The Moonstone (1/?)
Title: The Moonstone (1/?)
Pairing: Sehun/Luhan, Chanyeol/Baekhyun, Kai/Kyungsoo, Kris/Tao
Rating: PG-13 now (NC-17 in later chaps)
Genre: Wolf!AU, drama, mpreg, M/M , M/F
Warnings: Some violence and dubcon/noncon scenes in later chapters.
Disclaimer: They are not mine, obviously.
Summary:: Luhan's the most beautiful and cherished omega in the pack. Comparing to Sehun he's as weak as a child, as easily breakable as a baby deer - and more desirable than any treasure a man can ever possess.
Chapter 2
It's the coldest winter they've ever faced when Kris' pack finds a lone wolf in their territory.
His fur is as silver as the moon itself, something rather rare not only in this part of the realm. He opens his eyes lazily as he feels an unknown presence towering over him but makes no single move; like he knows that they're going to tear him apart the next second, him struggling or not making little to no difference.
The emerald glow of his orbs makes everyone gasp and stop in their track.
''Who are you?'' Kris growls at him, brows furrowed. ''What are you doing in our land?''
There's no answer, and just as Kris raises his clawed hand Luhan catches his wrist.
''Kris...wait, please...'' The leader shots him a look and Luhan withdraws his hand ever so quickly, hiding it behind his thigh. His head is hung low. ''I'm sorry. I didn't mean...I just... he's so young. And probably lost, or abandoned. He looks like he can barely catch a breath. Please, just...''
''Just what?'' If it was someone else they'd probably bite dirt by now and suffocate in their own blood, but the leader has a soft spot for Luhan - the first and only wolf with white-gold fur he's ever seen; the most beautiful and cherished omega in the pack.
So he lets his insubordination slide this time. ''He is either an intruder or a decoy. He needs to die.''
Two shadows move behind Kris and Luhan, shifting from their wolf forms to black-haired humans.
''He...indeed looks very young, Kris,'' one of them adds hesitantly, eyeing the stranger who now peeks at them carefully. ''Maybe we can give him a chance? Dying in this valley, far from home, is a fate I wouldn't wish to anyone. Not even my enemies. ''
''And his fur...it's so unique. Almost as unique as Luhan's...'' adds the taller boy before putting a hand on the other's shoulder. ''It would be a shame to...''
''He IS an enemy, Kyungsoo.'' Kris stresses and the other looks away, biting his lower lip. ''Kai. Don't overstep your position.''
Kris' eyes flash red and his warning growl makes Kai take a step back immediately, clutching at the hem of his shirt.
''We don't know that for sure,'' Luhan argues, but his words are no louder than a whisper. He knows that he has to play this well, otherwise the boy will die. ''I remember when we found Baekhyun like this, in the snow...dying. Four years ago.''
Luhan's eyes shift to the stray wolf again as he speaks and he's shocked to see that the other has already changed into his human form, silver hair covering his eyes.
''Don't! You'll freeze!''
Before anyone can react, Luhan lungs himself forward and hugs up to the shivering body, covering them both with a heavy cloak. They get up, looking almost like twins in the bluish light of the moon, tips of noses and cheeks aready flushed pink from the cold.
''Kris. Please...'' Luhan begs, not caring about his pride. Something about the other wolf - he's so young, a cub almost, this is not right, he shouldn't die like this, no one should - making him braver and more determined against his better judgement. He has to save his life, even if it means overstepping his position in the pack. ''I've never asked you for anything, but just this once...spare him. I beg you.''
It's then that the stranger puts his face in the crook of Luhan's elegant neck and clings to him like a cub would to its mother, the gesture completely open, vulnerable and so final.
Luhan doesn't smell fear though; doesn't smell much of anything he knows. Maybe...maybe the boy doesn't believe he'll live.
Maybe that's how losing every strand of hope feels.
''It's okay. It's really okay. Thank you for trying.'' The boy's words, whispered against soft skin of Luhan's shoulder are so quiet that the golden-haired man almost misses them. After a few strained seconds another puff of air caresses Luhan's skin.''You're beautiful and kind. Thank you. That's enough.''
Kris takes a step towards them and Luhan hugs the boy closer.
''Luhan, you know the rules as well as everyone else here. Do I really need to lecture you?'' Kris says slowly, voice low. He seems calm on the surface, but Luhan is well-aware of the fact that the leader is on the verge of bursting. Behind his seemingly composed posture Kris' body is tense and unforgiving, ready to strike and kill.
The silver-haired boy clings closer to him, so impossibly close it almost feels like they are joined now, if not literally then at least by some mysterious bond Luhan can't believe he's actually feeling. There is no reason to be as agitated, no reason to defend someone who invaded their territory, and most definitely there is no reason to disobey Kris and pay for sins that are not his. Right?
Perpahs. But then again, every vein in Luhan's body, every muscle and every tug at his heart tells him differently, his instincts making him determined in defending what's his.
His?! And does he even have enough strength to protect anything?
He breathes heavily, heart beating madly in his chest.
''You don't need to lecture me, no.'' Luhan's eyes fix on Kris' and before the leader manages to do as much as move an inch he holds up his wrist and bites down on his own flesh, hard. He doesn't even have time to think things through -or feel any pain- as his own blood gushes from the wound, and the next second, before anyone manages to react, he's pressing his bloodstained hand to the silver-haired boy's cheek. ''He's under my protection now, my blood for his blood - he is not to be harmed, and if you kill him, you have to kill me too.''
