Chapter Text
"Can we get some more cinnamon sticks?"
Castiel glanced at the basket he had over one arm. He'd been sure he was missing something. "Yes. Count out twelve."
Grinning, Balthazar stepped over to the bowl with the rolled sticks. He selected twelve cinnamon sticks and gave them to Tessa, who smiled and wrapped them before handing them to Castiel. He placed them in his basket, atop the various other things they'd picked up on their trip to the market. He had to make two trips a week for groceries, but he could space out his visits to the more varied vendors. Castiel had already been to the baker and the butcher. Today was to resupply their failing stores of cheese and herbs. Tessa was their local herb and spice supplier, and while everyone who resided in Kansas Haven were herbalists of some caliber it was difficult to grow everything one needed in their backyard.
"How much?" Castiel asked, satisfied he had all he needed. This time he directed his words to the only other adult in the shop.
Tessa frowned slightly, pausing as she bundled sprigs of parsley. "Don't you need another batch of sterility tea?"
Castiel blushed. "Actually, I was going to skip it this year."
Dark brows arched, but at least Tessa had the decency to make sure his children were excluded from the telepathic direct line before asking, "Are you sure?"
"One more time."
For various reasons Castiel had never completely gotten along with all of his people, but there were exceptions. Tessa was among them. She didn't point out how unusual this was or ask him to put it off until he was absolutely sure, she didn't even look at him in an odd or scandalized fashion. She only smiled and offered some of her fertility tea, which he politely declined. He hadn't needed it before, and he doubted he'd need it now.
After he paid Castiel hefted Samandriel onto one hip and went to hold open the door of Tessa's shop, gripping the telepathic ties between himself and his two elder children. One to Balthazar, one to Charlie. He gave it a sharp tug, not enough to hurt but plenty to get their attention. Without a word being spoken Balthazar and Charlie both dropped the plants they'd been sniffing to hurry out the door, something that made the female Beta chuckle. Castiel would be the first to admit he'd given birth to some of the most rowdy, rambunctious children in the Kansas Haven community, but at least they had the sense to behave in public. He wasn't above putting them over his knee if they pushed him, even though Balthazar was eleven and Charlie seven. Samandriel was something of a blessing. Considering he had just turned three he was the most manageable of his siblings. For all that, he loved each of them dearly.
Tessa was the first of those to find out about his intentions and not judge him in some fashion. Most of his people had two, possibly three children. Very rarely did they produce more. Castiel understood the reasoning behind this, they were immortal after all, but they weren't unkillable. On occasion there were illnesses that afflicted them, and they weren't invulnerable to injury. The Black Plague had made a serious dent in their numbers before they'd found the combination of magic and medicine that worked. No sooner had they recovered then they had to flee an entire continent for several centuries due to witch hunts. Their communities might be hidden from humans, but they did have ties to witches and their boundaries weren't infallible. Castiel had lived in the United Kingdom briefly, but decided he liked the Americas better. Balthazar had been born there, and he'd moved shortly after. After he'd had Charlie he'd settled here, in the Kansas Haven community. His own lone sibling had joined him shortly after, having grown bored of his own globetrotting.
Castiel had put off breeding longer than most of his kind, for decades really. Then when he'd finally given in he found he adored children, and when Balthazar got through the terrible three's he'd yearned for another. Admittedly it was a bit easier, since he could leave his younglings with Gabriel while he left for his heats. His brother delighted in rejecting normalcies, and was among the few who hadn't batted an eye when he'd chosen to spend a third heat with an Alpha. While Gabriel had no intention of producing children himself in the near future, his niece and nephews loved Uncle Gabby.
Basket still over one arm, Castiel walked the mile from the village's main street to his cozy cottage near the Haven's edge. It was larger than the ones he'd had before, and after a bit of construction was able to afford all three children their own room. He had a decently sized herb garden in the backyard, next to a playset with swings and a slide and monkey bars. The basement had been converted to be his workroom, the dining room a study room. While Balthazar and Charlie went to school with everyone else in the morning, younglings were taught magic by their mothers, often in the afternoon. Today was Saturday, so he had them all day to help carry things. Otherwise he preferred running errands when he only had one child to keep up with.
By the time he got them all inside and had stowed his purchases it was time for lunch. Despite his efforts Castiel was unable to do much preparation before nightfall. He knew he had over a month, but he liked to be ready. It didn't help that his heat struck in September, while his bees were still active. He did herbs and potions and teas like everyone else, but everyone had a specialty that contributed, provided some minor income. For him it was honey.
