FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

It was some months later that the white wolf found himself grunting as he swung a cooler into the back of his jeep. He checked through the stack of items he had already placed in the cargo area. There was a tent, two sleeping mats, two sleeping bags, propane stove, and a tote full of food.

"That should be the last of it, Sir," rumbled out from his muzzle as he closed the tailgate and turned to his guest.

"Should we run through the list one more time?" The wolf chuckled before patting his co-worker on the shoulder.

"Sir, you worry too much. This is one weekend of camping, two days and we're back. Okay?"

"I just don't want to need anything and not have it! I brought my laptop–"

"Won't need it," the wolf interrupted. His friend however continued counting on their fingers.

"Battery pack–"

"Not gonna need that either," said the wolf, crossing his arms over his chest. His muscular arms on full display in his widely slitted tank top.

"Epipen, first aid, GPS, camera–"

"Actually, that last one is a good call, Sir. The rest will not be required," The wolf rumbled out. He uncrossed his arms and settled two large white paws on either side of his husky's shoulders. "This is not an expedition in some far off land, it's a single night of camping at a national park three hours from here. We will literally drive right to our campsite. Tomorrow we will go for a short hike, and come home. Easy-peasy."

The husky squirmed under the wolf's focus. The stare from his amber eyes, the rumble of their voice, the scent that wafted from their fur all combined into an assault on his senses that provoked his 'fight or flight' reflex. No matter how much the wolf actively tried to promote Zach above himself in the hierarchy they had established with each other, the feeling would always be there but Dan had been working the husky closer to the “fight" response. His heart rate picked up anyway but he held the wolf's challenging gaze until it was Dan who looked away first. The wolf twitched his nose and his tail began to sway before he let go with a chuckle.

“You're getting good at that, Sir," Dan rumbled.

“Thank you, Dan."

"You're welcome, Sir." Little laughing growls began tumbling out of his muzzle as his tail swayed and his eyes danced with mischief. "You remind me of my little brother. We used to do that before… well–" he said, trailing off as his hand came up to feel the empty hole in his ear. Not only was the symbol that denoted his pack affiliation missing, but so was his flesh. A literal piece of himself was missing. The husky placed a hand on his shoulder, gently shaking from his melancholy mood. " I didn't mean to make this awkward. I'm fine! Really, Sir." He said, rubbing the back of his head and pulled an ear forward and down. As his ear flipped back up he chuckled to himself before motioning to the SUV. "Shall we?" The wolf ambled to the driver's door and the husky followed on the passenger side.

"Dan, are you really sure we grabbed everything? I think we should check one more t–"

"Sir," the wolf drew out the word as he opened the driver's door. It was a warning tone.

"Dan–" Zach tried to protest, firmly. There was a low rumble of frustration as the wolf forcefully shut the drivers door and marched around the Jeep to the passenger side. The wolf yanked open the door.

"With all respect, Sir. Please, get in the Jeep."

"Dan–" Much to Zach's surprise the wolf put his paw pad to the husky's lips, silencing him.

"I said in, Sir!" The wolf growled playfully. His face was serious with ears forward and erect. Had it not been for the tail slowly wagging behind him rather than stiff and erect, Zach would have been intimidated. Zach knew despite the dangerous looking face, that tail signaled Dan's true feelings in a way only his close friends or pack would know. This was a game Dan liked to play that Zach called “Bossy Beta" and he had learned how to respond over the last few months.

"Oh? And if I say no? What's to keep me from just getting in my car over there and going home, hmm?" He said evenly, crossing his arms and locking eyes with the wolf. His eye brow slowly raised and a confident smirk was forced upon his face in the body language he had developed with this wolf.

Check, he thought as he moved a piece on his mental chessboard.

White triangular ears flicked back for a moment as the hulking bipedal wolf battled wills with the husky before him. Dan was momentarily awestruck by the display of confidence from his friend. Not only was he matching his lupine gaze, a challenge in itself for most canines, but he was teasing him! There was the smallest evaluating glance at the husky before him. Months joining him on workouts had caused Zach to tone up and put on some muscle and Dan watched as it flexed across his chest. The self confidence looked good on him. Very good in fact. From the now flat stomach to the beginnings of pecs. A low pleased rumble began to emanate from the wolf before the sound abruptly stuttered to a stop and he cleared his throat. This cat and mouse game had also gone on for months and Dan still had not managed to win over the husky, despite how they both wanted it.

