Chapter 1: The Wolff Pack
Reaching up, the be-goggled man at the helm calmly hit the kill switch for the rear thrusters and watched approvingly as his pride and joy, the Monarch, gently nudged the side of the loading bay. Glancing to his right, his full lips quirked in amusement at the obvious anxiety his co-pilot was struggling to hide. He waited patiently as she slowly released the death grip she had on the armrests of her seat. When she finally darted her infuriated gaze to him, he smiled innocently and cocked his head to one side.

" What? " he asked, keeping the angelic smile on his face, obviously trying not to laugh.

With a growl of barely controlled rage, Layla pushed with her legs, simultaneously swiveling her chair to step out of her seat. She stomped out of the room, barely avoiding crashing into the lanky man who was about to enter.

Gazing after her with a confused frown, Copper turned to fix the now chuckling goggled man with a questioning frown. Carlos 'Copper' Perez shook his head in exasperation and stepped the rest of the way into the room.

Leaning against the console near the entrance, Copper studied the man at the helm and wished he could find it in himself to be angry with the big man. Hastily, he averted his gaze when Wolff glanced at him as he continued to zip through the checks for the docking.

Since meeting James Wolff over three years ago, Copper has felt this almost overwhelming awe when it came to him. Copper would never admit it out loud to him, but he knew that deep down he just wanted to be exactly like Wolff. This was the one and only thing he and Layla disagreed on, but he couldn't help his admiration of the guy any more than he could've helped falling for Layla.

He still didn't understand Layla's refusal to see what he saw in Wolff, but then again she never really got along with anybody any way. But he still felt that wanting to be exactly like Wolff wasn't such a bad thing to strive for.

Remembering his last glimpse of Layla, Copper stopped his ruminating, and returned his attention to his captain still hard at work completing docking procedures. Clearing his throat to get his attention, Copper then swallowed nervously as he got it.
Wolff stopped what he was doing and turned to regard him, taking in Copper's Technicolor hair and shabby leather outfit. Wolff's liquid-metal eyes glinting, seeming to glow in the dimness of the room, made the little hairs on Copper's neck bristle with an instinctive warning. Gathering his rattled wits, he raised his chin in defiance, then subsided as Wolff raised one brow in amused challenge. Sighing in defeat, Copper smiled resignedly and went back to leaning on the console behind him.

" Let me guess a reason as to my girl's new hissy right now." said Copper, his brilliant blue eyes saying he already knew but was gonna guess anyways. " you pulled another one of your docking stunts on Layla again? Right?"

Quirking his brow again, Wolff laughed once aloud and turned back to the controls, seeming to ignore Copper. As if second nature, he absently completed docking procedures, unsnapped his harness, and hopped out of his chair with an easy grace unusual in a man his size.

Striding to the door, he stripped the goggles off, wincing as it caught a strand of his black, shoulder-length hair. Turning to the panel near the entrance, Wolff stepped out of his orange flight suit and hung it on a peg in the space the panel had revealed. Straightening his black, sleeveless shirt that delineated every line and bulge of muscle he then reached back into the closet and retrieved his black x-strap holster
and pistol. Slipping the straps over his head and settling it comfortably on his shoulders, Wolff took his shiv from his boot and slipped it into the special sheath he had added to the strap. He then examined his pistol before returning it to its holster. Then he slipped carefully into the black leather duster that had also been in the storage panel, adjusting it 'til it hung evenly, the bottom brushing the tops of his boots. Turning back to Copper, he smiled mischievously.

" Relax," he said, in a deep, rumbling voice still tinged with amusement. " I was just trying to keep her on her toes."

" I swear, Wolff"said Copper. " one of these days someone's gonna beat you at one of your own little mind games."

" Doubtful" said Wolff, confidently.

" Yeah, yeah, yeahI know,"said Copper, rolling his eyes, following Wolff out of the room. " Always fuck with their minds. You are the best at fuckin' with people's minds,
I admit. But dude, you know my Layla hates it when you pull one on her."

" That's what makes it so fun," insisted Wolff, chuckling unrepentantly. " she never sees it coming."

