The spark the pack had before reaching the village has been replaced with a strange tension as the Fox and wolf fight for dominance. Alfred refuses to take sides as he wonders what happened to his brother, he as well as Michelle had disappeared shortly after the howl was called out. Deep down he knows his brother will be fine, probably happier out from under the clan's thumb but he'd feel better with Matthew by his side.

"The damn thing is Wolves only ain't it?" Alfred over hears in front of him. It's the same argument they've been having for the past few weeks. He's grown to know exactly what each one will say before one will storm off up ahead. So since he'd rather listen to his own thoughts he lags behind.

Sure enough once he's by himself his father's voice returns. "They're acting like children."

With a chuckle Alfred stretches his arms above his head. "For once I agree with you." Once he hears a pop in his spine he picks up his pace so only not to lose them. "I just don't understand what changed."

"You're not meant to."

"Oh come on we were just starting to get along don't sneak an insult in." Ahead of him he can see flags flying high in the wind. "I know you were going to say cause you're an Omega shit and blah, blah, blah."

He hears a warm chuckle. "Something like that." The voice answers before disappearing once again into the back of Alfred's mind as he catches up to Abel near the first few makeshift shops.

Ahead of them the other two are squaring off. "Well Kid you didn't miss much."

"I can see that." Alfred says with a tired sigh as a few Wolves whistle his way. He ignores them as he takes Abel's hand walking towards the two. "So what are we getting?" He says with a cheery smile hoping to avoid another fight.

It works as both turn to look at him in slight confusion. "Supplies and a few odds and ends." Gilbert answers seeing familiar eyes in the crowd. "Are you following us?" He asks as his brother steps out from the large crowd. "Bet you wanted to meet my awesome mate didn't you?"

Ludwig rolls his eyes. "We've been here for two days but," Ludwig says reaching a hand out to Alfred. "Hello I'm Gilbert's brother." It comes with a warm smile that Alfred can't help but return. "I'm Ludwig."

"Alfred. Nice ta meet you Dude." From the corner of his eyes he can see Gilbert smiling proudly as Allistor looks off in the distance with a look of pain written all over his face though he doesn't say one word until the wolf fades back into the crowd.

"Once we're done here we should move south."

"The snow will beat us to the southern borders." Gilbert answers as a few in the crowd turn to watch.

Allistor lets out a sharp hiss. "Not if we hurry up besides we would have made it with time to spare if someone didn't want to waste time coming up here in the first place." He inches closer to the Wolf. "But someone wanted to be a dick and show off our mate to his brother."

"Guys," Alfred starts before being struck with a sharp pain that radiates down his body. "Ah…"

Neither notice. "Oh I'm the dick now? What about when you left as you say our mate back in the middle of a village attack to play in the woods?"

"Play?" Allistor practically yells out. "You know what, go fuck yourself. I'll go south on my own then! I'd rather be among Jackals." He turns on his heels storming away not caring about the laughs or side comments being thrown his way. Allistor shoves past the crowd even as Gilbert continues to call out to him. Just as breaks free of the wolves he feels someone holding his hand. "Let go." He says gritting his teeth thinking it's Alfred come to bring him back.

"No." Gilbert answers holding tighter until the fox rips his hand away. "It's a fucking suicide mission." He starts as Allistor turns away again. "I know you want to find him."

"You don't know shit!" Allistor yells spinning around, his finger pointing at the wolf's chest. "You know your brother is still alive, that you love him and would give up everything for him!" Gilbert instinctively touches his right leg. "You can go back and apologize or grovel to get a home back."

"So killing yourself is what? The answer?" He's provoking his old friend but it's the only way he'll ever get answers. "Leave Alfred? Huh? Did you even think what this will do to him?"

"It's your kid so don't you fucking dare play this mind game with me. Because-"

"What? Because he 'knows' you love him? You're still walking out on him like a fucking jackass." For a moment Allistor looks like Gilbert just slapped him across the face. "Yeah he's your brother but that kid," Gilbert points back to the crowd. "Is your mate."

