AUTHOR"S NOTE:
This is a work of fiction. All characters and places are of my own creation. All characters are over 18 years of age. Copyright January 2012. This story contains supernatural/fantasy elements: Werewolves and other Wereanimals. This story contains homosexual activity/themes between males. If this offends you, please do not read. If it is illegal where you are, please do not read.
Thanks to everyone who has read the previous chapters.
Mated
Chapter 03- Turmoil
by mjwolfwriter@gmail.com mjwolfwriter@gmail.com
April was almost over. Just a week left. By mid-morning, it was clear that it was going to be another beautiful Spring day. As usual, this was one of the busier times of the year for Pacific Security Services. Always plenty of ceremonies of one sort or another.
Dylan was out doing a final daylight inspection of the Westvale Event Field, which was wholly owned by PSS. Tonight they were overseeing security for a rather contentious event. An all Wolf one. Well...mostly Wolf. Some select Mundanes would be in attendance.
It always amused Dylan when he thought about how some humans were either surprised or insulted that Weres even had a term for them as a species. To Dylan, much as with most other Weres, the term simply meant that they were non-Were or non-Supernatural. Rightly, most Mundanes just accepted it.
Now that he was thinking about it he made a mental note to double-check the attendee list after lunch. Checking his watch he saw that it was just after 10:30. He observed the PSS grounds-keeping staff finishing up. The field was freshly mowed. Grass clippings, leaves and other sorts of debris removed. Later in the afternoon the set-up crew would arrive to take care of the final preparations needed for the Pack Leadership Challenge.
When 11:00 rolled around the grounds-keeping staff were driving off, followed by Dylan a few moments later. He pulled into Kara's Kitchen at 11:30 for an early lunch.
The great thing about Kara's...it wasn't some pretentious food joint. Just your basic soup, sandwich and salad fare. Good old blue-collar eats.
Scanning the dinning room, he chose an empty table in a corner. His usual spot here. He had lunch at Kara's three or four times a week. Dylan was beginning to think Kara kept the table clear for him. He never saw anyone sit there.
When the server arrived he decided on the Bacon-y Cheese soup and roast beef with turkey sandwich. Iced tea rounded out the meal. It was on his table by noon.
Dylan's thoughts skipped from several subjects as he ate. His work week. His uncharacteristic episodes of irritation at his best friend. And those new feelings he had been experiencing concerning that auburn Wolf. As was second nature to him, he was alert to people coming and going. Suddenly, he did a double-take as two new patrons entered.
On the surface they looked like just a couple of city or construction workers. However, one looked very familiar. Both were male. Both wore blue jeans, tee shirts and orange safety vests. And both had work boots and a ball cap on.
The first guy to come in was taller than the other one. Dylan put him at six feet. Slim build with short black hair. Late teens or early twenties.
But it was the second guy that really caught his attention. Under six feet, muscular build and dark auburn hair. Early to mid-twenties. Yeah...he was sure it was Zack. Well, mostly sure.
It had been three days since Zack had showed up at his home. Or maybe it was four days. Whatever. The thought of him now certainly excited him as much as it had before. And while he had been busy with work, his mind had definitely strayed to the sexy Wolf a lot.
He felt a sudden euphoria fill him, and an involuntary smile. He wanted to be near him. Hell, not even for sex, just to have him close. What? Where the hell did THAT come from?
Dylan hadn't experienced those feelings in several years. His friends fit most of his social needs. The rest of his life was pretty much work and an occasional lustful prowl every couple of months for those 'urges' that needed seen to.
While disciplined he did have those urges the same as any other healthy male. Thanks to Zack he had definitely had them seen to over the weekend. He could feel his facial muscles forming an even bigger smile at the memories of that. He also felt a different muscle moving which, under the circumstances, was not such a good thing. Damn it! He needed to get his mind off of last weekend.
Several minutes later, Dylan was finding it more difficult than usual now that he caught a whiff of the two new guys. Besides the basic smell of male perspiration he detected Weres...Coyote and Wolf. The Wolf was unmistakably Zack. He wouldn't soon forget his scent. Nor, he discovered, did he wish to. Gods, I could smell him all damn day. he mused.
Fuck! That just increased his...er...problem. Why hadn't he brought his briefcase in with him? He realized now that as long as Zack was in the place, his cock would not go down easily. In private...not an issue. But he was in a diner for Godssakes.
Now that he knew it was Zack, he couldn't help looking over at the table where the two sat. He ate absentmindedly as he observed them talking.
