This chapter takes place in the middle of a story (I haven't written yet) revolving around Werewolf's and pack hierarchy. Alpha's are banished from the Beta run town while Omegas are imprisoned and used as pawns. This story focuses on a banished alpha and his lifelong friend who turned out to be an omega, separated by Betas. 

Trigger warnings: Violence, cussing and vague Trauma mentioned.

Darius breathed in deeply, absorbing the scents of the woods around him. He could hear the birds and small rodents as they lived freely in this place. The soft soil rolled up under his claws as he sank low into the dirt. Waiting. Watching.

His pack had become well established on Mt Falls. The edge of their territory was vast surrounding the base of the tallest mountain along the ocean range. It was known for its rugged wilderness about halfway up to the peak before reaching the secluded mountain lake where the pack had made its home.

Ice from the snow caps melted into the lake which caused the overflow to create a river that wound to the side of the mountain where the water just fell off. Right along with the sheer cliff side. The base of the falls formed the head of the main river of the land, flowing gently to the east where a much larger and deeper lake collected its spoils.

Darius paused, sniffing the air as he glanced around the forest. He was pretty good at identifying other pack members and recognizing familiar scents. There were a few other packs that occupied the wilderness, though his pack claimed Mt Falls, others claimed various locations throughout the wilderness.

The second largest pack outside of his own was the ocean pack. Along the river to the north was a narrow pass through the mountains, leading to the long stretch of coastline. The ocean pack was cordial at best, absent at worst. Truthfully, they were the closest thing to allies in this wilderness. They relied heavily on the ocean for survival and sent trade merchants on a regular cycle to trade with packs within the forest.

Outside of the mountain and ocean pack, smaller packs had taken root through the mountain range to the north of the pass and around the lake further east, but it was well known that between the lake and tall stone walls was wild lands. Home to mostly ferals and beasts.

Darius sighed. Nothing of interest here. The scents were days old already as the merchants made their way back to the coast. He should move along and keep checking the perimeter. He climbed a hill, pausing at the view when the forest opened up to reveal the shiny towers in the distance.

Paradise. Home of the Beta pack. Before his time, all beta wolves had decided to throw away any wolves showing alpha tendencies. Their reasoning was that Omegas were becoming too few to keep mediation between groups. Tensions were high and blame was put on the next minority group, the alphas.

Beta's believed they would be able to live in peace as long as alphas no longer remained in their walls. Their violent, overbearing nature was a plague in their society. And so, the divide was made when the majority ruled, ten to one. Betas thrived behind the safety of their modern walls. While alphas were left to fend for themselves in the wilds.

Darius snorted as the rise of emotions filled his chest as he stared longingly at the golden towers. He had failed the trial himself almost a decade ago. He didn't miss the city or being rejected by those who claimed he was family. He only missed Owen. His omega that would be treated like a king in those towers of gold.

He continued his patrol as he reminisced about that dorky little red headed guy. He was his opposite in every way, but also his best friend and greatest ally. Owen had fought so hard to give him pardon. To keep him close. He had sworn up and down that his power as an omega would be enough to keep Darius's nature under control. Only Owen had ever just accepted all of what he was. But now he knew, that was just a trait of omega as the betas threw him and a few others out into the cold with nothing but the clothes they had worn to the trial on their back.

Something in the air shifted causing Darius to pause. Waiting as the forest quieted, revealing the panicked footsteps of someone on the run. They weren't heading in his direction as he slowly clued into the situation. It seemed they were heading more for the ocean, though a bit too far south to make it over the pass.

A deep breath told him this was a wolf he wasn't well acquainted with though it held a bit of familiarity. He couldn't quite pin it. The stench however, following after the stray, he was far too acquainted with. Ferals. Three of them, if he had to guess though their rotting stench sometimes made it hard to accurately judge. Either way, it was clear the stray needed help. Lucky for them Darius was feeling a bit bored with his current routine. A bit of a hunt might be fun.

Darius exhaled letting his power spread so those in the area knew an alpha was nearby. It didn't always mean it was a good thing in this wilderness. Some alphas would be far worse than those current hunters on the stray's tail. Instead of caution, the wolf on the run saw it as hope as they changed their path to run towards him. Feral's wouldn't cause Darius too much trouble. They were wild, only concerned with the hunt.

However, the change in the targets path caused a second group to reveal itself when they fell out of synch. Betas. This far from Paradise? This changed things.

