FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Primary Author's Note: For those who are (really into / really not into) water sports, it is a very small scene with virtually zero sexual involvement. You'll understand when you get there. Fair warning not (to get your hopes to high / prepare to run the hills). Select the appropriate response based on personal tastes. You have been advised.

Secondary Author's note at the end to prevent possible spoilers.

Please read and hopefully enjoy.

OOOOO

Loneliness Lost

He stared at the door while standing at the bottom of the steps, attempting to envision what would lie beyond. Nothing that came to mind was pleasant but he forced himself to consider everything. The jacket was pulled tighter about his neck, but it didn't help much against the biting cold wind. His ears and nose were numb, his paws close to the same despite the thicker fur.

Logic told him he should not be here, that this was a terrible idea from step one. "Yet here I am." His voice was nearly lost in the wind that gusted past him, momentarily snow blinding him. "About to kick the proverbial hornets' nest because I can't do anything else." The memories of the past few days replayed, like a cinema from hell, as he climbed the stairs to see what would lay behind that door.

OOOOO

"Salena." Thorn whispered at last. "Her name was Salena."

Sam took a nervous breath as heard the longing in his boyfriend's voice. It was painfully obvious just how much Thorn had cared for her, probably still cared for her. "Was?" His own voice was no stronger than Thorn's, as if afraid asking the question any louder might hurt the wolf.

A solemn nod of the head was seen as Thorn turned around to face Sam. "She passed away, a bit over five years ago." The lie was small, no need to upset Sam further by showing he knew down to the day how long it had been. "She was my mate." He supplied, saving Sam from having to ask the question eventually.

"Mate?" Sam felt his throat tighten. "I thought...I thought wolves mated for life." The tightness in his throat migrated quickly to his chest as Thorn didn't respond right away.

Thorn berated himself silently for a moment as he realized his error. "That's a life mate." He clarified quickly. "Within the wolf community, a life mate is the equivalent of a husband or wife. A mate is a girlfriend...or boyfriend."

The pressure eased as Sam thought that through. Every species had their own way of naming things. Miscommunications were common even. "I see." Was all he could respond with for several minutes. "If...if it's not Caragan who reminds you of her then..." He did need to finish, the answer was already on Thorn's face. "Me? How? We're not even the same species."

"It's...it's the way you react to things. To life around you. To me." He turned around again and resumed slicing vegetables. "Do you remember when I said I would explain everything about wolves to you at some point?"

"Of course." Sam moved to the table and sat in one of the chairs. "It wasn't all that long ago."

"There are three main ranks within the wolf community. Four if you get really technical, but not many do anymore." Thorn finished with the vegetables and began to mix them together in a large bowl. "They were very important in the old days, the age of ferals, now they're mostly ceremonial."

Sam nodded as Thorn placed the salad bowl, and a couple smaller bowls, on the table before him. The food looked great, but Sam didn't feel terribly hungry right now. "That's why you said you thought Cara was a beta or a gamma." He followed the larger male with his eyes as Thorn returned to cooking. "What are you?"

Thorn gathered several spices in silence as he collected his thoughts. "My pack was Alpha." He frowned as he was unable to find one of his ingredients and moved to a different cabinet. "Once upon a time that meant we were the protectors and the leaders of the tribe. Now a days it's practically meaningless. A bunch of pomp and circumstance, but the traditionalists make it seem much more."

"I take it you don't agree?" Sam could hear the displeasure in Thorn's voice.

"Putting someone above, or below, another just because the place they were born into. No, not a big fan." He shook his head. "Funny thing is, even in the old days the Alphas were basically just muscle heads. It was the Betas who were the advisors, the brains behind the scenes. Then the Gammas were the ones who kept everything running with the day to day stuff." He laughed, though it had a dark edge to it. "Medical care, pup rearing, tribe trade and finances. Just the little things really." His voice heavy with sarcasm.

"That's why you said it was weird by modern standards." Sam spoke as pieces began to fall into place. "But, I still don't understand what that has to do with Salena."

"Wolf is wolf, but only certain kinds of wolf." Thorn pulled down a pan and set it atop the stove with the flame low. The sound of the oil crackling in the pan as the larger male added seasonings ruled the air for a few moments. "We met in high school. I was a junior, she was a sophomore."

"How'd you meet?" Sam asked as he picked up a tomato slice from the salad and popped it in his mouth. "Lunch room accident?" He smiled as Thorn laughed, glad that the wolf could tell the story with a bit lighter mood.

"No, if I had to rely on that." Thorn shook his head. "I don't think I'd have even known who she was." He reached for the steak and began to cut away the fatty portions. "I failed math, got put in the dummy class. She was my tutor."

Sam blinked. "You failed math and had to be tutored by younger Furre?"

"I was a dumb ass back then." Thorn replied lightly.

"Back then?"

Thorn shot Sam a look over his shoulder, though there was a smirk there. "Look who's all funny all of a sudden." He returned his attention to cooking dinner. It went unnoticed by the wolf that his voice no longer carried a far away tone. "I didn't take well to it at first, her being younger and female, telling me what to do. Odd the things I focused on..."

"She must have won you over somehow." Sam's nose twitched at the unfinished sentence. "Pretty?"

"Yeah, in that awkward pup to adult kind of way." Thorn agreed. "But...it was the way she acted that did it for me. Strong one moment, soft and shy the next." He laughed as he flipped the steak in the pan. "First time I mouthed off at her, she kicked me in the balls." He cringed, as did Sam, at the memory. "No apology later either."

"And.. this attracted you to her?" Sam asked, now more than a bit confused. "Should I buy some heavy boots next time I go out?"

"She stood up for herself, and others, when she needed to." Thorn shrugged. "Someone who could be the perfect demure schoolgirl one second, and tough as nails the next. It's...attractive."

Sam frowned. "I stood up for Cara. You didn't thing it was attractive then." He leaned forward in his chair. "In fact you seemed to out right hate it. You yelled at me."

"I didn't..."

"You may not have raised your voice, but you yelled at me." Sam refused to let the canine interrupt him. "What was the difference?"

"She got beaten up. A lot." Thorn replied softly. "Because of me." The steak shifted about in the pan to make sure it didn't stick. "And she never told me because a wolf is supposed to fight alone."

"Thorn, you keep saying things are your fault when they're clearly not." Sam stood and moved to the wolf's side. "Not everything that happens is because of you." Sam took Thorn's arm and turned him to look directly at his face. "You are not responsible for the actions of others."

"Not quite what I meant." Thorn's jaw tensed as he reconsidered how to explain. "When we started going out we caught a lot of grief. I was a bit more protected, just rumors and accusations of slumming it." His eyes closed and his head leaned down. "Salena wasn't so fortunate, Gammas don't get much protection."

"Those who followed tradition," Sam reasoned aloud. "They didn't approve." He bit at his lip as Thorn nodded. "Was that how..."

