Chapter Thirteen
“So tell me about this Wolf Run,” Bryn said as he pulled on his hiking boots. “It must be something special for Warden to give us all a day off.”
“It’s great,” Gunnar enthused. “There are three or four a year generally and they are competitive events. They’re not exclusive to lupines but you’d have to be an elite athlete to keep up if you weren’t.
There can be anywhere from fifty to a hundred competitors depending on the date, so they are the biggest gatherings of wolves that happen. ”
“That’s a lot of hairiness in one place.”
“And that is a shameful generalization, Bryn Ashton.”
“You’re telling me there are hairless lupines? Seriously?”
“I know one or two guys who like to shave their heads.”
“Ha, who knew?” Bryn grabbed his jacket. “So what’s it all about? A while back you said it was a cross between a hunt and a race.”
“That’s right. The organizers pick some remote area and lay a scent trail.
You remember how I could find Edwin Junior because there were smells that didn’t fit with the surroundings?
It’s kind of the same thing. It’s a cross country run but there’s no laid out course other than the scent.
The start and end points are always the same, so it’s circular and somewhere along the route you have to collect a flag.
If there are any human competitors, they get given a set of coordinates to follow a bit like orienteering.
Spectators are restricted to the start-finish line. ”
“So what happens in the woods, stays in the woods?”
“Yeah, it can get a bit rough.”
“So what do you get if you win?”
“Bragging rights.”
Bryn gaped. “You mean you put yourself through this and there’s no prize at the end of it?”
“That’s right.”
“You ever win?”
Gunnar shrugged. “Not yet. Came close a couple times, but some of these dudes practice every week and I don’t have a schedule that allows for that. I like the taking part, the banter, being around a bunch of wolves. It’s fun.”
“And I get to go watch. Yay.”
“Would you rather be working?”
Bryn thought about it for all of five seconds. “No. Any day off is better than none, even if it is pouring with rain out there. Emmett better be packing a lot of snacks.”
“I did!” Emmett exclaimed as he joined them.
He was bundled up in waterproof gear and a purple bobble hat.
“I went to the market and got a whole bunch of stuff. Anything with an E number and it was game. The competitors get food at the end of the run so I didn’t even have to get healthy stuff for Gunnar. ”
“You sound excited,” Gunnar said.
“Sure am. It’s amazing I get the chance to see this. Thanks for letting me tag along, Gunnar.”
“I’m happy to have you with us, Emmett,” Gunnar said, “but this trip didn’t have much to do with me. It was Warden’s idea that we made it a team outing and he wanted you along.”
Emmett bounced. “Is Warden coming too?”
“He is, but he’s meeting us there,” Gunnar confirmed. “He had some other mysterious errands to do in the area first.”
“Just you and me for the snacks then, Emmett,” Bryn said, rubbing his hands together. “It might not be such a bad day out after all.”
“Well, if you two don’t get your asses in the car, we won’t make the start at all, so get moving.”
“I’m taking shotgun,” Bryn said, following Gunnar out of the building. A GCR four-wheel drive was waiting for them. “So we’re going to Harold Parker State Forest. What’s there?”
They all got into the vehicle and Gunnar set off.
“I can tell you about it,” Emmett piped up. “I did some research.”
“Of course you did.” Bryn twisted around to show Emmett he wasn’t being mean. He smiled. “Because you’re always the most prepared person on the team.”
“I’m not really the spontaneous type,” Emmett said, ducking his head. “I like to know what’s happening and keep everything organized.”
“Which is why we love you.”
Emmett blushed. “We’re heading about twenty miles north of the city. The park spans three thousand acres and is mostly forest. There are some hiking trails but it doesn’t attract as many visitors as other nearby parks, so it’s ideal for a Wolf Run.”
“The idea of running as recreation is beyond me,” Bryn said. “Especially in a cold, damp forest. If I have to get wet, I’d rather swim. Preferably in a nice warm pool.”
“I did some orienteering at school,” Emmett said. “I like maps and clues and you don’t have to run all the time.”
“Marginally better,” Bryn admitted.
“We have to head to the main parking area because it’s big enough to accommodate everyone and there are amenities there.”
“Is there a coffee place?”
“No, but there are some good places in Andover, which is only five or ten minutes’ drive away.”
“Five if Gunnar’s driving,” Bryn muttered. He settled back in his seat.
For once, traffic was with them, which Bryn put down to no one else in their right minds being out in the appalling weather, and they arrived in good time. Gunnar slid the car into a space in the already busy lot.
“Wolves must really like the rain,” Bryn said. He peered out of the window. “Oh. Oh wow. This day is improving rapidly.”
