I curled my wolf body into the corner of my room, pressing myself against the cold wall. I closed my eyes and fought the urge to dart underneath my bed again. I would end up stuck and embarrass myself further.

The cursed heat continued to pulsate through my body like a warning. My tongue felt swollen and my throat was dry as a desert. The headache refused to let up and allow me a moment of peace. I was suffering, but I refused to call upon anybody.

Amber and Rainy told me to avoid falling into a heat alone. They said to contact them if it happened again but I couldn't stomach it. My pride forced me to remain in my bedroom and swallow back the rising heat and ignore intrusive thoughts of having a partner to "fall into a heat" with.

My life had fallen apart the moment I returned to the pack house.

My regular schedule of attending school and hanging out with my human friends had been canceled and replaced with training with the Lunas. When I tried to hang out with my friends, they were awkward and even attempted to ditch me during our visit to the nearby park. They hated me. They hated me for what I was, for something that was out of my control.

The other wolves stayed away from me too.

A newfound Luna would be awkward to hang out with, especially when she's susceptible to heats . If I caused anybody to go into a heat due to my scent, we would never live it down.

My only friend was Namjoon, but I had been avoiding him. I didn't want to embarrass him or force him into a heat. I didn't want to put him in that position, especially now that the Lunas believed he should be my heat partner.

He's an Alpha, and often takes trips to neighboring backs for training. I don't want to ruin the life he has built for himself with my stupid needs. I care about him too much to be that selfish.

My body shuddered as another wave of unbearable heat fell over me. I felt my lips curl back into a snarl as the discomfort grew. My ears flattened back against my head and the fur on the back of my neck began to stand up.

I didn't, however, hate the wolf body. My limbs were gangly like all young werewolves, but the doctor said I would grow into a healthy and strong wolf. I was predicted to be larger than the other girls in my class due to my ability to easily build muscle and large bones. I wasn't going to be a petite wolf; I was going to be built like a male and somehow the thought of it comforted me.

I wasn't weak, not like a Luna .

Granted Amber had an amazing set of abs, I refused to believe they were as strong as they claimed. Lunas was not powerful like an Alpha, or held any influence as they said.

In the old days, they used to be called Omegas and it was for a reason. They were the lowest rank of the pack, and weak-minded. I refused to become like that.

My gut wrenched as the feverish heat intensified with my emotions. I bit back a whimper and pawed at my muzzle.

No, no no... I whined, I can't be like that...

There was a knock at my door.

I shrunk back and tucked my legs underneath myself. My tail wrapped around myself and I buried my head into my paws, wishing they would go away. Their scent slipped underneath the door but I struggled to place a face to it.

"Charlotte?"

My heart sank. It's Namjoon.

He knocked again. "Charlotte, it's Namjoon," he said through the door. "I just wanted to check on you... see if you're alright. Can I come in?"

I growled and prayed he would take the hint. Unfortunately, he was undeterred and opened the door slowly. He peeked in with a hesitant expression and froze when he saw me.

We stared at each other for a moment and fell into silence.

Namjoon looked exhausted, to say the least. There was a blossoming bruise on his arm in the shape of a fist and another forming on his jaw. His eyes were rimmed with dark circles with the faintness of red coloring his usually bright, brown eyes.

My body slackened with shock.

Who hurt him? What happened to him?

I was about to ask but I remembered I was in my wolf form. I closed my mouth and stared at him with wide eyes, silently pleading that he would understand. I couldn't shift back into a human now. He would see me naked if I did. Nakedness was natural among the wolves but it wasn't like that for me. I didn't grow up surrounded by shifting wolves; I never attended their hunts or meetings. This was all so new for me.

Namjoon closed the door behind me and took in the sight of me. This was his first time seeing me in my shifted form.

"You look lovely," he commented quietly. He coughed into his arm and glanced around my room, inspecting the torn clothes on the ground. "Though you might want to open a window."

My scent was bothering him. I knew this would happen.

Namjoon's eyes widened with guilt. "Oh, it's not your fault, it's not a bad smell," he apologized. "In fact, it smells a bit too good..." He cringed, "Sorry."

