Hoosier Werewolf 1: Midnight Howl Read online

  “Yeah, my parents and Dustin used to drag me along. They insisted that Nick needed us there to cheer him on.” At that point Ethan realized his hand was still in Crewe’s. Flushing again, he looked away, gently withdrew his fingers and hunched himself inside his coat.

  “Are you cold?”

  Ethan looked up and met concern in Crewe’s eyes. “Um, yeah. I… um, my car wouldn’t start so I decided to walk home.”

  “That can’t be good on a night like this. Let me give you a lift. My truck’s right outside.”

  “Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Ethan quickly assured him. He was shocked by the offer. “It’s only about ten blocks from here.”

  “That’s ten blocks too many when it’s thirty-eight degrees outside. Come on. I insist. Are you ready to go?”

  Forgetting all about chips and malted milk balls, Ethan nodded and followed Crewe, pausing just long enough to grab his laptop and pay for his coffee. Crewe was waiting for him outside by a big silver-gray pickup truck that reflected the shimmer of moonlight. “The door’s unlocked. Hop in.”

  Feeling distinctly self conscious and out of place, Ethan opened the door and settled himself in the passenger seat. He drew the seat belt across his chest and locked it while Crewe followed suit and started the truck.

  “So where to?”

  “Just straight down East Main.”

  “You still live in the same house?”

  “Yeeaah,” Ethan replied slowly, drawing the word out suspiciously. “How do you know where I live?”

  “I gave your brother a ride home a few times after practice.” Crewe turned up the heat and put the truck in gear. Looking both ways, he steered the truck out onto the street.

  “I didn’t know you and Nick were friends.” Ethan shivered, wanting to groan with pleasure at the warm air flowing from the vents.

  “We weren’t really close friends. Nick and I each had our own buds, but we were teammates. Besides, I lived in the same neighborhood.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah. About five blocks from you, over on Maple. As a matter of fact, I just moved back about six months ago. My parents retired, took off on their travels and deeded the house over to me. I had been living in Indianapolis for the past five years. When that happened, I decided to move back home. I’ve always liked this town.”

  “Me too. I’ve never wanted to leave. Guess I’m not very adventurous. So what have you been doing since you graduated?”

  “Oh, you know, I went to college, got my degree in physical education. I went to work for a guy who teaches martial arts. When I came back I opened my own dojo. I’m doing pretty well. I mostly teach kids. I’ve got different classes for them depending on their level of proficiency and style. My assistant and I also teach some self-defense and Tai Chi classes.”

  “For women?”

  “Women, men. Anyone who wants to learn.”

  “You must be pretty good to be able to teach.”

  Crewe shrugged. “I’ve studied since I was a kid. Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kendo. I’ve done competitions and exhibitions. The sword work in Kendo is amazing.”

  “You use swords?”

  Crewe looked over and grinned. “It’s just sparring. Most of the time we use shinai -- bamboo practice swords. We’re very well trained and very careful. Especially if real swords come into play. Believe me, I have no desire to behead anyone.”

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Ethan joked.

  Crewe chuckled. “So what about you, what do you do, Ethan?”

  Ethan suppressed his inward cringe. “Nothing as exciting as you. I work at the library. I’m an associate librarian.”

  “Why am I not surprised by that? Whenever I saw you, you had your nose in a book.”

  “I still can’t believe you noticed me at all,” Ethan blurted out, his cheeks heating.

  “Why? Because I was the star football jock and you were the shy, quiet kid?”

  “Well… yeah.”

  Crewe pulled the truck to a stop in front of Ethan’s house and turned toward him. Even with his face obscured by shadows, Ethan could see the warmth that radiated from Crewe’s eyes. “I noticed a lot more than you might think.”

  Totally shocked, Ethan wasn’t prepared for the flood of longing, desire, confusion and sheer panic that swept over him. “I, um… I don’t… I mean I…”

  “Hey, calm down. It’s all right. I’m not trying to be pushy here,” Crewe soothed. “So does the whole family still live here?” he asked, indicating the house.

