by J. K. Jones
“You put up one hell of a fight, Omega.” the man says. He’s dressed, wearing nothing more than pitiful rags that hang off his body. “I didn’t think you had it in you.”
Ryu scrambles to get up, looking around he can see several people, all of them hunched around a small fire cooking what looks like hares. “What do you want?”
He smiles and then comes towards him. Ryu tenses, eyes widening as he comes closer and closer until his face is inches away from Ryu. Up close he is very handsome. Brown eyes, a knowing smile, brunette curly hair that frames his face in a way that is familiar and alarming. Moldavite.
“You—”
“Me.” He smiles, lips stretching over flawless teeth. “Ryu.”
“Kenyon.”
His eyes widen in disbelief and before he can think he throws his arms around him. Kenyon! He’s alive and here. Ryu cannot believe it. Kenyon laughs, catching him steadily, his arms sturdy and firm around his waist. “I knew it was you.”
“How?” Ryu pulls back in amazement, greedily taking in his old friend's features.
“Your smell. Your hair. You’ve always been gorgeous. How could I ever forget my mates' smell?”
Ryu laughs at the old joke, but something dangerous flickers in Kenyon’s eyes. “Wow, I can’t believe it—but I hardly smelled you. When you were—” He swallows the word monster quickly. “In that other form—I couldn’t smell your scent.”
Kenyon says nothing. The smile seems to be stuck on his face. “You smell what I want you to and nothing more.”
“Oh,” Ryu responds. “But what are you? I mean you aren’t a wolf. That—that creature you turned into—”
“My secret weapon.” Kenyon smirks. “You’re working with them, aren’t you? Are you officially a Silvercrest Howler?”
Ryu turns away, body prickling in shame. Yes, he does belong to them, and confessing that to Kenyon seems like the biggest betrayal. But he couldn’t hide from the truth. Everything is written plain as day on his uniform.
“I see.” Kenyon smiles sadly. “We can return you to camp. A beauty like you would be missed.”
“Kenyon it’s not what you think—”
“It’s been many years Ryu,” Kenyon responds sadly. “A lot has changed. Come. I will take you back to your pack.” He gets up, gesturing for Ryu to follow him as they walk into the forest.
Ryu isn’t sure what to say so he keeps quiet.
It’s been years since he’s seen Kenyon and the last time they saw each other Kenyon was taken off kicking and screaming to the mines. How did he escape? What did he do? What is he doing out here anyway? All these questions whirl around in his head making him dizzy. Would they see each other again? His heart lurches. Technically, Kenyon is the enemy. They should never see each other again unless Ryu wanted to be branded as a traitor.
“Sorry,” Kenyon says after ten minutes of silence. “I didn’t mean—I shouldn’t have hit you so hard.”
Ryu touches his head, noticing some blood on his fingers. “It’s fine.”
“It’s not,” he answers seriously. “I see they have been treating you well.”
How can he respond to that? Yes, they treat him well. He had three square meals a day, food, shelter, any accommodation he needs. All that pales in comparison to how they ridicule him and look down upon him as if he is nothing.
“How have you been?” Ryu asks, realizing all too late that it was a stupid question. They’re at war—how do you think he’s been? “Sorry. I’m not good at this.”
“Me either,” Kenyon deadpans, his wide shoulders look even bigger in the rising morning light. Ryu smells the air, discerning they are getting closer to the Silvercrest regiment. Across the open field, he can see the lights of their tents.
“This is as far as I go. I know there are several sharpshooters in the trees.” Kenyon turns to him. “Follow the treeline back towards your camp. You should be able to get through unseen.”
Ryu doesn’t know how or why Kenyon knows that, but he nods anyway.
“We were friends once,” Kenyon smiles again. “I hope I can still call you.”
“Of course!” Ryu says. “Always.”
“We will meet again?” Kenyon replies. “I know before it was a bit awkward…. but I would like us to talk…. there is so much to discuss.”
Ryu nods quickly. He would love to catch up with him sometime.
They hug again, Ryu buries his face in Kenyon’s lean neck. “Thank you.”