"What was THAT?" Zach laughed out.

He had been startled by the noise and the sudden foreign shift in his friend's body language. As the wolf's facade swapped back to normal, it struck Zach that he had heard that noise from Dan before but never this loud or close. Where had it been, in the gym or the locker room maybe? Once while he bent over to check the lowest drawer in the filing cabinet. Each time Dan had been there, ears forward and tail still, his vibrant amber eyes ever watchful. Sometimes when Zach met his coworker in passing, Dan would stretch in one direction or another and that same noise would rumble out of him before he faltered, pretending like he hadn't just– Just what, moaned? No, that was the wrong word for the sound. It wasn't a growl either. "Murr'' sounded right.

Dan's nose would inevitably twitch and quest for Zach's scent before he snorted and moved on, tail noticeably higher and expression amused. Zach had never said anything before and now the wolf almost seemed sheepish about it being brought up. Dan's nose twitched again but there was no snort. There was no walking away either. Dan had recently opted to have his fur trimmed for the summer and it left little to the imagination, especially dressed as he was in an open shirt. In fact, the first day after the trimming had left Zach unable to concentrate during their workouts. He had almost walked into his locker when Dan had stripped, having underestimated the amount of corded muscle hiding beneath Dan's thick coat of fur. The murring sound returned for a moment as Dan smirked, stretching under Zach's gaze His muscles rippled as he held Zach's gaze once more.

“Sir–"

“Nope." Zach said flatly. He'd never been so bold and he could feel his pulse pounding in his chest as he swallowed nervously. Dan's ears fell as flat against his head as was physically possible for a moment. Dan slowly closed the gap between him and his friend without breaking eye contact. The murring sound was back and louder than ever, a near constant rumble filling the space between himself and Zach. He towered over his husky friend, bringing himself so close to Zach that his nose was almost touching Dan's chest. Dan's paws slipped down to the husky's waist causing him to gasp. This intimacy wasn't foreign given the proximity required of their lifting sessions, not to mention what they did to 'motivate' each other during workouts, but this was walking a line Zach had made forbidden. Pouring on the charm, he decided to instead put an arm over Zach's head and against the roof of the Jeep. He knew his spicy sweaty scent would envelope Zach as he watched his husky friend swallow nervously.

"Would Sir prefer that I provided some motivation?" A finger delicately placed itself on the hem of Zach's shorts, a hair away from teasing his sheath. Check mate, Dan thought to himself.

Zach's face instantly lit red as a tomato, his cheeks burning hotter than the sun. More alarmingly he could feel heat from the wolf radiating from the large and weighty presence that brushed against his midsection. Dan was very free with his body, whether it be his love of casual nudity, his need for constant closeness, or openly displaying his arousal to Zach. Furthermore, he had been very clear about his desire to be used as the husky pleased. All this meant that Zach knew for a fact, only one thing could be pressing against his midsection at that very moment.

"Dan!" Zach gasped out, stuck rigid in alarm as he licked his nose nervously. Dan had hoped his proximity would spark his husky friend into motion for fear of crossing that line he was so adamant about, but instead it had seemingly paralyzed his friend where he stood. That's when Dan felt his swelling friend down stairs brushing against the newly forming abs of Zachs. With a change in tactics required, Dan's paw shot down into Zach's pockets as the husky squeaked in alarm. Those big white mitts rummaged in his shorts before coming away with Zach's car keys. A smile of victory replaced his serene mask as he dangled the keys before Zach, tossing them through the open garage door.

"Hey! What the hell Dan!!" Zach protested, trying to get out of Dan's grasp and retrieve his keys. A dinner plate sized paws covered his face and kept him from squirming away from the Jeep. What Zach didn't know was that Dan had taken the time to 'adjust' himself earlier specifically to ensure the scent on his paws was strong. Now that the occasion had presented itself, he was grinding the scent of his nethers into Zach's face.

"Oops, how clumsy of me!" Dan laughed as the wolf fished out his phone. It looked tiny in his hand but with a few deft taps on the screen the garage door on his small home began to close and the dead bolt on the front door cycled over to 'locked'.

"Aaaaaand done. Can't leave now, you're stuck with me. Don't worry, you'll get your key back. I am a 'good boy' after all. Now– GET– IN – THE– JEEP!"

