Fan Friction Read online

  Nolee Hunt was a good woman, but a hard one. Her glossy black hair hung down her shoulders in a solid sheet, her fierce, beautiful face marking her ancestry obviously as Tlingit, though of course that wasn’t the whole story by a long shot. She stepped forward, taking her daughter’s arm in one strong hand, the cold of her fingers biting through the thick, warm cotton of Lara’s sweatshirt easily. Dark brown eyes flashed dangerously as she walked her daughter away from the group, warning her to keep her tongue firmly in check.

  “You’re late,” she growled softly. Lara ducked her head, amber eyes glancing away.

  “I’m sorry,” Lara said, knowing it wouldn’t be enough, but having no better to give at the moment.

  “We have a situation on our hands, Lara,” her mother reminded her pointedly, guilt adding to the ice in the young wolf’s belly. Oh shit… if this is about what I THINK it’s about… “You’ve been avoiding him too long, and now he’s having second thoughts.” Fuck my life. Yep. That’s what I thought. The ‘he’ in question was Alexander, a werewolf from a neighboring pack. She had met him a total of once. He was a quiet, handsome young man with mousy brown hair and green eyes. He was also supposed to be her fiancé. Those second thoughts he was having were no doubt in regards to the engagement she hadn’t wanted in the first place. Well he can totally have second thoughts. I’m having one hundred and twenty second thoughts. She wished she could say that aloud, but her mother looked ready to skin her and sell her pelt.

  “I’m sorry,” was all she could manage. Nolee sighed impatiently, releasing her daughter’s arm and pacing a bit, her thighs making swishing sounds as the denim of her jeans rubbed together.

  “We need this, Lara,” she began, and the young werewolf braced herself for the lecture she was quickly having cause to learn by heart. “We’re too small a pack, we’re vulnerable. Unprotected. We’ve got to grow our numbers if we’re going to keep our hold here.” Lara knew all this, but that didn’t make her current position feel any more fair or just. “You had your chance to choose a mate from our pack, but you didn’t want any of them.”

  “Either of them,” Lara corrected under her breath, and Nolee shot her a warning glare. There had only been the two brothers offered, since most of their pack were older, married couples. She didn’t get along well with Rick, the oldest, a boastful, brash man with a notable temper. He felt he was too good for her, and made no pretenses about that fact. Daniel, the youngest, was soft… weak. And disturbingly eager to mate. Thankfully, he was also easily intimidated by her, but still, she couldn’t see her life paired up with such a man. Or any man, to be fair. She was still too wrapped up in Cheri, and everyone her pack offered her not only suffered by comparison on the personality front, but they also lacked the… equipment Lara was interested in.

  “You left us no choice but to bring in a mate from outside the pack.” The reminder sat just as poorly as the news had the first time she’d heard it, but mothers were fond of repeating themselves, Lara knew. “Thanks to your stubbornness, you’re forcing us to combine our resources with their pack, which… might actually prove better than the original plan. It’s a smart move, Lara, and we need it.” The young woman held her tongue, bitterly angry that she was given so little choice in the matter when her heart was screaming itself hoarse over a woman she’d never even spoken with in person. “So go change his mind. Take out that second thought and make sure he sticks with the first.” Lara took in a steadying breath, choking back the vitriol she wanted to let fly. Her mother’s stern gaze softened, one tan hand tucking a lock of silky black hair behind Lara’s ear. “You deserved better than this, I know. And if we were a bigger pack, you’d be free to choose as you would, or stay single if it suits you better. But we’re not going to make it without these kinds of politics and a new generation. I know it isn’t fair, but… can you do this? For us?”

  Ouch, Mom. Guilt from every angle. Lara nodded, knowing she had reached the end of her choices. At least Alexander was a nice man. Even if she wasn’t attracted to him, she couldn’t see him hurting her or pressuring her into things she wasn’t ready for. Namely sex. Her stomach clenched hard, bile rising up her throat. She had to swallow repeatedly to stop the burning. She could swear there were tears shining in her mother’s almond-shaped eyes. Damn it all, I might as well get this over with.

