For three days the pack was sitting without electricity as the storm ran through. They sat huddled together to keep warm most of the time and only dispersing to eat or use the bathroom. Finally on the fourth morning their electricity returned and the first thing everyone did was run to take a bath. The large bath was filled with hot water and everyone got in line to scrub down and relax for a bit. Uruha was cuddled next to Ruki as he splashed Teru and Meto with water. Kamijo was sitting on the edge with his legs crossed watching them as Hide jumped right in to join them. Tora had pulled Nao inside along with him and Saga. The pup pouted and leaned over the edge of the tub. He watched as the wolves outside the tub were scrubbing themselves down. Reita was sitting on a small wooden chair as Kai sat in front of him scrubbing his arms with a rag. The brunette had a soft smile on his face.

Nao kissed his teeth before standing up and walking out of the room. He stomped past them not even looking at them as he grabbed a towel and walked out. Tora sighed as he followed him out of the bathroom. Kai chose to ignore the tantrum and focus on his mate. He rubbed Reita's cheek, who gave him a small smile in return. Kai moved around and scrubbed Reita's back. He smirked before leaning against the blonde's ear. He whispered something and Reita's face turned a bright red. He turned his head only to be kissed by his alpha. Uruha snickered at the scene before turning his attention back to Ruki.

Shinya opened his eyes as he soft lips glide down his neck. He and Kyo were in their private bathroom laying in the warm water. He gasped out as he the strong hands slide down his sides. Kyo placed kisses down Shinya's chest and licked his nipple. The beta shivered. Shinya petted Kyo's damp hair as he licked down the pale stomach. Shinya watched as Kyo's hair dipped under the water so he could kiss the grotesque scar. Tears pricked at his eyes. Kyo pulled up from the water and saw his lover's eyes watered up. He moved up and kissed under Shinya's eyes. Kyo slowly pressed his lips against his lover's own. Shinya closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Kyo's neck to pull him closer.

Kai watched as the last of the pack walked out of the bathroom leaving him and his mate all alone. Reita was leaning against him with his head on Kai's shoulder. Kai rubbed his fingers through the blonde hair. He gently pulled Reita's head back and pressed a kissed on his lips. The omega hummed into the chapped lips of his lover. Kai squeezed his mate's shoulder before rubbing his hand down the pale skin. Reita gasped feeling the hand rub down his stomach. Kai took this chance to force his tongue into his mate's mouth. Reita rubbed Kai's cheek and pushed his tongue against the alpha's own. Kai gripped Reita's flaccid cock and started pumping it. The blonde let out a soft moan and pulled away.

"Kai…" He gasped.

"Be quiet. Just enjoy." Kai order and shoved his tongue back into Reita's mouth. He used his free hand to rub one of Reita's nipples. The blonde focused on his lover's hands as he felt his body warm up and his cock harden. He reached a hand out and rubbed Kai's chest down to his stomach. Kai opened his eyes when his felt his Reita's fingers feather down to his semi-hard member. Reita slowly opened his eyes to catch his mate's gaze. Kai pulled his head away as Reita gently gripped him.

"You, too." Reita whispered.

Kai rubbed his lover's cheek. "I may not be able to hold back."

"I don't want you to hold back." Reita said with a smile. He moved his leg over and sat on Kai's lap. He leaned in and kissed the alpha's cheek then licked it. Kai rubbed his hands against Reita's thighs. He slowly moved them behind his lover and gipped his butt cheeks. Kai squeezed them and pulled Reita closer to his body. Their cocks pressed against each other. Reita caught Kai's lips once more as his lover massaged his backside. The blonde thrusted his hips into Kai's rubbing against him. Reita moved a hand between them and gripped the two members. He started moving his hand, but felt Kai's own hand over his own. They both started moving their hands at the same time.

Kai smirked as he slipped a finger in between Reita's butt cheeks and rubbed against his hole. He pressed his middle finger inside making Reita gasp in surprise. The blonde looked at his alpha with half lidded eyes. Kai gave a lustful smile as he moved his finger in and out. Reita gasped and dropped his head on Kai's shoulder. The brunette bit down on his mate's neck as he thrust his finger. Reita struggled to keep his pace of his hand up.

"I want to fuck you." Kai gasped breathing in Reita's scent. The smell of vanilla filled his nose.

"Kai…"Reita groaned. He pulled up and gripped his lover's cheeks. He felt Kai slip in a second finger and he placed his forehead on his alpha's forehead. "…not here."

Kai smiled.

