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"Gege, let's stop for a while." Tao called out, feeling the uneasy breathing on his arms, which specifically belonged to Minjee. Kris quickly turned around, astonished. He saw how Minjee was breathing abnormally and how tight she held on her bloody arm.

"Holy - how long was she in this state?!" Kris cried in surprise as he felt Minjee's forehead. Thankfully, she wasn't burning up, but she was gradually growing weak due to the blood seeping out her open wound. Plus, she was freezing as her only protection of the freezing cold was tattered. She felt the atmosphere truly now, and Minjee definitely hated it.

She felt the wound get slowly infected, and because of the great depth it has, there was no signs where the wound would actually close and stop bleeding.

"Minjee, endure it a bit longer." Kris whispered. "Kai, look for shelter. Now!"

"On it, hyung!" Kai nodded as he sharpened his sense of sight to locate any safe shelter where they can tend Minjee's wounds. Thankfully, fate seemed to have given them a little pity and in seconds, Kai located a safe cave nearby. "Hyung! There!" Kai cried, pointing at the cave.

"Good job, Jongin." Kris nodded as he leads Tao and Minjee towards the cave their younger brother had found. Upon arrival, Tao gently placed his mate down the ground, Kris kneeling beside the wounded female. With careful hands, he slowly observed the wound inflicted by their previous opponents, and to his expectations, it was indeed deep. Very deep.

"Holy ." Tao literally gasped. "Minjee, hang in there."

"Don't worry. I am." Minjee smiled, assuring her beloved as she held onto his freezing hands. "And quit worrying, it's just a scratch."

"Wounds that us wolves inflict on humans are no scratch, noona." Kai pouted. "Wait, I'll look for some herbs to use to heal your wounds, noona."

"Kai, it's better to stick together now that we are unsure of our conditions." Kris reminded, making the youngest pout in annoyance. "Come on, stay here."

"But... noona-"

"Kai, I'll be fine." Minjee smiled brightly despite the pain she's concealing. "I promise, I will be."

"... Fine." Kai pouted before sitting down. But his worry never stopped growing bigger and bigger, thus, he made an action. Kai secretly tore a piece of his clothing and began wrapping it around the injured part of Minjee's arm.

"Jongin? What're you up to?" Tao blinked, noticing what the now youngest brother was doing.

"I'm stopping the blood from coming out." Kai faintly smiled as he tied the cloth in a knot. "There, that's the least I can do."

"Appreciated." Minjee smiled as she hugged the younger tightly. "Thanks, Kai."

"Anything for noona." Kai giggled softly, wrapping his lean arms around the older before laying his head on her shoulder. Time passed and everyone had calmed down and relaxed, excluding Kris of course, who was attentive of his surroundings. He was listening to their environment, alert if ever anyone tries to pull a sneak attack on them.

Meanwhile, Tao sat beside Minjee, who was resting along with Kai. Due to extreme tiredness, Kai had fallen asleep on the human female's lap, forgetting all the troubles they've encountered just now.

And that all changed by the next second.

CRACK!

"What was that?" Tao jolted upon the faint sound, shocking Minjee beside him and waking the once sleeping Kai. Kris stood up and slowly scooped his surroundings, looking here and there. His sight and hearing slowly rose as he observed when he heard the faint sound yet again.

"There was it again! Gege!" Tao cried out.

"I heard." Kris nodded, gesturing the three to stay back. Slowly, Kris approached the source of the faint sound, walking slowly yet steps getting heavier and heavier due to doubt and fear. 

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

"Gotcha!" Kris cried, pouncing on whatever was behind the bushes. Tao literally shrieked as he ran after the leader and Kai, paralyzed due to shock. Minjee, who was plainly clueless, just sat there, blinking multiple times.

And to Kris' surprise, it was something he least expected.

Or at least, someone.

"Get off me, you heavy rascal!" a rather high-pitched feminine voice bombarded, making Kris fall back. The voice belonged to the dirty-brown caped female, blood-red eyes shooting electrifying glares at the golden-haired leader. Kris, still in astonishment, blinked a few times and he squinted his eyes to try and recognize who the female was and upon the sight of a golden-brown strand handing down on her face, Kris' eyes shot wide open.

"Meilin?" Kris gasped, eyes on his sister.

"Who else, idiot?" Meilin laughed, her arms travelling around her brother's neck before pulling him into a tight hug, shocking Kris more. "It's been quite some time, hm?"

"What are you doing here?!" Kris shouted at his younger sister. "You're going to be in big trouble if you stick around me and my pack! Get away from us!"