Everyone is silent, the atmosphere turning into shocked disbelief.
''Luhan...'' Kyungsoo's voice sounds like he's miles away, small and insecure. ''You don't even know him...''
Kai doesn't say anything, he just stares, incredulous look on his face. Still, Luhan guesses that probably nobody is nearly as shocked about what he's just done as Kris must be.
Maybe only Luhan himself.
Suddenly he jumps, started when the boy pressing into him finally opens his mouth and speaks, breaking the nervous silence that falls after Kyungsoo's words.
''My name is Sehun. I came from the far North, a realm of ice castles built high in the mountains and snow covering every path, every house and every barn.'' his voice is as clear as it is confident all of a sudden, sending a shiver down Luhan's spine. Underneath the cloak that covers them he grabs the other boy's hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, calming instantly all of Luhan's senses. Like magic.
The mysterious, depressing aura that surrounded the boy a while ago is gone, leaving nothing but a strong aroma of certainty mixed with the sweetness of Luhan's blood. It's overwhelming.
''I am chased by ghosts...ghosts and shadows of people that whisper courses , who pray for my death. I hoped to leave them far behind as I began my journey, but now I am facing the end again, perhaps for the last time.'' Sehun carefully untangles himself from Luhan's embrace and shrugs the cloak off of his shoulders. He stands completely naked in front of them and it's then that Luhan realizes that after a closer look he doesn't seem as young as he did at first - the body he's looking at almost mature and well-sculpted, with sharp angles and arches that leave Luhan gasping slightly with shame. He averts his gaze.
''The truth is that cold can't hurt me. I cannot explain why as I do not know myself, but it can't.'' Sehun says, now facing Kris. ''I'm sorry for the little act. Now...you can make me leave your territory, kill me or let me stay, the choice is yours. But...do not hurt the brave one who stood up for me.''
Kris snarls at that, an unexpected smirk forming in the corner of his mouth.
''You have some guts.'' in a flash the leader's hand is on Sehun's neck, pressing hard. ''For some reason Luhan swore for you with his own blood, and I shall honor his gesture of good faith. I will accept you into my pack, but know this : one wrong move, and your blood will be all over his lithe body.'' Kris growls, pointing at the golden-haired wolf.
Sehun nodds, although the iron grasp on his neck makes it significantly harder. ''I...understand. I swear to serve.''
The very second Kris releases him Luhan's clutching onto Sehun again. The silver-haired boy might be older than he assumed at first, but he's still young - and putting away all the admiration he now has for his bravery ,Luhan feels no less protective.
''Thank you.'' he mouths into Kris' direction as Sehun's hand moves to rest on his shoulder.
He knows he did the right thing, and even if this whole situation seems bizzare and unreal , he is ready to wait for it to make sense again. However long it takes.
--------------
It takes some time before Sehun settles in the new territory, but Luhan has to admit that everything goes rather smoothly between him and the rest of the pack. There's twelve of them now, and if the golden-haired boy were to be completely honest, things seem to fall back into place like no one ever suspected they would. No one argues with the fact that Sehun is now a rightful member of the social structure that rules Kris' pack - and that they are a family.
They are one.
The silver-haired boy gets on exceptionally well with Kai, they hit it off the very minute they meet really, and Baekhyun, Kyungsoo and Chanyeol are quick to follow. Even Kris doesn't growl at him irritably nearly as much as he used to in the very beginning, and that alone is saying something.
''I'm really glad that you fought for that boy,'' Suho says to Luhan one day when spring starts to blossom. ''I believe he makes a truly valuable addition to our pack, and for his age...he really is quite strong and capable of pulling his own weight. I'm impressed.''
Luhan smiles. Suho is almost like a father to all of them, a second leader next to Kris - ready to help out but reluctant in pursuing his own ambitions, gentle and always eager to listen. His words of appreciation make the golden-haired boy more than a little proud of Sehun. The boy does so well.
''Thank you, Suho. I didn't do much, though...it's really his own effort that mattered in the end. He earned his place in the pack.''
It's Suho's turn to smile now, a little knowing tug at his lips that makes the other male uncertain for a short moment.
''Oh Luhan...'' he gets up, patting the golden-haired boy's shoulder gently. ''I know that, I do.''
Luhan experiences continuing days of blissful joy with Sehun by his side. They grow protective and mindful of each other, learning how to coexist and use their time to the maximum of its worth. Luhan would laugh at him from time to time, calling him his beloved cub, and Sehun would pout and throw the other boy in the lake, trying to prove him wrong but failing in the end.
They play a lot but also work as a team , scouting for Kris and collecting materials like wood and herbs. From time to time they wrestle, because ''Sehun wants to test out his strength again, but why on me?!'' , and they spend lazy days just lying on the grass, gazing at the sky.
With Sehun, everything seems complete.
''Luhan?''
He's almost asleep, thoughts already floating on the ocean of his mind as Sehun's voice interrupts that perfect stillness around him. They are resting in the forest, tree crowns shading them from the merciless sun. ''Hmm?'' he murmurs absently, but taking a nap is truly the only thing he craves and cares for right now.
