Honestly, he was feeling sick right now.

Leaning back on the chair, Octo watched this bear in front
of him with disinterested eyes. He put the side of his head on his fist,
looking bored as hell to cover his nausea. This bear was the boss of the
operation here, yet Octo felt like the bear threw all his pride outside the
window the moment he walked here. The bear was polite, yes, but the panther
felt like he was trying so hard to lick him.

“…and that is it, sir. Everything is running smoothly
as of now."

For a while, Octo didn't answer. He only stared at the
bear who was trying to make himself as small as possible, then at the paperwork
on the table that he'd read before. Tch, he hated this; he hated everything the
bear said. He said like all of this was worthy of protection. He said like all
of this had meaning.

Although, he couldn't deny that this had been very
informative. So, his suspicion was true; they were so clean and thorough to do
their business and cover their tracks. Operation Flaming Rock, for example, was
done to infiltrate the lower-ranked members of the Barrowislander police and
they did it with moderate success. Now he saw just how far his father's reach
was, and in extension, how far his own reach was. He could actually get inside by
pulling not many strings.

Yet, the thought of it repulsed him. He was not one to
look for easy ways. He learnt that everything was earned through hard work.

The room was silent. No one seemed to dare speak in
his presence, even Richard who was just behind him. Maybe he looked scary? “I
have to say, I am impressed." He finally said, and he could sense a collective
sigh in the room being let out. “The police and the city government are not
suspicious?"

“No, sir. They are taken care of. We pretty much have
moderate control of the lower ranks of the police while we still need to pull
some longer strings to the city government."

Yes, he needed to puke.

There was still one thing, though. He already got
Richard's point of view of the story, now he needed to get Big Boss' point of
view. Although he read the reports in front of him, he's still like a verbal
explanation “There is something, though. Elaborate me about Red Wolf to warrant
such assassination attempt."

The bear looked at the panda beside him, then back at
him. “We know he's a university student at the University of Barrowisle. He
joined the operation in Chapmanhein, then he quit it and killed several members
and burned all files related to him. He was only an operator in Chapmanhein."

In other words, they didn't know much about him.
However, he noted the details. So, in summary, Red Wolf joined the operation
and wanted to quit, but instead of quitting normally—which was actually rather
challenging—he killed several members of the operation and destroyed all files
related to him… somehow. He then moved to Barrowisle and attended the University
of Barrowisle.

Octo nodded, taking the information in. He was still
conflicted about why Red Wolf needed to be assassinated. He didn't seem to have
done anything that interfered with or disrupted the operation, whether supplies
or distribution. Maybe it was more like a personal grudge? That would explain,
but that would be utterly petty of them to have launched that against him.

Really, of all the reasons to launch an assassination
attempt, they chose personal grudge. Such a useless reason.

Nonetheless, they seemed to have given up on
assassinating him. He would still watch them closely, though. “Understood, then."
said the panther, straightening up. “Thank you for the briefing and
information. Now, if you would, I'll excuse myself." Without waiting for an
answer, Octo stood up, nodded at them, and left the room.

Though, he remembered something when he was about to
open the door. “Oh, also, please keep me informed about Red Wolf." He looked
over his shoulder while opening the door.

He was ready to call it a day and lock himself in his
room. This was too much. He felt like he had blood in his hands.

No, he had blood in his hands.

“Come in, wolf. Welcome to my den!"

At first, Kevin freaked out a bit about bringing Tom
here—yet another occasion where he acted before thinking. It was the place
where they had a fight and subsequently made up. He felt bad; he did quite a
nasty wound on Tom. The grey wolf only gave him some slash marks, but him…

Well, looking at said grey wolf who was looking around
the room, Tom didn't seem too bothered by it. In fact, he looked like he was
bothered by something else. Kevin just took his jacket off and threw it on the
bed before turning the telly on. “Just sit down on the bed. I'm gonna get the
watermelons."

He was going to wolfify him, so he should get
some watermelons, oxen fur and meat, and a box of lunar light to complete the
transformation.

