Meta and the Marines 10

A different take on the traditional M/M werewolf romance topic: less romantic, less traditional, more disturbing and with conniving wolves, vampires and submissive marines.

You will find a discussion forum for this book at: https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/topic/40241-metaseries-ranting/. 
Comments can be emailed to MetaWolf@gmx.com. Depending on reception, I will post more chapters.


And if any military boy wants to start a MetaPack, let me know ...

JAR

Meta & the Marines

CHAPTER 10

"Fags!" It was only a whisper.

Colt smelt that Prime had heard it as well as his pleasant morning pine scent got stale within a second.

Andrew, the quintessential college jock, tall, athletic and with a smile which would bring any girl or women to drop her panties within 30 minutes, laughed at the comment by his football buddy Ted, who had uttered the crude insult.

It wasn't that Prime and Colt had entered the class holding hands like a teenage couple experiencing their first love, which they thought would last forever. They barely displayed any public emotions unless one counts sitting next to each other in the past five classes as PDA. He knew though that some straight guys had a cunning ability to `spot the fag' within a second and the bright eyes Colt has had over the past weeks when looking at Prime, or any of the other two wolves, might have been the final clue.

Colt was used to it, but mostly didn't care. Words couldn't hurt him. Especially when they came from such a moron like Ted. Ted was neither smart, nice nor physically attractive given his undefined mass with made him perfect for his defensive role on the football field.

No, he wasn't worried about himself.

He instinctively, though, placed his left hand, which had nearly healed, on Prime's. Not that that would have stopped Prime normally, but given the ritual was only four days away, he had started to accept his role of an Alpha under a Meta.

The pine scent was off, his green eyes void of any mountain visions and burning for a fight.

"Leave it, Prime. It'll just get you suspended."

"But he just insulted me ... and you." Prime was fuming.

"I know."

"I'm going to beat the shit out of him."

"Prime. Yes, you will, but not now. We'll find the right time."

Prime looked at him sternly. His body was trembling.

Colt felt he was close to throw off Colt's hand and attack anyway. The veins in his neck were trying to break through his skin. And for a second, Colt thought he saw the tips of fangs breaking through Prime's gums.

He growled.

"Prime. You heard me. Not now. Is this understood?" Colt's voice deep, low but firm.

"Yes." The marine hissed through his teeth.

"Good. Now enjoy this is the last of Mr. McfuckmyassErickson's classes and forget this oaf. We will deal with him eventually."

Growls.

"Are you challenging my decision?" Colt asked cool.

"No, just very dissatisfied with it." Prime seemed to have calmed down a bit.

Colt was hoping Ted wouldn't say anything anymore, as he feared he wouldn't be able to control another of Prime's fighting urges.

And for the first time in quite some while he was relieved when the professor entered the room with a meekly cheerful "Good Morning" and put his jacket over the backrest of his chair.

Colt was a bit surprised about the fact nearly all students attended this last class. The final, which he obviously didn't have to take, had been the week before and nobody could hand in any case discussions anymore. `I guess a lot of people are desperate to score some class participation points,' he concluded and was, to a certain extent, looking forward to how this would impact the class dynamics.

"Well, as this is our last class, I'm sure you are as eager as I am to start the Christmas holidays."

Agreeing comments.

"So instead of going through our past cases, all of which you surely know by heart by now ...," less agreeing comments, even if they were silently expressed, "I have a one pager with a business challenge I would like to discuss with you."

He handed a stack of papers to three students sitting in the front row, Ted being one of them, who each took one sheet for himself and handed the stack to the people sitting behind them.

Ted turn around as if to hand over the papers to Colt, who reached out.

Of course, Ted jerked a bit, so all the papers fell on the floor. "I'm so sorry," he feigned an apology.

The pine scent disappeared; a snowstorm approached with lightning speed.

"No problem, Ted. Too much work out?" Colt asked controlled. While he knelt down to pick up some of the papers, he looked up to Prime whose temples throbbed. After he had collected 10 sheets, he quickly handed them to Prime. "Please pass those on."

Prime hesitated.

"Prime!" Colt's was cold. "Take them."

"Oh, okay." He never looked away from Ted but stared at him as if he was going to attack him at the next wrong move.

"Well, maybe Mr. Zachery you could help Mr. Parker given you dropped my papers," the professor intervened.

Colt couldn't help the chuckle as this mass of a boy tried to pick up some of the thin paper with his fat fingers.

Unpleasant sweat.

Primed turned up his nose and shifted his chair back as if to say: `Don't get too close, freak.'

A minute later.

