Chapter 5 - The Night

While Chiron had hinted to Percy how brutal and violent a Hunt could get, Percy was determined to avoid the worst. From the sounds of it, a lot of alphas were straight-forward and arrogant in them. Percy wasn't, so he wasn't going to be.

For two hours, he lay sprawled over a few seats in the Council chamber, eyes fixed upon the omega whom completely ignored him. Kronos – in the form of the same big cat as when he'd launched himself at Percy the day before – was curled in his nest, taking in the scents amongst the nest. Percy was entirely certain that Titan scents were the vast majority, though he was rather irritated to smell Luke too.

And then Kronos abruptly rose up, stretching his front paws out and yawning before rather unsteadily making his way towards the door. Percy stirred, lifting his canine head. His form was slightly larger height-wise than Kronos', though seemed to be about the same length, and Kronos looked only a few kilos heavier.

Percy padded behind Kronos, following him as a distance as he fled the UN compound. Where Kronos' claws could retract, Percy's couldn't so they scraped against the ground as he ran.

Then, around them, mortals started stirring. Percy stopped and stared as a woman woke up at the wheel of her car, and promptly screamed when she saw him standing in front of her in the road. His hackles rose – really, Kronos? – and he raced after the quickly-disappearing Titan before she could run him over.

To be fair to her, a wolf standing in the middle of the road wasn't a common sight in Manhattan.

When Percy caught up to Kronos, he was sprawled out at the bank of the pond in the south-east corner of Central Park. Nothing but a dark shape next to the still lake. Percy padded closer, stopping when Kronos' ears pulled back and he let out a soft and lazy growl.

Percy huffed, taking a moment to decide before he inched closer. He could spend the entire time simply lying down and watching, but the idea was to be able to mate by the end of the night – and Percy would be doing so.

Kronos seemed to have a different idea.

As soon as Percy got within hitting range, Kronos batted at him with a large paw – claws fully extended – and making it significantly clear exactly what he thought of the alpha. Percy danced back, more than aware that those claws could now do him a lot of damage. A direct hit to the face could rip half of his face off. He didn't back up completely, but enough to give Kronos some space.

The black jaguar bared his teeth threateningly at Percy, but when the alpha didn't move other than to flop down where he was, he grumbled and turned his head away. A dozen feet away from the omega, Percy took the time to look him over. Sprawled out beneath the moonlight and next to the lake, heavy head raised up to the stars and his tail flicking slightly from side to side as he kept half an eye on Percy, Kronos – with his smooth black coat in which Percy could just about see the classic markings of a jaguar – looked every bit the proud Titan he was.

Unable to simply lie there watching, Percy made to inch closer. Kronos' gaze flicked back to him and he chuffed before rising to his feet and loping off. Percy grumbled to himself as he watched him disappear into the trees. Was he really just going to be following Kronos around Central Park all night? He hoped not. Nevertheless, Percy leapt up and trotted after him.

Kronos' scent led him into and through Central Park's Zoo and then across to Sheep Meadow where Percy found him actually rolling in the grass with happy little growls. For a moment Percy just stared and watched as Kronos rubbed himself against the grass, realising that while Kronos had a ridiculous amount of control, he was still an omega and he was still definitely in his heat.

So he made a stupid decision. While Kronos was busy still rolling in the grass – which, really, was sort of weird – Percy pounced at him. Kronos' purrs aborted into a garbled yelp as Percy's weight settled above him, and the demigod grinned wolfishly before licking Kronos' snout. The Titan growled and swatted at his side, flinging him aside, and then as Percy struggled to keep his balance, lunged for his right hind leg. Percy yelped and twisted around to latch onto the Titan even as claws ripped through his fur. The demigod's claws shredded Kronos' fur at his right shoulder, and then Percy's teeth buried into the back of his neck.

Kronos yowled, immediately releasing Percy's leg from his own jaws. Percy, being a fraction taller than the Titan in these forms, used his height to keep the jaguar pinned before eventually releasing him. Ichor trickled onto the ground from Kronos' injuries as he sprang up, hissing fiercely at Percy before racing off. Percy summoned water from puddles around him to heal his leg as best he could before loping after Kronos' scent.

He found Kronos at the Bethesda Terrace. Percy huffed and settled down, completely ignoring Kronos this time as he stared sullenly into the water. It had been several hours. How was he going to manage to do this? He'd never been good at planning, never good at thinking ahead. Honestly, he was surprised that he wasn't dead already. Kronos had had enough chances, but he hadn't taken them. Why? Why was the Titan still playing along? Percy watched curiously as Kronos lay sprawled out over the ground, perfectly at ease and looking content to just lie there on his side.