"No, she was strong when it came to that." The canine shook his head slowly. "She hid the fights from me for three months, always smiling...always laughing. Until finally a bunch of them got tired of waiting for her to break the old fashioned way." The fry pan shook as Thorn began to tremble. "She showed up to a date with a black eye, smiling like nothing had happened."

"They?" Sam swallowed as he saw the anger just below Thorn's fur. "Sounds like they didn't follow their own rules." he rubbed at the wolf's neck, trying to calm him. "What happened?"

"I thought I was protecting her." His voice was soft, pain laced. "I thought I was the only reason she was being put through such difficult time. If I was taken out of the picture, they'd leave her alone." His paw balled into a tight fist as he held the pan's handle. "I broke up with her."

Sam jerked as he heard the confession. "I didn't think you'd ever back down from a fight."

"I won't any more, but I was different then." Thorn let go of the pan as his trembling threatened to flip the utensil off the stove. "I was wrong though. They didn't leave her alone...and she wasn't as strong as I thought."

Sam leaned in and hugged his boyfriend tight as the wolf's eyes began to water. He wouldn't like what he heard next, Sam knew that much. Thorn always tried to be easy going, to see him so shaken. To hear such guilt in his voice was painful.

"Two weeks after we broke up they found her in the locker room of our high school." Thorn stopped for a moment as the memories threatened to get the better of him. "With a note that said 'Sorry'." He took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "And an empty pill bottle."

The smaller male looked up as the wolf went silent. There was no hysterical out burst, no real change in breathing even, but Thorn was crying freely all the same. Sam contemplated telling Thorn how sorry he was for the loss, but thought it my hurt worse if he mirrored the last words that Salena left behind.

It was several minutes, and the rise of smoke, that pulled Thorn from his thoughts. "Shit..." Muttered as he pulled away from Sam to turn off the flame and throw the steak, pan included, into the sink to douse the fire. He rubbed at his eyes roughly to dry his tears, almost as if embarrassed to have shown them, as he looked to his boyfriend.

Sam held Thorn's paws still. "Why is it ok for me to cry, but not you?" At the wolf's small, chagrinned smile Sam nodded. As they held paws in the kitchen Sam spoke quietly. "You really cared about her."

"Yeah, I did."

"Would she have been more than just a mate?"

Thorn shook his head slowly. "I don't know, we were young and never really had a chance to talk about such things."

Sam nodded, appreciating the honesty of the answer. "I remind you of her..." He began as he squeezed Thorn's paws. "Am I a replacement for her?"

"Never." Thorn gripped Sam's paws firmly. "No one would be able to replace her, just as no one would be able to replace you." He loosened his grip, incase Sam wanted to pull away. "There will always be a part of me that loves her Sam, but there is a lot more of me that loves you..."

Sam leaned forward and cut Thorn off with a kiss. "That's all I need to know." He whispered with a smile, as they broke apart. "Order us some dinner, we have a lot more to talk about."

Thorn laughed as Sam stepped back a little, marveling at how Sam could defuse such a tense situation so easily. "All right. What do you want?"

"How about some Six Chicks?" Sam asked, sticking his tongue out as Thorn looked at him confused. "You tried to make steak, you want red meat. Get one of those disgustingly greasy burgers you like."

"You sure?" Thorn reached for the phone on the wall. "There's at least one more steak I could prepare."

"No, there isn't. I looked in the freezer yester..." Sam stopped and groaned as the innuendo finally hit him. "Looks like my typical male is back."

"Thanks to my cross dresser." Thorn smiled as he started to dial.

"Hey Thorn?" Sam waited as the wolf stopped dialing. "I won't let you push me away. I won't ever say sorry." He smiled a bit. "And if need be, I'll kick you in the balls once and a while."

Thorn's tail began to wag as Sam rounded the corner and left his sight. He said nothing more on the subject as he finished dialing. Smiling, he walked over to the window and looked up at the moon.

Ooooo

He'd only gone three steps. A few seconds passed as he tried to consider the idea that he was either walking incredibly slow or his mind was moving incredibly fast. Neither scene seemed all that appealing really. His foot paw rose to meet the next step, and another movie began to play in his mind's eye.

Ooooo

He landed hard on his back as the front kick launched backwards, grunting as pain radiated around his skinny frame. He rolled to his talons quickly as an axe kick raced to follow his plummet. "Break!" Kameg ordered as he regained his stance. "Do you guys see what happened there?" He asked the class sitting at the edge of the ring. He sighed as every one of the student's shook their head. "Mr. Thorn?"

The wolf turned from where he'd been waiting at rest position after Kameg's order to halt the fight. "Where were Mr. Kameg's paws?" He pointed to the lynx that raised her paw.

"Out to the sides."

Thorn nodded. "Where should they have been?" Another student was called.

"In close to his chest to provide protection." Replied the lemur.

"Good." Thorn nodded. "So why were his paws so far out?"

"Cause it's a training exercise and he made the mistake on purpose." Replied a cheetah without waiting to be called on.

Thorn made no verbal reply, but a quick motion with a single finger was enough to get the point across. He waited until the feline had begun his punishment pushups before continuing on. "Let's try that one again."

The arctic fox that was called on thought for a moment. "He was off balance." He finally replied. "Mr. Kameg didn't pivot on his back talon and almost fell over. His paws had to be wide to regain his balance."

"Good, now." Thorn bowed to his friend. "Perhaps we can show them what it would look like when done properly Sir?"

Kameg struggled not to laugh as Thorn had to address him properly, knowing it was grating on the wolf. "Agreed." They moved to the center of the sparing ring at opposing sides. "Bow! Ready!" He glanced down once to the wolf's left footpaw, indicating which side to strike from so the student's would see. At Thorn's double blink, the agreed upon signal, for confirmation he continued. "Begin!"

Behind where the class sat, a dragon in pure white sparing uniform watched with a critical eye, nodding in approval. He'd wondered what this class would look like. Thoughts of egos becoming flared and control being lost had worried him, seemingly for naught. "Life...really is the best teacher." The Master retired to his office for the next hour as the class continued, more confident in his decision now than before.

As the class continued on Thorn's mind began to drift a bit. Questions over what lay down the road for he and Sam at the forefront, followed quickly by questions over what the Master had in mind for him. It was only a matter of time before the distractions caught up with him in the form of side kick that toppled him to the mat.

Boss blinked as the wolf fell to the sloppy attack. "Not the way I thought I'd get you." He admitted as he helped the smaller canine to his footpaws. "Almost a bit anticlimactic."

"Sorry I'm not a harder target." Thorn shot back, hoping the forced levity would hide his lack of attention. "Getting sloppy in old age I guess."

Boss snorted and set himself in ready position again. "I doubt that. You've not seen me once during this fight." He smirked. "Which is a bit infuriating that it took so long for me to hit you given that."

Thorn chuckled lightly. "I see." Spreading his footpaws and raising his fists Thorn motioned for Boss to continue. "Well, I see you now. You're about to become very infuriated."

