Another day, another apology. It took me a while to edit this chapter because it's so long and because of its length, I also had to cut it into two parts than I originally planned. So, I need to get to editing the second part which is going to take a while as well, but you guys say that you love the long chapters, so I'm gonna keep the long chapters coming. Sorry for the inconvenience. School has, unfortunately, started again. ENJOY THE READ!

The rest of the week went by in an awkward silence between the two sets of boys. They went to school and passed by one another in the hallways without so much of a glance. Though... Onew did notice something peculiar. Taemin. As the days went by throughout the week, he started to question whether or not he was imagining the small peaks of glances Taemin seemed to be sending him whenever the two crossed paths. But, just as they would lock eyes for a bleak moment, Taemin would dart away like a deer in headlights.

Key never mentioned anything, so he brushed it off. Then again, Key also seemed to be in his own universe from time to time; Dozing off into dream world thinking of who knows what. It wasn't until the weekend hit that the boy got his head back into the game. Their plan. However, their plan was an at-night, it's-time-to-sneak-out, sort of deal. So until then, they were stuck getting groceries for the house on a Saturday morning.

While they walked back, the two discussed in hush tones about Key’s aunt. How she still wasn’t awake and how they often wondered if Onew’s mother wasn’t telling the truth about her situation as well. Eventually, Key waved off the subject though, his emotional ties to it becoming more and more disheartening the more they talked.   

"Wait…stop," Key said as they were only a couple of blocks away from his house.

There was still a nice walk to go, but something in the air caught him off guard. Something unfamiliar to his body yet somewhat familiar to his senses. Was this what it felt like to smell someone? Like the Cerberi did? Onew raised his brows as his friend put out his free arm in front of his body, creating a barrier between Onew and the rest of the sidewalk.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

But his words were too soon. That weird familiarity hit his body as well, though not in the same way. Goosebumps prickled against the surface of his skin, sending a chill down his spine.

"Well, we didn't mean to startle you two." The dark, smoky voice originated from behind them. They jumped around almost dropping the plastic bags hanging from their arms.

There were two men standing there. One, was tall and lean, almost like Taemin, yet the build of his body, the way his shoulders squared and his navy suit fitted his figure, it was as if he were combined with Minho as well. With pale skin minus the heat in his cheeks and the faint red on his thick fingers, he seemed much older than them. His beard and mustache were like stubble yet nicely fine but there was something about his piercing gray eyes that made Key particularly uncomfortable.

The other one next to him made his body lean much further than should be capable. Though he were shorter, he was still slender and looked a little, but not much, younger than the man next to him. And with round frameless glasses, a long sleeved cream sweater that seemed a little too hot for the weather, a disinterested face, and ruffled hair, he appeared a lot less threatening. In fact, the more the two boys looked at these leering grown men, it was like they had met before.

“Siwon.” The tall one said. He smirked and nodded to the man next to him.

“Eunhyuk.” The other replied.

That smirk. The sweater. Ruffled hair. The build of their bodies. Key’s heart stopped for just a minute when the looks came together and in that minute he felt Onew’s body stiffen next to him. He must’ve realized it too.

“We’re new in town.” Siwon continued. “Thought we’d get to know the residents.”

They walked in slow strides, closing the distance between the four of them. Key swallowed. Hard.

"Friends or cousins of Taemin and Minho I presume?" He asked the two, now what he realized to be, Cerberi. Particularly, the Cerberi they had encountered last weekend during a night in the woods. There was something very different about them, however. More threatening than Jackson and Jonghyun combined.

Siwon chuckled and nudged Eunhyuk lightly.

“Look at that. Word gets around fast huh?”

"Well, this place isn't very big," Key answered.

“You two go to the highschool?” Siwon asked. He moved in closer.

“Sorry, but our parents taught us not to talk to str-”

“What Onew means,” Key interrupted, “is that we don’t really know you at all. Even if you might be friends of Taemin and Minho. Doesn’t change much.”

Siwon laughed again.

“Your friend can’t speak for himself?”

“Can yours?” Key nodded towards Eunhyuk.

There was a sudden combination of eerie chuckles between the two grown men as they scraped their eyes at the two highschool boys. An eerie chuckle that forced Onew’s hand to feather against Key’s. He didn’t like how close they were getting and what definitely didn’t matter was whether or not they were in public, which they were. There were no people around though, just rushed cars passing by.

Siwon tilted his head. He took in a long sniff from his nose, almost as if smelling the air above him. But…that just didn’t seem to be right. Key furrowed, the skin on his forehead, etching in together. It was almost like he was smelling them…but without being direct. Like a hunter smelling the fear on its prey.

“Funny story,” Eunhyuk began, digging his hands into his pockets.