What had he said? I've had enough of self-confident bastards whom think they have the right to me just because they're an alpha… If I wanted an alpha in the first place I could get one with ease. Kronos valued his independence, his freedom – he was waging war against the gods so he'd be free from Tartarus and could do as he wished, which he could do being King. That was why he was giving Percy a chance. Kronos didn't want a traditional alpha who would restrict his freedom because he was a free spirit wanting to keep on the move.

Percy stayed where he was, merely watching. If he wanted to be Kronos' alpha, he had to prove that he'd not keep him tied down.

The demigod was entirely certain that he dozed off. He snapped into alertness at the snap of a twig and watched as two mortals – how could he forget about them? – stared in horrified awe at the black jaguar on the Bethesda Terrace. They hadn't seen Percy lying in the shadow cast by a tree. Percy's eyes flicked to Kronos, but he didn't seem to care that he was being watched. At least Percy would believe so if Kronos' tail didn't flick slightly. So he did care, but wanted to see what Percy would do. Percy rested his head on the ground, one eye on Kronos and the other on the mortals.

The mortals had a death wish. They moved closer until they were perhaps twenty-five feet from the Titan when his ears flattened back onto his skull and he growled a low warning. So Percy leapt to his paws and advanced towards them.

"Shit – wolf!"

"What the hell?" The other mortal gasped, and then they turned tail and ran.

Percy's advance stopped, only five feet from Kronos. The jaguar nonchalantly licked the pad of his front right paw, cleaning off a streak of ichor and briefly causing wickedly sharp claws to extend. Percy settled there, only five feet from the omega – so close. He was entirely certain that Kronos' scent abruptly became stronger.

Golden eyes blinked across at Percy and then Kronos' stomach rumbled. Percy snorted at the surprising sound, wondering just what Kronos was going to eat. The jaguar chuffed and rose, slinking into the trees where the mortals had disappeared – he wouldn't, would he?

He would.

Percy jerked upright and raced after the jaguar. Years ago Chiron had told Percy that the Titans cared little for mortals other than entertainment purposes or for snacks, but he'll admit he didn't really believe the centaur – now he did.

"A night is good for learning what the omega is comfortable with, what their boundaries are. It's also a good time to set your own," Chiron had said.

Percy figured he could put up with a lot of shit from Kronos, but he was drawing the line at eating mortals. The wolf didn't stop, barrelling straight into the stalking jaguar, only fifteen feet from the mortals.

Kronos' yowl startled the mortals and had them running and Percy suddenly had about one hundred kilos – fortunately Kronos' weight was only that of a real jaguar, - of furious Titan turning on him. Percy met him head-on, determined to make his point.

He was able to knock Kronos over, only for the jaguar to take a swipe at his throat. Percy yelped and jerked back enough to avoid his throat being completely ripped out, but Kronos' fully-extended claws still caught him. Percy used his advantage of height to make his own lunge for Kronos' throat, actually managing to get him between his jaws. Kronos was hissing and snarling at him, but didn't dare move – honestly Percy was surprised he hadn't nicked an artery.

Slowly, Percy released his throat and then just to get the point across, he nuzzled Kronos slightly before backing up. Kronos rolled over, huffing as he did so and then nosing the ground.

Percy turned away from the omega – more than aware of Kronos watching him – and padded south back to Sheep Meadow. If he wasn't letting Kronos eat some mortals then he had to provide a suitable alternative. He'd never hunted before, so really just ended up chasing around a dozen rabbits before finally managing to grab one. Unwilling to bite the poor thing to death and end up drinking blood or something, Percy settled for asphyxiating it with a large paw and then ran back to where he'd left the omega, only to inwardly sigh when he realised that Kronos had slunk off somewhere.

Resigned to tracking him down yet again, Percy loped north to the Great Lawn. His nose told him that the omega was here, but where… out of seemingly nowhere, a weight tackled Percy from the side. He let out a startled yelp and involuntarily dropped the rabbit, which was swiftly snatched up by powerful jaws and Kronos – honest to the gods – pranced off, head held high in triumph.

The alpha trailed after him, slowly advancing right up to Kronos, whom only paused briefly before cracking the rabbit's skull between his jaws.

It was sort of disgusting to watch a rabbit being torn apart, but Percy figured it was better than having to watch a mortal being torn apart.

Percy tilted his head up, slightly worried. The sky was just about beginning to lighten. He felt utterly shattered from having to chase the omega around Central Park, but Kronos didn't seem so defensive. Percy rolled slightly to the left where he was, pressing his side against Kronos', patiently waiting for the sound of cracking bones to die down.

Before he'd even finished crunching the last of the bones – apparently deciding he wasn't going to finish – Kronos shot to his paws and charged across the Lawn, looping up north towards the reservoir.

