(Y/N) POV:

I stand there looking at the abashed, guilty officer, orange ears, and fluffy tail wilting- drooping with guilt and sigh. Whilst he seems to realise how his presence, as a predator, has suddenly caused whatever stirring hope and progress to crash, right now the priority isn't consoling and letting him know nothing can be done. Not when these next few moments are crucial and so, so fragile. I turn back to the startled cub, at how he seems to have hidden himself protectively within the blankets at the presence of another predator and slowly edge close- hearing a whimpered growl at my approach.

"Min Jun sweetheart, it's just me. No-one will hurt you, come on darling- you were doing so well. You liked the fruity scent didn't you?" I say softly, trying to urge him into unwinding again, mention of the fruity scent however does get a raise of his head and tentative, wide eyes peering at me.

I nod eagerly, invitingly leaning forward to arch my neck close.

"Baby do you just want to nuzzle and scent?" I ask, holding my arms out for him, bent towards him.

Scenting. A basic instinct. One of the first things any hybrid learns, is guided into by a parent. But his eyes express confusion. 

And my heart crumbles for him.

That he's never been able to indulge in it, perhaps doesn't even realise why he'd felt the urge to tuck his head in close to my neck. Had been driven instinctually but hadn't been able to give a name to. But he nods hesitantly nonetheless, crawling closer- in even slower and smaller motions than before carefully scampering onto my lap, claws now no longer in sight- just slightly sharp unkept nails. He's light, painfully so. Especially for a growing child, for a growing bear cub and I mentally note to add nutritional supplements to his meals- to allow him to regain lost essential nutrients without upsetting his stomach- I wasn't yet aware how much he was fed, but given the light and slightly bony dig of his bones as he nestled close, it didn't amount to much.

And again he brings his head close to the crook of my neck, a spot where scent naturally is carried strongly, and rests his head there- breathing me in. Hurried sharp sniffs as if he's afraid the source of the fruity floral mix will be torn away quickly, hands fisting into my top. But over a long few minutes his breaths slow down, become unhurried, slow and deep- nose brushing carefully against the line of my throat, small, tiny licks given to my skin- as if trying to taste the scent that's so tempting to bears, my hand brushes down his back, up and down repeatedly- slow unhurried strokes as I try to calm him down, try to get him to relax against me.

I carefully shift close to draw the blanket around him more firmly, giving him that feeling of safety, of familiarity- ignoring the way my cheek burns and the flames of heat make me want to itch it. I slowly rise to my feet, legs wobbling for a single instance before stabilising and I cradle him close, softly smiling at the way his legs wrap around me, on either side of me as he snuffles- leaning into the touch and hold and tightening his grip- scared that he'll be torn away.

I turn, unfazed to see Jimin still standing there, clutching at his hands, and peering anxiously at the scene, and as I get closer- he hastens to the door, rushing out so his scent doesn't trigger another reaction from the poor dear.

It's policy for staff to wear scent blockers which is why Min Jun isn't bombarded with clashing scents when we step outside. I slowly walk towards my office, knowing it'll be better to get Min Jun there to eat rather than the large dining space, gently asking for honeyed warm milk and a bowl of fruits, some other light foods that shouldn't upset his stomach. 

I don't realise Jimin is still following me until I catch sight of his scent- an overlapping of two strong scents merging together when he moves a bit closer.

"What is it Jimin-ssi? I need to get Min Jun settled and fed; I need to assess just how much he's hurting." I say, without shifting my head his way, not wanting to do anything that could startle him.

"I'm sorry but I need to take the results of your assessment back to the officer in charge for the case." He says apologetically, voice soft, deceptively so almost.

But I won't judge him by his predator status, refuse to. No-one deserves to be judged by what they're born as. 

"Well then please try to stay out of the way, I don't want Min Jun to become startled again. Do you not wear scent blockers?" I ask, eyes dropping to the way his feet have matched my stride.

