(Y/N) POV:

"Did you know... that the studio is soundproof? But even that... even that couldn't keep all your noises from being heard?" words a rough rasp against my skin, feeling the curved predatory smirk against the crook of my throat, words wicked and sharp, prickling with an edge that's yet to be dulled. Not quite the intensity of an all-consuming blown-out wild rut but not post-rut either.

The rasp of his words is punctuated with the harsh twist and thrust of his fingers, his other hand sprawled weighted and possessively over my front, clamping down the writhing buck of my hips, letting the pleasured sounds he wrings from me bubble past swollen lips. His ears stiff to attention and the breadth of his shoulders and torso crowding against me, body caging mine, looming into the space so there's no distance between the two of us.

"Yoongi..."

"Just like the sounds you're making now... just like the sounds you made for me in my studio. Don't have to be quiet this time though." He murmurs, voice a gravelly low rumble that I can feel soak into my skin, that unconsciously makes my back arch, eyes stinging as I tilt my head back at the rumbled growl that bubbles past fang-bitten lips as he looks at me.

Eyes obsidian with rut and lust.

If Tae's rut was anything of an indicator-it's long since been erased. Because impossibly... somehow Yoongi's rut burns through his body in strong, consuming waves that show no inclination to slowing, to stopping. If Tae had indulged in the teasing and riling and slowly toying and taunting with the pleasure between cycles, even in those moments of reprieve, Yoongi is the opposite. The lines of his body hard and muscled and unforgiving against my own softness.

Every gentleness that Yoongi's demeanour is, that's I've only ever known him for, every scrap of that is shredded and falls apart under the rough intensity of his rut that sinks into his bones and burns into his every movement. Lips skimming upwards in heated scrapes of tongue, teeth and fangs from the crook of my throat to my the corner of my lips before finally crushing his mouth to mine, fangs sinking harsh into my bottom lip and swallowing the sharp cry with the feverish sweep of his tongue against my parted lips.

"Want the others to hear?"

"What a wreck you are on my fingers... how could I deny them that? I know how and what to share."

Lips a fierce, unyielding brand against my own, only swallowing down the desperation that laces his franticness just as much as my own, tongue curling and sweeping through my mouth with the same sharp roughness his fingers do, reeling out the pleasure with a blindsided need to tug it out, a firm unrelenting to the sharp brutal roughness of his fingers.

His lips only slip away to press feverish kisses against my skin, trailing down my jaw, possessiveness in the sweep of his tongue both chasing the taste of my scent whilst leaving the brand of his own down the column of my throat before his teeth clamp at the crook of my throat, sinking into my sensitive gland. A feline hungering grin pressed to my throat, the skimming drag of fangs before his tongue sweeps over the tissue, sweeps over the crook of my neck to bury himself closer to where my scent is strongest and where he intends to lathe his on too.

The dizzying contrast to the slow cruel twists and thrusts of his fingers and the firm grinding sweeps of his thumb at my nub, the sharp sting of his teeth and fangs at my throat and the heat of his mouth sucking darker marks into skin, to the way he feels pressed to my body, keeping it pinned and at the mercy of the rut that begins to sink deeper and deeper into his skin once more.

"But then sometimes... sometimes all I want is to be selfish when it comes to you. Every sound you make is mine. Every bit of pleasure is mine to give to you. And like this... just like this you're all mine too."

Words dragged against my skin with a slow thoroughness, his voice heavy with the undertone of a biting growl that's laced into each words, drags the rich huskiness of his voice into something wrecked and rasping. Feel the reverberating timbre of his voice against my skin as his mouth lowers, fingers sinking with a desperate ache, into the long silky tendrils of his hair, tugging at them as my back arches under his ministrations. Fangs tugging out a prickling pain-pleasure at the raking drag of them against one stiff peak and then another.

Drawing them between the scorching heat of his tongue and teeth, mouth drawing them deeper, leaving them pert and aching, that the barest brush of his skin against skin, the broad plane of his chest against my curves brings a friction that makes my skin burn and pulse with desire.

Rut brings heady, intoxicating confessions that make my head spin with the words that spill past pretty pink lips swollen and reddened, that are accompanied with the low rumble of his voice and the hard lines of his body as he clutches at me, hands tugging me closer with the fervent need to bury himself under my skin. The words are accompanied with the betraying pulse of sweetness that makes my scent thicken, glands hyperproducing the betraying honeyed tint it takes at his words and his fingers. At the steadily lowering sweep of his mouth down my sternum, across the softness of my stomach, fingers reflexively stretching and splaying there.

"Possessive panther? Never show it." I tease, voice breathless, the low rumble of his laugh dark and rich, eyes flashing as he holds my gaze, hovers over me, the sudden purposeful twist of his fingers, knowing exactly how to wring out a keen from my throat, thighs trembling as they clamp shut. Trapping his hand between them.

"If I was as selfish as every thought I've ever had of you, do you think you'd ever smell of any scent but my own?" words crooned with a primal thrumming satisfaction that revels in the twist of my body under his, hand nudging open my thighs to sprawl a weighted press of his fingers and palm against skin, the slow raking drag of his nails briefly brushing over Tae's mating bite; a proudly possessive mark that's still shaded with hues of red.

Thumbing over it with a slow sweeping touch, eyes glinting dangerously, hungrily over the bite, fangs pooling over his lips and the reflexive flick of his tongue as his gaze sweeps lower, feeling the drag of his eyes rake over skin with a want that makes my skin burn.

"Like it?" voice curious and goading, teasing the barely restrained panther that hovers over me, his lips curling even as a low throaty groan rumbles past his lips, mouth aching to feel that sound muffled against my lips.

"Love it." He huffs out a rasping chuckle, the sound deep. Lips pressing a lingering kiss against the bite, the teasing nip of his fangs and teeth against the bite, the jolt unconscious and reflexive. An immediate response to the press of fangs against the bite, to a mate's touch.

"I wouldn't mind if the man I love... the panther that's long since been my mate-without... without a bite... wanted to be more possessive." Words slowly reeled out of me, tongue feeling heavy in my mouth, the words taking far too much effort, too much focus to enunciate, to form. The words formed between half-whimpered breaths and fervent murmurs of his name, fingers clutching at his wrist even as my hip continues to rock into his touch, grinding against his fingers and palm.

"All that patience though sweet girl-it all falls apart..." fingers tugging out half-keened sounds that slip past my lips, eyes burning and hot and damp, prickling with overwhelmed tears, his fingers coaxing me, tugging me towards that splintering peak that has waves of pleasure cresting over me, that has his name on my tongue and his scent in my lungs and my body arched and pressed to his as I grip at him, fingers leaving half-moon indents where I clutch at his arms.

"Just like you are."

And despite how strong his scent burns, tart citrus that intertwines with my own sweetened pheromones, his rut never crests towards a peak, never reaches the next wave of his cycle, a slow burning heat that engulfs the two of us, minds dizzy with want and coherent for every instant of it.

There's something more dangerous and intimate about losing our senses and remembering every instant of it as control and restraint slips away further and further. There's something raw and tangible about a rut that's branded into my brain because the reprieve between it, the dark intensity of his eyes only loses a fraction of its primality, a panther leashed back... but just about.

There's something about this rut that swallows me whole and makes every instant bubble and well up with stronger, rawer need so tangible that the barest slither of distance if he moves away has a deeply-rooted biological need come thrashing and rearing its head. Needing him closer, closer, closer.

And my fingers wind tighter into his hair, lungs burning as his eyes, appraising feline slits, drag over the curves of my body from where he's settled between my thighs.

There's something in his gaze that promises to not let me forget a single instant.

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

There's a lazy smirk curling soft pink lips, hands gripping my hips, trailing down to palm at my thighs as I Iean into him, straddling him, hair brushing against his cheek, his eyes glittering dark as he holds my gaze.

A curious gleam that's wicked and enticing, hands squeezing but not tugging me to seize the space between us and close it, not tugging me so that our bodies are immediately flush with one another and entangled.

He lets me set the pace, he surrenders the reins to me, tail curling and swaying where it rests against the sheets, ears perked and stiff with attention.

Watchful and lazy.

A panther lying in wait.

Anticipation.

My eyes drag over his body, examining the line and breadth of his body, the way his abdomen clenches as my hand drags against his sternum, leaning in to kiss him, his lips parting with a willing laxness, surrendering to the sweeping brush of my tongue through the crevice of his mouth, his own tongue lazy against my own.

Lips hungering, a bruising force against my own as I cradle his face, tilting his jaw up to angle up, the line of his throat presented and tense, a tight coil of thrumming instinct before he groans before he sags against the sheets, hand snaking round to rest against my back, trying to tug me closer, fangs nipping at my bottom lip.

There's the frazzling impatience that bubbles under skin, restlessly beginning to well up, though it's a slower heat that seeps into my bones, makes my body buzz as Yoongi surrenders control only to tug and toy at it with me, drawing it back between his hands to tug me to him, body curving closer, hand skimming down his shoulder and sternum, feeling the quickening pulse of his heartbeat under my touch. The frustrated, impatient buck of his hips rocking up, hand curling a fraction tighter at the crease of my hip and thigh.

"You're getting easier to rile." I muse, lips skimming to the sharp curve of his jaw, mouthing along skin.

"Maybe you're just learning more and more how to." Fangs nipping at my jaw, the lazy curling sway of his tail beckoning, glinting eyes holding my own as I lean to him, hips pushing back in a slow teasing circling motion. Feel the buck of his hips, the lazy tilt of his head, splayed across the pillows, dark hair fanned out and the almost coy tilt to his mouth teasing.

"Want me to show you what I've learnt?" I lilt, mouth trailing lower, skimming down the column of his throat, lingering at his pulse. Watching the motion of his throat as he bobs heavily, as if parched, and unconsciously his fangs pool over his lips in a bitten curse when my mouth closes around his gland and sucks harsh.

The relaxed sprawl of his body tensing, the curve of his spine in an arch, fingers gripping tight, hard with the intent to bruise with how his growl ripples in the air before morphing into a hoarse groan of my name.

"Yes..."

I lean into him, lean into the touch of his hand coaxing me to curl closer until my lips press a line of kisses down his sternum, the soft trail of fingers from his shoulder down his collarbones, skimming over skin until my fingers come to slowly circle a stiff bud that grows pert and hard under the teasing trailing circling movements of my nail, inching closer and closer but never against the steadily aching hardness.

Watch the way his pupils dilate, gaze darkening, irises turning black as he looks at me. Swallowed whole by the instinct, by the words that rasps against my skin, the stinging bite where he sinks his teeth against my shoulder.

"Please."

[......]

There's a snarl between bitten lips, growls rumbling past his lips as Yoongi arches, fingers curled into tight fists where my fingers grip at his wrists, feeling the straining tension in his limbs, in the curling flexing motion of his hands twisting.

Eyes flashing with pure primal unadulterated want before that final fraying thread of restraint snaps and he lunges upwards, hands wrenched free and gripping my forearms before he twists, the sudden sharp movement has my breath seizing in my lungs, chest tight and constricted, a harsh arch where he grips my legs. In the next breath, buried back in me, a sharp snap of his hips that makes me feel impossibly fuller and taut when his weight bears down, hands gripping my legs and pinning them back.

Bodies pressed close and the position he keeps me in makes each sharp thrust make my body tremble with the thrumming tightness that makes my limbs coil and the pressure in my gut wind tighter and tighter, breaths laboured and muffled against his skin, teeth against his collarbone, the heat of his rut making the press of his body against mine making every breath waver, skin flushed.

The heat of his rut drowns his scent with breeding pheromones, and I know in response to the sharp tartness of his scent brands and intertwines itself with every pulse of my sweetening, saccharine scent. Floral and citrus.

Scent responding to him on a biological level, body responding to the increasing roughness, positions reversed, the slow taunting edge having drawn him further and further into a rut. Until coherency slips away, and only blind need remains.

A single minded want as his hips rut deeper, rough thrusts that make me feel achingly full, barely drawing back before he's burying himself back into me, not allowing either of us the fraction of space or air where it's not engulfed and overwhelmed entirely by one another.

There's wild glazed arousal that burns away lucidness from his gaze and wears down at my own, until the only thing I can process, the only thing I can feel and grip at is the broad lines of his shoulders and the damp long strands of hair, the breadth of his back tense and flexing with every roll of his hips set in a brutal, fast rhythm that has both of us spiralling towards peaks that melt and morph into larger ones that drown out sensation save for him.

And his body melds with mine, as rippled growls fuse to my breaths, swallow down the wrung out sounds of pleasured bliss from my lips, tongue possessive and sweeping through my mouth, pressing deep biting claims against my skin, his hands tighten to grip me to him. To keep me pinned and stilled in the same way I had him.

Words are nothing more than snarling violent sounds torn from his lips and it takes effort to decipher the rasping rumble of his voice pressed against the curve of my breast, a promise left in red and purpling claim against my skin.

[......]

It's not until much, much later that he croons them again, words dulcet and heavy, hands still gripping me tight to slot our bodies together, a tiny flicker of rut quietened but the rakish grin all fangs and predator.

Words thick with praise and low with rumbling, weighted biological instinct that makes the low cadence of his voice deepen further.

Skin glowing with exertion, a ruddiness to his cheeks and sweat at his temples, hair pressed to skin.

There's a low wicked vow he makes in that rasped praise.

Cherishing me and promising me further ruin.

"The sounds you make sweet girl... I told you I wouldn't mind recording them one day... I still mean it. Now more than ever."

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

Every press of his lips against my nape, the slow, repetitive press of his mouth against my skin, against my mating bite has an inexplicable warmth seeping into my bones, turning my body lax, limbs entangled as Yoongi spoons me from behind.

Arms winding around me further, tail flicking and curling before wrapping around my waist, the soft ticklish brush of fur against my bare skin making me squirm briefly before sinking back into him, lazily tilting my head up to scent-mark his jaw, nuzzling and nosing at skin, feeling his hands tighten a fraction before he lets out a loose shaky breath. My ears flickering at the sound.

"....s cheating." I mumble blearily, rubbing my cheek against his, head tilting against his shoulder, baring my other cheek to his scenting, lips curling into a loose, easy smile when he nip, nip, nips at my cheek, soft purr rumbling in the back of his throat.

"What is sweetheart?"

"Grooming my bite. Makes me feel... floaty."

The curl of his lips against my nape and the slower, lingering press of them against skin, directly against my bite.

"Why? That's good, no?" voice and touch easing me deeper and deeper into that haze of pheromones that continue to fog my mind, permeating every thought and leaving it feeling as if it wades through molasses, syrupy sticky and slow, to be processed. Words taking far too long to sink in.

The deepening curl of his lips telling. slow lazy kisses pressed to my nape, the even slower skimming trail of his fingers sinking into my hair, cradling and angling the tilt of my head so he can continue to nuzzle and mouth at the bite. Undoubtedly it'll leave a bright blooming splotch of colour for days, a pleasant thrumming ache combines with the increasingly lax droop of my limbs, putty under his touch. Moulded into the crevices of his body so the two of us are slotted together, limbs entangled and meshed together-not entirely sure where the heat of his body merges with my own, whether the flushed warmth comes from Yoongi being pressed into me or whether it's from the shared heat of our bodies-whether it's deep, deep biological satisfaction that makes my pulse thud slow and content or that it matches and syncs with the heartbeat pressed against my back.

Instead of answering I turn in the circle of his arms, his fingers skimming to settle against my nape instead, lips soft and unrushed as they skim a path from my jaw to my lips, hand cradling his cheek as I tilt into the touch, a soft exhale against my mouth before Yoongi leans in further. Scent blooming strong and sweet and fresh, sweet, sweet citrus.

"You're too good at making me melt." I accuse, a long while later, lips barely leaving his, eyes drifting over his features, heart quickening at the curl of his lips into a gummy smile, fangs peeking.

"I should hope so. I didn't spend the longest time crushing on you because of your words, your thoughts and then wanting you to still not learn what makes you melt."

"You've gotten awfully good with your words too." I mumble, eyes narrowing with suspicion. Twisting to peer at him, a soft huff of laughter muffled between the two of us when it his fingers reflexively tighten at my nape, the gesture making my body melt under his touch, thumb sweeping up and down.

"I thought it was my words-"

I shake my head, curling into him. Words coming out syrupy slow but coming out regardless.

"Your voice. I didn't think I could have a thing for voices until you. Even more now that I know how you sound in rut, how you sound desperate..."

There's disbelief shining in his eyes before he leans in to kiss me bruising, hard and fast.

Lips tingling when he draws back, thumbing at my bottom lip.

"You're unbelievable... even after months of knowing you, you're unbelievable." Words huffed out, breathless as he looks at me.

My hand skims down his side, head tilting to rest against his arm.

"Not what you imagined?"

"No. No...more. So, so much more."

And when I tug him closer to kiss him, it's sharper, raw and pure want and love and attraction-biology and instincts and mind thrumming giddily with contentedness at the way his body slots to mine, lips parting under his as he leans over me, curling over to hunch down, body bracketing mine, the broad slope of his shoulders caging and looming and long dark tendrils of hair brushing against his cheek as they fall forward, damp under my touch, tugging him with a keening cry for him.

For my mate, my panther.

Bodies, biologies and mind surrendering to one another.

Losing ourselves to one another again.

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

"Maybe you should see a hybrid gynaecologist."

The words are mused thoughtfully, and it makes me splutter around the swig of water I'd been taking, choking on the gulp, hand coming to rub at my chest, lungs burning with surprise as my ears flicker and perk. Gaze turning towards the slowly murmured contemplation.

Flitting between confused and incredulous.

"For what?" lips curling into a wry laugh, hand still rubbing up and down my sternum, throat itching and burning as I cough, trying to ease the ache slightly.

"Oh I know you're on birth control-on your daily supplements for it... but this was the wrong medication."

