Minzy awoke tired of being tired. Huffing at herself, she figured it was time to stop moping around and get up to do something before she went crazy. Sitting up slowly, the rush that came with moving had her feeling light headed. Fighing the thoughts of going bakc to wallowing in her pain, she forced herself up and out of bed. Shuffling towards the window, she reached out and realized how weak she had become with how much of a struggle it was to open her window. The gust of air swiftly entering, along with the blinding sunlight had her clutching her stomach. The immediate impact of mother nature had her wanting to vomit at such a rude awakening. Pivoting on one foot, she picked up at and made her way to the bathroom. 

Wrapping her hair into her towel, she felt rejuvenated. Taking the opportunity of being clean she continued to clean her unkept room. As tidy as she could make the room, she still found herself grinning at her accomlishments. Surprised by the low grumbled coming from her stomach, she couldn't remember the last time she had an appetite. Her appetite was pretty much nonexistent. Now after what felt like a work out, she made her way to the kitchen. The thoughts of her dream of mother weeks ago flashed in her mind and she couldn't help but smile. Walking about the kitchen, she remembered all the ingredients to her favorite spicy noodles her mother made. Whisking it all together, she took a seat at the kitchen table and inhaled the delicious aroma. Sadly smiling, she fought the tears that threatened to escape her eyes. Digging in, it wasn't quite as good as mother made it, but it was good enough for her. 

Minzy felt like she was conquering the world as she opened the front door and stepped outside. She didn't know why she felt nervous, but she did. Closing the door behind her, she made her way down the steps and down the road. Acknowledging all the glances and thoughts sent her way, she made her way to the forest. Shifting into her wolf form, she yond and stretched feeling it had been too long since she had been in her wolf skin. Taking a stroll through the forest, she enjoyed the crunching of leaves underneath her paws. The woods seemed enchanting today, as the birds chirped and the colors so earthy and vibrant. It was quite a walk as she found herself in the middle of the forest. Her heart grew heavy as she thought of Bobby. Was he happy? Was he on the search for a new love? Sighing, she let the memories of their relationship flood her mind as she began to hum the tune of ascension. Whispering the song of her people, she took off her shoes. Letting her bare feet feel the cool dirt as she danced. The first interaction, the first kiss, the first of many happy times she shared with Bobby had tears fall from her eyes. Withouth her knowing, she shifted back and forth between her wolf and human form. As if grasping at her chest, she figuratively pushed her broken heart out and up into the sky. Falling onto her knees she cried out as she ended in her wolf form. Hanging her head low, she let the tears fall shamelessly down her now fury cheeks. Releasing her love for Bobby left a gaping hole in her chest. She felt so hollow. An emptied shell with nothing to replace what was taken from her.  

"I've wanted to ascend so many times I think I've lost count," Mino spoke up as he stepped out into view. Stuffing his hands into his pockets, he slowly moved to take a seat on the ground. He sighed as he ran his hand through his hair, "But I think you just extended your life. At least that's what I think happened to me. A lot of people I have loved have passed and yet I'm still here." 

"I don't really care," Minzy hissed. "Just leave me alone Mino, go and disappear and let me handle this alone like you always do." She didn't mean to be so harsh, it was just the fact that she had been caught in such a vulnerable state. Not to mention the fact that she had not seen him for a few weeks ago when he told her that he had been preparing their home. Was he just trying to bring her out of her funk? Shaking the thought, she didn't want to go down that road at the moment.

", you really know how to make me feel like an ," Mino chuckled. 

Just like she found it hard to not think about Bobby, she also found it hard to not think about Mino. Subconsciously thinking about what he was, the first word to come to mind would have to be confusing. If there was anything that didn't make much sense to her in her life, it would be him. She honestly couldn't wrap her head around the twisted way of thinking he had. After years of waiting and longing, he finally was starting to come around when she no longer wanted him to. Not to mention at how odd he has been acting with him purposely seeking her out alone. She could excuse the time that his wolf had over powered him, but moments like this? He seemed the opposite of what she grew up knowing him as. He seemed nervous, self conscious, and dare she say scared of what she thought of him. Why? "I mean it Mino, if this is some sick joke of wanting to see me suffer then here it is. I'm suffering, now go," she shook her head as she turned to leave. 