He scrunched up his nose to lift up his glasses.

“I heard a story about…” He looked between the both of them, “you I presume it was.”

His eyes drifted towards Key.

“Oh?”

“Yes. A little rumor about your time in the woods. Word has it that you broke your arm…or something attacked you. There’s no definite explanation.” He shrugged.

Key lifted his arm in the air and wiggled it, letting his hand flop from side to side.

“Just sprained it very badly is all. I scared myself while I was walking a trail through there and thought I heard something. Needless to say, I just scared myself.”

“There’s nothing in those woods,” Onew replied, “but large tree shadows and occasional bird noises.”

“Interesting.” Siwon cooed.

“I find it more interesting,” Eunhyuk continued, “that the rest of the rumor leads around your little hospital visit. Key, I believe that’s what they said your name was. I heard little whispers that you were in the hospital and out in a flash, even though some are saying that your injuries appeared to be a lot worse.”

“Well,” Key curved his lips into a fake smile, “I guess that’s why they call them rumors.”

“I guess that’s why it also helps that your aunt is a nurse…or a doctor. Can’t remember which one they said.” It was Siwon this time.

The mention of his aunt hit a nerve and he felt the corner of his eye twitch a bit from the jab in his heart. But, with Siwon’s leaching gray eyes idling on Key’s, he realized that was exactly what the man was looking for. A reaction.

“Well,” Onew sighed to break the awkward silence, “we have groceries to deliver and since Key’s little fiasco in the woods, we’re kind of on lockdown so…we have a time limit with how long we can be outside.”

“Right!” Siwon smiled. “Would hate to get you two little lads in trouble.”

Lads? The condescending word echoed in Key's head. He felt a scowl but wasn't really sure if he'd portrayed it or not.

“Please.” Siwon gestured his hand out, signaling for them to go about their way.

It didn't switch off the creepy factor and utterly violated feeling of being watched that they felt as they walked away.

***

Taemin breathed heavily, his abs compressing in and sweat slowly trailing down his chest as he leaned against a tree. The jagged carved bark always made him feel better after a run. That was the difference between their home and the Hallasan Mountains. The trees there were too smooth for his liking. Too unfamiliar. Now that they were back home, he was comfortable again. Unfortunately, now that they were back home, they had four pieces of unstable trouble that had to come with them. Four pieces of unstable mishaps waiting to happen, that the Hallasan Mountains gave to them as a gift for their visit.

Kai came up behind him not too long after, his shirt also off but a lot less sweat. His body collided into Taemin’s only slightly but enough for the boy to turn around to the other side of the tree.

“You’re still slower than me.” It was a statement from Taemin rather than a question. He arched his brow while resting his head against the tree. He watched his cousin gather his breath as he stuck his leg out in defeat.

“Guess that’s why you’re gonna be alpha.” He huffed. The words came out in jagged breaths.

“Mmm, right.”

His eyes narrowed towards the ground.

“Imagine how amazing the run’s gonna feel when we finally get to turn. Running with four legs has to be a lot more fun than running with two.” The boy smiled, sliding his body down towards the rugged dirt ground.

"It's weird not having the girls here," Taemin commented.

His mind was elsewhere. He heard Kai's words but for some reason, they didn't really register. He'd never actually dwelled on the fact that when school was finally over, and them having graduated, they would be able to transform. Maybe it would feel like the first time when they got to experience it before these cuffs were placed on their wrists. A sacrifice every Cerberi had to make. Then again, maybe it won't. He wasn't sure, but he also didn't…care. There were way too many other things hovering about in his mind. The Elders. The new Cerberi. Onew. Key…Onew.

“Yeah…it does.” Kai finally replied. “But, I mean, they still visit occasionally. At least Minho will have Hyuna. I don’t think she’s leaving. Just training somewhere else. I mean, we might not have Amber, but I’m sure you’ll get our other beta cousins for your pack. Nothing to worry about.”

“I’m not.” His voice was stern and blunt.

Kai stopped breathing hard and pursed his lips, looking up to his cousin.

"Taemin, you've been acting weird lately. Even weird from the usual weird Taemin. What's up, man? Is it those Cerberi. They say something?"

Taemin smiled down.

"No…nothing like that. I just- have a lot to think about lately. Sometimes, it gets a little crowded in here." He tapped his finger against his temple.

“Well,” the boy grunted, lifting his body up off the ground, “if you need anything. You know I’ll be here. That’s one thing that’s not gonna change.”

His cousin nodded, then gestured his head towards further north of the woods.

“You still need to get faster,” Taemin responded, “so either go for another run or take a break at your cave. I need to talk to Minho about our leadership problems.”

