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Damian was lost, he couldn’t find his mother anywhere as he searched the woods that covered his surroundings. It had been weeks since his mother had carried him into unfamiliar territory and disappeared without a trace, the five-year-old tried to use some of the basic skills his old pack had taught him but it was hard when his mind was foggy.
He missed him mom, he was scared and something in him broke when her scent left his skin. Marking him as unwanted, no pack to show for at the age of five. He felt the tug of sleep latch onto him as he laid in a covering hole and tried to forget the world abandoned him.
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Damian wakes to the sound of leaves rustling, the haze he was under vanishing at the threat of danger. He couldn’t do much with his age and skills so he needs to run, it was the only solution he could think of.
He climbs out of his hole, looking around for another source of noise when he hears a sound behind him. Damian doesn’t get a chance to fight back as he’s pinned to the floor helplessly, a whine falling out of his mouth as he finds himself unable to move.
“A pup? What’s a baby like you doing out here without your-“ The voice stopped suddenly, the silence lasting not even a minute before the stranger leans closer and smells the scent he was carrying on him. “… Unbonded? What in the world would cause someone to abandon their child?”
The figure lifted his hand off of Damian’s back, the puppy trying to make a run for it, only to whine as he’s lifted into the air without a care in the world. Damian’s eyes meet the smiling face of the wolf who found him, his senses useless as he whimpered in the hold.
Damian cried and whined as he was checked for injuries and silently shushed. The hands lifting him pushed him into the man’s chest as the man ran a hand up and down his back, calming his fear into relief. The pup didn’t know who this man was but he was inclined to think it was safe as the warm heat surrounded his cold and damp body.
Then, something shifted. The hand rubbing his back was stiff as the air surrounding the two changed. Damian didn’t notice right away and nudged into the chest he was curled against in hopes the hand would resume. Instead, he was met with the hold on his body tightening into something protective.
“You’re so adorable~, I should protect you. Pup… Smells nice,” The man dug his face into Damian’s neck and the pup felt himself go slack in the hold of the wolf. Now that he had calmed down he could clearly tell the man was an alpha, the smell instinctual to his nose. “What is your name pup?”
Damian hummed before smacking his hand against the man’s shoulder and gripping onto the fabric in hopes the warmth wouldn’t leave. “Damian.” The alpha holding him had a nice smell, his scent pleasant like pine trees and morning dew.
“Damian, it’s perfect. It suits you well puppy.” The man smiled down at him again and Damian felt a slight tug at something in his chest as he leaned towards where his instincts wanted him to go. A purr lightly answered the praise as he leans more of his weight into the man’s body.
“You are underfed, I could feed you. I’ll clean and clothe you, I will take care of you and give you anything you want if you come back with me. You will never want for anything as I shower you with all the affection you could ever imagine.”
The man lifted Damian up so they were now at eye level, the five year old staring at the never ending smile that seemed to frame the man’s face. “Let me claim you as mine, come home with me so I may protect you at my den. I promise I will not abandon you like your previous pack, I will treasure you like you deserve.”
Damian didn’t really understand the words he was being told but he liked the sound of food and shelter so he rubbed his cheek into the man’s chin, his purr picking up in volume as the man starts petting his head. The man seemed to take that as a sign, a hug pressing him against his chest more. He responded to Damian’s purr with intensity as he spun them both around in the middle of the forest.
The man shifted Damian in his arms until the pup was on his back, changing into his wolf form. His fur was a fluffy light gray compared to Damian’s matted black coat, the pup feeling insecure for showing a potential packmate his unkempt fur.
“Have you decided pup, will you let me have you as mine?”
Damian realized in his warm haze that the alpha was looking for a verbal answer, making him snap out of his daze. There was no way that this man would want him as his son, his own mother abandoned him much less the nice man who was showering in warmth. The alpha will regret this once he claims him, he’s sure of it.
…But, it was so tempting. He desperately wanted a pack again, and the man was showering him in affection so who was he to turn down the nice man who said such wonderful things to him.
“…You promise?”
“I swear on my life I will always protect you, I shall present you to my pack and you shall know the warmth of a family.”
“Okay.”
His new father purred loudly as he leaned forward and scented him with excitement, his father pushed him close as he rubbed his snout all over him. The wolf not letting him move until he was satisfied with how his new pup smelled like him.
“Mine, you are all mine now.”
His father switched gears, his scent getting sweeter as he starts to groom Damian by licking his head and back. The rumbles and purrs from his son only spurring his actions further. Damian could feel as sea salt and tree bark met in a satisfying smell, their scents mixing together.
Damian felt as the unbridled love and affection melted away his loneliness he felt before. He yipped happily at the attention and care being directed at him. The pup was not scared to fall asleep for the first time in what felt like forever to the little pup. He let his tired eyes droop at his father’s ministrations knowing that he would be safe in his new father’s arms.
“Sleep pup, I will protect you and when you wake up you will be at our den.”