"I've got an implant too." head cocked as I appraise Hobi, watching his ears twirl as he registers the words, though the uncharacteristic stiffness and fretting doesn't ease out his posture, hands squeezing my shoulders as he draws me closer, looping his arms around me to bend down, a quick flurry of motion to scoop me into his arms, walking the small distance to the nearest couch and sinking down with me curled onto his lap.

"I figured something long-term... you've been mated multiple times. And you have had... intense matings." The words low and crooned, a flash of heat and mischief before it melts.

"There's no way it wouldn't have taken at this rate. Cycling through mates aren't you?" he teases wryly, hand skimming down to knead and palm at my calves, the limbs in my body already loose and putty-post-rut aches abating quick under the thorough attentiveness the pack, post-mating settling easy, comfortingly.

That hasn't made any single one of them any less tendy, hands constantly flitting to knead and palm at my calves and thighs-relishing in the comfort and the wobbliness it brings under their careful, thorough ministrations.

"I just..."

"Wondered if all that sex had broken me?"

"If you're okay! This was an induced heat-I just... I want you to be safe. And well."

"My tendy kit."

"Someone's got to be-can't I be gentle when all Yoongi's done is be rough?"

My lips curl up, head coming to rest against his shoulder, leaning into him with a soft exhale, his fingers squeezing my ankle before skimming up, palm rubbing at my calf, trailing up to squeeze and knead at my thigh-the gesture is so kit, so feline it makes my scent pool with sweetness, eyes watching him tenderly.

"You're not jealous. Or possessive. Or hissing at Yoongi and Tae." I muse, observing the way his smile deepens, heart fluttering, unable to resist leaning in and pressing a kiss to the small dimpled indents that appear, hand cradling his cheek as I nuzzle against the line of his jaw.

Slowly scenting him.

Fangs peeking past the heart-shaped curl of his mouth, dimples deepening slightly.

Tiny grooved indents.

"Why? Do you want me to?" playfully baring his fangs and letting out a soft hiss, eyes narrowing but the perked twirls of the tips of his ears as they swivel to catch the sound of my laugh softens the fake hissing entirely.

"That's a baby hiss kit. Anyways-I was just saying. You're okay?"

"If you mean am I going to go into rut because biology can be selfish or if I'm feeling left out then no. Cos sometimes all biology needs-all I need regardless is to know my mates are happy and healthy. And okay. And if you think having you in my lap, in my arms smelling all soft and smiling all pretty does nothing then maybe you need to check my scent properly."

Head tilted in invite.

My nose skimming down the line of his throat before I shift closer, his arms gathering me further to him, pressed against his side, tucked against his chest as I burrow my face against the crook of his neck, sighing with content at the sweetness of his nutty-caramelly scent.

"See?" voice a lower, quieter rumble, instinctively soothing because even in the vulnerability that animal biology perceives post-mating to be, there's not a single doubt in my mind, not a single instant of anything but security and the heart-fluttering feeling of pack, pack, pack.

Pack isn't just the amalgamation of everyone's scents and everyone's presence. It's in every single mate and scent and long since this place has been my home.

And there's nowhere where I could be safer.

A faint discordant pang of longing and brief hollowness-a sharp twisting yearning for Binnie and Eunwoo.

And to stifle that moment of raw longing that makes my body slump and curl into the welcoming warmth of Hobi's arms wrapped around me, I burrow closer to his scent, chasing the sweetness, letting it ease the tightness in my lungs with the constancy of his scent.

Nuzzling into the sweet warmth-soothed and left wanting by the warmth nuttiness to his scent that reminds me all too well of Binnie.

And even if Hobi doesn't say it, his arms tighten around me in response and his lips press lingering kisses to first one flickering ear then the other.

And he lets me relish in the comfort of his scent all the whilst safely cocooning me within the cradle of his body, slowly letting that bleed out my scent, words soft and quiet.

"And even if you're okay-it's okay for a part of you to not be okay."

And he holds me all the whilst he tilts his head back at the sound of approaching footsteps, hand nudging my phone to my hand, lips pressing to my temple.

A soft rumbly soothing purr.

The sound quickly tugs Yoongi back, body slipping forward to join the two of us on the couch, slowly unfurling the coil of my legs so they're stretched out, the squeezing grounding touch of his hands at my ankles. The touch isn't gentle or fleeting. It's a weighted touch. It lingers. It settles.

It doesn't drift, it doesn't fade. It rests there, rests even when I unfurl slightly, thumbing at the screen, pressing onto Eunwoo's number.

And even though he must've been asleep, catching breaks between work, his eyes still blink open, creasing gently and the familiar curve and lines of his features soften, voice low and tired but so, so knowing.

"Hi bokki-it's been a while." He murmurs, eyes flitting over me with a sleepy slowness but one I know is watchful and observing.

There's a tightness in my throat that immediately dissipates when I see him, when I see the familiar details I was all too terrified of missing, of somehow forgetting-fingers skimming over the screen and aching to have him here.

And somehow without asking-Hobi knew. And Yoongi knows-fingers gently squeezing once more before his hands still, legs drawn onto his lap, his eyes warm and soothing.

Because even if everything had been turned upside down, even if I was forced from home, for them, the sight of sleep-rumpled hair, of fingers carding through them and scratching at the base of his antlers... to the familiar way pillows and sheets crease his skin and his eyes blink faintly puffy... that's what I left to protect... but even though I was physically fine... even though I had mates-it didn't mean I ached any less for pack.

"...miss you Woo."

"I miss you too bokki." Words soft and quiet.

Hushed.

The corners of his lips twisting in a downwards sad smile, tugging the phone closer to his face, eyes crinkling when his face looms closer, when it makes a watery, wavery laugh ripple past my lips, curling further into Hobi, hand steadying the back of my head.

And Eunwoo catches sight of his hand, lips curling.

"Hi hyung. Where are the other two kitty hyungs?"

"Right here." Yoongi calls out, a gumminess to his smile, a flash of fangs and teeth, eyes crinkling at the nickname.

Eyes crinkling as Eunwoo peers at me, Hobi's head ducking lower to flash a grin, all heart-shaped and baby dimples, warm warm smile.

"Not kitty fawn~?" words lilting as Hobi squeezes me close to him, the two of us pressed together, his body cradling mine and tucking it against the backrest of the sofa.

"Is that official?" words teasing but eyes shining.

"You knew?" I ask at the same time as Yoongi's voice calls out, Eunwoo's gaze brightening-sparking with mischief when he registers the words.

"The moment she was pack she was our kit."

"Not the moment you two crushed and pined for so long?"

And it's a small saving grace that Woo doesn't see the flash of feline amusement in his eyes and the pinkness of his cheeks, flushing lightly, tail curling and swaying, poking and swatting at Hobi whose head tilts back in loud, overjoyed laughter.

Delighted-the tips of his ears twirling and perked.

"This is why we get along so well buck."

"Because their crush will be forever a point to bring up?"

An eager nod belied by the flushing heat I can feel creep into my cheeks, can see deepen in Yoongi's, even though his rut was anything but tame.

It's endearing that having a crush still makes his scent bloom sweet, makes his ears flicker, eyes drifting from Hobi's, tail poking but the blush on his cheeks caught. It's endearing that despite sharing everything there's still a familiar warm fluttery feeling echoed in his betraying tells as there is mine.

"...has her scent gone all soft?" Eunwoo observes, eyes narrowing even as his lips curl into a wide smile, wide enough it makes his eyes crinkle and his entire face soften further.

"Stop that!" I laugh, cheeks flushed as I tilt my face away, drawing the phone closer to me, heart and biology, mind and thoughts soothed now that I've seen him.

The customary ritual of calling both him and Binnie slowly being intercepted more and more by the others, a pack bonding forming in the most unconventional way.

"If I can't be there to tease you then it must be done anyways!" he refutes with an indulgent grin, sprawling back against the pillows.

It takes a moment to place that the room is my own.

"Missing me baby?"

"Binnie comes in here a lot too-I think it might smell more of us now."

"That's not a bad thing... I'll come home to a nest already scented and made."

Home.

But it was here and there-it was herd and pack.

And there's that lingering sense of hope, somewhere in the future-whether that's near or not but it's there-somewhere, hovering... somewhere just beyond reach.

But it's there.

And as slowly... slowly clues build and add, as the jigsaw pieces are no longer as scrambled and they're slowly but surely being slot into place-I know it's not a matter of if but a matter of when.

And to happily, proudly, unrestrainedly have both my homes and all my family with me. Without fear for them.

"Will you take me too? Tae hogs the sheets." Hobi asks, lips pressing to my hair, teasingly nipping at the crook of my throat.

"I share that bed too-take me!"

"Whose leaving where-whose taking who?" Minnie's voice is curious, trailing behind Jin, ears perked with interest, having caught the tail end of the conversation, eyes skimming over the three of us, the slow swishing sway of his tail quickening at the sight, wings fluttering and blocking him out teasingly as Jin slips forward first, steps quick and light.

"You could take me~" Jin lilts, eyes brightening when Hobi grins at him, head tilting up in askance for a kiss, flitting over the three of us, head dipping to press a kiss down to my lips, nose gently nudging against mine in an eskimo kiss, lips curving against mine when I reach a hand out to cradle his cheek, curling to me.

"Where would you let me take you?"

"Anywhere you wanted-anywhere you are."

"Charming her when we've just mated... what about the honeymoon phase?"

"Shush-you'll never stop being possessive felines." Teasing, lilted words.

"And swans aren't?"

"You'll never see it coming." Words weighted and full of promise before Jin tilts his head to Yoongi, fingers scratching at the base of his ears, a soft rippled purr rumbling through the air. Subconsciously my ears flicker and fold, eyes fluttering lazily at the sound.

"Tired bokki-go sleep."

Wings flapping in immediate recognition of the voice, eyes skimming over me before he reaches to snag a blanket, intercepted by Mimi, his movements fleetingly quick and careful.

Eyes crinkling with a half-moons, cheeks bunching up.

"You might need more space."

"For you?" Jin laughs with a curled grin.

"For me and another orange. This looks very suspiciously like a kit pile I haven't been invited to-so it's mine to seize..."

"And search officer? Who knew you'd take the law in such a way?" Hobi lilts.

And somewhere in the chaos, Eunwoo's face crinkles with amusement and he's resettled back into bed, hand clasping his phone loosely, eyes soft with understanding and encouragement both.

"I'll call you later."

My lips part to speak but he's quickly speaking again.

"And Binnie will be there-as if he'd miss any call with you."

"He'll huff later."

"But he's really cute when he does." He murmurs, tugging the blankets to him. Settling comfortably into my bed.

"He is."

"Go nest with your pack of clingies-"

"I heard that!"

"I haven't seen her in nearly two weeks!" arms tightening around me.

"I know how clingy you two are-"

"Binnie will fit right in." I say over the protests, cheek pressed to Hobi's shoulder and unconsciously sinking further into his warm, curling into his side.

There's only warmth that remains even when the call ends-and pack.

Complaining, huffy, loudly protesting pack.

My pack.

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

"(Y/N) you're back! Are you okay?" the receptionist asks, body jolting up from her seat, brows furrowed as she tries to scan me for any visible reason to explain my absence.

Behind her two of the interns that work under her also pause, more so in curiosity, eyes flickering upwards, a hesitant smile curling my lips when Hee Chul stares at me intently, face flushing when he realises it's been caught out, head dipping and smiling back at me. Face pinched at the receptionist's fretting.

"Personal leave." I brush off with a smile watching as her head tilts, trying to catch the scent of a lie in my words somehow-though days after post-rut my scent has slowly begun to return to its regular sweetness, hidden away under scentblockers. In the same way the possessive, healing bruising bite on my nape is covered away. By hair. By a scarf wound securely around my neck.

Skin prickling with flushed heat when Yoongi squeezes my hand before relinquishing his grip, leaning in to press a kiss and brief nuzzle to my temple. Feeling the brief ghosting reminder of a fangy grin curled against my nape even if his eyes are soft, soft, tail swaying and curling... body unconsciously gravitating forward.

"Oh? The good kind~" she lilts with a playful hum, worry melting from her features once she picks up on Yoongi's body language, the lingering hesitation, the dithering-- ...

"Minnie will wonder what got you held up-go..." I laugh softly, hand nudging at his chest, smoothening down his scarf, one of my own.

The very fibres of the soft thick fabric carrying my scent claim in the way this one carries the sweet citrusy scent, winds around me, encases me with all the comfort of a hug, of his arms around me without physically being entangled with me.

And it just eases a bit of that post-mating ache, that post-rutting herding tendency a bit because he's carrying me scent, fresh and soft, though he's taken up residence sprawled over my sheets and entangled in blankets, a kit burrito all droopy and curled close for a nap.

"I'll see you later."

"Going to come pick me up?"

He nods in answer, nose rubbing gently against my temple in a nuzzling scent before he draws back, hands fiddling with the ends of the scarf wound around me before gently tugging.

Nose nudging against mine.

"Miss you." I murmur, watching the corners of his lips curve up.

Tail swaying.

"Already?" voice soft and faintly amused.

"Already."

"I should go quicker so I can be back quicker."

"That's not how it works... I still finish-"

Eyes crinkling when he shushes me softly, gummy smile pressed to my cheek before drawing back, nudging me forward to head inside.

And when I reach the end of the hallway I turn to peer back and he's there, tail slowly curling and swaying and eyes still trained on me, smile deepening. Hand drawn from his pocket as he waves at me.

There until I'm out of sight.

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

It's a quiet day-quiet in the way that's not a forewarning or inkling of something being wrong. It's a quiet content silence-knowing that Min Junie's with the other children, that Ji Ah is with Jisoo.

There's only the quiet rustle of paperwork, a steady mound of it that's accumulated since I've been off, and neither Hobi nor Tae are scheduled to be here for a few more hours still.

It's quiet until it's not-ears flickering at the sound of the knocking at the door, slowly clambering upright from the nested space to move towards the door, tugging it open to see who it is.

Already I know it's neither either of the kits, nor is it Jisoo-all three of them with access to my room and there's a brief flicker of surprise when I tug the door open to come face to face with Hee Chul, his smile tentative and hesitant.

Lips parting to speak in rushed haste.

"I'm so sorry-I know you're busy but Mrs. Kim said you had completed paperwork you wanted filed." Apologetic and rushed and contrite for no reason.

And my lips curl with apology as I tug the door open wider, feel the way he freezes briefly before stepping through when I usher him in, stepping to the side to let him pass by.

"Thank you for helping me-I know internships can run people ragged so if it's ever too much just say. The in-commands do mean well but sometimes they forget you're not fully trained or used to the rush of things... so just take a step back if you ever need to." I murmur, walking over to my desk to gather up the paperwork that needs to be processed. Personal leave forms, expenses sheets and the care plans for some of the other hybrids at the centre; needing to be sent off to be verified.

The confidential documents regarding specifics and names and data remain on my desk.

"You don't need them processed?" head tilting to the papers he's noticed be sorted aside.

"I'll run those through myself don't worry..."

"I can do it-it won't be a problem."

I turn to face him, smiling at his eagerness to help and waving it off, voice quiet but serious as I hold his gaze.

"Sensitive data is always, always handled by people linked directly by name to the documents. If you decide to come back to work here afterwards and for your entire time here-don't forget that. It's one of the most important rules."

He looks chastised, head dipping in quick succession, in apology and understanding.

"But otherwise you're doing a good job Hee Chul- you're always helping out across the centre. You're going above the far little pay-grade you get."

It's the first time I've seen him smile unrestrained and proud and confident, smile curling his lips upwards and the hesitant flustery expression melting away as his eyes light up.

"I stayed because of the people. The people here made working here worth it."

I don't know much about Hee Chul, but in that instant he's someone who fits.

Fits into what the centre represents.

But just before he leaves his gaze strays and settles onto the scarf still wound around my throat, Yoongi's scent carried with me, still encasing me.

And a flicker of worry and something sharp and strong burns in his gaze.

".....(Y/N)..." my name is murmured as a question, dithering, fretting. Something unsettling in the way his body bristles with a discomfort. Hesitant whether to say, whether to go.

"Is something wrong Hee Chul?"

"...you're still wearing the scarf-are you okay?" hedging the words carefully, each word lingering on the tip of his tongue before he allows it to be spoken.

And I flush with a prickling sense of unease with how he's taken it, with how it looks to him.

But also a twist of protectiveness and pride, a stronger searing burn that scorches my skin.

"It's my mate's. You've seen him before." Voice turning firm.

Leaving no space for doubt or further question. Letting that disintegrate, crumble in the space of my office.

"I know... I just-I can't smell pheromones the way hybrids can... I'm sorry."

I shake my head.

"It's okay. And I'm okay. Even if I wasn't-I try keep my personal and professional lives apart."

That hazy warmth and contentment that the scarf had provided now gives comfort too, fingers absently fiddling with the ends of it.

Hee Chul seems to wilt. Sagging.

The faint tang of sweat and the dulled human pheromones that don't require scentblockers.

And I know he's approaching it as a human-he's only approaching the situation and the cues the way humans will.

And a part of me hopes that even as human, if Hee Chul stays here, he can still help hybrids.

"I overstepped-I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"A word of advice Hee Chul..." I call out after him as he turns away, straightening his head from its bowed apology.

Head tilting to face me.

"Working with hybrids doesn't mean double the fuss or care necessarily-it just means don't forget to consider all of them...don't forget the person as a whole...human and animal biology."

He nods.

Hands cradling the paperwork to him.

My voice softens.

"And once you do that-everything you do here will be so much easier."

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

"You're glowing." Are the first words that comes out of a tired, tired voice but lips curled up with a smile, warmth flickering in watchful eyes the moment the door closes behind me.

Those words are accompanied with a series of meowls, attention drifting to me alongside her mama as Kit Kat turns, twist so she's belly up as I approach the bed, fingers rubbing at her stomach, petting the soft fur of her underside.

