An anonymous sender sent a message to Quade's encrypted Tutanota account: "I am still watching over you my precious. This one hurt you, I hurt him back. This one touched you, we touched him back hard. I burn for you... See you soon, MY little soul!
Your Gospodine,
Vuk"
At the end of the message a video began playing. It showed Kyle and Jedidiah kissing then wrestling in Kyle's truck. From the perspective of the camera it looked as if Jedidiah was fighting off an attack. The wrestling match ended with Jedidiah slapping Kyle. The next cut was the attack on Kyle and Karl. The last scene was a close-up of Kyle's chest. It was a message written in blood. 'See you soon, MY little soul!'
"I protect what is mine. You are mine. You have nothing to fear from me little one. I wait for you."
Jedidiah had a moment of realization He remembered 'Mama D' reading the story of 'Petar i Vuk' (Peter and the Wolf). He was shaking as he muttered, "Vuk is Serbian for Wolf... I did this... I killed them all." The boy passed out.
Jedidiah woke in the small sleeping room. Arian was holding him. Jed woke just as terrified as when he passed out. He tried to shove Arian away screaming, "No you have to stay away! He'll kill you too!"
Arian applied even more strength, holding the boy tightly, "Not going to happen. I'll never let anyone hurt my mate again."
Jedidiah saw who else was in the room, Sheriff Blaidd and his father. The sheriff spoke, "This Vuk crossed the line. He attacked a member of our pack, he attacked our family. He poached a mate in OUR territory.
Jedidiah that illusion of calm and safety you experienced by this Zivko and Vuk... that is something strong alphas do. We can hijack your emotions, to make you more pliable to our will. Jedidiah you were manipulated. You didn't have free will. What this monster did is forbidden under council law.
Council rules tend to go ignored when humans and zeds are involved. From this point on you will not be alone, not for a moment. Your father and I have discussed this. You will stay here where it is safe. I will have a second SRO at the school.
There will be adult hunters assigned to protect you all day and night, not just my son. This Vuk will not have an opportunity to touch you again. No one screws with my pack. You have my word, I will put him down."
Jedidiah could tell that the sheriff was holding something back. Something very personal, but Jed was not going to push the issue. The alpha jock wrapped his powerful arms around HIS boy as the adults left the room. Jed said plainly, "If you die, I die too..."
"No more talking like that. Dad and I... Fuck, the whole pack is going to protect you. You are ours, you always have been." Jedidiah was uncomfortable being thought of as property.
The two boys lay in bed holding each other all afternoon until it was time to prepare for the Chamber of Commerce dinner. Jedidiah was terrified; he thought everyone else was at risk any time he was around them. Maybe it would be better if he just stayed hidden at home. He even thought about abdication. He didn't feel like having a celebration.
Arian told Jed, "If you step down so do I babe. We are a matched set. I could just chill here with you forever. If we do that, if we live in hiding from that Vuk guy, he wins by default."
There was another reason Jedidiah had to attend. With the death of Quade, Jed filled his post on the Chamber of Commerce and it would be frowned upon if he missed the dinner. In the South tradition is all. The extra security was explained as a threat being made against Jedidiah. No details were given to the mundanes; everyone assumed it was just an anti-gay redneck thing. This part of South Florida was still pretty conservative...
The dinner had always been a casual affair, the court decided to dress in black trousers or slacks with burgundy dress shirts or blouses. Everyone was impressed to see the co-monarch arrive with his court. Each member of the Court sat between two Chamber of Commerce members. The president of the chamber sat at the head of the table flanked by Arian and Jedidiah the co-monarch's court and the King's Court sat on opposing sides of the tables.
Jedidiah laughed when he read the place card for the empty chair next to him... CEO Glynis Enterprises. "Mr. Coster may I make a request?" Jed pointed at the name card next to him and the big man smiled. "May I ask the CEO of Glynis Agriculture to fill my chair?" Laughs erupted from the room as Buck grabbed his name card and walked towards the head of the table. As he came forward Jed saw the other empty chair.
Rumors were spreading through the tables. The one thing they had in common was how well Jedidiah was handling the various situations. Everyone marveled at the weak boy. With Jed's improving hearing, he heard every whisper. Mr. Coster, the council president, was also a lycan and occasionally put a comforting hand on Jed's knee under the table.
Somewhere between the rubber chicken entrees and the banana pudding trifle, word started to spread around the room. Mr. Ferguson, one of Jedidiah's abusers was found dead. He was ripped apart like a pack of animals got to him. Everything was of course kept to a polite murmur. All of the lycans at the tables could hear every one of the rumors.
Although Buck could not hear them, he could see his boy's discomfort growing. Arian however, could feel the fear and anxiety building in his mate. Jed had enough, "Please excuse me for a moment Mr. Coster."
