Love Bites

Pixel opened her eyes slowly early the next morning as her ears were filled with the sounds of someone singing, which was not uncommon in her pack. Curious, she rose to listen in on the singer, trying to figure out which song was being sung, if she knew it. The melodious voice led her outside of the cave, where Collin sat. His eyes were closed as he sang the last verse to a lullaby he used to sing to her and her sister when they were fillies:

Sweet Nightingale

Touch the sky

May the clouds be your only guide

To my heart, don't you cry

Sweet Nightingale

Touch the sky

The unicorn's eyes rolled as she looked up at him. “Dad, you do realize that is a lullaby, right? Kind of an odd choice to warm up with when it's the morning…”

The stallion opened one eye, looked at her briefly, then opened the other. “Ah, good morning to you too, chickadee. And would you rather me sing something more upbeat? I'm sure Soundwave could come up with something…’

“Never mind… You said you were going to tell me something yesterday.”

“That I am. I'd like it if you came up here though. It hurts my neck to have to look down for so long.”

Pixel scoffed, but she quickly teleported to her father's side. “So, what is it?”

Collin took a moment to answer. “I've been a bit harsh on you, and I'd like to apologize. I realize that you're getting older, and you need to be out on your own at times. Hence why I haven't punished you. You’re so precious to me, Pixel… I couldn't dream of seeing you get hurt. Do you understand?”

She nodded. “Of course. ...Could I...ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“If I were to possibly....meet someone… and I may or may not… like them, would you be upset about that?”

The pegasus’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”

Her cheeks flushed from embarrassment as she stammered: “M-my Mate. What if I had found my M-mate?”

He couldn't help but laugh at that question. “You? Finding your mate? Now that’s funny.”

“Dad…”

“I’m kidding, sweetpea. Of course I wouldn't get upset. That is, depending on who it is...why do you ask?”

Her eyes flashed blue briefly. “No reason. Umm, when does the meeting start, exactly?”

“Ember told me that it was going to start at midday, so we should head over to the Raging Rapids soon.”

“Wait, where’s Mom and Soundwave? I didn't see either of them when I came out.”

“Soundwave went to bring your mother over to Saddle Horn Peaks. She said she wanted to catch up with Speckle before the meeting.”

“And let me guess, Ann left to go see Limelight?”

“That she did. It’s funny, the unicorn’s a good seven or eight moons older than your sister, yet the two of them act like they’re twins.”

“I guess that’s how it is with Betas. They have a connection that we can’t really understand.”

She stretched before standing up. “Shall we go? If there’s anything more scary than seeing you mad, it’s seeing a trio of Betas mad because we’re late.”

“You’re not wrong. Well, lead the way, princess.”

Far out in the distance, Ember and Obsidian traveled down a path, the latter trailing fairly close behind the former.

“Father,” Obsidian began, “You haven’t told me who the Peace Keeper is.”

“Firefly,” Ember answered bluntly.

“But, why am I going to the meeting? If she’s the Peace Keeper.”

The red earth pony snorted. “Things have changed this month. More Alphas.”

More Alphas? That was a first. Even if a few new packs came in last month, things weren't rowdy enough to call for two Peace Keepers. Surely the numbers did not grow too much… did they?

“Do you… Do you know all of these Alphas?”

“Some, yes. I think you’ll recognize them as well. Keep up, Omega.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The clearing near the Raging Rapids was practically filled with werewolves, all coming from the surrounding areas. There were a few that Collin recognized, and he had to blink twice to make sure that they were actually there. “Elder Onyx? Elder Rose Cross? What are you two doing here?”

“No need to call us Elders anymore, kid,” Onyx replied. “The Elder Pack has disbanded.”

“Disbanded? What...How?”