Kameg's feathers rippled a bit as he stood at the side of the room, watching the various sparing circles. His eyes glanced to the old drake's office, seeing that the Master was watching Thorn once again. "Break!" He called out after a quick glance to the wall clock. "Lines!" The students moved quickly to their starting points, determined by rank, and Kameg moved to the front of the room. "Mr. Thorn..." The avian smiled as the wolf shot him a questioning look. "Please lead the class through cool down. You may dismiss them when done."

Thorn's eyes narrowed as the bird walked away to the Master's office. Once the stretches were done the wolf stood and bowed the class out. Another glance was paid to the closed office door, but it did not move. "Master did say he wanted to speak with me." He recalled quietly as he turned to face the wall length mirror. "May as well make use of the time while I wait."

His arms rose and fell with practiced ease, blocking and striking at opponents only the mind could see. Footpaws stepped forward and back to evade the enemies he could not defend against in time. Quick kicks lashed out, more to give him some space and pause his foes then to deal actual damage. Dual blocks at the left and right halted him for a brief moment before dropping to the sweep kick. With a flip to his footpaws once more he returned to the ready position. "At least there's one set of issues I know how to deal with." He smiled ruefully.

"Your forms have improved markedly." The Master's voice carried through the almost empty hall. "Do you know why?"

"It wouldn't be right to say I'm not trying as hard as I used to." Thorn thought aloud. "More like, I'm not forcing it any more."

"That's a good assessment." The dragon agreed and motioned for Kameg to join them. "I had intended for a few things to go differently, but I think things have fallen as they will. All that remains is to put a bit of order to the chaos."

Thorn looked between his friend and his Master, his ears going flat as he realized he was clearly not in on whatever secret they had. "I'm not sure I understand Sir." his frown deepened as the elder smiled and nodded.

"The past few days have given me worry." The silver scaled male looked to Kameg. "While I find it comforting that you were willing to stand by you brother's side, as the senior student you should have known better then to let things go as far as they did. Let alone how far they could have gone."

"Yes Sir." Kameg bowed his head. "Sorry Sir."

The Master turned to look at Thorn. "I understand why you ran to the path you did, better than most, but I am disappointed with how quickly you turned to it." He paused as the wolf turned slightly away. "That said, I'm proud that you tried to protect your brother from the repercussions and that you turned back on your choice before it was too late."

Thorn exchanged a quick glance with Kameg, his instincts on high alert as Master had mentioned brotherhood twice now. It was not common to his speech, reserved only for truly important discussions concerning the do-jang. Again, Thorn saw that Kameg knew something more despite his best efforts to look neutral.

"A part of me wondered if either of you two were truly ready to lead." The dragon bowed his head. "But, as I was, so are you now."

Kameg shook his head as he saw Thorn was still not following the meaning of the words. "He's naming the school's successor you dumb mutt." He teased light heartedly, earning a confused glare from Thorn and a chuckle from the Master. "And here's a hint, it's not me."

Thorn stood dumbfounded. "But...how...huh?" He shook his head roughly and faced his teacher. "Kameg is the senior most student and higher rank, if anyone..."

"I don't have the patience for it Thorn." Kameg cut his friend off. "I don't have the ability to teach the same way you do. Doubly so with the cubs." He shrugged his shoulders and crossed his wings in front of his chest. "Besides, the last couple of days have made me realize just how much I still have to learn."

"I'm not even a black belt!" Thorn growled. "I have more to learn than you do!"

"No Thorn." Kameg locked his eyes to the wolf's. "You don't. You know who you are. I saw it at The Vixen, and again when you could have mopped the floor with Boss. You've achieved something I haven't yet."

Thorn jerked back at the certainty of Kameg's words, the strength of tone. He looked to his Master, and swallowed as the drake nodded. "I don't..." He blinked and tried to step back as Kameg suddenly advanced, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck.

The old dragon watched as the senior student whispered something for only the wolf to hear. Interest piqued as he saw the canine's muscles go stiff, then relax slowly as Kameg stepped away. The Master watched as his successor clenched and unclenched his fists several times before standing at attention. Face to face, the disciple spoke to his Master.

"Where do we begin?"

OOOOO

"Some long friggin' stairs..." He muttered as he finally stood at the top of the stoop, staring at the doorbell as if it would ring itself. "Fuck it." His paw darted forward and pressed into the cracked, plastic button before his mind could catch up to his body. Several minutes passed and no answer was given, not that he'd really expected one. Gritting his fangs he pressed the buzzer again, harder this time, and heard something chime within the house. "Ok...didn't work the first time don't get all..." His half spoken thoughts went dead as the door opened.

"Was wondering when you'd finally ring the bell." The black furred rabbit smiled. "After standing out here for almost a half hour I was beginning to think you were going to protest our house by freezing to death out here." He stepped aside and motioned for the wolf-cicle to enter.

"All due respect Mr. Bushman, I think I'll stay out here." Thorn looked over the older male before him, noting the increased amount of gray in the lapine's whiskers and ear fur. It had only been a month or two since he'd seen the Bushman father, Turmeric if he remembered the name correctly, picking Cads up from practice. Thorn's ears flattened as he realized he wouldn't be able to do quite what he came out to do. "What I have to say won't take long anyway."

"Cub, do you think you are the only one with things to say?" Turmeric asked with a pained smile. "Caramel is not home, you needn't worry." His head tilted in question as the canine still did not move. "Ah, you believe I'll attempt something once you're inside my home." He chuckled. "I don't think I'd be much threat to you given what I've heard of you."

"Even I'm not bulletproof."

"No, I suppose you're not." Turmeric agreed. "Though, Cads tells me how you respect one's word. You have mine that no harm will come to you in my home." He lifted a paw and motioned Thorn to enter. "Please?"

Something in the way the way the older Furre spoke made Thorn willing to grant a bit of trust. He undid his coat a bit as he stepped into the foyer, looking around at the décor. It took only a few passing glances to see something was amiss. The family photos far less than what he expected. Those that remained showed Caramel, Turmeric, a black furred female, and a much younger crème furred male. Thorn found himself baring his fangs ever so slightly as he realized that Sam had been all but erased.

Turmeric saw the wolf's reaction and let his head hang a bit. "This way, we'll talk in my study."

Thorn followed as he recomposed himself. Upon entering the study he began to realize that Turmeric would not be the target of his anger. He picked up the photo frame and looked at the smiling faces, at least Turmeric was smiling. Sam looked less then thrilled as he struggled to keep a hold on the fish in the boat.

"It was our first, and last, fishing trip." Turmeric laughed as he saw the wolf looking at the picture. "Between the cold, wet, and the blood..." He shook his head. "Well, Sam didn't eat much for the next few days." The older male opened a small cabinet and pulled a crystal bottle from within. "Scotch?"

"No, thank you." Thorn shook his head. "I'm in training again."

"Guess you'll turn down a cigar too?" Turmeric sighed as the wolf nodded. "And here I thought I might have a smoking buddy at long last." He waved to one chair and sat down in the one opposite. "But it seems you're as big a health buff as my hazelnut."

