AMINA POV:

Day in, day out, the same four walls begin to become habit, home and a lonely isolation all at once. It becomes safety, sanctuary but one that cost me, one that was borne from compulsion.

But it's a home, a space that I find myself sinking into the regularity of it all... into the constancy of the same four walls, allowing those frazzled, mistrusting instincts slowly come to settle. It allows me to establish somewhere as safe and one that doesn't threaten the safety of my home with Jangmi-without sacrificing or putting a direct label onto the home that's nest.

A space that could've been threatened for my packmate and my kit.

That same kit who has time to learn to adjust, to slowly acclimate herself to a space that's beyond the tattered box she'd been hiding away with me in.

A home and scents that aren't a threat.

But it's a home that despite its intent to protect and shelter feels isolating... confining. Lonely.

"You're out of shape." SJ muses as he pokes at my ear, watching it fold, my hand batting out lazy and sluggish at his own, head tilting back to try snap my fangs at his fingers, watching as he grins, eyes sharp and watchful, lips curled into a lazy smirk.

"I could knock you flat onto your ass any day buck." His eyes spark with challenge.

"Maybe you could've... but you're out of shape. When's the last time you've moved out of bed?" the words are provoking and challenging. Goading.

I don't miss the teasing tone that underlies his words-nor the observation he's made that every single time he's come to visit, and that's frequently enough, that he's seen me curled up in bed.

"Last time I checked there isn't much else for me to do."

"Liar. I know you're trying to get information off Ji Soo, know about your--- walks."

Maybe they hadn't been as elusive or sneaky as I'd thought.

My eyes widen, head tilting as I peer at him.

"Don't know what you mean." I say with a straight face, voice level and unaffected, the lie smooth on my tongue.

The sharp glint of narrowed eyes seem to shine with mirth and unhidden amusement.

"At least you lie without a tell." He muses.

Watchful, watchful--- leaning over to carefully scoop KitKat into his arms, the sharp features of his face softening inexplicably as he cradles her to him. Swaddle and all-half-drowsy and half-awake, slow blinking large eyes that droop and flutter...slowly...slowly taking him in before curving into him, resting her head against his chest with an incomprehensible babbled mumble, muffled by the blanket, ears flickering as a soft rumble echoes in the depth of her chest, tiny and satiated. Content. Blue and brown eyes blinking droopily, a sleepy smile curling at her lips, tugging at the softness beginning to settle on her cheeks.

No longer so starved and malnourished. No longer just skin and bones.

A healthy flushed pink warmth to her skin, his fingers gently skimming over her ears and carding through soft wisps of hair, head curving to nuzzle at her temple, scenting her.

"I'm not lying."

He lets out an unimpressed snort.

"You know every time you come back from an adventure or walk-your clothes have that slightly clinical scent." Nose wrinkling with distaste at it.

And I know exactly what he means.

Knows exactly what scent he's talking about.

The intentionally... vague obscure neutral scent that is steadily, regularly diffused into the air to cleanse it of the scents that would otherwise clog the space, saturate it in a tidal wave of pheromones that would border overwhelmingly thick and nauseating.

That faint neutrality clings somewhat to my clothes and banishes some of my own in turn.

I hadn't realised he'd even noticed the discarded jumper at the edge of the room-nor that he'd chased out that scent and immediately placed it.

But if SJ's something-it's that he's always been sharply attentive. And even if he isn't an officer, I don't forget... especially in moments like this, that he had once trained to be.

And his instincts, his sharp senses had matched the career even if he hadn't found a liking to it... he still can pick apart things far too aptly.

And he reads the lies on my tongue with an ease that comes with knowing me for years.

"I don't doubt the police academy would welcome you back. That training hasn't dulled."

He shrugs, shaking his head, the motion causing dark strands of hair to brush against the tops of his eyes, briefly obscuring the sharp intensity of them, the antlers on his head proud and strong.

Posture broad and large and screaming of a protectiveness he never needs to consciously project-it's just there.

"I think this place fits me a lot better. Perfect match."

And his words ring true.

He fits into this space, into this centre with an ease.

Helping train the employees here, part of the extended protection in place for the people this centre in turn shelters and protects. He's part of that.

"Law abiding not to your taste?"

The glint in his eyes is sharp.

"Not as much law breaking done here though is it. Just... protection at any cost. It just-fits my instincts better. It fits me better."

And I understand what he means even though he's never elaborated.

He's never needed to explain it.

The centre, its values, the fact that at the core of it all is the shelter, sanctuary and healthcare of hybrids is something that suits and matches SJ's own want, his own aim that where he works he can help hybrids. Can help rehabilitate them. Even if he doesn't work directly with them-he's a part of the very foundation of it, part of the backbone of the centre. Even if a lot of his work, his training of the other employees, his protection extends from a largely unseen presence.

"And you might've stayed in the academy... might've excelled in it, but even I can tell you're not a stickler for the law. Planning an escape?"

I roll my eyes at him, slumping back against the sheets, sighing with contentment, the bed comfortable, the clean sheets and blankets carrying such a large abundance of KitKat's scent-all happy soft, soft baby-powder. Familiar, more and more... more and more that baby powder scent is something my instincts have staked a protective claim over it.

Mine.

My kit...my kit...my kit.

"I don't need to stage a breakout... I'm just waiting out the last of the medical tests and bloodwork-it's just a matter of waiting. And when that's all cleared... I can go home."

"Need me to come along? Of course I will." He answers the question himself, shaking his head absently as if wondering why he'd even felt the need to pose it as such.

My fangs prick at my bottom lip, lips curling into a teasing grin.

"Sounds like you wanted an excuse to invite yourself over."

His brows rise, head tilted with confident nonchalance.

"I don't need an excuse~"

"No? Not even to see a certain someone? Don't want a reason to see a pink-cheeked panda?"

There's the faintest bloom of colour on his own cheeks, the barest tinge of pink across the highs of his cheekbones.

But still he stands tall and proud, every bit the strong stag, even if his eyes warm... soften.

The smell of peaches sweetening despite his outwards tells otherwise remaining ungiving, an impassive wall-with just a faint, faint blush.

"Guess you don't want to see Mi then~ I'll tell her you're too busy-"

"No I'm not! I said I'd be there!"

"For me?"

"I'll be there for both of you, you menace." He laughs, expression softening, the sharpness of his features naturally turning gentler.

And he means it, the genuineness to his words underlying his tone. My smile deepens.

"I guess I need someone to do heavy lifting when I get back."

"Can't just admit you missed me too." he sighs with a grin, head tilting to angle his cheek against KitKat's, rubbing his cheek against soft strands of hair, watching as she shuffles, curling further into the swaddled burrito form I'd wrapped her up in.

Watching the movement of her tail under the blanket, soft baby purrs as she curls contentedly.

I was glad above all-that KitKat was safe. That she was young-and able to trust, able to form attachments. Able to heal without a strain on her development as a tiny kit, her body still bearing the marks of malnutrition and mistreatment but her mind, her instincts safe... healing and recovering much quicker.

I couldn't bear the thought of losing her, but whoever her parents were... if they were looking for her, missing her, mourning her... if her parents were there then she'd go back to them.

But until then... because I'd found her... because she was my kit-I was her mama.

And even the thought, though it should be positive and make me lift with the thought of her having a family... I'd been her only family for months and she mine.

I didn't want to lose her.

I couldn't lose her.

And more and more, like Jangmi had noted, like the others had-she'd been mine long before we'd been found, long before there needed to be a label and paperwork to support it.

I was going to adopt KitKat...I wanted her to be mine legally too.

My baby daughter.

Something in my expression or my scent must sour-turned bitterly salty, overwhelmingly so... aggrieved that SJ picks up on it, quietly slipping closer to sink down beside me.

An arm extended out as I curve into his side, fingers clutching loosely at the swaddled blanket.

My baby.

"It'll all work out. It always does."

And he says it with such quiet but strong conviction... I believe him.

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

"You're cleared to go home Lieutenant." The words are proud and so, so happy. Lips curled cheeks bunched up with how widely he beams.

"She's cleared? Medically fit?" Namjoon's ears perking up, a wide smile curving over my lips as his gaze flits from (Y/N) to me, to SJ, to Jangmi, then settling on the doctor's files Jimin holds; his ears perked proudly and tail swishing as he grins at me. Fangs peeking through.

"All cleared Officer Kim and fit for duty." Words clear and pleased. Reporting it with the widest smile and crinkled eyes.

There's a deep, deep sense of satisfaction and contentment at seeing the words printed clearly-in the file that Jimin hands over to me.

My own ears perk up at the verdict, flickering slightly, smile fangy, tail swishing.

Home.

Finally tangible... finally within grasp... finally there.

"That means I can work!" body thrumming with a renewed antsy impatience.

"Let's ease into that-go home... settle... it's good to see you getting to go home." Namjoon cautions, voice low and level even as his dimpled grin deepens. Ears flickering. Eyes narrowed with a scepticalness-somehow able to sense the protest welling up before it even gets to my lips.

"I'm cleared." I insist.

"It's also not safe for you to even consider going back to your station. Nor any station really in Seoul when there's someone in the force who never wanted you found. Not when they believe you to be gone. Missing."

Jangmi and (Y/N)'s gazes are level, sharp with thoughtful contemplation, the pieces slotting together albeit reluctantly in my own mind. (Y/N) doesn't stop her slow sways, hand carefully keeping KitKat steady against her shoulder, tiny kit pawing about and snuffling. Scenting.

Whoever had buried away the half-assed, if that, missing report on me wanted me gone. Didn't want me to be found.

And the upper hand we had was that they still believed that.

Turning up to the station would put them on guard, raise alarms-particularly because of their ties within the very thick of this ring, with the people behind it all.

"You can't turn up. After more than half a year..." Jangmi's voice is soft, placating and soothing both but it makes a part of me ache.

Because it just isn't fair. That someone wanted me gone.

And so they could be caught-we couldn't let them know I was alive.

I had to live as a ghost.

I don't bother to hide the frustration that bleeds into my expression and the way the scents in the room shift, subtly-I know they know it too.

The sharp scent of sea-salt prickling. Weighted.

"I need to help. I won't sit around!"

"We're not telling you to Amina. We just have to find a way around it all. So until then-just until then you have to lie low.

My tail bristles even as my ears wilt and fold, a soft discontented chirp muffled at the back of my throat.

I draw in deep sharp breaths, trying to calm down the wild thrum of my pulse.

"Don't tell me you were going to rush right back into work and not even celebrate KitKat's first time going home!" (Y/N) says a few minutes later, breaking through the weighted heaviness to the air, her words detract me from the feeling of welling frustration, quashes it so suddenly with a sweeping wave of warmth and excitement that the tension ebbs from my body.

Completely directing my attention, my focus, me towards KitKat, scooped up and currently trying to paw at her hair, trying to snag at it, tiny paws unfurling and furling.

Rubbing her cheek against (Y/N)'s, soft yowls as she paws. Tiny fangs trying to nibble at a soft cheek, trying to scent-mark and leave her baby powder scent, soft, soft all over the curve of her cheek, looking so happy as her tail swishes.

I shoot her a grateful smile, feeling my scent lighten, feel my body ease up.

Work was important.

But so was taking my baby daughter home for the first time.

Breath shuddering deep as I exhale.

Lips curling as I watch Jimin slowly edge closer to his mate. Watch how he reaches a hand out to snag her waist, curling possessively at her hip, chest to her back as he peers at eye-level to the kit whose gaze he's successfully caught. Eyes crinkling, nose nudging at a soft furry cheek, minty scent fresh and crisp when KitKat bonks at him eagerly in greeting. Trying to clamber upwards to peer at him.

Sensing movement from the corner of my eyes, I watch as SJ approaches the bed, fingers gently teasing by tugging the tip of my ear lightly to watch it perk upright.

"I thought you couldn't wait to leave. Bringing kit home for the first time too."

"I am excited!"

"Then stop smelling so salty!" nose wrinkling at me, fingers deft and quick as the tug again, playful and warm.

"Believe it or not Seo Junie... teasing a girl about her scent does not get you in her good books." Jangmi laughs, eyes sparkling with amusement as she meets my gaze. Lips curved as she eases forward, movements slow and unrushed, eyes bright and vivid.

Steadily having begun to look more and more alert and aware. The shadows under her eyes steadily... steadily fading.

Too late he tries to backtrack, eyes flashing with surprise.

"Mina knows I'm teasing Mi-"

"Do I? I don't know-I'm feeling pretty trampled on. Sorry I can't control my scent and it bothers you SJ~" I lilt, revelling in the flustered expression that makes his cheeks colour as his eyes dart between me and Jangmi.

"Being mean to my packmate?" dark brown eyes soft and looking all wide and wounded.

He can't backpedal his words and even from his back-hugged drapey hold on (Y/N), I can see Jimin's lips quirk with amusement, ears perked and trained onto every word.

Spluttering melting into flushed confidence and an affronted stare.

"Stop ganging up on me! I was going to do all the deep cleaning...not sure now." Words grumbled.

I reach out to snag his wrist, head tilting as I stare at him.

"And leave a settling mama and kit to be surrounded with cleaning materials and not a nest?" words careful, poke, poke, poking at his herding instincts.

Watching them visibly win him over, looking windswept with the myriad of expressions and emotions that flitter across his face, settling on bemused resignation.

But his peach scent sticky sweet fresh. Lips curved in a crooked grin.

"Welcome back Mina."

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

"Amina could you shift?" words soft, quiet. But eyes sharp and clear and assessing.

"To go home?"

"I know we're facilitating other hybrids we rescued from the centre-but wherever, however we can I want to keep you under wraps."

"Your hidden trump card?" fangs peeking as I examine Namjoon, eyes flitting over the tall alpha wolf officer, taking in the quiet way he radiates authority and calm in equal measure, even in the loose sprawl of his body in the armchair.

"A secret weapon. One that no-one knows is coming. But I can already tell that you'll make every single one of them pay."

This time my smile is sharper. Fangs pooling over my bottom lip, gums flashing with a visceral ache to sink into my hunted and tear them apart. To make them pay bit by bit, to return every anguish tenfold. But not just to me, but to every single hybrid, every child, every person taken and sold. Abused. Forced.

He catches sight of the smile, his own reminding me more of a baring of fangs, the lack of dimples, the thinning of his lips an all too acute reminder that we might be humans in half but we are also animals in the other. And those instincts howl at the thought of a hunt.

[......]

"I'll see you for your fortnightly check-ups." The doctor confirms, flipping through the charts and test results-treatment plan already outlined.

"There's no more drugs in my system?" I ask, needing to hear it confirmed.

"Your bloodwork's come back clear. Your vitals are all good Lieutenant. Just make sure that you take a few days to settle back into your home. If there's any problem-you know we're only a call away." Voice earnest. Grounding.

The corners of my ears flicker at the genuineness in the older woman's voice, in the way her eyes flare with a pride as she looks at me.

"Surviving was a victory in itself Lieutenant. Healing is another. And getting back another." Head dipping with a small bow, the strength in her voice unwavering.

It doesn't strike me for the first time... but hearing it said, seeing the strength in the doctor's eyes and the firm belief in her tone... I remember again that this centre has seen atrocities beyond my imagination, has helped shelter and protect hybrids from those atrocities.

They've seen hell pass through these doors and accepted every hybrid with open arms, never giving up on them...

And hearing her say it to me... to her, to these doctors, to the people who were tied to my case at my time in the centre-they never intended to give up on me, they never had, they never believed for a moment that I was broken and lost the way I did.

They believed it without needing to say it.

And her eyes are sharp and clear, and her smile lined with lines around her mouth and eyes, her body language grounding and reassuring in a way I just know her scent would be if it wasn't blocked.

She watches KitKat briefly, the nurses that'd been supporting the doctor in my case sporting fond, affectionate smiles.

Eyes flittering over to me.

There's a sense of my throat constricting tightly.

Closing around nothing.

Feeling my breath waver, strangled before my lungs expand so impossibly wide as all the air rushes back in when the doctor raises her hand in salute first and the nurses follow. Holding my gaze as I lift my own hand up, returning the gesture.

My head dipping into a bow. Breaths wavery but deep as I watch them mirror me, bodies straightening.

Unfailingly meeting my gaze, confronting me with the strong intensity of their eyes.

"Thank you for your service Lieutenant Fang. Thank you."

"Thank you. For helping me stand on my feet again."

[......]

The second the door closes behind my apartment door, my head pops out from underneath the cover of the blanket covering a swaddled, layered soft nested box.

Ears perking upright, large and alert, eyes roving over the inside with a hungering impatience to drink it all in again-chirping loud, a soft laugh bubbling out.

"Welcome home Mina..." voice soft, a small rustle of movement where she stills briefly in the hallway, lights being clicked on and then her steps quieter without shoes.

Padding forward.

My head remains perked over the blanket, watching eagerly as she steps towards my room first, easing the door open carefully.

A loud meowl sounds beside me, small wriggles beside me before small tiny paws stretch out to try paw at the edge of the box, trying to peer over the edge alongside me, slipping and flopping back onto the blankets.

Meowling as she tries to clamber up again, kit eyes wide and curious, shining.

And I realise she's recognised the faint, barely there but there, trace of sea-salt; an almost ghost, alongside the stronger scent of honey.

"You're going to need to re-scent everything. And help Kit-Kat into her first nest. Her home nest." Jangmi says and when I turn my head to peer at her, pawing the blanket out of the way, I can see the bright sparkling warmth in her eyes, becoming more and more alive.

Softness and colour both returning to her cheeks, feeling my gaze, smile making her cheeks curve, twisting to stretch myself towards her, fangs nipping at her cheek, pawing for her to curve closer.

Nose nudging to a cheek to scent, tail swishing contentedly at feeling the soft squish, the laugh it elicits when my fangs nip, nip, nip making my ears perk up further.

"Who knew that when I found you-our pack would grow?"

Fingers skimming over the edge of the box to tease at the swiping paws trying to reach out, soft nibbles against her fingertips and soft meows as she tries to grip at the dangling fingertips.

I duck my head to nudge KitKat closer to Jangmi's fingers, playfully nipping at her wrist, peering up at her as she sets down the box carefully onto the bed before drawing the overlayer of blanket down, the brush of scent-sea salt and baby powder finding its way home, on the sprawl of my large bed.

Paws padding forward towards KitKat, fangs scruffing the back of her neck, a soft, small weight in my mouth before I clamber out of the box, padding over and circling the bed before settling right in the centre, tucking her between folded paws, head dipping to groom flickering ears and to smoothen out rumpled fur.

Soft meows as she wriggles, settling more comfortably, twisting onto her back so her stomach is up, bared, paws wriggling as she stretches them out to cling to me, pawing at fur, at my nose, then my fangs and tongue, purrs rumbling in teeny.

Soft, soft, soft. Fur and scent both.

And once she's thoroughly doused in my scent, no long wriggling and squirming, soft wide kit eyes peering up at me, ears flickering every time she hears a chirp, every time she hears Jangmi's voice filter through, quiet murmurs that my ears remain perked up to hear.

Carefully scooping up KitKat again, scruffing and scooping as I pad forward, unceremoniously plopping down to settle onto Jangmi's lap, a muffled chirp as I settle and set down KitKat, nose nudging at her to scoot her closer to my panda packmate.

Pawing until she extends her arm out for me to tuck myself into, burrowing into the familiar honey scent, her hand carefully cradling a drooping kit, movements gentle and precise.

Leaning back with a smile when I paw at her until she sinks back against pillows, chirping as her scent sweetens.

"Missed you Mina... your home's missed you too. Welcome back... and KitKat... little kit welcome home."

[......]

Instinct has me reaching for KitKat first, nose snuffling along pillows, chasing the scent of baby powder to find the welcome surprise of honey still lingering.

Eyes blinking open, a huffing chirp when I realise that Jangmi's awake, head nudging at her side, watching as her gaze slips to me, semi-drowsy, semi-alert, lips curling slowly.

"Go back to sleep." Voice a bare ghosting whisper, lulling, quiet.