Jedidiah stepped out into the lobby almost running into Trooper Jake March. "He IS really dead sir?" The trooper simply nodded his head yes. "I take it you're part of my security detail?" Another nod. "Thank you for protecting me sir."
March looked at the teen. Not many protectees bother to thank the security detail, "I'm not the only one, there is another Trooper, the coach and a few deputies helping out. Jed, I was wondering if you could do me a favor.
We haven't been able to find a place yet. We are still living in the RV it leaks. With this guy running around, would you mind if my family moved the RV in one of your bays? This way I could watch over you and them at the same time. I know a protector can only have one charge but..."
Jed interrupted him, "As far as I'm concerned you're protecting the building. The occupants are in the building. Let the rest of the detail know, if they wish similar provision I have the space... after Homecoming of course. Heck sir, this will probably help us with Charlie's birthday party next week. On that topic is it a mixed crowd or will it be all lycans."
The Trooper smiled, "Lycans, the boy shifted for the first time two months ago. He's still having trouble maintaining control. Sadly he's taking after me. I should have listened to my mother when she said, 'Someday you'll have a pup just like you are.' It is causing problems between him and his big brother too. Jason still hasn't shifted."
"Sir, I thought you guys shift when you hit puberty?"
"For alphas and betas that's normally the case Jed. Zeds like Jason... some of them never shift. They are lower than humans in the pack's eyes. His mother is so happy you're looking after him. Our pup has quite the hero crush on you."
Jedidiah realized what was so unusual. He saw the trooper had an emotional connection with Jason as a son. Then he saw and smelled there was no genetic connection to the boy. "Does Jason know?"
"Yeah he does. That's part of the reason why Carolyn wants my wife to talk to you. More specifically for you to talk with her. She was at a frat party back in college; someone slipped something into her drink. A few weeks later she found out she was pregnant. The situation moved her to become a therapist.
A couple years later I fell in love with her and with the boy. Still he's going to have a hard life. Zeds are normally little more than slaves or toys in the pack. I think he may have got passed around some of the older boys in the old pack. He's such a good kid; I don't want that to happen here." Jake took a long breath thinking about his boy's future.
You should get back to your party Jed. Let us 'full growns' worry about the big stuff."
The rest of the evening went well, everyone followed Jed back to The Orange Plant for what Steph called a celebratory 'Pre-party' party. When they arrived there was a crowd assembled in front of bay five. A piece of fabric had been hung from the side of the building with a ceremonial cord tied to it. The Weatherford and Johnston families were there too.
Stephanie grabbed Jedidiah's arm and guided him and Arian to a place directly in front of the bay five entrance. "Mr. Glynis if you would do the honors of pulling the cord as Jedidiah's Papa, and the eldest Glynis present."
Steph asked if Jed was ready he simply nodded, "Jedidiah my friend, you have done so much for our community. You have helped so many of your fellow classmates in ways most will never know.
That's how you work, quietly in the background where no one notices. Growing up, you were Santa Claus to many of us. I know a few of the stories, because well, everyone talks to me. This is our way of saying thank you. Mr. Glynis, pull it."
With a tug from Buck and his wife the sheet fell to the ground revealing a green sign with three rows of bright orange and yellow letters... "The Orange Plant - The Glynis Corporation - Constructed 1929." The corners of the sign were punctuated with beautiful orange blossoms. The style was done to the period the building had been built. Bryan outdid himself.
Steph grinned and grabbed her good friend's waist. "Don't you dare start crying Jedidiah! We're not done yet!" She led the boy and his parents into bay five where a beautiful hardwood floor had been laid.
Mr. Johnston spoke up, "We salvaged the wood from the old high school gymnasium. It's modular and it can be removed if you wish to convert this room back into a garage. You can also just peel back part of it to drive straight through. For now it's going to make a great dining room floor for tomorrow night.
You carry the heart of this town boy. Over the last few months a few of us have been watchin what you've been doing. It hasn't been missed on us that a lot of us tradesmen and craftsman wouldn't be in business if it wasn't for you."
That left the electricians in the main room in bay one. Jedidiah's heart was breaking as he saw Mr. McCormick and his son Kent. Just their presence brought the video back to his mind. Both felt his sorrow and hugged on him as if he was just another son and brother.
When the three were cried out Kevin McCormick spoke as his son got in position, "I have already told you, you are part of my family now. Your friends and my son told me a little about your faith. Stephanie said you wanted something to reflect the spirit of my son and Kyle. Kent you ready?"
