Fic: This Is Not The House That Pain Built-Part Three

[beanside]

Jeff had made it to the northern border of the land when Jeremy called to him. It was hard for anyone else to summon him while he was in wolf form, but not Jere. Though, he was supposed to be unconscious.

He skidded to a halt, reaching for Jere, asking for info. The wolf couldn't understand language that well, but Jeremy knew how to get around it.

Pictures slid into his mind of himself running, then of the other pack's homestead. Then, of Chad, standing out looking around. Last was a scent memory of the other Alpha, a glimpse of his wolf. His scent sharpened with a ripe, heated smell. Rut.

He turned towards the house, flattening himself to the ground for more speed. Jeremy's approval came through the connection before he broke it.

Just as Jeremy had shown him, Chad was waiting, pacing on the front porch. He shifted, heading up the stairs.

“Took you long enough,” Chad muttered, glancing back as the door opened and Jeremy stepped out. He still looked rough, but the pinched look had faded from around his eyes. The pack tie had helped them all.

Except Jensen.

“He's a virgin,” Jeremy blurted.

Jeff blinked.

Chad cursed. “Fuck. C'mon, Jeff. We need to talk.” He stomped towards the RV, muttering the whole way.

“He wants you to jerk off in a cup,” Jeremy offered helpfully. “Jensen needs your come up his ass.”

This, Jeff briefly thought, was why he loved Jere. Absolutely no lead up or bullshit. Then, the mental image of Jensen putting Jeff's come up his ass snagged on one question. “--how is he going to get it up there? Turkey baster?”

“Jeff,” Chad said sharply. “Which of these two would be better for a beginner?” He held up two dildoes, bobbing and wiggling obscenely in the sunlight.

“Uh... that one?” Jeff said, pointing at the one he favored on those rare occasions that he wanted a dildo in him. It was narrow, its ribbed surface rising into a curve that never failed to hit the prostate just right. He placidly followed Chad into the RV, trying his best not to imagine Jensen spread open under him.

“Good. Now, I moved the stupid cat and the dogs off the bed so you can get to jerking off. Then I'll take the cup up, and Jeremy can show him what to do.”

The growl slid out of Jeff's throat before he thought about it, hand snatching the dildo and tube of lube. “No.” He turned to leave, and found Jeremy blocking the doorway of the RV. The snarl filled the small space, and he saw a flash of pink as Adrianne's cat darted into the granny's attic.

Jeremy smiled slightly. “Put on pants, Jeff. The pack is traumatized enough without staring at your dick.”

Jeff grabbed a pair of sweats and pulled them on. For good measure, he grabbed a tshirt, and yanked it over his head. “Good?”

“Good. Take the cup, too.”

Properly girded, Jeff headed for the stairs, glancing into the living room, where Adrianne and Tracy were talking, and Smith was snuggled on the couch with Sam. “Hey, Adrianne? Could you check on Bandit and Bisou for me? Maybe they and Alouros would like to check out the area.” He didn't wait for an answer, just headed up to where Kane stood sentry.

At first, Jensen didn't seem to notice when he stepped in the room. Then, the scent reached him, and he came to his feet off the couch in a lithe roll, eyes gone to an unnatural green. He stilled as he saw Jeff standing there. “Where's Chad?”

“Not here.” Trying to read Jensen’s expression, Jeff added, “I'm sorr-”

“I don't want your pity!” Jensen snarled, coming at Jeff in a rush, slamming him back into the door.

Jeff held still as Jensen bent close. The other man was lost in the wolf, fangs out. Jeff could feel the claws biting into his shoulders. “I'm not giving you pity. I'm apologizing for being a dick.”

Jensen's teeth brushed Jeff's throat, his tongue tasting his pulse, licking the sweat off his skin. Jeff could smell the rut on Jensen's skin, a heady scent that went straight to his cock.

For a moment, he thought Jensen was too far gone, and Jeff wondered how badly he'd have to hurt the other alpha to keep himself intact. Then Jensen shuddered, and Jeff could feel him pulling away.

Before the claws could retract from his skin, Jeff moved, using his height and weight to push off the door, spinning Jensen until the smaller Alpha's back was firmly pressed into the wood.

Smelled so good, his little virgin. Jensen would be so tight, the Rut leaving him slick and open without a drop of lube. He could smell the precome, soaking through Jensen's jeans already. He imagined how it would feel on his skin, burning through his body. The third tie would be so easy to do, but nowhere near enough. He wanted everything—wanted to feel Jensen shudder under him, feel his come pumping into his mate.

“So pretty,” Jeff growled, letting the wolf bleed through a little more. “So slick for me. Will you ask me for my cock? Going to lick you open for me, get you ready for my knot to fill you. Want to feel you come for me.” He bit down a little on the soft skin below Jensen's pulse, licking over a spatter of freckles.

Jensen arched, claws scrabbling at Jeff's back. The thin fabric of the shirt gave under his touch, and Jeff pushed back, wanting that scrape of pain, wanting the burn.

“Jeff,” Jensen said, like the words were jerked out.

Jeff let his hands slide down Jensen's back, claws slicing the fabric of his shirt away as he went. Jensen was skinny as hell, but the skin under his hands was soft, muscle and sinew flexing against his touch.

He rocked against Jensen, hands cupping the swell of his ass, palming it through the jeans that hung off his hips. The scent swelled, and Jensen bit his jaw.

“That's it, Jen. You're going to be so good for me. Gonna put you on your knees and feed you my dick, make you take it all.” His arms flexed, lifting Jensen with ease, feeling his legs go automatically around Jeff's waist, putting that hot ass against the zipper of Jeff's jeans.

Jensen made a noise that sounded like nothing Jeff had ever heard before. Pure need and want sliding out on a whimper. “Jeff, please-”

“Tell me what you need,” Jeff crooned, rocking their bodies together in sweet torment. In a minute, he'd stop teasing, rip those jeans away and fill Jensen with his cock. “So pretty,” he gritted out. “Tell me what you want, Jensen. Tell me how you want me to fuck you. What you want me to do for you.” He shoved a hand past the waistband, curling around Jensen's hard cock.

