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fairyniceyeah · 1 month ago

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🌹🤍 Lifeline (Hajoon Series Bonus)

Part 1: Angel Part 2: Nauseous Part 3: Eclipse Part 4: Take Me Down Part 5: Sorry Part 6: Alive Part 7: Sour Part 8: Time

Summary: Who is your lifeline?

CW: low-self esteem, self-hate

I could, I could, I could be your

Woosung was worried. Hell, they all were worried. Something was off with Hajoon and with each day he withdrew more and more into himself. Woosung wasn’t even sure when he had last seen his dongsaeng smile.

Their drummer was a shy person, often the one to look for others for guidance and not willing to speak with strangers if he could avoid it. But with them he had opened up over time, becoming the amazing, kind-hearted and funny person they all knew he truly was.

But ever since he had burned his hand, maybe even since that one concert, Hajoon totally locked himself away. Woosung, Dojoon and Jaehyeong had talked amongst themselves, trying to find a reason for what was destroying their true maknae, but they had never come to a conclusion. And there were the mysterious conversations Hajoon had had with all the members.

It had brought a lot of sleepless nights unto Woosung.

“Woosung-hyung?”, Jaehyeong called from the kitchen, his voice sounding weird. Woosung jumped up from where he had sat on the sofa, contemplating their group, and made his way to his dongsaeng.

Jaehyeong was sitting at the table with Dojoon peaking over his shoulder. Both of them were reading a letter, a frown on both their faces.

“What’s up?”, Woosung asked, immediately worried at their expressions of distressed confusion.

“We found this letter in the mail, it’s addressed to Hajoon-ah”, Dojoon said and held it out for Woosung to take.

“Why are you reading Hajoon-ah’s mail?”, Woosung asked. He didn’t know what to think – while yes, privacy wasn’t something they were used to and they all knew each others passwords after all, they had never opened each others mail. What were they thinking?

“It … it’s from a University”, Jaehyeong said, his voice trembling, “I thought it was just a mistake but it … just … just read it.” Woosung rounded the table to take the letter from his hand.

“Dear Lee Hajoon,

we are happy to congratulate you on a successful application to our University for a teaching degree. In order to proceed with this full-time study starting on October 1st, please adhere to the following steps…”

Woosung couldn’t read any further. He felt sick.

“Why didn’t he say?”, Jaehyeong asked in a small voice, “we knew something was up but …”

Dojoon, who had been uncharacteristically quiet until then, interrupted him: “Did he … did we …? He can’t do that, can he? Without ending his contract?” There was more pain in his voice than Woosung felt was fitting the until now uncertain situation. Maybe Dojoon knew something else. Before he could ask, the door opened behind them.

Hajoon was home from his walk.

You don’t gotta say all the bad things

Sipping on your brain like it’s codeine

At least they would get answers. This back and forth had been going on for long enough. Today they would get answers, whatever they were. It – whatever it was – was breaking them apart. As soon as Hajoon rounded the corner, Woosung couldn’t hold himself back anymore from asking the dreaded question: “Hajoon? The fuck is this?”

The younger man stopped dead in the doorway, still in the motion of taking off his jacket. There was a flurry of emotions dancing over his face until Hajoon wore an expression of hurt and anger. Woosung had not expected that – but then again Hajoon had been unpredictable for weeks now.

So Woosung just watched as he tore off his jacket to throw it to the floor and lunged across the table. In their positions Woosung was easily able to hold the letter out of his reach.

“Why are you going through my mail?”, Hajoon questioned, eyes wild and … scared? Was he scared of them? There was anger too. Hajoon never got angry, he probably was the most patient out of all of them.

“I’m sorry, it’s my fault”, Jaehyeong answered Hajoon’s question, taking all the blame. They would have to rectify that at some point. “I was confused why you got mail from an university. So, since Leo and I thought that didn’t match up and they probably put on a wrong address on the letter we wanted to see if we could find out the real owner.”

“It never crossed your mind that I might get mail?” Hajoon’s voice was dripping with disbelief.

Woosung didn’t fucking understand. Why was Hajoon so angry?

“No, we didn’t think you would get mail from an university. You didn’t say you considered studying again”, Dojoon tried to save everything.

It was probably time that Woosung spoke up, explain their confusion and get the much needed conversation started. But first they needed to understand what Hajoon was thinking. The idea of studying sounded so … rash, maybe. Not well thought-out. Random, even.

Why was Hajoon throwing his career, their careers into the wind? After all they had gone through together, Hajoon had never seemed unhappy until lately. Maybe he had realized that he wanted to go back to University, which was no problem. Idols did that all the time. But why hadn’t he talked to them about it? All major decision they had talked through in the past. It was so uncharacteristic of Hajoon to not come to them with his issues. There was something they were missing.

Woosung was stumped. He just wanted his dongsaeng, his Hajoon back. Not this angry, distant and miserable version of him.

“What confuses me even more why does it say you were accepted for a full-time study?”, Woosung decided to ask, trying to keep his voice soft and unassuming, “You don’t have time for that with our work. We’ll be outside of Seoul too often. Besides how do you think you will have time to study and do band-practice, song-writing and other stuff at the same time? Why didn’t you talk to us about options? You’re our drummer, we need you.”

Woosung was entirely unprepared for the next words coming out of Hajoon’s mouth.

“I really hope you find a different drummer soon. I quit. The documents from the lawyer should arrive within the week anyway”, Hajoon spat.

So pick any way you like

And take a second for the city lights

Woosung always had thought that the saying “the whole world turning upside down” was just a figure of speech. Now, he knew it wasn’t. Everything was spinning, his heart, his mind, his thoughts, his world. Hajoon was leaving. Their amazing and kind drummer, their baby wanted to leave. Woosung didn’t fucking understand.

He clutched at the table, feeling like his knees were about to give up under him. The letter was crushed in his other hand, his fingers balling into a fist in the tension felt in his whole body.

“What?”, Woosung gasped, feeling like his lungs weren’t cooperating. It felt like he was drowning on dry land.

“I quit. I’m done”, Hajoon said again, tears trailing down his cheeks.

Why was he crying when he was destroying their world?

“You’re joking, right? This is just a joke. Tell us that you are joking. This isn’t funny, Joon-ah”, Dojoon whispered, a prayer in his words. It was a defence mechanism, Woosung knew. He hoped as much as Dojoon that maybe they had missed something. Maybe it was April’s Fools. Maybe Hajoon decided to prank them.

Deep down, Woosung knew it was a futile hope.

“It’s not a joke, Dojoon-ssi”, Hajoon said, his voice wet, “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t keep pretending I don’t know. I’m done.”

“But … but why? Pretend what? Hajoon-ah, why?”, Jaehyeong asked, sobbing, “we can’t be The Rose without you.” Woosung probably should comfort his crying maknae but it was like he was frozen in place. ‘I quit. I’m done kept’ playing in his mind on repeat. Dojoon had mercy, rubbing Jaehyeong’s back before their youngest could start hyperventilating.

You don’t You don’t

You don’t gotta hurt baby

“We should probably sit down and talk”, Hajoon suggested, saying what Woosung wasn’t capable of doing, so he just agreed.

Woosung rubbed Jaehyeong’s shoulder for a moment, wanting to give some reassurance. The eldest heavily fell into his chair, feeling like his legs would have given out if he had stood any longer. Hajoon sat down next to him in the chair he had sat in since day one. Woosung felt sick at the thought that maybe soon he would be alone across from Dojoon and Jaehyeong, a Hajoon-shaped hole amidst everything they had.

“What is this all about, Joon-ah?”, Dojoon asked. Woosung hear the fear and desperation in his voice and he felt the hurt as much as the younger when Hajoon flinched away from his touch.

