Christmas Tree. 3/4
Christmas Tree. ~ The J2, AU, Christmas, Werewolf, birthday gift, fic
Description: NC-17. Werewolf Jensen and Jared, a Christmas Tree, some angst and a lot of abused!sick!hurt!Jared and therefore some comfort!Jensen. A whole pack of supporting CW characters to help them out because J2 are clueless. This isn’t all sunshine and rainbows or even PWP like a Christmas fic should be, which I excuse by pointing out that it is actually a birthday gift for sylsdarkplace
Warnings: Explicit werewolf sex, werewolf knotting, intent of suicide. Mentions of:- Mpreg, Past abuse, dub con and underage.
Pairings: Jensen/Jared, Chad/Milo, Katie/Steve, Genevieve/Christian
Beta: The generous
meus_venatorwho did an amazing job in minimal time because it was an impulsive decision with a ridiculous deadline. That said, it is partly her own fault for planting the seed of a werewolf knotting fic in my head in the first place. All mistakes remain my own, especially the grammar, because I decided that was what mattered least in the time frame.
Length: ~22,000 words
Disclaimer: This is fiction, pure fantasy folks. Nobody here belongs to me and they’re not likely to get in my van for candy a side of beef any time soon
Part 3
JARED
Jared woke in the lee of a thorny bush. His stomach was comfortably full, he remembered the taste of raw raccoon and his stomach turned a little. His hand touched feathers, his fingers dug into blood-soaked snow and he recalled that he had eaten again. After the raccoon, he had come across a hawk tearing into its prey. He hadn’t been fast enough to catch the hawk, but its prey made a satisfactory snack.
He assessed his situation. He was numb with cold and ohgod, ohgod, ohgod, he was distinctively human and naked.
This wasn’t meant to happen. He wasn’t stupid, he hadn’t shifted in the five years with his Pack but everyone else had and it didn’t happen like this, not without control. Not when it made no sense. Then, there had been the thing with the Wolf Pass Werewolves the day before. He remembered the painful static and a high discordant screech. Even when he had covered his ears with his paws it continued, unabated in his head, like a psychic burglar alarm. He thought they had some sort of weapon but then the Alpha had spoken to him, in his human voice and asked why he didn’t answer them and he hadn’t heard. He hadn’t known they were speaking.
He tried to think back to when it all changed. Even in human form he had been able to hear his pack’s wolf thoughts, they spoke to him, gave him commands and his Alpha liked to croon his dirty thoughts in the times he came to the bedroom, except, it stopped. Their wolves grew quieter, until one day they became silent and never spoke to him again. He hadn’t asked. Punishment came in all types, but what if, what if…. He couldn’t bear to think it. What if they never stopped speaking? What if he stopped hearing?
He uncurled, crouched down and concentrated. He thought of his wolf, tried every technique he had seen the Beta, Meg teach her pups but the wolf never came. He stayed in goose-bumped, cold flesh.
He forced himself up and his feet burned cold on the freezing snow. He endured the ice chill to find the remains of the unfortunate raccoon and he ripped at its skin until he had gory fur slippers roughly tucked about his feet. He was covered in the blood and skin of his kills. He thought he must resemble a horror movie extra. He had to find some form of clothes and he needed food and shelter but he couldn’t approach the town like this. It would guarantee the sort of attention he didn’t want.
He spent the day searching for the place he had shifted into his wolf and then wandered aimlessly up the mountain.
The shredded remains of his clothes clung wet to his body and he forced himself further into the woods, chasing the pungent scent of old, discarded food. He found it in a remote clearing, a garbage can stuffed with the remains of some sort of hikers’ picnic. He fell on it without pride, a discarded cheese sandwich, some potato chips, a brown tinged pear and half a bottle of sweet, glucose-filled energy drink washed down his throat, a meal more delicious to him than any top chef could hope to serve.
The air here was clean and pure. Maybe his wolf would scent werewolves from this distance but that was yesterday. Today his wolf was weak and he was human. He was in some sort of picnic place or camp site. There were paths and park signs indicating toilets, trail routes and items of interest. For a moment he panicked and tried to hide but then he noted the Ranger signs “Closed for the Season. Check back next summer.”
He relaxed and wandered along the interlocking pathways. There were discarded piles of snow-laden building supplies and it looked like the repairs were delayed until the snow melted. He’d never visited the country, let alone the forest, he had stayed in the City all his life, but he read plenty. He knew there would be no thaw here until spring.
The more he looked around, the more comfortable he became. It had been designed with rows of tall trees to shelter it from the worst of the weather and the signs, the paths and the human items gave him a connection to the only world he knew. When he came across the cabins he was undecided as to whether he could actually squat here but when he tried the door of the third building and it opened without resistance he decided it was fate. He caught the faint whiff of a woman’s perfume but he opened a trunk and soft, dry blankets lay there, heady with the smell of detergent and he told himself that this was a human dwelling and the scents of human occupation were bound to linger.
He continued his tour of the cabin, sniffing at the homey fragrance of the blanket that he pulled cozy around his shoulders. The camp was clearly unoccupied but it hadn’t been cleared after the summer season, it housed a treasure trove of basic items and an entire carton of energy drinks. Maybe they were intended for the contractors who would repair the place. He wasn’t going to fuss. He would find a way to pay for whatever he used but he wasn’t going to turn his back on good fortune. When night fell he experimented until he had a passable log fire in the hearth. He spooned fruit from a can and then buried himself between blankets to sleep on the generous double bed. For the first time in years he fell into a deep, comfortable and uninterrupted sleep.
The next day, when he explored the camp, he found overalls, paints, varnishes and decorating supplies in several of the buildings. He studied the décor in each of the cabins, worked out the quantities, and when he was fairly sure of the intended color schemes, he applied masking tape, picked out the appropriate brush and, with careful concentration and skill he started to paint.
He was painting when he heard the truck pull up. He ducked below the window ledge and sat motionless with his knees to his chest. Someone crunched through the snow and he heard the creak of a wooden bench. He sniffed, human, woman, the same perfume he had smelled in his cabin. He closed his eyes and waited for discovery but after a while he heard the steps recede and the truck pulled away. He peered out of the cabin door. A flask stood on the bench and a piece of paper fluttered under it.
There was a short note. Lentil and bacon soup. I thought you might like to share.
My name is Samantha. What’s yours?
Jared sniffed tentatively. There was no taint and it smelled amazing. He poured a drop and sipped at it, just barely coating his tongue. It tasted just as good as it smelled. He drank it all, savoring the thick warmth. It reminded him of his mother’s cooking. He was twenty one but he suddenly felt very young and lonely. He washed and dried the flask thoroughly and placed it back on the bench.
The next day he heard the truck from over a mile away, he smelled her at the same time and it was cinnamon and talc and motherly. He hunkered down behind a pile of logs with his muzzle on his paws but his ears pointed in eagerness and his tail twitched with impatience.
She was middle -aged, an elegant lady in Ranger uniform, with long brunette hair and an open, friendly face. She parked the truck with no attempt to be quiet and made her way to collect the flask. She peered at the shiny interior, “It’s very clean.” She commented, in no particular direction. Jared could see her looking for him but she couldn’t see him behind the logs and she would undoubtedly be looking for somebody human. He wondered what she knew of him and surmised that she thought he was supposed to be here. A painter employed by the Parks to work on the cabins over the break. He hoped she wasn’t there to evict him. Why share her soup? He knew he was fooling himself but he already decided he liked her presence and wanted her to come again.
She made her way to the open door of the cabin that he had been painting, just before he shifted. Again without warning, but at least he had been aware.
