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warnings
mentions of death
anxious pack members
ptsd
- kisses 💘
edits needed so i apologize for any mistakes
happy reading to all. ❤️
important authors note at the end
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There was an awkward tension between them. Jungwon could feel a faint tingling under his fingertips as he holds Sunghoon's hand but there were no words exchanged between them. Jungwon blames himself. He didn't think he would be so nervous for today. It's not like this was his first date, Jay had taken him on plenty. This was his first date with Sunghoon and it was already going poorly thanks to him.
Jungwon couldn't help it. It wasn't like he wanted to feel like this. He just couldn't shake off his poor sleep. The last time he'd felt like this, his body buzzing with extra energy and feeling the world shifting from under his feet, was when he'd met Jay for the first time. He couldn't explain it at the time but the moment he met Jay he knew everything would change. Two years later Jungwon presented as an omega and the second he locked eyes with Jay he knew.
This situation with Sunghoon was entirely different, they aren't mates, Jungwon knows that for sure. They're not fated to be but something is meant to happen between them. Something that will change the directory of their relationship forever. Jungwon's mind had been stuck on it since Sunghoon asked him on the date. Would it be amazing, good, terrible? Would Sunghoon only see him as a packmate or something more? Would Sunghoon kiss him and if he did would it be good? Would Jungwon be addicted to kissing Sunghoon? The first time the alpha scented him Sunghoon kissed his neck. Jungwon thought about the way his lips felt on his skin. Cold and not exactly soft like he'd imaged. They were a bit rough from being chapped and yet Jungwon enjoyed that more. It was real and not a fragment of his imagination. He couldn't (wouldn't) stop thinking about it.
"Did you see something you like?" Sunghoon questions pulling Jungwon out of his fantasy.
"Huh?"
"Your scent. It spiked. Did you see something you wanted to do?" Sunghoon questions. His lips quirk into a smirk seeing Jungwon's ears tint a dark shade of pink. He'd been unaware his scent was leaking carelessly, all gooey and sweet.
"I was thinking of you." Jungwon feels a wave of heat crash over him as his embarrassment welcomes his body. It makes him feel incredibly shy and small but if he wants anything to change between him and Sunghoon he has to start being honest with himself and Sunghoon.
Sunghoon chuckles, before biting the tip of his tongue. "Ya know...if you keep this up you'll end up being cuter than Sunoo." he fights hard against his blush, opting to turn his embarrassment onto Jungwon and tease him. Sunghoon is still unsure what Jungwon wants from him. An alpha's comfort without the relationship? Or does Jungwon want him like he wants Jungwon?
"Don't say lies. There's no way I'd be cuter than Sunoo..."
"It's very possible." Sunghoon says before lifting Jungwon's chin to keep eye contact with the younger. "To me, Sunoo is my prettiest omega and Jungwon is my cutest omega. You both are different and that's a good thing yeah?"
"Yeah" Jungwon swoons. Sure being called a "cute omega" was a bit slighting but Sunghoon called him his. His omega.
"L-let's go do...that!" Jungwon says, pointing to one of the booths. "Come on hyung lets go!" he says, tugging at Sunghoon's hand. The older purposefully plants his heels in the ground making it more difficult for Jungwon to pull him along.
"Hyung!" Jungwon laughs while still pulling. Sunghoon smiles back all toothy and wide before taking off in a sprint bringing Jungwon with him.
With the two hours they have they use them well. Rushing around like two teenagers out in the world on their own for the first time. It's a beautiful and light feeling. Sunghoon has forgotten the last time he'd felt this light, this free like nothing else mattered. Everytime Jungwon smiled at him, cheeks flushed, eyes bright and his little dimples denting his cheeks, the alpha felt warmth all over. Like he was falling in love for the first time.
"You're so bad at games." Jungwon sighs watching Sunghoon fail for the seventh time in a row.
"I'm very good at games, thank you. I was just p-practicing." the alpha stutters. Jungwon raises his brows as if to say 'you sure'. Sunghoon clicks his tongue against his teeth. "Just you watch Yang Jungwon." he growls under his breath. Sunghoon turns back to the game holding the dart between his fingers. He tries again popping the balloons with more precision than the last seven times.
"Congratulations!" the booth manager cheers. He hands Sunghoon the prize ushering him away not wanting the alpha to play the game again.
"See Jungwon I am great at...hey!" Sunghoon feels his stomach drop when he sees Jungwon was no longer with him. He can feel his hands clam up, his heartbeat thudding in his ears and his breathing became heavy.
"I hardly touched your little omega" Sunghoon can hear Jinho's condescending voice ringing in his ears. It's not possible. Jinho can't reach Jungwon from prison and yet his attack on Jungwon last time left an impression on Sunghoon. He panics pushing past people to find Jungwon. He's safe, sunghoon knows he's safe but there's always the what if. What if someone else got to him? If Jinho had hired someone as revenge? What if what if what if....?!
"Jungwon!" hearing his name, Jungwon looks over his shoulder. Safe. Smiling, happy and safe.
"Hyung! You should go do that!" Jungwon says, pointing his finger towards the stage. Sunghoon grabs the youngers wrist tugging him to his chest. "You can't run off on me," Sunghoon sighs. He presses his nose to the top of Jungwons head taking in his scent. Jungwon wraps his arms around Sunghoons waist pressing his chek to the alphas shoulder.
" 'm sorry. I saw this and wanted to watch while you finished your game. I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's fine, just let me know next time ok." Sunghoon sighs, pulling away. He squishing Jungwon once before letting him go.
"Ok. I will." Jungwon agrees easily. "Hyung, you know I'd call to you if I needed you, right?"
"Good...Now what do you want me to do?" Sunghoon questions. The adrenaline had died down a bit leaving him calmer than a moment ago. Jungwon gives SUnghoon his "killer smile" before pointing to the stage.
"That."
"No."
"Sunghoon."
"Hell no." Park Sunghoon was not going on stage and embarrassing himself in front of half of the student body. He just was not going to.
"Fine." Jungwon sighs. "You'd have to get picked anyway. I just wanted you to volunteer. Can we at least watch?" and Sunghoon can give into that request so they stand side by side Sunghoon's arm wrapped around Jungwon's waist.
"Hey, it's almost time to meet that guy. Do you want to head over to the meating place?" Sunghoon questions.
"Yeah we can. You should be nice when we meet him though."
