Fur and Fang [BXB]

Four

Fenn stood in his hospital room bathroom and stared into the mirror. He was gaunt and pale, but the bruises were subsiding. He was sad to say he couldn't recognize himself.

During his imprisonment, he only ever faced the reality of what he was: an Omega.

Omegas were a rare and coveted prize among the werewolf community. Characterized by the human and wolf bodies being of different genders, Omegas possessed a very valuable ability. Male Omegas could bear children through their female wolves and female Omegas could impregnate other females through their male wolves. Unlike most wolves, who could only successfully reproduce through a mate bond, Omegas could produce children with anybody. This meant that widowed, rejected, or mateless wolves who needed heirs to carry on their bloodline found them particularly desirable. And since Omegas were so rare, desperate people were willing to do diabolical things to get what they wanted.

When Fenn first shifted, it was obvious that he was an Omega. Not only was he noticeably smaller than his peers, but his wolf had been female. The news spread quickly and it wasn't long before the wrong people found out about it.

That's why he'd been targeted. And that's why he had to keep it a secret now.

A knock sounded on the door, making him flinch. "Are you okay in there?"

He recognized Atlas's voice. Instead of answering with words, he simply opened the door.

Atlas towered over him and, like most males his age, was very well built. The difference between them was almost comical. In another life, Fenn may have been just as muscular. Although, his parents had only been Theta wolves so he still probably wouldn't have lived up to an Alpha's power.

"I brought you some clothes," Atlas said. "They're probably a bit big on you, but they're clean."

"Thank you," he said, taking them from the Alpha and retreating back into the bathroom to put them on.

Before unfolding them, Fenn stuck his nose into the fabric and inhaled. They, too, smelled really good. He wondered whether Atlas had some sort of cologne or if, perhaps, it was his natural scent. If it was the latter, Fenn might get a bit jealous. He wished he smelled that good.

Not wasting any more time, Fenn stripped out of his old clothes and donned the oversized t-shirt and basketball shorts.

Leaving the old stuff folded on the counter, Fenn reemerged. Atlas had been staring out the window, but he turned as the boy re-entered the room.

"I was hoping we could talk a bit," Atlas said.

"About what?" Fenn asked as he sat back on the hospital bed.

"This," Atlas said, gently reaching out to hold Fenn's hand.

Fenn was confused and simply stared down at where they touched.

"I'm not sure I know what you mean," Fenn said, almost prying his hand out of the other man's.

Atlas frowned, his skin tingling in remembrance of his mate's touch. "Do you not feel it?"

"Feel what?"

"The bond," Atlas explained like it was obvious.

"The bond?" Fenn repeated.

Atlas looked at him as if he was in pain. Fenn couldn't stand the pressure in that look, so he simply looked down at the hands he had clasped in his lap.

The silence stretched uncomfortably between them until Fenn finally broke it with a small, uncertain voice.

"My wolf has been dormant for almost a year." It was almost a whisper.

Anger bloomed in Atlas's chest, but he choked it down. It was not directed at Fenn, so there was no use in showing it to him.

"You should tell the doctor that," Atlas said. "There might be something we can do to help him wake up."

Fenn nodded, drawing his knees up to his chest. It was a good thing that the Alpha presumed his wolf was male. It meant he didn't suspect him of being an Omega.

"Are we mates, then?" Fenn found himself asking.

Now Atlas nodded.

Fenn looked away again. He wasn't sure what to think of that. That nagging feeling deep inside him warned him that the Alpha might be lying. With his wolf gone, he was vulnerable. If the Alpha had figured out he was an Omega, pretending to be his mate would be an excellent way to trick him into bearing a child.

"I know you're probably not ready for all that entails," Atlas said with a sigh. "We can take things slow. Even pause it entirely if you need time to just heal. Just say the word."

Fenn observed the male for a few minutes. Atlas seemed a fitting name, because in that moment, he looked like he had the whole world on his shoulders.

"I..." Fenn was hesitant with his answer. "I think I need time. I want my wolf to confirm what you've said before anything goes further."

"I understand," Atlas said, though he couldn't hide his disappointment.

Fenn felt an urge to cheer him up for some reason, so he continued. "In the meantime, I wouldn't mind if we got to know each other a little better."

The Alpha looked at him, the ghost of a smile spreading on his lips.

"I think we can manage that."

^°^°^°^
A/N

If you had a mate, what would their scent smell like to you? 

I love the smell of fresh baked bread and fresh cookies, as well as vanilla and sugary scents.

Thanks for reading,
-Mora Montgomery