Mino quickly stood on his feet as he called after her, "I'm sorry that I hurt you enough to want to leave this world. I just...I just can't bare to see someone else die by my hand." 

If dense had a photo next to it, it would have Mino's face with this exact moment attached to it as an example. She stopped in her tracks as her thoughts went back to the look of betrayal he gave her when she was in Bobby's arms weeks ago. Turning back, she saw the color red and the next thing she knew she charged forward and  rammed hard into his gut. Her surprise attack had him stumbling back and falling flat on his bum. Taking the opportunity to pounce, she stood towering over him, Pressing her paws into his now pinned body, she let out a deep growl, "You're so selfish and self centered you know that! You don't care about anyone else but yourself! You didn't come to apologize to me, you came so that your damned soul would feel less guilty for how ty of a person you really are!" Glaring down at the dumbstruck young man, she hissed. "So bare it and bare it well, because if I die I hope it's on your hands!" Huffing as she pushed off of him, she shook her head as she thought of her conversation with father a few days ago. It pricked her heart that she had said such a thing. "But I would not wish death upon myself. I couldn't bare the thought of making my family suffer even more than they already are." 

Slowly sitting up, he looked over at her curiously, "Then, what were you doing?" 

He wouldn't understand, but she didn't care. She needed the forefathers to hear it, "I let Bobby go. I let my feelings of love for Bobby become nothing but a sweet distant memory." 

Seeing her resolve, he was amazed, "Wow." 

"So go, live well Mino. You don't need to take responsibility of me any longer. I will love no more," she vowed as she walked away. 

And I thought I was harsh, Jiyong teased. 

You're gonna be in deep with father,  Seunghyun said stating the obvious as Minzy pushed her brothers out of her mind. 

Minzy felt nervous as she walked into the house. She had been out all day avoiding this moment of facing father who had surprisingly not reached out to her in her mind. Inhaling the delicious aroma of what she assumed was dinner, she walked into the kitchen to see father smiling over at her and waving for her to join him. Grinning, she took a seat across from father and sat in awe. She had never seen father cook, not that he was a bad cook or anything, mother just always took care of the cooking. "The food looks good," Minzy complimented father. 

"Let's just hope it tastes as good as it looks," father chuckled as they both began to dig in. Minzy bit into the meat and felt the tears welling in her eyes. "What, does it taste that bad," father spoke up. 

Minzy chewed and smiled, "Actually mother would be proud of you. It might even compete with her cooking."

Father chuckled as he shook his head, "Now don't say that, before mother curses us even more." Both of them started to laugh before father sighed, "I'm just glad to see you up and moving. You look so fragile baby girl. No man or wolf is worth starving over." 

Minzy smiled at hearing the concern in father's voice, "Well if you keep cooking like this, you won't have to worry about me ever starving again."

Father smiled sadly as the thoughts of his dear wife visiting Minzy in her dreams floated in his mind, "Though you may not understand it now. Everything happens for a reason. Don't waste away when you have so many of us rooting for your happiness." 

Minzy pressed her lips tightly together as flashes of father's thoughts came pouring in her mind. Too overwhelmed, she was up and out of her seat embracing father tightly. Trembling in his strong and secure arms, she could feel so much love in the room.

The next few days were filled with laughter and tears as Minzy along with her brothers and father went through all of mother's belongings. Minzy let out a sigh of contentment as she closed the last box of belongings being donated. Grinning as father placed a comforting arm around her, she leaned into her father glad to have shared time with the family. "Baby girl I found some things that belongs to you," he squeezed her arm before turning back to his room. 

"Well we have to get going before our wives start to think we're neglecting them," Seunghyun nodded over to Jiyong who followed suit. 

