Etched in Iron

Story by Asrayl on SoFurry

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#4 of Place Called Home


I awoke to the vision of leaves moving between sky, the gentle bounce of footsteps and a smiling face.

"Liam..." The alto voice spoke, I couldn't tell male or female from the angle or lighting, but the vocals belonged to a young adult.

"Morning." I said in answer, through a raspy voice. It was hard to find a place on my body that didn't hurt. The past two days had not been kind to me.

Between the brief encounter with the bear, the long walk that left my feet a painful collection of blisters and punctures, and the fight with Benny that left my abdomen and ribs in sorry shape... I was struggling not to let the pain sour my mood.

"Afternoon, actually, though it matters not. We will stop soon and I will get you water." The cheerful, almost painfully polite voice answered.

"Liam!" Heather's voice carried from ahead of me. "We're almost there now, just lay back relax!" She was more cheerful than I'd heard in days. I hoped sincerely that she felt better than I did.

Holly came into view from ahead of me, slowing down until she was walking next to me. She placed one hand on my belly and sighed. "He's pretty warm, Ann. We should do something about that."

"Soon, Holly. No need to fret so, I'll take care of him. " Ann replied, in that oh so pleasant alto.

"Holly, how bad am I? Seriously, I need to know."

I said, looking up at her, a nervous grin played out across my face.

"You lost a lot of blood, and you have a few really bad wounds. You'll be okay but we can't let you walk around like that." She replied, placing her hand on my shoulder. "You're insane you know. Benny had size and skill on his side. You were wounded, tired, and fought alone."

I nodded slightly. "You chose that cave knowing we were being followed, knowing we'd been attacked. I figured you knew what you were doing, and I wanted to help you get there. I know it was a risky move to trust Amy to help but we didn't have much by way of choice. My only goal was to give as many wounds as I got." I hesitated, sighing. I had more important things to worry about than wether or not my actions were justified. "How's Heather?"

"I'm fine, you're in worse shape than I am so quit your worrying and stressing. You don't need to answer to anyone right now." Heather said, laughing from ahead of me. I loved her light, almost lyrical voice.

"Except me." Rachel said flatly, coming into view.

"Then by all means, let the inquisition commence." I said, grinning at her.

"Feeling dizzy? Sick?" She asked, leaning in over me, staring into my eyes. There was anger there, it made my skin crawl. I didn't really know what it was that had her so upset, so I tried not to think about it.

"A little, on both counts." I replied, closing them. I couldn't look at her that close to me. My eyes didn't want to focus and it made me feel worse even before taking her mood into account. I felt like the world was spinning and my stomach lurched for a moment.

"How much pain do you feel?" She asked, touching over my wounds gently. She still looked angry, but I felt it was as much self-directed as it was aimed at me. It didn't help me feel ay better.

"More than I'd care to admit, but less than I've been known to tolerate." I answered with a wry smile. Pain was, after all, a very relative term. In my time, courtesy of my father, I had suffered far more, and recieved less care than I was now. I still felt like crap, but I was being cared for, and that made it seem a little better.

"Did you really claim right of conquest?" Her third question made me blink. She started to repeat herself, angrily when I spoke, interrupting. Finally, it all made so much sense. As if my own presence wouldn't have been disruption enough. I, the newest addition to her pack, and likely the newest addition to the entire region... had taken a slave through the old laws that I shouldn't have even known about.

"Claim? ... Yes, right of conquest was called by the group that attacked us, Amy was the only one incapable of flight when they lost. What happens to her?" I asked, staring straight at her. I was afraid, after all that she'd been put through already, I would hate that my decision only lead to her suffering. Would it have been better for me to have killed her? No... I couldn't rationalize that. I couldn't numb myself to accept that decision. Not so readily.

"Technically, she's yours, and by the look of things, your actions spoke much louder than your words. She's been nothing but grateful to you for everything you did. I want to know what else you're capable of. I don't like thinking you are so accustomed to acts of violence and irresponsible choices. This has been a disturbing revelation, Liam. We will need to talk in private about the things you've been up to." She stated flatly before walking away.

