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The Seduction of Seleste

from the world of the mating season

Voyeuristic Unintentions

Chapter 14

If someone had asked Keme if he knew he'd be rushing off into certain danger to save a female who had only just kicked him in the nuts days before . . . he would have said yes. He knew. Because his life was that damn crazy.

Keme was in the hold of a ship, hiding in the store room, listening to the calm lull of the waves. His stomach was as whole as if he'd never been stabbed.

Abandoning her shaman instruments and potions, Yuri had taken up her old staff and had used sorcery to heal Keme. Healing magic was painful simply because it sped the healing process up to such an intense degree, Yuri explained, and so saying, she had given Keme something to bite on. Keme didn't understand why until it happened: she pointed her staff at his belly, and as light spouted out of it, a thousand needles jammed into him. He moaned and rocked on the bed, sweat came fast under his fur, and when he tried to clutch the wound, Yuri cursed at him in moon wolf and told him to put his paws behind his head. He did as told, and it wasn't long before he was sitting up in bed, as whole as if he'd never been stabbed.

"Amazing," Yuri had said as she sat watching Keme eat a melon. She shook her head and her silvery mane flowed like water around her erect ears.

Keme laughed around a mouthful of melon and swallowed. "What's so amazing? I'm sure you've healed thousands of wolves."

"Yes, but none like you! Most wolves need a few days to recuperate after a healing, even with sorcery. But you?" Yuri shook her head again.

Present-day Keme sat hunched in the shadows as he thought of Yuri's amazement. He had to suppose that, once again, it was his ancestry. Aiyana had explained to him that he wasn't like other wolves; that he was, in fact, the last of his kind. He had never understood what she meant by it. Not until he found himself among wolves who stood in blank-eyed amazement when he lifted the bed for them to clean under.

He had done such a thing the day he met Enya.

Keme liked Enya. She was a petite little female with tan fur and a white stripe cutting up her belly. Her long tan mane was a mess of curls and her tail had the same thick, curly fur. She was one of the few family members he had met so far who knew how to laugh with him. They spent the afternoon laughing and joking when she came home from work. She was a fisher.

The day it happened, Aralyla was dancing about the house with a little doll that looked like Yuri, Yuri was preparing supper, and Enya got her broom and began to clean. It seemed to be their afternoon routine, and Keme - fully healed by now -- watched happily from his seat beside the fire until Enya called him to bring the trash bin. Moving down the hall, he entered the bedroom with the little wooden bin but paused when he saw his cousin straining to clean under a bed. He walked over and lifted the bed in one paw above his head. How she had stared. Heh.

"Guess I shouldn't be surprised," Enya had said. "Your sister was the same way."

Keme had been nonplussed. He had a sister? No one had ever mentioned a sister before. He was so surprised by her words that he absently dropped the bed and the wooden frame shuddered when it hit the floor.

"Careful!" Enya had cried.

"You said something about my sister," Keme said sharply.

Enya had averted her eyes. Ah, so it was some secret? He spent the rest of his time at Enya's house poking and prodding and demanding answers. Enya refused to explain her slip, and Keme's questions did not stop when they sat down to dinner. As they sat around the fire eating, Yuri tensely ate her food and Aralyla just sat staring in wonder as Keme and Enya bickered back and forth.

"For the love of --!" Enya finally growled. "Let it go, or I swear to god --!" And so saying, she pointed her fork at Keme across the fire. Keme was so determined to discover the truth that he might have crossed into dangerous territory by pursuing the matter, but he saw Enya's lip tremble and realized what a painful place he was prodding.

Some nights later, when Enya and Aralyla were sleeping, Yuri helped Keme as he set out to leave. She packed his traveling pack with food and even brought him a new spear. Standing in the front room of her hut as the moon shone in full and round, he put on his traveling pack and she closed it up for him.

"About this sister of mine . . .?" Keme began.

Behind him, Yuri's face darkened. "Shame on you!" she scolded. "You didn't have to push Enya so!"

When he turned to face her, a tear had gathered in the corner of her eye.