Darius considered his options, as they neared his location. Deciding to lay a trap. Just a few yards away was a natural bowl in the land. They would be coming from the northeast, ending up in his natural cliff made dead end. He could observe from the top, hidden in the brush before jumping into action. It wasn't long before he heard a weird jingling sound, before a dark black wolf broke through the bush. It skidded to a stop, looking panicked at the sheer wall before him. Sensing the alpha just out of reach on the other side.

The gold chains danced around his collar as he worriedly searched for a way out. Three ferals cornered him, licking their warped maws due to lack of care. One lurched forward to attack, tripping and crashing into the stone wall behind his intended victim. The other two attacked together, getting stopped by smaller wolves.

The Beta pack. Wolves less than half the size of an alpha, they were allowed special gifts when hunting in a group. Part of the reason Darius hadn't noticed them right off the bat. They seemed to have everything in hand as Darius settled down to watch the show.

It wasn't often a large group of beta's were seen hunting together. It was pretty cool to see them working together. They were able to subdue the ferals with minimal trouble, working in perfect synch. Darius sighed disappointed it was over so soon, before the leader stepped forward and changed.

Edward.

The tall young man sighed as he dusted off his suit. His blond hair almost comically perfect. Edward had been with them during the trial. A councilman's son. He had been a popular twit in their youth, favored to pass the trials and take his father's place. There was no reason he would abandon paradise which meant this whole beta group, activity shielding their activities from the rest of the wild, were also from paradise. Darius frowned knowing he wouldn't have noticed them if he weren't already clued into the situation.

What were they doing here?

"I am bored of this hunt. Clearly the chains weren't strong enough to hold you, but then you shouldn't have run in the first place. I doubt the council will ever grant you another wish now." Edward growled as the black wolf bared its teeth. 

"Enough omega. You can either return to paradise in one piece or without your god damn legs." Edward demanded, signaling his pack to collect him. The black wolf pressed against the cliff face as Darius watched him from his hiding spot. An omega. That explained the possible familiarity with his scent. Unless... 

No, impossible. Could he dare hope for fate to take pity on him?

"I will never return to that place! I will fight you until one of us falls." Darius held his breath as his voice wove some spell over his soul. Almost a decade of longing for this faint memory and there he stood... Darius got over his shock frowning at the man who had once been his friend.

His long red hair trailed down to the back of his knees as the sheer white robes exposed more skin than covered it. The jewel encrusted collar and lavish golden jewelry reminded Darius more of a lady of the night than of the young aspiring hunter he had admired. Though his looks were not as Darius remembered, Owen's spirit had clearly not changed. And they thought Alphas were the violent ones.

"Enough. Get him." Edward demanded as the betas nodded. They hesitated when the rock face tumbled from above, glancing at the man sitting crouched on the ledge high above their heads.

"And here I thought the worst I would find was Ferals rolling in their own shit again. But here you are, always raising the bar, Edward. I would like to say I am impressed, but somehow, I am only sorry you smell worse than shit covered ferals." Darius purred, keeping his eyes on the lead Beta. He loved making that perfect face contort into something less than flattering.

"Do you know him?" A second beta asked as Edward cleared his throat.

"I will deal with him. Secure the target." Edward demanded, swallowing hard. Of all the alphas they could have bargained with. It had to be this one. Edward never expected to run into Darius again. He was his main target of harassment when they were children. Edward had assumed Darius would be killed off like a majority of the out casts. Any other alpha he was sure they could have bribed or taken in a fight. But things were different with Darius. Because Owen was on the line.

"Oh? Will you now?" Darius cooed tauntingly as he leapt down off the cliff. Not something he would usually do as a 12-foot drop could have consequences, but he would put up with the ache in his ankle just to watch them sweat. Edward just needed to keep him distracted while his pack secured the troublesome target.

Darius stood taller than most of them, looking like he was built to fight as he dusted off his strong hands. Many scars over the years helped shaped him into the killing machine he had become. His dark black hair was cut short, only emphasizing his strong jaw line and sharp eyes. A true Alpha now.

"This is none of your business. He doesn't belong out here and must return to Paradise. We both know it isn't safe out here for him." Edward growled through his teeth. Noticing the omega had recovered to the sudden appearance of the meddlesome alpha, sliding behind him like he was some shield.

"Is that so? Do you want it to be my business?" Darius directed the last part towards Owen who had shuffled behind him.

"Ah, yup. Yeah, I aint going back, so um if I could hang with you, I would like that better." Owen told him as Edward hissed.

