Wolf’s Cub

Chapter 9

Michael struggled to levitate the heavy stone. Colin had already lifted one twice this size without difficulty. His frustration grew as once more, the stone dropped to the ground after rising mere inches. Michael swore. His young sons could move boulders with their minds even when they could not lift far smaller rocks with their arms and yet he still had not acquired the skill. He amended the thought; it was not that he could not do telekinesis, it was just that he could not do it with the ease that Colin and the children demonstrated. Michael sat down on the stone he’d been trying to lift. It was a hot day and he decided he would do better with less on. He pulled off his tunic and leggings and stretched, enjoying the feeling of the sun on his skin. He picked up the waterskin and drank deeply from it, then poured the rest of the water across his over-heated shoulders and back.
 

“Michael, look at what I have… oh….” Colin’s words broke off as he came around the side of the rockface where they’d been working.

Unfortunately, he’d been levitating a large oblong stone through the air above him as he walked; he was so startled at the sight of Michael’s unexpected nudity that he lost his concentration.
 

Without missing a beat, as the huge stone spiraled down toward Colin’s head, Michael reached out his hand and stopped it in mid-air.
 

“Dear goddess,” Colin whispered as he looked up and saw the stone mere inches from his head. He stood there gaping at it for several seconds until Michael finally said, “Colin….”
 

Colin looked at him, wonder in his eyes. “You did it, Michael. You saved my life! Thank the goddess that you made your breakthrough before….”
 

“Colin.”
 

“That was amazing. When did you have your breakthrough?”
 

“That was my breakthrough, friend, and since I have not yet figured out how to move such a stone to where my will would wish it to go, only how to stop it from moving to where I wish it not to go, I suggest you get out from under it while I work on the next part of the lesson.” Michael spoke calmly, using humor to mask his emotions as was his way. In truth, he wanted to clasp Colin to his chest and hold him tight until his heart stopped beating so rapidly. Better yet, he wished he dared to throw him to the ground and make love to him until their hearts pounded even harder. A third, almost as appealing choice would be to throttle him for being so careless in the first place so as to put himself in such danger!
 

But mainly, Michael knew, he wanted to make love to Colin until the sun set and a new moon rose in the sky.
 

Colin walked over to him, his legs shaky as he realized anew just how close a call it had been. He was still more than a little distracted by Michael’s body, but he could not let Michael know that. He summoned all the nonchalance he could manage, and, with his gaze firmly fixed somewhere around Michael’s left shoulder, asked, “So, do you need me to do something equally foolish and life-threatening for you to be able to toss that stone into a standing position? I was rather hoping we could move several of these large stones to a spot I’ve found that is ideal for a Circle.”
 

“Do something that stupid again and I’ll have you stand at your Circle so I can try lobbing them at you.” Michael managed to smile at Colin. He truly was pleased that he’d finally managed to do this levitation thing, and was rapidly regaining his good humor as it sunk in that Colin was quite safe. He turned his concentration back to his task. Slowly, steadily, he spun the stone into a standing position and set it down in the spot where Colin had almost been killed. He turned back to his friend.
 

“Perhaps this one can remain as a monument—to your ability to totally lose yourself in thought and to my need for the proper motivation to tap into my power. I’d forgotten that about me…but I won’t again.”
 

Michael’s eyes were serious as he reached out and touched Colin’s face briefly. “We cannot ever let ourselves forget that as idyllic as this Island seems, Colin, danger can find us at any time. We must always be alert and ready.”
 

“We will not forget, Michael. But let us not forget how to enjoy the feeling of the sun on our skin on a warm day either. The ability to enjoy life is important too.”
 

Michael laughed and the sound warmed Colin more than the sun’s rays. “Wise words, O Druid, but I do not think I am the one who needs reminding of that! It is not I who is bundled up in a robe on this glorious day. Perhaps you also should toss your garments aside—just this once.” The green eyes glinted mischievously. “Or is it as Dominic and Mellisande suspected, and you are not fashioned as ordinary men underneath those heavy robes?”
 

Colin tried to maintain a dignified mien as he replied, “I have satisfied the children’s curiosity on that point—surely I do not need to do the same for you.”
 