Kai held onto Reita's wrist as he practically dragged the blonde down through the hallway, ignoring everyone. They walked through in their towels and headed up the stairs. Kyo's eyes followed them as they practically ran up the stairs. He sighed as he sat up. Shinya grabbed his shoulder and looked worriedly at him. Without saying a word Kyo nodded his head and stood up. He started for the stairs to stop the affair, but Yoshiki walked up to him with a smile.

"Kyo, I need to speak with you."

"In a minute." Kyo said trying to pass him, but Yoshiki persisted.

"There are a few matters I need to discuss with you."

"In. A. Minute." Kyo growled.

"Have they not bonded yet?" Yoshiki asked, nodded his head at the stairs. "Is that why you're wanting to stop them? It's their natural instincts as mates to make love. Some advice from me to you. Let them bond already. It'll save you a lot of trouble."

"You don't get it." Kyo sighed. "Reita…"

Yoshiki raised an eyebrow at Kyo's hesitation. "Well go on with it."

"I've already told you of Reita's trauma."

"Yes, yes a tragic story. But in order for him to heal he needs to be able to have contact. He needs to know what the love of another feels like. He needs to know that there is more to life than pain and suffering. With trust in a mate he'll be able to see that his life is not about fighting. He'll be able feel happiness, love, and compassion. Feelings that are foreign to him."

"I fear it's too much for him." Kyo said.

"Too much?" Yoshiki asked. "How long has the pup been here for? Two or three months?"

"Just under three months."

"And he's doing great. He has come a long way."

"Reita has suffered too much already!" Kyo growled. "I will not risk a broken bond. Now move."

Yoshiki stepped aside to allow the pack leader to pass. He watched as Kyo headed up the stairs he looked over at Shinya who stared sadly at the stairs. Yoshiki looked from Shinya to the stairs then back at the beta. A familiar painful look was on the young man's face. He walked over to Shinya.

The beta smiled. "He's doing what he thinks is best."

"He tries to hide his thoughts, but he lets them slip out on occasion. Your bond isn't broken."

"Yes it is." Shinya whispered. "We try to feel, but we can't."

"You two are suffering from a recent tragedy. Time will heal your wounds."

"Nothing has healed." Shinya whispered. "Nothing will ever heal."

"Shinya…"

"Did you know that I haven't gone into another heat since it happened? My smell is gone, too. Reita isn't the only broken wolf around here."

Yoshiki sighed. "Time heals all wounds. Reita is broken. You're broken. That new stray over there, what's his name, Aoi. He's broken too. You each have some tragic story, but each of you have a way to heal. Shinya, your body will heal when it's time to be healed. But first you must forgive yourself. Your bond is strained because you refuse to talk about what happened. You refuse to bring it up."

"We…"Shinya whimpered.

"You need to talk to each other."

Shinya turned his head away and looked at the surrounding pack. They were pretending not to be listening. Shinya turned away and walked to his private room.

Kyo had made his way up to the fourth floor and walked down the hallway. He stopped in front of a door where he heard a soft laugh. It was followed by a moan. Kyo pushed the door open to see Kai on top of Reita, both naked. Reita's legs sat open with Kai in between them as he played with the omega. Kai had his hand between their bodies moving it up and down. A bottle of lube was sitting to the side.

"Stop." Kyo order, startling the couple. Kai quickly grabbed the blanket and covered his lover with it. Kyo stepped in and closed the door behind him. "We need to have a discussion."

They sat up and Kai made sure Reita was covered before wrapping a towel around his own waist. Kyo took a seat in front of them and leaned against the door. He took a deep breath.

"Kyo…"Kai started but was silenced when his leader raised a hand.

"Do you know what it means to be bonded?" Kyo asked. "Of course you don't. When a mated couple who are bond compatible have sex for the first time the bond is created. You have a connection, creating the bond is the next step, after that the bond must be sealed."

"Sealed?" Kai asked shaking his head. "What are you talking about?"

Kyo held a straight face. "It's a three part process you nitwit. You form a connection, which you and Reita have already done. To create the bond between you, you must become one which means making love. Then you must seal the bond to make it stronger and unbreakable."

"How do you make it stronger?" Reita asked.

"During your heat, Reita. The first heat you share together is the most important. It solidifies your trust in each other, the love for each other, and forges a bond so strong that a day won't pass where can't feel each other. No matter how far apart from each other you are you can always feel one another. You won't be able to close each other off or stop the feelings from entering you. You can feel each other's needs, pleasures, and happiness. That's what it means to be bonded, but it's a double edge sword. You also feel the sadness, the pain, and the suffering the other one goes through. You feel helpless unable to stop it. And when one of you dies it feels like your heart is being ripped out of your chest. Are you willing to go through that?"

