'Push it to the limit. Push it through the pain. Push it for the pleasure.'

~

Daehyun rolled over on his bed. He could barely sleep. The sound of his friend’s sister’s cries kept him up at night. The night before, they retrieved Jackson’s body and brought it back to the village. He felt sick to his stomach. He didn’t know what to feel or to think. His friend was gone. It was unreal, even thought it’s only been a couple of days, he still couldn’t get over it. He didn’t know how to. Daehyun rolled onto his back, his arm hitting a body next to him. He looked to see that it was Minhyuk.

Ever since they returned, Minhyuk spent his nights over at his hut and hardly came out in the day. He only came out to perform his chores and give his condolences to the Wang family. Other than that, he spent his time alone in the spare room. Daehyun only saw him whenever the younger snuck in his bed to sleep.

Daehyun sighed, he could only imagine what the younger was going through. Afterall, he was the one who witnessed the alpha’s death.

Minhyuk twitched in his sleep, groaning a little, he hugged his pillow, followed by a whimper. “Minhyuk-ah.” Daehyun said wanting to wake him up from his nightmare. Minhyuk squeezed the pillow tighter, his body trembling. “Jackson.” He whimpered a tear streaming down his cheek.

Daehyun’s heart sunk seeing his childhood friend like this. “Yah, Minhyuk wake up. It’s only a dream.” He urged. But the younger refused to wake up, his bottom lip quivering. “Minhyuk.” Daehyun said, lightly shaking him. “Minhyuk, it’s only a dream.” He poked him in his side a few times before he finally woke up.

Minhyuk slowly opened his eyes, blurred from tears. He rolled around only to be met with Daehyun’s smiling face inches away from his. “I told you it was only a dream.” Daehyun smiled. Minhyuk buried his face into the pillow to hide his red cheeks. “Are you alright?” Daehyun asked, getting serious. “Yeah.” Minhyuk muffled through the pillow.

“Are you sure? You’re not just saying that, right?” Daehyun questioned. Minhyuk was silent for a moment. He looked at Daehyun once he was sure that his blush was gone. “I don’t know.” He confessed. “I really do think I could’ve done something.”

“You would’ve probably been hurt too. There was three of them.” Daehyun reminded. “But maybe he wouldn’t have died.” Minhyuk said quietly.

“Yah. Don’t think like that. What’s done is done. And you know Jackson wouldn’t want you moping around.” Daehyun told him. “That doesn’t help.” Minhyuk rolled onto his back. “I know.” Daehyun sighed.

Just then there was a knock on the front door. Daehyun groaned, not wanting to get up.

The knock came again.

Minhyuk looked at him, “Aren’t you going to answer?” He asked, seeing that the elder alpha wasn’t going to move any time soon. “Shhhh…” Daehyun said.

“I know you guys are in there.” It was Jessica.

However, Daehyun still didn’t move.

“Yah! Daehyun, answer the door.” She demanded. Daehyun let out a loud groan before sliding out of bed. He dragged himself out his room to the door. “What do you want?” He answered his elder sister.

“What are you guys still doing in bed? Do you know what time it is?”

“Does it matter?” Daehyun questioned. Jessica sighed, “I know you guys are hurt, but everyone is hurting, and they need you two to be stronger.” She said. “That’s what you’re for. You’re the future chief alpha.” Daehyun retorted. “So? You’re still part of the head family and people still look up to you. I understand it’s hard for you, but you have to be strong.” Jessica countered, “your pack needs you and I’m sure Bambam and Yugyeom need you too.”

Daehyun sighed, giving in. He couldn’t argue against that. “Fine.” He muttered.

“Good.” Jessica smiled, “So get up and come out here and help us with our chores.” She folded her arms, “And that goes for you too Min!” She called, earning a groan from the younger alpha. “I expect to see you two out in ten minutes.” She told Daehyun. “Ayiyi captain.” Daehyun saluted, earning an eyeroll from the elder before shutting the door.

“She’ll make a great pack leader.” Minhyuk said, exiting the bedroom. “Tell me about it.” Daehyun remarked before heading to his bathroom to prepare for the day.

The two changed and finished getting ready in exactly ten minutes. Jessica waited for them outside, timing them. “Morning general. Minhyuk and I reporting for duty.” Daehyun joked. “Good, I have an assignment for you maggots.” His sister played along, earning a playful scoff from him. “It’s your guys’ day to go hunting for the Wang family.” She informed.

“What?” Daehyun said surprised, “Don’t you think it’s a bit early for us?” it was Midnight Shadow Clan tradition for pack members to hunt for a family who lost a loved one for a week, especially for the head family to do so. “I don’t think I can face them.” Daehyun confessed.

“Daehyun, you have to do this.” Jessica said.

“Why can’t you do it? Can’t we do it later? Like the last day of the week?” Daehyun questioned.

