SOULBOUND clash
By Wes
Leigh
This
is a work of fiction (or is it?) intended solely for the entertainment of my
readers; any resemblance to any real people or places is purely coincidental. Readers
who would like to chat are encouraged to contact me at weston.leigh@protonmail.com.
This
story is the property of the author and is protected by copyright laws. The
author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's
consent.
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Maintaining anonymity is their biggest challenge. They
pass themselves off as just like the rest of us. Owning businesses. Sending
their kids to school. Attending football games. Just fitting in.
-- Excerpt from Rob Ransom podcast: `Vampires and
Werewolves: Are They Living Among Us?'
Fifth and sixth period ...
The longest hour of the day for most students and teachers
was immediately after lunch, when eyelids drooped and attention wandered. That's
why the school tried to schedule more active classes for fifth period.
For Xavier and Diego, it wasn't hard to stay alert. They had
Pep Band for fifth period, meeting with the other students to practice the songs
they would be performing at upcoming basketball games. Xavier played the
trumpet, Diego the saxophone.
The band director had a special presentation planned for the
next game. The week before, she had asked Diego and Xavier to team up in a
duet, playing Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer.
It would be a challenge, with the two instruments taking turns playing the
different phrases. Xavier and Diego had been practicing all week, perfecting
their timing so that it sounded like a single musician instantly switching from
trumpet to sax and back again. The other students watched in rapt awe as the
two talented young men put on an amazing performance, applauding and whistling
when they finished. The director rapped her baton on the podium for attention
and then asked the entire band to play together on the chorus.
Football season was over and the proud school displayed
another state championship banner on the wall of the gymnasium; basketball
season was beginning with the hopes of the same. That meant the band switched
from a full marching band to two smaller bands: Pep and Concert. The Pep Band, mostly brass and drums, played
at the basketball games. The Concert
Band, a full orchestra, practiced for winter and spring concerts.
Across the campus, in the school gymnasium, Connor and
Daniel suited up in shorts and tee-shirts for a light workout. As a small,
rural school, many of the same athletes played in every sport. Daniel, Connor, Caleb, Ethan, Dillon and the
rest joked as they stretched, walked laps to warm up, then completed a variety
of conditioning and strengthening exercises along with speed drills that left the
humans on the team panting. The werewolves, with their enhanced lycan bodies, had to do a bit of acting, pretending to be
winded after the drills, walking around with their hands on their heads, breathing
deeply. Connor caught Daniel's eye and winked. They didn't need to build up
their stamina, but it was still fun getting a bit of exercise every day. Coach
blew the whistle, signaling the end of the workout, and sent the team in for
showers.
Pep Band practice was actually a full two hours long. After
fifth period ended, the students took a short break, then picked up their
instruments and headed for the gym. It always smelled a bit like sweaty boys,
especially after the basketball team had been practicing. The band members
found seats in the bleachers where they warmed up and waited for the
cheerleaders and dance team to come out on the floor. Then they practiced the
music for the next game, working on synchronizing the music to the dancers'
routines. It usually took five or six tries to get it right, but when it
clicked, they knew they would have a halftime show that would have the fans on
their feet, cheering for more.
Just down the hall, after their showers, the basketball team
sat in a classroom, reviewing the offensive plays and defensive schemes they
would be using in the next game. As the point guard, Daniel was expected to lead
the offense, calling the plays, and feeding the ball to the other players. He
had an advantage over most other point guards around the state, since his vaewolf powers helped him to anticipate how the defense
would respond. As for Connor, his job on the court wasn't that different from
his job on the football field. Get in the way. Disrupt the other team. Make a
general nuisance of himself. And make a basket every now and then.
There wasn't much chatter between the four boys during the
afternoon classes. Each of them were focused and
intent, two on their music, two on their athletics.
͠ ͠
͠
After school ...
The band director was pleased with how well the next
halftime show was shaping up. She dismissed the students for the day, reminding
them they would be expected to stay after school for the next two days, rehearsing
and perfecting the performance.
Xavier stored his trumpet in its case and snapped the
latches on the side. "Are you coming to the cabin tonight?" he asked Diego, who
was cleaning his saxophone before storing it away.
