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Duncan trudged through the snow. He hadn’t expected it to come down so thick and fast, and was glad when he sighted his tent. It couldn’t come too soon, the snow had started to seep in through even his thick coat and if he got wet then there was the risk of hypothermia.

He was glad when he opened the flap and stepped inside, immediately protected from the biting wind. He dropped the brace of rabbits into the crate just inside the flap, and stripped off his outer layers, placing those on top to allow all the moisture to drain in one place.

He knew he’d return too late to his camp to be able to easily light a fire. The last of the light was gone and now it was too wet. Duncan was about to take off his boots and crawl under the furred blankets to hunker down until dawn, when he was sure he heard something outside.

It was hard to tell at first, the wind and rain making a racket of its own. But then it was gone again.

Duncan hadn’t got as far as he had in his profession without being cautious, so he shouldered his rifle and tentatively pulled back the flap, deciding to inspect the area around his camp.

He had barely reached the edge of the small clearing when something caught his eye. A lump where the day before there hadn’t been a rock or a fallen tree. The snow was coming down so thick that he could barely see a foot ahead of him, but as he drew closer he was sure that the lump was moving. It was barely any movement, and at first he couldn’t be sure it wasn’t just the snow clouding his already limited vision.

But then he heard the pained moan.

With a huff, Duncan crouched next to the lump and began to wipe away the thick layer of snow already settling on the figure. He huffed again. Duncan bristled at the thought of having someone in his little camp, his solitude. But in a lifetime of killing, there was something very different about leaving someone to suffer and die slowly.

Duncan stripped off one of his thick gloves and used it to push the snow off of the body, until he was finally able to get to what lay below. A shivering figure in a coat that was way too thin for this environment. It took him a moment to work out which way was up, but in the end found the person’s arms and pulled him out of the snow bank.

They were light, barely there, and still shivering uncontrollably. At least that was a good sign. If they were hypothermic, their internal heat regulation was still working, for now.

Duncan dropped his glove in order to drag the body up into his arms and turn back to the tent. The snow was even thicker now, up to his knees as he practically waded back.

The wind had picked up too, and Duncan had to set the body down just outside the tent in order to clear snow and then let himself back in carefully, to ensure that he wasn’t followed by half a snowstorm.

He took off his remaining glove and set it on his coat and then took another breath. He hadn’t realised how cold he was himself. Now soaked to the skin by the snow. He knew better than to go out without his outer layers, but in that moment of realising someone was outside, he had only needed his rifle.

He drew in a breath before opening the flap enough to grab hold of the body and drag it inside the tent.

It lay lifeless there, mop of curly hair the only thing that made it even seem human. But there was a gentle rise and fall of breathing, and still an incessant shivering - signs of life.

Now he just had to keep them alive as the snowstorm worsened and the temperature dropped.

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With his own clothes wet, and his guest hypothermic, Duncan knew the only way to ensure neither of them got any worse, and hopefully regained much needed body heat, was skin to skin contact. If they remained in wet clothes, the clothes wouldn’t dry, they’d just make them colder. It was a quick and easy decision to begin undressing the other person first.

Whilst Duncan could feel his skin quickly cooling under the sodden clothes, it was nothing to what this near lifeless body was feeling.

Duncan started with the feet, pulling off the boots that weren’t made for snow quite this heavy. The socks were soaked and iced, and Duncan growled as he pulled at them, thankful to find the toes weren’t black with frostbite.

The cumbersome, though inadequate coat was next and with it came the face-covering scarf, finally giving Duncan a glimpse of the person he had rescued. A young man, though pretty enough to be mistaken for a girl in the right light. He had the barest stubble, and his hair was a mess of curls. His skin was pale, even more so from the cold, and Duncan didn’t hesitate to take hold of the shirt and undershirt and tear them to get them off.

Topless and shivering, all that remained were the trousers, also soaked through, especially at the bottom of the legs. How this kid was still alive was beyond Duncan’s comprehension. He’d seen people die out here with better clothes and equipment than this lad.

The material too thick and sodden to tear, Duncan had to tug the trousers down, pulling at them roughly in order to work them off.

At that, he received the first real signs of life, as the boy let out a grumbled moan. Trying to be fast rather than painless, Duncan pulled harder until the trousers and underwear were both off and the boy was naked on the rug-covered tent floor.