Each day that passed without his sterility tea Castiel could feel the difference more and more. On the years where he drank it to keep his heat had bay he'd only be more horny, his instincts running a little high, but nothing more. When he didn't, he started to feel the effects sooner.
The days weren't always exact, but he knew his body well enough. When he felt he was roughly four days away he summoned Gabriel, leaving his children in his brother's charge. Balthazar wasn't quite as fond of his bees, but he was the only one able to at least check on them. Assured everything was taken care of, Castiel left Kansas Haven to begin the breeding process.
-----<><>BREAK/BREAK\BREAK<><>-----
Castiel had honestly avoided breeding initially because he disliked the process itself, he’d never had anything against the results. Not the actual physical act per-say, that part was generally enjoyable. Sometimes the human Alpha would try to mate them, but even if they did bite him, so long as it wasn't reinforced afterward it wouldn't take. His people had many names, depending on the culture, but the most accurate was will-o'-the-wisp. They were cousins to both the Fay and to witches, with various capabilities that included the ability to travel over great distances in a form that resembled a flame.
One of the numerous things that separated them from humans, besides ears that tapered to a point, was that they never gave birth to Alphas. Always Omegas or female Betas. No one was sure why, but the lack of Alphas and male Betas had resulted in a breeding practice born of necessity. As Castiel understood it Alphas were very possessive creatures, domineering. If they spent a rut with an Omega they would try to mate them, keep them. But outside their communities a will-o'-the-wisp lost their immortality. While they aged normally for the first twenty years after birth, afterwards this would always stop, and they didn't simply die, not unless something killed them. The exception was if they left their communities, which was rarely done even these days. The only proven way to prevent the Alpha from keeping them from returning was to kill them.
Heats lasted four days before they would began to fade. A will-o'-the-wisp would leave their community for their heat, build a nest, and lure a young fertile Alpha into the swamp or whatever territory they were currently hiding in. A heat would trigger a rut, they would spend four days together, then when the heat faded they would kill the Alpha before returning. Their Betas had a similar process when reproducing with the males of their breed. From there it took the traditional nine to ten months before they produced a pup.
Castiel's first heat had been spent in the fens of England. A young Alpha in hiking gear had been easy enough to lure to his nest. As soon as he had Castiel's heat in his nose all civility had left him. The aggression had caught the Omega off guard, but for the most part it was enjoyable. Even so, he had gotten a bad feeling about that particular human, and his instincts had proven too trustworthy over the years to ignore. It hadn't been difficult to snap the Alpha's neck before he abandoned his nest.
The second time he'd been in what the humans had named the coffee swamp, in Wisconsin. An Alpha with vivid red hair who'd taken apparent delight in every bruise he could leave on the Omega's flesh had been the first fertile candidate he could lure. He had honestly enjoyed killing that one.
Samandriel's father had been lured from this same place, in Kansas. Considering the ratty clothes easily recognizable as prison garb Castiel guessed few people would miss him. Between his questionable character and the fact this particular Alpha had had the gall to bite his neck three times, Castiel had had no reservations over killing that one either. Frankly if he hadn't visited human settlements regularly in his globetrotting days, for brief periods that wouldn't reverse his immortality, he'd have a very poor opinion of humans in general. Particularly the Alphas. He had a feeling that was why so many of his people were staunch supports of this opinion. Honestly Castiel still wasn't sure if it was a curse or a blessing, that it'd been so easy to complete their breeding ritual with his children's fathers. He loved them more than anything, they were good kids, but surely not everyone could be so lucky every time.
By the time Castiel finished building his nest he no longer cared about such things. Not when he was on the brink of his heat. Already he was leaking pheromones, the need to mate paramount in his mind. It made him uncomfortable to leave his newly made nest, fashioned of soft grasses and moss and whatever else he could lay hands on, but he had to. If memory served the river wasn't far from here, but if he was willing to venture farther he'd find trails, camping grounds, a road. Places that would be ripe hunting grounds for fertile, unmated Alphas.
This was his least favorite part of his heats, crossing the distance to where he might find someone sufficient to lure. Even as a dancing ball of flame he still felt the draw, to return to the safety of his nest. It was a very long three miles from there to the road, where he decided to begin his search. It was the nearest point to his nest but still far enough away that anyone who came looking for them would still be turned around. Even before the more sophisticated forensic methods, his people had mastered the art of breeding and disappearing without leaving a trace. Part of his preparations had been to lay down disorientation and confusion spells around his nest, as well as lay out previsions so they wouldn't go hungry or thirsty. When the ritual was complete a spell placed over the Alpha's corpse would have the very earth swallow them up along with the used nest, erasing the last pieces of evidence before they returned to their communities.
