JOON POV:

The next time I see (Y/N), it's long after she's been whisked away by the hyungs; long after she's been scented and coaxed down from her pheromone high and had the company of the rest of the pack, because their scents cling to her, burrow deep into her skin and entangle with the sleepy warmth of her slow, tired shuffles.

She doesn't appear early morning, she doesn't appear with the usual bustle to get up, she appears sleepily rumpled and padding into the living room with quiet footsteps and still clad in a pair of pyjamas that hang too loosely over her slender, curved frame.

Padding about dazed and drowsy, eyes blinking sluggishly and ears flickering, stumbling about with a sleepy disorientation that tugs at my heartstrings, at every instincts and winds them around her pinky finger, muffling a yawn behind the loose sprawl of the pyjama top.

And curled around her, arms looped around her waist and shuffling along is Yoongi hyung, head burrowed against her neck, small stumbling steps the two take together, the scent of citrus and vanilla heavier... warmer. Laced with sleep and fatigue and the warm pulse of their scents entangling and coaxing each other's to trickle out sweeter.

There's no hiding in the daylight just how deeply her marks have coloured, how vividly the prominent claims are, deep hues of reds and purples and the embedded trace of where teeth and fangs had hungrily sunk into flesh to reel out the sticky sweet anise in heavier, headier waves until it coated my tongue, until it was all I could taste and breathe; head swimming with just her. Her scent in all its rich intoxicating beauty.

And right now as she stumbles, body sleepily tilting against Yoongi hyung's, he continues to nuzzle lightly at skin, chasing the fiery ache that had burned viscerally in my gut, had moved with the intent to mate my fawn all over again; glands so wonderfully receptive and sensitive to even the lightest stimulations. But that roaring ache has dwindled, flickering embers of heat akin to a hearth, to the feeling of being wrapped in blankets and tucked. This warmth seeps outwards from the fluttering pulse of my heart and pulses through my veins as I watch their incoordination slowly draw them inside.

See her drooping eyes flicker to me, lips curved in a sleepy smile, ears flickering and directing their slow shuffle to the large sofa I'd been curled up on; folders open and still not ready for work.

"Joonie..." she mumbles as she approaches, sinking down gladly against my side, bodies manoeuvring as Yoongi hyung curls against her and she in turn curls against me, settling against me and peering sluggishly at the papers as her hand curls against my waist loosely.

Clutches loosely at the fabric.

"Already up and at it officer?"

He mumbles in sleepy assent, as if out of habit more than anything the first thing he's processed was the trafficker case; still hovering over all our heads. That even if he's still sleepy and sluggish himself, he's just unconsciously chosen to pour over the files again.

As if constantly nit-picking every detail will allow him to glean more information than he already had scoured from the files.

The words blur in and out of focus, too sleepy to pick up on anything as I look at them before a hand reaches to bat at them, tugging them out of my already slack grip and lean to set them onto the coffee table.

I whine, low and keening and petulant. A half-hearted fuss that quietens when (Y/N) sinks against my side again, my own body shifts and turns to accommodate the entangled sprawl of her and hyung, lips curving up into a fond smile at their sleepy tilt.

"You won't find anything if you don't nap and snuggle." She mumbles blearily, her usual wide doe eyes fluttering open and shut with contentment, head curled as she rests against my side, arm wrapped around her, weight loosely settled on mine.

My tail thumps with contentment against the sofa at having my arms full of my mate instead of the blurred lines of files and reports that had long since stopped making sense when I'd first opened early this morning.

The scent of vanilla and cotton has quietened to a lull; its ever present and sweet in the fibres of the apartment; interwoven into every nook and cranny with a sweet subtlety, both Jin hyung and bun had left for work already. Jimin had too; had dropped by the station because when he'd woken, stumbling out blearily and trying to figure out where the small huddle he'd gone to bed with had disappeared to; slowly shuffling out as he tried to place his missing mates, tension draining from his body.

It'd been replaced instead with a slowly dawning sharpness that had made his tail swish and ears flicker as they perked up, as if the night curled between our mates and shifted, only slightly offended he'd barely brushed past for a brief scent before padding off to find the others last night. But it had allowed him to piece together what frustration and simmering anger hadn't let him see last night, turning words over in his head as he distractedly shuffled out of the bathroom, dressed and gravitating close to nuzzle and scent; slow, unhurried affectionate presses of his lips to skin, mint curling calmly.

He'd be back for dropping (Y/N) off for her afternoon shift and had left the apartment with purposeful swishes of his gleaming, groomed tail, ears perked and quickly dashing to curl around Kook and leave with him and Jin hyung for work.

I wish I was picking up something and I stare downcast at the papers tugged out of my reach, feel the flick and curl of Yoongi hyung's tail against my side before he leans forward for them, narrowed, sleepy feline slits absently looking at the papers himself.

Trying to assuage what I'd been fruitlessly examining.

"Why're you looking at these cold cases?"

My head turns, rises from where it'd curved to tuck (Y/N)'s under mine, absently nosing at her temple and flickering ears.

Blink slowly at him, at the slow flutter of his lashes as he looks at the cases with a loose grip.

"Trying to figure out how far it goes, if there's any similarities with our case. The officers in charge of those cases must know something or are hiding something if they're involved." I murmur, feel the fingers at my waist curl tighter unconsciously.

Her scent turns heavier, thicker as if trying to soothe the sharp pulse of my own scent secreting out unconsciously at the thought.

"And giving yourself a headache would help? You need fresh eyes on it Joon and I know there's the threat of an insider but you need to expand your team slightly. Before the both of you wear yourselves into the ground."

Gentle chastisement and encouragement, tucking the papers away from sight entirely by leaning away to settle them onto the other sofa.

"I am... we are... I've asked JB to help pick a few officers too. We need to get a legal team ready too at some point."

(Y/N) turns at the mention of her pseudo pack-mate, eyes blinking more alertly, scent pulsing out with slight confusion.

Bleary doe eyes that peer up at me, fingers stilling their absent fiddle with the fabric of my hoodie, stilling in the way she was quietly playing with the fabric between her fingertips.

"A legal team? Do you have a strong prosecutor?"

My ears flicker and fold at the tips.

"No... no at the moment. We know we have more than substantial evidence against the people we've arrested... but a lot of them have already asked for legal representation, for defence attorneys... whoever we have need to be able to shut them down straight away."

Yoongi hyung's eyes drift to settle on the quiet fawn between us, her head tilting to my chest more heavily, half sprawled over me.

But the sight of her teeth gnawing at her bottom lip.

"Is there something wrong sweet girl?"

Silently she shakes her head, but the weaker trail of her scent; pheromones clogged with unspoken thoughts dampens the sweet floral notes.

"I think... I know someone who could help."

But she doesn't elaborate, just sinks even more against the two of us and immediately sensing she needs more comfort, Yoongi hyung's body slots against hers to bracket and sandwich her entirely to me.

There's quiet as she sinks into the embrace, fingers resuming their quiet fiddling; scent softening out once more before she speaks.

And she doesn't say. But we know when she's ready to say she will. And quiet thought coaxes her to a light nap, slowly going entirely lax underneath Yoongi hyung, his hand curled around her waist.

And eyes silently dark and trusting.

Knowing she needs to filter through thoughts of her own.

-----------

I stand, dithering, at the threshold of their room, uncertain whether I should step through, see the sharp eyes focused on me even as she continues to pet the little kit in her arms.

Feel slightly cornered under the weighted pin of sharp dark eyes scouring as they scrutinise me, try to place me to a name.

Feel the small bubble of laughter behind me, turn and see (Y/N) biting back giggles as her eyes hold mine, bright and endeared.

"She's not going to bite you Joon. What sort of first impression would that be?" She teases, nudging me forward, coaxing my stilted steps into movement with a hand settled on the low of my back.

I flush slightly as she peers around at me and the hard wariness dissolves in Amina's eyes, face softening as she watches the two of us approach.

"This must be Namjoon." She surmises herself, her ears flicker at my surprise, a quirk to her lips.

"Sorry I haven't been around as much as Jiminie, but any time I mention visiting he rushes from the station and leaves me stuck doing paperwork." I say wryly, taking her proffered hand as she carefully adjusts the little kit in the crook of her arm. See her ears flicker and perk as she recognises my scent, eyes gleaming as they trail over to (Y/N).

"This is mate number two."

My lips automatically curve wide at the title, feel (Y/N)'s hand move so her arm can curl around my waist as she presses against my back and hums in proud assent, slipping to slot herself beside me when my hand settles over hers and draws her closer.

And whilst there's warmth in the sharp gaze, softened by recognition of her friend, there's also slowly thawing acceptance of my presence, loosening a tightness in my spine I hadn't realised existed.

"I've heard about you from (Y/N) and Jimin... lead officer and mate. That means I can trust you." She says softly.

I nod. But titles and recognition by association wasn't enough. I hoped she'd trust me for me more too eventually.

Knew that that trust would be earned and the almost excited anticipation she looks at me which has my scent blooming gentler. Lips curving wryly.

"Is that so? Or is it that you were waiting for a debriefing Lieutenant?"

Her eyes flash, the green seeming to brighten as her fangs peek past her lips, the grin both telling and slightly impatient. See the pride and relief at the title; as if perhaps she was fearing her mind had conjured the role up.

"Am I finally getting one? Do you have a case brief on you?" Slightly eager as her ears perk to full attention, eyes searching over to procure said file to her sight.

"A debrief of sorts. I came to see how you are, came to meet the famed sweetheart before she forgets my scent." I say, voice softer as I peer at the kitten, see her peer back with unblinking curious eyes, paws wriggling as she yowls.

There's slowly dawning comprehension on Amina's face, sluggishly pieced together from the muddled abyss of her mind.

But neither (Y/N) offers up the information, neither do I... we let her piece it together, we let her reach the answer herself.

She needed to slowly, slowly filter through her mind and hold onto what she thought was real and what wasn't. And her nose picks up my scent again as she trails fingers across KitKat's tummy, eyes brightening as she finally places it.

"The hoodie! That was yours... I don't think KitKat has any intention of giving it back. It's her nest now." Head tilting to the formed circle on the bed, the fabric manoeuvred and moulded into shape, large enough for both of them to settle into in shifted form.

My tail thumps and wags, audibly cutting through air with a pleased smile on my face, feel (Y/N) against me and her hand curl around my waist, her smile and the happy flicker of her ears telling where at the moment scent couldn't.

The need to scent her, to douse her in my pheromones, to lather her skin with the thick weighted claim that mine, she was mine is forcefully dampened down. Antsy energy trying to stifle itself by keeping her tucked against me and soothing myself by the delighted yowls KitKat makes when she's slowly set down into the nest of my hoodie, alpha wolf instincts rumbling with content at how happily she rolls and paws at the fabric, burrowing her nose into it to snuffle. Mint and earth scents indirectly to her soft, groomed fur.

"It's for the greater good." I laugh, seeing how familiar the soft moulded walls of the nest bring inexplicable comfort to the baby kit, rolling around with the intent to fuse the scent to fur, pawing at it.

"Well I trusted the scent before I knew you so... Officer Namjoon, what can you tell me about the case?" Attention flickering back to me, head tilted with unrestrained need to know.

To fill the gaps of her life with events that have happened, have occured. To try make the scrambled timeline inside her head match more.

"Get comfy Joon, Mina won't be letting you leave until all her questions are answered." Voice warm and fond, eyes knowing as she peers at her friend and immediately bustles close at the invitation of an arm unfurling for her, curling against my mate's side with a relieved sigh, head resting on her shoulder.

"You get comfy too, stay." Voice soft and persuasive, hand sprawling heavily as she tries to tug (Y/N) down more closely to her, a huffy exhale past pursed lips when she doesn't.

