Chapter Twelve
Asher stood in the doorway of his hut. Behind him, Caleb slept soundly on the new bed that Asher had built and installed. He'd been able to stuff an old tarp with straw and then layered as many furs as he had on top. The result probably wouldn't sell for much in the stores, but his tiny mate seemed happy enough. Though, that could have been from the orgasms Asher had given him. After his first blow job, Asher had been eager to give him a second. They'd taken a break for dinner and to bring the bed inside, then it was right between his legs again. His lover couldn't get enough of it and Asher couldn't get enough of him. His own cock was likely to have an imprint of his pants pressed into it at this point. Today was about his mate. There would be other days that were about Asher.
Caleb was still confused and Asher hated any moment where there was distrust in his eyes. He wanted his mate to trust him implicitly. In fact, his survival in the woods would depend on that trust, but Asher would have to earn it. If earning it was as fun as the day's events, he wouldn't mind that task.
Asher had fallen asleep wrapped around Caleb. He would have been content staying that way well into the next day except sometime in the very early morning hours one of the wolves had growled quietly, waking him. He'd done a scan of the perimeter but had found nothing out of the ordinary. Instinct had the hair on the back of his neck rising. Asher wouldn't be alive now if he hadn't learned to trust his instinct long ago.
He looked out at the woods to the right, past the work area. Anyone arriving from the left would have to slop through the garden, an open area without a lot of cover. Anyone coming from the front would have to swim through the lake. Asher was certain if there was an intruder, they would approach from the right.
He'd had a lot of time to imagine an invasion scenario. In his first few years, he thought about it a lot, fearing retribution for what he had done. The fact that since then, no one had even so much as stumbled within a three-mile radius of his home had put him at ease. A handful of times forest animals would wander through, though the deer and elk in the area were smart to give his home a wide berth.
Asher trusted the wolves as he would a member of his pack. More than, he thought bitterly.
His trust was rewarded when he heard a branch snap from the direction of his work area. The wolves, who had gathered behind him, took off silently in the direction of the noise. They separated, one going straight while the other two would most likely circle around and approach from the sides. Asher had seen them approach a prey in this formation before when they had hunted together. Asher would have joined them if he didn't have Caleb to protect. What if he left Caleb and someone came from the back?
Asher could guess who would be up here at this time of night and although it showed uncharacteristic tenacity for a coyote, he didn't appreciate the fact that the shifter even thought he could sneak into his home. He looked into the darkness with a grim expression. This coyote would likely die for his daring.
A shot rang out, disturbing the nesting birds and Asher's mate. Caleb jerked up, looking around the room madly. He found Asher and relaxed a fraction. His blue eyes were wide and his skin seemed paler than normal. Asher put his finger to his lips and waited. Moments later, there was a symphony of growls. The wolves used the element of surprise and had the body down quickly, judging from the dull thud. The pack returned, telltale blood covering their muzzles.
"Did they?" Caleb asked quietly from beside him.
Asher lifted Caleb and carried him back to the bed. "Stay here, please," Asher said, speaking both to the wolves and his mate.
He crept out into the darkness, carefully scanning the area. When he was sure there wasn't a second intruder he circled around back to the body. The coyote had reverted to his animal form, as shifters do when they die. He almost looked like he was sleeping, if it wasn't for the stain of red at his throat and back legs. He'd been carrying a pack with him that was now resting on the ground beside they body.
Asher would be sure to bury him far away in the morning but for now it was enough to see that he was dead and could no longer hurt them. Asher was confident that the wolves would not have attacked a non-aggressive intruder. He couldn't ignore what this meant for their future though. Now that his home had been discovered once, it would be discovered again. He would have to up the security.
"What is that next to him?" Caleb asked, clutching a tree like he would fall over if he didn't.
"I told you to stay back," Asher said, stomping back to him and blocking his view of the body. "You don't need to see this."
