Moonchild | ot7 | Twenty Three

Pair: OT7  x f!reader ; endgame ??? x f!reader

Summary: Working at a coffee shop that only opened in the late hours of the night was the most exciting thing about your life, really. You never had that many friends, your love life was nonexistent, and you just couldn’t explain the feeling of not belonging that chased you no matter where you tried to find your place. It was when seven very handsome strangers came into your life that weird things started happening around you and within you. Could they be the ones to fill in what’s been missing? Or would getting involved with them and their world put you in danger?

Genre: Series, fluff, angst, smut, non idol au, ABO, werewolf au.

Chapter Warnings:The next couple chapters are some of my most favorite ones from this series! Who is ready to find out what she is?? And who is her true mate?? We’re getting closer!!

WC: 6K

You were still on the floor of the cave when you woke up, coughing and gasping for air as if you were drowning. Your hand held onto your throat with every breath, expecting to feel the constriction of your pipes, but it never came. With scrambled thoughts and a desperate heartbeat, you looked around in a panic. You expected to see your pack rushing to you, telling you everything was okay, that you were safe with them, but–

The cave was empty.

No sign of the elders, the torches or your pack.

You knew something was wrong when the space around you felt and looked completely different from before. The walls were bare of any paintings and carvings, but the more you looked the more you noticed: like a small pile of bones and animal meat in a corner, the smell pungent, but not quite rotten; the hull of what could only be a tortoise filled with water as if someone used it as a bowl to drink from; dilapidated stones that looked sharp enough to cut.

Unlike before, this cave looked… Lived in.

The realization was confusing and your fear only heightened when you heard what sounded like growls and heavy paws hitting the floor at full speed. You turned to the entrance of the cave so fast that you almost got whiplash. It was day out, you could see bright rays of summer sun seeping through, eyes adapting to the new clarity in time to see the biggest wolf you’ve ever seen in your entire life launching towards you.

You screamed in terror and tried to crawl backwards and away form it, but the wolf was so much faster than you and–

The animal passed right through you as if it was a hologram.

Your breath was rapid as you looked at your own hands and touched your own body, as if trying to attest that you were real, and you weren’t seeing things. And then the new movement at the entrance of the cave made you stop. You were fully expecting more wolves to come in, to see you, and you doubted you’d be so lucky as to escape unharmed a second time.

But the creature that walked in was very much walking on two feet, and as furry as you were.

The woman was covered in rags in strategic places, panting as she tried to catch up the wolf.

How many times do I have to remind you I’m not as fast as you are?! The woman complained and you realized you could hear her in your mind.

You don’t have to remind me, princess, it’s not like I’d ever forget it. Was the wolf’s mocking reply. It felt like you’ve heard that voice before, but you couldn’t quite place it.

Looking behind you, you saw the wolf grin and tilt his head as he regarded the one he called… Princess?

This had to be a dream. Or maybe the root you ate was making you delirious or causing you to have visions. It was the only explanation as to how you could hear either of them and they didn’t seem to perceive you whatsoever.

Come on, let me show you your gift. The wolf called to the woman and you stood up to follow them with worry and a newfound curiosity.

You were certain you were dreaming when you started to walk and your feet didn’t touch the ground. It was almost as if you were gliding instead, like it felt when you were ice skating. It was frustrating at first, like when you try to run in a dream and stay in the same place. But then you let the dream move you on its own, taking you where you needed to go, to show you what you needed to see.

Eomma told you not to go near the humans again! The woman chided, following the wolf to one of the smaller caves within the tunnels. It’s dangerous.

They don’t scare me. The wolf would have shrugged if it had shoulders. I’m close to you everyday.

You know it’s not the same thing, I’m not like them.

The wolf stalked towards the woman, rubbing its head across her stomach, making her melt with a soft smile. It felt so familiar to you and your boys, how their scenting was able to soothe you just like that, that you felt your heart clench immediately.

There’s only one of you, princess. The wolf continued, bending down to pick up a piece of folded fabric and offer it to the woman. Just like this.

Who did you steal this from? She wanted to know, not even attempting to hide her excitement as she unfolded the dress and brought it closer to her figure.

Well, I didn’t ask her name. He scoffed.

