13 Wolves of the same pack

There was silence, the sounds of the forest never felt louder in that moment. It was like an orchestra mocking Gabrielle. Taunting her.

Gabrielle wanted to scream herself hoarse, anything to drown out the forest. A heavy clammy hand on her shoulder brought her out of the darkness she was letting herself dive into.

"It's the..." Gilbert couldn't bring himself to say it.

Gabrielle numbly nodded. "If they unleashed that," Gabrielle emphasized the last word like it was something disgusting. "This mission is over. We can't win against it."

Apprehensive murmurings started, many of the team looked over at the twins with doubt in their eyes. Gilbert understood.

Both Iris and Gabrielle filled him in on the Lab's project. They know what the Alpha X was built to do. It's a killing machine. A living, breathing killing machine. And Iris is the one who gave it life. Gilbert couldn't bring himself to imagine how Iris must feel about that. He felt remorse, looking at her with such contempt eyes.

Donovan watched the heartbreaking scene in front of him with a determination. He will set things right himself.

Alpha mommy never showed vulnerability in front of him. Donovan felt regret knowing that he was the reason for that defeated look in her eyes, that hopelessness. In a second, Donovan squirmed out of the makeshift baby holder Gabrielle used to strap him onto her back and ran into the darkness of the forrest.

Donovan followed his instincts. Using his connection with the monster as a compass. He ran like he never ran before. Berating himself for not being as swift as he hoped.

Faster... Faster... Faster!

Everything blurred. The sky and trees morphed into one blob of color and Donovan kept running. Never once looking back.

Donovan only stopped when the Lab came into view.

"You can't take him from me!" The voice snarled from the other side of the opening where the Lab entrance was.

It was disguised as a rundown hiker's lodge that had seen one too many years. Anyone who looked at it wouldn't dare seek refuge inside. The shack gave off an ominous aura, like any second from now it'll break apart.

Donovan kept silent, eyes peeled for the smallest hint of movement. The bushes rustled when Maverick walked into the opening confidently. He stood in the middle before resuming a stance. It was poised, unlike the feral form from Donovan's earlier image.

"They said you'll take him away and I'll never see him ever again." Maverick's voice low and dangerous. He means serious business. "He's my mate, mine!"

Maverick looked straight into Donovan's eyes. "I can smell you. I can see you. Come out won't you?"

Donovan stepped into the opening cautiously. He knows that in a fight, Maverick would win. Alpha versus Omega. Omega would lose.

That's the way it's always been.

"I see you found out about the wolf form." Maverick stated, disconcerted but only for a moment. Donovan looked down. Instead of feet, there were small paws the color of autumn leaves. Pretty. He looked up and...

That's my scent...

"You're my....brother..." Donovan sat a few feet away from Maverick and looked up, still in his wolf form. Both bodies emanated the same scent. Though Maverick was more on the bitter side, and Donovan sweeter.

"I know." Maverick said indifferently, as though that discovery didn't matter at all.

"I know you're lonely." Donovan tried to appease the agitated alpha. First informing Maverick he understands his feelings. Finding common ground.

"I'm not lonely anymore. My mate is here." Maverick swiftly denied.

"Babies belong with their parents." Maybe reason would work?

There was silence. Maverick's eyes only hardened and his stance like a tight coil waiting to spring free.

"You don't want to rob your mate of a normal, happy childhood. Do you?" Donovan quickly asked. Using the guilt-trip method, not a favorite of his. He had seen Iris do it to Gabrielle many times to get things to go her way.

"I'm everything that he needs." The alpha rebutted weakly, but still stubborn. The guilt in his eyes didn't escape the omega's watchful gaze. His stance weakened. An opening.

Donovan looked deep into Maverick's eyes, imploring him to open up their connection from earlier. Whether the omega forced himself into the alpha's mind or the alpha allowed him, neither knows. But it was fact Donovan saw what it was like to be Maverick. And Maverick was able to see what it was like to be Donovan.

Each walked a mile in the others' shoes.

His thoughts, his memories, his feelings. All of that became open to each other.

Maverick's aggressiveness gave way. "Mates stay together forever. I won't be alone anymore, not with my mate by my side."

"I'm sorry." As Donovan stood his wolf form morphed into his human one. He hugged his taller twin, having to go on his tippy toes to rest his chin on his shoulder.

"You also know how my omega mommy doesn't like me. The Lab did something bad to her and I remind her of it every day." Donovan said. "Alpha mommy isn't home often so... I'm alone too."

"But you looked so happy…" Envy

"I'm not their baby. I smell different."

"But we smell the same." They broke apart from their hug.

"Brothers." They simultaneously said. Donovan smiled at Maverick. His eyes asking the question only Maverick had the answer to.

Maverick backed off, a flurry of expressions passed his face. Primarily remorse and anger. Donovan knew what he was thinking.

He held his breath, anticipating what Maverick would do next. He hoped he would do the right thing. He wanted to believe Maverick would do the right thing. But in the corner of his mind, just a bit of doubt trickled in. He knew firsthand of his possessiveness.

Minutes passed like hours. The air felt tense.

"Wait here." Maverick said, surprising both Donovan and himself. The alpha didn't want to live with regrets.

"I'll come with you." Donovan quickly grabbed Maverick's shirt-stopping him-wanting to make sure he went through with his decision.

Maverick broke into a small smile, before quickly covering it. "I'm sorry, my teeth are scary."

"You're not scary anymore." Donovan smiled reassuringly, feeling ashamed for deeming him a monster before. All Maverick needs is a friend, and what better friend would a twin brother be?

Maverick smiled and this time, he didn't cover his face and let it widen into a full on grin. He was more than happy to have someone accept him for who he is. Not because he's "Maverick Morris: the Alpha X".

They ran into the lab together, wolves of the same pack.