Bidding farewell, Minzy walked into the direction father had went. Knocking on the door before her father called for her to enter. He sat on his side of the bed and pat the spot next to him. She gladly sat down and looked to her father with a bright smile, "Is it something from mother?" 

He sighed as he handed her a metal box, "Yes and no, it's something you need to see." Curiously, Minzy opened the box to find it filled with letters. Opened letters, picking one up it was addressed to mother. Looking over to father, he nodded to encourage her to read it. Pulling out the letter she was surprised that it was none other than Mino. Confused, she browsed through the stack and noticed that the first few were addressed to her and soon transitioned to mother. "When you left home mother decided to write Mino and tell him of your choice to leave home. But that didn't stop him from writing you. He started to send you and mother letters." Skimming through the letters, there was letters that were still sealed and addressed to her with an opened letter addressed to mother. "Mother kept them in order as she held hope that one day you would come home and read them all." 

Touched by mother's thoughtfulness, she wasn't so sure she wanted to open the letters addressed to her. Instead she wanted to read the letters to her mother. Father reached over to embrace her and kissed the top of her head before leaving to allow her some privacy. Opening the very first letter to mother, she smiled seeing how embarassed and caught off guard that mother would take time out of her day to respond to him. As she continued to read through the various letters, she could see how naturally they carried on a conversation that developed into that of mother and son like advice at times. Giggling as she read how he could feel her scolding him through her letters, she nodded to agree that mother's words could pierce through anyone. Sighing, she felt a little out of place when Mino would ask about her. No matter the case, he would still continue to write her until she would one day write him back. By the end of the box, she was amazed to see that they had written each other faithfully from her disappearance till mother's last month. Folding the last letter, she placed it back in the envelope and tucked it back into it's rightful place. Running her fingers along the various envelopes, a tear fell from her eyes as she whispered a thank you to her mother for being so diligent when she couldn't be. Closing the box, she couldn't bring herself to reading the letters addressed to her. Taking the box in hand, she moved to take it up to her room where she placed it into the top shelf of her closet. Gazing towards her bedroom window, she realized it had become dark. Her day had come and gone without her knowing and now she wondered whether to turn in and call it a night or live up what was left of it. 

Minzy trotted through the forest, nodding to fellow town wolves who were strolling through the woods as well. This was one of the perks of being home, she didn't have to hide who she was and everyone there understood the way of life. It was her home, she grinned to herself as she began to race up a trail that led up the mountain side. Howling out to the moon when she reached the top, she felt so free inhaling the crisp cool air. 

"It's such a beautiful night out," Mino called out to her as he walked out in his wolf form. Her freeing moment ended, as she nodded. Exhaling deeply she turned to take her leave. "Please don't leave on my account. This mountain top is big enough for the both of us." She didn't know what to say, but she did want to stay and continue to enjoy the view of the night sky. Weighing out the pros and cons of staying, she figured he was right. The mountain top was pretty large. She moved to the far end or in her eyes, as far as she could be from him but still enjoy the views. Leaning back on her hind legs, she stretched her front legs out and laid onto the cool dirt. Looking out at the stars twinkling, she knew it had to be mother smiling at her for not being a major jerk and leaving. "Oh you have such a nice view over here, do you mind if I share it with you," Mino spoke up as he sat next to her. 

Her senses heightened, as she tried to bite back the choice words she wanted to say. Staying quiet and focused on the stars that kept twinkling at her, her mind traced back to mother. Mother writing this man next to her. Sighing as she felt it hard to breathe through the thick awkwardness called silence. "Thank you," she whispered as she kept staring out. "Thank you for writing my mother and keeping her company while I was away doing my own thing." 

Mino coughed to clear his throat, "There is nothing to thank, it was all my pleasure. I enjoyed writing your mother. She was like my mother figure over the past few years." She turned to see Mino with a sincere smile plastered on his face. "Believe it or not, she helped shape me into the man that I am right now." 

"I believe you," Minzy said gratefully. 

"Did you read any of the letters I sent you too," he asked curiously. 