Jensen tensed suddenly, and Jeff froze. “Jensen?”

After a moment, Jensen seemed to realized that Jeff had stopped, and he lifted his head. “Why did you stop?”

“Wasn't sure if you were with me,” Jeff said. “We can slow this down.”

“No. No slowing it down. Now. Need this done.”

“It's not a contest.” Jeff winced as Jensen's jaw tightened. “Okay. We're going to— come on over to the couch.” He backed up slowly, undoing the string that held the sweats on his hips, and felt them slide down, catching on the swell of his ass. Jensen licked his lips and Jeff shivered. “Let's get your jeans off,” he purred, reaching for the button.

“You don't have to--”

“Jensen.”

Jensen gave a put-upon sigh, and tugged on the jeans. They slid off his skinny hips, landing in a puddle at his feet. It was the work of a second for Jensen to step out.

For a moment, Jeff let himself look. Too skinny, definitely. Gorgeous? Beyond a doubt. Soft, pale skin, dotted with whorls of freckles that inked Jensen's skin like a private code he needed to decipher. A soft peach flush brightened his cheeks, down into his chest.

Jeff put his hand out, and Jensen stepped closer, moving so that Jeff's hand could touch. He brought up his other hand to border his waist, fingers splayed across the swell of Jensen's ass, drawing him nearer, urging him down.

It took a couple of minutes of fumbling, but Jensen was finally settled to straddle Jeff's lap, perching awkwardly as close to his knees as he could get. The worried look was back in Jensen's eyes, as he reached for Jeff's sweatpants.

“Jen. Wait. If we do that, your specimen is going to end up on the floor,” Jeff murmured, wrapping his hand around Jensen's wrist. “Wait.”

Jensen glared at him, green eyes narrowed, and Jeff fought the urge to rumple his hair. Since he was pretty sure he'd lose at least a finger or two, he just petted a hand down Jensen's side. “Let's do this right okay?” He shoved the specimen cup in Jensen's hand. “I've got lube...” he trailed off as he noted the scar tissue on the tips of Jensen's fingers. Silver burn scars, like someone holding his hand onto a stove. He wanted to kiss the burns, to promise that not all wolves were like Page. He wanted to show Jensen how it could be.

He wanted to protect Jensen. To use fang and claw to keep him safe and warm and... fuck. His wolf was a douchebag. Fucking mating ties. Next thing he knew he'd be out in the backyard digging a burrow.

Jeff gave himself a mental shake. He would get through this, and then, he could figure out the rest. “Okay. First step, I need to jerk off.”

Jensen's cheeks flushed, but he reached for Jeff's waistband, tugging the sweats down. For a moment, he seemed stymied by Jeff's hard cock, then his fingertips brushed Jeff's hips, moving inwards.

Jeff bit his lip, fumbling with the cup, trying to open the lid. Jensen's touch was gentle, the barest brush of skin. He wondered how many nerve endings were still working under the scars, but Jensen didn't press harder, tracing a line above his thigh.

He was so focused on the damned cup, he almost missed the first touch, ghosting along his cock. Then Jensen's hand curled around him, and he nearly brained himself, arching back.

Jensen flashed an uncertain smile at the strangled noise, and met Jeff's eyes. “Soft. I didn't expect it to be--” He broke off, his gaze straying back down as he explored Jeff's body. “I'm sorry. You must think I'm--”

“Beautiful,” Jeff said without thinking. “Absolutely gorgeous.”

“You don't have to make fun of me. I'm not stupid.” Jensen pulled back, and Jeff let the cup fall to the sofa, grabbing him before he could get up.

“Does it look like I don't find you attractive?” Jeff asked, glancing down.

“That's the mating tie. If it wasn't for our wolves...”

Jeff cut him off with a rude noise. “My wolf knows my tastes. Better than I do, maybe. I thought you were attractive when I saw you, but I didn't think you'd--” Jeff shrugged. “Guys who look like you don't usually want someone like me.”

“Like you?” Jensen tilted his head.

“I'm not... young. What are you, twenty nine?”

“Thirty,” Jensen said defensively.

“Yeah. So, I'm a decade older. I'm not--” Jeff stopped, trying to figure out. “This pack. We're the isle of misfit toys, dude. I'm not political, I don't do pack bullshit. I'm an old, antisocial raging queen with a pack full of wolves who are too damaged for a more structured pack. I'm alpha because no one else wants to be.”

“You make it sound like you've got one foot in the grave,” Jensen said.

“No. But every year, there's more gray in my fur. And you, you're gorgeous,” Jeff let his fingers skitter up to Jensen's shoulders, one hand curling around his neck, pulling him closer. “I want you. I want this.” He tilted his head, tongue darting out to lick gently at Jensen's lower lip, offering surrender.

It went through Jensen like electricity, the way he shuddered at the touch. He pushed forward, shoving Jeff into the couch, rutting against his chest. Jeff could feel the wet trail that Jensen left with each movement burning his skin. Feel his own power rising, the pull hitting him square in the stomach. He slid his hand down, skimming his finger along the swell of Jensen's ass, tracing the cleft lightly.

Jensen arched, a little needy noise slipping out and Jeff's fingertip slid through the slick heat of the Rut, finding Jensen's entrance with his fingertip. Jensen's hips hitched, and fuck, yeah.

“God, you're just ready for this, aren't you? So slick and tight.”

Jensen made another guttural noise, and pushed back, fucking himself against Jeff's fingers. One easy nudge and Jeff could fuck him open. “Please,” he growled. “I need more.” His hands went back to Jeff's cock, curling around it and touching.

It was too much and not nearly enough all at once. “Fuck, yeah. Jen, I need to take over here.”

“What do you... how do I do it?” Jensen asked, running his fingers along Jeff's length. “I mean, I’ll do it, but. What do you like?” He pulled his lip between his teeth, worrying it.

Jeff made a mental note to ask Jeremy just how inexperienced his mate was, and tried to think enough to make words. “Just curl your had around it and move it up and down, and rub around the head sometimes.”

