Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Come with me, Yudias. Our promised future awaits!” 

“Yudias! Our Velgeard to freedom has revealed itself! We must leave…now!!!” 

Even in his dreams, Yudias’ memories of that moonless night many moons ago are still vivid. The crimson flames and blasting sirens. Armandas of tranquilizer darts being fired from every possible angle. The sounds of multiple voices shouting at him. All of it replayed on repeat, each and every painful and stressful moment, as if it were a punishment from the very gods themselves. 

Luckily for him, he had someone there to take his hand and guide him out of the hellish nightmare of their past. 

Teal-crescent hues slowly flicker in response to a familiar warm but wet touch on his cheek. Yudias was quickly able to identify the source of it even before his vision fully cleared. He knew the touch of his mate’s snout anywhere. 

“Zuwijo…” He says groggily, slowly lifting a hand to cup the side of the head of Zuwijo’s wolf form. He truly was tiny in comparison to the majestic majesty of his mate that towered over him. Despite that, he has never once felt intimidated by Zuwijo. Perhaps that is what made him stand out from the rest of their kin in the alpha’s eyes. 

“Are you alright?” Zuwijo asks, his serious tone laced with a gentle softness reserved only for his mate. “I can only assume from how your body moved in your sleep that you were having…that dream again.”

Yudias’ thin canine ears atop his head droop at the spoken theory, the whine escaping his lips shortly after all but confirming it. The sight is enough to make Zuwijo sigh, the yellow wolf’s body soon enveloped in a purple light as it shifts from the form of a wolf to a humanoid, matching the appearance of his mate. With the abilities granted to him by having arms, he pulls Yudias into his chest, slipping the blue wolf’s head under his chin, in a protective embrace.

“Yudias, the past is over.” Zuwijo firmly declares. “There is no need for you to dwell on it any longer than you already have.”

“I…do not wish to dwell on it, Zuwijo…” Yudias murmurs into the other’s chest, his voice barely above a whisper. Thankfully, they both had great hearing. 

“And yet it still haunts your dreams relentlessly to this day.” A truth Yudias cannot really argue with. “I understand the memories of such an intense event can scar the heart and mind, but…I feel as though the reason for their repeated insistence is due to your being unable to fully let them go. To fully let…the traitorous go.” 

The word is enough to cause Yudias’ eyes to widen. He knows fully well who Zuwijo is referring to. Ever since that night, his mate hasn’t once spoken their name; the name of the one who, in Zuwijo and the rest of their pack’s eyes, betrayed them all. The one Velgearian wolf whom Yudias was unable to take with them...

“It was his choice to stay in that lab.” Zuwijo reminds him, his grip on Yudias’ body seeming to tighten slowly, a sign of his own rage dangerously boiling to the surface. “It was his choice to side with the humans over his own people. It was his choice to abandon you to continue being a little spoiled lapdog to that man. He is not someone who is worth torturing yourself over.”

Each word his mate spoke rang in the smaller wolf’s ears. Flashes of the images of the light blonde wolf from that night struck him like the lightning marks under their hazel eyes. Zuwijo had woken him up before these memories could rear their ugly head, but it seems that either in the world of the waking or the unconscious, this would continue to haunt him. 

Even in the protective embrace of his mate, Yudias’ body began to shake. His ears flatten against his head, and he begins to weep, tears falling down his cheeks. The shift in his body movement was enough for Zuwijo to notice his tight grip, instead of loosening it and gently starting to rub the other’s back instead. He remembers why he tries never to bring the traitor up in conversations anymore. The result always ends up like this, and the sight of his mate in such distraught was a sight he swore he’d never cause him. 

Guess even after being together for many a moon now, Zuwijo still had a lot to learn about being a good mate. 

“...Forgive me…for upsetting you further.” The words pained Zuwijo to say, as if he had been sliced by a blade. “I admit, I do not fully understand your continued… attachment to him.”

“He…is my family…” Yudias answers between sobs, sobs that Zuwijo is trying to stop by using his fluffy golden tail to dry the other’s tears. “No matter what he has done…that fact will not change.”  

Zuwijo did not have any siblings, nor did most of their pack. So, he supposes he will never understand the concept. To him, bonds, be they platonic or romantic, are what one forges for themselves. The fact that you are related to one another by blood does not mean you automatically receive special treatment or exemption from wrongdoing. Though, despite his own views, trying to get his mate to see it his way will be impossible. Yudias was just as stubborn as he is. It was a battle he’s already lost before it could have a chance to begin.

“Be that as it may, there is no need to torture yourself over one who is no longer present in your life. You should be focusing instead on those who are in it right now.” He looks over at the entrance to their cave home, where the sounds of their people's howls, which served as a morning greeting, echo off the walls. “They are your family too, as am I.”

“I swear to you…”Zuwijo then slowly lifts Yudias’ chin, leaning down to plant kisses on the other’s cheeks, each one sporting a different face mark, a mark from each of them, that sealed their eternal bond as mates. “They and I will always be with you, Yudias. ‘We are as one’, remember?”

Those words, no matter how many times Zuwijo says them, always manage to lift Yudias’ spirits. Truly, he has probably let the fact that his brother is no longer in his life affect him for too long now. He cannot deny that it was Kuaidul’s choice to stay behind with Sensei, nor the fact that he is certain his brother is happier there still than he would have been living up on this snowy mountain peak. His brother was always a loner, never quite carrying the sense of pack loyalty or care the rest of them had. And while he did care about Yudias, he cared about himself more. That’s what made the two brothers so different. 

If it came down to it, Kuaidul would sacrifice Yudias for his own selfish desires. And Yudias would allow him to do so, if it gave him a chance at the true happiness he so sought. 