“Because…I’m busy.”

Daehyun raised an eyebrow, catching the slight hesitation in her voice. Before he could ask, his suspicions were confirmed by a specific omega who approached them. “Jessica are you being nice?” Tiffany said hugging her mate from behind. “Nice? I’m always nice.” Jessica said. “Then what’s taking you so long? We’re going to be late.” Tiffany said.

“Where are you guys going?” Minhyuk asked curiously. “Um, let’s go Minhyuk. The sooner we hunt the sooner we can get over facing the Wangs.” Daehyun spoke up before the omega could answer. He already had an idea of what their plans were, and he didn’t want to hear about his sister’s business verbally. “See you guys later.” He hung his arm over Minhyuk’s shoulders and pulled him with him away from the two. Tiffany chuckled at this and waved them farewell. Jessica folded her arms, shaking her head.

“You’re not really going to make them face the Wangs yet, are you?” Tiffany asked, releasing her embrace. “No. I just wanted them to get out.” Jessica confessed, “I went hunting for the Wangs this morning.” She let out a sigh, “They’re so lost that they didn’t even realize that it’s already past noon.” Her shoulders dropped a little.

Tiffany nodded in understanding. “They’ll make it through. If I know one thing for sure, is that the Jungs are the strongest family I know. And I know Daehyun will help Minhyuk through it as well.” Tiffany smiled. Jessica released a small smile at her mate’s words, “They’ll help each other.” She agreed confidently. “So, what are you going to do when they return with their food?” The omega questioned.

Jessica shrugged, “I’ll tell them to keep it for themselves,” She brushed off. “Now let’s go before my dad calls for me and gives me some other assignment.”

She took her mate’s hand and walked toward their destination. However, they didn’t get far when Jessica was stopped by her aunt. “Jessica.” Ms. Kim marched up to her. “yes Aunty?” Jessica immediately stopped in her tracks. “Have you seen Himchan?” The alpha asked, searching for her son.

Tiffany froze at the question.

“No ma’am. I haven’t.” Jessica answered.

The woman huffed, placing her hands on her hips. “Okay. Thank you. If you see him, tell him I’m looking for him.” “Yes ma’am.” Jessica bowed her head, and with that the elder marched off.

Once she was far enough, Jessica turned to Tiffany. “You know something, don’t you?” She accused.

“What? Wh-What makes you say that?” Tiffany straightened up. “Because you always tense up when you know something, but you don’t want to lie. And you’re stuttering.” Jessica pointed out. Tiffany scoffed, this time folding her arms. The alpha studied her closely. “You know where he is, don’t you?” She concluded. However, the omega didn’t respond. “Or rather, you know who he’s with.”

“Jessica, it’s not fair. They love each other, and they’re mates. They should be able to see each other.” Tiffany confessed, “And…and if you tell her, Himchan will never trust me again.” She pleaded.

Jessica let out a sigh, “Fine. I won’t say anything, but we better go before my mom asks where Himchan is, and you know he can sense a lie a mile away.” She gave in. Tiffany nodded vigorously and followed her the rest of the way out the village.

Himchan tapped his foot impatiently. He’d been waiting outside the edge of the forest for five minutes and his partner hadn’t showed up yet. The longer he waited, the more anxious he felt. What if he got caught? What if my parents found him and interrogated him? So many thoughts and worries ran through his mind that he hadn’t sensed the alpha slowly approach him from behind.

“Himchan!” The alpha jumped out from the trees. “Ah!” Himchan screamed, punching him in the face. “O-Ow~.” The alpha held his nose.

“Jongup?” Himchan’s eyes widened when he saw that it was him. “Hi.” The younger grinned. “What the heck?” Himchan frowned, lightly hitting his shoulder, “Did I hurt you?”

“No.” Jongup answered, but the beta didn’t believe him. “Let me see.” He said, pulling the alpha’s hand from his nose. His frown deepened at the sight. “How are you not hurt? You’re bleeding.” “I’m fine Himchan.” Jongup laughed at how concerned he was. “here.” Himchan ripped a piece of cloth from his sleeve. He carefully rolled it and placed it against the younger’s nostril. “Wouldn’t your moms be mad that you ripped your shirt? Isn’t it expensive?” Jongup questioned. “It’s fine. I’ll just tell them that I ripped it while hunting.” The beta shrugged, sitting down on the grass.

Jongup sat down next to him. “You shouldn’t lie to your parents.” He said, “Or sneak around like this.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Himchan questioned, “They won’t allow us to see each other.” He grumbled arms folded. “Maybe you should just talk to them.” Jongup suggested.

The elder busted into laughter. “you don’t think I’ve tried that?” “You don’t have to talk to them alone. We can do it together.” Jongup smiled. However, Himchan wasn’t in the least swayed. “That wouldn’t make a difference. It’d probably make it worse. They’re a lost cause,” Hi