FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter XV

It was a warm afternoon and the last day of spring couldn't have been more serene. There was a slight breeze, plenty of clouds, and the quiet lulling voices of nature were everywhere in the moor to be heard. Mathew was in a pack to hunt by the marshes, but they were having little luck in finding anything. Faustus entered the shallow water first followed by Asaru, Otki a shadowy grey and white wolf, and lastly by Aitu and Mathew. They waded through the rushes and reeds quietly with small splashes. In one hand were his moccasins, the other was Aitu's hand.

"Both of your arms are like vines." Faustus remarked at the pair's constant physical contact.

"You and Nenma are the same way." Mathew pointed out. One of the older male's ears went down.

"You got his tail there Mathew!" Asaru chuckled at his friend's lacking response.

"It seems each prey of the moors and forests have my tail as well." Faustus murmured to himself wading through the shallow water. They emerged onto soft peaty grassland where small undergrowth and young saplings gave little to hide their presence.

"Smell anything?" Asaru breathed as a breeze passed.

"No." Otki held his nose in the air for a moment.

"Let's rest here for a while then while our paws dry." Faustus smelled the air, unable to detect any prey either. No one complained and used the time to relax. The wolves and human sat in a wide and loose circle with Aitu directly behind Mathew. The human could clearly feel her black fur against his back and smiled at its softness.

"Do you remember boring days like this Faustus?" Asaru sat down in the soft earth with his legs stretched out in front of him. "We would try climbing trees or swimming in water that barely came up to our knees."

"I remember days like this." His lips curled into a grin. "Three she wolves from the Saksai village were hunting rabbits in the hills south of Massa, and this wolf and I," Asaru pointed to Faustus, "decided to go talk to them."

"It was long before I imagined having a silver hair on my muzzle." Faustus chimed in.

"Elders and their stories." Aitu leaned forward and whispered into Mathew's ear. He grinned but felt her hand move low. Looking down, the human noticed Aitu's hand was practically clutching him through his loincloth. Before, he would've been uncomfortable with anyone harboring claws remotely close to his intimate areas, but she had that privilege now. It reminded him of when pups always talked about washing the "delicate future" rather than doing something else, and oddly enough he felt safe in her claw baring hands. Faustus and Asaru told another tale for the group's enjoyment about a raccoon spirit that could fly before relaxing in the mild weather.

"I need to rain." Mathew stood up and headed into the brush.

"I do too." Faustus followed him. Mathew faced a tree and lifted his loincloth. Faustus stood beside him and did the same. "I saw her hand cradling your loincloth." The wolf looked at the human.

"You did?"

"Mhm. All young adult wolves do something like that at some point; whether it's holding a hand or sitting next to each other... you get the idea." Faustus explained.

"I haven't seen anyone do that."

"For someone with such good eyesight you don't notice anything." He grinned. "Aitu is very protective and cares a great deal about you. That's what I want you to see." Mathew nodded and relaxed his muscles. "Watch it!" The wolf moved his leg.

"What? I rain this way." Mathew frowned.

"Well that's fine if you want your paws to smell like a marked tree." Faustus stepped aside to rain.

***

"I wish we had something to chase today." Aitu ripped a piece of jerky with her teeth before crossly chewing it. The two were back inside her hut after a long day of unsuccessful hunting. The fire crackled before them as the only source of light in the darkness.

"It was nice being with you and talking to everyone." He ruffled the fur on the she wolf's black mane. Her grin returned.

"You're right." Aitu brushed her cheek across his. The intimate contact of fur gave his body a warmth deeper than the skin. The black furred she wolf slipped her garments off and laid down behind him with a yawn. "I want to dream about catching something tonight." The black wolfess mused.

"I'll dream of you catching that something." He said making her chuckle.

"I can always use your help, even in a dream." She smiled watching him. Mathew untied his garment and set it aside.

"I'll put the fire out." He leaned forward and reached for a small bowl of water. "Huh?" The human looked down finding Aitu's arm wrapped over his front.

"Where are you trying to escape to?" The arm around his chest pulled him towards the deerskin.

"The fire-!"

"That will burn itself out." She pointed out insistingly and used her other arm to hold his waist.

"Hey! Careful!" He laughed as Aitu brought him down to his side with ease. Mathew looked over his shoulder to protest but a long tongue swiped over his nose and eye keeping him still. Arms wrapped around him and large claw bearing hands held his body. The two settled down snugly in their usual spooning position. The fur against the human's back was soothingly warm against his skin. A leg parted his knees and wedged between him. Aitu's leg pushed forward so her paw rested over Mathew's foot exactly like the night before.

Snuggled together in her warmth brought a grin to his face.

"How's that for going to sleep?" She murred patting his chest.

"Just as fast as you run after a deer." He snickered holding her stationary hand against his chest while the other trailed down his side. Mathew blinked feeling a hand cradle his privates so that they didn't lay on his thigh. The wolf's claw tips and warm pads harmlessly touched his skin keeping them safe and secure. "Your hand." Mathew stared at her hand between his legs, but didn't move.

"Hmm?" She asked. A whiskered muzzle brushed over his cheek before resting on his face. He paused remembering what Faustus told him. The she wolf's warm body partially encircling Mathew helped ease his mind and lull him to sleep.

"Sleep well." He closed his eyes.

"Sleep well." She whispered. Both were grinning contently.

Mathew woke up feeling Aitu's fingers playing with his patch of fur above his groin. The she wolf usually started the day that way with Mathew if they were in a spooning position from sleeping. Her fingers delicately combed through the curly black thicket careful not to pull the hairs roughly.

"Morning Aitu." He contently exhaled hearing the light scratching from her fingers. "What are you doing?"

"I'm grooming you." The female's soft voice replied without pause.

"Grooming me?" Mathew mused watching her hand play in his patch of fur. "Not even the spirits can make the hairs uncurl."

"I like them curly." She patted the spot before sitting up and untangling their legs. Mathew missed her warmth covering his back. He watched Aitu tie on her loincloth and cup her chest cloth to her breasts. "Can you tie the string please?" She looked back at him with a little grin. Mathew obliged and sat up.

"Getting up already?" He quickly tied it.

"We can't sleep in for half of the morning. Today is a busy day and I want to start it off by visiting my parents." Aitu handed the human his loincloth. She was right. The village was preparing for one of the few festivals that was celebrated. Mathew dressed and they were outside in a minute. The morning was humid and mild. There were probably some cases of fog closer to shore, not that a low cloud could stop the tribal celebration. The village was bustling with activity. A few dozen wolves were helping build a large fire pit in the center of the village. Some placed drums around the village center and others were preparing large quantities of food for the night.

There were plenty of provisions brought by attendees from other villages to feed the auspicious occasion. The smells were already abundant throughout Massa. Tent resembling structures marked the outer village for those with no place to stay. The village was that much more crowded with the great number of visitors. The stares Mathew received from the foreign wolves reminded him of when he first arrived in Massa.

"I noticed a few different wolves yesterday, but why are so many in the village when there is a festival today?" Mathew asked.

"Some wolves from all of the other villages in our tribe and our allies meet here to visit family, friends, and partake in the Moon Festival that happens every other season cycle during the first full moon of the summer. It's a lot of fun."

"There are a lot here." He noted the many new furry faces.

"Less than one hundred more in Massa." She grinned as if the number was trivial.

"How long does the festival last?"

"One night. Most leave, but some stay for a few days to visit."

"They come all the way over here for a single night?"

"Why not? Others occasionally go to other village festivals, fight in Flower Wars, or visit family."

"It seems like a great deal for one night."

"This night only happens once every two season cycles." She reminded the human of its importance. If the entire village and neighboring villages were in Massa preparing for it. Then it had to be important!

"Hey Ikki." Mathew stopped seeing his friend. "What are you doing?" He noticed the line in the young adult's hands.

"Trying to put a line up to dry these four garments." He pointed with a with and black paw. His little sister was giving the wolf a hard time though. Incisors would occasionally nip at him seeking attention.

"Hey Livia." Mathew greeted the little wolfess holding Ikki.

"Hi Mathew!" Ikki's little sister said while holding onto her brother's side.

"Hopefully this little wolfess will be dancing tonight instead of clutching me like a pup on a teat." Ikki shook a leg trying to pry her off. "I can't wait to see what everyone else is cooking!"

"Aww!" The little pup whined. "Can't the fun wait until Lune is back from visiting his friends in Tanto village?"

"Sorry, but the village can't decide according to just your friend's needs." Aitu patted her head. She grumbled and pressed her forehead to her brother's side.

"Come on, let's go to my parent's hut." Aitu tugged him along.

"Alright. We'll see you two at the big fire tonight." Mathew and Aitu bade the siblings farewell and headed towards Soga and Nahua's hut. They crawled through the door flap. Soga was kneeling behind Nahua, braiding his mate's long black hair.

"Hey! How are you two doing?" Nahua smiled. Aitu and Mathew touched noses with them before sitting on a guest deerskin.

"We are doing well." Mathew ran a hand over the soft pelt beneath him. "Have you two been alright?"

"Mhm! The Moon Festival is going to be a lot of fun." Nahua couldn't contain her smile. "Your father is going to play a drum." She looked over at the medium sized instrument.

"After I play there will be plenty to eat while we howl to the moon." Soga added. "All of Massa smells delicious!" His nose flared.

"Don't mess up my fur. You worked so hard with me to straighten it." Nahua giggled feeling the blast of hot air in her mane.

"It looks like every hair on your body is aligned perfectly mom." Aitu looked over her mother's luscious black fur. Nahua merely grinned and looked over her shoulder where her mate was busily braiding her hair. "Can you do the same for me when you finish with mom?" Aitu kindly asked.

"It will take me the rest of the day to have your mother dressed and groomed in every detail she wants."

"Aww." She feigned disappointment.

"You don't need to pout when Mathew can help you." Soga grinned.

"I can?" The human wasn't sure how to feel with three wolves looking at him with toothy grins.

"Sure. You can braid her hair and groom her coat before she dresses in something eye catching." Soga chimed in.

"You can pretend I am Nenma!" Aitu chuckled finding it humorous.

"That would be hard to imagine when your overpowering me or when we hunt together." He smirked and prodded her side.

"I'll remind you when I pin you to the ground." She laughed.

"Here is you second braid." Soga rested the black hair over Nahua's shoulder.

"Do I look stunning so far?" Nahua asked while feeling over the fresh braid.

"Yes you look beautiful." Soga swiped his tongue over his mate's muzzle.

"How can you say that when you're sitting behind me?" She snickered.

"I married a wolf born with fur, not trinkets and garments." He hugged his mate from behind.

"Stop Soga. We're not the only ones in our hut." Nahua smiled regardlessly and held his hands around her tummy. Her mate smiled and brushed his cheek over hers. They hummed quietly together.

"Parents." Nahua smiled with amusement and pressed her cheek against Mathew's as if they were the older mated pair.

It was the earliest beginning of nighttime when Mathew and Aitu emerged from their hut. The black wolfess was beautifully groomed to the last detail but dressed modestly. like every wolf, she had a wild appearance that was naturally beautiful. The great fire in the middle of the village had been lit and provided them with a source of light to follow.

"I think we are late!" She hurried with Mathew through the village from her hut.

"You made me braid your hair three times." Mathew couldn't help but mention. "I even rubbed your paws while you groomed yourself."

"I know, and I can't thank you enough for helping me." She let her tongue loll out in a happy smile and wrapped an arm around his torso. The wolfess always melted when his hands were all over her. Other straggling wolves hurried to the village center where the noise was greatest. Mathew was greeted with a large fire and hundreds of wolves sitting around in a tightly packed rows around the flames.

"Wow!" Massa's entire population and more were crammed sitting around a large burning fire. Talking and laughter filled the night sky. "There must be hundreds of wolves here!"

"Maybe..." Aitu joked and stuck her tongue out. Quite a few wolves were dressed neatly in fanciful attire. Mathew occasionally wore an armband, but he might as well have been a shaman in comparison to some of the garments that were worn. Some wolves were dressed elaborately with owl and eagle feathers. Necklaces, anklets, armbands, wristbands, and the like were elaborate and beautiful. Even hairstyles were sleeker and more detailed with leather lace, feathers, and other adornments.

"How do all the wolves dance around the fire? There isn't a lot of room unless the inner rows stand up."

"She wolves dance first at night in the order of: young females who haven't bled from the womb, older females who aren't mothers, and lastly any wolfess who has whelped no matter their age."

"Don't males have a chance to dance?"

"Of course, but they have to wait for the tempo of the drums to change. There will be plenty of room to dance for everyone by then." It all seemed so peculiar to the human. At first glance everything appeared disorder when the entire festival was ready without a hitch. Drummers and flute players were on the outer circle playing quietly amongst themselves, almost ready to begin.

"Where can we sit?" Mathew looked around the crowded space that was normally clear.

"Let's sit in the front." She tugged him along through the rows of chattering sitting wolves. They sat down with a front view only three or so meters away from the giant fire. Both his sides were in contact with fur. The spaces were crammed, but no one minded sharing a little space with friends.

'What a large fire-' A pair of strong arms suddenly pulled him to the right in a welcoming hug.

"Hello Mathew! It's great to see you here." A familiar old female voice greeted him. The human looked up through the velveteen soft coat of brown fur hugging him.

"Hey Nenma!" Mathew greeted the wolfess who was sitting with her friends from the creek. Faustus and Mahout weren't far away either.

"Look it's Mathew!" Her friends noticed the human.

"Hi!" Nassenka waved.

"Hello." Cheshuk reached over and patted the human's shoulder. "Are you doing well?"

"Yes, although we should thank Aitu for that." He grinned.

"That's wonderful to hear." She gave a toothy grin.

"You can always sit behind me Mathew. My back needs tender loving hands like yours." Illosa joked wearing a pleasant grin. The other elder she wolves laughed.

"Only after he rubs my paw pads until they are softer than leather." Another joked extending a leg towards the human.

"You seem to be sought after by a pack of she wolves." Aitu giggled intertwining their fingers together. "But they won't take you from me." She chuckled and stuck her tongue out. Kithos, Oshku, and a female shaman from another village tended to the fire before unanimously deciding it was ready to start. The drums and flutes began playing together in earnest and the youngest she wolves scurried to the large fire. Cheers and shouts cried out as the young females danced around the fire. Tassels, cloths, hair, and bracelets all moved in swinging inexperienced arcs.

"My granddaughters look beautiful! And they move so fluidly!" Mathew could hear Cheshuk's voice swell with pride.

"HOH HOH HOH HOH!" The younger husky voices chanted dancing around the large fire. Soon older females who were not mothers jumped up to dance too, including Aitu.

"My turn!" The black wolfess touched Mathew's forehead with her nose. Before he could even reply, Aitu hopped to the fire and joined the others in chanting.

"We'll keep you company until everyone can dance Mathew." Nenma placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks." He grinned but couldn't keep his eyes off Aitu dancing around the fire. The trancelike drums beat loudly in rhythmic unison with the she wolf's motions. Each one acted as a boom of thunder sending hail to further pound the earth, and the wolfess danced gracefully to the tribal music. Her athletic body was enchanting to watch, and her brown blowing eyes stared into his own across the flames knowing that. He didn't even hear those around him talking.

"We can dance now!" The elder she wolves slowly stood up.

"Come dance with us Mathew!" Illosa shook her hands in the air to warm up, but the human didn't budge. He was still staring out at the dancing wolves before him.

"Ah, his eyes are showing love for someone out there." Nenma hushed her friends. All of them smiled at the human's gaze as they joined the dancing wolves around the fire. Mathew watched Aitu hop and dance her way to his seat. Her tail swayed excitedly to and fro. In a few steps the black wolfess was standing mere inches before the sitting human. Her eyes were livelier than the giant fire.