"I will be nice...maybe."
"Sunghoon...he seems to be really important to Jake hyung. Having good friends is important."
"Hmm, that's how you and Sunoo started off huh?" Sunghoon questions. He admired their bond. Thick as thieves when they wanted to be especially when it came to teaming up on Jay. They were sweet and had something special, something not even Sunghoon can compare to his own bond with Sunoo. "I'll play nice but I won't be his best friend"
"No one is expecting you to be." Jungwon teases. The two begin to make their way out of the crowd when the event speakers start up a new round for the game.
"One more volunteer is all we need! Anyone? Anyone? How about....the student leaving! In the red jacket!" Sunghoon fell various eyes on him as the crowd began to cheer for him.
"Oh no I'm-"
"Thank you volunteer!" the speaker says as another staff member goes out into the crowd to pull Sunghoon on stage.
"Jungwon!" Sunghoon shouts his eyes begging for help but Jungwon simply shrugs.
"Fighting hyung!" Jungwon cheers as he watches Sunghoon struggle to get to the stage. Once situated with the other contestants Sunghoon introduces himself with a sigh. Jungwon grabs his phone ready to capture the moment when he sees a message come through.
we're almost at the meeting spot - k.s.
sunghoon got picked for some aegyo event so we will be late XD - y.j.
PLEASE PLEASE RECORD IT! - p.j.
Yes jungwon please record it. You'll be doing the world a personal favor! - j.s.
i think hee and i are close by. We will meet you there ddeonu! - j.s.
"He's so hot," one of the spectators mutters to the girls next to him, pulling his attention away from the conversation on his phone.
"Park Sunghoon right? Ah, I think we share a class! He's so cute!" one of the girls squeals.
"Should we try and talk to him after this?"
"Excuse me?" Jungwon questions the group. "It's rude to talk about someone else's mate like that." he says once he has their attention. The group flush with embarrassment quickly.
"Ah we're sorry. We didn't know."
"Yeah sorry. We wouldn't have said that if we knew his mate was here!" the other says.
"I-it's ok. Just be more mindful of what you say..." Jungwon says before turning his attention to the stage. The group didn't need to know that he isn't exactly Sunghoon's mate. They're packmates but they didn't need all the intimate details right? They were the ones in the wrong, speaking about his Sunghoon that way....even if they were telling the truth.
By the end of the game Jungwon's cheeks hurt from how hard he was smiling and laughing. Sunghoon looked like a complete dork and more of his natural self while on stage and for someone who did not want to play the game he thrived. The second it was over however Sunghoon was the first off the stage working his way through a crowd of newly formed fans to make it back to Jungwon.
"That was terrible."
"Oh come on! You were cute."
"Yeah well I wasn't really trying to be cute today."
"What were you trying to be?"
"Charming, cool, gentlemen like. I wanted to be everything for you." Sunghoon says taking a step into Jungwon's space. He takes it as a good sign when Jungwon doesn't move away. "I wanted to be at my best and build up my confidence so I could ask you something."
"A-ask me what?" Jungwon moves just a bit closer, leaving them to be chest to chest.
"If you'd be my boyfriend...and if I could kiss you..." their foreheads were pressed together, hot breath mingling between them. Jungwon tilts his head up just enough for their noses to press together.
"So will you? And can I?"
"Yes..yes yes Sunghoon yes," Jungwon says his lips ghosting over Sunghoon's briefly. Sunghoon presses forward, capturing Jungwon's lips. Despite his desperation Jungwon kisses Sunghoon slowly wanting to capture and remember every detail, every movement. Sunghoon thankfully matches his pace, his hands gripping at Jungwon's waist. His grip is tight but not painful. It's tender as his thumbs push over the skin of Jungwon's hip. Jungwon feels like he's going to pass out when they pull back but he's desperate to kiss Sunghoon again as he leans on his toes to bring Sunghoon back.
"Jungwon..." Sunghoon chuckles, pulling back a second time. "Fuck, you're adorable."
Its only when Sunghoon looks at him like this, like he loves him that Jungwon understands his actions. That they've changed their relationship forever and consequences will follow.
"S-should we have done that? W-what about the others? I mean we should have talked to them first, right? We should..."
"Jungwon, beautiful." Sunghoon soothes. "Do you care about me?" Jungwon nods. "Then I think." Sunghoon presses a kiss to Jungwon's lips "that the pack" another "Will be happy that we're getting along so well." and then a third. "We're gonna be fine." Jungwon believes him. They will be fine. All of them. He leans in to kiss Sunghoon, a thank you but stops. Something feels wrong. Immediately his bond with Jay grows dark and heavy. Something was wrong with Jay.
"We have to get to the others." Jungwon says as he pulls himself from Sunghoon. "Something, something is wrong."
"Yeah, something isn't right." Sunghoon says. The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up as he felt his second alpha start to wake. He'd had the warning all day, that something was going to happen. With today going as well as it was he thought for the first time it was a mistake, just natural anxiety. How foolish of him.
"Let's go." Jungwon says as begins to run, not bothering to check if Sunghoon was following. Weeks of nightball training come in handy as he sprints past people hardly making contact with them on his way through the crowd. He can hardly see their pack as he approaches the meeting spot but when he does Jungwon sees red. An alpha stands in front of Jay crowding his space but the older couldn't move or wouldn't. The others were of no help either as they stood unmoving, like they were caught in a trance.
"Guys!" Jungwon can see the relief flood through Jay's face when he sees him and Sunghoon running to them.
"What's wrong, what happened?" Jungwon fusses over Jay the second he steps foot in front of him. Jay tries to open his mouth to explain the situation but nothing comes out but choked gasps. Jungwon pulls the older to his chest patting down the hair at Jay's nape.
Jay clings to Jungwon hiding his face against the younger's neck as he cries. He was confused, scared and above all he was hurt.
[ten minutes ago]
It was like his body wasn't his own anymore. He could see everything around him, see the alpha in front of him staring at him with adoration, as if he'd blessed the very ground he walked on. Everything he was seeing must not be from his own eyes right? That would explain why he couldn't hear anything other than a faint ringing in his ears. This had to be someone else right? A dream maybe? This man, this alpha couldn't possibly be mated to him right? He couldn't possibly have another...there was just no way.