Kenyon smirks. “Anything for my mate.”
Ryu blushes and pulls away, ignoring the strange unrelenting hold Kenyon has on his shirt.
-
The minute he arrives in camp, several guns are pointed at his head.
Ryu keeps his face neutral, knowing he will have to face his punishment for what he’s done. They arrest him and bring him straight to Michael's tent. When he arrives, there are several people already waiting, Micah is prostrated, his head bowed deeply in front of his father that sits on the makeshift throne.
Michael looks murderous.
The guards holding Ryu force him to kneel. He keeps his eyes trained on the floor waiting to hear his punishment. His heart races. If Micah is here, then things cannot be good. How could he explain this? How could he tell them he only lashed out? It was a mistake. He didn’t mean to hurt his Alpha.
The tent opens up and in walks The Midnight Nightstalker’s Alpha Berriston, his son Shamus and three flanking other wolves. He bows to Michael deeply. “I came as soon as I could. What is the meaning of this?”
Michael turns to Micah, body taut with rage. “Explain.”
“Alpha—Father I apologize. I have shamed you and our entire family,” Micah says, his voice is unwavering. “I will accept any punishment you give out. Please—I beg you to spare Ryu. He knew nothing of my intentions.”
“Sensei Musashi warned me about this,” Michael fumes. “I should have known better. The day you begged me to train with him—I should have known.”
“Alpha,” Berriston speaks up. “What is going on?”
“Tell them,” Michael demands, his voices making everyone in the room jump.
“I—I” Micah falters, body trembling. “I have fallen in love with someone else. With a Filthy Claw.”
The air thins around them, the room spins as Ryu took in everything Micah said. Oh God—he confessed. Why would he do that? He nearly falls forward, eyes bulging in panic and disbelief. Fuck.
Berriston nearly turns purple. “You what?”
“I have acted shamefully,” Micah carries on. “I have mated with a Filthy Claw. I am in love. I love Ryu and—and—” he stutters, before fixing his face in icy determination. “And I will have no-one else.”
The room erupts in chaos.
Chapter 34
On the road
Yokohama 21’
Present-day….
Ryu bursts out laughing, he clutches his stomach nearly howling.
It’s too much. The sheer ridiculousness of that statement. Ryu pure of heart? A vessel to be used by the Gods? Ha! What a laugh! “That’s rich.”
Micah says nothing, his face remains stony and impassive. “It’s true.”
“Whatever you’re smoking, can I have some?”
“I’m serious,” Micah responds with pure conviction. “I’ve seen you. Your sacrifice, your devotion. Despite what you might want me to believe you care for the Silvercrest Clan.”
Ryu stops smiling immediately.
“That’s not funny.”
“It isn’t a joke.”
Ryu’s face darkens.
Now he knows why he should have kept his big mouth shut. They couldn’t talk without it leading back to the past. To a place that he would rather die than revisit.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ryu mutters, “I care for Amaya. Nothing else. If you aren’t pure of heart, then we have another fucking problem on our hands.”
“This Yamabushi lived in mount Horai for centu
ries. He is said to grant any wish for someone with a pure heart, someone who has cultivated a righteous pathway and I believe that person is you.”
“Well, you’re wrong Micah,” Ryu snaps back. “So, this entire fucking mission is for nothing?”
“No. Never,” Micah says strongly. “Do you think I wouldn’t be frugal? Or do you honestly believe I would waste our precious resources?”
They are getting nowhere.
Ryu grows tired of this conversation. It seems stupid to have brought it up in the first place. If the Master of the Moon needs someone of a pure heart to grant their wish, then surely Micah fit the bill. The fact that he doesn’t think he did could easily be chopped down to anxiety. They were here to find a cure no matter what and Ryu refused to believe Micah was anything less than pure.
“You’re a True Alpha,” Ryu responded. “There is nobody but you.”
Something dims in Micah’s eyes and his lips thin into a hard line.
“We won’t speak of it anymore. You asked and I was honest with you.”
“Fine,” Ryu mumbles. “Call me when we leave again.” He struts out of the tent. Ryu walks back to his own, feeling weary in ways he cannot explain.
