A/N: Hey, everyone! I hope everything is going well with everybody. So, a few weeks ago, I got the idea to write this short little story about how the Peacemakers came to be. I was originally going to make it a oneshot, but it was too long, so I had to split it up. I realize this won't compare to "Pain Is Strong, Love Is Stronger." It's a short story. Also, be warned: there are small spoilers in the story, so I'd recommend reading "Pain Is Strong, Love Is Stronger" first if you haven't already. Happy reading.

CHAPTER 1-Childhood Joys & Pains

The sun peaked over a large mountain and shined down into a valley. The light was glowing a bright gold and stirred the thoughts of many wolves in the pack. One omega in particular seemed most excited.

"Yes!" he shouted, jumping up and running over to his sleeping father. "Daddy! Wake up! It's morning! Wake up!"

His father groaned. "Son, why are you up this early? I thought omegas liked to sleep in?"

"I like the mornings, Dad. It makes me feel happy! What makes you feel happy?"

His father smiled. "You do, son. And your mother."

"Is that why you always nuzzle her?"

"Yes, that's it. It's why I also nuzzle and hug you. It's because I love you."

"I love you too, Dad." He nuzzled his father.

"Why don't you run outside and play while I hunt for our breakfast?" his father suggested.

"Okay!" said the pup, taking off into the sunrise.

"Be careful, Reagan!" his father called after him.

Reagan ran through the field. He felt so happy. The breeze blowing through his young hair, the sun shining on his light brown fur. Everything was perfect. His life was perfect…or so it seemed.

When his father called him, he ran back excitedly to find a large caribou in their den.

"Wow!"

His father chuckled. "Dig in, son."

"Good morning, sweetheart," his mother said, walking over and kissing his head.

"Morning, Mom."

"How did you sleep?"

"Good."

"That's good."

His father glanced outside and saw a pair of wolves, male and female, walking by. They were nuzzling each other, but their minds were on more than that.

"Honey," Reagan's father said. "Make sure Reagan goes to sleep on time."

His mother nodded, sharing his concern.

"Why, Daddy?"

"Because, son…" He paused. "You're too young to understand now, but this is a very important time of year for wolves who want to become parents."

"Are they in love?"

"Yes, son, and that's all you need to know. Please don't ask us any more questions about it."

"But—"

"Son."

Reagan sighed. "Okay."

"You'll find out when you're older," said his father.

"You mean, when I kiss a girl like that?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Relax," said his father. "Relax. I'm sure that when the time comes, you'll find the perfect girl for you."

"That's right," his mother agreed.

"Okay," said Reagan, thinking about it as they began to eat. He didn't doubt his parents, and he wondered what it would be like to be with a girl, but he didn't know what that meant. If his father told him he was too young, he wouldn't doubt it. What he didn't know was that he would indeed eventually find the perfect girl for him, but it would be the second girl he took an interest in…and her home was in Jasper Park, Canada.

In a small pack in Canada near the border to Montana, a small omega wolf was standing outside his parents' den with a look of fear in his eyes, The scene was rainy, wet, and miserable. The wolf shivered: it was summer, but chilly that morning.

His parents were arguing again.

"Don't tell me how to raise him!" his father shouted angrily.

"You're being too hard on him!" his mother retaliated.

"Be quiet!" This was followed by the sound of a slap.

The pup ran inside.

"YOU! GET BACK OUTSIDE, NOW!" his father yelled.

"Don't speak to him like that!" his mother shot. She turned to her child. "Chris, stay there. Don't move!"

Chris was confused. Who to listen to? The parent who told him to stay, or the one who looked like he was ready to slaughter?

"You piece of slop!" his father bellowed. "You dare disobey your father? You must always obey me because I am in charge of you!" He slapped his son squarely across the face.

"Stop it, Tom!" his mother shouted. "You're hurting him! What has he done to you?"

"He was born..."

"How dare you say that!"

"You didn't let me finish!" he spat at her. "He was born...an omega."