Michael smiled again as he remembered the children’s serious discussion over their tutor’s physical attributes – or lack thereof. Thus reminded of the children, he decided that he had better don his leggings at the very least, to prevent embarrassing Mellisande should the young people walk this way after their own exercises were done for the day. A candid discussion of his physical attributes was not something he wished to court!
 

Whether Colin read his mind or simply guessed, Michael did not know; but whichever it was, his laughter as Michael rather hurriedly donned his braes and leggings made the green-eyed man grin at himself, though it didn’t dissuade him from dressing.
 

Perhaps another day would bring another opportunity for relaxing in the sun, he thought wistfully as he tied the laces on his garments and turned his attention away from handsome druids and back to pillars of stone.

 

*****************
 

Lycan woke with the dawn; the stirring of the man in his arms was the cause, he suspected. It was unusual for him to travel by day when alone and doubly unusual for him to sleep in his man form. But he did so for his mate, knowing that Nic would prefer to sleep with him thus. He inhaled deeply of his mate’s scent, nuzzling the area where his arm joined his body. A low chuckle signaled that Nic was not quite as asleep as he seemed.
 

“That is ticklish,” Nic complained, rolling in Lycan’s arms and cupping the rough jaw to bring the offending lips up to meet his. “This is nicer,” he murmured before kissing his mate deeply, pressing his body close to the length of Lycan’s larger, warmer body. The morning air had a bite to it; Nic wished he could boast more hair on his body such as Lycan had, even as a man. He used to think that the Emory men were fairly hirsute, compared to Colin and the island men, at least, but the smattering of dark hair on his legs and chest, and around his manhood was nothing compared to the thick golden hair that covered Lycan’s chest and limbs, and which framed his large cock and balls. Nic ran his hand down the soft hair of his mate’s chest, tracing where it narrowed along his taut stomach to a trail of gold that led to his manhood.
 

“Are you hungry?” The deep voice was even huskier than usual, catching as Nic’s hand reached the silken length of his shaft. The violet colored eyes peeped up at him mischievously.
 

“Yes...but I have what I want right here.” He then slid down Lycan’s body, careful to keep his body in contact with those deliciously warm, long legs, while his mouth closed around the deliciously long, warm cock. All too soon, Lycan reached his pleasure, shouting his satisfaction to the sky.
 

Pulling Nic up so that their faces were level again, Lycan kissed him, then asked, “Would you allow me to return that favor, Cub?” His large hand reached down to caress Nic’s member, but found that he too had spilled his seed.
 

“I enjoy your body – very much, my Wolf,” was his simple answer to the question in Lycan’s eyes. The bigger man smiled.
 

“I cannot complain about that, though I would wish to taste you next time. Why don’t you get more rest in order to continue our journey while I find something a little more sustaining for you to break your fast?”
 

Nic nodded his approval of that plan. He was even more pleased when Lycan pulled a fur from his pack that unfolded to be much larger than it first appeared, and provided an acceptable substitute for his body heat to the shivering Dominic when tucked around him.
 

“Sleep, I will return soon,” he commanded. Nic waved and then did as ordered, burrowing down under the fur contentedly.
 

Lycan shifted to his wolf form to find their breakfast. Some rabbit, he decided, after sniffing the morning air. He made the kills easily, eating two rabbits on his own as the Wolf. He knew instinctively that Nic, while practical minded, would no doubt prefer that Lycan not eat bloody, raw meat, entrails and all, in front of him. At least, not when it was unnecessary, he suspected that when need required it, Nic would eat entrails himself and be grateful for it. That brother of his and the little lady – it would be a different moon indeed that would see either of them eating raw meat, Lycan thought, amused at the mental picture he formed of such an event.
 

Lycan skinned and cleaned the third rabbit by a nearby river. He took advantage of its proximity to bathe, laughing at himself even as he dunked his head to cleanse his hair. He’d assured Bran that taking a human mate would not change him, but of course it would. In small ways. Even as being mated to him would change his Cub. It was inevitable. He hoped that they each influenced the other for the good. At least, for the most part. He was preoccupied with such thoughts when he reentered their camp.
 

Still, he was not so preoccupied that he did not notice the bird perched on the large rock immediately next to where Dominic was resting. It was an extraordinarily large raven, more than twice as large as that bird usually is. Lycan’s eyes narrowed. He placed the rabbit on the ground slowly, then straightened up, folding his arms across his chest, a faint smile ghosting over his handsome features. He called out, making a harsh cawing noise before speaking in the words of men.
 

