A long groan escaped her lips as Jooyeon dropped herself onto the couch, taking up all the space. It was hard too believe but not even once today did she have a proper rest. Not even during her break. All day, customers had been buzzing in and out of the cafe and every little free time that Jooyeon and Jinyoung had, they had to spend it on preparations for the things that ran out. 

"Can we just get takeout today?" Jooyeon grumbled, her face buried deep into a pillow. 

"Chinese or Thai?" Jinyoung asked, holding two menus up. 

He sank down onto the little space that was left on the couch and flipped open one of the menus. 

"Honestly, at this point, I don't even care. I just need something in my stomach." 

The older boy chuckled and reached for the phone. As Jinyoung was on the phone, Jooyeon sat up and hugged her knees to her chest but not before switching on the TV. A random show came on and even though it was something she probaly wouldn't enjoy, she left it on anyways. She was way too tired and lazy to find one that she liked. 

The apartment that the two of them shared was located above the dog cafe itself, making going to work effortless. It hadn't been long since they opened the dog cafe and moved into this unit but it was better than what they had before. Their old place way smaller than their current one and their lifestyle wasn't so great. Jinyoung had to juggle 2 jobs just to have enough money to send Jooyeon to school and no matter how many times she's told that him that she was fine going to a cheaper one, he always brushed her off, claiming that she deserved the best. Once she graduated from high school, Jooyeon made it clear that she would rather help Jinyoung out with money than go to university and have him tire himself out with work. It took them about a year and a half to finally have enough money saved up for the dog cafe and the unit above it. Their lives changed completely after that. From two teenage kids struggling to live, they became two self employed young adults that thrived to be on top. Their business was booming by day and yes, it was tiring with just only the two of them but they were happy. They were content with what they had and that's all that matters. 

"Food will be here in 30." Jinyoung spoke up, placing the phone back to its original place. 

Jooyeon only hummed in return, staring blankly at the bright screen in front of them. She might have looked like she was into the show but Jinyoung could tell that her mind was elsewhere. He knew that it was days like these that troubled her the most. She was worn out and when she's tired, her mind would drift off to another world, a world where her parents still existed. She would wonder what it would be like if they were here with her. Would they softly pat her head and whisper a "Good job today" lovingly to her? Or would she come home to a freshly made dinner? Or maybe her parents would be sitting at the couch waiting for her to come home? Or--

"Joo," Jingyoung called out, tilting his head to peak at her face. 

The girl snapped out of her daze and turned her head to him, "Huh?"

He softened with a smile and reached over to pat her head, "Good job today." 

Jooyeon blinked at him, a confused look in her eyes. 

Good job today...

Slowly, her lips stretched out into a smile and she beamed at him. 

"You too." 

Count on Jinyoung to bring a smile onto her lovely face and bring her mood up. He always knew the right thing to say and when to say it. Just like that, Jooyeon stopped daydreaming and came back to reality. 

"Hey," she blurted out suddenly, breaking the brief silent between them, "What were mom and dad like?" 

Jinyoung froze, eyes fixed on the TV before hesitantly turning his head to her. However, Jooyeon didn't meet his gaze but kept hers focused on her hands that were linked in her lap. Whenever the topic of her parents were brought up, to Jinyoung, it never fails to surprise him at how small and fragile she looked. It was as though, in that moment, she went back to the little 10 year-old that would cry in his chest, wailing for her parents to come back. 

"W-Well, they're...brave," Jinyoung said, choosing his words carefully, "They always knew what to do. You were always their first priority. Never once did they miss a chance to show how much they love you." 

Jooyeon smiled bitterly, her hands clenching tightly together. 

"They were wise, despite what people say about them. Everything they do seems to be the right thing. Your parents were opposites but they never clashed, not once. Joo, they would've loved to see what a loving and kind girl you grew up to be. Your mom was always going on and on about how special you are and showering you with affection at every chance she's got. You were her world. She would do anything and everything for you." 

Tears glazed over her eyes and Jooyeon bit her lip, trying to hold them back. 

"They loved you unconditionally. Never doubt that. I know if they could choose, they would never had left you. How could they when you were everything to them?" Jinyoung smiled. 

Jooyeon lifted her head up, sniffling softly. She wiped at her eyes and gave him a smile. 