"Ooooh, somebody's in trouble..." Ann said grinning down at me. "She's scary when she's mad." Inwardly two sides wanted to be let out, both my gratitude for

the effort, and my irritance at the conversation turning into the start of tease and jest. It was not a light matter in my mind. In the end, gratitude had won, but only by a slim margin. I knew Ann didn't intend to offend me.

I laughed, though it hurt to do so. "Not as scary as Heather." My response came too readily and I regretted saying it, the memory of her eyes was as disturbing as witnessing it personally. Was I the only one who couldn't accept someone elses death like that? Was I the only one who believed in my decision?

Inwardly I felt something fall apart, a confidence I had gone. Nothing was black and white.... the decision I'd made yesterday in confidence, the decision I downplayed through aggressive acting and short lived cruelty... if I could justify that... then maybe I could justify murder. What was I becoming?

We entered a valley, though I couldn't see the view from the top, only the wall of the cliff face we walked along side of, down, further and further before winding back. I could see nothing but sky, blue and clear. A few minutes later we doubled back once more and a second wall rose into view.

It was like this for some time until the trees came into view, obscuring sky. Further and further we went and then through the trees. Through the trees human singing and wolven howls filled the air with a gentle chorus.

We set down there, and I saw Ann take a sip from a leather canteen before pressing human lips to my canine mouth. I accepted the water as I had before, and the contact remained a few moments longer.

The one who had carried the front half of the stretcher laughed, looking back at me as Ann walked away.

"Never realized Andrew was like that, though with how gentle he is to everyone I guess it makes sense. Hope it doesn't bother you too much." The man had a rich bass voice, and he spoke with a soft chuckle.

I hesitated a moment, and shook my head. In truth it really didn't bother me, though I suppose maybe it should've. After all... I could rationalize murder, how far a cry would bigotry be? No. I had caught that path in my mind. I was neither a murderer, nor a bigot. I had made some mistakes that even yesterday I sought to rectify. I would not let myself become a lesser man. I would not let myself become my father.

"Na'ah, no worries here. Any chance you could tell me what happens now?" I said, re-directing the conversation.

"First we'll get a couple doctors to have a good look at you. They have all the supplies they need, and can do great work here. You'll be amazed at what the council is really like. I bet you were thinking something dull, I envy you. I've seen a hundred of these, there's nothing like the first time." He said, sitting beside me. "You know, fighting like you did, you have some talent. When you're in better form, I'd like to spar with you in our arena. Maybe next council we can see who's top dog."

"Yeah, I'll be even better then, so you'd best do some training." I replied, grinning up as he loosed the bonds on me. It felt good simply not being restrained, but I didn't dare move. Not yet.

"That's what I like to hear. Name's Malak, by the way." He said, bass voice filled with amusement.

"Liam. Malak... I can't place it." I said hesitantly. A moment of pondering on my part passed before he filled in the detail.

"Arabic, though really my blood comes from the savannah. My father fell in love with an arab woman. I'll introduce you to them some time, if we ever get the chance. They don't come here too often, say it's too cold." He said, grinning down at me.

"That'd be nice. Didn't know there were wolves in the middle east and africa." I said, trying to picture that fur in the hot sun.

"Truth be told there aren't many, Lions and scatterings of horse are more common. But hey, another story for another day, right? Gotta let my girl know I'm back." He stood, brushing himself off. Green pants, denim cargos. Fit him pretty well, all things considered.

My mind was focused on that because the shock of that statement came first. I was stunned, I didn't even notice Rachel and a woman in professional attire approach. My mind kept going over Malak's words.

"Sorry, Rachel. We've lost him." The voice laughed, flashing a light in my eyes. "Awake? Good, now, one more time. How do you feel?"

"Confused, but it's not the blow to the head. Mind if I ask you something, doctor?" I said, following the light as she moved it.

"If it makes things easier for you, sure. I'm Cassy, and my Husband Erin is taking care of Heather. Now, Focus on my fingertips." Her voice was musical, perfect intonation and pitch. A voice that could only be defined as "angelic".

I followed her fingers, past the dancing spots from the bright light she'd just used on me, trying to give form to my question. "There are others, besides wolves? Lions in the savannah?" I asked, blinking as she touched my nose.

