Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Back at the Pendragon Pack.

Arthur blows out a sigh as he stares up at the cave ceiling and throws the covers off and grunts before failing his arms and legs wildly and cries out, frustrated and goes limp, panting. “Fuck.”

Ethan appears at the entrance. “First Omega?”

“I’m fine.” He sucks in a lungful of air. “I'm just waiting for this cursed heat to start…” Arthur grumbles. “I’m so bloody bored.”

Ethan smiles and sits on the bed of furs beside him. “I know how to make you feel less frustrated.”

Arthur glances at him, curious.

Ethan smirks and leans down, capturing the first Omega’s lips slowly. Arthur’s eyes slide closed as his hand moves to Ethan’s short hair, not enough to grab but he grips the back of his head, deepening the kiss.

“What’s going on here?” A voice blurts out from behind them.

They part and George stands over them, frowning.

“George.” Arthur sighs and rolls onto his feet and stands. “Ethan was just helping me.”

“It’s my job to help…” George states, was he pouting?

Arthur scowls. “It’s whoever’s job I say it is, as First Omega.” Arthur says, walking up to him.

George clears his throat and looks down.

Ethan watches, standing by Arthur.

Arthur folds his arms. “Ethan has been a good friend to me for years. I know you're possessive of your job and jealous of him but that gives you no right to barge in and interrupt us like that.” Arthur says. “Now go.”

George bows his head and leaves the Omega den.

Arthur huffs, his hands on his hips. “Can you believe him?”

Ethan snakes his arms around Arthur’s body from behind, pulling him close. “He doesn’t understand.”

Arthur sighs and rubs his face. “Fuck, i’m such a hypocrite.”

“How so?”

Arthur looks at him, moving his hands down. “Prime Alpha Merlin has someone he fucks and I expect him to leave them once I mate with Merlin. Seeing that hickey on his neck makes me want to tear that…were in half. Yet here I am with you.”

Ethan shrugs. “We are just having a bit of fun.”

Arthur sighs. “You have to understand, once I mate Merlin, we are done with fooling around.”

Ethan moves away and nods. “Right…”

Arthur bites his lip and turns to face him. “I’m sorry, Ethan.”

The Omega shakes his head, holding his hand up. “Please.” He smiles. “It’s okay, I actually have a crush on someone myself. I will be just fine.”

Arthur nods at Ethan who leaves.

The first Omega paces and suddenly he feels the familiar heat in his gut and the tightening in his belly.

A pain shoots through him before he whimpers as sticky and clear liquid spills out from his hole and drips down his thighs.

His knees buckle and Arthur sinks to the ground, gripping the fur tightly and pushes his face against it. The first Omega moves his ass up in the air and moans deeply, whimpering. “Please…”

He gasps and feels his cock pulsing and throbbing. The unmated Omega sobs and thrusts his hips against the soft pelt below him. The friction of the pelt against his cock makes Arthur groan and bites his lip firmly, whimpering.

His slick pools around his thighs. Arthur pants and tears off the damp pelt from his waist, his bare flesh completely visible now and presses the side of his face against the bear fur, rubbing against it slowly and whines, rubbing his red and weeping stiff cock against the pelt. His cock wasn’t made for breeding, It wasn’t as massive and long as an Alpha’s or as average sized as a Beta. It was small and short, tapering off at the tip.

Pearls of a golden liquid beads out of his cock slowly and Arthur weeps bitterly at the painful ache in his cock and belly. The great need of wanting an Alpha to mount him clouds his mind completely. Arthur whines deeply. “Call Ethan!” He screams out, guttural.

Arthur desperately thrusts against his own arm as Ethan rushes in.

The Omega smiles sadly. “I’m here…would you like me to help you?”

Arthur nods, panting and turns onto his back, his legs splayed wide. “Just do it.” He grits out.

Ethan’s hands hovers over the tip, causing Arthur to cry out and his hips jerk.

Ethan notices the redness and the aching swell of his cock. He knows he has to be gentle and moves his hand to Arthur’s member and presses two fingers against the girth and moves back and forth.

