3.| In Sin They Prey

[Songs for scene: Billie Eilish - No Time To Die]

A terrifying growl ripped through the air and left Yuè sitting up fast in the warm sunlight that spilled through the bedroom window. He sat there for a moment, listening intensely.

"That's cheating!" A deep yet boyish voice came from downstairs.

"Gunter, you're the last person to complain about fairness. Last time we fought, you waited until my back was turned to sink your teeth into my ass. My ass of all things." Emery sounded annoyed, yet a chuckle followed soon after.

With wide eyes, Yuè climbed from the bed of silent feet, walking over to the door and opening it quietly. The air was slightly cooler in the hallway and he shivered, crossing his arms to stave off the chill.

Peeking over the banister of the stairwell, he spotted the source of the voices. Emery was a familiar face, but Yuè had never seen the other man before. Just from his build alone, it was obvious that he was a wolf.

The other had light brown curly hair that hung around the top of his broad shoulders and was nearly as tall as Marcellus. His muscled arms, covered in inky tribal markings, held a sheen layer of sweat. "Yeah, when I was a wolf. Not when I was human."

Emery laughed, wearing a loose white linen shirt that dipped down low and opened near his chest. "You're a sore loser brother."

Gunter jumped toward him. In mid air his skin shredded and rained down. And when he landed atop of Emery he was a large wolf with a brown coat and dark eyes—one enormous paw atop Emery's chest.

Emery only folded his arms behind his head as though he were relaxing beneath the sun, head tipped back. "Good morning," He smiled, gaze finding Yuè peeking over the banister. "Did we wake you?"

Yuè's eyes snapped to his mouth slightly agape at the sight of the large wolf that was pressed on top of the other man.

There was a sliver of fear creeping through him and he backed up a step away from the banister before he could stop himself. He could still feel the sharp teeth of the beasts as they tore into his flesh and bile rose in the back of his throat.

He inhaled, an almost pained sound as he tried to pull his frightened mind from the terrifying events that were still fresh on his mind. Events that had very nearly led to his death.

He was vaguely aware of his body hitting the floor, legs curling up to his chest as he fought off the phantom pain that burned through both his leg and chest, the pain in his injured arm spiking and adding to the horrid vision that plagued his mind.

In an instant, Emery was at his side, his face hovering over Yuè's. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"He's human. That's what's wrong." Gunter said.

"Shut up, not the time." Emery barked back as he helped Yuè up from the floor.

Yuè inhaled deeply, eyes clenched closed as he tried to center his thoughts. He was not dead. There weren't teeth trying to rip out his throat. He was okay.

He repeated this over and over until his heart finally settled; his lungs no longer felt restricted.

Dual colored eyes opened slowly, his hand unclenching from where it had balled into the front of Emery's shirt. It was then he noted that he was plastered against the man's front, his tears staining the fabric there and he jerked away in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry. I-I'm okay now." He assured the other, face a bright red from both crying and embarrassment.

"What happened? Were you having an actual panic attack?" Genuine concern left the man's usual calm voice, pinched and high with worry.

Yuè stared up at him with guilt at making him worry. "Yes, I just wasn't expecting…" He gestured towards the other man, Gunter, with a weak hand. "It caught me off guard a little, but I am okay now. Really."

Emery looked over his shoulder at Gunter, who was now back in human form. "He wasn't one of the ones who hurt you, and neither would my other brothers who had. Marcellous made that clear last night when you were sleep."

Yuè didn't feel very reassured, but he nodded anyway, rubbing at his broken arm with a wince. He really should get a sling for it, lest he wish to do more damage to the point of no repair. Perhaps they would allow him outside, to find herbs that may soothe the pain.

"It is very nice to meet you, Gunter was it?" He greeted, finally turning to face the other man. His heart still beat harshly in his chest, but he stood straighter now. "I am sorry for how I reacted. Not exactly a good first meeting." He gave a slight bow.

"And you are?" Gunter asked. "Most humans are scared of us. I expect it." He laughed.

"Most humans fear what they do not understand." Yuè said. "And I am only human. It was not my intention to react the way I had, but you must understand the last time I saw a beast such as you, I nearly died. This will all…take some getting used to."

His lips pressed into a frown. In only a few days, his life had been turned upside down and all but destroyed all because he refused to spread his legs. Was this a test from the goddess? If so, it was a cruel one.