Dan spun Zach around and pushed his friend through the open passenger door. Zach was physically manhandled as he was 'forced' into the seat. In reality, the wolf was actually being gentle with him. It did not change the fact that those giant firm paws were constantly on him as he was made to sit. A claw poked his ribs and fingers dragged along his thigh as he laughed. Dan didn't even bother to disguise his groping as that large paw pressed between Zach's thighs. This husky's scent was so enticing to Dan, he couldn't help it now that the opportunity had presented himself. Thus far, the husky had been rather resistant to his advances. Not that the desire wasn't mutua, it was so very far from it. But Dan was a patient hunter and he could wait for his prey to come to him.

"Okay! OKAY!"Zach laughed, gasping for breath. “Paws off! Paws off!"

"No!" The wolf barked back happily. He was enjoying this, Zach's laugh was melodious to his lupine rears. "Don't you know how dangerous it is to tease a wolf? You've proven you don't know what's good for you so I'm gonna be VERY paws on you until we're out of this driveway!" After Dan was satisfied with teasing his friend, he pushed him down into his seat and buckled him in. With his friend safely bucked in he quickly shut the door.

"You don't know how much I need this trip, now let's go!" The wolf practically howled the last word. He pointed from his amber eyes to the husky blue ones and quickly padded around to the driver's door. His gopher neighbor was standing on his porch with arms over her chest with a disapproving look. Dan gave an awkward wave.

"Best friends, am I right?"