"Hi baby..." I coo, fingers continuing to rub at fur, tilting down to press a kiss to each flickering ear, to her small nose, lips stretching wide when small kitten licks greet me, pawing at my cheeks with soft rumbly baby purrs so she can continue her affectionate greeting.

Yowling as I try draw back, eagerly pawing for me to be scooped, settled against the crook of my arm, soft purrs as my fingers continue to rub gently at her fur, gaze turning to appraise Amina, eyes skimming in quick observation of her features.

Ears folded with tiredness and fatigue lining her features.

"You look exhausted." I say in response. Watch her fangs peek past her lips as she grins.

"What a way to make a girl feel good." A lamented sigh even as she sinks back against the sheets and pillows.

"What's wrong? You look like you haven't slept." I murmur, carefully easing myself beside her, hands carefully cradling Kit Kat to me, nails gently scratching at the back of her ears, soft meows that rumble with contentment. Amina's scent softens, the balmy sea salt scent gentle.

"Just. Disturbed sleep. I don't even know what's real anymore. I don't know if I'm dreaming or if I'm remembering."

"You don't need to. Just-get them out once you wake. Whether that's writing them or telling them to someone."

"Jangmi's been talking to the centre's psychologists. About getting more regular counselling once I'm cleared to leave."

"You're not telling the dreams... the memories to her?"

"I'm not hurting her more. She's hurt enough. She needs time to heal too." voice soft. Aching for her packmate, a tremble in her words that's hardened with resolve.

I drift back to the others words she's said.

Gently nudging against her side, coaxing her to lie down.

Watching long blonde curls and folded ears rest against the mound of pillows, sprawling back against the mattress.

"But you're going home soon!"

Kit Kat meowls in louder response, sensing the words and agreeing with them.

Home.

That wasn't a restricting confines of these particular four walls, hidden away under an anonymous name in the ICU ward at the centre. It was home. With Jangmi. In her space, her nest.

And this time with the newest addition of their pack.

Her daughter.

Her smile curls, lazy and droopy and tired. Hands reaching out for Kit Kat, who eagerly burrows against Amina's side, burrowed against her throat, soft purrs as she tucks herself closest to where her mama's scent and warmth is strongest and pools off her, kitty paws kneading at skin as she butts her head against Amina. Nuzzling into her.

"It's going to be weird... because nothing at home's changed. But we're not the same people from half a year ago."

Because the place stood still-trapped in time and memory. But Jangmi was confined within it, alone in it. And Amina hasn't been home for over half a year.

And when she returns it'll be with a baby kit.

So much has changed.

"Nothing ever stays the same. But this is a good new start. Your pack's growing."

"Can add a buck to that soon enough."

My ears perk up at that.

"Did he say something?"

"Neither of them need to say. Pink cheeks speak a lot. So does body language and scent-claims."

"How could they ever try hide something from a Lieutenant?"

Her tail sways slowly, splayed across the sheets.

"Just like that scarf is broadcasting that you're either hiding the mating bite or still trying to keep your mate's scent close to it. Yoongi no?"

And really I shouldn't be surprised she remembers, nor that she's managed to immediately identify his scent from that one meeting. But it still makes my head turn to look at her, surprise flashing in my eyes and amusement in hers, head tilting to the scarf, wrinkling her nose playfully.

"You're doused in the scent. You thought I wouldn't remember?"

My cheeks warm.

"That was like a one time thing. And you barely even caught it."

"I'm an officer (Y/N)... it's what I do... I remember the small details that most of the time won't-"

Words trailing off, head tilted back in contemplation, suddenly drawn into the depths of her own mind. The words prompting something in her head, ears lifting from their folded droops, perking slightly in thought.

Kit Kat crowds closer with soft meowls, chasing Amina's warmth.

"What is it?" I prompt a few minutes later.

"...Min Junie."

"What about him?"

"Baby bear-"

"...he was found just outside the city right?"

"You found him." I remind her, watching carefully to see if she remembers, a breath loosening when she nods, brows furrowed still. Deep in thought.

"I remember there was something odd about his case. About a few of the missing cases at the time that might've been tied to this trafficker ring."

"Which was?"

Her eyes slip over to me, fingers unconsciously moving to shield Kit Kat's ears, trying to prevent her from hearing the words, shielding and protecting her from them.

"They weren't ever filed properly. They were always scruffy. As if whoever filed them never cared. Or that they hoped they'd get lost. Never any digital copies either..." she muses, fatigue clearing as her eyes sharpen with focus slightly. Gaze turning to face me.

"Someone wanted those cases to be forgotten." I murmur.

She nods.

But her eyes glitter with a new scrap of information that comes to the forefront of her mind.

Voice heavy and burdened though when she speaks.

"But... but it wasn't his parents who filed the missing report. It was the neighbours."

A tightness in my chest settles, a squeezing vice that makes it hard to breathe for a few moments.

And my voice sounds cold and distant and hard to my own ears. Surmising exactly what it means.

"The parents sold him didn't they?"

And the tightness to her jaw is all the answer I need.

Her hands cradling Kit Kat closer to her.

In fierce, fierce protection.

And a sharp throbbing anger burns its path through my lungs.

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

I don't realise how long I've stood under the hot spray of water until there's the quiet knock against the glass door before it opens, ears flickering and senses stirring to awareness at the sound, sinking in at the sweeping strong scent of earthy forest and dew.

Strong and rich and immediately soaking the water with the liberalness of the scent.

"Space for one more?"

Head tilting to peer back at Joon, lips already curled up with a smile at his scent informing me of his presence, reaching back a hand to tug him forward towards me, directly under the spray of the shower, laughing quietly when he hisses at the scalding temperature of the water, head ducking as he presses closer to me, squirming at the water battering against skin until I reach out fingers to reluctantly adjust it slightly. The heat of the water hot but more tolerable as his body sags slightly against my back.

"Always."

"You've been here a while. No sound of life and all-wanted to come check." He teases playfully.

"Ah~ is that what this is? Checking if I'm alive? Or complaining about the hot water?"

"Maybe~" voice teasing and lilted.

"Well I'm alive-"

"Though how you can under such hot water..." he grimaces.

"It's cosy." I protest, laughing when despite his protest to press closer to my back, skin slick against my own, hands winding around the low of my hips, tugging me back.

"It's burning."

"It's cosy." I repeat, head tilting back to crane upwards, blinking water from my eyes, hair plastered to skin, ears folding to shield themselves and lips catching as his jaw, teeth skimming briefly along the curve.

He sighs, the rumble soaking through skin, reverberating against me where he presses closer to me, fingers tracing lines and skimming over water-slick skin.

"Head back." He coaxes, hand reaching for a shampoo bottle, fingers sinking into my hair to work it into a lather, fingers massaging at my scalp, head tilting to his touch, water streaming down against skin, lashes fluttering before falling shut.

"Maybe I just missed you this entire time you were being hogged by felines. Maybe I wanted to get to see how you are now that everyone's cycles seem to have settled for now."

Fingers working themselves through my hair thoroughly, laughing soft and low as he piles the lathered hair into a foamy pile, letting his fingers skim across the back of my nape, the touch fleeting and quick but the pulse of endorphins that sear through me make my legs wobble slightly, sagging back against him, fingers gripping his forearm tight. Clutching at the arm that bands around me to steady me to him, feel a grinning kiss pressed against the slope of my shoulder.

"Sensitive still I see."

"Hasn't healed fully." I grit out, teeth sinking into my bottom lip, eyes fluttering at the purposeful brush of his fingertips, calloused and rough, skimming over the bite, tracing the faint indents that remain-if only because of how intently and thoroughly Yoongi's tended to it, slotted his mouth over it in wicked delight and preening satisfaction both.

"Makes you so wobbly though pup." Words a low rough croon, lilted and teasing. Delighted.

Before his fingers carefully angle my head, steering the two of us directly under the water spray once more, so the hot water's immediately making the mound of lathered hair unravel and plaster to my skin, sodden bodies pressed closer, hand skimming up to rinse my hair out when a protesting sound rumbles in the back of his throat. The sound morphing into a pleased contented deep hum when his fingers work the shampoo out of my hair, eyes shut, trusting and body leaning against his-steadied by him.

I can sense his eyes trained on me even though my own are shut, can sense the way his lips curl when I don't reply immediately, head tilting back to be directly under the hot water, the slick skin of our bodies pressed together, the tall towering breadth of his body encasing me, cocooning me without even purposely trying to.

Everything about Joon is just big alpha wolf.

But then he whines. The sound low and rumbly in the back of his throat, a nudging in the way his hands steer me around, tugging me closer to him so our fronts are flush, so his head is tilted down to mine, lips finding mine with a rumbled contentment.

Lips plush and warm and unrushed in their slow indulgence of committing to re-learning, deep and thorough, hand coming to cradle my jaw, angling my face to his. The rumble in the low of his throat grows, a deep contented sound that morphs into a growl when my lips chase his, hands skimming against slick skin, mapping out muscles and sinew, fleeting before my hands settle on his shoulders, teeth nipping into his bottom lip before sinking in sharp.

Swallowing down the rough sound, lips curving up against him, his body bracketing mine, pressing closer, tongue sweeping against my lips, fingers snaking to sink into my hair, cradling the back of my head, grinning against me when the broad sprawl of his hand over my mating bite makes my legs buckle. His other hand steadies me, hand squeezing at my hip, the muscles under my touch shifting and bunching, a tall frame crowding against me, lips in a lazy grin tasting the betraying, sweet pulse of pheromones, limbs turning into putty under the possessive, cradling hold.

Lips pressing slick kisses to my own, tongue sweeping through the crevices of my mouth, feverishly hot.

"Maybe you snuck in my shower to sneak some kisses Officer Kim."

Laugh muffled against the eager chase of his lips against my own, fangs nipping, fingers snaking upwards to sink into my hair, my hands mapping out the broad, tight swell of muscle at his arm, at his chest, resting against his pec.

The sound of his tail wagging, fur sodden and waterlogged tugs a startled laugh past my lips before I draw back, his soft eyes shining and ears perked, despite the way they keep flickering and folding against the water, his giddiness tangible, our scents entangled and seeming to have permeated water, clogged every particle of it with the rich scent of forest dew and anise.

"No comment." He laughs before tilting his head to me, lowered and angled down so I can lather his hair up too, fingers working through the dark brown strands, scratching at his scalp as I massage the scented product in, lips curving up at it.

At the way he peers at me through lowered lashes, gaze fixed on me, smile dimply soft and ears folding as I lightly scratch at the base of them, the sound of his tail wagging growing louder even if it doesn't thump against the glass-his happiness so visible, even as I peer at him through damp lashes, tilting my head away from the direct stream of water and steering him under it.

Working the shampoo out and carding my fingers through his hair to neaten out the strands, skimming lower and feeling the way his hair begins to brush against the back of his nape, dark, long strands that press to his cheekbones, half cover his eyes.

Leaning into him as his arms wrap around my waist to draw me closer to him, head tilting further to rest his forehead against mine, voice low and soft.

"What are you thinking?" voice a soft murmur, the tone of his velvety and smooth. Lulling.

"That sometimes-sometimes the people at the centre... sometimes it's their own families that betray them. That hurt them." Feel the way his grip tightens, squeezing and grounding, peering at me through a lidded gaze, water clinging to his lashes, droplets that are caught by the sweeping, slow brush of his blinks.

"Min Junie?"

I nod, nose nudging against his,

I don't know how long I've stood under the hot water, trying to quell that aching anger brimming and welling up... but no outlet for it to go to, no face I could put to the blame. To condemn for abandoning... for selling their own child.

And the thought continues to whirl around my mind, insistent and stubborn. Settled there.

How many of the cases where the children had gone missing, where the adults had too-how many of them had been betrayed by their own family and friends?

How had those school girls gone missing? Had it been a classmate? A parent? A friend's parent? A teacher?

The deeper and deeper the case grows, the deeper that we need to scour and dig, the deeper the wounds and aches build too.

Not every wound bleeds-and yet I feel the stinging raw agony of this with the viscerally strong image of how Min Junie had been when he'd first arrived at the centre.

How he'd presented himself.

What parents had had sold their child and damned them to such a cruel, inhumane fate?

Joon's voice is low and his words warm, warmer than the scalding heat of the water, than the heat of our bodies pressed close, head tilting to press his lips to my forehead, to my hair. And from the moment he'd stepped into the shower to hold me, to be there-his presence balms the ache and soothes.

"Not all family is chosen. Not always do we find family immediately-but he's finding a new mother in Jangmi. And she's found a son. Which is the furthest thing I could imagine someone hurting from loss, from this-but sometimes it all works out in the end. And it might not be anything we've imagined-but that doesn't make it any less whole."

I nod, lips curling into a small smile, tugging up at the corners at the low soothing rumble of his voice.

Mind being put more and more to ease the longer Joon holds me, the longer I find the solace and comfort and promise in his presence.

He doesn't need to say for me to know that it doesn't just bother me.

He doesn't need to say for me to sense the protective anger in his scent, in the tightness in his muscles and limbs whenever he reads cases, whenever he lies lost in thought, entirely detached from his surroundings and lost to the whirling of his mind.

He doesn't need to say he understands because I know he does.

And Joon and Jimin understand it on a not entirely dissimilar deep, raw, dark level. Exposed to the brutality in countless forms of evidence, testimonies and crime scenes.

So he doesn't need to fill silence with words when that unspoken understanding is more than enough-just being held is more than enough.

Basking in the unrushed intimacy of sharing the enclosed space, soft, slow kisses and hands skimming over one another-thoroughly doused in each other's scent without even trying.

"It just... I was just thinking about it."

"Maybe think somewhere you look less distracting?"

"You came in yourself!"

"Still!"

"I could lock the door next time~" I threaten with a smile.

His grin is pure wolf, deep dimpled indents only adding to the rakish mischief of his smile, lips curved deep.

"If I truly wanted to-you think a locked door would keep me away?"

And I know that holds true not just for sneaking in-I know that the walls around us are long since lowered and even the line of defence; of attempting to raise them up to shelter and stifle the suffocating thoughts inside... even those don't need to be hidden. Even with those there's always a way in, a way to not bear them alone.

And even if I wasn't so madly and wholly in love with him before, there's no denying that I fall a bit more now.

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

A nudge against my knee has me turning, surprised by the sudden cold press of a nose against my skin, then the soft rumbled purr exhaled against my leg before a cheek nudges and butts my leg with an affectionate rumble.

The soft brush of his cheek against skin, scenting me with soft rumbling purrs that seem to wrap around me in the same way the lithe, long length of his body does, pressing against me from behind.

"How'd you get in Yoongi? I thought I closed the door~" I lilt, watching as his tail swishes, picking up speed slightly in its lazy sway and curling motions, eyes sparked with distinctive proud satisfaction, fangs peeking past his mouth-so utterly pleased with himself.

"Doors don't work. They're not a thing." Joon adds with a dimpled grin, sprawled lazily over my bed, twisting on the sheets as he watches Yoongi nudge his head against my side, until my fingers skim over his ears and sink into fur, a louder rumbled purr as he tilts his head to the touch.

And echoing his belief Yoongi purrs louder. In assent with Joon's words.

And then he's nudging at the back of my legs, nosing along skin and soft puffs of breath warm against my skin, nudging me towards the bed and clambering on, one big paw sinking into the mattress then the other before he pads forward and promptly sprawls.

Settles over the two of us once paws has nudged at the pillows and blankets, nudged at us until there's some semblance of a nest and he's settled in the midst of it, promptly and effectively dousing us in the citrusy scent that already clings to us, the scent already skin-deep because of the shower products.

Insistent to authenticate the sweet citrusy scent, rumbling purrs as Yoongi turns his head to half curve, his ears flickering under Joon's touch, fangs gently nipping at his wrist and fingers, rubbing the fur of his cheek lazily and indulgently against the sprawl of Joon's palm.

Tail flicking and swaying, my hand slowly eased out the weighted press of his fur to pet at the swaying curve of his tail-the motion of it slow and repetitive until it suddenly isn't.

Stilling when my fingers sweep over the soft glossy fur, fingers encircled loose.

Then rumbling purrs that I can feel soak into my flesh and bones, can feel it turn my body lax, half curled to Joon, the two of us entirely swallowed by fur, sandwiched by it-encased in the cocooning nesting warmth of his scent.

And then the wrap of his tail a while later, stilling my petting to simply wrap the soft sleeky dark fur around my palm, winding soft and warm and then stilling.

Holding my hand with his tail.

The dull thumps of Joon's tail against the bedding and the loose smile pressed against my cheek when he curves closer, head tilting to mine is paired with the constant rumbles that fill the air, seep into me, coaxing and lulling my eyes into lazy drooping flutters.

"Got blankety mates." I mumble, thumb brushing at Yoongi's tail, feel his tail wind more securely, a rumbled assent and then a weightier sprawl as he settles comfortably, the soft, thick fur of his underbelly directly pressed to my stomach.

"And tum mates. And mates who are perfect seat size."

"All of you are great seats." Lips curving deep, head tilting to peer at Joon, nudging my nose against his.

"Sounds like you're keeping us around cos we're good to sit on." Joon lilts, voice playful, a low rumbling sound that has my ears flickering and swivelling to catch it, even as my body sinks contentedly against the sheets, lips briefly fluttering across his. A fleeting peck.

"It ranks high on the list... and I don't just mean your laps either." I muse with a hum, smile deepening at the playful rumbled growl before he nudges his nose to mine again and leans inwards to slot our lips together. Fangs snapping at my lips with a sharper roughness, the scent of forest dew turning stronger, entangling with sharpening citrus at my words.

"What else does?"

Yoongi's head rises from its rest on Joon's stomach.

Ears swivelling with curiosity. Amusement in his eyes.

The same weighted sharpness of the feline I've spent a rut with.

The reminder lingers there in his eyes.

"Really pretty. Pretty, pretty mates."

He rumbles deeply even as his scent softens-the citrus becoming light and sweet.