"Prime, calm down. We'll handle this. Can I trust you won't do anything stupid?"

"Is that an order?" Prime's voice was still full of anger.

"Yes. And I'll have to punish you if you don't obey."

The alpha wolf looked at Colt in a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

"Understood," he finally said obviously wondering how Colt would punish him.

And so was Colt. How do you punish an alpha wolf shifter who could rip you into pieces in his human and wolf shape?

They had 10 minutes to read the case. The girl from England, whose first name he still didn't remember easily -- Georgina it seemed, summarized it. "Basically the question is whether GLOLOCAL should reorganize their country based organization into a worldwide business unit organization, leaving countries as sales offices but concentrating all strategic work in the headquarter."

"Thanks, Mrs. Cotherby. By the way, are you going to return to the UK after this semester?"

"That was the original plan, Mr. McErickson, but I find it so agreeable here that I intend to stay for another semester," she said in her pleasant Oxford accent while putting her dark hair behind her ears, distributing a gentle sent, which Colt attributed to her latest French perfume. "Agreeable." Not for him given vampires.

"We are honored then." McErickson looked through room. "So what are our thoughts on this?"

Tang raised his hand. "I think their current structure is okay, they have a solid growth rate. A reorganization of such extent would move lots of people, upsetting the company for years."

Seth chipped in: "I agree. Also I can't see how for example their head quarter in the Netherlands could run the U.S. business."

Colt didn't really pay attention to these superficial comments. He instead monitored Prime's action and Ted's behavior closely. He needed to make sure that nothing stupid happened. At least, the pine scent was reasonably okay again.

Then Ted spoke up looking arrogantly past Colt as the professor stood in the back.

Prime got agitated again. Very.

Colt hadn't thought of this scenario, as Ted normally didn't speak in class. This must have been the first time. Obviously, he was trying to score his last points to get a better grade.

"I disagree. Their current structure is not future proof. They only grew 3% and 4% respectively in their core categories over the past 5 years. The inefficiency of every country reinventing the wheel is holding them back versus the integrated companies." Ted had no choice but to argue for the opposite to come across as adding something to the discussion.

Colt had to concede it was not a bad point; but wrong. He tried to hide his facial expressions behind his hand while typing casually on his phone.

"What?" Ted reacted to Colt's sly smile.

Prime got ready to jump at the fat guy, who thought he was a super cool sexy jock.

"Nothing." Colt stayed cool. His eyes searched for Prime's saying: `Don't fucking move.'

"Mr. Parker? Everything okay?" The professor asked with curiosity.

"Perfect. It's just that I think Ted is mistaken. Actually, the information suggests the market share growth in their core business was 3 % points and 4 % points," he stressed the word `points' for everyone to hear them clearly. "Simple arithmetics lead to a 10+% CAGR over the past years. Highly successful then. Lack of growth is no reason to reorganize."

Ted shot him an evil look. "Fag."

"What was that, Mr. Zachery?" The professor asked.

Prime was ready to jump.

Colt looked at him shaking his head; and then to the professor explaining: "I think, Ted recognized he lost the argument."

The professor asked again. "What did you say?"

"Gag," he lied.

"Not a very mature."

"Actually, Ted said this," Colt typed on his keyless phone and a recording started to play just repeating the past two minutes ending with "... no reason to reorganize." And Ted's "fag."

The class was silent. Dead silent.

Prime had pushed his chair further back and was half standing to intervene any second if Ted did something stupid.

The professor looked stunned at his students, but didn't move, as he obviously had no clue what to do.

Colt had expected a bit more, but wasn't surprised. "You will understand, Mr. McErickson, that I consider this highly insulting. I expect the university to take appropriate measures."

The professor caught himself. "Of course." Clearing his throat. "I think we'll close class now. Mr. Zachery, you stay here. We need to have a talk."

"No way." Ted moved quickly reaching for Colt. "Gimme that fucking phone."

But Prime was faster, grabbing the fat man's wrist and twisting it brutally. "You move one more inch and I'll break your hand. You'll never be able to wipe your ass again, not even thinking of playing football."

Silence.

Prime looked at Colt as if asking for permission to beat him up now.

Colt was tempted, but continued to play out his little trap. "It is obvious that this is not a safe environment for me, Mr. McErickson. I shall file a complaint with the university and the campus police."

"Understand." The professor was frozen. "You're dismissed," he said to everyone.

"Prime, I think we should leave now."

Ted winced when the red marine released his bruised right hand.

"And Ted, the phone wouldn't have helped you at all. The file is already in the cloud. Enjoy your conversation with your lawyers." And with a vengeful smile, Colt turned around and left, praying the Prime would follow him.

