"I know you're there. Who are you?"

The rustling leaves sounded loud to Shaun as he tried to hide further in the bushes. Holding his breath, he flattened himself as close to the ground as possible. When the man who had spoken moved slightly, Shaun scrambled backward. Unable to stop the sound, a low, warning pulse erupted from his throat and he stilled completely.

The man, who had been lying on his back, rolled slowly onto his stomach and peered into the brush. "You are a were. I won't hurt you. My name is Ashley." He got up and held out his hand. When Shaun didn't respond, the man named Ashley straightened his back. "Come," he said, using the authoritative inflection of a Master; although in his case, apparently one without a pet to control.

An enraged snarl filled the air but was quickly bitten back as the command almost shocked Shaun into obedience. Crawling forward, he slowly left his hiding place.

"I thought so." For a moment, Ashley stilled, looking Shaun over.

Muscular and sleek, Shaun knew he was a rare find even when only half-shifted, especially with his black-and-white striped fur.

"What is your name? If you know the command, then I know you can speak."

"Shaun." Clad only in a black loincloth, very little of him was covered. With fluid motion, he moved to his hands and knees in front of Ashley.

"You don't belong out here."

Ashley reached out and hummed softly. It was a technique used by Masters to calm their pets. He traced the outline of the tattoo etched into Shaun's skin, just at the nape of his neck. It was a procedure done when a were was captured. Once a Master took possession, the star would take on the form of the Master's initial, signifying ownership. Shaun's tattoo was still that of a perfect star, showing that he was unclaimed. The soft trill brought a visible relaxation to Shaun's tense body, though he tried to fight against the effect. Biting at his lip, his head lowered, allowing Ashley to touch him.

"I won't hurt you," Ashley murmured. "How long have you been free?"

The words might have been meant as some form of comfort, but Shaun didn't take them that way. Lifting his head and raising his chin higher in a defiant manner, he said, "For more than two months. I've lived out here on my own."

"You need proper bedding and a bath," Ashley said matter-of-factly. He picked up a cigarette butt from the grass beside him and stood slowly, pushing the butt into one of his jeans pockets. "Come."

Because he was given no choice in the matter, Shaun hissed angrily; but, nonetheless, he followed slowly behind the man. It would do no good to beg to be left out here. He already knew what a prize he'd be viewed as.

Home was no more than a few minutes away. Ashley was grateful that he'd found a place so far outside of the city, but close enough for work. Five minutes later, he held his front door open, standing to the side to let Shaun go in first. Shaun seemed apprehensive as he stepped past him. Once inside, Ashley watched as Shaun took several deep breaths. Apprehension, it seemed, gave way to curiosity, and Shaun slowly prowled around the perimeter of the room, poking into everything.

Closing the front door and locking it, Ashley smiled. He'd had chances in the past to take in a pet, but he'd never found the right one to replace the emptiness within him. Then this beauty had practically fallen into his life. Ashley wasn't surprised that a part of him was already working out the possibility of keeping Shaun with him, of claiming him.

"Would you like something to drink?" He went into the small kitchen, watching Shaun over the bar.

Pausing as he tried to pry open one of the small jars he'd picked up, Shaun looked over at him with a touch of suspicion. "Water."

"Water it is." Ashley took out two glasses and filled them both with ice cold water from the pitcher in the refrigerator. Then he went into the living room and held out one of the glasses to Shaun. "Drink. I will get your bath ready." With that, Ashley walked out, heading down the short hallway to the bathroom.

As Ashley walked away, Shaun shook his head in confusion, staring at the glass in his hand. Aware he needed a bath, he set the jar down and padded silently behind Ashley as he drank.

Setting his glass on the sink counter, Ashley got down on his knees and started the bathwater.

Watching from his position, Shaun hadn't expected Ashley to join him. Chiding himself, he should have realized it, though. A Master expected nothing more than a well-behaved pet at his heel, to show off to his contemporaries, and to be a warm body in his bed. If Shaun had any form of luck, cruelty wouldn't be the order of the day. That's about all he could hope for. After finishing the water, he set the glass on the sink.

When the water was deep enough, Ashley turned it off and stood. As he turned around, he looked surprised to see Shaun in the doorway. "I was going to come tell you that your bath is ready. If you don't

mind, I'd like to sit and talk while you bathe. If you wish for me to, I'd be happy to wash your hair."

Sitting down on the toilet lid, he made no move to take off his clothes.

Just as a well-trained pet would, Shaun took off the small loin cloth and laid it on the edge of the sink. Stepping into the tub, he sank down into the water. The heat felt damn good as he leaned back against the porcelain edge.

"Why?" Shaking his head, Shaun frowned, repeating his question more fully. "Why would you want to wash my hair?"

Ashley just shrugged. "Why not? It would take a fool to not see that you're beautiful. If you don't wish me to, then I won't."