"Yuri! I'm sorry. Please, don't cry --"

Yuri shook her head. "Your sister was lost to us, and we'll never see her again. That's all you need to know."

Keme wanted to know more, was tempted to press Yuri with questions, but seeing her misery, he nodded reluctantly.

"I can't believe I'm letting you run off into who knows what --" Yuri scowled at him. "You stubborn fool. You're more like Kel everyday. Why won't you tell Zaldon? Why won't you let him help? You don't have to do this alone --"

"It's the only way. If they knew what I was doing, they'd never let me go. At least this way I'm able to help."

"But must you go alone?" Yuri begged and offered her small paws in weary desperation.

Keme smiled at her. "Give me some credit, Yuri, please. The new chief is setting up a rescue party. They're leaving tonight. I heard you and Enya talking. Why do you think I waited so many days before slipping off?"

Yuri's eyes grew round, then they dropped to the floor. "Oh. You mean to sneak on the chief's ship. . . ."

"It's better than me running off alone, isn't it?"

Yuri fiddled with her fingers a moment, then frowned at Keme as if he was a pawful. "Yes, I suppose. Just make sure you give the chief my name, or he might not believe you. In fact . . ."

Keme watched as Yuri removed one of her feathered bracelets. She passed it to him. He took it and just stared at her.

"Show him this," she said. "He'll know you're a friend and not some stowaway. I don't want to tell you what they do to stowaways in this village." She shivered.

Present-day Keme didn't want to know either. He sat huddled behind the boxes and barrels in the store room, listening to the chief and his sailors as they stomped back and forth across the deck. He hadn't revealed himself yet. He couldn't decide when and how to do it. The moment he walked up on deck, he was sure to get a spear at his throat. He'd be lucky if they didn't throw him in the stocks. But he still had Yuri's feather bracelet. He sat staring at it in his big fingers, twirling it as he urged himself to go on deck. He suddenly wished he had ever met the chief. Then he might not be so nervous about revealing himself.

He had been hiding on the ship for three days now.

". . . indulging in this hopeless mission to find her --"

"It is _not_hopeless!"

Keme's ears pricked forward and he stiffened as two male voices approached.

Many warriors were a part of the rescue party, male and female alike. Until he was aboard the ship, Keme had not realized how many friends Talisa had among the warriors of the sun village. They spoke of the merchants who had taken her vehemently, and after listening to them for hours, it became apparent that merchant slavers were naturally barred from purchasing slaves within the city. They had not only purchased a slave within village bounds but had the audacity to purchase a well-known member of the patrol: Talisa was a famous warrior in the sun village, so they had known her station and had purchased her anyway. Listening to the wrath of the warriors on deck, Keme almost felt sorry for the merchants should they get caught. . . . meh. Not really.

"I'm telling you, we will find her!" hissed a male's voice.

The door to the storage room opened, and Keme went as still as he could. He clenched his teeth and silently prayed that they could not smell him there among the crates and barrels. He could sure smell them. One was towering: his shadow loomed against the wall and his bulk was thick and musky. Only big wolves smelled like that. The other was fairly the same size. They closed the door behind them and continued to talk in hissing whispers. The more he listened to them argue, the more they started to sound like an old married couple. He half expected one to nag the other about remembering to take their medicine.

". . . I know you love her, maybe I will too," whispered one.

"I know you'd love her, Kota --"

"Hush, baby. You're trembling. . . ."

And then the sound of a kiss. Oh, god, don't let them be about to - but they were. The kissing and smacking grew more fervent, then moans and cries, pants. They were having sex. Mortified, Keme's ears went flat on his head and he covered them. But he couldn't drown out the sounds. He heard slurping and moaning and it took him a second to realize one was sucking the other's dick.

"Oh, god, Kota, just like that . . ."

Keme squeezed his eyes shut. He started to sing really loud in his head. It didn't matter. A sticky squelch told him they were fucking now. Strained grunts, pants, gasps, loving whispers in the dark. The barrels around him shook from their love making, and he huddled against the wall to avoid being hit.

