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“Is that all you got?” Dean taunts, stalking in a slow circle. The wolf across from him mimics his movements. Their heads are low, ears erected forwards and lips curled back in a snarl. Dean’s tawny colored tail flicks back and forth, his irritation boiling under his skin. His gold-flecked green eyes glare the opposing wolf down, waiting.
“Just submit, you stupid Omega. You’ll never belong in the hunting party.”
The argument that had started this whole fight. Everyone knew that Dean was one of the best hunters in the pack. He was one of the sole wolves that helped keep the food stores full during the harsh winter last season. He was on the small side, sure, but he was the fastest and most agile out of everyone. Except for the Pack Alpha (and quite possibly an adolescent pup that followed Dean everywhere).
None of that mattered though. He could be the fastest and the best, but it was all sidelined by the sweet apple of his scent and the heat his body went through every four months. Yeah he could have pups, so what? Shouldn’t stop him from going out with the hunting party. There was at least one bigoted asshole of an Alpha, though, that always tried. Today’s example is Uriel Lake.
The dark brown wolf stares Dean down like he’s a piece of meat, teeth glinting. His eyes are even darker, the sunlight shining off them. Uriel has always been a bully, from picking on the smaller pups when they were young, to marching around Novak Pack territory like he was the Heir Alpha. Obviously his character development had shriveled and died somewhere along the way.
Dean was definitely smaller than the Alpha, his own wolf form lithe and slender. His soft tawny fur hid the well-trained muscles underneath though. Dean could pack a powerful punch and you wouldn’t know until it was too late. Of course, Uriel could just find a way to pin him and force his submission but that’s where the whole ‘fast and agile’ part came in. He didn’t submit to anyone.
He could handle an Alpha with an inflated ego. If he had to prove himself worthy of participating in the hunting party, he would. He’ll show this asshole just what a stupid Omega could do. It’s not like anyone else was going to do it. Or offer their assistance. A little ways off, the rest of the hunting party watches with half-interested stares. A few other wolves have been lured over by the commotion as well. Great. There’d be witnesses when Uriel got his ass handed to him. That’ll knock him down a few pegs.
“I’d never submit to the likes of you,” Dean growls, the words loud and clear through the telepathic communication the pack shared. A few people to the side snicker at that, others flick their ears in amusement and settle onto their paws, watching silently. “Maybe you should submit. You’re a piss-poor hunter anyway.”
Uriel doesn’t waste any words. A snarl tears from his throat and he lunges. Dean bounces easily to the side, dodging the large paw that swipes at him. When Uriel rounds on him, Dean is prancing lightly on his toes, head held high. The brown wolf charges him again, Dean sidestepping him as he does and snapping at his flank as he passes. Enraged now, Uriel whirls, shouldering up.
This time when the charge comes, Uriel is prepared for Dean’s dodge. Another paw is ready when Dean moves and snags his left forepaw. The tawny wolf lets out a short yelp as he tumbles, his balance disrupted. He’s thankfully able to get up just as fast though because not a second later Uriel is landing on the grass where he had been.
His own ego shaken, Dean prepares for another attack, his tail curled out for extra balance. When Dean attempts to dart under Uriel’s next offense, he’s caught by the other wolf’s teeth. He lets out an angry howl as the sharp teeth dig into the meat of his shoulder. The coppery scent of his blood hits the air as Dean twists, tearing away and losing himself to his rage.
The two wolves topple to the grassy earth floor in a blur of different shades of brown fur and gleaming teeth. Other wolves jump out of the way as they roll, ears flicking back as they watch with alarm. The increasingly violent fight has attracted a lot of attention now. Pack members, in both human and wolf forms, have stopped their daily activities to stare at the angry wolves.
The fight had also caught the attention of a little golden pup that had once again been tailing Dean. The pup was only just now returning to the scene, small tail tucked fearfully between his legs as he watches with wide eyes. He wasn’t alone.
The smell of pissed-off Alpha filled the air, effectively causing every pack member in the vicinity to freeze. Heads turn to stare as a large black wolf comes stalking into the clearing, thick muscles rolling underneath the midnight coat. Piercing blue eyes sweep over the crowd and that’s all it takes for everyone to go scrambling, rushing back to whatever it was they had been doing. Well, almost everyone.
A loud roar echoes off the trees and the nearby buildings. Now the scuffle comes to a stop, the two wolves involved finally breaking apart. Both of them stand frozen, staring up at the furious Pack Alpha, blood dripping from matted fur. A deadly silence stretches on, one pair of icy blue eyes traveling between the two wolves, and the other pairs actively avoiding the Alpha’s gaze. Dean breaks the silence.
“Alpha-”
“Quiet,” Castiel hisses, fixing the Omega with a harsh glare. Now see, Dean might’ve been exaggerating a little bit when he said he doesn’t submit to anyone. Overinflated assholes? No way, no how. They could go find someone else to bitch around. But a furious Pack Alpha? Yeah, Dean wasn’t that strong, or stupid.