A rumbly, huffy chirp emanating from the back of my throat when she peers at me, slow blinks, eyes turning alert and more awake far too quick for my liking, sprawling heavier, pressing into her, sluggish blinks searching for KitKat, body not yet waking from sleep, not shooting to the panicked state of alert, awake because instinctually Jangmi's scent soothes it over, finding her tucked against her chest, hand steadied over her.

"Sleep Mina-huffy baby." Teasing and soft, lips pressing together to hide the amusement curving them deep when my ears droop at the rub-rub-rub motion of her fingers against fur, scratching gently at the base of them before trailing them back up again, eyes fluttering, chirp softer, still peering at her through one eye, peeking until she curls up, tugging the blankets overhead to tuck me in their scented warmth.

I nudge my nose against her cheek, chirping against skin, curling to press closer, chasing the warmth that seeps off Jangmi and curling into it, paws loosely curled into her jumper to hold on, eyes blinking distrustfully and narrowed, chirp rumbling in the back of my throat in warning.

Try not sleep and I'll sit on you until you do.

And even without having to say those words she hears them regardless. Fingers sinking into the fur of my back.

"Fine, fine. Wasn't going to leave anyways..." eyes soft behind her glasses, pawing at her cheek, nudging mine against her own until she tilts her head back with a quiet laugh, amusement in her eyes as she tugs them off, hand falling haphazardly back to set them down, carefully cradling KitKat and tucking her against the circled drape of my body until she's burrowing into my fur with a sleepy wriggle.

Good. Bed.

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

The next time I wake, my mind is clearer. But I don't know how long I've slept, only that at some point the hours must've dwindled away because I wake hungry and restless to be at home in my own skin and not fur. Paws unfurling and reaching out, a fangy yawn stretching my jowls.

It's then that I notice that Jangmi's half-curled with a book and on her lap KitKat peers at the pages with wide, unblinking curiosity, yowling when the pages crinkle slightly- the sound an indication she's about to turn the page. Pawing at her hand to still the movement, holding on, gaze enraptured by the words that are nonsensical to her but she peers at, blue and brown eyes shining with curiosity.

Black ears flickering slightly from their perch in dark brown hair, eyes warm when she tilts her gaze to me instead.

"KitKat looks like she might like reading. Or she just likes hearing voices."

A louder meowl.

She might not entirely grasp what's being said but she recognises her name, ears flickering to attention.

Tail giving a teeny swish.

I slowly pad over, peering past Jangmi's arm, peering at the way KitKat's curled up, a teeny palm sized kit nestled against a soft jumper, head resting against the fabric, cheek rubbing absently to scent herself, to chase the sweet, gentle honey, to have it cling to her fur.

Contented at the sight of her curled up before I pad-pad-pad to the edge of the bed and hop off, padding out into the hallway and down the corridor to Jangmi's room-the door ajar, her scent stronger there.

Not getting the chance to look around her room, not focusing on that-feeling that faint stretch in my limbs as I stand once I've shifted back, reaching for the pile of folded clothes already waiting for me on the side table. Foresight and knowing full well that shifting to get home had been necessity--- that I'd want to shift back. Feeling a comfort in drawing on clothes that I already know to be mine, not scent-scrubbed and robbed entirely of the scent every time the centre had done the laundry.

Tugging on clothes that have her pheromones intertwined with the very fibres of the fabric, steps quiet, hovering in the doorway before I leave her room, peering back over the threshold, the space unchanged, still.

A figment of space and time that doesn't just exist in my mind. It's real. It's startling how much simultaneously the space is like it's never been changed... maybe it hasn't, but at the same time I'm aware that we have. We've changed as people, we're different to who we were over half a year ago.

And though it was change brought by compulsion, by evil and hurt... there's one...maybe two new additions that have made us happier on this side of it regardless.

There's a lot more blankets and pillows piled onto her bed, thick, soft comforters and duvets, a veritable heaven of nested materials encasing the large sprawl of the mattress with so many of them that it makes my tail swish, a blooming, proud giddiness that unfurls under my skin, seeps into flesh and bones. Nodding approvingly at the pile, slipping away to re-join Jangmi and KitKat when I find her easing the door shut, cradling KitKat to her chest, face brightening when she catches my scent.

"You're quick."

"I'm hungry. And even though I don't mind being shifted to get home-it's not the same experience of getting to hold KitKat when she's so teeny" watching as Jangmi sets KitKat on her shoulder, stills and watches her paws cling to her jumper before clambering on, immediately pawing and delving for the strands of dark hair, muffled meow as she burrows against her neck, briefly hidden from view.

She's so curiously burrowing closer and pawing at dark hair, different in colour and texture to my own blonde curls, fascinated by it whenever she gets the chance to tug at hair that don't entangle her paws immediately.

So when I sneak up behind Jangmi and she reappears, peeking past Jangmi's hair in search of me, the yowl surprised, vocal in her happiness, body giving a small wriggle before she leans forward, nose booping at air, soft yowls tugging me closer until her cheek bumps against my jaw, rubbing fur to skin with happy, meeny rumbly purrs.

And my lips curve deep when her purrs almost quieten when Jangmi speaks-still there but softer, almost to mimic the soft murmur of the voice she's pressed against.

And those same yowls turn loud and vocal when Jangmi eases her down onto my lap and moves towards the kitchen.

Voice floating through to the living room, the sound of crockery clinking, and the fridge being opened, reappearing with a small milk bottle for KitKat and a bowl of fruit, dropping the lemonade onto my lap before she sits down, nudging the food to me and in turn holding her hands out for KitKat.

"Bribing me into giving up my kit?"

"She's my kitten too." voice fond and lilting, scooping her carefully, settling her into the crook of her arm before coaxing the teat of the bottle close, nudging it at her mouth and her scent blooming-honey in sweet tendrils when with a happy yowl, paws stretch out to cling to the bottle, immediately suckling, quick bobs of her throat. Eyes staring up wide and shining at Jangmi, baby powder scent soft, soft, one paw at the bottle, the other trying to clasp Jangmi closer.

"She is... got a kitten and a baby bear."

Her eyes crinkle behind her glasses, ears flickering.

"Maybe... maybe our pack was meant to grow." She murmurs in a half-whisper when I curl beside her, hands clasping the bowl, ears drooping in mirrored contentment to KitKat, Jangmi's fingers rubbing slow circles into the fur of her tum.

Soft baby purrs and drooping eyes unknowingly coaxing a looseness into my limbs, ears folding with relaxation, eyes drifting slowly across the inside of the living room. This-this looks easily, immediately the most lived in, tables piled with mounds of paper and books scattered across, bookshelves bar of dust. The mound of blankets scattered around and the lived in feel to it makes my spirits lift, even as I sink into the pure thick comfort of the sofa, body immediately melting. A reflexive, unconscious response to home, to a napping spot.

"Maybe. I think so." I finally whisper back, eyes drooping with sleep.

Maybe... no it was a certainty... that I was meant to find KitKat and Min Junie to find Jangmi-to have been reunited to find that the baby bear from what now felt like another lifetime ago-happy, content and healing.

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

The answer hadn't been a no. But even the mere possibility that it could-that moment of shared glances, lips parting but not getting the opportunity to speak.

There's only so much a person can bottle up inside, and every emotion, every thought bleeds harshly into my voice. I never liked holding back. Not for things that needed to be said. Certainly not for that clawing restless feeling of needing to do something to help. I was a Lieutenant. I'd do my damned best to help the case-help connect links where they might've fallen through, where they might've existed and I'd have never known because for half a year-my life had come to cease. Been forcibly erased.

I stare at the two of them, raw, unbridled ache pouring out in a rough torrent, barely recognising my voice as my own.

"You don't understand-none of you really understand." Harshness bleeds into my voice, rough and grating and pitched to my own ears.

To myself I sound manic, out of my own senses-a ringing dissonance that my hands clamp down on, tugging at my ears, trying to fold to shield them, nails harsh against them.

"I need to do something-I need to help before I go mad with my own thoughts. I need to help. I can't-I won't sit around waiting for something else to go wrong, for someone else to be hurt."

"Mina..." voice soft and tentative, fingers reaching out tentatively and jerking back as if scalded, wide sorrowful eyes glistening with a teary sheen, slightly retreating when I jerk myself free from the touch before it can approach.

Even though Jangmi means nothing but the intent to ground me as packmate, my mind bristles and revolts at the thought, a scream wanting to tear itself violently at my throat, to claw and scour at the calm contentment because every bit of me is anything but calm.

Memories and nightmares blurring, hallucinations entangled with half-snippets; too messy, too complex, too wrong to know what's right in it anymore.

I need to help before I get lost in my own thoughts, before I begin to falter in my own judgement, before whoever wanted me dead comes back to ensure my packmate's silence again.

"Amina we can't bring you into the station. You realise you walking in is going to send back a near year of this case in some ways..."

My hands curl tighter against my folded ears, fangs pooling over my lips, eyes stinging with a sour angry sharpness that I roughly swipe at.

"I know. I know. But I won't be a sitting target. Read me into the case."

It's clashing against a wall, it's tidal waves, strong and drowning in sea-salt battering at the seemingly impenetrable walls of forest dew and mint. Forces of nature at war with one another, battling without words, with the unwavering wills, with sharp eyes that hold my own aggrieved ones and look at me as if they truly do know, as if they do understand.

"I know I don't understand entirely. Not in the way you've suffered, not in the way KitKat has-" Namjoon begins.

My fangs sink into my bottom lip, the taste of metallic strong and sudden on my tongue, its iron tang all the more intensified, the baring of my teeth an instinctive, gut reaction to the thought of how much KitKat's suffered-all the more reason I couldn't sit around whilst the threat, the people who'd made my daughter, who'd made so many children hurt walk around unscathed and free.

Whilst I lived trapped and confined to the four walls of my own home, prowling and pacing and waiting for an end that wouldn't come until we dragged it kicking and screaming and sunk our fangs into it to tear it all open.

"You don't-"

"But. If you think for one instant being with (Y/N) for months and seeing her live a half-life, to see her live shut away with her world narrowed to four walls... if you think I don't understand the pain and annoyance it's causing my mate, my doe..." a shuddering rough breath, fangs pooling over his bottom lip, eyes glittering and dark, voice rough with ache.

"If you think I haven't seen (Y/N) try make the best of it all-whilst waiting for it all to end..."

"We understand you Amina. We know. I would've torn down the walls with my own impatience." A camaraderie, a shared spirit and sense in the fellow fox officer, in the softened slant of his lips and eyes, expression open and warm, hand grounding as he grips at Namjoon's hand, squeezes tight.

A bolt of guilt runs down my spine, scalding and merciless, back hunching and drooping, shoulders curving inwards. A stronger shame and guilt because (Y/N) had been under protective custody for months-because even if she was at home... there was a loneliness, an isolation in seeing her new pack live and love outside the constraints she had to.

It didn't mean she didn't love the people she was surrounded with, nor did it mean she'd begrudge them any happiness, any freedom that she was momentarily restrained from-she would never, always giving, always willing to put others first-the reason she'd left her own home had been to protect her own...

I feel a stronger pooling sense of guilt and ache that I might've lived a rough life surviving and trying to make each day go by, but in her own way, with her own circumstances so was (Y/N)-counting down days that blurred together.

And who else would know than her pack. Than the two officers standing with their hearts on their sleeves and a similar ache in their eyes that I feel scour away at my flesh and bones.

Gaze flitting to Jangmi, an apology on the tip of my lips that she reads without it being spoken, head shaking firmly. Eyes sharp and strong behind the sheen to them.

No sorries. Not for this. Never for this.

"Just... let's figure it out together? Because believe it or not Amina-we need Lieutenant Fang. And the last thing either of us would ever tell you to do is sit around and shut away." Namjoon's voice is firmer, leveller.

Scent less intense.

And an empathetic ache in his gaze that knows all too well, a searchingness in them that makes me feel all the more lighter and seen all at once.

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

The voice on the other end of the phone is tired, exhausted. Rough and rumbling with sleep still.

The phone answered blindly.

"...hello?" voice hoarse and cracking with sleep, a heavy rasping timbre and the sound of shuffling.

I wince, shoulders hunching at the lack of foresight, at being driven by impulse when I'd reached for the phone and dialled the number without preamble.

I almost cut the call, almost, but the sound of the sheets rustling, and a low groan is followed by a soft intake of breath, the quiet but slightly more alert murmur of my name.

"Everything okay Amina?"

"Sorry-sorry I didn't think, and I woke you, I'll call later."

There's amusement in the rumbling sound that filters through the phone.

"Might as well say it now. I'll go to bed afterwards."

"I want to come into work."

"Amina-"

"Not my own station... yours."

It takes a few moments for the realisation to sink in the same way it had me, and I put it down to sleepiness that his mind connects the links, words rumbled out, hoarse and disbelieving and with a smile in them.

"Going to sneak in shifted Lieutenant?"

"I'm not sitting around waiting. I'm definitely not sitting around holed away."

"I figured as much. You're an action taker." Voice slightly clearing as he wakens more, but the rough gravelly quality to it reminds me it's still dark out and he'd been asleep.

Ears folding over at the thought.

"You already know me well Officer-Namjoon. I'll talk to you later about it... I really am sorry." I murmur, voice quietening, easing the conversation towards an end.

"It's no problem." Voice warm and reassuring, soothing and grounding even over the distance of a phone, even disembodied his voice is imbued with a calm levelness that soothes the bristliness to my tail I'd been trying to smooth over, fingers working the fur of my tail flat, smoothening over the slightly frazzled roughness to it.

"Are you always an early riser or you couldn't sleep?" voice slow and measured.

Calm and gauging.

Always apt, sensing and just knowing-grateful for the fact he can't see me, just hear my voice, that he doesn't know how I'd woken, clothes clinging to sweat-slick skin, scent sharp and breaths wavering, rough and uneven. That I'd woken to shadows and disembodied voices that rang in my ears damning and clear-so starkly cold and so engrained into my mind that I knew this person at least was not a figment of a hallucination. This voice was real. This person was real. And they'd had a role in making sure I stayed missing, stayed unable to surface from the drugs.

"....Amina?"

"I slept. Just badly." I admit with a deep exhale, a whoosh of breath that shudders out of me, though I've long since scrubbed the scent of fear from my scent, washed off the feverish heat off my skin and into thicker clothes once more, burrowed into them.

Feeling cool, cold because I'm not entirely burrowed underneath the mound of blankets, eyes skimming over the dark shadowed silhouettes of my room, fingers reaching out to smoothen the blanketed swaddle KitKat's still deeply asleep in. Thankful that she was a deep sleeper-that she'd barely stirred and been soothed back to sleep when I'd bolted upright, heart in my throat.

"Want to talk about it?"

My lips curl up.

"Don't worry Namjoon-I have plenty of options to talk to when I'm not disturbing sleep. Go back to bed."

"Are you sure?" I can hear the tone of worry seeping into his voice. I can already see the downwards droop of his lips, flickering ears trying to chase truth from my words.

"I'm okay. I'll call-no... you call when you're awake. And free."

His laugh is soft and low.

"Try get some sleep Amina-" the sound of a door being opened and a heavy rumbling sounding chuff ripples through the call, intercepted by the speaker as distinctly clear.

"Come to sn-big cub." Whatever he was going to say interrupted and the loud sound of an impact, muffled against the bed and a deeper, louder rumbling chuff. My lips quirking despite the fact that even though the words aren't directed at me, underneath the alpha wolf, there's a sweetness there. Underneath the rumbling reassurance, there's a gentle, inexplicably fondness.

"Amina I'll call you." words filtering through a few moments later, laced with amusement and promise both.

"Goodnight Namjoon."

"It's practically morning-"

"Goodnight Namjoon." I repeat, a smile in my words echoed in his own.

"Goodnight Amina."

And when I go back to sleep-when I finally fall asleep, there's none of that thrumming restlessness under my skin and no panic lingering in my mind. Banished to the deep, dark recesses of my mind where no nightmares and no hallucinations and no fears linger. And sleep entangled with soft teeny purrs lulls my mind to rest.

[......]

Later that day Namjoon calls back, talking it through with me, confirming-easing that tight knot of impatience, making it easier to breathe.

Later that day I find KitKat crawling to the edge of the living room, tugging along a cushion in slow shuffling half-movements until she finds a perfect patch of sunlight and settles, cheek squished to the pillow to curl up under the sunlight filtering through the windows, the cloudy patches of her skin doused in a soft, wintery streams of sun. That day KitKat finds and chooses her first napping spot.

A squishy sweet smile that comes with droopy blinks, different coloured eyes peeking past lowered lashes, fluttering as her body sags, curled up and swaddled in a jumper far too big for her but she'd insistently chosen.

That day--- that day everything felt bearable, manageable. That day I felt like things were going to be on the upturn from here on forward.

JIMIN POV:

"I don't know~ I can't seem to decide whether I like you more in a suit, more when you're undercover or when you're in uniform." A voice lilts from behind me, my ears perking up, tail swishing even before I turn, head ducking to peer at the figure curved against the doorway, eyes snagging hers in the reflection of the mirror.

Fangs peeking past my lips as she catches my eyes and her smile deepens, ears flickering as my own trail down the silhouette of her body, lingering at the bare slope of her shoulder where the YG shirt slips off, fingers absently tapping against the doorframe.

"Trying to charm me out of my clothes when I've just begun to figure out how to tie this thing?" tail swaying a bit quicker when I notice her toeing the line of crossing the threshold into the room or remaining lingering there, deciding to take a step in.

Turning to face (Y/N) as she steps into the room, eyes glancing at the open door.

"Or maybe you were trying to give a show... no closed door?"

"It's a sign of trust."

Eyes dragging upwards from the subtle sway of her hips, trailing them up to see her smile grow, eyes glittering with unshed laughter.

"Is that so? So when I close the door..."

"You don't trust us."

"I don't trust your restraint~" she lilts playfully, slow, purposeful steps towards me, knowing full well that my eyes are trained to every single movement, glued to her.

Fangs pricking my bottom lip, mouth curving into a lazy, proud grin.

Hands curling against the dresser, gripping at the wood, body leaning against it, settling there.

"No? Don't trust us not to be animals with our control?"

She hums, a soft sound at the back of her throat, doe eyes filled with brimming joy and despite her moving forward towards me, I still feel that visceral, gravitational tug towards her, to curve closer to her, to reach my hands out to snag her about the waist and draw her to me.

"Maybe I'll test the waters-though as Joon's told me... locked doors aren't enough to keep out mates."

My fangs prick a tiny bit sharper, smile wicked and sly. Proud as I look at her.

The slow sway of my tail making her gaze drift briefly.

"That's true~ guess what you're saying to me is even if it's a closed door barge in anyways?"

"It means sneaky that if you want to give a show go for it or trying to lure a mate in then sometimes little can be more." words honeyed and coy, though the playful gleam in her eyes speaks volumes.

"Trying to teach me your ways?"

One hand finally darting out to swipe at her, fisting into the loose shirt and tugging her forward, moving to settle my hand across the dip of her waist once her weight leans into me, once she curves closer, hands skimming over my arms, reaching to wind around my nape, tugging me closer. Close enough that her breath warms my skin, ghosting along it in a trailing caress.

"Depends~ whether you're open to taking instruction."

Her head tilts, angled with a competitive, playful gleam shining in her doe eyes, ears flickering.

"I don't know... I think I'm good. Think I can do without your training Officer Park."

The label murmured against my skin, leaning forward to brush her lips slow against the line of my jaw, my fingers curling tighter at her waist, the splayed angle of my legs widening, shifting to adjust, to settle her body better between them.

The title makes my skin heat where her hand skims across my nape, sinking fingers into my hair, nails briefly, lightly dragging against my scalp, the motion drawing my head closer to hers, foreheads touching.

"Besides don't try charm me into bed when I've come to get you for breakfast."

"And spent the night with Koo and Jinnie hyung." nose catching the scent of cotton and vanilla, the subtleties of their pheromones stronger when she's been wrapped in their scents, in the soft haven of the nest that hyung tends to with every ounce of dedication and love.

