🎶I think that someone is trying to kill me

Infecting my blood and destroying my mind

No man of the flesh could ever stop me

The fight for this fish is a fight to the death

White whale, holy grail

White whale, holy grail🎶

The song, "Blood and thunder" played in the background loudly as the young alpha made some breakfast for his mate in the pack kitchen. The usual workers of the kitchen were taken aback when the alpha first showed up. And when the alpha offered to cook and asked them to vacant the kitchen, they were terrified for life. Everyone in the Blackwoods knew that Blake had a wonderful ability to artistically burn water, and so the words were carried to the Blood moon. They just prayed for the safety of their house before it turns to ashes just like the suite did.

"Holy grail!!!" the alpha yelled above the song making "something", which according to him would be the best dish Easton ever had. The older was sleeping after so much work and Blake couldn't possibly wake his mate, instead, he planned to surprise him with a bed-breakfast.

Plating the thing he made, Blake took hold of the tray and walked towards the room that was allotted for them until they shift to Blake's alpha suite for few days. The younger alpha pushed the door with his bum and made sure it didn't hit the wall by stopping it with the foot, walking into the room he placed the tray on the coffee table. The room was big, not as big as the suite bedroom but still big. The bed was King size which made it a bit uncomfortable for two huge men to sleep in.

But when the sun rose, Blake was as usual in Easton's arms leaving more than half of the bed empty.

Easton was properly sleeping on his side, the duvet covering only his lower half, with one of his hands was behind his head while the other at his bare chest. The body was on display making the heat rise in the room. Blake stood staring at the man, his pants feeling a bit uncomfortable.

"Why the hell are you acting like a horn dog, Kai?"

I have no idea about it. All I know is that I want to pounce Aziel, like right now!

"No, you don't"

Yes, I do.

"Shut up, Kai" with that, Blake blocked Kai away but the words were literally singing songs in his head. He too did want to jump Easton. Kiss him, hold him, and just do whatever as long there was touch involved. But, he wasn't like this before. It kind of scared him. Maybe, his wolf was showing the alpha instincts. And he wasn't able to deny it.

"I know you were only after my body," Easton said dramatically, sitting up and holding the blanket to the chest, covering himself. "Oh my goddess, someone please save me" he acted holding back his snickers watching a dumb-struck expression on Blake. "Oh my goddess"

"Eww, Easton," Blake said disgustingly, throwing the nearest thing he found at the alpha, which happens to be the cushion from the chair. Easton caught the cushion and laughter followed from both of them. "I see, you have refreshed already," Blake says carrying the breakfast with a lid on it.

"Oh, I am being served. I like it" Easton commented sitting back for the food. "What did you get?" he asked making Blake glance at him.

"I did not get it. I made it" he corrected, smiling.

Oh goddess, no.

"O-h, Really? wow," Easton tried his best to sound excited. Of course, he was happy that Blake was been thoughtful but he also did hear the stories of Blake's exceptional cooking which made him think of life twice. "What did you make?"

"Casserole" he stated with delight visible in his voice.

Easton was kind of relieved. What can go wrong with making something as simple as Casserole, right?

Wrong.

As the lid went open and the dish was presented. "Tada!" Easton had an image of Casserole in his mind, 'cause he enjoyed Italian food, but the one in front of him wasn't anywhere near the Casserole he thought he would eat. The upper cheesy part was kind of burnt, which definitely was the result of putting it in the oven for more than needed. The ham used was sticking out making it look not as clean as Easton like, but well.

"Ah!" he nervously laughed and looked at Blake, who was holding an excited expression on his face. "It looks a-awesome"

"It does? I knew it. Now, taste" he gave Easton a fork and knife as he sat on the bed, next to the alpha, and eagerly awaited the reply. Easton nodded taking the weapons for the war and cut a small piece of the dish, that look kind of edible. Blake encouraged the older alpha to take the bite in. The other man smiled and put the fork, with the sliced part in his mouth.

".........................."

