FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Vixen’s Music.

Songs of Faith

Night’s Angel

Chapter 1.

We had been sitting in our old beat up van, Halen as we called it, for over an hour. It took half the time to get here from our house. The was parked in a little parking lot outside an equally small house. An old station wagon sat parked close to the door.

It looked like it hadn’t moved for a month. Off to the side on the front porch sat a few cheap plastic chairs next to a tray table with a metal blow on it. I think it was being used as an ashtray. God, he was a smoker. Gross.

“Lura,” I asked, “What are we even doing here?” The tall dark fur wolf with fiery red hair and matching hard ruby brown eyes, didn’t move from the spot. Her fists gripped the wheel tight enough you could hear the protest.

“Are you even sure this is the right guy,” the beautiful dark wolf next to her asked. “It’s him,” Lura answered. “Does he even know we’re here?” the tall fluffy tricolor collie next to me asked. “I sent him a text before we left,” I said.

“So why are we just sitting here?” the collie asked. “Yeah, maybe this was a bad idea,” Lura said, reaching a stiff hand for the key. “No,” the dark fur wolf said, soft slap to the other wolf’s hand, “Kelly, means why haven’t we introduced ourselves yet?”

“Yeah,” I said, “Linx is right.” “Guy’s name is Aiden right,” Linx asked. Lura’s ears flicked at the name. I think I heard her tail beating on the door. “Wait, I see him,” I said, pointing to the window. They all jumped.

Lura’s ears snapped up right, with her tail audibly beating the door. “Tabitha,” Lura said looking back at me, “That’s not funny.” “Oh my god, you’re crushing on him,” I said. Her ears folded back with a low growl.

Being the youngest of us I was the kid sister. And me being a red fox with red hair myself. I was also the smallest. “Now girls,” Linx said, “Let’s not fight.” “Yet,” Kelly added, “he’s cute enough for it.”

Tell the truth we knew a good bit about the guy. He was cute, tall, strong, wicked fast for a big guy. We’ve heard his voice a few times. But, never really heard him speak. It was always the quiet ones. But the thing about him was his eyes.

Kelly said the one time she saw them “reminded me of my grandma’s house. The fireplace going in the middle of winter. With the window frosted over.” I agreed with her, even though I never got to see them myself.

I slid open the side door of the van. “Come on, we’re here anyway,” I said “won’t hurt anyone just to say hi.” We closed the doors quietly. Lura was the last to get moving. She did her best. I think she was blushing the whole time. Hard to tell with her thick fur.

We paired off by height. Me and Linx in front with Kelly Lura in the back. We all nodded and beat on the door with both hands. We heard a yelp of shock. And a second or two later the door opened. The look on his face.

Quick note. What stood on the other side of the doorway was a tall, broad shouldered silver and gray fur mass of a canine. Long brown hair hung over one shoulder from a ponytail. His face had a foxish shape to it but was wider and blocky.

I’ve seen a few hybrids before. Even a folf or two. But even they were close to one or the other. Like the other hybrid he worked with, a ligger. He was more lion than tiger. But this guy. Almost even mix.

You could see the fox framework, and fur pattern, but size and mass was all wolf. His tail didn’t have the brush pattern on it. It looked heavy but thick. With my sunglasses on I couldn't get a good look at his eyes.

Kelly elbowed Lura in the ribs. “Hi, I’m Lura, I texted you earlier,” Lura said, holding out her hand. One of his ears twitched, it clicked back before he spoke. “Yea, Yes yes, I’m Aiden,” he said. I caught the look on Lura’s face as he spoke.

He had a low monotone voice. But it looked like he didn’t talk to too many people. We all stood there. Kelly with another hidden elbow. “And this is Linx, Tabitha and Kelly,”

Lura said give him a wink. She was flirting with him!

In the time I have known Lura. She made the word hardcore sound soft. But she was trying to be cute. And it was working. Anyway. We all greeted him with “And WE’RE the HEAVEN’S VIXENS.”

It was funny that Lura had no idea what she was doing. But she played it well. And we stood there a long second. Last elbow. “Can we come in?” Lura asked. The folf stepped to the side and waved us in.

“So, so you’re a band” He said. We had too. “How’d you guess?” we answered in giggles. The living room wasn’t very lived in. There was a couch, TV, and a little coffee table. Good he doesn’t smoke in doors.

It was clean. The stink of smoke was mostly on him. In the kitchen was a cheap little folding card table with four chairs. Kettle, coffee pot. Both whole pot and single cup. Kelly and I dug around the kitchen a bit with Linx joining us a minute later.

“Basic” I said “But doable.” “Nah,” Linx said “Simple, not basic. He’s well organized.” Linx is a psychologist. And the way she was looking around was more of a study. “Kelly, top of the fridge behind the pots.” she said.

Kelly carefully reached up behind the pot on top of the fridge. “Lura was flirting with him” I said, “you think she has the hots for him?” “Wait, she was flirting?” Kelly asked, her hand snapping back a package of cookies in it.

The sharp movement knocked the pot off the fridge. But we all cheered when he saw the cookies. The front door opened as both the folf and Lura rushed into the kitchen. He saw the cookies and said “I was saving those.”

I hopped over to him. I said “for us, you’re sweet.” I kissed his cheek. Rushed around the table taking the cookies from Kelly. I sat at the table and opened them. The other joined me as he started making coffee.

We grilled him about his job, hobbies and what not. He likes writing, Has a job, and cute to boot. I took my sunglasses off to get a better look at him. Our eyes met. I blinked and looked away. That was creepy. I mean he wasn’t being creepy.

Just god that was deep. I know he saw the colors of my eyes. But damn. I felt something warm touching my soul. I lifted my leg up, folding it up right. Half covering myself behind it. I know he thinks I’m just cute.

And with the three beauties around him. He wouldn’t look at me the same way. I looked up at him again. He was focused on me. He crossed his eyes. I bit my lip trying not to laugh. He’s silly cute. Damn it.

Now I wish I wore a bra. Not that it matters. It was going fine till Lura dropped the bond shell on him. “So when do you think we can move in?” she asked. And she was really laying in on the charm.

He looked like a fish out of water when she spoke. “I had already talked to the landlord. And we had all the papers signed. We just need your go ahead.” she said. He shook his head. And the next words he spoke were cold.

And I’ve only heard one person sound so cold like that before. And he scared me. “If that was the case? Why put on this show?” he said. He shook his head again. Like he was trying to knock something off the top of his head.

“We’re sorry, No one told you. But it was supposed to be a surprise.” Linx said, adding some honey to her accent. “I’m sorry but will you excuse me.” he said, getting up and leaving the room.

“You’re hitting on him,” I said in a hushed voice “You got the hots for him.” “Keep it up and I’ll hit you” Lura answered hushed as well. “Well, that was rude of him.” Kelly said. “Well, how’d you react to being told what we told him?” Lura said.

“Well if it was me being told you have four hotties moving. And I don’t have to do anything to help. and they think I’m cute,” I said “pretty damn good.” well three hotties and a cute “kid.” “How do you know he thinks we’re hot?” Kelly asked.

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because his head almost blew off from how much tight ass he saw.” I said. “Yeah, but a guy like that might have only seen girls in yiffs,” Linx added. “I think we just came on too strong,” Lura said. Understatement.

“He said wasn’t a people person.” Kelly said, “Maybe if we had done this one at a time or something?” Linx rolled her eyes. “Look, we can give it a chance.” Lura said “Who knows? Maybe this will lead to bigger and better things.” I made a size joke with my hands.

“Does it matter?” I ask, “Knowing Linx, she’ll break him in a week.” “No. I would not.” Linx said, “Not after he acted like an ass.” Linx cursed and then some. “That’s because I am an ass.” We heard Aiden’s voice from the other room.

We all froze. “And I’m sorry,” he added. We heard a door open and closed a second later. “Did he just leave?” Lura asked, hushing her voice. “I’ll go check,” I said, heading for the front door. Opened, looked out, nothing, closed.

They followed me into the living room. I shrugged. Lura found the door to one of the bedrooms. It was full of stuff. She grabbed something just inside the door. And went to the backdoor. We let ourselves into the room.

Books, movies, a few games, and tons of plush toys, posters. He had a whole system setup. By the closet door was a stack of swords, staffs and other weapons. He had a big bed. I think it was a queen size.

It was like a whole other person lived here. Linx had that study face on again. “So, who is this guy?” she asked herself. “Why does he keep a dictionary by the bed?” I asked. Linx pulled on a folder or two. “Writer,” she said, “He may just sit on the bed and works off his laptop.”

She pointed to it, as she sat on the bed. She bounced for a second and rolled onto it. I read some of the movies he had. He got some good ones. “He really likes movies,” I said. “Firm but soft” Linx purred from the bed.

“Too many weapons for my liking” Kelly added, poking at one of the swords. “I use them to walk through fight scenes in my stories,” Aiden said. I think we all jumped. “Really, what styles do you know?” Linx asked. “None. Really just things I taught myself.” he answered.

“So what types of stories do you write?” I asked. “Whatever I feel like writing,” he said. It felt like he was studying me. He may have been doing it to each of us. But it just felt weird. Like he used the same focus Linx does.

“So you ladies are part of a band or something?” he asked. “Yeah, Heaven’s Vixens. I play the keyboard but mostly I’m the singer.” I answered. “Drums,” Kelly said, focused on his pushies. Linx rolled over pushing her rear into the air.

She gave him a free show. “I’ve got base,” she said. “And I’m the lead,” Lura said. “She would be the singer. But she can’t sing in front of others.” I said, hugging Lura. “He is definitely holding movie night.” I grinned.

“So this is who you’re hiding?” she said, “So. Girls, do we like what we see?” “He is going to need a lot of work but yeah” I said, playing with something till it shot me in the head. Kelly nodded. “I’ll tell you after he answers a question.” Linx said, sitting up.

She shivered from the way he looked at her. “Do you like what you see?” she asked. we all paused, turning to face him. He looked like his head was going to blow up. It was kinda cute.

“Yes,” he said shyly.

We all smiled. Then we all blushing when Linx added “Good. Because you might get to see more.” She licked her lips as she spoke. “If you’re a good boy.” she added. His pants bulged. He was packing some heat.

It took him a second to speak. “So, yeah, um. We can move you ladies in. Whenever you’re ready.” he said. We thanked him. I grabbed his hand. If I wasn’t half his size I would have thrown him with how hard I pulled him.

We had taken a few things with us, just in case. Nothing heavy or big. He got the boxes like it was nothing. Once he was done. Linx, Kelly and I got into the van. “Well then, we will see you tomorrow.” Linx said.

Lura blinked as we drove off. “Are you sure leaving those two alone like that is a good idea?” Kelly asked. “Lura can handle herself,” I said. “But can he handle her?” Kelly retorted. I didn’t think about that.

“It’s just a gentle nudge,” Linx said “to see where things go.” “if that thing he’s packing is real,” I said, “we might not get her back.” “Oh, that’s nothing to worry about,” Linx said. We went back the next morning with some more of our stuff.

Kelly and I took one of the rooms. Lurs and Linx took the other. Aside from our instruments, we left the living room mostly the same. I couldn’t tell you why. But this little house just felt right. It felt like home.

Chapter 2

Friday morning. It was a work night for us. And we were going to take Aiden with us. I was bad. I got pictures of Lura and Aiden sleeping on the living room floor. We had our beds, just had to set them up.

We could do that before the show. But we still all slept in his bed. He never joined us. Lura seemed to hog him any chance she got. And again she had his head in a boobie death grip. If that didn’t make him hard. Then he might not be into girls.

Anyway, I found out he was awake and stuck. They still had clothes on, and it didn’t look like anything happened. I got a quick peek at his tool box as I was helping him get free. Yep. She was almost so lucky. If one had rolled on top.

Focus Tabitha. I hate the fact I had small tits. Just shy of a B cup. Sucks. Lura was at least a small C cup. Both her and Kelly. But Linx had us all outclassed. Her and her fucking D cups. The damn things were pushing for doubles.

Sorry. Anyway. It didn’t help that monster dick, gave me the size speech. But he did make coffee. It was the first time we had a chance to talk. Just him and me. He and Linx had an ongoing game. It would have been hotter if they made contact.

But he didn’t seem to like being touched. I mean he almost freaked out when I bumped into him. But with the table between us was fine. He scared me anyway. But there was a good reason for that.

I asked him a few questions. He gave vague answers. About the same time my eye started hurting his hand locked into a tight fist. We agreed about a storm moving in. and that’s when Lura woke up.

He made her some coffee. She walked in wearing a loose t-shirt. I wished she would put a bra on. They were bouncing with every breath she took. She saw me covering my eye and his hand balled into a fist.

We told her it was the storm. I showed her my eye. She looked at his hand and his face. She must have seen something. Cause she backed off. I pointed out the blood on his ear. She cleaned it up as I made us more coffee.

I think she hogged him long enough. So I got between them. We both growled. He got up with his coffee and left the room. We glared at him. “Don’t lose a friend over nothing” he said and was gone.

Must be smoking or something. But Lura and I turned back to the other. “He’s not your toy,” I said. “And you don’t know what you're dealing with,” she retorted. “I’m not some stupid child” I said, “I’m nineteen.” “I know that,” Lura answered, “It’s not as simple as you think.”

“He’s a grown man,” I said, “he can make a choice.” “And the both of you could get hurt,” she said. “Gee, who almost bit his ear off” I spat. “Tabitha,” she said, “that’s not what I meant.” “What? You think I might kill him if we have sex or something?” I asked.

“No. no. no.” she said, “god, can’t you just trust me on this?” I glared at her. “You don’t trust him,” I spat. Her eyes went wide. “That’s it you don’t trust him not to fuck us.” I said “You want him for yourself.”

I stormed off before she could say anything. I started working on setting up my bed. I was still fighting with the bed when Luna got back from her run. She started helping me. We didn’t say anything till we were done.

“Thank you,” I said. She sat on the bed. She patted the spot next to her. So I sat. “Tadithia,” she said, “I know you can tell what’s real and what’s not.” I nodded. “For Aiden it’s a different matter.” she said.

“Please,” she said, when I started to speak, “It’s not that he can’t. It’s just harder for him. And with four beautiful women around him.” She cupped my cheek. “It can be taxing on him,” she said, “and if pushed too hard, any of us could get hurt.”

“So better you be the only one to deal with him?” I spat. “No, I don’t mean that at all,” She said, “We just have to take it slow.” “You say we, but you mean me.” I said. “I think of it this way.” she said “does he know?”

“Does he know?” I asked. Oh. Does he know about my past? “He knows about the showers,” I said. She sighed. “Tabitha, say you and him go at it. And you have a flashback and panic.” she said.

“And if he can’t tell what’s going on.” I said. “Now you get it,” she said. “Did you tell him?” I asked. “No, he asked,” she said. “So, he does know,” I said “and you still want me to take it slow.” “It’s not easy for any of us,” she said.

“Right, death by boobies here,” I said. “And if he tried something he’d be dead,” she smiled. “But really, it’s not easy.” she said “I felt that beast on my leg last night. Part of me just, …” “You didn’t,” I asked.

“It wasn’t easy,” she said, “I got scared he would wake up and freak out on me.” “Damn, girl,” I said, “Fine, let’s get the beds done so he can have his bed back.” “Good thinking,” she said and we got the other bed set up.

The show itself was nothing big. Us having a guess aside from Tom was another matter. We got Molly a little white fur dark haired rabbit with, super bunny bubble butt, to keep an eye on him. The show was fine till the big goof started singing on his own.

It was hard not to laugh. But damn he was good. The son of bitch really made his mark. He got fourteen numbers. After a bit we headed back to the house. He got to be my hero and carried me. Best pickup line.

It was more of a fight to keep from falling asleep. But they made him get me ready for bed. It was cute watching him trying not to look. But it wasn’t hard to get him to touch me. Seeing him pitching a tent made me feel better.

He got me into his bed. I forced a kiss out of him. Lura came in and got him to strip down to his boxers. Once they got into the bed we wormed our way closer to him. I don’t know if it was Lura being there or not. But I didn’t have any nightmares that night.

I felt warm and safe. His smoky musk didn’t smell that bad. He was petting us. It was weird waking up when I did. But I felt rested. I met Lura’s eyes. We both looked down at the massive tent.

Lura smiled. “Watch him,” she said. She turned herself over, almost putting her hot wet sex in his face. She got back under the blanket. She hummed. She was sucking his dick! She must have liked it with how wet she got.

I was too scared to really try anything. But I heard some guys are into nipple play. So I did. He let out a moan. I think that was the highest I had heard his voice go. A second or two later he let out a low howl.

I heard Lura gulping. She must have liked it given how much she was wiggling. I lend up and gave him a kiss. Did he sleep with his eyes open or was he awake? I felt him grabbing my butt and squeezed.

The shock of it made me moan. Looking at him again, I knew he was awake. I got out of there as soon as I could. I sat in the kitchen, balled up under the oversized t-shirt. It felt so good when he touched me. I wanted more.

Lura joined me in the kitchen a minute or two later. She was still licking white ooze from her lips. I looked away from her. I know there was nothing wrong. But after seeing the look in his eyes. It would take a lot for us to get that far.

He looked so empty. Like he was off or something. I couldn’t put it into words. Before she could say anything the Folf walked in. He patted my head and said something sweet. Him talking sweetly in my ear got me to blush. I smiled. I caught his eye for a second.

They were warm again. I asked Lura if I could talk to him alone. I don’t think he saw her give me an understanding nod. But she had her morning run to get to. I asked him one question before I told him what happen

“How did you know i was raped?” I asked. I’ve had people find out about it. Some treat me like a glass doll. Others looked at me like I was some weak whore or slut. But Aiden, as I told him what happened.

That gentle warmth raged into a cold burning wrath. He was ready to kill the monster that hurt me. I watched the warmth return as I finished telling him how I saved. Then he made breakfast. Bacon, eggs, biscuits, pancakes, along with coffee and juice.

I got to help. I got bacon for watching the biscuits. After breakfast I got my glasses. Yeah it was easier to see with them on. But I didn’t think they looked good on me. Aiden said they were cute. He even let me feel how much he liked them.

It wasn’t long before Linx worked him over. She turned him into a zombie just sitting on the couch. Lura and Linx told us he was still a virgin. We ended up giving him some space. Then he loaded up some clothes to do laundry.

We followed suit. And that’s when we had our first fight. He shut us all up. He even had a deep angry growl. He said he was going to move out. Lura tried to stop him. She tried to deck him too. We’ve seen Lura fight a few times. And she hits hard.

Aiden pulled some kung fu move out of nowhere. Not only did he dodge it. He blocked it and stopped it cold. The shock of it gave him time to get into his room. He just grabbed a bag to start filling it, when Kelly and I jumped him.

We had him pinned in seconds. I yelled at him not to go. Ok so it was childish to put on the waterworks. And no, I didn’t force them. But it worked! Once we got him on the couch and cuddled up to him. And I wasn’t letting him go.

His answer to the problem was him just being a chased virgin. Yes, he was a virgin. We did not like that idea. A few days later we made a list and checked it twice. We’re going to find out who gets lucky tonight.

Sorry. I thought it was funny. But I was scared. I was going to have to let him do things to me. Just thinking about it gave me flashbacks. It wasn’t going to be easy. And after seeing some of Aiden’s stories. I’ve been trying it myself.

Chapter 3

I set the laundry bag on the bed and started to undress. Aiden made us new outfits for our next show. After seeing what he had come up with for Linx and Kelly, I got a little scared. I thought he only saw me as a kid.

It was all blue and green. I screamed. Mostly for effect. The rest was the shock of how it looked as a whole. I still felt like I was dressed up like a kid. I’ve seen models pull stuff like this off. But I wasn’t a model.

It covered most of my fur. And where it didn’t, seemed odd. Like who wants to look at knees? I cracked the door open. I saw Aiden standing just to the side. “I don’t think this works for me,” I said.

He gave me a sad look, so I stepped out of the room. Linx’s camera started clicking. They watched me for a minute. It was an odd mix of feelings. Like they were looking at me. “I don’t think this will work for me,” I said.

“Ok, talk like you’re on stage and speaking to the crowd” he said. I took a moment to get into my act. “Alright boys and girls” I said. Something sent a chill down my spine. “I’m glad, I changed,” Linx said, camera still going.

“What the heck did you do to her?” Kelly asked, eyes glued to me. Aiden bobbed his eyebrows. After a bit of teasing. Lura was next. As hot as she was somehow he made her hotter. And after we had our fun with her.