“Minho?” Kai arched his brow. “I don’t-”

But then he heard it. The bristling of leaves, the heavy contracting of feet pushing into the ground and stepping out. Kai smirked his devilish sharp fangs.

“Like…I said…” he huffed wiggling his finger toward his cousin, “that’s why…you’re gonna be…alpha.”

Before Taemin could get any words out, Kai went sprinting north, enhancing his speed with the use of his Cerberi abilities.

He smiled, watching until his cousin could no longer be seen, then he listened to Minho’s heavy running until he knew he was close enough, stretched out his arm and just as the man was about to pass him, grabbed hold onto his thick biceps, making Minho’s body swing around the tree and catch itself before he fell.

“Taemin what the-”

“I need to talk to you.” He pushed his body from off the tree and crossed his arms, forcing his back to straighten as he stared at his partner.

There weren’t many times that the boy could be seen as serious, so Minho knew the look. He pursed his lips and nodded his head towards the east.

“Over there. I’m running with Jonghyun. I don’t need him to be ease dropping.”

Minho used the back of his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The droplets trailed down the sides of his temples and met at his lips. His arms, they curled upward making his biceps and triceps pulse, the muscle tensing at its peak. Taemin found himself comparing their builds. Minho was thick with abs and a chest like a body builder only not extreme to how big it was, while Taemin’s slender figure forced his arms to stay sharp and clean, yet mediocre to its max. Why was he comparing their bodies? He shook his head to get rid of the thoughts.

“So..what is it?” Minho interfered.

“I am…beginning to become…conflicted…” He answered with a tilt of his head. His view moved down to Minho’s figure.

“About?”

“About my-” A cough pushed through his throat, “about the situation between Onew and Key.”

“What do you mean?”

"I think…" He moved around, pacing back and forth as to concentrate on the target at hand. "that they are planning something. You heard the way they were talking."

Minho chuckled.

“They wouldn’t be stupid enough to-”

“Oh, wouldn’t they?” He exclaimed with his finger pointing in the air. “These are the same pair that tried to outrun us when they realized we were following them. Or did you forget how we all officially met? These are also the two that risked coming back into the forest, even after Key hurt himself which in turn led us to finding them. These are also the two that aren’t afraid of us after finding out what we are. These are also the two that basically shoved us away and insulted us just a week ago because-”

"Okay, okay. I get it." Minho waved his hands down in defeat. "I get it. They are a trouble duo. So what? We go to their house and talk to them. I doubt that that's going to make things better."

Taemin shrugged.
”I don’t see why not. I say we just go over there and suffer the consequences later.”

The man shook his head and pushed himself off the tree. Through all this, he thought that the compulsive side of Taemin would have left, but even that can’t be erased, no matter how much the boy was actually starting to think things through now.

"Taemin, we can't rush into things. That's what got Key's arm injured worse, or did you forget your little attack on him when he had the cast on?"

"Well, he sure as hell didn't make me forget by the way they treated us earlier this week."

“Exactly. No…” Minho whispered the last word, tapping his finger against his bottom lip.

The leaves in the trees rustled as the wind blew by and the sun made shadows dance across the dirt ground.

“No, there’s something else we’re missing besides those two.” He continued. “Though I think you’re right about them, I do think our attention needs to be focused on the new Cerberi right now.”

“And why? They’ve been doing everything we’ve asked them to do this week, no problem. I mean, we gotta keep our attention on them as leaders, but other than that-” The boy shrugged again.

“And that’s the problem,” Minho urged, “they’ve been too abiding. Especially Siwon and Eunhyuk.”

“Minho, I’m still not-”

“Taemin, they were the alphas of their packs. They were leaders who got demoted and sent off to another place where they had to take orders from highschool students. Seniors or not, that’s insulting to be placed under a child’s orders.”

Taemin went quiet. His eyes were on the ground now. The summary made sense. In fact, it made a lot of sense, down to the point where there was room for concern.

“Why have they’ve been so abiding?” He went on. “You saw them when we met them in Hallasan. I don’t even think they know the term abiding.”

"You think they gonna start some mess here? And risk not getting their Alpha titles back?"

“No, I think they’re planning to start something that doesn’t make it look like they did anything. All they need is for someone to start something with them.”

“So…” This time it was Taemin tapping his finger against his bottom lip, brooding on the possibilities. “What do we do?”

A heavy breath left Minho's chest and traveled through his throat, out his nostrils. His arms hardened together while they were crossed and he nodded to himself as if a silent conversation had taken place.

“I got an idea.”

***

His feet paced back and forth in front of the bed as he waited for Key. Their door was closed and the house was quiet. The sky had gotten darker, finally allowing them the chance for freedom and experimentation, but…it was the action combined with early on’s encounter that had the man’s feet in jitters. Key finally came out of the bathroom checking his pants when he looked up.