Maybe his recurring nightmares are not just because the event was traumatic. Perhaps it was also a manifestation of Yudias’ own regret: the regret of never being able to make his brother truly happy…despite all his efforts.

“Zuwijo.” Yudias’ ears slowly begin to perk up, his toes lifting so he can mirror the other’s earlier kissing gesture. “Thank you. Thank you for reminding me…of what is right before my eyes. I…I promise I will not forget that, again.”

“Good.” He had better not break that promise. Zuwijo isn’t sure how much more of Yudias' crying he could take on a regular basis. It was too much for even a strong alpha like him to bear. 

Yudias then separates himself from his mate to exit the cave, Zuwijo following close behind. They move to stand at the edge of the cliff, overlooking the little village they and their pack had managed to create. It was well fortified and organized, with access to various natural and food sources. And while frigid, the cold temperatures didn’t bother their kind. They had been bred for battle, after all. 

The blue wolf’s eyes then look towards the sun, starting to rise on the horizon. As he watches the golden sight, he can’t help but think of the last memory of his brother. It was the most vivid memory of all the experiences he had. An outstretched hand and a request. A request to stay with him and live in spoiled luxury with Sensei, leaving everyone else behind to be recaptured by those who created them solely to be used as weapons for human wars…

“Kuaidul…Wherever you are now…” He watches him form his memories, shake his head in rejection of his brother’s offer, all the while the facility is burning down around them. 

“I hope you have found your happiness…” He hears Zuwijo’s call to leave, as his brother’s face turns from shock to agony to anger at Yudias’ response. 

“And I am sorry…” He sees his brother getting further and further away as Zuwijo grabs his hand, Kuaidul all but vanishing into the bright light of the flames of rebellion. 

”I could not partake in it with you…”

Chapter Text

“Zuwijo, please close your eyes!” Yudias excitedly commands, his eyes seeming to twinkle like the very stars the two were sitting under. “And do not open them until I say so!”

“Yudias...” His mate responds in his usual serious tone, giving him a slightly raised brow with his arms crossed over his chest. “You know a warrior never should leave himself open to an attack from an opponent.” 

“But this is not a battle, and we are not opponents.” Unless you consider this playful banter between mates a battle, that is. Though considering Zuwijo was a warrior by nature, much more than any of their pack, he probably considered things as such. Getting him to let his guard down was something Yudias had been working on for a while now. It’s why he had taken him out here, to this hidden cliff that bloomed with flowers on their mountain’s backside, to try and loosen up a bit. He understood Zuwijo’s need to be a strong alpha for everyone, but when it was just them, he could just be…himself. 

“I promise I will watch over you in the brief moments your eyes will be closed.” The blue wolf then gently takes Zuwijo’s hand and brings it between them, his tail gently wagging from the happiness he feels holding his mate’s hand in his own. He leans forward to plant a kiss on the other’s knuckles, much like he remembers seeing a prince do in the picture books Sensei had read to him and Kuaidul in his youth. “No harm will come to you, I swear. Put your faith in me…Moonshine.” 

The combined use of the nickname and the kiss all but strikes Zuwijo’s very heart, leaving him speechless as he just stares in awe at his mate whose blue fur seemed to glow in the moonlight. Yudias had a unique power unlike anyone else he had ever met, a power that, no matter how hard he tried, he could not overcome. He had the ability to break through his exterior, which had become hardened over time, instantly by being his kind and sweet self. 

Zuwijo swears Yudias will be the death of him someday. 

“It seems…I’ve lost to you once again…” The blonde sighs, but his face portrays a look of contentment, one he only shows to Yudias. “Fine. I will put my faith in you...Starshine.”

After using his own nickname, one that Yudias had asked him to create after making the one he made for him, he closes his eyes, even using his fluffy yellow tail to provide extra cover. He didn’t know what his mate had planned, but considering this was Yudias, he fully expected something as sugar-coated and sappy as the berries Dinois’ hunting party gathered earlier that morning. 

It doesn’t take him long to find out as he feels something being placed on his head. It did not feel heavy. In fact, due to his thick, long hair, he almost could have missed whatever had been put up there. The fact that he did notice it was a testament not only to how keen his senses were, but also how focused he was on what Yudias was scheming. 

“Okay. You may open them now.” At Yudias’ command, Zuwijo opens his eyes to see his mate holding a slightly cracked mirror that they had found in an abandoned human camp during one of Muda’s squad’s past searches for usable human resources. Repurposing of random items had become a necessity for their continued survival. After all, they left the labs with nothing but what they had on them. 

In the mirror, he can see the sight of what appeared to be flowers, a mix of lilies, daisies, and tulips, twisted together in a crown that now sat on his head. The sight of such delicate flora upon the head of a rough, battle-hardened alpha seemed so out of place to him. He was someone, more often than not, who was covered in battle scars, mud and soil, and or the blood of a fallen foe. Never has he been crowned with…such beautiful things before. 

“Do…do you not like it?” Yudias asks, his ears slightly dropping. 

“It is not that I don’t. It’s just…” Zuwijo’s gaze is fixated on his own reflection in the cracked glass. “Would this not be more suitable for you to wear?”

Despite Yudias’ mighty strength in battle, he was as soft and gentle as a daisy petal. He had a warmth that brought everyone together, always managing to lift their spirits with his endless hope and optimism. A wolf with a beautiful heart, such as his, seemed more worthy to be crowned by flowers than by a wolf with a stained heart like Zuwijo’s, a heart that to this day he still questions why the smaller wolf had come to cherish. He was fully aware of his undesirable personality quirks and tendencies, after all. 

“I disagree.” The words escape Yudias’ lips with certainty, as he moves to hold up the glass mirror a bit closer to his mate’s face. “I disagree because these flowers are strong and beautiful, just like you are, Zuwijo.”

