Chapter Text
The day Chan had been hoping would come—his chance to recover and leave the pack house—had arrived. But sadly, he still didn't leave.
Chan opened his eyes exactly at 7 a.m. Not that he had woken up early on purpose—he’d been asleep since 10 p.m., giving him a solid nine hours of rest. That was a good sign; after all, for the past three days, he had been sleeping more than ten hours at a stretch.
Today marked his fourth day at the pack house, and Chan wished more than anything that he wasn’t here.
It was Saturday morning, which meant everyone had the day off. All twelve of them were home at the same time. The thought sent chills down Chan’s spine. He wasn’t used to being around them all together, and he knew it would make him nervous.
With a resigned sigh, Chan swung his legs out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Hiding forever wasn’t going to help him find the courage to get closer to them. He showered, brushed his teeth, and changed into clean clothes. Once he was done, he sighed again and left his bedroom, heading downstairs.
Surprisingly, despite knowing that everyone was home, the house was quiet. Only a few voices could be heard as he reached halfway down the staircase. Frowning, he peeked into the kitchen.
Soonyoung and Jeonghan were there. Jeonghan scrolled lazily through his phone while Soonyoung stared intently at a pot on the stove.
Chan hesitated, unsure if he should stay or leave. But before he could decide, Jeonghan turned toward him with a smile.
"Good morning. You’re up earlier than I expected," Jeonghan said.
Soonyoung also turned, smiling. "Morning, Chan."
"Good morning," Chan replied, walking toward them. "I slept early yesterday." He stopped mid-step, looking at Soonyoung as if he’d just remembered something.
Soonyoung seemed to understand immediately.
"I’m wearing scent blockers, so don’t worry about getting close to me. Seungcheol, Wonwoo, Hansol, and Mingyu will wear them too when they wake up—since today we’ll all be home," Soonyoung said.
Chan felt a pang of guilt. It was their home, yet they were taking precautions just for him.
"You didn’t have to," he murmured.
"Nonsense. It’s finally the day we all hang out together," Soonyoung replied.
"He’s right, Chan. Don’t feel bad about it," Jeonghan added, giving him an assuring smile.
Chan nodded and walked closer.
"What are you doing?" he asked, joining Soonyoung at the stove to see what he was cooking. All that was in the pot was boiling water.
"He’s been staring at the water for fifteen minutes and doesn’t know what to cook. In fact, he doesn’t really know how to cook," Jeonghan said with a smirk.
Soonyoung whined. "Hyung, you’re supposed to help! It’s always the others cooking, and I woke up early today wanting to make something for everyone. And I don’t know what to make, and you’re not helping."
Jeonghan got up and walked over. "Alright, I’ll help. Chan, what do you think we should make for breakfast?"
Chan looked around, unsure. "I don’t know," he admitted.
"It’s alright. Just say anything you want. No one’s picky eaters. Well… except Wonwoo—he can’t eat seafood," Jeonghan explained.
Chan nodded. "Not really wanting anything," he said softly.
"How about an English breakfast? Hansol’s been craving pancakes," Jeonghan suggested.
"Then what will we use the boiling water for?" Soonyoung asked.
"We can make ramyun," Chan offered, and both of them smiled.
"Breakfast decided. Soonyoung, make the ramyun. I’ll make scrambled eggs and pancakes. Wanna help me, Channie?" Jeonghan asked.
Chan nodded.
"Is this water enough, though?" Soonyoung asked, peering into the pot.
"Yeah, it is," Jeonghan replied, heading to the fridge to grab eggs.
Chan stood awkwardly in the middle of the kitchen, unsure of what to do. Jeonghan noticed and chuckled.
"Here, crack these. I don’t know who’ll be awake later, but we’ll make ten now. Whoever wakes up late can make more," Jeonghan said, handing him the eggs.
"There’s a bowl in the drawer to your right. Grab any pan; it doesn’t matter," he added.
Chan opened the drawer, took out a bowl, and grabbed a pan, placing it on the stove. Without a word, Soonyoung poured oil into it and turned the stove on low to heat.
"Thanks," Chan said. Soonyoung just nodded.
Chan began cracking the eggs carefully. Growing up with a low-budget lifestyle, he was surprisingly skilled at making basic meals—rice, pasta, simple dishes. Ramyun? No problem. Pancakes? Not yet.
He glanced at Jeonghan, who had already started on the pastry. Then he returned to the eggs, finishing cracking them and tossing the shells into the garbage.
"Where’s the seasoning?" he asked. Both Soonyoung and Jeonghan looked at him.
"There," Soonyoung pointed to a drawer near Jeonghan, who opened it for Chan. He grabbed salt, pepper, and other basics, mixing them into the eggs before pouring part of the mixture into the pan. He left some for another batch.
The nervousness Chan had felt earlier began to fade. Cooking with Soonyoung and Jeonghan felt natural. Maybe he could stay calm when everyone else arrived too… he hoped.
"Me and Seungcheol kinda miss seeing you at work," Jeonghan said, startling him.
Chan blinked, the words catching him off guard. Right. He hadn’t been to work in a while. Between studying for exams and trying to recover, his job had completely slipped from his mind. Three weeks—he’d been gone for almost three weeks.
"Shouldn’t I be fired by now?" he asked, half-joking but also genuinely worried.
Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I skipped work for about three weeks with no excuse," Chan explained, scratching the back of his neck. He didn’t even want to imagine how many missed calls or messages he probably had.
Jeonghan laughed softly. "We all know you have a good excuse. You’re not fired, Chan. We brought someone in temporarily, but he’s still here because we needed more help. Your spot’s open whenever you want to come back."
