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"I was kicked out of my pack when I was sixteen because my father found me in bed with
my first boyfriend," he said, dead pan, "I was run out of neutral territory by a wolf who'd heard
the news. I was treated like shit in the first tiny, sleepy human town I moved into because I was
experimenting with being out. I moved to a bigger town, and would've gotten gay bashed
behind the alley of a club I used to go to if I hadn't defended myself, more than once, and my
last lover and I fought constantly over how I identified as gay and he didn't."
"Oh," Leander said, "That's...very reasonable of you, then." Axton didn't say anything, opting
instead to stare moodily in the distance. "Did, uh. Did your first boyfriend get kicked out, too?"
"No, he denounced me and said it was all my idea," Axton said, tossing aside blankets to
get up and pace, "He was terrified of my father."
"Why?" Leander tried, sliding out of bed after him.
"Because my father is terrifying," Axton said, "To most of his pack. At least when he's
angry."
"His pack?" Leander asked. "So, like...he was the alpha wolf?"
"It's not really like that," Axton said, distractedly, "It's not rigid and extreme and weird, like
humans think wolves and werewolves both are, the alpha pissing on the lower wolves or
glutting on the kill while everyone else watches. It's more...like being mayor and chief of police
at once, to a very small group. He was harder on me because I was his son and he expected
more. Does that make sense?"
"Maybe." Leander cocked his head to the side. "But so that's part of what you meant, when
you said werewolves are old fashioned?"
"Yes." Axton stopped in front of one of the cabin windows, looking outside. "That's most of
what I meant."
"I'm sorry," Leander said, "That it was like that."
"Was?" Axton mused, still gazing at the snow, "Is. And not just with wolves, either."
"It isn't like that anymore, though," Leander said, "I mean, there's nothing wrong with--"
"I know there's nothing wrong with it," Axton said sharply, whirling around, "I know there is
nothing wrong with me."
Leander held up his hands in silent apology.
"Just making sure," he said. "That you know."
"Just as long as you know," Axton said, but not until Leander stepped close and wrapped
his arms around him did he relax, tension melting out of his muscles.
"I do," Leander promised, "I do."
"And it's not like I've always been a hermit," Axton grumbled, even though they both knew
he wasn't going to stay upset, "It gets worse when I stay wolf for a long time. I change back
and it gets better." He paused, and then said, with excessive gravity, "I've been places. I know
things."
Leander laughed, and Axton's lips twitched into a small smile in response. When Leander
stepped back, his eyes were bright.
"So," he said softly, "Clubs, huh?"
"Mm-hmm," Axton allowed.
"What kind of clubs?"
"Gay clubs," Axton said dryly, "What are you getting at?"
"I'm trying to picture it," Leander said. "Brooding, secretive you. Partying. Or at least drinking
and leaning against the walls."
"Didn't you just tell me I was graceful all of ten minutes ago?" Axton said, "I dance."
"You do," Leander said, in a tone of satisfaction. "Well then."
"Well then what?" Axton asked, knowing he was being baited.
"Then we'll have to go out sometime," Leander said, "Make out on the dance floor."
"Mmm," Axton said, "Sure."
"I expected resistance. Since you're such a private person."
"I've had dirty gay club bathroom wall sex," Axton said, "You'll have to try harder to shock
me."
"Really?" Leander said, "The same guy who wouldn't tell me a thing about his upbringing or
sexual history until I'd already jacked him off once and we were dick to dick?"
"That's different!" Axton defended, "Totally different."
"How in hell is that different?"
"Because I like you," Axton said automatically, without thinking. Then he coughed. "I mean.
Not that I didn't like--I know you. You're not just...someone."
Not some roaming wolf, all hungry mouth and gleaming teeth, just someone, just someone
just passing through.
"No," Leander agreed, "Not just someone. And you're not, either." he paused. "I have to go
home soon, you know? In the next few days."
"I know," Axton said, glancing away. "I know." He took a deep breath. "Can I ask you for
something?"
"Yeah," Leander said, "Of course."
"Will you run with me?"
"Now?" Leander asked, "Yes."
"It's gotten warmer," Axton said. "I would feel better, I think."
"Yeah," Leander said, turning around, going over to pick up his discarded clothes, "Let me
just gear up--"
By the time he turned around, there was a wolf coiled on the ground, watching him carefully,
body held tense.
Leander stared for a second, then turned back around and finished getting dressed, even
going into the bedroom to get something to run in. Axton stayed hunkered down on the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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