One male finally cried out. Keme dropped his face in his knees as the sound echoed around the room. The other male cautioned him to keep quiet, and he could hear them kissing again.

"I better get back on deck," one whispered. Another smacking kiss and then, "Wait here a beat, then come up. I don't want them thinking I spend all my time with you." Another kiss - god, would they stop kissing?! - and then, "Tonight, Kota."

"Tonight, love," answered the deeper of the voices.

Oh no, were they coming back here to fuck again?

The door opened again and one of the males left. Keme was so relieved he sighed -- and winced immediately after. The second he sighed, he heard the remaining male go still.

"Who's there?" boomed the male. "Come out right NOW!"

Keme winced as the barrels went crashing away. Fish and vegetables scattered everywhere. A big bull of a male towered over Keme, nostrils flaring, curved sword drawn. As Keme had supposed, he was huge. His head nearly touched the ceiling. Rippling with muscles, his fur was brown, his eyes were black, and his thick mane was pulled back in a single braid that fell past his shoulders. He wore an earring in his ear. It glinted gold in the light that seeped from under the door.

"Um . . . hi?" said Keme miserably.

The big male's lip curled around his fang. "On your feet, stowaway!"

"I'm not a stow --" Keme began but fell quiet when the blade of that curved sword was thrust under his chin.

The brown wolf sneered harder. "Now."

Keme got to his feet and stood with is paws lifted. The big male eyed him up and down a moment, his chest heaving with silent rage. He was fuming: a total stranger had just sat listening to an intimate moment between himself and a lover.

"Thought you'd steal a ride across the sea, did you, boy?" grunted the male. He was clearly older than Keme, perhaps twice his age. Keme didn't bother trying to answer: the blade was still pressed to his throat. He was pretty certain he wasn't supposed to answer anyhow.

The big male stepped close and his nostrils flared again. Keme realized he was being sniffed . . . the male liked his scent. Pressing his blade hard against Keme's throat, he sniffed his neck. Keme stood very still against the wall. Any sudden movement on his part could mean instant death. His lips tightened angrily: having that snuffling nose glide carefully over his fur was very akin to being molested. He glowered as the big male's eyes traveled down to his cock and stared hungrily.

"Maybe you like what you heard," the male teased. "You're getting a little stiff, boy." So saying, he gave Keme's cock a taunting flick.

Keme glowered. You are so lucky I need help finding Seleste!

The male smiled lustily, but he backed off, and taking Keme by surprise, he grabbed him by the mane and swung him around to the door. The door was wrenched open, and Keme was marched up on deck with a sword at his throat. Sailors and warriors alike paused to gawk and glower as Keme was led up the stairs to the prow, where an imposing young male stood beside the captain of the ship.

This young male could be no one but the new chief of the sun village Keme had heard so much about. He was tall, handsome, and toned, with the feathers of his station woven into his mane and bracelets on his bulging biceps. His silver fur shone in the gray light of day, his mane was long and flowing in the wind, his pale eyes were like ice. He had the solemn emotionless face Keme had seen on many a warrior and his eyes when they looked at Keme were hard and without pity.

Storm clouds rumbled somewhere in the distance. The sky was darkening. Keme felt the wind ruffle his fur. It was growing stronger, fiercer. The captain shouted orders and the gawking sailors scrambled to obey.

The big male had his bulging arm locked tight around Keme's throat as he held the sword in place just under the corner of his jaw. His other paw had a fistful of Keme's mane and was keeping his head pulled back to expose his neck. Caught in this tense position, Keme could feel the male's voice booming up from his chest when he said, "Chief Honiahaka! I found a stowaway!"

The chief had been talking with the captain, but now all his attention was focused on Keme. He seemed a bit caught off guard. He looked to the big male who was holding Keme in check, "Kota? What's the meaning of this?"

"I thought he just made it clear," Keme dared.

The apparent Kota growled angrily in Keme's ear and the arm that was around him tightened. Keme grunted as the blade pressed deeper, almost cutting him. He could smell warriors and sailors gathering to watch the spectacle. Oh god. Just looking at the chief's unflinching eyes, he knew he'd be beheaded and thrown to the sharks.

