Not again.

Cynthia eyed her grandmother with a measure of both love and contempt.  Every day was the same routine; wake up, get water, make food, clean, get more water, cook, take care of her grandma, and think about Alex. At least, that was the regular day. 

“I need some water,” grandma said.

And I need a break.

Cynthia snatched the pail from beside the door and shoved her way outside.  What she wouldn’t give for running water, or a flush toilet like they had in the farmhouse. 

Once the door was firmly shut behind her, she punched at the air furiously while the pail dangled on the crook of her arm.  She loved her grandma but always struggled for whatever freedom she could get.  She slipped into her unlaced boots that sat beside the door and tapped the toe to the ground to make sure they were on.

Where the hell was Alex?

Oh, right, he was off driving around recruiting other wolves to help them in their fight against the bear clans.  Didn’t he say he was supposed to return today?  Today is almost over and he was pushing the limits of Cynthia’s patience.

“Great day again, eh Cyn?” her neighbor asked from his rocking chair.

She remembered herself, coughing twice and stood to her full height. 

“Always,” she replied, Always.

Cynthia started marching across the tiny town that had sprung up around the farmhouse.  Ramshackle houses flanked the one large dirt road that ran the course from the paved street straight up to the farmhouse.  A few of the wolves in the area had vehicles, but most didn’t even run, or if they did run they wouldn’t get far. 

A slight breeze blew toward the forest.  The cold wind bit at her exposed skin, making her nipples perk up under her sundress.  Her small fleshy mounds weren’t much to look at but they still got a lot of attention. 

A couple of the mutts lying around caught sight and she could tell their jeans were getting a little tighter.  There were so many new horny boys around now since the clans merged just two months ago, she could have done without them.  Still, let them watch, it’s not for them, these were for Alex. If he’d ever get back. In the meantime, she could take care of herself.

“Hey Cynthia,” shouted one of the dumber ones.

Just leave me alone.

“Wanna go for a run later?” he asked with a smile.

Yeah, but not with you.

She pushed passed without saying a word and smiled through the frustrating nonsensical flirting.  She’d found it easier to not say anything than try to say no.  They’d get tired of talking and walk away most the time, but other times they couldn’t get it through their thick skulls. 

The good news for Cynthia was that the water pump didn’t have a line so she could finish her chore quickly and with minimal harassment.  The bad news was that the idiot was still trying to flirt and wasn’t leaving her alone.

“You know, I could take you for a ride in my-”

“Listen … er” she tried to remember his name which sat on the tip of her tongue.

“Billy,” he offered.

“Billy,” she continued to work the water pump lever, which squeaked with each crank, “I already have a boyfriend so you’re barking up the wrong alley.”

“Maybe I can provide something he can’t,” he said while he furrowed his brow. 

Fucking mutts.  Cynthia returned to working the water pump so she could finish her task quickly and get back to her grandma.  She turned her face away and rolled her eyes while trying her best to ignore his advances.

“Guess I’ll just have to prove to your boyfriend why I’m the better man,” Billy suggested, starting to turn away. 

“Is that a threat?” Cynthia asked as she growled below her breath.  She was starting to get visibly upset.  First her grandmother orders her around and now this moron wants to act like an idiot?  Not today.  Today is the day Alex comes home.

“It doesn’t have to be,” he offered, “you could get smart and just come with me.”

Fuck it.  Her body reacted without thought.  She tackled Billy to the ground and punched with whatever strength she could muster.  He threw his arms up to defend himself while she furiously attacked.

The rhythmic thumping of an old truck engine echoed throughout the den.  Cynthia sat straddled atop her bloodied foe and searched the road for the source of the sound. 

Her heart fluttered with excitement as the dingy, old, off-yellow truck rounded the corner and began its journey down the dirt path leading toward the farmhouse.

In her distraction, Billy gained the upper hand. 

“You’re a lively, bitch,” he said, pushing her off and tackling her to the ground.  Rocks stabbed into her back and mud from the wet grass around the water spigot matted into her hair.  He smacked her upside the head, “If you wanna play hard then I’m always ready for you.”

He grinded his hips into her open legs and she could feel his erection through his jeans.  Gross.  She broke one of her legs free and kneed him in the dick.  He doubled over and let go of her immediately.  She took the opportunity to run toward the truck that was pulling to a stop just a few yards away. 