"Hazelnut?" Thorn sat down, watching as Turmeric smoked.

Turmeric took a few puffs and smiled. "Sam's nickname. Cause of his eyes and how crazy he was as a cub." He looked Thorn over as the wolf smiled knowingly. "Though I take it you two probably have some nicknames for each other as well." The rabbit raised a paw as Thorn's ears went flat. "Not judging, not even asking. Just...realizing things have changed." The level of scotch in the glass reduced a little bit. "You really care for Sam."

Thorn nodded. "Yes, I do." A few moments passed in silence. "You don't hold to the same beliefs as your lifemate."

Turmeric closed his eyes and released a heavy sigh. "You mean, do I care that my son is gay? No, gay or straight, Sam will always be my son." His eyes opened slowly as he took a bit more of his drink. "Truth be told, I was kind of relieved when Caramel said it."

The statement took Thorn aback. "Relieved? Why?"

"Sam's always been a bit different Mr. Black..."

"Thorn." The wolf corrected. "I try not to use my pack name, unless I want to keep someone at a distance."

"I see." Turmeric watched the wolf for a moment, trying to see beyond the carefully constructed wall that Thorn had made for this meeting. "As I was saying, Sam's always been a bit different, but I never could quite put my finger on what it was." There was a chuckle, but little humor in it. "You always hear stories about the quiet ones, the ones with the secrets kept bottled up. I worried for him but didn't know how to broach the subject with him." Another small amount of scotch was drained from the glass. "I'm grateful that Sam found others who could help him when I couldn't, but it's a bitter pill."

Thorn sat quietly as Sam's father continued to sip at his drink and roll the cigar in his paw. Questions as to how someone like Turmeric and Caramel could get together bounced through his mind. "This wasn't what I had pictured." He mused aloud to catch Turmeric's attention. "I thought I'd come over, make my statement about how stupid everyone was being about this, and walk away to be with Sam. I feel like a popped balloon."

Turmeric's nose twitched for a few moments and then he laughed. "Yes, given how the look on your face has changed over the last few minutes I imagine things should have gone much differently." He raised his glass again, but did not sip before lowering it again. "I love my son, but I don't think I did right by him." He took a few more puffs on his cigar, there was much he needed to make Thorn understand. "Pepper was my little girl, I doted on her. There are times I wonder if Sam saw how much attention I paid to her and tried to be more like her." The reminiscing father swirled the drink in his paw. "And then Cads came along, the baby of the family, and was just such a rambunctious little tyke." A long sip of the booze was taken. "I think I lost touch with Sam somewhere along the way."

"Nothing that says you can't get back in touch with him now." Thorn replied softly as he remembered how upset Sam had been over Caramel's reaction. "I know it would mean a lot to Sam to hear from you."

"There's a lot of truth in what you say." Turmeric agreed. "But, I love my wife as well and I have to take the rest of my family into consideration too."

"And Sam is the one to fall on the sword?"

Turmeric's ears fell a bit as he heard Thorn's growl. "I don't want it to be that way, but I don't want to hurt Cads or Pepper further either." He set his glass on the table and leaned forward in his chair. "Well, Pepper is old enough to understand everything. Though I'm not sure where she stands right this moment. Cads however...Cads could be really be hurt if his mother and I started to really go at it over this." Turmeric bowed his head. "I don't want to put him through that if I can avoid it."

Thorn ground his fangs slightly, but at last nodded. "I don't agree with your choice, but I understand it."

"For the moment, there's not a lot I can do for Sam." Turmeric reached into the space between his chair and the wall. "But I think, he would appreciate having his things." The medium sized duffel bag rested on the floor between the two males as Turmeric placed it down. "I found them in his room, hidden in various spots." He chuckled a bit. "He'd have given my younger self a run for his money in creative hiding spots."

Thorn remained quiet as the father stared at the travel bag. He could see the quiet frustration in the way the rabbit sat. There was unvoiced anger at being able to do so little for his cub. When it began to look as if Turmeric might lose himself in thought completely Thorn found his voice once again. "I'll see that he gets his things."

Turmeric lifted his head and blinked a few times, returning from wherever it was he had gone. "Thank you." He took another drink and looked between the bag and Thorn. "I'd like it very much...if my Hazelnut was the first to open the bag."

The statement seemed odd to Thorn. It wasn't so much a question of Thorn's ethics as it was eluding details. Once again the canine found himself on edge, but he nodded slowly. "He'll open it, but I'll be there with him."

Turmeric smiled and raised his glass slightly. "Seems we both have a few trust issues still, but I thank you for wanting to protect him." He drained the last of his drink and looked carefully at the male who was so important to his son. "You've let me talk a great deal cub. Is there anything you wish to say?"

The wolf remained quiet for a good, long, minute as he reviewed everything that had occurred within the study. The months with Sam replayed in his mind. The conversations with Master and Kameg, and the events with Caragan, surfaced as well. "Actually..." Thorn cleared his throat as he realized how low his voice has become. "There is one last thing."

OOOOO

Sam put down the book he'd been attempting to take an interest in reading, something on the philosophy of fighting from Thorn's bookshelf, as the door opened. He'd gotten s bit anxious when the wolf had been even later then expected. "Thorn?" He questioned as he saw the familiar looking duffle bag in his boyfriend's paw. That the canine's tail began to wag slowly, nervously, made Sam's belly twist in knots. "Why do you have that?"

Thorn set the bag down gently and tossed his own training bag aside. His claws clicked softly as he moved across the hard wood, then disappeared completely as he strode to the carpeted living room space. "I probably did something a bit stupid." He smiled softly as Sam stood and embraced the rabbit around the waist. "But it was probably the best thing that could have happened."

"Thorn, you're making me a bit nervous here." Sam leaned his head back, letting him see the wolf's face and still remain pressed close. "What's going on?"

"I should start from the beginning." Thorn let go of Sam's hips and took him by the paw over to the couch. Once seated he began again, telling of his and Kameg's attempt to avenge Caragan. About the subsequent confrontation with Master. "He made me his successor tonight..."

Sam smiled as he heard the pride in Thorn's voice, but it was tempered by the look of confusion on the wolf's face. "That's...that's a good thing isn't it?"

"It's great." Thorn agreed. "But, it's also unexpected. I kept telling myself that I didn't want succession, and that Kameg would get it so it was all just as well." He laughed and shook his head. "And the bird brain knew it better than I did what I wanted."

"Thorn, I love you, but I'm completely lost with whatever point you're trying to make here." Sam rubbed at the fur on Thorn's paws. "How does this relate to why you have my duffle?"

Thorn nodded and laughed. "I know, I know. I'm getting to it." He took a deep breath. "I tried to refuse the succession, but Kameg grabbed me and said something that made me look at it differently." he laughed again and shook his head. "Everything just kind of...fell in line after that." His eyes rose so that he could look level at Sam. "That's when I decided I was going to go to your house."