Chan looked down, guilt curling in his chest. He didn’t like the feeling of being treated differently, even if it was out of kindness.
"I want to go back to work," he admitted quietly after a moment.
Soonyoung, who had been stirring something on the stove, turned his head. "Isn’t it early? You’re still recovering, Chan," he said softly.
"Yeah, it’s early. You don’t have to rush. Rest first, then go back to work," he added, glancing at him with concern.
Chan shook his head, his voice quiet but firm. "I really want to work. I just… I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing."
"You’re not doing nothing—you’re recovering, Channie," Jeonghan reminded him gently.
"I’m recovered. I just can’t stay away from Jihoon-sii. I can grab anything that has his scent only for work hours," Chan said, realizing out loud that he’d probably been overthinking everything.
Jeonghan sighed but smiled a little. "Alright. But you’ll start Tuesday. At least a full week with us."
Chan smiled, a soft relief spreading through him. He nodded and turned back to help with breakfast, plating the eggs that Soonyoung had just finished cooking.
The next fifteen minutes passed quietly, the kitchen filled with the smell of food and the soft sound of pans clattering. Soonyoung kept tasting and adjusting the ramyun broth, muttering things like, “Too salty—no, too bland—wait,” until Jeonghan finally stepped in to fix it before it was completely ruined.
By the time they finished, the counter was full of steaming dishes. They began setting the table—plates, spoons, forks, chopsticks neatly arranged—when footsteps echoed from upstairs.
Chan froze mid-movement, the sound of approaching footsteps making his stomach twist. He looked up just in time to see Seungkwan coming down the stairs, hair messy and sticking out in every direction. He looked half-asleep, wobbling slightly until Soonyoung—who had been walking nearby to grab something—reached out and caught him before he slipped.
Seungkwan didn’t even seem surprised; he just leaned his entire weight against Soonyoung with a sleepy groan.
Now that Chan looked closer, Seungkwan’s cheeks were puffed and red, his eyes slightly swollen.
"Is he sick?" Chan asked, frowning a little.
"Nope, this is just the aftermath of drinking," came a familiar voice. Chan turned and saw Wonwoo coming down next, looking far more awake than Seungkwan.
Chan watched as Wonwoo reached the bottom of the stairs, pausing just long enough to lean in and give Seungkwan a quick kiss. Then, without hesitation, he did the same to Soonyoung before walking over to Jeonghan, who was already seated and eating.
"Morning to you two," Jeonghan said casually.
Wonwoo bent down, pecked the side of Jeonghan’s head, and smiled before ruffling Chan’s hair on his way to his seat.
"Its a no good morning. I am dieing," Seungkwan mumbled dramatically, slumping against Soonyoung again.
The alpha only sighed, amusement flickering across his face. He easily picked Seungkwan up and carried him over, setting him down in the chair right beside Chan.
"Why did you drink so much?" Jeonghan asked, watching him with a mix of concern and mild judgment.
"They kept on making me drink and I was the youngest there i couldn't refuse," Seungkwan mumbled, dropping his head onto the table with a dull thud.
Chan bit his lip, glancing at him worriedly.
"Don’t worry, Chan. Start eating before the food gets cold," Soonyoung said, sitting down beside Jeonghan and grabbing his chopsticks.
A moment later, Wonwoo got up again and went to the fridge. He came back holding a hangover medicine bottle and a small bottle of maple syrup. Without a word, he set the medicine in front of Seungkwan before returning to his seat.
"Thanks hyung," Seungkwan muttered, opening it and drinking it in one go.
"Try to eat something, Kwannie," Jeonghan said softly.
Chan, noticing Seungkwan’s empty plate, quickly reached over to hand him one. Seungkwan looked up, eyes sleepy but grateful.
"Thansk channie. And sorry you had to see me like this."
Chan smiled shyly. "Its alright," he murmured, then quietly took a bite of his own food.
Another set of footsteps came down the stairs. This time it was Jihoon and Jun. Jihoon looked completely awake—sharp, composed—while Jun looked like he could fall asleep standing.
Chan’s heart started racing. The moment Jihoon appeared, the room felt smaller. He was already done with his food, so he quickly stood up, hoping to escape before anyone noticed. But everyone turned their heads at once when his chair scraped against the floor.
"I-i am done eating i will be in my room," he said hurriedly and started walking away.
But as he passed by, a calm voice stopped him.
"Wait Chan?"
He froze immediately.
It was the first time Jihoon had ever said his name.
Chan turned slowly, his throat tight. "Yes?"
"Are you free today?" Jihoon asked.
Chan blinked, déjà vu washing over him. It was just like yesterday—Jihoon had asked him to go out, only to barely speak a word the whole time.
He could feel everyone’s eyes on them, but his frustration slipped out before he could stop it.
" so you take me out to a place, with doing nothing but giving me silent treatment?"
Jihoon’s face softened, guilt flickering across it.
"No, I mean yes. But I promise I wont this this. I am called in for work. There is a recording session today it will take longer and just having something of your scent wont work. I wanted to ask if you can come with me. After the session we could hangout. I will try."
Chan stared at him for a moment, searching his eyes for sincerity, then finally nodded.
"Alright," he said quietly.
Jihoon nodded too, looking a little relieved.
"We will leave in an hour."
Chan nodded again and turned to head upstairs.
Halfway up, he heard Jeonghan’s teasing voice from below.
" your finally making progress with your soulmate."
Chan’s lips twitched upward, a small smile breaking through.
Maybe things were slowly getting better.
