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He knew. At 9 years old, he knew he was going to be taking care of his brother, no matter how much he wished he wouldn't have that responsibility so early. Just because his parents weren’t expecting them, didn’t mean that they should abandon their youngest to the sole responsibility of the oldest. He was nine, his brother only three, but that didn’t stop him from learning of their importance to their parents. Or lack thereof.
Zach’s parents were clan, but he knew he and Gray would eventually be pack. They both hated how clans were run, and the thought of pack, a place that would welcome them with smiles and 100% acceptance no matter their relation, was all they could hope for. Their clan was cold, like a harsh winter in the middle of summer.
Packs and clans were two completely different family lifestyles, and not in the normative animal style either. Clans were the family units that were on the small to large size, a few or more single families of 3 to 5, and fairly passive. They stuck to their small dens in larger cities surrounded by other clans they might get along with, and were more interested in their own personal clans progression.
Packs were usually family-oriented groups of 8 or so many more, usually in the smaller towns and more rural areas. They are one giant unit answering to one leading pair, and are a force of nature in human skin. Similar to a wolf pack, but still with human vanities. Packs are family oriented, but that doesn’t always mean blood. Family to pack means that you get along with the pack, are useful to the pack, and will support the pack, whether as a whole or as individuals. Pack is a family of choice.
Their life at home wasn't great, but it wasn't horrible either. Their parents were fighting a lot, but nothing had gotten to the physical point. Yet. Gray couldn't take all the yelling, and would come to Zach's room to hide from it. Noise cancelling headphones and cuddles helped retain some normalcy for the pup. Their parents fighting was getting to the point of throwing things. He wasn't sure he wanted Gray here much longer.
Though the moment they tried to touch Gray with intent to harm, the gloves were off. He had adopted and imprinted on the pup at birth, and only reinforced that bond when he became primary caretaker for him.
Zach's parents aren't mates. They never found theirs, or never bothered looking. They got together because one night together accidentally ended up with him. They didn't have the best relationship, but then unhappy and umated pairings didn’t usually procreate either. It was spiritual biology. He was a surprise. The only reason they stayed together was because pups needed the stability of pack/clan. Without it, they might grow to be slightly unstable...or majorly, in the case of that dumbass bully that tried to beat Gray up.
Zach grinned to himself. That kid had a lesson learned that day. The weeks suspension was worth it.
Six years after him and a drunken New Years party, Gray was born.
That didn't make their parents any happier, but they tried to keep positive vibes for the newborn.
Gray grew up a genius, easily excitable. And easily suppressed.
It hurt though, that their parents were arguing so often. That Gray had to hear it. He knew his parents loved them, they just weren't caretakers, and the thing that scared him the most was that they didn't want them anymore.
If they could just stay together for a few more years, pretend they weren't fighting, he would get Gray out of here the moment he came of age. He wouldn't have had to secretly file for emancipation and custody. He was already raising Gray, moving out with him would only help him in the long run. Support his pup before he suffocated from the negative effects of being in a pseudo-hostile environment.
All he could do at the moment was lament being made to mature faster than he should have been, and take care of the child he claimed as his.
And try to endure until the results came back.
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They were getting a visit from his Mom's sister. An Aunt Claire. He didn't recall ever seeing her, but he has heard of her.
The absent and possibly ostracized sister who took her solitary controlling personality and ran a major business just like a ruling pair.
Zach knew she was coming, but didn't know she was bringing company. He had taken over the duties of cooking from his mother; not that she couldn't cook, just that she got distracted with arguments (dinner usually burned if he didn't make it), so he was unprepared to feed more than the five people he assumed would be at the house. He now had to dish out an extra three plates.
Claire had brought her PA Zara, who she
actually be paired with; Vic Hoskins, an imitation leader that smelt of deceit and violence even through his scent blockers; and Owen Grady, another leader whose eyes he could feel almost boring into his soul.
Zach didn't look a single one in the eyes, staring just off center and merely nodding his head at introductions, then scuttling back to the kitchen to finish dinner as the adults spoke.
Dinner was quiet, the adults distant and not wanting to speak while he and Gray were there. As neither were at presenting age, they weren't wanted for the conversation that was going to be about them. Even if Zach had a job and an apartment, they would still exclude him.