Recalling Selah's description, the tall guy could be the one who had dropped his wallet off. Certainly looked the part. He didn't know who the man was, but it was clear that he knew Zack. *How WELL does he know Zack?*he thought with sudden jealousy. What the FUCK? Whoa there Dyl, get a grip.
His jealousy was quickly followed by shame. His gaze shifted down to his own table. He didn't own the man. It wasn't like they were in a relationship. Why not? he asked himself. Because you haven't even asked him on a date, dumb-ass! his mind answered. Okay...there was that.
He was so lost in thought that he had not noticed Zack's approach.
Startled, he actually flinched when Zack said "Hey. How are ya Big Guy?" The sexy auburn Were had that cute as hell smile of his and his green eyes were sparkling.
"Huh? Oh...uhm...good. Good...yeah...I'm good. Uhm, you?" Gods, that was smooth. he chided himself.
Zack laughed lightly. "I'm good." His face got a more serious look. "Are you sure you are? You seem a little...uhm...distracted. Did I interrupt? Sorry. I'll leave you alone." Zack turned to go.
"NO!" Dylan blurted. You're really rockin' the cool today. He felt a blush forming. "I mean...you don't have to leave. I'm okay. And I wasdistracted." He was sure he was a deep red. "I was just thinking..."
"Thinking what?" Zack asked in a playful tone.
Dylan decided to just come out with it and hope for the best. "I...uhm...I was wondering if you would care to have dinner with me sometime?" He studied the man's face feeling a mix of dread and anticipation. What if all the guy wanted was a 'fuckbuddy' situation? That was a possibility.
The auburn Were's brows furrowed slightly for a few seconds. "When did you have in mind?" he asked. Maddeningly, his face gave nothing away. Not one hint as to his possible answer.
"I was thinking Wednesday, the first of May. Wooould that work for you?" Dylan inquired hopefully. "If not, it's cool." he added hastily. Shit, I'm not used to this.
"Hmmm...let me get back to ya on that." Zack replied with a wink. With that, he again turned and actually did walk off toward his table. Dylan couldn't see the smile that appeared.
"Yeah...sure." Dylan mumbled quietly to himself. He really wasn't sure what to think. He had expected a simple Yes or No. It had not occurred to him that he might get a Maybe. The thought crossed his mind if it would have made a difference if he had told Zack it was his birthday Wednesday. Of course, then there was the possibility that Zack may have felt pressured to accept and that was definitely not how he wanted it.
Feeling terribly off balance now, Dylan found he had lost his appetite. He left some money on the table and promptly left the diner. He was so wrapped in his thoughts that he didn't even notice that Zack and the Coyote were watching him.
Zack sat stunned as he watched the dark-haired Were of his dreams hastily leave Kara's. He hadn't expected Dylan to go so soon...certainly not without finishing his meal and getting an answer about dinner. Did I upset him? He felt something must be wrong.
Something was tugging at his senses. A voice. "What was that?" he asked distractedly.
Dustin huffed and rolled his eyes. "I said I think he's a prick. A good looking one, but still a prick."
Zack's attention was jerked back to the conversation at hand. With an incredulous look, the Wolf asked "What? Why do you say that?" He was wondering if perhaps he shouldn't have pointed Dylan out to his friend today. Or at least maybe not have asked him his opinion of Dylan before he met him. Dustin was going to be tough to convince as it was. That fuckhead Chris really did a number on his friend's Trust-O-Meter.
"Because." the Coyote stated. "He looked like you were bothering him when you walked over to him. Then...he stormed out in a pissy huff when you walked off. That, my friend, is a prick with a capital P." Dustin crossed his arms smugly.
"Oooor...he had his mind on something else when I surprised him." Zack countered.
"And the storming out like a petulant child?"
"I really don't get that feeling from him, Dust." Zack commented resolutely.
"Oh, I know what feeling you get." the Coyote snickered.
"Look, if you're not gonna say anything nice about him, just shut the fuck up." the auburn Were snapped.
"Hey, you asked my reasoning. Don't get all pissed 'cause you don't like what you hear."
A couple of minutes passed as Zack stared at his food, quietly lost in thought. Then he looked up at Dustin. "I'm sorry...you're right. I didask. But I think you'll feel different once you've actually met him." He smiled and took a bite of his sandwich.
One side of Dustin's mouth lifted up into a smirk. "You really sure you want me to meet him? What if I decide I really don't like him after that?"
Zack was definitely getting upset that his good friend wasn't sharing his joy of Dylan. His face got a darker bearing. "Then you're either jealous or a real dickhead!" he spat, raising his voice.
"Hey...wait a minute. That's not very nice. You don't have to be mean Zack." Dustin looked like he'd been slapped.