"You're so beautiful," Heeseung said to him, but he sounded like he was under water and felt Jay with a sense of disgust. There was no way this alpha really thought he was beautiful. He probably only saw Jay as an object, someone, no, something submissive to be controlled like all the alphas his parents had brought into his life.
"C-can I hold you?" Heeseung whispered next and Jay wanted to die. He didn't want this alpha to touch him but his wolf did. The creature within him was howling, clawing through his mind attempting to take over to throw himself into his new mates arms and soak in his scent. Jay couldn't let that happen but when he tried to move his legs were like jelly. He was like a newborn fawn trying to take its first steps but failing miserably as he almost fell over. Heeseung had reached out to touch him, keep him on his feet but that only made Jay panic worse.
"NO! D-Don't! Don't touch me!" he shouts. His voice is a lot more stable than his hands that were trembling terribly.
"Jay?" he wished Heeseung saying his name didn't hurt his heart so much. Jay wished he were stronger so that he could ignore the hurt look on his mates, on this alphas face, and the sad tone in his voice. Even still he could see the hope twinkling in Heeseung's large doe eyes, and smell the chocolate that waffed off his body that turned more and more bitter the longer Jay attempted to glare at him.
"Jay?" the omega in question turned his head, his eyes zeroing in on Sunoo. "Why don't you sit hmm? I'll get you some water and we can-"
"Sunoo!" Jay shouts louder than necessary. He grabbed onto Sunoos hand and tugged once. Sunoo would help him escape. Sunoo would understand. Jay has to leave. He gives a second tug on Sunoo's hand trying to run but Sunoo tugged him back keeping him in place.
"Sunoo?" he tries to tug his arm free from Sunoo. He doesn't understand. Why is Sunoo making him stay? Why isn't he on his side?
"No Jay...W-we have to stay. You have to stay." Running has become a pattern. He's done it, Sunghoon has done it and if Sunoo lets Jay do this now it'll only continue to be a pattern. Someone has to break it, or help break it. Sunoo knows Jay is scared. Sunoo is scared, but they have each other. If he's learned anything over the course of this year, it's that they can make it through just about anything as long as they support each other. No more running.
"I'm going to be right here for you Jay. I've got you like you've got me. I won't let you go through this alone." Sunoo says this but right now Jay's world feels so incredibly small. It was like he was the only one in the world, left alone in a pit of darkness waiting for the light.
[current]
Jay continued to weep against Jungwon's shoulder, his body weighing down on the younger, making it more difficult to hold him up. Since Jungwon clearly wasn't going to get a peep out of Jay he turned to the others.
"Sunoo what ha-" Jungwon gets cut off by a feral growl ripping through the space around them. Jungwon turns around, shoving Jay behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck were pricked up off his skin, his body warming with fear. He locks eyes with Heeseung, the alphas eyes blood red as he snarls at Jungwon.
"Get away from him!" Heeseung says in a low tone. Jungwon's lips turn into a frown, a growl working in his chest. Who the hell was this guy to tell him to step away from his own mate after he'd made Jay uncomfortable. After he did god knows what to crumble his mate down to his current state. Jungwon raises his chin with a hiss. He's seconds away from telling the alpha off when Sunghoon steps in front of him. The alpha was beyond pissed, his scent that of a storm, a hurricane ready to crash down and ruin everything in its path. He was ready to wreak vengeance on Heeseung for harming his pack.
"I suggest you change your tone and stop growling at my omegas. You're putting them in distress." Sunghoon demands. He wasn't yelling, in fact he almost sounded calm but Jungwon could hear the command in his tone. It was the same voice he had when he fought with Jinho, sending an unpleasant shiver down his spine.
Heeseung squares his shoulders back, getting ready to fight the new alpha blocking him from his mate. He doesn't want to fight him, not in front of Jake and definitely not in front of his newfound mate but he will and he was going to. Key word being "going to". Heeseung was ready for a fight but the moment he locks eyes with the alpha whose aura was black as the abyss, he sees white. Heeseung's eyes roll back and his body falls to the ground, his body and wolf overwhelmed from the introduction.
"OH MY GOD HEESEUNG!" Jake is the first and only one to move, lurching for Heeseung to brace his fall. Heeseung lands on top of Jake with a heavy thud as the betas back hits the ground. Thankfully his head didn't hit the ground causing any further damages to him but his limbs were locked together as he began twitching.
"DON'T JUST STAND THERE HELP ME!" Jake shouts. He was on the brink of tears. What the hell just happened? He's never seen anyone have a seizure before.
The others stand there, watching. How were they supposed to help him? What were they even supposed to do?
"HELP ME!" Jake screams, his voice breaking after the first syllable. Hearing his mates cry snaps Sunghoon out of his trance. He grabs Jay, tugging him down by the alpha.
"What are you? OW!" Jay screams as Sunghoon sinks his teeth into the skin of his wrist, drawing blood. The alpha does the same to his own wrist before pressing his wound to Jays.
"Sunghoon, what are you trying to do?" Jay questions. Sunghoon doesn't respond, instead he places his wrist under Heeseung's nose.
'Wake up. Please wake up...'
The alpha stops his twitching, his body going lax. The pack hold their breath as they watch and wait. Heeseung's eyes flutter open a minute later zeroing in on Sunghoon.
'He woke up!'
"What...what is goin on?" the alpha questions. He was clearly disoriented, his gaze unfocused as his eyes darted around, unable to focus on one thing.
"I'd like to know myself. Who the hell are you?" Sunghoon questions staring the alpha down. As far as he knew, Heeseung showed up out of nowhere. He befriended Jake and now he's supposedly mated into their pack. It doesn't make sense and leaves him with many questions. Who exactly is Heeseung?
"Shut up Sunghoon. Move," Jake says, shoving his mate. "Heeseung, are you alright?"
"I'm fine it's just...what the hell is going on?" Heeseung stumbles as he attempts to stand on his feet. Jake is right there to help him, holding onto his arm to keep him balanced, worry still running through his veins.
"I thought that Sunoo and Jay are mates. And that you're mated to Sunghoon....how is it..how are they my mates? That doesn't make sense!" Heeseung's head was spinning. Had Jake lied to him about his pack? Was he even mated to Sunghoon at all or did he just say that because he knew about Heeseung's feelings and wanted to let him down gently? He doesn't think Jake is that type of person but it was possible right? That would explain everything. It would make some kind og sense.
