The shot came from the brewery, the building whose thick panels house his precious companions. He had tried not to think of them as his pack, but he failed, Din couldn't deny that if only to himself. If all was well, those shots were from Athri's blaster and had eliminated the combatant force. If all was not well... Din didn't want to entertain the thought.

Cara had made it across the swamp bed, clinching the victory even though she hadn't brought down the walker just yet. She gave him a nod, spurring him on and signaling "Go." He ran for the brewery as though his life were on the line. He couldn't put a name to what he felt for the Zeltron, but she was decidedly more than a babysitter to him.

Slowly, he crept up the steps onto the brewery's raised yard, its mouth opened wide as double doors that stayed flung open in perpetuity. The placement of everyone in the village, including the young and the only disabled person on the farm, had been planned meticulously by him and Cara Dune. Nearing the room they were hiding in, his HUD showed him footsteps in the grass, freshly broken blades indicating the intruder had gone there. Din readied his blaster. He could smell Athri, and she wasn't alright.

The wooden door was left ajar. Her muffled cries spilled out from the crack. He was enraged by the sounds, tensing his hands on the pistol grip. Her scent was abnormal, the burnt stench of distress souring her fruity spice. He knew the kids would be on the opposite wall from the door as they planned, so he'd have to be stealthy and get in close to ensure there was no risk to them or Ahtri who would likely be in front of them.

"Jee settah ba leah. Karking schutta," grumbled the rough voice of a Klatooinian male, a species of only alphas.

"No!" One of them had to be in there with her, causing her to scream in such horror. "Mando! Help me!"

Din made his way through the final door, swift but silent. She couldn't possibly smell him or know he was there, but she wailed for him. His blood ran so hot that it boiled. He finally nudged open the door and spotted the raider pinning Athri to the ground. "Nobata wompa koonang ta hopa chuba," said the Klatooinian. Then he said something Din could understand, and it made him angry. "I bite. You mine."

Her legs kicked out, her face pressed into the dirt while the Klatooinian dragged a knife down the front of her dress, deepening the collar and giving himself access to her breasts. While the combatant's hand rustled in her clothes, Din's footsteps made no sound. He stops mere inches from the intruder, yanking him off her by his arm around his throat and firing multiple shots at point-blank range below his ribs. He takes no small amount of pleasure in the raider's death.

"Mando!" She turned over, pulling her skirts down and trying, helplessly, to cover her gratuitous bosom with the shredded cloth. He crouched down to wrap his cloak around her shoulders, giving her some semblance of privacy. Her eye was beginning to swell, she was shaking like a leaf, and her clothes were in a state of disrepair but nothing life-threatening. He's relieved to find her in one piece, as much as he was enraged that someone did this to her. "Thank you. Thank you," she sobbed. His heart clenched when she fell into his arms, weeping onto his beskar. The child was next to her before he knew it, reaching out for her with gentler hands than any toddler he had ever seen, laying his small hands on her and rubbing her back. He's trying his best to make her feel better.

She welcomed his touch. "My baby." The child was lifted to her chest, her hands checking his body for injuries. "Are you alright, my darling?" Scenting him at once, she tried to make her smell peaceful and safe. The omega did her best to coat them all in a calming scent, to calm both the sniveling children behind her and the alpha in front of her. He emitted his scent, trying to scare off other alphas and show her he would protect her. His closeness comforted her. He held her and the child tight but not painfully so. It was the first time Din had heard her speak of the child this way, but he shared her sentiment completely. The little green man might as well be their own flesh and blood for all they were concerned, they simply knew that he belonged with them. He thanked the stars that she was back by his side now, that he could keep her safe. Still, he couldn't help but think of what danger he would be putting her in the future just by having her with him.

That's the moment he resolved himself to leave her on Sorgan with the child. The battle was over outside, and groups of parents filed in to reunite and take their children home. Mando followed their example and, taking the omega in one arm and the child in the other, he brought them to bed carefully. As they slept, he celebrated a rather somber win that night.

The last few days had been peaceful. Din hated the thought of tearing himself away. He didn't want to leave it all behind, but he felt that he must. Omera appeared from her home with a refreshment in her hand. Sitting on a barrel on the opposite side of the porch, Cara accepted the ceramic cup from her. "Thank you."

The single mother turned to him. "Can I set you something in the house?" She asked.

"No thank you. Maybe later," Din answered, shaking his head.

Omera smiled back at the kids and Athri, who sat in the center of the cul-de-sac, playing games together and laughing. "They're very happy here." She gave him a caring gaze. "And he fits right in." He'd have to talk to her privately later in the day, to see if he could count on her to watch after his pack. She walked off the porch to meet them, and the other alpha used the opportunity to interrogate him about his helmet.

"So, what happens if you take that thing off?" Cara outright questioned him. "They come after you and kill you?"