"Do you want to dance?" Aitu loomed over the human with an outstretched hand. Her paws were still moving, eagerly awaiting an answer. Mathew reached out with his hand and immediately found himself dancing beside the happy wolfess. Her loincloth and hair flapped wildly in the glowing firelight. He frequently bumped into other wolves while dancing, but no one cared during the celebration.

"HOH HOH HOH HOH HOH HOH HOH!" Every wolf dancing chanted with their arms out like wings.

"Kiyoooooo!" One broke into a low howl as the drums picked up their pace

"HA!" A mottled cream and brown female jumped close to the fire.

"HA!" Another jumped close to the flames.

"HOH HOH HOH HOH HOH!" Everyone else continued chanting in unison.

"Kiyooooo!" Nagao and a few around him howled.

"Kiyooooo!" The entire village erupted into joyous howls. Aitu howled as well and smiled back at Mathew. Nenma and her elder friends danced as well with broader and smoother motions. Their chest cloths bounced and jumped almost as much as their hair.

"Don't lose your chest cloths or our breasts will swing at each other!" Cheshuk held her arms out while hopping. Nassenka laughed so hard in a barking cackle above the chanting that the old wolfess bent forward.

"Dance with me Mathew!" Kiita barked tugging on the human's arm. He held the pup's hand and danced around the large fire with her. The pup's true lolled and bounced as much as her garments. Everyone started singing a traditional chant in unison:

"Kee-ay-ah-le-loo-may-ah!"

"Kee-ay-lo-le-loo-may-ah-meh!"

"Kai-sah-ah-ba-hee-ay-ah!"

"Ee-ko-ah-na-nee-may!"

"Koo-loo-wai-ee-meh

"Kee-ay-ma-le-hu-may-ah-ee!"

The singing and dancing continued late into the night, until the giant fire dwindled to its last flames under the light of the full moon.

'Where is Aitu?' Mathew looked up and down the creek for the black wolfess. The creek was very busy even compared to warm sunny days due to all the visitors for the Moon Festival. There were probably one hundred wolves bathing at once, and there was plenty of noisy barking to throw around. Mathew carefully walked along the creek. A pup would randomly dart out in front of him and he had to step around others lying in the sunny grass. 'I can barely tell who is who.' The human paused to look around.

"Mathew! I was just talking about you." Nagao smiled and waved the human over. Massa's chieftain was stripped down from his normally prominent garments, and was sitting by the creek's busy edge leaving his lower legs submerged.

"Hi Nagao."

"Hey Mathew!" Two wolves in the middle of the creek greeted the human.

"Hello Kazan. Nasku." He greeted the yellow cream and white male, and the marble female. They nodded or waved a hand rather than jump up and get the human wet with a more personal greeting.

"Are you here to bathe? You should bathe with us." Nagao offered.

"He's barely in the water." Kazan gave a slight grin poking fun of the chieftain's disdain for cool late morning water. Nasku quietly giggled to herself in the normal husky canine voice.

"I'm actually waiting to bathe with Aitu."

"She isn't back from hunting yet?" Nagao tilted his head.

"No. She might be too tired to run after a deer from dancing."

"Being tired isn't good for hunting." He mused. "Come sit down with us." Nagao grasped the human's hand and gave a welcoming tug. "You're among friendly wolves." The toothy grin he gave amused the human as he sat down.

"We won't bite you." Kazan smirked rubbing his arm with a soapy hand.

"You still might." Nasku elbowed the male's side teasingly.

"So how was I your topic of discussion?" Mathew asked the brindle wolf beside him.

"Oh! Yesterday I talked with the other two Massanonoota chiefs that came to the Moon Festival, and the subject of humans came up. Let me explain." Nagao paused to think. "One of their villages lies along the coast south of the human village and the other is west of them, south to us, deep in the hills. Anyway, a few families were playing in the endless sea when a human accidentally found them. They didn't notice until they left the water and spotted him up along the beach." Nagao paused to think.

"What happened?"

"I think they said he was male, but it is hard to say when humans wear so much clothing... Well, they didn't have any weapons on themselves because they were in the water and the human had a thunder stick. Everyone was afraid of being shot and stood still, but the human ran off before anything else happened. I joked and told them they could've taken him back to their village and had them care for pups and elders like you do Mathew." Nagao laughed.

"A human with a thunder stick is no joke." Kazan reminded Nagao. "You have grown soft towards humans because of Mathew."

"I understand that very well, but Mathew is a wolf like us. However, if the human meant harm, would you have done to scare the human away Mathew?" Nagao turned to Mathew.

"Hmm. Howling would work well. It still scares me a little." He admitted.

"Howling shouldn't scare you." Nagao chuckled.

"Different howls mean different things Mathew, you know that." Nasku flicked her finger in the water sending a droplet to the human.

"I'm serious! It scares humans, even if the howl is light and joyful."

"They can't tell the difference between them?" Natu tilted her head in question.

"No. They don't even know what it is unless they live here."

"Howling sounds like a much better alternative than actually fighting." Nagao stated.

"No one will become hurt that way." Nasku agreed. Kazan seemed skeptical but didn't say anything.

"Are you going to bathe Nagao before I pull you in by your sheath?" Kazan changed the subject and held his hand out, pretending to make a move.

"Fine! Fine!" The brindle chieftain stood up. "I just hope the water isn't as cold as earlier." He gradually stepped forward before sitting down beside his friends in the shallow water. "It's still cool." He muttered folding his arms.

"I'm older than you. Your youth should make you resilient." Kazan handed Nagao a small piece of soap.

"I'm not thirty anymore!"

"Nasku and I are not forty anymore and we don't mind the cool water."

"Not ready to get wet without Aitu Mathew?" Nasku asked the human standing up at the water's edge.

"Do you know where Kithos is?"

"He was bathing upstream." Nagao sniffed the air. "But it is hard to tell." He grinned at the plethora of intermingling scents.

"I'll go look for him instead to pass the time. Thanks." Mathew walked and scanned the creek. It really was a great day to be at the creek, and he hoped Aitu would show up soon. The warm sun and still winds were ideal. A wet furred mother was reclined along the edge of the grass talking to friends still in the cool water. Her arm was protectively resting against her ten or so year old son's back while he fed from a breast. Mathew waved at a few who noticed him pass, but Aitu wasn't to be seen. The human caught sight of a familiar male sunning his wet fur in the short grass. "Is that you Kithos?" Mathew asked the naked brindle male.

"Of course it's me Mathew!" He barked with a chuckle.

"It's hard to recognize you when every other wolf is naked." The human scratched his neck.

"You're right. All of our scents are mingled at the creek."

"Where are most of them from?" Mathew looked around at all of the new wolves who would stay for no longer than a few days.

"I think the Lat village." He guessed. "It is the closest to Massa. Their shaman, Natu, has three apprentices."

"Three? Isn't that a lot?"

"She can manage. Her village isn't as big as Massa." He stated. A soaking wet chocolate brown and cream wolfess approached them from the creek. Water dripped off her naked form from the recent bath, emphasizing her canine strength.

"Hello... So this is the human I have heard about." She looked down at the human.

"Hey Natu, I was just talking about you." Kithos looked up at the wolfess.

"Hi." He greeted her quietly as they touched noses.

"Like the rumors, you don't smell like a human." Her black nose wiggled noting how he smelled uniquely like a wolf. "But I never smelled one until now." She mused.

"You're not the only wolf to say that." Mathew smiled.

"I know your nose remembers every scent." Natu looked down at Massa's shaman.

"Yes, but it's hard to see when the sun is trying to shine from behind your head Natu." Kithos held up a hand to shield his eyes.

"Sorry." She quickly sat down beside the male shaman. "I don't mean to be a cloud over you." They both chuckled. The wolfess looked up at Mathew with a welcoming smile. "Please join us Mathew." Natu patted the grass beside her. "I would like to hear all about you." She grinned rotating her canine paw in the air for a second. Mathew and Kithos gladly explained the stories surrounding the human's beginning stay in Massa, saving Aitu from the cold, and his experiences with the spirits. Natu intently listened to every detail.

"Mathew is the only human I know of to dream with the spirits." Kithos finished telling about the human's recent dream.

"Wow... I have to say that is an incredible story for a human in a wolf village, but he is the only human any wolf in Massa knows." Natu pointed out.

"True. But it is still amazing! The spirits are watching him and guiding him as a wolf." The female shaman chuckled at her male counterpart's fascination.

"The spirits always guide everyone who listens to nature." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Looking for something Mathew?" Kithos noticed the human's moving gaze.

"Have you seen Aitu? She was supposed to meet me at the creek to bathe." Mathew looked around the busy waterway.

"I have not. What was she doing before coming to the creek?"

"Hunting in a pack with friends from another village."

"Why didn't you go? You two are closer than a bow and arrow." He grinned.

"Eh. I overslept from dancing last night." Mathew grinned sheepishly.

"You enjoyed yourself last night like everyone else." He grinned. "Few could wake up early this morning after a long night."

"Which wolf is that?" Natu pointed towards a merle coated male approaching them with a quiver and bow. "He looks angry."

"It's Inonu." Mathew looked and was surprised to see the mean look in the canine's eye.

"Hello Inonu. Is everything alright?" The shaman asked the ruffled wolf.

"No! There's a gloating idiot at the archery range!" He barked only to raise his hackles even more.

"Can you tell us more?" Kithos titled his head.

"I do nit have time. I need you to silence his yapping muzzle." He pointed a clawed finger at Mathew.

"Me?" The human was pulled to his feet with a strong hand.

"We will tell Aitu where you are!" Kithos barked as Mathew was practically dragged away by Inonu.

"Since when were you so prideful?" Mathew asked as they quickly passed through the edge of the village's huts.

"You never acted bad when you bested my shots, but this wolf sneered and yapped at me like an untamed pup! He won't be laughing when your eyes find the target with ease." The merle male led him to the edge of the field where a few wolves were gathered. In the center with a bow and quiver was a charcoal grey and brown wolf, blaring his voice like a war hero.

"My aim is truer than the spirits you see! No one can best my shots!" He laughed boldly.

"I should rip his arms..." Inonu bit his tongue entering the circle of wolves. "Here's someone who can silence your loud mouth!" Inonu boisterously barked and shoved his quiver and bow into Mathew's hands. Everyone turned around to the smaller human and an awkward silence ensued.

"A flat face challenge me?!" He looked at the shorter human before huffing a round of laughs.

"Please beat him." Inonu growled, barely able to contain his anger.

"For someone as weak as you I will be surprised if you can draw the bow." The male wolf elbowed the human roughly.

"Your tongue will fall off when he bests you." Inonu growled.

"Do you honestly think you can beat me?" He loomed over Mathew with a snide grin.

"Don't let him mock you Mathew." A young wolfess piped up. The chopped ring of a tree was being used as a target. A few arrows along the edge and scattered through the trees were retrieved by other wolves. The distance wasn't too far or difficult to hit.

"Yes. I can shoot better than you." Mathew confidently stated with an affirmative nod. The opposing wolf shrugged with a whimsical grin and pulled out an arrow. 'I hope Aitu is watching.' He looked around the crowd of a dozen or so wolves from various villages. They both drew their first arrows and took aim before releasing. The arrows flew and the flint tips notched into the wood with a muffled thump.

"What!?" The arrogant wolf squinted to see if his eyes were deceiving him, but Mathew's arrow clearly landed a finger away from the center.

"Wow! You nearly hit the center Mathew!" Those from Massa cheered while the other wolves stared dumbstruck at the human. The wolf's had landed on the outer edge.

"Stupid wind..." The male drew another arrow and released it. This time the wolf's arrow hit above Mathew's, roughly the same distance from the center. "There! Try to hit the center!" The canine boasted. Mathew drew a second arrow and carefully aimed. A breeze passed before he shot.

"Alright Mathew!" Inonu barked and wagged his tail seeing the arrow halfway between the first shot and the center.

"One last shot." The male growled. They pulled out a third and final arrow. A moment of silence passed before both released. Mathew lowered his bow.

"In the center!" Someone shouted. His opponent's arrow had missed the target entirely! The wolf beside him clenched his teeth enraged, seeing the result.

"Alright Mathew!" Inonu cheered. "That shows him!"

'I won!' Mathew looked at the target only to feel a searing pain rake down the side of his face. A claw quickly punctured his shoulder next with a rough hand causing the human to fall over. 'He cut me!' The world seemed to slow in time for a moment as he hit the ground. Pain relayed throughout his body.

"A worthless flat face!" The losing wolf snarled as he was taken away by several watching. Mathew clutched his shoulder feeling others help him up.

"He cut his face!"

"Are you alright?" One waved a hand in front of his eyes.

"Let's get him to the shaman's hut." Inonu hurried everyone into action.

"My mother always said skipping a bath was bad luck." Natu finished licking the human's shoulder as the trickle of blood finally stopped bleeding. "But I don't think this was what she meant. The mottled cream and chocolate brown wolfess scooted back. Mathew rotated his shoulder. The spot was tender and stung a little, but nowhere near as painful as earlier.

"I swear by the spirits my tongue will dry permanently from licking wounds." Kithos stated before switching with his fellow shaman to Mathew's shoulder. The male's tongue bathed over the spot in broad smooth strokes.

"It's good that your wounds are shallow." His apprentice lapped gently over the cuts on Mathew's face to help speed up the process. He looked over at Aitu sitting beside him and gave a grin. The black wolfess held back laughs watching half of the human's face move from the tongue washing the cut beside his cheek.

"Sorry about wearing out your tongues." Mathew rubbed his hand over Oshku's tummy making the little wolfess giggle as she cleaned his cuts.

"Tongues will lick." Natu took a sip of water from a small wooden bowl.

"Ok. I think this is good." Kithos said deciding when the human's wounds were clean enough. "Let me put some ointment on you." The naked male went over to his collection of medicinal plants that Oshku had assembled earlier and began grinding them. His apprentice continued licking the side of his face where three cuts were still oozing crimson red.

'Hopefully this won't sting.' Mathew watched the shaman carry the disinfectant to him.

"Let me see..." Kithos patted the little she wolf's back to look at the facial cuts.

"Feeling better?" Oshku sat back and asked the human.

"Thanks to three gracious shamans I am." He grinned briefly. "Ouch! It stings." Mathew winced as Kithos dabbed the ointment on his cheek and shoulder.

"You're very welcome. Be sure to come back here tomorrow so I can put more ointment on you." Kithos advised.

"I will." He promised.

"Sorry for arriving late." Aitu sat down beside Mathew. The wolfess had returned to Massa while Mathew was being helped to the shaman's hut.

"That's fine. I know you would've broken a bone or two for me." They held hands. "Am I allowed to leave Kithos?"

"You may. Be sure not to cut your paws on a sharp stone. A pup was here earlier with that problem."

"Mathew is no pup." Aitu retorted.

"Make sure his wounds-"

"I can tend to his wounds until they heal." She cut him off with a smile, mostly reassuring the shamans.

"Is she an apprentice of yours?" Natu asked as the human and she wolf left the medicine hut.

"Ah, she is not." Kithos leaned back. "But Aitu has grown a strong liking for the human."

"Is that so? Who would've thought that a wolf. And human would be mates." Natu found herself grinning at the idea.

"They're not mates."

"They aren't?" She looked at Kithos and tilted her head.

"Not yet." He stated with a cheery grin.

Outside in the village, Aitu and Mathew came to the creek's edge where it wasn't very crowded.

"Do you want me to help you wash?" Aitu asked undoing his loincloth for him.

