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Seungmin looked at the glass in his hand with very little desire to drink it. It was some cheap beer, the only kind the alumni association could afford and honestly Seungmin didn’t even know why he had taken a glass in the first place.
Around him people talked and laughed and danced to the soft music provided by the speaker. The room they were in was the biggest in the town but still felt small, with small windows giving view to the forest that surrounded the place. The different scent of the people present all mixed in a soft haze. The people were all in their late twenties, some dressed fancier than others, probably to prove how well they had succeeded after school, once they were able to leave this little town that Seungmin had for so long called home.
Most had come with their partners, only Seungmin was alone.
His partners? He didn't want to think too much about it. He knew it was just a silly fight and he would miss them soon, but in the meantime he was fine thinking about something else. He had gone back to his mother’s house a few days ago to take a break and she had forced him to go to the reunion he normally tried so hard to avoid.
Thankfully the people he was trying to avoid weren’t there yet, or at all, he hoped for the later. His school days weren’t a good memory. Even before he presented he had been the target of many of his classmates' jokes. Because he was a nerd, because they said he was ugly and clumsy and stupid, because he was poor, or at least poorer than them, or maybe just because they could. It had gotten worse when they first started presenting. Most were Alpha, some Beta and Seungmin had the terrible idea to present as an omega.
His town was very traditional. Men were to be alpha or beta, proving the superiority of their first gender, women were supposed to be omega. That’s how it always was and people who didn’t conform were to be shamed and mistreated.
Seungmin was doomed the moment he presented. Now all the school was making fun of him and his original bully had even more fun with him, barely getting any reprimand from their teacher as if somehow, seungmin deserved it all. And everything was about how he would never be loved, never finding an alpha that would want him because he was too tall for an omega and not submissive enough and worst of all he was a guy, and no self respecting alpha would ever want to be with him. and lies were spread and threats were made for the fun of it. Seungmin was forced into submission more often than not, scruffing him if he refused to listen to them. And those words and actions had left deep cuts in Seungmin that still refused to heal, some he still hadn’t dared to talk about with his pack.
As soon as he graduated Seungmin was out of here, running away to Seoul for university, studying literature with music on the side. At university he met Bang Chan, the first alpha he ever trusted and the one who helped him start his own musical career. Through him he met Changbin and Jisung and soon Seungmin had two alphas and a beta just for him. Minho had been Jisung’s partner at the time but had soon found he quite liked the others as well and had joined the pack. Then Bang Chan had found Felix, Hyunjin and Jeongin. The pack started to form like that, each member more amazing to seungmin than the other. He was now in a pack of eight with three alphas, three beta and another omega like him, more than proving wrong his old bullies.
But still Seungmin had avoided ever coming back again, even more for a school reunion, afraid to meet his old bullies despite everything. He knew the moment he would see them old trauma would resurface and he wasn’t sure how well he could act against old bad habits.
He had been scared for the past three weeks, ever since his mother had told him to come home for the reunion, she absolutely wanted him to go, blissfully unaware of the problems Seungmin faced there, simply wanting him to connect with his old peers. Those were the children of her friends after all, or at least some were and her friends always asked her where her son was, only for his mother to answer in shame that he barely ever came home. Seungmin loved his mother more than anything and was also slightly scared of her. So she ended up convincing him.
He had only talked to Minho about it. The beta had been of great help calming his nerves and had promised to go with him even. He would have loved to take all of his pack with him but most of them were extremely busy with schedules. Being famous wasn’t easy and Seungmin witnessed their struggle more often than not. He had chosen to start an anonymous career, only with his voice and was known as the mysterious eight member of the pack which allowed him to move freely. Chan, Jisung and Changbin were producing music together under the name 3racha and posting their own song, Minho was a dancer and actor, Hyunjin a dancer and model, Felix a model and Jeongin a singer and actor Only Seungmin had kept his face hidden from the camera, not feeling confident enough to show himself. Even if he was surrounded by very supportive boyfriends, Seungmin couldn’t get out of his head that he was too ugly to be a star, that he was a shitty omega and that anyone who knew him would be disgusted by him. His members were the only exception, although he sometimes still doubted they truly loved him.
