A New Season

Stan had an arm over Kyle’s shoulders, while Kyle was resting his hand at Stan’s ribs height. It was a comfortable position for walking that was supposed to help them reach the tribe more quickly, but was making them go slower because Stan was trying not to lean too much on Kyle while Kyle was incapable of telling him to lean properly.   Being close to Stan made Kyle's heart race, and he couldn't allow Stan to notice that. In fact, as they walked, Kyle couldn't help but get lost in Stan’s scent of burning wood in a bonfire. It was intoxicating, especially now that they were in the early mating season, and Kyle was more susceptible to alpha scents. In simple terms, Stan's aroma wasn't as striking as those alphas who emitted citrus or herbal scents; his smell could even be described as dry and earthy. But the impact of his scent lay in the implications of it. Stan was making Kyle feel enveloped and protected by the warmth of the flames, like he would have everything at hand and would always be safe if he stayed by Stan’s side. The sensation was so pleasing that Kyle stopped paying attention to the path and tripped on a rock. They steadied quickly but, as Kyle tried to regain his balance, he slid his hand from Stan's ribs to his waist and pulled him closer. The action was quick and took Stan by surprise, who couldn't help but emit a hiss of pain and lower his ears. “I’m sorry,” said Kyle. “I didn’t see that rock.” “Don’t worry.” Stan tried not to make a pained expression, but he was aching and it was evident by the way his tail was leaning slightly between his legs.   Kyle mentally scolded himself for being so careless. “Here, let’s rest a bit,” he said while motioning with his head to a nearest big rock in which Stan could sit. Stan followed him without saying a word and felt sincerely relieved when he sat down and took his weight off his leg. “I’ll-I’ll take a look.” Kyle hesitated in his movements and only kneeled next to Stan’s leg when Stan slightly nodded his head.   Before the second wolf’s attack Stan’s wound already looked bad, but now the tissue looked more ripped than before. Kyle frowned and carefully used his fingers to remove excess blood around the wound and better assess the extent of damage. He was careful not to apply pressure and not touch the injure not to hurt Stan or expose the open skin to more bacteria. Once he saw how deep the cut was, he felt scared. All the members of the tribe knew first aid, and omegas took extra classes because they were expected to take care of the ill and elderly, but what he had in front of him was beyond his abilities. "Your leg, it’s worse than before.” "I figured so," Stan replied, looking up at the sky. It would be hard to keep his unfazed alpha facade if he saw or paid close attention to his injury. Kyle shook his head. “It wasn’t like this before.” “Yeah,” Stan shrugged and had no other option to tell Kyle that when the wolf attacked for a second time and Stan stepped between it and Kyle, the claw of the wolf's hind paw dug into Stan's already gaping wound, this time ripping more than just muscle. Stan knew it was bad and taking advantage of the fact that his body was full of adrenaline, he had squeezed his wound to make it not look that bad in order not to alarm Kyle. However, once they started walking and time passed by, Stan began to feel like his leg was ripping even more.   Kyle was about to scold Stan, but hold himself because he didn't see the point. Also, he felt guilty. Before the wolf's second attack, Kyle had been so preoccupied about the bad impression he was making on Stan that he had forgotten to watch his surroundings. It wasn't like he could have avoided the wolf's attack, but if he had been more attentive, he was sure Stan wouldn't had a bite on his arm and the injury on his leg wouldn't be as bad as it was now. “Oh, gods,” Kyle said as he ripped with his hands the skirt that covered his loincloth to make a ratchet.   When he heard the fabric ripping, Stan turned his attention back to his wound and Kyle, only to feel his pulse quicken. By cutting the fabric, Kyle left part of his thighs in full view. Stan knew that Kyle was trying to take care of him and that the worst way he could thank him for his actions was to stare at him so hard, but he couldn't help but crane his neck a little to see as much of Kyle's skin as possible. The little he could see of Kyle’s loincloth was tantalizing.   