My gaze softened with sympathy for the poor guy. I gave him a nod and looked out the bedroom window.

Namjoon walked over and opened the window with my permission. A fresh breeze of spring air flowed into the dark bedroom. He lingered at the window and breathed in the outdoors, savoring it. Then he looked back at me with guilt, "How are you doing? I'm sorry I haven't been around lately."

He had been training with the Alpha, and in his spare time, he was focused on memorizing the territory lines, pack alliances and enemies, and training his muscles to become stronger in a way that bulked his human and wolf form. He was busy but I didn't realize he would get hurt during that training. What happened? The Alpha Samuel isn't violent towards anybody... Did he do this to Namjoon?

Namjoon surveyed my room and walked over to my unmade bed. He sat down on the ground and crossed his legs. It was a familiar sight. We used to spend most of our days sitting on the floor and talking about anything and everything. My heart ached at the memories and wished we could return to simpler times.

"You can shift back," he encouraged, "I really don't mind."

I frowned.

Namjoon looked around and stood up on his knees. He searched my bed and grabbed my pajamas from underneath my pillow. He tossed them to me and promptly covered his face with his hands. "Go ahead," he said.

I couldn't talk to him in this form. I would have to shift at some point and he isn't looking right now...

I focused on my body and willed myself to shift through my muscles. I had gotten better at shifting out of fear of being stuck in wolf form forever. My body transformed at my command and soon I found myself laying on the ground, completely naked.

While I blushed, I quickly crawled over to my dresser and pulled out a new pair of undergarments. I changed into my clothes at the speed of light, periodically checking if Namjoon was still covering his eyes, and finally was clothed again.

My muscles ached with every movement as I settled down in front of Namjoon. I sat with my legs crossed and hurriedly smoothed my hair down. "Alright," I said.

Namjoon opened his eyes and his body jolted. "Oh, there you are," he chuckled.

I smiled awkwardly. "Here I am."

"How are you doing?" he asked, leaning back against my bed.

My face fell. "Same as usual," I answered, "doing whatever I can to figure out what to do."

"You always had a plan," he added, "I guess this messed things up."

I smiled wryly. "You have no idea."

Namjoon studied me before his gaze dropped to his lap. "You can hate me for saying this, but I think it's cool that you're a werewolf too."

"I don't mind being a werewolf," I admitted. "It's the Luna part that bothers me. It's weird."

"We can be weirdos together," he joked but I noticed there was a pain in his eyes. His hand covered the bruised part of his arm and I realized his t-shirt was covered with dirt stains and rips.

"What happened?" I asked worriedly, "Did somebody hurt you?"

Thankfully, the intensity of my heat had begun to fade. My body was relaxing and I was finally returning to normal . I focused on Namjoon, hoping the distraction of conversation can avoid a heat.

Namjoon shook his head. "Not like that." He inhaled shakily and shrugged one of his shoulders, acting distant but the emotion in his eyes told a different story. He was hurt. "Alpha Samuel took me to another pack today. It was fine until this one wolf showed up. He challenged me to fight because I was a young Alpha... I couldn't say no."

My heart broke. "Why would he do that?"

"Power, status," he explained half-heartedly. "He wanted to show off, probably. Alpha Samuel encouraged me to fight, to take on the challenge, and to put him in his place. I did the best I could but their Alpha stopped the fight from continuing."

"That's awful."

"It was okay in the end," he claimed. He rubbed his jaw and winced when he touched the bruised area. "I impressed them. They said I did well."

"Fighting for dominance feels so... primitive."

"It definitely is, but that's how our world works. At least, in one part of it. It's more symbolic than anything."

"Why does it have to be like this?" I asked spitefully. "It's archaic. We aren't animals."

"I agree, but that's where we are as a society." Namjoon sighed and cast me a sad look. "How about we run away together? We'll be weirdos together, Lottie."

"As much as I'd love to do that, I don't know how long you'll stick with me." I frowned at myself, "I don't want you to get involved in this..." My lips curled back into a snarl, "This Luna business."

