Wes

Wes knew he had little time. His Alpha would return to their nest soon.

Ever since receiving the mating mark against his will, things had been tense, to say the least.

Neither Alpha nor Omega knew how to break the heavy silence in the air.

After two days straight of Wes refusing to talk to the Alpha, the handsome man had begun to, well, pout.

It was ridiculous, really! How could the Alpha be upset at Wes when the mating bite was his own fault?

The silence in the nest filled Wes with an uneasy feeling. If his Alpha had no qualms about giving Wes the mating mark, how far would he go to hurt him?

The Omega knew he didn't want to wait around to find out.

When his Alpha had muttered about going on a morning hunt, Wes tried to hide his racing heart. Finally, it was time. The Omega waited an hour before deeming it safe enough to flee. Wes risked re-injuring his barely healed wings and took flight into the clear sky.

Many long hours later, under a blanket of stars, Wes had caught sight of two lone figures holding each other. 

Even with the distance, Wes recognized the long, twining tail reflecting the moonlight.

That was the dangerous Alpha he had seen in the forest. But that means, oh...

Wes finally recognized the tiny, freckled figure being held in the Alpha’s grip. The winged man felt staggering relief at seeing the third Omega he had arrived with, unharmed and free from the mating bite.

Why do they look so comfortable with each other? As if they actually care about the other?

Wes analyzed the reverent look the Alpha was giving the doe-like omega. How the dangerous Alpha looked like he would give his Omega the sun and moon if he asked. Or maybe...

Could the other Omega convince his obviously smitten Alpha to protect Wes? It would be a gamble, but it could work.

Wes knew he had little time before his Alpha would catch up with him, so he made a rash decision. 

He chased after the couple as they slowly trekked towards their vast den. Just as their door began to creek closed, Wes caught the other omega’s surprised eyes. 

He landed a handful of feet in front of the shocked Omega. Before the brunette could take a step toward Wes, he was being gently manhandled behind the powerful Alpha. 

Wes readied himself to take flight in case the dangerous Alpha decided to do away with the intruding Omega. He shuddered at the thought of the Alpha's deadly tail anywhere near him.

As if he read his thoughts, said tail languidly crept closer. 

Just as Wes contemplated ditching his haphazard plan, the freckled Omega twined his thin arms around the Alpha’s waist, preventing him from striking.

Wes watched in trepidation and awe as the antler-bearing man rose on his tippy toes to whisper something into the Alpha’s ear. 

The two had a brief, muffled conversation.

Wes awkwardly fluttered his wings as he waited, feeling more and more like an unwelcome guest. 

The pair finally stopped their heated whispering, glancing toward him.

The doe-like omega took a cautious step out from behind the Alpha toward Wes, remaining well in the Alpha’s reaching distance.

The other omega’s voice was a mix of cautious and curious. “What are you doing here? My Alpha really does not like others intruding on his territory.” 

As if to affirm the statement, the Alpha ran a possessive hand down his Omega’s arm. 

“I’m sorry to show up unannounced,” Wes kept his voice gentle, still nervous of the brooding Alpha. “I’m in a bit of trouble,” Wes cleared his dry throat, “I'm hiding from my Alpha, I just.. I can't trust him. He gave me the um, m-mating mark against my will.”

Wes heard the other omega gasp. Even the deadly Alpha looked taken aback.

Wes continued after a beat. "So, I ran while he was out. But now he’s probably after me. So I really have little time. And I stand absolutely no chance against him physically, unlike you," Wes directed this to the powerful Alpha. “My point is, I really need somewhere safe to stay. So, could I hide with you? Here? Please.” 

Wes caught his breath after his long, rambling request.

Wes glanced toward the Alpha, but the dangerous-looking man only looked at his Omega. Waiting to see what he would say.

Just as the silence grew uncomfortable, the other omega spoke.

“Do you even know my name?”

“What?” Wes wondered if he had heard the other man correctly.

“My name, do you know it?” The Omega asked louder this time.

Wes just opened and closed his mouth, confused by the question.

“You would've known if you and the other omega had included me in your alliance. Or even spared a second to talk to me before running off. Like I was nothing but an inconvenience to you.” 

Wes didn’t know what to say. Even the other Omega looked shocked at his own words. Wes went to reply, but the freckled Omega cut him off. As if gaining a second wind.

“Or maybe, if you had stopped for a second when you saw me waving in the forest, then maybe you would've known my name.”

Wes felt his heart freeze over. He had somehow forgotten that major detail in the rush of fleeing from his Alpha. Wes remembered now. Vividly recalled as the honey-eyed Omega desperately waved at him to stop before he had just flown over him. Abandoned him.

“I’m sorry, you're right I’m Wes.” Wes desperately babbled “I mean, I was just trying to survive, and we didn’t stick with you because well…” Wes flung out a hand toward the delicate-looking man. 

“Because what?” The Omega flashed hurt eyes toward Wes.

“Listen, this isn’t getting us anywhere. Let’s just start over!” 

Wes wasn't met with the same enthusiasm. Instead, the other Omega sent a meaningful look at his Alpha. A second later and the antler-crowned Omega was being gently escorted inside. Wes moved to follow, to enter as well.

“My name is Faun,” the other Omega’s, no, Faun’s voice was brimming with sadness.

“Faun, thank you. I don’t know how to repay-”

“I'm sorry Wes, but please don’t visit my home again.” 

With that, the Alpha firmly shut the door in his face. Wes couldn’t help but feel a surge of hopelessness. Just like Faun must have felt when Wes left him at the Alpha’s mercy in the woods.

Flooded with guilt, Wes took flight back into the dark night.

Guilty or not, he had to keep moving. 

Hours later...

Tired and hungry, Wes blessed his luck as he approached a warm-looking cabin.