Castiel drifted a safe distance from the road, not too close but also not so far away no one could see him. It was late, the sun had disappeared and the moon was rising overhead, struggling to combat the fog rising from the warm ground as autumn air settle in. The Omega lingered along a ten-foot stretch for a while, then reluctantly moved farther along it. Not a single car rumbled passed, no bikers or even a walking hitchhiker. This wasn't an unusual problem, it was why he allowed for three whole extra days before his heat was actually supposed to hit, but knowing this didn't ease his anxiety. One day had already been lost preparing his nest, gathering materials to form a bed and canopy of woven grasses, stowing supplies, laying down the necessary spells to shield them during the mating process. Now he had two more, technically, though if he could lure an Alpha sooner his heat would kick-start.
On down the road he drifted, lingering around the two-lane highway. He was starting to wonder if he shouldn't abandon it, try again closer to morning, visit the local campgrounds, when he saw a dim light ahead. Hope stirred in his currently nonexistent chest, and the wispy ball of cobalt flame drifted a bit faster. He circled around, wanting to be careful. If this was a family or a non-Alpha it wouldn't do to have them follow him.
The Omega needn't have worried. He couldn't believe his luck when he realized it was a lone male standing in front of a vehicle pulled onto the roadside. It was old, not the sort of thing often on the roads these days, but as far as he could tell no one else was in it. The headlights were on, and the Alpha had a flashlight in one hand as the other moved around in the exposed engine.
Never before had Castiel had such good fortune. It had always been a game of trial and error in the past, shaking off curious Betas or even the occasional Omega, abandoning a mated Alpha close enough he or she could find their way back. Never had he found someone to lure within the first twenty-four hours.
He moved a bit closer, putting himself fifty feet from the tree line. The Alpha didn't look up from his work, attention focused. If he had a mouth Castiel might have huffed. He was closing the distance to forty feet when the Alpha abruptly went around the car, sliding in behind the wheel and trying to crank the engine. When all he got was spluttering the human went back to work.
Thirty feet. The Omega was working his way up to twenty feet when he saw broad shoulders tense. At last the human lifted his head to look around. He glanced up and down the road first, then spared a brief look for the forest. Castiel knew the moment he was spotted. If he was truly lucky this human was curious as many of his kind were, and he'd try to follow the odd bit of disembodied blue fire.
"Hello? Anybody out there?"
The Alpha took a few paces away from his vehicle, shining his flashlight into the trees. Castiel darted back out of range, far more patient now that he had the human's attention. The process had begun, he could afford to take his time and do it properly.
"Hey, you lost? You with the lantern."
Castiel held his ground, drifting at eye level, waiting. When he got no response the Alpha paced back and forth along the tree line, then marched back to his car. He slammed the hood, then headed straight into the fog-filled forest. A bit surprised by his boldness, but not displeased, Castiel waited until he was closer to move away. In the past such things were expected, but these days even Alphas tended to be a little more cautious.
"You hurt? Come on, say something. I can't give you a lift, but I can call an ambulance."
It took a minute for Castiel to remember that word. Ambulance. A vehicle for transporting injured to medical assistance. No one had offered such a thing before. Mmm, perhaps he'd finally get to enjoy a more gentle encounter with an Alpha. It would certainly be a nice way to spend his last heat.
The Omega took his time, taking care to make sure the human never got closer than twenty feet or so. He stayed just within sight, enough to keep the Alpha's attention but not enough to disappear. He preferred more distance, but it was foggy tonight, which would work in his favor for all it meant he couldn't get too far ahead.
"Hello! Hey, where you going?" In a lower voice Castiel heard a distinct, "Damn it, I don't have time for this shit."
Even so, the Alpha didn't falter in his pursuit. Castiel might have cracked a smile if he'd had a mouth in this form. He danced and coaxed until he'd gotten the Alpha roughly a mile from the road, something his prey didn't seem oblivious to. About the same time he'd drawn the Alpha well beyond eyeshot of the road he heard an irate shout from the human.
"Get your ass back here!"
Castiel skipped ahead briskly, easily matching the Alpha's attempt at running. He didn't get far. The ground was wet, boggy, and muddy. Even with his flashlight the human seemed to have difficulty seeing very far, the result being he fell face-first in a patch of soaked reeds before he'd jogged more than five steps.
