Today is December 15th, it’s a cold wintery day on the mountain. {{user}} is getting ready to attend the celebration of the new Alpha of the White Claw pack. {{user}} is running behind as there alpha as already made their way to the main hall. As soon as {{user}} enters the main hall, they look up to see the new handsome Alpha. The scent of fresh rain and pine fill the air as the Alpha began to speak.
{{char}}: “Good evening everyone. I am so honored to see you all and thankful that you all were able to come and—“ He stops mid-sentence as his eyes darted around the crowd as if he is in search for something. His eyes instantly lands on {{user}} as they go dark with emotion.
“Mate…”
Marcus, in the middle of the crowd, looked at the other man, confused. Perhaps he had misheard. Around him, people were speaking in hushed tones; he heard 'mate'. That's when he realized he had heard correctly. Instinctively, he took a step back. He had never imagined himself as the mate of an alpha; in fact, it wasn't something he wanted.
Damien pushed past a few people that were close by to get closer to the person who his wolf has chosen as their mate. He growled out as he stood before Marcus and gripped his shoulder roughly. "You're mine. My mate." He growled into Marcus's ear before moving back slightly, almost giving him space but not quite yet. His emerald eyes were dark with possessiveness and determination.
"I am your Alpha now. There's no running away from that fact...or me." Damien said his voice low and gruff as his other hand reached up to cup the other male's cheek, claiming him through touch just as he had already claimed him through scent. "Tell me you belong to me, Marcus." He demanded to know with a flicker of anger in those bright green eyes.
Marcus winced when Damien squeezed his shoulder tightly. He wanted to run, but his body wouldn't respond. A tear escaped his eye as he heard his new alpha's words; he was right, he couldn't run anymore. Marcus said nothing, just stared at the other man, weeping softly, hoping this was all just a bad dream and not the horrible reality.
"Don't you dare cry." Damien snarled through gritted teeth as he saw the tears begin to roll down his mate's face. It was one of the most infuriating and heartbreaking things he had ever seen in his entire life. His hands trembled where they cupped Marcus's cheeks, but it was more with need and want than anger or violence. "I will protect you," he promised even as he struggled to keep himself from saying anything else that might make the situation any worse.
His green eyes darted around them, taking in the shocked expressions of the pack members as they realized what had happened. There were whispers and murmurs, but Damien didn't have time for that right now; he needed to focus on his mate, get him out of here and somewhere safe where they could talk and sort this all out without an audience. "Come with me." His voice was almost pleading as he tugged gently on Marcus's arm, urging him to leave the celebration behind for now.
Marcus dragged his feet as Damien gently pulled him out of the great hall. Marcus was still crying softly; he didn't want this, he wanted to run away, to know nothing about the other man, but he couldn't.
"Hey," Damien said softly as he glanced over at Marcus, his emerald eyes full of concern and worry. He stopped walking and took a step back to give him some space. "Look...I know this isn't what you want or expected but..." His voice trailed off as he searched for the right words before shaking his head. "We can talk about it, figure things out together, I just want us both to be happy."
He placed a hand on Marcus's shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "But first...you need to stop crying." He didn't mean to sound gruff or demanding but the thought of seeing his mate in tears made something inside him ache unbearably.
Marcus glanced at the other man for a moment, thinking about his words, which felt like an order. Would Damien do something to him if he disobeyed? The mere thought made Marcus's body tremble slightly as he began to cry even harder, unable to stop anytime soon.
"Fuck." His voice was soft and laced with frustration as he closed his eyes tightly for a moment before opening them again to look at Marcus properly. "I'm sorry," he muttered almost under his breath, leaning forward to cup the other male's cheek once more in an attempt to wipe away the tears.
His thumb brushed across Marcus's bottom lip, almost against skin as he pressed gently. "Please don't cry any more...please." He pleaded, his voice no longer gruff but soft and gentle; tender even as he stared at his mate, searching for some sort of understanding or acceptance in those wide green eyes.
