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Bucky knows, logically, why this is important. The two tribes have been warring for a long time; many people have died, the best warriors injured in a battle, or killed. The Fiukav aren't losing the war, but they're not winning it either. The stalemate had gone on long enough to be uncomfortable, for people in the tribe to wonder if they were about to be lead into a trap. That's when the Elders had come up with a plan: to reach out to their enemies with a proposition of a truce.

He doesn't like it one bit.

Why does the truce have to involve marrying the heirs of both tribes together? Bucky doesn't know a single thing about the so-called enemy prince, save for the fact that he's apparently an alpha. Bucky hates alphas, hate how they always try to enforce their will on him just because he's an omega. He's easily the best warrior in the entire tribe, but because of his designation, he's never been allowed into combat.

He's been able to fight through his heats for years, but the Elders won't hear it. It's always people underestimating him, making him want to lash out and bite them, even if that would only be met with a mild reaction at best. Bastards.

So that's why he's standing in ceremonial deerskin clothes, trying to keep his fists from shaking, and wondering when the enemy price will show up, and prove to be just as big of a bastard as every other alpha he's ever met.

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The Paavrioav tribe may have an heir and no current leader, but it's still ruled by the elders until he's mated for six full moon cycles. The irony of Steve's current situation isn't lost on him. He can't refuse this order, but by giving it, they're telling him that they think he's ready to take over. It's a show of faith to him, but also a test, because he knows that if he refuses, they won't let him chose a mate of his own any time soon.

Still, peace is important. He think they could have won this war, but at what cost? If a gesture that saves lives is how he steps up to lead, he'll take it. He only hopes that the omega heir he's to marry will be a good man.

He approaches with his small caravan, wearing his own ornately beaded clothing. There are only a few of his own tribe with him. It's meant to be a show of good faith that he only hopes is reciprocated. They'd try to talk him into bringing more alphas, but he'd told them that peace is worth the risk.

Once he's close enough, he bows, but he never quite manages to lower his eyes.

"On behalf of my tribe, thank you for welcoming us, Prince James."

He's thrown almost immediately, because he doesn't know what to think of the alpha coming, almost completely alone. It's confusing, but he returns the slightly stilted bow, apparently not insulted by the price refusing to lower his gaze, because Bucky does the same thing.

"It's my honor, Prince Steven." It sounds a little less than thrilled, but it's not like he has much of an entourage with him, just a small handful of beta guards because he had growled loudly enough to alarm one of the elders at the suggestion of an alpha bodyguard.

It occurs to Bucky that he doesn't actually know which one of the tribes had been the one to instigate the war in the first place. It likely doesn't matter. He hesitates, but not enough for it to be visible to anyone but the prince in front of him, as he glances up at the moon peaking through the trees. "We're supposed to walk into the clearing and let the moonlight touch us. If it touches us both, it means the god of the moon has accepted our union." He's not sure if the Paavrioav have the same tradition or not, but it's best to not act like the prince knows exactly what he's talking about.

He's well aware of what'll happen if it is successful, if the stories the elders have told him are anything to go by, how he'd instantly be thrown into heat. It's disturbing to think about, but the only saving grace is how the alpha's first instinct wasn't to try and assert his dominance over the omega.

Steve isn't much of a traditionalist. His tribe has some similar rituals to this, but he's never been a fan of any of them beyond what's necessary for appearances. He may be an alpha and a future leader, but what he cares about is keeping his people safe and happy. If the rituals make them happy, then so be it.

Even this formality seems silly to him now. This war is almost as old as they are, yet here they are the one who must give up a great freedom to end it. Steve is fine with this and he hopes Prince James feels the same. If they can work together, this won't have to be so bad and they can bring peace to their tribes.

"Then we'll walk together." He holds out his hand, a silent request for a physical show of their solidarity.

He's unarmed, himself, though his guard has a few light weapons. That had been another conversation. How could Prince James trust Steve's good faith if he was approached by an armed alpha? Truthfully, he would have left the entire guard if they'd let him, because this isn't a battlefield. They're going to walk into that clearing, feel the moonlight touch them and walk out with the announcement of their upcoming mating. It will also give him a chance to speak to Prince James alone. He has to make sure they're on the same page.

Bucky nods, not taking his hand right away. But it's enough for him, ultimately, because this Prince Steven is different from other alphas Bucky has met. He hasn't immediately tried to assert dominance. Maybe he's just as uncertain as Bucky is; it's not expected, especially after the conversation he had with the elders, but it's... something. He isn't sure what to think of it.

He takes the other prince's hand, his grip firm, but not painful.

