16
The last few weeks had been...odd. After Brian went through his first change, I hoped we'd have some peace and quiet. Besides, I wanted to check out this guy who had been writing all the were porn.
Was pleasantly surprised when we met. Even more so that his papa was there, too. We had a beary good time.
In most cases, I can only sense those from my own line, until we meet in person. Or in the event the worst happens, when they come to me.
Turned out they were Sam's...kin. And what's more, they had felt Brian's touch. I assured them it was nothing to be concerned about.
They told me they had been writing stories about their encounters and some of their kin's for a long while. As far as they knew, everyone assumed it was just...supernatural porn. Unless the reader knew better.
Makes me wonder if they'll write about our encounter together.
We had been...in the middle of one such encounter when I felt the attack on Gene. Over the years, I had become...well, not used to it. Inured, perhaps. But my concern went immediately to Brian. There was no way he was prepared for such an experience.
Even from this distance, I was able to touch him. And his emotional state...let's just say he was unsettled. I was unable to calm him, so had to disengage from Bjorn and fumble for my phone.
I finally got through to Jim. Brian had felt what happened to Gene, intimately, and had reacted badly.
I knew things were unlikely to turn out well. I hadn't wanted Brian exposed to this sort of thing yet. He was still so new to his abilities. I had reservations about whether he'd be able to handle what he might have to do, but I was too far away to do anything. What's more, they were the only ones in a position to help at all. Even Bjorn and his papa didn't know of any werebears in that part of the country.
Against my better judgment, I opted to stay where I was. Too many years of waiting for my own comfort. In the end, it was lucky I had. When it came to a head, it wasn't so much Gene's death, but Brian's reaction to it that knocked me through a loop.
His bellow of rage echoed in my head and I felt a savage tug that sent me staggering against the wall. Bjorn caught me before I fell, helping me to a seat.
I felt...empty. Empty as I hadn't felt in thousands of years. It took me a moment to realize what had happened.
I knew Rick had been able to pass back and forth between us. Even Joe, though not one of us, was able to do so. But what happened was that Brian was able to pull all of the spirits that resided within me to him. I was unsure how he did it, or even if he understood what he had done.
It was hours later when they returned to me and what they told me was both unnerving and exciting. He had made them manifest. I had seen him do that before. What was amazing was he summoned not only our kind, but other changers as well. Perhaps it was from his mixed blood, or perhaps it was more than that.
I was worried enough about his endurance, then I felt a spurt of panic, then nothing.
I wanted to set out immediately, but they were able to convince me to at least wait until morning. I suppose we could come up with something to do until then....
It took me a few days to get back to their place. Hate to admit it, but I'm not as young as I was. Not able to ride as long as I used to. My bike, that is.
I rode up the winding driveway, killing the motor beside the great bear. It still made me smile, even through the sullen atmosphere cloaking the house.
"Grandpapa?" Mark said, walking around the house, his fur dripping wet, his cock just dripping.
"Mark!" I exclaimed, embracing him, not caring about the mess he made of my clothes. "You two still here?"
"Three," he said with a grin, then sobered. "Paul's letting us stay here at least until Keith changes. Is he...in there?"
"I'm here, Bro," Gene said through my lips. "Thanks for this."
"Though I don't know if it'd be good for Keith to know that," I said. "So what happened?"
He gave me a quick over view as we walked around the house.
"He was able to take Keith's severed bond and attach it to us somehow."
"And it took okay?"
"Seems to. He gets sad sometimes, but...," he shrugged.
We found Kip and Keith relaxing in the hot tub.
"Grandpapa, I think you remember my cub, Kip," Mark said. "And this is Keith."
"Woof daddy," the younger one said under his breath. Then he blushed at my broad grin.
I held out my arms to him.
"I'll get you all wet," he said shyly.
"Easily fixed," I said, unsnapping the straps of my overalls, letting them fall to my feet. I pulled my shirt over my head as I pulled my boots out of the pile of denim on the deck.
"Holy fuck," Keith said, his eyes growing wide.
"Can tell where Brian gets it from," Kip said slyly.
I looked from him to Mark and they burst out laughing.
"What?" Keith said in confusion.
"I'll tell you later," Mark chuckled.
Keith climbed out of the hot tub, letting me enfold him.
"Damn," he said. "That thing is real."
I pressed my lips against the top of his head, testing his scent, feeling Gene return his embrace.