"You don't get to make that choice! You are confused and in a state of shock. Let's take you home where we can treat you." Edward said as the other Beta's shifted unsure. If he could convince the dumb oaf that the omega belonged to them, perhaps Darius would let them go without much of a struggle.

"Still the condescending bastard I remember." Darius noted as Owen scoffed.

"You should see the hair flip or just give him a mirror. Narcissism was named after him." Owen growled back as Darius failed to hide his smile. Edward twitched realizing he had failed to get through to the fools. The pair of them always were such idiots.

"Well, don't get yourself into trouble on your way back to Paradise." Darius told Edward as he clenched his fists. He signaled his pack as they nervously surrounded the pair of them. Ready to attack on command. Darius glanced over the lot of them. 12 in total. A decent size for a hunting party. But clearly, they needed the manpower to control their unwilling prisoner. It may have been enough for Owen, but they would have to get more than that for an alpha of power such as himself.

"This is the elite squad, if we don't run now..." Owen mumbled nervously as he grabbed Darius's arm. He paused as Darius turned serious.

"I am done asking nicely. The Omega is coming with us. Surrender or you will be harmed." Edward demanded as Darius shook his head disappointed.

"Owen has declined. Your failure to follow this territory's laws means you are an enemy of the pack. As an enforcer I will remove you, either from this territory or from life. Your choice. But just know, it will not be with Owen." Darius swore letting his power roll off him causing the beta pack to lose their edge.

"He is coming with us." Edward declared stubbornly.

"So be it. I warn you I am not the pup I once was. You will have a much harder time pinning me this fight." Darius growled as he changed forms causing the charging Beta's to stumble in shock. Some quickly retreated backwards a bit as they readjusted their plan of attack, taking in the massive red beast.

Wolves were all generally the same size as pups. It wasn't until after the trial, when their true nature took hold that an alpha grew to their true size. Some were smaller than others, but the chiefs or heads of the pack tended to be massive wolves thanks to the power the pack allowed. Being second in the pack allowed for a bit of extra growth on Darius's end. One he used to his advantage.

Darius's wolf form was 3x the size of theirs while also being faster and deadlier. One of the more ballsy betas tried to flank him, only to end up in a tree when Darius countered. A dark grey wolf chomped down on Darius's neck when he saw an opening.

There was a pause as Edward realized Darius's coat was thicker and more evolved for fighting. Protecting that delicate flesh from their small beta teeth. The large red wolf chuckled while Edward struggled before someone howled in the distance.

Darius turned to look at the forest ignoring the pissed animal clinging to his fur. A change in shift. He was being summoned home.

Darius shook his coat causing Edward to lose his grip and fall off, though that didn't stop his fighting spirit as Edward launched again, hoping to encourage the others to follow. Rooting for that safety in numbers shit. Darius sighed, dodging easily before side swiping him, discouraging the others from attacking so hastily. Edward stumbled yipping when Darius placed a boot on his side. Changing forms easily.

"Enough. I think it's obvious you can't beat me like you used to. Return to paradise. The lot of you and don't come back to the wilds unless you are okay with forfeiting your lives." Darius demanded of them, frowning at the black wolf in his golden chains. Ready to fight or run. "I can fix this back at camp. For now, ride on my back so I can get us there faster." Darius suggested frowning at the locked collar. Was he a prince or a pet? Owen grumbled as only a wolf could do but switched back into his human form.

It was the first time Darius had really looked at him, noticing that even in this form, he looked like a pampered pet. Minus the scars they had gotten together as children, Owen was almost flawless. Like he had no other purpose but to sit around and look pretty.

"Look out!" Owen cried before Edward tore into Darius's human form, chomping down hard on his left arm.

"Oh, for fucks sake! I said enough!" Darius hissed, wrestling Edward down to the ground. He decided not to change forms because wolves like these needed to fear him. If his wolf form wasn't enough, then his human form needed to push his point. Defeat a wolf in human form and they should know who was the better fighter here.

"Darius!" Owen shouted in a mix of shock and worry. Though the sudden screeching sound Edward made as his tail was ripped from his backside had him flinching.

"Shall I continue with your other limbs?" Darius asked darkly, chucking the whimpering wolf at the betas second in command. Half of an ear was also missing as Darius used it as leverage to get the wolf off his arm. "Anyone else feel like testing my patience? I can promise I will not be nearly as kind as I was to your leader." Darius promised. A wolf switched forms, but only turned to Owen trying their hardest to ignore the blood drenched beast.

