Rushing out across the bridge, Sean watched Mark dive for the ground. His body transforming into a large brown wolf with stunning golden eyes. Hitting the ground on all fours, he launched himself into a full run that Sean struggled to keep up with. Mark had struck a long stride and running across the cold snow didn't appear to bother him. Sean found the snow uncomfortable under his paws. He wasn't used to how cold it felt and how it sank beneath his steps. The strong storm wind shoved against his side, threatening to pin up against the side of the stone bridge. The thick snowflakes clung to his fur and blinded him, until he was only following the dark color of Mark's fur. As they reached the end of the bridge, The snowflakes began to sting his eyes, causing Sean to stumble and nosedived into the snow. His startled yelp, causing Mark to skid to a stop ahead of him. Lifting his head, Sean snorted snow from his nose, shaking the cold from his body. When Mark rushed back toward him barking out. "SEAN, RUN!"

Sean whimpered, ducking as Mark leapt over him and attacked something behind him. Glancing back, he saw the guards were racing across the bridge toward them now. Getting to his feet, he watched Mark bite into the scruff off another wolf's neck and went into a roll before kicking the wolf off the bridge. The other guards in wolf form and heavily armed were running straight for them with teeth bared. Mark let out a snarl, then dashed off back toward him. Shoving into Sean's side, Mark took off again and Sean got the hint. Taking off after him and into the thick woods. Sean had always considered himself a fast running, but the Alphas were naturally faster, and it showed. After only a few minutes, Sean's legs were burning and threatening to give out on him. It took all his focus to leap over fallen logs and streams. He could hear the guards barking to split up to try and intercept them. However, he wasn't sure that was going to work in their favor.

The snowy wind was blinding, and any smells were impossible to track in it. If the guards were expecting them to follow the road, they would be disappointed. Mark wasn't following the road. In fact, he didn't know what Mark was doing. He was just running blindly into the woods! Ahead of him, Mark masterfully jumped over a deep gully, but when Sean tried... he came up short. Slamming into the side, Sean began to slide down toward the rushing water. A startled yelp left him as he called out. "Mark?! Help!" Running back to him, Mark quickly snatched Sean by the scruff of his neck, growling as he tugged gradually to help pull him up. Clawing at the snowy bank and ledge, Sean desperately tried to get his footing, but everything was slippery and breaking away. Mark pulled him enough that he could adjust his bite on his neck, until he could pull him up on his own. Slumping down across the snow, Sean panted heavily, his limbs shaking from the exertion.

Mark nudged his side with his nose, trying to silently encourage him to get up, but Sean couldn't get his legs to take his weight. How long had they been running? It felt like hours. Mark paced around him restlessly. His ears and head perked up to listen and watch for any movement. Impatiently, he nudged him again and again. Until Sean staggered up and started walking on shaky legs. Walking behind him now, Mark kept vigilant and snapped at Sean's hind legs to keep him moving and trying to get him to walk faster. Sean growled back at him but kept his same pace. He'd never had a reason to push himself this hard. His body wasn't used to this. He was cold and tired. The whistling wind hurt his sensitive ears, and his stomach cramped up from hunger. He wanted to stop, but Mark kept pushing him on. For a time, he managed to obey. Then his body just gave up. Falling to his side, he panted heavy and deep.

Mark nudged his legs and back, but Sean refused to move now. He couldn't go any further. Mark looked around nervously, whining quietly before nudging him again. This time, Sean weakly whined back to him. "I can't... I'm so tired, Mark..." Mark shook the snow from his fur, before looking around again. Mark trotted off somewhere and Sean's heart sank. Would he leave him if he couldn't keep up? If the other Alphas had as much energy as he had, then he didn't stand a chance with an Omega like him tagging along. A few minutes passed and Sean started to feel weak from the cold. His legs and nose felt frozen. His lungs couldn't take a single breath without feeling colder and a bit suffocated. Were his lungs freezing? Closing his eyes, he whined into the roaring wind and shivered. He wanted the Alphas to find him if it meant they'd warm him up and feed him. He couldn't do this on his own. He was just starting to give in to the cold embrace of the snow and felt strangely warm... when Mark's teeth snatched onto his scruff and began to drag him across the snow.

Sean protested weakly, until Mark dragged him into a little dug out. Just being pulled out of the icy wind felt so good. It allowed his nose to sniff the still air and breathe in the heavy smell of fresh dirt. Forcing his eyes open with some effort, he looked at where he was. Mark had dug out a small hole in the hillside for them to rest in. It was cramped inside but just big enough for them both to rest. Stepping over him, Mark laid over his side. Mark was heavy but warm from digging. He was panting hard and still staring out of the entrance with a worried look. Sean could only smile. Mark hadn't left him. When the wind changed to blow into their little cave, Mark got up and worked to close the opening with compacted snow. When the hole was closed up, Mark snorted and carefully stepped over him to lay back down over him. Being sealed up in the dark with Mark made him feel safe and between the heat Mark gave off and the enclosed space... he was starting to feel warm.