So Minho should have been here but Seungmin had instead had the genius idea of fighting with his members two days before the reunion and now they probably all hated him. He had lashed out at Felix and Minho, called Chan and Changbin selfish and had pushed Jisung out of the way when he tried to hold him back from leaving. He was the worst packmate ever, all that because he was stupidly scared and sad and didn’t know how to express that without anger.
He had spent the last few weeks in anguish reminiscing of his past. Suddenly everything was too much, he hated every movement he made, every sound, every breath. He simply couldn’t exist without hating it.
Stray kids always admired him for being strong and level headed but they were wrong. Seungmin was weak, he was broken, and now he was alone.
He tried not to think too deep into that. Now was not the moment to cry.
Around him people were laughing, drinking and ignoring Seungmin. He took a big sniff of his sweatshirt. It belonged to the youngest of the pack. Jeongin’s sweet scent was disappearing, barely there anymore since Seungmin had stolen that sweatshirt a while ago. But if he tried hard enough he could still smell the soft smell of bread freshly out of the oven that was so characteristically jeongin’s.
Seungmin had thought for a long time about how to get dressed. He could have worn something fancier, something that would prove how far he had gone from the boy he once was. But he was sad and once the feelings took over all he wanted was his packmates scents on him and nothing else. So he had chosen a simple jean and the aforementioned sweatshirt.
He knew people looked at him with pity, He still looked like he used to, nerdy and poor. He was hiding away, antisocial as he usually was, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself.
But he heard people talking. He heard an old rumor he had thought he was free of, some shitty stories made on the spot to explain why he was here, in a dirty sweatshirt and alone, some mockery. Everyone felt good in their own mediocrity knowing at least they weren’t Seungmin.
He heard words of his pack as well, some talking excitedly about 3racha’s next album, others admiring Felix and Hyunjin’s beauty, others were discussing Minho or Jeongin’s dramas and he even heard some talk about the mysterious eighth member of the pack and of his voice.
Seungmin tried to ignore all that. He didn’t want to think about them right now. For once he hated how famous they all were.
He played with the sleeve of his sweatshirt, lost in thoughts when suddenly the air turned sour.
People turned around to find the source of the citrus smell and so did Seungmin. There stood Park Taein, Seungmin’s very own school bully.
He had grown bigger since he had last seen him. He wore a suit that looked expensive and a watch. His hair slicked back showed off his facial features, highlighting the sharpness of it. He felt dangerous. Behind him stood three other people Seungmin recognized easily. All of his bullies had finally shown up.
Taein’s gaze scanned the people around him, half smiling as he recognized some of them and finally his eyes lowered on Seungmin. Seungmin felt himself freeze under that gaze, all too familiar with the way it asked for submission. Despite himself, Seungmin lowered his eyes.
“If that isn’t the one and only Kim Seungmin!” His voice was low and strong, truly alpha-like. Seungmin hated it.
Seungmin forced a smile. He had to be strong. “Taein, it’s been a while…”
“Why are you standing there alone? Come, come join us.” He reached an inviting hand. Seungmin ignored the hand but came closer, cursing himself at how weak he was.
“What a good omega huh? Listening when his alpha is talking.” Seungmin wanted to punch the smirk out of his face but held back, for the sake of his own bones which would probably break on impact.
“You're not my alpha.” Seungmin felt pathetic as he lowered his eyes as he spoke.. But no matter how hard he tried he didn’t seem capable of looking the alpha in his eyes.
“Well, I don't see anyone else with you tonight? Not that I’m surprised, the Seungmin I know is incapable of charming anyone, let alone an alpha. I bet every person you’ve approached thinks you’re disgusting.” He spit his venom while keeping a smile on his face. “I mean, I still think you’re disgusting and I haven't even seen you in years!”
Seungmin shrunk on himself, incapable of talking, incapable of telling him that he had found his mates, that he was loved, that his hatred had been all for nothing because now he was doing great and that he had healed. He wanted to prove he was capable of being loved, but then he remembered the look in his packs eyes as he left those few days ago, the betrayal, the pain, the disappointment. He wasn’t sure of himself anymore, maybe Taein was right and he was not meant to be loved. All he could do was fail his pack and hurt them. The sharp edges of his soul cutting everyone that dared come too close.
