The Throne and the Wolf (BakuDeku)

Chapter 18: The Hunt

Prince Izuku stepped back and turned to face the towering trees. The hunt was about to begin.

The Omega Prince began running, the route that he's been meticulously practising the previous day was at the forefront of his mind. His parents had told him to simply focus on that, one of the two Alpha Princes would catch him and scent him.

He was quite surprised to feel excited about this trial. When his mother had initially approached him with the tradition, he had thought it barbaric and dramatically outdated. Yet, now he was running through the forest, he felt deeply connected with his inner Omega. Whichever Alpha was to catch him first would become his Alpha, mate and husband.

Izuku hadn't been told where the Betas had been positioned. His only involvement had been to give them some of his clothes that he'd saturated in his scent. They were to wear the clothes to hide their own scents. Uraraka had been rather excited to be involved, brushing off her Prince's concerns. Izuku couldn't help but feel a sense of unease about the plan. If he was going to be targeted again, then Uraraka and the other Betas could be seriously hurt. He would never forgive himself for that.

The three checkpoints were positioned roughly at equal intervals along Izuku's route, where a hidden Alpha guard would be waiting for him before reporting back to the Queen. The two Alpha Princes were not to know about them. Whilst hunting, their Alpha senses will be heightened and would most likely see the guards as a threat. Princes Bakugo and Todoroki could fight one another during this trial if they so wished but that was it.

Izuku knew the route well, he'd planned out each step during the previous day's rehearsals. Certain tree roots were more of an obstacle to his small build, something he'd unfortunately discovered yesterday. He knew that it wouldn't be long before the bruises appeared across his legs and arms. He was grateful for the practice, though his muscles did feel sore from all of the running.

The Omega could see the first checkpoint up ahead.

Three specific trees had been chosen, wrapped in bright purple flowers so that Izuku could easily identify the checkpoints he had to reach.

He could see his first one up ahead. He was almost there. Even without the markers, he knew this forest well. The Omega had spent time here as a young pup, exploring and learning about nature. He had always been a keen learner, something that he hoped to pass onto his own pups. Pups that he would be having with one of the two Alphas not far behind him.

Izuku didn't have time to think about that right now. No, he needed to focus and make sure he reached the trees in time. He had to follow the plan.

The Omega's own scenes were heightened. Although he couldn't hear as well as Alphas, he was more aware than he ever had been. Izuku couldn't help but listen out for the inevitable approaching footsteps of the two Alphas tracking him. The thought made him giddy.

He had seen their eyes dilate when he'd given them the scented fabrics. He'd been instructed to make it pungent, and so he'd done just that. He wiped the fabrics all over his body, even between his legs. He wouldn't be surprised if Prince Bakugo recognised the smell of his slick from their dreams. Izuku chuckled at the thought. When had he become this mischievous?

He was now at the tree. He placed his hand against it and began running again. He knew that he would be caught soon, he best get moving.

This part of the forest was a little denser. The trees were closer together and Izuku had to watch where he was putting his feet. He's fallen a lot in this section yesterday, a lot.

Today, however, that would not be happening. No, he would be making it through without tripping or adding to his collection of bruises. A nice hot bath would be waiting for him after this trial. The thought spurred him on.