Closing Time

by MercalliXII

Summary:

A continuation of Some Other Beginning's End.

Chapter 1: Dream a Little Dream

He'd been sleeping. Like, a lot... Sometimes he would look up and his tag had skipped a number or two.

X9

That's what it said today.

Bruno sighed and turned over to stare at the back wall of his pen. The dream had been nice at first, but now, two weeks in, it was torment, and Bruno was seriously considering asking for the mercy of an early cull...

Clara hopped up on his shoulder, staring at him with beady accusing eyes.

"You'll be ok when I'm gone. Just... stay away from people." he murmured to his small friend before slipping into another fitful, restless sleep.

Chapter 2: With Relish

This had been the worst two weeks of her life. Even worse than the aftermath of her failure to present at her fifteenth birthday.

After promising to return to Bruno's pen, Mirabel had sought out Abuela, intent on appealing to the Alpha matriarch's sense of compassion.

Honestly? She should have known better.

Abuela had refused to listen to a word Mirabel had to say and she'd absolutely forbidden the young Beta to wander off again. Isabela had looked at her with scorn while Dolores could only muster pity for her poor Beta prima. In the end, she'd been forced to leave without even saying goodbye to Bruno.

The two new Omegas that Isabela and Dolores had obtained for themselves were a big deal, and two days later a family party was thrown to celebrate, with a larger Marking party coming up in another week. Mirabel hadn't really wanted to attend, but well... that hadn't been an option. Thankfully no one said anything when Mirabel stayed out of the way and only picked at the delicacies, knowing Bruno was alone, hungry and believed she'd lied to him.

It had taken five days after that to simply be granted an audience with Abuela, and Mirabel had had to write up a business proposal as to how exactly Bruno would be of any benefit to Mirabel's 'hobby' of embroidery and seamstressing. She'd also had to agree that being allowed to purchase Bruno would cover the next five birthdays worth of gifts and parties, not to mention, Mirabel had to come up with the money to buy him herself.

Finally though, after presenting her proposal and agreeing (in writing) to Abuela's terms and conditions -Bruno's housing and care would fall solely on Mirabel- Abuela had grudgingly allowed her disappointing Beta granddaughter to travel to the ring and purchase Bruno. Alone.

Mirabel's stomach was in knots as she approached the Omega ring, but she couldn't let her inner turmoil show. She was a Madrigal and she better damn well act like it! Spine straight, she approached the Omega female, Maria, that Abuela had greeted so warmly two weeks prior.

Maria looked up, if she was surprised at all to see Mirabel, it didn't show. The older female had a shrewd look about her, with eyes that seemed to see straight through the young Beta. Mirabel took a deep breath, "Hola, Señora. I'm here to see about purchasing an Omega."

Maria looked her over, expression still unnervingly neutral. "You were here with Señora Madrigal recently," she stated.

"Yes," Mirabel said evenly, "mi hermana y prima were here to purchase their Omegas. There was an older Omega male here, after some consideration, I believe he would be a perfect helper for me. My Abuela agrees." Kinda, not really... Mirabel handed over the signed form stating that Mirabel had her permission to purchase and take responsibility for the Omega.

Maria took the paper, her gaze reading then rereading the slip, "Bruno?" the Omega female asked incredulously. Well, at least her expression changed...

"Yes, is that one still available?" She surprised herself by how neutral her voice had come out. His tag had said 23 days, she still had time! Surely they hadn't...

Maria's gaze narrowed, and she folded the paper, placing it neatly beside her, "He is, but you do realize he's a cull? Not to be used for breeding... any pups sired, intentionally or not, will not reflect upon this ring."

Mirabel nodded, her throat suddenly dry. Gracias a Dios, he was still alive... "Yes, I understand. As I said, I intend to train him to help with my business, prepping beadwork, simple embroidery, things of that nature," she managed, not liking at all that she was being forced to explain herself, what difference did it make? "Being that he is a cull, what is his asking price."

Maria studied Mirabel, her eyes calculating. "I was asking fifteen gold, but for you," she finally said, "since you're Alma's granddaughter, seven gold." Mirabel felt a twist of disgust and a flare of gratitude. She hadn't expected a discount because of who she was, but she was also aware that Bruno's life was in her hands, she'd take what she could get.

"Seven seems a fair price. There was a rat with him in the pen, I'll give you an additional gold if I can get the rat as well." Mirabel managed to keep her voice steady. She'd promised Bruno she wouldn't tell about his friend, but this seemed like an acceptable reason to break her word.

Maria's eyes widened in dumbfounded surprise, "You want... a rat?"

Mirabel nodded firmly, "Yes, it appeared very interesting. Much different than other rats I've seen." What did that even mean?

Maria raised a disbelieving eyebrow, "I suppose if you want us to mess with catching a rat, then the total price will be eight gold."

Biting down on the inside of her cheek, Mirabel nodded, "Eight gold it is." She pulled the eight pieces from her coin purse, careful not to show how much she'd actually brought. Twenty-two was all she had and she was both thankful and angry that Bruno cost so little.

Maria took the coins, her expression unreadable. "Wait here, I'll have someone bring him up." she said before disappearing into the back. And so Mirabel waited, her eyes burning with the relief that washed through her. He's still alive, he's mine. Mine.

The wait felt like hours, but it couldn't have been more than ten minutes before a burly beta male came out leading a bruised and resigned looking Bruno with a lead that had been attached to his collar and a rat peeking out of the neck of his ruana. The collar was loose around Bruno's thin neck but Mirabel could see the marks it had left in his flesh. The sight made her blood boil but she had to stay calm, for now.

Bruno's eyes widened when he saw her, shock flashing in them before they dropped to the ground. Mirabel stepped forward to take the lead from the Beta's outstretched hand. And Maria was back with Bruno's documentation.

"Just need you to sign the book, then the paperwork is stamped and you can take him home," Maria said, her tone more business-like than before. Mirabel's hand trembled slightly as she took the quill and ink, she forced herself to read over everything instead of signing straight away like she desperately wanted to.

Once she was done signing, Maria stamped the papers and handed them over to Mirabel's waiting hand, along with a packet marked as heat suppressant. "Gracias, Señora." Mirabel said with a slight bow of her head, then turned to Bruno, "come along, I have things to do," she told him sharply with a quick jerk of the lead. She hated that he staggered with the movement, she hadn't meant to be rough.

Bruno's eyes remained downcast as he shuffled behind her, the rat now riding on his shoulder, its tiny claws digging into the fabric of the ruana. Mirabel's heart ached to see him like this, but she had to keep up the facade. The moment she stepped out of the ring, she knew eyes would be on her, watching her actions and reactions. She couldn't let anyone suspect just how much this meant to her.

As they walked back towards the Madrigal home, the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. Mirabel was aware of the occasional whispered remark and the way people stared at the bruised and beaten Omega following her. Her skin crawled with the weight of their gazes, but she held her head high, refusing to show any sign of weakness. She didn't need any odd comments getting back to Abuela.

Finally they arrived at the house, and she led Bruno straight to her room, thankfully not running into anyone, and quickly closed and locked the door.

Her back against the door, Mirabel let go of the leash and sank down, hands covering her face. No longer able to contain it, she began to sob. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I told you... I told you I'd be right back and... " she keened softly. "I'm sorry."

Chapter 3: It's a Little Bit Funny

Bruno remained still, his eyes cast downward, his shoulders hunched in defeat. "It's okay, señorita, I'm pretty sure I'm just dreaming again," his soft voice was barely a whisper.

Startled out of sobbing, Mirabel wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "What?" she asked, her brows drawn with confusion.

Bruno's gaze met hers, he shrugged slightly. "You, know...dreaming that you really came back for me." he said, his voice thick with resignation. "It happens a lot now."

Mirabel struggled to her feet, tears still streaming from her eyes. "No. Bruno, you're awake. I'm... Dios, I'm so sorry."

Bruno took a tentative step forward, "You... bought me?"

Mirabel nodded, her chest tight with emotion. "Yes, I did. You're mine, ok? Let me... " she reached out slowly not wanting to startle him, and began working the latch on his collar loose.

Bruno flinched slightly at her touch, his body trembling. "Mirabel," he whispered, his confused hazel-green eyes never leaving her face as she carefully removed the collar, revealing the raw skin beneath. Mirabel's hands shook as she let the collar and lead drop to the floor.

"Look at me," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "You're safe now, I promise."

Slowly, Bruno searched Mirabel's face for any sign of deceit. Finding none, a small flame of hope seemed to flare up, but Mirabel could see the struggle in his gaze, the war between distrust and a desperate need for this to be real. She had to tip the balance.

"How can I prove to you this isn't a dream?" She asked him gently.

Bruno swallowed hard, his eyes never leaving hers. "You can't," he murmured.

Mirabel nodded, choking back another sob, "Okay, okay... uhm... what do you usually dream?"

Bruno thought for a moment, his expression pensive. "Well, I often dream of... being here with you. The room's different this time though... and you always forget about Clara."

"Clara?" she said, her eyes shifting to the rat. "You mean your rat?"

Bruno nodded, his eyes glossy with unshed tears.

"Okay... well I didn't forget her, so that's a start." She gave him a weak smile.

Bruno looked at Clara, then back to Mirabel. "You bought her too?"

Mirabel nodded, feeling a bit of hope herself. "Yes, she's part of the deal. I know you care for her." She watched as a smile ghosted across his thin face, lighting it up briefly. "I... I didn't want you to have to leave your friend."

The moment was shattered by the sound of a knock at her door. Mirabel's heart jumped into her throat. "Mirabel, is everything alright? You missed dinner again." It was her mother's voice, filled with concern.

Motioning Bruno to stay where he was, Mirabel quickly unlocked the door.

"Mamá, I'm fine," she said as her mother pushed open the door. "I just had something important to take care of." She stepped aside to reveal Bruno standing behind her, the rat still clinging to his shoulder. "This is Bruno."

Julieta's eyes widened with surprise and a hint of disapproval, of him entirely or just his condition, Mirabel was unsure. "This is the Omega you petitioned Abuela for?" She asked, her voice low. Mirabel knew that she didn't miss the raw collar marks on his neck.

"Yes," Mirabel replied firmly, "I need him for my business. He's going to help me with the sewing and embroidery." She stepped aside, gesturing to a chair in the corner, "Go sit, Bruno."

Bruno immediately moved, sitting where she'd indicated, silent, his eyes on the floor.

Julieta studied him, her brows drawing together as she took in his condition. "Mirabel, are you sure this is wise? Did Abuela actually see him?" she asked, closing the door gently behind her.

Mirabel shook her head, "I described him accurately, Abuela wants nothing to do with him, she said anything concerning him is my responsibility."

Her mother sighed heavily, gaze still on the trembling Omega. "Hija, you're a strange child, but I love you. Make sure he's cleaned up before you take him out anywhere, I'll send up some dinner for you both. And Mirabel... why is there a rat sitting on his head?"

Looking over her shoulder, Mirabel saw that Clara was indeed sitting in the nest of Bruno's silver streaked black curls. "That's just... well, that's his pet..." She replied awkwardly, facing back to her mother.

Julieta brought one hand up to massage the bridge of her nose. "Pet...?" she repeated incredulously. "Dios mio, do not let Abuela see that."

Mirabel nodded vigorously. "Of course, Mamá. I'll make sure Clara stays out of sight." She took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. "Thank you for understanding. I'll make sure he's well cared for and that he's not a burden on anyone."

Julieta's expression softened slightly. "...Clara... Nevermind... Mirabel, mija, I hope he ends up being worth what you paid." She leaned in and kissed Mirabel's cheek before leaving, the sound of her footsteps retreating down the hallway as Mirabel closed and locked her door.

Turning back to Bruno, her eyes filling with tears once more. "You're not a burden, you understand? You're... you're not." She reached out to touch his bruised cheek, and he flinched slightly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she whispered.

Bruno looked up, his gaze meeting hers again. "You really bought me, señorita?" he asked again, the hope in his voice so faint it was almost nonexistent. Mirabel nodded, her smile growing stronger.

"Yes, I swear." She told him.

He wanted to believe her. Badly. She could see it in his expressive hazel eyes.

Mirabel took a step closer, kneeling down so she could look him in the eye. "I promise, you're safe now," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "I'm not going to treat you like they did. You're not a... a cull" she spat the word, "you're not a thing to be used and discarded. When we're alone, you're welcome to call me Mirabel."

Bruno nodded stiltedly. "Mirabel," he said softly, almost like a prayer.

She took a deep, steadying breath. "Come," she said, rising to her feet and taking his hand gently. "Let's get you cleaned up and fed. Then we can talk." She led him to the bathroom, his eyes wide with trepidation. She turned the faucet and filled the tub with comfortably hot water, adding a dash of the lavender-scented salts she liked to use on stressful days.

Everything was similar to his dream, but different enough that Bruno was beginning to believe this could be real. He took in the bathroom as he began to shed his ruana. The room was smaller, but the tub was the same, pretty much, and she'd used lavender salt instead of crushed lavender.

"Are you ok in here by yourself?" Mirabel asked him as she turned off the water, apparently judging the level to be sufficient.

"Yes, I've never had a bath... but I know how." He said, recalling the way she'd used the rag in his dream to wash his body.

"Never had a bath...?" She was looking up at him, startled.

"We were sprayed off with a pressure hose... some of the more popular studs and sale prospects got showers." He told her quietly, pulling his shirt off over his head.

Mirabel's eyes went wide, "That's... " she trailed off, seemingly unable to put words to her thought. "I'll leave you to it," she said, turning away abruptly, "I have some clothes I think will fit you, my primo outgrew them recently. If you need anything before I get back, just call for me, I'll hear you."

Chapter 4: Quatro Cinco

Stepping free of his pants, Bruno climbed into the warm water, placing Clara carefully on the tub's rim. He wasn't actually sure if lavender was safe for rats, but by the way she sniffed, sneezed, then immediately hopped off the tub and onto a nearby shelf, he didn't think she liked it.

Mirabel returned with a pile of clothes: brown pants and a yellow-orange shirt. "These should fit," she said, laying them on the edge of the sink. "I'm sorry, I forgot to give you soap." Bruno watched as she grabbed a bar from the shelf Clara was perched on, "My sister, Luisa makes it from donkey milk. This one's chamomile."

"Thank you," he murmured, taking the soap with trembling hands.

"You're welcome, Bruno," she said with a soft, sad smile, not looking directly at him. "Take your time, the food Mamá promised should be here soon, so I'll go wait for it, okay?"

Bruno nodded, his eyes following her as she left the room. Once he was alone, he took a deep breath, and sank into the water, making sure to soak his head. The warmth was heavenly, he almost wished he could stay under, but by now was too curious to let himself drown.

Surfacing, Bruno scrubbed the soap into his hair, then soaped the washcloth to begin scrubbing his body in earnest. The warmth of the water and the gentle scents of chamomile and lavender filled his senses, soothing the ache that had settled into his bones. As he washed away the grime of the ring pen, he began to really focus on the scents, the feelings and even the sounds.

Everything was more real than his dream ever was, clearer, sharper... So Mirabel had actually come back for him...? A soft sob caught in his throat and he forced it back. It was real. He wasn't going to die. He had a... a home now. He had a... a... He didn't have a word for what Mirabel was to him yet, but he couldn't help but wonder if other aspects of his dream might be true as well...

