Happy Hunting

…

Warnings: none

….

Star, freed from her halfling form and the cave by the waning of the full moon, was out on the boardwalk with her brothers on this lovely summer night. They'd been having a good evening, filling up on carnival food and people watching. A live band was playing at the open stage, the music loud enough to hear clearly across the beach.

"I'm gonna go check out who's playing, anyone want to come with?" Star was already swaying to the beat, her long, sparkly peasant skirt flowing with her movements.

"Nah, chica, you go on. We're just gonna hang around and be a public nuisance." Paul joked, reeling her in for quick kiss before giving her a wide twirl, making people around them nearly jump to get out of the way.

She met David's smirk with one of her own as she turned to sashay away in to the teeming crowds. David glanced at his brothers as he took a long drag on his cigarette. "Let's see what Pops is up to, shall we?" The other boys chuckled as they turned in unison to follow him away from the main boardwalk.

Wandering toward the stage, Star threaded her way easily through the swaying crowds. More than used to feeling the weight of hungry eyes of boys and girls, she scanned the crowd surreptitiously for who might be focusing on her now.

Feeling the music, she swayed to the song, tossing her hair as she glanced around. Near the middle of the crowd, a lovely young man with shaggy, dark hair was staring at her as if there was no one else on the planet. She nearly laughed out loud at the naked want on his face, the poor dear really made it too easy. Throwing a few glances and coy smiles his way, she cast her hooks, watching them sink deep as he focused on her so hard his little friend had to almost smack him to get him to breathe or blink again.

Sure in her catch, she turned and moved off through the crowd, slowing after a moment to cast a hidden glance back, pleased to see the boy following like a magnet pulled him, dragging the younger boy with him. She groaned internally, neither she nor her brothers had any interest in underage meat.

…

David and his gang drove the short way to where their patriarch had his storefront, parking their bikes in front and swaggering in to his apparent displeasure. They ambled through the store, playing at checking out the movie cassettes and teasing the girl behind the counter, who countered their play with friendly sass of her own.

Just after they walked in, an older lady with short hair and a long skirt brought a little boy in, asking the store owner if he could help find the boy's mother, who darted in to grab the child only a few moments later. The lady stayed a moment, lured by Max's offer of a sweet and the two started talking.

David and his brothers watched with amusement as their clan leader warmed to woman, clearly intent on gaining her friendship. Smirking, David sauntered past, the gang in tow, as Max chastised them for being in the store. The lady seemed almost too sweet to be real, actually taking their side, and they enjoyed playing up their tough image as they strode out of the video store, peeling out of the parking area with as much rumble and squeal as they could pull from their bikes.

Pulling up in front of the boardwalk entrance, they were just in time to catch Star walking out, her eyes and bright smile filled with mischief. The source was soon apparent, as a pair of boys came following closely behind her. David checked out the older one as Star climbed on the bike behind him, and, hearing her playful giggle, favored the boy with a grin that teetered between amused and inviting. Feeling his sister settle, he gunned the bike, taking off down the street, the pack following close behind.

"So, who's the pretty bird?" David called over his shoulder as they drove down the street.

"I don't know, but I want to find out. He is tasty, isn't he?" Star whispered close to David's ear.

"You hunting for dinner or a date?"

"Hmm…well, date first. A girl can always change her mind later."

"Might want to give that tail a spin myself, if he proves good by you." David chuckled, Star laughing along with him. Riding beside them, Paul gave off a short, wild howl, and they all answered his joyful call.

Soon they were back to their den, dropping Star off and stowing their bikes. Summer nights in Santa Carla were the best, when they could run and hunt together, taste wild blood and strengthen bonds.

"If you'd feed, you'd be able to run free with us." David stood, lean and pale, his body almost glowing in the waning moonlight coming through the cave entrance. He cupped Star's cheek, thumb stroking along her jaw. "You can't wait forever."