“I … I know I’m the superfluous member of The Rose, the least liked member. I know you don’t want me around and I’m easily replaceable. Black Roses wouldn’t mind if I left and I’m sure with a new drummer who doesn’t keep fucking up you can reach new highs. I know you’ve been looking for a new drummer. I’m sorry for the inconvenience of leaving now but I don’t think I can stay here any longer. I love you and I know leaving is the best thing I can do for you”, Hajoon whispered, not daring to look at them.

With every word he spoke Woosung felt all their hearts breaking.

How had they missed this? How had they not seen how much Hajoon doubted and hated himself? How … how could they even call themselves friends – brothers – when one was hurt so deeply and the others had no idea how his mind spiraled.

I know what it’s like being hopeless

Bruises on your mind like it’s broken

Woosung didn’t even notice he was crying until he tasted salt on his lips. His hands were trembling in his lap. He had never felt so helpless before. Hajoon was so fucking depressed he was on the verge of throwing his whole life away because he thought people hated him. Woosung didn’t know what he meant with searching for a new drummer but his thoughts were torn to his other members by a sob. Jaehyeong. The bassist was crying his heart out, probably as scared and confused as Woosung felt. Dojoon seemed absent, staring at the table below him as if it held all the answers to their problems.

Woosung felt a burning gaze on him and he turned to look to Hajoon, meeting his kind but broken eyes filled with tears.

His baby had been hurting so badly and Woosung had not known. He hated himself so much at the moment his chest felt tight as if he was about to have a panic attack.

But right now, it was not about him.

It was about Hajoon.

And with that in mind, Woosung was finally able to speak. He would fight for his dongsaeng, until no more tears rained and any hurt was healed.

“Baby, where did you get all of this from? We never … we … we knew something was going on. But this? Hajoon-ah, we love you so much and I don’t think any of us would want to be The Rose without you. We need you, not just as a drummer, because we need you. Our loveable true maknae who keeps telling bad jokes and is obsessed with One Piece. The amazing man who grew with us by our side, who we all go to talk our problems through and who is the reason we are even popular. Without you, without your skills, we …”, Woosung whispered, the words tasting sour on his tongue.

As Jaehyeong had said, there was no The Rose without Hajoon. There was no doubt in Woosung that if they lost him, they would all be lost. Alone the thought of standing on a stage without the reliable talent beside them, choked Woosung to the point that he couldn’t continue.

Why had Hajoon ever started to doubt their love, their affection? Why would he think they wanted to get rid of him? They needed him.

“Woosung-ssi?”, Hajoon asked, his voice small. God, how had he not noticed that Hajoon kept addressing them in formal speech? He had given Hajoon permission to call him hyung the day they had met. Sure, there had been moments of teasing and moments of sincerity where Hajoon and Jaehyoeng switched into a more formal -ssi ending but how had Woosung not noticed every single interaction had been laced with the unneeded and unwelcome formality. And with what Hajoon had said, had implied … the reason why broke Woosung’s heart. Hajoon had thought they hated him. Hated their lovely and kind baby. No, Woosung needed to remind Hajoon of that, needed him to know that Woosung – no matter what happened – would always, first and foremost, be his hyung.

“It’s hyung, Hajoon-ah”, Woosung whispered, his heart harshly beating in his chest, “fuck, I never even noticed how you just kept addressing us in formal speech for weeks. I thought you were teasing but ... Is this why? You thought you needed to speak formally to us because …” Woosung was unable to finish the sentence, say the words.

Hajoon nodded.

Woosung didn’t think he had ever been in so much pain before. Not when he had dislocated his shoulder in high school and all his dreams of becoming a professional football player had been shattered. Not when he had left his mother to start his career in Korea. Not when he had said goodbye first to Dojoon, then Hajoon and then at last Jaehyeong for their military services. Not during all the time waiting for them to come back to him.

“But I heard you talking about how I made so many mistakes that night after the concert some time ago, that it couldn’t go on with me? That I was weird. And I understand, I am a liability if I keep making mistakes. I can understand if you want to kick me out and replace me with somebody better…” Hajoon’s voice was unbelievably small when he spoke, like he was scared that voicing his thoughts out loud might make them real. Might make the three of them reconsider their protests.

If the world is comin’ down,

I won’t let you drown

Woosung startled when Dojoon abruptly got up and rushed to kneel down next to Hajoon. There was a desperation in his eyes that Woosung had never seen before and never wanted to see again. Woosung felt incredibly guilty – he had initiated the conversation back then and he couldn’t quite remember what they had said but apparently it must have been ambiguous enough for Hajoon to doubt them.

Self-hate choked Woosung and couldn’t breathe.

Woosung was so, so thankful that Dojoon was able to say the words that he wasn’t even able to form into coherent thoughts. “Joon-ah, you overheard but you misunderstood. I’m sorry. We were so worried for you that night. You made so many mistakes and you were so out of it after the concert. We tried to figure out what was going on with you because we love you. We wanted you to be okay and we never talked about replacing you, we were looking for a way to help you. I promise. We will not replace you, that is just stupid. There is no The Rose without you, angel.”

That should have been it, shouldn’t it have been?

“But … but you were looking for a new drummer, weren’t you?”, Hajoon asked, confusing them all, “Leo, I saw your laptop screen. You were on the drummer forum and chatting with drummers, I saw.”

While he was sure there was a very good explanation to what Hajoon thought he had seen, for a moment Woosung felt blinding anger at Dojoon. It wasn’t warranted, it wasn’t fair but it also wasn’t rational.

Woosung listened to Dojoon’s explanation when he suddenly was approached by Jaehyeong who must have felt lonely on the other side of the table. Right now with everything that was happening it sure felt like the distance of the Saharah. The maknae, still crying, dropped to the ground by Woosung’s side and for a moment Woosung was worried that he had fainted until Jaehyeong buried his face in the leader’s lap, seeking closeness and comfort. Running his fingers through the younger’s hair did help calm Woosung down and reduced the tremor in his hands. As he heard Hajoon sniff, he looked up to watch Dojoon comfort Hajoon in the gentlest way.

“So … you really don’t hate me or want me out of the group?”

Woosung shook his head but Hajoon’s eyes had such a distant look in them that Woosung doubted he actually saw the kitchen at the moment. As he opened his mouth to speak up, reassure the younger, Hajoon continued in a flat voice: “But you … you three fit together so perfectly. I don’t know who I am in this band anymore. I always felt so distanced from you – whenever we are on stage for sound checks or something it’s just you three and I barely know what to do with myself. You all seem like one being and I barely get to stand beside you. Whenever I tried I was pushed to the back. And … and in the studio? Why did you want me at band practice when I wasn’t able to play if not to show me a soundtrack is as useful as me and show me anybody else could do my job? Why would you want to me to stay with you when there are so many other people to choose from, people who are better than me?”

Woosung didn’t think anything could hurt more than anything that has been said today but the left-over hesitation and fear that still seemed to shake Hajoon to the core shattered Woosung’s heart into a thousand pieces.

Even if you start to lose your hold,

I won’t let you go, no

That day at the studio had been one of the worst days in their careers. Watching Hajoon, who had already been so fragile the day before and had broken down crying in the kitchen to their utmost worry and shock, force himself to play with his injured hands … no, that had been terrible to watch. Of course, with his explanation it made sense now. But that it had escalated to that stage was because of Woosung. Woosung had forgotten to speak with Hajoon about options before – he had wanted to catch the younger after lunch but had been distracted by a call from his mother. Due to his stupidity and forgetfulness Hajoon had suffered. He didn’t know what to say, guilt like a knife in his heart.