Bruno submerged again to rinse the soap from his hair and body. He'd never felt so clean in his life... but he *was* clean, so there was no real reason to linger in the warm water. Regretfully, he pulled the drainplug and stood, carefully exiting the tub and grabbing the fluffy towel Mirabel had left for him.

He scrubbed himself dry with the towel then worked on drying his hair. It was longer than he remembered it ever being, but it felt good to be clean. Wrapping the towel around his waist, he reached to pick Clara up from the shelf. "Just a quick wash for you, mi pequeña." He held the bar of soap for her to smell, "do you like this one?"

He could only assume she did, because the rat began nibbling at the soap as if it were a fine piece of fruit. Clara wasn't as thrilled when he filled up the sink and used the soap on her body, but she didn't struggle or bite and soon he was rinsing and drying her off too.

The clothes Mirabel had brought him were next. Letting the towel drop, he stepped into the soft fabric of the pants, feeling the unfamiliar sensation of something not scratching against his skin. The shirt was a bit too loose around the shoulders, but it smelled faintly of her, a comforting scent that already made his heart ache. As he pulled the shirt over his head, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and startled. Dios mio...

He hadn't seen his reflection in years, and the creature looking back at him was much worse than he would have imagined. His cheek and collar bones were sharp, his olive skin a pale, sickly hue, and the bruises... They painted a greenish yellow story of abuse and neglect across his body. Bruno felt a pang of self-loathing. Jesucristo, what had possessed that girl to buy him, he wouldn't have even bought him. He looked dead.

The rat squeaked at his sudden stillness and he realized he'd been holding his breath. Taking a deep inhale, he tried to shake off his dark thoughts and finished dressing, carefully placing Clara in the pocket of his new shirt. It had little lizards on it...

The knock at the door startled him, and Clara scurried from the pocket, up his arm to his shoulder, her tiny claws digging in slightly. Mirabel's voice called out, "the food's here, Bruno, no rush if you're not done."

He took a deep breath and nodded to his reflection, "You're not going anywhere," he whispered, trying to convince himself as much as he was the pathetic creature in the mirror. "You're safe, it's real. It's real..." Another deep breath and he stepped out into the room, the rich scents of meat, vegetables and fruit nearly overwhelming him.

Mirabel had set the tray down on her desk, and was sitting on the bed, her arms wrapped around her knees, staring at the floor. She looked up as he entered, "How are you feeling?" she asked gently.

"Better... hungry..." he said timidly, she'd said he could have food, but he wasn't sure if he was meant to wait until she'd finished or...

Mirabel moved further up the bed and motioned him toward her, "it's okay, sit down," she patted the bed in front of her, "Cami's clothes fit you pretty well..."

Bruno sat down tentatively, his eyes on the steaming plate of food. It smelled incredible. "They're very soft," he said, running his hand over the front of the shirt. "I like the...chameleons."

Mirabel grabbed the tray and settled it between them, a small smile playing on her lips, "You like chameleons? They're my primo's favorite."

Bruno nodded shyly, his eyes still on the food, "Mhm, they're... fascinating. They're like little magic creatures, changing colors and all..."

Mirabel's smile grew a bit wider, "I never thought of it like that, but yes, they are quite magical." She handed him a fork and knife, "I'm supposed to take my meals with the family, but Abuela doesn't really care if I'm not there. The only one that really notices I'm missing is Mamá."

Bruno took the cutlery with shaking hands. "How could anyone not notice?"

Mirabel shrugged, "I'm a Beta female, that's more of a disappointment to Abuela than my two primos being boys." She watched as he took a tentative bite, his eyes closing with pleasure as he chewed.

Bruno swallowed, "This is... amazing," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Mirabel nodded, barely picking at the food herself. "My mamá's a very good cook," she assured him, her voice cracking slightly.

Bruno took another bite, his eyes never leaving Mirabel. "But you're not eating?" he pointed out, his voice a soft concern.

Mirabel managed a sad smile, "I'm not really hungry, it's been a long day," she said, her stomach in knots. "Besides, you need it more than I do." She watched as he took another bite, his eyes lighting up with each mouthful.

They sat in a comfortable silence as he ate, Clara peeking out of his pocket occasionally to snatch a piece of food before retreating again. Mirabel felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time, the warmth of his presence soothing her.

When he was done, she took the tray and set it aside, asking, "Bruno, do you know when you're due to take your heat suppressant?"

Bruno paused, swallowed, his expression unreadable. "I don't know... I don't think they were gonna, you know, give me any more, because...well. And I...don't really remember the last time I had any."

Mirabel nodded. "It's okay, I have some here." She reached for the packet she'd gotten from the Omega female, Maria, her heart pounding in her chest. "Do you know how much of this you're supposed to take?" She handed him a glass of water.

"I think the whole thing. It's supposed to work for six months." He said, studying the packet. This was a different type than he was use to... He sniffed it; Cheap. All this one would do is make him sterile. If there were an Alpha in rut... well, this would do jack nothing to keep him from being all over that... heh.

Mirabel nodded, watching his trembling hand as he poured the powder out into his glass and swirled the liquid until it was dissolved. Without pausing, he downed the contents and handed her back the glass and packet.

"Thank you, Mirabel," he whispered, his eyes watering slightly from the bitter taste.

Her heart ached seeing him so vulnerable, so she forced a smile, "You're welcome." She took the glass, placing it aside and grabbing a small jar from her bedside table. "Now, come a little closer, I want to put this on your neck where that collar dug in..."

Bruno leaned into her, his eyes closing as she gently rubbed a soothing salve into his wounds, the scent of aloe and herbs filling the air.

"Turn around? I want to get the back of your neck," Mirabel asked, her voice gentle.

Bruno complied, turning his back to her. He shivered as she moved his hair aside to get to his neck.

"It's okay," Mirabel assured him, "I'm not going to hurt you."

Bruno's shoulders tightened briefly before he let out a slow breath and leaned into her touch. The warmth of her hands on his skin was foreign yet comforting, and he felt a strange sense of trust building within him. Mirabel applied more of the cool salve, her gentleness soothing away the sting.

"Is it painful?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

Bruno's eyes remained closed, but he shook his head slightly. "No, not anymore," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Mirabel worked slowly, taking care not to cause him any further pain. She knew it would take time for him to fully trust her, but she was determined to earn it. As she applied the salve, she couldn't help but think of all the horrors he must have endured. The thought of anyone treating him so cruelly made her want to bite someone, but she knew her anger wouldn't help him.

"I'm going to comb out your hair, ok?" she asked, relidding the jar and placing it back on the table to grab the comb.

He nodded slightly, his eyes still closed. Mirabel could feel the tension in his body as she gently began to work out the tangles. "You have such beautiful hair," she said softly, almost to herself "It's like... coils of black silk."

Hazel eyes fluttered open, a startled smile playing on his lips, "Silk?"

Mirabel nodded, continuing to comb through his hair, "Mmhmm. It's soft."

Bruno leaned back into her touch, the first real gentle contact he'd felt in... well, ever. It was... bordering on uncomfortable, but...nice. "Thank you," he murmured.

She paused, the comb still in her hand. "You're welcome, Bruno," she said, her voice a little thick.

He took a deep breath, "Do you... do you really need me for the embroidery?"

Mirabel continued in her ministrations, carefully pulling the comb through his thick hair. "No," she admitted, not willing to lie to him. "But I'll teach you if you're interested."

"I don't understand then..." he told her softly. "Why... why buy me...?"

"I don't know how to explain it," Mirabel said, finishing with the comb. "But...I just couldn't...I couldn't bear the thought that...that..." she pressed her forehead between his shoulder blades, a soft sob catching her off guard.

"You didn't have to save me," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "But...thank you for doing it anyway."

Mirabel took a deep breath, fighting back her own tears. "I did have to," she said softly. "I... I don't know what I would have done if you'd already been...gone."

Bruno remained silent for a moment before asking, "How old are you, Mirabel?"

Mirabel took a deep breath, thrown by the change in topic, "I'm sixteen in two weeks," she said, her voice still thick with emotion.

"Two weeks..." he repeated, his voice trailing off as he contemplated the number. Before today he didn't think he'd be alive in another two weeks...

Mirabel nodded, her eyes on his back. "Yeah," she said with a rueful laugh.

"And how long do you plan to keep me?" He asked, his voice softer than ever.

"Forever," she said in a low, possessive growl, "No one is taking you from me."

Bruno's breath hitched. The words were... unexpected, so final, so...hopeful. And her tone was aggressive... He didn't know how to respond, so he just sat there, feeling her warmth behind him..

Mirabel cleared her throat, "Anyway. Bruno, I know I bought you, but... I don't want you to think of it like that. You're not... not a possession to me." She paused, her hands stroking over his shoulders, "I want you to stay here because... because you want to."

Bruno turned to face her, his eyes searching hers. "You know an Omega male has no choice..."

"I know," she said with an irritable sigh, "but..." she frowned slightly, "I don't know how to explain it..."

He waited silently, eyes curious.

Mirabel took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving his. "I want you to want to stay."

Bruno's gaze searched hers, "If I had a choice, I would chose to stay with you," he finally told her cautiously.

"But you don't," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"But!" he emphasized, holding up his index finger, "if I did, I would choose to."

Mirabel's heart swelled at his words. "Why?" she asked worrying her lip with her teeth.

He took a moment to consider his answer. "Because... you're kind and you want me," he finally said, his eyes searching hers for understanding. "I don't know why you do, but no one has ever wanted me."

"Bruno, you're..." She reached up cupping his cheek. "You're sweet, and gentle, and... funny."

He leaned into her touch, eyes drifting shut, "I don't remember being funny," he murmured.

"You made me laugh, when I asked why you were in the pens," She stroked her thumb over his cheek bone.

Bruno's eyes opened again, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, "That's just because you didn't expect it."

Mirabel leaned in, her thumb still stroking his cheek, "I don't expect much from anyone anymore, but you... you surprised me."

The warmth of her hand was like a brand on his skin, the sensation so foreign and overwhelming it was nearly painful, he wasn't sure how to respond. "And that's a good thing?" he questioned softly.

Mirabel's thumb stopped its movement, "Yes," she whispered, "it's a very good thing." Leaning in, she pressed her lips gently against his other cheek before dropping her forehead to the crook of his neck and shoulder, "It's late..." she murmured against his throat. He smelled really nice... and not just the soap. Crema de malvavisco.

Bruno nodded, his heart racing, "Yeah," he agreed, his voice a shaky whisper.

Mirabel straightened up, her eyes searching his for a moment before she stood, "I have a bunch of blankets in the closet, and pillows..."

Bruno nodded, his eyes following her as she moved to the closet. The idea of a real place to sleep, was almost too much for him to take in. "Thank you," he said again, his voice cracking.

Mirabel pulled out a pile of blankets and pillows, laying them out on the floor of the closet. He watched as she frowned and rearranged the blankets then added more pillows. Then she pulled the blanket off her bed and stuffed it in there too.

"Mirabel," he began, his voice shaky. "You don't have to do this."

She looked up at him, her amber brown eyes earnest. "You need more pillows..."

Bruno looked her over, biting his lip, "this is a fine nest," he finally told her, voice trembling.

Mirabel nodded, but didn't look convinced, "I suppose it will do for now..."

"It's perfect," he assured her.

Mirabel took a deep breath, nodded, and helped him into the makeshift bed she'd created. She tucked him in gently, smoothing down the covers. Clara took this as an invitation and scurried under the blankets with him, curling up into a small ball against his chest.

"I can get more pillows..." Mirabel offered.

Bruno's hand reached out to stop her, "No, this is...this is more than I've ever had," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "It's perfect, really."

Mirabel's eyes searched his face, looking for any sign of discomfort or insincerity. Finding none, she nodded and stepped back, her own eyes misty. "Okay," she whispered, "Goodnight, Bruno."

"Goodnight, Mirabel," he murmured, his hand absently stroking Clara's soft fur. The warmth of the blankets and the gentle weight of the rat was a stark contrast to the cold hardness he'd grown accustomed to.

Mirabel hovered for a moment, then leaned in to kiss his forehead, "I'll be right here if you need anything," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Bruno nodded, unable to speak, the gesture so gentle it brought tears to his eyes. He watched as she put out the candles and slipped into her own bed, her silhouette outlined by the moon's soft glow.

Chapter 5: Sympathy

He wasn't sure how long he stared up into the darkness, afraid to close his eyes, terrified to fall asleep. If this turned out to be a dream... well, he was pretty sure he'd just go ahead and ask for an early cull. He took a deep breath, feeling the soft fabric of the blankets against his skin. It's real, it's real, it's real. Because if it wasn't, this time it would completely break him.

The next morning, Bruno had exactly the opposite problem. If he opened his eyes, the sweet scents and soft nest would fade, leaving him back in that cold, hard reality with the last bits of himself shattered. Better to pretend a little longer...

"Bruno," Mirabel's voice was soft, "it's morning."

He blinked, the room coming into focus. The sun was just starting to peek through the curtains, casting a warm light over Mirabel's concerned face. She was already up and dressed, in a white blouse and teal skirt, the whole thing covered with embroidery. "You don't have to get up," she told him, "but I'm going to go down for breakfast. I'll bring you something back."

The weight of Clara shifting on his shoulder grounded him as he sat up. "It's real..." he whimpered softly.

Mirabel nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "It's real," she assured him gently. "You're safe. Make yourself at home." She grabbed the tray from the previous night and was gone, he heard the lock click into place as she shut the door.

He sat there, taking deep breaths, trying to get used to the feeling of a soft nest beneath him and not a cold stone floor strewn with hay. He felt... safe. It was an unfamiliar emotion, but one that was slowly seeping into his very being. He reached up and took Clara from his shoulder, setting her on the pillow beside him; she yawned and stretched before curling back up into a ball.

He wouldn't have minded curling back into a ball himself, but nature, such as it was, called. Stretching himself out, Bruno was surprised to realize the closet was actually wider than he was tall and about half as deep. All in all, a perfect space, he actually wouldn't mind that being his permanent room...

It took a moment to orientate himself, but he soon found the door to the ensuite. After taking care of his needs, he found himself staring into the mirror again.

The face looking back at him was still gaunt, but the shadows under his eyes seemed lighter. He thought maybe there was a bit of color to his cheeks as well, though that could just be the orange shirt... His neck looked... better, not quite as raw.

Bruno took a deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom. Mirabel wasn't back yet so he decided to find a place to sit and wait.

Her room was an organized mess of fabric and threads, the remnants of her embroidery scattered everywhere. It was chaotic but comforting in a way his own barren space never had been. He picked up a piece of fabric and studied the intricate design she'd sewn into it. He didn't know anything about her craft, but it was so beautiful and detailed, she had to be some sort of master.

Suddenly, the doorknob jiggled followed by loud banging on the door that had Clara running for the closet and Bruno freezing in place, surely Mirabel wouldn't knock at her own door, especially like that.

The banging came again, "I know you're in there, Omega, open this door!" it was a female voice, young, with just enough Alpha edge to make him tremble.

Bruno's heart raced as he set down the fabric, a low whine escaping him in his panic. Hide... hide hide hide hide... he darted for the closet, burrowing as deeply into his nest as possible, ignoring Clara's indignant squeaks as he snatched her up and brought her with. "Shhh, shhh," he breathed nearly silently to his friend.