"I have to take Ji Ah for her checkup..." she mumbles apologetically, cheek nudging against the thinner, sharper one with contriteness and gentle affection.

"Ji Ah... he... she's the... girl from the case too isn't she?" She amends, watching for any shift in expression, slowly grasping onto snippets of conversations that have passed, almost lost in the fog.

She nods, absently drawing Amina's hand into her own, eyes encouraging for me to approach as she traces the veins, lets her fingertips trail down to her slender wrist, absently scenting the small gland there with featherlight circles brushed onto skin.

"But there's... a he... too right?"

"Min Junie, the first one we found. (Y/N)'s baby bear."

(Y/N)'s face softens and even through the suppressants and scent-blockers; her pheromones manage to weakly filter through, wearing down the barriers much more easily because her glands were still swollen with mating bites, because her biology was recognising me near and broadcasting her emotions clear knowing she could.

The sweet, faint trickle of anise makes my tail thump quicker, cutting through air and wagging back and forth, a happy rumble bubbling in the depth of my chest at being able to elicit a pheromonal response, heart bursting with giddiness at how happy her face becomes, tender and affectionate and brimming with love for the toddler.

"He's almost entirely recovered too! Amina you'll love him, Mi already does I can just tell and he loves her honey scent because he's the sweetest cub..." she enthuses.

"I... I know a baby bear too. Tiny terrified little toddler." Amina's voice quietly cuts through, almost distracted and unfocused as it slips off her tongue and my eyes snap to hers, see the flickering of doe ears as wide eyes turn to her in curiosity.

"Were they part of the case?" she asks.

A small shake of her head, ears flickering and folding at the tips slightly, tail swishing where it rests on the bed and her curls shake with the movement too.

"No... it was... it was..." a quiet confused murmur.

Her eyes drift to KitKat even as she tilts her wrist towards the gentle, light scents being rubbed onto skin, gaze flitting upwards as she watches me sink down on the bed, drawing my leg up and peering at the yowly kit.

Surprised and pleased when she paws at the nest, rolling about to right herself and slowly clambers out, all fumbly paws and soft meowls as she pads across the sheets.

Circling close to Amina and nuzzling and rubbing her cheek against a crossed leg, meowling until fingers rub over her ears before she trots around, explores the vastness of the bed; curious eyes peering at pillows and blankets and paws eager to rush; her stumbles and slips endearing and she pushes herself upright immediately, the same rushed pace as she finally reaches me.

Nose nudging against my fingers in curiosity until I turn my hand so my palm is faced upwards for her, feel the light ticklish drag of her nose against the pad of my fingers before she snuffles at my palm, tiny paws clambering over before she paws at my wrist; nose rubbing with uncoordinated, messy quick nuzzles to try chase the source of my scent. Yowling victoriously before her head droops to scent properly; snuffling to assert whether she likes my scent or not.

And decision made she rolls over and bares her tummy, paws wriggling and yowling quietly in demand for rubs.

The smile stretches wider across my face, fingers rubbing soft circles onto her tummy, feel the purrs rumble against the pads of my fingertips as she wriggles, paws falling away when she's sure that my touch isn't retreating.

I can see why Minnie hogged them. Why he's always so eager to see KitKat.

And Amina speaks again, slowly as she's put the words together in her head, voice ringing with a certainty that has my eyes flashing upwards even as my touch falters then continues, ears perking up stiffly.

Feel the same astonishment and bewilderment in (Y/N)'s eyes.

There's no confusion or doubt in the piercing green eyes though, steady and sharp.

"There was a little bear... I remember a little boy I found at the outskirts of the city and there were people after us. There were... voices yelling to get him back. But I couldn't let them get him again. I... I told him to run until he saw houses and roads and people."

No.

No it couldn't be.

But as I look at Amina, as I put together her file both me and Jimin had scoured over countless times, and had picked apart word for word that I knew it by memory.

Amina had gone missing half a year ago.

We found Min-Jun half a year ago.

We'd gotten the case then, we hadn't known then that Min-Jun was one puzzle piece in the endless others. But... if Min-Jun was the bear Amina had found, then it meant she knew about the case, the insider threat far, far longer than we had.

"Mina, who was the bear? What did he look like?" (Y/N) asks, coaxing and gentle even as her ears flicker and fold, legs jittering with an anxiousness I ache to rush to soothe.

"He was... he was all dirty, slightly long hair and brown ears...? Too young to have a scent– he was... terrified. And even though I was a stranger– he was willing to go. Than stay in the hell he was in."

Min-Jun. It sounded exactly like Min-Jun.

"Can we... (Y/N) can you get Min Junie here?" my voice is a rough rasp, fingers stilling on KitKat.

Amina's eyes are confused, putting the two puzzle pieces together before her lips part slightly, shock colouring her features. And then relief, profound relief.

"The baby? He's safe? He's here?"

"You saved him Mina, you saved him. And I'll never be able to thank you enough for bringing him into my life."

Doe eyes filled with gratitude and a threatening glossy sheen that makes my stomach twist unpleasantly, wanting nothing more than to surge forward and tug her close, to chase away any hurt.

But she slowly slips up, disentangles from Amina to go get Min-Jun.

Amina sacrificed her safety for Min-Jun, she'd pushed him to safety at the cost of her going missing for months.

She'd been following a lead when she'd gone missing.

A lead that had procured results.

And her memory had been intentionally scrambled and damaged– that if it ever came to survival, for them there wouldn't be any threat.

But the sharp gleam in her eyes as she turns to look at me instead, gaze holding mine is a fierce vengeance and desperation that no matter how long it takes... she will remember. It's a vow that burns in her eyes and makes the green darken.

It's a vow she makes as she watches KitKat curled up.

A vow to protect her kit and to save others from the same horrifying fate.

And the stilted shock that rings out when (Y/N) enters, cradling the clingy bear to her, his eyes curiously flitting around and going ramrod when he spots Amina. Her breaths shudder out weakly, fingers curling into fists and staring with disbelief at the healthy cub curled contently in (Y/N)'s arms.

Watches as the content turns to surprise, lips parting in a small oh of surprise and fingers clutching tightly at (Y/N) even as he stares back, seemingly unable to pull his eyes away from Amina, examining the large, perked ears and the ragged appearance whilst she does the same. Drinks in the healthy flush on his full cheeks and the happy pulse of baby-powder, cheek squished against (Y/N)'s shoulder when he suddenly burrows away. Hides and mumbles into her neck.

Chases comfort and affection as he whispers something that makes her ears flicker, fingers carding over his ears gently, head turning to coax him to peer up, lips nudging at the apple of his cheek.

"Do you know who that is baby bear?"

A small, mumbled assent.

"Foxy! Foxy from... was running. And got hurt." he mumbles, eyes going glassy as he shrinks back to press against (Y/N)'s side, clinging to her tightly whilst damp eyes rake over Amina's stunted figure.

Shell-shocked and trying to piece together the image of the bear she had saved and the healthy development since then. No longer malnourished, no longer flinching from touches, no longer snapping into conditioned responses.

She tries to place the terrified bear she knew to the one clinging with no intention of letting go of (Y/N). Nuzzling at her cheek to take the affection he wanted.

"Foxy got hurt?" I murmur, head tilting to her, mentally sifting through the medical report the doctors here had collated, much more extensive once we'd found out drugs were still coursing through her system.

She winces as if remembering the blow, hand flitting to the back of her head.

"He's right... I just... he's healthy and safe. He really did get better." voice ringing with disbelief.

Our eyes stray to how (Y/N) seems to be coaxing him down, bent over until he slowly disentangles himself, clutching instead at her leg and peering at Amina.

"Why don't you go see if foxy's still hurt? What do we do when something hurts baby?"

His light eyes flicker with resolve and mustered courage.

"Kissies! Lots of mwahs!"

Her smile widens, encouraging and doting as she gently nudges him forward, the first few steps hesitant before he hurries forward.

Clambers on carefully, tugging himself up until he's sprawled over the bed and sits up, slowly edging towards Amina.

"Foxy owie where?"

Soft and curious, peering at her as he leans forward on his arms, eyes curious and wide and ears flickering.

See her hand unconsciously drift to the back of her head.

And without preamble he pushes himself upright, pads behind her and gently pats the back of her head, leans to press a soft mwah, audible and emphasises with the endearing scrunch of his face as if he's mustering all his energy and love into the kiss. Curiously pokes her ears and giggles when they flicker at the touch.

But as he leans forward to repeat the motion, his eyes go wide, lips parting before burrowing against her and snuffling eagerly, chasing something as he ducks his head to try peek past curls to see skin.

Nose twitching as he continues to chase out something before giving an excited wriggle.

"Foxy smells of honey too!"

She gives a surprised startle, hand steadying him and drawing him round. Smiles when he plops onto her lap and burrows against her, nose first into her jumper to chase the honey scent, small quiet baby growls when he finds it, clutching at her and wriggling forward with more purpose.

A bright, overjoyed smile tugs at her lips, fangs peeking as she lets her fingers ghost along the back of his ears and settle to rub circles on his back, smiling endeared at the way he clings and curls closer.

Refusing to part with the honey scent until it enters with a soft pulse of worried-fretting-anxious turning settled-relieved-overjoyed when Jangmi's eyes soften with relief at the sight of her packmate and turn surprised and tender when she spots the familiar cub settled on her lap.

Slips in quietly but her scent in the neutralised space is a beacon and makes his ears pop as he turns, hazel eyes bright and shining.

Overjoyed when he spots her that he clambers off hurriedly, almost stumbling had it not been for the soft blonde tail acting as a barrier whilst Amina's hand darted out. Lets it fall away when he giggles at the sight and pats gently before slipping away.

Dashing to the panda bear whose legs he clings to with an unmatched giddiness.

"Honey bear!"

"Hi cub~ what are you doing here... did you sneak out playing hide and seek?" teasing and light, a bubble of rich, warm laughter that soothes a deep unrest, seeing the two of them and knowing... packs heal.

He giggles and shakes his head quickly, peering up at her with enamoured, shiny eyes.

"No! Was helping foxy! Honey bear owie too?" he asks, lips trembling at the thought, at putting two and two together and connecting the honey scent on Amina and entangling it with an old hurt.

Working himself into distress as his ears flicker and his baby powder scent plunges, sharpens and vanishes as he clings tighter to her with growingly teary eyes.

My body's already half surged off the bed when Jangmi drops down to kneel beside him, accepting the fierce tackled hug as he clings to her, snuffling sadly to check. Burrowing insistently to verify himself.

"Cub I'm fine... no hurts. No owie sweetheart..." she says softly, hand cradling the back of his head, rubbing circles onto a nape as he sags against her, turns in the circle of her arms to peer at her, hazel eyes holding her dark ones. Peering intently.

"Promise?"

Her lips peck the tip of his nose.

"Promise."

Watch as her eyes widen slightly, cheeks pinking when she realises the gazes are all directed to her save for the kit curled against me, absently pawing and kneading with soft paws, yowls quiet and content.

"Mi... you know Min Jun?" Voice soft and eyes assessing, putting together fragments to form a whole picture.

She scoops him up, cradles him to her and he eagerly clings back, rubbing his cheek against her scarf as his head sets down.

Walks over with the cub tucked against her side. There's slightly less shadows to her eyes today and a brighter tinge to her face. As if she's truly rested and woken refreshed for once.

"He's the cub everyone was talking about. Little sweetheart aren't you?" She coos to him, smiling wider at the giggled nod.

Amina had KitKat help her survive. KitKat was that motivation to stay hidden, to endure, to make it out alive and to protect both of them in the time they'd been hidden.