Duncan was shivering by the time he had finished, the coldness of his own clothes catching up with him as his chest tightened and he found it difficult to breath as well as he should. But there was still more to do, before he could see to himself.

He took hold of the nearest blanket and rubbed it over the boy, hard, rough and fast, trying to soak up and lingering moisture, even as the boy made little protesting whimpers.

Finally satisfied that he was as dry as he could be, Duncan took hold of another blanket and wrapped it around the boy who then curled in on himself.

“You’ll be alright, pup.” Duncan’s words came out harsh against his dry throat. Had it really been so long since he’d spoken aloud?

The boy calmed at the words though and Duncan took the first blanket to the boy’s hair, rubbing at it vigorously to soak up the ice and snow that clung to it. He threw the blanket on top of the pile of wet and half destroyed clothes, before grabbing a small towel and wrapping it around the boy’s hair - it was the best he could do.

The boy was so light that it took no effort to pull back the furred bed covers on top of the thin mattress at the back of the tent, and slide the boy under the furs. He wrapped them tight around the boy before finally seeing to himself.

His hands were freezing, but there was going to be no fire tonight. He rubbed them together and blew on them for a few seconds before having to put them to work. He pulled off his clothes with the same haste as he had for the boy, though was able to do so without damaging them. They weren’t nearly as wet, though he cursed himself all the same. It had been stupid to go out in so little, he knew better than that.

Finally down to his briefs, he could feel the cold dampness that had seeped through to them. The cold was insidious here, there was no escaping it if you didn’t take care.

Duncan pulled them off and added them to the pile of clothes that he then pushed to the mouth of the tent. He would deal with them all in the morning, for now the important thing was to make it through the night.

Shivering, he went back to the mattress and pulled back the furs, enough to be able to slide in behind the boy. And he considered leaving it at that, putting his arms around him and trying to share their heat. But he was seasoned enough in these wilds to know better, so he tugged at the blanket he’d wrapped around the boy, until their naked bodies pressed together and he spooned under the blankets and furs with the complete stranger that he was determined to keep alive.

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Aiden drew in a deep breath and found the air to be warm. It took him a moment to open his eyes and then all he could see was brown fur. He couldn’t understand where he was, or why he wasn’t cold, so he reached out a hand to try and feel around him, and his palm hit the fur. It was soft and warm, and pulled up all the way over him so that he was cocooned in it.

So warm, so comfortable. Something he had never expected.

He had to be dreaming, hallucinating. Or perhaps he was dead.

The last thing he remembered was the cold. Biting at first, so cold that it felt like it was burning him. And then numbness as his brain ceased to feel anything at all, cutting it all off as his body slowly shut down.

And now here was here, encased in furs.

And something else.

Aiden began to register more of his surroundings as consciousness came back to him, including a heavy weight across his waist. He stilled, trying to assess what it could be. As warm as his flesh, thick and equally hard and soft. His mind flitted through easily dismissed options, until coming to the realisation that it was something organic.

A realisation that came only a moment before it moved.

Aiden drew in a sharp breath as he felt a puff of air at the nape of his neck and the weight - the arm - constrict, pulling him close until his back met, unmistakably, the front of another person. He felt their warmth, the scratch of coarse chest hair, the gentleness in their firm grasp of him.

He wanted to be afraid, but he wasn’t. He had been wandering the wilderness alone, outcast, and now - dead or dreaming - was in someone’s arms as they warmed him to his core.

Aiden released his breath, allowing himself to sink into that warmth, and this was enough to wake them from their slumber. He stilled again, as the man behind him cleared his throat - a low rumbling noise - and went to move his arm, hesitating before leaving it in place.

“You were hypothermic,” a voice like gravel travelled on hot breath against his ear, and it took everything in him not to shiver.

“You found me?” Aiden asked, such a redundant question, for want of something to say.

“Yes.” An obvious answer and then silence.

Aiden remained where he was. He wanted to believe it was because he was fearful and felt he shouldn’t make any sudden move to leave, but in truth he was the most comfortable he could ever remember being. Held, warm, safe. All things he had wanted in his life and never found.

Finally, he broke the silence. “My name is Aiden.”

“American?” Came the reply.

Aiden nodded, and the man huffed.

“Another Klondiker with no sense. You should have stayed in San Francisco, where it is warm.” The words were a scold that made Aiden frown.