Him? A vessel? What a silly notion! And yet, why did it feel like Micah was serious? It was almost as if his soul was speaking out to Ryu’s.
It’s nothing. Probably just the Māku between them.
-
Several hours later they leave.
Back on the road, Ryu hangs by Micah’s side, mostly keeping to himself and his eyes on his surroundings. They are close, he can sense the way the trees angle and bend, the woodland creatures scurry about, as if they are running away from something.
The Outlands.
Ryu knows the area well. The slums were hulking and decrepit, each building a sorry excuse for infrastructure. He left only a few days ago. Yet, he still couldn’t remember the reason why. It disturbs him in many ways. Why would he leave the Outlands? What business did he have saving that family? His head throbs with pain and he knows it would be best to just let the injury heal. In time, hopefully, the lost memories would return to him.
The city is empty.
Most of the people are locking their doors and windows before nightfall. Ryu knows it isn’t safe after a certain time, most of the exiles are dangerous people, on the run, or criminals looking to cause trouble. He’s about to suggest they find a spot for the night when Rocky speaks up.
“Alpha,” he struts towards Micah, “Fermin has found lodgings for the night,” he informs him steadily. “Three rooms for the rest of us and a separate room for—” Rocky cut his eye at him. “You and your Second.”
Ryu frowns. Why do they need separate rooms?
“Speak freely Rocky,” Micah responds, reading his friend carefully. “We are all brothers here.”
The other wolves pause in expectation, most of them staring at Rocky curiously. “I—I uh…. Alpha, have you forgotten…?” He struggles visibly, eyes darting around to help.
“We don’t have all day,” Deryn mumbles impatiently. “What is it?”
“Full Moon,” Rocky grits out. “There is a full moon tonight.”
“Oh. Oh.” Trmon’s eyes widen. “Alpha, tonight is the Festival of Solidarity. It's a holiday with mythical roots, but today it is mostly associated with humility, spirituality, athletic competitions, and acts of courage. We need to give offerings to the Goddess Vuneas Of the Sky, her shrine isn’t too far from here.”
“Okay,” Micah agrees. “We will pay our respects quickly, the rest of you can head over to the place Fermin found.”
Ryu turns to leave but Rocky grabs his arm. “It is customary for the Alpha and the Second to visit the shrine together…. for good luck,” Rocky explains as he lets go. “We need her blessings on our journey.”
Ryu rolls his eyes and follows Micah over to the shrine.
The off prayers and blessings, cleaning and then prostrating themselves inside her temple. Vuneas, the Goddess of the Sky, has always been a favorite of his. She would oftentimes visit him in his dreams, or whenever Ryu found himself in a particularly rough spot. This particular shrine is small, with minimal décor, with a lovely statue of a beautiful woman in a flowy dressing carrying a pitcher. In her hair is a lovely flower crown and at her side is a sword. Micah and Ryu both finish their bows, kneeling before the shrine. On the table, there is a large assortment of incense burning, as well as offerings to the exiles. Ryu sees a tiny white flower, its petals beautiful and alluring in the fading sunlight. He touches it mindlessly, relishing in the soft purity of it.
“Sincerity is the single virtue that binds divinity and man in one,” Micah says lightly. “Sensei Musashi used to say that all the time.”
Ryu smiles then too, remembering his kind words.
It all seems like a lifetime ago.
For years he never wanted to think about Sensei Musashi or anything that was happening with the Silvercrest Howlers. Ryu banished all those thoughts from his head and focused on living one day at a time. They sit there for a moment, both of them deep in thought, and then eventually they get up to leave.
They step out of the shrine together and walk with Trmon towards their destination. Fermin was able to find a house with four rooms. The spirit of the house is depleted, wood boards up every window. Ryu can tell it used to burst with vibrancy; now it is hollow, broken down flakes of what it used to be. The main room would go to Micah and the three other rooms would go to the other pack members. Ryu honestly doesn’t care. As long as they could continue their journey in the morning it doesn’t matter to him.