"In my nest..."

"We've really got to have a room for pack nests."

"Living room not cutting it anymore?"

"For a permanent nested room. With a bed big enough for all of us."

"I don't think there's any spare rooms..."

"Well~ one day then." I murmur, head tilting further to hers, noses brushing, a soft rumble growing in the back of my throat at the slow raking intensity of fingers against my scalp, sinking into my hair, entangled into it.

"Until then I guess you'll just have to be quicker."

My tail sways slow, ears flickering at the challenging tone in her voice, tugging her closer until her hips are flush with my own, until a murmur is all it'll take to let my lips brush against hers.

"I'll make it my personal mission." Feeling the soft warmth of her lips when mine ghost across hers, feel the curl of her smile a fraction after it appears on her face, lips softly meeting mine.

Slotting together for a brief kiss before she eases back a fraction, eyes skimming over me, letting her fingers slowly trail out of my hair, the corners of her mouth quirking upwards at the huffed breath against her jaw when she lets them skim down instead.

Fingers moving to grasp at the two sides of the tie, a brief tug as she straightens, the motion drawing me forward, head tilting to her, watching deft fingers fiddle with the tie. Smoothening them over before she reaches to fiddle with my colour.

"You know how to tie?"

"Not this kind... not like this rather." The dark of her pupils inviting, irises deep and molten, a flash of heat that sears where her gaze settles before the words sink in. A hot flush of it that seeps under skin.

Fangs pooling over my bottom lip, a sharped hiss of her name, hands gripping at her hips to stop (Y/N) from retreating, from leaving or escaping once the words have left her lips.

"Care to share?"

"Oh I don't know... I remember you know your way around tying me up."

Words drawing to mind, yanking it to the forefront of my consciousness a different time, when instincts and want had been thrashing to break through that wall of hesitation, of stifled feelings and unspoken confessions.

Remembering starkly just how her scent had bloomed under the pinning weight of my wrist and her own bound, body stretched out and caging possessively over hers.

A growl ripples past my lips, lunging after her as she tugs herself free, fingers slipping from the dangling ends of the tie and darts away.

"You vixen... come back here!" rushing after her, chasing the quick, noiseless treads as she rushes out of the room, her laugh ringing out bright and giddy, turning round the corner to escape into the living room.

"Too slow-"

Voice petering off as (Y/N) darts behind Hobi hyung, his heart-shaped smile brightening when she clutches at him, hands tugging hers to wrap around his waist, ears twirling when he spots me rush in mere moments after she's sought refuge.

A low wolf-whistle as he runs his eyes down the length of my body, my scent blooming with a satisfaction at eliciting a visceral response in their own pheromones-the scent of caramelised nuts turning sweeter, the rich sweetness thick on my tongue.

"Now why is a suited officer chasing my pretty dear?"

"She knows exactly what she's done."

Hobi hyung sports a contemplating expression, humming low in his throat, scent pooling sweeter with tease and mischief and conspiration, tucking (Y/N) further behind him, grinning wide, the tips of his fangs pointy and gleaming as he looks at me.

"Unless it's a crime Officer... I'm not handing over my kit."

"Wow hyung you look great!" a voice behind me enthuses, another voice tagging along.

"Bend over to let me see properly?" words drawled out in a low baritone, grin crooked and fangy and all boxy when I turn to look at the doorway, watching Kook carry Tae in, tiger wrapped around in a koala hold, all long limbs wrapped around his torso and shoulders, curls messy and eyes sharp, glinting.

My tail swishes, the drag and sway of it slow, inviting his eyes to remain riveted even as my lips curve and eyes crinkle with a deeper smile.

"And let you have all the fun when I'm running on a schedule today-maybe when I get back."

His smile turns sharp. Glinting with hunger. With a playfulness entangled with the ravenousness that threatens to pool in the umber shade of his eyes.

"Besides you've not seen anything yet. Wait till Namjoon's gotten dressed. He somehow looks bigger in a tailored suit than he does in uniform."

Their eyes gleam with a curiosity, Kookie moving further into the living room, suddenly twisting and falling back with a bubbling laugh that wells up into infectious giggles when his sudden sprawl has Tae knocked back against the end of the couch and his body suddenly pinned by the pure muscle mass that Jungkook is.

Trying to tug himself free, unrepentantly having been dumped and then sprawled over, ears twitching and flopping when fingers poke at him, squirming and giggling but refusing to roll off.

The sight snags my eyes, roots them there, the scent of berries and cotton growing stronger, entangled with one another in the same way that their bodies are-anise and caramel pooling sweet and tender, my eyes briefly flitting to the side, narrowing when I catch doe eyes, warning and alert, body still thrumming with the physical jolt her words had elicited.

Watch as her eyes skim away with a playfulness in her scent that belies her actions. Pretending as if she hadn't seen me, hadn't felt my gaze on hers, nor met it for a few moments.

"Breakfast?" edging away slowly, all too willing to continue using Hobi as a shield, and hyung all too eager to let her tug him further away, twisting so he's draped against her back, a slow shuffling waddle as the two of them move to the kitchen.

My gaze torn between the sight, drifting back when a pealing squirmed breathless huff of hyung stop has my ears flickering to attention.

Lips quirking up at the sight of flushing cheeks and glittering eyes shining with laughter, teary with how hard he squirms and laughs in Tae's re-wrapping koala hold that keeps Kookie captive now rather than just a sprawling, pinning weight.

"I think tiger's already chosen his menu." I laugh, watching the swishy sway curl of his tail skims against Kook's side before banding across, tucking him against him-keeping him anchored there.

"It's bun-nothing to start the day than protein."

"I thought you liked to start the day with berries."

"I can change my mind. Or have a different taste depending on my mood~" he lilts with a low hum, head ducking to mouth along the slither of skin he can reach, delighting in the small shudders and pulse of cotton that seeps off him.

"What's to say he can't enjoy a balanced diet? Tigers like a bit of both~" Jin hyung's voice is a pleasant, startling surprise-he's gotten better at sneaking up unnoticed, steps quiet and noiseless; picking up on the near inaudible treads of the rest of the pack, managing to control the flaps and flutters of his wings until his arms snake around me, winding around my waist and tugging me back, head settling on my shoulder.

"Jin hyung!" a laughed protest.

Chuuuuuuuuuff. Proud and agreeing.

"You're getting better at sneaking around."

"I live with a pack of predators and two extra sneaky, sleuth preys... you think that I won't pick up on your tricks?"

"It's not a trick-" I begin, squirming at the teasing trail of fingertips skimming up and down my side, wings fluttering behind him.

"Half of you are as loud as they come-I know when there's silence there's only trouble and sneakiness behind it." voice lilted with accusation, the tips of his wings fluttering to curve inwards, brushing against my sides, fingers absently smoothening over my belt, trailing up to where the shirt's tucked in, the tips of his fingers tweaking and tugging at the tie.

Peering over my shoulder towards the two entangled on the couch, limbs messily intertwined and two pairs of eyes staring up at us.

"Does that mean the others aren't sneaky? Or we're just quieter about it? Hi kits-" voice low and smooth, the murmured softness of his words accompanied with the faintly curling sweetness of fresh citrus.

The voice disembodied, distant slightly as Jin hyung turns, wings fluttering and his right wing extending out, splayed wide to usher him closer, to tuck him against his side, a swaying, curling black tail briefly wrapping around hyung's wrist in a loose hold before letting himself be tucked in closer.

"It means that I'm mate to sneaks." The statement impassioned. Accompanied with a deep curve to his lips, his wings fluttering as he tucks Yoongi hyung closer, arm unravelling around my waist to curve around hyung too, head slotted between us, pressing a fleeting kiss to my temple then hyung's. The gesture tender and soft. Gentle. Then slowly unravels his hold, head peering back, unconsciously counting out mates I realise, keeping track of them, such a herding gesture that my scent blooms softer when he comes to the realisation Joonie's not here.

"I'm missing a pup."

"He's still getting dressed."

"He's gearing himself up-though I know he'll be fine." Yoongi hyung murmurs, tail poking at my side, fingers absently smoothening over a crease in my shirt, eyeing the tie with a faint gummy smile.

"No one offered to tie you up?"

My ears stiffen into a perked uprightness, hear a bubbling laugh from the kitchen.

And I wonder if hyung heard-given the way his fangs peek past his lips, a flash of gums and the faint crinkle around his eyes where laughter lines crease.

"Is that an offer?" I ask at the same time as Tae speaks.

"I volunteer!" an eager vocalness, hands wrapped around Koo but trying to bolt upright-the two of them flailing briefly before their bodies tumble off the couch, a dull thud where they fall haphazardly onto the carpet. Tae twisting to try scramble up, yelped protest as arms wrap around him to tug him back, clambering up himself.

A mess of limbs and dishevelled clothes and their scents seeping off them strong and rich and pulsing with a giddy warmth that sinks into my skin, unwinds whatever nerves I might've had about the hearing.

The scent of citrus blooming, seeping into the air and intertwining with the pulse of happy-amused-giggly scents of mates.

"I volunteer~ me... I volunteer!" Tae repeats, scrabbling upright, cheeks flushed pink with their small tussle, tail swishing eagerly behind him.

"What're you volunteering for? Because it might have to wait till later." Joon hyung enters, distracted, fingers tugging impatiently at the collar of his shirt, tie clutched between a tight fist, ears flickering distractedly-though they perk up to attention at the sudden rich burst of cotton and the low soft murmur of his name from (Y/N)'s lips.

Head darting up to realise that the entire pack's attention drifted-settled on him... fixated there, freezing just over the threshold of the living room. And that for all that in that instant he radiates posturing alpha wolf male, his wide eyes and startled expression screams pup.

My lips curl up at the sight, head tilting.

"What took you so long alpha hyung?" watching the visceral reaction to the title, watch as his eyes flash, darken, posture straightening even if he's not entirely sure what he's walked into.

"I was getting ready." Words slow, eyes narrowing as he's gauging the atmosphere, scent and ears both flickering with confusion.

"Well you look great Namjoonie hyung." voice enthused and eager, ears popping upright, large eyes unblinking, lips parted slightly in surprise as Kook stares at hyung. Unwavering.

"He's right."

Head turning to peer at where (Y/N)'s leaning against the back of one of the chairs, eyes intent and focused, skimming over the broad lines of his body.

"Kookie's right. Jiminie was right too. You look great in a suit." The deepening fullness of her smile an indication that she rather likes the way the high of his cheeks flush slightly, a faint reddish quality to honeyed skin, dimples gracing his mouth.

"Here I was worrying about running late but it seems like it might be worth it."

There's a fondly exasperated eye-roll from Yoongi hyung as his tail pokes at my side nudging me to the couch, head tilting to peer at Joon hyung.

"Couch pups."

Watching with thinly veiled amusement, fangs peeking past pink lips as Joon sinks down beside me, hands clasping his knees nervously as he looks up, scent unfurling rich and strong; fresh dew and earthy forest notes bursting, the slight tint to his cheeks deepening when hyung reaches out his hands to clasp at the ends of his tie first, a slight tug, body half curved over, bracketing Joon's broader frame that somehow... somehow looks smaller in this instant under the looming half-caged stance of Yoongi hyung.

Slender, long fingers looping into the tie, winding it round with deft, quick movements before a firmer tug as he secures the knot, smoothening his hand over the collar, leaning in further, a gravitational tug between the two, Joon's eyes raptured, body stilled. The slow swaying curl of Yoongi hyung's dark tail almost hypnotic-the silence is stifling and a stark difference to the tussling chaos that had ensured mere moments before Joon had entered.

I lean in, lips brushing against the column of his throat, nose pressed to his jaw, a crowding, possessive touch, lips quirking against skin when his hand clasps at my thigh-in warning and anchoring hold both.

"All done Namjoon-ah." Eyes skimming over to me and rather than take a step forward to crowd near me, a near-whined protest almost slips past my lips until Tae nudges hyung aside, a wicked sharp gleam I know all too well shining in feline eyes, fangy boxy grin wide.

"Hi pretty pup."

Fingers reaching slowly for my tie, laughing when my hands clasp at the low of his thighs, snaking around to sprawl against the back of his legs, fingers flexing and tightening to grip at skin, warm under my touch, muscles shifting slightly, eagerly-willingly leaning in to crowd against my space.

"Hi tiger."

But rather than make a teasy comment or remark, his eyes remain level, focused on me, fingers tugging and looping the tie, lips curving up when he senses my staring.

"You know you'll both be fine. The hearing is just the official step to their sentencing-they'll get what was coming to them." Voice low, a rumbling baritone.

There's no growl or roughness in his voice and yet in that deep timbre, in the loose contentment in his body and the lazy sway of his tail-there's no mistaking or forgetting that there's a predator under-he is a predator in his skin, shifted or not. There's also that sharp glint in his eyes as he raises his head to look at me, hand resting against my chest, against my sternum, my pulse thudding against ribs and flesh to try get to the warm, broad sprawl of his palm and fingers. Thrumming against it.

"Taehyungie hyung's right. There's no need to be nervous." Shining eyes earnest and sincere.

"It's not their sentencing I'm worried about."

"It's Ji Sung and his plans." I mutter under my breath, not entirely sure how it'll play out, not sure how a sudden absence of scent makes my nose itch, head rearing up to look towards the direction of the kitchen. Doe eyes impassive and face neutral-catching my gaze and playfully rolling her eyes when she feels my worry, teeth biting my tongue.

"You think I can't hear the name of an excellent lawyer that I recommended?"

"I know you have... reservations."

It was a vague blurred picture I couldn't even begin deciphering. She trusted him inexplicably. But she also wanted at the very least to have her personal involvement entirely removed from him.

And I wondered what connection the elder lion and (Y/N) had.

The most logical understanding that they'd worked together in the past, that he'd worked a case at the centre. Perhaps a difficult one she didn't want to revisit. Something I couldn't blame her for, something that made complete sense.

"It doesn't change he's amazing at his job. And today-whatever plans he has... I trust them to support this case entirely." Voice unwavering, full of a strength that bolsters me Joon-his scent and posture perking up further.

Again... a careful roundabout hedging that avoids making the air tense, diffuses my own brief, flitting apprehensions-brushes them off with an easy smile. Her scent hasn't changed in the slightest as she'd been speaking.

My head tilts-snagging her eyes for a few moments longer before she straightens up, gaze flitting over the rest of us.

"Breakfast? I don't have Jin or Koo's talent in baking or Yoongi's touch to cooking-"

"Or my talent as the perfect sous-chef!" Hobi hyung snags at her, fingers teasing at her sides, slipping under the loose stretched hem of the shirt to curl his hand against skin, nosing along her crown with a low rumbly hum.

"Or Hobi's talent as the perfect sous chef-but I tried." A loose shrug that has Tae tugging me alongside him, fangs peeking past his lips.

"Rule number 1- love and appreciate my mate."

"Adding your own rules?-I don't remember that being there." (Y/N) asks, a fond grin curving across the soft fullness of her mouth as she watches him plop down beside her, tail wrapping around her ankle and his hand reaching to bodily tug her chair closer to his, tugging at her leg until it's draped over his and they're half-pressed to one another.

"Those rules Binnie and Eunwoo told me are for keeping their packmate happy. There's just an additional few when it comes to my mate."

"Just an additional few?" Hobi hyung teases.

There's nothing but pure pride and joy in Tae's chuffs.

"The more we court (Y/N), the more it grows."

And even though that makes her scent bloom sweeter-it makes the fresh sweetness of strawberries thicken and the slant of his boxy, fangy smile to widen, a chuff rumbling in his chest at the unspoken, biological tell that his words elicit.

"Going to make pack courting rules too~ and tying up a mate... definitely makes the cut." He mentions with a wicked grin afterwards, fangs pooling over his lips, chuff muffled in face of the full cheeks bulging as he inhales a large mouthful, eyes glinting as he looks at my secured tie. All too aware that he meant it in an entirely different way-just as (Y/N) had.

"Seconded." (Y/N) fronts with a wide, teasing grin, raising her glass in mock toast to clink against Tae's, her eyes skimming over me, the playful crackly tension that had simmered before threatening to rear back to life. To claw its way to the forefront of my mind.

Stronger. Inescapable.

"I third that~ Hobi hyung lilts, eyes briefly flicking over to Jin hyung, an all too knowing gleam in his eyes, wings fluttering, sensing Hobi hyung's gaze on him even if he doesn't turn his head immediately to meet it with the same playful fire pooling in dark eyes.

The sound of a glass clunking against the table in a motion matching a gavel, wings fluttering as Jin hyung speaks.

"Motion passed."

And I hope with the ease that this pack rule has been passed-the sentencing goes just as smoothly. More so.

But (Y/N)'s unwavering confidence and assuredness bolsters me. And it's with that I'm able to leave, with my mind at ease more than it has been these past few days. A similar contentment in his gaze too.

Eyes meeting mine over the table.

It'll be all right. Now. Today. Tomorrow.

[......]

Any doubts I may have had... any hesitations or any suspicions are wiped clean entirely when I watch Ji Sung approach us outside the courtroom; posture tall and confident, eyes dragging to the lion hybrid, to the sheer weight of power he radiates. An untouchable air to him that both roots gazes to him, snared in his aura and stilled where they stand... not able to broach the space to even dare veer anywhere near him.

That assuredness only solidifies when we enter the courtroom and a visible hush falls on the defence team when they see-and clearly recognise Ji Sung, the row of seats where the jury will sit still to be filled, the cluster of seats facing the judge steadily filling up.

I spot Ji Sung's small legal team already set up, see the space between the two lawyers; the mated couple, Ji Sung's left and right hands; the Parks scanning the courtroom with lazy trailing eyes. There's almost something disconcerting to see a loose languidness in their postures when the few times I'd seen them at work, batting ideas back and forth-razor sharp and focused, and all the times beyond it... outside of work as gushingly sweet. This however... the lazy appraisal of the room, of their hunt, their next challenge and battle whilst outwardly looking beguiling. A casual intimacy in their postures, Hyungsik curved towards his petite mate, gravitated there-they're so compelling and comfortable with utilising themselves-scents neutral and levelled, with using their youth to their advantage-I genuinely can't tell in this instant whether or not they're feigning their disinterested gazes and it's part of their charm as a duo of efficient lawyers.

With them I just can't tell.

And I think that's why Ji Sung has them as his inner circle. There's an air of casual calm over the ruthlessness I know they have underneath.

"Isn't that JB and Jinyoung's mate?" Namjoon points out, half a step behind me. I follow the line of his sight towards the second row directly behind where the offenders will sit, fingers smoothening over the buttons and checking his camera, ears perked and sharp to attention, the slow motion of his tail speeding into a quick wag, sharpness melting from his features to soften them drastically when I call out.

"Bambam?"

Ears perking up and body half-twisting to peer back at the two of us, smile softening the sharp intensity of his eyes.

"Hyungs! I was wondering when you'd turn up. I thought you'd be here at least an hour before me."

"(Y/N)'s scent's all over you. Guess she needed to calm her... pup mates first." A cheeky, teasing grin to his lips, dodging my swiping arm as he laughs.

"We're older than you." I laugh.

"Doesn't stop me from calling Jinyoungie and JB hyung pups too. Entirely unrelated to age." He says with a grin, weaving back a few steps.

Namjoon's lips quirk, dimpled indents appearing faintly as he looks at Bambam, the quick wagging motion of his tail hastening when he sees Bambam take a definitive, purposeful choice to sit in the seat directly behind where we would, smile stretched wide across his face, raising his camera.

"I'll get the best for you hyungs."

My lips curve, tail swishing, feeling Joon's body press closer to me from behind, steering me forward.

"Looks like we were wrong to think it was the two of us against everything with this case." He murmurs, voice low and velvety.

It had started off that way. Feeling as if in this web we were the only two helplessly entangled in it, drowned deeper and deeper into it without any way of beginning to untangle the snares that dragged us further into the case.

But there were people we could trust-there were people who were just as involved, just as dedicated, just as fiercely wanting the best outcome from this hearing and this trafficking case.