"No...scents can be a useful tool in my line of work. And it's a layer of protection too. I'm surprised none of the workers at the centre keep their scents clear." He remarks thoughtfully.

He has a point. Valid too.

But in an environment where scents can easily become volatile, overpowering, and threatening it's a no go. Especially when we have so many children, impressionable young lives that can be influenced and swayed by scent, it's a point we've carefully come to hold as one of the highest valued rules.

I nod, leaving the conversation there and gently shifting Min Jun so I can slide a hand into my pocket to get out the access card for my office, swiping it across the lock. The little beep causes Min Jun to pause scenting and raise his head in curiosity, tufts of brown hair making themselves known as he peers at the door.

I smile at his innocent curiosity, if he's in awe by the sound of a lock, then I know there's plenty more adorable reactions to come.

I step through and smile when Min Jun relaxes against me, unconsciously soothed by the gentle scents that fill it, the desk is right in the corner- set aside, because that isn't the priority, the focus of the room is the large space of padded sleeping areas, a play space- a haven for whatever child enters.

I toe off my shoes as I pad over to the sleeping space, leaning against cushions for support as I carry Min Jun and watch with a smile playing on my lips as Jimin dithers uncertainly, unsure as to where to go.

"If you take your shoes off you can join, if you'd rather remain distant and aside then you can do that too." I offer.

He pauses for a few moments before toeing off his shoes but he still makes sure to keep a safe distance away from Min Jun, mindful of how his actions could cause unnecessary distress.

A few minutes in there's a light knocking at the door.

"Could you get that please? It should be his food." I say, gesturing to the way Min Jun has slightly retreated away from my neck but has made his home in plastering himself across my torso, still tightly clinging. 

Jimin returns with the tray, sliding it forward and as I feed Min Jun I take note of every small behaviour, mentally cataloguing any abnormalities or issues with eating. And when he's a sleepy pile of limbs I gently place him down, drawing the blanket around him and making sure he's asleep before I get up.

Jimin follows me over to the small corner designated for official paperwork- sitting opposite me as I draw up Min Jun's files.

"His suckling reflex is operating fully, the natural instinct to take the teat of the feeding bottle showed he's not detached from his needs, from his basic instincts. But there's an issue in his incisors, they're too blunt and it looks like they've been forcefully smoothened out." I say, remembering how there'd been no sharpness to them when I'd hand fed him berries, slipping them past his lips and feeling my heart surge at the tiniest show of trust as his eyes had fixed on me, the beginning of forming a foundation of trust. It was crucial to form a good relationship from the beginning, so he could begin to recognise me as a caregiver figure.

Jimin is frowning as he notes this all down.

"Why do you think his teeth have been smoothened out?" he asks, looking at me with a serious thoughtful expression.

I shrug but the motion is too tight and stiff.

"I think it's part of a horrific grooming programme of whoever had him. It's sad but we do get a lot of cases of children who are being groomed and trained to be pets or sold as slaves." I say, feeling my fingers tighten around my pen, tail drooping and ears flattening.

"And you think Min Jun was part of that? I can ask the officer in charge for the case files if you think they'll help in his recovery in any way." He says, voice soft and quiet for all that it trembles with rage, the sharpness in his scent making me want to recoil, I press my back further into my chair- an instinctual response of wanting to flee, legs slightly jittery as they jog and shake with the need to leave.

"Jimin can you please calm down? Your scent is becoming sharp." I say carefully, voice unwavering and not betraying me the way my body tries to.

He looks apologetic and then his eyes widen once more when they fall to my cheek.

Right. The stinging.

"You should get that treated; do you have a first aid kit? I'll clean it out for you." he says already stepping up, eyes having fallen onto the green box perched on the windowsill, steps powerful and hurried before he returns, standing behind the desk on the same side as me.

His hands are precise and familiar as they open the kit, taking out sterilizing wipes and cotton, the sight of the cream making me sigh.