  “I’ll smooth things over,” she promised her mother, trying to sound as calm as she could even though her heart broke, images of Cheri’s beautiful face and mouth-watering curves flashing through her mind. Nolee smiled a notably sad smile and stroked her daughter’s hair before returning to the pack. Lara stood motionless for a moment, gathering herself. Nose to the wind, she caught scent of the young man she was being forced to marry and set her pace at a reluctant jog.

  Lara found herself subconsciously slowing down to a silent, slinking stride as Alexander’s scent grew stronger. She could hear him breathing, slow and steady, at the top of the small hillock covered in spruce trees just to her right. Dropping into an instinctive crouch, she crested the hill, her body knowing just how to move to avoid making a sound amidst the thick ferns and dry branches at her feet. The sight of him made her pause, her head cocking to the side like a curious puppy.

  The young man sat, his muscular back pressed against the trunk of a particularly large spruce, his wrists resting on his knees, his head tilted back, exposing the skin of his neck, a good several shades paler than her own native tan. He gazed up at the patches of sky visible through the canopy, his jaw set, his brow furrowed under that mop of soft, mousy brown hair. To hell with second thoughts, he looked as if he had most definitely made up his mind. A hot stab of rejection cut deep, and Lara nearly whimpered, giving away her position. True, she hadn’t wanted to marry him in the first place, but it hadn’t really occurred to her that the feeling could be so painfully mutual. Regardless, she had made her mother a promise, and both their packs were in need of the kind of partnership she and Alexander could make if only they tried a little harder to accept each other. They’d only met once, and he had been nothing if not pleasant, after all.

  “Hi Alexander,” she said softly, straightening her posture and walking toward the young man who suddenly rose to his own feet, a sweet blush painting his cheeks in surprise. He stood a head taller than her, all lean muscle and boy-next-door charm. Cheri would have had a great time writing him into all sorts of naughty fun, Lara was certain. The thought made her stomach clench again. She glanced down at herself, and grimaced. They didn’t look like much of a couple, she had to admit. He could have been the unexpected heart throb of a cliché teen movie, and she looked every bit the dark, surly, misanthropic young adult she was in her baggy sweatshirt, black pants, thick eyeliner, and unconventionally short haircut. He gave her a small smile, perfect white teeth glinting at her in a way she wished would make her heart beat faster, but the stubborn muscle spared nary a single flutter for all his charms.

  “Hi Lara,” he replied, shifting on his feet awkwardly. He offered his hand, and she stared dumbly at it. He was trying. Damn it all, she should be too. She shook his hand, noticing his grip was much more certain than she had expected. There was a measure of resignation in the way he held himself, but his grip wasn’t reluctant in the least. After a moment, she pulled her hand back, nervously tucking her hair behind her ears and biting the inside of her lip. He was waiting for something, and she couldn’t tell what. She cleared her throat, leaping at the first idea that came to her.

  “Want to hunt with me?” she asked, amber eyes locked on his, not sure if she would feel better if he accepted or refused the offer. Strong brown eyebrows raised, and she caught another glimpse of those perfect teeth as he flashed a smile.

  “Sure.” His simple agreement suited her well enough. At least he wasn’t all that flirtatious. It made her feel less guilty for not being more excited about their upcoming union as well. She unzipped her sweatshirt, shrugging the thick material from her shoulders. Alexander caught his breath and turned
away from her, but she caught the blush rising to his cheeks just the same. Was that the same way she looked when she pulled up those pin-up photos of Cheri? Or did he just find her sudden forwardness embarrassing? Well, if they were going to be married, they’d have to get used to seeing each other naked.

  Lara set her sweatshirt down and kicked off her scuffed brown XtraTuf boots. She removed her t-shirt, revealing her café au lait skin and small breasts, and quickly slipped out of her yoga pants and panties, throwing the lot of her clothing into her sweatshirt and tying it in a neat bundle before giving Alexander a furtive glance. He had pulled off his light jacket and long sleeved navy shirt, and was just tugging off his jeans and boxers in one go. She looked away, her heart finally speeding its reluctant tempo, though not for the reasons she’d been vaguely hoping for. He was an attractive young man, certainly, but all she saw in him was how very unlike Cheri he was.

