Yai

" Do something Yai, Phi has linked his life force with the land. " Lek desperately shook him, staring at him with hope filled eyes.

He knew he could break that connection forcefully. Lek knew that too and that is why he was asking him...
But what Lek did not know is he was bound - bound by the words of Phi Prachaya.

You will remain hidden at all costs.

These words though simple - were an order for him. These were the shackles that bound him, holding him back from transforming and fighting by his pack and his mother's side -

Pack mother - Yes. That is what Phi Prachaya is to him .
He knows , Phi Prachaya is a man , an omega who will never be able to bear- still on subconscious level, his ankeneh considers the pack leader his pack mother- the only form of authority over him.

Prachaya though not birthed him but he had literally given him life, when the moon pack has discovered that the abandoned baby they saved was a full fledged ankeneh- the legendary notorious wolf dragon, they were wary of keeping him.

It was Chief Prachaya who vetoed his execution and adopted him as his own. Even though, it meant that Prachaya would forever be labeled a traitor should Yai step a foot out of the line drawn for him.
So Yai never went against an express desire of Phi Prachaya - verbal or non verbal.
The only thing he did , going against Prachaya's wishes was - getting his throat sealed as soon as he turned eleven so his powers of firebreathing would be sealed and moon pack would see him less of a threat. Even though he was mute now, he still was ten times stronger and lethal than a full trained wolf.

It was not only his strength that was multifold. His sensitivity to the pack bond was too multifold than a normal wolf and that is why he had sensed the moment Prachaya linked his life force with the land.
He could feel every lick of life force leaving his chief, his pack mother- he had to curb his raising Ankeneh. He almost lost the moment the Pride filled crown prince dared to try subdue the chief with Alpha command - only to aggravate him more. It pushed Prachaya in to putting much of his life force, thinking it wasn't enough.

He had almost lost it in rage - his claws started elongating under his clenched fist - but Alpha Perawat interferred. Ordering them to bow to their chief in respect as he himself submitted . It left Yai in awe.

An alpha - as strong and decorated as Alpha Perawat - was unheard of ever submitting to even another alpha. Here, he was laying at feet of his mate. Yes, mate - Yai could sense the everstrengthening bond between them - so strong it was , that it even made Phi Prachaya lost in fear and Rage- to recognise his alpha.

For a monent Yai panicked as Phi Prachaya opened another link to heal alpha. There was sharp spike in leak of his life force to land. But soon, Phi couldn't maintain all those channels and fainted,severing the connections- making the land act on its own- covering the alpha and omega Supreme to be covered and hid in vines.

" He is safe - " mindlinking Lek, Yai curled an arm around his mate " At least for now. It was a close call. "

Yai sighed deeply as his mate's tense shoulder didn't even relax an inch " Phi has exhausted himself to the extent that our land has to interfere " Lek said, staring somberly in to Yai's eyes " Tell me the truth. Is our Phi truly safe? "

" Do you consider yourself truly safe in my arms Lek ? " Yai asked.

" Ofcourse Ai Yai , You are my mate. "

" Phi Prachaya too, is in his mate's arms. We should extend the Prince same trust we have in ourselves and our chief. "

" You trust Phi Perawat too much since start. "

" I didn't. " Yai answered, deep in thought " I trust my pack mother and our fellow pack brothers. Phi Knot and Phi Prem were devasteted, we could feel their grief. Only Blood Kin bond wouldn't do that.
We felt Phi Prachaya's grief. Only sense of loyalty to the Prince wouldn't make him grieve as though he was about to loose his mate.

The night Prince was brought , Phi Prachaya was enraged beyond limits, even though air and water were calm, I felt the lava roiling beneath the land.

" That is why you flew me to mountain caves. "

Yai nodded. " I couldn't take risk. It would have been easier to evacuate our pack when I knew you were absolutely safe. "

Lek's eyes teared " Feel the link and tell me if Phi will recover ? "

Yai pressed his lip in thin line " I can't feel extreme distress from our bond. Its steady for now so we shouldn't tap in to it. "

" Why ? "

"He is with his mate, Lek. I won't intrude on their privacy. "

" For someone who doesn't like the Prince. You sure respect and care about him too much. "

" It's complicated, ti-rak. Since he was brought in our land, I knew I will loose my pack mother to him. I can't like him for that , can I ? "

" Since he was brought in ? "

