One With the Pack

Firefly stirred from her slumber, slowly opening her eyes as the sun’s light warmed her coat. Looking around, she immediately noticed that Nicky and Quetzal were fast asleep beside her, the former snoring loudly. The dark purple pegasus started to move, then realized that something was off. It was when she felt an itch on her hind leg, she automatically went to scratch at it with her other hind leg, except there was no other hind leg to do that with. Sighing, she lowered one of her front hooves to scratch the spot. Her ears perked when she heard hoofsteps approaching from behind her. Turning her head, she looked up at the Lead as he walked out of the cave’s entrance. His gaze locked in on her, and he gave her a smile.

“Well, isn't this a first. The Omega is up before the Beta. This is something I'm definitely not going to let go. Quetzal’s going to hate me for it, but she'll be fine. How are you feeling, Firefly?”

“I'm feeling well, Alpha. Thank you for asking. And you?”

“I'm alright. It's another day, plenty of things could happen.”

“That is true.”

Just then, the dark blue dragon hybrid stirred. Her dark yellow eyes opened, and she glanced over to the pegasus, then to the earth pony. He smirked down at her, and her eyes widened and her ears lowered. “Oh no. Don't tell me I overslept.”

“Sure did, sugarcube. And guess who's going to torture you about this day for the rest of your life?”

She groaned loudly, waking Nicky accidentally. The mare sat up and glared at her, then looked to the others. “Wait, what happened?”

“Quetzal overslept.” Firefly explained simply.

“Oh, she did? Ha ha! This one’s going in the history books, Quetzal.”

The hybrid groaned again, her eyes flashing green in annoyance. “Ok, I get it. I'm a Beta, and Betas are known for getting up early. Can we just let this one slide? Granted, I did stay up with Nicky last night watching over Firefly after her surgery, so does that give me any excuse?”

Ember hummed in thought. “I suppose I could let it go. But not until I go tell the others. Better yet, Nicky, how about you do the honors? You can get word around faster than I can.”

Before Quetzal could stop her, she was off. She sighed and stood to her feet. “I'm going for a walk. Just so I don't become a laughing stock here.”

“Can I come with you?” Firefly asked.

“Sure, I don't mind. But do you think you're ready to start walking?”

Ember stepped forward to help her up. She was a little shaky with the first few steps, but she soon got used to it. She followed her friend into the woods, their hoofprints turning into pawprints as they changed forms. Nicky soon came ran out of the cave, darting past Ember as she followed the prints after them. He chuckled as he sat down, watching the sun rise above the pines.

“Sir?” a voice called out softly. Ember cracked open an eye, looking at the stallion who was standing before him. He sat up once again, rubbing his eyes.

“What is it, Rookie?”

“I wanted to ask something of you, Sir.”

“Shoot.”

“Well, Sir. Remember when I asked if I could share Sirena’s Heat with her a few days ago?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“I realized that I haven't Marked her yet, so…”

“Ah, I see. Well, son let me tell you-”

“Don't call me son.”

Ember rolled his eyes. “Marking your mate is a rather big step in furthering your relationship. Are you sure you want to do this? And are you sure she's ready for it? Son-”

“I'm not your son.”

“I just don't want you doing something you may end up regretting. Yes, I know she's your soulmate and all, but you don't want to rush things. S-”

“CALL ME SON ONE MORE TIME!” Collin yelled, his eyes bright blue.

Ember’s own eyes widened, then narrowed as he muttered under his breath, “Boy, does this kid have daddy issues.” Collin cocked his head to the side at him, and he cleared his throat. “Again, I ask: Are you sure about this?”

“Sir, I wouldn't have come to talk to you if I wasn't sure, now would I?”

“Fair point. Alright, I give you my blessing, but on one condition. You both hold the keys to each other's hearts, just don't break yours in the lock.”

Collin's nose scrunched up and he snorted. “Was that supposed to be an innuendo? Cus that was… pretty good.”

Ember bowed. “Well thank you. I must have learned it from a certain someone we know.” They both smiled, looking up as the trio returned from their walk. “Well, look who's back. Hello again, girls.”

