[Fic] Trial And Error
Title: Trial And Error
Pairing: Baekhyun/Yixing (various side pairings)
Rating: NC-17
Length: 40k
Warnings: alpha/omega dynamics (including heats, knotting, self lubrication), wolf au, polyamory
Notes: Originally posted here for The Exordium. Thank you to everyone who put up with my whining. Also, a huge thanks to Adele and Lonio for being outstanding helpers and to Bee for keeping me together. ^^
Summary: Baekhyun just wants to find his place in a pack that's falling apart.
If you prefer ao3, you can read it here.
Baekhyun meets Yixing when he's six years old, peeking out from around his mother's legs as Yixing blinks at him, head tilted to the side and the moonlight reflected in his eyes. Yixing's irises pulse red a few times before they retreat, leaving Baekhyun staring in awe at a young alpha with a warm smile and a pleasing scent that lingers in the air. Baekhyun breathes him in deep, memorizes.
"How did you like Yixing?" Baekhyun's mother asks later.
They’d played together in the tall grass, darting between trees and giggling as they raced through the night air while the rest of the adults either kept a casual eye on them or shifted to enjoy the beautiful evening in a more primal way. Baekhyun has playmates in his pack, but none are as energetic, none as willing to let Baekhyun take the lead and then steal it from him the moment the end is in sight.
Baekhyun is now snug against his mother’s chest as they lay atop a pile of animal skins in their large tent, falling asleep to the soft scrape of her nails on his scalp as she scratches lightly through black strands. "He was nice," Baekhyun mumbles, curling tighter toward her.
Baekhyun's always been attached to his mother, always had this overwhelming urge to be at her side - to keep her from being alone. He knows they're different, she's different, because out of all the other families in the pack, she's the only one without a mate. There are memories tucked away inside Baekhyun's head, memories of his mother's voice telling him about how strong his father was, how brave and true and just; and Baekhyun holds on to those, but not as much as he holds on to her. He may only be a child, but he can sense her loneliness and Baekhyun doesn't want her to ever feel lonely.
"He smells nice," he adds after a moment, words beginning to slur as his eyes grow heavier. The last thing he hears is a hum before succumbing to sleep, safe and protected in his mother's arms.
Baekhyun's father was the Alpha.
Many wolves are alphas, but there is always one in a pack who is the Alpha. Baekhyun has grown up with the members of his pack telling him grand tales of his father that he now knows are exaggerated. When he came rushing home to boast of his father taking down several black bears at once, his mother had laughed and scooped him up in her arms, explaining to him that no wolf, alpha or not, could pull off such a feat. "You need a level head, child," she said. "Not one full of impossibilities."
Since the death of the Alpha, their pack has been declining in numbers. Baekhyun has seen the tears streaking his mother's cheeks each time another family departs. And when he'd asked why they were leaving when they didn't look happy about it, she'd told him that wolves crave a strong Alpha to protect them. Their pack doesn't have that; they only have a council that mulls over decisions and works to find a new Alpha - the right Alpha - while trying to keep the remnants from scattering to the winds. They number only a few dozen now and more losses would be devastating.
Baekhyun thinks he understands. He's just over ten years old and he's beginning to come into his nature. As an omega, he matures slower during his younger years, only to speed through the changes that will claim his future. Alphas have it easier - always a little stronger, a little faster, a little broader. Baekhyun notices now, notices how he wants to tuck himself against one of the other alphas his age instead of holding his mother's hand and he shudders - curiously watching as the alphas wrestle in the dirt. One of them bursts from his skin, a husky brown wolf snapping his jaw at the others until they all, in turn, shed their human form for wolf.
Baekhyun wants to play too, but more than that, he thinks about lying beneath one of them just to feel the heat of his body, the tickle of his fur, the thick scent of safety that would come with the proximity. He trips over his feet, stumbling forward before righting himself, and his mother peers down at him knowingly, fondly.
Even when Baekhyun is left with the other omegas his age, content as Jongin leans toward him with a broad smile oriented at the caterpillar now crawling up his arm, Baekhyun's thoughts linger on this newfound desire to dart back to the playing alphas. Jongin flops his head onto Baekhyun’s lap, nuzzling his face against Baekhyun’s bare belly until he grants Jongin the attention he craves by petting through his hair. The pair of them nap under the midday sun and Baekhyun wakes to a puddle of drool dripping off his shoulder and Jongin’s hair in his face.
When he makes it home later, accompanied by Jongin’s mother, Baekhyun is greeted with a kiss on the top of his hair and a shirt forced over his head. It feels funny. He’s lived his entire life in pants or naked, and while the material isn’t as thick as animal hide, it’s uncomfortable.
“Why?” he complains, pouting at his mother. She’d smacked his hand when he’d tried to take it back off, but he’s seen plenty of the adults running around wearing far less than pants and no one ever forces clothing on them.
She sighs and pulls him into her arms, lips to his temple. “You’re an omega,” she begins, “and with that comes vulnerability. Staying covered will help.”
Baekhyun frowns down at the shirt, plucking it off his skin with two fingers before releasing it and letting it fall into place. He doesn’t understand how such a flimsy thing can offer protection, but he believes in his mother so he stays quiet.
At fourteen years old, Baekhyun meets Yixing again. This time, Yixing has to tip his chin down to gaze at Baekhyun, but his smile is the same, his scent just as familiar albeit stronger. His hair has grown out past his chin and his shoulders are broad, muscles beginning to cut against the smooth skin of his arms and chest. Baekhyun finds himself staring. His tongue is glued to the roof of his dry mouth, and he’s thankful for the spring breeze that cools his cheeks.
Yixing, along with the other members of his pack who have made the long journey here, will be staying for a full cycle to replenish their supplies before making the return trip. Baekhyun knows better than to ask why they are here; it isn’t his place. As one of the council members, his mother is privy to the information, but she’s sequestered in the main tent with the rest of them and Baekhyun is left with Yixing.
“Do you remember me?” Yixing asks, head tilting just like it had the first time they met.
Baekhyun huffs out a laugh. “Of course I do,” he answers, a hand coming up to perch on his cocked hip. “You are the only person who has never let me win a race.”
Yixing’s eyes seem to focus on where Baekhyun’s fingers are pushing the fabric of his shirt to his hip, accentuating the way his body curves. The years, and his omega nature, have served to give Baekhyun a slimmer frame with the exception of his hips. They have grown wider, granting him more attention from the alphas his age, now that he’s presenting as a potential child-bearing mate.
Baekhyun usually preens under the attention, enjoying the way their eyes trail after him and the constant offers to be his guard when he goes into the forest in search of berries and mushrooms. But Yixing’s attention clogs his throat, has his hand falling and his posture straightening. Yixing steps forward, eyes a brilliant red that fade into brown, and Baekhyun resists the urge to move away.
“I never let anyone beat me. That’s something you have to earn.”
A shiver races down Baekhyun’s spine and his instincts would have had him falling to his knees, but his strong will has him standing tall, jaw set in a challenge. “Then race me again.”
Yixing quirks an eyebrow at him, amused, but Baekhyun doesn’t back down. It’s not in him to back down. When that becomes obvious, Yixing nods. “Alright. To the river then. No shifting and no shortcuts.”
“Do you remember the way?” Baekhyun teases. After all, it’s been years since Yixing visited their camp and it had only been for a day.
“I can manage.”
“Then on your mark.”
“On your mark.”
Baekhyun scans Yixing’s face contemplatively, scraping his teeth over his lower lip. He suppresses a pleased grin when Yixing is drawn by the action. “Go,” he whispers, pushing off with his feet and moving away from the alpha without a moment’s hesitation.
It was a cheap trick, but one that Yixing quickly overcomes. In no time at all, the alpha is speeding past Baekhyun, disappearing into the trees in the direction of the river. Baekhyun has grown up in these woods and he knows every trail, every tree, every hidden cave perfect for escaping for a while. His feet make little noise over the forest bed even as he speeds across the ground, the scent of dirt wafting into his nose and the leaves overhead rustling faintly as they watch him pass.
Baekhyun’s always been quick on his feet and disappointment burns in his chest when he breaks through the trees and sees Yixing already waiting at the water’s edge, back turned to him. Frustration burns his throat, his fingers curling into fists at his sides and he’s ready to push Yixing into the water out of sheer frustration. If it weren’t for his mother’s face flashing in his mind, he would have.
Yixing looks unrepentant, smug even when he turns to acknowledge Baekhyun’s presence. “I thought you’d be quicker,” he announces.
Baekhyun’s stomach clenches tight at the image of Yixing with beads of water clinging to his face, dripping onto his chest where they roll until they disappear into his pants. He’s barely out of breath and the teasing smile on his face is too much. Baekhyun lunges and Yixing makes a surprised noise when he hits the surface of the water.
Yixing sputters, pushing his soaking wet hair from his face and Baekhyun gives a smug grin of his own before running back to camp, leaving the alpha there with his wounded pride.
Yixing has been a guest in their camp for nearly eight days now and Baekhyun is still waiting for his mother to grab him by the ear and demand to know what he was thinking when he shoved an alpha, a guest, into the river. Instead, he gets the same warm smiles she always gives him at the beginning of the day before ushering him off. Baekhyun gazes curiously at the sparring alphas when he passes, pausing to watch Yixing, in his human form, hefting a wolf - Chanyeol - in his arms and tossing him aside.
Baekhyun swallows, breaths shallow and something unfamiliar crawling over his skin. He’s outgrown the need to have his mother walk him to where the other omegas spend their days, but he wishes she was here now to pull him away.
Yixing pushes sweaty hair from his face, laughing at one of the other alphas - Taekwoon - as he tries to take Yixing down and misses. The sunlight bathes Yixing in a glow, creating a beacon that Baekhyun is drawn to without realizing. He’s several steps off the well-worn path and advancing on the alphas when Yixing takes notice, pulling himself away from the others to walk over.
“Baekhyun,” Yixing greets, his cheeks a healthy pink and eyes unfairly bright.
“You didn’t tell,” Baekhyun blurts out. If Yixing was going to tell anyone about what happened down at the river, he would have already and Baekhyun just doesn’t know why he hasn’t.
Yixing tilts his head as he regards Baekhyun. It’s an obnoxiously adorable habit of his. “There was nothing to tell.”
“I pushed you into the river,” Baekhyun sputters, arms flailing a little.