We got what we hoped was the best outfit for him. There was just so much to him. One outfit couldn’t do it. We went with shades of blue to offset the metal look of his fur. And drew out his framework and size.

He got changed and then we had movie night. He made a light but filling breakfast for us. We had been fighting with him to sit down and eat. But he made it a point not to. But it worked out. Kelly wasn’t going to do it on her own.

But we talked her into it. All she had to do was wait for the door to close and just go for it. So we got her set up and headed out. “Think she will actionly titty fuck him” I asked. We walked to the corner store.

“Oh, she will,” Linx said. “You didn’t threaten her did you?” Lura asked. “No, she wanted to see if she could still please a guy,” Linx said, “Aiden is the first guy she wanted to get intimate with.”

We got snacks and stuff. We didn’t think they would still be going at it. But by time we got back. They were still in the kitchen. And still going at it. Seeing Kelly’s soaked tits made me feel a little better of my own. Her size was mostly fluff.

I got behind him on the edge of the sink. Lura watched from the table. She was drooling. And I could see why. From the tip of his chin down the front of his neck and framing his chest and belly, right down to his sheath and jewels was silver fur.

It was a bit thinner than the rest of his fur of steel gray. But speaking of his sheath. From there was a big red raging log of meat pulsing between Kelly’s breasts. At the base of it was a bulb bigger than my fist.

I know small hands don’t mean much. But it was big. Linx gave Kelly the “finish him” line. To which the collie opened her mouth and in one move got the whole thing down her throat. Aside from the bulb.

I could swear to you Kelly was a porn star or something with the way she worked him over. When she didn’t have the damn thing in her throat she’d lick, nip, and bite it. And he was loving it. Soft groans and deep moans.

I didn’t want to feel left out. So I started nipping along the side of his neck. I felt his whole body stiffen. I think his legs gave out. All I could do was hold him up right. And watching Linx sucking it out of Kelly’s mouth, didn’t help matters.

Fun fast. Aiden had not tried his own sauce. He did not like it. After he pulled his pants up. Poor guy. We all got ready for the show. We also had to start feeding him mints. Well anything to get the ashtray smell out of his mouth.

We’ll get to the reason why later. But for now on with the show. We opened telling everyone the change up. With Lura taking her place as singer. Someone got the crowd going, and it was starting to get to Lura.

We all caught sight of someone standing up on one of the rails that divided the dance floor from the bar. It was close to where we left Aiden. What a hero. He was standing on the rail just so we could see him.

Lura focused on him. After a second or two. We did a cover of “Ballroom Blitz”. With Aiden’s help she got through the first song. People love it. We did a number of covers. Most of which were songs older than me.

After the first break, we had to chase some girl off. We also had to tell Aiden about the raffle. He was cool with it. Still not sure how we got Paul, one of the bouncers, to watch over Aiden. But we trusted Paul, so he was in good hands.

We went back to the stage. After we introduced Aiden as Mr. Vixen. We dedicated a cover of “Hallelujah” to Tom the late Mr. Vixen. We didn’t want it to be a slap in the face. But Aiden was the first to applaud.

At the time I didn’t understand why it was so hard for him to put himself out there like that. But thinking back on it. Knowing now. He was a real hero. And pushing himself to be part of the act. Part of the show. He will always be a hero.

I think Lura was singing just for Aiden. I mean unless she had to look away to talk to us or check something. She never took her eyes off him. It may have just been, he was someone to focus on. But she knew other people there. So maybe there was something.

We had our second break. Billy the tomcat told us the raffle was a sell out. He loved the change up and the outfits. When Tom met Aiden. The son of bitch kissed him. I mean it was hot. But still. Aiden is ours. We found him first.

But Lura threatened his life with a growl. And he ran off. Aside from the panic on his face, he took it surprisingly well. And Aiden hates being touched. I think he just got used to us. Wink. too much? Maybe. I don’t know.

Come on girl, focus. Right show. Second break. Raffle. We got up on stage for our final set for the night. “Think we should change up one of the songs” Lura said, giving her guitar a quick tune up.

“Sure, which one?” Linx asked. Kelly pulled a few song books she used. “Separate ways,” Lura said, “We haven’t done that one in a wail.” Linx arch her brow. “Yeah, I got it here,” Kelly said, opening a page.

“Last time, we got you to sing that,” Linx added “You said it tore up your voice.” “I can try it,” Lura said. “It’s because he’s here,” Linx said, “You want to show off.” “No. Not show off,” Lura said, eyes locking onto the big gray folf, “to welcome him.”

“Oh, because of his thing,” Linx said. “His what?” I asked. “Later” Lura said. “Sure, let’s do it,” Linx said. “Is it that thing you said earlier, about real and not real?” I said. Lura smiled and touched the tip of her nose, not once looking away from him.

I nodded. “Separate ways,” I said, opening my own book, “this is going to be a journey.” We played the song opening the set. He must have been keeping his focus on us. Because I could see him mouthing the words in time with Lura.

We did “Any way you want it,” and “Don’t stop believing” as follow ups. We made Lura take a quick water break before the next two songs. Second to the last song we got Aiden to turn his mic on and join us in a cover of “All for love”.

We closed out with Aiden’s first song for us. “Live round.” Personally, I think it’s a fun song. And playing it live. Yeah it’s going to be stuck in my head. We held the raffle. Well we made Aiden play around on the stage. He messed with Steve. Sweet guy, took it well.

Then we got into the raffle itself. Kelly knew a few coin tricks to make Aiden go first. It was that mouse from earlier. After sprayed her drink all over her friend. Ok I’ll say this. This girl was about the same size as me.

And he was holding her up with one hand. By her ass. I am so dead. Well she was holding his head and had her leg around him. The crowd had packed in so the crowd stuffing worked. She was smart enough to not start kicking.

Then came our picks. Kelly got a stallion that made Aiden look short. Linx got some easy prey from a dark fur rabbit. He was kinda cute. I got fox on fox action myself. And Lura prayed. Aiden had bought four tickets thinking it was for show.

The stunned look on his face was so cute. Lura read the numbers. Then show it to him. One of his tickets won. We got the four boys up on stage. Fun fact. Kelly is a lot stronger than she looks. Poor girl can’t fight. But she got some mussels to her.

She bucked the stallion off the stage after her kiss. Linx turned the poor rabbit into goo when she was done. I tripped the fox off stage. He grabbed my tail. That’s a no. Lura and Aiden. It was hot. He was bold.

But they were holding back. You could just tell. We didn’t let Lura knock him off stage. The four of us threw him. The crowd gave him back but still. Billy loved the show. So did the crowd. And the owner.

We closed out and sat at the bar for a bit. I sat in Aiden’s lap. Poor guy looked spent. His eyes went blank. Not cold or empty. The mouse was back. Lura got hold of her. Now I was just feeling bad for her. We talked to her for a bit.

Even showed her a fun thing we do to Aiden when he blanks out on us. I think I called it something else at the moment. But we let her get a good luck kiss from him and sent her on her way. We left after that.

I was a little freaked out seeing how long his tongue was. It was like bam, tongue in my face. He had a smoke before we loaded up. And sleepy folf. Lura and Kelly had to drag him into the house.

It was a bitch to get him changed. So we settled for just stripping him. I got to take off his pants and boxers. They were holding him up. And that’s when I was a bad girl. I just got his boxers to his knees when I saw the little red tip of skin.

I hope no one saw me give it a quick lick and a kiss. I went and changed myself. Again I mean I got naked and went to sleep. He smelled like smoke and breath mints. He stank. But it was different. I licked my lips keeping the taste in my mind.

I was out cold before I knew it. I dreamed of sucking on that red tip from my big boobs as he called me sweet names from rolling smoke. Kelly woke me up because I wet the bed. I had been playing with myself in my sleep. Again.

Chapter 4

I got left alone with Aiden. He was helping me with my writing. I’ve read some of his work. And made a mess of myself a few times. I think because of what happened to me, I couldn’t get the right mindset to really write the way I wanted to.

He put an idea out there and left me to think about it. I write out a scene and he’ll act it out. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the idea. I was scared. He would have to touch me. Do things to me. I had to trust him.

I looked at the page on the computer and my own notebook. Just a few changes and he made it into a dream. He talked about detaching himself and feeling the story happening. Yet I have only seen him react to the world around him.

Does he not feel anything at all? How can you trust someone who can get in your head? I thought about the first show we took him to. And the night that followed. And the morning after. He was gentle and warm.

I felt safe with him. The thought of how he could just be silly and dumb just for the fun of it. How he could just walk in the room and it just felt warm. And how good it felt when he did touch me. Or when he let me touch him.

I smiled and met him at the bedroom door. “I thought about it. And I think. I want you to help me with it.” I said. I took a few steps back and let him in the room. He closed the door. He let me take his shirt off.

I ran my fingers through his fur. It was so soft. I sat him on the bed as I undressed. I felt him watching me. Musing his thoughts about me. It was hard to focus. The thought, he could easily hold me down and do with me as he pleased.

Both terrified and excited me. For a second I was in a dark alley that smelled of all matter trash and refuse. Aiden made a noise and I blinked. I was standing in his room, naked looking at him.

The air in the room carried the smell of cigarette smoke. I laid a towel on his lap before sitting there. I could feel his chest on my back. And him resting frimley between my cheeks. He put his head on my shoulder, looking me over.

I could feel him throbbing. He had his hands on his knees. Waiting on me. I quickly set the scene. Making fill my mind. I had him start small. A hug and affection, I felt the tip of his tongue with every kiss on my neck.

His hands rolled and slid across me drawing out my form. It felt like nothing else. Another flash. The dirty stink of unwashed musk flooded my nose. A breathe later all I could smell was the clean burn of the ashtray.

By my commands on the page. He took my breasts and held in strong firm hands squeezing them gently. He pressed and rolled my nipples just enough I hissed a gasp. The worst flash happened when his hand cupped and held me.

All I could feel was pain. I wanted to ball up and cry. “I can stop if you need me to.” His voice cut through the pain like a white hot knife. I felt him holding me. Bracing me. I could feel his heart across the whole of my back.

“No , I can do this,” I said, with a moan. His hand was still holding me by my soaking wet folds. Only moving in time with my body. The storm of emotions made it a chore to focus. But he waited.

My next command made him draw out those same wet folds. It felt so good. I was so close. He wanted it as much as I did. Each moan he sucked harder on my neck. I could feel a bruise forming.

After he found my button, I had him finally put his finger in. My drooling sex welcomed him, sending jolts of pleasure. I barked, yelped and howled from the quake. More, I needed more. But I had to focus. I made him wait till I could think again.

Feverishly I typed my commands. We shifted so his head could reach my chest. He was petting my tail and sucking and teasing my breast. It felt so nice. For a second I thought he had a lustful fire in his eyes.

His finger danced in me with the same uneasy speed as when he typed. I couldn’t work any more. I couldn’t focus on anything but the pleasure he gave me. I had to bite my hand with the second orgasim.

“Don’t stop, please don’t stop,” I begged him. He slowed just enough I could still feel his finger sliding around inside of me. A thought hit me as I took his hand from my tail. I slid one finger into my mouth.

I caught sight of myself in his eyes. I looked like a sex demon teasing her prey. I licked, sucked, spat, and drooled over his finger till it was as wet as his other hand. I got him to roll onto his back as I turned my hips.

It took a second to find it. But his finger slipped in with ease. I gasped from the pressure. I didn’t stop till his finger ended. He added another finger to my sex. My hips rocked between his hands. The third and fourth hit almost back to back. I bit into his ear to keep from screaming.

My hand was tangled with brown hair, I had been pulling his hair for a bit. And now it was a mess. He laid me out on the bed rolling onto his side. I burned and begged for more. I could spend the rest of my life as his slut if it meant feeling like this all the time.

What little of my mind was left took in his form. The soft metal fur. The warm brown eyes. The long flowing brown hair. The strong gentle hands. The raging lust peeking out from his pants. He bit into my neck as his fingers rushed through me.

I screamed from pure bliss. Then everything went black. I dreamt he was holding me. Nothing wild or crazy. Just him being the big spoon. Holding me gently, his heart beating into my back.

I woke up to the words. “Aiden, what happened to your ear?” Kelly asked.after we told them what happened. I got something to eat and told Lura the same. She was licking her lips. I don’t think any of us saw him eat anything, and with what we did, must have taken a toll on him.

Linx was teasing him again. I knew she was going to help him out. But it looked painful. I wanted to help. Linx counted it as my first blowjob, even though she was the one who got him off. But I got my fill of him. Dear god it was a thick sweet ooze.

A week later I had the worst nightmare of my life. I was back in that fucking alley. This time I was holding the knife. And Aiden lay beneath me, beat and broken. My demon wouldn’t let me go. I heard myself laughing as I drove the blade through his eye. I woke up screaming.

I moved to the couch as I cried. The folf found me. I must have woken him up. It was still dark. He didn’t say anything. He just sat down next to me. He pulled me into his lap and held me. I cried. And he let me.

I cried myself back to sleep. I didn’t know what he was going through. But I knew he had his own demons. And part of me felt like he forced his demons to destroy mine. It was a simple act, nothing said.

It was like he knew what I needed. I didn’t need anyone to tell me it was going to be alright. I just needed to get it out. I woke up to lura going out for her morning run. Aiden was still sitting there holding me, sound asleep. His body was so warm. I got up and kissed his cheek.

He didn’t even know what happened. But I don’t think he needed to know. He just understood. He didn’t ask or thought about it. He was always like that. He‘d do something and not know he did it or anything.

Much like Tom, Aiden was an angel lighting the way in the dark night.

Chapter 5

We sat at the little card table we had been using in the kitchen for months now. It was quiet, with us just sitting there looking at each other. And I couldn’t take it. So I spoke up. “Why is everyone mad?” I asked.

A roll of eyes was my answer. “Is it really that hard to believe this was going to happen?” Kelly asked. Kelly is a tall tricolor collie with long blond hair and golden brown eyes. At times I think she’s the smart one.

The two wolves that sat across from us, had backs to each other. They had been saying lord knows what to each other for the past hour. “You both love him,” I said. The glares I got from both of them.

“Tabitha, I know you mean well. But this has nothing to do with you.” Linx the dark fur green eyed wolf said, “So stay out of it.” “Right, And your damn mind games are going get him to fuck you silly.” the dark fur redhead wolf spat.

“I have not been playing any mind games with him” Linx retorted “His mind is fucked up as it is.” “Why?” Lura asked “Because he didn’t try sucking your teeth out of your head.?” “No,” Linx said “his Dominant and Recessive Personality Disorder.”

“Disorder?” we all asked. “He said it was traits?” Lura said. “No it's a full disorder, and even then it’s more of a catchall term.” Linx added. “And that means what?” I asked. “I can’t really go into details. But in short. Even if he did get meds for it, the treatment would kill him.”

“What? Like, turn him into a zombie.” Kelly asked, waving her arms for effect. “No, I mean it would kill his liver, kidneys and maybe even stop his heart.” Linx answered “and he’s too damn smart for mind games.”

“So we have all been teasing a guy who should be locked in a padded room with a jacket on.” I joked. Linx got up and slapped me hard enough to knock my glasses off. “Don’t you even dare joke about that.” she snapped.

Lura had jumped to her feet. I think, to do the same. “Where we each had something bad happen to us.” Linx said inches from my face “He was born that way. And we have no idea what kind of hell he has to go through on a daily basis.”

Linx and Lura both sat back down. Linx covered her eyes. “And the worst part, no one can help him.” she said. “The best anyone can do is be there for him.” “Like me working on stories with him?” I asked.

She nodded. “Does it give him anything?” I asked “Like what” she asked. “Like a super power or something.” I said. “Well he has that focus,” Kelly said. “His reaction time is nuts,” Lura added. “And we all saw him at his job,” Linx noted.

“So in some way it does, given everything he can do” I said. “Yeah, menatel recall, hyper focus, and more.” Linx said. ”It’s the cost that scares me. Hallucinations, mood swings, interpersonal detachment just to list a few.”

“Is that why he doesn’t like to be touched?” Kelly asked. “Part of it, yes.” Linx answered “It can affect the way he processes different things.” “How?” I asked. She sighed. Lura looked back to Linx when she spoke.

“Tom said people like Aiden can sit here and beat a great master at chess,” she said “one of us so much as pokes his finger in that state he will forget everything he is doing.” “Like the time I put my head in his lap?” I asked.

They both nodded. “Look, I’m sorry about that.” I said “But I trust him. I just look at him and I feel safe.” I pointed to my eye. All three of them looked away. “Does he even know the two of you are fighting?” I asked.

“No.” Lura answered. “And it’s staying that way.” Linx answered. “Then what is this fight about? You both love him.” I said “and I think he loves all of us.” “Tabs, There’s more to it than just that.” Lura said. She folded her hands on the table.

“You two are more like sisters than Kelly and I.” I said “And he is the one thing you don’t want to share.” They both looked away. “Knew it” I said. “Then let it be his choice.” Kelly said “Fighting over him is only going to make him run again.”

“He can’t choose,” Linx answered, “not on his own.” “Because he loves us,” Lura said “he won’t let himself come between us.” “And that’s what’s making him so hard to deal with.” Linx finished.

“He’s a broken mirror for both of you,” Kelly said. We all looked at her. “It’s something dumb.” she added. “No,” Linx said, “I want to hear this.” Lura and I both nodded. “When you look into a broken mirror, you only see what you want to see, not the whole thing.” Kelly said.

Linx raised a brow, “She’s got a point.” “I don’t get it. Or what that has to do with them working this out.” I asked. “Tabitha, you’ve looked into a broken mirror?” Linx asked, “and what was the first thing you saw?”

“The fact it was broken” I answered. “Correct,” Linx said “What did you do next?” “Find the biggest piece to see myself in?” I asked. “Or the best piece.” she added, “But your eyes still go back and look at the damage. And everything wrong with it and yourself.”

“Yeah, but we all know he’s broken just like we are.” I said. “When we first saw him.” Lura said “we looked into the damage. And saw ourselves.” “We couldn’t see the warmth you two saw.” Linx added.

“Cold and ruthless,” Lura said, her accent slipping out “Like an endless winter.” “A void in all but form alone.” Linx said, “And that was what he was. He was alone in an uncaring world.” “Afraid to face the truth,” Lura said.

“And he still is broken,” Linx said. “But, we could be there to fill in the gaps.” Lura added. Linx smiled. “His birthday is in two weeks.” Kelly said, “Are we going to do anything for him?” “Give him a show,” Lura said “remind him, his words have touched people.”

“Well, yeah.” I said “I mean after that.” Linx and Lura shared another glare at each other. “I guess, We’ll see what he wants to do,” Kelly said. “Or who he wants to do,” I said. That got me a glare.

“Well the way I’m seeing it,” I said “We all line up, drop them and see who he bones first.” “You simple child.” Linx said “If it was going to be that easy.” “We would have done it by now.” Lura said.

“I'm just saying.” I retorted “End of the day it’s up to him who he does it with. Fucker might even go outside the four of us.” “Bad idea there, Tabitha” Kelly said “these two might kill the poor thing before she gets off.”

Well, it’s not like they’re going to both say it to him and see who answers.” I said “He couldn’t do it” Kelly answered “It will break his heart and whatever is left of his mind.” “Right the reflection thing” I said.

Bored, I got up to make us all some tea. “Yeah, he might try to make a break for it.” Kelly added “He’s goto answer to a fight. So we’ll stop fighting over him.” Linx sighed. “Even if there was an answer.” she said. “It could still break him.”

Honestly I have had enough. I threw the cup I was holding into the sink. I turned to face them. “He’s not weak.” I said, “He is the best thing to happen to us after Tom died.” wide eyed they watched me.

“Even after trying his best. We made it worse.” I said. “Tabitha,” Lura said standing. “NO.” I answered “I feel safe with him. I haven’t had any nightmares after the day he helped work on my writing. I know I fell in love with him.”

I backed up a few steps till my back hit the counter. “I hadn’t felt like myself till that day.” I said “I’ve fallen asleep just listening to him sit there and type like it was the only thing in the world.” I folded into myself and just sat on the floor.

“He made me feel like a person,” I cried, “Not just a glass doll.” “Tabs,” Lura said, kneeling next to me, “please.” “No.” I answered “Not after the last nightmare I had. He sat there holding me as I cried.”

I slapped her hands away. “He let me cry till I was done. No showers. No pills. No telling me everything was fine.” I screamed “Then he stayed with me, just so I wasn’t alone.” “Tabs, I’m sorry.” Lura said.