The teen replied, "Yes Sir" and the lights dimmed. Kevin pointed upward. Jed looked up the two-story open bay and saw what appeared to be the Milky Way on the underside of the ceiling. There was a banner with pictures of Karl and Kyle saying "Never Gone, We Travel The River of Stars."
Kevin spoke, "The banner is going to be attached on the media booth at the stadium for the rest of the season. The LED lights are a permanent installation but I can remove them if you don't like..."
Jedidiah interrupted, "Don't you dare! It's perfect."
What started out as a 'Pre-party' became a Homecoming Court sleepover under the twinkling synthetic stars. Looking up from the dance floor at the pathway of stars, with his head resting on Arian's arm, Jed felt safe. Although Vuk was still a threat, at this moment he was a distant memory.
Friday
Stephanie burst into action at eight o'clock the next morning as She and Jed greeted the March family in bay five. The cheerleader couldn't help but be excited, "Is everybody ready to get ready... Her perky announcement was heard in bay one and there was a collective groan heard by more than a few members of the court.
Jed, I had a chat with our young frosh Jason. Because you're going to be on the float with the Queen's Court... sorry the 'Co-Monarch's' float, we're going to need a stand-in for Wiley Wolf. Young Jason is more than willing to fill your oversized paws."
"All I have to do is s-sit an-and wave r-right?"
"Yeah Jason that's all you have to do." Jed put an arm around the young freshman to give him reassurance. "Steph is the portable air conditioner on the float?"
"Jed this is me you're talking to, you know the list maker."
That's when Jed felt it. That same feeling of hate and jealousy, of being watched. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a shadow on the roof down the street.
"Steph go down to bay seven. Get the sheriff and let him know I'm having that feeling... I think he's down the street on top of the old mercantile building. He'll have to go out the back gate in order to circle around downwind of the guy. Yeah he is a guy. Run when you get out of view of the doorway."
He looked down at the terrified freshman in his arms, "I know you're afraid, but you need to be calm right now. Just walk with me." He and Trooper March walked over to Arian's pick up and started going through the Wiley costume. The trooper told his wife to go with the others to bay seven.
"You should go with them sir..."
"You're hanging out here like bait, and my son is with you. No force on this planet is going to remove me from your side Jed. I am on duty; you specifically are the said duty."
"I-I-I wish I was as b-b-brave as you are s-s-sir."
"My name is still Jed and you're doing just fine Jason. You want to hear a secret..." Jason nodded and Jedidiah continued, "I'm scared shitless. We're just going to introduce you to the suit that's all. We're stalling for a little time so the sheriff can get someone across the street."
Trooper March concurred with Jedidiah, and also spoke words of courage and encouragement to his stepson.
Jed looked into the boy's eyes, "Of course I will understand if you don't want to wear the costume during the parade."
"N-n-n-no sir, I wanna b-b-be w-w-wiley s-s-someday. A-a-all I-I-I gotta d-do is s-s-sit and w-w-waive."
Jed had to hug the boy. For a zed, he had a lot of guts.
The sheriff and Deputy Bryce came running in through the front gate. "Missed him by seconds, I have hunters trying to pick up his scent. I think he's using some kind of masking agent. Jed you were right, there is someone watching you. Jake I need you to call your supervisor we have a genuine threat against one member of the pack, a lycan threat.
I'm going to need bodies now, a lot of them. I'm calling in all of the hunters and trackers. I want every inch of the parade route covered. I want at least one, no two hunters on each rooftop for one block. I have to report to the council."
Jedidiah attempted and uneasy smile. He knew this man... but he knew so many. Jason began squeezing Jedidiah's waist, "You'll be okay s-s-sir. My dad's the b-b-best."
The parking area began to fill with cars and the coach ran in. "Good work Jed. We got it from here. You two boys go get some breakfast and get ready. We will keep you safe." The hunters were quickly gathering.
Jedidiah rested his arm on Jason's shoulder as they walked down to get the boy some breakfast. Arian threw an embrace around his lover. "My promise of protection didn't last so long."
"It's not your fault you just don't feel him, I wish I didn't. It feels like a hot wind on the back of my neck. I know this guy. He's just so full of rage and jealousy. Maybe you should keep your distance."
"Oh we know that's - not - going - to - happen! You're MY mate. I just wish we had a chance to get matching tuxes for homecoming." He held up his garment bag and unzipped it showing a nice rental tuxedo in school colors of black with burgundy trim.
Jed smirked looking to his mother. She was busting a gut laughing so hard. Hachi ran into the family's RV and grabbed Jedidiah's garment bag. When she unzipped it everyone else began laughing as the burgundy tuxedo with black trim was revealed.
Steph added, "How did you know what the 'Queen's Court' was going to be wearing? Jason get my garment bag and makeup kit from my car."
Jason started to rise until Jed fired back, "He's eating."
