Title: Alpha 3/?

Author: Sony_Mouse

Pairings: 1+2

Warnings: AU, Wolf/Human Hybrid

Archive: .com

Disclaimer: Not mine, not yours

Chapter 3

The fires blazed high into the dark night's sky as the smell of roasting meat penetrated the warm air. Many of the regular mid-class clansmen danced around the feast circle while the loud drums played a beat that could only echo the heart of a true Wolf.

Throughout it all, not a single clansman truly forgot that tonight was a time for fellowship and celebration, not a time for work or duty. Not a single clansman that was, save one.

While shouts of jubilation rung in the air, Duo was hard at work trying to weave in and out of the thick crowd, attending to various duties that were not his own. Young pups were seen racing around the lone wolf as he good naturally avoided their path.

Many full-grown wolves tried to entice the hard working hunter to sit down for a bite, or to sip some fine ale. But nothing could deter Duo from making sure that his meat was well prepared, and that not a single valuable morsel was left for waste during that dry summer.

To Heero's single-track mind, it seemed as if Duo would be unsatisfied until every job in the camp had been completed by him alone for quality control.

Every feast, celebration, victory, wedding or any function what so ever, it was always the same. Everyone played and forgot their worries while Duo was never able to let go. He was always driven, always moving forward.

A sigh of frustration escaped her pursed lips as Heero thought of what he'd give to see Duo's tight muscles let loose among the dancing, to see him sway before the fire for Heero's pleasure alone.

But a quick glance at some adoring 'fans' reminded Heero that of course he wasn't the only wolf interested in the successful young talent. Many a bitch had their scheming eyes on him as a potential mate, and perhaps a step up the social ladder.

His sigh turned into a snarl of discontent at the mere thought of it.

"Heero must you sulk so? Your people are celebrating our prosperity, your prosperity. You do not have to join and dance like the others if you do not wish to, but at least pretend that you are enjoying the fruits of your hunter's hard labor. In the end, they hunt for you as much as for themselves". As always, his mother's soft reprimand worked to drag Heero out of his disparaging thoughts.

He hadn't meant to come across as sour, but his excitement over Duo's return had quickly turned to disappointment when he'd realized the hunter had no intention of spending any that time with Heero, not even in verbal assault. Apparently Heero had pushed too hard during their first encounter that morning.

His mother was still looking at him expectantly, waiting for an acknowledging reply when the most awful scent imaginable filled his senses. He realized too late what, or who, it was, and feared he had accidentally demonstrated some very poor manners indeed.

The young lady, Relena to be precise, was apprentice to the Clan's top Healer and a Beta in training herself. She was well-mannered, good tempered and always polite. She was also under the false pretense that Heero was shy when it came to women, and only needed a push in the right direction.

She bowed low and graciously before them and lifted her adoring eyes to smile prettily up at Heero.

To be fair to the young maiden, any normal male in their right mind would be driven half mad with lust at her strong pheromones being direct their way.

But he'd long considered the smell of any female to be not to his liking, and his resentment of being constantly forced to ward of the unwanted attention from any number of young clan maidens had taught him to despise the smell entirely.

His mother silently urged him to speak with a sharp disapproving lift of her elegant silver brow. Heero was quick to obey.

"Relena, I am glad your family has joined in on the celebrations. I hope you and yours are enjoying the fine feast our hunters have prepared for us?"

Heero was very much guilty over his first reaction to the young maiden. He tried to cover it up with as much grace as he could, lest she had noticed his primary reaction.

It appeared no offence had been taken as she blushed at his tone. "I'm grateful as always for the protection and prospering your family brings us all. But… " Here she paused, uncertain if she was crossing a boundary she dare not touch. "I have noticed you have not moved from your seat all night, will we not get to honour of seeing you dance this summer at all?"

Heero groaned internally at the invitation, he was a horrible dancer, and didn't like to see the clan bitches fighting for a chance to be his partner. Relena must have seen the look on his face because she quickly reworded her statement. "I did not mean you dance with me of course, I would never be so bold as to ask. But perhaps you'd grace us with the Warrior's Dance. Along with all your finest men of course." She made no sign of hiding her blush this time around. "I'm sure all the maidens would enjoy such a show."