Alex stood as a knight in shining armor.  The setting sun cast a halo around him.  His long sleeve shirt clunk tightly to his sinewy body which was starting to fill out with new muscle.  His jeans sat loose and low on his sharp hips and his tight abs peeked out from above.  He was barely out the passenger door when Cynthia tackled him to the ground.

She straddled him tightly, her legs wrapped around his hips. 

“Whoa,” Alex said, falling into the dry dirt road, “is it my birthday?” 

He had such a genuine smile and it was by far one of his best features.  His dimpled cheeks would highlight his skinny face and his vibrant green eyes were always warm and inviting.  His normally short hair was starting to grow out just a little longer than he would have liked but Cynthia thought it gave him a rugged, disheveled look.

  “Help,” Cynthia whispered into his ear, motioning towards Billy with her head.

Alex saw the bruised and battered wolf pulling himself up to his feet while still cupping at his crotch.  Alex laughed quietly to himself.

“Did you kick him in the nuts?” he asked.

Cynthia widened her eyes and nodded slightly.

“Did he deserve it?”

“Absolutely,” she whispered.  She pushed herself off Alex and stood over him with her arms around her waist.  Her sun dress billowed in the wind, giving Alex a full view of what waited for him beneath.  Her tiny black panties were already a little moist.

Alex shot back to his feet and glared at Billy who was starting his way toward the duo.

Kick his ass, Alex.

“I’m still talking to you!” Billy shouted.

“No, you’re talking to me,” Alex growled, “Cynthia is my girl.”

Billy lowered his head and raised his fists, readying himself for a fight. 

Alex laughed and nonchalantly walked toward Billy.

“You’re new around here, right?” Alex asked, “You should stop this before you get yourself hurt.”

Billy threw a punch and Alex twisted to dodge but wasn’t fast enough.  The punch hit him in the rib.  Another fist soared and found Alex’s face.  Alex clutched at this cheek but his eyes narrowed with rage.  Alex balled up his fist and threw a punch that caught Billy just under the jaw. 

Billy reeled back, dazed from the strike, and fell to his back shaking his head. 

Serves him right.  Cynthia threw her arms around her devoted protector while he clutched at his injured rib.

“Guess I didn’t need to intervene after all,” Connor shouted from the farmhouse porch. 

“It wouldn’t have hurt,” Alex said as he spat out a tooth that landed beside his defeated foe. 

Cynthia gushed.  Not only was Alex back but he’d saved her from another dumb mutt that couldn’t keep it in his pants.  Her body pulsed with excitement.  She wanted Alex more than anything else, and she wanted him right now. 

“Come on, Dinner’s ready.  You should come too, Cynthia,” Connor added.

Dammit, not now.  She needed to jump on top of Alex and ride him until sunrise.  Cynthia stood behind her man and kissed at his neck.

“We could provide something else for you to eat,” she whispered in his ear.

Alex gulped.

“Come on son,” Alex’s father said, “let’s eat.”

“I think I’m going to-”

“Your sister put in the time to cook, and you’re going to eat it,” he added, cutting Alex off.

Cynthia groaned.  Her body was on fire and there was only one thing on her mind that could put her out. 

Alex sighed heavily which only meant one thing.

“Let’s go, Cyn,” he said.

Shit.

When all eyes were off the duo, she grabbed at his crotch.  His bulging package pressed against his belt and screamed for attention.  He shuddered when she removed her hand.

“Let’s get this over with quick,” she whispered in his ear.  Cynthia started her way toward the farmhouse then stopped.

Stupid.

She smacked herself in the forehead before snatching the bucket of water from the pump and kicking Billy lightly in the side as she strode away.  She knew Alex couldn’t take his eyes off her and she made sure he knew what he was missing.  Her hips swayed and her dress belled back and forth.  She bent over further than was necessary as she sat the pail by her own front door.

“Water, grandma,” she said.

Alex waited on the farmhouse porch and she stepped quickly to join him. 

“Dumb bitch,” she heard Billy groan from behind.  Cynthia didn’t care.  He was a loser.  Plus, she was ready to make sure she would have her winner later.