Stephanie tried to rebut, "But he's a..." Jed wasn't sure if his friend was going to call him the cheer go-fur or a zed. He knew only that he was going to stand up for him.
"Steph last time I'm going to say this, he's eating. Leave it."
"It-It's okay sir. I-I don't mind..." Jason started.
Jed barked, "Sit down, and eat your breakfast. That suit drains you. This is my house these are my rules. More than that you are my understudy. Eat your fill. Steph you should know better you've seen me after an event."
Jed looked over at a laughing Arian. "What!" Jed shouted at the smirking boy.
Arian simply replied, "And you don't think you're an alpha." He laughed shoveling in more bacon and eggs.
A very confused Carolyn replied to her son, "He thought... He didn't... He thought he was a beta?" Laughter erupted around the table. Jed knew this was going to be another thing he'd have to explain to his mother later. He could just imagine his mother saying some corny joke like, "Alphas and betas and zeds, oh my..."
After breakfast everyone showered and got ready for the parade. Jed was happy to be a boy because that meant he didn't have to put on makeup like the rest of the Queen's Court. He was wrong. The girls made sure the shine was knocked down for photographs.
The girls had asked before if they could use The Orange Plant as their base station. It was a place where they could get their dresses on and mount the parade float in an orderly and safe environment. Then they could strip their makeup and get into uniform for the big game.
Jedidiah knew while some of the guys rented tuxedos for the most part the girls had to buy their gowns. Simply put they were too expensive and too fragile to be risked.
Steph was applying a light dusting of gold glitter powder on his face and Jed said, "I'm sorry I barked at you."
"Think nothing of it you were protecting a weaker member of the pack, it's expected. You are still my BFF." She kissed his cheek
Jed loved parades, homecoming parade specifically. The town came together in support of the school, the team, and each other. It was a wonderful feeling.
Of course Jed did notice the extra security. He felt bad about being its cause.
The floats ended up back at The Orange Plant and everyone disembarked. Poor Jason was dripping with sweat when they pulled him out of the Wiley Wolf costume. Jed asked him, "Did they forget to hook up the air conditioning?"
"No sir, I was j-just really n-nervous." This was one of those times Jed was grateful there mysterious benefactor included a high flow dryer for the costume.
Jed took the dryer and costume to the pod he and Arian were using. He didn't want Jason to become more nervous. Jed took off his tuxedo and gave it to his mother when she came to the door. It had to go to the one hour dry cleaning to be ready for the next night. Mr. Thomas was taking care of all the members of the court.
Jed was about to climb into his shorts and a tank top getting ready for performance. When Arian entered the room Jed covered up. Arian laughed, "Jed, you are going to have to get used to being naked... especially in front of me! Nudity isn't an issue for most lycans. Shifting is best done naked."
"Sorry Arian. I'm just not there yet. Soon ok?" Arian held his mate. Both Dutch and Carolyn had a talk with their boy about the emotional damage done to Jed. Although the boy was very likely an alpha, he was a wounded one. Those wounds would take time to heal.
Their holds quickly became hormonally driven as wandering hands explored each other's bodies.
Arian's hands slid down the waist of the slender cheer boy. One hand cupped the right butt cheek. The index finger of the other made soft circles around the tender flesh of the boy's pink hole. Jed began moaning and gyrating his hips against Arian's. He moved like a bitch in heat. His right hand grabbed hold of the back of the older boy's neck, holding their mouths together.
While the coach warned the mundane members of the team to abstain from sex before the game to enhance their performance, lycans didn't work that way. With them it was more animalistic. They could pull strength out of the eroticism of the pack. All energy, including sexual energy was good for strengthening and rebuilding.
Jedidiah was so focused in the moment; he was surprised as the two boys fell onto the bed. Arian wanted to feast on his younger lover's body and began ripping his own clothing off. Jed too removed both his shirt and shorts. Only a couple jockstraps separated the two fit teens.
With both families and teammates inside The Orange Plant, the boys knew their time together was both precious and likely short. It was Arian who recommended trying to sixty-nine. As soon as Jedidiah agreed Arian flipped and topped his lover.
Jed push the basket of the jockstrap aside and Arian's ample uncut prick fell against his face. Jedidiah marveled at the foreskin and wondered what it was going to be like to have one of his own. The one thing that Jed learned from his time with Quade was how good semen tasted to him. He knew that cum was not an acquired taste you either liked it or you didn't. He knew he was one of the ones who liked it, but nothing tasted like his Arian.
Jedidiah teased and flicked his tongue across the tender flesh at the end of the older boy's shaft. Slowly sliding his tongue within the hood. He began licking around the bulbous head of the QB god's cock.
