Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was tradition, Viago learned that night, for werewolf alphas to retire at 40.

'40?' He had asked in shock, 'but that is positively youthful!'

Anton had huffed out a laugh around his beer bottle. 'Not for us, mate. Does a number on you the whole... wolfing out part.'

He sighed and looked wistfully at his pack members arguing about the current game of twister they were heatedly playing, before they collapsed in on each other in a heap, and Stu had to break up the beginnings of a tussle.

'Yeah, not long now. Next month. The big 4-0.'

'What? But what will you do? They don't kill you do they?' Viago looked suspicious. 'Where is the last alpha?'

Anton let out a full bark of a laugh at that, which had eased any fleeting feelings of worry that had begun to emerge in Viago's mind. It would have certainly been a shame to have to kill the other wolves to protect Anton, just as they were getting along.

'Fuck, no, nothing like that.' Viago let the curse slide and Anton continued, emboldened by the strong beer Clifton had sourced.

'Our previous alpha he was... let's just say he wasn't great. He was hardly about, always off saying he was busy and had better things to do. I was basically acting alpha when I was 25. Some of these lads were barely out of their teens.'

He tore the label of his bottle, annoyed. 'Bastard couldn't wait 'til his 40th. Dropped us immediately. Left a note in the kitchen. Didn't even have the balls to say bye in person.'

Viago patted Anton's shoulder tentatively, feeling the red hot heat of angry alpha bubbling under the surface.

Anton sucked a deep breath through his nose and seemed to relax slightly, shooting a small, sideways smile in Viago's direction.

'Anyway, that's why I've always done my best by them. I haven't been perfect, by no means, but I've tried my best.'

'And you have done wonderfully!' Viago grinned, 'look!' He gestured to the pack who were now having an animated discussion with Vlad and Deacon. 'You even got them to be friends with vampires! Quite a feat.'

Anton scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. 'I think that was more Stu's doing, to be fair.'

'If you'd have told them to stay away would they?'

'I mean, yeah, I guess so?'

'Then that's settled. Anton, the great alpha who bridged the age old feud because he was such a good wolf papa.' Viago giggled, and nodded his head, satisfied.

'If you say so!' Anton was laughing now too. Had Viago always been this handsome, he thought, or had Clifton not told him everything that was in this beer.

One of the Nathans came over at the frivolity.

'What's all this then?'

'Oh, Anton was telling me about his impending retirement.'

Nathan gasped, stalked off, and Anton hurriedly shushed him. 'Don't mention it to the others here. They've not been taking it too well. Dion even asked to see my birth certificate to double check I'd got my birth year right.'

'Oopsie, sorry!' Viago grimaced, hand over mouth. Dammit, Anton thought, even that's cute. Had to be the beer.

'Do you have a plan in place? You're not leaving are you? You must stay! We have room here...'

'Viago, mate, it's fine. It's quite usual for a retired alpha to stay with the pack, just step back from the responsibilities involved. Our previous one was just a dickhead.'

'So you're staying?' Viago's face was hopeful, little fangs revealed.

'Well that will be Stu's decision. I've chosen him to be the next alpha. He's not been turned as long as the others but he has the perfect instincts, and that's more important. He'll be good for them.'

'Oh that's wonderful! He will be marvellous!Then I think you will definitely be staying. And you'll have much more time to visit me here in your spare time!'

Viago beamed at him, and suddenly the prospect of retiring didn't seem so scary. Perhaps one more beer then.

Chapter Text

‘I swear, if anyone has a combo padlock tonight, I am not responsible for my actions!’

It was Anton’s last full moon as alpha, and only four days until his 40th birthday. He was feeling even more tense than usual, as were the pack.

They were, to their credit, slowly coming around to the idea, with the straight-up denial fading into a solemn acceptance, partly as a show of respect for Stu. Anton knew they didn’t want to make him feel unwelcome as alpha, and to his surprise they had all been keen on Stu’s appointment to take over the alpha position, once the anger and worry had settled.

Anton had overheard them one night, when they’d been playing games in the living room.

‘Alpha?’ Dion said, ‘Fuck no, couldn’t cope with that. You think you could, do you?’

‘No chance in hell, mate. Could never work as hard as Anton does.’ Clifton went quiet and sniffed. ‘I’ll really miss him.’

Anton had been so moved he didn’t barge in to tell Dion off for swearing.