There were people who wanted them taken down just as badly as us.

Joon and me. The small team of officers working with us. Jinyoung and JB. The officers in surveillance. The ones scouting the area for more missing hybrids. Then the ones undercover. The people at the hybrid centre and then Ji Sung and his legal team.

And so many more beyond the people involved legally.

And before we sit down I lean forward, hand squeezing at Bambam's shoulder, watching one ear flicker and perk to attention as I whisper quietly to him.

"Get the faces of everyone sentenced. Who's writing up the article?"

"Jackson. He's probably running late or-"

"He's scouting the area outside isn't he? I thought I caught his scent on the way in."

Though scent-blockers were necessary within the courtroom for judges and lawyers. For the legal team. So that scent or pheromones couldn't betray their unspoken thought, so it wouldn't sway a side in a legal battle. They were impassive. And that just like any court hearing, any battle that took place in the courtroom-this was one of the neutralisers. In keeping the peace, in keeping it even to the very end.

Both ears are perked now and when Bambam angles his head back I can see the grin on his face, the sharp glint in his gaze.

"JB's right... you two don't miss much do you. Got a sharp nose." He muses.

"And you've got sharp eyes. Chosen a good spot to sit."

"Well if it's making front page news and headlining the nation's news tonight and tomorrow morning it's got to be perfect."

Because step one... the first move rather in this new game, this ruthless hunt, was putting a visible target on. Was giving people faces to link to losing family and friends. To the people behind it.

And by putting a target on, by making our intent clear Ji Sung's aim was to drive them out.

[......]

A hardness settles as one by one, in a slow shuffle they're brought to the stand. Some of them worn down from their time in prison, in holding cells until now-until the moment of the judge's verdict. A few of them scan the room, sweeping gazes across- searching for something unknown because a formidable, unshakeable wall of hard rage confronts them.

And there's some, a large majority of them, that walk in with their heads held high as if what they have done is anything short of heroic or commendable.

It's them that make my blood boil, a heat bubbling under skin, scouring away at me and leaving raw angry gashes in their wake. That despite having seen everything they've done-memories that flash through my mind and linger long after the lawyers start speaking, a futile back and forth of failing to negotiate a sentence that's already determined.

It's like watching a ball bounce off a wall-barely making the barest of impacts against the hard, ungiving surface.

Ji Sung is that impenetrable wall of defence-sharp and cutting and a ruthless firmness that as I watch him work I realise and understand without a doubt why he's recommended, why he's the best of his field. Why even though he speaks considerably less to the defendants, why even his silence, the quiet, intensity brewing in the lion's eyes and the sharp alertness he watches the opposing side with-the air is tart with the scent of fear. Strong and pooling out to seep into the crevices of the courtroom.

It comes from every sentencing being finalised with the banging of the gavel, it comes from the monsters in handcuffs realising that there wasn't a way out. Not this time. And bitter sharp satisfaction coats my tongue, turns the mint of my scent sharp and eye-watering, makes the hand encasing mine grip back tight and strong, the hard press of nails to skin reminding me of the weight of claws.

There's also the scent of sharp, rough anger-unrestrained and wild, crackling stronger and thicker, swelling waves that the scent diffusers in the airflow system can't erase entirely-it tries to take the edge off it but the feelings keep growing. Bubbling up higher and higher.

And it's that that Ji Sung feeds on, the slow curl and sway of his tail, the lazy slouch of his posture, utterly at ease as he watches, head angled towards Bo Young. He doesn't speak-far too many hybrids in the room that could catch the whisper on his breath.

It's then I realise just how well he plays the game.

How well he manipulates it to his rules, his ways, so that the game is played entirely from the palm of his hand, the tricks and trades of it so carefully controlled.

He's an expert. And once I see him in action-I know that he's a powerful lion hybrid that is better on our side, with us than against us.

And scepticalness melts to give way to respect for the way the elder lion hybrid commandeers the court, the sharpness of his scent kept at a constancy that surprises me.

The level of control he has over his pheromone production, over reigning in his own biology is surprising-it should be startling had it not been for the case that out of pure necessity and need to keep everything related to the case under wraps that scent couldn't be the reason why anything was betrayed or leaked. Pheromones giving away what tightly sealed lips weren't.

"He's cutthroat." Joon murmurs, voice low and gravelly. Laced with admiration and respect for the lion.

"I guess his reputation's been earnt. Every bit of it."

"He's known and respected. You can tell the outcome even if the judges are wearing blockers."

There's a ripple of movement before Ji Sung leans in towards the mic.

"I'd like to call on two key officers present at the raid where the arrests were made. First of-Officer Park."

Fingers disentangle from mine, skimming up to squeeze my leg, unspoken reassurance there.

Go get them.

I steel my breath as I move towards the stand, posture straightening, feeling the gazes of the opposite side, head turning to face them, confronting the anger and disgust there with larger, rolling waves of fury that pours off me in response to the unaffected hardness in their eyes.

Monsters. But even that is too soft of a label for the depraved affectionless inhumanity that sits in their eyes.

Every single person there was involved in selling and trading of hybrids in the sex trade-particularly children at the barn we'd found.

Someone from those lines had been the reason KitKat had fought to survive, hidden away, and why Amina had had to stay hidden for so long-sheltering away a tiny kitten who couldn't shift back, who couldn't be of use to them.

It's a small mercy, one that I clutch onto, that KitKat is untouched by the cruelties of these people. But I don't let it-won't let it swamp over the stark, harsh truth that not all children had had Amina, not everyone escaped.

Only KitKat survived the sex trafficking. The other hybrids hadn't.

There were hospitals filled with hybrid patients.

And a lot of them might never recover the level of trauma and psychological and physical damage done. Not entirely.

And it was on them.

I try and fail to reign it back, to control the roughness but it bleeds into my voice when Ji Sung steps up-his eyes a mirror to my own, just as raw and angry and bleeding with a need for vengeance.

But his voice is low and commanding. Calm.

"Officer Park were you there on the day of the raiding?"

"Yes." The word wrenched roughly past my lips. Anger dripping from that one syllable.

"What role did you have?"

"I led my unit through the front entrance. The first line of combat into the raid. The first ones on the scene."

He circles the stand, posture tall and radiating authority.

Eyes damning as he looks at the opposite side.

"And tell the court Officer Park in perfect detail-what did you see? What did you find?"

[......]

I watch as Namjoon steps up.

Listen as he recounts the raid, leading the shifted unit of officers. There's no sugar-coating or glossing over the morbid, the brutal, the sharp efficiency of the officers, nor the pure venom in his voice.

He's not unaffected.

But it's that raw tangible myriad of emotions that seep out, control the tide and flow of the courtroom further.

"Don't try be blank walls. Don't try hold up your title as officers as a way of controlling how you feel. Let the court know how it was. Let them feel what you felt. Don't hide."

"Isn't that going to make us come across as emotionally attached to the case? Or with a personal involvement to the case?"

"But that's exactly what you have. And people will want someone who cares... who feels just as angry as them than someone who doesn't care at all."

"Make them angry too. When it comes to it-make the nation angry."

And that's what the stormy rage in Namjoon's eyes, the vitriol in his voice and the protective anger pouring off his body broadcasts to every single person in this courtroom.

There's only going to be closed articles about this case.

But the motion Ji Sung is going to propose going forward-a bloodthirsty hunt for vengeance and justice just within bounds but one that'll strain it nonetheless.

But to get the people responsible... to make them pay... using the law to his strengths, to our strengths was what this whole sentencing was for.

Not just to see their sentences firmed, their lives to be spent locked away withering and rotting in cells... but with this case to open up a wider awareness.

To let the nation be part of the manhunt. To rely and depend on the humanity of our world to hunt down the monsters threatening it.

And when Joon speaks-the swelling waves of pheromones thicken to an all-time suffocating peak.

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

"That's hyungs' case." Head tilting back to crane his eyes at me, wide eyes peering back at me, the motion making his ears flop and dangle upside down.

"Didn't make the news? I was hoping suited up officers might make the cut." (Y/N) adds, doe eyes joining Koo's, hers gleaming with a thoughtful, quiet observation in them. As if already she can see and sense the tightness that just won't ease off my limbs, that thrumming restlessness that batters at skin and bone desperate for an out in some way.

"Oh? Didn't get a good enough look this morning?"

A small shake of her head, grin widening when I gesture with a lazy sweep of my hand downwards, suit no longer impeccably in place, clothes rumpled and the gel that'd been keeping my hair slicked back no longer doing its job, fingers pushing strands back from my face.

"Could get a good look now." I offer, lips quirking up, a faint fraction of the tension melting underneath the appreciative, thorough dragging of both their gazes at the invite of my words. But still not making a move to broach the threshold yet.

Ears tuning out Ji Sung's voice still filtering through the tv, directing my senses, my focus solely on my mates.

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

I don't stay when the news starts, Joon's gaze turning sharp and focused, the slight angling of his body as he turns towards the screen, directing his attention to it.

It doesn't make his hand drift from the pile of curls his fingers have sunk into, nor the rumbling stream of chuffs, cheek squished against his leg.

It doesn't let me cross the threshold of the living room, sinking back a step then two, though the sudden sharpness of my scent has already bled into the air, strong enough I can taste it, strong enough that it elicits a rustle of movement but I'm already retreating.

Turning away from the news that I already know, by memory, turned over and over in my mind, what the words will be, what Ji Sung's legal motion will push for.

What he and his team are going to push for.

A manhunt. A nationwide hunt for the monsters.

Because it wasn't enough anymore... not enough to keep our team small for fear of a mole, but that in itself was damaging our pace, our chances to hunt them down quicker.

Because there was only so much we could all do with resources and people stretched thin, there was only so many hours in the day. We needed this.

We needed the nation on our side. To be brought to arms in the same way our team was. We needed yank out the humanity in every person and turn the tides to sway it in our favour, stronger and heavier.

We needed this.

But that doesn't mean I want to sit through the coverage of the court hearing from today, it doesn't mean I want the reminder that still exists in rumpled clothes and the smell of countless scents clinging to skin and fabric to soak into flesh and bones.

Joon watches-he can't bring himself to look away... not from the gamechanger, not from the twist Ji Sung was intending to put into the whole case that'd put a wrench in the trafficker's suffocating web.

But even though I don't want to stay for a few moments I find myself lingering regardless. Lingering at the threshold even as my scent sharpens with the stark clarity of every single instant of the hearing re-branding itself across my mind and the insides of my eyes so that even should they dare blink and twist away from the tv screen, it's there plastered across my mind's eye.

My gaze skims over my mates instead, content to draw them in, desperate for the sight of them to be a balm to the lingering weighted remnants of the day that obstinately still cling to me. To tug away that reminder that bears down on me, clings to me, a second skin I want to claw off.

I won't ever forget the hearing, I never want to forget it.

But with the triumph, with the victory of sentencing after sentencing...watching monsters get given their punishment for life, to be locked away, to be imprisoned and confined for the rest of their lives-in the same way they had trapped and imprisoned so many... it was a bitter satisfaction.

But it wasn't enough to make the tightness in my lungs ease or the fire in my veins to quieten.

It wasn't enough when even though (Y/N)'s here... even though she's safe it's come at a cost. At a sacrifice. At a life within these four walls until they're hunted down.

And where the lack of knowing... of that obscurity that surrounded Ji Sung's past, the confidential files, the fact all we had to go on was what we could gauge from the moment we'd met him... his call for a nation-spread hunt is a move I hadn't considered. But now that it's in motion... now that it plasters the screen of every single screen in Korea this evening... there's nothing I wouldn't do to push the call for the monsters to be dragged screaming and kicking to kneel and lie helpless and pinned down in front of the ones they've hurt, the ones they've ruined.

And looking at (Y/N) stirs up a feeling of sharp, painful longing and guilt. Simultaneous. Prickling at my skin.

That I couldn't do more for her. That what I was doing wasn't enough.

That we were living but she was living a half-life.

"As of today we're commencing a nationwide hunt. As of today you as a nation will know of the crimes that until now might've been kept from you. We're losing hybrids-adults and children alike to a large sex trafficking ring... we're losing families and loved ones to crimes beyond the inhumane, beyond monstrous..." his voice is imbued with a raw intensity that grates at every nerve, that's brusque with an honest transparency intent to tear down every barrier, every thought, every bit of guardedness not until everyone dissolves into rage and bloodlust-but to yank out every instinct of human decency out of the people.

I drift back, steps quiet and unheard as I retreat from the threshold, turning from it.

Every word already ringing in my ears with a strong clarity.

That maybe like this... maybe this is what we needed.

Maybe this would push us further in the right direction with a quicker trajectory.

I don't get to close the door to my room, a hand nudging at the low of my back, body slotting against my back briefly, the softness of limbs pressing close, the faint sweet softness of anise brushing against my senses in the same way her body does as she slips in behind me, door clicking shut quietly.

Feet coming to a still when a hand wraps around from me behind, doesn't tug me backwards, quietly leaning forward.

"Are you okay Jimin-ah?"

Ears flickering at the sound of the soft murmur, head tilting to her, finding nothing but unguarded openness in her eyes, doe eyes watchful and searching.

"Came to change."

The excuse falls bland from my lips.

"Without letting me get a proper look of my suited up officer mate?" her words making my lips quirk, the tight knot of anger-hurt-shame-fury-rawness unravelling in the slightest, hand moving to grip hers, fingers entangling before I slowly turn in the circle of her arm, watching her eyes skim over me.

A slowness that makes my smile deepen.

"Didn't get a good enough chance this morning?"

A small shake of her head, silent thoughtfulness pooled in her eyes before the expression brewing there melts and her eyes sweep lazy and slow.

The raking slowness of her look makes my grin deepen, breath a fraction easier-mind and instincts curving to the distraction she's willing to be.

Her hand skims up to tousle my hair, to card through strands of hair that are no longer slicked back, pushing them back from my face in the same familiar motion my own fingers travel, nails dragging against my scalp, fingers curling against my nape to squeeze slowly. The motion grounding, loosening a shuddering breath from my lungs.

"Could get a good look now." I offer, voice a low rasp- a dizzy contradiction as my mind and instincts war briefly, clashing and entangling, lulled by the soft contentedness of her scent that doesn't waver but sweeps across my own sharp mint, soothing it. Softening the harshness, smoothening over the rough prickly edge of it.

It's so easy to lose myself to a distraction I greet with open arms, hands wrapping around her to tug her closer to me, the motion presses her flush, her touch fleeting where my own is a possessive branding grip, hands sprawled against the lines and dips of her body.

"I wouldn't mind." But the brush of her other hand against my arm is a slow sweeping motion that's at odds with the restless impatience that's been simmering under my skin today. Different to the sharper, firmer intensity of it all that right now my mind buzzes with need for.

My hands retreat, unwilling to relinquish my tight hold, but relenting only to grip at her wrist, to tug her closer, head angled to hers, breath shuddering, skin feeling stretched taut over my bones. It takes every bit of restraint to not indulge the pure animal that claws at the barrier of human skin, anise seeping off her, fangs and gums aching with a reason I can't pinpoint.

"The hearing went well... so what's wrong Jiminie?" voice soft, plaintive. Coaxing and nudging.

Unbidden, my fingers grip at her wrist, fangs at her jaw, scraped against the gentle, sloped curve.

Breath wavering against her skin.

The closeness to (Y/N) chipping and wearing away at the antsy feeling crawling under my skin, loosening it but not entirely able to broach the ringing of the words that I know are playing on the tv screen and the ones from the hearing.

The words that not everyone heard. The words that ring and grate at my senses, gum raw and fangs nipping sharper, the thick sharpness of my scent pooling on my tongue. Ears flattening to try block them out.

"Officer Park can you tell us the details of the situation when the raid was first made?"

I know I'll never forget it. I know not a single officer will forget it.

My voice is level when I speak, eyes instinctively seeking out Namjoon in the seats, his eyes already steadfastly fixed on me, scent strong-strong and bolstering, strong enough that even with the flux of pheromones in the courtroom, his isn't lost. His is a direct tether that roots me in the present, right with him, in this moment even as I recount that day.

"The barn took us a long time to find. And it was based off a warehouse raid in the industrial district in Seocho. We'd made an arrest for Lee Jung-In. He's been manufacturing and selling trackers that we linked to the trafficking. That we learnt were being used to track and harvest the hybrids."

There's a low quiet laugh-amused and scathing.

My gaze is torn from Namjoon's, hackles rising, fingers curling against the wood of the stand, gripping it hard enough it creaks under the force, the weight of claws sitting just under my nails.

Watching as I stare into a face, one of the many not just me but the world won't forget. Staring at the face of a woman not yet a husk. Wearing her inhumanity proudly, eyes glittering even as she sits handcuffed.

The sound is provoking. Drags a sharp blade through my levelness, fangs pooling over my lips as my eyes flash and a guttural rough growl bubbles past my lips.

The sound elicits a strong wave of poisoned hate, the feeling... the smell of it growing thicker and thicker, clinging to every particle of air in the courtroom that even the judges begin to shift and grow slightly restless. There's a human and two hybrids leading the legal proceedings and even though their scents are stifled-their expressions are echoes of the vicious feral anger that twists my insides.

They're impatient to sentence these monsters too.

But even sentencing them doesn't feel like enough. Not when that woman looks back at me, lips curled with vicious satisfaction.

Ignoring the judge's orders for silence when it strikes dissent, hisses and sharp vehemence from the rows.

"Hybrids deserve no better. You're filthy animals that need to be put down or put to use."

[......]

"I want to rip her throat out." I grit out, fingers tugging harshly at the strands of my hair.

There's a rippled growl that resounds beside me, echoed behind us.

A tight prickling stinging to where Joon's hand grips mine, tugs me back, nails pressing to skin, hard enough for a moment they feel like the claws they are underneath.

Maybe being animal is going to be the last thing she loathes and remembers when claws and fangs tear into her.

"I would help hide the body. And get you out without a notch on your record." Ji Sung says, no longer bothering to keep his voice level and quiet now that we've left the courtroom.

There's a sharp glint to his eyes and a level seriousness to his voice. Unflappably serious about it.

It tugs a snort of laughter out from Bambam and a dimpled, easy grin from Namjoon, hiding the wicked sharp rough laugh behind his hand.

It makes my scent bloom, strong and wild.

Not for the first time I wonder how he manages to keep his scent so level. Wonder how it'd be if he ever lost reigns.

For the first time I feel unadulterated respect and admiration with the level promise in his words.

Finding more and more reason to be glad for having the elusive, cutthroat lion hybrid on our side.

And I find something akin to comfort in our shared bloodlust.

"Is that a promise?"

His eyes glitter.

"I don't think there's anything I won't do to get them to pay."

And I realise... maybe there's very little holding me back from that anything.

"What if... what if in making things right-I do everything wrong?" words a trembling breath that's taut with tension that doesn't release with an exhale.

(Y/N) doesn't immediately answer. It's gratifying and nerve-wracking, my body locking up slightly, gripping at her with a tighter grip-suddenly fearing that everything... everything might crumble the way it feels like it might because I wasn't good enough to make it stop now.

She doesn't immediately answer but when she does it unloosens the tightness in my throat, a keening whined growled sound both.

"We all make mistakes-we can all make mistakes and still things will work out."

"They said such cruel things..."

Her hands squeeze at me, a tight gripping hold that compels me to remain rooted to her, eyes sharp and weighted. The intensity of them drags me forward, bodies brushing against one another, a quieter achier growl rumbling in the back of my throat.

"Don't expect guilt from monsters. Don't expect remorse from psychopaths." Voice a low murmur but with enough firmness, enough certainty in her words I know the people she must've seen working at the centre, the cruelties she's seen particularly towards children... I know those atrocities are beyond imagination.

She takes a slow step back, body unravelling from its closeness to my own, touches lightening as they skim and retreat but with each step back it immediately tugs at me, the growls sounding harsher, rougher as I follow each step with a larger one of my own to close the distance once more.

"Don't run." Voice a harsh jagged sound.