Not saying he didn't. If the adults conversation didn't go well, he had already planned to move out with Gray. He'd been working at the exotic animals veterinarian down the street from school as an apprentice for a few years, earning himself the ability to become emancipated and grant custody of his pup to his sole custody. He'd been recording all the fights his parents have been having while at the same time preventing Gray from hearing them, and noting all the neglect they've both undergone from them.
It wouldn't do Gray any good to hear those, though he couldn't block them all. They were fighting over who got to keep Gray, but completely ignoring the existence of Zach. They were the terms of the divorce. His mom was always the worst about him. His dad didn't want him much, but at least had a kind word every once in a while.
He had the paperwork already filed; custody and emancipation, proof of sustainability, proof of ability to provide for a minor, his GED. The lawyers he was able to find through his boss had done a really good job, and he had gotten a response confirming everything in the mail this morning. He was going to broach the subject with them tonight, but the company stalled that.
As his mom asked him and Gray to leave, he couldn't help but notice the look his aunt gave him. Pity mixed with regret. Quickly looking forward as he ushered Gray away, he pondered over the regret. Not quite caring enough to ask, he continued shuffling out, barely catching the faces of Vic and Zara, the former giving him a strange look of dark consideration and the latter a neutral face, already focusing back on Claire and her phone.
His eyes locked onto Owen's, and they widening at the sudden rush of chemicals in his brain as the thought 'Mate' fluttered around in his head. Owen's eyes widened in shock, then shuttered, closing briefly before opening again.
Owen looked straight at him, and he could see his mouth forming the words that would change his life, and prove his outlook towards the future in this clan.
A strong "Oh hell no" silently shaped Owen's lips, and Owen looked back to the adults, joining in the conversation with no regard to the boy in the doorway, struggling to breathe through the mate rejection suddenly forced into his brain and soul and the need to grab his brother and leave.
He staggered down the hall to his room, where Gray hugged him tight and cried out as he collapsed to the floor, body shuddering through the chemical and hormonal cocktail of rejection singing through his veins.
Mates were the match to you. The opposite and the same as you. The one who would hold you as you cried, would laugh when you were happy. Would be there with you and for you. There were 2 ways to find your mate. Scent or eye contact. Zach had been impeding his scent ever since he found out he was going to be Gray’s parent, and was using a special medication to block his scent receptors. It's why he didn't make eye contact with anyone either. Ever.
Rejection led to the rejected going through a chemical and hormonal overload, changing the base of 'him' and restructuring it to someone who could survive without their other half. Most survived it, some didn't. Most rejected never took a spouse or partner after that, their cold outlook on life off putting for practically everyone. Packs and clans were also hard for them to integrate into. The only positive interactions they had afterwards were pups. Mostly their own, but sometimes stranger-pups depending on the situation.
As he shuddered through the pain of his mate refusing him, he bit his lip to keep quiet. No need to worry his parents. Not like they'd care, but then again neither would the strangers. Gray was smart enough to remain silent, though his tears were enough for Zach.
Standing at the yelling he could suddenly hear so much clearer from downstairs, he calmed his expression into one of a neutral party. As the yelling grew louder, he stiffened. It was easier to hear his parents and Aunt Claire now. Shuffling to the hallway, he and Gray sat at the top of the stairs and listened as his mom's voice filtered up.
"....should take him back, since you're doing so well and settled in one spot! You know I never wanted him! He's not mine!"
"Karen, please! I don't have time for him! Running this business takes all of it! I can't just drop that for him!" Claire was angry and frustrated, her tone of voice pinched.
Karen didn't back down "But you can drop everything to sleep with my fiance and get pregnant?!"
Silence.
Zach stiffened, slowly standing and walking back to his and his pup's rooms and grabbing the ditch bags he had filled out 3 months ago in preparation for moving. He's already got Gray's room set up in his apartment.
Gray padded silently behind Zach, bag hung over his shoulder and tears in his eyes.
"Are you gonna be okay Mama?"
Sparing a smile for his pup, Zach replied "I will be."
The dining room was silenced as Zach and Gray walked in. He tossed a manila folder in front of his parents.
"Zach, wha-"
"Emancipation and custody papers, all properly filed and approved as of this morning. I'm moving out, and Gray is coming with me as my pup."
Staring his mother and father in the eyes, he curled a lip.
