okay, boys. Let's go take care of your husband and our babies. Marcus and me has gots experimentin' to do."
 
Later, as the sun dipped over the city of Saint John, the Red Wolf touched down on Partridge Island. The boarding ramp lowered and the two guinea pigs stepped out into the rain.
 
Chapter 40
  
Oliver looked at his mirror image and shook his head. "You knows that's just weird, don'ts you?" he asked Marcus. 
 
"Yes, I know."
 
"I wants the wolf to play with me, not some other badger."
 
"And I want that too, Oliver. I'm still not sure I agree with Max and JP about why this is happening. But, I'm doing better than earlier this evening. I didn't change this time until you climbed on top of me."
 
"You's gonna be just fine, Marcus," Oliver said supportively. "Gives it time. I guess I don't mind fucking another badger now and then."
 
"Oh? Is that what you're going to do?"
 
"Unless you gots something else you wants to do. Me being fucked by a badger ain't such a bad idea neither."
 
"Can we do both?"
 
Oliver laughed. "Of course we cans," he said, leaning in to kiss the badger. The kiss lingered for a time as Oliver's paws roamed over the tiny body next to him. His eyes opened. Without ever letting go, Oliver spoke. "You know you's glowing, right, Marcus?"
 
Marcus pushed back. "Oh, not again, damn it." He stared at the glowing white fur. 
 
"Does this happen a lot?"
 
"Sometimes when I am intimate with a beast with a unique power, this happens," Marcus said, waving his glowing arms.
 
"Does you gets our powers?"
 
"No, it's more like I learn how they work. I know how to use them. But I don't have them. I'm just some damn nightlight for a few hours," the exasperated twin badger fumed. "I mean, it's so bad that I hesitate touching Martin for fear of it happening. And I really, really want to touch him, if you know what I mean."
 
Oliver laughed. "Yeah, I knows. He's gots a body that just sez 'do me', don't he?"
 
Marcus nodded his head. "And so do you, Oliver. I'm so sorry. I didn't want this to end like this."
 
Oliver tilted his head. "Why woulds this be ending?"
 
"Because I'm glowing."
 
"So? You's also turning into a badger. Most folk don't does that either. You's just a different sort. Don't mean we gots to stop. I mights have to close my eyes when I sucks your dick, ‘cause you're kind of bright down there, but that ain't a deal breaker is it?"
 
Marcus looked at Oliver. "Really? You still want to be with me?"
 
Oliver smiled. "I loves you, Marcus. We's family. Of course I still wants to be with you." Oliver reached out and pulled Marcus back into an embrace. When Oliver lifted his legs and put them on his twin's shoulders, Marcus penetrated him. Oliver smiled, closing his eyes. "You feels good, Marcus," the badger said with a giggle. "I could gets used to having a badger with benefits in my life."
 
"You make this so easy, Oliver," Marcus said, flashing the yellowed teeth of the badger. For a short time, the two badgers intertwined, Marcus's thrusting growing more heated. Then his eyes closed tightly, the glow left him, and he cried out in pain. 
 
Marcus pushed back away from the one below him, and Oliver rose quickly. "What's wrong, Marcus?"
 
Marcus staggered up as he grabbed his head and screamed. "Get that out of my head! I have no right to be there, you sons of bitches. He is my friend. Those are his and his alone to reveal."
 
Oliver stared at the badger, puzzled by the ones he was talking to that weren't there. When Marcus fell to the ground clutching his head, Oliver grabbed him and pulled him close. "I don'ts know what's happening, Marcus. Does you need a doctor?"
 
Marcus looked up and tried to push Oliver away. "No, Oliver, don't touch me. The bastards have gone too far. If you hold me, I will only see more. I have no right. You've never said I could."
 
"Never said you coulds do what, Marcus? What's happenin'?"
 
"I see your life. All of your life. Even the parts you have never told another."
 
"How? How can you sees that?"
 
"The voices are forcing it on me. I swear I would never…"
 
Oliver suddenly realized what was happening, and he grabbed the badger and hugged him tightly. "You stays with me, Marcus. I needs you to be here with me. You stays here with me."
 
"No, Oliver," Marcus pleaded. "I have no right."
 
"Ain't nuthin' you's gonna see that I would hides from you, Marcus," Oliver said. "Just let it comes. We will sort it all out later."
 
 "Forgive me, Oliver," Marcus said. "I would never…"
 
Oliver pulled the head of the other badger to his shoulder and patted it. "I knows, Marcus. I knows you would never. Now just let it be. You gots nuthin' to be forgiven for. ‘Cepting maybe pulling out before we both came. But you can fix that later."
 
Marcus laughed weakly. "How do you do that, Oliver? How do you make me laugh even now?"
 
Oliver leaned over and kissed the top of the badger's head. "Ain't never had another who had the Sight as bad as I got. I can'ts go letting you think you's alone."
 
"Is that what this is?" Marcus asked.
 
"I'se so sorry, Marcus," the little badger said. "I didn't have no idea you would catch it from me. I just wanted to make loves to you. Ain't had no idea so much of me would become you."
 
"It hurts, Oliver. It hurts like hell."
 
"That's ‘cause it is hell, Marcus. You gots to stay with me until you finds the way out of it. It's there inside me, you gots to let it become a part of you. You's already seen the awful. Now stay with me long enough to see the rest."
 
"How?" Marcus said. "I can't invade your mind like that. It's wrong."
 
"Then you just invades my body like you was doing and you don't stop until you's done. No pulling out this time, Marcus."
 
Marcus looked at the badger. "Are you serious? Sex at a time like this?"
 
Oliver reached down and grabbed the other badger's cock. "You's still hard as a rock, Marcus. Just like me. We don'ts go down until we's spent. Fuck me, Marcus. And don't lets go when you start to hear them voices and sees the images. Stay with me until we's one. You backs away now and you won't never be the same." Oliver leaned in and kissed the badger. 
 
The badger twin began kissing back. When the two separated, the badger stared at Oliver. "You're sure about this?"
 
"We boths got the same Sight now, Marcus," Oliver said. "You know we gots to do this to make you whole again. Might as well be as fun as we can makes it."
 
"Yeah, I see that now," Marcus said, his smile widening. "But you know, I think it's your turn to be on top." Marcus kissed Oliver and added, "you won't stop until we're both spent. You're like Will, Oliver. You're fearless in love. I need to be like you, but I'm not. I need you to take me where I can't go."
 
Oliver returned the kiss. "We both goes there together, Badger. We keep the connection you gots to have. And this time we don'ts stop until you's home."
 
"Home?"
 
"Next to your family. Next to the ones who loves you."
 
Marcus smiled. "I'm ready to go there, Oliver."
 
"Yeah, you is," Oliver said as he rolled Marcus over and pulled the little mammal's legs up onto his shoulders. He pushed forward. "And we goes there together, Badger."
 
Hours later, the two badgers walked out toward the field, watching the clouds float by the moon. Marcus sighed. "You're very good at that, Badger."
 
"You ain't half bad yourself, Badger," Oliver said with a laugh. The badger's face slipped from a smile to a frown as he said, "I'se sorry it had to be this way, Marcus. I wants every time you's with your family to be a happy thing. What we did was as good as it gets, but I still hads to give you whats I don't never want to give no one. I'se sorry it was you. I'se sorry it was me."
 
Marcus paused in his walking. "I'm glad it was you, Oliver. And I'm sorry it was you." He shook his head. "I'm not saying this right."
 
"You'se fine, Marcus," the badger comforted. "I understands exactly what you'se saying."
 
"How do you do it, Oliver?" Marcus said, reaching over and putting his paw on the badger's chest.
 
"I'se a lucky one, Marcus. I has family that led me to where I is today. And now, they is what pushes me forward. I ain't nothin' without my family."
 
"But to be raised in a brothel by a madam, who thought of you as little more than slave labor; and then to watch her be killed by your father…"
 
"And I watched them hang him. The town made sure I had a front-row seat. Humans is so fucked up. They thoughts an eight-year-old kid woulds want to watch his father hang for killing his mother," Oliver said without passion. "I ain't talking about them two. They birthed me, but they never was my family. My family is out there on the highland wondering if they should come get us ‘cause Pup is sensing something in the Sight is changin'."
 
"And me?"
 
"The offer is there, Marcus. When you ain't a badger no more and you's all alone with your own thoughts and not someone else's, you decides."
 
"I don't need to wait, Oliver. I want family. The whole thing you have. The good, the bad, I see it all, and I know what I want. I see you with your husbands, and I want that so badly."
 
"But you's like Donovan."
 
"Yeah, I can't see myself ever marrying with what I see coming now."
 
"Marry anyway."
 
"Really? Do you see what I see?"
 
"Most likely in bits and pieces, just like you sees. Marry anyway. Don't make the mistake Donovan made. He thoughts he could never love because he would die and it would hurt the ones he loved."
 
"He's right, you know."
 
"We all gots reasons to hurt, Marcus," Oliver said looking up to the sky. "Missing a loved one is a hurt like no other, but it only comes because we loved deep enough to miss the one not there."
 
"And that love is worth the pain?"
 
"Yeah, Martin and Will taught me that. We cant's turn from love because of what we fear it will do to us or the ones we love. We gots to grab it and hold on to it."
 
Marcus grabbed the badger and rolled out onto the wet grass. "So, how about we start now with me holding you?"
 
Oliver smiled. "Sounds good to me. What was awful is over, Marcus. We gots done what had to be done. It ain't gonna be easy for you going forward. But we gots this moment when the universe ain't pressing at your door. What say we gets our badger bodies all hot and bothered again and go at it until we's spent?"
 
Marcus smiled. "Well, I'm already hard, so that's pretty much the only option for me."
 
Oliver looked at the badger above him. "You's one seriously horny critter, ain't you?"
 
"I'm making up for lost time, Oliver," Marcus said with a grin. "And you're so damn cute."
 
Oliver laughed, looking up into the eyes that perfectly matched his. "Yeah, I guess I is. Come on and kiss me, Marcus," he said, pulling the badger to his mouth. "We only gots fourteen hours before the family will be coming to pick us up."
 
"That's okay," Marcus said with a smile. "Badgers can go at it for hours."
 
The sun was rising over the two badgers cuddling in the grass before they separated. Their bodies were matted with sweat as much as rain. Marcus kissed Oliver. "Thank you, Oliver. Thank you for this time together."
 
"I'se sorry I gave you the Sight."
 
"It was going to happen by whatever means necessary. I can see that now. It means a great deal to me that it was you. I've learned so much about how to deal with it from your history."
 
"Both good and bad, I suspect."
 
"That's true. But I'm grateful for both. Sometimes the way to avoid problems is to see what they look like in others' lives."
 
"Then I'll try not to be upset with my life if it helps you."
 
"You don't realize how much so, Oliver. Your whole family is a wonder."
 
"They's your family, too."
 
Marcus smiled and squeezed Oliver's hand more tightly. "I hope I'm as good at being family as you six… or eight. I guess it depends on which family I'm talking about."
 
Oliver laughed. "Yeah, we's confusing, that's for sure. But I thinks you's primarily concerned about my four husbands who is married to the old wolf."
 
"You're a part of both families, Oliver. But William is the one I find most confusing."
 
"You knows I sees it, don't you?"
 
"Yeah, I am sorry. But I'm your family, I promise I will be there when you need me."
 
"And we will be there to fight by your side."
 
Marcus turned and looked into the eyes of the badger. "You see that much?"
 
Oliver waved his hands. "Form feet and legs. Form arms and torso."
 
Marcus nodded. "And you form the head."
 
Oliver looked at the other badger. "No, Marcus. I can't do that. I figured the head was gonna be Kris or Eric. They's the smart ones."
 
"No, Eric and Kris form the feet and legs. They are your foundation. Will and Donovan form the arms and torso. They're the warriors who defend. You and Derrick. You two form the head." 
 
"The pup and me?"
 
"Don't look so surprised. Who was it who helped you find peace with your human side after so many years? Who was it who held your hand when the world was on the brink of ending? No other husband loves you the way Derrick does. You even told him all those years ago that you were your husbands' protectors. You're the guards who defend and watch over the family." 
 
Marcus looked up in thought. "I believe the exact words were ''Cause we don't enter into nothin' without thinking first.' You told the pup it was because it was his nature to watch and figure, and you because you were afraid of ever becoming the awful again. Remember Oliver? It was you who told him, 'you's the best of us, Pup. You's got the kindest heart. It ain't fair, but they's asking you to help me keep our husbands in line.'"
 
Oliver glared at the other badger. "I hates the Sight," Oliver said bitterly. "Don't likes hearing my words coming back at me from my own mouth."
 
"I'm sorry. That was insensitive of me," Marcus apologized. Marcus pulled his hand away from the badger. "I don't think this discussion will go any better as a wolf, but at least you won't think I'm making fun of you if I say something you've said in the past."
 
"I didn't think that in the first place, Marcus. You'se just fine being a badger. I just hates that the Sight makes us see so much that we don'ts want to even know. I hates that we sees our past come back so many times. I hates that we sees so many futures and has to pick one we thinks will work."
 
"I wish it were different, Oliver. But there are so few out there that can do what your family does. And even if you don't want to think about it, you and Derrick will one day be the head of that body you see. The head holds the memories. It will be up to you to do that."
 
"Ain't gonna be no damn robot. Stupid-ass cartoon."
 
"It's just a metaphor."
 
"Fancy words, Marcus."
 
The badger's twin leaned in and kissed Oliver. "Sorry, Oliver. It's just a symbol. You will never be inside a robot, nor any of your family. But there are reasons our modern mythology is full of robots and beings that turn color to show their gifted powers. There are reasons the stories tell of humans bonding with extraterrestrials to gain their newfound powers. And there are reasons why, in the middle of a crisis, those stories tell of how the humans and aliens forge their powers together as one through a central leader. And you, my handsome badger, are married to seven of those reasons."
 
"You'se saying that them damn robots is Changelings and beasts?"
 
"They're the legend of the Changelings retold by beasts for a human audience. There have always been beasts that are so bonded to the human world that they continually try to unite us through the stories they tell. Children's stories of protectors of our world who manifest in colors are just one attempt to make young minds comfortable with the idea that they might one day meet such a being. Teaching them we can work together to protect the innocent, using powers wisely instead of squandering them on warring among ourselves, they wrap all that inside those stories."
 
"Ain't workin' all that well."
 
"Baby steps, Oliver. Just chipping away at the blindness inherent in humans and fortified by your Kodiak bear husband."
 
"So we ain't gonna be inside no damn robot, or them stupid outfits them kids wear battling rubber monsters?"
 
 "No," Marcus replied with a laugh. "But your family will grow closer together over the centuries. One day you will act as one in a way that goes even beyond what you've already done. But it doesn't matter to me. You already amaze me."
 
"I don'ts see all that you sees, Marcus," Oliver said sadly. "Is there ever a day when we is gonna get to stand down? Is there ever a day when the universe tells us we's done enough?"
 
"I promise that day will come, Oliver."
 
"Is we gonna be dead when it happens?"
 