Chapter 6: Burnin' for You

Mirabel had gotten held up after breakfast, cleaning up and helping her mother prep for lunch, so by the time she made it back up to her room she was over an hour later than she'd intended to be. The banging brought her up short.

Creeping around the corner, she saw Isabela at her door, and barely heard the other girl as she growled out, "Open the door, Omega..."

Mirabel's eyes narrowed at her sister's tone. She was trying to compel Bruno's obedience, and Mirabel didn't appreciate that. At all. It was a struggle to temper her fury as she approached the door. "Isa, do you need something?" she called out firmly, her low voice holding a sharp edge.

Isabela turned, flashing her sharp canines and lateral incisors as she smiled wide, "There you are!" she exclaimed, tone as sweet as the flowers she tended for Abuela. "I was just checking to make sure you'll have my dress ready for the party next week."

Mirabel raised an eyebrow, "It's been on the mannequin in your room for the last three days," she reminded her sister coolly.

The older girl's smile faltered slightly as her eyes narrowed, "Of course it is," she agreed, "I meant the tiara, Abuela told you to add more lace."

Mirabel grinned slightly, her own flat Beta teeth not the least bit intimidating, but it didn't matter at the moment, Bruno was hers. "She did, and I'll be adding the last few pieces today. It should be ready this evening, Isa, I'll deliver it myself." Her grin broadened.

Isabela stared at her for a moment eyes narrowing further, then she nodded, "Perfect. I look forward to seeing it, Mirabel."

Mirabel nodded, staring at her sister until the older girl flounced away. Once she was out of sight, Mirabel quickly unlocked her door, darted in and relocked it. "Bruno!?" she called softly, setting down the basket of food she'd brought from the kitchen.

The room was silent, he couldn't have gotten out... Where? She rushed to the closet, dropping to her knees she began pawing carefully through the nest, "Bruno...please, mi querido..."

A faint whimper had her altering her search to find him squished into a corner, eyes tightly closed and hands over his ears. He was still shaking, his distressed scent like burned caramel, "Bruno..." she crooned softly as she carefully moved Clara out of the way.

Crawling into the nest, the blankets closed in on them as she wedged herself between his legs, "you're safe, my clever one," she soothed, gently rubbing her wrists against his neck, "she gone."

Bruno took a shaky breath, his eyes slowly opening to try and make her out in the darkness inside the nest. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice thick with embarrassment as he lowered his hands.

Mirabel nuzzled against him doing her best to drown him in her weak scent, "Shhh," she crooned, "I'm so proud of you."

Cautiously rubbing his chin over her head, he echoed back, "Proud?" his voice a soft, bewildered whisper.

Mirabel reached down deep to draw out a soothing purr, it was something she hadn't done since she was just little, "so proud, my Omega, you didn't obey her..."

Bruno's trembling slowed, the vibrations against his chest soothing, "I...could feel it, you know...? Pulling at my mind, so I hid. I've... I've never disobeyed..." he murmured.

"You're not meant to, you're mine," she continued to scent him as best she could, reveling in the sweetness of his Omega pheromones now that he was calming.

"But she's...she's an Alpha," he whispered, his heart still hammering in his chest.

Mirabel stilled. Suddenly her teeth were on his throat, "She's not *your* Alpha." She growled against his frantic pulse.

Bruno's eyes closed as he tilted his head back in submission, Dios mio... he'd been right about this too... "No." he agreed, unable to help the arousal leaking into his scent.

Mirabel tasted the shift in his scent, dulce de leche, but now crisp apple was threading through the mix, the headiness of it laying thick against her palate like panela. "You're mine," she murmured against his neck, her teeth lightly grazing his skin, "I'll bite her throat out..."

Bruno's breath hitched at the fierce protectiveness in her voice, his heart fluttering. "Mirabel," he breathed, his voice shaking, "Mirabel...please..." her teeth were still on him, too near the mating gland on his neck. "Please, mi Alfa..." Bruno's brain was going foggy, he wasn't sure exactly what he was pleading for.

Her teeth left him as she pulled away slightly, her eyes searching his in the dimness, "I'm a Beta..." she reminded him.

"No... no I don't think you are..." he whined softly. "I'm, uh, pretty sure you're in pre-rut..."

Mirabel blinked, his words not quite making sense to her, carefully she began extricating herself from the nest, the scents fully hitting her as she tangled in the blankets. Aroused Omega. Dulce de leche and apple. And her own neutral 'bread' scent, but with an undercurrent of...allspice?

Bruno watched her backing away, his breathing shallow as he sat up, the blankets pooling around his waist. "Mirabel?" She was going to get rid of him now. His dream had been right about her being an Alpha, but now she'd get rid of him and invest in a proper Omega. Maybe she'd do him a favor and just...well... you know...

Mirabel's eyes searched the room, "I... can't be," she murmured, her cheeks paling.

"Late presentation, it happens, heh." Bruno said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're...you're going to need an Omega. I mean, you'll probably want to go through this first rut alone, well, not *want* to, but-"

"I have an Omega." She cut him off, eyes narrowed.

Bruno felt his heart seize, "No, no a *real* Omega," he cringed, "I'm not... you know ...suitable."

Her eyes searched his face. "Why?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended. "Because you're half starved? That isn't your fault."

Bruno took a shaky breath, his hands fisting in the blankets. "It's more than that," he murmured. "I'm not... young and I'm not... proven."

Mirabel stared at him, her eyes wide. "You're not...proven?" she asked with confusion, her voice tight.

His gaze dropped to his hands. "I... I've never been studded," he admitted, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "There's no guarantee I can sire pups..."

"There's nothing wrong with you," she told him flatly, "Now tell me how to hide this until I hit full rut." At least her quick anger and irritability made more sense to her now...

Bruno looked up at her, surprised. "You're... you're not going to send me away?"

Mirabel fought back a snarl, "that's what you think?"

Bruno tilted his head, giving her his throat, "It's what I've been taught," he murmured, eyes carefully downcast.

Mirabel's eyes narrowed, but she moved in closer to stroke the backs of her fingers over his neck, "I told you, you're mine. My Omega, my Bruno."

His eyes searched hers for any hint of insincerity, but all he found was fierce determination, "You... you know I'm on suppressors now...They uh, also act as a... uh..."

Mirabel waited.

"Uh...well a spermicide, you know? So yeah, no swimmers." Bruno finished, hiding his flaming red face in his hands.

"Okay," she said, dismissively, "Right now, we need to figure out how to hide this from my family. They cannot know, do you understand?"

Bruno peeked at her through his fingers, "No... I don't really," he whispered.

"If they find out before I hit full rut," Mirabel's voice was tight, "They'll take you away."

"Oh," yeah, that made sense... he dropped his hands, cheeks still pink, "Take... uhm, take a shower before you go out, and do you have any, you know, scent blocker?"

Mirabel shook her head, "No, but my sister, Luisa, is an Omega female, and she makes it for the family and sometimes the market, I could probably get some from her."

"Can... and I don't mean any disrespect, but can you trust her? 'Cause, well, she's an Omega and you're an Alpha, soooo, she might pick up on the scent...it's faint, but still..." he grinned nervously.

Mirabel looked him over, his sharp little Omega teeth were cute... "What? No, Luisa and I get along really well, I'm... almost certain she wouldn't say anything."

Right. "Okay... just, tell her it's for me, I don't know," he waved his hand about, apparently trying to think, "my scent is... cloying or something."

Mirabel broke into a grin, "I told you you were funny."

Searching for any hint of mockery, Bruno paused, but she seemed genuinely amused, a timid smile pulling at his lips. "Yeah?" he asked tentatively.

"You are," she assured him, her voice warm with affection. She stood up, reaching out to help him to his feet. "Come on, let's get you fed before I go get that scent blocker."

Bruno allowed himself to be pulled out of the closet, his legs wobbly after being curled up for so long. He took a deep breath and tried to ignore the way his stomach growled at the smell of the food she'd brought. No longer terrified, he was beginning to realized how hungry he was.

Mirabel handed him the basket, "There's egg and chorizo stuffed arepas and a couple tamales. Everything's probably cold, thanks Isa... but it should still taste really good."

Bruno took the basket with trembling hands, his eyes lighting up at the sight of food. There was... a lot. Taking out one of the arepas, he couldn't stop the moan as he bit into it. "Ish shtill warm..." He told her with a soft whimper.

Gaze soft, she watched him eat for a moment, "take your time," she told him, "All of it's yours."

Bruno nodded, his mouth too full to speak, he hadn't had food like this in... well, ever, he'd never been given food like this. It was heavenly. The flavors of the cheese and chorizo melding with the egg and the warm corn of the arepa was something he'd never even thought to dream of.

"I'm sorry you had to wait," she murmured, gently brushing a curl of his hair back behind his ear. "I'm going to go take a shower so I can see Luisa ok?" she bit her lip, her cheeks going red, "I smell like aroused Omega..."

Bruno nearly choked as she retreated into the bathroom.

The shower didn't take too long, Bruno still had food in his basket, it was clear he was taking his time savoring each bite. Mirabel emerged, her hair mostly dry and wearing a clean dress. "Bruno, what do you smell?"

Bruno took a bite of his tamale, chewing slowly. "You smell like..." he swallowed down his bite with half a glass of water then breathed deeply of her proffered wrist, mouth slightly open to gather her scent on his palate, "You smell like... water, pan blandito and chamomile." He told her softly.

"Good, so, clean Beta," she said, taking deep, calming breaths. "Luisa shouldn't notice anything then."

"Okay, yeah," he popped the last of his tamale into his mouth.

Mirabel studied him, "You did so well earlier," she praised gently, "the door will be locked, I'm the only one with a key besides Abuela, but she's too proper to enter when I'm not here."

He swallowed hard, "I'm sorry I scared you."

Mirabel stepped closer, her hand coming up to cup his cheek, "You didn't scare me, precioso, the situation did. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Bruno pinked at the term of endearment, "I'll... I'll keep eating?" he suggested.

Mirabel chuckled, "Yes, keep eating," she told him, "I'll be right back."

Her hand lingered on his cheek for a moment longer before she turned and headed out the door. The lock clicked into place and she was gone.

Chapter 7: Get What You Give

Luisa was always making something out of donkey milk, or donkey fur or donkey hair. Sometimes she even made things out of donkey teeth... Mirabel found it strange, but her burly Omega sister enjoyed it, so...

Stepping into the donkey barn/workshop, it seemed as though today, the older girl was felting donkey fur. Mirabel sneezed at the smell of wet donkey, startling her sister.

"Oh, Mirabel," Luisa said, head darting up, "are you alright?"

Mirabel nodded, waving a hand, "Just... haven't been around felting much, smells a little... sharp," she said, her voice cheery.

Luisa looked her over, eyes searching, "Do you... want to help?" she asked, obviously trying to figure out why Mirabel was just standing there.

"Oh! No, I'm sorry, it looks very interesting but, I have to finish that thing for Isa, you know," She made her hands out like a crown on her head and rolled her eyes dramatically, "say, do you have any scent blocker I could have?"

Luisa's eyes narrowed slightly, "Your new Omega?" she suggested, wiping her hands dry on the apron she'd tied around her waist.

Mirabel couldn't stop the flush from creeping up her throat and settling on her cheeks, "I... yeah, I didn't realize his scent would be so..." what was the word he'd used...? "cloying, very sweet, even for the 'ol Beta nose here!" Mirabel pointed at her nose with a wide grin. She was thankful her teeth were still dull...

Something in the way Luisa was holding herself had changed, she nodded slowly, "You're in pre-rut," she stated, her voice flat.

Mirabel froze, "Uh, no...haha, because I'm a Beta," she flared out her fingers awkwardly. No... Nononono...

Luisa studied her for a long moment, then got up and waved Mirabel to follow her over to a large five tier shelf.

"This one's the strongest one I have," the large Omega reached back onto the fourth shelf, "I'd usually say it's for an Alpha, but if your Omega is that...cloying, this should do the trick at least until he hits full... heat..." Luisa told her blandly, holding out a jar of cream about as big around as a small lulo.

Mirabel took the jar gratefully, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Thank you, Luisa," she murmured, "I really appreciate it."

"Mirabel," Luisa said, her voice gentle, "Do you... Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Mirabel nodded, her eyes prickling with the threat of tears. Luisa wasn't stupid, Mirabel knew that, but sometimes it was easy to underestimate just how perceptive her soft spoken sister actually was. "Please."

Luisa took a deep breath, mouth slightly open, "I don't know anything. Just make sure to use that blocker and keep... 'him', away from other Omegas as much as possible...for about a week."

Swallowing thickly, Mirabel nodded. "Thank you, hermana, for the advice, I'll be sure to do that," she promised, tucking the jar into the pocket of her dress before retreating. She had to get back to her room...

Chapter 8: Back from Outer Space

As soon as she was back in her room, she locked the door and leaned back against it, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart. When she looked up, Bruno was staring at her, hazel eyes wide.

"You...you really need to put that stuff on right now if you got it..." He told her, reaching up to feed the rat on his head a bite of chorizo.

Mirabel nodded, "Right, sorry, I just... I'm still in shock," she admitted, taking the jar out of her pocket and pulling out the stopper with an attached application brush. "Luisa knows, well she doesn't 'know' but she knows..." she told him as the painted the stuff over her wrists and neck.

Bruno took another deep breath, his eyes fluttering closed, "It's okay," he murmured, "It's good... you don't smell... so much."

Mirabel felt a flicker of annoyance, "Thanks," she said dryly, "It's supposed to keep me from smelling like a pre-rut Alpha..."

"I didn't mean it like that," he murmured, cheeks red, "It's just, you're spicy and still...on my tongue, I'll go get some more water..." He snatched Clara off his head and plonked her onto the floor with a half eaten arepa.

Mirabel watched him scurry off to the bathroom with his empty glass. Heh. Anyway... What was she going to do? She had to hide her pre-rut from her family, especially her mother, Abuela and Isabela.

Abuela would never allow her keep Bruno and Isabela was so far up Abuela's... as soon as she found out, she'd tell, probably in front of everyone. And her mother, well, she'd mean well... As soon as the cream dried, clear thank goodness, Mirabel brushed on another coating.

Bruno returned with a full glass and mouth full of water, looking slightly less nervous, he swished and swallowed then came closer and tasted the air again, "It's... well not good, because the spiciness was... uhm... you smell really bland."

Mirabel couldn't help but laugh, "Thanks," she took the glass from his hand, taking a sip, "It's better than smelling like I could take on all the Omegas in the village, right?"

"I... yes, much better than that..." Bruno told her guardedly, his eyes slightly narrowed and -unless she was hallucinating- emerald green.

Mirabel decided to ignore what she could only decipher as jealousy from her Omega and took another sip of water, trying to keep her breath steady, "Okay, good, because Luisa thinks we've got a week before I hit full rut, and I still have things I have to get done, like Isa's tiara," she said the last part as if it tasted like spoiled meat.

Bruno nodded, his eyes still on her, still solid green, "I'll help any way that I can," he promised.

Mirabel felt a warmth spread through her chest, "You're already helping more than you know," she assured him with a soft smile. "But for now, I need to focus on getting Señorita Princesa Perfecta's tiara done." She set the jar and glass down then took his hand, leading him over to a mannequin. "There's really nothing you can help with for this, so just watch, ok?"