''Your hair...it changed color.'' Sehun whispers suddenly right into his ear, tone of his voice very serious, and Luhan snaps wide awake this time.
''What?'' he asks stupidly. Is Sehun mad, or did he just want to wake him up that badly? ''What are you saying?''
Sehun gazes at him, puzzled. There's no trace of a joke in the worried look he gives Luhan and the other boy's already supporting his weight on his shoulders, alarmed and slightly freaked out. ''Did my hair really change color?''
Sehun nodds slowly, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. He catches Luhan's hand and without wasting another second they sprint to the nearest lake so that the older boy can get a good look at himself.
''…''
Luhan throws himself forward, hands grasping at the green grass as he looks into the clear water a few minutes later. Instead of the usual molten gold he's so used to, his hair is as red as the setting sun in the midst of August.
As days pass by, everyone is shocked to find out that Luhan's hair color changes weren't an one-off incident but repeat simultaneously, gold turning into reds, pinks, and oranges.
Sehun is seventeen the night they find him, which makes him the same age Kai is, but still younger than everyone else. It makes his situation a little complicated, as all omegas in their herd - that is Luhan, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, Suho and Tao - are older than him.
It's not really a problem at first since at the age of seventeen Sehun is too young to think about finding a mate, but as he settles into his new role in the pack, and he is an alpha after all, he realises that he already poses a certain threat to the other dominant wolves and consequences will follow. As one of the youngest alpha males in the herd he is not only strongly exposed to competition - and he knows it's going to get violent, that's just how things work - but at the same time he probably won't be taken as seriously in his advances as his elders will be.
As he finds out soon after joining the herd, Kris and Tao are mates. The rest, however, is still at the stage of conquering and being conquered.
Seasons begin and end quicker than ever, and before Sehun notices spring turns into the heat of the summer, leaving him hanging on the maddening verge of puberty and maturity. He has five months left until adulthood; less than half a year until he can engage in a sexual act with one of the omegas and start planning his future position in the pack.
These days his thoughts wander around nothing but Luhan's beautiful face, his long, elegant neck that a swan would envy, the curve of his back, narrow hips and milky skin. His thoughts wander so much that they are almost insufferable, mixed with anxiety, guilt and suffocating uncertainty.
Sadly, he's still not mature yet when Luhan goes into heat.
--------------
Sehun goes hunting with other pack members quite often those days. He still wrestles with Luhan teasingly from time to time, but the game gets less and less fun as he becomes considerably stronger, overpowering the other boy easily. Luhan knows he shouldn't feel humilitated or sad when Sehun doesn't want to do this anymore and one day picks Kai instead of him to roll around in the sun, sweaty and eager, and so he tries to pretend that he doesn't mind at all. There's some kind of exciting tension between them though; tension Luhan doesn't quite understand, and against his better judgement jealousy starts gnawing at his heart.
He tries to reason with himself, he does. Sehun's body is lean but there are hard muscles beneath his skin, power radiating and yearning to test his limits. It's only natural for Sehun to spend time fighting with Kai, an equal rival. Luhan doesn't want to feel like he's casted aside, so he tries to spend some time with other members of the pack, especially the rest of the submissive males. He tucks his own feelings deep inside, knowing he's being unfair to Sehun - he has his own needs and his own path, and one day he will also have his own mate. Luhan would be selfish to think that Sehun belongs to him in any way, so he decides to give the other male more space.
It's all too sudden when it happens. Their hut is empty save for Luhan, lying on the cot on the stone floor, and Tao, skinning a deer in front of the hut's entrance. The rest is either hunting or scouting, Luhan doesn't know, but he neither sees nor senses their presence anywhere close.
Everything is silent and paceful until a loud shriek freezes Tao in his spot, knife falling out of his hand.
''Luhan?''
He turns to look at the smaller boy and his eyes go wide when he notces Luhan rolled into a ball on the cot, body spasming and shivering. ''Luhan? Luhan, are you alright?''
Tao gets next to him in the flash, his clean hand brushing sweaty strands of Luhan's hair off of his forehead. ''Luhan, talk to me, please. Are you hurt somewhere? Did you get sick?''
''No...I don't think so. I...I don't know.'' Luhan looks up with glassy, unfocused eyes. His body is radiating so much heat that he almost burns Tao's skin. ''I just felt this...'' Luhan's brows furrow in concentration and he tries to come up with a name to what he's actually experiencing through the haze of his mind. ''Agony. All of a sudden. I don't know what to do, it hurts, it hurts so much...Tao...Please...''
''Hey, what's going on guys?''
Their eyes shot up to settle on Baekhyun's confused face, the other boy standing in the entrance of the hut. ''I heard some noises...''
Tao wipes his other hand, stained with deer blood, on his own shirt and then gathers Luhan in his arms. ''I'm not really sure, he started hurting a few minutes ago all of a sudden,'' he explains slowly, peeking at Luhan's pale face from time to time as he addresses Baekhyun. ''I actually think he might be... You know. It's high time for him, so maybe...?''
Baekhyun lets out a gasp of surprise. ''No way! Damn it. This place's gonna turn into hell when the rest smells him.''