Shaking his head of those thoughts, he looked to Emerys. "Will it be possible for me to go outside? I would like to gather herbs for the pain in my arm. Unless you have some here."

Emery nodded his head. "With someone beside you. Orders that you don't run off alone. If you escape, it can cause many problems." He flashed a frown

"Problems?" Yuè's brows pulled together in confusion. "I don't think I can cause much trouble in my current state, nor would I try to leave. I don't…I don't have anywhere else to go."

Emery patted Yuè's back. "You're a human in wolf territory. Right now you're in the North East parts of Emberland. Salthelm. Marcellous' lands. But if you leave and try to find your way back home, you might wander in the wrong territory."

Gunter made a noise of protest. "Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But if you walk with us to get some fresh air, none of them will fuck with you, that's for sure. Just have Marcellus to claim you."

Yuè sputtered, looking up at Gunter with wide mismatched eyes. "C-claim?" He felt his cheeks warm. Surely he didn't mean it the way that he was thinking, right?

"I didn't Stu-stutter." Gunter responded, copying Yuè. "Yeah claim. You know. Make you his."

Emery shoved Gunter and shook his head. "He's an idiot. Wolf's claim their mates. Mark them, and let others know you can't be touched. Two males are uncommon. He's just poking at you. Come." He said, grabbing hold of Yuè's hand.

While they descended the steps, Gunter burst out into a fit of laughter about how he had fooled Yuè with his unfunny joke.

"Don't mind him. He is childish. Never really had time to grow since he was in a coma since he was fifteen and got out at twenty four. Now he's twenty seven and still doesn't know how to act his age." Emery sounded annoyed. His usual smooth voice clipped.

Yuè's ears were burning and he ducked his head as he followed behind Emery. He was curious to know why Gunter had been in a coma for so long, but he kept the question sealed behind his lips. It was not his place or business to ask.

"Is there a lake or a brook nearby that I can visit? Preferably at night? I would only need a few minutes."

"There's one behind the mansion? Why do you ask?" Emery led him through the double doors of his mansion, edged in gold.

Yuè hesitated, biting his lip. He couldn't exactly say that he wanted to use the water as a mirror to check on his father. He knew the history of the beast. He doubted they would let him stay knowing of his abilities.

"It's a traditional thing. My people believe that if you bathed under the moon it would promote faster healing." It wasn't technically a lie. It did promote healing.

Emery hummed thoughtfully while they descended stone steps carved from the mountain side their mansion sat atop. In the distance they could see the forest top and its thousands of trees.

"Ah." Emery hummed thoughtfully. "For your broken arm, right?" He looked over to him, a sweet and charming smile claiming his lips.

Yuè's breath hitched and he was taken in by how handsome Emery was now that he had a chance to really study him.

His cheeks flushed and he looked away in embarrassment. He wasn't sure how they would react to his… preferences. The last people who discovered them tried to take advantage of him and cast him away as a Sinner.

"Y-yes. For my arm." He cleared his throat, brushing a strand of silver hair behind his ear and wincing when it caught on a tangle. He would need to wash it soon, but he wasn't sure how he would manage with only one hand. Perhaps he was better off cutting it.

"Marcellus should've wrapped your arm properly. If you need me to, just say the word." Emery's long blond hair blew behind him as they reached the bottom of the mountain side.

It was a beautiful sight. The golden sun swelled above them. A flock of birds soared east in an uneven V formation.

The rocky path led them to the back of the large mansion. They walked through a garden holding statues of enormous wolves and water fountains that reflected the dozens of rose bushes.

"It's just up ahead." Emery reinsured.

Yuè couldn't help but marvel at the sheer beauty of his surroundings. It was like something out of the story books Babà used to read him.

"It's so beautiful here." He breathed out. Even the scent of the trees around them was pleasant. He wondered if the forest itself was enchanted. He'd never seen anything like this in the parts of the forests he'd hunted in.

"Do many people tell you the same thing?" Emery asked him while he pulled the gate open. Beyond lay a thin dirt path, and toward its end was a large lake gleaming beneath the sun.

Yuè turned to look at him. He was sure that if he blushed any darker that he would faint. "Oh, um…only a few people. Although it was not always a compliment coming from them." They were usually said with jealous sneers.