“As I’ve always said, people like you are meant to be used, not loved. Are you still the same whore you were back then? I bet you beg every alpha you find to want you.” He grabbed Seungmin by the neck as he said that, pulling him closer the same way Changbin did, but Changbin was lovely and welcome, this was not.
“Let me hear you beg Seungmin, beg for me. Maybe I’ll be nice to you.”
Seungmin cringed. He wanted to fight, to scream, to prove him wrong with everything he had but his voice felt sore and he felt so small and alone, just like he had back then
“Leave me alone” was all he managed in a barely audible whisper. “I have a pack.”
They all laughed at that. One of them he couldn’t remember the name of said “right and I’m Celine Dion.” and another suddenly perked up “Or that guy he was obsessed with, you remember the actor, Lee Minho?”
This was an embarrassing part of his past Minho loved to remind him of. He had been a fan of child actor Minho for a long time before meeting him.
“Rght, I remember he had a massive, embarrassing crush. How ridiculous, as if he would ever even look at you. Have you seen yourself?”
Seungmin felt like crying suddenly. Rationally he knew that Minho loved him but it was harder and harder to believe those last few days and his bullies’ words certainly didn’t help.
someone else from the crowd stepped up. “Don’t even think about disgracing Minho like that, him and the stray kids pack are perfect, they would never get with someone as deranged as you.” that made laughter erupt from around them, people falling back into the dynamic from high school, when Seungmin couldn’t fight back
One of the bullies that hadn’t spoken up yet smiled. “ Actually I know they won’t, they are a closed pack. I know because I’m the last member of the pack.” He laughed, acting all proud and pretty.
Seungmin wanted to throw up just imagining someone else taking his spot. He was the last member of stray kids, no one else. Right? doubt still crept at the back of his mind.
“Yeah, right. Poor Seungmin probably wishes it was him.” Taein said, catching seungmin’s chin in his hand, false empathy in his tone. “Keep dreaming, loser. You know deep down you don’t belong with anyone. I mean it well, looking out for those unlucky that would meet you. You know you ruin everything you touch. Just like you ruined your baseball career by being a stupid omega.”
Seungmin felt like crying. He didn’t want those words to affect him but he felt weak. Everything weighed too much on his shoulder and he hated himself for it. Thankfully no one knew of his affiliation with Stray Kids or he would have brought shame to them for how weak he was acting, how indecent and stupid.
He felt tears against his eyelashes, holding on for dear life. If he started crying it would really be the end of him.
Suddenly a whisper started to take over the assembly, quieting the few bullies that were still laughing.
The rumor had it that some celebrities were coming over.
Everyone was shocked, wondering why some celebrity would be in the middle of nowhere, Korea, attending a small school reunion without importance and gratifying them with their presence.
It was heard in the assembly, like an echo, that it wasn’t just any celebrities that had come today. No, it was actually seven members of the stray kids pack.
Seungmin was shocked. They appeared in front of his eyes, all pretty and well dressed, looking expensive and with a glowing aura that made them look divine. Felix and Hyunjin led the group, looking more serious than Seungmin had ever seen them outside of a photoshoot, behind them Minho looked like he was fuming, barely held back by Changbin’s hand on his wrist. Jisung looked uncomfortable but he advanced with certainty. And finally Jeongin and Bang Chan walked hand in hand, looking grave and stressed.
Despite their obvious discomfort they looked gorgeous and powerful. Their scent took over everything, Chan’s rain drowning every other scent as the pack alpha scanned the crowd.
Taein caught Seungmin’s wrist before Chan could see him and whispered in his ear “let’s go talk somewhere quieter, trust me you don’t want them to see your disgusting face. You disgrace.”
Seungmin tried to fight back but was too slow and soon he was being dragged away, escaping from the eyes of his boyfriends. What were they doing here? Had they come to break up with him? Maybe it was a good thing to get away.
