And one that makes the rich man money, it ain't no dream at all
"I want everything back, the way it was. But there is no point to it, this wanting." —Margaret Atwood
Peter was ripped from his arms.
Hota was grabbed by his hair and dragged before the chief.
Peter was screaming—
"What are you doing!" Bucky growled.
Two warriors had to hold him back.
The chief stood. He cupped Hota's face. "You could have been a son of this tribe."
Hota glared at him. "I am the son of Sarah Rogers!"
The chief held a knife against Hota's face. He pulled Hota's hair and cut it, symbolically cutting him from the tribe. "You are cast out. Your debt has been paid, so you have been paid for."
"W-What?" Hota asked.
"You shall never be a son of my tribe. Instead, you shall be a slave to an Alpha." The chief smiled coldly.
"No! You can't do this!" Hota screamed. He thrashed wildly.
The warriors threw Hota at Bucky.
"Take your Omega and leave my tribe," the chief commanded.
Bucky tried to touch Hota, but the Omega jerked away from him.
Peter wriggled free and ran towards them. "Da!"
Bucky held the pup close. Hesitantly, he pulled Hota up. "We've got to go."
Hota glared at him. "Yes, Alpha."
Bucky recoiled. He dropped Steve's hand as if it burned.
Silence weighed heavily on their shoulders as they were escorted out of the tribe.
Peter clung to Bucky like a cocklebur. The pup couldn't stop shaking.
And Hota wouldn't even look at him.
Once they were out of earshot, Bucky stopped. "We need to talk."
"There's nothing to say," Hota said.
Peter whined.
"Yes, there is," Bucky insisted. "The chief wanted to punish you. He blamed you despite your nature. I couldn't stand by I tried to defend you."
"It was not your duty to do so!" Hota growled.
"You were not even allowed to defend yourself!" Bucky yelled.
Peter whimpered.
"I've been doing just fine on my own!" Hota snapped. "I don't need you—"
"I paid your debt," Bucky growled. "I couldn't leave you whether you like it or not, you're a part of this pack."
"I'm not a part of this pack; I'm a slave!" Hota growled.
***
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