Woosung felt Jaehyeong lift his head from his lap and finally the maknae seemed to have found the strength to comfort his chingu.

“Hajoon-ah, we’re sorry you felt like we didn’t want you or felt pushed away on stage. It’s stressful up there but that is no excuse. Just, you have always been so shy. I remember you saying all those years ago that you were glad to be hid behind your drums. We know you aren’t easily comfortable with new people and are rather shy – our only motivation is to make you feel safe and protected. I’m sorry if that made you feel like you were pushed aside. We will do better from now on and not just assume. You will always be our first choice, I promise.”

Feeling his heart be just a bit lighter when Jaehyeong took the lead, Woosung added: “And that day at the studio. We didn’t handle it well and I am sorry I got angry but I was so worried that you would hurt your hands more and so scared why you would hurt yourself just to play. We actually thought you could try singing more if you wanted to, I had intended to ask you earlier but I forgot. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry”, Hajoon whispered. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”

Woosung couldn’t let him get eaten up by guilt – none of this was Hajoon’s fault. The younger had always struggled with his self-esteem, like Jaehyeong had said, he had enjoyed being at the back protected by his drums. Hajoon was shy, quiet and thoughtful, an introvert to his core and he was soft. No matter that his resting face looked a bit grim, a bit dark, Hajoon really was just a young man struggling with himself and his place in the world. He’d had his phases of melancholy and sadness, phases of reluctance and fear and there was his past of depression and dark, dark thoughts. They should have known, never should have let him distance himself. Hajoon didn’t ask for help, hadn’t yet learned that to be weak was to be strong. He needed them, like they all needed each other, and Woosung would make sure he never had a day where he would doubt their love for him and his place in the band ever again.

“Baby, you were having a really bad time, a really really bad mental health phase. We will never fault you for that. I think I will never forgive myself that I didn’t push when I saw you were hurting. We thought giving you the space you requested might help but that was the wrong move. We never wanted to hurt you. We all love you so much.”

None of them were that touchy with each other, definitely not cuddly. A casual hand on the shoulder for comfort, a hand on the back to guide another in the right direction, arms ready to hold them when they cried. Hajoon definitely needed the last one desperately, they all did. “Let us show you. Can we cuddle?”

Hajoon nodded and flung himself at Woosung, nearly knocking both of them over in his heartache. Holding tightly onto the younger, Woosung moved them both to the floor – much more comfortable and accommodating for four grown adults. Soon Jaehyeong had wormed himself into Hajoon’s arms like an overgrown teddy bear and Dojoon had all of them in his embrace, his arms clutching at Woosung in his own need of comfort but also to spent it to the oldest. All of them were crying, Woosung felt the itchiness of tears on his face but he would never let go of Hajoon to wipe them, the younger one shaking in his hold and his chest hitching badly as he cried himself out.

But there is a better life in the other side

So pick anywhere you like

After some time they moved to sit on the couch in the living room. Woosung hadn’t ever wanted to leave the embrace but he had to admit his back was starting to really bother him and when Jaehyeong half-laughed and half-cried that his feet were falling asleep they had decided to relocate.

They all had been quiet for some time now, exhausted to the core and all lost in thoughts. None of them felt ready to just go on with their day when they nearly had lost one of their own.

At first Woosung didn’t even quite realized what Hajoon asked in a raw voice, throat shredded from crying. “I really don’t have to leave?”

“You will never have to leave”, Jaehyeong confirmed.

Dojoon added: “You’re our Blue Rose, our miracle. Our angel. You will never ever get rid of us.”

Hajoon looked worried when he asked: “But the contract elimination?”

That was nothing Hajoon should have to worry about. If he was honest, Woosung would never allow him to touch it, too scared Hajoon might make a rash and stupid decision in his mental state. It was time for him to take care of his baby again.

“I’ll take care of it, baby. Hyung will take care of everything. Your only job is to heal and to let us spoil you until you can’t stand us anymore.”

Woosung relished in using the familiar nickname again. It had felt weird and wrong to not call their true maknae his baby. Hajoon would always be the one they all were protective of, even if Jaehyeong was younger than him. It was just how it was and always would be. Right now, there was nothing they wouldn’t do for Hajoon – if he had to Woosung would move mountains, stop a rainstorm and fight his way over the whole world if it helped Hajoon just a tiny bit.

They would go on together with the beauty of flowers and the sharpness of thorns. As four, always as four.

I could, I could, I could be your

The Rose could be your lifeline

Notes: Happy Birthday, Woosung!

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sleekervae · 1 year ago

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Under the Blooming Moon | Woosung x Reader

Masterlist

A/N: Something a little different, but since listening to The Rose and Woosung's solo work, I've had this scenario kicking around in my head for a while. Had to get this one out of my system and omg I think this is the longest thing I've ever written on this platform 🥲

Summary: Every year the blood moon rises, potential mates gather with their wolf pack for The Union. A carnal game of cat-and-mouse parlays into the wolves finding and claiming their mate for life, and Woosung already has his heart and claws sunk onto his omega best friend...

Warnings: light violence, blood (biting, scratching), some allusions to sexual harassment, werewolf smut

⋆ WORD COUNT — 8.2k

It was that time of year again. The air had picked up a particular sharp chill as it blew through the trees of Namhae Pyeonbaek forest, branches bustling and scattering loose raindrops across the thick thrush. The rains had fortunately lifted hours ago, setting the stage for what was sure to be a messy and chaotic night.

The moon hung high over the tree canopies, deep ruby in colour, with beams of sinister red light slicing through breaks in the leaves to provide only small semblances of light, all of which were drowned out by the roaring bonfire in the middle of the forest. What was just a typical spacial phenomenon to the lay eye represented a far more lecherous promise.

Far off from any trails or where humans dared to lurk, the wolf pack had gathered for their annual Union ritual. They were all relatively young, equal parts eager and anxious with a libidinous, insatiable appetite for tonight's activities. While the ritual sounded dastardly and vile at first, at the end of the day it was a massive cat-and-mouse game, a competition for beta wolves to find and capture their perfect life mate.

And Woosung had already his eye on his potential prize.

While the other beta wolves engaged in lively banter and indulged in drinks, he chose a more reserved and introverted approach, leaning against the weathered trunk of a thousand-year-old pine, sipping cautiously from his plastic cup. His intense gaze remained fixed on Iseul, undeterred by her unawareness as she conversed with her friends. Her soft bangs and long, dark locks swayed in harmony with the gentle breeze, occasionally brushing against her exposed skin, causing him to detect a subtle shiver running down her spine due to her lack of a coat. However, Woosung was well aware that Iseul had knowingly embarked on this evening's adventure, and if their plans unfolded as intended, a jacket would be the least of her concerns.

From his earliest memories, Woosung harbored a deep desire for Iseul. Their mothers had been best friends, and they had envisioned their pups sharing the same bond. Time proved them right. Raised side by side, they navigated the challenges of being hybrids in a world often unforgiving to their kind. In the face of adversity, Woosung and Iseul clung to each other, learning to rely on one another. This dependence evolved into a lifelong friendship. It was only when Woosung encountered his first heat cycle that he confronted a truth far more profound: his longing for Iseul extended beyond the boundaries of friendship. She was the one he wanted, fully and without consequence. However he was a little awkward back then, and the idea of confessing his feelings to Iseul was just as daunting as the notion of being scalped for a hat.

But he wasn't a teenager in his first awakening anymore. He had grown up, worked on his self confidence and -- of course -- his body. Obviously, there was nothing he could do about his height, he felt he was finally up to the challenge to pick and claim Iseul.