"I was worried, alright?" Meilin cried back, hitting her brother's forehead. "Geez, I'm still your sister!"

"You're no longer my sister since the day we were banished!"

"Being blood-relatives can't be broken by simple banishments and laws!" Meilin hissed. "And that's that whether you like it or not! I. Am. Your. Sister!"

"Shut up and leave." Kris glared before turning his back at his sister, leaving Meilin shocked and most probably, hurt. Greatly hurt. "I ain't your brother anymore, Meilin. Go home."

"... How dare you, Wu Yifan." Meilin growled before following her brother close behind. "No matter what you say, I'm doing what my guts tell me to do. Now, they are telling me to stay beside you and your pack... and your human." Her eyes soon travelled to the wounded Minjee, whom Tao was guarding. She knew so since the yellow-haired was growling at her while glaring her. If looks could kill, she is sure that she's dead by now. 

"Don't even try come near noona." Kai growled. 

"We're warning you, Meilin." Tao threatened. "Stay back before we tear you to pieces. I am greatly sure that Kris-gege wouldn't mind if we tear you even in front of him!"

"Let's see if you can even come near me, lover boy." Meilin smirked.

"Wait, wait, calm down." Minjee cried, trying to keep both parties calm no matter what. "Please, we're already under lots of pressure and troubles, can't we calm down and regain composure once in a while?" Using her strength, she stands up, with arms outstretched, she takes her stand in front of the leader's sister, seemingly protecting her. "And I swear, if you try hurting her, I will take a grudge on you all!"

"Minjee, don't even try to protect her." Kris stated. "Let her get hurt, it's what she asks for."

"How can you say that to your own sister?!" Minjee hissed. "Whatever you're saying, I'm on her side. Why? We're both females, she seems good and composed, and we're both sisters." she stated loud and clear, bravely grabbing hold of the female wolf's hand. "I'm on her side and if you're against it, I'm willing to take a stand."

Silence filled the area, soon broken when Meilin let out a soft giggle, her once knife-like eyes softening right before everyone's eyes. "I am well impressed, Zitao. You're mate is just too good to be a human girl." she praised, her once intimidating aura gone. "She has gained my loyalty and respect."

Surprised, Minjee can't help it but to grin. Without knowing it herself, she's reached into the female wolf's trust with ease, and that kind of lightened her feeling for her. "I'm Kang Minjee." she smiled at Kris' sister.

"Meilin." the golden-brown headed female grinned faintly. "Wu Meilin. An honor to serve for you, Kang Minjee-"

"No formalities, we're of the same age, I guess, so you can call me Minjee. Simple as that. Come have a sit." she warmly invited, touching the female greatly that she couldn't help but let out a small smile. The two quickly got close, much to the male's discomfort. Kris, especially. He couldn't help but feel uneasy with his sister's presence. Yes, he admits that they were once close, but things were different when he and EXO were banished.

And he knew that if his sister gets into big trouble, it's his fault.

All over again.

"Meilin." Kris called out, breaking the on-going chats Meilin and Minjee were sharing. 

"Yes, brother?" Meilin blinked as her blood-red colored eyes averts to look at her dearly beloved brother. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes." the fellow golden-browned headed wolf nodded, glaring at his own blood-sibling. "You have to leave this instant, Meilin. Leave now."

Shock coarsed throughout Meilin. Her eyes widened and more did Minjee's! "Kris-oppa! What are you saying? What's the reason you have to tell Meilin to leave just like that?" Minjee literally exclaimed loudly.

"A human like you wouldn't understand." Kris glared. "So I suggest that you leave this situation between me and Meilin-"

"No! I can't just sit here, wounded, listening to you shout mercilessly at your own blood-sister! It's unfair!"

"Leave us be, Kang Minjee."

"Not until I find out why!"

"... It's alright." Meilin smiled. "I did enjoy the temporary warm welcome you have given me, but if my brother dislikes my presence near him, then his will shall be done. I will take my leave once the moon rules over the sky and darkness fills everything. It might take a while, but I promise that I will take my leave-"

"No." Minjee cuts off, scowling. "No one is leaving. You, Meilin, are staying here. No one is leaving." 

"Minjee-"

"I said it once and I ain't repeating it. No one is leaving, whether you like it or not."

"Minjee, don't disobey duizhang." Tao warned. "He's still the leader of the pack and disobeying the pack leader is a big offense to wolf law-"

"But not to human laws, right?" Minjee smirked before glaring back at the golden-brown haired leader. "If you don't want your sister's presence around, then ignore her. No one's asking you opinion anyway, so just shut it, Wu Kris."