Head drooping as he rumbles, briefly ducking to hide his face against folded paws, before briefly nuzzling into Joon's stomach, rumbly purrs presse to skin, tail wrapping a fraction tighter, snagging my hand to hold it.

"Smell really nice too." lips curled lazily. Joon's eyes warms and sparked with tenderness and amusement, ears flickering as his dimpled smile presses again to my lips.

"Well if you have so many reasons to list~ won't you hear why we love our fawn mate?"

"Going to charm me again?"

Yoongi rumbles, tail swaying slightly, unravelling to teasingly skim at my side, the featherlight brush of soft fur ticklish against skin.

"Baby pup haven't you realised? That's exactly what we're going to spend our time doing."

I curl into him with a smile, feel the reverberations of Yoongi's purrs soak into skin, feel the soft brush of Joon's skin against my own, his bare arm extending out for me to curl further against him, wrapped up-doubly so, into my mates.

"Charming me so much I barely have any time for anything else?"

"So every moment you know how much you're loved." Eyes warm and honest and drawing me into their bottomless depths and I willingly let myself lose to them, to the tenderness that entirely melts away the alpha exterior and leaves just... just my Joonie.

Just the sweet wolf I fall in love with more and more.

JOON POV:

"Mhm...you smell great." Tae hums delightedly, immediately burrowing his face into the crook of my neck, lazily rubbing his cheek with thorough, slow indulgence against my skin, both to chase the mix of citrus-anise from my skin and to leave his own berry sweetness to entangle with it, to brand it alongside my scent too.

A laugh rumbles in my chest at the way he chuffs delightedly, tail swishing and swaying before wrapping around me, burrowing further into me with the sole-minded need to bury himself into skin and find his nest there. Rumbling chuffs that grow deeper, the lazier he scents. The press of his soft cheek squished against my shoulder, nosing at my gland as his hands snag at me, tugging me closer, steering me back from the table to instead crowd me against the couch, body half pressed against the upholstery even as my front is entirely plastered with a solid wall of tiger cub.

"I just showered." I tease, but his chuffs deepen as he presses closer, nosing against my gland, the scraping nibble of his fangs at my throat sparking nothing but pooling warmth.

Biology long since have accepted and embraced the apex predator as cub. Pup.

Big, chuffy pup.

The brush of his curls skim across my jaw as he curls into me, the press of warm, taut skin against my front, regretting the early call in, regretting that I don't feel his skin pressed to my own but hands skimming down to card through his curls, scratching gently at his scalp, before trailing to squeeze his nape. Hands skimming up and down the broad plane of his back, somehow tucked to me, plastered to me in a way that despite him being a big tiger makes him feel tucked cosily as if to wedge smaller to be encased in the embrace my arms draw him into.

"He smells of traitor!" Jimin declares as he enters, clothes a sharp cry from the standard uniform. The sight of his arms taut and curved with muscle, bare from the jacket he's yet to shrug on and the length of his legs encased in fitted leather. Orange hair somehow darker with the way it's slicked back, messy strands fallen forward and any scent of him stripped bare-no scent transfers, none of his own pheromones broadcasting either.

Recon mission in the red district.

The sight of him out of uniform, as a plains-clothes officer undercover always stirs conflicting emotions.

He grins, though it's a sharp smirk, all fangs and pearly teeth and plush glossy lips, and his eyes slant, shadowy and smoky, an alluring fox's gaze that beckons and invites even if he manages to sidestep Tae's swiping arm with a tinkling laugh.

"One of these days you have to take me on a date looking like that." Hobi declares as he turns from the kitchen counter, eyes dragging in a rakish hungering intensity-that's simultaneously playful and mischievous, though the words are lilted with a coy mouth and a tone that drops lower in depth.

"Why? Want me to be bad for you hyung?"

"And not have you on my arm looking better than any eye candy pup? Or see how long it takes for you to be all soft and good for me despite looking like that?" he lilts back in challenge, the swaying slow swish of Jimin's tail hypnotic and distracting and Tae's teeth and fangs catch briefly at my gland, grinning against my throat.

"Alpha likes that~ don't you hyung? Seeing Minnie like that does all sorts still doesn't it?"

Turning in the circle of my arms, tail tightening around my waist to anchor his hold regardless, so he can peer at Jimin too, fangs pooling over his bottom lip, tongue absently whetting his lips, darting out to sweep across them.

As if he can taste the anticipation, the way it makes my scent just... prickle.

And then Jimin's laughing, head tilted back, eyes crinkling and face softening despite the shadowy pouty look he adorns, softening the overall damning effect.

Hand batting at air as if to ward off the pheromones when his voice, honeyed soft and light murmurs.

"Can't walk into a recon smelling of how much my mates' desperation."

"No? I think it sends a clear message." Jin hyung says, finally speaking up, settled into one of the seats already, fingers hovering over a pot of coffee, before he plucks it. Pouring an ample cup and then another. Then a third. Gesturing to them for us to take seats at the table.

"And what might that be Jin hyung?"

"You're too good for them. You've already got people wanting a taste. And they can't."

It's not often that there's a clear ringing possessiveness in Jin hyung's words. Or in his actions.

But even with the lofty proud way he says it, wings fluttering and flapping behind him, feathers rustling as he draws his own cup to him... there's a sharp glint in Jin hyung's eyes.

And I wonder if whether somehow it's not as noticeable until it truly is or whether somehow we're lulled into a false sense of unknowingness... Jin hyung willingly playing to the non-predatory biology... which only makes the possessiveness all the more crackling and sharper. Untriggered by biology and so more intense, more him.

"Who knew it was the swan all along?" I murmur quietly, feel Tae's laugh huff against my skin before his fingers curl into my waist, thumbing at the fabric of my shirt.

"If Hobi hyung's anything to go by-it's always the ones you don't expect."

Mouth pressing closer to my gland, humming with indulgence, rumbling when my fingers curl against the low of his back, feel him drape heavier.

The stiff, awkwardness of the posture of being half reclined and steadying the two of us melting as he turns back in the circle of my arms, my gaze watching Jin hyung's gaze in turn, watching the quiet way his feathers rustle as he watches Jimin approach the table, sinking down into a seat next to him.

The quiet brimming tension before it's broken, cup being nudged forward.

"Drink up pup. Something tells me looking this good and being so bad takes energy." Words lilted and teasing.

And I don't doubt Hobi's words for a second.

Choosing to take them at face value and then some.

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

It's not always I'm on surveillance for a recon mission. It's not always I'm willing to sit and wait with crackly restlessness and impatience, listening only through the disclosed mic Jimin wears. It's not always that I'm willing to sit through the cagey antsy energy that bubbles and wells under my skin, eyes tracking the GPS signal steadfastly...steady, steady, steady until it predictably dips out of range, out of tracking when Jimin enters a certain cluster of streets in the seedier alleys of Seoul's infamous red district.

It's not always I have to be in a non-descript police car, windows blacked out past the legal limits, refusing to let an outsider see even the faintest line or shadow of someone within the car. It's not always that I sit in a car, feeling that restless, unsettling feeling of churning anticipation and adrenaline entangle together.

It's certainly not always that despite that, despite how the car is situated, not out of the ordinary, nothing starkly different but a rapping of knuckles comes incessantly against the glass.

It's not always that my car out of the scattered ones becomes the chosen option for whoever's on the other end, a mix of trepidation and wariness as I check the rear-view mirror; ears folded and tucked out of sight under the large hoodie, officer uniform switched out at the last moment before Jimin left, to stay behind the wheel.

A quick sweeping glance of the car doesn't reveal anything telling-anything that links to me personally. Distinguishes the owner of the car.

And when the window rolls down... it's not every day I come face to face with the sight of glossy, lurid bright lips stretched into an enticing smile, head tilted and body canted at an angle, tilting in to lean into the space the open window provides.

Bringing with it the scent of sex. Raw, carnal sex that in itself holds multiple scents all entangled together-the overwhelming intensity of it making me threaten to recoil; holding in the knee-jerk reaction of rearing back.

Stifling down the instinct to let my nose scrunch and face twist with distaste.

It's not always that I find myself frozen. Ice in my veins. Blood burning freezing tracks through my body.

Because not always are curb-side prostitutes young. Never this young. She's barely a grown kit if that. Her ears and tail hanging limp, weighed down. She's tired.

It's not always I actively have to fight my own resolve and instinct and training.

It's not always I hate that sometimes... sometimes to do something better, you have to feign ignorance.

My fingers drum restlessly against the wheel, but to her it's an impatience, her eyes tracking down my hands, at the watch at my wrist, to the large oversized clothes, to the dark shades hiding my eyes.

My lips thin.

"Not interested."

"I haven't even said what I was offering yet Sir." The words roll of her tongue with a practiced heaviness, a lilt that's meant to be seductive, saying all the "right" words she's been taught to but it's sickening to see it on someone who's barely out of childhood, her face far, far too young under the heavy makeup. Her body slight and it feels grotesque to even see the clothes she wears as something meant to sell her body but only emphasises to me how she's closer to the child she was than the adult she'll one day be.

It's hard to fight the nausea crawling up my throat, fingers briefly curling around the wheel, head tilting dismissively.

Save her, save her, save her.

"Not. Interested." Moving to roll the window up when her hand darts out to clutch at my sleeve, grip tight, eyes wide and imploring and a flicker of desperation bleeding into her eyes. Her voice wavery.

Young. Vulnerable. Weak.

"I'll do anything. You'll get what you paid for."

Breathe, breathe, breathe.

Because she needs to make money, she needs to do anything-sell herself for the cost of keeping herself going just a bit longer...especially if she was operating under a brothel, under someone who'd bought this girl.

"Not interested in you..." gaze hidden under the shades so even though she can't see... my eyes are fixed on her, committing her face to memory already. Memorising it.

"Didn't realise they'd put actual kids onto the streets for it though." the sharp flinch and startled surprise on her face softening the effect the harsh makeup was trying to disguise. How truly young she is. And how she didn't expect to be caught for it.

"My tastes don't run that way."

Words rough and grating, threatening to border onto a growl; both with prickly, sharp anger at seeing a child offer herself up and with a roaring protectiveness to take her from here. To take her away now.

It's bare restraint and years of training that kicks in-that keeps me from trying to act on pure instinct, on the pure principle of just being humane to her.

Not missing the way her scent sours with distress and fear. Fear not as much for me as it is for being called out for her situation, for her proposition not being taken up.

"It seems to me as if he's a man with taste. And that's with someone who actually knows what they're doing. Not everyone's tastes runs... so bland." the dry low rasp of the voice that interrupts her from speaking again, a familiar rough brusqueness of his words dismissive. Watching as she shrinks inwards, eyes smudged and smoky and dark. Predatory. He seems to tower, radiating a largeness, a proud confidence in his skin that she doesn't have in hers.

Because he's standing there by choice, by the freedom and doing of his own choice. Because he stands there with a sharp hunter instinct that this girl doesn't have.

Smile all fangs and bared teeth, eyes piercing.

"He's mine. Back off."

There's the scent of sweat and something artificially cloying and sweet that clings to the man but there's no denying the threat he is despite the disarming scent. Head angled as he watches the girl stumble back, his eyes flashing and ears pinned back with the promise of a threat, with confrontation if she didn't back off.

And as she passes by, he stares hard at her. His fingers flickering across the hem of her short dress with distaste, a fleeting touch that her jolting. A soft distasteful scoff that makes her shrink in on herself.

And watches as she slinks back, trying to melt into the shadows, trying to find another customer, watching and watching and watching until he's assured, she's gone and then he's leaning in. Replacing where she had been crowding against the rolled down window. A muscled, veiny forearm coming to rest against the half-open window, his presence demanding on the senses; somehow everywhere at once.

And it's as she leaves, I realise I know her. I've seen her before. I've seen her in a photo. On a missing report. On her friends' and her socials. I've seen that girl look years younger than the one that's left. And months-months she's been gone. For her to appear like that. Right in front of my eyes.

I don't even get to rush out the car.

The sight of the man that leans into my space, suddenly fills my vision.

Voice saccharine and low and dark.

"Mind if you take me for a ride handsome?"

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

"You scared her off." my hand is tight on the wheel, the other entangled fiercely with his, resting on his lap, feeling small shivers at the featherlight touch of his fingers tracing our intertwined hands.

"That was the point, Officer Kim. Couldn't have her sniffing around."

"She's a young girl Jimin-ah. I'm going to file a report. We're getting her out." a hardness in my voice that's belied by the tightness in my jaw.

"I know."

"I didn't want to leave her at all-I almost blew my cover and maybe it'd have been worth it and--"

"I know. We're getting her out Namjoon-ah."

"We are?"

"We are. You didn't think I was just scaring her off, did you?"

"I thought--" watch as he tugs out his phone from the dashboard, powering it on and clicking onto a specific app-one that's been programmed by the police force and for the police force.

And he turns it on, static clearing up and the familiar clack of heels. And then voices. Heard clearly... alongside the slightly familiar one of the girls we've left behind.

"You bugged her?"

"I don't touch a minor even undercover Namjoon-ah. She's been hard to keep track of." his words sharp and clear, mind immediately flashing back to the brief fleeting touch as he'd watched her leave.

Even I didn't notice.

"Someone's going to notice a bug on her clothes! And how long does it last-till she gives herself up to the next bidder? The next man with pocket change to throw at her body?"

"Before then. But we can't blow up what we have... I haven't spent near months undercover for it to be blown so quick-but didn't you notice something about her?"

"She's one of the missing schoolgirls."

"I couldn't believe all this time I've been keeping an eye out for her and of all the cars-thank god of all the cars she chose was yours."

"You don't think I ruined the cover?"

"Any time you've done recon... which isn't a lot... you've been discreet. It looks like any other illegal flashy car."

"The second it's clear-we pull her out." he confirms, ears stiffly perked and alert to the transmitted data feeding through. Eyes fixed onto the GPS location.

My breath shudders out with relief.

"You don't think it might made anything bad? It's okay to risk this time? Not immediately getting her out?"

Jimin's face is uncharacteristically tight and stiff, expressions shuttering over his face but a rawness in his eyes lingering regardless as he nods, sinking his head back, thunking softly against the back of the seat.

"We have to. Not at the risk of blowing the mission but also at the risk of putting her at risk."

And it's not always-but sometimes... sometimes I hate that... reasoning has to come first.

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

"Send this to the Surveillance team-actually... bring me Min Da directly. I'm only trusting the head of department with this-" the door to the office is being nudged open, the long ambling stride of the lawyer moving forward, unapologetic as he moves to situate himself at the centre. Catching the tail end of the conversation-barged into it rather.

Eyes calculating and sweeping.

"Ji Sung... we're not scheduled for a meeting today are we?" eyes flicking to Jimin in silent question, a faint furrow between his brows.

Behind him one of the human officers dips his head over and over in nervous apology, retreating immediately once he's seen there's no direct intervention needed. That Ji-Sung is let through.

The door being drawn shut as the officer leaves, Ji Sung stepping back to thumb the lock. The sound

"Not today... what were you just talking about? Passing evidence over?"

Voice a tight low rumble.

"Don't. Whoever you're thinking of handing sensitive data over to-don't."

"Excuse me?" body already having half-risen from my seat, body jolted upright at the sudden intrusion until my eyes had settled on Ji Sung, at the unwavering look of burning determination.

"Don't. Don't let it leave the office, especially don't let any officers other than the ones who already know about it get access to it."

"This is a confidential meeting Ji Sung-ssi."

"Any handling of data or evidence linked to the trafficking case-it's in your strength to share what you intend to do with them and run that by me first."

"Why should we trust a lawyer with data that can make or break any further sentencings...?"

"Because Officer Park I'm doing it for-"

"Us?" I finish impatiently, watching the fire in his eyes flash angry and intense.

"For the victims. This tiptoeing and lack of trust really isn't the case you want to be making to a court. That you don't trust the prosecutor in charge."

"It's not I don't trust you-it's I don't know where you're going with this."

"So explain it-we're never ones to turn from a good plan."

"Evidence that can change the tide of an investigation, of a case-is something you never divulge. Especially when your mole seems to be ridding the data. So-until then, until you've narrowed down the suspects keep it to yourself."

"Our head of surveillance is a loyal-"

"Until you close in on your mole they're just as able to be guilty."

There's a terse crackling silence where the two of us size him up and down, his words, his posture that radiates this inherent authority. The darkness of his mane and tail is only a constant physical reminder that he might've had to claw his way up his ranks. That that authority has been earned-whether through instinct or intelligence or both.

And despite all that-the reason I nod first. Is because my gut trusts him.

"For now." I acquiesce.

Watch as Jimin's posture sinks against the table, the two of us already changed from doing recon. There's no whiff of whatever we might've done-no lingering trace of a foreign scent but there's something sharply scrutinising and watchful about Ji Sung's gaze that makes me wonder, not the first time, just how much he's seen, how many cases like this he's worked with that has him like this. Mistrustful and alert and a predator who grows larger and stronger-I wonder what's it cost him to get there. I wonder if he's lost something in that process. Or someone.

I'm drawn out of my musings by the lilted curiosity in Jimin's voice, in the low, slowly drawled words and the slow swaying swish of his tail, ears flickering as he appraises the older lion.

"...but that's not what you came to say. You heard us talk about evidence just now-what were you here for today Ji-Sung?"

There's a flash of fangs peeking past his lips, a sharp smile and something serious and unfathomable glittering in the depths of his dark brown eyes.

"You don't miss a step do you Officer Park?"

And pride rears itself in my chest at the words. Rumbling pride that threatens to emanate loudly from the depths of my chest.

"I had an idea." looking as if he'd been distracted from the notion of it, had almost forgotten it but then the lion's eyes gleam; distinctively thrilled with the prospect of the words he's about to say.

"For? The sentencings are in a few days now."

"I want to make a small amendment to the further action that we're applying for. This is the beginning of the sentencings, it's far from every single person being caught, it's far from shutting the case."