For the second time tonight, Zuwijo was left speechless. This isn’t the first, nor would it be the last, time Yudias has complimented him in such a way. However, it was still shocking to hear each and every time. When it happened, it was as if the entire world stood still. 

For all of Zuwijo’s strengths as a warrior alpha, he had just as many insecurities that ate him alive, some he hadn’t even ever brought up to the others’ attention before. Despite what he said some time ago about Yudias needing to let go of the past, it seems he is incapable of following his own advice. He was just much better about hiding it than his mate was. 

Zuwijo knows he wasn’t a wolf nor a human. He knows he was made to fight and kill. He knows he’s an abomination, a freak of nature; one that should never have existed. And in spite of having been freed from the grip of humans for so many moons now, that fact never stopped hanging over him. 

Despite that, Yudias had chosen to see him differently. He saw him as a real being of beauty, just like any other gift of nature. As such, he had felt that a flower crown was fitting for Zuwijo to wear, and he had even crafted it with his own hands. And despite Zuwijo’s initial confusion at the gesture, he can’t help but smile at it now as he hears the sentiments kissed with Yudias’ love. 

It reminded him that he wasn’t the heartless war beast that had been bred to be by that masked man and his team of heartless human scientists. He was a person. A person loved by his pack. A person loved by his mate. A person…he was slowly beginning to love himself. 

“Despite everything we’ve been through, you haven’t changed.” A short laugh leaves Zuwijo’s lips, accompanied by the smallest and most subtle of smiles. “It is this part of you…This very exact part of you, Yudias. It is this part of you that I-”

“LORD ZUWIJO!!!”

The all too familiar voice of Dinois instantly drew the pair out of the moment, both standing up quickly to see the sight of the smallest wolf of the pack running towards them on all fours. 

“Dinois, report.” Zuwijo commands, instantly shifting back into his role as an alpha in all but an instant. 

“The village…is…under attack!!!” She says between heavy breaths, the small white wolf’s heart practically beating out of her chest. “A group of wolves…Just...Just like us….came in and started to try and take over our territory!” 

“Another pack of Velgearians?!” Yudias reacts in shock, all the while his mate has already begun to spring into action. His body glowed in a purple light, shifting back into his wolf form and picking up the tired Dinois onto his back with ease. The action causes the flower crown to fall, all but signaling the end of their private outing together. 

Yudias soon follows suit, knowing that the two of them can move much faster on four legs than two. “How…How can that be?! We destroyed the lab!”

“It does not matter how.” He wants to scold Yudias for how naive he was to believe greedy humans would stop their research after their escape, but he holds himself back. Now was not the time to dwell on that. “Dinois, inform us of everything you know about the enemy on the way. Yudias, our comrades need us!” 

“Understood!”

With the plan set, the trio dashes up the mountain, and the flowery field beneath their feet slowly vanishes to be replaced by white snow. During their journey, Dinois explains what she had observed of the enemy pack. Their coats were predominantly navy blue in color, with some black mixed in. They were about the same size and stature as the majority of the trio’s pack. The only exception was their alpha, who was about the same size as Zuwijo, with white fur that had traces of red mixed in, and a pair of mismatched eyes. 

From the information given, one can’t help but think this new enemy was made from a different but similar set of mutations as the rest of them were. It had been almost 50 human years since their initial escape. So, the differences were not shocking.

The real question was…did the humans create…even stronger beasts than the originals? 

Yudias, Zuwijo, and Dinois eventually arrive back at the now wrecked village, with the sights of their brethren either fighting the enemy or lying unconscious on the ground before them. The sight was enough to cause Zuwijo to start cursing himself. He knows better than to have allied both of the pack alphas to leave their territory, even if they had not seen a conflict like this before in ages. Almost any creature else that has tried to attack them before was swiftly outmatched by their superior abilities, ensuring they were left alone. But now…they were facing an enemy on par or even stronger than them, one that seemingly had the same thirst for carnage that they all had been bred with. An enemy whom they would have stood a much better chance at combating if he and Yudias had been there from the start…

Guess he was right to not put his guard down, not even for a moment. For he was a warrior, a warrior who could never truly escape the prison of the battlefield.

Zuwijo silently slides Dinois off of his back and onto Yudias', not giving either pair a chance to react as he then charges into the fray, with his purple eyes glowing and a thundering growl escaping his lips. His claws and teeth start tearing through the enemy wolves, splashes of their blood staining both the pure white snow and his cleaned yellow fur. It doesn’t matter to him how much blood he will have on his paws after tonight, nor if anyone will see him differently. 

Zuwijo was out for blood. For he had an oath to protect his people, and he had failed them. Tearing through the enemy without mercy was the only thing he could do to make up for it at the moment. 

“I must help Zuwijo!” Yudias declares, watching the horrifying sight before him. “He cannot fight them all on his own! But…But I must get you to safety first, Dinois!” 

“I don’t need your help!” Dinois huffs, jumping off his back easily. Seems like she had enough time to recover her energy during the journey back up the mountain. “Just go aid Lord Zuwijo! And don’t screw it up by showing mercy like you always do! Got it?!” 

Yudias is left to ponder those words as the small wolf scampers off, most likely to rally up her team and aid in the fight. She wasn’t wrong in saying that in battle, he was often one to show mercy. Unlike the rest of their kind, Yudias was unique in that he had no thirst for vengeance. He sought to protect his kin, but not to destroy his enemies. If anything, he would rather be friends with them. Even after what the scientists had put them through, he still wishes there was a way for them all to be peaceful. 

Humans…could not be all bad, as Zuwijo believes, right? 

