(Y/N) POV:

When the weekend dawns, I'm already awake- feeling nervous jitters in me that refuse to let my eyes stay shut any moment longer, and after fidgeting restlessly in bed- Gyeomie had unceremoniously kicked me out of his room- complaining, even though I knew he'd be able to hear me around the apartment anyways, and there was a soft understanding in his droopy, sleep-filled eyes and a wry smile tugging at his drooping lips.

Sitting in front of my wardrobe blankly, wondering what on earth I should wear, allows me to dwell on the questions that have continued to bubble up in me since that day I had received the text. I'd already gathered from the Im coven's fond laughter-filled chats that the first meetings with the coven were memorable, cherished fond memories that whilst were far from the perfect romantic scene everyone envisioned and dreamed of- it was still a precious, special moment. And that meant every detail mattered. 

I stare blankly at the clothes, unable to decide what to choose and let out a deep sigh unconsciously- but the sound dredges Gyeomie up and pulls him from his bed, he appears bleary-eyed at the doorway, grumbling under his breath until he leans over my seated figure to pull out an outfit- dropping the items onto my lap and stumbling over to my bed. He sinks comfortably into the blankets and cushions and falling asleep- nestling happily into my scent that coats each of my belongings.

I stare at the clothes on my lap- appeased by his choice and throw a smile in his direction- even though his eyes are shut and clamber to my feet, rushing to get changes- hopping into the shower, but I can't even be frustrated when the first jet of water is icy cold, though I do yelp and shiver; jumping out of the water. There's too much excitement in me to be bothered by the small things.

After dressing, I scoop up my mug of hot chocolate- which Gyeomie has set out as he prepares breakfast, clutching gratefully at the warmth and managing small sips to allow the hot sweetness trickle down my throat. 

But the wait for Seokjin to get her has both me and Gyeomie on edge. Every nervous jitter and fidget have him glaring at me- though there's no true heat in his eyes, and his eyes are trained on me as I start pacing, too restless to sit down. His eyes flash constantly to red- and I wander what it is that he's thinking that makes his vampire instincts surge up continuously.

And at long last when there's a knock at the door, I bolt to my feet but make no move to get the door- not until Gyeomie nudges me forward with an amused laugh.

"Go on (Y/N)-ah. This is what you've been waiting for." He says.

And that propels my feet into movement as I pad towards the door and swing it open to find Seokjin standing there, and he smiles when our eyes meet- a smile that lights up his features even more; it's a smile that's hopeful, soft and tentative, but there's no mistaking the joy in them either.

"Hello (Y/N)." he greets almost bashfully, softness lining each feature.

I smile back.

"Hello Seokjin." 

His eyes are drinking me in, but the manner of the act is chaste and innocent- and they widen when they meet my eyes again.

"You look amazing." He compliments, and I notice the tips of his ears are red- much like the rosy blush I can feel building on my cheeks.

"Thank you, and um—you do too." I softly reply, mumbling the last part but the grin that stretches from ear to ear means he's heard. And I realise- sharp hearing, how could I forget?

"Do you want to get going? We want to spend the day with you." he says shyly.

I nod eagerly, a smile coming across my face when I realise that the others, my other mates, the coven are waiting to meet me too. Maybe just as excited and eager as I am.

But before I step out of the door, there's a small sound and then I realise Yugyeomie has stepped up behind me. And I don't know what expression he's making that makes Seokjin's face shift slightly- a slight shutter in his eyes, as if he's holding something back.

"Ahh, Yugyeomie. I didn't know you lived with (Y/N)." Seokjin says cordially, but there's almost something odd about the way he says it, almost as if the cheeriness is forced slightly.

"Seokjin hyung, make sure you take care of (Y/N)- she's special to all of us." Yugyeomie replies, but there's an almost subtle threat underlying his words and I don't need to turn to see the face he'll be pulling. Yugyeomie doesn't play the protective card often but uses it when he thinks it necessary.

And apparently now is that time too.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to do anything that could impact our potential future bond, should she choose to accept it." He says without missing a beat, but I know I'm not mistaking the softness in his words, the ways his eyes soften as they move from his face to my own- eyes not wavering. He means it.

"Gyeomie I'll be fine." I reassure as I turn to hug him, his arms automatically wrap around me, squeezing tightly.

"Promise you'll call if you need me." he asks softly.