"Something to change legal action? We're not settling for anything short than life sentences."

"Oh, I know-but this... this'll turn this case into what they're truly taking it to be." voice a mix of grim hardness and sharp, hungering delight.

"What's that?"

"A game. But one I have no intention of letting you lose."

And what he says next is something that makes my stomach twist into tight knots-exchanging a nervous, uncertain glance with Jimin. See the same surprise and bewilderment reflected in his face as I feel making my brain buzz.

And something I can't say yes or no to right away.

Something that doesn't have a definitive answer the moment Ji Sung words it. Suggesting hovering heavily over the three of us.

A game-changer.

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

"Are you going to be attending the court sentencing?" Jaebum asks, leaning back into the couch opposite my own, his hands sinking into his hair to ruffle the mussed strands, massaging at his scalp as he tilts back with a tired groan.

His words immediately draw Ji Sung to mind and the proposition he'd made yesterday. The words still drifting through my mind, being turned over and over at any given opportunity to sneak back to the forefront of my consciousness and thoughts and distract me.

Between us there's mounds of paperwork still cluttering the desk and at some point Jimin had left- for a break, heading to the centre to check on Amina and Kit Kat... though I don't doubt he's capitalising on the moment to snag (Y/N) away for some time too. That the break will end up so unintentionally occupying his time and keeping him busied from returning to the station any time soon.

Though when my eyes dart to the clock, watching with a brief flicker of alarm- it's already been hours since he'd left.

"It's in a few days." Jinyoung muses, his posture more slumped, half curled in on himself, the slow flutter of his blinks and the quieter rustle of pages still continuing as he works through the substantial pile in front of him.

"Aren't you testifying as a witness too?" I ask, palm grinding against my eyes, trying to force the weighted droop of them, breath shuddery and deep as I let myself sink against the couch.

There's two echoes of assent.

"But you're testifying as lead officer on the case too." Jaebum remarks, looking every bit as mentally overwhelmed by all the background searches we were running... the threat of the mole severely limiting just how many people we could entrust with sensitive data- especially since it all tied into a much larger, wider trafficking ring than any of us had initially realised.

"I've been in and out of meetings with Ji Sung and his team too." the main trio was the lion hybrid himself and two lawyers-a mated couple. A trio that I hadn't been able to entirely gauge so far. Formidable in their own right-disarmingly light and playful with one another in another light.

"If it's too much you know either of us can get the materials and stuff sorted for the sentencing."

And it doesn't miss my noticing, despite the soreness to my eyes, despite the fatigued slump of my body sinking back- I don't miss... forget rather that Jinyoung already knows Ji Sung and by the way JB's scent almost... softens... turns approving and strong and gentle somehow all at once- that at least some of their pack must be aware of Ji Sung... a personal connection to him.

And that in turn is in connection with (Y/N).

"How well do you know Ji Sung?" I question curiously, head tilting to appraise the two.

Maybe their answers could help me find my own.

"Well enough." Is about the most evasive and vague answer that still somehow bolsters confidence in me.

"How much is enough?"

"Enough to trust his instincts, his biology, his mind when it comes to hybrid cases. He's an expert."

His offer rings in my mind. "Just consider it Officer Kim. Think about it and let me know."

My body unconsciously straightens at the nonchalant trust in Jinyoung's words.

Mind briefly flickering to the memory of the two of them meeting- that there'd been friendliness and warmth there.

But as far as I knew... as Jimin knew... Ji Sung's files both professional and personal had been non-existent only until a few years ago. There'd been no indication of where he'd suddenly come from nor of that large entirety of his life that's cloaked in shadows and a data wipe that's erased a solid part of his life.

And yet still Jinyoung's faith and trust in him spoke masses.

"But there's no data on that."

There's a brief flicker of something startled before Jinyoung sinks into the seat further, ears folding at the tips before they perk and flicker. Fingers fiddling with the end of his tail, absently patting.

"Don't talk in circles Namjoon-ah... and I hope you're not so blatant in your interrogation techniques." JB grins, smile fangy at the corners of his mouth.

I snort at that, straightening up slightly to hold both their gazes, watching their postures still slumped and tired, unwavering and curious.

"Sharp aren't you Officer? I do know Ji Sung. I knew him before his data went through that mass data wipe."

"So... despite that... he's safe?" I hedge.

Because at the end of the day it didn't matter if Ji Sung was the most capable lawyer if it meant he could be any sort of risk or threat. Especially since (Y/N) told me about him in confidence, with trust. I wasn't going to betray that. And I especially wasn't going to put my mate in anywhere near proximity to him.

Not when she was so noticeably antsy. Not when it seemed to make her shrink even as she shared the name.

"He's safe Namjoon-ah. And we all know (Y/N) wouldn't have told you about him if she didn't trust him to do his job and to do it well."

"I never told you (Y/N) told me." surprised, ears flickering as they perk up.

"There's no way you'd have found him otherwise." there's such an assuredness in Jinyoung's words, in JB's eyes, that I know they know something.

That if it was some sort of bad blood or a case he'd been involved in that (Y/N) might've worked on as a caregiver- for whatever reason she didn't want to be personally involved.

And hearing them- knowing them, knowing her... that trepidation melts away. A loose contentment sinking into my bones as I slump more heavily into the couch.

"That's good." It's really, really good.

Trusting has become harder- trusting new people, especially more and more that get involved into this wider case that I don't personally know.

But sometimes a leap of faith is needed. Sometimes... sometimes trust is needed.

"So if he's considering a way to turn the tides of the case-"

"To a full blown storm?" JB finishes.

"Go for it." Jinyoung grins, the smile sharp and fanged.

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

"You're tired pup." The hand in my hair stills its slow, repetitive motions of carding through my hair and gently scratching at my scalp, long fingers entangled into now dry hair.

I tilt my head back in unspoken search and plea for the touch to continue.

But whilst his touch had been lulling the bubbling restlessness in my mind to quieten it threatens to rear up at the absence of it.

"I'm not." I mumble, tilting my cheek to press against hyung's lap, fingers absently tracing the outline of his leg, skimming over the thick fabric of the joggers he wears. Mapping out the creases in the fabric.

Because my mind and body are far from tired. A restless energy bubbling away under my skin, the itching sensation to move... to do something.

It's only the grounding touch of Jin's hand in my hair that keeps it from welling and spilling over. From turning into a pacing antsy ache.

Somehow the touch is grounding and firm but infinitely gentle.

"Not sleep wise. But you're tired. And when you're tired-you just need to clear your head. Get into a clearer headspace. But first you have to let it go blank."

"How?"

Knowing how perceptive and astute Jin hyung is, how under the laughs and the easy, unrestrained affection and teasing-Jin hyung is so extremely observant but still somehow I'm surprised at how easily he'd read it in my body language. Had gauged it so easily.

"It depends. This isn't the blankness you want from being putty under a mate. This is the type of blankness that lets you think." Words faintly teasing, his full lips curved into a generous, promising grin.

My skin flushes hot for a few seconds, a burning sear under his words, under his grinning lips and the mischief in his eyes.

"But what do you usually do when you want to clear your mind of thoughts?" Jin hyung questions, the quiet low murmur of his voice the only sound that fills the quiet of his nested space. His and Kook's bed sprawling and large and a veritable haven and paradise of scented blankets and pillows and cushions-every material, every pattern, every colour and texture thought out and intentional. Their placing even more so.

"I just-I just let my biology be."

"In herding? In being pup? Alpha?"

"In just... being wolf."

He muses the words for a while, turning them over in his head, fingers continuing their slow, lulling ministrations, a contented silence that blankets me in his words, in his presence, in the soft haven of vanilla and cotton.

There's an escape, a reprieve in this room-the natural lightness of their scents a balm to a restless achy want that I didn't know I needed until I'm curling further into the touch, until my fingers have skimmed past Jin hyung to absently brush against the thick duvets.

A low whine quiet and muffled at the back of my throat when Jin hyung's fingers tighten slightly, the grounding pressure making my limbs turn putty under his touch and then the slow raking drag of his nails scratching at my scalp, groaning as I tilt into the touch. Hand reaching back to guide his fingers closer, as if they'll flee any moment. As if even whilst they card through my hair, I already want more.

A soft quiet laugh and then the brush of lips against my temple, body curved as he leans down towards me, pressing a slow trail of kisses from my temple to my cheek. Letting each kiss linger, skin tingling and warm, before his lips move to leave another.

"I know I'm not a predator-that I don't have that same drive to hunt-but why don't you shift? And not... not at home... not just for comfort. Why don't you and the others-hunt? And just be every single instinct your biology craves at the moment?" hyung finally murmurs.

The words a quiet, curious observation, the suggestion both enticing and gentle.

Prompting.

Nudging me to clear my headspace by being outside. Being away from the nested comfort of the pack and just letting my other instincts reign- letting them be.

"You reckon?"

"You just say the word-and no doubt the others will pounce at the idea. Or... if you want to do the lone wolf thing hunting alone you can do that too. Although-"

His wings flutter, words trailing off with a mischievous thrum of anticipation. And he seems to catch the tread of footsteps that'd been noiseless to me, that had faded in the background that my own senses hadn't picked up on.

Mouth drying and tongue feeling heavy and uncoordinated when the door to the bedroom is pushed open, lungs constricting painfully tight at the unblocked, clean thick scent of cotton, at the sight of the tall, broad figure that lingers on the threshold of the door before passing through it. A wide easy grin curling his lips, my eyes dragging slowly-the calm ease suddenly plummeting into unfathomable depths of scorching blazing heat that sends fire licking up my spine. Gaze drinking in the sight of thick corded muscle and the trails of ink skimming over his shoulder upwards, his entire arm encased in the art. Bare save for the towel clad around his hips, suddenly feeling my skin feel tight, stretched taut over my limbs, over my flesh and bones. And a purely carnal want growls under my skin.

Eyes skimming feverishly over his skin because they don't know where to settle first, where to linger, raking over the taut definition of muscle, the breadth of his shoulders and chest and that impossibly tiny waist that my hands ache to grip in that instant, the towel slung low on his hips, hair dripping wet trails down his throat and collarbones, snaking down his skin, gleaming there.

"Although Jungkook-ah will definitely make you sweat for it. He makes you chase him if you want him." the words heavy with insinuation, watching with preening, gleaming satisfaction as his mate walks forward, an easy grin curling his lips, ears flopped-the contrast making me feel disoriented, breath sharp and static.

"Hyung... didn't know you were swiping away alpha hyungie." Words lilted, not knowing the way the term has my breath tightening in my throat.

A low stuttered breath tumbling past my lips as I watch him move into the room, the sight doesn't seem to leave Jin hyung unfazed-though he's seen him like this for years... and I realise not for the first time, definitely not for the last, that there will always be something viscerally sharp and gut-wrenching about my mates.

"Looked like he could do with some downtime didn't you pup?" words crooned softly, the quiet flutter-flap of his wings as he too watches Kook move towards the drawers, rifling for some clothes, an aggrieved, wounded sound of torment slipping past my lips when he lets the towel fall, bent over to draw his boxers up his legs, turning around with a rakish gleaming mischief in his eyes, ears perking slightly at the tips at the sound, slightly rising off damp hair.

"What kind of chase were you talking about?" leaning backwards, devastating in the near-entire bared glory of muscles and softer lines. The harsh contradiction makes my heart twist.

Committing the sight of his body to memory even if it's not the first time seeing him. Suddenly the loose contentedness in my limbs coil up and tighten with a thrumming restless itch to pounce. And his head tilts to look at me, looking as if he's far from minding whatever my scent and body and eyes betrayingly reveal to him.

"Something that lets the wolf out." Jin hyung grins wide and thrilled.

"To play?" shining brown eyes curiously looking at the two of us, his scent strong and fresh.

The words ripple past my lips, half growled, hoarse and thick.

"To hunt."

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

"You sure we'll be okay to hunt about shifted?" Yoongi hyung looks slightly sceptical, curious and excited by the prospect, but hesitant nonetheless.

And I know the area he used to live in, the felines, I know the neighbourhood they left wasn't the best or the most hybrid-friendly.

But this neighbourhood is secure, it's predominantly hybrid owned. And the previous neighbourhood-they might've not felt safe enough to shift in.

"It was never illegal. Besides hybrids own and live in most of the neighbourhood." Jimin says, eyes sparked with delight, tail swishing eagerly at the prospect of a hunting chase.

An indulgence for every primal wild instinct that demands the urge to hunt, chase and pin.

See the way the felines' tails curl and sway, Hobi's giving small wiggling swishes, ears twirling quickly, fangy grins.

"So you can chase to your heart and biology's content. There's not a need to hold back."

I meet Jin hyung's smile, feel my heart quicken at it, restlessness making my body feel jittery. Eager and impatient to rush through the large greenery that stretches out wide behind the complex building.

See his lips curve deeper when the thrum of excitement makes the others perk up, interest and want bleeding strongly into their scents.

"You don't have to. But it's more fun to hunt if there's more to chase."

"Hyungs' will never catch me." Kook says assuredly, a wide competitive, confident grin stretching his lips, nose scrunching when it triggers challenged rumbles and narrowing eyes, ears subconsciously pinning back slightly or perking stiff.

"Want to bet on that bun?" Tae grins, smile fangy and boxy.

In response Kook's ears perk up and from the angle he's standing at, from the place where I'm looking-I can see his cotton tail wiggle too.

"Bet."

"What're you all betting on? I'm putting my stakes on Koo~" (Y/N) lilts as she enters, hand still rubbing at her hair, towelling it dry, looking cosy and comfortable-clad in one of the largely oversized pyjama tops I know she brought with her. There's the faintest ghost of a scent still lingering to it; the pine wood scent that belongs to Eunwoo.

And I watch as her ears flicker and twist at the sudden silence. Somehow damning and thick and suffocating.

Doe eyes blinking up and posture stilling, eyes reading the room and her fingers curling tight into the towel she clutches in a curling fist.

"It can't have been bad if it was bets, if it was Koo winning so why the faces?"

Curious and slightly uncertain and lost.

"On whether Kookie could outrun us." Hobi murmurs, though the sparking thrill in his eyes has slightly quietened, the tips of his ears folding slightly.

Almost unconsciously bracing himself.

But her scent brightens and she beams-lips curling up, face aglow with unwavering pride and certainty.

"Oh Koo for sure. He'd outrace you in a heartbeat. All the predators, the pack!" eyes sparkling, head tilting to look at Kook who grins back at her, toothy and wide, ears all proudly perked.

Moving to drift towards him, lips pressing to his jaw to kiss him, nuzzling gently and leaning back into the welcoming cradle of his arms as she continues to towel at her hair. But a stiffness has entered my body, a sense of guilt that makes my stomach plummet as everyone's gazes turn to her.

"We were going to... hunt." I hedge carefully. The words threatening to sour on my tongue, watching carefully, intently for her reaction, for the change in her scent.

There's the sudden stillness the words seem to trigger before her scent takes a dip, turning wilted before her smile curls again. Trembling at the corners but then it strengthens. Grows. And she tilts her head back to peer at Kook's ears that droop and fold. The first one to have caught the change in her scent and the one to catch it the most accurately-the second her pheromones turned wilted, her scent betraying how much she wants too.

Gently tugging at the tip of one flopped ear.

"So go hunt. Do you intend to hunt looking like scolded pups and kits?" voice gently teasing, a faint glimmer in her eyes but her scent with her words softens, sweetens out again.

"But..." Tae's face looks stricken, expression making his eyes wide and soft and apologetic, tail wilted.

"Don't look like that cub. I don't feel up for a hunt." She brushes off easily, words softer and lilted. Murmured quietly.

"Neither am I~ does that mean you're all mine chickie?" Jin hyung's words are soft and fond and eyes affectionately and deep.

Wings fluttering quietly, the rustling flap motion of them drawing her eyes to him.

Softening her scent with a genuineness as she looks at Jin hyung.

Words lighter.

Scent even more so.

"All yours... you guys can go. It's not fair to not be able to do what you want-I'd feel worse if you stop living as you have been, if you hold yourself back, just because of me."

"(Y/N)..." Jimin begins, voice soft but no way gone unheard, its quietness seeming to ring in the general hushedness that's fallen over the living room.

"If that's pity Jimin-ah then cut it out. I don't need it. From anyone and the last thing I want, the last thing I ever want is to feel like a burden to anyone. And that includes making you feel bad for just living normally."

Words irrefutable, a steel sharp strength in her gaze that dares our scents to plummet, our faces to express guilt-for any of that lingering tight antsy feeling to resonate any longer.

And then (Y/N)'s doe eyes sparkle. Warm and soft and encouraging.

"So go hunt. And Kook-outrun every single one of them."

Her smile turns more and more genuine.

And her eyes shine as she looks up at Kookie-watching as he tilts his head to her, to nudge his nose against hers, lips pressing a fleeting, quick kiss to her lips.

"Done deal my doe."

"You sure-" I hedge one final time, watching as she ushers us out; almost forcefully to get us to leave, her eyes flashing with challenge.

"Namjoon go be a wolf... or so help me." Eyes rolling heavenwards, a more stronger nudge as she looks at the rest of us towards bedrooms; to tug off our clothes and shift.

"Listen to her pup~ you're capitalising on my time with chickie." Voice teasing and nudging, watching with a grin as Tae has already begun to tug off clothes, eagerly trying to swipe for the other maknaes. A loud chuff rumbling as he manages to snag Kookie forward, tries to teasingly swipe at Minnie's tail.

Their excitement is infectious. And in turn (Y/N)'s smile deepens, a wide indulgent grin as she watches them, her own tail flicking slightly, ears perked and eyes shining.

Her scent a strong floral sweetness.

