Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Alpha and Omega, I just own my O/C's

Alpha and Omega: The Zenith Prologue

Ciel and Barron met the next day, talked, hunted and then left and repeated that schedule for about a week before Barron decided that he would name Ciel one of his friends. Everyone else he knew, including his mother and father, advised against getting to know the scarred wolf. But he kindly refused to stay away from Ciel. He liked being near him.

When winter came, that was when Barron knew he fell for Ciel. Throughout Summer and Fall, the two were impossible to separate. Ciel informed Barron that his company was well appreciated, probably because no one else liked to be around the scarred wolf. Meanwhile, Barron felt closer to Ciel than he had with the rest of his friends. They spent some nights in the field of flowers until they wilted away and even then they sometimes stayed at the other's den just so they could talk and tell stories. Sadly, Roark started to take notice and started to look at Barron quizzically.

That winter was cold, even for winter. No one came out of their dens unless they absolutely needed to and when they were in their dens everyone was huddled up. Barron himself was trying to keep his little sister, Jane, warm as she laid next to him along with his parents, who were talking amongst themselves behind them. Even then, everyone was shivering, except Barron himself.

He didn't know what it was, but he loved winter and he preferred the cold much more than he did the heat. It was just how he had always been. If it wasn't for his sister and parents needing that warmth, he might be out running about and just enjoying the cold wind.

"B-barron" She managed, looking up at said wolf.

"Yeah?" Barron asked, looking down at her.

Jane was only around eight months old at the time of that winter, still a pup. She was the only sibling Baron had and she was a delight. When he heard that he had a sister, he was silently cursing himself for his luck. But she was a nice one, luckily and he liked spending time with her. She was given the rank of Omega by Roark not too long ago and while Barron's father expressed his distaste for the decision, Jane didn't care. She asked Barron that day if being an Omega was a bad thing, given that she saw how their father was reacting. Barron told her that if she didn't want it to be then it wasn't. He also told her that he wished he could have been an Omega, because he wanted to have as much fun as they do.

She worshipped her title from then on and stuck close to her brother. Barron, in turn, kept her safe and was always there when he needed her, even if that meant leaving Ciel's company.

"That wolf you hang out with all the time, the Alpha's son?" Jane asked, seemed like she was thinking of Ciel too.

"Ciel? What about him?" Barron asked, in a hushed tone.

Their parents didn't really approve of Barron being around Ciel all the time, they were skeptical of him, as were many of the wolves around here. For good reason too. Ciel was a little socially ignorant. He didn't really get how to talk to other wolves other than to give orders and, thanks to Barron's teachings, thank them. He asked personal questions a lot, very personal ones, that just seemed to pop up in his head. The most notable example was when he asked Barron if he had already mated someone. To which he responded no and said that he had to go somewhere.

Ciel also didn't understand the concept of lying.

"He asked me the other day if you were going to be here today, he sounded like it was urgent" Jane informed, keeping a hushed tone as well.

"Wait, did he say he wanted to come over?" Barron asked, not knowing how our parents would react to that.

"He just asked me that, but I haven't seen him yet" Jane replied, looking out to our den entrance.

Ciel and Jane got along all right, Barron thought. How to talk to pups was another thing that Ciel didn't get. He often talked to Jane as if she was a grown up, expecting her to know some of the more adult aspects of life. He was dumbfounded when he asked her how she preferred to kill rabbits and she didn't know how to.

Barron looked outside too, if Ciel wanted to see him then it might be something important. He was too busy patrolling to actually meet up with Ciel before he went out hunting. Jane, seeing Barron's concern, told him that she would be alright if he wanted to go check up on his friend for a bit. He thanked her and put her between his parents before stepping out and walking towards his friend's den.

He had a smile on his face as he looked for the noticeable trail and enjoyed the cold air that ran through his fur. But he also kept that smile on his face because he knew he was going to see Ciel again. It was weird, he thought, knowing that he felt something for the Alpha's son. If it was romantic, he wasn't sure. But he knew it was strong and that it was there. After spending so long with Ciel day after day, his friends started to refer to the Alpha's son as his girlfriend. The comments made his tail wag unintentionally, they noticed it and he stopped his tail with his own paws.

