#tetsukiri

The pout turns into a coy smile, the omega’s chest rumbling in return, purring loud. “Strong alpha. Hurry back for me?”

“I’ll have to,” Tetsu teases. “My omega has a healthy appetite.”

Eijiro lets out an overly dramatic, fake gasp. “I’m insulted! And after I made you a perfect nest.”

Tetsu laughs and ducks down to press a kiss against an unguarded temple. Quickly he turns and takes off the cliffside, wings spread out to guide him. Elation buzzes under his skin, a sappy grin slapped across his lips.

Their courtship may be new, but their friendship wasn’t. He’d known Eijiro since they were hatchlings, bright-eyed and adventurous, explored surrounding forest land together when they were old enough to fly on their own. Tetsu’s childhood was spent chasing tails and swimming in rivers with Eijiro, hot summers climbing trees, in the spring they’d nap in the meadows.

Time had changed that relationship into shy kisses and scent marking. They were taking things slow, almost traditional. Dragon hybrids mated for life and sometimes it took a full century for a pair to bond. A week ago Eijiro had felt comfortable enough to nest in Tetsu’s den, curling up together after stargazing.

The alpha felt pride well up in his chest. Now that he’d shown he could find a suitable den, he was determined to show he could provide for his potential mate and future pups.

Arcing down towards the grasslands, he knew his best bet would be tracking down prey near the riverbends. The heat of the sun did nothing to slow him down, landing by the treeline. The grass tickled the soft underside of clawed feet as he prowled, slitted pupils contracting as he swept his gaze back and forth. Movement caught his eye, something brown and furred. Tetsu assumes it's an elk, an impressive prize he could show off to his courted.

He crouches, tucking his tail and wings close to his body, coiling like a cobra about to strike.

He leaps, snarling with razor teeth, tackling the creature to the ground. Claws rip at the fur, but underneath isn’t bone and sinew, it’s hollowed wood and rope. His confusion has him spitting out fur, scrambling back. It’s too late, a net is thrown over his head, suddenly pulled tight against his body. His limbs, tail and wings are pinned, wiggling uselessly.

“We got one boys!” A voice yells, hooting and hollering with triumph.

A deep growl rips through his throat, teeth bared and snarling. Six humans surround him, matching sick grins watch him struggle with the net. They poke him with a stick, laughing when he tries to bite them through the rope.

“This one’s a fighter!”

“Look at him, he’s an alpha. We already got plenty of those,” huffs another.

Tetsu’s eyes narrow in suspicion. There’s been rumors, talk of hunters looking for rare prey, an eye on hybrids. He thinks of his mate curled up in their nest, waiting for him.

His struggling renews, tail whipping as best it can. The rope is tugged tighter, dragging him across the dirt. His claws desperately dig into the ground for purchase, wanting to fight back in some way.

“Could skin him for his scales,” drawls another, mouth a sneer. “And his horns could fetch us a good price in the cities.”

Tetsu gasps in horror! Not his horns, sharp and long, curved above his ears, an alpha dragon’s manly mate attractor!

“Bad humans,” he growls, legs kicking, tangling himself more. “Let me out of this thing!”

His voice gets deeper, commanding, but humans don’t play by the rules of alphas and omegas. They laugh and jeer, and poke him some more.

“Think he’s got an omega around?”

That has him snapping his teeth, thoughts filled with protect omega and protect mate. His stomach sours at the thought of them taking his Ei, every horror story of hybrid mills crossing his mind.

“No!” He roars. “Stay away from my mate!”

At the same time another roar rings out, a shadow swooping over them all, then a body lands a few feet from their little crowd. Tetsu’s heart clenches, familiar red scales glimmer under the harsh shine of the sun, Ei unfolds from a crouch to his full height. An intimidating gaze takes in the scene, molten red glares with the ferocity of an erupting volcano.

“Fuck,” breathes one of the men,” he’s beautiful.”

“We take ‘em both,” hollers another in excitement. “We eatin’ good for a month wit’ a beauty like him!”

Ei rolls his shoulders, then plants his feet, roaring out a shrill warning.

“Mine!” A possessive voice barks. “My alpha, mine, mine, mine!”

When one of the humans lurches forward with lasso in hand, Eijiro lashes out without hesitation. Claws sink into vulnerable flesh, an outcry of pain followed by the strong scent of blood. Two more converge, a long red tail slaps both to the ground, Eijiro hurling himself into one of the men holding the ropes. Tetsu’s heart pounds with the need to do something, to protect his future mate.

With only one man holding him down, the net isn’t as tight. The alpha uses his strength to push himself onto his feet, yanking at the net until the last human has fallen onto his face, eating the dirt. It gives him the time and loosened rope needed to free himself, throwing the damned obstacle onto the ground with a snarl.

“Ei,” he howls, barreling into one of the men that’s been knocked down. He knocks that one unconscious with a punch, jumping on the second. “Mate, omega, safe. Go back to the den, be safe.”

He should’ve known it was useless to demand anything. Eijiro is having too much fun ripping into a man’s chest, thick diagonal lines cutting opposing clothes to ribbons.

Eventually the smarter men run away, dragging their unconscious and bleeding friends away with pleas for mercy. They leave behind their silly fake elk, Tetsu kicks the thing.

“Ei,” he croons, arms open.

Eijiro drops the aggressive stance, jumping into the alpha’s embrace. Possessive hands run through silver hair, petting around strong shoulders, lips pressing desperate kisses all over Tetsu’s relieved face.

“They can’t take you,” the omega whines.

A deeper croon vibrates from Tetsu’s chest, trying to soothe. “Easy, omega. I’m here, you defended me. Strong, so strong, perfect mate.”

Ei chirps, nuzzling their cheeks together affectionately. The alpha should be angry with himself for falling into the trap so easily. He can’t when he knows his equal saved him, proving that they were made for each other.

“Hunt together?” Eijiro questions, smiling sheepishly when his stomach rumbles.