Smile fond as Hobi's the first to shift and pad forward, loud yowls as he paws at her calves, making grabby paws at her, unfurling and stretching-eager to be scooped, ears twirling as he nudges his cheek to hers, scenting her, a fangy proud smug expression visible as he watches the rest of us. Eyes bright and glowing with satisfaction, head curved to rest against her shoulder, tail wiggling and swishing.

It's a quick flurry then-the rush of the others shifting to circle around Jin hyung and (Y/N), scenting and getting lazy pets, scents blooming with contentedness, eyes impatiently watching me.

A grin finally curving at my lips-natural and at ease.

"Waiting for me?"

There's a flurry of chirped, yowled, chuffed and rumbled assent-impatiently padding about and circling, starting intently at me.

And (Y/N)'s eyes are bright with laughter, the curve of her lips amused.

"Kim Namjoon I swear if you don't get naked right now-"

"Bossy bossy."

"Looks like you like giving orders pup."

"Looks like you're going to learn how to take them."

[......]

The best thing about a hunt is you never know from where you could get pounced on. From where someone will veer in or suddenly leap and cut through air quick and tackle, a sprawl of fur and limbs, snapping fangs and the triumphant bubbling sense of giddiness and thrill, the loud thudding echo of each other's heartbeats melding together, in uneven rhythm.

There's the ripple of cold, cold air brushing through fur, the way the night's silence is shattered by the loud triumphant rumbles, my body twisting, hunching down lower, watching as a blur of orange is seized between large black paws, head dipping to snap playfully at Jimin's throat, a frustrated, whining chirp rippling past rumbled purring satisfaction.

And being outside-I can taste the scent of winter in the air, can taste its cold crispness, nose picking up the way the season smells. The way winter tastes to my senses, to my heightened senses now that I've shifted. Everything smells different-somehow impossibly more intense. It's cold and sharp and at this moment, within this moment imbued with the scent of my mates. Rich strong scents broadcasting their own giddy thrill, betraying their closeness even if their steps and movements are noiseless treads until they pounce.

The scent of rich citrus and berries entangled with nutty caramel and mint. Intertwined with forest dew and cotton. My eyes skim across the surroundings-trying to pin down the errant, dashy bun.

Where's bun?

It's intoxicating.

And it's in the cold crisp winter air that I feel brushing through my fur, carding through it with chilly sweeping gusts that makes my heart thud louder, its pounding pulse echoing in my ears that my body pushes forward, limbs coiling to hunch down before leaping forward in large bounding strides, rushing forward, paws almost slipping with haste, fumbling across the crunch of grass underfoot.

Rushing towards the blur of orange and black stripes, watching the large mass of fur and muscle ripple as Tae pounces forward, rolling over in his rush, a twisting, barrelling circle-the scent of strawberries sticky sweet as a stream of chuffs ripple through the air-shattering the night with the rumbling reverberations of his giddiness. Entangled with softer but deep purrs, the dark coat of Yoongi's fur almost lost in the night. Blending seamlessly with the winter darkness.

Nose nudging along fur, rumbling as I curve over the curled up tiger before he sprawls-twisting to lie on his back, tummy bared, white fur warm and his body rumbling with louder chuffs when I nose along to scent the berry-sweet pheromones and layer them with my own. Head ducking to curve closer to him-something indulgent and satiating to my biology for Tae as the physically larger apex predator twisted and baring his stomach in trust. Something about leaning down to nuzzle at him, at my cub, my pup. Fangs nipping at him, the delighted curl, swish of his tail before large paws swipe for me, trying to gather me to him. The sound of large paws against the ground, frost under fur before he gives chase when I duck away.

And even as Tae gives chase, even as I rush away, body moving seamlessly and quick-rippling movements where biology pushes. Recognising the thrumming excitement of a hunt, of a chase-of something that's far from gentle or slow; fangs snapping at one another, playfully tussling and nipping, trying to bite.

There's the sudden feeling of air being knocked from my lungs, a startled whined yelp as the world tumbles with me, rolling around, the sudden weight of a paw pressing at my stomach, keeping me still and the triumph in gleaming dark eyes as a panther looms over me, fangs pooled over and snapping at air before he rumbles in warning and victory both, head ducking to nip and bite. The sharp press of large fangs at my throat, the ripple of a loud, deep rumble and the sound makes my body sag. Go loose. Limp. Whining low in the back of my throat, body pinned under the weighted sprawl of the panther looming over me, fangs leaving a trail of nips-paws keeping me still and trapped under him and the satisfied curl of his tail behind him.

This close I can see the rich gloss of his black fur, can see the subtler difference in shade of his fur, a rich black that slightly turns into darkest brown. Can see how his eyes glow.

And it's only after the scent of citrus has sunk past fur, fused with my own does he relent, leaning back, paws nudging at me-nudging me to find the others. The scent of caramel clinging to him.

A preening panther in his own right.

But there's no scent of cotton on him.

Neither was there on Tae.

And neither is there any on the tussling entangled limbs of the caracal and fox snapping fangs at each other, twisting on the grass-loud yowls and chirps; vocal in their tussle and their scents pooled with a rich intensity. The tussle brought to an abrupt end when Tae chuffs and barrels forward, head ducking to try scoop the nearest mate-chuffing loud and delighted when he rises. A mate scooped by the scruff of his neck, baleful, loud mourning chirps and wiggling paws, tail swishing.

And a sharp glint in Hobi's eyes, ears twirling as he contemplates and sizes me up, eyes dragging slowly. Purposely provoking and waiting...waiting.

And just at the moment I lunge forward he darts away, tail wiggling swishing and body quickly bounding away. Quickly rushing away both in escape and in hunt himself.

But it's soon that I realise that not only has he provoked me to chase him-instincts howling as the sound ripples in my throat, loud and declaring the start of this chase, that I realise on him the faintest ghost of cotton lingers. Almost lost in the cold air, almost lost by the amalgamation of scents that cling to Hobi's fur.

Not only does Hobi prompt a chase as I dash after him, but he in turn is intent on hunting, chasing down the quick flitting blur of brown fur that whizzes around, rushing away from where Tae's seemingly pawing at the ground and trotting around-trying to find a suitable spot to settle with his scooped mate prize. Who continues to chirp loud and affronted, wounded, betrayed loud chirped dismay.

Slipping away from the quiet, almost purposely vague prowl of the panther.

Koo's scent lingers in the air and threatens to vanish alongside it.

Sneaky bun.

His words still ringing in my ears-howls rippling louder.

I'll outrun you all.

And it seems as if tonight, as if in this chase, he holds his words to the highest, truest regard, the taunting wiggle of his cotton tail as he stills- head twisting to watch Hobi grow larger and larger as he approaches before his ears perk and he dashes off again.

Silent and noiseless in his victory, in his escape.

And even when he is caught-it's because he's been waiting... sitting with folded paws and flopped ears and nose snuffling and twitching. Catching the scents in the air long before we even get close.

And looking for all the world as if he'd tired of being too fast-ears perking when he spots Hobi rush forward, yowling in both greeting and eagerness.

The first to reach him, fangs nipping at his ears until they flop, nose twitching and cotton tail wiggling, coming to still-no longer dashing away.

Pawing at Hobi and trying to clamber onto him, trying to nudge him back and sprawling contentedly over him, nuzzling and scenting, grooming along twirling ears with snuffling boops.

Weight settling onto Hobi's back, bun sprawled over Hobi's slightly larger form. Head dropped over to chin at him, scenting and ears flopping around his face.

Bunnies aren't as vocal but there's no mistaking the lazy slowness in his motions nor any mistaking the thorough intent in the repetitive motions, snuffling at the back of Hobi's ears, small face scrunching at the rumbly yowled purrs his scenting elicits.

The scents of the others following the chase, following the hunting for one another are strong and rich. Intense.

And it's not until the others pad over, Minnie's tail swishing and poofy. Bristling at being caught so much... the two large felines-tails swishing and proud, preening predators... it's not until I can finally count them all, herding instincts shepherding them back towards the apartment block.

It's only then-that somewhere through the fog of deep satiated biological instinct that I reach out unconsciously. And pause. Staring at my paw.

Staring at the door.

Pawing at the door with a soft whine when I realise there's no way to get back in.

Jin had been there, wings rustling and flapping, eyes and smile bright and watching us spill out the back entrance. Larger and wider. Accommodating for shifted hybrids.

But how to get back in?

But it seems like Jin was waiting because a few minutes later the door's pushed open and the quiet rustle of his wings makes my ears perk, head rising to see him stepping aside- watching us pad in, brushing against his side in thanks, nudging him along once the others have gone in.

See the way his smile is lined with the faint, faint crease of sleep. Nose catching the sweet heavy scent of anise on every inch of him. The vanilla nearly entirely lost.

Fingers scratching at the base of my ears as Jin hyung follows me back towards the wide, wide lifts.

The same tight press of bodies herded close, playfully nipping at one another-crowded into the space. Where we'd spilled out in a rush before-everyone's curled closer.

Tired out and exhilarated and settled-a mix of responses and scents.

And the moment he unlocks the first door there's a blurred rush of fur as everyone dashes.

It's clear in the frantic rush it's to get to (Y/N) first.

Whether that's to capitalise her nest, her scent, her space, or her I don't know which specific to label.

But there's a want for the anise that clings to Jin hyung.

And he catches my eyes-a playful gleam as his lips curl into a deep smile.

Nudging me towards the rooms, lingering in the hallway himself.

"I'm not telling you where she is." He lilts with a playful hum, wings flapping and fluttering, tucking more securely against his back.

A whine rumbles low, pawing at the floor, peering up at him with wide baleful eyes.

A quiet laugh.

"Pup eyes won't work Joon-ah... can't track her scent? Or~ will the others have you beat?"

A rippled rough bark tumbles past my clenched jowls and his laugh grows louder. Feathers rustling.

"Go on then pup~ try have the others beat."

Watching me as I rush off. Paws quieter, muffled against the carpet.

And the quiet flutter of his wings and the warm rich depth of his laugh making my ears flicker.

[......]

I nudge the door open quietly, tread noiseless, hand quietly nudging the door close to shut once as I slip into the room. Finally having pinpointed the scent of anise to its source.

Watch the scooped, curled circled bun burrowed against her neck, trying to tuck himself as physically close to her as he can. Watch and realise that Hobi and Minnie must've tried to burrow under the large pyjama top, and no-one had won that muffled chirping-yowling argument, the two of them draped across her front from either side.

Heads curled together, noses nudged to one another, ears flickering and twirling even in sleep-the occasional twitch to them, paws resting on (Y/N).

And a space between (Y/N)'s body and three tucked shifted mates and the rest of the bed stretching out. Quietly clambering into bed, slipping under the blankets, warm and soft against bare skin as I slot close to (Y/N)'s side.

Eyes skimming over how her face has smoothened out with sleep, the faint furrows that'd been making her expression unsettled, wanting eased out.

But that doesn't erase the image from mind.

Nor does it burn the scent of her decaying, wilted scent from memory.

And as I look at her, easing closer, lips pressing to the curve of her shoulder, I remember Ji Sung's offer. I remember his words, the vengeful promise his words held.

The promise, the offer, the weight of his words don't seem as burdensome and stifling and suffocating. They hold instead the offer to lift the threat, to help ease the burden on my pack, on my family.

To end this one and for all.

And to get the traffickers at whatever cost necessary.

"Do you like playing games Officers Kim... Park?"

Eyes gleaming sharp and hungry, smile prickly around the edges. The flash of fangs and the perked stiffness of his ears all feeding into the posturing lion's aura.

"You see... I play to win. And if that means I play dirty, if that means I use the rulebook against my opponent-well then..."

There's a sense of unease and apprehension and curiosity.

"We don't like the circling around Ji Sung-ssi, so why don't you tell us what you mean by it?" Jimin's voice is contemplating, firm.

"Take it public. Take this case public."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning... make this court case public. Let the public push this case forward. They've gone on so far-because they've had that advantage of doing it all hiddenly. So expose them. Let me take the motion to make this a public case."

It was a gamble.

But one I felt more confident in securing. One that I wanted to do.

And the hunt from earlier had set it clearly-instincts, mind and biology feeling coherent and in sync with one another.

Something about his words rang clearer now.

And as I look at (Y/N) remembering the faint decay of her scent, the way her expression had fallen before she'd composed herself. That silent, unspoken dip of her contentment and the way the spark in her eyes had-dulled.

And even if she didn't say-the months were beginning to wear at her. Even if there was pack-she was confined to one space. Unable to move freely beyond work and home. Unable to be with her packmates, unable to live the life she'd had before it'd come crashing down.

And as I look at her I think of the letters-the threats. The challenges, the taunts to the safety of my mate. That despite everything-despite being in protective custody, despite being compelled to live a restrained life... someone out there dared and threatened and claimed an ownership over (Y/N).

And to see her live free, to see her free from it all, to see her truly and wholly happy... it was a game I was ready to play.

A game-a hunt.

One I had every intent of sinking my jowls into and tearing wide open.

KOOK POV:

I feel the nudge of a hand, batting at it with a frustrated, sleepy groan, curling further into the warmth of the body my arms are wrapped around, burrowing deeper and further into the scent of sleep-laced anise. Weighted and foggy. Drowsy.

"I'm just trying to cover you." a laugh warm with laughter, a low rasp of it. Tone thick and heavy.

"Trying to steal my spot." I mumble, burrowing further into (Y/N), nose burrowing into her hair, ears drooping when fingers squeeze my nape, laugh warm and low. Words and laughter sleep-laced. A rasp.

"Don't think I can fight off the muscles." Teasing and light.

"Not gonna let you-" I mumble, words incoherent and syllables slurring together.

Hand skimming lower, finding the hem of the large tee and delving under to rest directly against warm, soft skin. A soft breathy sigh exhaled into skin and hair, leg worming its way to slot between hers.

A looser ease unwinding my limbs further, sleep and the faint scent haze dragging me further into their depths.

Eyes blinking open, albeit reluctant still, when lips press to one flopped ear, fingers gently rubbing and smoothening over the fur and then to my temple.

Eyes bright and alert, far too early for the hour. Far too early when everything else is still.

Head tilting to blink up-the sight of hyung blurring in and out of focus, wavering and shifting.

"Where are you going?"

"Got an early class Kook-ah. Then I'm taking Jin hyung on a date if you'd spare me him." lips curled with an indulgent smile. All pretty heart-shaped and fangs peeking.

"Hyung doesn't do morning dates-s too early." I mumble, body drooping under the slow rubs of his fingers skimming over my ear, sinking into my hair.

"It won't be early then-help hyung-ah and wake him up for me?"

I tilt my head in askance, rewarded by the sweep of his nose against my jaw, the slow nuzzling touch and the line of soft nips he presses to skin. Lips lingering at my cheek, a soft faint purr rumbling.

Scenting me slowly.

"Don't need to woo me? Just hyung?"

A soft laugh.

"Oh Kook-ah... hyung will pull out all the stops when it comes to you-but... let's leave that for when you wake... besides don't say I said~ but... Jimin-ah's already got plans." Words hushed, the flopped ear that's closest to him perking up with interest before a faint nibble and gentle tug has it drooping again.

Cotton tail giving a small wiggle.

"Really?"

He gives a conspirator shush before giving me a playful smile. Lips pecking the tip of my nose before he draws back, his hand smoothening over (Y/N), drawing the blanket further over the two of us, lips pressing a kiss to her cheek too and nuzzling.

Eyes lingering for a few more seconds longer before he carefully draws back.

And it's only as I lean back to curl into (Y/N) again that I see that there's a curled up fox in her arms, burrowed against her front, nose tucked to a gland.

That at some point Jiminie had shuffled closer, or been scooped and settled there by Hobi hyung.

And though the source of sweet nutty caramel itself leaves, hyung's sugary warmth remains. Lingering long after the door's quietly eased shut, longer after that slight dip in the bed is eased out as he draws back, long after my eyes flutter and I sink into the haze of sleep and pheromones again.

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

"Don't you look pretty my swan?" (Y/N) lilts, smoothening her hands over his shoulders, her ears perked and eyes aglow as she takes him in.

"I'm not always pretty?" he challenges with a familiar glint in his gaze, full lips curved into a generous grin.

"You're always pretty." She amends, scent pooling with amusement.

"Except today there's something particularly irresistible." She praises, watching with no less fondness and tease in her gaze as the tips of his ears pinken, flushing with colour, wings flapping behind him, fluttering and rustling feathers as they busy themselves.

"Oh? What's that?" I add, peering over her shoulder, meeting Jin hyung's gaze with a wide grin. Watching the faint flushed heat tinge his expression, even if his eyes meet hers.

Almost devotedly. Holding onto her every word and ears flushing deeper in response.

"Just... can't take my eyes off you swan prince. I'm jealous Hobi got to know you all those years during university-if I'd had a swan or feline like the two of you~ you can bet I would've swooned into your arms." She laughs, the sound warm and rich and so, so vibrant.

"You can still swoon now. I'll catch you."

"Charming me prince?"

"Anything for you princess." My nose catching that very exact instant her scent blooms with flushed affection, the faint colour to her cheeks as he stares at her earnestly and intense. Dark eyes captivating.

His gaze isn't even directed to me but there's something about it just makes a familiar tingling flutter of butterflies threaten to swarm-particularly because it's just him. Jin.

My arms wrap around her, weight pressing to her back, leaning over her shoulder to peer at Jin hyung, watching as he stills under our gazes, though his wings continue to flutter.

"She's right~ pink looks good on you hyung. Pretty pink prince." Echoing her words.

"Aish-cut the charming and flirting, I can't handle multiple mates all trying to woo me all at once." Hands flitting up to press the back of his hands to his cheeks-even if they aren't the ones that are pink.

The white of his tee clings to the breadth of his shoulders, as does the pink of the cardigan-wings flapping with shyness as he lets his gaze slip away, easily slotted through the wing cuts in his clothes. His hands reach for (Y/N), tugging her closer.

And with her, I follow.

Unwilling to relent the warmth of her body. To move away from the fog of anise that makes my senses buzz.