“I wasn’t looking for gold,” he muttered, feeling suddenly so very small in this man’s arms.

When silence came again, Aiden couldn’t abide it. He should leave, before he brought trouble to this man’s door, but as he tried to move, he found himself held and then turned. Still in the man’s arms, they were now face to face.

And, Aiden realised as he swallowed hard, this man was beautiful. He was older, grey in both the hair on his head and his facial hair. One eye was nothing but a scar, and yet it did not detract from the weathered handsomeness of his features.

With nowhere else to place them, Aiden’s hands rested on the man’s chest and they studied each other for a moment.

They were naked, Aiden realised, completely so. They were warm and snuggled under furs in a good quality tent. It felt a world away from the snow outside. It felt wonderful. A sort of wonderful that Aiden was never meant to have, and yet could not pull away from.

“My name is Duncan,” the man replied, voice rough and gentle at the same time, just like his touch.

“Nice to meet you, Duncan,” Aiden murmured softly, “thank you for saving my life.”

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Aiden watched the older man cautiously. Very aware that they were both still naked as the large, scarred and muscular body pulled provisions together before coming back to Aiden.

He handed Aiden some dried biscuits in a tin plate and a canteen of water, which Aiden took with thanks as he sat up amongst the furs. He was warm again now, his usual level of warmth, and if anything the furs were becoming a little stifling.

But he didn’t feel he could easily resist when Duncan pulled the fur back up around him.

“Thanks,” Aiden muttered before taking a nibble of the biscuit. It was dry and stale, salty but otherwise tasteless. Whilst Aiden appreciated it, it wasn’t what he needed. What his body craved. Meat, flesh. Something warm and wet with blood.

He washed the biscuit down with big gulps of water.

“I have something stronger, if you’d like,” Duncan muttered, indicating the canteen.

Aiden wiped his mouth and shook his head, “this is fine, thank you.”

They sat in silence for several minutes, Duncan pulling a rough blanket around himself as he watched over Aiden and finally asked, “Why were you out there in the snow?”

Aiden took another gulp of water, savouring it, swallowing slowly - stalling. After taking so long to answer, Duncan continued, thoughtfully.

“This is so far from anywhere, I haven’t seen another person in months. How did you get all the way out here without even good gear?”

Aiden winced inwardly at the accusation there. The undeniable fact that he was hiding something.

“I, uh, I wasn’t alone. Not at first,” Aiden started to tell a half truth. “I was with others, we had a camp. But… I got separated and then it started to snow and I couldn’t find my way back to them.”

Duncan nodded, though his slight frown made Aiden wonder if he truly believed him.

It was the truth though, to a point. He had been with others, technically. The pack had been chasing him for weeks. He had managed to give them the slip out here, but then got lost in the snow storm.

He’d known it would be easier in this weather if he had turned, but it would have also made him easier for the pack to find. They would smell him as a wolf over much greater distances than they could if he remained in human form.

“Well,” Duncan spoke gruffly before picking up another canteen, one that smelled of spice and heat when he opened it. He took a swig of it and hissed through his teeth at the burn before continuing. “You’re lucky to be alive. Surprised you still have all your fingers and toes.”

“I run hot,” Aiden dismissed with a smile, which earned him another frown. It might be true, but if he were human then he would not only have likely lost digits to frostbite, he’d probably be severely hypothermic and near death.

Changing tack, Aiden continued, “Thank you. For everything you’ve done. I really appreciate it.”

Duncan gave a curt nod and mumbled something Aiden could barely make out with his oversensitive hearing, but still couldn’t understand - it wasn’t English.

This man was a curiosity, and Aiden found himself unwittingly drawn to him, wanting to know more. He was living here in the middle of nowhere, this man with his one eye and scarred body. What was his story?

“As soon as the snow melts I’ll be gone, I’m going to head north, and-”

“You’ll have a long wait,” Duncan’s voice was a low growl. “That snow is the worst I’ve seen in many months, it’s not thawing any time soon. Not enough for you to go out there with…”

“With?” Aiden frowned, unsure what Duncan was trying to say.

He nodded towards the sodden pile near the entrance to the tent.

“Your clothes were soaked, we need a fire to dry them, and we won’t be able to light one until some of the snow has thawed.

Aiden realised quite how dire the situation was once he looked past the pile of their clothes to the side of the tent itself. The snow was piled so high that it pressed in all around them.