If she would have him, though. There was indeed the possibility that she would shut him down about as gently as a... well... a wolf.

Many betas pursued mates by resorting to quite vile and degrading methods, but Woosung and his friends weren't about that. They remained steadfast in their conviction, undeterred by the ridicule they sometimes faced from larger betas. For Woosung, the idea of a mate was intrinsically tied to mutual desire and respect. He wanted her to be as willing and eager to be with him as he was with her.

"Woosung? Earth to Woosung!" a pale hand waved in front of his face, breaking him out of his trance and his focus landed on one of his best friends, Dojoon. The happy-go-lucky beta chuckled at his shaggy-haired friend, "Where'd you go? I was talking to you,"

Woosung cocked a brow, "Where did I go? I've been here the whole time," he sassed back.

"You know what I mean," Dojoon rolled his eyes, "You're staring at Iseul again, aren't you?"

"I am not," Woosung replied sharply.

"Oh-ho-ho, yes he is," their other friends, Hajoon and Jaehyeong suddenly appeared at Woosung's other side, "He's been staring at her like Jaehyeong stares at ramyun,"

He glowered at the younger betas, "Aren't you guys supposed to be stalking potential mates instead of me?"

"Don't say it like that," Dojoon grimaced, "It makes us sound like animals,"

Jaehyeong cocked a brow, bumping Hajoon with his elbow, "Who wants to tell him?"

"You know what I mean, smart-ass," Dojoon scolded back, "Why are you even here? I thought you and Ji-Woon were already a thing?"

"We are, technically," the youngest beta shrugged back, "But she wanted to do this so we can make it 'official', or some shit,"

"Aw, adorable," Woosung smirked, "You better hope Muscle-Brain-McGee over there doesn't claim her, first," he nodded in the direction of the betas gathered closer to the fire, where a handful of them surrounded the pack's beloved figure, Yung. Yung was in the midst of shotgunning a beer can, encouraged by the echoing chants of his friends. With a mighty gesture, he tossed the empty can into the grass, then raised his fists triumphantly into the air, proudly displaying his array of bulging muscles through his snug t-shirt, captivating the attention of everyone around.

Hajoon rolled his eyes, "What a show dog," he muttered. Woosung couldn't agree more, the view of Iseul in the warm glow of the fire much more interesting to him, anyhow.

However, he was surprised when he shifted his gaze and discovered that she was already watching him, suppressing a mischievous smile. The shock nearly caused Woosung to fumble with his drink, but he managed to maintain his composure and playfully winked in her direction. Iseul chuckled softly and discreetly waved back in response.

Dojoon chuckled beside him, slinging an arm around his shoulders, "God, you are so obvious,"

"Oh, leave him alone, Dojoon," Jaehyeong scolded.

"And who are you to scold your alpha?"

"Well, for one: he's taller than you," Hajoon decided, "And he's the only one out of us who's actually got a mate,"

"Can't argue there," Woosung snickered.

On the other side of the bonfire, Iseul only swiveled her head when she caught wind of the boisterous revelry. She couldn't help but see Yung and his friends' juvenile behavior, and despite Yung's chiseled physique and k-drama good looks, she found his personality less than appealing. Naturally, she scanned the sea of radiant faces until her eyes locked onto Woosung, who met her gaze just moments later. Her heart skipped a beat when he winked at her, his charming, boyish grin quickly replaced with an expression of distaste as his friends took the piss out of him.

Woosung had been her most trusted confidant, privy to secrets about her that not even her closest girlfriends knew. She had observed his transformation from a slightly awkward, endearingly nerdy teenager into a sharp and agile young beta. He stood out in their pack as one of the few wolves who treasured her intellect, determination, and confidence over her physical attributes. Even during the times when she felt like the least among the female pups, as they underwent their awakenings and developed in ways she hadn't, he never failed to make her feel beautiful. Her fondness for him had gradually evolved into a subtle crush, particularly when she witnessed his prowess during pack hunts. It wasn't just about his physical appeal; she loved him regardless of his shaggy wolf's cut or sharp cheekbones. Not that she'd dare admit it, but he was the only one she ever thought of when she experienced her heat cycles.

If anyone was going to claim her tonight, she secretly hoped it would be Woosung.

"Iseul, stop staring," her friend, Duri, poked her shoulder, "You're being obvious,"

"What?" Iseul whipped around.

"Yeah," her other friend, Chae-Won, nodded, "Don't pay those mutts any mind,"

"I wasn't, believe me," she assured them.

"Good. Here's to hoping they won't pick up our scent," Chae-Won sighed, grimacing at the thought of Yung or one of his friends forcing her down, "I'll castrate one of them if I have to,"

"Ji-Woon's already covered," Duri smirked at their friend, "Jae had her scent pegged loooong ago,"

Ji-Woon gawked at her, scolding her with a whisper, "You didn't tell anybody, right?"

"That you two are already fucking? No, your secret's still safe with us," Iseul chuckled.

"Good," Ji-Woon huffed, "If the alphas were to find out --"

"They'd give you a stern talking to about breaking ritual and that would be it!" Duri assured her.

Chae-Won chuckled with amusement, "I bet I know someone who already has Iseul's scent pegged,"

Ji-Woon grimaced as she turned to Iseul, "Ugh! If that muscle-headed-meatball even comes within a hair of you, I'll tear out his gizzard and feed it to the strays," she growled, talking about Yung

Iseul rolled her eyes, "Chae's talking about Woosung, Teen Wolf,"

"Oh!" Ji-Woon nodded, sneakily stealing a glance at the group of boys behind them. She offered a fleeting smile when her gaze settled on the silhouette of her man engaged in conversation with Woosung. She then briefly assessed the older beta before returning her attention to Iseul, "No, I won't tear his gizz out,"

"How thoughtful of you," Iseul chuckled back.

A prolonged, resonant howl echoed through the air, capturing the attention of all the betas. They turned to face one of their alphas, Yoongi, who stood at the center of the encampment. Yoongi was a robust, unflappable, and sagacious leader, earning the unwavering respect of every beta under his and his brothers' protection. It was an exceedingly rare sight to witness alphas co-leading, given the often intense clashes of egos and struggles for dominance. However, all seven of them brought unique and distinctive qualities that made their pack one of the most formidable in South Korea.

"The Union is about to start! All participating betas are to meet at the edge of the clearing -- asap!" he called.

"At start of project!" his co-alpha, Jimin, called from behind him.

With that the mass of excited (and quite horny) betas migrated to the edge of their makeshift campsite. Duri sighed as she walked arm-in-arm with her friends, gazing longingly at Yoongi and Jimin, "If only alphas were allowed to participate in the Union,"

Iseul cocked a brow at her, "You forget they're the fucking alphas. They don't need to participate in this shit," she pointed out.

"Yeah! If Namjoon points at me and tells me to get on all fours, I'm there without question," Chae-Won nodded.

A familiar voice from behind the girls called out, "C'mon, girls. She's just saying that because she wants the privileges of alpha's mate," Dojoon said.

The girls turned around, smiling appreciably at their friends. Duri spoke up first, "And you don't fantasize about being alpha one day?" asked curiously.

"Of course he does, just not the boring parts," Woosung pointed out, "Diplomacy, security, pack treaties, mange breakouts..." he shuddered at the last one, "Nasty stuff,"

"Says the guy who spent a full two days lounging in a literal mud bath," Iseul teased back.

Woosung smirked back at her, "I didn't hear you complaining, Iseul," he pointed.

