Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the plot of the story here. Thanks so much for reading, and an even bigger thank you to those who review and let me know what you think. I read every one you send me, and they make me so happy!

Note: So very sorry for the lack of updates in 2021. Work has been a constant dementor to my writing process this past year, and on top of that Santa decided to give me a broken wrist for an early Christmas present. I'm on the mend, and hope to do better this year. Fingers crossed.

Then We Talk

Stepping out of the fancy car his uncle had rented Eggsy automatically tugged his suit jacket into place. He was still getting used to the feel of dressing so fucking fancy, and honestly doubted he'd ever be as comfortable in them as Harry or Taron. At least he wasn't stuck wearing a tie, Eggsy mused, this supposed to be a mostly casual meeting and all. Plus he needed to show off all the marks Harry had worked so hard to leave on his skin. Specially the ones in the 'serious lovers' zone. Couldn't let Harry's hard work go to waste after all. Especially when his lover had been so thorough in his marking.

Of course thinking about that had Eggsy remembering how Harry had left his mark in places no one but the two of them would see. Marks that were meant just for him, no one else. Maybe as an apology for making his neck up when he wasn't allowed ta do the same to Harry's, but Eggsy didn't mind none. He'd wear them proudly.

Though his poor abs. Harry had turned em black and blue; he'd loved them so hard.

Grinning at the thought and the ones that followed it, Eggsy felt a blush heat his cheeks when his uncle casually suggested he 'simmer down'. Eggsy figured that meant his scent was saying plenty at the moment. Crap.

Distracting himself with some more suit jacket fiddling, Eggsy waited until the heat had left his cheeks a little before he turned his attention to his uncle, who was occupied with his phone currently. Or possibly just pretending to be.

"Wot cha lookin at?"

"Horoscope. According to this I should look into changing my career."

Huh. "Do you have one?"

And fuck, that sounded-

Uncle Taron just laughed, his face alight with puckish humor. "Your face. Relax, Pup. No offense taken. And no, not in the traditional sense. I've done a little of this, a little of that, but no actual career title. Except probably Trouble Maker. That would work."

Eggsy didn't doubt it for a second.

About to ask his uncle for more information about what 'a little of this' meant, exactly, Eggsy let the words die in his throat as his uncle suddenly went very still, obviously hyper focusing on something. Or someone, maybe, given why they were here in the first place. Only Eggsy didn't smell or sense anything from the direction Taron was looking in, the wind not in his favor, and his frantically searching eyes were not seeing whatever it was that had his uncle's attention-until the crowds started parting like they were the bleeding Red Sea.

Only that sure as Hell wasn't Moses they were parting for.

The Russian Alpha was almost a block away, but the humans were all somehow sensing him anyway now. They, like Eggsy and Taron, were all turning to face in that direction, watching the wolf approach like the predator he was. Hoping that if they got out of his way and then froze, he wouldn't notice them. Or someone nearby would be the more appealing snack, as some of them did look around to make sure they were still part of a 'herd'.

Like them Eggsy found his body tensing up automatically, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end and his heartrate kicking into high gear. From the corner of his eyes Eggsy saw that his uncle was the only one watching but not visibly reacting. His heartbeat, when Eggsy tried focusing on that, remained steady.

Eggsy tried to match their heartbeats to settle himself even as his eyes zipped back over to the apex predator drawing ever closer. To look away, his every instinct screamed, was to cause his own death.

Vasic's hair was pure white and pulled back in a stubby ponytail. His eyes were hidden by sunglasses, but Eggsy knew the exact moment the wolf in men's clothing decided to hone in on him. Fuck.

To try and distract himself a little from how that shielded gaze made him feel Eggsy focused on the rest, like the fact that the bastard was close to six foot five, at least, and had the hard, muscle packed body of someone who wanted to make superheroes piss themselves in fear. Definitely taller than Uncle William, more physically imposing. This bloke inspired fear as naturally as breathing.

Studying the man's face was a true test of grit, Eggsy managing it somehow as he took in a lined face that was all sharp angles and arresting features. He wouldn't have said it was a handsome face, more a compelling one. If you had the balls to look and didn't naturally duck your head or try and look away like most of the sane people in the area were doing.

Fuck but Eggsy wished he could join them.

The words Taron spoke were said softly enough that only Eggsy could hear them. "That's it. Nice and calm. Don't let him bully you. He's doing this deliberately. He loves mind fucking with people. Show him you won't play, and he'll tone it down. At least for a while."

"He's an arse, is what he is." Eggsy wanted to say that loud enough that Vasic could potentially hear...but didn't.

"He is, yes."

