chapter five; 

                 your mate, it's me.

 

Mi Rae POV

I walked to school just like how I do every morning. Then, I felt this nagging feeling of someone's eyes being on me. I tried to inconspicuously look around me while yanking down the sleeves of my sweater, making sure it was covering my scars. It was a habit I had gotten since I started cutting. I felt embarrassed and ashamed when someone saw my scars for it symbolizes the broken part of me, the ugly side of me.

 

Still having the feeling of someone's eyes drilling a hole into me, I tried to push it off and continued walking. But it was as if I could feel that it wasn't anything dangerous, a change from the disgusted stares I get from the students in school, the glares full of hatred I get from my foster father. In fact, to think about it, I felt almost comforted by the stare, as weird as it was. It was as if something in me that was howling, wailing for something, someone. It was the first time this ever happened. This had never happened when I was at the receiving ends of the hateful glares. I guess it has to be related to the person who is staring at me. I didn't think too much about it when I realised I was about to reach the school campus. I reached back and gripped my backpack harder before breaking into a run in the direction of the school.

 

 

I was in class when I felt the same exact gaze on me. I looked up and saw myself staring into Kai-ssi's brown eyes, unable to break the eye contact we had for some unknown reason. What did that mean? Did that mean that he was the one looking at me throughout my entire journey to school?

 

They say that the eyes is the window to one's soul and in his eyes I saw happiness and something foreign to me. To be honest, I was shocked. It was the first time anyone has ever looked at me like that since my foster's mother's death. It was something so surreal to me.

 

Kai smiled at me, his eyes turning into crescents. I felt myself blushing, quickly breaking the gaze and staring at my desk as I felt my face turn redder. I tried to pay attention to the teacher but all I could feel was that gaze fixed upon the back of my head. I knew, somehow, that he was staring at me, and me only. I tried to hide my smile, happy that for once, I was at least noticed by someone, in a good way.

 

 

I was walking back home when I heard someone yell out my name.

 

"Mi Rae!"

"Yah!!"

"Yoon Mi Rae!!"

 

I broke into a cold sweat, my mind running wild with the possibilities of one calling my name. I started running, having reaching the conclusion that it was the es in school who were running after me. As much as I would like to fight back, knowing them, they would be in a posse of five to six and they seriously outnumbered me. One? I could handle. Two? Maybe. Five? No ing way. And I'm not going to let myself be their punching bag. Just when I turned into a dark alley, hoping that being the dumb es they are, they wouldn't see me, I felt a hand on my shoulder. At that moment, it was as if all the adrenaline pumping in my veins burst out. It was as if another side of me, something deeply buried within me tried to break through.

 

It won.

 

 

Jongin POV

 

I came to a halt, looking around. It was as if she had disappeared into thin air. Unhappy that I was unable to catch up with her, I stomped around, throwing a mini tantrum. Yes, I am eighteen if you are wondering, can't eighteen year olds throw tantrums? I mean we are talking about my mate so I have the right to do so. Psh.. Judgemental people you are. Wait. Who the am I talking to?

 

That's it Jongin. You are insane.

 

I am not!

 

Yes you are. Let me out. Maybe I can find her.

 

Whatever hmph.

 

Kai POV

 

"Seriously, that guy is one tough dude to handle." I said, turning around and using my senses, tried to detect Mi Rae. When I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar flash of brown hair turning into a dark alley that Jongin had overlooked, a wolfish grin growing on my face.

 

I had placed my hand on her shoulder when I felt her freeze up and was barely able to defend myself when she turned around, lunging at me, claws outstretched.

 

 

"Woah! Woah! Mi Rae?!" I shouted, extending my own claws, trying to hold her away from clawing me while at the same time trying not to harm her. I couldn't harm her.

 

I was somehow able to catch both her claws and held them above her head, pinning her to the wall. When I looked down, I was so shocked I loosened my grip on her wrists.

 

Staring back at me with vengeance, was Mi Rae with violet eyes.

 

Suddenly, I felt immense pain on my chest. In my shock I must have loosened my grip on her. I looked down, and saw my shirt shredded, with five large gashes oozing blood..

 

 

Mia POV

 

I stared wide eyed at Kai. What did I do?! I thought it was the bullies who bullies Mi Rae! I wanted to teach those bullies a lesson! I hadn't meant to hurt Kai!

 

I retracted my claws, reaching out towards him, eyes b with tears. "Kai... Mianhae...I-I-I lost control. I-I- thought that it was the bullies. I wanted to teach them a lesson. I hadn't meant to hurt you!!" I sniffled, unable to hold back my tears. Even though I knew that we were able to heal ourselves due to our werewolf nature, guilt was eating me inside out.