Diego nodded. "After we eat. Momma is making feijoada
tonight."
"What is feijoada?"
"Black bean stew." Diego grinned. "I know. It doesn't sound
that good, but it's incredible. Momma's feijoada is the best!"
Xavier raised one eyebrow. "Black beans? And then you're spending
time with us?"
Diego bit his lip, trying not to giggle. "I'll try not to
fart too much, but I can't guarantee I'll be gas-free."
Xavier shook his head and laughed. "Seven o'clock?"
Diego nodded. "Works for me. See you then, X-man."
Xavier smiled and looked around. The rest of the students
were busy with their own musical instruments, so he leaned over and kissed
Diego on the cheek. "I'll see you soon, cutie."
Diego blushed adorably as he picked up his instrument case.
Walking out with Xavier, they found an empty hallway and turned to face each
other. Love you, Xavier.
Adore you, Diego.
They focused on their separate homes and teleported directly
to their destinations. It certainly beat riding a school bus home.
͠ ͠
͠
Back in the gymnasium, Coach Sean sent the team jogging
around the court in several slow laps to get the blood pumping. Then he called
them together for stretching and calisthenics, followed by a few speed drills. With
those out of the way, he called the players to huddle up and said, "Football is
history, boys." He pointed at the championship banner on the wall. "Something
to be extremely proud of, but we can't dwell on our past success. Not if we
expect to do just as well in basketball this year. I'm asking the same effort
from all of you. During practice. During weight training. During games." He
checked his clipboard and began calling out names. "Daniel, point guard. Caleb,
shooting guard. Dillon and Andrew, forwards, and Mark, center. Connor, Ethan,
Merrick, Jonas, and Carter ... you're skins and playing
defense."
Connor and the other defending players pulled off their
tee-shirts and threw them to the side.
Connor moved to the top of the key and flexed, motioning at Daniel to
`bring it on'. As the biggest guy on defense, he should have been guarding
Mark, but Connor was also lightning fast and wanted to prove he could block
Daniel's passes.
Daniel dribbled the ball as he walked forward, holding up
one finger to signal the play. Dillon made a break for the basket as Daniel
made a perfect pass. Dillon caught the ball in mid-stride and spun around,
attempting a hook shot. Connor wasn't fooled. He shifted back, spun around, and
batted the ball away.
"Not today," Connor said with a grin, swatting Dillon on the
arm.
Dillon chuckled and turned to Daniel. "Let's try that again,
Big D."
Daniel grabbed another ball and set up the offense,
dribbling slowly forward. This time, he held up two fingers, sending his
players into a shuffle offense. They dashed from side to side, their sneakers
squeaking on the floor as they made quick turns and pivots. Connor didn't
bother trying to keep up with Dillon, but instead charged Daniel with his arms
held wide to cut off the passing lanes. Daniel feinted a pass, then pulled the
ball back and made a bounce pass between Connor's legs. Dillon caught the pass
and turned around for an easy layup.
Connor chuckled and shook his head. "Good job, Big D. Fooled
me on that one. But I'm gonna get you sooner or later."
"I live for that day," Daniel said, chuckling. But if
you do catch me, will you know what to do with me? he added, smiling at
Connor.
Connor's eyes twinkled. I gotta
pretty good notion.
Does it involve anything long and hard and throbbing?
Daniel asked, as he walked back to the center line.
Connor just laughed. You'll find out when I pin you against
the wall.
Diego intruded with a question of his own. What kind
of basketball practice are you guys having? And can I play too?
Then they heard Xavier's mental laugh as he said, That's what happens when boys play with
balls after school day after day.
Daniel dribbled forward, his eyes on Connor the entire time.
Connor grinned and winked, accepting his challenge.
Daniel dodged to the left. Connor matched him.
Daniel juked to the right. Connor followed.
Daniel spun and slipped around Connor, throwing the ball
back out to Caleb who posted up and sank a three-point basket.
Connor stood there, watching Daniel and Caleb give each
other a high five, smiling at their antics.
Caleb trotted over and grinned up at Connor. "Good moves,
Connor, even if you did miss Daniel ... again!"