"I'm sorry, more than being unprofessional as an officer, I forgot how much hybrid psychology plays a role in behaviour responses for some cases." He says as he rips the packet open, wiping his hands clean before taking cotton and soaking it.

His hand is careful and gentle as he begins to sterilise the area of the cuts, gently dabbing at my skin- brows furrowed and biting his lip with concentration, the sight of sharp incisors digging into plump rosy flesh.

I wince when the sharp stinging sensation registers, the soaked cotton making me feel as if my face is on fire, bubbling acid causing them to burn once more.

"Sorry." He murmurs as he bends close, gently cleaning up the scratches.

"It's fine. You made a mistake, no-one's perfect." I reply, absently staring at the fabric of his shirt.

The cotton retreats and he cleans his hands again, almost religiously in the way he makes sure every inch of his skin is clean before coming close with the ointment, fingers gently applying it.

"Do you have a thing about germs?" I blurt out.

He pauses and then laughs lightly.

"No...but I didn't want to infect the cuts, Min Jun hasn't been bathed yet has he? So you can never be too careful." He says.

His touch is light and firm, gently applying the ointment and taking time to precisely cover the scratches, face expressing sympathy when it makes me hiss through clenched teeth, the tips of his fingers warm.

And then he moves back, the close and personal space that had been breached, filling my lungs with the strong intertwined scents retreat and I breathe shallowly, trying to empty it from my system- head threatening to spin from how potent it had been, how quickly it had encompassed my senses and threatened to push my instincts into an even more heightened state.

I scrunch my nose, still feeling the effects of Eunwoo's rut on my own hybrid instincts, probably still would feel them until he went back to his adorable, goofy sweet self. But until then...it made me register Jimin's scent as predatory and suffocating, a threat- and had it not been for the way my logic and rational thinking was fighting to win out and always be the dominant force, I'd have long since fled, probably before he even made himself known.

But then there's a high-pitched whine that cuts through the amicable silence, that makes me push myself away from my desk and sidestep Jimin to get to the source of distress. Eunwoo's rut offset my own instincts, especially ones to mother and nurture- and as such my instincts had reacting immediately, identifying the sound as of a child in distress, pushing away the fact that Min Jun was a bear.

I sink onto the padded mattress, tail rising when I sense Jimin step up behind me, too keyed up to try and dismiss him being a threat, and protectively shield Min Jun.

"It's okay sweetie, I've got you." I murmur as I soothe him back to sleep- the milk had light sedatives in it because he'd needed to sleep and rest, but it was clear that his nightmares were able to cut through the heavy fog of sleep regardless.

Maybe getting him slowly immersed into therapeutic practices would be the best for him to begin healing psychologically too.

"(Y/N), I'm going to call my officer in charge. I think if he sees Min Jun and witnesses his behaviour himself, it'll make it easier to understand what sort of people we're dealing with. Is that fine?" he asks, carefully hedging- voice low and neutral.

Perhaps responding to my own behaviour unconsciously.

I give a stiff nod.

"Why are you asking me for permission though?" I ask without turning.

"Because right now Min Jun is under your care. Because you're his primary carer. And so your opinion matters the most for him from now on." He says.

His words make me turn and I shoot him a smile.

"Thank you for that Jimin. That means a lot. You can call your officer...but he won't unsettle Min Jun will he?" I ask, still needing to prioritise the hurting baby in my protection, under my care.

He grins at that shaking his head.

"He couldn't hurt a fly if he tried." He says, already tugging his phone out and ducking out with a wave.

Huh. I guess I was about to meet the lead officer. And wondered just how much truth Jimin's words held.

JOON POV:

I enter the hybrid centre, impressed by the clean neutral scented environment- not filled with the chemical scents of hospitals, carrying the tell-tale evidence of being overcleaned but rather a homier welcoming scent- a mixture of neutral scents that automatically put me at ease. Nothing but a sense of welcoming in it, not a threat whatsoever.