She grinned as she shook her head, "No." Turning to look back at the stars, she couldn't look him in the eyes for this part. "I'm not the girl you used to write anymore. I gave up waiting for you." 

"I deserve that," he softly spoke.

She felt so powerful being able to say what she was feeling with no back lash. "Mino I deserve better," she turned to glare at him. "I waited so long for what? For you? For someone that loved himself more than he loved anyone else. For someone who hurt me time and time again when all I wanted was friendship at the very least. I didn't ask for your love. Nor did I curse you for not giving me it! So tell me why? Why am I being punished to be bonded with you?! Why couldn't I have my chance at happiness? Why couldn't you bless my relationship with Bobby like I did with whatever woman you wanted to be with?"

"You're right," Mino sighed heavily. He honestly couldn't disagree to any of it. She spoke nothing but the truth. But he couldn't help but feel pained to hear her vocalize that her happiness connected to Bobby, another man. He had a lot of work to do and he couldn't figure out on where to start. "I'm a selfish man as you so clearly depict me out to be. And yes you deserve better." He scoffed as he looked into her direction. He wanted her to look at him, he desperately wanted her to see just how much this whole ordeal was tearing him apart too, "Minzy you and I both know that you deserve the world and more! But I...I want to be the one to give it to you. Not Bobby, not any other man, but me," he confessed. Turning to move close to her, he bore his eyes into hers, "This selfish man wants you all to his self. And if it be a punishment, let this life sentence fall upon my head not your own."

The intensity in his eyes made her cower back, she could feel just how desperately he wanted her as if she were the water to quench his thirst. Tearing her gaze away from his, she moved away, "Stop messing with me Mino."

Mino became frustrated that she was not taking him seriously. Backing her into a corner, he towered over her, "This isn't a joke! I'm going to prove my devotion to you even if it takes a life time." The determination that burned in his eyes, held her still. His flaring nostrils caught her scent of sweet strawberries. Feeling his self losing self control, he pressed his self further down inhaling her intoxicating scent. She smelt so delicious, he wanted to taste her. Seeing her plump juicy lips up for the taking, his heart started to beat wildly as his mind became clouded with desire. 

Seeing how his instincts was clouding his vision, she took the opportunity to flee out of his grasp. Running as fast as her feet would take her, she felt her heart pounding so hard it was beating in her ears. Rushing through the forest, she ran home. Shifting as she raced to her room, she pulled out a suit case and began packing her things. "What are you doing," Father asked as he stood in her doorway.

"I...I have to go," she found it hard to form a sentence with her mind racing at a million miles per hour. 

"Minzy you can't ask for honesty and shy away from the answer you received," her father gave her a knowing look. 

"Father," she hissed as she tried to push the thoughts out of her mind. "I can't...I don't want to...this is too much!" 

"What is? The truth or the fact that the stars are finally aligning in your favor," father asked. "Where is the box of letters?" 

Shaking her head, father couldn't fully understand what she was feeling right now, he couldn't, "Father truth be told he doesn't want me. Maybe his wolf might want me physically, but I'm more than just a piece of meat!"

"Minzy," father growled losing his patience. "Where are the letters I gave to you?"

"Why," she huffed as she plopped onto her bed as her mind started to slow down. 

"Read them. All of them," he gave her a look letting her know that it wasn't a question or a maybe, it was a must. 

Sighing, she stomped over to her closet like a spoiled child. Retriving the box, she showed it to father before tossing it on the bed. "I've read most of them." 

"Read them all," he shot her a stern look before leaving her to her own thoughts. Kicking her half packed bag onto the floor, she flopped onto the bed and curled up. Turning away from the box she closed her eyes and tried to drift off to sleep. Minzy father's voice growled. 

