Once upon a time, there was a Godly valley with mountains that could touch the sky and trees that cast long shadows. The people who live in the small mountain town are hardworking and happy, so long as they never stray into the forest where the wolves lurk in the darkness. Adults brave the trees in groups to hunt the vicious pack as they have for decades, the conflict is deep with no sign of victory for either side. But wolves are not the only threat, nor the village's only secret - and the link connecting them is a simple cloak of Red ...

Every night, from the highest peak of the uninhabited mountains, a single Wolf howls to the good folk of the valley – as a warning, as a message, and as a reminder of what they did:
"Beware, beware, the Path where the Witch once stood. Beware, beware, of the Wolf in the Wood."

Irvine whistled when Squall handed him his repaired axe, "Wow, how'd you always do this?" he twisted it and swung it a few times to get a feel for the weight and the direction and nodded to himself while Squall inspected the bag of root vegetables they'd bartered. "You're better at fixing these than the blacksmith, I'm sure he rips me off every time I see him."

Squall raised an eyebrow briefly before picking his way through more of the bag's content, "When the blacksmith won't serve you, you make your own. It's just practice." Irvine winced above him, but he ignored it. He counted seven of each root and nodded, Irvine had kept his word. "Thanks for these, Irvine," he added, hanging them up a nail in his hut, this food bag would feed him for several weeks.

Irvine leaned against the door and grinned, "Thanks for taking the time, I could see that you were in a hurry."

Shrugging wordlessly Squall tried to repress an irritated sigh – Irvine had come to collect his axe, which had completely slipped Squall's mind as all he could think of what the urgent message that Cloud had sent him last night. The howl had asked him to come to the clearing where they parted ways for ten years, and that Cloud's leader would be there. The Alpha.

Cloud had called him to meet many times, but this was the first time that Squall would be meeting someone else there too. It was unnerving, to say the least. Not to mention that he was worried about disappointing a man that Cloud respected before he was even on his way he was internally panicking.

When Irvine appeared, Squall was in the process of leaving. Squall had paused, and sighed, and then stopped his journey to get what his brother had come for – a deal was a deal and this way he would hopefully avoid another family panic since Irvine knew where he was going.

Inspecting the axe in an attempt at nonchalance, Irvine dropped a question, "Are you off to meet your secret someone?"

Squall gave him a look out between his bangs and breathed through his nose. Edea raised you better, he reminded himself as he banished the impulse to snap or hit him for his irritating tone of questioning. Gossip was always perverse when Irvine spoke about it, and if it wasn't, he made it sound that way.

"I thought I could catch some rabbits later too," he deflected, pulling a knife out of his boot with a frown at how dull it was. He'd sharpen it afterward.

"You really don't trust us, do you?" Irvine sighed, taking off his hat and letting it hang off a crooked finger.

"It's not that," Squall objected, "They asked me to keep them a secret. If I told anyone, they'd leave."

Looking concerned, his brother hesitantly said; "That doesn't sound like a healthy relationship. Keeping secrets between family isn't right, and it's something we've never done until now. Heck, even Seifer told you about his intentions for Heartily's daughter while you two were holding grudges, if a brother can tell you that while you're fighting why can't you?"

Squall rested his head against his door, having pulled it firmly shut seconds before. Irvine made a good case, but it was more complicated than Irvine could ever know …

"I love them, Irvine." The taller brunet blinked in shock while Squall spoke, "If I betray that trust I'll lose them … I can't, I won't ever do that." He fixed him with a determined stare. "Understand?"

Irvine shifted uncomfortably against the wood behind him, "I suppose …" he muttered. The elder picked his axe up again and hummed, "But I know for sure that nothing and no one comes between family, if your lover keeps tying you up in secrets then it's like they're pulling you away from us … maybe they're not that good for you …"

Squall growled.

Irvine jumped as Squall did. Squall covered his mouth in surprise, he'd never made a sound like that before – Cloud was rubbing off on him.

Luckily, Irvine laughed it off. "Down boy!" he chuckled, patting the younger brother on his shoulder, all seriousness dispelled. "I was just thinking out loud. I'm sure you'll convince that secret someone that we're trustworthy, welcoming folk when it comes to those who make you happy."

Squall had never pegged Irvine as so caring. Understandably, Irvine was a man who hated secrets and barriers between people, especially those he cared for. It was an understatement to say that he was occasionally too nosy for his own good, and just as occasionally rude or perverse about people's lives. However, his reasons were sound.