Duncan was right, Aiden wouldn’t be going anywhere soon.

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It was their second night together, though Aiden could not remember the first beyond the sense of warmth returning to him until he finally woke beside his host.

He was warm again now, their bodies pressed together under the blankets. His clothes were still wet, and until the snow let up enough for them to leave the tent and set a fire they would likely remain so.

In what appeared to be an effort of solidarity, Duncan remained stripped and that was something they'd both been glad of when the sun went down and they needed to huddle together under the blankets for warmth.

If anything, now, Aiden was too warm. He was feeling more himself, better and rested, and was returning to normal. At least, normal for him, which certainly wasn't normal for a human.

It wasn't the warmth that had woken him though, it was the way the man beside him twitched and groaned. Aiden drew back to look at him, his vision still near perfect in the darkness, and studied Duncan. He could see the man’s eyes darting under his eyelids.

Aiden wondered if he should wake Duncan from the dream, or nightmare. But he only got as far as that thought when Duncan began to thrash around, twisting in the blankets. When Aiden attempted to free him Duncan was on him with a cry.

Caught off guard, Aiden was pinned to his back as Duncan moved over him. His face a snarl but his eyes still glazed even though they were open.

"Duncan!" Aiden tried to rouse him, not wanting to use force for fear of hurting the man with his own quiet strength. “You’re dreaming, wake up!”

He held Duncan off him enough that neither of them were likely to get hurt, but Duncan did not wake immediately, struggling a little more until finally he was looking at Aiden intently, as if trying to work out what was happening.

“Aiden?” His voice was rough.

“It’s alright,” Aiden reassured him, letting some of the strength out of his arms before Duncan realised quite how disproportionately strong he was, allowing Duncan closer.

“I’m sorry… sorry…” Duncan babbled as he tried to move away, but still twisted in the blankets, he was only able to tie them further together until he was pressed chest to chest against Aiden.

Aiden did what any wolf would do with a member of his pack and put his arms around the man and held him close. “It was just a dream,” Aiden reassured once more, feeling Duncan burrow his face against his neck.

He was so warm and heavy, it felt so good to have someone so close after so long without a pack.

“If you need to talk,” Aiden offered, “I won’t pry, but I think we both know that there are only so many reasons why a man finds himself out here in the wilderness.”

Duncan grunted but said nothing, wrapping himself around Aiden until they were completely entwined.

They must have fallen asleep like that, because it was a little lighter when Aiden opened his eyes again, finding Duncan still weighing him down. The man was stirring in more ways than one, he realised, when he felt the press of the hard bar of Duncan’s cock against his thigh.

Aiden’s breath caught. It was a wonderful feeling, as was the tingle of excitement that ran through him, one he hadn’t felt in too long. But one he knew he should ignore even as his own manhood began to respond in kind.

He needed to move them before Duncan truly awoke and realised what was happening - that they had been holding each other, that Aiden was hard. Aiden knew all too well what a man could do if he was not inclined towards other men. He still remembered the bruises and broken bones.

It was that thought that drove Aiden to move, trying to free himself from under Duncan only to have their cocks press together with the motion.

Aiden stilled, biting back a groan and preparing for the worst.

Duncan was awake now, he knew. His breathing had evened out and his face was still pressed to the side of Aiden’s neck. He felt every movement keenly.

A low, soft grunt came forth from Duncan and he moved. Not off of Aiden, as Aiden had anticipated, but against him, rocking his hips so that they could truly slide against each other with a dry and rough friction.

“D-Duncan?” Aiden muttered.

“Shh,” Duncan replied, “tell me now if you want me to stop.”

Aiden shivered at the words as Duncan slowly rocked against him. He was breathless when he replied, “don’t stop.”

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Duncan hadn’t expected this, but he welcomed it. It had been years since he’d felt the heat of another against him in this way. It had been the reason he’d moved here, to the middle of nowhere, in this wilderness.

He had grown old and wealthy enough from his profession that he might do anything he wanted, except the only thing he really wished to. To settle down, enjoy the last years of his life with someone who might care for him. Some man who might care for him.

And here was a man, out of the wilderness, like fate. A beautiful young man whose body was pressed against his. It was almost too good to question. And he knew he really should question it. He was too good at his profession not to question everything. And whilst that thought niggled at him, he pushed it down. He didn’t want to question why this young man was here, where he had come from, what he was clearly running from.