Connor grabbed Caleb in a tight hug and pinched his ass,
making Caleb yelp.
"Cheeky pup," Connor growled, but he was smiling when he
said it. Caleb he could catch, but Connor didn't expect to keep up with Daniel,
not on the basketball court that is.
͠ ͠
͠
Daniel set the table for dinner. Two plates. Two glasses.
Two sets of eating utensils. He filled the glasses with sweet tea before
returning to the kitchen.
Judy, his mom, passed him carrying the platter with sliced
ham.
Daniel returned carrying a bowl of mashed potatoes and a
tureen of brown gravy, one in each hand, and arranged them on the table next to
the ham. He had to grin, thinking about how his mom insisted on having a
sit-down dinner every night, but he understood how much she missed his dad when
he was away working, so he indulged her on this.
"What else is there?" Daniel asked.
"Oh! Crescent rolls in the oven!" Judy cried as she set a
bowl of green beans on the table. "Hurry, Daniel. Get them out before they
burn!"
He ran into the kitchen and pulled the oven door open. The
rolls were a golden brown, perfectly cooked. Looking around on the counter, he
found a hot pad and pulled the sheet out of the oven and set it on top. Then he
quickly picked up the crescent rolls one by one, tossing them onto a serving
plate and blowing his fingers when he burned them on the piping hot bread.
Judy took the plate from Daniel and placed it on the table,
smiling wistfully. "Thank you, sweetie. Hope you're hungry."
"Starved, Mom. It all looks so good."
She motioned for Daniel to sit and they began serving
themselves. As they ate, they chatted about how the day had gone, how Daniel
thought the basketball team would do the coming Friday, and how cold the
weather was turning. When the conversation began to lag, Daniel asked, "Would
it be okay if I hang out with the guys tonight?"
Judy sighed. It seemed she was alone so often, but Daniel
needed to be with his friends. That much she understood. She asked, "Homework?"
"All done."
"Okay, then. Go. Have fun with your friends."
"Thanks, Mom."
"But don't forget ... your father will be home tomorrow. He
wants to take us out to eat, and then we're planning to watch a movie as a
family."
Daniel nodded. "I remember, Mom. I'll let the guys know I
can't hang out tomorrow."
Judy smiled sadly. At least Daniel didn't groan and moan
about having to spend a night with his parents. He seemed to be handling his
teenage emotions better than most people his age, and for that she was
grateful. He'd been a real terror when they'd first arrived in Agony, but now
that he had friends, he was much better. And she really couldn't complain about
his friends. Connor was polite and respectful. Xavier was a good influence ...
and such a talented musician. Well, so was Diego, and such an adorable young
boy. Daniel could do much worse than those three.
"Mom?"
Judy looked up, surprised. "What is it, dear?"
"You were kinda spacing out for a
little bit there. You okay?"
She nodded. "I'm fine, sweetie. Just a lot on my mind. Do
you want some desert before you abandon me for your friends."
Daniel laughed. "I'm not abandoning you, Mom. I'd never do
that. Especially with your homemade pecan pie!"
She laughed as well. "You saw it in the kitchen, didn't
you?"
"Right next to the whipped cream in a can!"
"Well at least I know I'm good for something," she teased,
standing up and moving her plate to one side. "I'll bring desert if you'll
start clearing the table."
͠ ͠
͠
The McCoy's invited Connor to stay and eat with them. Patrick
McCoy had been out in his backyard, barbequing spare ribs, and his wife Shauna
made an incredible potato salad, so Connor was quick to agree. He tossed a
football with Donny and Ethan while they waited for the food to cook. Becca and
Suzanne, their little sisters, stood on the porch and giggled as they watched
the boys chase each other around the yard.
Connor always enjoyed spending time with the McCoy's. With
the death of his adopted parents, the Lodge seemed cold and empty, except for
the times when the entire Pack assembled there for Silvermane
gatherings. The McCoy's seemed to understand that Connor needed to be around
other lycan families, and although he was their Alpha
now, he was also a lonely teenager who had lost too many family members to
tragic violence. They tried their best to make him feel welcome every chance
they got.
Connor appreciated it. There were other Pack families who
did the same. The Murphys. The Allens.