"I know. It's just not the right time yet." Star's eyes were soft as she looked back at him. "I'll be here, waiting, when you get back." She turned, kissing his palm, a tawny hand stroking down his gleaming skin. His answering smile was sharp, cool eyes bleeding gold as he twisted and leapt, hitting the ground running, little more than a blur of white as he disappeared from view.

Meeting the others at the top of the cliff, he threw back his head, howling long and low into the night as his brothers sang with him. Star heard their song vibrating through her bones, pulling at her very soul to join and run. She curled up on the dusty couch, her arms wrapped around bent knees as tears slipped slowly down her cheeks, the pain of holding herself apart from the pack almost too much to bear.

…

Shelly sat in the passenger seat of Greg's car, nose stuck in one of the comic books they'd ripped off from those weird kids earlier. Greg kept trying to steal her attention, leaning in to kiss her cheek, his hands slipping under her shirt, sliding up her thigh, even as she smacked at him, laughing.

She frowned suddenly, hitting Greg harder as she shushed him. "I think I heard something."

Greg laughed. "Forget it, babe." He threw an arm around her, pulling her in for a kiss.

A muffled yelp of laughter sounded outside the car, and Greg turned his head just in time to get an eyeful of naked ass sliding across the driver's side window, the squeal of skin smearing against glass making a vein start twitching in his forehead. He bellowed and reached for the door handle just as the vision disappeared, and he slammed the door open, ready to teach the asshole a lesson. He barely managed to stand up before someone or something grabbed him, leaving nothing but the fading sound of his yell and the empty space where he'd stood. The night got very quiet.

"Greg?"

Shelly leaned over his seat, trying to see where he went. She couldn't reach his door handle, and decided reluctantly to get out of the car to see if he needed help. Opening her door, she walked around the back of the car slowly, looking for her boyfriend or anyone else. All she found behind the car was a line of drips that shone dark and viscous in the taillights, leading away from the car.

An amused snort came from behind her, and she relaxed, eyes rolling as she turned.

"Greg, you're such an …" the rest of her insult died on her lips as she spun around to see two very large, very sharp-toothed brown dogs watching her with the wickedest grins she'd ever seen. Then all she saw was two sets of slavering jaws leaping at her as one.

…..

Down the hill from the now abandoned car, the pack worked through the remains of their late-night meal, tearing at tender meat and crunching into long bones with sharp back teeth to lick out marrow. The crack and slurp waned, and the wolves cleaned themselves up, grooming each other to get the missed bits. They buried the leftovers deep and took off through the brush, howling as one as they ran together back to their lair to sleep off their feast.

…

The next night was soft and warm as Star followed her prey across the boardwalk. As she hoped, her boy was back tonight, and she watched as he picked up a leather jacket, waiting for the right moment. He lingered near a piercing booth, and she moved in.

"It's a rip-off you know." The doe-eyed boy looked around confused before realizing she was talking to him, and he caught up to her quickly as she walked away. "I could do it for you if you want." They started to make small talk, and his enthusiasm was endearing, even if he wasn't the smoothest talker she'd ever met.

Nearby, David sat on his motorcycle, smoking and watching his sister reel in the new boy. She seemed at ease, genuinely enjoying herself, and so he relaxed as his brothers clowned around, waiting till the pair neared the boy's bike to make their presence known.

The pack circled the two lovebirds, and the young man was instantly on the defensive, eyes raking over the group as Star played up her apparent reluctance. This Michael boy wasn't too bright if he thought he could simply tell Star what to do and have her obey when her whole family surrounded them, but he was even prettier up close so David supposed it evened out. Time for a challenge then, it had been a while since they'd had a new pup to mess with.

"You know where Hudson's bluff is, out by the point?"

The boy almost rolled his eyes at the question, but the way those generous lips quirked as he smiled sarcastically was definitely peaking David's interest.

"I can't beat your bike." Seems the boy wasn't quite as dumb as he acted.