“Wow!” She stepped inside. “This is good! Professional.” She investigated the interior and stepped out again, her eyes searching the area for him.
She settled on the bench, pulled a pack of sandwiches from her rucksack and laid it down, then took out another and opened it.
He knew he should be still but the control he had over his body was patchy, his tail wagged and a paw slipped. He knew she noticed and he considered running but his paws were not co-operating and the very unwolfish thought, that he would be clumsy and embarrass himself, kept him still. She stood and slowly stepped forward until she could just see him, over the pile of logs. She stopped again and he looked up at her, half hopeful and half terrified.
“Hey. Wow! You’re a big wolf aren’t you?”
Jared hadn’t considered that she may be scared of him. That her actions were both brave and foolish. He backed off a little and sat, or rather, fell down.
“Uh-oh. You’re having some trouble with your co-ordination there, Buddy.”
He wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.
She crouched to his height. “I’m supposed to be checking on security and then tracking an eagle on that ledge up there.” She pointed. “I don’t think anyone is going to steal anything with you here, do you? So, I am going to go soon and you can have the rest of my sandwiches if you like.” She got back up and her eyes did not leave him as she backed away. Because you can’t turn your back on a dangerous animal, Jared thought sadly. She halted before getting in her truck, looking thoughtfully at him. “You must know that my job is Park Ranger. One of my duties is to protect the wildlife in this zone. I check up, make sure things are OK. Sometimes, if animals get sick, I organize help for them. I suppose it means it is my job to keep you safe, so I’ll be back. Maybe you’ll tell me your name next time.”
JENSEN
Jensen tried to hide his disappointment when the small gifts and food that he placed under the tree, stayed untouched for a fifth day, but his pack knew him better. Genevieve, Milo and Chad curled on the huge sofa with him, lending contact and affection. Chad carded his hand through Milo’s hair while he cuddled close to their Alpha. Genevieve rested her head in Jensen’s lap and he curled a warm arm around her. “Am I that obvious.” He sighed.
“Sorta, Boss.” Said Genevieve.
“Its one of the many reasons we love you.” added Milo.
“But not more than me.” interrupted Chad.
“Not more than you.” Milo bent his head to Chad and the room was filled with the sight, scent and noise of the mates’ affection. Jensen groaned in dismay.
“Nice one douchebags.” commented Genevieve when Jensen untangled and excused himself to work on an exercise plan for one of his patients.
***
Aldis found nothing on the tall man, there were no recent releases matching his description and no crimes that could be linked. They ascertained that the man must have travelled from the City in Chad’s truck and checked for missing persons but while there were hundreds that could match such a general description, none were werewolves.
His father called on all the contacts he knew within the Were community but nobody had any information on the thin wolf.
Sam Ferris was Jensen’s biggest hope. A colleague of Chad’s and a friend to them all, she was the senior warden on the park and she put her job and safety on the line by helping to plan Jared’s refuge in the empty camp site and offering to initiate contact. As a human and a cheerful, friendly person, Milo and Chad thought she would be most likely to succeed in gaining the lone Were’s trust. She had helped to organize the items planted in the cabins and when Jensen had insisted on commandeering every energy drink from the stock of the Rangers’ Office she simply put the crate in her truck and signed a requisition for more.
The warden kept in touch but wouldn’t mix with the Pack for fear of their scent carrying. She also insisted on being able to independently assess the stranger, without pressure from Jensen. To that end, Jensen knew very little about the time she spent with the young werewolf. She phoned to reassure him that the Were had eaten the food they left at the campsite and had accepted her presence but she refused to divulge more than that. She suggested small items that he might place with the food under tree and told him to be patient. Jensen knew she was waiting until she was sure that sharing the information would not cause the lone werewolf physical or emotional harm, but it didn’t make him any less anxious for news of their progress.
Jensen was ready to despair when Sam rolled her truck to the curb and invited herself in. She barely had her boots off and a coffee in her hand before Jensen pulled her into the study to report what she knew.
He opened the conversation without small talk. “I’ve smelled him close but he hasn’t come into the yard. He’s taken nothing that we’ve left for him. Have you seen him?”
She smiled indulgently. “You know I have. That much I told you over the phone. His name is Jared. He’s a very handsome young man and a stunning wolf.”
“You’ve seen both forms. So he can shift?”
“It appears so.”
“What else did you find out?” Jensen couldn’t get the news fast enough.
“He’s very quiet, he says he is twenty one but he appears young for his age. I’ve watched him close and I spent some time upwind with binoculars. He doesn’t have recent injuries but you’re right about his wolf form. He has trouble with his movement. I’ve observed him in several situations and it is a general incompetence, there is no individual limb that is affected. I’ve seen him trying to take prey but he’s not successful. He needs the food we are giving him and I can already see some improvement in his condition. He‘s skittish for sure, but he hasn’t been aggressive and he has let me see him and even said a few words. He seems like a nice guy.”
Jensen’s brows knitted, “What has he been doing all this time?”
“Painting. He’s been redecorating the cabins. I can say for sure that his clumsiness doesn’t extend to his human form. His work is incredibly neat and precise. Honestly, he’s worth more than we’re paying him in supplies.”
Jensen was stumped by the reply. He moved on to his next concern. “How sick is he?”
Sam took some time to consider her reply. “I asked him and he told me he wasn’t sick. He certainly doesn’t appear ill when human, only malnourished and weak. If he was a child, I would suspect abuse. The way he talked about the jobs he could do for us! He opened up a bit to impress me, to let him stay, and what he said, what he accepted was normal, it was like he did every chore in his home. He said that an Omega was for doing what he was told and he stressed over the neatness of his work, kept apologizing for it and told me he always messed up, that it was no wonder he was worthless to his Pack, but it was perfect Jensen, absolutely perfect. Honey, it broke my heart. I told him a little about Genevieve and Milo, I didn’t tell him he was wrong but I gave him something to think on.”
Jensen frowned and tapped his fingers. He looked as though he were about to speak.
“Let me finish, Jensen. He has some troubles shifting and something about the way he described it makes me think he’s not practised, like he’s never done it before. He implied he wasn’t used to being in the wolf body.”
Jensen shook his head in frustration. “That makes no sense. You’ve seen his age, the wolf just is. There is no need to get used to it because it takes the wheel, instinct drives it.”
“Like a wolf would never consider jumping from a cliff?” Sam asked gently.
Jensen went quiet, he was perplexed. “Yeah. Like that.”
“Is there any truth in the old-wives tale that a bite from a werewolf can turn a person? Could that have happened?”
Jensen laughed at that. “No, Sam! That is definitely a myth, our DNA is distinct and nothing can change your genetic code to ours. You are completely safe.”
“Then I’m sorry. I just don’t know. I can talk to the vet if you like. Maybe you can phone and ask your father if he knows of any similar health problems in Weres.”
“Sorry Sam, I don’t mean to be short with you. Just worried, y’know. For him and for the pack. I can’t tell them that though.”
“Oh Jensen! They already know!” She nudged him and gave a wry smile. “I hope you don’t mind. I told Jared that carolers would be going through town tomorrow and that everyone would congregate here when they finished. I asked him to give the Pack a second a chance, to give you a second chance. I invited him to come and see. The last two days he’s made brief trips down here. I saw him watch Gen near the library and when you were out, he stood and stared at the house. I think he wanted to investigate but he couldn’t find the nerve. With a little encouragement I think he will accept something, so pack up some of the small items and make sure they’re under the tree when the carolers call, nothing expensive, just things that show you care.”