Kai gripped Reita's hand and looked him in the eye. "I don't care. Reita is my mate. He is mine and I'm his. If he suffers through anything I will suffer with him. I won't abandon him. I will always be there to protect him and love him and to take care of him. I love him with all my heart."

Reita's eyes watered up and Kai swiped his thumb under the blonde's eye. Kyo sighed but nodded his head. "Not today. There is still much for you to discuss and learn of one another before you make your commitment. Wait just a little longer." Kyo stood up. "Reita, you still have something to tell him. You never got around to doing it."

They watched as their pack leader left the room and closed the door. Kai looked at Reita waiting for him to speak. Reita sighed. He pressed his head against Kai's shoulder and left out a soft whimper.

"Reita…"

"Shinya examined me. My master…he did something to me." He sniffled. Kai could feel the warmth of tears hitting his skin. "He took away my ability to have children. He made it to where I couldn't give you a child."

Kai wrapped his arms around his lover. "Reita I love you. Nothing will change that. That man is no longer your master. You are not a slave nor a cage fighter anymore. You belong to no one but yourself."

"Kai…I can't—"

"It doesn't matter. Not to me. As long as you're with me I don't care. I love you as you are."

Reita sniffled. "I love you too. I love you so much."

It was only two days later before the roads were cleared up from the snow and they were able to head back to their jobs. They cleared the windows and doors before opening up their businesses. Tsuzuku had very little busy those two days at his hair salon. Most the time he and his employees would be sitting and waiting for a customer. Then someone came in and it alerted Tsuzuku's senses. The smell of a wolf. He turned to see a stranger taking off his jacket and sunglasses. His blonde hair was in need of a touch up and a cut. He smiled right at Tsuzuku as he walked right up to him.

"I'd like my roots touched up."

Tsuzuku waved for him to follow and led him to a chair in the back. The man sat down in the chair. Tsuzuku stood next to him to raise the chair up. The man smiled as he placed a hand on the omega's thigh. He hummed.

"You have a nice smell."

"Who are you?" Tsuzuku asked pulling away from the hand. "Why are you here?"

"I'm just a traveler. I go by Ryoga. What can I call such a wonderful sight that stands before me?"

The omega blushed, grabbing his supplies and sitting them on the table in front of him. "Tsuzuku."

"Hmm, what a sexy name." Ryoga hummed. Tsuzuku rolled his eyes as started mixing the bleaching chemicals. The blonde smirked as he reached up and gripped Tsuzuku's rear-end. "I love the smell of peaches you know." Tsuzuku gasped and turned to glare at the man. Ryoga gave a big smile and grabbed the omega's hand. "I hope you don't mind me staying in the city for a while. I think I've taken quite a liking to you."

"Within five minutes you've sexually harassed me three times. What makes you think I even want you in here any longer?"

Ryoga licked his lips. "I'll convince you."

"And how do you plan on doing that? Pervert."

"Not a pervert. I can't help but to be attracted to such a beautiful sight. You have captured my eyes, I just wanted to show you that."

"By grabbing my ass?" Tsuzuku asked.

Ryoga shrugged. "You have a really nice ass. And a nice smile."

"You seemed to be confused of yourself. I don't think you know if you want to be a pervert or a gentleman."

"I try to be both."

At this Tsuzuku let out a soft giggle. "You're ridiculous."

"Ah, but I made you laugh. So therefore my first mission is complete." Ryoga said with a smile.

"Mission?"

"To speak with you. I passed by last week and I saw you leaving. I wanted to speak with you then, but I got too nervous. So now I worked myself up to come in here and court you."

Tsuzuku rolled his eyes, but with a smile. "Let's get started on your hair."

The two days back from opening the clinic back up was chaotic. People filled the waiting room and a line had formed out the door. The room was filled with feverish people with loud coughs and ragged voices. Everyone was ordered to wear gloves and masks the moment the swarm of people had hit. Apparently a terrible flu had spread during the storm and even more so after it. After the first day back and staying two extra hours, Shinya asked help from Hide and Koichi at the clinic. Now they're working nonstop to help the sick. Hiroto had stepped out at one point to pass out masks to the patients, but there wasn't enough for all of them. They struggled to keep up with them all, but pushed forward. At the end of the day they stayed three more hours before closing.