Luhan wraps his arms around Tao's neck, holding onto dear life. He looks so small, thin and miserable like this that the other male gives him a gentle squeeze, careful not to press too hard onto his lithe body. Tao might not be an alpha, but he's nearly as strong as Kris is, so Luhan feels instantly safer in his arms, his breathing getting a little more even. ''I know,'' he hears Tao say. ''What should we do? Get him upstairs and call Kris?''
Baekhyun tries to think the situation through, but it's not easy. Half of the pack is lusting after Luhan, that much is crystal clear to both of them, so as soon as they smell his sweet scent their hormones are going to erupt. Judging from the other male's worried expression,Tao probably came to the same conclusion he has - they might even unintentionally hurt Luhan in the craze. It's not something that happens very often, but some of the passive partners give off an unbelievably arousing smell, and comparing to their more lucky omega friends, they usually receive more pain than pleasure during sexual encounters with alphas. Baekhyun cannot be sure, obviously, but since Luhan is suffering that much right now - and he most certainly isn't faking it - he might be unlucky enough to be one of them.
''I'm in heat, aren't I?'' Luhan asks quietly, his eyes closed. ''What is going to happen now?''
Baekhyun rustles his hands through his chestnut-colored hair and sighs. He knows the most probable scenario of what's going to happen but he can't find it in himself to voice it out. You are going to get mounted, and they will pound into you day and night, for almost a week. Besides, Luhan knows that much anyway.
''It will be alright,'' the shorter boy says instead. ''It's a good thing that you're finally in heat, I think Kris was really worried that you're such a later bloomer. It's your first time, so it hurts, but you will get used to the feeling. It's all fine, Lulu.''
''Yes, it's alright.'' Tao offers, giving Luhan's forehead a quick peck. The other boy smiles at him and nodds.
It's late afternoon when the rest of the pack returns,and Tao is not at all surprised when Kris is the first one to barge into the room, nostrils flared and gaze fierce. The black-haired man holds wrighting and moaning Luhan in his lap, giving his mate an apologetic look. They are both equally sweaty and tired, muscles strained from sitting in the same position for a few good hours, but Tao was too afraid to move just in case Luhan decided to run away in his current state.
''When did this start?'' Kris isn't a man of many words, so gets to the point skipping everything that seems less important at the moment. His gaze is fixed on Luhan's sweaty form in Tao's arms, hypnotized.
''A couple of hours ago.''
Kris nodds, lost in thoughts for a moment. ''You did well. You can let go of him now.''
Tao is unsure, his arms still wrapped around the other male. ''What are you going to do?''
Kris gives him a look. ''What do you think I'm going to do? He can't spend his heat like this, especially his first heat. He needs a partner to ease the pain.''
''But...'' Tao bites his lip. Kris is going to call for the unmated alphas to take care of Luhan in his vulnerable state, to mount and devour him so that his fire can die out eventually. It's only natural and that's how it has always been, so Tao is not sure himself why he thinks it's not right this time.
Kyungsoo, Baekhyun, Suho and himself have all been through this after all.
''But?'' Kris raises a brow at him. Before Tao manages to answer, Luhan looks the leader in the eye and whines miserably, shifting in his mate's arms.
''...Sehun, I want to be with Sehun now. Please call him. Please. I can't stand it...the...the...''
Luhan struggles to get the words out and it's breaking Tao's heart a little to see him like this ; hurting, with emotions and needs completely bare, tears pricking in the corners of his eyes. He had his suspictions about Sehun and Luhan's bond and it seems that he was right to assume that they lusted after each other and probably wanted to mate in the future, but the fact that the man Luhan called out for so piteously couldn't mate with him yet was a cruel twist to his current situation.
Kris kneels in front of the cot they half sit and half lay on, face serious.
''Luhan, listen to me.'' the boy tries to put some space between them and hugs closer to Tao, but Kris holds up his chin, forcing Luhan to look at him. ''You are not going to see Sehun for a couple of days, you cannot see him. He is not past his adulthood yet, and you know as well as we all do that he cannot approach you in your heat. This is a rule everyone has to obey, even you. Even him.''
Luhan swallows, wiping at a single traitorous tear that escapes his eye. ''I...I...just leave me alone, please...I...it will pass...''
Tao shushes him and kisses his temple. From the corner of his eye he catches Kris shaking his head. It's not easy for either for them, but what has to be done has to be done.
''It's too dangerous for you to stay like this.'' the leader says simply, and from the tone of his voice they both know it's his final word. ''Tao, go downstairs and check on everyone. When you're done tell Xiumin to come here.''
Tao nods and lets go of the boy in his arms.
''NO!!!'' it's surprising how Luhan finds enough energy to shout that loudly in his current state, and no less bizzare that he actually struggles to his feet after all the pain he's been through, taking them both by surprise. Kris is quick to push him back down on the cot, however, the gesture perpahs a little too brutal as Luhan hits the floor miserably and cries out.
''You stay down.'' Kris growls at him, teeth bared in warning. ''We all treasure you but I swear you will regret moving another inch.''
Luhan freezes on the floor, openly weeping now.
Just when Tao's about to leave the room, Kris catches his arm and whispers into his ear so that the other boy can't hear him. ''I trust you to take care of Sehun. Hold him down with all your strength if you have to. Make sure he doesn't hurt himself or anyone else.''
