#(ugh!)

How quickly you take to him. How easily you let him into your home, your bed, your heart.

It's like you knew he was the one.

And we can say it's just animal instincts rearing it's awful head. That a big, strong wolf, covered in scars and strips would obviously call to your hybrid side but, you'd like to think it was something else. Something more.

You've been alone once.

It's how Price found you.

Lost in a big city, thrown from your home because you refused to mate with any of the hybrids there. A backyard breeder, who was determined to make you their new bitch.

But you fought. You scratched and clawed and bit and you won after sinking your teeth into his arm and shaking your head until you heard a horrific snap.

Sometimes, late at night when it's just you awake, you can still hear it. Smell the blood. Ears pierce with a shrill cry.

Price found you huddled by a dumpster. Dirty, hair matted, bones sticking out, sick and knocking on deaths door.

Same as Price.

Kicked from the military for refusing orders he knew were bad. Refusing to let his team be put in horrific situations. Refused to let his people die for bullshit reasons and bullshit causes. Didn't matter, in the end. They canned Price and still sent his team out.

They came home in boxes.

Price cried when he was told. Found himself in the bottom of a bottle, another one wrapped in his fingertips, his mind gone.

Raph was expecting a kid. Little boy.

Jen was a hard-headed medic and had the biggest heart imaginable. Would have done anything for her team. He knew she died fighting while cussing at someone to keep their wounds clean and keep that pressure, don't give up on her now.

Vera was—

Price doesn't like to think about Vera.

In a fog of regret, sorrow, shame and a drunk-haze, Price came across you.

And he knew instantly you were with him. End of story.

Made him get his life together. Hard to take care of a husky hybrid constantly drunk or hungover. It was a good thing for him, he quickly realized.

You needed a lot of care, at least. Getting use to human touches that weren't full of poison and venom. That didn't hurt and make you bleed. That didn't bend you over hard surfaces with hopes of trying to induce your heat.

Price had all the time in the world, and took it day by day.

Eventually got you to take a bath without growling at him.

Of course, he worried at first hearing you. He knew it would hurt if you managed to take a chunk out of him, but you didn't. You were weary, but you tried. You sat in the tub, shaking and trembling, growling at the way his hands rubbed the wash over your body but you tried and you let him take care of you.

He had never been so happy.

Day after day, you both worked hard together. Long runs and nice walks. Meal planning because you both deserved good things. Cuddles at midnight because the nightmares don't stop for anyone and it's okay to have someone to lean on.

And one day, he decided to ditch the city life. Get away from all the bad memories for you both and start fresh. Start new. Grow something and take care of something together. Give you both purpose again.

And the farm did just that.

So, when you finally came face to face with the big bad wolf of the forest, the one who had been watching you and scaring off big predators and leaving gifts of fresh, raw meat for you near the edge of the forest, you just knew.

You knew he was lonely. He was desperate for companionship. For company. How could you deny him? Especially when Price never once denied you of the same?

So, as long as he didn't eat you or your animals or owner, you told him he could stay and that he was welcomed. Of course, the wolf didn't believe you at first, expecting the man with the rifle over his shoulder to come hunting for him anytime.

But, a few weeks went by and nothing.

You didn't say anything, or he didn't care.

Simon benefited either way.

You two would run the lands, rubbing your scents on the trees and barking to keep predators away from the livestock. Simon would hunt little rabbits to share with you and you'd enjoy the quiet evenings together before you retired off to the house.

Your faux-heat happened soon after. Your body finally relaxed and away from the dangerous that you once faced. An amazing owner by your side, and a big, strong wolf who took care of you, protected you, provided for you and never bothered you.

You were ashamed to admit that you bent over quickly, moving your tail to the side and begging your alpha to mount you.

And Simon? Simon was not a strong hybrid. Years and years of being alone, being shunned, being shamed made his want an ugly thing. Possessive and eager to snap his jaws and lock down what was his.

And you, little husky, were his.

It's when your owner finally found you underneath the wolf, his jaws around your throat and knot deep in your cunt that Simon felt some worry.

He could easily take you away from him. The only good thing in his life. His light. His mate.

He counted how fast it would take him to dislodge from you and snap his neck.

Price was shaking. His light, his reason for living, held down by this violent beast. Price had to kill him. He just had to.

But, you were happy... it seemed. Barking. Wagging your tail, as much as you could. As much as Simon's knot would allow and his teeth would let you move. So, Price waited until you two were done.

And color him shocked when once you were free, you immediately showed the wolf love and forced asked Price to let him stay. Kept telling him what a great job he was doing, how much you liked him, and how badly you wanted to have his litter.

Price made a choice, a leap of faith, and decided that the wolf could stay until he did something bad.

And the wolf... didn't.

Theres an understanding between two creatures on equal footing. Both equally shunned and kept away. Lost to the world, but found their universe in another.

Sometimes, when you aren't around, Simon will lay next to Price as he's tending to the yard. He'll even let Price give him belly rubs and Simon will give him a kiss across the cheek in return. Two souls. Eager to protect. Eager to serve. Eager to belong.

They don't tell you that though.