Disclaimer: All characters, character names, worlds, and world names belong to their respected companies, authors, producers, etc. I do not benefit money from writing this story. I do not own any of the characters or places.

Author's Note: Here it is finally! Sorry it took so long. RL has been...I'm just going to say it hasn't been good. But I'm glad to get this chapter done. Happy reading.

Chapter 17

It was a long day of waiting. A very long day as far as Dark was concerned. The pain of recognition was maddening. Link was at his side the entire time but Dark dared not mate with the beautiful creature out in the wilderness, exposed to whatever sabre or dragon might be attracted by the sounds and smells of such a vulnerable position. So he suffered the arousing closeness of the warm beauty next to him, the gentle, electrifying touch on his leg or arm, the intoxicating aroma of a uke—his uke—primed, ready and willing for the taking. Link seemed relatively undisturbed, but then the uke occupied his time playing with their—Dark scowled—newfound friend. The little red dragon soaked up Link's attentions like a sponge. If Dark didn't know better he might find himself jealous. He wasn't really, but it became more and more insufferable as the waiting dragged on.

Sephiroth and Kouyuu seemed to be taking their time reaching their camp. Dark wanted his uke. He wanted his mate. His wolf was anxious. It didn't understand why mate was so close and yet had not been claimed. It helped that Link was not fighting the recognition even though they were complete strangers. The uke could not speak, but there was no mistaking the fondness, the hunger in those blue eyes whenever Link cast a shy, happy glance his way.

Susugi kept himself busy gathering edible roots and berries for the trip home. Once Dark and Link were…done, Dark would have to return to his duty along with Sephiroth and Kouyuu. He would still have a bit of a journey with Link before they reached home. Then finally, after what felt like ages, he would be with his Jirou.

It was late evening when they finally heard a warning growl in the surrounding woods and the small group knew Sephiroth and Kouyuu were near. Dark could hardly contain his excitement and anticipation. He squeezed Link's hand and felt his spirits rise when the uke squeezed his in return with a smile. Dark looked at Susugi.

"About time they're here. You will be safe camping away from us," he said. Susugi nodded. "And you're taking that with you, right?"

Susugi looked down at the red dragon asleep in his lap. He laughed.

"Of course," he said. "Whatever makes you more comfortable, my friend."

When the large silver and dark gray wolves sauntered into their small camp Link became nervous. He scooted next to Dark and clung to his arm. While Dark assured him that they were pack brothers and would never hurt him, the wolves sniffed at the new uke in greeting as much as honest curiosity. Dark growled if they got too close and this seemed to convince Link that he was safe. Dark wouldn't let anything happen to him.

When it became apparent that their pack brothers were content to sate their curiosity long into the night, Susugi stood and started nudging the large wolves away.

"Come on, brothers," Susugi rolled his dark eyes at the growling yips of protest. "I promise to tell you everything I know in the morning. Though," he glanced back at Link, "I don't really know where he came from either." With sleeping red dragon in tow the small group left the new couple alone.

His pack brothers had no sooner disappeared into the trees when Link nearly tackled him. Dark suppressed his amusement that he thought it was going to be the other way around when the uke smothered him in hungry, devouring kisses. His amusements vanished into much more immediate concerns. His arms wound instantly around the slender blonde crushing Link to his body in possessive need. Soon he had rolled them both onto the blanket laid out on the ground and captured the uke beneath him. When one hand moved to undo his belt he paused and pulled away. Dark looked at his uke—his uke, chosen by the fate of recognition, found by nothing short of a miracle. Link's face was flushed with desire, perhaps with the blush of innocence. His blue eyes shone bright in the fading light. Dark was smitten with the uke's beauty. He didn't want to, but since he didn't know Link before they met only days before, didn't even know if he had a family somewhere waiting for him, he felt he had to ask.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" What he was really asking was, are you sure you want me?

Link looked up at him with a look and a smile that seemed to say are you kidding me? Dark laughed, leaned down and kissed him again. "All right, then, no more questions—no more waiting."