“Onew,” he whispered, “would you stop before your mom hears us. She may not have as good as hearing as I do, but I’m sure she can smell fear.” He balled up his fist as he enclosed the distance between them.

Onew closed his eyes and let the air swirl through his nostrils.

"I'm sorry." He whispered back. "It's just…after today, I don't think this is a good idea. You…um…sensed it, right? That-"

“Onew, you’re supposed to be my protector right?”

The man nodded.

"Then start acting like it. Where's the Onew who came up with the same idea I had earlier this week? I need that Onew right now."

Onew breathed in deeply once again.

He started to nod.

“You’re right,” he nodded one more time. “Let’s go.”

Surprisingly, it didn't take them long to get back to the forest. With spare time through the morning and afternoon and the benefit of having a mother who no longer risked to snoop, the two were able to practice their abilities in Onew's room. But it wasn't the same. Wasn't like the plan they were attempting now. Sometimes it worked in the room, sometimes it didn't. It was a conclusion they'd come to earlier on in the week. That their abilities only seemed to take a strong enough effect when their emotions were on the line. When they were on the brink on either being terrified out of their wits or angry. Onew's room was just too neutral for anything significant to happen.

Grant it, Key had gotten better at hearing. He used the breaks they took in between practicing to lay down on the bed and try to listen in on Onew's parents. Of course, with Onew right next to him. The most Onew could do was sense there was something different about the atmosphere. He wasn't as strong as Key. And that was evident. Unfortunately, there was nothing to ease drop on in the house. Whatever or whenever or if-ever his parents did talk, they made sure not to talk about anything that might raise the boys’ suspicions. Almost as if they had an inkling that something was brewing in the room. But then again, who wouldn't?

While they made their way to the woods, Onew couldn’t help but let the fact that his abilities weren’t as strong as Key’s, simmer through his mind. He remembered what his mother said; that Gumihos were the natural alphas of the supernatural world, but…he wondered if more of it had to do with the fact that he was half human. It was a thought that he kept to himself for the time being.

"I will say something." Key whispered to him as they snuck back into the woods. "And I'll be honest, it might be a little harder to do this than we planned, seeing as they got our scent."

Onew was pulled straight from his thoughts only to gulp hard at Key's words. He remembered the lingering sniff into the air that the Siwon guy did. They both remembered it and it sent chills down their spines. Onew let the lump pass down his throat before asking.

“You didn’t think to mention that earlier?”

Key shrugged.

“You were already a little indifferent about the situation.” He whispered back.

They weren’t experts of quietly maneuvering through the woods, so their feet often crunched loudly against the dead leaves on the ground or their hands forced some bark from trees to scrabble down. Every time it happened, they would stop in their tracks and look about them, Key, listening in for any footsteps that Onew couldn’t hear and Onew, trying his best to activate his ability to shield them.

The trail they were taking was different, but still familiar to Key. It was like the place they had been to before was calling him, and because of that, he didn't really need to remember where he was going. Then again, he had apparently been asleep in these woods for who knows how long only to be woken up by Onew. The woods were his home in a way. They knew where to take him.

It took some ways, but without so much as a Siwon or an Eunhyuk, they made it back to the area. Key stuck out his hand cautiously, nervous at first, but once his eyes met with a beam of sunlight, his brows softened and his heart stopped beating as loudly. Onew followed suit, his hand tightly clasped around Key’s as the expressive yellow hit against his skin.

The place was just as beautiful as they remembered.

But unlike last time, they didn’t get this moment to gaze at it in awe. Because once they stepped inside, there was a commotion that instantly followed on the other side. The running of feet, that is.

Not long after they entered, Eunhyuk came up in the same space they’d once been standing in. As a reflex, Onew grabbed Key tightly, clamping his arms around the boy from behind. Eunhyuk’s eyes were glowing against the iridescent crescent moon above them. He had replaced his long thick sweater for a rolled up t-shirt and his hair, if possible, was more ragged than before. It was something about seeing him now that made him more frightening. With the fake glasses gone and lazy demeanor left behind, this Eunhyuk was much more chilling than the one they met earlier.

Key tapped on Onew’s arm to signal him to move out, but Eunhyuk was far too close for the man’s liking.

Without using words, Key turned his head around as best as Onew's tight grasp would allow and nodded towards Eunhyuk again. It was a dangerous plan, but they both were terrified and it was a now or never type of chance. Again, Onew gulped hard, a thick ball running down his throat and, with Key's help, he stepped out into the open, abandoning the sweet paradise that was beginning to feel like home. But not only were they met by Eunhyuk's figure but the sound of something else running against the dirt. Key could hear it clearly. Something four-legged…and fast.