Not to be outdone Arian began pleasuring his cheer boy. Thanks to the years of hormone treatments to suppress puberty Jedidiah wasn't is advanced in growth as Arian. Arian was determined to make his boy feel like he was the biggest man on planet Earth.
Arian was impressed with Jed's flexibility and his strength. Mostly he loved his boy's nearly hairless body. The two lovers were a balance in opposites. Arian had broad shoulders that counter-pointed Jed's compact frame. One had well developed body hair, the other just a few wisps of pit hair and a tiny patch of pubes. Each saw perfection in the others body.
Then there was the difference in cum. Arian produced a lot of thick, rich creamy jizz, where has Jedidiah produced thin sweet but watery fluid. The alpha jock was determined to make his mate cum first. Arian thought to himself, "Jedidiah must always cum first." While his mouth was busy pleasuring Jedidiah's cock, he started sliding his index finger into the boy's cute cleft, playing with the pink rose again.
Jedidiah had one thing over Arian, experience. Though he may not have been willing, he was at least a trained cocksucker. He was giving his love one hundred percent of his skills. Jed had no doubt who was going to shoot their wad first.
Arian lacked Jed's oral skills, but he more than made up with what he was doing to Jed's bottom. The boy had no trouble reaching and fondling his mate's p-spot. Each time he made contact, Jedidiah's hips involuntarily curled upward. Jedidiah was twisting his head as his lover's rod was sliding all the way down Jed's throat with ease.
In the end the boys shot at the same time. Arian rolled the two onto their sides to recover. Then he changed position face-to-face with the young and sweating Jedidiah. As the boys recovered on the bed, Arian explained a bit of pack nature that Jed had accidentally stepped in.
Arian asked, "Jason did a really good job didn't he?"
"Yeah, I think he'll be a good fit for Wiley Wolf someday... So long as he can handle the physicality of the role. It's a good thing Wiley Wolf doesn't say anything."
"You know Jed, technically you adopted Jason." Jedidiah shot Arian a confused look. "He sees that you're an alpha. You just promised to protect him whether you know it or not."
"I will, but isn't that his dad's job?"
"Jake Marsh is a beta, a strong one, but still a beta. So is his wife. On that subject... Mom wants her to talk to you. You guys have ummmm... a lot in common. Our moms talked about your nightmares with her. They think Mrs. March can help you. Because she's been..."
Jed gave Arian a pained look as if he'd been kicked in the ribs. Arian continued, "Sweetie, they just want to try to help. I'm going to leave it up to you. I'm just going to ask you, can it hurt? Please think about trying."
Jed looked at Arian, "You should go get something to eat. I have to suit up. We've been working on a wicked aerial trick. I need to focus for the game, or I'll get hurt." Arian said there was time for food later and insisted on helping Jed put on the wolf attire.
When he was suited up head and tail ready to go, Arian said, "I can't wait to see you transform for real. Most of us are trying to guess your color. My baby brother is thinking you're going to be red. Mom says black, which would be kind of cool because Dad is black. I'm the only silver in the pack. I'm betting you'll be a sexy sable."
Jed had remembered the discussion about the fast and slow path, "Steph and your folks say I am changing fast, when will I become a real lycan? You know, shift."
Arian's face became sad, "My wolf's nip was so small. Normally it would be years. Hell it has been known to take generations. Doc said two or three months and he hasn't been wrong often. All of this is a guess, we are in uncharted waters.
In addition to the natural mating, you are the first of your kind who has ever been turned. No one else has turned an Elemental. My father and the other pack leaders were very mad at me, but he will protect you. The whole pack likes you, and they know that you are changing. They will watch over you too."
"Arian I'm not an Elemental. I am only a potential host; the actual Elemental Spirit shares my mother's existence now. Our gen's relation with this Earth Elemental is a strong one. Six generations of women in my family have hosted the same Elemental spirit.
There are all kinds of taboos. I'm not even supposed to be talking about her to you. I guess the big one is, if you hear her name it's time to duck. Bad things happen, people die bad.
The rest of us are peripherals. We instantly know where evil people are buried, because they stay in the Earth. We can dust dance, finding things long lost in the earth. Some of us are more gifted than others. My gifts are tracking, earth finding and of course healing.
If my blood is now tainted, the elemental in my mother will probably reject me." Jedidiah could see the disappointment on Arian's face as he continued, "It would probably have rejected me because I'm a boy. The last time a male hosted... let's just say, it is another thing we don't talk about. Grandmother said Hisagita Misa, the Breathmaker, made our gen special.
I was six. I didn't know it but grandmother was testing me. I was playing on a blanket in the meadow. A fawn and doe approached me. The fawn was injured and curled up in my lap. When I touched it, it was made well, and I passed out. Grandmother and the appointed witnesses saw and she began my training. Three years later, when grandmother joined our family in the City in the West, Mother took over my training."
