Onyx swung his axe above his head, grunting as he split a log in two.

Jude trailed up behind him, examining the black markings covering his upper bodies. He was shirtless, sweatpants hanging from his hips.

Onyx glanced over his broad shoulder, furrowing his brow.

"The hell are you going here so early?" Onyx growled. His mate was sleeping, the window of their bedroom in his eyesight. The new territory was putting him on edge. The sun was just beginning to rise.

"Pack members are unsettled with your popping in. At least the ones that are old enough to remember what happened."

Onyx gave him an odd look, "I could've told you that."

"I remembered you're usually up at the crack of dawn. Even as pups, figured I'd give you a fair warning before the meeting later today."

Onyx nodded at Jude's gesture. "They got a lot bigger... since they started appearing," he nodded towards the black markings.

"Yeah, they grew as I did. They've stopped now," he answered awkwardly. His eyes caught sight of Doctor Finley. The damn cat came in and out as they pleased through the kitchen window. Demi had seen this and insisted keeping it open as a flowerbed was beneath it.

The cat rubbed against his legs.

"That damn thing had been staying in this house?" Jude scoffed. "It's a vagrant on the lands."

Onyx grunted, "My mates taken a liking."

"Let us know if you want it gone."

"They're fine," he narrowed his eyes. Didn't he just say his mate liked them?

An awkward beat of silence fell upon them, Jude threw his thumb over his shoulder. "I'll see you at the meeting hall later... it's nice to see you doing well Onyx. I mean that."

Onyx looked at his childhood friend, nodding at him reluctantly. When he was out of sight, Onyx felt more comfortable and gripped the firewood he'd collected.

The cat trailed behind him as he went inside to strengthen the fire. He needed to make sure Demi was warm as she adjusted to the drastic change in temperature.

He rolled his shoulders tiredly, the cat trailing off to food Demi left out. Onyx didn't waste any time stripping himself of his pants to slide back in next to Demi.

She hummed as his warmth surrounded her, her eyes fluttering a little.

"Where'd you go?" she croaked tiredly.

"Firewood," he mumbled into her neck.

Demi frowned with her eyes closed, turning around to bury her face in his chest. "How do you feel being back here?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Not great, but it'll help in the long run. Today might be... difficult. After this meeting, I- I want to tell you everything tonight."

Demi's heart skipped a beat, anxious to hear about Onyx's past. She wanted to be able to understand him and help him better.

"Demi," he inhaled sharply as he toyed with his shirt that she wore. "Do you... want to call me by my given name? I know it's weird- actually never mind that was stupid-"

She smiled and pressed her hand to his mouth. "That's not stupid, asking me something like that will never be stupid, silly. I'd love to call you Griffin if you want me to. I'll only do it when we're alone, is that okay?"

He nudged her nose with his own, before resting his head on her chest.

"I'd like that," Onyx mumbled.

The two laid in silence, everything felt surreal to Onyx.

Images of children clambering around a small cabin like this filled his mind. A swollen Demi carrying his pup made him dig his face deeper into her body. The wedding, Demi dreamed of crossing his mind.

"I can feel your face getting red," Demi ran her fingers through his hair.

He didn't respond as he spiraled with thoughts of the future. Did he want kids all of a sudden?

Sure, if Demi wanted children he was more than willing to try but he never found himself wishing for them until now.

He slid his hand up to palm her stomach, grazing his thumb over her smooth skin.

"How many kids do you want?" he asked lowly. Demi looked down at his dark head of hair in surprise.

She didn't falter though, if she did he would stop talking about it. "Maybe just one... or two. But that's it, not a lot. Pregnancy and birth are such... difficult processes I don't know how many times I'd be able to go through it."

He hummed, he could handle one or two?

"You thinking about it?"

Onyx nodded slowly, tightening his hold on her.

"In like... a good way or bad way?" Demi worried.

"Good way," he ensured.

"Cool, cool, cool," she bit her lip nervously. Thinking about the future was scary. "That's good."

He smiled against her skin, not often was she flustered. It was always him.

"We can build the Pack and settle down when we've handled all of this," he proposed.

Her face felt hot, it was such a change of pace to have Onyx making plans for their future. Demi nodded eagerly, "I'd like that."

~

Demi held Onyx's hand as he lead them towards the meeting hall.

"Are they going to be mean?" Demi whispered nervously.

"Probably just to me, princess."

Demi suddenly glared, "No, we won't be having that." Her nervousness was gone.

Onyx glanced at her worriedly, "Demi behave."

Her eyes glanced up at the sky as she followed something flying around, blinking repeatedly.

"It's very noisy here," She mentioned distractedly. Onyx squinted as he was still concerned she'd do something to the pack members.

"Noise from the Void?"

"Mhm, I think it's because they're so close to the humans."

They're conversation was cut off as Wolves who were sat outside of the meeting hall began to stare. Within a couple minutes, Onyx found himself facing the entirety of the pack behind Jude.