As he shrugged as his neighbor shook their head and went back inside. The wolf was openly panting now as he jumped in his seat and fired up the Jeep. Zach was still laughing and Dan had difficulty keeping the pleased noise from leaving his throat once more. As he pulled away he discretely rearranged himself. There was no way Zach wouldn't sniff out the fact that his 'little friend' was partially out of its holster and he was forced to use one of his large paws to keep the bulge out of sight. At least he had a few hours for the pre in his jock to dry, hopefully he didn't soak through. He waited until Zach was distracted before examining what was clearly a damp spot showing in his shorts and cursing to himself. He couldn't help but to swipe a thumb over the spot as he throbbed and squirted a little more pre. Sighing, he covertly brought his thumb to his mouth and licked it clean.

~~~~~~

Zach felt a paw shake his shoulder gently, rousing him awake. The husky took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes, stretching deeply in his seat as his muzzle fell into a yawn.

“Hey sleepy, I thought you might like to see the view. The road on the way up the mountain is supposed to be breathtaking." The view to the left of the Jeep was a jagged rock cliff face but to the Jeep's right, it was simply stunning. Rich red barked pine trees taller than the houses back home lined the side of the road. The forest was so thick with them that Zach couldn't see 40 feet beyond the treeline. As they continued upward and rounded a corner, a deliberate clearing of the trees produced a view of a deep valley filled with green as far as the eye could see with fluffy white clouds casting shadows. In the distance were snow capped peaks that were only just beginning to cast shadows on the valley below. Zach then noticed crystal clear water running near the road and followed its path up the unassuming rock face to their left up to another snow capped peak. It took Zach's breath away and he positively vibrated with excitement. He fished out his phone and began to take photos, selfies, and videos from the passenger seat.

Thirty minutes later Dan's Jeep rolled to a stop in front of the Ranger station, about two hours prior to sunset. A few minutes more and they rolled into their lone camp on the far side of the lake, camping pass in hand. They were far from any other campers and furthest from the restrooms, but it practically guaranteed to be quiet. As Zach stepped out of the jeep he was awestruck by the size of the tree canopy they would be sleeping under as the leaves hissed and the trees creaked in the wind. Standing in the small clearing, he realized that the trees had to be at least 70 to 80 feet tall and wide enough around to make Dan look average in size.

In the middle of their spot was a fire ring and a pile of firewood. Less than 30 feet from their fire ring was the still and crystal clear water of an alpine snow melt lake. The water was so clear he could see the bottom without issue. At this altitude, the sound of insect life was almost completely absent. It was warm, being midsummer, however the constant gentle breeze made it more comfortable. Even the sky seemed to be a different shade of blue up here. Zach was struck dumb with awe as he closed his eyes and let the wind ruffle his fur.

“Beautiful, isn't it?" Dan rumbled behind him. Zach flinched, there hadn't been a sound as Dan had crept up on him. Looking down, Zach realized Dan's paws were bare of any shoes as his large paws flexed into the detritus of the fallen pine nettles. “I cannot tell you how good it feels to have my paws on the forest floor again. It almost feels like home."

“It's amazing," Zach whispered back.

“You're amazing–" Dan murmured under his breath, watching the husky bask in the sun and wind. If Zach heard him, he didn't acknowledge. Speaking louder he continued, “It's going to take us half an hour to set everything up and the sun will set soon."

As they unloaded the Jeep, Zach once again found himself with the large wolf invading his personal space. To the wolf's surprise, he found that there was little resistance from Zach for once. Instead, the husky teased back in equal measure leaving them both with tented shorts by the time the tent was erected and sleeping arrangements rolled out onto the floor. Dinner was a simple affair of grilled hotdogs followed by toasted marshmallow and peanut butter graham crackers. Once they had their fill and the sun had set, the conversation returned to simple things gradually treading into topics Dan often refused to discuss.

“Wait, so that was your brother? You have a brother?"

“Yes, Sir. Six older sisters too. Ash broke his leg with that strunt, his clavicle too. Hell of a way to find out an umbrella is not a parachute. He's lucky the house was only three floors and not four or five like some other packs built, otherwise I might not have a brother to speak of."

“He was only seven Dan, we all do stupid stuff as pups. So you were the one to find him after he got hurt?"

“Yes, Sir. I heard a whimper outside the house and realized it was my brother. I don't think I've ever run so fast." Dan grimaced before he continued, “I found Ash crawling towards the house through the leaves and dirt. I could tell he had been crying but he looked so determined until he saw me. He started crying when I picked him and carried him to the house, telling me over and over again that he was sorry. He needed a cast of course but otherwise would be fine. I heard him whimper that night as he tried to get out of bed. I helped him to the bathroom but… I don't know why, seeing him like that just… tripped something in head. I made him sleep in my room that night and carried him everywhere for the next two weeks. Dad hated the idea but Mom made him leave us be. I don't think my brother and I would have been so close if it wasn't for that accident. Life can be funny that way."

“I can tell you miss him."

“My brother? Absolutely. But–" Dan sighed deeply through his nose as he sipped his beer. “It's complicated. Things… happened when I was kicked out of the pack, I mean. I don't know what I would do first if I saw him again, hug him or punch him."

“And your other siblings?"

“My sisters all work for the pack. One is a Lawyer, another is a Corporate Accountant. The rest are stay at home mothers with their pups."

“You never talk about them. Any of them actually. Why is that?"

Dan sipped from his beer and leaned back to look at the stars. The noise he made was like a huff mixed with a low and dark growl.

“I imagine they don't talk about me either. Hell, I don't have a way to talk to them if I wanted to. They only tolerated me because they had too as the next in line for alpha." Until I was born, it looked like my sisters were going to inherit the pack. My mere existence left them disenfranchised, rug pulled out from underneath them."

“Aren't most packs matriarchies anyway?"

“Not my family. My father's bloodline has always been a patriarchal pack. The eldest male of the current alpha is expected to take over leading the pack when the current alpha gets too old to lead or dies. If he isn't viable, then the role of Alpha falls to the next eldest male in line and the reject is cast out. Until I was born it looked like the pack was going to fall to my eldest sister despite my fathers best effort. Once I was born, that possibility went out the window. Now she's supposed to marry the alpha of another pack to start an alliance. The rest are expected to do whatever the alpha decides for them. It could be whelping the pups, earning money for the pack, bearing children. What the alpha says goes, or you go. Only the strong and the obedient are allowed to stay. I was made to learn the pack's business dealings, current alliances, to strengthen our pack through my marriage, and how to prevent inbreeding in our bloodlines. That's why I have a degree in Business Management."