Entering the alcove to the door of his room, Wolff stopped at the closed door and turned back to Copper.

" If you're so worried about your girl's feelings," said Wolff, dispassionately. " why don't you go do what you do best, and go calm your woman down. We don't need another one of her tantrums on this job, okay?"

" You should've thought of that," retorted Copper, as he slowly turned and headed back down the corridor. " before you triggered her temper again. You know fuckin' well that
it's been unpredictable since Kirscher got his hands on her."

Flushing with guilt, Wolff now remembered Layla's predicament with her emotional states. He didn't know how he could've forgotten
-who was he kidding?- He told himself.
He didn't forget shit, he just knew he got a kick out of pushing her buttons as much as possible. Surprised at the sudden remorse he felt, Wolff distractedly swiped the
sensor to his door and smacked right into it as it failed to open. Cursing violently, he swiped his palm again at the sensor, this time giving it the required 3 seconds it
took to scan his prints.

**********

Wolff strolled along disinterestedly glancing at what was being offered from the various stalls along the thoroughfare. A few of the whores who had the nerve to approach his dark, forbidding form hastily scurried back to their niches when they caught a glimpse of the cold indifference in his mercurial eyes. Most just stayed where they were, and drank him in with their eyes.

Peddling their wares in the orbital city left them with little to choose from, but most made do. They'd rather deal with the geeks and nerds of this scientific colony, than
the holier-than-thou overzealous attitudes of most citizens back on Earth. After one too many whores had been hung and burned from a cross, the whole population of Whore's Alley, somewhere in the 200's, moved to Stellaren City in the clouds. Here, the scientists appreciated their business since most of them had no lifemates whatsoever, and the ones with lifemates were unable to have them here for one
reason or another. Either way, the whores enjoyed their new status as part of an actual society, treated basically good, or treated like just another person working their business. For this better life, the women did what they had to in order to please these flaccid, pale, and often shy, brainy types. That is why more than a few of them thought they were getting space sickness or thought they were dreaming when Wolff
took up residence on the Stellaren. The rest all thought that maybe he liked pale, flaccid, brainy-type men, and that they shouldn't even bother approaching him. After all, he sure didn't look like a scientist, and no halfway healthy, robust man would willingly move here without some good reason.

Right now, as he took his customary stroll after docking, the women had positioned themselves in their niches... each waiting and hoping that this time he would choose them.

With the surgical procedure he had last year, Wolff's eyes now had the ability to adjust to many levels of brightness. Full daylight still stung, however, and a hyped-up light source could very well render him helpless. His eyes still enabled him to see in the darkest of rooms, but they were now also able to see true colors and shapes again. And since the removal of the bandages, he had still to tire of it. This was one of the reasons for the delay in meeting with the rest of the Pack. He liked to go walking around in any port they came to no matter how often he'd seen it, taking in
the sights, soaking it up almost. His eyes still boggled at the many colors and shapes he never realized he had missed. He only noticed the women enough to note their unique coloring and clothing, but none stood out enough to bother approaching.

The truth was that these women were way too free with themselves for him to avail of their services. Since his days in the numerous orphanages in his growing years, he
had always had to fight to keep what was his and he knew it made him more than a little possessive but he couldn't seem to help himself. Besides, all these women were all too eager to please and he was attracted to women with more spirit than that.

Right then, a whore with screaming red hair, too much makeup, and too tight clothing latched onto his arm and pressed up against his side. Though she had a body
Wolff could appreciate and beautiful emerald green eyes peering at him through the caked cosmetics, Wolff still felt nothing but annoyance at her initiative. Stopping in mid-stride, he slowly turned his head to use his unique eyes to dissuade her; but either he did it wrong or she was now too preoccupied to notice.

" Hey, big boy," said Sheela, plastering herself to his chest. "how's about a date, huh? Only cost ya 200 creds."

Running her hands over his muscled chest, she delighted in what she could feel under his clothing. - Oh Sheela baby, you hit the jackpot with this one.- She thought to herself.

Trapping her wandering hands in his big ones, he squeezed warningly, and pushed her firmly away from him.