"Jake? Just how much did you tell him?" Sunoo hisses, his eyes narrowing on Jake.
"Just enough to keep him from asking too many questions." Jake says back, his arms crossed over his chest defensively as he curls into himself. Keep him from asking questions? Is that what Jake was doing with him? How many of their conversations were real and which were fake? Or misleading enough to keep him from prying?
"Well now I have plenty. I don't understand." Heeseung says as he pulls himself out of Jake's grip. He doesn't want to be touched by him. Not when everything was so uncertain.
"It seems we have no choice now. How about we find somewhere more...private to talk?" Sunghoon suggests.
"Like where?" they don't have a lot of options. Their place was off limits. Not only were they a new pack but they're a new pack with an unidentified alpha. There's no trust between them and Heeseung. Even if it would be nice to be in their home, their own territory it was their home and they have to protect it from all potential and official threats. Going to Heeseung's was also off limits. An unfair playing field and one they can't risk going into blind. A public building was their only option. It would provide enough safety if Heeseung really was a treat and there was no risk of dishonoring ones territory.
Jay set them up with a private room once he calmed down enough. It took a lot of consoling and just a bit of scenting from each pack member to bring him down to earth. His eyes were red rimmed and his cheeks were flammed with embarrassment but after fixing his hair in the grimy school bathroom and washing his face, his second persona took place. Business Jay as Jungwon called him. He set up the private room on the phone like an official business man and walked in the place like he owned it not bothering to take any disrespectful looks from the restaurant staff as he had the pack lead to their room.
Inside the restaurant was a different story. His face was still schooled in that unreachable and hard look but his hands shifted uncomfortably under the table as he stuck to Jungwon like glue.
The spacing between the pack and Heeseung felt extremely awkward but Sunghoon wasn't taking any chances, even if this man is his mate.
"So...what do you want to know?" Sunghoon questions. There was no argument over who was in charge. Sunghoon called the shots right now and no one dared to go against him.
"Everything," Heeseung answers immediately. He knows that Sunghoon is glaring at him, and that the pack will very soon interrogate him. He's scared, and he knows they know it, that they can smell it on him but Heeseung has to have some faith in Jake.
"I promise I wouldn't have you meet them if they weren't nice." that's what the beta said to him right before Heeseung met his pack. Heeseung has to cling onto those words and pray. If he doesn't he just might walk away. He'll walk away from the one thing he's wanted his entire life. The chance to have a family.
"That's a broad statement. Narrow it down."
"Ok...who exactly is mated to who? A-am I the only one mated to more than one of you"
"You wish" Jungwon scoffs.
"I don't understand."
"Forgive him. He's Jay's first mate so he's feeling rather disrespected that you growled at him earlier." Sunoo says as he laces his fingers with Jungwon's under the table. Jungwon could feel Sunoo's pulse, how hard Sunoo's heart was beating in his chest. He was scared even if he didn't show it.
'Calm down' the youngest tells himself. He shouldn't anger an unknown alpha even if he is Jake's friend and Jay's mate.
"Wait. I thought you were Jay's mate."
"I am. Don't you get confused about that. But I wasn't his first, that's Jungwons. I'm Sunghoon's first." Sunoo is afraid of angering the alpha but he's not afraid to stake a claim on what's his. It was already obvious to everyone that Sunoo is Sunghoon's as much as Sunoo is Sunghoon's but Heeseung doesn't know and Sunoo was going to make it very clear.
"Oh." Heeseung begins to squirm in his place. He was mated to Sunoo's mates. Both of them. He can't control who he's mated to. It's a predetermined factor of his life, long before he was even conceived, but Heeseung feels guilty, like he's taking something that doesn't belong to him.
"And you share Sunghoon with Jake? Right or was that a lie?" Heeseung questions. Jake winces at the word 'lie'. It had never been his intention to lie, nor was it to keep everything from Heeseung. They had a rule, one he had to follow. Only a few people knew about them and they planned on keeping it that way for a while. Until everyone was comfortable with either and where they stand in their relationships. Jake wanted to tell Heeseung but it wasn't just his secret to tell. He'd planned on introducing Heeseung to everyone slowly, gain their trust in Heeseung and tell him then. That was the plan anyway, before everything blew up in his face.
"Sunghoon and I met last year. It was rocky at first but Sunoo has gotten good at sharing."
'Yeah. Too good.' Sunoo thinks. He's gotten so good that the world offered them another person.
"So...you're a pack. Do you live together?"
"Yes."
"No."
Sunghoon turns to Jay with a glare but the omega's gaze was focused on the painting above Heeseung's head.
"It's complicated." Sunghoon clarifies. "We have pack days when we stay together. Other days we stay at our respective places."
"And you're the pack alpha?" Heeseung questions although it seemed fairly obvious.
"Exactly. If you want to challenge me for the pack just know, mate or not you will lose. I'll do anything to protect them, even if it means hurting you."
"I have no intentions of doing that but..." Heeseung trails off. He chuckles awkwardly a he goes to scratch behind his head. "Does this mean I'll be accepted? I-in your pack I mean. There's already five of you...." packs of five were the standard rather than large groups unlike the older days when it was common to have a large group. the inner workings of the supernatural world changed drastically after the accords were put into place. Larger packs were harder to manage and considered a risk.
"I think at this point we have no choice. You are mated to two of us."
"I mean you can always reject me..." Heeseung doesn't want them to. He knows it will rip him apart but they have the option to do so. It's their right and he can do nothing but respect it even if he hopes they don't do it. He hopes they give him a chance, just one so he knows at least on some level, what it's like to have a mate. To have a family.
"We won't." Sunghoon says giving Heeseung a major sense of relief. "It may be inconvenient but we're not cruel to reject. We're not those kind of people...anymore questions?"
"Yeah a few...if you don't mind." Heeseung mutters. Sunghoon makes a motion with his hand signaling Heeseung to continue so he does. He rolls out more questions, some getting a full explanation while others remain vague. In the process of their discussion plates of food are delivered along with a round of shots. Jay pops off the top to a bottle of soju quickly, filling his glass to down the clear liquid. The pack dont acknowledge it and neither does Heeseung. It's not his place.
