AUTHOR'S NOTE: I honestly spent a long time on how I wanted to say all this. Finishing this story, to me, is like taking all my beloved pets outside two thousand miles out into the wilderness and setting them loose. Completely heartbreaking to the point where I want to take a water gun to the head and just end it all. Depressing, neh? On the other hand, I believe it's quite a feat to have come this far and to actually COMPLETE such a long fic. I'm notorious for not finishing my stories, but I have to say I've been taking my writing a bit more seriously as of late. Well, here's the final chapter of Wolfshipping. ;)

Seto leaned back in his office chair, stretching his arms out to get the cramps out. It had been a long day, filled with the usual business. Discussing new business strategies with his marketing team, convincing smaller gaming corporations to sell their ideas to him so they could turn a bigger profit for the next quarter. Yes, it had all in all been a normal day.

As Seto threw his jacket over his shoulder, going down to the parking garage for his limo to take him home. Kaiba thought of the last time he had seen Ryou. He hadn't heard from the albino in weeks. Which was probably due to an intervention from Bakura whom had packed up the small life the teen had had in Domino. Then quickly relocating him to some distant place not even Seto could reach with all his wealth to spare.

Joey's father hadn't even noticed his son was gone until police arrived at his door asking him if he'd been contacted by the blond. They had done an investigation, asking the gang if they knew where he was. Had he said anything before he had disappeared? Been acting a bit differently?

Everyone at the school said the usual. Yes, Joey had been acting a bit strange. He had seemed more distant, hanging out with Ryou Bakura more than anything. He would still pop up in the group from time to time over the years, but gradually he seemed to have lost interest in things that usually excited him. Less jokes, no more stupid comments or smiling. Yugi had even said it seemed, in a way, Joey had grown somber as time passed. The police had attempted to contact Ryou, but he wasn't listed under any address or phone number. His father had known Ryou had moved away, but he had no clue where. He had just woken up one morning to a text from his son sent at 3:44 AM. It said:

Father, I love you. There are many dark truths in this world I wish I could tell you. One day maybe I will, but ever since that night my life has been different. After Amane and Mom died I have felt lost and lonely. I just wanted you to know none of it is your fault. We're just mortal beings in the grand design of this world. One day, Daddy, I promise I'll let you meet him. The person whom I love and who I decided needs me more than I ever needed him.

Your ever loving son,

Ryou

The police had concluded Ryou and Joey had, perhaps, been dating. When faced with the impossibility their parents may not approve of their love they had run off together. Typical Romeo and Juliet behavior, case closed. Kaiba just smirked at the idea, because he didn't think in a million years Ryou and Joey would ever be compatible.

When the elevator doors opened Seto strolled right out to the limo. Tonight it was a warmer than it had been in the last few weeks. Which meant spring was right around corner. Or was it summer? He no longer cared about the changing seasons, just the people it brought with it. As his driver came and opened the door for him, a new recruit, the young man had a nerve to ask him a question.

"Sir, if I may, what happened to your hand?" The young man asked, his raven black hair falling in his face. He had a bit of an unkempt appearance, with the lightest green eyes Kaiba had ever seen. He had hired the guy, whose name was Marius, on a whim since he no longer had any desire to deal with the generic polite limo driver. As a matter of fact, this guy had just barely received his driver's license last week.

Seto glanced down at his hand. He had forgotten to put his gloves back on after he had left his office. They were a simple pair of black leather gloves that made his hands slick with sweat if he wore them to long. Technically, all he had to wear was one but it would draw to much attention to himself. When he was alone he usually took the gloves off in order to type faster. On his right hand was a nasty bite mark, half of his pinky finger and a quarter of his ring finger clean bitten off. The skin had since grown over these deformities, but Kaiba preferred not to draw unwanted attention to himself.

"One of the security dogs got a bit too frisky with me. So I had him put down for rabies." Seto answered calmly, sliding easily into the back seat. Marius's mouth had fallen open at the reply, but he quickly closed the door and got into the driver's seat. A few moments passed with him trying to remember where the emergency brake was before the limo jerked forward, the high beams flickering to life as Marius began to maneuver the vehicle at a snail's pace out of the parking garage.

"Sorry sir, I'm not used to driving yet." Marius called to the back, and in the rear view mirror he saw his boss shrug. Kaiba had braced his feet against the floor when he suddenly jerked forward, but other than that he seemed unconcerned with his chauffeur's skills behind the wheel.

"So, did the dog really have rabies?" Marius asked as he flipped the signal to pull into the road. No cars were out at this hour, but he didn't want to be pulled over by the police. Seto calmly folded his hands underneath his folded jacket, legs crossed as he peered out the window.