Link nodded hurriedly pulling Dark closer while lifting his hips to rub against him. During recognition instinct took over. Hands fumbled with clothing, teeth clashed in hurried, desperate kisses. Their inner beasts growled with impatience. Once they finally managed to remove their obstructing clothing, Dark grew still and took in the sight of his mate. It felt so right to call him that—as if Dark had gone through life looking for the one to define that word and give it meaning. Taking in the beauty of the uke beneath him, seeing the way those bright eyes looked back at him, loved him already; knowing that this one would always be his just as much as Dark knew he already belonged to Link—all of it, everything made sense at last.

"You are for me," he said, unable to keep the awe out of his tone. Inside he could feel his wolf agreeing. This is mate. This is mine. Dark felt a soft hand slide up his naked thigh to his hip, and when Link gave him that sweet smile, he knew Link felt the same way. Unable and unwilling to wait any longer, Dark slid his hands down his uke's sides, tracing up and over his hips and down the crease of his pelvis to gently but firmly spread his legs.

Link's breathing grew heavier in anticipation. Just the feel of Dark's hands in such a sensitive, personal place was making his blood heat and tingle between his legs. He watched the seme above him as he maneuvered, felt the heat from Dark's skin when their hips matched up. He shuddered.

Dark nuzzled into the side of Link's neck, sniffing out the perfect position to place his mating mark. "Are you ready, beautiful?" He felt the uke nod eagerly. Dark nudged against the tight opening and felt the wolf in him shiver with hunger. "You have to let me know if I hurt you. I don't want to hurt you." Since Link could not voice his feelings, and Dark did not know if he could control himself, let alone his inner beast, he was afraid of what he might do to this sweet uke.

Link reached up and held Dark's face in his soft, gentle hands. Dark looked into the cerulean depths of his lovely uke's eyes, lost himself in the sweet smile, so kind, so full of love in its simplest, deepest form. Without needing to hear it spoken that look told Dark that Link trusted him completely—trusted him not to ever hurt him.

With that sweet responsibility in mind Dark pressed forward and slid into the silky heat of his uke's passage. He watched the beautiful features of Link's face for any sign of pain or discomfort beyond what was normal. Once Dark was completely seated inside him Link exhaled slowly and smiled up at him. Dark groaned and Link lifted his hips to encourage movement. Link's breathing sped up, Dark moved deep and slow. He pressed his face into his mate's throat, inhaled his lovely scent, and ran his hands over his chest and stomach. Link's own hands were busy touching him, feeling him, holding him tight as they moved together.

When Dark licked the flesh where he intended to make his mark, he felt his uke do the same to him. He felt his wolf thrill inside of him at the very thought of owning and being owned—belonging, and loving from now until the end of their days. Dark opened his mouth and his teeth sank into soft flesh with the simplest effort. Hot blood rushed over his tongue as he infused his mate's flesh with his own scent. Next to his ear he heard Link gasp.

Dark continued to move inside his lover—groaned deep in his throat when Link bit him and an overwhelming flood of pleasure swept through his system. He knew Link was feeling the same. Dark wanted to hear him. His voice…must have been so sweet before it was taken away. Dark wished he could have heard it at least once.

When he completed the bite and licked it clean to encourage healing, his mouth was drawn immediately to the fresh scarring at the front of his mate's throat—that terrible wound that could have taken his mate from him. He lavished the once torn flesh with all his love. It didn't matter if Link would never speak his name—it made his heart hurt—but, he had his mate. That was all that mattered. That was all that would ever matter.

The next morning Dark woke with the sun but did not rise. The air was frigid outside the heat of their fur cocoon. He didn't want to leave it, not when Link's beautiful body was wrapped up and tangled with his. The lingering scent of their night of sex was tantalizing. It teased his senses and woke his wolf who was eager to embrace its mate again. It was certainly a temptation. He watched Link's peaceful features as he continued to slumber. The flesh on the uke's neck where Dark made his mark was pink and already healing over with a thin layer of scar tissue. It called to him, practically begging to be bitten and claimed again. He reached up to his own throat where Link had left his mark and he smiled at the memory. It felt incredible to belong to someone. To know he had a place in Link's heart where no one and nothing else could dwell.

As much as he wanted Link again before they departed, he knew the others would be interrupting them any moment now. Sephiroth would want to get an early start to return to their duty and Susugi and Link really should get back behind the safety of Aquaria's border. The sooner they reached Beele's side and the pack's protection, the better Dark would feel.