He was still a couple weeks from his first change, but the bonds with Mark and Kip were as strong as any I'd ever felt.
I was impressed. I don't think I would have ever thought to try such a thing. Not even sure I could.
What's more, while his grief over losing Gene was there, he was dealing with it. Perhaps more of Brian's work?
"So where's everyone else?" I asked.
"Jim's been working on something on the computer," Mark said.
"Paul's in with Brian," Kip finished, worry crossing both their faces.
"You didn't finish telling me what happened," I said to Mark.
"Well, after the...whatever they were...entered him," he struggled to describe what he'd seen, "He...collapsed. We got him into the truck before we...took care of the house," he glanced at Keith. "We got him back here and put him to bed. As far as I know, he hasn't woken up since. Is he going to be okay?"
He looked at me, worry and fear clear in his eyes. Worry for both of them and fear what Paul might do if something happened to Brian. I brushed his hair back and smiled at him. He had been holding onto his anger for so long. Whatever else had happened that night, he had finally been able to let it go.
"That's what I'm here for," I assured him. "Don't worry," I laughed at Keith's pout. "I'll let you have a go at it later if you like."
"Can I?" he said, looking back and forth between his papas.
"You can try," Mark chuckled. "Might not be able to sit down for a week, but you can try."
I left them on the deck and went inside.
"Hey," Jim said, looking up from the computer.
"Howdy," I said, bending to kiss his neck, glancing at the screen. "What's this?"
He was on one of those family tree sites.
"When we were telling Mark and Kip about how Brian's related to you, he pointed something out. Something about me," he said sheepishly.
"Oh?" was all I said.
"Well, I did some research. Turns out I do have children out there."
He pointed out a name on the chart. A name with no further information.
"One of the names you used to go by?" I asked.
"Yeah. That was the area I was in when Tony took the boys. Had to go elsewhere for a while and needed some relief."
"Any port in a storm," I chuckled ruffling his hair. "Any others?"
"A few, I think. Have to admit, with the first one, stayed around for a few months, but when she didn't show any signs of changing...I left. Didn't know then that it only works on men."
"Yeah, can cause more problems if you stay around," I said wistfully.
"So someday, might find a grandcub of my own," he winked. "Oh! Also found out something else you might find interesting."
He entered another name into the box on the screen. In a moment, another tree popped up.
"Joe?" I asked in surprise.
"It gets better," he grinned.
He scrolled the screen back a couple of centuries. He grinned up at me as I read the page.
"That would be about the time he...disappeared," I mused.
"So Paul might very well be Joe's many times great-uncle," he chuckled. "Wonder if that's why he responded so strongly to Paul."
"Speaking of which," I said, clearing my throat.
"Honestly," he said, suddenly sober. "He can be downright scary sometimes."
He turned back to the computer and called up a news site.
LOUISVILLE, KY- A home known as a later example of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture was destroyed in a massive explosion early Wednesday morning. More than a dozen casualties were reported, including the homeowner, Eugene Richardson, 45.
One of the survivors, Brandon Kent, claims responsibility for the fire, allegedly admitting to the slaying, not only of the homeowner, but his own son, Keith Kent. Reasons for the attack have not been confirmed as Kent has been sent for a mental evaluation. None of the other survivors admit to remembering anything about what happened that night....
"Hmmm," I pondered.
"What he did to the ones he killed was scary enough, but that guy," he said with a shudder. "I don't even want to know what he did to him."
"He did what he had to," I chided.
"I know," he said, grinning up at me. "Don't get me wrong. I love the bugger, but I don't want him pissed at me. Ever."
"Well, I doubt you could get him that angry. Don't think he'd really hurt anyone that doesn't deserve it. Now why don't you see about fixing something for lunch. We've got a growing cub out there, and I bet we're going to have a hungry bear in there before long."
He stood, stretching, looking out the window.
"It's so beautiful here," he said. "Wonder if Brian would care for a neighbor."
"Oh?" I smiled.
"There doesn't seem to be too many of us in this area," he said. "After what happened to Gene, well, now I understand why we tend to...well congregate isn't the right word, but...."
"There's safety in numbers," I agreed.
He walked into the kitchen and I headed down the hallway to the bedrooms.
I eased the door open and looked in. Brian was curled up on his side, his breathing slow and steady. Paul sat at the side of the bed, gently stroking his hair.
