Love, Be-Were! Ch. 03

***I want to thank you all for your patience, and continued support; especially Angel_N_Disguise for her excellent editing skills. It's been a very busy and rocky couple of months, and the months ahead seem just as determined to remain that way. Here is the next installment of our Were-rabbit series, and I truly hope you enjoy it. As always, remember that I love hearing your feedback, your questions, comments, fears and hopes for the continuation of the story line. You have all been amazing, and I hope you continue to follow me as we embark into both the light...and the darkness...of their world. Come, walk in the shadows with me.***

Silence crept over the darkened glade, soothing the chaotic motions and sounds of all encased within its depths. Birds and beasts alike felt its serene shroud settling upon their brows, lulling their frantic movements with a deep calm. Even the merry chirping of crickets and other nocturnal bug life stilled as an expectant hush fell across the surrounding forest.

One by one, small lights began clicking to life. The soft glow from the fixtures spread with a slow and methodical rhythm, illuminating a low stone wall that ran in an arc along the center of the clearing. The luminaries spread from the only break in that border, a majestically hand-hewn arch with a wrought iron gate, and drifted along the paving stones of a long pathway.

The soft glow raced along the stones, casting shadows over the exquisite landscaping that bordered its path. Beautiful blooms, their colors made indeterminate by the looming darkness, seemed to nod in greeting as the light spread. Reaching the end of the stones, the lights split in opposite directions, and morphed into larger fixtures in a semi-circle that paralleled the low stone border.

Large spot lights hummed as light poured from them, the glow spreading across vast amounts of layered stone. The procession finally came to a halt as the last few fixtures clicked on, casting illumination along the entire base of the enormous three-story structure that stood in sharp relief against the darkness. The tall rock walls flowed seamlessly from the cliff behind them, each stone appearing as if it had been molded from the mountain face instead of being hewn by the hands of men.

Over the space of two hundred years, Werehaven Manor had remained a beacon of hope and prosperity for the neighboring towns. Although it had undergone numerous renovations during that time, the aura of serenity it exuded had never wavered. With its lofty parapets, tall columns, and beautifully manicured grounds, the manor house presented an impressive façade. It was, however, more than it seemed; the building's founder, Rhochlan Werehaven, had designed it for a dual purpose.

Many human patrons had frequented its halls and given wonderful reviews of the Werehaven Manor Bed and Breakfast Inn as a secluded retreat. The B&B boasted a fully staffed kitchen that made it possible to offer three home-cooked meals a day; it wasn't unusual for the dining room to be packed at each of them, by both guests and people just walking in off the street. It even offered a gift store that sold hand-made crafts, and a harvest season farmer's market that encouraged young farmers and children to sell their home-grown produce.

Beyond the hustle of the business front, and out of the path of any curious humans, deep hallways pushed back through the mountain itself. The stones in those tunnels were much older, much heavier. They housed a multitude of rooms designed specifically to be used as homes for Weres: shifters, individuals that were as much beast as human. After he lost both his mother and his younger sister during childbirth, and after his father was murdered by a rival Were species, Rhochlan built the Inn to preface a half-way house for orphaned Were children.

As Alpha of the Werehaven rabbit colony, Rhochlan recognized the need to provide a future for abandoned kittens—Were-rabbit children—because their genealogy was a bit different from other shifter species. A kit was born in human form to both parents, but unlike wolves or cats, the beast didn't manifest upon puberty; instead, it was locked from birth inside a cage in the babe's mind. Upon the child's fifth birthday, a visit would be scheduled with the Alpha to unlock the beast, allowing the two halves of the kit's psyche to merge and become whole.

If, for some reason, the cage remained unopened...the consequences to the child were often terrible to behold. In the beast's desperation to be free, the kit's mind would be ravaged; all too often, it was damaged beyond repair. Usually, this was as a result of a family tragedy or extenuating circumstances that removed the kitten from an Alpha's influence and ability to perform the rites necessary. Running a licensed shelter for troubled youth provided Rhochlan with a unique opportunity to seek out those orphaned children who may benefit the most from an Alpha's presence.