"You're going to be together. Life and death have such a narrow definition for us on this planet. There are so many ways of living that you and I don't even know of." Marcus looked at his badger body and smiled. "Oliver, I just realized something. We've been here the better part of a day, and I'm still a badger."
 
Oliver looked at his twin. "That's right. You ain't changed once. And we's been apart that whole time we was staring at the stars and talking. And you'se still a badger now." 
 
The badger remained. "Oliver I'm not changing."
 
"Tries to, Marcus," Oliver encouraged. "Tries to become the wolf." Marcus closed his eyes and with a simple shake became Will's twin. The grin on Marcus's face spread wide. With another shake, he was the badger again. Oliver smiled at the badger. "You'se learned what you needed to learn from all that shifting, Marcus. You'se your own self now. You makes the choice of what you'se gonna be."
 
The badger in front of Oliver frowned. "What if what I'm going to be is more than I think I'm capable of becoming?"
 
"That's why you'se been fighting it all along, ain't it, Marcus? That's why your body has been turning you into everyone else. You wants to be anything or anyone but what you is becoming."
 
"It's only taken me thirty-seven years to figure that out, huh?"
 
"Seen worse. Took me hundreds of years before I figured it out," Oliver said with a grin.
 
"I'll miss the old me," Marcus said with a sigh. "His life was simpler."
 
"Yeah, it was," Oliver agreed. "But that damn universe out there is gonna push on us whether we wants it to or not."
 
"Oliver, is it the right thing to do? I know you didn't have a choice, but I do. If you could choose, would you say yes to that power resting on your shoulders?"
 
"I hates the power, Marcus," Oliver replied. "But I loves my family. The power I gots protects my family. It saved the humans. I can'ts be who I is for my family without accepting the very thing I hates."
 
"Then, yes?"
 
"Yes, Marcus. If I had the choice, I would say yes. I would still hates every minute it were inside me, but I would say yes."
 
"That's why I'm here with you instead of any other member of the family, isn't it, Oliver?" Marcus said as he shifted into his human form.
 
"That's why you is here. I'se the one you'se afraid of becoming most of all," Oliver said with a nod. "I'se the beast that fights the awful and don't never stand down. I'se the beast that will take whatever that damn universe says I gots to take to protect my family and I don't flinch. ‘Cause it ain't easy for a badger to find family and when it does, it's got claws, and it holds on tight to that family."
 
 "And me, Oliver? What am I?"
 
"You'se you, Marcus. You'se the most wonderful thing that was ever born, ‘cause you can be whatever it is you needs to be."
 
"Even what I don't want to be?"
 
"Yeah, that's the peculiar part of it all, ain't it? We both is becoming what we never wanted to be because we wants to protects the only thing we ever wanted to be. You gots a family now, Marcus. It's what you always dreamed of having, but it don't come without a terrible high price for the likes of us."
 
Marcus frowned. "I guess that's what you meant when you said I wouldn't be able to control this body until I realized what it was trying to teach me."
 
"Sometimes it just sucks to be us, Marcus," Oliver said with a halfhearted smile.
 
Marcus rocked uncomfortably, rubbing his human chest. "I won't get to keep this body, it appears." 
 
"Yeah, some things we gots to lets go of to hold on to what we truly loves."
 
"The family is waking up," Marcus said, looking up into the morning sky. "It's not even daylight there, and they're already anxious about how this turned out. I don't think they're going to wait until this evening to come back here."
 
"Go sez your goodbyes, Marcus. He ain't never going to get to see you again."
 
"You have something that will fit me over at the Museum House?"
 
"Yeah, you can grab some of my stuff. I ain't much taller than you as a human. Stays away from my buckskins. They's not much, but they is full of memories."
 
"I don't want to do this, Oliver," Marcus said with pleading eyes, trying to find another way.
 
"And we does it nonetheless. 'Cause we gots no choice. We can'ts never turn our back on family. You knows that now. You knows how it tears you apart, Marcus. But we both knows what you gots to do. Just know that there's a badger that loves you and understands."
 
"Will that be enough to get me through?" Marcus said as he hugged the badger.
 
"Nah. That's why you gots the rest of your family. And one day you and that wolf you love will be together, and this will all make sense."
 
"William?"
 
"You know he ain't the one, Marcus. Only one wolf you didn't turn from being. You loves Will, but you is in love with the boy."
 
"Kendal?"
 
"Yep," Oliver replied. He pointed toward the bay. "But for now, you gots your goodbyes to say, and that Red Wolf is gonna fly back here as soon as they's had breakfast." With a gentle nudge, Oliver pushed Marcus toward the path leading back to the museum house.
  
Chapter 41
 
The old man looked up from his seat on a large piece of driftwood and tried to make out who was walking toward him. His eyes lit up when he realized who it was. "Marcus!" Matthew yelled with a wave. Marcus crossed the beach and the two men hugged. Matthew pushed the other human back and stared at him. "You didn't change."
 
"Seems we've found the reason for the changing," the corpulent Middle Eastern man replied. "I've come to say goodbye."
 
"You're leaving the island?" Matthew asked. 
 
"For a time. I'm returning to the highland. This is the last time I'll be Marcus the human."
 
Matthew's face looked confused. "Like Li Wei? You going full-on beast?"
 
"Yeah, like Li Wei. Part of what I have to become to protect my family requires that I give up my ability to change for a time. I have obligations on the horizon, and being more than one beast will confuse everyone involved."
 
"That's got to be tough. You have so many options to choose from."
 
"I'm pretty sure it will be easier once I totally commit to the idea."
 
"Are you still struggling with whatever it is you're going to do?"
 
Marcus sighed. "You know me, Matthew. I have commitment issues."
 
"You've never had them taking care of the children at New Home. Maybe it's time you realized your family and those kids are one and the same. They need you. You need to step up and do what you think is right."
 
Marcus nodded. "It's just that the future seems to have a lot more gray in it than working with the kids ever did."
 
"Well then, it's lucky that you have the family you do, isn't it?" Matthew said with a chuckle.
 
"Yeah, it is," Marcus said with a nod. "And that includes you, Matthew."
 
"Ah, that's kind of you to say, but I'm not family so much as a drunk you took home one day."
 
"That's just it, Matthew. Everyone, including you, thinks I brought you home. I see it the other way around. You and Jason brought me home. The two of you gave me something to pay attention to that was bigger than my fear. Jason made me realize what I had turned my back on was still waiting for me. You were what I needed in my life to turn it around. In doing what you did, you helped me back home."
 
Matthew smiled. "I guess we both helped each other out. Maybe that does make us family."
 
"I hope you think so. It would mean a great deal to me."
 
Matthew looked out across the ocean. "You going anywhere in particular after the highland?"
 
"Off planet."
 
Matthew shrugged nonchalantly. "Big change indeed."
 
"You don't seem all that shocked."
 
Matthew grinned. "I live with two werewolves. I play chess with a big yellow dog. My therapist is a Chow. I have a badger friend that has an extinct bear and a saber-toothed cat for husbands. And those are just the husbands on this island. I'm losing count of the others he has stashed away around this planet. I've got a bromance going on with a fox, and now, I apparently have a family member who's becoming an astronaut. Not that big a leap, Marcus."
 
"It is for me," Marcus said quietly. He looked out on the ocean, watching the waves roll in. "It is for me." 
 
Matthew extended his arms. "Come, give me a hug. You have quite a few big trips ahead of you, it would seem." Marcus hugged Matthew and when the hug released, Matthew smiled. "How about a kiss goodbye?"
 
"Are Clifford and Nicholas finally convincing you to give that alternative lifestyle a try?" Marcus asked with a laugh.
 
"I'm still straight," Matthew said with a smile. "And if Oliver hasn't been able to convince me to turn after all these years, I'm sure not doing it now when I'm one hundred and eight years old." His arms reached out and pulled Marcus in. "But I've learned there are times when you let your preconceived notions of what is proper go for the sake of telling someone you love them. And if I'm saying goodbye to you, I want you to know just how much you mean in my life."
 
"And kissing says that?"
 
"You haven't seen how good I kiss," Matthew laughed. "Just kidding," he quickly corrected. "You try to slip me the tongue and it's all over." 
 
The two slipped into an embrace and kissed. When they separated, both were smiling. Matthew pointed out to the ocean in front of them. "I come here every morning. I know I don't have many more sunrises left, Marcus. Thank you for helping me find home. Thank you for giving me a reason to look out on this world and smile."
 
"Thank you, Matthew," Marcus said as he put his hand on the other's shoulder. "I have to go."
 
"So, how about just a peek? I promise I won't tell anyone else."
 
Marcus smiled. With a shake, he became the beast. With another shake, he stood in front of Matthew, a naked human surrounded by torn clothes.
 
"I forgot about the clothing ripping off part," Matthew said, staring at the chubby man Marcus became. "But it's a hell of a beast, Marcus. If I had to choose one, the man or the beast, I'd choose the beast. Go out there and do your family proud."
 
Marcus nodded. "I'll do my best."
 
"That's all we ever ask," Matthew said as he gave the pudgy, naked human a gentle push toward the houses that dotted the beach toward the north. "Come on, Handsome. I'll walk you back to my place. I probably have something you can put on until your family returns." 
 
"I'm good," Marcus said as he shifted into the Iberian wolf. 
 
Matthew pulled up on Marcus's arm and grabbed his cane. The old man took a few faltering steps before he found his balance in the sand. "I should let you know it's going to be a long walk back home," he said with a grin. "I move like the Sixty-Billion Dollar Man; always in slow motion."
 
Marcus clung tightly to the other human's arm. "I love you, Matthew."
 
"And I love you, Marcus. Lucky us, huh?"
 
Marcus closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to block his visions. "Yeah, Matthew. Lucky us."
 
Chapter 41
 
Kendal kissed the Iberian wolf. "You know, I kind of miss all the changes," he said as he playfully toyed with Marcus's cock.
 
Marcus gave him a shove. "Don't say that. I've gone to all this trouble. The least you could do is pretend you like me being one wolf."
 
Kendal smiled. "I do, Hon. You know that. But I do have a suggestion."
 
"What's that?"
 
"Become your own wolf."
 
"Not the one I am now?" Marcus asked.
 
Kendal rolled over on top of the Iberian wolf and kissed him. He ground his hips into the other's groin seductively. "You do what you need to do. You've known what that is for a very long time. We're finding our own path, you and I. I'm happy with where we're going."
 
Marcus sighed. "Here comes the but."
 
"But you need to go to him, Marcus. You need to figure out what you two are going to be to each other. You don't find that out by avoiding him."
 
"I'm not avoiding him. It's just that he spends so much time in Montana and I'm on the highland training with Donovan and the dogs. Your visits to the highland are only on the weekends, and I really look forward to your visits."
 
"The dogs aren't prison wardens, Marcus. If you ask for time away, they will give it to you. Tell them you need to go to Montana."
 
"Why is it that everyone pushes me to figure out what it is between William and me?"
 
"Because you avoid conflict, and you see your feelings for Will as conflicted."
 
"Sometimes I hate that you're right about these sorts of things."
 
The Newfoundland wolf grinned as his grinding began again. "Get used to it, Wolf. I'm going to be a part of your life forever."
 
Marcus laughed. "Oh, you're so sure about that, are you?"
 
Kendal's face turned serious for just a moment. "Yes, I'm absolutely sure." His smile returned, and he lifted one leg of the wolf below him up onto his chest and pushed Marcus onto his side. "And not just because I'm the best sex you've ever had."
 
Marcus smiled at the wolf above him. "You're right about that, too."
 
"Sex is always better when you're crazy in love, Marcus."
 
"Is that what we are?"
 
Kendal moved his body into position and pushed his hardened cock into Marcus. Marcus gave a contented sigh as the Newfoundland wolf pushed deeper into him. "That's what we are," Kendal replied. "One day, you're going to be my mate, but not until you figure out what's going on with you and Will."
 
"What if William wants to mate with me?"
 
"I'm game," Kendal replied. "I don't mind sharing you if you don't."
 
"There's nothing I can do to keep you from forcing me into this meeting with William, is there?"
 
"Nope."
 
"You'll lose out on this weekend."
 
"I'll cope."
 
"I really, really don't want to do this, Kendal."
 
"And that's why you really, really have to, Hon." Kendal slowly pulled back and then pushed forward. "You just take it one…" another pull back and thrust, "step…" and another, "at…" another, "a…" another, "time."
 
"I'll go. Please, just don't stop."
 
Kendal smiled. "Oh, Wolf, I'm just getting started." He leaned into the wolf below him and began the pounding Marcus craved from the wolf he realized he was crazy in love with.
 
Chapter 42
 
As the Red Wolf approached the landing pad, Tiff turned around. "You all buckled up, Marcus?"
 
"Yep, this is getting to be a routine with me and the two of you."
 
"Well, we're glad to see you, no matter the reason. Are you going to stay long enough to play with the pack?"
 
"I'm not sure. I'm kind of here because of a promise I made to Kendal."
 
"Oh? Are you finally going to have that heart-to-heart with Will?"
 
Marcus snorted. "How is it everyone knows what I need to do but me?"
 
Tuff laughed. "That's the way it always is, Marcus. Everyone always thinks they know what we need to do better than we do."
 
Tiff nodded in agreement. "The trick is learning when to listen and when to ignore it all."
 
"I wish I had a knack for that."
 
"This family makes it pretty easy," Tuff responded. "We usually find it's best to listen. We've learned that over the years."
 
As he felt the landing gears lock into place, Marcus sighed. "Yeah, I'm learning the same thing."
 
"Don't let this frighten you, Marcus," Tuff said as he dropped the Red Wolf gently down onto the landing pad. "Our father is a good man. You two will find a place where you both belong. Just be open to the idea that it might be far different from what you thought it would be when you started all this."
 
Marcus unbuckled his harness. "I'm already so far beyond anything I imagined when I first said hello to William. I can't remember what it was I thought was going to happen."
 
"Did it involve finding love?"
 
Marcus chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it did."
 
"And did you find it?"
 
Marcus looked at the two pilots looking at him. "Yeah… yeah, I did. I see it in the face of everyone I have ever met in this family. I'm just trying to sort it all out."
 
"Father can help. Just ask him."
 
"You sure about that, you two?"
 
In tandem, the twins said, "he's our father. We have trusted him with our lives and never regretted our decision. He will not let you down, Marcus."
 
Marcus smiled. "I love hearing the two of you talk like that."
 
Tuff laughed. "Well, that makes one of you." He flipped a switch and the passenger door opened. "Well, see you later tonight at dinner, right?"
 
"I hope so. Is casual dress okay?" Marcus said, trying to smile.
 
"What you have on will be just fine," Tiff replied. Marcus got up and walked to the door. He looked out onto the Montana prairie and watched as the herds of bison moved slowly toward the river far off below the plateau. He felt the arm of a red wolf wrap around him. "Who you are will also be just fine, Marcus. Don't worry."
 
"I can't help it," Marcus said, stepping out into the sun. "It's who I am." He looked down at the bottom of the ramp and straight into the smiling face of the Iberian wolf. "Hello, William. It's good to see you."
 
"It's good to see you, Marcus. Kendal finally convinced you to visit?"
 
"Really, you too?" Marcus said as he walked down the ramp. "Do you have some sort of link?"
 
