LUCAS

 

The Blood Woods were deep in a part of the Timberlands even farther away from the city of Dirge. It was such a remote area that most people had only heard of it and never actually seen it for themselves. Knowing what we were heading into, I was more than anxious about running into my old pack.

We’d woken up early in the morning to resume our journey. Donovan, Goro, and I had been walking for what felt like hours. I wasn’t an Alpha. I wasn’t as strong as they were. The long journey was already beginning to take a toll on me.

“I need to rest,” I said, finally admitting that the fatigue had hit me.

Even though we could keep going and eventually hit the Blood Woods by nightfall, I wasn’t in any hurry to get there.

“Just a little bit farther, Omega,” Goro said to me.

“It’s always just a little bit farther,” I sighed. “Why can’t we just rest right here?”

“Because… It’s just a little bit farther.”

Donovan laughed at Goro’s wise words but I was too tired to even respond. I wasn’t in any position to protest. We kept moving until Goro thankfully gave me the reprieve I was so desperate for.

“Ah,” he said. “Here we are.”

I walked through the forest and into another clearing. We found a split in the woods that was divided by a raging river. Memories of my old pack came back to me when I heard the water splashing. On the other side of the river, I knew the Blood Woods were waiting for us.

“We can rest here,” Goro said.

“Thank you,” I sighed.

I collapsed to the grass and laid down. My eyes closed, I breathed deep breaths to relax my aching muscles. The laughter of my companions filled my ears but I didn’t pay any attention to it.

“Wait here,” Goro said. “I’ll catch us something to eat.”

I peeked my eyes open and watched as the burly man stripped down. The sight of such a massive man naked was imposing in more ways than one. He shifted into a bear. His fur was black and shined underneath the sunlight. Despite how intimidating he was, I didn’t feel threatened by him.

Goro tromped into the water like it came naturally to him. He stuck his snout into the water and bit at the fish hiding beneath it. The fish were tossed onto the shore in front of me. If there were any doubts that Goro was a bear, they’d been answered for me.

Donovan gathered some wood and set it down so he could start a small fire. My head fell back against the grass and I closed my eyes to rest.

I didn’t realize how quickly I’d fallen asleep. It felt like only a few moments later when the sound of a fire crackling before me woke me up.

I opened my eyes and saw that the sky was no longer blue. The sun was beginning to go down, the orange tint now spreading among the clouds.

I yawned and stretched as I sat up. Donovan and Goro sat across from me.

“How long was I asleep?” I asked.

“A few hours,” Donovan said. “It’s hard to tell when we’re out here.”

“I didn’t realize how tired I was,” I said, slightly embarrassed at how much I’d slept. “I didn’t miss anything, did I?”

“You almost did. Goro ate your share of the fish he prepared.”

“The river is plentiful,” Goro said with a hearty laugh. “There are more than enough fish willing to satisfy the three of us.”

I looked over to the side and saw the small pile of fish that Goro had caught. I grabbed a stick and skewered one of the fish to roast it over the fire. The smell of the meat filled my nostrils. My fatigue was replaced by my hunger.

While I prepared my dinner, Goro and Donovan sat calmly in their seats. Donovan was staring right at me.

It was strange to see him this way. There was no suit or expensive golden jewelry. I couldn’t smell any of his cologne. Even the blond hair on his head was a bit unkempt. His unshaven chin gave him a rugged appeal that almost made me forget about the fortune he’d left behind in Dirge.

“How much farther are we?” Donovan asked.

“The Blood Woods are just beyond,” I said. “Once we cross the river, we’ll be closer to getting there than we are to Dirge… There’s still a chance for you two to change your mind and head back if you want.”

Donovan and Goro looked at one another then smiled.

“Not a chance,” Donovan said.

“I made my decision,” Goro said. “I said I would accompany you two to the Blood Woods. I intend on keeping my word.”

“…That’s what I expected,” I sighed.

I took my fish away from the flames. The steam rose off the roasted meat. The smell of it was so inviting. It was better than what I ate when I was living in Pandora.

As I picked at the meat and started eating, Goro spoke up.

“I can sense it,” he said. “I can smell it.”

“What?” I said. “The fish.”

“No. You are still worried. Your concern is stronger than it was when we were with my people.”

“We’re getting closer. That’s reason enough to be concerned.”

“They’re your pack. They’re your kind. Do they frighten you so?”

I took a bite of the fish. The juicy flesh was cooked to perfection. My mouth watered, making it easier for me to gnaw on it and swallow.

“Have you ever seen a Primal?” I asked Goro.

“I’ve seen a wolf before,” he replied. “I’ve seen many wolves.”

“Wolves and Primals are not the same.”

“You’re a Primal. You’re a wolf. I don’t see the difference.”

“Have you ever seen an Alpha wolf when an Omega is in heat?”

Goro laughed heartily at the question.

“They are insatiable,” he said. “Their only focus is impregnating their mates, as it should be. It’s no different among my people, among any of our people.”

“No, it’s different. Primals are not consumed only by their lust to sow their seed. All of their wants and desires take control of them. They attack. They destroy. They even kill.”

“Kill? I’ve heard rumors of how violent Primals can be—”

“And I’ve seen it before. You don’t know what it’s like until you’ve seen it. Primals have slaughtered their own brethren just to knot with their mates. I’ve seen Omegas left for dead.”