Chapter 2
Pairing: Sehun/Luhan, Chanyeol/Baekhyun, Kai/Kyungsoo, Kris/Tao
Rating: PG-13 now (NC-17 in later chaps)
Genre: Wolf!AU, drama, mpreg, M/M , M/F
Warnings: Some violence and dubcon/noncon scenes in later chapters.
Disclaimer: They are not mine, obviously.
Summary:: Luhan's the most beautiful and cherished omega in the pack. Comparing to Sehun he's as weak as a child, as easily breakable as a baby deer - and more desirable than any treasure a man can ever possess.
Chapter 2
It's the coldest winter they've ever faced when Kris' pack finds a lone wolf in their territory.
His fur is as silver as the moon itself, something rather rare not only in this part of the realm. He opens his eyes lazily as he feels an unknown presence towering over him but makes no single move; like he knows that they're going to tear him apart the next second, him struggling or not making little to no difference.
The emerald glow of his orbs makes everyone gasp and stop in their track.
''Who are you?'' Kris growls at him, brows furrowed. ''What are you doing in our land?''
There's no answer, and just as Kris raises his clawed hand Luhan catches his wrist.
''Kris...wait, please...'' The leader shots him a look and Luhan withdraws his hand ever so quickly, hiding it behind his thigh. His head is hung low. ''I'm sorry. I didn't mean...I just... he's so young. And probably lost, or abandoned. He looks like he can barely catch a breath. Please, just...''
''Just what?'' If it was someone else they'd probably bite dirt by now and suffocate in their own blood, but the leader has a soft spot for Luhan - the first and only wolf with white-gold fur he's ever seen; the most beautiful and cherished omega in the pack.
So he lets his insubordination slide this time. ''He is either an intruder or a decoy. He needs to die.''
Two shadows move behind Kris and Luhan, shifting from their wolf forms to black-haired humans.
''He...indeed looks very young, Kris,'' one of them adds hesitantly, eyeing the stranger who now peeks at them carefully. ''Maybe we can give him a chance? Dying in this valley, far from home, is a fate I wouldn't wish to anyone. Not even my enemies. ''
''And his fur...it's so unique. Almost as unique as Luhan's...'' adds the taller boy before putting a hand on the other's shoulder. ''It would be a shame to...''
''He IS an enemy, Kyungsoo.'' Kris stresses and the other looks away, biting his lower lip. ''Kai. Don't overstep your position.''
Kris' eyes flash red and his warning growl makes Kai take a step back immediately, clutching at the hem of his shirt.
''We don't know that for sure,'' Luhan argues, but his words are no louder than a whisper. He knows that he has to play this well, otherwise the boy will die. ''I remember when we found Baekhyun like this, in the snow...dying. Four years ago.''
Luhan's eyes shift to the stray wolf again as he speaks and he's shocked to see that the other has already changed into his human form, silver hair covering his eyes.
''Don't! You'll freeze!''
Before anyone can react, Luhan lungs himself forward and hugs up to the shivering body, covering them both with a heavy cloak. They get up, looking almost like twins in the bluish light of the moon, tips of noses and cheeks aready flushed pink from the cold.
''Kris. Please...'' Luhan begs, not caring about his pride. Something about the other wolf - he's so young, a cub almost, this is not right, he shouldn't die like this, no one should - making him braver and more determined against his better judgement. He has to save his life, even if it means overstepping his position in the pack. ''I've never asked you for anything, but just this once...spare him. I beg you.''
It's then that the stranger puts his face in the crook of Luhan's elegant neck and clings to him like a cub would to its mother, the gesture completely open, vulnerable and so final.
Luhan doesn't smell fear though; doesn't smell much of anything he knows. Maybe...maybe the boy doesn't believe he'll live.
Maybe that's how losing every strand of hope feels.
''It's okay. It's really okay. Thank you for trying.'' The boy's words, whispered against soft skin of Luhan's shoulder are so quiet that the golden-haired man almost misses them. After a few strained seconds another puff of air caresses Luhan's skin.''You're beautiful and kind. Thank you. That's enough.''
Kris takes a step towards them and Luhan hugs the boy closer.
''Luhan, you know the rules as well as everyone else here. Do I really need to lecture you?'' Kris says slowly, voice low. He seems calm on the surface, but Luhan is well-aware of the fact that the leader is on the verge of bursting. Behind his seemingly composed posture Kris' body is tense and unforgiving, ready to strike and kill.
The silver-haired boy clings closer to him, so impossibly close it almost feels like they are joined now, if not literally then at least by some mysterious bond Luhan can't believe he's actually feeling. There is no reason to be as agitated, no reason to defend someone who invaded their territory, and most definitely there is no reason to disobey Kris and pay for sins that are not his. Right?
Perpahs. But then again, every vein in Luhan's body, every muscle and every tug at his heart tells him differently, his instincts making him determined in defending what's his.
His?! And does he even have enough strength to protect anything?
He breathes heavily, heart beating madly in his chest.
''You don't need to lecture me, no.'' Luhan's eyes fix on Kris' and before the leader manages to do as much as move an inch he holds up his wrist and bites down on his own flesh, hard. He doesn't even have time to think things through -or feel any pain- as his own blood gushes from the wound, and the next second, before anyone manages to react, he's pressing his bloodstained hand to the silver-haired boy's cheek. ''He's under my protection now, my blood for his blood - he is not to be harmed, and if you kill him, you have to kill me too.''