Emery scoffed. "Those who do not understand the beauty of the world and the people that inhabit it, often have bitter hearts because they themselves never received love."

He stopped at the edge of the lake, his dark shirt rippling in the breeze that rolled off the shore. "Here we are."

Yuè's eyes closed as a warm breeze swirled around him. The soft sway of the water called to him even now without the moon in the sky and he had to resist the urge to simply dive in. Instead, he crouched by the waters edge, fingers treading over the rippling surface.

"Unfortunately, the world is a bitter place for some. The place I grew up in was poor and there was little enjoyment in the daily lives of others. The women did not have fancy clothing or perfumes so they were oftentimes insecure. How dare a man of all people be more beautiful than them. To them it was unnatural and unfair."

He gave a small sigh. Speaking of the village reminded him that he missed his father dearly.

"May I ask, why did you stay?" Emery asked, standing at his side.

Yuè looked up at him, a wane smile on his lips. "As I got older, my father got weaker and by the time I was old enough to support him, he was too sick to move. So I stayed with him. Now…now he is all alone." He finished sadly, guilt bubbling in his chest.

"Will they hurt him?" Emery asked while placing his hands on the sleeve of Yuè's linen shirt. He tugged, releasing one of his arms.

"I can only pray that he does not." Yuè said before he yelped as he was caught off guard, his arm slipped from the loose sleeve of the baggy shirt he wore. He nearly lost his balance at the unexpected move. He righted himself by clinging onto Emery's arm with his good hand.

His hand barely wrapped around the solid muscle of the taller man's arm and he hurriedly moved away, grimacing when he jolted his broken arm. Perhaps he did need to get in the water soon. The pain was becoming more than he could ignore.

Emery's eyes widened. "What? Was there a bug? Did I hurt your injured arm?" His words gushed out, from concern.

Yuè shook his head quickly. "No no, I didn't mean to react so strongly. You just caught me off guard. My arm was already hurt and I moved it thoughtlessly."

He laughed. "I thought you thought I was trying to come on to you or something. I wouldn't have started with your shirt if that was the case." Emery removed his other arm from his other sleeve, carefully, before tugging the shirt completely off.

"There you are, now you can get in the water. You did tell my brother you like to use water when you're injured, correct?" Emery asked.

Yuè looked away, heart thudding loudly in his chest. Was Emery flirting with him? No, that couldn't be what this was. He was only joking.

Clearing his throat, he hugged his good arm to his chest, trying to cover himself. He knew what he looked like. Lean muscle from his time hunting and foraging for food and supplies for the village, but too think because of the lack of food.

His hair was tangled and even knotted in some areas, hanging around him like a disarrayed curtain.

"Y-yes, water should help soothe some of the pain. I am sorry to bother you with this. You have been very kind and helpful to me."

"Not all of us are monstrous wolves that seek to devour the flesh of men. Though there is some that take pleasure in the flesh of one." He rested a hand on his chin as he surveyed Yuè over.

"Are you going to go in with your pants on?" Asked Emery. "If you want I can fetch you an extra pair so you don't have to walk back soaking wet."

Yuè looked down at his pants. "O-oh. I'm not-there isn't. I am wearing nothing underneath. So it's best if I go in with them."

"Wouldn't that be uncomfortable?" Emery laughed. "Maybe it's because I'm a wolf that nakedness doesn't bother me."

Yuè laughed weakly, pushing his hair from his face. "I'm sure it will be fine. It's only water." He inched closer to the water so that his feet were submerged. It was surprisingly warm.

He could already feel the soothing effect, though not as strong as at night when the moon shone the brightest. He took a few more steps in until he was waist deep before turning to look back at Emery. "See, not so bad."

"Except you're wearing white and I can see something I shouldn't." Emery teased him before he sat down and crossed his legs, the wind in his golden hair. "How do you do it?"

Yuè squeaked, lowering himself into the water until only his head was visible, covering himself with his good arm. "D-do what?" He asked, cheeks burning as he eyed the water. He could already feel the pain ebbing away and he gave a sigh of relief.

"Heal yourself using the water? Heard human bodies heal, but not by water." Emery leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees and his chin setting in his open hands.

Yuè was silent for a long moment, eyes Emery with a serious expression before he stood up in the water, droplets rolling down his smooth pale chest.

