-1The Nightworld, the Soulmate Principle and all characters except Raul, Ari and their respective packs belongs to the talented L. J. Smith. As this is a story involving a love story between two guys if you are not into or are offended by such things please do not read it.

The scenario and characters in this story occurred to me on the bus one day, I found myself curious to see what would happen if I put a werewolf and a mountain lion together. In this case their challenges are more then just dealing with the classic dog/cat antagonism, but I thought to make it more fun by introducing the Soulmate principle and by making them two guys to boot. I hope you all enjoy this little adventure for what it is and I really enjoy feedback, positive and negative!

Extras: signifies thought speech

EPILOGUE

Raul felt himself rising up from a deep sleep, his sleeping brain slowly stirring and stretching itself. A feeling of comfort, security and safety was wrapping him in a blanket, his sensitive nose caught the familiar homely scent of wolf and even more familiar smell of his pack mates as he felt them curled around him on the huge bed and room. His muzzle twitched at the odd mixture of smells as a less familiar nose wrinkling, fur bristling smell of felines mixed in with his wolves. Even before he stretched himself physically he knew the warm, sleekly muscled body of the mountain lion curled up next to him, tawny back pressed comfortingly into his belly. The Soulmate connection between them thrummed even now when they'd both been sleeping and with Ari still asleep.

Opening his eyes Raul nearly groaned as he realized it was still at least an hour away before the sun even started trying to rise. But feeling restless now that he was awake Raul carefully wriggled out from between Ari and Wulf, stepping in his wolf form over Faolan and Fina curled on the foot of the bed. Ari's cats were asleep on the floor, not yet comfortable enough to curl up on the bed with his wolves. Pussies they really are. He snickered to himself as he padded silently down the stairs and out through the house until he found himself outside inhaling the good, clean smells of the lingering night air and soft breeze. His sensitive ears and nose brought to him the sounds of scurrying animals as they tried to finish their business. Being that he was directly below and down a floor from their bedroom window he heard a lupine whimper. Snickering to himself Raul cocked his head listening and identifying it to mostly likely be Wulf Faolan was a quieter sleeper.

Your brother truly is a wimp. Came a sleepy voice in his mind, amused and warmly exasperated.

Not as much of a wimp as your pussies I saw they still sleep on the floor. Raul taunted as he stretched himself lazily, taking his time to stretch out the kinks in his muscles.

Thanks to their connection he could feel that Ari was close and wasn't surprised when the mountain lion nudged his shoulder and rubbed against him affectionately. Being deliberately annoying as he knew Raul hated it he licked the wolf's face and muzzle. Sneezing violently Raul glared at Ari rubbing his muzzle and face with a paw. The large cat yawned sleepily as he too stretched himself slowly ignoring his soul mate's reaction.

Finally Ari snorted in amusement. They'll get over it, they're independent and not used to the touchy-feely stuff.

Why are you up so goddamn early anyway? Ari complained. The sun isn't even up yet!

I never asked you to be awake. Raul answered mildly.

Ari gave a shrug, an odd gesture in a feline and ducked his head, ears low, seeming to be shy. Raul gave him a curious look Ari was many things, but shy wasn't one of them.

I don't sleep so well without you. Plus I got cold. Ari admitted quietly.

Raul started at Ari in surprise as usual totally floored by the unexpected when it came to Ari. Giving a coughing growl that was his feline version of a laugh Ari shook himself and began to run.

Since I'm up I might as well run with you or without you. He taunted over his shoulder.

With a challenging growl Raul raced after him as he chased the tawny cat through the forest of trees.

Never let it be said that I let a cat get the better of me. Raul taunted back as he continued to chase his soul mate pulling ahead of him and taking the lead.

I believe it is the cat getting the better of a puppy Was Ari's return challenge as he charged him at a full sprint easily bowling over the large, dark red wolf.

For a few minutes the pair of them wrestled around on the forest floor until Raul pulled free and darted off again. Scrambling to his feet it was Ari's turn to chase Raul through the trees. Getting far enough ahead of him Raul hid behind some trees and charged at Ari as he ran past his hiding place. This time Raul bowled over Ari and they wrestled around for dominance until Raul cheated returning to his human form and pinning Ari by simply sitting on his back and clamping his long limbs around him.

Should have known a wolf would cheat and use any excuse to get his hands on me. Ari sneered as he regained his human form and rolled over underneath Raul's body, the sneer ruined by the wicked humour and heat in his golden eyes.

Said from the point of view of one who likes it. Raul teased pressing his naked body against Ari's, quirking a challenging eyebrow.

Ari managed to look proud and far too interested in just playing at the same time as the wicked amusement in his eyes stretched across his full lips as he pressed back against Raul he licked his lips. As Raul's eyes darted to Ari's lips he used his distraction to buck against him and quickly rolled him over so he was in the dominant position. Grinning down at his soul mate Ari kissed him, hard and intensely, the kiss filled with a mix of love, need and want as Ari fed it to him the thrumming pink cord between them drew them into each other's minds. Helplessly Raul returned Ari's kiss and he rolled them both over again, his own as hard and passionate, as he allowed himself to be drawn into Ari's mind and allowing his own to open instead of fighting both all the way.

Much later the sun was just starting to creep over the horizon as Ari and Raul lay gasping, trying to remember how to breathe again, their sweat soaked bodies entwined in the soft grass and leaf litter. The rosy glow of what they'd just done and the lingering remains of their connection still thrumming between them.

"Wow, you've never allowed me in like that before or come so far into mine." Ari managed to say in a softly wondering tone as he ran his hand through Raul's long dark red hair. Ari really was shocked that Raul had opened himself up and had dropped all his shields.

Raul's sleepy green eyes looked down at the head on his chest, Ari's own lazy golden eyes looking up at him. "It seemed time." Was Raul's answer and explanation.

"How did we end up where we are? Do you think God or several gods are rolling around up there laughing at what they've done to us?" Ari wanted to know.

Raul shrugged his lips twitching. "I don't know love, probably. I know for sure that my pack and yours will never quit."

They were both quiet as they lay there drifting between sleep and the lingering giddy rush that was between them. Both of them remembering and wondering.