Everyone is silent, the atmosphere turning into shocked disbelief.
''Luhan...'' Kyungsoo's voice sounds like he's miles away, small and insecure. ''You don't even know him...''
Kai doesn't say anything, he just stares, incredulous look on his face. Still, Luhan guesses that probably nobody is nearly as shocked about what he's just done as Kris must be.
Maybe only Luhan himself.
Suddenly he jumps, started when the boy pressing into him finally opens his mouth and speaks, breaking the nervous silence that falls after Kyungsoo's words.
''My name is Sehun. I came from the far North, a realm of ice castles built high in the mountains and snow covering every path, every house and every barn.'' his voice is as clear as it is confident all of a sudden, sending a shiver down Luhan's spine. Underneath the cloak that covers them he grabs the other boy's hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze, calming instantly all of Luhan's senses. Like magic.
The mysterious, depressing aura that surrounded the boy a while ago is gone, leaving nothing but a strong aroma of certainty mixed with the sweetness of Luhan's blood. It's overwhelming.
''I am chased by ghosts...ghosts and shadows of people that whisper courses , who pray for my death. I hoped to leave them far behind as I began my journey, but now I am facing the end again, perhaps for the last time.'' Sehun carefully untangles himself from Luhan's embrace and shrugs the cloak off of his shoulders. He stands completely naked in front of them and it's then that Luhan realizes that after a closer look he doesn't seem as young as he did at first - the body he's looking at almost mature and well-sculpted, with sharp angles and arches that leave Luhan gasping slightly with shame. He averts his gaze.
''The truth is that cold can't hurt me. I cannot explain why as I do not know myself, but it can't.'' Sehun says, now facing Kris. ''I'm sorry for the little act. Now...you can make me leave your territory, kill me or let me stay, the choice is yours. But...do not hurt the brave one who stood up for me.''
Kris snarls at that, an unexpected smirk forming in the corner of his mouth.
''You have some guts.'' in a flash the leader's hand is on Sehun's neck, pressing hard. ''For some reason Luhan swore for you with his own blood, and I shall honor his gesture of good faith. I will accept you into my pack, but know this : one wrong move, and your blood will be all over his lithe body.'' Kris growls, pointing at the golden-haired wolf.
Sehun nodds, although the iron grasp on his neck makes it significantly harder. ''I...understand. I swear to serve.''
The very second Kris releases him Luhan's clutching onto Sehun again. The silver-haired boy might be older than he assumed at first, but he's still young - and putting away all the admiration he now has for his bravery ,Luhan feels no less protective.
''Thank you.'' he mouths into Kris' direction as Sehun's hand moves to rest on his shoulder.
He knows he did the right thing, and even if this whole situation seems bizzare and unreal , he is ready to wait for it to make sense again. However long it takes.
--------------
It takes some time before Sehun settles in the new territory, but Luhan has to admit that everything goes rather smoothly between him and the rest of the pack. There's twelve of them now, and if the golden-haired boy were to be completely honest, things seem to fall back into place like no one ever suspected they would. No one argues with the fact that Sehun is now a rightful member of the social structure that rules Kris' pack - and that they are a family.
They are one.
The silver-haired boy gets on exceptionally well with Kai, they hit it off the very minute they meet really, and Baekhyun, Kyungsoo and Chanyeol are quick to follow. Even Kris doesn't growl at him irritably nearly as much as he used to in the very beginning, and that alone is saying something.
''I'm really glad that you fought for that boy,'' Suho says to Luhan one day when spring starts to blossom. ''I believe he makes a truly valuable addition to our pack, and for his age...he really is quite strong and capable of pulling his own weight. I'm impressed.''
Luhan smiles. Suho is almost like a father to all of them, a second leader next to Kris - ready to help out but reluctant in pursuing his own ambitions, gentle and always eager to listen. His words of appreciation make the golden-haired boy more than a little proud of Sehun. The boy does so well.
''Thank you, Suho. I didn't do much, though...it's really his own effort that mattered in the end. He earned his place in the pack.''
It's Suho's turn to smile now, a little knowing tug at his lips that makes the other male uncertain for a short moment.
''Oh Luhan...'' he gets up, patting the golden-haired boy's shoulder gently. ''I know that, I do.''
Luhan experiences continuing days of blissful joy with Sehun by his side. They grow protective and mindful of each other, learning how to coexist and use their time to the maximum of its worth. Luhan would laugh at him from time to time, calling him his beloved cub, and Sehun would pout and throw the other boy in the lake, trying to prove him wrong but failing in the end.
They play a lot but also work as a team , scouting for Kris and collecting materials like wood and herbs. From time to time they wrestle, because ''Sehun wants to test out his strength again, but why on me?!'' , and they spend lazy days just lying on the grass, gazing at the sky.
With Sehun, everything seems complete.
''Luhan?''
He's almost asleep, thoughts already floating on the ocean of his mind as Sehun's voice interrupts that perfect stillness around him. They are resting in the forest, tree crowns shading them from the merciless sun. ''Hmm?'' he murmurs absently, but taking a nap is truly the only thing he craves and cares for right now.