“Ran! I ask that you shift now. You had a point to make, perhaps, in hovering so menacingly over my mate but it is poorly made, my friend.”
The bird fluttered its wings angrily for a moment. Before it shifted, the bird made a production of flashing its evil looking claws at Lycan, who tried to look impressed. It was hard to do so when his mate, who looked so innocent, lying wrapped in the fur, his dark curls hiding his face, had the situation well in hand.
 

What Lycan could see from his vantage point that Ran, Master of the Ravens, did not, was that a very large boulder, the twin to the one he’d perched upon, was hovering some fifteen feet above him, ready to crush him as soon as the mind-twister willed it to do so. As it was, Ran had no idea why the Wolf Leader was not looking at least a little concerned by the threat he posed to his unprotected mate.
 

Ran completed his transformation and glared at Lycan. “What’s so amusing, Wolf? I received your message, that you wished for me to meet this King of the Telepaths, and Bran tells me you have gone so far as to choose this mind-twister to be your mate! Instead of a King, I find you wrestling in the furs with a boy! I could have put an end to him as soon as you left for your breakfast.”
 

“You might find that people are not always as they appear, fierce Ran,” Lycan answered mildly as he bent to pick up the discarded rabbit. “Dominic, I would prefer you stop pretending to be a rabbit, and come out of your burrow – and I suggest you do away with that stone now. Despite his rude greeting, Ran is usually an ally of mine.”
 

“What stone?” Ran asked sharply as Dominic sat up, his face a handsome mask. He lowered the floating boulder with a flourish, sending it spinning toward Lycan and then gently floated it to the ground to provide a second seat. While the Raven Master was distracted by the boulder, staring at it in wonder, Nic quickly donned his clothes and stood up.
 

“Greeting, Master Ran. My name is Dominic, of the House of Emory, Heir to the First Kingdom.” Nic extended his open palms in greeting. Lycan was pleased with his solemn demeanor. For all that Dominic was young and tended toward levity, he had been well-trained by Colin and Michael. Ran’s authority over the Metamorphs of the air was extensive. He ruled over not just the Ravens, but the Eagles and other large birds of prey were aligned with him and followed his lead. He would be a valuable ally if pleased by Dominic, an implacable foe should he be insulted.
 

Ran touched palms to Dominic’s, then asked, “You say you are Heir to the Kingdom – who is King then? Is there an Emory ahead of you? Who is your father, boy?”
 

Lycan narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, but Nic sent him the reassuring thought, I can handle this, Wolf.
 

To the Raven Master, he said, “I am the eldest son of the Assassin, who abdicated the throne. I was named heir to the throne of King Adam when in my cradle. But the throne is not free – it must be won, by blood and battle. I seek allies, Raven Master, from those who have been persecuted by my King’s murderers and the murderers of my mother’s people, as I seek to free the thrones of the Second and Third Kingdoms from those who kill the telepaths and drive away the Metamorphs.”
 

Ran was a dark-skinned, wiry man, with black eyes, and fine boned hands that he used for emphasis as he spoke. His hair was straight and so black it looked almost blue when the light hit it, Nic thought, thinking how like and yet unlike his animal form this Metamorph was. His voice did not reflect the harsh caw of the raven; it was light and musical, more like a lark or other songbird. He could see how this man was able to lead so many – his manner was engaging, once he was no longer actively making threats. He was smiling now, and his thin face was creased with deep dimples on either side of his thin mouth.
 

“Tell me, young Emory, why should we Birds be interested in your battles that bring blood, and no doubt death? We are Metamorphs, but the men in their cities do not drive us anywhere we do not wish to go. The air belongs to us, they cannot follow us there.”
 

“That may be – but you are men, and eventually you must land, as is true even for your brothers, the birds. They may not get to you as quickly as they do the wolves or the bears, but they will get to you, do not doubt that. They cut down the trees to make room for their buildings, caring not whether you need them for your homes, for nests. Already they refine weapons stronger than arrows, guns that shoot farther into the air than an archer can shoot so that even the high flying eagle may not be safe. They do not care about killing all eagles or ravens – it is all Metamorphs they seek to kill, because they fear you. As they fear Telepaths.”
 