"I lost a bet; I wasn't supposed to complain," she replied, "You're lucky I didn't catch ticks,"

"Like I'd let that happen to you,"

Their friends meanwhile exchanged knowing glances between them, the boys tittering amongst themselves as they followed the male betas. Jaehyeong passed Ji-Woo and tossed a saucy wink her way, and the young beta couldn't help but blush and smile with giddy. Duri looped an arm around Ji-Woo's shoulders, tutting at her.

"God, you guys are gross," she commented with a smirk.

Ji-Woo rolled her eyes, peeling Duri's arm off of her as she followed the females, "Oh, go fantasize about Jungkook,"

"If Yung catches you, not even your wet dreams will save you," Chae-Won teased back. Duri flipped her off, she and Chae-Won chased after Ji-Woon meanwhile, knowing Iseul would catch up with them.

The young beta crossed her arms, nervously nibbling on her inner lip as she locked eyes with Woosung. His usually dark eyes were now speckled with gold, radiating beautifully against his illuminated complexion in the warm, flickering glow of the fire.

"So... are you ready?" he asked, praying his own anxiousness didn't show through his exterior.

They started walking together, "Am I ready to get shoved face-first into the dirt while a neanderthal tries to fuck me into his submission? Sure, why not?" she replied.

Woosung chuckled, "Sounds like you don't plan on getting caught tonight," he noted.

"If I can help it," she shrugged back, "You get the better end of the deal, anyhow: you get a say in who you want," her lips fell into a pout and Woosung saw he never saw anything cuter that night.

"Very true," he nodded, "But you never know, maybe you'll be tracked by somebody who would treat you right?"

"And maybe Duri's going to become an alpha's mate?" she chuckled back, "You have to agree though, Woo, this whole blood moon ritual is kind of ridiculous. For the twenty-first-century, anyway,"

"Maybe. But I like to think some of us adopted the twenty-first-century way of thinking," he replied.

"Besides you, I can't think of a single person," she said, "... Well, your friends are alright, too,"

"I'll let them know you said so," Woosung simpered.

They were coming to the starting line, with the girls grouped separately from the boys, all anticipating the howl to begin. Iseul glanced at Woosung, her stomach filled with excitement as the adrenaline surged, and her curiosity reached its peak, "So... out of curiosity... is there anybody here you're hoping to mate with?"

Woosung looked around, hoping he could throw her off his intentions as she shook his head, "I don't know. Obviously someone very obedient, submissive, knows how to cook and clean but fucks like a banshee, obviously," he smirked at her, living for that annoyed expression overtaking her face. She smacked his arm and he simply laughed.

"I know you're only joking, but if any part of you is serious I hope you die old and alone," she huffed.

Woosung's smirk never left as he started for his group, walking backwards to keep her in his line of sight, "In that case, you better hope I don't catch you, Iseul!" he teased.

Iseul tittered under her breath, her confidence flaring as she cocked her chin up, her own dark eyes illuminated with flecks of gold, "... I might not fight if you did," she admitted.

How it was that seven small words could get his heart racing so quickly he had no idea, but Woosung swore his mind blanked out as those seven words echoed in his head. There was a possibility that she was just teasing him, but then he knew when she was kidding around. Something in her tone told him she wasn't this time.

He couldn't help the pep in his step as he turned around, running to find his friends to tell them, "Dojoon!"

The group of female betas were chattering with giddy, some of them dressed skimpier than others, some had slipped notes into the pockets of potential suitors they wanted to tip off. And from the smell, so, so many of them were smack-dab in their heat cycles. Either way, the surrounding atmosphere was thick with lascivious anticipation, and of course there was a little bit of fear involved, too.

Iseul glanced behind her nervously, hoping to spot any trace of Woosung in the sea of faces. She caught him briefly, warming up with his friends for what she'd promised to be a long chase ahead of him. He caught her eye briefly, neither of them paying attention as Jimin reiterated the rules they'd heard time and time again. He winked at her again.

Iseul swore her heart stopped.

"Are you ready, girls?" he announced. The female betas let out a chorus of sharp howls, the sound echoing through the trees and across the horizon. Woosung could distinguish Iseul's pitched tone from miles away, her passionate howl igniting a fire in his core.

"Then... GO!" Jimin's call transformed into a prolonged howl, nearly overwhelmed by the sounds of excitement and squeals as the girls sprinted off into the shadowy depths of the woods. They usually had a minute's head start, but they all knew it wouldn't be long until the boys were upon them.

Iseul tried to keep close to her friends as best as she could, though when she looked over her shoulder again she was dismayed to find she was on her own. Nevertheless, her blood was pumping steadily, her legs burning with adrenaline and her feet thundered across the muddy landscape as she ran as fast and as far as she could. She leapt over bushes and careened around tree groves. Already she could hear howls and screams of the other females echoing through the trees, some twisted with salaciousness and eroticism. The boys were already prowling through the forest, and it wouldn't be long until they came upon her, too.

She slowed down at an old pine, stopping to catch her breath. It felt as though she had been running for hours, when Iseul knew that five or so minutes had only passed. This game wasn't supposed to end until dawn broke over the horizon, or until the males and females had found their mates. Either way, the night ahead of her was long and already the air was thick with the stench of sweat and sex.

Disembodied cries of lust continued to rattle her heightened hearing, intermingled with predatory howls. She could pick out Jaehyeong's pitch in the cacophony, and she had to wonder if he'd already pounced and claimed Ji-Woo, just like she'd always gone on and on about. Iseul shook her head at her friend's fantasies, never the less finding her enthusiasm endearing. Among the racket, Iseul could also pick out Yung's howl; a deep, ground-shuddering sound that reflected his own brutishness. She didn't like how close he sounded.

While she continued to run, Iseul came to the alarming realization that she hadn't heard Woosung's howl, not even once, not even when the boys initially set off. She couldn't help but wonder where he went, debating whether or not it was safe to call out to him, or if she'd gone too far for him to find her. But the latter was ridiculous, she knew he had her scent down to memory, if he wanted her he could find her easily.

That is... if he even wanted her in the first place. Who was to say he even took her previous pass at him so seriously.

The sharp snap of a twig pricked at her ears and Iseul turned hastily on her heel, her fingers curled God willing she needed to unleash her claws. But alas, there was nothing behind her.

Iseul, feeling a mixture of panic and indignation, turned around to find Yung's towering and imposing figure looming over her. His eyes bore a determined look, flecked with fiery gold and oranges, and his intent was clear - he was ready to claim her as his mate by any means necessary.

"Hi Iseul," he greeted, feigning politeness, taking a step forward. She took a step back, her worst nightmare coming true.

"Oh. Hey Yung," she said, doing her best to keep a brave front. The fact was she couldn't lie; she found Yung quite intimidating to be around on normal days. A frat-party-eque sex fest was even worse.

"I found you," he noted, his smile disgustingly lecherous.

"That you did," Iseul took another step back.

"So, you know what that means for us, right?" he asked, taking a step closer.

"That I didn't run far enough," she gaped back, not eager to a chase but she was willing if she needed to.

Yung chuckled darkly, "Oh, don't be that way, Iseul. You know the rules of the Union..." he reiterated, reaching out to stroke back her hair.

Iseul moved her head away, glaring sourly, "Yeah. The rules state you need to catch me, not just find me. That's just lazy," she pointed out.

"Somehow, I think you'll grant me the exception," he noted, "You and I would have beautiful pups together,"

She simpered back, "Not in this lifetime, show dog,"

Yung reached out, attempting to grab her, but with a swift movement, she extended her sharp claws and scratched him across his cheek. Yung yelped in pain and surprise as the sting of her claws met his flesh. It was a warning, a defense against his forceful advances.