Yixing bends and Baekhyun squints as he peers up at him, heart thundering in his chest. “And if I was going to do something about it, it would be between us,” Yixing says in a soft, almost chiding voice. “I fight my own battles.”
And then he walks off, leaving a bewildered Baekhyun standing in the grass like a fool until Sehun barrels into him and drags him off, yapping about how Baekhyun is supposed to be helping him salt the deer hides and not panting helplessly at the alphas.
“They’re not even that attractive,” Sehun snorts with a roll of his eyes and Baekhyun suppresses a noise of dissent. He knows for a fact that Sehun has been nosing up to a disinterested Kyungsoo lately.
But he allows Sehun to keep complaining throughout the morning until Jongin grows tired of listening to him and shoves Sehun sideways to crawl over him, practically smothering Sehun in his chest as he exaggeratedly comforts his poor broken heart. Sehun only struggles for a moment before surrendering and wrapping around Jongin to cuddle. The two end up falling asleep, leaving Baekhyun with only the company of his thoughts and the squirrels he can hear climbing one of the few scattered trees in the field.
Sprawled in the grass with the midday sun caressing over his skin, Baekhyun wonders about his future, the pack’s future, and his place in the midst of it all.
Baekhyun’s wolf is only a few shades off from black, mottled patches of lighter brown scattered over his face and paws. As an omega, his frame is smaller and more agile than an alpha’s, but it doesn’t stop Yixing from pulling ahead as the two of them bound through the open field beside the camp, toward the cover of the trees. The moon is bright and full overhead and Baekhyun almost regrets leaving her light as he darts under a canopy of leaves.
But Yixing is right there at his side, nearly brushing against him as they both squeeze between the same two trees on their run. As soon as Yixing is in front of him again, Baekhyun nips at his heels, howling when Yixing slows to allow him to stay at his side.
This is nice. This isn’t a competition although that flare in Baekhyun’s chest that demands he prove himself burns bright. He just wants to show Yixing that he’s better, that he’s good enough and he isn’t entirely sure why. He doesn’t even know Yixing that well and he’ll be leaving in only a few days so attachment isn’t an option.
Still, Baekhyun doesn’t move when Yixing flops on top of him after their run, the two of them alone in a small clearing surrounded by trees. Yixing is bigger than he is, bulkier, but it’s not uncomfortable. Baekhyun is on his belly, Yixing’s head over his back and they lay there, catching their breath and enjoying the peace that comes after a satisfying run.
This is nice. Really nice.
The river trickles in the distance and there are howls in the air, playful calls thrown out and answered by the others. At one point, Yixing lets out a howl of his own, but it’s low, almost reluctant, and soon enough, several others break into the clearing.
Baekhyun is left on the ground as Yixing bounds onto his paws, deep brown fur catching in the moonlight as he rushes at Chanyeol. The two of them tumble in the grass playfully, Jongdae - another alpha with too much energy - barreling his way into the fight not long after. He’s content to watch, lazy and comfortable with his tail swishing through green blades of grass.
Baekhyun smells Jongin before he feels Jongin laying beside him, half on top of him and whining softly for attention. Baekhyun holds Jongin’s muzzle to the ground with a paw and runs his tongue over Jongin’s ears until Jongin’s whines are replaced with pleased sighs. He’s a spoiled wolf, not much younger than Baekhyun, and yet Baekhyun can’t help wanting to take care of him.
Sehun eventually noses his way between them, demanding attention and both Baekhyun and Jongin give him an aggressive tongue bath until he pulls away, laying across both of them instead. They spend the rest of the night in a pile, amused at the antics of the alphas still embroiled in their wrestling and play fighting. It’s one of Baekhyun’s more memorable full moons.
Yixing leaves a few days later, tossing Baekhyun a smile over his shoulder. Baekhyun stands at the edge of the camp until they’re out of sight.
Chanyeol is an imbecile.
The idiot is currently stuck in a tree after going up for one of the few budding flowers along the upper branches. And not only that, but the moment he’d realized how high he was off the ground, he’d shifted into a wolf, wrapping his limbs around the branch and refusing to move. Jongin is staring up at Chanyeol in disdain with a bit of mild amusement thrown in. Sehun, however, is in stitches, doubled over with his arms around his stomach as Chanyeol whines for help.
It doesn’t matter that he could probably fall down to the ground and walk off without so much as a scratch. Chanyeol is stubborn and scared and Baekhyun sighs up at him with pity. This isn’t the way to earn Jongin’s approval or affection. But when Baekhyun had told Chanyeol just as much, the alpha had scoffed and declared it a perfect plan.
Absolutely perfect.
“He’s so embarrassing,” Jongin whines, leaving the scene before Chanyeol’s howls call the rest of the pack to them. Ever since Chanyeol made his intentions to woo Jongin public, Jongin has been the unfortunate victim of secondhand embarrassment on an almost daily basis.
“You sure do know how to attract them,” Sehun teases.
Jongin throws Sehun a dark look. “You were the one pining for him not long ago,” he reminds Sehun. “Why don’t you go seduce him from the tree.” Jongin stomps off with a huff and Sehun scrunches his nose in distaste, but not before giving Chanyeol a thoughtful look.
“We all have our weaknesses,” he admits. “I should probably go get his father because Jongin won’t.”
Baekhyun would never say it out loud, but he does see the appeal in Chanyeol. At seventeen years old, Baekhyun’s right in the middle of a very active, very confusing puberty and his instincts are at an all time high. This includes taking notice of every single alpha with mate potential and, sadly for him, Chanyeol falls in that category.
Chanyeol’s grown up well. His arms are long and strong, his thighs sturdy and his height an advantage that has more than just Sehun glancing his way a second time when he passes. He’s proven himself as a strong hunter, surprising most of the pack because usually he makes so much noise it scares off anything living in a wide radius. His first kill, a young buck, was dropped at a bewildered Jongin’s feet only a month ago.
Jongin had looked faintly ill when he’d marched off, refusing to look at Chanyeol or anyone else for the rest of the day.
Things aren’t much better, but at least Jongin speaks to Chanyeol now even if it’s just complaining about how Chanyeol is drawing too much attention or “yes, I’ll let you sit beside me at dinner, just please take off that poison ivy crown already and don’t touch me”.
Love stories are blossoming all around him as everyone he’s grown up with prepares for adulthood. Sehun seems to rotate through alphas, sighing wistfully about one alpha one day and whispering excitedly about another only days later. It’s adorable and Baekhyun doesn’t mind when Sehun curls against his side to describe his latest infatuation. Even Joonmyun, an omega a year older than Baekhyun who always seems to have his head on straight, gets a pink tinge to his cheeks when Kyungsoo is around.
Baekhyun doesn’t have a love story. Not yet. He’s just not that interested, which seems to suit his mother just fine. She asks every now and then, testing the waters to see if some alpha has caught Baekhyun’s attention. Baekhyun notices her stiff posture, the tension in her shoulders that drains away when he professes his disinterest.
He supposes it’s a natural reaction. She’s alone and when - if - Baekhyun takes a mate, he’ll be leaving their tent and she’ll have no one to keep her warm through the cold winter months, no one to groom when she gets agitated. Her council responsibilities are beginning to weigh her down, soft wrinkles now permanent around her eyes and the rogue gray hair invading rich brown.
Baekhyun helps as best he can, knowing it will never be enough.
The pack is huddled around a large fire, the council all grouped on one side together as the others squeeze in. Jongin is squished on one side of Baekhyun and Sehun is on the other, nearly draped in his lap. Baekhyun is occupied, a hand petting through Sehun’s hair and the other gently massaging the nape of Jongin’s neck. He’s antsy, a knot twisted in his stomach because his mother has been on tenterhooks all week, only to dart out just before the bonfire was started.
With their dwindling numbers, Baekhyun estimates their food stores are more than plentiful enough to provide for those still here, so he’s uncertain why there are so many hushed whispers, so many worried faces. It’s getting close to winter and the wind that blows through sends a shiver across the back of Baekhyun’s neck and down his spine. Jongin shifts closer, slipping an arm around Baekhyun’s waist.
When the representative from the council steps forward, Baekhyun sits up straighter and the pack grows quiet. “We’ve been struggling for some time now,” Baekhyun’s mother begins. It’s always her who speaks with everyone - relaying news and decisions from the council. As the former Alpha’s mate, she’s trusted and loved and it only makes sense. “Changes must come for us to survive. Permanent changes.”
Baekhyun notices the way his mother’s gaze blinks over toward him before sliding back to the front and worry takes root.
“Over the years, you’ve all become accustomed to a neighboring pack’s members visiting and taking in our hospitality. They come from far off to the north in the mountains where their numbers have grown too large for their meager hunting grounds. Our packs have finally come to a mutually beneficial decision. During the next week, a group from their pack will arrive and they will be here to stay.”
Baekhyun can’t help it, drawing in a sharp breath as he thinks of Yixing. Will Yixing be coming? He’s not the only one who’s reacted either; there are murmurs and whispers and Jongin no longer looks in danger of falling asleep on Baekhyun’s shoulder.
“Their younger alphas and omegas will flesh out our ranks, will become our pack and we will finally thrive again.”
The news is met with excitement, cheers and whoops rising through the group. But Baekhyun is left more curious at what his mother has left out. Mutually beneficial? It seems to him that adding more bodies to an already wounded pack isn’t going to heal it. It will only make it fester. They need an alpha.
Baekhyun still lets himself be pulled into the excitement that’s circulating, laughing even as Sehun and Jongin tug him off the ground to move nearer to the crackling fire. It’s infectious, their smiles and wild dancing and the cacophony of howls ringing through the night air. Baekhyun falls easily to the positivity running rampant, forgetting his doubts for a little while.
He looks through the crowd for his mother and finds her staring at him, her expression unreadable and lips pursed in a thin line. It only lasts for a moment before Chanyeol is grabbing him by the arm to guide him deeper into the celebration.
It’s nearing sunset when their new pack members are spotted, a full two days after the announcement. The entire camp’s been alive with renewed energy during the wait, cleaning the tents left empty and pulling out supplies for more in case they’re needed. Baekhyun had tried to ask his mother why she didn’t seem as happy as everyone else, but she’d brushed it off, saying she hadn’t been feeling well. Baekhyun could smell the lie on her, but also the apprehension so he’d backed off.
