The wind became a calming force more addictive than any drug. Faster and faster Luhan ran, to chase the high, to keep that numbing effect alive. If he didn’t keep digging his paws into the forest floor, pushing himself forward until his legs gave out, he’d just constantly think of you and for the past few days that meant wallowing in misery.

It was only by some strange miracle that he wasn’t as easily found out like Tao. Perhaps he’d done so well in the past of going under the radar, none of his brothers could see it in his eyes. Or maybe it was because while he should be walking around on cloud nine, happy for the turn of events, he was wrestling with himself, unable to leap for joy at the circumstances.

He couldn’t boast to his brothers about how beautiful his mate was. He couldn’t bring you around the house and introduce to the rest of the pack, all because of that mark on your wrist.

While a triquetra was a popular tattoo, only hunters of your particular faction added in the arrow points. Did Hae In know that you were the sworn enemy of everyone she held dear? That you wouldn’t hesitate to shoot Baekhyun because you were raised to believe they were all monsters? Would you hurt your cousin like that?

Luhan skidded to a stop, the rush of the wind no longer doing its job. He shook his white mane in a sad attempt to get rid of the negative thoughts. There was still one that lingered in his mind no matter how hard he tried to shove it away: would you kill him, too?

Up ahead, Sehun and Minseok turned around, noticing their brother no longer running alongside them. They took cautious steps towards Luhan, unsure of what had caused the sudden stop. Minseok narrowed his sharp eyes at Luhan to question “why” without words.

Letting out the closest thing to a sigh he could in his wolf form, he pawed at the ground. Sehun yelped with a force that made Luhan look up at him. It was funny how much they looked alike, both as wolves and humans. The others used to joke around about how the two just had to be related. Technically, they were all very distantly related, but that ruined the fun.

It was a bit awkward, just standing there in silence, no one moving or urging to get back to running. Unable to continue on the run, Luhan started walking in the opposite direction, back towards the farmhouse. The other two followed silently, not protesting in the least. When they reached their piles of discarded clothes, all three shifted back into their human selves and still as quietly dressed behind the garage.

“Luhan?”

Keeping his face as composed as possible, Luhan turned to Minseok, who’d stopped him with a hand on his shoulder before he could get too far away. “Yeah?”

Minseok tilted his head to the side and his sharp eyes were getting that calculating sheen in them. “Everything alright?”

“Of course,” Luhan replied, perhaps a little too quickly and enthusiastically. Both of his brothers were giving him looks that clearly stated they didn’t believe him. “I’m just tired lately.”

Sehun opened his mouth to voice his disagreement, but Minseok elbowed him, shaking his head to just let it go. Luhan took that as his chance to escape, hurrying into the house without breaking into a run and ruining the illusion.

The staircase leading down to the basement became a safe haven. With his head back against the hard beige plaster and handrail digging into his back, Luhan took advantage of the hidden time and evened out his breathing. Instead of focusing on what you were, he tried to piece together the little bits of information he had on who you were.

The odds of you actually being a freelance graphic designer were slim. You were still with the order by the condition of your tattoo. If you had left, only rippled and bubbled skin would remain from where they burned the mark off. Once a hunter left the family, they weren’t shunned, per se, but they were left to go on their own, no longer considered one of the order. Would you go through that pain and that chance of never seeing your family again for him?

Luhan bit back a growl at the very thought of you having to go through something so excruciating. He wanted the chance to get to know you – be with you – but he didn’t want to tear you apart in the process.

“But there has to be something else going on, hyung.”

Sehun’s whine hit Luhan’s ears, making him perk up. Didn’t they remember how dangerous it was to talk about someone who wasn’t around in this house?

“Of course there is,” Minseok scoffed. “Just because you’re indifferent about finding your mate and Tao was always whining about it doesn’t mean that everyone hates the idea. Luhan has always wanted to find his mate, ever since he first joined the pack. He’s a romantic. He doesn’t like being alone. Now take that mindset and put it right in the middle of a crowded room of mates and their wolves every single day.”

There was a short pause. “Would it really be that bad?”

“I never had to experience it,” Minseok admitted with a sigh, “but I can imagine how much that would hurt.”

Hurt didn’t even begin to describe it.

It wasn’t a pain that had been settling in his stomach, growing every time he watched the others be so happy. No, it was more like an emptiness that had begun to consume him. As if any moment it would become too much and he would just disappear, cease to exist. But when he locked eyes with you, it was like that hollowness had been filled. He wasn’t clinging onto to existence anymore, he had a reason to keep going. Now, though?

Now he felt like he was drowning.

It was taking all his energy just to stay afloat. A plan never seemed to form no matter how hard he thought and his legs were about to give out from wading for so long. If he wasn’t careful, he might just get pulled under by the crashing waves.

The phone in his pocket vibrated, relieving him from the thoughts in his head. Caller ID on the screen told him it was Baekhyun. Did he want to talk to Mr. Sunshine right now? Ignoring it felt rude. “Hello?”

“Hey, Luhan!”