“No. You’re not.” I screamed “You treat us like we’re made of glass. But you don’t understand How that can make us feel.” Lura moved back. “He doesn’t see us as broken or damaged. He only sees the faded scars.”

Lura sat back just looking at me. “He hasn’t said anything about what we’ve been through. Not unless we bring it up. And then he has only let us bitch about it and move on.” I said, feeling my eye throbbing again.

“I don’t care who he falls for.” I said “I just want him to be happy.” After a few minutes I calmed down and pulled myself together. They were all still. “What?” I asked. They just sat there. Like something I said broke them.

“He tries to run away every time we have a fight.” I said “Because he feels he let us down.” Kelly ducked her head under hands. Linx stared at her hands. And Lura just sat next to me on the floor.

“He might have a broken mind,” I said “but he has a heart bigger than all of us.” “Remember the day we fixed his car and That night was the first show we took him to?” Kelly asked. I nodded.

“Well when we were getting the parts.” She said “we talked about my past.” the collie lifted her head. “He asked me if he scared me.” She looked at me. “I said yes. And told him why.” she continued “He didn’t get mad or upset. He just told me to be myself.”

“First night I was alone with him.” Linx said, her eyes never leaving her hands “I tried to force myself on him.” Lura’s head turned and glared at her. “He said it didn’t feel right.” Linx smiled softly, “That I was forcing myself to do it.”

Lura smiled, looking back at the wall. “First night here.” she said, “after you left me here with him. I had gone to bed. And started to think about my time with Tom.” The red-headed wolf looked at my right eye with a sad smile.

“He must have heard me.” Lura said “He got into bed with me and just held me.” We all giggled. Lura pulled me into her lap, putting an arm around me. She held me close like she used to when I had nightmares.

“He’s too good for us.” Lura said, giving me a squeeze. “Maybe he is.” I said. “Tom said Aiden would be there for us in ways he couldn’t.” “Yeah,” Kelly said, “cute, funny, smart, strong.” “sweet, gentle, kind.” Lura added.

“Patient, understanding, loving.” Linx said. “And that devil of a tongue, he has.” I said adding a chef’s kiss. “His tongue is just the icing on the cake.” Kelly said. “Alright alright,” Lura said, pushing me off her “We get it.”

“I do have a question” I asked “How does he handle things like his mood swings?” “Short answer,” Linx nodded, “he’s a smoker.” I arched my brow. “It's a simple form of sensory meditation therapy.”

“Huh,” I asked. “Really?” Linx teased “breathing techniques, visual imaging, tactile ticks, and movement control.” I blinked. “Really Tabitha,” she asked. “And you want to be a writer?” Got me there.

She sighed “Breathing techniques he learned so he wouldn’t choke on the smoke. Watching the smoke making shapes and images. And flicking the ashes off, just right.” she said. “Oh,” I said, “you know I write porn?”

“I’ve read it.” she answered, “And he is right. Learning something about how the body and mind work will help a lot.” I’m still working on it.” I answered. “Go ahead tell us about your first orgasm?” She asked, “With Aiden, would be more fitting.”

My ears folded back, with a thick blush on my face. “I can’t put that into words.” I said. “You can,” she answered me, “just like you’ve read his words.” “It’s not the words.” I said “it’s the feeling.”

“Go on,” Lura said, taking her seat at the table. “It was like I was in a dream.” I said, “With just a few words on a page, and he upended my whole world.” They watched me fight with my words as I spoke.

“I was scared, the flashbacks coming back at first. He didn’t go any faster than what I wrote out. I had to trust him to take care of me.” I smile. “Like he broke through the nightmare just to hold me, to take away the pain and fill me with joy.”

“And to think that was just his hand.” Kelly said. Rolling nodded around the table. I sank in my seat a little. “Now if his songs were that easy” Lura said.” “Yeah,” Linx added “he has emotions tied into the songs so tight, you have to feel it just play it.”

“Maybe, that’s why we can’t find the sound.” I said, “He does that with his work to free up space in his head.” “Sounds about right” Linx said “the other songs were easy to work out.” “It’s not like we can just unlock it,” Kelly said.

I thought about it. “Linx, if he used the song to lock something away,” I asked “Could we use that feeling to unlock it?” “In theory” she answered “But we have to find a way to share that feeling.”

I ran off to get my notebook. I would use my laptop but it has a program to write song sheets as we play and eats up most of the disk space. I sat down and opened it to a new page. They gave my odd looks.

“It sounded like he was hurting a lot with that song.” I said “Maybe if we share our own we’ll tap into it.” “Well look at you,” Linx said, smiling at me. It faded quickly when it hit her. “We should tell our own story.” I said.

Lura said looking away, “Yeah, we should.” I smiled “Who wants to start?” Lura didn’t look at me when she asked “So how do we do this?”

Chapter 6

My name is Alura, I am twenty-three years old. And I grew up on the streets in a city in my home land. I was six when it happened. One day, I came home from school and the door was locked. I knocked a few times.

No answer. I beat on the door. Looked in the window. No lights. No sounds. There was nothing inside. They were gone. They took everything but me. I slept on the dirty welcome mate on the front door.

No one came for me. Even the next few days. Nothing. So I left. School, churches, any friends I had who could put me up for a night. I kept my head down as long as I could. But it didn’t last long.

I had spent two years on the street when I met a man. He was a bear, missing his arm. Exsolder, special ops. He taught me everything I know. Fighting, cooking, He even schooled me till he passed away.

By that point I had learned to live on my own. The police called me a lone wolf. I just stay away from everyone. I couldn’t trust them. Or they would just leave me too. I had no tears left. No one to cry for. I was going to keep it that way.

Or so I thought. I was about twelve and a half when I made the mistake of stopping a man from being mugged. But It was my alley and I didn’t want the cops there. They ran off leaving me with the poor dumb fox they beat up.

He was tall, lean. Silver fur shimmered around soft blue eyes. I was twelve and he was handsome. My heart skipped a beat. “Oh, thank God” he said, grabbing my arm. It wasn’t that he was going to hurt me or anything.

He was trying to thank me. I grabbed his wrist and with a small twist. I broke his arm in three places. He screamed. I ran. A month later. He came back. He had a wolf with him. I was cornered and had to go through them.

So I tried. The wolf had me pinned on my face in a second. He was fast for his size. “You hurt my friend here” the wolf said “He wants to forgive you. But you’ll have to have a talk with him first.”

“I’m not some toy you sick pigs.” I answered. I spat. Didn’t have the same effect as if I got one of them in the eye. “She’s got some fight in her,” the wolf said. “Sir, please don’t hurt her.” the fox said. He sounded like he was singing.

“I won’t, Thomas,” the wolf answered. How he got my wrists cuffed and on my feet with one move I will never understand. Thomas stood there with his arm in a cast and a smile on his face. Seeing him in the daylight, his fur shinned. “Was this an angel?“ I thought.

I relaxed in the wolf’s grip. The wolf was downwind of me. “First you need a bath.” the Wolf said to me. Thomas looked between us. “What, I’m not dealing with a street rat that smells this bad.” the wolf said.

“Come on,” he said, leading us back to Tom’s hotel. “Behave yourself” the wolf said, uncuffing me. He nodded to Tom who took me to his room. And a hot shower. I think I was in there for over two hours.

I got out and my clothes were gone, just gone. The damp note on the bathrobe told me what to do. Just put it on and come get something to eat. It was a dream or a nightmare. But I was hungry.

I stepped out of the bathroom, steam rolling past me. “Much better,” the wolf said. “You look like you feel better my dear.” Tom said. The wolf was cooking. He knew what he was doing. I was too afraid to even ask.

I thought they were some twisted freaks. But it smelled so good. I gave into the devil just because the angel said please. It was warm and rich. I ate so much, I thought I was going to be sick. But they just smiled.

After I pigged out I almost fell asleep. Tom led me to a bedroom. “Here, you can sleep here tonight.” he left the room locking himself out. I blinked at the room, the locked door and the clean clothes on the bed.

They were about my size. But how did they know? And did they lock me in here? I jumped when the wolf knocked on the door. I slowly open the door. He had stepped back from the door, giving me space.

“You’re about the same size as my kid so we got you some clothes and threw that trash bag away,” he said. The way he talked reminded me of the bear that raised me. Or like he was talking to his “kid”. I never really trusted him.

“The door locks.” he said “one of us will wake you for breakfast. Then we’ll talk. Understood.” I nodded slowly. I backed into the room and half slammed the door. The wolf had golden eyes that looked old and tired.

He laughed once I locked the door. I set the clothes aside and got into the bed. It was warm and soft. I threw the bathrobe off and got under the heavy blankets. I balled up and started crying. It was the best sleep I had in a long time.

The next morning, I woke up and fell out of bed. The wolf’s fist beating on the door as he called “Breakfast,” he called with a well-worn tone. I got dressed. The freak even got me a training bra. But it felt nice to be clean for once.

“I’ll make a break for it soon enough” I thought. I left for the kitchen. Tom was running around trying to cook. The wolf just sat there on his phone. He’d bark instructions to Tom here or there. He scared me.

Like I didn’t make a sound walking into the room. Without even looking at me he said “He’s not used to caring for himself or others.” I went over to Tom. took the pan he was holding a way. I growled and took over cooking.

It was a simple breakfast. But Tom enjoyed it. The wolf let me eat before we had his talk. He stood in front of me. I looked to Tom for an answer. The second I turned away from the wolf he had grabbed the front of the sweater I was wearing.

He held me up to his face so all I could see were those gold eyes. I heard Tom move. “Thomas, Sit down.” the wolf growled. “Yes sir,” Tom answered. I tried to fight back, but he was unmoving.

“First,” he said, “Thank you for protecting him.” I had broken wrists twice the size of his. I almost couldn’t grip his. “Second,” he continued, “You broke his arm, when he was trying to thank you.”

All I could do was look into those cold, tired eyes. “That is a debt to be paid.” I knew this was too good to be true. And I fell for it anyway. “You work for him now.” the wolf said. “Till your debt is paid.”

The wolf set me down and patted my head. “Thomas,” the wolf barked. Tom was on his feet before the wolf spoke his name. “She stays here till I get back.” the wolf growl “understood.” we both nodded.

The wolf righted himself, looked us over and said. “Good, I have to get some paperwork done. And Alura.” I jumped at hearing my name said for the first time in years. “Behave, I’m good at my job and you’re nobody.”

He left us like that. Tom turned to me. I jumped and threw myself to a wall to keep away from him. “Don’t mind him,” The fox said “he means well.” I was balled up crying. “Mr. Dalvoid has a lot on his plate and doesn’t have time to play games.”

Tom spoke like the wolf was a close friend. How could someone be friends with that monster? “You do think the people you have hurt call you a monster?” He asked. “He cares for so many. He almost doesn’t have time for any of them.”

“I wanted to help. To take some of the load off him. But I just made a mess of things.” He said. “Why?” I found myself asking. “Good people walk the hardest roads.” he said, “And I always had it easy.”

His voice was gentle and kind. Almost every word was sung. “Maybe, I wasn’t meant for this.” he said, “I’m not like you or him.” He sat on the couch facing away from me. “Keep you here. I can’t even keep myself in one piece.”

I sat with my back on the wall. “You want me to stay here with you?” “I would like that very much,” he answered. We sat in silence for a long time. “Fine,” I said, “This is better than having to fight over that alley.”

He sat quietly for a long time. I went to the bathroom and back. I sat across from him. He had his hands folded over a rosary, He was speaking soundlessly. I watched him pray. When he finished he simply asked if I was hungry.

He got us room servus. I was halfway through a bowl of soup when it hit me. I cried. Harder than the night before. I couldn’t stop crying. Like something in me broke. Tom came over and held me.

He just let me. I was nothing, nobody. And this angel saved me from dying in a trash can. I was warm and fed. I was clean and well dressed. All because of this angel. It hurt. What made it worse was all he did was smile.

The wolf came back two days later. He had forms for us to sign. I had to go to a doctor for a few days. I was handed a passport. “Now then.” the wolf said “Your job is to take care of him. And that means. Someone tries to hurt him. You hurt them.”

I nodded slowly. “I’ll see you two in a few months.” he said “Try to behave.” After that we traveled for a bit. The wolf would call, here and there to check on us. The next time I saw the wolf. He had a job for us.

… … We all looked at the red headed wolf. “Well, that answers a lot of questions,” Linx said. “Yeah, It’s not something I like to talk about,” Lura said, drying her eyes. “I have a question,” Kelly said, “Why don’t you go by Alura anymore?”

Lura answered calmly, “Because that poor little girl died the day they found me.” And I thought I had it bad. “Something on a brighter note.” Lura said, “That’s why Tom had a cane. He could use it to keep attackers away till I could deal with them.”

“Maybe we can change topics for a bit,” I said. “No,” Linx said, “we already started this mess. Let’s just get it over with.” “So who’s next?” I asked. Linx right herself. Her cool demeanor filling her space.

Chapter 7

My name is Linx. I am twenty-six years old. I grew up in a small farming town back in my home land. It wasn’t a bad place. Just my father was a gambler. My elder sisters left to pay his debts. Then came my turn.

Unlike the other times, he owed them so much they burned down the farm, killed my brothers and took both my mother and me. She was sent to a brothel and died from a drug overdose. I was lucky I guess you could say.

I was pretty and at the age of thirteen I had big breasts. My first day, they had me and four other girls in a room. They had a monster of a machine in the middle of the room. They told us what would happen if we broke any of the rules.

They took an older girl to the machine. We were forced to watch her be loaded onto it. Then they turn it on. She was crying the whole time, begging them to stop. The sounds of her crying and moaning was a sick and twisted mess.

I knew then, she was already dead. She held back as long as she could. But three clicks ended her pain. She had looked me in the eyes. I never could get the look on her face out of my head. And I knew that was going to be me one day.

But I was a good little girl and did as I was told. The girl they use as a lesson was called a maiden. The untouched. Virgins that were worth a lot to the right buyer. I was picked to be one. And that was that.

We were trained to serve others. In the three years I was there. I had to watch two other maidens die. All because they took their own virginity. They died the same way as that first girl I saw. I didn’t cry for them. I cried for the girls that were always coming in.

By that point I couldn’t feel anything. Till a demon walked in. I say that because normal people don’t have gold eyes. We maidens had to wear a white scarf to show our standing. The others all wore red.

He looked at me and smiled. I just glared at him. His smile never broke. One of the guards went to hit me for my disrespect. “It’s fine,” he said with a hand on the guard’s shoulder. He talked to a few people and left.

A month later a silver fox and a young wolf entered the brothel. After he talked to a few people and money was moved around most of us were loaded into vans and shipped to a hotel. Seems we were rented out for a party.

How he got them to let go of all twelve maidens was beyond me. The silver fox shut down the whole brothel. All fourty of us were taken. Over the next three days the other girls were moved to a safe house and given new lives.

I was the last to be moved. I didn’t believe them. I knew I was going to be next on the machine. The wolf was with the fox and the girl. He detailed the machine to me. I shook. I swear I could feel the rage inside each of them.

The fox said “You will never see it again.” “You know what to do,” the wolf said, “There were six of them outside.” “You think she can handle all six?” the fox asked. “No,” the wolf answered, “leave that to me.”

I was told to stay one one spot and to hit the floor the second anything happens. The fox rested on his knees, his cane in his lap. The bigger wolf left. And the smaller one tightened her clothes and got herself above the door.

When the door opened a few minutes later The weasels entered the room. I knew them, guards at the brothel. The last one to enter was the one that uses the machine. I looked down at the floor. “No one has to get hurt,” the fox said once the door closed.

“You should have thought about that” the one in the back said, “before you stole from us.” The fox didn’t move. “That little girl you had with you will have to do,” the weasel said. “You will have to take that up with her,” the fox said.

Time felt like it slowed when the young wolf dropped on them. I watched as with one move she twisted the monster’s head fully around. He hit the floor before the other two knew what happened.

She moved so fast I couldn’t even see her. My ears rang with two gunshots. The three of them stood still. I saw the blood covering the walls. She had their gun hands by the wrist. They were all covered in blood.

The fox didn’t move, his eyes were closed the whole time. The young devil wolf stood there as the other two weasels fell to the floor. She blinked, looked around and saw the blood. The fox got up, went to her and held her.

“They were bad men.” he said “You saved a lot of people today.” She held him and cried. I was too shocked to move. The door opened a few minutes later. The gold eye wolf entered. “Anyone hurt?” he asked.

They answered. I didn’t answer. The wolf nodded to me and took the girl into the bathroom. The fox came over to me. He smiled and said “No more.” I blinked. “You’re free now,” he said. “Free?” I asked, having forgotten the word.

“Yes,” he nodded. A second later the bigger wolf stepped into the hallway and yelled “Clear.” Soon men in tactical armor rushed in. Followed by a medic. They took us out of the building.

After talking to people over and over again we were taken to another hotel. We each took a shower. When I got out of the bathroom I was met by the red headed wolf and another wolf with silver hair. She was about the same age as me.

No one talked about what happened. The gold eye wolf was on the phone. The younger two sat at the table. They were acting like nothing happened. The Wolf nodded to me. The fox smiled.

It was a friendly, gentle smile. “Come with me,” he said, holding out his hand. For a second I lifted my hand. I stopped and took a step forward. He nodded and took me to the Kitchen.

He stopped me in front of the stove. There was an open pot, empty and clean. “You can take off the scarf,” he said. The wolf handed the fox his zippo and smiled. They were all watching me.

I stepped back. “When you’re ready.” he said, holding out the lighter to me. “Free yourself,” he said. I took the pure white scarf from my neck. My collar. My chains. My death. That nightmare flashed before me.

I held the silk cloth over the pot. With a single flick the flames came to life. It burned quickly, dropping it before I was burned. I watched it burn. The two younger wolves joined me. I turned to the red-head.

I hugged her, squeezing her as hard as I could. She had risked her life and bloody her hands so I could have mine. Without question she hugged me back. Her joy was hotter than the burning silk on the stove.

I pulled the other girl into the hug. Feeling another person was more real than anything I felt before. I wanted to thank her but she said it wasn’t her doing. I had to thank the Fox for all of this.

“Yeah,” the wolf said, “This was all Thomas’ plan.” I looked at the wolves and the fox. “She was just Your tool?” I spat. “I see us going through this again,” the wolf answered. “Again?” I spat.

“She’s a recuse, just like you kid.” the wolf answered. “The little angel here wants to change the world.” The way she spoke was broken and she sounded different than the others. “Took me off the street, after broke his arm.” She said.

“Am I to be your new toy?” I asked, “Am I to wear your chains now?” “You seem to find the weird ones.” the wolf answered. “Be nice Dad.” the silver-hair wolf said, “She’s had a long day.” The older wolf smiled.

“Just saying,” the wolf answered, “She thinks we’re putting her into another cage. And Lura first thought she was going into a cage.” I blinked. “Lura?” I said, turning to her. She nodded.

“Tom is soft. I choose to be his weapon.” She answered. “She can even give my old man here a run for his money.” the other wolf said. “Samthina,” the wolf smiled, “Don’t you even start.” Their tone was playful and kind.

“You were a sex slave?” I asked. “Yeah, one of the lucky few that wasn’t drugged and raped.” Linx answered. “Did you really kill three guys?” Kelly asked. “Honestly,” I don’t remember.” Lura answered, “I remember the blood, the bodies, and puking my guts out.”

“And Dalvoid got my papers, passport and here we are.” Linx said. “So, did you ever …” I started to ask. “Aiden is not the only one who still has the “V” card” She answered, bopping me on the nose.

“Does he know?” I asked. “Maybe,” she answered “No telling with him.” “So, would you trade them with him?” I asked. She blushed. “Well,” Lura asked. “A lady has her secrets,” she answered.

“I would if I could,” I said. “Maybe, that’s what we get him.” Lura said. “Huh,” I asked. “We take his card and rock his worlds” Lura answered. “Wait, you mean all of us.” I asked. “Yeah, one night, we just go nuts, and blow his mind.” she said.

“But who goes first?” Kelly asked, “I mean who gets to take it?” “Something tells me,” Linx said “He’ll pick who should get it.” “You think he’s really fallen for one of us?” I asked. “You don’t write love songs like his without feeling it.” she answered.

She paused. “You don’t lock away the pain of love in a song like Heaven, without feeling it.” she said. I thought about the words. “He must be a real mess right now,” I said “If he has feelings for all of us.”