Before moving to charge in, the sight of something in the distance catches Yudias’ eye. Despite the only light source being from the moon and stars above, he could see clearly in the darkness. In his sights, he sees a golden wolf atop the cliff near him and Zuwijo’s, seeming to be watching over the chaos of the battlefield below. 

“Br…Brother…?” The word escapes his lips for the first time in half a century. There…There was no way Kuaidul could be here. He…He wasn’t the type to get involved in a fight like this. Although if this enemy did come from Sensei and his scientists, then it would stand to reason his elder brother could have used his knowledge of what their packs smelled like to track them. 

He…He isn’t sure what to believe, especially since he would have recognized his brother’s scent in a second. But with all the blood and debris in the air, trying to detect anyone’s specific smell was impossible. 

Before he can even try to chase the golden figure on the peak, Yudias’ attention is instantly pulled to the center of the village, where Zuwijo is facing off with their alpha in intense combat. They did indeed match Dinois’ description, except for the large purple mark that spanned the entire side of his face. He was of the same stature as Zuwijo, but seemed to be a bit more muscular, meaning he moved more slowly but hit harder. Something that was evident when he did a sluggish but powerful strike that sent his mate flying into a rocky wall. 

“Zuwijo!!!” Yudias shouts, his voice echoing off the rocks surrounding them. The sight of his mate in pain makes him rush to his side, all but forgetting about the possibility of Kuaidul being here. He had to make sure Zuwijo was okay. He wouldn’t live with himself if he were to lose him.

When he meets up with his mate, the full gravity of the situation becomes clear. Zuwijo’s body was wracked with various wounds, covered in blood, with a particularly big gash on his front left leg. No doubt he had broken a bone or two in there. All the while, the enemy alpha slowly inches closer as Yudias examines his mate. 

“To kill…or not to kill…What choice should I make?” The voice of the alpha causes Yudias to immediately turn around, moving his body before Zuwijo as if he were a shield. 

“Please, please cease this fighting!” Yudias pleads, his body morphing into that of his humanoid form, which was almost never used during a fight due to its significantly weaker strength. But considering what he was going to say, he wanted to drop his theoretical sword at this moment. “I do not know why you are fighting us, but if you seek sanctuary, we would welcome you with open arms! We are all Velgearians! There is no need for us to fight over this place!”

“All Velgearians? You must be mistaken, alpha.” The expression on the enemy alpha turns to an expression that one could only read as rageful pride. “The Dudi Ducasse Wolves, led by me, their proud alpha, Dudi Nishaw, are proud warriors who have finally chosen to fight for what should have been ours!”

“Alpha Dudi Nishaw, I do not know what it is you are speaking about, but I know if we settle this peacefully, neither one of our packs will have to continue to-”

“Silence, Yudias!” The strained voice of Zuwijo roars throughout the area, the alpha managing to come to a stand despite his various injuries. “Your pleas for peace are wasted. Destroying them is our pack’s only option for survival. It’s either them…or us!” 

“Zuwijo, wait!” He cries as the yellow wolf uses his remaining strength to re-engage in battle with Dudi Nishaw, leaving Yudias unable to do anything but watch. There must be another way, he thinks. Violence cannot be the answer here! The Dudi Ducasse wolves were here seeking something, something they were so desperate to have they’d attack them for it. Whether it be territory, resources, or something else entirely, they for sure had their reasons. Understanding them and coming to a solution had to be an option, if only they would listen to him! 

“I have decided…” Dudi Nishaw raises a paw to Zuwijo with claws sharpened that began to be swung in the yellow wolf’s direction. “...to kill!”

“Zuwijo, no!!!” 

Without hesitation or thinking about the consequences, Yudias shifts into his wolf form in the midst of running towards Zuwijo, and takes the hit, the strong impact of Dudi’s hit sending him flying over the mountain cliff’s edge and falling straight down into the valley below. The sight of which causes everyone in the area to stand in shock, even Dudi himself. 

Well, everyone except Zuwijo, who, upon his mate leaving his sights, begins to see red, so much so that his cheek marks, eyes, and even body glow that very color. No one…was to bring harm to his mate. No one. 

And even though he did not know one hundred percent for sure, the fact that Yudias fell from such a height…the chance of him being dead seemed all but certain. The likelihood of it being true was enough to trigger the side of Zuwijo he had not displayed since the night of their escape. The beast that lay within. 

Despite his injuries, his raw emotions and the strength from within himself fueled his claws and fangs that soon tore into Dudi, his actions breaking multiple bones and spewing so much blood that he was soaked in it. The sight was so horrifying that even Dinois and Muda had reunited with each other earlier, couldn’t even watch. Even they didn’t like it when their alpha was like this.

No mercy had been shown, once again proving Zuwijo’s own view of himself correct. He was a monstrous beast built for carnage. Seeing himself as anything beyond that…was just fooling himself.

With Dudi Nishaw severely injured, the rest of the remaining members of his pack circle around him, initiating a vocal group surrender. Zuwijo, however, does not heed their words, continuing his attacks without any signs of stopping. None of the Dudi Ducasse wolves would make it out of this battle alive. The wolf that had been given the nickname ‘Palerider’ by the humans would ensure their souls would be brought to the darkest depths of hell, a prison in which none of them would ever escape for the many sins they committed tonight. 

They took Zuwijo’s mate, his greatest reason for living and wanting to become something more than a weapon, away from him. And he wasn’t going to let them continue living on if Yudias, who selflessly sacrificed himself for him, could not. That…was the justice they deserved. 

