Robert flashed the lights, indicating the show was about to resume. People scurried to get back in place, balancing bags of popcorn and counting heads. Without warning, Nolan jumped to his feet.
“Quiet! I feel a disturbance in the force!”
An explosive fart followed his announcement, wrinkling nearby noses and provoking a cacophony of jeers, eye-rolls, and guffaws.
“Oops! My bad. Just a little gas.”
Even Ben laughed, though for the sake of his guests was compelled to saysomething.
“Sorry folks, he’s not house-trained yet. Sit your smelly ass down, Sweet, before I toss you out the door.”
More laughter ensued before the movie started up again, all eyes glued to the screen.
####
MEANWHILE...
Now nearing his mate’s home, Jonah stopped before crossing the road, hidden in the undergrowth. Thus far, the winding journey demanded a great deal more attention than he was used to. On packlands, he could wander, take his time, and enjoy himself. This area, however, required stealth, caution, and utter silence as there were numerous homes nearby.
The neighborhood dogs noted his passing, howling out warnings when they scented him. At one point, an unfriendly rottweiler decided to challenge him, only to turn tail when Jonah’s wolf put him in his place. The gallant canine rushed back to his human family with a yelp of surprise, no worse for the wear.
As Jonah prepared to cross the road, the sound of a lone jogger reached his sensitive ears. Peeking through the weeds and brush, he spotted a shirtless RJ coming straight towards his position, upper body and powerful legs on full display. He watched intently as the gorgeous man approached—muscular pecs bouncing amid a generous coating of back hair while a hefty package flopped behind the loose fabric of his shorts. RJ must spend a lot of time and effort to look so good, something shifters took for granted.
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AS RJ DREW NEAR, JONAHretreated further into the trees so as not to be seen. He didn’t want to frighten his mate, who undoubtedly wouldnotbe expecting to see a wolf here. As he passed, a glorious scent tickled Jonah’s nose; RJ’s unique aroma, mixed with sweat and the great outdoors. His wolf wanted to join him for the run, or better yet, pull RJ off the road and let his mate take him right there in the woods. Forced to wait by his human half, the horny wolf kept up a litany of demands toclaim their mate.
Jonah dashed over the pavement and entered the woods on the other side, silently following his mate while remaining concealed. Taking advantage of a shortcut, he arrived outside RJ’s home first, settling in with a view of the front door. Several minutes passed before his mate came walking up in the cool-down phase of his run. Taking deep breaths, RJ paused for a bit of stretching before retrieving the key from a small pocket and going inside.
Jonah used the woods alongside the house to scope out the backyard—a flat, treeless lawn running down to the riverbank. The home’s back door opened onto a low wooden deck, furnished with an umbrella-shaded table, chairs, and a gas grill. His ears picked up the strains of country music from inside the house and then the sound of running water.
Jonah inched closer, ending up directly across from the bathroom window. RJ sang along as he showered, soap and water intermittently splatting on the floor of the tub. Soon enough, the sounds changed, and RJ began talking to himself.
“Open up, Jo. Take my cock. Oh yeah, suck me just like that.”
Jonah whined in frustrated need. His mate, only a few feet away, pleasured himself in the shower without him! Moans now replaced the self-talk as RJ beat his meat with increased speed and vigor. A strangled shout, followed by several deep grunts, announced the orgasm.
“Damn, I wish you were here, Jo.”
Without thinking, Jonah howled out his presence. It must have startled RJ, for the water turned off, and seconds later, the dripping face of his mate peeked cautiously through the window curtains. Jonah didn’t think he could be seen, though RJ looked in his direction several times. He eventually gave up, closed the curtains, and finished up in the bathroom.
Over the next hour, he listened as his mate prepared and ate his evening meal, followed by some other chores around the house. He most likely wanted the place to be neat and clean for Jonah’s visit tomorrow—exactly what he would do if RJ were coming tohishome instead. Eventually, Jonah heard the back door open, and he silently made his way past the corner of the house to get a better view. RJ sat at the table with a bottle of water and a book, wearing a pair of loose shorts, tank top, and sandals.
Though craving actual contact, Jonah stayed put—quietly watching from only a few yards away. RJ’s enticing scent now included the aroma of coconut body wash. The desire to lick all of that clean skin almost overwhelmed his resolve to stay hidden. It might have been easier on both he and his wolf if he’d stayed home and waited until tomorrow to see his mate. He didn’t anticipate the difficulty of being near and yet so far.
RJ reached for his water bottle but, instead, knocked it off the table onto the deck. The sound and sudden movement startled Jonah’s wolf, and he stepped backward onto a dry stick. The loud “snap” got RJ’s undivided attention. He jumped from the chair and walked over to the deck railing to peer intently into the trees. Unfortunately, Jonah wasn’t as well-hidden as he’d hoped, for RJ’s heart began to race, and his expression changed to one of curiosity and concern.
“It’s a wolf! What are you doing over there?”
Taking yet another risk, Jonah moved a few steps forward so his mate could get a better look at him. He stopped with his front paws on the lawn, cocking his head at the flummoxed human. RJ kept his eyes on the wolf while backing up towards the door. He reached behind to turn the knob, leaving it ajar, thus providing an easy escape route should the animal make any sudden moves.
His knowledge of these magnificent predators, rudimentary at best, told him that wolves were wary of humans and rarely ever attacked them. Nevertheless, he intended to keep his distance while hoping the animal was only curious. Maybe it came here often, and RJ hadn’t noticed before? Whatever the reason for this visitation, he knew he’d probably never have the chance to observe one this closely again.
Jonah watched his mate’s every move, impressed by the man’s caution and sense of wonder. With a few more steps forward, he cleared the tree line and sat down on the grass. They watched each other intently for a few moments before RJ began talking to him again.
“You’re a handsome one! I hope you aren’t hungry; there isn’t much to eat around here. Don’t you have a mate or a pack? I heard you howling earlier. Was my singing bad?”
Every word tugged at Jonah’s heartstrings. He wanted nothing more than to shift and walk naked into his mate’s arms. His wolf answered with several yips and a low howl. RJ laughed at the wolf’s antics, clearly charmed by the creature. The sound of an approaching speed boat startled both of them, breaking the congenial mood. RJ turned to wave at the humans shouting from the boat at their new neighbor. When he looked back, the beautiful wolf had disappeared into the woods. Frustrated, RJ swore, picked up his book, and went back inside.