The Omega waited patiently, his flame fluttering in amusement. His prey pried himself from the ground, stumbling a few steps before resuming his more stately pace across the muggy ground, colorful profanities muttered under his breath.
Castiel decided it was time he gave his quarry incentive. They were far enough away from his vehicle and this human was becoming irritated. That was never a good thing.
He darted farther away, putting himself almost out of sight, then returned to his humanoid form. Standing on his own two feet, he waited. He was acutely aware of his own scent thick in the cooling air, sweet Omega musk growing stronger as his heat drew nearer. He'd left his shoes behind, as they'd only get in the way, wearing only a knee length tunic of undyed cotton. He hadn't even bothered with underwear.
It took a minute before the Alpha caught up to him. Castiel let him get close, not bothering to turn and continue on just yet. He had to trigger this human's own instincts, the ones that would drive him to pursue an Omega in heat well beyond the point of clear-minded caution.
This one only got a few strides away before he stopped short, body tensing as the scent reached him. Without his flames there was only a little moonlight and the dimming flashlight aimed at the ground between them. This was the first time Castiel had bothered taking a good look at the Alpha, who was gaping at him even as his eyes dilated, breath hitching.
Castiel liked to think he wasn't overly picky, though if he was to breed with an Alpha he felt he should try to do it with one that was at least physically attractive. This one was a bit taller than his own six feet, broad shouldered, but not bulky. He was wearing a thin shirt under a jacket, but appeared to be lean rather than obese, which was a plus. Fair skin, remarkably astatically pleasing features, green eyes rapidly going dark with instinct and lust, short cut light brown hair.....and were those freckles? He had never mated with an Alpha with freckles before. Charlie's father hadn't had them, but she had them. Not as much as this Alpha, though. How far did they go?
Best of all was the scent. Even before the Omega could taste his rising rut this Alpha had the most mouthwatering scent of any Alpha he'd lured yet. Lavender and pine and motor oil and the most intoxicating Alpha musk he'd ever inhaled, untainted by a mate. Their scent was meant to be appealing, but it wasn't always. He'd once lured a human halfway to his nest only to toss him back when their revolting scent hit his nose.
One muddy work boot crunched forward a step, and Castiel was yanked from his examination. He turned, setting off at a brisk pace into the forest. Without hesitation the Alpha took off after him, if a bit at a slower speed. Among the natural attributes will-o'-the-wisps possessed even after they lost their immortality were a highly astute sense of direction, heightened speed, heightened strength, and heightened stamina. All were useful when luring an Alpha through questionable terrain without getting caught until they wished it.
Roughly half a mile after he'd switched to his human form Castiel heard a distinctive growl, and a smile crossed his face as he skipped across a stream. He had him. This Alpha would follow him to hell and back now.
Castiel glanced back periodically, but he never had to speed his pace beyond a trot. After his second failed attempt at running the Alpha gave up, settling for an accelerated walk. The Omega filed this away as yet another point in his favor. He'd actually had to stop several times in the past because foolish Alphas with heat scent in their noses kept running and falling or running into trees. Even now this one displayed intelligence. He'd gotten beyond lucky for his final heat, stumbling onto such a fine breeder so quickly.
By the time he got close to his nest the Omega's own mind was muddled with heat. Scenting the Alpha's rut had put things into full swing. It was time.
When he was close enough to see his nest Castiel slowed his pace, allowing the Alpha to finally catch up. In seconds he was tackled to the ground, a triumphant snarl in his ears, hot breath panting against his shoulder. He expected to be pinned down and fucked there and then. His three previous encounters had begun as such, and everyone he'd spoken to on the matter had told of virtually identical experiences.
The hands that griped his hips didn't move him into position for a rough and ready start to their breeding process. Instead they flipped him onto his back, leaving him staring up into the flushed face of a blatantly aroused Alpha. Castiel could see the light of his own fire, burning in his eyes at the heightened instincts, reflected in the Alpha's own cornea's.
A hand came into view, fingers brushing his cheek. A shock darted between them at the touch, seemingly startling the Alpha. Then, to Castiel's dismay, he gave his head a sharp shake and sat back on his haunches, removing his touch.
Scowling, deciding to give those instincts a push, Castiel lifted one foot and gave the human's chest a hard shove, knocking him backwards and scrambling to his feet. He barely managed to run three paces before he was tackled a second time with far more force. He struggled this time, trying to buck the Alpha off, only going still with a shudder when the human had him securely pinned down. A deep growl that was all Alpha rumbled in the human's chest, making him shiver.
