21 New Start

The bars to my cell rattled as the door to the dungeons opened with a loud bang. I groggily sat up on my dirty excuse of a bed and watched as my two brothers manhandled a young boy into the cell near mine. They threw him onto the small mat on the floor and locked the cell door. They each glared at me as I looked back at them with indifference.

For the past ten years, I have lived in that small, dank cell, ever since my thirteenth birthday. I had shifted and presented as an omega male. My father had at least been kind enough to my mother not to kill me but he couldn't allow me to leave either. Apparently, no one could know he sired an omega male. His two other sons, my brothers, was an alpha and a beta, he wouldn't have the shame of people knowing I came from him.

At first, I cried and screamed to be released, begged even until my throat was sore. Father wouldn't allow it and at first, Mother wasn't allowed to see me. Instead, my brothers would come and give me food, or rather throw food at me, taunting me with their harsh and disgusting words. Sometimes they would eat my food in front of me before leaving, forcing me to starve. That stopped when Mother was allowed to bring me food.

The young man stirred a little, bringing me from my memories, as I laid back down. Many had come and gone from the other cell. In the beginning, I had attempted to talk with them, learn about the outside world. I never told them why I was there, some never asked anyway and the ones that did would eventually give up asking. Many had agreed to help me escape but none had actually done it. They would only promise that so I would tell them a secret that could help them. About how to pry open the gates of their cells.

"He...hello," a quiet voice spoke, I didn't turn around.

"Pl...ease, where am I?" he asked. He sounded so small and fragile just like I had been. Though he looked younger than I was when I first came down here. Turning over I gave him a glare.

"You are in a dungeon, now be quiet, I want to sleep," I growled, making him flinch. I did feel a little bad at that but I was too tired. My leg had been hurting from laying on this stupidly hard mat for too long. Sleep was always difficult, so I had to take it when I could and I had been almost there when they brought him in.

"I'm so...sor..sorry," he mumbled, making me feel like a jerk. Sighing, I turned over and sat up again.

"No, I'm sorry. What's your name? Mine is Daniel," I offered.

"Harry,'" he gave me a sad, small smile. "I want to go home," I could see and hear him start to cry.

I don't know why but for the first time in years I found myself wanting to help the young boy.

"Wait until dark and I will help you escape," I told him. His pale eyes lit up with what looked like a bit of hope, I wasn't sure if it would work but I had to at least try.

"Really?" he asked. I nodded and sighed.

"Do you know why they took you?"

He shook his head, fresh tears falling. Sighing again, I moved a little closer.

"Listen, I can't promise that this will work, but others have done it so it stands a good chance. Try and get some rest, it won't be dark for a while." He nodded and then moved to lay down on his equally disgusting mattress.

For some reason this little boy made me want to finally do something I should have done years before when I discovered the secret about the bars. The only thing that stopped me was my mother. I hope she understands.

Later that night, once I thought the coast was clear I stood and lifted my cell door. The weak hinges lifted and separated, I carefully put it back just in case I was found. Those two idiot brothers of mine could never figure out how the others escaped. I did the same for Harry's cell and then we sneaked up the cold, stone steps. The large house was silent, as we slowly made our way through. His small hand shook in mine and he jumped at every little sound. Once we were outside I raced to the tree line just in case anyone happened to be looking out of one of the windows.

Knowing he couldn't shift yet I reluctantly shifted into my wolf, the first time in ten years, and he climbed on top of me. I raced as fast as my weak legs could take me, but the effort of carrying him and running was already becoming too much.

Suddenly, we were surrounded by a group of wolves growling and snarling. In the bright moonlight, I could see how sharp their fangs were. Instantly I saw my death and welcomed it. The little boy jumped down and stood in front of me as though he could stop their attack.

My weak body shifted back and I collapsed. I was vaguely aware of Harry calling my name and asking someone else for help. Then I was being carried in a pair of strong, warm arms. For the first time in ten years, I felt safe, a feeling that I knew better than to accept.

---

"How is this possible?"

A deep, husky voice filled my ears pulling me from the best sleep I have had in ten years. I was vaguely aware of a soft mattress and pillow underneath me. For a moment I was confused. My hands gingerly moved around expecting it to be a dream and to feel the hard, moist mattress that has been my bed since I was thirteen. Instead, I felt the soft fabrics and smelt the clean cloth. My head and limbs ached as I slowly opened my eyes but instantly closed them again. The room was too bright.

'Am I dead?' I thought as I tried to open my eyes again, slower this time. Once accustomed to the light I looked around. I was in a bedroom. From the toys scattered on the floor, I assumed it was a child's.

'Why am I in a child's room?' Then the events from before came back. The young boy, Harry, the escape and then collapsing once we are surrounded by lots of wolves. Slowly I sat up and instantly heard a rush of feet.

"Daniel! You're awake," Harry's bright face came into view as he attempted to help me sit up. He arranged the pillows so I could lean back on them. My body was already tired from the effort of moving. I had no idea how I would manage to escape if my body was already giving up from just moving a little.

I gave the small boy a nod and smile. He climbed on the bed and moved to sit next to me. His smile was infectious and I found my small smile widening. His brown eyes twinkled with happiness and I became instantly glad of what I did. Who knows what my father or brothers would have done to dim this little boy's light.

"Where am I?" I asked him, my voice a little hoarse. Suddenly, a small glass of water was pushed in front of my face. Startled, I stared up into the face of a young-looking woman who had a friendly smile on her face.

"Drink this, you had a lot of nightmares in the three days you've been out."

"Three days!" I all but shouted.