"Actually, yes. We're both in love with you, Marcus. It means we care about what you're feeling. And we both sense you're not happy with where you're at."
 
Marcus shook his head. "It's not that I'm not happy. I'm just confused. I thought loving the two of you would be easy. You make it seem so easy to love multiple partners, William."
 
"It is for me, Marcus. That doesn't mean it will be for you. I think you're going to find that you give your heart to one mate at a time."
 
"Monogamy? After what your family has done with me? You really think I'm going to be monogamous?"
 
"They're not my family, Marcus. They're our family. Don't forget that. And there are levels of monogamy. I know you're going to reach out and be with other beasts. That's the nature of beasts. But Kendal is something special to you. He's what you were dreaming of when you thought you would marry a quiet man with two pugs."
 
"But what about you, William? Where do you fit in?"
 
"I'm a guy who loves you enough to realize where your heart has landed. The important part for me is to help you realize it." 
 
"I guess I already have," Marcus said as he looked out at the sprawling ranch house. "Have we got somewhere where we can talk that's a bit more private?" he asked the old wolf.
 
"Sure," Will said as he took his twin's paw. "Let's go get a truck and head out to one of the range yurts. If it gets too late, we can even stay the night together until we sort this all out."
 
Soon, the two were on the far side of the sloping plateau overlooking the plains where the bison were drinking at a watering hole. The sun was slowly setting behind the mountains in the distance. "It's beautiful, William," Marcus said. 
 
"I love coming here," Will replied. "I can be myself. Quiet, noisy, calm, crazy; it doesn't matter. It accepts me the way I am, and it doesn't change. For hundreds of years, I have watched the seasons come and go here, and still, it stays."
 
"One day it will all erode away, you know," Marcus said. 
 
"Yeah, I do," Will replied. "But that's the beauty of it. It's always changing, but it's so gentle that it gives me time to adjust. Few things in our lives do that, Marcus."
 
"I'm afraid of the changes coming."
 
"I know. But you will meet those challenges and you will make it through them."
 
"Are you so sure?"
 
The old wolf nodded. "I'm sure. Otherwise, all the challenges that come after those will just squash you like a bug."
 
Marcus snorted a laugh. "God, you are so encouraging."
 
"I never lie, Marcus. Sometimes it helps to hear the truth. But what I said didn't mention that your family will be beside you when those challenges come. You won't be alone. That's why I know you'll be fine."
 
"Eventually?" Marcus asked.
 
"Eventually," Will replied. "I can't promise it's always going to leave you or us all that happy in the interim."
 
Marcus pushed against the dry dirt at his feet. "It's just that I've always tried to find a solution that leaves everyone happy for so long. It's not easy admitting to myself it might not always work out that way in the future."
 
"Welcome to the real world, Marcus."
 
"I'm in love with two werewolves. Two Santas have fucked me in more ways than I ever fantasized about, and I fantasized about that a lot as a kid. I finally stopped changing into a different animal every time I touch someone by having an all-night sex marathon with a badger. William, my world is anything but the real world."
 
Will laughed. "Yeah, that is true. Our real world is pretty unreal, but those are just details. What's important is what's behind all those details. You love Kendal. He's crazy in love with you…"
 
"Those were the exact words he used," Marcus interrupted. 
 
"Boy knows what he knows," Will said. "I love you, Marcus. I always will. But I'm realistic enough to know that you need to finish what we're just starting here."
 
"Are we saying goodbye, William?"
 
"No, Marcus. You and I aren't saying goodbye. Changes are coming. You're learning who it is you really are. And when that moment comes, you're going to need to have your family around you. I will never leave your side. When you told us you were our family, you accepted a bond that we will not break. One day you'll find yourself, and when you do, you need to realize you won't be alone. You'll never be alone."
 
"You see it?"
 
"I see something. Don't know what the hell it is, but I see it."
 
"Oliver gave me his Sight. I see a lot."
 
"Oh god, Marcus, I'm sorry. What I have isn't even a fraction of what that badger has."
 
"I know. I have your Sight, too, William, remember?"
 
The old wolf shook his head. "Fuck, Marcus. I don't know what to say. Telling you I'm sorry doesn't seem adequate."
 
"My changing hasn't stopped, William. I'm still becoming everyone I touch. I can control my outward appearance because I'm accepting the changes, but they're still taking place anytime I touch another person. You know how your family has always said the Sight was like a puzzle? Each of you had a part of it so that when you were together, it started making sense?"
 
"Yeah, I remember."
 
"I see more of that picture than any of you. It's probably the reason I've never played with Martin. I look at him when he walks by and I think, ‘oh, Cat, if it weren't for what's inside you, I would so love to play with what's on the outside.'" Marcus sighed. "And Chipo and Anders… damn, William. The whole yellow clan is like a walking wet dream."
 
Will laughed. "Why, you horny little devil, you. Marcus, I'm shocked."
 
"That I'm just like my family?"
 
"Yeah," Will said as he reached out and hugged his twin. "Don't be afraid of them, Marcus. Of all the clans, they gifted the yellow clan with the ability to discern the truth and make wise choices. The Unity may have compartmentalized their powers, but there is something to be said about making sure you understand the yellow clan most of all. They are the key to all the other powers being used properly."
 
Marcus nodded his understanding. "I think it's going to be Martin if he will let me be with him. The Sight keeps pushing me to be with the one who created a compass for life from what drives others insane."
 
"Then when you go back to the island, take Kendal over and spend some time with Martin and Nathaniel. He's a good man, Marcus. I can't help but think there are things Martin's Sight can teach you. His Sight is unique to him, and I think you're beyond a place where you can fight the change. I think you're in a place where you have to embrace it or you'll actually make your life more complicated than it already is."
 
"I think the same thing. Trying to accept what is happening isn't easy. I'm trying to understand it, but is it unreasonable to say it scares the hell out of me?"
 
"Nope, that seems a reasonable appraisal of the situation."
 
"Why me, William?"
 
"Because you're the only one who can make that leap."
 
"Even if I don't want to?"
 
"I'm afraid so," the old wolf said. "Oliver is right, Marcus. We do whatever we have to do to protect our family."
 
"He calls it the needful."
 
"So do the temple dogs. They do what is needful. And now that you've said you are our family, the universe is coming at you the same way it does all of us." Will sat down on the dry earth and patted the spot next to him. "Do you have all the powers, Marcus?"
 
Marcus sat next to the old wolf. "No, I'm the same old Marcus you've always known. I don't know why, but I've yet to absorb any actual powers other than the Sight. I guess you could say I have book smarts. My body taught me everything about the men who have the powers without ever transferring them to me. I'm still just Marcus sitting in his apartment learning everything from a screen without ever actually putting it into use. 
 
"I have a great understanding of most of the powers. I understand the channeling of them as well as Oliver, but what Donovan knows..." Marcus paused a moment in thought, "… that still hasn't happened. Perhaps it's because I've only been with him as a dog or a bear. He's never actually been with me as his own avatar. But I know that day is coming. One day I won't be just learning about the powers. I'm going to have to learn how to fuse them together into one."
 
"Beyond what Donovan does?"
 
Marcus nodded. "Way… way beyond what Donovan does."
 
"I will get tired of saying I'm sorry, you know," Will said with a sigh.
 
"It's who I'm becoming, William. Don't tell me you're sorry. Tell me you'll be there for whatever comes."
 
"You know I will, Marcus."
 
"Then that's good enough for me. I will be there for you, too, William." 
 
"I'm glad to hear that. Although, it would be nice if you never had to use any of those powers."
 
"I don't think that's in the cards, William. I'm struggling with what is left for me to do. Two powers of the Unity remain a mystery to me. The yellow clan; because I have never been with one of them. And the red clan; the warrior class; I never learned a thing about the power of the man who brought me into this world."
 
"Because I don't want you to know about it."
 
"You can block what no one else can?"
 
"Yeah, I can. Oliver hasn't got a thing on me when it comes to burying things deep and keeping them hidden. I will do whatever it is I need to protect my family, Marcus. You're my family. I don't want you to understand what is inside of me. That understanding will force you to use it one day."
 
"You know I have to learn about the power, William. Your family helped me look at who I am and what I'm becoming. I may not like what I see, and I'm still scared by the thought, but if you really are asking me to step up and become this…"
 
"Maybe I'm like you, Marcus. I think if I turn away from it long enough, you won't have to become anything but the wolf I love. Maybe it will be enough for you to just settle down and love a lighthouse keeper and have a few family members who visit you now and then with the sole intent of banging each other's brains out." Will stared out on the plains. "Maybe I want for you the life my family has never had."
 
"We both know that's not going to happen."
 
"So, we've all been so good about telling you what you have to do…" the wolf said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "Tell me what I have to do."
 
"Bed me, William. Lay with me right here in the dirt and take me. And when this body of mine asks, let it learn what it must from you."
 
"I don't want to do that, Marcus."
 
"But you will, because you have the Sight. And it tells you what you have to do to protect your family."
 
"I hate the fucking Sight," the old wolf growled angrily.
 
"But I love the wolf with the Sight," Marcus replied.
 
"And I love the wolf with the Sight, too," Will said.
 
"It will come to me one way or another, William. Please let it be at the hand of someone I love."
 
Will sighed and rose. He extended his hand to the Iberian wolf below him. "Let's go to the yurt. If you're going to ask this much of me, at least let's be comfortable."
 
"What about our family?" Marcus asked. "They're expecting us for dinner."
 
"They know we won't be there tonight. They always know when my heart is breaking."
 
"I'm sorry, William."
 
"Self-inflicted wounds, Marcus. I knew this day was coming from the first day I kissed you."
 
"And you still let it happen?"
 
"And still I let it happen."
 
"Why, William? Why?"
 
"Because I kissed you. And loving you was worth whatever it cost."
 
Marcus hugged the old wolf tightly. "I love you, William Gentry. Now and forever."
 
"Now and forever," Will repeated. The two turned back toward the yurt and began their walk.
 
An hour later, inside the ranch house, the five husbands sat around the kitchen table trying to convince the others they were eating dinner. "It's begun," Derrick said, wiping back his tears.
 
"Ain't no turning back, now," Oliver said sadly. "Ain't right for a wolf to have to give what he hates to another… not by laying in a bed and loving on him. It ain't right."
 
"Was it any easier for you?" Eric asked.
 
"No, Old Bear. It weren't no easier. That's why I know it ain't right."
 
Half a continent away, Martin jolted from his bed. "No!" he cried out, with tears streaming down his face. Nathaniel rolled over. "What's wrong, Babe?"
 
All Martin could do was shake his head. "It's not right," he finally whispered. "It's not right."
 
Chapter 43

Marcus sat by the side of the bed, staring at the red glow slowly fading from his body. "Don't worry, William. It's a vestigial memory. The power isn't really there, just sort of a ghost image fading away."
 
"I'm sorry, Marcus," Will said. 
 
"I am too, William," Marcus replied. "I have never wanted us to be together when you weren't happy to be with me."
 
"I am still happy to be with you, Marcus. I will always be happy to be with you."
 
"But it's not been easy for you. I know you're not pleased with what has happened."
 
"No," Will agreed. "But I still love the man I'm sharing this bed with."
 
Marcus turned around and smiled at the old wolf. "Take me, William. Let's not think about these last few hours. Can we just start all over and this time be the lovers we dreamed of being?"
 
Will smiled. "Yeah… yeah, I think we can do that," he answered. "In fact, I would really like that." Will leaned in and kissed the wolf, letting his paw run up along the other wolf's thigh. The Sight pushed forward in his mind and Will saw the bright, exploding light. He pushed back involuntarily. 
 
Marcus smiled. "You're stronger than that, William," he said. "Tell it to go fuck itself the way Oliver does. I know you have it in you to stay here in the moment with me. I felt you block it when it tried to dig through your memories. You have more control of the Sight than any man I know."
 
Will smiled back. "I'm sorry. Just a bit of a slip there. I get easily distracted by you, Marcus. The temple dogs tried to teach me to stay in the moment the same as they did for you. But I got too distracted by them as well. I would feel bad about never learning the lessons they try to teach me, were it not for the fact that it feels so good where I go instead."
 
"Then go to that place, William. That works for me," Marcus said as he leaned in for another kiss. "So, I'm thinking two bottoms like us are complicating matters."
 
"Well, you are me, it's tough to have a workaround for that, and I'm sure as hell not grabbing a double-headed dildo and trying to call that good."
 
"I have an idea," Marcus said. "I was saving this as a surprise for the whole family, but I'm thinking the two of us could use a bit of help tonight."
 
"No dildos, right?"
 
"No dildos," Marcus laughed. Marcus gave himself a strong shake, and a new wolf appeared.
 
Will smiled at the change. "You're still a gray wolf. Bit of a jumble, it would seem, but it looks nice on you."
 
Marcus looked down and rubbed his hands over his chest. "Well, I realize Oliver doesn't like squids, so this was my fallback choice." Marcus gave Will a gentle smile. "The men I love are both gray wolves, William. What would I be if not a gray wolf? "
 
"I still think it looks nice," Will said as he reached out and hugged Marcus. His paws moved along the back as he gently rubbed the newborn wolf. "You opted for wings, I see."
 
"Yeah, JP told me you like them, and, well, I like their family. I figure it won't hurt to have one more winged beast in the family. At least for a time. I'm pretty sure changes are coming in the future that will alter this look."
 
"They'll appreciate it. And it will be nice to have a wolf represented in the winged ones." Will rubbed the ridges. "Well, let's see them," Will said, pushing back.
 
The dusty brown wings unfurled, full of the same patterns as Marcus's fur. "I kind of went with a different fur pattern. Overall, it's like Donovan's Armbruster's wolf with lots of spots along the side and hind legs. There's russet on the legs to remind me of Kris; a smattering of red along the rib cage to honor Tiff and Tuff. My tail has a white tip to remind me of Jason. The belly and under my neck are white to remind me of Eric. The two black stripes on top of my head and down my back remind me of Oliver." Marcus tousled the hair on the top of his head. "I know it's not even vaguely historical, but I think it's kind of fun. Now Oliver can be a skunk bear and have a skunk dog that loves him." 
 
Marcus's arms moved about the body, trying to make sure he pointed out all the differences between his fur and Will's. "OH… and lots of gold. Gold everywhere. I can't forget my senseis."
 
"I love the blue eyes."
 
"I love the black wolf who taught me to see this world from a kinder perspective."
 
"And what part of you is Kendal?" Will asked.
 
Marcus smiled and tapped his chest. "That's in here, William. Kendal is right here in my heart."
 
Will nodded. "That's good to hear. That's where he belongs." Will took a deep breath. "You look beautiful, Marcus. Your family will be honored by your choices."
 
"And I'm pretty sure I'm a top. It's all about being what my family needs."
 
"Even better. Shall we give your new look a trial run and find out just how well you top an old wolf?"
 
"I think that would be a great idea." 
 
Marcus leaned in and once more kissed the Iberian wolf. "You feel nice," Will said between kisses. "It's like meeting you all over again."
 
"Do we need to worry about your husbands?"
 
"Nope. They're already snuggled up in the master bedroom."
 