Dark reached over and brushed the light tresses of blonde hair from Link's face, caressing his uke's soft cheek lovingly.

"Wake up, beautiful," he murmured, smiling as Link stirred and sleepy blue eyes blinked up at him. "As much as it pains me to say it, we should get dressed. The others will be here and we don't want to scar the pups, do we?"

Link grinned.

"Ah, well, it's a bit too late for that."

Dark and Link turned their heads to see Sephiroth and Kouyuu's silhouettes standing in front of the rising sun in their human forms. Susugi stood behind them with a smile, the red dragon perched on his shoulder.

"Your naked hide is enough to scar anyone for life, Dark," Kouyuu drawled.

"You wish you possessed such a hide, green leaf," Dark replied, his attentions focused on Link who smiled brightly before responding to Dark's kiss. Then Dark stood and cast aside the furs covering his nudity with a flourish and a wide-mouthed smile intended to aggravate his pack brothers. Sephiroth chuckled deeply in his throat as Kouyuu turned his head away with a groan.

"You must be so proud," Susugi said.

"That I am," Dark agreed.

Sephiroth studied his naked pack brother a moment. Then with a knowing smile, he said, "A bit cold for such pride, though, isn't it?"

"That it is," Dark said, fumbling for his clothing and quickly dressing with a shiver. When he finished he glanced at Link and his heart warmed at the sight of the uke's silent laughter.

Saying good-bye, convincing himself to say it—to bear it—was the most difficult thing he'd ever done. It did not help him one bit that his new mate was obviously unsettled about something. Once they had eaten Link became still, quiet in a way that he had never seemed to be before. His gaze kept turning to the east, back along the path he'd taken over the Baqueral Mountains, and beyond to the frozen city of Airyglyph. There was pain in that gaze, suffering, and loss that Dark did not know or understand. He wanted Link to tell him all that befell him before they met, but he didn't know if the uke could. But even if Link could not answer him, it hurt his heart not to ask.

"What troubles you, Link?" Dark asked him softly. Link turned to him, an apology in his expression to hide the distress. Dark shook his head. "No, do not apologize to me. Something is wrong and it is not our separation that puts that pain in your eyes. Your pain lies in a different direction." He cursed to himself for being a fool. Had Link been like this the whole time and he'd been so distracted by the pain of recognition to realize something bigger than himself was troubling his mate?

Link opened his mouth to speak, a habit he was having a hard time overcoming. He quickly shut his mouth and a look of anguish crossed his face before he turned away. Dark's heart seized in his chest. He'd seen that look before. Many times.

"You've lost someone," he said. Link turned back to him and nodded. "Your sire, bearer," Link shook his head. He held a hand out low to the ground and understanding clicked in Dark's head.

"When you were small you lost them."

Link nodded.

"A brother, then."

Link nodded eagerly.

"He is back there, the way you came?" Another nod. "Alive?" A nod. Dark dreaded asking the next question, though he believed he knew the answer. "In Airyglyph?"

Yes.

The word seemed to brush over his mind like a whispering breeze. An image of a tall, thin youth with green hair laughing and playing with Link flashed in his head like a memory, but he knew it wasn't his. He looked at his mate, startled and confused. Link only stared back at him with hope—hope that he could fix this, whatever had happened.

He was never more reluctant to admit that he could not do something than that moment.

"I am sorry, my mate," he swallowed thickly. "I cannot go to that city." A tear slid down Link's cheek and Dark caught him gently by the chin when he tried to hide his face. "But if he is there against his will, our Alpha will see to it that he is brought back into the protection of the pack. You and your brother are pack, and no pack brother gets left behind."

Alpha Beele cast all his troubles to the wind whipping past his face. The frigid air blowing through his thick dark fur and the deep snow beneath his large, wide paws was like a balm over an aching wound. It was easy to ease the aching muscles of responsibility when his wolf was free. The world was bigger, wilder, and all he had to do was run. Hunt when he was hungry, sleep when he grew tired, and keep running.