“Maybe a good knock or two to the head might shock it out of him.” Kelly said. “Kelly, Don’t say things like that” Linx said, “It might happen.” “yeah” I said “I think that’s all I can handle today.” “It’s ok tabs,” Lura said “when you’re ready.”

We tried the song one more time. It still didn’t sound right. But Lura and Linx got their guitars to cry. We called it a day. Aiden got back. He had got some money and bought a new laptop. It was a cheap one.

He had me help set it up. And gave me a few folders he picked up as well. I had shown him how my laptop worked so days he was home he could help run the program so we could practice.

Lura asked me to help with dinner. After we ate he was sitting in the living room with his old laptop typing away. “You’re not using the new?” I asked. “It’s not mine,” he answered. “If it’s not yours, why’d you get it?” I asked.

“Well, You can’t use yours for anything but work,” he said, “so I had the money. It was on sale.” “You bought me a laptop?” I asked. He nodded. “You seemed to like using mine,” he said, “might be easier if you had one you could use.”

“But that was your birthday money,” I said. “Yeah, and I did what I wanted to with it.” He said. I jumped in his lap and hugged him. Lura watched from the kitchen, a big smile on her face.

He had moved all my stories and writing projects from the other two laptops. It wasn’t a lot. But it means the world to me. I set to work quickly moving the words from my notebook to a word doc.

He stopped working and turned the T.V. on. I moved closer to him. Where I felt the safest. I started typing out my own story. Working from his lap was the best. But he would be focused on what I was doing.

But putting his hand on my knee was good enough. Because I knew he was there.

Chapter 8

I’m Tabitha, Tabs for short. I’m nineteen years old. Till I was fourteen I had an easy life. Good grades, honor student, I did everything right. But I was bored as hell. I wasn’t the pretty girl, or even very popular. I was just good.

Even my friends treated me like their kid sister. Some called me cute. But that wasn’t what I wanted. Or more so what I thought I wanted. Hormonal teen things. I wanted the boys to check me out, I wanted to be the envy of the girls.

I tried teasing the boys. Not easy to do without boobs. I didn’t try the teachers, too risking. My dad didn’t care what I did as long as I kept my nose clean. So I tested my luck. Staying out late, going to clubs. Just anything really.

I didn’t get into drugs or drinking. I was just being vain. Dad didn’t care, and my mom died when I was little. My sister fifteen was already on her second kid. But I had to be the best. I wouldn’t find out who their father was till later.

It was a friday night, I went to one of the clubs I knew I could get into. I knew I could get a few free drinks if I played it right. I found a new guy to flirt with. Got a meal out of him and a few sodas.

It was getting late, so I was going to slip away. But he got to me outside the club just out of sight of the door. He pulled me down the alley. He pulled a knife, adding “I think you know the drill.”

He hit me alot. Black eye, broken nose, fat lip, and a broken rib. He forced himself on me. It was gross. He stanked, and didn’t wash. He finished in seconds. “Can’t catch what you can’t see,” he laughed.

I remember the pain. I saw the glint off the knife before everything went black. My other eye was swollen shut. I screamed. I felt his fist again. I remember hearing a woman’s voice. I couldn’t understand what she had said.

But a second later he was off me. Another man’s voice spoke. He was talking to someone, I think the cops. “Yeah, she’s still alive,” he said “but there’s a lot of blood.” I felt gentle hands holding me. Something pressed to my eye.

Then I heard him speaking. “Blessed father, send your angels. St. Michael, protect us. St Gabriel, Keep clear the lines of communication. St. Raphael, Bring your healing.” Hearing him I knew I was safe.

“Yes, Yes, Sorry, I’ll try.” he said “Hon, sweetie, Can you speak? Can you tell me your name?” “Tabitha,” I whispered. “YES, SHe’s talking.” He said, “Yes. Tabitha, help is coming, just stay with me.”

Everything started to get fuzzy. “Lura, I need you over here” he said. A second later, I heard the woman say “I got her, and he’s breathing.” I felt them change hands. “Hon, I need you to talk to me.” she said. I could hear her accent.

“I’m Lura,” she said “What’s yours?” “Tabitha” I answered. It was so hard to think. Last thing I remember was being picked up. I don’t know how long I was out for. I just remember the nightmares.

When I could open my eye. The first thing I saw was a sleeping angel a few feet away from me. I hurt all over. There was shouting from outside the room. I couldn’t see much. Just the angel.

“What did that stupid little bitch do?” I heard my father yell. I couldn’t hear the other voice. But Dad was just getting pissed. “Get out of my way” he yelled. “You need to calm down.” I heard a man say.

“Sir, your daughter has been through a lot. You can’t see her.” the nurse said. “To hell with that,” he spat, “she’s coming home right now.” I saw the door fly open. “Sir, you set foot in that room, you will be arrested.” the other voice said.

The angel, a silver fox who looked thin and sickly, woke. “On what charges.” my father asked. I could make him out in the doorway. “Child endangerment, two charges of rape, oh, and meth use.” the other voice answered.

“You got nothing,” my father said, “now I am taking my daughter home where she should be.” “After you take a drug test, and two paternity tests,” the other voice said. I felt the fox take my hand.

“It’s ok.” the gentle voice rang, “He’s a friend of mine. He won’t let anything happen to you.” “I’m Thomus by the way.” He smiled, “Just relax.” The fox fell back into the chair coughing heavily and hard.

“Sir, I need you to move.” the nurse said. “Not till I see my daughter,” My father said. “Officer, please, place this man under arrest for assault.” The man said. “Sir please come with me.” a third voice said. Dad didn’t take it well.

I tuned them out and watched the poor fox hack and cough till the nurse got to him. She paged something and the room filled with people. I closed my eye. It wasn’t a long sleep but I felt better.

I woke to see two beautiful wolves standing over me. One with jet black hair and green eyes. The other a lean red hair wolf with dark fur and ruby eyes. They smiled at me. “She’ll be beautiful once she heals up” I heard one of them say.

My throat hurt when I tried to talk. “Is he ok?” I asked. “Yeah, he’s fine.” Lura said “he’s been sick like that for a long time.” I felt her brush the side of my face. “Just rest,” the other said, holding my hand, “we’ll be going home as soon as you’re better.”

“I’m not going home am I?” I asked. “Not with that sicko,” the dark one answered. “Linx is right,” Lura said “you’re coming home with us and Tom.” I squeezed Linx’s hand and went back to sleep.

A few days later I was sitting up on my own and could talk again. The doctors said I was doing better. They were going to keep me a few more days till they could see how bad my eye was. The nurse told me, the cute fox asked if they could hold me, till he was released.

“Yeah, I remember,” Linx said, “You were the only one who didn’t pick a fight with Dalviod.” “I think it was because he went full dad mode on your father,” Lura added. “Yeah, in the few days I was out,” I said “He found, that my dad raped and knocked up my sister twice, and he found out about the drug use.”

“He must have been waiting till you had sex to do the same to you.” Kelly added. “Yeah,” I said “if Tom didn’t start coughing, I wouldn’t be here.” “That’s just sick.” Kelly said. “I don’t know what happened to my sister.” I said, “She disowned me after dad got locked up.”

“Yeah we should change topics” Kelly said “This is too much.” “Yesh,” I said, “onto bigger and better.” “Like the big thick knot on Aiden’s dick” Linx said. We all had to shift in folding chairs.

“Anyway,” Lura said, “You were talking to your mother again, Kelly” “Yeah,” Kelly said “Ma’s been talking to me again. She’s happy, I’m doing better. She thinks Aidens’ cute.” “How’s your brother doing?” Linx asked.

“Little Jimmy bean,” Kelly asked. “Yeah.” “He’s doing right fine, his wife had a healthy baby boy just last month.” “Oh,” Linx asked, “Did you get any pictures?” “Yeah” she said, taking out her phone and showing off her nephew. Such a little cutie.

Kelly’s smile dropped after a few seconds. “And David was released from prison.” She said. “Wait exe husband David,” I said “Beat you badly enough to leave you with brain damage?” “Same one,” She answered.

This could be bad.

Chapter 9

Name’s Kelly. I am twenty-eight years young. I came from good stock. Father, mother, and my baby brother. Pa ran a machine shop and me and Jimmy bean could take apart, clean and rebuild anything from a bicycle to a tractor in under an hour.

I learned to play the drums in my down time. Had the barn to myself and could get as loud as I wanted. Pa was in the army so we knew everything he did. Learning to march made keeping a beat right easy to do.

Then I made the worst choice in my life. I married my high school sweetheart. Both eighteen, young and dumb. I loved him too much to see the changes. At first it was nothing. A late night here or there.

Few too many drinks. A fight that got a little outta hand. But we’d bounce back from it. Or so I thought. When I was twenty-three, he told me he was working late on his birthday. And he was working something all right.

Showed up at his job to surprise him. Turned out he was screwing my best friend behind my back for years. They were going at, back in high school while we were dating. I never spoke to her again. Found out he knocked her up twice.

I went to the bar, found a bottle and drank myself stupid. But I was in love and took the little shit back. I thought we were good for about a year. I was still at the bottom of the bottle at that point.

We moved from my hometown so he could get away from the name he’d written for himself. I tried to get better. Over that year I slowly had to make room for him. More of his stuff. Give him more room.

Soon all I had was some clothes and my drums. And all that was in a spare room. By time my twenty-fifth birthday hit and we hit a bar. I didn’t even get a sip in when he started flirting with almost anything that moved.

The bartender cut me off till I paid the tab. But David had all our money. And asking him was out of the question. I turned to look for him. I was met with a silver fox. “Here, Can you get her something to eat and maybe some water?” He said.

He sat next to me and made sure I ate and got water in me. It was kind of him. “Sir,” he asked the bartender, “Can I get a soda for my friend?” He set a can on the counter and walked off.

“Go find your own woman,” David said, “son of bitch.” “I’m sorry sir, but if this lovely lady here is your’s,” the fox said, turning around. I saw the soda can was gone. On the other side of the fox was a beautiful young wolf.

“Oh, honey, where have you been all my life?” David asked her. “Cute,” she said, “But instead of trying to hit on every girl in here. Try taking care of your wife.” “This drunk bitch is useless.”

“And yet, you dropped everything when I simply made sure she was alright.” the fox said. “I’ll go for a trade if she means that much to you.” David said. “Oh, no,” the fox said “I have no say over what she does.” He nodded back to the wolf.

“So, you can’t control your woman.” David said, “Maybe I should break for you.” “Quick question,” the fox asked, “have you ever killed a man? And if so, how many?” the wolf took two steps putting herself between David and the fox

“David, just stop please,” I asked, “we’ll go find another bar.” “No, this little shit started something.” David said “Little shit needs to man up and finish it.” “Very well, we’ll move on” the fox said “good evening.”

Part of me wanted to go with them. Beg them to save me. But I can’t leave him. I’m sure he will change. That he’ll be the man I fell for. He is a good man, I know he is. I just hope he sees it too.

David grabbed my neck pressing his thumb into my windpipe. “You stupid bitch, what are you trying to do?” he said, jabbing me in the ribs. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I gasped. “You will be. Useless fuck.” he said, knocking me into the bar.

I hit my head. My beer tipped over and spilled all over David. “You useless, stupid fucking bitch” he yelled kicking me. My head was spinning. I think he picked me up. But I felt something hit my head.

I heard shouting. I felt someone holding me saying I was going to be alright. I blacked out. I woke up a few days later. In a warm bed and all my stuff around me. The fox was in the door on the phone.

“Thank you sir.” he said, hanging up. “Oh, Good morning ma’am” he said, “take it easy, just rest.” He smiled. “Who?” I asked. “I’m Thomas,” he answered. “Where?” I asked. “Your new home” he answered “Girls she’s awake.”

“And that’s when I met all of you.” Kelly said, rubbing her head “Aside from driving, I was fine.” “But god you were pain drying out.” Lura said. “We had to lock it all up from you.” Linx added.

“God, don’t remind me of that.” Kelly said, covering her head. Linx got us a round of tea and coffee. “I think the only time Kelly met Dalvoid was after Tom passed.” Linx said. “Yeah, He had this weird villain thing about him,” Kelly said.

“Scared the shit out of all of us,” Lura said, “and for me, that’s a hard thing to do.” “At some point they are going to end up meeting.” I said the thought tapping on my head. “Oh dear God, no,” Lura said.

“Unstoppable force, meet immovable object.” Linx added “That would be fun to watch.” “You’re mad,” Lura said. We all started laughing. “Dalvoid is what happens when you get the devil to do the lord’s work.” Kelly said.

“He hasn’t met Sam either,” Linx pointed out. “That girl, good lord, is just like her old man.” Kelly added. “Kiss, kill or fuck” I asked “which would she do if we let her?” “Kiss,” Kelly said. “Kill,” Lura said “just to keep him out of her head.”

“Fuck,” Linx said “and I would watch. “Down girl,” Kelly added. “She’d mom him.” I said. We all giggled. “Oh that’s what he ment” Lura said. We all turned to her. “The angel and devil thing Aiden told me about.” She answered.

“Huh,” I asked. “It was the night Aiden found out about the showers.” Lura said “I asked him about the voices when we went to the store.” “Oh, His DRPD?” Linx asked. “Yeah, he said the two main ones were a fox and a wolf.” She added.

“Sounds about right,” Linx said “But what are you getting at?” “He used Tabs and I as an example.” “I didn’t think about Tom and Dalvoid.” she said, batting her head with the palm of her hand.

“Now I get it.” She said “Tom would be the gentle side we get to see more of. Dalvoid would be his aggression.” “Yeah, it checks out.” Linx said “Fits better than you two.” she pointed at the both of us.

“Damn,” Kelly said “no wonder he’s messed up.” “Ok, ok, we should try the song again before he gets back.” Lura said, checking one of the clocks. Aiden had at least two clocks in a room, never knew why. And we did. We still didn’t get it. It was something we were missing.

But we were onto something. We called it a day just in time for Aiden to open the door and say “Hello Vixens, I’m home.” “Welcome Home” we all answered. “Hey, Aiden, How did you meet your friend Tom?” I asked.

“I was working, and one day he walks up and starts talking to me.” He answered. No fights, no crime lord battles, not even a drunk. They just talked. “We all know the same Thomas,” he said, “Silver fox, soft spoken, weird child-like wonder.”

“In a nutshell,” Lura answered. He nodded. How the hell does he do that? I was just glad, Lura and Linx weren’t fighting anymore. For now. He didn’t even get his shoes off and they locked the three of them in his room.

Lura is loud when she moans. Girl has a great singing voice. “It’s one of them,” I said to Kelly. “Yeah, but it’s fine.” She answered, “They just don’t know it yet.” “I’m just happy for him.” I said.

Kelly eyed me for a second. “Don’t you love him?” she asked. “Yeah, I do. But. I’m not in love with him.” I said “I know what I was feeling for him wasn’t love. It was me latching onto something that makes me feel safe.”

She just eyed me. “Yeah, I would fuck his brains out.” I said, “But, It’s not the same as what they got.” “Lura loves him because,” Kelly said, losing the words. “Because she can see the best parts of herself with him.” I said.

“Yes,” Kelly said “She can be weak around him.” “And Linx, she never met anyone who could turn down her charm.” I added. “What about him?” she asked, “Him, no telling.” I said. Kelly fought for her words.

“I think, Whichever one of them can break through his … , … Come on, guard. Break through his guard is the one he’ll fall for.” She said, holding her head. “Tell you one thing.” I said “If Linx doesn’t let loose and soon she’s going to break.” Kelly nodded.

“What about you?” I asked. “Same as you.” she said “We would always be too afraid to get any closer.” “You're afraid, both of you will get hurt.” I said. “Well, yeah, I will always be afraid of him,” She said, “and he will always be afraid of hurting me.”

“I get that.” I said. I went on typing. Rewriting everything we had talked about today. And as night fell, sleep threatened to over take me. I did something I’ve only done with Tom around. I prayed.

“Heavenly Father bless your angels on earth. I know I’m not one for faith. But I need a little help understanding my friend Aiden. Ok, mostly I want to know how to unlock that damn song. Sorry, sorry, It’s just been driving us mad trying to understand it.

Like I know what it is but I keep overlooking it. Ps, Please bless, keep, and protect Thomas, Your faithful servant. Amen.” I said before going to sleep.

Chapter 10

I was sitting on the edge of the bed looking over Aiden’s song. The words, clear as day on the page. “I can’t understand it. What am I missing?” I said. “Maybe, it’s not what you’re missing.” I heard Tom’s song-like voice.

I looked up from the paper. There he stood in the doorway of my bedroom. I leaped from the bed. I hugged and squeezed the silver fox. His blue eyes opened and smiled at me. I felt nothing but love from him.

“We missed you so much.” I said. “I know, my dear.” he said, hugging me in kind. “All in God’s time” he answered before I could even think of the words. “You needed my help with something?” he asked.

I frowned, waving my hand to the pages behind me. “It’s a beautiful song” I said “But we can’t bring it to life.” He looked at the paper and smiled. “You know pain.” He said “You’ve shared your pain with them. And they with you.”

“But we still can’t feel the song.” I said. “You want to know, what he locked away in this song?” he asked. I nodded. His smile dripped into a small frown. “You think the answer is in his mind.” he said “A broken and twisted maze of thoughts.”

“I don’t think that.” I said “He’s not weak. He’s not like me.” “You were never weak, Tabitha.” he said “You had the will to live. Even after what happened to you.” “But he has a heart of gold bigger than this house.” I said.

“And you don’t” he asked jokingly. “Not like him.” I said. “Well, you know what it is like to have to be perfect and still be overlooked.” he said. “You even hold him to it as well.” I looked away. “I never meant to,” I said “I found myself because of him.”

“And we all do the same thing.” he said “I am no better, myself.” “I know.” I said “that’s why we never let you cook.” He laughed. “But all the same,” He said “It can be just as taxing.” “We’re hurting him,” I said.

He didn’t speak. “Everytime we fight over him and around him. He panics and tries to run away.” I said “Like he did something wrong. Like he was hurting us. Like he failed us somehow.” “Like a man heartbroken and scared” Tom said.

“Heartbroken” I said. The silver fox smiled. “Tom, I’m afraid to try it now.” I said. “Words have power, Tabitha. You know this.” He said “Even if it breaks him a thousand times over. He’d do it a Thousand more times, if it helps just one person.”

He squeezed me again. “Just between you, me and the Lord Almighty.” Tom said “Don’t be afraid. It will break him. He will run. Because she has to do the same.” I looked up at him. “I don’t understand.” I asked.

“I can’t answer that.” He said “But you will understand when the time is right.” I tighten my hold on the fox. “Please don’t leave us again.” I begged. “I may not be with you.” He said smiling “But through the Lord, I am never far.”

I blinked and he was gone. I woke up, eyes just flying open. I got up, got on my laptop and like I have seen Aiden do so many times. My fingers dance like on my keyboard. I had to get it down before it was gone.

Once I saved the dream. I did something I hadn’t in a few years. Reach. I read up on Aidem’s disorder. I had to stop myself from seeing Aiden in the words. It was hard not too. But a few words stood out.

When Linx said the disorder was a catch all term. She wasn’t wrong. And it being a case for a hybrid. The scale of it made my head hurt. I forgot Kelly was still next to me. “Tabitha, what are you doing?” she asked.

She leaned away from me when I turned around to her. “I had a thought.” I said. Kelly had been married once. Maybe she would understand. “Kelly, what’s it like to have a broken heart?” I asked.

She looked me in the eye. “It’s like having a part of you ripped out,” she said gently cupping my right eye. She traced the scars around my eye with her thumb. “A piece of you can never get back.” she added.

She released my head and drew into herself. “Always asking yourself, what did you do wrong” she said “and if you could ever make things right.” “Oh,” I said, cupping my eye. It hit me like a truck.

I dug out the song again and read it over. Aiden hides stories in his songs. Live round hid the story of a gambler taking charge of his life and beating the odds. Layer that with the emotions and ideas of luck, risk, thrill, and fun.

Heaven was written like a question. The emotion was there. But it was layered under the question. “Will I ever be forgiven?” I said my thoughts aloud. “Huh,” Kelly asked. She looked me over. “Are you feeling alright?” she asked.

“I’m fine.” I said, “You had the answer the whole time.” I kissed her before she could think. I hid the song. Packed laptop, notebook and some other papers. I think I get it now. Careful not to fall over myself, I made my way to the kitchen.

I started a pot of coffee. Given I was the first one up. Keyboard, laptops, coffee, notes, and some cookies. I locked myself into the work. Playbacks, scores, and anything else I could think of. One of us must have hit it.