Yai nodded. " Phi Prachaya showed all early signs of choosing Prince as his partner.
I knew there was something I was missing. Then Phi told me, he was a childhood friend. The one he had found his first eagle feather with.
The one whose blood kin he aspired to become.
The one he worked so hard for.
I don't know how much it means for the Prince. But my Phi Prachaya was long gone. It wasn't just longing for a friend. His wolf has found his soulmate while too young and was separated from him too. His wolf was stuck on to Perawat. And found hard to forget him

While Phi Prachaya would have done same for any other critical patient under his care. He wouldn't have hand picked his necessities - food is understandable but clothes ? Scents ? Sleeping by his side and guarding him till alpha gained consciousness?
You remember how angry he got when an apprentice entered Prince's room when Prince was still unconcious ?
Phi has a hoard of apprentices and Prince wasn't first noble under his treatment. He could have trusted the menial works under any senior apprentice but he didn't. He couldn't. "

Lek nodded. " Seeing Phi Perawat today, I don't blame Phi for falling for him. No alpha can show himself weak infront of whole nation. But he did - without hesitating. If that isn't love then I don't know what is. "

" To his true mate, any worthy alpha mate can bow and Submit. For you, I can, as many times as needed. And I am not just a wolf. I am ankeneh. Yet I can. "

Lek narrowed his eyes " Are you insulting me or Phi Perawat or both ? "

" Why do you call him Phi? I don't like it. You were all googly eyes over some flowers. "

" Oh, why shouldn't I? " Lek smiled, dreamy eyes " He brought phi so many flowers and nit jist any random flowers - they l had a message. It was so romantic. Alphas like him are rare crop. Who wouldn't be charmed by him? "

"He is Rare crop? And I am not? "

Lek smirked before shaking his head in denial. Chuckling he ran as soon as Yai intended to tighten his hold.

Yai chased behind the naughty omega. Lek weaved through people dispersing towards pack house , his small size helping him.

" Yai, stop running " Phi Lena scolded. " Everyone let's assemble at pack house. Healers on alert, be ready as soon as lands seem it safe to return the chief. "

Yai halted. Safe. It should consider safe for the chief to be out. He expanded his senses, feeling the elements.
As the chief and alpha disappeared under vines, Yai expected to feel the roaring river settling down, the air around them should calm in to sweet breeze and the lava boiling deep beneath their feets should have settled to simmering. They were safe now. Or they should be since he couldn't smell any sphinxes, alive that is.
But the land was still anxious, the vines slithered, the tiny storm rose from the ground- towering towards the skies.

The land didn't consider it safe.

" Something is not right. " He mindlinked the chief enforcer. " Although I can't smell anything. I can feel the looming danger. "

" I am sending enforcers to guard the Perimter. " Chief enforcer replied.

" Whatever it is, it is inside the packlands. Send the children and nonfighters to pack merab along with Prince's. "

" Noted. " The chief enforcer replied. " Anything else worth knowing ? "

" Don't go to caves. I can't sense anything more, other than that underground tunnels should be safe. "

" Okay Yai. Come back to the pack house. "

" I can't. I must go and find the chief. "

" Chief wanted you safe and hidden. Moon pack can't afford your secrets unveiled, especially in presence of the prince's. "

" I won't transform. But I need to be close to phi to locate him. I will be back as soon as I locate him.

Be safe. Let me know if you have any other input. " The enforcer mindlinked.

" Keep guard over the crown Prince and Prince Thuanthong" Chief enforcers voice boomed over pack link.

" I am searching for the chief. I will guard Chief and Prince Perawat. You guard over the lands " Yai mindlinked.

Next he mindlinked Yai. " Tee Rak, Where are you? "

" What is happening Yai ? " Lek's frightened voice greeted him.

" I don't know much except that we are not safe yet. Its time to use the tunnel. Escort the Pack to Merab pack. Keep watch over the kids. I will join you soon. "

" Are you fighting ?"

" If necessary. "

" Then, I will be by your side. "

" Kids need someone who won't let the history repeat Lek. Till Phi Prachaya recovers that responsibility falls on each of us. It is not time to be stubborn. "

" I love you. " Lek replied, sniffing.

" Be safe, ti rak (my love)"

" You too. "
.......

Yai closed his eyes and let his heart lead him to his bond with his pack mother.
He found him near the lake , in an underground pit, covered with greenery such that it would appear like overgrowth of grass and vines. From a distance, the black tinged colour was normal but as Yai approached the hide, it shouldn't have seemed as black as it looked.

