Chapter Text
It started with the news reporting on the terrorist attacks. Several bombs went off simultaneously in major cities all over the world. The bombs were large, set off near the center of the cities, turning everything within the radius to little more than rubble and ash. The plumes of smoke stretched far throughout the cities and even beyond, the noxious clouds traveling far and wide on the wind, stretching to places far beyond the densely populated areas and into the suburbs and countrysides.
Many people died in the initial attacks, several more from the toxic clouds. Those that survived began to change into something primal and feral, their sole purpose becoming territorial, claiming, mating, anywhere and at any time. It was chaotic and those who survived the initial attacks attempted to survive in a new world where all the rules had changed.
The World Health Organization dubbed it the Lycan Virus as those that were affected began exhibiting werewolf-like symptoms - claws and teeth, golden eyes, animalistic and wolf-like behaviors. Yet no one came forward to lay claim to the attacks.
After the initial months following the attacks, the world fell into an apocalyptic state. Martial law had been declared world-wide, and everyone was left to fend for themselves. Not that there were many remaining.
The virus mutated people into a sort of animal-class system. Some turned into vicious and overbearing Alphas - killing and taking without thought or remorse. Some turned to Omegas - forced to submit to the Alphas or die. Still, a few remained unaffected by the virus, remaining entirely human - those were referred to as Betas.
Sam and Dean were forced to watch helplessly as the world fell victim to another apocalypse - one they couldn’t stop or fix. Dean remained unaffected by the virus. Sam, however, wasn’t so lucky. After being exposed, he slowly and painfully transitioned, becoming a full-blown Alpha. For the most part, he was still himself. But when the adrenaline would get going, when his emotions ran high, the Alpha came out in full force.
Dean was terrified of the new reality in which they found themselves, and even more so of Sam. They researched the attacks and anything they could find on werewolves, having concluded wolves had to be behind it all. But they still had no clue where to even start to try and put the world back to normal. From what they had seen, the virus had also decimated the various monsters in the world, diminishing their numbers to the point of near extinction. Except for the werewolves, who were thriving.
Once a month, the brothers left the safety of the Bunker to scavenge supplies and spill blood - usually, werewolf, though sometimes other monsters, and even the occasional human Alphas who traveled in packs to rape and pillage at their leisure. Before they had realized it, a year had passed, and everything seemed to settle further into the New World Order.
Jess had been separated from her family during the initial attacks. When the bomb went off in her city, everyone fled. She quickly found herself alone and running for her life, slowly feeling her body change in the following weeks. Now, a presented Omega as she realized, she found herself in the southern woods of Virginia, camping, scavenging, and hiding as she had now become accustomed to.
As she sat in her makeshift tent along the Appalachian Trail, she heard the distinct sound of several pairs of footsteps approaching her tent. She cursed under her breath, clinging to the small rusty hatchet she had found as she trembled, keeping quiet and turning out the lantern in the tent.
She took in a deep breath, holding it to produce as little sound as possible. She could hear the steps gaining closer, and a strong stench filled her nose. Alphas. Two, she thought.
Please don’t find me, please don’t find me, she repeatedly looped in her head, clinging to her weapon for dear life and every nerve standing on end.
The Alphas approached the tent, their steps heard crunching the woodland debris just outside. Then it fell silent before the tent was ripped open and a hand latched around her arm, pulling her to her feet.
“Pretty Omega,” One of the Alphas cooed as his nose sniffed along her neck, “What’s a pretty thing like you doing all alone out here?” the other Alpha flashed a lewd grin as his eyes raked over her trembling body.
Her breath was shaky, and she could feel her heart thudding in her throat. In a panic, she pushed back the Alpha before wildly swinging the hatchet in her grasp which he stepped back further to avoid.
“Staying away from freaks like you,” she held the small ax up in warning, trying to turn her fear into aggression, “Back off.”
They held their hands up defensively as they slowly circled her, “You wouldn’t have to worry if you had a strong Alpha to take care of you,” one sneered, “You really think you can hold off both of us with that little thing?”
“Either way,” she shrugged, grimacing slightly, “Might as well put up some form of fight.” She took a tentative step back, her eyes flitting between the two and wondering if she could make a break for it.
As her mind began to run through all of the worst possibilities of the situation, a gun cocking could be heard from behind her. She spun, seeing a woman stood, gun aimed at the two Alphas. The woman gestured to Jess, moving her behind her own body protectively, “Unless you want your important bits blown off, I suggest you leave her alone.” the woman stated firmly.