"Funny you should ask that. Yes, he did have a disease of sorts that transferred to me. Lucky me it wasn't anything life changing, just life altering."

"Sir?"

"You're about to run over a cat." Seto said, and braced himself once again as Marius jerked the wheel back into his lain. It was a gray cat Kaiba had saw caught in the headlights, half starved with a small collar with a bell around his neck. Narrowing his eyes, he scooted over to the other side of the limo.

"Stop the car for a minute." Seto ordered, and Marius obligingly stomped on the brakes. Seto managed to keep himself from sprawling on the floor of the limo as he opened the door. Cowering in the middle of the street from fright glared the small feline.

"Come here kitty, kitty. Come on, I'll give you all the meat you can eat if you come with me." Seto cooed, his voice sounding odd as he reached out a hand to the cat. The small feline sniffed his fingertips, probably only a few weeks old before it obligingly hopped into the car with him. Seto immediately slammed the door shut, pulling his new pet into his lap as Marius stepped on the gas.

Inspecting the cat's collar, Seto found it had a tag with an address and phone number on it. Its name was Storm, and supposedly it had belonged at Ryou at some point. Odd, he had never guessed for the white haired teen to be into keeping a pet cat. Ryou had always struck him as a dog person.

Finally, Marius pulled up in front of his mansion. Tossing the teen a hundred dollar tip, Seto didn't even wait for him to open the front door. None of his staff except a few security guards were here this time of night, anyhow. Pushing the door open, he let Storm down who began sniffing every nook and corner he could find. First things first, he had to get something for the damn cat to eat.

Going into his fully stocked kitchen, Seto didn't appear to notice the dark figure coming around the counter towards him. Refrigerator door open hid his head as Seto scanned the contents for something for the cat to eat. Spotting a package of hot dogs, he grabbed those and placed them on the counter with a cutting board and knife already set out.

"I know you're there, Wheeler. One click and you won't be able to talk for a month." Seto said, not even bothering to turn around to face the blond. Joey's eyes narrowed as he shot a glare at the brunette as he went about his business of cutting up the hot dogs into bite sized pieces. He'd tossed his coat over the back of a chair as he came in, which had been joined by a tie a few seconds later upon entering.

"I still don't see why I have to wear this damn collar. I'm not a pet, Gecko. I can still kick your ass if I felt like it." Joey snapped, his fingers lightly brushing the silver studded collar Kaiba had put on him. He hated the thing, he could always feel the light burning of the silver through the silk.

"If I took your collar off, you would do everything in your power to make me regret it. Now, am I wrong or right?" Seto asked him, dumping the small pieces of hotdog into a small bowl and placing on the ground. The small gray kitten had begun yowling by then for the food, and began to wolf down the food before Seto had even fully placed it on the ground. Next came a bowl of water which the little cat ignored as it inhaled its food.

"Right." Joey agreed reluctantly as Seto came around from out of the kitchen, continuing to the living room. The blond let out a low warning growl, but the brunet ignored him as he picked up his remote on the way. Flicking the TV on to the news and lowering the volume so it wouldn't hurt his extra sensitive ears.

"Have you heard from him yet?" Seto asked, falling back into an armchair and propping his feet up on the automaton. Joey lingered near the doorway leading into the kitchen, analyzing his jailer for weaknesses.

"No, Alpha hasn't contacted me. I tried howling for him last night, but I got no answer. Wherever he is, he's gone, Gecko. He completely cut me off after the incident with Ryou." Joey answered, watching carefully as Kaiba reached up with his disfigured hand and brushed back a lock of his hair.

"I thought you would have cravings by now."

"For what? Extra rare meat?"

"No, human flesh."

This time Seto's cobalt eyes focused on the blond. They were smoldering with an icy rage only he could command. A flicker of crimson trailed along the edge of his iris the only indication he was about to lose his temper. A slow smirk grew across Joey's face as he took a battle stance in the doorway.

"What's wrong, Gecko? Haven't you devoured little Mokie yet? I heard you talking to him on the phone last night. I don't think he likes his new boarding school very much." Joey mocked, as Seto rose from the chair his eyes full blown into bloody orbs.

A crunch echoed in the huge room, the crushed remote falling to the floor. Claws sprouted from each of Kaiba's fingers, even the bad ones. His ears had elongated similar to an elf's as his entire aura changed from one of just being pissed off to killer instincts. Joey's smirk widened even further, as he tsked his tongued and wagged a finger at the brunet.

"Nah, uh, temper temper, Kaiba boy." Joey taunted him, mimicking Pegasus's voice. The sound of the old man talking had always pissed him off.