A sophisticated chuckle could be heard from the side, and Heero's Mother was quick to assure the young girl that she had not misspoken at all. "What a wonderful idea Relena, you are right to drag this one away from hiding all night. Our clan is proud of its warriors, and prouder still of its future captain. I shall order that it be performed at once."

Her goal attained, and approval found, Relena bowed happily and turned to let the other girls know of the upcoming show.

Heero knew his mother was fond of Relena, and although she was a kind-hearted girl, there was not much chance of a future match in Heero's eyes.

"See Heero, I'm not the only one who can order you to dance, your clan demands it. Go now, and remember how your father's training."

Greatly perturbed by being removed from his favorite sport of watching Duo, Heero nonetheless remembered his manners, and his place. He stepped forward to call the other warriors to him.

An excited hush fell over the crowd as some of the finest wolves in the clan stepped forward to take their place next to Heero in the forefront.

The current Warrior Captain graciously bowed out while he drank some more spirits. He commented to the crowd that he was "too old" to do himself any favors being surrounded by such young wolves. The crowd roared its approval of the old captain and humorously mocked him for backing out. They then all waited for the drums to began their primal beats.

Heero was not a nervous man by nature, and he indeed remembered all the long hours of training his father and other personal trainers had instilled in him. In the ways of fighting, he was unmatched in the clan. While it was true he'd never fought his mother for the Clan leader position, the truth was there was no need. Everyone knew of Heero's fighting abilities, and he was unbeaten in sparring. Save of course, for that one small fight with Duo when they'd been young pups.

His mind cleared of all other thoughts as he heard, no felt, the drums beat in rhythm with his pulse. Each movement was as fluid as any fighting stance he'd ever known, the air acting as some imaginary foe in front of him. There was no need to look behind him to know that the other warriors were in perfect step alongside him.

In many ways the Warrior Dance was less of a dance and more of a demonstration of power and grace in the ways of fighting.

There was no time to look around the crowd, and soon even their voices faded into the deep recesses of his mind as the movements took control of his body.

And then just as soon as it had begun, it was over.

He blinked once or twice as if woken from a trance. The feeling of sweat running down his body was unmistakable, and his breathing was heavier along with his quickened heartbeat. The jovial men behind him fared no better as they let out cheers and whoops of joy. But soon the stench of pheromones was suffocating the air and Heero had to excuse himself to the back of the crowd. Bitches of all ages giggled and pointed at their favorite warriors while jealous mates tried to act unaffected by their supposed betrayal.

And it was through this thick miasma of youthful hormones that the unexpected and improbably presented itself. Heero caught wind of the single most intoxicating smell that he'd ever happened upon.

DUO! There was no doubt in Heero's mind to whom the addictive aroma belonged to; he'd recognize the scent anywhere. But it was not just the scent of Duo, it was the smell of lust, the smell of longing, it was… enough to break Heero if he let it.

His eyes frantically searched the crowd rife with activity and courtship for the only face that had ever mattered to him.

He found him close to one of the huts in the back of the crowd, partly hidden in the shadows while still facing the main stage where many of the warriors were still cooling down from the dance.

Duo's cheeks were flushed as if he had been the one to dance, and then there was the unmistakable look of shame apparent in his downcast eyes.

To Heero it seemed impossible that no one else noticed the fragrant scent of the hunter in such an improper display, but most were either too drunk to notice, or too lost in their own courtship rituals.

But it wasn't long before Duo finally looked away from the crowd and by shear chance happened to glance directly at where Heero now stood.

Whatever Heero had hoped to achieve from catching Duo in such a private manner, it was not to see Duo freeze in an obvious display of fear like a deer caught in a trap.

Without a doubt, Duo knew he'd just been found out, and by the worst possible clansman in the village at that.

Duo dropped the tools he'd be carrying and just as quickly sped off into the night.