He instantly drops to his belly, head resting between his paws, and his ears pressed flat. A low whine escapes his throat; his Omega begging for forgiveness. Castiel turns on Uriel, who also quickly copies the Omega next to him, flattening his body to the ground. The Pack Alpha stands over both of them, a growl rumbling in the back of his throat. Dean’s whine pitches up, ending only when the growling ceases.
“What was that?” Castiel asks slowly. There’s no actual tone seeing how the words are said in his head, but you could practically hear the gravel in his voice. Dean’s Omega has taken control now and it refuses to respond, resolving to stay quiet and pliant. Let the other Alpha respond. Castiel isn’t looking at Dean anyway.
“He wanted to join the hunting party, Alpha,” Uriel mumbles. “I didn’t think it’d be the best idea.”
“Why not?” Castiel rumbles, eyes flicking to the wide, remorseful eyes of the Omega on the ground. It doesn’t escape his notice when Dean creeps forward a short distance, tail flicking to the side. Castiel’s gaze lingers on him for a moment, before looking expectantly back at Uriel.
“Because he’s an Omega, Alpha. Omega’s should not be allowed to-”
“Enough,” Castiel snaps, cutting Uriel off. The Alpha swallows, ears pressing even flatter against his skull. Despite the fact that Castiel wasn’t talking to Dean, it doesn’t stop the whine that resurfaces at the tone. He creeps forwards a little more, slowly. “Any Omega in this pack has the same rights as every other Alpha and Beta. I do not want to hear of another childish, pointless conflict again, is that clear?”
Both wolves raise their heads enough to nod quickly. Castiel growls again. “Say it.”
“Yes, Alpha!” they both say hurriedly. The Pack Alpha’s stare once again lands on Uriel. Dean moves forward another inch or two. His front paws are only a couple inches away from Castiel’s own forepaws now. Just a little closer.
“Uriel. The hunting party obviously did not require your participation seeing as how they’ve already departed. You’re needed for border patrol at sundown. Until then, go make yourself useful and stay out of my sight,” Castiel orders. The other Alpha nods in assent, pushing to his paws quickly, murmuring a quick ‘Yes, Alpha’ before running off with his tail tucked. Blue eyes follow him for a moment before they slide back to the Omega still on the ground.
Dean is almost touching him now, head raised just a little to tilt it to the side and look up at the Alpha. The soft fur of his throat is exposed in a silent gesture of peace. Fury instantly gone, Castiel huffs, sitting back on his haunches. His thick black tail curls around his side as he stares silently down at the Omega. Said wolf moves forward the rest of the way, dark nose pressing into the black fur covering Castiel’s chest.
“You make this difficult, Dean,” he sighs, tiredness shining through. The Omega rises slowly, watching the Alpha carefully for any sign of anger. When none appears, he presses forwards, burying his face in the warm fur just below the Alpha’s throat. Dean’s head bumps up against Castiel’s chin as he presses into his space, a quiet purr resonating in his chest. He looks more like a giant housecat than a wolf.
“He wouldn’t let me hunt,” Dean pouts, making himself at home at Castiel’s side. The sweet smell of crisp apples and honey fills the air, causing the Alpha to hum.
“Well I think words would have worked just as well as claws."
Dean snorts, ear flicking. “Who has time for words?"
Castiel looks down at him sternly. The Omega stares back with confidence, no longer worried about the Alpha’s anger. Castiel grumbles, ducking his head down to nose along the downy fur covering Dean’s throat. The Omega tips his head farther, allowing the Pack Alpha more room. Dean’s purr grows louder the longer Cas scents him, radiating happy Omega. That is, until it stutters and dies at Castiel’s sigh and the sudden apprehension in his scent. The Alpha moves his head to rest atop Dean’s as they slide down onto their sides.
“I can’t have you fighting everyone you have a disagreement with, Dean. Courting or not, I can’t protect you from pack rules,” Castiel says gently, tongue flicking out to lap at Dean’s ear. The Omega ducks his head.
“I know,” he mumbles, eyes downcast. Castiel watches the Omega stew for a moment before his inner Alpha’s whining becomes too great and he gives in to the urge to comfort his soon-to-be mate. His fresh rainstorm scent thickens and Dean warily raises his gaze at the soothing smell. Castiel licks over his muzzle, tail curling over the Omega’s back. Dean leans into it, his purr starting up again. It stutters a few times, as if unsure it’s allowed to be heard.
Tawny fur mixes with black as they curl into each other, content in the other's presence for now.
At least until Dean remembers his hunting plans were just shot to hell and he starts cursing Uriel and the hunting party.
Castiel just listens silently, eyes half open, curled around his intended. Soaking up the mid-morning sun.