" Near the cave" Yai mindlinked the chief enforcer.

" Come back Yai, I'm sending Prince's Kin and chief's bodyguards . "

" There's something strange here" Yai replied. " The growth is growing too black. The lands are anxious, new vines are replacing the old ones. "

" I know. It's happening here too. Svelton's came with full preparation. Enforcers will deal with it. "

"But..."

"Come back. That's an order..."

" I will wait here till the replacement comes. " Yai replied stubbornly and closed the link.

He walked towards the overgrowth under which had most movement, he observed carefully, thousands of black, tiny worm like things wiggled in sync , just over the shrubbery. As soon as the top layer leaves turned black and withered , a new vine would grow beneath the layer, only to suffer the same fate.

Yai leaned closer, to have a better look, hands outstretched to see if there was any worms or insect though it seemed unlikely.

As soon as his fingers reached the greenery withering away, a new set of vines grew from ground, covering his finger.

The leaves wrapped around his finger withered away as soon as it touched the blackish goo over the growth.

Yai took a step back. The ground was protecting him and in that effort, the uppermost layer of vines over chief had withered away. The black goo was now rapidly eating away the rest of creepers and the land was desperately producing new ones.

Whatever this black goo was, it was abnormal - evil. Yai needed dragon fire he had no way of producing since he sealed himself.

Yai looked around, finding a dry branch , he broke it in two and rubbed them vigorously, making the small sparks appear.

Although, he couldn't create his own fire since his sealing ceremony, he can very well manipulate one already existing.

Molding the spark to flame he directed it at the black goo which sizzled and cried like a dying sphinx. Bloody abominations. Die like the waste you are.

As the protective spell covering the goo burnt away with fire, the place was bathed in scent of death, rotten, pungent odour that burnt Yai's nostril.

He watched in shock as the bubbling goo only multiplied faster than ever, concentrating at his feet, growing in to black gnarly hand with ugly, bony finger having longest and sharpest nails he had ever seen.

He saw it emerging from ground, tearing several layers of vines at once with it's solid black nails. The torn vines got covered with black goo and disappeared as if they were never here.

No matter how much the ground tried, it couldn't mend the vines or grow new branches where it was torn away by the black Nail.
In a desperate attempt to stop the wily thing, Yai jumped near the branch and stomped over the branch with both his feet with all his might. Soles of his boots melted away as if eaten by acid. Sudden burning sensation smarted from soles of his feet to base of his spine. Yai jumped back.

The hand waved one thin bony finger in air and tapped it's fingers on the ground as if it taunted Yai, before stabbing the nail right in to it.

Yai felt the roots burning away. The hand was making the land barren. He fell on knees stamping his right hand forcefully, supplying energy to the ground to counter the black magic.

The vines seemed to recover a little, new saplings swiftly covered the old ones. But not for long. More Yai pushed his magic in to ground, more the black hand grew strong as if it was directly feeding from Yai's magic.

It again tore at the vines.
The vines started falling away, nothing grew out of the land. Finally, the black magic had poisoned it. Yai could see Alpha Perawat, baffled, yet confidently standing before Phi Prachaya.

The black hand melted down, forming tar like liquid puddle which encircled the alpha and the healer. It steadily grew it's spread near their feet, circling Phi Prachaya, narrowing down the distance between them.

Alpha perawat swift transformed in his human form and lifted Phi Prachaya in his arms, cradling him close to his chest. The alpha stared at the ever nearing puddle of bubbling black tar and closed his eyes as if surrendering to their fates.

Not knowing what else to do, Yai transformed in to his huge ankeneh form and grabbed the duo in his claws before soaring to the infinite skies. Let's see how this onyx abomination will chase him to skies.

" Yai, you always struck me as different. You are an ankeneh ? Aren't you ?" The alpha asked.

Yai remembered the words of his chief ' never outright accept even if you are found out but do not lie also. '

" Ankeneh have not existed since centuries, no one knows their true forms except the myths and legends. I know that I am winged hybrid alpha... physically like a sphinx, mentally like a wolf."

" Hmm.... rightly answered" Alpha hummed " but we are not in court Yai. This is a battle. There's no politically correct side in war and history Yai. It sides with the side which survives to tell their stories - tell me which element can you control ? "

" None alpha. " Yai stared the evil hand shooting towards sky in failed attempt to catch them. Yai sneered, sky was his territory, let's see how long will the hand grow.

