Page 28 of The Buck Stops Hare

Jacque chased after a few wolves, kicking his heels with joy, not a care in the world about being surrounded by predators.

On the one hand—brave as hell.

On the other…not that bright.

I made my way through the maze of homes and spied the bustling house that had once belonged to Vidalia, little Vida’s namesake. Despite her having passed, her home stayed as the community gathering spot in her honor. Ida Maye had taken over as the pack’s witch matriarch, the counter to the pack alpha, of which Storm’s people had none. In lieu of an alpha, they had Grayson, an older beta who filled the role, at least until such time as Hail would age into the role. If he wanted.

People wanted Ida Maye to move into Vidalia’s home, but either it was too soon, or Ida Maye didn’t want to fill those walls. Vidalia’s spirit and energy still filled the place in small ways. Witches tended to leave things like that behind.

The fresh scent of homemade food straight from our earth and lands made my soul warm within me, an offering that served by baser nature more than a sacrifice ever had. But what I didn’t sense raised my hackles.Cliff.

I craned my neck about, letting tendrils of my power tune into the land to search out my mate’s energy, which had thankfully not gone too far but had been surrounded by other familiar energies.

Brook and River.Curiously, I followed my senses, dreading the terror I might find him in. But, to my surprise, I foundthe trio in good spirits, laughing at something Brook had said. River clung to Cliff’s arm, which should have set my nerves on edge, but it felt right, an omega supporting another omega. My brother welcoming my lover. “There you are. I missed you.”

River glanced up, deadly waters flashing in his eyes for a moment before his bright grin overshadowed the danger. “Aww, I missed you too, bloodletter.”

I rolled my eyes and Cliff nudged River with admonishment. “Come on, man. He feels bad enough.”

“As most of us do,” Brook added, giving River a purse-lipped glance that had him backing off.

“I should keep my mouth shut when I speak of sacrifice, as I still receive blood, unintentionally.” River sighed. “None that I know of still relish it. Every life that touches my shores passes with a prayer to our mother that they find their way back to a happier life in this world, far away from my currents.” River’s saddened expression twisted into something painful for a moment before forcing it back.

“Another child?” I caught myself reaching out to rest a hand on River’s shoulder.

“I couldn’t get to him in time. It always hurts the worst when it’s kids.” River’s breath shuddered.

“Not one of your people’s children?” I hesitated and River shook his head violently.

“No. Not a one of my wards will ever fall to my waters. They carry my blessing. I taught all the little ones this summer how to swim if they didn’t know how. I grew trees to fence the banks of dangerous spots.” River’s gaze went steely before he shook his head and rubbed at his eyes. “None of my babies will fall victim to my cold.”

“I’m sure you do all you can, dude. Tragedy happens and it’s not because it’s you.” Cliff leaned over and nudged River,earning a half grin. “There we go. Now get back to telling me about that thing you did with Brook and the grapefruit…”

River’s eyes lit up, his mood turning a complete 180 before he animatedly turned to talk about using a grapefruit like some sort of fuckable sex toy blowjob aid. Unfortunately, it involved suction of such a volume and tenacity that I was certain I’d have to unteach that to Cliff. At any rate, the way he listened to them, like he accepted his sexuality, made me forgive River all the more.

“I’ll meet you at Vidalia’s when you’re ready,” I said by way of excusing myself. River waved me off and Cliff caught my arm for an affectionate squeeze, as if he wanted me to stay. I knew my place though. I leaned down and gave him a swift kiss over his brow and loped off, avoiding my urge to stay, to wrap myself around him. Whatever old magic River and Brook could work, I left them to it.

Distractions were plentiful on a full moon, anyway, and I caught Storm rushing by, his hooves tearing up sod as the wolves chased his heels. I shifted into my deer and followed, tearing the earth apart with my brethren as we traversed the landscape in wait for food to be served. Each strike of hoof to earth reminded the land that we governed its hills, the stones and soil my calling as the sky whipped about with fresh air, riddled with the scent of ozone on the edge of Storm’s full power.

Almost all full moons were clear skies in these lands. And with any luck, for a long time after they would be.

By the time we rounded the pack lands and returned to Vidalia’s house, shifting in small groups amid nude men and women, Rayne sat at the back with Vida tucked to his chest ready for handoff. “Menfolk get the kids while we’re cooking, babe.”

“I got ya. She isn’t ready to take a form yet. She likes to watch her daddies shift and run though.” Storm cooed as he took her and Rayne rolled his eyes.

“She can’t see but a foot or so out, Storm. She’s a baby.” Rayne waved us off and hesitated before glancing at me. “Cliff and the rabbit okay?”

I gestured off toward a crowd of pups where Jacque was pouncing with them, teaching the little ones how to hop. “And River just got in and stole Cliff for some one-on-one time.”

Rayne paled and glanced about before I waved him off. “It is fine. River and Brook get along with him and he’s comfortable with them.”

The look Rayne gave me did not convey that he believed me in the least, so I offered him a half smile. Warily, he glanced about and took an unsteady breath. “Is he going to be okay after?”

“I’d honestly say no, ordinarily, but Cliff seems to get along well with him. He and Brook have a similar mindset.” My words didn’t seem to amuse Rayne.

“I gotta see this.” Rayne straightened his spit-up and milk-stained shirt and forged off in the direction I gestured. I’d have been more offended if it wasn’t so out of character for River to get on so well with new people. Then again, as my mate, it either spoke very poorly of my character or Cliff’s.

So, when a few minutes passed and Rayne returned with a pleasantly beaming River and Cliff at his heels, it did my heart good as Brook joined me and gestured off toward where Storm had gone with Vida. “I suppose we’re relegated to the menfolk, while the women claim our fairer males.”

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