  Blood turned to fire in her veins, her body eager to shift, to return to its natural state of wolf, but just before she set her mind to the change, Alexander’s bright green eyes locked on her, his shoulders hunched just as she was subconsciously doing, obviously on the cusp of transforming as well. For a long moment, they stood there, each werewolf taking in the sight of their betrothed, naked, yes, but also ready to hunt. A spark of something lit within Lara, but she wasn’t certain exactly what or exactly where, or what it might mean. But there was something. Perhaps this reluctant pairing wouldn’t be as disappointing as she had been expecting.

  Almost in sync, Lara and Alexander dropped to all fours, soft growls and hisses tearing from their throats as their bodies shifted, growing thick fur, fangs, and claws. Becoming wolf. The feeling was exhilarating, and Lara reveled in it, realizing how much she had missed it after spending the past several weeks passing for human. The sounds of the forest grew louder as her ears reformed, her lips drawing back in an unintentional snarl as her skull reshaped. She had long forgotten a time when shifting was painful, but it was still fairly uncomfortable every time, especially when shifting from one extreme to the other, full human to full wolf.

  She gave her body a quick shake, her thick, plush coat of dark brown fur ruffling with the movement. Alexander sat scratching behind one ear with a back paw, his tongue lolling happily from his mouth, and Lara let out a startled laugh. He certainly made a likeable wolf.

  “Ready?” Lara asked, and Alexander nodded. She could see him working his tongue in his mouth, a motion she remembered well from when she was learning how to speak with a muzzle. It took some getting used to. The realization that Alexander was still figuring it out was a rather precious type of vulnerability, she had to admit.

  She raised her nose high, sniffing for quarry, and he followed suit. The scent of a deer a ways off made her mouth water, and she glanced at the male wolf, wondering if he had noticed it as well. He was watching her intently, his startling green eyes unreadable, but his bushy gray-brown tail wagged gently.

  With a bigger smile than she intended to give, she crouched and sprinted off, paws digging into soft loam and leaves, scattering debris in her wake. She could hear Alexander give chase, his breath coming fast but steady behind her. Within moments, he was at her side, his longer legs propelling him with a speed she could only dream of, but he held with her pace as they raced toward the deer.

  When the scent had become strong enough to make Lara bare her teeth in want, the fur along her spine raising, she slowed to a cautious slink, stalking their prey, closing the distance between them and the young Sitka black-tailed buck grazing amidst thick stands of evergreens, his antlers only tiny, velvety buds that signaled their regrowth for the year. Catching Alexander’s eyes, Lara motioned with a pointed jerk of her muzzle before prowling in the opposite direction. Immediately, the wolf obeyed her silent order, circling around the other side of their target.

  Lara watched as Alexander’s scent carried to the buck, the majestic head raising from the brush. Slender legs spun and spurred him to run from the danger he’d perceived, directly toward the one he hadn’t. Lara crouched and sprang at the buck as he barreled toward her, staggering him as her weight hit his side, knocking his nearly 200 pound frame to the ground hard. Sharp hooves flailed dangerously, and she jumped over the buck’s side to avoid being gored, sinking her teeth into the sleek fur and muscle of the beast’s neck, hot blood washing her mouth and making her heart pound.

  She was an excellent hunter, but today she felt off her game. Too distracted by hormones and politically-arranged romances. The buck got his legs back under him faster than Lara had expected, and made a valiant effort to run off with her still firmly attached. She clung to the deer’s back desperately, looking for a safe place to release the buck’s neck and let herself fall, wary of those flashing hooves.

  Alexander suddenly sprang forward, directly in front of the buck, powerful jaws snapping closed on the beast’s throat, bringing Lara’s wild ride to a sudden halt that nearly flung her over the buck’s head. Their prey dropped to his knees, then collapsed on his side as the life poured from his torn throat into Alexander’s lethal mouth. Lara released her bite, watching the wolf she was being asked to marry with new fascination. He was so gentle and quiet, she hadn’t expected such certainty from him on their hunt. When the deer had kicked his last and his body went still, the young wolf sat back, his muzzle and chest soaked through with blood, making him look breathtakingly fierce.