The taste felt burnt in the beginning but that got shadowed with the taste of chilies, which made it taste hot. The creaminess of cheese kicked in the next minute making Easton "hum". He unconsciously closed his eyes eating it, as the vegetables came in, which was the best part for a veggie-freak like Easton.

He opened his eyes and looked at Blake who was now sitting on his legs folded backward waiting for Easton's response, bouncing back and forth. It made Easton's heart raise just at the sight. He never in life thought something like a burnt Casserole made by another man who wasn't even his family yet, will taste so fucking good. If it would've been made by anyone else, the whole packhouse would've shaken with the alpha's anger. It was clumsy, burnt, and tasted nothing like "The" Casserole, yet Easton couldn't stop the tickles he felt in his stomach, eating it.

Because it wasn't the dish that tasted good, it was the fact that Blake made it with his heart out. For him.

He put the fork down making Blake follow his hands and then looked at Blake with disappointed eyes. Blake didn't notice when, his back and forth motion stopped, his brows furrowed, his lips formed a pout while he looked at Easton with puppy eyes. It broke his heart to see Easton not enjoying something he made and looked at him in a disappointing way. "Is it-?" his words were swallowed by the kiss Easton placed on his pouted lips. A sweet moan followed and the alpha pulled back.

The older alpha stroked Blake's cheek, who was more confused than before. "It doesn't taste the best but it's good" he smiled which made the other alpha let out a breath of relief. "We can make it together next time, hm?" he suggests making Blake nod enthusiastically.

"Yes!" he smiles and takes the fork to eat the breakfast. Easton closed his ears knowing Aziel will wince at the voice that will be out in the next second. "THIS TASTE LIKE SHIT!" Blake yells, making Easton groan.

"Then don't eat it" Easton grabs the plate away to eat the further.

"You aren't eating it too. Give it back" he tried pulling.

"No! I am eating it. I like it!"

"Don't"

"I will"

"Easton!"

"Blake!"

-------------------------------

"I understand, Mr. Long. I will see you soon" Easton hangs up the call as Blake slides in the seat of the car. They were on their way to Blake's suite for the shift. The room was indeed not comfortable for two big alphas, to roll on the small bed like toddlers.

"Who was it?" Blake asked, his hand going straight to the stereo. He stopped his hand and looked at Easton who had his head in the phone. So, he decided to let it slide this time and just talk on the way.

"Duncan's parents, the Longs'" Easton stated texting away Ezra that Duncan's parents will be at the packhouse to see their only son.

"Oh" Blake kept it short, after knowing about Duncan's birth parents, Blake understood that the ones he met at Ezra's birthday were Duncan's adoptive parents. One of them smelling like humans was then explained.

After losing his parents at the tender age of 13, Duncan was sent to his aunt who was mated to a human. Fifteen years of marriage didn't bring them any child and with the demise of her sister, her nephew was also left alone. The former alpha and Luna already had Easton and Ezra with Elias, who was merely three. They couldn't possibly take another kid. The divided attention will only make one of them lonely which was not compromisable. Hence, Duncan's aunt and uncle adopted him. They lived in the countryside, where Duncan also tagged along for three years before coming back for his best friend.

"So, where are we going?" Easton says putting his phone aside.

"What do mean "where", to the packhouse, my alpha suite," Blake says watching Easton start the car. Easton only "hummed" in answer. "Easton, I know something is on your mind. What is it?" The alpha was surprised, chuckled that Blake was able to read his expressionless face.

"Blake, would you be mad if I say I don't want to go to the suite?" he states making Blake turn in his seat.

"What do you mean?" he was confused, why wouldn't his mate want to go to his place when he stayed at his without a problem. Was he embarrassed of Blake?

"Woah, don't make your mind run a marathon. I said I didn't want to go to the suite because I want to stay at your house" he clears up. He formerly wanted to tease Blake a bit but the man was very soon to make conclusions. He couldn't afford a misunderstanding now.

"Oh?" Blake was soon to change expressions. "Why, though? I mean my is small and.... small. Well, not dirty anymore. But, why?" he questions.