"Of course. Most myth and legend has some basis in truth after all." She answered, chuckling slightly. "Should let the protectorate know he needs to be carried home, but other than that, I'd say we can let him walk around for now, once I change the bandages." She said to Rachel, smiling.

"Ok, with all that has happened in the course of a week, I'm starting to wonder what planet I'd been living on before all of this." I said, grunting as she tended my wounds. She was careful, a very delicate touch but it hurt like the nine hells. I winced, whimpered but didn't dare move or interfere.

"Most are too busy being human to even consider what exists beyond their realm of influence. I was shocked at first when Erin told me, but I've come to realize in my twenty years with him that most of the time it's best to not think about things in terms of true and false, instead, consider all things possible."

I nodded at that, and smiled. "Expect the unexpected."

She laughed. "Expect nothing, accept everything, and always, always be ready to compromise. Wait... that's marriage. Nevermind." She giggled, faking irritance as another doctor walked up behind her. He was digging through a first aid kit and chuckled before handing me a sucker. He turned to face Cassy, long dark brown hair tied back behind his shoulders.

"So how is he?" He asked, kissing Cassy softly. She caressed his cheek for a moment before letting go, answering his question.

"Well, Erin, he could be better. He's tough and he has youth on his side. Despite how bad the wounds seemed out in the field, the claw wounds to his abdomen were mostly superficial. It's obvious he has some swelling in his shoulders that will be pretty sore for a few days. The worst is the wound to his back." She smiled, turning back to me. "I'll need you to shift, it's hard to stitch through fur. The good news is though, that once I stitch appropriate for the wound while you're human, the stitches will contract and expand to cooperate with shapechange. Just ... be gentle on them, okay? We don't want them pulling out or breaking on you."

I obliged, realizing that everyone there had come to understand that clothing isn't hidden under fur. I distracted myself thinking about the stitches. It wasn't too hard for me to imagine a synthetic with some elasticity. Necessity is the mother of all invention, after all.

"Ooh, he's a cute one!" Andrew's voice came from beside me as I rolled over. I thought back to the lingering sensation of his lips and didn't bother hiding a blush.

"Hey Andrew, do me a favor, will you?" I asked, looking up to him as I felt a numb pressure over the low end of the wound on my back. I felt the tug of the

bandages being lifted, and the sensation of fresh blood tricking down my back. It was nice to have a conversation to distract myself with. A sharp piercing pain made me gasp and cuss.

"I'd be glad to." He said, wincing as he watched the second stitch pierce me. "Ugh..." He cringed visibly, turning around. "Sorry, I can't watch that."

"I understand." I said, sympathetically. "With the numerous wounds on me, I think I could do with some clothes, think you could find me something to wear?

I'd rather not turn heads because I'm making people sick." I said, smiling up.

"Yes, of course. I'd be happy to, you're a thirty, twenty eight?" It took me a moment before I realized he meant waist and leg measurements. I felt kind of nauseous myself as another stitch went through, but fought it off to reply.

I chuckled at that. "Spot on. I really appreciate it. See you when you get back."

"Let's have a look at you. A few scars you'll have but the fur'll hide it. You did pretty well at keeping yourself whole. Now, bend down, touch your toes."Erin said, helping me up slowly. I felt dizzy, nauseous. It passed fairly quickly.

I complied, feeling the stretch of the stitches. They held, and didn't hurt me. "Feels ok, how's it look?"

"Her best work yet!" He answered, before rubbing some almost mint scented salve over the wound. "Hold still and I'll get this bandaged up."

A few minutes later I stood up straight, enjoying the chance to stretch my shoulders, and legs. "Oooh, been laying still too long. I feel really dizzy and nauseous. I'm kind of worried."

"Hmm..." Erin placed the back of his hand to my forehead, and smiled. "A bit on the warm side, running a bit of a fever and you did lose a lot of blood. I think you should take in a light meal, citrus fruits, and water. If you don't feel better tomorrow, we'll keep an eye on you. You should be okay, but don't

be afraid to ask someone for me if you think otherwise. Death at the council is forbidden!" He said, snickering. "Has been since I took the post of doctor."

