Hungry Heart - Book #2 - Ch. 23 (Patreon)

Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight / Chapter Nine / Chapter Ten / Chapter Eleven / Chapter Twelve / Chapter Thirteen / Chapter Fourteen / Chapter Fifteen / Chapter Sixteen / Chapter Seventeen / Chapter Eighteen / Chapter Nineteen / Chapter Twenty / Chapter Twenty-One / Chapter Twenty-Two 

Chapter Twenty-Three – What Your Heart Tells You

The air of morning always brought with it the promise of new and exciting things. Duril stirred the contents of the pot he used for making a bit of herbal tea. Unlike the unforgiving middle of the day, the dawn was still a bit chilly and it would serve them well to have something warm in their bellies before packing and heading out to complete the last leg of their journey before reaching The Quiet Woods.

Everyone else was still asleep, their chests rising and falling with steady peaceful breathing. Toru had insisted on sleeping between Varg and Claw, just to tease them, but, in the middle of the night, he had snuck by Duril’s side, claiming that the others were keeping him way too warm. Duril had said nothing, too sleepy to tease Toru, and snuggled into his lover’s embrace from behind; held in that furnace-like hug for the rest of the night.

He had extracted himself from the tiger’s loving arms with some difficulty, but, in the end, he had managed to do so without waking up the sleeping beauty. Duril gazed upon that face he knew and loved so well, lost in reverie. How lonely had he been before? Few had been the moments when he had indulged in self-pity while contemplating his own fate, empty of another’s touch.

And now, he had so much, so many people caring for him. Fate was a fickle thing, after all. So Duril intended to hold onto everyone he held dear with every ounce of his heart and soul.

Behind them lay the Great Barren. He knew that a part of him would always remain there and he was very aware that the connection he had with that place would never be severed or tainted, whatever the future had in store for them.

But the road ahead tugged at the strings of his heart more than he cared to admit. Had he turned into an adventurer, someone without roots? Duril pondered for a few moments over the changes in his heart. Had he truly felt at home in Whitekeep? Few people had shown him kindness. They did matter, after all. Not that he hadn’t wept at the sight of the place in ruins, because he had, but the knowledge that it was in his power to build a new and different home on his own terms had surpassed the sorrow, allowing it to settle like leaves on the ground at the bottom of his heart.

He let the fire wane as steam rose from the pot. Soon, he would have to wake up everyone and their laughter and loud voices would fill the morning air. The time for dragging out the past and mulling over it was gone, and he didn’t regret it, not one bit.

He brushed a bit of dust from his apron and walked over to Toru. It was so easy to love someone like that, someone who could look so peaceful in slumber, and yet so fierce while awake. “Hey, Toru, wake up,” he called softly.

Toru scrunched up his nose in his sleep but refused to open his eyes. It looked like a less gentle approach was required. Duril smiled and pinched the tigershifter’s cheek. “Come on, I have breakfast ready.”

Toru’s nostrils flared, in an attempt, without a doubt, to detect the smell of food.

“Come on, you big kitty, you cannot sleep all day. We might have to leave without you.”

At that, Toru’s eyes opened suddenly and he gave Duril a hot stare. “I’m not a kitty,” he retorted.

“Is that really the thing that bothered you out of everything I said?”

“Claw and Varg like to tease me, calling me a kitty. But you’re not mean like them,” Toru replied.

“They’re not mean.” Duril brushed Toru’s hair away from his eyes. “You shouldn’t be bothered by their calling you that. We’re the only ones who know this sweet part of you.”

That seemed to convince Toru. He smiled. “Then you should call me that, from now on.”

Duril caressed his cheek and laughed. “I might get into that habit, and it wouldn’t always be a good thing. For example, when we meet strangers they should recognize you for the mighty tiger you are, and not as someone who is spoiled rotten by the people who love him.”

Toru grinned in delight and even stuck the tip of his tongue through his teeth. “Spoiled rotten? That’s almost not true at all. Only just this minute you wanted to leave without me because I didn’t want to wake up and drink tea.”

“Ah, so you were awake,” Duril said and pulled Toru’s ear playfully. “There are some leftovers from dinner that we can have with the tea I just prepared.”