"Oh god, Thorn. You didn't..." Sam started to get nervous, remembering how angry Thorn had gotten at the tournament not long ago. "What did you do?"

"In my defense." Thorn began. "I was only going to express my thoughts on the matter in a very strongly worded statement." He faltered for a moment as the rabbit glared a hole into him. "Ok, I was going to tell your mom what a stupid bi..."

"Thorn."

The wolf grunted and muttered something in the old tongue. "How stupid I thought she was being in her reaction to you." He smiled and shook his head reassuringly as Sam seemed to shiver at the idea of the face off. "She wasn't home though."

Sam breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank god." His nose twitched as he realized something was still hanging in the air. "Who was home?"

"He said that his Hazelnut will always be his son." Thorn swallowed as he watched a few tears begin to well in Sam's eyes. "And even though he can't show it right now, he loves you very much and always will."

A choked, crying, laugh came from Sam as his boyfriend told him his father's message. "Yeah, that sounds like something Daddy would say." He jerked a little bit as he realized how he addressed his father in front of Thorn, but then shook it off. "I guess he was the one who gave you that?"

"Yeah..." The canine agreed. "And..." He shook his head. "And something for another time." His head cocked to one side as Sam slide a bit closer, confused by the needy look on the bunny's face. "What? What is it?"

"I can't have something from Daddy being hidden behind your back." Sam explained. "What else did he give you?"

The wolf's ears went up in alarm. "Sam, it's supposed to be a surprise. Now is not..." His voice left him as the smaller male cupped his chin gently in his paws.

"Please?"

Thorn chuckled and shook his head. "Like I can refuse a request like that?" He turned his head slightly, allowing him to kiss the inside of each of Sam's paws softly. "He gave his blessing."

"His blessing? For what?" Confusion crossed Sam's face for several moments as he considered his boyfriend's words. He could practically feel the lightening bolt strike him, his fur even puffed out from the shock, as understanding settled in. "You...you asked him if..."

Thorn scratched at his cheek fur and chuckled nervously. "This is why it was supposed to be a surprise for later. So much has happened in so short a time, I didn't want to overwhelm you right now. And I don't know anything about the actual legal stuff. Not to mention this was a horrible lead in and I don't have a ring or..."

"Yes."

Thorn's head snapped like a snapped rubber band at the softly whispered word. "Sam...this is...I don't have..."

Sam quieted the stammering male with a kiss. "I don't need anyone reading from some old book." He whispered as he separated a moment later. "And while I would love the chance to wear on of those fancy dresses, I don't need that either. I don't need a band of shiny metal on my paw to make what we have real." The bunny smiled. "I know what I felt last night when you held me." His face dropped forward a little bit as he realized that Thorn was watching him. "So, when you think everything is perfect, my answer will be yes."

Thorn sat in shock for a several moments, seemingly checked out from his own mind, before his muzzle split into a massive smile. He raised one paw, his pointer extended, as he stood from his spot on the couch. At Sam's nod to his silent request the wolf made a quick walk to his bedroom.

Sam watched the partially open door as the sounds of the wolf rummaging about the other room traveled to him. His nose twitched quickly as he wondered what Thorn could be looking for in the bedroom. At the few muttered, growling, curses that crossed the silence Sam smiled. "Everything ok?" He asked with a hint of laughter in his voice as the wolf returned to the living room, knowing the wolf only spoke under his breath like that when he was anxious.

"I think so." Thorn nodded as he stood before Sam. "This is nothing like I had envisioned but..." He scratched his nose once, and looked to his tightly closed paw. "There will never be some perfect moment to do this, because every moment I'm with you feels perfect."

Sam felt his heart begin to race as Thorn slowly bent to one knee before him. His paws opened and closed in anticipation. When he saw the contents of Thorn's paw though, the tension vanished. "Is that your class ring?"

The canine laughed as he heard the humor in Sam's voice. "It's the only thing I have right now, the only ring I've ever seen any value to." There was a few seconds of quiet, then both he and Sam both began to laugh at the sheer absurdity of the situation they found themselves in. When the laughter began to die away Thorn put his thoughts back in order and bent to one knee. "I can't promise things will get easier, or that we won't have some rough patches, or..."

"Thorn." Sam smiled and brushed his paw over the canine's cheek. "Pop the question and put the damn ring on my finger."

"Impatient bunny." Thorn teased with a grin. "Can't I even try to keep a little of my ideal proposal dream alive?" The problems of the outside world seemed so very far away from the wolf as he laughed when Sam shook his head. "I don't have much to offer, but all I have, I offer to you. All I am, I offer to you." He took Sam's paw in his own while he held the ring up with the other. "Samuel Bushman, will you be my life mate?"

"Yes." Sam laughed, and a few stray tears managed to escape his eyes. "Yes. You long winded, sappy, romantic wolf. I'll be your life mate." His paw shook as Thorn slid the ring into place, though it matched the shakes from the wolf so it seemed to counter out. "Looks like we'll have to resize it." He twirled his paw a little, watching the ring spin circles around his finger. "But I love it all the same."

"We'll worry about that another day." Thorn pushed himself up long enough to sit on the couch beside Sam. When he tried to lean in and kiss the rabbit however, Sam pushed him back with a gentle paw to the chest. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong." Sam smiled at the confused puppy look on the larger male's features. "I just...want to do this right." When he saw Thorn's brows furrow in further confusion he elaborated. "Those rumors I heard in high school. I'd like them clarified." He copied the wolf's move from earlier and held up a single digit to quiet the argument before it could start. "I know you don't like all traditions, but you hold some very close. That's why you made Cara that promise." Sam leaned in and nuzzled against Thorn's cheek. "I know this is important to you. Let's do it right."

A few more easy nuzzles were exchanged before the wolf finally acknowledged the request. "We don't have to. You know that right?"

"I know." Sam smiled as his cheek pressed against Thorn's. "I want to though, and I think you do." He pulled back a little bit. "Do you not..."

"I do." Thorn spoke softly. "It just..." He laughed as he why he had the particular hang up he did, and how inconsequential it would ultimately be. "It just might be a little weird is all."

"The fun stuff usually is." Sam replied with a grin. "So?"

"Ok." Thorn rose, held his paw out to Sam, and lead them to the bathroom. "We're going to cheat a little though." He explained as he began to pull Sam's shirt up. "Normally, the ceremony is held outside. Not much worry for clean up after."

Sam's paws trembled slightly still as he reached for Thorn's shirt and removed it. "Makes sense, I'm guessing you don't want to shampoo the carpet when this is all done." Both males smiled and laughed lightly as more juvenile meanings to Sam's words popped into their minds. Sam wiggled out of his jeans, watching Thorn as his uniform pants puddled to the floor all the while. "What?" He stopped and, unconsciously, covered his chest as he realized his boyfriend was staring at him.

The sight of the slender bunny in only his pink panties mesmerized the wolf. It was only the importance of what was about to occur that kept him from becoming to distracted. "This is really happening, right?"