Jensen nodded, and Jeff let out a heartfelt moan as he found a fumbling rhythm, and settled into it. “Oh,” Jensen murmured. “Yeah. I see. That's good. Harder?” he asked, tightening his grip.

“Yeah. Fuck. Is the cup--”

Jensen nodded, holding it up. “C'mon, Alpha.” His hand sped up, skin rasping dry against Jeff's skin. “You gotta give me it.” He swiped a thumb over the head on the upstroke, and Jeff arched, leaning up to bite at Jensen's jaw.

Jensen growled, and Jeff felt a streak of precome hit his thigh, and he shook. “I'm going to--”

Jensen all but purred, shivering against him as Jeff came, hard, fingers tightening on his ass. “That's it. Gonna fill me up with your come,” Jensen said softly, the words in a rush.

The rough edge of the cup scraping the head of his cock was a goad, and Jeff cursed, head arching back and hitting the wall as he came. Jensen took advantage of the pose, and leaned close, biting Jeff's throat hard enough to mark. Possessive little wolf.

Finally the shudders eased enough to focus, and Jeff lifted his head to see how Jensen had done catching his specimen.

The other alpha was studying the cup, tilting it back and forth like he'd never seen it before. Then again, for all Jeff knew, he hadn't. He brought it closer to his face, inhaling deeply, and Jeff watched his eyes bleed into a luminous jade color, saw the wolf sliding beneath the surface.

“Jensen,” he said softly, moving slow and easy to get his attention. “Pull back, dude.”

Alien eyes looked at him, and he froze, feeling his own wolf boiling up his spine. He knew his own eyes had changed, felt his fangs and claws start to elongate. If one of them shifted, this was going to be a moot point. He'd be balls-deep in Jensen's ass, filling him with his knot, and slamming right past the third tie into lifetime mating ties.

God help him, a large part of him wanted to just let go. The scent of Jensen's body got stronger, and Jeff knew that the wolf was anticipating, preparing him to take Jeff's knot. He could feel the slick heat against the tip of his fingers.

“Jensen. If you don't get your wolf under control, this is going to be a problem. The idea was to give you time to think about it, not for me to thuck you on your dethsk,” Jeff snarled as his teeth started to shift, making human words difficult. “Thit.”

The tongue that darted out from Jensen's mouth was way longer than it should have been, enough to reach the specimen cup and lick at the white strand of come that painted the rim.

Jeff closed his eyes for a moment, trying to remember how to breathe through the spike of want/need that tightened his gut. Christ, he was already hard again, ready to take Jensen and—Stop, he told himself. Think of things that are not Jensen. Think of things that are not his scent, that delicious, mouthwatering smell that made him want to bury his tongue and cock in Jensen...

Power flooded the room, and Jeff felt Jeremy's touch at his mind, his human touch, and through it, Vicky and beyond, still fragile, still healing slowly, Misha.

It was the bucket of cold water he'd needed, the reminder of the pack beyond this room, the people he needed to protect. “Jensen,” he said firmly, slipping the glass out of Jensen's hands. “Not yet.”

Jensen snarled, and Jeff extended the power Jeremy had shared, reminding him of his human side, helping him to nudge the wolf aside.

It was a long moment before his eyes flickered, shifting back to his normal green. A moment later a flush colored his cheeks, and he ducked his head. “Shit. I'm sorry. Are you okay?”

“I'm fine. It's okay.” Jeff shrugged, giving Jensen his best 'naughty boy' smile. “Sorry. It's been awhile.” He reached out, pulling Jensen closer. “How do you want to do this? On your back, or on your stomach?”

“I don't know.” Jensen stopped and seemed to consider. “My back. I can reach better that way.”

“Okay.” Jeff sat the cup down on the table next to him, and moved, letting Jensen down easily, laying him onto his back and running his fingertips along Jensen's hips. “Okay. We can do this.”

“How do I start?”

God. His little virgin wolf.

“One finger. Here,” Jeff offered, holding the cup out. “Dip your finger in, and get it wet. Then ease it in, nice and slow. You have to let your muscles relax.”

“Relax?” Jensen snorted, trying to twist so that he could finger himself. “This is not relaxing. This is 'I'm going to get a cramp,' Alpha.”

“Jeff. I think we can use first names now. You know, considering that I just nearly fucked you.” He sat back on his legs, ignoring the warning twinge in his knee and watched Jensen. He somehow wasn't surprised when Jensen jammed his finger in his ass with a look of distaste on his face. He got the feeling that the man was not fond of his own body, and its accompanying limitations.

It was a feeling Jeff knew far too well.

“Fine. Now what?” Jensen asked.

“When your body is ready, you add another finger.” He touched Jensen's leg when he tried to immediately do it. “Hey. Take it slow.”

“Backseat driver,” Jensen muttered. “s'not your ass on the line.”

“Is that what's bothering you?” Once he was touching him, Jeff couldn't help running his hand along the tight muscle of Jensen's calf, like he'd pet a scared dog. “That your wolf wants you to get fucked? Cause I'm totally equal opportunity. Once we get you settled down, you can fuck me.”

Jensen stared for a moment, his eyes losing focus. “Um. Okay. I could. The wolf seems okay with that idea too.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Jensen twisted further and made a face. “How many fingers do I have to do before I can put the thing in?” he demanded.

“Three, at least.” At Jensen's annoyed noise, Jeff shrugged. “It's the only way to make sure you don't hurt yourself.”

“Great. Just awesome.”

“Do you want help? I could do it if you want. It usually feels better when someone else does it anyway.”

“I literally cannot imagine this feeling good,” Jensen said, then cursed, yanking his hand out and grabbing at his side. “Fuck. Ow.” He laid his other hand over his eyes and cursed again. “This sucks.”

“I know. Let me help you.” He waited for a faint nod before moving into action. “First problem, you're laying flat, which helps absolutely nothing.” He grabbed one of the pillows and gently lifted Jensen with an arm under his knees before placing it carefully. “How's that?”

“Weird.” Jensen huffed out a breath. “But no worse than the rest of this shit.”