Rose sighed before answering. “Comet started... changing not too long ago. He used to be kind and compassionate, but then he started to work us like we were his dogs or something, even resorting to beating some of the older Elders if they didn’t do what he asked. He said it was to strengthen the pack, but we argued that that job was for the Guardians. He wasn’t having any of it, and worked us harder than before. Some of the Unmarked Elders couldn't take it anymore and started biting each other so they could contract Moon Fever. There were so many bodies...I had to help bury them all. The Guardians got together to banish him, but Comet decided to take one more life: his own. He cast a spell to set himself on fire before anyone could reach him. The screams he made...I can still hear them sometimes…”

“That’s awful...I’m so sorry to hear that, Alpha Rose. And what happened after that? If you don’t mind me asking.”

Onyx took that question. “Those of us remaining left with our respective Guardians. The Guardians without an Elder disappeared without a trace.”

“But...what about Ranking? All of those pups would be so disappointed that they don’t know what Rank they are.”

“All werewolves are gifted with their sixth sense, yes? So those who are Leads in their Pack will be able to Rank their pups.”

A howl interrupted their conversation and Collin reluctantly had to make his way back to Sirena and Pixel. Now sitting behind the mares, he watched as Ember walked to the center of the large circle that had formed. The Betas followed him alongside Obsidian and Firefly. It had been a while since the male Omega had seen the female, and how mature she looked now. Gone was the shy and timid mare that used to watch over him, now was replaced with a proud and tall Omega, the strength reflected in her three legged stride. When the Lead sat down, the others did the same. Ember cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Good afternoon, fellow Alphas. For those of you who don't know me, I am Alpha Ember. Beside me are the Betas and the Peace Keepers. Betas, please wave when your name is called. Andante, daughter of Lead Alpha Collin.” The pegasus slowly waved to catch everyone's attention. Then she lowered her hoof, glancing over at Limelight. “Limelight, my daughter.” The unicorn did the same. “And Quetzal, my Beta.” The dragon hybrid waved before standing up, the other two rising as well. The trio turned to the Lead for further instruction. “Places, ladies.”

Each Beta then broke off in a different direction and found a spot in the circle to sit. Ember then turned to the Omegas. “And these are the Peace Keepers, Firefly and my youngest, Obsidian.” Firefly ruffled her wings while Obsidian gave the group a nervous nod. “Omegas, find a spot and sit together, please.” Firefly was the first to rise, locating a place right in between two packs’ members who had pups with them. The stallion did his best to stay collected as one of the pups, a cream coated earth pony colt, to be exact, stared at him quizzically.

“I haven't seen you before. Are you really Alpha Ember's son?”

“I am.”

“Oh, ok. I'm Oak. Nice to meet you, Sir.”

“Same to you, little one.”

Sid wasn't really used to being called 'Sir’. That title was usually given to his father. Still, he gave the colt a soft smile before turning his head to look towards the center of the circle. Ember was in the middle of roll call, eyes scanning the members from each pack that was mentioned. Those eyes met with Collin's briefly, then snapped away from the other until everyone was accounted for. “So everyone is here. Good. Now for reports. Whitetail Woods, did anything suspicious or threatening turn up this month?”

Collin shook his head. “No, Sir. A few Rogues trespassed my territory a couple weeks ago, but they have been taken care of.”

“Alright. What about the residents of Goldenleaf Woods?”

Crescent shook her head as well. “Nothing to report, Sir.”

The Lead nodded, then going down the line until all six regions gave their reports, which turned out to be none at all.

“Ok, good. So I guess now we can have a quick Greeting session and then you all are dismissed. Carry on.”

The once orderly circle now broke as the group began to interact with each other. Obsidian was about to go back to his parents when Oak grabbed his foreleg. “Can I show you to my Momma? She's never met a male Omega before.”

The stallion frowned slightly, not wanting to be shown off like a prize. But he nodded, letting the colt drag him over to a dark brown unicorn mare. “Momma, Momma! Come look! It's a male Omega!”

The mare turned her head towards her son's voice, staring at the navy earth pony. “Oh,” was all she said at first, then creeping closer to examine the male. “You have the body type of an Alpha, yet you have the eyes of a Hunter.” She then sniffed at him cautiously. “Are you masking your scent? I can't smell you at all.”