“Duncan…” Aiden moaned under him, completely naked and cocooned under the blankets.

Duncan grunted in response and moved against him. Their bodies pressed tight together - fitting together perfectly.

Aiden gasped and sighed as Duncan’s chest hair rubbed against his hard nipples, and Duncan swallowed each sound as he pressed his mouth to Aiden’s.

Duncan loved the way Aiden shivered in response, his hips stuttering until Duncan took hold of his hip tightly with one hand and held him still as he fucked against him. They kissed and writhed and moaned as Duncan pressed their cocks together, trapped between their bellies.

It wasn’t enough, because then Aiden took hold of his hips then, not even breaking the rough kiss as he dug his nails into Duncan’s flesh and thrust against him.

Duncan growled, his hips rutting faster and faster until Aiden was whimpering into his mouth. He was so lost to pleasure that he was sure he could feel Aiden’s cock growing and throbbing against his own.

When they both came, hard and shuddering, the noise Aiden let out was inhuman.

Duncan had heard many different sounds humans can make and this was nothing he had heard before. He drew back as he came down from his climax, gazing down at the boy as he continued to writhe and growl beneath him.

Aiden’s eyes were wide and glowing yellow, his mouth split into a snarl.

Nothing in this world scared Duncan, but he was certain that in this moment, Aiden was not of this world.

“What--” Duncan cried out. Instincts kicked in despite his ageing body, and Duncan leapt off the young man, moving quickly to the chest on the other side of the tent. He had pulled it open and drawn his colt when Aiden spoke up.

“Duncan, Duncan… Please…” He turned to see the young man’s hands raised and his face once more normal. Duncan blinked knowing he couldn’t have imagined it.

Despite the plea, he raised the gun anyway, “What are you?”

Aiden’s eyes were wide with fear and he was trembling, he looked so small and scared.

Duncan knew very well what people looked like when they were afraid, and he had no doubt that Aiden was terrified.

“I didn’t mean to!” Aiden pleaded.

“What was that? What did you do?” Duncan asked, firm and calm even as he remained ready to act.

“I’m… I couldn’t stop it. I usually have control--”

“You’re some sort of monster,” Duncan growled, unable to find any other description.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed, his expression one of hurt and anger.

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Aiden hadn’t meant to attack, but it was instinctive. The way Duncan had hunched his shoulders in a way that felt aggressive. Aiden was likely much stronger by virtue of his nature, but that made Duncan no less threatening. He had a muscular build and the scars on his body spoke of fights won.

And Duncan was between him and the one way out, a way out he felt he suddenly needed.

So it was instinctive that Aiden attack first. He leapt across the small space and knocked the man flat on his back, pinning him to the ground.

Instinct took over entirely and he growled, feeling his teeth ache and knowing his eyes were glowing. “I’m not a monster,” he grit the words through his teeth.

When Duncan struggled, he easily slammed the man back down to the ground and watched his eye go wide. There was some fear there, but moreover was surprise and something else. Maybe disappointment. Or perhaps Aiden was projecting, because that was his current and consuming feeling. He hadn’t wanted it to end this way. It had been so long since he’d felt comfort with someone, the chance to be close to someone, and now it was over. Because of this curse - as always.

“I’m not a monster…” Aiden reiterated, quieter now, realising that was exactly what he was. He had no place here with Duncan, or anyone.

With a shaky growl, Aiden tried to push off towards the tent flap, but Duncan grabbed him.

“Wait--”

Strong hands took hold of his waist as he tried to move, holding him tight in place. Aiden automatically struggled, and yes Duncan was strong, but no match for him. They rolled as Duncan tried to get the upper hand, but Aiden was quick to slam Duncan back down, straddling him to keep him pinned.

That knocked the wind out of Duncan and Aiden took the advantage. He scrambled off Duncan and to his feet. He was out of the tent before Duncan could react.

The cold hit him immediately, but after the benefit of the tent, and now feeling better, it was bearable despite his nudity. He wouldn’t be able to last a long time, but certainly more than a human. He just needed to get somewhere sheltered as quick as possible, he'd have to change and take his chances in his wolf form.

Aiden sped up a tree-lined slope, going fast enough that his feet barely sunk into the snow.