Caleb rolled his eyes, the wolf in Asher begged to put him in his place. "I am young, not naive."
"So, death doesn't bother you?"
Caleb switched his weight to his other foot, pushing his body away from the tree as if just to prove that he could. "No. Not at all."
"Well it should. Death is unavoidable but it should be looked at with respect. You respect those you kill either by using parts of an animal you have hunted or by respecting the body of an enemy. I am bothered by this. I don't enjoy it, Caleb and neither should you."
He'd been too harsh, had felt that even before he stopped speaking, but he didn't like Caleb's cavalier reaction and more than that, he hated that death was anywhere near his mate, even if it was in the form of someone else's.
"I've-never seen a body. A dead body I mean."
Well that was a relief. "And you won't see this one, stay there. If you've moved from that tree before I get back I will spank your ass." He wanted to spank him already for disobeying him. He had a different punishment in mind for his little mate though. If Caleb moved while Asher drug the body away, a spanking would definitely be added on top.
Luckily for Caleb's sweet bottom, he was still clutching the tree trunk when Asher returned.
"What did you do?"
"I pulled it away and up a tree where it will hopefully be safe until I can bury it tomorrow."
"He left that," Caleb pointed to a backpack on the ground. He probably would have already looked through it if he hadn't been busy obeying.
Asher spotted the coyote's gun on the ground in front of him and picked it up, sliding the remaining bullets out and into the pack. He hung the pack on his shoulder and dipped down to pick up his mate. Ignoring Caleb's shrieks and claims that he could walk, he carried him back to the cabin. The wolves were outside and would remain there on guard for the rest of the night. They were a cautious bunch. Good for Asher since he had something else on his mind. He dropped the backpack just inside the doorway and then carried his mate back to the bed. Depositing him softly on the bed, he tended to the small fire in the room, coaxing it large enough to warm up the space and to provide light. Asher wanted to see this. He turned to Caleb who watched him cautiously.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Caleb asked.
He likely saw the predatory dominance that Asher fought to keep in check. He wanted to teach his mate how to survive in the forest, not frighten him. He also wanted to teach him the pleasures his body could endure. Knowing that his mate was untouched sent a shock wave through him. It also filled him with a profound sense of responsibility.
"You didn't listen. Just now when I instructed you to stay and earlier when I told you not to move."
Caleb's face scrunched up in confusion. "I get just now but earlier? What are you…Oh! During the um, bl—private time?"
"When I sucked your dick." Asher enjoyed his sweet mate's blush.
"How do you expect me to not move during that? Impossible! Besides, there wasn't a reason I couldn't. Just you getting off on telling me what to do." Caleb seemed to realize what he was saying after he spoke. His eyes widened and he snapped his mouth shut.
Asher turned to gather what he would need. Just one thing. A rope. Caleb looked at it with intelligent distrust. "What are you going to do with that?"
"Nothing you won't enjoy, eventually." Asher sat down on the edge of the bed and set the rope on the floor to help calm his mate. "Come here." He held out his hand and despite his best interest, Caleb took it immediately. Asher cradled him, checking his body to see how his injuries were healing. Most of the cuts and bites were healed by now. The one on his upper thigh was the worst and even it was on its way to healing. His leg was healing at an impressive rate, fast even for shifter standards. He would be unharmed by what Asher had planned.
Asher lifted his face up and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Caleb moaned softly, his hand reaching up to grasp Asher's shoulder. Caleb may argue with him at every pass, but he couldn't deny what their touch did to the other. He nuzzled his face against Asher's chest, pressing light, sweet kisses against his skin. His sweet, loving mate.
Asher reached down and picked up the rope. Caleb tensed. "Shh, boy. Do you trust me?"
"For some stupid reason, yes."
Asher tsked and went in for another kiss. When he pulled back, he gave him a short nip on his bottom lip. He picked Caleb up and laid him down on the bed, making sure no part of him was against anything bumpy or poky. Asher pulled Caleb's clothes off. He would have liked to rip them off, with his claws preferably, but they didn't have many clothes up here and his mate seemed so fond of being dressed. Maybe he could persuade him away from that habit.