"They sound like wonderful people." she whispered, her voice shaking slightly. 

"They were, Joo. They really were." 

----

It was a new day so that means, Jinyoung had to hurl out the bag of dog food and carry out his usual morning routine (that he sometimes skip). Jooyeon on the other hand was casually seated behind the counter, a golden retriever, Nabi, sleeping at her feet. Oh, how Jinyoung depise her sometimes in the morning. While he was busy running around, she was relaxing. But then again, it wasn't like he was going to make her drag out that huge food bag and then drag it back after. It was heavy for him so how on earth would it not be heavy for her? Least she could do was not look so relax. Maybe then, he could work in peace.

Ding~

At the chime of the entrace's bell, Jooyeon quickly stood up, tossing the magazine in her hand to side. Nabi jolted in shock at Jooyeon's sudden movement and it seems almost as the though the dog was glaring at her when Jooyeon looked down to mumble an apology. Nabi walked off and plotted herself down near a table. A customer approached the counter, eyes glued to the menu above their heads. 

"Can I get a green tea latte?" 

Nodding, Jooyeon typed the order in and turned to call out for Jinyoung but the older boy was already on it. He flashed her a wink that made Jooyeon rolled her eyes. 

Gross. 

The customer payed and Jooyeon watched as she scurry towards Nabi, cooing at how cute the dog was. Chuckling, Jooyeon couldn't help but feel content. This was one of the reason why she loved working here so much. It was that cute little thing people do when they see dogs. She would be lying if she said that it wasn't a funny sight. She watched as Jinyoung set the drink at the table that the customer was at and walked back to her. 

"So, I was thinking---" Jinyoung started but never got to finish. 

"No." Jooyeon smiled, shaking her head. 

Jinyoung's jaw dropped, "You haven't even heard what I was going to say!" 

"Exactly. I don't need to. I already know it's going to be bad." 

"Yah, Hwang Jooyeon." Jingyoung frowned at her. 

Mimicking his expression, she shot back, "Yah, Park Jinyoung." 

"Yah, Park Jinyoung?" Jinyoung said, eyebrows raising in amusement, "Respect your elders, Joo. Do I need to teach you a lesson again? Icing powder in your hair last time wasn't enough I see." 

Jooyeon gasped, sticking her arms out to push him away when he approached her threateningly. She saw his eyes flickered towards a whipped cream can and she lunged out for but was too late. Jinyoung was faster than her. Once he got hold of the can, he quickly put her into a headlock and threatened to put whipped cream on her hair. 

"OPPA! Don't you dare!"she squealed, hands desperately trying to get his arm off of her. 

"Say it." he laughed. 

"No way! You're crazy." she laughed, hitting him repeatedly on the arm. 

"You got 3 seconds, Hwang Jooyeon." 

"Oppa, seriously, get off of me. You're dead once I get out of this."

"Threeee."

"I swear, if you even get a speck on me, I will shave all your hair off." 

"Two."

"You're soooo going to die when this is over." 

"One."

Jooyeon braced herself, eyes squeezing shut. She waited for the impact but nothing came. Instead, she felt Jinyoung let go of her and she quickly took the chance to grab the can from him. To her surprise, he didn't try fighting back for the can but instead, a grim expression had replaced his cheerful one. 

"What's wrong?" she asked. 

Jinyoung frowned deeply, tilting his chin up as though he's sniffing the air. Jooyeon looked at him weirdly, something creeped out by his behavior. 

"Oppa---"

"Shh!" he quickly hushed her. 

Jooyeon blinked back in surprise. She was slightly concernd about his odd behavior. She watched as the older boy stood still for a minute, confusion and disbelief visible on his face. Jinyoung didn't believe it. There was no way that his nose was picking up that scent but then again, his senses were never wrong. His sixth sense was his strongest point and ever since he had moved into Seoul with Jooyeon, never once had he picked up something like this. 

So what on earth was a werewolf doing in the buzzing city? 

----

Bam Bam stood in one of the streets of Gangnam, chest heaving up and down from all the running he did. He swallowed, somewhat afriad of the big city and the new sounds he was hearing. It was his first time in town, heck it was his first time leaving his world. When the Moonstone had shone him the answer, his first instinct was to search for it right away. He didn't even bother waiting for his pack or anyone to speak. Once the effect died down, he raced out the door, into the woods and striaght towards the city. Now that he's finally standing still and having some time to collect his thoughts, he couldn't help but feel stupid.