He didn't give any emotion away, still leaning on the wall with his legs crossed. "No. You just can't ever put it back on again."

"That's it?" She threw him an incredulous look. "So you could slip off that helmet, settle down with that gorgeous omega Zeltron that you've got wrapped around your finger, and raise your kid sitting here sipping spotchka?"

He reprimanded her with a glare through his helmet, and she silenced herself by sipping her drink. While his head filled with daydreams of him and Athri doing just that, he had to focus on reality. The reality he lived in was that she wasn't safe with him and he couldn't think of a safer place for her to be. "You know, we raised some hell here a few weeks back," Din said, folding his hands on his belt. He looked at the clear sky and spotted a single cloud on the horizon. "It's too much action for a backwater town like this. Word travels fast. We might wanna cycle the charts and move on."

"I wouldn't want to be the one that has to tell them that." Her eyes closed, seemingly imagining the scenario.

"I'm leaving them here." No response came from the former Shock Trooper, so he continued. "Traveling with me, that's no life for an omega or a kid. I did my job, they're safe. Better chance at a life."

She looked sad as she shook her head. "It's gonna break their hearts."

"She'll move on eventually." Din could tell his words weren't assuring her because they weren't assuring him. He nodded to himself, hoping to reinforce the message. "And he'll get over it. We all do."

Speaking of her seemed to summon her and Athri came up the path that led to Omera's porch, grasping the rope railing to guide herself.

It seemed their discussion was over, as Cara put her attention on the omega. "Hey. How are you holding up?" Seeing them interact used to make Din feel jealous, possessive even, but going through such a trial with Cara had brought them closer. He'd begun to trust her, just enough to let her interact with his omega. Even though they were not mated, Din felt responsible for Athri's safety in all aspects.

"Carasynthia," Athri said, bowing slightly. "I am well, thank you. Is Mando there?" She knew his smell was in this area, of course, but she was trying to be polite. It seemed her high-bred Zeltron upbringing was coming through.

"I'm right here." He was glad that no one could see his face at her reaction to him. He was surely telegraphing his feelings for her all over his face. Cara sauntered off, possibly to talk with the "young, beautiful widow" that had caught her eye.

At the sound of his voice, she visibly relaxed. She crouched down near where she heard him and sat on the edge of the porch by his feet. "Good. I am exhausted from the morning. I helped Omera with a bit of brewing, then played with the children the rest of the day." As she grew tired, she lay down fully on the wooden planks, feet hanging off the edge.

"You may rest now. Don't be afraid." Without protest, her eyes closed and her breathing slowed. He spent who knew how long just watching her and the child. It felt nice. She rested but didn't fall asleep.

"Do you think we could stay here?" Athri stared up at him through long lashes. "Maybe just a little while?"

"I think it's clear you're happy here. Both of you." He nodded his head in the child's direction, uncrossing his arms.

"What about you?"

"I don't belong here. I'll only bring you danger." He shook his head, not sure why he was explaining himself. "You don't want a life with me."

"I think I would know what I wanted." Her eyes glazed over, looking fit to burst into tears. "I would miss you too much. You don't even know how I feel about you."

Din paused, thinking of a way to ask her how she felt about him, but it was too short, only lasting a moment until a shot resonated through the village. The Zeltron's frame jerked and she stood up. Din shielded her body with his, pulling his blaster from the holster. "Go get the kids," he ordered, taking off as quickly as possible toward the source of the noise. She hurried off as fast as a blind woman could, grasping the rope rails loosely.

When he finally reached the sound, Cara Dune was already there. Laying before her was a smoking corpse lying face down. Thankfully the dead bounty hunter hadn't got a shot off. Din used his foot to roll over the body, uncovering two blinking red tracking beacons. As he stooped low and retrieved them, Cara inquired, "Who's he tracking?"

"The kid. The other one must be for the girl." He searched his memory before shaking his head, frustrated. "I don't know how they found out about her."

He inspected the beacons. She hummed, "They have their ways. They know they're here."

It wasn't a question, but Din answered it anyway. "Yes."

"Then they'll keep coming." Cara's brows furrowed intensely.

"Yes." He placed the beacons on a flat rock, crushing them under his boot. He can't leave them with the guild on their tail. He'd watch over them both for a little longer.

"Goodbye, Athri. I hope we'll see each other again someday," Omera said, smiling honestly. Her eyebrows furrowed when she thought about what she'd said. "Sorry. I only meant-"

"It's alright, I know what you meant. I hope so too." Athri smiled back in her general direction. "And you too, Carasynthia." Winta ran up to hug the child while they spoke. They shared a tender moment.

"Why do you always have to use my full name like that?" she grumbled but begrudgingly hugged the omega anyway. "You remind me of my mom."