That appeared enough to motivate the tigershifter to stretch and yawn, and then rise to his feet. “Look, Claw and Varg are still sleeping,” he pointed out. “Couldn’t you have woke me up last?”

“They’ll be much easier to convince, I’m sure,” Duril replied.

“Let me do it,” Toru said with determination and strode over to their sleeping companions. He stopped for a moment, poised over Claw and Varg, hovering for a moment. Duril realized too late what the naughty tiger wanted to do.

“We’re under attack!” Toru suddenly bellowed. “The horde is coming!”

Claw and Varg jumped to their feet, ready for battle, and it took them a few confusing moments to realize that they had just been played. Toru’s cheeks were streaked with tears of laughter, and he was slapping his knees while roaring and having the time of his life.

“That’s it, kitty,” Varg growled and shifted so fast that Duril took a step back.

Toru toppled over in an instant, with the wolf landing on his chest, pinning him to the ground. As expected, the tiger shifted, too, and soon there were bits of fur flying through the air, and growls that would have put the fear of doom into the hearts of anyone witnessing the scene, save for those who knew the two combatants well.

“Don’t you feel tempted to join in?” Duril asked Claw, who was taking in the fight between Toru and Varg with a broad grin on his face.

“I’m a bit too old to be playing like that. When I wake up, I’d rather enjoy a few quiet moments first before jumping into the heat of a new day.”

“Then I guess you don’t mind joining me for a cup of tea while those two finish settling their differences,” Duril suggested.

“I would like that,” Claw said courteously.

Ignoring the two brawlers, they sat by the fire, and Duril handed Claw a cup and then poured one for himself. “You know,” Duril began, “I’ve always wondered how an adventurer like you came to have such pleasant manners.”

Claw chuckled and cradled the hot cup between his large hands. “One learns.”

Duril looked over his shoulder at Toru and Varg who were still fighting, but more and more playfully. “Some need more time than others, I venture to say,” he replied with a small laugh.

“I’ve dealt a lot with merchants in my time,” Claw started. “While I never cared for their sycophantic ways, I realized quickly that a tactful approach had its merits more often than not.”

“We learn even from those we don’t believe we have something to learn from, right?” Duril said pensively.

“Yes, you are right,” Claw confirmed. “Now, what did you say about that breakfast?”

“Ah, so you heard me talking to Toru,” Duril said with a small smile.

“Yes, but I like to watch them playing,” Claw confirmed and gestured with his chin at the two rambunctious friends who were now nuzzling each other’s noses, after having shifted into their humans several moments ago.

***

“You know I could beat you if I wanted to,” Toru growled. His protests had turned into small purrs as Varg teased his jawline with kisses.

“I don’t know about that, kitty.” Varg took hold of his ear but didn’t nibble at it. “Duril must be thinking that we really don’t want any breakfast.”

“Speak for yourself. I want breakfast very much.” Still, it was pleasant to let Varg think he could overpower him like that. It allowed them both to enjoy the closeness of their bodies and their warmth.

“Then let’s not keep them waiting. I think they are already eyeing us like parents who cannot believe their children still don’t understand that there’s a time for everything.”

“Like eating each other’s ears?” Toru said and took advantage of Varg’s lack of attention to finally exact some punishment of his own. He sank his teeth hard into the wolfshifter’s ear and pulled at it.

“Ouch! Kitty! You’re going to rip my ear off!”

Toru let go of it, but not without reluctance. “One day, I’ll get it, just so you know.”

“I don’t understand why everyone wants a piece of me,” Varg said lightly, while a small secretive smile passed over his lips.

Toru narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that? Who else wants a piece of you?”

Varg pushed himself to his feet and offered Toru his hand to hike him up, too. “Weren’t you hungry? And I know you’re not the type to refuse Duril’s cooking, even if it’s cold and from yesterday.”

That was enough to get him moving. However, he still wanted to get to the bottom of all the secrets that appeared to live inside Varg’s head lately, ever since Claw had joined them. Toru would have thought that the stern bearshifter would be more inclined to play with him, or even with Duril, and less with the hard rock Varg was. Still, it appeared that others were perfectly capable of seeing the wolfshifter for the tender creature he knew him to be, despite his gruff appearance.