She nodded and placed the glass closer to my mouth. With her help, I was able to drink the freshest and cleanest water I had ever had. I gladly gulped it down and groaned at the taste. She chuckled as I eyed the empty glass as if I expected it to magically refill.

"Would you like another?" she asked, I nodded eagerly.

"I'll go get a big jug," Harry shouted before racing off the bed and out the door. The woman chuckled at him whilst I just smiled. She then turned her attention back to me, her smile had lessened.

"Now that he's gone can you tell me how and why you helped him? All he would say when we found you was that he saved you, and your name."

I nodded and tried to move again but winched in pain. A sudden sound from the other side of the room had me jumping in shock. A formidable-looking man stood leaning against the wall. His thick, muscular arms were crossed over his chest and his steel, cold eyes glared at me. I should have felt scared or nervous but I didn't. His deep, brown eyes pulled me in and I couldn't do anything to look away. My breath froze in my lungs as my heart hammered away. His eyes are pulled from mine to look back at the woman. That small break allowed me to regain some self-control and I blushed. The woman was looking back and forth between us with a knowing look.

"I'm sorry … What was your question?" I asked her again, blushing even harder. She smirked and repeated her question without commenting on why I needed it repeating.

"Oh! Well, I was in the cell next to his when he was brought in. I told him I could get him out and I did," what else could I say. She nodded and looked back at the man before looking at me again. I intentionally kept my eyes on her.

"Why and how did you help him?" she asked.

"I've been a prisoner there since I was thirteen," I said with a shrug of my shoulders. Not missing her look of shock.

"How old are you now?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Twenty-three,"

She gasped and the man growled forcing my eyes back to him. He looked away, looking out the window but I could see his jaw clenching and unclenching. I could feel his anger rolling off him like waves of water down a waterfall. My eyebrows crossed and my brain hurt.

'Is he angry at me for escaping? Does he think I should have stayed there?' I thought that those could be the only possible reasons as to why he was angry.

"You've been locked up for 10 years?" she said and I nodded. "Why were you locked up? didn't you try to escape before this then?"

"My fath… I mean alpha ordered me to stay there and my mother was allowed to come and see me. I didn't want to get her in trouble," I explained, cursing myself for almost letting slip that I was sired by the alpha. He would be furious if people knew about our link.

"Your alpha? Do you mean your father? That's what you were about to say right?" the look of fear on my face must have been startling as she gasped.

"No no! Not my father, please he's just my alpha," I begged her to agree with me. My fear had allowed me to move my weak body into an almost kneeling position as I put my hands together and lowered my head. The sudden rush of adrenaline waned and I almost fell forward but she stopped me and laid me back down.

Exhaustion overtook me without warning then and when I opened my eyes again the room was darker, with only a faint glow from a small fire in the fireplace. As I came around I became aware of voices. One was the woman and man from before.

"Do you really think his father locked him away? He said he was thirteen so he must have done it after he shifted for the first time. That explains why the others thought his wolf seemed thin compared to other omega's," she said.

"His father must have believed the legends about the omega curse and couldn't bring himself to kill him. What I don't understand is why he was locked up? He could have banished him, or even locked him in a room. Why in a cell?" the deep voice spoke.

"It's because he didn't want anyone to find out about me," I must have startled them. They jumped slightly and turned to me quickly. "He would have killed me if it hadn't been for my mother pleading with him, but I wasn't allowed to be discovered. He said he couldn't have anyone knowing he sired an omega."

The woman came to my side whilst the man just stood there. His gaze swiped over me before returning to my eyes. I willed my body not to react to his gaze, now was not the time to get an erection.

"You poor thing," she said softly as she took a wet cloth and wiped my face. I hadn't realised I had been sweating.

"My name is Mary, Harry is my son. This is my older brother Tanner, he is the alpha of our pack. You are safe here Daniel. We don't believe the omega curse nonsense so no one will harm you." She sounded genuine but I wasn't sure. The death glare that Tanner constantly had when he looked at me had me second-guessing. I looked at Tanner and he was still glaring. Mary followed my gaze when I shrank back. She stood up and hit her brother on the shoulder.

"Stop glaring, you big oaf! You're scaring him," Tanner turned his glare towards her but it softened slightly.

"He can stay here long enough to get his strength back," he growled. Mary glared now.

"He can stay forever if he wants to," she told him. "He rescued my son, your nephew. He didn't have to, he was weak. Yet he risked his life to save his."

For a moment I was confused as to who was really the alpha, she had quite a power over him. Tanner glared before finally giving in with a sigh.

"Fine he can stay," he agreed before leaving. Mary turned to me, a triumphant look on her face.

"He's a teddy bear really," she chuckled. "So, can you tell me what happened?" her face turned serious.

"My brothers brought him and he was scared. He didn't know why he was there and I have no idea why they would take him. I learnt over the years to ignore whoever is in the second cell. At first, I would agree to help them escape if they would help me. They would agree and I would tell them how but then they would leave me. When Harry spoke to me I couldn't ignore him. He sounded just like me when I was first put in that cell. So, I told him I would help him escape once it was dark. The rest you know," I told her my body sagging a little more.

"Get some rest Daniel, once you're strong enough we will show you to your own room. Harry would be very happy to share with you but something tells me that it's probably best if you have your own room." She said with a soft smile on her face. It reminded me of my mums.

I gave her a questioning look. Why would I need a room of my own? I'm just happy to be in a room instead of a cell.

---

The next day Harry bounced on the bed next to me, excited that I was staying. To be honest, I haven't decided if I was going to stay yet. Despite what Mary says I know Tanner doesn't want me here and if he doesn't then others won't either.