No omega would be allowed weapons during a ritual like this, but he makes sure his free hand is exposed just for a moment, showing his lack of a weapon. The ceremonial clothing doesn't exactly give him many places to hide weapons as it is. Bucky doesn't look back at his guards. He doesn't want to show any weakness, maybe then the tribe will finally accept that he's as strong as any alpha.

At the hesitation, he worries that he's misstepped, but then the other Prince takes his hand and Steve squeezes it gently. This is important and they're in this together. It's not just a show for the others. If this is going to work, the two of them will have to be on the same page. No one else can understand what this feels like, either.

He takes a step and then another, careful to match whatever pace Prince James might want to set. The last thing he wants to do is be seen as taking charge over him. It would ruin everything they're here for if the Fiukav were to see Steve as trying to take over their people. That can't be what this is about, regardless of their designations.

It's not until they've moved far enough away to not be heard, even by the keen ears of their fellow werewolves, that he finally whispers what's been plaguing him since he saw Prince James' face.

"I wanted to make sure I'm not--I wanted to make sure you're okay with this."

Bucky walks deliberately; not too fast, not too slow. He's seen the ceremony a few times before, though those times it hadn't been in such a tense situation. He doesn't look back, even if he wants to.

When Prince Steven speaks, he's so surprised, he stares at the other man. He works his jaw, frowning, trying to figure out the best way to word it. "It's what my people need," he says, shrugging. "If it'll bring peace between the two tribes, I'm fine with it." The alpha seems just as uncomfortable with the situation as he is, and that's comforting. He doesn't smile when he speaks, but his expression is far more neutral than angry.

"It's fine. Really. I knew what was going to happen when the elders told me." To emphasize it, he squeezes the other prince's hand.

"Good." Bucky might not smile, but Steve does, small and forced as it is. It's a relief to know that neither of them are going into this against their will, even if this might not have been either of their first choices. They can build something out of that.

"I want peace." As they step into the clearing, Steve doesn't drop their hands yet. If he's honest, he could use the bolstering and he suspects it's mutual. If this doesn't work out, there will be a lot of blood on their hands. Steve feels the weight of that.

He would be lying to say that he'd never entertained lovers and he wonders if the same is true of Prince James. It's been no secret in his own tribe and for a time he'd thought of marrying one of them, but that thought is in the past. It had seemed like enough of an uphill battle to try to sell marrying a beta rather than an omega without this peace resting on his shoulders. Once this union had come up, he'd thought better of even trying.

This could be good if they both let it be.

Bucky nods. "I want peace, too," he says. It's honest, because he does, because he would like the war to be over. He'd practically been born into it, and couldn't really conceive of what it might be like once the tribes stop fighting. Part of him is nervous, wondering what will happen to him if he manages to screw this up, but he's confident enough it's only an anxious worry.

The prince of the Fiukav taking lovers unmated would have been an enormous scandal, and shame. He doesn't have any experience with this, and though it's never embarrassed him before, he's a little uncertain now how well this is going to go. Bucky had snarled at any alpha that came to close to him on a normal day, and during his heats he'd not been shy about getting aggressive if he needed to.

Bizarrely, it didn't seem to discourage the alphas. Probably because of his status, even beyond his designation. "Our union will be a good step in that direction," he says. It's definitely not a rehearsed statement, because he sounds awkward and not entirely confident. It would be a lot easier to just go through the motions if Prince Steven were a typical alpha trying to dominate him moments after meeting Bucky, but he's not.

It makes him want to put effort into it, to make it work, instead of a loveless marriage of convenience.

Steve hopes that he's right. He doesn't want anyone else to suffer if they don't have to. He doesn't think that that makes him any less of a good alpha. Being strong for his people means doing what he has to do for them, not just barking orders, though he's comfortable with that, too, when the need arises.

He looks up, but the moon hasn't quite risen overhead yet. "As long as the god of the moon blesses us."

It's a superstition, he thinks, and even if it doesn't, they'll lie to save face and save their people.

"I hope you know that I'll take care of you." He squeezes their joined hands. "Whatever you need."

Bucky follows Steven's gaze. It hasn't risen overhead yet, but it always does. "It'll bless us," he says simply. He's not particularly religious, not really, but he's always erred on the side of assuming the gods have a presence in their lives. Why else could the full moon bless them with transformation and also choose when omegas go into heat? It's not like the entire tribe syncs up or anything.

He's content not saying a lot more, waiting for the moment the moonlight touches both of them, and they return to the tribes to announce the moon's blessing.