Squall glanced away with a smile, and blushed, Irvine patted his shoulder again. "Just remember, a family with secrets isn't a family that's together, little brother." With a final nod of his head to show he understood Irvine was off, walking away whistling a merry tune.

Sighing in relief, Squall pulled his door closed and jogged towards the woods, pleased to finally get his day started.

However, the feeling didn't last.

The overcast morning, later than Squall would have preferred, was crisp with the chill of autumn. The air coloured his skin slightly pink, and his breath misted lightly on each exhale. He strode briskly under the changing leaves, the greens beginning to fade into oranges, yellows, and browns. The floor was covered mostly in leaves now, though the trees still held much more to fall before the winter claimed the land entirely. It was early again …

Each step was echoed by a crunch and rustle of leaves. Squall enjoyed this time of year, for no other reason than for the rare colours, so different and alive compared to the crystallised stained glass he'd seen once in a city. How could anyone see these colours and still think stained glass could hold a candle to their beauty? It was also his favourite season to walk the woods because hunting was good- animals making final dashes for food before hibernation, their bets and risks opening many opportunities in the fading green forest. The animals would be fat after a summer of feasting, coats thick for the winter months, it was a good time of year to hunt.

Under the trees, towards the mountain, the air was marginally warmer- sheltered from the cold open sky and barren valley hills. The air was less chilled now, and Squall's body was warm with motion.

As he walked, Squall began to think. Images of Cloud's leader came into his head, lots of pictures of disapproval and anger- he had to shake his head a few times to rid it of the reflex image of Father Hojo or Genesis. The two men who represented hostile intentions. With their presences tainting the view of Cloud's leader in his imagination, Squall's nerves began to rise.

His heart beat uncomfortably fast and loud, hitting the breastbone in his chest like it was trying to escape this encounter. Squall forced himself to breathe evenly, reminding himself that Cloud was waiting for him, that Angeal had promised to see him. This was a good thing.

It was what they were hoping for, and what they had been preparing for over several weeks. Squall was thankful that his chance was finally here …

Nevertheless, his heart kept pounding.

An hour later, closing in on the meeting spot, a sixth sense now very familiar to him told Squall to look up and smile. Before him, approaching silently and appearing like the perfect animal spirit, was Cloud in wolf form.

Seeing Cloud knocked all the confidence out of him, seeing him and knowing that he'd never be good enough for Cloud made him silently despair. There was no way Alpha Angeal would let him stay, Cloud could do so much better.

And yet as he shook with anxiety, he was so very happy to see him.

Squall knelt and held his hands out, his shaking legs refusing to take another step, and Cloud leaned into his palms contently. His blue eyes were full of love, as always, and he whimpered when he sensed his Mate's fear. "Squall? What's wrong?"

Squall pressed his head to Cloud's and breathed out slowly, his courage returning like a small eddy from a stream filling a clay pot, slowly but surely. "I … it's nothing …" he murmured, taking strength from Cloud's presence and reminding himself that this, this perfect being, would be lost to him if he fell apart before his defence was made.

Cloud huffed and nudged at his chest. He had already sensed Squall's apprehension and soothed it accordingly, pressing his ear to Squall's breast and breathing slowly, silently encouraging Squall to follow his lead.

Holding Cloud's warm, thick pelt between shaking fingers, Squall obeyed the silent command and closed his eyes to focus.

"I'm here," Cloud said over and over, without making a noise.

Squall smiled absently, eyes half lidded to admired how the dappled overcast daylight, weak and dim under the canopy, made Cloud's pelt shimmer different shades of grey. His fingers threaded through the tips and wriggled playfully to reach the soft and warm undercoat. It may have appeared dull, but Squall could have watched the daylight paint Cloud's fur for hours. Hopefully, he would be able to one day without nerves or fear.

Cloud's ear twitched against Squall's arm, asking him if he was well now with concerned nudges here and there. His efforts ceased when Squall cupped his jaw and tilted his solid head up to meet his inquisitive gaze. "Thank you … I'm all right."

Relaxing at the verbal reassurance, Cloud turned playful and licked him across the mouth.

Squall turned away, spitting and scowling "That's disgusting!"

The wolf just snorted. "You should be used to it by now, you never complain when I do it human, what's the difference?"