Even though it was part of his nature to adore being touched and petted, Shaun wasn't sure he wanted this stranger to touch him. Yet controlling his own natural instincts while being petted was an impossible task. Leaning slightly towards Ashley, he drew in a slow breath. The earthy scent reached him, a mixture of sunshine and grass underneath the faint smell of tobacco.

"I don't like strong scents," Ashley said with a smile, "and I hate cologne. The best smells in the world are chocolate, nature, and a man's arousal."

"You don't stink." Small favors to be grateful for. As he looked over Ashley, curiosity began to get the better of Shaun. He actually liked the smell, but the man was too far away to do anything more than catch his scent from the air.

"I should hope not," Ashley chuckled. "I took a shower this morning." He slid off the toilet lid and to the floor, kneeling close to the bathtub. "Is that better?"

As Shaun leaned over slightly and turned his head, Ashley was no more than a few inches away from his face. A small chuffing sound came from him before his nostrils flared with the deep breath he took. Inching slowly forward, he got a bit closer. "Yes, you like chocolate." The scent itself came from the direction of Ashley's hands and made Shaun lower his head as he leaned as far over the edge of the tub as he could. "Sweet."

"I love chocolate," Ashley said rather breathlessly.

A heady, muskier aroma slowly tinged the air. It was one Shaun knew very well: Ashley wanted him. Its influence on Shaun was undeniable, yet he fought it. Drawing back, he reached for the bar of soap and washcloth and began washing.

"Will you let me wash your hair?" Ashley asked softly after a few minutes of silence. "I don't have to get in with you to do it."

Shaun gave him a wary look. As he thought over what Ashley asked, he could see nothing bad behind the request. "If you want." Stretching in the tub, he sank beneath the water to wet his hair before he sat back up. Then he wiped the water from his face and settled to let Ashley wash his hair. Ashley moved closer and picked up the bottle of shampoo. After pouring a generous amount in his hand, he began working his fingers through Shaun's hair, gently untangling it. "So beautiful," he whispered.

Closing his eyes, the massaging of Ashley's fingers served to relax Shaun very nicely. The tiniest flicker of sound eased from his throat, barely perceptible but there. Small tilts of his head guided Ashley's hands as his own fingers kneaded slightly to the porcelain tub's rim.

Ashley picked up a nearby cup and filled it with water. He slipped his hand beneath Shaun's chin to tilt his head back gently. "Shh," he murmured, smiling. "I'm only rinsing."

A touch of nervousness had returned with the feel of Ashley's hand, but Shaun relaxed, letting Ashley rinse out the shampoo. It was a strange thing for this man to want to do this. Blinking up at Ashley, he saw the smile but didn't return the gesture.

When he finished rinsing the shampoo out, Ashley set the cup down and moved away. "Thank you," he said as he sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. "I haven't done that in…" He closed his eyes as his words trailed off. "For some time," he finished quietly.

"It means something to you?" Shaun was not at all certain what to make of Ashley. Slowly standing, water ran down his body in little rivers, dripping back to the tub. Lifting his hands, he pulled back his hair to wring out the water.

"More than I should probably dwell on," Ashley said. "I used to do it for my lover. He was a were as well, although I loathed the thought of calling him my 'pet.' I'd forgotten how relaxing such simple acts could be. Thank you for allowing me that small pleasure."

The concept of a were as a lover to any mortal was completely alien and unknown to Shaun. They were pets and nothing more at the hands of men and women. Staring at Ashley blankly, Shaun couldn't even grasp the idea. He just took the towel hanging nearby and quickly dried himself as he got out of the tub.

"Are you hungry?" Ashley looked up from where he sat, weariness showing in his pale blue eyes. "I haven't eaten since I left work."

Nodding slightly, Shaun laid the towel down and picked up his loincloth. Refastening it around his hips, it barely covered his groin and left most of his ass showing. Then he ran his fingers through his hair, trying to give it some semblance of order.

Ashley struggled to get up, finally finding a good handhold on the sink counter. As he stood, he eyed Shaun and shook his head. "You can't keep going around like that. Follow me. We look to be about the same size; maybe you can wear something of mine." He walked down the hall to his bedroom and started rummaging through the dresser. A moment later, he pulled out a pair of gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt.

"It's not much, but it'll be much more comfortable than that."

As Ashley held out the pants and shirt to him, Shaun just stared at him again. Normal clothing was rarely given to pets. Hesitantly, he reached out and took them. Untying the loincloth, he laid the scrap of material on the dresser before he slipped on the clothes.

"Looks good on you," Ashley said with a smile. As he turned, he doubled over and grabbed the edge of the dresser, hissing through gritted teeth.