Kevin chuckled to himself as he went to the kitchen.
That new fiction series Under the Moon on Furflix was really good. Despite the
speciesist theme, and quite a backlash from both some of the wolf and ox
population, it quickly became a fan favourite. Wolves are mostly divided over
it, either liking it or hating it. Kevin liked it a lot because dang, it packed
amazing action scenes.

He took one half of the watermelon he bought earlier
today from the fridge. He also made a cup of tea like how Octo told him. The
panther said Tom wasn't picky about tea, so he bought one exactly like the
panther bought.

Cutting the watermelon, he wondered if anything would
happen tonight.

The red wolf shrugged it off. Max would kill him if he
found out. Nah, that was just the horniness in him talking. Octo said he'd do
him later today, so his insides were tingling in anticipation. The panther
would come here later tonight when he was done with his stuff. Done cutting the
watermelon, he took the plates and the cup and brought them to the living room.

Tom was sitting on the bed, watching the television.
There was nothing wrong with that, but somehow, Kevin felt something was off.
He put the plates and the glass on the small table next to the bed and looked
around.

“Kev?"

He just grunted as a response, trying to pinpoint what
was wrong. The television was still there. The table wasn't broken. The dirty
clothes were piled up on the corner of the bed. Everything was in its correct
place.

Wait, everything was in its correct place?

“Dude, did you clean my apartment?" He asked the
smaller wolf, dumbfounded. “And in less than what, 10 minutes?"

Tom only shrugged. “It's messy. You should take care
of it more."

“Uh, well…" He scratched his nape, suddenly feeling
uncomfortable. “You really didn't have to do that…"

“Nope. I'm not going to leave your place that messy.
Besides, I organised everything based on types, so you should be able to look
for things pretty easily. Also, it's musky here. Get some freshener or
something." The smaller wolf moved to sit on the floor and pulled his tail
softly. “Anyway, come on, begin the ritual."

Kevin gave a huff and sat down on the floor next to
Tom. “Okay. We got the watermelons here."

“The tea?"

“Nah that's for you later. So, you ready?"

“Ready." They each took a slice of the watermelons.

“One, two, three."

They ate the watermelons, their tails waving in
contentment. It tasted sweet, almost like candy. Kevin wiped his muzzle; he
couldn't afford to let just one drop fall lest they be cursed for eternal life.

He chuckled at that.

“How's it?" he looked at the grey wolf.

“Tastes like watermelon."

He took a second slice. “See what you're missing?"

Tom shrugged. “I can already feel the flow of time and
the electromagnetic waves around me, so I guess…"

They laughed.

“But really though, yeah, it tastes good. I can see
why you like it. Me sih, reckon I'll put this in the
nice-but-not-essential category."

The red wolf groaned. “Think you need more than just
one slice."

“How many have you anyway?"

“Bought two earlier today."

“And you eat it every day?"

“Depends though."

“I feel safe already that the little guy isn't an
addict."

Kevin pushed him away playfully. “Who're you calling
little?!"

“The watermelon of course. I was afraid that it's
addicted to being eaten by you."

They went quiet to process the joke. However, the red
wolf interpreted it differently. “I'm not into vore but yeah I can see the
appeal."

This time, Tom pushed him rather forcefully, though he
was laughing. “What is wrong with you?!"

Kevin laughed, letting the smaller wolf punch him
repeatedly. Really, he didn't know he could feel this way with the grey wolf.
He felt… connected, in a way, like he was not alone and there was someone with
whom he could take the mask off and just be what he wanted. Somehow like
Vilkas, but deeper.

He saw Tom's tail swaying and he couldn't hold back a
smile. Tom wasn't the first wolf he met, but certainly the first he felt
connected to. Kevin knew that he should be independent, that he should be his
own leader of his own family one day, but he wasn't meant to be that just yet.
He had an older brother, for fuck's sake, and he was meant to look up to him,
but instead…

“Thanks for the watermelon, mate." Tom said with an
easy smile. Kevin smiled back, maybe almost a grin. The grey wolf's eyes were
as red as Kevin's fur, and somehow, he found it dangerous.