Arthur’s eyes widen, his mouth hanging open at the strong sensation that is consuming him. He cries out and thrusts his hips desperately, the simple touch driving him crazy as another gush of slick spurts from his hole, the muscles around the tight hole opening and closing.

Ethan pumps faster and Arthur’s eyes roll back, his back hitting the pelt again, panting. “Ahh…!”

The Omega cups the bottom part, wrapping his fingers around it and uses his thumb and fingers to pump Arthur’s cock more efficiently.

Arthur sobs deeply. “I want Merlin…”

“He’s not here.” Ethan says calmly as he watches the golden, thick liquid slowly form a pearl sized shape before it drips on the fur below, slowly collecting in a pool. “That’s it, you’re doing well, First Omega.”

Arthur gulps thickly, his mouth dry and thrusts his hips faster and the liquid comes out faster, pooling slowly but surely.

Arthur’s balls tense up over and over, pushing out the precious cum. He sobs brokenly, gasping, his eyes tightly shut, his head turned to the side.

Ethan licks his lips and rubs near the tip, pinching it and pulls out.

Arthur screams, his back arching, his balls tensing up tightly.

The cum spurts out in a thick line.

Ethan thumbs at Arthur’s tip, collecting the last of it and licks it.

Arthur pants and goes limp and licks his lips, eyes heavy. “Mmmph…” He moans. “Ethan.” He groans out desperately. “Fuck me.”

“I’m afraid I cannot, I’ll ask George to help you on the way out.” Ethan states gently.
“Ethan.” Arthur whispers.

The Omega stands, not wanting to upset George further. He bows his head before leaving.

George walks in not too long afterwards and kneels down. “First Omega.”

Arthur looks at him, panting and crawls over to him, pressing his hips against George’s leg and ruts against it, his face bent down, against George’s crotch and sucks the slight bulge in his pelt before he pulls back and spits out fur.

George slowly lies Arthur down onto his back and lifts his legs up. Another gush expels, oozing out of his pulsating hole. “I’ll take care of you, Arthur.”

Arthur whimpers and whines deeply as George takes out a clean dildo, carved from bone and smoothed till it shone. It had markings on it and the shape was perfectly detailed, right to the balls. The groves and curves simulated the real thing well, even showing veins. The best was the beads inside it, the rattling creating vibrations to enhance pleasure.

Arthur feels the smooth, hard object enter his hole which takes it greedily, the rings wrapping around it tightly, contracting it deeper and deeper till the balls press against his skin.

Arthur’s thighs tremble as George pulls and pushes the dildo in and out of his greedy hole. Each time hitting a spot that makes Arthur scream and see stars. ‘Damn.’ He thinks. ‘He really does know how to find it.’

Arthur cums over and over until he passes out from exhaustion.

Merlin blinks awake to find Gwaine snoring next to him on the chair. He looks up at the darkening sky and rubs his tired eyes when the door opens.

Merlin turns around to see Iseldir there. “Dinner’s ready.”

“Thank you, Iseldir.” Merlin says and gets up and walks over to Gwaine and gently gives his shoulder a shake.

Gwaine blinks and looks up sleepily and groans, stretching.

Merlin smiles and strokes his hair. “Dinner is ready, big bad Alpha.”

Gwaine smirks and grabs Merlin, sitting him on his lap and hugs him, kissing his neck.

Merlin giggles happily before it turns into soft moans. “Can’t have that, we need to eat.”

“That is true…what about tonight?” Gwaine whispers, licking the shell of his ear.

Merlin shivers, gasping as Gwaine suckles on his earlobe. “They’re staying the night again.”

“Does that mean I can’t sleep over?” Gwaine pouts.

“You can stay over, if you don’t mind them being around in the house.”

Gwaine smirks and rubs Merlin’s thigh. “I don’t mind…”

Merlin sighs and shifts his hips. “Come, let’s get going.”

