Chapter Text
His lungs burn. They ache in protest of what he’s been putting his body through, but Felix doesn’t want to be running. He has no choice but to go for days on end until his body physically can’t anymore. It’s not for fun but a matter of life or death.
He has a feeling that he’s getting close to that point of exertion. His legs shake with each step, and his vision swims. Each breath feels like he’s being stabbed, and it’s been like that for at least an hour.
But he can’t go back. He can’t go back to eating the few berries that he could scrounge up, or the pitying glances sent his way by the pups. No one would help him though, so he had to shoulder yet another burden. He can’t let himself be dragged under as another nameless omega sold off for a meaningless alliance.
Collapsing under a tree, Felix presses his back to the rough bark that he can feel through his too-thin tunic. He strains his ears for any kind of noise, letting himself relax ever so slightly when he can’t hear anything.
Sweat causes the fabric of his clothes to stick to his skin, and it’s cooling fast enough to make him feel ill. It feels like he has a fever, and he mentally checks when his heat should be coming. It’s still a far ways away, which means that the sweat is truly just sweat.
Not that he gets a lot of heats. His cycles are irregular from stress and neglect, which he isn’t exactly upset about. Heats are a horrible thing when you’re curled up at home alone, with not even a friend to cuddle with.
Felix picks himself up and continues his journey, but walking now. He can faintly make out the sound of running water and he follows the sound, thirsty after so much running. He follows the sound, having to focus to make it out. His senses are dull after so many years of doing tasks around the village that had no real use.
They’re so dull, that he doesn’t even notice the man behind him until it’s too late. Felix is tackled, head hitting a rock and the taste of iron filling his mouth. Panic immediately spears through him and he rolls onto his back, kicking and clawing at his assailant in a desperate bid for freedom.
The man wrestling him to the ground has a fiercely strict expression. The only sign of his struggle is the way his lips purse when Felix scratches his arm, nails scraping flesh to bring blood to the surface. It’s not a real injury though, and it doesn’t slow him down.
His scent is full and rich, and he seems calm as he pins Felix’s hands to his chest. He’s an alpha and a strong one at that, considering how Felix can’t manage to get free. Or maybe Felix is weaker from lack of food? It’s hard to tell, and his mind is currently preoccupied.
Felix is forced onto his stomach, his hands wrestled behind his back. Rough rope binds his wrists together before he can do anything to escape and he can already feel a rash forming.
The full-scented alpha has a hand firmly on the back of Felix’s neck; a clear threat. It would take a simple movement to snap his neck and effectively end his life. “I got him, Jeongin. Can you run ahead and tell Minho to that we found him? I know the Thistle pack is over the mountain, but- Okay, thanks.”
“Please,” Felix whispers, dizzy and wanting nothing more than to burrow into the ground and hide. “Please let me go. I- I didn’t do anything! I just want to- Please, let me go!”
He’s yanked up to his feet without a response from his captor. He’s merely dragged along behind the alpha like a disobedient sheep on a leash. It’s humiliating, especially since he isn’t even spared a glance when he spits blood on the ground. Felix stumbles and falls, yelping when his arm feels like it’s been popped from its socket. The rope doesn’t give him the slack to brace his fall.
“Come on.” The alpha looks down at Felix with a lip curled in disgust. His scent is bitter now, full of hatred. It sinks into the side of Felix’s brain that makes him lock up in terror, unable to even pick himself up off the ground. The alpha sighs and taps his foot impatiently. “Get up. We have a deadline to meet.”
“A- A deadline?” Felix repeats, rising on shaking legs. It’s difficult to stand with his hands tied behind him, but he somehow manages. “For what?”
“Your bounty,” the alpha simply replies, and Felix’s whole world comes crashing down.
He feels numb as they walk the rest of the way to the camp that the alpha’s pack has set up. It’s a temporary one with a few tents and a fire going in the centre of the area. Two omegas and a beta are sitting there, warming their hands over the flickering flames.
“Chan?” The smaller of the omegas stands up. His cheeks are plump and his eyes are bright with life. “Jeongin said that you would be back sooner.”
“He drags his feet.” Chan brings Felix over to the fire, wrapping a new length of ropes over his restraints to tie him to a wooden post. He levels the omega with a hardened look, his posture stiff. “If you try to escape we’ll have to make sure that you can’t, do you understand me?”
Felix nods frantically, throat flexing as he tries to answer verbally. His voice rasps as he says, “Yes, alpha. I understand.”
Chan’s brow tightens, but he doesn’t say anything further. He turns to the two omegas, his voice softening. “I thought I told you to wear more furs? This region is colder than home.”