I couldn't help but laugh, Cassy sighed. "Terrible, he'll raise the dead to exact punishment, too. Has before, ask Erik about it when you can pry him away from his philosophy debates by the lake."

"Hey, handsome. Try these on." I turned, catching the thrown pants in my left hand. Black, cotton, cargo. Perfect. A simple white T-shirt and something that just made me want to cry followed shortly after... SHOES! Wonderful, comfortable, blister-preventing shoes!

I smiled, slipping into the pants. Whoever the designer was, they understood that a man's gotta have a little room downstairs. The shoes were absolutely wonderful. They fit like a dream and I stretched, leaning into a slow, careful roundhouse posture. I felt the stitches stretch and lowered my foot to the ground. knee height was all I could manage at the moment but that was enough for me. That I could was as important as how well. I slipped on the shirt slowly, grateful that it didn't catch or tug on the bandages wrapped around me.

"Perfect fit, Ann. Good show! C'mon. From what I understand there's a lot to see, who better to show me what I've been ignorant to all these years?" I said, grinning up at him.

He giggled and shook his head. "Now now, you don't have to tease me so. I'll show you around, introduce you to a few cute girls. They'll probably want to hear all about how you beat up Benny."

I laughed. "Neither of us really won, you know."

"Keep telling yourself that, everyone else heard it straight from me. They know better." He said, winking at me.

"Heh, thanks Ann." I replied, walking slowly to the source of the song and laughter.

Amy came trotting up behind us, still a wolf. She looked genuinely happy for the first time since we'd met as she fell into step on my right side. She didn't say a word, just looked up at me from time to time.

I spoke first. "How's the leg, Amy?"

"Bound, wrapped and on it's way to a full recovery. How is..." She hesitated, sighing. "How are you?"

I laughed. "Long list to recite, huh? Don't look so down. I'm fine. Feels good to walk around. Amy," I said, hesitating a moment. "Whatever it is Rachel and the others said, if it involves you leaving, ignore it. You stay with me. You chose your place outside that cave."

She nodded, nuzzling my leg softly before taking her place along side me again. "They agree with you, so don't worry about that. Thank you, Liam, for not letting me go then... I ... it's the first time anyone's ever really defended me like that. I guess it's every girl's dream to be rescued."

Ann smiled, watching us. I saw him out of the corner of my eye as I spoke. "Sometimes we all need someone to take care of us. I'm glad I could fill that role yesterday." I knelt down, pulling her close, a warm embrace that lasted a few long moments before we continued our walk.

We passed through a line of trees, it was contrived, of course, to shut out the light and sound, the trees were close together, in some places so much so that the branches had become woven together like a thick net. A simple archway was shaped out of two trees, likely from a very young age, their trunks entwined and beneath that, in flickering lamp light, stood a simple altar, set within it were a wolf, carved of obsidian, and a human woman, carved of ivory, kneeling underneath a polished silver orb with markings of the moon.

There was an iron plate fixed to the altar, I read the writing engraved on it.

"In tribute to Grand Alpha, Lady Dawn Crescent, who in perfect wisdom, guides the council from above. ~The First Council~

True strength is that of a pack who holds a single entwined soul. ~Lady Dawn Crescent, Grand Alpha~"

We entered the archway, and turned to the right, following a corridor between the thickly placed rows of trees. Wooden walls held branches at bay, and a closed door ahead on the left shut out most of the light.

Malak stood there, leaning against the wall.

"Liam, the council sends their greetings." He said flatly. "Off the record, they're sweating bullets. With everything that's happened, Rachel is demanding justice on your behalf, and they can do nothing. They have no way to defend their non-involvement in this matter, and that presents a rather difficult position for them. Several counts of attempted murder, and your grievous injuries before six members of the protectorate in obvious self defense. These are troubled times, to be sure, but the council has no answer for their actions, or lack thereof."

I nodded. "I send my greetings in return. Off the record, I don't know what I can or can not say. Rachel speaks on my behalf because I don't know the rules, I don't know the laws, the customs or what people are supposed to do."