"Well, I don't really know but that house, that room seemed to be more cozier and comfortable than any other room can be" Easton shrugs off. "It kinda felt like.....home?" he says with a grin, driving off. Blake just watched as his mate drove the car. He was perplexed between many things he was feeling at the moment.

His alpha pride was saying him to fight off that their "alpha" suite was the best but his heart was already melted in a puddle that Easton just called the place where he grew up a "home".

He cleared his throat and looked straight ahead after muttering that they can go to the house. He stayed ironically silent through the drive which worried Easton. They arrived at the place with Easton talking all along and Blake just humming. It was like the roles have been reversed.

---------------------------

Ezra was dozing off in the chair right next to Duncan's bed. He hasn't slept for two days, which made everyone worried. Silver on the other hand was also losing his strength with his mate being injured and unconscious. His mind kept reminding him of the earlier days with Arion but the fact that Ezra needed him now was more important. They were informed by the alpha that the Longs' would be here around seven in the evening. And while waiting for the parents, they didn't know when but they slept.

"Relax, honey. It would only sting"

*GROWL*

"Oh, Duncan. Such a good boy"

"Fucking stop this"

"THE SILVER BURNS! STOP IT!"

"Let go of me!"

*GROWL*

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

Duncan's eyes shot open while his breath came out in lapses. There was clear sweat gliding his forehead with his eyes blood red. He panics and starts looking around to find white walls and curtains in a spacious room. He was laying on a comfortable bed in the middle while someone to his right has their head rested on the bed. "E-..." he couldn't finish the word, his throat all dry and clogged. "E-Ezra...." a mere whisper pass his lips which wouldn't possibly wake up a two-days sleep-deprived person. "Ezra" he tried a little harder and louder which indeed made the man stir and sit up.

Ezra rises from the position to find Duncan looking back at him. He rubs his eyes just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Duncan foolishly smiles towards his innocent mate which made tears rise in the young alpha's eyes. "D-Duncan" he launched himself on the man.

"Oof- hurts" Duncan groaned when Ezra's hands touched his still healing neck.

"I'm so sorry" he pulled back and checked for any possible injuries with tears rolling down his cheeks. "I-I'm sorry" he hitched on his breath making Duncan's smile wider. "I-" he falls back on his seat with a thud.

"Why you crying?" the man chuckled in a serious situation. He was as carefree as ever, without a shrink on his forehead. No one could likely notice what the little boy inside has gone through.

"I thought you were dead! That's why" Ezra states in frustration, his eyes never stop flowing. He hits Duncan in the gut making the beta almost scream.

"I am a patient, Ezra" the older man replied with a wince. It didn't actually hurt much.

"I thought you were dead......." he repeated the words with more emotion. The moment when Duncan passed out in his arms, his world collapsed. He sat stoically with Duncan until Easton slapped sense in him that the beta was alive and has just fainted. The ride from the woods to the pack hospital wasn't easier either. He felt like every single person including the doctor were lying. If Duncan only fainted then why hasn't he woken up yet?

He once in every thirty checked the monitor for Ducan's heartbeat. He held his hands to his ears to listen to the rhythm. He did everything in his league that showed that the alpha was alive and gone nowhere.

"But, I'm not, am I?" Duncan smile cheerfully opening his arms for a hug. Ezra stared at the arms and slipped into them clutching Duncan's back tightly. "I'm sorry for scaring you" he apologizes with sparks rising their bodies. The young alpha nodded and buried his nose in the crook of Duncan's sensitive neck. He took in a deep breath and his brows knotted at the change of smell. The magical lavender scent was corrupted with some metallic one which made Ezra shiver. He pulled back immediately and looked at Duncan's confused face. "You okay?" he asked with his hand stroking the alpha cheek.

"What did they do to you?" Ezra growled with Silver been mad.

"Ezra-"

"I asked, what did they do to you?" the seat, he was sitting on fell back while his eyes glowed glittery white. Silver was in charge now, he knew the metallic smell that was mixed with their mate's usual one but he wanted to know what exactly happened. He wanted to know who exactly harmed his mate.

"Duncan?" Mrs. Long peaks into the room with her eyes already shedding the tears.