“It sounds like his Alpha didn’t care. He must have treated him like crap.” He chewed on his lip “To consider suicide, I can’t imagine. I’m not surprised he doesn’t trust us. Do you think he’ll come?”
“I think he’s lonely and curious. He knows that you could have come for him at any time and you haven’t. He accepts that you kept your word and it seems to matter to him. We’ll have to see.”
Jensen drew her close and hugged her. Sam didn’t flinch, she was used to the constant contact that the Pack craved. “Thanks Sam. He wouldn’t have opened up to anyone else.”
“He’s not out of the woods yet Jensen,” her eyes sparkled at the pun “but I think we can get him there.”
***
Jensen made up a basket of food, mostly meats and plenty of fruit and then shoved past Katie to dive into the fridge and removed a carton of milk to add to the hamper. He ran to his room and rummaged in a drawer. He clutched at his old MP3 in triumph and then dived back in to find batteries. “He’s decorating. Music! Everyone should have some music while they work.” Jensen explained.
Katie leaned on the door frame with crossed arms and watched with fascination. “You are so gone for him Jen. You don’t even know if you’ll like him when you meet properly.”
He carried on searching until he found everything he wanted.
Jensen straightened. “Maybe not” he said. “But I won’t throw away my chances.”
“Oh my God!” squealed Katie, “You’re admitting it!”
Jensen shrugged and his cheeks flushed “I don’t know, it’s probably nothing, he just, his scent is….” he couldn’t describe it so he didn’t try. “Is this how you felt when you met Steve?”
“No, Steve was the one with gifts and attention. He practically smothered me with flowers, food and chocolate and it wouldn’t have mattered because the moment we met, the first time I scented him, I was gone for him too. It didn’t stop him though and I didn’t want it to. It made me feel so special. We can tease you but don’t you dare stop. It’s too adorable!”
Jensen clicked the cover over the batteries, flung the player in the basket and rushed to place it under the tree.
***
“Ding Dong merrily on High.
In heaven bells are ringing..”
A circle of carolers stood around the tree, their mouths open with an enthusiastic rendition of the lyrics. Jensen wasn’t entirely sure they were all in key and old Mrs Baker had definitely consumed one too many sherries, it wasn’t clear if she was singing the same carol as everyone else but he blamed his over-sensitive hearing for noticing the flaws. The Pack moved among the crowd with warmed cider and hot chocolate. Chad made sure every child was given a candy cane.
Even without seeing the clothes that Sam had picked from Jensen’s wardrobe, for Jared, he knew that the Omega had come, he scented him before he ever arrived in their yard. It pulled at him, strong, sweet, primal and earthy. Jensen tried not to stare at the tall figure hanging back in the shadows but the slanted hazel eyes kept meeting his own and Sam was right, the boy, NO! man, was stunning. He stood taller than everyone and though thin, his frame was large, his skin was ruddy with the cold wind and his face was, well, heaven.
Jared darted another glance toward him and the pink tip of his tongue poked between wide lips and licked them to a shine. His cheekbones were sculpted and his jaw strong and angular, the scruff of an early beard not detracting, but adding to the handsome features. His hair hung shaggy and blew about his face in a soft tangle and Jensen’s hands itched to smooth through it, to grip into it and pull his face close, so he could kiss…” Oh, OK stop that now! Jensen forced his stare away to mix with his Pack and his visitors, busying himself with encouraging words, subtle touches, jokes and laughter. When he glanced back at Jared, he saw Milo approaching the lone Were cautiously, proffering warm cider. He saw him flinch away, smelled the fear and the adrenaline of his fight or flight reflex but then he seemed to calm himself, he held his ground and politely refused any refreshments.
Jensen grabbed at Christian’s tray of hot chocolate and took a steaming mug. He stole a candy cane from Chad and then moved purposefully toward the tall Were. The hazel eyes tracked his progress and he smelled another burst of fear but Sam was moving toward Jared too, she tapped at his elbow and smiled. He smiled back at her and it was warm and wide with dimples and sunshine and fucking rainbows and Jensen knew he was smitten. He stopped an arms length from the younger werewolf and proffered the hot drink. “You look like more of a cocoa man,” he said and immediately regretted sounding like a dork.
Sam moved flush to Jared, understanding the need for the werewolf to have a comforting touch. Jared stared, eyes locked onto Jensen, and a hand snaked out to snatch the mug from him. The scent between them was changing, a strong release of pheromones hit the back of Jensen’s throat and his eyes widened and darkened. Jared fidgeted uneasily and for a moment appeared to tip his head to one side, revealing acres of firm skinned neck. It didn’t last. Jared snapped back to upright and flicked his gaze to his large hands, warming around the mug.
“So, I’m glad you came. It’s good to see you again. Better, much better this time.” stuttered Jensen.
Jared shuffled his feet, his knees bent and he lowered his eyes in specific pattern, his hair fell forward to cover his face but Jensen could see the glitter in his eyes.
“No, don’t do that,” spoke Jensen softly, “You don’t do that for anyone.”
Jared snapped to attention, and Jensen didn’t see free will in it, but the automatic response to an Alpha. He was lost for what to say next. So far he had only succeeded in intimidating the Omega.
Jared unexpectedly rescued the moment. “I smell of you.” He almost whispered.
Jensen looked confused.
“The clothes Sam gave me, they were yours, I smell of you.” Jared repeated.
“Uh, oh, yeah, unfortunately I’m the only one who approaches your size. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.…”
Jared cut in. “Its Okay, I don’t mind.” There was a slight upturn in his lips and a hint of heat added to his scent. “Thank you. Thanks for all this. I will find a way to pay you back. I promise.”
Jensen was going to refuse the offer, to say it didn’t matter but he noted the pride in the man’s stance so he simply offered up “I trust you. I know you will.”
The singing ended and the crowd started to break up, congratulations were given, goodnights exchanged and Jensen and Jared stood a few feet from each other, by the Christmas Tree. Katie grabbed at Christian’s elbow and together they shooed the rest of the pack into the house and Sam followed.
“You can come in.” Jensen said, with a trace of nerves.
Jared looked to the door and back to the tree. “No. I can’t. I have to go back. I’ve got some things to finish.” He kicked at the soft snow.
“Really, there’s nothing you have to do there.”
Jared stepped back into the shadows, damn, thought Jensen.
“Alright, maybe not, but I want to stay there.” The words were spoken firmly.
“Can I visit?” the words tumbled as a plea from Jensen’s lips.
“Perhaps, but not yet.” Jared was still backing up. “I’m going to go now, you won’t come after me will you?”
“No! Wait!” Jensen flung out his hand to offer him the candy cane. “This is for you and there’s a basket, under the tree. Its just little stuff which you might need and its yours, for nothing, but if you want to pay us back in any way, there’s always wood to chop, by the pile.” He pointed to the woodshed. “You can do it when we’re out, if you have to.” He ran his hands through his hair and chewed at his lip. He had no idea what he was doing. “I’m going to go in now. I’ll see you soon maybe.”
The Omega nodded and watched him as he returned to the house and pushed the door shut.
When Jensen peeped from the window he saw Jared reach to touch the tree, tip his head to look at the Angel and then bend to grasp the basket. It took all of his composure to let his mate walk back into the wilderness.
JARED
It was quite a hike to the camp site but Jared was getting used to it. After years locked into the small space of a City apartment, living on poor quality, infrequent meals, it had been a difficult adjustment for his human body. He felt it transforming, growing stronger with every day that passed.