He didn’t mind it at all, but his curiosity was far from being satisfied after witnessing those moments between the two. Maybe he would ask Claw about it all later; that would shed some light on why Varg felt so shy. That had to be it. Toru only needed to bide his time.

***

They were all, once more, gathered around a fire, with the clear intention in their hearts of following the call of the road. Varg examined his road companions one by one. Each of them had changed lately, and for the good if anyone were to ask him for his opinion. Claw was stronger now, a fuller being than the bear they had found under the house of merchants in Shroudharbor. Toru’s golden skin was darker, and his eyes shone with new lights, not all of them as playful as before, but deeper and wiser. One of them had to shine for Demophios, the ancient snake that had been with them for such a little while, guiding their steps through the desert when they needed it the most. Another was lit for Duril, as it must have always been, ever since the two had met in Whitekeep. This light was fiercer, too, and held shades in it, now that Toru had known the pain of loss, but also the joy of finding the same one he had lost and winning him back.

And there was a light for him. He knew, deep down in his heart, that Toru loved him. The connection they shared was tinted with red, a sign of the passion moving between them. Sometimes, he tended to think in colors, Varg mused and felt laughter swell inside his chest. Duril sat by Claw’s right and had Toru by his other side, the tigershifter leaning his head against the healer’s shoulder and casting loving looks at him.

Varg sat across from Claw, so their eyes often met over the waning fire. The tea prepared by Duril settled like healing in their bellies, giving them strength and courage to face a new day and a new adventure.

And still, the same question lingered in the air as the morning was giving way for the afternoon sun to unleash its merciless power over their heads. Varg knew not to ask it, not until the moment was ripe, and although he thought he knew the answer to it, he didn’t dare to raise it again.

However, Toru had no such obstacles preventing his young mind from asking whatever he wanted, without second thoughts. “Will you be coming with us, Claw?”

The bear laughed softly. “Where do you want me to come with you, kitty?”

“All over the world. You heard Duril. We are going to save it, and don’t you want to be a part of that?”

“That sounds quite tempting. And my heart tells me that I should stick with you, amazing friends, now that I have found you,” Claw replied.

“Then it’s easy. You just need to do what your heart tells you,” Toru said promptly.

The bearshifter sighed and took a moment to look at everyone. His gaze lingered when it reached Varg, wise, but also loving. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s reach The Quiet Woods first. While I would very much like to join you in your adventures, my heart also yearns for the place of my birth and childhood.”

Toru remained pensive for a little while upon hearing the bearshifter’s words. “I don’t have such a place,” he said, his voice a combination of longing, anger, and anxiety.

“You have your place with your friends now, and that’s all that matters,” Claw replied before Varg or Duril had a chance to intervene and bring peace to his young heart.

“It’s true,” Toru admitted. “And there’s room for you, too, especially now that you and Varg got together like that.”

Claw chuckled. “You’re not going to let us forget about it, are you?”

“No. You shouldn’t forget about it. Because Varg really likes you. And we like you, too.”

“Are you speaking for your Duril, too?”

“Sure thing I speak for him,” Toru said like it was a natural thing to admit that.

Duril shrugged off the golden head only so that he could flick him over his ear teasingly. “Although I don’t remember surrendering my ability of speech to this naughty tiger here, I can say it, with all my heart, as well, Claw. You are more than welcome to join us, and I do believe that together we will be even stronger. The adventures awaiting us ahead are bound to put us on the path of danger more often than not, but I believe you’re not one to refuse a challenge or step back when your bravery is put to the test.”

“The puppy told me as much,” Claw said. “Not in so many flattering words, for sure, but he took care to let me know that I might not get a moment of peace once I decide to join you.”

“We’ll let you sleep,” Toru intervened. “I can’t say that the mutt will do the same, though…”

Varg laughed and threw a small pebble at the naughty tiger. “Stop scaring Claw. Is this how you are planning to convince him that it would be good to join us?”

“You’re right. The mutt will let you sleep, Claw,” Toru promised solemnly. “I’ll take care of him by sleeping right on top of his chest. He won’t be able to move a finger.”