"It will be so much fun, once I shift we can run together in the woods. I have never seen a pure white wolf before. You looked awesome!"

Tears pricked my eyes at his words. My brothers had said I looked disgusting and like a freak. My father had called me an abomination, only my mother had said I was beautiful.

Tanner came in then with Mary following close behind, who was carrying a tray of food. My stomach growled at the scents that filled the room. She placed the tray on the table near the window and walked over to me.

"Do you think you can make it to the table?" she asked me.

I nodded and started to swing my legs over the side. Instantly, as soon as my legs started to give way Tanner was in front of me. His hot strong hands held my waist and lifted me up. My hands automatically went to his arms and I gasped. His heat tingled everywhere he touched me and those tingles went straight to my cock. I was painfully aware that I was close to sporting a huge, obvious erection.

Quickly letting go, I stumbled back almost sitting back down on the bed. I willed my legs to bear my weight as he stepped back too. Slowly, I walked around him and made my way to the table. I could feel his gaze on me and it took everything in me not to look at him. My reactions to him were so confusing.

"Just eat what you can," Mary told me as she moved the tray closer. Harry popped up near me and smiled cheekily.

"I'll eat whatever you can't," he explained, earning him a playful swipe from his mother. I couldn't eat much, so Harry, as promised, ate the rest. Afterwards, Mary showed me to a room a few doors down from Harry's. She told me this would be my room for as long as I wanted it to be. Again she had a knowing look on her face that had me confused.

Harry would visit me every day, and every day I would be able to walk a little longer and eat a little more, much to Harry's disappointment. I never left my room unless I was going to Harry's. He would play and chat and I would watch him. Tanner and Mary would come and see me too. Mary would always stay and chat but Tanner would stay at the door, glare and then leave. A few weeks into my stay I finally asked Mary the question that's been bugging me.

"Mary, does Tanner hate me?" I asked weakly, my voice breaking slightly. I had no idea why the idea that he could hate me bothered me so much. Her eyes were wide for a second before a smirk appeared on her face.

"Trust me, Daniel, he doesn't hate you. He's just not good with new people," she said as if that made any sense.

"That doesn't make sense. He always glares at me and don't forget, he originally said I could stay only until I was stronger. He doesn't want me here!" I knew I was getting worked up. My emotions were all over the place and my body was heating up. I started pacing a little until Mary stopped me. Her cool hands touched my heated skin and it was soothing.

"Oh my god! Daniel, you're burning up. You can't be sick, wolves don't get sick. When was your last heat?" she asked me, I stared at her confused.

"Heat?" I couldn't focus on her too much as Tanner had just walked into the room.

"Shit Tanner, he's in heat and I don't think he's experienced it before," Mary spoke to him but Tanner's eyes never left mine.

"Tanner!" she yelled, forcing our eyes to turn to her.

"Shit!" he said whilst rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. Now that I wasn't locked in his gaze I tried to process what Mary had said.

"What's wrong? What does heat mean?" I asked. Mary sighed and put her soothing hands on me again.

"Heat is when your body is telling you that it wants to mate. Do you know what I mean by mate?" I shook my head and she sighed. "As an omega your body, a couple of times a year heats up and your emotions go haywire. Your wolf wants to claim and be claimed by its mate, or any unmated male that is close by. When in heat your body sends out a scent that can drive any male that doesn't have a mate crazy with need. They will do anything to be the one to claim you. Usually, omegas are female and they are trained to recognise when their heat will start so they can be hidden away safely. Males will fight each other to get to the omega and it can be distressing for the omega afterwards."

She spoke slowly and clearly but I was still confused. She sighed, she must have guessed I still had no clue what was happening.

"Basically they want to have sex with you and claim you as theirs. You know what sex is right?" I nodded.

When I was getting unexpected erections mother had explained what I would experience and what sex could be like for me. She had said that since I was an omega my mate could be a male or a female, but most likely male. That conversation had been mortifying but my father wasn't about to do it so I had no choice but to ask questions and listen to her answers.

"Good. I will explain more about it after your heat is over but right now we need to deal with that. Can you stay here for a minute?" she asked me.

I nodded. She left me and dragged Tanner outside, which was a good thing. I was so close to jumping him. I could hear their muffled voices outside the door but I couldn't hear what they were saying, the heat was affecting all my senses.

Eventually, Tanner walked back in alone, shut the door and locked it. When he turned to me his eyes held a predatory gaze, I should have been scared but it had the opposite effect. Instead my cock stiffened even more and my heart raced even faster. I was panting on the edge of the bed, trying to do as I had promised Mary. My body was itching for him to touch me but he wasn't moving.

I was aware of myself enough to notice that his gaze was half predatory and half angry. Mary had explained my scent in heat drove males crazy so that explained the predatory look, his wolf must be fighting for control right now. However, what was left of my rational brain was trying to figure out why he was angry.

'Is he angry because I'm in heat? Or because I'm an omega in heat? Or simply because I am an omega?' I thought before all sense left me.

Tanner stalked forward and growled at me. The deep, guttural sound sent my heat to boiling point. I moaned loudly as he took another step towards me. His eyes darkened and I watched as his tongue swiped a path across his lips. I have never been so jealous of a tongue before.

"Strip, turn around and get on your knees!" he ordered, his voice still deep and rough. I could hear the passion in his voice so I did as ordered. Quickly, stripping myself of my clothes, I turned, knelt and waited. It was really only a matter of seconds but it felt like hours before I felt his bare skin against my back. He must have removed his clothes when I removed mine but I was filled with too much lust to notice. I mentally chastised myself for being too eager and not watching him undress. I could have seen his body, every glorious inch.