Malak nodded. "A position I understand all too well. I'll spell it out for you. You've been targeted, ambushed, attacked, and a murder attempt was made. You survived, and there are witnesses. Unfortunately, the council will not take the words of packmates, and since the protectorate only saw the fight in progress, not the start of it, we can't actually use the law to exact retribution. We all know, but we can't prove. So the only thing we can do is to stand between the warring packs... and encourage a proper duel."

I turned to face him at those words. He was hesitant, but my anger had already grown to overflowing. I contained the volume of my voice, but not the tone. He winced at it but did not interrupt.

"A proper duel? Another fight? Another excuse to continue this war? That is the council's wonderful solution? We were attacked, ambushed, and threatened every step of the way here. Heather almost died, Holly would have been enslaved at best, and I know they would have killed me. And that's only what I witnessed personally. And the council's solution is to fight some more?"

"I know, but there's nothing I..." Malak started, but I interrupted him.

"No, don't make excuses. It doesn't suit you. I understand. Explain the rules of a proper duel so I know what to expect." I said, opening the doorway.

Two rows of tents and pavillions along a central pathway greeted my eyes. Small groups of people and wolves talked, played, and exchanged gift and coin with

one another. There was music in the background, a waltz played by a proper orchestra in a large central pavillion.

Amy looked awestruck, and I whispered down to her. "Your first time too?"

She nodded. "They always made me wait behind. It's so... beautiful." She said, her eyes captivated by twirling dancers on the floor, both human, and lupine. The wolves gracefully circling, stepping back, stepping forward, crossing flanks, turning around, circling back... it was amazing, flawlessly in tune with the music.

I smiled, kneeling beside her, pulling her close in my arms. "I'm sorry I don't have any money... but it's nice to have you here with me."

She kissed my cheek, and brushed against me as I stood up. I felt the weight of her body leaning against me gently as I listened to Malak explain the situation. Inwardly I realized that I didn't feel sick anymore. I guess time to move and get my blood flowing... what was left of it. Helped me feel better.

His baritone voice sounded tired, as though talking about a proper duel was the last thing he wanted to do at the moment. Somehow, I couldn't blame him. "Basically it's one on one, the alphas, and a pair of seconds. The fight is until the council can determine a clear winner, but never to the death. If the alphas can not adequately determine victory alone, they step back and their seconds fight, if they can not determine victory, another set of seconds are chosen. The terms of victory and loss are agreed to beforehand, and overseen by members of the protectorate."

I laughed. "Malak, off the record, you know that won't settle anything. Is the council filled with a bunch of idealists?" I shook my head, trying to figure out why they'd even bother offering such an asinine suggestion. If Benny won, we'd lose everything. If Benny Lost, he wouldn't hold to his end of the deal.

Malak sighed. "It's unfortunate, but we lack strong leadership here. Most of the time it's all we can do to just keep the peace."

I nodded. "I'm sure I'm not the only one here who's tired of it, and I've had the least time to endure it." I sympathized with him. He didn't ask to be put in such a position, delivering ineffective leadership, and ideas that weren't worth their weight in crap.

Ann laughed. "Rachel was right about you. Anyway, enough of this talk. Malak, let the council know the message was delivered, and then come find us on the dance floor."

"Actually..." I said, placing my hand on Andrew's shoulder. "I think I'd like to be alone for a while. I need some time to think. If you'll please point me in the direction of the lake."

"Oh... sure, it's that way." Ann said, pointing towards the east. "About fifteen minutes walk, once you're beyond the gate."

"No worries, We'll have all day tomorrow to go meet your friends. I'm just feeling a little under the weather." I added in, realizing I'd probably just soured his mood. "Amy, keep me company, will you?" I said, looking down at her as I started walking away from the noise and laughter.

"Wouldn't want it any other way." She said, walking beside me. I marvelled at the bindings around her leg, They did a great job, she didn't limp in pain, or seem to be having any trouble walking at all. I was grateful for something to occupy my mind.

We made it halfway there, the noise of the council fading behind us, replaced by the calls of birds. I felt fatigued. I sat down, and pulled Amy close. She took the hint, laying down next to me. I leaned back, holding her in my arms, comforted by the steady rise and fall I felt, my hand on the side of her chest.