“Greetings, Alphas. You guys seem to be in a good mood. What about?” Firefly questioned.

“Well, Omega. Old Rookie here is finally going to get a pack of his own started. He's planning to Mark Sirena.”

The three mares squealed in excitement. “Took you long enough, Collin.” Quetzal noted.

He rolled his eyes. “Hey, I like to wait on things like this, ok? Don't judge me.”

“Oh, of course not, Alpha. We wouldn't ever judge you. I, for one, would much prefer my mate to wait rather than to rush me into something as big as this.” Firefly said genuinely.

“Thanks, Firefly.”

Quetzal was now just standing there, and Ember could see the gears turning in her brain. Then she spoke. “Sirs, this is going to take a lot of work. Alpha Collin, may I ask when you want to do this?”

The pegasus nodded. “I was thinking tonight, especially since I hear there's going to be a full moon.”

The hybrid groaned softly, racking her brain as she sorted all the information then translated it into simple terms. “It's not going to be easy, but I'm sure if we work together, we'll get it done by nightfall.”

Ember nodded once, rising to his hooves. “Alright, then. Quetzal, go get Speckle and bring her here. Collin, you're gonna have to stall till one of us comes to get you both. We want to keep this as a surprise, so no one say a word about it to Sirena if you run into her. Got it?”

“Yes, Sir.” the others replied.

“Good. We meet back here when all is said and done.”

The sun had now set, and the clearing outside of the cave was decorated with hanging lanterns made from small logs tied together with vines. Speckle and Quetzal had also made a large arch from twigs, leaves and a few of the leftover vines. As the full moon began to rise, the lanterns glowed brightly, illuminating the area around them. Nicky went to go get Ember so he could have a look at what they had done as the others made finishing touches. The Lead indeed examined the setup, nodding once or twice at things to show his approval.

Yet, something was troubling him, for as he stood alone under the arch, watching the moon float higher into the cloudless sky, his eyes turned to the only color that truly reflected his conflict: purple. Speckle immediately sensed something was off and walked over to stand beside him. “Ember, are you alright?”, she asked him quietly. He didn't respond, just continued to watch the moon. She then went to stand in front of him, forcing him to look down at her. She raised an eyebrow, silently asking the question once more. His now violet colored eyes only seemed to glow brighter in the moonlight. He sighed, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again, back to their original color.

“I...I saw him again, Speckle.” he stated simply.

“Who-” she started to ask, then stopped when she saw the look in his eyes, one of pure fear, and she then knew whom he was speaking of. “I see. Did he have any demands?”

“Just to do the same thing I did with Sandstorm again. I-I couldn't, not without a good reason to.”

His voice wavered, and he sat down, lowering his head so she couldn't see the tears streaming down his face. She reached out a hoof and placed it under his chin, tilting his head up so he could look at her. Leaning forward, she captured his lips in a gentle and comforting kiss, stroking his cheek in the process. He ran a hoof through her mane, tilting her head back slightly so he could deepen the kiss. She pulled back however, looking into his eyes and leaning his forehead against hers.

“Alpha, I know you've been through a lot. But I want you to still stay strong. We all need it, especially now.”

Ember nodded, hugging her tightly. He whispered a soft “Thank you” before standing up. He turned his head and located Quetzal. Calling out to her, she made her way as quick as she could over to him.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Go get the couple in question. Let's get this thing started.”

Sirena had a hoof over her eyes, following Collin's voice as he led her out of the cave. She, of course, asked him why she had to do something so odd when they were just going outside, but he simply answered, “It’ll be worth it, trust me.” When they reached the clearing, he looked to Ember, who gave him a nod as both he and Speckle stood under the wooden arch. “Ok, Sirena. You can uncover your eyes now.” The lilac pegasus did so, gasping as she took in her surroundings. The others all stood off to either side of the arch, smiling brightly at them.

“Collin, did you… plan this for me?”

He smiled. “Well, the whole ceremony thing was Quetzal's idea, but I did come up with the source of it.”