He went to his room to get ready.
The quiet hum of the house lingered in the background as Chan stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of his shirt. He’d changed twice already — once into something too casual, once too formal — before finally settling on a comfortable middle: a plain white tee, a black zip-up hoodie, and jeans. It wasn’t fancy, but it felt safe.
His reflection stared back at him, eyes a little nervous, hair a little messy. He wasn’t sure why he cared this much. It wasn’t like this was a date. Jihoon had invited him to work — to sit quietly, most likely — and most of all both of them were technically still strangers.
He took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair one last time before heading downstairs.
The house had grown quieter; the kitchen was half-empty now. Jeonghan, Jun and Wonwoo were cleaning up, their voices soft and distant. Seungkwan had apparently gone back to bed, leaving a half-finished bowl of ramyun behind.
Jihoon was by the door, slipping on his shoes.
He looked effortlessly neat, dressed in dark clothes that matched his calm expression — the kind of person who didn’t have to try to look put together. Soonyoung was beside him, yawning into his sleeve, clearly not ready for whatever schedule he had ahead.
When Jihoon noticed Chan walking up to them, he paused mid-step, his hand tightening slightly around the strap of his bag. "Ready?"
Chan nodded quickly, maybe a little too quickly, clutching his phone as if it could keep him steady. "Yeah."
"Alright, let’s go," Soonyoung said casually, spinning his keys around his finger.
Chan frowned in surprise, his brows drawing together.
"You are coming?" he asked, blinking. He hadn’t expected that.
Soonyoung turned toward him with a playful smirk already on his face. "What, you want to have Jihoon all by yourself?"
Chan’s face flushed a deep red almost instantly. "No, no, I just thought—"
Soonyoung cut him off before he could even finish. "I am back to work starting from today, so yeah, the three of us could go there together. Either way, Jihoon here doesn’t love driving."
Jihoon rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as he walked ahead, clearly choosing to ignore Soonyoung’s teasing. He pushed open the front door and stepped outside.
Chan blinked, still a little embarrassed, and mumbled under his breath, "Oh, it slipped my mind you also work at HYBE."
Soonyoung grinned, his voice easy and light. "It’s alright. Come on, let’s go."
They stepped outside together, the door clicking shut softly behind them. The cool morning air brushed against Chan’s skin, crisp and damp, carrying the faint scent of rain that hadn’t yet fallen. The sky above was pale gray, clouds stretched thin like soft brushstrokes of smoke across the horizon.
It felt like one of those mornings that promised rain later—quiet and heavy, but peaceful.
Ahead, Jihoon was already at the car, sliding into the passenger seat with practiced ease. Chan followed, tugging his hoodie tighter before slipping into the back seat, choosing the spot right behind Jihoon. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to look at him—but sometimes, looking made his chest ache in a way he couldn’t explain.
Soonyoung got into the driver’s seat, shutting the door with a dull thud before fastening his seatbelt. "Everyone in?" he asked, glancing at the rearview mirror. Jihoon hummed a quiet yes, and Chan nodded.
In no time, Soonyoung backed out of the driveway and started down the road.
For the first few minutes, the car was filled with the hum of the engine and the faint rhythm of the tires rolling over asphalt. Chan kept his eyes on the window, watching buildings and trees blur past. The city wasn’t fully awake yet—just quiet streets and sleepy traffic lights blinking through the mist.
From the front seats, he could hear Soonyoung and Jihoon’s conversation—short, casual, but still enough to make the silence less sharp.
"At what time do you finish today?" Soonyoung asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Probably by three p.m.," Jihoon replied. "You?"
"No decided time. When you’re done and want to leave, just tell me," Soonyoung said easily.
"Alright," Jihoon answered.
And that was it.
Those were the only words exchanged for the rest of the drive.
The silence that followed wasn’t cold, just still. Every now and then, Chan caught small movements from the front—Soonyoung’s hand reaching over to rest on Jihoon’s thigh, his thumb rubbing gentle circles against the fabric of his pants whenever they stopped at a red light. Sometimes Jihoon’s hand shifted to rest on top of Soonyoung’s, their fingers intertwining briefly before Soonyoung’s hand returned to the wheel.
Chan looked away each time, pretending to be fascinated by whatever was outside the window. The quiet between the two alphas felt intimate, unspoken, and Chan didn’t know what to do with the strange mix of emotions it stirred in him.
Unlike Chan’s apartment, which was far across the city, the pack house was close to the HYBE building. So it didn’t take long before Soonyoung pulled the car into the underground parking lot and killed the engine.
Chan immediately unbuckled his seatbelt as the car came to a stop. He pushed the door open, stepping out into the cool, still air of the basement level. Jihoon and Soonyoung followed, the three of them walking toward the elevator together.
Inside, the elevator doors closed with a soft hum, and both Jihoon and Soonyoung pressed buttons for different floors. Soonyoung’s floor came first. As the elevator slowed, he leaned toward Jihoon, giving him a brief kiss on the corner of his lips.
What Soonyoung did next completely froze Chan where he stood.
The alpha leaned in toward him too. Chan braced himself, expecting maybe a teasing ruffle of his hair like Soonyoung often did. But instead, Soonyoung kissed the side of his head—light, quick, warm.
"See you two later, omegas," Soonyoung said, the word dripping with his usual teasing tone, before darting out of the elevator just as the doors slid shut again.
Chan stood there, completely still, blinking like his brain couldn’t quite process what had just happened. His ears were burning.
"Sorry if he crossed any boundaries," Jihoon’s calm voice broke the silence.
