Wolf Moon

Wolf Moon

 

Hotch Inarus

 

Disclaimer:  I do not own Criminal Minds, nor do I make any profit off of writing this.

 

SLASH WARNING!!!  Hotch / Reid

 

Written for the Chit Chat on Author’s Corner Halloween Horrors Challenge.  The moderators supplied a number of titles of the novels of the Master of Horror himself, Stephen King.  We were to pick any title and write a fic using that as the prompt.  I chose, “Cycle of the Werewolf”

 

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Chapter 15

 

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The team stood before the police officers.

 

“We’re looking for a male in his late thirties.  He will be large in stature, physically fit and very imposing.”  Hotch announced.   “The victims have all been Hispanic men in their mid twenties.  While we can assume that this is racially motivated, it goes deeper than this.  All the victims were the same approximate age with similar build and features.  They’re likely a substitute for someone that this UnSub has a lot of rage for.  It’s only a matter of time before he goes after the true target of his aggression.”

 

“All the bodies are being dumped in the lake at the Bellagio.”  Morgan said.  “Chances are, the Bellagio is also a target of his anger.  So we need to focus more of the investigation on the Bellagio, and the employees in it.  This man probably does, or once did, work there.  And the same with his true target.”

 

One young officer piped up, “Could he have been a patron at the casino and a Hispanic man threw him out?”

 

“It’s possible.”  Rossi said, nodding.  “And that is exactly the kind of connection we’re looking for.  That’s a very possible avenue for you to pursue.”  The young cop swelled in pride, and his senior partner grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.

 

While the team continued to discuss the profile, Detectives Evan and James were off in a corner with their heads together.

 

“I say we wait until they’re alone again, and then just tell them we have another body.”  Evan murmured.

 

“I guess…  but who knows when that will be?!  It was LUCK that we had them yesterday.  We should have just taken them to Ben THEN!”  James hissed.

 

“No…  this will work out.”  Evan said.  “We just need to watch for the perfect opportunity.”

 

And their opportunity came later that very evening…

 

A body had been found.  Morgan, Rossi and Emily went out to inspect the new crime scene, and JJ was settling in to speak with woman who had found the body.  She was hysterical, and Hotch felt that JJ’s kindness would be the best way to deal with her.

 

Reid had run out to grab some coffee from the place across the street and Hotch had been working with Garcia on something.  As soon as he hung up, Evan took his chance.

 

“Agent.  There’s another victim.”

 

“He killed two?”  Hotch asked, his eyes narrowing.

 

“Looks like it.”

 

“Let’s go.”  Hotch said, and Evan followed him out.  James was walking back across the street with Reid, and as before, Hotch and Reid slid into the back seat of the car while the detectives sat up front.

 

“Oh.  Thank you.” Hotch mumbled when Reid passed him a coffee.  But a moment later, Reid blinked and looked around.

 

“Um…  This isn’t the way to the Bellagio.”  He said, and Hotch blinked.  Only a moment later, James twisted around in his seat and leveled his gun on the pair in the back through the thick bars that separated the front seat and the back.  Reid’s eyes went wide while Hotch’s eyes narrowed.

 

“What is this...”  Hotch snarled.

 

“I’m sorry Agent Hotchner.”  James said softly.  “Pack Alpha’s orders…”

 

“Pack?!”  Reid cried in a high pitched tone, now looking utterly terrified.

 

“We’ll be there soon.”  Evan said, trying to be soothing.  But now Reid was huddled against Hotch and looking frightened beyond belief…  Even James and Evan exchanged glances as the smell of the young man’s fear filled the car.

 

“What does he want with us?”  Hotch asked, looking calm, collected…  and deadly.

 

“…  You entered his territory without permission.”  Evan mumbled.

 

“We were invited by the local law enforcement.”  Hotch responded.

 

“…  Yeah…”  James sighed, sounding weary.  “We know.  We told him…  he doesn’t care.”

 

“…  You don’t agree with your Alpha.”  Hotch observed.

 

“He’s…”  James began, but trailed off.

 

“A control freak.”  Evan added.  Hotch narrowed his eyes.