He didn’t know what he had been expecting of the evening but he had tagged along and nobody made a fuss. Sam was an effective barrier, she prevented anyone from troubling him and he enjoyed watching the choir and their traditions. By the time they reached the home of the wolf-pack he was relaxed and he knew that nothing bad was likely to happen with so many [human] people buffering him. It was scary meeting Milo and Jensen again but he had got used to Jensen’s scent on the clothes he was wearing and it somehow made the Alpha’s presence less intimidating. He wished he hadn’t opened his conversation with something so dorky but Jensen didn’t seem to notice.
He wondered how he had missed the startling shade of Jensen’s eyes, his pale freckled skin and the kissable pink lips that sat in the perfect face. Jared had looked at Jensen's naked body, that day by the gorge, the day the older wolf had brought a raccoon to him, and he regretted that he hadn’t seen him. He wanted to see Jensen. He wanted to tear off his clothes and study him with his hands and his mouth and his body. He felt antsy, hot and cold and unfulfilled and it was no way for an Omega to be. It was an Alpha’s place to choose who he lay with and Jared was ugly and stupid, not to mention he seemed to be forgetting he already had an Alpha and a pack in the City.
He made it into the cabin with a tint of pink flush from a combination of cold and exertion. He placed the basket on the table and ran his fingers over the gifts. He picked up the music player in his hand and turned it lovingly in his fingers. The Christmas before his parents died he was given one of these but nobody had collected his belongings when he joined the pack. He couldn’t count the number of times he wished for it, to put the earphones in, close his eyes and block out the world. He tightened his fingers around it and popped it in his pocket. He would listen to it tonight, in his bed. Just one track of whatever music he found, so he could preserve the batteries.
All the gifts were generous and well thought out. He put the food in the cupboards or in the little ice box beside the door and then placed each of the other items on the table, in view. He displayed a multi-knife, a hat, a scarf, gloves, a razor, a pen and notebook and a musical snow globe that contained a model of a Cottage with a Christmas tree. He wound the key in the globe to hear the tinny, clockwork rendition of ‘O Christmas Tree’ and he couldn’t help the smile as he mumbled along to the slowing music with half remembered lyrics. He decided to move it, to take pride of place, on the mantelpiece above the hearth. It was still four days until Christmas but it was already the best Christmas he could have hoped for.
He wondered what he would be doing next year, Sam might be right about the friendly nature and kind hearts of the Wolf Pass Weres but any Alpha could only take so much before he lost patience with a useless Omega. He couldn’t change his stupidity or how he looked but there were improvements he could make. He would work at his wolf and practise hunting, then, by spring he might be able to live independently.
By suggesting that Jared could chop wood in return for the Pack’s assistance, Jensen also sparked some new intentions and ideas for him. He would speak to Sam about some of them. He glanced at his new knife, he already had a purpose for it.
Sam loaned him the key for the camp craft room and Jared spent an entire day engrossed in his task, recalling the High School wood-work classes that he had loved. Back then, when he was human, he had wondered why the smell of fresh pine and the image of the trees that yielded it, made him shudder with a frisson of excitement. Now he was surrounded by the scent and the wilderness and he knew it was the call of his wolf, a plea for his soul to run free.
When he was satisfied with his work, he sat back with a bottle of energy drink, inhaled the sharp fragrance of the wood shavings and admired his creations.
***
The next morning, Jared called at the Sheriff’s office and was asked to wait. His hands shook and he could feel the sweat on his brow.
“You wanted to see me?”
The Sheriff was an imposing figure. Jared wiped his hands on his pants and bit his lip. “I, er, I have something I need to put right.”
Aldis looked him up and down. He didn’t seem at all surprised or angry. He waved Jared through to the back office. “Would you like to start at the beginning, Son?”
Sheriff Hodge took him up to Black Ridge in the Patrol Car. He introduced Jared and calmed Sarah’s parents before he stepped back to let Jared speak. The young Were stuttered his way through an apology, no explanation, just a pledge that he hadn’t meant harm and that his wolf would never venture near them again. He faced Sarah and gave her the model rabbits he had so carefully carved. She took them in solemn silence and cried for her dead pets. He sniffed back his own tears as he made an offer to build her a new hutch if she ever wanted to keep another rabbit. She blew her nose and made him promise that it would be a castle hutch fit for a princess rabbit and he agreed.
Sarah’s Ma hugged her child tight as her Pa saw him to the door. There were no words of forgiveness but their anger had cooled. “I’ve got to say, what you did was all kinds of wrong but you’ve certainly got some balls. We might take up your offer in spring, there’ll likely be some young rabbits needing a home and the girl’s grieving will be done.”
Jared let some of his tension go, he breathed out and shook the man’s hand. “Let Sam Ferris or Sheriff Hodge know when you need me and I’ll come over.”
He got back into the car with the Sheriff. “What happens now?” he asked.
“What do you want to happen?” Aldis retorted.
“I want to stay, to help out at the camp but it’s not my decision. Will you return me to my pack for punishment.” He asked the question but he knew he would fight a return and, if he was forced back to his Alpha, he would run again. He stared sightlessly out of the window and his fingers curled in a tight ball against his palms.
“Son, you are twenty-one years old, you are over the age of majority and the law in this town don’t bow to anyone’s domestic regulation. You turned yourself in, made your amends and got a warning. As long as you stay out of trouble, I don’t give a rats-arse where you choose to live, or who with. I don’t know what went on with your previous Pack, that had you running away, without a thing to your name, but I’m gonna be clear. If anyone tries to take you away, without your consent, that is, if you don’t want to go with them, then it is kidnap and it is a crime. I will whup their asses and see them out of this town on the toes of my boot. Anyone. I don’t care if it’s the dang President. This is my town and I don’t tolerate abuse under any name. You call me if you need help, I’ll be there.”
Jared let it all go with a shuddering sigh and silent tears ran down his cheeks. “Thanks.”
Aldis dropped him off by the track to the Camp with another warning to keep out of trouble.
His wolf woke in the dark of night with his belly rubbing friction into the blankets and an unrelenting, grinding pressure in his stomach. His flesh crawled under his skin and the blanket was wet beneath his sweat-damp fur. He shook his head in an attempt to rid himself from the ache that pulsed at his temple and the buzzing static that wouldn’t cease. He rolled on his back, wriggling from side to side and pawing at his ears.
He was sick. Sam had asked him if he was and he’d said no. He had been in to town, seen numerous people including Milo and Jensen and he had put all of them at risk.
At the thought of Jensen, a high pitched whine escaped from him and his body thrilled with an involuntary shudder. A slick formed and oozed from him and he remembered this. There was a raw, cutting, memory of the one time it had happened. He wasn’t sick. He wasn’t infectious. It was worse, he was in heat. The whine grew and somehow became a long, loud howl that he was powerless to prevent.
Scent assaulted him and the wolf rubbed itself against the clothing that retained a fragment of Jensen’s smell. His snout snuffled, drool coated his lips and a thrumming of need, need, need echoed with the cramps in his belly. He found himself rolling in the cooling snow without memory of how he got there and the howling started once more. His body dragged him towards the overpowering, thick and heady smell of the Wolf Pass alphas. Both scents were sweet attraction but Jensen’s was pure bait and lure, a promise of sticky affection, hard knot and pups. Jared wanted to be bred, ached to take Jensen’s knot and soak in his seed, but more than that he needed Jensen. He dragged his belly low, unable to resist dry humping the ground as he moved, drawn by an age-old and irresistible force that whispered a promise of the perfect union, his mate. He struck off into the woods towards Jensen’s home, the house with the bright Christmas Tree in its yard.
You might think that it was that Christmas Tree which saved Jared, that he mated with Jensen under its protection and all was well, but it wasn’t. This wasn’t the time and it wasn’t the tree.