" What's wrong," she asked through clenched jaw, glaring at the other whores who were now laughing at her, then turning that glare on Wolff. " don't you like girls? If you prefer boys, you just have to say so."

" I like women just fine," he growled. " I just don't care for trash."

Her lush, diminutive frame stiffening in anger, Sheela swung and connected with a hard, vicious slap.

" Bastard," she seethed, as she stepped back from his cold glare. " wouldn't know what a good fuck was if it came up and bit ya, you fucker!" Turning, she stalked back to the alcove leading to her quarters.

Wolff took two steps after her and grabbed her by the arm, swung her around and brought his face down to her level. Trapping her with his arms on either side, he forced her to press back into the door as he leaned in close.

" Well, well, well" he said, amusedly. " It seems the little whore has spirit. I admire that in a woman."

" Fuck you!" she said. " I wouldn't screw you now, even if you offered a million creds!"

Snorting derisively, he ran a finger slowly across her collarbone, enjoying her discomfort and fear.

" I truly doubt," he said, casually. " that you'd be worth that much, babe, but I think I'd like to find out for myself."

Outraged, Sheela forgot her fear and shoved at him, making enough space for her to swing at him again. Swiftly, he caught her arm, brought her palm to the sensor for her door, and shoved her in when the door opened with a hiss of hydraulics.

Gasping at the swiftness of it all, she was sent flying to the middle of her room. With a round of cuss words, that would curl a pirate's toes, and a shout of pain Sheela stumbled and hit the floor, rear first. Getting to her knees, she struggled to get up, yelling for help.

While Wolff secured the door against intruders, she scooted over to her bed and shoved her hands under the pillow, frantically searching for the shiv she had hidden there. She felt his hands settling on her shoulders right when her fingers touched the cool, razor-edged stone shiv. Whirling on him as fast as she could, Sheela slashed and felt a deep satisfaction at the shallow cut she had given his forearm, the blood already welling into the gash. Scrambling to the other side of the bed, she hopped to her feet and swung to face him, shiv held at the ready. Smiling confidently, she brandished the shiv at him and motioned to the door with it.

" Thought you had me there, didn't ya?" she said, smiling in triumph. " No one treats me like that, you son of a bitch. Now get the fuck out!"

Standing there watching her, Wolff felt as if his blood was boiling, but instead of anger, it was with lust. Pure, almost overwhelming lust.

" And what if I don't wanna leave? You gonna make me, little girl?"

Watching her eyes, he reached into his coat and withdrew his bone shiv, which was a good deal bigger than her stone one. He watched with satisfaction as her smug smile disappeared, replaced by a trapped and desperate expression.

Sidestepping towards the door, Sheela waved her shiv erratically.

" Look, " she said, tremulously. " I'm sorry for hitting you, I lost my temper, that's all. Please just let me go, and I won't say anything about this to anyone."

Smiling devilishly, Wolff shadowed her steps, shiv held low to his side. His eyes shining in anticipation.

" I don't think so, babe" he said, darkly. " I figure you owe me a little something for that slap."

In a near panic, she rushed to the door and slammed her hand on the sensor.

Nothing, no response.

Putting her palm on the sensor again she counted to three and still nothing.

" No!" she screamed, in frustration.

Turning, she made a dash for the door to the washroom, only to be caught around the waist, and swung back around. Screaming in fear, she slashed wildly with her shiv, only to have it knocked out of her grasp.

Flailing with her fists, she pounded on his back as he threw her over his shoulder and turned to the bed. Throwing her on the bed, he noticed her garish red hair looked oddly skewed to one side. Reaching out, he ripped off the wig to expose long, luxuriant black hair that spilled down her back now that it was free from the confines of the wig. The overdone makeup now failed to retract from her exotic beauty as she stared wide-eyed at his sudden action. Smiling in approval, he calmly stopped her from wiggling off the bed and planted his big frame square on top of her.

" No," she repeated, struggling to breathe, gasping for air after each word. "stopplease."

" Why?" he asked, silkily. " you were more than willing just ten minutes ago."