It’s true. Felix’s pack loses at least a pup a year due to the constant chill. One of the village elders died of a fever she got from the cold, and it was a shock to everyone. Things changed after her death since she was such a big part of the pack.
It’s partly why he had to leave.
“Aren’t you going to tell me to bundle up?” the beta teases, fluttering his eyelashes. “What, am I not pretty enough to live?”
Chan grumbles, sitting down next to the beta. Felix is expecting the beta to get smacked, but Chan simply says, “Your mouth runs fast enough to generate warmth for you and the rest of the pack.”
Felix blinks in surprise at how… calm their alpha is. He’s assuming he’s the pack alpha due to how everyone’s bodies subconsciously tilt in his direction, but it’s odd how relaxed they are. Felix’s pack alpha keeps everyone on their toes to make sure they remain sharp and alert. A good pack alpha makes certain that their pack is the best they can be.
“Where did Jeongin go?” Chan questions, glancing around the camp. “The others too, for that matter.”
“Jeongin went to find them, and they’re tracking down the socks that Hyunjin lost. He insisted that they were around here somewhere.” The beta groans in annoyance, rolling his eyes.
“Hi,” the omega with round cheeks says, leaning towards Felix. Chan’s eyes narrow in discontent, but he doesn’t interrupt. “I’m Jisung. The beta is Seungmin, and this is Changbin. What’s your name?”
Felix blinks in surprise at how cheery he is while addressing a prisoner. It takes him a moment to gather his thoughts. “I’m… Felix.”
“So Felix,” Jisung scoots closer, “why do you have a bounty on you? Your pack wants you back so badly that they’ve offered a piece of their territory to whoever hands you over! I mean it’s not a huge piece of land, but we’re not a big pack. It would be plenty for us.”
Felix fights back the nausea threatening to rise up his throat. “I- I don’t know.”
“You don’t know what you did to become so wanted that even we’ve tried to find you?” Changbin raises an eyebrow, eyes locked on Felix’s face. “We’re a peaceful pack, but the promise of territory is too tempting to give up. We’ve been wandering for a while, after all.”
A few newcomers wander into the camp. Jisung whispers their names to Felix, pointing out each one. Jeongin and Minho are the other alphas, while Hyunjin and Seungmin are betas. They sit around the dying fire, and Minho, the quiet alpha, adds another log. He sits next to Jisung, kissing his cheek gently before fixing Felix with glare. He’s honestly quite intimidating.
“The quickest way is up the mountain, but if we wanted to go around it could take an extra week.” Minho turns to Chan, an arm wrapped around Jisung’s waist in a lazy form of possession.
“We don’t have the time for that.” Chan shakes his head, eyes flicking to Felix. “We have to get him to his pack by the end of the month. We’ll go over the mountain. In two days the snow should be melted enough for travel, so let’s be sure that we get more furs by then.”
Everyone nods before dispersing across the camp. Felix remains tied to the post, watching as everyone continues with their business. He begins to doze off, unable to keep his eyes open any longer. It’s felt like days since he’s last slept, even though it’s been closer to half a day.
He jolts awake when something touches his hand, blinking rapidly to clear the slew from his vision. The fire is dying with only a few orange embers faintly glowing. Felix is significantly colder without the flames to keep him warm, shivering and chattering his teeth.
“I’m going to let you into the tent, but if you touch any of my omegas…“ Chan’s words trail off with an obvious threat, causing Felix to turn his head to squint at him. His hands work at untying the knot at Felix’s wrists.
“I’m… an omega,” Felix slowly says, bewildered at the confusion. If there’s a bounty for him, surely the hunters would know this information. “And, um, I’m not attracted to omegas. I mean that’s cool if you- Uh, if your pack if’s good with that, but I don’t…”
“You’re an alpha,” Chan responds, as if he knows Felix’s secondary gender better than the omega himself. He finishes untying Felix from the post, signalling for him to stand up. “Your pack said that you’re an alpha and not to listen to your tricks. They also said to gag you, but that felt too cruel.”
“But- But I’m an omega,” Felix whispers as he hobbles alongside the alpha. His entire body is sore from being held up against a wooden stake for hours. “They know that I’m an omega. That’s- that’s why I left.”
Chan holds the flap of one the tents open, gesturing for Felix to enter. “Like any pack would let their omegas get to such a state. You’re unscented, by yourself in unknown land, and your hands shake. Any pack would be ashamed to have an omega like that.”
