And the Dreams that Makes the Sparrow Fly Can Make an Eagle Fall
'Tis wandering down through pathless air,
A lonely thing in a boundless space,
That has lost its way and knows not where
To find a home or a resting place.
—"The Loose Feather" by Hannah Flagg Gould
The chief stared down at the white Alpha. “What you have told me matches with what our Omega has said.”
”We are telling the truth,” Bucky said. He was trying to be respectful, but he didn’t like how the chief referred to Hota.
"I believe you," the chief said. "You and your pup are free to go."
Bucky nodded. He should leave it there, but he couldn’t. "W-What of Hota?"
The chief's eyes narrowed. "What business is it of yours?"
"He saved my life," Bucky explained. "He saved my son's life."
"Hota has caused much trouble for my tribe." The chief sighed.
"He helped us!" Bucky growled.
"We do not help outsiders!" The chief growled.
"An Omega cannot help but protect pups!" Bucky exclaimed.
"I understand the nature of an Omega," the chief said. "That is why I decided to bring Hota into our tribe."
"Then how can you blame him for his nature?" Bucky asked.
"I can blame him because I bought him to mate and care for our pups," the chief growled. "And yet, Hota refuses to take a mate from the tribe. He refuses to nurture our pups."
"You bought him?" Bucky asked appalled.
"He was taken captive as a boy. I assure you that his fate would have been much worse if I had not bought him." The chief sighed. "I had hoped that Hota would integrate into our tribe, but he has refused to let go of his past."
"He's a slave," Bucky growled.
"He chooses to remain so," the chief explained. "If he took a mate, he would be one of us."
Bucky sighed. "I just want to make sure he'll be ok."
The chief closed his eyes. "You are soul bound."
Bucky didn't understand.
"Hota's soul is bound to yours," the chief explained.
"What?" Bucky asked.
The chief laughed. "He could not mate one of us for he was already mated to you!"
"B-But I've never met him in my life!" Bucky exclaimed.
"But you have seen him in the dream world!" The chief grinned.
Bucky didn't know how to respond to that. "So, what does this mean for Hota?"
"Hota cannot stay in the tribe," the chief said. "But he has not repaid his debt."
"His debt?" Bucky asked.
"I bought him," The chief replied.
Bucky growled. He didn’t know what overcame his better judgment. "I'll pay his debt."
The chief paused. "That would be acceptable."
Hota didn't understand what was going on.
Peter whined. He was trying not to cry.
Pups could not bear an Omega's distress.
Hota took a deep breath. He hugged Peter tighter.
"A-Are we going to die?" Peter asked.
Hota didn't know, but he would never tell Peter that. "Of course not."
"Why isn't my da with us?" Peter asked.
”The chief is deciding our fate. It is not for Omegas and pups,” Hota explained.
“B-But it’s our fate too,” Peter whispered.
“We’re not Alphas.”
It wasn’t fair, but it was how things were done.
Peter’s scent was filled with fear.
“You and your father will be fine,” Hota promised.
The tribe could not risk war over an Alpha and his pup.
“B-But what about you?” Peter asked.
Hota blinked back tears. Wondering if all pups cared so much, he lied. “I’ll be ok.”
Peter buried his face against Hota’s chest. “I-It’s my fault. I came to you for help.”
”If you had not, you and your father would have died,” Hota growled. “I regret nothing. You needed my help, so I helped.”
Peter sniffled. “I think you’re a good Oma.”
Hota chuckled. “I doubt that I’ve never had pups.”
”But you make me feel better,” Peter whispered as if it could be so simple.
Hota kissed the top of the pup’s head. No matter what happened, he could never regret helping Peter.
Peter’s soul was undoubtedly good.
***
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