Thanks to keekeerocks for motivating me to try and finish my story. I'll see if I can update every Saturday. I know I said Friday, Keekee, but I couldn't Friday.

~~~ lfred~~~

As Alfred ran from the stranger, he made sure to grab his clothes. He really didn't want the perverted man to have anything of his.

Alfred ran fast, running deeper into the woods. He ducked around trees and bushes, traced tiny streams to hide his scent, even taking a roundabout path to the cave he shared with his brother. He could actually think and plan no matter what Matthew said.

When he finally made it back, the trip having tripled in length, Mathew was already at the cave. As Alfred stepped toward their temporary home, he smelt a stew that Mathew had probly prepared a mile or two away from the cave.

He smiled wide, trying to mentally shake away any jitters he had remaining after the incident at the river. "Smells good, Mattie!"

Mathew jumped into the air with a shout of "Al!", he was so focused on the stew he was carefully placing in their chipped bowls.

Alfred just chuckled at his slightly older brother, apologizing when Mathew glared at him. The glare melted into a concerned look as Mathew clambered closer to Alfred. "Why do you have scratches? What happened Al?"

Alfred smiled again, this time his nervousness shone through, "A little run in at the stream close to the border. But-" Alfred noticed his brother's worried look. "I took the long way home, though some brambles too. Those things scratch bad."

He laughed nervously, and Mathew looked as though he was thinking. "We need to move soon anyway, just eat up then we'll pack and leave."

Alfred nodded, glad to put distance between himself and the man he saw. The look in the man's eye frightened him. He looked as if he would be glad to eat Alfred alive. Alfred shivered; his distrust of people came easy enough without a pervert freaking him out as well.

Alfred sat down and gathered his bowl into his hands, mouth open to suck down the food in it when Mathew spoke again. "Alfred"

Alfred lowered his bowl, "Yes Mat?"

Mathew picked up his own bowl and smiled at his brother "Put your shirt on."

Alfred had almost forgotten about that! He sat his wooden bowl down and chuckled as he replaced his shirt. "Thanks Mat," He said warmly at his brother as he sat back down and proceeded to eat, or as Mathew phrased it 'Suck down everything like a giant whirlpool.'

Mathew smiled at his younger brother and glanced outside at the darkening landscape. We'll be all right, we'll make it through. Sometimes Mathew thought how easy it would be to survive if one of them had a mate. A pack to help and protect them, a family to guard them, safety- except for Alfred.

There was always a threat to his brother, as his gift was considered so rare. Mathew was glad not to have Alfred's gift or, more properly named, curse.

~~~Arthur~~~

Arthur wanted to run and grab the boy as he watched him, and what looked to be his relative, eat and then pack their meager belongings. The other one was pretty as well, but with more of a feminine look. As Arthur watched he was certain the boy was Omega by his scent and the other, more girly one, was either Beta or Omega.

Just wait a little more Arthur, and then he will be yours. Arthur smiled and ran off quietly, feet barely touching the ground.

~~~Alfred~~~

Mathew gestures to one path as they walked "Down here is the path between the territories of the Kirkland Pack and the Bonnefoy Pack."

Alfred glanced at Mathew, "Kirkland, huh?" Mathew nodded and shifted the hand written map in his hands. Alfred smiled at his brother and scampered off, careful to not trespass on the claimed land.

They had barely been walking for an hour when Alfred smelt something odd in the air. He stopped his chewing on wild berries he had found to smell the air. Thinking nothing of it he munched on some more berries.

Mathew glanced up at his brother in time to see him smell the air. Mathew sniffed as well but, like his brother, thought the scent to be of no consequence.

Mathew passed by the berry bush that had entranced his brother. "Alfred, I will leave you behind." A lie, they both knew but Alfred hurried to catch up anyway.

Suddenly, as Alfred was examining some white lilies, Mathew stopped and growled. "We have not crossed the boundary, what do you want?"

Shadows of people came closer and Alfred ran to Mathew. "You have to stop." One alpha growled.