{ Part 4}
Description: NC-17. Werewolf Jensen and Jared, a Christmas Tree, some angst and a lot of abused!sick!hurt!Jared and therefore some comfort!Jensen. A whole pack of supporting CW characters to help them out because J2 are clueless. This isn’t all sunshine and rainbows or even PWP like a Christmas fic should be, which I excuse by pointing out that it is actually a birthday gift for sylsdarkplace
Warnings: Explicit werewolf sex, werewolf knotting, intent of suicide. Mentions of:- Mpreg, Past abuse, dub con and underage.
Pairings: Jensen/Jared, Chad/Milo, Katie/Steve, Genevieve/Christian
Beta: The generous
meus_venatorwho did an amazing job in minimal time because it was an impulsive decision with a ridiculous deadline. That said, it is partly her own fault for planting the seed of a werewolf knotting fic in my head in the first place. All mistakes remain my own, especially the grammar, because I decided that was what mattered least in the time frame.
Length: ~22,000 words
Disclaimer: This is fiction, pure fantasy folks. Nobody here belongs to me and they’re not likely to get in my van for candy a side of beef any time soon
Part 3
JARED
Jared woke in the lee of a thorny bush. His stomach was comfortably full, he remembered the taste of raw raccoon and his stomach turned a little. His hand touched feathers, his fingers dug into blood-soaked snow and he recalled that he had eaten again. After the raccoon, he had come across a hawk tearing into its prey. He hadn’t been fast enough to catch the hawk, but its prey made a satisfactory snack.
He assessed his situation. He was numb with cold and ohgod, ohgod, ohgod, he was distinctively human and naked.
This wasn’t meant to happen. He wasn’t stupid, he hadn’t shifted in the five years with his Pack but everyone else had and it didn’t happen like this, not without control. Not when it made no sense. Then, there had been the thing with the Wolf Pass Werewolves the day before. He remembered the painful static and a high discordant screech. Even when he had covered his ears with his paws it continued, unabated in his head, like a psychic burglar alarm. He thought they had some sort of weapon but then the Alpha had spoken to him, in his human voice and asked why he didn’t answer them and he hadn’t heard. He hadn’t known they were speaking.
He tried to think back to when it all changed. Even in human form he had been able to hear his pack’s wolf thoughts, they spoke to him, gave him commands and his Alpha liked to croon his dirty thoughts in the times he came to the bedroom, except, it stopped. Their wolves grew quieter, until one day they became silent and never spoke to him again. He hadn’t asked. Punishment came in all types, but what if, what if…. He couldn’t bear to think it. What if they never stopped speaking? What if he stopped hearing?
He uncurled, crouched down and concentrated. He thought of his wolf, tried every technique he had seen the Beta, Meg teach her pups but the wolf never came. He stayed in goose-bumped, cold flesh.
He forced himself up and his feet burned cold on the freezing snow. He endured the ice chill to find the remains of the unfortunate raccoon and he ripped at its skin until he had gory fur slippers roughly tucked about his feet. He was covered in the blood and skin of his kills. He thought he must resemble a horror movie extra. He had to find some form of clothes and he needed food and shelter but he couldn’t approach the town like this. It would guarantee the sort of attention he didn’t want.
He spent the day searching for the place he had shifted into his wolf and then wandered aimlessly up the mountain.
The shredded remains of his clothes clung wet to his body and he forced himself further into the woods, chasing the pungent scent of old, discarded food. He found it in a remote clearing, a garbage can stuffed with the remains of some sort of hikers’ picnic. He fell on it without pride, a discarded cheese sandwich, some potato chips, a brown tinged pear and half a bottle of sweet, glucose-filled energy drink washed down his throat, a meal more delicious to him than any top chef could hope to serve.
The air here was clean and pure. Maybe his wolf would scent werewolves from this distance but that was yesterday. Today his wolf was weak and he was human. He was in some sort of picnic place or camp site. There were paths and park signs indicating toilets, trail routes and items of interest. For a moment he panicked and tried to hide but then he noted the Ranger signs “Closed for the Season. Check back next summer.”
He relaxed and wandered along the interlocking pathways. There were discarded piles of snow-laden building supplies and it looked like the repairs were delayed until the snow melted. He’d never visited the country, let alone the forest, he had stayed in the City all his life, but he read plenty. He knew there would be no thaw here until spring.
The more he looked around, the more comfortable he became. It had been designed with rows of tall trees to shelter it from the worst of the weather and the signs, the paths and the human items gave him a connection to the only world he knew. When he came across the cabins he was undecided as to whether he could actually squat here but when he tried the door of the third building and it opened without resistance he decided it was fate. He caught the faint whiff of a woman’s perfume but he opened a trunk and soft, dry blankets lay there, heady with the smell of detergent and he told himself that this was a human dwelling and the scents of human occupation were bound to linger.
He continued his tour of the cabin, sniffing at the homey fragrance of the blanket that he pulled cozy around his shoulders. The camp was clearly unoccupied but it hadn’t been cleared after the summer season, it housed a treasure trove of basic items and an entire carton of energy drinks. Maybe they were intended for the contractors who would repair the place. He wasn’t going to fuss. He would find a way to pay for whatever he used but he wasn’t going to turn his back on good fortune. When night fell he experimented until he had a passable log fire in the hearth. He spooned fruit from a can and then buried himself between blankets to sleep on the generous double bed. For the first time in years he fell into a deep, comfortable and uninterrupted sleep.
The next day, when he explored the camp, he found overalls, paints, varnishes and decorating supplies in several of the buildings. He studied the décor in each of the cabins, worked out the quantities, and when he was fairly sure of the intended color schemes, he applied masking tape, picked out the appropriate brush and, with careful concentration and skill he started to paint.
He was painting when he heard the truck pull up. He ducked below the window ledge and sat motionless with his knees to his chest. Someone crunched through the snow and he heard the creak of a wooden bench. He sniffed, human, woman, the same perfume he had smelled in his cabin. He closed his eyes and waited for discovery but after a while he heard the steps recede and the truck pulled away. He peered out of the cabin door. A flask stood on the bench and a piece of paper fluttered under it.
There was a short note. Lentil and bacon soup. I thought you might like to share.
My name is Samantha. What’s yours?
Jared sniffed tentatively. There was no taint and it smelled amazing. He poured a drop and sipped at it, just barely coating his tongue. It tasted just as good as it smelled. He drank it all, savoring the thick warmth. It reminded him of his mother’s cooking. He was twenty one but he suddenly felt very young and lonely. He washed and dried the flask thoroughly and placed it back on the bench.
The next day he heard the truck from over a mile away, he smelled her at the same time and it was cinnamon and talc and motherly. He hunkered down behind a pile of logs with his muzzle on his paws but his ears pointed in eagerness and his tail twitched with impatience.
She was middle -aged, an elegant lady in Ranger uniform, with long brunette hair and an open, friendly face. She parked the truck with no attempt to be quiet and made her way to collect the flask. She peered at the shiny interior, “It’s very clean.” She commented, in no particular direction. Jared could see her looking for him but she couldn’t see him behind the logs and she would undoubtedly be looking for somebody human. He wondered what she knew of him and surmised that she thought he was supposed to be here. A painter employed by the Parks to work on the cabins over the break. He hoped she wasn’t there to evict him. Why share her soup? He knew he was fooling himself but he already decided he liked her presence and wanted her to come again.
She made her way to the open door of the cabin that he had been painting, just before he shifted. Again without warning, but at least he had been aware.
“Wow!” She stepped inside. “This is good! Professional.” She investigated the interior and stepped out again, her eyes searching the area for him.