"Well, it's just pissing me off Dustin. I've always supported yourrelationships. No matter * how* I felt about the guy. Why can't you at least try and be happy that I found the right guy at last."
Dustin growled. "Because. It's not a relationship." he said, making air quotations. "It was just a damned weekend of FUCKING! Why the hell do you think there's anything else there?"
Zack closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths. When he opened them again he said calmly "A couple reasons. One...Dylan just asked me out for * dinner**.* And he seemed nervous as hell about it. I think that means he has something other than a 'weekend of fucking', as you so eloquently put it, on his mind. I've already told you my primary reason." He looked at Dustin with narrowed eyes.
The Coyote across from him snorted and shook his head. "Still* *buying into that fairytale of 'Soul-mates' then? Didn't your experience with Christopher teach you anything? It DOESN'T exist. All you can do is hope that you find someone you can deal with and who'll put up with your shit for as long as it lasts. That's the way it is. I'm sorry, but that's how it works."
Placing both hands palm down on the table, Zack sighed. Why does he always have to bring him up? "I never said Chris was the one, Dustin. At the time, I had thought he was a good guy. I was wrong. Happy now!?"
The rest of lunch was a sombre affair. Dustin tried several times to engage in conversation but the Wolf refused to look at him and silence reigned from Zack for the remainder of the meal. When Zack finished eating, Dustin watched as he silently grabbed the check and went to the register to pay.
"I'll be in the truck when you're done." Zack stated tersely as he walked passed the table and out of Kara's.
Dustin found him sitting in the passenger seat of the company truck looking like a rolling thunderstorm.
"Mr. Tyler." greeted Selah with a nod as Dylan entered the office suite on the top level of the PSS building. "Stuart Dalton called...again. He wants * another* update on the preparations for this evening."
This was at least the third time he knew of that Dalton had called today and Dylan's emotional state was already frayed at the edges. "Oh really?" he started. Dylan growled...a deep rumble, before nearly shouting "You tell him that unless the damned world blows up...everything's FUCKING ON TRACK!"
"Yes, Mr. Tyler." Selah said calmly with another curt nod.
Dylan immediately regretted raising his voice. It wasn't her fault that he was upset. "Selah...sorry for my outburst." He took a couple breaths and continued in a calmer voice. "Please inform Mr. Dalton that unlesssomething comes up, the field will be ready on time and the security will be on hand. He will be informed if any problems arise and I would greatly appreciate not having my time taken up by needless calls."
"Do you want those exact words, sir?" she inquired.
After thinking about it for several seconds Dylan said "Just get the idea across, please. Thank you Selah." He continued on his way to his private office.
The next few hours went by with Dylan and Benjamin re-checking the attendee list to the Pack Challenge as well as checking with the set-up crew and security personnel that would be on duty for the event. Dylan wasn't going to be running the crew this evening, Benjamin was. But since it was a Leadership Challenge he figured he would lend a hand in the preparation stages.
If it were one of the Westvale packs it would be a different matter, but it was the Ridgeville pack. Westvale had been chosen as the site for the event because it was considered neutral by the two opposing camps. Not to mention the fact that he wasn't exactly the **'Master of Focus' today.
Close to a quarter to five, Dylan's intercom beeped. He and Benjamin were still going over the event details when he walked over to his desk and pressed the button to answer. "Yes, Selah?"
"Mr. Tyler, sir. Mr. Dalton is here to see you and Mr. Evans." she stated crisply. Dylan had known her long enough to detect the mild irritation in her voice.
He glanced over at Benjamin, who had been scribbling some additional notes, and exhaled. "Didn't you tell him..."
"Apparently not clearly enough." Selah interjected.
"I'm sure you did a fine job expressing our position Selah. Might as well send him in then." Just what I need right now, an interruption. he thought sarcastically.
A moment later the man entered Dylan's private office. "Mr. Tyler, Mr. Evans." he greeted, giving each a short nod and smile. A smile that quickly faded as he took in the men's faces and postures.
"Mister Dalton..." Dylan began, "is there some sort of problem?" Irritation was obvious in his tone and stance. His Frost blue eyes had a dark cast to them as he glared at the current Ridgeville Pack Alpha.
Though older than Dylan, he flinched slightly at the look leveled at him. "I want to know if everything is in order. The challenge is only a few hours away, Mister Tyler." The 5' 10" Alpha stood straight-backed with his shoulders squared and hands on hips.