"If you don't mind," he undid her clothes, "me helping you." The she wolf wagged her tail stepping into the cool water with him.

"Natu said you were trying to skip taking a bath?" Aitu tilted her head at him.

"I told her I was waiting to take one with you." He eased into the water behind her. They sat down together in the shallow water and poured water over their bodies.

"Our pack's hunt didn't go very well." She admitted resting her hands on the human's shoulders. "We had to chase a group of deer for a long time." The wolfess began rubbing his wet skin. Her gentle touch was exactly what Mathew needed.

"Mm. Your pads feel nice." He hummed as the canine hands went down his back. A wet tongue swiftly swiped over the cuts on his cheek making the human chuckle.

"You will heal just fine." She softly washed his cheek, letting her fuzzy lips brush against his skin. "You always do." Mathew smiled letting the beautiful wolfess lick his cheek with her soft tongue. The blooming feelings within his chest were indescribable, but exhilarating.

The warm summer weather in the village of Massa was pleasant, especially on a partly cloudy windy day. The wind gave the moor a crisper feel while maintaining its summer appeal. Two from the Massa village were making good use of the weather. Mathew and Aitu walked holding hands by the edge of the village where the moor gently sloped up beyond the creek. Mathew watched the grass and Aitu's black hair sway with the strong breeze. The human couldn't seem to see enough of her. He traced over where a claw had punctured his shoulder. A faint scar was all that remained. Aitu noticed his intent stare at the wound.

"Your wounds healed fine." She tapped his rear with her tail.

"Thanks to you and your tongue." He blushed. Aitu's smile widened seeing the redness on his cheeks.

"But every wolf has a tongue."

"Only one of them is yours." Mathew said making her ears fold back sweetly.

"What would you do if I ran ahead over the hill?" She teased, giving a light hop to her steps. A gleam in her eye told him that the she wolf was about to do something.

"I can catch you." He smugly replied.

"If you can keep up!" She licked Mathew's nose before running off with him in close pursuit.

"You won't get away so easily!" Mathew kept pace with her. She looked back at him with an open smile, tongue lolling freely in the wind. The two ran across the field and up a small hill. Aitu slowed enough for Mathew's arms to hold her as they reached the top.

'Uh oh.' The she wolf's paws slipped in the dewy grass, but their bodies collided.

"I caught you!" He exclaimed only to slip with her and tumble down the hill. They laughed as they finished rolling down to the bottom. Both of their loincloths were flipped up and their hair was a mess. Mathew was sandwiched between the lovely wolfess and the grass, but he couldn't stop laughing while Aitu laughed above him. Her laughter was as contagious as it was melodious. The she wolf's hair landed in little stringy messy pools on his arms and shoulders, and her loincloth draped funnily over his leg. Gradually, their breathing returned to normal but their eyes were locked. Up her long midnight black muzzle were the two softest brown eyes Mathew had ever seen. They lovingly stared back at him. Her leg lowered and Mathew placed a hand on her arm hoping the she wolf wouldn't get up just yet. The she wolf's muzzle drew closer to his lips, and before either knew it, they were kissing.

'Aitu...' Mathew's heart surged at the prickling sensation the short fur surrounding her thin supple lips. She awkwardly pressed forward before trying again with a tilted muzzle for easier access. Aitu whimpered arching her back and licked his lips seeking entrance. Mathew expected her canine tongue to overpower his as she slipped between his opening lips, but the smooth appendage was gentle and flexible as she explored him. Her tongue coddled his, making love in its own right as it lapped tenderly. Prickly short fur and whiskers teased his lips while their bodies danced in each other's hands. The ends of her elongated muzzle overlapping his mouth didn't seem to be a problem. His eyes relaxed to mere slits embracing the intimacy. Aitu's tail flicked up as she felt his hands travel down her lower back, smoothly tracing over her muscles with a light scratch. Her larger canine hands cradled the sides of his head. The supple black pads warmed his skin lovingly while claws harmlessly traced through his hair.

"Mm." Both couldn't seem to have enough of each other. A hand combed through her silky black hair, mane, and warmer coat along her side. Everything about the she wolf was luscious and loving, even the muscles and teeth. They panted lightly when their lips parted. Their eyes were locked in a mesmerized stare.

"Mathew..." Aitu lightly panted touching noses. "Oh!" Aitu locked lips with him once more, letting her actions talk for her. Their eyes didn't waver and told anything words couldn't. The wolf's teeth carefully kept Mathew's mouth open while their tongues danced together. Her long smooth one to his short rougher one. The intimate gesture was warm and unifying as if they were breathing as one. Both were panting again when they parted. In wolffish form they began licking each other's tongues in the open air. Mathew could feel her body relax and lay overtop his own. A claw or two traced over the sides of his face before disappearing into his hair. Aitu finally spoke coherent words when they stopped. "I've waited too long-" Her ears perked up interrupting the moment. They both looked up, and a dozen steps up the hill stood Hohhot wearing an impeccable smile revealing the tips of his fangs. "Hohhot!" Aitu barked.

"This is interesting isn't it?" He smiled. Aitu's ears pinned back hotly from embarrassment. "You both look comfortable." His smile widened looking at Mathew underneath the beautiful canine.

"Hey! We were just... you know, together." Her ears remained flattened against her skull.

"Excuse me for having good eyesight." He chuckled shaking his head causing his mane full of hair to sway. Aitu angrily waved a hand for him to leave, and the chuckling male backed away and left.

"The nerve-Oh!" The black wolfess jumped off Mathew hastily. "I didn't lay on you too long, did I?" Aitu helped him stand.

"I'm uh... I'm good." He gave a nervous grin. The human was still processing all of the emotions.

"Are you sure?" She asked with a full breath.

"Um... I guess..." Mathew's thoughts were hung on the intimate kisses.

"Mathew." He turned around hearing her lovely voice.

"Yes-Mmm!" She caught him off guard with a strong kiss and the human quickly found himself in her arms once again. He reciprocated and they shared tongues again.

"I'll never forget this moment." The softness in her voice was nearly betrayed by the radiant excitement within her. She licked his ear and gradually undid the hug. "I'll be visiting Katwaii for the day if you need anything." The black wolfess spoke softly before stepping away.

"Ok." He dreamily replied watching the she wolf walk away, slowly swishing her tail. His eyes finally blinked when she disappeared from sight. 'Aitu said that she waited too long after we kissed!' His cheeks turned a shade of red feels his heart nearly burst within his chest. She obviously loved him! Mathew walked back to the village with a fluttery feeling inside him that was almost dizzying. The grass seemed greener and the sky even bluer to his love struck eyes. He noticed Faustus, Inonu, and Ikki sitting in a semicircle by one of the huts on the outskirts of the wolf village. "Hello! What are you three doing?" Mathew stopped to say hello.

"Mathew! You're still in the village!" One of the smiling three barked.

"I was only on the hill over there." He pointed.

"Mhm!" Ikki wiggled his ears. "Hills are very intimate and romantic!"

"Oh? You have another admirer." Inonu nodded over to a hut.

"Huh?" The human turned around.

"Hey Mathew!" An older white she wolf walking nearby waved at the human.

"Hello Illosa!" He returned the friendly wave.

"I heard you have a way with older females Mathew." Ikki grinned watching the human wave at the wolfess.

"Your hands can't seem to stay away from them." Inonu chuckled. "But mostly Aitu."

"What are you saying?" He looked at the three smiling males.

"That you and Aitu can barely contain intimacy to your hut." Faustus chuckled.

'News spreads fast in the village.' He thought. "Where did you hear that?"

"Hohhot told us."

"Oh... That loud mouthed wolf." He mumbled with a resigned sigh. They snickered. "It isn't that obvious is it?"

"Let me think... You two sleep together, you two are always together during the day, and her hands never leave you. What else would I need to know?"

"You have strong aratithsu for Aitu." Faustus grinned. The word sounded familiar, but it caught Mathew off guard.

"What does that word mean?"

"Rough translation: you lose." Ikki muttered. The black and white wolf's nose wriggled.

"Huh?" Mathew was confused.

"It means to be mated with someone. You know, the start of a new family sort of thing where you live together." Inonu explained. The wolf word for love was divided into several types: the love one had for one's parents, arawasu; the love for nature and the spirits, arathesu; the love for one's friends, siblings, and the village, aramisu; and now the love for one's mate, aratithsu.

"Is becoming one's mate complicated?"

"No. If two like each other then they start living together. If they or one of them is young then parents must unwaveringly consent."

"We've already been living together since I set foot in the village."

"That was under different terms."

"Yeah, you two love each other and you're part of the tribe."

"Then are already mated?" Mathew found it more confusing.

"One of you has to be the dominant mate and the other must be the submissive mate. At one point when you two are together and alone, one of you will wrap your jaws around the others neck from their front. It's a kind competition." Faustus explained.

"Is there a difference between the two?"

"Not really. The dominant mate does a little more general decision making and initiates mating." He shrugged. "She won't rip your arm off."

"Since you're a human, I wouldn't rule that one out." Inonu laughed. "But it isn't really a dominance thing from what I know. Whoever wants the other more will initiate the bite, and if they love each other then the other will accept the bite. There is nothing dominant about it actually."

"From my experience Nenma is hardly a pushover if you can't appease her." Faustus huffed itching his muzzle.

"No other wolf is Nenma." Inonu grinned.

"Can't Aitu run and chase me instead of biting? I don't want to wrestle her."

"No, you wouldn't run away from your mate. Besides it shows that you are afraid of her."

"She can be scary..." He quietly added making the others laugh.

"You can still bite her neck even if you can't out muscle her." Inonu patted the human's back. "Although your mouth will make that difficult to do."

"And if she doesn't bite your head off then your close families have a large meal together and sleep together for the night." Ikki added.

"All of us sleep together?"

"It isn't sleeping together like this." He clasped his hands together.

"Yeah, it's a good evening and night to socialize with your newly joined family."

"Is that all?" Mathew found the whole ritual basic.

"If neither of you lived in a home by yourselves then both families would help construct one together." Faustus added. "I think that is all."

"Maybe there could be wrestling. Loser cooks for an entire spring!" Ikki thought and liked his lips.

"Haha! I'm sure one form of wrestling will be happening after sunset." Inonu elbowed the other two wolves. They heartily laughed at the idea.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Ikki noticed that Mathew had gotten up and was walking away.

"I need better advice!" The human stuck the tip of his tongue out. The three males barked and hollered jokingly back at him. The human walked by the huts wondering what to do.

"I need advice from a wolfess." He thought aloud. Inonu and the others tended to crack a joke whenever possible about. Mathew spotted Edessa and Hohhot's hut nearby. Outside, the white wolfess herself was hanging pelts and garments on a line to dry. She had the typical appearance of a mother wolf. The round breasted wolfess wasn't wearing a chest cloth, the norm for breastfeeding mothers, leaving her fur barren pink nipples poking freely into the fresh air. Her tail lightly swayed with an upbeat hum and grin as she hung garments on a line to dry in the fragrant breeze. Her nose twitched detecting a familiar scent in the air.

"Mathew?" She said with her softer, yet husky wolfish voice, and turned around. "Oh, hello Mathew." Edessa smiled seeing the human approach her.

"Hi Edessa." They briefly touched noses before she returned to hanging clothes and pelts out to dry.

"What brings you here to visit?" She kindly asked looking over her shoulder.

"Are you doing anything after this?" He watched her hang up a final garment.

"Maybe lay in the sun for a while. Why? Is something wrong?" She asked.

"No! Nothing is wrong! Do you mind if I go sunning with you?" He quickly asked.

"Not at all. I would like the company." She grinned and led him out of the village. They stopped by the creek where the grass was short. "Ok. There must be something your tongue wishes to say." The white wolfess noted his odd silence. Mathew fidgeted with his thumbs.

"I need to talk to you about something."

"Can you tell me?" She placed her hands on her hips.

"Can we lay down first?" He bit his lip. The mother shrugged. They both lied in the grass to sun their backs in the pleasant spring sun.

"So what did you want to discuss Mathew?" Edessa inquired looking over at the human.

"Well... It's about Aitu." He started off.

"She didn't scare you, did she?"

"No. Not exactly... I mean, she likes me, and I like her." Just saying it made his stomach feel bubbly with bliss.

"Anyone can see that." Edessa grinned.

"We want to be mates." He felt his cheeks redden. The white wolfess perked her ears up excitedly.

"Aww! That's great!" Her normally wolffish voice nearly squeaked startling the human. "I hoped you two would officiate that soon."

"It happened suddenly when we were on the nearby hill earlier. We rolled down and somehow kissed each other..." He felt his cheeks warm up.

"Aww! That's so romantic!" Her higher pitched squeak nearly hurt his ear a second time.

"It feels so sudden." He admitted.

"I know you haven't been in Massa for very long, but it seems like you have lived here your whole life. And you have stayed with Aitu for most of that time, so it feels as if you two have been together for many season cycles." Edessa said.

"But it has only been one day."

"You two woke up together this morning, and you will do the same next morning." She pointed out.

"How can I show that I appreciate her?" A smile inadvertently found its way to his face.

"I think being with her will be enough." Edessa surprised him.

"But I want to do more for her." Mathew looked at the village wishing he had an idea. The she wolf paused to think.

"Hohhot always rubs my paws and hands during winter when they're cold, and after a good hunt he will rub both with grease."

"He rubs them with grease?"

"Yes. You can feel the difference." She held her hand out to him. Mathew felt over her hand. Her fur was silky soft like Nenma's, and the pads were even softer!

"Wow! Your hand is soft."

"Even the spirits would be surprised at how cold my pads become." She chuckled as he felt her hands. "And it feels nice when he rubs them." Edessa murred at the thought.

'Aitu likes her paws rubbed too.' Mathew remembered. "Should I do the same for Aitu?"

"Remember. She will value being with you most of all, no matter what you two are doing together.

"Thank you for the thoughts Edessa. I greatly appreciate them." Mathew stood up and brushed himself free of grass.

"You knew the answer all along." She chuckled looking up at him with amused blue-grey eyes.

***

"Ah, hello Washaya. What spirit sends you to me at this time?" Nagao watched the mottled grey male enter his hut. Washaya knelt before the chieftain and they touched noses. "What spirit brings you here at this time?"

"Have you heard the rumor that Aitu and Mathew are becoming mates?" He asked.

"No I have not. Should I have known sooner?" The chieftain mused.

"Nagao, aren't you concerned that the human will become Aitu's mate? He is human." The male expressed worry.

"Not at all." The chieftain's calmness surprised the mottled grey male. "If he likes her then no harm will come to our people by his hands." He calmly stated with a slight grin. "But I understand why you're protective of your sister. It is only natural to do so." Nagao's wisdom helped ease the distressed wolf.

"I suppose you're right chieftain. Aitu can handle him physically with ease anyway." He smirked at a wolf's strength in comparison to a human's.

"She is already the mate who initiates the love bite even before it happens." He smiled.

"That's what my dad has always told me." They laughed at Aitu's assertive nature.

"Aren't you and your parents going to visit them and enjoy a large meal together."

"My mom and dad are already preparing to visit them." He plainly replied.

"You seem sad about it. The day you won't be sleeping alone will come eventually." Nagao chuckled. Washaya rolled his eyes comically in annoyance.

Outside Nagao's hut, Mathew paced around in a line while trying to think of something she would enjoy

"Hey Mathew!" Aitu and Katwaii yelled catching the human's attention. The black wolfess and multi colored wolfess were sitting in front of the latter's hut.

"Hey." He walked up to them.

"What were you doing pacing around over there for?" Katwaii asked.

"I was... thinking..." He struggled to find some way of brushing it off.

