He had hoped to say goodbye to Lovino but they were out of the city by the first morning light. "Are we coming back?" He asks as he turns to see the city already far off in the distance. "I mean after we see my brother."
"I don't see why not." Allistor answers as Antonio's words replay over and over in his head. "Though I do suggest finding a nice place ta stay beforehand so you can have the baby."
Quickly Alfred hides the fear in his voice. "Oh right. Yeah of course."
"Didn't even think about that did you?" Abel says sweetly as he nudges his mate.
Alfred shoves him playfully back already seeing where their conversation is going. "Not one bit."
"You're a liar." Abel answers tempted to tease the Omega further. "You're pretty damn smart though you like to play dumb." He says with a smirk as he follows the Omega further up the trail.
Behind them the other two shake their heads watching at the two ahead continue to push and shove at each other. "They're like teenagers."
"Well one still is." Allistor smiles as he wonders who will gain the upper hand. "But as long as their happy I guess."
"Yeah though if they keep this up I'm going to separate them."
Now the Fox lets out a laugh seeing Abel pick Alfred up into his arms. "Good luck with that." He says wondering if their whole journey will be this way.
As the four climb higher the mountains around them start to change. At first its slowly then suddenly after traveling for a few weeks the rocks and cliffs turn into rocky woodlands that seem to stretch over miles until they turn into snow covered peaks higher above. While the woods should be full of life they are almost silent. No birds chirp, not even bees can be heard giving the woods almost eerie feeling. "Stay close." Gilbert says though they're nearing their final destination. "Something isn't right…" He sniffs the air as Abel does the same. "Smell that?" He says knowing that while there's danger in the air they'll still have to part ways. They've come this far and it would break Alfred's heart and trust if they just turned around.
"Yeah and I don't like it."
Alfred tries to pick up on the scent but is at a loss. "What is it?"
"It's more like what we don't smell." Allistor's eyes scan the area seeing the gates of the clans in the distance. "Gilbert, don't hesitate if yah see anything hell howl if yah have ta and we'll do the same."
"Are we really still doing this?"
"Abel we came this far." Allistor pulls back his hair into a pony tail before chanting a quick spell; while he'd rather go in his more human form the clan inside will want to see foxes at their door. So as he continues to chant were his ears once was are now red pointed ears and as he stops his chant a bushy tail pokes out from behind him.
It's an amazing sight for Alfred to see and really he can't help himself. "Well don't you look sexy."
"Shut up and come here so I can do the same ta you."
Alfred blinks confused. "I can transform?"
"Not really but I can work up a little magic so they won't slam the door in our faces." He flicks Alfred's ears and watches as they grow blonde fur as they form soft points. "You don't get a tail but at least they'll believe you're more fox than wolf."
Gingerly Alfred touches one of his ears in awe. "Whoa…" He says. "This is cool but…" He starts before hugging his Wolf mate goodbye. "I'll miss you two."
While Gilbert doesn't want to let him go he kisses his mate goodbye. "You'll see us in a few days." He says with a warm smile. "Don't go anywhere alone and if you have to have your knife close by."
"I will," Alfred says letting Gilbert pat his head before turning to the Neko. "Stay out of trouble."
"Only if you do." Abel says hugging him. He gives a soft purr before turning to his old friend. "I know I don't have to tell you to stay sharp."
"Yah don't but I appreciate it anyway." While he should expect it he's still surprised when the Neko hugs him. "I'll keep him safe don't yah worry."
"I know you will." Abel says as Gilbert nods. It's hard for them but as Allistor takes Alfred's hand they know they'll see the pair soon.
For a moment the two walk in silence until the looming gates come into view. The gates are the only opening with the whole village surrounded by large oak beams that reach to the sky above. While they could easily walk in they don't dare go any closer than fifty feet. "Yah remember what I told yah right?" When Alfred nods he continues to speak. "Don't look at them. Just stare at your feet and don't speak unless spoken to. Hell even if you spot your brother, don't say one word."
"When can I see him?"
"With any luck within an hour or never. Either way be prepared for the worst." His grip on Alfred's hand tightens as two Foxes appear at the gates. "Alright here we go…"
Quickly Alfred looks down as his ears press against his head as the two older men stand between them and the village. "Half breed." He hears said in a disgusted voice. "What brings you here?"
"To see Matthew of the Crimsons now of the Purple Night." Allistor answers standing tall with his eyes fixated forward. "This is his brother Alfred of the Crimsons now of the Silver Mist." As he says it he sees what appears to be fear flash in the eyes of one of the men. "I am Allistor of the Silver Mist."
