Since Dawn usually joined Dusk on her trips she demanded extra attention from Petrash when they were back at Zero. One of the things she enjoyed most is being groomed by him and this day was no exception. She occupied as much of his lap as she could while he carefully brushed her fur. Dusk sat opposite on the other couch eating cookies.

'Something on your mind?' he asked.

'Hmm, why?' Dusk asked.

'Well, you've been silent the whole time, just eating cookies and watching us.'

'It's nothing.'

He grinned. 'Are you jealous of the treatment she gets?'

'What!? No way!'

He laughed a little. 'I've been wondering if I'd ever get to groom both Dawn and you at the same time.' He started brushing Dawn's tail. 'Your fur matches so well it would be like taking care of the family.'

That reminded her once more of his remark about Dawn being their daughter and she felt hot. She saw how gentle he ran his fingers after the brush along Dawn's back she started imagining how it would feel on hers. After a while her curiosity got the best of her and she let out a resigned sigh. 'All right, I'll let you groom me too.'

Petrash smiled. 'Just in time as I'm finished with Dawn.'

Dawn wagged her tail happily and licked his face as he laughed. 'That tickles! Stop it, I know you love it.'

He managed to move her aside and looked at Dusk who stood before him. 'Just don't be like that if I do a good job.'

She huffed and hit the top of his head with her fists while he laughed. 'Just kidding! Just kidding!'

She turned around with her arms folded.

'Gomen. I'll behave.' he sat back and spread his legs patting the couch in between. 'If you sit here I can start brushing your back.'

She looked back over her shoulder.'Promise? I'll bite you if you don't.'

'I promise.' he said, holding up his hand.

She took off her shirt and he felt a strong heartbeat pound his chest. She sat down carefully and he draped her hair to the front over her shoulder. 'Starting on the back first.' he said and stroked the brush slowly and carefully from her neck down her spine.

She felt a tingle going down along it and shivered once.

He pulled back the brush. 'You okay? Did something hurt?' he asked worried.

She shook her head. 'Just getting used to this.'

'Okay.' he said and continued his gentle strokes down her back, seeing her tail twitch each time he reached her lower back. 'Your fur's really pretty and soft.'

She blushed quietly.

He followed her curves with the brush and his fingers and felt her leaning into it a little. Then he pulled back her long hair and started brushing from the end up. When he reached the back of her head he started on the sides of her head and she leaned her head back so he could easily reach the front. With each stroke down the back of her head she moved back more until she pressed up against him.

He didn't want her to move away and continued brushing her hair for a while before gently brushing her cheeks and neck. She moved her head so he could freely brush her everywhere. When she leaned back completely back against him he started on her chest tuft. She puffed up her chest giving him trouble ignoring the smooth shape of her small breasts.

He felt awkward in the silence. 'How do you like my grooming so far?' he asked.

She turned her head to him and smiled a little dreamy. 'You may stay.'

He chuckled. 'Want me to continue with your front?'

She stood up, turned around, closed his legs and straddled him. 'Please do.'

He moved the brush slowly from her tuft down her belly and with each stroke it tensed. She held onto his shoulders leaning back so he had enough room to see where to brush.

He tried to concentrate on the brushing. 'So, make this a regular appointment after Dawn's grooming?'

She looked at him. 'You'd be willing to do it that often?'

He looked up at her. 'I like being close to you and brush you, so it's my pleasure.'

He stroked her cheek with his fingertips and she leaned into them closing her eyes. 'If you keep doing such a good job, yes,' she said.

'Thanks,' he said and smiled. 'Just no eating cookies after it, otherwise I'll have to start brushing out the crumbs again.'

'Why you..' she said and poked him playfully.

He laughed and tickled her in defence which made her squirm and grab his hands to fend him off. She panted looking into his eyes for a moment before they both leaned closer and kissed. And were so engulfed in their passionate kiss they didn't hear the other girls coming in.

'Oh my.' Ghost said in surprise, although she had expected it would happen one day.

Startled by the arrivals Dusk moved next to Petrash.

'Ehmm.' was all he could say now.

Rusty sat down on the other couch. 'Looks like it's three out of four now.'