“Why?” Emmett leaned over the seat to take a look too. “Ooh!”
“You two want to put your tongues back in your mouths?” Gunnar gave Bryn a hard stare.
“What? I’ve never seen so many hot men in one place before and half of them aren’t wearing much. Do they not feel the cold?”
“Not so much. Wolves are hot blooded and they’re wearing running gear, they’re not naked.” Gunnar stripped off his top, exposing a skintight tee in some kind of shiny material, then pushed his seat back so he could shimmy out of his sweatpants.
Bryn had to force his eyes away from Gunnar’s crotch. “Is it warm in here? We’re steaming up.”
“One of us is,” Gunnar said. “I suggest you both stay in the car until the start. I’m going to say hi to a few guys I know.”
“You are not leaving us in here,” Bryn protested. “I want to meet all the yummy…your friends. I want to meet your friends.” He pushed his shades up his nose then pulled on his gloves.
“What happened to not wanting to be out in the miserable weather?”
“Fresh air is good for me. You said so. Several times. And Emmett doesn’t get out of the office often enough.”
“No, I don’t!” Emmett agreed with enthusiasm. “This is a very…scenic spot.”
“You do realize that most of these guys aren’t gay, don’t you?” Gunnar got out of the car then fetched his runners from the trunk.
Bryn zipped his jacket and went to join him. “You said most, so that means that some are, right?”
“By the balance of possibility, they must be,” Emmett contributed as he joined them. “However, my gaydar has been on the fritz since I realized I like boys.” He shrugged. “It’s okay to look at the straight ones too, though, right?”
“No. No looking. No touching.” Warden’s gruff voice came from behind Emmett, making Emmett yelp.
“Hey, Warden, you okay to keep an eye on these two? I’m heading over to registration,” Gunnar said.
“Sure.”
Gunnar jogged away and Bryn made eye contact with his boss. “I was about to say you’re not the boss of me, but you kinda are, so…”
“So you and Emmett are going to behave yourselves.”
“Yes, sir,” Emmett squeaked.
“Bring the snacks, Emmett. If Warden is going to spoil my fun then I’ll need junk food.”
“Me too,” Emmett agreed.
“One or the other of you needs to be on a leash,” Warden muttered.
Emmett blushed and Bryn watched his reaction with interest. I think Emmett has a kinky streak wider than the Charles River. He’s probably wearing leather underwear under his khakis. And Warden definitely owns his own leash. It’s a match made in gay heaven.
“You think I don’t know what’s going on in your head, Bryn?” Warden narrowed his eyes.
“I thought I was the augur around here.”
“Hmm. You’re trouble, that’s what you are. I don’t need gene abilities to tell me that.” He glanced across to the crowd of runners. “Let’s go watch the start.”
“I feel like my character has been maligned,” Bryn said to no one in particular.
Gunnar ran across to them. A few strands of his hair had come loose from his bun and his eyes were bright. “I can’t wait to get started, there’s such a great atmosphere. There are some really competitive guys running today, it’s going to be a tough race.”
“Do you have the scent?” Warden asked.
“Yeah, it stinks. I think they used some kind of dead fish to lay the trail. So gross. Still, it should be easy to follow.” He turned to Bryn. “How are you guys doing, not too cold?”
“We’re good. How long will the race take?” Bryn asked.
“The course is about ten miles, so with any luck the leaders should be back within the hour. If we were on flat, easy ground it would be quicker, but this is rough terrain, lots of obstacles.”
“You’re still going to run five-minute miles out there?” Emmett said, sounding astonished.
“Wolves, remember.” Gunnar gave him a toothy grin. “Gotta go. Don’t wander off anywhere, Bryn.”
“Do you see a coffee shop anywhere? Bakery? Where do you think I’d go?”
Gunnar chuckled. “I’ll see you in a bit. Be good.”
Chance to be anything but would be nice. Bryn admired Gunnar’s ass as he jogged away. He can wear those running shorts any time he likes, though.
There didn’t seem to be a tape or any marked start line.
The runners gathered in a crowd, whooping and yelling.
There were even some howls. A klaxon sounded and the race started.
Bryn was amazed at how rough it was. There were apparently no rules about contact and several competitors were sent tumbling to the ground.
Within a minute they had all disappeared into the trees.
“So what do we do now?” Bryn asked. “Stand here like lemons freezing our asses off for an hour?”
Emmett handed him the snack bag and he cheered up. Delving inside, he pulled out a sack of Cheetos. “I love these.” He tore open the packet and was soon stuffing his face with cheesy goodness.