Jeff smiled in what he hoped was a reassuring way. “It's okay. I'm going to help you.” He took the cup, and settled himself between Jensen's feet. “Just try to relax. And I need you to tell me if anything hurts, okay?”

“Sure.”

“Jensen,” Jeff said, voice gone hard. “I mean it. And so help me, if I think you're not telling me, I will call Jere in here to make sure.”

Was that a shiver from Jensen? Did he get wetter? Yes.

“I can invite him in,” Jeff said. “Fuck you in front of him. Would you like that?”

“I'll tell you if it hurts,” Jensen said, pink creeping up his throat. “Just... do what you're going to do.”

********

Jensen wasn't sure what he was expecting from this little foray into sex. It wasn't like he'd was naïve. He'd been a priest, not a cloistered monk. He'd heard more about sex than most people thanks to the joy of confession. Mostly, it was teenagers having bad sex, but there had been a few that enjoyed it.

He wasn't sure which side of the coin this would fall on. So far, it had managed to be both, bad and good. He managed not to jump when Jeff's fingers slid down his thigh, stroking gently. The look on his face made Jensen uncomfortable.

He looked reverent. Like being allowed to do this for Jensen was something special, instead of something forced on them by their wolves.

One fingertip slid inside him, and his body clenched. It felt simultaneously wrong and yet so fucking right. Jeff pulled his finger out and slid back in, slick with his come, and Jensen shuddered. That felt amazing. It was like his bones were melting into the sofa. He shivered and let his legs fall to the side, tightening his grasp on the cushion.

“Yeah,” Jeff murmured softly, voice gentle. The burr of his voice was like aural whiskey and his body responded, arching towards him. “That's my good boy. Gonna take such good care of you.”

Jensen felt the heat in his cheeks, but Jeff was accompanying his voice with a second finger, and the burn and stretch took his breath away. He couldn't feel like this, like his body was welcoming the touch, but he did. He could smell his own rut, feel the slickness between his legs.

Looking through his eyelashes, he watched Jeff tilt the cup slowly onto his fingers, felt the burn morphing into something else as it touched his entrance. Jeff slid out, and pressed back in slowly, and Jensen felt a whine build in his throat. Too much, too good, and not nearly what he wanted. “Please. I need more,” he forced out.

Jeff's chuckle was like velvet on his skin. “I've got you, Jen.” He added a third finger, and Jensen tensed at the pressure, stuck between too much and that delicious burn that seemed to feed the fire.

“It's okay,” Jeff soothed. “Just breathe.”

Jensen huffed out a laugh, only to end it on a gasp as Jeff did something with his finger that made stars dance in front of his eyes. White hot pleasure seared his nerve endings and his hips pushed up at Jeff, shamelessly asking for more. “Fuh,” he managed to get out. “What—ohfuck. Again.”

Jeff laughed again, and Jensen debated on the best way to strangle him, but then he hit that spot again, and Jensen found himself clutching at Jeff, trying to pull him closer.

“That's it, Jen. Just like that. Okay, I'm going to put the dildo in now.”

Jensen whined as Jeff's fingers slid out, leaving him feeling empty and incomplete, then hated himself for whining. There came a firm pressure against the rim of his ass, and that glorious burn again. This time it didn't stop, filling him until he could barely breathe from it.

“There you go. You've got it. Look at you all fucked open,” Jeff said hoarsely. His fingertip slid down, rubbing around his entrance, making the burn all the sweeter. “Gonna fuck you with this pretty dildo, make you come so hard.”

Jensen couldn't talk, couldn't even think, but his mouth was still moving. Embarrassingly so. “God, Jeff. I can... it's so big. Feels so good. I want you to fuck me, fill me with your come. Fuck. Please. I can't. Come here.” He sat halfway up, grabbing at Jeff's shoulders, and pulled him up. “Want you on me.”

For a moment, Jeff looked so startled, Jensen was sure he was going to refuse. Then he nodded, and leaned down, adjusting the dildo so that it was pressed against his thigh, keeping it in place. Jeff pressed him down on him, bending to lick at the pulse of his throat.

“Yes,” Jensen hissed. “Fuck.”

Jeff moved somehow, and suddenly he was right there, his cock brushing against Jensen's, and his leg pressing the dildo just right. For a moment, he just stared at Jensen, matching his breathing. A wry hint of a smile touched his lips, and he tilted his hips, moving so that his thigh pushed the dildo deeper and rocked his hip against Jensen's cock. “That what you want?”

Jensen didn't trust his voice, but nodded, swallowing hard and digging his fingers into Jeff's shoulders, arching towards him. If Jeff didn't move, didn't do something right now, he was going to beg.

Jeff's smile darkened, turning into something filthy, and he licked at Jensen's mouth, biting at his lips like he wanted to eat him and fuck, his hips were moving, just right, his cock spreading wet trails of precome on Jensen's stomach.

Jensen found the most profane things slipping out of his mouth as Jeff slid a hand between them, taking both their cocks in hand and stroking hard, rocking his hips in time. “Fuck yeah. Gonna have your come in me and on me, want you to fuck me so hard. Want you to fill me with your come, Jeff. You feel so good,” he breathed. “Want your knot in me, make me take it, breed me, stay tied to your cock for hours.”

Jeff cursed, arching against Jensen, and the dildo slammed in just right, riding that spot until he cried out, shaking and biting at Jeff's mouth. “Gonna come on your pretty face,” Jeff gasped, and somehow that was it, and he was coming so hard he thought he would stroke out from it.

He felt his wolf reaching, stretching towards Jeff, a flash of fur and warmth and safe. There was the feeling of something changing in him, in them, power boiling between them, around them until they couldn't hold it, and it spilled out, over them, until he felt it wash back, returning like the tide.

Jeff slumped on him, his hand still trapped between them.

For a minute, there was nothing except the sound of them both trying to catch their breath, trying to come back down to earth. Then, Jeff licked his cheek, letting out a little huff that might have been a laugh. “Holy shit.”

Jensen’s lips curled in an answering smile. He laid his head back, breathing deeply and taking stock of himself. He felt... good. The normal aches and pains had eased, and he could feel his power thrumming. The connection with the rest of the pack had strengthened until he almost felt like he could pick out the individuals, and his tie to Jeff...