Jess found herself practically clinging to the stranger, watching with wide eyes from behind her. The Alphas looked somewhat shocked but held their ground.
“Well isn’t this just cute,” the particularly chatty Alpha sneered, “Just makes things more fun.”
Without so much as a blink, the woman fired a ‘warning’ shot into the chatty Alpha’s foot, readjusting her aim for the other Alpha’s groin, “You were saying?”
The man stumbled back slightly, a growl passing his lips as he and his buddy hunched back up in shock.
“F-forget it,” he growled with a roll of his shoulders, “Just a set of bitches, we can find better than you.”
The woman held her stance, gun steady, as she watched the retreating Alphas until they were long gone. With a heavy sigh, she dropped her arm to her side, turning to Jess with a wide grin, “Fuck, that was scary.” she laughed.
“What?” Jess squeaked, “Th-that was you scared!?”
“As long as you put up an imposing presence, most people just assume, ya know?” she shrugged, tucking the gun into a holster on her thigh, “I’m Y/N, by the way,” she extended her hand for a shake.
“J-Jess,” she replied with a sheepish smile, taking the hand tightly, “Thanks for helping me there. Most people these days would’ve just…yeah…”
“Most people are assholes,” Y/N said with a huff, “Not to say I’m not an asshole…just a different kind of asshole I guess.” she smiled again, “So, are you alone out here?”
Jess nodded, before giving Y/N a brief summary of where she was and what happened when the bombs hit. She breathed deeply when finishing, talking about it making her have to process some of the information. She was alone, walking through the damn woods in an area she didn’t know, to try and avoid the Apocalypse with no idea of an end destination.
“And…” she sighed, “I j-just kept walking….really.”
“Well, you’re welcome to join me,” Y/N said, walking several feet away and retrieving a large camping backpack she had hidden behind the trees before the altercation, “I’m headed West. Virginia, Maryland, DC…they’re all swarming with Alpha assholes.” she sighed, starting to help Jess gather her own things, “Started up Omega trading caravans too. Probably best we stick together. I’m honestly just playing this all by ear, but I’ve been doing okay so far.”
“Omega trading?” Jess’ eyes went wide, “I’ve been out in the sticks so long I didn’t even know that was a thing…I mean, I’m sure you’ve gathered but I-I’m one of these Omega things. But what are you? I can normally tell but….are you a Beta?”
“I guess,” Y/N shrugged, “I didn’t really seem to be affected by the mutation. Most people were but some people seemed to remain the same. I’ve had fevers sometimes, which made me think maybe I was going Omega. But I also had times where I was just raging out, you know?” she laughed as they started walking, “I was always kind of different and now that everyone is different, I’m normal, which still makes me different.” she shrugged, “Can’t win for trying.”
Jess bit her bottom lip, unable to stifle a small laugh and her body language relaxing. “Well, if you are Beta… You sure you want me hanging around with you? I appreciate it but…I could potentially lure them to us if…. You know.”
“Things are dangerous regardless nowadays,” Y/N smiled at her, “It’d be nice to have some company. And I couldn’t in good conscious leave an Omega alone in the woods, right?”
Jess smiled, throwing her pack onto her shoulder and hopping next to Y/N, “Thanks though, seriously. So…you said West?”
Y/N nodded, “Yeah, I figured the bombs went off in major cities, highly populated areas. The midwest area is pretty sparsely populated. Wide-open country, fewer people to deal with. Seems as good a place as any.”
“You’re the boss!” Jess nodded, “I’m just a hitchhiker now after all,” she giggled, the idea of actually having a goal and something to live and move forward too, at last, it thoroughly excited her.
For two months, the pair traveled together, crossing the Appalachians into Kentucky, through Missouri, and on to Kansas. Just before crossing the border into Kansas two weeks prior, the pair were met with a nasty altercation involving a small pack: Three Alphas, two Betas, and one pack Omega. The group had occupied a local Wal-Mart as a base and the girls happened upon them as they were in search of supplies.
Initially, Y/N attempted to barter with them, hoping to gather what they needed and be on their way. The pack Alpha, however, had different plans, intent on staking claim to Jess, adding another Omega to the pack. The girls fought hard, Y/N having taught Jess what little she knew in self-defense, the girls often taking time to spar each other, keeping their skills honed.