David smiled wickedly. "You don't have to beat me, Michael. You just have to try to keep up."

Making eye contact, David knew he had the boy hooked. He revved his engine and took off, rolling down the stairs and across the beach as his brothers flanked him, the new boy closing in behind. He was making up for his hesitation at the stairway with extra speed across the sand, his little bike going for all it was worth.

Michael kept up with them as they wove through the pier pylons and David howled, Paul quickly echoing his excitement. Marko and Dwayne answered happily as they flew down the sand and entered the little bit of scrub forest that lead to the point. The new boy stayed on Marko's tail, following his path through the woods, only to push past him and catch up to David as they neared the bluff.

Riding neck and neck, David and Michael sped towards the edge of the cliff, David egging Michael on with taunting words and teasing grin. Seeing the drop-off, Michael pulled back abruptly, dropping his bike perilously close to the cliff-side. As David stopped more leisurely near the leading tip, Michael ran at him, throwing a wild punch to clip David's chin.

David barely turned with the blow, swiveling back to look at Michael with glittering eyes and wicked grin. Michael's adrenaline-fueled threats were as much white noise as the crash of the waves below, and just as much ignored as David stared intently at the panting boy. The pack circled Michael, ready for action at David's command.

"How far are you willing to go, Michael?" David purred. The boy, for all his bravado, was already turning his head, his stare more side-eyed before he blinked, dropping his gaze. David's grin grew wider, and he lifted his head in satisfaction. Standing behind David's bike, Star heard Paul chuckle as the pack stood down.

Stowing the bikes a bit back down the trail, David let his men take the lead down the dilapidated stairway clearly marked against entry, as he and Star smiled enticingly at Michael before taking a more sedate pace down the stairs.

Dwayne was lighting up barrels filled with scrap as the three stragglers made their way down the rough stone steps. Paul stepped along the edge of an ornately carved fountain that was littered with odd things, trash and pieces of vintage furnishings. Marko was holding a pigeon of all things, stroking it gently as it sat in his hand.

The cave itself was far more finished than Michael expected. A chandelier and all manners of hanging shells, ribbons, driftwood and other found items hung from the ceiling and draped across the open area, while old rugs covered much of the open floor. There was a well-worn but expensive looking old couch near the fountain, along with a few other mismatched chairs and an antique wheelchair that sat front and center as though it was a throne, the moonlight shining down on it only heightening that impression.

Seeing Michael glancing around the cave in interest, David wove a tale of the ill-fated hotel that once stood on the cliff, torn apart by an earthquake eighty years back. Paul chuckled from his fountain catwalk, lighting a thick joint that sent pungent, sweet smoke to fill the space.

David sent Marko and Dwayne to get some food for the group, as Paul passed the weed as he walked by. Offering it to Michael, David watched as the boy took a deep drag. There were liquor bottles littered all over the cave, and finding one that was mostly full, David took a swig, turning to bring it to Michael, who accepted it as readily as he did the weed. David smirked as the boy's eyes went unfocused for a moment, the combination of potent drugs and alcohol hitting his system with force.

Shaking a bit of his haze off, Michael walked over to Star, offering the bottle with a gentle smile. She thanked him, taking an impressively deep pull and wiping her lips with the back of her hand before handing it back, mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Michael stood stunned for a moment, mouth hanging open until he caught himself, giving her a lopsided smile in return and taking another swig, clearly trying to match her. Star caught David's eyes as he flashed an amused grin. At this rate, the boy would be under the table before the night really got started.

Paul circled back, throwing a friendly arm around Michael and offering a newly lit joint. The boy glanced at Star, and she smiled back. Conscience cleared, he took a deep hit, hardly noticing Paul leaning in to take the roach back, face bare inches from his own. Paul smiled broadly as the clip was passed, batting his eyes and winking as he spun away before Michael could process what had happened.