The decision was made in a split second - he leapt up and stretched out, feeling the crunch of his bones, the burn of his flesh pulling and shifting. When Aiden landed back in the snow it was on four paws.

Quickly, quickly, quickly.

Aiden panted the word in his mind. If he spent too long as a wolf the pack would have a better chance of finding him, but it was quicker to run this way, warmer. More likely to survive the cold.

He whined lowly as he ran, lamenting leaving his clothes… And Duncan.

He didn’t belong with the wolves, but he didn’t belong with humans either - that much was clear. He would never have anyone like Duncan and he'd been foolish to think he could belong with him.

The whine became a growl as Aiden tried to shake it all off. He should just appreciate the time he’d had with Duncan and move on. That was the only option.

Aiden found himself alongside a fast running stream - a good thing, the water would help hide his scent. But as he made his way down the steep bank towards the water, he misstepped. Hidden in the snow, the ground was loose and gave way underneath him. With a yelp Aiden tumbled, unable to stop the momentum as he hurtled towards the rocks at the bottom of the bank.

With a crunch he hit a large flat rock. He’d been lucky in missing the sharp scattered rocks beside him, but something was broken. Something hurt. Aiden clenched his jaw to stop from crying out, instead he focused all his energy on staying in his wolf form so that he could manage the pain better, so that he wouldn’t freeze before he could try and work out what he was going to do to survive this.

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“There he is,” The words were snarled with amusement, followed by a low chuckle when Aiden tried to lift his head to see who spoke.

He was human again now, curled in a ball on the cold rock. For how long he wasn’t sure. He knew he’d been able to hold his wolf form for hours, and that was the only thing that had allowed him to start healing and kept him alive in the cold. Too long, he thought now as he tried to focus on the group standing on the side of the embankment. Long enough for the pack to find him.

And he was still too weak to do anything about it.

He should have stayed with Duncan, where it was safe. The image of the man’s face when he called Aiden a monster, flashed to his mind and he knew that had not been an option. It never was. Wherever he went, he would never be human enough to fit in.

“Thought you could leave the pack, did you?” Gabriel growled the words and then jumped down, landing perfectly next to Aiden and placing a hand on his head.

“I never joined your pack,” Aiden struggled to get the words out, and winced as he did.

Gabriel chuckled and the others on the bank laughed. He could hear Rafe amongst them and his jaw clenched.

“Aiden, Aiden…” Gabriel cooed, gripping his hair tight between his fingers. “You belonged to the pack as soon as Rafe claimed you.”

“He never claimed me,” Aiden spat out the words, wanting to pull away but not having the strength.

“I can rectify that now!” Rafe growled and jumped, landing next to Aiden and Gabriel on the rock. When he lunged for Aiden it was Gabriel who stopped him, his hand leaving Aiden’s hair and grabbing Rafe by the shirt front.

“Not here. Have some propriety. We’ll take him back to the rest of the pack. Let him heal.” Gabriel released Rafe and stroked a hand down Aiden’s side, as though petting fur.

*

Duncan had hesitated.

Never before in his life had he hesitated. He’d been good as a hired gun, because he never hesitated. He got the job done.

But those days were behind him and now he had found reason to hesitate. He’d never been good at connecting with people, and with Aiden he thought things might have changed. They connected. In a way Duncan thought he’d never be able to.

And then he’d run, because he turned out not to be what Duncan had thought. And instead of running after him, Duncan had hesitated.

By the time he made up his mind and got himself dressed, Aiden was long gone. He was able to track his foot prints for a while, but the snow began to fall again and whilst it wasn’t heavy, it was enough to quickly obscure the tracks.

Duncan’s jaw tightened and he brushed the snow from his face. It was getting heavier. He knew if he didn’t head back to his camp soon, then he’d likely get lost in it. So he turned, walking back with a heavy heart and a feeling of loathing in the pit of his stomach.

He hated that he’d not been able to find Aiden. Hated that he’d let him go. And over what? Even if the boy were some kind of monster, how was that different to him? They were just different types of monster.

He ached to get Aiden back.

He just wasn’t sure how to do that.

*

Aiden huddled close to the fire, watching the embers burn.

“We’ll have a proper claiming ceremony,” Rafe breathed the words next to his ear, “Like they did in the old days”.