She settled on the bench, pulled a pack of sandwiches from her rucksack and laid it down, then took out another and opened it.
He knew he should be still but the control he had over his body was patchy, his tail wagged and a paw slipped. He knew she noticed and he considered running but his paws were not co-operating and the very unwolfish thought, that he would be clumsy and embarrass himself, kept him still. She stood and slowly stepped forward until she could just see him, over the pile of logs. She stopped again and he looked up at her, half hopeful and half terrified.
“Hey. Wow! You’re a big wolf aren’t you?”
Jared hadn’t considered that she may be scared of him. That her actions were both brave and foolish. He backed off a little and sat, or rather, fell down.
“Uh-oh. You’re having some trouble with your co-ordination there, Buddy.”
He wanted the ground to open up and swallow him.
She crouched to his height. “I’m supposed to be checking on security and then tracking an eagle on that ledge up there.” She pointed. “I don’t think anyone is going to steal anything with you here, do you? So, I am going to go soon and you can have the rest of my sandwiches if you like.” She got back up and her eyes did not leave him as she backed away. Because you can’t turn your back on a dangerous animal, Jared thought sadly. She halted before getting in her truck, looking thoughtfully at him. “You must know that my job is Park Ranger. One of my duties is to protect the wildlife in this zone. I check up, make sure things are OK. Sometimes, if animals get sick, I organize help for them. I suppose it means it is my job to keep you safe, so I’ll be back. Maybe you’ll tell me your name next time.”
JENSEN
Jensen tried to hide his disappointment when the small gifts and food that he placed under the tree, stayed untouched for a fifth day, but his pack knew him better. Genevieve, Milo and Chad curled on the huge sofa with him, lending contact and affection. Chad carded his hand through Milo’s hair while he cuddled close to their Alpha. Genevieve rested her head in Jensen’s lap and he curled a warm arm around her. “Am I that obvious.” He sighed.
“Sorta, Boss.” Said Genevieve.
“Its one of the many reasons we love you.” added Milo.
“But not more than me.” interrupted Chad.
“Not more than you.” Milo bent his head to Chad and the room was filled with the sight, scent and noise of the mates’ affection. Jensen groaned in dismay.
“Nice one douchebags.” commented Genevieve when Jensen untangled and excused himself to work on an exercise plan for one of his patients.
***
Aldis found nothing on the tall man, there were no recent releases matching his description and no crimes that could be linked. They ascertained that the man must have travelled from the City in Chad’s truck and checked for missing persons but while there were hundreds that could match such a general description, none were werewolves.
His father called on all the contacts he knew within the Were community but nobody had any information on the thin wolf.
Sam Ferris was Jensen’s biggest hope. A colleague of Chad’s and a friend to them all, she was the senior warden on the park and she put her job and safety on the line by helping to plan Jared’s refuge in the empty camp site and offering to initiate contact. As a human and a cheerful, friendly person, Milo and Chad thought she would be most likely to succeed in gaining the lone Were’s trust. She had helped to organize the items planted in the cabins and when Jensen had insisted on commandeering every energy drink from the stock of the Rangers’ Office she simply put the crate in her truck and signed a requisition for more.
The warden kept in touch but wouldn’t mix with the Pack for fear of their scent carrying. She also insisted on being able to independently assess the stranger, without pressure from Jensen. To that end, Jensen knew very little about the time she spent with the young werewolf. She phoned to reassure him that the Were had eaten the food they left at the campsite and had accepted her presence but she refused to divulge more than that. She suggested small items that he might place with the food under tree and told him to be patient. Jensen knew she was waiting until she was sure that sharing the information would not cause the lone werewolf physical or emotional harm, but it didn’t make him any less anxious for news of their progress.
Jensen was ready to despair when Sam rolled her truck to the curb and invited herself in. She barely had her boots off and a coffee in her hand before Jensen pulled her into the study to report what she knew.
He opened the conversation without small talk. “I’ve smelled him close but he hasn’t come into the yard. He’s taken nothing that we’ve left for him. Have you seen him?”
She smiled indulgently. “You know I have. That much I told you over the phone. His name is Jared. He’s a very handsome young man and a stunning wolf.”
“You’ve seen both forms. So he can shift?”
“It appears so.”
“What else did you find out?” Jensen couldn’t get the news fast enough.
“He’s very quiet, he says he is twenty one but he appears young for his age. I’ve watched him close and I spent some time upwind with binoculars. He doesn’t have recent injuries but you’re right about his wolf form. He has trouble with his movement. I’ve observed him in several situations and it is a general incompetence, there is no individual limb that is affected. I’ve seen him trying to take prey but he’s not successful. He needs the food we are giving him and I can already see some improvement in his condition. He‘s skittish for sure, but he hasn’t been aggressive and he has let me see him and even said a few words. He seems like a nice guy.”
Jensen’s brows knitted, “What has he been doing all this time?”
“Painting. He’s been redecorating the cabins. I can say for sure that his clumsiness doesn’t extend to his human form. His work is incredibly neat and precise. Honestly, he’s worth more than we’re paying him in supplies.”
Jensen was stumped by the reply. He moved on to his next concern. “How sick is he?”
Sam took some time to consider her reply. “I asked him and he told me he wasn’t sick. He certainly doesn’t appear ill when human, only malnourished and weak. If he was a child, I would suspect abuse. The way he talked about the jobs he could do for us! He opened up a bit to impress me, to let him stay, and what he said, what he accepted was normal, it was like he did every chore in his home. He said that an Omega was for doing what he was told and he stressed over the neatness of his work, kept apologizing for it and told me he always messed up, that it was no wonder he was worthless to his Pack, but it was perfect Jensen, absolutely perfect. Honey, it broke my heart. I told him a little about Genevieve and Milo, I didn’t tell him he was wrong but I gave him something to think on.”
Jensen frowned and tapped his fingers. He looked as though he were about to speak.
“Let me finish, Jensen. He has some troubles shifting and something about the way he described it makes me think he’s not practised, like he’s never done it before. He implied he wasn’t used to being in the wolf body.”
Jensen shook his head in frustration. “That makes no sense. You’ve seen his age, the wolf just is. There is no need to get used to it because it takes the wheel, instinct drives it.”
“Like a wolf would never consider jumping from a cliff?” Sam asked gently.
Jensen went quiet, he was perplexed. “Yeah. Like that.”
“Is there any truth in the old-wives tale that a bite from a werewolf can turn a person? Could that have happened?”
Jensen laughed at that. “No, Sam! That is definitely a myth, our DNA is distinct and nothing can change your genetic code to ours. You are completely safe.”
“Then I’m sorry. I just don’t know. I can talk to the vet if you like. Maybe you can phone and ask your father if he knows of any similar health problems in Weres.”
“Sorry Sam, I don’t mean to be short with you. Just worried, y’know. For him and for the pack. I can’t tell them that though.”
“Oh Jensen! They already know!” She nudged him and gave a wry smile. “I hope you don’t mind. I told Jared that carolers would be going through town tomorrow and that everyone would congregate here when they finished. I asked him to give the Pack a second a chance, to give you a second chance. I invited him to come and see. The last two days he’s made brief trips down here. I saw him watch Gen near the library and when you were out, he stood and stared at the house. I think he wanted to investigate but he couldn’t find the nerve. With a little encouragement I think he will accept something, so pack up some of the small items and make sure they’re under the tree when the carolers call, nothing expensive, just things that show you care.”
“It sounds like his Alpha didn’t care. He must have treated him like crap.” He chewed on his lip “To consider suicide, I can’t imagine. I’m not surprised he doesn’t trust us. Do you think he’ll come?”
