Taking a page from other writers’ books... I’m going to test run a story here before posting on AO3... it’s a 1988 A/b/o wolf verse... yes... god help me... Any way... here’s the start... not sure how fast I’ll work on this with my other stuff getting more attention... but... I’ll try...
Ever since any of them could remember, they’d spent the August full moon together as a pack. It was a time of team bonding, when retiring veterans could come say good-bye, and rookies could be welcomed to the team. It was usually a three-day event, the day before, of, and after the first full moon of the month. Specified in case there were ever two moons in August.
It was held at a secluded mountain lake in Canada, not far from Calgary. The team had purchased several hundred acres around the lake and built three multi-room cabins for sleeping, and a main, lodge-type, building where meals were taken and group activities held.
Jonathan stepped out of the passenger side of the rental car. He stretched and yawned, getting his body moving again after the long ride to the remote location. He watched Patrick do the same.
Jon took a long deep breath, letting the smells of the lake fill his senses. He caught the faint whiff of some of his teammates who were already there. Familiar scents that warmed his soul.
It hadn’t always been that way, however. When he’d first come here as a rookie, he’d been scared of being around so many strange wolves. Well, around a lot of new Alphas that was. It was the same feeling any time he met a new team, whether it was in juniors or at UND.
His fears had been alleviated quickly that first summer when he’d met Patrick, also a rookie, and an Omega. They had clicked instantly. And just a year later, Jon had claimed Patrick as his mate. That had been right before Jon had been named Captain of the Blackhawks. An honor and position he didn’t take lightly. In the years since, he had proven to be an outstanding leader on and off the ice for the pack.
“Want to unload everything, or wait til we have some help?” Patrick asked as he walked around the SUV which was loaded with supplies and their luggage.
They were just one pair of players that would be bringing supplies such as food and other necessities to the lodge.
“Wait. Anything we have will be okay in the coolers for a little bit. Let’s go see who’s already here.” He took Patrick’s hand in his as they walked the short distance from the parking area to the lodge.
As they walked, they saw a lone wolf off at the edge of the clearing where the cabins were located, not far from the lake shore. Neither of them recognized the wolf.
“One of the rookies?” Patrick mused. “Strange they’d have changed and be out on their own.”
Rookies usually ran with at least one veteran during their first time at the lake, until they learned the property boundaries. To see one off by themselves was highly unusual.
Jon sniffed the air. The scent of the strange wolf floated across the distance. Jon read it at the same time Patrick did. Omega.
“The Russian.” Jon said firmly. He knew that the new kid from the KHL was the only Omega coming to the team this year. All the others were Betas and a couple of Alphas. He turned to look at his mate when he heard Patrick growl lowly. “Jealous much, Peeks?”
“Sorry.” Patrick dipped his head to his chest at Jon’s scold.
“It’s okay. I like it.” Jon pulled Patrick close so he could kiss his temple.
They waved at the wolf, who turned and ducked into the woods, before they walked the rest of the way the lodge.
When they walked in, Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford were sitting in a couple of the large chairs looking over the paperwork the team had sent on the new players. Patrick and Jon joined them, sitting on one of the couches.
“Who let the Russian out without a leash?” Patrick chirped. “What if he gets lost?”
“He’d not alone.” Brent laughs. “But, as for needing a leash, Tazer don’t you think you should keep your Omega leashed. Jesus, we go through this jealous Pattycakes thing every year.”
“Nah,” Jon nudges his shoulder against Patrick’s, “he’s house trained and harmless.”
Brent and Corey laugh. Patrick glares.
“Anisimov is with him. They came together.” Brent tells Jon. “The kid seems okay. A bit shy. They were already here when we got here. About ten minutes after we did, they were off for a run.”
“Probably nervous, this is a big change for him. Running off energy.” Jon said. “But Anisimov hasn’t ever been here either. Jesus, you just let them go off on their own?”
“Relax, Cap. Hossa’s with them. Said he’d take the kids out for a tour.”
“Well, okay. That’s better.” Jon said, still not sure about things. Mostly though, his uneasiness was caused by the scent of the strange Omega that lingered in the air.
---------------------------------------------------------
Over the next couple of hours, the rest of the team filtered in. Jon, Patrick, Brent and Corey had worked out cabin assignments and posted them. Everybody dropped their stuff in their assigned rooms and then helped unload all the food and other supplies.
Jon was putting water into one of the fridges when he felt someone behind him. He stood and turned, coming face to face with the new Russian rookie.
“Hi.” Jon smiled. “Have a good run?”
The kid tipped his head to the side, looking a bit like a lost puppy. It dawned on Jon that he might not know any English.
“You want a water?” Jon reached in and grabbed a bottle, holding it out for the kid.
Artemi took it cautiously. Jon could see his nostrils flare slightly, and then his eyes became alarmed.
Shit. He knew instantly the kid hadn’t realize Jon was an Alpha when he walked up. Not just an Alpha, but the Alpha.
Artemi immediately ducked his head to his chest and averted his eyes. His whole body began to tremble and he dropped to his knees. He tipped his head to the side, baring his neck to the Alpha.
“Hey. No.” Jon tried to sound reassuring, not like a dominating force. “It’s okay. No need for that.”
He reached out and gently cupped Artemi’s chin, lifting his face towards him.
“Hey. It’s okay. We aren’t like that here.”
Jon looked around, seeking help. He saw Anisimov rushing towards them. Artem started calling to Artemi in Russian.
Artem got to them and helped Artemi back to his feet. Jon stood by as the two talked for a few minutes. Artemi kept glancing over at Jon and nodding his head. Finally, he had stopped shaking and seemed to relax a little. He held out his hand to Jon.
“Hello. Please meet you.” He said in broken English.
“Nice to meet you, too.” Jon said, shaking his hand. “Glad to have you on the team. Looking forward to this season.”
Artem translated. Artemi pulled his hand back when Jon released it, a look of confusion on his face.
“He not know why you not scenting him. In Russia, team leader always scents Omegas when first meet. Is way of bringing them into pack.” Artem explained.
“He thought you would… what’s word… sniff… his wrist at least.”
“Oh.” Jon blushed. “Um. I could, if…”
He saw Artemi was blushing as well, but there was now even more confusion in his expression. He said something softly to Anisimov, who laughed.
“He has never seen an Alpha blush.”
“Um, well…” Jon stuttered. “He took me by surprise.”
“Da. I tell him.” Artem answered.
Artemi said a few more things.
“He say thank you for water. He is happy to come to America to play hockey. Happy to be on team with such strong players,” Artem coughed as he added the last, a purely sarcastic cough. “and such a strong Alpha as a captain.”
The red in Jon’s cheeks deepened and spread down his neck. “Uh, thank you.”
Artem and Artemi took their leave then, wandering back to their cabin. Jon finished stocking the fridge and went to find Patrick.
He had the sudden urge to just climb on his mate and bite him all over.
