The Alpha's Family Expands

Dylin stretched his golden furred body in the delicious sunlight, settling deeper into the springy grass. His and Fen's fishing poles lay forgotten by the riverbank, the late summer heat encouraging the couple to relax.

*Gaïa,* it felt good to be away from the capitol, Dylin could almost feel the dank smog still coating his fur. It had been nearly two weeks since they entered the forest, and they had taken numerous baths in the river... There was a quality to the pollution that seemed to never fade.

A flicker of movement caught the Alpha's eye. Fen, his adorable Fen, was attempting to catch, and most likely eat, a butterfly. Dylin's body shook with deep, rumbling laughter. His ruddy mate. Only Fen would try to eat a butterfly.

Dylin's heart beat a little harder, stronger, as he watched his mate bound after the insect. His Omega's soft grumbling across the Link was enough to make Dylin fall harder for him.

*I'm going to get that thing. I want to catch it.* Dylin could almost picture his Fen with their future litter. It would be like having an extra child. *Mine.*

Fen's agile body twisted as he swiped a paw at the bug, missing by inches. *I want to — Come back!* The Omega fell back on his haunches, woofing in his distress. *It was so pretty...*

Dylin heaved himself off of the forest floor, and trotted across sunlit meadow. Fen, it's alright. The Alpha gently touched his wet nose to his mate's, licking his cheek in soft comfort. *You are amazing, my love.*

Just as Fen lifted his head to look at Dylin, a small blue butterfly - not as audacious as the last - landed on the Omega's nose. Fen's cobalt eyes widened almost comically as he tried to look down his muzzle. His paw hesitantly came up to bat away the creature, but paused. *Dylin. Dylin, help...*

*It likes you.*

*I... Dylin, get it off. Why does it like me?*

Chuckling softly, the Alpha released a puff of air, sending the harmless bug on its way. His eyes twinkled as he said to his mate, *Maybe it thought you were prettier than it.*

*Ha ha, Alpha.*

*Fen, you are absolutely stunning... The most beautiful Omega I've ever seen.* Dylin couldn't understand how Fen didn't see the glossiness of his fur, nor the perfect planes of his body. His mate was the embodiment of beauty. *I mean it, Fen.*

Just as Dylin tried to nuzzle him in a comforting way, Fen pulled back, pacing over to the slow moving river. As far away from his mate as the clearing allowed.

*I've already been bred, Alpha. I'm tainted.*

Fen's almost inaudible words crumbled Dylin's heart. He had never heard of an Omega degrading themselves for having a mate before their true mate. It was simply accepted that not everyone found the allMother's path as quickly.

*Fen, you... I never want to hear you talk like that. I don't care if you had a mate before me.*

* Will the pack? Are you going to be dishonored if I mourn my pup?*

*No, the pack won't mind. It's not your fault.* Dylin padded over to Fen, nuzzling him again. * They're jealous. Whomever made it seem like having a mate was wrong, they were just jealous.*

*Of me?*

Fen, you are the son of the allMother herself. They're lousy with jealousy.

Fen's sparkling laugh reverberated across the Link, filling Dylin's mind. His meadow, the place that filled him with peace, was all the more complete with his Omega. For a brief moment, as they gently tumbled in the grass, Dylin could imagine he was in the Nightlands. It was where Fen belonged, a world without pain or sorrow.

Heaven.

-:-

Fennis nervously adjusted his soft tunic, and fidgeted with the leather wraps of his shoes. He made sure that each cord lay perfectly even on his calves, and any stray thread of his clothes was removed.

He had to make a good first impression.

You can do this, he told himself sternly. It's only your future in laws. No need to panic.

Nevertheless, he was on edge, his ears swiveling to catch every sound from his Alpha's family inside.

Why had he agreed to a formal presentation to his mate's family? He could be at home with Dylin, cooking a nice stew, with the mutton they were gifted by Rhowena. Or finishing the washing, which he'd neglected for a week... Instead, he was sitting on the Packleader's porch, the last place on Hastor he wanted to be.

Fennis muttered a quick prayer to the allMother for guidance, as the door opened.

At least Dylin was at ease. Unlike Fen.

"Come on in, love. We're ready for you." Dylin's husky voice softened, seeing his mate so agitated." They're all happy to meet you. Don't worry."

"I've just never been presented to the family before. Insiam didn't have any." Fen gave a weak smile, reassured as Dylin discreetly scented his Omega, and placed an arm around him. It was a comforting gesture.

Of course it didn't stop his knees from wobbling slightly. Ah, well. Some things can't be helped.

The first one to greet Fen as he walked inside was Samule, Dylin's brawny giant of a brother. His scent was clean, and had notes of leather and cedar. It fit well with his role of provider of shelter and safety for his Omega and their pups.

"I'm glad that he finally found you. This idiot would have been alone forever. " Sam, as he was called, gave the required embrace, and gestured to his wife, feeding their newest pup in a well worn rocking chair. "I know you've met my Roe, and that's Samntha in her arms. Our first girl."

There were three other pups causing mild havoc in the large cabin.