"Why are you doing this to us? Please, we haven't done anything wrong! Come back to where you belong." They pleaded with Owen causing Darius to scoff.

"Betas. Think the world revolves around them and their needs. Are you alright? Shall we go?" Darius asked Owen as he nodded firmly. The pack shifted and growled in objections when Darius changed forms, Owen climbing up onto his back. They formed a wall in protest but did not stop them as Darius took off, racing through the forest with an old friend on his back.

So many questions. After all this time.

Darius slowed, only pausing to shake off his fur. His leg was starting to hurt as he paused for a moment. They were nearing the village. He came to a stop, motioning for Owen to climb down. He changed forms, flexing his wounded arm.

"We are almost there. My pack won't accept outsiders into it so easily, but I am friends with the chief. It would be better if you arrived in wolf form, safer even. Though I am curious about this get up." Darius noted once Owen had taken his fill of the woods. Darius saw the sudden tension in his small frame as Owen considered his words regarding his past.

"This is all I was allowed. Perhaps I can borrow some clothing if your pack allows." Owen grumbled as Darius nodded, noticing the venom in the way he said pack. Clearly, he was bitter about things though it wasn't Darius's place to pry. Owen said nothing more, shifting back into his dark wolf making Darius chuckle despite himself.

"The red head got the black wolf while I got stuck with a red coat." Darius mumbled shaking his head making Owen chuckle too despite the situation. They would have time to reconnect, but first Darius had to make sure his friend was safe. His omega. Ah hell, they were fucked once word got out that an omega was on the mountain. Darius sighed, turning into his wolf and leading Owen up the mountain.

There was a large wooden gate as two sentries sat in the tower, watching them. Darius paused at the gate, dropping something on the ground making a wolf chuckle.

"Another one for the wall, eh? Poor sap." A guard chuckled, signaling them to open the gate. Owen glanced at the item nervously, recognizing Edwards tail. He glanced around, noticing the wooden walls on either side of the gate were lined with what seemed like hundreds of tails. Each one marked with a different colored ribbon.

The gate drew itself open as Darius hesitated at the older man waiting for him. His large frame and hairy face grinned happily, walking forward to greet the waiting wolves.

"Darius my boy! We are going to run out of red ribbon. Though I am curious about the tale you have to tell behind this one. A beta. And an...." His nostrils flared as he trailed off, frowning at Owen as he shifted nervously. Darius side stepped in front of him, making a soft growling sound to who Owen assumed was leader here.

"Indeed. Do join me for dinner and tell me a tale. I am curious where you found this one." He grumbled softly as Darius nodded. He eyed Owen making the black wolf grumble. He wasn't a child. And he also wasn't an idiot. Stay a wolf and stay near Darius. The red wolf nodded once before changing between strides.

"Old friends from paradise decided to pay me a visit. Decided to leave me a few souvenirs for their troubles." Darius told his chief, keeping it short and sweet while they were in public. They hurried through the markets as Darius kept most of his report simple. They paused though when the black wolf stopped, wandering over to the lakeside.

"Ah, the tears of heaven. This lake is why we first built our homes here. Fresh water, fertile soil. Come along, you can see the views from the chief's hut up the hill. Even see Paradise on a good day and today is a good day." The older man hummed making Darius frown.

"Malcom..." Darius started as Malcolm snorted at him.

"You can call me chief or father. Daddy is reserved for Terra. Only my wife called me Malcom." He huffed as Darius snorted back.

"Everyone calls you Malcom, sir. Including the young ins." Darius retorted as they climbed the hill and passed the nursery. All the young pups waiting for their parents to return from work squealed happily when Uncle Malcom and big brother Darius passed by.

"Bah, I am too old to be an uncle. I am ready to be a grandfather. You should start considering taking on the title of father." Malcom continued to press, inviting the quiet black wolf into his home. Darius rolled his eyes. Washing his hands and arm in the basin near the window.

At the front of the hut was a large open room with a dirt pit in the center, meant for the fire. Woven rugs and throw pillows lined the step down into the pit making a cozy seating area around the small fire. Windows lined the wall overlooking the lake. Though from here, it overlooked the whole valley below, paradises golden towers, shimmering in the distance. They were nothing more than a prison.

"One would have to have a woman first. Which I do not have." Darius sighed as if this was an overtold joke, pulling Owens attention back into the room. He wasn't sure why he suddenly felt relieved by Darius's confession.