Fayt was beside him—his pace no slower for running on two legs rather than four. His wolf ears and tail were an easy giveaway that he was not human, so they kept to the woods rather than the roads. Beele's wolf would have it no other way. In the deep snow the roads to Aquios would make the travel a little easier, but it felt unnatural—too civilized. Besides, roads took the long way around the mountains and Beele had every intention of going straight up and over. Whatever it took to get back to his mate and pack more quickly.

When he sped up Fayt laughed next to him.

"So, it's a race you want."

Beele hadn't intended that but he could feel his tongue already rolling out the side of his mouth as his wolf took on a playful spirit. Fayt was swift. He was light and slender and he soon left Beele's heavier bulk in the cloud of his kicked up snow. They raced like that long into the late afternoon before they stopped at a stream to drink. But even that break did not last long when Fayt splashed freezing cold water in the great wolf's face before fleeing with a laugh that drifted over the snow. Beele let out a growling bark and gave chase.

The land was covered in darkness when they reached the outer walls of Aquaria's capital city. They approached in human form. Beele and his pack had helped Aquaria in the beginning by assisting to drive Airyglyph out of the queen's lands so a peace treaty could be attempted. Her gratitude had earned his pack the right to the land they now owned within her kingdom. However, though many of her majesty's guard knew what he was, or at least had heard the stories of the great wolves that came to her majesty's aid, Beele did not like to take the chance of straining what understanding was in place by racing up on a posted guard in the shape of an enormous beast.

They were admitted into the city without problem and escorted to the castle by a small host of guards. Even if all did not know what Beele was they all knew his name, and that by the queen's command he was always to be permitted an audience.

Aquios was a beautiful city. Its tall buildings and ascending levels of streets all rose toward the queen's palace like an elaborate dais. The castle itself sat like a throne with its back braced to the cliffs and the ocean spread out below. Beele suspected her majesty could see everything that occurred within her city from those tall towers. As Beele and Fayt were ushered through the grand entrance and into the elaborate throne room, they could see her majesty had been informed of their arrival and was already waiting for them. The Alpha approached the dais, slipped to one knee and bowed his head respectfully. Fayt followed his example.

"Lord Koshaku, I am honored by your visit," the queen spoke first. Beele lifted his head and smiled.

"It is good to see you again, my Lady Romeria," Beele said. "You are beautiful as ever."

Queen Romeria smiled. "Charmer," she said. Then she cast her dark brown eyes to Beele's companion with great interest. It was not often that she had the opportunity to meet one of Beele's people.

Beele formally gestured to the uke. "Your majesty, may I introduce you to Fayt Leingod."

Queen Romeria's eyes widened fractionally for only a moment. She remembered the name well. Years ago when Beele revealed to her confidence why he left his father's pack in Greeton that name had been extremely important. She knew she would never forget it. This sweet, young thing was the remaining victim of that tragedy.

Fayt's cheeks reddened feeling the curious stares from around the vast throne room become focused on him. Entering with Beele at his side, the confident, strong, and fiercely beautiful seme certainly demanded all attention without effort. But Fayt could hardly hide in his Alpha's shadow now that the queen herself was staring at him.

"I am honored to meet you, Fayt Leingod," Queen Romeria said. "You are welcome in my home as any of Lord Koshaku's people are considered personal friends."

Fayt swallowed thickly. He knew his cheeks flushed with heat at her kind regard, but he couldn't make it stop.

"Please, your majesty, the honor is all mine." At least he managed to keep his voice from cracking.

Romeria regarded him fondly for some time with a smile that kept her thoughts quite hidden. Before Fayt could wonder about it too much, though, her smile slipped away. She glanced around at all those present; her royal guard, the ever-present nobility and their attendants, all looking on with great interest at this large lord they had only ever heard strange rumors about and his very young blue-haired companion. "My friend, we should speak in closer quarters. We have much to discuss, and I know your business with me must be important indeed for you to have travelled so far."

They were ushered into a side antechamber and left alone at her majesty's bidding. After small pleasantries were exchanged Queen Romeria got straight to business.

"Beele, my friend, you came to our aid against our enemies(1). You stood at our side, you and your army of wolves. I have no doubt that your people turned the tide against Airyglyph and their dragon riders. There have never been secrets between us, and I value your friendship above all."