'What's three out of four?' asked Dice who just walked in.

'If we don't count Dawn, you're the only one who hasn't exchanged intimacies with Petrash.' Ghost said, smirking a little at the blushing Petrash.

Dice looked at Dusk. 'You too?'

Dusk nodded and shrugged. There was no going back and deny her feelings. 'Yeah.'

Petrash saw Dice looking at him in thought, then she firmly stepped over to him. Expecting the worst he braced himself but then she straddled him and grabbed his head, kissing him forcefully at first but then gentler and he returned her deep kiss after the initial shock.

A few moments later she pulled back. 'I don't want to be the one left behind.' she said meekly.

He smiled softly at her and stroked her cheek. 'I'm happy to hear you say that.'

'Well,' Rusty said. 'seems it's pretty clear now that we've found our alpha.'

'Alpha?' Petrash asked.

'Alpha male.' Dice said. 'As in the male leader of a pack. The one who fights and contributes to the continuation of the species.'

'Ah.' he said, then the meaning dawned on him. 'What!? Wait, what!? Are you serious!?'

Dusk leaned closer. 'Did you think we were just fooling around? Or are you?'

He shook his head quickly. 'No! I mean, I am serious about how I feel, I just never thought it would be real and I never thought further about it.' He sighed. 'Just being this close to you all wasn't in my expectations.'

Ghost grinned as she sat down next to him. 'Spoken like a true virgin.'

'Hey! No fair!' he said but was silenced by her kiss.

'We all don't know what to expect now, so don't worry. We'll learn as we come along.' she said and stood up. 'The only thing I expect though is a good dinner after we get out of the bath.'

He saw her grin back at him and felt better. 'That, I can do.'

'At least the alpha's got one thing going for him.' Dice said deviously and kissed him before joining Ghost.

Dusk kissed him, then stood up as well. 'I'll admit your grooming isn't that bad either.' she said with a devious grin.

He watched them leave with a satisfied smile on his face.

'Happy now?' Rusty asked.

He looked up at her as she walked up next to him. 'How could I not?' he said, smiling wide.

She leaned close. 'Ever thought you'd have four life size plushes in your life?'

'Beyond my wildest dreams.'

'Good, remember that if you ever feel bad.' she said and kissed him as well before heading to the bath.

Ghost's chuckling made him look back when he was in the kitchen getting the food ready for serving.

'What's so funny?'

She stepped into the kitchen. 'I bet your tail hasn't stopped wagging the whole time.'

He looked at his tail and felt embarrassed.

She took the bowl with vegetables from his hands and kissed his forehead. 'Don't ever stop being cute.'

'Eh, but, hmpff.' he muttered in protest as she walked to the common room.

Soon they all sat down to eat but things were a little different this time. He sat at the head of the table and two of the girls at each side as before, only now they sat close enough to him as to almost sit on his lap.

'Heh,' he let out.

'Hmm?' said Dusk.

'First time I made dinner you kept so much distance from me I felt really alone. And now I feel like we're a very tight family.'

'That's because now we are.' Dice said. 'And if you play your cards right, it'll only grow bigger.'

Petrash almost snorted out the food through his nose and Dusk slapped his back as he coughed.

'I guess he still hasn't gotten used to the situation.' she said with a smirk.

After dinner Petrash took care of the dishes together with Rusty. They didn't say much but Ghost saw how their tails were locked standing next to each other. She sat down on the couch and smiled to herself.

'You're in a good mood.' Dice remarked.

'Aren't you?'

'Yeah. Just a little anxious as well.'

'There's no helping that. Our lives have been turned upside down after all.' said Dusk.

'Oh well, let's just enjoy tonight and forget about the future for now.' Ghost said and opened the first bottle of vodka.

When Petrash and Rusty left the kitchen the action movie had just started and they settled together on one couch. Dusk sat down on the other side of Petrash and handed them their full glasses. Huddled together like this they drank and watched the movie. When it was finished the girls kissed him goodnight and he cleared the table bringing the dirty glasses and snack bowls to the kitchen. He came back and sat down on the edge of the couch again, staring at the blank screen by the soft moonlight shining through the windows. He sat there for quite some time when he heard footsteps.

'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.