“An Alpha killing an Omega? What is the purpose of that?”

“There is no purpose. They don’t care about bearing children. They don’t care about the safety of the ones they’re supposed to watch over. They only care about satisfying their own desires.”

The smile on Goro’s face was gone.

“That’s the difference,” I said. “That’s why I left. That’s why I chose to be a lone wolf. I had to save myself.”

I took another bite of fish to distract myself from the conversation. Donovan had been silent the entire time. Goro didn’t say a word as he contemplated what I said.

We sat among one another with nothing but the sounds of the forest and the raging river to keep us company. I filled myself up with more fish until I was content.

The sun went down and the moon replaced it. It was a clear sky just like the night before. The stars were out. They illuminated our surroundings better than any light in Dirge could have.

I laid next to the fire, enjoying the warmth of the flames dancing next to me. Goro whistled as he helped himself to more fish. Donovan suddenly got up and stretched his arms up into the sky.

“How’s the water?” Donovan asked Goro.

“It’s fine. But I’m a bear, so I’m used to it.”

“I think I’ll go for a swim.”

“You?” he responded with a chuckle. “A jaguar?”

“I am a man. And as charming as the forest is, there is a bit of filth on me. I am in need of a bit of cleansing.”

“Ah, bathing. You could do a lot worse.”

“I intended on using the lake back at your camp but thought otherwise.”

“Now is as good a time as any, jaguar.”

“Indeed.”

Donovan took his shirt off and his pants followed. His body was muscled and tan like it always was. After a long walk through the woods, there was a bit of dirt on him that I could faintly smell. I never failed to marvel at the sight of his impressive physique. Even when he wasn’t excited, Donovan’s body was always arousing to me.

He moved into the center of the river. He splashed water over himself. His blond hair slicked back over his head while he continued to wash away the remnants of our travels earlier in the day.

Goro and I were both watching him as I spoke.

“How do you know him?” I asked.

“Donovan comes from a long line of proud jaguars. They were the innovators. His people were responsible for the settlement of Dirge. My people worked for his people. It is the same.”

“You said you work in the woods, is it?”

“On the outskirts near town. We take down the trees and harvest the lumber used for construction.”

“That sounds like hard work.”

“It’s hard work. But we bears are a proud people. It is nothing we can’t handle. It comes naturally to us.”

“Let me get this straight… You and other bears harvest the trees. And the jaguars… What do they do?”

“They manage us. They make sure that all of the trees are put to good use and allocated properly.”

“Right…”

I turned to Goro as more questions popped into my head.

“…Are you sure your people are okay with that?” I asked. “I’ve seen the kind of life Donovan lives. He has a big mansion. He has enough food to feed a whole pack even though he’s alone. Your people could be living that same life.”

“Ha! Jaguars are a unique species. They can’t handle the hard labor we endure. Bears take pride in physical tasks. Jaguars are swift and cunning. It is a symbiotic relationship. One that has gone well for generations. And I imagine it will continue with people like Donovan in charge.”

“…You admire him.”

“Yes,” he said with a smile. “I do. Donovan is a rich man. Maybe the wealthiest in all of Dirge. But he has a good heart. It’s the reason he came out here in the first place.”

“What do you mean?” I said, raising my eyebrows.

“Is it not obvious why he’s out here? He’s doing this on your behalf.”

“M-me?”

“Ah, Omega… How old are you?”

“Twenty.”

He shook his head at me with a smile on his face.

“I am 10 years your senior,” Goro said. “I have experienced a lot in my life. I have seen more bonds between Alphas and Omegas than I can count.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that you two have a bond. I can see it just from the way he looks at you.”

I turned toward Donovan. He was still standing in the water and washing himself off. His wet body glistened underneath the stars, seemingly more impressive than it was just moments ago.

“It’s the same way you look at him,” he said.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. A jaguar and a wolf—”

“There is nothing to stop an Alpha and Omega from being bonded. You know that.”

I sighed at the thought of it.

I wasn’t sure about my feelings for Donovan. Even after hearing Goro tell me I was the reason Donovan was out here, I didn’t want to believe it.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “This will all be over soon enough.”

“You worry too much.”

“With good reason.”

“Let’s not discuss this any longer. Just know that Donovan is here because of his own wishes and so am I. We will all do everything we can to make sure this ends without incident.”

“I hope you’re right…”

Donovan made his way out of the water. Having rinsed himself off, he gathered his clothes and took a seat next to the fire.

“Did I miss anything?” he said as he warmed himself up.

“No,” Goro said to him, his eyes focused on me. “Lucas was only telling me how much he enjoyed the fish.”

“Yeah…” I said. “I’ve never had it before. Certainly not in Dirge.”

“Perhaps I can figure out a way to bring the fish to the city,” Donovan said. “Maybe an arrangement could be made with your people to supply it.”

“That’s a welcome possibility,” Goro said. “The bears would be proud to have Dirge indulge in the delicacies we have for centuries.”

Goro’s laugh was as big as he was. He helped himself to another piece of fish, skewering it over the fire. The smell filled my nostrils. Any thoughts I might have had were replaced with a renewed hunger for the meat Goro was preparing.