Squall pulled on his ear to scold him for laughing, "Do it again and I'll make a leash for you," he threatened blankly.

The laughter instantly stopped, Cloud hesitantly tilted his head as if to ask if Squall was sincere. Squall poked his nose, smirking when the wolf yielded under his touch, shrinking like a scolded pup. "I mean it." Cloud's affections were very welcome, but dog breath was not something he was a fan of.

Cloud's ears went back, and he whimpered and curled up in his lap, whining pitifully. "I'm sorry, it's the best distraction I could think of."

The brunet petted his Mate's ears gently "I know … but I still don't like it."

"You're no fun," Cloud huffed.

Squall laughed a little, Cloud's ears perking at the happy sound. Squall scratched Cloud under his chin and sighed "Just evening the scales, love. You lick me, I'll leash you." Relenting, Cloud acknowledged the fairness of that deal and stretched his head up to nuzzle into the firm fingers.

"Angeal's waiting."

"I'm right here."

The Mated pair, so absorbed in each other they'd forgotten that someone was nearby, jumped and snapped to attention at the deep voice that sounded so close. Squall's hands tightened on Cloud, half protectively and half out of fear as he laid eyes on the Alpha for the first time.

He was nothing like the scrawny and book-smart Hojo who peered with squinting eyes and yelled with a voice of venom, and he wasn't like Genesis who watched with judgemental eyes and a permanent frown. No. Angeal wasn't much like any leader Squall had ever met:

He stood in human form, towering over them from many feet away with eyes blue like Cloud's and hair black like a raven's wing. He was a burly man, muscled through and through with raw strength. Where Cloud and Zack's human forms had been muscled and lean, built for survival, with elements of speed, endurance, and strength all balanced in their bodies, this man was pure, raw power. Each arm looked durable enough to snap a tree in half, and his shoulders were so broad he walked about shirtless, Squall couldn't imagine any shirt covering him without bursting at the seams.

His eyes were intelligent and hard to read, and he commanded himself confidently. Squall felt tiny under his eyes.

The man possessed many scars across his body, the usual Wolf-Heart scar upon his chest, but many more too. He was nothing less than intimidating, Cloud's leader. Squall forced himself to keep eye contact, glad that Cloud was here to hide his trembling hands, "Thank you for meeting me," he said as evenly as he could, losing his nerve when he finished and looking away.

He'd probably said the stupidest thing …

Cloud leaned on him supportively "Breathe, Squall." and he did.

Angeal didn't react at first when Cloud ran from their meeting place towards his approaching Mate. They had been listening to his approach for several minutes now, and Cloud had been worrying the second he'd sensed him; Angeal couldn't follow his waves of emotion as precisely as he would have liked – but he caught one thing that prevented him from barking an order to keep Cloud in place: Squall Needs me.

It had been an overwhelming thought that had eclipsed all other feelings in Cloud's mind. Stunned by the desperation of it, Angeal had let Cloud go, watching from where he lay as a wolf while Cloud sent dirt flying behind him in a fevered run.

Collecting his thoughts, Angeal transformed and fitting the breeches he'd brought and followed at his own pace. The emotion had been disarming, although it shouldn't have been in retrospect, Cloud was part of a mated pair, and so it was natural that he would be emotionally invested in the Hunter.

Thinking rationally, Angeal theorised he was just surprised that such dedication was directed towards an outsider.

Moments later his eyes fell on them, and he was stunned all over again.

The Hunter was on his knees, Cloud standing over him as a wolf, and they were linked at the brow in wordless reunion. The Hunter's hands were shaking, his collapse to the ground had been less than graceful, and Angeal frowned as he read the fear in the air around this individual.

This was far from the ruthless, heartless Hunter he'd been picturing …

"Squall? What's wrong?"

"I … it's nothing …" the Hunter's voice was deep, hinting at disuse but easy on the ears for the low pitch it was. While his voice wasn't loud, nor did it upset the environment around them, his loud breathing was.

Ever the attentive Mate, Cloud pressed his body against the Hunter's middle and relaxed there, nudging patiently at unknown points on the man's body to key a gradual change from tense to calm. It worked, surprisingly.

It was a touching scene. Angeal was surprised once more at the conclusion he was drawing from what he could see, what he had heard, and the subtle scents in the air: This Hunter loved Cloud. Beyond all doubt now, just as Zack had said: this boy, this Hunter, truly and utterly loved Cloud.