"I'm right here baby." Voice a lulling murmur that brushes against my skin despite not touching me directly, eyes beholding me in them. Watchful and searching, a firmness that's not hidden in the softness of her tone.

"Don't blame yourself. Don't push for things to solve in moments. You're getting there." Seeing through to the heart of it all-that at the centre of this entangled, knotted mess of emotions there was this gnawing sense of I could've done better. Could've done more. Been quicker.

"But when?"

There's an almost maddening control to her voice, level as she takes slow purposeful steps away from me, biology thrashing at the distance and immediately hastening to close it once more.

And rather than soothe that restless itch it still makes me thrash at the way my biology's riveted on the fact that there's still space between us, between me and my mate.

I watch as her ears, brown spotted with white, flicker at the low warning rumble that bubbles in my chest.

The sound rougher, harsher to our ears than I thought.

The wild sharpness of my biology still trying to claw its way to the surface, still trying to tear at restraint and control from being human to just indulge in the pure primality of my animal DNA. Because even though justice had happened, even though a manhunt across the nation was being broadcasted this very instant it wasn't enough. It didn't feel like enough. And even though (Y/N) was so assured and confident that it would work right, would work the way we needed it to... I didn't have that same levelness and cognizance to my thoughts.

It feels like this case has reached a precipice and with it reached a point where it was no longer fumbling for clues to grasp onto and it was building, pieces slotting together... but there was a simmering, crackling frustration, flames that were searing across gaping, angry wounds-that wanted to lessen the phantom aches in my limbs and fangs by tearing through the calm.

It was the calm before the storm-I knew that. But that didn't mean I liked waiting for it.

Or that I didn't want the storm to crash down and let them all be swept up in it, drowning under the torrent of fire and rage and revenge.

And she lures me closer and closer to the bed, only realising that when she reaches out to curl her hands against my wrists, thumbing at the smaller glands there-a sweeping touch that leaves the soft balm of her scent behind.

"Let me take care of you?" an implore accompanied with the slow brush of her lips, featherlight, against the line of my jaw, head tilted to mine, body a welcoming brush of warmth that seeps against the crackle fire of my own.

But rather than getting lost in it, submerged with the fire, it quenches the heat suffusing with my skin, cools down the frazzled bite to my senses.

I don't answer, I let her steer me towards the bed, let her fingers skim over my buttons to undo one by one before she's sliding the shirt off my shoulders, letting the fabric fall to the side. Hands mapping out my torso under the slow unrushed indulgence of her touch, tilting to me to brush her lips, sparks and heat left in their wake where she mouths gently at my collarbone.

The touches slow and maddening in the way they make my senses buzz.

Rounding to circle me, hand low at my back, a nudging steering motion that I all too willingly comply with, letting myself sink against the sheets, a brief moment of just sprawling there when the bed dips briefly and her weight settles across me, hips astride my own.

Head turning to peer up at her, the sight of my mate obscured by strands of hair, but there's no missing the curl of a smile tugging at her lips and then the lowering dip of her body.

Those same smiling lips pressing to my nape, lingering there. Body caging my own with the warm strength of her own, the press of her hands against my arms and shoulders grounding-reminding me that she's here.

And where her lips drift, my cells buzz, set alight with the slow touches that begin to make my skin warm, my limbs unwind, sinking against the sheets, a low groan that rumbles with contentment at her touch.

Mapping out the breath of my back and shoulders with her lips, each touch burning hotter, beginning to pool a heat inside, mind blanking for everything save for her. A soft hiss when I feel the heat of her breath ghost along my shoulder and then the scrape of teeth and flick of her tongue where her lips have lingered, pressing open-mouthed kisses. Slow and unrushed but making the heat under my skin morph into a dizzying rush of endorphins instead. Chasing away the thrumming restlessness and transforming it into an aching want to see her, body shifting with a new restless want as she continues the downwards trail of her lips. Slow kisses accompanied with the sweeping brushing motion of her hands gently, carefully massaging at my back, easing out knots and coils of tension I hadn't known had sunk so deep.

"(Y/N)..." her name a hoarse whisper against the sheets that she hears.

Stilling where her lips are at the low of my spine, fingers curled against my waist, absently squeezing.

"Jiminie..."

"I want to see you." words plaintive, the weight shifts and she's no longer sitting astride, barely letting me twist onto my back, peering at her from under lazily fluttering eyes when she leans over me, hair tickling my cheeks, my neck before she reclaims her position.

Hips astride my own, flush where she's straddling me.

"Better?"

And right now all I want was to see her, tail swishing slowly, letting my body, my mind be lulled into the slow thoroughness of her touches, body jolting and squirming under her, instinctive, reflexive where her teeth nip at my collarbones, fingers skimming over my ribs, nails teasing and tracing out the etched letters, scent sparking to life with a sharpness that's felt in the way my gums ache and fangs pool over my lips at the slow circling of her hips shifting over mine.

"Playing games are we?" voice tinged with a breathlessness, hands reaching out to grip at her hips, touch tight and possessive, squeezing at the softness of her thighs before my hands come to sprawl weighted over them, fingers pressing in harder.

"I'm not." The words dragged out, accompanied with a slanted grin, mischievous and full of transparent denial of her intent, the dip of her body arched where she leans in to press her lips to the hollow of my throat, letting them trail languidly to my scent glands that pump out scent in overdrive with the close, flushed proximity of my mate's body. That beg for attention, for her touch, body jolting hard against her, hips bucking up at the way her mouth slots over my gland and the wet heat of her tongue and mouth closing around it, sucking hard has my vision whitening-a burst of pheromones, strong and thick, tugged out, the suddenness of the touch has my fingers gripping at her tighter. Trying to grip at her for purchase, trying to leave indents of my touch on her behind.

"See? Just needed to calm down pup. Just need to lie there all pretty for me." Voice cooed, a honeyed sweetness to it that my fangs snap at, eyes flashing at the coy tease in her voice, in the way her lashes flutter, head angled towards my own, the slow blinks letting me catch sight of the way her lashes brush against skin... if she leant in just that much to me, I could feel them against my own.

"I don't need to lie down I need to-"

Need you, need you, need you.

"Be good pup. That's all you need to do." Voice lilted, skimming across the shell of my ear, relishing in the small shudder it elicits, in the way every nerve cell in this instant is keyed to her, responding to (Y/N). Everything she does demands and capitalises my senses.

And for a while-for a while I can comply, can surrender to the pleasurable torment, can lose myself to the way my senses swim, pulse under the heady thrall of her touch, the distracting, fleeting touches skimming and ghosting along my skin and the more purposeful trail of teeth nipping and nibbling, leaving small scattered faint trails of colour against skin.

For a while I can twist and arch and surrender to the teasing heat of her touches that slowly...slowly scorch my insides, her name a groaned exhale on my lips.

For a while I can let her test and toy with the fraying edges of my restraint, hands itching to tug her closer even as she slips her hands in mine, entangling our fingers together and slowly drawing them over head, body slipping away with a fleeting kiss-a butterfly peck, lips barely brushing mine before the distance between us increases. Eyes fluttering shut, an impatient puff of breath, chest rising and falling, feeling as if my heart's been thudding wildly, racing even though I've been on the bed, sprawled under (Y/N).

A frustrated rumbling sound in my throat that's quietened with the huff of laughter, eyes slits as I peer up at her, at the lazy, indulgent, wicked grin, eyes flashing open wide at the sound of a click, at the brush of something cool against my wrists, instinctively jerking my hands and realising, when her smile deepens, just what she's done, fingers tugging loosely at the link between the cuffs.

Fingers loosely skimming over to test the tightness of the sudden restraints that my hands strain against, fangs dropping heavier, voice rasping with the underbite of a growl.

"Not a wise move little doe."

"I think it is~ now there's nowhere for you to escape~" nose brushing against mine, body looming close to mine, caging me within the heat and soft lines and curves of her body, thighs astride mine and one hand clasping the cuffs, toying with the restraint they bring, almost testing out the way metal bites at skin, the coolness of it warming against her fingers and palm.

"Who said anything about escape?" words rumbling in my throat.

The glint in her eyes flicker, gleam.

"I know a restless pup when I see one. I know you're just thrashing to get free aren't you?" each syllable accompanied with slow touches to my gland, the drag of her nails slowly teasing, taunting me with the closeness of her touch that evades me... just about. Hips pushing her weight down when I buck underneath her, frustrated half rumbles slipping past my lips.

The sudden feeling of being pinned and restrained and tied up underneath her doesn't flare to life the antsy clawing restlessness that had settled in my bones after the hearing. But a newer, different clawing heat at seeing my mate astride my own body, her scent, her leaning so close into my orbit but yet I'm denied the gratification of holding her, of sliding my fingers into her hair with the same freedom she does save for a sharper want to entangle my hands in the unbound strands and tug.

No patience for the way (Y/N) delights in the control she holds, the slow purposeful press of soft curves to my torso, aching and wanting and mind dizzyingly rooted and drowning in her, in her scent, in her closeness, fangs sinking hard into my bottom lip, teeth clamping down on the soft flesh, body thrumming with the urge to have my hands freed.

"Let go (Y/N)..." words grit out, wrenched out from the depths of rough growls that make my chest rumble, body twisting under hers. Thighs tightening on either side of me, clenching tight as she leans into me, eyes sharp and dark. Contemplating. Challenging. Daring.

"Or what Jimin? You're in quite the bind... what makes you think I'll let you go? What makes you think you're not exactly where I want you, how I want you..."

Words coy and molten. The snare of her eyes rooting me to her, daring me to try find escape from the way she has me, from the way she intends to have me under her.

And the more she goads, the more my body twists under hers, trying to twist the pin she has me in, not sure whether I'm more frustrated or turned on that she knows full well how to keep me pinned to the sheets, her thighs tightening around me. The lazy pride in her eyes showing she knows full well what she's doing.

My wrists strain at the metal, eyes glinting as I look at the way her hand reaches out to grip at the handcuffs, fingers curling against the sheet where she lets her hand sprawl to keep my bound hands above my head, nose brushing against mine, tasting the sweet curling satisfaction of her scent brush against the abrasive sharpness of my own.

A rough guttural sounds tears through the air, and it takes a few moments to realise that it'd been torn past fang-bitten aching lips, limbs straining and taut against the loose contented weight of where Fei sat astride my hips, pinning them with her own.

"I'm not joking (Y/N). Uncuff me little doe." eyes flashing, seeing the carnal reflection of my own figure in the unflappable maddening calm of her gaze, groaning rough and sharp when slow...slow...slowly she circles her hips before pushing down, weight pinning mine. The drag of her hips constantly torturous, adding to the torment of being unable to do anything to alleviate the way heat curls in my gut.

"But pup I rather like how much you're trying to get away and yet... look perfect like this." Lips ghosting along mine, a soft hiss exhaled from her lips when my head jerks up, fangs sinking hard into her bottom lip, hard enough to pierce the soft flesh. The sharp bite of her kiss laced with the faint tang of blood as she leans into me, surrendering fire to fire.

The violent guttural growl is torn from my lips. It's harsh and abrasive and grates against her skin once her lips leave mine, mouth aching and swollen and bitten to an angry red flush, tongue sweeping over it, feeling the sensitive flesh tingle still. Feel it pulse with the intensity of her claim.

Her name drips off my lips, thick and heavy.

"I wouldn't test your odds vixen... not with how they're looking. Not with how insistent you are to play with my control." Words grit out, bitten past my lips, laced with the baring of my fangs snapping at her lips, her skin, trying to taste the sweet coiling pulse of her scent, trying to taste her, her satisfaction and thrumming confidence and in the way it falters when my body tenses under hers.

"Who said I'm playing Jiminie? Although I'm certainly having fun... and I'm willing to bet on those odds. I like my chances."

The next sound torn from my lips, from the depths of pure primality is one that's unrecognisable even to myself, the sound of the carnal growl makes (Y/N)'s body over mine still.

"Undo the cuffs little fawn if you know what's good for you." A rasped command in the words, gaze molten and searching my own, her wicked grin not lessening though something in her scent gives, its strength doesn't lessen.

Testing... watching... waiting.

Gauging the shift that's been caused.

Body feeling flushed and hot, skin stretched taut over flesh and bones. Hands straining against the metal that bites at skin, encases it and holds me back from gripping at her, the hand pinning my cuffed wrists down loosening their hold, slowly drawing back.

And the soft brush of fingers against my wrist, a lulling touch that doesn't draw my razor focus from the sound of the soft click, the sudden release of pressure.

The sudden lunge of motion, body harsh against her own, hands gripping at her, sprawling under the back of a thigh to tug the sprawl of her legs open wider, body slotting to hers. Moulding the space, the soft pliant curves of her body to how much I ache to have her. Flushed limbs and half entangled.

Wrists smarting slightly where I'd tugged and twisted to get my hands free, tried to wrench them from their captivity only to grip at her, hand palming the back of her thigh, drifting up, skimming over the curve of her hip, hand against skin, feeling the hitch of her breath in a wavery trembling rise and fall of her torso.

A weighted firmness as I drag her hands upwards, pinning them in the same position, her own hands pressed to where the sheets are still warm from my own captivity, snapping the cuffs around one wrist and then the other.

Body tight hard lines of tension against the soft pliancy of her own, body giving, welcoming, cradling the coiling, winding snares of tension that make my limbs lock up with the loose sprawling invite of her own.

Her body only belies how at ease she is, even at the sudden twist of motion, though that changes. Her pupils dilate and the soft quiet keen when my hands tighten their grip, when my fangs snap at her jaw and throat, cuffs tightened and secured around bound wrists and shifting my weight to one hand to rest between them, to keep them pinned and held in place.

Growls rippling past my lips, guttural and hoarse and laced with a roughness that bleeds into my movements, thigh slotted firm and hard between her own, weight bearing down to keep her still and feeling the way her breath trembles, exhaled against my skin.

"Did you really for an instant think that the moment I got my hands free I'd let you escape vixen?"

"Who mentioned escape? Who said I'm not exactly where I want to be?" though even in the teasing, there's a breathlessness. Voice a goading whisper, lips curling up at the way my fangs snap at air, a rumbling sound that grows deeper and thicker once she squirms under me, restless even though she bands a leg around me to tug me closer. A hitch of soft sweetening pheromones where her biology can't deny what turning the tables, reversing the positions does to her scent. What it says for her biology. Predator over my prey. Caging her in, looming in against her, my vacant hand sinking into the sheets beside her head, fingers curled into claws as I grip at them tight.

The sight of her shadowed slightly by strands of hair falling forward and I see her wrists twist, the unconscious reflexive jolt as she tries to reach out. Fingers unfurling before curling tight again.

"Were did you think you could escape sweetheart?"

"Who said I was trying to escape? Who said I'm not exactly where I want to be?"

A contradiction mix of welcoming invite that grips at me, the curve of her thigh angled open, splayed, and yet her hands are bound, the futility of the twisting motion not lost on her. Not when she had done the same thing.

My fangs pool over my lips, a rough depth bleeding into the crevices of my voice, lacing each syllable with a thick heaviness.

"Stay still pup. Can't stop squirming once I've got you under me?" fangs snapping at her, dragging across her jaw, feeling the way her throat bobs, swallowing,

"I wasn't the one sulking like one."

And when I look at her, nose brushing hers, breaths close enough to steal from one another, gaze dropping down to the maddening heat in the curl of her mouth, in the glint of her eyes.

Trying...failing to reel in the thrashing, keening biological instincts-redirected entirely from the case to my mate. Long since wrenched into her orbit and tethered there.

"I'm not a pup." Words gritted out. Ears pinned back and fangs dropping heavier, head ducking down to tug her bottom lip between my teeth, the nip harsh-tasting faintly of iron, fangs and teeth working the soft flesh. A low rumbling satisfaction when I thumb at it, at how swollen it is when I draw back, nose chasing the trails of honeyed anise, the way that same scent will stain the cuffs where they press to her glands.

"No? Sure?"

Gums grinding, fangs pooling heavier over my bottom lip, the sharp weight of them aching to sink into skin. Growled warning stilling and silencing her words. The same guttural sound soaking into skin where I lean into her, fingers curling tight where they still press at cuffed hands, nose dragging down the line of her throat, fangs sharp against the delicate, sensitive expanse of skin.

Dragging out a shaky murmur of my name.

"Jimin..."

"Not pup now?" voice drawling out the words she'd said to me, see the way her head shakes slightly, my gaze riveted on the sight of her scent glands, the angle of her throat leaving them presented, right across where a large claiming bite sits on one side of her throat and the more purposeful, intentional one directly across the crook of her neck is my own.

An approving rippled sound of something so primally satisfied at the sight that entangles with a vicious reminder that someone out there wanted to claim her as their own, were keeping tabs on my mate with the intent of wanting her.

"I guess not. Because a pup wouldn't mark you like that. A pup wouldn't have mated his fawn and left his bite where everyone could see it."

And I can see how much she thrashes with restlessness, fingers trying to grip at something, trying to twist her hands in their bind to grip and claw at my wrist, to drag down my forearm.

So where she can't touch, she invites my own closer, angling her head to the side to welcome the drag of my fangs and lips across the line of her neck. Slow and light at first.

A soft pleased sound, quiet and far too faint for my liking, chest rumbling when my fangs nip harder at her gland-rewarded with the sweet blooming richness of her scent, the arch of her body, curves pronounced against the hard breadth of my chest. A harder, firmer raking of fangs down sensitive skin, a bodily shudder that makes her back arch off the bed.

"You're mine. You're mine... mine." The words growled against her skin, the drag of nails where my hand grips at her waist, pressing hard and tight to soft, giving skin.

"Yours. I don't need the bite to remind me of that every day. I have a fox perfectly capable of doing that himself. Just like he is now.... I found him." satisfaction in the soft wavery whisper of her words, murmured against my hairline.

And those words are infinitely better than anything I've heard... somehow this is what I needed to hear.

This is all I need to hear.

"I refuse to let that sick bastard to get anywhere near you. To not just threaten but try dare stake a claim on you." words sharper, lungs rasping for breath that I draw in with shuddering inhales, but it's not enough to cool the searing blazing inferno that engulfs me, it's not enough to satiate the animal want in me that claws its way up to the surface once more. Because (Y/N) was our mate.

And someone with sick, twisted want had their eyes set on her.

Because at the end of it all the hearing had gone well but there was so much more that needed to happen. That today was a reminder, that time ticked away over and over, fluid and slippery in our grasp.

Ears ringing with hearing that realisation rippling past my lips, accompanied with the heavy drop of my fangs that distorted the coherency of my words.

"A pup won't protect you. I will."

[......]

"You mean to tell me... that whoever has access to the hybrid centre, to (Y/N) believes they're courting her?" fangs baring at the threat, instincts welling up and brimming restlessly underneath my skin. Making it itch.

The drinks and scent being left behind was a twisted, sickening echo of courting rituals and gifts. Of leaving gifts and scent claims behind.

But it was terrifying. Not just to (Y/N). But terrifying to think of how close they were, in near proximity to her...close enough they were able to have the drinks sent. Close enough their scent lingered.

"It might be their scent."

A sinking, twisting realisation that makes my scent unbearable to my own senses.

There's only brutal burning hardened venom sinking in when Namjoon's scent clashes with my own, it doesn't entangle and merge with the easy familiarity of our pheromones responding to one another... it feeds and fuels the bloodlust frenzy my instincts howl for.

[......]

My fangs sink down. Hard. A clamping bite that entirely roots (Y/N) in place. Every limb, every nerve cell stilling before uncoiling. Loosening. Melting.

Before her scent sputters, fluttering and dipping before bursting rich and strong and heady, staining fangs, teeth, tongue and lips, dragging my mouth down the swollen claimed gland, nosing at it, reeling out sweet thick tendrils of her scent that cling to every crevice of skin, every single hair.

There's a ringing dissonance to my senses, a disconnection from the wild thrashing sensation of restlessness because with the arch and twist of her body, harsh and straining against the caging anchor of my own before she sags against the sheets, the very fibres of them intertwined with our scents in this moment but also the scent of pack woven somewhere into the very material itself.