The head of Pacific Security Services took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. After a mental ten-count he responded in a softer tone. "Sir...I appreciate that you have many concerns about the event this evening. But honestly, the only thing you're accomplishing right now is hampering ourpreparation. I promise you, there is nothing new to report. * Everything* is coming along smoothly. No difficulties have popped up. The field will be ready on time and the requested security personnel will be there. So unless you have some changes we need to incorporate just try to relax, let us do our job, and prepare yourself for the challenge. Okay?"
The black-haired, blue-eyed Ridgeville Were gave a sigh. "You're right. I'm sorry...it's just...this whole challenge is wrong. But you know how it is in a pack, challenges must be met. Especially Leadership challenges. I'm sure you've seen it in yours at one time or another."
"Actually, I have no pack Mr. Dalton. But I have worked with many packed clients, so I do understand. Now, just go do what you need to do to get ready and leave the other details to us." With that, Dylan smiled and offered his hand. As Dalton left, Dylan and Benjamin returned to finalizing.
Zack placed a couple power-tools in the back of the pick-up. Since lunch, he had pretty much been all business. None of his usual light and playful manner around the job site. He only spoke to Dustin when necessary, and that was short and to the point.
Yeah...he was still pissed. And a bit hurt. Fuck Dustin! he thought. And fuck Christopher Carver!! His emotions kept roiling inside and it had kept him in a very foul mood indeed.
"So, we gonna talk about today?" asked Dustin, putting a bucket of tools into the truck-bed.
"No." came the clipped reply.
"I see." After several seconds passed "How long you gonna be pissed at me?"
"Until I'm not." Zack said flatly, not even looking at Dustin.
"Look...I'm sorry I upset you, okay?" The Coyote checked his watch. "It's almost six. How about we grab some dinner and talk this over?"
"I said NO!" Zack walked back to the house under construction and looked for any small tools left behind. He grabbed the last couple items and returned to the truck. He secured them in the bed and got in the cab without a word.
It was an uncomfortable ride back to the Riverton Construction main yard. Zack's mood remained dark the entire time. His thoughts kept bouncing between Dylan and Dustin. Both positive and negative.
Dustin certainly didn't help matters one bit. He continued to chatter the whole trip. To be fair, Dustin did have a right to his opinions. Zack just wished he would keep them to himself at the moment. Why won't he shut the fuck up? Zack thought. The more Dustin tried to engage, the more irritated Zack got. What he wanted was to be left alone to think.
Reaching the construction yard, Dustin parked the truck and turned it off. He pulled the key from the ignition and turned to Zack. "We've been friends for a few years now. I really am sorry for upsetting you, Z. Can we please fix this?"
Zack kept his gaze forward. Half a minute later he responded. "When I'm ready, we'll talk. Not before." That said, he exited the vehicle and rapidly headed off towards the yard office.
His tension level was high and his emotions were nearing the boiling point. He knew it wouldn't take much right now to send him over the edge so he was trying to get away from Dustin before he lost it.
He was vaguely aware of the sounds of the truck doors slamming shut. He heard Dustin's shout of "Goddammit Zack!" and his running footfalls to catch up to him.
"Leave. Me. Alone*.*" the Wolf growled. He felt anger blurring the edges of his control. Fuck! he thought as he tried to keep from boiling over into the Beast.
"Talk to me RIGHT NOW!" the black-haired Coyote barked.
Zack felt Dustin's hand grasp his left shoulder firmly and jerked him around 180 degrees. It was like a bomb went off in his head. He could no longer contain his anger and it exploded into a red rage. Zack felt the transformation as the Beast came out. Things in his body re-aligning...shifting.
There was surprise, then terror as the auburn-furred Beast grabbed Dustin in his razor-sharp clawed hands and yanked him forward. He leaned his head in close to the frightened Coyote's and let forth a deafening roar in his face.
Dustin pissed himself and whimpered "Ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod. Don't kill me...please don't kill me Zack."
Beast-Zack roared again then picked the terrified Coyote up off the ground and tossed him halfway across the yard.
Letting out a deep rumbling growl, he bent down to grab up the shredded remains of his clothing and loped away from Riverton Construction.
Dinner was an upbeat occasion. Dylan and Benjamin went to Cattledrive Steakhouse. It was located just off the southern edge of downtown Westvale. Much like Kara's, the food was simple. Nothing artsy or pretentious. You got meat, vegetable and or salad. As expected by the name, it had a definite Western theme. It was like the place was dipped in Texas and dropped in the Northwest. They even had a mechanical bull. Yee-Ha!
As the stress of planning the event details was over, the friends were able to just talk and joke before Ben had to go oversee the PSS crew. Dylan was glad he was in a positive frame of mind with Ben tonight. For too much of the last several days he had been distant and snappish with him.