He glanced up as I came in and he looked like hell.
"How is he?" I asked.
"Not sure," he said gruffly. "I don't understand it. He's been like this for days now. Haven't been able to get him to wake up. Figured he would have at least needed to...well, you know."
"Well, bears are great recyclers," I said, easing down on the other side of the bed. "When they hibernate, their bodies don't need to...excrete."
"He's hibernating?" he asked in surprise. "I know I tend to get sleepy in the winter, but...."
"Brian's a...special case, in case you hadn't noticed," I said, smiling at his weak chuckle. "He's closer to the bear than most of us."
"But it's not even winter," he said, waving his hand toward the open window.
"This is more healing, than hibernation, I think," I assured him.
"Healing?" Paul cried, eyes growing wide.
"Hush. He overextended himself. Tried to do too much too soon, I'm afraid."
"Well, he didn't have much choice," he said defensively.
"I know, I know. I'm not being critical. Hell, I'm the one who put him in this situation. I just didn't expect all this. Has he come around at all?"
"Not at all," he sighed. "And trust me, getting him in here and cleaned up was hard work. Ended up burning what was left of his clothes. Took forever to get his fur cleaned, though. Thank God Mike and Cliff were able to help before they had to head home."
"What about...Gene?" I asked softly.
"We buried him up on the hill, overlooking the lake. Just hope Brian's okay with that," he said, looking down at his sleeping lover.
"I'm sure he will be. Why don't you go get cleaned up a bit. Jim's putting together something for lunch."
"Suppose that's a polite way to tell me I stink," he laughed. "I know. I've been afraid to leave his side. Didn't want him to wake up without me here," he trailed off.
He bent and kissed Brian's cheek and headed to the bathroom.
"Now then, let's see what's going on," I said, brushing my fingers against his forehead.
His mind was in chaos. Considering how...organized he usually is, I would have thought he would have been able to process even this mess by now.
I winnowed through the morass, occasionally glimpsing familiar faces, but never the one I was looking for.
I knew he was in here somewhere, but I could not find him. Was he lost, or hiding?
Then the thought occurred to me. I might not be able to find him, but perhaps....
Jim had pointed out that he might be kin to Paul. He wasn't a were, but I've had more than enough contact with him....
"Joe!" I called into the maelstrom.
"Here!" came the faint reply.
It was enough of a thread for me to focus on and follow it to its terminus. I encountered a smooth white wall. I reached out and my hand passed through it.
Within, I found them. Brian curled into a tight ball, Joe beside him, gently caressing his head in a poignant echo of Paul. I had never seen Paul until after he was changed, but even so, now that I knew, I could see a resemblance. I think Jim was correct.
"Brian?" I said, kneeling beside him.
He cringed away from me.
"Leave me alone," he muttered.
"I can't and I won't. Now tell me what's wrong."
He opened his eyes and looked at me miserably.
"You gave me a job to do and I failed," he wailed. "I'm nothing but a worthless coward and a monster."
"Brian! You are not," I said urgently. "How could you think such a thing."
"How? If I had just fought them, I could have saved him."
"Or they could have killed you, too!"
He hid his face.
"All I did was skulk in the shadows."
"Did you know you could get in there unseen?"
"Well, I figured...," he began.
"Did you know for sure?"
"Well...no."
"And when you got in that house, and you smelt Gene's blood all over the place, did you turn back?"
He was silent for a long moment.
"Is that what it was?" he whispered at last.
"Yes. Our blood, especially in that quantity, has a detritus effect on us. The newer the were, the worse the effect. But did that stop you?"
"No," he admitted.
"And how many were there when you found them?"
"Six."
"And were they unarmed?"
"No."
"They had guns, didn't they? Enough to have taken down a fully grown bear, much less a nearly new made one."
"But I might have been able to distract them. I could have...,"
"Brian," Gene said through me. "It was already too late for me. I had lost too much blood and those damn hooks were keeping me from healing. I was only holding on in hopes that Keith would get away. When I saw you, I knew he'd be safe."
He turned away, hiding his face.
"There's more to this than just that, Brian. Why are you really hiding here like this?" I asked.
His shoulders tensed.
"Because I lost it, okay," he screamed finally. "I turned into the kind of guy I've always hated. A bully. I was bigger than they were and I used that. But killing them wasn't enough. I wanted to hurt them. To make them feel it over and over."