"I can sit quietly," he assured her.

Mirabel nodded, turning to face the mannequin. Picking up the tiara, her mind racing with thoughts of how she could add more lace without making it look like a tacky mess. It was a delicate dance of craftsmanship and creativity, one she had done many times before, but this one was for Isabela, so it had to be *perfect*. She had to admit, grudgingly, once it was finished, Isa's outfit would be just as beautiful as she was.

As she worked, she could feel Bruno's eyes on her, his gaze a gentle weight that seemed to ground her. She focused on the task, threading the lace through the intricate design of the tiara. The scent of him, now that he was calm, was gently sweet. Crema de malvavisco. It was more of a comfort than she'd anticipated, knowing he was there, watching her.

Mirabel's mind wandered back to their conversation. He'd never been with anyone. It made her stomach twist in a strange, protective way. He was hers, entirely. And she'd be damned if she let anyone take him away, not even her own family. But what about after..? Her brow pulled together in thought as she began to bead small fresh-water pearls into the lace.

"Is something wrong?" Bruno's soft voice cut through her thoughts.

Mirabel looked up, his question derailing her train of thought. Carefully, she knotted on one of the final beads, "Not exactly. Just...thinking," she evaded.

He nodded, watching her lift the last two pearl beads with her needle. At first he'd thought it was a butterfly she was making, but with the final beads, the pearls formed a delicate flower.

Where had she been... oh, 'after'... Dios, they'd still take him away... even if she Marked him. Pulling the last stitch closed she bit through the thread and held the tiara up, turning it into the light so that she could judge the effect. The only way she could keep him... but could she really do that? Mirabel glanced over at him. Bruno looked completely enchanted, his face open and relaxed as he focused those expressive hazel green eyes on her work.

"It's beautiful," he said, his voice filled with awe. "You're so talented, Mirabel."

"Thank you," she murmured, letting out a shaky breath. The thought of losing him, it was more devastating now than when he'd still been at the ring, her chest ached with it. It would kill her. "I need to take this to Isa, do I still smell bland?"

Bruno nodded, his eyes still on the tiara, "You smell... neutral," he said, his eyes finally meeting hers. "Like... bread." He frowned slightly, "but your eyes look like...grief."

Great. Mirabel sighed heavily, "I'm just... worried," she allowed.

Bruno's eyes searched hers, "Miss as many meals with your family as you can get away with," he suggested softly, "try to remain calm, don't draw attention."

Mirabel nodded, "I know," she said, "But it's just... I'm terrible at lying," she whispered.

"Be the person that bought me." He said, mouth thinning slightly.

Mirabel paused, her hand hovering over the jar of scent blocker, "What?"

Bruno looked up at her, his expression earnest. "The person that jerked my collar so hard I nearly lost my balance, the person that snapped at me that you had things to do. That drug me through town like a mongrel dog."

"That's... that's what it felt like to you?" Mirabel sat frozen, looking at him, eyes wide with shock and guilt.

"Yes," he said simply, "But that's who you need to be right now. It will help your scent not to leak through the blocker."

Mirabel swallowed hard, "Okay," she nodded, "But... please, Bruno, I never meant for you to feel that way... Jesucristo, I'm sorry, forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive." He leaned forward, pressing the crown of his head into her shoulder.

Her hand came up to stroke gently through his hair. How? How could he be so gentle and accepting, "I can do this," she whispered, resting her cheek against his head. "I won't let anyone hurt you, ever again."

Bruno took a deep breath, the scent of her was soothing even if all she smelled like was bread, "You're so good to me," he murmured.

She nuzzled into his hair then kissed his head before straightening up, "Are you sure my scent is ok? I'm going to take this to Isa then go down and grab lunch."

Bruno sat back, eyes slightly glazed, "You're fine," he said, "I can't smell... anything, really."

Mirabel took a deep breath, her eyes on the jar of scent blocker, "Okay," she nodded, "I'll be back soon." She leaned down and kissed his head again, her hand lingering on his cheek.

He nodded, his eyes dropping to Clara who was still nibbling on the arepa from breakfast, "Okay."

Mirabel took the tiara from the mannequin and wrapped it carefully in a velvet cloth. Once Isabela was delt with, all she needed to do was grab lunch and beg off dinner. Everyone knew she was providing most of the decorations for the party next week, they didn't need to know she was all but done with everything.

Putting on her best, 'I'm Abuela' mask, she hurried from the room, locking the door behind her.

Chapter 9: Everlong

Mirabel knocked lightly on Isabela's door, "Isabela, I brought your tiara," she called out, trying to keep her voice steady.

The door swung open, revealing the stunning Alpha in a fitted dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. "Ah, let me see," she said, reaching out to take the velvet-wrapped accessory.

Mirabel handed it over, watching Isabela unravel the fabric with an air of excitement.

Isabela's eyes widened as the tiara caught the light, the beads glinting like morning dew on a leaf. "It's perfect," she breathed, her voice filled with genuine admiration. Mirabel felt a twinge of pride, despite the aloof expression she wore.

"Thank you," Mirabel said coolly, watching Isabela twirl in the mirror, the tiara held up to her hair. "I wanted to make sure it complemented your gown without overpowering it."

Oddly, Isabela's face morphed from enamored to pensive as she looked back at Mirabel. "Come in here a moment, close the door." Isa told her flatly.

Mirabel's eyes narrowed, she didn't like being told to do anything by her sister, especially not in that tone of voice, but she followed the command, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind her. "What is it?" she asked, voice tight.

Isabela didn't say anything for a moment, just stared down at the tiara in her hands before carefully setting it aside. "Mirabel... about earlier? Some sisterly advice: stay away from Abuela."

Cold spread through Mirabel's chest, "Excuse me?" she breathed out, absently wondering when her fingers had gone numb.

Instead of answering, Isabela called out, "Bubo, come here, por favor."

As the oldest granddaughter, and an Alpha, Isabela had one of the larger rooms in the casita, they were actually standing in what would be the receiving area of a small home. From out of Isa's bedroom came a lanky male wearing thick glasses. He wasn't as thin as Bruno, but...well Bruno had been starved... this male was just... lanky. And shorter than Isabela, Mirabel realized as the male drew up beside her sister.

"Mirabel, this is Bubo, he is my chosen Omega. Do you imagine Abuela is pleased with me?" Isa asked as she gently stroked the male's neck and shoulders.

Mirabel's eyes widened at the revelation, taking in the way Isabela was gently stroking Bubo's neck. "No..." she said, voice barely above a whisper.

Isabela's gaze remained on her, "You are correct, mi hermana," she said, voice firm, "As such, my 'punishment' for my choice, is to cause either you or your Omega to slip up and void your contract with Abuela. She wants to put you in your place."

Mirabel felt the blood drain from her face. "But why?"

"Because, you're an anomaly, you don't fit into her idea of a perfect Pack. I'm really glad you got that scent blocker by the way, because Abuela would definitely have noticed by tomorrow."

Mirabel felt like she'd been slapped, "Did...did Luisa say something? Because... that was for Bruno..."

Isabela's eyes narrowed, "Of course she didn't, you should know better." Isabela admonished, "I scented it when I was at your door, you were angry and it was starting to leak through. Although putting it on your Omega too wouldn't be a bad idea, less likely to bring his scent to Abuela's attention. Especially if he's reacting to you."

"Why are you telling me this?" Mirabel managed to get out, her voice sounding slightly strangled.

Isabela sighed, "Look, Mamá mentioned that your Omega is older and, in her words, looks like death warmed over, so I don't know how intent you are on keeping him, but you're technically an adult and I feel like it should be your choice."

Mirabel's eyes narrowed, "I don't care what Abuela thinks," she said firmly, "Bruno stays with me."

"Then you're going to need to keep your temper in check and make damn sure you know exactly what you're doing." Isabela told her, nuzzling her own Omega's shoulder. "Do you understand?"

Mirabel nodded, her heart racing. "Yes...I do," she said, and she did, Bruno was going to have to Mark her. "Thank you for the warning, Isa."

Isabela's expression was unreadable, "Just remember, I'm still older than you, hermanita" she said, before turning away to kiss Bubo's cheek. The male looked just as enamored as Isa did.

Mirabel's smile was tight, but genuine, "Like you'd let me forget."

Isabela chuckled, the sound echoing off the walls, "Good, now go, get lunch and keep your attitude in check. The scent blocker is working well."

Mirabel nodded, the weight of her sister's words heavy in her mind. As she turned to leave, she couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for Isabela. She'd never seen this side of her sister before. It was as if she'd been living in a bubble of her own making, oblivious to the undercurrents of their family dynamics.

Maybe she had...

The kitchen was all but empty when she got there, just her primo Camilo snagging extra food. He was a Beta, so no worries there and luckily he was in too much of a hurry to do more than stick his tongue out at her. She gathered up her own meal and escaped back to her room.

Back in her room with the door shut and locked, Mirabel was able to finally collapse into near hysterical laughter that faded into sobs of nerves as she sank down the door.

Bruno poked his head around the corner of her closet, looking at her with wide eyes, "Mirabel?"

Mirabel shook her head, face buried into her arms where they crossed over her bent knees.

"Mirabel..." Bruno's voice was a low churr, as he cautiously approached her.

Once he was close enough, Mirabel reached out for him, her arms wrapping around his waist as she buried her face into his shirt. The fabric was warm from his body, and she took a deep breath of his scent, letting it fill her up and wash away the fear and doubt. He was here, with her, and she wasn't letting him go.

Bruno's arms circled her shoulders, pulling her tighter against him. "What happened?" he asked softly.

Mirabel took a deep, shuddering breath before she spoke, "Isabela knows," she confessed, her voice muffled by his shirt. "Because I got angry with her earlier, she can tell I'm in pre-rut... but... she's not going to tell Abuela. She... she warned me that Abuela wants to get rid of you to teach me my place."

Bruno's arms tightened around her, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath he took, "I...I don't want to cause any problems for you," His voice was sad, almost resigned.

"You aren't the problem, precioso, Abuela is." Mirabel's voice was muffled by his shirt but the anger in her tone was clear. She pulled away, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, "I need you to do something for me."

Bruno nodded, his gaze on her tear-streaked face, "Anything," he promised.

"When... when my rut hits, I'm going to Mark you, I need you to Mark me back." She said seriously.

Bruno's eyes went wide, "Mirabel..." he whispered, his heart racing in his chest.

"If we're both Marked, she won't be able to take you away."

He stared at her, dumbfounded, the words echoing in his mind. Marked? That meant a bond, a deep one that could never be broken, even by death. They literally couldn't be with anyone else, ever. That was fine for him, but, "You...you're so young... you could never... and we don't even know if... if I can sire pups... I can't do that to you."

Mirabel took another deep breath, "I need you to do it *for* me."

Bruno's eyes searched hers, "But...what if you regret it?"

Mirabel's jaw set, "I won't," she said firmly, "Bruno, I won't let anyone take you from me," she told him, "Trust your Alpha."

He tucked his head in under her chin, "I trust you, Mirabel," he murmured, his heart hammering in his chest.

Her arms tightened around him, "Good," she said, her voice soft, "I'm so sorry, I know everything is moving so fast for you."

Bruno nodded, his heart racing, "It's okay," he whispered.

Mirabel leaned back, her eyes searching his, "Bruno... I didn't even ask you. Do you want me to Mark you?"

Bruno's breath hitched, his eyes closing tightly. He'd never had so many choices before, but here she was, offering him another one, "yes," he breathed out.

Mirabel leaned back, "You do?" she asked, voice filled with hope.

"More than anything," he murmured, his eyes opening to meet hers.

Mirabel felt something warm and solid settle in her chest, "I wish I'd already presented, we could just do it now..."

Bruno pulled back, looking at her with a mix of hope and fear, "Mirabel..."

Mirabel took another deep breath, "I know it's a lot, but you're it for me," she said, "I...when I thought I wasn't going to make it back in time, it felt like my soul was dying..."

Bruno's eyes searched hers, "I... slept a lot after you, well, after you didn't come back. And..." He bit his lip, contemplating, "I... I was thinking of asking them to cull me at seven days... I couldn't stand it any longer..."

"What?" she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh, no, no, no." She cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs tracing over his sharp cheekbones.

"It's alright," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "you came back, as soon as you could."

Mirabel leaned in and kissed his lips, softly, gently, her heart aching at his words. "I'm going to Mark you," she said, resting her forehead to his, "And you're going to Mark me. But right now, you're going to eat. I brought more tamales."

Bruno nodded, pupils dilated from the gentle touch of her lips, "Okay," he murmured, "I am really hungry."

Mirabel pulled back and gave him a watery smile, "Good, because I want my Omega healthy and strong." She stood up and walked over to the bed, setting the plate of tamales down. She felt...lighter somehow, knowing there was a plan.

Bruno followed her, his steps slow but sure. He knew he didn't look good, hadn't looked good in a very long time. But Mirabel somehow saw past that. He sat down next to her, his stomach growling.

"Isa suggested using the scent blocker on you too, so I don't end up bringing your scent to Abuela's attention," Mirabel said as she handed him a steaming tamale.

"I'll do whatever you think is best." He took the tamale and began unwrapping it.

Mirabel nodded, "I think it's a good idea, at least until my rut."

Bruno took a tentative bite of the tamale, the flavors of pork and masa so overwhelmingly good that he couldn't help the quiet moan that escaped him. Mirabel's eyes lit up at the sound, and he'd barely swallowed when she leaned in to kiss him again, deeper this time, more urgent.

Their kiss grew more passionate, their bodies pressing closer together. Mirabel's hand slipped under his shirt, her fingers tracing the line of his spine, feeling the bones that stood out more than they should. He was too thin, but she'd fix that.

They pulled away, both breathless, "You need to eat," she reminded him, her voice thick.

"I mean... to be fair, I was trying to before you were all like 'Mmmwah' and I was like "Mmmm"." he pointed out.

Mirabel giggled, her eyes shining with affection, "I guess I was a bit eager," she admitted.

Bruno took another bite, "A bit," he agreed, voice muffled by the food. "But I don't mind."

Mirabel watched him eat, her own appetite forgotten in the face of his hunger. She could feel the warmth of his body next to her, his breath on her cheek, and she couldn't help but lean into it. It was strange, she'd never felt this way about anyone before, but she knew without a doubt that he was hers, and she was his.

She'd almost go so far as to say they were fated, but that was impossible to know until she'd fully presented. Dios but this was going to be a long week.

Chapter 10: Final Countdown

The tension grew palpable as the days passed, each one more fraught than the last. Mirabel's temper was indeed shorter than usual, but luckily the family chalked it up to the pressure of the party preparations. The scent blocker worked wonders, though, and no one so much as sniffed at her suspiciously. Not even her Omega mother, which was a small miracle in and of itself.

Occasionally, Luisa or Isabela would 'help' her with something and then give her a discreet nod or word to indicate she wasn't giving off any scents. Mirabel had to admit she was grateful for their support. Isabela was still insufferable, but Mirabel now had a better understanding of her oldest sister. They were all just trying to survive under Abuela's strict rule.