"You really hate it?" he asked but it sounded like a statement.

I nodded.

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

Repulsed by the thought of Namjoon helping me through a heat, I leaned away from him and frowned. "No."

Namjoon's nose crinkled and guilt flashed across his features. "I'm sorry," he apologized again.

I shook my head, "Don't apologize."

"I feel terrible," he continued, "I want to help you. You helped me through so much... you've always been there for me and I'm sitting here, trying to figure out how to repay that favor."

"That's the thing about favors, Joonie, you don't need to repay them," I said sternly. I forced myself to stand up from the ground, restless. The feverish heat has returned and started to spread across my body like a plague. "Don't worry about me. I'm going to be okay." Somehow, I'll get through this on my own.

"Lottie please --"

I walked away from him and wrapped my arms tightly around myself. Nausea rolled through my stomach. I took deep breaths but all I could focus on was the scent of Namjoon. He smelled of the forest, of freedom. His presence felt too sweet and inviting, I feared I might lose control of myself.

"I think you should leave," I said over my shoulder, my voice choking with sudden emotion. I turned my head away, ashamed of myself, "I'm so sorry, Joon, but you need to leave."

"What's going on?" he asked worriedly, getting to his feet.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

"It's obviously something. Lottie, I can help you if you let me."

I stood in front of the window and gasped at the rush of fresh air. "You can't for many reasons. You need to leave before I do something I'll regret."

"You helped me through my mood swings," he said, stubbornly. "You dealt with my Alpha shit when it was too much for me to handle so why won't you let me help you with this? You trusted me then, why don't you trust me now?"

"Because that was different!" I snapped.

"It isn't. In fact, placing yourself between me and Rafe during my first dominance fight was more dangerous than what's going on right now."

"It isn't just helping me! It's--," my breath hitched as his scent flooded my system. "It's--, if I let you help me, it'll ruin everything!" I forced myself to face him despite my fears. "Don't you understand?" I had tears in my eyes. "Don't you know what 'helping' means? It isn't just holding me back, it isn't something I can be talked out of!"

Namjoon coughed and pressed the back of his hand against his mouth as if there were smoke in the air. "I know what it means," he claimed in a calmer voice.

The heat grew stronger and tears began to roll down my face. "I can't let you do that," I pleaded, "you have to leave."

Namjoon hesitated before taking a step away. "If that's what you really want..."

I withdrew from him again and walked to the farthest corner of the room. Yet as I walked, the ground beneath my feet swayed and my knees felt weak. I leaned against the wall for support and slid to the ground. I groaned as pain seared through my body with a foreign yearning for somebody to ease my trouble.

I shielded my face with my trembling hands. "Namjoon, you have to go..."

"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice heavy with guilt. "Do you need anything? Your parents? Something?"

I need you... a small part of my heart cried out.

I shook my head. "I need you to stay away from me." The words tore through me like claws on fabric. It pained me to say it when my instincts begged for him to stay. But I couldn't let him become my heat partner. It would ruin everything.

I would be lying if I said I didn't have a small crush on him. Occasionally, the other wolves in the pack assumed we were together based on our general closeness and history together. We might have kissed when we were too young to know what it meant. Entering into a heat together would shove us into an awkward position.

Furthermore, if I allowed myself to go into a heat willing, it would mean I was giving up on a resolution to rebel against being a Luna. It was equivalent to being defeated by my new biology and damn it, I wasn't going to let that happen.

Namjoon walked to the door with a reluctant expression. He placed his hand on the doorknob and my heart lurched with pain. I gasped quietly and buried my face into my hands, embarrassed by my reaction.

"I'm here for you, Lottie," he said quietly, his eyes downcast.

I wrestled internally with the strange thoughts flashing through my mind. Don't leave me! Don't leave me, I need you here! Please, don't go! I growled deeply and curled into myself to hide. The heat intensified as the scent drew closer and stronger with notes of rot. Why did the goddess believe turning twelve-year-old kids into Lunas and Sols was a good idea? I thought bitterly to myself.