Good thing about having a keyboard like mine. Headsets. Even if Aiden walked in, he would never know. Well no better time to test it. He had walked in for coffee and back out for a smoke. Acknowledgment given with “morning”

Lura, followed soon after. Her eyes a little glaze and legs bowing a bit. The back door closed. “I found it,” I said. Lura blinked eyes, still out of focus. “I found the key to the song,” I said, “After he leaves for work.”

“It’s his day off,” she answered. “FUCK” I whispered. “Take a break” she told me “It will still be there tomorrow.” She patted my head. I sighed and put my stuff away. I thought I was onto something.

But this should just give me time to clean up my thinking. Lura went for her run. Aiden came back from his smoke and sat on the couch. I snuggled up next to him. He asked if something was wrong.

I said no. I pinned him down so he could just relax. I ended up falling asleep on him, again. I woke to find my head in Linx’s lap. “You slept all day,” she said. I looked around. “It can’t be that late.” I said.

“Kelly said you woke her at three this morning, talking about breaking hearts and forgiveness.” Linx said “What were you doing?” “Is he here?” I asked. “No, he and Kelly went to the store.” she answered.

“I found the key” I said “I know how to unlock the song.” She gave me a look. “It’s a question.” I said. Same look. “Ok, I don’t understand all of it. Too many big words.” I said “The song is asking a question.”

“So now he’s hiding questions in his work?” she asked. “Yeah it threw me for a loop” I said “my head is still spinning.” “So what’s the question?” she asked. “Will god forgive me?” I said. She smiled. “What muse gave you that idea?” she asked.

“Tom,” I said, “But I’ll get back to that.” She eyed me over. “I read that people with DRPD tend to become codependent once they develop strong emotional bonds.” I said. “Yes, mostly with close friends or family.” She answered.

“But untreated DRPD, that codependents turns into abuse.” she added. “Aiden is untreated.” I said, rolling onto my side. “Well yes and no,” she said. “What do you mean yes and no?” I asked, half sitting up.

“I can’t talk about it.” she said, “But he is being treated.” “Are you and Sora doing something to him?” I asked. “Nothing bad.” she answered, “She is just as worried about him as we are.”

“But she’s not a doctor.” I said. “Not yet,” Linx said “But I am.” “So you’ve been lying to him?” I asked. “Nope.” She retorted “I have never once lied to him.” She paused. “You want to go see her dissertation?” she asked.

“Her what?” I asked. “Well I just thought. You might like to know what her dissertation is on.” She said “An essay on a subject under her field of study. She has to defend it on tuesday.” I blinked. “You in?” She asked. Slow blink.

“Well you’re going with me anyway.” She said “You still have to see your doctor anyway.” I bubbled a sigh. “They're going to use a lot of big words.” I said. “Yes, and you’re a writer, it will help you.” she said the final word.

I stuck my tongue out at her. She licked my nose in retort. “I’ll let you read my talking points before we get there.” she said, patting my head. “Anyway,” she said, “What does this have to do with the song?”

“Oh right,” I said, “I did some research that said People with DRPD can become codependent. And Kelly woke up thinking I had gone mad. So I asked her what it meant to be heartbroken.”

“It was something she said that got me thinking. What if he was asked if he could be forgiven. And hiding the question under a story about an abuser asking God for forgiveness.” I said, “And I was trying to see if anywhere in my recordings hinted at it.”

“Nothing?” she asked. “Not yet, it’s his day off, so I can’t work on it.” I said. “Kelly would be the only one to really know what it’s like.” Linx said thoughtfully. “Yeah, she said. It was like having a piece of you ripped out.” I said.

“I see,” she said “so how does Tom fit in all this?” “He told me.” I answered, laying my head on her leg. Linx didn’t say anything else and just let me lay there. A few minutes later the door opened with Aiden fisting all the bags from the store.

“Oh good,” Linx said when they came in. “Aiden, love, After you finish with the groceries. Tabs, here got herself all worked up after an idea she had didn’t pan out.” “Yeah sure,” he answered.

“You are so fucking lucky” I whispered. She smiled. “You should try it some time,” I said. Her face twisted for a second. After a few minutes Aiden came in and scooped me up in his arms. “Maybe a nice warm bath will help you relax,” he said “princess.”

Triple “C”s. Cute, charming and cheesy. I’m doomed. Of course the tub wasn’t big enough or deep enough for a bath. But it became what the cold showers used to be. A way to relax and blow off some steam.

“Let me give you a bath first,” I said. He blinked, setting me on my feet inside the bathroom. “Come on, every bath you work me silly, and I don’t get to do the same for you.” I said, pulling down his pants.

I didn’t give him a chance to stop me. Yeah, he smelled like an ashtray. But the part of me that latched onto him for safety loved the smell. I would always know, and feel safer. Times like this, I was in control.

So, he would just let it happen. So I almost jumped when he put his hand on my head. I couldn’t stop with his tip on the back of my throat. I could feel his need for release. I winked, letting him hold my head, as my tongue danced around his flesh.

He was close. He was fighting to not grab my head and face fuck me. I’d forgive if he did. I think I blacked out for a second. Cause next thing I knew. I was against the wall, his hand behind my head like a pillow.

My jaw hurt a little from having his fully formed knot sliding across my teeth. He’d pause till I relaxed and breathed. Never more than I could take. I was a little scared at first. But he was letting me do it for him for once.

No one pinning him down or asking for it. Just him letting me fill his needs. My reward was hot slime oozing down into my gut. He released me and took a step back. I held my jaw for a second or two, feeling it almost out of place.

He had such a worried look on his face. “You should be,” I smiled. “Look at the mess you made.” I spread my legs showing him the hot wet mess my pussy was. He smiled back at me. Helping me to my feet he moved us into the shower.

Short story. First time we did this, I almost made a mess of the kitchen. Having to wash dishes for a week was worth it. I press my hands on the wall of the shower, bending over. With one hand he lifted my tail. His other hand teased and pulled on my folds.

I was whimpering. “Will you quit …” I said, my tongue rolling into the back of my throat. His devil tongue reached half why down my pipe before I could get another word out. I tried to hold out, resisted as long as I could.

I know a large part of why he can finish me off so quickly, was the trust I had in him. I knew if I said stop, he would, in the same heartbeat. But I had to make him work for it. He stopped.

“Ok slow down, Tabs” he said. His voice was this low monotone. But it carried well. Most of the time he was quiet. “Rest a minute,” he said. After a minute or so he let me get back up.

Just braced myself when he went back to work. I whimpered and moaned with need. He pulled away at the last second, finishing me with his fingers. Lesson learned after the last time, shooting up his nose.

The flood gates opened and release was given. Once the stream died off, I saw he was fully enraged again. It looked painful. The thought hit me like thunder. To just sit down on it and let the forces of nature do the work.

His gentle hand on my leg stopped me. “Come on, let’s get cleaned up,” he said. I could hear a growl in his voice. Even if his mind couldn’t feel it. His body was demanding it. We got washed. He wouldn’t let me touch him after that.

Much the same that he didn’t touch me. I was too small to be of any real relief to him. If I had bigger tits. Maybe a boob job. My jaw was too small. And anything lower was too risky. And I wasn’t ready for that.

And again he did for me. What I couldn’t do for him. We got dried off and dressed. He gave me a kiss and left. I balled up on the floor. “Why do I have to be so useless?” I asked myself.

“If you were useless, you wouldn’t have gotten a raise out of him in the first place.” Linx said from the door. “That’s what I’m talking about.” I answered, “I can’t get him off.” “Doesn’t mean you are useless.” She said, “He could really hurt you. You’re not glass, but you’re also not made of stone.”

“He doesn’t hold back with the rest of you.” I said. “You have no idea.” she said “if he lost control even with one of us. It could be bad.” “So he shuts down.” I said. She nodded. “Honestly, I think Lura is really the only one who can handle him.” She said.

“But you’ve gotten him off without trying.” I said. “Only because he shut down first.” She said, “Everytime, he has shut down.” “Then why hasn’t he done that with me?” I asked. “Tabitha,” she said, “I hate to put it this way. But you have no stamina.”

“Oh,” I said, “He doesn’t shut down, because I might get hurt.” “So unless you two play with one of us there, he can’t shut down.” she said. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.” I said.

“We’ll work on it.” she said. “I kissed the knot” I said, “almost broke my jaw, but I did it.” Linx smiled. “Tell you what.” she said, “we’ll tag team him. Was there something you wanted to try?” “Boob job,I just don’t have the mass for it.” I said.

She jiggled her breasts saying “I think I can spare some.” She got me off the floor and moved us into the living room. Linx pulled Lura and Kelly off to the side. And with their help, I was able to finish him off right.

After that I had to start joining Lura on her morning run. Just what I needed a tighter ass.

Chapter 11

After I told them of my findings, they looked at me like I had lost my mind. I asked Kelly to play. But to keep how she felt during her divorce in mind. It was a low, slow beat. Each strike was waid and measured.

I added in my tears in the rain. Linx made her guitar cry out in longing pain. Lura’s guitar screamed an unspoken pain of loss. We had found the sound. But when it came to the words Lura’s voice couldn’t reach them.

“It wasn’t strong enough,” She said. “What was it?” Linx asked. “It was my first and only time,” she said. She looked away. “You and Linx had gone to see your doctors. And Kelly was still out of it.”

“Wait, you mean,” Linx covered her mouth. “Yeah,” she said “Tom was my first.” we had all gasped. “It was a fight we had.” she continued, “I had to know how he felt about me. If I was just a tool to him.”

Lura rubbed her eyes. “I walked butt naked into his office and sat on the desk.” she said. “Am I nothing more than a weapon to you?” I said. He didn’t speak. “Then sheath me and be done with it.” I said.

He took me right there on the desk. He didn’t say anything. It wasn’t magical. It wasn’t romantic. It wasn’t even love. It was just the simple need of a girl. Just to be touched, held, filled with something.

Aftward we never spoke about it. I knew he still loved me. That had never changed. But he was never going to love me the same way I loved him. With his blessing I tried dating a few times but that didn’t go anywhere.

Most of them stopped talking to me when they found out I had a body count before I could drive. Others treated me like the guy with tits. So I gave up. The one time I saw a guy that made me feel the way Tom did.

One night we had gone to an ER, Because That was the only place we could meet up with one of Tom’s doctors. I thought he was cute. He had broken his hand and it looked pretty bad. I think he was a year or two older than me.

He could have just been in shock, but he almost didn’t even seem to feel it. He scared me when he looked at me. I think he was just looking around. But looking into his eyes. Reminded me of looking into Dalvoids eyes.

Something deep, dark, and powerful. After that, never saw him again. But I was seventeen. Anyone with a cold enough gaze scared me.” Lura blinked when she finished. “I had a dumb thought,” I said. She nodded. “Could that guy have been Aiden?” I asked.

“I mean. He broke his hand when he was younger. It sounded like he had the same ice stare.” I said. “No, I don’t think so.” She said, “This guy was remote. Like nothing got to him.” “Well,” Kelly added “we don’t know what he was like around that time.”

“It couldn’t.” Lura said, “the odds.” “Are just odds,” Linx said “Besides, could it have been him?” “What, like I saw him first?” Lura forced a laugh. “Yeah just think what kind of mess we would all be in if you had just gone over and talked to him” Kelly added.

“Tom teased me about it too,” Lura said, but I loved Tom too much to let him go.” “Maybe Tom did some digging and tried to plan a meeting between you two.” I said. You two do look really cute together,” Kelly added.

Lura was blushing. “Shut up,” she said. Lura growled before I could start teasing her. We practiced some more till Aiden got home. He made dinner and went back to writing. I did the same. It really did help to get some of my thoughts out of my head.

It was Sunday morning just after Aiden left for work. Kelly pulled me into our room to talk. Turns out she had a nightmare. It was about Aiden and her exe husband David getting into a fight. Aiden kills David. And we never see Aiden again.

Kelly couldn’t shake that feeling. So we sent her to the store to get a few things and check on Aiden. Maybe seeing him would put her at ease. I made a few notes about it. I didn’t think much of it.

I wish I had. Lura got a phone call from Kelly. Poor thing was in tears. David found her. More so David found Aiden. Overall Aiden was fine. Both of them were still alive. But Lura was ready to kill.

She made one call when Kelly got back. “Sir, It’s Lura,” she said. She had Kelly retell what happened and give what information she had. “I’ll have your caseworker look into it” the deep rich voice on the other end answered.

A few hours later we got the call that Aiden was being released. No charges. David on the other hand. Well he has free room and board for a few more years. Lura still looked pissed. But she was just relieved he was all right.

It was a long day. A lot had happened. I couldn’t sit still. We went out. Letting Aiden rest and Lura stay to take care of him. We did some shopping and just stayed out for the hell of it. None of us saw it coming.

Lura and Aiden were on the couch making out. Not just some playful teasing. It was full on, romantic making out. The kind that leads up to really great sex. And it all went to hell. We all ended up leaving Aiden out on the line.

I was more shocked than mad. More so. I was happy for them. I saw the look they had. They looked fulfilled. Kelly and I talked it out. She agreed. So we worked out a small plan to smooth this out.

If not, to fix and work it out. And If Aiden is doing the same as me. I’ll let him tell this next part. Note he was and did. So a lot less I had to recall. But I think he just played it out for us. Lura got a call back about what happened.

He wanted Aiden to come by and fill out some paperwork. They weren’t going to be in the office. So he wasn’t going to meet the Dalvoids. And I was dragged off to hear people talking. Sora, JT’s girlfriend, used Aiden in a case study on DRPD.

And him being one of a few cases where meds could kill him. Even JT, was one of the cases in her study. Linx was addressed a few times and answered questions. My doctor was on the board for Sora’s dissertation.

She spotted me. Linx said “just be honest, and keep to short answers.” I nodded. My doctor, a snow white owl. Lightly grilled me on Aiden. I answered the best I could. A tall horse asked how questioning me was getting answers.

I spoke before thinking about it. “Because Aiden, aside from being the focus of the study, is a close friend of mine.” I nodded to the owl. She nodded back. “I was a rape victim and over the past few months, he helped me reach a point were I feel like a person again.”

My doctor nodded and smiled. They were done with Linx so we left, got something to eat and I had my sit down with my doctor. She was very proud of what I did. She did ask what Aiden did. I told her almost everything.

Answered her concerns by saying “I love Aiden. I know most of what I felt was just me latching on to him for safety.” She smiled noting the changes. We finished up and headed home. Linx was quiet. Like she had something on her mind.

Aiden wasn’t back yet, And Linx made short work of filling us in on what was happening. Then she started crying. I had never seen her like this before. Linx wasn’t a powerhouse like Lura. But she was strong.

“It came back.” she said “That damn machine came back.” Lura held Linx’s hand. “Last night I had a nightmare. I was the one on the machine. It turned on. When the clicks came. I looked down and it was Aiden looking at me with cold dead eyes and the white scarf around his neck.”

“You’re in love with him.” I said. She didn’t speak. Lura just looked at me. “You’re in love with him too.” I said, “So just say it.” Linx kept her eyes low. “Look Kelly loves him like a brother, or step brother, you know the one you can get away with fucking silly.”

Kelly blushed covering her nose. “I love him but mine is from a trauma.” I continued, “And you two have been fighting over him for over a month now.” I got up and took Linx’s head. I made her look me in the eyes.

“Just say it.” I repeated “It’s just us. If you want, we’ll keep it that way.” She tried to look away. But I didn’t let her. “If you don’t, it will kill the both of you.” I said. I know Aiden has done it to us a few times. And it hurt me to do it to her.

“Click.” I said. Her eyes went wide. “You got to do something,” I said. I was hurting her. What made me think this was a good idea? “Click” I said. I could feel her heart racing. I could see her trying to beg me to stop.

It was evil, twisted and cruel, what I was doing. “Cli …” “Yes, I love him. I want him. I need him. The day he said I had to want it too. The day I saw the fires of his soul. I loved him.” She screamed.

She squeezed me as we dropped to our knees. She was crying hard and loud. Lura watched us. I could see it in her eyes. Understanding. She felt the same way. She felt it for a long time. We were here because she was looking for him.

She fell for him first. “Lura,” I said “the first day we all met Aiden. You had me text him. Why?” “…” Linx was still holding me. Almost thankful for what I did. “Yeah,” Kelly added “It was your idea for us to move in with him.”

“We could have just as easily moved him in with us.” I said. She got up and moved over to the wall. “Oh, my god” Linx said “This wasn’t Tom’s doing. This was all on you.” she didn’t look at us.

She said some in another language. “All Tom did was find him for you.” Kelly added. “No one is mad at you,” Linx said. Linx released me, got up and went over Lura. “Lura,” she said “My Alura, I know how you feel.”

Lura sighed. “Lura,” she said, pressing her hands to the wall on either side of Lura’s head, “Even if you don’t tell us. He needs to know.” Lura rolled her eyes. “Alura, if you don’t tell him by the end of his birthday.” Linx said “I’ll tell him, for you.”

Lura eyed Linx. “That first day we came here,” Linx said, “his eyes were on you.” “He sees you for who you are.” Kelly said “a beautiful strong woman.” “key word, Woman,” I added “He doesn’t shut down with you.”

She arched her brow at me. “He doesn’t shut down or hold back with you,” I said “he trusts you the same way I trust him.” She looked away. She looked hurt. Her heart was torn. “You’re not betraying Tom for being in love with Aiden.” I said.

Her eyes burned with anger. She glared at me. “Maybe Tom found him after that night in the ER. When he saw you feeling something for someone else. So you wouldn’t be alone when he left.” I said.

Her lip shook. “He loved you enough to send you into the arms of another man.” I said. She pushed Linx out of the way and ran for one of the bedrooms. I had gone for another low blow.

I must have really hurt her. “No, you just said what she needed to hear,” Linx said. I sat at the table. Is this how he feels? Doing what he feels is right? Just to see them hurting from it. “Just give it time,” Kelly said “It hurts now, but it will make her better.”

Aiden came home a few minutes later and went to take a nap. After a little bit I went to check on Lura. She had clammed down and wasn’t about to kill me. She was holding a rosary when she opened the door.

It was one of Tom’s. She had pulled out a small box of his. There were a few small bags each with our name on it. I picked up mine. It too was a rosary. It was made out of my birth stone. “I might be gone,” I said, “but through the Lord I will never be far.”

I told her about the dream, not everything but just enough. “Tom was dying, and never lost his faith.” she said. I had put the rosary around my wrist. “I love both of them.” She said “I can’t keep one without giving up the other.”

“You’re not giving them up.” I said. “Tom wanted you to be happy. And If Aiden makes you happy, then honor Tom by loving Aiden to the fullest.” I looked in the box again. There was another bag marked with an “A”. I don’t think she saw it.

Note that for later.

Chapter 12

Thursday morning all hell broke loose. I didn’t know what happened to Linx and Kelly until after the fact. My mishap. It took place when we got back from our run. Aiden was sweeping the deck. Lura was going to have us cool down before going for her run.

Next thing I knew Lura was holding the broom a foot away from my face. She looked worried. Aiden was understandably upset. Something else was upsetting him. He couldn’t tell what it was.

Lura sat him on the couch. We were all going to talk it out after she had her run. And well. We came running into the living room. Both of them hip to hip. He looked broken. She looked mad.

Not angry. Mad with passion and desire. A willful need. She wouldn’t have fought him had he truly forced himself on her. She wanted him to. She needed him to. And when he failed her, is when she got angry.

She yelled at him. She scolded him. She cursed him. I made the mistake of bringing Tom into it. Aiden snapped. He called her out. Then she laid him out. It took the three of us to hold her back. She was screaming.

Then he broke her heart. Before he left he said “And I fell in love with you.” He was long gone before Lura was reasonable again. We tried to reach him. Lura was still cursing him when Linx and Kelly got back from trying to find him.

But he was gone. Linx slapped Lura hard enough to knock her back. They started yelling. I had enough. I got the little bag out of Tom’s box. Then I beamed Lura right in the eye with it.

“Aiden was Tom’s gift to you” I said, “so you wouldn’t feel abandoned again.” She took the bag and looked at it. The little note on it read “My dear friend Aiden”. She finally broke. I saw her go from a hardened badass, to a scared little girl.

Soon she was texting him, calling, trying everything to reach him. His phone was sitting next to his bed. We lost him. I looked at the rosary on my wrist. I fell to my knees and folded my hands. And said.