After finishing the last of the enemy in a bloody frenzy, Zuwijo falls to the ground, Dinois and Muda quickly rushing to his side. He used up all the strength he had left to end the intruders. Thanks to the fact that he and Yudias arrived at the battle, almost everyone in their pack managed to make it out alive, even if they were damaged and would need time to recover. Everyone except…

“Yu…di…as…” The words come out weakly as Zuwjo begins to lose consciousness, his eyes having returned to their purple color as he stares up at the bright stars above, the ones that reminded him of his mate who was no longer by his side. “For…give…me…”

Chapter Text

“Is…is he dead?!”

“Calm down, Yuhi! No, he’s not dead! I can still feel his heart beat, but…it’s definitely weak.”

“You think we should call someone?”

“Yeah, good idea. I’ll call Tazaki to pick us up. We can figure things out once we get back to UTS.”

The youthful voices, one male and one female, are all but muffled to the alpha, who was slipping in and out of consciousness. He doesn’t know where he is. He doesn’t know how he got here. All he knows…is that he’s in pain, and there is something about himself that feels….off. 

His keen sense of smell, sharp hearing, and ability to see well at night have all but vanished. He can’t feel his tail. He can’t feel his ears. He can’t feel his claws or fangs. It was as if the attributes that made him a wolf had been…stripped from him. But…how was that possible? Nothing like this has ever happened to him, nor any of their kind, before. At least…as far as he knew.

Sadly, his mind slipped back into the darkness, leaving Yudias at the mercy of the beings who found him. If Zuwijo were in his place, he’d be cursing himself and fighting to move. But Yudias just…accepted it, as if somehow deep down knowing things would be okay. It was that part of him, that hopeful part of him, that his mate could never truly comprehend. 

Hours pass, and the sun has risen in the sky. The golden rays of the majestic celestial body slowly stir Yudias awake. His teal eyes, which had lost their crescents, flicker as he takes in his surroundings. He appeared to be in a bedroom, a room he knew humans slept in each night. Around him were stuffed animals, books, games, and other random items that reminded him of the things Sensei would use to play with him and Kuaidul when they were both pups. Was he…in the room of a child? 

As he sits up, Yudias, on instinct, looks at his hands. He turns them over, noticing the lack of claws. Investigating himself further, he notes his lack of wolf ears, tail, and fangs, all but confirming the feelings that he had the last time he was conscious were correct. Not only that, but his hair had been extended, as if to compensate for his lack of fur. 

Like this, he really was no different than…a human being, the species responsible for his creation. It ment he was just as fragile, evident by how a surge of pain causes him to put a hand over his stomach, one that had been wrapped in bandages. It seems whoever had found him and taken him here tended to his wounds, much like Zuwijo would have done for him.

“Zuwijo…” The name of his mate escapes his lips as he thinks back on the previous night's events. All Yudias remembers is charging headfirst, a reckless act, in a desperate attempt to save his injured partner from death. It’s an action he has zero regrets about. Zuwijo was, barn none, his most precious treasure. Making sure he continued to live was far more important than ensuring his own survival. 

All he can hope for now is that Zuwijo and the rest of their pack made it through that battle alright. Once he is healed, he fully intends to find his way back to them. It does not matter how far they are apart now, Yudias will find a Velgeard home. Their bond ran deep, and he had faith in that, after all.

“Oh, you’re awake!” The voice of a young boy with spiked hair draws Yudias’ attention from his thoughts at once. He was so ingrained in them that he hadn’t even noticed the door had been opened. “Yuamu, he’s up! He’s up!” 

“I heard you the first time, Yuhi.” The young girl, Yuamu, then joins him, sporting brown hair with green tips that is tied back with a bow. “I hope you didn’t wake him up.”

“I didn’t, I swear!” Yuhi responds, his cheeks puffing out in annoyance. 

“Anyway, how are you feeling, mister? When we found you last night in the woods, you seemed pretty banged up after that avalanche.” Yuamu inquires as she fixes her glasses.

“Ava…lanche?” The words leave Yudias’ tongue confused.

“Guess you got knocked out so hard you didn’t even realize it. If I had to guess, you were hiking up Mutsuba Mountain and got caught in one that was so big it brought you all the way down to the base, where Yuhi and I were camping. Am I right?”

“W-Well, you are-” His voice is soon replaced with a screech as he can feel the pain surge in his stomach, Yudias having to hold onto the bedpost for support with one hand while the other was on his stomach. 

“H-Hey! A-Are you okay?!” Yuhi says, rushing to Yudias’ side. “Please, stay still, or the bandages we wrapped are gonna fall off!”

“I am…alright, young one. There is no need to…worry.” He puts on a brave face for the boy, masking his pain behind a weak smile as he sits back down. “I am…eternally grateful for your aid. If there is anything, anything at all, I can do to repay your kindness, please do not hesitate to inquire.”

“H-Hey, no need to be like that. It was nothing, really. We couldn’t in good conscious just leave you there.”

“Although…” Yuamu walks in front of her brother and hands out a small paper card to the now human-like alpha. “We could always use more hands around here.”

“U…T…S?” Yudias slowly says upon looking at the card. His understanding of the human language was limited, but he could read the alphabet. 

“That’s right! We’re Us Track Supernaturals, or UTS for short!” If Yudias still had his ears, they’d definitely raise in panic at the word ‘supernaturals’. “We specialize in documenting all sorts of supernatural creatures! Vampires, zombies, werewolves, the works. I’m Yuamu Ohdo, the president! And this is my twin brother, Yuhi Ohdo. He’s…just a regular employee.”

“Hey, no need to rub that in…” 

“We were actually camping out near the mountain because it was a full moon last night. Werewolves always transform when the moon is full!”

“Is that so?” Yudias replies curtly. If what Yuamu said truly is the case, then Yudias’ pack clearly didn’t follow that standard rule. While they certainly enjoyed the full moon to the point that they would usually host a group howl celebration, they did not require it to conduct a transformation. That was usually dependent on their energy reserves more than the moon’s particular phase. Then again, they weren’t normal werewolves, were they?