Then, once when he and his fellow Alphas had come back from hunting, he had received an injury to his right leg as a stag brought his antler to graze him. It was only slight but it did hurt as he and his friends hauled the kill back to see Ciel waiting halfway to help them haul in the kill. However, upon seeing the wound, Ciel asked how Barron got it before proceeding forward and licking Barron's wound in front of everyone. All of the guy stopped and stared as Ciel did something that was usually saved for mated couples to do, but he didn't know any better. It hurt slightly, but Ciel's tongue had a slightly numbing effect on Barron's wound, either it was that or the fact that every part of him felt numb from the fact that Ciel's tongue was on him. Barron blushed and everyone remained silent as he licked away the blood until the wound stopped bleeding and Ciel looked at everyone starring at him before asking "What?" They didn't respond and just turned back to hauling the kill with Ciel's help.

He liked being around Ciel but as far as romantic feeling went, he didn't know. Ciel was still a friend of his and a close one and Barron liked when did those things. But he didn't know how he felt about being with someone. In terms of guys or girls, he didn't think that what their sex was mattered. Although, he never had any romantic feelings for anyone, even though he knew they existed in him. Ciel might have been the first individual he felt anything for.

He just had to make it there to Ciel and maybe after a few weeks of doing stuff then perhaps he could get his feelings sorted out. Instead of making it all the way there however, Baron and Ciel ran into each other a little less than halfway between their two dens. Barron had just turned a corner around one of the many tall trees but found Ciel there as he turned, bumping into him. However, instead of Ciel falling back, like Barron thought he would, Ciel found his footing immediately like the professional that he was. So, they just stayed there, with Ciel's head in Barron's chest.

"Well," Barron started, smirking down at the wolf, "I guess that saved me a journey"

Barron wanted to blush again but he knew that it was just an accident. Even then, he couldn't help but feel the heat in his cheeks. Ciel looked up at Barron, and shook his head before backing up so that he wasn't cuddled up into his friend's chest.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there" Ciel said, looking around, "everything around here looks the same when its covered in snow and I was afraid that I got lost"

"You? Afraid?"

"Yes, even I can get a little afraid sometime" Ciel said, looking around and then shivering.

"Please excuse my candor, but, are you cold?" Barron asked, looking at Ciel and how he seemed to be trying to order his body to stop shaking.

"Y-yes, I am." He responded, his breath being seen through the white fog he exhaled, "I was wondering if I could spend the night over? Roark isn't at the den right now and I'm really cold"

'Ciel is cold' He thought as he looked at his scars without any fur on them. He was cold because of what his dad did, he thought. The hatred he had for Roark seemed to increase every time he looked at the scars and this was just something else to add to his list as to why he should dislike Roark.

Putting that aside, Barron quickly pressed his pelt against Ciel's own to give him the warmth he needed. Ciel, grateful for it, pressed against the bigger male as much as he could without hindering him as they began to walk. Ciel looked up at the male as he looked straight forward and walked with the ideal posture that one should have. It was normal for Barron to walk this way but it was just now that Ciel was beginning to question why he does so much.

"Thank you for this again, I hope I'm not intruding." Ciel apologized, taking a note from Barron's manners.

"Not at all, you're more than welcome into my family's den anytime" Barron replied, glancing down at Ciel for a second before his eyes went back to the road.

Ciel, warming up from the body he's pressed against, slowly starts to pick up the pace so as to get somewhere out of the could faster. Seeing his need to do so, Barron makes sure to be on his side that would block the most wind at all times. To others, it would appear as though the two were courting each other with how tightly they were pressed together. Luckily, however, no one was around to witness the scene.

Barron glanced down at the wolf as they eventually arrived at the den. Jane was there, waiting for the two wolves as they arrived at the den. She thought it was slightly suspicious when she first saw the two of them together but didn't think anything of it when she saw Ciel shivering slightly. Jane got along with Ciel pretty well, she often joked around with him by using sarcastic comments, idioms and other usages of words that someone like Ciel took all too seriously and didn't understand their hidden meaning. He, in turn, thought she was weird but exceedingly smart.

"Hey Ciel!" Jane greeted cheerfully, her tail wagging in the excitement at their guest.

"Jane" Ciel responded, giving her a slight and courteous bow.

Barron laid down towards the back of the den and, to his surprise, he was slowly followed by Ciel as he laid down right next to his friend, their pelts pressed together. He looked at the smaller wolf with a faint blush across his cheeks as Ciel started to have a conversation with Jane. They both really liked to talk to each other. Jane liked Ciel's naivete and how he didn't understand sarcasm or rhetorical questions. Ciel liked how Jane never ceased to ask questions that got him thinking, whether in their absurdity or their apparent connotation of deep thought.