Chan turned to him, startled. "No-no, it’s alright, he didn’t," he murmured quickly.
Jihoon gave a small nod, eyes soft but unreadable. The ding of the elevator filled the silence, and the doors opened.
Jihoon stepped aside, holding the door for Chan. "After you," he said quietly.
Chan stepped out, feeling oddly small under Jihoon’s calm presence. They walked down the hallway together, their footsteps echoing softly against the floor. Jihoon stopped at the very end, punching in a password on a small keypad before the door clicked open.
He turned slightly toward Chan. "Come in."
Chan stepped inside, and the moment he did, his eyes widened.
Wow.
The room was bright but cozy, filled with warm lighting and a faint scent of coffee and something distinctly Jihoon. The walls were lined with shelves, instruments, and wires neatly coiled on racks. There was a large desk with sound equipment, two sleek monitors, and a couch in the corner that looked far too soft to be in a workspace.
"It’s beautiful," Chan found himself saying before he could stop the words.
"Thanks. It's called Universe Factory." Jihoon said simply, closing the door behind them. He adjusted the lighting slightly, making the room feel warmer, more alive.
"Did you design it yourself?" Chan asked, his curiosity peeking through.
"Yeah, I did," the older omega replied, moving around the room like it was second nature to him. "Make yourself comfortable. The session starts in fifteen minutes. It’s not gonna be here though—it’s gonna be in the recording booth."
Chan nodded quietly, his eyes still wandering around the room. Every corner felt like Jihoon—orderly, calm, but comfortable.
His attention caught on a set of four framed photos on the wall. One showed a woman with her back turned, covered in tattoos. Another of a woman exhaling smoke. The third was a man with piercings and tired eyes.
"What are the meaning of these pictures?" Chan asked, pointing toward them.
Jihoon turned from his computer, glancing over his shoulder. "Oh, they represent something I would never do, you know. Tattoo, piercing, and smoking."
"Having tattoo and piercing isn’t bad?" Chan asked curiously.
"It isn’t," Jihoon said, shrugging lightly. "But I don’t like them."
Chan nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense."
He turned toward the couch behind Jihoon’s setup and slowly sat down, letting the cushions sink under him. The whole room carried Jihoon’s scent—soft and grounding—and Chan could tell he spent most of his time here. It felt personal, like stepping into Jihoon’s own little world.
The studio was nice. So nice that it almost made Chan want to stay there forever.
He leaned back, relaxing a little, and took out his phone to text Baekhyun. He was just typing about how impressive the studio looked when he heard something faint—a soft humming.
He looked up.
Jihoon was sitting at his desk, headphones on, tapping his foot lightly to the rhythm of a track Chan couldn’t hear. The humming grew clearer, turning into him quietly singing along.
Chan froze, listening. Jihoon’s voice was gentle, controlled, and beautiful—like something you’d want to listen to on repeat. Chan smiled a little to himself. Jihoon could have easily been an idol with a voice like that.
He went back to his phone for a moment, only for Jihoon’s voice to break the silence again.
"My coworker texted me—they’ll start now. The recording booth is on this floor. Do you want to come along or stay here?" Jihoon asked, already gathering some papers.
Chan hesitated. He wanted to see who was recording, but at the same time, he wasn’t sure he was ready to be surrounded by strangers. "I’ll stay here," he decided.
Jihoon nodded. "It won’t take long. I’ll be back hopefully in an hour. You know where Soonyoung usually is, so if you get bored, you can go find him. The bathroom’s right in front of my studio. And here—" he handed him a small note, "—this is the passcode."
Chan smiled, taking it. "Thanks."
"No problem," Jihoon said before heading for the door. "I’ll see you soon."
The door closed softly behind him.
The room fell quiet again—so quiet it almost echoed. But it wasn’t uncomfortable. It felt warm, peaceful.
Chan leaned back into the couch, breathing in slowly. Jihoon’s scent still lingered everywhere. It was calming in a way nothing else was. He’d never told anyone this, not even Soonyoung, but Jihoon’s scent always steadied him. Sometimes, late at night, he’d find himself walking past Jihoon’s bedroom door just to catch a trace of it.
Soulmate.
It was strange. A word that sounded almost too heavy for what he was feeling—but at the same time, it fit.
The more time Chan spent near Jihoon, the more he understood why people said soulmates were two halves of one whole. Because sitting here, surrounded by Jihoon’s quiet world, Chan felt whole.
At some point, he stopped texting Baekhyun back. His phone slipped slightly in his hand, his eyes growing heavy. The steady hum of Jihoon’s computer filled the silence, and before he knew it, Chan drifted off into sleep—peaceful, calm, and surrounded by Jihoon’s scent.
Almost two hours after Jihoon, Soonyoung, and Chan had left, the rest of the house was finally awake — well, except for Seungkwan, who was still asleep, and Wonwoo, who had gone out early to record something.
In the kitchen, Seungcheol, Hansol, Jisoo, Minghao, and Mingyu were having a late breakfast together. The smell of coffee and warm bread filled the air, and the table was scattered with plates of eggs, toast, and fruit. Jeonghan and Jun weren’t eating but sat nearby, chatting and occasionally joining in on the conversation. The house felt calm — a rare peaceful morning after a long week.
"Who is the one who talked with Jihoon?" Jun suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Jisoo looked up from his mug of tea.
"I did. Someone needed to talk to him, or else he’d just keep ignoring everything," Jisoo said honestly, his tone soft but firm.
"Yeah, I can tell he’s trying to step out of his comfort zone," Jeonghan added, resting his chin on his palm.