 

I reached out to touch him, softly, worried that I will cause more harm then help to him.

 

Once my hand came into contact with his arm, I felt something in me connect. I felt whole again. The feeling of completeness was indescribable. It was the feeling I could only get once a lifetime. It was the feeling of one's life string connecting with your soulmate.

 

Kai looked up at me, his face a picture of wonder, before morphing into one of utter peace and completeness.He looked down and saw my hand touching his arm.

 

"So now you know. Let us do this again."

 

"Annyeonghaseyo. I'm Kim Jongin, my wolf is called Kai. I'm your mate."

 

 

Kai, no Jongin was dragging me along the roadside to the nearby cinema. Apparently, the whole thing about him yelling after me was because he wanted to invite me to watch a movie with him. No, it's not a date. His other friends will be there too. And...we are late.

 

 

3rd POV

 

"Aish. Where did that kkamjong go?!"

"This boy.... Does he even uses his phone?!"

"Where did he go by the way. He was with us the whole time during the walk here when he suddenly just poof. Disappeared."

"I saw him running after someone."

"It was a girl."

"What girl will Jongin ever run af-"

"Mi Rae" the whole group chorused.

"What about Mi Rae?" Taeyeon said, walking up to them, standing beside Baekhyun who immediately slung an arm around her shoulders.

 

"Nothing. We just think that Jongin went to chase after her and invite her to watch the movie with us." Baekhyun said, turning around to hug Taeyeon, burying his nose into her hair.

 

"Oh. I see. At least I won't be the only girl here." Taeyeon replied from where she was pressed against Baekhyun's chest, unwilling to move from her position.

 

"Hey guys!" They turned around to see Jongin entering from the entrance, shouting at them. All of them looked at him, staring at his line figure, wondering if they had guessed wrongly. It was then someone stepped out behind him, looking disgruntled, staring disdainfully at her wrist which was tightly clasped in Jongin's hand.

 

"Did you have to pull me?! Look now my wrist is all red! Aishh...." Mi Rae growled at Jongin, pulling her wrist away and slapping his arm away from her.

 

"Hey girl!" Taeyeon spoke up, smiling at her, happy that for once she wasn't the only girl in the whole group of 13.

 

"Hey." Mi Rae looked up at Taeyeon, smiling back at her. She looked around and got a shock.

 

"What's up with 12 pretty boys all gathering together?!" Mi Rae said, shocked that there were so many of them.

 

"Didn't you know? We introduced ourselves in class. You were there I think." Sehun muttered from where he was with Luhan's arm slung around his shoulders, chewing on the bubbles in his bubble tea.

 

"Mi Rae wasn't paying attention I guess. I don't know." Mi Rae said thoughtfully, looking through her human's memories, trying hard to remember.

 

"AHA! She was busy looking out of the window that's why." Mi Rae answered them, with an eyesmile, happy that she remembered.

 

Overlooking her abnormal usage of words to refer to herself, the group simply nodded, deciding to interrogate Jongin later as to what actually happened.

 

"Come on. The movies about to start. Let's go in now." Kris said, pushing the whole group towards one of the theatres.

 

 

"How are we sitting?" Chen piped up.

"We have two double seats, like those couches one and the rest are individual seats, which are together of course." Xiumin said, staring at the tickets in his hands.  

 

"I'm sitting with Taeyeon/ Mi Rae" Baekhyun and Jongin immediately said.

 

"Yea. yea. Whatever. Let's just go in." Mi Rae rolled her eyes before making her way in the cinema with popcorn in her hand.

 

"Since when did she even manage to get popcorn?" Kai muttered before following her into the pitch black theatre.

 

 

5 minutes ago

 

"Hey. Wanna sit together?" Taeyeon whispered to Mi Rae when they were queuing for popcorn. Of course without the guys knowledge, since it was highly likely for their wallets to be emptied with the insane amount of popcorn they wanted.

 

"What do you mean? Why are you whispering?" Mi Rae whispered back, curious.

 

"Well, you see. I found out that we have two double seats. You know the sofa ones. So, Baekhyun will definitely want to sit with me and Jongin would definitely want to sit with you."

 

"Me? Why?"  

 

"Yea. Erm... You don't know? I really shouldn’t be the one telling you about it, so let's just get back before they realize we're gone. And have a little girl time during the movie. Don’t worry, Kai will tell you about it when he thinks both of you are ready for it." Taeyeon winked at her, before rushing back to the boys.

 

 

That was how the two boys found themselves beside each other, the girls dominating the other seat.

 

"We're pathetic aren't we."