The swelling in his arm was gone, only slight bruising left over, but it would take weeks to fully heal the broken bone without the proper ritual. "I don't really know. It was a gift passed down to me by my mother. Babà said it was a family trait."

He trailed his fingers over the water and the water followed, twisting in the air after his fingers before falling back down.

Emery's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, someone else growled out from behind.

"I told you he is not to step foot outside!" Marcellus approached, shirtless and wearing only leather pants. Beneath the sun his old wounds were more visible: claw marks across abs and pectorals, teeth prints, burn marks that healed wrong. "Get out of the water." He commanded Yuè.

Yuè's eyes widened at the sight of the pack alpha, flinching at the loud shout. He did as he was told, wading his way to the waters edge until he was completely out, water soaking through the cotton pants he wore, clinging to his skin.

"Please don't be mad at him. I asked if it was okay to come outside." He pleaded, mismatched eyes staring into Marcellus' cautiously. He swallowed the tension that was building in his gut.

"I didn't ask you why!" Marcellus stepped dangerously close to Yuè. "You said no trouble. And here you are disobeying my rules."

The nails on his fingers extended into sharpened claws and he grabbed for the shorter male only for Emery to grab his wrist. "He speaks a lie. I decided to bring him out. He said the waters heal them. His arm feels much better now."

Marcellus' hateful crimson eyes remained locked on Yuè from over the top of Emery's head.

"Leave. The western tribe must be greeted." He finally said while snatching his hand free.

Emery nodded and went ahead, leaving them behind.

"Come." Said Marcellus, following the path in which they came.

Yuè followed behind him after one last look at Emery's retreating back, biting his lip in uncertainty. "You do not have to be so hostile. We did not go far and Emery was only trying to help my arm heal faster. Is that not what you want? For me to be gone sooner?"

His brows lowered over his eyes at the man's broad back. Just because he was a beast did not mean he could not have manners.

Marcellus turned around so fast he was a whirlwind of colors, his hand wrapped around Yuè's throat and held him inches above the ground. "If I tell you to do something it's for your safety and my brothers. You're an unmarked human in wolf territory. We have laws too."

He lowered him and held him where their faces were inches apart. "Or do you want me to mark you, right here, right now in those see through white trousers? Probably not. So, inside you go."

Marcellus let him go.

Yuè gasped, holding his throat as he coughed. "Is it necessary to be such a brute? There is this thing called communication. If you had told me such beforehand, then I would not have gone outside."

He rubbed his throat, glaring. His hair was wet, sticking to his face and chest uncomfortably. He was not once for violence, but he kinda wanted to punch the beast of a man before him. "You speak so casually of marking me, perhaps that is what you want." He snapped.

He huffed, backing away and towards the large manor like home. To think he was stuck with such ill-mannered men.

Marcellus kept walking ahead in silence, and despite it, his rage could be felt like a dark aura around him. "How about I communicate just how much I want your other arm to match the broken one?" He shot back when they finally reached the front of the house. There was chartering beyond the door but they didn't enter.

Instead Marcellus took him around the backside. "Go to your room. Gunter is there guarding your bedroom door. Do not come out. Regardless of your curiosity."

Yuè resisted the urge to stomp his foot, instead opting to cast one more glare at the man before shuffling past him. He did not care for the man's murderous aura. He may have saved Yuè's life and he was grateful, but it was no excuse to be an asshole.

His cheeks puffed air as he made his ways up to the stairs, various voices floating throughout the large home.

He wanted to peek over the banister to see just who they belonged to. He resisted with a shake of his head, shivering as the cold of being wet finally began to set in. Just as Marcellous said, Gunter was standing outside the bedroom that had been given to him.

"You are my babysitter for the evening I suppose." He said to the taller male. "Not going to join the festivitie?"

"Apparently I'm not mature enough." Gunter folded his arms, looking Yuè up and down before smacking him in the balls. "Gotcha!" He laughed, tears pricking his eyes. "Me and my brothers do that all the time. Haha."

Yuè made a strangled noise, a look of scandal on his face as he stumbled away. "I am not your brother. You can't go doing that to just anyone. It is highly inappropriate. You, you pervert!" He hissed. He shoved past Gunter and into the room, slamming the door for good measure. He pressed his back against it, pressing a hand to his face.

He could feel how hot it was and knew that his pale skin was a bright red with his embarrassment.