Athri smiled genuinely at her. "Oh, but it's such a beautiful name."

"Now you're seriously starting to sound like her. Stop," Cara chuckled. Then she addressed both her and the Mandalorian. "Are you sure you don't want an escort?"

"I appreciate the offer," he said, continuing to load the cart with their things. "But we're going to bypass the town and head right to the Razor Crest."

"Well then, until our paths cross." Cara held her hand out to grasp, and he did, saying their goodbyes with more understanding than words would allow.

"Until our paths cross," he reciprocated. They then set off back to the ship on the cart they came in on. Although they left early in the day, they would not arrive until late. It took them til the wee hours of the morning to finish moving everything back and

Once they had left the atmosphere, it was safe for Athri to return below deck. Her cheek had almost healed, a slight yellowish tinge being the only evidence left of the bruise. But she was blatantly tired and so was he. She closed the refresher door behind her and headed over to the bed."Mando?" She called out. She wore the same shirt he put on her almost a week ago, but it had lost its effect and now it only smelled of her.

"My name is Din Djarin." He tilted his head away from her shyly. "You may call me Din when we're alone."

She tried the word on her tongue. "Alright, Din." His cock jumped in his pants at the sound. She shifted the child to her other hip and the small green bundle let out a dramatically large yawn. "Well, we're tired so..." He stopped leaning against the sleep chamber's door and opened it with his gauntlet.

"Yeah, of course. Actually..." Din cleared his throat, raised his head, and gathered his courage. Who knew a small-framed omega could be scarier than a Mudhorn? "Would you mind if we shared the sleeping chamber tonight?"

"Oh." Her rosy cheeks darkened. "No, not at all. You have done so much for me, it's the least I can do."

"Thanks. I can't sleep in that chair for another night." He had been taking long naps in the pilot's chair rather than taking the only bed from the healing Zeltron.

"I also think your presence may help the little one sleep through the night. He has been waking me up at odd hours by trying to get milk from... well, it's not important." While speaking, she strokes the child's chin lovingly. Her eyes, though unseeing, express adoration for the foundling in her arms. "Anyway, you two share a close bond. It might help."

"Then for your sake, I hope it does too." He started removing pieces of his armor. First his pauldrons and gauntlets. Then came the thigh and shin guards. He did not take off his helmet. "Come. Let's sleep." He had a large blanket laid out for the omega's comfort. After the week he had spent with her, she had acted much like the Zeltron nobility in certain ways. She was quite delicate and not much of a fighter, but could also be terrifying when the situation called for it. He allowed her to lie down first, then crawled in next to her. There was only just enough space for their bodies to lie side by side, but they were touching all along their arms and thighs.

Din elected to lay on his left side facing away from them. Athri did the same, facing the wall with the child curled up in her arms. He used his foot to close the door.

"Din?" Again, his member twitched. This would make things difficult. "You have already given me a lot but... Can I ask you for something?

"Yes, Athri?"

"I'd like a collar. I used to have one before I was taken in." Her face flushed and she whispered, "Next time we stop on a planet, would you... get me one? For protection."

The social significance wasn't lost on him either. Some omegas wear them for protection against an unwanted bite. Couples who intend to pair but aren't old enough or are waiting for marriage will gift a neck protector to their omega to prevent any unwanted bites. And he would be gifting one to her, like lovers do. His member swells again just thinking about the implications. She was a beautiful woman, her long blue hair like waves curtaining her sensual curves.

He turned over and spooned the Zeltron, cradling her in his arms. "I think that can be arranged." He inhaled deeply from her scent gland, spiced wine and syrupy blossoms bursting into his nostrils. He shifted his hips so he wouldn't be pressing his swollen member against her ass. "Go to sleep now."

When she awoke, the other side of the bed was cold. The entire ship was shaking and all kinds of alarms rang in her ears. She walked along the wall to the ladder, climbing it with the child in her other arm.

"What's happening?!" She yells over the noise, strapping herself and the child into her seat.

"One of them found us," he snarled under his breath.

They were hurtling through space at breakneck speeds, a speedy New Republic gunship hot on their heels. They sustained heavy fire. "Hand over the omega and the child, Mando. I might let you live." Din's grip on the controls tightens until his knuckles are white under his gloves. His brain told him if he did that, the other hunter would rape her in front of him before killing him and turning in the bounty. That would never be an option for him.

"What are we going to do?" Athri whimpered, squeezing her eyes tightly. She flinched with every laser blast that hit their vessel.

"Evasive manouevers." Din said, flicking open a few button covers and pressing them down. "Hold on."

The ship's speed increased, as did the enemy's. "I can bring you in warm, or I can bring you in cold," the opponent taunts, trying to go even faster.