Silence and fury filled the atmosphere. Kris had to stay silent as something tried holding him back, probably the "control" Minjee has over the pack. No one dared to try answer back nor even complain, everyone was held back. 

Not even Tao...

Nor Kai...

And worse, Meilin felt it and she was taken aback. She felt how powerful that "human girl" was to her brother' pack and to her brother himself. Even if she didn't have any moments with Minjee where she was actually inferior to her, that second Minjee gave out a command, she froze. Minjee's glare had some flare in it that only Meilin can see. Probably?

The hours passed quickly and before they knew it, dusk was taking its arrival. The cold rose gradually. Being the only human, Minjee began to shiver. Add the fact that her wound was swelling greatly with the lack of medical attention. She was growing cold and weak. Very cold. No matter how Tao tried to keep her warm, she still trembled with the cold.

And the female wolf didn't fail to notice this. "Minjee, may I see your wound?" Meilin asked in a polite manner. The female human nodded diligently and slowly showed her wound, which was now greatly swelling. "Holy shi- I never knew it was swelling!" Minjee cried in surprise upon seeing her wound.

"How long has it been since you've treated it?" Meilin cried.

"I... never treated it. It wasn't anything serious-"

"Minjee! Any wound inflicted by a wolf is something serious!" 

"But-"

"Dang it, and I don't know the medicines to heal one wound inflicted by a wolf to a human." Meilin cursed. "It can be fatal if not treated! Kris-! Have you never told her?"

"How should I know that our inflicted wounds can be fatal?" Kris glared. 

"Anyone knows the right medication for this?" Meilin questioned, but was answered by heads shaking in a "no" manner. "You've got to be kidding me." Meilin cursed.

"Well, our healer's dead." Kai answered.

"Yixing's dead?" 

"Never knew? Weren't the knews of EXO slowly having their members dying everyday's news back there?" Tao blinked. Meilin shook her head. "You're lying."

"I'm not." Meilin answered. "Who're the ones that's dead? How many are you left?"

"Five, counting Minjee." Tao answered again. "Well, most likely five..."

"Most likely...?"

"Kyungsoo's fighting back there." Kris mumbled, loud enough for his sister to hear. "He let us escape and took the burden of fighting SNSD and SuJu."

"Say what?"

"He did." 

Silence fell. "Who are dead?" the female asked, eyeing the remaining three wolves. "Whose lives were taken away?"

"By order, it was Luhan, Sehun, Chen, Xiumin, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Suho and Lay." Kris answered, not wanting to make eye contact with the female. "They're the ones who died already. Minjee's brother was the first before Luhan though."

"... Counting Minjee's brother, they're already nine. Kyungsoo, as you stated, was fighting a life-death situation. If he doesn't succeed, it's ten. The pack is consisting of twelve members, plus one because of Minjee." Meilin computed, gasping after making a conclusion. "Oh dear, this can't be happening."

"What's not happening?" Minjee blinked.

"When were you gusy affiliated with Minjee?" Meilin questioned.

"Since she was ten years old." Tao answered. 

"Ten." Meilin trembled. "The deaths will stop by the tenth person who'll die. That tenth person is-"

"D.O-hyung." Kai completed, fear stricking him. "No, it can't be! You're lying!"

"Jongin! Can't you see?" Meilin screeched. "Has none of you noticed it? You men are struck by the horrible Thirteen Curses our evil ancestors had bestowed. And only that curse can be received once a wolf makes a bond with a human, and as far as I know, Tao is bonded to Minjee, yes?"

"Yes."

"Then it really is the Thirteen Curses. All members are cursed, even Minjee. Thirteen curses will land on you all and to whoever is affiliated with the cursed pack. The death sequence follows whoever learns it, and most probably, after Lay's death, D.O began to clear the sequence up, making him the tenth to die. The deaths will stop when he dies, but the curses won't stop until it reaches the thirteenth one."

"... No, no one is dying, Meilin." Kris stated, standing up. "Come on, I'll prove that. We're searching for Kyungsoo, him being alive and well. Wounded, but alive."

"Kris, he's not going to come back alive." Meilin frowned.

"He is." Kai insisted, nearly being in tears. "H-he promised!"

"... Fine, believe whatever you want to believe." Meilin sighed, helping Minjee up as she was slowly consumed by the weakening brought by the swelling wound on her arm. The five now began their search for their lost brother, whom they are unsure if he was still breathing or if he had passed away. The walking part was what drained Minjee's energy more, thus, making Tao carry her on his back. Her breathing was abnormal, but she insisted on pursuing their search.

Heads turned there.

Heads turned here.