After a hard-fought battle, they won, but at a heavy cost. Y/N was nursing several bad wounds, some bites, and slashes all along her body. Not to mention the heavy burden they both now carried in having killed people. It created a darkness within them that they were sure would never fade. Jess narrowly escaped being raped and claimed at the hands of the Alphas, but they survived.
After gathering the supplies they needed, and Jess referencing the First Aid for Dummies book to patch-up Y/N as best she could, the pair slowly continued their trek, hopeful to find a home or cabin in the middle of nowhere to settle in.
As they hobbled along a long stretch of asphalt highway, Y/N’s arm draped around Jess’ shoulders and her’s supporting around Y/N’s middle, Y/N stopped with heavy breaths, clutching her side and dropping to the tall, yellowed grass on the side of the highway.
“I can’t,” she panted, her mouth dry and body aching and exhausted, “I just…I need to lie down.” she said, collapsing back onto the side of the road. Jess struggled, trying to convince Y/N that they needed to keep moving, to get off the road and find shelter for the night, but it was fruitless as Y/N had passed out, overworking herself and having lost so much blood. Jess assumed, from the look of her injuries that weren’t quite healing, that she might have an infection. Jess closed her eyes, taking deep breaths and trying not to panic, sending a silent prayer out to anyone.
A few minutes later, a rumble of a car was heard in the distance, rapidly approaching them. Jess cursed under her breath, knowing she wouldn’t be able to drag Y/N into the grass and hide them quick enough. The sleek black vehicle slowed its speed as it grew closer, before pulling to the side of the road about ten feet from her. She eyed it suspiciously, waiting for the occupants to exit the vehicle, as she grabbed the gun from Y/N’s holster, checking the bullets and removing the safety.
As the doors to the car opened, two tall men exited from either door, shutting the doors behind them as they slowly walked towards her. The scent of Alpha, strong and overwhelming, carried on the breeze and the hairs on her neck stood on end. She stood straight, legs slightly wobbling, as she held the gun aloft, pointing it at the approaching men.
“I-I don’t want any trouble,” Jess stammered, her eyes flitting between the pair rapidly.
They both raised their hands defensively, looking between her and Y/N’s unconscious body, “We aren’t going to hurt you,” the shorter of the two spoke, his short brown hair glistening with blonde highlights in the afternoon sun, “Do you need help?” he asked, his voice deep but gentle.
Jess involuntarily sniffed at the air, sensing the taller of the two was an Alpha, the other most likely a Beta. Unlike most Alpha’s they had encountered, this one’s scent sent a wave of calm and peace over her, the combined scents of the pair making her think of her favorite things and a feeling of home. She shook her head, confused by the sudden feelings coursing through her, before glancing down at Y/N.
“M-my friend, she…she’s hurt. We’re just trying to find a shelter for the night,” she spoke as strong as she could, the gun still held in her hands, pointed at the pair.
“We have a place,” the taller of the two spoke, and his voice was like a symphony that sang to her veins, “It’s not far, about 50 miles from here.” he offered, stepping closer to Y/N’s body, “You two can stay with us if you’d like.”
Jess shook her head rapidly, tightening her grip on the gun.
“How about if we let you keep the gun on us the whole time?” the shorter man spoke, “You two can fit in the backseat. You can keep the gun pointed at us, shoot us if we do anything you don’t like, ok?”
Jess squinted her eyes repeatedly as she thought, finding her lack of food and water and the overexertion of their long trip starting to take its toll, “I-I don’t know,” Jess said, her voice sounding scared, “Y/N usually makes these kinds of decisions…”
“Y/N?” the taller one said, his eyes flitting to the body, “Is she your Alpha?” he asked, his tone soft but somehow slightly saddened.
Jess shook her head, “No. She’s my friend. She…she wasn’t affected by, b-by whatever this is.” Jess gestured to herself and them. They nodded, exchanging a glance before moving towards her once more.
“My name is Dean,” said the shorter one, “And that’s my brother, Sam.”
Jess smirked slightly, her eyes flitting to Sam as he bent to pick up Y/N, “I’m, uh, Jess.” she smiled. The pair smiled back warmly. Jess watched as Sam carefully carried Y/N to the backseat of the car, tucking her inside and shutting the door. Jess lowered the gun, still held between her hands as she made several wide steps around Dean, climbing in the backseat next to Y/N.