Gwaine nods and lets him go and Merlin hops off of him and Gwaine spanks him firmly which earns him a firmer slap on his behind and they both sit themselves down next to each other inside, slightly uncomfortably on the hard chairs.

Merlin notices that the food tonight is rabbit stew with warm bread infused with nuts and thickly buttered on the side. “You spoil me, Iseldir, Carden.”

“It’s our pleasure.” Cerdan sits down as well as his mate opposite Merlin and Gwaine.

Merlin digs in happily, enjoying the food immensely. “What a treat…”

Iseldir watches Merlin happily, blinking slowly and looks down at his food and eats happily, Carden casually itching his mate’s back.

Eventually everyone finishes their meals and Merlin gathers the empty wooden plates, bowls and spoons and goes to the water bowl and washes them up and Gwaine joins in, wiping them down and putting them back and cleans the pots and pans together.

Carden gets up and pulls Iseldir close to him, grasping his hips and hovers his lips near his mates. “Let’s go to bed.” He whispers before softly capturing his soft lips.

Iseldir hums as he kisses back, eyes closed, leaning into him, his hands on Carden’s chest.

Merlin glances at them and smiles, he had to admit, they were a handsome couple and a very happy and stable one too. He felt lucky that they were the couple that chose to take him under their wings.

Carden is a handsome Alpha. His long, tousled dark brown hair falls to his shoulders, just about touching where his shoulders meet his neck.

His thick brows and sharp, serious eyes match his strong features. His face was long and his hooked nose added to his charm. He sports a druid symbol on his right side of his chest. He looks both serious and comforting. His short beard softens his features.

He has a trustworthy air about him and always carries around a druid necklace around his neck, made by Iseldir himself who is a druid. Once an important leader to one druid camp before he presented and found Aglain’s camp. Most of the occupants of Merlin's Pack were druids. Aglain himself was an important leader in another druid camp near Camelot, somehow Iseldir and he met and formed the Pack together alongside Carden.

Iseldir is twice Carden’s senior. His hair is of medium length and curly, dirty grey with shines of gold in them. He is mostly clean shaven or sports a very closely shaven grey beard. He has thin lips and a long, strong nose. He has two lines on his cheeks. A feature that Carden adores about him. He looks wise and has a gentle look about him. His eyes are deep and vast, full of love, kindness and knowledge. He also has a serious look about him and sports a druid symbol on his right hand. Immediately meeting this man would fill you with trust and warmth, even more so than Carden.

Merlin feels a tap on his shoulder and he finds Gwaine smirking.

“What?”

“It’s late…want to sleep?” Gwaine asks and Merlin nods.

They both make their way to the door. “Good night, Iseldir, Carden.”

Carden breaks off from the kiss. “Rest well, Prime Alpha.” He says before throwing Iseldir effortlessly over his shoulder and walks to the guest room. “Good night, Merlin!” Iseldir calls.

Merlin smiles and closes the door and Gwaine smirks and presses his hand against Merlin’s chest and the Alpha gently pushes him back against the wall. Merlin huffs as Gwaine leans down, kissing his neck softly, his eyes softly closing.

Merlin brings his hand to Gwaine’s hair, curling his fingers into the locks tightly and sighs blissfully as Gwaine softly peppers his neck in kisses.

Merlin wets his lips and turns his head, pressing his warm lips against Gwaine’s. The Alpha smiles and kisses back, cupping the Prime Alpha’s nape gently.

Merlin sighs and deepens the kiss before Gwaine smirks and kneels down, untying his pelt, letting it drop to the floor.

He rubs Merlin’s thighs, kissing his belly, taking his time worshipping his Prime Alpha’s body.

Merlin pets his hair, panting softly as the blood rushes to his cock, his knot forming.

The Alpha presses his nose to Merlin’s hairs, breathing him in as he palms his balls gently, thumbing it softly in slow circles.

Merlin’s legs begin to tremble as he presses his back against the wall. “Gwaine.” He blurts out.

The Alpha blinks up at Merlin. His beard brushes against the Prime Alpha’s inner thigh. He looks so beautiful like this. “Don’t stop, Gwaine.”