While the Alpha's touch softened a little he didn't release the Omega as he had before. Instead a thumb and forefinger reached around, taking hold of Castiel's chin and turning it so his face could be studied. Full lips murmured an incoherent string of soft, soothing words, as though he were dealing with a frightened animal. In his right mind Castiel might have laughed. You would have thought he were the prey here, not the Alpha.
An index finger stroked his cheek, then moved up to his ear. He heard breath hitch as it gently curled around the tapered point, a thumb brushing the sensitive appendage with such tenderness he actually shivered. Why was this fool of a human behaving in such a manner? They were not mates, they would never be mates, it made no sense.
Whimpering needily, Castiel arched his body up against the Alpha's, rising his hips to grind against his crotch. It was an honest shock when he felt how hard this human was. He would have thought it impossible to ignore such arousal for anything, much less pointless tenderness.
For a moment Castiel thought he'd finally gotten this Alpha to give in. The growl returned and his tunic was shoved up over his head, a belt clinking and zipper dropping as the human shed his own clothes as quickly as physically possible. A broad, warm hand pressed to his shoulders, lowering them as the other lifted his hips. Castiel obligingly positioned himself for mating, aiming his ass at the moon and spreading his thighs, his own cock hard and his entrance beginning to drip slick.
He almost groaned in dismay when the hand on his hip moved to his buttock, a thumb brushing his entrance. A finger stroked his pucker, then slid inside him experimentally. It was soon followed by a second digit, which his body eagerly excepted, the two spreading him easily. Damn it, what was this Alpha's problem? He was in heat for gods' sake, he was beyond ready.
Castiel was wondering if he'd have to ride this overly cautious human for the entirety of his heat when something hot, soft, and obviously not a cock brushed his entrance. A keening sound was dragged from his throat, his knees growing a bit weak as he began to pant. Two hands now gripped his posterior as the Alpha licked at the slick-covered flesh a second time, then began probing him along with two fingers.
A sound half moan half cry left his lips. He'd heard of oral sex, when he'd walked among humans, but never had Alphas shown any interest during a heat. Yet this one seemed intent on lapping and probing and sucking him to an orgasm. As much as Castiel ached to be fucked and filled, he couldn't bring himself to push the Alpha away either. It was unbearably tantalizing as much as it was wonderfully pleasurable.
In the end he did cum with a cry, with only the Alpha's tongue and digits inside him. He almost buckled to the ground, but was held upright. Castiel was still catching his breath when the Alpha finally, at long last, mounted him. He moaned long and loud as a hard, hot cock slowly pressed inside him.
Apparently Castiel had finally found something that would make this Alpha lose his mind, as he so obviously did. From that point there was no doubt this human was in full rut, intent on fucking out the brains of the willing Omega he had on his hands. Castiel lost himself as well, descending into moans and keens and soft cries of pleasure.
The Alpha knotted him in the end, his rough movements only stilling when his knot swelled inside the Omega. Castiel was limp, unable and unwilling to protest as he was carefully laid on his side. The double orgasm and knotting had drained him. He closed his eyes, only vaguely aware of the Alpha settling at his back and wrapping limbs around him.
-----<><>BREAK/BREAK\BREAK<><>-----
Castiel was pleased to wake and find himself in his nest. He was not pleased to find the Alpha awake and somewhat coherent. He turned over in time to see something like dismay, or possibly horror, cross the Alpha's pretty face. The human had scooted to the far side of his nest, evergreen eyes wide, as naked as the Omega was.
"I...I'm sorry, man I....look, I was out of line. I really shouldn't have done that. I don't know what was wrong with me."
The Omega's head tilted to one side as he sat up, not liking the sensation of cold cum and slick leaking out of him. This would not do. He had to be properly bred for a pregnancy to take hold.
Castiel sat cross legged, regarding the Alpha. Evergreen eyes glanced downward before snapping back up to his face. The Omega was fascinated to see a pink blush blossom over his cheeks and down his neck. It blotted out the light freckles that, he now saw, spread well passed his neck and shoulders.
Intrigued, despite himself, Castiel leaned forward until he was on hands and knees, reaching out to lay a palm over warm flesh. The Alpha's breath hitched, glancing at the fingers brushing his collarbone and on down his left pectoral. He leaned in, eyes intent, an index finger following a nonsensical trail of freckles down his torso. Castiel was struck by the bizarre urge to count them, but quickly shook it off.