"Promise." I reply before stepping out of his arms, waving at him before stepping out of the door where Seokjin smiles and turns with me so we can leave.

His little gestures are warming- the way he holds the door open for me to pass through first, the way he asks for what radio channel he wants me to turn to, the way his eyes dart to mine nervously as he drives.

And he drives to the suburban part of town- but then the car slows down and he turns to me.

"There's wards around our nest so it might feel a bit disconcerting the first time. But I promise you'll be perfectly fine, and I'll be here." He reassures, but his words make me clutch nervously at the seatbelt- wondering what it'll feel like. He continues to drive and we reach a point where the edge of a large green space comes into view- a spacious large house sitting intimidatingly at the centre. And as he drives forward, I see a brief shimmer- so quick and slight that I almost mistake it as a trick of the light but then we're passing it and suddenly all my instincts are panicking, a rising fear to get out, to undo the seatbelt and scramble to safety, it feels like everything in me is revolting against the way the car continues to drive forward.

And then it stops. And I realise my breath is coming out in large raspy sounds and my fingers are tightly clutching at the seatbelt.

The car stops immediately and Seokjin turns to me.

"It's okay, you're okay. You're safe, the feeling should wear off soon." His soft voice rushes to soothe me, I focus on the voice- the promise of safety that lies in it and soon enough the instincts to flee die down.

And I look up at him, at the worry in his eyes and manage a weak shaky smile.

"That's some ward." I breathe.

He smiles apologetically.

"It's a ward strengthened by the blessing my mother bestowed on the house when she gifted it to me for my coven. It runs and flows with the blood in me- and by extension, the others too. They'll have felt a shift and known we're here." He explains.

And the newfound information makes my mind reel for a few moments and for the first time I wonder how powerful this coven is- what I experienced was just a mere tiny inkling of their power, who knows just how much more they possess? It's a thrilling and nerve-wracking thought.

And when I step into the coven's nest for the first time there's a feeling of comfort that washes over me despite the fact it's foreign for me- something in me that just shifts and it feels like a key sliding into a lock, perfectly aligned as if a part of me has settled into place, as if somehow I'd been yearning for this ultimate feeling of belonging and never truly known.

My eyes hungrily drink in the sight of the luxuriously furnished hallway, furniture that's both expensive and yet have a homey-feel, as if they've been picked out with love and thought for the inhabitants of the house. And when I slip off my shoes, I'm touched by the slippers waiting for my feet to slip into, somehow sliding in front of me on their own.

My confused look is explained with a small laugh.

"That'll be the house- it innately recognises everyone. Though I thought it'd be slightly wary at first, it is your first time here." He explains.

And my eyes marvel at the house's interior as if I'm waiting for someone to make themselves known. The house runs on a far deeper level of magic than the Ims nest does- this house is steeped in power and it makes the house feel animated and alive- as if it has its own story to tell and share.

The house has a lived-in feel to it, shoes filling the racks, coats hung up the near the door, keys hanging on hooks and the sound of chatter- somewhere in the distance.

Seokjin gestures for me to follow him and I do so with nervous excitement, trailing after him and eyes darting constantly as they continue to drink in my surroundings- at the mix of luxury and comfort before we step through an arched entry which leads me into one of the largest and most elaborately furnished living rooms I have ever been in. A mix of vintage and modern, beanbags dotted around and consoles adorning the TV trolley, and soft cushions piled onto sofas.

"Come sit, the others will be through in a moment." he says, eyes twinkling with some unknown knowledge that is yet to be divulged.

I sink into the sofa, barely withholding my sigh of bliss at the way the sofa is unbelievably soft and cushiony, my fingers trail across the throw and brush against a cushion and when I turn, I realise Seokjin has been watching with a soft fondness in his eyes, trailing my movements.

And then there's the sound of chatter growing louder and through another entrance come two very familiar figures. Jungkook and Taehyung.

My eyes widen with confusion before it clicks, the realisation sinking in quickly.

Taehyung is bearing a tray much like that day back in the holidays when they'd approached me in the book café and Kookie follows on his heels, peeping shyly over his shoulder. And when the two sit down, Taehyung is the first to shoot me a smile; a boxy smile that is slightly hesitant and behind him Kookie's brown doe eyes blink nervously and his gaze slides away from mine after holding them for a few long moments.