Baekhyun is one of the many people who stand in the field to greet the newcomers, most of them offering to take the large bags from their backs and to escort them inside. He lifts himself on his toes, lower lip in his teeth as he searches for a familiar face; there are so many he doesn’t recognize. Baekhyun’s stomach sinks when the line begins to dwindle, and he’s left out on his own as the pack - new and old alike - rush toward the camp.
“Were you looking for me?” comes a voice from beside him and Baekhyun startles. He doesn’t even have to turn to know it’s Yixing because he smells him first. Yixing’s voice has gotten deeper, smooth and silky.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Baekhyun grumps, turning to ask Yixing what could possibly make him think that. But when he sees Yixing, the words choke and die in his throat. Yixing’s grown taller, broader, filling out so much better than Chanyeol. His hair is shorter although his bangs fall nearly in his eyes. It suits him.
“I wouldn’t presume to,” Yixing answers without pause. Baekhyun’s still a little entranced at the way his mouth moves, how the swell of his lower lip looks like something he wants to roll between his teeth. “Baekhyun?” Yixing questions, eyebrows furrowed.
Baekhyun hums in response, distracted until the weight of one of Yixing’s bags lands on his shoulder. “Ow,” he hisses, shooting a glare at the alpha beside him.
“If you went through all the trouble to wait for me, the least I can do is allow you to help and keep me company the rest of the way to camp.”
Baekhyun’s nose scrunches and his lip curls as he regards Yixing even as the alpha walks off. “Jerk,” he grumbles under his breath, hefting the bag and following him.
There are over twenty new members of the pack. Baekhyun had tried to pay attention to introductions, but he’d been distracted because Yixing was the one who’d stepped forward to speak.
Last night, they’d parted ways at the front of an empty tent, Yixing plucking the bag from Baekhyun with ease and thanking him before walking inside. Baekhyun had loitered for a few minutes, unsure if he should follow and try to help him set up or leave. Eventually, Yixing had poked his head out and claimed he was tired so he was going to sleep off the journey. He’d added that Baekhyun was free to join him and Baekhyun had huffed before storming off. “Not on your life,” he’d muttered only to hear Yixing’s laughter behind him.
There are new scents in the air. They’ll become familiar soon, melding with the pack, but right now they’re strange. Except Yixing’s. That one tickles along Baekhyun’s senses and he backs away slowly for fresh air, apologetic for leaving but he needs to clear his head. It’s going to take some getting used to.
Yixing’s only ever been around long enough to be a flickering memory, a dream perhaps that Baekhyun wakes from and lets fade until reality brings him back. But now Yixing is going to be a permanent fixture and he isn’t sure how he feels about it. Not yet.
Jongin finds him later, settling beside Baekhyun at the edge of the river, his feet splashing into the water beside Baekhyun’s. It’s instinctive the way Jongin’s larger hand slips effortlessly into Baekhyun’s palm, fingers curling together in a loose grip. It’s comforting. Jongin runs his thumb over the back of Baekhyun’s hand, rests his head on Baekhyun’s shoulder and just sits, silent.
It helps.
Sehun takes to the new additions with an enthusiasm only an omega pup clamoring for attention can manage. Although Baekhyun suspects it has something to do with a pair of alphas - Luhan and Minseok - whose scents are nearly indistinguishable from each other. They’ve taken to fawning over Sehun, lavishing him with attention as Sehun practically wags his tail at every look, every ruffle of his hair, every brush of skin.
It’s insufferably cute and Jongin has a scathing look on his face as he watches Sehun nose up to Minseok in the distance. Baekhyun knows Jongin well enough to understand that the omega is just having trouble still processing new people even after a week. Jongin’s always been skittish, preferring to keep to himself and a few close friends, which is why Chanyeol’s very public courting is doing more harm than good. It’s also why Jongin whines low in his throat when Sehun comes over, reeking of the two unfamiliar alphas.
“Consider me the bridge,” Sehun comments lowly, crouched in front of Jongin who is visibly trying not to recoil. “If you get used to their smell on me, it will be easier to accept them.”
It’s an earnest offer and one that has Jongin reluctantly accepting Sehun’s proximity even if he still seems wary. Of course, Sehun is a persistent boy and it’s not long before he’s wrapped all around Jongin, butting his head against Jongin’s chin because he wants Jongin to scratch through his hair. Jongin pulls a face at Sehun before sighing and complying as Baekhyun watches on, amused.
A strange scent flits through the air and Baekhyun tenses, the other two unaware of their guest. Baekhyun peers up at a ridiculously long body topped with a head of unruly blond hair that falls into unsure eyes. If it weren’t for his sweet omega aroma and the way he seems to shrink in on himself, scuffing a foot in the dirt, Baekhyun would have thought him an alpha.
“Is it alright if I join you?” he asks timidly.
Baekhyun nods, patting the ground beside him as Sehun and Jongin progress to wrestling, rolling further away while they nip and grab and laugh. The man hesitates only a moment before taking up the proffered spot, shooting Baekhyun a gummy grin that has Baekhyun smiling back at him, less uneasy than he thought he would be.
“I’m Baekhyun,” he introduces, holding out his arm for the new omega to sniff. His nose tickles in the crook of Baekhyun’s elbow and he jerks a little, laughing. And then the omega is returning the gesture and Baekhyun gets a good whiff of him, humming lightly as he puts it to memory.
“Yifan,” he says. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
At this, Baekhyun leans away, eyebrows raised.
“From Yixing,” Yifan clarifies, holding his hands up defensively.
“All good, I’m sure,” Baekhyun comments dryly, mildly apologetic for his tone because it’s not directed at Yifan.
But Yifan laughs, rocking until their shoulders hit together lightly. “Not at all. He says you’re a spoiled brat of a pup and you drive him absolutely crazy.”
Baekhyun sits up straighter, a delighted smile blossoming on his lips. “Really?” he questions, a bit proud of himself.
“There aren’t many who can ruffle Yixing’s calm nature,” Yifan divulges. “But you seem to get under his skin quite nicely from what I can tell.”
Baekhyun decides, in that very moment, that he likes Yifan and will become his friend.
With Yifan, things are easier. The sometimes too unaware of his own size omega doesn’t mind when Baekhyun pulls him down beside him, a sleepy Yifan draped mostly on Baekhyun who begins asking about the new faces that have infiltrated the familiarity of his pack.
“That’s Hakyeon,” Yifan mumbles, a yawn attached at the end. “He’s an omega, but don’t let that fool you. He’ll order people around like an alpha and they’ll listen.” Which is promptly proven when an amused Baekhyun witnesses Taekwoon blink up at Hakyeon and then move after the omega says, “scooch”. Hakyeon wiggles next to Taekwoon, nibbling on his breakfast as Taekwoon peers at Hakyeon with interest that he tries to veil.
A more permanent chill is beginning to settle in the air, lingering longer in the morning hours before the days grow warm. Autumn is encroaching and Baekhyun can’t say that he minds the presence of an overly large omega who blocks the wind and keeps him warm. Plus, it’s always a bonus when Baekhyun catches Yixing looking their way, the alpha’s shoulders tense and his expression unsure as if Yifan is giving away all his deepest, darkest secrets. It’s a pity that Yifan hasn’t.
It’s easy to keep Yifan at his side, washing up after their meal, taking their time about things because Baekhyun’s always a little slower in the mornings, a bit sluggish to get a good start to things. His mother used to threaten to dump cold water over his head, but she never followed through. By the time the duo leave the area, the rest of the pack is already occupied with other activities.
“And that’s Zitao,” Yifan explains, gesturing to the boy who has his thighs locked tight around Yixing’s waist. Baekhyun pauses to admire his physique, the way his muscles stand out until Yixing wrestles free and pins Zitao underneath him in a flurry of movement that leaves Baekhyun amazed, not to mention a little dazed; and he stumbles when Yifan pulls him along to go meet with the others for their daily chores. They need to ensure everyone has enough clothing for the upcoming winter.
Unlike the first few days, Jongin doesn’t shy away from Yifan when they take up a spot in the circle. They’ve been spending their time repurposing all the furs the new pack members brought with them from the mountains for a lighter winter. Jongin is subtle about scooting closer to the pair, but Baekhyun sees the pleased smile that spreads over Yifan’s face when Jongin bumps up against him, shoulder to shoulder, and doesn’t move.
It’s not quite as easy for Baekhyun. He finds himself not purposely, but sort of purposely avoiding Yixing. Sometimes it’s not even a conscious thing. Baekhyun’s wolf will catch a whiff of Yixing in the air and veer around until the air is clear again and his heart stops pounding. He doesn’t know what it means and when he tells Sehun, the omega just narrows his eyes with a stupid smirk on his face.
“You have a crush,” Sehun teases, only to get shoved to the ground an instant later. He wheezes, air knocked from his lungs as Baekhyun pins him easily. “Crush,” Sehun repeats, unapologetic. “You totally have the hots for Yixing!”
Baekhyun slaps both hands over Sehun’s mouth, freeing the omega’s hands from where he’d rendered them useless. “Shhhhhhh!” he orders, glancing around to make sure no one had been in hearing distance.
Sehun uses Baekhyun’s distracted state to roll, sitting on top of a startled Baekhyun. “I won’t tell,” Sehun promises, a sudden serious set to his face. Then he dips forward and pushes his head underneath Baekhyun’s chin and sighs. “Scratch my head,” he whines a moment later and, well, Baekhyun finds it impossible to refuse.
Sehun may still bound around like a pup, but he’s more mature than others older than him. Like Chanyeol. Even from where they are, far away from the camp, Baekhyun can hear Jongin’s whining as he storms through the field and toward the woods, Chanyeol on his heels. “Finesse,” is what Baekhyun had advised him. The alpha clearly doesn’t understand the meaning of the word.
Yixing approaches Baekhyun a few days later and Baekhyun’s skin prickles at his proximity, but he holds his ground. There’s a group of omegas sitting out behind the tents on the edge of camp and most of them shrink away, leaving Baekhyun alone and exposed. The traitors. Yifan’s the only one who looks apologetic. Joonmyun just appears disinterested, too immersed in sorting the berries in front of him.
Yixing crouches beside Baekhyun and Baekhyun struggles not to let his eyes wander down the expanse of Yixing’s chest. There are several worn leather bracelets around Yixing’s right wrist and Baekhyun focuses on those instead.
“I’ve been expecting you to jump out and demand to race me,” Yixing comments. “But the only running you seem to be doing is away from me.”