" Manipulate ? " Alpha asked " which one can you manipulate ? "

" All..." Yai answered. Guiding a thunderbolt towards the hand . It struck right at the aim and dried out all the water in the hand making it dry heap of blackish dust that crumbled to the ground.

" And would your ankeneh be amenable to follow my command ? "

Yai kept silent. No it would not be. His ankeneh had special hard corner for his pack mother's mate.

"Okay, then I am under your command Alpha Yai. Let's save our people. "

" Would your wolf be amenable ? " Yai clenched his teeth seeing the grass and trees burning to ground, over which the black powder fell.

"To save my people and mate ? Anytime "

Yai took a moment to think. While he had superior strength, his knowledge of combat strategies and war experience were close to nil.

" I accept your command alpha Perawat"

" Call the waters of land Yai, create a new stream out of river selene. Let's sweep this black abomination to where we can deal with it. "

Yai promptly followed the command, manipulating a thin stream out of river selene , which he guided to sweep away the black powder, out of the pack and in to the lake behind alpha's guest house.

" Now, alpha ? "

" Call upon the lava and burn it. "

" I have tried fire earlier alpha."

" Lava is stronger than fire, my friend. It is the combination of holy trinity of element - it has earth- as molten stones , water as vapour and fire. It will cleanse the souls trapped in this evil trap and liberate them. "

Yai felt for the lava bubbling deep beneath the bottom of the lake and channeled it upwards. creating a steady supply under the lake Which made the blackish water in the lake sizzle and bubble.

" Let's go back to our packmates , we must find the source. I am afraid this was only a sliver of the whole thing. "

Yai flew them over the pack. As predicted by the alpha, there was black abomination all over. Some were dwarf black soldier's all over which were turning to black puddle and some black goo, spread over every surface, eating away all that it encountered - trees, stones, grass.

Yai saw one of their enforcer stabbing through the black dwarf. The black dwarf as soon as stabbed fell in to a puddle and flowed right under the enforcers boots - first eating away all the leather and gradually his feet.

This was not a single instance. All over the enforcers were being eaten alive by the black goo. Whichever part it covered, or fell over - it ate it like acid- flesh and bones alike.

" Yai, are there any other winged creature in pack which can take people to saftey? "
The alpha asked. " No alpha. "

" Then you call the air - as soon as I flood the grounds, you lift our people in to air - make them hover for a minute or so. I will flush this abomination to where we can deal with it. "

" You too can control the elements alpha? "

" No, but I can call for the help of my land. "

"We can't flood the lands alpha. Our people are taking underground route to pack Merab. There is a high chance, tunnels can get flooded too. "

" Then call for the rain and wash this onyx tar off our soldiers . It will also give time to our people to take safe shelter. "

" Alpha " Yai nodded and called for the rain. Black clouds covered the sky. Soon it started raining.

" wash yourself " Perawat yelled with all his might. " Dig a pit to contain this flesh eating monster. "

The enforcers who were relatively better in shape started digging in to the wet earth with their hands. Some turned to wolves. And some dragged their severely injured friend to now tar free area of earth.

Perawat called upon his Kin. " Knot, Prem , Bright. "

" Prince. " came the rapt answer " Where are you? We couldn't find you. "

" I am near the pack house. Come here as soon as you can "

" Right away" , came the answer. "

Within minutes, Knot , Prem and Bright were seen running towards the pack house.

" Yai , take the chief and as many people as you can to Merab border. Once everyone gets to safe lands, block the tunnel with a boulder. Then meet me as you are done dropping every one to safe destination. "

" And you, alpha? " I will dig the pit with other soldier's. "

" Alpha ? " Yai was stunned " It's not safe here. "

" I am a soldier Yai. It's my duty to flirt with the death and make sure she does not accept my proposal. "

" What about Chief, Alpha ? "

Perawat clutched his mate closer "I am trusting saftey of my mate to you, Yai. Take him to pack. "

" I will. "

" Now descend so I can make a safe landing, Take my kins with you. " As soon as Yai reached to a safe distance from ground and steadied , Perawat jumped down.

The black puddle underneath started eating at soles of his boots. He lifted both his foot one by one and washed it in rain.

" Perawat..." Came the shout from his kins. They were still a little way long and pretty much injured with various degrees of healing.

" Accompany Yai and keep the pack and my mate safe. "

" Our duty is to you Perawat " Prem yelled over mindlink.

" And I am ordering you..."

