'This is what I live for, with the people I'd die for...'

~

“Ah~…home sweet home.” Jackson inhaled the air as they finally arrived at their pack. Their pack lived in the center of the conglomeration of hills, surrounded by tall thick forestry. This time of the year the grass, trees, and plants were exceptionally green, and lushes and the sunlight shown gently upon their pack’s village, despite the oncoming humidity as it neared summer. “You act as if you hadn’t been here in years.” Yugyeom laughed. “I’m just glad to be back home.” Jackson rubbed the back of his neck.

Daehyun studied his friend closely. The alpha had been tense ever since the party. It concerned him, however, before he could ask, his sister ran up to great them, “Daehyun where the heck have you been?” She asked.

The said alpha shrugged, “We went up to the northern city to party.” He simply answered. Jessica let out a sigh, shaking her head, “How could you go out without telling anyone?” “Why? I don’t see the problem. I can take care of myself Jess.” Daehyun said, not understanding why she was being uptight all of a sudden. He’d been out several times before and she never made a fuss about it. “Mom has been looking for you.” Jessica finally said.

“Oh.” Daehyun said in understanding. He’d forgotten to tell his mom that he was going out, he hadn’t planned on being out for more than a day. Their mother was very protective over them since the death of their older brother. “He asked me where you we’re and I had to lie, saying that you were at my apartment in the city. But you know Umma can smell a lie a mile away. We’re both lucky that it’s still heat season, so dad was able to distract him.” She explained. “Sorry. But thank you.” He cooed to the elder female alpha, who only rolled her eyes.

“Daehyunnie!” Someone ran up to the group, jumping on top of the said alpha. Jessica shook her head, “I’m leaving you to deal with mom. Good luck.” She said, walking away. “I guess that’s our signal to go too.” Yugyeom said, knowing that there was no way they’d be able to talk to their friend with his girlfriend around. “Come on guys.” Minhyuk beamed, hanging his arms around his three friend’s the village.

“You’re back. Where did you go?” Haeryung asked, hanging onto her boyfriend. “Nowhere, I just went to the city up north.” Daehyun shrugged. “The capital? Awe~, why didn’t you take me with you?” The younger pouted. “I couldn’t take you. It’s heat season.” Daehyun laughed.

Haeryung rolled her eyes, “I’m a beta Daehyun, not an omega.” She playfully hit him. Daehyun wrapped his arm around her waist. “With a pretty beta like you, it’d be hard for other alphas and omegas to resist.” His words were true. Haeryung was the prettiest beta in their clan, aside from his mother. Other betas envied her beauty. “Except for you.” She teased, poking his nose. “You still haven’t mated me yet.”

Daehyun’s heart sunk at her words, a tinge of guilt struck him. The had been together and courting for a year and he still refused to mate with her. Though this season he promised himself he would, he was ready and excited. However, all that excitement vanished as soon as he caught the scent of the omega at the party. His heart sunk deeper at the thought. How could I?

“I’m an idiot.” He growled disapprovingly to himself. Haeryung laughed at the sudden statement. “Yes, you are.”

“I’ll make it up to you.” Daehyun promised seriously. Haeryung didn’t catch onto the desperation in his tone and continued to laugh. “And what will you do?” She asked curiously. “Whatever you want.” Daehyun answered. “You know there’s only one thing I want right now.” She glided her hands gently against his chest.

Daehyun internally sighed, the guilt weighing heavy on him. “Not now. I want it to be special, at the right time.” He told her. His shoulders weighed heavy under his words. Haeryung gave him a small smile. “I understand. I guess I have to control myself a little longer. But it’s okay, I can wait for something special like this.” She assured him, despite the fact that she couldn’t hide the disappointment in her eyes. “I should go. I have to help my mother with supper.” She kissed the alpha on the cheek before skipping away.

Daehyun watched her leave with sad eyes. He knew his words hurt her and it only seemed worse every time he turned her down. But he couldn’t possibly mate with her after having an unfaithful heart. Though he didn’t necessarily do anything. His thoughts and longing for the omega from the party were wrong. And his scent was still on his nose.

He glanced down at his phone and shoved it in his pocket. He’d planned on texting the omega when he got home but decided against it. It’d be wrong. And they weren’t allowed to use their phones or any mobile devices at the village anyway, so it’d be a good time for him to clear his mind and think straight. “Stupid wolf.” He grumbled to himself, blaming his infidel thought s on his canine instincts. He could feel his inner wolf whine in longing for the omega. “Snap out of it.” He scolded himself. He decided to look for his cousin, knowing that the talkative beta would definitely keep his mind off the omega from the north.

Daehyun smirked when he found his cousin in his usual spot, on the top of the hill, closest to the village. The elder beta was occupied staring at the ground below. The alpha stole the perfect opportunity to creep up behind him. “Boo!”

The beta jumped, nearly falling down the hill, earning the attention from the wolves below. Himchan’s face burned red and he tackled Daehyun to the ground before the other wolves could see them. “What the Daehyun?” He hissed once the wolves below returned to what they were doing. Daehyun held in his laughter, letting only a few laughs escape. Himchan glared at him before glancing back down the hill.

Daehyun rolled his eyes, “Are you spying on his again?” Himchan ignored him, staring at the alpha below. “Isn’t he your mate?” He recalled that the two mated over a couple months ago. “yes, but my moms found out and grounded me from seeing him.” Himchan frowned. Daehyun bursted into laughter, I told you, you’d get caught. Once you mate with someone your scent changes and is mixed with the scent of your mate. Your parents would’ve known as soon as you returned home.” He reminded.

Both Himchan and Daehyun come from wealthy families. Himchan’s parents are extremely picky with whom their son mated with. He wasn’t even allowed to date, until he met Jongup. The two were enchanted by one another almost instantly and had kept their relationship a secret. Himchan wasn’t sure if his parents would approve of his choice. Jongup was kind and warm-hearted, but he didn’t come from the most affluent family. In fact, the young alpha didn’t have a family or pack until he was 16 and found the Midnight shadow pack. At first it was hard for the stray alpha to fit in, but everyone became used to him after a few years.

Only Himchan’s parents showed disinterest to the stray. Unfortunately for Himchan, he strongly felt otherwise and mated with the lone wolf against their wishes. Himchan let out a sigh, “I think my parents want me to die. A wolf can’t be away from their mate for long.”

“Technically you’re not away from him.” Daehyun corrected. Himchan frowned at him. “Fine, what are you gonna do about it then?” Daehyun raised hi hands in surrender, “Pull a Romeo and Juliet?”

Himchan perked up at the idea, “Should I poison myself?” He questioned, taking it into consideration. This time Daehyun frowned, “Maybe you should’ve never mated. I miss the sarcastic, practical, mean Himchan.” He said.

The beta ignored him and looked down, below the hill where Jongup was playing and training the young alpha and beta pups of the pack. The two made eye contact when the alpha looked up. Jongup smiled at him, pulling a blush from the elder. Daehyun playfully rolled his eyes, though it was weird for him to see his cousin like this, he was happy for him. He was positive that the two would end up together again. He knows that his aunts will like Jongup when they meet him. The young alpha was responsible, inde