“That sounds… awful."

“It's hard to feel that way when it's all you've ever known. In a pack, you are expected to find joy through work and each other."

“It sounds like a cult," Zach mumbled, drinking from his beer. Dan sat up to face Zach, and was smiling. White teeth glistened in the low light as he beamed.

“Yeah, I know. It sure does. Gosh, I wish you could have met my mother. She was a Queen in her own right. No matter what she was working on, she always found ways to make us feel loved. I used to find a spot somewhere in the house to hide when I was depressed. Somehow, she always knew when and where to find me. I'd look up and there she would be. Her paws would rub under my chin and she would tell me it would all be okay, and I believed her."

“She sounds lovely," Zach whispered, smiling at the thought. “Dan, if you're the eldest male of the alpha–"

“Why was I forced out of the pack?" Dan finished for him. He growled low and huffed. “In my family, if the eldest male is sterile or otherwise unable or unwilling to carry on the lineage, he is considered 'non-viable'. If he doesn't leave, he is forcefully removed from the pack."

“Does that mean– are you–" Zach trailed off, heat spreading on his cheeks. He'd definitely drunk too much at this point.

“Would you like to find out?" Dan chuckled, waggling his eyebrows and spreading his legs before Zach's eyes. The husky punched his thigh from where he sat. Dan snapped at the air between them with a smile. “No, Sir, I'm not firing blanks. Far from it actually," he snickered before taking a sip of his beer. “I'm fully functional, just not willing."

“You seem plenty willing with me," Zach scoffed.

“Yes, well that's part of the problem." Dan chugged the rest of his beer and scowled at the fire. “I… I grew up my whole life thinking about who my mate was going to be, what our pups would look like. What type of alpha I would be. When I got to college I met a boy and he was the hottest thing I had ever seen. It rocked my world." Dan smiled wistfully at the thought. “I knew then why I didn't feel any attraction to the female members of my pack. I kept it a secret, I didn't want anyone to know until I was prepared to leave the pack on my own. I was going to go back to the pack and start saving to start my own life. But, the day before graduation my younger brother decided to surprise me with a visit to my dorm… and the door wasn't locked. He caught me… bedding a boy from my graduating class."

“Oh shit," Zach gasped.

“Yeah, oh shit," Dan snorted. He picked up a rock and looked at it, throwing it over his shoulder and into the woods. “Ash ran before I could say anything and wouldn't answer his phone. A few hours later my father burst through the door with my mother in tow while I finished packing. She tried to calm him down but it didn't work. He started asking questions about why Ash was concerned about me, whether it was okay to like… other boys. He was furious and afraid. So I told him the truth, that I had no interest in girls."

“I'm guessing it didn't go over well."

“No, it didn't. He pleaded with me at first. Told me I would change if I just had a few cubs of my own… that I could learn to love my mate in my own way, just as he had done. He offered to send me off to a religious camp where I could repent and be saved from homosexuality. I spat in his face when he said that. Wasn't the brightest choice on my part, I woke up with a black eye, a gap in my memory, and a jagged hole where my pack ring used to be. None of my family was present when I limped across the stage to accept my degree."

Dan grimaced and opened another beer.

“Father canceled my credit cards, my cell phone, my internet. Anything I had access to through the pack was gone in the blink of an eye. The only items I owned were my clothes, what was in my dorm, and my Jeep. I slept in parking lots or in parks like this for weeks while I got myself reestablished. The hardest thing to get used to is just how different people treat you when you've been kicked out of a pack. Even the boy from school dropped me like a sack of potatoes. It's like I was untouchable. People would see the wound fresh and healing in my ear and ask me to leave. I got by on odd jobs, but it was so hard. I've been robbed, I've been beaten. I– I tried– I tried to end it once." He said, looking away as he took in a shuddering breath and slammed back the remainder of his beer in one go. “It didn't work, obviously. No one wanted me, not even death. And then Miles called me after seeing my resume on a job board. A-and even though I felt like I was a diversity hire, it's been so worth it because… I got to meet you."

Zach was quiet as Dan trailed off, but that was because he didn't know what to say. Any words he could say would be insufficient or hollow for how he felt in that moment. His heart ached and his throat threatened to close in a sob. Dan had laid his story bare before him. All the hurt and pain he'd endured, how had the wolf survived? He set down his beer bottle and moved to where Dan leant against a stump watching the fire. Zach dropped to his knees, raising both hands up to Dan's face. His fingers reached along under Dan's muzzle, softly lifting Dan's nose to look him in the eyes. Soft thumbs brushed through his cheek ruff as the wolf huffed in surprise. Amber eyes peered up at Zach like a puppy, firelight illuminating the tears welling in his eyes before they closed. Tears began to stream down his muzzle as great heaving sobs fluttered his jowls as the wolf began to cry. Zach shushed the wolf, leaning down to lick away those tears and press his muzzle against Dan. Large white arms wrapped tightly around him as Dan clung to the husky.

“Dan Padfoot, you listen to me. I am a richer man for having you in my life and I am glad you are my friend. That will never change. I am thankful you are still here and I am sorry for… everything you've gone through," Zach spoke quietly. Tears welled in his eyes too as he leant down to kiss Dan on the top of his head. Dan whined as his own paw reached up to hold Zach's paw to his chin as he leaned harder into the affection. Zach sat next to Dan and pulled his head into his lap, stroking his facial fur as he tried to comfort the wolf.

The sobbing had only lasted for a few minutes but Dan was still laying in his lab as Zach's paw ran through his fur, going so far as to rub his chest and back now. Dan was rumbling quietly as he looked up at Zack with reverence, nose leaning to press against the husky occasionally as his eyes drooped. The sun had set hours ago and their little fire died down to nothing more than coals. The wind had stopped and an uncomfortable warmth of summer and drinking had set in. Zach was looking at the sky now that his eyes had adjusted to the dark. Without a cloud in the sky it still looked hazy. There was more light than he expected and then with a gasp he realized he was seeing stars.

“Dan, is that–"

Dan looked away from Zach and rumbled, “It's the Milky Way, Sir. Or least the arm we can see from this side of the planet. Did you bring your camera, I know you mentioned wanting to try night photography."

“Yeah, I did. Do you want to help me?"

“I would like that, yes," his huge tail thumping in the dirt.