His nose travelled up and down my neck, smelling me. His hot breath did little to cool my heated skin but I welcomed it all the same. He hasn't really touched me yet and my cock is already twitching with anticipation. He took a step closer if that was even possible, and I felt it. His erection! Long, thick and pulsing. My hips involuntarily started grinding against him as he growled in my ear. I moaned again as cum started leaking from my untouched and very hard erection. His hands were still by his side and I was already close to cumming. I should have felt a little embarrassed that I was cumming so quickly but my heat filled mind wouldn't let me care.

His hot, wet tongue traced the same path his nose had done and that was my undoing. I came with a start as I moaned louder than I had done before. Thick, white cum stained the covers below me as it came out in spurts. He chuckled behind me and the sound almost had me cumming again.

"I haven't touched you yet and you still came. Are you that excited?" he teased as I moaned again. His voice was doing crazy things to me.

"Tan!" I moaned, he growled.

"What did you call me?" he demanded, heat filling his voice.

"I'm sorry, I…. I meant... I meant Tanner," my voice was practically a lost cause at this point.

"Say it again!" he growled.

"Tanner!" I moaned.

"No! Say what you said before!" It took me a little longer to figure out what he meant but as soon as I did I groaned.

"Tan!" his growl made me moan, it was all I seemed to be able to do.

"Has anyone ever touched you before?" he asked and I shook my head, words beyond me now.

"Good!" my wolf mewed in pleasure that we pleased him.

His hands finally touched my skin and my placid cock started to harden again. His fingers ghosted over the skin of my stomach, I wondered if they would move lower but they didn't. They moved over my chest, down my sides and up my back. Tanner pushed me forward so I was bent over the bed. He continued to gently stroke me moving lower to my ass. His mouth joined his fingers as his tongue lapped each cheek before moving in between.

His tongue drove me crazy. My cock rubbed against the sheets creating just the right amount of soft friction, which was building my pleasure. When his finger replaced his tongue and pushed a little bit inside I came again.

As I came down from my second high, I couldn't feel his fingers anymore. Instead, I could feel the tip of his cock swiping across my entrance. I almost pushed back into him, wanting him to be inside me desperately.

"Impatient!" he chastised playfully. My heat was making it impossible to control my actions. My hips continued to sway slightly. He bent forward to nip at my shoulder.

"Ok Cub, I'll do what you want. Thankfully your heat will make this less painful for you," his voice was a soft whisper against my ear, I almost missed it.

My moans became louder as I felt him push through my entrance. His thick cock stretched me beautifully. A small part of my brain registered the sting of being stretched so wide but like he said the heat made me forget the pain instantly. Instead, I was left with the euphoric feeling of him being inside me. His hands gripped my hips, stopping me from thrusting back.

"Slowly Cub, you may be in heat but this can still hurt you afterwards," he warned softly.

We both groaned once he was fully inside me, I had never felt so complete before. He slowly started rocking his hips against mine and the sensations were intoxicating. His cock would rub over a certain spot that sent shockwaves throughout my body. I momentarily forgot to breathe. His hands moved to my shoulders as his hips moved faster against me. I felt pulled backwards. His hands gripped my chest, holding me in place as he kissed and nipped my neck. He paid special attention to the spot where my neck and shoulder met.

"You smell so good Daniel," his hot breath swept over my heated skin like water over a hot spring.

Soon his thrusts started to increase in speed and his teeth started to bite. My moans all rolled into one long continuous moan, I was sure my voice wouldn't work tomorrow.

"Cub!" Tanner called as his thrusts slammed into me and his teeth bit down harder than ever. The mixture of pain and pleasure sent me into my third orgasm as I screamed his name.

"Tan!"

----

Before I opened my eyes I noticed a feeling of loss. My body ached and I felt empty like something was missing. I reached out my arms, expecting to feel someone or something. Nothing!

I opened my eyes to the soft glow of the fire, and the moonlight streaming in from the window. Slowly, I sat up and looked around at a loss as to why I was feeling empty. I made my way, gingerly over to the small mirror on the table. I gasped as I looked at my reflection. My skin was flushed and there was a red bite mark on my neck. Gently I touched the mark and the events of the previous night came back.

After he had given me the bite, we had both collapsed onto the bed. His heavyweight on top of me felt amazing and I actually groaned in annoyance when he rolled off me. We had made love a few more times that night, my heat making it impossible for me to calm down. I had fallen asleep in his arms happily sated.

For the first time since I arrived, I left the room and went somewhere else besides Harry's room. I wasn't sure where I was going as everywhere was quiet and dark. Suddenly, I heard raised voices coming from an open door.

"Why!" That was Tanner's voice and he was angry, but why?

"What do you mean why? You mated him," that was Mary.

"I only did it because you told me to. If it wasn't for his heat I wouldn't have mated him," my heart broke.

I didn't wait to hear anything else, I quietly made my way back to my room, crawled under the covers and cried like I've never cried before. My head and heart hurt so much I thought I might die from the pain. I didn't fully understand everything that happened. All I knew was that he was forced to do it and that thought killed me. I must have cried myself to sleep because the next thing I knew Harry was racing into the room making a lot of noise. He stopped when he noticed me.

"Sorry Daniel, I thought you were awake ...… are you ok?" he asked.

"I'm fine Harry, just not feeling well. I think I'll get some rest," I said, hating the disappointed look on his face, but he masked it well.