"Jed, what happened to your grandfather on your Mother's side? What was his um... gen?"
"He made the journey on the river of stars to the City in the West when I was five. He was killed by a white boy for five dollars and his watch. I never knew about his gen.
In the white's world, most of the time it is the man who sets the genealogy. That's not the case for our people. Genealogies are traced through the mother's line not through the father's. In our custom the children belong to mother and to the gen she represents. We are the last of the wolf gen. A lot of people want to merge us in with the bear gen. To us, there is a difference."
Arian kissed his boy. Jed smiled and said, "That was a really nice kiss but you need to go eat, power up for the game. Go get some protein in you."
Game time.
When Jed descended the stairs the cheer squad was assembled below. Each was wearing 'Scruff the Pup' makeup and Karl's number seventy-six painted on their left cheeks. Every single one of the football team had a paw print painted under their right eye and seventy-six painted on their left. They pledged to wear it the rest of the season. They rode to the field together on the teams float with a police escort.
By the fourth quarter things were not looking good. While the defensive line was firing on all cylinders, the offensive line was off its game. The Razorbacks were up by four and the Wolves were struggling. The missing left offensive guard was a gaping hole. Jed watched as time after time the opposition took advantage of it hitting his lover hard.
It was deep in the fourth quarter and the wolves were down by five. Only a touchdown would do. The coach called the final timeout and the line returned to him. The play called for a long bomb.
At the scrimmage all that changed. The Razorback defense had a hole; a player was out of position. Arian called an audible, he saw the opportunity. Jedidiah felt the surge of adrenalin as Arian dumped the coach's play for one of his own. Jedidiah knew Arian was going to attempt a sixty yard running rush.
Three times during the game the cheer squad attempted the aerial. Each time Jed ended up on his ass. He felt as if he failed his lover three times. The least he could do is accompany him on the run from the sidelines. His heart beat in time with Arian's.
On the field the magic happened, the line came together as one fending off the Razorbacks defensive line. One by one the opposition fell away. Even sophomore Sean Lee the new left offensive guard finally clicked.
Steph and the girls rushed to set up for one final aerial. The mini tramp was set near the end zone. Jason held it in place while four of the girls formed a pyramid with a three person base.
As the team rushed down the field Hachi could see the patterns of force connecting them. The team was feeding on each other. Pulling and pooling their strength, they were a pack! Leilani showed her host this was not evil as the mother had thought, the pattern of the pack's binding force was so beautiful Hachi wept openly.
Jed was drained keeping pace with Arian. At the ten he had to commit to the trick or dump the jump. As Steph saw Jed hit the mini tramp, she prepared to drop between the three person base. Jed was determined. Using inertia and brute force he leapt. Jedidiah's howl filled the stadium as his crotch just missed his cheer partner's head. Steph dropped as Jed passed and he landed three yards into the end zone still on the sideline. The team hoisted Arian as the coaches and cheerleaders hoisted Jed. Victory by one point!
During the post game bonfire Jedidiah was flying; stoned on the love from the other young members of the pack. Adoration was heaped on the team members with Jed and Arian specifically being the focal points. Coach stayed close enough to Jed that the boy could feel his presence but not so close as to cause suspicion from the normals.
There was one dark cloud as a man in an expensive suit had a conference with the sheriff and a few of the hunters. Jed felt the stress and annoyance flowing from the older pack elders. Jed and Arian stepped back to the coach. Jed asked, "Who is he?"
Coach replied too quickly, "An asshole..." He realized that was not the best answer for the young pups. "That is Drugan O'Connor. He's a messenger from the world council. So I guess a massive bureaucratic asshole is the better answer." The coach told the boys to rejoin the celebration. "Enjoy this time guys, it won't come again."
The hairs on Jedidiah's neck remained raised as he kept the corner of his eye on O'Connor.
After the bonfire, the A-squad and decorating committee spent another night in The Orange Plant. Some chose to sleep (and other things) in lycan form. None wanted to leave Jedidiah's side.
It was common knowledge that when Dutch moved on in a few years it would be Arian who would slide into the vacancy. Jed's place as his mate was settled. The pack wanted to imprint on the future Alpha's mate they would protect him. The couple's love had become the glue that bound the next generation.
The parents looked on with pride from the second level then adjourned for the night.
The next morning Steph woke with her usual energy as she marshaled the decorating crew. The photo booth arrived and was set up next to the entryway in bay five. Bay five is where all of the freshmen were going to be sitting, with the exception of young Jason who earned his place with the team.