Bruno, for his part, seemed to be thriving under Mirabel's care. It was probably just wishful thinking, but she was sure he'd gained some weight. The shadows under his eyes were definitely less pronounced and he'd stopped questioning, at least out loud, if he was dreaming. He remained wary though, and Mirabel was glad her short fuse didn't extend to him, much.

They'd settled into a routine of sorts: Shower in the morning, not together!, then two coats of scent blocker each. Mirabel would then take breakfast with the family, grabbing a meal to take back to Bruno afterwards. Due to the party preparations, Mirabel had to be away from her Omega longer than she was really comfortable with, but she made sure to bring lunch and dinner back to her room, sharing the meal with Bruno when she could justify not eating with the family, which she usually could at least once per day. After she was in for the night, they'd shower, not together!, and scent each other before retiring to separate beds.

The nights were the hardest. Every time she saw him, every touch, every conversation, every shared meal... it all just made the anticipation more intense. She could feel it building, like a storm in the distance. But at night, well, her dreams had turned... vivid, to say the least. She'd wake up, sweaty and aching, and she'd have to resist the urge to sneak into his nest and have him Mark her then and there.

The only thing that actually stopped her was the fact that a Mark wouldn't take until she'd fully presented...

And she had no idea when exactly that would be. Theoretically, it could be weeks but Luisa was convinced it would hit within the next couple of days, probably after the party and definitely before her birthday.

The day of the Marking party, Mirabel was itchy. Her skin felt too tight, and every touch of fabric seemed amplified ten fold. She knew the scent blocker was working because no one had said anything, but she was still a bundle of nerves. The house was alive with the bustle of last minute preparations, the smells of cooking food, and the murmur of her family's voices. But all she could think about was Bruno, hidden away in her room.

"Mirabel." She was just finishing up hanging some garland when she heard her mother's voice. Julieta was standing in the doorway, a look of... something unreadable on her face.

"Abuela wants to see you," she said, and there was an edge to her tone that made Mirabel's heart drop into her stomach.

Mirabel nodded, her hand shaking as she set down the garland. Of course.

Her mother's eyes searched hers, "Are you okay?" she asked, and Mirabel realized she hadn't actually spoken.

"Yeah, just... nervous about tonight," she said, trying to keep her voice calm. She didn't know if her mother knew about her pre-rut or not, but she wasn't going to risk it by saying anything.

Her mother's gaze searched hers, "You're doing so well with everything, I'm proud of you," she said, giving Mirabel's shoulder a squeeze.

Mirabel managed a smile, "Thanks, Mamá," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You go see Abuela," her mother said gently, giving her a gentle nudge. "I'll handle things here."

Mirabel took a deep breath and nodded, "Gracias, Mamá," she said before making her way to the old woman's room. She took another deep breath outside the door, her mother's calming Omega scent lingered in her olfactory. It was comforting, but it didn't do much to ease the turmoil roiling in her stomach.

Knocking softly, she waited for the call to enter before pushing Abuela's door open. The matriarch herself was sitting in her chair, looking out the window, the sun casting a gentle glow over her. Mirabel's heart hammered in her chest, but she schooled her expression into something more neutral.

"Ah, Mirabel," Abuela said without looking at her, "Come in, sit."

Mirabel's nerves jangled as she sat in the chair opposite her grandmother's, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of a trap. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and the faintly metallic scent of the older female's Alpha pheromones. She swallowed hard.

"Your sister tells me that you have been... seeing to the family's needs," Abuela said, her eyes finally turning to meet Mirabel's. "I'm pleased that, so far, you've managed to keep up your end of the bargain. Tell me, has your new pet learned anything of use yet?"

Mirabel frowned slightly, "Only stringing beads, I felt that since everything I've been working on this week is for Isabela and Dolores' Marking party, it wouldn't be appropriate to include a novice in those projects."

Abuela's eyes narrowed, but the matriarch nodded, "I agree. Mirabel, mi vida, do you recall that part of our...agreement, was that you will forfeit your birthday celebrations and gifts for the next five years?"

"Yes, Abuela, I remember," she replied, her voice steady despite the fear that was growing inside of her.

"Good," Abuela said, her dark brown eyes piercing into Mirabel's. "You have done very well this week, the decorations are beautiful, the embroidery on Dolores' dress is lovely and Isabela's dress and tiara are perfect. Have you met Isabela's Omega?"

Mirabel's heart skipped a beat. "I, yes, briefly when I dropped off the tiara and I saw him at the ring." If Abuela was asking then she already knew.

"Hmm," Abuela murmured, "And what do you think of him?"

"I... I actually hadn't given him much thought at all." Not a lie...she'd been much too busy thinking about Bruno.

Abuela nodded, "What was your first impression then?"

Mirabel took a deep breath, "Well, he's...lanky."

Abuela's eyes narrowed, "Lanky?" she repeated, "And?"

"And, I honestly didn't pay much attention to him, my sister's Omega is none of my business." Mirabel finally said.

Her Abuela nodded, "Hmm," she said, her expression unreadable. "The party tonight, must be perfect. I have thought about this, Mirabel, and I feel that it would be best for you to retire early this evening."

Mirabel barely managed to keep her jaw from dropping, but she was sure the shock had made it's way to her eyes. "I... I understand, Abuela."

"Good," Abuela said, turning back to the window. "Remember, your place is to serve."

Mirabel stood with the obvious dismissal. "Yes, Abuela."

Her heart was racing as she left the room, the weight of her grandmother's words pressing down on her. She hadn't actually wanted to go to this party -she'd been dreading it- but to be disinvited... that... really hurt.

Mirabel took another deep breath and made her way to the kitchen. Her mother was putting finishing touches on the food for the party, but she stopped when Mirabel entered. "I'm so sorry, mi vida, I tried to get her to reconsider."

Mirabel's eyes stung, but she nodded, "It's okay, Mamá, I...uhm, I understand."

Julieta's gaze searched hers, "Everything is ready for tonight, why don't you take a tray for yourself, and go ahead and call it a day. Relax," she suggested. "You've worked so hard this week, I'm very proud of you."

Mirabel nodded, her throat tight, "Thank you, Mamá," she murmured before making her way to the food. She piled a plate high, her stomach twisting at the thought of eating. But she had to keep up appearances, and anyway, Bruno would be hungry. Her sweet Omega was always hungry. Mirabel was glad her mother said nothing about the sheer amount of food she was taking.

Once she'd made it back to her room without incident, she locked the door and let out a sigh of relief. "You okay?" Bruno asked, his eyes on her plate.

Mirabel nodded, "Just tired," she said, her voice heavy as she set the laden tray down on her bed. "Dig in, mi dulce, I'm going to go take a shower."

Bruno nodded eagerly, his eyes on the food. He had already snatched an empanada and was going for a second when he paused, "So early?"

Mirabel nodded, slightly nauseated, "Yes. Abuela suggested I retire early this evening," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes wide, Bruno carefully sat the first empanada down beside the one he'd meant to grab next, "What?" he asked, clearly understanding the implication.

Mirabel nodded, her shoulders slumping slightly, "Yeah," she said, her voice tight, "Apparently, my place is to serve, not to enjoy. Please eat, cariño."

Bruno stared at her, his expression torn between anger and worry. He didn't say anything though, just watched as she turned away from him. She was just so tired of being treated like she didn't matter, like her feelings didn't count. Of course, that was the whole basis for the subterfuge surrounding her pre-rut so she shouldn't have been surprised.

But it still stung.

Mirabel turned the water on, letting the sound of the shower muffle her own pained thoughts. She stripped off her clothes and stepped under the spray, letting the warm water wash over her. It felt good, grounding her, but it couldn't wash away the ache in her chest. It's fine, I'm fine...

She wasn't sure what Abuela's goal had been when asking about Bubo, but at least the elder Alpha seemed non the wiser about her own secret. The thought of Bruno brought a smile to her face, and she felt a gentle warmth spread through her body. Actually... she was much too warm, Mirabel adjusted the water until it was nearly full cold.

Scrubbing the soapy rag over her neck and wrists, Mirabel realized she must have been too aggressive with removing the scent blocker because the scent glands at her wrists were reddened and slightly swollen. Great... Gingerly, she stroked over the ones under her jaw, they were distended as well. Finally, she brushed her fingers over her upper trapezius, if there had been any doubt, it was gone now. The mating glands at the juncture of her neck and shoulder were just beginning to enlarge. Betas didn't have those...

She stepped out of the shower and dried herself off, wrapping her towel tightly around her. The mirror showed her what she already knew: her skin was flushed with the heat of her approaching rut. It would be impossible to hide now. She wondered what Abuela would think if she knew she'd basically given Mirabel carte blanche by denying her attendance to the party.

Grinning viciously at the thought, she slipped on her cotton dressing gown. The gown was irritating, but not as much as clothes had been. Back in the main area of her room, she found Bruno had made a small picnic for them on the floor.

"I figured if you can't go to the party..." he said, a tentative smile playing on his lips. The sight of him, trying to ease her pain, made Mirabel's heart swell. She sat down opposite him, crossing her legs under her.

"Thank you," such a good Omega...

Bruno looked at Mirabel with affection, taking in her swollen glands, his gaze lingering before he could help it. "You...uhm, okay?"

"Hmm? Yes, I'm fine..." She mumbled taking a bite of an empanada, chicken and potato, really good...

"You're...flushed," he said, as he studied her.

Mirabel took another bite of her empanada, "Guess it's good that I'm not going to the party then." she told him.

Bruno took another bite of his food, his eyes never leaving hers, "You're in the early stages of your rut," he said, his voice calm despite the storm of emotions swirling in his eyes. "Your scent is changing, it's getting... stronger, like chontaduro."

"I...uh, I thought so... Are you sure?" She knew he was, because she was too.

Bruno nodded, popping an achira into his mouth, "Mhmm."

Mirabel's eyes narrowed, "How are you so calm?"

Bruno swallowed the mouthful of food, his hazel gaze darting over her face, "Because, you'll be in full rut soon and not have to hide your scent anymore." He paused, licking his lips nervously, "Are you, you know, really sure about me Marking you? I'm... well, I'm so much older than you... You'll be Marked and alone when I... well, you know..."

Mirabel looked at him, really looked at him. Forty years to her sixteen, short, thin, with a mop of unruly black and silver curls. And a heart so kind it hurt to look at him sometimes. He was so much more than the sum of his parts, and she knew it. "I'm sure," she told him, reaching out to cover his hand with her own, "Besides, what's to say you won't live another fifty years while I die next week?"

He jerked back, eyes widening, "Don't! Don't say that! You... no, you're going to live a long long time."

"I'm just saying, life's unpredictable," she soothed, popping the rest of the empanada in her mouth even as she gripped his hand tightly in reassurance. "I can't imagine a kinder, gentler soul than you. I... I can't lose you, Bruno," she added, "it would destroy me, so yes, I'm certain I want your Mark."

He nodded, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow, "Okay," he murmured, "Okay. I just wanted to make sure, you know, while you're still coherent."

"I am sure," she assured him, stroking her thumb over the back of his hand. "Bruno, I'm sure. More than anything."

Bruno took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Mirabel's. "You, uhm, should eat more, you'll need your strength."

Mirabel nodded, taking an achira. She actually was starting to feel hungry now despite the nerves.

After they finished eating, Bruno hurried to take his own shower, eager to wash the scent blocker away, and Mirabel went to engage the extra locks on her door. All of the bedrooms in the casita had the extra locks for heats or ruts, but before this week, Mirabel hadn't thought she'd ever use hers. There was a feeling of finality as she threw the mechanism and the bolts slid home with a deep clunk.

Their privacy insured, Mirabel sat down on her bed, back against the headboard, the reality of the situation settling in. She wasn't a Beta. Her rut was approaching, would probably hit by morning and she was intending to Mark and be Marked by a man she hadn't even known a month ago. Completely loco...

Bruno emerged from the bathroom wearing just a towel around his waist. "I thought that since...well, you know, that um...this would be alright," he indicated the towel, "...but if it's not, you can just say 'Bruno that's not alright' and I'll...uh..." He trailed off, holding up his still folded clothes.

Mirabel looked up from her hands, her breath hitching as she took him in. He was looking much less bedraggled than when she'd first bought him. It had only been just shy of a week, but he'd gained a little weight. His olive skin was pale though, his bones still too prominent. She frowned slightly, a thought occurring to her, "Bruno... are you going to be able to handle this?"

His sat the clothes down on her desk, "What do you mean?"

"Ruts are supposed to be... intense. I mean... physically..." Mirabel cringed, her voice trembling slightly.

He tilted his head, hands worrying at the hem of his towel as he considered, "I think I'll be fine, as long as we have plenty of food and water. Will your mother or sister bring us food?"

Mirabel nodded, "Abuela will be angry, but even if she forbade anyone to bring food, Mamá still will. That's one thing my mamá has always been very adamant about, people having enough food," she said with a small smile.

Bruno returned the smile, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere, "What are you thinking?" Mirabel asked.

"Just...what it'll be like," he replied, his voice quiet. "I have theoretical knowledge but no practical application."

Mirabel nodded, understanding his fears. "Same. Bruno, are you sure you're ok with me Marking you?

He met her gaze, his hazel eyes filled with resolve. "Yes, Mirabel. I want this, and not just because I don't want to be culled."

He joined her on the bed sitting cross-legged with their knees touching. The last several nights, they had scented each other, wrists trailing over wrists, shoulders, necks and back. But this was the first time Bruno wasn't fully dressed.

Tentatively Mirabel stroked her fingers through the dusting of black and silver hair on his chest, then lower where the hair formed a trail down to his navel, feeling the slight muscles beneath tense and then relax.

Not yet brave enough yet to continue on that route, Mirabel let her fingers trail over the scars that crisscrossed his chest, his back was worse. She'd seen them of course, the first night when he was in the tub and when she'd moved his shirt collar to tend to the healing raw spots on his neck, but she hadn't been able to bring herself to ask.

"Who did this...?"

"Hmm?" Bruno had been enjoying the feel of her hands on him, eyes closed. Now he looked down at himself to see what she was asking about. Oh, the scars. "Heh, yeah, so when I was little, they thought I'd be a Beta, so, you know, field work."

"Field work wouldn't cause scars like these..." She traced one along his ribs that had been particularly deep.

"No," he admitted with a sigh. "The handlers used whips on the slower boys. I wasn't very fast..."

Mirabel's eyes filled with fury at the thought of anyone harming her precious Omega, especially when he was just a child. "Bruno," she whispered, leaning in to kiss gently over the lash marks that marred his soft flesh, "Who. Who did this to you?"

He sighed with the feel of her mouth on him. "I don't know, they just went by numbers."

She growled low, but without a target for her rage, she could only focus on the love and care she had for him. "You're safe," she whispered, her hands smoothing over his skin. "No one will touch you again, or I'll kill them..."

He pulled her closer, his own fears of the unknown momentarily forgotten as he felt her warmth, her power. "Thank you," he murmured, burying his face in her neck. "Thank you for everything."

Mirabel found herself crawling into his lap, moving closer to rub her jaw along his shoulder, against the side of his face, the top of his head then back down the other side. "You're mine now." she told him softly, coating him in her thickening scent.

Unable to resist, his tongue flicked out to lave over her mating gland, eager to taste her more fully.

Mirabel's eyes snapped open as his scent and actions flooded her senses. "Bruno," she gasped, her hand reaching to cradle the back of his head, urging him on.