“You can throw boulders with your mind?” Ran looked meaningfully at the large boulder Lycan now sat on as he prepared a fire for cooking Dominic’s rabbit. He was going to wait but since this interview looked likely to be a long one, he decided to delay no longer. The Cub would need to eat before they continued their journey. Still, it was good that Ran had sought them out. He would also be able to tell them where Bran and the rest of the pack was, if he was favorably disposed to them. One never knew how it would go with Ran – he was temperamental, to say the least. Still, thus far, Dominic seemed to be handling him well, Lycan was pleased to see.
 

“I can.” Dominic gestured for Ran to sit again and he brought a third boulder closer in order to provide an equivalent seat for himself. Again, Lycan was impressed – not with the telekinesis, he’d grown used to that – but with the diplomacy and tact that led Nic to give each of them equal placement. It would have been a simple matter for Nic and Lycan to share the one boulder – but then they would have appeared aligned against Ran. Similarly, sitting alongside Ran would have placed the Raven Master at an advantage since the other man would have perched at the highest point, forcing Nic to look up at him. This way, all three were able to converse easily, and all three were equally situated – while Ran was given yet another subtle reminder of Nic’s power.
 

Perhaps it wasn’t all that subtle. Ran leaned back and considered Dominic.
 

“Why do you need us? If you have power like that, able to effortlessly toss around such weights, I imagine you have other powers you are not revealing.”
 

Dominic looked closely at the Raven Master. He could not get any type of reading on him, his mind more closed than Michael’s on the night before their birthday, when he was keeping secret what the twins’ presents would be. Colin would always say to look for other signs when they could not read a man’s mind. This Ran had moved constantly when talking to Lycan; now he was completely still. Perhaps he was unlike most and with him, it was the stillness that was a sign of agitation? Nic’s instincts told him that was true. Ran wanted this alliance, probably as much as Nic did. Maybe more. Nic leaned forward.
 

“I am powerful, Raven Master – my Assassin and my Advisor are even more powerful telepaths. We are few in number now, but we have always been few compared to the other peoples of the Kingdoms. Still, I seek your alliance. Your people are shrewd and they can travel into areas unseen by men’s eyes. No man can equal the spying skill of your kind, and you are unequaled in stealth, while every bit our match in bravery. I believe we can offer you our skills, especially with weather manipulation and shielding to aid your people in the war that is coming. For it will come – the question is, whose side will you be on and in what role? Trusted allies of the true King and Queen, or abused outcasts of the pretenders?”
 

Ran stood up. “Eat your rabbit, young King. I will return to the other Bird Masters and tell them your stirring words. I can counsel the others but speak only for the Ravens, and for them, I promise you an ally, and demand your allegiance in return.”
 

The two men clasped forearms. Then Ran looked at Lycan. “You will take him to Beren?”
 

“Yes.”
 

“Good. Once you secure his allegiance, let us meet at the old speaking ground. You know the one. I will look for you there when this moon grows old.”
 

Lycan nodded, then moved forward and hugged his old comrade. Ran was older than he looked. He’d been a friend to Lycan’s pack leader when Lycan was a cub. They’d seen many changes over the years. He knew that Ran had arrived this morning with the intention to deliver a harsh reprimand to Lycan for mixing with one who was not of his own kind – and Dominic had been able to push all such ideas from his mind with the force of his presence. It bode well for his campaign.
 

Ran smoothly transformed back to a raven, taking wing and flying off in one smooth transition. In less time than it took to blink, he was a mere speck in the sky, swiftly moving to a distant point beyond sight of their human eyes, even the keen eyes of the Wolf.
 

Nic sighed heavily. Lycan looked over, surprised.
 

“Why such a woeful face, Cub? You impressed Ran of the Ravens, a feat not easily accomplished! You should be bouncing around me, crowing of your success.”
 

Nic walked behind Lycan, who was repacking their few belongings into one compact bundle, and wrapped his arms around him, pressing down upon the broad back.
 

“I was wishing I could fly,” he confessed wistfully. “Just thinking of how much easier it would be to reach Bran and the others if we could travel as the raven does makes my legs ache all the more.”
 

Lycan laughed. “Come, Ran did tell me the quickest path to take to reach them. We shall share dinner with them before nightfall, Cub. And then I shall show you where the hot springs are. Your aching legs will enjoy these springs very much, I promise you.”
 

“Hot springs? I never heard of such a thing,” Nic said, perking up.
 