The sound of Ashley's pain drew Shaun's attention quickly back to the man. Reaching out, he gripped Ashley's arm, supporting him. "Are you all right?"

Ashley laughed, although there was little humor to it. "Yes, yes. Thank you. Just an old back injury that likes to flare up if I move wrong." Looking up, he gave Shaun a weak smile. "How about that dinner?" With a groan, he righted himself, grasping Shaun's hand briefly in gratitude.

"I can help," Shaun said somewhat hesitantly. Letting go of Ashley, he stood there, uncertain. "In half-form, I have energy to ease pain; I just can't fully heal anyone." Ashley hesitated for a minute, then nodded. "I suppose it would help if I plan on cooking. What do I need to do?"

"Just take off your shirt and lay down on your stomach on the bed."

Nodding, Ashley turned and pulled his shirt off. Then he stretched out on the bed, pillowing his head on his arms. Deep scars criss-crossed his back, but Shaun said nothing about them. After removing his clothes, Shaun approached the bed slowly. Leaning over, he rested his hands lightly on Ashley's back before slowly rubbing them over his skin. Heat radiated from him, giving his touch an immediate anesthetic effect as he massaged.

"Oh, God," Ashley moaned. "That feels good, Shaun. Really good." Moving his arms up to grip the edge of the mattress, he slowly stretched, the muscles tightening and releasing beneath Shaun's hands. Ashley turned his head to the side and closed his eyes.

"It is easy to relieve pain, but I can't do anything about why you are in pain," Shaun said as the warmth from his touch seeped deeper into Ashley's skin, relaxing the muscles beneath.

"No one can. What's done is done. I tried. I tried to stop them, Shaun. I loved him with everything I was, and they took him from me." Ashley shook his head suddenly. "Thank you; it helped more than you can imagine." He rolled over and smiled, reaching up to stroke Shaun's cheek softly.

With the unexpected touch, Shaun purred. He adored being petted. He tilted his head and rubbed instinctively to Ashley's palm.

"So soft." Ashley cupped Shaun's face in his hand, then slid his hand back over Shaun's head. Shaun's hair was black and white, like his fur, and even though his body was that of a man's, his fur still covered his body. "Kitten."

The deeper rumbling of the purr formed before Shaun could stop it. His innate nature sought and craved the feel of a hand running over him. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he let Ashley touch him. As he closed his eyes, small movements of his head and face nudged those hands, guiding them.

Moving his fingers slowly over the soft fur, Ashley sighed. "Am I insane for wanting this? For wishing I could do this forever?" He moved his hand slowly, brushing the pad of his thumb over Shaun's lips.

Anything Ashley said might as well have been in a foreign language. Shaun wanted nothing more than for that hand to continue petting him. When Ashley's hand neared his lips, his tongue darted out, tasting at the salty flavor of Ashley's skin. The faint rasp of his tongue bathed the length of Ashley's finger as the steady thrum of his purring rose around them. He had to lick; he had to be petted. When Ashley didn't pull his hand away, Shaun proceeded to wash his entire hand. He wanted to curl up near Ashley, just to feel that touch.

"Kitten," Ashley whispered, lifting his other hand. Starting at Shaun's cheek, Ashley stroked his fingers slowly over him, moving down Shaun's neck to his shoulder. "Come," he said softly, gently urging Shaun down to the bed. "Dinner can wait for a bit. This is more important, needed."

The one word spoke deeply to the animal inside Shaun, and was the true nature of the control humans had over his kind. He needed no encouragement and instantly curled against Ashley. Tipping back his head, he exposed his throat, craving that touch. It couldn't stop just yet; he wasn't ready for it to.

Turning on his side to face Shaun, Ashley petted him, his fingers stroking the soft fur of Shaun's throat, then down the middle of his chest. Then he leaned forward just enough to kiss the tip of Shaun's nose.

The flick of Shaun's tail darted sporadically in the air before it curled to Ashley's hip. With the close proximity of Ashley's face, Shaun turned his head to rub his cheek against Ashley's before he quickly began licking it. The arch of his body followed the path of Ashley's hand, never allowing it to stray far from him.

"Sweet Kitten," Ashley murmured, turning his head slightly to brush his lips over Shaun's. Ashley never stopped petting. His hand slowly moved over Shaun's neck, shoulder, and down his side. Shaun gave him a quick lick before he continued downward to Ashley's jaw. Once satisfied with his taste of Ashley, he stopped giving Ashley a tongue bath and rested his head to Ashley's chest.

"Don't leave me," Ashley said quietly. He rubbed his cheek over Shaun's hair as he curled his fingers to Shaun's hip, petting the fur there.

Shaun remained where he was, content to let Ashley pet him, the soft thread of his purring never stopping as long as he was being petted. As he dozed, an occasional flick of his tail would bat near Ashley's hand. Anything more was beyond him just then.