Obsidian blushed. “Not all Omegas are capable of masking their scent, Ma’am.”

“Huh. Your Alpha Ember's son, yes?” A nod was what she got as an answer. “I'm surprised. Normally an Male Lead Alpha has children that take his traits, including his rank.”

The stallion looked hurt. “W-what are you trying to say?”

“Oh, nothing. I just thought-” She paused, and for good reason, because Ember was staring at them from across the way, one eyebrow arched. “N-never mind… We need to go. Come on, Oak.”

The colt followed his mother, turning around to give Sid a comforting grin before darting off. Ember approached his son from behind and gave him a playful nudge. “Getting the females interested, I see.”

“Knock it off. It was just a colt's mother. She was curious. Everyone is when they meet a male Omega for the first time. Praise Luna that I don't have a Mark, otherwise she’d probably be checking my privates.” He grimaced at the thought.

Ember chuckled lightly. “Ease up, Sidian. You just have to get used to it.”

The other shrugged. “It'd be easier if she didn't question my Rank.”

“You'll have to get used to that too. It was the same with me when I was Ranked an Alpha.”

“Really? How?”

“That's a story for another time. Now come, I heard that Pixel has an announcement for us to hear.”

“And you want me to be in front of everyone because…”

“Because you'll be telling them too, you goof. Or at least I need you to be near me.”

Obsidian blinked. “Why?”

Pixel stared at him. “You don't know? We're going to tell them that we're together!”

The stallion looked concerned. “Are you sure? It's only been a week... don't you think we should wait a little longer?”

The unicorn shook her head. “Nuh uh. I want to tell them as soon as possible.”

Sid sighed. “Alright. But you're telling them, not me.”

“Deal. Hey, can I get everyone's attention please?” Both packs turned to face the pair. “I have a little something to tell you all. Obsidian and I found out something about ourselves a few days ago that is a bit special... we're Mates! Isn't that exciting?”

The silence was deafening. No noise could be heard except the chirping from a few birds. Pixel’s smile slowly turned into a frown, and her shoulders slumped as she sat down. She didn't hear her father's low growling, nor did she see his eye turn blue. All she felt was a gush of wind as the male beside her was knocked over. “Dad, what are you doing? Get off of him!”

Collin's head snapped up to look at her. “I won't let anyone take you away from me! Not now!”

Obsidian growled as he transformed, nipping at the other's neck. The pegasus transformed as well, grabbing the smaller wolf by the throat and shaking his head back and forth. As the two wolves continued to fight, Sirena started running towards the pair, only to be stopped by a see through force field. She turned to glare at Speckle, who was standing behind her. “Speckle, please! Let me go. I can't let him do this!” The unicorn promptly shook her head.

“No, Sirena. I can't let you get hurt.”

They both looked up as a loud blast shook the ground. The pegasus mare gasped as she watched her mate fall to the ground, motionless. “Collin!”, She cried, her body pressed against the wall of the dome as tears streamed down her cheeks. Even if he could hear her, there was no answer. Pixel took off running with tears in her eyes, Obsidian hot on her tail. Ember was silent as he stood in front of the downed stallion, waiting for a twitch, a sound, anything. He sighed as the other slowly got up before slapping him across the face.

“Are you insane? What on earth caused you to do that? You could have killed him!”

Collin wiped off the blood that dripped from his muzzle with a hoof. “I was thinking about it,” he hissed. “I can't believe it...and I won't believe it.” His demeanor changed when Sirena's cries reached his ears. He started going towards her, but stopped when the mare raised a hoof. She was wrapped in Speckle's warm embrace, but her voice was cold as she stammered:

“I-I don't…I don't know you anymore.”

Collin froze in place, tears forming in his own eyes. “Sirena, I…” The words trailed off, and he turned away, changing forms and bolting off into the darkening forest. Ember's eyes locked with Limelight's, the mare trembling before she ran after the dark grey wolf. He sighed again as he turned to face Speckle. “Bring her home, please. I have to go after Collin before he does something stupid.”

“Yes, Sir.”