No, people should find it dangerous. This was
the wolf whom he had bitten to blood without batting an eye.

…okay, set the creepy things aside for now.

He took the grey wolf's cup. “Heh, there's more in the
back if you want." However, as soon as he tasted the tea, he put the cup back
on the table. “What the fuck!"

“Looks like my tea is safe." Tom laughed and took the
cup, sipping from it.

“Dude, that's more bitter than Vilkas' ass!"

Tom flinched. “Oi, I really don't need the details."

“Seriously, you like that shit?!"

“Nope. I love it." The grey wolf took another
sip and grinned at the red wolf. “Pahitnya manis."

“I have no idea what you just said but that tasted
just like Satan's cum."

“Have you ever tasted Satan's cum?"

“No but I know!"

Tom just shrugged. “So, you've never had bitter tea. I
reckon you've never had bitter coffee too."

“Nope I don't like bitter things."

“But you seem to like saying bitter things."

Kevin stared at him, then sighed exaggeratedly and
slumped. “Come on! You wound me!"

“I didn't wound you, only stating the obvious."

“Thanks for rubbing salt on the wound."

Grinning at him, the grey wolf took another slice of
the watermelon and wiggled his brows. Maybe he should be careful around this grey
wolf… wait no, scratch that, he should've been being careful around this
wolf. He seemed to have the ability to turn almost everything into insults. Deadly
ones, at that. He could say he drank water and Tom could find a way to make an
insult from that.

…he had to learn that ability!

“Anyway," Tom said. “Come here."

Kevin looked at him curiously, munching the
watermelon. He then put the watermelon away and shifted closer. “You're not
going to kiss me, are you?"

Tom just ignored him, instead, he gently took his
muzzle and moved it side to side. “Hmm." He caressed Kevin's muzzle and cheeks
softly.

Unable to fight a grin, Kevin only let him. “Heh, that
handsome, huh?"

“Ssh. You got some loose furs." He continued caressing
his muzzle to catch more loose furs. “You're shedding now? Winter's just
ending."

The red wolf shrugged. “Dunno."

“Move around and take your tank top off."

Kevin did so, taking his tank top off and giving the
smaller wolf his red back. Tom softly combed through his fluff, making Kevin
sigh in contentment. He had to say, it felt a lot better when he wasn't doing
it himself. Tom's touches were soft and gentle.

“Really, Kev, shou—stop wagging your tail—shouldn't
you start shedding later in spring? I haven't even gotten started yet."

“Dunno. My shedding schedule's been a mess lately."

“Stressed after graduating college?"

He shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. “Maybe."

“No wonder your bedsheets were full of fur." Tom
plucked his fur, making him yelp in surprise. “Done."

“Don't you want to do my front?"

“Ih." He chuckled and
discarded the small furball. “Well, wanna brush?"

Kevin moved aside and leant on his elbows on the bed.
“I thought you were gonna ask 'wanna fuck'?"

Tom threw his tank top onto his muzzle.

“Dude! But that's part of the ritual?"

“Stertsniþer."

Kevin just laughed and removed the garment from his
face. “Well, the brush is in the nightstand's second drawer."

“I changed my mind. I'm not gonna brush you."

“Aww, please?" Kevin couldn't fight the giddy feeling
he had as he shifted closer to the grey wolf. Tom didn't reply, only watching
the television. He elbowed the grey wolf softly. “Dude, keep talking."

“What do yo—oh."

Kevin grinned and put his arm around the grey wolf's
neck. His accent still sounded hot. “So, how's work?"

Tom just shook his head and went back to watching the
television.

Crap, he was found out! His plan failed! “C'mon!" He
laughed. “Speak to daddy."

“I would but only if it were the last thing you
heard."

“Kinky!"

Tom kicked him, making him laugh.