Seungmin was panicking. His pack was here, all looking stern and grave like he had never seen them. They must have been really bothered by whatever was on their mind because their scents were going out of control. Seungmin couldn’t help but feel the same sense of distress as them, without even knowing why they were here.
But did he really not know? Of course they were here to break things off with him, having finally grown tired of his antics. They were here to prove Taein right, that he couldn’t be loved, that he was broken and wrong for having ever thought otherwise.
He did his best to control his own scent, not letting them know where he was. Taein was pulling him through a door that led outside, who knew what would happen to him after that. Once they were alone Taein always hurt him in some way.
As soon as they were alone, Taein was on him, hands grabbing and roaming anywhere he could reach. Seungmin tried to push him away but Taein grabbed Seungmin by the throat and pinned him against the wall.
Seungmin tried to push him away again and Taein growled. “Don’t act out Seungmin-ah, This is the only form of attention you will ever get. Did you already forget, you’re my toy to play with.”
Taein kissed his scent gland, immediately breaking Seungmin’s control on his own scent. His honey scent burned with distress, taking up the space around them and making Taein growl.
The hand on his neck started to tighten and Seungmin felt his consciousness start to slip. He only barely registered the sound of the door opening. The light poured out from the room, blinding Taein and Seungmin in an instant.
The next instant Seungmin fell on the ground as something pushed Taein to the floor.
He felt more than he heard the growl that followed. Protectiveness and anger slipping from every pores, Chan stood in the light, teeth bared. Chan moved toward Taein who was getting up from the ground and punched him in the jaw, hard. Chan was way shorter than the other Alpha but it was clear who was the more powerful. Chan's eyes shined a bright red, outshining the stars with ease. Seungmin felt entranced and barely registered Minho before he was put over a shoulder and back in the light.
He came back to his senses as Minho let him go into Felix's willing arms. Felix held his fellow omega with a form of desperation Seungmin just couldn’t understand, his vanilla scent flaring up.
He looked around just to see Chan coming back to them, his eyes still red but instead of anger there was only worry to be found. He got to Seungmin in a flash, holding the omega close.
“Seungmin, are you okay? We were so worried.” Seungmin took a deep breath of Chan’s scent, feeling comfort pour into him as he came back to his senses.
“why are you here?” Seungmin asked, not understanding what was happening.
“You get off Seungmin, he's mine!” he heard Taein growl behind Chan. Immediately the scents around him rose up.
Chan’s rain, Minho’s amber, Changbin’s dark chocolate, Hyunjin’s roses, Jisung’s graphite, Felix’s vanilla and Jeongin’s baked goods all took over the room, flaring in danger. Red, gold and blue eyes all turned to look at Taein in furry. An alpha had dared to try and claim their omega.
Around them the world fell still, leaving only Taein and his now scared red eyes. Maybe he finally realized the mistake he had just made.
Seungmin had half the mind to hear people around them talking in distress at what was happening. All eyes fell to Seungmin, still in Chan’s embrace, expecting him to explain himself. Surely there must have been a misunderstanding, The stray kids pack weren’t here for him, weren’t going to protect him. Soon they’ll realize Seungmin wasn’t one of theirs and they would let him go to his rightful alpha.
But no.
Chan didn’t let go and Minho started to walk closer to Taein. Seeing a Beta coming at him Taein felt confidence coming back, surely he could take a simple Beta. But Minho was no simple Beta.
The fight was brutal, Taein barely managing to hit Minho back a few times. Minho didn’t stop until Chan’s voice resonated.
“Beta, it’s enough.”
under him Taein couldn’t move anymore.
“but chan!” complained Minho, voice stern, “he tried to claim our omega!”
Chan himself was barely holding back his anger at the mere idea of someone trying to steal his omega away from him but he was the pack alpha and as such he had to make sure nothing bad happened to any of them. They couldn’t have Minho charged for murder just yet. And more importantly, Seungmin needed them.
He took a deep breath and finally let Seungmin go. But as soon as Seungmin put some distance between them Chan was back on him, cradling his face close to look for any injury.
“Chan, I'm not hurt.” He reassured him. He did feel some pain on his throat from Taein’s hand but it wasn’t important, it would soon pass anyway.