Blinking owlishly now, Michael stood, swaying ever so slightly. Star moved in, bottle in hand and teasing grin in place.

"How about we sit down?" She gestured to the broad rim of the old fountain.

Michael glanced at the fountain and back to her, nodding as he went to sit, moving a bit unsteadily as the whisky started to really kick in. She dropped down next to him, wrapping a slim hand around a thick bicep and giggling as he turned a dopey grin her way.

He leaned down to say something, and she quickly kissed his cheek, leaving him stunned speechless before a huge grin spread across his face. Pulling her into a side hug, he gave her a quick squeeze before letting go and kissing the top of her head.

David, sitting on the wheelchair throne, could barely restrain his amusement. For all his posturing up on the cliff, the boy had all the grit of cotton candy. It would be delightful to see how he took to their games. The faint sound of engines paused his thoughts, fun would have to wait till after dinner.

"Feeding time boys, come and get it!" Marko exclaimed as he strode down the steps two at a time, Dwayne following close behind to grab a particular bag and move off to his own corner.

"Ladies first" Marko proffered the haul to Star, while casting an amused glance Dwayne's way. Dwayne's answer was a finger flicked in Marko's direction as he dove into his takeout bag.

Star took two bags, offering one to Michael as Marko brought the rest over to David.

Michael smiled, opening the bag. As the scent of fried meat and potatoes hit his nose, he groaned and reached in to grab a handful of fries, stuffing his face as he pulled out the wrapped sandwich. The weed had left him ravenous.

"Pretty good, hmm?" David remarked, pulling out his own food and opening the wrapper so it would lay flat on his lap.

Michael grunted, barely pulling the sandwich wrapping out of the way so he could take a bite. He was nearly halfway through the burger before he twigged on something off, looking down at it in confusion. The outside was a well-browned crust that barely contained a nearly-raw, barely warm core oozing red.

He frowned and looked around, it seemed no one else was having issues, even Star was happily munching away on a sandwich as large as his. He stared at it again, looking furtively at the barrels and wondering if there was a way to cook the sandwich just a little more.

"Problem, Michael?"

Michael just managed not to roll his eyes at the teasing undertone of David's question. "It's a little rare, no big deal."

David reached out, snagging Michael's sandwich before he even realized what had happened, taking a big bite and chewing reflectively, eyes flashing with humor. The raw juices ran down his chin, and Michael was drawn in by the way his tongue darted as he cleaned his lower lip. "I don't know, Michael, seems perfect to me."

Smirking, he offered back what was left of the burger. Michael shook his head. "Want the rest of mine instead?" Michael leaned to look, but if anything, David's was even more raw, lacking the dark crust his food had. The sight made him grimace, his stomach making unhappy noises.

Paul appeared at his side, offering another joint. "Dude, a little weed'll set you right. Take a hit, man." The look on Michael's face showed he wasn't entirely sold on that idea, but he took it anyway, breathing in deep as Paul clapped his shoulder, nearly jarring the breath out of him.

As he exhaled, David held out the bottle of whisky. "Wash the smoke down, hmm?"

The bite of the alcohol cleared his throat, burning a warm path down and making his head swim. He heard David chuckle, the deep sound pulling at him, warming him more than the drink. He shook his head, confused, only to have Star reach a gentle hand to turn him towards her, lifting up to plant a soft kiss on his lips. Her warm tongue swiped at his just as she pulled away for a moment, smiling with eyes as bright as her name. She leaned back in, lips brushing over his again and again.

He blinked slowly, moving to gather her close when a hand landed on his shoulder. Michael looked up, annoyed, to see David standing beside him, a wicked grin on his face. "Time for a little fun. Let's go for a ride."

Letting Marko take the lead, David watched Michael as he climbed the stairs, wobbling slightly. Pulling him close as they climbed up, he spoke up.

"You should ride with me." Michael tried to protest but David's soft voice stopped him. "No offense, but these aren't trails you wanna take in the dark first time 'round." Nearly missing the next step, Michael sighed in reluctant agreement at David's suggestion.