Standing in front of the door to Tom and Max's flat,
Octo gave a sigh and knocked. Hopefully, the small coffee-flavoured cake he was
holding would be enough of an apology for them. It was rather small but should
be enough for them since neither had a sweet tooth. He felt really bad about
the last time he was here, though it was actually Kevin's fault.

Yes, it was that horny wolf's fault. It made wrecking
his arse as punishment last night was much more justified. Although he
should've done that the day before yesterday, it was still satisfying enough.
He was sure the red wolf couldn't sit, even now. Despite his extra deluxe snarkiness
this morning, he knew the red wolf loved it.

He knocked at the door again, and this time it opened,
revealing a smiling Max on the other side. “Hey, Oct. Come in."

He nodded at the dog and went inside. Really, it
wasn't much, but he still felt guilty for making out in his flat. He also felt
the need to apologise to Tom although the wolf didn't see them in the living
room. Max acted like it didn't happen and simply forgot about it, but he still
felt guilty. This was unlike that party where he and Kevin snogged on the couch
in front of Max; that one was at Andy's place who just laughed and told them to
get a room.

“What's that?" Max asked curiously when they sat down
on the sofa.

“This, uh…" His tail swayed as he gave it to the dog.
“Max, I'm sorry for that accident. I shouldn't have done that here."

The dog looked at him, his expression curious, then
sighed. “C'mon, dude, it's fine. I know the feeling of morning wood. I don't
hate you or anything, just freaked out, that's all. I don't wanna see my friend
doing that, especially to another guy." Max shuddered a bit. “Well, also doing
that in someone else's house." He then smiled at the panther. “Thanks for the
cake, though."

“I still feel guilty."

“Heh, I know. You're gonna close yourself in your room
thinking about your life decisions." He grinned. “Really though, please teach
Kevin to not be horny in someone else's house."

Octo just smiled. “Thanks, I'll make sure to do that."

“I can tell you've written a script just to apologize
to me."

“I most certainly have not."

“Yeah, right. Now cut the cake, I'm gonna get the
plates. You want coffee or tea?"

“Anything is fine." The panther rolled his eyes
good-naturedly. Of course, this was Max, his close friend. Being the captain
and co-captain of the football club had certainly made them close, so close in
fact that sometimes he wondered if he actually had feelings for him, and yeah, he
actually used to feel a bit attracted to the dog during their first year after
breaking up with his ex.

However, he knew that Max had a bad history with gays,
so he kept it to himself. Moreover, when he decided to come out to him, Max was
very supportive of him, even encouraged him to come out to the others. Now, he
thought of the dog as a very close friend of his.

When he looked back at it, it was pretty funny.

He took his coat off and sat on the sofa. Max returned
from the kitchen with two glasses of coffee and two plates and spoons and put
them on the table. “Milk?"

“This is fine." Octo said as he put the cake slices on
the plates.

“Thanks." Max took his plate and leant back on the
sofa. “Looks like winter's ending."

Octo shrugged. “I was just enjoying seeing you being
puffy."

“Screw you, dude!" The dog laughed. “Did you see Tom?"

“I did, and I even still wonder how he took care of
all that fur."

“Hard. Believe me. He takes like 5 minutes to dry,
even with a blower. Though I gotta admit it makes him look cuter." He ate the
cake. “And hotter, somewhat."

“How's his fur?"

“Still coarse. How's Kevin?"

“Still an ass, but at least a thick ass."

Max laughed, but then stopped and grimaced. “Ugh, I
don't think I'm ready for gay jokes just yet."

Raising his brows, the panther took another slice of
the cake. “I wasn't saying that as a gay joke," then he snickered when he got
it, letting out a chuckle. “Actually, that's not entirely false."

“Yuck!"

“You know, the fact that you interpreted it as a gay
joke instead of me speaks for itself." He leant on the armrest and snickered at
the dog.

Max looked at him dirtily. “Thanks, I hate it."

“You're welcome."

