A/N: I'm not entirely sure why this fic has suddenly gotten so popular but I strive to meet my readers' demands. So here's the next chapter and I hope you enjoy it.
A pack of five wolves slowed their gait as they approached the outskirts of the town. The largest wolf – a large, silver-haired animal – sniffed the wind, nodding when he found the scent he was looking for.
We're in the right place. Axel is somewhere down there. A smaller blond wolf let out a yip of joy but was quickly put in his place by a larger wolf. The wolf's fur was an interesting shade of white which darkened down to bluish tips.
Keep hold of yourself, Demyx. The wolf admonished and the blond wolf whined, flattening himself onto the ground in submission.
Don't be mean, Zexion. We haven't seen Axel in forever. The white-haired wolf rolled his eyes as the two smallest wolves – a brown-haired male and a blonde female – snickered.
What's the plan, Riku? The brown-haired wolf asked. The silver wolf sniffed the wind again.
I can't get a location. There are three possible places he could be. Sora, Riku stated, indicating the brown wolf. You'll come with me. Zexion, take Demyx and check out the second scent trail. Namine, he stated, turning to the blonde wolf, follow the third scent trail. With their orders received, the wolves separated.
Riku and Sora swung wide, entering the town from the north. As they reached the residential areas they both shifted into human form. Taking a moment to re-orient themselves to two legs Sora grinned as he shook out his unruly locks.
"So where are we headed?" he asked his mate. Riku took a moment to run fingertips through his silver strands.
"This way," he stated, leading the younger man towards the business section of the town. Sora bounced along happily next to his mate. Navigating the streets with ease, it wasn't long before the two werewolves found themselves outside a small bookstore. Riku paused at the door as he scented the air.
"Something's not right," he stated as he peered through the window.
"Not right, how?" Sora asked as he tilted his head. "It smells like Axel to me."
"There's…something else. An underlying scent…like sea salt." As Riku struggled to explain, Namine approached her alphas.
"I found the apartment but it was empty," she told them quietly. Riku nodded absentmindedly but Sora gave the soft-spoken girl a wide grin.
"Come on." Riku ordered before opening the door and leading the way into the bookstore. The bell above the door caught them off-guard and they froze as if expecting an attack.
"I'll be right with you!" a voice shouted. Sora frowned.
"That's not Axel. …why do I recognize that voice?" he asked no one in particular.
"You know the voice?" Riku asked his mate. Sora's brows furrowed in concentration and silence fell. The sound of books being shelved was the only noise for a minute before heavy footsteps began heading their way. Sora remained lost in his own thoughts and with Riku's attention riveted on his mate Namine was the first to sight the blond.
"Sorry about the wait, what can I -"
"Roxas!" Sora shouted, jerking out of his reverie and launching himself at the other man.
"Sora?" he asked, voice unsure. The brown-haired boy pulled back and gave the blond a wide grin. "Sora!" Roxas shouted, matching the other boy's grin and yanking him back into a bone-crushing hug. "Where the hell have you been?" Roxas demanded as he let go and slugged the teen in the arm. Riku went to move forward but Sora shook his head. "Last thing I heard you got yourself a boyfriend and then nothing."
"I'm sorry, Roxas," Sora stated sadly.
"It's been two years. What the hell would I have said to mom if she were still alive?" the blond demanded and Namine couldn't help the gasp that escaped. It was only then Roxas remembered the others - not that it dimmed his anger.
"If I might explain," Riku began.
"You…stay…out of this," Roxas snarled and Riku blinked. Yep, this was definitely Axel's mate. Before anything further could be discussed mass hysteria broke out as Zexion arrived dragging Demyx and Axel with him. With all the overlapping voices nothing was getting resolved which only served to incite Roxas' anger further.
"ENOUGH!" Riku bellowed. The instant silence echoed throughout the bookstore. "Sora," he continued, his voice back to his usual soft tone, "perhaps you should explain to us how you know Roxas."
"He's my big brother." The silence that followed Sora's simple statement was even louder than its predecessor.
"I didn't know you had a brother," Axel stated, turning to where Roxas stood glowering at everyone.
"That's because we know practically nothing about each other. Idiot."
"You're Axel's mate?" Sora asked eagerly, his blue eyes wide with excitement. Roxas turned to glare at his brother and Sora pouted. "Don't be mad, brother."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just found out my baby brother isn't dead but running around with werewolves. How would you like me to act?" he asked.
"In his defense, it was an accidental imprinting," Riku said quietly.
"You," Roxas stated, whirling to face the silver-haired alpha, "don't talk to me." Demyx whined in the back of his throat. He really didn't want to see Axel's mate killed.
"Demyx, I doubt Riku is going to kill his mate's brother for being pissed off," Zexion stated, watching the scene impassively. "Especially when he's right to be angry," he stated, looking pointedly at Sora.
"I know. Roxas, I'm really, really, really sorry," Sora stated.
"They said you were dead, Sora," Roxas grit out. "They buried you. I buried you because you couldn't be bothered to write," he told him, turning and letting Axel wrap a comforting arm around him.