And he did, luckily without killing that idiot.

"I could have beaten him to pulp." Prime was calm now. This was just a statement of his capabilities.

"I know."

"I should have beaten him to pulp." Prime insisted.

Colt stopped. They were in the middle of the plaza leading from the building to the lunch place they wanted to go to.

Prime stopped two steps later. And when he noticed Colt didn't start walking again to catch up with him, he angrily made some steps pack. "What?"

"What? -- What would have happened if you had beaten him to pulp?" He asked.

"He would have never said `fag' to you or me anymore."

"And then?"

Prime shrugged.

"Then you would have gotten in trouble. Do you really think they would accept a trained marine severely maiming a student just because he felt insulted? You would have ended up in prison because of use of excessive force. How well are wolf shifters doing in American prisons?"

Prime broke the eye contact and looked down.

"Don't you think before you act?" Now Colt did get agitated.

"I ... but he insulted us."

"He did. But instead of using it to your advantage, you could have gotten yourself into trouble. What happens to the pack? What happens to me when you are in prison? Thought of that?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes. Can't have every fatball insulting us ..."

"Agree. But if somebody insults us while you sit in prison?"

"Okay. I get it. You're smarter."

"Don't become passive aggressive now, jarhead." Colt had to control himself. This wolf was stubborn.

"Can we go eat?"

"First we need to cover something else," Colt said not taking another step.

"What?" Prime was insubordinate now.

"I told you in class not to do anything."

"And I didn't."

"You challenged my instructions."

"I did what you told me to do even if this guy shouldn't be able to wipe his ass for the next six months."

"Prime. Again. You challenged me."

Prime nodded.

"And don't tell me this is because I'm not your official Meta yet."

"It was because ..."

"... because our honor was befouled."

"So you decided to challenge me because you disagreed with my decision?" Colt summarized.

The corners of Prime's mouth were twitching. "Here are your books," handing them to Colt. "I think I'll pass on lunch." With this he turned around and ran leaving Colt dumbfounded behind in the middle of the plaza.

"Great," Colt thought, "first fight with my Alpha, already before the ritual."

He grabbed a sandwich and went to his dorm. This time he couldn't wank. Only the vague soil scent outside of his window reassured him the ceremony was not yet off. Though he was sure Prime was rethinking the whole thing. For the first time he must have realized that an alpha in a pack with a meta was not the same as an alpha in a traditional pack. And that must suck.

Surprisingly, Colt had no problems studying for his last final tomorrow. When it was seven and he hadn't heard anything from the boys, he pondered whether he should message them, but decided against it. He needed to stand his ground. They had to accept his decision on everything, which could further or reduce the long-term health of the pack; and avoiding that the alpha got into jail was clearly one of those decisions.

He ordered pizza. When he opened the door to let the pizza guy in, he expected the usual cute Italian looking boy with surprisingly fair eyes and a sweet Texan twang who ignored him like everyone else.

But it was CE.

Colt was confused.

"No cute men around you without our supervision," the enforcer joked.

"Jealous?"

"Are wolves carnivores?" CE answered.

"I thought my meta status had been revoked," he tried a poor joke.

CE tilted his head. "You don't have it yet."

"Got it. Was clear this morning."

"So are you going to eat this?"

"Sure. Want a piece?"

"Are wolves carnivores?"

"You're repeating yourself, big boy."

CE had already a slice in this mouth so he couldn't answer, so he only shrugged his shoulders apologetically.

"So how's Prime?"

"I guess you need to ask that himself."

"He is still pissed, I guess."

"Came home this noon with in a foul mood. Was talking about our honor being befouled. When Brian made a joke, Prime nearly shifted to attack him."

"Ouch. Sorry. Brian ok?"

"He's fine. We're used to our Alpha. Don't worry."

Colt was relieved while slowly working himself through the pizza in front of him.

"Are you okay, Colt?"

"Yes. Wasn't expecting this a few days before the big day -- if there still is a big day after this anyway." Colt stared at the few mushrooms on his pizza slice. Seems even the pizza company had decided only meat qualified as proper topping.

"Don't be silly. Of course there is. Otherwise why would I still shave?"

Colt smiled touching the baby soft skin on CE's chin. "You're cute, enforcer."

"I know. But don't tell anyone. Could be a career hampering factor."

Colt laughed. CE was funny in his one quirky way. "Won't. So what do we do now?"

"What do I know? I'm just the enforcer. This pack has a Meta, an Alpha and a Beta. This pack should be able to build rockets and not ask a brute like me."

