Dean was excited… VERY excited to meet his mate he hoped it was missy his girlfriend of 5 years
Now on the day of his party and as the clock struck 12 he sniffed to smell his mates scent walking but come to find out it wasn’t missy and spontaneously he had no feelings for her anymore now walking past a devastated missy and searching around, Dean knows she’s around he can feel it but he can’t smell her
“Where are you come out?!”
Marcus was outside on the terrace, gazing at the stars, when he heard a shout from inside. The young man decided to ignore it, thinking it wasn't his business, but he still hid slightly behind the wall; the last thing he wanted was to get caught up in someone else's drama.
"I want my mate, I know she's here somewhere!" Dean yelled more and more his voice cracking with anger and confusion as to why he can't find her scent...why is it being blocked?! Frustration slowly starts to boil over into something hotter. His claws start to extend uncontrollably as his wolf begins to surface from its slumber. "Where are you, my little wolf?" He snarls at the sky above, trying not to show Marcus how close he is to losing it completely...but his wolf knows who his mate is and won't stand for being denied her presence much longer.
Marcus continued gazing peacefully at the stars until a figure suddenly appeared in the balcony doorway. The young man didn't move, taken aback, and the other man didn't seem to have noticed him yet. Marcus hesitated for a moment, wondering whether or not to call out to the other man. Without further ado, he cleared his throat slightly, catching Dean's attention. "...Hey... were you looking for someone?... I'm the only one here..." he asked somewhat timidly.
Dean looks in shock at the figure that suddenly appears before him, his wolf calming slightly as recognition dawns on him. "You...you're...?" He swallows thickly, unable to believe what he's seeing. His voice comes out strained, hoarse with emotion and relief. For years, Dean has felt a connection to Marcus...a bond that transcended friendship or simple pack loyalty. Now, he knows why. "Marcus," he rasps, taking a step closer. "You're my mate."
"Haha... WHAT?" Marcus said in shock, taking a step back. "W-what are you talking about?... th-that can't be..." he stammered nervously. "...y-you shouldn't even be able to... smell me..." His voice trailed off; his nightmare was becoming a reality... having a mate, and to top it all off, that mate was the alpha of the pack.
Dean felt his fangs elongate further at Marcus's denial, but he forced himself to remain calm. "Marcus," he said slowly and carefully, taking another step closer. "I can smell you... and I know you're my mate." He reached out to touch the other male's cheek, letting his fingers linger there gently despite Marcus's obvious reluctance. "There's no use denying it anymore."
His wolf was pacing restlessly beneath his skin, growling in frustration at being held back by his human half. Dean forced himself to focus on Marcus, ignoring the urge to shift and claim what was rightfully his. "Please," he whispered hoarsely. "We belong together."
"No... no no no..." Marcus said, pulling away from Dean's touch, taking another step back, cornered against the wall. "...I don't want this... I never wanted this..." His voice broke, and he began to cry weakly. His face showed frustration, helplessness, and a hint of fear.
Dean's heart wrenched at the sight of Marcus in such pain, but he refused to let him suffer like this. "I know it's hard, Marcus," he murmured, taking another step closer, not quite daring to touch him again. "But I can help you through this. Together, we can face anything." He swallowed thickly and forced himself to keep his voice steady. "Please, just give us a chance... for me."
His wolf's growl grew louder in his ears, but Dean refused to let it out. Not yet. His mate was too fragile; they both were. He would claim her soon enough, but right now he needed to be gentle, to earn her trust and love back. For now, he had only words...words of hope and promises of a future together.
"N-no..." Marcus said weakly, his voice trembling with tears. "...I didn't want a mate..." he said with difficulty, a lump in his throat, looking away. "Much less an alpha... I didn't want to deal with everything that comes with being an alpha's mate... I just wanted to live quietly and peacefully, without ridiculous responsibilities..." He slumped against the wall until he was sitting on the floor. His inner wolf wanted to run, but he knew he couldn't; he was restless and scared.
Dean sighed, kneeling down in front of Marcus so they were eye-to-eye. "I understand that, I really do," he said softly, reaching out to cup the other male's cheek again with his free hand. "But you are my mate, and I need you. I won't force you into anything you don't want, but please... at least consider giving us a chance." He held Marcus's gaze, pleading for him to understand.
His wolf growled more insistently now, clawing at the surface of his skin, demanding freedom and claiming its rightful mate. But Dean refused to let it out yet; he needed Marcus to see that he was willing to be gentle, that he would care for his mate and respect her wishes no matter what they were.
"Please," he whispered again. "For me."
After a moment of silence, Marcus finally looked up at Dean, his eyes wet with tears. "...Okay..." he said softly, his voice barely audible even to himself. "Okay... but... on one condition." He paused, swallowing hard before continuing. "You have to promise me that you'll be gentle with me, and that we don't have to rush anything..."
Dean smiled gently at Marcus, relief flooding through him like warm water. "I promise," he said softly, his eyes filled with sincerity. "I'll be patient and gentle with you, as long as it takes for you to feel ready. I want this too, Marcus; I need us to be together. But I won't force anything on you."