" We are not your subordinates Alpha Perawat " Prem sizzled " We are your blood kins. Trusted by the moon goddess to protect the ruling hands of nation. "

" Nation comes first my friend. Our people Come first. There can be nation without alpha Perawat but alpha Perawat can not be without his nation. Pack will need experienced warrior should any sphinx attack them. "

" So we will stay here. You go to safe lands with the pack. "

" Can anyone of you call upon the land ? "

" No. "

" I can. Chief Prachaya is unconscious. Only I can do that. "

" Prince Gamon and his kin will be there to protect the pack." KNOT SAID.

" My wolf won't rest unless my most trusted men were around my mate. He is unconcious, he can't protect himself should anything happen. "

" Fine. One of us will be here. Choose. "

Perawat quickly assesed his team, Knot was relatively less injured. " Yai will bring Ai Knot back once all of you check if the safe lands are actually safe or not. " He announced.

" Blessed be alpha Perawat. " His kins saluted.

" Blessed be brothers. " Perawat replied.
........

Perawat walked bare foot towards the enforcers of moonpack. The soles of his feet occasionally burnt as the diluted black tar touched his bare skin. Reaching the spot, he wordlessly broke few dried branches from trees around and passed it to the soldiers digging the pit with bare hands.

" Prince, you shouldn't be here. "

"And where should the military commander be except with his people laying out life in the battlefield? " He asked.

" But Prince, it is not safe here. " The chief enforcer urged.

" So, let's revert that. " Perawat took his own branch and started digging. "Together, we will make our lands safe again. "

The more blackish war accumulated in gradually forming pits, the more it sloshed while digging and started the bare skin whereever it touched.
" Rather than going deep, dig shallow and wide " Perawat instructed. So they started digging wide, there was less sloshing, thus less burning of skin.

When it was knee deep,Perawat stopped the digging." I am going to enter now and dig as deep as I can, all of you, try to take away the soil as fast as you can "

" I will enter Prince. "

" I will too..."

" me too..."

" You don't need to risk your life when we are here- "

" If any of you enter the water, it will eat at your bones as most of you are still healing and have open wounds. "

" But, Prince - "

" I have quicker healing than yours- " Without more arguments, Perawat steeped in to pit, as soon his trousers were soaked in the water, he could feel prickling like thousands of tiny ant bites on his skin.

Powering through it, he bent and dived in, connecting with the land which instantly cooperated. The water too seeped out through earth he dug instantly, taking away the evil with it, so it wouldn't burn the enforcers he would hand out soil to.

The more he dug out, the more his skin burned and bled. Although his body worked overtime to replace the burnt skin with new- the tender new skin was even more sensitive and hurt more in contact with black magicked tar.
Yet, the alpha kept digging as deep as he could, his mind set on his mate's smiling face. He needs to endure this torture to secure his mate's pack- his existence, saftey and smile.

.........

Contacting his packmates Yai got to know that his pack has reached halfway through tunnels . Calling them back was not possible. So, he took the ten members left behind and , With Prachaya on his back, Yai flew to their sister pack- Merab.

Within minutes, he landed on border of Merab, sunk in utter chaos.

The black sap had somehow infiltrated the tunnel and the non-warriors panicked. The flesh eating liquid drove the panicked pack mates to reach out as soon as possible, culminating in to a stampede.
Agonized Shouts of children especially stood out among the cacophony of pained moans, groans and cries.

Yai dropped the member to safe area of Merab and called the rain. Giving the agonised wolves momentary relief.
Taking advantage of his great speed, he started pulling his pack members one by one, out of the tunnel and tried supplying them energy, ignoring his own agony at the hand of black sap.

" Yai..." Lek shouted " It has now started eating at bones of your feet... come back. "

" Only Silas is left , he is terrified" Yai shouted back. Silas was a young omega, some ten years old. Despite Yai's mental assurements , Silas panicked seeing the black eating at his packmate's flesh. He started running back towards moon pack- unaware that the evil thing was closing on him from both sides.

" Yai..." By herculean efforts, Yai ignored his mate's pained call and entered the tunnel. The packmates had entered the short tunnel in wolf forms. Yai didnt have that advantage. His ankeneh form surely couldn't fit even mouth of tunnel which was pretty big.

He crawled in to the narrow way. All the while asking Silas to calm down and come to him . Taking one look at Yai's rapidly deforming body, Silas started running away faster.