"Namjoon..." I whispered as the foreign feelings fought to take control of me. "If you care about me, you have to leave me."

"Do you want me to get Rainy and Amber?"

I shook my head again. "Don't let anybody in here."

"Okay."

My heart clenched and it became hard to breathe as I listened to his feet move away from me. I fought back a rush of tears as crushing loneliness fell over me. He's going to leave me. He's leaving me here, all alone . Nobody cares about me, nobody loves me, I'm so alone. The confusing thoughts swirled through my mind until they made me sick.

The door closed and I was left in complete silence.

I fell into a heat, and endured it alone and I would continue fighting it alone for years to come.

"Have a drink, Namjoon."

Namjoon looks up from the maps scattered across his desk with an exasperated look. He finds Yoongi standing in the doorway with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and two crystal glasses in the other. He changed into his pajamas of black clothing and the pallor of his skin makes him appear ghost-like in the dark of the hallway.

Namjoon sighs, "Not right now. I'm working."

Yoongi raises his brow and enters the room, carrying the scent of vanilla and smoke with him. He sets the glasses down on the table, purposefully ignoring the maps, and shrugs, "Then you can watch me drink."

Namjoon sits back in his chair and rubs his aching head. He's been staring at the maps for hours, drawing and outlining territory lines to refresh his memory. His notebook is open to the page about the Nightwalker's chain of command and small details about each pack member. Everything from scent signatures to presumed relationships among the pack fills the notebook; all in an attempt to understand Nik's pack and himself. All to predict their next move and how this meeting will turn out.

"You have been in here for hours," Yoongi adds, uncapping the whiskey. He pours the sharp-scented liquid into both glasses, despite Namjoon's protest. "Whatever you are trying to solve won't be solved in one night."

Namjoon frowns in disappointment. "It doesn't stop me from trying."

"You and Charlotte are so alike," he comments lightly. He pushes the second glass to Namjoon. "You both feel like you have to become something or do something. So action-oriented that you don't realize that sometimes, nothing can be done at all."

"I'm trying to be flexible," Namjoon comments, a little offended by Yoongi's comment about being oblivious. "And Charlotte knows what she's doing. I... don't."

"All wrong, nobody knows what we're doing," he corrects.

"Hyung, you must feel a little uneasy about this meeting?" Namjoon gave him a look. "It's too sudden, too close to winter to be an accident. And I don't blame Lottie for shooting at them but still..."

"It made things complicated, I get that." Yoongi looks over the maps before lifting the glass to his lips. "But we can get through this. We've been through worse."

Namjoon's eyes flash with distant memories. He grimaces and looks away from Yoongi, his body shifting uncomfortably in his seat. "We've been through worse but somehow, those days felt easier than they are now."

"How so?"

"We were in a different frame of mind," Namjoon explains. "We were on high alert and fighting to survive on our own. We had a different energy. Now that we have secured a place to live, it feels harder to maintain our peace. I'm so used to running that I don't know how to sit still."

Yoongi sucks a sharp breath through the corner of his mouth before looking at the bookshelves on the wall. "I think we should bring back knitting," he says simply.

Namjoon stares at him. "How will knitting help us?" he deadpanned.

Yoongi's lips quirk at the young Alpha's reaction. He tilts his head slightly and gestures to his shelves, "You're disorganized. Your shelves are a mess."

"How does that--" Namjoon begins to ask but Yoongi cuts him off.

"You're stressed, Joon," he says obviously. "You keep trying to push yourself, do jobs that aren't yours, and become an Alpha that none of us want you to become."

Namjoon draws back in surprise and feels a twinge of offense. He stares at the older wolf before lowering his head, frowning at his maps. "I'm trying to help," he argues quietly.

Yoongi comes to Namjoon's side and reaches past him, dragging the second glass of whiskey towards him. He positions it directly in front of Namjoon. Then he pulls back and rests his hand on his shoulder, "I know you are, pup, but we're telling you to stop."

Namjoon withers in his chair and his eyes saddened. "Am I causing more problems?" he asks dejectedly.

