Huskies from Hell

'What are you still doing up?' Dusk asked.

'Can't sleep.'

'Worried?'

'A little, but also feeling excited. I just can't settle down enough to let sleep take over.'

She stepped between his legs, pulled his head closer and rested it against her belly, stroking his hair. He put his arm around the back of her legs and scritched her fur with his fingertips.

'How about this then?' she said, pulled together all the cushions and blankets, made a makeshift bed from the couch, asked him to lay down and then settled next to him under one arm. 'As long as you can't sleep I'll stay with you.'

He smiled gratefully and planted a kiss on top of her head. 'Deal.'

She couldn't stay awake long though but he had expected that. But her presence made him feel more comfortable and it helped him feel drowsy until he heard footsteps again.

This time it was Ghost. 'I noticed Dusk was gone for a while, and your bed was cold.' she whispered.

'I couldn't sleep and she offered to stay with me until I could.' he whispered.

'And she fell asleep..'

'Yeah.' chuckled Petrash softly.

Ghost crawled up against his other side. 'I like her suggestion.'

'You too?'

'If you don't mind.'

'I like it more and more.'

Just before he finally caught his sleep Dice and Rusty walked in.

'I noticed they were gone and went looking for them.' Rusty whispered.

'I only happened to need the bathroom when she bumped into me.' Dice whispered, looking up innocently.

'Well,' Petrash whispered. 'as long as you're here, want to join this slumber party?'

The girls nodded and snuggled up between the others and him, resting their heads on his stomach.

This time he fell asleep quickly, being warmed by their four bodies.

Chapter 07

The next morning a message came through about a visitor. Ghost took it to breakfast reading it.

'It says a miss Yacoba will be coming here.'

The sound of a mug breaking on the floor made the girls look at Petrash.

'Yacoba? Anashia Yacoba?' he asked.

Ghost read the rest of the message. 'Could be. You know her, judging from your reaction.'

He sighed and gathered the shards of his mug, muttering 'And I even started to like this one.'.

'Well, gonna tell us?' Dice asked.

He shook his head. 'Too long a story for now. You need to get going soon.'

After the girls left he sat down on the couch stroking Dawn's head. 'Why would she come here? It can only be to fire me permanently. She must be here to find the tiniest thing to get to me. I'll have to make sure the books are perfect.'

At the end of the day Petrash had triple-checked every number and receipt. The girls found him just shutting the books when they got back from their deliveries.

'Is it that time already?' he asked looking at the clock. 'No, you're early?'

'It seems we're all very curious about your story so we got around a little quicker than usual.' Rusty said.

He sighed. 'Right. Guess I'll have to fess up then.'

They went to the common room where Petrash started talking. 'Yacoba should sound familiar to you, it's the name of the owner of this company.'

Ghost nodded. 'Now that you mention it. We don't really read much company news here.'

'Anyway, she started working at the same department as I did. Her being the boss's daughter had quite the effect on the department. Some people disliked her, others went out of their way to suck up to her. I didn't care anyway so I treated her like I would any other co-worker. And that must have caught her attention.' He paused for a deep breath. 'Now, she was quite pretty, blond hair down to her shoulders, blue-grey eyes, not too slim figure but there was something odd about her I couldn't put my finger on. I noticed she joined me for lunch more often but I thought that was mere coincidence. Then the manager asked me to guide her with more of her work.'

'"No problem." I said, not suspecting anything at that point.'

'I helped her out with the things she didn't know about the system and she seemed eager to learn. Soon we were going to the different departments together to check inventory and shipping. Then one day she suggested to spend an evening clearing out old files from the archive to make room and our manager agreed. Of course it meant I had to do the overtime too.'

'I had a quick bite to eat for dinner so I had already started by the time she came back into the office.'

'"Sorry for making you wait." she said. "We only just now finished dinner."'

'"That's okay." I said. "I only came in a short while ago."'

'She leaned against me while I was going through a drawer, I could feel her breasts against one side of my back and she rubbed with her hand the other. I also smelled she had been drinking.'

'"You know you're quite cute?" she whispered in my ear.'

'I was quite surprised by her remark but I knew it wasn't right. "Thank you, but maybe this isn't the right place or time." I said.'

'"Oh, come on." she said. "You think I suggested this job just to throw out old stuff?"'

'She started unbuttoning her blouse. "You're not like any of the other guys around here. You don't treat me like some princess or suck up to me to get into my panties or get favourable treatment by my father. You treat me like a normal girl and that's why I want you."'

