Chapter Fourteen

He was fighting for his life. There was a reason why the Magical world feared him. Predator Hybrids weren't dangerous until they turned truly feral. Hybrids really only had two morals, protect the pride and defend themselves. Like werewolves, they were creatures inside a human body but easily identified. Animal characteristics were always visible to others when looking at a Predator Hybrid. But they were rare because they were powerful predators merging in strong humans. It was why their victims rarely survived; if the human wasn't strong enough then the powerful genes of a predator would cause their body to go into shock just before death.

But all the Magical world saw were vicious killers, creatures trying to defend their homes and pride, creatures avenging the undeserved deaths of their children. No one dared look beneath the predator. Hybrids had much in common with Muggle felines. They lived in prides with a single Alpha leader residing over them. Beneath him were the Alpha warriors, the defenders. They were the ones to protect the home and children. The leader was the one to patrol their borders, marking their territory, finding game for hunts, and discovering needed supplies. Everyone did their part to keep their pride protected and running smoothly, especially entertaining the small children.

No one saw the happy prides working together. They only saw the feral Hybrids. When a Hybrid is threatened or their pride threatened, nothing can stop their ancient instincts passed down from generations of predators, except perhaps their dominant mate, even then only their Alpha leader could stop their predator instincts. But that hadn't been proven since the wipe out because the Alpha leaders had lost their own control at seeing the devastation to their prides.

When they revert to their instincts there is no right or wrong, only the two morals they integrate in their raising of children, protect and defend. They lived for every drop of blood they've spilled. It signified their status as a survivor. It also signified their need to continue until the threat was eliminated or were subdued by a stronger source. It was also how a dominant Hybrid would find his submissive.

Harry had learned all this during his merging with an Alpha Sheik. But he really wanted was to finish his battle against Sabertooth in defense of his Thief. Instead he had been dragged away, angering the Hybrid. His anger grew even more when he wasn't allowed to see if his Thief safe and sound nor allowed to challenge his Mate. Then again someone must have know for he finally got the chance to press against his Thief, to see him alive and bandaged by the doctor. He was even given freedom to challenge his Mate.

Silver eyes peered from the leafy foliage, searching. His nose found the scents of pine and cigar mixed with a hint of metal. His Mate was coming. He watched as Wolverine snarled with frustration, carefully moving forward.

Wolverine had followed his mate into the woods before losing the feline to the trees. Nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, filtering out the natural smells of the forest. Just beneath he could almost taste the smoky flavor of cedar and something nectar sweet, a unique blend that tickled at his nose. And if he wasn't mistaking it was drifting from above him. He crouched low, muscles tensed with claws extended. He knew his mate was about to pounce.

From above Sheik grinned. His Mate had found him, preparing himself for an airborne attack. He didn't think he should force his Mate to wait if he knew it was coming. After all, there were many other chances to force his Mate off-balance. Silver eyes watched as Wolverine eyed his stretched form before rolling aside, forcing Sheik to twist to land on his feet. He truly believed he had the advantage with being at full strength and power.

Wolverine appreciated the lithe from of his mate when he twisted in mid-air. He already had first hand experience of the hidden strength and power etched in that slender body. He was looking forward to fully dominating his mate this time. He leered at the naked form, smirking. At least when his mate submitted to his dominant will, there wouldn't be any barriers between them. He'd be able to claim that body as his and his alone.

Sheik's muscles tightened at the undisguised leer. He knew his body was open to such looks, losing the hospital gown given him by the others. Eyes gleaming with the need to defend, Sheik dove forward, slashing upwards. Wolverine twisted to avoid the claws, sidestepping into a second slash, claws ripping over his left thigh. The battle for dominance had begun with the first blood drawn.

-----------------------------Xavier's Study/Office--------------------------------

"Sir, Remy's been placed in the infirmary with Hank overseeing his care. Should we send someone for Harry and Logan?"