Clenching his teeth and latching on to his beasts energy, Yai powered himself.
Catching Silas he deposited the boy on his back and started crawling back towards the mouth. It wasn't easy as it seemed. The black liquid somehow was targeting Silas. Wherever it touched the boy, it didn't burn it but it slowed him down considerably. And it was furiously eating away at Yai's organs.

The tunnel was rapidly being swallowed by black tar which has ate almost 60 percent of Yai's flesh, making him dizzy and on the verge of unconsciousness.

" Brace yourself, son." A sweet voice infiltrated his mind. It soothed him, gave him hope.
" Mae" he whispered.

" Chief " Silas shouted, half sobbing, half yelling.

Next moment, the tremors shook them, the roof of tunnel split in two, baring them the rumbling sky - streaked with thunder and painted with black clouds, the rain was gaining pace now.

Prachaya, clad in his black battle robes, floated in the sky- like an angel - angel of death.

Soon, the black tar started receeding back- towards moon pack's eastern boundary.
Prachya willed a vine to wrap around the seal on the chain in Yai's neck and pulled it, snapping the seal in half.
" Use your core strength and heal, Yai . " he ordered the ankeneh and followed the black tar.

No other omega will fall victim to the evil experiments of Sveltons. Not under his watch. Not till he has a single breath left.

Eyes sparkling blue- he chased the vile onyx tar to it's source - disguised as cluster of innocent night embers- the plant could easily fool anyone.

Feeling the vile magic buried deep underground, Prachaya and the land seethed and raged. The roiling lava bubbling with fury, warmed Prachaya's veins- he welcomed the burn, calling the divine fluid upwards.
The Earth shook, tremors vigorously wrecked the land, few trees uprooted in half.
The land around the plant cracked. It flung the plant upwards, exposing the roots spread henieously like medusa's hair, each tip of root had berry like black nodal legumes that pumped the black sap to the shoots of plant. The pathetic creature wriggled and convulsed in air, shooting the black sap in all directions.

" Die"
Prachaya condensed the air so thick that barely anything was visible. Using the block , he pushed the plant in the earth that now had a pit full of lava.
The plant tried to spring away but Prachaya had manipulated all the elements around it to contain the grotesque piece of magic.

As it slowly started being disintegrated in lava, the magic started dying down. All the black sap on the moonpack ran back to it's source to strengthen the dying source.

.......

Yai had never felt so light. As the seal snapped, energy poured, filling every single pore, each empty pit that seal had created in his core. His muscles swiftly and vigorously started knitting itself to its previous glory.

His wings unfurled and stretched to it's full length for first time in his sixteen years of life.

" Mae..." his Ankeneh guided and Yai took to sky- guided by their pack bond.

................

" Seal The earth " Prachaya ordered as if he already knew about Yai's arrival.
Yai lifted filled the pit to the brim with big and small rocks and stones. Using his dragon fire, he melted the rocks till it fused in to single land mass.

Without saying one word to Yai, Prachaya floated in to heart of the pack. Yai followed him wordlessly. There laid the soldier's in various states of healing, grieving over the alpha Prince who had sacrificed himself for their sake.

...........

Prachaya landed with a thud, on his knees , in the now empty pit , right beside the alpha's body - thinly hanging between life and death

" Alpha...." Prachaya called.

" Alpha ..." he called again, but his beloved wasn't in a state to respond.

" My alpha ..." tears pricked his eyes, carefully Gathering the alpha in his arms, he put a hand on alpha's shoulder " Heal...heal and come back to us" he channeled all his energy in to his beloved.

" Phi..." Yai cried alarmed, " You have again opened free channel with land ! "

Prachaya couldn't hear the concerned cries and objections.
Alpha's ever strengthening heart beats calmed him, soothed him. Healing has always made a coldness seep in to him as energy left his body along with tiny bits of pieces of his life force. But right now, his soul basked in comforting warmth like morning rays of sun.

Ever growing golden aura of the alpha wrapped around him, stroked him, caressed him. As if it was astral projection of alpha itself.

" I have loved the land, my people, my dream of being a kin, my weapons, my profession of healing . I have never been in love with any of these , as I find myself with you" he projected. " My alpha."

In response, colours bursted behind his eyes, lovely shades of golden and greens of spring and forest through which ran two wolves - one gold and sculpted sunlighted and other silver white- sculpted from purest of snows.

Prachaya saw himself sitting in an unfamiliar bed. Somehow he knew it was his alpha's bedchamber in palace. He sat on the fine muslin sheets, in red robes- the wedding attire of main land. His was a robe made with coveted lotus silk, died in rich red, adorned with beautiful rubies.