"My lady," Beele spoke up, a little unsettled. Romeria sounded almost uncertain now of that placed trust. She held up her hand to stave off his interruption until she finished.

"My Crimson Blades have reported to me that King Airyglyph has been killed. Torn apart by what looks like a great beast in his own bedchambers." She looked at Beele.

The great wolf frowned deeply. Seifer and Shiki were indeed in Airyglyph. However, they had been ordered only to observe. They would not have put themselves in such danger. "I assure you, my lady that neither I nor any of my pack had anything to do with his death. I swear this to you."

She studied him a moment before glancing at Fayt meek and silent at his side. "I believe you, my friend, but I had to hear it from you. The Airyglyph king's uncle, Duke Vox(2), General of the Dragon Brigade was also killed in his chambers the same night. Witnesses say that Albel Nox, General of the Black Brigade confronted him there and, after a fierce battle, defeated him. Nox was accused of both murders and has fled the capital with his entire brigade. My Blades report he is coming to my borders and that there are wolves in his company."

Beele glanced at Fayt. "My lady, I did send two of mine into Airyglyph in hopes to discover validity to the rumors that Airyglyph planned to conquer the Sanmite. If there are wolves with General Nox, I cannot say for certain they are mine. But if they are, they are either prisoners, or travel with the Black Brigade in hopes to bring your majesty a worthy ally." Beele frowned in thought. "If Nox is being pursued for regicide then there is only one place he can hope for safety and that is with his country's enemy."

"My thoughts exactly," Romeria said. "Such an ally would be invaluable. However, in seeking refuge he also leads Airyglyph's armies to our doorstep. It is not beyond them to start a war simply because we harbor a fugitive."

"Who leads now?"

"General Walter has stepped into power as he is the only remaining general of rank high enough to succeed the throne."

"I have heard he is a man of wisdom and repose," Beele offered. "Perhaps he can be reasoned with."

"That is my hope," Romeria sighed wearily. "War, now at the onset of winter, would be detrimental to my people."

"Detrimental to all," Beele agreed.

Romeria offered him a small smile. "My apologies," she said. "It was you who had need of me and yet I have burdened you with my troubles."

"What troubles you, in turn troubles me," Beele said. "My pack dwells within your good graces and we would do our part to ensure the safety of all."

"Thank you, my friend."

Beele reached over and clapped a hand on Fayt's knee, before pressing on. "We came to ask your help," he said. "I should like to meet General Nox's brigade; see if the wolves are mine. My purpose here was to ensure the safety of the two I sent to Airyglyph. They have been gone too long for my comfort. Any help from your Blades in finding them would be most appreciated. One of them—his mate is heavy with child and Seifer's presence is desperately needed for the birthing."

"Of course," Romeria agreed immediately. What she knew of her strange friends and allies was very little in fact, but one thing she understood completely was the absolute importance of the mate. It was a concept she could grasp only in a small measure. Humans could love so deeply that they could not live without the one they loved, but it still seemed to fall short in comparison to these welves and their mates. She met Beele's mate, Sariel, once and witnessed for herself the connection that bound the two together. It was as if they shared a soul. Breathing, functioning without the other seemed impossible, and that was merely what she could fathom from her observation. If this Seifer needed to be found for the sake of his mate Romeria would do everything in her power to help.

"Reports say that the Black General and his men are nearing Kirlsa," she continued. "I understand Albel Nox has a deep connection with the border city. Whether he will be daring enough to venture a stop there is unknown. I imagine he would wish to keep their passage secret, however. Nel is stationed in Kirlsa. You remember her." Beele nodded. "She will be happy to help you in any way you require."

"My gratitude, your majesty," Beele said, gaining his feet. He took her offered hand and pressed it to his lips. "My apologies for cutting this visit short, but I am anxious to find my brothers in one piece."

"Beele," she called to him as they neared the door. "I wish you luck. And Fayt."

"Yes, your majesty," he blushed with the slightest flush of red in his cheeks.

"It was nice to meet you." She smiled. "Keep yourself warm out there."

Fayt dipped his head, his cheeks flushed again. "Thank you," he said.