"Yup hyung. We are."

 

 

"Bye! See you guys in school tomorrow!" Mi Rae yelled while she walked backwards, facing them. Just when she was about to turn around, she tripped and almost fell. Emphasis on almost, if Jongin hadn't appeared in the blink of an eye, catching her before she fell flat on her . Finding herself pressed against Jongin, she flushed red before mumbling something and rushing off in the direction of her house.

 

Jongin smiled after her, having caught her words before she disappeared.

 

"Bye Jongin. Thank you for today. Let's talk again soon."

 

 

Jongin dug through his pockets searching for coins to feed to a vending machine. He pulled out a punch of coins and a slip of paper came out too. Staring at it, he wondered where it came from, for he was sure he didn't keep slips of paper in his pockets.

 

He unfolded the crumpled paper, before seeing a whole string of numbers. He turned the paper over and saw

 

"This is my number. Text me. We need to talk. Yoon Mia."

 

"Yoon Mia? Who the hell is tha- don't tell me she hasn't switched back?! From when she slashed me until after the movie? Huh. So her wolf is called Mia. Interesting.”  Jongin punched in her number before saving it under "Yoon Mi Rae". He fed the machine coins while reminding himself to text her once he reached home.

 

They really do need to talk.

 

 

Mi Rae POV

 

I just got out of the shower when I saw my phone light up. I unlocked it to see a notification. It was a message from Kai. I unlocked my phone.

 

"tap" "tap" "tap"

 

Caught off guard, my head shot up to face the window where the sound came from, only to see another small rock hit my window. Curious, I walked over the window and opened it, barely dodging another pebble from hitting me in the forehead. I looked down, and almost lost my balance and fell out of my window at the sight of Kai below my window. Dressed in a v neck grey shirt, black ripped jeans, leather jacket and a pair of black converse, along with a handful of small stones in his palm, grinning up at me cheekily. "Kai! What are you doing here?!" I whisper yelled, worried that my foster father might see Kai and lash out at him as well. He was supposed to come home in 5 minutes.

 

"You said you wanted to talk." He smirked. "I did not! Since when did I say that?! And go back Kai! Faster! You shouldn't be here!" I shouted at him, anxious for Kai to leave.

 

"I hadn't wanted to do this, but it seems you can't voluntarily switch to talk with me." Kai sighed. He looked at me in the eyes before flashing his eyes brown.

 

I felt the feeling similar to the one in the alley, bursting through me, fighting to get possession of my body. I didn't know what to do. I fought back, trying not to let it get possession of me. That was when I heard an echoing voice from within.

"Trust me Mi Rae. I won't hurt you. Let me out. I'll explain it to you later."

Hearing the genuine concern in the voice, I trusted it and let myself blackout.

 

 

Mia POV

 

I finally got out. I looked down at Kai, smiling at my wolf counterpart. That was, before I heard my door slam open.

 

 

Kai POV

I smiled when I saw Mi Rae's eyes flash brown, signaling Mia was now in control. I was about to shout out at her when I saw her turn around, back facing me. Normally it wouldn't concern me but the problem was that I saw her eyes flashing violet just before she spun around.

 

 

Mia POV

 

I knew who it was. I knew who was the one who slammed open my door. It was him. The one who abused Mi Rae, hurt her, broke her. It was her foster father. Even if I never saw him with my own eyes before, I could recognize him with how much Mi Rae thinks about him. I couldn't help but extend my claws when I knew it was him. I turned around, eyes flashing violet, ready to take my revenge on the one who hurt her. I had always been helpless in her, unable to lash out, suffering in pain while she suffered as well. But now it was different. I had the power to do it. To harm him. And I will do it.

 

I lunged at him, about to slash him with my claws when something tackled me from the side.

 

 

Kai POV

 

I was worried for her. The way she reacted was not good and I know there is someone up there with her. If Mi Rae really is abused, she would no doubtly want to take revenge on him, harm him and possibly kill him. I couldn't let that happen. As much as I would want to kill him as well, she does not deserve to carry the burden and guilt of having killed someone. She would end up hating herself. And I couldn't let that happen to my mate.

 

I climbed through her open window, having used the trees beside her house to boost me up, I tackled her with my whole body weight, twisting us in midair to prevent her from taking the blow of our fall. She fell on my chest, glaring up at me, anger in her violet eyes. It hurt me to see her anger directed at me, but this was for her own good.

 

"Stop. Mia, this isn't you. Break out of it!" I shouted at her, trying to get her to see sense.

 

"NO! You stop! I need to take revenge! I need to harm him like how he did to Mi Rae!" Mia screamed back, anger consuming her.

