Chapter Text
Shane knew they needed to be back before the full moon rose, his mother had made that clear when they spoke privately, but he hadn’t shared this explicitly with Ilya. They discussed the honeylight ritual and how he would know if their match really was fated. She had reassured his worries and told him that she couldn’t exactly explain it, but he would know - if the valley decided that their fate was a true match, he would feel it in every facet of his soul. Both his and Ilya’s.
They had eleven days. Four days to trek through the forest to Ilya’s pack, maybe one to two days to get an idea of where they all stood, assess injuries and ailments, prepare them for travel, and four days to journey home. That left one, maybe two days for the honeylight to ripen in time for the ritual, if nothing strayed from his plan.
Shane sighed, rubbing at his forehead. The anxiety he felt pressing against his chest hadn’t eased since the previous night. He wasn’t nervous about leaving with Ilya, if anything the thought of going out and meeting his pack excited him. But the story that his mother had told them rose up in his thoughts constantly - what one feels the other will feel too - swirled around in his gut. How far exactly would that push them as a pair?
They left as soon as the sun broke that morning. There was no second-guessing, no lingering at the edge of a decision. They left with a certainty that both of them were determined to bring Ilya’s pack back. Shane didn’t look back as they walked through the valley floor, past the bees in the meadow and up the hill into the forest beyond. He thought he might turn around, he thought something in him would urge him to look back even once to check on the lively valley. But it didn’t. His choice was already made and it sat concrete and unmoving in his chest. Ilya.
The path stretched out ahead of them longer than it seemed the day before. Nothing had changed during their journey, and Ilya didn’t need to wonder about where he was going. They were heading into his land. He knew this part of the woods. Their pace was steady since they set off and they had covered good ground on their first day.
Ilya’s satchel had been packed full with food for them, and Shane’s carried an array of herbs and plants, jars of moonwater and the single journal his mother had handed him in her cottage. They were somewhat well-equipped. Ilya knew the path through the forest wasn’t easy, but Shane so far had been a good companion with minimal complaining. He shared more stories about his pack, what Shane could expect when they arrived - told him not to shy away from their scrutiny or opinions.
“You’re very calm about this,” Ilya said after a while on the second day.
Shane glanced sideways at him. “Should I not be?”
“Most people would be somewhat nervous if they were entering into another pack's territory,” Ilya shrugged.
Shane looked like he was thinking hard before responding, “Yeah well, no point dwelling on the fact. Might as well get it over with and get back.”
Ilya huffed a quiet breath in amusement, this spicy Omega. “You’re not even a little unsure?”
Shane stopped in his tracks, crossing his arms and halting on the path. Ilya turned to look at him with a smile crackling at the sides of his lips.
“Are you trying to scare me? Because it will piss me off sooner than make me doubt my decision.” Shane stated bluntly.
Ilya threw his head back and laughed at the Omega squaring up to him. He stepped closer to Shane and wrapped his hands around his waist, pulling him in tight. The heat from their bodies flush against each other.
“I am playing with you little Omega, play with me.”
Ilya leaned in and nipped at Shane’s neck, biting hard enough to pull a moan from his lips. He licked over the lingering teeth indentations and kissed up his neck towards his mouth. Shane melted into his touch, head rolling back to surge forward into the kiss. His hands went up the back of Ilya’s shirt and roamed freely across his skin. His nails gently pressed in and dragged down his back, Ilya was positive that he would leave little welts. His Alpha growled in response.
Ilya walked him one, two steps back until Shane was pressed against the wide trunk of a tree. Taking both of his hands in one, Ilya lifted them above his head and held them there with his body pressed against his. They licked and sucked into each other's mouths, biting their lips raw and their tongues fighting for control. Shane arched his hips off the tree, grinding his lower body into Ilya’s. Ilya’s focus slipped, the feel of Shane’s half-hard erection a fair distraction. The kiss was full of heat and want and-
In one swift turn, Shane had pulled his hands free, ducked under Ilya’s arm and was sprinting off in the other direction. Ilya saw Shane’s molten gold eyes flicker as he whipped his head over his shoulder, tongue sticking out at him and threw a teasing look back at him. Ilya’s Alpha growled in delight and he felt his own eyes flame to violet. He tore through the forest after Shane, a predator chasing its prey, an Alpha chasing his Omega. Ilya could feel the elation burn through his chest at the Omega playing with his Alpha. They barrelled past trees, ducking under branches until they were both keeled over, sucking in deep breaths of air.
Ilya huffed as they sank down against a tree stump, legs sprawled out across the forest floor, “You are fast, Omega.”