But. In the same way but another circumstance, Min Jun seemed to be slowly doing the same for Jangmi, spending time with him was giving Jangmi a purpose, a sense of fulfilment to combat the emptiness she was feeling. Min Jun was helping Jangmi heal by filling the empty space and disorientation with him and the slightly less shadowed appearance wasn't just rest and relief, it was the cub in her arms too.

Life had a weird way of making packs work out, and right now I could see theirs growing.

Bonds forged from grief, pain and isolation. From desperation, need and mutual dependency.

But that just made the tethers wind tighter around each other, because they were building themselves up again from the lowest points in their lives. At their most vulnerable and finding solace in nurturing. A broken pack healing but growing too.

And as (Y/N) slips beside me, body pressed close as we draw ourselves away, the sharp gaze flits to us before softening in understanding.

The debriefing could wait a few more moments longer, this couldn't.

And gently she scoops her kit close and tucks her in the crook of her arm, eyes warming at the curiosity Min Jun holds as he peeks at her from over (Y/N)'s shoulder. Waving energetically.

"Jangmi you can drop by his room afterwards, he's not really meant to be here alone."

And it'll take time, but the bonds between four were slowly tethering to each other.

My lips skim across flickering ears, her forehead, cheeks then press softly against her own. Tilt closer as my lips linger, relishing the wholeness I feel at the curve of her mouth curled against mine, soft and cherished breaths between us before she draws away. Doe eyes warm and satiated by the closeness.

"I know you're here to meet the serpent hybrid, but be careful alpha~" pressing a final peck to my lips before I can lunge for her, rumbling and whining at the dodging step whilst the bear in her arms giggles.

"Wolfie careful! I'll give fawn noona kissies." He promises by way of encouragement.

And the whine turns petulant even to my own ears, coaxing giggles from the two of them as she half-turns. Peering at me before she leads him away out of the secure unit.

"No whines Joonie pup, I'll make it upto you later." Warm teasy promise.

Soothing and quietening the protests for now.

And as she turns back down the corridor, whispering animatedly to Min Jun, I let my eyes linger on the sight before turning the other way.

Shoulders locked with tension because so far all we'd gotten about the serpent was bad news.

And the volatile welcome was something I was not looking forward to.

---------------

Narrowed slits follow my every step once I step into the room, posture locking up immediately at the pheromones that brand me as predator. As threat to him.

Jaw clenching and fingers curling into themselves, forming fists on top of the blanket, a small, hissed warning when I broach a step too close, immediately stepping back to create the safe distance again.

Watch his eyes fixate on every single movement, taking me in, bandaged neck where he'd been scouring at skin; had screamed and thrashed and tried to claw off whatever ointment the doctors had applied, burning with a franticness because he couldn't smell himself. That's what the report had said.

And even now there's a doctor monitoring his vitals, eyes flickering over him with a silent, efficient assessing gaze before he jots things down, also a safe distance away.

Because he was still hostile and aggressive. Because he still snapped if someone came too close and hissed with venomous fangs bared, tongue flicking especially when a female came into the near vicinity.

Scarred and traumatised by what Lee's daughter had done to him, rejecting the idea of any female close to him for his treatment.

And it was hindering his psychological treatment but there was no way any healthcare plan, any steps to ensure he got the best help he could would involve forcing him into a situation he wasn't even ready to accept.

My eyes rake over the faint burns over his arms, quietened from their angry crimson to a lighter pink. They'd leave scars. Venom burns. And he'd been hurt with his own.

Been tortured with his own biology working against him.

"It shouldn't be possible, serpents or any snake hybrids never show an adverse reaction to their own venom, it's counterproductive for the survival instincts in-built into their genetic code. And yet... we did a study on his biological makeup, his human genetics countered that because the venom was taken from him, then used to hurt him."

My jaw clenches as I stare at the scarred tissue of his arms, his torso, his neck.

His own biology used to abuse him. His own nature turned against him.

And he stares at me with mistrust and flintiness, stares at me with a hardness as he shrinks back slightly; putting distance between the two of us even more.

"Have we gotten an identification yet? It'll help if our John Doe's medical history could be pulled up." the doctor asks, eyes flicking to me, warming from their caginess as he looks at me.

He's young.

Younger than the serpent hybrid. And human.

But still he stands his ground, assured in his role, his title, his responsibility.

"I sent the forensics team the DNA samples you sent over, so I guess we finally do have a name. Kang Jihyun, 35 years old. It's nice to finally put a name to the face." I murmur, voice level as I keep eye-contact.

Though there's defensiveness and prickly unease in his eyes, in the threatened, poised-to-attack tight coil of his limbs, there's something about his gaze that makes me refuse to tear my eyes away from him. Refuses to back down because he's searching for unwavering resoluteness. He wants to see if I can stay without being threatened or threatening. He's assessing me.

And his voice is rough and hoarse when he speaks, strangled as if the injuries on his neck have hurt his vocal cords just as much as his glands.

There'd been signs of asphyxiation in his initial reports but he still sounded strangled, as if the damage had been more extensive.

"You could've asked me that." Voice raw.

There's exhaustion in his eyes, sinking back as he stares at me, fingers still fisted defensively in front of him, eyes still narrowed slits.

He looks displeased that we hadn't asked.

But he'd never been in a position too.

He'd always been fighting and struggling against every treatment, He still eyed the two of us apprehensively and his eyes cut to the doctor's, staring hardly at the notes being jotted down.

"You've never answered." I answer neutrally.

The answer seems to grate his nerves, a small, sharp hiss leaving his pressed lips.

I watch the doctor absently take a few steps forward to adjust the IV drip, stilling at the sharp response it elicits immediately.

Fangs bared.

"Stay back." his fingers unfurling to clutch at the thin tube, clutching at it tightly as if he'll tear it off. Wiping away anything but sharp, fierce hostility, words swallowed down by the sharp hiss that leaves his bared teeth, ready to attack at any more closeness.

The immediate withdrawal, the sudden snap makes my heart plummet, sinking into dark depths.

His recovery would be slow.

"All of you are the same, drugging me over and over. Who knows what's inside this?" eyes dark and venomous, startled by the unintentional steps forward that makes the doctor rear back, a quiet apology as he moves away.

Eyes fixed on the hand that curls around the drip, clutching at it.

Even the slightest movement or approach startles him.

"It's to help you. We don't know how long Lee kept you chained in her bedroom, how long she hurt and used you, you need to—" I begin.

And his voice cold and numb and empty rings out.

Deafens me to anything else.

Nausea curdling my stomach.

"Maybe I liked it so I never escaped. Maybe I was meant to be a toy."

And even the doctor recoils, face shuttering with horror and grief and pain, fingers clutching tightly at the pen and limbs freezing into place, cemented there and unable to look away from the blank acceptance on his face, the cold, cold hard features etched deep into his face.

And the resoluteness, the cold hardness to his tone finally tears my gaze away, scent bursting out sharply and wildly; uncontained in its feral rage that someone... someone had supplied Lee with the means to break this man. To break his spirit, his strength, had moulded him exactly as they'd wanted to.

And I was standing here watching.

I push myself away from the room, from the contained space that brims and overspills with the sharp acrid scent of my pheromones pulsing thickly.

Move away as I leave the room, leave the caginess of my scent battering at them, at the situation, hackles raised and instincts snarling at the threat.

Protect them, fix this, hurt the ones doing the hurting.

Make it right.

And the resolve and promise burns through every breath.

YOONGI POV:

There's fluttering wings and deep chuffs accompanying me around the supermarket, splitting away to pick up fruit and veg, stripey tail swishing with intent, carefully scrutinising the punnets of berries, arms already full of other fruits he'd swept into his hold.

And Jin hyung is no different, wings tucked secretly against his back out of habit but the feathers still rustle as his fingers skim across veg as he makes deliberate, careful choices. The two of them drifting back to offload their hauls into the steadily filling shopping trolley.

"Hyung! Do we need anything from the next aisle?" his voice carries over the only partially busy store, his call making both of our eyes snap to him, turning immediately in response to his call.

"Pick up some chocolate chips? (Y/N) wanted to make something with them." Jin hyung calls, watching the stripey swish vanish as he rounds the corner with a quick bound, hurrying away with a grin.

"You're never home this early hyung, to intercept a shopping trip." I tease lightly, watching him flit in and out of my vision as he continues to examine the fresh produce, bringing the chosen products to offload, feathers flitting and grazing against me slightly, quick efficiency in his movements.

"Maybe I was laying out a trap and needed the right moment to pounce." He laughs, eyes bright with warmth, the sweet vanilla almost, almost lost in the thick air of the market, almost vanishing underneath the entangled scents.

But the constant closeness, the way some part of him constantly brushes against me, gravitating close and then closer; whether its his wings grazing against my side, his hand skimming across my back, or his body stilling behind mine, arm snaking around to tug me back and away from the trolley slightly as he nudges his nose against my cheek.

"You're turning into a feline hyung~" I laugh, head tilting back to see the satisfied grin curling his lips.

His eyes gleam as he holds my eyes.

"Oh sweet little kit~ I've always been the top predator... it's cute how any of you might've thought otherwise."

Eyes dark and teasing, lips curved with a confident assurance.

He knew he was at the top of the pack hierarchy, knew that his neutral scent and his hybrid species distinguished him as neither predator nor prey. He held the reins for what power he held over the pack, over the evolving, growing dynamics.

When he gave up control, it was simply that. Because he wanted to.

And when he took control, it was with that right. Simply because he could.

"So why don't we go track down our cub, kit?" voice low and teasy, relishing in the heat I could feel building in my cheeks slightly, warming skin as his body moves away from curling around mine and his fingers skim across mine. Hip nudging mine into movement.

And the teasing continues, fleeting touches skimming across skin, poking my ears before drawing the hood up over when we step outside, hand entangled with Tae's and gladly accepting the way he burrows against hyung's side for warmth, the two of them watching me hurry to the car to reverse it out, pulling up alongside the cluster of shopping bags that the three of us make quick work of putting away.

Eyes tracking me as I slip back into the driver's seat.

There's something about Jin hyung's gaze that makes me feel assessed slowly; the weight of his gaze trawling over skin and piercing past the thick layers of clothes. There's something in his gaze that's watchful and amused; as if he's plotting something that he chooses not to divulge at the moment.

Instead he turns back to Tae, grinning with a conspirator gleam that makes a seed of suspicion bloom in my stomach; eyes flickering to the rear-view mirror to see the quirked tilts they share.

"Can we go get burgers? I'm starving hyung-ah."

And their grins can't and won't be hidden behind the big bites they take, the smell of takeout filling the car, cheeks filled and puffy with food. Teasing glints in their eyes and shared flitting expressions disguised by the groan of approval at the food, fingers greasy and almost obnoxiously loud slurps purposely to make my ears flicker.

"What's your game?" I ask, eyes narrowed as I hear them gather up the rubbish, both endeared and oddly alert at the divided role the two of them had taken to feed me bites as I drove, nudging my vacant hand away to do it themselves.

"Nothing hyung~ what makes you think that?" Tae's voice rumbles, pleased and content, a steady chuff emanating from his chest as he sprawls back on the backseats, scent blooming richly through the takeout scent.

"Your scent can't hide whatever you're plotting."

He just grins, fangs peeking out, boxy and delighted.

"Guess you'll just have to wait and see~"

--------------

The loud honk cutting through the silence of my bedroom gives away their plan finally.

My head rises from the pillows and away from the laptop, grinning when I spot the sight of the black swan padding into the room; wings tucked but bearing himself with a majestic air, preening as he takes steps forward.

