Sam knew he wasn't alone in the forest. He was being stalked and would need to use everything he'd learned thus far as a hunter in order to survive and take down the predator by himself.

Words of wisdom from his father came back to him.

"Never forget you are a hunter but also prey to most creatures…use all your senses…stay alert…"

He spotted tracks in the snow leading up to an old growth maple laden with ice from the storm the night before. Sam spotted a sliver of orange peeking out from behind the tree and he smiled.

"Getting sloppy, big brother…"

Sam crept up, both gloved hands holding well packed snowballs but before he could use them, Dean appeared from nowhere and had him on the ground before Sam had a chance to defend himself.

He thrashed around before using his legs to wrap around his brother's waist to lock them together. There was no yelling or smack talk, this was a hunting exercise plain and simple with the added bonus of snowballs instead of weapons.

There was a lot of grunting and wrestling around and ultimately Dean ended up on top, straddling his brother.

"Now I've gotcha, what if I was a freakin' wood monster or something, then what would you do Sammy boy?"

"Is there such a thing as a wood monster?"

"I don't know but you sure as hell wouldn't wrap your legs around it."

Sam sat up and kissed Dean, right on his cold, cherry red lips then said "wood monster" and started laughing.

Dean got to his feet and gave his brother a playful kick with his boot, "What the hell, Sam."

Sam stood and brushed the snow off his jeans, "I win, you should have pinned me down and all it took was a smooch to get you off me."

"No way, you didn't win because you let yourself get in a weak position in the first place."

Dean dragged Sam by the hand over to the maple and presented a long stick with Dean's orange pattern winter beanie stuck on the top, "You've gotta be careful."

Sam felt he failed and bowed his head, "I know I messed up."

"Hey, that's why we call it practice. I'll say you put up a hell of a fight though. You kept it quiet and saved your energy and the leg move was pretty awesome even if it wasn't right for the situation." Dean took the beanie and put it on Sam and then kissed his forehead. "We better get back."

Sam's face lit up like a Christmas tree both from the praise and the kiss even though it wasn't on the lips. He tapped Dean on the shoulder, "Tag, you're it!" He took off running for the house with Dean on his heels.

Waiting for them at the end of the exercise was chocolate chip pancakes.

…..

December 31st

Dean helped Bobby load up his truck while Sam finished packing him a big lunch for the road. It was back to reality and for Bobby that meant another job to do but it was to help out Jamie and he liked working with the omega though he'd never say it.

Sam handed Bobby a thermos and a paper bag with sandwiches and cookies. The boy rubbed his runny nose with his sleeve. Bobby pressed the back of his hand to Sam's sweaty forehead, "Poor kid, you look like hell. I don't know if I should leave."

Dean patted his brother on the back, "Don't worry, I know how to take care of him."

Bobby whistled and Rumsfeld jumped into the passenger side of the truck.

"If anything goes sideways, which it shouldn't because I've got wardings around here up the wahzoo, call me day or night. I can't promise I'll answer right away if I'm in the middle of something but I'll get back to you."

Once Sam was out of earshot, Bobby brought up a delicate subject. They'd gotten in an argument over Dean going to the doctor. Even though Dean only had a total of two heat cycles it bothered Bobby to keep him in the house during that time like some sort of animal.

The first cycle when Dean presented was safe because he was in a motel with his brother and nowhere to go. The cycle Bobby witnessed was a real eyeful and he learned exactly what Dean was like during that time. The teen was alternately growling and snapping at everything or extra affectionate with Sam and he took to locking himself in the bathroom doing god knows what.

"Dean, about that argument we had yesterday…when I get back I'm setting up a doctor appointment for you."

Dean's whole demeanor changed, his body stiffened up and his smile faded. Even though this was Bobby it felt like shades of John all over again.

"I don't wanna go to a doctor."

Bobby checked his watch, "Hang in there kid, don't get lost in your own head over this. I want you to think about it while I'm gone."

It was too late; the omega's mind was already racing trying to decide on fight or flight.

"Son, unclench those fists and take a breath. This is me, not your dad."

Dean growled, "Then don't talk like him."

…..

Sam had his eyes closed and a dopy smile on his face while Dean shampooed his hair. His doting brother had run a hot bath for Sam and was trying to make him feel better. It always worried Dean was Sam was sick because his baby brother was a very healthy kid.

Dean soaped up a washcloth and started washing his brother's face but Sam pushed his hand away, "I'm not a baby and I can wash my own face." This had less to do with Sam's pride and more to do with the funny way he felt when Dean was washing his hair. It was like a hundred butterflies had taken up residence in his belly and it made him all tingly.

Dean tossed the washcloth in the water, "fine, do it yourself. Your voice sounds like a barking seal so don't forget the cough medicine after supper."

Sam looked up at him with those pretty, foxtail eyes and said sweetly, "but I thought you'd give me medicine after I get all snuggly in bed."

Dean let out a sigh of exasperation, "One minute you aren't a baby and the next you're acting like one. Make up your mind Sammy, you are one confusing kid."

"That's cause I'm confused!"

"Alright, I'll warm up that chicken soup Bobby made. You need to get something in your belly before I give you that foul tasting crap."

…..