What was with this house of barbarians? The only one that he'd met so far with any semblance of manners was Emery. With a heavy sigh, he moved from the door, shuckling off his soaking wet pants with a grimace.

Shuffling over to the mahogany dresser tucked in the corner of the room, he pulled open the top drawer, sifting through the folded clothing inside.

He made a little sound of triumph when he came across another pair of cotton trousers and a large sweater, this time a dark gray. He took them over to the bed, seating himself on the edge before using his good arm to slide them on.

A knock came at the door. "Are you really mad about me slapping you in the balls?" Asked Gunter.

Yuè scowled."Yes. It was inappropriate of you to touch me there. We are not so familiar with one another and even if we were, it is not something you should do." He glared at the door, pushing himself back off the bed completely.

"I just wanted someone to play with. They are downstairs having fun and I have to guard a door. That's what me and my brother did when we were younger. How come it isn't okay?" There was a deep huff that followed and he knocked again.

Yuè's scowl softened and he let out a small sigh.

Sliding from the bed, he shuffled over to the door, opening it. He looked up at Gunter, crossing his arms. "It's not okay because when you are older only a very special person that you want to be… intimate with is the only person who should touch you there." He explained delicately.

Uncrossing his arms, he placed his hands on his hips. "I will play with you, but only if you promise no more touching places you shouldn't." He wagged his finger at the man, brows lowered over his eyes. "Promise?"

"So you only slap someone's nuts if you like them? But I like you and you still got mad when I only wanted to play." Gunter said back, the pout clear in his deep voice.

Yuè let out a long suffering sigh. "You shouldn't slap anyone's nuts okay." He said, running a hand down his face. "That's not the kind of like that I mean. Listen, when you touch someone's intimate area, it's a special thing okay. Like how when a mother and father touch one another in private because they love each other."

"So because I did that earlier we are mother and father now?" Gunter gasped and wiggled the knob.

"What? No! No, we are not mother and father." Yuè blew a strand of silver hair from his face. "Okay, get in here." He reached forward, pulling Gunter into the room before closing the door. It really was not a discussion to have in the doorway. Just what had they been teaching this poor man?

"Sit." He pointed to the bed, a stern look on his face. "We are going to have a talk about sex because clearly you were never made aware of it." He puffed his cheeks. "Do you know what sex is?"

"No. What is sex and why can't we have it with everyone?" His arms folded across his chest.

Yuè closed his eyes, massaging his temples. From the beginning then. "Sex is when two people love each other in an intimate way. Different from how you love a mother or a brother. This type of love is more… physical."

He couldn't believe that he was explaining this. Yuè was a virgin in all manners of the word. "When they are physical, they touch their intimate parts together for pleasure, because they want to make each other feel good. Or they want to make a baby in the case of a man and a woman."

He grimaced at his own explanation. This was harder than he thought it would be.

"So you can have my baby? From what I did earlier?!" Gunter screeched and the slight chatter they could hear from downstairs simmered down for a moment, then picked back up.

"Shhh!" Yuè rushed over, pressing his hand to Gunter's mouth. "No I will not have your baby as I am not a woman. You cannot impregnate someone with your hand, only your penis. Understand?"

Gunter nodded. "I understand." He muttered before slipping and sliding his tongue all over Yuè's palm.

Yuè jerked his hand away with a scowl of disgust. "Don't go around licking people's palms. The amount of germs on a hand is astounding." He scolded. "Sweet Moon." He sighed, sitting next to Gunter on the bed.

"Listen, when you have sex with your chosen mate, partner, lover. Whenever you choose your life partner. You will use your penis or mouth or hands to please them. Whichever you choose, okay. Just don't do that to random strangers or family."

Gunter leaned forward and gave Yuè a peck on the lips before shooting up from the bed. "When I become eighteen. You will be my mate. Then I will love you and give you my baby, and touch your intimates so you know I love you."

He didn't give Yuè any time to say anything before he started skipping off and shutting the door behind him.

Yuè sat on the bed stunned, eyes wide as he pressed his fingers to his lips. He couldn't even comprehend what had happened and Gunter was already gone. Shaking his head, he numbly climbed back into bed, pulling the blanket over his head.

He would just go to sleep and hope that when he woke up, the world would make sense. Perhaps this was a dream and he would awaken to his father scolding him for falling asleep on the roof again. He could only dream.