House of Wolves, Plus One

By the time the storm had passed, the trees were wet and the ground was muddy and messy underfoot...and Frank had learned quite a bit about the pack he was staying with. He had learned that Brendon was a strong and protective Alpha who would fight fiercely to keep his kin safe, but that after a few drinks, he tended to show his softer side, and would usually sing with every ounce of his heart...and that he had a wonderful voice to do it with too.

Then there was Dallon. The Beta was quiet and nervy when alone, but if Brendon was nearby, then Dallon showed a confidence and sass that nearly matched the Alpha's.

And Ryan...well, Ryan was somewhat of an enigma to Frank. The Omega hardly ever talked and seemed to be afraid of everyone and everything...except for Brendon. Ryan’s eyes would glow yellow as he trembled if you spoke to him, but at the end of the night, after they’d all eaten and put the pups to bed, he would curl up in his Alpha's lap and sing with as much gusto as he could manage. Frank had a feeling that the Omega had suffered at some time in his short past, but he wasn’t about to ask about it.

There were others in the pack of course, two more Betas, three Omegas and another Alpha who looked at Frank like he wanted to rip his insides out...and three very small children who were too young for Frank to be certain of their stasis. It wasn’t a big pack, but with the exception of the second Alpha, who seemed to come and go quite a lot, it was a nice one. Frank could picture himself staying, but he knew that he wouldn’t.

*

*

*

Frank was sat on the porch of the main house, watching the pups play in the wet grass. They had been cooped up inside for the duration of the storm, but now that it had broken, they were making the most of the fresh air and the small freedom they were allowed.

Frank had learned that the pups, two girls and a boy, were all one litter, and that they belonged to Brendon and Dallon. It wasn’t really a surprise, as Head Alphas often mated with Betas, even when they were already joined with Omegas...it was curious though that it took Frank nearly a week to find this out. The pack acted like a family, as they should...but the pups were more often found with one or more of the Omegas, than with their own parents.

Frank could tell that Brendon was a good Alpha and knew how to take care of his pack, but there was something missing that Frank just couldn’t put his finger on. One of the pups, the little blonde girl who’d giggled at Frank the first night he’d been invited to join the pack for their meal, skipped over to stand in front of him. She looked up at him with wide, curious eyes, and a small thoughtful frown. She tilted her head as she examined him...Frank kept a straight face, but it was hard not to "Awww" at the adorable sight.

"Can I help you?"

He asked after she’d been stood there a good three minutes without saying a word. She sniffed slightly, then planted her tiny hands on her hips.

"Do you live here now?"

She asked with enough confidence that Frank realised that she was in fact, an Alpha...just a very small one. He smiled softly at her and shook his head.

"No, I’m just visiting."

"Don’t you like it here?"

Frank chuckled.

"Oh yes, I love it here...but this isn’t my home."

The tiny Alpha frowned again, like she was thinking things through...and it hurt.

"Where is your home?"

She asked after a minute. Frank sighed sadly.

"I don’t have one, sweetheart...I’m a Lone Wolf."

The child's eyes went impossibly wide.

"You don’t have a home?!...then why can’t you stay here?"

Frank liked this kid, she was smart.

"I’m just not good at staying put anywhere. I like to explore new places...if I didn’t, then I wouldn’t have ended up here and we wouldn’t be having this conversation."

The girl nodded thoughtfully.

"I guess..."

She smiled, then glanced back at her siblings, who were holding hands a little way away, just watching. She looked back at Frank.

"Well, I better get back...they get scared when I’m not there. Bye."

She turned and ran back to her brother and sister, who looked immensely relieved to have her back...this made Frank think that they were likely Omegas, or maybe timid Betas.

"She’s got a point."

Frank turned to look up at Brendon. He’d known he was there before he spoke of course, but he hadn’t acknowledged him.

"About what?"

"That you could stay here...if you wanted to?"

Frank raised an eyebrow as the taller Alpha took a seat next to him.

"You inviting me to join your pack, Brendon?"

Brendon stared out at his pups playing in the wet grass and sunshine.

"It would be nice to have another Alpha around the place...to keep the others safe, y' know?"

He turned serious eyes toward Frank. Frank frowned.

"There’s already two of you. Wouldn’t me joining cause more problems that it would solve?"

Brendon shook his head.

"These are dangerous times my friend, and I’m not convinced that we can rely on Aaron."

"You don’t trust him?"

"To put it bluntly...no, I don’t. I think he would stab me in the back for a chicken leg."

Frank chuckled, shaking his head.

"How long has he been here?"

"Three years...well, it’ll be three at Christmas."

"So, how do you know you can trust me?"

Brendon laughed, throwing his head back like this was the funniest thing he’d heard all year.

"Cause you’ve been sat here watching over my pups like they’re yours...I can tell you would protect them if they needed it."

Frank looked back at the children and smiled.

"They’re good kids...I like kids."

"Then stay..."

Brendon said with his own fond smile on his face.

"Help me keep them safe."

Frank turned serious eyes back to Brendon.

"Keep them safe from what, Brendon?...what aren’t you telling me?"

Brendon sighed, looking down.

"It’s a long story."

"I’ve got time."

*

*

*

"Gee, baby you need to eat...."

Mikey was sat on his bed with Gerard curled up in his lap. The little Omega hadn’t said a word since he’d woken up, but he was responding at least. His hands were still wrapped up and the dressings needed to be changed regularly...but they were healing nicely.

Gerard shook his head slightly as Mikey tried to spoon feed him some broth. Mikey sighed heavily.

"Please Gee, I just want you to get well."

Ray walked in with a handful of cookies on a plate.

"Gee, if you eat half of the broth, you can have some cookies. What do you say?..."

Gerard looked at the cookies, licking his lips slightly. He sighed and nodded, turning his face back to his big brother and opening his mouth. Mikey smiled and fed him a spoonful. Gerard cringed slightly at the taste, but swallowed it down before opening his mouth for more. Mikey mouthed "Thank you" to Ray, who grinned back at him.

"I’ll leave these here."

Ray set the plate on the nightstand and quietly left the room. Mikey continued to feed Gerard for a few minutes before setting the bowl aside and grabbing a tissue from his pocket to wipe the boy's chin.

"Mucky pup..."

He chuckled fondly. Gerard smiled softly, his eyes cast down.

"Cookies now, baby?"

Gerard looked up, nodding happily with wide eyes. Mikey laughed and reached over to grab the plate, keeping his other arm wrapped firmly around his brother's small body. He set the plate on the bed next to them and picked up a cookie, holding it up to Gerard’s mouth. Gerard took a bite and purred in appreciation. Mikey sighed.

"I’m gonna have to change your dressings after this..."

Gerard stilled, mid chew. He whimpered fearfully.

"Shh shh...I’ll be gentle, baby. Don’t cry."

Gerard shivered, pressing his head against Mikey’s shoulder and continuing to chew slowly...he wanted to make this cookie last, if he’d have to see what that monster did to him right afterward.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how’s you?

Happy New Year!

To whoever’s still reading this here, hi!...I hope you enjoyed it. :)

Until next time, PLEASE COMMENT and peace out babies!
<3