Climbing on the bikes, Michael looked around for where the others had gone. "What about Paul and Dwayne?"

"Eh, they'll catch up if they want to." David kicked the engine, taking off for the dark hills with Marko right behind him.

Flying up the hillsides and through scrub, Michael was glad he wasn't trying to keep up with the pair, as they drove full throttle over bumps and around bushes that pulled at his coat and hair. Everything was shades of dark on inky black until they got up into the upper hills, weaving in and out of trees he couldn't even see till they were directly in the headlights.

Finally, the trees opened up a bit, giving him a better view of more of the forest under the clear sky and pale, waning moon. Watching the play of light and shadows, he realized something was moving, keeping pace with the bikes as they wove through the trees.

Michael nearly jumped out of his skin when David let out a howl, Marko echoing it beside them. Almost immediately, answering howls came from both sides, the sound remarkably similar to David's own.

"Jesus! Are those wolves?!" Michael yelled, gripping tighter to David's jacket as he whipped his head back and forth, trying to better make out the figures running near the them.

"Relax, Michael. They're our friends." The humor in David's voice would be irritating if Michael had actually paid that much attention.

David slowed down, coming into a clearing that was lit a little brighter and more open. He and Marko turned the bikes off, letting the headlamps switch off as well.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Michael said.

"Take it easy, Michael. You'll be fine."

Blinking and turning to glance around, Michael looked for where the animals he was sure he'd seen had got to. Things started getting clearer as something brushed Michael's leg. Bright glowing eyes stared up from a wolf whose head was even with Michael's hip as he sat on David's bike.

"Holy SHIT!" Mike went to leap away, tripping and falling almost flat on the other side of the bike. Scrambling to his knees, he looked up into another set of golden eyes, and a wickedly sharp-toothed grin, looming over him as though he were a puppy. A low growl came from the beast as it bent down, and Michael froze, sure he was done for.

Just as the teeth loomed in front of him, a long tongue swiped clear from his chin up to his forehead, leaving a trail of drool slipping down his face. He reared back in surprise, and would have hit the hot bike engine if David hadn't braced the back of his head. The fact David was clearly shaking with laughter did not make him any less confused, or slimy.

"Ugh!" Michael swiped at his face, wiping his wet hands in the grass. "You could have told me they belonged to you." He stood up, rubbing his hands on his jeans to get off the last of the saliva. A short growl near him had him stepping back to stand a little behind David.

"They're our brothers, not pets." David said, running a hand down the back of the wolf that had just slimed Michael. "Let them get to know you."

"Can they do it without drooling on me?"

"Perhaps."

Michael squinted at David, unhappy with teasing lilt to David's response. David sat down on a fallen log, lighting up a cigarette and relaxing as one of the wolves moved in and sat by his side. He patted the log, motioning to Michael, who came and sat somewhat reluctantly on the other side.

Marko had grabbed some dry brush, and set about making a small fire, clearing a wide, dusty ring around the pile before lighting it up. Michael could see now the two wolves looked very different, the one next to David as dark as the night around them, while the one that had licked him shone orange-gold in the firelight.

The golden one came towards him, toothy grin on its face, to lay its head in his lap, woofing softly.

David chuckled. "He seems to like you."

"Yeah… great." Michael reached out tentatively to pet the beast, and its tail thumped. It reminded him of his brother's dog, only if he was twice as big.

David pulled out a flask from his coat, taking a swig before offering it to Michael. He took a deep pull before trading to Marko for a fat joint.

"So, you all just come up here and hang out with these wolves?"

David exhaled a long plume of smoke before answering. "No, usually we all run together in the hills for a while. Just thought you should meet them first."

"Oh, ah, thanks. I guess." The orange wolf snorted, lifting its head off his legs and stalking over to Marko, to lean in and lick the man's neck as curly-haired man ran his hand to scratch along its back.