Fingers loosening around her cuffed hands because they sink limp against the sheets, my hands dragging down the length of her body, mapping out the lines and dips of her body, remapping it to my touch, feeling the way my instincts buzz with a satisfaction, rumbling contentment growing deeper and heavier, filling my chest and lungs with it. Body pressing to hers, pinned to the mattress, weight settled over hers. Sprawled.

I don't realise that (Y/N)'s been murmuring my name until her lips brush against my skin, etching out the syllables against me, tugging my focus back to her, the haze that sweeps through my mind in swamping waves lessening slightly. The lull of her scent so thoroughly steeped and melded with mine, blinking sluggishly at her, focusing on the shape of her lips against my skin, the soft lull of them. Tilting blindly to her, mind turning syrupy the more I breathe in her scent, a tiny distant near quiet part of my mind recognises that I'm working myself into a scent high, drowning thoroughly, readily in her scent.

Teeth catching at my own scent gland even as hers steadily pump out the strong richness of her pheromones, a sharper bite that brings a faint tendril of clarity to my mind. Yanking out a burst of scent, the pressure harsh against my skin, a welcomed, needed rough bite of her touch that tugs my gaze to hers, to drown in sharply alert doe eyes that hold me in them, encase me in their reflection.

"Come back to me Jimin. Focus on me. Focus on your mate."

Words grounding, her scent and touch even more so.

Sometimes words aren't needed.

Not when actions speak thousands and multitudes.

I draw back slightly, dissatisfied with the slither distance myself, hand dragging down her sides before moving for her bound wrists, a startled burst of scent when with surprising lucidity. Her own gaze glittering and focused, drawing her bound hands over my head to drag me forward by the chained link between the cuffs and bound wrists, warm metal pressing, biting at the skin at my nape, fingers sinking into my hair to tug me to her.

Smile lazy and smug, curled with satisfaction, words breathless and fluttering, the dip of her scent teasing at senses that are keyed like a live wire, thrumming with every instance of her touch, her scent, jolts to my senses, that threatens to sweep them under consuming waves once more.

Then the sound of metal clicking has my ears flickering to attention, the restraint of her bound hands loosening as she undoes the cuffs one by one, drawing her hands away from their place in my hair to dangle the handcuffs in front of me.

Mischief and tease seeping into her scent and voice.

"Didn't think I couldn't get out did you?"

"How..."

"As much as you don't like SJ-"

Unbidden my fangs snap at her jaw, growls rumbling into her throat as my head dips to leave a trail of nips down the line of her neck.

"But he is my trainer remember? I'm a woman of many skills and near police training if you consider that SJ went to the academy."

"Not the same vixen." A bite of jealousy grit into skin, mouthing at the darkening bite at her gland, tongue flicking over it, mapping the indent of my teeth. Growling with rumbling approval. Woman. My woman.

Delighting in the shudder.

Mind still catching up to her words, words that filter through the fog her scent induces on my senses.

"What other skills?"

"What's the rush? Neither of us are going anywhere~ and you most certainly aren't." a pleased lilt to her words as my limbs, putty under her touch, sink into hers, entangled loosely, tail swishing slow at the thorough drag of her fingers carding through my hair, nails dragging against my scalp.

Growls softened. Quietened down to rumbles that echo in the cavern of my chest and soak into her skin, feeling the loose languid sprawl of her body turn gentler, softer.

Not in a scent high but her eyes dilated. Pupils dark.

Head curved and angled so that she's burrowed close to my gland, scenting me-our pheromones transferring to one another.

"Couldn't if I tried-I might end up cuffed again."

(Y/N) POV:

"Oh she's tiny" Kookie marvels, ears perking with surprise, one flopped ear popping to attention and then the other. Eyes widening as he peers over with shiny eyed curiosity at the small bundle Minnie cradles in his arms, his tail swishing slowly...contented and happy and most definitely preening as everyone clusters close. Tugged to the sight of the small kit in his hands, barely peeking past the swathed layers of the blanket she's tucked into.

"She's teeny... barely out of baby kithood." Hobi enthuses, ears twirling and scent rich caramel that pools outwards as he looks at KitKat, brimming with a restless eagerness to scoop her up.

Tae's no better... scent bursting with ripe sweetness. Strawberries and nutty caramel. Thick and intertwined. Not unlike the way Tae is draped over Hobi's back, words and voice soaking into his feline mate, tail swishing quicker and quicker, a restless swaying motion as he watches Minnie be drawn further into the fray, a lulling cradle as he unconsciously sways when she lets out a small meowl and peers up at new faces. Not scared...curious.

"A fourth kit!" Words seeped with the giddiness of a chuff.

"It's because half of us are kits I think Amina feels a lot better about leaving KitKat with our pack."

"Amina's already at the station?"

"In the car... which speaking of I should go..." but he makes no move to leave, far too content in holding KitKat, the slow swish of his tail echoing that contentment, the sweetness of soft, fresh mint seeping into the air when she curls in his cradled hands, rubbing her cheek against his palm, fur rumpling slightly.

"Gogo... I'll take kitty." Tae volunteers eagerly, nudging Hobi into motion into a slow two step waddle to move closer to Minnie.

I lean further back, watching my pack, watching them all eagerly cluster forward but reign back far enough they're not crowded forcefully into KitKat's presence. Not when they're all new faces to her. Not when she's tiny even more so shifted so their presences must be looming massively in her eyes.

Ears flickering when I catch sound of two sets of footsteps approaching, the others too busy crowding Minnie for them to turn, my eyes catching sight of a black swaying tail and shuffling steps and the tucked flutter of two wings and a deep smile, Jin half a step ahead of Yoongi.

"Just because we're on the other end of the apartment doesn't mean you don't give a yell when there's a kit I haven't met yet." Wings rustling behind him, the hurriedness he too moves forward with once he gauges what the clustered hovering is.

"There's KitKat's big kit." I lilt, watching the corners of his lips quirk up, the soft pink of his mouth curving into a small smile, eyes flitting over towards me, slightly behind the others.

"Not gotten a chance to see you yet?"

"Thought I'd let everyone say hello."

Yoongi has no such qualms, tail swaying and poking at Jiminie's side so he turns, small smile deepening, a flash of gums and fangs when there's a loud, vocal yowl at the kit in his arms and she squirms, head lifting from a palm to peer up at Yoongi- immediately recognising his scent, paws stretching outwards and upwards for him.

A soft strangled sound of pure adoration as Hobi clutches the front of his chest, hand curled over his heart, scent bursting rich and sweeter, thicker, as he watches Yoongi's eyes crinkle slightly, a small step forward and hands carefully easing up KitKat from Jiminie's reluctantly loosening hold to scoop her up blanket and all into his own hands instead.

Jin moves forward, peering over Yoongi's shoulder, a soft cooing murmur, face scrunching with a playful expression as he takes a peek, watching as wide kit eyes peer up, shiny adoration and affection for Yoongi entangled with curiosity at the swan behind him.

"So? Off to work then my pretty officer?" I lilt once Minnie steps out of the cluster, ears folding slightly, resigned to hand over his cradle on the teeny kit, gaze forlorn even as he steps willingly, easily into the outstretch of my arms to press close, tucking himself to me when I wrap my arms around him, drawing him in for a hug. Lips brushing against his hairline, nuzzling into him with a gentle scent.

"Don't really want to now... going to be all nesty and having fun with KitKat without me."

"But you have Amina- I know you and Joon have been itching to see her at work too. Besides-

you've had the most time with KitKat. Even more than I have!"

And when he draws back slightly, smile all crinkly eyes and bunched cheeks and scent carrying that tinge of satisfaction he can't stifle, my hands nudging at him with a laugh.

"So don't pout sneaky. KitKat's going to be with kits all day. And us. She'll be happy and safe, and she gets to scent new people."

"Are you saying she's tired of my mint?"

"I'm saying she should be friendly with other scents too- besides do you know how long the kits have waited for this?"

"Long. Fine, fine.. I'll go. I'll be back early."

Leaning inwards to steal a quick kiss, lips slotting to mine, a soft nip at my bottom lip before he draws back, face shuttering with expressions and the active struggle of forcing himself to leave evident in his eyes.

Snagged by Jin before he leaves, wings fluttering as he tucks Jiminie close to him, a soft kiss to his cheek and brief nuzzle before an encouraging, grinning steered motion towards the door.

"Have a good day pup- hyung will take care." the last words murmured quieter, softer and it's a reassurance that I know Minnie might've not known he'd needed but one that unloosens an unconscious tension he didn't even know he'd been bearing.

"Does that extend to mates pretty swan? I wouldn't mind having a swan take care of me." I lilt once he steps forward towards me, wings flapping and unfurling to tuck me against him, wings skimming against my side, the warm fluttery brush of feathers against my arms as his head rests on my shoulder, encasing me to him.

"To you. To bun. To four kits. All part of my nest."

"Everyone's already smitten with KitKat." I observe, watching them, watching with an aching warmth in my heart as another bridge between the people I know, and love is being formed... they might've not all met Jangmi or Amina- but I can see the tethers and links between friends and pack slowly beginning to merge.

"A tiny kitten that we've heard so much about and been so restless to see? I know for a fact she's had Yoongi wrapped around her little paw from that one time alone."

And he's right.

Yoongi had been tentative in the way he'd held her then, startled at her sudden shifting triggered by him, by the presence of an older kit figure who spelt safe, safe to her instincts and biology. He'd been careful and uncertain and not entirely sure.

It'd been once. And it'd been a while ago. But muscle memory remembers but more than that- he entrusts his instincts, he remembers the pure, blind trust KitKat had put in him and he keeps it safe, cradles it in the gentle tenderness of his hands, drawing her bundled figure to his chest, cheek rubbing against the soft worn material of his shirt.

Soft tiny meowls that snare the three kits and bun to her small orbit, Koo's fingers reaching out first, soft brushes of his knuckles against the back of her ears and down her back, watching as she tilts back into the touch, trying to follow the fleeting gentle touch, the scent of cotton soothing and as familiar to her as the new sheets whenever they nested at the centre.

For her- cotton is inexplicably safe and familiar, even if it comes accompanied with a tall bun who curves small, hunching close to peer at her, nose scrunching and lips parting into a wide toothy grin when she tries to grasp at his fingers.

She'll fit right in.

And Amina knew it.

That's why she entrusted her baby kit to us.

"Hi little kit." voice soft, ears flopped around his face as she tries to tug his fingertips closer, nuzzling into warm skin, nose twitching and trying to find the cotton scent's source but indulgently curving close regardless.

And she meows loud and vocal in response.

Her own hello.

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

Somehow I think Amina must've known that KitKat wouldn't have been happier anywhere else than getting to explore- a new safe space and new scents, new hybrids. Especially one that came equipped with three felines.

I can see how easily she relaxes, adjusting to the new environment, taking to it with an ease, wide eyes shining with curiosity as she peers from her blanket bundle, paws stretching out with a vocal yowl when I finally manage to infiltrate the tight cluster of packmates gravitated towards KitKat.

Scoop her up, immediately greeted with the brush of her cheek against mine, head nudging and butting at me softly, soft meeny purrs as she presses her face to mine, before yowling, eager to burrow against the crook of my throat.

Small paws against skin, unfurling and furling with small kneading motions-something that makes the scent of citrus, berry and caramel thicken. Sweeten.

A rumbling giddy chuff and bright giddy laugh. A softer gummy smile.

"Kitty's making biscuits." Kookie muses, appearing behind me, head on my shoulder, arms winding around me and peering with a soft fondness for the small kit who pauses, slow shuffles before peeking.

A quieter soft meow.

My fingers smoothen over the back of her ears, the fur of her back, pressing a kiss to one flickery ear then the other.

"KitKat meet my Koo."

Wide, wide eyes peering up. Trying to clamber upright, climb onto my shoulder to chase the scent of cotton-the scent of crisp sheets and for KitKat perfect nesting material.

Immediately recognising the inexplicable comfort of it.

"Palm sized... still can't believe how small kittens are." a soft murmured observation, leaning inwards, flopped ears dangling just within reach as she peers up, the efforts to clamber up towards him renewed at the stronger scent of cotton, now that the direct source of it is within physical reach and nearer sight.

"She's teeny now but when she grows it'll seem like it happened before we can even blink. Besides baby buns are tiny too. Chickies too~"

"Big kits tend to be lap sized."

"I like laps." Tae shares with an indulgent, fangy grin. The boxy shape of his lips stretching wide.

"Like offering yours too?" eyes snagging on him, watching his fangs pool over his lips briefly, tail swishing and curling, a chuff laced into his words.

"Don't even need to ask for it."

"If KitKat shifts can I hold her on my lap first?" Kook asks, voice piping up, one ear perking up, scrunchy laughing grin at the immediate voiced protests and the flutter flap of wings.

"You won't hear a complaint from me... especially if you let me sit on your lap too." leaning back to peer up at him, head tilting to brush a kiss against his jaw, nuzzling into him. Pressing another kiss to the soft glossy fur of his flopped ear, feeling it brush against my cheek as he leans into the touch, ear twitching when a paw finally reaches it, yowling with triumph, paw pat-pat-patting curiously at the glossy fur. Enamoured with it, staring unblinking at Koo and he in turn watching her with shiny, shiny eyes.

"Deal."

"Don't I get a say?" Jin asks, a teasing fond lilt to his words.

"Don't worry hyung you'll have your choice of three huffy kitty hyungies." Nose scrunching deep, making his eyes crinkle, wavy strands of his hair tickling skin, hands winding further around me, arms snaking around to belt around my front, tilting to let KitKat continue to paw at his ear, soft purrs growing as his scent does too.

I can already see Kookie becoming a clear favourite, scent alone carrying favour, and even as a tiny kit, as a toddler, I knew KitKat was picking up who was safe.

That maybe there was more than one reason Amina had felt comfortable to leave KitKat with us whilst she was at the station with Namjoon and Jimin.

That maybe it wasn't just about the inexplicable trust and safety that she felt in leaving her kitten for an extended period of time without her... after months of spending every day, every moment together... it wasn't just about Amina's trust. It was about letting KitKat grow. And explore. And be curious. And enjoy the freedoms to do that because shifting provided the perfect guise for. Small kit tucked away.

And that where else for KitKat to let her own biology slot into place than with three kits-two of which worked at the centre and one that she'd immediately chosen as safe.

And I watch as Yoongi tilts his head to the door when he meets my gaze, having silently waited for it to turn to him, tail curling and swaying- an unspoken understanding passing as he quietly slips away briefly, my lips curving up with knowledge.

Hands carefully scooping KitKat, steadying her wriggling, pawing to cradle her to me briefly before letting Kookie scoop her up, hands careful, eyes wide and nervous for all but few moments. Because the moment KitKat's been scooped and drawn close to the cotton bunny, she's wriggling about excitedly, tail swishing and meowing louder and louder, the sound instinctively tugging out the innate biological satisfaction from the two kits-caramel and berries sweet on my tongue.

Shiny eyes looking at me how readily and easily KitKat familiarises herself to his scent and chases both the cottony scent and flopped ears, tail swishing all the more eagerly when she nudges her nose to his jaw, his cheek and Koo tilts his head to her, an eskimo kiss, noses booping and a happy yowl. The scent of baby powder and cotton brushing soothing and so so soft.

"Their scents smell like babies." I share with a wide smile, watching as Jin's wings flutter, though he wrinkles his nose playfully.

"I can't tell-with kits smelling so sweet." A rumbling chuff following Jin's words and the twirling twist of Hobi's ears.

Wings fluttering when Kook's body turns towards him, wide beaming smile on his face, voice a hushed whisper.

"Hyung she likes me." Nose scrunching when small, teeny fangs scrape against the side of his jaw, tugging a soft laugh out of him, squirming, cotton tail wriggling with unrestrained excitement and giddiness at the soft kitten licks she tries to leave, trying to scent this safe, safe, nesty source.

"Baby bun~ I might say more than the kits-" riling and teasing just to see tails swish and eyes to slant into feline slits, pouts and fangs alike on both their faces, turning to where Yoongi had been to realise he'd noiselessly slipped away.

What is near noiseless is the quiet pad-pad-pad that follows a few moments later, ears perking to attention, flickering at the quiet sound approaching, the sound all too familiar and recognisable and then the sight of a panther padding into the room. Brushing against Tae and Hobi's legs, a rumbling quiet purr that's all too amused and self-satisfied, tail swishing and swaying, winding around Tae's leg to squeeze and then poke into motion. Needing little to no encouragement anyways Tae jolts, eyes flashing with indignation and betrayal, a whine to the hyung that slips past his lips.

"Shifted before me so you could get to little kitten before me-that's cheating."

A rumble leaves Yoongi, that just about evades KitKat's ears, engrossed in the task of leaving small kitten licks as she tries to paw at him, tries to somehow tug out the cotton scent her nose keeps chasing.

Swaying black tail curling as it pokes at him and Hobi, padding forward and head turning as he watches the two of them fumble in haste to leave-just as eager to be shifted and around KitKat. So eager too.

And I know Yoongi knows... he's gauged, figured out how much KitKat's growth, how much her development, how much she as a growing kit who's now found safety...now found the security of home, of a mother in Amina... of a kit who's learning to live... he's realised how much of it is biological.

And that whilst KitKat's shifted-maybe that safety and ease comes easier if the feline she'd so easily identified with is also shifted then she'll feel enormously safer and settled.

Yoongi pads forward, sleek fur glossy and shining where he pads into patches of sunlight, slowly circling, not yet approaching... the scent of citrus a calming, balmy sweetness that slowly, slowly seeps into the air.

Letting her get used to Koo without intruding, but also letting his scent seep out-so even if she's not focused attentively on it, her senses will pick up on it.

So the sight of a large shifted panther won't disorient her.

Smart, sweet, sweet Yoongi.

Quiet padding steps as he leans to Jin first, fingers skimming over his ears, brushing across the back of them then scratching gently at the base, a touch I can feel even without Jin's fingers on my own ears, with the way Yoongi's ears fold and droop, head tilting to the touch. Head gently butting and nudging at his legs, rubbing his cheek softly against him in tactile touch, in soft, soft scenting motions.

"Sweet panther kit aren't you? Sneaky too." the words tinged with amused admiration, wings fluttering and tucking against his back to let Yoongi circle around, head butting against him to nudge him into motion, to herd him towards the sofas instead of just standing.

An indulgent grin as Jin watches Yoongi wait until he's seated, until he's sinking down before turning around to pad towards Kookie and me.

A gentle tug at the hem of my long tee, peering down to see soft kit eyes and fangs gently clenching at the shirt fabric between them.

A tugging motion to lead me towards the sofas too, rumble muffled around the fabric, tail curling and swaying.

And when I stay still for a beat too long, hand beginning to reach out, he nips at the tips of my fingers, releasing his hold on my tee to hold my hand between his fangs, light enough that his fangs scrape against skin but the quiet intensity of his eyes already telling me he has no thought of relinquishing his hold until he's satisfied.

My thumb reaches out, sweeping over the bridge of his nose, booping at a black nose, a rumble and then taking steps back, his fanged hold meaning that I have to follow.

Dark sleek fur rippling with the movement. And even if he's so gentle, so careful in both forms-shifted or not, the sight of big fangs, of muscle and sinew under glossy fur and big paws padding along are all reminders that he's an apex predator.

And yet.

The gentlest, sweetest panther as he carefully leads me back, relinquishing his fanged hold on my hand to lathe a big kitten lick across my palm, the rough rasp of it making me squirm before a sudden nudge with his head has me stumbling back a step.

Rumbled amusement when it makes me falter, stumbling back into Jin's legs, hands snagging at me to tug me back and down across his lap instead.

A bright laugh.

"Looks like Yoongi wants you to enjoy my lap first. Don't worry chickie-it's more than adequate." Lips pressing to my hair, hands manoeuvring me to draw me up and sideways across his lap, hand dragging down my side in a slow, lingering touch. Head angled to mine.