But then Prince Steven has to go and say that, and Bucky is so thrown, the flush on his face does a lot to convey the emotions running through his head, even if he's stuck with a surprise gape for a long moment.

"Thank you," he says once he realizes he hasn't actually said anything yet.

Steve can't deny his nature. He wants to provide and protect and he knows that part of that is his alpha nature. He's always been like that, even with his friends, and he knows the fact that Prince James is an omega will only make that urge stronger.

The light smell that James carries on his skin is pleasant, if not intoxicating quite yet, but Steve can see it being that way if he lets himself really get lost in it. He can see himself pressing his nose to James' throat and just breathing.

The thought has him leaning in a little and he finds himself blinking and straightening with a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

"Sorry."

They're both nervous, he reminds himself, and that's okay.

He turns his head up again to watch the sky. Any minute now, the moon will start to rise and he still hasn't dropped their hands.

Bucky finds himself leaning into the alpha's attention, wanting to be scented. It's only when Steven apologizes that he stiffens a little, but he doesn't pull out of the grip. "Don't worry about it," he says awkwardly, shrugging a bit.

He actually smiles, not sure what else to do with his face. Bucky's starting to be confident that they'll be able to do this, somehow. Steve isn't a bad alpha, as strange of a thought that is.

He doesn't like being controlled, doesn't like people assuming they can dominate him just from his designation, but so far he's been treated as an equal. It's a good sign.

He looks up, because as weird as it is, he wants to see the moment the light touches him.

Steve likes Prince James' smile. He hopes he'll be able to see more of them. That's his last thought before his focus moves to the sky. It will be nice to watch the moon rise over them, at the very least. He might not like all of the superstition, but the moon is still important and he's always felt drawn to it in the same way he assumes they all are at times.

It's a few moments later that the moon starts to peak over the clearing and it starts to illuminate the trees around them. He squeezes Bucky's hand before he finally looks over to make sure they really are both being touched by the light. He's ready to lie, but the truth is easier.

He leans in, bumping their shoulders together and pulling Bucky closer. "There it is."

Steve pulling him close should be enough to set him off, but it's not. He stiffens just for a moment before he manages to relax again, aware that like this, they'll be trading their scents. The elders will be pleased from that alone. It's not like Bucky has the reputation of being the more approachable man.

He squeezes Steve's hand in return, watching as the moon peaks over the trees, and watches the slight slowly start to touch him. He breathes in, nerves suddenly spiking so much he's sure Steve can smell his anxiety. Even if he knows the moonlight touching him isn't what throws him into heat, not that alone, he can't help the desire to move away from the light. He's never shied away from it before, because the transformation is always exhilarating.

Bucky wants to close his eyes, but doesn't. This is important, and even if this is the last thing he wants to do, it's not something he wants to screw up. It's so much more important than the both of them.

Steve can indeed smell the anxiety and it only makes him move closer. It's on instinct that he goes to wrap his free arm around Bucky. He wants to comfort the other man more than he probably should want to comfort a stranger, but his nose is full of the scent of a distressed omega and he wants to fix that, especially because he knows that soon enough this will be his omega.

"It's okay." It has to be. Steve can't let anything hurt Bucky now and he certainly won't, but the closer they move, the more he wants to touch and comfort.

Bucky can't help it, he doesn't pull away, instead nosing at Steve's throat, taking in the alpha's scent. It's enough to calm him, because if this union is going to work, they need to trust each other. There's not much else he can do at the moment, so he looks at the moon.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asks, because acknowledging he doesn't mind the comforting is hard; it's almost too intimate to admit, even if this man is going to be his mate by the end of the night. "I've always liked watching the moon rise on a full moon."

He still hasn't let go of Steven's hand.

Steve can't help swallowing when he realizes that he's being scented like that. His grip tightens a little and he tips his head to the side, fighting the urge to duck his head so he can press his own nose under Bucky's jaw.

"It is."

The moon isn't the only beautiful thing here, he thinks, and there's a selfish, primal part of him that's happy he's to mate an omega who's so beautiful. This close, he can smell that soft, sweet edge to his scent that makes Steve want to push him against a tree and claim him right now.

The moonlight starts to flood the clearing and Steve lets himself give in to one of his baser instincts and pulls Bucky closer. He knows they're going to stink of each other before they've even done anything and he likes the idea of it. The moon always brings out the urge to mark and claim in him.

He's going to be in heat by the end of the night. It was a pain, before this mating was arranged. He'd had suitors approach him, of course he had; he's the prince, but he'd never liked it. Bucky had spent most of his life dealing with the discomfort of the heats alone, and he would have been happy to continue down that path, but this alpha is so different. He even smells differently, that smoking edge to his scent doing things to Bucky.