Baekhyun only flinches a little, scowling down at the ground between Yixing’s feet. “Racing is for children,” Baekhyun sniffs.
Yixing outright laughs, flopping back to sit on the ground with his face scrunched up in amusement. Baekhyun’s lip curls and his fists ball in his lap. “So you’re grown now?” Yixing taunts, pointing at Baekhyun.
Baekhyun snarls as he bats Yixing’s hand away. “More than you, clearly,” he spits. His stomach is twisting and his heart is racing, but Baekhyun thinks he would rather slap that grin off Yixing’s face than nose up to him. Sehun was wrong. Baekhyun definitely does not have a crush on Yixing.
“Or is it that you know you can’t beat me no matter how much you practice?”
Baekhyun’s eyes widen at the challenge. The other omegas whisper amongst each other as Baekhyun stands, hands on his hips when he stares down at the laughing alpha. “Fine. Let’s race. I’ll leave you eating dirt.”
Yixing raises to his full height, an eyebrow raised and a knowing smile on his stupid face. “How about away from the river this time. I’m not in the mood for another swim.”
“To the clearing then,” Baekhyun declares, attempting not to give away how much his skin is buzzing from how close they’re standing. His instincts want him to curl into Yixing’s arm, bump underneath his chin like Sehun often does for affection. And Baekhyun hates it. He hates that he doesn’t feel this way around the other alphas. When Chanyeol bounds over or Jongdae sneaks around to rest his chin on Baekhyun’s shoulder, Baekhyun enjoys the attention but there’s no visceral need to submit. Not like this.
“Should I give you a headstart?”
Baekhyun bares his teeth, eyes glinting amber for a second as his wolf rises threateningly to the surface.
“I rescind the offer,” Yixing wisely states, although he appears more intrigued than apologetic. “On my mark this time.”
“Fine,” Baekhyun snarls, lip curled.
“Go!”
The two of them start with such force that they leave dirt flying in their wake and Baekhyun hears the cheers from the others behind him, grinning to himself. He hasn’t necessarily been pouting at certain dextrous alphas to run with him just to get a little faster only so he can best Yixing, but he hasn’t been sitting down and not practicing either.
And yet . . .
Baekhyun loses spectacularly. There is no water to push Yixing into, so Baekhyun storms off, angry tears stinging his eyes and fists clenched so hard he’s trembling. His nails threaten to pierce his palms and he’s far into the woods before he gives out a scream of frustration.
He does not like Yixing.
“It’s all in the haunches. Yixing’s thighs could probably keep a mountain lion pinned.” Chanyeol doesn’t seem to know when to keep his mouth shut. There’s half-chewed food rolling around on his tongue and Baekhyun recoils when some of it comes close to shooting out of his mouth because he won’t shut up.
“I don’t care about Yixing’s thighs,” Baekhyun complains. “I don’t care about Yixing’s anything.”
Chanyeol doesn’t seem to hear him. Or at least he doesn’t give any indication of doing so because his lips are still moving. Beside him, Jongin looks like he’d rather be anywhere else, but sitting beside Chanyeol had been the only way to stop him from howling earlier. Baekhyun is rather certain Jongin is going to intentionally infest Chanyeol with fleas before the cooler weather kills the pests off.
“Even with my long legs, I can’t beat him.”
“I’ve heard no one has,” Jongin supplies, finally pulling his grimace from Chanyeol in favor of picking at his own food.
Chanyeol seems to suddenly notice that someone else is speaking. Big surprise. He raises an eyebrow at Jongin, leaning toward him. “Oh yeah? And who is your mystery informant?”
“Yifan,” Jongin replies, tipping away from Chanyeol. “Sit up straight before I fall over.” And when Chanyeol doesn’t, Jongin shoves him. Chanyeol grunts when he lands on his side, sending a pout at an indifferent Jongin. “Yifan mentioned that their former pack used to hold races all the time and Yixing has won them all since he turned twelve. He even beat their Alpha.”
Baekhyun isn’t impressed even if his heart is pressing against his ribs, chest swelling with something like pride that he has no right to feel. It’s not as if it’s his accomplishment, so why is a smile fighting to find its way onto his mouth? “Seems exaggerated to me,” he grumbles, staring down at his bowl.
There’s more meat than they used to have. A lot of the wolves that joined were great hunters that never had the chance to prove their skills in over-hunted lands. Now they have far more territory to cover and Baekhyun’s belly is going to get soft and pudgy if they keep feeding them this way. Perhaps an extra layer isn’t such a bad idea for the winter months.
He eats his fill as Chanyeol struggles with Jongin, wanting him to take the rest of Chanyeol’s food. Jongin eventually gives up, standing and leaving Chanyeol behind. Baekhyun has no sympathy for the pouting alpha. “Baek,” he whines.
“Don’t,” Baekhyun warns. “You’ve done the opposite of everything I’ve advised. My services are now closed to you. Go bug someone else with your lovesick problems.”
“But you’re the closest to him,” Chanyeol grumbles, scooting closer to Baekhyun.
“Sehun -”
“Sehun won’t talk to me.”
Baekhyun snorts. “Probably because you practically laughed in his face when he admitted he liked you, you jerk.” Baekhyun swats at Chanyeol, the back of his hand hitting against the firm muscle of his bicep. Something new ripples through Baekhyun at the contact. Oh. That’s actually rather nice. Baekhyun fits his fingers around Chanyeol’s upper arm, enjoying the fact that they can’t reach all the way. He swallows, distracted. Alphas feel really nice.
It should be awkward. It’s awkward, right? To run curious fingers down the arm of someone he’s grown up with, laughed with, fought with, been perpetually annoyed with. It’s awkward. And yet it’s not at all because this is what omegas do. They’re drawn to alphas and Baekhyun is leaning toward Chanyeol now, too focused on what he’s doing to notice the reactions around them.
“Baek?” Chanyeol questions, pulling away when Baekhyun tries to grab him with his other hand. He’s half in the dirt, propped on his elbow and panting as he stares at Baekhyun in question. It’s only then that Baekhyun realizes how hot he feels, how fluttery his heart is beating and he shakes his head to clear his thoughts.
There are other members of their pack around them, gawking. They’re not even being discreet about it and Baekhyun’s stomach churns.
“Sorry,” he mumbles, standing and wiping at his pants to brush off dirt that isn’t there. “Sorry,” he repeats, and then he’s gone. Running. Running so far away.
His skin draws too tight against his bones, his nerves under pressure until they burst. White spots dance in his vision and Baekhyun is sinking to the ground, ripping out of his human form and into a wolf. He seldom loses control over his shifting; the last time had been when he was a small child, upset because he’d been stung by a bee. This time, it’s because his natural instincts have decided to come out and play, and they’re stronger than ever before.
Baekhyun darts into the forest, following one of the paths he’d made years ago. There’s a fallen tree buried deep in the forest, the roots a maze of knots and the trunk eaten with mushrooms and insects. But underneath - underneath is an opening just large enough for Baekhyun to fit inside. The rotting wood helps mask his scent. Baekhyun doesn’t want to be found.
He curls in the dirt, tail tucked between his hind legs. It’s completely ridiculous how crazy he feels. Touching and getting into each other’s personal space is standard for wolves. They crave it, desire to be surrounded with those they call pack. So why does the way he was drawn to Chanyeol have his stomach twisting into a knot? Why is this something to panic over?
And why had Chanyeol reacted that way? Chanyeol’s never pulled from him before unless it was because Baekhyun was on his back, tugging at his hair while they were playing. Something about it was different. Baekhyun whines softly, closing his eyes to calm himself. It’s easier when he’s a wolf. The world is clearer, simpler.
Shrunk down this small, he can control the emotions running through him. It's the animal who comes out to tame the panic until Baekhyun is calm. Or at least calmer. As an omega, he's always known that his maturity is going to include new insights and reactions, but he hadn't been expecting it. Not one like this. Not with Chanyeol. And it isn't even specifically Chanyeol that triggered it. It was just another part of Baekhyun.
Once he understands what's coming over him - some stronger reaction to an alpha's physical presence and the strength he can provide - Baekhyun can come to terms with it, tuck it away and learn how to handle it when it happens again. He probably spooked poor Chanyeol. He had also probably flooded the entire area with pheromones without realizing. He's going to have to learn to control that too.
It's the same as when he'd first started noticing alphas, only now it's a kick to the gut when he thinks about one. Even Yixing. Baekhyun curls tighter in on himself when an image of the alpha floats through his mind. He doesn't even know why he thinks of Yixing, but he won't go away.
He knows that Yixing is stronger than Chanyeol even if he's more compact. They'd all witnessed the ease with which Yixing could toss Chanyeol around when they were fighting. It has Baekhyun whimpering into the dirt, wanting to seek out the alpha just to be near him.
Baekhyun keeps himself hidden, separated from the pack until he gets a handle on himself. Night falls, the curling edges of sunlight receding over the forest floor until there's nothing but darkness. There are all sorts of creatures out in the woods, the voices of the wilderness surrounding him. It's calming, soothing. It helps Baekhyun relax and pull himself together. Everyone will probably be worried by now. Except maybe Jongin. Jongin understands more than anyone else how important it can be to escape.
Baekhyun finally crawls out and pads toward home, catching fresh trails of pack members through the trees the closer he gets to camp. They've been searching for him. He's nearly there when he bumps into Yixing.
Baekhyun scents him first, freezing in his tracks until Yixing’s prowling form comes into view. Yixing rushes toward him, barreling into Baekhyun who stumbles back, ears flat and front paws lowered to the ground. He's apologizing and Yixing is nipping at his ears in acceptance, nudging Baekhyun forward. They walk in step, side-by-side and Baekhyun's wolf is trembling, wanting to push himself at Yixing and bury his nose in Yixing's fur. It has to be his new instincts coming through because otherwise, Baekhyun wouldn't want to have anything to do with Yixing.
Even if Yixing escorts him all the way to his tent where his mother is waiting. He turns to watch as Yixing pads off toward the tree line, stopping to loose a howl into the air, calling everyone back. Baekhyun nearly runs to him, gut clenched tight and body thrumming with the desire to be close to him, but his mother finds him first.
She hugs him, scratches around his ears and then smacks him right on the rear end for making her worry. Baekhyun decides that maybe he'll just stay as he is for the night. Wolf. He doesn't feel like answering any questions.