"Nice delegating upwards," Colt said softly touching the big man, who wasn't a brute to him at all.

"Being the dumb one has to have some advantages."

"Talking about me?" A deep voice interrupted them.

Prime.

"No, about CE," Colt clarified. "Want some pizza?"

"No, thanks. -- CE, give us some privacy."

Colt wanted to say something but decided against it giving the big guy the last slice of pizza. He said: "thanks" and left with the words: "Will be downstairs."

Silence.

"So you interrupted our dinner to say nothing?" Colt drank leisurely from his Diet Coke.

Prime was fidgeting. "I thought we needed to talk."

"Do we? I thought we'd said everything this noon before you decided to run off." Colt tried not to sound too pert.

"No, I haven't said everything yet." Prime was clearly uncomfortable.

Nothing.

Colt sighed. This didn't lead to anywhere. He had to up the game. "I have a meeting scheduled tomorrow with the tattoo parlor to talk about the mark, but I guess I should cancel that now. Maybe we should delay."

"No!" Strong, deep alpha voice used not to be disobeyed.

"Excuse me?" Colt asked. Seemed Primed wasn't going down without a fight.

"I mean. Oh fucking shit, why do you make this so difficult, Colt?"

"Me? Making what difficult?" Colt was excellent at pretending innocence.

"This. Now."

"News flash, Mr. Big Wolf. I live here. Just wanted a harmless dinner, when your enforcer scared the pizza delivery boy shitless, I assume." And he could do drama queen if needed.

"He is our enforcer."

"Is he? Or is he when you allow it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean." Colt voice got loud. No more playing saucy or drama.

Silence.

"You better leave again until you know what you want to say, Prime."

"I ..."

Colt was angry. But he also wasn't going to make this easy for the big guy. "Prime. Once more: Talk or leave? Not going to be intimidated by the alpha silent treatment. Try that on someone else who will quiver and submit to you."

Growl.

"And I'm not afraid of your growls either," Colt stated. He went to the red head pointing at the door. "Wolf out!"

Prime did turn around but stopped touching the doorknob. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Couldn't hear you," Colt lied.

"I'm sorry," Prime repeated grudgingly.

"Sorry for what?" Nope, not going to be easy on him.

"Sorry for running away like that. Sorry for being an asshole."

"That's a start."

"That's ...," Prime wanted to contradict Colt but decided differently when he noticed the boy didn't change his stance despite the change in Prime's scent. "Okay, what do I need to do get out of this shit?"

Colt sighed internally, but stayed calm. "Oh my boy, that is going to be a list ..."

"... but ... No, I understand I screwed up. -- And I don't want to delay the ritual. The pack is so much looking forward it. I owe it to them that it happens on Saturday."

"First you tell me whether this alpha wolf wants a meta."

Prime looked at him with big eyes. "Of course."

"Good. Then you apologize now for challenging my decision today to keep you out of trouble."

Prime hesitated.

Colt smelled the conflict within the wolf. His dominant alpha soul was fighting his human heart beating for the wellbeing of his pack. "I'm sorry, Colt. You did the right thing. The way you approached it will get Ted kicked from university instead of getting me kicked into jail."

"Good. So what will happen next time I decide?"

Internal fight. "I will comply."

"Without challenge?"

Growl.

"Prime. No growl!"

"Sorry. Without challenge."

"Good. Next thing. You're going to submit now," Cold demanded.

Prime's green eyes widened. And for a fraction of second the pine scent went stale.

"Show me your neck," the nerd ordered, telling himself: `Can't be afraid of the big bad wolf now!' while he closed the gap to the man looking into his flaming green eyes.

When Prime held back, Colt thought of stopping this. But then the wolf tilted his head showing his strong neck.

Colt bit - strongly enough, but without breaking skin. There would be a noticeable hickey for the next days. He was satisfied and helplessly hard.

"Thanks." Prime swallowed hard. "Are we good now, Colt?"

"Are we?"

"I'm fine. I know I screwed up, so I came here to apologize. Feel better now, although Brian is going to give me a tough time over your bite."

"Ashamed of it?" Colt never had a problem to ask the core of all questions irrespective of how it made some people feel.

"No; he's just jealous. He wants you to mark him so much."

Colt smiled inwardly. "I want that as well. But I need to mark the Alpha of a pack first, right?"

"Yes."

"And I need to make sure I have the Alpha's full respect."

"You do."

"I don't want this to happen again, Prime. I'll always respect you. I don't want to humiliate you. But there is a reason why you want me to join you guys; I need to know I will be obeyed."

Prime nodded. "Understood. Just be patient with me. It is so ... different now it's really happening."