I reach the front desk, greeting the casually dressed hamster hybrid man, a kind portly looking man with small furry ears and a rounded stomach.

"Can you tell me where I can find..." I begin, but hear my name being called and turn to see Jimin hurrying towards me.

He dips his head in thanks towards the man, I do so too and allow myself to be tugged away, his hand a familiar presence wrapped around my wrist.

"Why did you call me?" I ask, struggling to match his pace- his brisk steps and the regular swishing of his tail showing how he's focused and hurried.

"I think if you observe the child you'll be able to see and pick out what sort of things the traffickers have been doing. It might be easier to establish a line of connection." He says, voice professional and sharp.

Identifying a common ground, a shared factor between the cases would definitely make for an ease in identifying how many victims are from the same circle of harvested hybrids.

Smart. Intelligent. And exactly what I can expect from Jimin.

And so allow him to tug me down a set of corridors, turning left and right at intervals- already seeming to have identified the path without difficulty.

Maybe it's his ability to keep track of locations, or his sharp observation skills that allow him to distinguish the path he takes without making a mistake.

And soon we come to a stop outside a large door. He knocks on the door and waits. My ears perk up at the small slight sound of footsteps padding closer, delicate but firm footing before the door is opened to reveal a female peering up at us, her smile a tad bit more natural for Jimin before her eyes, wide doe-eyed large eyes that turn to me and her ears twitch slightly as she smiles at me, dipping her head in greeting without removing her eyes from me.

My eyebrows rise slightly, impressed that she doesn't seem to be fazed or intimidated at all by having two predator hybrids in front of her before I realise that as a worker at the centre, she must be accustomed to all hybrids- she can't show fear and weakness for people's hybrid species. Not in a field like this.

"Ahh this must be the officer you mentioned Jimin." She remarks, the door not opening wider and then her nose scrunches, a rather endearing gesture, presumably hit by the force of our scents- it must be difficult to be hit with a wave of pheromones and scents when everything is so carefully maintained at a neutral level. I fidget slightly.

"Would you prefer it if I wore scent blockers? I know my natural scent can be slightly overwhelming at times." I say.

Her eyes sparkle with amusement, lips curving up slightly.

"Slightly is an understatement but I can't give them to you. Every body reacts differently to scent blockers, and I don't want your skin to become irritated." She says, eyes flitting back and forth between me and Jimin, and she must come to some sort of conclusion because she steps back, door opening fractionally- an invitation to enter.

"You can come in, just please keep a distance." She says.

And as Jimin slips into the small gap, easily sliding past, I push open the door, knowing if I try to attempt the same fluidity as him it'll end with the door smashing into the wall. Best not make a bad impression.

And what sort of officer would I seem if I reveal my clumsy side immediately?

I think of her choice of words as a warning to steer clear of her, a warning not to broach a certain distance- having caught none of her own scent but light floral tones instead, the scent just veering slightly on the artificial to know it was probably the scent of her body wash or shampoo.

But it seems like that wasn't the case, even as my eyes catch onto the sight of her tail fluttering up and down nervously, in the presence of two predators I realise, but I'll do my best to keep her feeling comfortable. No-one should have to feel on edge in their own space, not that they should anywhere anyways.

"I'm officer Kim Namjoon, I'm leading on this case. We suspect it to be a..." I begin, formally introducing myself only to be cut off by her soft but strong voice.

"A trafficking ring. I'm afraid Min Jun isn't our first case of hybrid abuse." She says sympathetically, lips twisted into a frown and brows furrowed slightly.

I sigh. She's not wrong there. The amount of cases regarding hybrid abuse is painfully high. 

"I'm (Y/N), one of the primary carers at the centre but also the main caregiver for Min Jun. We don't keep multiple caregivers for extreme cases, it tends to make the child have difficulties in coping and forming attachments- confused about who they're meant to trust. So any information and queries you have or need to provide should come to me." she says, immediately asserting her role of authority in the case without hesitation.