He glared at me angrily.
"And that...man," he snarled. "I flayed his mind. I destroyed every memory of love, of joy, of hope. I destroyed everything until all that was left was fear. Fear of me. That bastard will never know sleep again because I will haunt his nightmares until the day he dies."
His fury washed over us. Joe winced, holding onto him grimly.
"And do you think I will judge you for that?" I asked, letting his rage flow away from me. "I can't say I wouldn't have done the same, or worse."
He looked at me, surprise like an icy shower cooling his fury.
"You?" he said doubtfully.
"Me," I said, stroking his arm. "You've only seen me as I am now. I was once much like you. Young. Impetuous. I still lose my temper now and then, too. Someday, I'll introduce you to Ben. He's seen that side of me. And his partner Jay...he's someone I think you should meet, too."
"You knew I was more than bear," he said accusingly.
"I knew, but I didn't know what effect it would have, if any."
"What would happen if I...you know," he said, gesturing to the chaos outside.
"Would you turn into one of them?" I chuckled. "I don't know, but I doubt it. Usually, when one becomes a were, regardless of what kind, they stay that way. But then again, with you? Who knows?" I shrugged. "You seem to have a knack for upsetting what I think is fact."
He returned my chuckle weakly, his posture relaxing.
"Child, you've gotten through the last few years by shutting down your emotions. Now, you're not only having to deal with your own again, you have everyone else's pressing in on you. You may be closer to the primal beast than most of us, but at the end of the day, you're still only human. We get mad. We make mistakes. And sometimes we fail. What matters is that you don't let that stop you."
"I know," he said softly. "But I can only imagine what Paul thinks of me now."
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Joe said.
He reached out and seemed to pull on something. Paul appeared, holding Joe's hand.
He smiled at our surprise. Brian glanced quizzically at Joe.
"What?" he said with a lopsided smile. "You think I haven't learned a few things in here? He's a part of you and so am I, so it seems we're a bit of each other, too."
"He's been keeping me updated on you," Paul said, kissing Joe's forehead.
He knelt beside his cub, brushing the hair out of his eyes.
"When are you going to learn that I will always love you, no matter what happens?"
"But what if I lose control and hurt you. Or worse."
"You won't. I trust that."
"I hope we won't have to put that to the test," he whispered as Paul pulled him into an embrace.
"So think you're ready to join us in the real world?" I asked.
"What about all that?" Paul asked, waving to the chaos outside our little shell of calm.
"They had no homes to return to. Why?" Brian asked, turning to me.
"Well, as I may have pointed out, a soul keeper doesn't appear very often. That's part of the reason I don't venture out too much any more. Unfortunately, not all changers have been so...cautious."
"So there have been ones, but they...joined the spirits?"
"And the ones they held were scattered to the winds, I suppose," I said sadly. "The same as would happen if I...did. Or at least would have."
Brian nodded in understanding. He turned away from us, took a deep breath, closed his eyes and stepped to the barrier. He reached his hands out to the roiling mass.
"Let's see," he said, brow creasing. He began pulling spirits out of the chaos, holding them a moment, then setting them aside.
"Let's start here. Feline...there. Canine...there. Bovine.... Bovine?"
He opened his eyes, looking at me in surprise.
"What? You think only carnivores can be changers?" I chuckled.
"I...well...uh. I guess I never really thought about it."
"I'm betting you'll be thinking about it a lot more," I teased.
"Are there...still...?" he asked.
"Dunno," I shrugged. "I only really know bears. Though I do remember my time on Crete with one. But maybe you should ask them."
He returned his attention to the rapidly fading chaos around us
"Oy," he said. "Not sure I'm going to be able to look at a hamburger the same way again."
"Well, you could always go vegetarian," Paul teased.
"Sorry," Brian snorted. "I like meat too much."
Finally, he had each...species separated. Then each was split into breeds, then into individuals, every shade sliding into the space he made for them.
He opened his eyes, looking up at us where we sat on the bed beside him.
"Better?" he asked, beginning to smile.
"Better," I said as Paul helped him to his feet. "Hungry?"
"Getting there," he laughed.
"Well, I will say this. If you're able to handle all that, you'll definitely be ready when you do meet Sam. Now let's eat."
(Author note: I hope you enjoyed my tale. I am working on a third story and still on the first draft, so will be a while before it's complete enough to post.)