“When you say you document the supernatural, what does that entail?” Yudias inquires, considering the situation he is in. While these two children seemingly have mistaken him for a member of their kind, his wolf traits could theoretically return once he recovers. Knowing what to expect gives him the best idea of what he should expect. He had no plans of leaving at the moment, not that he could in this state anyway. 

Yudias had a vow to repay these two for saving his life. And when he makes a vow, he does not break it. Ever. That was the code of honor he, Yudias Velgear, followed.

“Well, it would probably be better to show you, but considering you’re still injured…”

“That won’t be a problem.” A new voice joins the space, coming from a boy with brown spiked hair with golden bangs dressed in a red t-shirt. He appeared to be around the same age as the two twins, from what Yudias could tell. What was of interest to him, though, was what was in his hand, one that seemed to be able to project images made of light. It was a kind of human invention he had seen Sensei and the scientists use back in the labs during research sessions. Was this technology common among other humans, then? 

“Perfect timing as usual, Yuga.” Yuamu greets warmly. “See, Yuhi, this is why your cousin is ranked higher than you. You really should put in some more effort around here instead of slacking off reading comic books.”

“H-Hey! I do plenty around here, sis!” Yuhi retorts, his face slightly turning red from being, in his mind, unfairly called out. “I set up the tent and sleeping bags last night! A-And I helped carry our injured friend over here onto the truck! I don’t remember you doing anything with that!”

“Now that you mention it…” The young girl turns her attention back to Yudias, ignoring her brother’s whining. “We haven’t asked for your name yet, mister.”

“M-My name…My name is…” Despite not sensing anything malicious from these three children, Yudias couldn’t help but feel cautious. If these young humans were somehow connected to Sensei and his scientists, giving his name away could be detrimental. So, he decides to use another name, a name that no one but one other person in this universe knew him by. 

“Starshine.”

“That’s…a pretty weird name, I gotta say.” The attention of everyone in the room suddenly shifts to a fourth child, who was leaning against the open door, his hair spiked a vibrant blue, and his eyes shone a deep crimson red. “I think The☆Star sounds much better. Yeah, The☆Star is definitely better. What do you say we call you that instead, huh?”

Before anyone was given a chance to say anything in response, Yuamu was already on the scene. In a swift motion, she steps on the new boy’s foot, causing him to scream and tear up in the corners of his eyes at the pain of her stomp.

“Ouch! Ouch! W-What was that for, Yuamu!?”

“That was for being so rude, Luke!” She retorts, stepping on his foot yet again. “You don’t just say that to someone you just met!”

“H-Hey! I was just being honest! Cut me a break!”

“And this is why you and your big mouth are not allowed to work here…” If he wasn’t an important person to her cousin, then Luke wouldn’t be allowed in this building at all. Never will she understand how someone as bright as him would develop feelings for an idiot like the heir to the Kamijo Gear Company. Then again, he always seemed to have his reasons, even if it wasn’t always clear. “Yuga, after this, can you please give your little dragon an explanation as to why he should keep his mouth shut. I don’t have the patience to lecture him this early in the morning. 

“S-Sure.” Yuga nods with a nervous laugh that soon transitions to a genuine smile as he then crosses the room to get the conversation back on track. The holograms on the device he is holding then shift, showcasing video footage of previous investigations UTS has done. 

“You see, Starshine, we here at UTS survey and document the supernatural. There are so many myths about these creatures that are just wrong, and so much we don’t know about them! Our goal is to debunk these myths and uncover the truth!”

“So you…just observe them in order…to gain information?” Yudias asks, seeking clarification. He wanted to know if he had somehow stumbled upon yet another human research facility. 

“Yup! Wouldn’t want to disturb them! Plus, the information we get from observing them is plenty exciting on its own!” Yuga’s reply causes the racing beat of Yudias’ heart to slowly begin to die down. “Although I’d love the chance to get to talk to a real supernatural being in person to get a first-hand account! That’s why I’m working on a new road to help make that a reality!”

“A new…road?”

“It’s just his way of saying he’s making a new invention.” Yuhi clarifies. “My cousin may be young, but he’s a genius when it comes to making things!” 

“Does that mean you made what is in your hands?” Yudias asks, looking at Yuga. 

“Oh, not this.” Yuga shakes his head, his gaze shifting down to the device. “My grandfather made me this for my birthday last year. He’s quite the inventor, too. I’ve modified a lot of his work to make my roads.” 

“I see.” It seems that humans creating things is in their nature, Yudias supposes. Although Yuga seems to be doing it for innocent reasons, not just for some greedy or horrific ulterior motive. Considering Yudias’ main exposure to humans was Sensei and the scientists at the lab, interacting with these four children was certainly refreshing. If only Zuwijo were here to see that not all humans were bad. Maybe then he’d see they weren’t their enemy. 

“Well…” Yudias attempts to stand again, this time managing to hold it despite still holding on to the bedrail. “If uncovering the mysteries of the supernatural is your goal, then I am more than happy to provide you with my assistance as soon as I am recovered. I am in your debt for saving my life, after all.”

“There is no need to repay us, as I said earlier.” Yuhi says, making sure that was clear for their new friend. “But if you really wanna help, we’d certainly welcome it.” 

“It’s settled then.” Yuamu smiles, moving to grab one of the many hats on a rack that was in the corner of the room that had the company’s logo in the middle. She then moves to place it on top of Yudias’ head, the hat managing to cover two spikes of his hair that one might mistake for horns. “Welcome to UTS, Starshine. We’re happy to have you.”

“Lord Zuwijo! You must rest!” Muda pleads, all the while he and Dinois are doing their best to keep their last remaining alpha still by using their own bodies to pin him down. 