Stu’s voice brought Anton back to the present. ‘Don’t worry, we’ve all got keys, I’ve checked.’

Anton rubbed his forehead, and sighed in both relief and as an effort to calm himself.

‘Thanks, Stu.’ He patted his fellow wolf on the shoulder. ‘This will be you next month.’

Stu stood up a little straighter, rosy cheeks puffed out in earnest. ‘I won’t let you down!’

‘I know, Stu. You’ll do great.’

With that, he turned to the others. ‘Right clothes swapped, and let’s start the chaining!’

---

Anton clicked his lock into place with just enough time to spare, as the full moon emerged from behind a cloud.

‘Just breathe, you can do this, little wolf.’ The voice in his head surprised Anton, as it was not his own. He searched around the trees, his gaze falling on a small bat flitting around before-

---

Consciousness hit like the worst full body hangover. Amongst his own groans, Anton could hear the rest of the pack sitting themselves up.

Anton cleared his throat. ‘Roll call!’

All were present and seemed uninjured. He had done it. He had completed his last transformation as alpha, and his pack was safe. He felt excited to tell Viago, and chuckled to himself at this thought.

The relief was suddenly pierced by a sharp sting in his left side.

‘Ow?’

‘Um, you’re bleeding, you ok boss?’

‘I- I don’t think…’

‘HAPPY RETIREMENT TOOO YOOU’ a voice began to sing.

‘Shhh not now, Nathan, he’s hurt!’

‘But the cake-’

‘Fuck the cake!’

Anton passed out.

Chapter Text

Anton came to in a dark room, unable to move.

After a brief panic, he realised it was because he was so tightly swaddled in blankets he was stuck.

He wriggled, trying to get himself free, and rolled off the bed.

‘Ow.’

His door swung open, and Stu and Viago rushed in.

‘Anton! Are you ok?’ Anton flinched from the loud voice, before leaning into Viago’s hand at his cheek.

‘Uhhh…’

‘Can I help you get back on your bed boss?’ Stu’s hand was gentle on where he assumed his shoulder hid under the quilt.

After a quick detangling, Anton was free and being hauled to his feet.

‘Were you cosy enough? I wrapped you up as tightly as I could!’ Viago sounded so happy he was awake, Anton couldn’t help but smile and nod. He’d break a limb or suffocate before telling Viago otherwise.

When Anton was settled back in bed, Stu and Viago took turns explaining to him what had happened after the full moon, which, to Anton’s surprise, had been two full days ago.

He had injured himself - presumably the added stress of his last full moon as alpha had taken some toll on his wolf form, and been passed out while his body healed itself and rested.

‘Viago has been here the whole time too,’ Stu glanced at the vampire, a small, knowing smile on his face. Stu always knew. Anton felt his face heat and his chest warm.

‘The whole time? Wow,’ he scratched the back of his neck. ‘You didn’t have to.’

‘But I wanted to!’ Viago moved over to perch on the end of his bed. ‘I was so worried, my dear wolf!’

Viago’s eyes were beautiful. Anton had missed them. The whole two days he hadn’t seen them.

‘Ummm, I’m gonna go check on the guys. Let them know you’re on the mend. They’ll be glad to know you’ll be better for your birthday.’ Stu backed out the room, waving awkwardly as he did.

Anton cleared his throat and tore his gaze away from Viago, lest he be lost forever.

‘How have they been doing? Stu ok taking the lead?’

‘Oh ya! He has been wunderbar! You certainly don’t need to worry yourself.’

‘That’s great.’

The pair sat smiling at each other, until Anton’s stomach rumbled loudly.

His face blushed even more as Viago giggled.

‘Would you like me to get the boys to make you a soup and sandwich combination? They seem very fond of them.’

‘That would be great. Thanks Vi.’

‘Of course!’ Viago leapt up like it was now his life’s mission. ‘I will not be long!’

When he got to the bedroom door, he stopped and turned round, heading back over to Anton.

‘I am glad you are ok, my wolf,’ he said, and kissed Anton on the cheek.

With that he was off out the door, and Anton thought he might pass out again.

Chapter Text

‘HAPPY BIRTHDAAAYYY!’

Anton thought he may fall out of bed again, but managed to contain his mostly recovered body within his duvet.

The pack had burst into his room, each of them armed with a cake or a gift or balloons.