 

“He’s an old fashioned tyrant and he rules with Iron Teeth.”  He profiled.

 

“…  Yes.”  James mumbled, averting his eyes.  Hotch nodded. 

 

“How long has he been your Alpha?”  He asked, now glancing at Reid.

 

“…  About thirty five…  thirty six years?”  Evan guessed.

 

“Thirty eight.”  James said.  Hotch felt his claws beginning to grow…  This Alpha was the man who had damned Reid to life of a lone wolf…

 

“Fine…  I’d like to have a few…  words with him over another matter…”  He growled.  The two wolves in the front seat glanced at each other, their hackles up at the tone in the Unit Chief’s voice.

 

But Hotch simply wrapped an arm around the young omega beside him and held him close, murmuring soft words of comfort.

 

They drove out of the city and eventually arrived at a large gate that read “Wolf Creek Ranch”…

 

“Aren’t we ever more creative?”  Reid murmured to Hotch.  The wolves up front heard, and were unable to hold back snickers.

 

“…  Not in my experience.”  Hotch snorted. 

 

They bumped along a gravel road and curved around several small, rocky hills…  And then they saw a glow over one of them…  an orange-gold glow, with smoke rising.  They curved around a large rocky outcropping…  and came upon a sight that frightened Reid to his core… on higher ground, he could see houses…  a compound, likely disguised as a cult to keep the locals away, as the wolves tended to do…  but down in the valley was a large bonfire.  And around it were over a hundred people.  Reid began to tremble when he felt Hotch tense beside him.

 

The car pulled up towards the gap in the large semi-circle, and came to a stop.

 

“Get out.”  Evan said softly, and got out of the car.  He and James opened the doors for the two agents. 

 

“It’ll be okay.”  Hotch murmured, and gently kissed Reid’s temple, then moved away and slid out.  Reid took a deep breath and slid out of the other side.  James closed the door behind him.  Reid paused and glanced at Hotch, but the man was already striding confidently towards the bonfire.  Reid gulped, and hurried to catch up with the man.  Soon he was walking right behind him, with James and Evan flanking them.

 

As they moved closer to the bonfire, the silent pack closed the circle around them.  Reid wanted to close his eyes, but he couldn’t.  They were darting around, seeking a familiar face in the crowd…  and yet he was afraid that he might actually spot it…  Hotch on the other hand had eyes only for the large, burly man in his mid fifties, pacing back and forth on the other side of the bonfire.  Finally, Hotch stopped, as did Reid, James and Evan.

 

“…  Ben?”  James called, and the man stopped his pacing.  He paused, then turned and raised his eyes.  They fell immediately on Aaron Hotchner.  What he saw was a man his height, but not as bulky.  But his face, his eyes, his posture, screamed “alpha”.  Ben felt a growl rising in his throat.  This man before him was an Alpha among Alphas.  Very few wolves would be willing to challenge THIS male.  And he was one of them. 

 

Hotch stared back, taking in the Pack Alpha.  He was tough and weathered, and his muscles were knotted and stringy, unlike his own full, smooth musculature.  He was wearing old worn jeans that were torn and faded, and a sweat stained tank top.  Hotch knew that this was intentional…  he was not only displaying his strong body but old battle scars, intending to show that he was no stranger to fights.  Hotch was not intimidated.  He waited until he saw Ben take a breath to speak, and he cut in, immediately taking control of the conversation.

 

“I don’t know who the hell you think you are,” Hotch called across the bonfire, his voice carrying to all the wolves.  “But I don’t appreciate being lured  away from a case under false pretenses where we have a man killing every twenty four hours.”  Ben stared, shocked, and then scowled.  He moved to speak, but once again, Hotch beat him to it.  “Now, you may not care about the loss of life, but I do. And rest assured, wolf or no, if your interference into this investigation leads to another person dying, there WILL be consequences.”

 

“How dare you threaten me…”  Ben snarled.  James and Evan glanced at one another and nervously backed away, leaving the two feds alone in the middle of the circle of wolves.  “I don’t think you quite understand the situation you’re in.”