  Grateful for the change of topic, Ethan grabbed hold of his scattered intellect. “No, just Nick, Dustin and me. Our parents retired to Florida.”

  “Ah yes, fun in the sun,” Crewe teased. “So I take it none of you guys are married. Anybody engaged, seeing someone seriously?”

  Crewe’s question had Ethan tensing again but he managed to answer. “No. At least not that I know of. Nick and Dustin go out but neither one bring dates home. They don’t talk much about them either.”

  “And what about you?” Crewe asked, his expression intense, his eyes locked with Ethan’s. “Anyone special in your life?”

  Ethan managed to shake his head.

  Crewe’s grin reappeared. “Umm. Well, that’s, um… Ethan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You should come to my dojo.”

  Crewe’s unexpected statement left him blinking. “Huh? Why?”

  “Training. I think you’d like it. It would do wonders for your confidence.”

  “You think so?”

  “Of course. You’d be surprised how knowing you can take care of yourself can build your sense of self.”

  “Guess it must be pretty obvious after what happened at the mini-mart that I’m not very good at standing up for myself.” Ethan’s cheeks blazed with shame. He clasped his hands together and looked out the window.

  “It doesn’t have to stay that way,” Crewe assured him softly. “Although I liked being there for you, I’d feel better if you’d let me teach you some stuff.”

  The quiet, warm intimacy of the pickup truck’s cab loosened Ethan’s tongue. “Why do you even care?”

  Except for the warm air blowing through the vents, silence filled the cab. Ethan finally dared to look at Crewe. The look in his eyes made Ethan’s heart stutter and his stomach clench. Crewe’s smile was gentle and filled with understanding, even tenderness.

  “Hard as it might be to believe, I do care. And I’m not just trying to drum up more business for myself either.”

  The twinkle in Crewe’s eyes brought an answering smile to Ethan’s lips. “I’ll think about it.”

  “I’ll expect you tomorrow evening at eight. Unless you have other plans?”

  Ethan shook his head.

  “Good. That’s settled. Oh! Will you need a ride?”

  “I was planning to call the place that works on my car and have them pick it up first thing in the morning. They’re usually good about getting it back to me the same day it goes in the shop. Unless it’s something major.”

  “All right, but just in case…” Crewe reached over and opened the glove compartment. Pulling out a business card and a pen, he wrote on the back of it before handing it to Ethan. “That’s my card. If you can’t get me at the dojo, call my cell or the house. The top number on the back is my cell. The other’s the house. Okay?”

  Taking the card, Ethan nodded. “Okay.”

  “Great. I’m really glad I ran into you. I’ll see you tomorrow night at eight.”

  “Yeah and same here. Thanks for everything.”

  “You’re welcome. G’night.”

  “Night.”

  Ethan got out of the truck, crossed the public sidewalk and climbed the four concrete steps to the walkway that bisected the yard leading to his front door. He fitted his key in the lock and watched the retreating lights of Crewe’s truck before opening the door and stepping inside. Closing the door behind him, Ethan leaned on it for a moment. He looked at the card in his
hand, felt the smooth texture of the paper and read the lettering. Turning it over, handwritten in ink were two phone numbers. Crewe Jackson’s phone numbers. Ethan stared at them for a moment. A tentative smile curved his lips before he whispered, “Wow.”

  Chapter Two

  Crewe parked the truck in the garage and turned the key in the ignition, shutting the engine down. Except for the rattle of the automatic garage door and the ticking of the truck’s cooling engine, all was quiet. He leaned back and took a deep breath savoring the scent that tickled its way into his nostrils. The enticing flavor curled around his senses, tightened his gut and made him groan with pleasure at the slow burn that took up residence in his balls.

  What a stroke of luck! Out for a run and finding Ethan walking home. It couldn’t have worked out better. Crewe had been formulating plans to contact Ethan for the last few months. He’d waited until he got the house in order and his business going. He knew Ethan worked at the library and had made up his mind to make a casual appearance there, but now it was a moot point.