But there was just no signs of D.O anywhere. There were no blood droplets to be followed, no signs that D.O was around. 

Kai began to crumble inside, tears rolling down his eyes. Kris' heart began to beat faster, knowing that his brother might be hurt greatly. Tao grew nervous too, sharing the same feeling with his mate. Meilin was rather worried as well, wishing that her prediction would go wrong.

But everything crashed seconds later.

A howl of pain escaped Kai's lips as the youngest fell on the white ground, right hand clutching his chest. Everyone grew into panic mode upon seeing Kai kneeling down and squirmming in pain. ", my chest hurts like hell!" Kai exclaimed.

"What's going on?" Minjee cried in terror, now on her own feet and kneeling beside her junior. "Kai, what happened?"

"The heck should I know, my chest just began to hurt!"

Much of Kris' surprise, he saw that a few strands of his younger brother's hair was changing from reddish-brown into ebony black. He didn't want to suspect, but he couldn't just force himself not to. It was making his heart skip beats in nervousness. "Jongin, get a hold of yourself." Kris stated calmly, trying to conceal the fear. "Come on, get up-"

"Kris, can't you see that Jongin can't?" Meilin glared. "Let him there if he can't stand. The pain is probably too strong to handle."

"It is no joke!" Kai hissed. "It's too painful. Help."

"Hang in there- , what's with his hair?" Minjee accidentally cursed. Suddenly remembering something from before, the female human gasped in shock and fear. "No... wait, please don't tell me this is happening."

"... It is." Kris uttered.

Within minutes, Kai's once reddish-brown hair and transformed into that whose color is black. His bronze-like skin slowly got paler and paler and his breathing went uneasy. His whole body was shaking and before they knew it, the young boy had lost his strength, falling on Minjee's lap, weakened. Everyone's conclusions were right.

Kai was back to being a human.

"Y-you're a human too?" Minjee stuttered. "Wait, how, when... who turned you into a wolf then?"

"... Kyungsoo did." Tao softly replied. "And at this case, Kyungsoo's-"

"... Hyung's... dead." Kai cuts off, his voice nearly inaudible and weak, but loud enough for them to hear. Minjee skipped a beat and had her eyes wide open. She was rather shocked and she couldn't believe her junior's words. "D-D.O's dead? What... did he, turn you into what you are before?" Minjee questioned, just to be answered by a weak nod from Kai himself. Tears began to spill down Minjee's eyes, and so did the tears escape Kai's tightly shut eyes.

All of them were in great shock.

"That's not the only main problem here." Kris panicked, seeing how pale his brother had changed. "Kai's transformation into a wolf, according to Kyungsoo, was when he was in a near-death situation. And he was turned into a wolf to escape death..."

"So, what, are you saying that in a few minutes... Kai will-" 

"He'll die." Meilin completed, "He'll die in a few minutes, and we can do nothing but see his death."

"Wait, you said that the tenth death will be D.O." Minjee cried as she pulled out the charm Lay had given her not long ago. Now that she's taken a closer look, she saw a small flower emerged in a rather yellowish colored liquid. The flower was the same color of a wolf's eye, and she was sure that Lay did say that anything can be corrected with one drop.

And unfortunately, that whole charm is just one drop. 

"He's going to live." Minjee said, opening her charm, which turns out to be one of the rarest medicines Lay had ever invented. 

"Minjee, are you crazy?" Tao cried. "Use that for you wound instead! You'll die too if you don't treat it!"

"And what?" the female human blinked. "Watch here and see Kai die? Over my dead body!" she hissed and slowly dropped the liquid on Kai's chest, exactly on top of his heart. In no time, his breathing went normal, his pale skin slowly got brighter. 

But his hair.

His eyes.

His strength.

They were back to that of a human's. Kai was nothing but a human boy again.

A normal boy...

Or so he was.

"Kai? Kim Jongin, are you alright now?" Minjee calls out, blinking in nervousness. "Please, tell you're alright.

"N-noona?" Kai croacked out.

"Yeah, I'm here." she smiled, holding her younger's hand. "Noona's here. Everyone's here. You're alright, right?"

Silence was there for solid ten seconds before Kris noticed something wrong with the way Kai looks around. Even Meilin noticed it, and tears instantly spilled down Kris' eyes. Out of wonder, Minjee blinked and looked up at the older. "Oppa? What's wrong?" Minjee asked.

"... Noona." Kai calls out again. 

"Why is everything black? Why can't I see anything?"

"Minjee." Kris called out, wiping his tears. "Our Kai is blind."

"... The fourth Wolf curse. There and done." Meilin mumbled under her breath, fists clenched together.