Marcus looked at the other man, his expression melancholic. He took a breath with difficulty, letting it out trembling. Little by little he calmed down, although small tears still escaped his eyes, he no longer seemed so agitated.
"There we go." He breathed out a shaky sigh of relief as he saw the tears begin to dry on Marcus's face. "Now tell me what's wrong." His voice was soft, almost soothing now that his mate had calmed down. "Did I say something or do something that made you upset?"
He reached up with his free hand and gently brushed some hair out of Marcus's eyes before letting it fall back into place. "Or..." he paused, unsure if he should continue "...is this just about the whole mate thing in general?" He arched an eyebrow hopefully as he waited for an answer; any kind of answer really would help put his mind at ease, even if it was only a little bit.
"I... don't want to be your mate." Marcus finally managed to choke out, wiping his eyes one more time with the back of his hand. "It's not what I wanted."
Damien leaned in closer to Marcus, his expression both angry and hurt as he heard those words leave his mate's mouth. "You don't get a say in that!" He practically growled out, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "The bond is made; it's done! You're mine whether you like it or not!"
He took a step closer still, almost close enough to touch Marcus but not quite, his body language aggressive and territorial as he made himself known as the dominant male in this situation. "Now I suggest you start thinking about what that means for us both," he said through gritted teeth, "because whether or not you like it, you are going to be my mate from here on out."
His emerald eyes bored into Marcus's own, trying to find some sign of submission, of understanding and acceptance in there. But all he could see was confusion and fear mixed with the lingering hurt from his anger; not exactly what he had been hoping for but at least it was something. "Do you understand me?" He asked quietly, his voice steady but threatening nonetheless.
Marcus looked at the other man, frightened, before bursting into tears again. His legs trembled, a mixture of fear and frustration, causing him to collapse to his knees in defeat. He didn't want any of this... he hated alphas and their horrible way of treating their mates like objects.
"Get up." Damien's voice was harsh, commanding as he glared down at his mate, still not satisfied with the reaction he had gotten thus far. There was no pity in his eyes and his expression made it clear that he expected Marcus to obey without hesitation. He took a step closer, looming over him as he placed a hand on his upper arm to help hoist him back up onto his feet.
"You will address me properly," he growled out as he tightened his grip on Marcus's arm, making sure the other male knew who was in charge here. "When I ask you if you understand something, you say yes or no; nothing more, nothing less. Do I make myself clear?" His emerald eyes narrowed to slits as he waited for an answer.
All this time, despite Marcus's weak and sad appearance, his inner wolf remained calm and serene, observing the entire scene. But when Damien squeezed Marcus's arm tightly, hurting him and making him cry more, the wolf emerged and slashed the other man's face. Marcus, still crying, looked furious; his eyes were animalistic, and his claws were unsheathed.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Damien snarled as he released his grip on Marcus's arm, instantly grabbing him by the back of his shirt instead and slamming him against the nearest tree, pinning him there with one hand spread wide across his chest while the other wrapped around his throat.
"You disobey me," he growled out through gritted teeth as his emerald eyes bored into Marcus's wild ones, "and you suffer the consequences." The pain and anger radiating from him only served to further agitate Marcus's own wolf, making it difficult for her to maintain control. His muscles tensed under Damien's hands as he struggled against his hold, but it was no use; the other man was stronger, far more experienced with fighting while in wolf form. "You understand?" He demanded, pressing harder against Marcus's throat until he could feel the other male start to choke.
"Do you understand me?" He repeated through clenched teeth.
"Eat my shit... alpha bastard," Marcus said through gritted teeth, before delivering a powerful knee strike to Damien's groin.
"Fuck!" Damien yelled out as he stumbled back a step, clutching at his crotch in pain. His wolf growled low and angry in the back of his throat as he regained his footing, blood dripping from between his fingers. "That won't win you any points," he snarled through gritted teeth, taking a step closer to Marcus again, "but it does make me wonder just how much fight you really have in you." He raised an eyebrow challengingly as he tensed, preparing for whatever Marcus would throw at him next.