Suddenly, the Mandalorian hit the breaks. The Razor Crest came to a complete stop, throwing Athri and the child forward in their seats. The enemy spacecraft hadn't been able to stop in time and shot ahead, clipping one of the Crest's engines."That's my line." He fired and the enemy craft exploded, disintegrating into dust and nothing more. Many alarms had been going off on the ship's dash, and he finally checked them. "Losing fuel." Despite Mando's constant pressing of buttons, it quieted only when the ship lost power.

"Din?"

"Everything will be okay. We'll land on Tatooine, get some repairs, and be on our way," he promised, reaching for her hand and stroking it with his thumb. He patched into the planet's air controller signal, requesting to land and being directed to hangar 3-5. "Copy that. Locked in on three-five." The landing was not too rough, a few sputters here and there, but they arrived in one piece. Din led Athri to the sleeping chamber, helping her lie down and tucking the blanket around her.

"You two stay on the ship until I come back," he said, handing her the little green bundle of joy. "You can't be seen out and about or you might get reported to the bounty guild. I want to keep you both safe." He stroked the baby's large ear as he spoke.

"Okay, Din. We're going to take a nap. Come back safe." The bounty hunter lowered his forehead to hers, nudging his nose under her ear, and spread his scent all over her before leaving.

He'd agreed to get the money, knowing there was no other way. He went around asking for work, and eventually, the right person heard his plea. Toro Calican was a fresh face on the bounty-hunting scene, a pretty boy with a young countenance. He needed help with a job capturing a bounty. To Din's benefit, he offered him all the money because Toro just wanted to get into the guild. However, he destroyed the tracking fob and said they would be stuck together.

In a half hour, Din said to meet him at the hangar with two speeder bikes. He made it there first and went straight up to his ship. He made a beeline to the bed, but it was empty and cold. Only the lingering scent of spiced wine and vanilla remained.

"Athri?" He turned around, looking everywhere for the small woman and their baby. He only just got them back safe. He spotted the mechanic, Peli, asleep with the child in her arms and Athri dozing beside her. "Hey!"

"I'm awake! I'm awake!" the beta mechanic screamed, hopping out of her chair.

"Where is he?" he barked, mean enough to send a nearby droid hiding in its helmet.

"Quiet!" Peli ordered him, plodding out from the cover of her workshop while she shushed the child. Athri, yawning, tried to follow her closely with her hands out to feel for obstacles. "You woke it up! Do you have any idea how long it took us to get it to sleep?"

He menacingly hunched his shoulders, trying to keep his voice steady, "Give them to me."

She dodged away from him and handed the child to Athri, then put her hands on her hips and faced him again. "Not so fast! You can't just leave a child all alone like that without a proper guardian! And you'd think that a strong-smelling alpha like yourself would keep your blind mate safe. You know, you have an awful lot to learn about raising a family." He knew she was right, so he didn't even attempt to argue in his favor. Peli stepped up to a podium-like machine that would read the status of the ship. The woman's slender hands pressed buttons on a console with great strength. "Anyway, I started the repair on the fuel leak. I had a couple of setbacks I wanted to talk to you about. I didn't use any droids, as requested, so it took me a lot longer than I expected. But I figured you were good for the money since you have a few extra mouths to feed."

Din paused while grabbing a bag from the ship and bringing it down the ramp. "Thank you." His appreciation shocked Peli and Athri, though the latter never stopped rocking the baby in her arms. He approached Athri, hugging her briefly and nuzzling her hair, spreading his scent on her just enough to replace what had faded. He pushed a small, velvet box into her palms, then said, "I have to go. If anything happens, get on the ship and engage security protocol."

Peli followed right behind Din as he exited the hangar's back door. "Oh. Guess I was right. You got a job didn't you?" She sounded pleased.

Athri trodded along behind them. "Please come back safe," she murmured, tightening her hold and pressing the child against her bosom. They both sent him pleading looks.

"Hey, Mando. What do you think? Not too shabby, huh?" Toro asked. He was waiting on the other side of the door with two rusted speeders. Din eyed them dubiously, checking the supports and tightening a nut. "Well, what did you expect? This ain't Corellia. Ma'am." He nodded to Peli, then he turned and his eyes slicked up and down Athri's figure. He winked at her. "Hello, miss." The child in her arms whined, fussing with the front of her dress. He complained like that when he was hungry, and he ate often. It made Athri turn her attention to the baby, unknowingly snubbing the young man.

Din didn't care to inform Toro that the woman couldn't see his flirtatious acts. "Don't even think about it," the more experienced bounty hunter warned while he placed his pack on the bike. "She's off-limits." His voice was so low and threatening that the child stopped fidgeting to stare at him. They mounted their bikes in unison. He gave Toro a look, engaging the engine, and then the two of them darted off at a fierce speed. They would be taking on an infamous assassin: Fennec Shand.