'Don't pretend you didn't know. How all of this would end up.'

~

‘“Youngjae. Slow down.” Youngjae’s mother called, but the 7-year-old continued to run through the forest, motivated to run faster the more his mother called for him, until he could no longer hear her voice. He sat on his knees at the edge of the lake. He his lips in search of any fish.

“Hyung!” Kihyun ran, catching up to his brother. “Youngjae? Why didn’t you listen to Umma?” He breathed heavily, his asthma catching up to him. Youngjae looked up at the 5-year-old. “I waned to get the fish before they swam away.” He answered, turning back to the water. Kihyun crawled down next to him. “I don’t see any.” He pouted. “They must’ve gone away.” Youngjae frowned.

“Let’s go back to Umma.” Kihyun whimpered, feeling uneasy. However as soon as he turned around he froze. His body trembled. Youngjae sensed his younger brother’s fear and turned around to be met with a dark brown wolf emerge from the thick trees. Kihyun coward down taking a step back from the fierce wolf.

Youngjae stared in awe at the oversized alpha.

A deep growl emitted from the back of the alpha’s throat as he stalked toward them. His red eyes made contact with the 7-year-old. He was somewhat thrown off that he sensed no fear from the young wolf but seemed fascinated instead.

“Youngjae. Kihyun.” The pups’ mother finally caught up to them, she was relieved to see that they weren’t lost. However, her relief soon vanished when her eyes landed on the intruder. She narrowed her eyes at him.

The said alpha dragged his eyes from the child to his mother. He let out a deep threatening growl at her.

“Youngjae. Take your brother and run home.” Keonhee instructed her son, stepping protectively in front of them. Youngjae looked at her with wide eyes, something about her words were unsettling. She looked back down at him. “Run as fast as you can. Don’t stop.” She spoke firmly. “Are you not coming with us?” Kihyun whimpered.

“Go!” She demanded and transformed into her wolf form.

On that final order, Youngjae grabbed his brother’s hand and stormed away.

The white omega growled fiercely at the alpha, her eyes flaring gold.

The alpha ran in towards the pups but Keonhee blocked his path. Yunho bared his canines at her, but she refused to move, challenging the chief.

Youngjae ran as fast as he could, pulling Kihyun behind him. “Youngjae? What about Umma?” Kihyun whimpered. Youngjae kept running.

“We can’t leave her.” Kihyun continued, but Youngjae didn’t respond.

“Youngjae!” Kihyun tugged his brother back, causing them to tumble over. “Umma didn’t say if she was coming back.”

Youngjae looked at his brother, meeting his teary eyes. “Get Appa. I’ll get Umma.” He finally said.

The five-year-old nodded.

The two transformed and ran their separate ways.

Youngjae ran as fast he could back to his mother. He had a bad feeling deep in the pit of his stomach. He could tell from the look in his mother’s eyes that something was wrong. He heard the sound of whimpers and growls come from beyond the trees.

The pup slowly approached the clearing until he could see the two grown wolves. He froze in his spot at the scene that unfolded in front of him.

Yunho threw the omega across the clearing. The white wolf’s body skidded into the dirt, landing near the edge of the lake, her fur stained with dirt and grass. Keonhee forced herself up, her legs trembling as she stood her ground.

Yunho growled in irritation and charged at her ready to finally put an end to it. He bared his canines for the last and dug them deep into the omega’s neck.

Keonhee howled in agony as the Midnight Shadow clan leader sunk his teeth deeper through her flesh.

Youngjae’s eyes widened at the horrific sight. His mother’s cries and howls rang in his ears. He stood, frozen in his spot, witnessing his mother’s body go limp under the alpha’s hold. He saw the life leave her eyes.

Yunho threw the body across the clearing. The dead body slid across the ground. Youngjae trembled, staring at the blood-stained body. A great howl sounded from the chief alpha, earning the pup’s attention.

The two held a long eye contact before Yunho stalked away to the opposite side.

Youngjae’s eyes slowly drifted back to his lifeless mother. He could see the blood pour down her neck and a drop from her eye.

A piercing sound stung his ears, getting louder with each coming second, drowning out any sound.

“Youngjae!” he could hear someone call him from beyond. He thought it was his father. “Youngjae!”

Or maybe it was Kihyun.

“Youngjae!”

He shook his head. It sounded like his mother. “Youngjae!”

Youngjae shot up from his sleep, his body having broken out into a cold sweat. He looked out the window to see that it was day time. He ran his fingers through his hair. “Why do you insist on haunting me?” He sighed.

At that moment a knock sounded on his door. “Come in.”

“Hey. Everything okay?” it was his father.

Youngjae shifted in his bed, sitting up straighter. “Yeah. Everything is fine.” He answered, pretending to yawn.