Heero was not far behind him.

Heero doubted anyone save his Mother would notice his departure, but at that moment he didn't care. He had seen the impossible; Duo the Great Hunter, Duo the tireless, Duo the foundling, his Duo… was attracted to other males.

While normally Heero would have been no match to Duo's skilled gait and footing, the hunter was clearly in a frantic hurry and not thinking straight.

All the same, Heero caught up to him not far past the forest line, well hidden from any signs of the festivities they'd just left behind.

With a burst of speed from his powerful hindquarters, Heero lunged into the air to capture his target once and for all.

They both rolled unceremoniously to the ground with Heero landing up on top.

Duo hit the ground face first into the dirt, his belly scraping badly on the rocks below.

Instinct took over and Heero automatically bared his teeth to claim the exposed neck. He then held Duo in place in an obvious show of his dominance to indicate that the chase was over.

Involuntarily, Duo shivered beneath him, and the beast inside Heero fought hard to take control of the situation, for a different purpose entirely. The feel of hard muscles as they strained against Heero's hold and the taste of him was almost too much to contain.

But common sense forced him to lift his head and release some pressure off of Duo's back, just enough to allow him to move, but not enough to free him.

Duo took a few deep breaths before saying anything, obviously trying to collect his mixed feelings of the display he'd just witnessed and the more natural one of fear.

A shaky, unconvincing voice finally made itself heard, "I… I don't know what you think you just saw Heero, but this is not good be…"

"Save it!" Heero hissed as he applied a slight increase in pressure. "Don't mock me with lies and a well-crafted tale. We both know what just happened back there."

Without looking, Heero could imagine how Duo's eyes would be frantically looking around the dark forest for an explanation, anything that would reverse their current position.

"I didn't do anything wrong, I've been a good clansman. You can't possibly accuse me of anything." Duo all but pleaded.

Heero could barely contain the cruel smile that threatened to split his face. Duo pleading? Duo at his mercy? This had to be a dream; it was all simply too much.

"You're right Duo, you've behaved in public as perfectly as you always do. Worked the entire feast while everyone else drank ale and danced. But then why should you stop to enjoy yourself, or be distracted by loose maidens and shows of desire when you have OTHER things on your mind."

To his credit Duo didn't even try and deny it this time. Heero could feel the muscles beneath him truly sagging in defeat. Giving himself over to Heero's mercy.

"What…" Duo liked his dry worried lips "What now? Am I to be cast out… or killed even?"

The unfamiliar tone of worry was enough to snap Heero out of his enjoyment of the situation.

And just what HAD he hoped to achieve by following Duo?

Was he to force him into an action only one of them wanted? To show him just how much they truly had in common after all?

Sadly the reality of the situation was a bitter pill for Heero to swallow. He was just as likely to win Duo over now than he had been this morning before he'd learned of the truth.

Casting him out was unthinkable to Heero, as good as cutting out his own heart. And killing… no he would not think of it. And certainly he would never dream of telling the other clansmen.

He could always share his own true nature, but no good could come of that conversation.

Duo would spur him as he'd always done before, just as with his friendship. And Heero had much more to lose from the truth being made public than Duo.

"No Duo, you will not be cast out… or killed". Heero said this as he sat back onto his haunches to fully release the trapped hunter.

"In fact, I intend to do nothing."

A startled Duo leapt to his legs in a surprising show of quick recovery. "What do you mean nothing? You have your eternal damned wish before you. You could be rid of me once and for all. Why on earth would you deny yourself that pleasure?" Duo asked in a frantic and angry voice.

Heero managed to compose his true feelings, and put forth a mask of superiority, a great task indeed when presented with the flustered young man before him still reeking of the pheromones from before.

He leant forward, purposefully entering Duo's personal space in a movement of pure unadulterated dominance. "Because Duo, I have never wished for your departure, there is something I want much, much more from you."

Wide, uneasy eyes bravely tried to stand their ground, but the wavering voice betrayed his true feelings. "And… what is that?"

"Your complete and unconditional submission."

TBC..