Lips skimming lower in quick fluttery pecks that make my skin and instincts tingle under his touch-sparking with warmth, body curving closer to his, his hands settled over me, tucking me to him.

"Actually..." I begin, watching as Tae pads in on quick trotting paws, tail swishing and chuffs rumbling loud in greeting-the sudden sheer sound and volume of deep rumbles has KitKat's ears perking up, twisting to peer past Kookie's shoulder, the scent of baby powder strong, surprised at the two kits, one significantly large and another-ears twirling and yowling in vocal response to her own, ducking past to rush ahead of Tae, past the striped mass of fur.

"I think Yoongi's saying or doing in the nicest way possible is getting me out the way. So they can hoard KitKat all to themselves."

Watching as Hobi paws at Kookie's legs, eager yowls and bonks, tail wiggling as he peers upwards-looking half an instant from trying to clamber up had his legs not been bare-nowhere to anchor his claws to.

Tae, uses the sheer size of his shifted form to his advantage to use his paws to stretch upwards, chuffing as he sets his paws on Kookie's side, trying to somehow tug Kookie down so he can nose along his arm and cheek, to peer at little kit.

And even though he's a big, big tiger...there's nothing but pure excited cubness in his chuffs and pawing.

"Careful hyungie!" a bright laugh, hand reaching out to try keep Tae's bonking at bay, the other cradling KitKat securely to him.

There's a moment where it seems the sheer mass of Yoongi and Tae's shifted forms will just plough Kookie over, knock him back and off his feet. A moment where I half rise, wondering if I can cross the distance quick enough but Kook steadies his stance, hands holding KitKat above, eyes crinkled with laughter and lips parted wide.

There's something so Lion King about it all that it tugs a bubble of laughter from me, Jin's wings rustling as he takes in the circling of the two large felines and Hobi clinging to a leg, paws wrapped around a calf and yowling.

"Very Rafiki isn't he? Holding kit up-showing her to the kit pack." Words murmured with a wide grin that's full of laughter, fingers slyly poking at my sides to elicit sharper squeals and laughs, hand banding around me, his laugh entangling with my own.

"Initiating her I think~" I add. Cheeks aching with how wide my lips curve, voice breathless as I squirm from the playful pokes, batting at his hand.

"Stop laughing... I think I might get mauled if I don't hand her over soon enough." Though Kook's eyes are glittering with amusement and joy and even though he says it the bonks and nudges are all eager, Yoongi's a tad bit more careful, pawing and tail wrapping around an ankle to keep Kook steady despite their playfulness.

"Might be worth making a run for it." Jin offers, wings flapping and feathers rustling, full lips stretched into an amused grin when it makes the happy rumbles deepen, tails swishing. Their circling almost in that very instant seeming caging-as if he tried to... where could he escape or make a dash for it from?

A softer, quieter rumble and soft pawing nudge from Yoongi has Kookie's ears flopping, lips curled into a sweeter smile.

A gentler nudge to steer Kookie along even if Tae's eyes gleam, quick treads that remain eagerly crowding against the back of Kookie's legs, bonking and rumbling encouragement to keep waddly-waddle-walking, a slow shuffling movement because Hobi continues to cling to his calf, paws wrapped around in a half-hug, half-clutching at him.

Maybe at the very centre of the kit is going to be bun.

KitKat peers from her cradled hold, twisting in his hold, tail swishing with unveiled curiosity, wide eyes peering down at the sizably bigger kits.

"Looks like we've been kicked out of a kit pile then Jinnie."

"Don't worry chickie~ we'll steal her away." Words hushed. Conspiratorial.

His hands skim across my sides, head tilting to mine, lips against my jaw.

"For now~ the last thing you'll hear from me is a complaint that I got you all to myself.

[......]

It takes three kits essentially herding Kookie along for them to circle until he's perched against the armchair, watching Yoongi and Tae plop onto the carpet, circled round to one another and Hobi still peering all kit eyed up at Kookie for him to finally relent, bending down, flopped ears swiped for with eager paws before Hobi relinquishes his paw-wrapped clutch to Kookie.

Easing himself into the circled space, the scent of cotton seeping heavier into the air when Hobi clambers onto his lap and Tae's head comes to plop onto his lap.

And I know the kits would be nothing but incredibly gentle with KitKat, I know that Kook's made the best decision by remaining with them until she's grown used to them-to the physical presence of three shifted kits, to their scents that I watch as she twists to scent the air, nose twitching, soft curious meowls.

"Do you think I should-" I begin, though there's little to no hesitance in my voice.

Jin's arms wrapping around me an answer before he speaks.

"We're good. Kookie is the softest scent KitKat could've had. And the kits won't go on a rampage for her, and they'd never claw at Kookie for her either. Besides... we're right here."

And he's right.

My sixth sense is right-a pooling contentment that seeps into my limbs and lets them sink relaxedly against my mate, watching KitKat slowly be eased down.

She doesn't dash forward towards Hobi who peers up from between crossed legs, nor does she immediately dive into the mound of striped, chuffing fur, her eyes fall first to the panther. Staring with silent curiosity. Contemplation. Nose twitching as she recognises the citrusy scent, picks it apart from the three scents.

And just like Yoongi had wanted, she's at ease with the scents and so she's at ease with them.

Tail swishing quicker as she paws at Kookie, paws to be let down and wobbles on paws to pad-pad across his leg, staring intently at the big tiger flopped close. Tae's so still and careful, waiting for her to pad closer, a soft puff of breath when she paws at his nose before ducking her head to nudge hers against his in turn.

For a kit that's palm sized to a tiger that's the largest shifted mate in the pack-there's an enormous difference between the two of them.

But she takes a ready liking to the berry, to the sweet fruity pheromones, head nudging against his with a soft butt of her head to him, a big kitten lick dragging across fur that leaves her yowling and squirming-bodily wriggles that has her toppling off my lap and onto the carpet.

A paw gently steering her closer, carefully ushering and nudging her nearer to the mound of warm stripey fur, chuffing delightedly when she paws at him, Tae's tail swishing away, giddy and excited. The rumbling sounds making her ears fold even if when his chuff peters off-she stares up, staring, staring, eyes unblinking.

Then in the tiniest mimic tries to emulate the rumble of his chuff-purr trying to sound deeper, trying to have it carry as long as Tae's rumbling chuffs do.

It doesn't.

But the delighted chuff that follows rumbles longer. Heavier.

And a paw continues to tuck-tuck-tuck her into his side.

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

"Do you think the kits will shift back now? Back I mean... now that..." Jin gestures his head towards the kit pile, towards the way KitKat's begun to stir, meowls and soft yowls growing with vocal frequency, no longer happily tucked in the centre of the pile when she's brimming with energy and awareness. Large eyes blinking around the sheer mound of floof around her-thick winter coats and felines all tucking her in, a stream of chuffs and purrs she's no longer trying to imitate but simply enamoured and in awe of. Squirming at the brush of a nose between her ears, paw trying to tuck her back up, a squirmy circle, palm-sized, of fur wriggling as tiny fangy try to nibble, tiny paws trying to catch the one that tries tucking her up again.

"Bet Tae will be first." I muse.

"Hobi." Jin wagers, a seriousness in his voice and a glint in his eyes, wings rustling and flapping as they tuck behind him, fingers continuing their slow exploratory trail, delighting in the small shivers his touch elicits, ghosting along the sensitive line of my throat, down the slope of my shoulder and back up again. Occasionally letting his fingers curl against my nape, tracing nonsensical patterns that makes my skin buzz and tingle with warmth, always circling close to but not directly touching the healed mating bite there.

"Then I'll bet on Yoongi hyung-underestimating eldest kitty? When KitKat knows him most?" Kookie interjects, peering past the doorway of the kitchen, nose scrunching as his lips curl into a deep smile when his eyes fall to the kit pile.

Smears of flour across the back of his cheeks and the smell of freshly baking bread accompanying him with a stronger wave, the smell clinging to skin and clothes, thickening the air with a cosy lulling warmth.

"What are we betting?"

"A date...when I win I want the two of you to woo me and make my heart flutter." A confident, brash grin on Jin's face, his hands continuing their distracting ministrations, the curl of full lips deepening when my head tilts back, arching under the way his fingers make my skin tingle.

"More fluttery than a swan prince's wings?"

"Way more." Lips brushing against my hairline. A soft, tender kiss. Lips lingering as he curves his head to mine, hand skimming from my leg only to be tugged away as Kook flops onto the couch, tugging to make himself a space to slot into.

Sprawling palm replacing Jin's, fingers skimming up and down, leaning into me when my own reach out to brush against his cheek, rubbing at the smear of flour.

A softness in his scent and touch as he leans in eagerly, face tilted to mine when I curve closer, lips brushing across mine slow and soft. A gentle fleeting kiss that paired with the trailing touch of fingers at my spine make me melt, stomach and heart fluttering.

A low rumbling has our heads tilting, a lazy blink, blink as one watchful eye opens to peer at us, the slow swaying motion of his tail lazy, content. One eye peers then the other blinks open, head tilting slightly from its resting spot on stripey fur to look directly at us.

Maybe not as asleep or drowsy as we'd thought.

And then I watch as his eyes traverse from the three of us to settle solely on Kook.

Another rumble that makes KitKat's ears droop and fold despite herself, despite how wriggly awake she was, tail swishing quicker and then in teeny imitation-a baby purr trying to mimic the rumbly sound. Tail swishing and curling a fraction quicker.

And I get the distinct impression that the peek of fangs at the sound as he looks at Kook is a smile, that if he'd shifted back it'd be the smile that came with a flash of peeking gums and fangs.

Head tilting to KitKat, gaze soft and watchful and then letting out another rumble, tail curling when she wriggles and tries to clamber over Hobi's circled form to get to Yoongi, soft rumbly purr in imitation.

And if imitating Yoongi wasn't enough-the yowl Hobi lets out when in trying to clamber up KitKat slips on fur, paws losing their purchase and in vocal assent of having her tumble back into his circling hold has. Ears twirling, fangs scraping across the back of her ears, small nibbles and his nose nudging her along. Yowling to egg on her own vocal giddiness, the kits and their biologies so utterly and wholly enamoured by the kitten in their midst.

Suddenly a head dips to try scoop away KitKat, large fangs so mindful and slow and careful but then Hobi ducks under to hide her away, tail wiggling and swishing, ears all twirly as he ducks his head to scent her, small grooming licks and paw gently re-tucking her under the barrier and cage of his body hiding hers away.

Body angled low to try to keep her hidden from sight, from immediate scoopable range.

Yowled indignation when Hobi gets scruffed, head ducking to scoop him up, fangs sinking into fur, jowls clamping down as he's scruffed and scooped away, the barrier to KitKat removed, leaving the direct line for Yoongi to quickly duck his head whilst Hobi yowls away and Tae's muffled chuffs, steeped with amusement, rumble in the air, clutching his mate and twisting to set him aside so he can get to KitKat-none of it matters because Yoongi sees the opportunity and takes it, gently scooping up KitKat and quickly, silently padding away from the two kits to move closer to us instead.

"Bingo~ I win. That means I get a date. Got to impress me you two." Kook crows, delight in his voice, eyes glittering with triumph.

But he doesn't set KitKat, whose gone utterly still with a soft meowl, into Kookie's lap but into my own, watching as KitKat's tail swishes with giddy delight and she clambers and paws, tugging at my tee for purchase and eagerly scooped and drawn to me.

There's something so alert and watchful and attentive about her gaze, something so awake about it compared to the contented droopiness from earlier that makes my gut instinct flare. Eyes searching her attentively even as I cradle her closer, feel the press of fur against skin where she sets a cheek to my collarbone. Nose not catching the subtle sweet vanilla notes until Jin's words catch her ears, perking up at the sound of a voice she's not accustomed to.

Shuffling to peer over my shoulder, peering upwards and the soft brush of a kiss against a flickery ear.

"Come to say hi little kit?"

A few beats of silence and a soft, soft meow, a paw stretching out for Jin, curious and eager-always so ready and willing to explore, to learn, to meet new people.

Finger booping at her small nose and feathers rustling, smile warm and deep when tiny fangs try nibble at the tip of his finger, paws trying to clutch at it to keep the finger close, snuffling at it to try find a scent.

The warm light sweetness of vanilla brushing against her senses. Something so entirely new to her, to meet a hybrid with a gentle, subtle scent. To not be able to detect it immediately.

It sparks that insatiable, veracious curiosity all the more. Not willing to relinquish her pawed hold on the new swan she's found.

"Pretty kit. Double the charm with two coloured eyes." And it doesn't surprise me it's one of the first things he's noticed. Doesn't surprise me that Jin's noticed; picking up on the two shades of her irises, fingers smoothening over her rumpled fur.

"Fur's two shades two. Double the sweetness pretty little kit." Words a lilted coo, eyes crinkling and even if KitKat's young-even if her vocabulary isn't that to match an adult's. I know she understands. A large gist of it at the very least because the scent of baby-powder turns softer and she yowls happily.

The sound of it seeming less kit.

"KitKat-do you want to shift?" my voice a murmur, feeling unblinking eyes watch me, a softer meowl.

I carefully ease myself up, feeling Jin's hands fall away but his body fall into step behind mine, wings flapping into place.

Holding my surprised gaze.

"You bet I'm the first one who gets to meet KitKat all sweet toddler first. Besides... Kookie will keep Yoongi preoccupied~" gesturing his head to where Yoongi's settled his head onto Koo's lap and even though he doesn't butt and nudge at the hand rubbing at fur and patting his cheek to continue... he silently, quietly tilts to the touch with a faint rumble.

"You're a sneaky one Jinnie."

"I'm an opportunist. I don't waste time or chance." He lilts, hands steering me away from the living room, Tae and Hobi's shifted forms rolling around, yowling and chuffing, and tussling, trying to duck past the mound of striped fur and swiping paws and nipping and snapping fangs at him.

Carefully edging around them, my laughter caught in my throat and the sudden rushed motion in which Jin steers me away and down the hallway, wings flapping and grin wide and infectious as he closes the nearest bedroom door behind us.

Having snagged the bag Jimin had left earlier and holding it aloft.

"She might not shift right away." I warn, hand tucking her against me, feeling the swish of her tail against my fingers, the constant peeking as she takes in the new space.

Constantly searching, peeking, taking in.

"Or she might because there's only so much she can explore when she's extra small." Jin muses, setting the bag down.

Wings fluttering-the sudden absence of scent and sound in its rich intensity making my ears flicker subconsciously in search for it.

Not realising when Jin's stepped back behind me, until his fingers are skimming over my back to briefly card through my hair.

Poking at my flickering ears.

"Not used to quiet?"

"I can still hear them but it's almost weird for the quiet now." I admit.

"Well I think KitKat's ears needed a small break." He muses, a thoughtfulness in the words I hadn't realised until I realise how she's drooped against me, cheek against my shoulder not with fatigue but a sort of slow unwinding-the adrenaline and excitement of three kits keeping her buzzing but now... now it's almost as if the quiet lets her just flop.

And it takes a little while-but when she shifts back, fur to skin, growing until both my hands cradle her and a giggled babble instead of a meow greeting us. I tilt my head and

It takes a little while, but she shifts back. Fur to skin. No longer palm sized but still fitting just so in the cradle of my hands holding her close. A giggled babbled greeting instead of a meow. Tilting my head to the pat-pat of a small palm to my cheek that urges my gaze to hers, staring with fondness at the soft blue and brown irises and the patches of skin that mark her so as sweetly unique; two different shades that are in the likeness of her shifted form with her fur.

I adore KitKat's shifted form but there's something so incredibly tender about the way she looks, a small toddler whose slowly regaining colour and softness to her cheeks, no longer so bony and fragile to cradle-her eyes somehow even more expressive.

"Hi baby." Nose nudging against hers, lips pressing to her forehead, to the tip of her nose, to soft cheeks and cradling her to me, hands trying to tuck me closer to her and her to me.

"Hi!" the word loud and eager and followed with a giggle. Shiny eyes.

I'm unable to hide the soft sound that slips past my lips and Jin's no better.

"Got a hi for me little kitten?" Jin asks, slipping forward, watching as her eyes flit to him. Slow blinks before she ducks her head to press closer to me, curling into my arms with a muffled mumble.

Hiding away, soft mumbles pressed into the crook of my neck.

But Jin doesn't rush her and he just draws back, rummaging through the bag to tug out a change of clothes, wings flapping with delight as he holds them up to me to look at.

"Look how tiny they are. I know she was just a kit... even smaller. But look how small. She fits perfectly in your arms." Wings fluttering with endearment and affection, the sound of the rustling drawing tentative peeking eyes up. Faint shyness melting way for awe that widens brown and blue eyes, head lifting from my shoulder to peer at the clothes he holds up.

Wings flapping when he senses her gaze.

Doesn't rush forward-doesn't crowd her because there isn't that biological familiarity of being a feline-but there's something inexplicably safe and grounding about him that despite his distance, KitKat eases out of her momentary shyness, though something akin to a meow and mumble slips past her lips when I walk closer, and he brushes the back of his fingers against her ears and the softest peck to her hair.

Jin doesn't need to be a kit. He puts her at ease with the sweet, tender way he already is one of the most comforting, safest spaces.

And it's when I sink down onto the edge of the bed, holding her on my lap as Jin helps me dress her that she mumbles a soft quiet echo of the word she'd giggled into my skin.

"...hi"

And I see Jin melt.

[......]

The kits are quick to shift back, fangy smiles all the same, their scents sweet and eager, eager to scoop her up, to try swipe her away.

I watch as her giggles grow louder. Squealing giggles and flailing arms and legs as she squirms in delight, held high and whirled around, tail swishing and ears perked up.

Watch as she's scooped and tucked close, fangs gently nipping at pinkening cheeks, nuzzling against the soft curve of them, see her try to do the same, lips smooshing to cheeks- eliciting chuffs and bright laughs and delighted shining eyes. Watch as she continues to pat-rub at Kookie's ears whenever he's in reachable vicinity, eyes constantly flitting with shiny curiosity at fluttering wings she can't reach no matter how much she stretches her hands out, the grabby motion making Jin's scent seem sweeter.

"She's almost too bun attached." Tae accuses, tail curling and sway, eyes slitted but the boxy fangy grin giving away just how much he doesn't mind. Far from it. For every pat-rub-tug KitKat gives experimentally; pealing laughs and unbridled delight, Tae does the same to Kookie's other ear. Leaning from behind, fangs nipping at a flopped ear, him and KitKat sharing a giggled conspirator grin; both fangy, one teeny, one wide and stretched across boxy lips, at the way his ears perk and twitch.

"Everyone's got bun attachment needs~" Hobi lilts with a grin, sinking down onto the carpet in front of them, fingers sticky with fruit he's just cut up and holds up to KitKat first. A rumbling contentment emanating in his chest as he feeds not just KitKat, but the tiger-bun duo, small nibbles and nips interspersed with sneaky licks that has Hobi spluttering and squirming, ears twirling and twisting and eyes flashing even as fangs peek at heart-shaped lips.

"I second that." I agree with a smile, watching as KitKat tugs at Hobi's fingers, drawing them closer so she can nibble at the piece of apple he's holding out for her, small fingers clutching at his slender ones, fangs nibbling at fingertips, a muffled babbled incoherency as she eats, eyes holding Hobi's with earnest. Trying to convey whatever she's saying to him with full raptness.

"Yummy? Kitten likes it?" Hobi's words take on a fond indulgent coo, ears twirling as he watches her cling to his fingers for a few moments longer.

Watching when Tae opens his mouth, all fangy wide for Hobi to feed him too-lunging forward with a playful growl and nipping at multiple fingers and watching as Hobi yells and laughs, the sudden jolt of noise from an action he's mimicking KitKat with but one that's imbued with mischief, fangs glinting and pealing laughter as Kook's head tilts back. A stream of giggles that causes KitKat's cheeks to flush as she looks on delightedly.