He blinked, feeling where the thread had been that bound them. It wasn't there. Then, he realized what the difference was.

What had been a narrow thread of power, nothing more, had grown until it felt like a wide avenue between them. The power braided on itself until there was no space between. He picked at them, feeling the strands. His heart skipped. There were four strands, four ties.

Jeff didn't seem to notice the difference. “You okay?” he asked.

Maybe he hadn't done this. On purpose, at least. “I was thinking. This is only temporary, isn't it. I mean, the rut isn't gone.”

“Yeah. Just eased off for a little while.”

“Tell me more about the mating ties? I know you said there's four. What do the different levels mean?”

Jeff considered for a moment. “The closest thing I've ever been able to compare it to is something that one of the women in our sister pack told me. She's a witch. A pagan, at least. I don't think she considers herself a Wiccan. Anyway, Jasika and her partner are handfasted. She said that first you have betrothal, and that's like the first tie. You can dissolve it without any trouble. The second is the first handfasting, which is a like trial marriage. If things don't work you can dissolve the tie, but it's harder. Third tie is like a human marriage, except it's almost impossible to dissolve. The fourth tie is like what she and her partner have. It binds forever. A lifetime and beyond as they believe. It is unmutable, unbreakable, and makes is very unpleasant to be away from each other for any length of time.”

“And that last one is always done in wolf form.”

“Yeah. It's the mingling of the wolf and the human making the choice to bind themselves to a mate. I don't think anyone fully understands it. Honestly, it happens pretty rarely.” Jeff shifted slowly off him, and his brow furrowed. “Why?”

“Curiousity. It wasn't something Page ever mentioned.”

He thought Jeff was about to quiz him further, but then there was a knock at the office door.

“It's Chad,” Jeff said, getting up quicker than Jensen would have thought he could. “What's wrong?” he asked, yanking the door open.

“Nothing, and good God, put some pants on, I do not want to see that.” Chad held a hand in front of his eyes, grimacing. “I thought I'd let you know, now that you're done inflicting your sex lives on the world, that Vicki's going to be deliver soon.”

“What?” Jensen asked, jerking upright. He winced as the dildo plopped out onto the floor. “Uh. Didn't you say it was going to be a long night?”

“Yeah. That was before someone started flinging power around like water. She went from three centimeters to nine in one-and I quote, 'one fabulous orgasm’.”

Jensen put a palm over his face. “Did everyone feel that?”

“Happy time with themselves?” Chad deadpanned. “Pretty much. Nice way to introduce yourself to the pack, I suppose.”

“Shit.” Rubbing his eyes, Jensen dropped his hand. “What about the pool? Is there time to heat water for the pool?”

“Fortunately,” Chad said, “Jared managed to get the water working, so it's already filling. I even added the sacred bullshit sachet that Vicki wants in it.”

“It is not bullshit,” Vicki yelled. “They're calming, goddamn it. Now tell our Alphas to get their pants on and get in here before I come looking.”

“I see the endorphins have worn off,” Jeff said dryly. “We're coming, Vick. No worries.”

Jensen looked for his pants, and found a pile of denim pooled in the corner. Jeff was yanking on the sweatpants again, and Jensen tried not to gawk at the view of his ass. He would deal with whatever the hell his wolf had done after Vicki had the cub. Until then, he was going to need all the power they had.

He expected to step into chaos, but instead, he stepped into quiet order with Jeff at his back.

Chad was in the middle of the room, directing traffic as Jared and Kane worked to get the tub filled and readied. Adrianne was helping Vicki out of her nightgown, pausing with each contraction to offer a steadying hand and a soft word. Jeremy was helping Misha into a pair of swim trunks, holding the other man like he was made of spun glass. To Jensen's surprise, the scars from that afternoon had already begun to fade. Misha was still moving slowly, but he looked about a million times better than he had. He could feel Jeff's happiness at it through the ties.

It bothered him how strongly he could feel Jeff's joy and approval. It was like sitting in a sunbeam, bathing in warmth and light.

Well, if he was honest, he had to admit that what bothered him most was how good it felt, how safe. It could be addictive. Jeff didn't feel conflicted or hesitant. Whatever he felt or thought was right there on the surface.

After Page, it was confusing. Wonderful.

“That's good,” Chad said, looking at the tub. He had changed clothes while Jensen was distracted, and Jensen thought again how very odd it was to see well-fed weres. Every wolf he'd ever met had that skinny, hungry look. Not Jeff's wolves. They had varying body shapes and types, but none of them looked hungry.

Chad was skinny, but had solid muscle cording his shoulders and a soft pad of flesh padding his stomach. Jeremy had a little padding on his stomach, too. It looked good.

Actually, of all the wolves, Jeff was probably the one with the least padding.

Chad was checking Vicki, Jared and Kane having headed downstairs to await word. Chad nodded, offering Vicki his hand. “Ready to get this puppy born?”

Jeremy's head came around abruptly. “Puppy?”

“Figure of speech,” Chad said.

“He's not--” Jeremy swallowed. “He's in human form, right?”

Jensen understood his distress. Weres who were born in wolf form were generally considered mutations, scorned and treated like second class in most packs.

Vicki met his eyes. “He is, right now. But he's shifted three times already today, so who knows? Whatever he comes out as, we'll love him.”

“Besides,” Misha said, reaching a still bandaged hand up to touch Jeremy's cheek. “It wouldn't surprise me if he decided to take after his Daddy Jeremy.”

Jensen averted his eyes, uncomfortable with the naked emotion on Jeremy’s face..

“He certainly kicks and flops around like Jeremy,” Chad observed. “I've never seen a full term baby that moved around like him. Normally, they don't have the room, but with the way he'll shift back and forth, he was all over the place. Made getting the ultrasound a bit of a challenge.”

Adrianne helped Vicki up, and she tottered towards the tub. “Misha, you're in first,” Adrienne said.