"Oh ok, I'll let you rest then. I hope you feel better soon," he called as he left with a wave. I turned over and just stared at the wall. The memories flashed through me like a dream. Being in heat, making love to ... no having sex with Tanner, waking up alone then hearing those awful words.

"Daniel?" Mary's voice drifted into the room as she slowly opened the door, I didn't turn to face her. "Daniel, are you ok? Harry said you weren't feeling well."

I felt her sit behind me as the bed dipped and her soft hand touched my arm, I flinched away.

"Daniel?" she asked but didn't try to touch me again. I continued staring at the wall, not speaking or moving. The door opened again and I knew who it was instantly without looking, Tanner.

"What's going on?" he demanded. "Harry said he isn't well, is his heat acting up again?"

"I don't think so, his skin isn't hot," Mary said as I felt her reach for my head, again I flinched away.

"Daniel, what's wrong? Please tell me," she pleaded. I shook my head moving further up the bed.

"I just want to sleep," I said sadly.

"Cub, tell me what's wrong," he demanded in his strict alpha voice. The tone of power in it had me sitting up in bed and glaring at him. From his surprised expression I am guessing he wasn't expecting me to glare.

"Don't call me that! My name is Daniel. Nothing is wrong, I just want to sleep, now leave me alone!" I shouted before turning back and laying down.

"What!" he asked in a shocked voice. "Daniel I…."

"I said leave!" I could feel the start of tears, I needed to be alone.

"Let's leave him to get some rest, he might just be exhausted," Mary suggested before I heard the door open and close. I didn't bother to check to see if I was alone before I allowed the tears to fall, in hindsight I probably should have.

As I cried into the pillow I felt a heavy and comforting weight behind me. Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a strong chest. For a moment, I allowed him to hold me.

"Please Cub, tell me what's wrong," he pleaded softly. I instantly pulled out of his arms and moved off the bed.

"I said don't call me cub," I said angrily before leaving the room. Harry was happy to see me until I asked him if I could sleep in his bed as I couldn't sleep in mine. He made me chuckle when he asked if he should leave. I told him he didn't have to and that I wanted to watch him play.

However, my eyes became blurred as fresh tears fell. Harry was instantly at my side stroking my hair. He promised it would all be ok, that he would help me. I gave him a weak smile.

----

My days after that were spent, mostly, watching Harry play and crying myself to sleep. Several months had passed and I could see how worried Mary and Tanner were but I couldn't explain to them that it was their fault. Mary's for forcing Tanner and Tanner for saying he was forced into giving me the best experience of my life. If I told them I knew would they make me leave? I liked it here and I didn't want to leave.

No matter who brought the food I would only eat once they were gone and even then it was only a small amount. My stomach would flip every time I tried to eat.

Tanner, eventually, stopped coming around, it was mainly Mary or Harry now. Thankfully, Mary stopped trying to ask me questions. Instead, she tried to get me to go outside, but I never wanted to.

--

One Morning, Harry came bursting into my room early as usual and insisted I needed to come outside. He wouldn't let up until I begrudgingly agreed. So I walked slowly outside. The sun blinded me for a moment but thankfully I adjusted quickly.

"Come on Daniel, let's shift and go for a run. I know a lake close by," he said excitedly. I looked around worriedly. There weren't many wolves out but there were still a few.

"I don't know Harry...…"

"Please!" he whined before shifting into his own small dark brown furball. He was yipping and jumping about. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Ok, ok," I said before stripping and shifting myself. Though I hadn't shifted since the escape it felt as natural as breathing. I followed him through the forest. Even though I was bigger than him, he was faster. My wolf wasn't used to running. I was panting and exhausted by the time we reached the lake. Harry quickly shifted back and raced into the cool looking water, diving headfirst. I shifted back and the world turned. The instant I was on two feet, my head started spinning, I started sweating and then I collapsed. I expected to hit the ground with a loud thud but instead, I was saved by a pair of strong arms. I tried to look at my saviour but my vision blurred before going black.

-----

I woke up to the feel of strong arms around my chest and stomach and a firm chest against my back. I knew instantly who was holding me and I stiffened. The body underneath me stirred a little and then stilled, so I carefully tried to loosen their grip. My futile attempt at escape was met with a growl and a tightening of the locks.

"Stay!" Tanner's deep voice growled against my ear.

"Let me go," I begged, feeling myself starting to cry. The feel of his arms brought memories I have been trying to forget.

"No!" he growled again.

I tried again to break free from his grip but again he tightened his arms further.

"I said let me go, Tanner," I tried to put a bit more force into my voice. He sighed but didn't release me.

"I won't let you go until you tell me what's wrong. Ever since your heat ended you've been avoiding me, ignoring me and glaring at me. I want to know what's wrong, please." That broke the dam.

"I know everything," I said in a whisper.

"Everything?" he asked. I could hear his confusion in his voice.

"I know you only made lo... had sex with me during my heat because Mary told you too and you were angry that she did," I felt him stiffen. When I tried to release his grip he allowed me to but I wasn't allowed to go far. He stopped me from completely getting off the bed and forced me to turn and face him.

"I wasn't forced to make love to you Cub, I wasn't angry that I claimed you," he stroked the bite on my neck.

"I heard what you said! I heard how angry you were about it. You said if it hadn't been for my heat you wouldn't have claimed me," I said in a pained whisper.

"No, I was angry that it was rushed. When I first saw you in the clearing with Harry my wolf wanted to shield you from all the others. When you collapsed my heart almost stopped. I couldn't understand why I was feeling that way, until I was carrying you. At that moment you opened your eyes. The second our eyes connected I knew then that you were my mate."

"Mate?" I asked.