 

“I think I do.”  Hotch called back, folding his arms over his chest.  “I’ve been brought out here against my will to face an egotist who thinks he has authority over a federal agent.  Well I have news for you…”  And Hotch narrowed his eyes.  “I’m not in your pack.  I don’t answer to you.  And even if I were in your pack, I can assure you, I would not give any respect to a narcissistic power hungry tyrant who keeps his pack under his thumb through threats and fear tactics, and abandons pups simply because he doesn’t like their parentage.”

 

Murmurs were heard around the circle, and Ben growled loudly.

 

“You’re talking out your ass, you mangy mutt!”

 

“I know what you did.”  Hotch snapped back.  “You rejected a wolf in your own pack because of who he took as a mate.  You rejected his pups before they were born.  You rejected him when he came to you asking for help when his new born pups were dying.  And you turned him away.  You allowed two pups to die.  And you banished the one survivor to the life of a lone wolf, forced his father to choose between his pack, and his mate and child…” 

 

“And so what if I did?  It’s the way of nature.”  Ben barked.  “A pack is only as strong as its weakest link!  Only the strong survive.  I won’t allow the weak to bring us down!  It’s LIFE!”

 

“It’s medieval!”  Hotch roared back.  “It’s barbaric and cruel!”

 

“It’s cowardly.”  Came the sudden, soft announcement.  Everyone turned to stare at the young male standing close behind Aaron Hotchner.   Hotch turned as well…  he had seen Reid speak out…  Seen him be forceful…  Seen him push out of omega territory and up through gamma, delta, and into beta.  But now, for the first time, Hotch felt his stomach lurch as he realized that he was seeing the shadow of an alpha in the eyes of the young man.  His breath caught in his throat as he imagined how magnificent the young male would be if he ever had a full, true Alpha Swing.

 

Reid was staring Ben in the eye, and then he stepped around Hotch and approached the fire, but then turned to his left.  And he began to walk, staring at the wolves.  They began to shift and fidget, and then move away.  But one remained, a rangy wolf with wide eyes; Reid had him pinned with his gaze.  And then they were only feet apart.  Reid spoke again.  His voice was soft, but it carried.

 

“Hello, dad.”

 

The silence was deafening.  Even Ben looked stunned.  Hotch eyed William Reid, anger boiling in him, but he remained still and silent.

 

“…  Spencer?”  Will Reid gasped, and the color drained from his face.  Reid stared his father in the eye for a long time, then turned and looked at Ben.

 

“So I was the weak link, then?”  He asked, taking a few steps towards the pack alpha.  And then he smirked.  “Weak enough to survive.  Alone.  With no pack.  Weak enough to grow up with a sick mother that YOU had damned.  Weak enough to go to college out of state, and face the wrath of another pack for entering their territory, and surviving.  Weak enough to move all the way across the country, and become one of the most elite agents of the FBI.”  Now, he was only twelve feet from the alpha.  “It seems to me that you don’t know what ‘weak’ is…  I’ll give you a clue…  look in the mirror.”

 

In the blink of an eye, Ben had roared and leapt at the young wolf.  Reid gasped and threw himself back, and a moment later, Hotch was between them, knees bent, claws and teeth bared, eyes blazing.  And then both alphas let out a deafening roars of challenge, the sound of cloth ripping filled the air as their bodies changed as they moved into their halfway forms, clothing ripped asunder by the change.  The rest of the pack leapt back with a collective gasp, preparing for the two wolves to rip into one another.

 

“Step aside.”  Ben growled.  “He’s one of mine…  I will deal with him as I see fit.”

 

“One of yours?”  Hotch sneered.

 

“If he’s the son of one of my pack, he’s under my authority.”

 

“No.”  Hotch snapped.  “He’s not.”  Slowly, the pair shrunk down into their wolf bodies, leaving their torn clothes behind.  They circled one another.  “He is the son of William Reid, yes…  but you abandoned him as a pup.  You disowned him.  You declared him not to be of your pack.  You relinquished any and all claim of authority over him at that time.  He’s a lone wolf.  And he’ll do as he will.”

 

“Are you claiming him then?”  Ben taunted.