You didn’t know how you knew this, but you could see it in your mind, like a distant memory, the wolf sneaking up behind an unsuspecting woman washing clothes by the river to steal that dress. That same hunch told you it wasn’t the first time the wolf did that.

Thank you, my love. The woman bent down lower to press her forehead against the wolf’s, scratching behind his ear and making him groan in little chirps.

Anything for you. He replied just as lovingly.

The dream was suddenly shifting, leaving you more than a little dizzy in the process.

When you gathered your bearings, you found yourself at the natural pool with turquoise water, standing just at the edge of it, watching the wolf as it leaped from a stone and made a huge splash. The laugh that bubbled from your throat sounded weird to your own ears.

Don’t just laugh at me, princess, it’s your turn now. The wolf spoke as it swam closer, but when you looked behind you, expecting to see the one he called princess, you saw no one. Are you expecting someone else to join us?

“Are you talking to me?” you asked him with wide eyes and a leaping heart. “Can you see me?”

Of course I can see you… What’s wrong? The wolf was as confused as you were. Princess?

Your feet were bringing you closer to the edge of the pool, knees and hands hitting the shallow water as you started to grow dizzy again. The water underneath you rippled where you hit it, but the more you watched it, the less distorted your reflection looked.

You saw your face; your eyes, your nose, your mouth. And a scar that started just above your eyebrow and went all the way down to your cheek.

A sob was ripped out of you and when you looked up, you didn’t see a wolf anymore. You saw a man, one you knew well.

You saw one of the men you were in love with.

You were gasping for air as if you’ve been drowning for too long and finally managed to break the surface. Air filled your lungs too fast as your disoriented brain tried to make sense of your surroundings. Your legs started kicking as you needed to get rid of the heaviness around them, sitting up on a wim as you held your throat and panic settled when you expected to start choking again at second now.

You’re okay, you’re okay!

The low baritone spoke in your mind as the brown wolf pressed harder against your legs to hold you down. Your vision was blurry from unshed tears, but your hands recognized Taehyung’s soft fur and you held onto him for dear life. Your face hid into his neck as you breathed his soothing scent in and your body instantly calmed, sending the beginnings of a panic attack away.

He let you calm down, let your hands grasp at his fur as much as you needed.

“The others?” you mumbled against his neck, sensing the rest of the pack wasn’t as near as you needed them to be.

“She’s awake, go get her pack.” Hyejin’s voice surprised you, you couldn’t understand when she’d gotten there, but as you pulled away from Tae’s neck, you realized you weren’t inside the cave anymore.

You were in a bedroom much like Solar’s, but a little less homey and lived in; this was obviously a guest room inside their master house. You caught tail of their fourth sister leaving to presumably call to the other six men, leaving you with the three girls you were closer to and Tae.

The others were here. Taehyung explained, bumping his head against yours. We’ve been taking turns watching over you, we’ve been worried sick.

“Alright, big puppy, let her breathe.” Hyejin walked to the side of the bed, shooing Taehyung away, but all he did was jump to the floor and remain on your side.

“What happened?” you asked with a tiny cough, throat dry and scratchy.

“You missed all the fun.” Moonbyul had a grin and arms crossed, leaning against the wall closer to the door.

“Moonbyul, she just woke up.” Hyejin sighed as she looked over you, going as far as carefully raising your eyelids to make sure you were responding well.

“Let’s just say if you didn’t wake up, our elders would be in big trouble with your boys. Almost made me wish that you didn’t.” she chuckled, making Taehyung bare his teeth. “It’s nothing personal, I was just really hoping to get rid those four old hags–”

“Moonbyul!” Hyejin snapped, throwing a look over her shoulder. “If you want to be useful, go do something else!”

The woman shrugged, but decided to stay, moving from her spot to sit on the big armchair by the window. Solar joined her by perching on the arm of the chair, the two of them watching you as if waiting for you to collapse again.

That’s what happened, wasn’t it?

The last thing you remembered was passing out from the poisonous root, thinking you were about to die. At least that’s what you thought dying would feel like, at least in the physical sense of things. The pain, the lack of air in your lungs, the desperation you felt that was making your heart race again; even now.