Bay one would contain the DJ booth, senior class seating and the dance floor. The lower portion of bay two would contain the sophomore and junior class. The exception to the class segregation rule would be the mezzanine. It would contain the football team and the cheer squad.
The fire marshal oversaw the deployment of the fire curtains separating bays five and six. Only Steph could make a black fire curtain look good. As Jed and Steph finished their final walk-through and sound checks Jedidiah fell on his spiritual older sister in a grateful embrace for her hard work. "You made this perfect Steph."
She replied, "Maybe Jedidiah, but you made it possible." She hugged him back. "So we didn't get the full homecoming week, you saved the important stuff for us."
The rest of the day Jedidiah ran around the plant on errands for everyone. He couldn't help shake the feeling that they were trying to busy his time. He didn't miss the delegation entering the police RV. Jed noticed at the heart was Drugan O'Connor. Jed passed the sheriff's RV and heard raised voices, "Dutch, there are two claims, how do we know which is the stronger..."
Caroline saw the boy and sent him on to find her son. By the time he returned the guests were gone.
The parents insisted that Arian and Jed prepare for the dance in separate RVs in bay eight, rather than sharing the small room. Buck said, "It is the beau's responsibility to chat with the father, while his date finished preparing. Let your old man have this. The only other time I'm going to be able to do it is prom and maybe your wedding day."
Homecoming wasn't quite as stressful as the prom would be. The students dressed casual, with the exception of the homecoming court. Jedidiah was even fortunate enough to find a tux that fit the new Scruff the Pup. Jason was thrilled with the burgundy and white number.
The court was assembled in bay seven for last photos before the grand entrance. The team members and their dates ascended the grand staircase first. Followed by the cheerleaders and their dates. Then came the king's court, followed by the court for the homecoming 'co-monarch.'
With everyone seated dinner was served and a slideshow of remembrance for their friends was projected on two of the common walls, so all could see. It was Arian who spoke, "Our friends will never be gone so long as we remember. Our friend Jedidiah would no doubt say they walk the river of stars to the city in the West, where they wait for us. I know Kyle shared Jed's belief. I have no doubt Karl is with him waiting. So, no good-byes... only good memories."
Jed begged Arian to dance with him, only to discover dance was the QB stud's kryptonite. Jed switched to the back-up plan... Steph and Jason of all people saved the night for him offering to dance as a trio. Jed stalked off towards the floor with his cheer buds in tow. He went down the stairs to the first floor like he owned the house, as it should be. He threw a smirk over his shoulder at Jason. The rest of the cheer squad knew what was coming.
By the time they reached the dance floor "Dem Beats" by Todrick Hall started playing. Jedidiah hit the center of the floor and he just spun on the spot. His body came alive gyrating his hips. Two beats later the other two joined in mimicking the dance GOD Todrick Halls' group routine.
They looked up towards the Mezzanine where the minipack was sitting. Shocked, Arian's mouth fell open. Two by two the rest of the cheer section came down the grand case and joined in, eventually clearing and dominating the floor.
A couple of the girls had a little trouble with footwear and their dresses. The student body just saw polish. It was hard to twerk in evening gowns and heels. When the routine was done most returned to their dates but once Jed hit the floor he didn't leave for almost two hours. The boy was determined to make up for all of the school dances he had missed over his high school career.
Throughout his exuberant movements there was one who kept pace with him... young Jason. The freshman was beaming as he moved, thrilled to be within Jedidiah's shadow.
Eventually the music slowed and Arian joined his lover on the floor. It was not lost on anyone they finished the night on the floor dancing together. Jed noticed his shadow Jason had pared off with Sean Lee.
When the last student walked out and things were secured for the night the boys were spent. They decided to obey their parents and immediately go to sleep. A full day was had, the boys just needed rest.
During the night Jedidiah's dreams returned. Again Arian was drawn in to his boy's nightmare. This time Jed's dream was based on the video of Kyle's rape. Instead of Kyle being thrown over the tree trunk and tied down... it was Jedidiah. He felt the boy's terror and shame, he knew what the boy felt because he lived it himself for years.
The dream had an effect on Arian as well. The alpha jock was becoming filled with rage over what he saw being done to HIS mate. His inner beast surfaced. Logic and reason were gone, this was primal. The one overwhelming urge that dominated his mind was the thought of being with his mate. The beast thought THAT territory was in need of marking.
Jedidiah was lost on a sea of stimulation. What was happening in the real world was affecting the dream world.
The pain was blinding feeling the penetration of the lycan's thick shaft. Jed woke to find Arian had begun shifting to the hybrid form. Arian still asleep was in a primal mode, protecting his boy the only way he could... by taking him.