I don't know why they'd been so suspiciously hiding the fact Jin hyung had planned to shift. Watch every step measured as his wings rustle, approaching the bed with a steady stream of greeting honks, beak parting as he snaps at air, head tilted back as he watches me.

Waits for me.

Honk.

"Hi pretty swan." I greet, body tilting downwards to brush my hand across the sleek gloss of his feathers, over the top of his head and feel him tilt to the touch, wings flapping and preening when I let my fingers skim across them, marvelling at how impeccably groomed they are.

A softer honk in agreement.

"Want to come up? Or going to make a nest?" I ask.

Shuffly steps forward. Beak nudging against my palm, a sudden nip to my wrist gland that has my tail swishing quickly with surprise, ears flickering at the surprised hiss that leaves my lips.

"Hyung!" but he just honks in return, beak tilted in the air and wings rustling before he dips forward to nuzzle at the tiny mark, rubbing the glossy smooth cheek against it in tiny scents.

"Up it is then~" I muse, bending down so my body hunkers over the side of the bed, carefully scooping him up into my hold, feeling his legs fold gracefully, tucking underneath as he settles in my palms, wings rustling as he flaps until I'm secured against his side; beak nudging against my t-shirt and pressing to my upper arm in a softer nip.

And rather than hop off and pad about the bed, he silently appraises the unconscious nesting around the space I'd been sprawled in and working.

Remains content and settled in the secured space of my arms cradling him before he shuffles and wriggles, motions to be set down and pads about, inspecting the nest almost, beak nudging at fabric and letting out soft honks; the sound tugging my smile wider and wider, ever the vocal swan as he shuffles about. Feathers rustling as his beak nudges at fabric to make a wider space, pushing the barriers of the blankets further outwards; deciding that the nest isn't big enough to accommodate the fluttering, flapping wings.

His head turns to peer at me, eyes dark and warm with the same rich intensity that's Jin hyung but there's something expectant there too. Awaiting something.

His wings flap and untuck, sprawling outwards and then tucking, head coyly curving, arching the slender arch of his graceful neck.

Vanilla scent and glossy smooth feathers that are silken to the touch, liquid dark against my touch and so, so warm, grazing and tickling skin as he curls to the touch, the arch of his neck drooping forward in indulgent invitation, head resting on my lap as I brush my fingers across the soft down.

A softer quieter sound of contentment slips past his beak, eyes blinking up at me and his wings rustle as they settle under my touch, sinking gracefully around me and on me.

A quiet peace and satisfaction at being able to selfishly hog Jin hyung like this, just to myself for a small pocket of time. Where his scent curls against mine and coaxes mine to sink deep into glossy feathers that are stained and marked with citrus sweet pheromones.

My tail swishes and curls, encircles the circled swan settled beside me, head tilted to my touch and eyes fluttering when my fingers ghost along the curved neck, skimming down to rest on silky feathers.

And then shattering the quiet silence, the sort of haze of having my elder packmate close is the loud hooonk that pierces through the air; ears flickering and folding on themselves to shield them from the noise, staring shocked at him.

But it seems to have been an alarm of sorts because it elicits a deep, delighted chuff that rumbles through the air and is accompanied with the quick, dashing tread of paws hurrying over.

But Tae is never one to wait, however... the reason behind his delay becomes apparent when he ambles into sight, clutching a mouthful of blankets, hurrying forward with his procured trophies as he clambers onto the bed, jostling the mattress and paws sinking in deeper but holding firm as he pads over, dropping his treasures to bonk his head against my side; chuff rumbled against my arm and neck as he nuzzles affectionately.

Rumbles proudly as he dips his head to nudge the blanket and jumper forward; distinctly pleased at the scented fabrics he's brought to add to the nest, sweet floral notes entangled with cotton and mint. And the earthy musk entangled with caramel. Substituting for the pack with their scents and nudging them forward as he paws happily at the fabric as if doing so will transfer the lingering scents onto his paw and fur.

Pads forward and vibrates with delight, chuff ringing out louder, heavier and deeper, felt in every crevice of my body as the graceful, curved neck rises to appraise him, wings flapping with the same excitement that's radiating off every stripe, with every enthusiastic flick and swish of his tail.

Leans in until his head is hovering close and the tiniest, most careful nudge of his nose against his beak, tail swishing at the small, nipped greeting, at how his feathers rustle and flap with overjoyed fondness and tilts his own head to Tae's, curling close to the stripes and padding forward, beak nipping and brushing along fur in a gesture that's both grooming and claiming. A series of possessive nips and scrapes and soft down brushing against fur, rubbing softly.

All that steadily increase the volume and depth of Tae's chuffs, coaxing his body to sprawl heavily over the large bed, stripey limbs stretched out and contently settling for the gentle rubs and grooming nips, paws trying to coax Jin closer before he obliges, wings rustling and grazing the back of my hand before he hops down onto the space between folded paws, tucking himself securely in the encircled space, head resting on the flopped paws.

And Tae's eyes gleam, staring at me with wide eyed pleased countenance, tail swishing with satisfaction and carefully lowers his head to rumble and chuff across feathers, both of them curled close and sandwiching me in.

Refusing to let me go, or even entertain the possibility of moving anywhere beyond the cocoon of feathers and fur, vanilla and berries.

Tae's paws fumble with affront at the t-shirt, rumbling discontentedly at the fabric barring him from skin-to-fur tactile touch, paws tugging at it, claws sinking in and threatening to tear it off.

I laugh as I try to coax his paws away, tugging the fabric free and shucking it off; the rumbled chuff directly presses against skin this time and he noses at my side until I lift my arm to let sprawl over fur, rubbing and scratching gently whilst he snuffles and scents at skin, fangs scraping in featherlight skimming touches that still make me jolt and startle with surprise before sinking into the touch, fingers sinking deep into the thick fur, thumb brushing over his folded ears as he sprawls his weight further against my side. Leaning into me entirely until his weight compels me to let my weight fall and sprawl over the bed, until Jin slips out of the circle and pads close; administering the same trailing series of nips to my skin. Except these trail across my forearm, to bicep and even duck to tease at my torso; soft honks of laughter and uncontained amusement at every jolt at the surprise nip of his beak trailing across fading marks and intending to leave soft pink blooming across my body.

"Someone could think you're a feline with how much you nip Jin~" I tease, hear the rustle of feathers before he pads into my line of sight, beak nudging my nose, trailing across my lips.

Wings flapping when his beak nips my scent gland and the sharp, surprised hiss makes him preen, encouraging the scraping fangs to sink in with more purpose, nipping and letting his fangs sink in the slightest, widely scattered marks across my torso; accompanied with the rough rasp of his tongue both grooming and soothing the small stings, dousing them in saccharine sweetness.

"You were planning to tag-team me!" I accuse, eyes brightening when their conspiring grins, their shared secretive glances and the pleased knowledge was finally slotting into a full picture.

And whatever their intention is, work is not one of them, paw hastily moving it aside, Tae's weight sprawling over me entirely to pin me effectively to the bed, trapping me under his large sleek form, tail swishing at the honked approval.

The sound almost laughter with how pleased it is, how approving of Tae's methods, head resting over me and tucking me under him, until every inch of me is blanketed with the soft warmth of his fluffy underbelly, turning with slight difficulty to peer up, see his face loom close, tongue laving over skin, repeatedly lathering on the berry-sweet rivulets of his scent.

He chuffs in affirmation. In utter agreement.

Grinning, fangy and wide as he peers down at me.

Entirely unrepentant.

Satisfied and proud at the adjusted nest they've made, sprawling over the shared scents of the pack.

The fluttering black feathers tease at the edge of my vision before he suddenly pops into my sight, squawking with mirth and honking as he butts his nose against my cheek, curling close and settling within the space of my arms in turn so the three of us are closely layered over each other; sandwiched in a bubble of vanilla and strawberries. Strawberries and cream. The two of them smell like Tae's favourite snack and the connection doesn't go missed by the fangs peeking out, at the rough lathing of his tongue against skin as he tries to taste the entangled scents off my skin, rumbles reverberating through my body, sinking in deep where his limbs have settled over mine.

Feel my body slowly relax, every thought save for them vacating my mind. Eyes blinking slowly and fingers absently brushing over Tae's folded paws, brushing through the fur and silently smiling at how big his paws are. Feel Jin's wings rustle as he tilts closer for the same affectionate touch, eyes fluttering as my fingers skim and rub gently at the silky feathers, smooth black wings glossed and shining and perfectly groomed.

Let my nose brush against the stripes, against feathers and feel my chest rumble with contentment.

Pack.

My mates.

And slowly sink deeper and deeper into the enclosed nest their bodies make within the shaped barriers on the bed. A nest within a nest.

And maybe the intention had been to make me drowsy but the soft warm weight of Tae sprawled over me, the gentle grazing brush of feathers against my cheek, my fingers, coax my eyes to flutter open and shut languidly, tail swishing slower and ears flickering at the constant stream of scents and nuzzling affection.

Feel myself settle across the bed with content, eyes blinking and skin warmed from the soft heat and the sunlight trickling through the window, coaxing deep, deep purrs to rumble out my chest, entangling with chuffs and quieter cooing trills.

Maybe... maybe I'll just rest my eyes. For a bit...

And their shared scents blooming sweet and sinking skin deep only seem to encourage it.

­-------------

"Tae~ stop that tickles. Where are you hiding my panther?" a voice laughs, brimming with joy and giggling at the rumbled chuff that tugs me out of sleep, draws my eyes to slowly blink open, the weight sprawled over me slightly moved, lifted off me. The paws I'd felt my cheek cushioned against no longer there, swiping and pawing at someone with deep rumbles of laughter and contentment in the chuffs that ripple through his sleek, shifted body.

And when I turn slightly, peering up at the sight, it's to see Tae's eyes fixated on the sight of (Y/N)'s figure squirming from the touch, laughing at him trying to veer closer to scent and greet her, bonking enthusiastically against her side, rumbling as his paw swipes to tug her closer.

He rumbles as he tries to get closer, dithering between moving away to chase after her or to continue to sandwich me in his warmth.

"Tae~ you'll wake Jin!" giggling as she tries to dodge his paws, peering with soft eyes at the curled swan before she finally catches sight of me, lips curving wide across her face and doe eyes shining as she ducks close.

"Found him! I could smell citrus but I couldn't find you anywhere." She mumbles, head ducking down in the space to greet me, lips brushing across my cheek before nosing gently.

Her smile pressed to skin as she marks a path down to my jaw with soft, butterfly pecks that have me turning, sprawling onto my back and reaching out for her, sleepily blinking at her and skin tickled by the strands of her hair that fall forward, hovering over me.

Giddiness bubbling up in her eyes and scent, sweet floral notes curling close in embrace.

"Sleep well panther?" voice soft and quiet and when I peer confusedly past her to peer out the window, it's only early evening.

But there's no complaint in mind as I draw her close, chest rumbling with a deep purr as I try coax her to lie down, lips curling when a paw seems to nudge and usher her along, in entire agreement with it as he chuffs and nudges at her from behind, herding packmates to flop and sprawl over.

She lets herself be dragged down, ears flickering as she nudges her nose against mine, lips brushing mine softly.

"Not tired, I was going to go shower but I couldn't find you." her words soft and unintentionally makes me blink up at her, folded ears flickering and perking up, lips parting in surprise.

The rumbled yes hovers heavy and unspoken but chuffed loudly as Tae nudges against her side with more excitement, paws fumbling for purchase because yes please.

Her laughter is bright and infectious, eyes giddy as she turns to brush her hand over his nose bridge, rubbing gently before pressing a kiss to his nose, to his ears that flicker and fold to her touch, head tilting downwards for her.