There were times when he succeeded, happy moments when he drew the children away from the madness and back into the light. He'd bring them back to the Manor, and the love of his sister and the other Weres at the compound would help them come to peace with their life. When they were ready, they'd make the transition to the rabbit colony, where they would be granted the ability to grow and prosper as a part of the community.

Occasionally, however, there were times when success was no longer a possibility. Exhaustion would force him to leave the minds of those children who were too plagued with pain, terror, and agony to save. There was always the threat of his own mind being lost when he tarried too long in those dark places, drowning in the horror that came to life when a child's Were had been caged for too long. He fought for them, wrestled with their demons, until he risked his very own sanity in his bid for their freedom.

Hard decisions had to be made then; decisions for the safety and security of those around the child as well as the need to preserve the secrecy of their heritage that made Rhochlan sick to his very soul. Only when the child's mind held no hope of recovery would he relent and make the little one's passing as painless as possible. He'd always chosen to ignore the fact that eventually he was destined to fail...refused to accept that there would come a day when a mind he tried to save would bring an end to his own life.

He was the Werehaven Alpha: the failure to try was

not an option.

*****

After the last light switch clicked into place, Riocha closed the fuse panel door. Her eyes swept over the marble kitchen counters as she opened cabinet and refrigerator doors, mentally checking off inventory items that she'd need to restock. She wandered throughout the manor as she checked the locks on doors and windows. Finally satisfied that all security measures were in place, she scanned the yard through one of the front foyer windows and then headed toward her personal chambers.

The unusual silence within the Inn's walls pressed against her senses, heavy and oppressive. She sighed, exasperated with herself; after all the times that the noise of the children drove her to the point of madness, she couldn't enjoy their absence either. As acting Alpha Doe, she was used to handling a constant barrage from the little ones, and felt a bit out of sorts as she wandered through the empty rooms. The stone walls felt hollow and bare without their laughter ringing through the halls.

Riocha felt contentment envelope her as she entered the door of her personal burrow. Soft light filtered from recessed sconces on the walls, casting gentle shadows throughout the three rooms. She softly tread towards the kitchen, pausing when she reached the fully stocked wine cabinet nestled in the corner. Her fingers trailed along the corked bottles as she selected her favorite vintage and pulled it from the shelf. As she often did, she offered a silent prayer of gratitude that the Colony maintained its own personal vineyard, complete with recipes for fine wines that had been passed down for generations.

Her wine goblet in hand, she meandered toward the large porcelain tub in the bathroom. Her brother had spared no expense when she'd decorated her burrow, as he knew she'd be making a permanent home at the Inn instead of the Colony. She balanced on the edge as she turned the knobs, the steady thrum of the water in the basin soothing her frazzled nerves. Setting her goblet down, she added a light touch of mint oil to her bath. Disrobing quickly and turning the water off, she stepped into the tub, and sank her lithe form into the steaming water with a sigh.

Retrieving her wine from the nearby counter, she took a sip. She closed her eyes in appreciation as the deep fruit and earthen tones swirled around her tongue. Taking another sip, she sank further into the bath and felt her stressed muscles begin to relax. The fresh, effervescent mint essence rejuvenated her tired body, soothing her aching feet and back. Her mind drifted to the male Betas that assisted her at the Inn, and wished for a fleeting moment that they'd already returned from dropping the children off for their monthly fieldtrip to the Colony. Another sip and they, too, were forgotten as she felt her mind enter a meditative state.

Her eyelids fluttered open as she realized her water had cooled. Surprised that she'd relaxed enough to nap in the tub, she washed quickly before she stepped out of the water. Chill bumps raced along her skin as she dried herself off, not bothering to dress as she headed toward her bed, her nest. The greatest of all her comforts, it brought her the most pleasure and was truly worthy of an Alpha.

A small smile graced her lips as she looked at it; over-sized and round, the mattress was recessed into the frame. Soft, downy quilts and comforters were piled on top, with fluffy pillows galore; it was sized to easily accommodate her beast and the several young kits that inevitably snuck into her room in the middle of the night. When in human form, her diminutive size was dwarfed as she snuggled in for some much needed rest.