Jensen gave Misha a thumbs up as Jeremy carried him to the tub, gently settling on the bench seat that they'd placed in. Before Jensen could offer to help Vicki, Jeff was scooping her up into his arms. “I got you, little mama,” Jeff murmured. “Ready to have this kid?”

“Yeah. Jeff, if anything goes wrong,” she said, voice so quiet that Jensen wasn't sure whether he could really hear her or if it was coming through the ties. “Make sure Chad focuses on the baby.”

“Nothing's going wrong,” Jeff said, voice gruff.

“Jeff.” Vicki's hand fluttered over her belly. “I need to know that you've got my back.”

“I'll make sure Chad knows your wishes,” he said. “But that's not going to happen.”

Vicki relaxed, and smiled as he eased her into the water. “Oh, god that's nice. The river is great, but cold. I haven't been in a hot tub in forever.” She settled in, and leaned back into Misha. “Ready, Daddy?”

“Whenever you and West are.”

“West?” Jensen asked. “That's much less insane sounding than I expected.”

“West Anamaxander Collins,” Vicki clarified.

Chad made a pained noise. “Seriously? If the kid didn't come equipped with fangs, he'd probably get his ass kicked on a daily basis.” He climbed into the tub and took up a position kneeling in front of Vicki. “Okay. You about ready?”

“Oh yes,” she flashed a smile over at Jensen and Jeff. “Could you two kiss again?”

“Will it actually help?” Jeff asked, lips curling in a smirk that made Jensen want to slap him.

Vicki nodded solemnly. “Totally. It will totally and utterly help my labor.” She had her hand wrapped around Jeremy's squeezing tight.

Jeff laughed, and looked at Jensen. “I feel so objectified.” He held his hand out to Jensen, and waited.

Shrugging, Jensen stepped into his arms and tilted his head back.

*************

He wouldn't have bet on the other Alpha for being an exhibitionist, but then, Jeff brought that out in people. Made them want. Jeremy remembered too well his first time, how afterwards, he'd wanted to rub Jeff's scent all over him, to leave his scent on the other man. Not because he'd wanted to own him, but because he wanted everyone to know that he was good enough for his Alpha. That his Alpha loved him.

Jensen was all but broadcasting his intent to get fucked by Jeff. His scent told the story almost as clearly as the game of tonsil hockey they were playing. Maybe more clearly. His scent wasn't blushing, leaning his hips back. No, his scent said clearly, this is my mate. This is my partner.

Actually, the scent was stronger than he'd expected for what they actually did. No penis-in-ass penetration, after all. But Jensen smelled like he'd--

Jeremy's thoughts broke off as Vicki's hand tightened on his, short nails digging in. “Oh shit,” she gasped. “Here we go.”

He saw Jeff and Jensen break apart, each taking up a position behind Chad, in case power was needed. Misha leaned forward, kissing Vicki's neck and whispering to her.

For a long minute, nothing happened, then a rush of blood and liquid, a dark shape shot into the tub, right into Chad's waiting hands. He lifted the small figure—human form, thankfully-- and took the small ball suction from Adrianne, clearing his mouth and nose of fluid with a practiced hand. He righted the baby, and they all held their breath.

Dark eyes blinked, looking slowly around the room, and Jeremy felt a stab of fear. “Chad, why isn't he crying?”

“Shh,” Chad replied, rubbing the baby's back lightly, chafing his tiny hands. “C'mon, little guy. Talk to me.” Chad turned the baby, and Jeremy reached out desperately with his thoughts.

Those eyes met his, and Jeremy felt a sharp tug. He let his wolf flow through.

Amazingly, its eyes widened, and the perfect little mouth opened.

“Arrroooooooow.”

Chad snickered, and they all took a deep breath of relief. “Well, he's definitely Misha and Jere’s. Vick, I think you were a pod.” He ran a fingertip over the baby's dark curls, and wrapped him into the blanket. “Who's cutting the cord?”

“Has it finished pulsing?” Vicky asked, reaching for the blankets. “Don't roll your eyes at me, Chad. I will get up from here.”

“It's stopped. Actually, if you could bear down just a—” he broke off, and bent to scoop up the placenta. “I'm assuming you're going to eat this.”

“Yeah. My wolf is, anyway.” Vicki made a face. “Misha and Jere are cutting the cord.”

Jeremy blinked at her, feeling emotion clog his throat. He'd been such a dick when they'd left, and they'd all been so angry, but they just let him back like they'd never been apart. “Are you sure?”

“Don't be an ass,” Misha murmured, accepting the scissors from Adrianne. Jeremy's hand cupped his, steadying him, helping him to close the blades over the cord.

With the hard work done, Chad shooed the rest of the pack out, and Jeremy lifted Vicki and moved her to the bed, easing her onto the towels that Adrianne had laid out. Chad helped Misha out a moment later.

They laid on either side of Vicky, all eyes locked on the tiny, red-faced baby. He still wasn't crying much, looking idly around the room, seeming to take it all in. Jeremy reached out again, checking to see if he needed anything.

The kaleidoscope of scent/sound/sight was overwhelming, filtered as it was through newly formed senses. Still, West was content.

After a few minutes, Vicki fumbled with her shirt. “I should feed him.”

“Do you want me to hold him while you get unhooked?” Jeremy asked.

“Yeah, thanks.” A moment later, Jeremy and Misha were holding the baby between them, smiling stupidly at his little face.

“He's so tiny,” Misha marveled, touching his hair.

Their views shifted somehow, until they were looking at themselves, blurry but recognizable. West's thoughts filled them, warm/safe/hungry/love, and Jeremy laughed in wonder.

He sent back love, and that he would protect the cub. West paused, then again sent them his feelings, his confusion about the change to the world around him.

“He's a telepath, like his Daddy Jeremy,” Vicki murmured. They put West back in her arms, and Vicki stroked his cheek lightly before offering her breast.

To absolutely no one's surprise (except apparently Vick) West's head whipped around, latching on like a hungry wolf.

Vicki's yelp brought everyone running to check on her.

Jeremy joined in the round of cooing over West's fierce nursing. Sure, a couple of the women made sympathetic faces at Vicki for having West stuck to her tit, but they were all still lost in the wonder of having a pack pup. When he started shifting with the moon, and running around like a holy terror, Jeremy had a sneaking suspicion he wouldn't be so adorable to some of them.