"Roxas…" Sora trailed off, not needing his enhanced senses to know his brother was fighting back tears. The younger teen hung his head. "I didn't mean to. Riku accidentally imprinted on me and I didn't handle it as well as you did. I ran," he confessed. "By the time Riku found me and everything else… Mom had already died and I was mixed up with werewolves. I thought you'd have an easier time if you didn't have to worry about me." Silence ensued before Roxas mumbled something that was muffled into Axel's chest. "What?" Sora asked and Roxas turned his head.
"I said you're an asshole." Apparently this absolved Sora because the younger teen grinned and pounced his big brother.
"I get the distinct feeling I'm never going to understand their interactions," Riku stated as he crossed his arms.
"You and me both," Axel stated, slapping the other alpha on the back. "Come on," he said, leading the group out of the store. "Let's talk shop."
"I don't think we'll all fit in the apartment. And we definitely don't have enough food," Roxas confessed.
"So we'll grab a back booth at the diner," Axel stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Roxas hung back.
"That's not such a good idea," he stated, his eyes flickering to his brother. "It's…it's Kairi's favorite place to eat." Sora's face drained of color.
"Oh god," he groaned. "I completely forgot about Kairi."
"Okay," Riku intervened, his brain quickly devising a plan. He had no idea who Kairi was but the thought of her clearly caused his mate distress. "Sora, you and Demyx go back to the apartment with Roxas. The rest of us will talk at the restaurant." Orders received, the group split.
"I can't believe you still work at the bookstore," Sora stated.
"What did you think I would be doing? When mom died, we lost the house. The money from the bookstore paid for rent instead of college. Besides, when Merlin retired he transferred ownership to me," Roxas stated, shrugging.
"I'm sorry," Sora said quietly. "I really did think it would be easier on you if I stayed away."
"I know," Roxas replied as he dug into his pocket for his key. "You were wrong, but I know." He said it with no judgment in his voice and Sora gave him a small smile.
"So, we never actually got introduced," Demyx stated, bouncing on the balls of his feet as Roxas unlocked his door. "I'm Demyx." The name triggered something in Roxas' brain and the smaller blond wracked his memories, trying to remember.
"You're one of Axel's friends. One of the people with him when he got bit." Roxas recalled and the taller blond beamed.
"Yeah, Zexion was the other," Demyx stated, pretending to draw bangs over his right eye. Roxas remembered seeing a smaller man hanging back with a slight blonde.
"Your mate," Roxas stated and Demyx treated him to another smile.
"You're sharp. That's good 'cause you'll have to be with Axel around." Demyx stated. Roxas merely shrugged before heading into the kitchen, his heart beating stronger as he thought of Axel by himself with the other werewolves. "You don't have to worry about Axel, you know," the wiry blond stated, hearing Roxas' heartbeat speed up. "He's been taking care of himself forever."
"I'm not worried!" Roxas snapped.
"But -" Demyx began but Sora vehemently shook his head and the blond took it as the warning it was. Never try to tell Roxas what he was feeling.
The restaurant was bustling with activity which was good for the four people huddling in a corner booth. As they finished placing their orders silence reigned as their server walked away.
"This is fortunate," Riku stated and Zexion and Namine nodded their agreement. Axel relaxed, glad to know he wasn't going to be ex-communicated. "However, there is bad news."
"We've received news," Namine continued, brushing her bangs out of her face. "Larxene is looking to continue Xemnas' plans and she's amassing an army with Marluxia as general." She paused as Axel growled low in his throat. "Calm yourself," she soothed. "The kingdom is preparing for war. Now, we can't use our homestead as a camp - there are too many women and children. Besides, most of our young and bitten ones have never had to live through a war."
"So you'd send your potential fighters here," Axel stated.
"You're our best fighter," Zexion informed him. "It's not praise, it's a fact. There's a fair amount of land for sale on the outskirts of town, and there's an old mansion included. We could make it into a second homestead."
"You'd be in charge here but you'd still answer to me," Riku stated. "And instead of traveling around, you'd only have to investigate direct threats to both homesteads." Axel stayed quiet and thought over the proposition. It was very enticing - everything he could have hoped for since he'd had his normal life ripped from him. But he wasn't sure how this new arrangement would affect Roxas. "Think about it," Riku said softly, sensing Axel's thoughts. "Talk it over with Roxas and get back to us. Zexion and Demyx will stay in town. When you decide, you can either send one to gather the others or both to turn the offer down." Glancing at the wall clock the silver-haired alpha realized how late it had gotten. "If you'll excuse me, I think it's time I gathered Sora and returned." He exited swiftly and after giving Axel a quick hug Namine floated after him.
"It's a good offer," Zexion said quietly as they headed back to the apartment. "And a strategic move."
"You know I'd never challenge Riku - not after everything he's done for us."
"I mean it's a strategic move in terms of protecting Roxas." Zexion clarified and Axel halted. The smaller man turned to face him. "It's no longer a question of 'if' there's a war; it's a question of 'when'. Neither Larxene nor Marluxia is the forgiving type - Larxene in particular since you killed her mate. They both want revenge. Do you really think Roxas would be safe from them?" Zexion's words were like a bucket of cold water to the alpha and he stared at his friend in horror. "I don't mean to say it so callously but you have to be aware of the possibility. You need contingency plans."
"You're right. I keep forgetting that it's not just about me anymore." Axel replied, smiling wryly. "And I'll talk with Roxas but I've got a feeling a whole bunch of werewolves are going to be moving to Twilight Town."
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