She looked slightly confused, so he held out a hoof to her. “Shall we?” She took it, walking with him to where the other pair stood. Sirena now had Speckle in front of her, the same with the stallions. Collin turned to her, bowing. “Sirena Punk, I, Collin Notes, ask for your permission for me to Mark you. If you decline, know that it is not your fault.” She, for one, looked surprised at his request, her heart thumping loudly in her chest. But as she recalled in that moment all the times that they had shared, and all the things he had done for her, she knew that she couldn't say no.

“I… grant you permission to Mark me, Sir.”

The stallion raised his head, a flicker of true joy reflecting in his eyes, only to disappear as quickly as it came as he stood up straight. They both turned back to the pair in front of them. Ember stepped forward.

“Collin, do you promise to protect this Alpha at all costs, and to take care of her and your offspring for as long as you all shall live?”

Collin nodded once. “Yes, Sir. I do."

Speckle then spoke to Sirena. “Sirena, do you promise to recognize that although you are an Alpha, Collin still has power over you and that you should give him the love and respect he deserves?”

She nodded as well. “Yes, Ma'am. I do.”

The unicorn and earth pony looked to each other and nodded simultaneously. They then placed a hoof onto Collin and Sirena's foreheads, saying this together: “Then by the power in us, we grant you our blessings to perform this act of ultimate unity in the eyes of us and your witnesses.”

Once they lowered their hooves, Ember spoke. “Collin, you may now Mark your mate.”

The stallion stepped towards Sirena, who had her head bowed in submission, exposing her neck. The pink Mark spot practically glistened in the moonlight, and mare's coat looked like it was glowing. Collin let his fangs emerge, gently grazing across her skin as he focused on the spot. He kissed it softly before sinking the sharp canines into the flesh. Sirena gasped, her body trembling as a jolt ran through her. Once the feeling subsided, she sighed contently as she felt the spot tingle, signaling that the deed was done.

Collin pulled back slowly and carefully, retracting his fangs and looking at the work he had done. Her previously Unmarked Mark spot now had two puncture wounds in it, both of them oozing a few drops of blood. He learned back and kissed her happily on the lips, not caring if there was anyone else, for in that moment, it was just the two of them. Soon all sound rushed back into his ears, and he heard whistles and hooves clapping in approval. Sirena smiled against his lips, and they broke away breathless. The others came over and told them their congratulations, the mares giving Sirena many hugs.

“Sir, I have another question for you.” Collin said to the Lead as the pair sat away from the rest of the pack. The little celebration had lasted for a few hours now, and the white glowing ball known as the moon loomed above them.

“Go ahead, Rookie.”

“Sir, I was wondering… would it be alright if I take Sirena away from here for a few days? Now that she's Marked, and her Heat’s close approaching… I wouldn't want to disrupt everyone else with all the, ahem, noises that would be emitted constantly.”

Ember pondered on this for a second, then nodded. “I see your point. I had a bit of trouble keeping Speckle quiet during her Heat, and I Marked her six moons ago. Very well, I suppose it would be alright. Just don't go too far. I need to able to reach you if something happens.”

“Of course, Sir. We'll just stay at one of the caves in the mountain beside you. Is that alright?”

“Yes, that's fine.”

Collin’s nose twitched as he took in a scent, his eyes flashing blue. He then noticed Sirena across the way, and she looked to be distraught. Her eyes were squeezed shut, and her back arched, crying out in pain as it felt like someone had taken a hammer and a stake and was hammering it through her spine. Collin was up and by her side in a heartbeat, asking if she was ok. Her eyes opened, revealing dark red irises. He inhaled deeply, closing his own eyes. When he exhaled, he opened his eyes, and they were a bright blue, as bright as the sky on a sunny day. “So, the time has arrived. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this.” Ember saw the exchange and went over to them quickly.

“Sir?”

“I know what you're going to ask, and yes, you can go. And do it now, before your love fueled passion takes over and makes me want to take my eyes out.”

The pair nodded, bading the rest of the group farewell before taking off into the night, using the moon's light to guide their way.