"And your broken heart?"
 
"It's healing, Marcus. It always heals."
 
"Then we're not encumbered in any fashion for the next few days?"
 
"I'm calling Kendal in the morning," Will replied. 
 
"Why?"
 
"So the three of us can set our relationships straight. You two both need to know I stand by the choices you're making. I am thrilled to see that look in your eyes when I mention his name. I don't want you two to ever hold back."
 
 "Kendal told me that the first time we met."
 
"Kendal is an amazing werewolf, Marcus. You two become what you were meant to become. Don't let your feelings for me get in the way."
 
"How do I do that? Do you have any idea how confused I am by the way I feel about you?"
 
Will nodded and smiled. "Yeah, I do. But as you said, stay in the moment where you love me, and don't worry about trying to put a label on it. Let it be enough that we have something amazing." Will grabbed the winged wolf and rolled over onto his back. As he rolled, he easily placed his legs on the other wolf's shoulders. "Take me, Marcus. This is who we are. We're lovers who will find a way through this by letting what comes come. If we don't fight it, if we just love our way through it, one day we'll be exactly who we were always meant to be."
 
"Lovers… we're lovers?"
 
"Haven't we always been?"
 
Marcus smiled as he pushed himself forward, his swollen cock searching for the willing hole he knew he would find. "And it doesn't bother you that Kendal might mate me one day?"
 
"Not a bit. I'm easy."
 
Marcus pushed deep inside the Iberian wolf. "Oh, I know you are. That's just one of the reasons I love you." The two found their rhythm quickly and soon lost themselves in the moment they wanted so desperately to capture.
 
In the ranch's master bedroom, the husbands rearranged themselves a bit as Oliver began wiggling free from the black wolf's arms wrapped around him. "They's finding their place," he said happily. "They's gonna stay together. Ain't like biting their necks staying together, but it's gonna be closer than most."
 
Derrick reached out. "That's good to hear, Badger. Come back to bed."
 
"What's I gonna do with my boner? Marcus is sexing the old wolf, and if I don'ts do something, I'se gonna be seeing them all night. Ain't no way I'm sleeping through that."
 
Kris rolled over the top of the black wolf and grabbed Oliver. "Come on, Badger. Let's see what our two boners can do together."
 
Oliver smiled. "I loves you, Husband."
 
The polar bear rolled on his back. His thick, black cock slapped up against his belly. "And the two of you can watch me take the pup. Oliver told me if I don't take care of this thing, it can cause all manner of complications."
 
"I seen it on the Internets."
 
"Well, then it has to be true," the white bear said with a laugh. He took the black wolf in his arms and pressed him close. The jaws of the polar bear opened and bit into the shoulder of the black wolf. The sigh of the wolf told the bear what he needed to know. With one smooth motion, he rolled the wolf onto his stomach and penetrated him.
 
Oliver stared at the two as the white bear on top began his thrusting. "Damn, they is such a fine couple."
 
"Bottom or top, Badger?" the Kodiak asked. "We can't be watching those two without giving them something to look at in return."
 
Oliver shifted, becoming the werebadger. "I'se thinking feeling you inside me would do me right fine for driving out what the old wolf is doing inside my head."
 
Kris rolled over on his back, grabbed Oliver, and rested the werebadger on his ample belly. "Take it at your own pace then, Badger."
 
Oliver pushed up and grabbed the Kodiak's hard-on in his hand, guiding it inside himself until he felt his body resting again on the bear's belly. "This is a fine place to be, Bear. What's been such a sad night is finally happy again."
 
The polar bear looked over at the badger that was wiggling himself into a position that took full advantage of the brown bear's girth. "It's the way of our family, Oliver," Eric said. "We work through the bad so that we can find the good."
 
"It's taken me years to realize it, but it's what makes us family," Donovan said as he slipped off the bed and knelt, waving his cock seductively in front of the black wolf. Derrick needed no more encouragement than that to take the shaft into his mouth.
 
Oliver smiled as he watched the threesome find a rhythm that allowed both Changelings to thrust their bodies into the happy pup below them. "We's the most fucked up family in the world," the badger said, laughing, "but we is something special."
 
"Universe," the black wolf mumbled correctively. "We're the most fucked up family in the universe."
 
Oliver laughed as he bounced up and down on the shaft inside him. "You'se right, Pup. We's the most fucked up family in the universe."
 
The Sight pushed itself forward into the badger's mind, and the universe began unfolding. Oliver shut his eyes tightly. "Not tonight, you don'ts," he said as he pushed back. "We's here, and we's staying here, and you ain't invited."
 
Oliver felt the warm paws of the Kodiak reach out to steady him. "Tell the Sight to go fuck itself, Oliver; because tonight I'm fucking you, and I'm not sharing."
 
Oliver smiled. "I done that already, Bear. You gots me all to yourself tonight."
 
"I would like to take issue with that statement," the white bear interjected. "I intend to have you before this night is done, Oliver."
 
"Nope, Old Bear," Oliver replied. "You ain't having me until morning. I'se using this bear to pleasure my butt tonight. We ain't gonna be done ‘till long past daybreak."
 
The polar bear gave a casual nod of acceptance. "Fair enough. Tomorrow morning it is."
 
"Which is only a few more hours away, Papa Bear," the black wolf said, feeling the thrusts deep inside him. "So, I suggest you keep up your pace, or by morning, I won't be ready to let you go." The family laughed, and the conversation ebbed as the physicality of their unions grew. 
 
Out on the edge of the plateau, the two wolves curled up together inside their yurt, happy to have found a place for each other that allowed them to stay together and grow toward where they knew one day they would be. The winged wolf began glowing, first red, then blue, then green. When the white flowed over him, the light faded back into the wolf. Marcus sighed. "It's pushing me to learn the last lesson of the Changeling powers."
 
"You're going to have to spend some time with Martin," Will said sadly. 
 
"I know. He knows," Marcus responded. "But tonight, I discovered a way to make it less painful for both of us. I'm learning how to stay in the moment that has the good." He felt the wolf behind him pull him in tighter and smiled.
 
"Get some, rest, Marcus," the old wolf encouraged. "You have a long day with Martin tomorrow."
 
The winged wolf sighed. "I've never heard of this word ‘tomorrow'. What does it mean, and how could it possibly affect the way we feel right now if it's not here?"
 
"Thanks for the reminder, Lover," Will said as he kissed the neck of the wolf. "I'm back. I'm here. All we have is now." 
 
Marcus rolled over and kissed the old wolf. "And right now, I have a craving to be big spoon," he said as he rolled Will over on his other side. 
 
The old wolf gave a joyful bark when Marcus penetrated him. The large wing of the wolf unfurled and wrapped around Will. "Are you going to stay in there all night?" Will asked.
 
"I think it's time I returned the favor for you doing it all those years ago, don't you?"
 
"Oh, yeah… I'm good with that idea," Will responded. In the quiet of the night, both adjusted to the simple pleasures of being joined together. Will cocked his head back. "Am I going to wake up with wings?"
 
Marcus shook the old wolf. "No… you're not going to wake up with wings."
 
"Damn," the old wolf mumbled, and closed his eyes. "I was hoping you were going to say yes." 
 
Chapter 44
  
Two days later, the midday sun was shining through the museum apartment windows when the father bears and two of their wolf husbands stumbled through the side door and into the kitchen. Will looked up from the grill and smiled at the disheveled group. "Somehow I knew you four would look like that by the time you got here," he said with a grin.
 
"It was another long night," the polar bear said drowsily. "And as nicely fitted for big beasts as some of the gunnery apartments are, they're still not home in our bed."
 
Will nodded in agreement. "Pardon me for choosing separate sleeping arrangements last night."
 
"How is Kendal?"
 
"He's fine. We muddled through the night, doing our best to distract each other. He'll be here as soon as he's seen to his chores."
 
"Well, the night is over, and our family seems to be intact," the polar bear said. "We have come in search of breakfast." He looked over at the kitchen island where three beasts sat on stools. "Good morning, Marcus, Sons. I hope you slept well."
 
Marcus smiled. "Thanks, Eric. I've had better nights, but I had family to get me through it. Martin is amazing."
 
"I agree," the polar bear said as he leaned in and kissed the saber-toothed cat and then the short-faced bear. 
 
"I'm making breakfast for the family," Will said to the white bear. "I want to get you all fed before we have to go out into the world."
 
"None for me. Thank you, Old Wolf," Donovan said.
 
Will looked at the Armbruster's wolf. "Oh? I don't think I've ever seen you without an appetite."
 
"I lose my appetite under stressful conditions. We're returning to the highland tomorrow."
 
"We are?"
 
"Marcus, Eric, and I are returning," the wolf replied. "The rest of you are staying here." 
 
"We don't get a voice in this matter?" Will asked casually as he flipped a stack of pancakes onto a platter and placed them into the oven.
 
"No," the ancient wolf replied. "I am reluctant to have anyone but Marcus and me on the highland. We moved the dragons off the highland yesterday, but the temple dogs insist on staying. For their safety, I am allowing Eric to go with us."
 
"Are we talking healing or shields here, Husband?" the old wolf asked, looking at the old bear.
 
"Maybe both," Eric answered. "Donovan is worried about the fallout from the change."
 
Will poured out another batch of pancakes. "Does anyone actually see anything but that exploding light to add a bit of clarity to what's coming?"
 
The family all shook their heads no. Marcus gave a long sigh. "It's like you told me, William. I'm going to do what I have to do to protect my family."
 
The old wolf turned and looked at the winged wolf. "I take that to mean you do see more?"
 
"I might have more information to work with, but more information doesn't necessarily lead to greater clarity." 
 
"Fair enough," Will said as he flipped the new row of pancakes. "Tell me you'll be okay, and I will stay here."
 
"I will be okay, William," Marcus replied. "This is what you have all encouraged me to work toward. You need to be willing to let me see it through."
 
"He's not trying to keep you from your destiny, Marcus," the white bear said. "He's worried that it might hurt the man he loves." He leaned in and kissed the winged wolf. Standing upright, Eric put his paw on the wolf's shoulder. "And I worry that two wolves are contemplating an action that might get them both hurt. We are willing to let you see this through, but understand you will have to let us worry about the outcome of something that blinds everyone with the Sight just to look at it."
 
Marcus nodded. "You have a point. Everyone, please feel free to worry," he said with an awkward chuckle. "I am."
 
"As am I," Donovan agreed. "But Marcus is right. The path for him may be unclear at the moment, but it is certainly unfolding quickly, and we know that whatever happens, happens on the highland."
 
Will began cracking eggs four at a time over the grill. "I'm still concerned about this. We really have no clue what's about to happen except that it's explosive. That's not exactly a comforting way to watch you leave this island."
 
Donovan looked toward the white bear. "You know what's happening tomorrow. You may not see what those with the Sight see, but you know by the description what is going to happen."
 
Derrick looked over at Eric. "Is that true, Papa Bear?"
 
"Donovan's becoming a Channeler was… explosive. You remember the story, don't you? From everything you say, it sounds identical to the day he acquired his powers."
 
"Weren't that way with me," Oliver said.
 
"You, Oliver, are unique in just about every way," Donovan replied. "I used to think that maybe you acquired it slowly from me starting the day I gave you the Sight. Maybe it didn't drop on your shoulders in one lump the way it dropped on to me. But then I saw you and the boys on the Day of Transformation, and I knew that you three were something so far beyond what I ever was. Max time travels and holds souls inside him. That goes far beyond anything I can do. And JP… I know he's more than just a Channeler, but he's never told anyone the extent of his powers. He might not even know their limits himself. He's like you, Oliver… you never stand down, and you pull strength from places inside you I never knew existed."
 
"You saying me and the boys gots our powers, but without explodin' ‘cause we're different?"
 
"That's what I'm guessing. You three are anyone's guess, though," Donovan said with a shake of his head in disbelief. "There are members of this family who are conduits of powers that go far beyond the gifts of the Changelings. I believe Marcus is another of our family like you three."
 
The heads of the family all turned toward Marcus, who looked away shyly. "There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy," he said. "Donovan is right. What you so loosely call the universe is asking me to step up and accept something that everyone but me will call a gift. And even though I don't know why; I will do it. I will do it because my family has taught me to never stand down; to never yield when protecting my family. And everything I have learned since the day I was born is that my family extends so far beyond this room or even this planet."
 
"So, the explosion we all see?" Derrick asked. 
 
"I'm pretty sure it's not metaphorical," Marcus responded.
 
"And my husbands and the temple dogs?" Will said as he looked at Marcus.
 
"They are my family. I will not let anything or anyone hurt them."
 
Will shrugged. "Fair enough. Who wants sausage with their pancakes and eggs?"
 
Marcus shook his head and laughed. "I am constantly amazed by this family's ability to shift gears."
 
"You just told me you'll watch over my family. That's all I needed to hear," Will replied. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you're going to be exploding tomorrow, you have a lot of business to attend to today. It's important to have a balanced breakfast to help you take care of that business."
 
Marcus smiled. "Then I guess I will have your sausage," he replied as his grin grew more mischievous.
 
There was a quiet knock on the side door. Will looked in the direction of the knock. "That will be Kendal," the old wolf said, turning to Marcus. "I suspect the three of us will have to have a conversation before we have breakfast." Will reached into the oven and pulled out the trays of food and placed them on chafing dishes. "Gentlemen, help yourselves. Marcus, come along with me. The three of us have a walk to take."
 
Marcus nodded. "Yeah, we do," he said as he opened the door and kissed the soaking wet Newfoundland wolf on the other side. 
 
"Good morning," Kendal said with a smile.
 
"It's morning," Will said as he kissed the wolf, trying to get through the door. "Come on, Kendal, we need to go walking."
 
Kendal looked at both Will and Marcus. "Is this walking that kind of walking I do when I go walking late at night kind of walking?"
 
"Yep," Will said. He turned back to the group watching him. "Later, husbands. Later, sons. We'll be back soon, so keep some of that food on the warmer." With a gentle tug on Kendal's arm, the Iberian wolf was out the door followed by the winged wolf.
 
"I probably should go with them," Oliver said as he watched the door close.
 
"You see something they don't?" Eric asked as he put some pancakes on a plate.
 
"I'se pretty sure I does."
 
"You're still going to stay here, Badger," Kris said as he put scrambled eggs on his plate. "This is between them. They have all that they need to make this work. They have each other."
 
"I know," Oliver said. "Sometimes I just hates standing on the sidelines wantin' to help when I can'ts." He picked up a plate and pushed it up toward the Kodiak. "Can I gets a sausage from you?" 
 
Kris smiled. "Really? I'm supposed to just let that go without rubbing my crotch and asking what kind of sausage you want?"
 
"Suppose so, iffn' you don't wants to have the whole family watching you gets your dick sucked by a badger."
 
The brown bear stood in front of the tray of sausages thinking for a moment and looked at the rest of the family. The Armbruster's wolf shook his head no slowly. Reluctantly, the bear dug the tongs into the tray and put some sausages onto the badger's plate.
 