A wolf never travels alone, that was the first rule every werewolf learned when they join a pack. Great, another rule he's broken. Jaebum was sure going to give him a long lecture on this after. Perks of being young, you have a full bar energy but you lack a lot when it comes to making the right choice. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he gathered himself and took a deep breath, searching for the scent of another wolf. He had to admit. This was harder than he thought. Everything smells like a human and the protector probably smells like one too, having been mixed in with them for so long. Bam Bam prayed that his wolf scent still overpowered all the unnecessary things. Thinking back to earlier, he tried to remember what the faces the Moonstone had shone him looked like. 

Earlier that day...

The pack was gathered around in their lodge's living room. Jaebum tossed the purple pouch that contained the Moonstone to Bam Bam who was seated on the couch beside Mark. 

"Ask it. Bringing back Yugyeom is what you really want, right?" the alpha said, arms coming to cross over his chest. 

Bam Bam glanced up at his leader and blinked, "And what if it doesn't work?" 

"Then we go into their world and we find them ourselves." 

"It'll be okay, Bam." Youngjae gave the younger a reassuring smile. 

Bam Bam nodded, taking a deep breath as he took out the Moonstone. His thumb ran over its smooth surface and he his lips that had suddenly become dry. 

"S-So, what do I do? Do I just look at it and ask the question?" 

Jackson scoffed, an amused smile appearing on his lips, "Don't ask us. We've never even seen the thing before." 

Youngjae rolled his eyes, "I have. Yeah, Bam. Just look at the stone and ask the question. But, it has to be something you truly want. You do want to save Yugyeom the most right?" 

"Yeah! Of course! Anything to bring him back." 

Jaebum nodded firmly, "Then you're the perfect fit." 

Gulping, Bam Bam stared at the stone in his palm and spoke out his request.

"The one who will save us all, is she real and who is she?" 

The rest of the pack waited for something to happen. Mark frowned when Bam Bam 's shoulders slouched in defeat. Before Jackson could open his big mouth and make a comment, Bam Bam let out a loud gasp and his body flew back against the couch. It was like somebody had shoved him against it with full force. As his back was pressed into the couch, his eyes were glazed over with a white cloud. 

"What's wrong with him?" Mark asked, panic rising in him when he noticed the odd look on Bam Bam's face. 

"It's happening! It's showing him the answer!" Youngjae blurted, scooting over to sit on the edge of his seat in excitement. 

Bam Bam's eyebrows pinched together as images flew through his mind. A buzzing city was shown. Lights everywhere he looked and suddenly he let out a breathly murmur when he saw a traffic sign before his eyes. 

"Seoul." 

He almost let out a scream when a loud blazing car horn was sounded in his head. The image changed and instantly, he could see a girl not that much older than him standing there. She was dressed in a simple grey sweater with black jeans and an apron wrapped nealty around her waist. She tossed her coal black hair back and turned around to talk to another person. It was the protector, Bam Bam figured. He could sense that it was. He watched them, taking in every bit of their features so that he would remember what they looked like in person. Just before he could get one last look at the girl, he was yanked back to reality. Bam Bam returned with a gasp as if somebody had taken his breath away while he was having his vision. He stayed rooted to his seat a few moments, processing the information that was given to him seconds ago. 

"What happened? What did you see?" 

Bam Bam ignored those words and even before Mark could grab him, he shot up and raced straight for the door. 

Bam Bam groaned, running a hand down his face. He was going to get a beating when he gets back with the pack. 

"Black hair...brown eyes...ugh, that's like every human girl here." he whined, wanting to ripped his own hair out. 

Why, oh, why on earth did he think it was a good idea to leave his pack and search all by himself? Gathering his fighting spirit, Bam Bam started to walk down the street. He could somewhat smell the stench of another were-wolf but at the same time, he was quite unsure of it. There were too many other scents that were throwing him off. He looked around and sighed to himself. It was going to be a long day. This place was huge. 

----

"I can't believe he's that dumb. Why would he rush off before us?" Jackson growled, throwing on a jacket. 

Mark shrugged, "Instinct...I guess?" 