"Tae baby you want to shower too? But your fur's all pretty and groomed!" she teases, fingers curling around my wrist and brushing against skin as she peers at him.

Playful as he nudges and growls, rumbles with dissatisfaction at being left behind, at not being included, eyes narrowed with predatory intent to tackle her if needs be.

She leans in to whisper conspiratorially, her grin tilted to me even as she coos towards the big, fluffy cub towering over the bed and caging us all close.

"I thought tigers liked baths not showers~ how will my big pretty cub fit..." she lilts, yelping when his body coils up and he springs, tackling her to the floor with his paws, bowling her over with a swiped paw and my body jerks in alarm to the sound; ears perking.

And breath racing, heart shuddering where it clenches as I peer over and all the air rushes out of my lungs when I see her eyes wide and hair splayed, out of breath as she peers up at him.

And he growls; the sound rich with predatory intent, pheromones seeping out in a thick, weighted blanket to settle over her, paw settling on her stomach to effectively pin her there.

Relishing in the sputtered bursts of her scent in surprised, stunned silence.

Breaths ragged as her pulse quickens and her scent thickens at his tackle.

And when he rolls over, his paws swipe to drag her with him, chuffing at her surprised exclamation as he lies tummy up with her sprawled over him, caged by the curl of his limbs holding her to him.

"What a way to get tummy rubs you big cub." I muse, lips curving wryly as his tail swishes and sways, beckoning with intent as his chuffs resonate and press directly to (Y/N).

She must've taken her coat off and come in to find us, her clothes still hold the day's worth of scents on her, foreign and unfamiliar, the soft baby-powder scent clinging to her alongside countless others I can't even begin to navigate.

But Tae's main priority isn't freeing her from the other scents, it's getting rubs, head tilting back as her fingers skim and sink into fur and scratches lightly at the tuft of fur at his neck and chin, settling all curled and loosely sprawled over his large form.

Pressing a smatter of kisses where her fingers don't immediately reach, squirming at the tickle of fur at her nose as she buries close, humming with happiness at the berry scent blooming happy, ripe and sweet.

"I wish we had a bath big enough Tae. For you to be able to stay shifted." She says, almost mournfully, eyeing the large expanse of fur that her fingers sink into, her lips brush against, head resting under his, nestling into the crook of his throat, feeling the rumbles directly emanate from his body and sink immediately against skin.

And his paws and fur ripples during the petting and absent rubs and kisses she presses to him, melts into sinewy limbs and muscle, fur turning to golden skin within the blink of an eye as he shifts back.

Where paws had been holding her, arms and legs do now, wound around her in an entangled embrace, her lips brushing against his collarbone instead and she startles for all but one instant, sucking in a sharp breath at the curl of his tail winding around her waist to tug her down further, eyes bright and lips curved in a playful smirk.

"Until then cub I'm more than happy to tussle like this in baths~" he croons, nose nudging against hers before tilting his lips to hers, growling against her mouth as he nips and drags her bottom lip between his. Swallowing the small, shuddered exhale with a grin, lips curving to press hungrier against hers, hand settling on the low of her back to drag her hips down as he bucks up.

A sharp, often quietened, feral part of me goes primal at the sight. Both satisfied and not at the sight of two of my mates entangled together, aching to be the one holding her like that instead.

She'd come to me, my instincts rumble with discontent.

I want to hog her, she was mine first.

My body unfurls and moves off the bed, scent sharpening and a mixture of possessive want that draws my arms down, dragging (Y/N) up and off and encasing her in my own arms; her eyes wide with surprise at the shameless confidence that Tae continues to lie spread-eagled across the carpet, proud of every inch of bare skin, stretching out, back arching slightly with the movement.

Trapping our gazes to him with a feline grin of satisfaction, though his lips curve in a jutted faux-pout as he looks at me, at my arms wound around her, tail swishing and curling, teasing along her leg. Eyes darkening at the small intake of breath.

Head tilting and dark, unruly curls shaking as he sighs.

"No sharing hyung? That's not nice? I warm your sheets and no gratitude in return~" he says balefully, fingers trailing absently across his skin, tracing the path he'd felt her kisses press to fur, slow, languid skims of his fingers across his throat and collarbone and jaw.

Almost preening at the response he's elicited from me.

Watching as (Y/N) sinks back into my arms, pressing against me with the silent comfort she's always chased out.

Because courting her has always felt so natural, so easy and so right. She was a puzzle piece I held onto until I found her, until our paths crossed, and our connection simply... slipped into place. Slot into a place that was already long since reserved for her, carved for her.

Moulded, shaped and filled only by the person whose mind reached out to mine on countless nights blurring together into a bond forged through when her heart and mind was vulnerable and confided to me, shared it to me and let herself find refuge there. There was inexplicable trust and safety and love there.

Mine first.

But Tae eyes the two of us with bubbling impatience, with the silent anticipation of a tiger about to pounce.

"Is the invite still open? Because I'm hurt you thought of panther hyung only and not me." ears flickering and folding, tugging at them to exaggerate the droop as he pouts.

My eyes narrow at him, picking up on the exaggerated wilted effect, see his grin unable to be hidden behind his hands as (Y/N)'s scent sweetens, her eyes flickering to his face and trailing across his body.

Tears her eyes away to tug one of the blankets from the bed and throws it over him, laughing at the splutter when his face gets hidden away too with the wide flutter of the soft fabric, yanking it down to half-heartedly frown.

"Do you always strip entirely before you reach the shower?" she asks, voice full of tease.

She tilts back when my nose begins to breathe in her scent, dipping down to skim across her nape, fingers drawing away the neckline of her jumper to nuzzle against exposed skin, breaths soft and light.

Head tilting unconsciously to present the line of her throat.

Feel the burning gaze of a tiger watching every movement.

"Of course~ au naturale and all, it's functional too..." he croons, slowly straightening, dragging the blanket up as he stands, holding it as a taunting, teasing barrier hiding him from being bared entirely, toying with the flushed pink of her cheeks and the slightly widened but intently focused weight of her gaze.

She hums thoughtfully, eyes fluttering when my nose brushes against her gland.

Breathing in the sweet pulse of her scent.

Mine.

"Well who am I to complain? Yoongi?"

My eyes trail slower, lips tugging upwards when Tae stares at me, wide-eyed and pouty, imploring as if he doesn't know how easily he unravels restraints and resolve.

How easily he'll always hold control and power, playing heartstrings deftly with every slight movement.

"How can I ever deny my cub anything he wants?"

Body stumbling back a step before steadying (Y/N), steadying the added weight as Tae surges forward with a giddy rumble, peppering kisses across my face, nosing and nudging at my cheek and fangs scraping.

Warmth pooling at the shining exuberance in his eyes.

He's mine first too. Both of them are.

-------------

The silent nudge of the door opening has my eyes tearing away from the screen, not expecting that only mere moments after a comment appeared, her appearance would follow.

Eyes drifting from her name on my screen to my mate in person appearing as she brushes past the small gap of the door and quickly closes it behind her.

If I can't sleep, will you keep me company?

And when her doe eyes peer at me, my own soften, heart aching as I nudge my chair back in invitation, see her hurry to slot close, clambering onto my lap and winding her limbs around me, head ducking to rest against my collar as she curls her fingers around skin, presses herself entirely to me.

The mic doesn't pick up on my words, doesn't pick up on the soft whisper of my lips brushing against her ears as an advert plays.

"Always sweet girl. You can always be open with me. You can always know I'll chase your nightmares away, claws out and all." I murmur, tucking her against me, my hand snaking under her pyjama top to press against the base of her spine, kneading at the stiffness in her muscles, at the tension coiling her body tight as she sinks against me and presses close.

Eyes far too alert to have slept at all, ears flickering as they graze my jaw.

"You okay?" I murmur, knuckles rubbing up and down, head dipping to brush my lips across her ears, cradling her protectively to me, tail wrapped around her waist to keep her fully flush against me, her arms and legs wound around me in a cradling embrace that refuses to let go or be let go of.

She nods slightly, fingers brushing against skin as she curls closer, legs wound around my waist, lips brushing softly against skin.

"Been thinking." She admits quietly, settling against me when the show continues, allowing that pause that stretches out to silently chase the comfort of being pressed close. Physical, tactile touch where her fingers continue to absently graze against my back, nose nuzzling at my gland, cheek pressed to skin. Slow, light scents where skin drags against skin, cheek pressed to my shoulder as her lips brush against my gland, softly reeling out my scent.

And she stays like that, quietly content, sinking more heavily against me at the slow kneads easing out the tension until she's lax against me.

And as the show winds up, her head tilts in silent, implored invitation for scents, drawing my eyes to the coloured marks Tae and I had sucked into the curve of her throat and shoulders during the shower.

See her eyes flutter with satisfaction when my head dips to nose along skin, lips trailing softer in comparison to the harsh, unrelenting pressure of teeth and tongue holding her captive between us.

"Can't keep still cub?" my voice croons, lips trailing over slick skin, anise drenched with berry and citrus, waterlogged as she twists in Tae's hold, breath shuddering and fingers clinging to wet skin as she tilts her head back, invites my fangs across the curve of her arched throat, to the healed glands just begging for my fangs to sink in and mate and mark her too. Groaning wetly against her pulse as my teeth skim across skin and bracket her body against Tae's, feel her grip tighten on my shoulders as I suck the nipped skin, colouring it darker with attention and lathing over it to mark her with a claim.

But the words don't just make her back arch, it makes the broad hands gripping her hips tighten, rutting against her back as he groans; the sound whining and pleading, eyes dilated as they peer at me through sodden curls, breathing ragged and utterly submitting to the pheromones pulsing thickly, entangling and saturating the heavy spray of water falling over the three of us.

"Hyung—" voice a breathy, low groan that has (Y/N)'s body arching, his hands gripping and pinning her tightly, snaking around to wind around her abdomen and tug her back.

Trying to comply with the crooned demand for both of them to still.

"Be good for me cub~ won't you let me mark you both up all pretty?"

The rumbled discontent is quietened... soothed by letting his head drop to her vacant shoulder, fangs sinking into soft flesh to suck a dark mark into the curve of her arm, relishing in the shaky whimper as a moan tumbles past her parted lips; breathless and inviting, coaxing my mouth to hers, fingers slipping to entangle in drenched hair, tugging to pronounce the arch of her neck, swallowing the shaky exhales of heated, slick lips wet with water against my own, body bracketing hers so every slick curve and line of her body presses to mine, vacant skimming across the outline of her body; trailing with slow, unhurried exploration.

I'd never gotten to see her like this. Not entirely bare and every item of clothing shed and unrestricting in drinking in every feature, every inch of skin, warmth moulded to my palm, pressing close even as the water was heating up, her own fingers skimming and trailing over skin to map me under her touch.

"Did you have a good nap?" voice soft, fingertips even lighter as she skims over the faint pink marks Jin hyung and Tae had left, nipping affectionately with no intent to truly leave marks. Lips brushing against my jaw as she curls close, fingers slipping lower to drag the waistband of my trousers down

I nod, eyes tracking Tae's silent, lingering gaze over the curve of her back, trailing downwards as he eyes the curl of hair brushing across her back, lace clad hips that he drops down to drag the final article of fabric off, lips brushing across her waist, her hips. Lips curving against skin where she jolts at the sudden skimming touch before he draws himself up.

"Hyung's cosy." Tae murmurs, voice teasing and warm, hands snaking around her and skimming up and down her sides, inching further and further towards her breasts, thumb sweeping in teasing, flitting touches.

"You'd be cosy to sprawl over too..." he murmurs, silently coaxing her backwards until his back meets the torrent of water first, soaked to the skin and laughing when his tugs drag her under the spray, fingers clutching at me to lead me further into it too.