PART TWO
Pairing: Baekhyun/Yixing (various side pairings)
Rating: NC-17
Length: 40k
Warnings: alpha/omega dynamics (including heats, knotting, self lubrication), wolf au, polyamory
Notes: Originally posted here for The Exordium. Thank you to everyone who put up with my whining. Also, a huge thanks to Adele and Lonio for being outstanding helpers and to Bee for keeping me together. ^^
Summary: Baekhyun just wants to find his place in a pack that's falling apart.
If you prefer ao3, you can read it here.
Baekhyun meets Yixing when he's six years old, peeking out from around his mother's legs as Yixing blinks at him, head tilted to the side and the moonlight reflected in his eyes. Yixing's irises pulse red a few times before they retreat, leaving Baekhyun staring in awe at a young alpha with a warm smile and a pleasing scent that lingers in the air. Baekhyun breathes him in deep, memorizes.
"How did you like Yixing?" Baekhyun's mother asks later.
They’d played together in the tall grass, darting between trees and giggling as they raced through the night air while the rest of the adults either kept a casual eye on them or shifted to enjoy the beautiful evening in a more primal way. Baekhyun has playmates in his pack, but none are as energetic, none as willing to let Baekhyun take the lead and then steal it from him the moment the end is in sight.
Baekhyun is now snug against his mother’s chest as they lay atop a pile of animal skins in their large tent, falling asleep to the soft scrape of her nails on his scalp as she scratches lightly through black strands. "He was nice," Baekhyun mumbles, curling tighter toward her.
Baekhyun's always been attached to his mother, always had this overwhelming urge to be at her side - to keep her from being alone. He knows they're different, she's different, because out of all the other families in the pack, she's the only one without a mate. There are memories tucked away inside Baekhyun's head, memories of his mother's voice telling him about how strong his father was, how brave and true and just; and Baekhyun holds on to those, but not as much as he holds on to her. He may only be a child, but he can sense her loneliness and Baekhyun doesn't want her to ever feel lonely.
"He smells nice," he adds after a moment, words beginning to slur as his eyes grow heavier. The last thing he hears is a hum before succumbing to sleep, safe and protected in his mother's arms.
Baekhyun's father was the Alpha.
Many wolves are alphas, but there is always one in a pack who is the Alpha. Baekhyun has grown up with the members of his pack telling him grand tales of his father that he now knows are exaggerated. When he came rushing home to boast of his father taking down several black bears at once, his mother had laughed and scooped him up in her arms, explaining to him that no wolf, alpha or not, could pull off such a feat. "You need a level head, child," she said. "Not one full of impossibilities."
Since the death of the Alpha, their pack has been declining in numbers. Baekhyun has seen the tears streaking his mother's cheeks each time another family departs. And when he'd asked why they were leaving when they didn't look happy about it, she'd told him that wolves crave a strong Alpha to protect them. Their pack doesn't have that; they only have a council that mulls over decisions and works to find a new Alpha - the right Alpha - while trying to keep the remnants from scattering to the winds. They number only a few dozen now and more losses would be devastating.
Baekhyun thinks he understands. He's just over ten years old and he's beginning to come into his nature. As an omega, he matures slower during his younger years, only to speed through the changes that will claim his future. Alphas have it easier - always a little stronger, a little faster, a little broader. Baekhyun notices now, notices how he wants to tuck himself against one of the other alphas his age instead of holding his mother's hand and he shudders - curiously watching as the alphas wrestle in the dirt. One of them bursts from his skin, a husky brown wolf snapping his jaw at the others until they all, in turn, shed their human form for wolf.
Baekhyun wants to play too, but more than that, he thinks about lying beneath one of them just to feel the heat of his body, the tickle of his fur, the thick scent of safety that would come with the proximity. He trips over his feet, stumbling forward before righting himself, and his mother peers down at him knowingly, fondly.
Even when Baekhyun is left with the other omegas his age, content as Jongin leans toward him with a broad smile oriented at the caterpillar now crawling up his arm, Baekhyun's thoughts linger on this newfound desire to dart back to the playing alphas. Jongin flops his head onto Baekhyun’s lap, nuzzling his face against Baekhyun’s bare belly until he grants Jongin the attention he craves by petting through his hair. The pair of them nap under the midday sun and Baekhyun wakes to a puddle of drool dripping off his shoulder and Jongin’s hair in his face.
When he makes it home later, accompanied by Jongin’s mother, Baekhyun is greeted with a kiss on the top of his hair and a shirt forced over his head. It feels funny. He’s lived his entire life in pants or naked, and while the material isn’t as thick as animal hide, it’s uncomfortable.
“Why?” he complains, pouting at his mother. She’d smacked his hand when he’d tried to take it back off, but he’s seen plenty of the adults running around wearing far less than pants and no one ever forces clothing on them.
She sighs and pulls him into her arms, lips to his temple. “You’re an omega,” she begins, “and with that comes vulnerability. Staying covered will help.”
Baekhyun frowns down at the shirt, plucking it off his skin with two fingers before releasing it and letting it fall into place. He doesn’t understand how such a flimsy thing can offer protection, but he believes in his mother so he stays quiet.
At fourteen years old, Baekhyun meets Yixing again. This time, Yixing has to tip his chin down to gaze at Baekhyun, but his smile is the same, his scent just as familiar albeit stronger. His hair has grown out past his chin and his shoulders are broad, muscles beginning to cut against the smooth skin of his arms and chest. Baekhyun finds himself staring. His tongue is glued to the roof of his dry mouth, and he’s thankful for the spring breeze that cools his cheeks.
Yixing, along with the other members of his pack who have made the long journey here, will be staying for a full cycle to replenish their supplies before making the return trip. Baekhyun knows better than to ask why they are here; it isn’t his place. As one of the council members, his mother is privy to the information, but she’s sequestered in the main tent with the rest of them and Baekhyun is left with Yixing.
“Do you remember me?” Yixing asks, head tilting just like it had the first time they met.
Baekhyun huffs out a laugh. “Of course I do,” he answers, a hand coming up to perch on his cocked hip. “You are the only person who has never let me win a race.”
Yixing’s eyes seem to focus on where Baekhyun’s fingers are pushing the fabric of his shirt to his hip, accentuating the way his body curves. The years, and his omega nature, have served to give Baekhyun a slimmer frame with the exception of his hips. They have grown wider, granting him more attention from the alphas his age, now that he’s presenting as a potential child-bearing mate.
Baekhyun usually preens under the attention, enjoying the way their eyes trail after him and the constant offers to be his guard when he goes into the forest in search of berries and mushrooms. But Yixing’s attention clogs his throat, has his hand falling and his posture straightening. Yixing steps forward, eyes a brilliant red that fade into brown, and Baekhyun resists the urge to move away.
“I never let anyone beat me. That’s something you have to earn.”
A shiver races down Baekhyun’s spine and his instincts would have had him falling to his knees, but his strong will has him standing tall, jaw set in a challenge. “Then race me again.”
Yixing quirks an eyebrow at him, amused, but Baekhyun doesn’t back down. It’s not in him to back down. When that becomes obvious, Yixing nods. “Alright. To the river then. No shifting and no shortcuts.”
“Do you remember the way?” Baekhyun teases. After all, it’s been years since Yixing visited their camp and it had only been for a day.
“I can manage.”
“Then on your mark.”
“On your mark.”
Baekhyun scans Yixing’s face contemplatively, scraping his teeth over his lower lip. He suppresses a pleased grin when Yixing is drawn by the action. “Go,” he whispers, pushing off with his feet and moving away from the alpha without a moment’s hesitation.
It was a cheap trick, but one that Yixing quickly overcomes. In no time at all, the alpha is speeding past Baekhyun, disappearing into the trees in the direction of the river. Baekhyun has grown up in these woods and he knows every trail, every tree, every hidden cave perfect for escaping for a while. His feet make little noise over the forest bed even as he speeds across the ground, the scent of dirt wafting into his nose and the leaves overhead rustling faintly as they watch him pass.
Baekhyun’s always been quick on his feet and disappointment burns in his chest when he breaks through the trees and sees Yixing already waiting at the water’s edge, back turned to him. Frustration burns his throat, his fingers curling into fists at his sides and he’s ready to push Yixing into the water out of sheer frustration. If it weren’t for his mother’s face flashing in his mind, he would have.
Yixing looks unrepentant, smug even when he turns to acknowledge Baekhyun’s presence. “I thought you’d be quicker,” he announces.
Baekhyun’s stomach clenches tight at the image of Yixing with beads of water clinging to his face, dripping onto his chest where they roll until they disappear into his pants. He’s barely out of breath and the teasing smile on his face is too much. Baekhyun lunges and Yixing makes a surprised noise when he hits the surface of the water.
Yixing sputters, pushing his soaking wet hair from his face and Baekhyun gives a smug grin of his own before running back to camp, leaving the alpha there with his wounded pride.
Yixing has been a guest in their camp for nearly eight days now and Baekhyun is still waiting for his mother to grab him by the ear and demand to know what he was thinking when he shoved an alpha, a guest, into the river. Instead, he gets the same warm smiles she always gives him at the beginning of the day before ushering him off. Baekhyun gazes curiously at the sparring alphas when he passes, pausing to watch Yixing, in his human form, hefting a wolf - Chanyeol - in his arms and tossing him aside.
Baekhyun swallows, breaths shallow and something unfamiliar crawling over his skin. He’s outgrown the need to have his mother walk him to where the other omegas spend their days, but he wishes she was here now to pull him away.
Yixing pushes sweaty hair from his face, laughing at one of the other alphas - Taekwoon - as he tries to take Yixing down and misses. The sunlight bathes Yixing in a glow, creating a beacon that Baekhyun is drawn to without realizing. He’s several steps off the well-worn path and advancing on the alphas when Yixing takes notice, pulling himself away from the others to walk over.
“Baekhyun,” Yixing greets, his cheeks a healthy pink and eyes unfairly bright.
“You didn’t tell,” Baekhyun blurts out. If Yixing was going to tell anyone about what happened down at the river, he would have already and Baekhyun just doesn’t know why he hasn’t.
Yixing tilts his head as he regards Baekhyun. It’s an obnoxiously adorable habit of his. “There was nothing to tell.”
“I pushed you into the river,” Baekhyun sputters, arms flailing a little.