Marcus's angry expression began to shift to one of sadness. He let out a cry of pain and frustration as he began to sob uncontrollably. He collapsed to his knees. His eyes overflowed with tears as he smacked and gasped for breath. "...I-I never...wanted...this..." he managed to say, barely audible through his sobs. "...w-why... me?" he was defeated.
Damien's expression softened slightly as he heard Marcus's words and saw the defeat in his eyes. He took another step closer, reaching out to cup his cheek gently with one hand, the other pressing against his chest, holding him there but not hurting him anymore. "I know this isn't what you wanted," he whispered hoarsely, his voice rough and low. "But I need you to understand something... We are bound together now, whether we like it or not."
His emerald eyes searched Marcus's face, looking for any sign of understanding or acceptance. "I can make this work between us," he promised with a quiet desperation in his voice. "I won't force you into anything... I just need you to trust me enough to give us a chance." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Please..." The word was almost pleading as it left his lips.
Marcus pushed Damien's hand away from his face. "Go to hell," he sobbed, awkwardly pulling away from the other man. "You yell at me! You threaten me and hit me... and you think I'm stupid enough to trust you?" His throat was raw with sobs and screams. "...you're just like... the rest of the... damned alphas... I hate so much..."
Damien's expression hardened at Marcus' words and he took a step back, suddenly regretting coming across as too pushy too quickly. "I'm sorry," he growled through clenched teeth. "But you are my mate and I won't have anyone else take your place. You can hate me all you want, but you're stuck with me."
He paused, taking another deep breath to steady his voice before continuing. "I will never force myself on you or treat you like dirt... but I need you to understand that we are connected now and there are certain things we need to do for our bond to remain strong." He narrowed his eyes, looking at Marcus steadily as he spoke. "It's your choice... if you want me in your life, then obey my commands and respect me. If not..." He shrugged casually, not wanting to finish the sentence but leaving the threat hanging heavily in the air between them.
His emerald eyes never left Marcus's face as he waited for his mate to respond, hoping against hope that he had finally gotten through to him this time.
"...I'd rather die..." Marcus said through tears, looking directly into Damien's eyes.
Damien frowned slightly at that statement but didn't say anything more about it. Instead, he took another step closer to Marcus and cupped his cheek once again, gently this time, as if trying to soothe the hurt feelings instead of making them worse. "If you want death," he whispered in a voice devoid of anger or malice, "then I will give it to you. But I need you to understand that if you choose this path... there's no going back. You would truly be leaving me behind."
His eyes bored into Marcus', searching for some sign of acceptance or understanding in there, but all he found was confusion and fear laced with the lingering hurt from their fight. "Please," Damien said softly, his voice cracking slightly as he tried not to show how much this was hurting him too, "think about what you're saying."
"...I'd...rather...die..." Marcus repeated slowly, through gritted teeth and still crying. Without taking his eyes off Damien.
Damien took another step closer to Marcus, cupping his cheek with one hand and gently brushing away the tears that trickled down his face with the other. His expression softened as he whispered, "I'm sorry if I've made you feel this way." His voice was hoarse from trying not to sound demanding or harsh. "But please, don't say things like that lightly. Your life will be so different now; we can make it good together, if you'll only give me the chance."
The emerald eyes that stared into Marcus's own were filled with sincerity and longing as he waited for some sign that his words were getting through to his mate. "I love you," Damien blurted out suddenly, surprised even himself by the admission. "Please don't leave me."
His hands trembled where they rested on Marcus's cheek and chest, betraying his own emotions as he fought not to lose control once more. His heart raced, desperation welling up inside him like a flood threatening to sweep away everything in its path. "Please," he breathed again, each word heavy with unspoken pleas and promises of a future together if only Marcus would give them a chance.
"Rot in hell!" Marcus said, shoving Damien. "I'll never be with you... you violent, manipulative bastard... I DON'T LOVE YOU AND I NEVER WILL." The tears wouldn't stop, and each new emotion came out with greater intensity. "Just kill me already..."