Yoongi massages Namjoon's shoulder for a moment. "You're stressing everybody out," he admits. "You need to focus on being our Alpha and stop trying to do our jobs. Our position in this pack is our anchor in this chaotic world. After the Fall, we needed security and safety and you gave it to us. You gave us a purpose and a reason to keep fighting. We take pride in what we do, and all we ask is that you focus on leading us."

"How am I supposed to lead you when I can't even manage myself?" he mutters.

Yoongi's hand slides up his shoulder and neck. He plays briefly with Namjoon's hair and spins his finger around the longer locks. "Nobody expects you to be perfect."

"I do." Namjoon pauses before he sighs. "I'm being stubborn."

"You are, but that's alright. I came in here to talk to you, after all. I'd be upset if you ignored me."

"I could never ignore you, hyung."

Yoongi steps away from him and rounds the desk. He raises his glass to Namjoon, "Drink up, we're going to have a long night."

Namjoon's fingers lightly tap the edge of the crystal glass. He stares into the dark caramel-colored liquid and wonders what Yoongi means. "We should probably guard the territory lines sober, hyung," he assumes.

Yoongi squints and gives him a mildly dirty look. "We're not on guard duty."

"Then what are we doing?"

"We're going for a run," Yoongi says and after a pause, he adds, "and we're going to drink."

"We?"

"You, me, Hoba, and Jungkook. Taehyung and Jimin are out cold on the couch."

Namjoon frowns in confusion. "What about Jin and Lottie?"

Yoongi's eyes widened and gave him an obvious look. "You couldn't smell them when you came in?"

Namjoon shakes his head but stops mid-way. He inhales deeply, his chest rising and falling, and realizes there is a syrupy undertone to Lottie and Jin's scents. It explains why Taehyung and Jimin were sleeping on the couch.

Seokjin and Charlotte have gone into a heat together.

"Oh," Namjoon murmurs, "I smell them now."

He feels a sense of pride for Charlotte and her strengthening confidence. She has changed so much since becoming a werewolf. Ever since she became a Luna, she feels like a different person but in a good way. It took adjusting, and he can't forget the agony she went through, but nowadays, she feels happier and more easygoing. She kept her strange love for mushrooms, but she views herself and others in an entirely new light.

"Before we go," Yoongi's voice brings Namjoon back into the present, "I wanted to ask about who you were going to bring with you to the meeting."

The Nightwalkers asked them to bring their Beta and Luna. Beta translates to the Alpha's second-in-command and strongest warrior. Most packs have a Beta to help with leading and organizing the other wolves. However, Namjoon's pack is smaller than most and they never decided on a Beta.

The Nightwalkers never requested to meet with Namjoon, Charlotte, and a Beta before. He isn't sure what type of power move this is but it feels like a jab in the gut. They are a small pack in comparison to the Nightwalkers. But Namjoon knows he should bring another wolf with him, just in case.

"I'm not sure," he admits, "it depends on if we think they're dumb enough to attack us during the meeting."

"Nik might not order it directly, but his pack is unpredictable."

Namjoon feels a headache coming on. He looks down at the whiskey, tempted by its promise of a night of numbness. "Whoever I choose will be the Beta in their eyes. He'll always have to come with us if these meetings continue."

But I don't want him to feel burdened. This meeting will be stressful, and possibly violent. I don't doubt the abilities of my brothers but I don't want to put him through that.

"Anybody who went through a heat recently would be vulnerable," Yoongi adds.

Namjoon nods in agreement. They tend to be moody and clingy after a heat. It's a simple fact. Charlotte, on the other hand, bounces back quickly from her heats and appears energized by it.

A heat for a werewolf is a chance to relieve stress and relax their mind. They become consumed by their hormones and enter a haze-like state. Bringing Jin hyung to the Nightwalkers in that state would be cruel to him.

"Jin can't go," Namjoon says finally.

"Jimin probably either," Yoongi comments. "He smells like he's getting awfully close to one. Charlotte will be busy, she'll have her hands full."