But there was no montage of your best moments flashing before your eyes, no memories of your parents, your friends, or–

“How do you feel?” Hyejin’s words interrupted your thoughts, sending away a memory you thought might be important somehow.

“My head is pounding and it feels like I was eating sand.” you were honest with her, watching as she picked up a water glass from the side table and placed it in your hands.

“We thought we might lose you.” the woman continued after you took slow sips of the cold drink that went down smoothly. “And your pack… They went rampant.”

“What did they do?!” you gasped, making the water almost go down the wrong pipe as you heard Taehyung whine in shame.

‘It was nothing but threats at this point, but if something really did happen to you–”

Hyejin’s words were cut off by Moonbyul’s laugh and by that reaction alone you could tell your boys didn’t take their threats lightly.

The commotion at the end of the hall alerted you of their presence, the mix of their combined scents making your nostrils flare and Taehyung stood up on four legs. Hyejin got out of the way as the first man showed up at the door.

“I am never letting you do anything like that ever again.” Namjoon looked rough, as if he hadn’t slept in weeks, dark bags under his eyes, hair a mess, skin void of any natural glow.

“I’m fine.” you assured your alphas as one by one, the pack filtered into the room.

Jimin was in wolf form, bumping against Namjoon’s legs to get to you, almost tripping over Tae so he could lay his head on your lap. Jungkook’s eyes were swollen as if he’d been crying, Hoseok looked like a mad man. Seokjin and Yoongi were trying to mask how worried they were by seeming serious, but you saw right through them.

“You are so not fine.” Yoongi scoffed, tongue pushing the inside of his cheek.

“But I am…” you insisted. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You were dead.” Namjoon sat down by your feet, hesitating for a second before taking your hand. His words were choked up as he spoke: “We saw you die, I–”

“You've been in and out of it for hours, since they brought you here.” Hyejin felt for Namjoon, you could tell she understood what he was feeling from a Pack Alpha point of view. “You've had a pretty bad fever and you were mumbling things.”

“What things?” you asked the woman, but your eyes were on Namjoon, cradling his face as your heart broke for his pain; not yours, not your fear, but for him.

“Something about a scar? Or a dress?” Jungkook answered you with a sniffle.

“You were just delirious from the fever, it wasn't like a wet dream or something.” the girl in the armchair joked, but it just wasn’t the right time.

“For fucks sake–” Hoseok snapped, sending Moonbyul daggers with his eyes.

“How about you all leave us now?” Seokjin asked with hidden annoyance, trying to remain polite.

“That's a good idea.” Solar agreed, standing up and grabbing Moonbyul by the arm. “We'll find something for you to eat.”

:Just nothing with onions, please.”

Your request left them confused, but no one asked you anything else. Seokjin’s forehead creased and you could almost see him crossing ‘onions’ from every foreseeable shopping list.

Hyejin followed after her sisters and left you alone with your pack. You could tell that the fact you were talking, moving and breathing was calming them down quite a lot, but not completely. You guessed you'd be under constant watch until they all agreed the worst part was done and you were as okay as you claimed to be.

You didn’t feel sick, better or worse. In fact, you didn’t feel any different than before eating the root and going through the ritual. Your throat was a little scratchy and your stomach started to hurt at the thought of food, but that was it.

Nothing abnormal.

Definitely nothing magical.

“Did I pass?” you asked them quietly and they all avoided your expectant eyes.

“Well, you didn’t turn…” Yoongi finally replied as he nibbled on the inside of his lip.

“But I also didn’t die.” you mumbled, bringing your knees to your chest to hug.

You were no longer wearing the white hanbok, but a borrowed pair of pajamas that you guessed belonged to Hyejin.

Namjoon was nodding softly as he said: “You didn’t fail it either.”

“What does that mean, then?” as soon as you asked, you knew none of them had the answer for you. The only reason you took this risk was to get answers. Your voice was meek as you asked: “What am I?”

“We still don’t know.” Hoseok sounded as frustrated as you felt.

If anything we’re left with even more questions. Jimin's snout hit your leg and you ran your fingers through his scalp.

“So what do we do now?” you asked no one in particular.