"This is Chief Honiahaka of the sun village," Kota hissed in Keme's ear. "He is the only one who can save your miserable hide - so watch your tongue, pig!"

The chief cleared his throat, and Keme was startled when he addressed him directly, "I heard what Kota said: you are a stowaway. But under normal circumstances, we do not handle stowaways this violently." His eyes went to Kota, who was tense and angry as he held Keme tight. "Kota! Is this really necessary? All this for one boy?"

"These are not normal circumstances, my chief," Kota answered through his teeth. He added in a voice heavy with meaning, "I found him in the storage room."

Something paled in the chief's face. Keme couldn't understand why it should matter to the chief where he was found and he was starting not to care. If this Kota didn't back the hell off, they were going to have a real problem.

The chief stared at Keme a long time. After a pause, he said softly, ". . . I know him."

Keme could feel Kota's uncertainty. His voice boomed up from his chest again, "What? How!"

Keme couldn't believe it, but Kota almost sounded accusatory.

"Let him go, Kota," the chief said wearily. "He might be one of Zaldon's lot."

Keme was relieved when Kota hesitated but let go. The big male took a step back and grumbled sourly under his breath, but he kept his curved sword lifted and ready. His black eyes burned a hole in Keme's back.

Rubbing his throat, Keme glared over his shoulder at Kota and turned back to the chief.

"What are you doing here?" Honiahaka asked sharply.

Keme stared up at him. God. Those pale eyes were serious to a fault.

"You've arranged a search party to find Seleste and Talisa," Keme answered. "I came to help!"

Murmuring went up from the gathering behind Keme. He could hear Kota's derisive snort.

The wind picked up, and the distant rumbling of the clouds drew nearer. Honiahaka lifted his face to the sky as the wind swept his mane back. A storm was coming, but he had to deal with Keme first.

"Why," Honiahaka said, "would you want to assist in their search? Who are you, anyway? You're one of Zaldon's lot, that much is clear. At least, you look related. But there's so many of them, I mightn't have met you yet. You could be the son. Kilyan."

"My chief, I must ask you to retreat below deck," called the captain as he ran for the wheel. His bellowed orders rose against the howling wind. The sailors scattered again to the rigging and Keme saw them struggling with the sails.

"But what about this one?" Kota growled. Keme shouted angrily when Kota stepped forward and locked him in his arm again. "He was in the _storage _room, my chief!"

"I know!" Honiahaka snapped impatiently.

The ship began to rock violently and Honiahaka lost his footing. Keme couldn't believe it when Kota let him go, and running forward like a frantic mother hen, he caught the chief in his arms.

The sea was roaring now. Water leapt at the railing, spraying the deck and swirling across. Sailors ran back and forth to tie everything in place, the captain wrestled with the wheel and shouted against the strands of mane that slapped him in the face, and the chief's warriors hurried below deck to their barracks.

"My chief, you must get below!" shouted a warrior. A female. She staggered across the deck to Honiahaka's side and grabbed his arm.

"Kota!" Honiahaka shouted over the wind. "Take the prisoner to the storage room!"

Keme scowled. "Prisoner?!" They had just established that he was a part of Zaldon's family! He saw Kota move toward him and his face darkened. Over his dead body! The ship rocked again. Kota lurched Keme's way and he ducked successfully out of his grasp.

A mighty crack tore the air.

"Chief, look out!" someone shouted.

Keme saw Honiahaka freeze as the masthead snapped and came swinging down his way. His pale eyes shrank with terror. The warrior that had been holding his arm attempted to pull him out of harm's way. She lost her footing and was swept into the sea.

"WOLF OVERBOARD!" screamed a sailor.

The deck was a panic now. But that didn't stop the masthead from its path of destruction. Dragging rigging and sails down with it, its shadow fell cold over the chief.

Kota stood rigid with terror. "Honi!"