Caleb allowed himself to be undressed, docile in his movements, stretching out his arms or legs as needed. When all was done, he laid on his back, his erection bobbing above his stomach with every short breath.
"Relax, baby."
"I am relaxed," Caleb said, his voice trembling with desire. "I'm just horny as hell."
Asher growled deep in his chest. "You've had your first blow job."
"Like fifty of them," Caleb replied, his blue eyes looked glassy, reflecting the fire's flames.
"And you have never been kissed here?" Asher asked, lifting Caleb's legs together, pushing his knees to his chest. He let his fingers dip down to Caleb's hole and his mate hissed, attempting to shoot up off the bed again.
"Never," he cried out while trying to thrust down.
Asher's heart swelled. He'd be able to give Caleb another first. But before that, he needed to teach him an important lesson. He allowed Caleb's legs to fall back down and he gripped his hard cock, stroking it lightly. "You did not do as I said, Caleb. I told you to stay here. What would have happened if you had run out and someone was waiting in the forest between us?" As he spoke, he worked his mate into a frenzy, gently touching his cock without ever grasping it firmly the way he liked.
"There wasn't," Caleb replied insolently.
Asher let go. "Is this a game to you?"
Caleb cried out in frustration. "No. It isn't. I don't like feeling like you are talking down to me though."
Asher's hand returned to Caleb's rigid dick. Honesty would always be rewarded. "I'm not talking down to you, but I do expect you to listen to my instruction. Whether it is me telling you to keep still, or telling you to stay back, I need to know you will listen. If I worry, I will make mistakes." He stroked Caleb nearly as hard as he wanted and his hips shot up, humping his hand with abandon. Asher smiled but shook his head. "So disobedient," he murmured pulling away he ignored Caleb's cries to keep going and slid the rope under his mate's body. His movements were quick and efficient. Using a simple looping technique, he knotted Caleb's legs up over his chest, putting his hole on proud display.
"What are you doing?" Caleb squeaked.
"You need only to tell me to stop and I will immediately. Always know that, mate. Or, you can trust me and let me show you how good your body can feel."
Caleb bit his lip and nodded.
"You need to breathe." At Asher's reminder, Caleb sucked in a lungful of air. "Keep your hands to your sides or I will tie those up too," Asher warned as he bent down to the sweet treat being offered before him. He blew out a solid warm breath and his mate squirmed.
"I need to touch myself," Caleb said.
Asher pulled his weight up, towering over his mate. "No," he said simply and Caleb pouted. "Just feel me, baby. Feel my mouth and my hands." He bent back down to Caleb's hole and began licking slowly.
Caleb's moans intensified with each swipe of Asher's tongue. When he added a single finger, Caleb tried jerking his hips and found himself utterly unable to move. He was bound and at the mercy of Asher's mouth. Lucky for him, Caleb's pleasure was Asher's pleasure. He needed to only learn to trust his mate to supply him with the pleasure his body demanded.
Caleb's hands clenched the fur blanket, squeezing the material through his fingers so tightly his knuckles turned white only to release, moan loudly and then squeeze again.
He tasted so amazing and was being so obedient, Asher could barely contain himself. He sat down on his bottom and lifted the bottom half of his mate up off the mattress, pressing Caleb's sweet entrance firmly against his face. Asher feasted and listened to his mate's cry of pleasure. His cries reached a fever pitch and then with a mighty shudder, Caleb came. His liquid splattered against his own chest and slid up. Asher set his lover down and pulled the knot to release his legs. Immediately, Caleb stretched his limbs like a cat.
"You weren't even touching me there and I came. That has never happened before either."
Asher grabbed a small piece of cloth and cleaned his mate's body. He intended on giving Caleb many more firsts.