With comforting weight of jade pin in his hairs, and alpha's silver dagger taped to his waist, he felt his heart calming down as the alpha took steps towards him. The long cape of his robe billowed intimidatingly behind him. Prachaya couldn't take his eyes off the beaming face of his alpha.

Reaching to bed, alpha lifted the corner of his red silk robes, admiring the gold thread embroidery , he asked the omega " Do you know what does the blessings embroidered on our robes mean ? "

Prachaya shook his head " It means ' always be beloved of your mate. "

Prachaya suddenly rembered the custom Toota had told him about - Gathering his robes, he slowly climbed down the bed and
Was about to bow to the alpha when the alpha caught his arms and made him stand.

" Bowing down, was an ancient custom of Royal house of Rojanapats , my love. The omega would generally be from another nation. So it was designed to break the omega's psyche and made his ir her wolf understand that their loyalties were changed from this monent onwards. The alpha would provide his insignia, his emblem to his mate to pin on his or her robes. I already have mine embroidered on your robe. "

Prachaya looked down at his robes. There indeed was an inSignia of Perawat's house shining proud on the chest of his robe.

" Although, I have personally approved everything about your wedding robes, I regret approving one thing my omega. "

Prachaya lifted his surprised gaze, his brows raised in question. Alpha held the hem of his red silk veil in his fingers.
" This veil. " Alpha lifted the meters of fabric and unpinned in from Prachaya's head gear.

" What was I thinking while approving it ? How can I allow anything to come between us ? "

" Alphaaaa. ...." Prachaya his his face behind his palm .
" Yes, my omegaaaa...." Wrapping him in his arms, Alpha teased in same tone as Prachaya, making him bury himself in apah's chest.

In that moment, he was not Prachaya - the moontribe omega or healer or chief.
In their special world-- he was Perawat's cherished spouse. And Perawat was his beloved alpha. Not the General Perawat or Prince Rojanapat. He was moon blessed's blessing.

Another vision filled his eyes- Where his alpha sat on a stool with his broad, bare back towards him. Prachaya stood with ornate gold comb in his hands. The alpha plucked the emerald and ruby gold pin taht held his hairs up. His alpha's long waistlength hair cascaded down his chieseled back, hanging before him like a curtain of blackest silk he had ever seen.

Gently, he put the comb to the hair, sweeping bang the velvety strands, baring alpha's blissed face to the mirror infront of them.
He combed and braided, painstakingly creating the most complex hair do he knew, while his alpha kept staring at him through the mirror- unblinking, his luscious lips adorned with unfazed loving smile. " I have dreamt of this for eons" The alpha whispered.

Pracahya blushed " You know me only since a month alpha"

" Feels like thirty births. "

" We can only have seven incarnations. "

"Let a man live his dream, my heart. "

" And what dreams are you having ? "

" Right now? " Alpha smirked " I am dreaming of not having enough time to dream ... "

" What does that even mean, alpha ? "

The alpha turned to him, holding his hand, he tugged Parchaya down to his height
"Would you like to find the meaning together, my dearest ?"

Seeing mischief glinting in alpha's eyes, Prachaya fairly guessed the meaning. He swatted Alpha's head with gold comb in his hand " Pervert alpha. "

" Ouch..." Alpha rubbed the smacked spot on his head " Now kiss the pain away..." he ordered tapping at crown of his head.

Obliging, Prachaya bent down, intending to peck the spot he had smacked but the alpha pulled his head back, making Prachaya's lips land on his lips.

" Alpha- " Prachaya's protests were swallowed down by alpha's eager lips

The colours melded to another shade - now he stood before his alpha, clad in black robes- two swords in his hands. The alpha too had two long blades. Next moment the clanging blade didn't fill fear in him, instead it arouse hunger - which was not quite his own but also his at the same time.
The colours melted again- now his alpha had him pinned by his sword held wrist behind his back-against the wall of their training room . They stood wordless- but not quiet per se. Alpha's ever blackening pupils did the talking. His gaze roving up and down did the talking.
" Do you yield my love ? " Alpha whispered in his ear.
Prachaya shook his head. Alpha slipped one of his legs between his, his body now stuck to Prachaya's " Now my love ? "
Prachaya bit his lips, smile dancing in his eyes , he shook his head again.
" Don't complain later, you have forced me to bring out my most deadliest weapon " Alpha threatened.
Prachaya raised his brow in question and alpha leaned in to crook of his neck, his tongue traced the twin fang marks - raising army of marching tremors over Prachaya's body - his grip on the sword loosened and it fell with a clang.
" I'm jealous of your sword..." Alpha Saif " Hold me , like you hold him. "