"You're more than welcome to fight it, but the video and audio recordings I sent to the lawyers of both of you arguing over who should be privileged enough to keep Gray, but burdened with taking me were proof enough, not to mention the neglect.” Side-eying Claire, he faced Karen once more. “Now I understand why you didn't want me. I'm not even yours. The mother I was “raised” by, nor the mother who birthed me."
His eyes slid over to Claire again, nothing but cold contempt reflected in them.
"And isn't that a surprise. My aunt is my birth mother. And she's not even aunt enough to visit for the holidays. Now the neglect makes sense. It’s genetic.”
Straightening up and turning back to his moth-...no, to Karen and Scott, he added, "My contact information is in there. You can call to set up a visitation with Gray."
Scott's mouth was dropped in shock, Claire was silently watching and Karen. Well, the way she always refused to look him in the eyes, or blamed him for every issue explained so much.
"Wha-, but how? Why are you doing this?! This isn't real! Go back to your room!"
Zach raised an eyebrow, turning towards the door. His voice was strong, but quiet, giving no indication to the turmoil going on inside.
"How? By getting a job, saving up to get an apartment, and getting lawyers. Why? Because I've been taking care of my pup since I was 9! And with all the yelling and fighting, you weren't exactly quiet." He breathed in slowly through his nose. "Why stay where we….I, am not wanted?"
Turning fully, he nudged Gray. "Come along pup, time to go home."
Gray nodded and followed, sniffing quietly with tears in his eyes.
The ringing silence behind them only got louder, yet no one spoke as they walked out the door.
"This is the beginning of a happier time, pup. We'll pull through, and you can grow up big and strong, smart enough to do whatever you want."
With that, Zach led Gray home.
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Owen's eyes widened as he made eye contact with the older kid, and felt the connection take hold. He was so young! His eyes fluttered closed, and he opened them only to see the kids face again. "Oh hell no."
He could see the kid shudder and his eyes closed. The connection closed off, and he turned back to the yelling he had completely ignored till now. And was still ignoring, to be honest. It wasn't until Karen yelled out he started to pay attention again.
"But you can drop everything to sleep with my fiance and get pregnant?!"
Silence.
What? What the hell? Claire had a kid? The poor thing. Having a mother that gave them up.
His eyes darted back over to the doorway where a stone faced Zach was holding a bag and a folder, the younger one behind him holding a bag as well.
He silently watched as the poker faced kid tossed a folder on the table in front of the yelling women.
"Zach, wha-"
"Emancipation and custody papers, all properly filed and approved as of this morning. I'm moving out, and Gray is coming with me as my pup."
Owen's mouth gaped open. What the what?!
"You're more than welcome to fight it, but the video and audio recordings I sent to the lawyers of both of you arguing over who should be privileged enough to keep Gray, but burdened with taking me were proof enough, not to mention the neglect. Now I understand why you didn't want me. I'm not even yours. The mother I was raised by, nor the mother who birthed me."
Watching the kid ...no, not a kid anymore, it seems. He watched the young man's eyes slide over to Claire, and Owen's jaw dropped again.
What the fuck?!
"And isn't that a surprise. My aunt is my birth mother. And she's not even aunt enough to visit for the holidays. Now the neglect makes sense. It’s genetic.”
What the fucking
"My contact information is in there. You can call to set up a visitation with Gray."
Scott's mouth was dropped in shock, Claire was silently watching with, was that regret and despair?, and Karen's face was turning purple.
"Wha-, but how? Why are you doing this?! This isn't real! Go back to your room!"
Owen couldn't believe the real life soap opera he was forced to come witness. Blackmail on his future boss, and the knowledge he had a mate waiting for him(as soon as he aged a bit). His too young mate was definitely worth the wait if this was how he took care of his brother. Just picturing him taking care of their pups in the future made him feel all sorts of good things.
"How? By getting a job, saving up to get an apartment, and getting lawyers. Why? Because I've been taking care of my pup since I was 9! And with all the yelling and fighting, you weren't exactly quiet. Why stay where we….I, am not wanted?"
He stared. Blatantly stared. That was hot, but also worrisome. Now he had a mate, too young for now, and he was going to be out on his own where anything could happen to him.
"Come along pup, time to go home."
And with those final words, Owen watched his future walk out the door, and he wouldn't see him again for another six years, no matter how hard he searched once he knew Zach was of age.