Then again, maybe he would. He was the beginning of the new pack. The beginning of change. He might not have Misha's precog abilities, but he could taste power better than anyone. The power now running through their combined pack was something different.

And Jensen was different. Something had changed.

Which was why Jeremy wasn't surprised that Jensen kept looking at him, making odd, strained faces. He looked like he was trying to shit his pants. Fortunately for Jensen, Jeremy was used to living with psychic flatlines, and had seen that face before.

He reached out, touching Jensen's mind. “How can I help you, Alpha?”

“Could I speak with you for a moment?”

Stupid useless human phrases. They were already speaking. But Jeremy nodded, following Jensen out to the hallway and into his office. Someone had opened the window, but even the cool breeze couldn't completely remove the scent of sex. “What can I do for you, Alpha?”

“Could you talk to my wolf again? Please?”

Jeremy nodded, reaching out to Jensen's beast. He had risen, until he slid just below the surface like Jeff's. “Was there something in particular you wanted me to ask?”

“I want to know how he did it. How he made the third and fourth ties without sex.”

Jeremy sat on the edge of the desk, studying Jensen. The third tie wasn't obvious, but the fourth—it was bright, pulsing with power and strength that only the lifetime tie could bring.

He sent a thought to the wolf, asking about the ties, only to get a scornful snort in return.

“He says that he didn't make the ties. He said that those were all yours,” Jeremy said, tactfully removing some of the wolf's more colorful thoughts on his other half's willful blindness.

Jensen was already shaking his head. “No, I couldn't. I don't know how to even-I don't even know if I like your alpha yet.”

“I don't think it matters whether you like him,” Jeremy offered. “I think it matters whether you could love him.”

He wasn't really surprised when Jensen made a scornful noise and wandered out of the room.

**************

It took a while for everyone to relax after the birth, but finally they had settled down.

Jared had spent the afternoon working on the generator, and Jeff and Smith had worked to patch the barn roof. Jensen had given the okay for some of the pack to sleep in there for the time being, so they had set up air mattresses in the stalls for privacy and blankets and sleeping bags in the loft for people who didn't mind sleeping together, which covered most of his pack.

They'd had dinner in the barn, which was really the only place big enough to fit them all. Hay bales and camp chairs had provided seats, and an old door had been tacked onto some sawhorses for a table.

Watching the members of Jensen's pack's faces as the food came out had given Jeff an ache in his chest. Traci and Samantha had tried to look blasé, but it was obvious that they hadn't seen real food in a long time.

Even the simple beef barley stew that Kane had thrown together, with fresh baked crusty loaves of bread that some of his other pack members had picked up from a local bakery, must have seemed like an embarrassment of riches to them.

They'd all eaten heartily, and Jensen and he had taken more soup over to the rest of the pack, who were guarding the territory. No stragglers of the HorseRiver pack had shown, and Jeff doubted that they would. If they had any sort of connection, they knew what had happened to the rest of the pack. They wouldn't be looking to take on the pack that had slaughtered their Alpha.

Jensen had greeted his new pack members with an open honest gravity that had thoroughly amused Alona. On the other hand, Idris and Oscar both had taken a moment to tell him that they liked Jensen, which said something. Idris didn't like or trust easily.

He was glad that they'd liked Jensen. Jeff was still working out his thoughts on the other man. He seemed to care for his pack deeply, and Jeremy liked him. He trusted Jere's instincts.

He wished he had more to base his own on. After West's birth, Jensen had immersed himself in busywork. Jeff had the sneaking suspicion that it was to avoid him.

Upon returning to the homestead, Jeff checked on his wolves (and made stupid cooing noises at West) before he crawled into the RV and flopped into the bed. Normally, he'd have other people in there with him, but Chad and Adrianne had decided to stay in the house to keep an eye on Vicki and West, and Jeremy certainly wasn't going anywhere. He and Misha had practically started taking turns blinking, so as to keep a constant watch on the baby.

Not that he blamed him. West was a miracle. A perfect, tiny little life that none of them had truly believed would survive. And he was strong, and wonderful. When he'd wet his diaper, the whole pack knew, his howls resounding through the air. It was another reason he'd decided to sleep in the RV. After twenty four hours of no sleep and constant power drain, he was ready to crash for at least 8 hours.

Alphas could use power to compensate for lack of sleep, and it was worth it to have gotten Misha out alive, and to have been here for West's birth. But everything had a price. For the power he'd used, the price was a headache that just would not quit, and dehydration and hunger that had Chad threatening to stick an IV in him.

Tomorrow, his jeans would be too loose, as the power ate through any fat or muscle that it could use to sustain it. Eventually, if it ran out of non-essential protein, it would start eating organs. It had been lucky that Misha was a beta. As it was, it would take weeks, if not months, for him to regain the muscle mass he'd lost.

He settled into the bed and relaxed, enjoying the quiet. The last few months, the pack had been staying near the cities for the most part, only venturing out into the wild for moons. He'd missed the sound of wildlife and crickets chirping as the only accompaniment to bedtime. It didn't take long for him to doze off, waking once or twice to get up to go to the bathroom thanks to the forty ounces of Wolfsure Chad had poured down his throat.

He woke in the dark, eyes snapping open as the door to the RV opened. A moment later, the scent hit him and he relaxed. Jensen. What was the Alpha doing awake at this hour?

Despite the warnings that he would need to take it easy, and not overuse his power, Jensen had spent the evening healing his new extended pack's scratches and scrapes. Jeff hadn't stopped him because he understood the feeling. Hadn't he wanted to fix all of Traci and Sam's problems?

The door to the bedroom opened quietly and Jeff could see Jensen silhouetted in the dim light. “Everything okay?” he asked, voice soft. In the living area, he could see Bandit at the water bowl, looking after Jensen with a faintly interested look, and Bisou's snores could wake the world.

“Yeah,” Jensen said. He closed the door behind him, and stepped closer to the bed. Jeff could smell the heat, the scent of Jensen's body bringing his to attention like nothing else.