"So, umm...we're also your mates." Taehyung says, breaking the silence with his deep rich voice, clearing his throat nervously and eyes darting up through strands of chocolate curls to look at me, waiting for my reaction.

I let out a disbelieving laugh. One that lingers very briefly before it vanishes from the air.

"How long have you known?" I ask.

"Not that long at all, only after Yugyeomie's mating ceremony." Jungkook says, eyes wide as saucers and he leans forward as he speaks.

My eyes dart back to Seokjin and he gives a small nod- confirming that they had only known since Seokjin had made amends, that they'd only just discovered the fact that I was their final mate.

It hurts slightly that Seokjin didn't tell them when he'd known for longer, that they weren't made aware of me until our conflict had been resolved- but I see his perspective too, he didn't want to give false hope, and even now- I couldn't truly question the way they chose to operate as a coven, not when this was our first meeting and I was still a stranger really. A stranger in the midst of mates who'd had perhaps decades with each other, maybe longer.

Seokjin leans forward from where he sits next to me, words brushing across my ear with a slight warmth.

"I'm sorry for not telling them earlier, but they've been ecstatic since they've known." He confides in me and when I raise my eyes to the two of them, there's a noticeable flush high on their cheeks and protests of 'hyung' on their lips.

But they only smile fondly, and exasperatedly I'd say, towards their eldest mate and then Kookie is gently placing a mug down in front of me, and then the other two, grabbing the last one for himself.

And when I take a sip, the silkiest, warm sweetness of chocolate explodes across my tongue, a thick velvety quality to the drink, sliding down my throat- something different and unique about the taste that has my taste buds exploding in glee. Over the rim of his mug, Jungkook's eyes crinkle happily before he takes a sip of his own, and there's a small rim of milk on his upper lip when he puts the mug down.

"Aigoo baby, come here." Seokjin fusses as he wipes his lip clean, all with soft gentle hands- the gesture imbued with love for him.

There's a love that glimmers between them even as they sit, as they engage me in conversation; wanting to learn my likes and dislikes, any stories and experiences I want to share. The chatter is easy flowing and natural between us- as if there had never truly been any barrier between us. As if this familiarity long since existed.

The hours fly by, the idea of the tour being shot down by Seokjin who just announces 'lunch first' before gently ushering us out the room and towards another.

Taehyung and Jungkook plant themselves on either side of me, filling me in with little memorable tales about specific paintings or arguments that had ensued over which piece of furniture until we arrive and when we pass through the door, I find my feet dragging to another stop.

Because when Seokjin had mentioned I had other mates.

I didn't realise there were two more. Two of which one was humming as they petered away in the kitchen adjacent to the room and one who was nervously seated at the table waiting, hands tucked into his lap and eyeing the glasses with nervousness, cheeks flushed.

"Joon-ah! Hoseok-ah, come on- (Y/N) is here." Seokjin calls excitedly to the male who's in the kitchen and the one seated at the table.

But when the man does appear in the room, flowery oven-mittens clad on his hands as he sets down a steaming pot before raising his face up. I realise I've seen him before. Met him before even.

And the recognition sends a bolt of fear through me, sharp as it pierces my heart.

Because in front of me is Yoongi's mate. Incidentally, my mate too. Which can only mean one thing.

Yoongi is also my mate.

And my head whirls sickeningly with the newly obtained knowledge.

(SO, ALL OF THIS WAS IN (Y/N)'S POV WHICH I THOUGHT WOULDN'T HAPPEN BUT OH WELL! WE'LL BE GETTING THE OTHER POVS IN THE NEXT CHAPTER! AHHH....SO MUCH AND JIMIN AND YOONGI AREN'T EVEN IN THE SCENE YET AND THERE'S TENSION BUILDING! LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS- IS IT GOING WELL? IS THE MEETING OKAY, BORING, WAFFLEY? LET ME KNOW! AND 27K READS AND STILL SECURE IN THAT NUMBER 1 POSITION- THANK YOU SO SO MUCH LOVELIES! STAY SAFE AND IN ANTICIPATION FOR TOMORROW! SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE- I'VE BEEN BUSY WITH CHORES COS MY HOUSE IS GETTING RENOVATED.)

We don't know the value of something until it slips away out of our grasp. Cherish what you have and treasure it truly- don't wait until its gone to realise how priceless it was.

Borahae!  💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3