You couldn't believe what was in front of you. Twelve of them stared straight at you, their bodies tense. You rubbed your eyes to see if you were just hallucinating all of this, but the wolves stayed where they were.

     

    Unknown to you as they watched you try to confirm what you saw, Exo couldn't help but think 'C-cute', at your small motions. Kris took your confusion as a chance to explain a little as to what was going on. He cleared his throat before speaking,

"~~~, because your life is still at risk, your going to have to stay with us until things calm down again."

    

    You gave the black dog a weird look, saying your thoughts aloud,

"How do you know my name? Who are you people-err, wolves?"

 

    All the others' hearts sank. Had you really forgotten them? Those who had interacted with you during the previous days, were melancholy as well, swearing by your actions that you had recognized them. Baekhyun whined softly pawing at the ground, while D.O and Kai just looked away. Kris did his best to make the situation better, but right as he was going to answer you Baekhyun spoke up instead,

"Don't you remember us, ~~~?"

 

    This was crazy! You didn't know these people or wolves, who claimed you were acquainted with them. Not only that, but they said you were going to have to stay with them 'until things calmed down'. What the heck was that suppose to mean, and how long too?! Living with  wolves, was definitely not on your list of things 'I plan on doing in my lifetime' whatsoever. To answer the wolf's question, you shook your head. This seemed to dishearten him and everyone around you, as they remained quiet. You looked at them, before asking, 

"Should I?"

    There were muffled utters up  from the others, but none coherent enough for you to understand. 

"Of course! You've known us since you could breathe, and we've known you since you were born. . ." The wolf who asked you the first question, mumbled sadly. Frowning you said,

"O-oh, I'm sorry," 

    'What the heck was that ~~~!? You've completely forgotten some of your supposed long-lost wolf friends, and all you can do is say "sorry"?!' You wanted to smack yourself there, but restrained the urge to try to look somewhat sane. 

"Maybe you'd recognize us in our other form!" A black pup suggested, excited to think of something before his brothers.

"Other form?" You said uneasily. They weren't going to turn into some giant mutant ninja wolves, were they?! -Not like the whole 'talking animal' part wasn't mutant enough.

"Good idea!!" The other pup beside him yapped.

    The older wolves either groaned or said nothing, before doing something that nearly gave you a heart-attack. 

 

    Each and everyone of them, right then and there, transformed into a human! More specifically males. Even more specifically, handsome and attractive males. You stood there frozen, wide-eyed, and not sure how to respond.

"Hey ~~~! Do you remember us now?" A boy with red hair and cute face, who moments ago used to be the black pup, asked. You didn't say anything, continuing to stare. 

"Maybe it was too much. After all she hasn't seen us in nearly ten years. . ." Another boy, who also used to be a pup, with blonde hair and an equally as adorable face, said thoughtfully.

"Owww!" Both said simultaneously, as they were hit over the side heads. The redhead swiveled around complaining,

"Geeze, Kris-gege! What the was that for?"

"Yeah!?" 

"Tao, it was your bird-brained idea to scare the crap out of her like that! Your a wolf dammit! Think before you say or do! 'Too much', Sehun?! That's a complete understatement! I mean, look at her now! She's as pale as a ghost! There's no doubt she's freaked out!" An older boy disciplined, stressing each boys' fault.

    The two younger hung their heads in shame, muttering things like,

"Yeah, yeah, you don't have to nag,"

"Angry old man," 'Angry old man?' That made you curious about real his age, how old were they? 

    Kris gave them a stern look, and they automatically turned to you. Giving you a ninety degree bow, they apologized before sticking out their tongues at their gege saying,

"Only because its ~~~,"

    You could hear Kris mutter a "whatever", before focusing his attention back on you. Everyone did, still anticipating your answer. You giggled at the previous scene, finding it hilarious that Kris was chastening the almost as tall as himself Tao. With an eye brow raised and an unamused face, Kris asked,

"What's so funny?"

    Stifling your laughter, you said,

"You, you're scolding someone's who's as big as you, so it's not very threatening,"

    Kris looked astonished, before sputtering,

"W-what do mean not as threatening?!"

    You smiled saying,

"It just looks funny to see a grown man lecture one that's nearly as tall, if not taller,"

 

     He didn't have a comeback.

 

    All was silent, as never had Exo seen their cold-faced alpha so flustered, and at a loss of words. That is until Tao and Sehun burst out cackling, sending the rest into chuckles or howling fits. You joined them, and eventually Kris too. And before anyone of you knew it, all of you were too busy laughing to worry about the current issue. 

   Sooner or later the mirth had to die down, and when it did all of you went back to quiet. Kris walked towards you, saying,

"Your lucky we've met before. Any stranger who'd dare do that to an alpha, would be ripped apart immediately,"

"I don't know any of you, doesn't that make us strangers?" You asked genuinely. 