“Hyung, Are you sure you're okay? You’re shaking.” noticed the ever so aware Jeongin. It was all just a bit too much and he still wasn’t sure why they were here.
“Come on puppy, you know you can tell us.” Minho said, coming closer and petting Seungmin’s hair.
This all felt like too much, he didn’t deserve it.
Trying to avoid Chan piercing gaze Seungmin looked around only to be faced by the shock on everyone’s face. All his old classmates were looking at him in awe, not comprehending what they saw.
Seungmin was a nobody after all, how could he ever have gotten so close to the stray kids pack? And they had called him their omega, as if he actually belonged with them. This made no sense.
Changbin seemed to get his discomfort, turned around and asked loudly, almost aggressively, “what are you all looking at huh?”
Some turned away in shame, others were even more shocked. One even had the audacity to exclaim “how dare this loser touch the stray kids pack? Am I the only one seeing this? there is something wrong here.”
And someone else followed, “they must have mistaken him for someone else, that must be it.”
“How much did he pay them to pretend you think? “
All the packed looked at Seungmin in shock. He had never told them any of this, never had let through just how roughly he was bullied. Obviously they knew it must not have been easy being a male omega in a traditional town but they couldn’t have imagined just how bad it was.
Jisung was the first one to react. He, normally so scared of public speeches, started speaking to the crowd, standing straight and tall.
“First of all, how dare you? This is our omega you’re talking about, the love of our life. What sick sense of disrespect is that? Do you all think yourself better than him, seriously? You know nothing about him and it shows. He is stronger than any of you and better company. He’s talented and bold, he’s everything and more, he’s caring and gentle, and an absolute menace when he wants to, but most importantly he is loved like none of you will ever understand.
Second of all,this is our omega Kim Seugmin and you will treat him with the utmost respect. Or my pack and I will break those filthy mouths of yours. You saw what Minho can do, this was nothing but the surface of the threat.” Jisung’s gaze was burning gold, not giving anyone a chance to complain. Then as an after thought he added, “and lastly did you really imply that I was bought by money? Like for real. No amount of money can ever buy me honey. I’m too expensive for worldly means.”
Some people nodded, most simply froze on the spot, too stunned to speak. A few laughs were heard at the last comment though but nothing too bold. Jisung finally turned around to his pack who were smiling at him proudly.
Seungmin had left a few tears escape. It was a long evening already and he had been on the edge since two days prior and the pressure he had felt finally found its release. He looked at the look on his classmates’ faces, the shock, the envy, the fear. It was the effect of his pack that had come to save him. Pride swelled in his stomach, adding to the usual dose he always had for his mates, and bubbled inside of him.
Felix came to take him from Chan's arms, holding his hand as he led the group outside.
But something felt wrong, they shouldn’t be here, they should still be mad at him, they should be hating him. So why were they here?
“Hey Seungmin, you’re okay?” Changbin asked, worried.
Seungmin started to cry again, “why aren’t you mad at me? you’re supposed to be mad at me.”
“oh, Seungmin…” Hyunjin came to wipe his tears away. “No one is mad at you.”
“Yeah pup, we actually came here to apologize.” Minho added, putting a hand to the small of Seungmin’s back. “We're sorry we let you go here alone even though we knew you didn’t want to, and we’re sorry we pushed you to the edge before that. We should have been here for you when you weren’t okay but instead we ignored you. We’re sorry.”
a small choir of “we’re sorry” followed. Seungmin was crying hard now, wiping away his tears as best as he could with the sleeves of his sweatshirt.
“No I’m the one- I’m the one who’s sorry.” he managed to say between two hiccups. “I shouldn’t have lashed out on you, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything I said then, I was just talking shit. I hope you know that.” He cried in a single breath. He pointedly turned to Changbin and Chan who nodded with a smile. They knew.
“But you were right,” started Chan,” we did not give you the attention you needed and left you alone way too often. It's just, you’re so strong, sometimes it’s hard to remember you also need us.”
“I know we make a lot of jokes but we love you, you know? like a lot.” added Changbin