"Thinking huh?" Katwaii prodded him.

"Do you need to talk to me about something?" Aitu helped spare Mathew from his own nervousness.

"Yeah, um... Do you want to lay on the hillside and watch the clouds together?" He asked despite a light shade of red warming his cheeks.

"From pup watcher to cloud watcher." She giggled grasping his hand. "Yes. I'd like that very much Mathew." She stood up. The black wolfess looked over her shoulder feeling a tug on her tail and saw Katwaii smiling back at her. Aitu's ears folded down in a canine blush before looking ahead. "So where do you want to go Mathew?" She looked down at the human.

"Oh, the hill facing the field and forest if that's ok." He nearly stumbled on his words. She gave his hand a squeeze and nodded. Only a few wolves and pups were out by the field either practicing with a bow, or simply playing with a stick. They lied down together without untwining their joined hands. It was so peaceful lying in the grassy hillside staring at the partly cloudy blue sky. The clouds lazily rolled by without a care in the world or destination in mind. An occasional breeze passed, rustling fur and grass alike. Mathew looked to his right. Best of all, he was beside her. Aitu enjoyed the quaint time with Mathew. Her nose flared detecting light perspiration from the human. She could smell Mathew's nervousness and wrapped a reassuring arm around his shoulders. "Um Aitu?" He turned to the lovely black wolfess.

"Yes?" She asked, turning to look at him so their noses touched. Her soft brown twinkled like stars in the night sky. They made his lips curl into a preemptive grin.

"Can you warn me when you want to bite my neck?" His voice quietly spoke. Aitu pulled him closer to her side and rubbed her muzzle over his cheeks. A smile reappeared on Mathew's face from the intimate gesture before their lips met in a soft kiss. The prickly fur made goosebumps rise on his skin.

"How did you find out about the neck bite?" Aitu asked when their lips parted.

"Inonu and the others. They said it isn't a big deal."

"They are right. Most mates forget who even bit who, but it is done nonetheless." She traced a claw down his neck and leaned forward. "A bite of love." She whispered pressing her nose to his skin. Mathew took a few breaths as she waited for his approval.

"I'm ready." He consented.

"Ok keep your body still." She nudged his chin up with a single finger. The human watched her ear flicker, unable to see below. He felt hot breath wash over his skin as her jaws parted. Mathew held his breath as her teeth delicately bit him. The sharp points didn't cut his skin and remained clamped around his throat. He swallowed only for a smooth and wet appendage to lap over him.

"Hey!" He giggled feeling her tongue start to lick his vulnerable neck. Aitu laughed as he tried removing her head. The wolfess backed off but wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, tail wagging faster than ever before.

"I love you Mathew." She softly said, meaning every word. Mathew felt his body tingle excitedly with glee.

"I love you too." He returned the gracious embrace. After a tender moment, Aitu stood up and offered her hand. The human gladly accepted.

"Let's get back to my hut. Um... our hut." She smiled helping him up. Their hands never separated once on their walk back to the hut.

"What's wrong?" Mathew stopped as Aitu raised her nose in the air.

"Something bad is burning." She quickly led him around a turn. Thick smoke was coming out of the opening in the roof of the hut. They looked at each other and hurried to the entrance. Inside, Aitu's family was trying to put out a haphazardly prepared fire.

"You grabbed a sapling for firewood!" Nahua stamped her black paws on a few smoldering sticks in the ground.

"I'm sorry! It looked like regular firewood!" Aitu's brother barked defensively.

"What's going on?!" Aitu barked. All three heads turned suddenly.

"You're home earlier than we thought." Soga grinned scratching his mane.

"Are you trying to burn my home down?!"

"No! We had trouble collecting firewood before you two arrived here." Washaya quickly opened the door flap for fresh air to rid the hut of stale smoky air. The smoldering saplings were tossed out as well.

"Aren't parents supposed to be worried about their pups, not the opposite?" Aitu sighed sitting down on a deerskin.

"We aren't here to worry you two on such a special day." Her father gave a toothy smile and touched noses with the young black wolfess. A grin returned to Aitu's lips.

"It's nice to have you three visit." Mathew knelt down before Nahua to touch noses.

"Welcome to our family Mathew." Each surprisingly said when the human touched noses with them.

"How did you three find out?" Aitu asked her family.

"Honestly, it wasn't that hard to realize." Nahua grinned. "We were expecting this."

"Events are spread through Massa like a fire." Soga added. "When we heard we immediately decided to surprise you two, although it was almost ruined." He smiled rubbing his mane sheepishly.

"You know I keep firewood behind the baskets." Aitu pushed the wickers aside revealing a small stack of wood.

"Oops." Her parents looked embarrassed.

"But we brought plenty to cook." Nahua sheepishly grinned holding up a few steak resembling meats. No one complained about that. The new family cooked up a large meal of various meats and a vegetable soup. Fragrant smells of rosemary and thyme filled the hut as much as laughter and talking. The evening serenely drew into the early first hour of night.

"Down to the last... Bite!" Soga chomped on the final piece of a potato, finishing the grandiose meal.

"All of our bellies look swollen." Nahua giggled rubbing a hand over her black furred tummy.

"Ah, nice and full." Mathew sighed with a content smile. "The cooking was perfect!"

"You ate as much as a wolf." Aitu smiled and reclined on their deerskin.

"Hey! Careful." Mathew was pulled down by a strong arm so that he was reclined with Aitu. Her warm furry front was pressed against his back revealing that she had already slipped off her clothes. Soga and Nahua chuckled at the adorable scene.

"So Mathew," Nahua turned to the human, "what's it like having a wolf as a mate?" The older wolfess grinned.

"I trust her." Mathew looked over his shoulder at his smiling wolfess. A tongue flicked over his ear appreciatively.

"Do you want to hunt in a pack with me, Kazan, and Asaru tomorrow Mathew?" Soga asked. "We could use another string archer as yourself."

"No! I want to spend tomorrow with Mathew." Aitu protested wrapping an arm around her mate's torso.

"Careful. You just might smother him with your love." He grinned.

"I wouldn't mind." Mathew brushed his cheek over Aitu's. "We can hunt another day."

"You and I were always cheek to cheek when we were young." Nahua chuckled doing the same to her mate. Aitu's brother averted his gaze from the overly affectionate family members.

"Is there something you two have special planned now that you're mates?" Nahua asked the pair. Aitu looked at Mathew with a twinkle in her deep brown eyes.

"I want to journey with you to the sacred Shayooska forest during the full moon." The tenderness in her voice drew in his curiosity.

"Shayooska Forest?" He questioned.

"The forest is widely known in our lands, and it is physically attached to the spirits."

"Physically attached?"

"Yes. Nature in that forest has remained undisturbed for a very long time. So much that your dreams connect to the spirits." Soga explained.

"It is common for new mates and shamans' apprentices to go there." Nahua added resting her head above Mathew's as they normally did. A claw untied the string holding his loincloth together. The other wolves followed suit and lied down to sleep with full stomachs.

"Don't let us stop you two from sleeping together." Her dad grinned laying down with his mate.

"My brother is the only one sleeping alone tonight." Aitu chuckled. The mottled grey wolf rolled his eyes and rolled over on his deerskin.

Chapter XVI

The moor was quiet despite the time of day. Few birds were seen flying overhead, not even a vulture in the partly cloudy sky. There were small shrubs and undergrowth in the tall grass, but little else in terms of features. 'We must be near New Haven.' He noted how flat the land was. A light fog covered the low moor when they left Massa, but had since dissipated. Mathew had been walking alongside Aitu northeastward through the moor for more than three hours. Their destination was a fair distance away from the village.

"What is the Shayooska forest like?"

"This is a very sacred forest. No fighting or hunting is allowed here."

"Do many go there?"

"Yes. It is well known throughout many lands near and far."

"Are those wolves from a nearby village?" Mathew noticed a small group not too far away from them. Aitu looked over at the half dozen wolves and how plainly they were dressed.

"They are traveling to the forest as well." She assumed.

"How do you know?"

"They do not smell like the markings on the border we passed a while ago." She confirmed by pointing to her nose.

"When did we pass a border?"

"Your nose can't detect it." She mused as they traveled across the moor. It didn't take long before they reached a small river that they had to cross. A large forest greeted them on the other side.

"Is this the forest?" Mathew stared into the trees across the bank, unable to see far.

"Yes." Aitu quietly said and grasped her mate's hand.

"How can we go to the other side without getting wet?" Mathew looked across the wide waterway. The she wolf pointed with her muzzle downstream where an odd landmark rested. To the human's surprise, it was a large stone bridge. 'This is a structure from the ancient times!' No one from New Haven could have built it, and wolves certainly didn't have a need for bridges. Mathew and Aitu followed after the group of wolves and crossed the stone arc to the other side.

"No weapons beyond here, metal or wood." She stated at his former irrational fear of radiation. They passed a worn stone wall and entered the forest. The treetops were so dense that sunlight couldn't penetrate to the ground level, but that didn't limit the undergrowth. Large ferns, mosses, and other dim plants helped fill any spaces between brick and trees. Mosses and other plants were vibrant healthy deep greens.

"Wow." It was as if the human had entered another world. There were wolves he had never seen before, and also foxes, coyotes, even a raccoon was among them from other distant tribes. Ages ranged widely. Each had similar manes and hair to that of a wolf, but different in color and pattern. There was a noticeable amount of shamans, and shamans in training gracing the forest floor with their spiritual nudity. Stares were expectedly given to the human, but they didn't linger long on the sacred journey. He followed Aitu through a wide and straight pathway that once probably existed as a road. Remaining bits and pieces of brick walls were grouped in clusters throughout the area resembling an old maze. Most if not all were coated thickly with ivy and other intrusive vegetation. The sound of a trickling creek nearby enchanted his ears. In the center of it all was a road almost completely covered by short grasses, vines, leaves, roots, and mosses. Everyone found a spot to lay down with their partner, apprentices, fellow shamans, or by themselves.

"We will stay here for the night." Aitu chose a corner of brick wall where thick moss and plenty of ferns grew. Little birds nearby tweeted and played in an old stone birdbath covered in creeping ivy. The wolfess discarded her clothes and sat down in typical wolffish fashion. Mathew slipped his moccasins and loincloth off. The moss under his feet was cool and soft. Aitu patted her lap, and looked at her mate expectantly. The human carefully knelt and sat on her legs as they parted just enough for his dangling human male hood. Mathew felt his privates slip between her thighs where they were immediately surrounded by the fuzzy warmth of her fur. His flaccid length was directly touching the heat of her vulva, but it was strange that he didn't feel anything sexual about it. Strong arms wrapped around him so that their bodies were touching as much as possible. She arched her back to accentuate her breasts natural curvature on his upper chest. Mathew smiled feeling her loving warmth radiate over his skin like infinite sunshine. He placed his hands on her shoulders and lightly ruffled over the black fur. The muscles underneath were powerful yet caring. Her damp nose brushed over his ear. "I am happy that you're here with me." She whispered as if a single loud noise would break the intimate spiritual connection.

"I am happy to be here with you." He replied taking in a deep breath. The air was fresher and cool against his naked skin, but not cold. "It's peaceful here." He looked around at the few groups of natives he could see, quietly talking amongst themselves or contently observing the spiritual atmosphere.

"Mmhm. Everyone is naked to increase that connection." She told him.

"It's like we are all shamans for a day." Mathew admitted.

"Yeah. Kind of." She grinned and patted his back. "Once when I was... six springs old I heard that a group of humans had wandered north to this forest. They killed a wolf on these sacred grounds who had no weapons on his person. Other wolves nearby tracked down the group and slaughtered them in front of a human village nearby for the desecrating act."

"Is this another wild story?" He leaned back and looked at her suspiciously.

"No. That is how seriously all tribes treat this forest." Mathew shivered at the thought, but a warm leathery palm soothingly rubbed over his back. "Do not worry. You are human, but no one who is peaceful is forbidden from this forest." She reassured him.

"It is beautiful here." He could see why fighting was not allowed in such a scenic and spiritual place. The ruins added to the mysterious calm atmosphere. Mathew watched a vixen walking across the ruinous road with a small cup in her hands, but she wasn't the only one. "What are they doing? Many others were taking small cups of the water back to where they were staying for the afternoon. Everyone was naked except for a rare bracelet or feather. "And where are they going?"

"To collect some water from a creek in these spiritual grounds. If you drink some then you will fall asleep quickly and dream with the spirits." She nudged for him to stand.

"Is that why we came here?"

"Yes. I will get some." The wolfess stood up in front of him, giving the human a detailed eyeful. Aitu left with a grin and swish of her tail through the ruins and low ferns to fetch the water. Mathew sat back and took in the sensations around him. The moss, leaves, and grass touching his naked body; birds signing quietly in the treetops above; wolves quietly whispering in awe inducing voices; and the beautiful sight of nature all around him. Mathew reached out touched the low brick wall. His skin tingled at the cold sensation that was made by similar hands centuries ago.

"This must have been a city..." He looked around at the remaining ruins of what was once a thriving human city. Across the old broken road an old female shaman who could've been a grandmother and a little wolfess, probably no older than ten were walking through the forested ruins without a thread on their bodies. The little one spotted Mathew, and he smiled kindly. She smiled back at the human peeking above the worn brick wall and hurried to keep pace with her teacher.

"Did you see someone you know?" Mathew turned and found himself staring at two black furred knees. Up above the soft swell of two modest furry breasts, Aitu was smiling back down at him with all of her teeth.

"No." He admitted as Aitu knelt down in front of him. The cup in her hands now had his undivided attention.

"Here. Drink some." The wolfess offered him the cup. He felt so nervous, excited, and afraid all at once as he brought the wooden pice to his lips. The water was frigid cold against his lips, and tasteless as it permeated throughout his mouth. His soul shivered as it was whisked away down his throat and into his body. His breathing quickened, then slowed as he watched Aitu bring the cup to her lips. "Let's dream together." She drank the rest and laid down with him on the moss bedding, covering most of his body with her warmer furry one. Aitu was soft and warm as she always was, and Mathew snuggled close into her arms. He couldn't help but use her breast as a pillow as the sleepiness crept over him like a thick woolen blanket.

"Sleep well." He could hear crickets churring all around them as if in lullaby.

"Sleep well."

Mathew opened his eyes finding himself in far different world than a forest. "Huh?" He jumped to his feet in a daze. Clouds were floating around and a over him in a peachy sunset glow.

'Woah. Where am I?' He looked around the clouded plain. The ground below his feet was also made of fluffy clouds. "I'm... naked." He looked down seeing that he wasn't wearing anything. "But why am I here?" The human took a few steps over the cloudy surface. Each step felt as if he was floating. 'Is this a dream?' He wondered looking around the peachy atmosphere. The human wandered around the strange dreamy landscape before spotting a familiar black furred canine. "Aitu! You're here too?" He ran up to the wolfess. Her tail immediately started wagging as the dainty smile on her lips grew. She was nude as well. Her black fur was neatly combed and the long hair rested untied on her back. They embraced each other warmly, and pressed their fronts snugly together. The fur on her body was soft as it always was, and the wolfess's scent filled his nose sweetly.

"Yes. I am here with you." Her voice sighed contently with love.

"But... How?" He asked in bewilderment when they parted.

"We are dreaming together." She sweetly replied rubbing her damp nose over his own.

"Wow..." The human found it all surreal. He wondered if they were in a sunset from one of her dreams.

"I love you Mathew." The wolfess held his hands. The leathery padded palms and fingertips warmed his skin more than her fur.

"I love you too, Aitu." He smiled. Their necks craned forward and they briefly shared tongues.