~~~~~~

Zach and Dan set up a tripod and camera and snapped a few long exposures. Much to their disappointment, it didn't produce the results they were expecting as the moon began to rise brighter in the sky. At least not from what Zach could see on his little camera screen.

“I think we'll have to do a much longer exposure to get the results I want. Hopefully the Moon doesn't interfere with that. What do we do in the meantime?"

“Sir, I… wasn't sure you would be comfortable with this but… would you be willing to howl with me?"

“Howl?"

“Yes, Sir. I'm just… I really want to howl."

“Uh… sure, why not. I'll howl with you."

Dan lept from where he sat with a bark of joy, picking up the husky to swirl around. Zach laughed as he was spun and the wolf yipped in joy. The wolf set him down and hugged his head to his chest, placing a kiss on his head.

“Thank you, Sir! Thank you thank you thank you!"

“Don't thank me yet, Dan. I've never done this before."

“I'm sure you'll be great, Sir."

Dan walked nearer to the water, panting happily with his tail wagging furiously behind him. Zach joined him as the wolf spun to face him.

“Ready, Sir?"

“ I guess, yeah."

“Don't worry, just let it out. Sing it, if you will. Try to think of a feeling and let it out. I promise you, there's no way to do it wrong."

“Okay, yeah. I can..I'll try that." Dan smiled at Zach and placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding the husky as his tail swayed slowly.

“Three. Two. One."

Dan inhaled sharply and let loose with a howl so deep and melodious Zach forgot to join him. It was like the deep resonate chime of a bell as it pierced into the night. And it was loud too, nestled in the valley as they were. Dan's voice echoed all around them, bouncing off the cavern walls. It caused Zach to tear up at the sound of it, the resplendent beauty of the muscular wolf with his chest out and head back in the sonorous howl. Even unfamiliar as he was with a howl, he could hear the joy and relief in the call as howl trailed off. Dan's amber eyes looked at him as an elbow poked his side. Dan breathed deep for another howl, and Zach did the same. He thought of the last 6 months or so with Dan and let the feelings well in his chest. He thought of happiness, joy, and love and felt the sound buble in his throat and with a final look at the wolf it began to pour from him. He closed his eyes and felt the how in his chest grow and grow and grow.

It was a rough thing, not nearly as melodious or loud as Dan but the wolf smiled anyway. Dan joined soon after, shifting his pitch so that it caused their voices to resonate together. Suddenly the valley and mountains echoed with the sound of a chorus of wolves, as if a whole pack was with them. Zach's eyed Dan with wonder as he poured his soul out. As he ran out of breath, he quickly inhaled Dan doing the same and they howled again. From across the lake, someone joined in with them and the sound changed once again. This voice brought with it the pain of loneliness and was coarse and grating. Dan and Zach shifted pitches singing with sympathy and understanding. Singing 'we're here, you are not alone. Not tonight. Tonight we are all together. Do not be sad, howl with us.' They sang like this for two more breaths before stopping. When they stopped, they both panted hard, looking out across the lake in Wonder at who had sung that lonely howl.

“Who was that?" Zach asked quietly.

“I don't know," Dan replied.

“They sound sad."

“They do. It's… hard, to not have a pack." Dan looked pained, staring at his empty hands. “I'm surprised he joined us at all." Zach took Dan's hand and squeezed it. Dan squeezed back and let the husky go.