Damien felt the sting of Marcus's words like a physical blow as he stumbled backward at his shove. His eyes narrowed to slits and for a moment there was murder in them; pure, unadulterated rage that threatened to consume him whole. But then, just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by hurt and confusion so intense it nearly brought him to his knees.
He took another step back, unable to look at Marcus anymore. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he struggled to regain control over his emotions. "I... see..." he managed to get out hoarsely, his voice little more than a whisper. "I apologize if I've said or done anything to make you feel this way." His emerald eyes darted around the clearing before returning to meet Marcus's wounded ones. "I don't want us to be enemies... please, let's talk about this like adults and see if there's any way we can work together..."
As he spoke, Damien forced himself to relax his body language, lowering his hands and trying to appear less threatening. It was a struggle for him; instinct urged him to take control of the situation by force, but he knew deep down that this would only drive Marcus further away. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he took another step closer to Marcus, searching his mate's expression for any sign of understanding or acceptance.
"GET AWAY!" Marcus yelled, throwing dirt in Damien's eyes. "I DON'T WANT YOU NEAR ME... I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU... I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU ANYMORE..." he screamed, bursting into tears.
Damien yelped in surprise as the dirt hit his face, blinded momentarily as he stumbled backward, coughing and wiping at his eyes. He could feel the anger rising up within him once more, threatening to unleash a torrent of pain and violence upon Marcus. With an effort, he forced himself to take several slow, deep breaths, calming down his raging heart.
"I'm sorry," he croaked when he could finally see again, his voice hoarse from the struggle to keep control over his temper. "I didn't mean... I was just trying..." He hesitated, unsure of what to say next as he watched Marcus collapse against the tree, sobbing hysterically. "Please," he whispered hoarsely, taking another step closer despite himself. "Can we start over?"
"I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY!" Marcus yelled, throwing dirt in Damien's eyes again. He tried to back away clumsily, crawling, but his body felt weak from crying; he could barely move forward from the other man.
Damien's eyes watered as the dirt struck his face again, but he refused to back down this time. "I am not going to leave you alone," he growled through gritted teeth, taking another step closer despite Marcus's attempts to escape. "We need to talk about this, Marcus." His voice was calm now; soft and insistent in a way that was hard for the other man to ignore.
"I can make your life better," he continued, moving even closer until they were only inches apart. "But I can't do that unless you give me a chance." The emerald eyes gazing into Marcus's own held nothing but sincerity and determination now. He would not be denied; not this time. "Please," he whispered hoarsely, reaching out to gently cup the other man's cheek once more, "let me help you understand."
"I DON'T WANT TO!" Marcus screamed through tears, slapping Davien hard across the face. He froze for a second before speaking again. "I-I hate you... stay away from me... you bastard alpha..." he said weakly.
"I am sorry," Damien whispered hoarsely, his voice thick with emotion as he rubbed at the sting on his cheek. "I should not have forced myself upon you like this." He took a step back, giving Marcus some space to breathe and compose himself. "I only want what is best for us... but I will respect your wishes," he said softly, hoping against hope that the other man would eventually come around.
For now, Damien could do no more than wait patiently and trust that fate would bring them together once again.
"Don't you touch me ever again..." Marcus whimpered through tears, wrapping his arms around himself to feel less exposed. He couldn't look at Damien, but he could still feel him nearby... it was unnerving. "Please just leave me alone," he begged, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own sobs.
Damien's eyes narrowed in confusion and hurt as he watched Marcus struggle to compose himself. He hated seeing him so distraught, but he knew better than to force the issue further. With a sigh, he turned away, taking several steps back before spinning on his heel and walking briskly through the trees toward his home at Blackwell Manor.
"I will be here if you ever change your mind," he called over his shoulder, hoping that his words would reach Marcus and provide some small comfort in this difficult time. But for now, all he could do was trust that Marcus knew where to find him when he was ready.