He watched Shane’s chest puff up slightly, his Omega shoving forward in delight at the compliment, “You’re not so bad yourself, Alpha.”
They sat catching their breaths for another moment, enjoying the noise of the forest around them. The birds sang elated in the trees and the wind whistled softly through the air. Ilya felt completely at peace for the first time in a long while.
Two days later, Shane felt the change in atmosphere before he saw it. He sucked in a breath, his Omega sensing the subtle change in air first, not in the temperature or scent alone, but something structural from within. The surrounding area was alive with a presence in a way the open forest hadn’t been. A familiar feeling to his own valley. Pack.
Shane slowed his pace, falling slightly behind Ilya - not out of fear, but out of an acute awareness of the changes around him.
“We’re close,” Ilya said quietly.
Ilya watched as Shane’s gaze sifted through the trees with a sharpness now. They couldn't see his pack yet but something in the Omega began to react. He felt his posture change, barely visible, but he felt his shoulders stiffen. His Omega was on high alert and assessing the area thoroughly.
“..They know we’re here,” Shane murmured.
Ilya didn’t deny it, “They’ve known for a while.”
Shane exhaled slowly, bracing himself for the unknown. “Alright,” he said. “Let’s not make this any weirder than it needs to be.”
Ilya huffed a quiet laugh next to him, “I’ll do my best.”
He grabbed Shane’s hand and gave it a light squeeze before letting it drop again. As they continued forward past the pack's territory line, there were quick movements within the forest. A figure to the left half-visible between the trees and another behind them further back. They weren't surrounding them, but observing. Tracking.
Shane felt the familiar presence of a pack prickle along his spine, letting his Omega step forward just slightly at the unfamiliar atmosphere. The path opened into a contained settlement, a small clearing amongst the trees. The structures came into view first - their temporary home worn in from heavy use. The smoke from their campfire curled through the air faintly in the distance. Ilya breathed in deeply next to him.
They didn’t make it far into the clearing before their first direct interaction came head on. A man stepped into their path, deliberate and unhurried. Alpha. Shane felt it immediately. His scent wasn’t aggressive but it was firm and anchored in the space around them. The pack leader perhaps? His eyes moved across Ilya first, then flitted across to Shane and lingered. Longer than a comfortable stare.
“..You took your time coming back,” the Alpha said.
Ilya didn’t react to his tone. “I wasn’t alone.”
The Alpha’s eyes moved back to Shane, then, “You brought him in unannounced.”
Not fully an accusation towards Ilya, but it was close. Shane felt the full weight of his scrutiny settle on him then, assuming the rest of Ilya’s pack would be of the same mind. Shane stood his ground and tried not to shrink away at the comment. Ilya had warned him not to be deterred by their opinions.
Squaring his shoulders back, Shane replied, “I wasn’t aware there was an appointment system.”
Ilya snorted a laugh and set his hand low on Shane’s back. The touch was reassuring and sent a shiver up his spine. The Alpha’s eyes tracked the movement of Ilya’s hand, and watched it settle him. Flicking his eyes back to meet Shane’s, the Alpha huffed, “..brave.”
More people were gathering now to watch their little spectacle. A small semi-circle formed behind the Alpha. Shane watched closely as observing eyes prickled over his body. His Omega was still on his guard and this definitely didn’t help him relax. Shane felt the weight of every person's gaze on him standing in that half circle. He was drowning in new scents and his head was starting to feel dizzy.
“Ilyusha!” A bright smile broke through the trees behind the half gathered pack, long brown curls bouncing towards him. The woman bounded through the trees, and threw herself towards Ilya, pulling him into a hug so tight Shane thought he might actually burst.
His Omega huffed in distaste at the woman clinging to his Alpha, his eyes flashing gold and a low rumble leaving his chest. Shane tried to reel him in but he came forward too fast for him to catch.
“Sveta, I’ve missed you,” Ilya replied and gave her a tight one-armed squeeze back.
Ilya must have heard the low rumble leaking through Shane’s chest and rubbed his hand in small soothing circles along his back.
“We will catch up later, both of you,” the woman, Sveta, whispered to them before taking her place next to the Alpha.
“Dimitri, please, let them rest-” Sveta purred at the man standing next to her, arm hooked in his, “-interrogate the little Omega later.”
Shane’s Omega audibly growled at her words, curious pairs of eyes cutting to him.
Ilya stepped closer to Shane, his tone coming out clear and possessive, “He is Mine. Nobody goes near Shane.”
Claim, his Omega purred. He was still too near the surface for Shane to take back full control, but he seemed more settled at Ilya’s public words.