  All he’d had to do was run home, change back into his human form, dress and drive back to the mini-mart. And how glad he was that he had. The sight of Ethan being bullied by those young jackasses made his blood boil. How could anyone want to pick on such a sweet guy? The thought brought a rumbling growl from his chest.

  Crewe took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. It was over now and contact with Ethan had been made. The incident, while unpalatable, had given him the opening he needed and now Ethan was coming to the dojo. Crewe smiled with satisfaction and anticipation.

  At last he was allowed to claim his mate. Ethan Parks. Just the thought of his name made Crewe’s cock jerk. Damn! And damn Lucas for making him wait so long. Fucking bossy, alpha. Crewe let his head fall back on the headrest and closed his eyes willing his need to subside. Sitting quietly, he let his mind drift through thoughts of the past nine years.

  * * *

  It all started during his last year of high school. Most of that year had been like those previous. He’d gone to school, studied, played sports, hung out with his buddies and fucked the girls who climbed all over themselves for a taste of his popularity, not to mention his cock. His mother hadn’t liked that part but both his parents understood not only the drives of an adolescent male but especially those of an adolescent werewolf. His dad had been especially supportive, which wasn’t surprising considering he knew from personal experience just what Crewe was going through.

  Even though his dad understood, he made damn sure that Crewe took responsibility for his actions. Crewe was lectured thoroughly on the subject. Don’t lead the girls on. Never date one girl more than a couple of times. Make damn sure they knew that if sex became an issue it was just sex and nothing more he was offering. And never, never, never have unprotected sex. His dad had even supplied him with condoms.

  Crewe had thought that part was a bit too much, considering the fact that his sperm would remain non-motile until activated by the chemical changes having sex with his mate would bring. When that happened the little critters would turn into rockets and given the chance would go straight to the first available fertile egg presented to them. Of course that egg would belong to his mate and the pregnancy would be welcome.

  His kind was immune to STDs and in the meantime sex would just plain feel better without the condom, but he bowed to his father’s insistence. If the girl did get pregnant and tried to accuse Crewe of being the father, he could honestly say he’d used protection and a simple test of his sperm would confirm the fact that he was incapable of impregnating anyone. Lazy sperm that just lies around doesn’t have a chance of fertilizing an egg.

  To an outsider some of the rules Crewe’s father imposed might seem calculating or cold, but his father knew, just as Crewe did, that as a werewolf only his mate would be able to claim a permanent place in his heart and life. It would be cruel to let a girl believe she could possibly have a future with him when such a thing could never be.

  All of this became moot when Crewe took notice of Ethan. About a month before graduation, it began in the most unexpected way. One day in the locker room after practice, a faint scent caught Crewe’s notice. Crewe was getting dressed when Nick Parks came out of the shower and opened his locker. Crewe knew Nick’s scent very well, but clinging to Nick’s clothes was the scent of another person. Someone Crewe found distinctly interesting. It was a scent that made his dick stand up and take notice.

  At his age, his dick pretty much had a mind of its own. So at first he shrugged it off as of no particular importance. Until that scent came to his attention more and more. He’d catch ethereal whiffs of it in different places, the hallway, a classroom, the cafeteria. The more he noticed it, the more he wanted to know who the scent belonged to. It intrigued him and demanded his attention.

  One afternoon he’d ditched a class and went on the hunt. Trailing those enticing wisps of scent, he tracked them to their origin. The library. With as much nonchalance as possible, Crewe walked around until he finally pinpointed the source of that fascinating sent. Nick’s brother, Ethan Parks.

  Ethan was sitting at a table in a corner by himself with his nose in a book. Crewe let his gaze wander over the boy. He was almost sure that Ethan was a sophomore, which would make him fifteen or sixteen. Like his brother, Nick, he had dark brown hair and blue eyes, but the resemblance ceased at that point. Unlike Nick’s muscular frame, Ethan was slim. His skin was pale and his features, while masculine, were delicate and boyish. Crewe’s eyes were drawn to his lips. The top one was nice, full and firm but the bottom one was definitely plush. Something about them had Crewe wanting a taste.