" Please" she said, biting the words out, hating to beg. " just don't hurt me, please."

Gazing into her green eyes, he smiled. Leaning down, he caught her lips with his and tasted deeply of them.

Pulling back to nibble on her lower lip, he ran his hands up the side of her body. Pushing her legs apart with his, he ground his hips into the apex of her thighs, and gently massaged one full breast.

Gasping in surprised desire, Sheela felt his hardness pressing at her through their clothing and hesitantly reached to encircle his shoulders. Surrendering to the sudden rush of desire, she pushed back with her hips and thrilled at hearing his groan of desire. Running her hands his muscled shoulders, she then kneaded them earnestly with her fingers while also trying to pull him closer.

Running his mouth along her jaw and down her neck, he undid the clasps to her tight, iridescent halter and pulled it impatiently from under her. Gasping with desire, Sheela worked her hands under his shirt tracing the contours of his abdomen. The muscles in that area tightening in anticipation, Wolff grabbed the lobe of her ear in his teeth and gently nibbled reveling in the little cries that move evoked.

Impatiently working his shirt over his head, Sheela drank in his form with her eyes as if trying to memorize each detail his evenly tanned muscled chest, his etched abs, and his bulging shoulders.

Gazing up at his handsome face framed by his long, dark hair, his eyes shining their mercurial glow. Sheela felt a deep tremor of a desire she hadn't felt in years at the
beautiful masculinity of this man. She then reached out hesitantly, as if to assure that he was real.

" So," he said, casually, catching her hand. " should I just stop now?"

Staring at his cold, yet oddly expressive molten eyes, she smiled almost shyly, raised her other hand and traced one finger down his chest stopping just short of the promise land.

" God, no."she said, huskily.

Chuckling in amusement, he leaned down, captured her already swollen lips with his, and settled his weight on her again. Slipping one leg between hers, Wolff positioned himself her heat seeming to sear him.

This time enjoying the full weight of him, Sheela wrapped her legs around his waist as he entered her with a delicious slow thrust. Gasping at the delicious shivers running through her body, Sheela unwittingly tangled her fingers in his hair,
dragging his mouth to hers. Growling deep in his throat at the minor pain, he fiercely ravaged her lips as his thrusts quickened.

With a guttural cry, she thrashedshivered an intuitive rhythm rocking her hips. Their bodies in tune the rhythm driving her mad.

Clenching her legs tighter, her mouth searched frantically for his. Gasping, she linked her hands behind his neck, feeling as if she would fly off into space if she didn't.

Suddenly ripping her mouth from his, Sheela screamed as a white explosion of incredible ecstasy cascaded through her senses. Again, as a second hit right after the first, and then a slow pulsing third when he thrust once twice and melded his guttural shout of release with her final moan of repletion.

Collapsing weakly onto her, Wolff nuzzled her neck and inhaled the scent of her. Caressing his equally damp back, Sheela smiled contentedly and kissed his temple. Raising his head to look at her, he smiled enigmatically and rolled onto his side, one long, muscular leg draped over her legs.

Suddenly shy, Sheela shoved his leg off and sat up, turning to sit at the edge of the bed, her back to him.

" II think you'd better leave now." She said quietly.

Watching her closely, Wolff stared at the back of her head, willing her to turn around and face him. After a few seconds of no response he got out of the bed. He retrieved his clothing that had been thrown unknowingly all over the room. Sliding his legs into his pants, he glanced at Sheela's unmoving form and frowned at the sudden surge of guilt that flooded him.

Turning her head, she watched him as he turned to retrieve his shirt from the chair in the corner of the room. Clearing her throat nervously, she rose from the bed and draped the sheet around her.

" I'mI'm sorry." she whispered.

" For what?"

" For hitting you."she reminded him.

Smiling in amusement, he walked slowly over to her, stopping right in front of her. Unknowingly, her body leaned as if reaching for him. He traced the outline of her lips
with one callused thumb and stared into her eyes.

" I thought," he said, smiling down at her. " that you would've gotten the idea that it was forgotten by now."

Blushing, she smiled back at him, but gave him a little push in admonishment.