Sleep claimed me quickly.

~~~~~

Contents Under Pressure

~~~~~

I awoke that night, and she was sitting next to me, watching over me. I stood up and we both continued our walk to the lake. I felt invigorated, the fever had passed and I wanted a drink.

"Amy, everything they say... It must've made sense before, it sounds kind of honorable, but..." I said, hesitating. I was thinking aloud, voicing my thoughts.

"There is no honor among his sort, and there can be no victory won." She said, sighing. "Unless you are certain you've slain all of the vermin."

We walked in silence under the light of the full moon.

"Rachel wants to see me, thinks that the way I've gone about things is bad, I assume. Holly didn't agree with my choices. Diego thought I was a coward, I don't think I want to know what he believes me to be now. Erik... Somehow I think he, at the very least will understand why." I said, shaking my head.

"Liam..." Amy said, stepping in front of me. "Holly didn't agree because she didn't want to have to be afraid. She had enough to worry about. She let you decide because she didn't want to be the one to take my life. Diego had no idea you were so fierce a guardian. Heather would give you everything for what you did for her. Sam thinks of you like a playful older brother. If Rachel doesn't want to keep you around, she'll be met with plenty of argument. And you won't be alone, either way. Liam... I... I will follow you, no matter how hard that path gets."

I nodded, kneeling down to hug her close. I guess the stress of everything had finally gotten to me. I cried. I must've been there for a few minutes before shaking my head in embarrassment.

Amy nudged me, and I sat back, staring into her gleaming silver eyes. "Liam..." She whispered, before bowing her head low and nuzzling my chest. I pulled her close to me and we sat, holding eachother, her paw around my waist, my arms around her back. The moon was high in the sky, and it illuminated the lake, not but twenty yards distant. It was a silent, solitary beauty that made me ache all the more for the reflection it cast in my heart.

I slipped free of the clothes I'd been wearing, and shifted. The water was silver and black until I got close enough to see my reflection in it. Amy stepped beside me and drank from the cold, clear water. She was close enough to me that I could feel her fur slipping against my own.

I joined her, lapping at the crisp, refreshing water until she'd finished, and looked down at her. Her eyes met mine, and I kissed her. She looked surprised, but she didn't pull away. She melted into the kiss, leaning in against me as we pulled away slowly.

I could feel her heart beat as I nuzzled her neck. Her fur was soft, clean, almost silky. I nipped gently at her shoulder, and slid along her side, just past her before I turned around. She slipped the tip of her tail across my nose before lifting it out of the way.

I wasn't quite ready to take her, so I brushed along her other side, slowly nuzzling at her belly until she lay on her back.

I positioned myself above her, belly to belly, rubbing my body against hers, slowly lowering myself kissing and nibbling. I smiled up at her and slid my tongue through the delicate fur around her nipples. Her tail curled up, slipping across my own as I played with her. A lick here, a nip there until she writhed with my every motion.

"Liam... please..." She whimpered, writhing slightly beneath me. I felt the tickle of her fur slipping through my own, her body desperate for some kind of contact. I could hear it in her voice, see it in her eyes... and feel it in her skin as I pressed against her, answering the call.

"Soon, love..." I answered, licking lower over her belly. She kept herself so clean. There was a fragrance to her, a gentle, almost flowery scent to her skin, it drove me wild. I could feel my own need welling up within me as I crept lower.

I could smell the scent of her sex, begging me silently for attention. It was sweet, and heavy. I was drawn to it, slowly. She whimpered again as my tongue slid over her in a small, gentle circle. She tasted almost tart. I probed further, and she writhed and moaned, arching against me as I slipped my tongue over her soft and delicate petals.

I could feel her every response, her pulse, her muscles twitching with my motions, I was ready when she came, and lapped swiftly at her until she, and I were both drenched in her fluids. Even her climax smelled clean, pure. The flavor was very mild, pleasing to my tongue as I traced it over her once more.

She pushed away then, rolled over and presented herself. "Liam, don't make me wait anymore!" She whispered at me. Before she could finish the sentence, I had mounted her, my own desire spurring me on as I slipped into her.

She was tighter than I'd expected, almost painfully so, but I didn't hold back. She wanted it, I needed it... She clutched at me, arching as I pushed, deep as I could. I smiled inwardly, realizing the stitches were designed to expand from here, and contract from a human form. I was glad that the bandages wrapped all the way around me, I wouldn't have to worry about them falling off.