“Blessed father, send your angels. St. Michael, protect him. St Gabriel, Keep clear the lines of communication. St. Raphael, Bring your healing.” “Tabs, Can you call Paul and Molly? See if they can help?” Kelly asked.

I called Paul first. “Hello. Hi, Paul. It’s Tabitha.” I said when the pitbull answered his phone, “We need your help.” I kept talking before he could give me an answer. “Our friend Aiden is missing.” “Who’s Aiden?” he asked.

“We’ve been calling him Mr Vixen.” I answered. “I never took the time to see his face.” Paul said. “He’s a hybrid, a folf,” I said. “So he’s a metal gray folf with long brown hair and a fat lip,” Paul asked.

“Oh My Lord, You found him?” I asked. My heart leapt. He was safe. “He told me you lot got into it and now he got himself lost.” Paul said. “Yeah, It’s not his fault.” I said. “Have Molly give me a call. She can collect him.” he answered and hung up.

I called Molly’s phone. “Hey, tabs, Long time” I heard Sam’s voice answer the phone. I blinked before answering. “Yeah, we’ll catch up later.” I said, “Look, could you and Molly do us a favor?”

“Yeah sure” she answered “I’m cumming” I heard Molly moaning in the background. I quickly told her what happened and asked if they could get him. Maybe even put him up for the night.

“Sure we’ll get him.” she answered “where is he?” “He’s with Paul right now, maybe give him a call,” I said. “Hey bunny butt, get dressed, we’re going out.” she said “But I just came.” Molly said.

“We’re going to pick up a guy named Aiden, big goofy looking folf.” Sam said. Something was going on. “Well don’t just stand there,” Molly said, taking the phone “WE can’t keep him waiting. I texted you after we got him.” click.

“I didn’t know Molly was into girls.” I said to no one. It didn’t take long for me to get a text. Linx got a few things for him and took the van. I was still mad at Lura. I didn’t want to talk to her or even see her.

I locked myself in my room and vented to the laptop Aiden got me. I burned out and fell asleep. Kelly woke me with food. It was another broken home. Aiden was the hearth of this home. And he was gone.

Kelly had gotten me to come out of the room. Lura was sitting on the couch still holding the little bag. I walked past her to the kitchen. “I am in love with him.” she said “and I hurt him because I couldn’t let go.”

I stopped. “Tom should have just left me to die in that alley,” She said. “Aiden doesn’t owe his life to you.” I said, reminding her of the good she has done. “None of us would be here without you.” I added, “So don’t ever think that.”

“He isn’t perfect, and we all pushed him to be.” I added, “This is on all of us.” I didn’t wait for an answer and got something to eat. We all did. It reminded me of the first night after Tom passed. It felt hollow and cold.

We all had the same idea. After we ate, we set up and played. It hurt. It hurt so much, I wanted to throw the whole thing away. But we played. We played till we couldn’t hold back the tears. Till voices crack. Till knees gave out. We played till all we could do was cry.

It was ready. We had to call it a night. I curled up on the couch to sleep. Kelly and Linx took to their rooms and Lura slept alone in Aiden’s. It was hard trying to get to sleep. I read the text he sent me. “I’m sorry, I messed up again.”

I wanted to cry. I wanted to say something to him. But it felt like salt in the wound. I layed there hoping sleep would take me. Someone threw a blanket over me and kissed my check. I didn’t say anything.

I balled up under it. It smelled like an ashtray. I fell asleep under his warmth. I dreamed he was home safe with us again. Me sleeping by his side as his fingers danced across the keys as he typed. The fresh stink of smoke, still rolling off him.

It was still dark out when I felt Lura’s strong hand gently shaking me. “Tabitha, Please wake up, Tabs, wake up. I need your help” she said. I opened one eye to look at her. “Please,” she begged, “I really need your help.”

If I was going to help her with anything right now she had best answer me one question. “You wanted him to fuck you into the floor yesterday morning?” I asked. I saw her trying to hide a grin. “I did rip his pants off,” she answered.

I lifted my head to look at her with both eyes. “No, I wanted him to fuck me into the foundtion.” she answered, ”With all of you watching.” I sat up. “What did you want?” I asked, still half asleep.

“I need you to write something out for me.” She asked, “I want to write down the dream I just had before I lose it.” “Can’t You do it yourself.” I asked. “I’m not as good with words as you two are,” She said.

“Fine,” I said, getting up, “Coffee please.” I got my laptop and set it up in the kitchen. Lura sat next to me with a cup of coffee for each of us. I had some and opened a docket. I set the cup down and was ready to begin.

I was sitting in the ER with Tom. It was the night we went to see his doctor. I was sitting where I could watch the doors. As I watched. An overweight mule, a gray and white fox and tall gray fox or wolf, I couldn’t tell which, came in.

The young canine was holding his arm, covered with a towel or something. They checked in and sat down. I got to see how bad it was when he took the towel to check it. It looked like one of his knuckles moved in the middle of his hand.

I found myself watching him. He could have been in shock. But he wasn’t showing any signs of pain. His hair was cut short so I couldn’t see it through his fur. I gasped when he looked at me.

He was just looking around. But for a second I looked into those eyes. I felt cold. The coldest I have ever felt. The world froze when Tom spoke. “Handsome young man isn’t he?” Tom said, “Maybe we should go over and talk to him?”

I turned to face Tom. “It was refreshing to see you looking at someone other than me,” Tom smiled. I opened my mouth to say something. “Yes I know. I’m dead and this is just a dream.” he said.

I blinked. He held out his hand. “Come along, we have a lot to disguise,” He said. I took his hand and stood up. We moved close to the three. “Right, we have Aiden, his mother and his step father,” he said, pointing to each.

My eyes fell on Aiden. “Yes, the young folf,” Tom said, “broke his hand after a fight with his sister.” Tom was still smiling. I knelt in front of Aiden trying to look in his eyes. “He didn’t show it, and didn’t talk about it. But he was in a lot of pain.” Tom said.

“Even back then his mind was a twisted maze.” Tom continued, “But this isn’t about him.” I looked up at Tom. He looked fit and healthy, and far more alive. “This is about you” he said, “and how that night, you found another angel.”

I reached out to hold Aiden’s hand. Mine just passed through it like it wasn’t even there. “I was scared of him.” I said, “I was scared of the boy with the cold eyes.” “Yes but that didn’t stop you from watching him the whole time he was where you could see him.” Tom said

“I was younger and he was cute,” I said. “And those other boys you would look past weren’t?” he asked. “His eyes stood out,” I said “how can someone so young look so cold?” “This coming from the girl who lived almost seven years alone on the streets?” he said.

The world shifted and young folf aged before my eyes. “Yes I got my friend Chartun to do some digging and find out about him.” Tom said “Found out a number of dreams he had were broken and all he really had was a dead end job pushing carts around.”

I turned around seeing our van parked a little ways off. Two dark fur wolves sitting there gossiping over the folf. I turned back, seeing Tom leaning against the wall. An older folf next to him. “Broken and alone.” Tom said “just like the rest of us.”

“Tom please,” I said, “I know all this. I fell for that boy with the cold eyes. The broken man who thought no one could love.” “And yet,” Tom said. “And I threw him away. Because I couldn’t let you go.”

“Yes, I found him again for you. My time was running short. I wasn’t going to abandon you.” he said, “But you too never met while I was still with you.” “No, we would shop there so I could see him.” I said.

Tom’s smile never broke. “Dalvoid told me Aiden was looking for a roommate,” I said. “And even still you couldn’t even text him.” Tom said. The world shifted again. The four of us, getting out of the van outside the little house for the first time.

“I thought he was looking at all of us,” I said, “I didn’t know, I was the one he was looking at.” “And he still opened his heart for all four of you.” Tom said. “Am I that stupid, that I threw the best thing to happen to me away like that.”

“Alura, you’re not stupid, you can be thick at times, but not stupid.” He said. “Then why show me all of this?” I asked. “Because, he isn’t a gift from me,” he said, “he is a gift from God to you.”

I grabbed Tom and hugged him. “I don’t know if I’m ready yet,” I said. “You were always ready. Now go fight for him with the weapons he gave you.” Tom said, letting go of me. “Thank you,” I said. “I might not be with you” he said “but through the Lord I’ll never be far.”

“I woke up, fell out of bed. And had to wake you up before I forgot it all” Lura said. I finished typing, saved it and packed up my laptop “Cool, I’m going back to bed for a bit.” I said and went back to sleep.

Chapter 13

We got ready early. Sam said she dropped Aiden off at the house. As much as we all wanted him back. It was going to be hard on all of us. Plus we still had to set up for a special show. I think I was the first get ready

So I sat on the couch. I was watching the door. I thought about the day we all met. I thought he was just shy. You know the cute kind of shy. I didn’t know about his DRPD until two weeks ago. He never made a show of it.

I remember when we all met his family. His mom said his name ment hearth, the warmth of the home. No wonder this place feels so cold without him. It even showed in his eyes. A warm fire burning behind frosted glass.

Gentle and warm. But still holding the power to scorch and burn. I’m getting away from myself. And I could sit here and go on about him all day. To try and keep it short. He can’t express emotions like everyone else. But when he does, it’s how he truly feels.

When the others were ready we left a note on the TV. The van sputtered and choked to life. I watched as the house left my view. Part of me wanted to go back. Part of me feared it wasn’t going to be there when we got back.

I looked at the rosary on my wrist. And I felt someone say “just have a little faith.” I think Linx was texted with Sora. Lura was driving. As Kelly and I just watch the road go by. Linx jumped in her seat.

Like she was about to get us to turn around. “He’s home,” she said, sighing with relief. I was scared. There was still hours till the show and then it was still over three more hours for the show.

I couldn’t help but think of how many ways everything could go wrong. We got to the club. It was quiet. Midday no one was there. We set up and did a few sets. Billy showed up asking us what was wrong.

Lura told him. “You want me to go kick his sorry little ass?” Billy asked. “Williem,” Linx said, “he’s been through enough.” “He might kill you if you try,” Kelly added. “I don’t care. Nobody,” he said “and I mean nobody hurts my girls.”

Lura got the poor tomcat by the neck. She leveled eyes with him and growled “You even think of touching him. I will rip you apart.” Billy put his hands up. “So where is he?” Billy asked. “Back at the house.” I said, “with everything that happened, he needs some space.”

Bill sighed. “Truth is, I could care less about him.” he said “I’m worried about you lot. But if he means that much. What can I do to help?” “We just want him here.” Kelly said, “It’s his birthday and this show is going to be all about him.”

Billy was about to say something rude. “They’re his songs. He wrote them.” I said “We would still be doing covers, without him.” “We would have to go back to that or give it all up.” Linx said.

Billy rolled his eyes. “Fine, you want him here,” he said “I’ll get him here.” Billy left. “Maybe we should have asked Paul to get him.” Kelly said. Someone hung a sign on the rail dividing the dance floor from the bar.

The staff all liked Aiden. I’m sure if we gave Molly five minutes alone with him,one of them would break. Sam showed up. What I found odd was Sam dressed for work. Sam works in her dad’s law office. She was a caseworker.

We all looked her over. “What?” she asked “You look nice” Kelly said. “Yeah well, Dad is having me meet with a client.” she said, “So I thought, dinner and a show. And with it being a special night for one of our other clients.”

“Two birds?” Linx asked. “Yup,” she answered “and the gothic biker chick look was a bad idea.” Sam looked around. “So where’s the birthday boy?” she asked. “We asked Billy to bring him,” Lura said.

“Cool,” she said, “You really did a number on him.” “Yeah, I almost broke my hand too,” Lura answered. Sam smiled. “You know,” she said, “I was hoping I could call in that favor you owe me for keeping Molly off him last night.”

“How bad?” Linx asked. “We found out he still has the “V” card,” she answered “And the poor girl was about pissed herself. She was that turned on.” “Damn.” “Yeah,” She asked, “Think I can call that in?”

“What did you have in mind?” Linx asked, rolling her eyes. “Nothing big,” she said, “just a kiss.” Lura didn’t even think twice about it. She grabbed the silver hair wolf’s head. I snapped a few pictures of the ten second makeout session.

Sam shuddered when they finished. “You’re sending me those,” she said looking at me. I nodded and sent them to her phone. “Ok, I think I’m ready.” she said heading back to the bar. We all started to feel worried that he wasn’t going to show.

Till Billy got back and was ready to go. “So where is he?” Lura asked. “Little bitch is sobbing at the bar” Billy answered. We all turned to look. He was there. He looked so cold. Did he hurt that much?

“Ok, girls, game faces on, We have a big wig from a big record company in the house.” Billy said. “Fuck him,” Lura said, “This show isn’t for him.” Billy rolled his eyes. He got on stage and started us off.

Lura greeted the crowd with “Hey, everyone, before we get started, I just want to say thank you all for coming out tonight, we’ve got a special show for you all, and hope you like it.” We opened with one of his lighthearted songs.

For half a second I thought I saw Tom standing next to Aiden. Even across the club with almost a thousand people between us. I swear, I could see a storm raging in his eyes. It hurt. It hurt that he was so far away.

The spot on the rail he had used was just as far. But this felt like miles away. But we didn’t stop. We didn’t hold back. If the songs were the weapons he gave Lura. Then by God we were going to use them.

First hour break. We held back, staying at the far end of the bar. If it didn’t hurt so much to watch him. I’d think it was cute the way he was trying not to look at us. “Molly, Molly,” Kelly called the little bunny over.

“Molly, We’re buying a drink for the cutie at the other end of the bar” She said. “So send him a coke?” Molly asked. “No, What was the name of that beer he and his mom drink?” Kelly asked.

I said the name. Remembering when they gave me a taste. It was thick and bitter. Molly looked a little shocked. But she did as we asked. I don’t know which was worse. Him being so far from us. Or Lura being on the edge of breaking and bolting for the door.

From the stage we watched him nurse the beer. But we didn’t let up. “So girls” Billy asked as part of the show “Where’s Mr. V.?” “Around here somewhere” Lura answered. “Having a hard time handling him?” Billy asked.

We had a joking back and forth of yes and no. “Maybe, you need a man to get hold of him for you.” Billy said. “Yeah, let us know when you find a real man,” I said. We set off for our break.

Ok, no more games. It was killing me to see him like that. I had to do something. So I jumped him. I hugged his neck “Hey birthday boy” I said “Why are you hiding way back here?” he didn’t answer. But I could feel him welcoming my hug.

“We can’t put on the show without the guest of honor.” I said. “I don’t have any honor. Remember?” he said. “Well I forgive you for trying to kill me with a broom.” I answered, “I mean it’s not like you were really trying anyway.” he patted my arm.

“And you were right about Tom.” I said, “He would want us to find our own answers.” I kissed his cheek and gave him some space. I felt better. But I could tell it was still rough for him. Kelly and Linx each had their turn to talk to him.

Lura had run to the bathroom. She was falling part. She got back. She had been crying again. It must have been the hardest and longest fight she had been in. and its toll was starting to show. “You got this girl” I said to her.

She sighed. “He’s still here. I think he was waiting for you,” I said. “I can’t,” she said. I gave her the hardest look I had. “If you love him.” I said, “Then fight for him.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

I had to do a double take. Aiden moved. He was by the rail with the sign. I could feel my heart starting to race. “See,” I said to Lura pointing to him. I think seeing him there gave her hope. She opened the crowd.

“Alright everyone, we’re back. And I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you why this show is so special. One. This is the first night we have played all our own songs. And the second tonight is Mr. V’s birthday” Lura said.

We waved at him. If nothing else. He knew how to put on a show. Even if it was just an act. He took his rightful place sitting above the crowd. He waved to his fans. I think we all saw some of the warmth returning to his eyes.

“I’m sure he’s sorry for being late.” Linx said “But then again. This is his show. And we wouldn’t even have half as many songs without him.” The crowd broke into a round of applause. Lura shot Linx a dirty look.

We played fast and hard. We didn’t let up. We kept the crowd moving the whole hour. Then came time to blow them all away. “Hey everyone, I know you guys are worn out and all but we have one more song for you tonight” Lura said “and before we get into it I would like to dedicate this last song to someone very special.

He is someone very important to us and to me and I hurt him the other day. So if he’s listening I’d like to say this is for you Aiden.” the look of shock on his face as Lura spoke. “This is Heaven” she said and stepped back from the mic.

We played the song. His words. His weapon. His love. It filled the club in waves. It hurt to play it. It was pain written in tears. It was sad and beautiful. It broke him. We barely finished closing out the show and he was gone.

He ran. Lura dropped to her knees. “Don’t be afraid. It will break him. He will run. Because she has to do the same.” I remembered Tom’s words from my dream. She was twice my size and could put me through a wall.

I didn’t care. I grabbed her by the shirt. “Don’t be fucking stupid.” I growled “He needs you. So go.” She blinked. “The love of your life just walked out the door.” I said “If you don’t want to lose him. Then run stupid.”

Then with everything I had. I picked her up and threw her the best I could. I know damn well. I couldn’t move her at all. She just needed someone to get her moving. She moved through the crowd like a fish in water.

We lost sight of her at the door. “Now what?” Kelly asked. “We sit at the bar and wait” Linx answered and that’s what we did. Sam and a bull came over to talk to us. The big name record company guy was the client Sam was talking about.

She was just like her father. We talked for a bit. And he opened his sales pitch. And that’s when they came back. We turned the bull over to Aiden who in no short order got us a deal with the guy. We all jumped on him.

Billy came over to yell at us for making a racket. Lura teased him about getting something for Aiden’s birthday. He said he’d meet us out by the van with it. We left before the drunks got there.

I took my turn to makeout with him. With Lura blessing by stuffing his hand down my shorts. He really likes teasing me. Just to note. I asked Lura what happened after I sent her after him. She might use imagery to convey feelings and instincts.

Once Tabitha got me moving I just went. I didn’t stop to think. He was better at cutting through crowds than I was. And I swear to you, someone was playing “separate ways”. Weird if not fitting.

I got outside the club and he was already gone. I asked the door guy if he saw Aiden. The boar just pointed down the street. I took off at a dead sprint. This was my fault, and I had to make this right. I’m just glad Aiden moved like a rolling stone.

Yeah, he was quick, but he didn’t change paths that much. So spotting him wasn’t that hard. But my tears were making it hard to see. And the way I felt. The shadows were reaching for me. The air was heavy and thick.

I could smell the rain. I saw someone ahead of me. I slowed and tried to dry my eyes. Even with the street lights, it was dark, and the figure seemed hidden by the shadows. If it wasn’t for the small flick of light shooting from it.

I had to run to catch up. It was him. I did my best to slow down before I caught him. I got him from behind. He stopped. I held him. “Why” was all he asked. I told him everything. He was right. How I felt.

The shadows felt like they were burning me. He got mad. I had to back away. He was burning in the shadows. He turned to me. He yelled. It wasn’t my Aiden. It was a demon. He blamed himself, I was ready for a fight.

His hand had locked up, He was in pain. I could see the pain in his eyes. His fist just got tighter. I had to get through to him. What I wanted was just to hold him and let him know it was ok, take his pain away.

I hugged him. He didn’t like to be touched because it messed with his head. I put my head on his chest. He hugged me. I could feel his warmth again. I could feel his tears on my ears. I spoke softly.

He was everything to me. And his love was in his touch. Words were a tool, a means to an end. I may have been speaking. But I made him feel it with my touch. I told him what Tom said, what he had done.

I told him the truth. And as I did so. I took his hand. I got the vice grip open long enough to entwin my fingers with his. It hurt. I had to grip back just to keep his hand from breaking mine. I took his pain for my own.

I could feel his arm around me. I could feel him shaking. Like he was fighting something. Like he was trying to run. But something was holding him there. Like they were holding him. The two that had always been with him. They kept him from running.

I keep talking. I kept telling him my story. I had to tell him. I had to tell him what I did. When I finished, he cut me off. I could hear it in his voice. I knew it was the truth. He felt it so much it was in his voice.

I told him to stop worrying and just kiss me. It felt different. We kissed before but not like this. We didn’t hold back. We didn’t lie to ourselves. The rain came. And I felt those burning shadows washing away.

It felt good. It felt right. It felt true. And I loved it. I love him.

Chapter 14

Once we locked ourselves in his room. The Big question was asked. “Virgins last.” Linx said. “Virgins” I said “you’re the only one.” “Tabs,” Linx said, “Aiden sees you as a virgin.” I blinked. “It’s not about a little patch of skin.” She said “It’s about choice.”