And now, now she stands twisting and arching against the fangs skimming skin, throat bobbing and a stripey tail banded across her thigh, anchoring her to Tae as he continues to find any semblance of relief, fingers digging in bruising on her soft curves. My own tail curves around his waist, teases at his side and skims up and down his side. His scent is thick and strong; steeping the curls of steam with it, thick on my tongue even as I taste the floral sticky sweetness off her gland, off (Y/N)'s collarbones, head dipping lower to trace my lips across the curves flush to my chest, teeth nipping and darting low.

"Pretty kitten aren't you sweet girl~ who can blame the pack for not being able to keep their hands off you. So selfish of them though."

But right now... right now she's all mine. Alert but calm, curled against me even as I switch off the transmission at the end, even as silence rings out and my chest rumbling fills the quiet instead, unconsciously coaxing and calming my mate from whatever's keeping her from rest.

"Good show Yoonie." She mumbles against my jaw.

My lips curve up.

"Thank you sweetheart~ although it's been a while since I've seen your name on my comments." I murmur, pushing the chair back away from the large desk, fingers trailing up to brush against her spine, ears flickering at the soft relieved exhale, breath curling against my skin.

"Been sleeping good." She mumbles.

My tail curls against her waist, wraps around her and lean forward to peck her cheek, nose brushing and skimming across skin and hair and nuzzling at her ears.

"And today? What's been on your mind?"

"Been thinking... about earlier. I... I know someone who can help but I haven't... I don't know how to talk to them."

I nod, chest rumbling with a deeper purr to calm the quiet agitation in her tone.

Unable to stand an instant of her scent souring with unrest.

"The prosecutor?" mind drifting back to a conversation that was hours ago, was sleepy and hazy and slowly mumbled in a pile of entangled limbs.

"Mhm..."

"Who are they little love?" voice gently prompting.

Her ears flicker and fold, slightly miserable as she admits it. Doe eyes baleful and sorrowful and shadowed.

Not physically tired but mentally so. Fatigued.

"Haven't talked to him in years... I don't know how to begin."

My lips brush across her tilted face, pecking her nose, other hand skimming to settle on her nape, feel her tilt her head back to peer at me, silently finding solace in the touches, in the subtle scents of my pheromones seeping into her skin.

"Who sweet girl?"

"Someone who once meant my world."

I startle slightly, ears flickering and perking at the dismayed hurt in her voice, at the exhaustion that clings to a faded bond.

She's never mentioned him before, never mentioned her family whilst she speaks the world of her pack, of her chosen family.

My hand settles on the low of her back, pauses its kneading to simply rest against warm skin.

Her ears flicker and fold as if expecting to shirk away from whatever it is I have to say.

But her decisions are her own, her reasons are her own. Whatever her reasons are for not being in touch with her him, are hers alone.

And as I hold her, I think back just how long I've known (Y/N) as Flower Bambi, how long I'd known the mind, the thoughts and the silent late night musings and workings of the way she processed things.

I'd known her years through thoughts and words alone.

And I know that I know more of her than I can even consciously conjure to mind, that a part of me is engrained with knowledge of her, a part of me that solely belongs to the way her mind had connected to mine.

I knew during the years she'd found solace in my show because it was reprieve and safety beyond pack and family. Somewhere she could offload without burdening. Somewhere she could free herself from whatever the day had stressed her with.

And I know when she's ready, she'll open up about this person too.

And she seems to feel that unconscious safety, something that makes my instincts rumble with overwhelmed relief that she knows she can talk to me.

"But. But I think... I know he'll be able to help the case, he'll close up any legal loopholes. I just don't know if I'm ready to see him again."

My arms band around her protectively.

Draw her impossibly closer against me, hands skimming lower to grip the low of her thighs as I scoop her to me, cradling her weight against my form as I stand, feel her legs wrapping more securely around my waist, burrowed against me as I move to the beanbags.

Sink down more comfortably against it and recline backwards; smiling at how she immediately follows, tilting down to continue to remain pressed against me.

"And you don't need to be ready. There's no rush... there's plenty you can do in that time." I whisper quietly.

See her head tilt to peer at me, voice soft.

Slightly uncertain.

"Like what?"

I lean forward to brush my lips against hers, murmuring to her between pecks.

"Court. Be courted. Woo. Be wooed. Tease. Be teased. Charm. Be charmed. Love. And be loved."

Her lips taste sweet, soft and warm as they easily slot against mine, fingers curling into fabric, legs tightening as she tilts her face down to mine.

"And if I'm still not ready?"

I grin against her lips, fangs scraping and nipping gently, tongue immediately lathing over the faint sting, flicking against the seam of her lips, fingers settling on her waist, squeezing gently.

"I can think of a few things to occupy your time." I confide, voice softer regardless of the faint smile I can feel pressed against my lips in soothed assurance.

"And a handful of people who'll take up so much of your time and you won't even realise~"

Pack. Us. We'll take care of you. Our sweet mate. Our baby fawn.

I'll take care of you.

My hands continue to skim across skin, instincts soothed and rumbling against her as my hands soak up her warmth, constantly chase it, crave it even as I cradle her to me, tail banded across.

Whatever bond she shares with her him, whatever fraught tensions and past exists between them, that's hers to share and hers to hide.

So if she wanted to keep it to herself why she wasn't comfortable with meeting this person, then it was a secret I'd guard and protect until she felt like she was willing to share.

And she senses it silently, or knows it when she murmurs, eyes holding my gaze steadfastly.

"I want to tell you... I will tell you Yoonie... once I figure some things out for myself."

"And any time you need help trying to figure them out... you know I'm always here to listen."

She tilts her face, lips brushing softly against my jaw.

"You always listen... you always hear me Yoonie... that's why I can sleep, that's why I had the biggest crush on you for years." She admits.

Lips curling wryly as her cheeks warm.

Ducks her gaze away from my startled one.

My own cheeks heat, that just as long, she'd felt something just as long, head ducking to peer at her, ears flickering and tail tightening around her with fondness.

"Don't hide sweet girl~ we've both been in it deep."

Years have bound us together to finally bring each other into our lives and as I hold her close, my mate, I know that this bond is one forged for a lifetime.

My mate.

Mated bite or not.... She'd been my mate since the beginning.

My fated one.

My sweet baby fawn.

(Y/N) POV:

There's no judgement and no curiosity in the pair of eyes that flicker up to me as I slide forward my laptop, and watch Joon's eyes flicker to the name, to the work profile pulled up. feel Minnie's eyes tear away from the TV to drift to whatever it is Joon's examining intently. See his bare torso shift into my vision as he unfurls from his cocooned huddle of limbs folded together.

"Ji Sung?" he murmurs the name, a familiarity to it, watch it roll off his tongue and feel my stomach clench with nervousness.

Even without turning I can feel Yoongi's eyes drift to me silently, know his ears have picked up the quiet conversation for all that the living room is bustling with energy, with laughter and chatter.

"He's high profile, he specialises in hybrid law and he's worked cases like this before. I think he's exactly what you need for legal representation."

And I can still feel the warmth of Yoongi's words and hold from a night ago, can still feel the solace and promise and the phantom weight of his tail curled around me, body lulling mine to sleep, still sprawled over the beanbag.

I can feel his promise encase me in a warmth that even the distance of him sprawled on another couch, head pillowed on Hobi's lap, can't lessen.

Can feel the silent reassurance.

"Have you worked with him before?" Joon's voice is sparked with an eagerness, a relief and curiosity as his eyes rove over the profile, over the accomplishments and his professional background.

I shake my head. Feel my fingers itch to curl into something, fidgeting slightly on where the cushion rests on my lap.

"Not personally but from what I know he's worked with the centre before, he's helped with cases where abusive families try to legally claim their children or partners again."

"We'll have to give him a call..." Minnie murmurs, before his voice trails off quietly, his eyes fixed on me and ears flickering.

Silently and immediately gauging the way my body slightly stiffens under his imperceptible stare, quiet and musing but not pushing, not broaching.

Don't ask me to see him. Don't ask me to be there.

"Is there something the matter pup? Your scent's gone off." Joon's voice rumbles, eyes tearing away from the screen and head ducking to meet my gaze, coaxing my eyes to his, fingers gently crooking under my chin to draw my face to his, his eyes dark and fretting. Ears flickering as his tail thumps against the couch.

"I don't want to be there when you're making the case files for Min-Jun and Ji Ah, I don't want to be involved in the legal process more than I need to be."

His gaze darkens, brews with a protectiveness that rears him to full alert, scent sharpening as he scans my face, voice a low laced growl that rumbles with a fierce guarding need.

It makes the happy pulses of scents stagger, the growl cleaving through the warm fog.

It makes Jiminie's face harden for one instant as he leans in to nip Joon's scent gland, demanding for the scent to soften as his fangs sink in slightly.

Quietening the rumble slightly, his eyes soft and tender as he looks at me. Sensing the fidget in my fingers because his tail swishes and settles across my lap, teases at my fingertips until I let my fingers skim across the thick fur, let it graze my skin, warm and soft.

"At this moment... there's only one thing I need to know about Ji Sung." Voice quiet and gentle.

It's startling to hear his name, startling to hear it and they have no idea, silencing the anxious restless unrest inside me, suffocating it as I look at their intent focused gazes.

Eyes expressing silent, fretting concern, nothing but a promise to protect, assessing how to move forward with the name, refusing to do so until they have an all-clear on the one unnegotiable factor.

"Is he in any way a threat to you (Y/N)?"

The tail on my lap stills its swishing, eyes growing heavier. Ears flickering and folding at the prospect.

The warmth of the room seems to chill at the words, no matter how quietly spoken.

Voice quieter, but in no way less firm or frazzled by the thought.

"(Y/N)... what's wrong?"

I force myself to tear my eyes away from the sharp, frazzled gazes to Kook's softer, wide-eyed concern, teeth gnawing on his lip.

Shake my head quickly, eager to dispel the worry simmering in all their scents; ears having caught the words despite the quietness.

Yoongi's eyes meet mine; silently bolstering and silently promising an out if I need it, eyes alert and attuned to my every response as he scans my body language, tail unfurling slowly from around Jin's waist.

Ready to stand up, to intervene.

"No... nothing's wrong. He's not a threat to me, whatever... differences we have... he's a good lawyer." I settle on, trying to swallow down the brittle, fragility to the words. But it doesn't seem to have reassured anyone.

And though it erases the rumbling protectiveness, it only amplifies the need to comfort in every single one of their gaze's.

Nothing but warmth and understanding for space and suddenly just a tail sprawled over my lap isn't enough because Jimin surges forward, knocking past the laptop Joon tugs out of the way, scrabbling past the entangled limbs to bracket me. Bare limbs stretching outwards for me, muscled arms caging me, eyes drifting from the expanse of his torso; shirt lost somewhere hours ago

Weight settling on mine in a pinning sprawl, thighs parted on either side before he leans heavily against me, hands clasping my hips as he presses flush to me. the sudden weight startles me, keeping me pinned as he immediately noses at my gland, burrows against it, wrapped around me fully.

The hard muscle and strong lines of his body bracket my softer shape, keeps me from moving in the slightest. And when my fingers don't immediately wind around him, startled slightly by the sudden dive, his fangs nip. Sink into my gland with a chirped encouragement, tongue flicking over the sting when my fingers sink into his hair, card slowly through the orange strands of hair, drifting from his nape to scratch lightly at his scalp to the base of his ears that fold immediately in invitation. Burying himself deeper against me, ears tickling skin where they flicker and then still, chirps and rumbles reverberating against my gland, face tucked into the crook of my shoulder and neck, settling contentedly into position, weight going lax. Feel the warmth of his body seep through my clothes as he leans closer, fingers skimming from his nape and drifting to his shoulders before trailing back to sink into strands of hair growing to skim the back of his neck.