He smiled privately, at least Cloud's feelings were requited. The adoration and peace that radiated from Cloud's presence were something he'd gotten used to, though amplified tenfold with the Hunter at his side. The Hunter was muted to him, and likely always would be, but he was confident that he was feeling the same.

As if to confirm his conclusions they totally missed his arrival and engaged in playful interactions that had Angeal fighting a smile.

Yet, when Cloud was threatened with a leash, he frowned. A wolf should not be tamed, nor should a human man threaten to use binding so carelessly. Angeal would have to scold him on the use of such threats, it would not bode well if he were at his core just another ruthless Hunter, taming the wild and bending it to his will.

"Angeal's waiting."

"I'm right here."

Both of them nearly leapt out of their skins. Summoning his poker face, Angeal began to do what he set out to do: Test the Hunter's worth. This was bigger than Cloud although started by him, if this Hunter failed to live up to expectations then the result would endanger all those Angeal was responsible for, and all those he loved.

That was unacceptable.

He decided, there and then, that he would be prepared to protect his pack even at the cost of Cloud. Though not a fan of violence as a general rule, Angeal knew when to put his own personal preferences aside for his people.

The young man met his eyes, and the Alpha got his first good view of him. Unruly brunet hair around a tanned and weathered face most fell into his eyes like a partial mask to the world, it made his grey eyes stand out. However, his face was young, and his eyes were filled with curiosity and uncertainty. He was just a boy.

What Cloud said about his hard upbringing was showing here in lapses of vulnerability.

"Thank you for meeting me," the man said, meeting his eyes for the most part, but cringing and looking away once he had finished as if he expected Angeal to be angry with him.

Scenting the air out of instinct, Angeal smelled stress and fear in the young man's body. Cloud eased him as best he could. Angeal moved forwards to sit a short distance from the pair. "I wish we could have met under circumstances less forced," he returned, offering a hand out to Squall, who's eyes were wide with surprise. "I am Angeal."

Squall took his hand and met his eyes again "I'm Squall."

His grip was good, and his palms were rough from work. Cloud kept sending him smug looks every now and again as if daring him to say he was unimpressed, but the Alpha kept his focus.

"I know you are aware of my Pack's problem in this woods."

Squall nodded, his hand resting against Cloud's back as he answered, "There's not enough game for both settlements."

Angeal liked how direct he was being. "Indeed, and because of Cloud we're struggling to move at all." He held a hand up to Cloud and glared slightly "I don't need your comments, Cloud, we're well aware of where you stand in this."

Cloud's ears went back, eyes narrowing in irritation. Squall smiled slightly and scratched his Mate's ruff to erase the expression away. Once he was relaxed Angeal continued.

"Zack tells me you'd like to travel with us to resolve the resources problem," Angeal wished it was that simple. Zack had made it sound so easy, but the uproar over the idea was threatening to split the Pack. His people were scared, and as Alpha, it was his duty to deal with any and all fears that threatened his people. One day, Zack might understand.

"Yes," Squall's voice hinted that he wanted to say more, but no words came.

The Alpha put a hand to his chin and absently scratched "I'm questioning if you would even fit into pack life, young Hunter." Cloud growled, and Squall's eyes widened. Angeal gave Cloud a growl of his own to shut him up, "Yes. Your casual use of threats with leashes is unsettling. If I didn't know better, I'd be asking your intentions with us Wolves."

"I wouldn't-"

"I know." He cut the younger man off, "Cloud hasn't given me a reason to suspect it, but know that leashing is not a subject to be joked about by the wolves. Is that clear?"

Beside them, Cloud let out a yelp and howl of outrage and got to his feet "Angeal leave him alone. I joke about it! He got that from me," the blue-eyed wolf interrupted. His muzzle was twitching, fighting another snarl, "It is nothing but a harmless joke between us, he'd never do something like that out of cruel intent."

Raising an eyebrow, Angeal grunted, "Then perhaps you should be included in the scolding too, Cloud."

The wolf's ears went back, and he snorted. "Whatever."

Squall touched the wolf's side, and he murmured "You should have told me that it was serious Cloud." The wolf lowered his head and sat back at his Mate's side, sighing unhappily.

"I didn't want you to change. I don't mind it."

Cloud leaned into Squall's touch when the Hunter's hand cupped his jaw, "And I don't want your family to think I'm mistreating you, please, tell me next time. You've never held back on other cultural rules, why not this one?"