Barron was too distracted with looking at Ciel to pay attention. He looked strangely attractive to Barron as Ciel. He was looking forward and not paying much attention to his companion but nevertheless looked appealing. Barron was ogling him, looking over his scarred body and liking what he was seeing but it was his eyes that he was drawn to. His dark blue and then light green eyes. They were the most memorizing thing about Ciel, most wolves, even those who weren't really a fan of him, tended to stare at least once at the combination of his eyes. Even with the loss of their luster, Barron still managed to get lost in them whenever they talked.

Ciel, feeling the pair of eyes on him, looked up at his friend and tilted his head in curiosity.

"Barron? Is something wrong?" He asked.

"No, sorry, I just got lost in thought." Barron replied with a smile.

It was then that Barron realized that he had feelings for Ciel. The grew and grew with each passing interaction. He was merciless when hunting, some would consider sadistic, and they would probably be right. However, his outlook was beautiful. He saw the light in nearly everything, even when others didn't. It was sometimes a dark way of seeing things, in fact, most of the time it was. But Barron found the outlooks to be just as beautiful as the individual who owns to them.

Barron had fallen in love with Ciel soon after. It was a rainy day when he found out, the breeze harassed the world around the pack, making things sway in defiance or topple in submission. Everyone was looking for shelter, even Barron. But he found Ciel in the middle of the field where the two wolves had their first real conversation. He walked over to his friend quietly, although he didn't need to because his approached was deafened by the wind and thunder. But Ciel stood there, looking up at all of it and seeing the flashes of white and the form of the gray clouds.

Barron didn't say anything as he approached, no heed to get inside and away from the dangerous lightning and impending rain. Instead, he stood there staring and when it started to rain, he closed his eyes and kept his head raised, letting the water pelt his fur and looking like he enjoyed it. Barron watched him, although he felt inclined to want to find cover from the storm. Then he saw something he hadn't seen before. Slowly, Ciel's normally grim visage began to change as a smile, the first smile I saw from him, crept up on his face and his tail slowly started to wag. Ciel inhaled the scent of the rain and enjoyed the feel of it as he was slowly becoming soaked.

Barron stood there and watched him, motionless as his eyes set upon a most rare sight. Ciel with a smile and generally appearing happy. Barron stared at him, the sense of wanting to find cover. He always thought that Ciel was kind of attractive but this is when he found out that Ciel, in all of his damaged appearance. But this was different, this was when Barron truly saw the wolf as the beautiful being that he would for years to come.

He was awestruck at how the wolf seemed so elated in the rain that was meant to bring fear and warning to others. He was amazing in his scarred and damaged appearance and soul. Barron felt a need to run up and kiss him, to embrace him, to make him as happy as the wolf did to him. But he kept away, even in that day with the rain, he didn't go up and talk to Ciel. He hid in the brush and waited for Ciel to be soaked and leave before he too walked away. But even then, he never acted upon his feelings.

Barron knew what Ciel's father thought about males who liked males. He didn't attempt to hide his contempt in the matter. So, knowing this, he never kissed the wolf, never flirted, never got too close unless Ciel requested it. But even then, he couldn't appear too happy. Even when he was asked by Ciel, there were always eyes watching them and he never knew who was truly behind those eyes. Roark always had eyes watching even when they weren't his own.

It remained that way for as long as he knew Ciel. Being cautious was his first priority with Ciel, but in solitude was where his thoughts flourished with images of him and Ciel—together. Roark had multiple times walked past Ciel and Barron as they conversed or walked together, his eyes beamed with suspicion and callousness. Ciel too, didn't seem to give off any signs that he wanted their friendship to bloom into something else. He was satiated with the visage they currently held.

As time passed, Barron got used to being watched and watching his own habits so as not to arouse suspicion. He took every opportunity, nonetheless, to enjoy the affection of Ciel. Helping him during hunts, talking amongst the cypress and in the field that radiated color. But his favorite times, as it was now with Ciel resting against him and sharing their warmth. Barron looked down at the male as he breathed gently.

Now that he was back in his pack and waiting for Roark to arrive and question him. He most likely questioned the other wolves who came back from that party. As for what he hopes to attain from these debriefings, Barron had no clue. All he knew was that they were informed that when they came back from this party that the questions were mandatory. As it turns out, he wouldn't have to wait that long before trouble started to brew.

"Barron?" A voice sounded as the said wolf was watching Ciel sleep, then turning his head to find that it was Roark who said his name.