"On that note," Mingyu said, glancing at Jisoo curiously, "what do you think of Chan, Jisoo?"
The question made everyone turn to look at Jisoo. Even Hansol stopped mid-bite, waiting for his answer.
Jisoo leaned back in his chair, thinking for a moment. "Hmm, I don’t know honestly," he began. "He’s cute — and kind too. Even after how he acted the first day, I never really had a bad impression of him. His reaction back then made sense for what he’d been through. His scent is calming, too. I don’t mind him being part of our pack. He fits in well. And besides, he’s Jihoon’s soulmate. That alone means he’s already part of us."
His words made everyone smile softly. The atmosphere warmed as they shared quiet nods.
Hansol, with a small grin, leaned forward. "So when are we actually going to ask him officially if we can court him? I mean, I don’t think we can be more obvious than we already are."
Minghao chuckled. "We’re waiting on our omega," he said, meaning Jihoon.
Seungcheol set down his coffee cup with a sigh. "It’ll take a while for Jihoon. We all know how he is," he said calmly.
For a few moments, the group fell into a comfortable silence — until Jeonghan spoke again, his voice carrying a more serious tone.
"I kinda found out something about Chan," he started, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
All eyes turned to him. "After the talk I had with you, Cheol," Jeonghan continued, "I sent Seokjin-hyung to the Im Coven to see if he could find out anything about Chan. But… he didn’t manage to get anything. The coven was too secretive. Still, Seokjin did run into Jaebum’s mother."
Seungcheol straightened in his chair, his expression instantly shifting to something serious. "What did he find out?" he asked.
Jeonghan exhaled slowly. "We all know, from what Jisoo and Jihoon told us, that Jaebum said Chan was on the verge of death when he was fourteen — and that’s when Jaebum turned him. But Jaebum’s mother said something else. She said Chan’s whole family was murdered, and he was the only one who survived. So… I think his near-death experience is tied to that murder. Which also means, Seungcheol… Jaebum lied."
Everyone went quiet. The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud. Only Seungcheol seemed to fully understand what that meant — his jaw tightened, his eyes darkened with thought.
The others exchanged confused looks.
"Huh? Did something happen?" Jun finally asked, glancing between Jeonghan and Seungcheol.
Seungcheol sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "When Seungkwan and Wonwoo come down, I’ll explain everything. Jihoon already knows some of it. And I’ll tell Soonyoung later," he said in a calm but serious voice.
Jun nodded, though he still looked puzzled. The rest followed Seungcheol’s lead, choosing not to push further.
The sound of cutlery against plates slowly returned, but the peaceful feeling from earlier had faded into a quiet tension. Each of them knew that whatever Seungcheol was about to reveal wouldn’t be simple.
After all, Chan wasn’t just some outsider anymore. Whether he realized it or not, he was already part of their lives — and soon, part of their pack.
When Chan woke up, one thing was clear— it was night. The room was quiet except for the soft hum of a computer. His back ached slightly as he sat up, blinking in confusion. The curtains were open, letting in a faint glow from the streetlights outside. The dark sky told him how long he had been asleep.
He turned his head slowly, eyes landing on Jihoon, who was sitting at his desk, completely focused on his computer screen. The faint clicking of the keyboard filled the silence.
Chan felt strange. His head was pounding, and a wave of dizziness made him clutch the sheets for balance. His chest felt tight, and there was a dry, burning feeling in his throat. He didn’t understand why— especially when Jihoon was right there beside him. Being near Jihoon usually calmed him, but now… it didn’t.
He tried to get up, and the sound of movement made Jihoon turn around.
"Oh, you’re awake," Jihoon said, his voice soft but tired.
Chan rubbed his eyes, still dazed.
"Its night," Chan said quietly.
Jihoon nodded.
"Yea I know. You were sleeping peacefully so I didn’t want to wake you up. And I was hit by inspiration so I kinda lost time," Jihoon explained with a small laugh.
"Sorey didn’t mean to sleep for this long," Chan said, feeling a little guilty.
Jihoon smiled warmly.
"Its no problem at all Chan, are you hungry?"
That single word— “hungry”— hit Chan like ice water.
Hungry.
No, not hungry.
He was thirsty
His throat burned, and the realization made his heart skip. He needed blood. The thought terrified him. His hands shook as he grabbed his phone.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jihoon asked, standing up from his chair.
"Stay away from me!" Chan said quickly, stumbling to his feet. He moved back, his breathing uneven. Jihoon frowned, startled by the sudden reaction.
"What is wrong, Chan?" Jihoon asked.
"Just— just stay away I need to make sure of something." His voice trembled as he scrolled through his contacts and dialed Jaebum’s number. The phone rang once before Jaebum picked up.
"Why am I thirsty?" Chan asked immediately, his tone sharp with panic.
The line was silent for a few seconds before Jaebum sighed.
"No hello no nothing?"
"Anaswe me!"
"Alright fine. You met your soulmate Chan. Your omega is out."
"Yea I know and?" Chan snapped impatiently.
"It means both your omega and vampire are fighting for dominance. Yes, most of your DNA is werewolf, but the vampire side is strong too. And your body is already exhausted— you’ll need blood at least three times a month now, unlike before. And not just any blood, Chan. Your soulmate’s blood."
Chan felt his stomach twist. He wanted to disappear.
He hated drinking blood— he always had.
He never bit anyone directly; he always drank from glasses because he couldn’t stand the idea of hurting someone. The blood he drank was always Jaebum’s, and even that never tasted good. He only did it to survive.
Jaebum’s voice came again, firm this time.