“Ok,” I said. I left it at that. I didn’t want to think. I just wanted to get lucky. I barely got into the sexy little outfit Billy got us. I was already wet. Seeing the others. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one. “Lura, did you go to the bathroom first?” Kelly asked “Why?” Lura asked.

“Ok,” Linx whispered, “it goes first to last and last to first.” “Linx, you, then me, then Lura,” Kelly said, “Lura gives him the first ride. Then I get him used to it. Then he’ll give you your first real ride. And then he finishes with Linx.”

“Oh,” I said, “ok no more talk. It’s sexy time.” Linx made Aiden close his eyes. She told Lura to get behind us. She sang for him and sat in his lap teasing him. I was next and made short work of using his hand on myself.

Kelly did the same on his other side. And Linx moved to get him warmed up. The look on his face was the hottest thing I had ever seen. His eyes were focused and burned with passion. His jaw set but dripped with need.

Lura was wearing the most girly outfit of all of us. Bright pink over her dark fur. She looked so shy about it. She wasn’t the hardcore killer we all knew. She was the sweet schoolgirl bashful of her first time.

Linx let her pass and she got on top of him. Watching them was a turn on and knocked me out cold with an orgasm. Kelly used his hand to its fullest. I watched Linx suck on his fingers and use them on herself.

She was soaked. I thought I heard her making a clicking sound. Ok she gets to clean the carpet after this. She left a huge wet spot on the floor. I had to catch her. “Still with us?” I whispered in her ear.

She hummed softly. Then Kelly fell to his mighty fingers. It was fun watching them “rip” their clothes off. Then she broke his card and rode him good. She was gentle with him. Going slow and talking him through.

She wasn’t hiding her accent anymore. It took everything she had not to pound his hips into the couch. She got up and half pulled him to the floor. He whimpered when she got up. She had shown him love and care.

Now he had to make her his. I saw the look on her face. That “now, finish what you started” look. He teased her and took her. He was growling and grunting. His knot started to swell, pulling on her after each thrust.

It got so big, she screamed when he pulled back. It was stuck. Her eyes were glazed over. And she was riding a high. He groaned, filling her to the brim. She smiled letting it sink in. “You’re knot going to be getting out of this mess anytime soon,” she laughed.

Taking his knot looked painful. But she didn’t seem to care. After a bit Lura had to pee. Now I know why Kelly asked. After a few minutes Kelly went to check on them. Lura came out and got dressed.

“You know,” Linx said “We forgot to get lube.” “I think we’re all wet enough for that.” I said. “No, they make a lube for canines” she said “makes knotting a little safer and easier to remove.”

“I mean it’s fine having a wait time this once” Linx said. “And feeling him pulse inside you, knowing he’s going to still be there for a long time,” Lura said, putting her hand in her lap, “mmm.”

“It just looks painful,” I said. “It’s not that bad. Yeah it hurts.” Lura said, “between him knotting me and me having an orgasm. I think it was the orgasm I was screaming about.” “Speaking of orgasms,” I said, giving Linx a knowing look.

“I know. I know.” She said, “I’ll clean the rug.” “Damn girl,”Lura said, “pent up much?” “I think I heard you clicking.” I said. “I’m still alive.” She answered, “and horny as hell.” Kelly came skipping out of the bathroom. Kelly got dressed and joined us for a bit.

“Hey, Playboy, are you going to be long? We’ve been waiting.” Linx said. The bathroom door opened and Aiden came out. I think the towel was just out of habit. But he looked like a wreck. We all agreed he needed a break.

He got some clothes on and stepped out for a smoke Lura went with him. “So did he knot you too?” I asked. “No,” Kelly answered, “it got too big too fast.” “How was it?” Linx asked. “Even without the knot, I don’t think I’ll be sitting down tomorrow.” Kelly answered.

“So did you take it up the ass?” Linx asked. “That’s why I won’t be able to sit.” Kelly answered. “A finger or two is one thing,” I said, “But that monster, dear god. “I might try it at least once.” Linx said. She laughed.

“But first we have to see if we can even handle that monster,” she added. “I know I want to, but I’m a little scared.” I said. “Between Lura and myself,” Linx said, “you’ll be fine.” “I can’t wait any more,” Linx said, peeking out the window. I followed just to be nosey.

“Aww,” she said, “they’re being cute again.” “Shh, they’re coming,” I said. Lura came in first. She smiled and asked, “So, have you ever tried feeding a guy a drink?” I shook my head. “It’s like swapping other things.” she said.

“I never thought to try that,” I said. Aiden came in as I spoke. “Well now’s as good of a time as any.” Lura said, nodding to the folf. I took the cup from him, poured it all into my mouth. We kissed as I fed warm coffee back to him.

I pull back. It tasted so bad. “Blah, blah, blah, God how can you drink it like that.” I said. I shook my head. I asked Lura if she wanted to join us. She said no. Linx was in Aiden’s room. I took his hand and led the way.

“Strip both of you now,” Linx said. I was almost naked anyway. Aiden was being a goof. “I’m sorry. I’m horny and have been for the past hour.” she said “I have needs and they Need to be filled.” “You and me both” I thought.

I was dancing around a bit. Mostly nerves. By time Aiden had finished stipping I was on top of Linx. “You’re at that end, playboy.” she said, squeezing my butt cheeks, “You know where to begin.”

I could feel his tongue working me over. I was moaning. I was riding his tongue. Linx was moaning and shuddering under me. “Don’t stop, I’m so close.” I cried, the burning between my legs was getting to be too much.

“Don’t you want that thick piece of meat in you?” Linx asked, pulling my lips wide. “Yes, yes, YES” I cried. I was whimpering. “She’s ready for you, Playboy. Make our little Tabitha a real Woman.” Linx said.

“Please, put it in me, Please I want it” I agreed. I had a flashback. I felt his tip press into me. I was starting to panic. He stopped. I was breathing hard, but I let him continue. It took a few tries before I could feel how hot he felt.

I focused on that heat. And how I wanted to feel it deeper inside me. I started to push back against him. I was whimpering with how deep he was. It felt like he was touching my heart. “God. He’s so deep.” I said, my head between Linx’s huge tits.

“And this is just the beginning.” Linx added, hugging me. He pulled out. I gasped as his hip reached me again. My whimpering hummed. It was starting to feel good. I could feel his knot start pulling on me.

He was slowing down. I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted it. I want all of it. “Please don’t stop. More. I want more.” I begged. “My knot’s coming,” he answered. “I want it. I want it in me.” I begged. I was whimpering with need. I heard Lura say something to him.

Then I felt it rip through me, thick, hot and hard. I felt his boiling seed pour into me with each thrust he gave. All I could do was cry. It felt as good, as much as it hurt. My body gave out. I could hear them talking but I was too far gone to care.

I felt full. Warm and full. I was out before my head hit Linx’s breasts again. I don’t remember what my dream was. But it felt good. Until I woke up and had to go to the bathroom. It hurt like hell. And it hit in layers.

It felt like I was going to die. After that I took a shower to wash all the stuff out of my fur. I finished, dried off and went back to bed. I cuddled up with Kelly who was all alone. Maybe I could get used to this.

Lube and condoms need to be on the next shopping list. Though I did dream about what having kids with him would be like. Maybe one or two for each of us. With Aiden as the father. I was sure they were going to be cute.

I still had mixed feelings on the matter. No matter what happens. There was going to be nothing but love. And Monday was two days away.

Chapter 15

It took over an hour for Aiden to finish talking to the bull. And they were talking fast. I lost track of what was going on. The bull finished by telling us, if we wanted Aiden as part of the band and the show. He had to be on stage with us or not at all.

Aiden agreed to the terms. I think he only did it, because we wanted it. “Aiden, I know you’re a quick learner,” Lura said “But we do have a lawyer on call to help with these matters.” “Same guy who had me fill out paperwork after I got beat up, arrested and fired?” he asked.

“Same guy” she answered “If it’s ok with you, can we get him to look it over?” He agreed. He stepped out for a smoke. And Lura made the call. Being me, I was listening in. “Good afternoon, Sir,” she said When the demon answered the phone.

“Hey kid,” the demon answered, “is your boyfriend in jail again?” “No, My boyfriend just got us a record deal,” She answered. She was blushing. “Oh really now,” the demon answered “Funny, a client of mine that met with Sam wale, he was in town, told me about a band he was looking to sign.”

“You wouldn’t have had anything to do with this?” Lura asked. “Nope,” he answered, “I asked Sam to meet with a client as part of her job. She just happened to take them to a club that happens to have her favorite band playing. No fault of mine if he liked what he heard.”

Lura rolled her eyes. “You know I can hear when you roll your eyes at me,” he said. I bit my lip to keep from giggling. “Tabitha, you know better than to eavesdrop,” he said, “Good afternoon.”

HOW THE FUCK DOES HE DO THAT? “Good afternoon Sir,” I answered. “Better. Now then. You lot coming to my office around one.” he said, “I still have yet to meet this boy.” “Please don’t threaten him, like you did to the last one.” Lura said.

“Me, scare a hybrid with DRPD and can go a few rounds with you?” the demon said “I don’t think I could.” “You’re a really bad liar.” Lura said. “Maybe.” he said “besides I don’t need to scare him.”

“What did you do?” Lura growled. “Alura,” the demon said, “Aiden’s mind works on a whole other level than yours. I just want to meet him. And I’ll look over the contract for you. Really your caseworker really needs to do a better job with you five.”

“Your office, one o’clock tomorrow.” Lura said “Anything else Sir.” “You know you can treat me like a normal guy,” the demon said. “Sir, normal people don’t have sold gold eyes.” Lura answered.

“Fair point,” he said, “I see the five of you tomorrow.” Click. “Aiden is so dead,” I said. “Oh, why am I dead?” Aiden asked. “Our lawyer wants to meet you tomorrow.” Lura answered. “Cool” He said “Get to meet the power behind the throne.”

We both blinked. “Tom has a good heart,” Aiden said “But let’s be real. The guy couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag.” “That only happened one time,” I answered. “Your point?” Lura asked.

“In short to cover that much ground that quickly, and somehow keep everything above the board.” Aiden said “You need someone with the right know-how and resources and power to get it done.”

“And the office you sent me to.” he added “Is the head office of Chartun Dalvoid.” “So you know him or something.” I asked. “No just the name.” He said “Saw a conspiracy video about him once.”

“You’re kidding right.” Lura asked. “Nope,” He said. “Video said he’s like some kind of demon or something. Got claws in everything. Even said he has ties with the hacker GITM.” “Gitm” I asked “you mean the deep web hacker group, Ghost in the machine?”

He nodded. “He’s also been called the devil with the gold eyes.” Aiden added. “And you know he’s meeting you tomorrow?” Lura said. “Like face to face.” Aiden nodded. “You’re not scared of him?” I asked.

“Nope.” he said “scared shitless. But the guy is known for doing a lot of good too.” “And you’re just cool with it.” Lura said. She cursed something. Not sure though. “You know, he scares all of us.” I said.

“Well, at best the threat is, I’m nobody and he’s good at what he does.” Aiden said “At worst, I’m nobody and he’s good at what he does.” “How’s the best and the worst the same thing?” I asked.

“At best, Dalvoid will give him the idle threat that Aiden is a nobody and no one will care if he goes poof.” Lura said. “And the worst?” I asked. “He makes me go poof.” Aiden answered. “Oh,” I said.

“We still have some lube left if you want to try to knock one of us up before you die?” I asked. “I think you have dick on the brain,” Lura said. “Yeah, Tabs,” Aiden said “I’m not that horny all the time.”

“Right,” I said, “that’s why Lura’s wearing a skirt and thong with a condom sticking out of her bra.” “She seems to have a perv sense for a super power.” Aiden said. “Honestly, I don’t see why you have the condom at all,” I said, “It’s not like you’re going to make him use it.”

She was blushing. “It’s fine Lura,” I said, “He’s your boyfriend, he should be doing you raw.” “Tabs, can we drop this.” she asked. “Yeah sure, quick question,” I said, “Lura you’re a screamer, if you’re going out on the deck. How are …” Aiden put his hand around my mouth.

He nibbled from my shoulder to the tip of my ear. I blinked and they were gone. Fucking jedi. “Oh, I didn’t think that would work on you.” Linx said, “also you might want to change.” I looked down. Damn it. How does he do that?

I changed my underwear. Again. “I can’t be that bad can I?” I thoughtlessly asked. “You’ve moved past a hard point for a lot of people like you,” Linx said, “and now that it doesn’t scare you as much if at all.”

“What, I like sex now,” I said “and now it’s a bad thing.” “It can be if you are trying to keep someone else’s boyfriend for yourself.” Linx said. “Oh,” I answered, “ok, I got nothing.” “Switch to pads to save on the laundry,” Linx said “and go easy on it.”

“You say that like it’s easy” I said. “Oh, I know it’s not easy,” she said, “Just remember, overdoing it is just as bad.” “Think a real cold shower could help?” I asked. “Maybe, It could just be you in heat.” she said.

“I think we all are,” I said. “What makes you say that?” she asked. We heard Lura cruising outside. “That,” I said, “And well Aiden being the only guy we can really get to. And those clocks are synced.”

“Fair point,” She said. “I’m cumming” Lura half yelled. … … … “Should we check on them?” I asked. Linx and I poked our heads out the door. “Need anything” she asked. Lura was sound asleep. And I think the only thing covering them was the skirt.

The condom was still sitting in her bra, unopened. Aiden gave us a thumbs up. “In heat and in love,” Linx said once the door was closed. “That is a scary mix.” I said. I paused and looked at Linx.

“What?” she asked. “In heat and in love?” I asked. She looked away. “How the hell are you putting up with it?” I asked. “Long story.” “Oh,” I said, “right.” That was a shameful overreaction on my part.

“Sorry,” I said. She patted my head. “I’m going to go lay down for a bit.” I said “feeling a little light headed.” She nodded. I went to bed. I stripped down first hoping the open air might help.

I woke up feeling wet and slimy. But that wasn’t what woke me up. I woke up from being flipped over on to my back. Before my brain kicked in, I saw something big and gray on top of me.

I felt something with a mix of hot and cold, but really big ram through me. I yelped in shock. In my panic I gripped on to the big gray thing. After a second or two, things came into focus.

It was just Aiden giving me another ride. I smiled. “You scared me you goof,” I said. He gave me a kiss. He smiled. “Think you can handle it?” he asked. I know Lura and Kelly like it rough. But they could take it.

Linx is a bit moody, with it. And well he holds back with me. Aiden is a bit of a control freak. Not in the bad way. Like when he and Lura go at it. They tend to roll around pinning each other down.

It’s a game for them. And rule one safety. Once she’s knotted or someone gets hurt. They stop. And they cuddle after. Same rule with Kelly but she’s more into being held down then fighting for control.

Linx is all about teasing and toying. And well again with me he has been holding back. I feel bad he can’t have the same fun with me. But I’m fine with the soft sex, and all the cuddles. But I should try it just once.

I nodded. He took my hands and pinned them lightly just over my head. He shifted a bit closer so I could move around. He put one hand on my hip. And I could feel him throbbing inside of me.

My heart was racing. We haven’t even started and I was breathing hard. He leaned down just enough I could reach him with my face. “Just say the …” he said when I reached up and kissed him.

He gave a growl from deep in his throat. It made me tighten every inch of my body. I was terrified and excited. He set the pace. Hard and fast. I barked and moaned. I quickly found myself playing his game.

I bit my lip between moans pushing against him. Drawing out extra contact. I fought to free my hands so I could hold him. To grip him so he could take me harder, faster, my legs kicked wildly.

I think at that point my brain melted. I felt him let up on my hands and rested the weight of his hand on my collar bone. He slowed to a stop. Making me whimper. Never once release his control of my hip.

With no other force than the weight of his hands. He held me still. A minute or so I settled down and could focus. After a shameful sigh I relaxed, letting him just hold me. That’s what the “showers” were for.

The overcharge sex fiend, a wild bitch in heat. He knew of it. But now that he saw it. What that monster turned me into. I wanted to cry. I wanted him off me, so he wouldn’t see me like this.

He had control. He started slowly rolling hips into mine. I sucked back a moan as he squeezed my breasts. He took me back to the breaking point. Driving me mad with need. I was lost with need, lust, love, pain, terrier, panic, excitement.

I felt like I was drowning. I hissed whimpers of need. I gave into the need. I fought him to wreck me. To destroy me. To breed me like the little bitch I was. But again he held me down. I begged him for release.

What felt like countless times. He broke me. And all I could see in his eyes was that gentle warm fire. My hearth. My home. Where I was safe. A gentle kiss and he broke me again. He wasn’t holding me down this time.

Each thrust shook my core. I rested my hand on his shoulder. I cooed between thrusts. His power. His control. His love. All honed by a lifetime of pain and nightmares. I didn’t see the monster’s face anymore.

The driving need, the wild heat, the lustful terrier. All forgotten in his warm gentle eyes. I had the control I needed. Now I had to find the will to use it. The game had never been about size or strength, power or control. It was all about the will.

The will to please your partner. The will to fulfill their needs. The will to love them with everything you have. I move my hand to the side of his head. With just a gentle press, his size gave way.

He rolled onto his back, bringing me to sit atop him. I rubbed myself over. I felt powerful, strong, beautiful and loved. I met his eyes. I saw the hint of lust burning in them. I had seen that same look in his eye when he was with Lura.

The same look he gave Linx and Kelly. I ran my hands down my breasts, my stomach, my pelvis, to where we were joined. I ran my hands up his pelvis, over his stomach, over his chest and to his face.

I held him there. His eyes, only on me. I could feel his pent up pain, and need of release. And if I wanted it. I was going to have to take it. It was uneasy, clumsy, and hard to move. I lay across him to steady myself.

I shifted and moved my hips slowly. I sat up slowly. Letting my movements build on their own. I heard him grunt a soft moan. He rested his hands on my legs. I started squeezing him on my own. Drawing out the soft moans from him.

I gasped a moan as I took him to the hilt. I felt his knot start to push against me, pulling softly on me with each bounce. I braced myself, holding my hands on his shoulders. He gripped my hips, steading my movements.

Welcoming the aid, I focused on milking him for all he had. Thanks to the lube, taking his knot didn’t hurt as much as the first time. It was kinda enjoyable. It was less filling with the condom on. But I felt satisfied.

I laid across him as we kissed. I squeezed him at all points of contact. After a few minutes he asked “Feel better?” “Much,” I answered, “Thank you.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek. I laid my head down and closed my eyes.

Chapter 16

We stood in the lobby of a somewhat tall office building. The receptionist was giving Aiden a hard time. “I’m sorry, sir,” the mouse said “none of the names given are on the appointment list.”

Lura took Aiden’s hand, said “Sir, would you do me a favor?” The mouse blinked. “Please go tell that Gold eye freak,” Lura growled, “that Thomas’ friends are here for their one o’clock meeting.”

The mouse picked up a phone and punched a number in. “Oh, sorry, Sir, I must have misdialed.” the mouse said. “A group of people, saying they’re Thomas’s friends, are here for a one o’clock meeting with you Sir.”

“Yes, Sir.” the mouse said, “understood Sir. Thank you Sir.” “You must be new,” Linx said, “Mr. Dalvoid likes to mess with his new hires. The number he gave you was for his office.” “Damnit Jeff.” the mouse said.

We all let out a laugh. Aiden was a little off. But he picked up on the prank quicker than most. “Jeff is head of security?” Aiden asked. The mouse rolled his eyes and sent us to the elevator.

“He does the “super villain” bit a lot, doesn’t he?” Aiden asked. “And plays up the creep factor.” I said. “Mostly just uses what will get the best reaction out of you” Kelly added. “Shock value is what he’s really going for.” Lura said.

Aiden’s ear randomly twitched. He stepped one side of the elevator putting his arm out in front of Kelly and I. we pressed to the wall as Linx and Lura did the same. The elevator stopped and the doors opened.

The back wall of the elevator was peppered with paintball pellets. “Noncombattens, Noncombattens,” Aiden called. “Not this time Johnson,” A voice answered. “Dammit Jeff,” Lura called “Don’t make me kick that beaver tail of yours again.”

“Miss Lura?” Jeff answered, “Oh shit. Disengage and fall back. Repeat, disengage and fall back.” “I thought the paintball thing was on fridays,” Linx asked, stepping out into the hallway. We quickly made our way to Dalvoid’s office.

Once inside the outer office, and out of line of fire. “Noncombatants off the floor, noncombatants off the floor.” Aiden called and closed the door. The door rattled from a spray of pellets.