"Now that I'm not your wanking fantasy anymore?"

Prime looked shocked. "No, you've never been that. You know I kept myself pure for you."

"Okay. Let's leave it. Only one last question."

"Yes?" Prime was hopeful to get this episode behind him.

"What do we do next when you challenge my order?"

Prime hesitated.

"I mean I'm not so naïve as to assume that as of now it will be a walk in the park. At the end, I have three wolves to deal with; any of which could be kill me in human or wolf form before I can say: `vampire.'"

"We would never ..."

"Not the point, alpha wolf. Today it went okay. But we'll have tougher situations. What do I do next?" Colt kept insisting.

Prime swallowed. "After the ceremony, Brian will tell you how you can punish ...", Prime's voice broke. It was obvious he'd never thought he'd have to say these words. In his fantasy, having a meta was always like paradise. A perpetual feeling of being complete. He'd never really thought through that his alphaness was bound to clash with the meta. "... he will tell you how you can discipline anyone in the pack."

"Including my Alpha?"

"Yes."

"Okay. That's a plan. Anything else?" Colt loved Prime. But it was an incredible power rush to see that Prime had accepted his new role.

"No, Sir ... ah ... Colt."

"Good, I need to read one more chapter for tomorrow as I'll spend my morning at a tattoo parlor." `Never thought I would say that sentence, either,' he said to himself.

"Understood. Good night, Colt."

"Good night. -- And Prime!"

"Yes?" For some reason, the big guy was scared that his beating wasn't over yet.

"Come here."

Prime closed the gap obediently. He tilted his head to expose his neck to get bitten again, but Colt just opened his arms and hugged the big man tightly. Prime sighed. Warm summer pine scents. "I'm sorry, Colt."

"I know. It's okay. I love you, my big Alpha."

"Thanks. And please know I'll always respect your. And my wolf will as well. You need to help me with my instincts."

"I will. Now please go, otherwise I will never get to this last chapter."

"Got it."

---

He was nervous. The last time he'd been so nervous was at the interviews for the college. Finally he'd decided for the boots, the cargo pants, a dark T-shirt and his thickest jacket.

Nevertheless he was trembling outside.

The boys had picked him up and they were walking to the truck in their usual formation. He tried to find out whether they were in pain from the getting tattooed. But if they were, they were hiding it well, machos.

They didn't speak. Somehow all of them felt that nothing could be said right now. It would just be a feeble attempt to cut the tension. And to a certain extent, the tension was a good one, not a bad one, so it didn't need cutting.

Brian only said: "Asshole" once when a guy crossed into his lane too close, so he needed to hit the brakes a bit stronger than he preferred.

Nobody in the car commented on his outburst and soon they were silently looking out of the car into the dark again.

Colt feared a little bit that they had changed their minds given the silence; but CE turned around for second to straighten his seat belt, granting Colt a warm smile. Waves of fertile soil scents hit him; so he could calm down.

They hadn't changed their minds; they were just as nervous as he was.

The clearing was well lit. The moon was full, and there weren't any clouds to block the light. It was chilly but nicely crisp. In a certain way this was the second best place to conduct this ritual, close behind a tropical beach with a green sea, Colt thought jokingly.

"Ready?" Brian asked.

Colt nodded. Thick throat.

Brian handed him a bag with the necessary material.

"We will go for a short run, Colt. We will be close by, nobody will be able to hurt you." CE.

"Okay." He watched the boys undress. It was obvious they didn't freeze their bits off in the cold. When all of them were naked, he could see the big bandages on their right shoulders and their upper arms. They had gotten the tattoos this afternoon then. He was dying to see them; but right now they would be in pain. The run in wolf form surely would heal the injured skin so he could see the mark fully afterwards.

And then they ran into the forest. A big golden wolf so elegantly powerful Colt got hard; a beautiful moon-colored wolf so seductive Colt got excited; and an intimidatingly huge wolf so friendly Colt nearly lost it. He sighed, got back into the warm car to wait for their return.

Something hit the car.

He jerked.

Had he fallen asleep?

The car was rocking.

Earthquake?

And something put his fore legs onto the hood of the car.

He sighed. Brian's wolf.

They must have returned and were trying to wake him up to get out of the car.

He took the bag and hopped out of the car.

The three wolves were in front of him, pacing what seemed a bit nervously.

He could understand. He had armadas of butterflies in his belly. "Ready, wolves?"

Prime's big golden wolf approached him. Colt swallowed with a tight throat and hugged the beast gently. "Ready, Prime?"