"Do you want to go?" Namjoon asks, studying the older wolf.

Yoongi hesitates before looking down at his glass. "I don't think I'm the best choice for a diplomatic meeting. I know my limits. And I don't think you should take the younger boys either."

"I have to ask Hoba." Namjoon imagines the look on Hoseok's face and feels his heart twist with guilt. He doesn't want to put him through this. He doesn't want anybody to suffer through this, or walk straight into a trap. This is dangerous. Namjoon isn't sure they'll walk out of the neutral zone, unharmed.

He doesn't want anybody to go, and yet they are bound by the social rules of pack relationships.

This isn't a declaration of war, but it could turn into one.

"Hoba can handle himself," Yoongi defends.

"I know he can, I just hate that we have to do this. If I had a choice, we wouldn't go at all."

Yoongi frowns in disappointment and the scent of bourbon thickens to the texture of smoke. It's overpowering, intense, and it fills every crevice of Namjoon's thoughts. He swallows hard and attempts to ignore its ashy undertones. "Maybe we don't go," he suggests quietly.

"That's out of the question."

"Technically, it isn't. It's only an invitation. We might not have been able to contact them today, but we could try again tomorrow."

"It would be a sign of weakness."

"We don't need to make public appearances to be strong," Yoongi argues. "We're strong in our own right. It would actually make us look powerful to reject their so-called invitation."

Namjoon's expression twists with discomfort. "You're confusing me, hyung."

Yoongi shakes his head and knocks back the rest of his drink. He smacks his lips when he lowers the glass and looks at the bottle of whisky still on the desk. "I'm trying to understand your intentions. What do you want out of this? Why are we going to do this if it isn't necessary?"

"Friendly visit?" Namjoon mutters weakly.

"I love you, Joon, but I don't think this is a casual chat."

His head falls into his hands as a headache starts to move through his tired mind. "I don't know," he says heavily. "I'm so tired, hyung. I don't know what to do."

Yoongi's gaze softens with sympathy. "Alright. Take a break. Come on, the others are waiting."

"Are we really going to drink together?" he questions. "Is now the time to let our guard down?"

"We're not letting our guard down," Yoongi chided. "We're going for a run and Taehyung is going to keep watch for us."

"You said he's sleeping?"

"He'll wake up, don't worry."

"Worrying is all I seem to do these days." Namjoon's shoulders droop with exhaustion.

"Come with us," Yoongi encourages. "We'll run together after a few drinks. We can burn off the alcohol faster in our wolf form."

Namjoon hesitates once more but his yearning to forget his troubles with his pack wins out. He relents against his concerns and takes the cup. He knocks it back like a shot and relishes the burn of whiskey down his parched throat.

Yoongi smiles fondly at the Alpha and the scent of vanilla strengthens. "Ready?"

Namjoon stands and pushes his chair back. He takes the whiskey bottle off the table and shares a look with Yoongi. "Yeah. I'm ready."

Yoongi nods and leaves the small office. The two men walk down the hall and into the living room. Jimin sleeps peacefully on the couch with a thick blanket wrapped around his body. His head rests on Taehyung's lap while Taehyung plays with his hair.

Jungkook sits at Taehyung's feet, drinking from a metal flask with his eyes closed.

Hoseok sits on a couch chair with his legs tucked underneath him. He holds a flask with a leather cover and sniffs the opening. His skin is flushed bright red, well on his way to being drunk.

He looks up at Yoongi and Namjoon with a sleepy expression, He raises the flask with a weak smile, "Hey."

"Careful, Hoba, that's my special mix," Yoongi warns but smiles in amusement.

Hoseok laughs dryly and leans to the far right. "I can feel it." The scent of cactus flowers and white tea oozes from him like thick honey. It grows stronger as he continues to drink, fluctuating with the pulse of his emotions.

Jungkook sighs when he lowers the flask from his lips. He stares at the flask blankly before raising an eyebrow. "What did you put in there, hyung?"

Yoongi returns the odd look and walks over to the young wolf. He kneels in front of him and takes the flask from him. "I put in the good stuff. They call it an AK-47 cocktail."