Kyle tied the rag around Stan's leg and the tug made Stan let out another little groan of pain. "Sorry." "No, it's okay. Well—,'s not okay, but you know. It was inevitable. Thank you.” "I'll ask for help." Kyle stood up and was about to walk away when Stan urged him not to leave. “Don’t go—Let's wait a moment. I think I’ll stop bleeding if I rest a bit.” “That’s not going to happen.” Kyle tried to walk away again, but this time Stan took him by the arm. “Spare me a little. It is bad enough I must go back to the tribe with an injury and no prey, it would be worse if you ask for help.” Kyle pursed his lips. “I can’t.” It was clear the alpha’s reputation was going to suffer a blow that may jeopardize his chances to be with the omega of his preference during the gathering. Which, to be honest, wouldn't keep Kyle up at night. “I know it looks bad. But you know I'm not dying from this. Trust me Kyle, I’m not that weak.” While saying that Stan squeezed Kyle’s hand and looked directly to his eyes. When Kyle looked at him, he knew there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t go against those beautiful an pleading eyes. “OK. You won. We’ll wait.” Then Kyle sat next to Stan, as far as he could, which wasn't too far because the rock wasn't that big.     They were in silence a moment, and now that Stan had time to think on any other things than the pain and the shame of failure, he was able to catch Kyle scent lingering next to him. He inhaled slowly, trying to perceive all the nuances of that scent. It was different. Stan couldn’t identify exactly what it was, but if he had to describe it, he would say it was fruity. Fresh, juicy, and simple. Maybe with a hint of mint. He turned his head and noticed Kyle was looking at the path, unaware of Stan, which allowed him to be blunter about his curiosity. Kyle’s curly red hair subtly obscured his eyes and fell freely to his shoulders. His skin was only slightly lighter than Stan’s, but it looked much brighter and smoother. Stan could tell that Kyle was attractive as any Omega should be, but at the same time he was more appealing because his skin was covered with small freckles that Stan swore hadn’t been there before. Without noticing, Stan raised his hand. Even though he had his arm and part of his side pressed against Kyle earlier, he didn’t feel like he truly felt the texture of Kyle’s skin, and he needed to know it. Feeling his brain like a sponge that absorbs and fills with a single thought, he stretched the fingers of his hand and gently caressed Kyle’s shoulder.  Kyle jumped in surprise and Stan panicked. He hadn’t realized that he actually touched Kyle.  “Sorry, were you calling me? I was distracted,” said Kyle with cheeks flushed.   While Stan was engrossed in Kyle's scent and how strongly attracted he was feeling to it, Kyle hadn't stopped thinking about the upcoming gathering and how weird it would be if Stan didn't get a partner. If that happened, maybe Kyle would have a chance—not to be by Stan's side as his mate, but a chance to not be alone while everyone was happy. Maybe he could share that miserable moment next to Stan and then he wouldn't be miserable anymore.   Stan nodded dumbly after hearing Kyle’s question and when he realized Kyle was expecting his words, he started talking. “Why were you harvesting alone?” “Oh,” Kyle squished his hands in fists. “I-I. It’s so I have enough berries for my family recipe.” Kyle didn’t think anyone would ever ask him the reason, it seemed obvious he needed to gather more food than the rest not to go hungry. "I need a lot of them and it would take me a long time to harvest enough if I gather only when I’m allowed to.” “But you’re putting yourself in danger. I don’t see how a family recipe can’t wait a bit.” “You’ve never tasted my crushed berry paste.” The few people who didn’t believe they would be poisoned by trying Kyle’s food loved it and exchanged the jam he made for other types of food or crafts, and although it wasn’t much, that barter also helped Kyle to survive. “Then I’d like to try it. If it’s worth putting yourself at risk, it must be delicious."  "It is, it's a recipe from my mother. From her tribe,” Kyle said proudly, but at the same time scared because some people found that information unpleasant. He didn't usually share it, but he thought letting Stan know was a good way to test his character. “Your mother, she was from the north, wasn't she?” Stan asked with genuine curiosity. The people of the tribe did not mix with very distant tribes, because of the obvious distance, but also because sometimes it was those tribes that they used to have conflicts with; so, he and many others had little or no knowledge of what was happening beyond the borders of theirs or allied tribes. "Yeah, very far at north." “I wonder,” Stan looked at Kyle's red hair and although he wanted to ask if that color was something common in that distant tribe or if Kyle's scent— which he couldn't associate with anything familiar—was similar to some fruit indigenous to the area, he settled for asking "how is it that your father went so far? and how did he come back?" Kyle raised his brows, no one has ever asked him that. Then, seeing his companion expectant at his words, he began to tell the stories his father told him when he was a kid, about his mother's tribe and how much he fantasized about that distant tribe where he could have grown. Best of all, Stan was looking at him with admiration. Nobody asked him about his origins and they always spoke with disgust about foreigners, so it caused him indescribable happiness to see Stan drink his words with the same emotion with which Kyle said them.   