Micah leads him to the master bedroom.
Both of them awkwardly frown at the large queen size bed in the middle of the room. Fuck. Ryu sighs deeply, throwing his stuff on the floor and grabbing some blankets for a makeshift bed. It’s almost as if the universe is working against him.
“I’ll sleep on the floor,” Micah mumbles, tossing a few blankets and pillows beside the bed. Ryu takes off his gear, sighing when he realizes how tired he is. It’s been ages since he slept on a real bed. However, something is buzzing inside him and he’s not ready to sleep just yet. Ryu leaves his jacket and Katana in the room, then wanders downstairs.
Chapter 35
The rest of the guys are scattered around the room. Fermin lights the fireplace in the living room and helps with cooking dinner in the kitchen. Ryu keeps to himself, used to the other wolves staying far away from him regardless of where they are. The house is quiet, each wolf respectful of the other’s space as they settle in for the night. His mind keeps going back to his conversation with Micah. What did he mean? Why did it sound so fucking familiar? Ryu can’t help but feel like he’s heard those words before. He just doesn’t know here.
The thought alone makes his head ache.
Like he’s missing something big.
Since the day they found him, and he hit his head during the battle he hasn’t been able to recall how he got there or what he was doing. It is almost like months of his memories have gone missing. At first, he dismissed it, thinking his memories would return but it’s been at least a few weeks and he still can’t remember anything.
Ryu sighs, rubbing his temple.
The room grows warm as the fire heats it. Deryn set up a game of Texas Holdom with the other guys in the living room. Halfway through the game, Ryu joins, finding himself increasingly restless with each passing moment.
Fermin joins as well.
He sits across from Ryu, pensively looking down at the cards in his hand. Ryu doesn’t talk, he doesn’t join in their jokes or revel in their comradery. He just plays. They don’t ask him questions and even if they did, he wouldn’t answer.
These people are not his friends.
Ryu wins.
The mood at the table suddenly turns sour—tinted with an edge of competitiveness at being beaten by an Omega. Ryu smirks as Deryn deals again, mumbling under his breath about the game being rigged. Fermin
catches his gaze, his face looking even more handsome by the fire. It’s hot. Ryu shifts in his chair, body flushing a deep red.
Fuck. How long has it been? A week since they last fucked? Was it that good?
He’s had nearly a dozen Alphas. None of them he’s been forced to see repeatedly—besides Micah that is. Fermin hadn’t been bad, but certainly not the best. Ryu’s eyes flicker back up to his, long lashes casting a shadow of his cheek. If Micah wasn’t here Ryu would probably be bent over the nearest table by now. Desire spikes through him and Ryu leaves the game.
Most of the guys are quiet, their mouths turned into a deep frown.
Ryu flees to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and draining it promptly. Why is it so fucking hot in here? He huffs, taking another drink and then another.
Fermin finds him there, propped up against the counter drinking water like a fish.
“You okay?” Fermin asks, he smiles now, almost shyly.
At this point, Ryu should be used to this. Alphas usually grew attached faster than Omegas, despite what everyone else believed. Ryu knew he wasn’t a typical Omega, he didn’t care for formalities or regulations, he fucked when he wanted to and avoided Alphas when he didn’t. Regardless of the Māku that branded his thigh.
Ryu wipes water drizzling on his chin, he holds Fermin's gaze heatedly. Wouldn’t it be nice to blow off some steam? They could go outback. Nobody would know.
Micah would know.
The second he left Micah would find them and try to kill Fermin. That thought alone is thrilling. Not that he wants Fermin to die, but the idea of Micah finding out. How much would it hurt? Would it hurt Micah the same way it hurt him back then? Ryu relishes the thought.
He smirks, jutting his hip forward. “Why do you care?”
Fermin’s eyes dip low, lingering on his hip bones and the smooth skin exposed. Ryu’s vest rides up, his midriff nearly on full display. His long hair is like a waterfall, cascading down his back and shoulders.
“You seem…. unsettled….” Fermin says, at last, licking his lips. “I was wrong before. I’ve watched you very closely.”