She whimpered at first, I could feel her walls spreading around me. The slick warmth of her body wrapped around me was incredible. She shivered beneath me, and I could feel her clutch at me as I hilted within her. I held her tight for a long moment, nipping at her shoulder.

"Gods, Liam..." She moaned softly, arching beneath me. I could feel her well kept fur under my belly, gently tickling me as I thrust into her.

"Amy..." I whispered softly, nipping at her ear. "Do you want me?" I asked, rubbing tight against her as I thrust in again.

"More than you know..." She replied, arching back, and whimpering as I hilted within her again.

I slipped out slowly, thrust back in. Her walls clutched tightly at me, hot, and slick. I nipped gently at the back of her neck, and she shivered, a ripple of motion drawing me further within her. "Tell your master how good it feels."

"Master..." She began, but I interrupted, biting the back of her neck as I took her. Short, powerful thrusts driving me deep into her. Her walls, so hot, so wonderfully, almost painfully tight tensed and relaxed in spasms as I fucked her. She whimpered, pressing back against me, trying to make some sound other than short, breathy yelps as I shoved myself faster and harder into her tight, needy flower.

"Liam..." She moaned, clenching again. "Oh gods, master!" She cried out as she came again. I felt her walls contract against me, holding me tight I could barely move. I knew I was close. I held her tight to me as she gripped my shaft within her. I could feel myself swell, and rocked back and forth, her own climax milking me for every last drop.

It was a little while before I could move again, a mixture of pain and pleasure in me as I continued to thrust into her. She shivered, leaning back against me, a subtle bounce in her hips as I pressed mine against them.

"Master..." she panted as I thrust into her again. "Please... don't stop..."

"One condition, my sweet..." I replied, licking the tip of her ear.

"Yes, master. Anything." She nuzzled me as I thrust into her. Her slick folds slid over me, I thought I could feel them throb with her pulse.

"After you climax again, I'll tell you." I whispered, drawing her close as I shoved myself into her.

She arched again and I wedged myself as deep within her as I could. I rocked back slightly and thrust forward, pulling her close. I felt her gripping at me, clenching again and I knew she was close. I thrust in hard, biting down on the back of her neck, firmly. A little pain, a lot of pleasure.

"Yes!" She moaned, bucking against me. I could feel her hips rock back and forth, making her hot, wonderfully tight channel take me deeper within it's depths.

She came, practically sprayed past my shaft. We were both drenched. I smiled then, slipping out of her. I was close again but I had other things in mind.

"Now, my pet... pleasure me with your tongue, your mouth. I want you to know what we taste like." I said, shifting to human and rolling over to lay on my back. The ground was a little uncomfortable as I settled down on my back, but the anticipation of what was about to happen made me forget all about it.

"Yes master." She replied and stood over me before laying down on my belly, her tongue tracing up the length of my shaft. It was warm, soft and slick with both her saliva and our beautiful mixture of fluids.

I ran my fingertips through her fur, slowly over her hips and scratched lightly at her rump. She took my tip into her mouth, and slowly lowered herself until her nose was resting lightly on my scrotum. She mimicked sucking by simply swallowing, drawing my tip into her throat. I thrust very lightly, the warm almost tickle of her tongue slipping around me was bliss.

Several minutes passed, her tail tracing across my shoulder as she attended to me. I ran my hands through her fur, over her sides and felt her press herself down harder over me, taking me deeper into her mouth. A delicate, careful scrape of her front teeth over me sent a shiver up my spine, and I couldn't help

but arch, thrusting hard up into her. She gagged, wagging her tail, bobbing fluidly over me, a near-purring vocalization slipping through her throat.

I moaned, pulling her off of me slowly. She had come so close to making me come again, but even that wasn't all I had in mind. There was something else I wanted... though I'd have to remember the feel of her wonderful mouth over my shaft.

"Now, stand, turn around, and lift that tail." I said, watching her.

She didn't hesitate, but withdrew her mouth from my shaft, licking the tip once more as she obeyed me. She giggled, whispering up to me as she did so. "Yes, master."