He growls, a low, wanting noise. Distantly he knows it's the encroaching heat talking, but he can't really say he minds, not now, not when he wants the union to work. Bucky tips his head a little, baring his neck to the other man.

He likes this, likes the fact that Steve is showing him more care than the alphas of his tribe have, and if he's at all bothered by being around someone when he turns, when he grows claws and a tail, and fur over most his body, he's not showing it, keeping his attention entirely on his soon-to-be mate.

That gesture with Bucky's throat is an invitation Steve can't ignore. It's one of submission, yes, but more than that, it almost feels like a request. He answers with his own growl as he presses his nose against the delicate skin there. The smell is stronger now and the moon leaves him with little self control.

Soon, they'll transform together. He can already feel his bones getting ready to shift and painful as it is, he loves being a wolf. Everything is a little more intense and he's able to just run and feel.

"James, you smell..." He can't describe it. It's a smell he could drown in, sweet and enticing and woodsy, like fresh pine needles after the first snow of the year.

His lips brush against Bucky's throat. "So good."

He lets out a whine of a noise, feeling itchy and anxious, wanting to transform, to be able to really run. He's probably just as close as Steve is to completely losing control, but he clings loosely to the other man. "Bucky," he chokes, still breathing in Steve's scent. It's calming to him, and he almost completely loses it at the lips on his throat.

A tiny part of his mind is telling him to give in right now, to drop down and present before they've even transformed, because it would probably be fantastic. "Call me Bucky," he murmurs.

His mate should know the name the rest of his tribe knows him by.

"Bucky." He repeats the name almost absently. Focusing is getting harder as the moonlight covers them and he can't quite hold off the change any more.

His hand shudders in Bucky's, his shoulders rolling and teeth clenching.

In a moment, he'll have to move away so they don't hurt each other, but it's hard to remember that. There's an urge within him to stay and claim and mark.

It takes everything in his to drop his grip and step back as he feels his bones shift and his hair grow. He bites back a yell as the pain overtakes him. Right now, he has to show that no pain can slow him. He has to show that he'll be strong.

Bucky knows that as an omega, he'll be expected to act like the transformation is every bit as painful as it actually is, but he can't let himself show any weakness. He's the prince, he won't let himself show any weakness. He stops himself from yelping, but only barely-- still clinging to Steve's hand.

He can feel the change come on rapidly, elongating his limps, changing nails into claws, tail growing out from under his ceremonial robes. It's enough to force himself to pull away, lest he accidentally claw his almost-mate from the pain. He collapses on his knees, growling and whining, digging his claws into the ground.

He's not so sure his throat will work right now, he can't cry out to Steve, but he watches his mate anyway, a possessive part of himself ready to attack anyone who comes near him, to make it clear this is his alpha.

Before his body even feels settled, Steve is already moving back to Bucky. The movements leave his limbs sore, but he knows it will pass. Right now what matters is that his omega needs his attention.

He steps into Bucky's personal space, fur-covered arms carefully reaching for him. He'd heard the whine, watched Bucky's claws dig into the dirt, and he knows this is a reality of what they are, but he still wants to do something to stop the pain.

Checking him over for injury, Steve smells the air for blood, but all he can smell is the faint scent of the forest and Bucky.

Bucky lets Steve touch him, doesn't mind how close they are not. He nudges at Steve with his nose, breathing in his scent. Once his body settles, he doesn't hurt anymore, but it's uncomfortable, and takes a moment for the itchiness in his bones to stop.

He makes a rumbling noise, a near-purr in the back of his throat. With the animal part of his mind front and center, he finds himself liking the attention more than ever, reaching up with a clawed hand, wanting to squeeze at Steve's hand once again.

Bucky might not have wanted the attention of alphas before, but Steve is so different from anyone else he's met-- alpha, beta, and even the occasional fellow aggressive omega. He could very easily stand on his own, but he wants his mate to feel like he can protect his omega. When they return to the ceremony, the elders of both tribes will be overjoyed.

Steve's smile is all sharp teeth and shining canines as he nudges back with his own nose. Bucky smells even better now and Steve is torn between wanting to run with him and wanting to circle him all night until the moon sets.

He helps Bucky up once he seems more settled, claws unnaturally careful as he hover with a low whine. It's good that no one else is here, because he wants to be the one to help Bucky up and touch him and keep him safe. He wants to make Bucky smell even more like himself so that there's no mistaking whose omega he is.

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