"A pair my old eyes can hardly believe." An older deep male voice stated warmly. Aitu and Mathew turned seeing an old fox approach them. The smiling orange and white furred vulpine only wore a necklace adorned with owl feathers, leaving the rest of his body bare like theirs. He stepped forward to touch noses with them. The vulpine's black nose was warm and moist, and his scent reminded the human of the dewy moor with a light musk. His deep hazel eyes twinkled like the starlit sky.

"Hi." Aitu quietly replied touching noses next.

"You two look happy together." The old fox spirit chuckled folding his black socked arms over his pure white chest.

'He's from the dream-'

"Yes, I am that same fox." He spoke as if to read the human's mind. The spirit placed his hands on each of their shoulders. The vulpine's black pads were warm and reassuring like the sun. "I can see and feel the strong bonds between you two, and the connections you both have to nature, physical and spiritual." A grin on his thin black lips emerged seeing that they were holding hands. "You two are now mates."

"We are." Aitu brushed her cheek across Mathew's face. The soft fur delighted his skin.

"If you have any fears, speak them now." The spirit advised. The wolfess held Mathew in the hug and lightly traced her thumbs over his skin. It took her a moment to speak.

"Do you remember the day you stared out into the moor the previous summer? It was before Kiita's dad needed you, and the look on your face was hopelessly lost."

"Yes. I remember." He stared down her furry back. Claws lightly traced over his skin as she held him a little tighter.

"You won't run away from me will you?" She whispered keeping her cheek tenderly pressed against his.

"No." He clutched handfuls of her lush side fur. "I don't want to be without you." Mathew smiled inhaling the she wolf's wild scent through her black neck fur. His mate's lightly musky and earthy scent invigorated his senses. Her arms squeezed his body tightly. Mathew could see her tail wagging happily behind her. The spirit looked pleased when they stepped back from the long embrace.

"Mathew." The fox turned to Mathew and their eyes met. "You have abandoned the fear that once held your heart so tightly in a shadowy fist. You have accepted her family and the entire village as your own." Mathew's eyes were locked into the amber gaze of the spirit, unable to look away even as his peripherals slowly darkened. "You have no fear Mathew. You now have love." The warm fuzzy feelings within the human's core spread throughout his body like a golden ray from the rising sun. "It is almost complete now. Your journey will come to completion when you return home." The fox spirit's deep voice shimmered. The peachy sunlight and cloudy atmosphere changed and began dissolving around them.

"Wait. What do you mean?" He urgently asked as the light around him swirled and blended.

"Your journey will come to completion when you return home." His voice echoed like a dream as his vision blackened.

'Return home...' Mathew yawned waking up. What did that mean? He stared past Aitu's black fur and into the ancient city of greenery wondering if the dream had really occurred. It seemed so surreal, yet it just happened moments ago. Fingers gently twirling in his patch of groin fur brought him back to reality. Looking up, Mathew bumped her chin. "Sorry Aitu." The wolfess happily nuzzled the top of his head. A hand slowly rubbed over his back, letting the leathery sensation of the pads linger on his skin. Mathew looked down beyond the swell of her small breasts where she was combing through his pubic hair. The hairs curled around her fingers when they splayed across before joining back in the center. "What did you dream of?" He contently watched the hand wander through his patch of fur.

"Good things." Aitu murred keeping him tucked neatly under her jaw. Her other hand rubbed slow circles over his back. The quiet sounds of nature helped soothe him with the she wolf's gentle rubs.

'Good things.' He smiled.

***

The village came into sight under the late setting sun. Mathew and Aitu were holding hands and occasionally bumping sides as they walked. Soft laughter marked their path along the golden shaded sea of grass.

"Few days could have compared to this one." Aitu hugged him close to her side.

"Ah! Careful with those sharp teeth." Mathew chuckled feeling the wolfess nibble along his neck and jaw again.

"Oh, but I can't stop myself." She gave him a fast lick.

"I might have bruises from you, and I don't need to bother Kithos for that."

"Hmm..." The she wolf thought while wagging her tail. "Perhaps I could find somewhere else to nibble on." Aitu firmly grasped her mate's male hood through his loincloth. "If only this wasn't here." She gave him a broad smile displaying every pearly white tooth in her maw. The human nearly jumped feeling her hand go under the free fabric and cradle him more intimately.

"How can I resist my persuasive mate?" He said in a low voice causing her tail to wag faster. Mathew was glad no other wolves were out at the late time as they approached their hut. Physical intimacy was best kept in a private setting.

"Just so no one bothers us." She gave him a salacious grin and untied her loincloth before tying it to the door flap. Aitu flicked her tail up as she brushed against his side and entered the hut. Mathew was quick to follow. Her chest garment was abandoned as soon as she entered the hut, left in a messy pile by the entrance. She knelt down on their sleeping mat and cupped the bottom of her breasts seductively. "Isn't my loving mate going to bed with me?" She flicked her thumbs over both pitch black nipples that remained hidden on her furry chest. The white diamond patch above her sex seemed to shine out through the sea of black as a homing beacon for Mathew. Aitu lied down on her back and parts her legs insistently in all her Hibernian glory. Triangular black folds almost completely covered in fur marked her otherwise hidden sex. The she wolf chuckled seeing him stare.

"Mathew." She beckoned to him with a claw. He casually slipped out of his garment and crawled between her legs, but paused seeing her wolf-hood. Aitu's right leg lifted and hooked around his back causing him to lean closer. A tantalizing aroma made his nose twitch, urging him forward to the source. A deep breath made his head buzz in a brief intoxication of hormone laced lust. He looked up seeing her mouth cracked open in a light pant. She grabbed his shoulders and carefully pulled him up, allowing his body to sensually slide over her own. "Hi." She whispered rubbing his shoulder.

"Hello." Facing each other, their lips parted and shared a deep sensual kiss. Her teeth grazed against the backs of his cheeks while their tongues slowly dancing inside Mathew's maw. They only parted when the intimacy grew too hot to breathe. Laying on the she wolf's sexy body, Mathew could feel her feminine form in detail against his skin. He brought a hand to her modest breast and rubbed over the soft furry mammary in his palm. Aitu found the touch strange, but nice. However, another feeling below had her undivided attention. "Mathew... Is that your sheath?" Growing steadily, the human's male hood grew to prominence. He felt it too and nodded. She looked at him, running her hands up and down his back with a needing stare. Her claws drew a deep shiver from him.

"Aitu..." His voice said in a needing hiss. His member was painfully erect, pressing against her warm furry body. Mathew sat up onto his knees and aligned to enter her. He looked back up and found Aitu wearing a salacious smile with all of her teeth visible. The she wolf nodded without any words being spoken and crossed her legs behind his rear. Mathew edged forward and his glans parted her three folds in the center. A quiet slick noise was given as he took her to the hilt. They both shuddered erotically. The heat was incredible!

"How does it feel?" Aitu asked with an unhinged jaw.

"W-warm and tight." He took in the amazing snug sensations.

"Good. I want to hear you howl human." She displayed all of her sharp white teeth in a seductive smile. He gasped as the wolfess quickly rolled over switching positions with him without losing an inch inside her. His canine mate loomed over him salaciously with her tail slowly wagging behind. Mathew watched her hand rest on his chest and trail down to his curly patch of fur allowing her claws to graze his skin. Aitu ran her fingers through the patch of fur above where they were joined. "We're not going anywhere for the night." She grinned and gave his member an internal squeeze.

"Ungh." He felt her walls contract. A wolfess was even strong there. "Good. I like being with you." His hand rested overtop her own. Aitu happily murred and held up their hands, intertwining their fingers.

"Is that why you are smiling?" She brushed her muzzle over his hand. He nodded happily. Aitu subtly shifted her hips and lied on top of her mate, enticing his skin with her warm fur coat. The swell of her small breasts against his chest added to the moment. "To the side." She nudged him and rolled over so that they were both lying down facing each other. Aitu hooked her leg behind Mathew, keeping him inside her depths to the hilt. Her arm furrowed under his cheek and propped her mate's head up. The she wolf's cool damp nose touched his own as if they were greeting each other, only more intimately than before. Her breath teased his skin as it washed over him. It was warm and without odor, only hinting at a meal from earlier.

"I love you Aitu." He whispered as their lips met. Her lips were thin and hot touching his fuller ones, and the short fuzzy black fur softly prickled his skin. Their tongues met between licking at each other.

"I... Love you... Too." She said between kisses, never completely breaking with him. Claws grazed over the human's face as her hand reached up and cradled his cheek. Mathew ran his hand over her back and the powerful canine muscles arched at his touch. Her tail wagged brushing over his balls and thighs. Aitu's hips started gently rocking making them both hum warmly breaking off the kiss. Their eyes opened to slits staring at each other as they began mating. Both looked down at their hips softly bumping together.

'Making love to a wolf.' The human smiled at the funny thought. It would've been the last thing on his mind when he arrived at New Haven over a year ago.

"Mm. It's just like... scratching an itch." She sighed watching his member enter and reenter her.

"Y-yeah." He held onto her furry arms feeling a muzzle lift his chin. Aitu gave him a broad lick from throat to chin. "Hey-y-!" His voice broke into an unexpected moan.

"You weren't about to say stop were you?" Aitu grinned and touched her forehead to Mathew's.

"Not yet." He chuckled and ran his hand over her side, feeling her strong muscles tense and relax with each breath and movement. When the she wolf stopped moving her hips Mathew continued the motion for her. A quick slick noise was soon heard from between her legs. "Do you like this?" He continued the gentle thrusts.

"Oh yes. Yes I do." Her tongue lolled happily. The slick sounds of dutiful mating filled the home. They held each other in their arms and passionately shared tongues. Warm fur delighted the human's bare skin with every touch. A squeeze, tug, or nibble excited the recipient and resulted in a groaning sigh. Arousal grew thick in the air, as their pleasure increased. Little needed to be said through the intimate love making. Mathew gradually felt her iron strong walls tighten around the base of his member making each thrust more pleasurable but difficult.

"Ooh! I'm... close!" Aitu's claws accidentally pricked his rear making him give a stronger push. Mathew breathed hard and continued mating her with lustful fervor. The increasing tightness and heated walled coaxed him to the brink. Man and wolfess were burning passionately, ready to finish together. Mathew pressed against her front and buried himself to the hilt. His head hung over her shoulder feeling Aitu's strong arms wrap around his back. He spilled his seed as her walls erupted in a pristine climax. She held onto his back and moaned sweetly, almost in a full blown howl. Much like a crashing ocean wave rolling up the beach, everything calmed serenly. Panting filled the hut's walls accompanied with the occasional grunt of blissful satisfaction. The wolf's internal muscles still weakly contracted around his softening length, desiring him to mate her again. A trickle of combined fluid ran down his shaft and scrotum. Mathew leaned back as the intensity ebbed away. A pair of warm fur lined lips immediately sealed around his own as if to steal the human's breath. They kissed to cement the moment, before retracting to sharing tongues.

Both were panting with open smiles, especially Mathew, as the afterglow spread throughout their joined bodies. Mating with a wolf was tiring! Aitu rested her head so that their noses were touching. Her hand lightly trailed over his side, and Mathew lazily ran his fingers through her mane and hair. The fluffier mane contrasted greatly with the silky black hair.

"You know when the heart beats just a little harder once and spreads a warmth throughout your chest?" She softly asked brushing her muzzle against his cheek slowly.

"Yes." He smiled feeling her short bristly fur and whiskers caress his skin.

"I feel it when I am close to you." She smiled giving her mate a tight squeeze.

"I can feel it too." He lightly caressed both furry breasts before focusing on one. He furrowed through the fur and found a nipple. His thumb and finger began tweaking the fleshy spout. Aitu hummed feeling the small, yet pleasurable ministration.

"That was wonderful Mathew." Her voice was so soft and alluring, but her twinkling brown eyes were alive and awake.

"Mmhm." He kissed her chin feeling a warm furred leg brush over his own. The feeling of love felt so wonderful, warm, tender, and alive. The only noise in the hut was soft breathing or the occasional shifting of a limb. Both were happily content lying together so intimately in each other's arms.

"Mathew..." A voice sweetly called out to him.

"Mm?" He felt a tongue lick his chin. A furry leg hooked over his legs and pulled his semi hard shaft back inside her to the hilt. The downy fur against his crotch was soft, warm, and teasingly delightful.

"I want to share the entire night with you." She whispered feeling where they were still intimately joined. They shared another kiss letting their tongues gently make love to each other.

The night was young, and so were they.

Mathew awoke and sat up feeling a furry leg resting over his leg. He smiled seeing his mate sleeping beside him. The beautiful raven black fur contrasted with his white skin like night and day, the perfect combination. She loved him, and he loved her. He was home and it was the greatest feeling he ever had. It was just like when he was a tiny kid with his mom in Nepheira. Those few moments when he sat on her lap and she would tell him funny stories and mythological tales that inspired him to forget about the misery he lived. The peace that she brought him even during the most violent moments existed in the most unlikely of places in Hibernia, a wolf village. He didn't need to worry about Nepheira anymore. He was home now. Aitu's hand suddenly rose up to his chest and eased Mathew back down to her.

"Let's stay in for the morning." The wolfess wrapped her arms and legs around him in various ways to keep her mate in bed. She even made an effort to have a breast lay over him protectively despite its modest size. Mathew's arms returned to her as he nuzzled his face into her neck and jaw's fur. A refreshing breath of her scent kept the smile on his lips beaming. After a few minutes of snuggling, Aitu pulled him up to her level. He distinctly felt a few fleshy nubs trace his skin in the process. "Hello." She dreamily greeted him and touched noses with her mate.

"Hi." He accepted the greeting. They briefly shared tongues before contently staring at each other. His hand wandered ruffling the soft black fur of her side in search of a teat. Males and females had four small lower teats that were never visible. Finding one, Mathew circled the tiny undeveloped spout of flesh.

"Do you find pleasure in playing with my lower teats?" She looked at her mate curiously.

"I do." He emphasized his point by giving a gentle tug.

"You should find more pleasure with my matured pair." Her hand directed him to the top of her small breast. He was happy to feel the youthful mammary squish beneath his fingertips. Mathew parted the black fur to fully reveal the proudly standing light pink flesh. It hadn't tanned like most females her age and older because she had never become pregnant and experienced a loss of fur there. His fingers intimately caressed the naked spout, feeling it harden to his touch. Somewhere behind, her tail wagged.

"Do other males do such things with their mates?" He looked at her in question.

"I am learning right now." She smiled and watched his fingers playing with her breast and visible nipple. The wolfess wasn't one to sit by idly without reciprocating in some way. Her hand brushed over his lower torso and rested in the patch of fur below. "Do female humans do this?" She carefully grabbed some of his pubic fur and let her fingers comb through the curly coarse patch.

"I don't think so," he turned his head to face her, "but I like it." They shared a brief kiss while they explored and played with each other.

"I know something that you will like even more..." She smiled openly and scooted down until she loomed over his crotch. The intent stare she gave sent a shiver through his body. Aitu's nose planted itself in his patch of fur above and chuffed at the subtle pheromones within that only her canine nose could detect. "Ahh." She exhaled before planting her wet nose into his scrotum causing his flaccid length to rest on the bridge of her muzzle. Her furry lips kissed the delicate skin.

"Won't this slow me down in a hunt?" He smirked remembering the story Kithos told him.

"Maybe so." She rubbed her muzzle underneath his length. The short fur brushed along his skin beautifully.

"Aitu-" He exhaled.