Outside, the three walked quietly in the rain. A few humans walked along the paths with umbrellas in their hands, but for the most part, the island remained empty of visitors. As they walked by the memorials, Will slowed by the large stone carved with the names of the fallen at Osogovo. He lifted his paw to his lips and kissed the paw. He placed his paw on the stone and turned to the two wet wolves. "So, are you two mated yet?"
 
Marcus frowned. "You would know that, William. The Sight would have told you."
 
The old wolf shrugged. "I like surprises. Sometimes I just shut it off."
 
Marcus shook his head. "It doesn't work that way. Don't push us, William. You and Oliver are two of a kind."
 
"I don't know, Marcus," Kendal interjected. "I kind of like him pushing us."
 
Will chuckled. "Okay, so I'm a nudge. We three need to settle this. You two take all the time you need. You find the path that's right for the two of you. But I need you to understand that whatever you choose, whatever happens, it happens with my support. And it has to happen independently of me. Marcus, you can't use your feelings for me as a reason to not commit to what you feel for Kendal."
 
"It's more complicated than that, William." 
 
"No, Marcus," Will corrected. "You make it more complicated than that." 
 
The three started the walk again past the graves dotting the landscape. Will waved his hand at all of them. "So many souls resting here, so many dreams cut short. We forget sometimes that this life of ours is short, even if we live thousands of years. Take it from a man who knows. You don't wait. You don't let the one you love run away from you in the night without going after him. You don't let him turn into a glowing green stone without telling him you are his, no matter what happens in the dark time. You can't be content to lay beside the one you love thinking maybe you can be content with a friend with benefits when all of you yearns to feel his teeth on your neck. You don't wait. You dive in and hold on to every precious minute because one day you may turn around and realize it's all gone."
 
 Will turned away from the two. The quiet lingered as his paw reached up and wiped across his eyes. Kendal took a step forward and wrapped his arms around the old wolf. "I know, Will," Kendal said. "I know the price we pay for hesitating."
 
Will looked at the Newfoundland wolf. "I know you do, Kendal. This discussion is for Marcus, our one common love, who sits on a fence of his own making."
 
Marcus sighed. "You two don't see what I do," he objected.
 
"And you don't see what you need to," William said, turning to the winged wolf and glaring. "You're still that man sitting behind a ComLink trying to do his job. You're still putting up walls to protect your heart. This isn't about protecting us, Marcus. It's about you not wanting to be hurt, not wanting to risk what you have to gain for fear of what you have to lose." 
 
The old wolf pulled up short and pulled Marcus into a hug. "You can't be that little man behind the computer screen anymore, Marcus. You need to embrace the life you have before you. It's complicated and messy. It's going to be full of choices and dangers you can't even contemplate yet. But there is so much love out there as well. Stop sitting on the fence thinking maybe what you have is good enough. It isn't, Wolf. Trust me, it isn't."
 
Marcus felt the Newfoundland wolf come up behind him and hug him. "I know you struggle with what you feel for the two of us. I know we're complicated. But we don't have to be, Hon. You don't have to struggle with the two of us when neither of us is asking you to make a choice between us. Let go of your human learning. You say we don't see what you do, but you need to see what we do. We see a man we love who won't embrace the very thing he needs to face what he sees. Do you see some terror out there in the night? We see the ones willing to stand by you in that night."
 
Marcus pushed away from the hug. "It's more than just fear, you two. I will change. I will become something so different from what you see even now. I can't ask you to stay with me when I don't even know if the man asking you to love him will be around in the days to come."
 
Will pointed back toward the graves. "Look at them, Marcus," he commanded. "How many souls are buried there whose last thought was ‘what if?' None of us have the luxury of waiting on love. If you're going to change, if this world is going to become even more complicated for the three of us, then choose today to embrace fully what we can offer now, because we might be the very thing that grounds you and keeps you from becoming what you fear the most."
 
"Hasn't my life taught you anything?" Kendal asked. "Marcus, we don't always get second chances. We watch those dreams we have crushed under a ship and the only thing that keeps us alive is the memory that we didn't hold back when we had the chance. And we survive because we took the love that was offered to us and we dove into it. Like the ocean that surrounds us. You can float on the top thinking you're content with the beauty you see, or you can dive in and see a world beyond your wildest imagination. To have it all, you need to risk it all. You can't dabble your feet in the tide pools and think you'll ever understand the ocean."
 
"I hate ocean metaphors," Marcus grumbled. "Mostly because they're always right, and because they always tell me to dive into what I fear the most. That ocean looks very dark from where I stand, Kendal."
 
"Then let a diver guide you, Marcus. I've been here before. You are standing next to the ocean I have known for years. I know its dangers and how to navigate them. But I also know the beauty… the indescribable beauty that lies just beneath the surface if you're willing to push beyond where you stand now."
 
Marcus looked at Will. "And you, William. What metaphor do you have for me?"
 
"I don't do metaphors all that well," Will replied with a laugh. "I do love really well because the best have taught me. See this world through those blue eyes of yours, Wolf. See through the eyes of a black wolf that has always yearned for love and never… ever… turned from it. I love you, Marcus. Tomorrow on the highland, something is going to happen. None of us can see it. We just see that explosion of light. So it's big… really big. Take hold of the one thing that's bigger, Marcus. Grab onto the love that's being offered to you."
 
Marcus nodded and looked down at his feet as the walk began anew. When the three came up beside the hill, they stopped in front of the fence that surrounded the forest. He looked up at Will. "Is this where you were bringing us?"
 
"It's where you two need to be."
 
"And you, William?" the winged wolf asked.
 
"I need to be home with my husbands," the old wolf replied with a smile. "I told you once before, Marcus. I will be beside you forever, and now I make the same promise to you, Kendal." He reached out and hugged the Newfoundland wolf. "Now and forever, by your side, Wolf. Never between you."
 
"I never had a doubt of that, Old Wolf," Kendal said as he hugged back tightly.
 
"Good, then this has been a very productive walk, I would say." The old wolf pointed toward the forest. "It's a rainy day. I doubt the humans will even hear anything that comes from this forest today."
 
Kendal smiled. "I love you, Old Wolf."
 
"I love you too, Kendal."
 
The old wolf felt the arms of the winged wolf grab him and hold him tight. The wings flared out and added another layer to the hug. "I love you, William. I promise I will try to do right by the love you've offered me." He paused a moment. "That love you've always given me."
 
"We will have a lifetime to explore just where that love goes, Marcus," Will replied, never letting the hug go. "We both are too much in love not to stick around and see how this story plays out."
 
"But you don't mind if Kendal and I spend some time alone together?"
 
"That was my goal all along, Marcus."
 
"I love you, William."
 
"And I love you, Marcus," the old wolf replied. He pushed back through the arms and wings and watched as the wings folded back into the wolf. "You two do right by each other. I love you both." 
 
The old wolf pushed Marcus toward Kendal and Kendal grabbed the winged wolf, hugging him tightly. When the two looked up from a kiss, the old wolf was gone. The two were quiet for a time, content to hug and feel the body of the one they loved pressed against them. Kendal gave Marcus another quick kiss on the lips. "Bite my neck, Marcus." 
 
The winged wolf shook his head. "You know I love you, but you also know that I can't stay here."
 
Kendal jumped the forest perimeter fence and extended his arms. "I know, bite my neck anyway."
 
"I can't cause you that kind of pain," Marcus said as he jumped the fence. His hand reached out and rubbed the muzzle of the Newfoundland wolf. "You have to stay here. Don't let your life slip by you waiting for someone that might never return."
 
"I won't, Marcus," Kendal said, looking into the eyes of the winged wolf. "I once told you to love like you have never loved before and live a life where you will never look back in regret."
 
Marcus nodded. "I am trying to live true to your advice."
 
"As am I, Marcus. I have loved deeply, and I have watched my love die in the service of others. The only consolation I have is that when he died, he knew I loved him. He did not die alone in the darkness. The darkness couldn't take him because we were one. And now, he lives in me. I would trade everything I have for another day with him, but this is my life now."
 
"I hope not to die anytime soon," Marcus said with a smile.
 
"And I hope the same. But wherever you go, you need to know there is a home for you to return to. Let it be a home where a husband will be there to greet you when you return."
 
"I told you, Kendal. I can't ask you to wait."
 
"And I told you I won't. When you return, you might find you have to share your husband with another husband, but you've seen how easily we make that work. I will love again, and again, and again. It is who we are, Marcus. It is what we do. I turned away from that life when Steve died, but it has come back to me in the shape of a winged wolf I love."
 
"And I love you."
 
"Then bite my neck. Let me bite yours. Let us tell the universe that their champion has a mate; that he will never look into the awful without the knowledge that there is one who loves him. The universe and you will know a keeper guards the light that will always show you the way home."
 
"You make a convincing argument," Marcus said, reflecting on the words.
 
"Don't bite my neck because I convinced you to, Marcus. Bite it because you love me and you want me in your life as much as I want you in mine."
 
"Even though we are apart?"
 
"Even though."
 
Marcus lowered his head, exposing his neck. "Give me the courage I need to leave your side, Kendal. Make me your mate," he begged. When he felt the teeth bite deep into his flesh, Marcus's eyes closed and he breathed in the change. As he exhaled slowly, he felt the Newfoundland wolf mount him. He embraced the change and yielded his heart to the one on top of him, knowing that their lives would be only brief moments shared in time. In time, as he felt the warmth of the wolf coming inside him, he smiled, knowing that would be enough.

Chapter 45

The dawn came too soon for the two wet wolves still intertwined deep in the Partridge Island forest. The call of seabirds in the distance and the cloudy light of another rainy day woke them. Kendal rolled over and kissed the wolf below him. "Let's do that all over again," he said with a smile.
 
Marcus returned the smile. "I would like that, Husband," he replied.
 
Kendal's smile widened. "I enjoy hearing that word, Husband."
  
Marcus's countenance changed. He looked away. "I don't think we will have time. I'm leaving at ten this morning."
 
"Then we still have time for a bit of snuggling before you go."
 
Marcus reached up and hugged Kendal tightly. "That's why I need you. You ground me, Kendal. You make me stay here beside you when every part of me screams about what is coming."
 
"Damn," the Newfoundland wolf replied. "I was hoping you needed me for the incredible sex I offered you."
 
"What do you think grounds me?" Marcus giggled. 
 
Kendal's face took on the same seriousness that Marcus had a moment before. "Know this, Marcus; my one goal in life is to keep you by my side. I will do whatever that takes. Are you totally clear on that?"
 
Marcus nodded. "I am. It seems so much to ask of you."
 
"But it's not asking, Hon. It's given freely. Forget the rules you learned throughout your life. This isn't about what we're supposed to do. It's about you and me. This is a wolf that loves you, telling you that there is no greater joy for me than resting here with you. If the day ever comes that you must face the awful, do not push me away. Don't deny me the right to be by your side. I am in this… no reservations, no doubts. I am more than happy to take all the joy you offer me. But I am also willing to take whatever else life might throw at us, but only if I know you're beside me all the way."
 
"It's won't be a simple life, you know," the winged wolf said, pushing up on his elbows.
 
"I never thought it would be," Kendal replied. "It's never been an easy life for the Were Nation."
 
"It's going to be tougher than that," Marcus added.
 
"Then we will have to cling to each other just that much tighter."
 
Marcus smiled. "I love you so much. Now and forever, Husband."
 
Kendal returned the smile. "Now and forever, Husband." The Newfoundland wolf looked around, searching. 
 
"What are you looking for?"
 
"Our family," Kendal answered. "This is where they always show up. Right at that moment, when you think you're alone, they come in and add something to the conversation. It's peculiar how they have a knack for it."
 
"They're home playing together. Nathaniel woke up with a hard-on and the panda twins couldn't resist."
 
"The Sight?"
 
"Yeah, I'm afraid so," Marcus answered. "It's going to take some time to figure out how to control it. They're bordering on flooding my mind now."
 
Kendal laughed. "So I was right. They did show up. Just this time inside your head."
 
"I guess so," Marcus agreed.
 
"On the plus side," Kendal replied with a widening grin, "you're hard as a rock."
 
"Yeah, I am. Another family trait, I guess."
 
"Shall we play with our family traits?" the Newfoundland wolf asked grinding his hard-on into the winged wolf's belly. 
 
"Oh, yeah, Husband," Marcus said with a happy sigh. "Let's play with our family traits. You'll find them right next to the family jewels."
 
The wolf on top slid backward and engulfed the swollen cock of the wolf below. "Kind of figured that's where they were going to be," he mumbled as his sucking began.
 
Ten o'clock came too soon for all the family. Rousted by the twins' arrival at the museum door, the husbands and their sons tried to clean up quickly and pointed Tiff and Tuff toward the forest to find the newly mated pair. When the twins found them in the forest, they were in the arms of Li Wei, who smiled guiltily at the twins. "They are newly mated," he said apologetically.
 
"We know," the twins replied together. "We could smell them as soon as we stepped off the Red Wolf."
 
"And they are most energetic."
 
"Then we are sorry to end your revelry, Dog," Tiff said. "Stay with Kendal, will you please? His husband has other obligations, and it would help ease our frustration separating the two if we knew you watched over him."
 
Li Wei looked at Kendal. "Is that an acceptable path for us to take?"
 
Kendal hugged the temple dog. "You're still hard, Li Wei. Family takes care of family. Of course, it's an acceptable path to take."
 
"But you must first say your goodbyes," Li Wei said as he pushed the Newfoundland wolf toward the winged wolf.
 
The two husbands embraced and kissed. Marcus giggled halfway through the kiss and pushed back. "It would appear that Li Wei isn't the only one with a hard-on, Husband."
 
"It's a burden I will have to live with," Kendal replied with an overdramatic flourish. He pressed close to the gray wolf and felt the wing ridges along his back as they hugged. "I can still come with you, Husband."
 
"I know you said you wanted to be by my side, but the furthest you could be from me on the highland is still too dangerous. It would make it so much easier for me if I knew you were here safe in the arms of Li Wei."
 
"Have you seen how this dog fucks? I don't think one can exactly call that safe," Kendal said with a chuckle.
 
Marcus smiled. "Safer than on the highland, Hon."
 
"You will come home?"
 
"Always," Marcus replied. "I learned a lesson about leaving home many years ago. I will never forget what I learned."
 
"Then go, and know the apprentice lighthouse keeper will leave the light on for you."
 
The two kissed, and Marcus turned to the twins. Tiff and Tuff each extended a paw between them, and Marcus grabbed both as they walked back toward the helipad and the waiting Red Wolf. Li Wei and Kendal watched until they were out of sight. They stood quietly holding hands until they saw the Red Wolf rise into the sky and disappear. Kendal began crying and buried his head in the thick chest fur of the temple dog.
 
"He will return, Little One," Li Wei whispered.
 
"I know."
 
"And you will find a way to love what he has become."
 
"I know that, too."
 
"Then why do you cry, Little One?" the temple dog asked, pulling the wolf in closer to his chest.
 
"Because I just married the wolf, and I have to say goodbye to that man forever after today."
 
"No, Little One," Li Wei responded. "You are mistaken. You will never have to say goodbye to that man. He will never leave you. He will change. He will be different. But he will always be the same."
 
Kendal snorted a laugh. "Marcus is right. You temple dogs really are confusing when you get down to it."
 