''Your hair...it changed color.'' Sehun whispers suddenly right into his ear, tone of his voice very serious, and Luhan snaps wide awake this time.
''What?'' he asks stupidly. Is Sehun mad, or did he just want to wake him up that badly? ''What are you saying?''
Sehun gazes at him, puzzled. There's no trace of a joke in the worried look he gives Luhan and the other boy's already supporting his weight on his shoulders, alarmed and slightly freaked out. ''Did my hair really change color?''
Sehun nodds slowly, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. He catches Luhan's hand and without wasting another second they sprint to the nearest lake so that the older boy can get a good look at himself.
''…''
Luhan throws himself forward, hands grasping at the green grass as he looks into the clear water a few minutes later. Instead of the usual molten gold he's so used to, his hair is as red as the setting sun in the midst of August.
As days pass by, everyone is shocked to find out that Luhan's hair color changes weren't an one-off incident but repeat simultaneously, gold turning into reds, pinks, and oranges.
Sehun is seventeen the night they find him, which makes him the same age Kai is, but still younger than everyone else. It makes his situation a little complicated, as all omegas in their herd - that is Luhan, Baekhyun, Kyungsoo, Suho and Tao - are older than him.
It's not really a problem at first since at the age of seventeen Sehun is too young to think about finding a mate, but as he settles into his new role in the pack, and he is an alpha after all, he realises that he already poses a certain threat to the other dominant wolves and consequences will follow. As one of the youngest alpha males in the herd he is not only strongly exposed to competition - and he knows it's going to get violent, that's just how things work - but at the same time he probably won't be taken as seriously in his advances as his elders will be.
As he finds out soon after joining the herd, Kris and Tao are mates. The rest, however, is still at the stage of conquering and being conquered.
Seasons begin and end quicker than ever, and before Sehun notices spring turns into the heat of the summer, leaving him hanging on the maddening verge of puberty and maturity. He has five months left until adulthood; less than half a year until he can engage in a sexual act with one of the omegas and start planning his future position in the pack.
These days his thoughts wander around nothing but Luhan's beautiful face, his long, elegant neck that a swan would envy, the curve of his back, narrow hips and milky skin. His thoughts wander so much that they are almost insufferable, mixed with anxiety, guilt and suffocating uncertainty.
Sadly, he's still not mature yet when Luhan goes into heat.
--------------
Sehun goes hunting with other pack members quite often those days. He still wrestles with Luhan teasingly from time to time, but the game gets less and less fun as he becomes considerably stronger, overpowering the other boy easily. Luhan knows he shouldn't feel humilitated or sad when Sehun doesn't want to do this anymore and one day picks Kai instead of him to roll around in the sun, sweaty and eager, and so he tries to pretend that he doesn't mind at all. There's some kind of exciting tension between them though; tension Luhan doesn't quite understand, and against his better judgement jealousy starts gnawing at his heart.
He tries to reason with himself, he does. Sehun's body is lean but there are hard muscles beneath his skin, power radiating and yearning to test his limits. It's only natural for Sehun to spend time fighting with Kai, an equal rival. Luhan doesn't want to feel like he's casted aside, so he tries to spend some time with other members of the pack, especially the rest of the submissive males. He tucks his own feelings deep inside, knowing he's being unfair to Sehun - he has his own needs and his own path, and one day he will also have his own mate. Luhan would be selfish to think that Sehun belongs to him in any way, so he decides to give the other male more space.
It's all too sudden when it happens. Their hut is empty save for Luhan, lying on the cot on the stone floor, and Tao, skinning a deer in front of the hut's entrance. The rest is either hunting or scouting, Luhan doesn't know, but he neither sees nor senses their presence anywhere close.
Everything is silent and paceful until a loud shriek freezes Tao in his spot, knife falling out of his hand.
''Luhan?''
He turns to look at the smaller boy and his eyes go wide when he notces Luhan rolled into a ball on the cot, body spasming and shivering. ''Luhan? Luhan, are you alright?''
Tao gets next to him in the flash, his clean hand brushing sweaty strands of Luhan's hair off of his forehead. ''Luhan, talk to me, please. Are you hurt somewhere? Did you get sick?''
''No...I don't think so. I...I don't know.'' Luhan looks up with glassy, unfocused eyes. His body is radiating so much heat that he almost burns Tao's skin. ''I just felt this...'' Luhan's brows furrow in concentration and he tries to come up with a name to what he's actually experiencing through the haze of his mind. ''Agony. All of a sudden. I don't know what to do, it hurts, it hurts so much...Tao...Please...''
''Hey, what's going on guys?''
Their eyes shot up to settle on Baekhyun's confused face, the other boy standing in the entrance of the hut. ''I heard some noises...''
Tao wipes his other hand, stained with deer blood, on his own shirt and then gathers Luhan in his arms. ''I'm not really sure, he started hurting a few minutes ago all of a sudden,'' he explains slowly, peeking at Luhan's pale face from time to time as he addresses Baekhyun. ''I actually think he might be... You know. It's high time for him, so maybe...?''
Baekhyun lets out a gasp of surprise. ''No way! Damn it. This place's gonna turn into hell when the rest smells him.''