"Last of your kind aren't you?"
The comment is followed by a smirk that gets the Alpha's blood boiling. "I am…" he says trying to hide behind his mask. "But as you can see we plan on changing that."
"So what brings you here? Matthew is part of our clan."
"Yes we just wish to let his brother know that he's mated to a pure clan. Perhaps in time bearing pure children again."
He's answered by a laugh this time from the other man. "Oh a native dreamer, you are part of the Silver Mist. Once a half breed always a half breed no matter how 'pure' your children will be they will still be tainted by his blood."
The words sting but he continues to stare down as he squeezes his mate's hand tightly. "Perhaps," Allistor answers.
"Perhaps nothing child. He and they will be but since you've come all this way it would be wrong to turn away brothers." The Fox smiles as he offers a hand to Allistor. "I'm Dominick and this is my brother Emilio and we are the Chiefs of the Purple Night. You may enter and follow us to the main hall. We'll bring your brother there and he may keep you for the night."
"Just one night?" Emilio asks, while he trusts his older brother's judgment he's always had a soft spot for expecting Omegas even if they are half breeds. "Let them have a few nights. What harm could they bring?"
Instantly Dominick whips his head back and glares at the black haired fox. "We will discuss this later, until then it's one night." As the younger starts to open his mouth to protest Dominick lets out a growl. "Do not question me. Now take them to the Main hall."
Emilio has no choice but to lower his eyes and nod. "Fine, follow me." Once he's out of his brother's ear shot he turns back to the couple. "I apologize for my brother's temper he's wary of strangers."
"Best to be in these times." Allistor answers as Alfred sneaks a peak at the man they're following. The Chief appears to be in his early thirties with golden eyes from what Alfred can see. Once the Chief looks his way though he darts his eyes back down. "At least for some, ain't like the Wolves have anything to worry about."
"Ain't that the truth." Emilio answers with a laugh as he opens a wide door. "Your brother will be here shortly until then make yourselves at home."
"Thank you." Allistor says but once the door is close he spits into the dirt. "Bastards."
"Are all Fox clans like this?"
While the room is dimly light Allistor can still see the hurt in his mate's eyes. "I'd be lying if I said no. But they take it to a whole new level."
"Great, my father picked a wonderful clan for my brother." He crosses his arms as he lets out a sigh. "But at least they'll let me see him."
"Yeah." He says as there's a knock on the door. "Well either that's him or they changed their minds."
"Would they really do that?" Before Allistor answers the door opens. There staring back at him is a face he'd never thought he'd see again. "Mattie?" He asks unable to believe his eyes. His brother who had always been a lean man seems to be wasting away. "Bro? What happened to you?" Alfred asks taking his brother into his arms, both happy and horrified.
Matthew doesn't say a word as he holds his twin close equally surprised by his brother's transformation. "Don't worry about it." He finally says hearing his brother start to whimper softly in his arms like he would when they were children. "And stop being such a pup."
"Only if you tell me what the fuck happened to you."
Matthew rolls his eyes thankful to see that his brother hasn't changed on bit. "It was a bad winter, fewer crops," He starts with a warm smile as he rests his forehead on his brother's, "but you know I could ask you the same thing." For the first time since Matthew walked in does he look over at the tall Alpha watching with a cigarette in his teeth. "Didn't think Father would have both of us mate with Foxes."
"He didn't. I ran away and Allistor found me and well…" Alfred says as he starts to blush softly as his mate chuckles hearing the slight stutter in his mate's voice.
"It's a long story really but it's nice ta meet you Matthew. I've heard quite a bit about you." He gives the younger man a smile as he extents his hand for Matthew to shake. Once Matthew takes his hand Allistor smiles. "And I'm sure you two have a lot to catch up on."
"Yeah um my home's not far away and I'm mated too actually so you'll get to meet her too." Now it's the other twin's turn to blush as Alfred wraps his arm around his brother's shoulders.
"Aww Dude is my bro a father now too?"
Matthew shakes his head as he leads them out. "Not quite um…" He starts as every eye in the village watch them walk down the main road towards the young Alpha's small home. "I'll explain later okay?" Matthew whispers wishing that he could become invisible for a moment.
"Yeah no problem since I mean we have all night."
His wide smile is something Matthew's missed so much and even with the whole clan watching he returns his brother's smile. "Yeah we do."