Jaebum sighed, shaking his hand and pinching the bridge of his nose, "He's always trying to get himself into trouble. Freaking Bam Bam. I just can't catch a break." 

Youngjae shoved the purple pouch that contained the Moonstone into his pocket and glanced up at his friends, "Look, he's the only one that knows what they look like. We gotta find him quick. If you're worried about the Council, don't be. They never step foot into the human world. They think they're too special." 

"Alright. Nobody split up until I say so," Jaebum ordered as he stepped out of the lodge.

Everyone piled out and they shifted into their wolf form as they  hopped off the porch. The largest wolf, the alpha, coated in all black circled around the front of the house, waiting for his pack to gather in front of him. A grey wolf, Youngjae, stepped up front proudly standing beside the other two familiar wolves, Jackson and Mark. Jaebum jerked his head to the side, signalling for them to move out. The rest followed suit and broke out into a run to follow their alpha. They raced out of the familiar woods, Jaebum leading but eventually came to a stop at the border that divided the two worlds apart. It wasn't a portal or anything. If anything, it just looked like a way that led deeper into the forest. However, only were-creatures will be able to detect the seal that had been placed at this point. It was a seal to keep humans away from their world and block out any means of harm that threatened their way of life. Jaebum eyed the seal, the translucent water-like barrier that divided the two places. 

Stay close

Pack members were able to communicate through their minds during their wolf forms but Jaebum would only use telepathy when he feels like the pack is at risk or in an unexpected situation. It was their first time into the human world and Jaebum had to admit, Bam Bam got some gut charging into a totally foreign world like that. They easily ran through the barrier and continued through a forest that they hadn't seen before. Mark took noticed of how the trees looked more dead and the ground felt slightly different against his paws. It was more stiff and rough than what it was at home. The air smelled different with nature and pollution mixed together. It was interesting how the barrier was the source that was keeping their world much more healthier. While the humans have big buildings everywhere in the city and cars driving all over the place, the were-world had a more traditional typed of vibe. The only big building they had in town was the Council Hall. It had been made that way to remind the citizens that the ones who should really stand above all is the Council. It was a silent reminder. 

Mark didn't even know when they arrived but when Jackson suddenly stopped in front of him, he almost crashed into his friend. Planting a firm paw on the ground, he stopped abruptly. They were at the edge of the forest and in front of them was a small town. Jaebum had already shifted back into his human form. 

"We go by foot here. We can't risk anyone seeing us." 

----

"Are you sure you're alright?" 

Jinyoung glanced up at the girl standing before him. She handed him a glass of water and leaned against the counter.

"I'm fine." he mumbled, taking a sip out of the water. 

No, he wasn't. A part of him was freaking out but the other was trying to figure out what the hell is going on. No were-creature ever step foot into the human world unless they needed something. He mind automatically went to the Council but he brushed it off. It couldn't be them. Even until now, Jinyoung was sure that they don't want anything to do with humans. Meaning, they felt superior over the humans. Jinyoung's mind was a jumble. Nobody can know where they are. He spend years trying to mask his own scent and adjusting to the lifestyle of the humans. All his efforts would be for nothing if they were to find Jooyeon now. He was getting antsy. Torn between actually going out there and searching for the wolf himself or staying behind to keep an eye on Jooyeon, he was lost. It's been 10 years since he's been her protector. Ten years ever since he's grown to adore the girl and let her have a special place in his heart. He wasn't going to give her up that easily. 

"Oppa," Jooyeon called again, snapping him out of his daze. 

Jinyoung jumped at her voice and stared at her wide eyed. He watched as her face split into a smile and then laughter escaped through her lips. 

"What are you so antsy about? Did you forget to feed the dogs again?" she teased. 

Jinyoung softened at the sight of her. This girl was like his little siter. If anyone tries to hurt her, they would have to do so over his dead body. 

"I'm okay...just a little tired. Can we close early for today?" he asked. 

Jooyeon nodded and reached out to feel his forehead, "You don't seem to be sick. Maybe it's lack of sleep." 

"...Yeah. Lack of sleep."

-----

Helloooo, guess whos back with another chap :) Hope yall enjoy this one. I'll try to update tomorrow too if I can so keep an eye out for it! lemme give u a hint. things boutta go down in the next chap LOL anyways see yall in the next chap. :))))