It's as if the whole world around them disappears. Neither can see nor hear anyone else as they lock eyes again waiting for the other to blink. For the first time in a long time it's Allistor. "I told him I hated him that he was being a whinny little twit and…" Tears start to form at the edges of his eyes threatening to fall. "And I was just really being a lazy asshole. So I took my whiskey and went out into the woods to get drunk where he wouldn't bother me. I got drunk off my ass and pretty damn lost but I found the shit he wanted anyway…" The memories return in a vicious onslaught and once again he's back in his smoldering village. The smell of burnt blood invading his nose brings the bile up into his throat. "Why didn't I bring him along or even tell him I loved him?"

A sigh escapes from Gilbert's lips as the wolf shakes his head. "We all have regret but to act like you're the only one is selfish and you know it." A long pained howl jerks his attention away from Allistor. "Alfred…"

"He's looking for us I suppose." Allistor says wiping his eyes.

"He's in labor," Gilbert answers turning back. "Would you leave him now?" When Allistor looks down Gilbert shakes his head. "And I've been told I'm pathetic." Without another word to him Gilbert races back into the crowd following the small whimpers and worried looks of those around him. "Abel?"

"Over here." The Neko says standing behind a counter of one of the few closed stores. "This lady is letting us use her place."

Behind him an elderly wolf chuckles from her spot on the opposite counter. "First pup always hardest on body. Stay, use and close curtains." There's a twinkle in her yellow eyes. "No one bother when Grandmother here." She says as a cane appears in her lap.

While a strange woman Gilbert's attention quickly returns to his mate as he cries out in pain again. "Thank you." He manages ducking under the wooden counter to see his mate kneeling in the cold dirt. He wraps his jacket around the Omega as fear sinking in. "You'll be okay, just breathe."

"Where's Allistor?" Alfred asks weakly, griping his hand tightly as Abel closes the thick curtains around them. As another contraction shakes his body Alfred slams his eyes shut holding his stomach with his free hand. "I'm not ready for this."

As a strong hand lies on top of his he's answered by a gentle tone he's missed. "You're ready, you're just afraid of the pain." Allistor starts quickly undoing Alfred's belt. "But remember what I said about pain?"

Nodding Alfred feels Abel sit behind him. "The important things are worth it."

"Yeah so get ready." Allistor catches the small smirk on Gilbert's face as he opens his mate's legs wider. "Cause he ain't exactly waiting."

"Great." Alfred manages as he starts to push. "Allistor…"

"Naw you're doing good, keep it up."

From behind him the Omega feels the light purring of the Neko. "Come on Kid." He says kissing Alfred's damp head. "You got this."

"Yeah…" Alfred says nearly breaking Gilbert's hand not that the other flinches. "S-Sorry."

"You're doing awesome." Gilbert answers inching close to him until Alfred's grip loosens as a loud cry echoes out.

The exhausted mother tries to sit up, his hands reaching out for the bloody newborn in his mate's arms. "Is he okay?"

With a warm chuckle the Fox wraps a cloth around the tiny baby. "He's got all his fingers and toes." Allistor says with a warm smile while he gingerly hands over the newborn to the new mother. "He's all wolf too, no doubt about that."

Blue eyes stare up at Alfred in wonder. "He's beautiful."

"Just like his Mum."

Before anyone can stop him Gilbert lets out a happy howl hearing it returned to them in a sea of echoes. "My awesome son." He says kissing Alfred. "Our awesome mate…may I name him?"

"If you promise not to do that again, I nearly dropped him."

From outside the curtains Ludwig shakes his head hearing his brother answer. "Fine I promise and…Leon Jones." A warm smile grows on his face before he steps away.

His business here is finished anyway so he should return home to tell their father the good news. His brother might be a colorless but that doesn't mean their father won't be proud to learn he's a grandfather. "Good luck Alfred. You're going to need it with those three."