 

“I am.”  Hotch announced, and then raised his voice.  “I make a Declaration of Claim on Spencer Reid, as my intended lifemate.”  Ben looked stunned.  Reid flushed, but smiled and laid a hand on the head of the black wolf who now stood beside him.

 

“This isn’t your pack.”  Ben blurted after a bit.  “Your claim has no stand here.”

 

“Oh no?”  Hotch snarled.  “Maybe this will get the message across.”  And he lifted his leg.

 

Reid froze, eyes wide, and then threw himself to the side with a shriek.

 

“You did NOT just PEE ON ME!!!”  He howled, swinging his hands at the big black male to swat him away.  “Oh my GOD!!!  HOTCH!!!”  Hotch danced around, avoiding Reid’s wild swings.  He had a large wolfish grin on his face, obviously quite pleased with himself.  He circled Reid, carrying himself with authority, his eyes sweeping the crowd, daring anyone to challenge his claim.  He circled back to Reid and stood before him, tail up, ears forward and eyes brazenly staring at Ben.  And Ben did NOT appreciate it…

 

“You have a lot of balls coming here and acting like this…”  The Alpha snarled.

 

“First off,” Hotch said, “I didn't COME here.  You BROUGHT me here.  Taking me off of a case with a body count nearly in the double digits.  I’d say you’re the one with the set of balls.  Or at least…  you’d like to THINK that you have them.”

 

Murmurs swept through the crowd and Reid knelt, placing a hand on the black wolf’s head.

 

“Are you crazy?”  He hissed.  “He’s going to challenge you!”

 

“That’s what I want.”  Hotch said, and Reid was stunned.  “It’s time he was brought down, and if his own pack won’t do it…”

 

“But why does that have to be YOU?!”

 

“Because he’s got them too scared to stand against him.”  Hotch said, and Reid sighed and shook his head in frustration as the black wolf stepped forward.

 

“You are the most pathetic excuse for a leader I’ve ever seen.”  Hotch announced, staring Ben in the eye.  “You think you own Las Vegas?  You don’t.  This is a city of MEN.  And I was invited into it.  You have no right to drag me out here for what you call trespassing.  You had no right to abandon three newborn pups, just because their mother was sick…  As the Alpha, it was YOUR responsibility to step up and see that they were cared for.  Instead, you let them die.  And the one that survived, you scorned.  You cast him aside to grow up alone.  And if making a pup grow up without a pack wasn’t bad enough…  you forced his father to choose between his family, and his pack.  And when he couldn’t take it anymore, he left his son.  So this pup grew up without a pack, and without a father.  And that’s on you.  I’ve seen the worst mankind has to offer.  And you?  You remind me of one particular type of despicable individual.  You aren’t a Pack Alpha.  You’re the leader of a cult!!!  And you rule through cruelty, fear, and brainwashing!  You do not DESERVE your status!  You’re a disgrace to our kind.”

 

“You go too far!  Especially for an outsider!”  Ben roared, and launched himself at Hotch.  Reid yelped and leapt back, but Hotch sprang forward, meeting the attack.

 

Reid shook his head and ran towards the pair, but a hand grabbed his arm.  He whirled with a gasp, and stared at his father.

 

“You can’t.”  William managed to get out.

 

“I can’t let them do this!”  Reid argued. 

 

“Interfering with an Alpha Battle means death.”  Will told his son.   “The entire pack will fall upon you.”  Reid whimpered, staring at the pair, his heart in his throat.

 

Hotch lunged for Ben and bit him harshly on the shoulder.  Ben howled in anger and pain, turning his head and sinking his teeth into black male's neck, and throwing all of his weight against Hotch, sending the startled wolf crashing to the ground, the rangy alpha on top of him.  Hotch let out a loud roaring bark, lunging for Ben’s throat, but Ben met his charge with snapping teeth.  The pair became a snarling flurry of brown and black fur and teeth, fighting feircely.

 

Then, Reid noticed the group of male wolves that were surrounding him…  Will growled at wolves advanced, eyes on Reid.

 

“Back off.”  He growled, tail lashing.

Reid backed up slightly, whimpering as the males drew closer.