 

"Stop. I don't want you to do this. You don't deserve this. I want to harm him as much as you want to, but this isn't right. I don't want you to become him, harming someone, hurting someone. This doesn't make you any different from him Mia!"

 

"I know! You think I don't?! But I have to do this. Don't you get it Kai?! You don't understand me! I don't care if I become a monster! But I need to avenge Mi Rae!" Mia cried out, tears welling in the corner of her eyes.

 

"You’re wrong. I do understand. I know how it feels like Mia. I was abused too. But I didn't resolve to violence. There are other ways to make him pay Mia. Please snap out of it. This isn't the only way. This isn't going to resolve anything. Listen to me Mia. Please." I begged her, trying to make her see sense, I don't know if I will be able to stand seeing my mate hurt and guilt ridden if she really kills him. I don't think I can.

 

Just then, I saw a glint of silver heading our way. I pushed Mia away, and barely avoided the knife myself.

 

I looked up and saw someone I never wanted to see again.

 

 

Mia POV

 

I stood there frozen. I saw how Kai looked at him. It wasn't one of hate. It was one of fear and a hint of loathe. My foster father drew out another silver knife from his pocket, the tip glinting in the moonlight that was streaming from my window. Kai just stood there, as if he was frozen on the spot.

 

He threw the knife.

 

"KAI!" I screamed, silently begging for him to come back to reality. I wanted to intercept the knife. But it was too late. The only one who can save him is himself.

 

 

Kai POV

 

"KAI!" Mia screamed.

 

I shook out of my fear ridden state to barely avoid the knife that was aimed at my heart. But it still grazed my arm. Excruciating pain shot through my arm. It was as if someone was continuously stabbing that part of my arm with a hot poker.

 

“Well well well. Look at who we have here. Nice to see you again huh Kim Jongin. Or should I say Kim Kai?” He looked down at me, his lips curling into a feral smirk.

 

“! What the hell are you doing here you bastard.”  I gritted my teeth, anger flashing in my eyes.

 

“It doesn’t matter how I got here Kim Kai. It matters more how you will scream when I plunge a silver knife coated in wolfsbane into your heart.” He drew a knife from his belt and rushed towards me, his face painted with a thirst for blood.

 

With the shock of him being there as well as the wound from the silver knife, all I could do was watch with widened eyes as I faced my doom.

 

In mid stride, he was blown into the wall beside me, revealing Mia who had managed to sneak up behind him.

 

"Kai! Are you okay? What can I do?!" Mia cried out hysterically, dropping to her knees beside me, worry filling her eyes.

 

"I'm okay. It's just a graze. It just burns. It'll heal by tomorrow. For now, let's get those knives away from him in case he wakes up again." Pushing aside my fear of the man beside me, I winced when I used my injured arm to push myself up to a standing position.

 

"And we seriously need to talk Mia. Hopefully without interruptions." I grinned halfheartedly. Anything to put away that look of grief on my mate’s face.

 

 

Mia POV

 

I followed Kai as we ran to the apartment he and the boys share. Thank god there wasn't anyone wandering around the streets since it would surely spook them to see a male and female high school student dash past them at nearly 50 kmph. Within minutes we reached the building, a high rise apartment building. I crashed into Kai since I wasn't really paying attention when he stopped.

 

I rubbed my bruised nose as we took the lift up to the 6th floor, where the boys’ apartment were at.

 

Kai unlocked the door, pushing me in before following me and locking the door behind him. He grabbed my wrist and tugged me, leading me into the living room. 8 boys were slumped on the couches, sprawled over each other. Then I saw Taeyeon unnie on the floor and Baekhyun sleeping with his head on her lap. Upon noticing my presence, Taeyeon unnie waved at me. "I would get up to hug you, but this big puppy over here is using me as his pillow and so I'm stuck down here." She grinned sheepishly but looked down at the said puppy with so much love in her eyes that I couldn't help but to internally fangirl at how cute the two of them were.

 

"Come on. Let's go to my room." Kai whispered to me, leading me by my wrist, cautious of not waking up the 8 boys who were conked out on the couch in the living room.

 

I let myself be tugged down a hallway, where there were about 8 doors. He pulled me to the second door on the right, opening the wooden door and welcoming me to his room.

 

I walked in, turning around slowly, taking in the sight in front of me. The walls were of a light grey, dark grey ombré, two beds were set neatly at the two ends of the room, with a closet opposite the beds. In between the beds was a small bedside table, housing a lamp and other small objects. One of the beds was of black bedsheets while the other was a light grey. And on the light grey one sat a doe eyed guy… Who was currently staring at me.