Heeseung continues to go back and forth with Sunghoon asking questions, the alpha only asking him a few of his own every so often. A time or two the two younger omegas chimed in but not much was said from them without their alphas permission. On the side Jay continues to down shots in between small bits of food. He ran through five bottles on his own, worrying Heeseung. He knows omegas have a higher substance tolerance but surely he was pushing his limits right? It's not until a few hiccups leave past his lips does Sunghoon turn to him. Jay was mid-pour when the shot was removed.
"Yah!" he shouts glaring at Sunghoon.
"That's enough." the alpha says as he screws the top on the bottle. Once the top is secure he passes it to Jake on the opposite end of the table.
"Don't tell me what to do alpha. I don't take orders from you." Jay spits. His cheeks were flushed and his gaze wasn't fully focused on Sunghoon but his words were sharp despite his swaying.
"Jay-"
"Give it back damn it!" Jay says, reaching for the bottle.
"Fine. not as your alpha but as your friend-"
"We're not friends." Jay's eyes were rimmed with tears just on the cusp of spilling down.
"Fine. Not as your alpha, not as your friend...I'm coming to you as your packmate. Your packmate who cares for you. That's enough. Stop before you get sick." Heeseung watches the exchange in awe. From his talks with Jake, Sunghoon and Jay didn't sound all that fond of each other. Civil but not fond and yet here Sunghoon was speaking to him so tenderly, caring for him. It seemed pretty fond to him.
"Fine." Jay says as he leans forward his forehead colliding with Sunghoon's chest. The alpha jumps in surprise. Awkwardly he clears his throat before shimmying out of his (Jay's) jacket to place around the omegas shoulders.
"I think that's enough for the day. You have Jake's contact right?"
"Yes."
"Good. We'll be in touch," Sunghoon says. With Jungwon's help he detaches Jay from his chest to stand. His bones crack from being in the same place for so long. Sunghoon does a quick full body stretch before squatting down to carry Jay on his back. The omega is only partially oriented as he climbs onto Sunghoons back with help. Heeseung watches as the pack filters out the room but he can't help but call out to his friend.
"Jake!"
"I'll see you soon." Jake says with a sympathetic smile. His pack comes first. He'll see Heeseung at school.
Heeseung sits alone for a while letting everything sink in. He met his mate. He, Lee Heeseung found his mate...his mates. He has mates! Two of them!
"Haha!" the first set of giggles takes him by surprise as he slaps his hand over his mouth. The next set he lets out freely as his feet kick out from under him. He has mates! He found them! He found them!
"YEEESSSSS!" without realizing he screams from the top of his lungs. He was practically glowing with joy, his heart practically floating about in his chest.
"Thank you moon goddess."
//
Heeseung skips most of the way home. His body was radiating with pure bliss as he swung his arms about humming to himself. He got several looks from other bystanders on the street but their judge filled eyes did nothing to sway his mood.
He's careful when opening the door to Beomgyu's apartment, not wanting to wake either of them. After walking through the threshold he hears commotion within the house letting him know the couple were awake. Quickly Heeseung kicks his shoes off sliding across the hardwood floor as he run into the main room.
"Well you're in a good mood." Yeonjun notes. He shifts his seating on the couch to sit up and face Heeseung.
"You'll never guess what happened today." Heeseung says. He still couldn't even believe it. His cheeks hurt from how wide he was smiling. The alpha felt like he might burst with all his excitement.
"Something good judging by your behavior." Beomgyu says.
"It happened. I met my mate..for real this time." Heeseung says.
"What? Who?" Beomgyu questions almost falling out of his seat.
"Um well..he it's a bit...complicated." Heeseung says. Beomgyu frowns, slamming the remote against the table.
"Heeseung-"
"Beomgyu I swear it. I remember our promise. Ok, what happened today it's real! I swear"
"Who is it?"
"Two...there's two of them." Heeseung says before explaining things. He could see Beomgyu's hesitant to believe him at first but the more he explained the more his friend understood.
"It was like nothing I've ever felt before..." Heeseung says dreamily. Despite passing out from being overwhelmed at first he still had a sense of euphoria coursing through him as he retells everything. The things he's feeling now compared to how Beomgyu explained it were completely different. Beomgyu said it was like magic. Something you know about and something you can feel without being able to see it but still able to believe in it. Heeseung could understand why Beomgyu explained it as such, however there was so much more to it. It was like every nerve in his body was on fire, every sense was heightened.
"As...unorthodox as the situation is, I'm happy for you Heeseung."
"Me too. I just hope they accept me. They already have people loving them."
"Well after today they won't be able to live without you."
"I don't want them to feel like that because they have to. I want them to feel like they can't live without me because of me. Because they care about me and our bond. Not because their bond told them to." Heeseung isn't sure how he'll achieve this but he's determined to. One block at a time he'll build up a foundation with them, work his way up from being friends to maybe something more. The dreaming was over. He has to put in the work now and Heeseung is more than ready.
Later that night Heeseung had a hard time falling asleep. He couldn't stop thinking about them. Now that he had a chance to calm down from the events he noticed a few things he hadn't before. Jay's behavior was off. He seemed scared, scared of him. Heeseung had growled at his mate. Maybe that was a part of it. Or maybe since he was mated to two omegas he was afraid of alphas...but he hadn't seemed afraid of Sunghoon. Heeseung rolls onto his stomach burying his face in his pillow. He couldn't figure it out. What pushed Jay over the edge to make him cry, to make him drink like he had at the restaurant.
Pulling the pillow away, Heeseung reaches for his phone. His thumb hovers over Jake's contact for a minute, then two before he ultimately clicks the phone off. Jake had always been his source of relief during his sleepless nights. They spent a fair amount of time talking until dawn. He shouldn't call him tonight though. His pack had been through a lot today and it would be unfair of Heeseung to pull him away from them just so he can get answers. Rolling onto his back for the nth time, Heeseung hugs his pillow to his chest. He thinks about Jay and Sunghoon. They seemed to be polar opposites. Jay seemed cold, maybe a little hard to reach while Sunghoon was fiery and an open book.