Charles smiled assuring at a concerned Scott, "They shall be fine, Scott."

Remus agreed, "They're battling for dominance. Harry's accepted Logan as his mate but not as his Alpha. At least until Logan wins the battle."

"But Harry uses magic alongside his feral!"

"And if Logan can still win, Harry knows there is someone stronger than his magic. He won't always count on his magic; he'll use every skill he has to win."

Every time Remus revealed something of their past, Charles was interested. "Alphas usually chose submissives. I've never heard of one Alpha choosing another."

Remus smiled, chuckling softly, "It was common in our world. Not all Alphas wish to remain in control constantly. Harry was such an Alpha, which is why I believed he was chosen. He was always in control, not able to relax his guard. We were in war. No one could show weakness in case it was used against them. If Logan wins the fight, Harry can finally relax. He can depend on someone else to protect him and defend his pride."

Hank slipped inside the office, "Have they come in yet?"

"Still fighting. How's Remy doing, Hank?"

He's healing nicely. He'll be sore for a few days but suffer no permanent damage nor scars. I'm quite surprised by the results. One would think he suffered more."

"Then thank Harry. Remy was seen as a part of his pride as had Warren."

Hank frowned, turning to face Remus with shock apparent on his face, "Are you trying to explain that Remy's attack should have allowed more damage in reality than what I have examined?"

"Yes. Harry has remained in Hybrid status since the rescue. He feels threatened because someone drugged him, chained him up, and then raped him. He suffered not being able to properly fight back. And when Remy was attacked, something in Harry woke and gave him the strength to free himself as well as trying to heal his pride member while defending his lost honor. Predator Hybrids are territorial of their prides. You should have left him alone with the creature that attacked, left him to avenge the suffering, to possible kill him as desired."

Scott was not happy. That was something the X-men had always tried to avoid, to prove that mutants weren't all killers, "X-men do not kill!"

Remus snarled back at the leader, determined to make them all see exactly what they had brought into their home, "Then you will die. Harry will possibly not stay if he allows you to live. If he does leave, he will take his chosen pride members with him. Or worse."

Scott arched a brow, something inside him told him to stop arguing but he couldn't let it go, "And what worse would it be?"

Amber eyes glittered with danger as they latched onto the red goggles, "Harry will kill every Alpha that threatens his pride. He will destroy any opposition for rights to lead. And don't think Logan being his mate will stop him. If he tried, Harry will see Logan as a threat and try to kill him, even me in the process."

Scott's body stiffened, fear flooding the sensitive nose, though his body and face betrayed nothing. "So sure, Remus?"

"You don't get it, do you? Predator Hybrids are territorial. They live in small prides, rarely adopting outside their family. Despite his upbringing, Harry has always been able to see in shades of gray. He'll never betray his family once chosen and won't be betrayed by them. He always knows now. He can hear it on the whispers of the breeze and through the scent of the grass. He is part of nature as she is a part of him."

Scott sighed wearily, "Our team is about second chances. We do not harbor murder. We try to prove the world that mutants are not always dangerous."

Remus turned to face the window, eyeing the grounds, "You won't. It can never happen. One day it will seem that way until someone else steps in. Without the bad, good cannot survive."

Scott leaned against the Professor's desk, thinking. Taking a deep breath, he began walking out, barely stopping when Charles called out, "Scott?"

"I'm going out for a moment." He blocked his mind from the gentle sweep of Charles and Jean, both curious and worried about his sudden behavior. They weren't going to stop him. He cared for his team, even if it never showed. He may come off as uptight and stern, may come off as being distrustful of newcomers but it wasn't him. He worried for his team, worried for their safety untilhe was sure the newcomer wouldn't cause any member permanent damage.

If he told the truth to himself, he would willingly hand over the leadership to another if it meant keeping his team safe. And if he continued to tell the truth, it was Scott Summers that left the mansion and Cyclops who entered the forest in search of Harry.