The Alpha smiles, showing his teeth and lets out a chuckle. “I wasn’t going to if that’s what you were thinking.” He kisses Merlin’s belly, not taking his eyes off of his Prime Alpha.

Merlin gulps and nods. “Good…good.” He takes a deep breath. “Continue.”

“Of course.” He whispers out and looks back down at Merlin’s erect cock, his knot clearly visible now. Gwaine holds Merlin’s hips, observing the cock. “Standing at full attention.”

Merlin frowns and sighs, staring up at the ceiling. “Fuck.” He grits out as Gwaine’s warm hand wraps around the base of his cock and a warm tongue laps at the tip. Merlin’s eyes close.

The Second’s lips wrap around his girth and slowly begins to take in the knot and licks around it and lightly. Gwaine gently nibbles on it and without warning, takes in the knot.

It’s too big.

So, the Alpha stays there, stuck and drooling.

The Prime Alpha pants, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his mouth hung open.

Gwaine moves his hands down to behind his thighs, wrapping his fingers around it and rubs slowly and begins to suckle the knot.

Merlin lets out erratic breaths over and over before it gets more intense and begins to cough harshly.

Gwaine comes off with a pop, a spit line attaching from his lips to the base of Merlin’s cock and the connection breaks as he stands. Gwaine’s hand presses against the Prime Alpha’s mouth, covering it completely.

Merlin blinks and looks at him with wide eyes and grips his wrist tightly,

Ever so slowly, saliva starts to drip down his cheeks.

Merlin’s eyes grow heavy, staring at Gwaine, his body relaxes.

Gwaine gives him a light nod and Merlin blinks at him.

The Alpha moves his hand away, his palm coated in Merlin’s saliva, he wipes it on his chest and glances back at Merlin. “You alright?”

Merlin nods. “Thank you…”

“You should rest…” Gwaine smiles sadly. “I’m sorry for getting you too excited.”

Merlin huffs. “It’s okay…it was fun while it lasted…but I guess it was enough excitement for one day.” He wipes the spit from his mouth and walks to the bed, tripping halfway and Gwaine rushes over and Merlin steadies himself.

“Still want me to stay?”

Merlin looks back at him and glances at the bed. “Uh…”

Gwaine holds a hand up. “I don’t mind going back to my cottage, you know.”

Merlin blinks as Gwaine walks over, grasping his arms and leans down, kissing him. “Good night, Merlin. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Merlin kisses back and nods and Gwaine turns away and walks to the door and opens it, looking back and drinks in Merlin’s naked form and soft cock and gives him a lopsided smile and a wink before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.

Merlin shoulder’s slump and he sighs before curling up in bed and waits to sleep. An hour goes by and Merlin grumbles and grabs the sleeping draught that Alice had dropped off earlier and drinks it. While hugging his pillow, The Prime Alpha thinks of what Arthur is doing and drifting off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Back at the Pendragon Pack, Arthur wakes slowly, listening to bird song.

The First Omega rubs his face, staring at the ceiling thoughtfully and sighs.

There’s a whine nearby and Arthur looks to the side to see Gilli biting his lip, thrusting against his fingers that are buried deep in his weeping hole.

Arthur sighs and sits up. “You poor thing.”

Pained, Gilli looks at him. “Arthur…”

The Omega looks around and notices the dildo is beside him and picks it up.

“Fucking George said that was for you and refused me to use it till you woke up.” Gilli grumbles.

Arthur walks over and kneels by him. “I’ll have a word with George.”

Gilli nods. “Thank you, Arthur…can you please help me?”

“Anything for you, Gilli.” Arthur says and shifts over to Gilli’s legs and lifts them up before he aims the tip of the dildo against the other Omega’s hole.

It gushes clear slick as he easily pushes it in, the hole wraps around it tightly, sucking it in.

Gilli preens. “You are a god, Arthur.”

Arthur chuckles. “I’m just here to help, Gilli.”

“What if I trigger your heat?” Gilli pants out before humming in delight when Arthur hits his prostate.

