Chapter Text

Chapter 1: The night it all started

Nico was warm and comfortable as he laid in bed. Lewis’s strong and warm arms were wrapped around the omega as they laid together. Nico turned in Lewis’s arms and admired his mate. They were happy.

Then the loud thumping feet of George came running through the hall. His little pup was growing so fast that Nico and Lewis could hardly keep up with him and all his accomplishments.

“Mama, Mama”

Nico huffed as he hid himself behind Lewis. His pup was an eager one that had an ambition that both Lewis and Nico carried. When George wanted something he got it, and if not, then the toddler would give his best argument. Toto always joked that George would be a good fit for the council even at this age. But Nico always rolled his eyes at statements like that. His pup was just Toto’s only grandpup currently. Of course the head of the clan would boast and praise his grandson.

Nico pretended to be asleep while George made his way to their nest. George tried to jump up and reach the bed where his parents laid but was sadly too little. Lewis having had enough of the noise ruining his time warm and comfortable in bed, reached over and scruffed the pup, laying George in-between himself and Nico. Nico then found himself no longer in the warm and strong arms of his mate. Instead Lewis wrapped their pup up like he was meant to be there.

“Mine” Lewis huffed as he began to scent George who thrived off the love of his sire.

“Ours” Nico purred as he cozied up and wrapped his arms around his baby.

Lewis smiled as he opened up his arms to add his mate into the pile that was forming.

They were content, and they were happy.

Nico was outside doing laundry, while the sun was still out. Lewis and Nico needed to finish cleaning and preparing for the summer festival that would soon happen. As part of one of the shifter tribes, the summer festival was an important event. It helped the other tribes to know who was still around and kept up with the times.

Mercades, a wolf clan were a powerful people. One that sadly was dwindling more and more in number with the more humans that joined up with the guilds.

Humans always hated what they have never understood.

Humans hated sharing and co-existing with anything that didn’t meet their standers. If somthing didn’t have a use for them, then they would do whatever they wanted to in order to consume and destroy it.

At first, the humans only used to band together to kill the shifters of the land for the game and materials that resided in the territories. But they at least made an effort to just stay away from shifter land out of fear and respect. Unfortunately as time moved forward, the mindset changed, and so did human tactics. It got even worse when the humans seemed to make a guild whose entire purpose was to destroy shifters, claiming all shifters to be demons. Hundreds if not thousands of shifters had died due to the humans trying to take shifter land or just killing for sport.

Nico had his fair share of humans back when he was still a young and bright hunter out on the field. Nico used to make a game out of it. How many humans could he kill. It may have seemed cruel in the eyes of the humans he killed; but Nico wasn’t human. Nico was a shifter, one who wouldn’t be bound to the morals and ideals of humans. Nico was a shifter who would fight for his land and his survival.

Lewis married Nico for that very reason.

Tradition had alphas hunt and present their kill or gift to the omega they wished to court. But Nico despite being an omega, was a warrior; one who used the cunning mind he had to get what he wanted. Apperently Nico’s bloodthirsty nature was the very thing that made alphas go feral and want to court him. Having a mate who was skilled in hunting and had a strong and healthy body was appealing, especially if one wanted to have pups.

“Nico, I finished cleaning the house. Everything else should be ready for the evening when we leave”, Lewis said looking exaughted as he exited the house.

Nico, who was almost done with picking all the laundry, just sighed knowing the responsibility that was to be expected of them as soon as the pair went to the festival grounds.

Lewis was always tired during the Summer festival, and his stupid energy would end up feeding Nico into a trance of frustration and annoyance.

Lewis was a member of the council as well as one of the tribe leaders serving as a warrior that defended the tribe. Meaning it was his responsibility to help deal with all the technical stuff for the festival, like setting up watchmen, helping keep diplomacy between the other shifter clans, and making sure that there was enough game in the area for the festival activities.

Lewis made his way over to Nico and burried his face into his mate’s shoulder.

“Nicoooooo”, Lewis groned. “I don’t wanna go! Maybe you can just tell Toto that I’m not feeling well, that way we can just be shut in’s until the engery dies down a bit. We can go together when the evening activities start up and be all diplomatic there.”