"Oh, Roark, pardon me. Ciel invited me in." Barron explained, suddenly aware of how close he was to his companion but not making a move. He was requested to lay down by him after all.

But Roark took note of their proximity and stared slightly at the nonexistent gap that was between the two wolves before making his way inside and sitting down across from the two wolves. It made Barron nervous, to be so close to both Roark and Ciel at the same time. He wondered if Roark knew of his feelings towards Ciel and just didn't say something or if he was oblivious to it. The way he looked at Barron when Ciel was around him, made the gentlemanly wolf nervous. It was the look he was giving him right now.

"Its fine, how did it go over there? Everyone else seemed to think it was fun." Roark asked, looking at Barron and then to his son. He must've been wondering if Barron was going to move. But this small act of defiance stirred a bit of happiness in his breast.

"It was nice, I met a few interesting wolves" Barron replied, thinking of the few males he was tempted to engage with and then that one wolf that looked like Ciel. He'd have to remember to tell his friend about him.

Roark nodded and then yawned. It wasn't that late in the day, but Roark's age was starting to show and take its toll on his older body. He was starting to get tired more often. But he wasn't about to let Barron of all wolves notice that. So, he stood up and looked out at the entrance of his den before continuing to speak.

"Ah what types of wolves were there? Lone wolves? Wolves from packs?" Roark asked, then smirking to himself when he added at the last second: "Homosexuals?"

Barron was glad that Roark wasn't facing him, otherwise, he might have seen his face furrow for a second and then go back to its original state. He reminded himself to respond as quickly as he could.

"There were wolves of all kinds there" He answered, simply. "Very few worth of note."

Roark nodded and then Barron felt Ciel stir next to him. Barron watched him wake up, as he often liked to do, especially when he could tell Ciel was dreaming, he always seemed to be happy when he was dreaming. However, as soon as he looked over and saw that his father was present, he got up as quick as his still awakening body could manage and stood up straight.

"Ciel, it's not like you to be coddled." Roark informed, seeing his son pressed against another man.

"I'm sorry, Sir." Ciel responded, his head going down apologetically. He lost the little amount of light he had in his eyes when he fell asleep.

Barron peered at his companion as he apologized and let his ears go down. He wished Ciel could've gotten the sleep that he needed, that Barron knew he needed.

"You're forgiven, but sleep when its night, your work schedule is around this time." Roark insisted, not bothering to look at his son as he conversed.

Probably a good thing too, as Barron was currently scowling at the older wolf.

"Yes, Sir." Ciel replied, his eyes going to Barron and then their pressed together pelts before moving away.

Barron sighed internally when he felt Ciel's fur leave his own. But it couldn't be helped, Roark was present after all and Ciel wasn't known for being his usual self when his father was around. However now that he was awake and rested, Barron looked at Ciel and was reminded of that one wolf, Sirius. Not a lot was different about them, their fur colors were almost exactly the same but I was pretty sure that Ciel's fur was a little bit darker. Then of course, the scars were in somewhat different spots and Ciel had a few more. Their eyes were the main difference. Ciel's a brilliant light sky blue that I continued to get lost in and Sirius' were two different colors. One, his left, was emerald green and his other eye was a dark blue.

But, this long lasting look didn't go unnoticed.

"You're staring at my son an awful lot right now, Barron. Is something the matter?" Roark asked in a knowing tone.

Barron's ears perked up when he was caught in the act of looking too long at his companion and he turned to look at the man who caught him. Roark stood there, simply looking over his shoulder and at Barron, his lone seen eye filled with suspicion. It was then that Barron knew that Roark was aware of his feelings toward Ciel. But that wasn't going to make him sweat.

"I'm sorry Sir, no, nothing is wrong. Ciel was just reminding me of a wolf that I saw at the party." Barron informed, glancing at Ciel once more before turning to Roark.

Roark snapped at this and looked at Barron more sternly now. Was it out of disbelief? Barron had to wonder, but it didn't seem like he wasn't believing him, more like he was interested in the answer.

"A wolf that looks like Ciel? In what way?" Roark asked, his eyes narrowing on Barron.

The wolf himself raised his eyebrow at Roark's sudden interest. Even Ciel seemed more interested than he should have been, turning fully around rather than just facing Barron. He wanted to take no chance and hear what his friend had to say. Why were they looking so surprised?