It seemed as if Honiahaka could not move for his horror. Just as the mast was crashing toward his face, Keme stepped in and caught it above his head. He stood facing Honiahaka for a pause, the massive masthead held above him, his muscles straining. They were so close they could have touched noses. Keme smiled: the look on the chief's face was priceless. With a heave and a grunt, he tore the masthead free of its broken stump and tossed it out to sea. It spiraled away through the sudden downpour, trailing ripped rigging and sails.

Kota rushed to the chief and grabbed his face. "Are you alright? Say something?" He stood holding the chief's face as the rain slicked down their fur. His mane was in his eyes.

The chief was still staring at Keme. He didn't answer.

Incensed, Kota grabbed Keme by the arm and shoved him toward the stairs. "Get going, boy. To the storage room. You're lucky I don't throw you overboard!"

That's the thanks he got for saving the chief's life? But Keme didn't argue. Empty bottles of ale, chunks of wood, hammers, tools - dangerous things were whirling around the deck, crashing into wolves' heads, shattering on the wooden floorboards. More than one wolf had now been washed overboard and the sailors were frantic to rescue them.

Keme never thought he'd be happy to be back in the storage room after three days of staring at that same wall. He'd been forced to leave his spear and traveling pack there. Somehow, he felt naked without them. He heard Honiahaka and Kota enter the room behind him as he knelt to collect Yuri's feather bracelet from the floor. He turned and showed it triumphantly to Honiahaka. He grinned when Kota- who had probably been itching to slit his throat - swore angrily.

"You see?" hissed Honiahaka at Kota. "You were ready to kill one of Zaldon's! Zaldon has ever been my friend. How could I forgive myself had it come to that?"

"I was doing my duty," Kota mumbled. Keme held back a laugh: he was like a sulky child now. "And besides," Kota added angrily, "he was in the storage room - he was peeping."

Keme couldn't believe it when the chief's cheeks flushed. "What did you see in here?" he demanded.

"Nothing - nothing at all," Keme told them and it was truth. "Though I heard . . . everything."

Kota started forward. "If you ever tell a living soul the details of what you heard --!" he warned, jabbing his big finger at Keme.

"Kota," Honiahaka said soothingly. He put a paw on Kota's arm to calm him. "It's not like they don't already know anyway."

"I don't like the idea of someone g-gossiping about - what happened - here . . ." Kota's voice trailed off. His black eyes burned so bright with rage, Keme thought he was trying to telepathically melt his bones.

"I can assure you I won't gossip about what I heard," Keme told Kota. "I'd rather just forget I ever heard it."

"Good!" Kota growled. He drew himself up and said uncertainly, "You - you do that!"

Keme held back a smile. He couldn't understand why Kota was so worried: didn't sun wolves openly accept same sex love? He had seen males kissing males in the very streets, had seen females kissing females, walking down the street arm in arm! What was the big deal? But he supposed he wouldn't want someone eavesdropping on him having sex with Seleste and then going off to chat about it on deck . . . When he thought of it that way, he understood Kota's excruciating embarrassment.

"Now if this is settled," Honiahaka said, and Keme noticed that he gone back to the serious, hard-faced commander he had been on deck, "I'm going to check on the captain --"

"You will do no such thing!" Kota said at once.

Honiahaka stared at him. "Things are pretty bad, Kota, if you hadn't noticed! The ship is falling to pieces in this storm. I must help the captain in any way that I can --!"

"Then I come with you."

They looked at each other a long time, and as if he was relenting, the chief nodded. He turned to Keme. "I trust you'll find the barracks more comfortable than the storage room. On behalf of Zaldon and Yuri, you are welcome here. I only wish you had asked to come and not stowed away in the dark here --"

"Are we gonna go save the day," Keme cut across him, "or what?"

Keme was amazed when the chief smiled. It was the first time he had ever seen that serious withdrawn face do anything but glower. He smiled back.

Seeing this exchange between the two, Kota's chest heaved. Oblivious, the chief turned from the storage room and headed for the deck. Keme was following when Kota blocked his path. He leaned in Keme's face until they were nose to nose and growled, "Stay away from Honi. He's mine." With that, he turned and lurched up the stairs.

Keme stood blinking: it was Honiahaka he had heard with Kota.