He moaned against her skin, his breath hot as he forced himself to stop lapping up her oils. The rich flavor was intoxicating and right now he needed to focus, his Alpha was so close now. Bruno slipped his hand past the fabric of her dressing gown to splay over her lower abdomen, gently pressing down to ease the cramps that he knew would be coming as soon as her hormones hit full force.

Nearly as soon as the heat from his palm began to soak into her skin, she pressed against him with a whine of pain.

"I know it hurts," he crooned softly. "It won't last too long."

Mirabel nodded, biting her lower lip to keep from crying out as another cramp hit her. The slightly bitter note of distress leaking into her scent was setting him on edge, causing his protective instincts to flare up. He knew she needed comfort, needed him. "It's just until your body figures out what's going on..." He pressed his palm more firmly over her womb.

Mirabel leaned into his touch, the warmth spreading through her and helping to ease the pain somewhat. "How long?" she gasped out.

Bruno swallowed hard, "It'll start to get better in a little while. Just...stay with me," he whispered, his own fear and excitement clear.

The pain was a deep, prickling throb that wrapped around her hips and lower spine like barbed wire. As her hands and jaws began to ache, she let out another low whine of pain.

"I know." Bruno crooned again, his hands gentle as he pulled Mirabel closer to him. The heat of his skin was a sharp contrast to the cold sweat that had begun to break out over hers. "It's okay. Your Omega is here."

Mirabel leaned into him, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The pain was growing sharper in her hips and spine, the tremors in her limbs more pronounced. She felt like she was being torn apart from the inside out. "Bruno," she whimpered, her voice shaking, "it hurts. My teeth, feels like my head is going to explode."

"Try not to fight it," he said, his hand rubbing deep circles into her belly, the warmth of his palm grounding her. "Just focus on me, focus on my scent. It'll be alright, I promise."

Mirabel took a deep breath, her nose buried in the crook of his neck. The scent of him was everywhere, wrapping around her like a warm blanket, and she clung to it as the pain grew. Her skin was hot to the touch, and she knew her own scent was growing stronger. "Hot, too hot..." she gasped, her hands gripping the towel at his hips. Dios, how had Isa and Dolores gone through this alone?

"I know," he breathed out, his own body responding to hers. His hands moved to her hips, gently coaxing her to sit back on her heels, her forehead pressing against his chest. He could feel the heat radiating from her, and the urge to claim her grew with every second. "Breathe mi vida," he whispered, his hands moving up to push the dressing gown from her shoulders.

Mirabel's breath hitched as the fabric fell away to pool around her waist, leaving her upper half exposed. The coolness of the air hit her bare skin and she shivered, her teeth chattering despite the heat building in her core.

Bruno's eyes grew soft as he watched her, his own hands trembling slightly as he reached out to touch her again. "Your skin is like molten ice," he murmured, his fingers ghosting over the cold surface of her flesh even as her core radiated heat like lava.

Mirabel leaned into his touch, desperate for the comfort it brought. "Please," she whispered, her eyes squeezed shut as she felt the sharp Alpha fangs pushing out her old canines and lateral incisors. The pain was enough to have her dry heaving as she spit out the replaced teeth.

"Alright, alright," he soothed, his hands moving to cup her face, tilting her head up to look at him. His eyes searched hers, and he could see her awareness was slipping away into something more primal. Carefully, he laid her back onto the bed and got her gown the rest of the way off before removing the towel from his waist.

Mirabel twisted onto her side, new claws digging into the mattress as she cried out and curled into a ball of white hot agony.

Bruno curled in behind her, pressing himself tightly against her back. "You're doing so well," he whispered, his breath hot against her neck.

Mirabel nodded, her breath catching as another wave of misery hit her. The room was spinning, and she felt like she was going to be sick. "Wish I'd known before you took the suppressor," she mumbled through the fog in her brain.

"Hmm, nope. Nope, that's the only thing keeping me focused right now." He told her, rubbing his chin lightly against her mating gland.

Mirabel's eyes rolled back in her head with pleasure from the scratching of his beard. The pain was receding slightly, but every muscle in her body ached now as she strained against the torment. "I'm sorry," she whined.

"Don't be," he whispered nuzzling and nipping gently, his own scent growing stronger with rich caramel notes. "You're almost there..."

Mirabel's breath hitched as she felt his small sharp teeth graze her skin, the sensation more erotogenic than it had any right to be. "Almost?" Dios... she was going to pass out...

"Mhmm," He agreed, tightening his hold as she began to tremble violently.

Mirabel felt the heat building in her core, the pressure growing almost unbearable. Her vision swam, and she couldn't help the desperate whine that escaped her lips. All at once the pain evaporated, the sudden relief enough to steal away her consciousness as she slumped into the safety of her Omega's embrace.

Chapter 11: Man in the Box

When she came to, they were in the closet nest. The sky was dark outside the window, and she was nestled in Bruno's arms, his body curled protectively around hers. The heady scent of aroused Omega male made her aware of the needy ache between her legs. The pain was gone. Replaced by a deep, pulsing want that made her hips rock against his thigh.

"There's my Alpha." his voice was a soft murmur as he slid his hand over her hip to again splay out over her lower belly.

Mirabel whined wantonly, her body a taut bow of need as she pressed back against him.

Bruno's touch was gentle, reverent, as his hand moved lower, his fingers carding through the soft hair of her mound before slipping between her thighs. Mirabel's whimpers grew louder as his touch grew more intimate.

"Your scent is so strong, so rich, spicy and hot," he said, his voice thick with arousal as he inhaled deeply. Mirabel's nostrils flared, the caramel apple notes of his desire making her own need spike. "It's going to be okay," he assured her, his hips already moving against her as his fingers slid between her lower lips and into the slickness of her rut.

He groaned softly with the evidence of her need, his own want pulsing in his veins even as he slipped a finger inside of her wet heat. Mirabel keened, her back arching as he began to pump gently. The scent of her grew stronger, filling the air with an intoxicating earthiness that made his head swim.

"What does my Alpha want?" he whispered, his thumb circling her clit as he added a second digit. She was so slick, her body already beginning to stretch around him.

Mirabel's breath hitched, "Bruno," she panted, hips rolling against his fingers, "Omega," she whined.

His thumb stroked her clit in a steady rhythm as he crooked his fingers inside her, searching for her sweet spot. His instincts told him exactly what she needed, the way her body tightened around him confirming it. "Is that right? Do you need your Omega?"

Mirabel growled desperately at his slow handling of her. "Bruno," she begged raggedly, as she writhed against him.

He leaned in closer, his breath hot and sweet as he began licking her mating gland in time with the pumping of his fingers.

Mirabel's eyes rolled back in her head, and she moaned deeply, the feeling of his tongue on her sensitive skin sending shockwaves through her body, her hips moving in sync with his movements.

She was panting hard now and Bruno brought his other hand up to cup her breast, kneading the hot flesh and gently stroking his thumb over the hardened nipple.

"Mirabel... Alpha... you're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice tight. Mirabel could feel his cock pressing against her thigh, thick and heavy, his own need evident.

Her breath hitched as he added a third finger, stretching her even more. The pressure was almost unbearable, and she felt her body start to quiver with the beginnings of an orgasm. She clawed desperately at the blankets, her body squirming under his touch. "Omega," she begged/demanded in a low growl.

His own breath was coming in quick, hot pants against her neck, his desire clear in every tremble of his body. "Your scent is driving me mad," he confessed, his voice strained. "I need you, Mirabel."

Mirabel whined softly, spreading her legs in response, the friction of his thumb against her clit sending sparks of pleasure through her, driving her that much closer to her peak and then she shattered, arching against him as her inner muscles clamped down hard on his fingers and she cried out, a primal howl of ecstasy.

Bruno's eyes went emerald green, watching her come apart in his arms, feeling the way she clamped down on his hand. He'd never felt so... powerful before, so necessary. Removing his hand, he shifted them so that the leaking tip of his cock pressed against her slick entrance. With a sharp snap of his hips, he was buried balls deep in her heat.

Mirabel arched against him, growling with both the pain of his breach and the sweet relief of being filled with him.

Bruno stilled, panting heavily, the molten wet tightness of her pulsing around him. "Ah, Dios... Dios mío, mi Alfa, es buena, tan buena, apretada, mojada." he babbled, gripping tightly at her hips.

The young Alpha whined, shifting her hips, begging him to move. "Omega, por favor," she begged.

Bruno rolled them so that she was on her belly, his teeth grazed her skin as he whispered, "You're so perfect, Mirabel, my Alpha." He began to rock his hips, sliding in and out of her with shallow strokes that made her moan with pleasure.

Her body was tight around him, a warm, wet embrace that had him groaning low in his throat. "I need... I need to knot you," he admitted, his hips beginning to move faster. "And Mark you...Mine, my Alpha..."

Mirabel nodded, the word "yes" lost in the desperate moan that escaped her. Her body was alive with sensation, her skin prickling with the need for his Mark. She pushed back against him, taking him deeper as she canted her head to the side in submission, eager to take his teeth.

He pressed his chest down against her back, growling. The sound resonating through her body as his pace increased. Then his knot began to catch, tugging at her insides as he claimed her with every thrust. Mirabel's claws dug into the blankets, the fabric tearing beneath her grip as she fought the urge to scream. The pleasure was so intense it was almost painful, but she craved more, her hips pushing back against him, silently begging for his knot.

Bruno felt her body start to tighten around him, her breaths coming in short gasps. "Almost there, Alpha," he whispered, his hips stuttering as he felt the pressure building. "Knot you, Mark you..." he groaned, his blunt claws digging into her hips as he thrust hard, his knot swelling and locking them together as he bit deep into the flesh of her mating gland.

The shock of his bite coupled with the embedded knot had her crying out in agonized pleasure, her muscles spasming around him, milking the thick knot as she came again, the intensity of her climax making her vision swim.

Bruno's low growl of satisfaction vibrated through her as he held her in his teeth, and filled her with jets of hot, thick seed as her body shuddered beneath him.

As she came down from the height of pleasure, Mirabel felt the partial bond sink into place, a warm glow spreading through her. It was comfort and possessiveness, a deep desire to keep him close, safe, to never let him go.

"Mirabel," he whimpered, his voice strained with passion. Bruno licked the wound he'd made on her neck, soothing it before he pulled away to press his forehead between her shoulder blades. "You're mine now. Mine, only mine." His breathing shuddered, "Dios, I didn't know... I never dreamed..." a soft sob was torn from his chest, "Mine..."

Mirabel's eyes were still closed, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. The feeling of his knot pulsing inside her, the spreading warmth of his seed filling her, was overwhelming. "Yours," she murmured, the word almost lost in her panting. "Only yours, always."

After several minutes, Bruno's knot softened enough that when he tested the tie he slipped out with a gush of their combined fluids. With the loss of his knot, the needy ache began to build inside her again even as they lay tangled in the ruins of his nest, both still panting heavily.

"Please..." The word was a urgent plea falling from Bruno's lips.

Mirabel turned to face him, her eyes half-lidded and glazed. The bond was still incomplete, and the need to claim him was a living thing, coiling in her very soul. She could feel the desperation radiating from him, his need to be claimed, wanted and loved.

"Alpha, please," he groaned, as she mounted him, his hands moving to grip her thighs, urging her down onto his cock. Mirabel's eyes lit up with a feral need as she took him in again, his knot already swelling and beginning to catch. The feeling of his shaft stretching her was blissful, a sweet ache that she never wanted to end.

Their eyes remained locked as she began to rock her hips, the friction of his knot against her walls sending sparks of pleasure through her body. The room was filled with the slick sounds of their coupling, their harsh breaths and moans of pleasure. "What, Bruno, my sweet Omega? What do you ask of your Alpha?"

His voice was strained, his green eyes glazed with pure want, "Take me, Mirabel. Take all of me, I need to be yours completely, Mark me, own me," he whined raggedly.

Mirabel's eyes darkened, her own desire a living flame in her chest. She leaned forward, her hips grinding against him as she took his mouth in a deep, hungry kiss. He tasted of decadent dulce de leche and dark desire, the essence of him flooding her senses. Their tongues danced together, a silent conversation of love and lust as his fingers flexed into her thighs.

Her own hips began to move again, a slow, steady rhythm that had his knot catching and tying them again, just as Mirabel's fangs sank into the meat of his shoulder, piercing his mating gland with her Mark.

His body arched up as she claimed him, spilling himself into her with a gasping broken wail as the second half of their bond formed, solidifying their commitment with a fierce, burning intensity. Both felt it settle into place, the sudden completeness leaving them breathless and trembling. It was a soft hum of awareness in the back of their minds, a warmth that filled every corner of their being.

Mirabel's fangs were still embedded in his flesh, the taste of his blood coppery and addictive on her tongue. She swallowed hard, savoring the flavor of him then carefully released her grip. "Mine," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "You're mine."

Completely wrecked, his green eyes glazed with pleasure, Bruno sobbed with euphoric relief. "Yes, Dios yes, yours, yours..." he whimpered. The pain was nothing compared to the ecstasy of finally belonging, needing and being needed in return. Not just to *someone* but to her, Mirabel, his Alpha...

"My Fated..." Mirabel crooned as she licked over her Mark tenderly, the act soothing and possessive all at once, her tongue swiping over the punctures before she captured his lips in a gentle kiss, her rut calming enough for now that she could focus on caring for her Omega.

"Fated...? Yes... I can feel that..." he murmured against her mouth, drowsy, eyes fluttering closed, he felt... complete, like a puzzle piece snapped into place after years of searching. "Mirabel..." He whispered her name, it was a declaration, a prayer, a sigh of contentment.

"That's why... I couldn't leave you there..." she dismounted him carefully as the tie failed so that she could snuggle in beside him.

Bruno's eyes remained closed, his breathing finally starting to even out. He felt... safe. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice hoarse from his earlier cries. Mirabel's warmth was like a balm to his soul, her arms wrapping around him as she pulled him close.

"For what?" Mirabel's voice was soft, a gentle rumble in her chest. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, feeling the soft echo of love and protection, warm and bright between them.

"For saving me," he murmured, nuzzling into her embrace. "For making me feel like... like I'm something... like I matter."

She crooned softy even though she wanted to rip the heart from everyone who'd ever wronged him, "You've always mattered, Bruno," she whispered fiercely. "Rest, mi corazón, I'm not sure when the heat will hit again."

With a sigh, he melted into her embrace, his body slack against hers. "Yeah, okay, that's a...a really good idea..."

Mirabel watched him for a moment, his chest rising and falling with his steady breaths. He was beautiful, utterly and completely hers. She kissed his forehead once more before pulling the blankets over them both, cocooning them in the warmth of their nest.

Peace and exhaustion claimed them both, and the closet grew quiet except for the soft sounds of their synchronized breaths and Clara nibbling on the last of the empanadas.

Chapter 12: More than Words

Bruno stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he tried to identify what exactly had woken him. Mirabel was curled against him, sleeping deeply if the puddle of drool under her cheek was any indication. He smiled softly, brushing a lock of hair from her face and kissing her forehead before extricating himself to visit the ensuite. He was also thirsty and starving.

Halfway back from the bathroom with a pitcher of water, a knock sounded at the door causing Bruno to freeze in place. It was a gentle tap, not urgent, more... inquisitive. He glanced toward the nest but saw no movement, his Alpha still slept soundly.