 

 

Kai POV

 

Why did hyung have to be here? Now I have to convince him and chase him out. Ugh.

 

"Jongin? What is Mi Rae doing here?" Hyung looked up at me from him phone, looking honestly confused.

 

"Erm. Hyung, would you mind leaving for a while, I have to talk with Mia- I mean Mi Rae privately for a while." I scratched my neck, knowing full well that hyung would not believe me, and most likely sit me in front of all 11 of them for an interrogation.

 

"Fine fine. I'll just go out for a bit. No funny business though." Hyung stood up, glaring at me sternly before walking out of the door.

 

I groaned before collapsing on my bed, waving Mia to sit down next to me.

 

"Okay so..."

 

 

Mia POV

 

"Okay so..."

 

“I won’t ask you about what happened back there, because I know that you most probably don't really want to think about it now. And honestly, neither do I. So I’m just going to talk about the werewolf details and stuff okay? Just know that you are staying here tonight. I’m not going to let you get back there.” He muttered, a light shade of red tinging his cheeks.

 

“Thank you Jongin.” I whispered, honestly grateful for his concern and thoughtfulness, to give me time and space to think about what happened earlier.

 

"You know how you and Mi Rae are connected right?" His face suddenly had a more serious look to it.

 

"Yea. I'm her wolf." I decided I didn't really like this serious look of his, so I decided to piss him off a bit by giving the “No sherlock” face.

 

"Exactly. So the only reason why you are able to "switch" with Mi Rae, is because it has been two years since your mate changed."

 

Hm. It seems he decided to ignore my jab...eh? "What? What switch? What change?"

 

“Aren't you gonna give me that face again? Aren't you knowledgable Ms. Yoon Mia?” He grinned, cheekily.

 

I resorted to actions this time.

 

I punched him in the shoulder.

 

"Ow…Switching is when the wolf is able to take over the body from try human. Like how now you are the one in charge of Mi Rae's body. Changing is when you receive the bite and is able to fully change into a fully fledged wolf. Now, you are only able to change certain parts of your body, for example your claws. You will only be able to change fully once you receive the bite from a werewolf, but since you are a female, you are only able to change when your true mate bites you. However, if the pair doesn't truly love each other, it will not work as well."

 

"Well, what else?"

 

"When you switch, your eyes will flash brown to signal the change in possession of the body. When you change a certain part of your body, your eyes will change colour. For example, yours was violet."

 

"What's yours?"

 

"Pitch black."

 

"Oh."

 

"And if you fully change into a werewolf, your senses, for example, your eyesight and hearing will be heightened majorly. And once you have changed, even in human form, your senses will also be heightened, just not that much."

 

“Okay. And what else?”

 

“Well, that’s just about the basics of the whole werewolf stuff. Oh and when it's the full moon, it will affect you. The effects vary according to the person in question. But the most basic is the mood swings.”

 

“Then what do I do with Mi Rae?”

 

“Tell her. You can show her your memories and what you have seen and heard. when you guys switch, the other one will simply be in your head, like as an observer. For example, now you are in charge instead of Mi Rae right? Remember the feeling of not being in charge the whole time you were not in possession?”

 

“Yea I do.”

 

“Well, that's how Mi Rae is feeling right now. After a while, you guys will be able to adapt to the feeling of not being in control and will be able to converse with each other in your mind. The one not in control will also be able to see, hear and sense whatever the one in control is able to. So basically since Mi Rae will be in charge most of the time, you will just be in her head, experiencing what she is experiencing and converse with her. And I forgot to mention. After a really long time, you two will be able to merge as one being. But even so, there will still be a slight division in your thoughts. And both of you will both be in control of the body. But when you change, like a body part or anything, the wolf will slightly overpower the other’s thoughts. And the same vice versa.”

 

“Then how do we switch for now?”

 

“It’s simple. The starting of voluntary switching will take a bit of effort, but overtime you guys will get the hang of it. But for now, switching will need either a huge amount of emotions built up that forced you to switch or an immense amount of willpower.”

 

“Okay. So basically that’s it right?”

 

“Yea.”

 

“Wait. How do i switch into a real werewolf if i don’t know who my mate is?”

 

 

Kai POV

 

“Wait. How do I switch into a real werewolf if I don’t know who my mate is?”

 

Wait what? Didn't I tell her I was her mate already? Unless she forgot….?

 

Crap. How am I going to straight out tell her it is me? I don’t know how she would react and it scares me a bit. Should i just… tell her? I don’t really have any other choices right?

 

“It’s me.”

 

“What do you mean its you?” she asked me, with a confused all over her face.

 

“Your mate. It’s me.”