Rhys, a boy of eight, who was trying to draw Ana Cambel's bow. Of course he was failing spectacularly, but still.

Then Cor, a pup of six, his black tipped tail wagging as he toyed with some lint. His green eyes flashed as he pounced on the dust bunny, a small, squeaky growl coming from his chest.

Last came Ters, just four years old, and the only one playing quietly. His soft golden eyes stayed fixed on the small tower he was building out of wooden cubes. A tower he was constantly rebuilding after his brothers' antics knocked it over.

"Hello." Fen's smile was a bit bolder, and Dylin relaxed against his side.

"I hope your Omega brought his appetite -" Ana Cambel's voice was boisterous as she walked in the back door, arms laden with strung fish, "- because I just pulled seven trout off of the smoke, and I can't eat them all myself!"

-:-

" That was wonderful, ma'am." Fen delicately wiped a trace of trout grease from the corner of his mouth, his stomach full to bursting. He had never tasted fish quite like the ones Ana pulled off of the strings.

The Packleader was obviously fond of leading from behind, letting the Omegas and the children have the first choice of food. And be the first to have seconds. Not to be out done, she laid the first offering onto the fire, for the honor of the allMother.

Lavender and White Sage were laid reverently onto the flames, with the first bite of the meal, for Her mercy. Fennis always had performed the ceremony, on his own, and in hushed whispers when he was with humans. He was infinitely glad that he might keep his faith, even as his world changed.

"So, Fennis, how are your cooking skills?" Ana's forest green eyes examined the Omega, as he swallowed another bite of the tender fish.

"I can make do with whatever I'm given, ma'am. Game was very scarce in the Capitol." Fen hesitantly smiled, his heart pounding in his chest, and a soft blush coloring his cheeks. "You learn quickly how to dress up simple food."

Dylin's hand slipped into his underneath the table, squeezing in a gentle reassurance. The Alpha's eyes blinked at him, a smile lifting his cheek. "Mother, even if Fen was the worst cook, I would never leave him. He's my true mate."

Fen ducked his head, as Ana Cambel' sparkling laugh filled the room. "Exactly what I want to hear." A fond light filled her eyes as she continued. "Jon was by far the worst cook on Terros. I loved him all the more for it. You're stronger together, all true mates are."

Fen's smile was blinding, brilliant in the dark cabin as he lay to sleep, a pillow wall between himself and Dylin. Even though they were taking it slowly, he felt even closer to his mate, as they shared their dreams in the late summer night.

He loved Dylin. Unconditionally.

-:-

Fen woke to the crowing of the pack's rooster, surrounded by the most delightful scent. He insinctively burrowed into the warmth, inhaling.

Dylin smelled wonderful in the morning.

... Dylin?!

What was he doing in his arms? They had agreed to slow down, had agreed it was better to get to know each other more. And what had he done? Crawled right into the Alpha's arms at the very first sign of a nightmare. He was a miserable excuse for a Wolf.

Dylin's strong hands caressed his back, and with his lips in the Omega's hair, he murmured, "It's alright, Fen. I pulled you to me. Couldn't let you suffer through a nightmare alone."

" I'm sorry." Fen whispered, fingers curling into Dylin's sleeping shirt. They lay together, their breaths mingling in the brisk morning air. Fen nuzzled his face into the curve of his mate's neck, right over his scent gland. He wanted nothing more than to reek of Dylin.

"Mmhmmn. I like you smelling like me." Dylin shifted in the bed, his rumbling voice vibrating Fen's ear. He pulled away slightly, the Alpha's scent souring in fear. "A little too much."

Fen understood that Dylin needed some space, to relieve his urges. He could felt the same want tugging him, telling him to return to his Alpha. But Fen could ignore the slick seeping from his entrance, unlike his mate.

So, he let the soft whimpers and muffled gasps fall on deaf ears, knowing better than to look at Dylin in this moment. However, behind the bonfire scent of the Alpha's arousal, it almost had an edge of fear. That was something Fennis would never let pass by unnoticed.

As Dylin groaned his name, and the smell of his seed filled his mate's nose, the fear spiked. His Alpha refused to meet Fen's eyes, as he cleaned himself in their bathroom. Even when Fen set a plate of eggs on the table, waiting for him, Dylin remained at a distance. His arms were rigid at his sides, fists clenched in the fabric of his shirt, and what troubled the Omega was the way he refused to meet his eyes.

Fen hesitantly stepped up to his made, even as said mate trembled slightly in his fear. "Dylin..." Fen murmured, tugging at the taut arm in front of him. "Don't be afraid..."

"The humans..." Dylin looked up to the timbered ceiling, a year falling from his eye. Fen stepped closer, reaching a hand up to wipe away the pain. "Whips. After my first rut, it... I never meant to shame you the way I have. I was -"

"Dylin, I was proud you thought of me." Fen smiled up into his Alpha's face, trying to ease the heartache. He gladly held him close when his mate reached out for comfort. Fen's small hands rubbed circles on his back, as he whispered, "It was just human cruelty, Dylin. I promise, your needs aren't anything to be ashamed of. I have them as well."

"Thank you, my beloved."

"Always."