“Now you rest, and we take you home.” Jin provided and you smiled at him, but it wasn’t exactly bright.

“That’s not what I mean.” you replied, but he already knew that. “Is there nothing else we can do now? No other ritual? Maybe I do this one again–”

“There’s no point, child.” suddenly you weren't alone with your pack any longer, Sindeok stepping into the room like a disturbing force that made your seven wolves tense up. “You could go through this a dozen more times and the results would be the same.”

“Who told you that you were welcome here?” Namjoon growled as he turned around to face her and hide you behind his taller frame. You've never heard him sound so hostile towards anyone. “I was very clear, if I saw you anywhere near her again–”

“You'd rip my head out, yes, I'm aware, but she's alive, isn't she?” the elder woman didn't care about the men's glares and menacing growls, but she kept her distance.

“Not thanks to you.” you couldn’t help but be triggered by her presence, heart starting to pound as you tasted bitterness on your tongue.

“Definitely not.” at least she agreed. “But if the Moon Goddess allowed you to live, then it's my responsibility to know why.”

“And it's our responsibility as her pack to make sure she's safe.” Hoseok stepped closer to Namjoon in an attempt to shield you further.

“She'll never be safe unless you find out what she is.” Sindeok insisted and with that, your interest peaked.

“I thought this ritual was the only way for us to find out.” you got up from the bed with weak legs, wanting to find answers, pushing between Hoseok and Namjoon.

“That’s also not completely true, there is one thing.” the woman looked tired, too, perhaps it was guilt that you saw in her small eyes? “You could bite her.”

The room fell silent and the tension was thick and heavy. You wondered if the lack of complaints and denials meant your pack had thought about it before, too. As far as you knew, humans couldn't survive the venom from a werewolf bite.

However.

Humans also weren't supposed to survive the root poison and here you were. Not completely a werewolf, you didn’t turn, afterall, you didn’t awaken. But you were still here, you were still standing. So at least it was proof enough you weren't exactly human either.

“Who?” you asked as no one else did.

“Your mate, of course.” her head tilted, but you sighed in frustration.

“We don’t know who that is…” you insisted, but it tasted like a lie.

“You do.” she could tell. You didn’t know how, but she knew about your dream. “You’re just not ready to say it, yet.”

You had the horrible habit of scaring Kim Namjoon to death.

It was only fair, the alpha guessed, that alongside the new feelings of love, possessiveness, adoration and the new levels of worry that he reached once you joined his pack, that his fear would be just as grand.

First, he’d been afraid of loving you. Terrified about what it would mean to get close to someone like you, to not only let his guards down, but to change his mind about his beliefs.

And now he was only scared about losing you.

To watch you seizure, spitting blood and collapsing in front of his eyes was the most terrifying experience he ever had to go through. To watch you be as good as dead until Sindeok pulled her orders back and allowed them to reach you, to hold you and bring you back to them was more physically painful than a thousand rogue turns.

He’d never be able to put into words what he felt at that moment he heard you breathe again, as Hoseok held you into his chest, as Jimin pushed your hair away from your face. He’d never forget the look of terror in Seokjin’s eyes when he wiped your blood from your lips or how that had been the very first time in decades that he’d seen Yoongi cry. He could still hear Jungkook’s howling if he closed his eyes.

If Namjoon had his way, he’d never let you out of his sight again. Even now, as you slept after eating only half a bowl of soup, he kept checking for your breathing, kept listening for your heartbeat. It would still go up every now and then and Namjoon started to panic, only to realize that it happened every time he touched you.

It made him smile, how even the gentlest form of contact of his skin against yours made your heart rate spike. He noticed the same thing happening before, too, whenever one of the other members came to visit you; none of them could stay away from you for too long. And you recognized their presence every time, even in your sleep.

Hyung. Jungkook’s messy head of hair popped up under the entrance arch of the room. I’m here. What is it you need?

Can you stay with her for a bit? Namjoon sat up on the bed, careful not to stir you too much.

Of course, but it’s not my turn yet. Are you sure you want to switch early?

Jungkook had grown up a lot ever since you joined the pack. Instead of whining like a spoiled wolf that he should be the one to look after you at all times, he was respecting the shifts they set so each of the members would have the chance to look after you.