Iseul wasted no time. She turned and bolted into the trees again, away from Yung, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. Yung, nursing his bleeding face, roared in frustration as she disappeared, picking off her scent and taking off after her.

Sure, he was fast, he was practically the golden boy of the betas, but he wasn't as fast and agile as Iseul was. She knew he'd be hot on her tail and she had to find somewhere to hide, she'd even take the bog if she could find it. She didn't know where she was going, hell she couldn't even concentrate on looking straight ahead. Yung's vile scent was still in her nose and so long as that scent lingered, she knew she wasn't safe.

Rounding a grove of trees, Iseul was ready to hurl herself into the thrush when a pair of arms grabbed her. She screamed, fighting like a caged animal when she heard a familiar, soothing voice.

"Calm down! Calm down, Iseul! It's me! It's Woosung!" her friend held her tight against his chest as he fought to keep his grip on her. Iseul then relaxed, surrendering in his arms as her body suddenly felt incredibly heavy.

"Oh, thank God!" she panted, "I was this close to being mauled," she pinched the air with her pointer finger and thumb.

Woosung took a whiff of the air, "Don't thank the big guy, yet. Yung's still coming,"

As though on cue, the mighty werewolf emerged from behind the tree trunks, taking both of them off guard. He snarled viciously at Woosung, his own claws bearing from his fingertips.

"Let go of my mate," he growled.

Woosung shook his head, "Yung, c'mon -- we can talk about this. You know, like -- civilized men?"

Yung chuckled with pity, "We're not men, Woosung. We're barely human. And you have what belongs to me. I want it back,"

Iseul snarled back, "Oh, fuck you! Calling me an it!?" if she was stronger then Woosung she would've lunged for the beta, but Woosung held her fast against him. She could feel his heart thundering through her back.

It was then that Woosung had an idea, the only way he knew he could get Yung off of Iseul's back. Though, Iseul may not forgive him for it.

"She's not yours though, Yung," he pointed out, "I can smell her, you didn't claim her,"

Yung scoffed, "We were about to get there,"

"Not even in your dreams," Iseul spat back.

"But that means," Woosung continued, "That if you didn't claim her, then she's still fair game," he gave the bigger beta a cocky smirk. Yung's expression went from sheer anger to panic. He knew what Woosung was thinking.

"Don't do it," he warned him, "Don't you even think about it,"

Iseul caught on. If she wasn't so frightened, she may have been a little excited at what he was proposing. Woosung's breath cascaded down her ear, his vice-like grip on her loosening as he brushed his nose across the swoop of her neck. She smelled so fucking good. Iseul shuddered.

"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear. Before Iseul had the chance to even ask, she felt his sharp teeth puncture the skin where her shoulder met her neck.

Her scream echoed across the forest.

As quickly as he latched on, Woosung released his bite. But the damage was done; her heat had overwhelmed her the moment he'd broken her skin. A sharp, pleasurable sensation coursed from the crown of her head to the tips of her toes. Her heat had never felt so visceral before, consuming her to the point she fought to catch her breath. She could feel her blood trickling down her chest, and even more vividly, she could smell her own blood within Woosung's mouth.

Yung's spirit deflated, his claws retracting, and the once-ferocious gleam faded from his eyes. He understood the futility of his situation; that fighting back now would lead the alphas to exile him from the pack, not that it would make a difference if he did.

Iseul belonged to Woosung, now.

With a scathing snarl, Yung spat at the dirt, backing away slowly, "Fine. She's all yours. You enjoy," he turned on his heel and disappeared in the dark.

Both Woosung and Iseul sighed with relief. Woosung wiped his chin with his hand, guilt shuddering through him at the sight of her blood staining his hand. Guilt... but also a twinge of desire.

"He's gone now," he let her out of his arms. Iseul took two steps before she collapsed against a tree trunk, her legs as wobbly as jello and her skin felt as though it was caging an inferno. Woosung dashed to grab her before she could hit the ground, "Woah! You okay?"

She nodded, she let him set her down gently on the ground. Her breathing settled, as did the adrenaline coursing in her blood. Iseul was dirty, exhausted, but when she looked up at Woosung, sleep was the last thing she had on her mind.

"I'm fine," she huffed, averting her gaze to the clumps of grass and weeds before her, "That was -- oh my God!"

"I'm so sorry, Iseul. I didn't know what else to do," he crouched before her, laying a comforting hand on her knee. She was hot to the touch, every inch of her felt as though it was burning. Though she wasn't in pain.

Iseul cracked a smile and she placed her hand over his, "It's okay. Really, I'm okay," she assured him, "My dry-cleaning might have some questions about this, though," she pointed to the blood seeping into her t-shirt. Woosung simpered quietly, jokes were certainly a good sign.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked, his concern still sprawled across his expression.

She shrugged listlessly, "Not so much, anymore. I'd rather it was you than... you know," she sighed, "... Um... does this mean that...?"

"I think so," Woosung admitted, "We're mates, now,"

He expected Iseul to unleash a barrage of curses, to scold him for his reckless behaviour, but her hand on his remained steady. Her head fell back against the tree trunk, her eyes shimmering with flecks of gold, more radiant than Woosung had ever witnessed. She was utterly captivating, and the scent of her blood only intensified his smoldering desire.

What a dichotomy, he thought.

If Iseul wasn't so exhausted in that moment, she may have let her baser instincts win. She may have begged Woosung to take her hard and fast against this tree, to make her scream for him again and again. But Woosung wasn't just any werewolf, he was her friend first and foremost. And he already seemed so spooked from before.

"Well... do you wanna sit with your new mate until she regains the ability to walk again?" she asked, suppressing a chuckle.

Woosung's smile was genuine now, his tense shoulders relaxed as he gladly obliged her. He took his place beside her, careful of the bite as he looped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close. She smelled so tantalizing, his desire for her continuing to bubble in his gut and he prayed she didn't notice how he adjusted himself.

Iseul cuddled up into him, his familiar musk so comforting and the skin of his arms a cool contrast to hers. She didn't bother to suppress her smile when he laid a kiss on her temple, she felt as safe as she possibly could out here, under the blooming moon.

Indistinctive howls and moans continued to echo through the night, haunting Woosung and Iseul like harping banshees as they walked through the forest. While they couldn't see anybody, they knew better. There were couples thrusted into bushes, cloistered in the trees, copulating in the shadows and all around them.

The fire had definitely gone out by now, but the smell of burnt wood and kindling was as sharp as ever as it drew the pair back to their camp.

Any sting from Woosung's bite had subsided by now, but Iseul's state of desire remained the same. Nevertheless, she walked hand-in-hand with Woosung, silently processing what had just happened. Woosung really claimed her, after years and years of debating whether or not she should make the first move, praying that one day he'd come up to her and ask her himself, he'd really done it. Sure, it wasn't as romantic as she originally imagined, but the intent remained the same.

"So..." she sighed, "Are you gonna' rush and tell Dojoon and them what happened?" she asked, a mocking smile on her lips.

Woosung cocked a brow, glancing down at her curiously, "They might ask why I smell like your blood, so..." he chuckled, "But I'm not gonna -- I won't run and gossip with them, if that's what you mean,"

"That might be a tough one to play off," she simpered, "Did you follow me?"

"Hm?"

"Did you follow me -- back there? Or, did you just happen upon me like some sort of white knight?" she asked.

Woosung grinned sheepishly and his gaze averted to the ground, "I may or may not have been following your scent. It's easy to pick you out by now," he said.