"I think it's fair if the tables are turned every now and then hyung. So we can send you all pretty pink to your date with Hobi hyung."

"Where are you going?" (Y/N) adds-head tilting to shoot me a smile, hands entangled with Jin hyung's, drawn forward one step at a time.

"There was this really nice brunch place next to the studio he used to practice at." Sharing the titbit of information with a fluttering happiness that bleeds into every crevice and inch of his body, pools into his smile. And somehow-somehow makes the vanilla scent sweeten.

"Hyung's been holding out on us it seems pretty baby." I murmur, unconsciously nuzzling into her, chin rubbing across her shoulder, thoroughly intent to layer my cotton scent with her floral-even if it's beyond skin deep, to add some more.

Instincts preening and so so satiated by the knowledge that my scent's buried into skin, fused with hers.

"I'll take you both." He promises, head dipping as he raises their intertwined hands to brush his lips across her knuckles, tugging her closer and closer until he's wrapping his arms around her, until her own wind around his waist.

And she's tucked between the two of us, hyung's wings flapping and flaring out wide before curving, winding to snag the two of us between them. To keep us tucked within their cradling hold, his eyes bright with affection. Glittering brown eyes skimming over her and then at me draped across her back.

"Is that a promise?"

"Of course-don't you think it's my life's goal to see how pretty pink I can make our fawn flush?" he lilts, head dipping to press a smattering trail of kisses. A tender press of his lips to her forehead, to the tip of her nose, to slotting their lips together, a soft appreciative groan at the taste of her mouth chased by his own.

"Not nowhere near how much I want to see just how else I can make my swan prince fluster." (Y/N) murmurs against his lips, hands skimming up to cup his cheeks, withholding that small slither of a distance as he tries to close the distance between the two of them, trying to chase her lips, chase the rosy pink of her curled mouth.

"Won't give me a kiss for luck?" he lilts, trying to coax her to let him press nearer, her fingers sweeping over his cheeks.

"Luck for what? You've got us all wrapped around your little finger anyways-who wouldn't be?" half teasing, half playful, all flirty warmth.

"Just give me a kiss chickie." A huffed, pouted demand before he lunges forward, almost knocking her back into me with eager grinning haste and wings curving further to tuck us to him, my hands squeezing her waist as she laughs, head tilted back and Jin hyung curving closer, eyes glittering before he kisses her with a bruising intensity that leaves her breathless, lips swollen and eyes bright.

The same crackling intensity as his hand curls against my nape, the other entangling with where mine rests on (Y/N)'s waist, grinning against my lips-tasting the sweet anise of her branded to his mouth, shared with me indulgent and thorough.

Looking thoroughly pleased at leaving the two of us with a claim of his own still lingering on our lips, mouths tingling with the weighted pressure of his even as he draws back. But he doesn't look any less dazed, eyes darker, wings fluttering and flapping as they draw back, rearing back to stretch and splay wide. Proud and regal.

"Bakery's closed today for the stock to come through." He murmurs, eyes glittering.

"Is that the reason or are you abusing your power as the boss?" eyes narrowing at him.

My hands snag at her, tugging her back, lips pressing to one perked ear then the other.

Playfully nipping-feeling the soft flicker of her ears. Feel them twist slightly.

"I am." I state.

Watching as doe eyes peer at me.

"You have a day off... so why shouldn't I?"

Her lips curl.

"Taking advantage of all the predators being out?"

"You bet... and you my curvy bun I have grand plans for." I announce.

Shooing Jin hyung away with a grin, watching as he lingers despite being all dressed up for his date with Hobi hyung.

Gaze lingering on the two of us.

"Maybe I should..." words lingering in the air but it tugs out a bubble of laughter, staring hard and incredulously at him, tugging (Y/N) further into my arms and half-twisting so she's turned away from him.

"She's all mine. Go hyung!"

Wings flapping in indignation.

"Hey! Now you're getting rid of me!"

"I am."

Ignoring the splutters with a grin that's pressed into (Y/N)'s neck, pressing my lips to her gland; tasting the way her pheromones bloom with a sweetness that belies her amusement.

All mine.

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

"Your hair's really soft." I murmur, fingers brushing through near-dry strands. Fingers skimming across her nape, settling there, squeezing gently before my fingers trail a fraction lower, circling around the vivid red bite mark there.

Smiling when her body shudders reflexively before sagging, limbs going loose, head drooping forward to bare the bite, hidden slightly by my fingers, by the way her hair rests over her shoulders and neck.

"You're soft too." lips curling into a deeper curve, head dipping forward to press a kiss to the back of her hair. Unable to help burrowing closer, nose scrunching and twitching as I nuzzle into her crown, her scent strong, stronger than the light fruity blend of the shampoo.

Head tucking over hers, chin against the crown, rubbing back and forth, a tingly warm sensation of being cocooned by her scent whilst my arms wrap around her, tucking her against my chest, my own to her back, fingers skimming up and down her side, relishing in the shivers they elicit, the slightest arch to her back.

"I'm in good hands." She murmurs finally, in soft spoken response, head tilting to the side as a hand skims up her arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake as she tilts back, fingers curling to grip at my wrist.

"I make you soft soft?" I ask with a pleased smile.

Her head tilts, brushing a kiss across my jaw.

"Softest for my pretty bun."

"Will you let me choose your clothes then? To keep you extra soft?"

Her eyes gleam-rich and inviting.

"Depends... do we get to raid everyone's wardrobes?"

"Of course."

"Then lead the way Koo."

[......]

The amalgamation of scents that cling to both our bodies is a floaty lulling entangled mix of scents that must carry the entire pack-transferring that instinctual claim onto our skin.

There's something heady about the scent of pack overridden slightly by the sweet, fresh tendrils of floral notes that bloom in (Y/N)'s wake, trailing after her to the far end of the apartment.

This living room is less used.

But because of that-it's unspoken but it's somehow become a space I've come to hoard for us.

The scents in this room are considerably lighter.

The scents int his room are distinguishably just mine, Jin hyung's and (Y/N)'s. No-one else's lingering, no one else having that claim of this space as unofficially a nest that we've kept for just preys. Preys and Jin hyung.

And the veritable heaven of soft materials, of soft scents, of something that in this moment is just ours again makes my instincts roll around in giddy.

But my body hastens to catch up to (Y/N), to press into the direct source of the sweet floral scent, to burrow into her neck and nuzzle into her gland.

Fingers skimming briefly over dried hair, soft under my touch before my arms wind around her to snag her back to me, whirling her around-ears going pop at the sound of pure delight in her laugh and my name spilling off her lips. Entangled together.

"Koo!"

Turning to face me the moment I set her down, her steps light, arms looping around my neck to tug me closer, her giddiness infectious with how it seems to pour off her in strong waves of her pheromones; broadcasting just how she feels.

It feels different too.

It feels like her scent's never been this light, this bubbly and free- pheromones pumping out her contentment as her nose nudges to mine, mouth slotting to mine for a slow, unrushed kiss that steals the breath from my lungs, that makes my pulse quicken and my skin buzz for her, hands gathering her closer. Skimming impatiently over the lines and curves of her body, restless and not sure where to rest until they settle for a hand sinking into her hair to cradle the back of her head and the other the low of her spine, fingers sprawled over the curve of her backside, a brief teasing squeeze as she arches into the touch, a soft quiet exhale against my lips... the only warning before her teeth sink into my bottom lip in a sharp nip. Retribution as I hiss against her mouth before my lips surge forward, bruising and harder, lips melded together, intimately acquainted with how the other's feels branded against our own.

"Yes baby?"

"I like kissing you." she says, surprising me by a teasing brush of her lips against my own, tongue sweeping over my bottom lip, her hands skimming across my shoulders, fingers sinking into the hair at my nape, brushing through waves.

"Only liking? Got to kiss you until you love it then." I tease, nose rubbing against hers, fingers curling into her curves, hand sprawling heavier to tug her into me, brushing featherlight circles into her scalp before letting them skim lower. Enjoying... delighting in the way I can feel her spine arch, body shuddering with sensitivity at the new bite, fingers slowly circling the exact slither of skin that bears the permanent claim of fangs sunk deep.

Feeling that exact moment the teasing skimming trail of my fingertips finally brush against the tender-still bite, feeling the moment the touch instinctively causes a wobble to her legs, feel the tremor in her legs from how close the two of us are pressed.

And that scent-soft and sweet tendrils that entangle around my senses and just tug, tug them closer, gaze dropping to linger at the plush, slightly swollen fullness of her lips, snagging them into a bruising kiss, steadying the wobble of her body with the encasing press of my arms snaring her, cradling her tenderly.

Hand slipping under to delve under the large loose t-shirt that bears in its well-worn fabric the scents of both forest dew and citrus. The shirt stretched, the fabric smoothened by use. The lettering at the centre almost a branding claim despite the two of them not being here.

"I love your kisses." She amends.

"Too late-I won't be convinced until you say that after I've kissed you at least a dozen times... got to make sure you mean it." I grin.

She muses the words, head tilting back slightly to appraise me, to run curious, glinting doe eyes over my face.

"What if I'm not convinced a dozen kisses later?"

"Guess I'll keep adding to them until you do~"

Lips fleetingly skimming over hers.

"One." She counts in a hushed whisper.

My skin buzzes. Grin widening as I tug her impossibly closer, hand heavy against her back, dragging across her spine, inching upwards, body curved.

Gravitated towards one another.

My teeth playfully nip at her bottom lip, nibbling gently.

"Oh baby... that's not a kiss."

Head angled to hers, mouth chasing hers with the thorough intent of show her exactly what a kiss is.

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

There's an uncharacteristic air of nervousness that clogs the air. Saturates it with fretting worry, the air taut with tension, eyes skimming over the main two sources of the scent change to the pack.

A sharp, stark cry from the warm weight of how settled the pack has been-a new level of comfort and intimacy that's settled, growing deeper and heavier like the warm weight of a thick blanket-sheltering and shielding from the winter. Cocooning us in it. The world seems so entirely distant from pack.

But right now it's bled through the faint crevices, slithers of cold air worming through the warmest, tightest defences.

I watch as Joon hyung stands, the tall towering broad height of his body seeming suddenly too large for the space, the air around him crackling with pheromones as he scrubs at the dishes, lost in thought, repetitively washing the same plate for the third time now. Mind far away from the present and he's lost to it.

Watch as his posture thrums with a brimming energy that in this moment isn't being cleared by the repetitive, slow motion of doing the dishes, ears pinned back with a sharp defensiveness. Tail not thumping happy like it always does.

Behind me I feel a hand settle at the low of my back.

Feel a head settle over my shoulder and the low quiet rumble of hyung's voice press against my back.

"He's thinking hard."

I twist slightly to peer at Tae hyung, see his face settled with a seriousness and contemplation that only makes my instincts thrum nervously in response.

Unsettled by the unease that seems to permeate the air and threaten to settle into every crevice of the space.

"He was fine yesterday and the day before." I mumble, ears folding and drooping heavier as Joon hyung's scent continues to broadcast how deeply he's thinking, how lost he is in his own mind.

"Jiminie's the same. Smells all sharp." Ears folding further, drooping heavier against my head, a gentle tug to them doing nothing to ease the tightness locking my spine, the fretting restlessness that makes my body feel jittery and unable to sit still.

It's Tae's arms snagging at me, pressing closer to me, trying to ease the jittery sense that makes me still in the slightest, but I can feel the cagey press of my body closing in on myself, pressing into limbs and skin, instincts feeling tightly coiled and antsy just by looking at the two of them.

"Think it's work?" he murmurs, voice close to my ear, lips pressing a gentle lingering kiss to the shell of my ear, then another to my hair.

I watch, dithering restlessly at the edge of the living room-not broaching the space into the kitchen, when hyung slips past me, the curl and sway of a black tail slow and his motions both gentle and guiding.

Gently tugging the plate from Joon hyung's grip. Which proves to be harder than imagined, fingers reflexively tightening, curling as a growl ripples in his throat before hyung's body sags.

Seeming to sink back into his body, tugged back from his wandering mind by hyung's low voice, hands still carefully easing the plate from his hands; body a slight distance away from Joon hyung's-trying to ease him into the bristly energy that thrums around hyung.

"I'm sorry Yoongi hyung I didn't mean to-" words heavy with apology, ears no longer pinned back, but rather folding over, head ducking in apology-a chagrined pup that shrinks slightly.

A big pup that looks wide eyed and guilty for growling.

Not having registered him at first.

"I think the plate's been polished now pup. Why don't you let hyung-ah finish up?" voice quiet, dipping lower still as his tail gently wraps around a lax wrist to ease him away from the sink.

"No it's-"

"Won't let hyung?" lips curled gently at the corners, posture soft, soft and so is his scent and so is the quiet low timbre of his voice and it makes Joon hyung sag, though he doesn't take more than a few steps from hyung's side, wrist still held by Yoongi hyung's tail.

But there's something inexplicably calming about Yoongi hyung-that seeing him steer Joon hyung to the side, his own citrusy scent a balming brush of pheromones against the sharper, cloying scent of waterlogged earth.

"What about Jiminie?" I ask plaintively, a bit of the tension easing out my posture as I watch Yoongi hyung's calming demeanour ease away the tension bit by bit that makes Joon hyung all restless.

"Hobi hyung and Jin hyungie have got him. But he's so pacey."

Threatening to wear holes into the carpet, tail sagged limp.

But where's (Y/N)?

"You don't think it's another-"

Tae shakes his head quick, the curl and sway of his tail quickening as if to echo the agreement, words vehement and firm.

"They were happy yesterday..." I murmur quietly, words trailing off.

Not sure what's brought the sudden shift on-but all I know with a firm unwavering certainty is that I want to make sure (Y/N)'s okay. That she's not caught up in this.

I move to disengage myself from Tae, his hands lingering, a soft quiet sound of protest before he plasters himself heavier against me.

"I'm going to go find (Y/N)."

His fingers only curl tighter into my waist, hands tugging me upright and half-steering me down the hallway.

"Let's go."

[......]

We track her down to Yoongi hyung's studio, curled up on the beanbags-entirely content, curled up with headphones slotted over her ears, though her doe ears flicker as she registers the sound of the door opening, to the quiet tread, head drifting from the book she'd been reading, eyes flickering over the two of us.

The corners of her lips lifting, curling into a warm smile.

Pausing in her reading.

A new manhwa, still cradling it painstakingly gentle, the spine unbent, and the pages clutched at with the tip of her fingertips.

"Reading new manhwas without us?" I ask with a grin, Tae's expression scandalised and wide with surprise, eyes wide before they settle on the book in her hands.

Narrow into feline slits.

"I haven't finished the last one yet!"

"Sorry cub~ guess you can't read with me."

"When'd you get it?"

"Jiminie brought it for me."

A grumbling sound as Tae's tail swishes and curls, peering eagerly over my shoulder regardless, trying to steal a peek at the manhwa regardless.

"I call discrimination!"

It startles a laugh out of her, bemused and fond, ears flickering at the loud abruptness of hyung's voice, easing the book shut, setting it to the side.

"Against you and Kookie?"

"Against me! I know you two got ahead without me." Fingers poking at my side, startling a squirming huff from me.

"You were at work!" I protest.

"But if I'd have known you two were going to be home I'd have stayed too." words pouted, big cub eyes shiny and soft.

It's no wonder, nor no struggle to see how and why Tae has everyone wrapped around his stripey tail.

But I also know-in his own way he's keeping the conversation lighter. Much, much lighter than what the air had been like beyond the studio. Fraught with a tension thrumming off both officer hyungs.

And I wonder if the studio being sound and scent-proofed is what's thankfully kept it from souring (Y/N)'s contented happiness. Her soft, soft scent light and gentle- brushing against my senses...soothing that jitteriness that'd been mounting up.

"But then all those baby hybrids wouldn't have been able to paint with you."

"But I didn't get to paint with you!" whiny fussing pouts, weight sagging into me, nudging his nose against my jaw with a soft rumbly sound that tugs at my heartstrings, even as my lips curve into a wider grin.

"Oh baby... my poor cub." Shifting on the beanbag to pat the space next to her in consolation and offer.

Tae's body jolts forward, nudging me into motion, body weight sagging heavy as I lean over her, sending the two of us tumbling onto the beanbag onto her, a sudden flail before our limbs press close. Sandwiched to one another. Pressing down on (Y/N). My arms lifting up to lift the combined weight of our bodies off her, but her eyes shine and (Y/N) reaches a hand out to fist into the front of my shirt to yank me back, Tae leaning in heavier and all the more eager.

"And where do you think you're going?"

My ears perk up at her words, feeling that fluttery warm-warm-giddy pulse at the enticing curl of her lips.

"Nowhere."

Her eyes sparkle in unspoken response.

Right answer.

[......]

"Do you know why Jiminie and Namjoon hyung are all fretty?" Tae asks a long while later, surrendering defeat in swiping the manhwa up, resisting temptation for now, ears flickering and folding under (Y/N)'s fingers moving in thorough, slow repetitive motions through his hair, carding through curls to scratch at the base of his ears before skimming to trail her nails against his scalp. A rumbling chuffing contentment eased out alongside the sweet syrupy thick pulse of ripe, fresh berries.

Her other hand does the same to my hair and ears, a floaty pulse of warmth that makes my skin tingle all over, particularly when her fingers rub circles into the base of my ears, making them droop more heavily, flopped on either side of my head.

"They're still fretting?" fingers pausing.

I tilt my head to the touch, to her stilled hand, trying to nudge the movement to continue, watching attentively as her scent remains level but a furrow appears between her brows.

Lips pressing together thinly for a few moments.

"So you know?"

"It's the court hearing tomorrow. To sentence the monsters they caught in the raid... I talked to them earlier about it."

"But that's really good-why are they worried?"