For his Gecko, that was the last straw. Fur sprouted from every inch of Kaiba's body, his suit ripping as it could no longer accommodate the figure it had meant to fit. Even while still in mid transformation Seto lunged across the room and landed squarely on top of Joey. Knocking back into the darkness of the kitchen as he began to tear at the flesh with newly sprouted fangs. Joey screeched when he felt his mate take a mouthful of his shoulder and tear it off. Blood sprayed over the both of them, coating Seto's face as he devoured the meat before going back for more.

Joey kneed Seto in the gut, knocking him off to the side and surging to his feet as the smaller werewolf went skidding across the tile. After Ryou had been saved and patched up from his ordeal, Bakura had come sneaked back into the mansion. While in his werewolf form hid burst in on Seto's bedroom, savagely biting his hand and taking a few chunks as a snack.

Revenge for Shada, High Priest. Suffer as I have these many years. I wish you a happy eternity damned with your fate. Bakura had told Seto before disappearing that very same night with Ryou.

Yes, Seto had indeed screwed up big time. Joey thought, as he dodged another lunge from Kaiba, he had messed up as well. His Gecko had shot him in the head with the gun, but lead bullets could only knock him out for a few precious minutes. Minutes Seto had used to bind him with a collar so he was unable to transform. There were small, silver spikes embedded underneath the silk of his collar so if he did get any ideas it would automatically kill him. Though he wasn't able to transform, he could still defend himself against his mate transforming.

Storm had begun yowling with the pair of werewolves began fighting in the kitchen. Shooting into the hallway and up the stairs to safety. Pinned into a corner, Joey crouched low to the ground and bared his fangs. Seto was a lot smaller for a fully transformed werewolf than he originally expected. Kaiba was only a bit bigger than his human form, the difference being he had much more prominent muscles than he did in his human form. It was actually kind of cute, Joey thought in a way.

Noticing Gecko had paused to watch him suspiciously, Joey smiled, letting out a low whistle. Just like a dog Seto's ears pricked forward as Joey pointed to his neck. Thankfully, the brunet had enough wits about him to notice instead of Joey wearing his collar, the blond had it draped in his hand.

Panic overcame Kaiba in a wave, and just as fast he began to turn back into a human. Frantic, he tried to throw himself back towards the front entrance but was to late. Joey was already on top of him, pinning his arms down as he loomed over him. Kaiba glared at the cocky werewolf who grinned back at him like an idiot. Kaiba knew better, Joey was anything but playful and innocent at this point.

"Tis the matter, Gecko? You don't love me anymore?" Joey said, leaning down and nipping at his ear. Kaiba began to pull at his living restraints as the blond began to gyrate his hips in a seductive manner on top of him.

"What the hell are you doing now, Wheeler?" Kaiba hissed as the blond bent his head to nip at his neck. From this vantage point he could see Joey's shoulder had already healed despite him having ripped a chunk out of it. The brunet felt his stomach churn at the thought and wondered if he was about to throw up.

"Seducing you, what else?" Joey answered, having already let go of Kaiba's arm. He scraped his nails along Kaiba's abdomen tracing a line of fire in his wake. He heard a breathy moan from the CEO despite his protests at not wanting him.

With great mental effort, Seto shoved him off with his free hand. Joey let himself be pushed away as the handsome man shot him an icy glare as he got to his feet. Seto strolled back into the living room and Joey heard him pulling the blanket off the back of the couch to wrap around himself.

There was only one thing Joey was certain of, when it came to Seto Kaiba.

They deserved each other. Out of all the couples in the world, they were probably the most fucked up of them all. A power hungry emperor and his pet wolf next to his bed at night to act as a guard against the world. What had Bakura felt when he woke up one day and realized he had to face the world alone for centuries?

Joey hoped he would never know that fate. That, despite Seto hating him and wishing him to die every second of every hour of every day, somewhere in there he loved him. While the brunette had never said anything, the blond knew the brunet was absolutely terrified of the thought of facing this world for all an eternity. Whether they found a way to live together peacefully as mates who opposed each other or ended up killing each other in the end, he didn't care. If it ever became to much he would gladly kill Kaiba and then himself.

There was one more secret though, Bakura had told during the daylight hours. When Ryou had been fast asleep in bed, fully clothed with suitcases piled around him ready to be moved. The ancient Egyptian thief watching over him in the pale morning light as he talked to the only other person in his pack he was about to abandon.

"By right I can kill you. You betrayed me, your Alpha, and by that alone you broke your promise to protect Ryou. On top of which you partook of human flesh, which you swore never to do." Bakura said, his voice soft and husky as he watched Ryou. Joey remained silent as he stared out the window. Watching as the light began to slowly become brighter.