Someone was always inviting him over, and in some ways, he felt he had one big
family. It was what the Pack did. They mobbed you. They curled up around you. They
wouldn't leave you alone. If you were upset, they licked your snout. If you
were angry, they stood at your side, neck fur on end, growling to let you know
they supported you. He was the head of the Pack, but the Pack was his extended
family, and they all made it clear that he was welcome anytime he wanted to be
around those who would follow him into Hell if he asked.
That was something he knew and understood, deep in his wild
heart.
Patrick McCoy came to the front door and yelled out, "Food's
on!"
The teens shouted their approval and rushed up the porch
steps. Dinner was a rambunctious affair, sloppy with sauce dripping from their
lips and finger licking good. They talked about basketball, predictably, and
the team's chances at another state championship. With Daniel at point guard
and Connor dominating on defense, everyone was convinced it was a guaranteed
result.
After the meal, Connor thanked Patrick and Shauna for having
him over. As he was leaving, he reminded Patrick of the wargame exercises they
would be holding that Saturday with the Smyth Covenant.
"Is it really necessary, Connor, m'lad?"
Patrick asked.
Connor nodded his head gravely. "I'm afraid it is."
"As you say, Alpha. We'll be there," Patrick replied, with a
sharp nod of his head. To Hell and back, they would go, if Connor asked it.
͠ ͠
͠
Diego's grandfather, Joćo Ruiz,
held out a hand toward Diego. "Diego, meu menino
corajoso, pass the stew please."
Diego blushed. Why did his grandfather insist on calling him
that? His brave boy? Diego didn't feel brave at all, but he adored and
respected his grandfather, so he had always made it his goal to live up to Papa
Joćo's expectations. Diego stood up
and carried the bowl of stew around the table to where his grandfather sat.
"You didn't have to do that,
Diego," his grandfather said, placing one hand on the small of Diego's back and
rubbing him there.
"I know, Papa, but I don't
mind." Diego smiled and leaned down to kiss his grandfather's wrinkled cheek.
"You are a good boy, brave
and true," Papa Joćo said. He tapped Diego's
nose and added, "Never forget."
"I won't, Papa," Diego said,
smiling bashfully.
As Diego returned to his
seat, Miguel Ruiz, Diego's father, asked, "Have you kept up your studies on
using electrical fields to create barriers?"
Diego nodded. "Yes, sir. I
practice every night."
Miguel raised both eyebrows.
"Show me."
Diego slid his chair back
from the table and quickly wove his hands in a complicated pattern in front of
his chest. The hair stood up on Diego's arms as electrical charge built up. He
added a final gesture and held his hands out, as though holding someone away. A
shimmering wall of energy now rippled in the air in front of him.
Miguel nodded approvingly. "Good
structure. Solid matrix." Miguel wriggled his fingers and sent a small ball of
golden fire across the table to strike Diego's barrier. It flickered and
flashed but held strong. Miguel grunted, "Well done, Diego, but keep
practicing. You never know when you'll need your magic."
Diego knew better than to
argue. A few months ago, he'd asked his father why magic was necessary when
Diego could transform into a vaewolf and use his
teleportation powers to skip across time and space. His dad had been furious,
reminding Diego of the dangers they'd fled from in Brazil, and insisting that
Diego prepare in every way possible, using every tool at his disposal, planning
for every contingency.
His father could be a bit
paranoid at times, but Diego obediently practiced every night, and he would be
in his room, working hard on his spells, as soon as they finished eating. That
is ... until the others called him to the cabin.
͠ ͠
͠
Xavier ate alone in his study, reading a dusty tome on
ancient vampires and their reputed powers. He finished his meal and closed the
book, thinking about the dire warnings he'd just read, hoping Ignatius Caedes hadn't accumulated all the powers the book
mentioned. Xavier tried to seal his fears away in the back of his mind. He
didn't want unrealized fears to interfere with the night he and his soulmates
had planned.
He felt them there. Daniel. Diego. Connor. Like faint
fingers stroking his scalp from the inside. No matter how far away they were
physically, he sensed their presence and their thoughts and their affection for
him and each other. It was wonderful, this soul link they shared.