“Back down, Will…”  Snapped one of the males, a large alpha.  “When Ben takes that mutt down, this pup will go down with him.”

 

“No.  He’s my SON, Ted.”  Will snapped, though he was intimidated.  William Reid was only a Delta Wolf…  and these males were Alphas.

 

“Back DOWN!”

 

“You back down.  Ted…  Rodney…  Vince…”  Will gasped, spreading out his arms to block the other males from his son.  “The battle hasn’t been decided yet.”



Rodney barked a laugh. “You really think Ben will lose?!  You’re pathetic, Will. You've always been a disgrace to the pack. You're a fucking worthless human loving idiot who couldn't contribute if you wanted!  And then you mate the most sickly, pathetic little runt of a human on the planet!  She was a crazy bitch who let her own pups die!  That one doesn’t deserve to live any more than she does!”



“YOU SON OF A BITCH!”  Reid howled, and leapt past his father.  In a flash, his clothes were torn and the little brown wolf was in his halfway form, landing against the chest of the large alpha male named Rodney.  “DON’T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER LIKE THAT!!!” And then his teeth were snapping.

 

“KILL HIM!”  Shouted Ted, and Will didn’t even blink.  He launched himself into the fight to defend his son… 

 

 The pack stared with eyes wide as the battle raged on.  Hotch yelped loudly when Ben tore his shoulder open with his teeth and rolled his tongue out in laughter when the big black male leapt back and turned his head, licking at the wound.



“You have to do better than that, Fed.” He said. Hotch growled and with blinding speed, leapt at the alpha and Ben let out a yip, leaping back. A deep slash on his face began the bleed. The challenged Alpha blinked, surprised, but then growled and faced his opponent again. Hotch growled right back.



Will was chasing one male away, but skidded to a stop at a pained yelp from Reid. He whirled, leaving the fleeing wolf, and lunged at the one who was pursuing his son.



Rodney growled wickedly. “C'mere you little mutt, it'll only hurt when you breathe!”



“STAY AWAY FROM MY SON!”  Will barked, leaping on the wolf's back and seizing the scruff of his neck in his teeth.



 The wolf howled as he ran, then rolled and slammed himself into the ground, knocking Will off painfully, and then shouldering Reid to the ground.



Will snarled, hearing his son’s yelp and charged, tackling the other wolf and proceeding to fight dirty.



Reid shook his head and whirled, leaping into the fray. The large alpha, who found the smaller wolves to be MUCH faster than he had anticipated, couldn't keep track of them both as they danced around him.



He growled and lunged for Reid once more, and snapped his teeth down, narrowly missing Reid’s leg. “Fucking hold still so I can kill you!”  And then he lunged and tackled Reid, who let out a grunt as he hit the ground.  Then Will darted in and snapped his jaws shut on the large wolf’s front leg.  Rodney let out a horrible scream of pain, jerking away from Will, but Will didn’t let go of his front leg. The alpha snarled angrily, snapping at Will’s muzzle, trying to get free.   And then Vince lunged in and seized Reid in his teeth by the back of the neck.  Reid began letting out shrill yelps of fright and pain. 

 

Hotch shouldered Ben to the ground and whirled, eyes wide. He charged at the wolf attacking his mate with furious barks.  That gave Ben just the time he needed to tackle Hotch to the ground and pin him.



Hotch snarled loudly, snapping at the alpha’s paws, trying to get to his chosen mate. Will twisted his head and snapped the leg of the wolf he was fighting with and barked, then leapt onto the back of Vince, who held his son in his teeth, biting his neck and shoulders.



The wolf whipped his head around, and seized Will’s neck in his teeth, slinging the father into his son, knocking them both to the ground painfully.



Both Reid wolves whined in pain, turning their heads to look at one another. Reid stumbled up to stand, growling at the wolf, and Will slowly followed.   Hotch struggled with Ben, but was unable to throw the larger male off of him. He whined and twisted his head, looking over at Reid in worry, then flung Ben off of him and leapt after him, teeth snapping.