“Yes, fine. Go to your tent Ilyusha, we will discuss later. Eat, sleep, do what you need -” Dimitri waved a hand at them, “- and welcome home. We missed having you around, Alpha.”
Ilya barely nodded his head, grabbed Shane’s arm and led him around the crowd towards an array of tents. His tent was about as luxurious as Shane could have imagined it to be. He felt a tug in his chest as they sat on his small mattress.
Ilya rubbed his hands together, fingers picking at invisible leaves and dirt on his pants and shirt. He wouldn’t stop fidgeting. Shane rested a hand on his hands to stop the movements.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Shane asked quietly.
Ilya looked rattled all of a sudden, he looked annoyed at something and Shane wasn’t sure if it was him being here - if that was wrong?
“It doesn’t feel right. Something feels off-,” Ilya rambled, growing increasingly agitated - so much that he had to stand and pace the small tent.
Shane wasn’t quite sure how he should react - did he need comforting? Space?
“- I don’t want you here with my family. I just want me and you.” Ilya sucked in air through his clenched teeth.
Shane stood, approaching the Alpha slowly, and wrapped his arms around him from behind. Holding on tightly. His Omega kicked into protective comfort mode let a soft purr spread through his chest and into Ilya’s.
“You have me, Ilya.” Shane replied.
They stood there for a moment - Ilya's large body being somewhat cradled from behind by Shane. It was bliss just to be this close. He felt Ilya relax into his touch, lean back softly against his chest. He was content.
After they’d settled, had some food and washed up a bit, they left the tent to find Sveta and Dimitri. They sat down on the low bench opposite the couple. Shane felt the pair of eyes watching him cautiously, glances shifting between him and the Alpha sitting too close next to him. Ilya began relaying what happened from the moment he left camp, stopping briefly once or twice to let Shane add some details. He swiftly breezed over the bigger secret looming between them, before finishing up and waiting for their reactions.
“The Beta’s, they are still following us? They followed you all the way to Shane’s pack?” Dimitri asked quietly.
“It seems likely, yes. I did not kill the one I fought, but he was injured badly. We caught another scent a few days before leaving - Shane picked it up.” Ilya replied.
Sveta glanced away, picking at her pants. Her glacial gaze shifted back to him, “And your pack-“ Sveta started, eyes shifty, “- they would welcome us with open arms, yes?”
Shane averted his gaze, he felt nervous under her intense probing question. He didn’t really know how to answer that himself - would they accept the pack? He searched for the right words to say, but all he could manage was “We have enough room for you all.”
Sveta’s eyes narrowed skeptically. “And why can’t you stay with us Ilyusha? Do we really need to move?”
“Sveta, you know this isn’t our home. This could be our chance,” Dimitri cut in calmly.
“I have to go back with Shane,” Ilya replied at the same time.
Her eyes searched the space between them again, before Shane saw a light flick behind her gaze. Smart woman, she knew.
“Ah, I thought I smelled something new on you,” she suggested.
Ilya didn’t divulge her curiosity with details. His jaw set hard as he lowered his eyes at her.
“As I said before, Shane is mine.”
And that was that. Shane watched a smirk that didn’t quite escape bubble up from the corner of her lips. Maybe she and Shane would get along after all. They sat there and made a plan together, discussed the logistics of moving their pack through the forest and set about to start.
By the end of the first evening in their camp, all pack members were quickly briefed by Dimitri and assessed by Shane. Surprisingly there weren't many in need of aid, one or two with old wounds that he helped clean and wrap. This was going to work, Shane thought excitedly. The rest of the pack were warm and welcoming, gentle smiles gracing their faces along with soft touches. Shane’s Omega was more than comfortable with the group of strangers, an overwhelming feeling of safety surrounded him in the small camp.
That night, he lay in bed with Ilya. They cuddled to stay warm in the small bed, Ilya’s chest pressed to Shane’s back. He savoured the feeling of warmth rattling through his body, savoured the feeling of closeness between them. He snuggled back into his heat and felt warm hands tighten around him, squeezing him close. Soft lips kissed at the back of his neck, lulling Shane into an easy sleep.
By lunchtime the next day, they were packed and ready to leave. The pack was excited to visit the valley and questions started to roll around and towards Shane. He answered any concerns and questions thrown his way, excited to show off his home to the wonderful pack following them. Four days back home, Shane thought. He felt the internal clock ticking in his chest, his own countdown for honeylight ticking away. He felt his nerves come in waves with every step they took towards the valley.
Shane was elated when they reached the outskirts of the valley - they were getting so close to home now. He couldn’t wait to sleep in his own bed again and was elated to see his mother and tell her of their journey. He was excited for the future of Ilya’s pack and what it meant for him and Ilya. They took one last break just beyond the territory line of Shane’s pack. The mood around them was genuinely excited as everyone caught their breaths and drank some water.