"So I have been told," Li Wei said as he lifted the face of the wolf and kissed him. "But one day you will understand."
 
Kendal smiled. "I know that, too." He reached up and kissed the temple dog again. "Thank you for staying erect."
 
"It was far more difficult for you, Little One. You are newly mated. Staying erect in your company requires little effort."
 
"I wanted him to think the two of us would be playing the moment he was out of sight."
 
"It was a kind gesture to help calm his fears."
 
"Do you think it worked?"
 
"He has the Sight, Little One. You both try to be so brave for the other, but you cannot love as deeply as you two do and not read the truth in your eyes even without the Changeling gift."
 
Kendal let out a deep sigh. "I guess I know that, too. I thought it was worth a try."
 
The dog's arms wrapped around the wolf, and gently, kindly, Li Wei brought the wolf into a place where all that was in the moment was a dog and a wolf waiting for his husband to return.
 
Chapter 46
 
"We're two minutes out, gentlemen," Tiff said, turning to the three on board.
 
Eric sighed. "I think we should insist that the temple dogs let us move them to the temple in Tibet."
 
Tuff's eyes never left the controls as he leaned back in his seat. "It's not going to happen, Father. The dragons are still in the area. They may not be on the highland proper, but they're down on the valley floor worrying about what's going to happen to their home. Just accept it. Zhuang and Katashi see the dragons as their responsibility, and the dragons see the highland as their home. Noboru has offered all of them sanctuary in Tibet, but staying next to the dragons and their home is an obligation they will not relinquish."
 
"They could be in danger," the white bear protested. 
 
"All the more reason for them to feel they should stay, Father," Tiff replied. "They feel the same way about the three of you. They will not leave if they think they may be called on to give aid."
 
The polar bear shook his head. "I'm trying to keep everyone out of harm's way, and everyone is insisting they need to stay by me to keep me out of harm's way. I'm not going to win this one, am I, Son?" 
 
"Sorry, Father," Tuff replied. "I wish it were different. We can ask one more time, but I really think we're leaving the highland on our own today." His paws shifted over the controls, and the landing gear dropped into place. "Hang tight, gentlemen. We'll have you on the ground in a moment."
 
The temple dogs watched the Red Wolf coasting toward the highland. There was a shift of the engines as the airship dropped gingerly onto the landing pad of stone. Marcus stepped out into the sunshine. "So much different from where we were just twenty minutes ago."
 
"It's a big world," Donovan said.
 
"No…" Marcus said, shaking his head. "… no it's not."
 
The bear's white arm wrapped around the winged wolf. "No, it's not. Do you want to talk to us about all that's pressing on your shoulders today?"
 
Marcus shook his head. "No, Eric. This is a choice I have to make myself."
 
"When I became a Channeler, I had no choice," Donovan said, rubbing the winged wolf's shoulders. "It came on me in the middle of battle. It turned the tide at Osogovo, but it was never something I planned." Donovan paused. "You seem to be given options I never was."
 
Marcus sighed. "Only one path protects my family. I don't have options. I have only the flexibility to decide when I will accept a change that I believe I am totally unqualified for."
 
"The universe seems to know what it is doing," Eric said, still clinging to the wolf.
 
"The universe has never cared one bit about what happens in it, Old Bear. The universe isn't pounding on the door wanting to be let in."
 
"I know. We use the word to mean fate or opportunity, but of a kind that challenges our very being. It is the universe of infinite possibilities coalescing into one choice that we must either accept or turn from. Know this, Marcus. Whatever you choose, our love for you remains. If you have a choice, you can turn from this, and we will be there by your side, supporting your path away from this day."
 
"I know, Eric. And I love you all the more for it. But you have all taught me about duty and obligation. It's so far removed from the human concept. When you come at it from a simple extension of the love you have for another, the path is clear. There is no turning from today. There is only acceptance; because to do anything else is to turn away from what I feel for the ones I love."
 
Donovan knelt in front of the winged wolf. "Then tell us what we must do, Marcus. Tell us what our duty and obligations are to you. You will not do this alone."
 
Marcus looked up to see the twins and temple dogs approaching. "They will not yield, Papa," Tiff yelled. "This is their home. The dragons are their charges. The wolf is their brother."
 
The bear shrugged. "We had to try, Katashi, Zhuang."
 
The two dogs bowed. "We understand your desire to have us leave the highland," Katashi replied. "We are grateful you accept our decline."
 
Marcus tried to smile, but it was more than he could muster. "You asked what I need from my family, Donovan." Donovan made a nod. "Katashi, Zhuang, fight your instincts to help me. Trust that you have taught me what I need to know and stand apart from this day."
 
The two dogs bowed. "As you wish, Little One," Katashi answered. "You have but to call for us, and we will be by your side." 
 
Marcus looked at the white bear. "Eric, protect the temple dogs." Eric made a single nod to accept his responsibility. Marcus turned to the Armbruster's wolf. "Donovan, Don't let me turn from what I don't understand. I am asking you to stay by my side and be my guide."
 
Donovan nodded. "Of course, Wolf."
 
"I don't know why it chose me. I don't know why it thinks I'm so important."
 
Donovan rubbed Marcus's chest, ruffling the fur. "Because it sees in you something you do not yet see in yourself."
 
Marcus looked down at the Armbruster's wolf. "And you have no curiosity about who it is?"
 
"Oh, I am curious," Donovan replied, "but I wait for the day you decide it is time to tell me."
 
"I thought wolves were impatient."
 
"We are; but only about our husbands returning from a merging or getting dinner on the table. Not about something you've already told me you don't wish to discuss."
 
"You're certainly showing a very non-human side of yourself. Humans love to pry into things others don't wish revealed."
 
"In our entire relationship, Marcus, have I ever done anything to make you believe I was even remotely human?"
 
Marcus shook his head. "I suppose not. You don't even have a human avatar do you?"
 
"Not really. I once appeared as a human to show the Were Nation I stood by them in solidarity, but like most of my brothers, I have no chosen human avatar. We are the beasts you see. If there is a need to have a human form, we accept that and change. But only those that chose to mate with the humans possess a true human avatar."
 
Marcus sighed. "That's why I'm asking you to stand by me. You are not human. I need your strength of will to help push me past my human fears."
 
"You are stronger than you believe, Marcus. Don't let your own reluctance to accept who you are, stand in the way of becoming something even more remarkable."
 
"I have never thought of myself as remarkable," Marcus uttered under his breath.
 
The old bear came up behind the wolf and rubbed his shoulders. "Then learn to trust those who do."
 
Marcus turned back toward the bear. "And you never lie?"
 
"I never lie, Marcus. You were an amazing human. You're an amazing beast. Let this day take you to where you were heading your whole life."
 
Marcus snorted a short laugh. "I thought that was a quiet little life with a husband and two pugs. Where along the line did I stray so far afield from that dream?"
 
The bear leaned down and kissed the wolf. "The day you realized that wasn't really your dream."
 
Marcus looked up into the air. "It's coming." He turned to the bear and gave him a gentle push toward the temple dogs. "Protect the innocent, Eric."
 
"My life before theirs," the old bear replied as he turned toward the temple dogs.
 
The two temple dogs grabbed the paws of the polar bear, turned toward the cliff face, and began walking. They stopped near the front of the cave and turned to watch the two in the middle of the grassy field. "Ancient One," Katashi asked. "How dangerous is this day to be? Were we wrong to entrust our khakkharas to Noboru?"
 
"Haven't you noticed there's not a bird singing on the highland? They were smart enough to fly away from this place, Katashi. I wish you were safely far away as well," Eric replied. "But as you are not, stay behind me. I have a promise to keep."
 
"We will do all that we can to ensure you keep your promise," Katashi said as he took the hand of his brother and stepped behind the white bear.
 
In the field, a gust of wind moved around the two wolves. "It's starting," Marcus said to Donovan. "You might want to stand back a bit."
 
Donovan took the suggestion and stepped away from the other wolf. What seemed to be a strong wind at first began closing more tightly around the winged wolf. Eventually, what was unseen turned into a swirling copper light coalescing around the winged wolf. The more tightly woven around the winged wolf's body the light became, the more intense it grew. Eventually, a familiar white light encased Marcus. Donovan watched and thought to himself that nothing of this moment was familiar to him. His acceptance of Marcus's plea to guide him through the day seemed now to be overconfident. 
 
As with the transformations of human to beast, the changes happening in Marcus didn't take long before they wracked him with unbelievable pain. He doubled over, unable to stand. Donovan drew closer and felt the whirlwind of energy around the winged wolf pushing back against him. He pushed forward until he dropped to his knees in front of the winged wolf. "Don't fight this, Marcus. Commit to the path. You have a choice, but don't fight the choice you know is right. It does no good to hesitate out of fear once the path is clear. You mustn't turn back now, Brother. Accept what is. Accept all that is happening."
 
The gray wolf looked up, pleading. "Isn't there another way? Why does it have to be like this?"
 
Donovan wasn't sure that Marcus was talking to him, but he tried to find words to soothe the gray wolf. "I have nothing to do with this. This is beyond me, it is beyond the Unity. This is the universe choosing a champion."
 
Marcus rocked his head and looked up at the Armbruster's wolf with tears of pain in his blue eyes. "But why me? Why ME?"
 
"Because you are who you are."
 
"I'm nobody. I'm a lonely little man who sat alone with his books. I'm nothing."
 
And in that moment, Donovan saw the universe unfolding inside the white light. Everything that Marcus saw, he saw. He saw all the burden of responsibility, all the challenges, and the fear that the winged wolf struggled with. He saw a lone wolf who stood as the only guardian between the innocent and terrors beyond imagining. But beyond that darkness, Donovan saw what Marcus could not see. He saw the family that Marcus was too young to see by his side, and as the darkness faded, he saw the truth. He saw hope in the shape of a winged wolf where no hope could exist.
 
"You are everything, Marcus," Donovan said, shaking the winged wolf into the present. "Don't you see? You were a blind man who knows what it's like to struggle with disability. A man born into a family whose people, religion, and color have seen hatred and fear, yet you still held nothing but charity toward those around you. You're short and fat. You know what it is to be shamed and ridiculed for something as insignificant as your body size and shape. And you're a gay man who remembers the fear that comes with knowing some would kill you for even daring to love who your heart tells you to love. You are a man who has lived alone for so long. You know the pain of the lonely, the outcast, the homeless trying to find a home. You have taken all that the world shuns and forged it into a love for all that surrounds you."
 
Donovan put his paws on the shoulders of the gray wolf and steadied him. "Look at me, Marcus," Donovan commanded. Marcus looked up, his eyes blazing white. "You are its child. The universe has watched you being forged in the crucible of life. It has seen one who understands the pain of every creature on this planet and so many, many worlds beyond our sight. It is asking you to be their protector, their guide. You're an Empath. You are a creature so rare and precious that the universe must share you with galaxies beyond measure for your scarcity." 
 
"I'm not worthy," Marcus cried out.
 
"We never are, but the universe shapes and molds us to our calling. It provides us with a way to become what we know we must become."
 
"No, please no," the winged wolf whimpered as he crumpled to the ground.
 
"Embrace the change, Marcus," Donovan begged. "Let it become a part of you. Don't fight what you were always heading toward. Trust me on this. Trust your brother. Let it be."
 
Marcus looked up into the eyes of the Armbruster's wolf. Donovan's eyes were blazing with the same white light. "I'm afraid," the winged wolf said as the pain inside grew.
 
"I am too," the Armbruster's wolf confessed. "And that is why you have family beside you today. A fear shared is fear diminished. Trust that I see what you cannot. Trust that there is an end to the pain."
 
"You won't leave us?" Marcus cried out. 
 
"No, not now; not ever," Donovan answered. "We are brothers, you and I. I will stay by your side until the ends of the earth."
 
"It may be further than that," Marcus said as he doubled over in pain. 
 
"I will not leave you, Marcus," Donovan said as he pulled the sweat-soaked beast back up into a hug.
 
"I can do this if I know you will be there when I call you," Marcus said, looking back up at the Armbruster's wolf. 
 
Donovan saw a glimmer just beyond his sight, surrounding the wolf in front of him. It only seemed to appear when he didn't look at it directly. "Are you talking to me or it?" Donovan asked, pointing to the light that disappeared the moment he tried to see it.
 
Marcus tightened his hug around Donovan. "Both. I'm talking to you both. There is a transformation, a joining," Marcus choked out through the pain.
 
"This is more than becoming a Channeler isn't it Marcus?" Donovan asked as the white glow intensified. 
 
"Yes, so much more," Marcus said. "I can't do this alone, Donovan."
 
"I will be by your side now and forever, Wolf."
 
"It is beginning. Don't let me turn back," the winged wolf begged through his pain.
 
"Do what you must, and know that in the end, I will still be beside you. This is your life, Marcus; embrace it." The ancient wolf leaned in and kissed Marcus. The white light that emanated from their two bodies melded as it intensified and expanded slowly outward in a pulsing, blinding orb.
 
"Gaia, you better do something, or the temple dogs and I are about to be in a world of hurt," Eric yelled over the growing din. He looked back at the temple dogs. "Stay behind me, dogs," He commanded. "Shield going up." He lowered his head and thrust out his hand. The light pulsed only feet in front of the bear into a large shield of luminescent green. It became a blue-green dome of light as Gaia added her strength to the protection.
 
When the white light exploded across the highland, nothing stood in its path. The temple dogs and polar bear woke to find themselves thrown up against a rocky wall; a wall that was shattered apart. The caves, the rice fields, the glade; all that was once the highland was no more. Only a scarred mountaintop remained. A new crag jutted up from the highland a hundred yards away from where the mountain face once was. They looked out to see the two glowing white bodies kneeling in a field of stone. "Stay here," the polar bear said to the temple dogs. "I will see to our family."
 
The polar bear dropped to all fours and ran toward the two over the dust and rock of the field. Just before he reached them, Donovan raised up his hand and the force of the white light pushed the polar bear backward. "It is not done, Husband. Don't come any nearer."
 
"But, Husband…" the bear protested.
 
"No buts," the wolf interrupted. "Look at what's left of the surrounding forest. I won't have you become one of the fallen today." 
 
Eric stared at the highland. Even with all of Gaia's power in play, whatever happened leveled the forest. What wasn't dirt or rock was scarcely discernible as once being plant life. Where the forest once was, were the remnants of uprooted trees tossed onto the ground. Stripped of all their vegetation, they didn't appear to be wood and bark anymore, but the same black and gray stone as the rock surrounding them. There were no leaves, no grass; nothing green remained on the highland. "Are you both safe?" the bear asked.
 
Donovan looked up at the bear standing in the distance. "We will be fine. Do not attempt to stop what is unstoppable." Marcus lay on the ground, still writhing through the transformation. Even Eric could see from a distance that what was happening was nothing similar to the stories of Donovan. 
 
Donovan reached out and pulled the winged wolf close and held the shaking beast. He looked back at his mate. "And what of you and the dogs, my love?" Donovan asked of the bear as he helped steady the now glowing winged wolf.
 
"We are safe as well." The bear backed up a few steps. "What has happened here, Donovan?"
 
"I believe the humans call it a miracle."
 