"Sh. I want you to enjoy this." She cutely told him. "Maybe you will return the favor tonight." Aitu suggested with a gleaming eye. Her words were enough to stir his malehood to action. She cradled the defenseless organ and used her thumb to help facilitate his arousal. Her eyes hungrily watched him grow until he was throbbing before her nose. Mathew bit his lip watching her thin black lips part revealing the tip of her pink tongue. Her eyes keenly watched him as her nose lowered. That powerful canine tongue of hers shot out and slowly trailed his underside causing his length to twitch as she reached his tip. His legs tensed, but a strong clawed hand held his thigh silently telling him to stay still for her.

"Ah." Mathew moaned as her smooth and warm tongue bathed his sensitive length.

"Does this feel good?" She smiled all too knowingly and traced a claw along his length.

"It's too good!" His hips tried to resist bucking feeling a bead of pre release. Aitu eyed the emerging clear droplet. She stuck her tongue out and gave a long drawn out lick before finally curling underneath his tip. Mathew groaned watching his length jerk twice under her careful ministration. The clear bead at the tip accumulated before it was swept away by her powerful tongue. The she wolf kissed his tip causing him to shudder.

'He's very defenseless to my touch!' Aitu grinned at the pleasure she gave him. Her mouth suckled his glans gently, earning eager moans of approval from above. Her powerful eyes never wavered from his even though her tongue expertly curled around him.

"Your teeth." He moaned with concern feeling her front teeth nibble his glans.

"Don't humans have those too?" She retorted with a smile holding his tip between her incisors. Her pink appendage bathed his glans subsiding the human's fears into more moans. Mathew tensed and quieted, but was given somewhat of a breather as she moved lower and soothingly traced her tongue over his twinned orbs. The delicate touch was equally erotic. "I find your skin delicious." Her warm tongue smoothly licked over the entire pouch causing it to subtly move.

"Not too tasty to eat right?" He shuddered making his mate giggle.

"No." She cooed feeling his rigidity with a hand while her tongue bathed him. "Only lick." Aitu held his organ to the side so she could use his leg as a pillow. She applied short fast licks underneath his tip and had him squirming once more fairly easy.

"Your lips." He moaned feeling the canine's soft short fur add to the sensual pleasure.

"Moan more. Talk less." She murred teasingly and returned to the human's throbbing organ in her hand. This time the wolfess loomed over his organ and kissed the tip.

"T-teeth!" He froze seeing the sharp pearly whites within a hair of touching him.

"You have teeth too." She winked and proceeded to engulf his male hood to the root. His member jumped as her incisors lightly grazed the base, but she didn't cut him. The ridges on the roof of her mouth rubbed his glans, aiding the pleasure. "Mm." Aitu's nose was buried in his coarse hair, taking deep breaths of his lovely scent.

"Oh!" Mathew twisted his upper body as her warm wet mouth pleasured him. Wet licks and slurps filled the home while her free hand rolled his hanging orbs in her palm. The canine's tongue would occasionally slip out and trace over his balls, but he couldn't see the wonderful appendage working inside her muzzle. Her brown eyes smiled lovingly at him while her mouth dutifully pleased. Somehow that made it all more erotic. Mathew struggled to stay still through the jolting pleasure for her. The black she wolf's smooth tongue constantly bathed his sensitive underside from within the warm confines of her maw. A shot of pre coated her tongue as a preemptive warning, but the wolfess didn't slow her lustful play. Her nose chuffed in his patch of fur while she watched him squirm in pleasure. The short fur on her chin tickled his balls to release their load. Their gaze didn't break as she easily sent him to the point of no return. "Nngh, Aitu!" He grunted warning her. She heeded the advice and sealed her lips shut around his girth while continuing to bathe his aching organ with her lapping tongue. Her teeth grazed his sensitive skin, but the human was beyond the brink of control. Mathew came into her loving muzzle until she drew out the last drop. For a full minute he tensed under her love before he completely relaxed in a cozy afterglow. Her mouth opened allowing his softening saliva covered penis to slip out. The cooler air gave him a chill.

"You're shaking just like last night." Aitu licked her lips and patted his leg before standing up on all fours.

"You have that effect on me." Mathew mustered the words as he felt her warm furry body slide overtop his own. A wet kiss marked his forehead. The wolfess laid on top of him before hooking her leg underneath his own. The pair rolled to the side, and Aitu's protective arms wrapped around her mate as they snuggled close.

"My teeth weren't a problem when I bit your neck." Her smooth tongue lapped over his ear.

"I was afraid that my body would jerk or twist causing a cut." He admitted the silly fear.

"That would be a wound to lick every day." She nibbled his jawline causing him to blush. The two mates snuggled together for another minute before rising to start their late day. Tight muscles stretched and pulled stiffly.

"I'm sore." He grinned thinking about last night.

"You're not the only one!" She stretched and offered him her hand.

***

Mathew and Aitu were sitting around a temporary fire out by the edge of the village with their friends. Inonu, Katwaii, Matzo, and a few others were there. Barking laughter erupted as Inonu finished telling a funny story.

"Tawashi was so angry I thought she would break every bone in my body!"

"You should be thankful for having fast legs!" Mathew laughed.

"I have never laughed so hard during the night." Matzo caught his breath wearing a large smile. Crickets chirped noisily all around them in the early night. Mathew and Aitu had spent the entire day together. They bathed together, visited Nenma and Faustus, helped Soga and Nahua with chores at the hut, playfully sparred in the training field, and lastly sent time with friends. It couldn't have been a more well spent day for either.

"We'll see you wolves tomorrow." Aitu grinned slowly standing up.

"You two sleep well together." Everyone bid them a good night. Her mate was surprised to feel a tugging arm.

"We're leaving already?" Mathew stood up.

"You need to return the intimacy from this morning." She whispered and tugged him away. Inonu's ears perked up.

"You sly wolf Mathew." The merle coated male grinned watching the two mates slip away. Aitu practically dragged the human into her hut where she quickly untied her garments allowing them to lay unceremoniously on the ground. The wolfess kissed her mate before lying down on the deerskin and spreading her digitigrade legs. Her white diamond patch of fur lied nestled above the sliver of exposed skin.

"You really could not wait." Mathew removed his loincloth out of convenience and lied down between the she wolf's legs.

"No." She sweetly replied and rubbed her inner thighs across his face before spreading her legs once more. The source smelled somewhat musky, but his nose couldn't pick up on the subtleties like a canine's. Mathew knew how important it was and spent a minute taking in her most intimate scent while rubbing her legs. The strong murring noise from above patiently waited. Aitu watched him with a beaming smile. He parted the she wolf's fur revealing the unaroused triangular blackish grey lips of her sex. His hot breath descended on her naked folds making the wolfess shiver.

"You smell lovely." He traced over her sex with his lips sending delightful tingles up her spine.

"Don't waste a drop." She pet his forehead with a hand. He nodded and lowered his head into her midnight black fur. Mathew stuck his tongue out and traced over her triangular sex noting the warm skin like sensation. Aitu sighed and clenched her toes feeling the inexperienced tongue wash over her entrance with one broad stroke. Mathew licked her womanhood slowly and steadily, adjusting himself to the texture and taste. Mushiness filled his senses that were feminine and powerful. The wolfess quietly moaned. Her labia steadily puffed out as blood engorged the area. Mathew backed up for a quick breath and noticed how much her labia had swelled. Fur no longer covered her inflamed sex as it once did. The naked puffy grey skin stood out as if to court him. She twitched from the slightest breath.

"Your s-"

"I'm aroused." She grinned folding her ears back and lifted her hips. The three folds "kissed" his chin before settling down again. "You couldn't see it last night." A paw rested on the human's back and urged him down. Mathew obliged and returned to her wolf hood. He pressed his lips to her heated sex. The wolf's aroused puffy labia acted like a mouthpiece molded for him to kiss. The human kissed and nibbled at her three lips receiving graceful cooing from above. He dipped inside her wet meaty lips and was rewarded with a shivering moan. The nectar within teased his taste buds acting as a lure for his satisfying tongue. "Mmm... Oh! Mathew." She cooed arching her back. Her paws tried clawing the ground to find purchase. Mathew pressed forward in earnest tasting the depths of his mate, making sweet love to her.

'Wet.' He couldn't help but think feeling over her slick ridges inside. The wolfess cooed lavishly and arched her back every so often as her mate lapped away at her sex. Her walls tried constricting around him, but his tongue remained agile enough to slip away every time.

"Oh... Mm! Oh!" Aitu's thighs touched Mathew's cheeks before spreading out once more. He could feel her muscles tense and relax just as his did in the morning.

"You must be enjoying this." He teased flicking his tongue over her clit. She growled biting her lip but managed to nod with an lusting smile.

"Yes. Ohhh!" She whined, panted, and strained feeling a strong wave of pleasure steadily approaching. Mathew could feel her entrance tighten somewhat and hurried his tongue. Aitu snarled in a sexy groaning howl. Her walls convulsed and contracted around his mouth as if to kiss him. Mathew was surprised to feel potent juices squirt onto his tongue, but he didn't stop. Aitu strained to stop her legs from squeezing his head. The human tongue was so gentle inside her heated depths, even as he lapped over her clit. "Ooh! Ooh!" The wolfess jerked to the side in beautiful melodious moans. He pleasured his mate through the entire orgasm, extending it into a wonderful arcing moment of utter bliss. She tensed every other second and kicked at the air with a paw. A final moan escaped her panting lips before she found the strength to look down at her mate. Mathew was smiling happily between her legs with a wet mouth and chin. He softly licked her three wet folds drawing forth a few more lovely moans from his mate.

"We need a bath tomorrow." He quietly spoke rubbing her fluffed thigh. Aitu smiled at how adorable he looked nestled against her thigh and groin fur.

"Come here and I'll wash you." The wolf panted wrapping her shaking hands around his shoulders. Mathew was pulled up sensually over her feminine body so that they were nose to nose. Arms folded hugging his back and a leg hooked over his own. Pinned, Aitu washed her mate's face clean with her tongue. He accepted the warm gesture smiling. "Oh Mathew. That was beyond..." She blissfully sighed unable to come up with the words.

"I understand." He pet her ear and head. She lightly licked his cheek anyway with a heavenly smile splayed across her thin lips. Closer than ever before, Aitu and Mathew nuzzled together and hoped to dream as one as they did in the sacred forest.

Chapter XVII

Mathew could hardly stop himself from rubbing Aitu's pronounced belly, even if they were outside. His mate still had two full seasons before she was expected to whelp, and he had just enough patience to wait. He couldn't think of a better place to raise their pup, or a more loving family to help support them. Their little one would grow up with grandparents, something never heard of back in Nepheira, and an entire village as a nurturing community. Mathew looked over at the bad dream catcher in their home. Now hanging below it was Aitu's double layered loincloth. When she showed it to him at the end of summer, unstained, the signs of pregnancy were barely starting to show.

"It is better when you play with my nipples." She admitted watching Mathew's hands ruffle through her domed midnight black fur. The soft pink peaks of flesh were now regularly visible and her areolae were just beginning to lose their fur.

"I don't want to waste a drop for our pup."

"The milk won't come in this soon," she chuckled, "and I want you to rub them when they're sore." She moved his hands up to her breasts. The petite tissue was soft and slightly fuller as her body was gradually preparing to make milk.

"If you request." Mathew rested his chin on her shoulder. He lightly groped her furry breasts and teats.

"Mm. That's better." She leaned back keeping her arms open. They shared the intimate moment with only the sound of him brushing against her fur.

"Kithos recommended that you start eating fennel, and burn lavender in the fire before sleeping."

"Our shaman just wants pregnant wolves to eat a lot." She mused at her increased diet watching his fingers rub her nipples. "Maybe we should dress and go outside again. It is the afternoon." Aitu chuckled looking back at her naked mate. Mathew retrieved the she wolf's two garments.

"One loincloth." Mathew tied the strings above her tail. "And one chest cloth."

"For now." She added sweetly.

"Yes. For now." He grinned tying the knot before running his hands through her silky raven black hair. Aitu's brother burst through the entrance flap, interrupting the intimate moment.

"Hello-" Each was abruptly cut off as the wolf quickly touched noses with them. Washaya panted kneeling back.

"Mathew, Nagao urgently wishes to see you." The concerned look on his face had the mates worried. Mathew quickly dressed and hurried to Nagao's hut. There were a few wolves already inside, most of them were part of his council.

"But this is an endless fight Nagao!" Nasku barked.

"And I intend to finish it!" Nagao snarled showing off his fangs. The marble wolfess held her tongue and lowered her ears.

"Which villages and tribes should I send our fastest runners to?" Kazan asked.

"All of those that can be reached within one day!" He barked raising his hackles.

"What's going on Nagao?" Mathew interrupted. All canine heads turned to the human.

"Ah. You arrived quicker than I expected." Nagao calmed down a little and hid his fangs. "A large war band is being organized against the human village by the endless sea."

"Wait. Why?" Small attacks and raids were common, but a full scale war?

"A band of humans used their thunder sticks against a hunting pack. A pup was among those attacked. Everyone was injured, but returned home." He stated before his face grew serious. Nagao snarled. "They did a similar sneak attack during a time of mourning and killed my brother Tantu when I was meeting with the Sussaqua tribe's leader."

"But no one died this time!" Nasku barked.

"This time?! What about next time Nasku? Do I have to ponder about every wolf who travels east whether it is for hunting or going to play in the endless lake?" Nasku bared her fangs but kept her mouth shut.

"What do I have to do with a Flower War against New Haven?" Mathew asked.

"I want you to be in my war council Mathew. You know them more than anyone else here."

"You will be able to help us avoid many deaths." Kazan added. "Besides, who else can speak their tongue?" The older male did have a strong point. If a few were captured alive then a translator would be needed.

"So, will you join us?" Nagao asked after a brief silence. Mathew stared at the red deerskin beneath his legs. He owed his life to Nagao for choosing to spare him that fateful day over one year ago. The entire hut seemed to silently await the human's response.

"I will... go." Mathew slowly nodded.

"Alright then." Nagao grinned before turning to Kazan. "Gather provisions and call every wolf willing to go!" He declared. "We are leaving very soon at the sound of the drums." Mathew left the chief's hut in disbelief. He was going back to New Haven, one of the last paces he would rather be at. The human did not want to go back, but Wolves were hurrying around the village dressed in war regalia and equipped for fighting. Spears, bows, quivers, and knives were well stocked on hand. Orders were being barked out as the entire village mobilized for the effort. Aitu was standing outside their hut. Her triangular ears were pinned back in distraught. Mathew couldn't even bring a grin to his face seeing her.

"What's wrong?" She rested both hands on his shoulders.

"Nagao is leading a large Flower War against the human village by the endless lake. He wants me to accompany him." Aitu's face dropped.

"No!" She whined. "Why do you have to go? You're my mate! You're going to be a father!" She barked in distress. Mathew held her hands and intertwined their fingers as they always did.

"I'm the only one who has been inside those walls. I can help finish this never ending Flower War."

"Then let me go with you!" She whined.

"I don't want our pup to be put in any harm or stress." He brought his hand up to her tummy that was slowly developing a prominent roundness over the beginning of fall. "And if someone injured you then I would never forgive myself." Aitu gritted her teeth but nodded. It was hard to let him go.

"You're not running away from me are you?" She whispered and rested her muzzle on his head.

"No. I will return. I promise." He leaned forward into her downy neck fur. Their ears perked hearing drums sounding off in the village. "But I have to leave."

"Let me gather your things." Aitu dove into their hut before coming back with his bow, a filled quiver, and a knife. She dutifully put them on her mate and adjusted the leather straps.

"Keep the bed warm for me." He mustered a grin and kissed her. The canine tongue plunged into his maw before retracting with a wet noise.

"Wait." Aitu dashed into the hut before reappearing with something in her hands. "Take this with you for good luck and warmth." She handed him his rabbit blanket folded neatly. His mate always had his interests in mind.