Yixing bends and Baekhyun squints as he peers up at him, heart thundering in his chest. “And if I was going to do something about it, it would be between us,” Yixing says in a soft, almost chiding voice. “I fight my own battles.”
And then he walks off, leaving a bewildered Baekhyun standing in the grass like a fool until Sehun barrels into him and drags him off, yapping about how Baekhyun is supposed to be helping him salt the deer hides and not panting helplessly at the alphas.
“They’re not even that attractive,” Sehun snorts with a roll of his eyes and Baekhyun suppresses a noise of dissent. He knows for a fact that Sehun has been nosing up to a disinterested Kyungsoo lately.
But he allows Sehun to keep complaining throughout the morning until Jongin grows tired of listening to him and shoves Sehun sideways to crawl over him, practically smothering Sehun in his chest as he exaggeratedly comforts his poor broken heart. Sehun only struggles for a moment before surrendering and wrapping around Jongin to cuddle. The two end up falling asleep, leaving Baekhyun with only the company of his thoughts and the squirrels he can hear climbing one of the few scattered trees in the field.
Sprawled in the grass with the midday sun caressing over his skin, Baekhyun wonders about his future, the pack’s future, and his place in the midst of it all.
Baekhyun’s wolf is only a few shades off from black, mottled patches of lighter brown scattered over his face and paws. As an omega, his frame is smaller and more agile than an alpha’s, but it doesn’t stop Yixing from pulling ahead as the two of them bound through the open field beside the camp, toward the cover of the trees. The moon is bright and full overhead and Baekhyun almost regrets leaving her light as he darts under a canopy of leaves.
But Yixing is right there at his side, nearly brushing against him as they both squeeze between the same two trees on their run. As soon as Yixing is in front of him again, Baekhyun nips at his heels, howling when Yixing slows to allow him to stay at his side.
This is nice. This isn’t a competition although that flare in Baekhyun’s chest that demands he prove himself burns bright. He just wants to show Yixing that he’s better, that he’s good enough and he isn’t entirely sure why. He doesn’t even know Yixing that well and he’ll be leaving in only a few days so attachment isn’t an option.
Still, Baekhyun doesn’t move when Yixing flops on top of him after their run, the two of them alone in a small clearing surrounded by trees. Yixing is bigger than he is, bulkier, but it’s not uncomfortable. Baekhyun is on his belly, Yixing’s head over his back and they lay there, catching their breath and enjoying the peace that comes after a satisfying run.
This is nice. Really nice.
The river trickles in the distance and there are howls in the air, playful calls thrown out and answered by the others. At one point, Yixing lets out a howl of his own, but it’s low, almost reluctant, and soon enough, several others break into the clearing.
Baekhyun is left on the ground as Yixing bounds onto his paws, deep brown fur catching in the moonlight as he rushes at Chanyeol. The two of them tumble in the grass playfully, Jongdae - another alpha with too much energy - barreling his way into the fight not long after. He’s content to watch, lazy and comfortable with his tail swishing through green blades of grass.
Baekhyun smells Jongin before he feels Jongin laying beside him, half on top of him and whining softly for attention. Baekhyun holds Jongin’s muzzle to the ground with a paw and runs his tongue over Jongin’s ears until Jongin’s whines are replaced with pleased sighs. He’s a spoiled wolf, not much younger than Baekhyun, and yet Baekhyun can’t help wanting to take care of him.
Sehun eventually noses his way between them, demanding attention and both Baekhyun and Jongin give him an aggressive tongue bath until he pulls away, laying across both of them instead. They spend the rest of the night in a pile, amused at the antics of the alphas still embroiled in their wrestling and play fighting. It’s one of Baekhyun’s more memorable full moons.
Yixing leaves a few days later, tossing Baekhyun a smile over his shoulder. Baekhyun stands at the edge of the camp until they’re out of sight.
Chanyeol is an imbecile.
The idiot is currently stuck in a tree after going up for one of the few budding flowers along the upper branches. And not only that, but the moment he’d realized how high he was off the ground, he’d shifted into a wolf, wrapping his limbs around the branch and refusing to move. Jongin is staring up at Chanyeol in disdain with a bit of mild amusement thrown in. Sehun, however, is in stitches, doubled over with his arms around his stomach as Chanyeol whines for help.
It doesn’t matter that he could probably fall down to the ground and walk off without so much as a scratch. Chanyeol is stubborn and scared and Baekhyun sighs up at him with pity. This isn’t the way to earn Jongin’s approval or affection. But when Baekhyun had told Chanyeol just as much, the alpha had scoffed and declared it a perfect plan.
Absolutely perfect.
“He’s so embarrassing,” Jongin whines, leaving the scene before Chanyeol’s howls call the rest of the pack to them. Ever since Chanyeol made his intentions to woo Jongin public, Jongin has been the unfortunate victim of secondhand embarrassment on an almost daily basis.
“You sure do know how to attract them,” Sehun teases.
Jongin throws Sehun a dark look. “You were the one pining for him not long ago,” he reminds Sehun. “Why don’t you go seduce him from the tree.” Jongin stomps off with a huff and Sehun scrunches his nose in distaste, but not before giving Chanyeol a thoughtful look.
“We all have our weaknesses,” he admits. “I should probably go get his father because Jongin won’t.”
Baekhyun would never say it out loud, but he does see the appeal in Chanyeol. At seventeen years old, Baekhyun’s right in the middle of a very active, very confusing puberty and his instincts are at an all time high. This includes taking notice of every single alpha with mate potential and, sadly for him, Chanyeol falls in that category.
Chanyeol’s grown up well. His arms are long and strong, his thighs sturdy and his height an advantage that has more than just Sehun glancing his way a second time when he passes. He’s proven himself as a strong hunter, surprising most of the pack because usually he makes so much noise it scares off anything living in a wide radius. His first kill, a young buck, was dropped at a bewildered Jongin’s feet only a month ago.
Jongin had looked faintly ill when he’d marched off, refusing to look at Chanyeol or anyone else for the rest of the day.
Things aren’t much better, but at least Jongin speaks to Chanyeol now even if it’s just complaining about how Chanyeol is drawing too much attention or “yes, I’ll let you sit beside me at dinner, just please take off that poison ivy crown already and don’t touch me”.
Love stories are blossoming all around him as everyone he’s grown up with prepares for adulthood. Sehun seems to rotate through alphas, sighing wistfully about one alpha one day and whispering excitedly about another only days later. It’s adorable and Baekhyun doesn’t mind when Sehun curls against his side to describe his latest infatuation. Even Joonmyun, an omega a year older than Baekhyun who always seems to have his head on straight, gets a pink tinge to his cheeks when Kyungsoo is around.
Baekhyun doesn’t have a love story. Not yet. He’s just not that interested, which seems to suit his mother just fine. She asks every now and then, testing the waters to see if some alpha has caught Baekhyun’s attention. Baekhyun notices her stiff posture, the tension in her shoulders that drains away when he professes his disinterest.
He supposes it’s a natural reaction. She’s alone and when - if - Baekhyun takes a mate, he’ll be leaving their tent and she’ll have no one to keep her warm through the cold winter months, no one to groom when she gets agitated. Her council responsibilities are beginning to weigh her down, soft wrinkles now permanent around her eyes and the rogue gray hair invading rich brown.
Baekhyun helps as best he can, knowing it will never be enough.
The pack is huddled around a large fire, the council all grouped on one side together as the others squeeze in. Jongin is squished on one side of Baekhyun and Sehun is on the other, nearly draped in his lap. Baekhyun is occupied, a hand petting through Sehun’s hair and the other gently massaging the nape of Jongin’s neck. He’s antsy, a knot twisted in his stomach because his mother has been on tenterhooks all week, only to dart out just before the bonfire was started.
With their dwindling numbers, Baekhyun estimates their food stores are more than plentiful enough to provide for those still here, so he’s uncertain why there are so many hushed whispers, so many worried faces. It’s getting close to winter and the wind that blows through sends a shiver across the back of Baekhyun’s neck and down his spine. Jongin shifts closer, slipping an arm around Baekhyun’s waist.
When the representative from the council steps forward, Baekhyun sits up straighter and the pack grows quiet. “We’ve been struggling for some time now,” Baekhyun’s mother begins. It’s always her who speaks with everyone - relaying news and decisions from the council. As the former Alpha’s mate, she’s trusted and loved and it only makes sense. “Changes must come for us to survive. Permanent changes.”
Baekhyun notices the way his mother’s gaze blinks over toward him before sliding back to the front and worry takes root.
“Over the years, you’ve all become accustomed to a neighboring pack’s members visiting and taking in our hospitality. They come from far off to the north in the mountains where their numbers have grown too large for their meager hunting grounds. Our packs have finally come to a mutually beneficial decision. During the next week, a group from their pack will arrive and they will be here to stay.”
Baekhyun can’t help it, drawing in a sharp breath as he thinks of Yixing. Will Yixing be coming? He’s not the only one who’s reacted either; there are murmurs and whispers and Jongin no longer looks in danger of falling asleep on Baekhyun’s shoulder.
“Their younger alphas and omegas will flesh out our ranks, will become our pack and we will finally thrive again.”
The news is met with excitement, cheers and whoops rising through the group. But Baekhyun is left more curious at what his mother has left out. Mutually beneficial? It seems to him that adding more bodies to an already wounded pack isn’t going to heal it. It will only make it fester. They need an alpha.
Baekhyun still lets himself be pulled into the excitement that’s circulating, laughing even as Sehun and Jongin tug him off the ground to move nearer to the crackling fire. It’s infectious, their smiles and wild dancing and the cacophony of howls ringing through the night air. Baekhyun falls easily to the positivity running rampant, forgetting his doubts for a little while.
He looks through the crowd for his mother and finds her staring at him, her expression unreadable and lips pursed in a thin line. It only lasts for a moment before Chanyeol is grabbing him by the arm to guide him deeper into the celebration.
It’s nearing sunset when their new pack members are spotted, a full two days after the announcement. The entire camp’s been alive with renewed energy during the wait, cleaning the tents left empty and pulling out supplies for more in case they’re needed. Baekhyun had tried to ask his mother why she didn’t seem as happy as everyone else, but she’d brushed it off, saying she hadn’t been feeling well. Baekhyun could smell the lie on her, but also the apprehension so he’d backed off.