"Wot do ya see in im?" And it was a totally valid question. There were way better looking, not to mention saner blokes in the world. Taron could afford to go lookin for em. Why the fuck would he want to shag this one?

Another brief glance in Taron's direction showed...sadness. A look of profound sadness and grief before Taron hid those emotions away like they'd never been felt, much less visibly expressed.

"He sees me. Most don't."

Oh. Well all right then. That Eggsy could understand.

"Do I see you?" Cause Eggsy had a feeling that the answer was no. Or not any more of his uncle's true self than Taron was willing to let him see. Whereas Vasic seemed to be able to stare right into your soul without your permission from a block away, the bastard. Going toe to toe with him, he'd see what you were made of. And going by what everyone else had said Vasic liked, maybe even loved what Taron was made of.

A hand slipped into his, Taron squeezing Eggsy's for a moment before withdrawing again. "I don't see me, sometimes. I forget, beneath the roles. Vasic and a handful of others keep me in check, thankfully."

And that was all Taron had time to say before Vasic was almost in reaching distance, Taron stepping forward to meet the other wolf head on.

The words Vasic spoke were in Russian so Eggsy had no fucking clue what the wolf was saying. Hell, the words were more growled than said, though not in a threatening way. Probably. Eggsy also noted that Vasic dipped his head as if to nuzzle his face close to Taron's neck but was blocked by Taron turning his head and moving in to hug the Russian instead. Thanks to the height difference there was no way Vasic could get his face or mouth near Taron's throat, which seemed to amuse rather than piss the Russian wolf off. He even returned the hug for a brief moment. Not much for hugging, it seemed.

Backing off while saying something back in Russian, the only word Taron said that Eggsy recognized was his own name.

"So, this is your zaichik." The English was heavily accented, the tone mocking. As was the way Vasic's lips curved as he looked him over again, his gaze lingering on Eggsy's throat and the marks Harry had left there.

"He is not prey." Taron stated firmly. Like it needed to be stated, which did not bode well for Eggsy.

"As you said, my heart. But let us see how your little rabbit does, hmm."

And reaching up Vasic slid off his sunglasses to reveal the gold eyes behind them.

Oh fuck.

Knees threatening to buckle as he was forced to hold that cold, animal gaze, Eggsy could feel a whine trapped in his throat, his need to submit eating away at his gut as every human instinct in his body shivered in fear.

NO

It was Eggsy's wolf that made that command, those instincts rising up to battle and overwhelm Eggsy's human fear and instinct to survive. We will submit to no one but our mate. We bow and show our throat only to him. We will not shame ourselves or him by being weak and bending our will to this lesser alpha.

We are Alpha.

Yes, Eggsy thought as he grasped those thoughts like a lifeline, in synch with his beast in this. They would not appear weak. They would not allow themselves to be beaten. They would be worthy of Harry Hart, even if it fucking killed them.

Eggsy had no way of knowing what look was in his eyes or on his face, but Taron's sharp inhale and the way Vasic's expression changed said he was not embarrassing himself anymore. Probably.

"Still very cute, but not a scared little bunny, no. I see why you would claim him as yours, Tarunya."

"Tar wot?" It came out a little gravelly, and Eggsy had to clear his throat a little, but he managed it.

"Russians like to make up names. They basically take your name and come up with different versions of it depending on age, gender, and how much they do or don't like you." Taron's sudden grin was blinding, the pride in his eyes, directed at Eggsy, making him blush again. "It definitely makes things interesting."

More like confusing as fuck. He'd stick with the little rabbit nickname.

Belatedly remembering his manners, though so had the other bloke, Eggsy straightened his shoulders just that little bit more and held out his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Eggsy could practically see the comments Vasic was thinking about making in response, but in the end-and after a hard look from Eggsy's uncle-Vasic took the hand offered and shook it. Without breaking any of the bones in Eggsy's hand, which was a nice bonus.

"I look forward to getting to know you." Eggsy stated. He was not looking forward to the Russian getting to know him, but Eggsy worked up a smile that hopefully sufficed.

"Well then, now that introductions are made what says we go and take a seat. I know I could use some wine right about now."

Smirking again, Vasic motioned for Taron to lead the way.

Ridiculously relieved that Vasic wasn't holding his gaze any more Eggsy blinked a few times to recover from all the not blinking he'd had to do. Fuck, his eyes were dry. How long had he gone without blinking?

Shaking his head Eggsy started to move along with them towards the outdoor seating in front of the café. The wrought iron white furniture didn't look that comfortable, but sitting down on anything sounded good right about now.