"I can fix that." Malcom hummed to himself as he prepared the floor mats for sitting. "Now, come tell me a story how you stole an omega from a group of Betas." He turned to the small firepit beside him as he fixed tea for himself and his company. Darius nodded to Owen as the wolf nervously switched forms. Malcom paused surprised, watching the young man take his seat. It was clear the omega was unsettled. Only relaxing when Darius joined them.

"My chief, I would like to introduce you to an old friend. Owen, this is my chief. He took me in after I was cast out of the city." Darius said introducing them.

"So, this is not just any Omega. This is your omega." Malcom hummed thoughtfully remembering the stories from a young man desperate to break into Paradise. Though this young man looked less like the boy he imagined Darius to be rescuing and more like a coddled princess. Owen glanced up at his tone, causing Malcom to hesitate at that strong gaze. No. This was a wolf who would fight.

"You knew what I was right away. Some of the other alpha's thought I was just a... beta. Edward was able to bribe them easily enough to return me to their care." Owen grunted, realizing he didn't need to pick a fight. Not here.

"I am old, boy. I have met a few omegas in my lifetime. Not all of them are born within the city." Malcom huffed watching Owen twitch.

"What?" Owen asked unsure as Malcom growled, though it wasn't an angry tone leaving Darius to wait and see how this played out.

"Did you really think Paradise was the only one having children? It's not like your parents define what you are. Alphas aren't guaranteed to have Alphas just as Beta's clearly aren't guaranteed to have beta offspring. Omega's are rare, but they do pop up from time to time. Currently the last one is living in the ocean pack. She is the grandmother of the current chief so is treated quite well. It's sad you and your omega comrades were led to believe you only exist within paradise." Malcom mumbled to himself as he poured the tea.

"I am the only one. There are no other Omegas in Paradise." Owen stated causing Darius and Malcom to frown.

"Forgive us, but we were told otherwise. We have word that there are..." Malcom started when Owen cut him off.

"Fifteen of us?" Owen hissed bitterly as Darius simply nodded in response. "Those are fakes. Turns out Betas can't actually tell what an omega is until they use their power. Most omegas only use their power in... extreme situations." Owen growled at his hands fiddling with the chain. God he couldn't breathe. Darius felt the rise in power as Owen's panic started to get the upper hand.

Owen paused when something warm grabbed him tight, the sheer power of an alpha overwhelming him. Darius. Darius would protect him. An alpha. His friend. Owen didn't fight him when Darius pulled his head into his chest, exposing his neck for Malcolm as the chief picked the lock.

"Would rather not break his neck in the process of forcing that off, am I right?" Malcom wondered as he removed the collar, frowning at the door. "Looks like his power reached farther than we thought. I will deal with them; you take him to your room and get him in some proper clothing for a hunter." Malcom demanded. Nodding his head to further shoo them out of his sight.

Darius never let go of Owen as he led him to a back room. The window had been wide open with the best views of paradise, but something told Darius that wasn't something Owen cared to see now. Owen still seemed shaken, trying his best to ignore it. Darius set him on his bed, going to close his windows as he poked around his closet for some clothing. Nothing would fit that small frame well. At least nothing from his closet.

He glanced at Owen as he pulled his knees into his chest, looking ashamed as he stared at the floor. Darius said nothing as he quickly left the room, raiding Terra's room instead. She always had a more manly taste in clothes. Perhaps something would fit just until they found something better.

"You probably think less of me now." Owen mumbled when Darius set the clothes beside him.

"Why would you think that when you have only confirmed you're still the same badass I have always admired?" Darius wondered as Owen glanced at him unsure. Darius huffed sitting beside him.

"When I was kicked out of paradise, all I could think about was getting back to you. I knew you were strong and didn't need me. But I needed you. When I met Malcolm, he thought I was a fool, but quickly took me under his wing teaching me everything I know about being an alpha. It is our nature to share our strength with the pack. Now I can return the favor. Let me be your strength until you find your own again. I am here for you. I always will be red night." Darius promised as Owen clenched his fists at the old nickname.

"Then can I borrow your wolf? Just for the night." Owen mumbled as Darius simply changed in response. Laying quietly on the floor. His omega slowly got to his feet before burying his face into the thick red fur. Darius simply waited patiently, knowing no one would ever touch his suffering omega again and live to see another day. Owen would be safe. He would see to that.