"Aunt Lisa....." Duncan smiles as Ezra moves from the way. Lisa runs to her son and embraces him gently. "Why are you-"

"Shut up! Don't ask us why are we here. I told you this would happen, I warned you not to get involved in all this" she yells holding the man tightly. "W-what would I have done if we lost you?"

"Lisa....." Mr. Long interrupts.

"Don't "Lisa" me. I-I told you, I warned you" she cries holding Duncan by his cheeks. "My baby" her voice breaks. "What would I have done? Goddess" kissing her son on the cheeks he embraces him again. The news indeed scared the parents. They were reluctant on Duncan to take up the beta duties but the stubborn kid gave no other option. He was back here with his alpha.

"I'm fine, Lisa" the patient smiles looking at his adoptive parents. "By the way, this is Ezra" Duncan introduces the young alpha. Ezra's cheeks tinted pink as he put his hand forward for a handshake. After all, meeting your lover's parents wasn't a small thing. "My mate" Ezra held his hand waiting for one from the couple to shake it. He stood dumbstruck when none did.

Are they judging us?

"I don't know. You tell me"

How would I know? I'm no witch, I can't read minds.

"Witches can read minds? That's so cool!"

Concentrate, Ezra!

"Oh fuck"

"Oh, my goddess" Lisa screams and pulls Ezra in a hug. "He is so cute" she coos making heat blow out of Ezra's ears. The young alpha stays still with his eyes wide while Duncan starts laughing along with Mr. Long who smiled looking at his mate acting like a kid she was. "Oh, adorable" she pulls back and hugs him again. Duncan looks lovingly at the pair while his uncle pulls the chair beside.

"Man to man, how are you?" he asks looking at Duncan with the fatherly love he always held. It wasn't easy for him to show emotions but he did love Duncan a lot. Maybe more than Lisa did.

"In pain" the beta admits. The Longs' have been great parents to him for all these years. It physically hurt him not to call them what they deserved, but he couldn't. Maybe he will one day.

"Hmm... you want to go back home?" he asks refering to the countryside.

"I can't, David. The man I loved all my life is finally here in my arms" he looks at Ezra who was now nodding to the banter Lisa was pulling, with a permanent red on his cheeks. "I can't. I'm sorry"

"There is nothing to be sorry, Duncan. I would too prefer dying rather not being with your mo- aunt" he ends with a smile which stung Duncan more. They understood where Duncan was coming from. To be a grown kid, knowing very well who your parents are, and then losing to call others your mom or dad was the most painful ever and they knew it. No one would ever pressure him.

"Isn't she adorable?" he comments looking at his mate which made Duncan chuckle. Lisa was, as mentioned, a werewolf, a beta woman at that, which meant she was strong and muscular than any other woman her age and David fell in love as soon as he laid his eyes on her adorable wife. It was magical.

"Isn't he adorable?" Duncan retorts with confidence.

*scoffs* "Well, he is" he admits. "But, less than my mate"

The duo breaks into laughter.

-------------------------------

The Longs' were gone to the packhouse as they precisely are staying for few more days. The doctor came in to check and said Duncan can possibily go home tomorrow. The alphas video called the couple as they couldn't come back in the middle of unpacking and from Black Woods. The mates were laying on the bed with Duncan holding Ezra close with an arm around his body. Ezra drew circles on Duncan's chest while the other man stayed quiet looking up at the ceiling.

"Duncan" the young alpha call breaking the comfortable silence in the room.

"Hm?"

"How is Arion?" the alpha was very worried about his mate. The doctor did tell that the wolf took everything on him to protect Duncan, which hurt him more.

"To be honest, I don't know" Duncan admits. The first thing after talking to Ezra was calling Arion but the wolf did not respond. Duncan could feel his presence but it was weaker. Knowing that he wouldn't like to be called on more, Duncan let him be. Arion cannot stay silent for long, it was a known fact. "I haven't got a chance to talk to him yet"

"I see...." the younger ones voice go low at the words. Silver wouldn't tell it loud but he was indeed worried about Arion. Ezra could feel the restlessness, hence was the question. "Maybe he needs time and rest"