Colt wasn't sure whether that had been a nod, but Prime's wolf lowered his head a bit. He opened the bag and took out a thin, but surprisingly heavy metal chain and a little golden lock. He turned to Prime and said: "Last chance to run, big bad wolf."

Prime stayed put.

"Okay, Alpha." He cleaned his throat. "Prime, Alpha of your pack, with this chain I bond you, your pack and me. With this gift I will forever be your Meta to protect you and your pack and to further its long term happiness, health and success."

Brian had told him there was no standard vow. There had been so few metas that no written records existed. He had to write them for himself. He desperately hoped they liked them and didn't bite his hand off when he put the chain around their necks.

Prime's wolf lifted his head, so Colt could close the lock. The chain disappeared in the thick soft fur, but he knew it would be on Prime in his human form. As it was fitted for his wolf, in his human form it would be so loose that it could be taken off without problem. Colt wasn't sure yet whether that was a good or bad thing.

"With the closing of this lock, I am yours and you are mine." He finished. And then there was a howl. A howl of three wolves, which he was afraid would get the local police to look for them.

He hugged the friendly beast again. It seemed for eternity, as a gentle growl interrupted them. Brian.

Colt smirked. Even in his wolf form, Brian was a bit cheeky. He took the next chain and hugged the dreamlike silvery wolf. He wondered whether he wanted to calm himself or the wolf down.

"Brian, Beta of this pack, with this chain I bond you, your pack and me. With this gift I will forever be your Meta to protect you and your pack and to further its long term happiness, health and success."

He put the chain around the silver wolf, who quickly lifted his head, so Colt could close the lock. "Click." "With this lock, I am yours and you are mine."

He hugged the wolf again. And another howl of three wolves. For a second Colt thought he was lucky the pack didn't have more wolves, because those repeated howls would get them into trouble eventually.

If it hadn't been for the coloring in his face, CE would have looked too scary as wolf even now that he knew him. But his eyes smiled so warm, his scent was so inviting Colt couldn't help but to pet CE between his ears. The longest of the three chains went around the big enforcer wolf. And Colt repeated his vows for the third time. For a second he struggled to close the lock; seemed CE was even bigger than Brian had thought, when he had prepared these stainless chains and locks. "I am yours and you are mine."

He wanted to hug the wolf, but CE got down and licked Colt's boots as if to say his own vow of submission.

And with another howl the three wolves took off for another run. The first run with their chains.

This time Colt didn't get into the car. He just watched his wolves, his pack, his boys, his lovers, as they ran around him, howling and chasing each other playfully.

He felt a tear. And when it fell, the three wolves approached him as if to check whether he was okay.

"It's all good, boys, I'm just very happy."

And with this the excruciating noise of the three big wolves turning into big men broke.

They looked a bit different than before they had shifted; but he didn't say anything about it. There would be time talk about this, but not now: Not now that he had to do one of the strangest things he'd ever done -- stranger than killing vampires, rescuing dying wolves and putting stainless steel chains around their furry necks.

Prime approached him. He was still naked. The chain hung loosely with the lock between his nipples.

Colt saw a glimpse of the tattoo; Colt knew he would be able to look at it more closely later. He swallowed. `Here it comes; kinkiness squared.'

How often had he asked Brian, whether this was really the way to do it? Five times? And every time the smart wolf had told him, until he found his inner power to keep the inner circle of his pack chaste for him, they'd have to do it this way.

Prime spread his legs and put his hands behind his back, as he surely must have done countless time in the marines; except this time he did it naked.

Prime's dick wasn't particularly big; and the contrast to the big body, the amazing abs and the strong bulgy thighs made him even look smaller. But Colt didn't care. Maybe if Prime had been hung like a wolf horse, everything would have been different.

Colt took it and said. "With this gift I accept your eternal submission and chastity." Eternal? Did he just say eternal? That's a fucking long time.

He put the ring around the base of Prime's cock and let it slide into the device. The little lock clicked.

Colt hands trembled. He looked into Prime's eyes but the wolf just smiled gently and proudly.

"Brian."

The good-looking blond boy approached Colt with a cheeky grin. He put himself into the same position but for some reason Colt noticed that he didn't learn it in the military. Prime must have taught him.

Again, he put the cock through the ring and let it slide into the device. And when the lock `clicked,' he said: "With this gift I accept your eternal submission and chastity."

Brian's lips formed a happy `thank you,' but he had to move as CE was already pushing him aside.

`Now that's an eager bunny,' Colt thought to himself. But he was not surprised. The enforce genes seemed to make him most keen to express his submission.