"Sure is." Sam closed the small distance between them and ran a paw through the fur on Thorn's arm. "What do we do next?" He giggled a little bit as the wolf got that nervous look on his face again.

"Well...typically...the male claims the...female first but..." The wolf scratched at his cheek fur. "I guess given our situation we could, I don't know, flip a coin or something." He barely suppressed the yip of surprise as the lapine gripped his chin fur and pulled the taller male into a kiss.

"You are sweet to a fault." Sam's voice was warm as he broke the kiss. "But we both know where we stand in this relationship."

"You only dress the part." Thorn recalled as he kissed the bunny again. "You're not actually female."

"Just for tonight." Sam picked up to his tiptoes and kissed the wolf one last time. "You can forget I ever said those words." He smiled, just a hint of impropriety in his features. "Tonight, I'm your bitch."

Thorn's tail wagged a bit as he heard the playful tone to the double meaning in Sam's voice. "Just for tonight then." His paws went to Sam's panties and pushed them down enough to let gravity take over. He rested his paws on his boyfriend's hips as Sam pushed the boxers out of the way. "I'm going claim you, then mark you. You'll do the same after that."

"And that's it?" Sam tilted his head to one side. "I thought it'd be more...involved."

"After." Thorn nodded and opened the door to the shower so they could both enter. "It will be more involved, as you put it, after this." His paw came up and stroked Sam's facial fur. "Ready?"

"Nervous, but ready." Sam nodded. "You?"

"Yeah, the same." Thorn closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and released it slowly. As his dark brown eyes opened he met Sam's ever changing hazel beauties. "On this night, under this moon, I claim you as my lifemate. I pledge to you honesty, loyalty, devotion, dedication, and love. From now until the end of my days, there will be no other for me but you. On this night, under this moon, Thorn of the pack Blackbriar claims Sam of the pack Bushman..." He smiled and gave Sam a little lick on the nose. "As his lifemate."

The words were simple, and yet they hit Sam with a strange intensity. He took a half step back at Thorn's motion. There was a small measure of pride in Sam's chest as he realized the wolf was a bit to worked-up to mark anything. Once his boyfriend...his lifemate...was calmer they continued. Sam jumped a little as the hot, golden, liquid initially hit his lower belly.

Thorn adjusted himself a bit and moved his aim lower to spray Sam's sheath and balls. With his free paw he made a small circle motion and smiled as the rabbit began to turn about slowly. The fur along Sam's hip became wet with fluid, followed by one cheek of his cute, little ass, his cotton-tail, and the other cheek. Sam's opposite hip was marked as well before the stream returned to the lapine's groin, completing the ring.

"My turn?" Sam asked as the wolf tapered himself off. He smiled, though there was a bit of anxiousness in his features. "On this night..." He began quietly as he tried to recall what he'd just heard.

"The words can be your own Sam." Thorn supplied softly.

Sam took a breath and nodded, giving the wolf a thankful smile. Much as he loved what the big male had promised, it wasn't him. He bent his head forward, hiding his face. "You are the greatest Furre to ever come into my life. You listen to me and remember the things I say. You treat me like me, weather I'm Samuel, Sam, or Samantha...and I love you for it."

His head came up slowly, revealing his smile and watery eyes. "I can't promise I won't be a pain in your tail sometimes." Sam paused as they both laughed a little. "But I can promise to always be by your side. To love you with all my heart and soul. To lift your spirits when they're down, and mend your body when it's wounded." His paws pressed against Thorn's chest as leaned in to kiss his love. "I promise to be everything and anything you ever need me to be, even if it doesn't seem that way at the time." The lapine smiled as the canine grinned and nodded. "Tonight, I, Sam Bushman, claim you, Thorn Blackbriar, as my lifemate."

Thorn swallowed hard as Sam finished his claim. He grinned as he watched Sam run into the same problem he'd had a moment before, laughing outright as the bunny shot him a miffed look. Thorn didn't shy away as his belly was marked and the stream slowly moved down to his groin. As his sheath and sack were wet down he turned of his own choice.

Sam watched as gray fur darkened with the added fluid. As Thorn turned Sam began to understand why the wolf had always been so careful before. A band on the paw could be removed, as could a collar that some were more in favor of exchanging. This ring, however, would stay with couple that was marked. Even after bathing, the scent would linger. A strange thrill went through the rabbit as Thorn completed his pirouette. "The whole world will know now..." He grinned and giggled a little bit as his mate's head cock to one side. "We're official. Everyone will know now."

Thorn stepped forward and pulled Sam close into a kiss. "You know what that means though right?"

"You're going to start peeing in the shower like a normal male?" Sam asked with a teasing grin.

The humor was infectious as Thorn found himself grinning as well. "Well, there's that, but..."

"Reality can wait till tomorrow." Sam pressed a single digit to the wolf's lips. "Tonight, it's just us." He let his finger traced down along his canine's chest. "We've claimed each other. We've marked each other. Is now the more involved part?"

"You're really cute when you're being seductive." Thorn teased as he reached for the controls to the shower. "But yes, consummating the claim is all that's left." He placed himself between his bunny and the cold water that shot from the showerhead. "A quick clean seems in order though, since we can't just roll over to a dry patch of earth in the traditional manner."

Sam's nose twitched and his face scrunched a little. "They don't clean between the two?" He held Thorn close until the water began to warm up. "Part of me thinks that's kinky, part of me thinks...eww."

"It's not so bad outside, the scents don't concentrate up the same way like this tiny little shower." A happy, playful growl rumbled in his throat as Sam's paws began to roam over his ass.

"Tiny can be intimate." Sam whispered as he rubbed his paws through Thorn's fur, helping to rid the excess urine from his body. "Anyway, it wasn't the scent that bothered me."

"Oh?" Thorn craned his neck down and pressed his muzzle against the hollow of Sam's collarbone. "The whole hygiene thing?"

"A little bit, yeah." His head turned and he caught his lover in another kiss. "But like I said before, I like your scent." There was a pause for another tease of a kiss. "And I like it even more now that it's a part of me." His paws circled about as he traced a line along Thorn's sheath. "Speaking of things that could be a part of me."

Desire filled the wolf as he heard both the want and the need in Sam's voice. "Impatient bunny." Despite his words, Thorn too increased his pace to wash them down. Scant minutes later the water was turned off and the two lovers were drying one another off, paws always seeming to linger longer then what was truly needed.

As Sam tried to step away once dry he felt a slight tug on his arm. He shot the wolf a questioning look but didn't get the chance to voice his question before Thorn swept him off his footpaws. The rabbit blushed a bit as he was carried bridal style toward the bedroom. "Don't put me on the bed." He kissed the wolf on the cheek as they crossed the threshold to the bedroom. "I have something for you. Sit on the bed and close your eyes."

Thorn set Sam back down and did as he was instructed. "I'm not going to end up tied to the bed again am I?" His ears perked as he heard Sam moving about the room. "Cause while that was fun, I don't think I'm in the mood for that tonight."