His wolf growled deeply in his chest at the condition, but he forced it down. Tonight was not the night to claim what was rightfully his. Not yet. They had time, and Dean intended to make sure they both used it wisely.
"...Alright..." Marcus said finally, taking a shaky breath as he leaned into Dean's touch. He closed his eyes and relaxed against the alpha male, letting out a shuddering sigh. This was going to be harder than he thought... but at least he didn't have to hide anymore. Dean would keep him safe... or so he hoped...
Dean let out a sigh of relief, his hand moving to stroke gently through Marcus's hair as he held him close. "Thank you, Marcus," he murmured against the other male's temple. "I promise you won't regret this." He leaned back slightly, studying Marcus's face with tenderness and hope. "Now... would you like to go somewhere more comfortable? We could find a quiet place to talk..."
His wolf growled deep in his chest again, but Dean managed to keep it contained. Tonight was not about claiming or dominance; it was about reassurance and trust. They had a long road ahead of them, but for now, they would walk it together.
"...Yeah..." Marcus whispered softly, still leaning against him but tensing visibly at the thought of being anywhere alone with Dean. "...Let's find somewhere quiet." He looked up at his soon-to-be mate, trying to force a tiny smile onto his face, hoping it wouldn't scare him away too much. "Maybe... on the balcony?"
Dean smiled gently down at Marcus, returning his smile. "That sounds perfect," he murmured before standing and offering the other male his hand. "Come on." He took a moment to look around, making sure no one was close enough to see or overhear them before leading Marcus back inside and out onto the balcony. The night air was cool against their skin as they stood together under the stars.
"It's beautiful out here," Dean said softly, leaning against the railing beside Marcus. "Don't you think?" He let his gaze drift upward, watching a particularly bright star twinkle in the darkness. "I used to come out here sometimes when I was feeling... lonely."
Marcus closed his eyes as he felt the cool breeze brush past him. He took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, trying to calm his nerves. "It's... peaceful," he said softly. It was the first time he had ever voiced such an opinion out loud; usually, he preferred the solitude. But now... with Dean beside him... it felt different. Safer somehow.
Dean smiled faintly, turning his head slightly to study Marcus's profile in the moonlight. "Peaceful is a good word for it," he agreed softly. He leaned against the railing beside Marcus, their shoulders nearly touching. "You know... I always thought peace was overrated." He paused, looking down at his hands clenched into fists at his sides. "But now that I have you... I think I understand what you meant by it being peaceful." His voice turned husky as he looked back up at Marcus. "I never knew peace could feel this good."
"Yeah..." Marcus smiled slightly, gazing at the stars, before looking down dejectedly. "...that's why... I didn't want to be the alpha's mate..." He glanced at Dean out of the corner of his eye. "...I really don't want those... damn responsibilities..." he said with a hint of frustration.
"I understand that," Dean replied gently, reaching out to place a hand on Marcus's shoulder. "But you don't have to worry about it. I will take care of everything; I won't ask you to do anything you aren't comfortable with. You just focus on being yourself, and we'll figure this out together." He smiled softly, hoping his words would reassure Marcus, at least a little bit. "You have nothing to fear from me, love," he added, using the term of affection with a note of ownership in his voice that only Marcus could understand.
Marcus looked at the other male, slightly surprised, almost incredulous. "You... you'd really take care of everything?" he asked hopefully. He just wanted a quiet, peaceful life, free from the responsibilities he'd never asked for as the alpha's mate, and knowing that Dean would handle everything so he could have peace of mind seemed like a dream...
Dean smiled softly, understanding Marcus's disbelief and wanting to reassure him more than anything. "I promise you, Marcus. I will take care of everything. You don't have to worry about the pack or our relationship anymore. Just trust me, and let me help you through this." He squeezed Marcus's shoulder gently before letting his hand drop back down to his side. "Together, we can do anything."
His wolf growled impatiently in his chest at the mention of trust; he longed for his mate to fully surrender and place all her faith in him. But he forced it down, reminding himself that they had time, and patience was key. For now, he would wait, guide, and love until Marcus was ready to give him everything he craved.
Marcus glanced into the other man's eyes for a moment, searching for any hint of deceit or falsehood, but saw only sincerity and love. He gave him a small smile before embracing him tightly around the chest, burying his face against Dean. "Thank you," he said softly.
Dean's heart swelled with warmth at the embrace and whispered thank you. "You're welcome, love," he replied softly, wrapping his arms around Marcus and holding him close. He nuzzled into the other male's hair, breathing in his scent and savoring the feeling of having his mate back in his arms where they belonged.
For now, they had this moment, together on the balcony under the stars. It was enough to sustain Dean, knowing that soon he would claim what was rightfully his, mark his mate as his own for all eternity. But for now, he would bask in the closeness and trust between them, grateful for every precious second they had together. "We're going to be okay," he whispered against Marcus's scalp, his voice thick with emotion. "Together."