"Mirabel?" The voice was soft and tentative. It was a familiar voice, so either Julieta or Isabela. Bruno bit his lip pensively, if the weak light filtering into the room was any indication, it was breaking dawn and Mirabel would need food... She'd said her mother and sister could be trusted... nervously, he sat the pitcher down and grabbed his pants, slipping them on before padding lightly over to the door.

"She's asleep." He told the person, sniffing deeply, but he supposed the rooms must be scent proofed, because all he could smell was himself and Mirabel.

"I... Bruno? Is Mirabel okay?" The voice sounded older, probably Julieta then.

"She's fine, sleeping," he replied, his voice low so not to disturb the sleeping Alpha. He fidgeted slightly, uncomfortable, but knowing he needed to say something.

"Open the door." The concern in her voice was palpable, and Bruno felt his heart clench.

"Oh, yeah... no, I can't do that, but uh, we're gonna need some food...? Please?" He couldn't help the nervous chitter that escaped him.

There was a pause before the person continued warily, "Why can't I speak to my daughter?"

Julieta then. Bruno took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "She's asleep," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "She's... uh, kinda worn out... you know..." jesucristo, why couldn't he just say it!

The door handle rattled lightly, but didn't turn. Mirabel was probably still out cold from the intense heat of her rut and Marking. "Worn out? Open the door, Omega," Julieta's tone was a mix of concern and confusion.

He whined softly, "Yeah, I'm sorry. Look, she's... she kinda... presented last night and well... she's gonna be really hungry when she wakes up..." He tapped a blunt claw lightly against the wood of the doorframe.

Julieta's voice took on a sudden urgency, "What? Presented? Open the door, now!"

"No, no I can't... because," He paused briefly gathering his courage, "see, my Alpha is sleeping and in rut and the heavy locks are engaged. Will you bring us food?"

... "...Excuse me?"

"Mirabel said you wouldn't let us starve..." His tapping grew quicker.

There was a pause before a soft "Your...Alpha? is in rut...?"

Bruno nodded even though she couldn't see him. "Yes, see, and I need to care for her, please."

"Tell me you didn't breed with my daughter." Julieta's voice was oddly both flat and horrified.

"I didn't!" Bruno rushed, his cheeks heating with embarrassment. "I mean, well, I did, but yeah, it's okay, I'm on suppressors, so, you know, even in the unlikely event that she'd be fertile during her presentation, I'm well... sterile at the moment... heh."

... "Ay Dios mio, ayúdame..." Something heavy hit the door with a thud, Bruno wondered if it might have been Julieta's head. He hoped she wasn't hurt, he and Mirabel still needed food...

"...So...?" Bruno prompted, pressing the tips of his forefingers together.

"I'm... I'm going to get you food," Julieta managed, her voice shaky. "But we're going to have a conversation about this later, young man."

"Oh, I'm not that young, I'm forty," Bruno told her.

"Forty?!" The shock in her voice was clear.

Bruno nodded, his cheeks burning, "Yeah, I know, but uhm...it's okay. She's... she's my Alpha. And I'd do anything for her."

Julieta's voice was barely a whisper, "Wait... what?"

Bruno swallowed, his eyes darting to the door. "I said, I'm on suppressors, so we can't... you know, make pups. But Mirabel is my Alpha, and we're... together?" He paused, trying to gauge her reaction through the wood. "Can you get us food?"

There was a moment of silence, and then a muffled sound of something being dropped. "Fucking hell, you...you're forty and you mated with my fifteen-"

"Sixteen"

"-Fifteen, it isn't her birthday yet, year old daughter but that's okaaay because your suppressors make you sterile!?"

Bruno nodded, "Well, her birthday's in a week, so, you know, semantics, but yeah, basically, and we're hungry."

"Oh, for the love of..." There was a sound of a hand slapping against a thigh, "Fine. I'll...I'll be right back with food. Dios mio..."

"Uhm, thanks?" Bruno leaned against the door, feeling utterly mortified and overwhelmed by the conversation he'd just had. At least they were getting fed though...

The sound of footsteps retreating was the only answer he received before the silence of the hallway swallowed any further response from Mirabel's mother. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

Bruno turned back to the nest, his gaze lingering on Mirabel's sleeping form. She looked so peaceful, so beautiful in her slumber. He couldn't believe this was real, that she was his. His Alpha. The love and possessiveness that filled him was overwhelming, a feeling he'd never thought he'd get to experience.

He approached her slowly, his heart beating loudly in his chest. Carefully, he reached out and brushed the hair from her face, his fingertips tracing the line of her jaw before he leaned in to kiss her softly. Mirabel stirred, a sleepy moan escaping her as she reached out to him, pulling him between the cradle of her thighs.

"Pants? Off..." she mumbled, trying to shove the garment off over his hips.

"Mirabel, your mother... she's bringing us food."

"Mmm, good. Off," she managed to get the waist band over his hips but it caught on his half hard erection.

Bruno chuckled and helped her, sliding the fabric down his legs to kick them aside. "There you go, Alpha," he murmured, nuzzling into her neck.

Her leg hooked over his thigh as her hips lifted for him, "Bruno..." she crooned softly in invitation.

He couldn't refuse her, didn't want to. His body responded immediately, his cock thickening at her touch. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart then reached down to test her readiness with his fingers. She was hot and wet, of course she was. Bruno groaned as he sank into her welcoming heat.

Mirabel's eyes opened slightly, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Mine," she murmured, the possessiveness in her tone sending a shiver down his spine.

Bruno kissed her neck, his cock sliding into her with ease. "Yes, and you're mine," he whispered as he pulled out slow only to thrust hard back into her.

Her hips arched up to meet him, a whine escaping her lips. "More," she demanded, her claws tracing gentle patterns on his back.

Bruno's eyes rolled back in his head, the feel of her tight heat around him driving him mad. "Whatever you need, mi vida," he breathed, setting a punishing rhythm that made her body shake with pleasure. He felt her walls clench around him, her breaths growing shorter with each thrust.

Her eyes snapped open, the amber of her irises nearly eclipsed by her blown pupils. "Harder, mi Omega," she growled, her voice raw and desperate.

Bruno's eyes went wide at the demand in her voice. He obeyed without question, his hips slamming into her with renewed vigor. The sound of their flesh meeting was loud in the quiet room, punctuated only by their grunts and whines of pleasure.

Mirabel's hands gripped the blankets, her claws digging in as she pushed herself up to meet each thrust. "Yes, like that," she panted, her body already building towards another climax.

His knot was beginning to catch, but he didn't slow his pace, the feeling of her need so potent it was intoxicating. "Will my Alpha come for me?" He asked, the gentleness of his voice at odds with the roughness of his actions.

"Yes," she groaned, her eyes squeezed shut tightly, "Only for you."

The declaration caught Bruno off guard and he cried out in pleasure as his knot caught, tying them as he came in thick hot ropes, filling her. Mirabel threw her head back and let out a moan of satisfaction as her own orgasm hit, her body quaking beneath him.

They lay there, panting and sweaty, their hearts hammering in their chests. Mirabel's arms wrapped tightly around him, holding him close as if afraid he'd vanish. "Mine, my Bruno, my Omega, my mate." she breathed out as she kissed over his throat and shoulders.

Bruno felt the warmth of her love surround him, and took a shuddering breath to quell the sob that was trying to break free. He'd never thought he'd find someone like her, someone who saw him, really saw him and wanted him anyway. "Mirabel," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Mirabel pulled back enough to meet his eyes, her own sparkling with unshed tears. "Thank you," she whispered, hoarse from their earlier cries. "For everything."

Bruno leaned in pressing his forehead to hers. "There's nothing to thank me for, this is what I've always dreamed of. More than I ever thought I'd have."

"You deserve so much," Mirabel whispered, her thumbs brushing over his cheekbones.

Bruno's eyes searched hers, seeing the sincerity in her gaze. "And you deserve the world, mi amor," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "But for now, let's start with breakfast."

Mirabel whined, not wanting to move.

"I know, mi corazón, but we need to eat," Bruno whispered, his own stomach growling. "And your mother might come back any moment."

A knock sounded at the door.

Bruno froze, his knot still buried deep in Mirabel. He'd been lost in the warmth of her embrace, the scent of their mingled arousal heavy in the air. He tested the tie, finding himself still hung. "Uh...Just... yeah, just a minute..." He called, testing the tie again to no avail.

"Mirabel!? Are you awake yet!?" Julieta's voice was a hissing whisper, barely audible through the door..

Mirabel groaned, "Yes, Mamá."

Finally, Bruno pulled out with a grimace, his knot slipping free with a wet sound. Mirabel reached for the pants he'd tossed aside earlier, handing them to him with a grin. "There you go, mi amor."

He took them with a chuckle, slipping them on before moving to the door. "Uh, hi?" he called through the wood.

"Jesucristo, I brought your food, let me in!" Julieta's frustration was palpable.

"Uhhh...just..." He held a finger up to the door, frantically looking back over at Mirabel.

Mirabel pointed to the desk where his shirt still lay folded, and barely caught it when Bruno snatched it up and flung it at her.

"Thanks," she murmured, narrowing her eyes in a mock glare. The shirt was was a little tight, but both Camilo and Bruno had longer torsos, so it at least hung down to mid-thigh on her. She gave her mate a thumbs up.

With a deep breath, Bruno approached the door and unlocked the heavy locks, pushing it open. The scent of egg and corizo did little to cover the scent of rut and sex as her mother pushed her way in, her arms laden with a tray of food. She looked between the two of them, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Bruno quickly slammed the door and slid the bolts home.

"Hi." He waved, his eyes darting between Julieta, Mirabel and the delicious smelling pile of food.

Julieta sat the tray down on the bed and just stared at him, her expression a mix of shock, anger, with a hint of disbelief. "What have you two been doing?" She asked, her voice tight. "Oh my... did you Mark him Mirabel!?"

Mirabel's eyes widened, she hadn't expected her mother to be so observant, but then again, Bruno wasn't wearing a shirt and the Mark was very bruised...she met her mother's gaze steadfastly, "Yes, I did," she said with a hint of pride in her voice, then motioned to Bruno, "It's ok, cariño, go ahead and eat."

"Eh...gracias, mi vida..." He eased by Julieta warily, snatched several of the stuffed arepas and retreated to the closet, he didn't think Mirabel needed him against her own mother, besides, his Alpha had told him to eat...

Julieta stared into the closet then at Mirabel, "'cariño'? 'Mi vida'?" she prompted.

Mirabel blushed, "He's mine, Mamá," she stated firmly.

"And she's mine!" Bruno's voice called from the closet, his mouth obviously full.

Julieta looked at Mirabel, her expression one of utter astonishment. "What have you done?" she whispered, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

Mirabel frowned slightly, she didn't like disappointing her mother, she was one of the few people that had ever been somewhat supportive of Mirabel, but, "we did what we had to in order to keep Abuela from sending Bruno away."

Julieta's wide eyes searched Mirabel's, "We? Hija... no, you didn't..."

Mirabel nodded, her voice firm. "Yes, I did. I Marked him. And he Marked me."

Her mother paled, "...you... he's... Mirabel, no..."

Mirabel took a deep breath, "You know Abuela would have taken him away, now she can't."

Julieta's eyes searched hers, "But...what about your future, pups?"

"I wasn't going to have a future as a Beta, and probably wouldn't have had pups. At least now there's a chance and if we can't have pups, I'll still have Bruno." Mirabel told her softly.

Julieta's eyes filled with tears, "But why didn't you talk to me? Why did you do this?"

Mirabel sighed, "I couldn't risk his life. He's everything to me, our bond... Bruno is my Fated."

Julieta's hand trembled, "How could you possibly know that before you presented!?"

Mirabel took her mother's hand, her eyes filled with pain. "I just knew. I had to get him out of there, that's all I could think about, every day that I couldn't go to him I felt like I was going to die. And they were going to...to just kill him. Just..." She choked on a sob, the thought alone was wreaking havoc on their bond and Bruno's pleading whine emerged moments before the Omega himself wrapped her in a tight embrace.

"No, no, shh, mi Alfa, Mirabel, mi corazón." He crooned softly. With no regard for her mother standing there gaping, Bruno began scenting his Alpha, rubbing the glands along his jaws over her shoulders and head as he slid his wrists against her back. "No, mi amor, you made it back, I'm fine, your Omega is safe... My fine, brave Alpha." he whimpered, widening his stance as she leaned into him and tucked her head under his chin.

Mirabel took several deep breathes, the calming sweet scent of Bruno filling her olfactory and soothing her nerves.

"You need to eat, mi amor," she whispered, still tucked into the safe cocoon of her Omega's arms.

"Shh, I can eat later, you need me now," he murmured.

Julieta watched them, bewildered. The male was clearly malnourished, bordering on emaciated, his olive flesh was too pale and littered with scars that Julieta could only assume had come from some sort of whip and possibly blades. Yet her daughter looked at him as if he were the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. She had to admit, his scent was nice, Julieta didn't often like the scent of other Omegas... But this one smelled... He smelled like... family.

Her gaze went to Mirabel, the girl was purring now, eyes glazed as she rubbed her head over the male's chest and head while trying to push down his pants.

Oh...right...rut...

Bruno chuckled nervously, trying to grab Mirabel's hands, "Um, your mamá's still here, mi vida..."

"Omega female, no threat." the young Alpha stated, licking her way up Bruno's throat.

Bruno's eyes rolled back in pleasure, his cock growing hard again. "Mirabel," he groaned softly.

Nope. Julieta edged back toward the door... "One of you needs to re lock this door when I leave..."

Bruno managed to get Mirabel into the closet, Julieta wasn't sure how he'd gotten away from the rutting Alpha, but he was wearing the shirt now, trying to pull it down over the bulge in his pants.

"Thanks for, you know, the food ...can you leave now?" Bruno motioned to the door.

Julieta nodded, "Right..." She fumbled with the locks and door knob, finally getting the door open enough to escape.

"Bruno!" Mirabel howled miserably from the closet.

"Coming, Alpha!" He made sure to throw the bolt as soon as the door shut, "Hey, uh... you're gonna bring food later right?" he yelled through the door. There was no reply, he hoped Julieta heard him...

Making his way back to the nest, Bruno shed the shirt and pants, already painfully hard again. Mirabel's rut was definitely in full swing, and he was going to do his damnedest to keep her satisfied.

No one else disturbed them for the rest of Mirabel's rut except for a quick knock on the door when Julieta or Luisa brought them food.

The fourth morning dawned with Bruno and Mirabel curled up together deep inside the nest.

"Oh... oh, Dios... we reek, your nest reeks...Dios mio..." Mirabel moaned as she tried to extricate herself from her mate and the heavily soiled blankets.

"Meh," Bruno replied, grabbing at her to keep her near.

Mirabel's nose wrinkled, "Ugh, no, you're sticky. I'm sticky..." She tried to push him away but he managed to pull her back against him.

"But you're so warm," he whined, burying his face into her neck and nuzzling her.

Mirabel giggled, "We need to clean up, mi amor. And then you need to eat something,"

"Hmm, I'm torn... Alpha or food..." Bruno licked over his Mark on her neck.

Mirabel moaned despite herself, "Food, definitely food. You can eat me later."