More than done by now with his shit, Percy just huffed and dropped his head, only for his eyes to snap open and stare into darkened golden eyes a few seconds later. Kronos grumbled before nudging him again. Percy took the hint, rising onto his paws – and enjoying the ten or so centimetres he had over the Titan height-wise.

Kronos then disappeared off again, only this time Percy followed him.

The Titan didn't waste any time in leaping into the water, emerging a few seconds later as he dragged himself from the reservoir a few feet from Percy. The flecks of blood and golden ichor that had been on his fur were all washed off, and then his form rippled.

Percy stared.

"The omega makes it exceedingly clear when they're willing to mate by transforming back," Chiron had said.

Percy stared some more.

And then he grinned and rather pointedly stalked off in a different direction, leaving the now-naked omega on the bank of the reservoir. Kronos actually whined as the alpha turned his back, but Percy was making his own statement. If the omega wanted to mate, he was going to have to come to the alpha, and not the other way around.

So Percy settled around the bend from Kronos as he too transformed back, also utterly naked. When he cracked open an eye and saw Kronos where he'd left him, he figured maybe he'd miscalculated and just majorly screwed up. Until Kronos shifted back to a jaguar, loped around the reservoir and then transformed back again as he flopped down beside Percy.

When Percy still hadn't moved in several minutes, Kronos muttered something entirely unflattering that had Percy's lips twitching. The omega's scent was getting much stronger, and yes, he was definitely still on his heat.

Kronos seemed to realise that Percy wasn't going to start anything. He sighed heavily through his nose. "You suck," the Titan grumbled, before he shifted closer and buried his nose in the crook of Percy's neck, breathing in the alpha's scent.

Percy smiled and finally moved, shifting so he could press himself flush against the omega. He let out a pleased rumbling sound before moving so he was above Kronos. The Titan opened his mouth to say something, but didn't get very far. Percy kissed him, feeling him practically melt against the alpha. The demigod had never really done anything like this before – other than two or three little kisses, more of a peck really, with Annabeth – but how hard could it really be?

He had to pull back briefly to breathe, which was a problem, but was swiftly remedied when he moved his lips to Kronos' neck and mouthed at his mating mark. All at once, the omega practically became a boneless heap.

Percy snorted softly, hands starting to roam the Titan's body, grasping his hips as he returned to the omega's mouth. Kronos' fingers scrabbled for something to hold, making streaks in the patches of Percy's blood that remained on his body, and eventually settled for bruising Percy's side.

Kronos – honest to the gods – moaned as Percy drew back, only to trail his lips down the omega's chest and stomach. The sound making Percy more confident that he was at least doing something right, the demigod kissed the inside of the Titan's thigh with a wicked smile.

Percy hummed as he shifted again, watching the omega curiously. "Why a sudden change in your decision?"

Kronos took in a deep breath, letting his head drop down onto the bank of the reservoir. Percy shifted back slightly until his bare feet touch the water, and instantly sighed in relief as he felt the water hunt down his injuries. The demigod made sure to wash off the blood from his body because it was sort of disgusting, and the rush of energy from the water was well-received. The omega squirmed beneath him, pressing his hips up against Percy's. The demigod groaned at the friction, leaning back down to mouth Kronos' throat. The omega rolled his neck to the side, and Percy grinned as he found himself mouthing his mating mark – for some reason, Kronos had evidently decided he wanted Percy as his alpha.

"I…" Kronos trailed off as Percy hummed. "You're different to other alphas."

"Oh?"

"Other alphas never give me space, never let me decide. You did."

"Well, if I didn't I had a feeling you'd rip my throat out or something," Percy said with a small smile, trailing his fingertips along the curve of the Titan's toned stomach.

"I was close," Kronos grumbled. "Now – I do believe you have something to do," he said rather pointedly. He spread his legs slightly and really couldn't make it more obvious if he'd tried.

Percy just about managed to not throw himself at the omega. He hesitated briefly, chewing at his lower lip as he registered just what was going to happen. Kronos whined in an attempt at encouraging him, and Percy breathed out deeply before leaning down and pressing his lips against the omega's. Straddling the Titan, Percy warily tried to wind a hand beneath him. Kronos huffed against him and lifted his lower end to help him reach.

The alpha pushed his tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss – that much at least he knew how to do. Percy shifted, nudging Kronos' legs further apart and grinning triumphantly as a finger finally found its destination. He muffled Kronos' moan with his mouth, trying to keep the Titan's attention on what their mouths were doing as he soon slipped in a second finger, inwardly thanking Chaos for the ability of an omega to produce slick – it made it somewhat more comfortable for Kronos.

Percy did his best to keep the Titan preoccupied while he worked on stretching him out. The occasional hiss or moan escaped him, which Percy found kind of sweet, not really expecting that the mighty Titan would make those kind of sounds.