"Ummmm, well, in most ways actually." Barron informed, speaking rather slowly at first as he wasn't used to being stared at in such a manner, "Same fur color, relatively same size, even the scars too…"

Roark took particular interest in the scars as he was up on all fours when he said the word. Barron was beginning to sense that something was wrong. Ciel didn't seem to care that much but he was taking interest in something that Barron wouldn't think Ciel would.

"His eyes? What color were they?" Roark asked, his gaze intensely focused on his subordinate.

"Well…colors…" Barron replied, "One was blue and the other was green…"

Ciel turned around now to face his father and seemed to be attempting to guess what he was thinking. Roark, on the other paw, looked almost puzzled at first and then the next second he was smirking to himself. Barron was a little weirded off by the way they were reacting and decided to find out.

"Ummmm, is something wrong?" Barron asked, looking between the two.

"Sirius" Roark said, looking at me while he said the name of the wolf, to which Barron flinched when he guessed the name of the wolf he mentioned.

"Y-yes Sir. That's him, but how did y-" Barron didn't get a chance to finish his sentence when Roark stepped forward, glaring at him and then leaning in close to the wolf.

"Barron, you're going to lead me and Ciel to that wolf you saw tomorrow morning. Rest well tonight." Roark ordered, then stepping aside and ordering Ciel to do the same, "You may leave now..."

Barron, not one to disobey orders, slowly complied. But not until after he took one more passing glance at Ciel and walked out, turning around once he found that he was out of the den.

"Sir, it's a likely event that by the time we get there that the party will have ended. Sirius will probably be gone with everyone else." Barron informed, in the most respectful manner he could manage.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take. Now, leave us, Ciel and I need to discuss a few matters…" Roark replied, then turning to his son and waiting before Barron was out of ear shot before starting to talk to his son.

That next morning, the three wolves set out to find Sirius. Roark left the pack's second in command, Doyle, in charge. He was known for being Roark's personal kiss ass around the pack and as well as being very like-minded with his Alpha. Barron worried for his family as he didn't get much time to talk to them before he had to leave again, but they would most likely be alright. However, what worried him most was the sudden change he noticed in his two companions.

Roark, as much of a bossy guy that he was, seemed more insistent than usual that they pick up the pace to arrive earlier than planned. It was a manageable change since Barron was more than capable of maintaining this forced upon pace. But what wasn't manageable for the wolf was the change in Ciel. He didn't converse once with Barron, not even when his father was out of ear shot. It was an unwelcome and sudden change that Barron felt worried about. Not so much as a look from his friend. His questions went unanswered or Ciel simply walked away. His comments, unheeded. The cold nights when he knew Ciel was cold went on without his friend's warmth.

For the first time since Ciel had joined their pack, Barron felt alone. Accompanied by two strangers. Barron felt abandoned as time went on. But he still looked at Ciel with the same amount of admiration that he did before. His feelings didn't change even though he felt like he was talking to a stranger.

He would get his answer as to why he was being avoided, two days before they found the party. When Roark was off getting a drink and Ciel was coming back from his. Ciel simply passed Barron closer than he usually did and whispered in his ear:

"My dad says to stay away from you…he knows what you are…" Ciel said quietly, even though Roark was nowhere close to us. "Please, be careful…I don't know what he'll do if you're left alone with him."

Barron looked at Ciel as he passed and said those words. 'He knows what you are' Ciel must know too then. But he didn't try to comfort him like Barron was hoping he would do. No more words, just a warning. That was all he got from his best friend that he hoped he would one day be able to confide in. The way he said it too. No emotion, he was used to Ciel not having emotion but not as coldly as he did in that warning. But that was the least of his worries. His Alpha knew and could expose him at any time, have him kicked out and possibly his family if they chose to follow him. He knew they would too.

Barron slept away from them that night, he needed to. He didn't want to give Roark the satisfaction of letting him hear his angered grunts and cries as he slammed his paws and head against a tree. He was careful not to let himself bleed but he didn't feel satisfied by the end of the night when he was finished. Even then, he couldn't stand to see Roark, the man who could ruin his life with a few words to his pack. And he couldn't talk to Ciel, the one would he wanted to more than anyone else.

Update! Okay, this is the last chapter for the Prologue to The Zenith (still a working title) and I hope you guys enjoyed it. And I hope you guys can give me some feedback as to what you think about the characters. The story is going to take place a few months or maybe a year after The Accepted. Also, I'm going to be updating Ginga Densetsu Corvus next as a request from one of my reviewers and because I personally feel bad for not updating that story is such a long time. Well I've rambled on enough so please tell me what you guys think and as I always say…

Until Next Time!