He started to close his eyes to sleep, when Mark's nose touched his cheek. Reluctantly opening his eyes, he saw Mark offering him something from between his teeth. Opening his mouth, Sean accepted it and chewed a little. It was a root, but it tasted so sweet. Mark appeared to have dug up a small stash of this root. So, they snacked on a few before curling up to sleep. It was impossible to tell what time of day it was because the cave was closed. Outside, he could still hear the muffled howling of the wind and sighed to himself. He was warm and comfortable right where he was. Even when he realized that at some point in his sleep, he had turned back to his human form. Sighing to himself, he relaxed and started to drift back off to sleep, until he noticed that he had three arms. Lifting his arm closest to the third, he blushed. Mark's human hand was wrapped around his torso. Smiling to himself, he lowered his fingers to the bloodstained skin of his arm and stroked him from wrist to elbow.

He felt like he'd died and was trapped inside a beautiful dream. One where Mark belonged to him and nothing else mattered. Seeing the goosebumps that sprang up on his arm, Sean smiled, and this time slid his fingers down and between Mark's fingers before sliding them back out to rub the prickled flesh. He'd never touched anyone like this. Especially, an Alpha. It was addictive to feel his soft warm skin and strong form. Reminding him that Mark was real and not a fever dream. He could see the dirt under his nails and the Apex's blood stained on his tanned skin, but none of it bothered him. He was just happy to have Mark close to him. Slipping his arm under Mark's, he lifted it just a tad and turned over to face him before letting it lay back over him. Mark didn't stir to Sean's surprise, but he could guess why. He was exhausted. He'd never seen Mark sleep and found he liked him like this. His head was sleeping on his arm, and he snored softly with every deep breath he took.

Feeling no shame, Sean watched Mark breathe for a time. Listening to his every breath and watching his chest rise and fall. He had never seen Mark so still and longed to snuggle closer. Instead, he let the butterflies in his stomach guide his actions to touch him. Running his hand along the curves of Mark's side to his hips. Feeling the strong muscles hidden beneath his clothes that he didn't lose in his transformation. Yet, part of him wished he had. To have nothing between them physically and mentally. Running his hand through Mark's hair to move his dark bangs away from his eyes, he leaned in and resisted the urge to kiss his cheek. It hurt him so much to have Mark so close... but not truly have him at all. So, instead, he tried to fight back tears as he whispered to himself in a little prayer. "Why can't I let you go...? Why do I need you...? I've tried.... But I just keep dreaming of you. While you barely know that I exist... It's not fair."

Sighing defeatedly, Sean could no longer take it. Snuggling against him, Sean nestled his face in between Mark's arm and head. Burying his face against his neck when Mark sleepily shifted to let him. Wrapping his arm around Mark's waist, Sean whimpered as his sadness tried to crush him. His whimper spurring Mark's sleepy hand to rub his back as he shushed him in a tender voice that eased the pain he felt. Tightening his arm around Mark's waist, Sean licked the blood off Mark's neck without thinking about it. The wounded wolf in him just wanted to kiss him. Needed him to know that he loved him. That everything he'd done to save him had only made him yearn for him more. He wanted no one else. He told himself that he'd offer the great Luna anything to make him his. She could take his sight, his hearing, his taste, his touch, and even his sense of smell. Anything to end the ache of loving him so much and living without him.

He felt selfish and pathetic to long for Mark like so many others have. It wasn't healthy and made no sense why he loved him so strongly. No Alpha had drawn him in like Mark had. He couldn't even blame it on puppy love because his feelings had never changed over the years. Licking him again, Sean whimpered again, his hand sliding up Mark's back to hold him closer. He felt Mark stir, but didn't care. He blamed almost being raped and stressed over losing Mark to someone else. Omegas were emotional and he'd had more happen to him than he could bare to hide anymore. So, he didn't care if Mark saw him like this. Vulnerable, heartbroken, and utterly scared. The tears ran down his cheeks and his body rocked with sobs that he couldn't control anymore. Mark shifted his head off him, his body tense, but his hand kept rubbing his back in soothing strokes. For a bit, Mark said nothing and just held him.

Which helped Sean's body stop shaking. His rain of tears started to run dry on his cheeks and he sniffled with embarrassment. Gathering his emotions, he was going to explain himself to Mark, when his nose caught a weird smell coming from Mark. Leaning closer to his neck, where he'd licked him. He smelled... a smell that made images swirl in his mind. It was comforting like a cozy hot drink before a fire. Mixed with the fresh smell of warm freshly baked sugar cookies. The smell spread through every nerve of his body, draining the sadness away like melting snow before a powerful flame. Easing back from his neck, Sean looked up to meet Mark's chocolate brown eyes, his heart swelling with an emotion he didn't recognize. Whatever it was, Mark saw it in his eyes, and without a word between them. Mark leaned in and pressed his lips to his in a kiss that made Sean's heart take flight. Even as Mark's arms tightened around him in a loving embrace.  To Be continued...