"We've been given an opportunity to help the Legions Council, we're in negotiation for what we need. Obviously, we need a couple things. In exchange, our guests- Onyx and Demi will stay on the land. We're going to give them man power if necessary," Jude looked over the crowd. His eyes were worried as no one looked pleased.

"Onyx will be speaking on what exactly he needs from us."

Chatter sounded, the crowd growing rowdy and openly showing their displeasure.

"We're here under direction of the Legion. Like Jude mentioned," he started. His deep, raspy voice amplified by the microphone. Demi examined the suspicious eyes of everyone around them.

"We all have a common threat that resides too close for comfort by your pack. A group of humans are putting together weapons that extract magic from supernatural species, specifically witches or warlocks."

Onyx took a pause, looking down at Demi.

"This has affected my mate and her family in particular. Most of you probably know the Bordoa's. But before you assume it only affects magic wielders, when they get a handle on this weapon of theirs who will they target? That's why we've come to you and are looking forward to working with you to putting a stop to this."

Onyx gripped the podium as he stared down the Wolves in the front. Some began growing louder, openly disagreeing.

"You have no way of knowing this will affect us!" A man yelled out. Onyx sighed through his nose, leaning forward.

"It's common sense."

Demi rolled her eyes at his tactless approach. If we were going to be rude- we might as well go all in.

Demi gripped the mic while the man yelled about him not being an idiot.

"Why do you think they camped right next to your pack, hm?" Her soft voice was now ringing through the speakers. Everyone quieted as they remembered the Witch.

"They picked your pack specifically because you have no Alpha, poor defenses, and no discipline. You're future test subjects, it's surprising you haven't been attacked before this," Demi tapped her feet to a song she had stuck in her head.

"So, listen to my mate and maybe you'll survive another year here, yes?"

The crowd was quiet and a woman spoke up, "The Onyx Wolf leaves a trail of death wherever he goes! How are we supposed to trust him."

Onyx's eyes cut to Demi who's charming smile fell. The woman paled at the unamused face pointed at her.

The lady shrieked when Demi was in front of her in a flash.

Demi held the microphone with two hands while looking up at the woman in pity. Onyx rubbed his face tiredly.

"You know I heard the humans have been known to target obnoxious, old women first."

The woman's face went red as Onyx and Jude's jaws dropped.

"You need an Alpha. My mate is that. You need protection, a powerful Wolf and Witch walk on your land offering these things and you question it? Not very smart. Especially with those patrol routes you've been doing. An eight minute gap is dangerous these days. But! Nonetheless... we can leave you here defenseless- weak."

A sly smile pulled at her lips as Demi looked at the woman. She spun the mic in her hand while examining the ones staring at her, teleporting back to her mates side. Jude quickly gripped the microphone as Wolves began to panic.

"W-We are not defenseless!" He gave the Witch a sharp look. She wasn't even looking at him, tapping her feet in odd patterns while holding her mates arm.

"I-I'm sure the patrol shifts are efficient..." the pack's outcry only grew louder as their temporary leader floundered.

Onyx smirked to himself, Demi always was good at stirring the pot.

"If you'd allow me to, I could set up a more efficient patrol route and shift changes. As well as better training regimen. You need it," Onyx gruffed loud enough for the mic to pick it up.

Jude looked at everyone, "Can we all agree to that?"

No one spoke against it.

"Good. As of now, you will refer to Onyx as Alpha. I will be working with him to improve our living situation. And choosing what the Legion will be compensating us with." Everyone began dispersing, eyeing the powerful couple warily. Darting their gaze back down at the chance of being caught.

Onyx wrapped his arm around Demi's waist. She was stifling her giggles while watching everyone be so scared of them.

She wouldn't hurt a fly... Demi chuckled at her own sarcastic comment.

Onyx grinned smally at his mates laughs, even if he didn't know what she was so giddy about.

They walked out after everyone, when everyone was far away enough Onyx lifted Demi.

She squealed as he swung her up and wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Have I told you you're amazing?"

"Not today," she wrapped her arms around his neck while biting her lip to hide a smile.

"Well, have I told you I think it's sexy when you scare people?"

"Oh, that old thing?" She joked before bursting out laughing. He kissed up her neck, god this woman.

"You mean so much to me, so much Demi. My pretty baby." His lips brushed her chocolatey skin, sucking on a sensitive spot.

Demi tightened her hold on him, breath hitching as he touched her so delicately. She could feel his warmth with each caress of his fingers.

Onyx hummed contently while inhaling her scent as he approached their cabin.

The meowing of Finley caught both of their attention.

Both saw them scratching at the door.

Demi suddenly looked at Onyx sharply, "Did you shut the window?"

"You were going to be cold Demi!"

"It's okay you keep me warm!" Onyx's shoulders fell in defeat and endearment.

He grumbled lowly, "...Fine."

Onyx cupped her butt with one hand and opened the door for the three of them.

~~

I took my adhd medicine at 11:30 at night and it's currently 3:50 am as i edit this chapter before i post later today

i have hiccups and i'm unable to sleep- not my brightest idea lmao
but
vote and comment!!:))