"The other half of my soul, my love, the one my heart has always belonged to. When I claimed you, I bonded us together forever, you will always be mine, my mate and I will always be yours," he explained with a smile on his face.

"But in the beginning, you were glaring and said I should leave once I was able," I reminded him, he chuckled.

"I didn't mean leave the pack, I meant to leave that room and come to mine. I wanted you in my bed from the beginning but Mary suggested Harry's room so it wouldn't be too much of a shock. As for the glaring, I was angry at how thin and weak you were. I can only imagine what you had been through and to learn your own father did it to you. I wanted to find him and kill him for hurting you and locking you away. In all my years I have never been so possessive and protective over anyone and I felt useless that I found you so late," his head lowered as if he was apologising for my pain.

"So why were you angry about ..." my voice trailed off as I touched the mark.

"I was angry because I didn't want to rush you. I have pretty much forced you to be my mate, it was like you weren't given a choice. It would kill me if you resented me for it. When you wouldn't speak to me, I thought you already did. Normally, we would have gotten to know each other. Especially since you know so little of our world. I wanted to give you the choice to submit to me, to be my mate because this is forever."

He gently touched the mark with a soft smile on his face.

"There is no going back. I hated how our mating was taken out of our hands because of your heat. It wasn't your fault you've probably never been in heat before because you haven't been around alpha males."

Everything he was saying made sense. I chastised myself for not talking to him sooner. A huge weight felt like it was lifted from my heart and I looked at him with a small smile.

"So, you're not angry that you claimed me?" I asked tentatively.

He shook his head, leaned forward and gave me a soft kiss. When he went to move back I captured his lips in mine, deepening the original kiss. He moaned into my mouth and it was all I could do to not cum. He flipped us over so he was laying above me, raised up on his arms.

"Does that mean you've forgiven me?" he asked, pecking my lips again. I nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him back down. Our lips fought for dominance for a while until I submitted. He growled once he felt it and ground his hips into mine.

Soon, he moved off my lips and travelled down my neck. Automatically, I turned my head to give him better access and he growled against my skin as he nipped and bit. He continued his path down my body. Stopping at my nipples to lick and suck them with his tongue. My back arched as I moaned. After abusing my chest some more he continued moving back down. He lapped at my stomach before suddenly stopping.

My head shot up when I felt him lay his head on my stomach. I couldn't believe he had almost worked me into a frenzy and then just suddenly stopped. I was about to command him to continue devouring me when he looked up and my words died. There were small traces of tears in his eyes and a huge smile on his face.

"What? What is it?" I asked, touching his face. He closed his eyes, leaned into my hand and kissed it.

"Nothing's wrong, I think I know why you collapsed earlier," he said cryptically. Tanner jumped off me and the bed and left. I was left feeling aroused, dumbstruck and confused. We had been going hot and heavy and then he left. He returned not too long later with Mary and another woman I had seen but not met. Instantly I covered up my waist. My semi-erect cock could be seen through my thin pants.

"Daniel, this is Helen, she is the healer here. Can she look at you?" he asked and I nodded, too confused to speak. Helen pressed my stomach and then closed her eyes. When she opened them she looked awestruck.

"So the curse is truly wrong after all," she whispered. "It's true alpha, he is carrying a child. It seems omega males can produce children for their mates just like a female. I knew the Moon Goddess would know what she was doing. I imagine the birth will be done through cutting but it should be ok."

"What!" I shouted, touching my stomach.

Tanner approached me slowly as if I could bolt at any second.

"You remember what Mary said about the curse of omega males?" he asked me and I nodded. "Well, it looks like it's wrong. You are carrying my child, our child Daniel. You have given me the best gift you could have ever given me. After learning you were my mate I began thinking about how we could have children. There is no shortage of children needing homes, so I had thought about adopting but now we have our own child," his eyes sparkled with joy as he sat beside me.

I slowly rubbed my stomach and closed my eyes. Taking several slow deep breaths to calm myself, I was able to hear what they were talking about. A second small, fast heartbeat. I gasped and looked into Tanner's eyes, my vision blurred slightly as tears began to fall.

"Our child?" I sobbed happily.

"Yes, our child. I love you, my mate, my Cub," he said before kissing me softly on my lips. Tears flew down even faster as I kissed him back. My smile widened when he pulled back to look me in the eyes.

"I love you too Tan, my Tan. I never thought I would have a family of my own. My life had been dark and lonely for so long, I knew it would never happen. I knew I wouldn't love, be loved or have my own family, despite what my mother said. Oh! My mother, she must be so worried about me," fresh tears fell.

"It's ok Cub, we will let her know. She can even come to see you if she wants, but no one else." he offered and I readily agreed.

------

We sent a letter to my mother several days later and a few weeks after that she showed up at the door with a bag in hand. She left my father, dissolved her bond with him. Tanner happily welcomed her into our pack.

'Woah! Our pack,' it truly did feel like my pack now. Ever since news of our child got around, people I had not spoken to before came to congratulate us. No one cared that I was male, they were all happy for us.

They even started calling me Luna. At first, I was confused as to why until Tanner explained that is what they call the alpha's mate.

Mother told me that she would have left my father sooner but she knew he wouldn't allow her to take me with her, so she stayed with him but her love for him had turned to hate. She was even ashamed of her older sons. She stayed after I left but she had been searching for me all this time. When my letter arrived she knew exactly what she was going to do.

She was surprised to learn she was going to be a grandmother but happy that I would know the happiness of having a child.

----

A few months later I gave birth to a beautiful little boy. It was tiring and painful to be cut open but thankfully I healed quickly enough, though it took a few hours. Our son was beautiful and healthy. You could already see some of Tanner in him. Tanner said he could see me in him but I couldn't yet.