'I backed off. "What are you talking about? You don't know me that well."'

'"Well enough to want to make you my plaything. I never wanted a toy like you so much before." she said and moved towards me.'

He paused to settle his embarrassment from the stares of the girls. 'Unfortunately she slipped on some papers I had left on the floor and she crashed into me, taking me down with her.'

The girls watched him with even bigger eyes as if he were in an unfunny slapstick comedy.

'I ended up on the floor with her on top of me and our clothes were in kind of a shamble.' He held up his hands before Dice could speak. 'Now, that wouldn't have been the end of it, if it wasn't for her father wanting to surprise her by visiting while she worked overtime.' He saw the girls starting to understand when they cringed. 'He had heard she worked late just as he finished his business and felt so proud of her he wanted to see her. And that he did, ripped blouse, pulled up skirt and all over a young man with his shirt pulled out and his hands all over her.'

'Well,' Dusk said. 'I think I can guess the rest.'

Petrash nodded. 'Trying to explain was no use, he didn't want to hear anything and Anashia kept silent. I don't even want to repeat what he said at that moment. Early the next morning I received my transfer to this place.'

'So what does she want by coming here?' Rusty asked.

'I don't know. Maybe getting me out of the company for good by the smallest mistake in the books? I can't think of a better way to keep a lid on the scandal other than keeping me here.'

He sighed and poured himself a drink. 'For once I really feel like getting wasted.' he said and gulped it down.

'Wow. For you to want that it must be bad.' Dice said.

'I'm not one to refuse to help in that regard,' Rusty said and poured him another one and one for herself. 'To the poor schmucks who end up here in frozen hell.'

He clinked her glass, 'Hear hear!' and emptied his again in one gulp.

'Oh well, might as well join in.' said Ghost and poured for all. 'We'll worry about it when the time comes.'

Several rounds later they were singing along to rock music.

'I didn't know you were into this kind of music.' Rusty said to Petrash.

'I love all sorts of music, have a huge collection. That way I always have something to fit my mood.'

'So you play loud all the time too?'

He shook his head. 'Can't do that in an apartment. I could only use headphones, but it's just not the same.'

'Feel free to go crazy here then.'

'Thanks. I will if I'm still here after tomorrow.'

'Only if you're unlucky..' Rusty grinned.

He slumped back. 'I will miss this place, as strange as it sounds.'

'Sure.'

'No, really. I feel like I accomplished something here. And I'll miss you girls.'

She looked at his sad eyes and knew he really meant it. He pulled himself up and staggered to the door. 'I give up. Going to sleep. You girls definitely win with drinking.'

Dusk turned to Rusty. 'He's really worried.'

She nodded. 'He doesn't want to leave.'

'Hell, I don't want him to leave, and neither do any of you.' said Dice.

'So what do we do?'

'We can't do anything without knowing what Yacoba's up to.' Ghost said. 'We can only wait for her to make a move.'

The girls saw he was deep in thought while fixing breakfast. Rusty stroked his ear and it startled him.

'Gomen, didn't mean to surprise you.' she said, smiling softly.

He smiled softly at her, stroking her arm. 'It's okay, I just can't calm down right now.'

She kissed him gently. 'Don't worry, we won't let you go because you have to take responsibility.'

He raised his eyebrows. 'Responsibility?'

'Yeah, for making four girls fall for you in a place where there's no good guy to be found for many miles.' she grinned deviously at him and he blushed a little.

'You must have really lowered your standards to stick with me then.' he said with a chuckle.

She slapped his ass. 'You have no idea. Now serve us you lowly man creature.' she said and went to the table.

He chuckled and was glad she was able to lift his spirit.

Before they went on their deliveries the girls all reassured Petrash that he wouldn't be able to leave anymore, even if he wanted to.

He went back to cleaning up, then started his normal workday. There was enough to do and he had forgotten all about her arrival during the day until he heard the door from the entrance at the vehicle bay. Thinking one of the girls had arrived he finished his work and walked to the common room. Then at the corridor he bumped into Yacoba.

'Whoa!' he said, suddenly remembering she was coming here.

'Petrash!' she said and quickly hugged him.

Overwhelmed by the unexpected situation, he didn't know how to react. 'Why are you here?'

She looked sad at him. 'I'm really sorry what had happened to you. I tried to tell my father but he refused to listen and wouldn't let you come back.'