  A stab of desire shot through Crewe, tearing an involuntary sound from his throat. Ethan looked up. Their eyes met and Crewe was hooked. He managed a smile and walked away, but not before noticing the way Ethan’s eyes had widened and the flush that stained his cheeks. His scent had intensified, the smell of his excitement swift and distinct.

  Crewe was shocked. The closer he’d come to finding the person he sought, the richer the scent had become. He was sure it was a boy, and despite that fact he’d found himself becoming sexually aroused by it, some part of him kept denying it until he’d come face to face with the undeniable. Crewe left the library in a daze of confusion. He’d never been attracted to another boy before. Why this one? Why Ethan?

  Over the course of the next few weeks Crewe allowed himself to covertly trail Ethan several times. He usually ended up in the library, and Crewe secreted himself in the stacks so he could watch Ethan unobserved. Once Nick had joined Ethan and Crewe was able to overhear their conversation.

  “Hey, little brother,” Nick had greeted Ethan.

  “Hi, Nick.”

  “I took care of that problem.”

  “Jeez, Nick. You didn’t beat anybody up, did you? I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me. I wish you’d just leave it alone.”

  “I’m not letting that bastard, Seward, pick on you and no, I didn’t beat him up. Though he deserves it.” Nick’s fist hit the table with a thump. “Damn it, Ethan, you’re my brother. It’s my job to take care of you.”

  “Yeah? What happens next year? You’re graduating next week, Nick. All those guys you warned off are gonna come after me even harder because you’re not here any more.”

  “Not to worry, bro. You forget Dustin’s a freshman next year. He’s already received his instructions.”

  “Great. Now my little brother’s gonna protect me. Why can’t everybody fucking leave me alone?” Ethan had slammed his book closed.

  There was a stunned silence between the brothers while they stared at each other for a long silent moment. Ethan shoved his chair back and stood, grabbing his books, preparing to leave.

  Nick stopped him by blocking his way. “Ethan, don’t be mad. Please?”

  Ethan’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not mad at you, Nick. I’m glad you… well, that you care enough to help me out. I just… I just wish t
hings could be different. I haven’t done anything wrong!”

  “I know. Some people are just assholes. You know my offer’s still open to help you do some weight training. It’d build up your muscles.”

  “Don’t start that shit again. You know I hate that.”

  “All right, all right. Don’t get pissed. I’ll tell you what. We’ll stop at Dairy Queen on the way home. I’ll buy you a banana split.” Nick had put his arm around Ethan’s slim shoulder, giving it a squeeze before letting him go. “You need some meat on your bones, man.”

  “Nag, nag, nag. You’re worse than Mom.”

  They were still bickering as they walked away. Crewe had smiled at the brothers’ teasing, albeit a bit sadly. It made him feel badly to know that Ethan was being picked on. It also made him unaccountably angry. He had half a notion to go looking for Seward himself. He’d never liked the guy. Instead he went home and talked to his parents.

  From an early age the children of weres were taught caution and discretion. It was not only taught, it was deeply engrained in their genetic makeup. It was essential for them to act with prudence and stay under the human radar. There was also a greater closeness and trust engendered by the pack instinct. Crewe had no qualms about confessing his attraction for Ethan to his parents. It never occurred to him to even worry what their reaction would be and he was right. His parents listened, accepted and advised.

  “It’s possible this could simply be sexual attraction. Although the fact that you’ve never been attracted to other boys is an important factor,” Crewe’s father told him. “You say it was his scent that brought you to him?”

  Crewe nodded.

  His parents looked at each other. “It sounds more like mate recognition,” his mother admitted. “How old did you say this boy is, dear?”

  “Umm, fifteen or sixteen.”

  “Much too young. You both are.”

  “Your mother’s right, son. Even if this boy is your future mate, you’re both far too young. William would never give you permission to claim him. You’ll have to let it be for now,” his father advised.