"They mentioned a new change to the hearing-but I know there's no escaping from their sentences. From Min Junie and Ji Ah to get justice." Words sharp and firm and burning with protective anger, a crackly unwavering sharpness to her pheromones. Hardening in an unrelenting, ungiving wave of fury and solidified into an impenetrable wall. For the children. For every hybrid still caught in it.

But her touch remains gentle... gentler even as she tilts her head back, in silent contemplation as she peers at the shut door.

"So you're not worried?" Tae gauges carefully, his other hand settling over her lap, bodies pressed close to her from either side. The other beanbags foregone for the instinctual satisfaction of being piled onto one another, still entangled, a messy drape of limbs.

Berry scent sweet and sweeter still, tasting it in the air, tasting it on my tongue from the way it blooms richer. The scent of ripe strawberries, bright and rich and perfect-Tae smells like the richness of a strawberry field in full ripe bloom in spring.

"The people working the case, the team of lawyers and officers and the people at the very heart of this all-I trust them... but I think they needed to get the pacing out."

My head tilts up, nose nudging at her cheek before pressing a kiss to the soft curve.

"Then hyungs will be fine-just brooding predators. You know how they get." I say lightly, laughing into her neck, head ducking to burrow there at an affronted poke by a stripey tail.

And I know they will be. And I also know that right now it's that restlessness trying to find a way out of their system. I was holding onto the small mercies that their ruts hadn't struck because of it. That they hadn't been triggered by Yoongi hyung's own rut. That their biologies instinctively and in their deeply rooted genetics-were still calm. Even if their pacing was antsy herdy predator behaviour.

"I don't brood."

"All hyungies brood-all big bad predators."

She hums in response, lips quirking at the grumbled grunt as Tae sinks heavier against her, tail poking at her side until she squirms with a laugh-pressing into my side instead.

"He's got a point!"

Body twisting to curl into me, body hunched over my own, my hands reaching to snag her closer, tugging her into the cradle of my body that readily welcomes her burrowing into me, grinning over her head at hyung.

"You're ganging up on me! Preys being mean to the lone poor cub." Milking it with jutted lips and wide sorrowful eyes, tail curling and swaying before wrapping around his waist in a self-cradling hold. Even as he peers at the two of us, ears flickering and perked.

"I'm not broody!" he protests when (Y/N) turns from the circle of my arms to peer at him.

Her face creased with an easy, radiant grin, eyes shining with amusement as she lets out a laboured, resigned sigh. Stretching out a hand for him.

"You're a pouty cub for sure though."

That... he takes with a chuff and dive.

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

"Eunwoo!" nose catching the scent of pine wood before I see him, ears popping up as I tilt my head up eagerly-watching as he moves forward, bundled up in thick layers, eyes crinkling as he smiles wide, the antlers on his head strong and fully grown now. Peeking out, several inches, from tufts of his hair.

"Jungkook-ah... I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. Sorry..." lips curling into an apologetic smile, easily weaving past the tables as he moves towards the front, the tinkle of the chimes aren't missed either, fading into quiet now.

"Don't be sorry! I know you've been busy."

Hands brushing down on my apron, drying the lingering dampness on them as I move to lift the front of the counter-top so he can pass through, his hand squeezing my arm as he tugs me in a quick side-hug before brushing forward.

My steps only half a beat behind his-the way to the back, to where the staff take breaks, a mix of a lounge room and kitchen space both.

"Work's looking to get busy again... with new spring offers coming in. But I get a good break around winter."

Spring.

His words in that moment strike me with a jolt. The season was eventually going to turn, winter melting and thawing to spring.

"That's great! What sort of products?"

"Got a few park and picnic concept shoots coming up."

"So stuff like? Famous parks?" I ask curiously, ears perking up as his eyes shine, shaking his head.

"Not this time... it's more nature-y, hybrid-brands for picnic food and stuff."

I hum.

"Let me know if you find a good smoothie brand-I've never really found a good one." I muse. Teeth absently sinking into my bottom lip.

His ears flicker, perked upright, nodding. Twisting to peer at me.

"Actually there's a new brand that actually does a good smoothie-"

"Are you promoting the products to me?" I tease.

He grins, eyes crinkling, his entire face softening with the amusement that settles on his features.

"I was going to put in a good word for you... gift my bokki's mate some... maybe get a good lifelong discount~ doesn't seem like you want me to Kookie."

"Nono... I'd like that." Rushing to catch up with him, hand snagging at his side, pressing close to his back, watching as he grins, head nudging against mine in an affectional butting of his cheek to my own.

Scenting lightly.

Leaving a faint brush of pine wood against my own cotton scent, a greeting that stays with me even as he draws back slightly before he tugs me alongside him.

"That's what I thought bunny boy." He teases, elbowing lightly at my side.

"Have you talked to (Y/N) recently? About the upcoming Spring shoots?"

He hums in response.

Steps slowing slightly as the conversation drifts.

"I know the case hearing is soon... and it's making Jimin hyung and Namjoon hyung turn... herdy to put it lightly. But (Y/N)'s doing good." A pleased, relieved smile at knowing that his packmate's happy. His happiness reflecting back in glimmering, bright eyes that make his entire expression soften.

I nudge my arm against his gently.

"And how're you and Binnie holding up?" words softer, before the two of us approach the backroom. Before he tries to shutter away anything that potentially sours his mate's feelings and scent. The smile on his face doesn't fade but it turns a fraction stiff.

And that even if he's happy and soothed by his packmate's safety-the fact remains that under it all that they are a split-up pack. That necessity and compulsion have driven them from (Y/N).

And I wonder how much they try hide only to realise they can't. Not from one another. Not even if you try tiptoe or circle around issues because it's sensed anyways-unspoken limits that aren't broached because you can just tell... that too much pushing will lead to a crumble.

There's a falter in Eunwoo's steps, the brief dip of his head ducking low. Hanging back from entering.

Stags are tall, towering strong animals-but this brief falter, this duck of his head when it sweeps low and with it his antlers... it just reminds me. No matter how strong that animal hindbrain is for us, no matter how much of our instincts might push and push or fit a certain image... it doesn't take the human from us. It doesn't make us feel anything less simply because we're hybrids.

If anything-we feel double. Stronger. Intenser.

And my hand reaches out to squeeze his nape. Grounding and tight.

Feel the tension in his spine locking his limbs up as my palm covers his skin before he tilts his head back.

A faint tremor to his smile.

"...okay? I suppose that's all we can say no? It's...it's just..."

I don't know how it'd feel to have any of the pack torn from me for months.

Don't know how I'd be able to cope with it now-let alone after years of being a bonded pack.

I wouldn't be able to put myself in Eunwoo's shoes, in his or Binnie's or (Y/N)'s position no matter how much my heart ached for them.

So when he says he's...okay... I know he's not.

I know he just doesn't know how to label what he's feeling.

How Binnie's feeling.

And I see how his posture straightens, that almost imperceptible shift as he moves towards the backroom and Binnie catches his mate's scent. Eyes lighting. Bright eyed and bushy tailed as he spots Eunwoo moving forward, straightening from his slouch and shuffling along to pat the space beside him. Nose nudging against his cheek, scenting and checking both, a soft quiet murmur spoken in a hushed undertone that just has my senses automatically tuning out, that instinct harnessed by every hybrid.

"Hyung! Why up so early?" looking slightly alarmed by the prospect, dark eyes skimming over Eunwoo as I nudge him forward to the cluster of seats, the table filled with a spread of food. Nose twitching slightly at the smell of fried chicken. Watching as Jin hyung's cheeks puff. Full.

Resembling more of a squirrel than Binnie does in his mannerism- eyes wide and sparkling as he chews, lips curled into a resemblance of a smile, an appreciative rumbling hum at the taste as he picks up a piece to hold out to me in offer and enticement.

Slipping over quiet and quick-musing silently on Eunwoo's unconscious shift.

Trying to almost shield his mate from the weighed down ache that bears at him.

But then-then... I think of Binnie; look at the two of them curl close, unconsciously pressing nearer to one another... I wonder how much they try stifle from one another in attempt to protect one another.

But then again-I wonder whether despite that-if those attempts work.

Because there's a transparency that comes with the longer you're mated.

You just know.

And it makes my heart clench. Because they know and they're trying to be okay.

Because I could tell, even newly mated with (Y/N) and bonded to my new pack, when there was something not sitting right with them. So I knew their way of helping one another, helping themselves... protecting their mated bond... it wasn't without that knowledge that they were hurting. And trying to be the balm to one another.

And looking at the two of them-I suddenly, selfishly miss (Y/N).

It's a fierce aching pang of longing to be with her in this very instant.

I want nothing more right now than to see her. Than to hold her, scent her.

Not having forgotten the sight of her eyes dimming and her body curling inwards, pressing into me in both comfort and to shield herself.

To brace herself too-steadying her words and her scent and lips curling into an unconvincing smile at first until it'd softened and turned genuine.

She'd never begrudge us living.

But it didn't mean that seeing her not being able to didn't bother me, didn't sting.

Lips parting automatically at the nudge of Jin hyung's hand, chewing slightly mechanical.

But for once the taste doesn't make my nose scrunch and ears pop with delight, the mouthful tasting like sawdust. Mechanically swallowing, shaking my head as hyung nudges another bite to my lips.

Feel the way his eyes in a quick sweeping motion flit over me.

And then without speaking, without making a big deal about it. Without needing to smell the small shift in my scent, the wing closest to me unfurls and extends out to wrap around me, drape gently against my back. The equivalent of holding me, cocooning me. An unspoken, quiet comfort. A brush of the tip of his wing against my side, calming me.

He doesn't need to speak to say it.

I'm here.

And I don't speak for a while, quietly sinking closer and closer to Jin hyung's side, until the warmth of his side isn't just radiating off him, but I can feel it, body angled to his, vacant hand smoothening down my thigh when my leg drapes over his.

My voice quiet, almost hidden under the rustle of his feathers.

"Thank you."

His eyes gleam, warm deep pools of brown.

Whatever for? They ask.

[......]

"Will you give these to bokki?" one of the many layered jumpers drawn off Binnie and folded to join the one that Eunwoo holds out to me.

"Of course." Jin hyung's hold is gentle, cradling them to him carefully, the scent of hazelnut and pine wood strong on the jumpers, the material thick-knit; the scents intertwining to merge with the very fibres of the clothing. They'll hold scent for longer.

And I already know without actively searching out the clothes (Y/N) had first brought with her-that Binnie and Eunwoo's clothes don't carry the same strong scent anymore.

Fading with time.

But now she has them-their scents vivid and fresh.

Real.

Realer than the lingering scents on clothes that have been so engrained within her nest-that the sight of them is what she holds onto for comfort. Even if her biology isn't getting soothed the same way.

I tilt my head in invite.

Watch Jin hyung's lips curl with knowing glinting amusement, sidestepping before I can make the offer.

"Not going to scent your hyung goodbye?" Jin hyung lilts, head tilting to shoot me a smug grin, knowing full well what he's capitalising on.

Immediately Eunwoo and Binnie step closer, arms wrapping around him, wings curling to tuck them closer, ushering them nearer with flaps of his wings so they curl into his sides. (Y/N)'s packmates on either side, gentle nuzzles, cheeks against his, heads ducking to press closer, scenting his skin indulgently.

Wings flapping with happiness. But more than that smug grinning amusement when he meets my gaze.

I just jut my lips out, letting them twist into a pout.

But more than happy to watch him hold them, cocooned by his wings. Their scents clinging to his skin by the time they're done, smiles fond and their shoulders and spines looser than earlier. Eased from the tension.

"Give (Y/N) our love." Eunwoo murmurs softly.

Tugging me into a tight squeezing hug, head nudging to mine in a fond butting that reminds me of (Y/N)'s shifted form. Nudging affectionately.

Briefly-briefly I wish I could see their herd's pack pile. Wonder whether his stag form is at its full grown state or whether his too is of a wobbling small deer. Whether they make a tiny herd pile. All three of them small when shifted.

The mental image tugs a smile to my lips, quirking up as I hug him back.

Laughing when Binnie's rush to hug me has me stumbling back a few steps before steadying the two of us.

Arms wound tight, eagerly scenting me regardless.

"I tell noona every day I miss her but... but could you get us something of her scent too? I miss our home smelling like pack." He admits.

I let him rock the two of us side to side briefly. Hugging back.

"I will." I promise.

"And keep making sure she's eating right. And sleeping-noona's sleeping good right?"

"Don't worry Bin-ah... we're looking after chickie. That won't change."

He holds onto me for a few moments longer before slowly relinquishing his hold, drawing back with a small smile.

"And keep wooing and courting her. Noona deserves the best."

Almost sounding stern and scolding.

Hyung's wings flap and flare wide. Proudly splayed.

"Nothing less than everything for her."

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

"Absolutely not." Words firm and unwavering, eyes glinting with a possessiveness that so rarely flares up like this.

Arms tugging (Y/N) further into him even though she's been curled on his lap the moment he'd spotted her and swiped her from Jiminie hyung, ears folding over and a whined chirp rumbling in the back of his throat.

"But hyung..."

"Nope. She's my chickie." Wings flapping to curl inwards, to cocoon his chickie fawn on his lap, hands cradling her tenderly to him, head dipping to brush a kiss to one flickering ear then the other, a soft bleat as she nudges her nose against his, wide soft doe eyes peering up at him before ducking close to nuzzle into his throat again. Half-circled against his chest, front legs stretched out.

"I want to hold her on my lap too."

Ears still folded and drooped, expression forlorn.

Protectively, Jin hyung's wings and arms wrap around her, cradling her to his chest, a gentle nudge of her head to his as she bleats against his throat, a soft, soft sound.

"I don't think hyung will give her up Jiminie." I murmur with a smile, gently nuzzling against the line of his shoulder watching as he slumps, tail limp and weighed down, chirping with want even as he sinks back against me. Tugging at my arms to get them to wrap around him, head tilting to scent along the line of my jaw.

Self-soothing his hurts by scenting and layering that sweet-sweet crisp mint, that belies he's just being pouty and not actually fussy and demanding to press close to (Y/N), to scoop her shifted form and to cradle her to him.

I know just how much Jin hyung's smile's glow of radiance and giddiness is to do with the fact that he'd been the one she'd sought out first when she had first shifted months back.

"But she's all small and shifted."

"I'm small when I shift... you're small when you shift although even when not-" I tease, laughing when his elbow jabs at my stomach, barely winding me, hand curling around the crook of his arm as his eyes flash.

"I could pin you down right now. Without a sweat."

"Oh hyung~ I'd definitely make you sweat."

His eyes flash.

"Out. Out of my nest." Jin hyung's voice is firm, even if it remains quiet and hushed, fingers skimming over the white spotted markings across soft brown down.

Shooing us away with an impatient hand. Wings flapping.

"But hyung~ I'll be good." Jimin wheedles.

I snag at him around the waist, arms winding around him, feeling him go lax, sagging as he slumps in my arms letting me scoop him up and whirling him around, towards the doorway rather than towards where Jin hyung leans against the headboard. Sitting at the centre of the bed with a shifted fawn in his arms.

Away from the sight, even as my nose twitches, chasing out the sweet cosy scent regardless.

See Jin hyung's face crease with amusement and fondness as he looks at the way Jimin hyung flops in my arms, letting me scoop him away, peering with pouting lips and a forlorn expression.

"Bye pup, bye bun."

"Bye hyung... bye baby." Big pup eyes shooting the half-turned fawn a look full of longing, even as the corners of his lips quirk up and he tilts his head back to peer at me with a sigh.

"Whisk me away bun... I need a lot of hugs and kisses to make my fox feel whole again."

"Can't have hyung feeling incomplete." I sigh, briefly squeezing.

His full lips curl into a playful grin, fangs peeking.

"Gotta kiss it better bun."

And my eyes drift briefly, lingering at the sight of the soft, slow nuzzles as (Y/N) scents Jin hyung, leaving her anise-scent on his skin and in turn chasing out the intertwined scents of hazelnut and pine wood with his own vanilla.

Immediately having caught it off him the moment he was in view-before that rather.

And I think of their jumpers packed away to give to her later, to add to her nest.

But right now there's nothing Jin hyung looks like he needs than just this. Just (Y/N), in his arms, in his nest, wings curved inwards to cocoon her.

And it's just them in that small world of wing cocoons and scents and nesty.

"Come on hyung-let's see who else will help kiss your fox whole again."

And this time he doesn't chirp, a rumbly huffy sound at the back of his throat, he laughs-tinkling and warm.

"And then when you shift you'll let me hold you?" eyes wide and hopeful.

I lean in, nose nudging to his, the angle I've scooped him at, making for a waddled retreat.

"Depends~ if you're quick enough to whisk me away before the other hyungs."

His eyes gleam with the prospect, confident and competitive and a flash of possessiveness.

"You can bet on it."

Words holding weighted promise.

The only problem to that is...the rest of the apartment holds a pack of predators ready to counter his words.

But that's hyung's problem. Not mine.

(AAAAAAND SCENE! IS MINNIE QUICK ENOUGH TO SWIPE SCOOP KOO LATER OR DOES HE END UP BEING HUFFY AND DRAPED OVER SOMEONE ELSE AS HE COMPLAINS? WHO KNOWS~ BUT I WANTED TO LEAVE THAT CHAPTER ON A SOFT, SOFT SCENE BECAUSE THINGS FROM NEXT CHAPTER ARE GOING TO BUILD BUILD AND I REALLY, REALLY WANTED SOME KOO-CENTRIC COMFORT FLUFF SCENES SO I HOPE THEY BRING AS MUCH COMFORT WARMTH TO YOU AS THEY DID TO ME WRITING THEM!! AS WELL AS THE SHIFTED PACK SCENE-THOUGHTS?? BECAUSE THEY WERE OUTSIDE! MidiiplierWINK WONK! THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF PACK DYNAMICS CONTINUING TO GROW OF COURSE!! AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JI SUNG'S PLAN?? I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS~ ENJOY!)

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3