'I got the feeling it was an interesting story how you got here.' Chief said.

'Chief!' Petrash said as he suddenly noticed him carrying a couple of suitcases. 'Why are you here as well?'

'The lady refused to wait for an available driver to take the trip here. You can't really argue with the boss's daughter.' Chief said, putting down the suitcases with a playful grin. 'And I was curious enough to see how you're doing since you've been here longer than any of your predecessors have.'

Petrash pried himself loose from Yacoba's embrace. 'But why come here?' he asked her.

'Either he lets you come back, or I'm not going back.' she said with a determined grin.

'Wait, you planned on staying here?'

She nodded excitedly like a little girl going on her first sleepover. He sighed and walked to the common room shaking his head.

She followed him. 'I'm sure we won't have to stay much longer here, daddy will give in soon enough.'

He turned around, arms wide. 'Look, I had to give up my home to be sent here, now I've managed to make this place my home and you expect me to go back and start all over once again!?'

She looked meekly at him. 'Don't you want to go back?'

'I can't just drop everything and leave this place and the girls here!'

'Girls?' she asked.

'Ohoo..' Chief said while pouring himself a drink from the bar. 'I had a feeling you had the right stuff to charm them.'

She looked at Chief. 'What girls?'

'Shall I tell her?' he asked Petrash.

Petrash threw his hands in the air. 'Whatever..'

Chief coughed and straightened to deliver his lecture. 'Now, everyone who has been sent here comes back with the horror stories about how they had suffered under the hands of four mean, bullying huskies.' He held up a finger. 'Yet, none have explicitly stated that these huskies were in fact female. No-one has actually looked at them as women. Only as Kanine creatures, so everyone who heard about them presumed they were men.' He lifted up his glass. 'After all, who could imagine women doing this kind of harsh work out here?' He finished his drink and poured another. 'So, in reality he has been living here with four girls and he hadn't come back without his marbles yet, which tells me one thing, they must have taken a liking to him.'

She stared at Petrash. 'Is that true?'

He nodded. 'Yes.'

Doubt about her planned events entered her mind. 'You don't want to come back?'

'I.., don't think I want to anymore.'

She looked at the floor for a moment. 'Because of them?'

He nodded. 'Yeah, I'd have to say so.'

Her heart began to sink. 'You like them that much?'

'Yeah.'

She looked straight at him. 'Then, do you love them?'

He took a deep breath. 'I haven't told them, but yes, I love them.'

Silence hung in the air for a few moments before Chief tapped his glass with one finger. 'Guess they know now..'

Petrash looked at Chief, then followed his gaze to the corridor where the girls were standing and his heart throbbed anxiously.

Ghost stepped forward and hugged Petrash. Soon after the other girls all joined in.

Chief moved behind Yacoba and put a hand on her sagged shoulder. 'Things haven't turned out the way you expected, eh?'

She shook her head, rubbed her eyes and cried softly in her fists. Rusty saw it, let go of Petrash and held her gently in her arms, stroking her head. 'You love him that much too, eh?' she whispered.

Yacoba nodded slightly.

'I think we need some girl time.' Ghost said.

Petrash agreed. 'That would seem best.'

'Come,' Ghost said to the other girls. 'Let's take her to our room.'

Petrash squeezed Ghost's hand lightly and she nodded in understanding. 'She'll be all right after a good cry.'

After they had left Petrash went behind the bar and poured himself a stiff one, finishing it in one go.

'Difficult subject, women.' Chief said sitting down across him at the bar.

Petrash held out the bottle, Chief shoved his glass to him and he filled it up with his own. 'You have one?'

Chief nodded. 'Married for some time now, one son 12 years, one daughter 10 years old. Happy in our simple life.'

Petrash held up his glass to toast. 'Simple, happy life.'

Chief clinked. 'And not so simple, but surely happy life.'

They finished their drinks and Petrash filled the glasses again.

'Need to go back soon? Otherwise the couch is available.'

'Thanks, if you don't mind me.'

'Not at all. I'd feel better if you were rested before taking the trip back. And having someone to help finish off this bottle.'

While the men were emptying the bottle and discussing life the girls were comforting Yacoba.

'So, how did it start?' Dusk asked.