I nod taking note of her face and committing her to memory. She seems to be a contrast- softly spoken but there's no mistaking or hiding the strength that underlines each word, or the authority she carries herself with, firm posture- no sign of being uncomfortable save for the odd twitch of her ears when Jimin and I move.

Someone who's trained themselves well. Who doesn't let their animal instincts dominate them.

I step closer, making even strides further into the room.

"Jimin mentioned that your observations are helpful for the case, if you don't have any issues recounting them for me..." I say, tailing off when she nods immediately.

"He seems to have been denied of lots of instinctual needs such as scenting- it was new experience for him, his incisors are purposely smoothened out, there's signs of force used to achieve that, and his suckling reflex is comparable to a new born- I don't think he'd had the chance to nurse off his mother which leads me to believe that he's been raised  by the traffickers, all signs of apparent grooming." She surmises with a professional tone but her eyes are soft and wounded- hurting for him.

She's not only being a carer, she's also empathetic and tender towards them. She's also already identified that the poor child has been raised for four years approximately by the traffickers, it sends alarm bells ringing in my head, noting and realising that the trafficking ring might be different from others, to be able to raise a stolen child for so long.

"Hyung stop..." Jimin says, tugging my sleeve to get my attention.

My head snaps to his.

He never crosses personal and professional in front of others unless the situation, very rarely, demands it.

"Your scent is spiking, calm down before you wake..." he says urgently, making me realise that the information had caused my instincts to surge with that need to assess and protect, except all it had done was rouse the sleeping cub who shifts uneasily in the makeshift nest he's tucked into, blanket slipping free to reveal an awfully thin face troubled even unconsciously before he darts up, a rumbly growl weakly slipping out his throat.

In a flash, (Y/N)'s rushing forward, kneeling down in front of him, the change in angle revealing four red scratches marring her cheek, hidden before by the angle of her head and hair. I swallow, feeling myself want to protect her and the cub from whatever unseen danger was causing distress, that had hurt her.

"You're okay baby, it's okay, you're fine." She soothes, drawing the startled poor cub into her arms, rocking him gently- arms forming a protective cradle around him.

Protect. Soothe. My instincts rumble and unconsciously I begin to release calming pheromones, filling the large space with the scent of safety and security. Pheromone responses were one of the things we were taught at the academy, to never let your hybrid instincts betray you but rather use them to aid you, to take control of the situation and manage it.

That's what happens and whilst I notice the defensive arch of her back loosen slightly, it's clear she refuses to give in to the need to relax and calm down.

I step closer, the sight of the distressed child tugging at all of my heartstrings and pushing the warning from my mind.

"Joon don't!" Jiminie calls in alarm, forgoing the hyung in his urgency but I've already moved close, feeling settled at the sight of the poor cub settling in her arms, relaxing now that he's scenting, almost frantically, at her neck and calming down. But my closeness seems to spark a desperation as he tries to almost drown himself in her scent, liberally coating it onto him and lapping at her neck in urgent licks.

"Namjoon please step away now." She stresses, not turning but body stiffening.

"But I..." I begin, feeling pathetic at the moment, for not being able to even follow a simple request she'd made before I'd entered. Keep your distance. Not from her, but from the child who was clearly unsettled, who wouldn't react well to predator hybrids. Especially if my suspicions held true about predator hybrids being involved in the higher ups of controlling the trafficking ring.

It made me feel sick that I'd let my instincts win over and forgotten common rational thought.

"I'm sorry..." I say backpedalling and watching as she sighs with relief when the obsessive scenting calms down.

No longer trying to establish a territorial claim on the only prey in the room.

"It's fine, you need to be careful all the time. Please don't ever dismiss warnings- they're in place for a reason." She says, voice calm and levelled so Min Jun isn't startled but still full of authority, a mixture of scolding and admonishing and stern.

I feel my tail droop, ears wilting as I nod even if she can't see me.