His mother looked apalled. "I'm an omega."

"Because you're a woman, but he should've been an alpha. I told you I don't want any worthless omegas running in our family!"

"HE'S NOT WORTHLESS!" his mother screamed.

His father wound his arm back and hit her in the upper face. She screamed and fell back, and his father hit her repeatedly over and over, his claws outstretched each time. Chris watched in horror as his mother was abused.

She coughed, screamed, and looked over at her son. Tears came to her eyes as she breathed one raspy word.

"Run."

She closed her eyes for the last time and went limp. His father stared down at her.

"Maybe we weren't so right for each other after all," he said. "Good riddance to you."

He heard the sound of feet and saw Chris running through the field away from the den.

"Hey! Get back here!"

Chris kept running, hot fresh tears pouring from his eyes like a waterfall. His father didn't love him, never wanted him, and his mother was murdered. Chris didn't look back.

He stumbled on a stick and fell down a hill. When he reached the bottom, he felt his leg being crushed under his own weight. It wasn't broken, but he had to limp now.

He heard the running of footsteps behind him.

"Where are you, you wretch? Look what you've made me do to your mother!"

Chris panicked and dove into some bushes. He lay there as low to the ground as he could, shaking. He tried so desperately to remain silent, hoping that his father wouldn't find him. At last the footsteps seemed to vanish.

Chris looked around ahead of him. The forest was quiet...to quiet. This wasn't good. Quiet scenes almost always meant a great jump-scare right before you were murdered. He listened. Nothing. Absolutely nothing but the sound of rain falling from the leaves to the ground.

The sound of grass was also growing stronger. Chris began panicking silently. His father had seen him. This was the end. Chris tried to act like a log, but the footsteps were growing louder. They had reached the bushes.

Chris gave an attempt to dive through the bushes and escape, but a paw seized his shoulder and pulled him out of the bush.

"NO!" Chris shouted. "NO! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"Calm down."

Chris froze. The voice wasn't his father's. He turned to see a large wolf looking at him.

"What are you doing out here, pup?"

"Just playing hide-and-seek."

"With who?"

"Well...no one."

"I can see that. What are you really doing out here?"

"Nothing. Just relaxing."

The wolf looked through the words into the eyes.

"No. Something's bothering you. What?"

Chris couldn't hide it any more. "My dad hates me! He never wanted me! He wanted a strong alpha! He just killed my mom and tried to kill me! HE HATES ME!"

He began sobbing uncontrollably. The wolf pulled him into a hug.

"There, there," he said. "It's alright."

"No, it's not!" Chris said. "I can't go back! I have no home."

"Yes you do," said the wolf. "You can come with me."

Chris looked up at him. "Go with you?"

"Of course," said the wolf. "You and I will travel together."

"Where's your home?"

"I don't have one anymore. I'm a traveler. I want to teach the wolves of the world an important lesson about life, but so far only few would listen to me. Most of my own pack wouldn't even welcome me."

"I'll listen," said Chris.

The wolf smiled. "Okay. In life, there are two ways to live: the right way and the wrong way. The wrong way is what your father has done...selfish and proud. No concern for anyone except his own kind...the alphas. I'm not saying that alphas are bad, but omegas do matter. I'm an omega."

"Really?" said Chris.

"Oh, yes," said the wolf. "Anyway, the right way to live is by realizing that there are more important things in life than pride, rank, and sexual relationships. By realizing your mistakes, admitting them, and learning from them, and by caring for others just like you would want them to care for you, you can live a better life, because you won't want to live any other way once you realize that."

"Wow," said Chris. At that moment, he felt a burden lift from him. The wolf was right.

"I can see it!" he said excitedly. "I can see it!"

The wolf chuckled. "So, you want to come with me to help me?"

"Yes, I'm ready," said Chris.

The wolf smiled. "Okay, let's go."

As they began walking, Chris said, "Wait! Who are you?"

The wolf smiled down at him. "My name's Don."