 

The two Reids growled as menacingly as they could as the larger alpha wolf stalked closer to them, and then both leapt out of the side and flanked him.  Soon they were running circles around a furious alpha wolf.  Reid actually managed to catch Vince by the tail, but every time Vince tried to detach the younger Reid, the elder Reid rushed in and stopped him.



Ben growled at Hotch, the fur on his face matted with blood from the slash beneath his right eye, courtesy of the big black male.  Hotch growled right back, hackles raised. Ben charged and Hotch met the charge, ducking under the alpha's head and throwing his shoulder into Ben's chest, sending the other male crashing down onto his back hard enough to knock the wind out of him. Hotch pinned his opponent, snarling.



“Yeild... “ He growled.



Ben snarled and flung Hotch off of himself, lunging forward.  “Never.”



Hotch danced out of his opponent's reach.  “Never is a long time...  Surrender or die!”



Ben snarled once more and lunged forward, snagging Hotch's neck in his teeth, and shaking his head violently, trying to snap the Unit Chief's neck.



Hotch let out a snarling yelp, struggling to escape the brown wolf's teeth, clawing his face.



Reid and Will were leaping about, trying to keep their distance from Vince and Ted's jaws while nipping them every chance they got.  They were thoroughly wearing them down and frustrating them beyond comprehension. But more closed in, and the pair stood side by side, facing opposite directions.

 

But now Reid wasn’t paying attention to the wolves surrounding him…  he was watching worriedly as Hotch fought to free his neck from Ben’s jaws, but his eyes were getting wide and desperate as he fought to breathe.



“Aaron…”  Reid gasped. 

 

All eyes had turned to the battling alpha males, and a moment later, Hotch gave a choked whine and went down. He gave a few feeble struggles, but he finally grew still and quiet.



Reid gasped and shook his head in shock, then cried out loudly.  “AARON!!!”



No one really saw what happened next. All they knew was that suddenly, Hotch’s body tensed and thrashed, and then Ben was on his back on the ground, his neck in Hotch's jaws, his head twisted at an awkward angle.  Hotch could easily break the alpha’s neck in one simple motion.



“Aaron!”  Reid cried in relief.

Hotch's ears twitched a bit and he wagged his tail slightly in response to Reid.  But he kept his attention focused on Ben, slowly turning his head and increasing the pressure on the elder wolf's neck. “Do you give up?” He hissed, narrow golden eyes glaring into Ben's wide panicked brown eyes.



Ben snarled, glaring at the victor.  “It's not over...”  he hissed.  ”I'll take you down when you least expect it...  And then I’ll kill that weak pup that you’ve claimed…”



Hotch snorted.  “That’s all I need to know… Your reign is over... For good.”  And he twisted his head.  Ben thrashed and yelped, but then there was an audible POP!

 

And the wolf fell still and silent.

 

So was the pack.  They stared in shock at their alpha.  Slowly, his body changed back into that of a man. He was dead. 

 

Then Hotch turned and glared at the wolves surrounding his mate and the pup’s sire.  He moved towards them, and then quickly lowered themselves to the ground and moved to scuttle away, but Hotch growled and made a move towards them. Rodney, Vince, Ted and the others immediately dropped and rolled onto their backs, tucking tails in.  Hotch glared them in the eyes, DARING them to show defiance, and promising death if they did.



Reid nuzzled into Hotch.  “Don’t ever do that again…”  He gasped, so only the big black male could hear. 

 

Hotch didn't make a move; his eyes were still on the wolves on their backs before him. After a moment, he backed away, satisfied.  Then he turned, and looked over the pack.  And then he lifted his head and raised his Voice, declaring his victory.  After a moment, the rest of the pack answered, acknowledging him.  And then they moved in.  Reid froze, fearfully, but the wolves paid him no mind.  They moved in, ears and tails down, but wagging, and all began licking Hotch's chin.  Hotch just stood calmly and let them, though he was also wagging his tail, which was held high. A moment later, the entire pack had converged on Hotch, taking their turns at wedging in and licking Hotch's face, in the ancient ritual recognizing his new status as Alpha male.

 

Aaron Hotchner was now the Alpha Male of the Las Vegas Pack…