And what upset him the most was that it was all his own fault. Deep down he knew he wasn't being completely honest with his best friend. He didn't think there was anything about his life that Ben didn't share with him. Yet there was a huge part of who he was that he kept from the man he literally trusted with his life. Ben deserved better.
Half-way through the meal, Dylan's cell phone trilled. He was going to just ignore it but Ben insisted he answer it. Taking it from his belt, he thumbed the 'Accept' button without looking as he brought the cell to his ear. "Dylan's phone. Me, myself and I speaking." he said cheerfully.
He heard a couple of deep breaths and what sounded like a soft growl. Then...a throaty voice said "Yes."
"What's that?" he asked.
"The answer is yes." the voice replied.
What the hell? Dylan thought. Should have checked the Caller ID. "Who is this?"
"I would love to go to dinner with you." stated the caller.
Dylan's eyes widened. Gods, it's Zack! he realized. "Uhm, hold a sec." He looked at Ben and said "Sorry, be right back." as he got up from the table. He quickly headed outside.
Ben had a puzzled look as his friend walked away, phone in hand.
Once out of the restaurant Dylan raised the cell to his ear and spoke again. "Zack?"
"The one and only." came a cheery response.
Dylan could picture the auburn Wolf's grin as he said it. He felt a definite happiness spread through him at the sound of Zack's voice. "So, you do want to have dinner with me?" he queried cautiously.
"Well, if the offer is still open, yes. Very much so." The older Were was about to reply when Zack went on. "Of course, I understand if you re-considered.."
"Yes." Dylan had so hoped the auburn stud would say yes.
"Oh...well, if you've changed your mind then. Maybe some other time?"
The dark-haired Were noted what sounded like disappointment in the Wolf's tone. "No." Hold on, think a second Dylan. Shit!, realizing what it must have sounded like to Zack. "I mean no, I haven't changed my mind. The offer is always open to you." What? Did I just say that?
"Uhm...really? You mean that?"
"Of course I mean it." Wow...I DID just say that*.* And that feeling of happiness was still very much with him. Yes, he certainly did mean it.
"That's, that's great. So...I guess you'll let me know when, then. I'll let ya get back to whatever I took you away from. Bye for now, sexy."
"Wait! I don't have your number." Urgency was clear in Dylan's voice.
"Relax, Big Guy." Zack chuckled. "Yeah ya do." he added merrily and disconnected.
It took three or four breaths for Zack's words to fully register. When they did, Dylan lost no time checking his Call Log. A wide smile formed when he saw the latest entry:
Rivers, Zack
April 24 Wed, 07:15 pm
with a number below that he knew was a cell registry. Yeah, he had his number.
He felt suddenly energized. And resolved. He decided right then that he would find a time to tell Benjamin what he deserved to know about himself. Who knows...if things go as well as he hoped, maybe about Zack, too.
He returned to the table with a jaunty spring to his step and a smile that reached his Frost blue eyes. He took his seat and apologized for the interruption.
Ben looked him over a moment. "Well, someone's in a waay better mood. I can assume that it was a good call, then?" he commented.
"Oh, yeah...you could say that." His face was beaming.
"So, definitely not work. Personal, then? Let me guess...that hot mystery date?" Now Benjamin had a big grin as he poked at his friend. "Any chance I'll get to meet her anytime soon?"
"If things go well, you just might." Dylan hated being so non-committal, but this was not the time for certain details. But he wasn't going to let that bring him down. He just felt too damn good right now.
"Well bro, if she makes you this happy...I say, carry on." The blonde Wolf chuckled and grinned and the two friends resumed their dinner in high spirits.
Afterward, they went their separate ways, Benjamin to work and Dylan to his home. By 10:30 he had watched a movie and gone to bed, where his mind drifted yet again to Zack. He found himself aroused at thoughts of him and took matters in hand before falling into a peaceful sleep, smile again in place.
Alone in his apartment, Zack was pleased. Well, mostly. He still had to sort his anger at Dustin. But that Dylan still wanted to have dinner...that was awesome. And that the ofter was always open? That was even better!
As he lay there in his bed, he let his hands run over his lightly furred body. The sensations of his hands and the thoughts of Dylan had him rock hard in no time and he took his time playing with his shaved balls and bringing his ridged seven inches to a very large sticky climax before he fell asleep, very contented.
Comments are appreciated, so let me know what you think. However, flames are not constructive. If you didn't like the story because it just wasn't your taste, just let it go. Feel free to contact me at mjwolfwriter@gmail.com. Thank you to all who commented on previous chapter.