"As long as you're okay, then everything's okay." He murmurs, voice low and gravelly, inexplicably calming as my body sags against the cushions, sinks back against his weight, pliant under the scents.

Nose brushing across my throat, lips tasting my scent and pulse, feeling it on his tongue as his hands grip my hips, squeeze reassuringly before skimming underneath the jumper, eyeing the baggy fabric with a contemplative gleam as his lips skim across my jaw. Nose nudging at my cheek and ears flickering as he rumbles under the light rubs from the base of his ears to the fluffy tips.

"Everything's okay pup." He whispers it, soft and quiet and just meant for my ears to pick up on it, burrowing away to intently erase the stiff precarious tinge to my scent, insistent to soften it any cost, fingers skimming from my hips upwards; featherlight touches that skim skin and inch to my waist, exploring the softness under his touch. Moulding it to the grip of his palms and fingertips.

Coaxing me to relax, limbs loosening from unseen burdens and weights that fall away, let my body sink backwards, his own chasing to keep me fully pinned under him, thighs sprawled muscled force that keeps mine trapped.

Laptop saved, Joon leans in, voice a rumbled tone that has my ears flickering and throat unconsciously bared further; immediately nuzzled against at the arched invitation by Minnie, crowding skin with skin, warm puffs of breath exhaled against my throat, fingers tracing circles onto my sides.

"I'll look into him and meet him. You've helped us with a name, with a recommendation; I'll keep you as far away as possible from it all pup."

I nod.

And on the other sofa, Yoongi's posture loosens, relaxes and subtly his eyes soften, quieten in their protectiveness.

Soften.

Tail flicking back to curl around Jin, leaning against him and welcoming the arm that tugs him closer, head resting on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I can't do more—" I mumble, ears flickering dejectedly, yelping when the sudden skimming hands clamp onto my hips, the fangs at my throat that'd been skimming and gently scraping sink in with a bite. A stronger, sharper nip , teeth closing around my gland and twisting, legs hooked around my waist to give him that sudden momentum to suddenly twist our positions, until he's gripping me to tug me down where he's sprawled backwards, teeth still clamped down on skin. Growling at the sharp cry that tears past my lips at the bite; more predatory and instinctual and primal, fangs sinking in reminder of the mating bite my throat adorns.

Feel the instinctual claim sink deep, coaxing my limbs to turn pliant as I clutch at him, a small whimper bubbling in the back of my throat, eyes fluttering before his growled rumble of my name demands them to blink open and hold the dark intensity of his own.

"Apologising? For nothing?" chiding and admonishing, fangs scraping slower, every intentionally dragged out sensation of teeth dragging across my scent gland, pinpricks where fangs skim skin that silence the protest, the futile excuse.

What was I apologising for? For what they'd inevitably find out? That he was a past? And yet still someone who mattered. Was I apologising for the tension? Or the lull before it?

Hands almost bruising in their fierce intensity as he grips me close, tugs at me until my body's flush with his; skimming lower to grip my thighs, settling on the inside of them and yanking them wider, fingertips drifting over soft flesh; burning fingertips through the fabric.

His touch distracting and diverting the thoughts and

The weight of sprawled fingertips threaten to brand skin even through the barrier of pyjamas, gripping and snaking upwards, tugging impatiently at the fabric of the jumper, baring skin as he draws it over my torso; startling me at the sudden movement before he delves under it too, laughter and chirp rumbling against skin, lips skimming across the curves of my chest, over cleavage, across my collarbones before his head pops out the loose neckline; eyes bright as he threads his arm across my waist and back, sandwiched in the same article of clothing as me. Skin pressed to skin; warm warm heat rolling off his body in thick waves that melds to my own; muscled torso pressed flush to my curves,

"This is new." I murmur, lips twitching at the satisfied, fangy grin he bears, hair tousled from where his head's wormed past the neckline alongside mine, nudging his nose against mine.

Laughing at the rumbled whine, tail swishing behind him and ears flickering as his fangy grin turns to Tae and then Joon; preening as he tugs me closer, head dipping to brush his lips against my collarbone.

"Wanted you to warm me up sweet mate~" he croons, head dipping lower and tearing away his gaze as he refocuses his attention to skin, lips trailing soft and slowly across bared skin that his face burrows against; an entangled mess of limbs hidden away under the stretched jumper.

"You were fine letting Hobi hyung take it off earlier." Tae grouses, half-sprawled where he's slowly working into straddling Kookie, tail swishy with huffiness as he settles his weight onto bun, clinging to him with the same ferocious, hungering intensity of someone starved for affection. Soothing himself by caging the other prey mate in the pack under his weight; nosing affectionately at his cheek with rumbles.

The kit in question grins with satisfaction; sandwiched somewhere in between the two of them, legs entangled in a way that seems impossible to escape; rubbing Kookie's flopped ears with one hand and letting the other skim up and down Tae's back; scent pulsing sweet at having two younger mates pressed close.

"And now I want my sweet, curvy vixen to warm me~" voice dropping lower, dripping with a thick honeyed sweetness. Low dulcet croons that reverberate against my skin.

I peer at him, at the curved grin and the sparkling, teasing warmth of his eyes, seeing nothing but me, holding his gaze steadfastly, fingers skimming and trailing across skin slowly; revelling in the soft warmth under his touch.

And as he holds my gaze, he lets it slowly tear away to let his lips trail feverishly heated but intentionally slow across my collarbones, teeth skimming and scraping, tongue flicking to taste my scent off my skin. Hands dropping lower, fingertips trailing over the swells of cleavage, lips pressing open-mouthed kisses to skin, rumble pressed to skin, nose skimming to breathe in my scent.

I twist slightly on his lap, feel his eyes lazily drift to me.

"Avoiding my touch little vixen? That'll really hurt my feelings~" he drawls, low and heavy, voice thick with the way every word rolls off his tongue.

My body unconsciously goes lax and taut in the same instant, something about the dangerous croon of his words keeping my body alert whilst the thrum of his scent, the semblance to a growl laced into his tone making my body compliant under his touch; eyes fluttering as his head dips, hiding from sight momentarily to continue, small teasing nips that have me squirming, his hands holding tight, refusing to let go.

As if he intends to thoroughly wipe away every apology, every hesitation, everything save for how he moulds me to him.

Uncaring of the weighted eyes, of the pack's presence because the sweeping scrape of his tongue and teeth, the firm inescapable grip of his body tugging mine, the seeping heat of his body melding with mine promises to erase everything but him from mind.

----------

The weight crushing my body is relentless, using every inch of his muscled mass to keep me pinned onto the mat, grinning triumphantly as his body cages mine, forearm pressed to my throat with force enough that it makes my body balk, pushes it intentionally into the survivor instinct to snap and twist away.

Antlers hovering in my sight of vision, weight bearing down on me, breath rough pants that entangle with my own.

"Have you gone lax in your training sweet thing? Was I wrong in hoping you were still practicing?" he goads, eyes alight with mischief and tease, the position so, so familiar as he avoids every manoeuvre, every lurch of my body bucking roughly under his in attempt to escape.

Breathless laughter where his knee presses down on my abdomen, hands easily encircling my wrists and keeping them on either side of me.

"No! I was... you upped the training level. I'm learning." I hiss, breath ragged as I continue to twist, scanning every inch I can see, sense every inch I can feel, trying to gauge the way he shifts his weight to avoid putting true pressure on me, keeping himself hovered over me, ears flickering as he stares at me.

Cocky and satisfied and scent pulsing sweet and victorious.

"Mhm... maybe I was wrong... I thought being surrounded with predators would at least make the hunt of chasing you down some effort on their end. Would make you make them work for it... but look at you. So sweet, so... pinned." Crooning teasing lilts that bubble with amusement and laughter, grip loosening as he lets go and draws back, hands drawing me up and skimming across skin. Soothing the slight sting of pressure with an apologetic smile; touch gentle.

Steadying me, calming down the racketing pulse as it slowly levels out again, eyes examining and studying with an assessing level of a trainer and a friend at the same time. Gauging how much more I had to give.

So when the first lurch of his arm darts out to wrench mine behind my back, I pick it up, notice the movement shifting back into training and twist away, darting away from the movement.

Feel his grin trained on the back of my head as I backtrack, increasing the distance between us, see the predatory gleam of a hunt flashing in his eyes as SJ darts forward; mischief entangling with the quick reflexes; rivalling my own as I duck and weave past him, leg curling around his to hook tightly and twist; throwing him off balance.

Feel his body stagger backwards, scent bursting with tart surprise, at the way my grip holds, unwavering as I spin to pin his weight with my own, legs clamping down on either side of him, forearm bracketing his throat in the same way he'd done to me, hand splayed over his torso; feeling the rapid pulse of exertion thrumming under my touch. Grinning down at him, chest heaving for breath, lungs shuddering with exertion and triumph as I straddle him.

"I told you I was learning. I just needed to figure it out a few times." I mutter, scent blooming with satisfaction, anise entangling with the salty tang of sweat, voice rough slightly.

SJ stretches out, as much as the pinned movement allows, head tilted back in both submission and defeat, conceding to me easily, the gesture makes me preen, eyes bright as I smell the pliant submission in his scent too, ripe peaches going softer, sweeter.

"Just one thing sweetheart~" he murmurs, voice low and gravelly.

I tilt my head.

"What's that Junie~"

His arms dart to my side, gripping tightly, scent turning saccharine in its smugness, drifting to hook around the back of my legs where I cage him in and twists for purchase; a messy entangled struggle to come out on top as I try remember every technique, every tactic, everything engrained by training when my body suddenly goes lax, legs stiffening and buckling.

Steadied by the hands turning from combatting to careful; cradling my staggering body, scent sharpening with concern when my hand darts out.

Thumb pressed to his gland; pressure enough to remind him of the hold, of the touch, letting it trigger a burst of his pheromones. See his dark eyes gleam with pride.

Head dipping in conceding defeat.

Going limp and letting the two of us tumble back onto the mat; sprawled over each other, breathing ragged and harsh pants, scents entangled together.

Slumping on top of him, smiling against his cheek, nuzzling slowly.

"Never let your guard down, always use your biology in your favour." I croon, echoing his own words, his own training back at him.

Feel his arm curve around me in a loose embrace, head dipping to nuzzle at my temple, antlers rubbing against skin, scenting me.

"Smart girl~ always know how to make a buck fresh out of mating season go antsy for a fawn in distress." He murmurs, laughter bubbling out rich and strong and shuddered against my skin as he holds me to him, an intimate familiarity that stretches years past this moment, that pans over our ever-growing relationship and bonds from friend, to herdmate, to heat-partner, to trainer and the man under me right now is all of them. He's years of my life contained within one person, he's friend and herd and pack as he holds me to him; the two of us catching our breath.

I turn to face him, eyes skimming over the sharper jaw, the eyes gleaming with attentiveness and his antlers strong and proud; elongating the stretch of his tall, lithe frame further. Let my eyes skim over the bob of his throat and the way his chest rises and falls with breath; sprawling heavier over him and smiling at the spluttered complaint even if his hand immediately moves to draw me closer; legs entangled.

"Something on your mind peaches?" I murmur.

His gaze flits to me, sharp eyes softening as he lets his head fall back; skin gleaming with perspiration of hours of training hanging over both of us in a thick smog of scents and heat.

It's uncomfortably sticky to be pressed close but it's a discomforting touch I chase and relish regardless, breathing heavy and drawing in lungfuls of sweet peaches.