Arian's skin began to tingle. The side that possessed his intellect could only watch in horror. His eyes widened at the realization, but he couldn't stop it. Not since Arian went through puberty and experienced his first shift, had he lost control. This situation was far from normal.
His ears reshaped into sharp points as silver and grey fur erupted all over his stretching skin. His bones and joints popped and cracked as muscles contracted and then expanded. Huge claws emerged from his fingers. Long sharp canines burst through his upper and lower gums releasing the copper taste of blood into his mouth.
Arian's eyes shifted and sharpened and zeroed in on Jedidiah's neck. His cock throbbed and thickened even further. He couldn't pull back, couldn't stop fucking. He jack hammered his expanded cock into his mate's tight ass. He had to. He had to cum inside Jedidiah. Nothing else mattered except fully claiming his mate...
He could smell the blood pulsing in the arteries and veins on Jedidiah's exposed neck. "Arian?" Jedidiah whimpered; panic and fear lacing his voice as he felt the changes in Arian's body and his widened eyes zeroed in on the drooling fangs. Locked in the pose of submission he gasped out again. "Arian!"
Jedidiah shrieked in pain as the hybrid wolf's knot expanded locking the two bodies together.
On instinct, Arian sank his teeth into the soft, curve of Jedidiah's neck. The wolf knew the body beneath him belong to him, and him alone. Jed cried out and bucked underneath him, his fingernails digging at the muscles of Arian's now fur-covered back.
The alpha wolf felt the hot splashes and smelled the scent of his mate's semen shooting between their bodies, he sucked hard on his neck, pulling in that sweet, copper blood, swallowing it down as it pulsed into his mouth with every beat of his lover's heart. Nothing had ever tasted so good.
The half-man/half-beast threw his head back. Blood dripped down from his fangs and fur covered muzzle. His howl reverberated against the room's walls as he filled his mate to overflowing with his release. The mating howl defeated the buildings soundproofing.
Jedidiah's blood began running freely from the shredded blood vessels in the open wound and pooling on the mattress beneath him. Then the shock of his wounded mate caused Arian to shift back. He lifted himself up with a sudden gasp, as Jedidiah shuddered underneath him, and then passed out seizing.
"What the fuck just happened?" Arian thought to himself, as his now conscious human mind once again resurfaced.
Arian's hands were still dug into the sheets on either side of Jedidiah's body. He tasted blood in his mouth... Jedidiah's blood.
Jedidiah's eyes rolled back into his head as his entire body began shaking uncontrollably. His neck wound caused blood to spray from the bite with each beat of Jed's heart.
"Jedidiah!" Arian shouted, trying to wake him. "Fuck! NO! I'm sorry, pup! Oh, fuck! I didn't... FUCK... FUCK... FUCK! What do I do Jed..." Arian grabbed the one thing he could think of to slow the bleeding, the pillow next to his boy's head, pressing it hard against the wound on his mate's neck.
The QB armed up Jedidiah laying him on the concrete floor. The pillow wasn't working he grabbed the towels on the floor and press them against Jedidiah's open wound. There was pounding on the steel door of the room. The mating howl was indeed loud. Loud enough that the families in the RV's in bay eight heard.
Arian left his lover's side and turned off the electric lock on the door. The bolt retracted and the door flew open. Sheriff Blaidd and Trooper March pushed Arian aside. They began treating the bleeding boy on the floor.
Jedidiah's body began spasming violently. His skin was clammy and pale white, almost waxy. The boy was losing his battle. When the packing shifted each beat of his heart would force arterial blood to spray against the far wall.
The lycans gathered could feel Jed's heart struggle. It was beating rapidly but having precious little blood to push. Jedidiah was rapidly reaching the point of exsanguination. Carolyn had called for the pack's doctor but everyone present knew this would not end well.
Jed witnessed his grandmother reject the gift of healing at the end. Jedidiah attempted to heal the old woman to get just one more day. She told him, "All things have a time sweet Jedidiah and this time is mine." She shelled and rejected his gift and began her journey on the river of stars.
Jedidiah's eyes opened as he looked up at his mother weakly. He could tell what she was going to attempt, "No Mama... You'll hurt my sister... You can't... That price is too high... Just let me go, this time is mine."
He would not be the cause of the loss of his gen's future. His life has been filled with great pain but also great joy. If this was to be his end, he would not fight for just one more day.
He remembered the words of Tecumseh, "So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart... ...Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide."
Jed would leave this world singing his death-song. He would return his final breath to the breathmaker. If this was the day he joined his family in the City in the West they would hear him coming, and they would be proud.
Jedidiah began softly chanting as his life's blood continued to flow. It took every bit of his concentration but he shelled preventing his mother from performing the healing. As his vision dimmed, he was at peace, ready for the final journey...