“Only to tickle you,” Varg threatened playfully. “And are you sure you’re going to leave Duril by himself all night? Night after night?” He said the words slowly, eyeing Toru and his amusing reactions.

“Maybe I’ll tie you up before we go to sleep. Then you won’t be able to attack me with your tickling either,” Toru said, quite satisfied at having found a solution to keep Varg from Claw through the night.

Claw interrupted their banter with his sonorous laugh. “What if I don’t want to be left alone at night?”

Varg grinned as Toru’s mouth dropped open in surprise. “Then I can spar with you at night. I don’t like sleeping a lot when the moon is up.”

“And yet, you’ll be sleeping,” Duril said and pulled him close by the shoulders. “We will all be on our best behavior, regardless of whether Claw wants to be bothered or not. We’ll have time for, um, other activities,” he added and choked a little on his words, “when rest is not so dearly required.”

“Is there something in your throat?” Toru asked and began patting Duril on the back, almost making him topple forward.

“No, but you might have made one of my lungs move from its place,” Duril said and laughed, straightening up.

Varg shook his head with mirth. Their group was one of a kind and among the most playful bunch he had met in a very long time. Duril might have to amend his plans of having everyone on their best behavior at night.

***

The desert lay once again in front of them. They were on the move, but maybe they had become friends with this merciless sun because their skin could take its blessings better, and they no longer moved like they had rocks tied to their feet.

“How long until we reach The Quiet Woods?” Toru asked in the impatient manner of young people.

“We still have some road to walk in front of us, kitty,” Claw replied. “But I can make our journey easier by telling you more about the place.”

“Tell us, yes, tell us,” Toru encouraged him.

Duril was just as eager to hear about it, and he could tell by how Varg slightly turned his head that he wanted to learn as much as he could about The Quiet Woods.

“Are they really that quiet? Why are they called that?” Toru began his rain of questions.

“Compared to other places, you could say that,” Claw replied. “Even the humans who sometimes settle there have a way of life that doesn’t go against the ancient rhythm of the forest.”

“It sounds like paradise,” Duril said. “After traveling through the Great Barren for so long, our eyes might have trouble adjusting to a place like that.”

“Are there a lot of shadows? Does the sun reach the ground? Or is it a very dark forest?” Toru asked.

“There is sun, and there is shadow, like everywhere else. But that doesn’t make it a place like others,” Claw continued. “You won’t find rivers as crystalline as its rivers if you walk all over Eawirith.”

“Is there a lot of food? Meat?” Toru’s eyes were shining with excitement.

It looked like someone was hoping for more than spider leg stew and fried lizards, Duril noticed with a smile of his own.

“A lot,” Claw confirmed. “And sweet, sweet honey.”

Toru scrunched up his nose. “I don’t want honey. I want meat!”

“Talk to us about how you lived there,” Duril gave Claw a friendly nudge. “Who were your friends? What about that witch you mentioned?”

Toru, while still appearing not at all convinced about the amount of food available in The Quiet Woods, chose to remain silent and listen to the bearshifter and his stories.

“If they’re still around, I might introduce you to them. But we should be on our way, and leave stories for the times when we need something to make us sleepy.”

Duril understood what was happening inside Claw’s heart at that very moment. The closer they got to The Quiet Woods, the more the longing in his heart grew. Maybe there were other ways to put the bearshifter’s strong heart at ease.

***

They knew they had to walk for a few more days and nights to reach their destination. Around them, the desert was changing its face, and the dunes now made room for flatter patches of sand, through which, snaking like fingers fanning out from a point of origin they still couldn’t see, clumps of small bushes and grass appeared.

“It appears that we must settle for the naked sky as the roof above our heads tonight,” Duril announced.

Toru shrugged. “That’s how I like it best. Do we still have enough wood to make a fire?”

Claw had been adamant about having enough firewood with them, and he had carried it on his back, tied with improvised rope made from the bark of the trees that had been so plentiful in the oasis they had left only a couple of days ago.

Given that they had been walking relentlessly for two days and nights, it was a fine thing to take a break. Toru had spoken quietly to Duril about the apparent restlessness that gripped Claw for a while, and the healer had told him about why that happened. No one wanted Claw to be in pain over being so close to his home, and yet still not there.