"I'll do anything to protect them, even if it means hurting you." the look Sunghoon had in his eyes, the stillness of his heart. He'd lost someone before. He's felt the immense pain of losing someone therefore he isn't willing to take any chances to lose someone again even if it meant hurting someone he was destined to be with. Heeseung can understand his sentiment and respects him for it. It's a cruel thing to lose someone you love. It made him strong, a protector. The protector of his pack, his family. It makes him wonder about the others, Sunoo and Jungwon. They were the youngest, both the pups and omegas of the pack and very close. Jake mentioned that they were friends, best friends but at the restaurant they seemed more than friends. Their scents complimented each other, mimicking each other's emotions. Burned sugar along with rotten fruit stung at Heeseung's nose the more they saw Jay drink. They were worried, and when Sunoo was addressing him it sparked, splashes of lemon and lavender attacked him. A warning. Jay and Sunghoon belonged to them, with Jake being the only exception. If Heeseung was going to get Jay and Sunghoon to accept him he had to have their mates accept him too.
"Aw man..." Heeseung mutters as he squeezes his pillow. He had a lot of work ahead of him.
//
It took a lot of energy for Heeseung to pull himself out of bed. Three days. It had been three days since he's seen his mate and since he'd heard from Jake. His body was beginning to feel the effects of mate withdrawal. He didn't think it would happen so quickly or hit him so hard.
"You look like shit." Beomgyu comments as he rounds the corner.
"Thanks." Heeseung says. His arms ached just grabbing a box of cereal. "I feel like someone hit me with a truck and lit me on fire after." he was hot all over with an odd tingling sensation.
"Are you ok? Do we need to get you to a doctor?"
"No no...I'm fine." he's not. Heeseung felt like he was going to drop dead any moment. Was this the true cause behind broken heart syndrome? Maybe not but it could be right?
"I probably just need more sleep. I'll take a nap between classes." Heeseung says doing his best to reassure Beomgyu but his friend isn't easily convinced.
"I'll be home all day. Just call if you need me." He says. Heeseung doesn't have the strength to do more than nod.
Getting through his bowl of cereal was embarrassingly difficult and once he finished it he felt it threaten to come back up. It was a miracle he got out of the apartment ten minutes later in nothing but his pajamas and velcro sneakers.
"You don't look well Mr.Lee. Should I take you to a hospital instead of campus?"
"No!" Heeseung shouts before breaking out into a coughing fit. "I mean no. No Mr.Shin I'm fine. I slept with the window open so my nose is a bit runny. Nothing some over the counters can't fix." Heeseung could not go to a hospital. They would easily identify his symptoms and it would ruin his life. The results would get back to his mother, he knows they will. Once that happens Heeseung can forget about seeing Jay, Sunghoon or even Jake ever again.
"Should I stop and get some?"
"I took something already but...thank you."
"If you say so My Lord."
It takes up most of his energy to stay awake during the drive to school. Heeseung worries if he closes his eyes he'll never open them so he pinches his thigh and makes a mental note of everything he sees passing them through the window to stay awake.
"Are you sure we don't need to stop at the hospital? You're looking rather pale." Mr.Shin repeats. They were outside the school gate but the man had made no attempt to let Heeseung out.
"Nothing some coffee can't solve. You worry too much Mr.Shin!" Heeseung says, barking out a laugh. His ribs ache with the laugh but he does so to keep up the act. Mr.Shin steps out of the car, opening the door for Heeseung.
"Although I am not on the official court, I am here to care for you My Lord. If you need my assistance please ask."
"Will do Mr.Shin...." and then Heeseung is off. He's not very fast and he needs to take several breaks but eventually he does make it to the science hall. He hobbles to the lab room spotting Jake. As if there were beacons of light guiding him towards the beta, Heeseung rushes for him. He wraps Jake in a hug taking in his scent along with his mates. Rosemary and rain.
"Jay was right." Jake mutters. Heeseung doesn't bother to ask what Jay had been right about. He just clings to Jake sniffing him like there's no tomorrow. The weight pulling his body down and some of the aches lifted just a bit, enough for him to feel alive and not dying.
"Hee let me go." Jake says. Heeseung whines clinging to the beta like a spoiled child. Jake pinches his sides enough to get Heeseung to release him. Once the clingy alpha was off him Jake digs through his bag pulling out a blue hoodie.
"Here. Jay asked me to give this to you." Heeseung holds the piece of fabric like it was gold, like it was the most delicate gift he'd ever received.
"Jay was worried that your mate withdrawal symptoms would be bad. He figured it might hit you hard since you met both mates so close together." Jake explains. Heeseung lets his fingers skim across the fabric, feeling the material before slipping it on.
"This helps. Tell him thank you for me."
"You can tell him yourself. They want to meet you again." Jake's tongue darts over his bottom lip before he bites down on the flesh.
"They do?" Heeseung feels his heart skip a beat. After three days of no contact he wasn't sure where they stood with him leaving him to think they were reconsidering everything.
"Yeah. Public places only obviously but they do want to meet."
"When? Where? I'll make it work." missing a class or two isn't a big deal for Heeseung. Rationality has gone out of the window the second he met them. He's willing to miss a class or two to see them.
"Library this evening. I'll text you everything." Jake says. Heeseung wants to know now. But he hears the familiar click-clack of their professor's heels on the tiles and straightens up.
"I know this past weekend was full of events but I hope you all did the reading!" she says, turning to shut the lab room door behind her.
"Shit."
"Forgot?" Jake questions. Heeseung nods sheepishly, a blush spreading like wildfire. Jake gives him a knowing smirk before sliding a second set of notes over. Heeseung brushes his hand on Jake's elbow in a silent thank you as he scans over the notes trying to commit the words to memory in case he's called on.
It's a grewling class with lots of questions bouncing around the room and runon sentences spoken from their professor as she gives her lecture. Heeseung tries to pay attention, he really does but the jacket only did so much to help him. He felt the symptoms creeping back on him slowly, his bones growing heavy and the exhaustion crashing down again. It was like his battery was being drained by an unknown app.
"Is it possible to meet earlier?" Heeseung questions. Their lecture was just about over, just a few last minutes details being presented to them.
"Jay's class runs another hour and Sunghoon is with his film club now." Jake seems guilty. If he could, he'd present the two to Heeseung without a second thought if it meant his symptoms would lessen or better go away completely. Jake can't do that though. It wouldn't be fair to anyone.
"Nevermind. I shouldn't be asking."
"I can hang out with you. Until they're ready...would that help?" Jake can only offer himself. There's no harm in doing so, no one is being forced. He'd give himself willingly to help someone he cares about.
"Maybe? I-I'm not sure..." is that crossing a line? Heeseung isn't sure. He's not sure where the line is but he feels as if its very close, closer to him than it is to the others, keeping him at a distance.