"I know, I'm sorry Kura." Joey whispered, wishing not to wake Ryou. He had no idea why, but there were tears at the corners of his eyes. Why?

"A simple apology just isn't going to cut it this time, Joseph. I'm leaving you behind." Bakura said, and this brought Joey's head around. What? Leave him behind?

"Bakura, I-" Joey began but was cut off. Bakura had held up his hand, and to the blond's shock there were tears in his Alpha's eyes as well. A look of remorse was on his face, his shoulders slumped as he tried to keep from breaking out into sobs.

"I hate to do this to you, especially because you're so young. But by defying me and protecting Seto you declared him your mate. I don't blame you, truly I don't. I know fucking Yami had something to do it, he took something away from you before you met up with me." Bakura said, taking a breath to still his beating heart. A look of loss had come over Joey's face at being told he was being abandoned to his fate. It was never easy, breaking away from one's pack.

"Yami took away your innocence, Joseph. When you look at me you see a threat to your mate, as I do you. I'm sorry, but I just can't remain here anymore. I also have to tell you...there are no others." Bakura said, and for a moment Joey was confused. No others? What the hell?

"No other what, Kura? Now you ain't making any sense."

"No other werewolves, Joseph. Trust me, I've scoured the world four times over searching for another. Other than you and me, they don't exist. As far as I can tell, they all died out as some point. This modern world, Joseph...it isn't meant for beasts. Monsters and superstition don't rule the night anymore. Artificial light on every street corner, science explaining away all the mysteries of the world. One day, you and I too will probably disappear in time." Bakura said, his voice soft.

Joey barely heard him, it was such a blow to the gut. No others? So it had been a lie? There being packs of their kind lurking in the wilderness, pretending to be normal wolves? His breathing had grown short and ragged as he stared at his alpha in horror. Bakura seemed so sad, gazing at him. Begging him to forgive him for the lie.

"I'm so sorry, Joseph. But...I just couldn't tell you the truth. Who wants to know they are the last few dregs of their kind? I did, however, leave you one thing." Bakura whispered, taking something out of his pants pocket and pressing it into Joey's limp palm. The blond gulped, letting his fingers close around it. He felt a slight warmth emitting from it, which could only be caused by one element in this world.

Ever so gently, Joey brought the cloth wrapped object close to his face. Carefully, he unwrapped the small package. Sitting there reflecting the light was a six inch silver cross. A bit of dried blood was on it which he instantly recognized as Kaiba's. Confused, Joey looked up at his alpha who gave a sad smile.

"I bit Seto last night. I accidentally took part of his fingers in the process, but other than that he's fine. I believe he's waiting for you since he gave this small gift." Bakura said, tapping the side of the collar. Joey winced, still not used to wearing it.

"At least this way, you'll never be alone. One day, maybe, you'll see me again." Bakura said, and Joey didn't know what to say to that. He wanted to beg, get on his knees and apologize to his alpha for all he had done.

Instead, he just broke down crying in front of the older werewolf. Which happened to wake Ryou up, and when the albino heard the news he began screaming at Bakura. Joey managed to form enough coherent sentences to tell Ryou he would have decided to remain behind anyway. He had Kaiba to take care of, after all.

So, for the time being, Joey guessed as he followed his mate into the living room. He would train his Gecko how to control his temper so he wouldn't have to hide in his office all day. Teach him how to avoid the yearning to sink his fangs into every passing person. Show him the ropes of hiding one's identity among mortals.

And when the time came to move on, he would protect Seto from the world. Steal him away to a distant shore where no one could find them. Maybe, one day, he would see Alpha again. There was the possibility he was always wrong and there really were other werewolves left in the world. Who were just as scared and lonely as he was, waiting for the day they would run into another of their kind to lift the burden of being alone in this world.

But no matter what, Joey would remain by Seto's side. Take the reins of life from his hands and steer him clear of the obstacles they now faced. Protect from the proverbial storm until they sailed into clearer skies. Yes, in his own twisted way he loved the brunette. Cared for him and wished him happiness, any kind he could give to make the first century a little easier.

At the very least, Seto would not have to face life alone any longer.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I seriously wanted to start crying when I was typing this last chapter. I was taking deep breaths to keep from sobbing. I even went and grabbed my kitty! I wanted the ending to be absolutely perfect so I stayed up till almost one o'clock in the morning typing it. I stopped I don't know how many times to walk around and think about the next couple of paragraphs before I began working on Wolfshipping again. I want to thank all you wonderful people of sticking around this long for the epic conclusion of this fic! And I wish you all the best!