Luhan wraps his arms around Tao's neck, holding onto dear life. He looks so small, thin and miserable like this that the other male gives him a gentle squeeze, careful not to press too hard onto his lithe body. Tao might not be an alpha, but he's nearly as strong as Kris is, so Luhan feels instantly safer in his arms, his breathing getting a little more even. ''I know,'' he hears Tao say. ''What should we do? Get him upstairs and call Kris?''
Baekhyun tries to think the situation through, but it's not easy. Half of the pack is lusting after Luhan, that much is crystal clear to both of them, so as soon as they smell his sweet scent their hormones are going to erupt. Judging from the other male's worried expression,Tao probably came to the same conclusion he has - they might even unintentionally hurt Luhan in the craze. It's not something that happens very often, but some of the passive partners give off an unbelievably arousing smell, and comparing to their more lucky omega friends, they usually receive more pain than pleasure during sexual encounters with alphas. Baekhyun cannot be sure, obviously, but since Luhan is suffering that much right now - and he most certainly isn't faking it - he might be unlucky enough to be one of them.
''I'm in heat, aren't I?'' Luhan asks quietly, his eyes closed. ''What is going to happen now?''
Baekhyun rustles his hands through his chestnut-colored hair and sighs. He knows the most probable scenario of what's going to happen but he can't find it in himself to voice it out. You are going to get mounted, and they will pound into you day and night, for almost a week. Besides, Luhan knows that much anyway.
''It will be alright,'' the shorter boy says instead. ''It's a good thing that you're finally in heat, I think Kris was really worried that you're such a later bloomer. It's your first time, so it hurts, but you will get used to the feeling. It's all fine, Lulu.''
''Yes, it's alright.'' Tao offers, giving Luhan's forehead a quick peck. The other boy smiles at him and nodds.
It's late afternoon when the rest of the pack returns,and Tao is not at all surprised when Kris is the first one to barge into the room, nostrils flared and gaze fierce. The black-haired man holds wrighting and moaning Luhan in his lap, giving his mate an apologetic look. They are both equally sweaty and tired, muscles strained from sitting in the same position for a few good hours, but Tao was too afraid to move just in case Luhan decided to run away in his current state.
''When did this start?'' Kris isn't a man of many words, so gets to the point skipping everything that seems less important at the moment. His gaze is fixed on Luhan's sweaty form in Tao's arms, hypnotized.
''A couple of hours ago.''
Kris nodds, lost in thoughts for a moment. ''You did well. You can let go of him now.''
Tao is unsure, his arms still wrapped around the other male. ''What are you going to do?''
Kris gives him a look. ''What do you think I'm going to do? He can't spend his heat like this, especially his first heat. He needs a partner to ease the pain.''
''But...'' Tao bites his lip. Kris is going to call for the unmated alphas to take care of Luhan in his vulnerable state, to mount and devour him so that his fire can die out eventually. It's only natural and that's how it has always been, so Tao is not sure himself why he thinks it's not right this time.
Kyungsoo, Baekhyun, Suho and himself have all been through this after all.
''But?'' Kris raises a brow at him. Before Tao manages to answer, Luhan looks the leader in the eye and whines miserably, shifting in his mate's arms.
''...Sehun, I want to be with Sehun now. Please call him. Please. I can't stand it...the...the...''
Luhan struggles to get the words out and it's breaking Tao's heart a little to see him like this ; hurting, with emotions and needs completely bare, tears pricking in the corners of his eyes. He had his suspictions about Sehun and Luhan's bond and it seems that he was right to assume that they lusted after each other and probably wanted to mate in the future, but the fact that the man Luhan called out for so piteously couldn't mate with him yet was a cruel twist to his current situation.
Kris kneels in front of the cot they half sit and half lay on, face serious.
''Luhan, listen to me.'' the boy tries to put some space between them and hugs closer to Tao, but Kris holds up his chin, forcing Luhan to look at him. ''You are not going to see Sehun for a couple of days, you cannot see him. He is not past his adulthood yet, and you know as well as we all do that he cannot approach you in your heat. This is a rule everyone has to obey, even you. Even him.''
Luhan swallows, wiping at a single traitorous tear that escapes his eye. ''I...I...just leave me alone, please...I...it will pass...''
Tao shushes him and kisses his temple. From the corner of his eye he catches Kris shaking his head. It's not easy for either for them, but what has to be done has to be done.
''It's too dangerous for you to stay like this.'' the leader says simply, and from the tone of his voice they both know it's his final word. ''Tao, go downstairs and check on everyone. When you're done tell Xiumin to come here.''
Tao nods and lets go of the boy in his arms.
''NO!!!'' it's surprising how Luhan finds enough energy to shout that loudly in his current state, and no less bizzare that he actually struggles to his feet after all the pain he's been through, taking them both by surprise. Kris is quick to push him back down on the cot, however, the gesture perpahs a little too brutal as Luhan hits the floor miserably and cries out.
''You stay down.'' Kris growls at him, teeth bared in warning. ''We all treasure you but I swear you will regret moving another inch.''
Luhan freezes on the floor, openly weeping now.
Just when Tao's about to leave the room, Kris catches his arm and whispers into his ear so that the other boy can't hear him. ''I trust you to take care of Sehun. Hold him down with all your strength if you have to. Make sure he doesn't hurt himself or anyone else.''
Chapter 2