With a rush of embarrassment, Angeal felt it keenly, Cloud answered "I don't know … I thought that maybe it would make you feel better if you had leverage over me … I have teeth and claws-"

"Cloud, that's awful," Angeal sighed.

Squall agreed "I never needed that illusion." He tucked the wolf into his side and rubbed the basis of his ears with gentle fingertips. Cloud peered up at him, looking little and radiating awkwardness. Squall gave him a slight smile "I trust you. If I said something, I know you'd listen to me. No leashes involved."

Cloud's tail wagged with relief and joy, and Angeal's eyebrows raised again at just how adapting and open this Hunter was.

Squall turned stern for a moment "But that doesn't mean you can lick me whenever you want."

Angeal smirked when Cloud laughed. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he brought back the point of this meeting. "That aside, if you want to travel with us and be a part of Cloud's life without tensions in the Pack, I want to give you a challenge that will put your loyalty to the Wolves to the test."

Cloud tilted his head, "To the Wolves? Not just to me?"

Angeal was patient in his explanations, "A Mate bond is proof enough that he is devoted to you. This is about impressing the Pack, myself and all others who may hold reservations or doubts." He looked Squall in the eye, the boy was impassive and braced for anything. "Prove your loyalty to the Pack, and none can argue."

"What will you have me do?" Squall asked, all nervousness gone. I like that, Angeal thought when a determined light shone from the young man's face. His shaking stopped, and his uncertainty vanished. It was like he had never been anxious at all.

Angeal looked sideways at Cloud, "This involves you too, pup." Cloud looked alert and interested. "What I want, Hunter, from the next new Moon until my return to the Pack in Spring is for you to remain out of the woods. Abruptly and without explanation to your people." Squall's eyes widened, and his expression turned puzzling as he thought over the terms.

"That's it?"

Angeal snorted "It may seem simple, but I promise you it's harder that it seems. You can't hunt, can't provide for yourself or any close people, you may go hungry for a while, be reduced to charity from those who despise you. When your close neighbours or your village leaders demand answers, you won't be able to answer, and it will put you in a hard position. They may come to hate you, they may punish you or try to force answers. But you must not breathe a word." He paused a moment to let the true nature of the challenge, the endurance to stay quiet under all circumstances, sink in.

Squall bit his lip "Edea …"

Angeal had never heard of that word before, "Pardon?"

Cloud answered, "His Mother lives in the trees, can he visit her?"

He shook his head "If she wants to see you she must go to you. Your Mother cannot be informed of this test, nor given any excuses or explanations either. If you put a foot in the trees, you will have failed." He thought for a moment and added: "If there is a legitimate reason, Guardians forbid, if your Mother falls sick or perishes in the winter it may be a forgivable exception. However it also will bring doubts to your reputation- so best not to do so."

Squall was silent.

While his mate was in deep thought, Cloud asked how he was involved. Angeal gave him the next part of his challenge "Cloud, you will accompany me on my search for new hunting grounds. We will be gone from the next new moon until the Spring. This will test your ability to listen to the Alpha over your Mate, the second worry of our people."

Cloud was upset at his words. He trembled and whined until Squall abandoned his own concerns to comfort him. Cloud buried his head into the young man's arms "An entire winter away? Angeal that's …" he let out an animalistic sound of pain while Squall murmured nonsensical words to calm him down, looking just as upset at the idea of separation as Cloud.

However, the Alpha was unmoved. "This is a test, Cloud. A hard one too, to erase all doubts in our people's minds. Isn't that what you want?"

The pair were silent.

They exchanged pained looks and offered physical comfort for several quiet minutes before Angeal realised they were having their own private conversation right in front of him. One that he should respectfully leave them to discuss.

He stood up and stretched his legs absently, "I am aware that I've given you much to think about. When you have your answers, Cloud will call for me, and you can both tell me in person. I will bring two other wolves to witness your promises and to determine if my challenge is just."

Squall looked up before he moved away, "Thank you."

The Alpha tilted his head.

Looking away with slight discomfort under the scrutiny, Squall elaborated, "You've clearly thought about this for a long time, made each of our tests perfect for challenging other's doubts about us. Thank you, for giving me a chance."

Angeal bowed his head and turned to leave. Thank you for taking it.

OMG did I see plot advancement? (*whispering* finally ...)

Story is also available on Ao3 for those who prefer it there.