Felix is washed over with shame. Of course no one would want an omega like him. He’s not pretty, or good at singing, or a decent cook. He was barely good at the cleaning that he did every day, and he had years of practise at that. No one wants him, except for the mating alliance that he’ll be forced into.
“But I am an omega,” Felix argues, standing just outside the tent. “My- My scent is sweet, right? And I’m really good at taking stains out of clothes.”
Chan makes a small sound of disgust. “Don’t be sexist, asshole. And I can’t even smell you. It’s… weird. Are your scent glands scarred or something?”
Felix ducks his head as he clambers into the tent. He sees Hyunjin lying across Seungmin’s chest, nose twitching as a few baby hairs tickle his nose. His back is shoved and he falls to his knees in a pile of blankets, all scented by the pack. His head feels dizzy with it all.
“Move over, that’s my spot,” Chan says, not unkindly. He’s just matter-of-fact now.
Felix scoots to the side, away from Hyunjin and Seungmin. He’s close to the edge of the tent where he can feel a bit of a draft. It’s refreshing and cooling on his skin. Is it hot in here?
He lies there until morning comes, hair sticking to his forehead. He feels dizzy for a different reason now, nausea churning in his stomach. Another wave of the sickness washes over him, and he throws himself out of the tent to empty his stomach onto the grass. He retches for a minute, trying to ignore the rustling behind him.
“Oh, Felix!” Jisung exclaims, making the pounding in his head worse. Jisung bounds over from the other tent with Jeongin close behind, mouth pulled taught with concern. “What’s wrong? Did- Are you sick?”
“I guess.” Felix groans softly, rubbing at the temples of his head. “May I please have some water?”
Jeongin pads away, returning with a canteen of water. Felix rinses his mouth out before spitting into the grass to rid his mouth of the acidic taste.
“You’re sick?” Chan asks from behind, voice thick with sleep. “You look terrible.”
A very kind thing to hear, and exactly what Felix wants from his captors. He lifts his head regardless, inclining it towards Chan. “Good morning, alpha. And… Maybe?”
“Oh, you don’t have to call him alpha,” Jisung tells Felix. “Even me and Changbin don’t do it. We’re not a very traditional pack if you haven’t noticed.”
Felix nods even though he has trouble comprehending the idea. A pack alpha that doesn’t want to be referred to by their status? Felix’s pack alpha once revoked an alpha’s hunting privilege just for using a casual tone with him, even though the alpha had pups. He thought it was needlessly cruel, but who is he to question an alpha?
He’s given a bowl of broth once his stomach has settled, Hyunjin warning him not to drink too quickly. Felix nod and sips at the broth, feeling a bit of strength sink back into him. The moment he’s finished, however, he’s returned right back to the wooden post.
“Are you sure he needs to be tied up?” Jeongin hesitantly asks Chan, currently in the midst of braiding small sections of Changbin’s hair. The omega is contently leaned against his leg, half-lidded eyes focused on Felix.
“He’s a prisoner.” Chan checks that the knots are secure before stepping away, ruffling Seungmin’s hair as he passes.
“But he’s sick,” Hyunjin counters. “Look how pale he is… It’s pathetic.”
Rude, but understandable. There’s a high chance that Felix looks like shit after what he’s been through recently.
Felix yawns, having not gotten a wink of sleep in the night. He’s exhausted after the time spent on the run and now his illness. He begins to drift off to sleep when Minho’s words break him out of his daze.
“Jisung and I were going to go hunting. We saw a deer yesterday, which means there might be a nearby herd. More furs would be a good idea for the mountain trek.” Minho waves a hand out at the trees and bushes.
“Jisung’s an omega,” Felix murmurs, his fever-riddled mind slower than usual. Everyone else has gathered at this point, watching him either warily or with pity. “Why is he going hunting?”
“Enough with the sexism,” Chan firmly scolds, voice harsher than he’s been with any of his pack members. Of course, because Felix is an unwanted stranger. “Jisung can go hunting if he wishes, because anyone can contribute to the pack the way that they wish.”
Felix nods, head bobbing before lolling to his chest. “Yes, alpha.”
“Are you… sure that he’s an alpha?” Changbin questions, voice low with uncertainty. “I know he’s sick, but he doesn’t seem very… alpha-like.”
“Everyone presents their second gender differently.” Chan turns his gaze to his packmate with the same distaste that he used for Felix. “I hope that the members of my pack are able to understand that.”
Changbin angles his head respectfully. “I know. But you have to admit that something’s off.”
Felix hums sleepily. “Because I’m an omega.”