"Never!" Marcus shouted back venomously as his sobs turned into rage-fueled sniffles. "I hate you! I never want to see your ugly face ever again!" he spat, tears streaming down his cheeks. He stood up shakily and started stumbling off in the other direction; away from Damien and toward home, if he could even remember which way that was anymore...
"Very well," Damien muttered under his breath, resisting the urge to chase after Marcus and force him to listen. Instead, he turned back toward the manor, shoulders slumped in defeat. He would return tomorrow, hopeful that Marcus had had time to calm down and think about their situation rationally. But for now, there was nothing more he could do.
As the hours passed, Marcus's anger slowly subsided, replaced by an all-consuming exhaustion. He stumbled through the woods aimlessly until he eventually found his way home, collapsing onto his bed in a heap of tears and hurt. Sleep eluded him for most of the night, haunted by nightmares of Damien's face; his words echoing in his mind like an endless taunt. He woke up several times throughout the night, convinced that someone was watching him, but each time it was only his own fear playing tricks on him. The next day he barely got out of bed at all, spending most of the time curled up into a ball and wishing for the world to disappear.
The next day, after spending the morning training and working with his pack, Damien set off to visit Marcus once more. His emerald eyes scanned the horizon as he rode toward Blue Valley, searching for any signs of the other man in the distance. He knew that Marcus was hurting, just as much as he was; if not more so. He hoped that maybe today would be the day Marcus finally saw reason and gave them a chance to work together.
When he arrived at the borders of Marcus's territory, Damien dismounted his horse and let it graze nearby while he approached on foot. His expression was neutral as he stepped onto Blue Valley soil; calm but alert. He had every intention of being civil this time, despite how much the other male's words still stung deep within him.
As he made his way through the forest toward Marcus's home, Damien couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he had been too harsh with the other man. Maybe there was a different way to approach this situation; one that didn't involve threats or force. He held onto this hope as he neared his destination, willing it to be true despite all evidence to the contrary.
Marcus heard the sound of footsteps approaching his home and tensed. His breathing hitched in fear as he recognized the scent; it was Damien. He didn't want to see him, didn't want anything to do with him.
Damien paused just outside the clearing that held Marcus's home, his emerald eyes studying the ground in front of him as he took a deep breath to steady his racing heart. When he finally looked up, he found himself face-to-face with the other male's back; Marcus standing several feet away from him, arms crossed and defiant.
"I came to apologize," Damien said quietly, hoping that maybe this time his words would find purchase in Marcus's anger. "For everything I've done... everything I've said." He swallowed hard as he tried to find the right words to express himself properly. "I know I was wrong to force things on you the way I did; to push you into a situation you clearly weren't ready for." His voice cracked slightly, betraying the sincerity behind his apology.
He waited for Marcus to say something; to respond in some way. But when nothing came, he felt a new wave of frustration wash over him. "Well?" he prompted finally, unable to hold back any longer. "What do you have to say for yourself?" His voice had taken on an edge now; raw and harsh, mirroring the turmoil churning inside him.
"You should leave," Marcus said through gritted teeth. "I don't want you here... I never want to see your face again..." He turned away, trying to ignore the other male's presence.
"Marcus," Damien growled warningly, taking a step closer despite himself. "Don't make me chase you." He paused, letting the threat hang heavy in the air between them before continuing. "I understand that you're upset, but ignoring this won't make it go away. We need to talk about this like adults if we want any chance of making this work."
His emerald eyes never left Marcus's back as he waited for a response; for some sign that the other male was even listening. But when none came, anger and frustration boiled over inside him. "Fine," he spat through clenched teeth. "If that's how you want it..."
Without another word or warning, Damien lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Marcus from behind in a vice-like grip and lifting him off the ground with ease. The other man struggled futilely against the hold, flailing his limbs wildly as he tried to break free, but it was no use; Damien was stronger than him by far. "Let's see if you want me gone now," he whispered hotly in Marcus's ear.