Anton pulled himself together from the shock of being suddenly roused from sleep, and found himself laughing.

‘You guys! You shouldn’t have!’

He was met with a chorus of protests.

‘’Course we did!’

‘Why wouldn’t we!’

‘You deserve it, boss!’

Anton felt warm inside. They were a massive pain in the arse, but he loved them.

‘Thanks guys. I mean it.’ Shiney-eyed faces all looked back at him, and it suddenly hit Anton that he was no longer their alpha.

‘Not boss any more though.’ He smiled at Stu.

‘Well, my first act as alpha is cake!’ Stu held up a knife and plates, and got to cutting the cake into slices.

The pack sat around, some on top of the bed, some on the floor, while they enjoyed the cake and Anton opened his presents. A big mug with WOLF JUICE written on it, some extra fluffy socks, an excessively large box of his favourite fudge, and a novelty t shirt with an old looking wolf that read OAP: OLD AND PAWSOME.

---

The evening festivities was to be a night out to the Big Kumara, which had really diversified in the last year and was now the ‘it’ place for all kinds of undead and supernatural creatures.

Anton tried on his fifth shirt of the evening. Viago was coming of course, and he found himself desperate to look good for the vampire. The fifth, he found, refused to button properly, and he ripped it off in frustration. He went back to the third, a burgundy button up with short sleeves. He had good arms. He should show them off. The question was then, should he roll the sleeves up more? How many buttons should he leave undone? He decided on ‘no’ and ‘two’ respectively.

He looked in the mirror, and drew a deep breath. It would have to do.

---

The Big Kumara stocked a great range of werewolf suitable beverages that did their darnedest to counteract their impressive alcohol tolerance, and soon the beers were flowing and the atmosphere merry.

Dion found it increasingly amusing to start singing happy birthday at random moments, and each time the pack joined in, getting more and more rowdy.

Usually Anton would find himself hushing them, or growing increasingly worried they would be kicked out, but instead he found himself relaxed, laughing, and enjoying himself. He saw Stu take Dion’s arm and whisper a word in his ear, and he found himself relieved that was no longer his responsibility. He could get used to this retirement malarkey.

‘There you are!’

A chipper voice rang out behind, and Anton span round a little too fast, almost losing his footing.

‘Oof!’ he said as he collided with the owner of his most favourite face in the world. Hm. Perhaps he should slow down on the beers.

‘Dear wolf! Be careful!’ Viago laughed as he helped Anton to straighten up. ‘You are enjoying yourself I see!’

‘I am!’

‘Good! As you should on your day of birth!’

Viago presented a small gift wrapped meticulously, and adorned with a bright red bow.

‘Happy birthday, my dear.’

Anton suddenly felt himself sober up.

‘Vi… you shouldn’t have.’

‘Should I not?’ Viago looked concerned.

‘No! I mean… thanks, it’s just… really generous. Your company would have been enough! But I appreciate it of course. Shit.’

Viago’s face broke into a grin and he was chuckling at Anton getting himself into a state.

‘Open it!’

‘Oh, yeah…’ Anton ungracefully tried to save the bow but ended up with it in a tangle and had to use force to pull it off. He fared better with the paper.

Inside was a small wooden box, which contained a small gold pendant. Inscribed upon it were the words ‘my darling wolf’. Anton thought his heart may stop there and then.

Viago cleared his throat, suddenly nervous. ‘I hope you don’t find it too forward, but I have come to cherish you as more than a friend, and if you would perhaps consider,’ he stopped to curse in German, trying to find his words, ‘I would very much like to be more. Than friends.’

Anton stared at him, heart pounding so much he thought it may come through his shirt, and then what would have been the point of spending so long choosing it.

Viago took his silence as negative. ‘Well, you don’t have to decide now of course, I am sorry if it was the wrong time, I didn’t want to ruin your bir-’

Anton could no longer wait, and cut off Viago’s rambling with a full on smooch, and ending it only for air.

They held their foreheads together while they recovered, and Anton got his breath back.

‘I would very much like to be your darling wolf, Vi. Thank you.’

They kissed again, and Anton was now conscious of whoops and whistles from the pack behind them.

‘Oi! Shut the fuck up you lot,’ he called back to riotous laughter.

He turned back to Viago, and held out his hand.

‘Dance?’

Viago smiled, ‘I would love to, my darling wolf.’