"Fine," she whined as turned and opened the box. Taking the first letter in hand. She stared at it for a moment before ripping it open. Reading the first letter, it was a casual hello and that he hoped all was well with her. He told her of his latest adventures and mentioned that maybe one day she could join him. The thoughts of how she was fascinated by his travels, she remembered mentioning to him that she would like to be as adventureous as him one day. Sighing as she opened the next letter, she chuckled as he cheered her on for living on the edge and leaving home. He told her of it being nerve-wrecking at first but in time it will become fun to live on her own. Taking her time with each letter, she could envision all the adventures he wrote her about. Reading how at times he referred to himself as crazy for still writing her even though she wasn't writing him back, he would then end with words of encouragement that one day he would get a reply. As she continued to read, the letters were dated less frequent as he mentioned a young woman he took interest in. He felt it a little awkward for him to write about this young woman, but he had become so used to writing Minzy he didn't know who else to talk to about such things. An apology letter soon followed to Minzy about how he was failing her time and time again. If only she would reach out to him and reply to at least one letter he would know what to do. The letter that followed only made her feel sad for him trying to fight the feelings in general. He tried to push this young woman away time and time again, yet he found himself still loving her. Could she be understanding of his situation even though time and time again she was forced to be? It was the question that he had asked her in his letter as he hoped that she would find love and be loved by someone who was a better man than him. The thoughts of Bobby came to mind as she brushed the stray tears that fell from her eyes. She was in a trance as she read the next few letters of hoping that she would be understanding not of his situation, but of herself. He had wrote her time and time again hoping and praying for her to find love and wishing her good health in her adventures that he was dying to hear about. As she was nearing the end of the pile, one letter stuck out to her. He revealed that he was laying next to this woman he loved, but he knew it was not right. Knowing right from wrong and actually following through with what was really right was not his strongest suit. He hoped that she was doing what was right, at least for her. He couldn't bare the thought of her being cursed and would do anything to help her from living a cursed life. It was a promise he made and was going to keep. Closing the letter, she sobbed as conflicting emotions invaded her mind. Curling up in bed, she closed her eyes not knowing how to react to such intimate feelings and notions sent her way throughout the last few years. 

Minzy clutched the basket in hand tightly as she walked up the steps to Mino's family home. Though he had told her that he would be living at his family home it still had her in awe. Knocking on the door, she felt her heart skip a beat as she shifted from side to side. "Minzy, what a pleasant surprise. Come in," he moved aside to let her pass. "What brings you here so early in the morning," he asked as he walked into his living room. Minzy vaguely remembered it after the bond ceremony and a few more times of receiving council from Mino's parents. It looked like she was stepping back in time as the house appeared untouched by the tests of time. 

"I came to bring you an apology breakfast," she said as she handed him the basket. 

"Whoa," he said impressed by how heavy it felt. "You don't expect me to eat all this by myself now," he chuckled as he opened the basket and curiously saw a white envelope on top. "What is this," he picked it up and waved it at her. 

She shrugged as she turned to take her leave, "I'll catch you later then?" 

"Minzy wait," he was quickly on his feet and chasing after her. Surprised as she came to an abrupt halt, he crashed right into her. Causing the pair to go flying towards the wall. Holding his hands out to stop himself from crushing her, he looked down at her and smiled as she giggled. "Sorry," he chuckled. 

Staring at the man hovered over her, she found it very attractive that he was trying to be gentle man. Picking up his scent, he smelt of a breath of fresh air. He smelt of the woods and fallen rain. His distinct scent burning in her mind had a tingle trickle down her spine. "You don't need to apologize, it was an accident," she grinned up at him. He couldn't help but match her grin as he stayed towering over her, "I...thank you for breakfast." 

"Thank you for being an avid letter writer," she pressed her lips tightly together not wanting to say any more before she blurted out things she would regret later. Slipping past him, she waved as she took her leave. Feeling light hearted, she nearly tip toed off into the forest. Shifting in her wolf form she felt like going on an adventure.

Author's Notes:

I almost thought that this chapter was deleted when I looked at the chapter and it was freaking blank. But it was just a loading malfunction so it's funny now haha. Hope everyone is having a good week. Thanks for reading, hope ya'll are enjoying this short chaptered fic. The next chapter is the last chapter for this segment. Yay!