"Of course." I say to her back.

"Is it fine if I talk to him though?" I ask hopefully.

She nods.

I feel my tail swish slightly quicker at having gotten her stamp of approval and gently crouch from my distance away from the two of them.

"No pheromonal influence though." She warns but her voice is softer now.

There's a huff of laughter from behind me, and I know Jimin will take every opportunity to tease me later.

But that can wait.

"Min Jun, you're a brave big boy aren't you?" I call, hearing the slightly wet snuffle and see the jerk of his head.

Nodding into the crook of her neck.

(Y/N) coos, running her hand down his back and settling him.

She's really someone in her element, someone easily able to handle the situation far more calmly and adeptly than I could've.

Maybe it's the best that his primary carer is a prey hybrid. That she won't represent the danger and threat that a predator hybrid carer could. She seems to be the best option.

And I feel proud and satisfied that the centre had made the best decision when it came to considering the needs of the children here.

"Aren't you a cutie? What a good boy." I praise when I see him loosen up, calmed down.

(Y/N) lets out a small, startled sound when he forcefully scampers out of her hold, scrabbling off desperately. He disentangles himself from her arms, she retreats slightly to give him space and we all watch as he tears the blanket off, his small hands tugging and frantically tearing at his clothes.

I watch confused, shifting close out of morbid curiosity and apprehension- Jimin shifting closer, his leg brushing against my arm.

There's a sharp inhale of breath, alarmed and distressed.

"Sweetheart no..." (Y/N) begins voice wavering and trembling- streaked with emotion and shock.

I feel nausea well up in my throat, stomach churning.

And at that moment I feel like I've failed in everything I've strived to be.

I feel like instincts or not, I failed Min Jun, failed him somehow even if logically I knew we'd just found him, wishing we could've gotten to him sooner and prevented this.

Because he turns on his fours and arches his back, his legs angled and bottom half tilted in the air, angling upwards.

Because my predator immediately recognises it, snarls, and growls at it.

Because Min Jun has positioned himself into a submitting position, arching himself in a manner that is painfully identical to a breeding position. He's positioned himself as ready to be taken and used and I feel sick seeing his thin, frail frame, seeing a young child automatically respond like that.

I feel horrified, and even more desperate to solve the case as soon as possible.

And then when he speaks my heart plummets, and there's a choked sob emptying itself into the air.

"I'll be good for you sir." He mumbles, face pressed against the padding, hidden from view.

And this time when the room spikes with several scents, the strongest one isn't one belonging to a predator.

It belongs to (Y/N). 

(THERE YOU GO! LOTS OF ANGSTY STUFF FOR MIN JUN! AND I AM SO SORRY BUT I WILL SAY THIS NOW, THIS BOOK WILL DEAL WITH ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR REFERENCED IN MY CHARACTERS, BECAUSE THEY'RE HYBRIDS- THERE MAY BE DISTURBING CONTENT, THERE WILL BE SENSITIVE CONTENT- SO IF THIS IS NOT THE BOOK FOR YOU, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO DROP IT AND LEAVE. AND OTHERS! I FEEL BAD FOR JOON! FEEL BAD FOR (Y/N) AND ABOVE ALL FEEL SO BAD FOR THE BABY BEAR! I AM ALREADY SO RARED UP TO DEAL WITH THE TRAFFICKERS AND GUT THEM- IN A VIOLENT MANNER! HOW VILE TO USE CHILDREN, TO MAKE THEM BEHAVE AND RESPOND IN CERTAIN WAYS! AND HE'S 4!! ANYWAY LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AND STAY SAFE AND TAKE CARE DEARS!!)

QUESTION...A GUILTY HABIT?

Mine is...I have a super strong sweet tooth and junk food taste! But more often than not, that craving vanishes super quick and I end up feeling unsatisfied- like I should've just resisted it! Ahhhh! Someone teach me self-control and the ways of resistance!!

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3