    Upon hearing your words, Kris softened replying,

"That doesn't make us any less of family,"

     This time you were speechless, dazed yet touched. You had never had someone consider you as their family after your parents died, and something like that coming from him of all creatures made you weary. He spoke up again, "Since I know we can't force you comply happily, are you going to come with us, ~~~?"

"Why should I stay with a bunch of wolves?" You blurted, raising your guard back up.

    Once the words came out, you instantly regretted saying them. Each of boy held their own look of hurt and remorse. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that. . .it's just. ." You trailed off, not sure how to phrase the next part of your sentence. Ever since you were little, the villagers had told you, your parents had been killed by the beasts of the forest and you believed them, simply because it made sense. The beasts were dangerous, fearsome, and didn't think twice about killing-the thought of Hyunseung possibly being proof of that, made you shudder. So in a way, it was only natural for you to be suspicious of the pack in front of you. "I can't trust you. You and  your kind killed my parents. . ."

 

    Exo stood before you, enraged you'd even suggest something like that. Not at you, but rather the thought of it. This time, Kai stepped in, snarling,

"Who told you that ?!"

    Taken aback, you flinched mumbling,

"The villagers,"

    Kai, not satisfied with your answer, retaliated,

"And you're still going to believe them, even after they sent someone to hunt you down and kill you?!"

    

    The boy now talking to you  had a point. You were conflicted now, who to have faith in: The people who blamed the wolves for your parents' deaths, or the wolves who save you from an assassin sent by those people. Either way left you confused and your thoughts disjointed.

"I don't know," You spoke, barely above a whisper. 

 

    Kai felt bad for snapping at you, but he wanted you to understand and trust Exo like you used to. Suho came up next to him  before putting a hand on his shoulder saying,

"Kai, that's enough,"

    The boy looked like he wanted to protest, but the older gave him side glance that shut him up. Calling out to you gently, Suho assured,

"You don't have to choose anybody to bank on now, ~~~. However for the sake of your own safety, it would be wisest for you to stay with us,"

    The boy in front of you had an angelic aura to him, and the face match to as well. He was right, you had no place to go now. The villagers would most likely come back to your home when they got suspicious of Hyunseung's disappearance, and God knows what would show up if you were just left alone in this forest for the rest of the night. His kind eyes made you feel better, and you couldn't help but nod stiffly.

"Good, then it's settled! For the time being, ~~~ will be staying with us! So, I expect your best behavior," the boy smiled cheerfully at you, then sent the other eleven a steely glare. Exo gulped slightly before enthusiastically agreeing. 

"We should get back to the den before any more village fools or worse come around," Kris instructed.

"D-den?!" You said, surprised.

"Duh, we're wolves-if you've already forgotten. Wolf packs live in dens," D.O rolled his eyes, before running his hand through his tangled brown locks. Xuimin hit his shoulder, coughing, 

"Not in front of Suho,"

"Err, sorry ~~~! Dammit-nevermind," the short-fused boy said, nervously checking if the alpha had seen his none to nice attitude. You shrugged, walking with them back to their den, wherever that was.

"Oh yeah! We haven't uh, re-introduced ourselves," Tao piped up, trying to come up with new conversation. Kris hit him again, he scoffed saying,

"She probably knows you, Sehun, Kai, and I already,"

 

    He pointed everyone out just in case, then finished, "But, that's Suho, Xuimin, D.O, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Luhan, Chen, and Lay just to jog your memory,

 

    You waved in an attempt to be friendly, but it ended up looking as halfhearted as you really felt. Suddenly you felt a pair of arms around your waist, then another around your neck, and another back around your waist, and so on.   You jumped at their touch, surprised with the unexpected skinship. Tao, Sehun, Luhan, Chanyeol, and Baekhyun(you weren't sure about the last three, since you were only semi-paying attention to Kris) hugged you tightly. 

"It's ok, ~~~. We're not that bad," Chanyeol joked, grinning, "Well, maybe not Tao or Sehun. . ." 

"Yeah, I agree with that," Luhan smiled along with him.

 "Chanyeol! Luhan!" The pups whined, and let go of you to tackle the older boys. Chanyeol and Luhan peeled off you as well, to make sure you didn't get hit. While the four messed around, the others eyed them amusedly.

 

    Watching at the scene, a warm feeling growing in your chest. You had never felt so welcomed in your life. Perhaps this wouldn't be as bad as you thought. . .

 

 

 

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    I hope you liked this one!  Your comments are awesome and help me write better! -By the way, if the person who voted for this story could message me, I'd love to thank you more personally! Anyway, thanks for the subs, views, and comments!

 

~Toasty