I took my place behind her as she lifted her tail up, and took hold of it in my hand, lifting it just a little higher. I pressed my tip against her and she gasped. The tight ring of her anus clenched for just a moment.

"M-master..." She stammered before I pressed against her. I was gentle, and with only a little coaxing, I was within her.

She whimpered slightly as I slowly forced myself within her. I waited a few long moments, and then asked, squeezing her hips, shaft buried within her to the hilt.

"Does it hurt, my pet?" I remember her shaking her head.

"No, master. It ... I don't know... but it doesn't hurt."

I thrust into her, softly. I could feel her clutching at me, tight, and warm. She moaned, but held still. I let go of her tail, and slipped one hand under her belly, gently teasing at her nipples. She arched slightly.

I thrust into her a little faster, a little harder. She gasped and moaned, her hot anal walls slipping over me, slick, smooth as they stroked over my aching, throbbing shaft. I slipped one hand around her, rubbing her belly slowly as I shoved myself deep within her. I panted, moaning as she lowered her chest to the ground, bracing herself against my quick, hard thrusts.

"Does it feel good?" I asked, thrusting into her a little harder. Her hips rocked forward, her tail brushing across my chest. She panted, barked in pleasure with her response.

"Master... oh gods, yes! Please... fuck me... give it to me hard..." She whimpered writhing slightly as I obliged her, my aching shaft sliding deep within her. The silken walls of her tight, wonderful tail hole my reward for satisfying myself in the beautiful girl.

I groaned, panting, my hips meeting hers and holding tight against her for several long moments until she whined, writhing on me. I pressed down on the back of her neck, holding her head tight against the ground. She struggled briefly until I spoke. "No, my perfect little slave... you stay there... Don't struggle. Be a good little girl, a good little submissive pet... you need this don't you? You need to know you've pleased me, isn't that right? Beg me... beg me for my approval, for my hard cock, my hot seed..."

I don't know where the words came from, but they felt so wonderful to say. She was mine, the little raven haired girl. I was her hero, her savior, her master. She writhed beneath me, begging me, proclaming herself mine, that she would do anything to just please me. She moaned, panting, gasping, thrusting her own rump back on me, begging me to fuck her. Begging me to fill her. So many words, but the ones that stuck out in my mind... were the last ones she spoke before I continued. "Master... I am nothing without you, would be dead without you. I am yours, please take me. Please use me."

I felt the warmth of her fur pressed against me, her tail slipping from side to side across my chest. The tight ring gripping at my shaft as I thrust into her. I felt the fire in my veins as I came closer to my climax. She moaned, I moaned... and then I felt release, again. Hot, sticky jets of my seed within her. I slowed down a little, and then carefully pulled out.

"How do you feel, my pet?" I asked, watching her.

"Mmm... a little empty now, and a little more sore. But... that was..." She laughed, and nipped my shoulder. I understood. I had no word to explain how good that made me feel, either.

"Let's go get ourselves a rinse. Can you shift or should I wash you by hand?" I asked, walking slowly to the lake. She was lop-sided, off balance, but she kept up.

"I can't shift with the broken bone, but I wouldn't mind you washing me by hand... mmm. That cold water over my hot, aching..." She replied. I laughed, stepping into the water. I crouched low at knee height, and rinsed the sweat and sex from my lower body before returning to the water's edge, scooping a little bit in my hands to rub gently over her sex, she shivered and moaned as I probed within her. I rinsed my hands off and then washed her tail-hole. She giggled at that and sighed as I washed my hands again. I stepped free of the water and dressed, walking back into the woods, with her at my side. She looked

satisfied. I certainly was, at any rate.

I leaned close to her, whispered a brief thank you, and then I cried again. She nipped gently at my shoulder and whispered softly in my ear. "I was hoping I could keep your mind off of all of this... but I guess the problem is bigger than I am..."

I held her close to me, my arms wrapped around her. I dwarfed her, really, she was almost tiny in my embrace. I heard the snapping of branches but payed it no mind. I don't think I really cared, as it was.

It was her voice, from behind me that finally caught my attention. It was shaken, emotional. It was Rachel.