Aiden’s breath kicked up, his heart beating faster. He was feeling better, but even fully well he didn’t have the strength to fight off the whole pack. That was why he’d run before - after the pack had found him but before any of them had the chance to claim him.

He’d been solitary all his life, and knew what would happen if a pack ever found him. And Gabriel’s pack had discovered him.

Rafe chuckled and moved away. Aiden relaxed a little, aware that it was only a reprieve.

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Duncan hadn’t given up on Aiden, but it seemed so hopeless.

Even so, the young man was the reason he had made his way into town - the small collection of houses and traders this far out. With their small church and saloon, it was all the town any of them needed, especially those who lived further out, prospecting or ranching.

Duncan came here rarely. Only to trade his trappings when he wanted something he couldn’t hunt or forage.

He came here now because he hoped that Aiden might have ended up here too.

It was almost a week since the boy had left, and Duncan had been in this town a day, with no luck. He’d asked around, in the few stores and in the saloon, and no one seemed to have seen such a man as Aiden in the town.

He was about to give up when he returned to the store to pick up a few items to take back to his little camp, in the hope that Aiden might have returned there. When he walked in, the small store was busy. A group of young men, looking like city-folk, were pulling things from the shelves and putting them in pockets and sacks as the shopkeeper looked on with a concerned expression, his hand flexing on the counter. Probably had a gun under there, but Duncan was sure he didn’t like his chances against the four men who were very unlikely not to be armed.

Duncan was about to turn and walk out, mind his own business, when he overheard the men.

“Do we really need all this shit?” One asked, he was young and was immediately clipped around the head by an older one.

“It’s what Rafe wants. When he makes that bitch his mate he wants things how he wants them, and that’s the end of it.”

The youngest grumbled and muttered under his breath “Don’t even know what he sees in Aiden. Pathetic bi--” He coped another blow to the head and shut up completely then.

Duncan wasn’t about to start a fight with the group, there was nothing to gain from it, so he went outside and waited. Once they were done pillaging from the shopkeeper, he trailed them back out of town as they made there way to wherever they were - hopefully - holding Aiden.

*

It had been easy to keep a distance and track them, but, Duncan reflected, it had been nothing like tracking men. Whilst they clearly were men, they moved through the landscape like animals, like a pack, and Duncan was much less practised at that.

Monsters, he thought to himself. Like Aiden, though from their conversation he was sure Aiden wasn’t really one of them.

The trail ended at a large camp, mostly hide-made tents and the like, but there were a couple of structures that looked to be abandoned prospector cottages. The roof was incomplete on one, but they were half way habitable, and this camp did not look permanent.

If Aiden really was here, he might be lucky to find him before they broke camp and moved on somewhere else.

By the time dusk fell, he had made his way up into the dense forest above the camp, hunkering down in a vantage point as he waited and watched. Activity didn’t seem to die down, in fact the darker it grew, the more bustling the camp became. He had hoped to wait until everyone was a-bed to sneak in and find Aiden, but he was increasingly sure that wasn’t possible.

He watched as a large fire was lit - to much cheering - and festivities began. His stomach clenched at how much more difficult this was becoming by the moment.

And then he saw him. Aiden.

The young man was naked, his wrists bound, a collar around his neck with a rope attached. His expression was defiant even through obvious exhaustion as he was dragged into the clearing between the fire and the buildings.

Duncan could hear loud words, shouting and jeering, but they were not quite loud enough for him to make out what was actually being said. He tensed. It was clear that whatever they were doing with Aiden was happening soon, and that he needed to act before then. Before he was injured, killed or… mated? Duncan rose from his position and pulled the rifle from his back. His best chance was to cause a distraction.

He took in the camp, where everything was, what things might be flammable or explosive. What might make noise. Anything he might be able to use. Either way, he’d have to creep nearer to be in a position to get to Aiden.

He crouched on his haunches, preparing to move forward when he heard the crack behind him of foliage disturbed underfoot. Duncan turned quickly, falling onto his back with his rifle raised as the biggest wolf he’d ever seen barrelled towards him. It was fast, too quick to get a shot off.

But that did not matter. The wolf ignored him completely, bounding over him as though he was not there at all. And then another. And another.

One large, heavy foot crashed down on his chest, knocking the wind from him. He doubled over and rolled onto his side, a rushing of blood in his ears. But when it cleared all he could hear were cries of terror.