  That same strange something from earlier stirred in her again, urging her to close the distance between them, and she obeyed, padding softly around the dead buck’s head. Alexander watched her with much the same fascination now as she had watched him with just a moment before, as if he saw her in a new light as well. The scent of freshly spilled blood pervaded her senses, overwhelming her as she sat beside him. Her tongue darted out to give his muzzle a tentative lick, and she was startled to find the sensation arousing her, the taste of blood, the feel of wet fur against her tongue, the heat of his body beside hers. Her eyes closed, and she let herself get lost in the suddenly sensual moment as she lapped at his jaw, neck, and chest, gradually becoming aware that he was now licking her clean as well.

  Their tongues brushed past each other, setting fire to the blood rushing through Lara’s veins, making her thighs quiver, and she let out a quiet whimper. Then his tongue was gone. Amber eyes slid open to see the wet, red tip of Alexander’s excitement poking out of its furred sheath, his face turned away from her, embarrassed. Part of her wanted to give it a lick, to see how that slick red tip would feel against her tongue, but before she could goad herself into action, he stood, shaking the dirt and moss from his coat.

  “Uee g… go nnnow?” he asked, obviously working hard to create the sounds he was so unused to making in this form.

  “Sure,” Lara agreed softly. “The pack will be eating well today.” Alexander nodded, careful to keep those green eyes cast away from her. She found herself wishing he wouldn’t. This sudden awkwardness was her fault. Her mother’s order sounded loudly in her mind, Take out that second thought and make sure he sticks with the FIRST. If his current shyness was any indication, she was failing in that task. Time to shake things up a bit. “Race ya there!” she blurted, locking eyes with him and bowing in an instinctive play pose, then dashing off.

  Alexander let out a surprised yip, and she smiled as she heard him pounding after her, those powerful legs of his making short work of the head start she’d taken. She threw herself into the run, her body close to the ground, her legs working hard to reach further and hold on to her lead, but there he was, at her side again, tongue lolling out the side of his happy mouth. She let out a playful growl, and turned suddenly, darting off to the side. He had a harder time making the turn, but dug his claws in hard and managed to stay upright as he continued the chase. She redirected yet again, smirking to herself as her smaller, more compact body took the turn easily, while he was left to scramble just to keep his footing.

  He unleashed a howl that made her fur stand
on end, and within seconds he was at her shoulder again, the pack just a few yards ahead. Lara leapt over him, changing her course once more, and this time Alexander was unable to execute the turn, his furry gray-brown body tumbling into the underbrush with a startled yelp. Lara bounded over to him, working hard not to let either her exhaustion or smug satisfaction show, her tail wagging softly behind her.

  “You alright?” she asked. In answer, the bigger wolf lunged at her, pinning her to the ground and bonking his skull against hers affectionately.

  “No thank to you,” he jibed, his tongue still not quite catching the ‘s’ he needed. She laughed, and he sat back, letting her scramble to her feet. They didn’t say another word as they padded off to where her pack waited, an easy camaraderie slowly forming between them. She liked him. He was undeniably likable. But could she really like him? In that way that made her slick with want and prone to risking public humiliation? Or would she have to resign herself to a marriage with only this more platonically friendly kind of like?

  Her mother in particular sent her approving looks as the pack returned to the kill and feasted, obviously pleased that her daughter and fiancé were sitting so close to each other as they ate, playfully smacking each other with a paw here or a bushy tail in the face there. Being playful with Alexander was easy. It was the rest of it that had Lara so uncertain. Still, it did feel wonderful to have her pack so proud of her, so satisfied that things would turn out well even if her doubts still screamed at her. But Alexander was a nice boy, a nice wolf, and a very impressive hunter. She could certainly do worse. She wished that was stronger comfort.

  After everyone had eaten, and the young black-tailed buck was reduced to scraps, Alexander bowed to the pack and trotted off toward where they had stashed their clothing, ready to return to the human form they wore as protection. Nolee gave Lara a pointed look and smile, and the young wolf obediently followed after him. Damn but she’s going to be persistent about this. At least that will stop once we’re married. …Right?