That was the reason why Toru had decided what to do as soon as everyone was asleep. Maybe he wasn’t that good with words, but he knew how to use his body to show what his heart told him was right and good.

And right and good now meant that Varg should no longer shy away from showing his affection for Claw, and that they could all be together.

He pretended to be his usual self while enjoying the dinner put together by Duril and Varg, who both had excellent skills when it came to cooking, no matter how little food was left, and how harsh the conditions were.

Once more, the fire was dying out, and they were sleeping around it, their heads full of dreams. But Toru didn’t feel like sleeping tonight, not when he knew that Claw might just decide that living in The Quiet Woods was a much more desirable future for him than joining their group in their adventures. So, this was one of their last chances to spend time together, not as separate people that would soon part ways.

He pushed against Duril’s shoulder gently. “Hey,” he called out in a whisper.

The healer opened his eyes and smiled. “Not sleepy just yet?”

“Admit it, you weren’t sleeping either.”

“Not that I could, not with you fidgeting so much. What’s on your mind?” Duril asked.

Toru moved closer until his and Duril’s noses touched. “Claw might not come with us after he sees his home.”

“It’s true,” Duril confirmed his doubts. “We all like Claw and would like him to stay with us, but it is his choice, after all.”

“It is,” Toru admitted. “So maybe we won’t have many more occasions to spend time with him. Should we squander the time we have left by sleeping?”

He bit his bottom lip as he said that, and Duril rewarded him with a warm smile. “You have something naughty on your mind, haven’t you?”

“I just don’t want him to leave us, and it’s a way to feel close to him, isn’t it?” Toru said.

Duril ran his hand through Toru’s hair, making him feel pleasure rise and spread throughout his body. “I always want what you want.”

“Also,” Toru whispered, “I think that Varg felt a little guilty when I caught them, and he hasn’t gotten together with Claw after that.”

“Then we should put everyone’s minds at ease,” Duril suggested. “As always, you’re in charge.”

Toru smiled with satisfaction. He knew he could count on his friend and lover, even when his mind was taking him to naughty places like right now.

He moved slowly, and Duril followed. They approached the sleeping shapes of Varg and Claw. There was a bit of space between them, just as Toru had noticed lately. Maybe he liked to play a lot and behave like a spoiled child, but he didn’t want Varg to think that any pleasure was denied to him only to keep Toru from getting upset.

Duril nodded when he pointed at Varg, and he moved farther, stopping by Claw’s side. He was never shy, but he had to admit that a small tremor of anticipation and something else coursed through his body as he began to untie the string holding the shirt Claw was wearing together. Under his fingers, coarse hair appeared, and Toru reached for the skin, in search of warmth.

Claw growled quietly and grabbed Toru’s hand hard and fast. “What are you doing, kitty?” he asked in a drowsy voice.

“You look like you feel too hot. I’m just taking off your shirt so that you can be more comfortable,” Toru replied, barely keeping in a grin.

Claw answered with a lopsided smile of his own. He guided Toru’s hand to his nipples, first to the right, then to the left, making him feel the nubs of flesh rising under his teasing. Toru stared in fascination at the changes in the bear’s body, under their joint ministrations.

Duril was doing a similarly great job of waking up Varg, just as well. Hushed conversation and small laughter could be heard from their direction.

“You’re all in on this?” Claw asked as he unceremoniously guided Toru’s hand toward his nether regions.

Getting inside the bearshifter’s pants was no easy feat, especially since Claw didn’t let go of his hand, so they both had only one left free. However, soon enough, Toru sighed in satisfaction as his fingers curled of their own accord on unmistakable hardness.

“You see, kitty?” Claw asked in a heated voice. “I was ready for you. What took you so long?”

Toru giggled and enjoyed moving his hand up and down, squeezing hard only for the joy of hearing Claw hiss in mixed pleasure and frustration. “I wasn’t sure you wanted it,” Toru replied.

“How could I not? You’re some of the most handsome men I’ve met in a long time. All of you,” Claw added and threw a look at Duril and Varg who were already engaged in heavy kissing, while almost completely undressed.