Taehyung scrunches his nose in disgust. "It's too strong."

Namjoon comes to Hoseok's side and gently removes the flask from his hand. "How are you feeling, Hoba?" he asks.

Hobi only smiles up at him as if he were dazed. "Pretty good. Running will help me burn it off."

Yoongi laughs quietly and lightly touches Jungkook's flushed cheek with his hand. "I thought you said you could handle your alcohol," he teases.

Jungkook pouts in his direction. "I can," he claims."

Namjoon sniffs the flask and his eyes widen with surprise. "I'm surprised, I didn't know you knew how to handle vodka, Hobi."

"It's only a little," Hoseok claims. "Yoongi put a lot of everything in it."

"Whiskey, bourbon whiskey, vodka, gin, rum, brandy...a squeeze of lime..." Yoongi lists casually.

"Are you trying to get us wasted?" Namjoon asks suspiciously.

"I wouldn't mind getting wasted," Jungkook mutters.

Namjoon flashes him a surprised look. "Wait, why?"

Jungkook's body leans towards Yoongi and wraps his arms around his shoulders. He rests his head on Yoongi as his cheeks turn red. "I'd rather be drunk than deal with a heat," he mumbles.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Namjoon asks, looking over his shoulder.

Yoongi nods firmly while embracing Jungkook. "I told you, we're going to go for a run."

"Their scents are making me go crazy," Hobi says quietly and looks to the closed bedroom door. "It's not like Lottie and Jin wouldn't mind the extra company, but still..."

"It's their time together, and we're respecting that," Yoongi finishes.

"I think it's time for that run," Namjoon comments and looks to the front door. He pulls off his shirt and tosses it beside the couch.

Yoongi gently nudges Jungkook off his shoulder and sits him upright. "Come on, Kook, we're going to head out."

Jungkook yawns and brushes his hair from his face. Then he takes off his shirt and stands to pull down his pants.

The wolves strip down and Namjoon opens the door before they shifted forms. A blast of icy air filled the warm living room and sends a chill through his body. He closes his eyes for a moment and crouches down...

His body transforms at his command. He stands on the wooden ground on all four paws and his body shifts between his paws. Namjoon blinks a few times and allows his eyes to adjust to his wolf eyes. Like a camera brought into focus, his eyes sharpen on the details of the world while the colors dim and drain out. It isn't that he can't see color at all in his wolf form, it just becomes less important.

He looks back at the others and finds them in wolf form, wandering the living room and shaking themselves.

Werewolves are thrice the size of normal wolves, some standing at six feet tall. In their wolf form, they communicate through gestures and simple assumptions. They are not controlled by the full moon but their emotions feel stronger during it. Heats tend to happen during full moon periods.

Taehyung chuckles quietly as Yoongi noses at his legs. He reaches out and pets his head, pushing back Yoongi's ears. Yoongi is a black wolf--his hair color matches his fur--with the same gaze in his dark brown eyes. Hoseok's fur shines healthy with brown and peach patches. His tail wags excitedly as he paces the room and his eyes are alight with a familiar curiosity.

Jungkook is larger than the others. His black fur is thick and shiny with an occasional highlight of brown. His big eyes remain innocent and bright as ever despite being extremely drunk. He bounds up to Namjoon and flashes his teeth playfully, growling. He bends down and jumps up again, encouraging Namjoon to wrestle and play with him.

Namjoon's eyes soften with endearment and he moves his head slowly to face the outdoors. He walks outside with heavy paws and keeps his tail straight for balance, just until he can adjust to walking on all fours. It's been so long since he's shifted forms.

The dark forest smells of fresh pine and soggy leaves stuck to the dirt. Distant calls of birds and creatures fill Namjoon's ears. He looks up to the moon with a fond gaze, soaking in its rays of silver light.

A little nip on his flank causes Namjoon to jolt in surprise. A growl is drawn from his throat as a reflex. He looks over and finds Jungkook jumping playfully around him like a puppy. His eyes glitter with mischief as his tail wags excitedly in the air.