“Jen?”

“Yeah,” Jensen repeated, then seemed to shake himself. “No,” he amended. He climbed onto the bed, and moved to straddle Jeff's thighs. “I hurt,” he finally said, voice soft.

“You hurt where?” he asked, reaching up to touch Jensen's stomach. It was somewhere around there that he realized that Jensen was every bit as naked as Jeff was and only a thin sheet of cotton between them.

The mental image it conjured made his fingers slip down to cup Jensen's ass in his palm, stroking until his world narrowed to Jensen's silky skin.

Jensen rocked against him,and Jeff could feel the heat pouring off him, feel his power stuttering from overuse. Shaking his head, Jeff reached up, curling a hand around the nape of Jensen's neck.

Jensen's whole body tensed as Jeff offered him a tendril of power, and he pulled away. “What are you—doing? I don't—I need. I need your hands on me, and your body. I need to feel you. I need more.”

“What you want?” Jeff asked softly.

“Fuck. I don't know. Doesn't matter. Just fuck me. Just do it, and get it over with,” Jensen growled, hips lifting off the bed in way that made his wolf howl.

Jeff winced inwardly at the stab of hurt/shame in his chest. It bothered him, that outside of the bedroom, Jensen didn't seem to have any use for him. Not fair to Jensen, who was dealing with his body's betrayal, but not fair to Jeff either.

He wouldn't be the best option of a bad thing. Wouldn't be something Jensen wanted to get it over with. But, he wouldn't leave the other Alpha hurting like this. Which meant that he needed to figure out what he was willing to do to help him.

Which probably meant negotiation. He'd always failed horribly at negotiation.

“Jensen, look at me,” Jeff said, forcing his voice to stay firm.

Instead Jensen's nails dug into his shoulders, mindlessly rocking his body against Jeff. “What do you want? Do you want me to beg?”

“No. I just-” Jeff broke off as Jensen's hand slid between them, wrapping around Jeff's cock. “Stop that.”

Jensen didn't seem to hear, stroking his fingertips over Jeff's cock, licking his lips. “C'mon Jeff. I can see that you want it.”

Jeff moved quickly, grabbing Jensen's wrist and pushing off the bed in one quick movement. Whatever Jensen was good at, it wasn't hand to hand. He seemed shocked when Jeff rolled him, trapping him on his back. “Jeff,” he whined.

“I know. Jen, I know you're hurting, but we need to talk about this. I'm not going to fuck you unless I know you want it. You, not your heat or the mating ties. Do you even want to have sex?”

“What the fuck kind of question is that?” Jensen jerked his wrist away from Jeff, rolling out from under him.

“Self explanatory. If you weren't in heat, would you want anything to do with me?”

“Now? You're going to have an existential crisis now?” Jensen came to his knees, glaring at Jeff. “If I didn't want to have sex with you, there'd be a plastic cup in bed with you!”

“Well, excuse the hell out of me. You avoided me most of the day, like you were ashamed of what we did.”

“I was!” Jensen raked his hands through his hair, pulling hard enough that Jeff winced in sympathy. “I was fucking ashamed. I was ashamed that I needed your pack to come in and save our asses. I was ashamed that I couldn't offer your pack anything. Not food, not a comfortable place to stay. And then, after you've saved Misha, I offer my gratitude by falling over and nearly croaking.”

“Jen, everyone needs help now and then.”

“And then, I end up a danger to my pack, and panting after you like a bitch in heat.”

“Well, you're in heat,” Jeff offered. He reached towards Jensen, but the other Alpha pulled away. “I know you're a virgin, but--”

“I was a priest,” Jensen said quietly.

Jeff stared, mouth moving silently. “Uhhwha?”

“Before I was turned. I was a priest. Celibate, sins of the flesh, all that.” He made a face. “They excommunicated me when I turned for the first time. Because obviously, if I had been pure, untainted, I wouldn't have been infected.”

“Fuck,” Jeff growled. “I didn't know anyone still believed that.”

Jensen snorted. “Don't be naïve. Of course they still believe it. Because if they don't, and anyone can be turned at any time, then they could be turned. If it's because you're unholy, they're safe. Pompous bastards.”

“I'm sorry.”

“I don't want your pity, Alpha,” he said sharply.

“Okay. What do you want, Jensen?” Jeff asked, voice gentle.

“I don't know. I always kind of thought I was asexual. Or at least, I suppressed anything I wanted. I got good at that.”

This time, when Jeff reached for him, Jensen didn't move away, letting Jeff pet his hair. Something in him relaxed at that acceptance. It wasn't just the wolf, Jeff realized.

“I used to watch some of the other guys in my class,” Jensen finally said. “But where I lived—further south in Texas—that was a good way to get your ass beaten or dead. My family were really religious. So, I did a lot of praying, and started working at the church. I did a bunch of AP courses, and by the time I graduated, I had been accepted at Seminary. I guess I just...didn't want to think about it. So I didn't.”

“And now?”

“Now,” Jensen sighed. “Now, I think I'd like to try.” He met Jeff's eyes. “I hate this. Being out of control... I'm right back in the Rectory, waiting to know if I'm damned or not. At least Page gave me a choice.” Jensen lifted his scarred fingertips. “I could have stopped, could have left anytime I wanted.”

Not for the first time, Jeff wished he had Page by the throat and squirming. Page had known how to exploit Jensen’s damage. Even now, Jensen believed that he could’ve left. Telling him otherwise, of the dozens of old wolf skulls Idris had found on this side of Jensen’s territory, wouldn’t help either of them.

“Okay,” Jeff said. He held out his hand, waiting. When Jensen took it, he gave a little tug to pull him closer. “Okay,” he repeated.

He held out his hand, waiting. When Jensen took it, he gave a little tug, pulling him close. “Okay,” he repeated softly, bending to brush his lips against Jensen's. “Let's take it slow, okay? Until you're sure.”

“It doesn't work that way,” Jensen muttered.

“We'll make it work that way,”Jeff promised. He kissed Jensen again, this time slow and easy.

Part Four