Iseul smiled back, "Lucky you had," she replied, "Although it did kind of hinder your chance,"

"How do you mean?" Woosung asked, picking off the glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

She shrugged bashfully, "Well -- you didn't really get a chance to catch your mate properly. You know... after a ten minute chase, it's supposed to be filled with anticipation and sexual tension until you finally take her under a tree or something,"

Woosung cocked a brow, a sly smirk curling at his lips as he stopped in his tracks. Iseul stopped a couple steps after him, her gaze profoundly captivating.

"Is that what you want, Iseul?" he asked, taking a step closer. She wasn't intimidated as she had been with Yung, though she couldn't help the apprehensive pinching swirling in her gut as he looked at her that way. Something within him suddenly changed, shifting from the familiar, carefree Woosung to a more primal and instinctual version of himself.

She liked it a lot.

"... Maybe I do," she replied truthfully, "What would you say if I told you that... I only ever wanted you to be my mate?" she took a step closer as well.

Woosung though he was dreaming, he must've been. But the prickling breeze and the howls wailing over his head assured him over otherwise.

His excitement began to grow again, he cursed at himself for wearing fitted jeans because he knew that Iseul would be able to pick out the tent in his pants if she looked.

"I would say that I've longed to hear you say that for nearly my entire life," he admitted, bringing his chilled hand up to her cheek. Her skin wasn't as hot as before but she still felt so warm, the blood on her neck still tacky as his fingers fluttered down to her collarbone.

"How about I give you a five minute head start?" he offered.

Iseul gulped at his words, suddenly feeling her blood rushing to her cheeks. She was elated when the flecks of yellow and gold reappeared in his irises. She bit at her inner lip, a newly renowned adrenaline bubbling in her gut.

"A whole five minutes?" she queried, "Are we feeling confident?" she brought her hand to his chest, fingers flexing against the indent of his pectorals.

"Very," he leaned in, approaching her lips with his own. Iseul's eyes fluttered closed for a moment, waiting imminently to be lured into his trap before he whispered into her ear, "Your time starts now,"

Like a shot, Iseul pivoted on her heel and swiftly disappeared into the woods once again, a surge of renewed vitality propelling her as she ran. Woosung never truly appreciated the expression "I hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave," more than he had in that moment, her slim physique but a flashing memory before his eyes though nevertheless her smell was still thick in his nose.

Iseul wasn't sure where she was going, much like previously she was itching to get as far away as fast as she could. Only difference here was she found herself laughing as she ran, coursing with giddy. She knew Woosung was a formidable hunter, he'd be on her in no time. Nevertheless, the chase this time was a little more more tantalizing than the last. She leapt over thrushes and ducked around trees, running until her legs burned and her chest began to tighten. She was excited, but it didn't mean that she was going to make this easy for him.

She finally stopped when she came to a clearing, dimly lit from the reddened tinge of the moon. The cacophony in the air had diminished, with many of her fellow betas either having found their own partners or chosen to remain hidden. Meanwhile, she was certain that numerous males had surrendered and retreated back. It was probably somewhere after midnight now, maybe closer to one in the morning? So much had already happened in such little time and yet Iseul still had so much energy to burn, anticipation prickling at her spine as she cased the area. There was no sound, not even a smell.

Iseul became nervous after ten minutes of waiting, wandering around the trees or stopping to stare up at the moon. She waited for the first whiff, the first crack of a twig or squelch of mud, giving her ample time to take off should she need to. If she even wanted to.

Her head whipped around when she heard a snapping in the distance, her apprehension elevated as she began to back out of the moonlight.

And then she smelled him. He was here.

She froze suddenly when her back made contact with something unexpected — not a tree trunk, but a chest. Almost immediately his scent overwhelmed her, the tip of his cold nose brushing softly across the unscathed side of her neck, her warm breath eliciting goosebumps over her skin. All thoughts of running vanished in a snap, her baser instinct taking over as his arms wrapped around her slim figure.

"Does it count now?" he tittered into her ear, his tone low and laced with a darker promise.

"Yes. Now it counts," she muttered, her voice just brushing above a whisper, "You took your time,"

"I wanted you to feel like you were winning," he teased, turning her so they came nose-to-nose. His face was infinitely closer now, maybe because her fingers were pressed against his nape, subtly pulling him lower. It didn’t take amazing eyesight to notice the tent growing in his pants. At this point her juices were trickling into her pants.

“I think I did win,” she looked at his lips. She loved the deep dimples in his cheeks; she had wanted to kiss them since she first noted them.

“We both did,”

She nodded, her fingers sliding under the edge of his t-shirt.

He shivered as he laid his lips against hers, simply pressing them there, pushing them gently against her own before disclosing them slightly with a barely-there lick. He moved back an inch to look at her, make sure she was alright.

Iseul's eyes were closed, her cheeks soft and warm under his palms, her lips inviting and thicker now that blood was rushing to them. Just as Woosung realized he wanted to stare at her some more, her eyelids lifted gently. Looking at his lips, she stretched forward, laying a peck on his dimpled smile before breathing out and sucking his lower lip into her mouth.

His growl was inhuman once he felt the warmth of her mouth on his tender skin. His hand went to the back of her head, pulling her closer while his other palm landed against the small of her back, her legs open so he could slot his hips between them, his pelvis meeting hers eagerly.

“Dammit. You’re beautiful,” he moaned, his mouth tracing her jaw. His mind raced at the thought all the sinful things he could do to his little eager mate.

She nodded and stretched her neck for him, offering him her throat. He bit instantly -- without breaking the skin this time, not even giving her time to think about it, causing her to moan and press her crotch against anything that could dull the edge of pleasure.

His hands went from her waist to the backs of her thighs, squeezing firmly, "Jump,"

"What?"

"Jump!" Iseul barely had her feet off the ground before his large hands held her fast against him, her legs wrapping around his torso. Then his knees were in the ground, using his core strength to lay her down under the tree canopy. He hissed when his muscles released.

“Did that hurt?” she asked, ready to fuss over him.

He shook his head curtly, “Listen, I don’t care about how far we go, okay? We can take this as slow as you want, we don't even --”

“Let’s play it by ear, mh?” she cooed, cupping his cheek as he kneeled over her.

He nuzzled his cheek against her palm, “Let’s do that," and he went in for another kiss.

She was teasing his lower lip with the tip of her tongue, making him frown as he tried to chase after her, “You've always been like a kid chasing for a treat, haven't you?”

“Just kiss me, you tease!” Woosung chuckled as he grabbed her face, pushing his open mouth against hers, his tongue making its way between her teeth, against her palate, caressing hers lewdly, slippery flesh against slippery flesh.

Iseul's hips grounded against his naturally, his palms lowering to grab her ass and lead you through the motion.

His own hips shyly pushing into hers caused her blood to boil, her skin flushed as her body temperature skyrocketed, “Keep moving on me,” he huffed out, his right hand leaving her hip to tease the hem of her shirt, “Can I?” he asked, waiting at the threshold of the naked skin below.

“I can take it off if you’d like,” she whispered, kissing the side of his neck.

“God, yes,”

The shirt was gone in a second, leaving her flushed chest clad only in her bra.

His focus went to her breasts immediately, “Oh.”

Iseul smirked and laid her hand on his, leading it to her left mound, making his fingers grab onto it, “You can squeeze it,”

He nodded and closed his eyes, relishing in the soft material. She was glad her bra was a thin cotton piece; she could feel him closer, harder, better.

Woosung watched her expression as he started massaging the flesh, gripping it energetically and pulling whimpers from her lips. He stopped immediately, “Too hard?”

She shook her head and giggled, “No, it's perfect. It’s perfect when it hurts just a little— Just like that, uh…” her eyes rolled back and her eyelids fluttered, “Just fine, Woosung. Damn perfect,”

He grinned, rutting his hips harder against her, “You like when it hurts?”