Nico rolled his eyes at his mate’s actions. “Ah yes, because Toto would just let us of all people, to hide away during this time of year. You know he likes to keep us in his sights during times like these.”

Lewis huffed in annoyance, “And it would do him good to let us take our time and greive when the Summer Festival comes up insteed of watching us like a bunch of reckless pups”

Nico didn’t say anything, but Nico also agreed with Lewis’s though procces.

The Summer Festival held bittersweet memories for the couple. It was around this time about 7 years ago, that a horrible tragedy happened in the shifter community.

That year, hunters found the quadrennial gathering site, killing and destroying many tribes and clans. So many were killed and so many innocent lives were uprooted all because of the raid.

Nico could still hear his voice. The soft little giggles that used to fill the couples’s home once upon a time. How sweet and gentle those little laughs used to be and how warm the smile he gave off was.

But anytime Nico gave into nostalgia, the haunting cries of that day emerged. Where a fire large and bright, burned everything in sight. Where humans laid waste to the land and the cries of omegas and pups filled the night.

Nico just took in a deep breath and turned to look at Lewis.

“Just a few days, my love. It will be over in a few days. We just need to get through this then we can tell Toto to leave us alone for at least a month.”

Lewis looked down and a sad but understandable longing filled his eyes.

Nico raised his hand, gently cresing Lewis’s cheek. “I' know you miss him, and I miss him too. But we shouldn’t let our additude spoil what is probably as joyful time for many others. Come Lewis, let’s go get ready”

Lewis scrunched up his face in displeasure, but followed Nico back into the house where they went to go get ready.

one step at a time….

Everything was so vibrant, and warm. The streets were full of young people meeting other clans, allowing for new blooming relationships to grow. Children ran up and down the street chasing each other, playing hunter and prey. Couples danced to traditional songs, and vender shops were open for all to enjoy.

It really was a bittersweet sceene. It took everything in Nico not to bolt and tuck himself beside Lewis, hoping to hide far, far away.

The happy and loud children laughing made Nico grip Lewis’s hand in agony. It wasn't the children's fault, but the memories of his only baby, haunted the omega.

It was almost a jealousy, mixed with anger.

For years Nico hardened his heart when it came to pups. The omega just couldn't stand them after his one and only child was taken from him.

“It’s ok love, I’m here with you” Lewis said wrapping his arm around his mate.

Nico could hardly hold back the hiss that was threatening to escape him. “It’s just so hard knowing that George could have been one of them. A happy and bright child, running and playing without a worry with children his age.”

Lewis rubbed his mate’s back as he comforted Nico.

“I know Nico, I know.” Lewis said, trying to keep the pups out of Nico’s view.

After their baby died, life was different, and not in a good way. Nico grew bitter and Lewis tried to accommodate for his mate, but they got nowhere. After a few years, Lewis asked if they could have another, whether by adoption or a child born of their union. Nico refused, not wanting to replace his one and only child.

So that was that.

Toto was happy to see Lewis and Nico at the evening feast.

“There they are, our clan's pride and joy. Lewis, Nico, glad you could make it”, the alpha loudly boasted.

Lewis smiled warmly as he lead him and Nico towards where Toto and many other clan leaders were sitting and drinking together.

Nico hid the cring when the other shifters looked at him with interest. After all omegas weren't usually allowed to talk and listen to political talks like this, especially since they weren't of the ruling blood.

Nico and Lewis weren't exactly Toto’s flesh and blood, and shouldn't be considered part of his family line. And yet somehow, the pair were most likely to lead as the next clan leaders should Toto not sire up a legitimate heir. And Nico knows that ever since Susie, Toto’s mate and wife, passed away, the alpha had no interest in finding himself a new lover to keep his bloodline alive. To Toto, Nico and Lewis were enough for the alpha.

“Blessings and prosperity upon the Mercades clan”, the group cheered.

The three wolves embraced their praise.

“So let’s get down to bussnies then shall we.” on of the other tribe heads said.

Everyone looked about ready, but their gazes were still fixed to Nico, who sat silently beside Lewis and Toto.