"If Jihoon is around you, ask him. Or you will faint. I can’t give you my blood anymore, Chan, because it won’t satisfy your hunger anymore."
"Alright— alright," Chan muttered weakly, hanging up the call. His hands still trembled.
"From what I understood, you are thirsty?" Jihoon asked softly.
Chan turned to look at him, realizing Jihoon had moved closer. He had completely forgotten Jihoon was even there.
"Ye-yea," Chan replied quietly.
"From what Jaebum told me, you need my blood right?" Jihoon asked, his tone calm. Chan hesitated, but nodded slowly.
Without saying another word, Jihoon rolled up the sleeve of his hoodie, exposing his arm.
"Go ahead," he said.
Chan quickly turned his head away.
"No," Chan murmured.
"You're thirsty."
"I hate drinking blood."
"Well whether you like it or not it’s what keeping you alive."
"I hate hurting someone."
"It won’t hurt me. Unlike Jaebum I am your soulmate. The bite will feel..." Jihoon trailed off, closing his eyes briefly before sighing.
"It will feel anything but pain. So don’t worry."
Chan looked at him uncertainly.
"Really?"
"Yes Chan," Jihoon said with gentle certainty.
Jihoon didn’t wait for Chan to move first. He stepped closer, slow and steady, until Chan could feel his warmth. Chan’s body froze in place. Jihoon gently took his hand and lifted it toward himself, guiding Chan closer.
"Go on," Jihoon said softly.
Chan stared at his wrist, heart pounding. He swallowed hard.
"Are you sure?" Chan asked again.
"I am Chan," Jihoon answered.
With shaking hands, Chan held Jihoon’s wrist and brought it close to his lips. He looked into Jihoon’s eyes one last time for reassurance, and when Jihoon gave a small nod, Chan closed his eyes. His fangs extended, and he bit gently into Jihoon’s skin.
The first drops of blood that touched his tongue made Chan’s head spin.
It didn’t taste bad.
It tasted incredible. Like Jihoon’s scent— warm, clean, and almost addictive. The burning in his throat vanished, replaced by an overwhelming rush of heat. He lost control. He kept drinking, unable to stop, not realizing how much time had passed.
He only stopped when he heard a sharp gasp.
Chan jerked back immediately, eyes wide. Soonyoung was standing in the doorway, staring at them with disbelief.
Chan turned back to Jihoon, whose face was completely red— especially his ears. Chan saw the blood still dripping from Jihoon’s wrist and panicked, quickly licking the wound to close it so it would heal faster.
"That was fucking hot," Soonyoung said with a grin.
"Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you did I?" Chan asked Jihoon, his voice shaking. Jihoon wouldn’t meet his eyes.
"I-i need the bathroom," Jihoon stammered before rushing past Soonyoung and out the door.
Chan’s chest tightened with guilt.
"I hurted him didn’t I?" Chan asked, voice trembling.
Soonyoung immediately walked over and shook his head.
"No no you didn’t hurt him, he just—" Soonyoung paused, thinking. "You know how it is."
Chan frowned, confused.
"Know what?" he asked.
"He has a boner that he needs to take care of."
Chan choked on his spit.
"What?"
"You know what’s it like."
"No I don’t?" Chan said, baffled.
"You don’t? That’s weird. Who did you use to drink blood from?"
"Jaebum only."
"Oh, it makes sense. Do you at least know the werewolves’ history?"
"No, I never studied it," Chan admitted. Soonyoung’s eyes widened in shock.
"Omg you should have told us from the beginning, Chan," Soonyoung groaned dramatically. "So look. What you need to know is Jihoon isn’t hurt. You drank from Jaebum so there was nothing romantic involved. Usually, when mates or soulmates drink blood from each other— like when Minghao and Jun drink from us— well..." he grinned, leaning closer. "Most of the time it leads to sex. That’s how it is. And here, Jihoon is your soulmate. So when you drink from him, he doesn’t feel pain, he feels pleasure. And our Jihoonie right here probably popped a boner so he ran away. I don’t blame him though— you looked so hot."
Chan’s entire face turned bright red.
He didn’t know any of this. No one told him.
Maybe that’s why Jihoon’s blood tasted so good...
"By the way, there’s a bit of blood stain on your lips," Soonyoung added casually.
Chan immediately grabbed tissues from the coffee table and wiped his mouth.
"Sorry."
"Don’t apologize, I was enjoying the view," Soonyoung teased.
Chan glared at him, which only made Soonyoung laugh harder.
"I came here to take you both to go eat. I guess you already had your food," Soonyoung smirked, making Chan want the ground to swallow him.
Just then, Jihoon walked back in. His hair and face were damp— he had obviously washed up. He still refused to make eye contact.
"You could have asked me to help you with your boner," Soonyoung blurted out. Jihoon froze, his eyes widening, before he turned and smacked Soonyoung hard on the shoulder.
"Damn it Soonyoung shut up," Jihoon snapped.
Soonyoung laughed uncontrollably.
"Has he always been this bold?" Chan asked, genuinely surprised.
"Always," Jihoon muttered under his breath.
"Anyways you two come on let’s leave. Our mates are waiting for us. Especially for both of their omegas," Soonyoung said, still grinning.
Chan’s heart skipped a beat. The way Soonyoung said it made it sound like he truly belonged with them— like he was really part of their pack. But he knew better. He wasn’t.
"I am not your omega," Chan murmured quietly.
"Yet," Soonyoung replied with a wink.
Chan didn’t know what to say to that.
Jihoon walked over to his computer, saved his work, and shut it down.