Baekhyun is one of the many people who stand in the field to greet the newcomers, most of them offering to take the large bags from their backs and to escort them inside. He lifts himself on his toes, lower lip in his teeth as he searches for a familiar face; there are so many he doesn’t recognize. Baekhyun’s stomach sinks when the line begins to dwindle, and he’s left out on his own as the pack - new and old alike - rush toward the camp.
“Were you looking for me?” comes a voice from beside him and Baekhyun startles. He doesn’t even have to turn to know it’s Yixing because he smells him first. Yixing’s voice has gotten deeper, smooth and silky.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Baekhyun grumps, turning to ask Yixing what could possibly make him think that. But when he sees Yixing, the words choke and die in his throat. Yixing’s grown taller, broader, filling out so much better than Chanyeol. His hair is shorter although his bangs fall nearly in his eyes. It suits him.
“I wouldn’t presume to,” Yixing answers without pause. Baekhyun’s still a little entranced at the way his mouth moves, how the swell of his lower lip looks like something he wants to roll between his teeth. “Baekhyun?” Yixing questions, eyebrows furrowed.
Baekhyun hums in response, distracted until the weight of one of Yixing’s bags lands on his shoulder. “Ow,” he hisses, shooting a glare at the alpha beside him.
“If you went through all the trouble to wait for me, the least I can do is allow you to help and keep me company the rest of the way to camp.”
Baekhyun’s nose scrunches and his lip curls as he regards Yixing even as the alpha walks off. “Jerk,” he grumbles under his breath, hefting the bag and following him.
There are over twenty new members of the pack. Baekhyun had tried to pay attention to introductions, but he’d been distracted because Yixing was the one who’d stepped forward to speak.
Last night, they’d parted ways at the front of an empty tent, Yixing plucking the bag from Baekhyun with ease and thanking him before walking inside. Baekhyun had loitered for a few minutes, unsure if he should follow and try to help him set up or leave. Eventually, Yixing had poked his head out and claimed he was tired so he was going to sleep off the journey. He’d added that Baekhyun was free to join him and Baekhyun had huffed before storming off. “Not on your life,” he’d muttered only to hear Yixing’s laughter behind him.
There are new scents in the air. They’ll become familiar soon, melding with the pack, but right now they’re strange. Except Yixing’s. That one tickles along Baekhyun’s senses and he backs away slowly for fresh air, apologetic for leaving but he needs to clear his head. It’s going to take some getting used to.
Yixing’s only ever been around long enough to be a flickering memory, a dream perhaps that Baekhyun wakes from and lets fade until reality brings him back. But now Yixing is going to be a permanent fixture and he isn’t sure how he feels about it. Not yet.
Jongin finds him later, settling beside Baekhyun at the edge of the river, his feet splashing into the water beside Baekhyun’s. It’s instinctive the way Jongin’s larger hand slips effortlessly into Baekhyun’s palm, fingers curling together in a loose grip. It’s comforting. Jongin runs his thumb over the back of Baekhyun’s hand, rests his head on Baekhyun’s shoulder and just sits, silent.
It helps.
Sehun takes to the new additions with an enthusiasm only an omega pup clamoring for attention can manage. Although Baekhyun suspects it has something to do with a pair of alphas - Luhan and Minseok - whose scents are nearly indistinguishable from each other. They’ve taken to fawning over Sehun, lavishing him with attention as Sehun practically wags his tail at every look, every ruffle of his hair, every brush of skin.
It’s insufferably cute and Jongin has a scathing look on his face as he watches Sehun nose up to Minseok in the distance. Baekhyun knows Jongin well enough to understand that the omega is just having trouble still processing new people even after a week. Jongin’s always been skittish, preferring to keep to himself and a few close friends, which is why Chanyeol’s very public courting is doing more harm than good. It’s also why Jongin whines low in his throat when Sehun comes over, reeking of the two unfamiliar alphas.
“Consider me the bridge,” Sehun comments lowly, crouched in front of Jongin who is visibly trying not to recoil. “If you get used to their smell on me, it will be easier to accept them.”
It’s an earnest offer and one that has Jongin reluctantly accepting Sehun’s proximity even if he still seems wary. Of course, Sehun is a persistent boy and it’s not long before he’s wrapped all around Jongin, butting his head against Jongin’s chin because he wants Jongin to scratch through his hair. Jongin pulls a face at Sehun before sighing and complying as Baekhyun watches on, amused.
A strange scent flits through the air and Baekhyun tenses, the other two unaware of their guest. Baekhyun peers up at a ridiculously long body topped with a head of unruly blond hair that falls into unsure eyes. If it weren’t for his sweet omega aroma and the way he seems to shrink in on himself, scuffing a foot in the dirt, Baekhyun would have thought him an alpha.
“Is it alright if I join you?” he asks timidly.
Baekhyun nods, patting the ground beside him as Sehun and Jongin progress to wrestling, rolling further away while they nip and grab and laugh. The man hesitates only a moment before taking up the proffered spot, shooting Baekhyun a gummy grin that has Baekhyun smiling back at him, less uneasy than he thought he would be.
“I’m Baekhyun,” he introduces, holding out his arm for the new omega to sniff. His nose tickles in the crook of Baekhyun’s elbow and he jerks a little, laughing. And then the omega is returning the gesture and Baekhyun gets a good whiff of him, humming lightly as he puts it to memory.
“Yifan,” he says. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
At this, Baekhyun leans away, eyebrows raised.
“From Yixing,” Yifan clarifies, holding his hands up defensively.
“All good, I’m sure,” Baekhyun comments dryly, mildly apologetic for his tone because it’s not directed at Yifan.
But Yifan laughs, rocking until their shoulders hit together lightly. “Not at all. He says you’re a spoiled brat of a pup and you drive him absolutely crazy.”
Baekhyun sits up straighter, a delighted smile blossoming on his lips. “Really?” he questions, a bit proud of himself.
“There aren’t many who can ruffle Yixing’s calm nature,” Yifan divulges. “But you seem to get under his skin quite nicely from what I can tell.”
Baekhyun decides, in that very moment, that he likes Yifan and will become his friend.
With Yifan, things are easier. The sometimes too unaware of his own size omega doesn’t mind when Baekhyun pulls him down beside him, a sleepy Yifan draped mostly on Baekhyun who begins asking about the new faces that have infiltrated the familiarity of his pack.
“That’s Hakyeon,” Yifan mumbles, a yawn attached at the end. “He’s an omega, but don’t let that fool you. He’ll order people around like an alpha and they’ll listen.” Which is promptly proven when an amused Baekhyun witnesses Taekwoon blink up at Hakyeon and then move after the omega says, “scooch”. Hakyeon wiggles next to Taekwoon, nibbling on his breakfast as Taekwoon peers at Hakyeon with interest that he tries to veil.
A more permanent chill is beginning to settle in the air, lingering longer in the morning hours before the days grow warm. Autumn is encroaching and Baekhyun can’t say that he minds the presence of an overly large omega who blocks the wind and keeps him warm. Plus, it’s always a bonus when Baekhyun catches Yixing looking their way, the alpha’s shoulders tense and his expression unsure as if Yifan is giving away all his deepest, darkest secrets. It’s a pity that Yifan hasn’t.
It’s easy to keep Yifan at his side, washing up after their meal, taking their time about things because Baekhyun’s always a little slower in the mornings, a bit sluggish to get a good start to things. His mother used to threaten to dump cold water over his head, but she never followed through. By the time the duo leave the area, the rest of the pack is already occupied with other activities.
“And that’s Zitao,” Yifan explains, gesturing to the boy who has his thighs locked tight around Yixing’s waist. Baekhyun pauses to admire his physique, the way his muscles stand out until Yixing wrestles free and pins Zitao underneath him in a flurry of movement that leaves Baekhyun amazed, not to mention a little dazed; and he stumbles when Yifan pulls him along to go meet with the others for their daily chores. They need to ensure everyone has enough clothing for the upcoming winter.
Unlike the first few days, Jongin doesn’t shy away from Yifan when they take up a spot in the circle. They’ve been spending their time repurposing all the furs the new pack members brought with them from the mountains for a lighter winter. Jongin is subtle about scooting closer to the pair, but Baekhyun sees the pleased smile that spreads over Yifan’s face when Jongin bumps up against him, shoulder to shoulder, and doesn’t move.
It’s not quite as easy for Baekhyun. He finds himself not purposely, but sort of purposely avoiding Yixing. Sometimes it’s not even a conscious thing. Baekhyun’s wolf will catch a whiff of Yixing in the air and veer around until the air is clear again and his heart stops pounding. He doesn’t know what it means and when he tells Sehun, the omega just narrows his eyes with a stupid smirk on his face.
“You have a crush,” Sehun teases, only to get shoved to the ground an instant later. He wheezes, air knocked from his lungs as Baekhyun pins him easily. “Crush,” Sehun repeats, unapologetic. “You totally have the hots for Yixing!”
Baekhyun slaps both hands over Sehun’s mouth, freeing the omega’s hands from where he’d rendered them useless. “Shhhhhhh!” he orders, glancing around to make sure no one had been in hearing distance.
Sehun uses Baekhyun’s distracted state to roll, sitting on top of a startled Baekhyun. “I won’t tell,” Sehun promises, a sudden serious set to his face. Then he dips forward and pushes his head underneath Baekhyun’s chin and sighs. “Scratch my head,” he whines a moment later and, well, Baekhyun finds it impossible to refuse.
Sehun may still bound around like a pup, but he’s more mature than others older than him. Like Chanyeol. Even from where they are, far away from the camp, Baekhyun can hear Jongin’s whining as he storms through the field and toward the woods, Chanyeol on his heels. “Finesse,” is what Baekhyun had advised him. The alpha clearly doesn’t understand the meaning of the word.
Yixing approaches Baekhyun a few days later and Baekhyun’s skin prickles at his proximity, but he holds his ground. There’s a group of omegas sitting out behind the tents on the edge of camp and most of them shrink away, leaving Baekhyun alone and exposed. The traitors. Yifan’s the only one who looks apologetic. Joonmyun just appears disinterested, too immersed in sorting the berries in front of him.
Yixing crouches beside Baekhyun and Baekhyun struggles not to let his eyes wander down the expanse of Yixing’s chest. There are several worn leather bracelets around Yixing’s right wrist and Baekhyun focuses on those instead.
“I’ve been expecting you to jump out and demand to race me,” Yixing comments. “But the only running you seem to be doing is away from me.”