"We take care of each other. Sometimes hunters'll come up, set traps. That doesn't end well for them." Marko grinned wickedly.

Michael looked at the two wolves, shaking his head, his face more serious. "That's…that's terrible. I've seen animal traps. Nothing deserves that."

The dark wolf woofed, and David stroked it, turning a warm smile Michael's way. "Glad you think so."

The rounds of weed and booze were hitting Michael hard, and he found himself swaying slightly as the shadowy world around him tilted. David put a steadying hand on his shoulder.

"Doing alright there?"

Michael went to nod yes, but the movement made him dizzy. He tried to grab the log but missed, nearly slumping over on David's lap. He felt strong, warm hands grab him, helping him sit upright.

"Alright, Cinderella. Time to get you back before you turn into a pumpkin."

"Too late." Marko snorted in amusement.

Helping Michael stand, David walked him back to the bikes. Turning he looked deep into Michael's eyes, though it took a few tries before the boy could focus enough to look back with some measure of awareness.

"Hold tight, Michael. We'll get you back home." David slid a hand gently up Michael's cheek, pleased to see the boy lean in to it. "That's it. Just hold on tight and you'll be fine."

David ran his hand down Michael's neck and chest, slipping up under his shirt to grasp the boy's back, supporting him as he climbed on the bike. Michael offered no resistance, no sign of discomfort at his touch. Smirking, he got on, reaching behind him to grab both of Michael's hands. He made a point of pulling him tight against his back, linking the boy's hands together over the warm skin of his own stomach. Patting them lightly, he revved the motor, taking off back down the mountain as Marko followed.

By the time they made it back to the edge of town, Michael was slumped against David's shoulder, and David had to keep putting a hand over the boy's own, to make sure his grasp didn't loosen too much.

Marko pulled up beside him, shaking his head and chuckling. "I'd say he was fun, but he's such a lightweight it was hard to tell."

"You think he's such a lightweight I should make you carry him home." David grumbled.

Paul appeared, riding Michael's bike and wearing only a pair of jeans and boots. "Gonna share that bounty?"

"Take a number, wild man. There's a bit of a line." David smirked.

"Sloppy seconds, really? Man…"

Marko snickered. "Like that's ever bothered you before."

Paul pouted a moment before perking up. "So – where does Sleeping Beauty live?"

David rolled his eyes, but smiled at his brother's jibe. "Pretty sure he's with that old coot that lives in the big cabin. The scent of formaldehyde was all over him when he showed up."

"Come to think of it, it was on that lady too – the one in Max's store." Marko smirked, before chewing on his thumbnail.

"Could be right. Anyway, let's get him back before he falls off my bike."

"Yeah, he won't be so pretty then!" Paul chuckled, gunning the smaller bike and heading off down the street towards the outskirts of town. David followed, a bit more sedately than he would've liked but he didn't want to risk dropping his charge.

The huge old cabin was dark and quiet when they got there. David hefted the now passed-out Michael over his shoulder, stepping lightly onto the front porch. He listened intently, hearing only the night and sounds of people sleeping inside. Using Michael's keys, he let himself in, moving silently to the stairs and up to the bedrooms, sniffing for the one that smelled like the boy draped over him.

Padding feet and a soft woof came from behind, and he turned to see a dog staring intently at him. He stared back, squaring his shoulders and looking down at the animal under lowered brows. The dog whined, lying down and turning its head. Smiling, he turned back, moving in to the room littered with clothing to drop the boy on the messy bed. Walking out, he stopped to pet the dog before walking quietly down and out of the house.

He met up with Marko outside, who waited out past the gate with their bikes.

"You were right, Marko. The little lady lives there too, I could smell her and that kid all over."

Marko smiled, eyes flashing amusement. "Paul took off already. Said he'll meet us back at the cave."

David nodded, climbing on his own bike as they took off together back towards home.