Yup. Just as cheerful as ever. Luhan couldn’t help but laugh at the energy this guy was always giving off. And he was already starting to feel a little lighter.

“What are you doing?”

Luhan glanced around as if to double check if he’d been in the middle of something. “Nothing at the moment. Why?”

“Good! We’ve got lunch plans at the pizzeria. You should join us!”

“I’m still at the farmhouse,” Luhan sadly informed him. Although, pizza with the guys sounded really good at the moment.  

Baekhyun, however, was undeterred. “That’s alright! We can wait for you! We’re not at the place yet. We’ll just wait until you’re in town and then head over. Let us know when you’re in the limits, okay?”

“Deal.” Luhan hung up and ran down the stairs as fast as he could without tripping, swiping his keys and a pair of shoes from his room before booking it back to the main floor. He couldn’t explain why he was so excited. Something was driving him towards town. Maybe it was because – outside of nightly runs – he didn’t get quality time with the others anymore.

As soon as he passed the city limits sign and reached a red light, he sent a text to Baekhyun. Luck didn’t seem to be on his side, though, since he was catching every light, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited for the traffic signal to turn green again.

Once parked outside the pizzeria, he headed inside, stretching out his limbs while hoping that his brothers didn’t mind that he didn’t shower after his run. When he crossed the threshold, his heart sank.

It wasn’t just his brothers sitting and waving at him from the table. Their mates were with them, greeting him with equally excited smiles. Luhan pushed himself forward, unable to find a way out. And his stomach was growling at him anyway. As he sat down next to Jongdae, the latter slapped him on the back.

“I’m happy you could join us.”

Luhan shrugged. “I had nothing else to do and a plate full of cheese and grease sounded really appetizing.”

“Yeah, it did until you described it like that,” Jongdae whined, making Luhan laughed.

With Jongdae’s attention being taken by Jiyoung who had a question about splitting a meal (which might not end well considering how much they all liked to eat), Luhan let his eyes wander until they focused in on the two empty chairs. His heartbeat began to jump when he realized Hae In wasn’t with them.

“Hey, Baek, who’s the extra chairs for?”

Baekhyun blinked as if it was taking him a second to understand the question and then stared down at the seats beside him. “Oh, those are for Hae In and her cousin. What was her name again?”

“You seriously forgot the name of your mate’s cousin?” Lanie scoffed, shaking her head.

“She’s going to kill you when she finds out,” Chanyeol warned.

Baekhyun just shrugged it off lazily. “She’s always about to kill me. What’s new?”

Jongdae snickered. “Such brave words coming from you.”

“I can just ask it again. It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Oh yeah?” Jongdae raised an eyebrow before pointing behind Baekhyun. “Then go ahead and ask right now. I dare you.”

Baekhyun whirled around, wide eyed as Hae In walked with you right behind her. Luhan could feel his own face lighting up. Gone were all the previous thoughts of your heritage. Just seeing you was enough to ease his worry, even if it was only temporary.

You sat down across from him, visibly uncomfortable in your surroundings. No one else seemed to notice, but Luhan assumed that was because he was watching you so closely and each interaction was making him more in tuned to you. Did you know what they were or were you just uneasy around strangers in general? Only time would answer that question for him.

Leaning across the table, he gave you a warm smile, hoping to help loosen you up a little. He should have known that it wouldn’t work in the slightest. “Hi, (y/n).”

You murmured back a small “Hi”, barely meeting his eye before settling your gaze down on the table cloth. At least your tattoo was covered by a thick leather cuff.

When the waitress came by you simply asked for a water and didn’t make any attempt on joining in on the conversation. Neither did Luhan, but he was too busy trying to come up with something to say in your direction.

The waitress was back only a few minutes later with a tray carrying the already condensation covered drinks. She placed each drink in front of its respective owner before depositing a pile of straws in the center of the table. The others dived right in for the drinking device leaving only two left. When you thought the coast was clear, you reached out for one of the remaining two.

Luhan, taking full advantage of the situation, also reached out for the other straw, purposefully letting his fingers brush up against yours. Immediately at the contact, you stiffened, unmoving for a split second. There was a pleasurable flow of electricity where your skins met. It made Luhan want to grab your hand completely in his to keep the connection alive. But you pulled away, too soon for his liking.

After looking around frantically, you whispered to Hae In that you didn’t feel well and had to leave. You were up and out of your seat, zooming towards the door before Luhan could process what was happening.

Right as you hit the doors, Luhan jumped up as well, nearly knocking the chair over in his hurry to catch up with you. Arriving out on the sidewalk, he searched around for any sign of you still being around, but you were already gone. Shoulders slumped, he turned back around and went back inside.

“What was that about?” Jongdae asked as Luhan sat down.

“I wanted make sure she got home okay if she wasn’t feeling well,” Luhan lied smoothly. Well, only partially lied. Yes, he actually wanted to convince you to stay, for him, but he would have seen you home if you’d let him. “I didn’t catch her, I guess.”

Hae In pursed her lips. “I don’t understand why she’s not feeling good all of a sudden. She was fine on our way over here.”

