'Got up thank the Lord for the day...'

~

“Why are we out here instead of messing with some Omegas in their heat?” Yugyeom whined. “Because, we’re going to a party. This is way more fun than messing with poor omegas. Besides, who does that anyway?” Minhyuk responded. However, Bambam, Yugyeom, and Jackson didn’t respond, scratching the back of their heads. Daehyun shook his head judgmentally. “But why here? It’s too close to the North Province,” Yugyeom muttered. “Because they hold the best parties in this part of town. And this is the biggest one yet.” Minhyuk grinned, hanging his arms over Daehyun’s and Yugyeom’s shoulders.

Jackson glanced over his shoulder for the third time that night. He had an eerie feeling that they were being followed, but he didn’t say anything to the others.

“Daehyun what are you doing here anyway? Isn’t it mating season?” Bambam pointed out. “Don’t you have a Beta at home to be with?” He teased, nudging the elder alpha with his elbow. Daehyun shoved the younger, and smirked, “Not yet. I want to have some fun first.” He said as the five of them approached the front of the grand hotel in which the party was being held. Music could be heard pounding through the thick walls.

“This is it.” Minhyuk beamed at the extravagant hotel. Bambam and Yugyeom stared up at it in awe. “Let’s party!” Bambam jumped, running up the stairs first.

Jackson narrowed his eyes, spotting a man dressed in black, staring at them from across the street. “Hey. I’ll be back. You guys go in.” He turned to the others. “Everything good?” Daehyun asked him, noticing his off demeanor. “Positive. You guys go. There was something I wanted to check out anyway.” Jackson brushed off. “Come one~.” Minhyuk dragged Daehyun before he could ask anything else.

Jackson waited until the four were inside before crossing the street. However, when he reached the other side, the stranger was gone.

“Where did he go?” Jackson questioned, looking around.

He spotted the stranger walking down the street away from the hotel. “Hey!” Jackson called out to him only to receive no response. “Yah!” The alpha followed after him. The man didn’t respond and continued down the sidewalk.

Jackson followed him down the dark road. “Where the is he going?” Jackson mumbled when the guy made a last-minute turn. Jackson made the turn anyway and found himself in the middle of an ally.

The man turned around to face him. Jackson glared at the stranger. “You brought me here on purpose, didn’t you?” He accused. He could sense that he was an alpha as well.

“Jackson Wang.” The man growled.

The said alpha narrowed his eyes, “You’ve been following us. What the hell do you want?”

“You killed my friend. You killed Mark.” The alpha accused

“Who?” Jackson questioned.

The stranger bawled his fists. “You don’t even remember him?!”

Jackson shrugged not finding it important. “You’re gonna remember tonight. And then you’re gonna pay.” The stranger growled harshly. He removed his hood, revealing a silver crescent moon tattoo on his neck.

Jackson’s eyes widened. “Silver Moon.” He immediately narrowed them at him as the man ran at him, changing into his wolf form.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Jinyoung said as he and his best friend entered the hotel. “It’s fine. No one will notice that we’re gone. They’re all busy ing each other anyway.” Youngjae remarked. Jinyoung sighed knowingly, the younger had a point. “How are you not affected by your heat anyway?” Jinyoung quizzed the omega. His friend never showed any symptoms of heat during a full moon or mating season in general.

Youngjae smiled crookedly, “Oh, I have a heat. But that’s my special ability.” He hung his arm over Jinyoung’s shoulders and leaned close to his ear. “I’m so far up my own that I can suppress my weak omega urges.” He said. “Of course, I may get hot when I’m near an Alpha, but nothing I can’t handle.”

If it were anyone else, Jinyoung would’ve thought they were mad. But he knew that the younger’s words were true. Youngjae was the eldest son of their pack’s leader and he felt absolutely no emotion but amusement and anger. He only showed nurture toward his closest friends and family members and this worried Jinyoung, but the beta wolf didn’t express his concerns about his friend’s mental state, knowing that it’d only lead to a darker never-ending pattern of beating around the bush and would cause his friend to close himself even more.