"And you? What do you call it?"
 
"My brother finally accepting his calling. He has been to the ends of the universe and found his way home."
 
Marcus still clung to Donovan, but his shaking slowly steadied. Donovan noticed the change and pulled the remnant energy swirling around the two inside himself. With a shake, his light faded and his coloring shifted to that of the Armbruster's wolf. Gently, he lifted the glowing wolf to his feet. "It is almost done, Brother. Breathe deep. Let it in."
 
"Damn, how this hurts."
 
"Only for a while longer."
 
Marcus looked at Donovan as he repositioned himself. "Don't let me go, Donovan."
 
Donovan smiled. "By your side, forever, Marcus. This is who we are." 
 
When their heads pressed together, the two wolves kissed. "You know," Marcus said with a groan. "I can think of a few things that can distract one from pain."
 
"Really?" Donovan said with a laugh.
 
"Couldn't hurt. At least not any more than it does now."
 
Donovan grinned and dropped to his knees, still clinging tightly to the glowing white wolf's butt to steady him. "One thing is for certain, Marcus. You are definitely a child of the wolf that turned you." His muzzle moved over the glowing wolf's sheath and tongued the cock from the fur. As Donovan sucked on the growing phallus, Marcus whimpered happily. The pain for both began slipping away as the light faded slowly back into the winged wolf.
 
After a time, the temple dogs started rocking anxiously. "It does seem that the wolves are out of danger now," Katashi said, breathing heavily. "The winged wolf still smells of the newly mated, but even more distracting is the smell of the newly born. The wolf is not the wolf that was here before."
 
The polar bear laughed. "No he isn't, is he?" He put his paws to his mouth and yelled, "Wolves, do you need any help now? I have two dogs in distress over what you two are doing."
 
Marcus looked up, slightly dazed by Donovan's skills. "We have three holes that are currently not being used. Surely the three of you could help us and yourselves at the same time by filling them."
 
Katashi rolled forward and bowed. "We are grateful, Marcus," he said. 
 
"I have nothing to do for a few days," Donovan said with a laugh as he lifted his cum soaked mouth off the winged wolf's cock.
 
Katashi rolled forward and looked at the polar bear. "Why is it you Changelings are always in such a hurry?"
 
Eric smiled. "Let us see if we can slow things down this week. Would you mind if I called the family?"
 
"Should we wait for their arrival before sharing our affections with the newly born?" Zhuang asked the bear as he, too, rolled forward.
 
"No, I won't be asking the family to make their way out here. This place is too painful to view for a family that remembers what it looked like this morning. I'll have Jason notify the family that we'll have a gathering to celebrate the newly mated and newly born in Montana. It would appear we are going to need some room to spread out for this welcoming."
 
"And what of our human family?" Katashi asked.
 
"Once we've burned off a few of their pheromones, we can let the human family welcome them on Partridge Island." 
 
In the distance, the family saw the enormous claw of a dragon slip up over the drop-off from the highland. With a shove that broke away portions of the escarpment, the dragon hefted himself up onto the rocky field. The female followed as both surveyed the damage. Their dark green mottled color that shifted to gray told everyone looking at them that the dragons were terrified of what had happened. Katashi and Zhuang ran toward them and stroked their sides. "The cataclysm is over, Little Ones," Katashi told the two. "Marcus has undergone a change. It is one that required a great deal of energy to complete. Unfortunately, the energy expended had to find release. This is the outcome. We will find a way to restore your home in time."
 
The two dragons' color shifted toward emerald green, and soon the translucent blue-green color of their scales returned. Katashi smiled as the dragons spoke to him in images that flooded into his mind. "Yes, that's it, exactly. We certainly don't want him to try and hold that all in. Marcus is family. We can restore the highland. Replacing Marcus would never be possible."
 
Eric approached the dragons, and his paw reached out to rub them. "Let's see if we can make the best of the situation. Jiao-long, LanYing, you've complained that you never see your family. What would you two say about making a trip to Partridge Island? I'm sure it will thrill your parents to see you again."
 
The polar bear looked out on the field of rock and gravel. "Gaia? Can you clear a few of the boulders away for a landing site?" The largest boulders from the shattered cliff face rolled awkwardly out toward the perimeter. "Thanks," the bear said. He turned to the two dragons. "I'm calling in the Black Rhino. It will be a tight fit, but we can load you two on board. But to visit your parents, you will need to fly in the ship on your own. There will be no room for Katashi and Zhuang." He stroked his chin while looking at the two young dragons. "Are you two old enough to fly on your own without your guardians beside you?"
 
The two dragons nodded happily. The bear smiled. "Splendid." He turned back toward the highland and surveyed the damage. "About your home, you two. We will need access to the highland. You can either stay for a time in Tibet or return here when the welcoming celebrations are done. But if you return here, it will be to live in the valley until we can get the highland back to being habitable."
 
The two dragons turned their heads toward their guardians. Katashi bowed his head. "It is your choice, Little Ones. We will be beside you, no matter what you decide."
 
The young female dragon pushed up against the palm of the white bear and the images flooded his mind. Eric smiled. "I had thought as much. This is your home. We'll see to creating your guardians some temporary shelter in the valley until we can figure out just what we're doing with this place." Eric pointed his paw out toward the edge of the highland. "Until then, can you please return to the safety of the forest below? Katashi and Zhuang will come to tuck you in later tonight."
 
The dragons nodded once more and turned back toward the edge of the highland. When they had slipped over the side, the polar bear signaled to his husband and Marcus. "Okay, you two, you can go back to what you were doing." He smiled at the two dogs. "You go be with Marcus and Donovan until we can get the Black Rhino and the Gray Wolf rerouted here. I'm sure it will be at least a day." 
 
"Should we wait for you, Ancient One?" Katashi asked.
 
"No, enjoy yourselves, brothers. I will join you soon enough," Eric replied as he watched his husband return to his fellatio. "We have all the time in the world." In one motion, the temple dogs hit the ground, racing to the wolves, their tails wagging in anticipation. The white bear smiled. "Or any number of worlds in so many other galaxies it would appear." He turned toward where the cave once was and found himself a seat on a flat stone. 
 
Eric tapped his ComLink. "Will," he said. He paused a moment. "Hello, Old Wolf," he said to the voice on the other side. "We have a birth in the family." He nodded as he listened to the wolf on the other side of the call. "Me too, my love. But it is what he wished. We'll find a way to support his change, whatever it turns out to be. It would mean so much to him to have you and Kendal here by his side. This place looks like hell, but having the ones closest to his heart could make it heaven." Another nod. "That's the spirit, Old Wolf. Do you want me to talk to Kendal?" A pause for the answer. "Okay, then find the boy and tell him the news. I'm sure it will be easier to hear it coming from you."
 
The bear shifted his butt, trying to find a comfortable position on the rock. "I will talk to Jason later today about announcing to the family that we have a mating and a newborn. There is a lot of healing that needs to happen first." He paused another moment, listening. "I love you too, Old Wolf. Now and forever."
 
The bear adjusted himself again on the broken rock and gave up searching for comfort. He stood up and stared at the aftermath. "Damn. What have you done, you two?" he asked. He felt the wind flow gently around him and closed his eyes. "They ask too much of us, Mom. They ask too much of Marcus." The air felt almost like a caress that held the old bear in the moment. "I know… I know," he whispered, "but he never even had a chance to live a normal life." The bear looked at the gravel pit that was once the highland glade. "I guess it will be up to us to give him that life as best we can." 
 
Eric sat in the quiet, hearing a voice that floated on the wind. It felt as soft as the morning mist along the highland in early spring. It felt warm and cool at the same time; like laying down on the grass on a summer day. Gaia's voice always felt like life being born; like nature renewing itself. Eric smiled and nodded in agreement with what Gaia had said. "Thanks for being there today. And thanks for being here now. I'm really sorry about the highland. I will have a crew out here to replant tomorrow. It's the least we can do."
 
The bear heard the voice of Gaia like the sound of the creek that was no longer there, the sound of wind through the grass that no longer covered the highland. "Mom, I don't want you to tax yourself any more than you already have. This world needs you. You can't give it all. You need to hold some in reserve to regenerate." 
 
The bear listened to the voice on the wind and nodded in agreement. "Okay, I'll give you a few weeks to prepare the soil, and then we'll get a crew out here to replant the forest. As long as you promise me you're up for it, I'll try to not worry." The bear heard Gaia's response and laughed. "I'm not the mother hen, you are. But just this time, let your son worry about you since you never seem to do it for yourself, okay?"
 
The wind picked up around the stone where the polar bear sat and then was gone. "This is all so bittersweet," the polar bear sighed. "So much to sacrifice for a birth none of us ever wanted." He tapped his ComLink. "Jason," he said out loud. He waited for the fox to answer. "Stay in the good, Bear," the bear whispered to himself. "Stay in the good."
 
Chapter 47
 
Partridge Island's weather almost cooperated with the party taking place on the fields. The cold, late autumn weather required the humans to be bundled up, and large, heated tents were staged carefully to allow everyone to mingle and dine together. But at least the rain so common for that time of year seemed to be poised just off the coast, waiting to move in later that evening. 
 
The family moved about the area, but the overall celebration was decidedly low-key. There was plenty of food for the milling crowd, and everyone was busy catching up with each other's lives. The children were happily running about to the various carnival booths set up, playing games, and testing their skills. There were even a few presents carefully stacked for the newlywed couple. But what was missing was the boisterous laughter from children battling against each other with pool noodles on the backs of the temple dogs. There were also some very familiar faces missing from the gathering.  
 
Every Changeling was in Tibet with Lei Wei and his brothers. They were practicing the consecration rituals of the temple to be held in the spring. The hopes of their return for the celebrations on Partridge Island disappeared when the overnight snows from the north blanketed the temple with six feet of snow. Digging out wasn't an option, but digging in was. The family understood that fifteen temple dogs cuddling up together for warmth would derail the ceremonial practices for at least a week.
 
But what was transpiring in Tibet interested the rest of the family. There was a certain mystery that brought speculation about what was to occur in the spring. The ceremonies to consecrate the temples involved a great deal of incense and chanting; that much they knew. But for every beast in the Were Nation, the true fascination lay with what was going to happen during the four-day festival that would follow. Trying to imagine what fifteen temple dogs let free to greet the Were Nation would be like boggled the mind. Few beasts had made the pilgrimage to stay with the temple dogs before the war, and those who had, when queried, would only smile and tell the others it would be worth the trip.
 
"So what are you and Gaia going to do about the highland?" Will asked as he picked up a hot dog and swallowed it whole.
 
"What? Me?" Derrick blurted out. "What would I have to do with the highland?" 
 
The surprised look on the young wolf's face told Will all he needed to know. "She insisted you see it. You sat there staring at that gravel parking lot for hours while everyone else went off to play with the newborn and his new mate." 
 
"You saw it, Will. It's completely destroyed. I just sat there, unable to do anything but stare at it. I'm not sure why she wanted me to even see it. It hurt so bad to be there," Derrick said. He waved to Martin as he walked by with Oliver on his shoulders. He took a bite of his hot dog and sighed. "It's not like I can do anything to fix it."
 
"You're Blue clan, Pup. There is something you can do to fix it."
 
"I've never used my powers independently, Old Wolf. That place is like a rock quarry now. There are a few bits of fallen trees left, but did you see them? They're not trees anymore, Will. They're rock. That blast fused them into petrified wood."
 
Will rubbed the shoulders of the black wolf. "Maybe that's exactly what Gaia thinks you needed to see to get you to use those powers of yours, Pup. Me, I'm a warrior. I never want to use my powers, but you're the builder clan; the bringers of order from chaos. Besides, you're not alone. I'm sure Max and Kendal will be happy to help."  
 
"Well, there's nothing out there but chaos, that's for sure," Derrick groaned.
 
"Try to keep an open mind about how you might help, Pup." 
 
"I'll try, Old Wolf," the black wolf said with a halfhearted smile. "I'm sure Gaia will let me know what she has in mind one of these days. If nothing else, I'll be a part of that planting crew they're setting up."
 
"That's the spirit, Pup," Will said. The old wolf leaned in and bit the black wolf's neck.
 
"What was that for?" Derrick said with a laugh.
 
"Because I love you," Will said. "Because I don't bite you near enough."
 
Derrick pivoted around and kissed the old wolf. "You do just fine, Husband," the young wolf replied. He looked into Will's eyes and smiled. "Try not to worry, Old Wolf. I love you more now than the day you mated with me." 
 
Will smiled awkwardly. After hundreds of years together, Derrick realized he was still learning how to read his husband's expressions. "You do just fine showing your love to all your family," Derrick said, poking his finger gently on the old wolf's snout. "He still loves you. He knows you love him, and he's over there in Kendal's apartment figuring it out. Marcus will be fine. He had excellent teachers. He's an amazing student. Trust that this will all work out."
 
"There's so much Marcus doesn't know," Will lamented. 
 
"And so much we don't know about Marcus," Derrick added. "That's what really worries you, right?"
 
Will smiled. "You know me too well, Pup. He's changed. I'm not sure in how many ways, but he's different."
 
"He became a Channeler, Old Wolf. That's enough to change anyone."
 
"You know it's more than that, Pup."
 
"I do, but I'm also the patient one in our family, remember? I can wait for him to figure it out. When he's ready, he'll tell us."
 
Will rubbed the black wolf's chest fur. "I will never stop worrying about all of you, you know."
 
Derrick smiled and nodded. "I know. It's an occupational hazard of being in our family. I'm the same way."
 
"Well then, what say you and I try to make the best of this party?"
 
"That won't be easy with only one husband here, and Martin clinging to him."
 
"Yeah," the old wolf said with a sigh. "No Changeling husbands until after they become themselves again." 
 
"That's an occupational hazard of loving Changelings, I guess," the black wolf said, smiling. 
 
"I guess we could try mingling again," Will said, pointing toward one of the tents. 
 
Derrick smiled a wicked grin. "Or we can always go find Oliver and Martin. Both of them are missing a Changeling husband as well. They headed over toward the carnival tent. They have a shift manning the fishing booth."
 
Will gave the hand of the young wolf a tug and they started walking toward the brightly colored tent. "You know it's a strange welcoming party for the kids when they don't have the temple dogs to joust with." Will paused a moment and stared at a small crowd outside a tent huddled around a blazing fire. "I think it's confusing for our human family on multiple levels. This is the first time I think we have invited them to meet the newly mated and we haven't seen them all day."
 
"Give the two of them a bit more time. It's only been a week since they mated. The timelines here are weirdly skewed. It's not easy for those two to sort things out. And it really is best if they do that wrapped up in each other's arms."
 
"True that," Will agreed. "I hope they're doing okay. Marcus couldn't have found a better man to help him through this than Kendal."
 
"They'll be fine, Old Wolf. And the three of you will be fine as well. We just have to give it time."
 
"So all my worries?" the old wolf asked with a nervous laugh.
 
"Oh, leave them be. They seem to find all of us without us ever looking for them," Derrick replied as he leaned in and kissed the old wolf.
 
When the two separated, Will smiled. "What would I do without you, Pup?"
 