"Teaching kit to bite the hand that feeds you?" a tail poking at Tae's side, Yoongi's soft gummy smile endeared and amused, reaching over with a more assured touch to gently card fingers through KitKat's hair and quickly dabbing at the sugary stickiness of the fruit on her cheeks with a wet wipe.

They're all so good with her.

The kits. Kookie. Jin.

There's an instinctual safety sure-an immediate response to the clearly smaller and more vulnerable toddler they surround and unconsciously herd, the habit not gone unnoticed, but there's also this gentleness with KitKat that should be surprising but isn't.

But it adds to the flutters in my stomach and heartbeat, that swooping sensation when I watch how enamoured Tae is, how readily, how quickly they take to kit as if she was ours.

And more and more the reasons stack up without realising. Amina's astuteness not lost on me.

On a judgement she made for her daughter without really knowing half of my pack.

But she couldn't have made a better decision if she tried.

[......]

"I want custody rights!" Tae exclaims suddenly, lurching upright from his sprawl. No longer sprawled over Jin and Hobi, tail swishing even as it slips out of Jin's loose hold, brushing against his side before he stares intently at me.

A sharp intensity that'd been there all the whilst he was sprawled across two mates, a lazy gleaming intensity to his gaze that amplifies all the more as he looks at me.

"Custody over who?" even though my lips have already begun to tug up, following his line of sight to where KitKat's curled against me, cheek on my lap and fingers absently petting and rubbing at the tip of Yoongi's tail that sits against her palm-occasionally swishing and brushing across the tip of her nose or cheek to tug a giggle out, to make her squirm at the ticklish sensation.

"Kit! I want custody rights!"

"I don't think Amina will like that~ she's very protective and possessive over her kitten. We're just looking after her berry."

His tail swishes sharper, cutting air. A huffing rumble of breath.

"But I want kit custody. She's just so-" he makes a strangled, unintelligible noise, all wide cub-eyed, looking pained at the distance between him and us-looking a moment's notice from launching himself forward.

"I know." I murmur, fingers brushing through her hair and against her cheek, trailing across to map out the cloudy lighter patches of skin, watch as she tilts to the touch with a contented happy purr faint in the back of her throat.

Not the most verbal kit yet but definitely vocal and expressive.

And when she starts using words more, when she begins to learn words and pick up on them-I don't doubt that she'll have everyone wrapped around each teeny, tiny finger all the more so.

"But she's just visiting."

"I want visitation rights! I want kit rights! I want-" plaintive whine in his voice as he peters off before the dark silently brewing intensity of his eyes thicken as he looks at me, scent suddenly so sweet, so rich that it's all I can breathe for a moment. Rooted by his stare.

Fangs peeking past his lips as his eyes shutter, lashes fluttering as he stares upwards, trying to find some control and resemblance of restraint to the words he wants out.

And when he blinks his eyes open-gaze snagging on the two of us with KitKat, there's a rough rasp in the low baritone of his voice.

"I just want so much cub." The words rumbled out of him.

And his eyes betray the depth of that want-the scent of strawberries drenching the space, entangling with everyone's scents.

And the intensity of his stare only thickens, strengthens all the more when Jin gets up to heat some milk for her and I draw her into my arms to settle her on my lap, her head leaning and resting against my torso and tilting up to peer up at me, when Kookie leans forward, nose scrunching and gently nudging to hers. Playfully teasing the teat of the bottle to her lips, watching her brows scrunch and legs kick and hands try to tug the bottle to her lips.

Tries to grab hold of the handles on the bottle so she can tug the milk to her lips and tilt the bottle to her mouth herself.

"Milk!" insisting and pouting, hands tugging at the bottle, legs kicking as she stares up at Koo, fingers tugging.

Nose scrunching as he relents his loose grip. Tugging it close and protectively to her chest, tail swishy.

A rumbled chuff that's entangled with a whining groan. As if he can't decide whether to be endeared and giddy more than he wants to whine.

"I want my rights!" he insists.

"On what grounds cub? If you insist on rights-got to convince an officer." Jin asks, wings fluttering as Hobi's fingers brush down his spine, looking far too pleased-heart-shaped smile deepening at eliciting the quiet flap-flap.

"I think Amina might...consider it if you manage to get Joon and Jimin in on it. But then again~ who wouldn't want to have sweet KitKat?"

Watching as she suckles at the bottle, tilting her head back and the bottle with it to draw deep gulps of it, every now and then her eyes stilling to look at me, ears flickering whenever I dip my head to press a kiss to her forehead. KitKat tugs the bottle from her lips to giggle at the sight of me hovering upside down in her vision, hand patting at my cheek or resting it there for a few more moments before sinking more readily against me, curled into me as she drinks.

"I might try soften her up. But either way~ KitKat's my kitten too now aren't you baby?" I coo, lips brushing a kiss to one flickery ear then the other, smiling against her, at the way her ears fold for better access, tilting to the touch as she mumbles, nodding at me.

Tae's demeanour brightens-lights up as he quickly shuffles closer, head plopping against my lap, hand tugging my fingers immediately to his hair, curls soft under my touch and grin wide and boxy and thrilled.

Chuffing the moment my fingers gently tug at a curl, head craned back.

"Equality when it comes to kisses! I think I'm.... at least a two dozens behind." Voice firm.

Yoongi's soft huff of laughter is low and quiet.

"Keeping tabs? What about all the kisses you gave little kit?"

He hums. A rumbly throaty sound that deepens when I tilt down to press the ghost of a kiss to dark curls.

"Then... I guess I'll have to give them back. To each mate." Head knocking against mine, hand steadying my arm more securely against KitKat, a hand cradling my cheek, a soft murmured apology between a yelp of startle and a grin. Far too unapologetic and the kiss against my lips lingering for a few moments before he lets go.

"One."

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

"You're late hyungies."

"We got... held up." Slightly shame-faced looks but the flushed glittering thrill in their eyes keeps them from looking entirely like downtrodden pups, tails between their legs. Standing inside the living room with the faintest remorse. Softening their eyes into wide-eyed implore that knows full well how to manipulate heartstrings and have resolve melting. Succumbing to the puppy eyed look they both sport. Jimin cradles a bundled blanket in his arms, hands holding it carefully and to him even as his eyes look over us.

It's a few hours past when they'd said they'd be back.

Lips curved to jut into a pouty expression. Looking slightly chagrined.

"Sorry~ we just got busy with a potential lead."

"Looks like taking Amina along was a good call. On the Lieutenant's behalf." I tease fondly, watching Jimin's lips pucker into a huffy pout.

"You know we had to think it through first."

"And it was worth it wasn't it?"

"We're retracting Amina's steps. Whatever she'd gotten too close to was enough that they tried to make her vanish."

"Any progress?" Hobi asks when Yoongi's voice is a quiet rumble of authority.

"Not now. Not when you've just come back."

"Work stays at work pups. And definitely not for the nights." Jin adds, a warm smile as he watches Yoongi's cheeks pinken slightly at the mention. Hands cradling KitKat to him, cheek against his shoulder and tail swishing, soft babbles she mumbles into his skin. Small hushed secrets and mumbles that are quiet.

"Unless of course your work is flustering and charming and bagging a mate because you're a night owl."

"Wooing a crush from just your voice."

My cheeks heat.

"I'll never let Binnie go with that." A half grumble.

"Oh but why~ how else would've we played matchmaker."

"The radio did that enough~"

Lilted teases that filter through, Yoongi's scent sweet and soft though his eyes snag mine, lips curling up. Gums peeking.

He doesn't deny the words.

And neither can I.

"But this is about them. Pups coming home late and missing takeout."

"And my new recipe!"

KitKat perks from the amusement in the voices, flailing excitedly, arms flapping in the same way Jin's wings do. Watch as Minnie's eyes flit there, fangs peeking as his eyes crinkle, a deep smile curving his lips.

Flap-flap motions that imitate the swan prince holding her.

Their scents seem to thicken with apology, though the slow swish of Minnie's tail is content and happy and their eyes clearer, sharper. Their smiles warm as they take in KitKat-Joon's tucked tail now wagging and thumping. The sound audible with how his tail wags back and forth. Happy pup.

Working with Amina had helped.

Significantly so it seemed.

My eyes keep flickering back to the bundle he's holding-wondering why he hasn't just set it aside already.

"And-"

"What are you holding?"

"A blanket."

Eyes narrowing at it. Tae's gaze focusing on it, tail curling with quiet examination.

Watching...watching it.

And his observation makes eyes turn, wings fluttering as Jin's body is angled to look at the two, quietly, contentedly swaying as KitKat peers around, trying to see what's captured everyone's attention.

It's not just one pair of eyes that fall to the small bundle Jimin holds in his arms. Eyes flitting to it with unveiled curiosity.

"What are you hiding in it? You're definitely hiding something." Tail curling and swishing, unravelled from its belted hold on Kookie's waist. Body leaning forward to try catch a look at why Jimin's cradling the bundle so carefully. Half-rising off the sofa for it.

"Well actually..." lilted and drawn out, lips curling upwards, eyes crinkling as he looks at me when the bundle shifts slightly. The barest of movements that no one misses because everyone's looking at it intently anyways.

The sound of squirming giggles tugs eyes back towards KitKat, towards where she's leaning to pat-pat cheeks and nip at them, getting big kisses pressed to the softening curve of her own, eyes sparkling and giggles entangled with the rustle of feathers where Jin's wings flap at how giggly she is. Sweet vanilla a warm blanketing hold.

Eyes all shiny and in awe of the obsidian wings tucked against his back. The sound of her giggles making the bundle in Jimin's arms shuffle about more, there's something inside... someone inside and I know who. I don't know why I didn't guess. Lips curving when first one large flickery ear goes pop and perks to attention, a soft sandy shade, and after a few more shuffles from the midst of the blanket swaddled bundle, a black nose peeks out.

Amina.

"Oh!" a soft gasped sound, ears popping and perking up as Kook catches sight of it, quiet ohs of surprise morphing on lips, curiosity bleeding into their scents.

"Brought back a shifted? Are you sneaking in babies from the centre-" Hobi laughs, the sound full of incredulity but the bundle wiggles until Jimin loosens his hold and lets the blanket fall open and a shifted fennec fox pops out.

She really is teeny.

And by the startled expressions, I can see more and more why Jimin thought she'd been a baby pup herself.

Watch as she hops down from his arms, trotting over, nose snuffling and twitching as she traces and checks all the new scents, picking apart baby powder immediately.

A soft chirp as she trots over, wings rustling as Jin stills, moving to crouch down so she can stretch up with her paws, using his legs for balance to clamber up and boop her nose along a cheek.

Fangs nipping and leaving little grooming licks in greeting, chirps against a soft cheek.

Tail swishing renewed, ears perked.

A giddy twist that Jin hastens to steady.

"Mama!"

The others all freeze. Still.

Tails ceasing movement and ears stiffly perked. Trying to make sure they've caught it right.

Kit wriggles eagerly, trying to tug Amina forward, patting at a big perked ear that folds and droops under her touch, pawing at clothes and snuffling her kit.

Checking her over.

"Safe and happy kit Mina." I murmur, watch as her head turns to peer at me, padding over to nudge against my side before circling back to Minnie.

Head nudging against his calf, pawing with an impatience I can see in her eyes and hear in her quick chirps.

Ever the ordering Lieutenant-snuffing back a grin but it stretches wide regardless.

The bag that'd been slung over his shoulder thunking soft against the carpet.

And immediately fangs grip at the bag and tug it along as she trots away, muffled chirp to follow.

Joon's the closest. A deep dimpled grin as he lets the small fox trot along, tugging open the bathroom door for her, mindful of her big swishy tail before closing it.

Turning to look at the rest of us.

"She's just as bossy stubborn shifted yes." He acquiesces with a grin, dimpled indents deepening.

"Wish I could've seen that. Tiny fox ordering around two big pups."

"I doubt it'll be the last time she commandeers your office Joon." I add.

He shrugs.

"She is a Lieutenant but in the office she's just working with us." Everyone's eyes seeming to snap back to track the slow circling and swaying Jin's doing as he walks around the living room. Not settling, padding around with KitKat cradled, wings fluttering under everyone's stares.

"I'm not handing her over-possessive felines need to learn to share."

Joon moves closer to duck his head towards KitKat-having had the least amount of time with her today, an eager bonked nudge of her head to his, dimpled grooves getting excited pats and pokes. Giggling when he lunges and ducks his head to try nip at her poking fingertips, squealing as she lurches back.

"Pup pup!" tail swishing in recognition of the word, of Joonie, Minnie's ears flickering and perking-about to take a step forward when the sound of the bathroom door opening has his head angling to the side instead.

I can tell for the others its disorienting for a tiny pup to suddenly shift and not be small. Watch, recognise the familiar rumple mass of curls that her fingers tousle at, slow shuffles as Amina enters the room, big ears perking up from the midst of blonde curls-almost blended there if it hadn't been for their sheer size.

Green eyes still carrying a bit of drowsiness, but no wariness. But there's still glinting curiosity in them, the balmy scent of sea-salt brushing across, almost skimming across the pheromones both in greeting and recognition of theirs.

Finally putting faces to the scent.

She sees Jinnie and Joon first, the two of them closest to KitKat, quiet treads as she moves forward, tail swishing quicker and quicker until she's at hands reach of her kit. But even though she was never a pup shifted-even if she was small, there is a stark sizeable difference between build and height.

And it only strikes me then because of how much of it comes from the strength and authority and control Amina imbues that it's never struck me before. Because next to me the two of us are accustomed to each other's builds, to the way they slot close, the way they fit. It's different to see it in perspective with her standing next to Jin.

"How was she?"

Jin's wings flutter, carefully easing KitKat into Amina's arms, watching her lean towards her, noses nudging against one another and hands immediately going to pet big ears and tug at curls.

"She's the sweetest kit."

"I was almost scared I'd not get her back. Because I know (Y/N)'s got three feline mates."

Flutter-flap-rustle, lips curving into a grin as he tilts his head towards them.

"You might've not until we realised KitKat's your daughter and your our mate's friend... which means this won't be the one and only time we get to kit-sit?" words filled with a tender affection as he regards the kit in her arms with a soft gentleness.

The scent of sea-salt is the scent of waves coming in to shore, crisp and clear. And that scent pulses from her as she lets KitKat tug at curls, watching them slip past small fingers to brush against her cheek, nuzzling into them.

"I couldn't dream of keeping KitKat from (Y/N)... I think Jimin might riot and steal her if I tried. Besides she's very taken with you." A tinge of awe in her eyes as she takes in the large black wings tucked mostly against his back-but even that doesn't hide the sheer size of them, nor stifle the beauty of the obsidian feathers that gleam under the light.

Heading for the nearest seat, sinking down and cradling KitKat on her lap.

A warm smile that curls her lips at the soft huff and proud grin and swish her words elicit.

"It'd be cruel of you Amina... trying to keep kit from me. Her first nest was with my hoodie!"

"It's kit's hoodie now." She corrects with a fangy smile, tail swishing with smug contentment.

"Nesty!"

Mina echoes it back with gusto, the excited kit on her lap bouncing eagerly, tugging at the front of her clothes and then promptly diving face-first into it, quiet purrs where she breathes in the familiar honey-salt scent that she knows instinctively as home.

"Was that her first word? When she shifted back?" Hobi asks, letting himself sink back against Yoongi-Amina's scent softening, lips curving wider as she recognises him, recognises the citrus scent and places it instantly.

A soft shake of her head, rumpled curls falling forward and the slight angled tilt of her head as she flits her gaze very briefly to me to nudge me into the space beside her.

Tail draping over my lap when I do, a smug chirp at the back of her throat and wide fangy grin, glittering teasing green eyes taking in Minnie's look of incredulity, lips jutted out in a beakie puckering huff. Eyes narrowing at the sight.

"It was mama." A proud smile on her face and there's not a flicker of doubt there. Certainty in her words.

"Though she picked up kit and pup soon enough... isn't that right baby?"

"Kit!" she yells, head rising, cheeks slightly smooshed and pinkened.

"She's really the sweetest baby. So curious. Knows how to wrap everyone around her little tail." Yoongi murmurs

The scent of sea-salt strengthens slightly.

"A good judge of character I'd say. You're one of the biggest reasons I could work at the station... I knew she was in safe hands. You're the reason I got to see my kit shifted and not. Could just-" playfully nipping at KitKat's cheeks, a playful nom that has her laughing, wiggling about from the trail of nips left to her cheeks, interspersed with fond kisses.

"Eat you up KitKat."

"Like the chocolate... did you name her after it?" flopped ears perked with curiosity.

"I do like the chocolate but no... this one just stuck."

"Because of me~" Minnie sinks down on the arm of a sofa, head leaning against the wall, a lazy reclining sprawl, uniform rumpled but scent broadcasting how happy-satisfied-giddy-settled he is. Pheromones tinging the air with a sweet crisp freshness that softens the thick honeyed entangle pulse of sticky sweet scents.

"Awfully possessive aren't you Minnie... what were you saying Jin hyung? About felines." Tae prompts, Mina's large flickering ears stilling at the pure heavy timbre of the low rumbly baritone.

"Maybe it should extend to both oranges." He acquiesces.

"If Taehyung's anything like I've already sussed out Jimin to be then... maybe you're right-" I muse.

"Jin." I finish for her, the quiet rustle of his wings tugging KitKat's eyes to him.

"Looks like kit's a fan Jin."

He beams.

"Can't blame her. And I'm just as much taken by her." Letting his wings flap to tug a pitched squeal of excitement, hands clapping together as she wriggles on Mina's lap. Hand steadying her.

My fingers still on Mina's tail, reaching out to poke at kit's leg-watching her cheeks curve up as she giggles softly.

"We all are. And I know you've both left with a clean bill of health and I'm really, really glad you get to go home. But I'll miss not seeing you every day."

Because I couldn't be happier that they finally got to go home.

That Amina got to go home. That KitKat got a home. Got to find and make her home in a place that wasn't the atrocities of the barn, that wasn't the maintained neutral space of one room in the centre, isolated and alone.

But seeing Amina-finding out she was alive and getting to see her even for a little while every day had filled a crevice I hadn't know had formed until it'd begun to heal and smooth over.

And her leaving doesn't make it crack again.

But it just makes a quiet, unspoken aching part of me to yearn for me to be able to go to my pack too.

I can't-would never begrudge her health and happiness and pack.

I just wanted my pack too.

Wanted my herd and mates.

It's a selfish thought I stifle down at the sight of happy faces and a renewed gleam of focus and alertness in Jimin and Namjoon's eyes.

Swallow it down and refuse to let it seep into my scent; locking down on those thoughts and letting them sink into the abyss of thoughts that whirl but are never tangible enough to pluck out. To discard or verbalise.

"Can I?" I ask, hands held out for KitKat-the decision made when she lurches forward with outstretched arms, gently nudging her cheek to mine, arms too small to wrap around me but trying in a semblance of it in the way toddlers too to tuck close and hold close.

Breathing in her baby powder scent, letting the softness of it soothe that ache, until it melts and falls away. As if it'd never been.

"It's a shame Mina... but an unexpected twist. I didn't think kit would meet my pack before you."

Her smile is fangy and her eyes sharp and gleaming.

"That's not a problem. I've met half. I can meet them all now."

(AND SCENE! Midiiplier DON'T KILL ME, DON'T WHACK ME I SWEAR I REALLY, REALLY TRIED! I TRIED TO MAKE EVERYTHING I WANT HAPPEN... HAPPEN BUT IT DIDN'T WORK OUT THAT WAY AND THE CHAPTER WAS GETTING TOO LONG AND I DIDN'T WANNA RUSH STUFF SO I'M SOOOOOORRYYYYY!! BUT! I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOYED A VERY SUBPLOT BASED CHAPTER WHICH A LOT MORE TO COME NEXT CHAPTER! I'M SCREECHING WITH HOW MUCH... STUFF THAT'S ABOUT TO START HAPPENING SO BUCKLE UP AND EYES PEELED-DON'T BLINK IN CASE YOU MISS IT~ LET ME KNOW HOW YOU FOUND IT!)

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3