“Let’s get a drink, shall we?” Youngjae suggested, already leading Jinyoung to the bar. “Don’t get drunk now, because I don’t want to be the one to explain to your father why you’re out of sorts and reek of alcohol.” Jinyoung said.

Youngjae pulled out two stools for him and Jinyoung. He ordered a red sangria for himself and a white one for Jinyoung. Youngjae observed the large group of humans partying and talking. Everyone was dressed in expensive name brand clothing, showing off the money they did and didn’t have in a dreadful attempt to prove their superiority or disprove their inferiority. The omega was happy to be out of his home realm, filled with traditions that followed old folklore tales from centuries ago.

He didn’t believe in any of it.

He hated all of it. Ties to your packs, your duty to your pack. But he especially was sickened by the idea of a mate. To stay committed to one person, both of your lives depending on one another. And he hated that the life of wolves was centered around having a mate, producing offspring, and surviving. And for him, as next in line to run the pack, he had no choice but to abide by these traditions and find an Alpha.

Youngjae scoffed, dragging his eyes from the crowd when a man winked at him. He was jealous of the freedom of humans. He hated that they were free to do as they pleased. That they could fulfill their selfish desires as they pleased. He loved their temporary world. Everything was fleeting.

He hated it and he loved it.

Jinyoung internally sighed, watching his silent friend watch the crowd and sip his drink. A silent Youngjae was never good. It meant that he was scheming some wild plan. Jinyoung was about to say something to him when a strong scent caught his nose. He narrowed his eyes, scanning the area. He could sense that a strong alpha was around, and he wasn’t alone.

“Isn’t this fun?” Minhyuk beamed, hanging his arm over Daehyun’s shoulder. Daehyun laughed, seeing the various lipstick imprints that decorated the younger’s exposed chest and neck. “Looks like you’re having too much fun.” He remarked. “Not as much fun as Bam and Yug.” Minhyuk said, referring to their drunk friends who were on the other side of the room dancing on the tables. “We can’t take them anywhere.” Minhyuk remarked, earning a chuckle from the elder. However, Daehyun couldn’t help but worry for Jackson. The alpha seemed a bit off on their way to the hotel. ‘Maybe I should’ve gone with him.’

“Hey!” someone jumped between him and Minhyuk, pulling him out his thoughts.

A wave of relief washed over him when he saw that it was his friend. “Hey, where did you go? And what took you so long?” Minhyuk questioned. “Nowhere. I just wen to buy new clothes.” Jackson shrugged, referring to his change of attire. Minhyuk gave him a strange look but brushed it off. “Come one. Now that you’re here, let’s join Bam and Yug before they have all the fun.” He said, pulling the younger with him.

Daehyun was about to follow them when a scent caught his nose. His senses peeked as he scanned the room, until his eyes landed on the pretty omega that it belonged to. He was dressed in a satin black dress shirt, with a thin black blazer and gold cuff links. A smirk grew on Daehyun’s lips.

“.” Youngjae cursed, fanning himself. He was beginning to feel hot. He called the bartender over and ordered two more drinks for himself in an attempt to force his heat down. He could already feel the thin sheet of perspiration form on his forehead.

He growled under his breath as he continued to grow hotter. But he kept himself composed, showing no signs of weakness. Jinyoung had excused himself to use the restroom but promised to not be long.

“Thank you.” He thanked the bartender for the drinks about to pull out his wallet, when a black card was slid on the counter in front of him. “It’s on me.” The owner said.

Youngjae rolled his eyes, feeling the strong presence next to him, but he didn’t argue against it. He wasn’t going to give up the opportunity to use a stranger’s money, especially an alpha’s. The bartender accepted the card and took it to the register. Youngjae turned to face the stranger and was surprised to be greeted with a handsome face, “Mind if I sit here?” Daehyun asked, already pulling out the stool next to him and sat down.