“I can’t.” He snarls, baring his fangs at his two closest subordinates. “Not when Yudias could still be out there!” 

Last night, he was not in the best frame of mind. Everything that transpired had sent him into a violent spiral, blanketing his sense of logic and reason and replacing it with pure rage. While it was very likely that Yudias had perished due to being flung off the cliff by Dudi Nishaw, he wouldn’t believe it until he saw the body with his own eyes. It was, in his own way, his own sense of ‘hope’, something Yudias had always tried to teach him that he was seemingly putting into practice in this desperate situation.

“But you can’t attempt to find him in this condition! You need to recover first!” Dinois says, her tiny body not managing to contribute much to keeping their leader still. “We can’t…We can’t lose both our alphas! We would be done for!”

“...” A frustrated growl escapes Zuwijo’s lips. As much as he hated it, Dinois had a good point. Their pack had remained strong and united thanks to having two strong alphas leading the way. If he were to vanish just like Yudias did, then their group would certainly fall apart. Everyone was already shaken up after the battle. Rushing off to find his mate, especially in his less-than-ideal state, would be foolish. Being reckless was the very reason Yudias was gone in the first place. 

“...Fine.” Any resistance he was showing soon fades, causing both the smaller wolves to sigh in relief. “But the second I am able to run, I am going after him. Hopefully, I won’t be too late…”

He has no doubt in his mind that the attack yesterday was because of that man. The traces of his and his scientists’ handiwork were all over the Dudi Ducasse wolves. They were as inorganic as they were. Maybe they came here as a field test, or as revenge for that night the Velgearians burned that lab to the ground. Whatever the reason, Zuwijo knows this won’t be the only attack. More was to come. 

They had seemingly declared war on their pack, and they needed to be ready for it. That was why it was so important for them to confirm Yudias’ status. If not for the pack’s sake, then for Zuwijo’s own.

He wanted to know if he truly had nothing left to try and be a real being for.

Chapter Text

“Brother? Do you think….we will be able to go outside someday?”

“I am not sure.” The golden pup replies from his position curled up in the lap of a now sleeping Sensei who had fallen asleep working on a report of today’s battle tests. “Though, I am content where we are now. We’re fed. We’re played with. We’re loved…What else could one want?”

“And I am not ungrateful for all we have been given. I just…would like to see the outside world in person, the world Sensei is from. The world we were born to protect.”

“Well, I am certain you’ll get your chance, Yudias. You just need to be patient. Sensei has a plan for all of us Velgearians, after all.”

“Starshine! Hey, Starshine! Did you fall asleep?” The voice of Yuhi stirred Yudias awake, and the taller male slowly sat up, quickly realizing he had dozed off. 

“Oh! M-My apologies.” He bows his head, his cheeks flushing pink in embarrassment. “I did not intend to do so. I suppose I was just…relaxed being out here with you.”

“At you didn’t snore like a certain dragon over there…” Yuhi mumbles. His red eyes shift to glare at Luke, who was passed out in the lap of his boyfriend. The group of four kids and the wolf spent the day having a picnic under a tree in the local park. They had been working so hard as of late, that Yuamu felt it was good to celebrate their accomplishments. That and to get out of the office for reasons other than supernatural observation. 

Yudias had recovered within a week of his injuries. Once he did, he immediately began working with the group. His recovery had not resulted in the return of his wolf traits, but in a way, he is thankful. Yudias had come to really enjoy the company of Yuhi, Yuamu, Yuga, and Luke. It reminded him of simpler times when he was but a pup, blissfully unaware of the darkness that existed in the world. 

Perhaps that is why he had dreamed of Kuaidul yet again today. 

“Seriously, Yuga. Can’t you invent a road to lower his volume?” Yuhi complains, covering his ears to try and muffle the sound of Luke’s loud snoring. 

“I’ll make a note of that for later.” Yuga nervously laughs as he uses one of his hands to stroke through the other’s soft, blue locks. “But considering he stayed up late working on his manga, I’d rather not wake him up.” 

“Yeah, I hear ya.” Yuhi then stands up from his position on the blanket, stretching his arms up before offering a hand to Yudias. “Come with me.”

When Yudias looks up at the voice calling for him, his eyes widen. For what he sees in front of him isn’t the human boy, but the image of his brother, the very one from the night of their escape. His heart starts racing, his arms shake, and he can feel his breath become heavy. 

“Kuia-” 

“Hey, you okay?” Yuhi’s voice cuts through the image created by Yudias’ mind, the scene shifting back to reality. His brother wasn’t here, just the young human boy he had grown close to since they met. “Do you need to lie down again? You seem to be spacing out, Starshine.” 

“I…I am okay. Thank you for your concern, Yuhi.” He provides a weak smile, gently taking the other’s hand as he stands up. “I suppose…I just have so much on my mind.”

“Well, I’m willing to lend ya an ear if you need.” 

“I…I appreciate that.” Having an ear to listen to him is something he’s not had access to with Zuwijo not around. Though Yudias will have to be careful about what information he shares. He’s been doing well so far, but with how comfortable he’s gotten around these humans, it won’t be shocking if he slips something. 

The two leave Yuga to watch over the sleeping Luke to take their walk, waving to Yuamu, who had been in the midst of a conversation with her friend Manya. Mutsuba Town was a small and quiet palace in the grand scheme of things, and yet it felt so much larger than anywhere Yudias had traveled. Then again, aside from the labs and Mutsuba Mountain, he had been nowhere else. So, getting to see more of it was always something Yudias enjoyed doing. It’s one reason why he even offered to go on errands to gather supplies. 

“So…what’s on your mind, Starshine?” Yuhi asks once they exit the park. 