Abruptly he pushed on the Alpha's chest, dumping him onto his back against the nest's raised edge. He crawled forward, straddling the human's hips, bracing his hands on broad shoulders. As a new wave of heat washed over them both Castiel got to watch evergreen eyes darken, glazing with lust. Full, pink lips parted to pant as the Omega did.
But rather than take charge and fuck him again, a hand reached up to press against Castiel's cheek. He quirked his head to one side, confused by the tender gesture, but before he could do anything about it the Alpha leaned up and pressed their mouths together. It wasn't a forceful, dominating kiss. The one, lone time he'd been kissed in a heat it had been all rough, dry lips and clacking teeth. More of a battle and show of dominance than anything else. This was....not that. Never in his life had Castiel been kissed in this fashion. Slow and gentle and sweet, a thumb brushing his temple, each movement tender and loving. There was no other word to describe it, he realized later. Loving.
He was lowered back to the ground in such a slow, gentle fashion Castiel didn't even notice until his back touched the nest floor. He was too busy clinging to the Alpha's shoulders, enjoying this new marvel. A soft, wanton moan was drawn from his throat before they parted for air, panting. The Alpha took his time, exploring his mouth, and the Omega let him.
Castiel's head was swimming when he gave a tiny mewl, head falling back as open-mouthed kisses were trailed down along his jaw and throat. He was about to reach down and demand the Alpha get to work, pleasurable ministrations or no, when that wonderful mouth descended on his nipple. His eyes widened with a sharp gasp of surprise, followed by a heated moan. A growl began thrumming in the Alpha's throat, adding a vibration sensation that made Castiel writhe beneath him, moaning wantonly.
Apparently that noise was what did his partner in. He was actually disappointed when the Alpha lifted his head and moved forward, rolling his hips and grinding two very hard cocks together. Castiel whimpered, reaching up to grab his shoulders and hooking a leg over his waist. The Alpha kissed him again, even as he obligingly slid inside his dripping entrance.
This time things were...slower. But Castiel couldn't bring himself to urge this human along. Not this time. Back and forth this Alpha went, alternately fucking him hard and fast, then moving slow and sweet. A hand slid between them, stroking the Omega's cock, thumb brushing his slit, making the process all the more tantalizing. Even if he'd had the will to complain he wouldn't have the breath. When he wasn't gasping and moaning he was being kissed breathless.
Knotting face-to-face was a new phenomena. The few times it had happened before was because he happened to end up on his back when the Alphas were manhandling him and/or wanted to see his face while they fucked him. Then they'd collapsed on top of him and promptly fallen asleep. At best he'd have to roll them over, so he wouldn't be smothered while he waited for their knot to deflate.
This Alpha didn't collapse on top of him. His limbs shook, his eyes glazed with pure rut hormones, his breath shuttering in his throat, but he didn't collapse. He slowly lowered himself down on top of the Omega, nestling against his throat and heaving a big, contented sigh.
Castiel felt himself relax, gradually going boneless beneath the Alpha. He closed his eyes, turning his nose into his neck in turn. He didn't just smell good, he smelled comforting. Was that possible?
He drifted in and out of sleep, not bothering to try pushing the Alpha off him. The weight, the warmth, the scent...he couldn't remember the last time he felt so content inside a heat. Even so, it felt right. Like he'd finally found true tranquility in this ever-changing world.
The Omega didn't get much of a chance to seriously ponder this, though he made a note to do so later. The next time he stirred it was to find the human studying the earthenware jars stopped with corks. He'd worked one free and was sniffing the contents curiously.
A fond smile crossed Castiel's face. He sat up carefully, drawing the human's attention. When he hesitated, Castiel held out his hands for the jar. There were a few containers too, but the jars held water that had been steeped with herbs meant to revitalize, boosting strength and stamina. He took a long draft from it, then handed the jar back. Apparently assured it was safe, the Alpha took a careful sip, then a gulp. After he'd drunk his fill he offered the jar back to Castiel, who shook his head. He stuffed the cork back in, then picked up a drawstring pouch. Familiarity sparked in his eyes as he pulled out an apple, and Castiel was glad he wouldn't have to stop him. The apples were especially for the Alphas, dosed with a spell meant to make them sleep deeper and cloud their thoughts. He wouldn't be eating them.
The Alpha did offer him one, but when Castiel shook his head ate one himself, then poked through the rest of the supplies at the nest's edge. He went through each provision, offering Castiel everything before setting it aside. He accepted dried dates and apricots, as well as dried strips of meat. The human seemed particularly fond of the latter, and turned his nose up at the flatbread Castiel liked to nibble on.