We decided to name him Leo after my mother who is called Leona. She broke out crying when we told her. Tanner had told her it was because she had tried to take care of me during that dark time. He loved her like his own mother even more so for that.

Tanner held onto me as I held Leo. My heart was close to bursting and I couldn't be happier. A small part of me wanted to show my father that he was wrong but that coward isn't coming anywhere near my family ever!

We stood in front of the window looking out at our pack as they prepared for the ceremony to officially welcome me as the alpha's mate, my son and my mother into the pack. I was looking forward to it but, if I am completely honest, I am looking forward to something else more.

Since the day we discovered I was carrying his child Tanner and I haven't really had a chance to be intimate. We have kissed and fondled each other but that was as far as Tanner was willing to go. He didn't want to risk hurting the baby. I had been both annoyed and touched by his care.

However now that Leo is here he won't escape me. Mum will have him after the ceremony so that we can finally be alone. I hated that my only time with him was heat-induced. Tonight, that would change.

-----

The ceremony was great. Everyone clapped and cheered when Tanner introduced me and made a declaration of pure love in front of them. I was embarrassed but pleased. They all awed at Leo and cheered for Mum. When Tanner explained what she sacrificed for me they cheered louder for her than they had for me.

Tanner was surprised when she took Leo from him and said she was going to turn in early. He tried to take Leo back, saying he will tire her out. She shooed his hands away and told us to have fun. Tanner looked confused.

It only took him looking at my red face for him to understand. We were a mess of limbs and lips as we banged into our room. Our hands made quick work of our clothes and Tanner instantly dropped to his knees in front of me.

"I can't be gentle Cub, it's been too long and I want you too much," he growled before taking my achingly hard cock into his hot mouth.

My head tilted back and I moaned loudly into the darkening room. His hot mouth sucked and moved up and around my shaft. His tongue swiped around the head when he moved up.

As his mouth is making me weak in the knees his hands are massaging my ass cheeks. A finger every so often swipes in between each cheek touching my sensitive puckered hole.

"Tan!" I moan again.

He pulled back and my cock popped out of his mouth with a wet sound. He turned me around quickly. Instantly, his mouth and tongue replaced his hands and I fell forward. My legs feel like they have turned to jelly. I am unable to support my own weight. Luckily, Tan is holding me up.

Once he is satisfied I am ready he stood up, lined himself with my hole and pushed in with one stroke. The mixture of pleasure and pain caused a rush of cum to leak out of my over sensitive cock.

"Fuck Cub! You feel so fucking good," Tanner moaned as his hips took over. However, I can tell he is aware enough to not go too hard so he doesn't hurt his mate.

"Please, Tan…." I have no idea what I was asking for but he seemed to know.

He pulled me up, pushed my back further into his chest and gripped my cock. My moans increase in volume as he pumped me in time with his thrusts.

Too soon for my liking, I came all over his hand and the bedsheet in front of us. He followed a couple of thrusts later easing my embarrassment of cumming so soon. Tanner continued to slowly thrust inside of me causing me to shoot another load.

We both collapsed onto the bed. Tanner had enough sense to move off me carefully and pull us up to lay down on the pillows. He wrapped his arms around me and I sighed into his chest.

---

I was awoken a few hours later to someone stroking my semi-erect cock, as well as a fully erect cock easing its way inside me. Someone was playfully and sensually nipping, licking and kissing up and down my neck.

"Tan!" I moaned. As he continued to assault me again and again.

We made love several more times that night. Until we finally collapsed, truly spent, an hour after the sun had risen. Tan was lying on his back, his sleepy eyes refusing to close. I was laid half on him with my head raised up on my hand so I could look at him too.

"I love you Cub," he whispered with a smile.

I am prevented from saying it back to him when a panicked wolf comes charging in. Tan growls menacingly at the young pup but I place my hand on him to calm him. I can smell the fear coming off of him but I don't think it's fear of Tanner.

"It's Matty, right? What's wrong?" I asked. He nodded at me before taking a deep breath.

"Your father and former pack are here demanding to see the alpha. He is accusing you of stealing his mate. I think he means Luna's mother."

Tanner instantly shot up and got dressed, I followed him. Mother came in with Leo looking determined.

"Let's go meet him together," she told me. I nodded and I could tell Tanner was about to object. I told him I needed to be there so he doesn't kill him. Meaning so Tanner doesn't kill my father.

----

"Bring out your alpha now!" I heard him yell. Tanner ordered me to stay behind the beta's out of sight until it's time. Thankfully there is no wind today so my father won't scent me until I get closer. Mother stayed even further back with Leo.

"I am here," Tanner bellowed his voice showing his authority.

"You?" my father asked. "You took my mate? Why would you want an old crone for a mate?" he shouted anger clearly evident in his voice. In his mind, he was being supposedly replaced by a younger model. If I wasn't so scared for my mate I may have laughed.

My mother moved forward and stood next to Tanner, with Leo in her arms.

"Who you calling an old crone, you old bat."

I did laugh then, as did many other wolves. One of the betas turned to me and whispered that my mum was brilliant. I heartily agreed.

"You honestly think I left you to go with a man young enough to be my son," she asked him incredulously.

"What am I supposed to think? You dissolve your bond with me and move to another pack, one you have no tie too. Not a few months later there is news that the alpha has found his mate. Now you show up with a kid," he shouted and snarled at the same time.

I see my mother smile down at my son and look back at her former mate.

"This beautiful bundle of joy is not my son, but my grandson," she said proudly.