" Him ? It's an object , alpha. "

" It's my love rival " Alpha whined like a petulant child. " You don't hold me same."
Smirking, Prachaya wrapped his sword hand around alpha's throat " like this alpha? "
Grinning, alpha covered Prachaya's hand over his throat and tightened his grip, placing Prachaya's free hand on curve of his hip , alpha stared in to Prachaya's eyes " Like this." Alpha slid his hand over Prachaya's and interlocked their fingers
" use me to your pleasure like you use my love rival..."

" Alpha! " Prachaya protested wide eyed " I don't use my sword for my pleasure or satisfaction" . Prachaya's scandalous expressions only served to surge the mischievous side of alpha.

" So you are saying you leave my bed cold, at the crack of dawn, to train with weapons- something which doesn't even make you happy ? "

" I never said it doesn't bring me joy. "

" See... joy , pleasure - same thing my dearest. "

" You are incorrigible my alpha " Prachaya narrowed his eyes " And what are you complaining about ? Don't you accompany me to my morning training routine ? You don't even let anyone else practice within miles from me much less spar with me . . "

" How can I let someone else witness our pleasuring session "

"What pleasuring! It's sparring routine alpha ! "

" You just admitted it brings you pleasure. It brings me pleasure to see you taking your pleadure , so that makes it a pleasuring-"

" It's not the same alpha-"

" I know. It can never compare with pleasure I give you..."

" Alpha ! " Prachaya scolded. " Stop spouting nonsense. And it isn't pleasuring session... if you are going to spout nonsense, I am going to lock you out of training hall."

" What ? Why ? This is so unfair, my heart "

" I am not going to fall for that innocent charming face, alpha. "

"So, you find me charming ? "

" If I had not , would I have mated you? "

Alpha's melodious laugh poured like warm honey in to his ears and filled his heart with warmth. His four stranded bond with land pulsated with new vigor as the fifth golden strand looped it self in to the the medley of red( fire element, ) , blue ( water element ) , green( earth element) and white( air element).
..............

Mesmerised, Yai watched the melted ribs of alpha grow back, the muscles formed, knitting together before the newly healed skin covered it.

Phi Prachaya had his eyes closed, his lips parted in a slight smile.

The dazed pair,suddenly started shining blinding white.
His ankeneh picked up the raising frequencies in the nature. The heartbeats of chief and Prince Perawat were syncing, growing in harmony until they started beating as one.

His heart knew that the unconsciously alpha not only bonded on a soul level with Phi Prachaya but the land too. The moontribe now had a chief that was not a member of moontribe.

And alpha had a soul bond that was not initiated by physical bonding and was being fed by divine magic of the land.

" Heal..." through the pack bond, he heard a musical voice in his
ears. Phi Prachaya had opened their soup bond to the pack- the golden energy flowed through their pack bond like warm like sun, soothing like lullaby.

All the soldier's around him had started healing at rapid pace. Yai was all healed but he still basked on comforting energy of his pack mother and assuring presence of the Breeder.

Yep! That is what mate's of pack mother's were called in Ankeneh society.
Yai could only imagine alpha's face if he ever come to know that. The thought made him chuckle a little.

" Yai, your eyes..."

" Oh shit! " he tried to blink the colour back but it did not work.

Yai panicked, he ran to the lake, it reflected his red rimmed pupils- telltale sign of an ankeneh. Yai reached for his seal but it was broken . He had no way to hide himself now! The prince was here too!
What will he do now ?

" Yai " came Lek's voice in mindlink. " Thank god! I was trying to contact you for so long. "

" How are you mate? " his ankeneh surged.

" I am fine. Whatever scratches I had, healed just now by Phi. How are you? You blocked our mate bond. "

Yes, he did. Because he was about to die and he didn't want his mate to share the intense agony. That is why Phi broke his seal to unlock his power and now it can even cost Phi his life. He can be charged as traitor and trailed under laws of sedition.

" Yai ... we won't let phi take the blame. You hide in our caves. " Lek replied. " I will come to you tonight with some elders, we will visit the witches and make you a seal by tomorrow."

..........
Next update : will take 8-10 days.

I did not get time to complete next chapter of Tug of war . But, I am working on it. We will soon see an update on it : )