" I said I was sorry, you big goon."she said, laughing. " but it doesn't mean you didn't deserve it."

" I know, I know." He said. Catching her hand, he pulled her towards him and bent to wrap his arms around her.

Beaming, she draped her arms around his shoulders, letting the sheet drop to the floor unnoticed. Standing on the tips of her toes, melding her body to his, she planted
a kiss on his clean shaven chin. Bending to nuzzle her ear, catching it in his strong, white teeth, he ran his hands
down her back, grabbed her rear and squeezed gently.

Laughing, she leaned back and looked up into his eyes.

"What do you think you're doing," she asked with a mock frown. " are you ready to go again, so soon?"

" Hell, yeah." He growled, pulling her to him, lifting her by her rear to mold her body to his.

Kissing her fiercely, he tasted of her again and again, feeling his blood boil at the eager little cries coming from her. Groaning in frustration, he unwound her legs from his waist, and set her back away from him. Keeping his hands on her shoulders to steady her, he smiled at the dazed, aroused expression in her eyes.

" But it'll have to wait," he said, regretfully. " I have some business to take care of, first."

" Oh," she said, disappointed, then said with mischievous smirk. " okay. Well, you know where to find me. And this time I'll try to restrain myself from hitting you."

" Yes, " he said, smiling indulgently at her little joke. " I will know exactly where to find you, because I'll be the one to put you there. Pack up."

Reaching into the inner pocket of his duster, he pulled out a silver, card-shaped metal residence key. Her widened, amazed eyes flew to his, questioning his action.

" You're all mine, now, baby." He stated, matter-of-factly. " I don't want you staying in Whore's Alley anymore."

" You mean" she asked hesitantly.

" Yes," he said with a gentle smile." I'm taking you as my mistress. If you will have me, that is."

She stared incredulously at him for a good five seconds, then let out a whoop of delight so loud it made him wince.

" Are you fuckin' kiddin'?!" she shouted gleefully. " of course I'll have you. I'm just freaked you picked me. The girls told me that you've been living here for the past two years and have yet to pick up a mistress but you choose me!"

" Really?" he asked, curiously. " never figured on being a conversation topic for whores?"
" Well, you definitely are." She responded. " They've all been drooling over you for quite some time and I don't blame them now that I've tasted you for myself. But I'll rip out their eyes if I catch them even looking at you now if you know what I
mean."

" UmmYummy. Jealousy" he quipped. " the ingredient to keeping a relationship interesting."

" Yeah well," she said, grumpily. " I happen to not like feeling jealous, so don't give me a reason to."

" Yes, ma'am." He said indulgently. " Now go get packed, I'll drop you off on my way."

Laughing delightedly, she turned and skipped off for the washroom.

" By the way," he said, halting her. " I never got your name."

" Oh it's Sheela Rollins." She said, embarrassed. " What's yours?"

" James Wolff." He stated. " Just call me Jim."

" Can I call you Jimmy?" she asked naughtily.

" Only if you burn that awful-ass wig of yours."

Twenty minutes later, she was all packed. All her worldly goods fitting into one duffel bag. She would've been done sooner if it weren't for Wolff always stopping her for a
kiss here, a little tickle there, but she was finally ready to go.

As they stepped out of her room and headed for his glider, some of the other women on the street called out well wishes to her while others either threw her envious or
hateful glances.

He drove his glider with a fluid grace that amazed her. They were soon pulling up to his residence that was in a moderately good section of the city. It wasn't anything
high class, but it was way better than anything else she'd ever had. Slinging her duffel bag over one shoulder, he draped his other arm around her shoulders and escorted her to the entrance.
Inside, he let her go the rest of the way in to check the place out while he turned back to the console near the door to program authorization and a key for her.

" Umm Jim?" she said hesitantly, having returned to come up behind him. " Are you sure I'll be staying here alone with only you?"

" Yes, why?" he asked distractedly, busy programming the request for an additional key.

" Because" she said caustically. " there's a girl in here who says she's looking for someone named Riddick."

>end of ch.1<
If Vin was a wine, I'd be an alcoholic...