“Then you will be glad to learn something new,” Lycan promised him. He stood and pulled Nic up. “Let’s continue our journey, Cub.” Then, after shouldering the pack which now held their combined belongings, Lycan bent his head and brushed his lips along the tender skin behind Nic’s ear. “You did well, Dominic.”
 

Nic wasn’t sure if the shiver of pleasure was from the touch of his mate’s lips on such sensitive skin, or the deep voice saying such cherished words, but he knew that it was with renewed spirit and energy that he recommenced his journey with his Wolf.

 

*****************
 

Michael’s eyes were as close to panic as Colin had ever seen them.
 

“Tell me, Colin,” he begged. “Tell me I did not just make a terrible mistake.”
 

“You did not make a mistake at all,” Colin said, his voice ringing with certainty. He put his hands on Michael’s shoulders and held him close, looking deeply into the green eyes. “Lycan is a good man, a trustworthy man. He is a Metamorph, but that means only that he can guard Dominic in ways that a mere man, and yes, even as a Telepath, cannot. He can sense evil and withstand it – a talent that even druids lack at times. Whatever danger some Metamorphs might present, and we don’t know that any do, I will stake my life on the trustworthiness of Lycan. He would guard Dominic with his last breath, and every last Metamorph in his Pack would do the same.”
 

Michael exhaled, and Colin realized that his friend had been holding his breath the whole time he’d been talking.
 

“You got that too, didn’t you? It wasn’t just me?” Michael allowed himself the relief of leaning against Colin, enjoying the novel pleasure of having strong arms wrapped around him.
 

For his part, Colin was struggling against the urge to tighten his arms around Michael, to crush that strong figure to him and urge him to seek for once the comfort he so badly needed and allow him to give him...what? Friendship? Comfort?
 

Love.
 

Colin brought a tentative hand up to Michael’s back and rubbed circles along the coarse linen of his tunic, enjoying the feel of hard muscles beneath the thin material. To his delight, Michael rested his head against his shoulder, letting out a second, softer sigh.
 

“At some point I suppose we should pick up the old druid, but this feels too good to stop,” the Assassin murmured, wry amusement lightening his tone.
 

Colin stilled his hand, stricken with remorse. He’d forgotten completely about Benra! He stepped back abruptly, his expression so guilty that Michael couldn’t help laughing, despite his own lingering worry.
 

“Oh come now, Colin, I didn’t hurt him...not much, at least. I’ll heal him as soon as I regain a little strength. Though I would prefer we search his mind and see what it is he thinks he knows. He seems to have some knowledge about Metamorphs. And prophecies. While I don’t agree that his interpretation is accurate, and I agree with you that Lycan is trustworthy, we need to find out what it is that he does know without any further delay.”
 

“I agree. But I don’t think raping his mind is the way to do it, Michael. That is a crime and to resort to that under anything less than the most dire of circumstances....”
 

Colin did not need to say more. They both knew the circumstances that drove Michael to use such tactics before. And it was justified in that case, to save lives, if possible, in the face of base treachery. They still did not know that Benra was guilty of anything other than hostility. And prejudice.
 

“Well, in any event, we’ll need to let him heal yet again before we can do anything more with him,” Michael noted with some satisfaction as he looked at the unconscious old man. “I’ll levitate him to the spare room in this house. I do not want him in your tower room. I don’t trust him alone with you or Mellisande. Do I have your cooperation on that, Colin?”
 

“Yes, of course,” Colin said, distractedly. He looked toward the sky, which was growing darker. “I need to check my scrying glass. The sky darkens yet it is but mid-day. Can you handle Benra on your own?”
 

Michael glanced outside as well. “Of course. But please, check on Rafe and Melli – take them with you. I would that the three of you stay close to each other. I will keep Benra close for now. Once I see that he is secured and the other children safe, I will seek you out.”
 

A flash of lightning flared in the sky illuminating the two men inside the stone room. They turned toward each other instinctively.
 

“Michael...”
 

“Colin....”
 

They smiled ruefully, each gesturing for the other to continue. Finally, Michael leaned forward and to Colin’s amazed shock, kissed him on the lips.
 

“Be careful, my friend. Take care of yourself even as you take care of the others.”
 

All Colin could think to say was, “You too.” Then he turned and rushed away into the storm.

 

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