I know, but there’s someone I need to meet. Namjoon was careful when leaving the bed, leaning over you to kiss you on the forehead before walking to the door with the quietest steps he could manage. If anything happens, you call me. I don’t care if it’s a sneeze. If anything changes–

I got her, hyung, I promise. The maknae patted the older man on the shoulder.

Thanks, Kook.

Namjoon rubbed Jungkook’s head in a way he hadn’t done since he was small and scrawny, making the younger man laugh. It was a sound he hadn’t heard in a little while, but a sign that maybe things could go back to how they were.

If only he could make sure you’d remain stable.

It was with that question heavy in his heart that Namjoon walked through the many hallways of the main house and through the backdoor, where someone was already waiting for him.

Namjoon offered Wheein a bow, but she pulled him into a sisterly hug that almost made him crumble. The girl was a close friend once, at one point she’d been a little more than that.

“Let’s talk somewhere a little more quiet.” she whispered while giving his biceps a small squeeze.

The man nodded and followed her lead, walking down the garden and a set of stone steps that led to the coy pond. Namjoon would never get tired of this place, and he understood why you liked exploring the grounds so much. There was a lot of history and green (even during winter) everywhere.

Wheein let Namjoon down to the overwater gazebo, where the big hole in the middle would be perfect for feeding the curious fish, had he brought any bread crumbs with him. Both of them sat side by side on the circular bench structure and from afar they must look like two friends catching up.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet.” Namjoon started, a little awkward.

“It’s no problem, I was meaning to look for you anyway.” the woman turned towards him a little more, but still kept a respectful distance. “How is your new lady doing?”

“She seems to be recovering well, which is why I asked to see you.” straight to the point. “Hyejin said you’re being trained by the elders?”

“I am, yes.” she nodded, a little saddened. And Namjoon knew enough about the four sisters to imagine how that decision caused a strain in her relationship with Moonbyul. “We needed someone we trusted to take over once Sindeok makes the passing, so I volunteered. Better to keep the leadership within the pack.”

“I agree.” Namjoon looked around to make sure no one was watching them, pulling the purple cloth from his pocket and unfolding it to show the twisted root to his old friend. “So that’s why I thought you might check this for me?”

“Is this what she ate during the ritual?” Wheein wanted to know, picking up the root and bringing to her nose for a sniff.

“Yes. It’s what nearly killed her.” Namjoon watched with a held breath. “I need to know if it still might.”

“This is known amongst us as moonshine root.” she explained and it was the first time Namjoon had heard the name of the plant. “Extremely deadly to humans, so it works fast. Even just holding it like this for a minute would cause terrible rashes and sometimes burns to the skin.”

“I didn’t know any of that.” but maybe he should have. Maybe Namjoon should have asked around instead of spending all night digging the earth for a piece of root that could kill you.

“You weren’t meant to.” Wheein covered the root with the purple cloth and took it into her pocket. “Sindeok knew she couldn’t tell you what this was, or you’d refuse to get it.”

“How long will it stay in her system?”

“I believe you don’t have to worry about this anymore.” that was music to Namjoon’s ears, exactly what he wanted to hear from this conversation.  “I went to see her, while she was still out, and I didn’t notice any signs of the poison still being active, the worst of it is done. She might still get stomach aches for a couple of days, so ask Seokjin to lay low on the spices.”

“I will, thank you.” Namjoon’s shoulders sagged as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, hands rubbing his tired face. “Thank you so much.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for the ritual.” the hand that rubbed Namjoon’s back was gentle and familiar, but it didn’t carry the same heart-fluttering feeling as it once did. “My rank is still too low and there are doors I can’t walk through, secrets I’m not yet privy to.”

“Don’t worry, you’ve done enough.”

Now that he knew this root –this moonshine– could no longer hurt you, Namjoon was dying to get back to you. It wasn’t exactly his shift any longer, Jungkook still had rights to be with you, and then Seokjin would take his place, but maybe–

“Namjoon.” Wheein cut through his rushed thoughts, stopping his plans short. “There is a reason I was coming to look for you.”

With a bad feeling settling in his stomach, Namjoon had her carry on. “What is it?”