“I think he’s lonely and curious. He knows that you could have come for him at any time and you haven’t. He accepts that you kept your word and it seems to matter to him. We’ll have to see.”
Jensen drew her close and hugged her. Sam didn’t flinch, she was used to the constant contact that the Pack craved. “Thanks Sam. He wouldn’t have opened up to anyone else.”
“He’s not out of the woods yet Jensen,” her eyes sparkled at the pun “but I think we can get him there.”
***
Jensen made up a basket of food, mostly meats and plenty of fruit and then shoved past Katie to dive into the fridge and removed a carton of milk to add to the hamper. He ran to his room and rummaged in a drawer. He clutched at his old MP3 in triumph and then dived back in to find batteries. “He’s decorating. Music! Everyone should have some music while they work.” Jensen explained.
Katie leaned on the door frame with crossed arms and watched with fascination. “You are so gone for him Jen. You don’t even know if you’ll like him when you meet properly.”
He carried on searching until he found everything he wanted.
Jensen straightened. “Maybe not” he said. “But I won’t throw away my chances.”
“Oh my God!” squealed Katie, “You’re admitting it!”
Jensen shrugged and his cheeks flushed “I don’t know, it’s probably nothing, he just, his scent is….” he couldn’t describe it so he didn’t try. “Is this how you felt when you met Steve?”
“No, Steve was the one with gifts and attention. He practically smothered me with flowers, food and chocolate and it wouldn’t have mattered because the moment we met, the first time I scented him, I was gone for him too. It didn’t stop him though and I didn’t want it to. It made me feel so special. We can tease you but don’t you dare stop. It’s too adorable!”
Jensen clicked the cover over the batteries, flung the player in the basket and rushed to place it under the tree.
***
“Ding Dong merrily on High.
In heaven bells are ringing..”
A circle of carolers stood around the tree, their mouths open with an enthusiastic rendition of the lyrics. Jensen wasn’t entirely sure they were all in key and old Mrs Baker had definitely consumed one too many sherries, it wasn’t clear if she was singing the same carol as everyone else but he blamed his over-sensitive hearing for noticing the flaws. The Pack moved among the crowd with warmed cider and hot chocolate. Chad made sure every child was given a candy cane.
Even without seeing the clothes that Sam had picked from Jensen’s wardrobe, for Jared, he knew that the Omega had come, he scented him before he ever arrived in their yard. It pulled at him, strong, sweet, primal and earthy. Jensen tried not to stare at the tall figure hanging back in the shadows but the slanted hazel eyes kept meeting his own and Sam was right, the boy, NO! man, was stunning. He stood taller than everyone and though thin, his frame was large, his skin was ruddy with the cold wind and his face was, well, heaven.
Jared darted another glance toward him and the pink tip of his tongue poked between wide lips and licked them to a shine. His cheekbones were sculpted and his jaw strong and angular, the scruff of an early beard not detracting, but adding to the handsome features. His hair hung shaggy and blew about his face in a soft tangle and Jensen’s hands itched to smooth through it, to grip into it and pull his face close, so he could kiss…” Oh, OK stop that now! Jensen forced his stare away to mix with his Pack and his visitors, busying himself with encouraging words, subtle touches, jokes and laughter. When he glanced back at Jared, he saw Milo approaching the lone Were cautiously, proffering warm cider. He saw him flinch away, smelled the fear and the adrenaline of his fight or flight reflex but then he seemed to calm himself, he held his ground and politely refused any refreshments.
Jensen grabbed at Christian’s tray of hot chocolate and took a steaming mug. He stole a candy cane from Chad and then moved purposefully toward the tall Were. The hazel eyes tracked his progress and he smelled another burst of fear but Sam was moving toward Jared too, she tapped at his elbow and smiled. He smiled back at her and it was warm and wide with dimples and sunshine and fucking rainbows and Jensen knew he was smitten. He stopped an arms length from the younger werewolf and proffered the hot drink. “You look like more of a cocoa man,” he said and immediately regretted sounding like a dork.
Sam moved flush to Jared, understanding the need for the werewolf to have a comforting touch. Jared stared, eyes locked onto Jensen, and a hand snaked out to snatch the mug from him. The scent between them was changing, a strong release of pheromones hit the back of Jensen’s throat and his eyes widened and darkened. Jared fidgeted uneasily and for a moment appeared to tip his head to one side, revealing acres of firm skinned neck. It didn’t last. Jared snapped back to upright and flicked his gaze to his large hands, warming around the mug.
“So, I’m glad you came. It’s good to see you again. Better, much better this time.” stuttered Jensen.
Jared shuffled his feet, his knees bent and he lowered his eyes in specific pattern, his hair fell forward to cover his face but Jensen could see the glitter in his eyes.
“No, don’t do that,” spoke Jensen softly, “You don’t do that for anyone.”
Jared snapped to attention, and Jensen didn’t see free will in it, but the automatic response to an Alpha. He was lost for what to say next. So far he had only succeeded in intimidating the Omega.
Jared unexpectedly rescued the moment. “I smell of you.” He almost whispered.
Jensen looked confused.
“The clothes Sam gave me, they were yours, I smell of you.” Jared repeated.
“Uh, oh, yeah, unfortunately I’m the only one who approaches your size. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.…”
Jared cut in. “Its Okay, I don’t mind.” There was a slight upturn in his lips and a hint of heat added to his scent. “Thank you. Thanks for all this. I will find a way to pay you back. I promise.”
Jensen was going to refuse the offer, to say it didn’t matter but he noted the pride in the man’s stance so he simply offered up “I trust you. I know you will.”
The singing ended and the crowd started to break up, congratulations were given, goodnights exchanged and Jensen and Jared stood a few feet from each other, by the Christmas Tree. Katie grabbed at Christian’s elbow and together they shooed the rest of the pack into the house and Sam followed.
“You can come in.” Jensen said, with a trace of nerves.
Jared looked to the door and back to the tree. “No. I can’t. I have to go back. I’ve got some things to finish.” He kicked at the soft snow.
“Really, there’s nothing you have to do there.”
Jared stepped back into the shadows, damn, thought Jensen.
“Alright, maybe not, but I want to stay there.” The words were spoken firmly.
“Can I visit?” the words tumbled as a plea from Jensen’s lips.
“Perhaps, but not yet.” Jared was still backing up. “I’m going to go now, you won’t come after me will you?”
“No! Wait!” Jensen flung out his hand to offer him the candy cane. “This is for you and there’s a basket, under the tree. Its just little stuff which you might need and its yours, for nothing, but if you want to pay us back in any way, there’s always wood to chop, by the pile.” He pointed to the woodshed. “You can do it when we’re out, if you have to.” He ran his hands through his hair and chewed at his lip. He had no idea what he was doing. “I’m going to go in now. I’ll see you soon maybe.”
The Omega nodded and watched him as he returned to the house and pushed the door shut.
When Jensen peeped from the window he saw Jared reach to touch the tree, tip his head to look at the Angel and then bend to grasp the basket. It took all of his composure to let his mate walk back into the wilderness.
JARED
It was quite a hike to the camp site but Jared was getting used to it. After years locked into the small space of a City apartment, living on poor quality, infrequent meals, it had been a difficult adjustment for his human body. He felt it transforming, growing stronger with every day that passed.