"I don't intend on ever letting you find out, Old Wolf," the black wolf answered. "Now let's go find us a badger and a cat. I think we should help man the fishing booth with them. You know you can do some serious making out behind those screens without a single kid seeing anything."
 
Will laughed. "Okay, hadn't thought about that, but I'm up for the challenge of kissing you and hooking kids up with prizes at the same time." The two of them headed back toward the party and soon were behind a painted screen of brightly colored fish, making out with a badger and a saber-toothed cat like teenagers behind the bleachers.
 
On the far side of the island in a gunnery apartment, Kendal rolled off of Marcus, breathing heavily. "Okay, that was fun," Kendal said.
 
"What is it usually?" Marcus questioned.
 
"It's always fun, but it's like you've learned some new things and forgotten others. When you said this was going to be a transformation, I figured maybe a new body. I didn't think it would involve a new skill set," Kendal said with a laugh.
 
"I think a large part of Donovan's sexual preferences rubbed off on me when we were together," Marcus said, slipping to the side of the Newfoundland wolf. 
 
"So where does that awkward fumbling like a kid on his first date come from?" Kendal asked. "You've certainly had enough sex with me to know what I enjoy without asking." Kendal paused for a moment. "And coming all over me when we just started to kiss? How teenage boy is that?"
 
"I'm sorry," Marcus said. "There's a part of me that is sensing things for the first time."
 
Kendal hugged the winged wolf tightly. "I'm not complaining, Hon. It's kinda fun to realize I can get a man off just by kissing him." He pushed back gently. "It's all okay. The new techniques, the awkwardness… it's all good. Don't worry about any of it." Kendal smiled at the worried-looking wolf. "It's like I have my old Marcus with all the things I love about him, and a brand new Marcus with a whole new man waiting to be discovered. It's actually very exciting. You are almost like two different people.
 
Marcus's face dropped. "Would that be a problem?"
 
Kendal shook his head. "Nope. I told you before I'm willing to share you. But if that turns out to be the case, eventually I get to meet everyone I'm sharing you with, okay?"
 
"Agreed," Marcus said as he let his free wing unfold and wrapped it around Kendal.
 
"I'm going to miss you, Marcus," Kendal said.
 
"Then you know?" the puzzled wolf with badger stripes asked.
 
"You're antsy. You get that way right before you have to leave me."
 
"We really haven't been together long enough for you to know me that well," Marcus replied.
 
"I'm like you, Marcus. I pick up on things pretty quickly. I just have a better knack for the emotional signals of others."
 
Marcus smiled. "Just another reason I love you."
 
Kendal leaned in and rubbed his muzzle across Marcus's chest. "Let's go out there and be a part of that party they're throwing for us, Hon. Let's just be newlyweds for the day. If I have to say goodbye, I want it to be here with my family surrounding me."
 
"But we will have our time alone before I have to go, right?" Marcus asked.
 
Kendal grabbed the winged wolf and kissed him. "Of course. I intend to spend a lot more time in bed with you after everyone has gone home. But for now, we have a cake to cut and all manner of other traditions to uphold." He pushed back. "The two of you aren't on the clock, are you?"
 
Marcus looked away shyly. "No, we're fine."
 
Kendal resumed the hug pulling the winged wolf in tight. "And we'll be just fine, too, Husband. I love you, now and forever."
 
Marcus closed his eyes and hugged the Newfoundland wolf, not wanting to let go. He saw all of time and space spiraling around the two and realized forever was never truly an option. But for a moment, he pushed past the reality of his world and embraced his husband's. "Now and forever," he whispered, and tried desperately to believe it.
 
Chapter 48
  
Will heard his ComLink chime. He looked up from his bookkeeping. "Hello, Marcus. Did you enjoy your honeymoon?"
 
Marcus laughed. "I had a wonderful time, William. Thank you for the wedding gift. We never knew they made lube in a bottle as big as that."
 
"I realize you two probably don't need it as soon as you're together, but they say it's the thought that counts."
 
"It is, and we had fun using it at Carl and Randy's place."
 
"Oh, now there's a video I'd like to see," the wolf said with a lecherous snicker.
 
"Well, you won't see it anytime soon, William," Marcus replied. He was quiet for a while and then added. "Although I think the two of us would love to show you what we did one of these days when I come home to visit."
 
Will smiled. "I would like that, Marcus. Have you said your goodbyes to Kendal already? Is it time for us to say goodbye?"
 
Marcus laughed. "You know me too well, William."
 
"Where are you?"
 
"I'm on the highland; in the middle of the glade where we first met."
 
"Ah… A romantic, it seems."
 
"I was brought into this world by one. It's only logical that I would learn to be one," Marcus replied. "The place still looks like crap, you know. Gaia has had barely enough time to regenerate the soil bed."
 
"Well, we know who to blame for that."
 
"That's just cruel, William."
 
 "Nah, I'm blaming Donovan. He can take the teasing."
 
"So, will you join me here? I have to head out soon."
 
"Give me an hour to wrap things up here, and I'll get Tiff and Tuff to give me a ride there."
 
"I already called them a few minutes ago. They're on their way here from Partridge Island in the Red Wolf. They should be here soon."
 
"And how am I supposed to get…" Will's words ended as he found himself on the highland staring at a glowing white wolf gently flapping his wings. The old wolf watched the light play off the fur sparkling in the sunlight. "You look like a damn Christmas tree ornament."
 
Marcus laughed. "I know. Isn't this just the dumbest thing ever? You can tell the universe isn't gay. No decent gay universe would ever dress one of its champions in this outfit." He shook and became a gray wolf with black and white stripes running down his back. "That glowing stuff is kind of my traveling outfit. I don't have to be that when I'm home, thank god."
 
The wolf squatted down and touched the parched soil below him. The grass sprung up from his fingers and spread out across the highland. In the distance, the forest lifted up from the dry earth and spread out toward a creek that broke through the rock wall of the crag. Marcus lifted his hand. "I'm sorry Gaia, I never meant for that to happen." He listened to the wind moving through the newborn forest. "I know you had plans for Derrick. But there was no way I could leave with it looking that way. Leaving William alone on a lifeless slab of rock and dirt was not something I wanted to do." 
 
The trees settled in the distance, and Marcus tapped the grass below him. "There, that's done," Marcus said as he stood back up. "Maybe in time, she will forgive me. I certainly took a toll on her."
 
"She's already forgiven you, Marcus," Will replied. "You're not being tripped up by stones in your way every time you try to take a step. She understands growing pains. She's the Unity; the core of all that brings us together. Every day she teaches us that we must find a way to love what our family becomes."
 
Marcus pulled back the floppy striped mat of hair from his brow. His wings gently folded back into him. "You'll be happy to know there are no scars. Inside or out. You've taught me well. I heal, William. I will always heal. Even from today."
 
"So what now? You become the savior of the universe?"
 
The wolf with his coat of many colors laughed. "That's Flash Gordon. I'm not a savior. It takes a total narcissist for someone to think that he alone can save the world, let alone the universe."
 
"So what? A protector?"
 
"Not even that so much, although they know I will protect this planet and its inhabitants. It's non-negotiable."
 
"They?"
 
"There is always a ‘they', William. There is always someone above you who is stronger, smarter, and bigger. The universe is expanding, and so are the creatures who live in it. We just have to hope we bump into the loving ones."
 
"So, what have you made of all that they gave you, Marcus?"
 
"A fat, little guy sitting behind a desk trying to help kids find a home."
 
Will laughed, but his smile turned serious almost instantly. "I worry about you Marcus," Will said, reaching out to the wolf. 
 
"Absolute power corrupting absolutely?" Marcus said with a nod as he took Will's hand. "It occupies a great deal of my thinking, William. The histories of the gods on this planet don't bode well for creatures with power. They're pretty much either egotistical human effigies that think they're the only one true God or self-serving arrogant asses with contempt for everything weaker."
 
"I don't care about the myths, Marcus. I care about you," the old wolf said. "You have a responsibility to be better than all those gods. You can't be them. We need you to be smarter, kinder, and more forgiving. This family needs someone to walk beside us, not rule over us."
 
"I will never rule, William. It has never been my nature. I was serious when I told you what I have become. When it gets right down to it, I'm still just a guy calling people on my ComLink trying to get donations for New Home. It's what I do. I try to help lost souls find a new home. I try to make life better for those around me. That's who I am. I just have a bigger area to call on now."
 
The old wolf reached out and hugged the winged wolf. Marcus leaned into a kiss. When the kiss ended, Will looked into the blue eyes of the other wolf. "Don't kill, Marcus. Don't ever kill. Not even to save the life of an innocent. Find another way. You have so much power. Even one death changes us, scars us in ways you may never be able to heal from."
 
"Avoid the slippery slope, Father?"
 
"Oh jeez, I'm going to be your father?" the old wolf fumed; stomping his foot on the ground as he turned away. "The old bear warned me about this." He turned back with pleading in his eyes. "We can't just be friends with benefits? Star-crossed lovers?"
 
"I can be all of those for you if you need me to be, William. But if you want to know what I dream of, it's something far beyond any of the words you have for what the two of us might become."
 
"Promise me…"
 
"You know I can't promise that, William," the winged wolf responded. "I promise I will do my best to never kill, father… friend… lover," the wolf vowed. "With great power comes great responsibility. Book of Spider-man," he said with a smile. "I know my scripture." The striped and spotted fur of the wolf fluoresced to white. "I will never do anything that will keep the wolf I love from looking back at me in love." The white glimmering wolf leaned in and kissed the old wolf again. "I really need to think of a less complicated way to say that, don't I?"
 
"Where are you headed, Marcus?"
 
"Oh, I don't know," the iridescent wolf said, waving his hand toward the sky. "Somewhere out there, I suppose. The Unity wants me to visit, but I'm not sure how comfortable I am right now melding into a sea of blobby colors who want to chat."
 
Will laughed. "Yeah, I like our Changelings much better. They're nice and squishy in all the right ways."
 
"I might tool around the galaxy a bit. Remember all those years ago when Kris told you the universe holds more horrors than you can possibly imagine?"
 
Will laughed. "Yeah, I do, but I didn't know you did."
 
"I am all that I have ever touched, William. But of all those who have left their imprint on me, you are foremost in my mind and my heart. It's not over between us, William. It's just starting. To tell you the truth, one reason I think I have to go is to get a bit of perspective. My thinking is a tad too conventional for what I want you to be to ever understand what you will be."
 
Will smiled. "As long as I'm not one of the horrors out there, I'm good."
 
The white wolf waved his hand upward again. "I know the bear is right, and I see things on the horizon. I might visit a few worlds and let them know that someone protects Terra and her inhabitants. Just a reminder of sorts."
 
"But no killing."
 
The glowing wolf laughed. "No, my insistent love. If they come at me, I will just throw them into another galaxy and let them try to figure out what happened." He paused. "But know this, Old Wolf, I am bound to you in ways you can't imagine. When I say you know what I will do to protect my family, you really know; because it rests there in your heart as well."
 
The white wolf paused and looked up. "Terra has changed; and when things change, others take notice. What our family has done to save this world has shifted it from being an obscure blip on the radar to a…" the wolf looked at himself and waved his paw over his glowing chest and belly. "… to a world that requires this to be out there watching over it."
 
Will stared into the blue eyes of the wolf in front of him. "Will I ever see you again, Marcus?"
 
"Of course. This is where my family lives. I have a mate on Partridge Island who would miss me if I never returned, and a wolf before me who I believe is capable of finding a way to track me down and make me regret staying away too long."
 
"I guess you can also be prophetic," Will said with a grin.
 
 "I have two wolves I love for so many different reasons." Marcus paused and grinned as he stared down at Will's crotch. "And for so many reasons that are the same." The glowing wolf grabbed Will and hugged him tightly. "I will always come home to both of you. This is where my heart will always be. Just forgive me if I don't write." Marcus let Will go and his smile faded. "William…"
 
"Yes, Marcus?"
 
"Please take care of Kendal."
 
"He's our family, Son," Will replied. "Of course, we'll take care of him."
 
"Never let him forget that I love him."
 
"I will do my part. Don't forget to do yours."
 
Marcus's smile returned. "You are the air that I breathe," Marcus said. He paused and shook his head. "No, that doesn't work. I don't actually need to breathe anymore." The glowing wolf mumbled half to himself as he tried to find the words. "Don't eat or drink, so that shoots Oliver's analogy to hell…" 
 
The two looked across the glade as the Red Wolf's engines pivoted and it lowered onto the restored landing rock.
 
"Tell me you love us and that will be enough," Will said.
 
"I love you, William Gentry. And I love Kendal Johnson. I love you both more than you will ever know. But we will spend a lifetime learning just how deep that love goes."
 
"Then we're good here. I believe you have somewhere else you need to be."
 
Marcus looked out across the glade to the little badger standing beside the Red Wolf's lowered landing ramp. "I knew he would come," Marcus said with a smile. "Come, Oliver!" the white wolf yelled. "Your husband needs you." He turned back to the old wolf. "I'm sorry I am breaking your heart. At least know that you are not alone in that."
 
Will forced a smile. "You're not breaking my heart, Marcus. It broke when you promised to return all those years ago and didn't. But now I know you will always come back. You just totally suck at coming back on time."
 
"I'm gay," Marcus laughed. "I'm always fashionably late. It just looks different when you're an immortal." The wolf stepped back. "So, what do you think would be more dramatic? Rocket up into the sky in a bolt of white lightning, disappear in a blaze of swirling light and smoke, or just one last kiss, and I'm gone?"
 
Will looked at the winged wolf with tears in his eyes. "I always go for the long kiss goodbye."
 
"Forever the romantic. Then a kiss it is," the glowing wolf said as embraced the old wolf and kissed him. Somewhere in the middle of a passionate kiss that he would remember forever, Will realized he was alone in the middle of the highland. 
 
He looked up into the sky, wondering where the wolf had gone and how many light-years away he already was. The old wolf shook his head. "Damn," he sighed. "First time in my life I get to say goodbye to someone the way I wanted to, and it still sucks."
 
"It will always suck," Oliver said, walking up to the wolf.
 
Will reached down and grabbed the badger into a tight hug. "So, what do we do to make it less sucky?"
 
"You has family waiting back in Montana, Old Wolf. They's naked and horny, and we wants ourselves some hot Iberian wolf butt to plow."
 
Will laughed. "That's the answer? Just dive into a group orgy and call it good?"
 
"Nah, Old Wolf; nothin' will make his leaving good. But you's a beast. We survives by being together, and you survives by loving your family. He's gone for a time, and that's sad. But we is here, and that is good. You stays in the moment that has the good."
 
"What would I do without you, Oliver?" Will asked as he twirled the badger around.
 
"Well, for one thing, you'd have to look mighty hard to find your minimum daily requirement of badger butt," the little mammal answered, throwing up his hands and leaning back into the spin.
 
The old wolf pulled the badger back into a tight hug and kissed him. "I'm ready, Oliver. Take me home."
 
"I'se in your arms, Old Wolf. You's already home."
 
The wolf smiled, realizing his husband was right. He threw the badger up over his head and pulled the tiny legs around his neck. With a deep breath that he let out slowly, he turned and began walking back toward the Red Wolf.