“There’s something I think you should know.” it was her turn to look over her shoulder, sliding closer to him on the bench. Her eyes came back to stare at the coy swimming around by her feet, voice quiet as if she spoke of a secret: “There have been talks. Legends being brought up. Word is spreading about her, reaching other packs, other elders.”

“What are they saying?”

“I don’t know word by word. But a human living with the strongest pack of alphas in South Korea is already enough to have them stirring.” this sounded like a warning, the kind that made Namjoon’s wolf stand on high alert. “And now that same human survives a millennial ritual? People are getting curious about her and I’m afraid they might come looking.”

“They better not, if they know what’s good for them.” the man gritted his teeth, he’d fight every pack in Asia if he had to.

“I know you’ll do everything to keep her safe, I’m not worried about that.”

“But you are worried about something.”

“I know Sindeok. I know how she thinks.” Wheein looked at Namjoon and placed her hand on his knee, almost as if saying ‘I’m sorry’. “I know which version of the legend she believes in.”

“Don’t tell me she–”

“She believes in the lost princess, yes.” the woman looked serious as she added: “And now she has a great candidate in mind.”

That version of the legend wasn’t as spread around as much as the original version he told you during the bonfire, it wasn’t the one Namjoon grew up hearing about. But it made sense that the elders of this particular pack chose that version to believe in, when their system was matriarchal.

Some versions of the legend said that the lost twin wasn’t a boy, but a girl. Not only were the king’s children twins, but the first born and heir to the throne was a woman. He’d be seen as a weak man, a leader that could bring doom to the kingdom if he allowed the little girl to live.

Namjoon didn’t exactly know what any of this had to do with you of all people, it’s not as if you could be the reincarnation of the lost princess. But the elders were dangerous people, dead set in their beliefs. And if Sindeok believed you were anywhere near related to the princess that made their kind exist, the woman would be reckless enough to put your life at risk to prove her point.

And that made her an enemy.

Uh… Hyung? Sorry to bother you. Jungkook’s voice rang in his mind and Namjoon’s spine straightened completely. Are you close by?

What’s wrong? Is it something with her? Namjoon was already standing, making Wheein look at him with confusion all over her delicate features.

Oh, shit, no, I should have led with that, she’s still sleeping. The maknae explained, which sent some of his worry away. There’s something else I need to tell you. I just got a call.

I’m coming back.

“If you’ll excuse me, pack duty calls.” with a modicum of manners, Namjoon turned to bow to the woman and explain his outburst. “I hope to see you again before we leave, but if not–”

“It’s okay, you have a lot on your plate, old friend.” she smiled as she stood up, the dimple on her cheek reminding him of simpler times. “You turned into a great leader, like I always knew you would. I’m proud to see that.”

“I still don’t know what I’m doing most of the time.” his chuckle was low and his honesty surprised even himself. “But I’m trying to get better. For her.”

“I’m sure she appreciates it and would agree with me.” Wheein opened her arms for a parting hug and Namjoon would never deny her as much. “I hope to be properly introduced to her when all of this settles.”

“Come visit us and I’ll make sure of it.” Namjoon invited, pulling away from the hug after it was done. “You know you’re always welcome.”

“So are you.”

Namjoon bowed politely and walked away from the woman and the overwater gazebo, walking just a little faster to get back to the main house. He didn’t run into anybody else during his stride, so he didn’t have to hide his worry or much he desperately needed to get to you.

Jungkook was just coming out of the bedroom, having heard Namjoon approaching. He smelled heavily of sakura and vanilla, only your soothing scent and nothing more pungent or signs of stress.

“What is it?” Namjoon went straight to the point again, but Jungkook twisted his nose.

“You reek of another woman, you should really shower before you see our little wolf again or you’ll be in trouble.” he stated, sniffing Namjoon’s chest like a curious puppy. “Actually, maybe you should go inside right now–”

“Kook.” the alpha was tired and he missed you, and now he had to worry about you smelling Wheein on him.

“Yes, sorry, this is important–” the maknae shook his head as if it would help him get his ideas back into place. “Jaesang-nim called.”