“We can begin” Lewis said, with a bit of annoyance in his voice.

“Or course sir. It’s just…”

“Just what!” Nico asked harshly, narrowing his eyes.

The other tribal and clan leaders looked uneasy, like saying the reason out loud would summon a monster that would break the peace and harmony of the night.

One shifter with lizard like qualities just threw his hands in the air, “Fine I’ll say it. It’s improper to have an omega at a council meeting like this.”

Lewis and Toto both got up and growled at the group; protecting and defending Nico’s honor and dignity against vile and cunning men who would sully the Mercades name.

“How dare you”, Toto coldly responded. “How dare you make a mockery of the future clan omega of Mercades, in our own home!”

“Ahh, that’s all the omega is. The future Clan omega. Until the ceremony has taken place, only the alpha Lewis, will be recognized as the future of Mercades by us clans”.

Nico had heard enough, and was ready to throw hands, but Lewis stopped Nico. When Nico was about to say something, the blood shot eyes Lewis had were loud enough for Nico to take a hint and know that his alpha was mad.

“Everyone, surely you don't mean to say that my mate, who has been at my side for the last decade now, is not recognized by the current tribes and clans” Lewis askes, trying his best to remain calm. But Nico could see the shakes and tremors of anger in Lewis's hands.

“Your omega is indeed known to us all” another leader said. “But to bring an omega that has not officially been the title, would mock the other leading pack omegas. Besides,the pack omega is the peacemaker and mother of a clan. Why would you want to bring such an esteemed person like that into a war room. It’s just wrong and brings uncssacry worry and stress. It would be one thing if Nico was already the pack omega, but he is not”

Toto had had enough.

“It is that little minded thinking that had gotten my mate killed and murdered by the humans.” Toto said with dark eyes.

The lizard leader tried to appease his fellow tribe leader. “Toto we meant no harm, we just-”

“Susie was a hunter in her own right, and I was just too prideful and clung to close to such useless traditions, to let her join meetings like this. And now look where it’s gotten my people. Dead and scared. I don’t care if you think is improper, omegas from my clan will attend all meetings regardless of what is expected of tradition.”

The room was silent.

Toto just stood tall, glaring at the group. Lewis was at Nico’s side, ready to just leave and walk out. And Nico; Nico wanted to deal with them. To make them pay for insulting him, but most of all, for them making Toto bring up Susie.

Susie had died with George in the attack all those years ago. She had taken her dear grandpup, playing with the boy along with a bunch of other clans children. But the group was slathered and burned up with the fire.

One tribe leader looked as if to speak up, but a ear bursting scream was let out from outside the tent.

“Humans!!!”

That single word had the group of leaders getting up and rushing to reach their own groups.

“Lewis, we need to go secure our men” Toto yelled, rushing out the tent.

Lewis rushed to follow before stopping to look back at Nico. Lewis grabbed Nico and put their heads together. “Don’t die on me Nico, please. I’ve already lost George, please don’t let me lose you as well.”

“I could say the same thing to you” Nico said as fear and adrenaline started rushing through him.

Lewis just nodded before running back out to stay at Toto’s side.

Nico may not have been reconsidered by the other clan leaders, but he was highly well respected by the members of his own clan. The people looked to Nico and Leiws for guidens, and Nico needed to assure the people that they would be ok.

Nico ran, shifting into a golden wolf that looked like a blur in all the chaos happening around him.

The children came first to Nico. It wouldn’t matter from what clan they were from, but the children needed to be protected.

Howls and other animalistic sounds were going off all around Nico, and shifters of all types were screaming and yelling.

Nico found a group of people, mostly omegas and children, and howled at them. They all looked up at the golden wolf with eyes as blue as the moon.

“Get out, humans are here. Run to the hills and don’t turn back” Nico yelled.

Right away they group started fleeing and Nico ran back hoping to find any others to relay to message.

Nico hated humans!

He hated them so much. They not only dared to kill the very thing that made these festabiles unbearable for Nico and Lewis, but they took away Nico’s pup! And now they were back.

Humans just consume and consume, never stop. Nico hoped they all died or at least went away someplace far where they could never find his kind again.