"Stuff. Amina, Jangmi... stuff." He mumbles, as if his own thoughts are twisted and entangled messily, as if the training, the physical exertion of working out every strategy, every new element of training, from the get go; he'd entered this session trying to push me to my hardest and himself too. To distract himself from his own thoughts and distance them momentarily.

"Stuff. Sounds complex. What've you figured out buck?" I ask.

He sighs.

The sound wavers out of his chest and past his lips, I can feel the trembling motion under my body.

"I'm lost, I'm trying to do everything I can for Jangmi, for Amina, but it's not enough. Do you know Mi always wakes up not remembering Amina's safe?"

My throat bobs, hearing it doesn't make it sound any better. My own fears confirmed and voiced aloud.

I did wonder... did think, did fear that the permanent exhaustion that clings to Jangmi runs far, far deeper than any of us have truly gauged the full depths of. That the shadowed eyes behind rimmed glasses aren't just grief but a physical weariness too.

Noting that sometimes... sometimes she needs a moment before she enters Amina's room as if preparing herself for the worst, to be greeted with an empty room and no fox, with her packmate still missing and her world still crumbling.

And I've seen the flickering hope in her eyes burn tentatively as she spots Amina and fear melts for way of overwhelmed giddiness and that every day she comes to visit Amina, she seems to hold onto the day as much as she can. To make the most of it; pressed close, their scents entangled, that even if... even if this is a dream, then at least she can cherish it for as long as she can.

"I didn't know it happened every day." I whisper.

His hand skims across my back, tracing over the bared slithers of skin and the clinging, sticky discomfort of fabric clinging to me.

"She's.... she's writing more too. But I thought... I thought she wouldn't. Because she wrote to cope."

I tilt my head to peer at him, let my fingers skim to cup his cheek and turn his face to me, nosing gently at skin.

"Maybe... maybe her writing is still healing her. Maybe she's writing with more hope now."

His breath wavers; rushes out his lungs with a hopeful relieved expression morphing his face into something softer and vulnerable.

"I just... I just want Jangmi to be happy. And to know she's never alone." He mumbles quieter.

As I take in the vulnerability pooling in his eyes, the quiet sombre earnestness of his words, my eyes flicker to take him in, silently finding my mind drift to how Jangmi unconsciously sought him out when he entered; eyes softening and posture relaxing. Honey scent losing just a tiny bit of that hard, cloying edge a bit more. How she relaxed knowing he was there, found safety in his presence. How just sometimes... I could see her let her eyes flutter to rest when Amina and KitKat napped. Because she knew and trusted SJ to be there for them all.

"My sweet buck~ I think she already knows that." I whisper.

She already knows you're there for her.

------------

The scent of peaches is still sweet and strong, seeped heavily into skin even as I dab at my skin, trying to wipe the proof off training from skin, eyeing the messages lit up on my phone screen.

Know that Minnie's waiting outside, car heated and my fox bundled and minty. Knew he'd hiss and bare his fangs with discontentment at the scent of peaches sunk deep into skin, lips tugging wryly at the thought.

Such a jealous, possessive mate. It was almost, almost endearing how his fur seems to bristle and his flashing eyes and disgruntled mutters as he tugs me close for a kiss. Almost endearing but not because he growls against my lips and tries to surge past the undone seatbelt to bracket me and erase the sweet stickiness for the sweet, refreshing balm of his own pheromones.

Almost endearing. But not quite~

"We need to go home, I have a date sweet minty." I tease, laughing at the grumbles as he continues to press soft, unhurried butterfly pecks to my lips.

"Smelling like SJ?" He grouses even as he leans back, redoing his seatbelt and stabbing a finger on the windows buttons, jabbing at them as they slip downwards and bring a gust of cold wind that tickles skin and worms past the barrier of warmth and skin, ears flickering as I tilt my face gratefully to the chill against flushed skin.

"Don't worry~ I'll be smelling entirely like vanilla when I'm done with Jin."

Lips tugging upwards at the rumbled growl the words elicit.

So easy to rile up Minnie.

"Is this an open invitation?" He asks curiously, gaze flitting to me even as he drives, trained to the side of my face. Coy intrigue laced into the low thrum of his voice, coaxing and inviting and persuasive.

I turn to peer at him, eyes drifting over the lidded gaze, the curved fullness of his lips, the sharp angle of his jaw. Watch as he holds my gaze before he blinks, lashes fluttering against skin, eyes almost unwillingly being drawn back to the road.

His tail swishes slightly from where it rests by his side, ears flickering with conscious acknowledgment of my eyes trained on him. Scent blooming sweet and satisfied, relishing the attention.

My smile tugs wider.

"Do you sweet talk the people you interrogate too? Charm your way around the station?"

His grin turns slightly sharp, feral in the way his fangs peek out and his eyes gleam.

Smugness clear in his voice when he speaks.

"Depends on if it's Joon I'm interrogating or his pants I'm trying to charm my way into~"

Confiding and secretive, indulgent in the way dark eyes rake over me, brimming with countless tales and predatory thrill of his alpha mate.

"Although, Joon likes reasserting dominance or a claim after a particularly rough interrogation. Personally... there's something achingly attractive about my wolf growling. I don't blame him for wanting to do it against skin."

Words coaxing a deep flared pulse of heat in the low of my abdomen, eyes wickedly enticing about how dark the brown of his eyes have grown, pooled with lust and desire that crackles in the rumbling growl resounding in the back of his throat.

My finger doesn't hesitate to jab at the button, cool, sharp wind cutting and fluttering through hair and nipping at skin, soothing the sweaty exhaustion and forcefully distracting Jiminie from the dredges of growing hunger as he eyes my gland.

The last time I let myself be pinned in a car...

His eyes seem to glower with the same thought. And at not having been present for it.

I try to ignore the stirrings of heat curling in my gut at the images he coaxes to mind, all growls and pinning hands and sharp, strong scent.

And the disgruntled chirp that emanates from the back of my throat makes it easier, heart fond at the pouty expression, ears flickering and folding over. A drooped puppy.

Nips when my fingers reach over to poke gently at his cheek; fangs scraping across skin.

"You play hard to get sweet vixen~" he drawls.

My head tilts at the nickname, smile tugging wide and giddily at the slow lilting murmur.

"But doesn't that just feed your instincts to hunt? After all... what prey just submits? Where's the fun in that?" voice teetering on a dangerous edge, the air crackling despite the cold chill seeping inwards from the open windows.

The weight of charged energy and his fleeting but lingering gazes as he pulls up in the complex's parking lot.

And the lunge of his body surging forward is only avoided by the equally quick backtracking; hands already undoing the seat belt and stumbling out of the car with giddy laughter; see his eyes flare with shock and amusement before he's hurrying to do the same. Hurrying to round the car, the beeping of the car locking as he rushes after me, chases the short distance to the building is entangled with the minty balm and cool wind. With his hands darting to swipe for me and bracketing me as I open the door, his chest pressing to my back, hand snaking around to tug me close as we walk in.

"All the fun is making you surrender when I've won."

I tilt my head to peer at him; see the exaggerated scrunch of his nose as he pecks my cheek, teasing and playful but also in every way intending to replace the peach scent with his own.

"Too bad today I don't think Jinnie's going to let you." I murmur, and when we step into the apartment; bodies unconsciously relaxing further by the pack scents all entangled and sweet and lulling; inviting our instincts to settle and quieten with satisfaction, with relief.

"Wanna bet?" he goads, voice a hushed whisper.

Knowing full well Jin won't pick up the words with still how cut off and far away from the pack we are at the moment but almost afraid and knowing that regardless– regardless our swan prince's astute senses will pick up the sly gleam in Minnie's eyes or the intentions blooming in his scent.

And even though it's quietly; hushing my giggles with narrowed eyes and anxious swishes of his tail; back and forth, back and forth in a repetitive, harried movement as he tries to hurry me towards the nearest bedroom.

Stumbling back with a sharp burst of mint in surprise when Kookie tugs the door open before his hand fully reaches for it, his ears perking up and face scrunched with happiness.

"Hyung! Hi baby fawn~" he greets, eyes bright as he slips past the open door to bound forward; pecking Minnie's lips quickly, ears flopping endearingly and pinking at the pleased rumble before he tugs me away. Arms wrapped securely around me, hands gripping my waist as he spins me, eyes bright and cotton scent softer and lighter with exuberance.

Nose skimming my temple as he draws me a step back.

A deliberate move I realise. And Jiminie realises it too, half a beat late, fondness melting into doubt.

"Say bye to baby fawn hyung~ she's ours for the evening. Mine for the night."

Because Jin might not have heard... but there was no way Kookie hadn't. Ears perked with triumph and knowing, he'd heard Minnie's hushed plan and grins wide with being the partner in crime.

As if he knew Minnie would do this, as if there'd have been any other way.

Smart, smart swan.

Who appears with fluttering wings and apron already tied and preening at the failproof plan, eyeing Jiminie with a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Surely you weren't thinking of whisking her away from me were you pup?"

He stills, ears flickering as his eyes trail over to Jin.

"No." entirely unconvincing and lying through the peek of fangs, head tilted with faux confusion.

"Mhm... I'm sure you were just going to nudge her to wash up and then join me, my sweet little pup." He coos, eyes flashing playfully at the dragging swishes of his tail, laughing as he reaches forward to tug him into his arms, nosing along his temple and folded ears, nipping in an instinctual way that does more for the pack than it does for Jin.

But the fact he's unconsciously adopted the methods, the small ways to soothe the disgruntled pup makes me smile, leaning slightly into the circle of Kook's arms as I peer at the sight.

See his lips poutingly tilt for Jin's own, indulged with a fond huff and hand cupping his cheek, brushing a thumb over skin.

"Needy pup." Laughing when Minnie's tail swishes more eagerly now that he has a swan's undivided attention, curling close and laughing as he tilts and chases full lips with his own, whining petulantly until Jin has no other thought than to douse him with sweet vanilla kisses, wings flaring as he brackets our fox against the wall.

Eyes slipping away to briefly flicker at the both of us.

"I'll see you both in the kitchen once you're done chickies."

And his eyes rake in a primal predatory way over the caged fox.

Mine.

And there's not a single doubt in my mind that the top predator, the top of the pack hierarchy is our swan prince. Is Jin.

And like putty in his hands, the pack has no choice but to melt, to succumb.

But what else can someone do when it comes to Jin.

When everything is futile in face of the sweet vanilla mate.

(AND SCENE!! THIS CHAPTER WAS GOING TO BE LONGER BECAUSE I JUST HAD SO MUCH TO WRITE FOR ALL THE POVS THAT I ACTUALLY HAD TO PAUSE, HOLD MYSELF BACK AND REFRAIN!! THE TEMPTATION IS TOO GREAT!! GAHHHH! I JUST LOVE CLAWS SO MUCH—MY SWEET BABY WITH @MIDIIPLIER, AND SO, SO MUCH TO COME THAT I'M DYING TO WRITE!! WHO MAY JI SUNG BE~ WHO IS HE TO BABY FAWN~ SO MUCH STUFF TO COME!! GAHHH... I HAVE NO PATIENCE, I WISH THE CHAPTERS NEVER ENDED AND THE STORY!! GUESSES? THOUGHTS?? THEORIES~ LET ME KNOW IT AAAAALL! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU MAKE OF THIS CHAPTER AND JUST. I REPEAT. SO MUCH TO COME!! SHIFTED JIN AND TAE!! A PAIR TO KEEP E Y E S OUT AND OPEN FOR~ ESPECIALLY COMING SOOOOON. I--- GAHHHHHHHHH. I'LL STOP! ENJOY AND TAKE CARE!!)

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3