Paw Mark
Sitting at the head of their long dinner table, Lasci waited for his brothers to calm down. Johnathan had set the dinner table with several different dishes, and the brothers had their drink of choice.
The conversations finally all reduced to a murmur, and Lasci could speak.
“Now that it is quiet let me just say,” Lasci stood, his usual slick-backed black hair hanging loose, framing his golden-tinged brown eyes, “Now that our brother is home, we are complete. Libidi, it took four years for you to come back again, and you have appeared to come back a stronger, more mature wolf. Welcome home, brother!”
Everyone yelled out, practically howling in celebration, and a few were even wearing the party hats Tener had insisted on adding to the party.
Lasci’s brother Libidi smiled and raised his beer in acknowledgment, “It's great to be home, and first, I want to say thanks for all the support this family has given. I missed everyone one of you because, well, I’m sure I did for some reason or another.”
They all laughed. Even Lasci was able to crack a grin.
“Second, Johnathan, I’m happy to be home to your cooking. It was hell trying to fend for myself, but I did it, and I pray I don’t have to taste another rabbit raw ever again.”
Amorous snickered and laughed gently, still slightly sore, “Just wait until the moon is full. You won't have a choice then, brother.”
Several brothers laughed, and Libidi smiled as he nodded, “This is true! Let me rephrase that. I hope that while I am on TWO legs, I will never have to taste raw rabbit again!”
Again they all laughed out loud, Tener slapping Libidi on the back while clinking beers.
Even though they were wolves at heart, their preference for food was geared more toward the human pallet.
“And lastly, again, to all my brothers, and Johnathan, I hope that you stay safe, “ Libidi gave Amourus a pointed look and continued, “live well and start a family of your own so that you can have wonderful moments like this.”
Lasci rolled his eyes but smiled while others hooted and hollered in agreement.
Lasci shifted in his chair, “Good, now that we’ve alerted the neighbors to a house of wolves, let’s eat!”
Everyone started putting food on their plates while Johnathan retrieved stuff from the kitchen as needed.
The conversations filled the large dining room and echoed off the hardwood floor while a soft warmth came from an old stone fireplace.
Lasci was about to bite into a roasted duck that had been cooked just yesterday when Libidi spoke, “So, the female upstairs, is she a local?”
The Alpha groaned, setting his fork full of meat on the plate, “Can we not discuss her at the moment? It’s been a long day, as you must know.”
Prurien cut into the conversation, “Did Tener and Johnathan not tell you?”
Libidi looked at Prurien and shook his head.
“They wouldn’t say much other than they had to buy some special female things and that there was an injured woman in Lasci’s bed from the accident.”
Lasci took a deep breath, “She is injured, and Prurien was supposed to have a room prepared for her,” he turned to his beta, “but I don’t suppose you’ve had time yet for that?” Lasci lifted his eyebrow questioningly.
“No, not as of yet. Tener had texted me asking for decorations to be done since he and Johnathan had to pick up Libidi, so I was occupied with that. We have five unoccupied rooms, but several contain boxes and unused gym equipment. I know one is being used as Pru’s office. I will get one cleared by tomorrow. You can have my room, and I will bunk with Amorous for the night.”
Lasci nodded, “Keep her on the second floor, so she has a bathroom. I will have a new bed delivered tomorrow.”
Prurien nodded and took a sip of wine as Lasci finally took a bite of meat from his fork.
The evening happened just like an ordinary one, before Libidi left, four years ago.
Food was finished, and drinking games began, so Prurien ushered the three youngest brothers and Johnathan into their den, where leather couches sat around a huge tv, and a pool table nearby begged to be played. Lasci didn’t join them but decided to get some work done. He figured he could work at his desk in the bedroom while the young woman slept.
Heading up to his bedroom, Lasci smiled to himself. Even though all the brothers would leave a disaster for Johnathan and Prurien to clean up, they at least were together.
Gently opening the bedroom door, he could see Purity facing the balcony, asleep on the bed. Once the door was closed quietly behind him, Lasci headed for his desk. It sat across from the bed, next to the bathroom door, but he stopped before reaching it. He noticed Purity’s back was uncovered, so he could see the long shirt had become bunched up to her waist, and her naked bottom was peeking out from under it.
Still trying to be quiet, he walked over slowly and grabbed the comforter to cover her. He got distracted, however, when he noticed the tiny pawprint on the back of her thigh, right in the scoop where it met her butt. He wanted to inspect further, but he wasn’t sure he could keep himself from touching her. He practically ripped the blankets over her, hurried to his desk, and sat in the chair so fast that it fell back with him in it.
Letting out a loud oomph when he fell, he stayed there a moment on his back, wondering if he had woken Purity.
She rolled over and sat up sleepily, confused.
“Hmm?”
Looking around, she couldn’t see what made the sound until Lasci stood straight up, making her jump.
“Oh! It’s you. What was that sound?”
Lasci casually lifted the back of his chair with his foot setting it straight up before responding, “Noise? I didn’t hear anything.”
He watched as she looked at him confused and then laid back down. So, assuming she was falling back to sleep, Lasci sat more gently in his chair facing the desk and opened his laptop.
“May I have a drink of water, please?”
Looking from his laptop to the bed, he noticed she sat back up, “Sure, I will get Johnathan to bring some up.”
Pulling out his cell phone, he called Johnathan, but there was no answer, so he decided to try Prurien, whom he was sure was still sober.
“Yes, brother, what do you need?”
“Have Johnathan bring up some water for our injured guest.”
He heard Prurien chuckle, so the answer was probably no.
“I would love to, but unfortunately, he is currently playing twister, drunk, with Tener and Libidi. I am afraid he may lose this one and then not be of good company. I will go ahead and bring it up in just a minute. I am helping the youngest drunk idiot to the couch.”
Lasci took a deep breath, irritated but said, “Fine, thanks,” and hung up.
“Everything okay? I can just drink the tea if you want.”
Lasci looked at her and shook his head, “You’re fine. It will just be a few minutes. In the meantime, I can get you a cup from the sink in the bathroom, but it’s not as good as the filtered water.”
“That sounds okay. I don’t mind water from a faucet.”
Lasci nodded and went to get her a cup of water from the bathroom sink. He had given in to the fact he probably won't get any work done while she was awake.
Bringing her the cup and realizing he had filled it pretty full, he was careful, staring intently at the water slosh around. Then, without realizing what was about to happen, he heard Purity say, “Watch out for the bag!”
The word bag came too late, and he tripped over it on the floor by the bed. Then, trying hard not to spill the water, he suddenly landed on top of Purity, spilling water anyway while crushing her into the headboard.