As Nico ran spreeding the word to all he found, Nico couldn’t help but fear the worst for Toto and Lewis. Nico was a warrior of his own right and decided that he should fight at his mate’s side.

Nico ran to a cliffside, where he found Lewis and Toto fighting for their lives along with many other warriors.

Toto and Lewis were cornered in a field as they were surrounded by humans. They were doing well, keeping the humans at bay, but they wouldn't last forever. Nico, a wonderful archer, who managed to find a bow nearby, shifted back to a human form and started sniping the humans surrounding his family.

One by one, the humans fell. Nico saw the glimmer of relief that Lewis had in his eyes where he saw Nico taking out the humans from his perch at the top of the rocky hillside.

They would make it out alive, all would be well.

Well they would have, if it wasn’t for the stupid human that had the balls to climb up and hit Nico from behind.

It was a scruffy man and Nico growled at him.

Nico could feel Lewis’s eyes follow him, as Nico circled the human. Nico couldn’t distract Lewis and he couldn’t let himself be distracted from his pack either.

Nico tried to use his smaller and slender body to wear the man out. Hoping that the human would run out of energy so Nico could kill him. Nico rushed the man, fluidly dogding out of the way of heavy blows. But the human just kept up and Nico was running out of room to move around in.

But finally Nico saw an opening! Nico managed to not only disarm the human, but kill it.

A grone from the human, who was holding his hand to his bloody chest was enough for Nico to just leave the man behind and go to Lewis and Toto.

Nico, looked over to see Toto and Lewis no longer overwhelmed. The pair making their way over to Nico before Lewis started screaming.

Nico who was confused, then yelled in pain as his hair was grabed and pulled by the bloody man.

“If I am going to die, I’m taking you with me you dirty dog” the man yelled.

Nico felt something stab him in the side, and the pair fell off the hillside.

Lewis's screams were all Nico could hear as his vision went dark.

Nico woke up with his head hurting and his side killing him.

Nico, who was still in human form, saw that he and the human that tried to kill him, had fallen from the rocky hillside. The two were now somewhere in the forest, away from all the chaos, and unfortunately from any aid as well.

The man was dead. And it was a good thing to. Nico couldn't believe that he of all people let his guard down and left the man still breathing when he went to go see if Lewis and Toto were ok. Only an idiot leaves the enemy still alive when fighting for your life. Nico wasn't a novice, and more importantly he was the mate the Lewis Hamilton; the Mercades fighting comander.

But what's done is done. Nico needed to get out of wherever he was. Nico needed shelter and he needed it fast. The last thing Nico needed to deal with at the moment was more humans.

As weak and vulnerable humans were, they were bloody resilient creatures, that somehow managed to survive the most annoying things all through the power of hope, and sheer will.

Nico shifted back into his wolf form, trading his two-legged appearance for four legs, and carefully made his way deeper into the forest. His side still hurt and was still a bit bloody, but Nico could still move and the wound wasn't as bad as in his human form. Nico would live, that he knew for sure. But moving around with such a big injury was a safety risk in itself.

Lewis would find Nico soon, the alpha always did. Nico just needed to hide and rest until he was recovered enough to make the journey home himself.

As Nico walked, he eventually stumbled upon a small den. It was abandoned and that was exactly the hiding spot Nico needed while he rested.

The omega, now completely alone and unable to move very well, got comfortable in the abandoned den.

Nico couldn't hardly believe what happened tonight. Everything was so stupid!

Nico wanted to yell, to scream, to curse out the existence of every human who dared to walk the earth.

Why was it always them who managed to hurt Nico and his family? Why was it always them who managed to get the best of Nico despite all his training and experience?

Nico wondered how his pup felt when he was separated from Nico and Lewis all those years ago.

Was George scared like Nico was; with his heart wanting to jump out of his chest to the point that it made Nico feel nauseous?

Was he spiteful and loud like he always was in the face of “injustace” when the humans herded the young and the elderly like livestock?

Nico was hurt and he was tired, and with all that had just happened the only thing he could do is close his eyes.

Written by a human in Ellipsus.