Stan was someone creative and although he was more inclined towards musical art than narrative, he was undoubtedly fascinated by hearing new stories and always listened carefully to his fellow hunters who had ventured into more distant lands. Maybe that was the reason why he had never had something against Kyle or treated him unfairly, but his fascination was never enough for him to seek a friendship with Kyle. In fact, he didn't think much of Kyle because he knew they weren't meant to be involved. Stan had a rank and certain privileges that he couldn't give up just because he was curious. They didn't know each other and Stan thought they would never meet, so he never cared. But now he felt guilty, because Kyle was a good person. Kyle had cared for him and helped him even though he will be punished when revealing they found each other because he was out harvesting alone. Kyle was a good company, funny, and kind. He didn't even care that Stan didn't remember his name, although Kyle knew his.   When they were kids, omegas and alphas didn't mix, still he notice that Kyle was avoided by the rest of the omegas. He remembered asking his mother about it and hearing his father answer for her instead. Kyle was bad news and he should never go near him, they had a position in the tribe that they had to maintain at all costs. His mother winced, but she didn't contradict her husband. She only settled for telling Stan that their family's most important role was to treat everyone fairly and always care for the delicate balance of their little society.   Some years later Stan understood that his father's role in the tribal council was to decide the rules for the tribesmen and determine the punishments for those who broke them. Which meant that they had a duty to maintain an impeccable reputation. In their way of acting and with the people with whom they were related. So even if Kyle hadn't done anything wrong per se, he was a bad thing Stan didn't have to get involved with. His father, of course, was far from perfect and had often made mistakes that had cost them dearly. But it was also said that no one had taken his role in the tribe and executed it with such mastery, so it was easy to forgive his mistakes.   But now that he was seeing Kyle smile and talk nonstop with sparkling eyes, he really wondered what the problem would be if he decided to hang out with Kyle from time to time. If his father made small slips and even after that he was forgiven, he did not see what the problem was if he decided he could also make small mistakes. Especially if the mistake was to stop being unfair to Kyle and stop ostracizing him.   “Do you feel better?” asked Kyle, interrupting his tale. A few hours had already passed since noon and although they still had a few hours of daylight, the sun was already beginning to go down.   “I’m feeling better. But, how does it look like? Do you think it’s ok for me to walk again?” Stan didn’t want to go back to the tribe yet. He was having a great time with Kyle. “If it doesn’t hurt you anymore—” Kyle kneeled again next to his leg. “I think I have to clean up to see if you rested enough.” Kyle tore off another piece of his clothing, revealing more skin. Stan thought that if his leg stopped bleeding it would only be because the blood had gone to his face and probably to other parts of his body. The redhead was kneeling in front of him, in a position that other omegas had been in but that had always had sexual connotations. Luckily, he didn’t manage to have any really explicit thoughts because Kyle began to rub his wound in an attempt to remove the dried blood and the pain snapped him back to reality. “I think is safe for you to walk again—but when we get to the tribe, it's not going to be pretty what the healer is going to have to do to heal you. He's going to hurt you a lot." "Thank you for making me feel better," Stan looked down with a smile intended to return Kyle's playful words, but his breath hitched again when he saw Kyle's eyes. "I think is better if I go alone from now on” he said with a higher tone of voice than he intended. "The leaders are going to ask what you were doing out in that area. I don’t want to get you in trouble." "It's okay” Kyle said while standing up. “The leader of the gatherers knows I do extra rounds. I'm sure the other leaders know too. I guess they've never reprimanded me because—" Kyle