“I have just been thinking…someone in my family.”

“Your family?”

“Yes.” Yudias nods. “It…It has been quite some time since I last saw them. And…we did not…end our last interaction on the best of circumstances.” 

“Oh…” The human’s expression sinks. If he had wolf ears, they’d surely fall at hearing that. “Have you tried…reaching out to them?”

“I…I cannot.” Yudias looks up at the sky towards the mountain, thinking back to the golden wolf he saw during the territory war, which he had sworn was Kuaidul. “I would not know even where to begin.” 

“I see…That’s tough.” The somber tone of Yuhi’s voice soon perks up as he stretches his hand to place it on Yudias’ shoulder. “But hey! I’m sure you two can work something out! Family…Family can be tough sometimes. Yuamu and I get into all sorts of arguments, as you’ve seen plenty of times by now.”

Yudias did indeed witness many a sibbling discourse since he came, that was for sure. The most intense of which was when Yuhi accidentally ruined one of his sister’s dresses. Never has Yudias seen a human so angry in his life.

“...but in the end, we always make up! So, I’m sure you and your family member will be able to make up someday! You just need to…reach out your hand.”

“Reach out…my hand.” Yudias looks down at his hand, then flexes his fingers. Back then, he never got to quite tell his elder brother what he was feeling. He simply didn’t get a word in before he was dragged away by Zuwijo. It was something he always regretted doing, even if he wasn’t happy with his brother’s selfish motives. 

This…unfinished business with his brother. That could be the cause of what he’s experienced over the years. The nightmares. The hallucinations. The heaviness in his chest that never seemed to go away. It all could stem back to not settling things with Kuaidul. Guess even with Zuwijo’s advice, he could never truly let go of the past. 

Suddenly, Yudias stops his steps, turning his body in the direction of the nearby woods. A hand is placed in front of Yuhi, halting his movements as well.

“H-Hey. What’s up, Starshine?” Yuhi asks, his voice sprinkled with bewilderment. 

Yudias’s eyes narrow, trying his best to discern what may lie beyond the trees and bushes of the woods that surrounded Mutsuba Mountain. He could have sworn he, even with his dulled senses, felt something watching them. But without his powers, being able to see what may lie hidden was truly a challenge. 

“It…It is nothing.” He declares before gently grabbing the young human by the hand and starting to guide him away from the woods. “Let us…head back to the park, now. Your sister might be worried if we are away too long. And…thank you for listening. You are…a dear friend, Yuhi.” 

“Aww, don’t mention it!” Yuhi says, scratching his cheek that had blushed a bit after hearing the compliment. “We’re best buds after all, right?” 

“Best…buds…” He does not quite know what the term meant, but he can only assume it meant ‘friend’ by the context of the conversation. Yudias gives him a smile, then, squeezing his hand gently. “Yes. Yes, we are, Yuhi.” 

Upon completing his dinner, Yudias went up to the roof of the UTS building. It was a place he had come to when he needed to get his thoughts in order. After all, the stars are the clearest when they are viewed from a high peak. 

As he stared at them, his mind wandered to Zuwijo. They always did whenever he was up here like this. He wonders how his mate is doing without him. Considering the intensity of the battle that occurred two months ago, Zuwijo must also have taken some time to recover. There is no doubt in his mind that his Moonshine was still alive. He was their strongest warrior. He would not fall so easily. Yudias was certain of that.

But…he can’t help but worry how he is faring without him, how the pack is faring without him. For all they know, they could assume he perished, something that would have been the case if the Ohdo family had not found him and nursed him back to health. It was gratitude for that very selfless act that made him uncomfortable with leaving. He swore he’d do all he could to help with their endeavors, and despite having gone on many adventures with them in this short period, he feels as if he has barely done anything to truly repay them for saving him. 

And yet…the blue wolf can’t help but feel guilty for leaving the pack without their second alpha, for leaving Zuwijo without his mate. It…It broke the very vow he had given the night of their escape, even if he was only doing so to fulfill another one. Such was the dilemma one with a nobility like Yudias Velgear faced…

As the waxing crescent shone above, he made an attempt at a howl. In this human form, he couldn’t quite do it well, but he makes the attempt. He wishes for his voice to reach that of his mate, to let him know he was still there. That they still were connected, even if physically apart. 

Upon releasing a quiet and high-pitched attempt at a howl, one that very much sounded like a pup’s, he sighs. He does not expect a response, and yet he can’t help but be disappointed that there isn’t one. If only….If only he could hear the traces of Zuwijo’s howl from here. If only he could hear the beautiful, unique noise that came only from the mouth of the one he loved…

Suddenly, his attention is grabbed by the sound of a howl, and Yudias instantly turns in the direction of the noise. Considering he had been experiencing visions and hallucinations as of late, this could be just his mind trying to comfort him by conjuring the sound of Zuwijo’s howl from memory. But…that theory quickly dies as soon as the sight of a large fellow wolf landing on the top of the building registers, his teal eyes staring into the beast’s beautiful lilacs that seemed to sparkle in the moonlight.

“Can it be…?” Yudias says softly, rubbing his eyes and shaking his head to try and make sure he wasn’t seeing things. “Moon…Sh-”

Without being given a chance to answer, Yudias is quickly tackled and pinned to the ground by the wolf. A grunt of pain escapes his lips, unable to free himself from the other’s grip. He can feel Zuwijo’s breath over his face, the smell of no doubt his last meal of wild game hitting his nostrils. It was clear by the look in his eyes that he wasn’t seeing him as his mate, but as his…prey. 

“Human…” Zuwijo growls, his lilac eyes slowly shifting to the color of crimson red, which matched the color of his cheek marks. “What did you do…to my Yudias…?”