Danny missed Dean like crazy over the long Christmas vacation. He was like no one Danny had ever encountered before. The eighth grader wasn't just pretty; he had a reputation for being tough and that was intriguing. Daniel loved the omega's lips, always plump, soft and pink just as he picked Dean's other lips would be like.

Danny hadn't fucked an omega before and now it was all he could think about.

It was New Year's Eve and the athlete had his pick of parties to go to but he had some place else he'd rather be. He called Dean and when the omega answered the phone just the sound of his voice got the alpha hard.

"Hey beautiful, it's Danny. What are you up to?"

Dean was surprised and excited. So far their relationship only existed in the confines of school whenever they could see each other. High school and middle school didn't exactly mix.

"I'm not doing much. My uncle went to work and my kid brother has a wicked cold. I just got him fed, medicated and sleeping."

"Really, that's great. I'll be right over."

"Um…I don't know, I mean I'd like to see you but Uncle Bobby said no visitors." Bobby had actually said he'd keelhaul anyone entering his house without permission. Bobby didn't own a boat but Dean didn't doubt he'd buy one just to do it.

"Hey, he's not there so who cares? Besides, I got you a Christmas present and I want to give it to you in person."

Dean let down his guard when he heard that. It wasn't so much about getting a gift as it was having a boy care enough to give him one.

Even though Dean had been through more in his short life than most adults and certainly seen horrors others could only imagine, in the end Dean was like any other thirteen year old with no experience in the ways of the heart. Part of growing up meant not only dating and all the excitement and joy that came with it, but also the pain and disillusion.

"Ok, but you gotta be quiet. I don't want Sam to wake up so park at the top of the driveway. I'll give you the address."

"I already know right where you live."

"Yeah, there is nothing creepy about that…"

After a long silence the alpha let out a dark laugh, "What, it's not like I'm stalking you."

…

Dean got a fire going and left the Christmas tree lights on to set what he hoped was a romantic mood. It worked in the movies so the teen was pretty confident. He didn't know what to expect other than more making out. He hoped they would do things they couldn't get away with in school like touching skin to skin. Dean got wet just thinking about that.

By the time Danny showed up, Dean was a sweaty mess from nerves. He didn't even sweat this much while hunting. He wiped his clammy hands on his jeans and opened the door and there stood Danny with his big smile and wavy brown hair covered in snowflakes, looking every inch the lead in some sort of chick flick Christmas movie. He held a paper grocery bag and used his free arm to draw the omega to his chest.

Dean discreetly smelled Danny and there was the unmistakable funk of alpha teenager which was repellent to some but catnip for a young omega. His dick got instantly hard and it was pressed uncomfortably against Danny's erection. The alpha whispered in his ear and the feel of the warm breath caused a shiver through Dean's body.

"Horny little cock tease."

Dean pulled away and took the bag from him, turning his back so Danny couldn't see how red his face was.

"I'm not a tease." Dean opened the bag to find a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream. "What's this stuff?"

"You'll like it, its cream, cocoa and whisky. Sweet and naughty just like you." He slapped the omega's ass and took the bottle from him.

They ended up on the couch sharing the bottle between them. The drink warmed Dean's belly and he enjoyed the little buzz he got from the liqueur. Each sip was followed with deep exploration of each other's mouths. Danny sucked and licked every inch of Dean's neck eliciting little moans and whimpers.

Deft fingers worked the zipper open on the omega's jeans and when his dick sprung out from its denim prison, Danny sat back to get a good look.

"Fuck, you've got a big cock! I thought omegas would have small dicks." Danny thumbed the head then jerked his hand away when pre-cum dribbled out. This was the first cock he'd ever touched besides his own and he wasn't sure how he felt about it yet.

Dean was so excited he shot a load in the air that landed all over the alpha's jeans. It was hard to hold in the noises he wanted to make but he didn't want to wake up Sam.

Danny stood up, "Damn it! Give a guy some warning before you do that." He took the blanket over the back of the couch and wiped it off. Dean put a pillow over his lap and even in dim light Danny could see the omega shutting down because of his reaction.

"Crap, gotta do damage control…"

The young alpha sat down again and put his arm around Dean, "Sorry, I just didn't expect that."

"Yeah well I've got a regular dick like any other guy and stuff happens."

"Ok, ok I get it." Danny took a tiny box from his coat pocket and handed it to Dean, "Merry Christmas, beautiful."

Dean opened it and inside was a thin metal rope bracelet, "Wow, thanks."

Danny fastened it around the omega's slender wrist then kissed his hand, "That's real gold over silver. This means you belong to me now."

Dean frowned as he turned his wrist to admire the bracelet, "I don't belong to anybody."

"I meant now you're my boyfriend."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

….

Sam rolled off his belly and lay there trying to breathe through his nose but it was no use. Still feeling miserable, he forced himself out of bed to take a pee and blow his nose. He turned on the lamp and saw his warm and cozy brother wasn't in bed yet.

"Dean said I was snoring last night…he must be on the couch."

After his trip to bathroom, Sam crept downstairs and peered into the living room to make sure Dean was ok. His brother was there alright, lying in front of the fireplace with his shirt off and jeans undone. Next to him was a young male stranger sucking on Dean's nipple and working his hand inside the omega's pants.

TBC