Baekhyun only flinches a little, scowling down at the ground between Yixing’s feet. “Racing is for children,” Baekhyun sniffs.
Yixing outright laughs, flopping back to sit on the ground with his face scrunched up in amusement. Baekhyun’s lip curls and his fists ball in his lap. “So you’re grown now?” Yixing taunts, pointing at Baekhyun.
Baekhyun snarls as he bats Yixing’s hand away. “More than you, clearly,” he spits. His stomach is twisting and his heart is racing, but Baekhyun thinks he would rather slap that grin off Yixing’s face than nose up to him. Sehun was wrong. Baekhyun definitely does not have a crush on Yixing.
“Or is it that you know you can’t beat me no matter how much you practice?”
Baekhyun’s eyes widen at the challenge. The other omegas whisper amongst each other as Baekhyun stands, hands on his hips when he stares down at the laughing alpha. “Fine. Let’s race. I’ll leave you eating dirt.”
Yixing raises to his full height, an eyebrow raised and a knowing smile on his stupid face. “How about away from the river this time. I’m not in the mood for another swim.”
“To the clearing then,” Baekhyun declares, attempting not to give away how much his skin is buzzing from how close they’re standing. His instincts want him to curl into Yixing’s arm, bump underneath his chin like Sehun often does for affection. And Baekhyun hates it. He hates that he doesn’t feel this way around the other alphas. When Chanyeol bounds over or Jongdae sneaks around to rest his chin on Baekhyun’s shoulder, Baekhyun enjoys the attention but there’s no visceral need to submit. Not like this.
“Should I give you a headstart?”
Baekhyun bares his teeth, eyes glinting amber for a second as his wolf rises threateningly to the surface.
“I rescind the offer,” Yixing wisely states, although he appears more intrigued than apologetic. “On my mark this time.”
“Fine,” Baekhyun snarls, lip curled.
“Go!”
The two of them start with such force that they leave dirt flying in their wake and Baekhyun hears the cheers from the others behind him, grinning to himself. He hasn’t necessarily been pouting at certain dextrous alphas to run with him just to get a little faster only so he can best Yixing, but he hasn’t been sitting down and not practicing either.
And yet . . .
Baekhyun loses spectacularly. There is no water to push Yixing into, so Baekhyun storms off, angry tears stinging his eyes and fists clenched so hard he’s trembling. His nails threaten to pierce his palms and he’s far into the woods before he gives out a scream of frustration.
He does not like Yixing.
“It’s all in the haunches. Yixing’s thighs could probably keep a mountain lion pinned.” Chanyeol doesn’t seem to know when to keep his mouth shut. There’s half-chewed food rolling around on his tongue and Baekhyun recoils when some of it comes close to shooting out of his mouth because he won’t shut up.
“I don’t care about Yixing’s thighs,” Baekhyun complains. “I don’t care about Yixing’s anything.”
Chanyeol doesn’t seem to hear him. Or at least he doesn’t give any indication of doing so because his lips are still moving. Beside him, Jongin looks like he’d rather be anywhere else, but sitting beside Chanyeol had been the only way to stop him from howling earlier. Baekhyun is rather certain Jongin is going to intentionally infest Chanyeol with fleas before the cooler weather kills the pests off.
“Even with my long legs, I can’t beat him.”
“I’ve heard no one has,” Jongin supplies, finally pulling his grimace from Chanyeol in favor of picking at his own food.
Chanyeol seems to suddenly notice that someone else is speaking. Big surprise. He raises an eyebrow at Jongin, leaning toward him. “Oh yeah? And who is your mystery informant?”
“Yifan,” Jongin replies, tipping away from Chanyeol. “Sit up straight before I fall over.” And when Chanyeol doesn’t, Jongin shoves him. Chanyeol grunts when he lands on his side, sending a pout at an indifferent Jongin. “Yifan mentioned that their former pack used to hold races all the time and Yixing has won them all since he turned twelve. He even beat their Alpha.”
Baekhyun isn’t impressed even if his heart is pressing against his ribs, chest swelling with something like pride that he has no right to feel. It’s not as if it’s his accomplishment, so why is a smile fighting to find its way onto his mouth? “Seems exaggerated to me,” he grumbles, staring down at his bowl.
There’s more meat than they used to have. A lot of the wolves that joined were great hunters that never had the chance to prove their skills in over-hunted lands. Now they have far more territory to cover and Baekhyun’s belly is going to get soft and pudgy if they keep feeding them this way. Perhaps an extra layer isn’t such a bad idea for the winter months.
He eats his fill as Chanyeol struggles with Jongin, wanting him to take the rest of Chanyeol’s food. Jongin eventually gives up, standing and leaving Chanyeol behind. Baekhyun has no sympathy for the pouting alpha. “Baek,” he whines.
“Don’t,” Baekhyun warns. “You’ve done the opposite of everything I’ve advised. My services are now closed to you. Go bug someone else with your lovesick problems.”
“But you’re the closest to him,” Chanyeol grumbles, scooting closer to Baekhyun.
“Sehun -”
“Sehun won’t talk to me.”
Baekhyun snorts. “Probably because you practically laughed in his face when he admitted he liked you, you jerk.” Baekhyun swats at Chanyeol, the back of his hand hitting against the firm muscle of his bicep. Something new ripples through Baekhyun at the contact. Oh. That’s actually rather nice. Baekhyun fits his fingers around Chanyeol’s upper arm, enjoying the fact that they can’t reach all the way. He swallows, distracted. Alphas feel really nice.
It should be awkward. It’s awkward, right? To run curious fingers down the arm of someone he’s grown up with, laughed with, fought with, been perpetually annoyed with. It’s awkward. And yet it’s not at all because this is what omegas do. They’re drawn to alphas and Baekhyun is leaning toward Chanyeol now, too focused on what he’s doing to notice the reactions around them.
“Baek?” Chanyeol questions, pulling away when Baekhyun tries to grab him with his other hand. He’s half in the dirt, propped on his elbow and panting as he stares at Baekhyun in question. It’s only then that Baekhyun realizes how hot he feels, how fluttery his heart is beating and he shakes his head to clear his thoughts.
There are other members of their pack around them, gawking. They’re not even being discreet about it and Baekhyun’s stomach churns.
“Sorry,” he mumbles, standing and wiping at his pants to brush off dirt that isn’t there. “Sorry,” he repeats, and then he’s gone. Running. Running so far away.
His skin draws too tight against his bones, his nerves under pressure until they burst. White spots dance in his vision and Baekhyun is sinking to the ground, ripping out of his human form and into a wolf. He seldom loses control over his shifting; the last time had been when he was a small child, upset because he’d been stung by a bee. This time, it’s because his natural instincts have decided to come out and play, and they’re stronger than ever before.
Baekhyun darts into the forest, following one of the paths he’d made years ago. There’s a fallen tree buried deep in the forest, the roots a maze of knots and the trunk eaten with mushrooms and insects. But underneath - underneath is an opening just large enough for Baekhyun to fit inside. The rotting wood helps mask his scent. Baekhyun doesn’t want to be found.
He curls in the dirt, tail tucked between his hind legs. It’s completely ridiculous how crazy he feels. Touching and getting into each other’s personal space is standard for wolves. They crave it, desire to be surrounded with those they call pack. So why does the way he was drawn to Chanyeol have his stomach twisting into a knot? Why is this something to panic over?
And why had Chanyeol reacted that way? Chanyeol’s never pulled from him before unless it was because Baekhyun was on his back, tugging at his hair while they were playing. Something about it was different. Baekhyun whines softly, closing his eyes to calm himself. It’s easier when he’s a wolf. The world is clearer, simpler.
Shrunk down this small, he can control the emotions running through him. It's the animal who comes out to tame the panic until Baekhyun is calm. Or at least calmer. As an omega, he's always known that his maturity is going to include new insights and reactions, but he hadn't been expecting it. Not one like this. Not with Chanyeol. And it isn't even specifically Chanyeol that triggered it. It was just another part of Baekhyun.
Once he understands what's coming over him - some stronger reaction to an alpha's physical presence and the strength he can provide - Baekhyun can come to terms with it, tuck it away and learn how to handle it when it happens again. He probably spooked poor Chanyeol. He had also probably flooded the entire area with pheromones without realizing. He's going to have to learn to control that too.
It's the same as when he'd first started noticing alphas, only now it's a kick to the gut when he thinks about one. Even Yixing. Baekhyun curls tighter in on himself when an image of the alpha floats through his mind. He doesn't even know why he thinks of Yixing, but he won't go away.
He knows that Yixing is stronger than Chanyeol even if he's more compact. They'd all witnessed the ease with which Yixing could toss Chanyeol around when they were fighting. It has Baekhyun whimpering into the dirt, wanting to seek out the alpha just to be near him.
Baekhyun keeps himself hidden, separated from the pack until he gets a handle on himself. Night falls, the curling edges of sunlight receding over the forest floor until there's nothing but darkness. There are all sorts of creatures out in the woods, the voices of the wilderness surrounding him. It's calming, soothing. It helps Baekhyun relax and pull himself together. Everyone will probably be worried by now. Except maybe Jongin. Jongin understands more than anyone else how important it can be to escape.
Baekhyun finally crawls out and pads toward home, catching fresh trails of pack members through the trees the closer he gets to camp. They've been searching for him. He's nearly there when he bumps into Yixing.
Baekhyun scents him first, freezing in his tracks until Yixing’s prowling form comes into view. Yixing rushes toward him, barreling into Baekhyun who stumbles back, ears flat and front paws lowered to the ground. He's apologizing and Yixing is nipping at his ears in acceptance, nudging Baekhyun forward. They walk in step, side-by-side and Baekhyun's wolf is trembling, wanting to push himself at Yixing and bury his nose in Yixing's fur. It has to be his new instincts coming through because otherwise, Baekhyun wouldn't want to have anything to do with Yixing.
Even if Yixing escorts him all the way to his tent where his mother is waiting. He turns to watch as Yixing pads off toward the tree line, stopping to loose a howl into the air, calling everyone back. Baekhyun nearly runs to him, gut clenched tight and body thrumming with the desire to be close to him, but his mother finds him first.
She hugs him, scratches around his ears and then smacks him right on the rear end for making her worry. Baekhyun decides that maybe he'll just stay as he is for the night. Wolf. He doesn't feel like answering any questions.
PART TWO