Varg turned his head and smiled at them. “Toru likes to spring such surprises on the unaware,” he said with a chuckle. “And here I thought I had to be on my best behavior so you didn’t get jealous.”

“I told you I wasn’t jealous,” Toru said quickly. “Maybe a little, but only because you didn’t let me watch when you and Claw got together.”

“How about showing us?” Duril suggested. “Just like Toru, I must admit that I felt a tiny bit left out. And even a little jealous, too,” he said and teased Varg’s jawline with his lips.

“Aren’t you two something else?” Claw muttered as his eyes grew wide.

Toru recognized that for what it was. Claw’s hard member in his hand was pulsing with want. “Show us,” he ordered and pulled away.

Claw and Varg exchanged an unsure look. Why was it hard for those two to go at it? But they were a bit funny, shy like that. Toru laughed and moved between them, pulling them up and kissing Varg first, and then Claw. Using both hands, he took their shafts in his hand and began to rub them together, turning them both into quivering messes.

Duril didn’t hesitate to join in the fun. He moved behind them and began to kiss their shoulders and backs. Toru had an idea about what other teasing things the healer did to them, but he couldn’t stop and watch. “Who was on top?” he asked heatedly. “Claw, did you put the mutt on all fours?”

Varg let out a strangled growl. Toru grinned. So that was the reason for the mutt’s shyness. Always the top dog, and still he didn’t mind being overcome and pressed down by a strong body. Toru felt ravenous with renewed curiosity and excitement.

“Now you two really have to show us,” he insisted.

A short look was exchanged between Varg and Claw, and then the bearshifter turned the other slowly, until his back rested flush against the bigger man’s hard body. Toru gasped and grabbed his own crotch as Varg arched his spine, and Claw’s rough hands grabbed his hips, guiding him into a position ideal for what would happen next.

Duril came near him and began helping him with his hand. Toru closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation, but then he opened them, eager to soak in these moments and the scene happening in front of his eyes.

Varg was still as strong as ever, but they were seeing a side of him that was only now becoming apparent. There was vulnerability, too, in how he surrendered and threw his head back while Claw impaled him from behind.

Toru grunted as Duril moved down on his body and began to tease him with his lips. Claw pushed Varg forward, making him land on all fours and then he slammed into him hard.

His dark eyes moved to Toru’s, holding their hot gaze. Breaking away with difficulty, Toru looked at Varg, who looked back at him with a question in his loaded stare.

“I want you like that, too,” Toru blurted out.

Varg let out a small moan, and his lips stretched into a smile. “Then you can have me, kitty,” he whispered.

“Another time,” Toru groaned out while Duril engulfed him in the heat of his mouth over and over. “I’m too close now.”

His eyes drank in the scene as Claw continued to make Varg’s body shake with each thrust, and the wolfshifter made the most arousing sounds while being ridden like that. That would be him soon, too, and Varg had promised.

And it was what he wanted, the four of them together like this, taking in what was happening to them as a beautiful gift that only life could give. He let out a loud moan as Duril drank him dry, all the while witnessing Claw spending himself inside Varg’s body, as the wolfshifter reached the peak of pleasure himself and spilled his seed on the ground.

***

“Was it everything that you wanted, kitty?” Varg asked him later.

The wolfshifter was nuzzling his neck, and they were all ready to go to sleep now, with no empty spaces between them. Duril was by Varg’s other side, and Claw was close to Toru, his breath warm on his cheek.

“Not all,” Toru retorted.

He wanted more, and he would have more. He pulled his companions even closer, enjoying their scent all around him now, and went to sleep.

To dream of the path again, opening before him wide and long like the promise of a life worth living.

THE END OF HUNGRY HEART BOOK TWO

Author's note: And that is the end of the second book! I truly hope that you enjoyed the adventures of Toru, Varg, and Duril. Now, they have a fourth companion with them, and they'll do their best to keep him. 

Next time, the third book will begin! I cannot believe it, but it's right in front of my eyes! Thank you for joining me in this adventure. Hand on heart, I've never written something so complex, and it's a beautiful challenge!

All the love,

Laura.