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In the village where Yuuji lives, there is an ancient tradition. Every 5 years, the most beautiful omega is sent into heat to the werewolf village in the hope of creating a stronger breed. If they are lucky, they will simply become pregnant with wolf pups that will eventually kill them because the omega body is too weak for a wolf cub. If luck is not on their side, the werewolves tear apart that poor omega in heat with their bites.
Fortunately, Yuuji is not the most beautiful omega; in fact, he is far from it. However, his friend Toge is not as lucky. Toge is a beautiful omega, and on the day those five years are fulfilled, Yuuji helps Toge put on a delicate white silk garment that gently covers his well-developed body.
"Don't worry; everything will be fine. "Yuuji gives false hope to his friend.
"It's okay; this is my destiny. I don't need pity, but I appreciate it, Yuuji. "Toge murmurs, adjusting his hair slightly as he looks in the mirror.
Yuuji thinks that Toge is too calm for someone going directly to their death, but he doesn't want to question it more, as he is practically on his deathbed, just hoping for a quick and peaceful death.
"I want to ask you something. "Toge turns to look at Yuuji, takes his hands, and continues speaking. "Please, accompany me to the territory of the wolves.
Toge pleads with a trembling voice; Yuuji knows that omegas going there every five years are transported in carriages pulled by horses that will be devoured upon arrival. The rider gets off before to avoid death.
"I don't know..." Yuuji hesitates a bit; it honestly scares him. But if he puts himself in his friend's shoes, it's damn sad " an omega in heat going to their death, alone and listening to the horses being devoured.
"Please, Yuuji! It's my last request. I promise I'll control my omega not to attack you in my heat; the three-hour journey will be torture for me. "Toge falls to his knees on the ground; Yuuji quickly lifts him up and nods. Yuuji has a weak heart, and he also wonders, did Megumi feel like Toge when he was sacrificed?
"Alright, alright, calm down. "Yuuji hugged Toge, who sobbed in his arms heavily, making Yuuji's body vibrate with each sob Toge let out.
...
"Are you sure, Yuuji? "Nobara looks at Yuuji with suspicion, who was about to get on the carriage with Toge. "Your heat is tomorrow; it's dangerous. Don't do it; it's not your duty to show compassion to those who are destined to die alone.
Toge sobs louder at Nobara's cruel words; the villagers present murmur and look at Nobara disapprovingly.
"Nobara! "Nobara's alpha, Maki, arrives to try to calm her. But how can they ask for calm when her little brother is about to accompany someone to hell.
"What? Why are you all looking at me like that? It's your fault and your stupid tradition of killing omegas. The wolves don't kill them; you're the ones who do. "Nobara shouts angrily, looks at Yuuji disapprovingly, but her hard gaze softens after a few seconds.
"I'll be careful and come back tonight; I love you. "Yuuji kisses Nobara's head, and the carriage door is closed, leaving Yuuji and Toge alone, Yuuji with his fear and Toge with his agony.
The journey for Yuuji was short; they stopped to eat, and he managed to distract Toge by playing board games. He didn't want to bring up the topic, but he knew Toge was agonizing inside, just like a sick person in their bed.
"It's four in the afternoon, and it's already cold. "Toge said, looking at the shadow of the carriage on the ground. Despite being a small village, they had much knowledge and education, so reading the clock on the ground was not a complicated task.
"Do you want me to lend you my sweater? I have two; in fact, I'm wearing two pairs of pants too. I was afraid it would be too cold. "Yuuji said with a small smile on his face.
Unknowingly, they ended up with exchanged clothes, Yuuji in the fine silk garment, and Toge in Yuuji's sheep sweater.
Toge knew Yuuji was being too kind, and he would be eternally grateful to him for what he was about to do.
"I'll stop here; I'll take a horse. The remaining horse will find its way to the wolf lands on its own. Young Yuuji, you should get off with me. "the rider said, opening the carriage door.
"Okay, Toge, I hope that—
The gentle words Yuuji would give to Toge got stuck like stones in his throat when Toge's hand unsheathed a blade and ruthlessly and without compassion murdered the rider, burying the blade in the man's forehead.
Yuuji, stunned and shocked, screamed in horror and looked at Toge; as soon as he realized what would happen, he felt like the stupidest person in the world.
"You're an idiot, Yuuji. "Toge kicked him out of the carriage with his foot, and Yuuji fell heavily to the ground, hitting his head.
Then he tried to defend himself, but Toge quickly used the rider's clothes to tie his hands and mouth. When he left him completely immobilized, he put him back in the carriage, Yuuji cried and tried to free himself, but he couldn't.
The last thing Yuuji saw was the cruel relieved smile Toge gave him before closing the door, and the last thing he heard was the sound of the horse moving away from him. To his surprise, the remaining horse followed the route to the wolf lands, just as the rider said.
When Yuuji realized that every time Toge sobbed, he was actually laughing, something broke inside him.
With fear and a sick stomach, he reached the final stop, waited and waited, maybe it was minutes or hours, he doesn't know. The mental torture Yuuji felt couldn't be compared to anything; he just wanted someone to help him, but he knew that wouldn't be possible because in his village, everyone knows not to help those who must die alone. If Yuuji had followed that saying...
Then the horse neighed, and the sound of skin being torn shocked him; his chest vibrated from the sob, but his body was completely shaken when the door was slowly opened.
Had he been saved?
A beautiful young man with white hair and blue eyes appeared. His skin glowed under the moonlight, fine abs covered his abdomen, and one of his strong arms held the previously open door. He gave Yuuji the most beautiful smile Yuuji had ever seen, which, although mocking, didn't diminish its beauty.
"Are you crying? " his voice was the cherry on top.
Then, when Yuuji thought nothing else could make him collapse, a strange event occurred. It was as if time had stopped just for the two of them, just to be able to look at and analyze each other. Yuuji noticed that the young man's hair moved gently with the wind, his muscles flexed slightly with each breath, and every blink he made caused his long white eyelashes to give an extra shine to his ocean-blue eyes. Yuuji's body felt completely at peace, so much so that if that beautiful young man decided to kill him at that moment, Yuuji would simply die in peace.
As if his whole life had led to that moment, waiting for that moment to arrive, his childhood and adolescence flashed through his mind like a collage of memories – playing with his father, getting scolded by Nobara, adopting a bunny, even a vague memory of his mother appeared but then, all that occupied his mind was the young man in front of him. Unconsciously, he was crying, and the other man was too.
"It seems that Gojo has found his destiny.
A masculine voice interrupted them, but not enough to stop them from looking at each other.
Yuuji thought that if destiny referred to him, he wasn't upset about it. Yuuji could be whatever that man needed – a friend, a partner, a destiny.