Shane was speaking with Sveta when a scent caught his attention. Close - too close. His eyes blazed molten, Omega firing to the surface in a vicious display. The scent had triggered the same feeling from the cottage - protect. His teeth elongated and a rough snarl broke through his lips. Sveta was frozen in place, pinned by the angry Omega’s stare. Ilya was next to him in a flash, cradling his head between his hands and forcing to meet his gaze.
“The smell. It’s back, it’s close.” Shane snarled, barely able to control a full shift from happening. Ilya’s eyes shifted immediately, protective Alpha pushing forward. His eyes scanned the forest around them, sharp and predatory. The Beta. She was the Beta he had smelled. Shane couldn’t shift his eyes from the woman in front of him, couldn’t stop the anger and rage from blazing through him. She had been in his territory without his permission, without his Omega’s permission. He didn’t know how he hadn’t realized it before, he hadn't properly scented her.
“You-,” he spat, “-you were at the valley.”
A flash of hurt shot through his, unsure if it belonged to him or Ilya. Ilya’s eyes were pinned on her in an instant. A new type of assessment being made - threat? Shane watched as he prowled towards her, confusion and anger fighting inside his Alpha.
“Explain,” Ilya’s voice was threatening.
Sveta’s eyes were wide as she snarled back at the two males. She was obviously undeterred by the snarling Omega and Alpha in her face. Shane almost wanted to laugh.
“I had to know you were safe Ilyusha, you were gone longer than anyone expected - and I smelled your blood so I followed it to the valley,” She half rambled, half spat her reply.
Shane tried to calm his Omega, repeated to him over and over - Sveta was not a threat.
Ilya was still standing protectively in front of Shane, shielding him from the look on his face. And even though it wasn’t directed at him he could feel the full force of his emotions tornado through him.
“You should have told us it was you,” Ilya snarled.
“I didn’t think you knew, I was gone so fast I tried not to leave my scent behind,” Sveta explained. “We were worried, Ilya.”
A quiet pause settled between the three of them, a little awkward but realization spread through the air. The scent wasn’t dangerous anymore, it was Sveta. Ilya’s pack had come to check on him, had smelled his blood and followed it. It wasn’t dangerous. Shane felt himself reeling in his Omega, trying to calm the underlying storm of emotions raging through him. He saw Ilya do the same, eyes slowly returning to normal. The air was tense. Shane needed to remove himself, so turning on his heels, he puttered off into the woods to find a spot where he could be alone for just a moment. Taking deep deep breaths, he finally calmed his Omega enough to reel in his emotions and think clearly. Sveta was not danger, he kept repeating to himself.
Standing with his chest still slightly heaving, Ilya eyed up the Beta in front of him.
“You never told me you were a Beta, Sveta - what the fuck?” Ilya said exasperated. Hurt sinking in his stomach that she had kept it a secret.
“I know how you feel about Beta’s breaking loose, I didn’t want you to think I would be like them,” she said, casting her eyes away and scrunching her eyebrows.
Ilya stood still watching her, a sorrowful expression settling deep into her features. He wasn’t sure how he felt, he didn’t feel like he could distinguish his feelings from Shane’s Omega. He didn’t feel right, felt all jumbled up inside.
He sighed loudly, rubbing at the back of his neck, “You need to apologize to him, he nearly lost his shit when he smelled you in the valley,” Ilya said plainly.
The pack was starting to move again and he still hadn’t seen Shane. Following the tether through his Alpha, he weaved into the dense treeline and found his Omega leaning with his back against a tree, eyes shut. The light from the sun hit Shane’s face in rays of gold, he was exquisite. Hearing Ilya approach, Shane’s eyes opened towards him, gone was the molten gold and replaced by big brown eyes.
“Are you okay, Omega?” Ilya pulled Shane towards him and kissed his cheeks softly.
Shane slumped into his embrace, head lulled back, “I’m sorry, I overreacted. It was Sveta. She was checking on you. It wasn’t danger. The smell - it just-”
Ilya cut in across Shane, stopping his rambling, “Yes, but Sveta is stupid. She should have told us it was her. She is asking to be hunted.” Ilya replied.
He tipped Shane’s head back and brushed their lips together in a gentle kiss. Pulling back, his eyes met Shane’s. Their foreheads knocked against each other softly as they both leaned back towards each other. Shane suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion roll through him from the whirlwind of emotions.
“We are okay.” Ilya whispered.
“We are okay,” Shane replied, “Come on, let's go home.”