“Thank you, Sir. That was…" he sighed, “I missed that."

“You're welcome Dan."

The wind had stopped and the moon was now illuminating the camp and the lake near by. It gave an ethereal feel to the place, like they were walking in a dream by moonlight alone.

“Wanna go for a swim?" Dan said suddenly.

“What? This late?"

“Of course, Sir." Before Zach could reply, Dan unceremoniously stripped his shirt before tossing it all into the tent and dropped his shorts. Dan stood there illuminated by just the stars and ambient moon light, resplendent in his ivory furred beauty.

“What?" Dan smirked, tail wagging behind himself. “Have you never skinny dipped under a blanket of stars?"

“I can't say I ever have."

“Then we should fix that, Sir.. We had a similar lake near my pack house. Summer skinny dipping was one of my favorite things to do when I could sneak away."

Zach followed Dan's example and threw his shorts and shirt through the open tent and walked to the water. A murr rumbled in Dan's chest as he watched without shame. Both of them gasped as the cool water washed refreshingly up their legs. Dan quietly slipped into and under the water with hardly a ripple before emerging some distance away. Rolling over, he splayed out on his back, gently moving his arms and legs to stay afloat as he looked to the sky. Zach paddled out and then mimicked him. Staring up at the stars floating weightless, he was lost in the wonder until he bumped into Dan as they both stayed close to the shore. The lupine's hand reached out to grab on to Zach's. Together they floated in silent company, fingers interlaced as they looked upon the stars.

With a squeeze, Dan let go of Zach's hand and they both righted themselves in the water. Slowly the wolf swam up to Zach, inching closer and closer until they were inches apart. It was then that Zach realized Dan wasn't swimming, his long legs having found purchase on the lake bed that Zach had not. Dan licked his nose, nervously.

“Hello."

“Hello." Zach responded, curious what the wolf was doing. At this point Zach could feel Dan's breath on his whiskers and they were dangerously close to kissing. Strong paws gripped his waist reverently and pulled him slowly closer, reducing Zach's need to paddle in order to stay afloat. Ever so gently, Dan leaned closer. Zach was about to protest until he found himself touching noses with the wolf. Zach's heart skipped as an electric sensation went through him. Dan held himself there, eyes closed as he breathed with Zach. Then his muzzle bumped alongside Zach's as he pressed his scent there, a wolfish instinct for intimacy reserved for those in a pack. Zach shivered at the sensation. It was the first time Dan had so obviously scent marked him and this intimate method was something typically reserved for family. It wasn't so much about putting his scent on the husky as much as it was about ensuring the husky's scent was on him. “That's better, now we smell like a pack" rumbled the wolf, as he pulled back. Zach hesitated rather than returning the gesture.

“Can I be… pack? I'm not a wolf." He felt close to Dan but, did he consider him pack? What did it mean to be part of a pack? The wolf interrupted his train of thought before he could consider it too much further.

“It doesn't matter, Sir. Pack is about more than being members of one species, or being one family. It's about trust and bonds. It's home. I trust you. I feel like I'm home…with you."

Zach chose to return the gesture then, pushing his face along Dan's neck and ensuring Dan's scent was pressed into his fur. The wolf pulled him tight into a hug as he did, spinning them languidly in the water as the stars twirled overhead. When Dan let him go, Zach pulled back just a bit and Dan let him.

“I love you, Sir."

“Dan–" Zach started, unsure how to respond.

“You know, if you asked me to… I would give myself to you. Whenever. Wherever. However. More than as coworkers, more than as a pack mate. Merely ask, and I am yours."

“Dan,I can't. You work for me, it wouldn't be right," Zach cautioned. And it hurt. It hurt with every fiber of his being to say those words. Oh how his heart yearned for the wolf.

“I know," breathed sadly though his nose, backing away to give the husky space. He gently pushed Zach away from him in the water, leaving him to float as he walked ashore. Zach was soon left alone with his thoughts, watching as the wolf shook the water from his fur and sat next to the dying fire. He could see the silver glint of Dan's eyes watching him from camp, waiting for him. Zach laid back into the water, looking to the stars in thought at what had been said and done that night. Dan said he loved him, but did he love Dan? Was this more than mutual attraction? Would it really be that bad if he fell in love with his coworker? And if he did let it happen, what were the consequences? Would he be able to bear the weight or not?