Instincts : usuk story

Chapter 8

Alfred's ears flicked as he stood beside Red, other pack members circling the ones still transforming. The younger wolf raised his muzzle and sniffed.

"They're on their way." Alfred glanced over to Red. "They aren't even waiting for their own to finish transforming. They are intent on killing some of us off."

Red nodded, looking over his shoulder at his pack. "They want desperately to even the score, even if it means leaving their own venerable. Køhler! Belshmidts! Carriédo!"

The four wolves looked up, then trotted over to their alpha and bowed. "Yes, Alpha?" Ludwig was the first to speak. The reason he was a wolf as well as his older brother was because both of their parents were wolves.

Red nodded his head in the direction the other pack was coming from. "They're on their way. I want you to go around them and attack those they left behind to shift."

His pack member's ears all flattened, but they nodded, not willing to question Alpha. "Of course."

"Kill them." Alfred bit back a response and the four other wolves nearly whimpered, but nodded and dashed off into the trees.

Alfred lowered his head, ears flattened. "Why? Why kill them like this? That's cruel and unjust-"

Red's green eyes narrowed down at Alfred. "Do not question me, pup. Just do as I say. They will kill them. If not, there will be a severe punishment. Now go watch over the few that are still shifting. I'll watch for the other pack."

Alfred nodded, head lowering further as he backed off the boulder and padded over to his friends. He sat beside a smaller wolf whom had just finished transformation. "They're almost here, Toris. We have to protect the others."

Toris whimpered, but nodded. Alfred gently nudged the smaller, older wolf. "I'll get up... Just-just a moment..." Alfred nodded, eyes glancing over every still-changing pack members. "Thank you, Alfred... You'd make a great leader, like everyone says."

Alfred looked back down at Toris in surprise. "The pack is talking about me being a leader?" Toris only nodded as a response, trying to push himself onto his paws. Alfred stood and helped Toris up. A leader...

~

Alfred sighed, slumping in the bleachers. He glanced up as Arthur sat beside him, a concerned look on his face. "What's the matter? You've been down all day."

The werewolf shook his head and buried his face in his hands. "Red... had us kill the other pack's members as they were still shifting. Well, not 'us', but Mathias and Gilbert and Ludwig and Antonio... Mathias and Gilbert couldn't go into work today and Lovino says Antonio is close to having panic attacks. Ludwig is stoic as always, but he's... We can't go against Red... He's our Alpha, but he has us do horrible things to 'teach them a lesson.' We need a new leader."

Arthur tilted his head, shuffling closer. "Does your pack talk a out a new leader?"

"Yeah." Alfred looked up at Arthur. "I just didn't know until last night. Toris says that everyone has been saying that I would make a good leader."

"Then challenge him." Arthur placed his hand on Alfred's leg. "You would make a great leader, Alfred. Challenge Red and-"

"You have no idea how difficult that is." Alfred sighed and stood. "Werewolves are completely and totally loyal to their leaders. I'd need other members to back me up. Also, he's so much older than I am. He has more experience and he's smarter. He'll kill me, Arthur. Then he'll hurt those that backed me up. I won't let anyone get hurt."

"Which is why you'd make a better leader." Arthur stood and took both of Alfred's hands. "But I understand. You don't want anyone hurt." Arthur weaved his fingers through Alfred's. Alfred leaned down, pressing his forehead onto Arthur's head.

The younger man sighed. "I'll think about it." Arthur hummed in question. "I'll think about challenging him. Maybe if I challenge him, you and I can be together freely. Life might be easier at some points and harder at others. Leading a pack is no easy feat."

Arthur smiled. "It probably isn't, but I will be with you and so will your pack."

Alfred chuckled. "You say that like you're my mate." Arthur looked up to meet Alfred's gaze. Alfred's teasing grin fell. "Oh... Arthur, I don't..." Alfred straightened and pulled back. "I..."

"Alfred, wait." Arthur took a step forward, nearly pressing their bodies together. "We don't have to do anything... I just... I really have fallen in love with you in this time of knowing you. I want to be with you, Alfred..."

The werewolf gulped, fingers squeezing Arthur's hands. "Arthur..." Alfred's mouth stayed open as he tried to find words, but none came. Arthur's expression saddened, becoming a look of dejection. Quickly, Alfred tugged Arthur to him, wrapping his arms tightly around the Brit's slim waist and crushing their lips together. Arthur curled his fingers in the fabric of Alfred's sweatshirt, kissing back feverishly. "Slowly," Alfred whispered once they pulled apart, panting softly. "We take it slow." Arthur nodded, staring into Alfred's eyes.

"Of course."