Bruno grinned brightly, "Promise?"

"I promise," Mirabel said with a smirk, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Bruno groaned, "Temptress," but let her go, neither one of them were actually in any condition to do anything more in that regard, at least for a while...

"Bleh. No, shower first, then food..." They managed to pull themselves out of the sticky mess of the nest and into the bathroom. Given what they'd been doing the last three days, Mirabel was surprised to find herself bashful as they stepped into the shower together.

"You don't have to be shy with me, Mirabel," Bruno said, his voice low and soothing as he adjusted the water. "You're mine, and I'm yours. Nothing about you is anything but beautiful."

Mirabel felt a blush warm her cheeks as she stepped under the spray with him. The warm water washed over them, cleaning away their dried and partially dried fluids from the past three days. She watched as he took a bar of soap and began to lather her up, his eyes never leaving hers. He was so attentive, so caring, it made her heart ache.

"Turn around," he murmured, and starting to wash her back once she complied.

Mirabel leaned into his touch, his gentle hands soothing her sore muscles. She'd never felt so pampered in her life. It was amazing to her how relaxed he was, she supposed it had a lot to do with the fact that he was safe and fully claimed.

"Thank you," she murmured, turning to face him, her eyes searching his.

"No need for thanks, mi vida," he said, taking her face in his soapy hands and kissing her gently. "It's all part of the service," he grinned somewhat timidly, as if he wasn't sure how his joke might be taken.

Mirabel couldn't help but chuckle, "See, you're funny." She leaned into his embrace, the warm water cascading over them as they kissed deeply. For a moment, they forgot about the chaos outside the bathroom door, lost in the warmth and safety of their bond. "Abuela is going to want to see me." Mirabel pulled away reluctantly.

Bruno nodded, "Yeah, I guess she will." He began to wash his own hair, his shoulders tensing slightly.

Mirabel noticed his tension and moved closer, placing a gentle hand on his side, "What's wrong, mi Omega?"

Bruno sighed, his eyes closing as the water rinsed the soap from his hair, "Just... nervous."

Mirabel leaned into his side, "Don't be. She can't separate us."

Bruno opened his eyes, looking at her with a small smile, "I know that, but...I don't know if she'll accept me."

Mirabel took the soap from him, her own hands beginning to wash his body, "You're my mate, she doesn't have a choice, the worst she can do is kick us out."

Bruno's eyes went wide, his arms falling to his sides, "Kick us out?!"

Mirabel chuckled, "Well, she's not exactly known for being welcoming to those she doesn't deem 'appropriate'."

"You think she'll kick us out?" He asked again.

Mirabel's gaze was steady. "No, I think having it widely known that she'd disowned an Alpha granddaughter over an Omega male would cause her quite a lot of embarrassment."

Bruno's smile returned, "You're right. Plus, she can't deny the bond, not now that it's been Marked."

They finished showering, dried each other and dressed in clean clothes.

She threw open the window, but decided that they'd clean up after the meeting with Abuela. The mingled scents would be calming after what was sure to be a stressful event.

"Ready?" Mirabel asked, her voice a little shaky.

Bruno took a deep breath, "As ready as I'll ever be. I... uhm, aren't you going to put my collar back on?"

"No, you're Marked, there's no reason for you to have to wear that." She took his hand and led him to the door. "Besides, that thing was disgusting..."

Bruno nodded, surprised but pleased. The thought of facing her abuela was terrifying, but he felt stronger with Mirabel beside him.

Chapter 13: Epilogue

Summary:

Bruno kinda looks like Pedro...

They stepped out of the room into the hallway, Mirabel's hand tight in his. The house was eerily quiet, as if it was holding its breath in anticipation of their confrontation. They made their way downstairs to Abuela's office, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the emptiness.

Bruno felt his heart racing, his palms slick with nerves. He knew Mirabel would protect him, but facing the woman who had so easily discarded him was a daunting task. Mirabel knocked firmly on the door, her posture radiating confidence.

"Enter," Abuela's voice called out from within, sounding as stoic as ever.

Mirabel pushed the door open and stepped inside, pulling Bruno along with her. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn to keep out the harsh morning light. The scent of old books and candle wax filled the air, and Abuela sat behind her large wooden desk, her eyes immediately drawn to the bruised Mark on Bruno's neck then to the matching one on Mirabel's.

"Yes, what is it?" she asked, voice oddly neutral.

Mirabel stepped forward, "We need to talk, Abuela."

Abuela's gaze flicked between the two then finally settled on Mirabel. "What about?"

Mirabel took a deep breath, "I Marked Bruno."

"Yes, I can see that." Abuela said.

The silence in the room was palpable, a tension that seemed to thicken the air until it was almost too much to breathe. Mirabel felt Bruno's grip tighten on her hand, his eyes flicking to the floor, but she held her ground, her gaze unwavering.

"Your mother said that you believe you are Fated?" The elder Alpha asked.

Mirabel nodded, "I do."

Abuela studied them for a moment, then sighed. "Very well. Mirabel, you'll come to me in the mornings after breakfast for training until lunch time. Your mate is afforded the same freedoms as any other Marked Omega male. I assume he will no longer be taking suppressors after this round leaves his system?"

Mirabel simply stared for a moment. "I...Training? And, no, he won't be taking any more suppressors..."

"Good." Abuela stood, walking around the desk to face them fully. "I do hope he's capable of producing strong offspring."

The bluntness of her words made Mirabel bristle, but she tempered her tongue. They'd won this battle, she wasn't about to start another. "Yes, I'm sure he will. There's nothing wrong with him."

Bruno's grip tightened, but he remained silent. He knew better.

"I expect you both to act with dignity and respect in this house. You will not bring any shame upon us, is that understood?" Abuela's eyes bore into Mirabel.

Mirabel nodded, her voice steady. "Yes, Abuela."

Bruno's heart hammered in his chest, but he managed a nod, keeping his eyes downcast. "Sí, Señora Madrigal." He said softly.

Abuela nodded, then turned her gaze to him, her eyes scrutinizing him from head to toe, making him want to shrink away. "He looks a bit like my Pedro... I will choose to take that as a positive sign."

Mirabel's eyes widened, she'd never heard her grandmother speak of her grandfather. And to compare Bruno to him... That was a better blessing than she could have ever dreamed of.

Bruno shifted slightly to press his shoulder to Mirabel's. Her grip had tightened, he knew she was swirling with a multitude of emotions.

"Thank you, Abuela," she said softly. "May I ask what you mean by 'training'?"

Abuela's expression softened slightly, "You can't possibly imagine that Isabela or Dolores would be more suited to take over as this pack's Alpha."

Mirabel's eyes widened, "Me?"

"Of course, why do you think I was so disappointed when you didn't present?" Abuela said, seeming genuinely perplexed.

Mirabel felt the weight of her words, "You...you wanted me to be an Alpha?"

The older Alpha looked honestly surprised, "You have the potential to be a great leader, I will admit that's not the Omega I would have chosen for you, but he's obviously devoted."

Mirabel felt a surge of defensiveness, "He is, and he's smart, kind, funny and incredibly strong, Abuela. He's seen things no one should have to endure and he's still here, still standing. He's perfect for me."

Abuela's expression softened slightly, "I can see that, Mirabel. Your bond is strong. I have nothing to say about him other than he needs to heal, but you appear to be doing fine in that regard as well, mi vida."

Her throat tight, Mirabel nodded, "Thank you, Abuela. I thought you'd be angry."

Abuela sighed, her hand smoothing over her desk. "I was. Then I realized that your sisters were willing to defy me in order to help you. That speaks volumes in and of itself."

Mirabel felt a warmth spread through her. Even though their relationship was strained, the fact that her sisters had stood by her meant the world to her. "I asked them to, if there's to be any punishment it should be on me."

Abuela's expression was thoughtful, "Punishment? I don't believe I ever forbade Luisa from giving you scent blocker, nor did I tell Isabela that she could not warn you."

Mirabel looked surprised, "But..."

Abuela held up a hand, "We start tomorrow after breakfast. Now, go, both of you. I have work to do," she waved them off dismissively.

Mirabel led a still shell-shocked Bruno out of the room, her heart racing. They had survived the worst of it. And the worst...hadn't been very bad at all.

"Well, that was unexpected," Mirabel murmured, leaning into him once they were out of earshot.

Bruno blinked still in shock, "I didn't expect to be accepted quite so...so... casually."

Mirabel chuckled, "Abuela has her moments."

Bruno managed a nervous smile, "Mi vida... who's Pedro? You... you reacted very strongly when he was mentioned."

Mirabel looked at him, "Pedro was my Abuelo. He was... Her Omega, her Fated, the love of her life, and she lost him. I've never heard her mention him before, not once."

Bruno's eyes searched hers, "What... what happened to him?" he asked softly.

Mirabel's smile grew sad, "He was killed... Abuela went into early labor while traveling from their home city to here. They were ambushed on the road. Abuelo tried to defend her and the pups against a group of rogue Alpha males..."

Pausing to simply stare at her, Bruno couldn't help the soft keen that escaped him.

"Mamá said she was told that Abuelo actually managed to kill a couple of them before succumbing to his injuries..." Mirabel continued sadly.

"Mirabel, I'm sorry," he whispered, pulling her into a warm embrace.

She held onto him tightly, tucking her head under his chin. "I never really noticed before, but I guess you do look a little like him..." she said softly. "Especially around the eyes."

Bruno kissed the top of her head, unsure what to say or if there was anything he should say.

"It's okay," Mirabel said, pulling away slightly. "We should go downstairs, it's nearly lunch, I know you're hungry."

"I... I can go downstairs?" He asked, haltingly.

Mirabel nodded, her smile gentle, "You're my mate now, you're Marked. I'll explain later, okay?"

Bruno nodded, taking comfort in her touch. Together, they descended the staircase and into the dining room. The rest of the family was either seated or gathering their food, the rich smell of sancocho de gallina wafting through the air. Mirabel felt her stomach rumble, the scent of food was suddenly irresistible. She led Bruno to the table, his eyes wide as he took in the sight of her relatives.

The room grew quiet as they approached, and Mirabel felt a pang of nervousness. No one commented, they simply looked them over then went back to their own meals and conversations. Soon the quiet was gone and the normal meal sounds prevailed.

"You okay?" Mirabel whispered to him.

"I think so," he replied, still in awe of the change in the atmosphere.

"Ok, sit, I'll bring your food, be right back," Mirabel took a deep breath and approached the buffet of food. After gathering sancocho de gallina, rice, avocado and a bit of ají sauce, she returned to the table and placed their food before sitting herself.

"Prima, your mate stole my clothes..." Camilo said blandly, shoving chicken in his mouth.

Before she could answer, Bruno perked up, "you're the one that likes chameleons?"

Camilo looked surprised, then grinned, "Sí, I do. They're amazing creatures. Why do you ask?"

Bruno's cheeks flushed slightly, "I... the little lizards." he pointed at the chameleon motif on the yellow-orange shirt he was wearing. "I like them."

Camilo grinned and winked at Mirabel, "I like him, prima."

The rest of the family looked on, some with curiosity, others with a hint of acceptance. Mirabel felt a weight lift off her chest. The tension of the past few days began to dissipate as she took in the sight of her new mate sitting with her at the Madrigal table, sharing a meal with them.

"So, you're the one who's got the rat," Antonio spoke up, his eyes fixed on Bruno. "What's her name? She's really smart."

Wide eyed, Bruno turned to the small boy beside him, "I...she...you're not supposed to know about her!" He hissed.

Antonio looked surprised, "Oh. She was bored while you and Mirabel were mating so she came and visited."

...

The room grew quiet again, and Mirabel felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her neck. "Her name is Clara, Tonito..."

"Clara," Antonio repeated thoughtfully, "cool." He went back to eating his sancocho with rice.

"I didn't know she could get out..." Bruno whispered frantically to Mirabel.

"It's okay, we'll check the room over and see if we can find a hole..." she told him, nudging his shoulder with her head.

The rest of the meal passed with a mix of awkwardness and light conversation. Mirabel couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious with the knowing glances and whispers that floated around the table. But she also felt a sense of belonging that she hadn't felt in a long time.

After lunch, Mirabel took Bruno back to their room to rest while she began cleaning. The physical demands of the last few days had taken their toll on him, and she could see the exhaustion etched into his features.

"You should rest," she murmured, pulling the blankets back for him to slide into bed. At least the bed was clean...

Bruno nodded, his eyes half-lidded as he lay down. "I'll help clean, you don't have to do it all yourself."

"You need to recover your strength," Mirabel insisted, her eyes softening as she watched him. "I've got it."

With a grateful sigh, Bruno nodded and closed his eyes, feeling the mattress dip slightly as Mirabel climbed in next to him, wrapping her arms around him protectively. He couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through him at her care, his body relaxing into hers.

"Mirabel," he whispered, his voice a soft rumble against her chest, "what if I'm not strong enough for you?"

Her heart clenched at his words. "What are you talking about?"

Bruno looked up at her, his eyes searching hers, "What if... what if I'm not what you need?"

Mirabel leaned down and kissed his forehead, "You are exactly what I need. Don't doubt yourself." She whispered fiercely.

Bruno nodded, his eyes fluttering shut as he snuggled closer. Mirabel knew he needed this, needed the reassurance. She held him tight, her mind racing with thoughts of the future, of their future together.

"I'm here for you," she murmured, her hand tracing gentle circles on his back. "Always. Now rest, mi amor."

Mirabel waited until his breathing evened out before reluctantly slipping out of bed. She looked at him, feeling a fierce protectiveness surge within her. He was hers, and she would do anything to keep him safe and happy.

The mess in the room was daunting, but Mirabel set to work with a determined energy, she gathered the soiled clothes and bedding to take down to the laundry. Bruno could help with those after he rested, it would be rude to expect anyone else to clean up a nest that had been through a rut.

As she worked, her mind was racing with all the new information, her Abuela wanted her to be the pack's Alpha. The weight of the revelation settled heavily on her shoulders. It was a role she had never considered for herself, always believing that she was the black sheep of the family...

Mirabel took a deep breath, focusing on the task at hand. She gathered up the last of the laundry and made her way downstairs, passing her family members in the hallway. The glances she received were no longer filled with confusion or pity but a mix of curiosity and acceptance. It was a strange sensation, one she wasn't quite sure how to navigate.

In the laundry room, she met Luisa, who was folding clothes with a knowing smile. "So, you went ahead and did it," she said, not looking up from her task.

Mirabel nodded, feeling a mix of relief and trepidation, "Yeah. I had to."

Luisa's smile grew, "I know you did, Mira. And he's good for you. I've seen how much he's changed you in just these few days."

Mirabel felt a blush creep up her neck, "Really?"

Luisa nodded, her eyes meeting Mirabel's, "You're happier, more at peace. And he looks at you like you're the sun. He's a good, loyal Omega."

Mirabel felt a warmth in her chest, "Thank you, Luisa. I just hope everyone else can see it too."

Luisa set the towel she was folding aside and took Mirabel's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "They will. It's clear to see that he's your Fated. And he's family now."

Mirabel felt a sense of relief wash over her, her sister's support meant more than she could ever express. "Thank you, Lu."

Luisa winked, "You know I've got your back, no matter what. Now, let's get this laundry done so you can rest, I've got a feeling you're going to need all your strength for your training..."