"We could try. Wanna go to our spot?" their spot is their usual table in the library. Deep enough in the library that they wouldn't be bothered but close enough to the windows that they could feel the warmth of the sun. It always made Jake a little sleepy, leaving him to take small power naps against Heeseung's shoulder, halting his work. Not that Heeseung would ever get much work done with Jake was next to him. Jake was too pretty, easily capturing his attention and admiration.
"Our spot." Heeseung agrees. Maybe some time with Jake would remedy him enough until he could meet his mates.
Jake offers up his hand but for once Heeseung doesn't take it. It's not his to take even if Jake is offering to help. Heeseung shouldn't cross the line too far.
Their usual table thankfully is abandoned when they get to the library. Heeseung sits in his seat on the left with Jake on his right.
"Ahh. this is nice." Jake hums. The sun wasn't exactly behind them yet but it peaked through just enough for Jake to get the smallest ray beating across the back of his neck. He gives a nice stretch of his arms above his head before resting against Heeseung's shoulder. The alpha hisses having Jake's weight against him.
Jake retracks quickly, his eyes shining with worry. " 'm sorry...does it hurt that bad?"
"No." a lie. It hurt like hell. "I was just a bit surprised. Come back." Jake's a bit weary but after a moment he lays his head back against Heeseung's shoulder. The alpha clenches his teeth feeling the weight of Jake's head in its previous position. It hurts worse for a moment but from this position Heeseung could smell Jake's hair. It smelled like Sunghoon's.
"You smell like him...Sunghoon."
"He is my mate."
"Not his exact scent. His shampoo."
"Sunghoon is a thief." Jake says and it's true but so is Jake. They've all stolen (Sunoo will heavily argue that its only borrowing) each other's things resulting in them smelling like one another beyond their natural scents. Not much is said between them from that. Heeseung zones in and out merely floating between being asleep and awake.
"Heeseung...hyung, hey wake up." Heeseung feels a throbbing sensation behind his eyes as he struggles to open them. It felt like the times he'd fallen asleep in front of his computer while playing games.
"We have to leave now. Are you still up for it?"
"Yeah...yeah..." Heeseung doesn't move right away. Can't. It was like his bones were rusted like the tinman. Frozen in place. When he does find the strength he feels something weighing down his hand. When he looks down he sees his and Jake's fingers interlocked. Jake seems to notice too as he slips his fingers out of Heeseung's.
"Oh..sorry. You were twitching earlier and kept hitting the table..this helped."
"Sorry."
"Don't be, it was involuntary. Let's go."
The agreed meeting location was a park of all places. Heeseung hates the park. The environment was nice, being around nature since he was always cooped up at home or in front of a screen. It was the smells that bothered him. Rubber from bike tires, various plastics and metals and above all the scents. Humans and supernaturals alike all carried a scent and out in public it blurred into one huge mess. Heeseung didn't want to smell everything and everyone. He only wanted to smell his mates, to commit their scents to memory.
He's able to spot them before he could smell them. It helped that the pack for the most part all smelled like each other. Sunoo's citrus scent carried the most as he talked to Jungwon. He seemed bubbly and energetic. Exactly how Jake had described him.
"Ddeonu!" Jake calls out to the omega. Sunoo turns looking over his shoulder. Seeing them he stands waving.
"Hello!" Sunoos smile is so bright and very very pretty. Heeseung can understand how Jake fell for him. "You didn't have to wait long did you?"
"No. Not at all." Heeseung says. He glances at Jay who wouldn't look at him. He goes to look at Sunghoon next, hoping the alpha would at least meet his eye but Sunoo begins speaking again.
"Sorry we had to cut last time so short. How are you feeling?"
"Good. better now."
"Ah really? I'm glad. Mate withdrawal is exhausting, right?" Sunoo questions his lips curled into a pout. Through his confusion Heeseung can only muster up a small nod.
"So, the reason you're here is because Sunghoon and Jay have agreed to go through the bonding process with you however we have some ground rules." Sunoo explains everything in great detail. The first and more important rule was that he was not to meet Jay alone. Never ever. Meeting by chance at school was ok but only for a few minutes. A hello and goodbye. The next was communication. If there was something that upset him or made him uncomfortable he was to communicate it and vice verse. If he did something to them they were to communicate it. That was the only way they'd learn to work around each other and their behaviors. The last was he wasn't to tell anyone. Unfortunately he'd already broken that one the day they met.
"W-what if I already told someone?" he questions. Sunghoon sits up straighter, his eyes hardening as they narrow at him.
"Who?"
"Beomgyu. Choi Beomgyu. He's my best friend and I live with him."
"Beomgyu and Taehyun are friends...it's fine right?" Jake questions looking between Sunoo and Sunghoon. It's then that Heeseung understands the dynamic more. Sunghoon isn't the only one in charge. Sunoo is as well.
"That's fine. Just don't tell anyone else." Sunghoon answers after a beat of silence. "Do you agree to these terms?" his eyes were hard, challenging Heeseung to go against him.
"Yes." Heeseung says without hesitation.
"Good!" Sunoo says re-entering the conversation. "There's only one more thing and it's non negotiable. I'll be joining you for your bonding."
"Y-you will?" it wasn't completely out of the ordinary. During the olden days when packs were larger it wasn't uncommon for the pack omega or the pack member with superiority to be involved in mate bondings to oversee and help make the integration easier.
"Hmm. My relationship with Jay still needs work and honestly last time I was introduced to Sunghoon's mate it didn't go well. I'd like to do it right this time. The best way for me to understand you and get used to you is by learning about you alongside my mates. I hope this won't bother you."
Sunoo joining them is intimidating. He already has the upper hand on Heeseung and if things go poorly he might not stand a chance to join the pack. But if Heeseung does this well, if he and Sunoo can coexist as Sunghoon and Jay's mate maybe the two will accept him.
"I don't mind. I hope we'll be able to get along."
"Wonderful!" Sunoo cheers. He bounces on his toes and claps his smile on full display. "Now that we've addressed that, how about a walk? Hoon and Jay will join us?"
"We will?" Jay questions, finally tuning into the conversation. Heeseung feels himself melt a little hearing his mates voice after his long silence.
"Hmm. Give Heeseung hyung some comfort. He's clearly suffering." Sunoo says with a mock pout.