“Why ask if you’re gonna do it anyway?” Youngjae said sipping on his drinks. “Formalities.” Daehyun shrugged. Youngjae only scoffed. “What’s a pretty Omega doing out here alone anyway?” Daehyun asked curiously. “Whatever you’re scheming, I’m not interested. I came out here to avoid heat and all that bull.” Youngjae immediately shut down any ideas the elder had.

Daehyun busted into laughter, catching the younger off guard. “I’m not scheming anything. I’m just here to have some fun.” He simply said. “Isn’t that why you’re here?”

Youngjae studied him carefully. He could tell that the alpha was sincere. Inf act, he could see right through him. Despite his mischievous demeanor, his eyes were pure and full of light. Maybe he does want honest fun? Youngjae thought to himself. He laughed at the thought. “you want honest fun at a place like this?” He questioned.

Daehyun shrugged, “I don’t see why not. It doesn’t have to be here. I’m not from here, so we can go around the city and have fun elsewhere.” Daehyun suggested. “Why me? There are plenty of other people here that can show you around.” Youngjae quizzed.

Daehyun raised his hands up in surrender. “Okay, you got me.” He confessed, “When I sensed your presence, I was immediately drawn to you, and it isn’t my heat talking. You’re a pretty omega with creamy, angel-like skin and hair that looks soft and healthy. And you’re dressed in stylish expensive clothing that suit you. Why wouldn’t I be interested in meeting you?”

“At least you’re honest. But you won’t have fun with me. I’d only take your fun away until it’s all mine.” Youngjae sipped his drink once more.

“Fun is whatever you make it. And I don’t think you can take that from me.” Daehyun retorted.

“Is that a challenge?” Youngjae raised an eyebrow, actually somewhat interested. “yes, it is.” Daehyun answered, leaning close to the omega to where their noses were centimeters apart. Youngjae could feel his insides begin to burn at the alpha’s closeness.

At that moment Jinyoung returned. “Youngjae I…” His voice tailed off when his eyes landed on the alpha he sensed earlier.

Youngjae bursted into laughter. Laughing in the elder’s face. “Well that was fun.” He lightly pushed the stranger away. “Thanks for the drinks, but I don’t think I’ll be finishing them.” Youngjae said unapologetically as he hopped off the stool. “Jinyoung let’s go home. I suddenly feel exhausted.” Youngjae pouted his lips.

Jinyoung sent a suspicious glare at Daehyun before following Youngjae.

Daehyun watched as the omega and beta slid between the crowd toward the exit. The alpha was drawn to the tender-looking man. But he didn’t know why. The younger’s scent was intoxicating, and he couldn’t get enough of it. But that was only part of it. The younger had something mysterious about him. His eyes and expression were shielded and almost impossible to read.

Daehyun subconsciously sipped the rest of the stranger’s drink, his eyes never leaving the omega until he was out the hotel. He was curious about him, and he was going to find out more.

“Where have you been?” Kihyun ran up to Youngjae when his elder brother entered the mansion. “It’s after midnight.”

“Nowhere.” Youngjae answered, shrugging off his blazer.

Kihyun narrowed his eyes at him, he could clearly smell the alcohol from his breath. “you went into that party, didn’t you?” He accused. “I’m surprised you noticed that I was gone. I thought you would’ve been to busy lusting over that alpha you like so much.” Youngjae remarked, almost teasingly.

Kihyun’s cheeks turned a light pink in embarrassment, only three people knew about his crush. His brother and his two best friends. But he immediately snapped out of it. “It’s a full moon and it’s mating season. Do you know how dangerous it is to be out there? Dad asked about you and I had to tell him that you were at Jinyoung’s place and that you’d be back before midnight.” He said.

“Mating season is almost over, we’ll be going into the summer in a few weeks.” Youngjae brushed off.

Kihyun frowned.

“And I was with Jinyoung if that makes you feel better.” Youngjae added.

“You’re lucky that Dad went to sleep early. Otherwise he would’ve been looking for you.” Kihyun folded his arms.

Youngjae’s shoulders dropped a little, his demeanor softening at the mention of