General Albel Nox stared to the north as his men and new welf companions traveled. Kirlsa was no more than a day's march. Just beyond the mountains in the distance, he watched the gray-blue skyline as if he could see the small city's thriving and bustling streets. He wanted to go there. He wanted to see it one more time before…

Damn.

Albel mentally shook his head. Here he was, the Black general, getting sentimental about a place and its people. Still, it was the city where he was born and raised—the place where he discovered who and what he was. His father had always tried to instill a sense of honor in him from a very young age, and still Albel had desired nothing more than to join the fame and glory of the Dragon Brigade rather than follow his father in the less desirable footsteps of the Black. It took a terrible incidence and the death of his father to make Albel realize that there was no honor in how the Dragon Brigade fought their battles. Fiery breath, noxious fumes, deadly lightning; they were a coward's weapon and those cowards rode on the backs of beasts that did the killing for them. Too late he discovered for himself that when he ended a man's life he should be close enough to see the light in their eyes go out.

Perhaps the reason he most wanted to see Kirlsa again, though, was that it was the place where he first laid eyes on Tifa. Albel turned his eyes away. But that seemed like a lifetime ago, and he did not want to revisit any of it right now.

Albel called a halt when they reached the point where their path split. One old road went through a pass through the mountains to Kirlsa. The other continued through the canyons and over the Baqueral Mountains. Dragon country. It was a dangerous road, but possibly their only option. The road through Kirlsa would be far worse when the remainder of Airyglyph's grand armies could be waiting for them. As strong as his men were they were few. His brigade had always been the smallest because Albel operated under the belief that a few good, seasoned warriors were better than a thousand untried soldiers. They were once Airyglyph's most feared army tearing through their enemies with their enormous signature claymore swords that were nearly as long as they were tall. They were a nightmarish sight to behold on the battlefield in their black armor. But even they would stand no chance against the strength and staggering numbers of the other two brigades.

The soldiers began setting up their camp underneath a thick grouping of trees away from the fork. The road they were following was an old highway rarely travelled now due to the dangers, so they did not worry about other travelers. The biggest danger was being seen from the sky by possible Dragon scouts.

Though they only recently met, Yuuen and Akira had grown quite close to each other. Emba watched the two ukes setting their bedrolls near each other under a large pine with a smile on his face. Seifer and Shiki stood speaking with the general and Lord Kagekiyo. They had discussed their next move—finally decided what course of action would be the best to take. Seifer and Shiki would go to Kirlsa to meet Nel. As one of the captains of the Crimson Blades, Nel would be able to relay their offering of peace to her majesty and arrange for their safe passage into Aquaria. They hoped, anyway. Whether it worked or not, they knew it was better than attempting to sneak into the queen's country without her permission. It was unlikely that their movements went unnoticed by the Blades and such an attempt could only be seen as an attack from their enemy.

"Are you certain you do not want to come with us?" Seifer looked at Emba. "You know the pack has mourned you. They will not understand if you do not come."

Yuuen came up beside his mate and Emba put an arm around him. After looking down into Yuuen's face Emba nodded. "We do not wish to abandon our general, or our fellow soldiers."

"That is why you must convince her majesty to let us into the country," Yuuen smiled at his cousin.

"You know Alpha Beele will not rest until you all," Seifer looked at Kagekiyo and Akira as well, "are safely within the pack."

"Then help make it so," Emba said, and gripped his shoulder.

Seifer sighed. "All right. No one can say I didn't try at least." He looked at Yuuen and held his arms open wide. Seifer held the small uke tightly to his chest when Yuuen jumped into his embrace. "I will miss you cousin," Seifer said. "I just got you back, I better not lose you again."

"You won't," Yuuen promised.

With a few farewells to the rest of the group Seifer and Shiki transformed into their wolves and raced toward Kirlsa, carrying with them the fate of all those they left behind.

Endnotes:

1- Five years before, when Beele found himself in a strange land with a pack of his own to take care of, he met with Queen Romeria. At the time Aquaria and Airyglyph were at war and Romeria feared her country would be conquered if it carried on any longer. They reached an agreement that if Beele helped push Airyglyph out of her lands, Romeria would grant Beele's people with a safe place of their own.

2- I tried to find Vox's first name, but he's only ever referred to as General or Duke Vox. At least that's all I could find.