"I love you." He tearfully hugged her.

"I love you too!" She buried his face into her shoulder wishing she could keep him there until the sun stopped rising. Other wolves were already heading eastward with Nagao howling at the edge of the village for those coming to hurry. They slowly parted from their embrace and Mathew ran with the other warriors to the east. The drums changed in tone as if crying for everyone to come home safely as the last wolf disappeared from sight. Those remaining in Massa howled a sad chant as Nagao and his war band hurried to the east. Mathew could only make out the last lines, but the translation didn't have same beauty as the original tongue.

Drop by drop, our tears fall.

Oh heavens above! Hear this plea!

Let those brave ones come home again.

They marched for the whole day eastward and gradually covered the ground without spotting a human. The Massa war band only stopped when the sun was ready to set. Sleeping outside was hardly a problem for a wolf so long as it wasn't raining. One of the benefits of having fur was constant warmth during the night. Mated pairs lied down together in the tall grass or under a scarce tree, and others made due with a friend. For the number of wolves in such a small space it was quiet. Thoughts were heavy about warring against a village with walls. Mathew stared into the moor that he had grown to know and love. It felt like his past had lifted its ugly head to remind him of the dreadful life that existed back in Nepheira.

"Doing alright Mathew?" Ashan walked up to the human.

"Maybe if I was back in Massa..." He shrugged wishing the sunset golden grass would bring him back to the wolf village.

"I know this must be hard for you to do, making war with your own kind."

"It brings back too many bad memories." Mathew mumbled. He hugged his legs as a chilly autumn breeze blew by. The male wolf could feel the human's discomfort, mental and physical.

"I know your skin doesn't like the cold." Ashan patted the human's shoulder. "You can sleep beside me for the night."

"Thanks. I'll join you in a few minutes." Mathew mustered a grin before looking at the blanket in his hands. The human buried his nose into the fur wishing it was his mate. Her scent was evident on the rabbit fur, even for his nose. Mathew unfolded it but a piece fell into his lap. "Huh?" He picked up something that had slipped out. It was Aitu's double layered loincloth, the kind that females wore when they bled from the womb once every spring or summer. Mathew clutched the garment closely remembering when she showed it to him and delivered the news that her womb hadn't bled in the late summer when it normally did. 'Her smile was enormous.' He traced a thumb over the soft leather. Mathew looked eastward where the darkness of night was quickly approaching from. 'I have everything to fight for.'

They camped one mile from New Haven the following morning and waited two days for additional villages and other tribes who responded to Nagao's proposal. Every wolf was ordered to remain unseen from any humans who happened to leave New Haven to ensure a surprise attack. So far, the spirits were on their side. The weather was calm and favorable as well. The Massa warriors met war bands from other villages and the camp grew by the hundreds, not far from one thousand.

Mathew was sitting in the grassy moor watching a few wolves sparring with two sticks. Images of Bassolenk and Aitu sparring him came to mind. The winds were calm but the tension in the air was thick. Everyone was expecting imminent action since the peaceful morning began. Paw steps approached the pondering human.

"The war council wishes to see you." A grey and white wolfess approached Mathew. Her silvery white hair was fashioned into a single tail with several feathers. He stood up and followed her through the makeshift camp. The stares he received from foreign wolves reminded him of his early days in Massa, but none of them were fearful or suspicious. The wolfess brought him to a large tent structure. The war tent had been constructed for the leaders of each tribe that accepted Nagao's call for war. Judging by the hundreds of wolves present, many of the surrounding tribes must have responded. The wolfess knelt by the entrance and poked her head through for a moment. "You may go inside." She pulled out and returned to guarding the entrance.

'This must be important.' Mathew parted the door flap and entered the large tent finding five wolves sitting in a semicircle; behind each were one to three retainers. The intermingling scents were noticeable even for his human nose. Nagao was sitting across him with his canine legs tucked underneath his body as every wolf sat.

"You may sit beside me." The Massanonoota chieftain placed his hand on the half of the deerskin beside him. The human crawled over to his chief and sat down. All canine eyes were gazing intently at the human. "This is Mathew from our village Massa, of the Massanonoota." Nagao introduced the human placing a hand on his fur less shoulder. All nodded and said hello. There wasn't much time for proper greetings. "This is Vassuvus, chieftain of the Tomowi." The pitch black wolf. "Dohuk, chieftain of the Yankton." The mottled grey, brown, and white wolfess with a noticeable scar along her neck. To Mathew's surprise she didn't wear a chest cloth and her breasts lacked fur in the center signifying that she was producing milk. The human had not heard of a mother wolfess being a chieftain. "Shustoow, chieftain of the Sanhee." The very young fiery red haired wolf nodded. "Killukuk, chieftain of the Masagai." The larger than average old muscular white wolf smiled with every tooth. He wore a necklace of bird talons that rattled from the sheer number on the single string. Nagao motioned for Mathew to sit by his side after introducing the high ranking wolves that had authority over many subsequent smaller villages. Each had one to three retainers sitting behind them in the large semicircle with Nagao at the head.

'This will probably be the only time I will see so many chieftains in one place.' Mathew thought and looked around the important figures.

"Mathew has lived with those inside the walls and knows more about them than we do. His advice with ensure we have a fast and victorious battle today." Nagao added proudly. Most of the others seemed initially impressed.

"I do not impose rudeness Nagao, but how can we trust him?" Killukuk plainly stated.

"Mathew spared two wolves' lives before we captured him. Since then he saved a wolfess from freezing to death, and has become a beloved member of our village."

"Fair enough." The giant white wolf stated.

"Alright. This is our plan Mathew." Nagao began and explained the tribes' plan on attacking the village. The whole scheme involved burning the wooden buildings with fire arrows and slaughtering those who carried weapons. Then half of the war band would scale the wooden walls or enter through a gate and finish the job, but the end of the plan was something the human wasn't expecting to hear. "Is there a chance any might surrender? Some of them might be friendly like you, and I don't want to waste such valuable lives. You're a bird among turtles."

"I'm surprised to hear that you want more of the humans to surrender rather than die. However, I do not believe many will choose the path of surrender. They are very afraid of all wolves, but a few and some human pups might accept surrender when given the opportunity." That would be tricky when facing a wolf, something out of a nightmare.

"What would we do with any that choose to surrender?" Dohuk inquired.

"Bring those who wish to surrender out in the field away from the village where they can be watched."

"How will a human surrender?" Shustoow asked.

"They will not be carrying a thunder stick. If you approach them they might faint or cower, but be cautious. They may still try to resist."

"As long as no wolf is harmed." Vassuvus nodded.

"Does anyone object to adding this in plan?" Nagao asked. No one spoke. "Okay." The wolf grinned. "We will win this war!" Nagao barked triumphantly.

The entire war band of wolves approached New Haven from the west at noon and hid themselves around the brush bordering the town's closest fields. Surrounding fields were barren where farms once existed, growing only weeds and patches of scrawly grass. The walled town resembled a phantom hut for nightmares along the sea. Everyone knew the battle plan and patiently waited for humans to leave the gate. Mathew hardly blinked for the next half hour, but when the gate opened his heart began to race. A group of twenty to thirty young men left the village. Each was expectedly armed as they walked into the field, unknowingly to their own graves.

'We're ready!' Mathew could feel adrenaline pumping through his body.

"Aroooooooo!" The chieftains unanimously rose and broke into deep howls.

"Arooooo!" Everyone else rose and howled. The patrol was petrified as the war band of wolves came sprinting at them by the hundreds. A few were able to fire a quick shot before running back to the village yelling for help. Screams and howls of pain echoed as a bullets found their mark. Wolves with bows fired as they ran, easily finding their stationary targets. Mathew drew the knife from his satchel and quickly threw it into the chest of the young man in front of him. He collapsed clutching the reddening area with a pained gasp. Another knife and an arrow ended his misery. All of the other humans outside of New Haven quickly suffered a similar fate as they were cut down. Back in the brush, over a hundred archers had constructed tiny fires and aimed for the town itself. Mathew watched as hundreds of flaming arrows flew through the sky in a graceful orange dotted arc. The spectacle created a near silence for one serene second where the only sound was soft air resistance from each burning tip. Every arrow disappeared behind the wooden wall. Those that landed on wood or thatch easily caught aflame within minutes under the ensuing chaos. As the tribal wolves reached the palisade, the gate began closing.

'No!' The fastest runners couldn't even reach the entrance in time. "Damn!" Mathew watched the gate close from the inside with a loud thump. Some wolves didn't wait for the gate to reopen and instead scaled the palisade wall with difficulty. Cursing barks were given if someone slid back down.

"How do we open this thing again?" Nasku turned to Ashan and Mathew. The human's eyes widened seeing the barrel of a gun poke out from the square design. Ashan swiftly grabbed the thunder stick and yanked it out. Whatever human had it screamed from the sudden theft. "Thanks!" Nasku wagged her tail as Ashan tossed the weapon aside.

"You need someone inside to open the gate." As soon as Mathew said that Ashan climbed up the wooden wall and scrambled over to the other side.

"It isn't opening!" Ashan barked on the other side.

"There's a thing you can turn to open the gate." Mathew looked through the gate seeing the mottled grey wolf on the other side.

"What does it look like?" Ashan looked around the man made structure, pawing at everything he could touch.

"By the edge there should be a... uh... a stick on a large circle that you turn." Mathew did his best to describe the gear and pulley system that operated the gate. A full minute passed before the gate began opening. Joyful barks erupted as over one hundred wolves poured into the town.

"That was faster than I expected Ashan!" Mathew entered only to find an adolescent human male cowering by the large wolf.

"I found him hiding so I drug him out and pointed to this." Ashan grinned at his good luck.

"Take him out into the field. I'll look for others." Ashan nodded and hauled the human through the open gate. Mathew ran past the first homes but took cover hearing gunfire close by. Inside the human colony, the dark streets were surrounded by burning buildings that produced a thick black smoke. Gunshots, barks, and screams filled the blazing town. A few wolves nearby were circling a building where the shots had come from. "Hiding place-" Mathew looked to his left and found three humans pressed against the wall beside him.

<Who are you?> The mother questioned the strange loincloth wearing human fearfully with tear stained cheeks. The two kids behind her cowered and held onto her tightly.

<There isn't much time! Leave this town and surrender. Hurry!> Surprisingly the fear stricken women nodded and ran off towards the gate with her kids. Mathew searched the streets and buildings that weren't already ablaze or ransacked, but none contained a single human that eh could find. He came across a particular building with a stone base. Yelling could be heard inside despite the fact that it was on fire. Mathew kicked the door down and entered with a cough as smoke irritated his body. <Hello?!> He used the English word and looked around the smoky room that was oddly familiar. Deer heads decorated the wall along with a fixture of a native spear. Movement caught Mathew's eyes. A panicking blonde haired man stumbled to a wall that was already starting to catch fire. <Captain!> He yelled, halting the aged man. Terror filled eyes gazed back through the thin grey smoke. <Captain Ducroix! You're still alive!>

<What are you!? The devil himself!?> He shouted back in a crazed daze, not recognizing the former colonist.

<Captain, you have to tell everyone left to surrender before all of New Haven burns to the ground!> Mathew stepped forward squinting through the thickening smoke.

<Those savages will skin me to pieces!> He backed away towards the burning wall.>

<No! Not if you surrender and leave this place!>

<The radiation will kill me then!>

<There's no more magnet radiation in Hibernia! Everybody has been living in fear for no reason!> Mathew yelled as loud as he could above the roaring flames. The man's wild eyed look didn't change. The captain reminded Mathew of the very same savages that he was warned about on his first day in Hibernia, monsters with claws and fangs. The wall started to crack and buckle as its support burned away. <Hurry and leave!> Mathew begged the captain.

"Mathew!" A voice from the building's entrance barked.

"Ashan!" The mottled grey male was coughing in the smoky doorway.

"Get out of here! This entire hut is one big fire!" He barked. Mathew turned back at the terrified captain clinging to the wall that was ready to collapse. The older man's fear was too great and Mathew left with Ashan as the entire building collapsed. Debris fell into the street around them as they ran away.

"How did you find me in there?"

"I can follow your scent across any terrain." He grinned pointing to his black nose. "Let's get out of here. If anyone else is alive then they'll be caught at the gates unless they want to burn alive." Ashan suggested as they hurried through the town's streets.

Everywhere around them wolves ran through the empty streets and houses that hadn't caught aflame and looted whatever they deemed to be valuable. Clothes and weapons were the most common items stolen. Anything else was broken or set aflame. The coalition of tribal wolves sacked the entire town without remorse. The old painful embers of losing friends and family members to the humans was fiercely renewed. Anyone who resisted with a thunder stick was cut down without mercy, but the few who were too shocked to resist were captured by the chieftains' orders. Yells, barks, and triumphant howls filled the air for the next hour. The town was smoldering when the carnage stopped by the afternoon. There was enough smoke emitted to cloud the whole sky had a strong gale not been present from the sea. There were a few moans of agony and grief over the wounded and fallen in New Haven's surrounding field. Shamans were present and taking care of those with injuries. Human bodies were thrown into a ditch far away or partially buried. The chieftains didn't want them visible to anyone. Plenty of wolves proudly displayed a thunder stick that they obtained. A few had long scarves tied in their hair or on a limb as a fashionable trophy. One wolfess wore underwear on her ears.

Mathew walked outside in the field where the injured were temporarily set. Wounds ranged from minor to severe. The sight and smell of blood made the human uneasy. He was thankful that he only knew one of the injured.

'Ikki!' He quickly approached the Massa wolf. "Are you doing alright Ikki?" Mathew knelt by the black and white wolf. There was a large bloody spot on his outer thigh that a shaman was tending to. A bloody bullet that had been taken out was resting in the grass nearby.

"Nngh! It hurts." He gritted his teeth. "That's what I get for being young and restless, but the flat face didn't shrug off my knife so well." Ikki managed a brief grin.

"Save your breath and relax." The shaman poured water over his leg to wash the blood away. "You don't want this to bleed anymore or become infected." Her firm voice made Mathew feel better more than Ikki.

"There you are Mathew! Are you injured?" Nagao and a few wolves quickly approached him.

"No. I am fine. Are any others from Massa hurt?"

"None that I have seen or heard." The chief shook his head making his hair sway.

"I'm that unlucky?" Ikki groaned.

"Is Ikki going to be ok?" Mathew asked the present shaman

"I have dealt with many bullet wounds in my life." The old naked she wolf said with a grunt. "His is minor."

"Let the shaman care for Ikki. You are needed to help decide what becomes of the remaining humans." He led Mathew to where the chieftains and captured humans were. The chiefs nodded at Nagao and Mathew. There was a small group of humans lined up outside of the smoldering village. It was about twenty or so individuals from the town's original hundreds. More than half of them were young women or children. Only two were young men in their later teens. None of them were Darren, or the company of people Mathew had arrived on boat with so long ago. One in particular was crying, afraid of what might happen next.

"Is everybody out of the village?" Mathew asked Dohuk who had most of her warriors guarding the remaining humans.

"I will send some to check." She turned to a few standing behind her. "Three of you look around the ruins and see if anyone is left inside, human or wolf." Her orders were swiftly executed as three took off into the smoldering village. "What will we do with them? I only expected two or three to surrender." Dohuk inquired.

"Can so few make a village?" Vassuvus thought aloud.

"Are they normally this skinny?" Nagao asked Mathew.

"No. They have little or no food left to eat."

"Didn't you tell me before that humans can hunt for fish?"

"There are either no more fish here or they no longer have the tools to catch them."