They went quiet for a while, just watching the
television—well, the stream from Max's laptop. Somehow, Octo had the feeling
that Max wanted to ask him something but was too nervous to do so. He glanced
at the German Shepherd and noticed his ears twitching a bit now and then.

Yup, definitely wanted to ask him something but was
too nervous to do so.

“Ask it."

Max turned to him. “What?"

“Just ask it."

“Ask what?"

“You know what. I can tell." He ate the cake.

He sighed in annoyance, “You can be an ass too
sometimes, you know."

“I'll take that as a compliment."

He then asked the panther. “I'm just wondering about
you and Kevin. Are you two dating?"

“Yes." Octo replied easily.

Max's eyes widened in surprise.

“What? We're dating, I'm not gonna deny that."

“And you didn't tell me?" asked the dog incredulously.

“We've been dating for just one week or so and haven't
even taken the time to think about it."

“Oh." The dog took a sip of his coffee. “I thought
you've been dating since you… uh…"

“Fucked each other?"

“...yeah, that."

The panther chuckled. “No, we've only been dating for a
week or so."

Max smiled. “Finally." That smile turned brighter.
“After all these years."

Octo rolled his eyes, but he couldn't fight the blush
creeping up his cheeks.

“Why Kevin, though? No offense, but he's an ass."

“I'm wondering about the same thing." Faking a cough,
he looked away. “Still, he's one hot ass."

“Never knew you like the bad boy muscle type, huh? I
guess bad boys sticks to bad boys."

He looked at the dog and saw him grinning. “Tom is the
epitome of a bad boy and you're a nice guy."

“Hey!"

“Besides, Tom is more bad boy than Kevin. His words
can be brutal, you know." He chuckled. “I love it when he murders Kevin with
his words."

“Kevin and Andy." Max chuckled along. “Gotta admit, they
deserve those."

“I agree."

“And yeah, I gotta admit that Kevin is hot." Max
scratched his nape. “Besides, Tom is more like chaotic good, while Kevin is
chaotic horny. But anyway, now you must give me relationship tips. No buts."

“No butts?"

“Yeah, and yo—wait, was that another gay joke?"

Octo shrugged.

Max facepalmed.

“Come on, like Tom never gave you any."

“He never gave me any!"

“Oh, well. I'm going to give you some, then." The
panther grinned. “And I still wanna slap you with the fact that you're dating a
guy now. Come here."

“Shit, dude! You already did!"

He laughed. “Okay, I'll spare you. You two have been
cuddling?"

Max was red and his ears were down. “Erm, yeah."

“Nice." He took another slice of the cake. At this
rate, he would be the one finishing it rather than Max. “Tom's lucky, you know,
getting this super hot, super cute boyfriend. I'm envious."

If it were possible that Max became redder, he would.
“Oi!"

“I'm sure he was very delighted when he took you for
the first time. I mean, just look at those muscles. Even I would want to tap 'em."

“Happy now?" Max looked at him, not impressed.
However, his tail was wagging like a broom. Octo thought the sofa would be
clean by the time they were done.

“Heh, still can't believe the big bad captain of the
football team is dating a guy. What made Tom able to bend you, huh? I seriously
gotta know his secret because that's some forbidden knowledge he has." He gave
the dog's shoulder a weak punch. “But don't worry, I'm not Kevin. I'm not gonna
bend those who don't want to be bent." He ended with a small laugh.

Max's ears finally went up. “Yes, you've made your
point clear. Multiple times."

“I like to make myself as clear as possible." He let
the dog go. “Anyway, why's Tom still out in Hasingham? Those meetings take too
long."

“Not sure. He said they were mostly about done,
though. Lucas and his boss did most of the negotiation, Tom's just writing them
down." Max took another slice of the cake and glanced at the clock. It was
close to 20. “He should be on his way back now."

“Good."

They went quiet again.

“Eh, Max?"

“Hm?"

“You're seriously not going to tease me with Kevin?"

Max mrf'ed, then sipped his coffee. “I think being
Kevin's boyfriend is enough of a punishment for you."

Octo laughed. That one packed a punch.