The alpha took in a deep breath when he eventually removed his fingers, leaning up over Kronos. "Ready?" Percy questioned, not entirely certain how this would go and sort of trying to delay it a little – what if he messed up somehow so badly that the omega hated him for it?

But Kronos nodded slightly, watching through slightly glazed-over golden eyes as Percy lined himself up, deciding to just go with his instincts. He watched Kronos as his jaw tightened, expression scrunching up in pain, and leaned forward – inadvertently sliding in just a little further – to kiss the omega again. Kronos sighed, rather desperately accepting and deepening the kiss and groaning as Percy hesitantly rocked forwards.

When Percy was – finally – buried to the hilt, he stopped and waited. After a good few minutes, Kronos shifted, drawing Percy even closer and latching onto the alpha by using his legs to keep him in place. Percy exhaled sharply and let out a pleased growl, watching as a smile played across the omega's lips. He pulled out slightly before rocking forwards again.

The alpha slowly picked up the pace, mouthing at Kronos' mating mark as he waited. The omega groaned and rolled his head to the side, giving Percy unrestricted access to his throat. He felt his knot swelling and instantly buried himself to the hilt again, locking the two together.

Percy inhaled sharply. "Kronos," he gasped out, making a few more aborted thrusts in a futile attempt at burying himself further. "Omega," he growled.

Kronos whined, baring his throat in utter submission, rather obviously trying to get Percy to bite his mate mark.

"Not doing it," Percy gasped out, instead kissing the Titan again. "Not until you say it."

The omega squirmed, the thought of calling Percy his alpha evidently still not sitting right with him. At least until Percy sucked at his neck, and Kronos actually bucked up at him in response, causing both of them to moan.

"Alpha," Kronos keened, "my alpha."

Percy made his own mate mark over Rhea's, causing Kronos to whine, and Percy to then empty himself straight up the Titan's ass – promptly causing Kronos to also come. The alpha grinned widely, tugging the omega closer to him and settling down on the bank of the reservoir.

The sunrise glittered over the water, giving it a golden sheen. Percy rested his chin on Kronos' head, holding his omega close as he breathed deeply. He blinked when Kronos shifted, bucking against Percy.

The alpha groaned, not believing it. "More? Gods," he breathed out, already sort of worn out from that first round. "Kronos-" He growled lowly as the omega bucked again. "Fuck."

"That is the idea," Kronos drawled, dragging Percy down the bank slightly so his legs were almost entirely submerged in the reservoir. "Will you be able to keep up?"

Percy exhaled sharply at the mischievous smirk directed towards him. "You won't be like this all the time, right?"

"Of course not." The omega tilted his head to the side. "Just until my heat is over."

The alpha quirked an eyebrow. "Why has your heat started now?"

"Several thousands of years I've been stuck in Tartarus, where there's a distinct lack of alphas. Then I suddenly come up here, and there's this stupid alpha paying attention to me whom refuses to leave me alone."

Percy smiled, realising that it was because of him that the omega had entered his heat. Kronos was about to say something else, but Percy rocked towards him, and suddenly the Titan stopped talking.

The demigod wasn't entirely sure how long they stayed there before he practically collapsed in a boneless heap onto the Titan, utterly worn out. He lazily kissed his omega, Kronos looking rather content where he was. He turned his head, letting Percy mouth at the new mate mark.

Reluctantly, Percy pulled back, turning to squint at the sky. "What's the time?" He asked the Titan.

Kronos stirred, lifting his head. "Just gone nine," he murmured, shifting himself up onto his elbows. He blinked up at Percy, watching as Percy staggered to his feet and stepped further into the reservoir. "What – where are you – Perseus it's rude to leave your omega after sex!"

Percy turned to grin back at him. "Well then come on," he said, smirking lightly down at Kronos.

The Titan pushed himself up, but as soon as he put weight on his legs he yelped and crumpled rather painfully to his knees. Percy cracked a smile, but felt a bit of pity for the omega, so he kissed him and said, "I'll be back soon," he promised. "You'll be good here?"

Kronos sighed heavily, settling back against down on the bank. "Fine, fine. Go enjoy your mother's meeting. Not like I'll be going anywhere," he said sourly to Percy's back.


So, question for everyone: Too explicit? I'm not really sure what's acceptable or not on fanfiction, so if this isn't, please let me know... since this was sort of the first time I've written anything like this... so, yeah. Please let me know? 'Cus this is uncharted territory for me.

Before anyone says anything, yes, this is completely OOC for Kronos. Fortunately, I do have a reason for that.

ShadowsClaw: Ha, well, considering the usual power-difference between the two... it's a good assumption to make that Percy utterly failed. But as you can see above, he certainly didn't.