A different sort of hunt

[low_key_angel]

Gabriel was used to being odd man out, the only Omega born to his small, powerful pack. But with two older brothers who were both Alphas, they were usually more concerned with their own power plays than Gabriel and his search for a mate.

Because heat when you were unmated? Sucked.

Michael would probably prefer to chain him up once a year and let him sweat it out, which is probably why he left home as his heat started to near.

If he was going to find a mate, it was going to be on his terms.

What he didn't expect was to catch a tantalizing scent at the local bookstore. Something that called up images of sunlight and pine trees and cool shade.

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[low_key_angel]

Gabriel laughed easily at that, nodding at the refrigerator behind Sam. "Reach behind there and snag the two containers of fruit for me? One apple and one cherry." He dusted his fingers off and slowly laid out the two pie shells in old, well-used tins, pressing them down with deft fingers.

"Maybe not legit, but kids are pretty awesome."

The explanation gets a slow nod. Better than the explosive fallouts that sometimes came with breakups. "Still. Sucks that it had to happen. So - home and single for the holidays. Gotta be a barrel of laughs." A quick wink as he starts rolling out the top crusts.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam stood, heading for the spot that Gabriel had indicated. "You ever think about it?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder before picking up the containers. "Kids, I mean. Not the breaking up with someone."

That was...smooth. Really smooth. Sam rolled his eyes at himself as he walked over to put down the containers on the table. And had nothing to do with being able to get another nose full of the Omega's scent. "I love Jess, but...somewhere along the line, we just became friends more than anything else. Which is better than the alternative, really. I like having her as my friend still."

[low_key_angel]

The question gets a startled blink before Gabriel reached for the containers. "Me? Yeah, especially when someone brings in their cubs before the first shift. I keep a few teething crackers on hand for the little ones." Gabriel smiled faintly. "Cute as hell. Always wanted a whole houseful of 'em myself."

But, there was the whole unbonded Omega thing.

Gabriel set the rolling pin in a sink full of soapy water before filling the two pies. "That's good though, that you two are still friends." And never mind that pang of jealousy that she was close to Sam. The Alpha that his wolf was clamoring for. "Makes things easier than a blowup."

The pies filled, he draped the crusts over the top. "Snag one of those sheet pans from the rack over there? We'll pop these bad boys in and send you home a hero." Not that he wanted Sam to leave. But if he didn't keep moving, Gabriel would simply close the distance between them and offer himself up to the big wolf.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam hummed softly at that. "I like kids. Used to worry that I wouldn't be much good with them, mostly because Adam always seemed to cry when Mom let me hold him. I think that had more to do with the fact that I was too young to know how to hold him."

He watched Gabriel with the pies before turning away to get the pan as asked. He turned back, accidentally--and maybe a little on purpose--brushed his hand against Gabriel's arm as he put the pan down.

[low_key_angel]

"Nah, you'd be great with 'em, I'm sure."

The brush of the Alpha's hand set off an immediate chain reaction. Heat bloomed across Gabriel's skin, rocking him to his core. His pupils dilated, breath instantly coming in quick, short pants. Heat. Oh god. It was starting already, triggered by Sam's touch. The small kitchen was flooded with a rush of pheromones and Gabriel whined, the pies completely forgotten in favor of the big wolf in front of him. Alpha. His Alpha.

"Sam?" A breathless whimper as he tangled his still-floured hands in the front of his shirt. The instinct is too strong to fight anymore, and Gabriel simply tipped his head back, bearing his throat.

[fromfryingpantofire]

It had been a while since Sam had been around an Omega in heat, but that didn't mean he didn't recognize the symptoms when they finally happened. His nostrils flared again as he took in the new, changed scent, the earlier scent now nearly overpowering.

Something from the books Gabriel had asked about earlier filtered into his mind, that a wolf would know his destined mate and he silently cursed himself for not really remembering them better. He swallowed, eyes on the empty expanse of Gabriel's throat before leaning down and nuzzling it, instinct telling him to bite down, leave a mark. Not a permanent, bonding mark yet, though he knew he wanted that as well.

But the mark let his mind clear a little bit, wolf happy to know that Gabriel would understand his need. "The oven. Should...that should be turned off. Right?" His voice had already dropped a note, gravelly with need and desire.

[low_key_angel]

The nuzzle was enough, at least for the moment. Not enough to seal their bonding, not when what he wanted was fangs breaking skin and marking him for good, but it helped his head clear when Sam spoke. Unwilling to give up an inch of space between them, he untangled his hand from Sam's shirt and fumbled for the knobs, switching the oven off before pressing in closer.

"Sam," he panted. "Please. Please." He was already straining his jeans, nosing at the faint stubble along Sam's jaw. Another moment and he'd be reduced to outright begging, his wolf desperate to be mated, to let Sam claim what was his.

[fromfryingpantofire]

It was difficult, but Sam knew he needed to be the one who could think, at least for another few moments before the pheromones got too heavy for them both. He could only hold out so long before he was in full blown rut himself.

"Bed," he murmured to Gabriel. "We need to find a bed or...or something. Comfortable."

His wolf would have been perfectly happy pushing Gabriel over the prep table and taking him like that, but the knotting would have been far, far too uncomfortable for them both in that position. Especially with the difference in heights.