Leeteuk sat at the foot of his bed. “Kihyun said you’ve been in bed all morning. So, I came to check on you.” He explained. Youngjae furrowed his brow, “What time is it?” He asked. “it’s almost noon.” His father answered. Youngjae’s eyes slightly widened, though he wouldn’t have been surprised if it’d been later, his dream felt much longer.

Leeteuk studied his son. “Are you sure everything is okay? You stormed off about the news of your friend’s death last week and you were silent when your returned home the other night.” He questioned with sincere concern.

“He wasn’t my friend. He was Kihyun’s friend…and mark’s friend.” Youngjae answered.

Leeteuk nodded, “Well, it still seemed to have affected you.”

Youngjae looked back at his father who was looking at him with pleading eyes. He didn’t want him to hide anything, any pain or emotion or thought. But Youngjae couldn’t grant him that wish. He didn’t want to be another burden to his father. He forced a smile, “I’m fine dad.” He assured him. “I was just tired.”

However, the chief alpha wasn’t convinced.

“I am disappointed in Jooheon’s death though.” Youngjae confessed, deciding to be a little honest. “But it’s nothing serious, so you don’t have to worry. I just felt bad for Kihyun and all his friends and family.”

Leeteuk nodded in understanding. “Are you okay?” Youngjae asked him this time, catching the alpha off guard.

“Me? I’m fine.” Leeteuk laughed.

Youngjae frowned, “Dad. You don’t have to lie to me. I’m not a kid.” Leeteuk sighed, “Is it that obvious?” He asked. Youngjae nodded.

The chief alpha let out another sigh, “I’m just stressed. A lot has been on my mind, especially Jooheon’s death.” He confessed, “None of you kids should be suffering from a feud that isn’t your fault.”

“But it isn’t your fault either.” Youngjae argued. “yeah, but I’ve had my share of killings, but you guys don’t. you can start new.” His father said with much hope.

Youngjae didn’t respond. Silence fell between them, both occupied in their own thoughts until Leeteuk boke out into a harsh cough, immediately earing the omega’s attention. “You still have that cough?” He asked now full of concern. His father had developed a harsh cough a few months ago and it only continued to get worse.

“It’s nothing.” Leeteuk brushed off, taking that as his cue to leave. He stood up from the bed. “It sounds worse. You should go to-,” “Yeah, yeah. I know. Ki has been pestering me about it all morning. I’ll see the village nurse in the afternoon.” He promised. Youngjae nodded, satisfied by the response.

Leeteuk stopped at the door and looked back at his son. “Since mating season is over, we’ll go back to the city on Wednesday and I’ll have you and Kihyun accompany me at work.” He said. Youngjae nodded and with that the head alpha left the room, shutting the door behind him.

Jinyoung stared at his small hut, eyeing the careful detail of the wooden outer-layer that had been built on sweat and endless motivation. He stepped up the door and gently placed his hand on the wood.

“Don’t look.” The alpha instructed for the fifth time. “I don’t think I can with your hands over my eyes.” Jinyoung remarked. “You just can’t’ look, okay?” The elder insisted. “Where are we going?” Jinyoung asked a bit impatient. He didn’t like secrets. He didn’t like surprises. “You’ll see.” Was all the alpha said. “Mark.” Jinyoung frowned. “We’re almost there. I promise. Just a couple more minutes.” Mark promised.

The beta sighed but gave in. it sounded important. However, the longer he walked blindly, the more anxious he became. He didn’t like not knowing where he was going. He didn’t like not knowing at all. “It’s okay.” Mark kept reassuring him, sensing his uneasiness. “I’m here.” Jinyoung relaxed, though he wished the alpha would tell him.

“Here!” Mark finally announced, stopping their tracks. “Now you can look.” He whispered, slowly removing his hands. Jinyoung was relieved to finally be able to see again. His eyes widened at the sight of the small hut in front of him. “You finished it?” he gasped. Mark nodded.

Jinyoung turned to face him. “I thought you said that it wouldn’t be done for another couple of months?” he recalled. Mark shrugged bashfully. “I might’ve lied.” He confessed. “you cheeky brat.” Jinyoung pinched his cheek. “I actually got to finish it sooner than I expected with Jooheon, Shownu, and Wonho’s help.” He explained. Jinyoung smiled widely. “Remind me to thank them in the morning.” He said, wrapping his arms around the alpha’s neck. “I’m sure they’ll appreciate that, especially from the Park Jinyoung.” Mark teased.

The beta playfully rolled his eyes, but a blush soon formed on his cheek as a thought crossed his mind. “So, does this mean we can finally mate?” he asked, suddenly getting shy.

“Not yet.”

Jinyoung subconsciously frowned at this.

“I have to go to the city in the eastern province with Jooheon tomorrow, I have to get