'I'm not sure when. One day I just realised he treated me like a normal person instead of the boss's daughter and it felt so comfortable I wanted to be around him more.' she answered hugging a pillow. 'He was so nice, and good looking with his grey ears and tail. I kept thinking of him outside work and realised I had fallen in love. Then one day I thought of a way to tell him how I felt but I screwed up and he didn't seem to feel the same way.' She squeezed the pillow harder. 'And then I got him into trouble and I wanted to get him out but now he fell in love with you guys and I'm too late.' She rubbed tears from her cheeks.

Dusk wrapped an arm around Yacoba's shoulders. 'Gomen. For us this whole outcome has been unexpected as well. Guess we all fell for his natural charm, heh.'

'Well, all men are wolves and he is both, so maybe he just deceived us all.' Dice joked.

'With his cute ears.' Ghost said.

'And happily wagging tail.' Rusty sniggered.

'His cooking.' Dice said licking her lips.

'His way with the accounting books.' Yacoba said, smiling softly.

The girls sniggered and went on picking on his little points until they fell asleep.

'Morning.' Petrash said to Yacoba as she walked into the common room. 'Did you sleep well?'

She blushed a little. 'Yeah. I must admit it feels good to sleep between them.'

He nodded. 'Yeah.'

'Ah!' she realised what she said at the same time he realised his remark. 'Gomen, I must have disturbed your night!'

He waved his hand. 'No, no. We have only spend nights together by accident. We haven't gone that far yet.'

Once again he realised his choice of words. 'I mean, I don't even know what will happen in the future.'

She nodded.

'Anyway,' he continued. 'how about breakfast? The girls will come soon.'

She nodded again. 'Can I help?'

He smiled. 'Don't mind if you do.' He nodded at Chief still asleep on the couch. 'I doubt he can do much in the kitchen.'

She chuckled and they set up breakfast. They were remembering the funny parts during their time at the office and it made her laugh so much she accidentally cut her finger while cutting cubes from a block of cheese.

'Ah dammit!' he said and took her hand to hold it under the faucet. 'I'll get a band aid.'

He grabbed the first aid kit from a shelf and dried her fingers before applying the bandage.

She smiled softly at him. 'It's nothing serious.'

'Doesn't matter.' he said holding her hand. 'I just don't want you to get hurt.'

She just looked in his eyes for a little while, then pulled him close and kissed him. Just as he realised what happened Rusty walked in.

Yacoba let him go and looked guilty at Rusty. 'Gomen.' she said, then rushed past her out of the kitchen.

'Rusty..' he said.

She held up her hands. 'I know. I saw her cry.'

He sighed. 'Why did she have to fall for me?'

Rusty put her arms around his waist and hugged him. 'You've got a lot more animal magnetism than you realise.'

He smiled a little. 'Heh, if only it wouldn't make her feel bad.'

'You care for her?'

'Of course. I don't want her to be sad.'

'You try to make everyone happy?'

He thought for a moment. 'If I can, why wouldn't I?'

Rusty nodded. 'I'll go to her, you just finish setting the table.'

'Thanks.' he said and kissed her cheek.

A little later Rusty came back with Yacoba when the others had already sat down at the table.

'Gomen.' Yacoba said as she was seated between Petrash and Ghost. 'I know how you all feel and I still kissed him.'

'It's okay.' Dice said. 'Maybe we should discuss having Petrash take responsibility for this as well.'

'Huh?' Petrash said.

Ghost leaned closer to him. 'You make girls fall for you, you have to make them happy too.'

'But?' he said, feeling a little panic coming up.

Dusk leaned across the table and pushed a slice of bread into his mouth. 'No excuses. You'll only avoid this if she says you don't have to.'

'So?' Rusty asked Yacoba. 'What do you think? Could you live as a member of his pack with us?'

She poked at the slice of bread on her plate, blushing hard. 'I just want to be with him.'

Ghost put her arm around her. 'We all fell into that hole.'

Petrash swallowed the last of the bread. 'Maybe I should have been stronger, but I can't refuse cute girls. I'm just too weak, gomen.'

'Shut up.' Dice said and pushed another slice into his mouth. 'You're the cause of all this confusion. You ruined our simple life just by being here and being kind to us.'

Dawn barked at him and put her front paws on his legs.

'See? Even she agrees, you're bad for us all.' Dusk said.

He looked around confused. 'I'm sorry! I don't know what I did but I'm sorry! I promise to make it up to you!'

Yacoba turned to embrace him and kiss his neck. 'You did nothing wrong. You're just too nice for us girls.'

'Would it be better if I wasn't so nice?' he asked, caressing her back.

'Maybe,' she whispered. 'But then it wouldn't be you.'