#manus lupus

Another pings off the delta’s head, drawing another growl. “Time, what do you want.” It’s more a hiss than a question.

“You should wake up the others.” Time is far too alert for pre-dawn; maybe from living on a ranch.

“You’re beta, you do it!” Warriors burrows further into his blanket.

Time throws another pinecone, catching it in his hair.

“Fine! I’m up!” Warriors yanks back his blanket and flashes a fang at Time. “Now, what’s so important you can’t do it?”

Time blinks at him. “I’m tired.” Then he lays down and rolls up in his bedding.

Warriors is left spluttering and snapping at the air, before devolving into death threats that slowly fade into silence. Time doesn’t move.

Wild watches the interaction, curious as to what relationship is between the delta and beta. Warriors does go and wake the others, collecting the tossed pinecones as he goes.

Meeting Wild’s eyes, which are open, he bypasses the alphas and walks over to Time. The armful of pinecones is dumped on his head. Time sits up and flashes a fang, which Warriors ignores as he stalks back to his bed.

Whatever it is knows they’re here. Sky places his feet with care and advances, focusing on that spot. If they can flank the monster and close in, they’ll have this problem settled in no time. How they get back is another matter altogether.

The bright notes of an ocarina shatter the silence. It’s not a song Sky is familiar with. Even more, it’s out of place. Why would a monster be playing a song? Maybe this isn’t a monster, but someone they should help. Yet why would Fi glow like this?

Before Sky can advance or motion for someone else to flank, there’s a loud ripping sound. It’s somewhere between tearing fabric and a scream, nearly too high to hear. Whatever it is, it’s wrong.

The alpha bolts for the tree, skidding to a halt at the rent in the air. Whatever made it is gone. Time bumps his shoulder as he comes to an abrupt halt behind him. Then the rip stitches itself back together—bumpy and warped.

“What in Hylia’s name was that?”

Time heaves a deep sigh, ruffling his hair with his breadth. The proximity has the alpha tensing, sending out a warning scent. Time quickly steps back and ducks his eyes. “I think we could use a break. This will take some explaining.”

Example like

Someone: Wild, can I do [something]?

Wild: Sky said no, didn't he?

Them: He's not the boss of you though

I love this au, it takes all the things I like about omegaverse and none of the stuff I don't!

Mini would go to Wild first, and Wild would probably say yes because he's a pushover. Wind, though, would try either alpha and then the other, and possibly see how long he can play them off each other before he tries Time.

Time would probably say yes right off the bat, just to cause problems, and then dump the work of sorting it out to Warriors.

Wind: Can I play with bombs?

Time: Sure, go have fun. Just don't blow yourself up

Warriors: YOU CAN'T DO THAT--PUT THAT DOWN!!

Sky to Wild: Should we do something?

Wild: Nah...free entertainment.

Wind throws himself into the conversation, uncaring if their other alpha has anything to add. “Have you heard of anything weird going on? Strange magic? Something that would need a lot of heroes?”

“Well…” Tetra glances north, across the ocean. “We saw one of the rito on the way to pick you up and he said there’s something strange happening at Dragon Roost Island. Something upsetting Valoo.”

“Again? If this is something biting his tail I’ll kick his scaled behind right off the volcano.”

“Link!” Tetra’s face twists in horror. “You can’t say that about the Spirit of the Sky!”

A canine pokes out of his smile, all joking. “Maybe you should stick your rear over the volcano instead. It’s wide enough.”

Tetra shrieks and tackles Wind to the deck. His laughter quickly devolves into yelps as she overpowers him. Then he’s wiggling out from under her and running across the ship, still yelling insults. What position did he hold in Tetra’s pack?

Tetra gives chase. The crew, likely familiar with the pair’s antics, go back to the lines and sails. The ship slowly turns away from the island where their challenges were made.

Sky turns back to the group. They stay clumped together, still unsure of how to function as a group. That’s okay, they’ll get there in time. Instincts will help as they kick in. Wild though…

Rank has more to do with age and experience. No one is "designated" one rank over another. Depending on prior life circumstances, someone may move through a variety of ranks. Alphas tend to be more strong-willed, like how some people are natural leaders. Still, if they don't want the responsibility of a pack they might settle for Beta.

Alpha—Natural-Born leaders, generally. Watch over the pack, make decisions for the good of everyone. Normally only one in a group.

Beta—Support alpha leadership; takes over as leader of the alpha is out of commission or away. Can be permanent or can be fluid.

Delta—Main body of a pack. Defending, hunting, various tasks as needed. Older/more experienced.

Omega—Older than pups, but lack experience of deltas. Think of them as teens, generally still learning. Very playful, supportive role. Take on easier pack tasks. Older omegas could advance experience wise, but may have no interest in climbing the pack ladder. They watch over and mentor the younger omegas and can be very nurturing.

Alphas, Betas, and omegas pair up to equal heat. Deltas can snuggle with anyone, or each other.

In an actual wolf pack, even when humans can't tell, the wolves know exactly what their rank is to each other. That's partly why I pull on scent sometimes marking out the positions, although it hasn't come up too often.

The reality of Manus Lupus and the situations they'll face means that most everyone gets a turn in the spotlight to some degree, simply based on weapons and experience with monsters.