Several hours later, she began to rouse as she felt her beast stir within. Her inner rabbit had been disturbed from slumber; keeping her eyes closed, she allowed it to extend her senses to figure out why. New scents teased her nostrils, but her suddenly tense muscles relaxed as she realized they were familiar to her. Rich chocolate with a hint of strawberries made her think of Raycer. Mocha with a splash of coconut brought Raevin's face to mind. Caramel and banana instantly sprang forth an image of Ridge. Her lips curled into a sleepy smile: the triplets were home.

Riocha allowed her rabbit to enhance her hearing even further. She could just barely make out their quiet steps as the three males approached her bed, and smiled to herself as she sensed their hesitation. She peeped through one eye to find them watching her, letting them know she was aware of their presence and wouldn't allow her beast to lash out at them. She heard at least one sharp intake of breath as she languidly stretched and turned over on her back, allowing the quilt she was under to slip to her waist. The cool breeze from the door felt delightful over her flushed skin as one of the brothers closed it, the other two making their way over to where she lay.

She held still, expectant, as anticipation caused her pulse to accelerate. She gasped softly as warmth encased each of her hands and both of her feet at the same time as the brothers separated and moved to opposite sides of her bed. Raycer massaged the fingers of her left hand while Raevin gently rubbed the right; Ridge was at the bottom of her bed, his large hands gently easing the stress from her tired feet, one in each hand. As the soothing sensations spread throughout her system, her blood began to heat and desire kindled deep in her core.

Lulled by the slow, rhythmic movements, at first she wasn't aware of their hands changing positions. Soon, the warmth that enveloped her hands and feet moved to her wrists and ankles; velvet kisses and quick flicks of their tongues soon joined the caresses as the brothers shifted to her forearms and calves. She felt her skin flush, and her temperature rise as liquid fire raced through her blood. Every kiss, every nibble, every brush of their talented fingers set her skin aflame as they kissed the insides of her elbows, and gently petted behind her knees.

The brothers moved as a single entity—biting, licking, kissing, and rubbing— as they moved slowly toward her molten center. Riocha was a writhing mass of sensation as she lay between them, her arms and legs captured by strong hands as the brothers restricted her ability to move. She couldn't decide if she wanted to push them away and catch her breath, or pull their hard bodies closer and drown in the pleasure they offered. She couldn't concentrate, couldn't think, and the evidence of her arousal was pooling quickly between her thighs.

A low moan escaped her lips as Ridge began kissing along her inner thigh; her heart beat wildly as she felt lips leave her shoulders on each side, felt tongues run up both sides of her neck simultaneously. Her arms still restrained, her fingers flexed with the need to hold, to stroke, to control...but the brothers refused to relent. Her body hummed with delicious anticipation as her senses were overwhelmed. Her ragged breath escaped in quick bursts, and tendrils of desire coiled like a tightened spring low in her belly.

The triplets teased her mercilessly, building her need to a fever pitch. A light sheen of perspiration clung to her skin as her body begged for release, begged them to ease her torment. Her chest heaved as she panted, every nerve in her system screaming for the climax she was being denied.

Her hips thrust futilely towards Ridge's face as she felt his lips inching towards, but refusing to touch, the center of her desire. She trembled violently as Raycer and Raevin trailed their fingertips lightly up her rib cage, and her closed eyes were unable to see the wicked smile shared between the three brothers as she finally moaned the plea they'd been waiting for.

"Please..."

As one, Raycer and Raevin moved from her neck and each cupped a heavy breast in one of their large hands. Riocha's upper body lifted off of the bed as both of her nipples were bitten simultaneously, wet heat engulfing them as the brothers sucked the hard peaks into their mouths.

At the exact same moment, Ridge cupped her hips in his hands, and pulled her aching pussy to his mouth. As she felt his tongue plunge between her folds and he sucked her hard little nub into his mouth, her entire world instantly shattered. Bright colors exploded behind her eyelids as her juices exploded on his tongue; screams of pure satisfaction ripped from her throat as the pleasure coursed through her. Her body shuddered and convulsed in climax as he slid two fingers deep inside her, and a second orgasm closely followed the first.