"No, I'm not going to tie you down tonight." Sam laughed as he checked to make sure Thorn wasn't peeking. "Though I do plan for some tying to be done tonight." He grinned as Thorn's tail began to wag at the idea. He flipped the switch off for the overhead lights, leaving just the light of the moon from the window. "Ok, I'm ready."

When his eyes opened, so did his muzzle drop. "Wow..." With the moon as a backdrop Sam stood before him. One leg was slightly in front of the other and his arms were clasped tightly behind his back. With the play of light and shadow Thorn really could have believed that Sam had transformed into a female just for this one night.

The wolf's eyes traveled down from Sam's hazel eyes, stopping briefly at the white lace collar around the bunny's neck. His chest was covered, just barely, by similarly patterned white bra. The lapine's midriff was bare but for the lowest edge, the intricately stitched garter belt only accenting how much of Sam's fur it didn't cover as it held up the thigh-high lace stockings. Thorn actually panted a little bit as his eyes came to the practically see through panties Sam wore. "You look amazing." He breathed in a husky voice.

"Not exactly a traditional wedding dress." Sam seemed to glide over the small distance between them. "Then again, we're not a traditional couple are we?" He started to bend to his knees before Thorn, but the wolf pulled him to his lap before he could get to far. "No?" He asked with a smirk.

"No." Thorn shook his head, though he was smirking as well, as he held Sam in place. "I don't want to wreck your clothing like I did on our other first time."

Sam blinked, then his fur seemed to turn red as he blushed. "It...it is our first time isn't it? Our first as..."

"As lifemates." Thorn finished with a kiss. "Hope you don't mind me being a sappy, romantic."

Sam giggled as Thorn tossed his own words back at him. "I think we can manage this level of sugariness for one night." He wrapped his arms around Thorn's neck as the bigger male rolled them over onto the bed laying Sam on his back. There was several minutes of slow, exploratory kissing as they made themselves comfortable. As their tongues and muzzles separated Sam looked up into the eyes of his mate. "You remember what I said that first time?"

A light chuckle echoed through the room as Thorn nodded. "Yeah, why?"

"Claim me." Sam whispered. "I want to feel you make me yours."

Thorn felt a little pang in his heart as Sam spoke. It was less guttural then the first time, but more emotional, and roused him just the same. He leaned over slightly and rummaged through the night table drawer for the small bottle of lube they kept on paw. Pushing up to rest on his knees the wolf reached for Sam's panties to slide them down.

"Wait." Sam held Thorn's wrist's lightly to stop him. "Just...push it to the side." He looked to the side, the pink of his ears darkening with blush. "I want to keep them on."

Thorn nodded, gently sliding the lacy material aside as Sam released his grip. He dripped the slick fluid from the bottle to his fingers and Sam's now exposed tailhole. Pressing a little at a time he worked the lube deeper and stretched Sam in preparation.

Sam squirmed on the bed as Thorn pushed deeper into his ass. Low moans began to leave his mouth as the wolf got deep enough to tickle at his prostate. His eyes widened moments later as he felt the girth double. He lifted his head to see Thorn grinning at him hungrily, but fell back against the pillow as the canine separated his fingers to stretch Sam wider. "Oh...god..." He gasped as he felt his body respond. The wolf's knot stretched him more then this in the past, but with the last several days there hadn't been much call to keep those muscles primed.

"We may have to take some days off more often." Thorn's voice mirrored Sam's thoughts. "You feel like you've tightened up quite a bit." He split his fingers to widen Sam a bit more, smiling as he watched the bunny's thighs shiver. Bending forward Thorn licked at Sam's emerging cock through the lace panties as he continued to finger his mate's ass.

The rabbit continued to grunt and groan as Thorn slowly teased him to aching hardness. "Thorn, stop...ugn...stop playing around." His hips thrust up off the bed as the wolf caught the tip of Sam's cock in his muzzle. "God..." The combination of the warm, wet tongue through the cooler lace was a tantalizing sensation.

Thorn's eyes looked up over Sam's body, enjoying the way the rabbit's chest heaved to catch his breath and the way those long ears flopped about as Sam writhed lightly. He could taste Sam's precum already, though it was a bit off flavored coming through the cloth. With as much dexterity as he could manage with a single paw he squeezed some of the lubricant onto his own hard cock, ignoring the overspill onto the sheets, before tossing the bottle aside.

Sam's ears twitched as he heard something fall off the bed and he looked up to find the cause. Instead he found Thorn hunched over between his legs working his shaft in sync with the fingering of the bunny's ass. "If you keep...ung...working me open like that...ah...you...ohh!" He bit his lip as his prostate received a particularly strong jab, the wet spot on his panties doubling in size almost instantly. "I won't be as tight on your cock if you keep playing with me."

"You'll be plenty tight." Thorn's voice was thicker with desire now as he moved lower to lick at Sam's fuzzy, lace cover orbs. His tail wagged as he watched Sam clench his paws in the sheets. He continued to work Sam over, little by little, alternating between the spurting rod and jumping balls.

Sam's protests fell away quickly as he was reduced to moans and pleasurably violent shakes. "Oh...oh...god...Thorn!" His paws flew to the wolf's head, taking a strangle hold on the head fur, as Thorn closed his lips about the tip of Sam's cock. "Gonna...cum...gonna cum, gonna cum..." The broad canine tongue circled once, twice, and not even halfway through the third pass Sam's hip were up off the bed.

Thorn's playful growl echoed in the small room as Sam fucked his muzzle. He wondered for a second how far the rabbit would have shot if he had been given the chance, but soon returned to more pressing matters. The rabbit's cock continued to twitch, pumping his load into the now thoroughly soaked cloth. The watery portions were absorbed quickly, allowing only the thicker jelly to actually pass through. Thorn's tongue scooped over the twitching tip frequently clearing away the thick cum and making Sam groan loudly each time.

As his climax finally passed Sam collapsed back into the bed, panting in the afterglow. His paws slowly released their death grip on Thorn's fur and he watched as the wolf straightened himself up. Sam crooked a finger and beckoned Thorn closer, his heart quickening just a little more as his mate moved over him. "I think my clothes got mess up more then our other first time." Placing a paw on Thorn's chin, ignoring the combined wetness of spit, cum, and a bit of lube, he pulled the big male into a deep kiss.

As the kiss separated Thorn growled when Sam hit him playfully in the chest. "What was that for?" He whispered as he pressed down, nipping along Sam's neck.

"You're mean." Sam sighed happily as Thorn continued to play along his neckline. "We should have cum at the same time for our first time together."

"You're a female tonight." Thorn replied with a lick. "Remember?" He roamed down a bit lower, licking at Sam's chest. "The bitch should cum before her male."

Before Sam could respond he felt the wolf's weight shift. His eyes widened as something hot and hard began to press between his ass cheeks. "Thorn? Wait..." His eyes narrowed and a gasp of mixed surprise and joy came forth. As lubed as both of them were it took almost no effort for Thorn to slide under Sam's tail. "Thorn...Thorn...wait a mo-ooh!" Even having been stretched a bit, two fingers were still smaller then what the wolf was currently using.

