Chapter Text
The forest was silent save for the faint chirps coming from crickets and the rippling of a nearby river. It's unusually quiet even though the blinding rays of the sun has already emerged behind the faraway mountains.
When Jake comes to his senses he first feels the coldness of pebbles and damp sand digging at the skin of his back. Second, was warmth and an enticing scent coming from a lithe bundle of a body resting at the top of his torso. Said bundle has red ears, twitching now and then even in it's deep slumber, soft plush tail curled around the Alpha's thigh . The hybrid's naked skin flushed against his own, curled body seemingly soft and fragile that he almost coos at the sight.
He then inhales a lungfull of the Omega's sweet scent, closing his eyes as he savors the familiar notes of fresh cream and vanilla, which reminds him of home.
If not for the sound of the running river and cold air hitting his bare skin, Jake would easily mistake they were just cuddled on his Den.
He cranes his neck forward to watch the hybrid's face, but he only winces when he felt pain running from his nape down to his spine. This sharp pain made him fully aware that he has now shifted back to his human form. His passed out Mate's still in a deep sleep, fatigue evident on their tiny body, which thankfully he didn't forgot to cover with his dirty furs last night after their frenzied mating.
He vaguely remembers how he rushed out of their Den. Livid, after finding out that his Mate toyed with his feelings and escaped on his own will. He was in his Rut, at the same time raging with anger and worry as he tracked down the hybrid's scent. There was not an ounce of rationality on his mind that night, there's only anger and betrayal after getting deceived. His animal instincts just wants to find and claim his Mate. He wants to bring him back even if it means he has to chain him on his bed.
But when he found his helpless Mate who almost got taken advantage because of his Heat, his anger went through the roof. But they weren't directed at the poor hybrid.
Not when he can hear Sunoo's distressed signal, desperately calling out for him.
The Beast in him just took over his system and the rest came as a blur. He knows the hybrid fears him. Hates him. Especially in his predatory form.
And he can't imagine the look of terror must have been on his eyes after attacking those hunters, and claiming his Mate afterwards. He feels disapointed for not being able to hold his self back, for forcing his way, but deep down his Wolf also beams with pride for claiming his precious Mate.
So when he spot's the hybrid's squeezed face on his chest, he uses this opportunity to gently run his knuckles to the fox's pale cheeks down to the fresh scar on his neck. Sunoo softly whines, shying away from the contact, face contorting into a pained expression.
It must've hurt like hell.
Jake felt a small pang in his chest. But he's too tired to even dwell on such emotions now that he's back in his human form. He certainly can't risk both of their safety now that they are out in the open, vulnerable to such unthinkable dangers.
Using his remaining strength he wraps Sunoo in his furs before carrying the younger on his back.
Going back to the Den with a little bit of strength left on his body was a long walk. It was difficult task for the shape shifter, but he pays no heed to get themselves back to their Nest in time just as his Mate begins to release his Heat pheromones again. When they finally arrived to their Den, he places the hybrid on their nest.
Sunoo stirs on his sleep, discomfort written all over his body.
"Shhhh, we're now home, Sunoo..." The older places a soft peck on the hybrid's mating mark eventually calming him.
When the younger goes back to sleep, Jake decides to clean his Mate's body, gently wiping all the dried stuff all over his skin. He also carefully cleaned the base of his tail, careful not to bring sensitivity to the area.
Sunoo wakes up in a pile of furs. He first recognizes the familiar ceiling of the den, the heavy scent of blood and notes of amber cloying on the blanket that covers him. He then pushes himself to sit up, only to give up when a sharp pain shoots up on his spine making him cry and fall back to the nest.
Memories from the previous night flashed on his mind and the blood leaves his face as he remembers small pieces of what happened. He remembers running, being harrased at the river, a familiar Rogue Wolf murdering the two men. He faintly remembers the searing pain from Heat, begging and crying at the Alpha to Mate him, to knock him up. He lastly remembers feeling the Beast’s tongue on him, licking him clean, after fucking him over and over again. And then he passed out.
There's a throbbing pain on his neck from the Wolf's fangs, and Sunoo now is sure he can't escape him. He missed his only chance to escape the Beast that he fears so much.
He lowers his head on his knees, silently crying for his attempts were all in vain.
He’s cleaned now, but his body still aches as if unable to forget how it had been pierced open, and left bloated full of cum. His hand shoots to his belly, horrified to find it still swollen.
“You’re finally awake.”
Sunoo’s head whips to the direction of the deep voice and he finds Jake standing in the mouth of the den. He's been guarding the only entry way after hw finished cleaning his Mate. The man is already dressed in his cotton pants and his upper body is halfway covered with a black cloak.
As he walks toward the wide-eyed Omega, his rough face was illuminated by the glowing embers next to the nest. He looks tired, face sullen but nonetheless handsome.
His long black hair is tied on the top of his head, jawline clenched as his suspicious eyes watches the hybrid's every move.
The man plops down next to him, still silent. Sunoo immediately pull the covers up to his chest, watching the Alpha through the corner of his eyes. He's afraid to speak. Afraid to look at him. He knows breaking the Alpha's trust means his life is already at his mercy.
“Sunoo...”