Namjoon's lips curl back into what should be a sarcastic smile. A teasing growl rumbles from within him and he crouches, readying to pounce and chase Jungkook.

Jungkook's ears lie back against his head but his tail continues to wag. He barks at Namjoon before he sprints in the other direction, speeding into the woods at full speed, and disappearing into the cluster of trees.

Namjoon laughs in quiet barks before setting his sights on the young, energetic wolf.

I'm going to get you...

Namjoon braces his muscles and with a powerful kick, he sprints in Jungkook's direction and plunges into the night. He runs expertly between the trees with his paws thumping loudly underneath him. Namjoon's eyes scan the shadows and overhanging branches for any sight of the young wolf, his nostrils flared as he attempts to follow his scent trail. He catches wind of him and changes direction until it grows stronger and stronger.

Behind him, he hears Yoongi and Hoseok barking and howling for him to return or to wait for them.

Namjoon's focus zeroes on the trail Jungkook left behind, caught up in the chase for the young wolf. His massive body tramples over small bushes and uncrunched leaves and occasionally, his flank would slam into a tree but he pushes on with full strength, determined to catch Jungkook.

Up ahead, there is a break in the forest and a clearing opens up. Namjoon plows through the last of the bushes and pauses at the edge of the trees. Sitting patiently at the center of the clearing is Jungkook, his head tilted to the left and panting hard.

Namjoon feels his heart lift at the sight of him. Then he walks towards the young wolf and circles him. Jungkook's mouth hangs open as he catches his breath and stands up to try circling Namjoon too.

Faintly, Yoongi's barks continue and sound pretty annoyed with being left behind.

Namjoon looks back before lifting his head to the sky. He howls loudly, drawing from the base of his stomach, and allowing his voice to echo through the forest.

In a matter of moments, Yoongi and Hoseok emerge from the trees and trot up to the two wolves. Yoongi growls and moves around Jungkook, nipping at the back of his legs. Jungkook yelps quietly before moving back as if he wanted to sit on Yoongi's muzzle.

Hoseok bounds up to them and laughs a wolfish laugh that's filled with barks and little yips. His walk is still off-balanced but there is newfound clarity in his eyes. He is already burning off his alcohol.

Namjoon barks at the three wolves and starts moving towards the regular running path. The bushes and grass have already been flattened by their large paws from years of use.

Yoongi shakes his body and small leaves fall from his pelt. He comes to Namjoon's side, panting already, and looks towards the trial. Hoseok and Jungkook play for a moment, jumping up and trying to wrestle to the ground. Jungkook wraps his forearms around Hoseok's neck and goes limp, trying to take him down but Hoseok moves on him. Hoseok manages to pin Jungkook briefly before getting kicked off.

Namjoon barks again, more urgently, and the two wolves look up with momentary confusion in their eyes. He smiles at the cuteness of it but moves further towards the trail, signaling to them that it's time to start their run.

Jungkook and Hoseok take the hint and quickly run to their sides. Namjoon takes the lead of their small group and with an excited bark, he starts running again and this time, he runs without a care in the world. Behind him, the three wolves keep pace with their Alpha and occasionally, Namjoon overhears Hoseok howling and barking out of giddy excitement.

In the wind, he tastes wild freedom and feels the bliss of blood pumping through his veins. He runs with everything he has and loses himself in the joy of exercising.

Yoongi was right. I needed a break from everything.

Namjoon made the most of this moment, and let out an unrestrained howl into the dead of the night.

A/N: This is the longest chapter I have written in a long time! 6,260 words is a lot! It is my favorite chapter so far. I found that I love writing from Namjoon's perspective and exploring Charlotte's angsty backstory. Keep in mind, the characters are not perfect and some conversations feel awkward because they are awkward. On another note, I haven't mentioned their ages yet but here you go: Charlotte (22), Jungkook (24), Taehyung (25), Jimin (26), Namjoon (27), Hoseok (27), Yoongi (28), Seokjin (28) with the current day being November 12th.