“Maybe it’s a slow moving bug,” Baekhyun suggested, not too concerned over what just happened.

Luhan sighed, still very much worried about you. He didn’t really think that you were coming down with something, but that didn’t stop him from worrying about you. Were you really that uncomfortable around them? Were you sensing what they were? Or was the literal spark that occurred when you touched hands what sent you running for the hills?

The world around him a little darker now, he couldn’t find the energy to participate in the chatter around him. Hae In eyed him a few times, but she looked away whenever he flashed her a very fake smile. His appetite was completely gone and he didn’t order anything when the waitress came back. He was gone before the pizzas ever arrived.

**

Luhan was doing a good job of minding his own business in the kitchen. By some miracle, he’d managed to make himself a pretty decent snack without any other housemate coming to sniff around and ask for some of the food. He was peacefully enjoying his midday meal until his ears caught a bit of the conversation happening in the front living room.

“How did the tutoring session go, Tao?” Lanie giggled from the other room. So the young pup was back from his “non-date” as he so put it last night.

“It could have gone better. But don’t worry, there’s plenty more charm up my sleeve.” He could practically hear the smirk on Tao’s lips from here. Was this girl smart enough not to fall for Tao’s usual tricks? Good for her. Make it hard for him.

“We don’t doubt it, Tao,” sweet Dana replied softly.

Luhan caught a glimpse of the back of Jongin’s head as he came down the stairs and then Mei’s squeals went wild. Food nearly went flying out of Luhan’s mouth from trying not to laugh. He knew that Tao had to be pouting that he didn’t get the same exuberant greeting.

Right then, he caught Tao running up the stairs. Scarfing down the remaining food, Luhan cleared his plate and rinsed it off before putting it in the sink. At the bottom of the stairs, he nearly ran into Sehun.

“In a hurry?” Sehun chuckled.

“Just going to go check on Tao.”

Stepping back, Sehun motioned up the steps. “Go right ahead. He’s probably hiding away in our room. You can just go on in.”

Luhan ruffled the youngest wolf’s hair. “Thanks. Your next drink at the bar is on me.”

“You’re going to regret that!” Sehun called out after him as he headed up the stairs. Luhan knew it was true. Knowing that punk, he was going to get one of the most expensive drinks on the menu whether he liked it or not.

Luhan tried knocking at first when he reached the door to Tao and Sehun’s room, he really did, but there was no answer. He even checked the bathroom, but it was empty with the door wide open. So, he turned the knob and let himself in.

Tao was lying face up on his bed, bright red headphones over his ears. His eyes were closed and Luhan could catch the faintest melody of a ballad that he practically had memorized by now after hearing Tao play it over and over again. Poor kid was really going through a rough time if he was listening to that song after stopping for so long.

Feeling a little cheeky, Luhan leaned over Tao and waited for him to open his eyes.

Perfect.

As soon as Tao’s eyes opened, he screamed, throwing himself off the bed, hitting the floor with a hard thump. Luhan couldn’t help but laugh so hard he was nearly doubled over from the abdominal pain. He was nearly wiping tears from his eyes.

“What the hell?” Tao shouted as he jumped up from the floor.

Luhan through his hands up to feign innocence, like he hadn’t gotten exactly what he wanted. “It’s not my fault you didn’t hear me knock. Sehun told me to go ahead and come in.”

Stretching his neck, Tao tried to look behind Luhan as if Sehun would be waiting in the wings. If he knew what Luhan would end up doing, he definitely would have been just behind the door with his phone out to record the whole thing.

“Did you need something?”

Luhan shrugged. “Just checking on you. Heard you spent some one-on-one time with your mate.”

Oops. He hadn’t meant for any harshness to come out. It wasn’t entirely his fault, though. The wolf in his chest was seething with jealousy. Tao got to spend several uninterrupted hours by his mate’s side without her running away for any reason. Luhan wanted that. Luhan wanted to be by his mate and just get to know you without any worry. But how would he ever get that?

“I wouldn’t necessarily call it a success,” Tao grumbled. “But I’ve got time. She hasn’t outright told me no, yet.”

Told him no. Would you tell him no? Would you put him through that pain, that torture?

Luhan nodded, scared of what the answer might be. “Good for you.”

Seeing right through the act, Tao tilted his head. “Is everything okay?”

Crap. If anyone was going to be able to figure out what was going in Luhan’s head, it would be Tao or Minseok. And one of them was studying him a little too hard right now.

“Everything’s great,” he replied with way too much enthusiasm. He even checked his phone to try and “remain casual”. “But I should probably be heading out. I picked up an extra shift tonight at the bar. No idea why. It’s going to be dead. I’ll see you later.”

Spinning on the balls of his feet, he nearly ran out of the room, praying that Tao wouldn’t come after him. Keeping you a secret until he figured out what the hell he was going to do wasn’t as easy as he originally thought. And he didn’t want to think of the consequences if the pack were to discover you before he could step in. That was a scenario that he absolutely didn’t want to come true.