“Then I’ll call for George…I’ll give him a good whack around the head and demand he fist me.”

Gilli whines. “Oh don’t say that word.”

“What?”

“Fist…fuck, I miss that.” Gilli says.

“I could fist you for your next burst of heat if you want?” Arthur offers.

Gilli’s eyes widen and tears well up. “You mean it?”

Arthur nods and moves the dildo halfway out and in.

Gilli’s eyes roll back and he smiles, humming in delight and pushes his hips back, half melting against the fur rugs beneath him.

Arthur watches as Gilli’s climax builds before a spurt of creamy liquid comes out of him. The Omega is sobbing when he speaks. “I want to get mated.”

Arthur’s brows arch, knitting together. He reaches over and petting the younger man’s hair. “I know.” He brightens up. “The mating gathering is soon.”

Gilli’s bottom lip trembles as tears fall. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Arthur’s expression softens and he leans down, kissing his forehead. “Get some sleep.”

The dildo slips out and Arthur cleans it and then the Omega. “Get some rest.”

“I’ll miss you when you go.”

Arthur gasps softly, inaudible to Gilli. “I…” The first Omega looks away, guilt wracking him. “I’ll miss you too, Gilli.”

“Who will be the First Omega when you go?” Gilli asks, blinking slowly.

“It’s still to be decided but I'm thinking of Ethan. George is good but he’s too serious sometimes, he’s perfect at being the assistant to Ethan.”

Gilli licks his lips. “It’s odd…I always feel awkward around Ethan. I thought it was because he was so handsome, his features are built like that of an Alpha. It makes me shy.”

Arthur frowns. He hadn’t heard anyone comment about Ethan this way before. It upset him that his own pack member felt uncomfortable under his watch. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You like him a lot, I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. I know I'll regret saying this later but I don’t care right now.”

Arthur sighs. “Gilli, this isn’t about being shy, is it?”

“I feel like he shouldn’t even be in the den…” Gilli says. “I don’t…i’m sorry, Arthur but I don’t trust him.”

Arthur sighs and nods. “Well, I appreciate your honesty and I'll take it seriously and consider it carefully with my Father and the Second.”

This calms Gilli as he looks at the ceiling, his eyes closing. “Thank you, Arthur. I love you.”

Arthur smiles sadly, sniffing as tears begin to well up. “I love you too, Gilli. So much.” He leans down, kissing his hair.

Back in the embankment, a cloaked figure walks around it. The stranger studies the dip below at the edge, soil breaks and falls into the water below, disturbing it before the surface reflects like glass again.

“I still smell the Prime Alpha’s scent here. I worry he will discover something soon.” A second figure approaches the first.

The first one lifts their head. “That won’t happen, It will be dealt with tonight. I will scare him enough to leave the past alone.”

“With all due respect, I fear that letting him go will only fuel his suspicions more.”

“If we allow him to do more digging he will find out the truth and for the sake of the Pack I will not let that happen.”

“Kill him.”

“No…it’ll be too suspicious.”

“Can you not just erase his memory?”

“-And what if someone brings Aglain up?”

There’s a pause.

“You can make it up by leading him here.”

“Me?”

“If it goes well, I'll take that collar off of you.”

“I will do it.”

“That’s my Omega.”

They walk off, leaving behind a dead beta in their wake with an axe embedded in the back of their head.

Back at Merlin’s camp, the Prime Alpha walks with his second to Ari’s cottage at the outskirts of the rest of the cottages, the closest to the territory standing.

He knocks firmly and the door opens, the blind Alpha stares endlessly and sniffs the air. “Prime Alpha….Second…what can I do for you?”

“We are sorry to disturb you so soon after the meal but we were hoping if you could weave more bags, the fish catchers would have gotten old by now…” Merlin states.

Ari pauses and stands straighter and nods. “I can do that, Prime Alpha.”

Merlin smiles. “Thank you, if there is anything we could do for you?”

Ari thinks. “I’d like to start patrols again, I'll hold onto someone as we walk, my scent has improved.”