He didn’t know what he had been expecting of the evening but he had tagged along and nobody made a fuss. Sam was an effective barrier, she prevented anyone from troubling him and he enjoyed watching the choir and their traditions. By the time they reached the home of the wolf-pack he was relaxed and he knew that nothing bad was likely to happen with so many [human] people buffering him. It was scary meeting Milo and Jensen again but he had got used to Jensen’s scent on the clothes he was wearing and it somehow made the Alpha’s presence less intimidating. He wished he hadn’t opened his conversation with something so dorky but Jensen didn’t seem to notice.
He wondered how he had missed the startling shade of Jensen’s eyes, his pale freckled skin and the kissable pink lips that sat in the perfect face. Jared had looked at Jensen's naked body, that day by the gorge, the day the older wolf had brought a raccoon to him, and he regretted that he hadn’t seen him. He wanted to see Jensen. He wanted to tear off his clothes and study him with his hands and his mouth and his body. He felt antsy, hot and cold and unfulfilled and it was no way for an Omega to be. It was an Alpha’s place to choose who he lay with and Jared was ugly and stupid, not to mention he seemed to be forgetting he already had an Alpha and a pack in the City.
He made it into the cabin with a tint of pink flush from a combination of cold and exertion. He placed the basket on the table and ran his fingers over the gifts. He picked up the music player in his hand and turned it lovingly in his fingers. The Christmas before his parents died he was given one of these but nobody had collected his belongings when he joined the pack. He couldn’t count the number of times he wished for it, to put the earphones in, close his eyes and block out the world. He tightened his fingers around it and popped it in his pocket. He would listen to it tonight, in his bed. Just one track of whatever music he found, so he could preserve the batteries.
All the gifts were generous and well thought out. He put the food in the cupboards or in the little ice box beside the door and then placed each of the other items on the table, in view. He displayed a multi-knife, a hat, a scarf, gloves, a razor, a pen and notebook and a musical snow globe that contained a model of a Cottage with a Christmas tree. He wound the key in the globe to hear the tinny, clockwork rendition of ‘O Christmas Tree’ and he couldn’t help the smile as he mumbled along to the slowing music with half remembered lyrics. He decided to move it, to take pride of place, on the mantelpiece above the hearth. It was still four days until Christmas but it was already the best Christmas he could have hoped for.
He wondered what he would be doing next year, Sam might be right about the friendly nature and kind hearts of the Wolf Pass Weres but any Alpha could only take so much before he lost patience with a useless Omega. He couldn’t change his stupidity or how he looked but there were improvements he could make. He would work at his wolf and practise hunting, then, by spring he might be able to live independently.
By suggesting that Jared could chop wood in return for the Pack’s assistance, Jensen also sparked some new intentions and ideas for him. He would speak to Sam about some of them. He glanced at his new knife, he already had a purpose for it.
Sam loaned him the key for the camp craft room and Jared spent an entire day engrossed in his task, recalling the High School wood-work classes that he had loved. Back then, when he was human, he had wondered why the smell of fresh pine and the image of the trees that yielded it, made him shudder with a frisson of excitement. Now he was surrounded by the scent and the wilderness and he knew it was the call of his wolf, a plea for his soul to run free.
When he was satisfied with his work, he sat back with a bottle of energy drink, inhaled the sharp fragrance of the wood shavings and admired his creations.
***
The next morning, Jared called at the Sheriff’s office and was asked to wait. His hands shook and he could feel the sweat on his brow.
“You wanted to see me?”
The Sheriff was an imposing figure. Jared wiped his hands on his pants and bit his lip. “I, er, I have something I need to put right.”
Aldis looked him up and down. He didn’t seem at all surprised or angry. He waved Jared through to the back office. “Would you like to start at the beginning, Son?”
Sheriff Hodge took him up to Black Ridge in the Patrol Car. He introduced Jared and calmed Sarah’s parents before he stepped back to let Jared speak. The young Were stuttered his way through an apology, no explanation, just a pledge that he hadn’t meant harm and that his wolf would never venture near them again. He faced Sarah and gave her the model rabbits he had so carefully carved. She took them in solemn silence and cried for her dead pets. He sniffed back his own tears as he made an offer to build her a new hutch if she ever wanted to keep another rabbit. She blew her nose and made him promise that it would be a castle hutch fit for a princess rabbit and he agreed.
Sarah’s Ma hugged her child tight as her Pa saw him to the door. There were no words of forgiveness but their anger had cooled. “I’ve got to say, what you did was all kinds of wrong but you’ve certainly got some balls. We might take up your offer in spring, there’ll likely be some young rabbits needing a home and the girl’s grieving will be done.”
Jared let some of his tension go, he breathed out and shook the man’s hand. “Let Sam Ferris or Sheriff Hodge know when you need me and I’ll come over.”
He got back into the car with the Sheriff. “What happens now?” he asked.
“What do you want to happen?” Aldis retorted.
“I want to stay, to help out at the camp but it’s not my decision. Will you return me to my pack for punishment.” He asked the question but he knew he would fight a return and, if he was forced back to his Alpha, he would run again. He stared sightlessly out of the window and his fingers curled in a tight ball against his palms.
“Son, you are twenty-one years old, you are over the age of majority and the law in this town don’t bow to anyone’s domestic regulation. You turned yourself in, made your amends and got a warning. As long as you stay out of trouble, I don’t give a rats-arse where you choose to live, or who with. I don’t know what went on with your previous Pack, that had you running away, without a thing to your name, but I’m gonna be clear. If anyone tries to take you away, without your consent, that is, if you don’t want to go with them, then it is kidnap and it is a crime. I will whup their asses and see them out of this town on the toes of my boot. Anyone. I don’t care if it’s the dang President. This is my town and I don’t tolerate abuse under any name. You call me if you need help, I’ll be there.”
Jared let it all go with a shuddering sigh and silent tears ran down his cheeks. “Thanks.”
Aldis dropped him off by the track to the Camp with another warning to keep out of trouble.
His wolf woke in the dark of night with his belly rubbing friction into the blankets and an unrelenting, grinding pressure in his stomach. His flesh crawled under his skin and the blanket was wet beneath his sweat-damp fur. He shook his head in an attempt to rid himself from the ache that pulsed at his temple and the buzzing static that wouldn’t cease. He rolled on his back, wriggling from side to side and pawing at his ears.
He was sick. Sam had asked him if he was and he’d said no. He had been in to town, seen numerous people including Milo and Jensen and he had put all of them at risk.
At the thought of Jensen, a high pitched whine escaped from him and his body thrilled with an involuntary shudder. A slick formed and oozed from him and he remembered this. There was a raw, cutting, memory of the one time it had happened. He wasn’t sick. He wasn’t infectious. It was worse, he was in heat. The whine grew and somehow became a long, loud howl that he was powerless to prevent.
Scent assaulted him and the wolf rubbed itself against the clothing that retained a fragment of Jensen’s smell. His snout snuffled, drool coated his lips and a thrumming of need, need, need echoed with the cramps in his belly. He found himself rolling in the cooling snow without memory of how he got there and the howling started once more. His body dragged him towards the overpowering, thick and heady smell of the Wolf Pass alphas. Both scents were sweet attraction but Jensen’s was pure bait and lure, a promise of sticky affection, hard knot and pups. Jared wanted to be bred, ached to take Jensen’s knot and soak in his seed, but more than that he needed Jensen. He dragged his belly low, unable to resist dry humping the ground as he moved, drawn by an age-old and irresistible force that whispered a promise of the perfect union, his mate. He struck off into the woods towards Jensen’s home, the house with the bright Christmas Tree in its yard.
You might think that it was that Christmas Tree which saved Jared, that he mated with Jensen under its protection and all was well, but it wasn’t. This wasn’t the time and it wasn’t the tree.
{ Part 4}