"Come on," Jihoon said finally.
He left the room first, Chan following close behind, and Soonyoung turned off the lights before joining them. The three of them walked together toward the elevator. Jihoon pressed the button for the parking lot, and the doors closed with a soft chime as they descended in silence.
In just a few minutes, they reached the parking area. The drive back felt quieter than usual. As they stepped out, the cool night air brushed against their skin. None of them said much as they walked toward the car, each lost in their thoughts. Once they got inside, they returned to their original seats—just like that morning.
Soonyoung started the engine, the soft hum filling the silence as he began driving down the dimly lit road.
"Chan says he knows nothing about our second gender biology," Soonyoung said suddenly, his voice cutting through the quiet.
Jihoon turned his head to look at Chan, one eyebrow slightly raised.
"You don’t?"
Chan shifted awkwardly in his seat, his fingers fidgeting with the seatbelt.
"No, never was interested in knowing."
Jihoon hummed, glancing back at the window, the streetlights reflecting faintly on his face.
"Then we will help you. I am sure Jisoo will be the most excited one to tell you, so talk to him."
Chan nodded silently. He wasn’t sure how to respond, but Jihoon’s tone was gentle, reassuring even.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Soonyoung slammed on the brakes—hard.
The tires screeched against the road, and Chan was thrown forward, his chest hitting the seatbelt sharply. He groaned, clutching the front seat in shock.
"What happened?" Jihoon asked quickly. Chan glanced over to see Jihoon rubbing his head from the sudden jolt.
Both omegas turned toward Soonyoung. His hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly, knuckles pale. His expression looked pale and shaken.
"Hyung?" Chan called softly.
"I swear I saw something," Soonyoung muttered, eyes still fixed ahead.
Jihoon and Chan both turned to look through the windshield, but there was nothing—just the empty road stretching forward under the glow of the headlights.
"There is nothing there, Soonyoung."
"I know. But I saw it. Something passed in front of the car real fast. I saw it. Well, I saw a glimpse of it," he insisted, voice tense.
"Maybe an animal?" Chan suggested carefully, though even he wasn’t sure.
But Soonyoung didn’t look convinced. His body was stiff, his breathing uneven.
"Let’s switch seats, soon," Jihoon said calmly. Without arguing, Soonyoung nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt. They switched places quickly, Soonyoung sliding into the passenger seat while Jihoon took over the wheel.
Then Soonyoung turned back toward Chan, his voice low.
"Are you okay? None of you got hurt?"
"No, hyung, I am fine."
"I am alright also, don’t worry," Jihoon added.
Chan watched silently as Jihoon reached over and took Soonyoung’s hand, giving it a small, firm squeeze. His tone softened.
"Your omegas are fine, alpha," Jihoon said, his voice carrying that soothing edge omegas had when calming someone down.
From what Chan could tell, Jihoon was releasing a calming scent. The air inside the car felt warmer, steadier. He glanced at Soonyoung—his eyes were shut now, shoulders slowly relaxing, though he didn’t speak.
"Is he alright?" Chan asked quietly.
"Yes. He just went into sub mode. His alpha probably thinks it’s his fault for not protecting his omegas well."
"But I am not his omega?" Chan asked, confused.
"He sees you as one," Jihoon replied simply.
Jihoon adjusted his grip on the steering wheel and glanced toward Soonyoung.
"I need to hurry back home, he needs Seungcheol," Jihoon said, his voice calm but urgent as he pressed on the accelerator.
"Why Seungcheol?" Chan asked, still trying to understand.
"Whenever an alpha goes into sub space, it needs its pack’s leading alpha to reassure them it wasn’t their fault, that they did well. In some cases, any alpha can help calm them down. For those who aren’t in a pack, it’s usually their mate. And if they don’t have one, then it’s any alpha they trust," Jihoon explained, his tone patient.
"And Seungcheol?"
"What about him?"
"If he comes into sub space?"
"Well, also head alphas go to any of the alphas in the pack. But in Seungcheol’s case, he always goes to Jeonghan for reassuring," Jihoon said.
Chan nodded slowly, watching Soonyoung, whose body had begun trembling slightly again.
"Is there a way to help?" Chan asked.
"You are already helping. You are releasing a calming scent," Jihoon said softly.
Chan blinked, confused.
"But how? I don’t know how to do that?"
"Well, you don’t know, but your omega does. If you weren’t releasing any, he wouldn’t have been this calm. He would have been in protective mode."
"What’s that?"
"Well, it’s when an alpha’s mind is fixed on nothing but protecting their mates. That means if he sensed any danger to us, he’d react immediately. And believe me, seeing an alpha in protective mode isn’t something you want to see," Jihoon explained.
The car went quiet again after that. The road home seemed longer than usual, but Jihoon’s driving was steady, and soon enough, the familiar sight of their house appeared in the distance.
What surprised Chan was that the moment Jihoon parked, the front door opened, and Seungcheol was already walking quickly toward them. His expression was tight with worry as he went straight to the passenger side and yanked the door open.
Soonyoung reacted instantly. He unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned into Seungcheol’s chest, burying his face against Seungcheol’s neck where his scent glands were.
Chan watched as Seungcheol wrapped his arms around Soonyoung, rubbing his hair softly and whispering something close to his ear.
He couldn’t hear all the words, but he caught a few—“you did well,” and “it’s okay.”
After a moment, Seungcheol looked up toward the car, his eyes filled with worry.
"You both are fine right?" he asked.
"Yea, alpha, we are," Jihoon answered.