Merlin thinks. “That could be arranged, Your balance has improved as well as your senses. I’ll have you partner up with Alpha Carden.”

Ari nods. “Thank you, Prime Alpha…your patience has been most appreciated.”

“Can I touch you?”

Ari smiles and nods.

Merlin reaches over, giving the Alpha a gentle squeeze on his shoulder. “I appreciate all you did that night, sacrificing your body for a Beta. Losing your sight to Alpha Uther must have been a shock.”

“I’m just lucky the Alpha let me live. I foolishly accused him of harming your late Father and attacked him. I'm ashamed to say I lost my mind when the fight broke out. By the time I locked eyes with Prime Alpha Uther, I had already killed three of Cendred’s Alphas. I was still suspicious of him and foolishly allowed my anger to lead me to him.”

Merlin gulps and nods, giving his shoulder a gentle shake. “It’s all behind us now. Uther has forgiven you for blinding him in one eye as well…and he did-“

“-Visit me and speak to me at length and give me helpful gifts…” Ari interrupted him and gave him a knowing smile. “You don’t need to worry, Prime Alpha, I have no ill will for the Pendragon Pack leader. You can rest well with that knowledge.”

“Can I hug you?”

Ari blinks, letting out a surprised breath and nods.

Merlin brings him into a tight hug and whispers against his ear. “I appreciate everything you have done for this pack and what you will continue to do for it.”

The Alpha chuckles and hugs back. “You say the kindest things.”

“Voice like honey and words just as sweet as I always say.” Gwaine smiles, giving the Alpha a clap on the back.

Ari lets out a surprised cry. “You rascal.” He says and stomps on Gwaine’s foot who yelps and tugs it away and grips it.

“Fuck…” Gwaine swears.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t break it.” Ari says and Merlin pulls away, turning to face Gwaine, his hand on Ari’s back.

Gwaine jumps on one foot before standing fully, hesitant and looks at Ari. “Can I switch with Carden?”

Merlin let’s out a surprised laugh. “No, I need you with me.” Merlin says and turns to look at Ari.

“Ewan is in the streams collecting the material for the baskets. He will probably be here in an hour.”

“Alone?”

“No, he’s with Alpha Taliesin and Beta Kelda.”

Ari nods and bows his head. “Prime Alpha.”

Merlin parts the side hug. “Have a good day, Ari.”

“Likewise.” Ari says and turns his head slightly. “Be careful on the way back, Second…it’s rocky.” He says before smirking and closes the door quickly.

Merlin chuckles and walks down the steps and Gwaine grumbles, following him.

“Serves you right for surprising him like that.” Merlin laughs as they walk down to the camp.

Gwaine shoves his side against Merlin and the Prime Alpha laughs harder and walks faster, giving Gwaine’s arm a shove playfully.

Merlin arrives at the stream to see Ewan singing to himself, his back facing the Prime Alpha, doing a little dance as he pulls out the long leaves to weave the baskets.

Taliesin looks at him happily, smiling as he helps and notices Merlin. He stands, placing his hand on his chest and bows his head. “Prime Alpha.”

Ewan gasps and turns around. “P-Prime Alpha.”

Merlin grins and waves his hand. “It’s alright, Ewan. I only just arrived. How are you?”

“Well, Alice said that I'm the perfect fit for being the next cook, it’s up to you now to decide.”

“Well, you don’t have to wait long.”

Ewan watches him with baited breath as Gwaine presses his back against a nearby tree, folding his arms as he watches the Prime Alpha fondly.

“You are the new cook as of today.” Merlin grins.

Ewan’s face breaks into a smile and he jumps up, water splashing. “Tali, did you hear that?”

The Alpha chuckles, looking at him. “If my hearing serves me right, yes.”

Ewan turns back to Merlin, eyes bright and bows his head. “Thank you, Prime Alpha.”

Merlin grins. “It’s my pleasure, Ewan. Congratulations, you deserve it. You can have Tali in your kitchen helping you for however long you both choose to do so.”