“How did you know?” I asked. He handed me a flier. I rolled my eyes. “Never ends with him,” Lura said. “One of the most powerful men in the world.” Aiden said “just surprised he doesn’t have a slide in the building.”

Aiden’s eyes sharpened to pinpoints. It reminded me of what Lura said about Aiden beating a grandmaster at chess. The personal assistant opened the office door for us. The office was well lit. and was filled with a little bit of everything.

And sitting at the desk was a silver fur wolf with gold eyes. He sat looking right at us. We stepped through the doors. Aiden’s eyes scanned the room in a second. Then he locked eyes with the wolf.

“I see he’s quick.” the wolf’s deep rich voice chuckled. “Must we do this every time?” Lura asked. Aiden stopped right in front of the desk. The wolf stood up. Aiden was tall but the demon was taller.

The room got cold. And I mean cold. I could almost see my breath. We all could feel it. The battle of wills. Then they both smiled. It was a little creepy. They took the other’s forearm. Shook once and both sat down.

We all remembered how to breathe once they sat. “Well aren’t you going to ask” the demon said. “No point,” Aiden answered. The demon arched his brow. “Even if I did ask,” Aiden said “the answer is going to be maybe.”

The demon laughed, deep and rich. The old tired eyes turned to each of us. “You’re all looking well,” he said, “not working them too hard.” “No sir,” Aiden answered “the other way around.”

“As it should be,” the demon smiled. We all sat confused by what just happened. Dalvoid doesn’t like anyone. Lura was looking between the two. What twisted mess was this? They had a standoff for all of two seconds.

Lura took a second before she sat on Aiden’s knee. And we all sat around him. Somewhat making a wall around him. The demon looked us over with a half glare. Aiden gave Lura a small hug.

“So, tell me Aiden,” the demon asked. “No point, you already know more about me then I do,” Aiden answered, “And if the next question you’re about to ask is. What is my plan for the girls here? The answer is I don’t have one.”

The demon grinned. “And the follow up?” “You’ll have to ask your daughter Sam, or Samantha. When she gets here.” The demon’s grin showed teeth. Aiden’s ear twitched again. “Ok what the hell did we miss?” I asked.

“First question was. Tell me about yourself.” Aiden said. The wolf nodded. “No, point repeating what I already know” the wolf answered. “The second question you heard, playing it by ear.” Aiden said. On cue, ear twitched.

“Third question was, how do I know if I can trust you?” he added. Aiden shrugged. “I think you trust Sam’s judgment. Given, I’m not her type and my charm doesn’t work on her.” he said. “Nothing less from the second most dangerous person in the room.” The demon said.

I had to think that over. “You think Aiden is dangerous?” I asked. “There is only one thing keeping him out of my chair” the demon said. His smile never breaking. “Resources” Aiden said, almost if it had been planned.

“How did you know Sam was his daughter?” Kelly asked. “Picture on the filecabinet” Aiden answered “It’s facing the desk, not the door.” sure enough it was a picture of the two of them. “Also, the way she carries herself, there’s the same type of cagers in the ashtray at her apartment.”

“Three and oh” the demon said. “She also has gold eyes,” Aide added. We all blinked. The demon sat back. “Wait, she has them too?” Kelly asked. “All this time we never really looked her in the eye.” Linx said.

“I think we have a minute till your caseworker gets here,” the Demon said. “Sam’s running late then” Aiden said, turning his head to look at a clock on the wall. The two of them counted and said “head shot, dammit Jeff, second head shot.”

And on cue. “Dude she got a headshot” a voice outside yelled. Followed by Sam Yelling “Dammit Jeff.” and answered with another calling a second head head shot. “Misfire?” the demon asked. “Offhand,” Aiden Answered.

The doors opened. Sam walked in with a briefcase in her right hand and a paintball gun in her left popping off one last round. “Learn to aim, Jeff” she yelled “you might hit something.” the door closed behind her.

“Sorry, I thought the pallball thing was on friday” she said. The look of shock on her face when she saw us sitting there. “What are you doing here?” she asked, look right at Aiden. She really did have gold eyes like her father.

“You should have checked the paperwork, Samantha,” the demon said. I’m glad I'm not a lawyer. They talk way too fast. I think Aiden was keeping up. But I couldn’t. The whole matter broke when the demon asked “would you sleep with him?”

“If you weren’t my father” she answered without batting an eye. “And if he wasn’t your father?” I asked, before thinking. The demon turned to her. Well we all did. “He’d be on the list” she said leaving it at that.

Aiden didn’t seem to care. But he was always hard to read. Lura was somewhere between turned on and pissed off. Kelly seemed a bit lost. I’ll tell her later. Linx was a bit of the same as Lura.

I couldn’t see it working out. Maybe a one night stand but nothing else. “First time we met, he reminded me too much of when mom passed.” Sam said, “I couldn’t handle that again.” I think that was the first time I had ever seen the demon look hurt.

“Don’t look at me,” Aiden said, his hands up “I didn’t ask the question.” “But just for fun,” the demon said. “Trick question,” Aiden said “no comment.” the demon laughed. I swear Sam shot him a dirty look. Maybe for not answering.

Aiden started in on lawyer speak and got us back on track with the paperwork. The three of them read over and summed up the deal as a whole. They finish faster than we had thought. Sam left with us.

Sam and Lura sent me ahead with Aiden to meet them by the van. “They're up to something,” he said. I shrugged. “Why didn’t you answer that question?” I asked. “If I did,” he said “I’d be dead. Just a question of who got to me first.”

“But would you?” I asked. “You know me” he said, “And I think if Sam was to ever touch me in some form of that manner. It would be her just messing with Molly.” we got to the van. He yawned, rolling the devil tongue out.

I blinked. “You don’t think,” I asked. “I try not to,” he answered. “But” I said. “If they’re talking about it,” he said, “you’re meant to keep me busy.” “Why would they need me to keep you busy?” I asked.

“Well, more so the other way around.” he said. “Hey” I said. “Just enjoy the show,” he said, lighting one of his smokes. I moved to stay upwind of him. “What show?” I asked. “And what list was she talking about?”

“Oh, the list of guys she would fuck” he said. He didn’t even bat an eye. “Why does she have a list?” I asked. “Because if she was into guys,” he said and looked me in the eye “like I said. I’m not her type.”

“Well, we knew Sam was a …” I said. Then it hit me. “Oh, oh, but you said your charm didn’t work on her.” “Oh, no, that part is true,” he said, “but, think about my mindset at the time. And what she said about how she met me.”

“Oh, I see why Linx keeps calling you playboy,” I said. “More so, Sam is one of those people who knows how to handle someone like me.” He said. I blinked. “You’ll see,” he added. The four of them showed up at the van about the time Aiden finished his smoke.

I got a little scared when I saw him grinning. He had that focused look in his eye. Sam had changed her outfit back to her gothic biker chick look. Leather jacket half open over her bra, leaving most of her cleavage out in the open and black denim cut off shorts.

Sam was built like Lura but with Linx curves. Aiden gave a knowing wave stopping them before enclosing him. “So what’s the deal?” he asked. I moved off to the side. What they’re all powerhouses next to me.

“I’m looking into getting Molly a new toy,” Sam said. “And,” he asked. “From what I can tell,” Sam continued. She paused. I think she was blushing. “You think she’d like something more of my size,” he said.

“Yeah,” she sighed. “I don’t know what you had in mind,” he said, “and I don’t know what deal you lot made. But I have a price of my own.” “That’s fair,” she said. “One question,” he said. Sam rolled her eyes.

“Your father has DRPD as well,” He said. I swear all the color drained from Sam’s face. “How,” she started to ask. “Do we really have to go over that part?” he asked. “But your dad is a wolf?” I asked.

“Yeah,” Aiden continued “it’s common in hybrids like me. But rare in everyone else.” I open my mouth to say something. “Anyway, what was the deal on how you’re going to get the sizing?” we all blinked.

“Well, we didn’t think we’d get to this point so fast.” Linx said. “We thought we would just get you worked up and get a picture of it for her,” Kelly said. “Lura,” he said. Her ears folded back.

He lit another smoke. We all looked at Lura. She was blushing. “In the van?” he asked. “No, God no,” they both said. Aiden finished his smoke and got in the van. He sat in the back. “What’s wrong with him?” I asked, mouthing the words.

We all got into the van. I sat next to Kelly, Linx drove, and Sam sat up front. Lura sat next to Aiden. Well more like, on him. At least she wasn’t wearing a skirt this time. But hearing them growl like that.

I think he was just riding a high. And it was going to suck, when he crashes from it. Poor guy. We got back to the house. We were all quiet. It wasn’t an uneasy quiet. I pulled Sam to the side to ask her.

“So, Are you going to just watch as they go at it?” I asked. She pulled me into a tight hug. “And miss out on enjoying the closest thing I have to sisters, and their boyfriend?” she asked. I blinked. She picked me up.

It felt a little weird. I admit I’ve really only done these things with Linx, and mostly it was just her hand. But she gripped my butt the same way Aiden does and I started to melt there. And things got a little out of hand after Molly got there.

I’m glad Aiden skipped over that part on his side of things.

Chapter 17

Our flight landed late in the afternoon. And my mind was fuzzy. Aiden had to carry me like a little kid. Sam had got us a driver to make sure we didn’t get lost. The plain at that point was shower food and bed.

The hotel was something out of a movie. High class and everything. We checked in and were taken to our suite. The living room of this place was bigger than the whole house. We found a little energy to go through every part of the suite.

And we found the master shower. It could fit all five of us and then some. Aiden’s ear twitched when he saw it. But still licked his lip. I think we could all fit one more round in before bed.

Sam also got Aiden an emergency bracelet. Aiden was fine with it. He had signed off on it. It had contact information for if he has another episode. I didn’t like the fact we had to keep him on a leash.

“It’s not a leash, Tabs,” Aiden said “It’s more like a lifeline, for me to you.” “It’s still not fair to you,” I said. “We were all lucky it was Paul that found me,” he said. “Oh” I said feeling smaller. “Besides,” he added, “it’s part of my treatment.”

“So, it’s like, even if i’m not with you, I’m never far,” I said. He touched my nose adding “Right on the nose.” I didn’t think about it like that. It was another form of control for him. Like when I steal one of his shirts on a bad day so I can feel safe.

“And,” he said, “this is a promise to you. That no matter what happens. I will always come home.” He kissed my cheek. “Come on,” he said, “We’re going to the beach.” We went to a private beach.

Owned by Delavoid. We also got to see Sam there. Also found out Aiden has a thing for swimsuits. But that’s for another time. But we spent the day at the beach and went shopping. We had dinner with Heartford.

He and Aiden spent half the night talking shop. Hearthford had a beautiful wife and a wonderful little girl. And the whole time Aiden and Lura held hands. It hurt a little. But he was happy. But why do I have to go through this now?

I know what is going on. I know where it’s coming from. I know why I’m feeling this way. But it doesn’t change how I feel. We got back to the hotel and I hid. I needed to be alone. Being around him was starting to hurt.

“Tabs,” he called, “Tabs we need your help.” I didn’t answer. “Come on Tabs,” he called again, “We’re building a pillow fort.” “Building a what?” both Linx and Lura asked. “Pillow fort,” Aiden answered, “You never built them as a kid?”

“No,” they both answer. “Oh, Tell you what,” he said, “You find tabs, and me and Kelly will get all the pillows and the cushions.” “You’re lucky you’re cute,” Lura said. “Well there you are,” Linx said sitting next to me.

I tried to look away. She sat there looking at me. “Care to tell me?” she asked. We heard Kelly giggling “Put me down you goof.” She moaned. My ears folded back. “Oh, that bad?” she asked. I hid my face in my arms.

“What did he do?” she asked. “It’s not him,” I finally said. “It’s not the nightmares again?” she asked. “No,” I said. “Then what is it?” she asked. “I know I don’t really …” I stopped. Tears rolling down my face.

“You think You’re in love with him,” she said, “but you also think you’re just latching onto him because of what he has done for you.” I nodded. “Both can be true,” she said, petting my head. “I just want it to stop,” I said.

“Tabitha,” she said, pulling me close to her. “He’ll say the same thing I’m going to say. He loves you. It’s not the same love he feels for Lura. but it’s nonetheless true.” “How would you know?” I asked.

“Because he feels the same way about me.” she smiled, “It hurt to hear it the first time. But we were also in the middle of that when he said it.” “You can’t think he is in love with all of us” I asked. She shook her head.

“Aiden has spent most of his life trying to not feel anything.” she said, “And now he’s having to learn how to feel. To know what is real and isn’t. It’s a long hard road for him. And he needs us to be there for him.”

“Oh, fuck, fuckfuck. It’s in. It’s in.” Kelly moaned “Fuck it’s in.” We heard them both moan. “You know, he scares Kelly, and she’s doing her best to get over it.” Linx said. “Lura was abandoned, and yet she is risking her love, to share him with us, even giving Molly a go at him.”

“But how do I know if…” she cut me off “It is real. He loves you just as much as the rest of us. You just have to learn how to share.” “Is that how you deal with it? Knowing you're doing it for him?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m in love with him. And yes he’s not in love with me. but I know he still loves me, and if we’re both willing I can be his at any time.” She said, “Now come along, he wants to build a pillow fort.”

We got up and found the three of them going at it. And sure enough Aiden was knotted up Kelly’s ass. With both of them going to town on Lura. “Aww, I missed out on the best part,” she said.

I pulled her panties down and worked my fingers into her wet folds. Damn she’s tight. “Oh you little monster,” she moaned, “Oh fuck.” At some point we did build fort vixen. But mostly we spent the night enjoying one other.

Chapter 18

The studio was nothing I had ever seen before. And the crew they had were the oddest group I had ever met. Ned, Tech, and Josh, nicknamed the magi. I ended up showing Tech the program on my laptop to give them an idea of what they had to work with.

They did something to it and had it updated to the one that was still in beta. Josh had coded it. So it was his to do with. We did a handful of songs and had two Aiden had to sing. We even made one up right on the spot.

Sam had some paperwork to go over with Aiden so we had a chance to play Heaven without him there. I know it hurts him every time. So we try to not play it around him. But he always comes back to check on us.

We had to go for a photo shoot after recording. I want to say it was funny watching Aiden dealing with all those people on the set. But he had a panic attack and was trying to hide behind us. Lura had to hold his hand most of the time.

The photographer asked what was wrong with him. We told him. The photographer was a lion but he was barking orders like it was nothing. He had a cousin who was a ligger. So he knew how to manage someone like Aiden.

Aiden made sure we had the outfits he made. They made some changes but kept them mostly the same. We had to do solos for each of us. Then a few group shots and pairing us off. The photographer asked how much fur we were comfortable with showing.

Nudes were fine. Still a little weird, being naked around strangers. But we didn’t have to get naked. Mostly he wanted to get a few pinups of us. Mostly just show some fur in a sexy pose. Personally I think the best were the ones where we got to wear Aiden’s shirt with him holding us. He was shirtless showing off his silver belly fur.

Of our photos like that my favorites were. The one where I was in my underwear with his shirt on as he held me up to show off my butt. Then it’s the one with Kelly sitting on his hip with the shirt open for fluffy boobs.

Then Linx’s one with him hugging her around the waist with her boobs in his face and her butt sticking out. But by far the best one was Him and Lura both topless in a kiss. But the best solo shot was Aiden by himself looking deadpan into the camera with his burning cold eyes.

And this was just day one. When we got back to the hotel, Aiden just crashed. Like he hit the first soft thing he touched and boom. Out. I think he slept on the couch. I wasn’t far behind him. We all woke up late the next day.

It happened so fast I forgot everything else we did that week. How Sam and Aiden got all that paperwork done with all the running around was nuts. He even found time to write. On top of keeping up with us.

I know we had to meet, I think it was two dozen people who were going to work on the first few music videos. And a dozen more for the debut show of the album. Right Aiden just corrected me. He and Sam had to meet with almost four dozen people. We were just tagging along.

Sam wanted us to be resting outside of making music. But we wanted to go. Plus free food. Shopping. And other fun stuff. And we made sure anytime someone helped us with anything we thank them.

We weren’t stars yet. And even then we didn’t step on people. Anyway. There was a lot going on that week. I know I said that already. I think we had to make sure Aiden took care of himself as well.

Oh, there was one point where I almost got thrown out a window. The big goof was pushing himself so much. I threatened to throw his cigarettes in the pool if he didn’t take a break. That was a bad idea. But it was just a threat. He did throw me into the pool though.

Sam made me read “for dummies” books so I could help out. And that’s when Sam got me and Aiden into college under business management. That part took the better part of a year. But we’ll come back to that later.

After that week we finally got home. After some sleep and some cleaning. We went back to the life we knew. Almost. Aiden now had to deal with both sides of the showbiz coin. But he took to it like a fish to water.

We each took a small roll in Aiden’s job. I got to work with the sound tech and video production crews. Linx served as our personnel director. Kelly the engineer did just that. Stage and production design.

Lura took on the hardest job of all. She became the band’s mother. Somehow it was the most fitting for her. We ended up having to move to a bigger house. And it had a pool. Yes. We turned about half the house into office space.

Recording studio, office space. The mad science lab. And the like. We did the debut tour for our first album “Heaven”. The things I remember or at least can recall were. The heat of the lights. The smell of thousands of bodies.

Meeting people so fast I didn’t even get to see their faces. Being asked to sign some of the weirdest things. Aiden talking. Not that he didn’t. Just hearing his voice for more than a few words or a thought.

My head was spinning most of the time. My throat hurt a lot. So many people. Just so many people. Poor Aiden was almost never alone. If he wasn’t meeting fans or talking to managers, directors, or some other high power job.

He had someone next to him all the time. Even if it was one of us. It got to him. I remember him crying. He had laid down on the bed and just cried. It was too much for all of us. We were ready to walk away from it all.

Till we got a letter. I don’t think Aiden would talk about it. It wasn’t a bad thing. It’s just, that letter hit him the hardest. It was a thank you letter from a fan. I’ll sum it up. They heard “Heaven” for the first time after a fight they had with their partner.

Then in a drunken stupor they went to a church and spoke with the priest. Now they were getting help. Like Tom said. It would break him thousand times if it helped just one person. We’d get a lot of letters like that.

But it was enough to make us keep going. With everything we did. We pushed harder. Because it wasn’t about us anymore. It was about those countless faces we saw. It was about breaking a cold heartless world.

And we did what we set out to do. We did what Tom set out to do. Make the world a better place. Funny thing about “Heaven”, it was when the music video was being filmed. Kelly met someone.

A chocolate lab named Kazy. retired marine. He got casted for the role of the “Husband”. They played out the story of an abusive husband losing everything. His life falling apart and ready to kill himself.

Deep shit, I know. Till he goes to shoot himself in the head and the gun jams. And a group of people show up out of nowhere. Kelly got to be the hero. And turn the guy’s life around. Well that was just the music video.

Truth was. Kazy has PTSD. and the role was the first check he had in months. Kelly then got to be a real hero. She pulled him out of a deep depression. Her eyes shined the first time she saw him. The same way Lura’s did when she saw Aiden the first few times we know of.

Once he was back on his feet Linx got him a job as one of our bodyguards. Side note. Kazy hated having to play that role in the video. Nice guy. They got married but never had kids. But Kelly’s brother had two kids. Boy and girl.

We had to get a personal trainer to help keep us in shape. Enter Charlie the wolf. He wasn’t one of those hardcore healthe nuts screaming healthy lifestyles. Nah, he was mostly chill. But he and Aiden didn’t get along at first.

At least till they had a knocked down drag out that ended with them having a few beers and talking it out. Charlie and Linx hooked up. They never got married. Even after he knocked her up. But they stayed together. Linx had a beautiful baby girl.

Then came my choice. Filming “Just another day” I met a young fox, Aquinas. Everyone called him aqua. Mostly because, between ADHD and bipolar. His mood would shift like ocean tides. And he was a slippery little guy. He gave me beautiful twin vixens.

As for Lura and Aiden. At one of our shows. He popped the question. She said yes. And told him he was a father. They had a small wedding. And a few months later Lura gave Aiden a healthy baby boy. Aiden named him Thomas.

Aiden built a career with the record company. As he told one interviewer. “My career in showbiz was never about me being in the spotlight. It was about how many people I can share it with.” We never quit. We just shared the stage with more people.

We’d do a tour here or there. We put out a few albums. But We got to the top and started helping others get there too. So there you have it. The story of one small band meeting a mad man and making music. Our songs of faith.

Alright we’re done for the night. So drive safe. And stay up too late. And God bless.

Fin.