cut off his words, realizing he couldn’t tell Stan that the leaders didn't care if someone like him died. "Because I haven't caused them any problems so far. I doubt they'll punish me now," he finished with a nervous smile. "Still, I think is better if I go alone." The proposal was tempting, but Kyle couldn't accept it. "It's okay, don't worry. I don't think the leaders are that strict. Besides, they should be grateful. What would have happened if I hadn't been there?" Stan grimaced, once again remembering that he would have to explain to everyone that his recklessness almost cost him his life at the claws of a wolf. Basically, his intention to go and hunt a deer on his own to increase his status would have the opposite effect. "Or —if you don’t want anyone knowing I was there, then I can hide when we are about to reach the tribe—" Kyle spoke when he saw Stan was feeling uncomfortable. "No, it's okay. If it weren't for you, I might have become wolf food." Stan still felt down to have been helped by an omega, but he couldn't ignore the facts. Kyle had helped him and he deserved his gratitude and acknowledgement. “hmm Ok,” Kyle once again took position so that Stan could lean on him. But this time, Stan rested all his weight on him and they swayed to a side. “Stan!” Kyle scolded him with a smile. “Don’t do that. We are going to fall.” “I’m not doing anything different than before,” said Stan, and leaned even more on Kyle. He had a devilish smile. “I’m going to leave you here!” They were laughing hard, still were able to hear footsteps approaching and stopped making noise, both raising their guard. A few seconds later, they saw appear a group of five hunters from their tribe.   "Here you are Stan, we've been looking for you all day," said the one who seemed to be the oldest of them. That was Stan’s uncle.  "What happened to you?" said another.  "Were you looking for me?" Stan asked mortified and almost jumped away from Kyle. Even though a few seconds ago he had thought that he wanted to acknowledge Kyle's help, now that there were several eyes on him, he realized that he really didn't want anyone to see him receiving support. "Yes, ever since you disappeared. We thought you were dead. And it looks like you almost are." The speaker pointed to the multiple wounds on Stan's body and was the first to seem to acknowledge Kyle's presence because also looked at him. "I was attacked by a wolf," Stan replied, and when the others winced he continued speaking. "He got the worst of it, I killed it, but—" Stan pointed at his condition. "You killed a wolf!" said his uncle obviously surprised. "Where is it?" "Past the area of the crooked trees, east of here." After hearing it, two of the hunters nodded their heads and went in the direction indicated while the other two approached Stan to assess his injuries. They once again stole glances at Kyle, some directed at his tights which made Kyle feel embarrassed. "And what are you doing here?" Stan’s uncle said finally turning to Kyle. "Kyle was helping me, uncle Jimbo. He found me a few hours ago and tended to my injuries," Stan said, also feeling uncomfortable from the looks Kyle was receiving and feeling the need to make everyone stop looking at him. Jimbo made an imperceptible grimace and ordered everyone to start their way back to the tribe. It was about to get dark. Now that Stan was being helped by a couple of alphas it was easier for him to walk. Kyle should have been relieved that Stan would be getting help sooner, but as he walked he felt uneasy. The hunter leader was scowling at him and Kyle couldn't help but wondering if it should have been better if they were never found.   The tribe was already pretty close so it didn't take long for them to get there and as soon as they did Jimbo ordered the other hunters to take Stan to the infirmary. Kyle had the intention of saying goodbye to Stan, but when he was about to approach him, Jimbo stopped him. "Are you hurt?"  "Eh no. I'm fine." "Go back to your hunt then." After saying that, Jimbo turned around and left him alone. Kyle watched the man's back until he was out of sight. Then he frowned and went straight to his house. Not because he wanted to obey, but because it was already late. This time he found no one on his way home and although he was initially uncomfortable because Stan's uncle obviously found it reprehensible to see his nephew interacting with Kyle, as soon as he got home his thoughts went to a happiest place. That place filled with the memory of Stan looking at him in admiration while he talked about his family. Kyle had ruined his load of berries, but he had a few in storage that he could use to start making his jam and have it ready to take to the infirmary tomorrow. Due to the state of his injuries, he doubted that Stan would be sent home to sleep today.