Ewan gasps. “Yes, Prime Alpha. Thank you, Prime Alpha.” He laughs happily and runs to Taliesin and hugs the old Alpha happily, laughing cheerfully.

Taliesin smiles fondly and hugs him close, kissing his temple and looks at Merlin and his eyes crease in joy.

Kelda walks over and breaks them apart gently, stepping in front of Omega protectively but casually, smiling at Taliesin who chuckles fondly and Merlin leaves with Gwaine not far behind.

Merlin pauses as he passes by the kitchen building and lifts his head, scenting the air. “Gwaine, do you smell that?”

The Second stops in his tracks and immediately scents the air. “There is something…”

“Come.” Merlin says and follows the scent and as it gets stronger he sneezes. “I think it’s blood.”

Gwaine follows and they eventually make their way to the embankment and Merlin comes across the beta, his blood dried against his face, mouth and eyes still open in surprise.

The Prime Alpha kneels, brushing off the leaves that had fallen from the trees above and places his hand on the beta’s back. “It’s Joseph…”

Gwaine kneels beside him, frowning deeply. “Gods…”

Merlin covers his mouth, shocked by the event’s unfolding before him. Joseph was a reserved and shy middle aged Beta, who did what he needed to do without complaint. He was recently added to guarding the embankment so no pup would attempt to cross it on the logs. He had suggested putting a safe bridge across or levelling it out but Carden thought it would cause more casualties. No matter how good the relationship was between the Emrys and Pendragon Pack, a bridge would invite more trouble than what it was worth.

Merlin thought making the abandoned embankment should be less dangerous but wanted to keep it how it was to further investigate what could have happened to Aglain. Disturbing the ground anything else in the area could wash away any clues that might lurk there, so he decided to agree with Carden for the time being and had Joseph guard it.

Gwaine leans down, scenting the axe. “Human.”

Merlin looks at him. “You’re sure?”

Gwaine nods. “I smell leather too.”

Merlin hears the snap of a branch behind him and quickly turns his head, scanning the area. He sees nothing and scents the air, there’s something faint but he can’t quite make it out and slowly stands to find Joseph’s Father approaching.

“My son did not return from his meal, I assume he has eaten or is he still guarding?” The Alpha asks.

Merlin looks back at Gwaine who stares back firmly with a grave expression. The Prime Alpha grimaces before his expression turns stoic and he turns around and walks over to the Father, placing his hand on his shoulder. “There’s something we have to tell you.”

The old Alpha looks at him. “Yes, Prime Alpha?”

“I’m sorry but…” He pauses. “It looks like your son died at the hands of hunters. We just found his body now. We need to investigate more. Can you call for Alice?”

The Alpha blinks rapidly. “My boy is dead?”

Merlin tenses, looking at him sadly and nods. “Yes, I'm so sorry…”

The Alpha looks around him, his hand curling into a fist, trembling.

“It’s a gruesome sight.” Merlin states.

“I don’t care, that’s my boy.” He says firmly, his voice tight and walks past him and Gwaine stands, moving back as the Alpha kneels by his son’s side.

“Those devils.” He growls out, looking at the axe with a deep glare. His whole body vibrates intensely.

Merlin looks at Gwaine. “Can you bring Alice and Omega Jerold?”

Gwaine bows his head and runs back to the camp.

Merlin walks back to the Alpha and kneels down. “Eric…”

Tears stream down his weathered face, stroking a patch of his son’s hair, matted with dried blood. “Why would humans come so close to the camp?”

“-And why did they just kill one of our kind and move on?” Merlin adds.

“Human’s can be cruel, Prime Alpha. Sometimes they like to do it just for sport.”

Merlin rubs his back and stands, assessing the footprints. “I only see two pairs of shoes but the tracks are hidden as it goes into the treeline.” He then follows where the trail ends and searches till he comes across two tracks of were paw prints. “Eric…something strange is happening.”

The old Alpha gets to his feet and makes his way to Merlin and stops, placing his hand on the Prime Alpha’s shoulder for balance, observing. “It is strange, do you think they were disguising themselves?”