Moans issued from her lips non-stop as Ridge nestled between her quivering thighs and flexed his fingers in her tight channel. Riocha arched again when his fingertips curled up inside her and grazed her G-spot. His tongue made long passes between her dewy lips, nibbles and nips from his teeth forcing her hips to jerk before he soothed the reddened spots with soft caresses.

His tongue traced lazy circles around her sensitive clit before he sucked it into his mouth again, his fingers stretching her to accommodate him. She whimpered in frustration as she felt his mouth and fingers pull away from her right before she could push herself over the edge for the third time. Raycer continued concentrating on her breasts while Raevin shifted higher in the bed. He swallowed the next curse that left her mouth when he seemed unable to resist the temptation anymore, and sucked her pouting bottom lip into his mouth.

She moaned against him as his velvet lips captured hers, his tongue slipping inside her mouth and plundering her until she was breathless. His fingers weaving through her long red waves, he fisted his hand in her hair and angled her mouth to his, fitting against her like a glove as his kiss turned more demanding. She growled against his lips as her hunger flamed anew, and finally getting one of her hands free, she slipped it behind his head and held him to her. Her beast was rising, and she demanded satisfaction.

Raycer rolled to his side, freeing her other hand as he bit and licked down her rib cage, stoking her inner fires. Her hand groped against his muscled abdomen, and she dug her fingertips into the hard muscle as she tried to ground herself against the sensations overriding her mind. Those efforts were for nothing as she felt the bed shift again, and she pulled away from Raevin's mouth as Ridge's fingertips lifted her hips.

Without warning, Ridge pulled her hips down, and speared his hardness into her with one sharp thrust. Her tight tunnel gripped at him, and she heard him groan as he sunk into her wet heat. Her shoulders propped on the bed, her back arched in a rainbow as he slid his hands under her waist, supporting her as he thrust into her hot sheath again and again.

He adjusted her hips, and as he got her to the right angle, began slamming his thick rod into her at a bruising pace. Her eyes began to glow, her beast surfacing as the hard cock pummeling her pussy gave her what she needed, what she craved. She felt his body stiffen as his manhood pulsed within her, his hot cum rushing to drench her insides. He thrust hard into her and dug his fingers into her waist as he throbbed within her depths.

Ridge leaned down to suck her nipple in his mouth before he wrapped his arms around her and rolled, quickly switching positions with her until she was astride him. His cock remained rock-hard inside her, if anything having grown fuller as his own beast began to rise to the surface. His pace slowed as his brothers surrounded her and moved into position.

Leaning forward, she braced her hands on his chiseled chest as she lifted herself, slowly sliding up his thick length. Flexing her stomach and thighs, she moved her hips in slow circles and teased the head of his cock. She sank down on him—an inch or two at a time—but as soon as his eyes would begin to close in pleasure she'd lift herself back off of him again. Tossing her red waves to the side, she looked back over her shoulder as she felt another pair of hands begin caressing her lower back.

Raycer stood behind her as he caressed the swell of her ass; crouching down between her spread feet, he lowered his head as he began to kiss and nibble at her spread cheeks. Her eyes issued a challenge to him as they met his gaze, one he answered by running his tongue across the puckered star of her rear entrance. Her hips bucked away from him, but she was offered no respite; that only succeeded in driving her pussy down on Ridge's hard cock underneath her. She moaned as she lifted herself back up and felt Raycer's fingers slide inside her forbidden hole, stretching her.

Raevin moved in front of her, his strong fingertips lifting her chin as he claimed her lips in a searing kiss. A low groan of pleasure forced itself past her lips as she felt Raycer's massive length replace his fingers. He grabbed her hips when he slid his cock into her tight ass and her body instantly spasmed around him. Ridge slid his hands up beneath her heavy breasts and cupped them as his fingers deftly rolled her hardened nipples. Another orgasm crashed over her when he started sliding his length in tandem with his brother.

The dual sensation of having both of her lower holes filled stoked the flames of her desire even higher. She was insatiable in her pursuit of greater pleasure, and drove her willing body hard as she relentlessly slammed against the two hot cocks within her. It didn't take long before the friction made Raycer begin to pound her ass with a vengeance; his hands gripped her hips hard as she felt him explode, his thick cum spurting into her ass and easing the burning sensation as he continued to pump through his first orgasm into another.