Eggsy had only taken two steps when his body suddenly went on high alert without warning. A cold, icy feeling that didn't come from the wolf, but the soldier. The Marine who'd been taught to trust his gut because sometimes that was the only thing keeping you alive. There was danger, immediate danger, and in another flash of intuition Eggsy knew, in his gut, that he was in someone's crosshairs.

Ingrained knowledge had him looking up and scanning until he spotted the sniper that stood on the top of a nearby, three story building. Rifle aimed and ready in his direction.

Fuck

Shoving Vasic towards the café and the brick walls it would offer-though the wolf only stumbled about a step before whirling to face him, cold fury on his face and claws tipping his fingers-Eggsy snarled at him that there was a sniper at two o'clock and to take cover while simultaneously moving to throw himself over his uncle's body, acting as a human shield as he started herding Taron towards the nearest car with his body.

No one else was going to die because of him. He'd take the bullet first.

)

The next time he felt the urge to complain about Eggsy's questionable taste in fashion and such Harry was going to remind himself that it could be worse. Eggsy's could have a King's taste in décor. At present it seemed that Eggsy's bad taste was just when it came to clothing, and that could be remedied now that he could afford the best and had Harry and Taron to teach him what the best was. Décor wise Eggsy had made it clear that he really liked Harry's house, butterflies and all. William, from what Harry had seen in the past, had very simplistic, admittedly boring taste in clothing and décor. But that was still world's better than the man's father, who was responsible for the look of the study Harry currently found himself in. It was a room full of books that had never been read, priceless antiques that had been well cared for but were in overabundance, and the materials and heavy fabrics used just added to the uncomfortableness of the room. You weren't meant to relax or feel at ease here unless you were the one sitting behind the large, ornated desk made of walnut, its surface featuring not a scrap of paper to indicate it was ever used as more than just window dressing. A status symbol, as Kings were usually all about that.

The man who sat behind the desk, chatting with him about the surprisingly good weather they'd been getting recently, wore a traditional suit that was expertly tailored and mostly certainly overpriced. It wasn't nearly as bad as the room they were in, but it was equally unattractive from Harry's point of view.

Unfortunately, mentally critiquing the room and his Alpha's taste was not enough to distract Harry from worrying about how Eggsy was faring. Taron better make sure not a hair was harmed on Eggsy's head or else.

King loudly cleared his throat to bring Harry's full attention back to him.

"Apologies. My mind wandered for a moment."

"Missing your young man already."

With most people Harry would have said the man couldn't have sounded more condescending if he tried. But this was a King. They were often the Kings of Condescension.

Since there was no question the bastard was having Eggsy watched, especially when Eggsy left the safety of the Edgerton estate, they had all decided that there was no reason to hide what Eggsy was currently up to. Better to be up front, lest King think they were plotting behind his back with someone as dangerous as Vasic. Someone who King, like most sane people, was afraid of. Even if he would never admit it.

"Simply uneasy about how his introduction with Vasic will go."

"Ah, yes. Who wouldn't be uneasy. Though given that creature's...fondness for Taron, I'd imagine your boy is safe enough."

You only have the balls to call him a creature because he's not here to hear you, Harry thought.

"I'm sure it will be fine."

"Indeed. And perhaps if the boy finds our pack not to his liking, he could join Vasic's instead. As a favor to Taron. Though I don't imagine you'd care much for moving to Russia...if you are seriously considering his courtship."

Ah. And now they finally got down to one of the main reasons for this little chat.

"I am. Seriously considering it." He drew a hard line about moving to Russia, though. That was NOT happening.

"Really. You've never shown much interest in settling down. Even when you were a young man."

"Things change."

"Indeed. So often not for the better, unfortunately." A fake smile. "I'm only looking out for you as your Alpha, of course. You wouldn't be the first to be drawn in by an Egerton's charms, only to regret it later. Misfortune tends to follow them like the most faithful of shadows, really. I always rather thought it for the best, that the line would die out with Gawain and his brother."

More than willing to play this game, especially with the memories of the wolf they'd buried that morning fresh in his mind, Harry showed his teeth right back.

"Thank you. For your concern. But I think I can handle anything an Egerton tries to throw at me. Even one who is half King."

A knock on the door interrupted whatever Chester King would have said to that. It probably would have been a denial that Eggsy was half King, his grandmother having been disinherited after all. Stricken from her family tree for being a foolish teenager.

King's order for the knocker to enter was harshly barked out.

The door opened to reveal the man's secretary, the elderly woman looking pale as death. She was actually wringing her hands.

"What is it?"

"The...The Alpha Vasic is on the phone for you. He's demanding to speak to you."