"It's just a walk. You can hold my hand if you want." there's not a hint of teasing in Sunghoon's voice when he says it. If Jay needs to hold his hand to feel more comfortable around the new alpha he'll do it.
"No thanks." Jay denies. He walks past Sunghoon to walk along the trail in the park.
"Don't mind him. He'll get used to you. Shall we?" Sunoo questions signaling for Heeseung to follow. The alpha looks back at Jake who gives him a thumbs up.
"Let's go." Jake can't be with him forever. This is a step he needs to take alone.
"So Heeseung...did your mom really name you after the prince?"
"No she..." Heeseung's teeth clamp down on his tongue. He never told Sunoo that. He told Jake...oh Jake. "Not exactly I mean." he says slowly. "My mom was very fond of the queen. She named me after the prince in honor of her."
"Ahh in honor of the queen. That's quite interesting. It must have been nice growing up in a castle."
"Not really. It's very lonely."
"It couldn't be that lonely if you have a bunch of people in your court. Lords in waiting right?"
"When you put it like that I guess not. Surface level things..." Heeseung ponders on his childhood. His court was significantly smaller than his elder brothers, and he hardly was under twenty-four hour watch meaning he was left to his own devices quiet often. Unless he was called for a lesson or they had visitors he was on his own.
"Ah! I had no part in it though." Heeseung almost forgot that he is not a prince here, therefore he is not to allow others to perceive him as one. He's just Heeseung. "I often stayed in the servants quarters until my mom was off duty. Or I stayed by myself while she tended to the queen"
"Of course." Sunoo says with a smile. Heeseung echos him with an awkward laugh.
"You two! You aren't talking. Why am I doing everything?" Sunoo questions his mates next.
"Well...you were doing well on your own..." Sunghoon answers.
"He's your mate not mine. Ask him something." Sunghoon rolls his eyes. He continues to walk in silence down the gravel path, fingers twiddling in his pockets.
"What's your...favorite color?" he asks softly. Sunoo almost deadpans from the lame question but he supposes it's a start.
"Purple and ivory. They're nice colors. W-what about you?"
"White." Sunghoon answers. Hearing his answer, Heeseung glances towards Jay. The omega was standoffish, keeping his distance from them, his gaze held forward. He seemed nonchalant about it but on the inside Jay was squirming. He could feel their eyes on him expecting an answer. An answer he wasn't ready to give. He's not ready to let Heeseung know anything about him. He wants nothing more than the alpha to disappear but he won't. They've already been introduced and Jay can't turn his back on him now.
"Purple." He hopes Heeseung doesn't look too far into it. It's not like he wants to have the same favorite color but he also can't lie. Lying too much would harm his omega and Jay worked too hard to repair it to let himself go back to that state.
"Ooh. You guys are already so similar!" Sunoo cheers.
"It's just colors." Jay says kicking at a rock on the path.
"Don't be a downer. Heeseung, what else do you like?" Sunoo questions. With the help of Sunghoon, Sunoo continues to learn (interrogate) about Heeseung.
"I've had enough." Jay says storming off. His skin burned being around Heeseung for this long. He wanted to get in the shower and scrub his skin raw. Erase the want to have the alpha's skin on his, to touch him. Sunoo nods his head for Sunghoon to follow him and Sunghoon doesn't need to be told twice. He jogs after Jay, a hand going to the small of the olders back as they walk back to Jake and Jungwon.
"I-is he ok? Did I say something wrong?" Heeseung's brows were pinched with concern. He'd only been talking about his favorite childhood movie. Was it the movie or something he had said earlier that upset Jay?
"Heeseung-hyung. Do you want to know a secret?"
"A secret?"
"Hmm. I have a super power. Want to know what it is?" Sunoo questions. Heeseung gulps as he feels the energy shift between them. He hardly recognizes the person in front of him now. Where was the person who'd been in front of him with the charming sweet smile and bright eyes?
"You see, I can tell when someone is lying. It helps that you're a terrible liar."
"I-I" Heeseung could feel himself begin to sweat as he chokes on his words. What did he lie about? He'd been truthful the entire time he spoke with his mates. There was nothing to lie about, or so he thinks. It takes him a moment to realize the lie Sunoo was referring to, but how could Sunoo know it was a lie? No one knows anything about him. The origins of Lee Heeseung were practically a ghost story. Appeared and never seen, only spoken about. The only people who know who he is are the palace workers, his family and very few other royals. Was Sunoo a royal? A hidden one like himself...or was he someone else? Heeseung has only crossed paths with two other people who knew about him. One who held a gun to his head and another who'd tried to drown him.
Sunoo smirks seeing the alpha before him sweat.
'Good. Be worried.'
"Relax." he says, placing a hand on Heeseung's forearm. "I won't ask why you're lying. I'm sure you have your reasons. I'll let you keep your secrets for now but if they begin to hurt my pack you're done. You'll never see them again."
"Sunoo I-" Heeseung scrambles for an excuse but Sunoo isn't in the mood to hear more lies.
"I'll be watching you. Lee Heeseung." he says patting Heeseung's arm twice before walking back to his pack.
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word count: 10,005
a/n: First update of 2024 🥳!!! Were your predictions right or not? What do you guys think will happen between Heeseung and Sunoo? Enemies to lovers or will Heeseung remain an enemy to Heeseung?
I honestly didn't think it had been that long since I last posted but time flew by quickly this end of the year. I was constantly rushing around and didn't realize it's been a month wow. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter despite how long it took for it to come out! While I'm on this topic I did want to let you guys know that I don't exactly have a schedule out for writing. I realized that when I did that I put a lot of pressure on myself to get the chapter done and the work was often rushed. I don't want to do that to myself this year so I won't. Updates will most likely be at random but probably still fall on a Wednesday or Sunday so please don't ask when I'll be posting. I know it's not meant with any ill intent but it's stressful reading those comments 😔. And if you guys could comment at least on a chapter or two that would really help me. Kudos or wattpad votes don't really tell me if a chapter was enjoyed or not, it just tells me you read it. I know some of you are shy or don't know what to say and thats ok! you don't have to say much, just as much as saying "good chapter" or "you did a good job" or "Can't wait til the next one" would help so much. I get so happy every time I read your guys' comments and they help my mood when writing.That's all for now you guys sorry for the long author's note. I didn't know how to address it at first so please be kind and understanding 💘. Thanks for all the love and support. See you guys in the next chapter. 🤍