*BUZZZZZ*

“Jungkook? What’s up?” You pressed your phone between your ear and your shoulder as you continued to type on your computer. 

“Taehyung hyung is acting weird.” 

“Weird how?” You grew worried. Namjoon and Jin were working today to help with Christmas orders while Yoongi had to go down to the music school for a meeting to discuss the upcoming winter recital. 

“He was angry after you left and locked himself in his room. Even if Jimin hyung called him, he won’t come out. He didn’t even want lunch.” 

“That is indeed weird. Hmm… I don’t have consultations for the rest of the day, only a surgery at 4. I’ll drop by home for lunch. Let Hoseok know and make sure Jimin is okay, please.” You said and hung up. Saving your report, you turned your computer off and headed out. 

“Doctor?” The receptionist was shocked to see you with your things.

“Something happened at home. I’ll be back before my 4pm. If anyone needs me urgently, tell them to beep me.” You informed and she nodded. You got in your car and drove home. 

“(y/n), you’re here.” Hoseok greeted you as you stepped through the door. He helped you take your back as you removed your shoes and coat. 

“He’s still in his room?” You asked and the boy nodded. 

“Thanks for taking care of everyone, Hoseok. I’ll go see what’s up.” You smiled and patted his head, heading up the stairs. Jimin was at the door, pawing at it while whining and calling out for Taehyung.

“Tae…” He whined softly. 

“Hey, sweetie. Taehyung not answering you?” You greeted with a smile. Jimin jumped slightly at your sudden appearance. He broke into a grin, temporarily forgetting his best friend ignoring him and ran over to hug you. You chuckled, wrapping your arms around him as you let him nuzzle his face against your neck. 

“Let me talk to him. Why don’t you go down and get some lunch.” You said. He nodded his head obediently and ran downstairs. 

“Tae?” You called and knocked on the door. Immediately, the door swung open. 

“What are you doing here?” His eyes widened in surprise. You noticed that they were red and slightly puffy, like he has been crying. You entered the room and Taehyung closed the door behind him.

“I got a call that my tiger was acting strange. Jimin’s been outside your door, he’s really worried.” You raised an eyebrow. 

“I know, sorry.” He hung his head low. Walking over, you used your finger to lift his chin to face you. You searched his eyes but he avoided your eyes.

“What’s wrong, Tae?” 

“Nothing.” He looked away. 

“Not convinced. You know you can tell my anything. What’s bothering you, baby?” You tilted your head. Taehyung couldn’t help but growl as you called him ‘baby’. You blinked at his reaction, stepping back slightly. He got hurt when he saw that, as if you were scared he would hurt you. 

“I’m sorry.” He drew you back into his arms.

“It’s hard to see you always being so close to the hyungs when you’re my mate too.” He confessed. You pulled away.

“Oh, Tae.” You finally understood. He was getting antsy because of the whole mate thing. 

“You treat them all like men but you always baby me. I’m not a baby, I want to prove to you that I can be strong like the hyungs too. I can protect you like a good mate.” Taehyung ran a hand through his hair in frustration. You couldn’t help but giggle. You call him ‘baby’ not because you think he is a baby, it’s just a cute nickname.

“I know you’re capable, Tae. You don’t have to prove anything to me.” You cupped his cheeks. 

“When I call you ‘baby’, it’s not that I don’t think you’re as strong or manly as your hyungs. I just call you that as a endearment. Everyone calls you Tae as well so I thought me just calling you ‘baby’ is special. I can stop that if you’re uncomfortable.” You shrugged. 

“N-No!” He shook his head. He liked the idea of being the only one with a special nickname from you. 

“So you accept me as your mate?” He looked up at you. 

“I love you.” You smiled. Taehyung hesitantly leaned forward and placed his lips on yours. His hands squeezed your waist as his tail curled itself around your ankle. 

“As much as I know you want to scent me as your mate, I’m sorry but I have to return to work.” You his head apologetically. 

“Tonight?” Taehyung asked. You chuckled and nodded your head. The both of you went back downstairs. Jimin stopped eating when he saw his best friend emerge beside you and jumped off his seat.

“Tae! You’re alright!” He smiled in relief. 

“Sorry to worry you, Chim.” Taehyung said and hugged his best friend. Jimin shook his head and wrapped his hand around the taller.

“I have to go back to the hospital. I have a surgery at 4.” You told the rest as you scooped a bowl of noodles for yourself and Taehyung. Taehyung stayed by your side, trying his best to hide his first mate feelings. Like the rest, he just wanted to keep you for himself and stay by your side for the whole day. But he knew you still had to go back to work. 

You knew it wasn’t easy for Taehyung to let you go right after you accepted him as your mate so you sat with him after lunch, the both of you enjoying a cup of tea. 

“We can hang out tonight.” You told him, sipping the last bit of your tea. 

“I’ll walk you to the door.” He followed you. As you wore your shoes, he patiently held your coat and bag for you. You slipped your arms through the sleeves of your coat and Taehyung adjusted them on your shoulders. 

“Thank you.” You kissed his cheek and left.

The surgery wasn’t complicated and it passed without any problems. You returned to your office after settling the patient in her ward. The sun had set early, being winter, and you updated the online patient charts.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

“Come in.” You said, facing away from the door.

“Doctor, you got a gift.” Head nurse Park came in with a teasing smile. You turned around and raised an eyebrow, who would send a gift so late?

“What gift?” You stood up. She came in with a big bouquet of flowers. You took it in your arms, reading the card that was given.

‘Doctor Echo, thank you for taking care of my hybrids. Although I rather them stay dead, I will be coming to retrieve them very soon. - Anon’

“Secret admirer?” Head nurse Park teased. She wasn’t a hybrid so she couldn’t sense the change in your mood. But if your boys were all there, they would have sensed it. 

“A-Ah, just a nice patient.” You forced a smile and she nodded, patting your shoulder and leaving. Crushing the note, you threw it in your trash bin and sat back on your chair, turning to face the window at the back. You felt shivers go down your spine as you buried your face in your hands. Suddenly, you felt so self conscious, like you were being watched. 

“I’m leaving.” You told the nurse, handing the nurse your files for the day.

“Have a nice evening, doctor.” She smiled and you could only nod in acknowledgement, going to your car. You threw the bouquet in your backseat as you drove home. 

“(y/n).” Hoseok greeted. By your scent, the hybrids immediately knew something was wrong with you.

“H-Hey, I-I’m gonna skip dinner. I-It’s been a long day. I’ll just s-sleep.” You said quickly and ran up to your room. As your room door slammed close, Jimin flinched, letting out a small whimper.

“What was that?” Yoongi turned to the other 6 hybrids who had equally worried looks on their faces. Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads. Standing up, Yoongi and Jin headed upstairs to your bedroom door. But of course, you locked it.

“Kitten.” Yoongi called, knocking softly. Jin’s ears twitched as he heard your muffled sobs through the door.

“Kitten, it’s me and Jin hyung.” Yoongi continued.

“P-Please