Fenrir let out a breath. He tried to focus on all of his stress and let it out. This upcoming conversation with his mate was going to be hard enough without letting his emotional baggage weigh him down.

Fenrir looked around the clearing and sat down on a nearby log. He looked at Harry, who was still standing.

"I need to be honest with you. I can't let you agree to be a part of my pack without telling you this."

Harry felt the weight of Fenrir's words. "Still confident that I'll say yes." The smirk that Harry wore belied the seriousness of his words.

Fenrir huffed at his words, knowing that he was attempting to lighten the atmosphere.

"I got my entire pack killed. It was all my fault."

At Fenrir's words, Harry's smirk dropped. "What do you mean? What did you do?"

"I was arrogant and overconfident. Every bone in my body knew that I was superior to wizards but I forgot that even a wasp can kill a human. Smaller and weaker creatures often have the superiority of numbers. The wizards outnumbered us and I was a fool."

Fenrir, feeling restless, stood and looked into the woods. "I have angered many people over the years and it was naive of me to think there would be no consequences. It all went to hell so quickly and I was so useless. I'm the Alpha and I was supposed to protect them."

Fenrir turned to Harry and Harry's chest tightened. Fenrir's eye were suspiciously moist. Harry sighed and took a step towards Fenrir.

"You can't carry that burden forever, Fenrir. I think I know that better than most. Last year, my godfather nearly was murdered and I might as well have done the spell myself. My friends were nearly killed and if I had been smarter or stronger or just better... " Harry trailed off and sniffed. "I have never told anyone this. I don't know why I'm telling you this, I don't even know you. "

Fenrir pushed aside his pain and pulled Harry into a hug. "We're a right pair of fools, aren't we?"

Harry gave a wet chuckle. "Maybe you're right. We're just two peas in a pod. Did you- Actually, I don't know if this is too personal to ask."

"Since I am courting you, I want you to know everything."

"Well, feel free to not answer the question but have you ever courted anyone else?"

"Yes", Fenrir said while grimacing, " I don't want you to get the wrong impression. I haven't courted many people but I courted a woman from my old pack. Her name was Evie. She was killed by wizards."

Still hugging, Fenrir was able to feel Harry's flinch.

"Enough of this grim history, I want to get to know you." Fenrir pulled out of the hug and continued to Walk along the path. "I want to know who you are. That is, if you're still willing after learning about my pack. "

"Of course! I understand what it feels like to constantly have danger following you." Harry wasn't sure if the combination of them will result in double the trouble or more help with his pre-existing issues.

Walking through the forest, Harry glazed over his childhood years and focused on his school year adventures. Harry couldn't really tell what Fenrir was thinking but he had a filling that Fenrir wasn't happy with all of his adventures.

Listening to Harry's tales was freaking Fenrir out. Why oh why was he given one of the most trouble prone people as a mate! He felt compelled to let out a howl of sorrow. Fenrir did have to admit that his mate was caring, sweet, and heroic; however, he also had to acknowledge that his mate was also guilt ridden, overly independent, and distrustful of authority figures.

Fenrir internally nodded and decided on a new hobby hunting all who had wronged his mate. There were pros and cons to this new hobby. A pro was that it would keep him entertained for a while. A con is that it would keep him entertained for a while. Unfortunately, Fenrir had to admit that some people seemed to be both on the "Thank" and the "Maul" list. He decided that for some people he would thank and scold some would get a proper mauling.

Hours passed with Harry telling stories and Fenrir asking questions.

"I'm sorry this must be getting boring by now. I don't usually talk so much about myself."

Fenrir chuckled, "Don't apologize. I asked and you're just listening to your Alpha like a good pup."

Harry's wolf let out a pleased whine and Harry felt heat in his face. He can't believe he just made that noise!

"Oh Merlin! I'm so sorry! I don't know where that came from!" Harry pleaded for the earth to open up and swallow him whole.

The larger man reached over and grabbed the back of Harry's neck with one hand and the other rested on his lower back . Pulling him close, he inhaled Harry's scent. Harry nearly became a pile of goo. Tentatively, Harry inhaled. This was both a mistake and a blessing. Harry flushed from his ears downward and his breath stuttered. Fenrir's scent of sweat, dirt, and and something else. Harry had never really been one for sniffing soaps at the stores so he didn't really have the words to describe the smell. The scent felt like home but definitely not a home that he remembers being at.

The scent combined with the close proximity of Fenrir resulted in a bit of an awkward boner. Harry felt the need to apologize but couldn't gather the breath to speak.

Fenrir smelled Harry's arousal and let out a soft growl. The boy was tempting him and he was a little weaker, he would throw the boy down and eat him up. It would be pleasurable for them both but he knew that if he passed that line then he would never let Harry go again.

Harry was trying to calm himself down and so tried to take a deep breath…this was obviously a mistake. The second breath was not as strong as the first but it caused Harry to spasm and jerk his hips towards Fenrir in an unspoken desire. Fenrir felt a brush of Harry's groin against him and tossed his caution to the wind. He pushed his lips against Harry's and licked at his top lip.

Harry gasped and unintentionally allowed Fenrir access to his mouth. Fenrir, ever the opportunist, brushed his tongue against Harry's. Harry groaned at the sensuality of the sensations.

Fenrir used his hand to push Harry's lower body against him. The height difference in the two of them made the position a bit awkward but the feeling of being enveloped made Harry feel secure for the first time in what felt like years. The comforting feeling of another body made Harry's eyes sting.

Noticing the shift in emotions, Fenrir realized that Harry needed to be comforted. The shift from a sensual action to a comforting one made Harry's eyes sting further.

"I know that you have been the strong one and the one person that needs to solve others problems, but the best thing about having a strong Alpha like me is that you don't have to worry about those things." Fenrir said all of those words with a grin that Harry couldn't describe as anything but wolfish.

Harry chuckled at the words but there was still a tear dropping from the corner of his eye.

"Of course, Alpha."

Fenrir decided that enough was enough and picked Harry up in a bridal style. Harry's eyes widened in shock. He could comfortably say that he has never considered the possibility of being picked up in such a way. Fenrir then sat down with Harry still cradled in his arms.

"Sometimes I think we all forget that true strength is being vulnerable around others and allowing help."

Harry considered his words, "are you vulnerable around others?"

Fenrir grimaced and looked away, "uh… not really, but I guess I am not as strong as you."

Harry rolled his eyes. He knew that he was strong but he couldn't even entertain the thought that Fenrir really thought that he was stronger.