He shoved the dusty tome aside and stood up. Focusing on
their cabin in the woods, he teleported there and found Connor kneeling at the
fireplace, lighting the tinder.
Connor turned and smiled at Xavier, then looked off into the
distance. Daniel ... Diego ... are you boys ready? Connor asked.
Been ready for an hour! Diego shouted. Let
me put away my books and I'll be right there.
Xavier snorted. Someone sounds eager.
And you aren't? Daniel asked.
Xavier chuckled and replied, Always
eager. I need to be with you guys tonight.
Daniel popped into the room and walked up to Xavier, pulling
him into a gentle hug. What's wrong, my heart?
Xavier shook his head and forced himself to smile. Nothing,
Daniel. Nothing at all.
Diego teleported in next, frowning when he looked at Xavier.
You can't fool us, Xavier. Something's bothering you. What is it?
Xavier held out his hand to Diego, who took it and allowed
himself to be pulled into a hug with Daniel and Diego. Connor stood up, having
started the fire burning, and walked over to wrap them all three in his massive
arms. He squeezed gently, making them all grunt.
Xavier pushed his worries aside and gently kissed Diego on
the lips. Turning to Daniel, he did the same. Finally, he tilted his head up to
kiss Connor.
Diego slid one hand inside Xavier's pants, finding his cock
tucked under, soft and unaroused. Diego grinned mischievously and began
squeezing Xavier, massaging him until his cock began to fill with blood and
grow.
Xavier closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Diego's
slender fingers manipulating him, teasing the tip, making him hard. Xavier leaned
down and licked Diego's cheek.
Diego giggled and continued massaging Xavier. At the same
time, he gripped the front of Daniel's pants, smiling even bigger when he felt
Daniel's hard shaft poking him back. Daniel was certainly ready to go.
Connor's and Daniel's lips were
pressed together, tongues darting here and there. That was one reason Daniel
was so hard already. The other reason was Connor's hand sliding down Daniel's
back to grip his butt cheeks, kneading the fleshy globes with his large hands.
Daniel moaned and began unbuttoning Connor's shirt,
stripping it off and tossing it aside. He brushed a hand across Connor's broad
chest, twining his fingers in the tuft of hair between his nipples.
Diego quickly stripped off his own shirt and began working
on Xavier's. Time to get this party started, Diego said with a
twinkle in his eye.
͠ ͠
͠
Naked, all four rested on the bed, cuddling and content. The
room reeked of cum, but they were all too exhausted to get up and open a
window.
Their bodies were spent. Their sexual needs were sated. Their
hearts were content.
Will it always be like this for us? Daniel
asked.
Don't know why it wouldn't, Connor replied. You
guys are m'soulmates. Always will be.
Daniel rolled on his side and stroked Connor's cheek. "This
is your senior year, Connor. You have all those scholarship offers. If you take
one, you'll be in college next year, miles away."
"Maybe," Connor admitted. "Or maybe I don't go to college. Maybe
I stay here in Agony with you three."
Xavier was silent, struggling to keep his thoughts hidden
from the others. To cover his own fears, he said, "I'm just a junior, but I
could leave Agony and start college too. I can pass for a college freshman."
Diego sighed. "Maybe we should all leave Agony. Go somewhere
far, far away and start a new life, just the four of us."
Xavier spooned up behind Diego. "You would be fine leaving
your family behind, Diego? I know how close you are."
Diego shrugged. "I can always call them when I miss them. Or
jump back and have dinner with them."
Connor nodded. "I suppose I could have Donny take over
leadership of the Pack, temporarily, to give me a chance to play college ball."
Daniel smiled and draped his arm across Connor's chest. I
want you to do that, Connor. I want everyone to see what a great linebacker you
are.
Connor sighed. I would like that too, Big D. But
there's only one way I would ever agree to that.
What's that? Daniel asked.
Don't you know? Connor asked. The three
of you would have to be there with me. I couldn't do it without you.
They all thought about Connor's words as they embraced,
hoping with all their hearts for just such a future together, each of them
secretly wondering if it would ever be possible to leave Agony behind.
The
end of Chapter Eight of SOULBOUND CLASH