Once they'd eaten their fill Castiel found an Alpha nuzzling his neck, twining his arms around his waist from behind, a low thrum in his throat. The sound reminded him of the purr of a cat. Again he found himself cracking a fond smile, reaching a hand up to stroke the Alpha's hair. Warm lips brushed his neck, teeth nibbling at the shell of his ear. It provided a pleasantly tantalizing sensation, making him arch into the touch rather than shy away.
"At least tell me your name," the Alpha said roughly. "Still ain't sure we won't regret this when we come out of it. I'm sorry I took advantage, I'm sorry I'm a first-class bastard but...”
Castiel had never opened his mouth to utter a word to an Alpha. To make noises of pleasure, to encourage them on, but never to communicate with words. He had no intention of changing that now. For all the Alpha's pleading tone made him consider it briefly.
Rather than answer the Omega turned himself around, taking the Alpha's face in his hands. He brushed the human's temples with his thumbs, gazing into eyes not yet glazed with lust. This human truly was a rarity, beautiful and gentle and tender. It would be a shame to kill him.
The undoubtedly intimate moment came to a close when the human's eyes began to dilate, making his voice even rougher when he spoke again.
"I can't," he croaked. "You've got no idea how bad I wanna fuck you right now, but I can't take advantage of you. I can't. Not again. I won't. I won't."
Castiel's eyes narrowed. If anyone was being taken advantage of it was the Alpha. He pushed him onto his back on the nest, crawling over him and perching on his hips. He was half vexed half amused when the human's only reaction to this was to gulp and croak, "Okay then. I'll just uh...lay here....then."
The Omega cocked his head, taking his time in studying the figure below him. Again a blush spread from his cheeks and neck, but this time it actually spread to his chest. Castiel leaned in, curious, pressing fingertips to the pinkened flesh. It didn't feel overly warm, but it did blot out most of his freckles. He liked seeing this Alpha's freckles.
Deciding to take advantage of the moment before the next wave hit, Castiel turned his attention to the entirety of the figure blow him. He began with the human's face. Fingertips delicately tracing his brow, his forehead, stroking his hair, caressing his cheekbones. Somewhere between brushing his lips and tracing his nose evergreen eyes snapped closed, the Alpha's breath shuttering in his chest. Castiel felt his cock twitching, but opted to ignore it for now.
Ears, jaw, neck, collar bone, shoulders....every curve of bone or muscle, every plain of bare flesh, every freckle was admired. The figure below him was a work of art. Art should be admired. He made his way down both arms and a lean torso, toned pectorals and a flat stomach with a faintly visible set of abdominal muscles. Unfortunately he didn't get beyond a throbbing cock between two hip bones before he had the overwhelming urge to get fucked again.
This time he repositioned himself on the Alpha, lowering himself down onto his cock with a groan of pleasure. Evergreen eyes snapped open again, though they were more pupil than iris and glazed with lust. He reached up, grasping the Omega's hips only to have his hands smacked away. Rather than fight it further or dominate the situation he screwed his eyes shut and gave a strained moan, bucking up into his hips instead.
Having control of this caliber was the latest of many new experiences, most of which he enjoyed. The Alpha dug his fingers into the moss rather than him, fighting to restrain himself rather than do what Castiel had displayed displeasure for. It was touching, or it would be when he was in his right mind again.
The sun rose and fell overhead. Castiel barely noticed. Unlike his previous experiences he didn't count the days and wait them out. Every moment was relished, enjoyed, every orgasm engulfed in true ecstasy. Times between bouts of intense physical pleasure were still intense in their own way. More than once the Alpha still tried to plea with him, coax his name from the Omega, apologize and confirm that he was in fact willing. Castiel held his ground, if barely. It was tempting, so very tempting, but he didn't say anything to him. It was the only thing he resisted. The tender touches, the intimate moments, the breathtaking kisses. Castiel could only call it loving, the little things this Alpha did. He refused to give this human his name, and yet he still treated him in a fashion Castiel had never known.
On the end of the third day, when Castiel felt himself returning to his right mind, he woke to find a groggy Alpha curled around him. Not unlike his children with their favorite stuffed toys. He found it...sweet. At least this particular human was fond of apples. He'd eaten all six and was now thoroughly drugged. Castiel doubted a maelstrom would rouse him now.
He stowed empty jars and bags in a satchel, setting them outside his nest, and tugged his tunic over his head as the sun began its decent of their fourth day. He'd been coming around for most of the sunlight hours, but his companion had been dozing and disoriented for most of it. Castiel actually felt guilty, not a sensation he was used to.