I see my father turn to my two brothers and growl at them.

"Which one of you idiots got a girl from this pack in trouble? If it's some pathetic weakling I will not accept her," he told them and I seethed with anger. How can he forget he has another son. I decided I've had enough of hiding.

I stomped down the fear I still have for him and made my way to my mate. My brothers saw me first before my father turned around.

"Leo is my child," I say confidently. "This is my mate." I gripped Tanner's hand and leaned into him. Partly to show my claim on him and another to lean on his strength.

"You?" My father looked shocked for a second before bursting out laughing. "This is your mate alpha? Which poor female omega has had to give up her child so your pathetic mate can have it?"

Tanner, along with several other wolves in the pack, growled low and menacingly. Father at least had enough sense to stop laughing and look a little scared.

"No female omega was forced to give up their child, you imbecile. Your omega son conceived, carried and gave birth to this child. He is their flesh and blood. Even your old nose can smell how much Leo, his name by the way, smells like them both," my mother spoke for Tanner who I can see is close to boiling.

"YOUR omega son is mated to the alpha of this pack and has produced an heir. YOUR omega son and I have been welcomed and accepted in this pack. They have known about him from the start and unlike you have not been ashamed to call him their luna," I was in awe of my mother.

"That's right father," for a moment, I almost didn't call him father. I almost reverted back to just alpha. The other members of his pack, my old pack, were looking at us in confusion.

"Excuse me alpha," a wolf stepped forward bowing to father before turning to me. I recognised him, his name was Jesse, as children we had played together. He might have been called my best friend.

"Are you saying that you are Daniel, the alpha's son that died before his first change?" he asked. My mother had told me what my father had said to the pack to explain my disappearance once she was allowed to see me.

I nodded and the look of pure joy swept across his face as he rushed to me, stopping just a fraction away.

"Really?" he asked. I nodded again and looked at my mate before wrapping my arms around my old friend.

"We were all told you had died. That your change had started early and a rogue wolf had attacked you on your first run. I was heartbroken to think I would never see you again. Where have you been all this time? Have you been here?" he asked, his voice getting higher.

With cold steel eyes, I looked at my father as I answered his questions.

"My wolf did arrive early, however, once I presented as a male omega, father locked me in the dungeons. Mum begged him not to kill me and asked him to send me away instead. However, he wouldn't allow me to leave, in case someone found out he sired a male omega," father glared at me angrily.

"My brothers knew of it too. Before my mother was allowed to come down to bring me food they would, more often than not, eat the food meant for me and then leave laughing," my brothers had enough sense to seem ashamed of their actions.

"They did what!" my mother shouted, handing Leo to me in a rush before ordering both her sons in front of her.

Even though she had dissolved her bond with their father she was still their mother. They respectfully knelt in front of her and bowed their heads. Accepting her berating they eventually apologised to me, saying they were only following their father's orders.

He had told them that male omegas would bring nothing but destruction to their pack. They believed that their brother would cause fighting between the males and that many would die. Guiltily they realised they should not have believed him so easily.

My anger at their actions vanished instantly when I learned they had simply believed the lies of a man they thought they could trust. I knelt down in front of them and smiled.

"This is your nephew, Leo. He's named after mother," I told them as I held Leo out a little for them to see. They smiled at me gratefully before looking at Leo. They smiled at him, I knew they already loved him.

"Did you really carry him?" Jesse asked as he hovered over looking at him too.

I stood and stepped back towards my mate. I could tell he was feeling anxious about me being too close to my father.

"Yes. Tanner recognised me as his mate when I helped his nephew escape. During my first heat we mated and it resulted in this little guy. We had no idea at first until he heard a second faster heartbeat inside me," I said proudly replaying the memory.

I could tell my father was becoming enraged at being practically ignored.

"Get behind me now," he growled, forcing my brothers and Jesse to obey him. Tanner glared at him and looked beyond him.

"Any members of my mate's former pack that wants to leave this evil alpha's pack are welcomed here. We do not lock our children away simply for being the way they were born to be. We do not lie to our pack and we do not manipulate others to do our dirty work for us."

I beamed with love and pride at my mate. My father growled his anger at him.

"You think they would listen …." he couldn't finish as my brothers, Jesse and many if not all of the wolves left his side and bowed low in respect to their new alpha and Luna.

Father stared shocked at his pack before anger boiled in his eyes when his gaze landed on me.

"I knew you would bring down my pack, you are a curse!" he snarled out before, in a blood rage, he shifted and lunged at me.

My mate got to him first before he could lay one claw on me. The fight was clearly one-sided in favour of my mate. He was a younger, more fitter wolf, whereas my father was older and weaker. Soon he laid dead at my mate's feet. Despite how much I hated him I whimpered at his death, as did my brothers.

I hand Leo to my mother and walked over to Tanner who was still in wolf form. I removed my clothes and shifted into my wolf. Ignoring the gasps from the wolves that haven't seen me I reached out to my mate.

I'm half his size so I fit snugly under his head. I nuzzled under his chin and whined. He felt my distress and flicked his tongue over my snout. He's the one covered in blood and scratches and he is cleaning me.

The pack left us alone.

The beta's found places for all the new wolves to stay. At least until new homes could be built, which shouldn't take too long. My brothers were given rooms in the alpha house. However, Tan and I don't learn about this until we finally return to our human selves.

"You are safe now Cub," Tanner whispered against my neck as we embraced on the porch to our home. "You, Leo, your mother, your brothers and your old pack will always be safe here."

I nodded before sighing contently and for the first time, I truly believe we were.