She hummed, too busy finding the perfect angle to meet his thrusts. “Kinda,”

Experimenting, he felt for her nipple pushing against the fabric before pinching it between thumb and forefinger, making her whimper even more. Her jaw fell slack before her back arched, her hand coming over her lips, a weak purr leaving her throat.

“Harder?” he asked, his free hand helping her grind against his thigh, gripping her asscheek, squeezing it, “Do you need it to hurt more? Better?”

She was far too gone to actually formulate sentences, no matter how small. The feel of his cock hardening, lengthening against her core was far too intense. She could feel it twitch and stretch, pressed against the zipper.

“Iseul,” he called for her attention.

She gave a small moan that meant both pleasure and acquiescence.

Deliberately, attentively, he pushed the cup of her bra down, studying the tender, thin skin of her breast while his lips pressed into her neck, leaving trails of kisses as he caressed her breasts, her hips, everywhere he could reach. He lolled his tongue out and managed to lick her nipple with the very tip of his tongue.

“Fuuuck, Woo, please, God… Just fuck me. I wanna cum. I— please. Make me feel good, Woo,”

He liked hearing her beg for him, he liked it way more than he ever thought he would. Somehow her pleas hit so much deeper within him. Maybe it was because she always looked so independent and self-sufficient, that feeling needed by her turned him on so wildly and inexplicably.

He nudged her left nipple with his lips, teasing it softly before sucking it into his mouth. The moan she emitted made his hips jut forward, a low grunt echoing in the air as he reckoned he needed to take his jeans off, still, having her warm torso against his was too much of a revelation for him to part from her hot skin.

Her hands buried into his hair as he swirled his tongue around her nipple before suckling on it lightly. Her body grew heavier at every movement trying to keep herself focused while his lips slid down her stomach to her aching core.

The wolf knew once he got this close to her beautiful heat there would be going back. Every day the taste of her would end up lingering on his tongue until he got to taste it again. This girl did things to him he could never explain to even her let alone anyone in the pack. Woosung was swift as he popped the buttons on her jeans, shoving her pants impatiently until he had her fully, vulnerable to him. His tongue moved up from her leaking hole to her throbbing clit. He couldn’t help but smile a little at how her whole body jerked at the new found pleasure.

Iseul felt how his tongue licked at one particular spot that jolted a surge up her pine, her body jerking. In seconds, she felt his lips wrap around the small nub, coaxing light moans to slip out of her while her fingers still tangled in his hair, “Woosung…”

His moan rattled vibrations against her core. With a slight pop, Woosung broke from his light snacking and bit into her thighs, a little treat just for him.

The smaller wolf giggled affectionately, caressing his head before he crawled over her. Propping herself up on her elbows, she watched Woosung strip himself of his clothes until they were both now bare. Her lust blown, golden eyes stared down at his twitching, hard member before licking her lips.

“Spread your legs,” he only had to tap her knee gently for her to move her legs apart more than enough for him to sneak in between. Wrapping his fingers around his cock, he rubbed the reddened tip against her clit making, elated as her head fell back, “You want it, baby?”

Iseul nodded frantically.

“I can’t hear you," his tip poked at her slit. The little game tortured him as much it did her, but he wanted to hear her beg again.

“Yes, I want it...” she jerked her hips against his movements, gasping when the tip of his cock entered her slightly, “I want it so bad,"

She always knew how to touch that extra nerve in his body every all the time. It was almost magical how Iseul had so much control over him by being so perfectly submissive. Woosung pushed his cock into her snug little hole with soaked ease, her cunt flowing, making it all the more harder not to just pound her into oblivion. His hips moved slow, letting the sounds of watery sloshing ring in his ears. Arms pressed down the sides of her body, caging over his mate as he relished in her warm walls.

Iseul held onto his forearm as she watched her pussy getting stretched by his cock. The amount of times she dreamed of this happening was a little embarrassing. Now that it was happening, she had him snug inside of her felt so invigorating, she could giggle in glee.

Their foreheads pressed together softly as Woosung whispered, “Is this good?”

She nodded, gasping and moaning. “Yeah…”

The one word was all that needed to be uttered for him to quicken his pace a little, skin slapping against skin ever so slightly. Woosung shifted down to his elbows now as he caressed her cheek, nosing at the base of her neck near her previous bite. His tongue drifted over the dried blood.

“Look at you,” he chuckled darkly, “I wanna' mark you again. Can I?”

“Please, Woo,” she begged, wrapping her arms around him,“Do it”

“Good girl,” He cooed.

When he opened his mouth and bit down — her voice echoed in a heavy cry, laced in pure lust and ecstasy. Woosung groaned, his knot sensitive as she clenched and pulsed around him. Her blood was sweet in his mouth as he broke the skin, pulling his canines out before licking over the wound to seal the punctures.

She now had matching marks, teeth punctures on either side of her neck.

And she fucking loved it.

“You're mine. You're all fucking mine,” he whispered breathlessly, still thrusting into her steadily.

“I'm yours,” she cupped his cheek, struggling to keep her gaze as the pleasure tickled her every nerve. “I always have been...”

Lips pressed against hers, tongue exploring everything he knew was willingly submitted to him tonight. Once the kiss broke the softness melted along with it as the beta pounded into her cunt. Arms back up, muscles popping out furiously before hooking one of her legs around his waist.

Her moaning became an uneven pattern melting into the sounds of their wet skin grinding and slapping against each other. As soon as Woosung leaned in closer, Iseul muffled a few of her whimpers into a heated kiss while her hand moved down to find that little nub, rubbing it to match with his thrusts. The tight ball in her lower belly exploded before she could even expect it, her legs trembling and a flurry of moans passing her lips.

Woosung felt her walls clench around him, already feeling the pressure around his cock push him closer to his orgasm. His thrusts grew a little more brutal, pawing at her hips and hammering into her while she gave him that beautiful, innocent smile to reassure him it was okay to keep going despite her sensitivity.

“Cum inside me…” she whimpered, her body literally shook with the force of his thrusts.

Her adorable whisper was all it took for the wolf to finally come undone, filling his mate up with his seed in sloppy and rough thrusts. Only until the last drop did he pull out slowly watching a little bit of his release dripping out of her.

“... That's it,” Iseul giggled, brushing his shaggy hair out from his eyes, "We're stuck together,"

Woosung's boyish grinned returned, his nose poking into the crook of her shoulder again as he collapsed on top of her. His scalding body was a surreal contrast to the cold, wet ground beneath her. All traces of the dominant wolf had vanished from his eyes, irises still flecked with gold as they adored her.

"You're mine," he cooed, laying a kiss over her pulse point, "You're so much more than just my mate, Iseul,"

"So are you," she awed, "I'm curious, though..."

"What about?" he asked.

She didn't want to ruin the mood they had, but she had to know, "... If we didn't mate tonight, would you have picked somebody else?"

Woosung gulped, not knowing how to tell her that he had eyes on her for the longest time, to the point that he rarely noticed the appearances of the other female betas. While he acknowledged their attractiveness, he also realized that many people were indeed "pretty." Nobody even came close to Iseul's beauty, “Probably not. None of them would taste as good as you,”

Iseul giggled, swatted at his bicep, “You didn't know what I tasted like until now.”

“No, but you smelled really fucking good,” he smiled, nudging her cheek with his nose, “I thought I lost you earlier… just for a second,”

Her head shook with dismay, "No one's gonna' mess with us, now. I’m yours now, remember?” she lay a small kiss on his chest.

Woosung caressed her cheek, not being able to help mimicking a little smile of his own, “You’re mine,"

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