Just before bringing his pack here, for the twin’s birthday party and your ritual, Namjoon entrusted Jungkook to visit a friendly, neighboring pack. Just because they would be away from their den in what was supposed to be a celebration, didn’t mean that their other problems would just stop existing.

Namjoon didn’t feel comfortable leaving home while a rogue wolf was still very much roaming their forest, leaving single paw prints as a warning, chasing away their wildlife. So Jungkook was sent over to ask for a favor, so that Jaesang’s pack could keep an eye out, make sure their territory would still be there upon their return.

“Okay, and what did he say?” Namjoon’s arms were crossing in his chest, a million thoughts and scenarios forming in his mind.

“They found him.” Jungkook said with a nervous pull of his earlobe. “They found the wolf that’s been stalking our woods.”

“Southside?”

Jungkook shook his head: “No, not Southside. It was Chan.”

“Someone has been stalking us?”

Your small voice made the two wolves standing outside your door turn to regard you with wide eyes. That’s how you knew you weren’t supposed to hear their conversation.

It wasn’t exactly your fault, you didn’t mean to eavesdrop… But your bed was too empty and you grew a little restless when you woke up and didn’t see any of your packmates around, when you knew for a fact they wanted at least one of them babysitting you at all times.

So you went looking for them and just so happened to catch the end of the conversation your leader was having with the youngest one.

The knowledge that someone was meandering the forest outside of the pack den was unnerving. Just how many times had you walked through those trees? Just a few days ago you were running from Taehyung as you played chase–

Oh.

Could that be part of Hoseok and Taehyung’s fight? Or the reason Namjoon had grounded the younger man in the first place? Tae putting you in danger didn’t sound like something he would do, and at the end of the day, you were still safe.

“You should go back inside, little wolf, one of us will come in in a second.” Namjoon tried to talk you out, hoping you were pliant enough to accept his orders without questioning.

“Why do you smell of peonies?” you accused instead, scenting the flower all over his clothes.

Jungkook muffled a chuckle by pretending to cough and you could tell Namjoon went a little pale. Before you could grill him some more to find out why his grassy musk was now extremely sweet, the leader told you something else you wanted to know:

“We didn’t want to worry you, we had everything under control.” Namjoon, you guessed, decided to share some pack information with you, instead of hiding it like usual. “But yes, we’ve been noticing a stranger spending time in our woods, we just hadn’t caught them before.”

“And now you have?” you looked at Jungkook then, as he had been the one to share the news with Namjoon. “Chan? Felix’s alpha?”

“My guess is he’s still into you.” Jungkook grumbled, licking between his lips in a way that looked menacing. “It’s common between wolves to stalk a mate’s den to show interest.”

“I’m not his mate.” you huffed. “Chan has done too much already. What was he thinking? Was he planning on challenging the rest of you now?”

A very uncomfortable feeling creeped up your spine as you remembered being with Jimin in the living room of the den, quite literally riding him while naked in front of the fireplace. You’ve been so sure that someone else was watching you, you could almost remember seeing glowing eyes outside.

At the time you chucked it off to reflecting lights against the glass walls but now… Now you knew it wasn’t your mind playing tricks on you. Instinctively, you covered your chest with your arms, even though you were perfectly dressed, you still felt naked. Your stomach was swirling and you could tell the little of the soup you ingested was trying to make its way up.

“We’ll make sure he stops, this won’t happen again.” Namjoon noticed your distress, even if he didn’t know the full reason why you were freaking out in the first place. “It’s gone too far.”

“Good.” you worried your bottom lip with your teeth before turning to Jungkook. “I know he used to be your friend, but–”

“He was my friend once, you’re my love now.” Jungkook touched your cheek, caressing it with his thumb and you felt yourself blush. “You come first, noona.”

“You can’t call me your love and then end it with noona.” you giggled, a little abashed as you chose to focus on those feelings instead of the uncomfortable ones.

“Oh, yeah? And what if I do?” the boy teased, taking a step closer to tower over you, an arm sneaking around your waist.

Namjoon was rolling his eyes behind Jungkook, tiny growls coming from his throat before you told him: “If you have anything to say, tell me why you smell so sweet.”

“Yeah, hyung.” Jungkook grinned. “Anything you want to say?”