It was night time when they started walking back home. They pushed their legs through the still high snow. Shou groaned as wiped his forehead. Hiroto smirked.

"Hey, is someone get ready for that time?" He joked.

Shou stumbled and stopped as he rubbed his head. "I haven't felt well all day."

Reita stopped and turned to him. "Are you alright?"

"I don't…" Shou mumbled before closing his eyes and falling face down into the snow. They all shouted his name, but Byou knelt next to him and turned him over. He lifted Shou's body in his arms and before pressing a hand to his forehead.

"He's burning up." Byou said grabbing snow. He placed it on Shou's forehead.

"Let's get back home now." Shinya ordered.

Everyone was at home, but more spread out in the foyer now that the heat was back on. Kyo sat on the statue with Yoshiki discussing his return back home when the group entered the factory door. As they entered, Kyo caught the seriousness of Shinya's expression before seeing Byou carrying Shou inside.

"Byou, get him into a healing room. Reita, fetch some water and rags. Hiroto follow me." Shinya ordered.

Hide and Koichi went straight to Kyo as he started walking their way to explain what happened. Kai had followed his mate to the kitchen to grab a bowl of cold water. Kai gripped Reita's hips from behind.

"I'll take it. You grab some food and rest." Kai said.

Reita smiled as he turned. "Thanks but I think can handle one more job. I'm not really feeling up to eating right now anyways. I'll join you right after. Maybe we can have some alone time upstairs."

"I'll meet you up there then." Kai said placing a kiss on his lover's forehead. He watched as Reita stepped out of the room.

The blonde went up the stairs in the foyer to the room at the end where Shou was currently laying. He had been stripped of his clothing, but covered in blankets. Byou had his head lifted and was pouring water from a bottle into his mouth. Reita stepped in and sat next to him. Byou handed him a dry rag before setting Shou's head down. Reita dipped the rag into the water and wiped Shou's sweaty forehead. Shou groaned and opened his eyes. Reita continued to help wipe down his sweaty flushed skin. Shou let out a weak cough. Then Hitsugi stepped inside and sat next to the blonde.

"Go. I'll help them from here." Hitsugi spoke.

Reita nodded before standing up and leaving the room. He walked out and made his way up to the room on the fourth floor where he found Kai sitting with a plate of fries and a hamburger. He smiled as he sat next to his lover and was handed the plate of food. Reita sat his head on Kai's shoulder as he began to nibble on the fries. He wasn't hungry.

The next morning Kai woke up with a heat in his arms. He felt off for some reason or maybe it was his mate. A knock at the door caught his attention and it opened up to show Uruha smiling.

"Hey it's time to wake up. Everyone is getting ready to head out."

Kai nodded and waved him away. He shook his lover and woke him. Reita groaned and curled into a ball. "Come on it's time for work."

Reita opened his eyes and slowly sat up only to lean onto his mate's shoulder. "Want to sleep more."

"Are you feeling okay? You're warm." Kai stated rubbing Reita's neck.

"Fine. Just tired." Reita said with a smile.

They gathered their things and started to change. Kai watched as Reita threw off his shirt and tossed his pants to the side. He smiled as he walked to them. He gripped the omega's hips and pressed himself against Reita. He grinded against the blonde with a smile. Reita smiled.

"Not now." Reita turned and kissed Kai's lips. "We have to get ready."

After they got clothes on they ran down to meet the others at the doorway and started off to their jobs.

The clinic was once again full of patients all with the same symptoms as the days before. Koichi sat with Reita at the desk in Shou's place as they went through the files. It was a constant flow of people throughout the morning and noon. As another patient left with a prescription Reita dropped his head into his hands. Koichi looked over to see the blonde breathing hard. He placed a hand on Reita's shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"Don't feel good." He gasped out.

"Hang on a second." Koichi said and got up. He ran to the back and grabbed Hide from his patient. "Reita's not feeling well."

They walked back in found the blonde with his head down on the table. Patients were looking at each other as they approached. Hide placed a hand on Reita's back.

"Come on stand up."

Reita forced himself to his feet, but stumbled into Hide who held onto him and guided him to the break room. They sat him in a chair.

"Go back to the desk and call Kai to come pick him up. I'll stay with him until then." Hide ordered. Koichi nodded and moved to leave. Reita closed his eyes hearing the ordered and he felt his body go forward as his world turned dark. They heard him collapse forward onto the floor and turned. Hide quickly grabbed him and turned him on his back. He slapped Reita's cheek trying to wake him once more, but to no avail. Reita was burning with a fever.