"If they can't eat then all of then will die a few days after we leave." Shustoow shrugged.

"They will become reckless then." Nagao frowned.

"Can each of you take a few back to one of your villages to live?" Mathew suggested.

"What?! Live with us?" One of the wolves barked surprisingly.

"We can give them the choice." Dohuk offered more reasonably.

"I expected as much from a mother of four." Vassuvus, the pitch black chieftain murmured quietly.

"You wanted some to surrender, but you expect them to live with us?" Killukuk tilted his head.

"Only if they choose to-"

"None will by the terror on their faces." Nagao interrupted. "Just look at those expressions." The Massanonoota chieftain pointed with his nose at the petrified humans. The coalition of tribes were in a more difficult situation than the morning.

"I won't take any with me that have thunder sticks." Killukuk looked around at the defenseless humans lined up.

"They may not have thunder sticks with them now, but one might be lying around and used on us!" Vassuvus added.

"No wolf around here will let that happen." Dohuk reminded the brash male. "We already searched them for weapons. They have none Mathew." She reassured everyone.

"They won't be able to understand us." One pointed out.

"You will have to teach them, and that will take time."

"How long?" Killukuk asked.

"The younger, the faster. Only three of the four mothers are probably over thirty season cycles old." Mathew guessed.

"Isn't there a faster way?" One asked.

"I want a solution that will last forever benefiting everybody." Mathew stated.

"Then talk to them about it." Killukuk looked over at the humans. "Only you will know what they want." Nagao nodded in agreement and nudged Mathew towards his kind. He turned his attention to the humans. A mother carefully wrapping a small bandage around her child reminded him of a shaman. He stepped forward and cleared his throat.

<Okay all-> He stopped himself. 'My English is rusty!' Mathew was surprised and cleared his throat a second time. <Um. Hi everyone.> everyone looked at him with wide eyes silently for a minute.

<Who are you?> Someone managed to ask.

<Oh! My name is Mathew, and I have been living in the... er the wild.> He pointed inland.

<How did you survive from these wolves?>

<I lived with the wolves in a small town.> He said, further stunning them.

<You're a savage human!> One of the four mothers was shocked.

<Well... I guess I am equally wolf and human to your eyes.> He scratched his neck finding it somewhat humorous.

<What will happen to us?> A young woman asked.

<Nothing bad will->

<What if they try to kill us?!> One sobbed in a heartfelt wail.

<Don't worry!> Mathew tried consoling them. <Everyone! Please understand me. The wolves want peace with you remaining humans.>

<Peace? They're monsters!> A few other nodded in agreement.

<No one here is a monster. We want to end the fighting for good. The chieftains need to know if you want to stay here around New Haven.>

<Here? There is nothing left here.> One of the adolescent boys looked back at the smoldering village. <We only have our clothes.>

<What about the ships that would stop by?> Mathew remembered the cargo ship he traveled on to arrive here.

<The ships stopped coming to port months ago.> The colony had been abandoned!

<We are already starving.> A young boy said behind his mother's back.

'They can't feed themselves out here.' Mathew realized looking around the barren area. They had no tools to hunt, no sheep to herd, nor any crops to farm! <You cannot stay here if you wish to feed yourselves. However, some tribes have agreed to give you a home.>

<A home? Where? We lost our homes!> A human cried pointing at the smoldering settlement.

<A new home away from this one.>

<Will you separate us from our children?> A mother of two asked.

<No. But if you choose to remain here, you must live outside of New Haven and its walls and promise never to build new ones.> He looked around, but no one seemed eager to live along the ruins of the town that was best left abandoned. <Or you can live in a native village inland.>

<A native village?> All of the survivors were stupefied.

<It won't be easy. You will have to learn a new language and adapt to tribal life, not to mention overcoming the differences between wolf and human, but the reward will be invaluable.>

<A reward?> One questioned.

<You will have a safe and loving home to raise a family and live in.> The humans were shocked at his answer

<Are you insane?!> One of the young men yelled. <How can a human be safe in a city full of man eating wolves!?>

<They are not man-eaters. I wouldn't be alive if that were true.> He silenced them. <If you want to stay here where you cannot feed yourselves then that's fine. I can give you all some time to decide, but you must decide quickly if you want to live in a native village.> Mathew backed off and returned to the chieftains.

"Have they decided to live here, or with us?" Nagao asked.

"They are afraid of wolves. That much is certain." He admitted. "They are deciding."

"What if they decide to stay? Will we have to keep guards here to watch them forever?" Dohuk shook her head at her own question.

"They cannot stay here by themselves. They do not have any means of feeding themselves or any other basic care." Mathew explained. "Their pups are hungry and all of this fighting hasn't been good for anyone."

"What if more humans come from the endless sea and rebuild the village? This Flower War will only continue." Killukuk crossed his arms. "We killed more than one hundred in that village today who tried fighting."

"That's why I'm trying to have them live in separate villages so no one will have a reason to return."

"Why not kill the adults who can harm us and take the pups back?" Shustoow suggested.

"No pup would forgive that, and you would have a far greater problem on your paws in the future." Nagao sternly warned the Tomowi chief. "If you want them to become part of your tribe then treat them as you would a wolf."

"It seems our only option is to take them back with us whether they want to go or not." Dohuk thought aloud. However, no chief wanted an unruly person within a village that didn't want to stay. That would be enough trouble in itself. A wolfess from another tribe suddenly came out of the smoldering town with a small human infant, several months old, in her arms. She wore a pleasant smile craning her head at the whining baby. A soft persistent voice hushed the whining cries as she rocked it.

"Who is that?" Mathew asked the chieftains.

"That is Jeddah. She is from our main village." Killukuk answered. "She cannot bare a pup of her own." Her mate came to the aforementioned wolf and brought an arm around her side.

"I cannot find the mother's scent." Jeddah and her mate approached the chieftains and Mathew.

"Then the mother has traveled to the sprits' hunting grounds." One chief stated.

"May we adopt her?" She asked her chief with a hopeful voice.

"A pup cannot live on its own so young." Her mate added.

"I see no issue with that. You may." He nodded. A spark lit brightly in Jeddah's eyes.

"We can have a family!" She barely hushed her voice so that the infant wouldn't cry again. Not being able to physically bare pregnancy was a heavy burden on a she wolf's mind whether she wanted to raise a family or not. Jeddah and her mate brought the baby human to their village's wolves, barely able to contain their excited yaps and barks.

"One of them wants to talk to you Mathew." Nagao pointed to a female who stepped forward.

<Sh-she isn't going to eat the baby, is she?> A mother asked holding tightly onto her two boys.

<No! The two wolves will raise the baby as their pup uh, child.> Mathew explained.

<Why?> She was completely baffled.

<They cannot conceive a child together, and they want a family. I know it is hard to understand, but wolves want to live a happy life as much as you do. If you want to live in a town without fear of being murdered then please step forward.> Mathew told them and returned to the chieftains who were eager to solve this impossible problem.

"What did you say in that wicked tongue?" Vassuvus asked.

"I told them to step forward if they wanted to live in a wolf village where it is safe, and that Jeddah won't eat the human pup."

"Eat a pup?!" Dohuk barked. "No wolf with a sane mind would a pup. The spirits would never allow that."

"Few of them have even seen a wolf. They would believe any superstition."

"So will any come with us willingly? Or are they going to stay?" Killukuk looked at the humans suspiciously.

"I don't know. Let them decide." All of the chieftains, their retainers, and Mathew waited. The humans were silent looking around the war band of wolves. A human among wolves was astounding, but living happily with wolves was nearly too much for their rough upbringings to comprehend. But the promise of a better life was ripe on their minds. A few minutes passed and some began stepping forward to leave New Haven and live with a tribe. Within another minute all had stepped forward.

"Have they agreed to stop fighting?" Shustoow, the Sanhee chieftain asked.

"I think so, and they are willing to live with wolves. They can't support themselves here." Mathew replied with an inward sigh of relief that everyone opted to live a tribal life.

"So we pick a few and divide them between our villages?" Killukuk scratched his head.

"Make sure they go to villages where they will be treated best." Nagao advised the other chieftains. "These humans will become beloved ones in your tribe if they do not misbehave. The chieftains looked at the row of humans from a few steps away, preferring to use their noses than actually communicate. The mottled grey and brown wolfess called Mathew and pointed at the mother of two.

"She has pups, yet she covers her breasts?" Dohuk tilted her head in confusion. "Why?"

"Humans do not believe it is proper for a male to see a female's breasts. Human pups are rarely breastfeeding for more than a few seasons."

"Goodness! How can she not give them milk? They are huge for her size!" She scratched her mane in confusion at the odd human behavior. "The Yankton village I live in has many more females than males. She won't feel as nervous about her breasts there." The female chieftain offered with a grin. Mathew quickly approached the mother of two.

<You can stay with this she wolf's village. She will take care of you and help you adjust.> The human mother uneasily nodded as Dohuk stepped forward. <Her name is Dohuk.> He told the human. <What is your name.>

<Amy.> The woman spoke quietly.

"The mother's name is Amy." Mathew quickly told the Yankton chieftain and stepped aside. Amy held a shaky hand out.

"Is she going to hit me?" Dohuk inquired looking at the extended hand.

"No. That's how humans greet, by touching hands." Mathew explained, hoping to avoid a fight. Dohuk grinned and grasped the human's hand with her own. The huge canine hand overwhelmed the petite woman's hand. <Th-the hand is strong... but soft.> Amy felt the supple pads gently holding her palm. <What is she doing?> The mother asked as the wolfess loomed over her.

<You touch noses with a wolf you have never seen to say hello.> He reassured her as the canine head craned towards her.

<Imwas Amy.> The female chieftain quietly said to the human.

<That word means hello.>

<Uh... Hi Dohuk.> She replied with a squeak. The wolfess knelt down to her two boys and did the same.

"You have two nice pups." Dohuk grinned and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder.

<She said your two children are good.> Mathew translated.

<Oh.> She did her best to smile while looking at the claws resting in her dingy shirt.

"They may come with me Mathew. I will help her prepare." The wolfess nodded.

"Alright!" <You may go with her now.> Mathew nudged her forward.

<Will I really be going to a safe place? I don't trust anyone here.> Tears fell down the human mother's cheeks.

<Yes. Trust will be one of the many things you rediscover living with wolves.> The woman bit her lip but followed the chief of the Yankton with both sons holding her hands. The first humans were acquainted and guided over to the appropriate group. Within an hour every human had a specific village to go to, even though a few had fainted when touching noses. No more than three went to the same village as the tribal bands of wolves gradually left for their homes. The chiefs left on good terms. The Flower War with the humans was finally finished.

"Why aren't you taking one with you Nagao? You already have one to teach them." Killukuk inquired.

"True, but Mathew will not be able to teach any human."

"Why not?" The old wolf tilted his head.

"Mathew will be raising a family of his own very soon." Nagao grinned seeing the male's ears perk up in surprise.

"You're having a family?" The old wolf looked at Mathew.

"Yes. We are eagerly expecting in the late spring." He couldn't contain a smile.

"I never would have guessed that..." The wolf shook his head with a grin causing his hair and necklace to sway. "Well Nagao, I will send someone to give you news about the humans in my villages. May the spirits guide us all safely." Those from the Masagai tribe gradually left, leaving around one hundred Massanonoota wolves from Massa. Mathew was the only human at New Haven, but the disorderly town that was his gateway to freedom would now be abandoned. Supplies were packed and ready to be taken back home.

"Are you ready to go home Mathew?" Nagao asked. Images of the village filled Mathew's mind. Huts spread next to the creek every wolf bathed in during warm sunny days. Pups playing and finding mischief to make. Mates hunting together. A shaman chanting to the wind... Ikki, Inonu, Nagao, Nenma, Faustus, Hohhot, Edessa, Cheshuk, Nahua, Soga, Kithos, Oshku, Aitu, and all the others would be there. "Mathew?" His chieftain inquired taking a step closer.

"Huh? Oh, yes I'm ready to go." He couldn't seem to wipe the grin from his face.

A lone female wolf patiently waited outside of her village facing the darkening moor. The sun behind her cast a long shadow stretched to the east as it slowly sank below the horizon. Others had retired to their furred mats and were well on their way to catching sweet dreams. A few remained awake in vigil, waiting for family members or a mate coming home from the recent Flower War. The sash in her hair rustled as a gentle breeze passed. Her claws dug into the ground and black ears perked up seeing a lone figure appear over a small hill. She strained to see as it approached with many others following a few steps behind. He did not possess fur like the rest of the wolves in every village, nor did he have a long snout, triangular ears, and moist black nose. The leading male stuck out as if he didn't belong at first glance. The arm band, necklace, hairstyle, tongue, loincloth, and spear told a very different story. Her nose inhaled and recognized his scent, igniting her emotions into a powerful bloom. The male caught sight of her and waved happily. He approached the lone figure in front of the village, and his stride increased with every step. A black tail wagged excitedly hearing the necklace clink quietly.

"Mathew." She openly smiled.

"Aitu." He smiled running up to her. The name meant so much more to him than any word could describe. Arms outstretched and safely wrapped around each other as they reunited in a strong hug, fur against skin. The gentle swell of her belly filled the remaining physical gaps between them.

"You're home." She held him tightly, never wanting to let go.

"I am." Mathew smiled and nuzzled into her neck and shoulder. Neither could've been happier. Her welcoming earthy scent washed over him like an evening sunbeam, and invigorated his soul. He stared over her shoulder and at the sun looming behind the village, casting its immortal rays for just a few moments longer. The feeling was indescribable. He finally caught the sunset.

END

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Author's Note: Well I hope those who read enjoyed the long tale which is over 100k words from start to finish! Although, I'd like to add some general comments below about the story.

• this is Idea #130b (I mixed up the lettering in a journal). #130a was a similar idea about a human boy in a southern Hibernian colony (modern day Wexford) where there are plenty of human colonies and native villages and inter-fighting. He is raised by a wolfess after his human village is razed. I drew a map of Ireland in an old journal about it.

• The last line of the story refers to the end of chapter one where Mathew watches the sunset with Darren.

• I forgot to include a scene where Mathew learns how to help Nenma cook...

• I also forgot a scene where Mathew was supposed to teach other wolves how to use guns in warfare.

• This roughly took over one year to write (while writing other things).

• "Flower War" comes from guerrilla warfare fought between Aztecs and their enemies.

• I planned on having Nenma and Faustus die in their sleep but decided against it.

• I planned on making Mathew run away from Massa early on, but decided against it.

• Dark Natasha and Goldenwolf were huge sources of inspiration on how to detail the native wolf (especially for the native style). Go check them out if you already haven't!

• The tribal religion of "spirits" is loosely based on Native American beliefs and Shinto.

• I choose the anatomically correct tag for more than the male's having a sheath or the females having a canine vuvla (including how the canine vulva tightens during sex). Digitigrade paws, pseudo paw hands, claws, canine head, and subtle manes are the obvious physical traits. Keen sense of smell, near sighted eyes, licking wounds, better hearing, growling, barking, and howling are more. Fur loss around a nipple is accurate for a lactating female wolf, though, to a lesser extent.

• I don't know if I explained it well, but 'sharing tongues' means licking each other's tongue outside of both muzzles.

• I thought of the title "The Sunset Catcher" months before having this idea and I couldn't wait to use it!

• The Moon Festival drums were inspired by Kodo's Zoku (traditional Japanese drums).

• I chose not to write a scene about Mathew and Aitu watching the clouds together in Spirits and Dreams because it would take too long...

• Lastly, I accomplished my first goal as a writer. I enjoyed writing a long story as much as I enjoyed reading my favorite story here on SF. Thank you for reading and making this possible!