“Enough,” Chan snaps, eyes narrowed. “I will not let you lie like that so you can get close to our omegas. We were told that you would lie, so don’t even try.”
Felix nods, bitterness curling in his gut. He’s just not good enough to be an omega. He doesn’t deserve soft things, and he doesn’t deserve their sympathy. His pack doesn’t treat him like an omega for a reason- he’s just not worth it.
“Let’s get him into the nest,” Jisung says, reaching to help Felix up. He ignores the way that Minho steps forward in protest, hissing at the alpha. “No, Minho. Do you not see how he’s sick? He needs some rest and comfort, especially if he might be an omega.”
“Comfort is a live-or-die situation,” Jeongin agrees, opening the tent flap. Felix is half-carried into the tent, laid down on the heavily scented nest. It’s heaven, more than he’s even been allotted in his life.
“He’s really playing the role,” Hyunjin carefully says as Felix curls into the blankets, mind pleasantly fuzzing over. Omegas don’t specifically need attention from an alpha if they have a pack that offers them that same level of care, and this is… almost perfect.
“I’m telling you,” Changbin insists, “he’s not playing a role. He’s an omega!”
Chan rumbles a warning, and it makes the instinctual part of Felix’s brain want to whimper and ask for forgiveness. Surprisingly, Chan doesn’t hit anyone, or banish them outside for the night. He simples says, “I don’t need anyone getting attached. Remember why he’s here.”
Jisung scowls as he sits next to Felix, legs tucked underneath him. He strokes Felix’s hair away from his sticky forehead with a gentle touch. “He’s still human. A sick human who may or may not be an omega. Are we still just going to hand him over to his pack?”
Chan sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I- Fuck, I don’t know. The Thistle pack isn’t great with their members, but there must be a bounty for a reason. We wouldn’t be hunting someone for no reason.”
“You mean that you don’t want to feel guilty for basically abducting an omega,” Seungmin counters, voice sharp with accusation.
Felix drags a blanket over his shivering body, hooking his knee around an edge to form a tight cocoon. He burrows into the nest, tuning out the arguement about his future. He would rather not listen to them debate whether they’ll allow him to go free or not.
“Felix,” someone softly says, pulling the omega from sleep. Everything is dark, and he’s surrounded by warmth. Seungmin is curled around his left side, and Jeongin is draped over his legs. It’s been so long since he’s been cuddled like this, and he’s missed it.
“Felix,” they say again, more insistently. He forces his head to lift up from the cushiony softness of the blankets, blinking away the sleep clouding his vision. Chan is kneeling nearby, holding a small bowl of steaming liquid. “I brought you something to eat.”
Felix sits up, reaching for the wooden bowl. Chan places it in the cradle of his hands, and the omega lets it warm his fingers for a moment before raising it to his lips.
He downs it fairly quickly before returning the bowl. “Thank you. I- I’m feeling better now. I think my body just needed some rest.”
Chan nods, setting the bowl aside. He sits down and crosses his legs, just barely out of the nest. “How long were you running for?”
Felix lies back down, ignoring Jeongin’s grumbling as the alpha lies back down over his legs. “Maybe a week? I mean of course I wasn’t running for a whole week. I would sit and nap and-“
“And you’re an omega.” Chan prevents him from rambling further, shifting to tuck Changbin in. “Or so you say.”
“I am!” Felix insists, wincing when his voice goes too loud. He waits for a few breaths to make sure that no one stirs before speaking again. “I am, really. I- I know my pack said that I’m an alpha, but I’m an omega.”
“An omega.” Chan purses his lips, brushing his fingers across Felix’s forehead. His touch lingers for a half-second. “Your fever seems to be gone.”
Felix can’t stop himself from leaning towards Chan until the alpha’s palm is flush to his skull. A thumb drags across his hairline before Chan scoffs, yanking himself away.
“No one would let you get this bad,” Chan says, voice strict again. It has lost its more considerate, almost affection tone wnd Felix doesn’t like it. He prefers Chan when he’s soft and kind. “What kind of pack would hunt down one of their members, let alone an omega? Unless… were you the best hunter of the village?”
“You- I’ve never hunted before.” Felix stretches out, accidentally bumping into Seungmin. He squeaks in alarm as the beta rolls over, lying over top of Felix. “Alpha, help.”
Chan rumbles out a sound of amusement, his shoulders shaking with mirth. He reaches out, hands dragging Felix out from underneath the clingy beta. He scoops Felix up, toppling backwards when the omega pops free.
“Ah!” Felix lands on Chan’s lap, a leg twisted underneath him. “I’m sorry-“
“It’s fine.” Chan rubs a circle on Felix’s back before his patting his back. “Up you get and back to bed. I’ve kept you awake long enough.”