Seungcheol nodded, then effortlessly picked Soonyoung up and carried him inside, still whispering to him quietly.
"How?" Chan asked, confused by how quickly Seungcheol had appeared.
Jihoon seemed to understand what Chan was really asking.
"He was already able to sense us if anything happens, and also I mind-linked the whole pack so they’d know," Jihoon explained, turning off the car.
Chan nodded slowly, unbuckling his seatbelt and stepping out. Jihoon waited for him, and together they walked toward the house.
When they stepped inside, half of the pack was already gathered in the living room, concern written on their faces. Chan could hear soft murmurs, but Jihoon didn’t stop walking.
"Will you come?" Jihoon asked gently.
"No, I will be in my room," Chan said.
Jihoon nodded in understanding, but as Chan turned to leave, Jihoon reached out and stopped him.
"Ignore what Soonyoung said. I know what feeding feels like, but you need it. So the next time you feel thirsty, come and tell me."
Chan couldn’t even look back—his face was burning with embarrassment. He only nodded quickly and hurried away, almost running up the stairs.
He entered his room, shut the door behind him, and leaned against it with a deep sigh.
This was only his fourth day here.
Four days— and so much had already happened.
He sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through his hair. His heart was still racing.
If there was one thing he’d realized tonight, it was that he enjoyed Jihoon’s company far more than he had expected.
And as for Soonyoung... there was something there too—something he couldn’t name yet. A warmth, a pull.
The thought made him both excited and scared.
Was this really the pack meant for him?
But what if he started catching feelings, and they decided they didn’t want him?
What if Jihoon didn’t feel the same way?
Chan sighed again, lying back on the bed. His thoughts were tangled, questions circling in his mind.
He didn’t know the answers now—
but he had a feeling that time would give them to him.
Seungcheol was sitting close to Soonyoung, his hand resting gently on the younger alpha’s shoulder while he rubbed his nose softly along Soonyoung’s scent glands. The familiar scent was meant to calm him, to remind him that he was safe.
The younger alpha clung to him tighter, as if afraid that if he let go, everything would fall apart. His arms wrapped firmly around Seungcheol’s waist, his breathing shaky against the older’s chest.
"Your fine Soonyoung," Seungcheol said quietly, his deep voice calm but full of concern as his eyes stayed on Soonyoung’s scent glands, making sure he wasn’t reacting badly.
"I messed up," Soonyoung murmured, voice rough and full of guilt. His head was buried against Seungcheol’s neck, barely loud enough to be heard.
"You didn't, love. As along as you three are okay thsts what matters to me baby." Seungcheol said softly, brushing his thumb over Soonyoung’s arm.
The door to the nest room opened quietly, and both of them looked up as Jeonghan and Jihoon walked in. The scent of calmness and comfort followed them inside, making the air feel a little lighter.
"How is he?" Jeonghan asked as he moved closer. Without hesitation, he got on the mattress and lay beside Soonyoung, wrapping his arms gently around the younger alpha’s waist to offer warmth and security.
"Better than few minutes ago." Seungcheol answered, though his gaze shifted toward Jihoon, who was standing quietly near the doorway. Seungcheol reached out his other arm, inviting the omega closer. Jihoon didn’t hesitate — he climbed onto the mattress and laid down beside him, sighing softly when Seungcheol pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.
"Soonyoung honey. What did you see excatly?" Seungcheol asked, his tone steady but serious.
"I dont know. Something passed by real fast. I know I am not imagining I saw it." Soonyoung said, his voice trembling slightly. He still sounded uncertain, but his eyes were sharp, focused on the memory.
Seungcheol and Jeonghan exchanged a quick look — the kind of look that said there was more behind this than Soonyoung realized.
"Could it be?" Jihoon said, his voice small but filled with worry.
"Vampire?" Jeonghan said quietly.
Jihoon turned toward Jeonghan, eyes wide with surprise.
"You know?" Jihoon asked.
"Yea he knows. I told him. And i did tell the rest of the pack. Only soonyoung left." Seungcheol explained, his tone low and tired.
At the sound of his name, Soonyoung looked up, the haze in his eyes clearing as he came fully out of his subspace. His posture straightened a little, though the worry didn’t leave his face.
"Was it a vampire speed Soonyoung?" Jeonghan asked carefully.
"Now that you said it. Yes. It was. Something fast. I am sure it wasnt an animal." Soonyoung said, his brows furrowing as he tried to recall the moment more clearly.
"Do you remember the steeet you were in?" Seungcheol asked.
Soonyoung shook his head. "I don’t."
"I do. And I remember excatly where we stopped at." Jihoon said quickly, his voice confident even though his expression stayed tense.
"Good. I will try to find cctv camera." Seungcheol said, already thinking ahead, his mind working through what steps to take next.
"What is going on?" Soonyoung asked, confusion filling his voice now.
Seungcheol turned to face him fully this time, letting out a small sigh. This was the fourth time he had to explain everything that had been happening — and he already knew it wouldn’t be the last, because Chan still didn’t know.
He took a deep breath before starting to talk. Slowly, carefully, Seungcheol told Soonyoung everything — every strange event that had happened. Jeonghan and Jihoon helped fill in the parts he missed, taking turns explaining what they knew.
Even Jeonghan mentioned to Jihoon and Soonyoung what Jaebum’s mother had said.
When the explanation was finally over, silence filled the room. The air felt heavier, and the only sound was Soonyoung’s slow breathing and the faint hum of the heater in the background.
It was clear to everyone now — loving Chan, protecting him, and having him as part of their pack was going to be the hardest challenge they had ever faced.