CE wasn't bigger than the other boys despite his bigger body size. But Colt felt that was more a source of pride for the brawny guy than of discomfort. When his stood `at easy,' he nearly pushed his groin into Colt's hand so he could attach the ring and then lock it to the device. "Enforcer, with this gift I accept your eternal submission and chastity."

"You may now put on your pants," Colt whispered with a hint of irony in his smile. Colt had to loosen the mood; it got to heavy for him.

Brian chuckled reaching for his tight jeans.

They sat in the bed of the car like the first time they'd been up here. They didn't say any unnecessary words. Only to organize themselves, the water, the Diet Coke and the huge tray of sweets.

"I guess that's our wedding cake," Brian commented looking at the muffins and cupcakes.

"So it seems. Never had cherry muffins," Colt smiled. "Or strawberry or plum ones, either. Wonder why that odd collection of fruits."

"Must be a coincidence," Prime chimed in with his trademark hunky smile.

"Welcome back, Prime," Colt said softly touching his shoulder.

"Thanks ..., Meta."

"That was intense," Brain said.

"I know, not sure I could do it again."

"Well, you better not." Prime warned him. "Unless."

"Unless?"

"Unless, we have new pack members," CE completed the sentence while going for a plum muffin.

"And our Enforcer is back as well. Welcome."

"Thanks, Sir. It was so special."

"It was. As are you boys."

"Thanks," three answers in concert. He was happy.

When they had finished all their water and the muffins, they drove back home -- without putting on their T-shirts as if to show off their new status as bonded pack with tattoos and chains.

"That's the wrong way," Colt pointed out to Brian who forgot take the exit to get Colt to his dorm.

"You're going home with us tonight," Prime said.

"Excuse me?" Colt challenged.

"Sorry, that came out wrong, Sir," Prime corrected himself carefully not wanting to get into trouble again. "What I wanted to say is we'd like to invite you to spend this special night at our place. No, at your place. Well, you know what I mean," Prime was blushing like a newly wed bride.

"Invitation accepted. I'd already wondered why you never invited me."

"Wolf rule."

"Really. Why am I not surprised?" He reached forward to touch CE's neck. It was so strong, so thick, so intimidating. He touched the chain around it, playing with it. CE whimpered.

"You okay?"

"Yes, Sir. Just you playing with the chain makes me so jittery. I can't believe it happened. It feels so ..."

"... complete," Brian added, now taking a highway exit.

"Didn't know three assbad wolves were so impressionable."

"Impressionable my ass," Brian continued. "You can't smell yourself it seems. In the past hour your scent has become even more intense. I really need to concentrate on driving and not hugging you to death to thank you for everything.

"You can do that at home."

The house looked as if it wanted to crawl into the hill. Few trees in the garden hid most of it. The wood blended perfectly into the bushy environment. And now that no window was lit, only a bit of reflection of the full moon betrayed its existence.

Inside was manly pleasant. The main room sported a comfy sofa with a thick dark red rug between it and the open fireplace. "Nice," was Colt's comment when he couldn't help but touch the rug with his fingers. Next to it was a not completely new but well kept kitchen. Not surprisingly he saw lots of meat in the double door fridge when Brian got him some Diet Coke.

"Why do I feel you knew I'd accept your invitation to stay overnight?" He pointed at the silver can.

"Mmmh, that Coke has been in there since the vampire attacked you," Prime said.

"Why that?"

"Emergency measure. In case we had to bring you here to protect you better," CE explained.

"How thoughtful."

Upstairs, three bedrooms, three bathrooms. Sparsely furnished but very clean and functional. "Yours for tonight," Prime opened the door. The room was nearly empty except for a bed with light grey linen and simple glass desk with chair.

"Thanks," he wanted to make a joke about being alone in his bed in his wedding night, but suppressed it for the moment.

"You guys?"

"That's mine," Prime showed him the second bedroom. Similar bed and desk. A bookshelf with books from the college, a football and some medals and pictures from his time in the marines.

"And ours," CE opened the door to a slightly bigger room. It was clear CE slept next to the door. Bed perfectly made, naked shelves except for some military books. Brian's bed on the other side looked less orderly and the bookshelf was full, so book stacks on the floor next to the desk made it a bit messy. "Beta's have privileges," said CE obviously not in agreement with Brian's organization.

"So they do," Colt agreed non-committingly.

"Thanks for having me tonight." They sat on the comfortable rug in front of the fire, which Brian had built in the meanwhile.