“I think so. I guess they expected to blend with the other tracks but these-” Merlin says and points to the paw prints and moves his hand across the disturbed ground before pointing to the foot prints. “-Follow the same movement’s. They line up. See how there’s a dip here where they mask their shift, as if the one is taking off of their one shoe and their other bare foot digs into the earth a bit there…”

Eric nods. “Whoever they are, they’ve made a weak attempt in covering their tracks well enough.”

“I guess they thought we’d be too convinced on the human front and given the Pack’s disdain for humans, it wouldn’t have been a bad idea. It would have fuelled the hatred more.” Merlin states and takes the Alpha’s arm and carefully leads him back.

“They’re underestimating your abilities as Prime Alpha, they think you still have your nose to the ground searching for clues for Aglain’s death.” Eric states and takes a deep breath as he stares at his son’s still form and slowly kneels down again with Merlin’s help.

“Well, they thought wrong.” Merlin says and his ear twitches and he turns to the clearing to see Gwaine returning with Alice and Omega Jerold. Merlin stands and goes to meet them halfway.

Jerold’s knees give out halfway to Eric, weeping bitterly at the loss of his son,crawling to his mate’s side, pressing his face against the Alpha’s neck, sobbing as Eric wraps an arm around him, tears welling up again.

Merlin watches on, his hand grasping Gwaine’s tightly. The Second looks down before his eyes trail up and he watches Merlin’s focused gaze on the distraught couple, his jaw is set, he breathes through his nose firmly and his shoulders are raised and tense.

“Merlin, you need to calm down for their sake.” Gwaine whispers.

The Prime Alpha turns to face him, his eyes wide with rage but the breathing starts to slow. “I have to do something, Gwaine.”

“What do you suppose we do, Merlin?” Gwaine challenges back. “You need to gather-”

Merlin lets go of the Second’s hand. “I know what I have to do.” He says firmly. “I do not need my Second to do the job for me. Gather the Alphas and Beta’s and get them on a patrol to follow the tracks and any scent’s related to this, if they get near a border that it crosses into, they must stop and call for me.”

Gwaine bows his head and runs to the centre of their village, rallying the Alphas and Beta’s with a howl. They gather as quickly as they can and Gwaine watches Carden walking with Ari holding onto his shoulder. The Second goes to them and the growing crowd follows.

“Beta Joseph has been killed with an axe in his head.” He says and pauses as the crowd erupts in shouts but Carden raises his hand and the shouts diminish. “Thank you, Carden. We suspect it was humans but the Prime Alpha has found valuable evidence.”

Merlin walks over. “We suspect that it was our kind disguising this situation as the work of humans in their clothes and weapons to get us off of their trail but we found their trail and it ended with our print on the ground. I want you all to break into groups of four…we only need three groups and for one to follow the tracks, the other to go on a normal patrol and the last to guard the embankment. I need a Beta to stay behind and help Joseph’s family with their son. The rest of you can carry on about your day but stay on high alert. Tonight I will double the patrol and protection around the camp but three times more. If anyone has any concerns, please come to me after what we find with the tracks, if it’s urgent or valuable information, find me as fast as you can. Dismissed.”

Gwaine splits the teams and everyone gradually disperses.

Ari holds firm on Carden’s shoulder. “We may be slow but I’m happy to help.”

“Your senses will be a value to this mystery, Ari.” Merlin says bluntly. “Carden, don’t leave his side and make sure he comes back safe. Ari, good luck with whatever you find.”

Ari bows his head as does Carden.

Ewan watches from the side and Taliesin places his hand on his shoulder. “Come, we have a grieving family to feed for a week. As well as a hungry pack after their investigation.”

Ewan looks at him and nods and goes to them. “Prime Alpha.”

Merlin turns to him. “Yes, Ewan?”

“I just wanted to say good luck.”

Merlin nods. “Thank you, we will need it.”

Taliesin goes over and nods at Merlin before taking Ewan’s hand and walks back to the kitchen hall.