The Omega sat cross-legged next to the human, moving his head and shoulders into his lap. As he'd done three times in the past Castiel laid a hand on either side of his face, bracing the heels of his hands against his temples and wrapping fingers around his jaw. This was a part of the breeding process. Once they were old enough every will-o'-the-wisp knew this. He knew how to make it quick and clean, painless even if the Alpha in question wasn't in a magically drug-induced slumber.
Perhaps 'slumber' was a bit strong. The human stirred a little, muttering and turning into one of Castiel's hands, nuzzling his palm before settling again. Full lips parted, giving voice to a soft noise that sounded not unlike something he'd once heard produced from a small kitten.
Swallowing thickly, Castiel repositioned the Alpha's head in order to snap his neck properly.
No, he thought slowly, frowning a little. He'd been thinking of this creature as merely an Alpha, a human to be bred with and disposed of. Somehow that didn't seem right anymore. Particularly since he had offered his own name when trying to learn the will-o'-the-wisp's.
Dean. He said his name was Dean. Dean Winchester. His thumb brushed absently over a full lip before he could stop himself. Dean Winchester, the Alpha who offered kindness to an Omega he didn't know. Who made love to them even in the throes of a rut, who made sure he had enough to eat and drink rather than merely sating his own hunger and thirst. Who had hundreds of freckles and evergreen eyes. Who had the ability to communicate an incredibly tender level of intimacy with a kiss and a gaze.
Castiel didn't know their names, the Alphas from before. He'd never asked. They'd never offered. They'd certainly never tried to learn his. They'd also never behaved like Dean. Never shown guilt at the very idea of taking advantage of a strange Omega in heat. Never shown him affection. Tenderness. Intimacy.....love, perhaps?
The will-o'-the-wisp didn't know how long he sat there, staring down at the Alpha's upside-down face. Long enough for the sun to set, certainly. Golden light from the descending sun shifted to the moon's silvery glow.
In the end Castiel couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew he needed to, knew he should, but...he just couldn't. Not this one. Not Dean.
Instead he lurched to his feet, fetching the discarded clothes left beyond his nest's boundaries. He brought them back to Dean's slumbering form, then began the process of dressing an unconscious human. It was more difficult than he'd anticipated, but he managed. When Dean was dressed, complete with tied work boots, he hooked both hands under his armpits and dragged him out of the nest, only setting him back down when he was sure Dean was clear of the area that would be sinking into the earth.
Castiel lingered there, knowing this was likely the last time he'd ever see this particular Alpha's face. He wanted to take his time. The Omega knelt by him, gazing into his sleeping visage. On a whim he shoved Dean's jacket off his left arm, pushing up his sleeve so he could expose the Alpha's upper bicep. He breathed onto his own hand, then pressed it to the bared flesh. Blue light, the color of his flame, flared then dimmed. When he removed his hand it was in time to see the light fade, leaving a scar in the shape of his hand. Even that faded into his skin after a few moments. There it would remain, unless brought on by another will-o'-the-wisp. Should anyone else try to breed with him they would know he was marked, they'd leave him be. No one would bother him or try to kill him, none of his own people anyway. It wasn't much, but he wouldn't leave Dean completely unprotected.
The Omega repositioned his clothes, then dipped to kiss him one last time.
Abruptly he stood, afraid to linger any longer. He fetched his satchel from the nest, then activated the covering spells. Once all trace of his presence was gone, swallowed by the bog, and Dean was safe to wake up and wander home, he turned his back on the Alpha. He shifted into his flame form, darting away into the night's sky.
It took less than an hour for him to return. He didn't go back to two legs until he was outside his cottage, which still had one window lit. The door was unlocked, so he was able to slip inside without waking anyone.
Gabriel was in his kitchen, looking up from a cup of tea. He set aside the scroll he'd been studying, along with the mug. "Hey. How'd it go? Get a hot one?"
Castiel found his throat suddenly very tight. It was just as well he wouldn't be using his physical voice. "How are the younglings?" he asked, managing to get the words out in a normal fashion.
"Fine. Samandriel missed you. Charlie finally managed a handstand. I think Balthazar snuck off with some of my cookies." There were images to accompany the words, and Castiel felt his face soften at the sight. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, brother. I'm just tired."
"Right. Forgot. Want me to heat up some stew? I made extra for dinner."
"Thank you."
"Great. Now go take a shower. You'll feel better."
"I mean it, Gabriel. Thank you."
His brother smirked. "I know ya do. What're brother's for? Now seriously, go get a shower. You stink."