Colt felt contented. The three men, who meant the universe to him, surrounded him on the rug as if to protect him even here. The fire made these homely noises releasing a blend of honey, which mixed with the scents of his wolves. Pine and strawberry, wheat and cherry, soil and plum. His Coke was cold, he'd finished another semester successfully, and he could use his injured hand again. Life was great, nearly too great. He didn't want to be too happy; he didn't want to jinx his luck.

"I love the tattoos, Meta," Brian said. He touched CE's shoulder with the elaborate Celtic pattern surrounding elaborate `CP' lettering.

"Just wonder what the `CP' stands for," Prime joked.

"Corporal Punishment," Colt answered.

CE whined.

"Colt Parker, of course."

More whining.

As expected the skin on the three men had healed completely, so the tattoo covering their right upper arms, shoulders and shoulder blades showed itself in its full glory.

"I guess one can see it when I wear a T-shirt," Prime said as if concerned.

"Yep. That was the plan."

"Marked for everyone to see," Brian stated the obvious. Out of character for him. But on this night that was understandable.

"As it should be. Like this." CE was so proud of his chain. He seemed to walk and sit even more straight, so the lock was prominently displayed on his big pecs.

"Glad you approve," Colt smiled.

"Not approve. Not for us to approve. But we love it. Everything." Brian's blue eyes shone like a lake in the peak of summer.

"Everything?" Colt asked looking at Prime.

The red marine nodded, reaching between his legs Michael Jackson style. "Yes, Meta. Everything."

Colt kissed Prime on the mouth. Quickly, friendly, not yet sexually.

"There is a problem, though," he added.

"I know the 4th step. We don't know it," Colt got concerned.

"No, that's going to come with time," Prime dismissed that point. "No, it's the chastity cage."

"I know that as well. We need to take it off regularly so you guys can clean yourself. I'm still not sure that's the way this works."

"We can deal with that as well," Prime continued. "It's: This cage gives me such a big bulge in my jeans. The girls are going to be all over me even more now, thinking I'm hung like a horse."

Colt smiled. "You wish, boy. Told you if I ever see you with somebody else I'm going to make you eat your own balls and stuff your dick up your ass."

"Ouch, I guess it is loose cargo pants only for you as of now, Alpha," CE stated friendly.

"And dress shirts to hid the lock", Prime agreed.

Colt didn't know how it happened, but he kind of growled.

Prime raised both of his hands as if defending himself. "Understood, Meta, no hiding of lock."

The wolves looked at him with a mixture of love and `what did we get ourselves into here?'

"Another Coke?"

"No, Brian, water maybe? Need to get to bed. It's four in the morning."

"Sure."

The rug and the fire and the presence of the wolves seemed to make him sleepy, sleepy because he felt so ... at home. His head rested on Prime's thigh; when he looked left he could nearly kiss the bulge Prime had been talking about. Somehow his right hand found CE's big paw.

And when Brian came back with drinks, his left hand took Brian's hand. He was touching all his pack members. The jolts were so pleasant, the shocks made him happy, the scents redeemed him from his earthy existence. Nirvana must be like that. Or heaven.

"I could fall asleep here," he mumbled.

"We can," Prime said. He unbuttoned his belt and shoved down his jeans, revealing his trademark white boxer shorts. Brian and CE followed his example showing off their cage-enhanced bulges in grey boxer briefs for Brian and suppression pants for CE.

"Wow, I must be dead. Three gorgeous men in undies around me."

"You are not dead," Prime said. "I can smell that you have a boner, Meta."

"Can you blame me?"

"Here's a blanket. We won't freeze but you might need one."

"Can we undress you?"

Colt took a deep breath. He'd gone from ignored nerd to being undressed by three hunks in four months. Good that he never had woken up from this drug trip. He would never want to. Maybe his body was in coma in reality. Or he had gone mad. Who cared? Not him.

He got up. Brian lifted his T-shirt of his scrawny chest, kissing him. Prime opened his belt, so the cargo pants nearly feel down by themselves. When he stepped out of one leg, CE undid his first black sock kissing the foot. Second step, second sock, second kiss.

His erection was painful, and clearly visible stretching his briefs with a big wet spot.

"Can you guys kill me now?"

"Why?"

"Won't get better than that."

"It will, don't worry, Meta," Brian promised.

They lay down again. Colt's head on Prime, whose hand was playing with his hair. CE's hand in his right hand, and Brian's in his left. Covered by comfortable Kashmir blanket.

"Doubt it, but okay. You okay with catching some hours of sleep now, boys?"

"Sir, yes, Sir."

He nearly came.

"But before that I have a last question."

"Anything, Meta," Prime said.

"What happened when you shifted back -- with your ears, your legs, your body hair?"

And then he fell asleep.