Felix detangles himself from the alpha, something deep inside him purring with delight that he now carries the alpha’s scent even if just slightly. He climbs into the nest again, this time beside Jisung, who is curled around Minho. He suspects that they’re mates, but he hasn’t seen any marks on them to prove it so they must just be courting.
“No funny business,” Chan warns, finding a place near the entrance to the tent. “I’m letting you spend the night in the pack nest because Jisung begged for an hour, but if you pull anything…”
“I understand.” Felix yawns, shielding his mouth with a hand. “Thank you, alpha.”
“Don’t call me that,” Chan whispers. He rolls on his back to face the other direction.
Half the pack is away today, gathering more furs. Minho took Jisung out as promised, while Hyunjin and Jeongin headed out in the opposite direction. Felix is seated near the fire with his hands bound, but he’s not tied to a stake.
It’s progress, even if minimal.
Chan, Seungmin, and Changbin pack up the extra tent. There’s a lot of cursing, and Felix learns a few new worlds from the whole ordeal. It’s entertaining to say the least.
Chan brings him his next meal, which is a large portion of rice with smoked fish on top. He offers a sheepish smile as he hands the meal over. “I’m sorry it’s not the best, but we’re rationing everything we get until we’re given the territory. It might be a while until we can fully establish ourselves.”
“No, it’s fine.” Felix accepts the utensils that Chan extends, but awkwardly juggles them with his plate. It’s a challenge to eat with some form a dignity as his hands are restrained, but he makes it work, even if his meal is a bit chilled by the end.
The hunters return as the sun has began to set. Minho and Jisung drag a deer into the clearing, but Jeongin and Hyunjin are empty-handed. Jisung teases them, but it’s all in good fun. Minho gets to work on the deer as Jisung feeds him bites of fish.
“They’re not mated,” Hyunjin says, voice low. He’s staring at Jisung and Minho, absentmindedly playing with a smooth rock. “They’re waiting for the right time- whatever the fuck that means.”
“I think that it’s sweet,” Felix softly says, watching Minho kisses Jisung’s wrist instead of accepting the next mouthful of food. “It’s romantic.”
“Did you have anyone? Before you… ran?” Hyunjin is questions.
“I…” Felix frowns, unsure of how to answer. He was technically betrothed, but he doesn’t know if that counts as him having someone. It should be special, and everything that Minho and Jisung have.
His heart aches just from watching them. He’ll never have what they have, and the knowledge of that hurts.
“I won’t judge.” Hyunjin smiles gently, eyes crinkling at the corners. “We’re a very non-traditional pack. We don’t care if you like omegas, or betas, or even a really ugly alpha. Although you’re pretty, and you deserve better.”
“Oh, it’s nothing like that.” Felix shakes his head, waving a hand to clear the air of the tension that he’s inadvertently caused. Chan is carefully watching them, his hands stilled from where he’s helping Minho with the hide.
“Then what is it? Someone broke your heart?” Hyunjin shifts to block Chan’s view. It only results in the alpha scooting to the left to be able to peer at Felix.
“No… I’m engaged.” Felix forces a strained smile. “Betrothed? Fated? However you, um, want to say it.”
A silence falls upon the camp, because everyone was eavesdropping apparently. Embarrassment rushes through Felix and he feels his face heat.
“What?” Jisung shrieks, shoving away from Minho. The alpha growls grumpily in response but resigns himself to drawing sad faces in the dirt. “You’re engaged? How- Wait, who is it? Do we know them?”
“Uh, maybe?” Felix shrinks back as Jisung jumps into a slew of questions. He isn’t able to catch even half of them, gaping at the other omega in bewilderment. “Have you heard of Yejun?”
“Yejun…” Chan slowly says, “as in Yejun from the Ironclaw pack?”
“Yes, that’s him.” Felix inwardly panics at how they all collectively wince. That can’t be a good sign. That definitely isn’t a good sign. “Is… have you met him?”
“Not personally,” Changbin says. It sounds like he’s carefully picking his words. Felix’s heart sinks further. “But we’ve heard of his reputation.“
“He’s brutal,” Minho bluntly tells Felix, straightforward and direct. He doesn’t seem pitiful, but isn’t regarding Felix with the same amount of hatred as before. “Weak alphas are left to starve, even if they’re injured. Omegas wear collars and bear pups until they can’t anymore.”
“At least we know he’s an omega now?” Jisung weakly says, earning himself a smack on the back of the head by Seungmin.