The wolf continued to press in slowly, gently pressing his muzzle through Sam's fur as he kissed his way back up the bunny's neck. He knew Sam well enough to that if the rabbit wanted to truly stop he'd say so in no uncertain terms. What weak protests there were soon were replaced with happy moans that issued forth. As his knot just barely pressed against Sam's tail hole Thorn licked at the rabbit's ear.

Surprise was evident on both male's faces as Sam suddenly jerked upward, mouth open in a silent scream as a second climax overtook him. Thorn growled and braced himself over Sam as his cock was squeezed painfully tight within the bunny's ass. Sam's arms wrapped around his lover and held him close as his body began to shake out of control. The scent of bunny spunk doubled in the room as Sam's cock fired another sticky load into his panties.

Thorn held himself still as Sam continued to tremble beneath him, save for a bit of gentle nuzzling along the cheeks. "That looked like fun." He whispered as Sam finally relaxed enough to loosen his bear hug. "Feel good."

"It...felt...amazing." Sam breathed slowly. "But it hurt a little too, I've never had back to back climaxes like that."

"Never from just putting it in either." Thorn grinned.

"Sh-shut up." Sam pouted. "You just got done teasing me. I was really sensitive." He lay there cuddling with Thorn for a bit longer, letting his body return a bit more to normal. "I'm feeling a bit spoiled." His laugh was light. "You haven't gotten anything good out of this yet."

"Not true." Thorn shook his head. "I got you. I can be patient for the rest." His head cocked a bit to the side as Sam pushed him back, looking him deep in the eyes. "What?"

Sam shook his head, a happy smile on his face. "Roll over and sit up a bit." He scratched under the wolf's chin when Thorn didn't move all to quickly. "You'll like it, I promise."

Trusting the bunny Thorn did as he was told, moving into a half-sitting half laying position with his back against the headboard. As Sam moved over and crouched over his lap Thorn began to understand what was desired. His paws went to Sam's side's, running slowly through the fur there, as the lapine squatted a bit lower.

"You don't have to do all the work tonight." Sam guided Thorn's cock towards his rear, a muffled groan escaping his bit lip, as he eased the wolf inside him. "You're supposed to enjoy it too." Once settled to the upper edge of the canine's knot Sam leaned forward just a little to place his paws on Thorn's shoulders.

"I am enjoying it." Thorn's eyes closed a bit as Sam began to make little bounces on his cock. Gray furred paws moved up to the rabbit's chest and pushed the bra out of the way, teasing at the nipples hidden beneath the fur. "I'm watching the one I love as we make love." He grunted a bit as Sam tightened up at the thought of being watched. "I could never cum again and still be satisfied with this image." He laughed lightly as Sam shot him a knowing look. "Ok, maybe not never again, but you know what I mean."

Sam giggled a little bit and nodded. "Yeah, I know." His grip on the wolf's shoulders tightened a little as he put a bit more energy into his rocking. The extra girth of the knot tapping at him insistently, coupled with the returned prodding of his prostate, was quickly returning him to his plateau again.

Brown eyes watched as Sam began to tremble again, feeling it as well under his paws and through his groin. Thorn could see Sam's cock already fairly hard underneath his panties and felt a small amount of jealousy that the rabbit could maintain such a feat in so short a time. Between the twitching of said cock and the squirming of Sam's sack against Thorn's lower belly, the wolf knew that his mate was close again.

Sam moaned as Thorn's paws left his chest and settled firmly on his crème furred hips. He relinquished control as the wolf began to dictate the pace more and more. "God...Thorn..." He husked as the knot nearly made it through.

"Let it happen." Thorn's breathing was also beginning to quicken. The bit of wait time seemingly didn't matter as his cock spurted precum freely into Sam. "I'm close too."

Sam nodded, his breathing to hard to allow words to pass. He looked down as one of Thorn's paws hooked his panties and pulled them down just enough to free the tip. The cooler air hitting him, along with the sight of his cock jutting from the girly garment, sent him over the edge.

As Sam began to cum once more Thorn pushed down on the rabbit's hips. His knot at last entered Sam. Curling forward Thorn met Sam and kissed him deeply as they both growled out their orgasms. The canine could feel his stomach becoming wet as the lapine's cum landed on his belly and dribbled down to his groin.

Sam shuddered as he felt himself filling with the long building load of wolf cum. Had his mind not been so addled with his third climax he might have made a joke, but the groan filled kiss as he lapped at Thorn's tongue was all he could manage. As his orgasm passed he felt his energy begin to dissipate. There was not so much an end to the kiss as Sam simply fell forward onto the wolf.

Thorn cuddled Sam close as they both caught their breaths. "Who knew something so basic could be so intense?" He joked between pants.

"I think it's because we usually go for the more exotic poses." Sam smiled as he rested on the wolf's chest. "Though I have to say, I like this one a lot."

Thorn smiled, knowing it was because Sam liked to be watched and this position pretty much guaranteed that he'd be seen. "Any time you want it like this Sam, you just let me know."

Sam giggled a little. "Typical male."

"Says my cross dresser." Thorn shot back with a lick to the rabbit's ear. He pressed his head to Sam's, nuzzling against him lovingly.

Sam replied in kind until he heard the whispers under his mate's breath. "I recognize that." He framed the canine's face in his paws to separate them a little. "You whispered that the other night too. You going to make me nervous if you keep muttering things in wolf tongue all the time."

"It's nothing to be nervous about." Thorn smiled. "It's an old saying, shared between life mates."

"You said it before..." Sam smiled and shook his head. "Guess you felt it that night too huh?" He looked up in Thorn's brown eyes. "Teach it to me?"

"Of course." Thorn agreed. "Ani ledodi, vedodi li."

Sam repeated the saying slowly, coached through the pronunciation as needed. It was rougher then how the wolf said it, but after a few tries he made it sound right. "What does it mean?"

"I am my beloved's." Thorn leaned down, locked his muzzle to Sam's, and kissed him passionately. "And my beloved is mine."

Sam let the words settle for a few minutes. "I like it." He laughed as he saw Thorn's tail wagging behind him. "I think I'm going to be practicing that saying a lot."

"Sounds good to me." Thorn agreed as he rested his head down against top of Sam's.

They listened to one another's breathing, and heartbeats, as they basked in their own little world. "Hey, Thorn?" Sam spoke up as he felt himself starting to drift towards sleep. "You said this all started after Kameg said something to you. What'd he say?"

Thorn smiled. "He told me..." His paws clasped firmly at the small of Sam's back, taking him in s loving embrace. "I'm not lone wolf anymore."

OOOOO

A/N: Ok, before someone gets on a soapbox about how unrealistic the sudden wedding is. Life makes for strange events, and being on an emotional roller coaster for extended time can make the individual choose things that might never be under normal conditions. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it still happens.